A/N: No more exams!!! YAY! So, updates should be more frequent. Alrighty
enjoy the next installment, knowing that there may be an update tomorrow or
the day after!!!
Disclaimer: Tolkien's artistic mind created the characters and places from Middle Earth, I'm just trying to see if I can use the characters to weave a tale that many people will like. In other words, no recognisable characters and places belong to me, they are Tolkien's or whoever has inherited the copyrights.
Chapter 39: Returning
Eventually, almost two months later, the three travelers make it back to Eryn Lasgalen. The trip down the mountain was much like the trip up, the crows attacked them, but they were able to fend them off. After they got to the bottom of the hill and back into the woods, they found no more trouble, so that half of the trip was uneventful.
When they were close to the Elf kingdom of Eryn Lasgalen, the scouts spotted them. They had no warning that the scouts were near until one of the scouts dropped down in front of Legolas' horse. Legolas had been leading again, as he still maintained that he was the guide and they would have to follow him.
"Operon." Legolas said and the Elf looked at him then smiled.
"Good to see that you are unharmed my prince." Operon said, bowing deeply to Legolas and Legolas laughed.
"Enough with the formalities. We have been friends for many millennia, so tell me how has the kingdom fared in my absence?"
"The trees mourn your absence Legolas." Operon said with a slight smile and Legolas laughed. "But other than that, the lady Felawin has been terrorizing the kingdom, telling even your father that if you are not returned soon she will have you killed herself once you do return."
"Well, I have returned my friend, and she will be dealt with in due time, but now I wish to be back in the halls with a feast fit enough for an army!" Legolas said and Operon nodded, then bowed once more.
"It is good to see you again, Legolas." He said, then he climbed the nearest tree and shouts of 'The prince has returned' could be heard from above up in the trees.
And so it was that they came back to the kingdom and the King himself was there at the stables to meet them, a smile and relief written all over his face.
"Celebfaer, as promised you have brought me back my son." The King said as they dismounted and gave their horses to the stable Elf. "I hope you have succeeded in your quest and that you may stay a while more in Eryn Lasgalen. A week at the least for we did not have much of a chance to speak with you of your stay in the fair Lothlorien." He added and Celebfaer turned to look at Mildred, who nodded slightly in return, then she turned back to the King.
"We would be delighted to stay." She said and Thranduil nodded, smiling once more.
At that moment then came a squeal of delight from somewhere near the palace and within a few seconds the she-elf that had seen Legolas off came running up to him. When she got to him she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Legolas smiled broadly back, and hugged her just as tightly.
"You came back!" The Elf exclaimed.
"I promised you I would." He said smiling, happily. "And I always keep my promises." He muttered softly and the Elf smiled broadly in response, turning slightly red as she did. But before Legolas could say another word, she had grabbed his hand and would have led him off somewhere, but Thranduil stopped her.
"Felawin, leave the poor Elf alone he has just returned from a long and tiresome journey. No doubt he will wish to bathe......." Thranduil said, but Legolas shook his head then looked from his father to the female Elf that was still holding his hand.
"No, it is okay father, I still have enough energy left." Legolas said, shuddering at the thought of a bath at the minute. His venture into the pool was still vivid in his mind and he hoped that he could prolong a bath for as long as he could.
So Legolas allowed himself to be led off by the mysterious Felawin and the King laughed, then turned to address Celebfaer and Mildred.
"Indeed you are true to your promise Celebfaer." He said and she smiled briefly.
"I have not yet been known to break a promise without a reasonable explanation." She said and the King nodded.
"Well I have organized for a feast to be held in honor of my son being returned, with not even a scratch on him, for tonight. You and Mildred are once again invited to be there as guests of honor." He said and she nodded, then bowed deeply.
"We accept your kind offer your highness." She said and Thranduil then noticed the state that the two of them were in.
"Forgive me. I did not see that you were tired and in need of rest. Come, I shall have someone show you to your rooms and there you shall be able to relax." He said then he clapped his hands and two servants appeared, which he instructed them to show the two guests to the rooms that had been prepared for their arrival. "On your beds you shall find a gift of thank you for bringing my son back safely. For that I am grateful." The King said and Celebfaer bowed.
"Thank you for your generosity, your highness. It was our pleasure to journey with such a powerful warrior." She said and the King smiled.
