As you well know – I owe nothing of Tolkien's work or the characters.
AN – Blindgardian – I wrote him in just for you, was going to have another character but felt with your suggestion and persistent urging maybe your idea was better!
:Sayanna The Rover – Boxing day is a national bank holiday in the UK where it's the day after Christmas day where we generally stuff our faces, hang out with loved ones and watch telly and so forth – just a lazy day really!
Meself – interested in the book, looking to get it now!
Thank you for your reviews, glad to know people are enjoying the story. Just a bit worried that this chapter is a bit OTT, a bit much, a bit overdone?
Doesn't flow right?
Let me know as I had another version of this chapter in mind but with less of a twist or adventure to it. Thanks!
The Awakening of the Lioness
In the times you are unconscious, what do you dream about? Do you actually dream? Are you aware of what's happening around you? And more importantly, are you aware that you're unconscious?
Yes the world still spins, the sun still rise as well as the moon and its stars, but what's a year to a person shut off from the world? Seconds? Minutes? Or is it like a slumber? Where the minute you close your eyes is the minute you awake.
For it was almost a year that Serena awoken from her deep slumber, almost a year since that accident and its terrible consequences. And that almost year has taken its consequence not only on her mind but her soul. Memories hazy, light's a sharp pain and the prospect of living day to day shakes the waked to their very core.
Serena awoken alone in a ward, surrounding her were many lifeless bodies and for one crazy moment she thought she was in a morgue. She turned in her bed to see a heart monitor dutifully beeping her pulse, disorientated and groggy, she looked around and screamed. That was how she was reborn into the world, hysteria settling in, nausea rising and panic taking over. She didn't see the nurses run in, nor feel them force her back down on the bed or the sharp twinge of the needle as it slid into her veins and released its cool, velvety heaven which rendered her helpless.
"Where am I?" She called out.
"You are at a hospital, you've been unconscious for a long time."
"How long?"
"Too long."
"Who are you?" Serena groaned as she forced open her eyes to see a nurse leaning over her with a smile pasted on her lips.
"I'm Maria, you take it easy." She tucked her in the bed and cooed over her.
"How long have I been out for?" Serena kept her eyes open, despite the light which made her pupils protest.
"I do not know exactly, we taken you in last December."
"What month is it?" Serena slowly sat up, ignoring Maria's protests that she lay back down.
"It's early December, 2003. you've been out for almost a year." Maria watched Serena as she took in this information.
"What's your name?" Maria moved on, she surveyed the woman lying in bed numb from the prospect of her revelations.
"I don't know." Serena replied, tears rose in her eyes as she griped the bed sheets, "I don't know!" She wailed.
It was later in the week that Maria gave Serena one item of her personal belongings that came in with her. A thick red book. She laid it in Serena's hand and smiled, "This belongs to you." Serena first caressed the leather cover then read the spine, "The Lord of The Rings." She breathed, she slowly opened the first page and began to read, "A Long Expected Party." It came to Serena as she laid in her ward in her dreams. Memories. Of a sweet voice, a masculine face, of desire. She remembered a Christmas unlike any other, a love like any other and all ruined for a painting with her un-named lover's face in it. And always her dreams ended with her waking as she saw a car loom up towards the lamppost, the sickly crunch as she slammed full force through the windscreen. Panting she'll turn to the book and read till she reached the page that left her blood running cold. His name. For the first time ever, she knew. She remembered. It hit her full force and anger was now her fuel.
Revenge.
It was coming to those who deserved it.
She'll find him.
Only this time she'll finish him.
Not love him.
We all have said things at a time of red blooded anger, and Serena's words are no different – though she would like to think she'll carry out her self- designated task.
Mortals have that ability to somewhat cool their most extreme anger before delving headfirst in an act called revenge. But in order to find her answers, first she must seek her quarry.
This was a hard time to Serena, days after remembering the incident that put her there, nameless and loveless in the hospital. She signed herself out with a muddled collection of memories. Where she lived, the place handed down to her via inheritance has now been closed and her friends left. She now had a scar running from her hairline down to the corner of her left eye, where she caught most of the impact when she smashed through the windscreen , colliding with the lamppost and hitting the pavement. From the doctors report, she found she suffered multiple injuries included three broken ribs, numerous factures, severe bleeding of the head, two missing teeth, a punctured lung and severe whiplash. Despite the pain which still burgeoned her after her year long sleep, she was never better.
