Hi guys, Lady Nierwen here again, thanks again for your lovely reviews, and a special thanks to Shadowfaxgal7 for reviewing me and saying that I am as good as many published adults, and I hope you don't cry, I don't want my reviewers to be sad.
This is the eighth chapter of death and Glory, and a bit of an advanced warning really, because this one, well, I think, is not as angsty as always, and I thought I would warn you, in case you wanted some real angsty action... (So much for not wanting reviewers to cry.)
Anywho, as I am here typing this, I would just like to say Hannon Le to all you guys for reviewing me.
I hope to hear from you all again. Here are the reviewer responses.
Reviewer responses:
Butterfly- elf: Thanks for reviewing. Also thanks for pointing out that. It was purely a typing error, and has been rectified, apologies for that error.
Lindahoyland: Thanks for your review, and I am very pleased you are enjoying my story. I am flattered that you think so.
Linuvial Greenleaf: Thank you soooooo much for your review. I asked you for your opinion, in a review, which was a really stupid idea, but I never expected you to actually review!! Despite the shortness of the review, it was still a review!! I 'm glad you think that it is tender and heart-breaking. I do try. Also, this is like, major sucking up, but you and nightwing6, are like my idols, so thanks so much.
Shadowfaxgal7: What can I say? Thanks for your reviews. Let's start with the one for this story: I will definitely read your work, I think that you are really nice. Nice, what a word. Wonderful is more appropriate!!! I'm glad you liked the song; I really wasn't sure about it. It's not exactly original is it? You know, the guilt tripping Aragorn over Arwen's decision. I'm glad you like it. I'm glad I gave you a story to enjoy, feel free to ask me anything in the future, i.e. upcoming plot-lines and story titles etc. I am a Lord of the rings only writer, and some people don't like that very much. Thanks for telling me about symbelmyne spelling. I really wasn't sure.
Hannon Le: I think it's sad too. I will let you in on a little secret, though it isn't a secret, because everyone can read this, but Hannon Le, was my R.S (religious studies) homework. We were doing the parables, and she asked us to do a modern parable. I decided to do this one, because by playing around with the story line, I could get the good Samaritan type story. Where, Haldir is dying, and men walk by and don't help him, and then Illuvater is the Good Samaritan because he let's haldir die. I got an outstanding for it. I'm a total boff at school, so it's like red faces all around. I'm glad you liked haldir's passing, and the mention of Elladan and Elrohir. In my view, a fanfic about family is not complete without the cutest brothers in all of middle – earth. I'm glad you liked it.
The second part, WOW only describes it. You stuck up for me. Wowee!! At the time when that 'review' was submitted, my story would only take signed reviews, so I am a bit annoyed. I kind of get the feeling that seriously wrong, registered with the site, just to give me a bad review. I'm being paranoid maybe, but there is always a chance. You are right, if the story is quite plainly movie-verse, then it's kind of a weird thing to say to me, me of all people, the greatest Lord of the rings obsessive in the universe, that I should read the books. Mortal offence that. Anywho, sorry for rambling on.
Have you seen that response?
I have to apologise for the lateness of this review, but I have been tied up. I have one an award at school, it's a trophy, and I am really pleased, because this is the second year in a row, that I have had this award. I am a Boff job. Oh well, it's better to have an IQ of 120, be bullied at school but have a successful career in writing shall we say, than to have an IQ of approximately 49, be the most popular kid at school, and then end up flipping burgers in MacDonald's.
Anyway, here comes the boring legal bit:
Disclaimer: Nothing is mine; unfortunately, I lack the cranial capacity to invent something so wonderful. However, in my dreams, I have already won the Nobel Prize.
Warnings: Nothing new really, but I am very interested to hear, if you have not already found out that this story is angst filled, sad and contains, NO SLASH!!!
Rating: PG
Summary: Same as always.
That is all I believe, if there is more, check back for it.
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Chapter 8: Stories of old.
The room lost in the throes of rapt silence. The only sound or voice, was the king. He was recounting tales of the fellowship and his time in the wilderness as a ranger for his children and Arwen, and they sat around the bed, listening carefully, lest they miss a vital point to the story.
Aragorn's many daughters were crowded around him, positioned here and there, on the bed or in chairs, as they listened intently. Eldarion sat in Legolas' usual place by his father's bedside. Legolas stood behind Eldarion, half hidden in the shadows that were cast by the dimming candles. Arwen was curled cat-like upon the end of the bed, her hand resting n her husband's foot as he recounted his tales.
Despite their very different appearances, one thing remained a common factor in the now crowded room. There was not one person there, who did not have a smile on his or her face. It was indeed a wonder to see them all in one place together as they should have been. A family.
