Okay, I'll have a longer A/N at the bottom (like always) and I am hoping to
actually get somewhere plotwise this chapter. though I wouldn't get my
hopes up, because I am known to ramble and. URRRGH! There I go rambling
again. Well, before the you start chasing after me with Pitchforks Of Doom
and rabid pianos, I'll get started.
Oh, and please, please don't hate me, but Erin (she's not really my beta. I never take her advice.) pointed out to me that I use the woods a lot as a setting. Well, Erin, what did you think! Guess what, E, More woods! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!
This chapter is dedicated to Aurdomiel, Ravenstar as her b-days in three days now. Merry Un-Birthday to you!
This chap's got a bit of silmarillion stuff, and starts with a flashback. And, yes, I know that Varda Elbereth is very OOC, but I have trouble writing IC Valar
Varda carefully regarded the elven lady in front of her through Fana eyes. The Lady Galadriel looked up, waiting for the slight gesture that would signal her permission to speak, "You summoned me?"
"Altariel Galadriel, you know of the occurrences in Earth as of late,"
"The mortal elves?"
"Uma. (yes) Tell young Greenleaf another has occurred in an area he is familiar with. In the land called Maine in America. I know that barely two years ago, he helped one in Calais. This is an area not far from there, by he name of Alexandria. This child should be easier then the others."
It went on like this for quite some time, the Vala's quiet way of telling the instructions simply, yet leaving no question for detail.
"Lady Varda, if I may."
"Do not worry, Altariel, you need not be too formal with I. Simply ask."
"Why did you not summon Prince Legolas directly. He would have heeded."
"Many reasons. I know from experience, however, that he finds it easier to communicate with you then directly with I, or any of the other Valar. Besides," She added, with a slight smile, "Legolas tends to ask many questions for an Elf."
It was good to be in the woods again. Of course, this wasn't Lórien or Imladris, or even Fangorn, though Legolas did see in it some resemblance to the Mirkwood of old, to Greenwood the Great. Perhaps this was why he liked northern Maine so much.
"Boo!"
Legolas jumped instinctively, and whirled to find Elizabeth grinning wickedly from within the depths of her favorite red hoodey, "You were right. I can do it."
Elizabeth could almost see the gears working in is head. Beaten by a child! An Elven warrior of his stature, caught unawares. He fought desperately for an excuse, "Elven hearing can be a gift and a blessing," The disgruntled prince said quickly, "It allows me to center on one particular thing. I was listening to the birds, and was distracted."
"Right."
"Right!"
"Say, Legolas?"
"Yes?"
"Why didn't you tell me you were a prince?" Elizabeth asked innocently.
"WHAT?! But how did you. and Galadriel said this would be easy. I thought you hadn't read the books."
Elizabeth's grin spread. There was something oddly satisfying about catching someone far older and wiser then you off his or her guard, "I haven't."
"Then the movie."
"Nope."
Legolas did his best to look stern, and failed, "How?!"
Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh. Legolas always seemed so assure with the upper hand he seemed to have, now that it was gone, the Elf must have been feeling quite vulnerable, "One of my best friends is a fan girl.I can just picture her face if she knew I was an Elf." She paused, "Actually, Mr Gr. Legolas, I've been meaning to ask. you're immortal, you said. Am I? I mean I get sick all the time and then wouldn't my parents and brother be Elves too and what about cousins and if we're immortal then why did Grandma get old and."
Legolas took advantage of the momentary pause for breathe, "No. On Valinor we refer to you as 'mortal elves' as you are more mentally an Elf than physically. I suppose you aren't really."
"Then why are you here?"
"That's just the thing. With the absence of Elves on earth, We. I THINK,- only the Valar really know- . that those with the Elven mindset are being born. Nature needs some to communicate with, so I believe that she reaches out to those mortals most like an Elf, and does what she can to strengthen the connection. Sometimes, in a particularly strong case, the Valar send out one of us to help. It can be hard, growing up not physically different, but mentally different, with a different way of looking at things. "
"Thank you, Dr. Frued. wait. So. I'm not immortal?"
