Drowning

Jamie woke up by the water, still overrunning its banks. She was dressed in her khaki pants and tank top with her backpack still on. Her head ached a little, but the throbbing was just a dull ache compared to the pain in her chest when she realized where she was. She slowly stood and looked around. She was home. Oh, God! She was home.

"Thelyn," she whispered.

It wasn't fair. How'd she get here? She looked in her backpack, and it was packed just the same. Did she dream it all? Was it just her imagination? She reached up and felt her hair… and gasped. It was still long! It wasn't a dream! Jamie looked at the river and thought about diving in, but thought better of it. That would be foolhardy.

She shouldered her pack and went home. She opened the door and found her mother passed out on the couch with a bottle in her hand. She was so relieved to see her alive, she couldn't bring herself to be appalled or angry about her condition. Jamie just put down her pack and started quietly cleaning up the mess. She put a blanket on her mother and then went into the kitchen and cleaned it too.

About the time she was finishing up, her mother came in, holding her head. "Coffee…" she rasped.

Jamie wordlessly started a pot. Her mother sat at the breakfast bar and drank her coffee in silence and then finally looked at Jamie curiously. "You stay out all night again?"

"Yes," Jamie said.

"You change your hair?" her mother, Melinda asked.

"Yes," Jamie said simply.

"Hmmm," Melinda said and took another sip of coffee.

"Mom?" Jamie asked.

"What?" Melinda said in annoyance.

"You're drowning in whiskey. Are you trying to kill yourself with that bottle?" Jamie asked seriously.

"What of it?" Melinda retorted.

"Don't," Jamie said. "I don't want to lose another parent."

Melinda looked up at her with wide eyes. She was shocked that her daughter would even care. "I'm no parent, Jamie."

"You're my mother, and I love you, no matter what," Jamie said. "You are killing yourself, stop it."

Melinda stared at her daughter in shock as tears filled her eyes. She was right, it was killing her, and no one even cared until this moment. "I don't know how to stop it."

"I'll help you," Jamie said. "Let me help, okay mom?"

"Okay," Melinda said.

The trip home was much easier with Pallando the blue in their company. He had respect among all the inhabitants of the east, and their journey was trouble free. Polodrin and Nyére did not speak of love or commitment, but their friendship grew. Polodrin was just happy she decided to come with them. It was late fall when the riders finally arrived in Emyn Arnen. Faramir greeted the riders, and hugged his son.

"Welcome home, son," he said and then looked back at Aragorn. "Your country awaits you, Elessar."

"It will wait another day," Aragorn said. "Let's rest here and take the boat home tomorrow."

"Then we'll have a celebration tonight," Faramir said. He looked around for Jamie. "Where's Jamie?"

No one spoke right away, but Thelyn looked at Pallando and frowned.

"I sent her home," Pallando said.

Aragorn sighed, "Allow me to present Pallando, the blue wizard."

"Welcome, Lord," Faramir said.

Pallando sighed, "Thank you. I will be moving on alone tomorrow," he said to Aragorn. "I enjoyed your company."

"And I yours," Aragorn said.

Pallando gave him a nod, and everyone broke up to get settled in. But Thelyn waited until he and Pallando were alone and confronted him.

"And what of your promise to find me a solution?" Thelyn asked.

"Peace, Elf, I have not gone back on my word. The moon is full tonight, and I will send you to retrieve her," Pallando said. "Come, I will discuss it with you."

Polodrin and Nyére walked along the battlements as the sun was setting. It was quiet here, for the guard on the walls was minimal and concentrated by the gates. Polodrin was pleased to see her wearing a gown. She was going to remind him of Snow White forever.

"My lady Snow, will you wed me and stay in Emyn Arnen?" he asked.

"What would your people say?" she asked.

"Don't think of others, think of you and me," he said. "Do you not love me, Nyére?"

Nyére looked up into his eyes that shone with such tenderness, "I love you, Polodrin. I would be honored to wed you and be your wife."

