Chapter 14 - The Harder They Fall
"Kind Conductress"
"Faster!" Amarthel hollered as he whipped his horse with a switch. His white eyes were wide, and he glanced back at the army following him. They had set out the day before, and now were only three more days from the North end of the forest. It was mid afternoon, and he would not let the orc soldiers behind him stop for rest during the night. His conquest was not far off. The loud, pitiful call of the Morambar could be heard from far off in the lines of orcs behind him. The beast thrashed at its chains, but its captors held it tightly.
And the Raukos shrieked like banshees from above him. He glanced up to see their black cloaks gliding in the wind, their thin black hair streaming behind them. Against the background, their white, near transparent bodies blended with the clouds, and one would only be able to discern their hair and cloaks.
Amarthel smiled and looked to the forest ahead. Thranduil sure would be surprised. His heart quickened as he imagined the look of terror on the King's face as he realized his great folly in betraying him. Before they set out, Amarthel made sure all his mignons knew the King and his son were to be left alive, for him to deal with. To exact his revenge and have his fun with. He licked his lips and urged his horse faster, anxious for the moment he'd waited for so long.
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Gandalf was in a frenzy. He knew the peril Mirkwood was in. He knew of the attack. He knew an Elf was leading an army of orcs. But he could not convince Elrond of the seriousness of the issue. Elrond had no reason to, either. It was an absurd idea, to any who hadn't seen it with their own eyes. Why would an Elf lead an attack against his own race? Gandalf probably could have convinced him, had he stayed a bit longer.
But he saw no hope for help from Rivendell. So, he turned to other places.
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In the morning, Mirkwood was buzzing. It was the day their Prince would wed.
When the sun rose, so did Legolas. It was the day he'd be made complete. The day he would wed.
Jocelyn woke and Legolas was nowhere to be found. She shook her head disapprovingly. She'd rather he didn't leave her side at all that day. It was, after all, the day they would wed.
A knock was heard at the door.
"Yes?" Jocelyn answered, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Anna poked her head inside the door.
"Good morning baby. Where's Legolas?" She asked as she entered. Jocelyn noticed her mother held a box in her hand.
"Morning mom. I don't know. I just woke up." Jocelyn yawned, rubbing her eyes.
"Lazy brat." Anna commented with a smirk. "Well, I just wanted to give you this." She extended the box to Jocelyn, who took it curiously. "Your father gave it to me when I left, all those years ago."
Jocelyn lifted the top of the box and gasped. A necklace. The chain glittered silver with a blue diamond teardrop ornament.
"Momma it's gorgeous!" Jocelyn exclaimed. Anna giggled.
"Something blue, old, and borrowed. Cause I'm gonna want that back."
Jocelyn laughed. "Thanks, mom." She said quietly, and kissed her mother's cheek.
Suddenly, Anna's voice wavered with tears as she spoke. "I always knew this day would come. But no matter how much I've prepared myself for it, it still surprises me."
"Mom, why are you crying?" Jocelyn asked in disbelief, as she wiped a stray tear from her mother's face.
"I'm losing my baby girl." Anna sobbed. Surprisingly, Jocelyn laughed.
"Mother, you are not losing me! I will always be your baby girl. And I'll visit you in Rivendell as often as I can. But on one condition and one condition only." Jocelyn said sternly, holding up one finger.
"What's that?" Anna's tears ceased in her curiosity.
"That you promise to visit here as often as you can."
"I promise, Jo. I promise." Anna whispered into her daughter's messy hair as she hugged her.
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The ceremony was much different than Jocelyn had imagined. There were no rings, no bridesmaids, nothing like that. Legolas had walked her through it before hand, so she at least knew what she was doing somewhat. Only Legolas's family and Jocelyn's family were present. Thranduil, as King of the city, had power to bind the Elves of his city in marriage.
Jocelyn looked over at her family as she stood with Legolas before the King. Anna's head leaned on Calenmir's shoulder. Of course, she held a tear stained tissue in her hand, and sniffled every few moments. Leyna and Tyron sat next to each other, subtly entwining their fingers. Jocelyn smiled at the look she saw in her sister's eyes.
But her eyes never left Legolas's for more than that long. His sky blues were filled with such a flurry of emotion. Excitement, anticipation, love, and a million other thoughts that couldn't be deciphered.
Thranduil spoke a few words in the common speech, a few in Elvish, and bound their left hands together with a white satin ribbon. He looked sadly at his son and placed a hand on his shoulder. Legolas put his hand on his father's. Then Thranduil smiled at Jocelyn with watery eyes, and lifted their bound hands high for the few spectators to see.
Edeline clapped enthusiastically and rushed to Legolas for a hug as Thranduil embraced his new daughter. As his mouth was next to her ear, he said,
"You are a Princess now, and my daughter. We will hold a feast in celebration tonight." She smiled at him as he pulled away, and turned to his son. In a low tone, so none others could hear, he leaned his head closer to Legolas's and said,
"Son, I will love you the same until the end of your days. I never expected things to turn out this way, but when I see how happy you are, I am glad they did." Legolas leaned his forehead against his father's for a moment, until the happy remarks of the rest of the world came to mind once again.
