Chapter 11 - Traveling Party
"Accusations and Revelations"
In the royal chambers of Mirkwood Palace, the King slept uneasily. A dream had been haunting him of late, a terrible nightmare. He tossed in his sleep, trying to fight whatever demon possessed his slumber.
"No Amarthel! Stop!" Thranduil boomed. The large Elf in front of him simply raised his sword higher above his head and released it to impale the body lying between his legs. Thranduil could not see the unfortunate Elf's face, only a mat of bloody blonde hair.
"I told you I would return, my liege." Amarthel sneered, and called something in a different language into the forest behind him. "And I have brought a few of my friends to say hello as well." An army of orcs emerged from the trees, and flying in the sky above, he saw four creatures fanning their black cloaks like wings. Several ear piercing, heart stopping shrieks were heard, and the Elves around him dropped their weapons to cover their ears. The sword in the traitor Elf's hand began to glow a green color, and he shouted a battle cry, charging toward the unarmed King.
Thranduil cried out and bolted upright in his bed. Edeline sat wearily and placed a hand on his back.
"What is it Thranduil?" She mumbled.
"Just a dream...just a dream." He whispered back, more to reassure himself than anything, and lay back down in his bed. Only he didn't sleep any more that night.
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The next morning, Leyna woke to find Tyron on the floor again. It was probably better that way. If someone came in, they wouldn't become suspicious. Because they would certainly have a right to be.
Jocelyn kept a wary eye on Leyna during breakfast. But, much to her surprise and delight, she no longer cast longing looks at her fiancé. Instead, her meaningful glances were directed toward Tyron.
She'd probably have been wary of this as well, but much to Leyna and Tyron's fortune, she suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, yesterday I was going to tell you guys, I...well, Legolas and I, should be getting back to Mirkwood. They've been planning our wedding for a long time. Mom, Ada, Leyna, you all should come. You too, Tyron, if you'd like."
Tyron looked up at her, seemingly surprised that she'd invite him to her wedding. He sort of blushed, then looked away. Jocelyn expected him to answer then, but when she apparently wasn't going to get one, she continued.
"We'll wait until you feel up to it, Ada. Then we should go."
Anna laughed, "Girl you wanna get married!"
"Of course I do! It's been put off a long time. I expected to be married already. I didn't know how important it was to me until I've waited so long!"
Tyron still hadn't answered Jocelyn's invitation to her wedding by the time they set off for Mirkwood, which was two days later.
The whole family was decked out in traveling clothes. Anna had shed her Earth clothes to completely absorb her new life in Middle Earth. She rode next to Calenmir as they departed. Behind them rode Tyron and Leyna, side by side. Legolas and Jocelyn took the lead. They waved goodbye to Lord Elrond, Princess Arwen, Gandalf, and Gaerlin as they passed the gate.
The journey would prove a long and arduous one. In the beginning, they were all floating on air. Leyna and Tyron had found joy in their newfound relationship, Jocelyn and Legolas's thoughts were occupied with their impending marriage, and Anna and Calenmir basked in the glow of their new life, finally together.
As the days wore on, their spirits deflated. Leyna and Tyron tried to hide the fact that they were together, but it got harder as they journeyed into the forest. Both sought comfort from each other, but were never allowed to the extent they wished, for fear someone would discover their relationship.
When she thought about it, Leyna was unsure why they went through so much trouble to hide it. Was it for fear Jocelyn would be angry that her twin was with a manipulative liar? No, Tyron had disproved Jocelyn's insane theory. Was it for fear Jocelyn would be angry and jealous? No, she had Legolas now, she would not be jealous of Tyron's relationship with her twin. There was no real reason. So, Leyna resolved she would no longer hide it. She'd bring it out into the open. But, she'd have to discuss it with Tyron first.
"Tyron?" Leyna asked timidly as she stepped into the woods past the clearing of their camp. She had begun to follow him as he went for firewood. The others were either sleeping or not paying attention. She jumped and nearly yelped as she saw him come around a tree to answer her.
"Shh...what is it?" He whispered.
"I was just wondering...well, I am going to tell them about us." She stated firmly. He blinked at her, and then shook his head.
"No, you can't!" He said in a raspy plea, as loud as he could and still be whispering.
"Yes, I can! I should, and I have to!" She replied angrily, then her eyes softened. "Tyron, I cannot lie to my family anymore. What have we to hide, anyway? There is nothing wrong with what we have, and there will be no dire consequences." Leyna reasoned. Tyron sighed, pondering Leyna's argument.
