AN: this going to be an emotional rollercoaster, so you might wanna...=) anyhoo, see you down below.
disclaimer: I do not own anything.
Chapter 24
Italy's history is riddled with conquests and struggle for power and autonomy. From an early age of history, almost all countries had started out as either the conquerer or the conquered. Despite the numerous struggles, as proven by the current state of every country, it would all lead to independence. Soon after the conquest of Rome in 1870, Italian politicians settled down to manage the economy, to build up the country's military power, and—in the telling phrase of the Piedmontese author and statesman Massimo d'Azeglio—to "make Italians." Popular disaffection remained high, especially because of the grist tax that had been introduced in 1869.
The right was not an organized party but a group of patriotic, mostly northern landowners committed to a strong currency and free trade. Italy was then ruled for many years by governments of the left. The deputies of the left, more frequently members of the middle class—many of them were lawyers—more often from the south, and less concerned about the value of money than the rentier right had been.
The main issue of political debate in mid to late 19th-century Italy was land ownership. Liberal governments insisted that the municipalities should sell off most of the common land to private owners—at least 740,000 acres or 300,000 hectares were sold by 1880 in southern Italy alone, and more was occupied illegally. Another 1.2 million acres or 500,000 hectares of ecclesiastical estates were similarly sold, often at extremely low prices. Overall, at least two million hectares were transferred.
In some regions, including Piedmont, Liguria, and Sardinia, the sales did create a "property-owning democracy"; that is, a large number of rural people became small landowners, albeit with scattered strips that made improvement unprofitable. The sales also introduced people to the market economy, because they had to repay their mortgages in cash and find money for high land taxes. Small-scale ownership did not become common in most other regions, despite the land sales. Peasants who did acquire land were often forced to sell it again to meet tax debts or interest payments. In consequence, land transfers did often create a non-noble rural middle class that owned an adequate amount of land or extensive flocks and could dominate local politics; this was particularly true in the former Papal States of central Italy.
The Townsends in the early 18th century were a family of farmers, their ancestors coming from a line of servants of earlier Lords that inhabited the country side of Italy. The consistent transition of government and the continuous climb of economy proved to be beneficial for the family and soon with the rise of democracy sweeping over Italy, the Townsend along with other older families in the South were granted the private lands. Lands that they had cultivated with their handwork. It was a gradual acquisition of land and soon the Townsends became one of the few families who managed to acquire large hectares in the many regions of Southern Italy. Land ownership became the singular most profitable property of the Townsends, aside from the products they produce from farming some of the said lands. They had provided livelihood to those farmers who lost their land to pay for the taxes, while some members of those families chose to serve the now considered non-noble lords who had risen to power and wealth.
One of their most prized land, was at Fontellato. What started out as a farmland, became one of a residential prime property of the family. Converting the land to house the last descendant of the Townsend line.
The name Fontanellato comes from the Italian word 'Fontana lata' which means big fountain; the village is located in the so called Bassa Parmense (flat land) and it's 5 km away from the via Emilia and the rivers Taro and Stirone. The town was built up in the 15th century around the moated and fortified house of the Sanvitale family, on the borders of the domain of the Dukes of Parma.
Sadly with the increasing riches of the family, came paired with dwindling line of the Townsends. Most familial connections and relations were cut off due to the rising conflict brought on by the first world war and the impending threat of a second one. What familial blood relation they lost during those perilous times are gained in the loyalty of the farmers and their members who continued to serve the Townsends in Fontanellato. It was considered a blessing however when the only remaining family of the Townsend were blessed with a boy—William—on the cold February morning of 1914.
William Edgar Townsend became the sole heir to the Townsend farming business and the recipient of his family's vast estates scattered all across Italy. The obvious political and economic unrest felt all throughout the country would force the boy into a life of service at war putting his love for the academe on the back burner. His interest in science and abhorrence in catastrophe and the hours of war became apparent when after his first deployment he had immediately refused and proceeded on to continue and pursue his studies, trying his luck and risking migrating to England where an opportunity for furthering his studies were available. He was only shy of turning seventeen at the time.
William was accepted into Eton College. A public independent boarding school for boys. As a native Italian, he had to take additional classes in the English language. It was there in that school that his thirst for learning and love for science was nurtured and fundamentally nourished. William had learned and thrived in the confines of either a laboratory or in a library. His affinity for seclusion was usually frowned upon among his peers.
But the threat of the devastation of the ever present war and conflict around the world was one ever present cloud looming over all Europe. The pressure of running his family's business and the ever persistent insistence of his parents for him to return home became even more undeniable when his father contacted tuberculosis. Her mother had no choice but to put her foot down and demand her son to return home.
William had finally returned home and by then the boy was now a man, although his love for learning was still ever present. William arrived home in 1942, after the France-German Armistice on 1940. The war lasted until 1943 were almost 85,00 Italian troops never made it home.
Adulthood had seemed to already have caught up with him. The effects and devastation of war was all around him and it was something that he could no longer ignore. The death of his father four months after he returned brought the responsibilities of being a Townsend upon his shoulders. It was a reward, however, that he had received formal education and was able to use that education to further the business and increase the holdings of the Townsends as well as the name. In this regard, William was hit with an epiphany that education would pull his town out of poverty.
Unable to let go of his time in England in which he had immensely enjoyed, William became the first from the Townsend line to acquire property in London and subsequently had patterned the land ownership that boosted Italy's economy for a while and turned it into his own model of business, providing him with a passive income in multitude as he continued to acquire lands all across Europe, either farming or selling them at high prices.
