Author's Note:

Wanring: This may end up being my shortest chapter yet...and the strangest. There's a part in here, that is a bit...odd. But, I think it sets up some other things that will happen later on quite nicely. Also, I am looking for someone to help me out with the end things. I have thought of one that I like a great deal, but it is not very much like the one I had written in the previous chapters. (Galadriel's mirror and the very first chapter). So if you're willing to read my new insane thought, send me a message. I would like to thank my awesome (and tolerant) reviewer, Lady Viola Delesseps. I feel like I am writing this for her most days. Be sure to check out her amazing work. I'm obsessing over one short story, 'A Small Bowl'. It's about my latest obession, Loki. So worth the read. And re-read!


Chapter Forty-Nine: You Will Burn

His nerves frayed, Thranduil held onto his newborn son, as he stared down with eyes full of tears and mourning. "Landir, please. Why will she not wake?"

Landir placed a comforting hand on the shoulder of his King and said, "She is well, Thranduil."

"Her son needs her. Does he matter so little to her?" the King said.

"I said that she is well. She will wake in time." Landir said, "See? She has healed completely." Landir then lifted the loose linen shirt that the Queen wore, revealing her stomach. In its natural flat form, only a faint pink scar remained.

"Wake her, Landir. I will not stand for this. She has always spoken against inaction. There is nothing more important to me than the care of this child!" the King shouted.

"Majesty, have a care. She will wake, as will Girion." Landir said.

"I fear for the both of them." Thranduil said as he looked over to the still form of Girion, who had inexplicably fallen into a deep rest. Thranduil felt a shadow of fear grow in his mind each time he looked into the eyes of Girion. Once, they had reminded him of the emeralds of old, but now, they reminded Thranduil of nothing but darkness and flame.

The eyes of Girion seemed to be looking at the face of Glineth. Every so often as the King and Landir watched over Girion and Glineth, their mouths would both twitch into uneasy smiles, a small sigh escaping from each of them.


A/N:
(Quick note here, Glineth and Girion/Mairon are in sort of a dream realm thing. I swear, it does make sense.)

The form of shadow sat still and silent among the ruins, allowing his consciousness to completely fill the body of Girion, finally allowing himself to be inside the dream realm. He was pleased, more pleased than he had been in years that that he looked young and beautiful, as he once did before. As he turned his head, he saw that he was finally alone, and holding the soft hand of one of the only beings he cared for.

"Father. You must release me. I need to tend to my child." Glineth said, taking her hand from his.

Mairon reached out, and tucked a stray strand of Glineth's hair behind her delicately pointed ear. "I am not your father. I made you from a dream." he whispered.

"And in a dream you keep me prisoner. Bravo, father."

"Mairenya. I am not your father." he purred, pressing his mouth lightly against her ear.

Glineth, surprised at how much she enjoyed the feel of his breath on her skin backed away from him, "You have used seduction and trickery before. I am not one to be fooled by beauty. You waste your time."

"I do not wish to fool you, dear Mairenya. Am I not pleasing to your eyes? Or do I need a crown of twigs to excite you?" he asked, taking her hand in his once more.

"You are. Beautiful. But inside, you are nothing but a monster."

Eyes once again blazing Mairon tightened his grip on her hand and said, "I could give you the world. "

"You would give me nothing but fire and smoke." Glineth said, her eyes blinking away tears.

"You deserve more than a kingdom of twigs and leaves...you deserve more than a weak husband." he said. "I need you at my side. For together, fire and beauty can rule this Middle Earth."

"I wish to go to my husband and children. Release me."

"I will burn them before you. You belong to me" his grip on her now hard, and cruel.

The threat against the lives of her husband and children proved to be too much for Glineth. She fell to her knees, and clutched at the hem of his black robe. "What must I do? Please. Anything. Leave them alone, please!" she cried.

"This." he said, helping Glineth rise to her feet. His arms around her waist, he pulled her towards him, his eyes fixed on hers. He leaned down, and pressed his lips gently on hers.

Rage and bravery filled Glineth as she raised her hand, and brought it down upon the face of her creator. As her hand made contact with his the face of Mairon, she felt the flesh of her hand swell and burn. As he fell backwards in shock, her scream filled the air.

Mairon strode to her, and with a look full of admiration and fury, he said, "You show bravery, to strike fire. "

"Please. Help me. It...burns. Please." she said, between her agonized moans.

The sight of his own creation, her hand nearly destroyed by flame filled him with curiosity and dread. "Very well. I release you to your death."

As Glineth became but a mirage before him, he whispered viciously, "You will burn."


As she felt her eyes fluttered open, she quickly turned her head to look at Girion. Much to her surprise he was also waking, his eyes back to their emerald green.

"Girion." she whispered. "Are you...?"

"Majesty. I feel as if I have been asleep for so long...I am sorry, it was me. I let him in. I...I am sorry."

