Gwyn: Trouble in paradise? Naw… there is only Aragorn, Elladan, and Elrohir, now getting together with their favorite Mirkwood elf. EG What could possibly go wrong?
Nikki: Right now Im just trying to get the other fic I started finished and edited, ready to be uploaded shortly after this one finishes. :D You will see what is up with the elf guard in a later chapter… and I LOVED writing the scene when Yarna finds out Legolas is a prince. EG
Superguril15: Its now time for the troublesome twosome.. with an appearance from a human troublemaker. EG Hope ya like this one… though there isn't much of the twins.. they are intro'ed though. :D
Frodo: Its now time for the twins and Aragorn.. though its only intro'ing them and setting up a later scene. :D Thank you for your great review! Glad someone picked it up that some tidbits were left out but were brought up and I hope I wrote the reactions well. bites nails
Starlight: Here's ya update.. ya happy? :D I try to make the masses happy… though some things I draw the line at. But I hope this story will make some interesting turn of events and make people think. Hope you like this next one!
Littlesaiyangirl: laughs her ass off It never occurred to me to kick the guard in the shin. But is it 'really' wise to kick an elf in the shin? I mean, they are faster, stronger… and ultrasexy… EG The guards prob will be brought out in upcoming chapters…. Keep reading. EG
Elenillor: I thought it a gentlemanly thing to do myself. I've seen people do that, step in the line of sight of someone scared to the one intimidating them. I hoped I got the point across she's still skittish around elves, and is reluctant to go in an elven city.
Amlugwen: The sentry has his reasons.. and YES its going to be something exciting.. at least I hope so. bites nails Hope you like this chapter.. its going to set up some future scenes that I 'hope' has the audience entertained. Hope you enjoy this chappie as well. :D
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Chapter Nine
Beautiful Elven structures emerged from the surrounding terrain shades of gray and earthen mottled together and swirling around innumerable variations of greens. Century worn paths etched out the deep greens of the bushes and led off into directions unseen in the haven by Yarna's wide eyes.
Soft swells of light floated between the trees, their sources from the enchanted Elven people going about their daily routines without realizing the Mirkwood Prince was entering their realm. The arrival didn't go unnoticed for long as some elves stopped to look curiously at the couple strolling through Imladris, others whispered frantically to their companions who nodded with bright attentive eyes.
Yarna's breath hitched in her chest as she felt an invisible band wrap around her and constrict unmercifully. Dropping all pretenses her hand frantically grabbed the Prince's, grasping it with sweaty, shaky palms hoping the Elf would be an anchor to the storm raging inside her mind and the urge to flee swelling and cresting within her. Legolas felt her trembling and cast a reassuring look that went unnoticed as her face turned every direction, her frenzied eyes searching and taking in the strange people that lingered in the trees watching her closely.
With a gentle squeeze, Legolas lead her in the vast expanse of greenery and Elven pride that teemed around Rivendell. Many elves spotted the two walking towards the home of Lord Elrond, their eyes watchful, their whispers following the two through to the epicenter of the Elven town.
"Legolas?" Yarna's voice was barely audible, but the elf was keen to hear her.
"It is all right, My Lady. They are only curious," Legolas assured her as he led her into the grand building and into the hall that lead into Lord Elrond's Main audience chamber.
"They are all staring. I can hear them whispering!" Yarna exclaimed her voice slightly heightened with fear.
"Humans do not visit often," Legolas said, looking over his shoulder and breaking into a broad grin, "Or perhaps they are just used to Strider bringing in strangers."
"That is not funny," came a deep baritone voice from the shadows of an archway.
Legolas looked apprehensively at Yarna and turned to see a figure standing partially hidden in a doorway, "Well, maybe they are not used to seeing a human being led into Elven country by an elf, and not a mangy, arrogant, strutting human?"
"Oh, there will be none of that," The baritone voice snapped rather harshly. With a small step, the man concealed in shadows stepped out of the doorway and was automatically bathed in sunlight, which caught the dark tendrils of hair that hung carelessly around his face. Bright blue eyes pierced through the curtain of hair, staring contemptuously at Legolas.
Yarna's eyes widened as the two squared off against each other. Their eyes locked, their breath shallow, both seemed poised to strike at any moment.
Abandoning Yarna's hand momentarily, Legolas flung his arm around his friend's shoulders and laughed, "Strider my friend, it is good to see you!"
Strider laughed and winced slightly as he returned Legolas's greeting, "To you as well!"
Legolas noticed the slight recoil and favored the ranger with a sidelong glance, "Do not tell me you are hurt?"
Strider grinned and shook his head, "I was attacked by orcs a few weeks ago. They managed to do a fair amount of harm to me," he gave the elf a playful swat at seeing him snicker, "Hey, I was outnumbered! It was an accident! I did not go looking for trouble!"