Unlike his ancestors before him, William sought to break generational traditions and became the first landowner to have placed the town's interest and had extended help in funding—with the help of his ingenuity of land ownership— the first college to be put up within the country side of Italy. With the help of the local government and the people of Fontanellato, William had successfully funded a school aiming to educate people and hand them their ticket to rise out of suffering and offer them an alternative option from just working on their backs all day.
William Edgar Townsend became the town's hero.
It was during in one of his studies of plant life, agriculture and land cultivation that a peculiar man offered his services to teach at the local college. It was a known fact, even if William had washed his hands of governing the school, that the school's administration would still look to him for approval. His interest was piqued as soon as the gentleman had given him an impromptu lecture on parallel dimensions, time and space continuum along with interesting insights on human psyche and behavior. The man's knowledge of time and dimensions reminded him of his younger fascinations with the works of the likes of da Vinci. This was an entirely different branch of science. Suffice to say, William became a moth to a flame. For years, after Allatar's induction into the local college's employment teaching science and economics to the locals, both he and William had grown close due to the mortal's curiosity over his initial ideas about a parallel worlds and beings.
William offered Allatar a space in the estate and had even immersed himself with Allatar's own lectures, even at times William thought them absurd and down right experimental. Over the years, William had referred to Allatar as a professor. Referring himself as a student, and being fascinated with all the theories the Professor had introduced.
The professor's introduction—of not just a possibility—but in fact, in truth, an existing world beyond their own excited and scared William. Of course, initial human reaction would be to ask for proof. Descriptions of this world were drawn and was carefully expounded by the Professor. Both of them spending all their hours locked inside the estates huge library or in one of the grand offices.
With only journals upon journals of this so-called Other World, William engrossed himself. Studying the stars and becoming even more curious with life outside their own dimension.
On a late night of September 1949, William's life would be turned upside down.
The air was particularly cold that night. The nights becoming longer. It had been an uneventful day of managing his estate and lands, that he had almost mostly neglected, pursuing the chance whenever the Professor was away. It never did occur to William to ask where the Professor would go. He had just accepted the fact that sometimes, Allatar would need to travel and return with even more information to add to their already growing notes on intra-dimensional travel.
The moon was already high, and William had planned to retire for the night, when an uneasy feeling crept up over him. His eyes immediately staring off into the cold, dark plains outside his office window. The hounds he kept on the grounds became restless, the trees in the far distance picking up speed. William's eyes squinted, a movement he spotted in the dark cover by the trees at the edge of the lot. It can't be? Can it?
Grabbing his coat, William almost tripping over the carpeted floor, his steps rushed as he made his way outside by the double glass doors that led to the east wing of the Fontanellato grounds. A familiar bearded face greeted him, but his eyes was already transfixed on the beautiful maiden behind, "Professor!"
"William." Professor greeted, his robe caked with mud, and the maiden behind him garb in shining armor stained with some kind of tar although the scent would say otherwise. William's eyes staying glued to the maiden. Beautiful was too simple a word to describe her. She was ethereal and as cliche as it sounded, other worldly.
Her skin glowed under the moon, her face small, framed with dark long hair, her eyes a stunning shade of dark blue that seemed to glimmer like sapphire in the night. "William, may I introduce Lady Aemilia." The professor's voice breaking William's trance. "Milady, may I introduce you to William. For all intents and purposes, he is my colleague and an adventurer at heart." Removing his pointed hat and holding it in one hand along with his weird looking staff.
The woman's eyes remained on William, her gaze untrusting. Her eyes darting around him, suspicious of everything around her.
"William is a student of mine…at the local university. He is fascinated with dimensions, astral planes and space and time continuum." At the Professor's word, William noted as confusion flickered over the woman's gorgeous face.
"Len, ú-chenion…?" Her question directed at the Professor.
William's eyes almost bugged out of their sockets. "She's an elf!" Excitement running through every fiber of his being. It's true! His face a mix between fascination, shock and fear as he studied the woman before him. That's when he noticed the physical attributes. Aside from her height, her eyes that previously awed him and scared him, were like a cat's eyes, penetrating as it stared him down. The slight movement of her head and twitch of her body offered him a possibility that she could sense more about her surroundings that just what her senses offered.
Mio Dio! Her ears!
Unbeknownst to him, William moved forward, his curiosity and obvious attraction compelling him to move forward. An action that the maiden must have found threatening, like a fluid movement of a dance, she backed one step, her rear leg extending as well as her arm, making William freeze in his step as the glinting tip of sword was pointed at him. He hadn't even realized she carried one until she unsheathed it.
Excitement doubled his entire being, a grin spreading over his face at the elf in front of him. "Wow! A real elf, Professor! This…this is unbelievable." As if sensing that the maiden still hadn't moved her spot, William realized he was being utterly rude. Raising both his hands in a sign of surrender and peace he offered, "My apologies. Please, come inside. Let's get both of you warm and changed into some dry clothes. You're probably freezing."
0-0-0-0
-Autumn, September 2016, Fontanellato, Italy-
"Oh thank god! She's awake!" A chorus of gasps and relieved sighs echoed around the bright room as Alex tried to adjust her eyes to the lighting. She was startled to find her mother leaning over her form. "Are you okay, sweetheart?"
"M..mm..Mom?" Alex muttered unable to believe what her eyes are seeing. Disoriented and shock, Alex stared unable to comprehend the faces that were bent low. Faces she recognize but refuses to accept, were staring at her all in mix of concern, surprise and relief.
"You hit your head pretty hard, sweetie. I thought we had to call the ambulance." Her mother tried to hide her worry with her laugh, as a pair of ams wrapped around her back to try to help Alex sit up. "I panicked and thought we had to cancel the wedding." Alex saw the relieved smile her mother dared to plaster on her face. "I mean, what about the reception you know? And the caterer and the flowers. And oh! The cake. And the guests, can you imagine? What are we suppose to tell to the guests. This is a kind of embarrassment we cannot afford."