"No."
"So I don't get to rub anything in Jeremiah's face."
"No."
"Could you teach me some cool Elf trick so I can rub that in his face?"
"No."
"Awww, c'mon.."
"NO!"
***
'I can't belive I said yes,' Legolas thought dryly.
"I can't believe you said yes! Score!"
"What ever happened to the quiet, agreeable little mortal that I rescued in the park?"
"Blame Julia."
"Huh?"
"We had a sleepover last night. I get hyper when I'm tired."
Legolas tossed her a roll of quarters, and pointed to a concession stand at the other end of the archery arena, "Go get something to drink. Something caffeinated.. I can't believe I just said that."
"Neither can I! C'ya!"
"Oh Valar, what have I done?" Legolas asked outloud, but fortunately, Little Red Hyper-Hood was already at the concession stand.
Much to Legolas' relief, the caffeine seemed to calm down the child, rather then wake her up, but Legolas wasn't willing to get another Pepsi to see what happened.
"No. The arrow tends to fly to the right, so what do you do?"
"Aim to the left," Said Elizabeth for the hundredth time.
"And what are you doing,"
"I'm aiming to the left!"
"Other left."
"Great! I'm a dyslexic Elf!"
"Breathe. You need to relax. Stress and tension only further spoil your aim."
"You expect me to be relaxed! Relaxed when. when." Fortunately or unfortunately, (A/N: you choose which) Elizabeth couldn't think of a reason not to be relaxed.
"Okay, now aim left.better." The arrow flew still a good ten feet to the left.
"Let's face it. I suck."
"Here, let me show you." Legolas gently took the bow from Elizabeth's hands. He examined it swiftly. The plastic was more pliable than his wood bow, but tended to bend out of shape. The arrows were well fletched and strait, but the problem with machine-made products, Legolas decided, was that the weapon was too impersonal, "This will have to do, I suppose. Watch."
Legolas swiftly took aim, and quicker than thought, let the arrow fly, "Helpful?"
"Oh. Yes. Very much so. I never knew that watching a person fire a bow so fast you can't see it could be so educational."
"I think I like the hyper you better."
"Too bad."
"Remind me never to give you caffeine again." Legolas grimaced. Now, aim."
She did so, and this time over shot to the left.
"Wait. do that again. Don't move." He picked up an arrow and placed it on the bow for her, "Okay, now fire."
"Again."
Once more, Elizabeth obliged, "And this helps how?"
"Of course!" Legolas exclaimed after the twenty-third try, "How could I have been so stupid?"
"Do you want a novel on that, or would a short pamphlet suffice?"
Legolas ignored her, "It's instinctual for me, so it's obvious I'd overlook it."
"Excuses?"
Legolas ignored again her. Whoever invented Pepsi was an idiot, "Breathe in. Of course! You aren't breathing in! Each person's aim is off to the right by a certain amount, breathing in adjusts your aim to the left!"
"Why didn't you just tell me this in the first place?!"
Legolas shrugged, "I thought you knew."
"Well, obviously I didn't."
"Just shoot."
Elizabeth did so, blatantly 'forgetting' to breathe in. The arrow flew off to the right, and a yelp came from the bushes.
"Legolas! Tell that young firimar (mortal) to breathe in!"
"Wait a minute.. what did he just call me, was it something bad?"
"He said 'Mortal,'" Legolas winced, "Elrohir?"
"No. Elladan. You'd think after the first few thousand years on Valinor you'd be able to tell us apart."
The tall, dark haired Elf walked across the field, and Legolas glared at him, "You know," He said, lowering his voice so the mortals around wouldn't hear, "We're in Maine. In America. Most people here know my name in association with Tolkien."
"Oh. sorry."
"Yeah. You should be. Fortunately, I don't think any of them heard you. What are you doing here, anyway?"
