Disclaimer: Same things as before. I don't own any of the LOTR characters. I DO own all the people named before in the first chapter disclaimer. Again, please tell me if you found anything that might suggest an AU story, but I really don't think there is.
Hope you enjoy! Please review!
AlianaofMirkwood
ps- Oh, and just an FYI, I moka ly means 'I hate you' in Elvish and me heri means 'my lady'. At least in the dictionary I found. I know it's probably totally different than what some of you have, but there are so many different versions of Elvish that it's almost impossible to find the one used by JRR Tolkien. I have seen that book about the different languages of Middle Earth, but stupid little me couldn't quite figure out what in the world they were talking about... Oh, and for the words I couldn't find, I improvised, so some of them aren't quite real...
Chapter Two: Mirkwood
As they often did, a thought came to her as she slept. He was probably asleep by now and wouldn't notice her slip away. She didn't like the idea of traveling with a companion-even Legolas. So, now was the perfect time to get away. He would never know...
Quietly, she stood up, cursing her father and all that he'd done to her. She slipped off into the night and made her way through the forest. The stars above provided little light. She had no idea where she was going, but all she knew was that she must speak to Gandalf and find out what was going on.
After a while, she stopped and leaned against a tree. Her side ached terribly and she needed to rest. She guessed that she had been gone at least an hour by now. Legolas would probably still be asleep. In a way, she wanted to stay with the elf that always haunted her dreams, but she didn't want a companion and didn't want to have to explain anything.
"Where are you going?" Aliana jumped. She glanced around rapidly, trying to place the voice, but knowing full well who it had come from. Out of the shadows in front of her stepped the elf. In the feeble moonlight, she could see his eyes wide and a grin on his face.
"I've already told you, I'm going to Isengard!" she snapped, pushing past him and continuing on down the path.
"And I've already told you, I'm not letting you go off by yourself in this condition. Especially since Isengard is that way." He pointed in the opposite direction she had been going.
"I can manage very well by myself, thank you! And I wasn't planning on going directly to Isengard! I was going to..."-Aliana tried to think of places north of Isengard and Mirkwood-"to...Lake Town! I have friends there!"
"And who might those be?" Legolas smirked, still not believing her.
Aliana said the first names that came to mind. "Rina Pendragon and...Ben Gibbons! I told them I would come and visit soon."
Finding nothing to object to, Legolas smiled. "Not after you come with me to the palace. You must explain to my father where I am going to."
"How am I supposed to know where you're going!"
"Because I'm going with you, me heri," he said, as if it were quite obvious. "Wherever you go, I go as well."
"I've already told you, your highness, I don't need your help! I can manage entirely well by myself. Besides, don't you need to return to your duties at the palace?"
Legolas sighed. "I wish I didn't have to. I would much rather be out on the road."
Aliana looked at him sadly. She knew how he felt. She hated to be at home and would do anything to get out of the house. "Well, in that case, maur aski ly an lende o me?"
"Of tie! I would be glad to assist you, me heri," Legolas smiled. "Now, I suggest you get some rest. You look extremely tired."
Aliana nodded. Legolas helped her to sit down and lean against a tree, but she scooted as far away from him as she could before her side hurt too much to move. She soon fell asleep. Legolas watched her for a long time before falling asleep himself.
Alexus came running down the hallway when she heard her mother screaming. The four-year-old girl found her parents in the kitchen. Her mother was standing in a corner pleading with her husband. Her father was in front of her holding a gun and yelling. "Bitch! You fuckin' little bitch!"
The poor girl had no idea why her father was so mad. Mommy looked very scared, so it must be something really bad. Daddy yelled at mommy all the time, but never this much. And he never had a gun. "Daddy, what did mommy do?"
Her dad spun around. "Alexus!" Suddenly, he pulled the trigger. Alexus's mom fell to the floor, blood dripping from her head. Alexus screamed and ran to her mother's side. "Mommy!"
"You have to get out of here someday..." were her mother's last words to her child. "Get out..."
Her father pulled her from the floor and threw her against the counter. "Why did you do that! You killed your mother! You should die, bitch!"
"I didn't mean to! I'm sorry! Please don't hurt me!
Alexus looked back at her mother who lay dead on the floor, a puddle of blood covering the dirty brown tile. She felt horrible, thinking that she killed her mother. If it wasn't for her, her mommy might still be alive...
Her father lunged at her and knocked her to the ground. All that night, he chased her. At last, Alexus ran down the street to Mandy's house and stayed there all week. She didn't get away unharmed. She had bruises, cuts, and scars. And every night, she would have nightmares. She would scream, but they never seemed to go away.
"No! I didn't mean to! I'm sorry! Please don't hurt me! No!"
Legolas woke up to the screams of Aliana, laying a long ways off. He jumped up and was at her side in less than a second. He gently placed a hand on her forehead. "Na yall este," he whispered.
