CONTENT WARNING: Rated M for: Strong language

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything created by Tolkein and Middle-Earth. I do not own the song "Healing Incantation" from Disney's Tangled. This is for entertainment only.

A/N: Aww, who doesn't enjoy a good lullaby am I right? I hope you guys are still enjoying the story! I've been having tons of fun and have some great ideas, in my opinion, of where the story is going to go from here. I promise I will respond to all of the lovely reviews ASAP!
Hugs & Kisses!
- P


Chapter 10 -Nothing
"Let us live like flowers.
Wild and beautiful and drenched in the sun"
Ellen Everett


Aurora woke up to the sound of soft laughter and the warmth of the sun on her face; the sweet smell of cedar wood and smoky vanilla filling her senses. She slowly opened her eyes and looked out at the beautiful view from the balcony. The tops of the trees shining in the morning light. She looked around and saw the little elfing, Jarsalyn, sitting on the ground playing with another small child that looked to be around her age. Aurora smiled softly and moved to sit up when her blanket fell from her shoulder.

Wait a minute… Blanket? Aurora looked down in confusion and saw a familiar deep violet robe covering her. The soft material felt like feathers dancing across the bare skin of her forearms. She looked around once more and saw another figure standing at the edge of the balcony. With his back turned he looked even more statuesque; his long silver-blonde hair dancing softly in the light breeze, only held still around the silver circlet that rested atop his head. Was that his everyday crown? She wondered. He wore a green tunic that contrasted perfectly with his tawny leggings and boots.

"Mae g'ovannen, Your Majesty." Aurora spoke softly hoping to not disturb him too much.

King Thranduil turned slightly and looked at Aurora from the corner of his piercing blue eyes, shining even brighter in the morning sun. His face remained stoic, but his heart had seemed to flutter briefly at the sound of her voice. That was new... He turned back around, "I was beginning to wonder if you would awaken at all or if I would be forced to carry you to the healing halls. When I… " Thranduil paused almost imperceptibly, ensuring to choose his words carefully, "... When I stumbled across you and the child asleep on the bench there was a chill to the air. I am relieved to see that you did not catch a cold."

The words he spoke were kind; but his tone led Aurora to believe that he was bored. "I… Ummm… Thank you, for the robe." Aurora stammered as she stood, folding the violet robe over her arm. "I must have been more tired than I thought after…" The memories of the previous evening came flooding back and she began to feel light headed, "... after everything."

They stood in silence for a moment, hearing the distant running of the children as they ran into one of the nearby gardens. Thranduil spoke up again, "A meeting has been arranged for the sake of you and your brother. It will be held in Lord Elrond's study later this afternoon." He turned and Aurora noticed that he held a small bowl in his hand, raspberries and apple slices peaking over the rim. "After the attack with the Orcs and Nazgul there is much to be discussed and little time to discuss it. Eat." He extended the bowl in her direction, his stoic eyes meeting hers.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Aurora shook her head slightly, "But I don't find myself with much of an appetite this morning. I think I would prefer to just have a bath and change out of this dress." Aurora gently placed Thranduil's robe on the balcony ledge next to him and offered a small curtsy and she turned to leave.

"Lady Aurora." There was an edge to his voice that caused her to turn towards him again. He was walking towards her, a hint of frustration in the depths of his eyes. "Although I cannot agree more that you would certainly benefit from a bath, I must insist. You've been through a series of traumatic experiences these past few days, as you yourself stated so boisterously in the clearing last night. As a soldier, I cannot emphasize the importance of self-care at this moment, which extends to nourishment. I should have made myself clearer to you when first offering you the bowl," He stopped just in front of her, putting the bowl into one of her hands and then taking a step back, "because it wasn't a request."

Aurora looked down at the bowl in her hands, unable to hold the King's gaze anymore. "Thank you, Your Majesty. For your concern." Aurora curtsied once more and walked away, leaving the King alone on the balcony. He watched her until she turned the corner and was out of sight. He slowly made his way back to the balcony edge, picking up his robe and absent-mindedly lifted it to his face. The subtle aroma a roses lingered on the material and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly lifted upward.