Alex mind drowned out her mother's rambling, ignoring her usual flippant attitude towards her well-being and instead made a spectacle of how everything else was much more important than her own daughter. Placing a hand to massage the part of her head that still hurt, her eyes locking on her arm covered in silk lace that ran all the way to her shoulder, "Mom, where am I?"
"You're in the church sweetie. You're getting married today!" Elizabeth cheered ignoring the horrified expressions that suddenly covered Alex's face. Waving around the room to where her bridesmaids where all busy moving around. One's got Alex's flowers, while another was busy fixing the pinning of her veil over Alex's head.
"You fainted. I guess the seamstress made the gown just a little too tight, or you gained weight," waving her hand dismissing the thought, "Tom's been asking for you, we had to postpone the ceremony for fifteen minutes."
Everything was moving in one big blur of slow motion of pictures and colors and chaotic movement as everyone around her tried to scramble.
"What…where's Paul? I need Paul right now!" Alex bolted upright, holding her head as she tried to steady herself when she swayed a little. Despite her haze, she noticed the uncomfortable looks exchanged around her.
"Sweetie, you and Paul had a falling out. He took the first flight out this morning. Debbie here—remember her?— she's your cousin from my estranged mother's side, the one who married a banker who went bankrupt but we are not telling that story at the reception…anyway she's your MOH now."
Alex shook her head and tired to stand up, discovering to her irritation that her legs were tangled along with the humongous skirt and the hideous train of her gown. The sudden onslaught of information made Alex's head spin. "I need my phone…"
"Sweetheart," her mother started to admonish but she was cut off by Alex's steely glare.
"I need Paul—now." Her throat surprisingly hoarse and dry.
"What is the matter with you?" Her mother stared incredulous over Alex's bizarre change in behavior.
Alex's panicked gaze swept over the room, the surprised and horrified stares of the other occupants in the room burned through her skin. Their judgment and bewilderment clear, their confusion apparent over her demand to see her friend than her concern over putting her wedding on hold.
Alex's gaze caught the full length mirror on the far side of the room, her gaze sweeping over her form. Tears unbidden burned her eyes, blurring her vision. Pain lashed in her heart at what was about to happened if she hadn't woken up.
"Alex?" Elizabeth approached, grabbing her daughter, her wrist stiff, knuckles white pulling her daughter's unwavering horrified gaze from the mirror to turn to stare her daughter down. "Today is your wedding." Elizabeth hissed, turning her embarrassed eyes to the people around her, offering an apologetic smile to anyone she spotted staring, "What in the hell is the matter with you? Why are you behaving like this?"
Alex remained stoic, thoughts unbridled bombarded her mind. She could still remember vividly the confrontation with Elrond. She could still smell the scent of the cold wind that drifted between he mountains on Dunharrow. If she strained her ears, she could still make out the vibrations of the sounds of the horses and busy men moving about the camp. Why was she here? How had she returned?
Alex froze, feeling the tight grip her mother has on her arm, could feel the bruising intensity of her mother's horror at her opting to ignore what was to happen today.
Elizabeth moved a step back, her eyes reflecting a kind of horror at her daughter's sudden stoic behavior. Alex remained unmoving, the only sign of life was her rapid breathing and the blinking of her eyes, seeing a million thoughts and emotions run past her vivid green eyes. All of a sudden, Alex moved, startling Elizabeth. Alex's head moving to face her mother and return her stare. "There will be no wedding, Mom." Alex's voice reflecting the sudden exhaustion she could feel in her bones. "I'm done pretending." Alex's voice shook with an unknown intense feeling. "I'm not marrying Tom."
Elizabeth gasped, her eyes widening in complete surprise and unbridled disgust over her daughter's quick change of attitude. "Do you hear yourself? Do you have any idea what you will be throwing away if I let you walk out now?"
"Yes." For the first time in her life, Alex felt a kind of weight shift around her shoulders at admitting what she finally thought, what she finally accepted in herself, out loud. There were so many things she wanted to to clarify, so many thoughts running in her mind and she knew then without a single doubt that she was going to straighten it all out. She was going to get the answers and she was going to claim her life back.
Ignoring her image reflected on the full length mirror depicting of a blushing a bride, Alex moved towards the door of the room, her destination—in search of Thomas.
"Where the hell do you think you are going?" Elizabeth's cold voice sliced through Alex's internal musings. Her mother's green eyes, which were very much like own challenged her. "If you think I'll let you walk out of this room and throw your whole life away then you are sadly mistaken."
"I'm not fifteen anymore, Mother." Alex seethed, years of pent up anger, hopelessness and loneliness all boiled and burned with a rage behind her eyes, her skin feeling hot. "I refuse to be controlled by you any longer. It was wrong of me to have let this on, I should have said something then, I should not have allowed this to continue, but I am done. I don't want to marry Tom."
Elizabeth held her daughter's unwavering gaze and felt her armor slip, a crack that she knew her daughter immediately pounced on. But she held firm, all she had ever done was for her daughter's benefit and she will be damned if she was to stop now. "It is that house is it? The manor. The gardens. Alex, for fuck's sake, what is wrong with you? I have tried to be understanding, supportive but at every turn you belittle me and challenge my every decision. You finally have a chance at a normal life, a privileged life with a man who wants to marry you and give you a life befitting a woman of your name and social standing." Feeling the crippling fingers of exhaustion, Elizabeth brushed the tears that blurred her vision, moving to stand in front of her daughter, "And you are planning to throw it all away, for what? A psychotic episode triggered by a week's worth of stay in the Manor?" Elizabeth felt the sting of the words as if they left bitter taste in her tongue, "You are willing to throw all those years of handwork of therapy and counseling, for what?!"
