Chapter 14
By Crystal
Author's Notes: I am aware that this whole conversation about leaving actually takes place at night in the book, but I made it in the morning so more stuff can happen between Legolas and Jessica. I hope you don't mind ^^
Thank you Stary Night for pointing out a mistake.
*We all know who this belongs to ^^;;*
Then I looked at Lord Celeborn when he started speaking, "Now is the time," he said, "when those who wish to continue the Quest must harden their hearts to leave this land. Those who no longer wish to go forward may remain here, for a while. But whether they stay or go, none can be sure of peace. For we are come now to the edge of doom. Here those who wish may await the oncoming of the hour till either the ways of the world lie open again, or we summon them to the last need of Lórien. Then they may return to their own lands, or else go to the long home of those that fall in battle."
Silence fell while Lady Galadriel looked at all of our eyes carefully, then spoke, "They all resolved to go forward." She stated.
"As for me," said Boromir, "my way home lies onward and not back." I cast a glance at Boromir, a determined look in his eyes, but they held a slight hint of fear.
"That is true," said Lord Celeborn, "but is all this Company going with you to Minas Tirith?"
"We have not decided our course," said Aragorn, "Beyond Lothlórien I do not know what Gandalf intended to do. Indeed I do not think that even he had any clear purpose."
"Maybe not," said Lord Celeborn, "yet when you leave this land, you can no longer forget the Great River. As some of you know well, it cannot be crossed by travellers with baggage between Lórien and Gondor, save by boat. And are not the bridges of Osgiliath broken down and all the landings held now by the Enemy?" (Quoted from I p.482)
The talk continued for a few minutes more before the Company decided to travel by water. Lord Celeborn would furnish our Company with boats that would be small and light. There, we will see the rapids of Sarn Gebir and even perhaps the great falls of Rauros where the River thunders down from Nen Hithoel. Lord Celeborn had told us that all the provisions and boats would be ready at the haven before noon tomorrow, which meant that we were to leave at around noon.
As the meeting ended, each member left and I stayed there, for whatever reason, I did not know... but if felt as if Lady Galadriel wanted me to stay, and I think I was fright, for when I laid eyes on her, she looked at me. Stay, Jessica.
I stood there, unmoving until I saw Legolas from the corner of my eyes. I tilted my head, then nodded for him to leave, using my eyes to tell him that Lady Galadriel wanted me to stay. He must have understood, because he gave me a smile and turned around to walk away. When Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel and I were left, Lord Celeborn whispered something in Lady Galadriel's ear, then left.
For minutes, silence fell and it seemed like she was studying me... I did not know what was wrong... Then slowly and gracefully, she walked up to me. My eyes tilted up to look at her, "You are leaving Lothlórien tomorrow..." I nodded, "I wish you a safe trip... And I wish for you to keep in mind that whatever decision you make, it shall not be judged. As long as you follow your heart, the journey will be safe. As long as you react to the pain, you will not be caught by surprise."
I frowned, not knowing what she meant, "Lady Galadriel... I am afraid I do not know what you speak of."
She smiled sadly, then she held up a single slim finger and traced my left forearm, and it felt warm all of a sudden, almost burning. I frowned, then looked at it. My eyes widened suddenly and she repeated again, "As long as you react to the pain, you will not be caught by surprised."
"What... what do you mean, Lady Galadriel, for I do not know what you speak of and I am completely confused." I looked at my forearm with awe, not because my forearm was wounded, but because I had forgotten about the wound that I had gotten from fighting the orcs in the Mines of Moria. I remember it was after cutting the head off the orc and seeing Sam whack orcs on the heads with his pan that I was wounded. I remember it was the time when Frodo was wounded... And if not for the mithril, he would have been dead.
"You will know what I speak of when the time comes, Jessica. For now, that shall remain a mystery..." She looked at me, then bent down and kissed my forehead, "There is still plenty of time until the end of the day. I trust you have a lot to do and farewells to say. I shall see you tomorrow before you depart and I shall give you something..."
I was curious, yes... But Lady Galadriel was right. I had farewells to say, and I had decisions to make... Not to mention sceneries to memorize. I said a polite farewell to Galadriel and silently, almost elflike, I walked in silence to find Haldir.
I found him half an hour later, he and one of his elf friend talking. I waited a few meters away, not hearing, but thinking. Yet no matter now much I though about Boromir, it could not be helped. No matter how much time I put in thoughts of him, it would not decide whether I should save him or not. My heart was not doing anything. Nothing at all.
I looked up as I felt a tap on my shoulder, meeting with Haldir's smiling face. "What may I do for you, Jessica?"
Smiling, I went on my tiptoes and hugged him tightly, "I guess I just wanted to say a farewell, though I might see you tomorrow again."
