Another day another long ride. Juniper decided that while she liked traveling she hated this journey. She had dozed off after breakfast and had snuggled into the warm folds of Elthian's cloak. There she had drifted off into peaceful slumber. Her dreams were nondescript until a dark fog began to roll in around her. She recognized how this felt. It was like when she was with Minol in the beginning. When he was trying to get her to remember him as he was long ago. Only this, this was not Minol and while everything in her said run she forced herself to stay. After all this worked two ways. He would learn about her but she too would learn about him.
She steadied herself and stood with her back straight and her wings out. Just as Thranduil has instructed her. The fog swirled and grew more dense then finally it took shape though his features were obscured. She was like a stone, not showing an ounce of emotion to him. They sized each other up in those moments. While she was very small he was massive before her. His presence weight down everything yet she stood as tall as she might.
"You did not flee little fae. I find this curious, You would allow yourself so close to me." He leaned in to look at her the closer he became the more his features became clear and he was beautiful. "Do you not fear me? Do you not find me beautiful and become filled with despair?"
He did not touch her. He couldn't without hurting her and she him. She had figured this out long ago. "Oh I find you quite beautiful but despair is not what I feel. " Her voice lifted with a slight fleeting twitter than made his eye twitch.
"You are very bold to mock me. So then little fae tell me what is it you feel in my presence?" He looked her right in the eyes and she was surprised to see Jeven's eyes looking back at her.
"Pity, sadness, longing though I feel your loneliness." Gone was that twitter and in its place she spoke softly. "You have surrounded yourself with creatures that are forced to love you yet none simply love you as you are without you having to enchant them. It's the loneliness you experienced in the void. Utterly with only yourself, It had an impact upon you. "
He growled lowly as the corners of his lips twitched and curled into a dark grin. "Is that so my dear? " He stood straight as the fog swirled about languidly. "Let me let you know something about myself." He began to move in a slow circle around her, he drank in every inch of her and was filled with the desire to consume her. "Do not place such petty things as emotions on me. I am quite above all that nonsense. Loneliness? That makes me laugh, I am the best company I could have. " He finally stopped and once more bent down to look her in the eye and this time he was but a breath away from her. "You will be mine in the end little fae and I will have everything I want and You my dear will be the one who hands it to me willingly. Together you and I will remake the arda."
She felt her blood go cold. None had ever told her that was what he wished to do. What he had been seeking from the very beginning. Now it was his turn to gloat. "Oh I see your precious Minol did not divulge that information to you. That is your purpose is it not? We will make a new world, One where I am Eru."
She gasped and felt an anger welling up deep within herself. She began to shake with it. Her hands clenched into fist. She glared on him and screamed into his face. " You will Never be Eru!"
He was forced to move back. The blast that hit him was felt in his physical form and he was damaged. He pulled out of the dream and held his head. Dark blood came from his nose and at first he was shocked then he just grinned happily. "She is so much more than I could have dreamed of. "
Elthian's cloak began to move violently and he had to grab her tightly and talk to her. "Juniper, stop , just stop you are here with me." He looked on the small panicked woman in his arms. Her purple eyes wide with fear and anger.
"I need Minol now." She spat out and growled as she clenched her teeth and began to cry.
She was walking in dreams again. Elthian knew what this was, he had been with her on this journey. He broke formation and began to ride towards the back of the royal guard where Minol rode. He felt her long before they reached him. He knew what had happened. He braced himself for it. Suddenly she flung herself from Elthian's cloak and was in Minol's saddle. "Take me where we can talk." She hissed at him and he simply bowed his head before his wings were out and with a mighty flap they were lifted into the air and then disappeared from Elthian's sight.
"Don't be reckless." Elthian called out to them and grumbled.
He landed in a small meadow. As soon as they touched the grass she slapped him not once but twice so hard his head snapped to the side and his jaw ached. His fingers were rubbing at it when he held his hand up to block a third strike.
"Listen to me." He said lowly and had her wrists in his squeezing grasp within a second. His leg sweeping out to come back and kick her feet from under her. He caught her and lay her upon the ground and straddled her . Keeping her firmly in place. At first this angered her even more then quickly it all changed and she began to cry.
"What his plan is has nothing to do with what you must do. Juniper you heal the Arda you don't remake it and you certainly do not do it under his influence. You do it with Your friends and lovers. We just have to make sure what he wants never happens." His grip on her lessened and he sat back. His eyes more purple now . He was more Minol now than the demon.
"It will be the hardest thing you ever do Little Flower. Just remember who you are, that you are more powerful than you feel. He will know fear again and it will be by your hand."
