Chapter 8 - House of Tears
"Let Sleeping Elves Lie"
A black stone building sat at the base of a sheer mountain. Miles of dead plain opened up before it. Dozens of huts and makeshift wood buildings surrounded it. An Elf burst out of the door of the black building, shouting some things. Immediately, orcs sprung from every hut and house, standing at attention. The Elf wore dark clothing, some of it tattered, but he seemed very proud. Or maybe it was arrogance. His eyes were white, bordered between the white of his eyeball by a thin black ring.
"Go down to the mine, I want double output today! And make more arrowheads. You take ten to the edge of the forest to make some shafts and bows. You start a traveling party down to Fangorn." The Elf shouted orders at different orcs. The one he told to start the traveling party walked meekly up to him as the others dispersed to their assigned tasks.
"But sire, Fangorn? What could you want from there?" He rasped. The Elf looked angrily down at him, but spoke quietly.
"A Morambar." The orc's mouth dropped, and he stepped back. He stuttered a few objections, but the Elf's white eyes gleamed in anger.
"Just avoid Lorien and don't be seen." He ordered, and spun on his heel to storm back into his home. Slamming the weak lean-to door closed, his boots clomped loudly on the wood floor. He mumbled to himself as he picked up his sword, swinging it precariously as he paced. A high pitched, glass shattering shriek could be heard, muffled, from somewhere behind his home. The Elf rolled his eyes and grabbed a bucket of innards from beside the door and went around back.
There was a plank of wood leaned up against the vertical side of the mountain behind his home, and he tossed it aside. A dark corridor led into the mountain, and he took the torch from the wall. A ways in, the passage opened up into a room. At the back of the room were four cages.
Inside the cages paced dark creatures. They looked as if they could have been Elves once, but their faces were contorted, and their eyes looked like blood. Their black robes were tattered, and their thin sickly looking black hair nearly reached the ground. Where their robes did not cover their body (hands, neck, face) their skin was transparent, and the purplish blue veins underneath could be seen.
Upon seeing him enter, holding the bucket, they all shrieked excitedly. The Elf scrunched up his face in disgust and tossed some innards through the bars of each cage. Immediately, the dark creatures swarmed the 'food' and took a moment to tilt their faces to the sky and shriek before returning to their 'meal'.
The Elf returned to his home and continued pacing, swinging his sword as he liked to do. He talked out loud to himself.
"Yes, soon. I am powerful enough, I have a decent army. A few thousand less than Thranduil's, but they will be so surprised that it won't matter I am slightly outnumbered. I have my Raukos and will soon have a Morambar as well. Once I conquer the palace, the inhabitants of the city and soldiers will fall to my command. The makings of my empire. I will have all the healers I could drain for the rest of my lifetime." He smiled happily, and slumped into a chair, taking a questionable looking leg of meat that was left on the end table and biting off it.
"Yes, soon. Mirkwood will be mine."
They rode into Rivendell at twilight. Jocelyn, Anna, and Leyna were all writhing in anticipation and anxiety. They ended up breaking their horses into a run once they got inside the city.
When they arrived at their house, Tyron observed from behind all three of them attempting to get through the door at the same time.
(A/N...anyone seen the three stooges?)
When they all finally pushed their way through, they found Gandalf, of all people, at the door to Calenmir's bedroom.
"Ah, I see you've finally arrived." He said, half smiling, when he saw all three women out of breath standing in front of him. He thought they looked ready to plow him down to get inside to see the sick Elf. They just panted for a second, staring at him. Then they all started talking at once.
Gandalf held his hands up for silence, and they complied.
"Calenmir has been sleeping for a few days, now. He is very weak, as he hasn't eaten. I suspect he is fading. He can see one visitor at a time. But not for very long. Then, I will answer your questions if you have any." Gandalf looked at each one of them, to be sure they understood. His eyes lingered on Anna, reading the play of emotions in her eyes.
"Anna will go in first." He smiled at her, and she smiled thankfully back as best as she could through the worry and sadness.