Aurora toweled her hair off and pulled it into a quick bun at the base of her neck. She felt rejuvenated after relaxing in the hot water and enjoying the fruit she had been given. She wouldn't have admitted it to anyone, but she had been famished.

She quickly pulled on her familiar leggings, tank top and boots. As she turned to grab a red tunic she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror. She slowly touched her right shoulder. Her fingers lightly tracing the light pink scars. Running from her elbow and up her arm falling to the back of her shoulder and looping around her waist.

She closed her eyes as her mind drifted back in time to the horrific event. The smell. The pain. The terror. Him. Aurora shot her eyes open again; realizing that she had been holding her breath. She quickly pulled her tunic on and left for the stable.

She walked in and saw Augustus silently brushing through Odin's chestnut mane. She leaned against the door frame and watched him for several minutes. "Hey, loser."

Augustus gave a small yelp that caused Odin to toss his head in disapproval. He turned around and met his baby sister's eyes. "About time you grace the world with your presence, stupid. I expected you down her earlier."

"Yeah well," Aurora walked over to Egg and began lightly scratching his nose, "I decided to take a long bath."

"Ah," Augustus eyebrows arched, "I thought something smelled better."

Aurora scoffed, "Fuck you."

The twins spent the rest of the morning with each other; trying to distract from the heavy conversation they knew was on the horizon.


All the others had gathered in the study and were waiting for the twins to arrive. Lord Elrond sat behind his desk, Gandalf at his side as they looked over a tattered document. Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel stood at the grand window and silently looked out at the vast garden below. King Thranduil sat casually on a high backed chair, sipping from a goblet of wine as Legolas paced back and forth by one the bookshelf in the far corner. Haldir simply stood in one of the corners observing everyone else.

There was a soft knock at the door that caused everyone to turn and look as Augustus and Aurora quietly entered, clothing the door behind them.

Gandalf rose from his chair and approached them a sincere smile stretching all the way to his eyes. "Good afternoon children; I do hope that you are well and relaxed today." He looked at them both with hope and sighed when they both nodded in agreement. "Wonderful. Please come and join us."

Gandalf led the two over to where the circle of chairs surrounded Lord Elrond's desk. "Tell me," Gandalf began taking his seat next to Elrond once more, "is there anything you require? Food? Drink?"

Both shook their heads with a kind smile. Everyone else had taken their seats in the circle and looked around, wondering who would begin the conversation.

"As we have mentioned previously," Lady Galadriel began looking at Aurora, "there was a prophecy regarding you, Aurora. Although not by name, it spoke of a an elleth of light; born on the Winter Solstice, who would have the power to heal that which had been touched by darkness. When you were but a small babe; your parents began to notice strange happenings. It started simply, when you would laugh the room would seem to lighten. Not in a metaphorical sense, you understand. But quite literally, the room would lighten around you. Your Ada and Naneth brought you to me and I gleaned a portion of the woman you would become." Lady Galadriel had risen and was walking around the room as she continued her tale, "I knew from that moment you were the child of the prophecy. The fear began to arise when there were reports of movement of dark forces near the Golden Wood. Such as you possess a great light; there is great darkness that would seek to destroy it. With the help of the Mithrandir and the Lords present we were able to stage an escape for your family until a time that you were ready to return and fulfill the prophecy... As was apparent in the attack last night; the enemy has terrifying monsters at his disposal." Galadriel had stopped walking and took Aurora's hand in hers. "We will keep you safe, Aurora. But you must trust us."

Augustus was the one who spoke up first, "Who is he?"

Lord Elrond sighed from behind his desk, "We do not know. His black magic is strong and has prevented us from learning his identity. The most we have been able to gather is his location."

"Which is where?" Augustus pushed Elrond for more information.

"Dol Guldur." King Thranduil spat the words as if they threatened to poison him. "Once a great fortress within my realm it is now overrun with filth and evil."

Aurora hadn't looked up from staring at the rug under her boots. "What am I supposed to do?" She slowly lifted her eyes to meet Gandalf's. "I don't understand… How am I supposed to stop this evil? I'm just a girl who ran a flower shop with her brother… I'm nothing…"

Nothing. Thranduil felt a slight pang in his chest at her harsh self-evaluation... Before he was able to speak up Gandalf moved across the circle and dropped to a knee in front of the scared-looking elleth. "My dear," the wizard cupped her cheek in his palm as he spoke softly, "You are more special than you could ever imagine."