Polodrin smiled almost boyishly and lifted a hand to her cheek to wipe away a tear that fell. He bent down and kissed her softly and then whispered, "Why do you cry?"

"Because I thought my name was my fate," she said. "But my name is sorrow no longer. From now on, I will be your lady Snow White and live in joy as the princess in the story did."

Polodrin pulled her close in a tender embrace, "I will speak to my father. When shall we wed?"

"As soon as he permits," Nyére said. "We have courted long enough."

Polodrin smiled, "I knew you could not resist me."

"Are all men so arrogant?" she asked.

"Confident, my love, confident," he said as he bent down and kissed the top of her head.

Nyére looked up at him, "I come to you with nothing but my heart."

"That, dearest Snow, is the greatest treasure in all the land," he said and then he kissed her. Nyére reached up and buried her hands in his hair, clinging to him. Polodrin moaned softly against her lips and lifted her off the catwalk. Her lips parted slightly as she tried to catch her breath, and his tongue teased hers playfully. He spun her around and set her down before breaking their kiss. He stared at her with passion is his eyes.

"I would wed you tonight if I thought my father would allow it, but he must prepare a feast for the occasion. There will be family to invite," he said.

"We can wait," Nyére said. "That is only proper."

Polodrin nodded and wrapped his cloak around her, "Come, fairest in the land, let me escort you to your chamber. The night grows chill."

After dinner, Thelyn met Pallando in the great courtyard by the water garden. Pallando stood there waiting with staff in hand.

"Are you sure you understand the terms?" Pallando asked.

"I understand," Thelyn said. "If she doesn't want to return to Middle Earth, I must return alone."

"You will have one day to convince her, by tomorrow night at moonrise, you will have to leave," Pallando said.

"Yes, the river, I remember. Now get on with it," Thelyn said.

Pallando raised his staff, and the courtyard seemed to be covered in a thick mist that gathered around Thelyn. Pallando looked at the pool and was satisfied that all was ready.

"Dive in, and good luck," he said.

Thelyn fearlessly dove headfirst into the shallow pond and disappeared. From across the courtyard there was a shout, "No!"

Alcon ran across the courtyard and Pallando caught him before he could follow.

"He will return," Pallando said, trying to calm him. "He had to go."

"I know why he went," Alcon said. "But I can't let him go alone, please."

Pallando released him. "Go then."

Alcon dove in the same way Thelyn had, and he too disappeared. Pallando stood leaning on his staff a moment and sighed. "Young love…"

Thelyn's head burst up out of the water and he gasped for air. He thought he was drowning, and the water was moving quickly. It was icy cold, and he swam for shore and grabbed a log that was jutting out from shore. He climbed from the water, and heard a familiar call. He turned just in time to see Alcon grab the same log. He ran to help him from the torrent.

"What are you doing here?" Thelyn demanded.

"Helping you find my future sister in law," Alcon said. "You didn't think I'd let you go on an adventure like this without me, did you?"

Thelyn smiled, "All right, you can come."

Alcon smirked, "Thanks."

They were drenched, and had no idea where to look. Thelyn looked around at the forest. The trees were immense and… red. Jamie said they were redwoods, now he understood.

"This must be her forest, but how do we start looking?" Alcon asked.

"This is a well worn path, let's follow it," Thelyn suggested.

Jamie sat on the deck in a white cotton sundress with a glass of lemonade, soaking up a little sun. It had been almost a year since her accident and subsequent return, and in a few weeks she'd be eighteen. Her mother had been in and out of rehab twice now, but seemed to be managing her problem now. It was amazing to learn she actually had a personality when she wasn't hammered. Jamie's thoughts drifted to Middle Earth and her friends there. She missed them, but most of all she missed Thelyn. It was good that she was able to help her mother, but she was going to be okay. She'd met a guy at her Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and they seemed to be good for each other. If Jamie could make a wish, she'd wish to go back to Thelyn.

"Jamie, you'll burn if you stay out too long?" Melinda said as she stepped out onto the deck. She looked at her daughter who stared longingly into the woods. "You can go if you want," she said.

