Hi readers! Just in case you're new to this book and don't know… THIS BOOK IS PART TWO! You could of course keep reading, it will all make sense eventually but for better understanding you should read the previous book, I will be dropping things that you would only understand if you read the first book such as green slime still not coming off…. The previous book is called Elven Princess Under the Mountain. Check it out before continuing if you haven't already.
I don't know if anybody even reads these authors notes any way but if you did and you've already read EPUtM I am sorry for the hold up. Hope you like it!
It was the shifting of what she assumed to be a bed under her that really woke her. Lifting her head the slightest bit she tried to take in her surroundings, hissing in a very cat like manner when a stab of pain seared through her body, head in particular. After wiping away the sleep in her eyes she finally began to realize where, and what she was laying on. Her hand admediatly unclenched from the fabric that she had assumed to be bed sheets until now and lifted herself up over Legolas's body, knees and hands on either side of his body. This action just brought another wave of pain down on her body and she collapsed, once more, into the prince's chest.
"Ni am- varda Dornessiti, reallime. (Elvish: I am flattered, Dornessiti)." The prince spoke, his voice rumbling through his chest sending small vibrations through her body.
Looking up she saw just where she fell on him. Her face had landed on his upper chest, just below his collar bone. Her body lay straight on top of his, everywhere except for her legs which were on either side of his. His face was looking down at her's, his trademark smirk already on his face.
Jackie's eyes fluttered open shaking off the memory that was one of the many that had been on loop in her mind, fracturing her blissful dreamless sleep. It was the sun spilling into the room and onto the baby blue and pastel green bed sheets that really woke her. Cherry and ruby red, marigold and honey orange, butter or banana yellow, even a few fern or seafoam green leaves caught in the light making the entire room have an aura of light and gold, the colours of the leaves reflecting all over, the foliage itself appearing almost transparent save for its thin layer of colour. She turned her head into the soft pillow, wrapping her fingers in the silk satin sheets beneath her. One could almost forget the horrors of the outside world, I could be happy here. She mused, never knowing pain of fear or suffering again… She shook her head, dispelling the thought. Staying here was betraying all those who had no such sanctuary. Who were forced to live through horrors every day. Staying was not an option.
Two elf maidens entered her chambers, each holding something that looked suspiciously like a dress. You'd think they'd get the point, or did they not see me chuck a dress in the mud yesterday? They stopped in front of her. The one in front with billowing chestnut locks and a delicate face sat down at the end of the bed and began to speak; "Mime esse na- arwen, ni am símen ana prepare tye an i council omentie. Tye are so luckime ana n- turo- ana linne-. Ontáro was adamant i ni would vamme (Elvish: My name is Arwen, I am here to prepare you for the council meeting. You are so lucky to be able to go. Father was adamant that I would not.)"
The other elf began to walk toward the bed cautiously, the two dresses in hand. "ni vaquet- ana col- er -o tai ridiculous garments.(Elvish: I refuse to wear one of those ridiculous garments)." She growled.
"Ni figured ve such. Ni have brought tye qua else instead, aelin, tye lótesse lende. (Elvish: I figured as such. I Have brought you something else instead, Aelin, you may leave.)" The other elf curtseyed deeply before exiting the room, leaving the dresses behind.
Pulling a packet of clothes out from beneath her arm Arwen smiled. "Ni stole sí -o mime brothers, ni estel te indóme mára tye fárea. Nimeár- me yare tye are done, ni shall style your fasse (Elvish: I stole these from my brothers, I hope they will fit you enough. Tell me when you are done, I shall style your hair)"
"Tar na- lala maure, héri arwen. Ni shall col- -yes -esse mime normal fashion.(Elvish: There is no need, Lady Arwen. I shall wear it in my normal fashion.)"
"-o nút- (Elvish: Of course.)" And with that Arwen left the room as well leaving Jackie alone with a bundle of men's clothes. Oh thank the valar for that elf. She said eyeing the pants and tunic, both fancier than she would have preferred but better than a dress. Something clean that does not make me feel like a walking tent!