With no where to go and her only belongings are the clothes donated by Maria, the red book that came in with her and the doctors report, she booked herself into the nearest travel lodge and laid herself down on the bed.
Like a lioness, she needed to smell that faint smell that was her quarry, not regarding how old that track may be.
"Elrond, its me. Our cover been blown. I'm on my way. I'll need you to escort me and Serena." A voice echoed as she screamed, her feet thudding repeatedly against the glass window as she kicked with all her might, tears stinging her eyes as she screamed once again, leaving her lungs sore and legs weak. He looked at her, wide blue eyes that made her lost with awe, but these were filled with pain and regret. His hand tried to reach out but the car disintegrated around them, all she could see was blood as the glass cut her face as she flew, a long scream piercing the darkness.
"Arghh!" Serena jerked upright, panting and sticky with sweat. Her green eyes taking in the dark, unlit room and she knew it was a bad dream.
She rose from the bed still in her clothes and went to wash her face, hoping the cold water will take the last trace of those dreams away, down that dark vortex of a plughole. The sickly yellow light of the bathroom only empathised those dark circles beneath her tired eyes despite playing the role of sleeping beauty for the past year.
Then it came upon her, a faint whisper then it thudded in her head as she made her first discovery. "Elrond."
Legolas was after a man or rather an elf named Elrond. But where can she find him?
She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth as she allowed herself to emerge into that nightmare, reluctantly remembering all those pains. His voice then came to her through those heavy cobwebs. "I'm near Paddington Station."
She smiled, the lioness has caught her first whiff of the scent.
It was ten to eleven, it was a heavy blizzard that left her numb to the cold and she stood there in a demin jacket.
Fool!
Teeth clattering as she wrapped her arms round her body in a pathetic attempt to warm herself up, she walked over to the station and stared at the steps leading down to the trains which waited below. Around her were the last of the passengers as the scurried away to their warm homes with happy families as Serena was faced at the prospect that maybe this wasn't a good idea.
Then a figured loomed out the blizzard and knocked into her heavily, causing her to fall upon the pavement, adding another bruise to her already battle sore body.
"I'm so sorry!" The voice apologised, from its deepness and the large hand that pulled her back to her feet, she could easily tell it was a man.
"No worries." She straightened up, looking up she was greeted by him....in a few blinks she slowly realised that it wasn't Legolas as this man has larger lips which were smiling at her, his eyes were almost silver and his long blonde hair was nearly gold rather than ivory. This man would make a good-looking elf.
"Thought you were someone I knew." She blushed as she turned her jacket collar up, the man smiled then bowed his head, "Believe me miss, if I was a friend of yours, I wouldn't forget your face."
"Thank you." Serena smiled.
"You ok?" he looked at her, she nodded then he smiled, "I apologise once again. Take care little miss." He turned and started to walk away when she looked at his features once again. Damn, that man would make a good- looking elf....hang on!
His pointed ears, despite being hidden by his hair, the offending tips pointed put and she knew she made a vital discovery.
"You! Stop!" she loudly ordered, the man did so and turned, sheepishly he smiled, "Did I not apologise enough?"
"You. You're an elf." She said as she drew up to him, she saw his smile disappearing as he surveyed her, "What are you on about?"
"Your ears. Don't deny it, I need you to take me to an elf named Elrond." She told him but his hand clapped over her mouth as he urgently whispered into her ear, "Don't let your loose tongue flap out our lord's name out like that. There are many ears listening and many eyes watching. We cant be too careful."
She tried to jerk herself away from his grasp but his hands just tightened as he growled, "I'll take you to him but do what I say. Don't give me away."
Her eyes looked around the small crowd spilling out from the station.
"We are being watched." He added, he didn't need to say it, she could feel whoever's eyes burning into her skin.
He gently tugged her into walking alongside him, silently they walked up some alleyways, leading deeper into London, away from the streetlights. They could hear the footsteps of those who were following getting closer and closer till it felt that they were almost breathing down her neck.
With out any warning, the elf turned and pulled out a sword and yelled into the darkness which pressed heavily upon their souls, "I am the elf named Glorfindel, come out and face your deaths, for none will escape me." Serena eyed the alleyway uneasily, just as she was about to reprimand the elf for being too over cautious she heard running then two figures loomed out the darkness, a man in a business suit with a regimental haircut and a young teenaged girl with heavily darkened eyes and red hair. They eyed the elf for a moment then spoke to him in a low growl, the elf simply replied as he gripped his sword tighter and without warning the two humans simply lunged at him. With a few short blows, Serena watched at they crumpled to the floor, slick with black tar-like blood and then disappeared in flames.