Her eyes fluttered open and she sat up with a start, nearly knocking Legolas over backwards. Much to his surprise, she didn't turn away from him, but leaned on him. He put his arms around her and comforted her. "It's alright. It was just a dream."
She huddled close to him and, against her will, tears slipped down her pale face. She felt comforted by this elf, for some reason. "What was your dream about?" he asked her softly.
Aliana looked into his eyes. "It was just a memory. I was four. One night, I heard my mother screaming and went to see what it was. When I found her, my father killed her in the kitchen. He said it was my fault. But...I...I...I didn't mean to..."
"I'm sure you didn't kill your own mother, me heri. He was probably just mad. It's alright now, it's over."
"But it's true! It has to be! Father said so! It has to be true!"
"Go back to sleep. I will watch over you tonight."
Aliana tried to sleep, but she couldn't stop thinking about the dream. If father said it was true, then it must be. Legolas knew she didn't sleep, so he sang softly to her in elven.
"Close lyaa hens ar wanya an fuume,
Laiwa tire vanwa ly tohui.
Entrodaana is sinya daana, er ly uya maure an noa of ta sii.
Whilei haara sinome ar tira ly oloore, iget wanwa uu me nowa.
Lyaa vanesse luhta me,
Lyaa suule kelva me,
I uu osteka it o lambe.
How taur I quet si nats an ly,
Iire our palurin yeeta so haiyasse vahaiya?
Ta a sinya tuka I arwa ten ly,
Nan ta uu-minda titta an me.
Please nyar me, ta this meles or maile,
Ta all yeeta so anwa."
She soon fell asleep listening to the sweet elvish words of Legolas. All night he watched her sleep. It seemed to help, for she didn't have any nightmares and she slept soundly. It was midday before she awoke from her slumber.
Aliana opened her eyes and found Legolas sitting next to her. When he saw her wake, he smiled softly. "Are you ready to go?"
"No, but I guess I have to, huh?"
"Yes, you do, me heri."
The two of them stood up and put out the remaining embers of the fire. Legolas's horse had long since found its way to the stables, so they were left to walk to Mirkwood. It wasn't long before they reached the outskirts of Mirkwood forest where its beautiful capital was built.
Aliana had never witnessed such beauty as could be seen in this city. It all looked so natural that she mistook it for the forest itself. There were many small houses built around the outskirts and in the center stood the most magnificent palace she had ever seen. It stood three stories above the ground and was made of a smooth gray stone, quite unlike anything she had seen.
All the townspeople rejoiced at the return of their prince and stood in the streets to welcome him. Aliana smiled, seeing the strong love that Legolas had for his people. She could not understand why he wouldn't want to stay in such a wonderful place. She wouldn't, but he seemed quite content on staying to chat with his friends.
At last the two of them reached the great stone steps leading up to the palace of Mirkwood. They made their way to the top and entered through the great wooden doors. Legolas led Aliana up a large staircase in front of them and down a hallway to the right. He stopped before a door at the end of the end of the corridor and knocked.
Moments later, it opened and a tall elven women, clad in a light blue dress, was standing before them. "May I present, Layanna. Layanna, this is Aliana Majere of Rivendell."
Aliana bowed and Layanna curtsied. "Welcome to Mirkwood, me heri."
"She wishes an audience with the King," Legolas explained. "Will you help her to find something suitable to wear?"
Layanna nodded. "Yes, your highness. She shall be ready in a few minutes."
Layanna led Aliana into her room and to a large tub filled with hot water. "Here you are." Aliana took off her dress and stepped into the tub. The hot water made her muscles relax as she sank deeper into warmth. Much to her surprise, Layanna leaned over and began to scrub Aliana with a rag.
"I can do it myself!" Aliana snapped, unaccustomed to having people do things for her when she was very capable to do so by herself.
Layanna looked at her, disgusted. "Me heri, do not worry yourself with these things. It is quite alright." Aliana frowned as the elf poured a slimy mixture on her hair and rubbed it around.
Layanna stepped away and motioned for Aliana to get out. She threw her a warm towel and walked over to a closet on the other side of the room. After lots of searching, she pulled out a dress and handed it to Aliana. It was dark blue with silver threads and a bend in the back. It was sleeveless and fell loosely around her ankles. Aliana put it on, grumpy at the thought that she had to wear a dress.
"Don't worry, we're almost done." Layanna pushed Aliana over to a chair placed in front of a large mirror. "Sit down." Layanna brushed her hair until Aliana thought it would fall out. She took a few pieces of hair on each side and placed them in tiny braids. Then she pulled part of her hair back into a bun, so some still fell around her shoulders, and wrapped the braids around the bun.
Aliana looked in the mirror when she had finished. "I look like a girl," she complained, used to her baggy jeans and t-shirts.
Layanna laughed. "That was the idea, me heri." There was a knock on the door. "That will be Prince Legolas. Come, child."
