Chapter 9 - Recoveries and Bull's Eyes
"Carrying Your Love With Me"
Most of the day, the women talked. About what had happened on Earth in the few weeks since Jocelyn had left. They ate lunch and sipped some Rivendell drink. But Anna noticed how Leyna fingered the star around her neck, and how dimly it glowed. Her only solace was to remind herself that it was glowing brighter than it had the day before.
Jocelyn was walking out her door to take a walk in the garden when she came face to face with a blast from her past. It was Gaerlin, the wise, proverb quoting guard who'd accompanied her and her mother to the portal from Rivendell what seemed like so long ago.
"Lady Jocelyn! Wonderful to see you again, I was just coming to visit. I had heard you were in the city." He smiled pleasantly.
"Gaerlin! It's been forever! Good to see you, too!" She exclaimed, and hugged him.
"So, I am glad to see you have come back. What of Legolas?" He asked lightly, unsure of her situation.
"We are to be married when I return to Mirkwood." She smiled as his face lit up.
"Splendid! Oh, see. Now do you understand what all my advice was about back in the forest?" His aqua eyes were so wise. She laughed.
"Yes, Gaerlin. I understand now. Everything that's meant to happen does. And everything that was meant to happen did." She stated with a smile. Gaerlin's knowing eyes twinkled.
"Walk with me." He held out his arm and they started walking before he started his advice again. "Do not sell yourself short. Your place in this world may not yet be filled. There may be more things for you to do. So do not draw yourself into a cocoon away from the rest of us. You must always be aware of the world. Stay in touch with things." He gazed out into the sky and the trees. Jocelyn laughed.
"There you go again. But I think I understand what you're saying."
"Yes, Jocelyn. If I had said that to you before, you may not have. You've grown much since last I saw you. You are wiser now. More experienced. I can see it in your eyes." He observed.
"Well, I have gone through a lot of things." She admitted, and an amusing, almost childish sparkle came to his deep eyes.
"Oh, you must tell me everything! I missed out on so much!" He exclaimed, and Jocelyn laughed before beginning her tale.
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That evening was one to be remembered. The women, Tyron, and Gandalf were sitting around the table in the kitchen when they heard a crash come from Calenmir's room. Unsure whether the noise was good or bad, they knew it was startling and need for concern all the same.
Jocelyn reached the doorway first. She stared in with her jaw dropped. Leyna looked in next, and walked slowly to her father, who was sitting on the edge of his bed looking at his daughters.
"Leyna, darling! Jocelyn, I am so glad you've returned!" He exclaimed, his face lighting up. Anna nearly skidded into Jocelyn as she sped to the door. She cried out upon seeing him. He gasped, and attempted to stand. If he had the strength to do so or not couldn't be determined, for Anna had vaulted herself onto him and knocked him back onto the bed anyway.
Jocelyn watched her parents' display and stood next to Leyna. A glowing light from her sister caught Jocelyn's attention. It was her necklace. She looked down at her own. It shone brightly. A smile spread across her face, and Jocelyn laughed.
"Momma, get off him! Save that for your own time, I want to hug my father!" Jocelyn exclaimed, and Anna obliged with a chuckle. Tears were rolling down her face as she released Calenmir so her daughters could hug him.
It turns out, he didn't have the strength to stand anyway. Being incapacitated and bedridden for so long, his legs weren't used to having weight on them. But, he was awake when he was supposed to be, and slept soundly through the night.
His recovery was relatively slow. Gandalf said he had been getting progressively worse, even before he was confined to his home. Eventually, he didn't even have the strength to support himself. That was when Tyron saw him collapse in the market.
It was a week after he woke that he started walking without the aid of a cane. He still wasn't eating as well as Anna wanted him to, but it was near enough. Lord Elrond dropped in as often as he could be spared from governing his city, to see if his friend was healthy. Gandalf was no longer needed around as often, though he still came to check on him, and Jocelyn thought he sometimes used it as an excuse to visit the family. The wizard had been seen sparingly around the city. More and more he locked himself in his room, turning all his powers of insight to see into the darkness that had been growing in the north. Though he never shared his growing worries with anyone since speaking with Elrond.
Those days were the happiest for Leyna. Had it not been for Jocelyn's increasing sadness, everything would have been perfect for the immortal twin.
Jocelyn knew she'd go back to Mirkwood. It wasn't like she was never going to see Legolas again, but she missed his face. She missed seeing his bright blue eyes and feeling his lips on hers. 'If only I could have his warm, strong arms around me right this very moment' she'd often think, 'I'd be the happiest I'd ever been in my entire life.' Her only comfort was to know that she had his love, and he was thinking about her, too. It reminded her of a song she'd known long ago. As she meandered through the house, and along the gardens she enjoyed walking, she'd mumble the words.