"Orcs." The elf simply said as he wiped clean his sword, "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Glorfindel." He sheathed his sword and guided Serena down the alleyway, not waiting for a reply. He sharply turned and walked up to a derelict building and stepped through the door, muttering he ran his fingers along the floorboards till he found what he was looking for and pulled open a trapdoor.
He gestured that Serena should go down first and she did, half expecting it to be dark but a single flame torch lit the narrow corridor that led to a heavy looking, wooden door, elaborately carved with vinery, foliage and fauna.
She looked at Glorfindel who only smirked and pushed open the door to reveal a large well lit hall, with silk banners hanging between many slender, well carved columns and beautiful flowers grew with unmatched scents in all the world. She could hear the faint rushing of water and silver light bathed the marble floor where she looked to see that where the walls of this hall should be were replaced with a breathtaking view. The elves were occupying vast caverns of caves, where another world grew, lit by some unearthly, beautiful silver like, rather like the moon on the top surface where men walked.
Singing caught her eyes and she knew that even Tolkien's avid description of their voices couldn't even come close to matching the indescribable sound that made her soul dance and sing with joy.
"This is beautiful!" she exclaimed as she struggled to take in such beautiful sights.
"Come, Elrond awaits you." Glorfindel shrugged out of his coat and slumped it over a chair and lead her upwards to a void well carved out by nature and beautifully lit, it was rather like a house, lined with many books, processions and pictures. There she saw the elf who must be Elrond. Timeless was his face as he surveyed her with his deep silver eyes.
"Who is this person you bring to me Glorfindel?" his voice softly enquired as he gestured to Serena to seat herself. She sank down in the comfortable chair and watched the elven lord look from Serena to Glorfindel and back again.
"Well, I didn't get her name..." Glorfindel cast an inquiring eye over Serena who simply replied for him, "I'm Serena."
She saw Elrond's eyes darken as he slowly realised who she was and the danger she brought with her.
"And I want answers." She sat back in the chair, watching Elrond as he leaned against his desk, his eyes never leaving hers as his mind raced with so many thoughts.
AN – Blindgardian – I wrote him in just for you, was going to have another character but felt with your suggestion and persistent urging maybe your idea was better!
:Sayanna The Rover – Boxing day is a national bank holiday in the UK where it's the day after Christmas day where we generally stuff our faces, hang out with loved ones and watch telly and so forth – just a lazy day really!
Meself – interested in the book, looking to get it now!
Thank you for your reviews, glad to know people are enjoying the story. Just a bit worried that this chapter is a bit OTT, a bit much, a bit overdone?
Doesn't flow right?
Let me know as I had another version of this chapter in mind but with less of a twist or adventure to it. Thanks!
The Awakening of the Lioness
In the times you are unconscious, what do you dream about? Do you actually dream? Are you aware of what's happening around you? And more importantly, are you aware that you're unconscious?
Yes the world still spins, the sun still rise as well as the moon and its stars, but what's a year to a person shut off from the world? Seconds? Minutes? Or is it like a slumber? Where the minute you close your eyes is the minute you awake.
For it was almost a year that Serena awoken from her deep slumber, almost a year since that accident and its terrible consequences. And that almost year has taken its consequence not only on her mind but her soul. Memories hazy, light's a sharp pain and the prospect of living day to day shakes the waked to their very core.
Serena awoken alone in a ward, surrounding her were many lifeless bodies and for one crazy moment she thought she was in a morgue. She turned in her bed to see a heart monitor dutifully beeping her pulse, disorientated and groggy, she looked around and screamed. That was how she was reborn into the world, hysteria settling in, nausea rising and panic taking over. She didn't see the nurses run in, nor feel them force her back down on the bed or the sharp twinge of the needle as it slid into her veins and released its cool, velvety heaven which rendered her helpless.
"Where am I?" She called out.
"You are at a hospital, you've been unconscious for a long time."
"How long?"
"Too long."
"Who are you?" Serena groaned as she forced open her eyes to see a nurse leaning over her with a smile pasted on her lips.
"I'm Maria, you take it easy." She tucked her in the bed and cooed over her.
"How long have I been out for?" Serena kept her eyes open, despite the light which made her pupils protest.
"I do not know exactly, we taken you in last December."
