Title: How Does It Feel (52 of ?)
Author: palephoenix (palephoenix(underscore)6(at)yahoo.ca)
Genre: LOTR FP-het
Pairing: Legolas/OFC
Rating: NC-17 this chapter...
Warning: This story is a Mary Sue... I cannot fathom why anyone would waste their time reading it if they don't like Mary Sues... Well, go ahead and waste your time if you want, but don't waste mine by reviewing telling me my fic sucks.
Disclaimer: Not for profit, purely for entertainment purposes. The characters belong to Tolkien and the actors belong to themselves. I'm just borrowing them. I don't know the actors; if I did I wouldn't be writing this... I'd be keeping Orlando in my bed for the next five years.
Feedback: pretty please with Orlando on top?
Notes: Eilish is pronounced 'eye-lish'... As far as I know it is the Irish version of Elizabeth... As in previous chapters, words in italics are in elvish, with the translation at the end of the paragraph. This chapter is more book verse, but I've changed things a bit. Words in bold are in French, with a translation at the end of the paragraph.Some dialogue (and only dialogue) is taken directly, word for word, from the book.
Summary: Labour and delivery nurse Eilish Bell is in a car accident and finds herself thrown into Middle Earth.
Chapter 52
"Eilish!" Eowyn's voice greeted her as soon as she entered the Healing Houses. "Where have you been?"
"Sorry, Eowyn," Eilish apologized, taking a seat next to Eowyn's bed. "I overslept."
"That is an understatement, my friend," Eowyn retorted. "It is near evening."
"I know. I can't believe I slept so long." Eilish looked around the room to make sure they were alone and that the door was closed. "Eowyn, I had the strangest dream last night. Manwë and Varda spoke to me in my dream."
"The Valar spoke to you?" Eowyn repeated, dumbfounded.
"I shit you not," Eilish swore. "They said I had done a lot since I came to Middle Earth and they asked me how I felt about Legolas. I told them honestly how much I love him. They seemed to approve of what I said. Then Manwë told me that they, the Valar, had decided to offer me the choice of the Half-elven."
"The choice of the Half-elven?" Eowyn frowned, confused.
"The same choice that was given to Lord Elrond and his brother, and to Elrond's children; the choice to be mortal, human, or to be counted among the Firstborn, as an elf," Eilish explained.
The Shieldmaiden was speechless, her blue eyes wide.
"I've never been so shocked in my life," Eilish confided. "I couldn't even talk. This was one thing that was so hard for me, you remember. I was so scared of what would happen to Legolas if I died. I finally managed to tell them yes, I wanted to be an elf. Then Manwë told me to sleep and that when I woke up I would be an elf."
"And?"
"When I woke up a while ago it was odd, cause my vision was sharper and I could hear what two women in the courtyard were saying, as clearly as if they were right there. Then I remembered the dream, but I was just thinking 'Man, that was a weird dream'," Eilish went on. "But then I reached up to touch my ear. And look!" She brushed away the hair, revealing the new leaf-shaped ears.
Eowyn's eyes bugged out. "You are an elf!" She gasped.
"I'm an elf," Eilish repeated flatly, still very much in disbelief herself. "I became an elf while I slept."
"Oh, Eilish," Eowyn grinned. "Think of Legolas' face when he sees!"
And in spite of the strangeness of the situation, Eilish cracked up, imagining Legolas' eyes popping out of his head. "Oh man, that'll be priceless," She giggled. "Gawd, this is surreal."
After Eilish's unexpected metamorphosis, of which she told no one but Eowyn, the days passed slowly. All in Minas Tirith were anxious and on edge, not the least of which were Eilish and the three occupants of the Healing Houses. All four were tense, worry clouding everything they did. The shadows in the east were still prominent, casting a pall over the whole landscape.
On the seventh day, in the late morning, several of those who had been part of Aragorn's host came from the east, riding as if Sauron himself followed. They were the faint-hearted, whom Aragorn had dismissed. Though worried about the host losing numbers, Eilish was relieved that events were continuing to go as they had in the book. She crossed her fingers, hoping fervently that the rest of the day would follow suit. Today was the 25th of March, which, if memory served, was the day of the battle and the fall of Sauron.
After picking at their lunch, Eilish, Eowyn, Faramir and Merry sat on the wall overlooking the Pelennor Fields and the East. None spoke more than a few words, their eyes trained on the view toward Mordor. Eilish cracked her knuckles repeatedly, without even realizing she was doing so. Faramir was clenching and unclenching his right fist, as though he were grasping a sword hilt. Eowyn was unconsciously doing the same. Merry seemed unable to sit still.
So intent were they on the horizon, that all four jumped at a sudden deafening explosion. Eilish could have been easily convinced that it had been an atomic blast, as the shock wave shook the very stones of the White City. In the distance Mount Doom exploded with a huge plume of ash, rock and magma.
"Thank god," Eilish whispered, tears of relief beginning to slip down her cheeks. Completely overwhelmed she dropped her head into her hands and sobbed. Merry threw his small arms around her waist, crying himself.
Eowyn had dropped down on her knees in the grass, while Faramir stared blankly at the ongoing eruption of Mount Doom.
It was some time before any of the foursome recovered. Eilish was the first. Faramir was still staring, glassy-eyed, toward Mordor. As she looked back to the east, Eilish frowned, seeing two small shapes flying in the direction of Minas Tirith, getting closer rapidly.
"The eagles!" She gasped. "Shit! We need to go let the healers know they have patients coming."
"Your pardon, Lady Eilish?" Faramir blinked and looked at her, confused.
"I don't know if you can see them yet, but there are two eagles flying this way. They must have Frodo and Sam and they won't be in good shape after what they've been through. We need to let the healers know. It won't be long before they get here. Those eagles are flying fast," Eilish explained.
"Frodo and Sam?" Merry abruptly stopped crying and smiled widely.
"Yep," Eilish hugged him. "You guys stay here, I'll go." And with that she stood and started in the direction of the Healing Houses.