The tunic itself was a cerulean blue with silver designs along the cuffs and neck line. It was a soft satiny silk muck like the sheets she just exited. The design was simple but elegant, such was the fashion elves love. The pants were a form fitting cloud grey made out of leather straps wrapped around each other, Lady Arwen had most likely taken this from her own clothing, the pants were too form fitting to be anything but a females. Along the pant cuffs were whirling designs in charcoal grey. All in all the tunic and pants went well together, even if the shirt belonged to a male elf she didn't know.
Tucking the overly large shirt into her waistband she then picked up the buttermilk beige slippers and slid them onto her feet, trying her hair back with a simple black strap into a ponytail she walked out of her rooms and into the halls hoping that she would make it to the blasted council on time.
"My Lady." Aragorn said, coming up behind her.
"Have I not told you to cut it with the my Lady shit?" She growled.
"Your speech has become infinitely more relaxed at least." He replied lightly. Smiling softly at the young elf before him. She is such a mystery…. He mused to himself, taking her appearance in. Unlike their other encounters where she had worn the same outfit she had arrived in making her smelly and look ragged due to her refusal to wear a dress, she had changed into a overly large blue shirt -tucked expertly into the waistband of soft grey pants to make it appear intentional but in truth was most likely because it was much too big for her- with soft intricate designs on the collar. Where did she get a man's shirt?
"What can I say, I have a reputation to maintain." She said coyly, snapping off his train of thought.
He chuckled and continued to survey her, secretly of course. "Yes, as -how does that dwarf say it- The Warrior Princess Down Under?" He took on an even deeper voice, mimicking that of the dwarf who was so loudly boasting about her in the drinking hall.
He watched inthralld as she smiled and chuckled softly; "My secret is out it seems."
"The day you arrived your secret was out, elves have sharp ears and you weren't exactly trying to hide with Gandalf in the Library were you?"
"What!" He just laughed at her bemused expression. She truly was fun to tease.
"Just look at that servant there." He pointed to male elf that had been staring at her. The elf blushed when he noticed he had the elf maids attention and walked quickly down the nearest flight of stairs. "Where are you going?" He asked, looking for an excuse to put off the dreaded council for as long as possible.
"Elrond's council."
"You!" He almost yelled. Just my luck. Of course she's going to that blasted council. At least I won't be totally alone.
"Yes me. Surprised?" She watched him, genuinely curious for his answer. He was the first friend she'd had in a while.
"Ye- Wait, no actually, not in the slightest. You are here for a reason after all." She almost hugged him but he held out his arm to her. "May I?"
"You are heeded in that direction as well?"
"I'm part of the council."
"Of course you are." She huffed, smacking his hand away and marching down a hallway.
"It's the other way." He called out from behind her, she could see him shaking with laughter.
"I will go! I will take the ring to Mordor, though I know not the way." Legolas stared at the brave little hobbit. So much spirit in such a little thing. Already they had spent much time in this blasted council. Aragorn, the dwarf, Gandalf, the little hobbit, Elrond and the Gondrian were all there, along with a few others from varied races. Aragorn and the silver haired woman from the other day had come into the grand hall mere moments before the council began. Aragorn shaking with mirth and the she-elf bristling. She looks much better now, pity she was so mud caked when I met her. He knew that the other day she was lying before she ran off. And now she was standing in what appeared to be one of Elrond's own sons shirts, he had smirked at that. Only the elves in the room could tell the true owner of the shirt due to the smell of the shirt itself, Elrond had done a double take when she entered.
She had announced herself as Jackie Dornessiti before seating her beside the vile creature that called itself a dwarf. He ignored the weird bristle of feeling that raced through his bones and focused on the wizard as he began his tale.
When Dornessiti began telling her story of the strange going of Saruman the White and the chopping of trees it became impossible not to watch her or shake the feeling of recognition, just as it was now when she rose and walked over to the hobbit surrounded by the silent stares of the council.
"I will travel with you, you have my skill, little hobbit. And I owe your Uncle Bilbo a great deal, I hope this may repay that debt."
