(In case you are confused, LOTR characters will begin to enter the story,
and no, this isn't people getting sent to ME from the future. The summary
didn't really say a whole lot, so I thought I'd give you a little more
here. Jonathan is a 38 year old man who lives a meaningless, loveless life,
and he comes across this story about the elves, and it starts to affect him
and how he acts around people. Also, if you pay attention, there are
characters around Jonathan, that parallel with characters from LOTR. I know
it's kind of cheating telling you that, but I really didn't want anyone to
miss that. Example: Frodo and Freda. O.K, that's all. Enjoy.)
Once Upon a Crest
********************************************************************
It was on this day that King Elrond and his distant friend, King Thrandruil, were set out to visit the couple and their child. Both parties had met not to long ago, when the kings had discovered they were alone, and offered them place in the forest, and a ceremonious wedding, if they promised to keep the creatures of their forest safe. Being already in love with the forest and all it's creatures, and magic, they agreed.
When the orcs entered the forest, the wild began to stir, and word reached the kings that evil was about, making them quicken their pace as the birds led them to the trouble. But they had gotten there too late. 3 orcs were dragging off the woman, and the two kings sent their arrows flying killing them all.
They ran to her, but there was no hope for this woman's poor mangled body. "Shed not one tear for this girl." Elrond spoke sternly. Thrandruil nodded, and took off to find the boy. Elrond studied the body closely. "You did well child." He spoke softly. "The forest has been safe for as long as you've dwelled here, and my creatures have reported nothing but happiness to me. If there is anything I can do to repay you, I will. I am in your debt."
At this, a noise, unlike any animal, cried in the distance. It was far, but not hard for his elf ears to pick up on. He ran towards the sound, keeping a radar out for more orcs. The wind blew at his back, directing him where to go. He increased his speed as his curiosity crept closer to him.
He stopped when the earth fell still. All but a sound coming from a big round tree was silent. There was a hollowing inside the big dark wood, and he sensed a protective force around it. "You must keep it safe." The tree spoke to his mind.
Elrond walked slowly, and peered inside the oval shaped hole to find a small child sitting inside. She clapped and laughed at the site of Elrond.
The tree spoke again to Elrond, "The child before you is from that which is now passed, and is the last of her decent. Her locks are now blond, but one day they will darken like her fathers." Her golden eyes stared wide and curiously at the king. "Keep her safe, until her hair changes to look more like your peoples'. Then release her to her own."
"It will be a danger to keep a human child in our world. What about love? I will surely not let my people die broken hearted from loving a human."
The tree grew fierce. "You promised this child's mother you would repay her! And this you must, for you are a noble elf, and must keep your word, and this child MUST remain safe, for reasons beyond your understanding." Elrond nodded. "Raise her how you will, but protect her with all your power."
Elrond reached his hands in the tree and carefully lifted out the tiny being inside. He cradled her in his arms, and took one good look to build an image of her in his memory, but that was all the affection he gave her.
She rested in his arm as he ran back to his horse. He met up with Thrandruil who said the boy was found dead. "Come," Elrond demanded. "We will send back servants to retrieve their bodies." Thrandruil looked questioningly at the baby in Elrond's arms, but said nothing.
They rode off quickly heading back to King Elrond's kingdom, child in arms, and questions in mind.
****************************************************************
"Mr. Statton! Mr. Statton." Jonathan tore his eyes off the paper and found Freda standing at the door.
Irritated for being interrupted from his story he snapped at her. "What is it Freda?"
She shrunk back even smaller than she already was. "Um, sorry for disturbing you sir, but the doctor is here.
"Oh, yes of course. Sorry Freda. Let him in."
Freda walked off hurriedly, and a moment later, the doctor entered. "Good Evening my friend," the doctor greeted warmly. The man had always gave Jonathan chills, even though he was so kind. He was taller than any man he'd ever met before. His hair was long and white, and he kept it back in a tie. His nose was rather large, especially compared to Jonathan's sharp strong nose. His eyes were small, but pleasing, and when he spoke, the whole room shook and was filled with power.
Never the less, the doctor was gentle man, and Jonathan liked him. Mostly because he wasn't like most the people Jonathan knew, and he wasn't like Jonathan. The only thing they seemed to share was a love of magic.
"I just need to take a blood sample John." The doctor said powerfully as he put down his bag. His long coat swept the floor.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, no. We just discovered some activity in your last blood sample, and I need another one to run some tests. I wouldn't worry about it."
"Oh, fine then. Doctor Falgand? Has anyone ever been known to die from a broken heart?"
"Oh," the doctor laughed, "I wouldn't worry about your heart breaking anytime soon. I'd say you've got pretty much everything you need right here."
"I'm not talking about me. I mean, has it ever happened?"
"I suppose it's possible, all though I've never seen it. Why do you ask?"
"I just read something, that's all."
"What?"
"Nothing you would know of."
The doctor made a humph, and wrapped a rubber tie around Jonathan's upper arm. As he wrapped he noticed the letter with the wax seal on Jonathan's desk. "The Mirkwood Crest!" He exclaimed.
"What?" Jonathan jumped with curiosity. "What is it?"