A feeling of serene calmness settled over Alex as she listened to her mother's tirade. An acceptance she never knew she needed or was she capable of suddenly blanketing her, leaving her in a state of complete understanding despite having not resolved anything. Her eyes softened towards her mother, whose own shone with triumph and obvious victory. "I pity you." Alex's words were like slap to Elizabeth whose seemed to have frozen in absolute shock at her daughter's words. "You will never understand beyond your own comprehension. You refuse to acknowledge anything that is different to your perception and for that you have resigned yourself to forever feeling trapped and you are not even aware of it." A sad smile appeared over Alex's face, the feeling of absolute acceptance vibrating around her.
Peace. Alex was at peace over her acceptance that she and her mother would never see eye to eye. Feeling herself falling, but it was a fearless fall. A fall that she knew she would land on her feet unscathed. "I love you, Mom. I really do. Even if you found it hard to accept what I really am." Alex's smile stretched on, her eyes moving over her mother's face who remained judgmental and lost. "I don't know how to say this, but I was never sick. I know that now. I was never sick and I never needed intervention. You just did not accept me for who I am because I did not fit your criteria. I failed to meet your expectations." Alex sniffed, her smile transcending from sad to kind, "You needed me to be normal before you could accept me, you needed me to conform before you could love me. And you never will. I know that now. I am not going to marry Tom. You will just have to accept that."
Something akin to resentment flared in her mother's eyes and for the first time in her life, Alex felt acceptance. Her mother never did understood her completely and maybe she never will. A puzzle piece she felt she was holding in her hand suddenly found a vacant space where it fit. In all her life, Alex had been trying to act normal, be normal. The intricate exhausting strategizing of how to act, when to act, how to think, when to talk and what to say,—the line seemed blurred at the moment. She had spent countless hours and sleepless nights plagued with nightmares and just when she thought she had ultimately felt lost, it was where she knew.
Alex's eyes flew to her mother and saw still the resentment but now that Elizabeth was looking directly at her, a fleeting moment of surrender flickered in her green eyes. It was at that moment that they both finally accepted that they would never stand next to each other. They were polar opposites. Blood was the only thing linking them, just like the sun and moon. Both magnificent, both inevitable but unable to appear on the sky at the same time, not without obscuring the other.
"Alex, don't do this…" Elizabeth whisper-plead.
Alex gave her mother a sad smile. An unspoken understanding flying between them. They had finally arrived at an impasse. They had finally agreed to disagree. "He's not the one. And I don't belong here, I'm not going to apologize for that." As soon as those words left her mouth , Alex knew, without a single doubt that she meant it. She felt it.
She wasn't there anymore. It was not the world she craved nor felt at home in. It was not the life she wanted. In this world where life seemed to have given her a step ahead, a life privileged than most, she found it was not the name or the social status she needed. It was not the acceptance of other people or the approval of the society that she needed.
"You are setting yourself up for a lifetime of disappointment…"
"If I stay, yes. I don't expect you to accept my decision, Mom. This is my life, and it's about time I start making decisions that would make me happy, not the world." Not you. Elizabeth almost felt the slap as if it was actually served. Her heart lurched at her daughter's words. "I am not going to keep finding fault in how you raised me. I know you did your best,"
Elizabeth felt her vision blur at her daughter's words. It was as if she was looking at Alex in a whole different light. The colors more vibrant, more alive. "I never did understand why we never seem to see eye to eye. I just wanted the best for you."
"I know." The tears she kept holding, fell unbidden down her cheeks. It was a foreign feeling—forgiving. For all the pain and suffering she went through because of what her Mom thought and the result of the decisions use on what she thought, Alex surmised that at the bottom of it all was a twisted notion of just wanting what was best for her daughter. A part of her felt light, like a dark cloud dissipating and the first ray of sunlight streaming through, the wet, soft grass embracing the warm rays. "I forgive you, Mom. And I love you, you are one half of me." Placing her arms around her mother who stood frozen at first before the ice melted and she felt her mother sag against her. Alex knew it with all her heart then. Elizabeth may have been a lot of things, should have made better choices, but she will always be her mother. Alex knew then she could not fault her mother for that. She had to focus on her own healing.
"You have so much of your father in you. Now go," Elizabeth straightened, feeling like something had shifted inside her. Without changing anything externally, she knew then she was in a different standing point with her daughter. Her chin was lifted, brushing off imaginary lints and straightening her features into a calm, serene mask. Brushing under her eyes to erase any trace of the tears, avoiding from smearing her make up even further, "I'll handle the crowd." She watched as her daughter took a second before realizing what she just said as gratitude spread over her Alex's face. This time Elizabeth had to roll her eyes, inclining her head towards the door to indicate what she wanted Alex to do, "before I change my mind."
Alex offered her mother one last smile, before turning. "Alex?" Turning at the sound of her name, "Will I ever see you again?"
"Maybe."
One hurdle down, Alex felt like she was an Olympic athlete, running over the oval jumping over fences hoping and praying she won't fall. The church was made of stone walls and twisting hallways. Stretching her hand out to hold herself from stumbling over her dress, she went in search of Tom. Paul was right, Tom deserved someone better and she wasn't it. He deserve someone who will give him the world, and with defying clarity she knew she could never. Tom deserved infinite happiness and she knew with all her heart, she could never give it. She was not capable of giving it. She would only cause him resentment and suffering as much he would cause her's her own.
