Well, we posted this prologue and chapter one some time earlier but things in ff.net were being difficult. We did get a review from Nurvilyawen – Crazynut2002 and Aileen and we thank you! ^_~ But to our dismay it didn't appear as though anyone else could get into the story… including ourselves! So here they are again… and hopefully they will post properly this time.
AN: Hey we're back! And we have a brand-spanking new story! This is a sequel to "A Pleasant Surprise", but you don't have to read it in order to understand this story, although it is recommended. This is going to be a slow moving fic partly because of school and partly because we each have our own little projects to complete.
Jerika: HI! My pen name's Chatelaine!
The usual disclaimers apply… to ALL our chapters. So you don't hafta hear that annoying sentence over and over again.
Prologue: An Unpleasant Surprise
Elyssa awoke to the morning sunlight. She turned to look at her husband who lay sleeping peacefully beside her and a joy filled her spreading to her face in a wide grin. Her son Haurion, or Derek as he was nicknamed, lay sleeping in the next room. He has grown… she thought wistfully…but why haven't I? Suddenly, the thought struck her. She had first come to Middle-Earth as a young 16 year old nearly 40 years ago. She wasn't immortal, so why wasn't she aging as she should?
"It is probably for the best," she said aloud to the rising sun. She turned to Legolas' still sleeping form and whispered in his ear, "Would you still think me hot if I looked fifty?" Then, remembering the way he looked at her … even now after 40 years of marriage, she crushed the idea. Then her thoughts turned to the boy her son was named after… the little apprentice who had began the whole chain of events. What ever did become of Haurion? She had asked the old wizard several times as to his whereabouts, but Gandalf would only smile and say "In time…"
Elyssa began to think about her last day in her realm. Smiling, she thought of Courtney, the girl who led Elyssa and Legolas aimlessly around Silver Ridge. Courtney had been the most annoying, snobby, ditzy girl Elyssa had ever known, but Elyssa did owe her some debt. She helped get me here. Besides, Courtney turned out to be quite different behind closed doors.
She had to awaken her family soon. Today was the first day of summer and it was tradition that they picnic in the woods. Today celebrated the day she had come to Middle-Earth. Silently, she slipped out of the bed and dressed. She decided to let them sleep a little longer. She strode to the balcony and looked over the land in which she was to be queen. She still hadn't quite gotten over everything.
Elyssa smiled when she felt two strong arms slip about her waist. "Good morning…"Legolas greeted, kissing her gently atop her head.
"And the sleeping giant awakens," she giggled. Turning, she wrapped her arms around him leaning into his embrace. She took in a long breath, breathing in his sweet-smelling scent. Tilting her head upward, she readied herself for their morning "tradition".
"Hmm…" Elyssa mumbled as their kiss ended, "Would you still love me if I lost my youth?"
Legolas laughed, "Would it help you to know that I am 2751 years old?"
"Not really…" Elyssa gaped. Her fingers poked at his face and she poked him in the eye. Grabbing her fingers, Legolas chuckled and brought them to his lips kissing them tenderly. He gazed down at his Elyssa and leaned in for another kiss.
"Mother!" cried Haurion, "We're going to be late." Elyssa smiled at her thirty-year-old son, glad that his clothes were on. Reluctantly, the couple parted and hurried for their favorite spot in the woods.
* * *
The three sat in their usual clearing, munching on their ices and cakes. It was a beautiful day. Elyssa sat leaning against Legolas, periodically feeding him. Taking a piece of food between her fingertips, she passed it over her shoulder to Legolas. Playfully, he nibbled at her fingers.
"Father!" whined Haurion, who had been watching the pair in silent disgust. "Must you do that in public?"
"Public? There are only the three of us here, Derek," he replied innocently.
"Yes, but I am here."
Elyssa smiled amusedly, "Our little nudist…"
"Why do you keep calling me that?"
"Well, as a child, you always discarded your clothes, preferring to roam the forest nude."
"I believe we lost nearly twelve outfits to the brook," chuckled Legolas.
"Mother! Father!" cried Derek. "That never happened." Both Legolas and Elyssa looked at their son curiously. "It never happened…" he repeated, more to himself than to anyone else. "I am going to the brook." He rose and stalked off.
"Don't forget your clothes, dear," Elyssa called after him. "Look what you did," she scolded Legolas throwing a small fruit at him. She missed. Legolas grinned and stole long side-glances at Elyssa who had her nose in the air and arms crossed over her chest. She rose and shuffled a little ways away… trying to think of a clever remark. Just as a thought popped into her head, she turned to see her husband sprawled across the blankets, his face in some gelatin. Two figures sat comfortably atop his form. They looked strangely familiar.
"Haurion? Courtney? What are you doing here?"
* * *
So how was it? We're aware of its shortness but it is after all the prologue. If we have any incorrect information concerning ME don't hesitate to tell us. Please give us your feedback. Constructive criticism is WELCOME! So… REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!