I finally have time to write the next chapter of Lian.... yaaaaaay! I really luv writing this, but what is even betta is getting all the lovely reviews! when I started this, I did not think for a second that my little story would get any kind of attention or anything... I hoped that it would, but I didn't seriously think it would. I've gotta tell you that when I checked the reviews today and found that I had 81.... well, that was just a huge deal to me. It really means a lot to me to have people take the time to read this and review, and even more that so many of you have said that you like this! *sniffle* Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
okay.. thats it for my sentimental stuff.... gotta save that 4 my story!!
btw--- for some reason my replies came out in one big paragraph last chapter... have no idea why. that wasnt the format i had when i wrote it.
Nariko -- 10 days.... hmm... this should be done in ten days.... depending on how many interruptions i have. school starts in 3 days... so im working as fast as i can to finish this b4 it does start.
krissy -- why thank u! kudos 2 u for the sweet review!
Lani -- u didnt think i'd let go to ur exams (good luck) still wondering what was going on, did u!? dont worry, i wouldnt be that mean. im sure that u already no who the voice is now, so dont worry! all will be revealed shortly!
T.H -- u were close, good guessing. but i cannot find the updated version of ur story!!! it is driving me crazy!!! im going to check again, after i finish writing this chapter. and i wanna chack out ur ficlet too.
yes, the war is stupid and bad and horrible and awful, and i cant see it ending anytime soon. *frowns* i am totally against killing and death penalties (i got into a big argument ova that in my ss class last year.
serenity02 -- im soo glad that u like this story! thank u 4 reviewing!
sabercrazy -- great to hear from u again! i started laughing when i read ur review "50 bucks that's Galen making his appearance at exactly the wrong time!!!" thats really funny (but i aint taking that bet! *hint hint*)
Tanzina -- u have great comedic flair! i luv reading humorous reviews! anyway... u can now find the answers!! read on and enjoy!
Disclaimer: okay, im taking a break for the moment with my really long disclaimers. im not in a very good mood rite now. lets just say Mr. Tolkien is a lot craftier than he looks, and has managed to... *glares at Tolkien who is grinning smugly* retrieve his property. so i now own Lian and Galen. *both sit with arms folded glaring* heh heh heh. told them that their outcomes wouldnt be very good if they didnt sign over their rights to me. heh heh heh.
and on to the story!
ps. warning: this chapter contains some mega mush... if u dont like sappy stuff, I suggest reading something else!! *starts to look for different story* oh, wait! i gotta write this, dont i! (i really am not a big fan of mush. i like it in moderation, but give me some battle or mystery any day over exceedingly bushy stuff. this makes me wonder why i made this chapter so mushy.... who knows. mayb there is a secret romantic hidden deep inside me after all.... *ponders this* nah!
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"I do!" the returned Prince of Mirkwood called out again, his voice clear and powerful. He took several strides towards the altar before continuing. "I'm sorry, but I cannot let this continue. You two cannot marry."
The poor priest rubbed his forefinger to his temple, sighing, "What is it now?" he asked listlessly. Galen stood firm and addressed Laurë, whom he could see only from the back.
"Lian," he started, the compassion of his race practically pouring from his body in his words, "Lian, you cannot marry him."
"And why not?" Lian responded, who, unnoticed by Galen, was sitting only three rows in front of him. But Galen's sharp ears perceived the direction from which he heard the voice and he turned his confused gaze from the bride to the front row of the seats.
"But.... what? How?..." he trailed off, words escaping him in his state of bewilderment. Lian stood and walked quickly down to where Galen stood rooted to the spot. Taking his hand, she started to lead him out of the hall, turning to the priest as she did so.
"Please continue, there has been a slight mix-up, I shall handle things though."
The two exited the hall, Galen's mouth still hanging open in shock. Back in the first row, Legolas turned to Aragorn, "the plot thickens," he muttered under his breath.
As soon as they were safely out of hearing distance of the wedding, Lian stopped dragging Galen and they both turned to stare at one another. Lian's heart began to pulse; she could practically feel it hitting her ribs. She looked up at Galen and neither knew what to say.
