(A/N) Feanen, thank you for reviewing. Oh, to heck with authors notes. Hang on to your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy ride. HERE WE GO. MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

For the Love of an Elf

Chapter 5: Leaving the Dream Flower

When Aragorn had awoken that morning he had hoped to catch Vanessa before she was released from the healers. Hopefully Legolas wouldn't be there. Aragorn wanted a moment alone with her to apologize for his earlier treatment of her. Silently he crept from the flet that the fellowship shared and made his way to the healers' flet. When he entered her room and beheld the sight before him he very nearly cried out in shock. Aragorn's jaw dropped as he gazed on the sleeping figures that lay in the bed. Legolas was propped up on the pillows and Luthien's head was resting on his bare chest. Aragorn didn't have to look to know that they were both naked beneath the blankets. After picking up his jaw he began to shake Legolas awake. When the Elf finally woke up he didn't register Aragorn's presence at first.

He looked down at Vanessa's sleeping face and he began to stroke her hair.

"Ahem", Aragorn coughed, trying to make himself known. He really hated to disturb his friend. The two of them looked so peaceful and happy together. But it just wasn't safe to be doing this sort of thing right now.

Legolas jerked up his head and when he saw Aragorn standing there his pale skin turned bright red. Quickly he pulled up the covers and concealed Vanessa from view.

"WHAT do you think you are DOING?" Aragorn asked the shocked Elf in a hissing whisper.

Legolas didn't answer as he disentangled himself from Vanessa's arms, looking sadly down at her sleeping form. Aragorn turned away as Legolas rose from the bed and began to dress himself.

"Well excuse me if I make love to the woman that I care for deeply!" Legolas hissed back at him as soon as he was fully clothed.

"I'm sorry Legolas, but this just isn't safe right now. There are more pressing matters at hand."

"Not so loud Aragorn. You'll wake her." Legolas whispered, gazing lovingly back at Vanessa as he and Aragorn walked out the door.

"She probably needs her rest. No doubt you two had a late night." Aragorn said in a teasing voice as they left the building.

"I do not see what you are so worried about Aragorn. Lothlorien is probably the safest place in Middle-Earth right now. Its borders are well- protected."

"But there is still the quest to consider. We cannot let our guard down now. Sometimes one slip is all that it takes."

"All right, but I still think that we should rest awhile. A foot-sore and heart-weary fellowship isn't going to get anybody anywhere."

"You are right, but still..." at this point Aragorn paused for a long while. Finally he glanced up at Legolas again with a question in his eyes, his cares gone from him for the moment. "So.... What exactly happened last night?" Aragorn asked his friend.

At this point Legolas began to grin mischievously. "I had gone to bid her good night as usual. When I kissed her goodnight the kiss got to be a bit more serious and.... We made love. Oh, I tell you Aragorn, it was everything I had ever dreamed of. It was a wonderful night. I would not trade it for anything that this world can offer me." Legolas closed his eyes as if he were imprinting the memory in his mind forever. "For many lifetimes of men I have walked this Earth and I have never encountered anything like her." He said as he lifted his face to the sun, remembering the taste of Luthien's sweet, sensuous lips.

"For now you must forget about all of it. At least until Luthien is released from the hospital." Aragorn told him as he walked back to their flet.

But Legolas couldn't forget about it. Aragorn was right. It was dangerous. How could he have forced himself upon her so soon after her injury? It had been a reckless action and he could have injured Luthien further just by trying to prove how much he loved her. "But you didn't force yourself upon her", a voice at the back of his mind told him. "She welcomed you into her bed with open arms." The voice continued to torment him about his actions as he waited for Luthien to appear from the hospital.

* * *

When Vanessa woke up the first thing she noticed was that she was naked except for the bandage on her shoulder. She never slept naked, what was going on? Then she remembered the events of the previous night. Had it all been just a dream? Vanessa lay back on the bed, remembering the feeling of Legolas's hands on her body. It was definitely no dream. Then the realization of what she had done hit her. 'Oh God, I just had sex with an Elf!" she moaned in despair. She had promised herself that she wouldn't get involved in that sort of thing until she was married and now she had gone and slept with the prince of Mirkwood.