"Not exactly sure. I was in Massachussettes bothering Glorfindel- and by bothering I mean reminding him that Arwen stole his role in the movie- and decided to come up here and visit my mortal step-brother's good friend."
"Is he an Elf, too?" Elizabeth asked
"Yeah. One of the Terrible Twins on Valinor. Speaking of which, where is the second half of this idiot?"
"I'll ignore that. He's grounded."
'By that Valar, Elladan! He's over three hundred thousand years old now! And he's STILL getting grounded?"
Unnoticed by the Elves, Elizabeth drew back her bow, and knocked an arrow to the string.
Elladan continued, "Why are you looking at me like that?! It's not like it was my fault. I only SUGGESTED having him try to sneek in on."
"Legolas?" Elizabeth asked quietly.
"Elladan, you didn't."
"Legolas!"
"Oh no. You did. How did your father take it?"
"LEGOLAS!"
Both Elves clapped their hands over their ears, "There's no need to yell, Elizabeth."
"Look." She pointed down the field.
Both Elves followed her hand to where it pointed to an arrow, quivering ominously, from the center of a bulls eye. Standing behind he bulls eye was Jeremiah, looking very frazzled.
Legolas back at Elizabeth, then down at Jeremiah again. Elizabeth, Jeremiah, Elizabeth, Jeremiah. He waved Jeremiah over, and shrugged.
"So. Elladan."
"Yes?"
"Do you know who invented Pepsi?"
"Dr. Caleb Bradham in 1989." He paused, "Why do you look so stunned. I can pick up a history book once in a while."
Legolas gave him a very pointed look.
"Fine, fine. I helped him."
Figures. . . . . . . .
Well, what did you think? Push the magic button and tell me! . . . God's Child 27: You love it! YES!
Aurdomiel, Ravenstar: Oo.. Oh my. yeah, that is a lot of work. and I thought I had it bad. Well, I hope your teachers gain some sanity (or the opposite thereof) and realize that you have reviewers hanging on your every word and stop assigning that much. You're auditioning for Les Miserables? Tell me how it goes.
Namarie
Edge
Oh, and please, please don't hate me, but Erin (she's not really my beta. I never take her advice.) pointed out to me that I use the woods a lot as a setting. Well, Erin, what did you think! Guess what, E, More woods! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!
This chapter is dedicated to Aurdomiel, Ravenstar as her b-days in three days now. Merry Un-Birthday to you!
This chap's got a bit of silmarillion stuff, and starts with a flashback. And, yes, I know that Varda Elbereth is very OOC, but I have trouble writing IC Valar
Varda carefully regarded the elven lady in front of her through Fana eyes. The Lady Galadriel looked up, waiting for the slight gesture that would signal her permission to speak, "You summoned me?"
"Altariel Galadriel, you know of the occurrences in Earth as of late,"
"The mortal elves?"
"Uma. (yes) Tell young Greenleaf another has occurred in an area he is familiar with. In the land called Maine in America. I know that barely two years ago, he helped one in Calais. This is an area not far from there, by he name of Alexandria. This child should be easier then the others."
It went on like this for quite some time, the Vala's quiet way of telling the instructions simply, yet leaving no question for detail.
"Lady Varda, if I may."
"Do not worry, Altariel, you need not be too formal with I. Simply ask."
"Why did you not summon Prince Legolas directly. He would have heeded."
"Many reasons. I know from experience, however, that he finds it easier to communicate with you then directly with I, or any of the other Valar. Besides," She added, with a slight smile, "Legolas tends to ask many questions for an Elf."
It was good to be in the woods again. Of course, this wasn't Lórien or Imladris, or even Fangorn, though Legolas did see in it some resemblance to the Mirkwood of old, to Greenwood the Great. Perhaps this was why he liked northern Maine so much.
"Boo!"
Legolas jumped instinctively, and whirled to find Elizabeth grinning wickedly from within the depths of her favorite red hoodey, "You were right. I can do it."