"What month is it?" Serena slowly sat up, ignoring Maria's protests that she lay back down.
"It's early December, 2003. you've been out for almost a year." Maria watched Serena as she took in this information.
"What's your name?" Maria moved on, she surveyed the woman lying in bed numb from the prospect of her revelations.
"I don't know." Serena replied, tears rose in her eyes as she griped the bed sheets, "I don't know!" She wailed.
It was later in the week that Maria gave Serena one item of her personal belongings that came in with her. A thick red book. She laid it in Serena's hand and smiled, "This belongs to you." Serena first caressed the leather cover then read the spine, "The Lord of The Rings." She breathed, she slowly opened the first page and began to read, "A Long Expected Party." It came to Serena as she laid in her ward in her dreams. Memories. Of a sweet voice, a masculine face, of desire. She remembered a Christmas unlike any other, a love like any other and all ruined for a painting with her un-named lover's face in it. And always her dreams ended with her waking as she saw a car loom up towards the lamppost, the sickly crunch as she slammed full force through the windscreen. Panting she'll turn to the book and read till she reached the page that left her blood running cold. His name. For the first time ever, she knew. She remembered. It hit her full force and anger was now her fuel.
Revenge.
It was coming to those who deserved it.
She'll find him.
Only this time she'll finish him.
Not love him.
We all have said things at a time of red blooded anger, and Serena's words are no different – though she would like to think she'll carry out her self- designated task.
Mortals have that ability to somewhat cool their most extreme anger before delving headfirst in an act called revenge. But in order to find her answers, first she must seek her quarry.
This was a hard time to Serena, days after remembering the incident that put her there, nameless and loveless in the hospital. She signed herself out with a muddled collection of memories. Where she lived, the place handed down to her via inheritance has now been closed and her friends left. She now had a scar running from her hairline down to the corner of her left eye, where she caught most of the impact when she smashed through the windscreen , colliding with the lamppost and hitting the pavement. From the doctors report, she found she suffered multiple injuries included three broken ribs, numerous factures, severe bleeding of the head, two missing teeth, a punctured lung and severe whiplash. Despite the pain which still burgeoned her after her year long sleep, she was never better.
With no where to go and her only belongings are the clothes donated by Maria, the red book that came in with her and the doctors report, she booked herself into the nearest travel lodge and laid herself down on the bed.
Like a lioness, she needed to smell that faint smell that was her quarry, not regarding how old that track may be.
"Elrond, its me. Our cover been blown. I'm on my way. I'll need you to escort me and Serena." A voice echoed as she screamed, her feet thudding repeatedly against the glass window as she kicked with all her might, tears stinging her eyes as she screamed once again, leaving her lungs sore and legs weak. He looked at her, wide blue eyes that made her lost with awe, but these were filled with pain and regret. His hand tried to reach out but the car disintegrated around them, all she could see was blood as the glass cut her face as she flew, a long scream piercing the darkness.
"Arghh!" Serena jerked upright, panting and sticky with sweat. Her green eyes taking in the dark, unlit room and she knew it was a bad dream.
She rose from the bed still in her clothes and went to wash her face, hoping the cold water will take the last trace of those dreams away, down that dark vortex of a plughole. The sickly yellow light of the bathroom only empathised those dark circles beneath her tired eyes despite playing the role of sleeping beauty for the past year.
Then it came upon her, a faint whisper then it thudded in her head as she made her first discovery. "Elrond."
Legolas was after a man or rather an elf named Elrond. But where can she find him?
She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth as she allowed herself to emerge into that nightmare, reluctantly remembering all those pains. His voice then came to her through those heavy cobwebs. "I'm near Paddington Station."
She smiled, the lioness has caught her first whiff of the scent.
It was ten to eleven, it was a heavy blizzard that left her numb to the cold and she stood there in a demin jacket.
Fool!
Teeth clattering as she wrapped her arms round her body in a pathetic attempt to warm herself up, she walked over to the station and stared at the steps leading down to the trains which waited below. Around her were the last of the passengers as the scurried away to their warm homes with happy families as Serena was faced at the prospect that maybe this wasn't a good idea.
Then a figured loomed out the blizzard and knocked into her heavily, causing her to fall upon the pavement, adding another bruise to her already battle sore body.
"I'm so sorry!" The voice apologised, from its deepness and the large hand that pulled her back to her feet, she could easily tell it was a man.