Suddenly she felt her stomach heave. She rushed to the bathroom and threw up. As she dressed a suspicion grew in the pit of her stomach. Her suspicion grew and grew until it hardened into certainty. She carried a child from the night past. Vanessa sank down on her bed, overcome with fear and disbelief. "No, no, no! This can't be happening!" she sobbed into her hands. "How will I ever tell Legolas?"

* * *

When Vanessa finally emerged from the healers' flet Legolas took her in his arms and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "How are you feeling?"

"Just fine." Vanessa replied.

"That's wonderful", Legolas said, leading her toward the flet that the fellowship shared. He obviously hadn't noticed the edge in her voice.

"LUTHIEN", Merry and Pippin shouted when they finally arrived.

"We're so glad that you're all right." Frodo said to her.

"We thought you were going to die for sure", Sam said.

"No more talk of death, young hobbits. Fair Luthien has just had a narrow scrape with it. Let us speak no more of it." Legolas told them softly.

After everyone had wished Vanessa well, she and Legolas wondered off to explore the city. At last, they came to the fair hill, Cerin Amroth. As they stood upon it gazing back towards the west, Legolas spoke.

"There lies the utter west, home of my people. Aragorn and Arwen once stood upon this hill and proclaimed their undying love to one another." Legolas said to Vanessa as he hugged her to him.

"I know", she replied softly, resting her head on his shoulder.

"I wonder, is the same choice that was laid before Arwen now laid before me."

"I don't think so. I do not believe that I will be in your life that long Elf prince."

"Do not say such things Luthien." He said turning her head to face his. She gazed into his face and shook her head, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.

"Is something wrong? Is this about last night?" Legolas asked her.

"No, I just want to tell you something."

"What?"

Vanessa hesitated, "Last.. Last night." No, she couldn't tell him. The guilt would consume him. Legolas would see how miserable he had made her. Vanessa knew that she couldn't bear that. This was something that she would have to face up to on her own. "Just that... Last night was the happiest night of my life", she said, trying to turn away from him so that he wouldn't see the tears in her eyes.

Legolas wasn't convinced that she had told him all that was on her mind. He turned her to face him again. He bent down and kissed her. For a moment Vanessa just wanted to stay in the circle of his arms forever and kiss him right back, to forget the burden that she was carrying. But it wasn't that simple. What she wanted would not change the reality of the situation.

"No", she cried as she pulled away from him. Without another word she turned and fled from him, leaving him standing on the hill alone, confused and hurt.

Vanessa stumbled blindly through the city, sobbing as she went. All she wanted now was to get out of this trap that she had fallen into. She wanted her old life back and she'd be happy if she never saw another Lord of the Rings product ever again. Finally Vanessa collapsed in a sobbing mess on the forest floor. She began to question her relationship with the Elf. Was it really love that the two of them had found in each other or was it simply a heat of the moment infatuation? How could Legolas possibly love her? She was a freak, a nobody. She was alone. Her hatred for Legolas was rekindled as she thought of what he had done to her. But no, she had done it to herself. She had willingly entered into that act that she now regretted. And yet she had been telling him the truth before. Last night had been the happiest night of her life.

It was then that Vanessa realized where she was. She recognized this place from the movie. The mirror of Galadriel stood in the center of the clearing and Galadriel herself stood at the far end of it. Vanessa rose to her feet and made an awkward curtsy to the Lady.

Galadriel walked across to her and wiped the tears and dirt from her face. "Come now child, why are you crying?" she asked Vanessa, though she already knew the answer.

"I.. I think I am with child and I am afraid to tell Legolas about it" Vanessa explained, trying hard to stop crying.

"Indeed, you are with child Vanessa." Galadriel told her as she took her hand and led her towards the mirror.

"I hope you don't find me rude but how do you know my name?"

"I know everything about you and the world that you came from"

"How?"

"All shall be revealed in time Vanessa. It is not yet time for you to know the answers to these questions. But for now, will you look into the mirror?"

"A-All right", Vanessa replied, suddenly afraid.

Vanessa stepped forward and gazed into the waters of the mirror. For a few moments the water was clear but then a vision began to take shape.

Vanessa saw herself standing on the shores of a vast ocean, watching a gray ship sail away into the distance. Then she saw herself standing on a balcony overlooking a silver forest. She was holding an infant in her arms and Legolas was standing beside her. Suddenly Legolas and the child vanished and she was standing alone on the balcony, crying.