"Well, I shan't keep you any longer as I believe you will be looking forward to a rest. I also have many things to do in preparation for tonight and may your stay in Eryn Lasgalen be joyous and peaceful." He said and then the servants bowed to the king, then to Celebfaer and Mildred as they told them to follow so they could be shown to their rooms.
Celebfaer walked straight in and she did not bother to look around the room this time. The only thing she wanted was a bath and she found it, filled with hot water. So, she had a nice long bath, delighting in the way that her wings fluttered and flapped when she willed them and glad to see that they no longer hung limply behind her.
When she was finished washing all the grime from travelling away, she went back into her room, only to find the 'gift' that the king had told them about. It was a cloak and it was laid out on the bed for her.
The cloak was silver and had embroidery all over the sleeves and trimmings of the cloak in every colour imaginable. The material it was made from was as smooth as silk and Celebfaer marveled at how it slid through her fingers smoothly.
A few moments later someone knocked on her door and she looked up quickly, surprised.
"Enter." She said and the door opened to reveal Mildred, he looked down and saw that she had been given a cloak then smiled at her.
"I see you have been given a cloak also. For bringing the King back his son safely, as the King says, though both you and I know that Legolas was not forced to go. He merely chose to come with us." Mildred said and she nodded.
"Indeed he did. But these gifts are surely meant for us to wear tonight at the feast." She said and Mildred nodded.
"Indeed they are." He said and she looked at him curiously.
"Something troubles you Mildred?" She asked and he looked up at her, into her eyes, then he smiled.
"Only the fact that I shall no longer be part of the Queen's Guard once we return to the realm. I have held a sword in my hands for so long that I do not know what to do without it." He said and she nodded.
"Then you shall have to let me teach you." Celebfaer said and Mildred sighed once more.
"So you will come back to the Realm with me?" He asked her and she frowned.
"Mildred, I shall for we are to be wedded when we return. Whatever gave you the idea that I wouldn't return to the Realm?" She asked and Mildred looked up at her, shocked.
"You will return with me?"
"It is my home Mildred." She said firmly and Mildred frowned.
"But Legolas......."
"He does not matter Mildred. I am the first-daughter of the Queen Asura, my home is where my family is."
"But that night in the woods, before we started our climb to Withered Heath, I saw you and Legolas......"
Shocked, Celebfaer turned away. "That should not have happened Mildred and I am sorry that you had to bear witness to that." She said and Mildred walked over to where she stood, cupping her face in his hands.
"Celebfaer, it is alright to love Legolas. If you wish it, I shall return to the Fairy Realm alone and tell the Queen that you did not wish to return. She will understand......."
"Mildred." Celebfaer said looking straight into his eyes, anger flashing in her eyes. "I will return with you to the Fairy Realm and you will not speak any more of this matter with me." She added, then she turned and walked to the balcony. She heard Mildred follow her, but he made it to the entrance to the balcony before she stopped him with her words. "We shall hide no longer Mildred. We shall let the whole of Middle Earth know that Fairies exist." She added, then Mildred turned and walked from her room.
After Mildred left her Celebfaer stayed on the balcony, looking out over the kingdom that was Eryn Lasgalen. The Elves as always were bustling with activity and the children were running around happily, playing in the fountains and hiding in the trees. It made her smile to think that they could enjoy life so completely, without a care about what would happen tomorrow.
So, Celebfaer took up a seat on her balcony and watched the children play as she thought about her own life. She was going to dread the coming month, because she knew what would come at the end of it; Legolas would be heart broken by her decision to return back to the Fairy Realm with Mildred. But there was no other way for her to do it; she would have to return to the Fairy Realm and forget about Legolas as best as she could. No matter how hard she tried, she could not see a future for the two of them.
As the sun started to go down, Celebfaer went back into her rooms and started to prepare for the feast that night. She even donned the cloak that she had been given then she and Mildred were escorted to the dinning hall by a servant once more.
During the feast, Celebfaer and Mildred were once more seated next to the youngest son of the King and directly opposite them, next to Legolas sat Felawin. The female elf asked Legolas to tell her all the tales of his travels up to Withered Heath. Celebfaer just ate quietly, hoping that once it was over, she would be able to excuse herself and retire.
When the feast was finished, the band begun to play and Felawin dragged Legolas up to dance with him, but before Celebfaer could announce that she was tired, Mildred asked her to dance with him.