Legolas tried to stifle his laughter but failed, "Sure it was! Trouble does not need to find you, Strider. It is a constant companion!"
The ranger chuckled and his eyes fell upon the woman cowering behind the Princes' back, "And what fair maiden have you graced us with?"
Legolas sidestepped to introduce the two, but Yarna had copied his movements and remained hidden behind him. With a small smile, he nodded to Yarna that it was ok, and she tentatively stepped out from behind her elf shield.
"Yarna, I would like you to meet Strider, Ranger of the North and one of my closest friends," Legolas said, slightly pulling on Yarna's hand, which was once again gripping his painfully, "Strider, I would like you to meet Yarna, my former cell mate and fellow conspirator in our jailbreak," Legolas grinned.
Strider bowed awkwardly and smiled at her, "My Lady, it is my pleasure to welcome you into Rivendell."
Yarna noted the way the ranger bowed, his uneven shoulders, and the slight sway to his stance and knew that the ranger was more injured than he cared to admit. Knowing that it probably cost him a decent amount of effort, Yarna nodded her head in acknowledgement and favored him with a tiny smile.
Yarna looked uncertainly at Legolas, and relaxed some when she realized he was in a tranquil, comfortable state. His eyes were twinkling with a soft blue luminance, beaming at his friend as they exchanged quick details about their most recent adventures.
As Legolas explained his mission and his inevitable capture, Striders' eyes flickered nonchalantly across Yarna's features, taking in her ratted clothes, her tangled hair, her petite form buried beneath a large leather overcoat. He noted her features were delicate, more than likely from a life of abuse and starvation.
"Strider, we need to speak to your father," Legolas said urgently, the original reason why he risked his travels reemerged in his mind.
Strider looked quickly to the elf, his eyes heavy and his face sorrowful, "I am sorry Legolas, but father does not wish to be disturbed today."
Yarna exchanged a worried glance with the Prince.
Strider read the confusion in his friends face, and explained in Elvish, "Adar nienor arara. 'Late coia a're." Father is mourning. He is honoring mothers life today
Legolas's eyes closed, his head bowed as Yarna looked between the two of them.
She flicked her hand, gaining the Prince's attention and favored him with a questioning look.
Legolas looked up, glanced at Strider then back to Yarna, knowing she deserved an explanation, but yet hoping to maintain the privacy of Lord Elrond, "Lord Elrond is in mourning today. Each year, elves mark the day of a loved ones passing in solitude as they grieve."
Yarna's eyes lowered to the floor and a soft sigh escaped her lips.
Legolas turned back to the ranger, "Please Strider. I must speak with him. I have a message from my father, and Yarna requires his healing abilities."
Strider looked slightly taken aback, but shook his head in agreement, knowing that if someone was in need, his father would not turn anyone away, no matter the time of year, "Follow me."
"I feel much better." Yarna leaned in and said softly to Legolas. "I do not wish to be a burden."
"Do not fear Yarna. Lord Elrond would not be upset for the disturbance if it meant that someone needed his aid." Legolas assured her.
Strider led the way into the inner chambers of the building. His steps were short, partially to accommodate the smaller human, and partially to keep his body from protesting rapid movement. He kept his face set defiantly as he walked, fighting back the urge to wince from the short stabs of pain his injuries were occasionally sending him.
Yarna noticed the way the ranger nursed his left shoulder and side. Her eyes detected the slight limp in his walk, and the uneven stride of his steps. She frowned to herself, wondering what person could be so obviously injured, yet up and about and not confined to bed to mend their wounds. She remembered Legolas's stories about the ranger and deduced that he was probably too stubborn to remain in bed, preferring to be up and not catered to while injured.
The trio stopped at a large pair of double doors carved of a heavy ash embossed with Elvish designs.
Strider faced the two, "Wait here. I will alert Father."
With a flick of his wrist, Strider had forced the latch open and eased himself into a room whose interior was obscured from outside view.
"Would he see us even though his heart is heavy with loss?" Yarna whispered.
"If not, then we will wait until morning," Legolas said flatly, though he wished that Lord Elrond would grant them an audience.
Within a few moments, the ranger appeared at the door and gestured for the two to enter. Legolas felt Yarna's hand snake into his own as they walked inside, her steps falling behind the Elf Prince and using him as a partial sheild. His heart went out to the strange human, leaving her way of life and walking into a totally different world with a group of strangers.
Yarna's eyes roamed the room, taking in the circular construction, the wooden tables, the rich tapestries on the walls, the heavy carved statues that lined the room, the marble tiled floor spotted with ancient rugs from dynasties long past, and finally to the ornate objects that dotted the table tops.
She gasped openly as a pair of elves approached, identical down to the ethereal presence, graceful movements and posture they possessed.