Stumbling her way down the last staircase, she found the main hall of the massive church. The wedding hall was decorated with flowers of every color. The pastels complimenting beautifully against the stone theme of the old, but still, magnificent church. The tall stained glass windows glittered in the late midday sun, the images depicting of angels casting colorful shadows over the wooden pews and stone floor. The entire scene felt surreal. And to her surprise it was empty.
Except for one. Thomas.
Whatever fight she had been feeling, as she traipsed over the halls in search of him, left her. Feeling the crippling guilt and remorse over what she did and what she was about to do. He was sitting at one of the front pews, his head buried in between his hands, his knees leaning over his knees in silent despair.
"Tom…" Alex felt her throat constrict, the sound of her voice almost foreign to her own ears as it echoed over the vast threshold. The sound bouncing off, the once ethereal magic the hall held seemed to grow dark over the premise of what was about to happen.
"Alex..?" Tom jostled, surprised by her appearance. Concern etched over his handsome features. "Are you alright? They said you fainted…" His steps quick as he moved towards her, his eyes taking a detailed study of her appearance before realization set in, "Wait! I'm not suppose to see you. It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding—but you look gorgeous, sweetheart." Covering his eyes but his steps didn't falter. His other hand stretched out before him.
At any time, Alex would have found it comical. She might have laughed or giggled over Tom's light joking, whether he intended to or not. Sadness wrapped around her. Tom was a decent guy. Maybe it was gratitude that lingered in the corners of her soul. Gratitude that Tom did not see the remorse that reflected clear as day over her face. She had no one to blame but herself in this situation. She had let this on. She had allowed him to believe that she felt the same. That she was on the same page as him. But she knew. All along, she knew her heart already belonged to Legolas. She had spent all her life resenting how her life had turned out without realizing she was stringing people along for her own temporary highs.
"Tom," clearing her throat before continuing in a low but firm voice, "we need to talk."
If she had the luxury of time, she could have afforded to admire the complexities of the human physiology and the inner structures of the human psyche. People alone have adapted to the evolution and have since then relied on various methods of communication. Aside from the complexities of language and words, intonation also offers a wide array of communication manners that would immediately convey the message and allow the receiver to understand the message.
With the way his entire body suddenly stilled and the rigid set of his arms suddenly falling to his sides had Alex bracing for the impact. "Is everything alright…oh." Tom paused watching Alex's face fall and whatever she was about to say was clearly depicted on the furrow of her brows, the trembling of her chin, the wringing if her hands and the regret he could clearly see swimming in her eyes. "Oh."
"I'm so sorry." Alex started her voice soft and filled with grief, "Tom, I am so very sorry." Alex continued wringing her hands feeling the sharp cut of the diamond ring he gave her when he proposed. She moved her hand watching the rays of light dance off of the elegantly cut stone. Delicately, she pulled the ring off her finger, her eyes moving tentatively to Tom who stood frozen watching her every move. His eyes like daggers to her already bleeding heart. Immense sadness and brokenness met her emerald eyes. "I'm so sorry…" loss for words with nothing but a string of apologies leaving her mouth.
"I don't understand…" Tom spoke after an intense moment of silence, his jaw set. His hand fisting by his sides, "You said 'yes'. You agreed. What changed?" Desperation coloring his tone making his voice hoarse.
"I can't give you what you need." Tom shook his head, not understanding the disappointing turn of events. "I understand if you'll never going to be able to forgive me. But it would unfair of me to marry you knowing I can't give you what you're looking for." Alex continued, her eyes pleading for him to understand.
"Like it was fair that you made me believe you wanted to marry me?" Tom's biting tone sliced through Alex. "You had months to say something…" Tom trailed off, combing his hands to his hair and pulling at the ends.
"I'm in love with someone else."
"Bullshit—!"
"I've been in love with him my whole life." Alex finished, her chin jutting out in defiance . The fight that left her high and dry suddenly returned with full force. She knew the anger slowly rising in Tom, she saw the way his jaw tensed and the stab of his glare before he looked away refusing to hear whatever she just said. "No amount of explanation I can say that will make this painless, but believe me, I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Just stop talking," Tom bit out, glancing over at the ring placed delicately over the top of the back of the pew. The glittering stone almost mocking in its unobtrusive inanimate perch on the wooden rest. "Just stop talking and leave." His voice constricting as he finally accepted that there was no hope for reconciliation, turning what Alex said over and over in his head.
"Tom—" stretching out a hand as if wanting to offer him comfort before she held herself back, her head dropping in shame.
"Get out." Rejection this time voicing out his need to be left alone.
0-0-0-0
Alex felt the sting of tears behind her eyelids but she refused to let them fall. It had been a tumultuous morning and she's not sure if she can survive another emotional confrontation but she knew she wouldn't stop now. She had to finish this. She had finally faced her mother and had stood her ground. And finally owned up to Tom and had called off the wedding. Alex felt battered, bruised and yet invincible at the same time. Her determination to see things through finally catching up to her. She wasn't sure if she would ever succeed but as she sat in the family town car, the copious yards of lace of her wedding gown billowing around her, while on her way back to the manor only sealed her determination to address the last hurdle. The final obstacle that would inevitably change her whole life and turn it upside down. The truth of her true nature and about what her father might have been in conspiracy would either make or break her.
The crunch of the tires as it maneuvered its way over the stony driveway on the way to the grand rotunda curving and stopping at the main doors. The catering staff all scurrying about, some giving her pitying and side glances as the word got out that the wedding was called off.
