Chapter 27 - Feast

Diary of Leyna Anessendi:

I found it hard to sleep tonight. When I do manage to let my eyelids fall, a terrible white noise seems all around me, until I open my eyes again. I could not, for the longest while, determine the cause of this sudden and terrible agony. Then I realized I had heard the white noise that night in Amarthel's tent. I was touched by evil. When he kissed me, such was the wickedness of his soul that it was transferred inside of me. I can still feel some of him in me, and it will be a while before it dissipates. Until then, I must be patient. Every moment with Tyron takes a small piece of the darkness from weighing on my soul. Soon I will be free of it. And then I can truly be happy in this wonderful life.

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Legolas woke up when Thranduil came back with Edeline the next morning. Jocelyn kissed him and reveled in the sound of his voice as he spoke her name in a whisper, which was all he could muster at the moment. His wound was healing well, and the healers told Jocelyn happily that her love as she stayed with him all night, helped him heal quickly. Leyna and Tyron made sure to stop by to see him. Thranduil kissed his son once more before leaving to tend to instructions for the feast and post-war forest security. Anna and Calenmir showed up shortly after. As the honorable Prince held Anna in his arms, silent tears rolled down his face.

"My family." He whispered when Jocelyn asked him why he wept, with the most solemn look on his face, but a twinkle in his eye and a weak smile. She laughed and kissed him, as he beckoned for the rest of them to come closer and be near him. He shook Calenmir's hand and congratulated him on his bravery in the war, for Jocelyn had told him her father fought.

Arwen woke up that night. Elrond had just left her to answer Thranduil's call for council and advice. Legolas had talked Jocelyn into going back to the palace for a bath and nap, if and only if he agreed to stay in bed and rest for another day. Anna and Calenmir were having dinner with Leyna and Tyron at their home. Edeline was gone to help prepare the feast. She was alone.

The Elf Princess gasped as she opened her eyes. She could not move her body, only her eyes moved quickly from side to side, trying to determine her whereabouts.

She was so terrified before realizing she must be in the infirmary. The place, though riddled with sad memories and death, it was somehow comforting. Candles were lit everywhere, casting an eretheal glow on the faces of the many wounded Elves that lay around her, and their families asleep near their cots. The soft, subtle smell of king's foil, incense and other spices and herbs hung heavily in the air. To comfort her further, there was a sense of brotherhood, bonding that Elves and humans feels as a race after they've been attacked and come together to defend what they all love.

The war must be over, if the Elves ventured from their homes. The thought made her smile. The war was over. But immediately, her thoughts turned to her comrades. Jocelyn, Legolas? Did they make it through alright? She tried to sit up to find them, but the pain shot from her shoulder into every nerve in her body. So, she tried to keep her mind off the subject and sleep so she'd be well enough soon to find her friends.

She was awake when Jocelyn and Leyna visited her the next morning. Of course, all parties were overjoyed to see the other well. Jocelyn filled Arwen in on the events she had been too unconscious to know about. Pride swelled in the Lady Elf's heart for her friend, and the smile would not come off her face, as much as she tried to make it.

"You did well." Arwen said. She'd have like to have said it without the goofy grin, but her lips would not cooperate.

The feast was to be held the next evening, and the servants in the kitchen were already making the necessary preparations, with Queen Edeline as their chief. The city was still being put back together, as there had been great loss of life. But those blessed with seeing the sun rise over resilient Mirkwood were all the happier for knowing what hell they had gone through and come out alive.

The family took it easy that day. They were together a lot, in Leyna and Tyron's home. Legolas stopped in for a while, but was tore away to tend with Princely duties. Even Jocelyn had to leave for a while to make some Princess's decisions and help her royal family with organizing things. But Anna, Calenmir, Leyna and Tyron sat around, ate and talked. When all of them were together at once, with Legolas and Jocelyn, they laughed. Amidst her laughter, and without warning, Anna's chin trembled and she started to sob quietly.

"My family." She wavered. "We must be blessed. There are so many people I care about, and every one of them made it through that terrible ordeal okay. Everyone fought except for me." She laughed.

"No, momma. You fought too. In your own way, and things may have turned out differently if you hadn't stayed strong. You served my city well, and as Princess, on behalf of all Elves of Mirkwood, I thank you." Jocelyn said with mock propriety, and touched an imaginary sword to her mother's shoulders.

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Jocelyn wore a dark forest green gown that matched her eyes, to the feast. It had a deep V neckline, and a matching V low around her waist in black velvet. Its sleeves were long, covering her hands, and draped nearly to the ground. Legolas had told her it would be a very special evening. Honoring the soldiers and Riders, and celebrating their victory. Jocelyn was happy to be celebrating. The pall of death had fallen over her beautiful city, and she hoped a feast may lift the Elves' spirits. It sure would lift hers. For though the joy of her family's safety glittered on the surface, a deep wound in her soul for her fallen comrades was in dire need of consoling in a way only a mass celebration could do.

Leyna wore a dark purple gown, three quarter length sleeves with a thick cuff. And the collar was high in the same way. Her hair was swooped up and pinned in the back. The dark color of the dress made her green eyes stand out even more than normal. She held hands with her husband as she took her place at a reserved seat near the front next to her mother and father. Thranduil sat at the middle of the long table at the head of the room. His Queen on his left, and his son on his right. Jocelyn sat next to Legolas, and Arwen sat next to her. Lord Elrond was next to his daughter. Captain Eoland also sat next to Queen Edeline. His men were reserved seats near the front as well. When the food was served, Thranduil stood to make a toast.