"But I don't understand how-" Aurora began but she was cut off.

"Through your gift, child." Lady Galadriel spoke with such passion that everyone in the looked at her. She turned her back from the window and revealed that she now held a small potted plant in her hands. The small flower protruding from the soil had started to wilt and die.

"What gift is this you speak of, my Lady?" The Elvenking furrowed his brow.

"Show them, Aurora."

Lady Galadriel watch as Aurora's eyes darted to the other faces in the room. "Lady Galadriel I don't think I can-"

"Trust us, Aurora." Lady Galadriel emphasized again and set the pot on the ground in the center of the circle. After a reassuring nod from Augustus, Aurora stood from her chair. She moved to the plant and sat down in front of it, not moving her eyes from the wilted petals. Everyone in the room watched as she gently placed her hands on either side of the pot and closed her eyes. She took several deep breaths and then began to sing:

Flower, gleam and glow
Let your power shine
Make the clock reverse
Bring back what once was mine

All in the room watched in silent awe as a subtly glow emitted Aurora's hands and the flower began to heal and regrow before their eyes.

Heal what has been hurt
Change the Fates' design
Save what has been lost
Bring back what once was mine
What once was mine

Aurora slowly opened her eyes and saw that the small flowers had blossomed and gained their color once more, the steam and leaves the perfect shade of green.

A stunned silence lingered in the air. Eyes shifting from the flower to the elleth as she slowly lowered her hands and clasped them in her lap.

"What magic is this?" Legolas spoke first, his eyes trained on Aurora.

"Very ancient… very powerful light magic. It is weaved within young Aurora's very soul." Gandalf held Aurora's gaze for several moments before she quietly stood and returned to her seat.

Augustus' arm wrapped around Aurora's shoulders as she sat back down. "So what does all of this mean?" He looked to Lady Galadriel for answers. "Is this why that…. That thing came after her last night?"

"Nazgul," Elrond clarified, "Once men but corrupted to evil long ago."

"Why didn't it kill me?" Aurora whispered; not looking up from her hands.

"My lady?" Celeborn asked, arching an eyebrow in confusion.

Aurora looked around to everyone until her eyes settled on Galadriel. "You said that whoever is after me wants to destroy me... That… Nazgul had me alone in that clearing and he could have killed me very easily. Instead he tried to get me to go with him. Why?"

"There is more than one way to extinguish a light." Thranduil spoke the grave statement with a cool indifference that unsettled all in the room. Aurora heard the words echoing in her head; her heart beating faster against her chest as she felt Augustus' grip tense on her shoulders.

"How do we protect Lady Aurora from these attacks?" Haldir spoke for the first time.

"That is what must be decided," Lord Elrond replied, "The enemy has moved faster that we expected."

"Lady Aurora should go to Lothlorien." King Thranduil stood up and made his way over to the large window, "Lady Galadriel is well versed in her magic, staying with the Lady of Light will help her."

"I must disagree." Lady Galadriel responded almost instantly causing Thranduil to snap his head in her direction. "I will, of course, aid her in learning to harness and control her magic; but this prophecy spoke to the protection of your realm, Lord Thranduil. She would do well to immerse herself in the magics of Greenwood to further that connection."

Aurora listened quietly as her next plans were decided for her. She wanted to speak up and ask if she had any say in where she went. But how could she justify that request when she had never been to either? She resigned herself to being at the mercy of others in this decision. In the end, it was decided.

Aurora would go to the Greenwood Realm.


Thranduil walked the shelves of books, his mind racing since the meeting had ended. He turned at the sound of the door closing and looked at who had arrived.

"I hope you are pleased with yourself." He spoke with annoyance.

"Indeed, I am." Lady Galadriel responded curtly. "The girl will save your realm, how can you continue to deny this?"

"I deny nothing!" He shouted. "I have now seen her magic with my own eyes. It is within your other intentions in sending her to Greenwood that I question…" He produced a folded paper from his robes. He held it up for her to see, "You could have just said that the prophecy was to be fulfilled. Yes you send this. Once again, I find you attempting to meddle in things you should not."