Baby all I got is this beat up leather bag
And everything I own don't fill up half
But don't you worry 'bout the way I pack
All I care about is gettin' back real soon
A goodbye kiss is all I need from you
'Cause I'm carrying your love with me
West Virginia down to Tennessee
I'll be moving with the good Lord's speed
Carrying your love with me
It's my strength for holding on
Every minute that I have to be gone
I'll have everything I'll ever need
I'm carrying your love with me
On a lonely highway stuck out in the rain
Darlin' all I have to do is speak your name
The clouds roll back and the waters part
The sun starts shining in my heart for you
You're right there and everything I do
'Cause I'm carrying your love with me
West Virginia down to Tennesse
I'll be moving with the good Lord's speed
Carrying your love with me
It's my strength for holding on
Every minute that I have to be gone
I'll have everything I'll ever need
I'm carrying your love with me
Anna, it seemed, was oblivious to everything else in the world but her and Calenmir. On some days, the household would not catch a glimpse of either of them. Except it if was Anna sneaking to the kitchen to bring them something to eat. They would just lay next to each other, staring into the others' eyes. Sometimes they whispered soft things, may it be questions, updates on their lives, or just proclamation of their love.
Tyron hung back, mostly. He just observed the family, and smiled at the happiness that surrounded them. He never usually said anything, except when he was around Leyna. One day, when Calenmir was beginning to walk on his own, Leyna was practicing archery in her back yard. Tyron approached her cautiously from behind.
"Hello." She said, not knowing the owner of the footsteps' identity. She shot off her arrow, and it landed just to the right of the bulls eye.
"Not quite." Tyron said, and Leyna scoffed as she turned around.
"Good afternoon, Tyron." She smiled.
"You are rather skilled with the bow." He complimented as he stepped next to her.
"I know." She grinned.
"But, I'd wager I'm better." His dark blue eyes sparkled in amusement as her jaw dropped.
"Oh, would you?" She scoffed. He nodded. She shoved the bow to his chest and handed him an arrow. "See if you can do better." She feigned anger, but he caught the laughter in her voice.
He snatched the arrow from her and cast her a superior glance as he readied himself. He pulled back on the string, but lowered the arrow and looked back to Leyna.
"If I hit the center...you have to give me a kiss." He stated, and Leyna narrowed her eyes at him, but did not protest. He smiled and turned back to the task. Pulling back the string, he expertly aimed and released the arrow, which landed smack in the center of the target. He turned and looked smugly at Leyna, whose expression remained unchanged. Tyron stepped close to her and raised an eyebrow when she made no movement.
"Our bargain, milady?" He smirked, and it seemed Leyna hesitated before speaking, almost as if she did not want to say it at all. But Leyna was just scared. The strong feelings this Elf, who was relatively new to her, caused in her stomach unsettled her. Since she had not felt them so strong before, it was frightening, and she was wary.
"I'll not have my feelings tugged around for your moment's pleasure on a bargain." She replied dryly. Tyron's eyes widened, and his lips parted slightly in bewilderment. She had not seemed so loath to his affections before!
Meanwhile, Anna was brushing out her hair in front of the vanity. Calenmir sat on the edge of the bed, watching her. He sighed heavily. She glanced at him in the mirror.
"What is it, Calenmir?" She asked.
"What makes you think something is wrong?" He questioned back with a slight smile.
"I never asked if something was wrong. But now I know something is. Tell me." She turned to face him. He sighed again, glancing at his hand before looking back up to her eyes and beginning.
"What will you do now? Now that I am better? Jocelyn will return to Mirkwood. Life here with Leyna and I will return to normal. What will you do?" His glowing green eyes deepened with concern and fear, with an underlying glitter of hope. Anna bit her lip.
"I don't know. I haven't thought about it." She answered truthfully. She knew her absence caused her love's illness, and the thought of leaving only to have him fall ill again caused a pain in her heart.
"You went away the first time to raise our daughter on Earth. I lived on the little connection we had and the hope that someday you would come back. The second time you went away, it broke my heart even more, if that is possible. That time you went away for Jocelyn, too. Well, now she's staying in Middle Earth. Your whole family is here. Why can't you stay?" He pleaded.
She opened her mouth to speak and protest, but found no words could be used to back up her argument. There was no reason to go back. Calenmir saw her hesitation and took the chance to plead with her some more.
