Author's Note: Wow, an update so soon! What's wrong with me? I went to see The Two Towers again and I got inspired. But who wouldn't be, right? Thanks to all who reviewed! You guys inspire me, too!
This chapter covers a lot of time, and everyone's favorite elf makes an appearance! Hope you all enjoy the chapter!
Rhovanion's Child by Shelly
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
They departed from Edoras later that afternoon amidst farewells from many of the people, Eowyn included. Grima was especially glad to see them leave as he felt they posed a danger to his plans if ever they were to realize what was truly happening in Rohan. Both Rhiannon and Boromir were concerned, but at the moment they couldn't afford to immerse themselves in other matters, nor were they even aware of Saruman's influence upon the King.
Continuing west, they passed through the Westfold and saw Helm's Deep nestled at the bottom of the Thrihyrne, stark and empty except for the few men who manned it permanently. Then they crossed the Fords of Isen, keeping east until they cleared the Gap of Rohan where they turned northeast and found the Old South Road.
The going was much easier, and they found opportunities to find a decent meal and place to sleep. Their nights together were filled with love, but during their journey very little was said to one another as both of them were wary of saying something to the other that would cause friction between them. There were many things Boromir wished to know about her, but was afraid to ask since he didn't want to push her too much. He hated that things were like that between them, but he loved her too much to lose her.
After crossing the Greyflood, they turned northeast to keep the Hoarwell River to their right, having heard some hints from locals of where Imladris was located. It was then that she remembered hearing of its location from the elves in Lorien as well as from those in Mirkwood where she had grown up. She divulged much of her past to Boromir as she was comfortable with giving, mainly that about her times spent in Lorien and Mirkwood and that of her travels as a ranger.
Apparently it was enough to tide him over as he enjoyed hearing of her past, although she would never speak of how she ended up living with the elves, nor would she elaborate on what drove her to be a ranger. She would merely reply that she felt that it was something she felt she should do, much like he did for Gondor, although he was curious as to what kinship she had with the lands east of the Misty Mountains.
The river soon turned north while the Loudwater kept the Hoarwell's original northeasterly direction, and they followed it until they reached the area where Imladris was told to be. They rode around for some time, hoping to find some clue as to its whereabouts and wondering if anyone could be found to ask about the fabled place. Fearing they were lost, they stopped and rested their horses as well as themselves for a bit, listening to the sound of the birds' songs amongst the trees and that of the breeze that played through autumn leaves.
Looking around her, she suddenly felt a slight shiver crawl up the back of her neck, and she opened her senses as she searched for any sign of danger. It felt like she was being watched, a feeling she didn't like at all, and she rested her hand on the hilt of her dagger just in case. Boromir noticed her sudden silence, and he tensed as well, keeping his eyes open just in case. Soon a slender figure emerged from the surrounding trees, a cloak about his shoulders and a hood casting shadows over his face so as to make it difficult for them to see him. She was beginning to relax somewhat as elves never revealed themselves if they truly meant to harm anyone, and this one seemed familiar judging from the clothing they wore.
She dismounted from her horse, showing that she meant no harm as she kept her hands in front of her, speaking a greeting to the elf in the tongue of Mirkwood. The elf stood there a moment then reached up to remove the hood, revealing handsome features and long golden hair that shone in the sunlight.
Her eyes widened as she saw him for who he was. "Legolas!" she cried, rushing towards him and accepting his quick embrace. "It's so good to see you! I thought I'd never see you again!"
"I have been worried about you ever since you left," he said, touching her face with his hand, happy to see her alive and well after so many months.
She smiled, embracing him again in her happiness to see him. "What are you doing here so far from Mirkwood? It can't be good being you've traveled all this way."
He stepped away from her, looking her over to make sure for himself that she was okay. "My father received a summons from Elrond saying that his presence was requested here soon, and I came in his place. May I ask what brings you here?" he asked, finally seeing Boromir, who had dismounted as well and was now eying him with something close to jealousy in his human gaze.
She was aware of what was going on, and she hastened to hurry things before matters got out of hand. "That is something best left for later, my friend," she replied.
"Who is your friend?" he asked in elvish. "He looks at me as if he wants to kill me," he added with slight amusement.
She fought to keep from smiling. "His name is Boromir, and he has come with me all the way from Gondor. It would be better to say that I have come with him since this was his journey to make."
Legolas turned his gaze to hers, wondering if there wasn't more to be found between them. Why else would she have come this far with him? "I see. You both have become close to one another?"