Juniper lay there with tears in her eyes looking up at him. He reached down and pulled her against him once again. Holding her to his chest his wings come around them. "Our time with the elves comes to an end. " He said softly then suddenly they were in the air flying fast back towards the line.
"What is it?" She asked and pressed her hand to his chest.
"The enemy is here." He said matter of factly.
He was like a burr over the heads of the army she felt them swoop and come to a stop . When she looked she was before Maedhros. "The enemy is here they are but a few miles behind."
Maedhros quickly gave the order for them to stop and turn around. He sent scouts out and they began to move into a defensible line. He nodded to Minol who took off with the queen once more. She said nothing, she knew this day would come. Once again he was stopping the swoop of his wings always announcing it. "Go find Elthian and the others." He told her and she nodded before looking up to Thingol. The look in her eyes told him what he needed to know. Then she was gone . She in her small form made right towards the royal guard and Elthian.
She was all over him without a word . Her small form working the buckles of the saddle bags open. "Wait what is going on Melamin?"
"the enemy if here. They are attacking the rear but I fear there will be more to this." She disappeared into the saddle bag and rummaged around. " We need to form a line along the edges as well. They are going to flank us. It's what. "she crawled out of the bag with her armor and weapons. "It's what Ro, I would do." She corrected herself as she was shimmying into her Mythril dress. "
The message made it to the guard. They were to protect her at all cost. Pretty soon Elthian was surrounded by all of them. With the exception of Gandalf and Elrond. She looked to all of her friends. This unusual group was her family. She took the time to look them all in the eye before she lifted her helm and placed it over her head. With a nod she turned big and stood on the back of the horse . Her body crouched down low and she held on to Elthian's armor.
Curufin noticed her riding along Elthian's back and regaled in Mythril as if she were going to fight. He made for them as the army began to form in ranks around the center where she was. "What do you think you are doing my Lady. You should be in a carriage. Being protected." Elthian began to laugh. "What is so funny?" He demanded.
"Mellon nin I intend to participate in my own protection, you will see I am not so helpless." She sounded almost merry.
"I wouldn't argue with her if I were you Curufin. Just prepare to get an education today." Elthian joked and urged Loratha around the circle before stopping near the center.
One thing elves are very good at was quickly preparing for battle. There they were the full might of the eastern elves and their allies. Then there was no sound. It was so quiet she felt perhaps she had suddenly gone deaf. Not even a mouse moved. Then you could hear it. The sound of many feet on the ground and the clank of armor. It was coming from all around them. She boldly stood and looked out over a sea of spears and arrows. a dark line and dotted along it taller creatures. She lowered back down and looked towards Finnola. "Trolls on both sides. "
"Come on Lover lets go get dirty ." Finnola and Glorfindel began to move through the soldiers on the right.
Now she cast Narl a grin motioned towards the left with her head. Narl began to move towards the left. His war horse absolutely ready for this, so much so with each step it took it pawed at the ground as if it would spring any second.
Once Narl was fairly deep into the crowd she lifted up and kissed Elthian on the cheek. "The troll slayers are making ready. I need you to stay in the center as much as possible and I need you uninjured."
He found this odd. "Juniper why are you giving me orders like this? Are you planning on doing something completely stupid again?"
"I might be. Though I need to. This army needs to meet Thranduil's or he is doomed. If we can give the dark lord a nice slap in the face today then His eye will be drawn here. He will divide his forces and it will become much easier for our King."
Elthian groaned but before he could say anything else she was gone. Not even a streak remained.
She made right for Narl and landed upon his massive shoulder. He was heading towards the orc army. He needed one of the orc horses for this. "Let me guess My Lady. We will be taking out the trolls and war machines on this side."
"You are correct. I figured I would take the strongest guy with me and let those two have their fun. We are all business my dear. " She leaned against his neck and spoke into his ear softly.
"Business, I do like the sound of that." He whispered politely then broke out in a more rough tone. "Horse now I am going to kill today." With a grin he pulled hismelf up on the back of the black steed and rode off. A small glow on his shoulder before he disappeared into the growing dust cloud.
Slowly the fae slides down his back and grows big as she presses against his back. On her small feet she had perfect balance on the moving beast. Truth was she was seeing through the horse and knew the move the horse would make before it did. Narl swung his axe and hewed his way forward. Soon he was swinging his arm nearly constantly and she could see the troops before them.
"see you on the other side mellon." She said almost brightly and was gone like a dart before him. It was a bit hard to watch her but what he did end up seeing was the aftermath she left. The jets of black blood that rained down on him as he pushed forward. The limbs that flew in the air and how the path seemed to clear just in time with each second. He began to see how the fae could cause a lesser heart to fear.
