Disclaimer: Look, if I owned the characters, would I still be here? I own
Rana actually, and Crystal, and Alaeo. But no Legolas. Crap
IN THE CRYSTAL LIGHT
PROLOGUE
Rana felt so happy she thought she might burst. Next to her, Legolas smiled at her, before taking her into his arms and kissing her.
Eruvande, Almatari, and Alataria, Rana's closest and oldest friends, walked towards her. They all wore happy grins on their faces.
Eruvande spoke first.
"Well, now you're married. Not only are you married, you're married to a guy you've loved forever. Good for you!" The others spoke up now.
"This is great!"
"You still have to visit us now!"
"You look great!"
At this last, Rana looked down at herself. They were right. She did look great.
Dressed in a simple but beautiful pearl grey dress, her long black hair was brushed and left to hang to her waist, and moonstones and sapphires were hanging in it as well.
Almatari spoke again.
"You do realize this makes you queen, right? Thranduil has died, and you know he has, so that makes Legolas king. And being married to him, you're queen."
It was the first time Rana thought of this.
"I...guess so. Wow." She thought.
The three smiled at her.
"Don't worry, we'll still make you do your chores when you visit. And visit you will." Alataria said with a grin. "Anyhow," she continued, "We'll leave you with your new husband. Don't forget us, Rana."
They walked away, their hair shining in the light.
Rana wondered what they could have meant by that.
- SEVENTEEN YEARS LATER
Crystal sat up in bed, and stretched her arms above her head. Yawning, she climbed out of bed, and decided to get dressed. Picking some of the more comfortable clothes she had, which were a pair of breeches, a loose white shirt, and her boots, she put them on and decided she looked like a pirate.
A knock came on the door. "Come in!" Crystal yelled, brushing her gold hair out of her eyes. Her bluegrey eyes, inherited from her mother, twinkled in the light and she smiled.
The door opened and Eruvande came in. Crystal smiled. Eruvande had been friends with her mother, the queen Rana, for years and years.
Eruvande didn't smile now. Usually, she had a joke for Crystal, a smile, or simply a presence that made her calm. Now, however, tears shone in her eyes and she looked grim. And scared.
That scared Crystal in its own turn. Never once had she seen Eruvande scared, and very rarely cry.
"Eruvande what's wrong? I've never seen you like this!" Crystal said, wondering what it could be.
"Crystal, there's been a problem. With Rana and Legolas. You need to grab your horse immediately and meet me at the stables in fifteen minutes. Hurry up."
Crystal nodded. Eruvande swept out of the room.
Ten minutes later, Crystal hurried to the stables, pulling her white mare Lindelle, meaning song, out of her stall and grooming her. Once she was done, she led the mare to the front of the stables. Eruvande waited their, tears coursing down her face.
Turning to her, Crystal demanded, "Now tell me what happened. And where are we going?"
"There was a battle that sprang up where your mother and father were camping, on their way to the springs, remember? Legolas is okay, but Rana's been hit by a...poisoned arrow. It's hit her in the shoulder."
Crystal felt tears spring to her own eyes.
"Is she...is she going to make it?" Crystal asked, not wanting to hear the answer.
Eruvande shrugged. "I'm not sure. There are healers down there, who are trying to help her, but they sounded grim about it. I wanted to get down there, but it may be no good." Eruvande whispered this last.
"Also, "she continued, "Not only will this be hard on the family, it'll be horrible for the people of Mirkwood. Everybody loves your mother, as much as they love Legolas himself."
Crystal knew this to be true. Almost everyone Crystal had ever met had good things to say about the queen of Mirkwood.
Eruvande turned from Crystal, telling her briskly to mount her horse. Swinging onto Lindelle, she nudged the mare into a trot at Eruvande's command.
In her fury and upset, Crystal kicked her into a gallop, riding far past Eruvande and the others who had come with her.
She continued to ride, until the others became tiny specks in the distance.
She was riding blindly, not caring if she would injure herself. She turned the mare into the woods, and dismounted, crying. Sinking to the ground, she sobbed until she fell asleep into a deep, troubled dream.
When she was shaken awake, she saw she had been placed into a camp. Nearby, Eruvande, Almatari, and Alataria, three of Rana's greatest friends, and Crystal's mentors, were sitting around a fire. Crystal had not even noticed they were there.
Alataria started up angrily.