"Somewhat," she replied a little sheepishly. "He doesn't know my true identity."
He could see where that would be a problem, being the man was from Gondor and more than likely wouldn't like the fact that she was heir to the throne. "I suppose if you are here then you are both looking for Imladris," he said, switching back to the common tongue.
"We are," Boromir finally said, wondering who this elf was that she would greet him so enthusiastically. He had heard her say he was from Mirkwood, so perhaps she knew him. But what kind of relationship did she share with him? Had they been lovers at one time? Or were they just very close, sharing a relationship like that of siblings?
Legolas looked over at him, amused to hear the raw jealousy in his voice. "You are not very far, just a little further east than you need to be. Come, I will lead the way then," he said as he turned and walked back to where he had left his own horse.
Rhiannon walked back to her own horse, feeling Boromir's gaze heavy on her back and knowing he must be bursting with questions about the elf. No matter that Legolas was the first one he had ever seen. All he knew was that they shared some kind of friendship, and that didn't sit well with him at all.
Legolas led them through the forest until they reached the edge of a steep valley, and nestled down inside the valley was the Bruinen, flowing clean and fresh beside a beautiful settlement that could be none other than Imladris itself. It was a large place from what she could see of it from the top, and they continued until they reached what looked like a staircase of sorts that led down to the bottom and across the river.
Once they crossed the bridge, they kept eastward against the ridge that climbed to their left and up another staircase where a small stand of trees hid part of the house from their view. Coming around the trees, they saw the forms of two people standing on a porch waiting for them, one of which she recognized as Gandalf. The other was an elf, dark-haired and serene, his eyes belying his infinite wisdom.
They stopped before them, dismounting and bowing to the elf in courtesy as their horses were taken away to the stables to be attended to. "Rivendell welcomes you, Legolas," the elf said smoothly. "And you also, Elenariel and Boromir. You are no doubt weary from your travels and are in need of food and rest, as well as the answers you seek to the questions that have brought you here. Tonight you will rest here in my home, and tomorrow you will attend a council where many of your questions will be answered."
He turned to walk inside, leaving them to follow behind him. Gandalf fell in beside Rhiannon, giving her a warm smile as he escorted her into the wonders of the House of Elrond.
*******************
Bory seemed a little jealous there. But what will he think of her relationship with Aragorn once they see each other once again? Tempers may fly this time, but the question is who will survive the outcome? Thanks for reading!
This chapter covers a lot of time, and everyone's favorite elf makes an appearance! Hope you all enjoy the chapter!
Rhovanion's Child by Shelly
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
They departed from Edoras later that afternoon amidst farewells from many of the people, Eowyn included. Grima was especially glad to see them leave as he felt they posed a danger to his plans if ever they were to realize what was truly happening in Rohan. Both Rhiannon and Boromir were concerned, but at the moment they couldn't afford to immerse themselves in other matters, nor were they even aware of Saruman's influence upon the King.
Continuing west, they passed through the Westfold and saw Helm's Deep nestled at the bottom of the Thrihyrne, stark and empty except for the few men who manned it permanently. Then they crossed the Fords of Isen, keeping east until they cleared the Gap of Rohan where they turned northeast and found the Old South Road.
The going was much easier, and they found opportunities to find a decent meal and place to sleep. Their nights together were filled with love, but during their journey very little was said to one another as both of them were wary of saying something to the other that would cause friction between them. There were many things Boromir wished to know about her, but was afraid to ask since he didn't want to push her too much. He hated that things were like that between them, but he loved her too much to lose her.
After crossing the Greyflood, they turned northeast to keep the Hoarwell River to their right, having heard some hints from locals of where Imladris was located. It was then that she remembered hearing of its location from the elves in Lorien as well as from those in Mirkwood where she had grown up. She divulged much of her past to Boromir as she was comfortable with giving, mainly that about her times spent in Lorien and Mirkwood and that of her travels as a ranger.
Apparently it was enough to tide him over as he enjoyed hearing of her past, although she would never speak of how she ended up living with the elves, nor would she elaborate on what drove her to be a ranger. She would merely reply that she felt that it was something she felt she should do, much like he did for Gondor, although he was curious as to what kinship she had with the lands east of the Misty Mountains.
The river soon turned north while the Loudwater kept the Hoarwell's original northeasterly direction, and they followed it until they reached the area where Imladris was told to be. They rode around for some time, hoping to find some clue as to its whereabouts and wondering if anyone could be found to ask about the fabled place. Fearing they were lost, they stopped and rested their horses as well as themselves for a bit, listening to the sound of the birds' songs amongst the trees and that of the breeze that played through autumn leaves.
