Chapter 28 - Deluxe
"The Cowboy In Me"
"Lord Elrond, there is one thing I desire. It would make me happier than anything else I can imagine." She paused for effect, knowing full well how the suspense was killing all those present before revealing her innermost desire.
"Immortality." She smiled and looked to Anna. "For my mother." Jocelyn said, with a satisfied grin. Elrond beamed. His eyes sparkled with something unidentifiable. Anna's mouth gaped, and Calenmir's eyes widened. Their daughter had just committed the most selfless act in the history of Middle Earth. If Lord Elrond could in fact give immortality, she could have easily asked it for herself. They all knew how difficult it was for her and Legolas to come to terms with what their relationship might mean.
But Jocelyn knew it was just as difficult for her parents. To see her parents happy for all eternity would give her such satisfaction that she might just live a few years longer to see them so happy.
Legolas nearly wept with pride. She was…there was no word he could think of to describe it. A blur of emotions too strong and too varied to be explained rushed through him. He loved her so much, it seemed as if the fact had just dawned upon him. His very soul ached with the deepest love he could feel.
"Princess Jocelyn, a nobler request has never been made. Though it is beyond even my power to give humans immortal life, with the Elves magic I can slow her aging, and prolong her life many years past the mortal lifetime. Anna, this gift is yours, should you choose to accept it.." He smiled at Anna, whose expression was, surprisingly, painful. Everyone turned their attention to Anna, who grabbed Jocelyn's arm and pulled her off to the side, whispering harshly to her.
"Jocelyn! What are you doing?"
"Mom, you deserve this. It's my gift to you."
"No, Jo, I don't deserve it. You deserve it much more. You need this more than me." Anna said stubbornly, her eyes wide, though tears brimmed in them. Jocelyn took her mother into her arms and spoke soothingly to her.
"You have been there for me my whole life, mom. You've loved me no matter what I did. My happiness doesn't matter when I have the chance to repay you for everything you've done for me." She cooed, and Anna's body ceased shaking with the sobs that had begun to rack her body. She looked up into her daughter's eyes.
"How did I raise such an exceptional woman?"
"I learned from example."
Anna shook her head, but Jocelyn pulled her over to Elrond.
"No decisions have to be made tonight." He began.
"I don't need any more time. I accept it. Lord help me, I accept it." Anna said, taking Calenmir's hand.
Elrond beamed at Jocelyn, a mysterious sparkle beneath his eyes.
"Jocelyn Merenfaer, your respectful and selfless request fills me with such joy to think such a being exists. I don't want Middle Earth to lose such a soul. Since you are Peredhil, I do have the power to grant you immortality, should you so choose." Jocelyn's mouth dropped, and she immediately began bouncing off the ground, though she made no sound for a moment. Finally she laughed and kissed Legolas, jumping into his arms. He blinked a few times before the words sank in, and he kissed her back, spinning her around. Anna and Calenmir held each other, watching with smiles their daughter's happiness.
"Yes, yes I so choose! Yes immortality!" She burst, joyful tears stinging her eyes. Elrond beamed.
"I have never met a family more deserving of lifetimes of happiness. But it is late now, and no more will I discuss it tonight." He concluded. "Elei vaer. Abarad." (Sleep well, until tomorrow.) Jocelyn couldn't control herself any longer, she threw her arms around him, much to his initial and obvious surprise.
"Elrond, you have no idea what you just did for me and my family. I'll never forget this."
"So we are even now?" He smirked, and she nodded fervently. Anna stepped up to Elrond as Jocelyn returned to hold her husband and look on.
"My Lord…" She began, but shook her head and laughed. "There are no words! No words!" Her chin trembled again, and he took her face in his hands, kissing her forehead and her cheeks.
"No words are needed. I know." He dipped his head in a nod of understanding to Calenmir's appreciation and gratitude, and exchanged a look with Legolas, placing their hands on each others' shoulders, before walking off down the hallway.
The family looked in toward each other and sighed. Then, they chattered excitedly for a while in Jocelyn and Legolas's room before Anna and Calenmir retired. Legolas lay down in bed, and Jocelyn sat beside him. She smiled, looking off at nothing, then looked down at her husband.
"I love you." She stated.
"Not as much as I love you."
"Did you wish I asked immortality for me?"
"No.I loved you even more because you didn't. You're the strongest person I know."
"I wouldn't be half as strong alone." She said meaningfully, then pondered a moment. "I wonder how Leyna's going to react." Jocelyn laughed, thinking of the chaos. It turned out she was wrong. It wasn't chaos when her sister found out. It was pandemonium. Very early the next morning, Jocelyn let Legolas sleep, and snuck over to her sister's cottage. She had to knock very loudly quite a lot of times before a very sleepy looking Tyron answered the door.
"Honestly Jocelyn, what is so important? It's very early you know." She just giggled and slipped inside. He sighed and closed the door, following her as she ran into the bedroom, jumping on top of her sister.
"Leyna, Leyna you missed it! You'll never guess!" She giggled, and Leyna grumbled in a very annoyed way, pulling the blankets over her head.
"Go away and come back at a decent hour. Then you can tell me whatever is so important." She mumbled.
"Fine, I guess my immortality will have to wait." She sighed, and slid off the bed.
"What?" Tyron immediately asked from the doorway. Leyna slowly pulled the blanket from her head.
"What?" She whispered, a smile slowly seeping its way onto her lips.