He was hoping that if he danced with her, she would be able to take her mind away from her thoughts for a while. She was not smiling as much as she used to before they ever came to Eryn Lasgalen, as her mind was always thinking dark thoughts of late. She needed a break from it all, and Mildred wanted to see her smile as she should now that her wings were restored.
So, Celebfaer danced with Mildred and he joked with her so that she would forget some of her worries for a while. He managed to succeed, but after a while Celebfaer found she could not dance anymore, because she was tired, so she went to sit down. Watching all the other dancers, Celebfaer wondered how they could all be so happy. But then she remembered the nature of the Elves and how they refused to let things get them down. It was just their way.
Then Celebfaer looked up at the whirling couples just in time to see Legolas dancing with Felawin, both of them smiling happily and it tore her heart in two but she knew it was for the best seeing as she was going to be leaving. She had been a little upset that Legolas had not told her about this maiden, for she had been honest with him from the day she had seen him again. Yet Legolas had merely not thought it important and if she had asked him about Felawin, he would have changed the subject because he did not like talking about it.
However, Legolas managed to come over to where Celebfaer sat for a brief period of time and invite her for the 'tour of Eryn Lasgalen' that she had been promised all those years ago.
Smiling she accepted and then Felawin came and stole Legolas away again, leaving Celebfaer frowning at their backs. Sighing Celebfaer looked around and eventually she found Mildred, so she headed in his direction. He was talking to some Elf maidens, smiling and being his charming, something which Celebfaer was not used to seeing.
"Mildred, excuse me for interrupting, but I am weary from our travels and wish to retire." She said when she was next to him and he looked at her, but before he could say anything she shook her head. "Do not trouble yourself, for I know the way to my room and I shall see you in the morning." She said and Mildred nodded, then took her hand and kissed it lightly.
"As the Lady wishes. I bid you a good night, may you sleep well." Mildred said and she smiled at him.
"And I bid you farewell also Mildred." She said, then she turned and walked away, but Mildred was not yet finished.
'I shall come to you in the morning.' He sent to her and without turning around, she sent him her reply.
'Thank you. But come prepared for a ride in the woods. The prince has invited us on a tour of Eryn Lasgalen, I am sure we will enjoy it.' She sent and Mildred's answer was merely to nod inside her head, which made her smile.
So, she went back to her rooms.
Disclaimer: Tolkien's artistic mind created the characters and places from Middle Earth, I'm just trying to see if I can use the characters to weave a tale that many people will like. In other words, no recognisable characters and places belong to me, they are Tolkien's or whoever has inherited the copyrights.
Chapter 39: Returning
Eventually, almost two months later, the three travelers make it back to Eryn Lasgalen. The trip down the mountain was much like the trip up, the crows attacked them, but they were able to fend them off. After they got to the bottom of the hill and back into the woods, they found no more trouble, so that half of the trip was uneventful.
When they were close to the Elf kingdom of Eryn Lasgalen, the scouts spotted them. They had no warning that the scouts were near until one of the scouts dropped down in front of Legolas' horse. Legolas had been leading again, as he still maintained that he was the guide and they would have to follow him.
"Operon." Legolas said and the Elf looked at him then smiled.
"Good to see that you are unharmed my prince." Operon said, bowing deeply to Legolas and Legolas laughed.
"Enough with the formalities. We have been friends for many millennia, so tell me how has the kingdom fared in my absence?"
"The trees mourn your absence Legolas." Operon said with a slight smile and Legolas laughed. "But other than that, the lady Felawin has been terrorizing the kingdom, telling even your father that if you are not returned soon she will have you killed herself once you do return."
"Well, I have returned my friend, and she will be dealt with in due time, but now I wish to be back in the halls with a feast fit enough for an army!" Legolas said and Operon nodded, then bowed once more.
"It is good to see you again, Legolas." He said, then he climbed the nearest tree and shouts of 'The prince has returned' could be heard from above up in the trees.
And so it was that they came back to the kingdom and the King himself was there at the stables to meet them, a smile and relief written all over his face.
"Celebfaer, as promised you have brought me back my son." The King said as they dismounted and gave their horses to the stable Elf. "I hope you have succeeded in your quest and that you may stay a while more in Eryn Lasgalen. A week at the least for we did not have much of a chance to speak with you of your stay in the fair Lothlorien." He added and Celebfaer turned to look at Mildred, who nodded slightly in return, then she turned back to the King.