"Mae Govannan Elladan. Elrohir." Legolas said, slightly inclining his head "Forgive our intrusion, but it is important that I speak with Lord Elrond."
The twins exchanged meaningful looks, and then stared at the woman now cowering further in the Prince's shadow.
"It is a time of grief," Elrohir said.
Yarna could have sworn she heard the soft echo of a melody in the elf's voice. A sound she could only describe as singing of songbirds in spring as a light rain falls and the world comes alive. She felt her body immediately relax to his voice and a chorus of happiness well up in her heart. She took a small, tentative step away from Legolas's side, though still well within cringing distance should she need to fall back into his wake.
"I am sorry," Legolas said wholeheartedly. "But my father sent me to warn of a Shadow growing in the land of Mordor. Ford's Bearing was under heavy attack when we escaped. My companion had sustained injuries and needs your father's expert abilities."
"I am fine," Yarna whispered fervently to Legolas, her eyes wide as she stared at the elves in front of her. "The plants you used have helped. I do not want to bother the Elf Lord."
"But you need to have further medicine. The aspa plant will only mend so much on a human body," Legolas said, "Lord Elrond can see to your injuries and ensure they heal quickly without scarring."
Legolas turned to the twins, noticing they too looked weary, their usually boyish faces were drawn and gray with their own grief. "Forgive me my friends, but this is important."
With a heavy sigh, one of the twins motioned towards a corner, where a being sat in complete silence before a small fire burning brightly in the hearth. His body was relaxed, molded to the chair, his eyes staring blankly into the fire that danced on the stone chimney.
Usually standing very proud and formidable, Lord Elrond's presence was always commanding and dominating. But right now, his body was visibly worn, and his face shown the deepest of solemn countenance, pale and deeply lined.
"Father?" Elladan asked softly, stepping by his fathers' side. "Father, Legolas is here with urgent news and his friend has been injured."
Lord Elrond waved his hand dismissively, not taking his eyes off the flames that jumped and frolicked on the grate, "Erestor can see to the injuries."
Elladan looked pleadingly to his twin then to his human brother. He laid his hand gently on his fathers', offering him unspoken support in his time of mourning. His eyes shut tight at the cold feeling of his fathers' hand under his own.
Legolas, knowing that the Elven lord was in no mood to accept news, bowed his head, "My Lord, please forgive us. We shall, of course, wait until you are ready to grant us an audience. Please accept my deepest apology for disturbing your time of grief."
Yarna looked at the saddened elf in front of the fire and couldn't stop the words from coming out of her mouth, "Sorry to bother you, Lord Elrond. Peace be yours."
At her words the elf looked up, his eyes staring blankly, then widened as a look of surprise crossed his face. His jaw went slack and he gripped the arms of his chair tightly, staring up into the woman's face.
"Can it be?" He asked softly.
The twins exchanged confused looks, and then watched as their father lifted himself effortlessly off the chair and strode forward, Elladan's hand abandoned on the arm of the chair where his father had sat.
"Can it be?" The elf lord's words were barely audible, but those in the room heard them loud and clear. "Amrungil?"
Elladan and Elrohir stared worriedly at their father. Strider stood by their side, his expression confused and curious. The twins shook their heads in disbelief, not knowing what to say or do, converging side by side behind their father, Strider joining them in a perplexed trio as Lord Elrond stepped towards the girl Legolas had escorted into Rivendell.
"Amrungil?" Elrond said again, his voice getting louder as he approached the girl now trying to hide herself fully behind the Elf Prince.
"Father?" Strider questioned, "Father, who is 'Amrungil'?"
"Is it really you?" Elrond asked ignoring everything around him and coming to stand before Legolas who shielded the frightened woman, "Are you really here, with me? Right now?"
"Father?" Elladan pressed, stepping to his fathers' side and placing a hand on his arm, hoping to gain a response from the elder elf, "Father, who is Amrungil?"
Elrond's glare met the confused blue eyes of the prince and a smile crept upon his face, "Prince Legolas, I am indebted to you."
Legolas's brow knit together as he stared at the Elven Lord now openly smiling at the woman that was now boring a hole through his hand with her nails, her whole body shaking so forcefully that it caused the Prince to slightly tremble. Needing to get the feeling back into his fingertips, he put his other hand over Yarna's and gave her a persuasive squeeze and felt her tighten her iron grip.
"All is well," Legolas said to the frightened woman, then turned to the Elf before him, "Lord Elrond, what are you talking about?"
Elrond's eyes were now shining with tears as he stared at the young girl, "My dear Prince, you have brought home Rivendell's first daughter."
^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ *AN: well, did you see it coming? Hope not, I like to make things as unexpected as possible. :D Next chapter coming soon. J