Jamie was shook from her thoughts by the seeming permission she'd just been given. "What?"

"Into the woods," her mother clarified. "You don't have to baby sit me, Jamie, I'll be fine. Go for a hike if you wish."

"The woods have lost their charm," Jamie said sadly. "The only woods I'd like to see are the ones in Ithilien."

Melinda furrowed her brow in confusion, "Is that by Carmel?"

Jamie smiled ironically. She couldn't even explain what happened. "No mother, it's not around here. It's just a place I imagined visiting once."

Melinda smiled and sat down. "Those are the best places, the ones you imagine. Tell me about it."

Jamie sighed, "It was a nice place, like in fairy tales. There were Elves there, and it was summer."

"Ah, yes. The Elves of summer," Melinda said with a giggle. "Go on."

Jamie was a little annoyed at her mother's joking attitude. "Never mind, it is just a joke to you."

Melinda was surprised by the change in Jamie's tone. "I'm sorry; I forget what it was like to be young."

"It doesn't matter," Jamie said. "It was just a dream."

Jamie stared at her lemonade, but her mother just stood up and looked out into the woods.

"Uh, Jamie, what did your elves look like?" Melinda asked with a catch in her voice.

Jamie sighed, "The first elves I met were brothers, identical twins with long red hair and bright, happy green eyes…" Jamie stopped when she felt her mother shaking her. "Hey, mom, the lemonade…"

"Jamie, look!"

Jamie looked and gasped, dropping her lemonade on the deck. She slowly stood and looked across their small yard to the tree line where two tall red haired elves stood. Her knees felt weak when she saw them. Her eyes immediately identified Thelyn and he smiled at her.

"Jamie?" Thelyn asked.

"Thelyn? Alcon? How'd you get here?" she asked as she walked to the railing for support.

The two elves crossed her yard, and Jamie's mother just stared. "Jamie, who are these men? Why are they dressed like that?"

"I beg your pardon, Lady, we are not men," Alcon said formally.

"Mom, the story I told, was not a dream, it was real. These are Elves, and the ears are real." Jamie said quickly. "It's no joke."

Thelyn halted on the steps in front of Jamie so that they were at eye level. His smile was disarming, and Jamie returned it.

"Jamie, my love, come with me," he whispered.

"Oh, no," Melinda said firmly. "Who are you?"

"Mom, this is Thelyn, and his brother Alcon," Jamie said. "This is my mother."

Both of them bowed to her respectfully. "We are pleased to meet the mother of so fine a lady," Thelyn said. "I know for you this is sudden, but we came to bring her home."

"This is her home," Melinda said nervously. She didn't like the way this was going at all.

"No, mom, this was my home," Jamie said. "My home is with Thelyn now. Please wish me well and let me go."

"I seek your blessing, lady, and the hand of your daughter in marriage," Thelyn said.

Melinda stepped back a moment, trying to wrap her mind around the situation. "Where are you taking her?"

"To Ithilien, our home," Alcon said. "You have our word she will be well cared for."

Melinda looked at the one called Thelyn and the love in his eyes. She understood that look all too well. It was the look she'd gotten from a brash your fisherman some eighteen years ago. She sighed. "Invite them inside for dinner, Jamie. We'll talk about it."

Dinner was a little awkward. The elves were not used to seeing modern appliances, or electric light fixtures. There was little conversation at all, and finally Thelyn had enough of the silence.

"What have you here?" he asked Jamie's mother.

"I have the house, and my job, and Jamie," she said.

"Do you care about your… job?" Thelyn asked.

"Not really, it pays the bills," she admitted.

"Your house, is it not just a roof above you?" Thelyn pressed.

"Yes," Melinda admitted. "What are you driving at young man?"

Thelyn let the man comment slide and looked at her seriously. "Come with us," he said. "You can live with me and Jamie."

"Indeed," Alcon agreed. "Our house is large enough, it was our parents' home and quite large. You'll have your own room."