They rode into a small clearing with the horror of this dark army behind them and some giving chase they pushed forward. The troll in the back being readied to push forward. They had to do this quickly. "Keep going!" She yelled as she paused just a breath beside him then gone she was to the back.
Narl focused in on his first kill of the day . He charged right for the mace swinging troll. He felt the ground shake when its weapon met the ground and he swayed in the saddle and the horse obeys. Right for the legs where with one mighty swing he cut a leg from under the creature and it fell to the ground screaming in agony.
He did not have to kill them. He just had to take them out of the fight and that he could do. Now he focused in on his next target. Pushing forward he was dodging the hammer that it swung with a terrible force. Then from no where he was blind sided by a warg. His horse falls to its side screaming as it slides for several feet. Narl rises with his axe and positions himself as a troll approaches . Only for the warg to return .
He began to doubt his plan when from the corner of his eye he saw the flash of her light then the troll almost peacefully falls over on it's side slowly. His foul smelling guts spread across the ground. Narl grinned at the warg and charged. The invisible death met another troll as it falls behind the warg and he begins to finally look around for it.
"You foul cur your fight is with me." Narl yelled as the warg stepped back and prepared a large swipe of its claws. Narl elegantly spun out of the way and right before the warg his axe being swung upwards meet the beasts jaw and cleaved its head in half.
Juniper was coated in the blood and guts of the troll and orc she was gleefully slaughtering. While Rowena was there and mostly in charge Juniper was able to talk and even act some herself. The tight focus Rowena had on battle was exhilarating and many fell that day from just the blood lust of Rowena.
Then as the sun began to fade and the night would over take them there came a light from the west. It was small at first but it was only moments before the light was so intense it was like the mid day. The remaining enemy was awe struck by the light and soon began to try and run. Elves saw no fear in this light, they began to chase the attackers and slay them with ease.
With her enemies on the run she stopped and looked towards this light. He seemed to just form into view. There was light then there was shape and then there was a great white meara before her. Larger than the others and it glowed with an eternal light. She was focused on the meara. Pure and beautiful she reached out her small hand covered in the filthy of battle and the meara bowed its head to her.
Then as if rudely she was shaken from her moment by the movement of the meara's rider. Slowly her eyes drifted up and he sat on the bareback of the meara. Golden haired god that he was. His bow across his back and a sword in his hand. He looked down on the small filthy creature his mount bows to. He smiled at her and spoke in a voice that seemed to touch every inch of her inside and out.
"Somethings never change." He said the laughed gently. "I think the last time I saw Rowena she was in much the same state. "
Juniper shook her head. "I am Juniper."
"I know Lady of Greenwood the Great but I know her. It is a pleasure to meet you Juniper. I am Orome."
The color drained from her face though one could not tell behind all the muck.
Later, There she sat in a small tub of warm water, Elthian dutifully bathing her as she sat there silent and awestruck. "Narl is fine, he did get some damage but should recover." He said softly and she nodded. "I'm glad that Narl is fine." Her voice just barely above a whisper.
"Did you see him?" She asked and lifted her eye finally to look into his.
"No I only saw the light." He went about asking the soap form her hair. Water rolled down her back and he made her tip her head back.
"I have to talk to him Melamin. He said he knew Rowena that means he knows me. In a way. " He lowered down until his face was even with hers and he looked into those eyes that were filled with wonder and he hoped to never see that look fade.
"Then I suppose we will wait outside the tent. I would like to see them tell you to leave." He smiled and wiped at her nose with the wash cloth. "I am surprised that you have kept yourself and not fallen into a deep sleep."
"It was different this time." She confessed and sank back into the tub. Her gaze holding his. "We worked together, I was never not there. Her movements were mine. I knew how to do all of it."
"That is not such a bad thing now is it?" He asked and lifted his brows just a bit. "She has been part of you since the beginning. It's about time you make nice with each other."
Maybe that was it. Maybe that was why Minol had her on this journey all along. Was for her to merge with Rowena?" No that can't be it he hates her. Wants her out of me." Now muttering to herself.
She was lifted from the tub and she continued to talk. "I'm just trying to figure his angle out on this escapade. It's always like that. I am always trying to figure him out. "
Elthian rolled his eyes and handed her a towel that she wrapped around herself. "I should probably stop that." Her eyes wandered around the modest tent she she saw a few packs that were out to be packed. "Might be a good idea to get a few more packed as well. It will be soon you know."
"I know Melamin. The danger has not been lost on me." He assured her.
Finnola was dipping herself in. The tents were a bit short for her so she sat down and looked to Juniper who was wrapped in a towel and heard Elthian behind a screen dressing. She held out a small wrapped bundle with a shiny clean helm a top it. "Took me a minute but I got them clean for you."
Juniper took the package with a smile. "Thank you so much mellon nin. How did you a Glorfindel fare? Did you enjoy yourselves?"