He pulled away, "You will see me tomorrow again, that I promise."
I smiled, "You are very dear to me, Haldir... I would not know what to do if I lost you. So be careful. Orcs are everywhere and they show up at anytime. I love you, Haldir. Be careful."
He grinned, "It is good to know that I am loved."
"I am sure one of these she-elves," I
waved my hand around to show him a bunch of giggly she-elves, "Love you." I teased.
"I hope so." He replied, grinning, "But being loved by you is even better, for you are special. A special woman from another realm. I am honoured to call her my sister."
I smiled yet again, "And I, Jessica, am honoured to call Haldir my brother." I embraced him in another hug and this one, I did not know how long it lasted, but I remembering pulling away with my eyes teary, but my lips smiling. "I shall see you tomorrow." I said quietly, hoping the tears wouldn't come out. I turned around quickly... Gah! I was getting too emotional for my own good... I wiped my tears away with the back of my hand, then took a sigh. "Calm down, Jessica..." I told myself.
I stood in the middle of the road, deserted as I waited for my tears to dry, and picking up the tiniest footsteps, I turned around. "Crying, I see." Legolas teased slightly.
I pouted, "You are not very nice, Legolas." I replied, "I guess I am just sad to be leaving Haldir... He is been... Close to me for quite a while." I started explaining while looking down at the floor, hoping he would not tease me again.
"It is not wrong to do so, Jessica. Do not think that." He tilted my head up, then kissed me on the forehead.
I hid my head in his chest and wrapped my arms around him, then pulled away suddenly, just as he was about to wrap his arms around me. I grinned, "Thanks for that rose by the way... It was really pretty."
"You are welcome." He said, and I felt myself pulled towards him and I let myself relax, closing my eyes and sighing happily as the feeling of happiness descended upon me. I was lucky to have my head hit at that school earthquake, I was lucky to have survived and gone to Middle-Earth, I was lucky to be able to join the Fellowship of the Ring... Most of all, I was lucky to have Legolas' love...
And if I ever go back to Earth alive, I will thank Iris for all the things she has done for me. For all the Lord of the Ring books she had made me read... For if I had not read those books, I would not have been able to predict the future, and if I was not able to predict the future, then I was not a use to the Fellowship.
For that one single embrace Legolas gave me, I knew one thing... For all the troubles I was going through, thinking about Boromir's future, it was all worth it. Everything was worth it, to get the family I had. The hobbits, a dwarf, a wizard, two humans and two elves. My family... The family I have in Middle-Earth and the family that, hopefully, will have in the years to come. "Amin mela lle..." (I love you.) I heard Legolas whisper.
I nodded softly in his chest, "Je t'aime aussi." (I love you too.) I felt his lips on my head and I sighed again in total mirth.
* * * * *
For the rest of the day, I had spent my time with Legolas, talking, teasing, kissing, hugging. Anything. And now, we were watching the sunset. A sight more memorable than a million dollars, that was for sure. The sky was clear today, the purplish blue sky mixed with reddish pink. As I looked at the east, where the sky was darker...
It was actually like the sunsets I had taken glances at during the time I was in Earth, but now, it only seemed even more beautiful, for the person I love was right beside me, holding me tightly as if he would never let me go. And I took comfort in that.
"What are you thinking of, melamin?" (my love) He asked.
I smiled, "you." I replied. He seemed contented at the answer and I snuggled up closer to him. "Amin mela lle... Ten'oio." (I love you... Forever.) I said, smiling.
"Amin mela lle... Ten'oio." He replied, hugging me close.
As night came and darkness fell, the moon glowed and the stars shone. We were whispering quietly to each other at times, sometimes keeping quiet in a complete comfortable silence. I watched the stars shine and felt his hair playing with a strain of my hair. I smiled and tilted my head up to look at him, to be met by his smiling face.
I lifted my head up and brought it closer to him to give him a small peck on the lips then sank back in his chest in total comfort, sighing. As I laid there, in his arms, I did not think of anything but him. Not Boromir, not the Ring, not Sauron, not Earth, not Alan... Just Legolas. We laid there for a very long time before I felt my eyes heavy with fatigue. I felt my breathing even and I heard one last whisper before I slept, "Quel kaima, melamin..." (Sleep well, my love...)
* * * * *
I tried to roll around, but was trapped by something that had encircled my waist. Suddenly becoming awake at the thought of something, or rather, someone trapping me, my eyes snapped opened. "Maer aur, melamin." (Good morning, my love.) I heard behind me.
I relaxed at once, knowing it was Legolas. "Morning..." I said, yawning, then closed my eyes again, suddenly sleepy.
He shook me awake, "Wake up, Jessica... You should start packing. We only have two hours left."