Elizabeth could almost see the gears working in is head. Beaten by a child! An Elven warrior of his stature, caught unawares. He fought desperately for an excuse, "Elven hearing can be a gift and a blessing," The disgruntled prince said quickly, "It allows me to center on one particular thing. I was listening to the birds, and was distracted."
"Right."
"Right!"
"Say, Legolas?"
"Yes?"
"Why didn't you tell me you were a prince?" Elizabeth asked innocently.
"WHAT?! But how did you. and Galadriel said this would be easy. I thought you hadn't read the books."
Elizabeth's grin spread. There was something oddly satisfying about catching someone far older and wiser then you off his or her guard, "I haven't."
"Then the movie."
"Nope."
Legolas did his best to look stern, and failed, "How?!"
Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh. Legolas always seemed so assure with the upper hand he seemed to have, now that it was gone, the Elf must have been feeling quite vulnerable, "One of my best friends is a fan girl.I can just picture her face if she knew I was an Elf." She paused, "Actually, Mr Gr. Legolas, I've been meaning to ask. you're immortal, you said. Am I? I mean I get sick all the time and then wouldn't my parents and brother be Elves too and what about cousins and if we're immortal then why did Grandma get old and."
Legolas took advantage of the momentary pause for breathe, "No. On Valinor we refer to you as 'mortal elves' as you are more mentally an Elf than physically. I suppose you aren't really."
"Then why are you here?"
"That's just the thing. With the absence of Elves on earth, We. I THINK,- only the Valar really know- . that those with the Elven mindset are being born. Nature needs some to communicate with, so I believe that she reaches out to those mortals most like an Elf, and does what she can to strengthen the connection. Sometimes, in a particularly strong case, the Valar send out one of us to help. It can be hard, growing up not physically different, but mentally different, with a different way of looking at things. "
"Thank you, Dr. Frued. wait. So. I'm not immortal?"
"No."
"So I don't get to rub anything in Jeremiah's face."
"No."
"Could you teach me some cool Elf trick so I can rub that in his face?"
"No."
"Awww, c'mon.."
"NO!"
***
'I can't belive I said yes,' Legolas thought dryly.
"I can't believe you said yes! Score!"
"What ever happened to the quiet, agreeable little mortal that I rescued in the park?"
"Blame Julia."
"Huh?"
"We had a sleepover last night. I get hyper when I'm tired."
Legolas tossed her a roll of quarters, and pointed to a concession stand at the other end of the archery arena, "Go get something to drink. Something caffeinated.. I can't believe I just said that."
"Neither can I! C'ya!"
"Oh Valar, what have I done?" Legolas asked outloud, but fortunately, Little Red Hyper-Hood was already at the concession stand.
Much to Legolas' relief, the caffeine seemed to calm down the child, rather then wake her up, but Legolas wasn't willing to get another Pepsi to see what happened.
"No. The arrow tends to fly to the right, so what do you do?"
"Aim to the left," Said Elizabeth for the hundredth time.
"And what are you doing,"
"I'm aiming to the left!"
"Other left."
"Great! I'm a dyslexic Elf!"
"Breathe. You need to relax. Stress and tension only further spoil your aim."
"You expect me to be relaxed! Relaxed when. when." Fortunately or unfortunately, (A/N: you choose which) Elizabeth couldn't think of a reason not to be relaxed.
"Okay, now aim left.better." The arrow flew still a good ten feet to the left.
"Let's face it. I suck."
"Here, let me show you." Legolas gently took the bow from Elizabeth's hands. He examined it swiftly. The plastic was more pliable than his wood bow, but tended to bend out of shape. The arrows were well fletched and strait, but the problem with machine-made products, Legolas decided, was that the weapon was too impersonal, "This will have to do, I suppose. Watch."
Legolas swiftly took aim, and quicker than thought, let the arrow fly, "Helpful?"