The doctor held up the letter. "Where did you get this?"
"I found it."
"Where? Where did you find this?" He was now waving the letter in Jonathan's face.
"In my yard. Therefore it is mine." Jonathan grabbed the paper greedily.
"Relax John. You know me better. I recognize that symbol."
John eased his tension, and begged for explanation.
"This Crest is the sign of the Mirkwood Elves. They made gold bracelets in the form of two leaves fitting together like a puzzle piece. It's only legend, but I must admit I've taken my fair share of study over it. I stumbled upon a book one day, and from then, I just could not get elves out of my head. I was soon led to discover more and more creatures of this time."
"What time?" He was now on his knees on the chair like an excited little child.
"Long ago my friend. I can't be sure, but before men had taken over I'm sure. Wait, broken hearts? That's what you asked right?"
Jonathan nodded.
"Elves could only die from battle, or broken hearts."
"So, they were immortal?"
"Yes, yes, they were immortal. If they really existed, there could even be some alive today. But even if, it's not very likely considering, well the stories say any way, there was a great battle that killed most of them off."
"You surely don't believe in this do you?"
"No, no, of course not. But something draws me to their story. Do you know what that's like? To be drawn to a story?"
Jonathan looked away. He didn't want to answer. He suddenly felt foolish, and didn't want the doctor to know what he had found. "Please, take my blood, and go."
"Have I said something John?"
"No. I just think I'm tired and I'd like to rest."
The doctor took his blood sample, nodded to Jonathan, and left.
Jonathan turned out the light, locked the door, and left his study, and the story.
He went to his room and changed into a pair of sweats and a sweater. A chill began to take over his house. He laid down in his empty bed, wondering again where his wife had been, and before long, sleep took him over, and his dreams filled with all sorts of magic and creatures he'd never heard of before.
An unfamiliar voice whispered into his dreams. "Jonathan." It whispered hypnotically, "Jonathan? Please, don't let me go. There's more. There's more in the story. You must know about her. You must! Someone must love her. You know. You know what it's like to need to be loved."
At this, Jonathan shot up in his bed. He looked over to find Vickie lying asleep next to him. Her hair was wet as if she'd just showered, and no make up painted her face. He looked at his clock on the night stand. 3 am. It read. He jumped out of bed, and threw a robe over his chilled body.
He quietly tip toed out of the room, and then dashed down the stairs back to his study, anxious to finish the story, and release himself from the power that hung over him, and consumed his mind. Anxious to learn who she was.
(A.N: I made up the whole crest thing. I haven't read LOTR yet, so I don't know if or what kind of symbol they had for their race, but I made up the crest for purposes of my plot, and because it was a gold bracelet like the crest I described that inspired me to write this story. Funny how that happens, isn't it? Please let me know what you think, and I promise the next chapter will have more LOTR characters in it.)
Once Upon a Crest
********************************************************************
It was on this day that King Elrond and his distant friend, King Thrandruil, were set out to visit the couple and their child. Both parties had met not to long ago, when the kings had discovered they were alone, and offered them place in the forest, and a ceremonious wedding, if they promised to keep the creatures of their forest safe. Being already in love with the forest and all it's creatures, and magic, they agreed.
When the orcs entered the forest, the wild began to stir, and word reached the kings that evil was about, making them quicken their pace as the birds led them to the trouble. But they had gotten there too late. 3 orcs were dragging off the woman, and the two kings sent their arrows flying killing them all.
They ran to her, but there was no hope for this woman's poor mangled body. "Shed not one tear for this girl." Elrond spoke sternly. Thrandruil nodded, and took off to find the boy. Elrond studied the body closely. "You did well child." He spoke softly. "The forest has been safe for as long as you've dwelled here, and my creatures have reported nothing but happiness to me. If there is anything I can do to repay you, I will. I am in your debt."
At this, a noise, unlike any animal, cried in the distance. It was far, but not hard for his elf ears to pick up on. He ran towards the sound, keeping a radar out for more orcs. The wind blew at his back, directing him where to go. He increased his speed as his curiosity crept closer to him.
He stopped when the earth fell still. All but a sound coming from a big round tree was silent. There was a hollowing inside the big dark wood, and he sensed a protective force around it. "You must keep it safe." The tree spoke to his mind.
Elrond walked slowly, and peered inside the oval shaped hole to find a small child sitting inside. She clapped and laughed at the site of Elrond.
The tree spoke again to Elrond, "The child before you is from that which is now passed, and is the last of her decent. Her locks are now blond, but one day they will darken like her fathers." Her golden eyes stared wide and curiously at the king. "Keep her safe, until her hair changes to look more like your peoples'. Then release her to her own."
"It will be a danger to keep a human child in our world. What about love? I will surely not let my people die broken hearted from loving a human."
The tree grew fierce. "You promised this child's mother you would repay her! And this you must, for you are a noble elf, and must keep your word, and this child MUST remain safe, for reasons beyond your understanding." Elrond nodded. "Raise her how you will, but protect her with all your power."