Glineth lifted a reddened hand to silence Girion, "It is fine my friend. I feel no anger towards you."

Thranduil, asleep in a darkened corner of the room, hearing the voices of Glineth and Girion, began to stir. He tightened the grip he had on his child, and rushed towards the bed where Glineth sat.

"Oh thank the Valar, you're awake. Both of you. Look my son, it's your mother." Thranduil said.

The child in his arms turned his head, and fixed his eyes on those of his mother.

"Yes my love, we have the same eyes." Glineth said, smiling.

The child then let out a clear, loud, yet musical cry of longing. He wanted his mother.

"Such beautiful music." Glineth cooed, as Thranduil placed the babe in her arms "I love you sweet child."

Thranduil smiled as he watched the bond that grew between mother and child before him. "He adores you." he said, "I am pleased that you have awoken also, Girion. We were most concerned. I cannot do without you as the Guard to my family."

Standing before his King, his gear in hand he bowed towards him. "Thank you my King. I wish to take up my duties now, as I feel quite rested." he said.

"Of course. Take Tauriel with you. Show her how a patrol is done in these Woods." Thranduil commanded.

Girion bowed, then left the room, eager to taste the freedom of the Wood.

Happy to be returned to a place some semi-normalcy, Thranduil smiled and turned his attention back to his wife, who had begun to nurse their son.

"I can see change in him already. How long was I asleep for?" she asked.

"Oh, a little less than two days."

"He is such a beautiful thing. His voice, it's...I have never heard such a thing." Glineth said.

"His eyes, they are beautiful." Thranduil said, placing a loving hand on the child's head. "What you did, you showed the courage of a warrior, my Queen."

Glineth's face became hard, her eyes cold as she turned to look to her husband. "Do not be a fool. I do not need your praise. I did what had to be done. I knew I could not count on you to do such a thing for me. " she snapped, "You may leave us."

Confused Thranduil said, "I...why must I go?"

"He and I have no need of you. We are well." Glineth said tonelessly.

Thranduil moved close to his wife and child on the bed, and took her free hand in his. "Please. I wish to stay. I do not want to miss any-"

"Go and bring Legolas to us, if you wish to be of use."

"Why have you become so cold towards me?" he asked, defeat in his voice.

"I am tired, Thranduil. I just recently carved a being out of my own womb." she sighed.

Thranduil's face became as stone, and as he waled to the door he bowed to Glineth and said, "I should have given you a crown of ice."

As he swept out of the room, the child in the arms of Glineth began to cry quietly. "Hush now, he'll come back. He's bringing your brother!" she said as she stroked his soft brown hair.

A few minutes later, Thranduil had returned, his son with him.

"Mama!" Legolas called out as he ran towards the bed, "and brother! Hello, little brother."

The baby then reached out his tiny hand towards the hand of Legolas, and wrapped his hand around one of his outstretched fingers.

"He likes you." Glineth said.

"I like him too! And his hair! Why is it so dark?" Leoglas asked.

"The color runs in my family, little leaf."

'I am not little anymore. He is little!" Legolas said, still not looking away from his brother.

"Would you like to hold him?" Glineth asked.

"Oh yes! I will be careful, I promise!" he exclaimed, as he held out his arms.

Glineth gently placed the child in the arms of her eldest child.

"Mind his neck, Legolas. You must support it." Thranduil said, as he sat next to his wife.

"He is very light! Like a bird, or a song carried on the wind." Legolas said, as he gently rocked his brother in his arms. "His eyes remind me of a squirrels eyes."

"Be kind, Legolas." Thranduil said, trying not to laugh.

"I meant no unkindness, ada. I love squirrels. They are wise, light, and smart, just like my brother." he laughed.

"Strange boy." Thrandul said, unable to hold back his laughter.

"You are a strange father!" Legolas teased, "I like him very much. My brother. Mother, what is his name?"

"A wonderful question, my son!" Thranduil said, watching his newborn son fall asleep in arms of his eldest son.

"I thought...did I not name him? I thought I did. I must have." Glineth said in a panic.

"It is fine Glineth. You went to your rest just as you began to whisper his name." Thranduil said, kissing her cheek lightly.

"Ah."

Thranduil and Legolas both wore matching looks of anticipation and longing. "Well? What is his name, Glineth!?" Thranduil asked.

Glineth looked at her still sleeping newborn and said, "We shall call him Lindir."

Thranduil smiled and said, "Singing bird. It is fitting. For his cry is melodious and of the most beautiful kind. Lindir. "


A/N:

Well. That's done! I am having a right blast connecting the dots so to speak, between my scribbles and the movies. I hope it does not bother any of you, but makes a little sense!
What do you make of the interaction between Glineth and Mairon? Creepy? Sweet?...Super creepy?
I am always open to reading your ideas, requests, etc. I love putting things in this story that some of you send my way! As always, thank you for reading! -M