"We would be delighted to stay." She said and Thranduil nodded, smiling once more.
At that moment then came a squeal of delight from somewhere near the palace and within a few seconds the she-elf that had seen Legolas off came running up to him. When she got to him she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Legolas smiled broadly back, and hugged her just as tightly.
"You came back!" The Elf exclaimed.
"I promised you I would." He said smiling, happily. "And I always keep my promises." He muttered softly and the Elf smiled broadly in response, turning slightly red as she did. But before Legolas could say another word, she had grabbed his hand and would have led him off somewhere, but Thranduil stopped her.
"Felawin, leave the poor Elf alone he has just returned from a long and tiresome journey. No doubt he will wish to bathe......." Thranduil said, but Legolas shook his head then looked from his father to the female Elf that was still holding his hand.
"No, it is okay father, I still have enough energy left." Legolas said, shuddering at the thought of a bath at the minute. His venture into the pool was still vivid in his mind and he hoped that he could prolong a bath for as long as he could.
So Legolas allowed himself to be led off by the mysterious Felawin and the King laughed, then turned to address Celebfaer and Mildred.
"Indeed you are true to your promise Celebfaer." He said and she smiled briefly.
"I have not yet been known to break a promise without a reasonable explanation." She said and the King nodded.
"Well I have organized for a feast to be held in honor of my son being returned, with not even a scratch on him, for tonight. You and Mildred are once again invited to be there as guests of honor." He said and she nodded, then bowed deeply.
"We accept your kind offer your highness." She said and Thranduil then noticed the state that the two of them were in.
"Forgive me. I did not see that you were tired and in need of rest. Come, I shall have someone show you to your rooms and there you shall be able to relax." He said then he clapped his hands and two servants appeared, which he instructed them to show the two guests to the rooms that had been prepared for their arrival. "On your beds you shall find a gift of thank you for bringing my son back safely. For that I am grateful." The King said and Celebfaer bowed.
"Thank you for your generosity, your highness. It was our pleasure to journey with such a powerful warrior." She said and the King smiled.
"Well, I shan't keep you any longer as I believe you will be looking forward to a rest. I also have many things to do in preparation for tonight and may your stay in Eryn Lasgalen be joyous and peaceful." He said and then the servants bowed to the king, then to Celebfaer and Mildred as they told them to follow so they could be shown to their rooms.
Celebfaer walked straight in and she did not bother to look around the room this time. The only thing she wanted was a bath and she found it, filled with hot water. So, she had a nice long bath, delighting in the way that her wings fluttered and flapped when she willed them and glad to see that they no longer hung limply behind her.
When she was finished washing all the grime from travelling away, she went back into her room, only to find the 'gift' that the king had told them about. It was a cloak and it was laid out on the bed for her.
The cloak was silver and had embroidery all over the sleeves and trimmings of the cloak in every colour imaginable. The material it was made from was as smooth as silk and Celebfaer marveled at how it slid through her fingers smoothly.
A few moments later someone knocked on her door and she looked up quickly, surprised.
"Enter." She said and the door opened to reveal Mildred, he looked down and saw that she had been given a cloak then smiled at her.
"I see you have been given a cloak also. For bringing the King back his son safely, as the King says, though both you and I know that Legolas was not forced to go. He merely chose to come with us." Mildred said and she nodded.
"Indeed he did. But these gifts are surely meant for us to wear tonight at the feast." She said and Mildred nodded.
"Indeed they are." He said and she looked at him curiously.
"Something troubles you Mildred?" She asked and he looked up at her, into her eyes, then he smiled.
"Only the fact that I shall no longer be part of the Queen's Guard once we return to the realm. I have held a sword in my hands for so long that I do not know what to do without it." He said and she nodded.
"Then you shall have to let me teach you." Celebfaer said and Mildred sighed once more.
"So you will come back to the Realm with me?" He asked her and she frowned.
"Mildred, I shall for we are to be wedded when we return. Whatever gave you the idea that I wouldn't return to the Realm?" She asked and Mildred looked up at her, shocked.
"You will return with me?"
"It is my home Mildred." She said firmly and Mildred frowned.
"But Legolas......."
"He does not matter Mildred. I am the first-daughter of the Queen Asura, my home is where my family is."
"But that night in the woods, before we started our climb to Withered Heath, I saw you and Legolas......"
