Chapter 16 - Two Down
"My Best Friend"
Four days time. They would reach the palace in four days time. Everything was working perfectly. Elrond would not interfere, for Amarthel had made himself invisible to the Lord of Rivendell's sight. Unfortunately for him, Amarthel did not think of the Grey Pilgrim. Word or sight of Gandalf had not reached his white eyes for years. Unbeknownst to him, the Wizard had tricks of his own to cloak his doings.
But all his other thoughts took a back seat to his musings and daydreams of when they would reach his goal. Thranduil would beg forgiveness. He would plead for his life. But Amarthel had no intention of killing the King. He had better plans. For there are things far worse than death.
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Anna straightened out her blouse and checked her hair once more before her daughter's wedding. She saw Calenmir pass behind her in the mirror. Jocelyn's words rang in her ear. Anna's mind had been in turmoil, and her illusion of hope had all but slipped away. A burning question had to be asked.
"Calenmir, why didn't we get married?" She asked innocently. Calenmir turned slowly to face her.
"Anna, I have considered you my wife for years." He said warily, stepping toward her.
"I know, and I have considered you my husband. But talking with Jocelyn a while ago just made me think. She made a very good point. It's like we're married anyway. Making it official wouldn't make much difference. We're already close enough that when I pass, you will as well, that a wedding wouldn't affect how long you live."
"That's not true. My stubborn will and desire to live as your husband that much longer may prolong my life." Calenmir interjected. Anna smiled and continued.
"Well, since it's like we're already married, why not have a ceremony?"
"Before, it was because a stubborn woman named Anna said she couldn't live with herself if she knew she caused my death and made me give up the life of my people. But you didn't know then that I already had bound myself to you. I already loved you so much that I couldn't live without you. My illness proved it."
He paused to take her face in his hands and look into her beautiful face. Deep in her eyes, her illusion of hope disintegrated. And it lightened her soul. The truth became crystal clear, and she realized she had known it all along.
"But let's not talk about this now. We have our daughter's wedding to attend." Calenmir reminded her. Anna sighed.
"Yeah. We got rid of one of them, so let's go get rid of the other." She said sardonically, making Calenmir laugh.
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The ceremony was much like Jocelyn's. And Leyna looked positively radiant. She wore a crème colored sleek satin dress, and a circlet of flowers in her hair. If Tyron hadn't dressed handsomely (which he did) the pure love and excitement glowing on his face, in his eyes, emanating from him would've made him the perfect groom.
Queen Edeline attended, in addition to Leyna's family. Unfortunately, Tyron's family could not attend. Though they were there in spirit. His father had died defending his kingdom. He, too, was a soldier of Mirkwood. And after that, his mother faded away, leaving him, the only child, to continue his life with no family. It hardly seemed to matter anymore to him. He had a family again. They did not replace his own, but had their own special place in his heart.
The air was humid that day. The sun shone brightly, with not a sign of a cloud in the sky. Leyna and Tyron's gaze was locked, as they listened to King Thranduil speak the binding words. Of course, Thranduil was not the only one in the kingdom to perform marriages. There were other holy men who could as well. But Legolas asked him this favor.
Anna clutched a teary tissue once again, with white knuckles. Calenmir held her hand (a painful experience, for him anyway). The only thing holding Anna together was seeing the smile on her daughter's face, and feeling the happiness of the day radiate from the couple. Jocelyn sighed with her fingers entwined with her husband's. It was like watching the end of a great romance movie. It was this moment that all Jocelyn's fears for her sister washed away. She knew Tyron would take care of her. (As if Leyna couldn't take care of herself.)
In celebration of the newlywed's union, the family ate a hearty dinner together. They sat and talked, laughed and drank merrily. But then something strange happened. Everyone who was talking ended their sentences at the same time, and a silence fell into the room. They went right on eating, seemingly oblivious to the silence. Each were lost in their own thoughts.
Jocelyn looked from face to face around the table. Each member of her family brought something different to the atmosphere for her. Anna, her mother, brought sanctuary. She was the glue of the family. As long as she was around, Jocelyn knew nothing bad would happen. Anna wouldn't let it. With Calenmir, Jocelyn always knew she'd be loved simply for being his daughter. Unconditionally.
Tyron brought a sense of safety. And resoluteness. He'd lay down his life for any one of them in the blink of an eye. Looking at Leyna, Jocelyn smiled. Her twin warmed her heart with a love only a sister can bring. Leyna was her friend, and she would do anything for her. Legolas, her husband, sitting next to her, brought all of that all boiled together. With him, she had everything she ever needed.
Breaking Jocelyn of her thoughts, Leyna stood and held her glass high.