When she entered the bedroom, Calenmir was lying peacefully on his large bed against the back wall. His hands were folded over his chest, and his breathing was shallow but even. Anna walked cautiously to his side, and leaned over to see his face. It was paler than she remembered. She pulled a chair over and sat next to the bed, placing one of her hands atop his.
Her breathing wavered, and a tear slid down her cheek. She didn't bother to wipe it away. It ran down her neck and onto her shirt. She just held his hand and tried not to break down completely.
For the first time since she'd come to Middle Earth, Anna noticed her pendant. The star was glowing dimly, although their whole family was together in their house. Anna nearly cried out loud upon seeing this. It was not a good sign. It meant he was barely hanging on. If he was to pass on, their stars would go out completely. Anna lay her head gently on Calenmir's arm, and took a few deep calming breaths. She kissed his forehead before turning to leave. But she didn't feel that was enough. So, she turned back and kissed his lips quickly and softly before leaving.
Anna had a hard time not bursting into tears as she exited the room. Jocelyn held her and soothed her while Leyna went in next. She just stood by her father's bed side and talked to him. From outside the room, they could hear her teary voice, though the words could not be made out.
Her eyes were red and bleary when she came out. Leyna dove into her mother and sister's embrace for a moment, before releasing Jocelyn and allowing her to visit her father as well.
Jocelyn stood back from his bed and cautiously approached it. She sat in the chair Anna had pulled up and uneasily placed her hand in Calenmir's.
"Ada?" She whispered, then nearly laughed at herself. He couldn't hear her. But, talking to him made her feel better, and just maybe, deep down, he could hear her and follow her voice. So she continued.
"I'm sorry Ada. Maybe if I didn't leave the first time, mom would've stayed, and this wouldn't have happened. I love you. Please get better. For momma. For me. And for Leyna. We all need you so much."
She couldn't continue. The tears choked her speech, and she buried her face into the blankets of her father's bed. Squeezing his hand one last time, she rushed from the room, unable to be in his presence any longer. Seeing him like that, not being able to do anything more for him made her crazy. She wanted to help him so badly. She'd just have to pray.
Her mother kissed her forehead, and Leyna's arm found its way around Jocelyn's shoulder. The rest of the day, the family spent in that house. Many different healers came and went. Even Lord Elrond himself came to see if he could aid his old friend.
Gandalf found Leyna alone a moment and took the chance to speak with her. She leaned on him and he wrapped an arm around her.
"My dear Leyna" he began, "my dear Leyna has something new in her eyes." He whispered down to her, and she looked up at him.
"Gandalf? What do you mean?" She furrowed her brow at his mysterious talk, as she always had. He just smiled and went off on other topics. Leyna was too tired to persist. And she liked talking with her old friend about other things. Gandalf talked lightly for a while before saying his goodnights. From their cottage, he went straight to find Elrond, for something dark had been troubling his mind.
"Elrond." Gandalf said immediately, upon entering Elrond's room. "I must seek council with you."
"What is it, Mirthrandir, that troubles you so?" Elrond asked, concerned.
"I fear a threat from the North. From the Grey Mountains. I feel the malice toward the world of Elves. It is growing. An evil wishes to spread its clutches over Mirkwood. But it will not stop there. It will reach its darkness over all of Middle Earth!" Gandalf panted, and Elrond looked intently at the wizard.
"I will keep wary." The Lord of Rivendell answered, and turned his attention to other things. Gandalf stood there, wondering what else he could do. Elrond would not take enough action, he knew. So, Gandalf left for his own room to ponder.
Tyron, this whole time, had been standing back, watching the family. When the sun began to set, Jocelyn noticed him for the first time since they'd entered the house. He was standing back toward the wall, seemingly staring at nothing. She approached him.
"Tyron." She started, but his sad dark blue eyes on hers suffocated her. "I'm sorry." She blurted. "I am so sorry I accused you of lying. It was just that you had lied to me before and Leyna didn't see that Ada was sick..." Jocelyn rambled, then trailed off as she caught her breath. Tyron half smirked.
"Jocelyn, you need not apologize any further. I accept."