That image was replaced by one of a young Elf girl clad all in black standing at the base of the tower of orthanc, preparing to leap into one of the yawning chasms that Saruman had created for his machines of war.

That was followed by an image of Galadriel, Gandalf, Celeborn, Elrond, Saruman, and Thranduil standing in the center of an unfurnished room. The only other thing in the room was a great, gilded mirror that glowed with a blazing white light. Galadriel held a young child in her arms. Slowly she stepped towards the giant mirror. The other five joined hands at the back of the room as Galadriel held the now sleeping child up to the mirror. She began to chant something in Quenyan and the mirror blazed brighter. She held the girl up to the surface of the mirror and to Vanessa's shock; the girl passed right through it. Galadriel immediately withdrew her hands from the mirror and Celeborn and Elrond rushed to catch her as she collapsed. Saruman still stood at the back of the room, glowering as if he had just lost something of great worth. Gandalf and Thranduil stood in front of the mirror now. Thranduil held his hand up and placed it on the now solid surface of the mirror, which had also ceased to glow and was now black as night. Vanessa could see an image of the girl floating in the mirror and drifting further away. Then Gandalf spoke. "Farewell young Falynn. May this journey keep you safe until the time is right for you to return to us." Suddenly, a young elf boy rushed into the room. When he saw the girl floating away in the mirror he began to beat his fists on the mirror and he was screaming, "FALYNN! FALYNN!" Thranduil pulled him away from the mirror and tried to calm him. "Legolas calm down. It is no longer safe for her here. You must let her go. We are doing this for Falynn's own safety." But his words didn't console the young boy. "Why didn't you let me say goodbye to her. You promised that you would. I might never see her again. She's the only friend that I've ever had and now you've taken her away from me." The boy was sobbing openly now.

That image faded only to be replaced with something far worse. Vanessa saw herself chained to a wall, bruised and bleeding. Saruman stood over her with a whip in his hands. He smiled cruelly and lifted her flower pendent from her neck. The stone in the center was now glowing with an angry red light. "Give up", he sneered in her face as he whipped her.

Vanessa jumped back from the mirror as if she had really been whipped. She stared at Galadriel in horror.

"What just happened?" she asked, clearly shocked.

"You have seen but a few pieces of this great puzzle. They will soon make sense to you."

"Who is Falynn?"

"That will also be revealed in time. No more questions now Vanessa. You must rest. I would also suggest that you speak with Legolas when you are ready. After all, it is his child as well."

Vanessa walked back to the flet in a daze. The visions had greatly disturbed her. Was that her child that she had been holding? Who was the elf in black? Who was Falynn? Was that her Legolas in the one vision? What about that final vision? What had Saruman wanted with her? It was all so confusing. As soon as she reached the flet Vanessa fell into a deep sleep. She slept for the rest of that day and night.

* * *

After Vanessa left him on Cerin Amroth, Legolas wandered the city aimlessly, wondering what he had done to make her so upset. Was it last night? Had he done something wrong? Why had she changed all of a sudden? There was one possibility, but it was too horrible and unlikely to even consider. Was it possible that Luthien was with child? No, it couldn't be. It just couldn't.

For hours Legolas searched for her. Instead he bumped into the Lady Galadriel.

"Pardon me My Lady, have you seen Luthien?"

"I have, and I will tell you that she is just fine. I wouldn't recommend that you go and find her though. She is not in the mood to talk now. You should probably give her a little space. But now, I pray that you will come and glance in the mirror."

Legolas was taken aback. He knew that it was a great honor to be asked to gaze into the mirror by the Lady herself. He wondered what he had done to merit such an honor.

Legolas began to grow anxious as Galadriel led him into the clearing where the mirror was kept. The very air seemed charged. Then Galadriel stepped aside and he strode forward to gaze into the legendary mirror of Galadriel.

The first thing that he saw was himself standing in the wreckage of a once-grand room. In his arms he held a limp, lifeless body and he was sobbing helplessly over it. Then he realized that the body he held was Luthien's.

As the image faded Legolas cried out in shock. What came next was a vision of Luthien and himself, she was crying into his shoulder. They were standing in what looked to be the city of Minas Tirith.