"I would like to say a few words." She began happily. "Since I met Tyron I learned something very important. It takes only a moment to fall in love with someone. Something they say, a look in their eye, an act of kindness. The littlest thing can send you on a chain reaction that will change your life. The littlest thing can make you fall in love." She looked down at her husband with adoration reflected in her eyes. Then she smiled.
"And when you have a thousand little things all stacked up, you go head over heels. Believe me, I know!" She exclaimed, inducing a chuckle from her family.
When they'd finished their dinner, the family retired to their rooms. Anna went ahead to her room, while Calenmir stayed behind and caught Leyna before she entered hers. Excusing herself from her new husband, Leyna stayed in the hallway with her father as Tyron stepped into their room.
"What is it, Ada?" Leyna asked, taking her father's hand. He smiled weakly, wondering where to begin. This was his baby. The little elfling he'd raised. She was so grown up. And so beautiful. How could he explain his feelings to her?
"Leyna, I have always been there."
"Yes, Ada, always." She agreed.
"But now I won't be. And it scares me. I won't be able to watch out for you so closely. And I won't be able to make decisions for you anymore. Not that you let me decide anything for you if you disagreed with me, anyway." He chuckled. "I just want everything in your life to turn out so wonderful."
"It will, Ada. Tyron will make sure it will. And you will always be with me." Leyna said meaningfully, placing a hand over her pendant.
"I know, my daughter." He said, brushing her cheek with the back of his hand. "I love you, Leyna." He kissed her forehead and returned to his room. Leyna whispered after him.
"And I you, Ada."
Jocelyn and Legolas held hands in silence down the hall. Even in their room, not a word was spoken. Until Legolas thought of something worth breaking the silence for.
"I almost forgot to tell you, Lord Elrond is coming for some business with my father and I think he is bringing Arwen along. She will be happy to see you." He said as they dressed for bed.
"And I'll be happy to see her." Jocelyn smiled at the thought of the Lady. "When will they get here?"
"A few days, I believe." He exhaled loudly as he climbed into the comfortable bed beside his wife. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and she snuggled closely into his warm body.
"I thought of us as a family today." Jocelyn stated wearily.
"We are a family." Legolas replied, stifling a yawn. Jocelyn closed her eyes in the darkness after Legolas blew out the candle. She heard his breathing deepen.
Jocelyn was so happy in that moment. Everything in her life was absolutely perfect. A completeness so intense and sincere welled in her chest, and that was when a whisper found its way to her lips. A perfect song that expressed the depth of love she felt even better than if she'd attempted to explain it herself.
I never had no one
I could count on
I been let down so many times
I was tired of hurtin
So tired of searchin
til you walked in to my life
It was a feelin
I'd never known
For the first time
I didn't feel alone
You stand by me
You believe in me
Like nobody ever has
When my world goes crazy
You're right there to save me
You make me see how much I have
I still tremble when we touch
And oh the look in your eyes
When we make love
You're more
Than a lover
There could never be another
To make me feel the way you do
And oh we just get closer
I fall in love all over
Every time I look at you
I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend
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My Best Friend - Tim McGraw
A/N...sorry it took me so long. I had the most hectic week you could imagine. Our semi formal dance was Saturday, and I went with a total cutie. Only drawback...he's a FRESHMAN. (not to mention my best friend's little brother. Yikes!) Anyway, hope you enjoyed. Review!
GinnyPotter4eva, Ilenya the Fair, Laer4572, Nessa Inwe, Norie Ape1 - Thank all you guys, you're the best!
LittleCrazy1 - You are a little crazy one, aren't you? Lol thanks for the logic on the brownie saying, you're right it does make sense. Thanks for the review, too!
TPfan333 - Tangents are good, I like them. And you are too sweet! Thanks for the review! Love ya!!!!!!
Artria - Lol, dogs need a good cake every now and then, too. Someone must've had lots of time on their hands to calculate the elevation of a pancake. Oh, hang on, let me do something. -claps hands, Legolas appears from nowhere at my side-
Legolas: Yes, Austin?
Austin B.: Ah, Legolas there you are. Look, I know I haven't been exactly 'nice' to you in the past, but all's well that ends well, right? I gave you everything you wanted. So...you owe me one. -whispers in his ear-
Legolas: Ermm...well okay.
-Artria hobbles in and sits in a chair, Legolas kneels in front of her.-
Jocelyn: -appears from nowhere, hands on hips, tapping foot madly- Ahem...
Austin B.: -frantically- Look Jocelyn, cheesecake! -points behind her-
Jocelyn: Really?! Where?! -runs off-
Legolas: -kisses Artria's smooth shaven leg- There, all better. Now I better split before Jocelyn comes back and realizes there is no cheesecake.
-Austin B.