Aliana rose from her seat and followed the elf to the door. Sure enough, Legolas stood in the doorway. He stared at Aliana, wide eyed in wonder, gazing at her beauty. Aliana crossed her arms impatiently. "Well? I'm ready!"
"Right, Lord Thranduil has agreed to see you now," Legolas stated. "Will you allow me to escort you?"
Aliana frowned. "But then everyone will think I like you!"
Layanna cut in quickly. "Oh, don't worry me heri. We will think nothing of the sort. It happens all the time. The Prince is just so polite."
Legolas grinned at her. He knew it was a lie, but it seemed to convince Aliana. She grumpily placed her arm over his and walked with him down the stairs and to the throne room. Two guards opened the door to a large room that looked similar to the hallways and other rooms with its gray rock walls.
At the other end of the room, after an endless walk past elven statues and paintings, the two stood before Lord Thranduil. He was a tall, even for an elf, and was clad in green robes of silk. On his head rested a golden crown decorated with stones of Topaz and Emerald. He sat up regally and addressed them with a wave of his hand.
Legolas bowed his head and Aliana curtsied. "My Lord, may I present, Aliana Majere, elf maiden of Rivendell. I wish to escort this young lady to Isengard where she wishes to speak with Gandalf the White."
He smiled softly at the beautiful young women standing in front of him. His gaze rested upon the strange purple streak in her dark brown hair. Turning to look at his son, a knowing smile spread across his face when he saw the way he looked at this elf.
Aliana stepped forward slightly and spoke. "Lord Thranduil, I would be eternally grateful if you allowed Prince Legolas to accompany me on this quest."
The King rested his head on his hand and thought. He appeared somewhat disappointed, but in the end smiled and told them his answer. "Of course, my son. If this is your wish, you may go with this young lady to Isengard."
"Thank you, father," Legolas said happily. He gave Aliana his arm, which she took a little easier than last time and together they walked from the throne room. Once outside, he turned to face Aliana. "Thank you. I knew my father would be willing to let me go once he saw you."
"What's that supposed to mean?" she questioned,
"Never mind. Come, you must meet a friend of mine. He will be traveling with us to Isengard."
"What! It's bad enough traveling with you! Now you're telling me someone else is coming along!"
"Don't worry, me heri. I'm sure you'll like him once you meet him."
Legolas steered her down a hallway to their right and then to a room down the corridor. He knocked on the door three times and opened it. An elf standing in the corner turned to face him. "Ah, Prince Legolas, so good to see you. And this must be Lady Aliana. A pleasure to meet your acquaintance."
He took her hand gracefully and kissed it, but not before giving her a mischievous grin, unseen by Legolas. Aliana backed away uncomfortably. "The pleasure is...all mine."
"Me heri, this is Ivellios. He will be traveling with us to Isengard."
Ivellios had dark gray eyes, almost the color of steel and long dirty blonde hair-not the pure platinum blonde worn proudly by most elves. His had a very pointed nose and his face was in a sneer. He had a snobby, stuck-up air about him and he didn't appear too friendly.
Aliana nodded uncertainly. Legolas talked with the elf a while before turning to leave. "Ivellios, will you show the lady to her room?"
"Of course, my Lord."
The three of them walked from the room, Legolas going one direction, Aliana and Ivellios going the opposite. He led her back up the stairway and to the room next to Layanna's. Ivellios opened the door and bowed to Aliana. "Goodnight, my lady," he said, rather seductively.
Aliana raised an eyebrow questioningly. He grinned at her. "Don't think you're going to get away with stealing our Prince."
"What?"
"I know why you're here! You want to take Legolas away from us!"
"No I don't! It's not my fault he's coming with me! If I had it my way, I'd go by myself to Isengard!"
He didn't reply, just spun around and walked back down the hall. Aliana stood in the doorway for a while before slamming the door and looking around the room. It was large with a huge oak bed. There was a large window with a lovely view of the forest. There were beautiful paintings decorating the room.
One in particular caught her eyes. It was very large, right across from her bed. There were nine people standing together in a courtyard. Four were very small, about the size of her eight-year-old cousin. Aliana recognized these as hobbits of the Shire. One wore a ring around his neck on a golden chain. Behind him stood a tall man in the garb of a ranger. Aragorn was his name; he was heir to the throne of Gondor and carried the Sword of Kings. The second was a wizard. The very wizard, in fact, that she was hoping to find in Isengard. Beside him stood another man wearing regal clothing and carrying a small shield. His name was Boromir, son of the steward of Gondor. In front of Boromir stood a dwarf with a battle-ax as large as he was. And beside the dwarf stood Legolas, dressed in shimmering silver garb with a bow on his back, a quiver at his shoulder, and two elven daggers at his waist. This was the Fellowship of the Ring.
Aliana admired it for a quite a while before turning and lying down to sleep. It had been a long time since she had slept on something as comfortable as this. She fell asleep quickly and didn't have a single nightmare.