"Tonight we celebrate Mirkwood's victory! Let us eat and drink and be merry, but first, take a moment of silence to remember those who gave their lives defending this, our city." Thranduil bowed his head, and all in the room followed suit. "After dinner, we shall honor our most courageous warriors, and then we will celebrate!" He held his glass high, and the Elves and men cheered and drank their wine.

Roast pig, chicken, turkeys, stag, you name it, the servants carried it out on a large silver platter. Jocelyn laughed with her husband and Arwen, and ate her fill. When it seemed the hall began to slow, the servants cleared away the food. Thranduil stood again.

"My Elves fought bravely for their city, and many deserve special recognition." Thranduil called a few soldiers up, and placed a circlet of leaves--eternally green, touched by some Woodland Realm spell--upon their brow. He laid a hand on their shoulders, and thanked them for their courage when their Elves needed them most.

For the next name to be called, Thranduil smiled. "Leyna Anessendi."

Jocelyn's heart stopped. Leyna looked around, as if to be sure she heard right. Tyron beamed at her and pushed her forward. But when Leyna stood in front of Thranduil, he called another name. It was Arwen's. She grinned and kissed her father before standing next to Leyna. Jocelyn's heart was nearly bursting with pride, but he called yet another name.

She was so touched by her sister and friend's honor that she didn't hear the name. But when no one stepped forward, she craned her neck around the room to search for the next to be honored. Legolas elbowed her, and she looked to him curiously. Thranduil looked down at her softly, and her eyes widened.

"Jocelyn Merenfaer." He repeated. So, she stood and numbly walked around the table to stand in front of him, next to Arwen.

"These Three Warriors fought the very first battle of the war, and it was not their last. They fought bravely with the soldiers until wounded or there were no orcs left to slay. Without them, the fate of the city would have been lost."

One by one, the women bowed their heads so he could place on a specially crafted circlet of mithril leaves, and Jocelyn's eyes filled with tears. Thranduil kissed their cheeks, and they departed to their seats amidst applause and cheers. Leyna's family touched her and kissed her and hugged her excitedly.

Thranduil said something else, but the Three Warriors couldn't hear him. Elrond had a hand on his daughter's face, smiling proudly at her as she admired her circlet. Music started playing, and the King seated himself again. Many pairs of Elves started to dance, and Jocelyn noticed Legolas was talking to her.

"Jocelyn, say something!" He begged happily.

"Wow." She said dazedly, and he laughed. "I can't believe it!" She smiled, beginning to regain her senses. She fingered the cool, light metal upon her brow.

"I am so proud of you." Legolas whispered, and wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, pulling her forcefully to him for a deep kiss. Jocelyn insisted they dance for a while, and Legolas complied, with much grumbling. The twins danced together once, and got to admire each other's prizes.

When the night grew late, Jocelyn and Legolas meandered slowly down the hall with her parents. They had said goodnight to Leyna and Tyron a while ago. Before Anna and Calenmir could part ways with them, they heard footsteps approaching from down the hall. It was Elrond.

"Lord Elrond." Jocelyn smiled in greeting. "Where's Arwen?"

"She was very tired. Her wound may not be quite healed yet. But I'm glad I caught you. I did not want to do this in front of the Hall, but I am glad your family is here." He began, and Jocelyn looked at him curiously. "Jocelyn, you are remarkable. You saved my daughter's life twice. She told you I would not soon forget. There is no honor I can think of that would fit how highly I hold you. I can only do this: anything you want, any gift your heart desires, I will grant you." He took her hand in his own as Jocelyn furrowed her brow, taking in the information and thinking.

"Elrond, really, that is not necessary." She began, but he interrupted.

"No, it is. I need to do this. I need to give you something in return. You saved my whole world."

Jocelyn's family looked on in interest as she thought. What could she possibly want? She had everything her heart had ever desired. Her family was together and well, she had her husband whom she loved more than life itself.

"If you need time to think and discuss this…" He began, but a thought had come to her suddenly, and she didn't have to think twice. She smiled, and Elrond knew she had made a decision.

"Lord Elrond, there is one thing I desire. It would make me happier than anything else I can imagine in this world or any other." She paused with the words on her tongue, in awe at the thought that would give her so much joy when she released it into the air for all to hear. She knew, of course, how the suspense was killing all those present before revealing her innermost desire. But she paused a moment more, and thanked God or Valar, or whatever higher power was governing this beautiful chain of reactions that was her life, for the sequence of events that had taken place in the past and led up to this point. For, with her friend Elrond's help in granting her this wish, her life would be more complete than she ever imagined it could possibly be.

Oh the suspense!
Sorry my update is delayed. This is the first time I've turned my computer on in like, three days.
Isn't it terrible about the tsunami? Mother nature can be a bitch. But my school has been raising money to send, so I feel like I'm helping a little. I encourage everyone to do the same. It gives you a warm fuzzy feeling, to know that you did good for another person.
Thank you reviewers. Don't really have time to write something to all, but you all know I love you, that goes without saying.

Miszy-Anne - Thanks so much, I really love hearing from new reviewers when the story is so far along.

Orlando's Hot Chick, Christian Bregorider (new reviewer!!), Ms. Unknown, Artria, Nessa

-Austin B.