The monstrosity named Gimli stood up as well. "Ye have me axe." He said with a nod to the hobbit and the elf.
Bristling and refusing to be outshone by a dwarf he stood up as well; "You have my bow." He did not fail to notice the emotion that flashed across Dornessiti's eyes, vanishing as soon as it appeared. He was too focused on the elf he did not notice when Aragorn and Boromir stood as well, or the hobbit Sam came to his friends side. He did notice when the hobbits came barreling in.
"Soooooo….. Where are we going?" One of the Hobbits asked innocently. Oh Valar save us.
When the meeting dispersed soon after that he followed Dornessiti through the halls, barely noticing the beauty of it all, or the giggling maids, some being so bold as to barely noticing the supreme beauty of the place around him. He was from Mirkwood, everything there was practical for the elves of his home land never had time for silly things like dancing and singing for fun, with the increasing spider attacks it was a wonder that his father ever threw parties at all nowadays. Entering this bright and cheery land had left him scorning the happy go lucky elves of rivendell. The elusive she-elf found her way into an enchanting garden where she sat down on a simple grey stone bench positioned beside a rose bush with forest green leaves and crimson red flowers.
She was staring at the ground in front of her when he stepped up to the bench. He watched her eyes slowly move up his figure and rest on his face. He smirked down at her, fixing her with a scrutinizing gaze. Her thick silver locks had been tied up into a ponytail at the top of her head, still coming down to her mid back, especially when she had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze with a defiant stare of her own, mint green eyes meeting his sapphire blue. Such a feisty little creature. His smirk grew wider as he moved to sit on the bench beside her and she scooted the farthest she could get away from him on the slab of stone.
"Lady Dornessiti." He said inclining his head, fighting to keep from his smirk growing bigger than it was already.
"Prince." She replied sourly. He almost laughed. The daring inside this elleth was astounding.
"You are the first who dares speak to me that way." He voiced his thoughts. Not letting eye contact break as he reached behind her head to grab a rose, leaning on her to do so.
"That can't be the reason you followed me all the way from the meeting." She implied. Of course she knew he was following her. She must be good at something. He supposed. Elves were not like men or -valar forbid- dwarves. Elven women were not restrained to the kitchens legally. Of course that does not mean it is not extremely hard for them, Tauriel spent years getting to where she is now and few other women were in the guard. She could be a swordswoman. He thought surveying her tense body, taking in for the first time the taunt muscles apparent in her arms and legs and calluses on her hands. He suspected that her core was lined with muscle as well.
"No, it is more on the subject of our meeting-" He began just to see her reaction, not at all let down when she sprang from the bench, the cerulean blue shirt flying up for a few seconds before she shoved it back into her waistline. An extremely faint flush of pink slowly appeared on her buttermilk coloured skin, probably only seeable by elves. He didn't even try to stop his smirk.
"I must go now- I've got- stuff. To do." She began turning when he grabbed her wrist, or rather the syrup colored leather wristbands that she never seemed to take off.
"Liar" He chirped, standing up and twirling the rose in his free hand. "What's this?" The sleeve of her shirt had rolled up leaving her fair arm bare save for her wristband. And bruises. He slowly began to piece together Aragorn's laughter, the male shirt she was wearing and the bruises on her arm.
Before he could voice his suspicions she spoke; "Bruises."
"From" He demanded.
"You." He released her wrist in surprise but covered it quickly. "You're stronger than you look, your highness." She said mockingly, yanking her sleeve down.
The prince just stared. He had done that? He recalled how hard he gripped her during their meeting. Oh. remorse flooded through him, not that he let it show of course. "Sorry." He said tightly. If only my father could see me now, apologizing to a normal elf.
The elf before him sniggered, he narrowed his eyes and when she started laughing every atom of his body wanted to pounce on the shaking elf. "Did that just happen? The Prince of Mirkwood apologizing to a lowly common elf!" She snorted, echoing his previous thought. Now I've seen it all."