Presently, Aragorn was reciting the end of the fellowship's time in the wooded realm of Lothlorien. The gift giving was a particular favourite of the children, and a story that Aragorn never tired of telling.
"The lady gifted to us all, a superb range of beautifully crafted items. The hobbits in the company were amazed by what they received. They were astounded by the sheer beauty of theses objects. They were no the only ones."
"What gift did the lady of Lorien give you, ada?" asked one of the girls. Legolas smiled at the use of elvish. It was a wonder to the elf that the children had learnt even a small portion of the language. It made him feel warm to hear his mother tongue spoken ny someone so innocent.
Aragorn laughed before continuing, having told the story several times beforehand, they all knew what gift he had been given from the lady.
"Well. Her first gift, was a sheath for Anduril, my sword. It was wrought with flowers and leaves of gold and silver. Any blade, not just the flame of the west that was drawn from that sheath could not be stained nor broken. Her second gift was a brooch, cut from a stone that I had never seen. The only likeness that I could think of was the ring of Barahir. It was carved as an eagle with outstretched wings. It was indeed a marvel."
"Where are these treasures now, father?" asked Eldarion.
"Alas, they are beyond my reach, for I have not the strength now to walk so far as to find them in my previous chambers, but they are certainly in the palace. I would not part with them for all the love in the world."
"What of the other members of the fellowship?" asked Eldarion, speaking for the second time that evening.
"The lady gifted us all with fine things. To Legolas, she gave a wonderful bow. It was strung with a hair from her head. To Merry and Pippin, she gave the daggers of the Noldorin, to Sam, she gave Hithlain rope, and a box filled with seeds that would bring full bloom to flowers every year. To Boromir, she gifted a magnificent belt of gold, and to the ring bearer, Frodo, he gave the most beloved star of her kin. The light of Earendil. It was a pretty thing to look at." The king paused and looked thoughtful.
"Whom have I missed, Legolas?" asked the king to the elf in the shadows. The elf knew instantly.
"Gimli" he said. A smile playing on his lips.
"Ah, yes, Gimli. Gimli was asked what he should receive, and he asked for quite the impossible." Said the king.
"What did he ask for?" asked another of his daughters.
"One hair from her golden head. She gave him three." Said the king quietly.
Silence followed this. It was a long time before anyone else spoke until the youngest daughter spoke.
"What gift would you have asked for if you were given the choice?" she asked tentatively.
"Why, my dear, that is easy. I would ask for nothing more than that which I had. I was gifted with a life that I had lived in happiness, and a love that I could ask for if things turned ill. I am equally blessed now. I have a country, people who trust me to do my duty, a beautiful queen, and wonderful children" he turned to gaze intently into Legolas' eyes,
"And amazing friends." He finished. Legolas smiled at him and the family grinned at them warmly.
"Legolas?" asked Eldarion.
"Yes, Eldarion?" replied the elf.
"Do you still have the gift of the galadhrim?" finished Eldarion, who now gazed intently at Legolas.
"Yes I have." Said the elf quietly.
"In fact," he continued, a mischievous smile now hung around his lips. "I never travel without it." He finished, reaching into a shadowy corner, and pulled forth the large bow of Lothlorien.
The children gasped, and Eldarion gazed in wonder. Arwen seemed quite taken with the bow herself. Legolas laid it down upon the bed, and the siblings ran hesitant fingers over the bow that seemed to glow. Afraid to touch it properly, lest they harm it.
Eldarion summoned enough courage, and with a questioning look in his direction, and a nod from Legolas, he held the bow up and held it high to examine every detail of the beautiful object.
Legolas smiled to himself for the umpteenth time since his arrival in Gondor.
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An arrow shot passed the blonde elf. It whizzed straight through the air, and it landed on the target, splitting the existing arrow in two halves. Legolas laughed heartily at the human who held the bow. His bow.
Eldarion had improved. There was obviously something about Legolas' bow that changed everything. Or maybe Legolas' presence. Unlike many, Eldarion did not seem to mind practicing their skills in front of the finest archer of Mirkwood.
Packing away his arrows and strapping the bow to his back, Eldarion left Legolas to his thoughts, sensing that the elf needed time to himself.
Legolas thought of the conversation he had shared with Aragorn the day before. Aragorn's worries were great; Legolas could only hope that his words were enough to smooth them away.
For the first time, when thinking of his memories of Aragorn, Legolas did not smile.
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Sorry, quite short, but they do get longer.
Reviews: Do I need them? Is a squirrel interested in nuts?
Ideas: Please feel free.
Grammar/Spelling mistakes: Yes please.
Flames: O.K, but if they are just hate messages, then I will block you.
Bye, Nierwen.
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