Elrond reached his hands in the tree and carefully lifted out the tiny being inside. He cradled her in his arms, and took one good look to build an image of her in his memory, but that was all the affection he gave her.
She rested in his arm as he ran back to his horse. He met up with Thrandruil who said the boy was found dead. "Come," Elrond demanded. "We will send back servants to retrieve their bodies." Thrandruil looked questioningly at the baby in Elrond's arms, but said nothing.
They rode off quickly heading back to King Elrond's kingdom, child in arms, and questions in mind.
****************************************************************
"Mr. Statton! Mr. Statton." Jonathan tore his eyes off the paper and found Freda standing at the door.
Irritated for being interrupted from his story he snapped at her. "What is it Freda?"
She shrunk back even smaller than she already was. "Um, sorry for disturbing you sir, but the doctor is here.
"Oh, yes of course. Sorry Freda. Let him in."
Freda walked off hurriedly, and a moment later, the doctor entered. "Good Evening my friend," the doctor greeted warmly. The man had always gave Jonathan chills, even though he was so kind. He was taller than any man he'd ever met before. His hair was long and white, and he kept it back in a tie. His nose was rather large, especially compared to Jonathan's sharp strong nose. His eyes were small, but pleasing, and when he spoke, the whole room shook and was filled with power.
Never the less, the doctor was gentle man, and Jonathan liked him. Mostly because he wasn't like most the people Jonathan knew, and he wasn't like Jonathan. The only thing they seemed to share was a love of magic.
"I just need to take a blood sample John." The doctor said powerfully as he put down his bag. His long coat swept the floor.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, no. We just discovered some activity in your last blood sample, and I need another one to run some tests. I wouldn't worry about it."
"Oh, fine then. Doctor Falgand? Has anyone ever been known to die from a broken heart?"
"Oh," the doctor laughed, "I wouldn't worry about your heart breaking anytime soon. I'd say you've got pretty much everything you need right here."
"I'm not talking about me. I mean, has it ever happened?"
"I suppose it's possible, all though I've never seen it. Why do you ask?"
"I just read something, that's all."
"What?"
"Nothing you would know of."
The doctor made a humph, and wrapped a rubber tie around Jonathan's upper arm. As he wrapped he noticed the letter with the wax seal on Jonathan's desk. "The Mirkwood Crest!" He exclaimed.
"What?" Jonathan jumped with curiosity. "What is it?"
The doctor held up the letter. "Where did you get this?"
"I found it."
"Where? Where did you find this?" He was now waving the letter in Jonathan's face.
"In my yard. Therefore it is mine." Jonathan grabbed the paper greedily.
"Relax John. You know me better. I recognize that symbol."
John eased his tension, and begged for explanation.
"This Crest is the sign of the Mirkwood Elves. They made gold bracelets in the form of two leaves fitting together like a puzzle piece. It's only legend, but I must admit I've taken my fair share of study over it. I stumbled upon a book one day, and from then, I just could not get elves out of my head. I was soon led to discover more and more creatures of this time."
"What time?" He was now on his knees on the chair like an excited little child.
"Long ago my friend. I can't be sure, but before men had taken over I'm sure. Wait, broken hearts? That's what you asked right?"
Jonathan nodded.
"Elves could only die from battle, or broken hearts."
"So, they were immortal?"
"Yes, yes, they were immortal. If they really existed, there could even be some alive today. But even if, it's not very likely considering, well the stories say any way, there was a great battle that killed most of them off."
"You surely don't believe in this do you?"
"No, no, of course not. But something draws me to their story. Do you know what that's like? To be drawn to a story?"
Jonathan looked away. He didn't want to answer. He suddenly felt foolish, and didn't want the doctor to know what he had found. "Please, take my blood, and go."
"Have I said something John?"
"No. I just think I'm tired and I'd like to rest."
The doctor took his blood sample, nodded to Jonathan, and left.
Jonathan turned out the light, locked the door, and left his study, and the story.
He went to his room and changed into a pair of sweats and a sweater. A chill began to take over his house. He laid down in his empty bed, wondering again where his wife had been, and before long, sleep took him over, and his dreams filled with all sorts of magic and creatures he'd never heard of before.
An unfamiliar voice whispered into his dreams. "Jonathan." It whispered hypnotically, "Jonathan? Please, don't let me go. There's more. There's more in the story. You must know about her. You must! Someone must love her. You know. You know what it's like to need to be loved."
At this, Jonathan shot up in his bed. He looked over to find Vickie lying asleep next to him. Her hair was wet as if she'd just showered, and no make up painted her face. He looked at his clock on the night stand. 3 am. It read. He jumped out of bed, and threw a robe over his chilled body.
He quietly tip toed out of the room, and then dashed down the stairs back to his study, anxious to finish the story, and release himself from the power that hung over him, and consumed his mind. Anxious to learn who she was.
(A.N: I made up the whole crest thing. I haven't read LOTR yet, so I don't know if or what kind of symbol they had for their race, but I made up the crest for purposes of my plot, and because it was a gold bracelet like the crest I described that inspired me to write this story. Funny how that happens, isn't it? Please let me know what you think, and I promise the next chapter will have more LOTR characters in it.)