"Are you sure we haven't met before. My Lady." He said raising his eyebrows, taking a wild guess at what riled her up.
"No, not at all in your memory." Strange wording. "And it's Dornessiti."
"You are a strange woman." He said bluntly, not particularly caring about maintaining the princely image.
She snorted again. " Wait till you really get to know me princling."
He was about to reply when Aragorn appeared by the entrance of the garden. "Lady Dornessiti!" He called. Never had Legolas wanted to kick his friend in the shins did he in that moment.
Especially when Dornessiti turned to said friend and yelled back; "What did I say about the Lady crap!" He stared at her. Elves do not swear in such a manner and even if they did it would be in elvish. Cussing in such a manner was very dwarf like. Oh valar…
"Of course Dornessiti, my sincerest apologies let me make it up to you, come, the Rivendell tavern is truly extraordinary." Aragorn returned swiftly,turning toward the entrance of the garden.
"Yeah, to a drunk." Dornessiti muttered so only Legolas could hear, who smirked. "COMING!" She yelled, turning back to him she grinned, "see you around your highness."
And with that she broke into a fast run, sprinting after the prince's friend, who stared after her retreating silver mane, still tied on the top of her head. Smirking to no one, he turned back to the rose bush and picked another red flower, inhaling it's delicate fragrance deeply.
Long after the sun had set in beautiful hues of red, orange and yellow and the white moon had risen into the star sprinkled midnight sky Jackie supported a drunk Aragorn out of the tavern, promising to tell no one about how quickly he entered such an intoxicated state. After the owner of the tavern had pronounced her as the winner of he drinking contest -thanking her upbringing among dwarves- she decided it was best they left before Aragorn slipped up and said somehing stupid. Many elves they passed created a wide berth for them making it ever so easy to navigate the extensive halls of rivendell. The moon and starlight made the entire place look even more beautiful as it did in the daylight, leaving the realms of full colours and instead entering one of enchanting silvers, serene blues and pristine whites.
As they neared Aragorn's door the drunk human male turned to her and smiled crookedly at her. "That was FUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!" He sang. "I like yur hair, it's pretty, shhhhhhhhhhhh." And with that he collapsed. She sighed and dragged him into his room, then hoisted him onto a bed of charcoal blak with pearl white engravings sewed painstakingly into the sheets. Dumping him she left promptly and returned to her rooms.
When she arrived she barely noticed the changed sheets, now periwinkle purple with cloud grey accents and pillows, although she did notice the clothing folded there. Picking up the piece of parchment on top of the stack of clothing she read it carefully before moving the pile onto the ground and collapsed onto the bed with an unceremonious thump. Tye indóme hir tare clothing -esse i closet -o ilya types, ni am having ridding breeches ar tiuca leathers made an tye, te indóme n- on caima -esse i arinya. Ni have heard mana came about -esse i council. Yare yo depart tomorrow sinte i i rivendell elves are proud -o tye. -Arwen (Elvish: You will find more clothing in the closet of all types, I am having riding breeches and thick leathers made for you, they will be on the bed in the morning. I have heard what came about in the council. When you depart tomorrow know that the Rivendell elves are proud of you. -Arwen)
As she slid out of her clothes and unbound her hair, something tumbled out of her locks as she shuck out her head. Lying on the cloud grey pillow was a fresh crimson rose, it's forest green stem shining in the moonlight. It looked unearthly, lying there. Picking it up the glistening flower, a few droplets of dew rolling onto her fingers as she smiled. Placing it in the glass beside the flower the little elfling gave her the other day she wrapped herself in the periwinkle sheets. As she fell asleep the lone rose seemed to shine brighter in the moonlight
If you can't guess where the rose came from then I will be rather disappointed. Iam sorry the chapter's not that long but I felt I ended on a good note.
PLEASE comment or review, constructive criticism is always welcome and just hearing that people actually like my stories make my day. Thanks to PrettyRecklessLaura for her comment/review. It's appreciated. Hope you guy stick around for chapter 3!
-Charlie (I am female)