"Okay. Let's tell them." He relented, and let Leyna lead him by the hand back to the camp.
"Ada, nana, Jocelyn, Legolas. Tyron and I have something to tell you." Leyna began, making sure she had their attention. "We are...well, we're together." She fumbled, then grinned, upon hearing the words out in the open.
Anna cocked her head for a moment. Calenmir just blinked, not understanding the significance of his daughter's revelation. Sure, he knew Tyron had feelings for Jocelyn before, but Jocelyn was with Legolas now. Legolas and Jocelyn's jaws instantaneously and simultaneously dropped.
Legolas was outraged. Jocelyn was confused. Anna was shocked. Calenmir was wondering why no one was speaking.
"Uh...wonderful, darling! This is great news." Calenmir began uneasily, trying to break some tension.
"Thank you, Ada." Leyna said thankfully. "Well, nana, Jocelyn? Don't you have anything to say?" She giggled.
"Uh, yes darling, it is wonderful." Anna repeated Calenmir's sentiment, less than enthusiastically. She was still sorting things through in her mind.
"Sis. I have to talk to you." Jocelyn said suddenly, through clenched teeth, and grabbed her sister's arm, dragging her to the other edge of the clearing. "Leyna what do you think you are doing?" Jocelyn whispered angrily.
"What, Jocelyn? I'm going after my own happiness. You have yours, so please don't damper mine!" Leyna balled her fists at her sides, matching her sister's expression.
"Leyna I don't want to damper your happiness, I just want to warn you of some things." Jocelyn began calmly. "Tyron was in love with me. I find it hard to believe he has fallen out of love with me and is interested in you already. You are my exact likeness, Leyna, you don't think that has the slightest bit to do with it?"
Leyna was livid. "No, Jocelyn. I do not think that has the slightest bit to do with it! I asked Tyron that already. He told me he respects my individuality and I believe him." Leyna raised her head confidently, and Jocelyn sighed.
"Okay, Leyna. But Tyron had lied to me before, and though I know he regrets it, it is not that easy for a person to change their character. I just don't want you getting hurt. I love you." Jocelyn said softly, and Leyna's stoic expression melted.
"I love you, too. I appreciate the concern, but I believe it is without cause. I feel so much for Tyron that it can't be wrong. Everything is so perfect, nothing could touch us." Leyna smiled dreamily, and Jocelyn chuckled at her sister. She knew that look all too well. She knew it had been reflected in her eyes when she'd fallen for Legolas.
Jocelyn sighed in defeat. She still did not like the situation, but her sister made a good argument.
"Okay. I understand. I've got to let you live your life, and whatever decisions you make, whatever you think is right for your life and makes you happy, I'll be right behind you backing you up a hundred percent."
"Oh thank you Jocelyn!" Leyna exclaimed with a relieved smile and threw her arms around her sister. Jocelyn giggled and squeezed her sister back.
"Come on, let's go do some damage control with the others." Jocelyn said, and led her sister by the hand back around the fire.
Anna immediately pulled Leyna to her to whisper curiously. Leyna smiled and cast an exasperated look back to Jocelyn, who just shook her head. Tyron was having a discussion with Calenmir. Jocelyn imagined it was just about the same thing Anna and Leyna were talking about.
She looked over to Legolas, who was glaring at Tyron maliciously. The look surprised Jocelyn, to see it on her fiancé's beautiful face, it did not fit well. He had his arms crossed, leaning against a tree.
"Legolas, what is wrong with you?" Jocelyn asked incredulously.
"What is wrong with your sister?" Legolas shot back. Jocelyn's mouth fell open.
"Legolas! What concern is it of yours, anyway?" Something in the way Legolas had said that, and the way he glared at Tyron made Jocelyn uneasy.
"Jocelyn, don't think that. I do not want to see anyone hurt, that doesn't mean I still have feelings for her!" Legolas's expression mirrored Jocelyn's disbelief. How could she possibly think he still had feelings for her sister?
"Well, I for one am just going to live and let live. Taking the hands-off approach. If it turns out good, that's wonderful. If it turns out bad, she'll have learned a lesson. I suggest you do the same." Jocelyn said coldly.
"Jocelyn I cannot stand idly by and let your sister go through with this when I know the things Tyron has done! You of all people should be on MY side in this!" He exclaimed angrily, not caring that her family was well within earshot. Jocelyn's eyes glinted curiosity.