Shocked, Celebfaer turned away. "That should not have happened Mildred and I am sorry that you had to bear witness to that." She said and Mildred walked over to where she stood, cupping her face in his hands.
"Celebfaer, it is alright to love Legolas. If you wish it, I shall return to the Fairy Realm alone and tell the Queen that you did not wish to return. She will understand......."
"Mildred." Celebfaer said looking straight into his eyes, anger flashing in her eyes. "I will return with you to the Fairy Realm and you will not speak any more of this matter with me." She added, then she turned and walked to the balcony. She heard Mildred follow her, but he made it to the entrance to the balcony before she stopped him with her words. "We shall hide no longer Mildred. We shall let the whole of Middle Earth know that Fairies exist." She added, then Mildred turned and walked from her room.
After Mildred left her Celebfaer stayed on the balcony, looking out over the kingdom that was Eryn Lasgalen. The Elves as always were bustling with activity and the children were running around happily, playing in the fountains and hiding in the trees. It made her smile to think that they could enjoy life so completely, without a care about what would happen tomorrow.
So, Celebfaer took up a seat on her balcony and watched the children play as she thought about her own life. She was going to dread the coming month, because she knew what would come at the end of it; Legolas would be heart broken by her decision to return back to the Fairy Realm with Mildred. But there was no other way for her to do it; she would have to return to the Fairy Realm and forget about Legolas as best as she could. No matter how hard she tried, she could not see a future for the two of them.
As the sun started to go down, Celebfaer went back into her rooms and started to prepare for the feast that night. She even donned the cloak that she had been given then she and Mildred were escorted to the dinning hall by a servant once more.
During the feast, Celebfaer and Mildred were once more seated next to the youngest son of the King and directly opposite them, next to Legolas sat Felawin. The female elf asked Legolas to tell her all the tales of his travels up to Withered Heath. Celebfaer just ate quietly, hoping that once it was over, she would be able to excuse herself and retire.
When the feast was finished, the band begun to play and Felawin dragged Legolas up to dance with him, but before Celebfaer could announce that she was tired, Mildred asked her to dance with him.
He was hoping that if he danced with her, she would be able to take her mind away from her thoughts for a while. She was not smiling as much as she used to before they ever came to Eryn Lasgalen, as her mind was always thinking dark thoughts of late. She needed a break from it all, and Mildred wanted to see her smile as she should now that her wings were restored.
So, Celebfaer danced with Mildred and he joked with her so that she would forget some of her worries for a while. He managed to succeed, but after a while Celebfaer found she could not dance anymore, because she was tired, so she went to sit down. Watching all the other dancers, Celebfaer wondered how they could all be so happy. But then she remembered the nature of the Elves and how they refused to let things get them down. It was just their way.
Then Celebfaer looked up at the whirling couples just in time to see Legolas dancing with Felawin, both of them smiling happily and it tore her heart in two but she knew it was for the best seeing as she was going to be leaving. She had been a little upset that Legolas had not told her about this maiden, for she had been honest with him from the day she had seen him again. Yet Legolas had merely not thought it important and if she had asked him about Felawin, he would have changed the subject because he did not like talking about it.
However, Legolas managed to come over to where Celebfaer sat for a brief period of time and invite her for the 'tour of Eryn Lasgalen' that she had been promised all those years ago.
Smiling she accepted and then Felawin came and stole Legolas away again, leaving Celebfaer frowning at their backs. Sighing Celebfaer looked around and eventually she found Mildred, so she headed in his direction. He was talking to some Elf maidens, smiling and being his charming, something which Celebfaer was not used to seeing.
"Mildred, excuse me for interrupting, but I am weary from our travels and wish to retire." She said when she was next to him and he looked at her, but before he could say anything she shook her head. "Do not trouble yourself, for I know the way to my room and I shall see you in the morning." She said and Mildred nodded, then took her hand and kissed it lightly.
"As the Lady wishes. I bid you a good night, may you sleep well." Mildred said and she smiled at him.
"And I bid you farewell also Mildred." She said, then she turned and walked away, but Mildred was not yet finished.
'I shall come to you in the morning.' He sent to her and without turning around, she sent him her reply.
'Thank you. But come prepared for a ride in the woods. The prince has invited us on a tour of Eryn Lasgalen, I am sure we will enjoy it.' She sent and Mildred's answer was merely to nod inside her head, which made her smile.
So, she went back to her rooms.