Alex pulled the veil from her head, pulling the many pins that held her hair in place and finally allowed her dark tresses to all tumbling down her back in dark waves like a damn that had burst. Stepping out of the car and proceeding to walk the short distance between the round-about to the main door, Alex accepted the accusatory stares, the judgement and found that she did not care. She could not have cared less for her mind was elsewhere. The grand Fontanellato Manor stood tall and sturdy and firm, its windows staring down at her and finally offering an unspoken challenge about what she knew and what she was about to unravel. The windows looked like stern eyes as it returned her stare, challenging her to its secrets. The shadows inside and the reflections is casted over the glass panels offering a silent jest as to the memories that lingered all over the household.
Picking up her heavy skirt, Alex made her way towards the manor, the heavy doors that lead to the large expanse of the foyer vomiting up memories of her that felt so long ago, being held down by orderlies as she was dragged out to be taken far away from the only place that only ever offered her solace. Everywhere she looked the manor did not stop as it shot memories after memories of her time in the house, memories both delightful and haunting continued its assault on her senses. Each one offering an insight to what possibilities lied to the discovery of the truth.
The hallway was silent, a stark contrast to the busy riot of the outside, where waiters and staff both trying to comply with the sad news.
"Alex!" Turning swiftly around to face the main door, she spotted Paul, haggard and obviously had been to hell and back. "What the fuck just happened?!" Paul stormed to his friend, his eyes blazing in contempt. "Do you know what I've been through for the past two hours? I woke up in Parma about to board a flight back to the US."
"I..I honestly don't know how we got back…" relief flooded her, her eyes taking in a silent inventory of Paul's appearance.
"I went to to the church," Paul's questioning stare relaying understanding, "You called off the wedding." It was not a question but a statement mixed with awe and yet they both knew the end was still beyond their reach. "What are you doing Alex?"
"I have to find out the truth."
Paul opened his mouth to answer but was cut off by Emily who's good calmly, offering them both kind smiles. Her hand clasped in front of her, her face welcoming, no hint of trepidation or warning. It almost as if, she knew why they were there and who they were looking for. "Miss Aemilia will be with you shortly. She asks that you wait in the sun room." Inclining her head and gesturing to the direction of the said room. Alex felt her feet froze on the spot. She hadn't returned to that room. The last time she had been there…
"Thanks." Paul answered, if he felt any anxiety over what was about to happen he didn't show it, but Alex knew he knew something if the way he had seemed to expect something was any indication.
The room was the same as Alex remembered it, the large glass doors that lead outside offered a view of the garden. The afternoon sun lighting the room in a soft glow of yellow. The glass breaking the light into geometric patterns that danced off of the surfaces around the room. The same tea table sat by the windows, the same table her mother and Dr. Stevens sat at that fateful morning fifteen years ago. Everything was exactly the same, except for her.
"So, you knew." Alex's accusatory stare turned to her best friend who only stood calmly. His gaze unwavering as he returned the challenging glare Alex sent his way.
"I found out the same time he did." Paul did not need to elaborate on who he was referring to. Pain crossed Alex's face and drag in a ragged breath. Her lips thinning into straight line. She was pissed and rightfully so. "For the record, we wanted to tell you. I sided with him and fought against Aragorn and Gandalf about keeping it a secret."
"He lied to me!"
"Alex, we all knew! We all fucking knew and we wanted so damn hard to tell you. So if you're angry at him then be angry at me too. Because right now you sound like a hypocritical bitch."
"Fuck you." Alex hissed.
"No—fuck you. Get off your high horse and listen to what I'm trying to tell you and enough of this 'Victim Complex' you liked to play because it's getting old." Paul exhaled, his nostrils flaring, his anger rearing its ugly head. Paul was never one to get angry easily, but when he does it sure meant for a very good reason. "You have been afraid all your life. You got used to people walking out on you that you are actually surprised when people wanted to stay. But by God, you are blessed with someone who wanted to stay because he loves you—"
"How dare you. You don't have the slightest clue what I've been through. You are not the one lied to your entire life. You have no right to act all pious and holy on me now."
"You will lose him and this time it will be entirely your fault. So excuse me for wanting to help my best friend." He growled getting face to face with Alex who stood her ground and matched every fire in his eyes.
"What do you think am I trying to accomplish now? I have given up everything." Absolute exhaustion wrapped around her. The tears she had thought she had all but cried out now had threatened to start again. It was tempting to just drop everything and lock herself in her room, put off having to deal with everything and just try to rest her head and her heart for a moment. The feeling of peace she felt earlier in the church with her mother had all but dissipated like dust. The feeling already foreign and felt unattainable.
"Why are we back Alex?" Paul's face mirrored her own, anger and frustration painted like red angry streaks over their faces. "Answer me. Why are we back?"
Fear unlike anything she had ever known crawled up her spine. Everything felt surreal up to that moment. All the confrontation and pain from the church forgotten as another pain finally made itself known. It was the reason she had been all over the place since she had gained consciousness. They were back. Without thought or effort or preamble, they were back to their own world. It was not even something she had manipulated or conjured up. Fear continued its ascent up her spine, like a slithering snake at any moment would wrap its scaled tail around her neck and suffocate her. She immediately squashed it. She was on the brink of something and she wouldn't entertain the impossible now. Shaking her head refusing to acknowledge that she had anything to do with them returning.
"You ran. As soon as you were hurt, you ran. Just like you always do."
"I was going to return to him, I swear. I promised him I'd stay."
"Are you both quite finished?" Despite her weakened state, her voice still carried the regal authority she was born with, and it startled the two occupants in the room who were tangled in a heated debate.
Paul's head whipped around so fast towards the source of the sound, on instinct he bowed his head, "Lady Aemilia." His voice a whisper, laced with adoration and shock.
