Chapter 13 - Edeline's Idea
"Argh!" Amarthel growled through clenched teeth. He sat on his makeshift throne in his study and his eyes were closed. Under his eyelids, he saw ten of his spies attacking a group of travelers. He saw the face of one and recognized him to be the Prince of Mirkwood. Damn fool orcs. Now the city would be alert. His eyes flew open, and the whiteness gleamed in the dark of the study.
"Orcs! Why did I waste my spells on them? They'll do me more harm than good!" He ranted, running a dirty hand through his dingy blonde hair.
"I swear if they ruin this for me..." He mumbled. His only solace was to know that they did not kill the Prince. His thin lips curled back in a sinister grin. Yes, the Prince would be left for him.
A shriek could be heard, and Amarthel slammed his fist on the arm of his throne.
"Someone feed those damn Raukos!"
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The very next morning, Tyron woke to find Leyna in his arms. The sight of her lovely face made his heart swell. The medicine he'd been given seemed to clear his mind, and his memory came back to him as if it was yesterday. During the attack, the only thought in his mind was of Leyna. He had to protect her. Even if he died trying. Seeing how much she cared for him as well lifted his spirits and helped his recovery even more than the Elvish potions.
Tyron looked around. Healers were milling about the beds next to him. Not very many wounded were in the infirmary. He heard babies cry from a curtained off area and bowls of water, towels and herbs were being shuttled about by Elves in white robes.
Leyna looked up at him.
"How do you feel?" She asked immediately.
"Good morning to you, too." He chuckled. "And I feel fine." He added nonchalantly, as if he hadn't been attacked by orcs. Leyna sat up, looking down at him as her hair fell about her shoulders.
"You feel fine? Not hurt, in pain?"
"No. I feel normal." He said again, and sat up as well. Opening up the new white tunic that was given to him the night before, he unwrapped the bandage around his shoulder. A red area and a barely seen scar was all that marred his skin, from the back as well, since the orc blade ran through him. And the shallow scratches on his stomach and back had all but disappeared.
An Elf shooed Leyna off Tyron's bed and cleaned his wounds one last time before putting on a slightly smaller bandage and giving instructions to take it easy for the next day or two and leave the bandage on until at least the next day. And he was released. They went to collect his pack from Anna and Calenmir's room. They were eating breakfast at the small table in their room when Leyna knocked. Upon seeing Tyron up and well, Anna nearly choked on the bread she was chewing when she answered the door.
"Tyron! You're better!" She exclaimed, and went to hug him, but looked warily at him, not wanting to hurt him. He nodded his okay and she embraced him gently before kissing her daughter and returning to her meal. Calenmir inclined his head and smiled at Tyron, who nodded back.
Leyna collected his pack, and they excused themselves to Leyna's room just across the hall. On the small table by the wall, they found a silver tray covered with silver lids to keep warm whatever lay beneath them. Underneath, they found breakfast for two, specially sent up by the King and Queen for their guests.
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Jocelyn woke to find Legolas in her arms. It took a moment for her to realize he hadn't been there when she fell asleep. She shook him awake to ask him what was going to happen.
"Increased the soldiers in the forest and borders." He mumbled, closing his eyes. "Honestly Jocelyn, was it necessary to wake me?" He complained, and she hit him with a pillow. Without having to send for it, a servant brought up breakfast for them both. By then, the kitchen knew the Prince's schedule. And especially after their journey, they knew they'd appreciate a good, warm Mirkwood Palace breakfast.
"Would you like to check in on my sister with me?" Jocelyn asked as she tied up her hair.
"Sure." Legolas answered back as he laced up his boots.
They walked through the winding corridor, until they came to the guest hallway. Jocelyn found her sister's room and knocked gently on the door. After a moment, Leyna cracked it open and peered out to see her sister's green eyes peering right back in at her. She immediately flung the door open with a grin on her face.
"Jocelyn!" She exclaimed, and Jocelyn's brow furrowed. Leyna was happy. Very happy.
"Good morning, Leyna." She said warily as she stepped inside.
"Hello Legolas!" Leyna greeted him, no less enthusiastically, and still with the large smile.