"Oh. Yes. Very much so. I never knew that watching a person fire a bow so fast you can't see it could be so educational."
"I think I like the hyper you better."
"Too bad."
"Remind me never to give you caffeine again." Legolas grimaced. Now, aim."
She did so, and this time over shot to the left.
"Wait. do that again. Don't move." He picked up an arrow and placed it on the bow for her, "Okay, now fire."
"Again."
Once more, Elizabeth obliged, "And this helps how?"
"Of course!" Legolas exclaimed after the twenty-third try, "How could I have been so stupid?"
"Do you want a novel on that, or would a short pamphlet suffice?"
Legolas ignored her, "It's instinctual for me, so it's obvious I'd overlook it."
"Excuses?"
Legolas ignored again her. Whoever invented Pepsi was an idiot, "Breathe in. Of course! You aren't breathing in! Each person's aim is off to the right by a certain amount, breathing in adjusts your aim to the left!"
"Why didn't you just tell me this in the first place?!"
Legolas shrugged, "I thought you knew."
"Well, obviously I didn't."
"Just shoot."
Elizabeth did so, blatantly 'forgetting' to breathe in. The arrow flew off to the right, and a yelp came from the bushes.
"Legolas! Tell that young firimar (mortal) to breathe in!"
"Wait a minute.. what did he just call me, was it something bad?"
"He said 'Mortal,'" Legolas winced, "Elrohir?"
"No. Elladan. You'd think after the first few thousand years on Valinor you'd be able to tell us apart."
The tall, dark haired Elf walked across the field, and Legolas glared at him, "You know," He said, lowering his voice so the mortals around wouldn't hear, "We're in Maine. In America. Most people here know my name in association with Tolkien."
"Oh. sorry."
"Yeah. You should be. Fortunately, I don't think any of them heard you. What are you doing here, anyway?"
"Not exactly sure. I was in Massachussettes bothering Glorfindel- and by bothering I mean reminding him that Arwen stole his role in the movie- and decided to come up here and visit my mortal step-brother's good friend."
"Is he an Elf, too?" Elizabeth asked
"Yeah. One of the Terrible Twins on Valinor. Speaking of which, where is the second half of this idiot?"
"I'll ignore that. He's grounded."
'By that Valar, Elladan! He's over three hundred thousand years old now! And he's STILL getting grounded?"
Unnoticed by the Elves, Elizabeth drew back her bow, and knocked an arrow to the string.
Elladan continued, "Why are you looking at me like that?! It's not like it was my fault. I only SUGGESTED having him try to sneek in on."
"Legolas?" Elizabeth asked quietly.
"Elladan, you didn't."
"Legolas!"
"Oh no. You did. How did your father take it?"
"LEGOLAS!"
Both Elves clapped their hands over their ears, "There's no need to yell, Elizabeth."
"Look." She pointed down the field.
Both Elves followed her hand to where it pointed to an arrow, quivering ominously, from the center of a bulls eye. Standing behind he bulls eye was Jeremiah, looking very frazzled.
Legolas back at Elizabeth, then down at Jeremiah again. Elizabeth, Jeremiah, Elizabeth, Jeremiah. He waved Jeremiah over, and shrugged.
"So. Elladan."
"Yes?"
"Do you know who invented Pepsi?"
"Dr. Caleb Bradham in 1989." He paused, "Why do you look so stunned. I can pick up a history book once in a while."
Legolas gave him a very pointed look.
"Fine, fine. I helped him."
Figures. . . . . . . .
Well, what did you think? Push the magic button and tell me! . . . God's Child 27: You love it! YES!
Aurdomiel, Ravenstar: Oo.. Oh my. yeah, that is a lot of work. and I thought I had it bad. Well, I hope your teachers gain some sanity (or the opposite thereof) and realize that you have reviewers hanging on your every word and stop assigning that much. You're auditioning for Les Miserables? Tell me how it goes.
Namarie
Edge