Aemilia scoffed, smirking at the young man. "I haven't been addressed like that in ages." Her voice gruff but firm. Her eyes turning to spy her grand daughter glaring daggers at her from across the room. "Now as to why you are back, maybe because you have some unfinished business, anel nin…"
"Why did you lie to me?" Alex tried to keep her voice firm but in the end it cracked with all the pent up hurt and betrayal that she clearly knew also reflected in her Nana's eyes, her eyes that now started to blur with tears. "Why didn't you tell me…" Alex trailed off, her hands fisting on their own accord beside her, anger and betrayal unlike any other swam within her. Her lip trembling with every effort she could muster as she tried to hold herself together. Her mind going to the memory of Legolas' forlorn face as she hurled every hurtful words. She was hurt and by consequence she wanted to hurt in return. Her heart gave a pang of guilt. He did not deserve any of it. Like her, he was a victim of the circumstances—he had no choice.
"My child, I wanted you to know. But not like this." Aemilia's eyes shown with years of exhaustion.
"Do you have any idea how alone I was, and how lonely I was all these years. You made me believe there was something wrong with me. I lived believing there was something wrong with me." Alex's voice broke and like a damn her tears flowed freely down her reddened cheeks. Memories of her time at Springdale—the treatment, the isolation, the medications. Like a vivid slideshow, it all paraded inside own her mind, the one glaring image— of her slumped in front of the fireplace watching as all her treasured belongings engulfed in flames. Straightening her spine and raising her chin, her gaze unwavering as she stood up against her grandmother, who mirrored her own stance. "Is it true? Am I a peredhil?"
Aemilia's gaze continued to stare head on, refusing to back down from her grand daughter. It was now or never. "Yes."
Alex could not hold off the stab of pain that pierced through her at the affirmation. Her face crumpled in pain, her breath coming in short gasps. "Why?" A sob tore from her throat as she leaned on the back of the nearest chair, her other hand going to her chest as she tried to grasp the pain that lingered there. "You had every opportunity to tell me…did my parents knew about this?"
"Your Father did. He was suppose to tell you when you came of age, but that plan was robbed from us." Aemilia's voice was barely above a whisper, her eyes holding the guilt of the years she kept her grand daughter in the dark. "When your father died, it was left up to me. I wanted to honor his wishes and wait til you're eighteen, but your were taken from me. I never saw you again until you arrived two days ago for your engagement party. Emily told you I wanted to speak with you, but you never appeared. I watched you as you went through all the motions of the party, but I knew—I knew then that you were not really here."
"All those stories…" Alex started but trailed off watching her grandmother nod her head in yet another affirmation. "You sent me the necklace," Alex seethed remembering her old college dorm and the letter addressed to her, "You could've written to me…" slumping down on the nearest seat and sobbing.
"I am an elf, but that does not mean I am perfect. If I could turn back time and change everything I will, but I do not regret escaping that cave. That decision lead me to you. You have so much of your father in you."
For the second time that day, someone has reminded how much she had of her father in her and it brought memories of a being she met similar to him. A figure she had met long ago. "I met him, Nana…" Alex sobbed, "I met my grandfather."
"Elrond?"
"No, Glorfindel." Alex watch as pain and recognition crossed her grand mother's face. She understood now the recognition on his face, the longing and pain when she saw him the first time. The disbelief and awe. She remembered the way she felt when she flung her small arms around him. He was family, he was home. "Papa looked so much like him…William was never.." Alex tested, apprehensive over the her father's true nature. Her Nana had already admitted her father knew, it wouldn't be a surprise if….
"I owe William a lifetime of gratitude." Aemilia started her eyes unfocused as if she was trapped in her own void of memories, "He was a good man. He took me in, and took care of me. He kept my secret and accepted your father when he came into this world. He shielded me from the talks, he stood by, provided beyond what was deemed necessary. To avoid suspicion from the world, he had given your father his name—a child not of his own—his name. He went above and beyond to keep us safe." On cue, Aemilia moved towards where Alex was slumped on a sofa, her eyes red rimmed over the history of her grandmother and the man she grew up thinking was her grandfather.
Alex's eyes widened as her Nana's hand, wrinkled and aged, opened to reveal the necklace she sent her a long time ago. The locket glimming in the late afternoon sun. "The wisest and fairest of all beings, " a small laugh left Aemilia's lips recalling the fabled description of elves, "I know now that it was both a gift and a curse. I couldn't give William what he wanted. I knew what was happening behind his eyes and yet, he was too kind to take it. He was a man of few words, and yet his heart remained true. The Valar works in mysterious ways. We will never know the reasons why everything happened that way they did or why you can cross worlds, but I know one thing for certain. He was sent to save us, my little butterfly. And for that, I will always be grateful." Ignoring the pain that shot up her legs, Aemilia bent to squat in front of her grand daughter, both eyes shining with tears and understanding. "I don't have much time," Aemilia smiled, embracing her grand daughter and stroking her hair hearing Alex sniff and sag against her embrace. "Your glowing, did you know that?"
Cupping Alex face with both her hands, her thumbs proceeding to wipe the tears that fell from Alex's emerald eyes, "The life of the Eldars are with you. Now, go." Alex's widening eyes told Aemilia she was skeptical of her grandmother's sudden observation. "Your heart never belonged here. Go." Aemilia whispered this time more forceful and encouraging, "Go to him."
A sudden rush of cool air swept the room and both ladies turned to see Paul standing by the glass doors that were wide open, moving his head to indicate the direction outside, "You finally have all the answers now, what are you waiting for?" His grin stretching.
