A/N...This one's a little short, too.
Chapter 5 - Bad News
Jocelyn's face lit, and she turned to Edeline.
"My sister! Leyna is here!" She shouted, taking hold of Edeline's shoulders. The Queen smiled at her, pleased to see such joy, but a bit taken aback. Jocelyn finally shot out of the room and outside, where Leyna was standing next to a chestnut brown mare.
Leyna's face lit upon seeing her sister as well, and she opened her arms for Jocelyn's speeding body to crash into a monstrous embrace. They giggled and jumped up and down for a moment, before Jocelyn finally pulled away.
"Leyna, I'm so glad to see you!" She exclaimed, but also noted the joy on Leyna's face was lessened by an unidentifiable sadness in her eyes. "What is it?"
Leyna smiled grimly. "I am surprised you can read me so well, since we have only spent a few days together."
"What is it, Leyna?" Jocelyn insisted. Leyna smiled sadly and looked to the ground.
"Ada is sick." She said so softly, Jocelyn's half-Elven ears had to strain to hear it.
"Ada is sick." Jocelyn repeated detachedly, no trace of happiness left on her face. "How?"
Leyna shook her head. "I do not know. I only know we must fetch Nana immediately."
Jocelyn nodded slowly. "We must go at once." She stated earnestly, with a more determined expression on her face than any Leyna had seen. So, she just nodded vigorously, agreeing with her sister. Jocelyn took Leyna's hand and sped off to find Legolas.
A servant directed them toward the King's study, where detailed maps of the forest were kept. They rushed in to find him discussing actions with a soldier over a large map spread over a round table. The Elves looked up to see the identical half Elves rush in.
"Jocelyn? Leyna?" Legolas questioned curiously. 'What could've brought her back here?' He wondered. He didn't have to wonder long. Jocelyn spilled the news like water rushing out of a broken dam.
"Our father is sick, Legolas. We must go to Earth to get our mother."
Legolas furrowed his brow. "I am sorry to hear such sad news. Of course you will go. I will send a few soldiers with you." He said, without thinking. The soldier in the room cleared his throat.
"Excuse me, Prince Legolas, but I do not believe we have any soldiers to spare. They are all on guard at the palace or patrolling the wood or fighting the orcs."
Legolas sighed. "I guess I got ahead of myself. I should not have sent so many away." The distressed Prince scolded himself and slammed a fist on the desk. Jocelyn was about to put a hand on his arm, or say something to make him feel better when he pointed a finger at her and Leyna.
"I will not let you go alone." He vowed, and grabbed Jocelyn's arm, dragging her outside the door.
"You will take Tyron with you. Two elleths are not safe in these woods. No matter how much you love Calenmir, and how sick he is, I will not allow you to go into the woods without protection." He stated confidently.
"But," Jocelyn began in a hushed tone, though there was no one else around, "I thought you didn't trust him with me." She would've protested at his statement that he wouldn't let her go, but she was too amazed that he actually wanted Tyron with her.
Legolas's crystal blue eyes bored into hers. "I don't. But I trust you with him. He will not let anything happen to you. I can only spare one guard, though you know I'd send the entire Mirkwood Army if I could."
Jocelyn chuckled. "Tyron is as good as the entire Mirkwood Army when it comes to protecting me." She said, but immediately regretted it. She quickly looked into his eyes to see if there was any jealousy in them. But there was only concern.
"That both frightens and comforts me." He said softly, before kissing her forehead and pulling her back into the study to inform her sister of the plans.
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They weren't sure if they would be able to find Tyron. He had taken a leave of absence from duty at the palace, and hadn't been seen around Mirkwood for weeks. Thankfully, he was spotted riding into the city just hours later. No one questioned where he had gone, Legolas just took him aside to beg his assistance.
"Look, Tyron, I know we have not exactly gotten along in the past, but I need you now. You are a servant of the city and of the Prince. I need you to accompany Jocelyn and Leyna to Earth."
"Yes, sire." Tyron agreed, no questions asked. He didn't ask why they were going to Earth, how they were going to get there (since most of the Elves didn't know about the portal), or what it would be like once they got there.
Tyron went to pack a small pack from his house, and Legolas readied the women. He kissed Jocelyn deeply for a long moment, before realizing Leyna was still standing there. He pulled away quickly, and whispered in her ear.
"A min mella lle. Be careful, Jocelyn." Jocelyn thought that had a double meaning, but she didn't question it any further. Legolas cast a look and a smile to Leyna. "Take care of your sister too, Leyna. It is good to see you again, though the circumstances are not ideal."