This was replaced by an image of his older sister, Luinethoniel. She and him were standing in a stable next to a magnificent white horse. Legolas could clearly see the look of disbelief and pain on his own face. Then Luinethoniel said to him, "You are not to blame for loving Falynn."

The next vision was one of himself standing on the deck of a gray ship. As he looked back at the shore he saw Luthien standing there next to a young elf maiden clad entirely in black. He tried to call out to her but the vision faded to reveal something new.

It was an image of the day that Falynn was sent away. Galadriel, Gandalf, Elrond, his father, the mirror, it was all too familiar to him. Almost as if it had happened yesterday instead of 2,920 years ago. The memory was still fresh and painful.

Legolas pulled his eyes away, unable to look any longer. Why had the mirror shown him that last thing? It was too painful. He had just come to accept the fact that he would never see Falynn again and Galadriel had to go and remind him of it. There were so many unanswered questions about that day. Finally he turned to Galadriel and asked her, "Why did you send her away?"

"It was for her own safety Legolas."

"Why will no one tell me why it was for her own safety. I've heard my father say that it had something to do with the power of the Wise, but I have never understood it. Why was it so dangerous for Falynn in Mirkwood?"

"Not just in Mirkwood Legolas. Middle-Earth wasn't safe for her. You will understand someday."

"Everyday for the past 2,920 years I have heard that and I still do not understand. When will I understand My Lady?"

"Soon."

With that, Galadriel left him. What did Falynn have to do with the current situation? As he wondered over to the fellowship's flet he pondered these things. When he arrived he saw Luthien lying there. He remembered the vision in the mirror and for one wild second he thought it had come true. He raced over to her and lifted her face to his own and he realized that she was only sleeping. That was something unusual in itself. This really wasn't the time of day to be sleeping.

Well, the Lady had said to leave her alone for now. So he did.

For the remaining three weeks of their stay in Lorien, Legolas and Vanessa stayed away from each other. This half broke Legolas's heart. He desperately wanted to be by her side and to find out what was wrong with her. Ever since the night in the hospital Vanessa had been strangely distant and aloof. She was constantly sick and she avoided Legolas. She was afraid to be alone with him again. Vanessa was also afraid that their relationship had been completely destroyed by what they had done.

* * *

The fellowship planned to leave Lothlorien by boat and travel down the great river to the falls of Rauros. From there they would make their way through the Emyn Muil. At that point Boromir announced that he would be leaving the fellowship to head for Minas Tirith whether anyone would join him or not. On the last day, the fellowship sailed down the river a little ways until they reached an island in the center of it. There they feasted with Galadriel and Celeborn. After they had finished Galadriel brought forth parting gifts for each of them.

To Aragorn she gave a sheath for Anduril and a great green stone set in silver brooch in the likeness of an eagle with outspread wings.

To Boromir she gave a golden belt.

Then she turned to Merry and Pippin and gave them silver belts with clasps wrought like golden flowers.

To Legolas she gave a bow with a string of Elf hair and a quiver full of fine arrows.

To Sam she gave a box of earth from her garden, blessed by her.

To Frodo she gave a glass phial which held the light of the star of Earendil.

Gimli simply asked for a strand of her hair and she granted this.

As the rest of the fellowship boarded their boats, Galadriel spoke to Vanessa last of all.

"I believe that you have already been granted with a gift and blessing beyond all measure during your stay here." Galadriel said to Vanessa, placing a hand on her stomach, which was already a bit rounder than it had been a month before.

"It's not a gift My Lady. Forgive me for saying so but I have never felt so cursed in my life."

"You will not feel so in eight months' time from now, I think." Celeborn told her, smiling warmly down at her.

"And what of Legolas? Have you not told him yet?" Galadriel asked with an amused smile.

"No. I don't believe that I shall ever be ready to deliver such news. It would crush him."

"Do not be so certain of that, young one. No matter what sadness there is in the making, a baby is always welcome and happy news. But I do have a parting gift for you." Galadriel said.

With that Galadriel brought forth a small baby's blanket woven of the finest, white linen. Interwoven in the blanket was a border of leaves and flowers made of silken, silver thread. Celeborn spoke once more.

"This blanket belonged to our daughter, Celebrian, when she was but an infant. She grew to be a fine woman and so shall your child, with our blessing."