"Anna, I have loved you since the moment I met you. I don't think I can stand being away from you for the rest of my life. I need to see you wake up next to me every morning, and kiss you goodnight next to me every night. Please, Anna, we can be a family again. You are the mother of my children, you were meant to be with me. We were all together for such a short time. I promise you will be happy here." His eyes were so sad, Anna felt tears burn beneath her eyelids.
"But Calenmir, I'm human. I'm mortal. I will die. Then what will you do?"
He didn't have to think about his response. "I will die as well. Just like our daughter's relationship with the Prince of Mirkwood. Anna, we will have more happiness in the rest of our lives than if we both lived forever apart. If you go back to Earth, I will die. Soon, sad, and alone. If you stay, we will live happily until death do us part."
"I couldn't live with myself if I knew I was going to cause your death! I love you!"
"Yes, Anna." He took her hand in his. "And I love you. Don't think about what will happen in the future. Think about our happiness now. I need you. Please, Anna, I promise everything will be wonderful." Before she could respond, he placed a hand on her cheek and leaned to her to capture her lips under his. He kissed her slowly, searchingly. When he pulled away, he found tears on her face.
"Why do you cry, Anna?" He asked, concerned. She smiled.
"Tears of joy, my love. Tears of happiness. Because I know now I will never have to live without you." Her voice wavered, and Calenmir breathed with a grin on his face. He pulled her tightly to him and ran his fingers in her hair, taking in the scent of her. He kissed her neck and her ears, her cheeks and her nose, her eyelids and her brows. Everywhere his lips could touch her skin. Anna giggled, and Calenmir laughed, such was his joy at hearing his only love's happiness.
"Let's tell the girls!" Anna suddenly exclaimed, and took Calenmir's hand, leading him outside. "Jocelyn, Leyna!" She called for them. Leyna and Tyron came from around back, and Jocelyn came jogging up from the path.
"What is it, mom?" Jocelyn questioned, her brows furrowed with worry. But, seeing the grin on her parents' faces, she knew her worry was not justified.
"I'm staying!" Anna cried, and instantaneously, Jocelyn and Leyna both squealed and rushed to her. The family hugged and kissed and laughed and cried tears of delight.
'What a beautiful family.' Tyron thought, as he stood back and watched the happy display. 'I wish I could be a part of that.' His eyes lingered on Leyna's smile, as she hugged her mother. A shiver ran down his spine, and a sudden thought entered his mind that shot anxiety exploding in his chest. It made his palms sweat, but put a smile on his face as well.
A/N...school started for me last week, so my updates may be a teensy bit slower than usual. I have a real hard schedule this year. And I'm terrified. But anyway, I'll get to thanking my reviewers:
KT - Hmm...I created a dark elf without knowing it. But how they were created is a little different than what you described. I made up their background and their creation.
Leyna's having some trust issues with Tyron right about now, and he needs to convince her his feelings are genuine. Thanks for being proud of me. I was kind of proud of myself too. I thought, everyone has orcs being the foul and ferocious creatures, why not do something new and different?
Yes, Gandalf. Ever the paradox. And Elrond just thinks he's crazy.
Of course I wouldn't kill Calenmir off! I love him too! And I really made you cry? Aww! Well, hope you liked the chapter and hope to hear from you soon! -goes out to rent Dodgeball, telling the clerk KT sent me-
TPfan333 - I updated as soon as I could so I wouldn't give you a headache anymore. Though I'm afraid this chapter didn't answer your question, did it? I'll get to it soon enough, don't you worry. Thanks for the review!
Reiko - its okay, I'm just glad I got to hear from you again! I understand how that goes, distractions and getting ready for school and things. But thanks for the review, and I hope Tador can get a chance to drop me line sometimes! But if not, no big, I understand. Hope you liked the chapter!
Goddess Diana - lol, sorry, the and was just a continuation of the reviewers that I had to talk to. Thanks for the review and the suggestion. I altered this chapter a bit in response to your critique, I just hope it was enough. And I had been pondering an Anna/Calenmir story, and asked opinions on it. I'm glad you're interested in them. I will definitely consider the possibility. Thanks again, and I hope you liked the chapter!
Katie - Thanks, I love hearing from new reviewers! Glad you like it, and I hope you continue reviewing!
Artria - I'm sorry you had a bad week. Just remember I will always love you!!! I agree, every story is spiced up by a crazy, mysterious elf. I'd be more one to cartwheel down a hill singing you are my sunshine. Thanks for saying I deserve more reviews, that's sweet. You're the best, crazy wonderful person I know.
Nessa Inwe, and Shanelover1
-Austin B.