"Good morning, Leyna." He replied politely, happy but confused to see her with such a smile. It was then that Tyron emerged from the washroom, revealing the reason for her joy.
"Tyron!" Jocelyn exclaimed. "I'm so glad you feel well!"
"As am I." He laughed. "Legolas." Tyron greeted the Prince. Jocelyn continued to ask him questions of his recovery, and to see the wounds, which were but mere scratches now. She was amazed at the power of Elvish healing still, as she had been introduced to it when they had healed the cut on her forehead her first day there.
"I prayed for him. For you." Legolas said absently to Leyna, as he watched Jocelyn and Tyron. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Leyna turn to him. First amazed, then she smiled.
"Thank you, Legolas. Really, I am so happy I can still be close to you and my sister. That we didn't let things get in the way. Because I will always care for you. And I never want us to grow to be strangers." She said with a friendly smile.
"We never will. You will be my sister soon. And I promise we will always be in each other's lives. I will always care for you as well, Leyna." Legolas said, softly smiling.
"Well, I came to cheer you up, but since you obviously are cheered, we're going to visit mom and dad. See you guys later!" Jocelyn said, causing Legolas to look away from Leyna.
"Alright. We'll be here." Leyna called as they exited. Jocelyn crossed the hall to knock on her parents' door with a grin.
"Elvish medicine is amazing." Jocelyn said, more to herself, as she waited for one of her parents to answer. "What is it?" She said, as she did a double take at Legolas's contentedly amazed expression.
"Your sister." He answered absently.
"My sister what?" Jocelyn persisted.
"We're friends." He concluded, as if just now realizing it.
"Oh. Well...that's good." Jocelyn said slowly, happy, but not quite as amazed as he. At last, Anna opened the door and invited them in.
"Hey ma, Tyron's better!" Jocelyn spurted quickly.
"I know. He and Leyna dropped by this morning to grab his pack." Anna replied, obviously less surprised than Jocelyn wanted her to be. The young half Elf scrunched up her face and furrowed her brow.
"I'm always the last to know." She moaned. From behind her, Legolas rolled his eyes. She apparently was not too upset about it, because the scowl immediately disappeared as she talked with her parents.
That night at dinner, Edeline and Thranduil insisted the whole family plus Tyron join them.
Over the large table in the royal dining room, they were made to tell the full tale of Calenmir's recovery and their trip there and back again. Thranduil sat back distantly, yet smiled and added a few polite words here and therey. Edeline was positively spouting with excitement. All their traveling companions were well, and she couldn't wait for Jocelyn to officially be part of her family. Before they could all part to their rooms, Edeline's excitement bubbled over as an idea came to her mind.
"Oh, Legolas! Why don't you have the wedding tomorrow?" Everyone stopped in their tracks and turned to face the Queen.
"Nana, tomorrow?" Legolas questioned uncertainly. Edeline was beaming.
"Yes, everything is ready! We have been anticipating your return!"
"Jocelyn? What do you think?" Since Edeline spoke those words, Jocelyn had slowly been coming to terms with what her request would entail. Unexpected fear gripped her heart. But, she heard Legolas speak her name, and ask her opinion. Looking into his eyes instilled confidence in her, as it always did.
"I'm up for it if you are." She stated with a grin. Legolas kissed her forehead.
"Alright. The wedding will be tomorrow." He announced, and Jocelyn's mother and sister gasped excitedly and chattered around her.
As Edeline and Thranduil parted with the family to go to their separate wing, Thranduil whispered gruffly,
"Why did you do that?" Edeline's smile diminished.
"Why not? Everything is ready, our son has returned safely with his fiancé. Her family is here." Edeline counted off the things rightly. "What is wrong, Thranduil? Are you still angry he isn't marrying an Elven Princess? Just remember, you agreed to this and you cannot back out now. He will be happy, and that is what you are supposed to want for him!" Edeline ranted angrily and walked away huffily, leaving a downtrodden Thranduil shuffling after her.
Anna and Calenmir retired to their room after parting ways with Legolas and Jocelyn as they went down their own hallway. Tyron walked Leyna to her room, which was next door to his. Now that he was out of the infirmary, he needed a guest room of his own. They didn't figure it would be too appropriate if they shared one.