Anna, her eyes full of joyful tears, and a grinning Leyna were right there as well. Next was Calenmir, of course. Then Tyron.
"Congratulations, Jocelyn. I am very happy for you." Tyron said sincerely, with a sheepish smile. Though something distant twinged inside him as he felt the aura of happiness emanate from the newlyweds.
"Thank you, Tyron." Jocelyn hugged him lightly. Tyron smiled at her, silently wishing her a long, happy, healthy life with her husband, then turned to Legolas.
Legolas held minor doubts about Tyron yet, as he recalled their conversation regarding Jocelyn that seemed so long ago. But mostly, he wanted to give up being angry with the guard. He seemed sincere enough, and Legolas never did like holding grudges.
"Prince Legolas, I pray we can put past events behind us. I wish you and your wife the best for the rest of your days." Tyron said genuinely, bowing deeply. Legolas smiled and took Tyron's hand.
"Tyron Anvaryar, servant of Mirkwood, the past is where it belongs."
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In Jocelyn's room, a servant was replacing linens in the washroom. When she came out, Jocelyn was picking out a dress to wear to the celebration that night. The servant stood close behind her, and Jocelyn turned around curiously, coming face to face with Silvana. Her face lit, and she pulled her old friend to her.
"Silvana! Oh I've missed you! Why didn't you come visit me sooner?"
Silvana laughed, "I have been here since you arrived, only you did not see me. I didn't want to intrude on you and your new husband."
"Oh Silvana you would never intrude!" Jocelyn exclaimed, and talked with Silvana until it was time to depart for the ballroom.
Jocelyn was floating on air much too high to be worried about anything at all. She dressed in a violet gown, and let Legolas lead her down the hall. The ballroom was filled to maximum capacity with Elves at every table. They sat at the long table in the front with the royal family.
Anna, Calenmir, and Leyna sat at a special table in the front as well. Tyron could not join the festivities that night, as he had duties to attend to.
Once the food was eaten, and the goblets well into, Thranduil stood to make a toast. The room hushed.
"Elves of Mirkwood, we celebrate this night the marriage of my son!" A loud 'hooray' went through the crowd. "And we induce into our city, Princess Jocelyn!" He looked fondly to Jocelyn, who blushed madly and stood. The applause and cheers were deafening. She took her seat again quickly, and shot a glance to Legolas, who was sitting on the other side of Thranduil, smiling amusedly at her embarrassment.
"May they live happily and full of love until the end of their days!" He ended, and the crowd cheered one last time.
When the drink had run dry, the Elves departed. Jocelyn's family had gone, and she was talking tiredly with Edeline (who, not surprisingly, animatedly spouted the latest gossip) waiting for Legolas and Thranduil to finish their conversation.
"Ada, I am sorry if my marriage troubled you. I know how much you wanted me to wed an Elven Princess. But I needed to make my own choice and marry who I loved." Legolas explained emotionally.
"I know, son. I had given up trying to find you a suitable bride. I am actually glad you did that on your own." He chuckled. "I am happy for you, and after many of your mother's lectures, I have accepted the choices you have made." Thranduil sighed painfully, yet with a light smile.
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Two days later, things had begun to die down. Jocelyn's family had started to ponder returning to Rivendell. Which troubled Leyna greatly. She hadn't gotten to speak with her sister much over those past two days, as she and Legolas were busy enjoying their new marriage. That night, Leyna was just walking across the hall to her mother's room, when she heard Tyron coming toward her.
Since Tyron was back home, he had to pick his duties back up. Leyna hadn't seen much of him, either, much to her dismay.
"Leyna! Hello. What are you doing up so late? I am terribly sorry I haven't gotten a chance to spend as much time with you as I would have liked these days." He rambled, running a hand through his hair. Leyna's sad eyes concerned him.
"We'll be leaving soon. I have to go home." She stated simply. Tyron blinked a few times. She could tell the thought hadn't really occurred to him.
"Right. Back home to Rivendell with your family." Tyron said absently. "Can we talk?"
Leyna gestured to her room where they sat at a small end table, across from each other. Tyron wasn't quite sure where to begin, so he just jumped in.
"Leyna, I need to tell you something. It's weighed heavily on my mind for some time, though I tried to push it away because I was ashamed. But keeping secrets only eats you up inside, and I realize I must not hide it anymore." He took a deep breath, preparing himself for the moment he'd dreaded for so long. To tell her all his past secrets and evil deeds. About how he attempted to take Jocelyn away from Legolas. But what Leyna said next took him completely by surprise.
"Whatever it is, I care not. You are not who you were then. The past doesn't matter much to me. Though I do appreciate your potential honesty."