"Now you go forth into many dangers. As long as this war may last you must keep your lover and unborn child safe. That is your sacred charge. Though many armies and fields may separate you, you must keep him close to your heart. True love such as what you and Legolas have shall withstand any test." Galadriel said as they parted company. Vanessa wished that it were not yet time for their departure. There were still so many questions that she needed to ask of Galadriel. Sadly she boarded the small, elvish boat and the river bore them away from fair Lothlorien.

* * *

For ten days the fellowship sailed swiftly down the Anduin and Vanessa pondered what Galadriel and Celeborn had said to her in parting. That night had simply been a rash decision, a spur of the moment, passionate display. Vanessa realized that what she had found in Legolas was more than an infatuation. In a life of ridicule she had finally found love and she couldn't let what had happened spoil that. It had been a mistake but it was merely an obstacle on the road to love. They would rise above it and they would go on together. Maybe the baby was a good thing. It would bring them closer together, not farther apart. As they passed beneath the shadows of the Argonath and made their camp above the Falls of Rauros, Vanessa made up her mind to tell Legolas about the child that she was carrying.

Unfortunately she could never quite catch a private moment with him during the confusion of setting up camp. Legolas had gone into the forest to scout out the area. Without a second thought she rushed after him, knowing that she had very little time in which to find him. The company would soon be attacked by orcs and the thought scared her. She sorely wanted to prevent it but she knew that if she didn't let events play out as they were meant to many things would change. The hobbits would never meet up with the ents and Isenguard would never fall. Boromir would not die and he might get his hands on the ring. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli would never go searching for the kidnapped hobbits and they wouldn't meet up with the restored Gandalf and come to the aid of Rohan.

Finally, Vanessa sank to the forest floor in despair, exhausted from her search. She could hear Boromir attacking Frodo as he tried to take the ring. She started to cry, knowing that she was too late and that she wouldn't find Legolas in time. In a few moments they would be overtaken. Suddenly she heard footsteps behind her.

"Luthien, are you all right?" she heard the voice of Aragorn asking her.

"I'm fine but I need to find Legolas right away. I must speak with him immediately. It's very urgent." She told him quietly, trying to hide the panic in her voice.

"What is it?"

For a minute Vanessa debated on whether or not she should reveal her errand to Aragorn but in the end she decided that she could trust him with her secret.

"Aragorn, I know that it was you who found Legolas and I together the day I was released from the healers." At these words Aragorn blushed slightly but Vanessa continued.

"I also know that you know what happened that night. Well... I am carrying a child from th at night and Legolas is the father. I have not had the courage to tell him of it until now", she finished.

"Oh Luthien." He said, his voice full of pity as he stepped towards her and hugged her in a friendly way. "What I mean is that I'm happy for you but I can tell from your voice that this isn't a welcome thing."

"'Tis all right. I've been thinking lately that it might be a good thing"

"What I was going to ask was if you had seen Frodo?"

Vanessa pointed in the direction where she had heard the fight coming from. "You must hurry. He needs you Aragorn".

For a moment the ranger stared at her in puzzlement but he finally raced off through the trees. A few moments later Vanessa heard the sounds of the attacking uruk-hai. Without thinking she raced to help though she knew that she could offer little resistance. When she finally burst forth from the trees, Vanessa came upon Boromir defending Merry and Pippin from the droves of uruk-hai. She rushed to his side to aid him, dagger in hand. Even though she knew how it would end and that the fight was hopeless. With his sword and her dagger they felled countless orcs.

Suddenly Boromir stumbled back and gasped. Vanessa turned to him and saw the arrow sticking out of his chest. Through the shock a blind rage fell over her and she continued her defense. Boromir rose beside her and continued to fight. When she finally looked back at him there were two arrows protruding from his body. As she turned back to her task a third struck him and he finally fell. The two hobbits knelt by his side as Vanessa defended them. She fought bravely but they finally overcame her and laid hold of Merry and Pippin. To Vanessa's great shock, instead of killing her on the spot one of the uruks grabbed her and carried her away with the two hobbits.

Just then she saw Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas race into the clearing to aid the dying Boromir. Fighting to stay conscious she called out his name. When he saw her being dragged away a look of rage and horror masked his features. He tried to come to her but he was held back by a small band of uruks. He called out her name but his cry was lost in the turmoil of the fight. Finally, the horror of the moment overcame Vanessa and her world went black.

* * *