Looking around her, she suddenly felt a slight shiver crawl up the back of her neck, and she opened her senses as she searched for any sign of danger. It felt like she was being watched, a feeling she didn't like at all, and she rested her hand on the hilt of her dagger just in case. Boromir noticed her sudden silence, and he tensed as well, keeping his eyes open just in case. Soon a slender figure emerged from the surrounding trees, a cloak about his shoulders and a hood casting shadows over his face so as to make it difficult for them to see him. She was beginning to relax somewhat as elves never revealed themselves if they truly meant to harm anyone, and this one seemed familiar judging from the clothing they wore.
She dismounted from her horse, showing that she meant no harm as she kept her hands in front of her, speaking a greeting to the elf in the tongue of Mirkwood. The elf stood there a moment then reached up to remove the hood, revealing handsome features and long golden hair that shone in the sunlight.
Her eyes widened as she saw him for who he was. "Legolas!" she cried, rushing towards him and accepting his quick embrace. "It's so good to see you! I thought I'd never see you again!"
"I have been worried about you ever since you left," he said, touching her face with his hand, happy to see her alive and well after so many months.
She smiled, embracing him again in her happiness to see him. "What are you doing here so far from Mirkwood? It can't be good being you've traveled all this way."
He stepped away from her, looking her over to make sure for himself that she was okay. "My father received a summons from Elrond saying that his presence was requested here soon, and I came in his place. May I ask what brings you here?" he asked, finally seeing Boromir, who had dismounted as well and was now eying him with something close to jealousy in his human gaze.
She was aware of what was going on, and she hastened to hurry things before matters got out of hand. "That is something best left for later, my friend," she replied.
"Who is your friend?" he asked in elvish. "He looks at me as if he wants to kill me," he added with slight amusement.
She fought to keep from smiling. "His name is Boromir, and he has come with me all the way from Gondor. It would be better to say that I have come with him since this was his journey to make."
Legolas turned his gaze to hers, wondering if there wasn't more to be found between them. Why else would she have come this far with him? "I see. You both have become close to one another?"
"Somewhat," she replied a little sheepishly. "He doesn't know my true identity."
He could see where that would be a problem, being the man was from Gondor and more than likely wouldn't like the fact that she was heir to the throne. "I suppose if you are here then you are both looking for Imladris," he said, switching back to the common tongue.
"We are," Boromir finally said, wondering who this elf was that she would greet him so enthusiastically. He had heard her say he was from Mirkwood, so perhaps she knew him. But what kind of relationship did she share with him? Had they been lovers at one time? Or were they just very close, sharing a relationship like that of siblings?
Legolas looked over at him, amused to hear the raw jealousy in his voice. "You are not very far, just a little further east than you need to be. Come, I will lead the way then," he said as he turned and walked back to where he had left his own horse.
Rhiannon walked back to her own horse, feeling Boromir's gaze heavy on her back and knowing he must be bursting with questions about the elf. No matter that Legolas was the first one he had ever seen. All he knew was that they shared some kind of friendship, and that didn't sit well with him at all.
Legolas led them through the forest until they reached the edge of a steep valley, and nestled down inside the valley was the Bruinen, flowing clean and fresh beside a beautiful settlement that could be none other than Imladris itself. It was a large place from what she could see of it from the top, and they continued until they reached what looked like a staircase of sorts that led down to the bottom and across the river.
Once they crossed the bridge, they kept eastward against the ridge that climbed to their left and up another staircase where a small stand of trees hid part of the house from their view. Coming around the trees, they saw the forms of two people standing on a porch waiting for them, one of which she recognized as Gandalf. The other was an elf, dark-haired and serene, his eyes belying his infinite wisdom.
They stopped before them, dismounting and bowing to the elf in courtesy as their horses were taken away to the stables to be attended to. "Rivendell welcomes you, Legolas," the elf said smoothly. "And you also, Elenariel and Boromir. You are no doubt weary from your travels and are in need of food and rest, as well as the answers you seek to the questions that have brought you here. Tonight you will rest here in my home, and tomorrow you will attend a council where many of your questions will be answered."
He turned to walk inside, leaving them to follow behind him. Gandalf fell in beside Rhiannon, giving her a warm smile as he escorted her into the wonders of the House of Elrond.
*******************
Bory seemed a little jealous there. But what will he think of her relationship with Aragorn once they see each other once again? Tempers may fly this time, but the question is who will survive the outcome? Thanks for reading!