"Things Tyron has done? You mean lying to me?" She asked, her brows raised patiently, waiting intently for an answer. Legolas breathed heavily, eyes still looking sternly into hers.
"That is not all he has done." Legolas looked down for a moment, wondering how to begin. Jocelyn's eyes widened in anticipation. "A few days after you visited his house, he came to me. He said I owed him, because he found you that day in the forest. He said to pay him back, I had to give you up."
Jocelyn blinked, utter shock and incomprehension. Then, as a flip of a switch, she was furious.
"He, he...he did what? Unbelievable! Inconceivable! That's...that's....there's no word for it! It's so underhanded so conniving so...ugh!" Jocelyn ranted. Legolas placed a hand on her arm to subtly warn her to lower her voice. She complied.
"I did not want to tell you before, because I knew this would happen. I don't like seeing you angry like this." Legolas explained, but Jocelyn turned her anger at him.
"How could you not tell me! That is vital information! I was making my mind up about him, and you left out this huge detail!" Jocelyn brushed hair back from her face and placed a hand on her forehead. "All this drama is exhausting me." She whispered, and Legolas, surprisingly, laughed. Her eyes snapped to him. He covered his mouth with his hand and cleared his throat, attempting a straight face.
"Forgive me, Jocelyn. It is just that you are so right. Since I met you I have been involved in more commotion than I have ever seen in my life. Yet I wouldn't do a thing differently." He said, in a different tone of voice, as he placed a hand on Jocelyn's face and drew her to him for a kiss.
"Well, I suppose I wouldn't worry too much about Tyron." Jocelyn began, her outlook changing drastically. Suddenly too tired to resist and argue, she decided to go with her first gut instinct and call it good. "Granted, he's done some things...but haven't we all? I'd prefer to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he has changed. And the way he looks at her..." Jocelyn sighed. "I just don't know how that could be wrong."
"You, Jocelyn Merenfaer, can make people want to be better. Tyron felt the effect you have on people. And your sister's lit a fire in his eyes. Maybe he has changed." Legolas repeated, and looked in thought in Tyron's direction.
"Let's sleep." Jocelyn said wearily, as she lay her head on Legolas's chest. She heard a laugh rumble from him in her ear.
"Yes, let's sleep. It has been a tiring day. Let's try not to worry about anything. Just talking to you has put my mind at ease."
Meanwhile, Leyna had explained the situation to Anna. Her mother had asked her the very same thing Jocelyn had. What if Tyron was interested in Leyna only because she looked like Jocelyn? Leyna was a bit peeved that everyone thought so little of the Elf she loved.
Wait, loved? The thought froze Leyna from head to toe. She saw her mother's lips moving excitedly, but the sound didn't reach her ears. Leyna's heartbeat drummed and echoed in her ears as she glanced at Tyron. She had a full view of his face. His beautiful face. His dark blue eyes were lit up with laughter as he spoke with her father.
Feeling her gaze on him, he looked to her, and such an emotion danced behind his eyes that her breath hitched in her throat and she knew he loved her, too. His stare made her feel so exposed, like he could reach down into the very depths of her soul and see everything she felt. She kind of hoped he could. So he'd know how much she loved him. Because she didn't think any words would fit to explain it.
A/N...first and foremost, I apologize profusely for the delay in this most recent update. My education and extra curricular activities have been interrupting my updates. I'll try my best to update as regularly as possible, but I'm afraid it may be as long as a school week (5 days) before I can update again.
KT - its okay u didn't review last chapter, you were with me in spirit. Luv ya!
Tador - missed ya! Good to hear from you again. Thanks for the encouragement and I'll be looking forward to more review from you!
Ilenya the Fair - I'm not laughing. It's a serious issue. Legolas or Faramir? Orlando or Elijah? I mean, honestly, who in their right mind could make a sane choice between them? The idea is mind boggling. : ) Thanks for reviewing!
Artria - Being in the mindset of drama and intricate twists, I understand perfectly the "my best friends ex-boyfriend, and my ex-boyfriends best friends brother" ordeal. The drugs in my story do have side effects, a few of which being drama and saying things like "sigh Oh Legolas, you're so dreamy!" for no apparent reason. But it makes life a whole lot more interesting, don't it?
Your strange talent of popping your shoulder out of place and poking the bone out reminded me of a long forgotten talent of mine. I can shrug my shoulders a certain way and make my shoulder blades stick out like wings!
Anyway, thanks for reviewing, as always!
Katie, kalika55, GinnyPotter4eva, TPfan333, Angela
-Austin B.