"I suppose you thought that was funny, Crystal? Riding off like that? I think you are-" She started to say more, but Almatari cut it off with a sharp gesture. Nodding to Crystal, she said, "Listen, Alataria- just because we've known Rana forever doesn't mean that Crystal feels any less about her than we do. She is her mother after all."
Crystal nodded gratefully.
"Anyhow, Crystal, we all need to sleep. Have an early day tomorrow." Almatari said, stretching. She walked into a tent and zippered the door. Crystal followed suit.
The next day, Crystal got up long before the sun rose. She walked to Lindelle, and patted her nose. She stroked the mare's flawless white coat. Brushing the dirt off of her, she fed her mare, trying to keep her mind on small tasks rather than think what may be waiting for them once they reached their destination.
That day's riding went by fast, and though everyone wanted to continue, as the springs were very close, the horses couldn't see well enough in the dark and were exhausted as well.
That morning, they left as soon as they could. Reaching the springs in two hours, they searched drastically for the king and queen.
Finally, they found them, with several healers and escorts waiting anxiously by them.
Crystal was shocked into tears at Rana's appearance. The beautiful queen's face was drawn and even paler than usual, her hair swept back from her face but messy. She was so weak it was a struggle to grab Crystal's hand. Nearby, Legolas wept, watching his wife and long-time lover dying. He got up and walked to Crystal's side, kissing her cheek. She hugged him back.
Rana tried to speak. "Crystal...I'm so glad you're here. There is much I want to tell you, but I can't. Some things you need to know though." Taking a deep breath she reached around her back, pulling out a scabbard. Nardurlos, her sword.
Crystal frowned. As Rana pulled out the sword with all that remained of her strength, she handed it to Crystal. She suddenly understood and tried to hand it back.
"No, Crystal. You'll need it more than I would. Here. Take them." putting it into Crystal's hands, she gestured for her daughter to lower her head. Kissing her forehead, Rana managed to say one last thing: "Crystal, know that I love you. You are dear to me. Also...I want you to have everything. The dresses, the weapons, Raeo, Indo, and Kala." She named her horse and two wolves that had accompanied her everywhere. "Finally, I want you to have this. Nardurlos is yours. The strongest and best sword you could get. Fortanya will go with me to the grave." Crystal started to protest at this, but her voice trailed away.
"Crystal, I love you." As Rana said this last, her beautiful eyes closed, and her breathing stopped.
As Rana's chest stilled, rain started to fall, as if in grief for Rana. Crystal tilted her face up to the drops, and began to cry herself. She couldn't tell tears from rain. And she thought it didn't matter.
CHAPTER TWO- TWO YEARS LATER
Crystal swung Nardurlos in an arc, and killed the practice dummy. Nearby, her mentor Alaeo hovered, watching her every move. He called commands to her, his blonde hair shining as the sun lay across it. They stuck strangely with his grey eyes, but it was a pleasant combination that brought people to him. He was the same age as Crystal, only twenty, but he was skilled in the sword. Though Alaeo was the actual mentor, Crystal was better than he was by far. She was, in fact, the best megiltura or archer since Rana. She intended to keep it that way.
As she practiced, Crystal thought of everything that had gone on in the past five years. Her decision to become a warrior, as Rana had, her mother's death, her father's subsequent death of a broken heart, and her past two years of training.
In her lessons, she had learned many, many things, including the archery lessons, sword work, and the usual lessons taught to young elves. She had not yet been to a battle, but she was very eager to go to one. It was as though she felt she should follow in her mother's footsteps by being the best warrior around. It may have also been that she was looking for death, as things had not been the best for her in the years since her parents died within one year of each other.
Crystal often tried to get away to battles when she heard that they were near, but Alaeo and Ralinde, who had been one of Crystal's weapons teachers over the years, had never let her. No matter how hard she tried to sneak off, one of them was always ready to intercept her.
Crystal put down Nardurlos, then walked over to the other side of the room and grabbed a practice sword. Rather than a steel blade, it had a stick with a collection of thin reeds tied around it. The sword would make a loud clack whenever it hit anything, and left red welts on flesh.
Alaeo chose his own practice sword. Walking over to Crystal, he turned and faced her. Holding it out to Crystal, they started to fight. Crystal whacked Alaeo's arm, side, and his shoulder before he even tried to parry off the attacks.
"Ow! Not so hard!" Alaeo called out to her.
"Block them, idiot!" She called back.
"Well, you know, I'm not used to having my student to be better than me!" Alaeo said with a grin.
"Get used to it." Crystal snapped back. Alaeo frowned.
"Crystal, I need to tell you something...he started. "Important. About yourself."