"No worries." She straightened up, looking up she was greeted by him....in a few blinks she slowly realised that it wasn't Legolas as this man has larger lips which were smiling at her, his eyes were almost silver and his long blonde hair was nearly gold rather than ivory. This man would make a good-looking elf.
"Thought you were someone I knew." She blushed as she turned her jacket collar up, the man smiled then bowed his head, "Believe me miss, if I was a friend of yours, I wouldn't forget your face."
"Thank you." Serena smiled.
"You ok?" he looked at her, she nodded then he smiled, "I apologise once again. Take care little miss." He turned and started to walk away when she looked at his features once again. Damn, that man would make a good- looking elf....hang on!
His pointed ears, despite being hidden by his hair, the offending tips pointed put and she knew she made a vital discovery.
"You! Stop!" she loudly ordered, the man did so and turned, sheepishly he smiled, "Did I not apologise enough?"
"You. You're an elf." She said as she drew up to him, she saw his smile disappearing as he surveyed her, "What are you on about?"
"Your ears. Don't deny it, I need you to take me to an elf named Elrond." She told him but his hand clapped over her mouth as he urgently whispered into her ear, "Don't let your loose tongue flap out our lord's name out like that. There are many ears listening and many eyes watching. We cant be too careful."
She tried to jerk herself away from his grasp but his hands just tightened as he growled, "I'll take you to him but do what I say. Don't give me away."
Her eyes looked around the small crowd spilling out from the station.
"We are being watched." He added, he didn't need to say it, she could feel whoever's eyes burning into her skin.
He gently tugged her into walking alongside him, silently they walked up some alleyways, leading deeper into London, away from the streetlights. They could hear the footsteps of those who were following getting closer and closer till it felt that they were almost breathing down her neck.
With out any warning, the elf turned and pulled out a sword and yelled into the darkness which pressed heavily upon their souls, "I am the elf named Glorfindel, come out and face your deaths, for none will escape me." Serena eyed the alleyway uneasily, just as she was about to reprimand the elf for being too over cautious she heard running then two figures loomed out the darkness, a man in a business suit with a regimental haircut and a young teenaged girl with heavily darkened eyes and red hair. They eyed the elf for a moment then spoke to him in a low growl, the elf simply replied as he gripped his sword tighter and without warning the two humans simply lunged at him. With a few short blows, Serena watched at they crumpled to the floor, slick with black tar-like blood and then disappeared in flames.
"Orcs." The elf simply said as he wiped clean his sword, "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Glorfindel." He sheathed his sword and guided Serena down the alleyway, not waiting for a reply. He sharply turned and walked up to a derelict building and stepped through the door, muttering he ran his fingers along the floorboards till he found what he was looking for and pulled open a trapdoor.
He gestured that Serena should go down first and she did, half expecting it to be dark but a single flame torch lit the narrow corridor that led to a heavy looking, wooden door, elaborately carved with vinery, foliage and fauna.
She looked at Glorfindel who only smirked and pushed open the door to reveal a large well lit hall, with silk banners hanging between many slender, well carved columns and beautiful flowers grew with unmatched scents in all the world. She could hear the faint rushing of water and silver light bathed the marble floor where she looked to see that where the walls of this hall should be were replaced with a breathtaking view. The elves were occupying vast caverns of caves, where another world grew, lit by some unearthly, beautiful silver like, rather like the moon on the top surface where men walked.
Singing caught her eyes and she knew that even Tolkien's avid description of their voices couldn't even come close to matching the indescribable sound that made her soul dance and sing with joy.
"This is beautiful!" she exclaimed as she struggled to take in such beautiful sights.
"Come, Elrond awaits you." Glorfindel shrugged out of his coat and slumped it over a chair and lead her upwards to a void well carved out by nature and beautifully lit, it was rather like a house, lined with many books, processions and pictures. There she saw the elf who must be Elrond. Timeless was his face as he surveyed her with his deep silver eyes.
"Who is this person you bring to me Glorfindel?" his voice softly enquired as he gestured to Serena to seat herself. She sank down in the comfortable chair and watched the elven lord look from Serena to Glorfindel and back again.
"Well, I didn't get her name..." Glorfindel cast an inquiring eye over Serena who simply replied for him, "I'm Serena."
She saw Elrond's eyes darken as he slowly realised who she was and the danger she brought with her.
"And I want answers." She sat back in the chair, watching Elrond as he leaned against his desk, his eyes never leaving hers as his mind raced with so many thoughts.