She smiled and nodded at him before taking her sister's hand and climbing on their horses. Tyron trotted beside them.
"Ready?" He looked from Jocelyn to Leyna, with amazement in his eyes. They were so perfectly alike.
As they trotted out of the city, Jocelyn threw one last look at her fiance, who was watching them go.
"I know it's only for a few weeks, but I hate leaving him."
Tyron cast a glance back at Jocelyn, catching her eye. They looked at each other for a moment, Tyron took in the pained look on her face, and Jocelyn was captured sadly by the hurt look in his eyes. No matter how hard he tried, Tyron couldn't shake the longing for that woman. He attempted to talk to her several times during the trip to the portal, but he could never find the words nor the opportunity. So, he satisfied himself with memorizing the details of her face.
Jocelyn knew the way to the portal better than he, so she took the lead. Before long, they had to stop to sleep. It was night when they left the city, and the dark heaviness of the forest made them extra weary.
Somehow, though, when she lay down next to Leyna, her curiosity got the better of her drowsiness. After all, she didn't really know much about her twin.
"Leyna?" She whispered.
"Hm?" Leyna grunted back.
"You awake?" Jocelyn jabbed her in the ribs with her elbow. Leyna grumbled again.
"I am now."
"Good. I have some things to ask you." Jocelyn began.
The twins learned a lot about each other that night. They stayed awake talking until the horses started to stir, their internal clocks telling them it was morning, even though the sun hadn't risen high enough to filter through the branches above.
Jocelyn told Leyna all about her close relationship with her mother, and all about her experience coming to Middle Earth. And Leyna told Jocelyn about the close relationship with her father, and the story of her and Legolas's relationship. They told tales of childhood friendships and mischief.
When they rose to continue their short journey, Jocelyn felt a better understanding with her sister. She wanted to be close to her, and hoped dearly that the business with Legolas would not stand in the way of that.
"Wake up you two." Tyron whispered. They had drifted for about an hour of deep sleep. Truthfully, Tyron had stayed up with them, listening to them telling the tale of their lives to each other. And he felt an affinity, an identification with Leyna. He knew how she felt, having to watch the one you love be happy with someone else.
After a small breakfast, they continued for a while until they reached the clearing. Jocelyn and Leyna explained to Tyron what to think about when he closed their eyes. He was the only one of the three who hadn't been to Earth before.
The first smile Jocelyn had seen on Tyron's face came when they opened their eyes in Earth. She guessed he got a kick out of the falling sensation.
"Okay, come on. This way." Jocelyn led them toward her home, not letting Tyron any time to wonder on this other world, or ask questions.
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A/N...so they're on their way to get Anna. The twins are starting their friendship...and who knows what Tyron's thinking.
TPfan333 - Muahhaha! The plans for Tyron start here. Legolas's decision to send him with the girls is pivotal. I'm excited now! I can't wait for you to read more and tell me what you think!
Siriuszsecretlover - Yeah, Tyron's a sad, sad Elf. Good to hear from you, though! Talk to ya later!
Childofgod-4ever - well, I did say once that the story takes place 22 years after the LOTR movies came out. But the Fellowship of the Ring hasn't happened yet. I haven't gotten much into how Jocelyn feels about the War of the Ring, since she does already know all about it. Maybe she thinks it's already happened, or maybe she hasn't thought that much about it at all. There hasn't been much time for discussing that. I guess she wasn't curious about it, because she already knew what happened (or was going to happen). That was a good question, though.
I'm sorry my story has some discrepancies. I just hope the characters and the emotions can make up for it! Keep reviewing!
Nessa Inwe - Too lazy, eh? Yeah, I get that way too, sometimes. Thanks for the review!
GinnyPotter4eva - Sorry, the chapter was a lil short. This one was, too. But, I update pretty quickly, don't I?
In Edeline's defense, she didn't know Jocelyn's feelings on the subject. She wasn't trying to be mean. I guess I unintentionally made the Queen a little slow on the uptake of things. She's a happy go lucky Elf. Even though she's older, she still acts like an excited little Elfling sometimes, have you noticed?
Well, I'm glad you're my friend now!! : ) Keep Reviewing!
Ilenya the Fair - I'm glad I gave some acceptable suggestions. I like the name Ilenya. If you did make it up, props to you!
Artria - You didn't review last chapter! You're falling down on the job! Come on get with the program! ; ) JP!
-Austin B.