Tyron looked at her in amazement. A shiver ran down his spine, and his palms began to sweat. He did not wait for the anxiety he knew would come soon, to explode in his chest. Her words lit a fire in his heart, and he leapt in headfirst.
"Leyna, you believe me when I say you are the most unique and beautiful elleth I have ever met?" He asked, brow stitched with anticipation. She smiled at his zealousness and nodded.
"After getting to know you, your personality is so…powerful that it totally separates you from your sister. Well, from everyone, in fact. I feel more for you than I ever felt for Jocelyn." Tyron completely bared his soul. Everything he felt was out in the open. Leyna looked wide eyed into his dark blues. She smiled.
"But you loved Jocelyn, did you not?" She asked playfully. She knew what his next sentence would be. It was the passion in his eyes that caught her off guard.
"Ai, I did. But I love you more." He answered, taking her hand from across the table. The amazement in Leyna's face said it all. She was completely taken aback by the pure desire she saw in him. She stood quickly, stepping closely to him. He stood as well, his arms immediately finding their way around her waist.
"Tyron, I love you too! I wanted to tell you since the moment I realized it myself, but I just couldn't find the words." Leyna exclaimed. Her words came out so fast, that Tyron had just registered her first sentence and sent the message to his brain to kiss her, and she had spouted off another sentence. She'd probably have kept rambling, had his kiss not silenced her.
Since the night at Leyna's home in Rivendell, Tyron had not felt her body so close to his. And the thought had not left his mind. The large bed sat directly behind Leyna, only about five steps. He walked her backward three steps, when his foot ended up behind hers as she went to take another step. Well, she grabbed onto him as she fell, and his legs were tangled up in hers, he fell as well.
A few minutes later, their laughter began to die down. Tyron had fallen on top of Leyna, and as his laughter subsided, he felt her warm body beneath him. The passion he felt not minutes ago crashed upon him again.
They didn't bother to move from the floor.
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The moon was high in the starry sky when Tyron reached up to pull a blanket down from the bed. He covered he and Leyna with it, and snuggled closer to her, drawing in a deep breath of her scent. She blinked slowly a few times, looking up at him with those bright green eyes. He laughed.
"You are weary, love. Sleep now." He stated. Leyna furrowed her brow and attempted to argue.
"I am no--" A yawn attacked her, and she couldn't finish her sentence. Tyron laughed again, and looked down into her beautiful face bathed in soft moonlight. It was a picture he'd carry with him the rest of his life.
"Goodnight. Sleep well, my love." He kissed her forehead and watched her drift into sleep. He loved her so much it hurt. He wanted to be with her forever so bad it brought tears to his eyes when he thought of how happy it would make him. So, he smiled and looked into her face.
"When you wake up in the morning, I'm going to ask you to marry me." He stated, before he realized how tired he was as well, and fell asleep with his love in his arms. The moment was perfect.
Anvaryar - True protector
A/N...So sorry about the delay in the update. I had a SUPER crazy week! Hope ya's liked the chapter and the wedding. Tell me what ya think!!
LittleCrazy1 - Oh, right, duh. Well, she was confused…she had no idea where Middle Earth was, she just figured she was from a different part of it, since obviously in Mirkwood there was no cheesecake and people did not wear stilettos. Now that we've got that figured out…Lol thanks for the review, and keep the feedback coming!!
Melody - Thanks! I love hearing from new reviewers. And personally…I think being 'illegal' is much more thrilling. Lol
(Lady) Ilenya the Fair - I know how scary new things can be. It's hard at first, and I hope you get used to things and things look up for you. If I were Faramir, I would definitely pick you over Eowyn. Lol. Thanks for the review!
TPfan333 - As you can see, the wedding was a lot different. I went in one direction for that story, and wanted to try the other end of the spectrum for this story. Jocelyn and Legolas's wedding was much less human-ish, and I tried to make it realistically Elvish. (That's an oxymoron if I ever heard one.)
Artria - Sounds like you had a great Homecoming. Lol. Mine was so-so. My really good friend broke up with her boyfriend the night of ours. I was at a party at the time, and when I called to check up on her and she told me, I felt like such an ass for letting her stay home while I went out and had fun. But she's tough. She handled it well by herself. But that's not to say I didn't rush back there and be with her.
Glad your bronchitis is better. Sorry your calf is torn all to shreds. Do you have a cast? If you do, sign my name on it for me. LOL.
True, Edeline's Idea was a bit odd. But I thought the "Hey why don't you get married tomorrow?" was typical behavior for the Queen. She's very bubbly and…air headed. At least that's the way I had her pictured. But she's still a good Queen and all that jazz.
Oh yes, evil Elf is being updated at the beginning of mostly every chapter. Tell me what you think. Love getting feedback and hearing where you are in the MYSTERY!
Nessa Inwe - What did ya think of the wedding??
-Austin B.