"Meddling, am I?" Galadriel spoke calmly, disregarding his accusations. "How is it that I am meddling when you and I know the part of the prophecy that has still been kept from her?"

"I believe her magic, but that does not mean everything in the prophecy will come to pass."

"I feel the change in you already, Thranduil." Galadriel continued as she moved to the library door, "You might not have always believed that the prophecy was true; but now I feel hope rising in you since you rescued her from those foul men. You know, in your heart, what the prophecy says will come to pass."

"How can you possibly know that?" Thranduil spat.

"You kept the letter." She left.

Thranduil crumpled the paper in his hand and moved to throw it in a nearby hearth, pausing at the last moment. His hand trembling slightly. He slowly smoothed the letter out again and read the words that he had memorized a thousand times over.

Your future waits in Rivendell upon the solstice. Do not run from this chance.


Egg cantered gracefully around the training field, his loose mane and tail flowing around him. Aurora maneuvered him into a half pass that ended in a masterful pirouette. Unbeknownst to her, as she rode around, the two silver-blonde elves stood at the edge of the field entranced by the graceful duo, Augustus standing close behind them.

"How does she get her horse to move in such a manner?" Legolas asked.

Augustus chuckled softly, "Two to three hours a day, 5 days a week for the past 12 years. You'll never see a more synchronized pair than Auri and Egg."

"Why is the horse named Egg?" Thranduil drawled, "It seems such an unbecoming name for such a magnificent beast."

"When you compete against other riders in dressage, you are allowed to give your horse a show name. A name that the horse is registered under so, in the event that you no longer own the horse, the name along with the previous winning records go with the horse." Augustus explained, "Our parents helped us pick out Egg's show now because we had no idea what to name him. But we didn't want to call him by his registered name all the time, so we created a nickname based from his show name. E.G."

"E.G?" Legolas asked back. "What does it stand for?"

Augustus looked back out to Aurora and Egg cantering around the field, a smile gracing her face.

"Eru's GIft."


"I didn't realize I had an audience today." Aurora called to the trio at the edge of the field as she walked Egg towards them.

"You ride beautifully, Lady Aurora." Legolas smiled at her as she halted Egg next to them and dismounted.

"You are kind, Your Grace. But this guy does all the work," Aurora softly scratch Egg's forehead and placed a soft kiss on his nose. "I just hang on for dear life."

"You are proficient with many forms of horseback riding, Lady Aurora." Thranduil observed with indifference. "Between this and your skills of mounted archery, I wonder what you'll surprise us with next."

"Mounted archery?" Legolas arched an eyebrow, "I consider myself an expert in all things pertaining to archery, and I must admit that I have not heard of such a thing."

Aurora's cheeks flushed pink and she began to stammer, "It… It wasn't anything spec-"

"On the contrary," Thranduil cut in, "Had it not been for Lady Aurora's skill, I surely would have been felled by that Orc from the clearing last night." Thranduil looked to Aurora, who was suddenly fascinated by something on the ground. Seeing the blush on her cheeks made Thranduil smile inwardly. "That is certainly not nothing."

"Lady Aurora," Legolas stared at her with wide eyes, "I was not aware that you had saved my Ada in such a valiant way. I am forever in your debt." Legolas placed a hand over his heart and bowed his head.

Augustus watched Aurora and could sense that she was becoming uncomfortable with the attention and compliments given to her and decided to put her at ease, "I wasn't aware of this either, Auri…" He placed and arm around her shoulders, "The last time I heard of you doing mounted archery the local authorities put the town on lock down because strange objects erratically falling from the sky!"

Legolas let out a burst of laughter as Aurora punched her brother in the stomach and he doubled over.

"You are lucky to have received a punch to the stomach, Master Augustus." Thranduil mused.

"Why is that, Your Majesty?" Augustus gasped for air.

Thranduil gave a smirk and locked eyes with Aurora, "Your sister could've had a knife."


DRESSAGE TERMS:

Half Pass: This is a lateral movement where the horse moves forwards and sideways bent into the direction that it is moving in.

Pirouette: A highly advanced dressage move where the horse with an inside bend, pivots on one of its hind legs and moving its forelegs and other hind leg turns around on the spot to form a circle.