"You will accompany me to my sister's wedding, won't you?" Leyna asked timidly.
"Of course I will. I wouldn't miss it." Tyron grinned, and tilted her chin up to meet his lips. "Goodnight, Leyna Anessendi."
"Goodnight Tyron Anvaryar." Leyna smiled sweetly and closed the door, separating them. On opposite sides of the inch thick oak doors, both sighed.
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Meanwhile, in Legolas and Jocelyn's room, Jocelyn's heart never stopped thumping madly.
"Legolas, do you realize by this time tomorrow, we'll be married?" Jocelyn asked nervously.
"Yes, wonderful, is it not?" He replied cheerfully, throwing back the sheets, paying no attention to her troubled expression. When she did not answer, however, he turned his attention to her. "Jocelyn, what is wrong?"
"Huh? Oh, nothing. I was just thinking." She stared absently out toward the glass doors, where the stars lit up their balcony.
"Jocelyn, if you wish to postpone the wedding, we can. I mean, we have only just arrived, no one would blame you." Legolas placed his hands on her shoulders.
"No, no, we can get married tomorrow. I have always known we would wed, I don't know why I'm kind of freaking out. I guess it's just that it was such a surprise, I wasn't ready for it to be so close already."
"Jocelyn, like I said, we can postpone it. No one would think anything of it. They'd understand. If you are worried about my mother-" Legolas started frantically explaining, trying to reassure her, but he was cut off. Jocelyn's troubled expression was replaced by one of amusement, and understanding.
"No, Legolas. We will marry tomorrow. I can't wait to be your wife. It's just the process and the ceremony that's frightening me a bit. I've never been married before, obviously. Let alone an Elf marriage. It's just a bit new. New things kind of scare me when I jump into them like this." Jocelyn explained anxiously. Legolas took her face in his hands, ceasing her chatter.
He spoke calmly, piercing her green eyes with his crystal blues, "I have never been married before, either. Not even in an Elf marriage. We're doing this together. I will be right beside you every step of the way. I always have been, and I always will."
A/N...Ok, didn't get as many reviews as I'd hoped, but I'll live. Double thanks to those who did.
I'm asking you guys to sort of let me know where you are in the story, so if you're still kind of in the dark on some things, I might reveal more. MIGHT.
I'm getting close to the 100 review mark!!! : - D
LittleCrazy1 - I just remembered something you said in one of your reviews of What's My name again. About Jocelyn's memories of stiletto shoes and cheesecake. Those were from her life before on earth. Not in middle earth.
TPfan333 - I completely understand. Homework sucks. Whenever you review is more than great with me!
Ilenya the Fair - I know, there's an exchange student at my school, and she tells me all the time how much she misses her friends and family. But you won't be away forever, and the experience you get from traveling stays with you your whole life. Anyway, if I was related to any special character in ME, it would definitely NOT be Legolas! Because then I couldn't think naughty thoughts about him. Hahhah (well, I probably COULD, but it would be weird and incest) I'd want to be related to Aragorn...or Elrond and Arwen. Someone brave and strong and...royal. ;)
PS, for some weird reason, your review got sent to the same chapter TWICE. Not a bad thing, since it makes it look like I have more reviews.
KT - Tyron will be okay, I promise. Yeah, he is pretty sweet, isn't he? That's what a woman does to a man. Leyna softened him up.
YES, I'm glad you thought the flashback was creepy. I tried so hard to make it scary and creepy. And, as revealed at the beginning of this chapter, yes, the orc attack was tied to Amarthel, the elf from the flashback. You gotta keep me updated as well, on where you are in putting the mystery together. Cause it's hard for me, since I know everything, to tell where the readers are. I sometimes forget they don't know as much as I do.
No, I must say I have never seen Like Mike. Though one movie I really want to see and never have is Starsky & Hutch. It looks hilarious, not to mention Owen Wilson is pretty damn yummy.
Artria - hahhaha I kept you guessing for a while, didn't I? But I think some things should start coming together. I'm mentioning names now, and updating where the evil Elf is pretty regularly at the beginning of each chapter.
Whenever you update is A OK with me. After your very first review, I'm in debt to you.
-Austin B.