Crystal frowned herself this time. What could it be?
IN THE CRYSTAL LIGHT
PROLOGUE
Rana felt so happy she thought she might burst. Next to her, Legolas smiled at her, before taking her into his arms and kissing her.
Eruvande, Almatari, and Alataria, Rana's closest and oldest friends, walked towards her. They all wore happy grins on their faces.
Eruvande spoke first.
"Well, now you're married. Not only are you married, you're married to a guy you've loved forever. Good for you!" The others spoke up now.
"This is great!"
"You still have to visit us now!"
"You look great!"
At this last, Rana looked down at herself. They were right. She did look great.
Dressed in a simple but beautiful pearl grey dress, her long black hair was brushed and left to hang to her waist, and moonstones and sapphires were hanging in it as well.
Almatari spoke again.
"You do realize this makes you queen, right? Thranduil has died, and you know he has, so that makes Legolas king. And being married to him, you're queen."
It was the first time Rana thought of this.
"I...guess so. Wow." She thought.
The three smiled at her.
"Don't worry, we'll still make you do your chores when you visit. And visit you will." Alataria said with a grin. "Anyhow," she continued, "We'll leave you with your new husband. Don't forget us, Rana."
They walked away, their hair shining in the light.
Rana wondered what they could have meant by that.
- SEVENTEEN YEARS LATER
Crystal sat up in bed, and stretched her arms above her head. Yawning, she climbed out of bed, and decided to get dressed. Picking some of the more comfortable clothes she had, which were a pair of breeches, a loose white shirt, and her boots, she put them on and decided she looked like a pirate.
A knock came on the door. "Come in!" Crystal yelled, brushing her gold hair out of her eyes. Her bluegrey eyes, inherited from her mother, twinkled in the light and she smiled.
The door opened and Eruvande came in. Crystal smiled. Eruvande had been friends with her mother, the queen Rana, for years and years.
Eruvande didn't smile now. Usually, she had a joke for Crystal, a smile, or simply a presence that made her calm. Now, however, tears shone in her eyes and she looked grim. And scared.
That scared Crystal in its own turn. Never once had she seen Eruvande scared, and very rarely cry.
"Eruvande what's wrong? I've never seen you like this!" Crystal said, wondering what it could be.
"Crystal, there's been a problem. With Rana and Legolas. You need to grab your horse immediately and meet me at the stables in fifteen minutes. Hurry up."
Crystal nodded. Eruvande swept out of the room.
Ten minutes later, Crystal hurried to the stables, pulling her white mare Lindelle, meaning song, out of her stall and grooming her. Once she was done, she led the mare to the front of the stables. Eruvande waited their, tears coursing down her face.
Turning to her, Crystal demanded, "Now tell me what happened. And where are we going?"
"There was a battle that sprang up where your mother and father were camping, on their way to the springs, remember? Legolas is okay, but Rana's been hit by a...poisoned arrow. It's hit her in the shoulder."
Crystal felt tears spring to her own eyes.
"Is she...is she going to make it?" Crystal asked, not wanting to hear the answer.
Eruvande shrugged. "I'm not sure. There are healers down there, who are trying to help her, but they sounded grim about it. I wanted to get down there, but it may be no good." Eruvande whispered this last.
"Also, "she continued, "Not only will this be hard on the family, it'll be horrible for the people of Mirkwood. Everybody loves your mother, as much as they love Legolas himself."
Crystal knew this to be true. Almost everyone Crystal had ever met had good things to say about the queen of Mirkwood.
Eruvande turned from Crystal, telling her briskly to mount her horse. Swinging onto Lindelle, she nudged the mare into a trot at Eruvande's command.
In her fury and upset, Crystal kicked her into a gallop, riding far past Eruvande and the others who had come with her.
She continued to ride, until the others became tiny specks in the distance.
She was riding blindly, not caring if she would injure herself. She turned the mare into the woods, and dismounted, crying. Sinking to the ground, she sobbed until she fell asleep into a deep, troubled dream.
When she was shaken awake, she saw she had been placed into a camp. Nearby, Eruvande, Almatari, and Alataria, three of Rana's greatest friends, and Crystal's mentors, were sitting around a fire. Crystal had not even noticed they were there.
Alataria started up angrily.
"I suppose you thought that was funny, Crystal? Riding off like that? I think you are-" She started to say more, but Almatari cut it off with a sharp gesture. Nodding to Crystal, she said, "Listen, Alataria- just because we've known Rana forever doesn't mean that Crystal feels any less about her than we do. She is her mother after all."