"What are you doing here?" Lian asked quietly, finally breaking the brooding silence. Looking down at the polished floor she added, "I thought you were supposed to choose a bride."
"I have," Galen whispered. Lian felt her heart go crashing down to the ground. "He has? Well of course he has! What did you expect, you knew it all along that the two of you were not meant to be! But when he came, I thought... Well it looks like you thought wrong, no doesn't it." Lian felt like crying, but managed to hold back the cascade of tears to say, "is she... nice?"
"Oh, very nice. But strong willed and wise. Young at heart though, and I love her all the more for it."
"You love her?" Lian's bottom lip trembled and she bit it hard to cease the movement.
"More than anything. She's beautiful too. As fair as the sunset at the end of mid-summer's day, but as dark and mysterious as the night sky in the winter. But she has another, more powerful, beauty that radiates from the inside out. The beauty of her perfect soul, and that is what I love most of all."
Blinking furiously to hold back her tears, Lian stared determinedly at the ground and in a hoarse whisper said, "then I wish you all the happiness in the world with her, but please speak of your love no more!" a single tear rolled down her cheek, and Lian turned to flee so that he would not see the torrents when they broke loose, but a hand on her wrist stayed her.
"Please, do not go Lian," he gently pushed her chin up so that the two were face to face, and he looked deep into her watery eyes. "It pains you for me to speak of her?" he asked, hiding his smile.
Unable to contain herself any longer, Lian finally snapped. "Yes, it pains me!" she cried, no longer caring if anyone heard her words. "You stand before me and speak of that which you love, knowing full well the torment that it causes on my soul!"
"Torment? What torment could it cause you, fair lady?"
"Would you have me lay it out plain, lord?" Lian spoke firmly, returning to formal speech in her anger.
"I would."
Taking a deep breath, Lian began to say that which she had kept inside for a long while. "I love you Galen. I do. When you kissed me, well, I ran because I was scared. I was so terrified of falling in love, and settling down, becoming a housewife or a mother, or even a queen... that scared me. And it still scares me. You told me once that you couldn't picture me cooped up indoors happily, and that's correct. Even in the great castle of Gondor I am ill at ease, my heart is ever in the mountains and forests, and wild places of the world. Ever since childhood, I have looked at marriage as the end of freedom, the end of my happiness. And the thought of losing that which is most important to me scared me near to death. And when I found that I suddenly ranked someone, other than family, above my freedom, I ran. I couldn't deal with it, I couldn't. I wish now that I could go back, do thing over, but I can't, and what's done is done and... and... I wish you all the love you deserve with your new bride." Tears now streamed down her cheeks, and she had become a creature of sorrow and pity. For a moment, overborne by Lian's truthful revelations, Galen stood silent. Then he spoke again, softly, putting his face close to hers.
"Lian," she trembled as his sweet breath hit her face, "have not you realized it yet?"
"Realized what?" she whispered.
"That the girl, the one I am in love with.... is you."
She looked up and her heart soared within her chest and suddenly it was if dawn had risen up from an eternity of night.
"What? But I thought that you were to marry an elve-" Galen cut her off.
"You thought wrong," her breathed. And then their lips met for a second time, and Lian thought that it was impossible for her life to be better. Suddenly, the two could hear the sound of applause, and as they broke away and turned, they saw the entire congregation from the wedding standing behind them.
Lian looked in awe as the people she cared for most in the world applauded her. Aragorn stood proudly in the front, with Arwen, as ever, by his side. They smiled happily, knowing that their daughter had finally found love. Next to Arwen stood Faith, Lian's dear friend and confidant.
Galen saw his parents standing proudly besides Lian's, it mattered little to them whether their son's love was immortal or not.
Eower, walking hand in hand with his wife, Laurë, strode to the front of the group and cried out, "Lo! It appears that not only one couple hath found love on this most blessed day!"
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ta-da!!!!!! the long awaited and much anticipated return of Galen!!!! yay!!! im soo happy! *does a little dance* i wanted them to be together in the beginning, but what kinda story would that have been, with a happily ever after before it even started!! tee hee! well, hope u all like it, sorry that its short. its is NOT over though folks!!! no way!!! very close though.
hope it was to everyone's satisfaction!
luv
hollie