Desperation smeared over Alex's face as realization dawned on her, her wide fearful eyes turning, "Come with me, Nana."
"I can't. That was the bargain I accepted to save your father and in turn, you." Slipping the locket over Alex's head and pushing her to stand. Startling deep blue eyes gazed over her green ones and soon Alex felt an idea forming in her head.
"I'll come back. I…I'll find a way to bring them here." Alex vowed, hugging Aemilia again, "Thank you, Nana." Stalking towards the doors that lead to the outside, pausing when she reached her best friend pulling him into a tight embrace, not needing to say anything before running out the glass doors and into the gardens. Alex disappeared over the tall wall of leaves and Paul turned to the only woman in the room. His eyes smiling, bowing his head in respect. This time he knew who she really was and the daunting realization that he stood with a regal elleth humbled him. "We haven't officially met, my lady—"
"Paul, right?" Aemilia's voice teasing studying the man before her. The kind smile and loyalty shining in his eyes reminding her of someone very dear to her. "I have heard a lot about you." Her smile playful as she gazed at the young man before her. "I have something I would very much like to discuss with you." Waving her hand to gesture to the tea table, her steps slow and careful as she stood on the other side of the table while she spied Paul slowly sat down on one of the wooden chair, his face apprehensive. "How's your family?"
The question caught him off guard. Paul was estranged from his family and he had accepted it long ago. His parents never approved of his choices. His internal musings where disrupted however when a thick folder was placed in front of him. The brown pile containing a thick collection of documents. His eyes then slowly moved towards the Aemilia who now sat across from him, her back straight and chin jutted out, but a ghost of a smile paying over the corners of her lips. "I knew this day was bound to come. I have spent my energy preparing for today." Aemilia started, her eyes studying Paul who sat rigid across from her.
"Lady Aemilia—"
Raising a hand to silence him, "Let me finish," reaching over to flip the folder to pull out papers upon papers, Paul's eyes moving over to the documents that now littered the wooden table his eyes widening at the contents of every document laid before him, "How would you like to own all of Townsend's assets?"
"Wha—how—" Aemila had to control the bubble of laugh that threatened to burst out of her at Paul's face. A mix of shock and disbelief marred his handsome features as he tried to wrap his head around what Aemilia was offering.
"Alex was the last legal heir to those assets, by law of man. You and I both know my grand daughter will not be returning anytime soon." Understanding dawning on Paul's face, "This is just a small compensation for all the times you took care of her in my absence." Paul remained still as a statue, words left him and Aemilia continued, "I had all these prepared when I lost the custody battle for Alex with Elizabeth. I called my lawyer right after, to arrange everything. I had to think bigger. Like I said, I don't have much time…If you accept," pushing the folder closer to Paul who still sat frozen, "everything under the Townsend name, is yours now."
A knock disrupted the quiet still room, Emily's head peaked around and found Aemiia's, speaking in hushed tone, "Someone is here requesting to see both of you, madam."
Aemilia nodded, watching as Emily moved to open the door wider to reveal the figure who stalked into the room leaving both of them gasping in shock. "Lady Aemilia, at last we meet." The figure spoke, his eyes kind and a smile graced over his face, "I didn't think I could actually do it, yet here I am." The figure spoke a hint of a smile and light banter coloring his tone. His eyes moving to Paul, who sat still quiet and trying to take all in. "So, this is your world. Very much the same, yet also very strange."
"You're here…but..how…?" Paul stammered, his eyes moving between Aemilia and the figure who now stood by the glass doors Alex just passed through not too long ago.
"We don't have much time, my friend. I take it Princess Alexandria went back?" The figure spoke. "She did," Aemillia answered finally understanding why he was there.
"Well then, care to complete one last adventure, Master Paul?" The figure offered, waving his wrinkly hand.
"What do you mean?" Paul asked, slowly standing to move towards the figure. His eyes returning to Aemilia who still remained sat on the chair, "I accept. Not as payment but because I love her. I'll look after her."
"My granddaughter always was a good judge of character. The Elrondion family with always be indebted to you."
Paul laughed, moving back to hug Aemilia before turning to sent the figure a mock-glare, "Where are you taking me?"
"This part of the the tale is where your powers come in handy." Winking before both disappeared to where Alex fled.
0-0-0-0
AN: we are almost at the finish line! two more chapters and we are complete. =) this was such a rollercoaster of emotions to write. i don't know why the exchange between alex and her mother made me tear up. everything about what Alex was realizing in that moment resonated with me. i saw once, a video, he was a priest or a pastor talking about how most of us never got the love we needed or deserved from our parents and this man just confidently stood and said, that maybe because our parents were already broken when we got them and i felt that. it brought a different perspective to how i saw my parents. that maybe part of maturity is being able to forgive our parents for their shortcomings and focus our attention to our own healing. we are the only solution to our own healing. our wholeness is found within us and not on other people and i wanted to highlight it here.
like i said, this was a little difficult for me to write, considering i was also going through my own mental issues a while back and would till sometimes have recurring episodes of depression and numbness (have you ever felt the same?)
thank you, thank you thank you to all those who read my story. the reviews were amazing! i am thinking of writing an epilogue once i completed this one, i wanna know what you guys think and if you want me to write one, what would you like it to include? i read one review that they wanted a lovelife for our dear paul and i am considering putting that in...
once again, I implore everyone to support me on Watt pad. I have another story in the works there and I would appreciate if if you could pay my a visit. my name there is happypill1111 =)
btw, credits to britannica for the little history in italy. i tried to base it on something real and sew it together with my own creation about the William and the start of the Townsend line.
lastly, don't forget to hit the fave/follow button and leave a review! See you next chapter! xoxo