Jocelyn breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh good, I'm so glad. Please, you can sit with us." She took his wrist and led him to the couch, where her sister and mother were sitting. Tyron sat next to Leyna, and smiled at her when she looked at him. Jocelyn did not miss this act, and narrowed her eyes at him as she sat in a chair across from them.
After eating as much as their traumatized bodies would allow, the family decided to try to sleep. Though all of them knew not much sleep would be had that night. Leyna insisted Jocelyn take her bed, and Anna slept in on the floor. Tyron took the couch, and no one asked Leyna where she'd be sleeping. They were all settled in as she was still bustling about making sure they had enough blankets and getting some last minute snack for herself.
She blew out the candle in the kitchen, and took one to go in the living room. But Tyron was standing there, obstructing her path.
"Ah! Tyron, I nearly dropped my candle!" Leyna clamped a hand to her heart.
"Forgive me, Leyna. I did not mean to scare you." He said gently, placing a soothing hand on her arm. Leyna looked at him for a long moment before the awkwardness of the silence got to her.
"Okay. I think I'll be sleeping on the floor in my room." She made to move past him, but he stepped in front of her. His eyes held curiosity and excitement, which puzzled her, since hers held more anger than anything.
"Ahem. I cannot walk through you. So you will have to move." She stated irritably. She had a very trying day.
"Listen, Leyna. Your personality is so magnetic, I can't help but want to know you better." He took a step toward her, his blue eyes searching hers for any indication that she returned his feelings. She did not step away, and her expression did not change. "I understand that it is a very emotional and tragic time for you. So let me help. Talk to me, maybe I can do something for you."
"What could you do for me? I have two other people who understand what I see perfectly well." She snapped, and immediately regretted her harsh words. He furrowed his brow and stepped away from her.
"Getting the view point from outside eyes can help sometimes." He stated calmly.
"I'm sorry, Tyron. I just can't help but feel like I'm your second choice. You couldn't have my sister, so you decided to try for me. I'm the next best thing, right? We look so much alike you could pretend I was her. You could keep me, a part of her, since you can't have her?" Leyna sought answers. Tyron furrowed his brow, hurt evident on his face and in his eyes.
"No, Leyna. I do not want Jocelyn. I want...you. I want to talk to you, get to know you. And honestly, I'm sick of being accused of these terrible things!" He threw his arms in the air in exasperation.
"Okay, okay I'm sorry. I just wanted to know the truth."
"That is the truth." He said, such pleading in his eyes that Leyna's heart nearly broke.
"Okay." She stated in acceptance and took his arm, leading him back to the living room. They sat next to each other and talked into the wee hours of the morning. With each word, each breath, Tyron's heart reached our more and more to Leyna. The things she said, her outlook on life, was interesting and intriguing. By the time the sun began to peek over the horizon, the conversation slowed out of weariness and Leyna was just starting to nod off on Tyron's shoulder. He was already fast asleep, in a sitting position, his head tilted back.
When Anna came out of Leyna's room in the morning, they were curled up together, wrapped in each other's arms. She paused a moment, examining the situation, before smiling softly and going in to check on Calenmir.
Jocelyn, however, was not so nice. Upon seeing her sister's precarious position, she immediately woke her.
"Leyna Anessendi! Wake up! What are you doing?" Leyna jolted up and stared at her sister in confusion. Why the hell was she yelling at her? Then, she looked back and saw Tyron rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
"Jocelyn." Leyna started, trying to calm her sister. "This is not what it looks like."
"No? What is it then?" Jocelyn's foot tapped madly on the floor, her hands on her hips. Anna peeked around the corner from the kitchen discreetly, watching the display.
"We were talking late last night and we just fell asleep. I don't know how we ended up like that." Leyna insisted. Tyron nodded his head from behind her to support her story. Jocelyn narrowed her eyes at them skeptically, then decided she was sick of falsely accusing people and feeling bad. She was also too drained emotionally to put up much of a fight. So, she shrugged and went to the kitchen for breakfast.
Leyna looked back to Tyron with a half worried half amused look on her face. He suddenly erupted into a fit of laughter. Leyna stared at him a moment before bursting into giggles. She shooshed him and contained her laughter as best she could, so they could not hear in the kitchen.