Melinda looked at Jamie, "What's it like?" she asked, suddenly intrigued by the idea.

"Nothing modern, no electricity, no indoor plumbing… nothing," Jamie said seriously. "And it's wonderful."

Melinda looked at Thelyn with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, "You sure you want your mother in law in your house?"

Thelyn just smiled, "Families are very close where we are from. We will… tolerate you."

Jamie just elbowed him and smirked, "You can come with us, or you can stay, but I am going mom. After all, I'll be eighteen in just a couple of weeks. There's really nothing you can say about it."

Thelyn turned to Jamie, "Two weeks?" he asked. "But it has only been a few months."

"Not here," Jamie said.

Melinda just watched the exchange with a smile. "You can go," she said. "But I'm going to stay."

"What on earth for?" Jamie asked.

"I'm not the nature lover you are, and I think I might have another reason," Melinda said.

"Oh, Jake from AA," Jamie said sarcastically.

"What can I say, I'm weak," Melinda said. "When are you leaving?"

Thelyn looked out the window and gasped when he saw how dark it was getting. "Right now," he said. "Give your mother a hug, we have to go."

Everyone rose from the table, and Jamie hugged her mother. Thelyn gave Melinda a bow, "Are you sure you will not come with us?"

"I'm sure," Melinda said. "Go on, you have my blessing."

The Elves escorted Jamie down the back steps and across the yard. The sun had set, and it was getting dark fast. Alcon remembered the way they had come and led them. They returned to the river by where they crawled out.

"Here?" Jamie asked.

"This is where we came out," Thelyn said.

"Well, that's not where I fell in," Jamie said. "I fell in up there," she said, pointing.

"That is where we emerged from the water, we merely climbed out here," Alcon said.

Thelyn nodded, "Show us," he said.

Jamie led them up along the ledge and stopped by the spot where shed fallen. The water swirled strangely there and Thelyn looked up for the moon. He knew they would want to stay together if they could.

"Jamie, hold on to me, and we'll all jump together," Thelyn said.

Alcon nodded his agreement, and as the moonlight hit the water, the three of them jumped in. They all felt drawn down, and Thelyn held tightly to Jamie. Jamie thought she was drowning, like there was no where to surface. Everything seemed to go black and Jamie finally couldn't hold her breath another second, and she knew she would drown… On the brink of happiness, it was over.

Jamie woke up in a soft bed with a fire going in the fireplace. She sat up, recognizing the room as the one she'd slept in at Thelyn and Alcon's house. Her chest ached from the overwhelming relief and joy she felt being back in Middle Earth. She threw the covers off and was about to run out the door when she realized she was just wearing a big shirt. She stopped and looked around. Her sundress was hanging near the fire and was dry, so she put it on. It was sleeveless, but modest enough, and nearly ankle length, so she ventured out of her room.

Silivren greeted her. "You are awake," she said brightly. "Come and sit and eat."

"Where are the twins?" Jamie asked. "Are they alright?"

"Oh, yes, they are fine; they went to Minas Tirith right after they brought you in. Thelyn said something about needing permission from the King."

Jamie rolled her eyes, "Oh, well how long will that take?"

"I would expect them tomorrow sometime. We have to go to Emyn Arnen for my brother's wedding," Silivren said.

Jamie looked at her in surprise, "Polodrin? He's getting married?"

"Yes, to a very lovely Elf named Snow," Silivren said.

Jamie smiled knowingly, "I wondered how long it would take them to get together."

"Not long apparently, and she blames it on you, but happily so," Silivren said and then gave Jamie a hug. "Thank you for making my brother so happy. She is good for him."

Jamie smiled, "I was glad to do it."

"Yes, and I believe you will make another brother quite happy," Silivren added as she brought a bowl of fruit to the table. "Thelyn was beaming when he carried you in this morning. He said, 'take care of my girlfriend. When I return she will be my betrothed.'"

Jamie smiled, "He'll have to ask me first."

"He will, as soon as he can," Silivren said. "Now, eat."