Crystal nodded gratefully.
"Anyhow, Crystal, we all need to sleep. Have an early day tomorrow." Almatari said, stretching. She walked into a tent and zippered the door. Crystal followed suit.
The next day, Crystal got up long before the sun rose. She walked to Lindelle, and patted her nose. She stroked the mare's flawless white coat. Brushing the dirt off of her, she fed her mare, trying to keep her mind on small tasks rather than think what may be waiting for them once they reached their destination.
That day's riding went by fast, and though everyone wanted to continue, as the springs were very close, the horses couldn't see well enough in the dark and were exhausted as well.
That morning, they left as soon as they could. Reaching the springs in two hours, they searched drastically for the king and queen.
Finally, they found them, with several healers and escorts waiting anxiously by them.
Crystal was shocked into tears at Rana's appearance. The beautiful queen's face was drawn and even paler than usual, her hair swept back from her face but messy. She was so weak it was a struggle to grab Crystal's hand. Nearby, Legolas wept, watching his wife and long-time lover dying. He got up and walked to Crystal's side, kissing her cheek. She hugged him back.
Rana tried to speak. "Crystal...I'm so glad you're here. There is much I want to tell you, but I can't. Some things you need to know though." Taking a deep breath she reached around her back, pulling out a scabbard. Nardurlos, her sword.
Crystal frowned. As Rana pulled out the sword with all that remained of her strength, she handed it to Crystal. She suddenly understood and tried to hand it back.
"No, Crystal. You'll need it more than I would. Here. Take them." putting it into Crystal's hands, she gestured for her daughter to lower her head. Kissing her forehead, Rana managed to say one last thing: "Crystal, know that I love you. You are dear to me. Also...I want you to have everything. The dresses, the weapons, Raeo, Indo, and Kala." She named her horse and two wolves that had accompanied her everywhere. "Finally, I want you to have this. Nardurlos is yours. The strongest and best sword you could get. Fortanya will go with me to the grave." Crystal started to protest at this, but her voice trailed away.
"Crystal, I love you." As Rana said this last, her beautiful eyes closed, and her breathing stopped.
As Rana's chest stilled, rain started to fall, as if in grief for Rana. Crystal tilted her face up to the drops, and began to cry herself. She couldn't tell tears from rain. And she thought it didn't matter.
CHAPTER TWO- TWO YEARS LATER
Crystal swung Nardurlos in an arc, and killed the practice dummy. Nearby, her mentor Alaeo hovered, watching her every move. He called commands to her, his blonde hair shining as the sun lay across it. They stuck strangely with his grey eyes, but it was a pleasant combination that brought people to him. He was the same age as Crystal, only twenty, but he was skilled in the sword. Though Alaeo was the actual mentor, Crystal was better than he was by far. She was, in fact, the best megiltura or archer since Rana. She intended to keep it that way.
As she practiced, Crystal thought of everything that had gone on in the past five years. Her decision to become a warrior, as Rana had, her mother's death, her father's subsequent death of a broken heart, and her past two years of training.
In her lessons, she had learned many, many things, including the archery lessons, sword work, and the usual lessons taught to young elves. She had not yet been to a battle, but she was very eager to go to one. It was as though she felt she should follow in her mother's footsteps by being the best warrior around. It may have also been that she was looking for death, as things had not been the best for her in the years since her parents died within one year of each other.
Crystal often tried to get away to battles when she heard that they were near, but Alaeo and Ralinde, who had been one of Crystal's weapons teachers over the years, had never let her. No matter how hard she tried to sneak off, one of them was always ready to intercept her.
Crystal put down Nardurlos, then walked over to the other side of the room and grabbed a practice sword. Rather than a steel blade, it had a stick with a collection of thin reeds tied around it. The sword would make a loud clack whenever it hit anything, and left red welts on flesh.
Alaeo chose his own practice sword. Walking over to Crystal, he turned and faced her. Holding it out to Crystal, they started to fight. Crystal whacked Alaeo's arm, side, and his shoulder before he even tried to parry off the attacks.
"Ow! Not so hard!" Alaeo called out to her.
"Block them, idiot!" She called back.
"Well, you know, I'm not used to having my student to be better than me!" Alaeo said with a grin.
"Get used to it." Crystal snapped back. Alaeo frowned.
"Crystal, I need to tell you something...he started. "Important. About yourself."
Crystal frowned herself this time. What could it be?