A/N...what was up with the beginning of this chapter, huh? Who's that bad Elf with the orcs and the Raukos?
You see what I did there? Do ya? Do ya see? That's mystery, right there my friends! I am so excited it's insane.
Do you realize that from chapter 7 of this story, I have only one less review than my first story Of Friends and Lovers, and that story had like 17 chapters. Isn't that ridiculous? I'm not too proud of that story anymore...I used to be, which is kind of sad. Anyway, this update is getting very long, and I still have to thank my reviewiers, so I'll get on with it.
Great job reviewing the last chapter, you guys! Keep it up!!
Goddess Diana, Shanelover1 and...
GinnyPotter4eva - Hey, whenever you can review, I will be happy. Better late than never! Yeah, Jocelyn was SO guilt ridden it was ridiculous. Her family's together, but her father's not really with them. Will he ever be well again? Tune in next time! LOL Keep reviewing!! : )
Reiko - Mika Saito!!! OMG I MISSED YOU!! I haven't heard from you since like, the end of What's My Name Again?! And Tador!! OMG WHY HASEN'T SHE REVIEWED THIS YET??? I haven't heard from her since chapter 20 of WMNA! I MISS HER TOO!! Be sure to tell her that! Okay, anyway, thanks for your opinion on the Anna/Calenmir deal. I'm still considering it. Thanks for reviewing, and tell Tador what I said!! : )
KT - You are amazing. Your reviews always help me SO much and make me feel SO good about my story and my characters and my writing and...EVERYTHING!
Leyna and Tyron seem to fit good together, don't you think? I mean, she's a lot more outspoken and just takes life by the balls. Pardon the expression. I'm not quite sure what their relationship will develop into, but I am relatively sure that Tyron is okay now. He feels SUPER terrible about lying to Jocelyn before and about that stupid demand he made of Legolas. Now he really just wants to get over her. And he wants to be happy, he's thinking maybe Leyna can help him with that.
Oh geez, have I given too much away yet? Lol
You're a genius, too, did you know that? Your suggestions were brilliant. I rewrote my outline for the story (For about the fifth time) and I am SO excited for you to read what I have planned! I try not to get too far ahead of my updates, but sometimes I just get inspired and I'm afraid that if I stop writing, the inspiration will go away, you know? So, I'm pretty far ahead of my updates, and I have some exciting stuff planned! Thank you so much for all your unconditional support! I love having you for a reviewer!
I'm still kind of confused on the Elvish language though. I'm not sure who to go with on that subject. I'll continue checking into it, though it isn't necessary to use Elvish at all in my story, I don't suppose. I kind of like using it, though. Well anyway, this is getting real long. No, I don't know what a dark Elf is. But thank you for your review. I love long reviews! Lol anywho, hope you enjoyed the chapter! Hope to hear from you soon!
Nessa Inwe - Yeah, gold stars rock. You get another one just for being you! Keep reviewing! : )
TPfan333 - I'm not sure yet what'll happen with Leyna and Tyron. But it sure seems like they're heading down that road, doesn't it?
Ilenya the Fair - Both Faramir and Legolas arguments are pretty convincing. I'd still go with Legolas though. Faramir was mean to Frodo in TTT. Poor little Frodo. Hey, between Elijah Wood and Orlando Bloom, who would you pick? -Well, thanks for reviewing anyway!
HipHopMarmalade - Thanks for your opinion and your review! I agree, I like the Jocelyn/Legolas series better, too. PS great screen name! Keep reviewing!
Artria - Dear, dear Artria. You know me so well. There will always be drama in the story.
Old guy butt grabbing, huh? Shoulda kicked him in the shin. Maybe he'd fall and break a hip. Gross old guy. Ugh. What concert did you go to? The only concert I've ever gone to was John Michael Montgomery. Nothing against him, but it wasn't that great. I want to go to a Kenny Chesney concert. That would kick ass. Anyway enough rambling, I am a cool person and thank you for recognizing the fact. LOL J/K. Thanks for reviewing!
As always, if you have any suggestions or anything you'd like to see me add to the story, or take out of the story, please review and say so! -Luv ya's-
-Austin B.