Finnola chuckled as Juniper moved through the tent to place her armor down and to get dressed. "We had fun, it was a good fight. We took few losses but there were several injured. The annihilation and the humiliations from today will surely get his attention now."
Juniper was silent and still as she listened to Finnola. She hoped her friend would understand the next step of this. She needed them guiding this army. "I do love you both Finnola." Her words spilled forth as a gentle calming breeze. Then she turned and began to get dressed . The towel pulled aside and a make shift dress made from the tunic of Caranthir was placed over her small curves. Her wing fluttered out the back.
"The cleverness of those that can sew never ceases to amaze me." Elthian spoke as he stepped from behind the screen. "This one suits you Melamin." His smile just lit up the room for her and she smiled back.
Finnola rolled her eyes and groaned.
"Now now Fin, not all of us consider battle as foreplay." He smirked and ducked away quickly.
"Why you," Finnola stood and her head pushed the roof of the tent up. "You know what you pointy eared tree hugger..."
Juniper burst into laughter. Which cut Finnola off and she realized how she looked and what she had said. She too began to laugh and sat back down. Elthian bowed graciously to her. "Please forgive my forward language. My Lady."
That sent Juniper into another fit of laughter.
With the mood lightened she left the tent with Finnola and Elthian. She wore a cloak that blocked her light from view. Hiding away the tattle tale signs that she was different. They reached the meeting tent. It was rather large and Thingol could move about comfortably within it. She blinked when the guards saw them and pulled the flap open for her as if she had been expected.
Yet they would only allow her to enter. She smiled to Elthian and when he lowered down to speak with her she kissed him with curious passion then apologized for him needing to stay outside. She was somewhat different now, yet who Juniper was had not changed in the slightest. He nodded and watched her enter the tent before he rose and stood back with Finnola.
Slowly she entered the tent. Thingol sat in a great throne, the sons of Feanor scattered around the tent. Maedhros beside the King, sitting in a large chair. Curufin stood with his arms crossed near the center of the tent. Celegorm stood beside Orome who was relaxing at the large table.
It was Caranthir that came to escort her in to the meeting. He took her hand and guided it to his arm. He smiled for her and leaned down a bit to whisper. "There is nothing to fear Juniper." Then he lead her into the large room of the tent. They watched every step she took. Her hand lifted to push the hood back and the silver of her hair sparkled in the flicking light of the lamps. He took her right to Orome, she found her head tilting back to look into his eyes. She was fascinated by him. While respectful she did not show reverence when approaching him. Instead just a steam of curiosity and even adoration.
He looked back into the pool of sweet lavender that were her eyes and for several moments they held each others gaze before Orome smiled and made a request. "Please allow me a few moments of privacy with the Queen of the Woodland Realm."
Celegorm lay his hand on her shoulder as he passed. He lowered down and whispered. "Be gentle on him My Lady." He shift to look into her eyes and winked at her before casually following the others out. Thingol telling them to take all the time they needed.
She stood as tall as she could yet she felt quite small compared to him. Before her eyes his form changed and he grew smaller yet he was still quite tall. "I can choose my appearance my dear. I thought this would be less intimidating to you."
"Thank you for being so thoughtful." Her head canted back a bit and her eyes narrowed slightly. She took the seat beside him and he poured her a drink and turned and placed the goblet on the table beside her.
"You are unexpected Juniper. I knew of the fae, the others did not. No one expected that the universe we created would in turn create its own goddess of creation and place her within what would become the arda. While we tarried on with observing she was making you. I came across the fae while I was hunting Melkor's monsters. Your kind were killing them too. I met the leader who was a Queen. Her name was Rowena and she was lethal. I traveled with her and killed the things that threatened her forest. I grew to love and respect her, this small thing that had the power to protect her people. I swore to never speak of them and I never did. They faded away as if they had never even been here." He leaned in rather close to her and studied her with eyes that saw everything. "Now here you are. Killing monsters, as lethal as ever, yet were you touch the green grass springs up over a field of blood and becomes more beautiful than it has ever been. "
He sat back then and smiled at her once more. "I plan to stay, I will take a small band of elves with me and I will hunt these monsters. He must be stopped and all we can do is place him in the void once more. You however can end him but for his plan to work he needs you." he trailed off then and he saw the worry in her gaze. It was her job to end him. Though she did not know how. He lifted his glass and piped up in a more cheery manner. " Now drink and lets talk about things that are less gloomy. "
She lifted the goblet and drank deeply of the ambrosia he served her and their conversations went to other things. It would not be a short time they spent together deeply in conversation. She managing to charm a god into staying and helping them. Their plans grew as the night went on.