I waved at him, "Naw, packing will not take me two hours..." I replied.
"You would be surprised." I heard him grumble, then I felt his body get up and with a yelp, I stood up. He grinned at me while I frowned, then with one last groan and kiss on his cheek, I left to pack my stuff.
Indeed, Legolas was right. It did take me two hours to pack stuff... Well, not exactly... But almost two hours. I had new pants to travel with and I had another dress packed for me. Then I packed some lembas and finally, I packed the most important stuff, my journal and the rose Legolas gave me for Valentine's Day. I smiled as his sweet face crossed my mind.
But I felt a frown cross my face as I felt the wound on my
forearm... Brushing the thought away, I
went to meet the others. We were given
cloaks, all nine of us, to wear.
Beautiful cloaks, I must say...
We had lunch with Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel... Then it was time to receive gifts... I chuckled quietly to myself as I remembered Iris telling me that
Gimli was going to receive three strains of hair of Lady Galadriel and I felt
Legolas look at me curiously. I shook
my head, then I kept my face as straight as I could... But you had to admit, it was darn brave of
Gimli the dwarf to as Lady Galadriel, a she-elf. I looked around one last time, memorizing
the sceneries, knowing full well we were going to leave soon.
Troubles were about to start soon... I wonder... What's going to happen in the future... Or rather, in the next few weeks... I still have quite a while to think about this... Smiling, I forced myself to think of a happy ending...
* * * * *
Author's Notes: That took pretty long and for that, I apologize. Anyways, I hope you forgive me and enjoy this chapter, kay? ^^
Flyaway – Thanks! Well, I haven't included Gimli a lots, but I will later on. I haven't included the hobbits... Because well... I don't know =\ But anyways, hope you like!
MaverickGirl – Thanks!
numbskul411 – thanks a lot ^^
Youko Demon – Really? That's weird, my friend failed four subjects too... Well, I have twelve 'brothers' and one real brother... He starts swearing at me, I start cussing him... LoL. Thanks a lot ^^ Sars is this illness going around that isn't curable... Really dangerous though... So stay away from coughing people ^^
KindCalypso – Thanks ^^ He is a sweetheart!
Cassie-bear01 – LoL, so would I, so would I ^^ See ya later!
Goddess Of Light – LoL, sorry for the cliff-hangers! I didn't mean to, but lol. I hope this chapter isn't a cliff-hanger. ^^
elfluvr777 – lol! I wish I had a boyfriend that was an elf named Legolas, lol. Yeah, I think I'd kill to trade places with Jessica too. LoL, thanks a lot!
Jessie – Thanks a lot ^^
SpiritWulf73 – Elven words? It's from a few dozen of websites over the internet... So yeah... And I collected more and more whenever I read more stories... So yeah.
merrylyn – LoL! Chocolate? I don't like chocolate that much, but eh. I would add you on my mailing list, except I couldn't find your email =\ So I hope you can leave that next time ^^ Anyways, it's not the worst French... My friend, ugh, has worst French, but then again, she's in the English program =\ ...Don't hurt yourself too much!
Niffers – Well, *claps hands* I'm an exceptional writer! Yay! *huggles* Thanks a lot ^^
Meethrill – Thanks!
darkangelskiss – Yep, Jessica is lying in Haldir's arms... You'll have to see why ^^
Stary Night - ^^ Thanks a lot... I think all the girls wanna be in Jessica's place. How could we not?! Thanks a lot!
ellie – whoa, you're definitely crazy for Tigger ^^ Anyways, all is well *huggles* See you soon!
O.B.I.M – Thanks a lot ^^
Lainy – LoL... Aww... *Huggles Legolas* Thanks for the kisses *grins* *hugs Haldir who's sitting at the Tv, watching CSI* Anyways, lol... You as Iris... LoL ^^ Well, you do sound a bit like Iris today... You don't bore me, don't worry *grins* Later! *huggles Lainy too!*
Hana – Predictable, yes. I have to admit it was predictable. Anyways, I hope this chapter is better ^^ They finally leave, after a page next chapter... So hope you check the next one soon!
Katrina – Thanks a lot ^^
Teal – I don't live in Ontario... But I do live in Canada... British Columbia ^^ My five cousins live in Ontario though ^^ Thanks!
Meethrill – Thanks a lot... So did I ^^ Legolas' just a sweety ^^
Meldavane – Kodak Moment! *grins* So much other those... I dunno if I'm good at drawing or not, but you'll see when I finish drawing it... And I think I'll start this weekend if I'm not working on the next chapter and my other stories ^^ Anyways, actually, no, I didn't notice it was on the fourteenth chapter... Kind of neat, actually ^^ Thanks a lot ^^