"Elrond gave me a gift of whatever I wanted, because I had saved Arwen's life. I asked for immortality for Nana, and he gave her long life, and was so touched that he gave me immortality, since I'm Peredhil!" She squealed, jumping back on the bed. Leyna grabbed her sister's arms and bounced up and down. A delightful panic and bedlam ensued, Leyna's shriek became so high and erratic itreminded Jocelyn of Jack's howler monkey shreik on Will&Grace.
When Jocelyn was finally allowed to leave, she was feeling very complete. She would be able to see her sister every day if she wanted.
That afternoon, the aid from Rivendell arrived. Elrond laughed as he went out to greet them. Jocelyn rolled her eyes with a smile and mumbled.
"They missed the party."
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The next evening, Elrond summoned Anna and Jocelyn to his chambers. He told them to bring whomever they wanted to witness the ceremony. So, Calenmir, Legolas, Leyna, Tyron, Edeline, Thranduil, Arwen and Silvana accompanied them. Jocelyn laughed as Elrond raised his brow upon seeing the train of Elves following her and her mother into the room.
"Well, now that we are all here…" He laughed. Anna fidgeted, pulling at the belled sleeves of her white dress. Jocelyn wore a sky blue dress. It flowed over her body like wind wisps around the tree trunks. The witnesses sat at various places around the room, wherever they could. Anna and Jocelyn stood in front of Elrond. He looked fondly at them.
"Anna, I have known you for years. Since you came into my life, I have never wanted you to leave. You are a true friend. And Jocelyn, I was overjoyed to see you return to Middle Earth where you belong. You make so many people here happy, and I don't want any of them to lose that. This world would be a worse place without the both of you. So take this token," He handed them each a locket, about the size of an oval penny, made of mithril.
"As a symbol of my gift to you. Jocelyn, in your veins flows the blood of my people, and it is within my power to bestow upon you our lifetime, as you should have been with us all along. I pray it makes you as happy as you have made the people around you. Because you deserve something in return for all you've given us." As he latched the necklace around her neck, he uttered soft Elvish words, unlike any Jocelyn had ever heard. It was more meaningful, powerful and ancient.
"Though I haven't the power to keep you with us forever, with the love of those whose lives you've touched, and a little magic, you will be with us for much longer in body, and forever in spirit." He repeated the process with Anna, and it was done.
Hugs and kisses were exchanged, twofold for Elrond. Arwen, Silvana, Edeline and Thranduil had taken leave of the family long before the rest retired. As the family said their goodnights to Elrond, Anna stopped. A thought could be seen lighting up her face.
"Elrond, I have another favor to ask you."
"Anything."
"Since you are the Lord of me and Calenmir's city, would you do the honor of binding uswith an officialceremonybefore wereturn to Rivendell?"
"It would be my pleasure." He grinned. Jocelyn thought she would die of bliss right there in the hallway. It just kept getting better and better. There was nothing that could have made her happier at that moment.
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Anna wore a pale pink silk gown to her ceremony. Her family attended, along with Arwen and the King and Queen. When Elrond bound their hands with the satin ribbon and held them high, Jocelyn burst into silent tears. Beside her, Leyna did the same.
At dinner that night, in Leyna and Tyron's kitchen, the family talked amongst themselves happily. Until Leyna stood to make a toast. They hushed their many conversations and turned their attention to her.
"I know a man who once told me all he wanted for me was happiness. He wanted everything in my life to work out perfectly. But he also told me he was scared because he couldn't watch out for me forever. He couldn't make all my decisions for me. Ada, I hope you know now that nothing could go wrong in my life as long as you love me. And as long as I have my family with me." She placed a hand over her pendant, as did the rest of her family, and they clinked their glasses. Before they could get involved in clamorous conversations again, Jocelyn stood, and they turned their eyes to her.
"Momma, I know we've been a family all along, but I can't help but feel like we really are now. We're all bound to each other, rooted in each other's lives so deep that nothing could ever tear us apart. If today is any indication of how I am going to feel the rest of my immortal life, I'll probably die of delight very soon. My heart is so full of love, it's in danger of bursting."
Rebel tears threatened to spill over, and she laughed as she dried her eyes. She picked up her glass and held it high.
"We ride never worried about the fall." She said,and only Anna understood the reference. She smiled and lifted her glass high, licking the salty tears from her lips.
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I don't know why I act the way I do
Like I ain't got a single thing to lose
Sometimes I'm my own worst enemy
I guess that's just the cowboy in me
I got a life that most would love to have
But sometimes I still wake up fightin' mad
At where this road I'm heading down might lead
I guess that's just the cowboy in me
The urge to run, the restlessness
The heart of stone I sometimes get
The things I've done for foolish pride
The me that's never satisfied
The face that's in the mirror
when I don't like what I see
I guess that's just the cowboy in me
Girl I know there's times you must have thought
There ain't a line you've drawn I haven't crossed
But you set your mind to see this love on through
I guess that's just the cowboy in you
We ride and never worry about the fall
I guess that's just the cowboy in us all
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The cowboy in me - Tim McGraw
Forgive me for my delay in the update. And I apologize if the notion of Elrond granting Anna long life and Jocelyn immortality seems a bit far fetched. But, I guess it goes back to the fact that, this is my story and...I'll do what I want. : ) Hope you liked. Only one more chapter left!
About this Anna/Calenmir story I'm supposed to be writing for you guys…I am at a loss. I need help. So I'm enlisting you guys for help. For the love of Pete, email me and give me some ideas!
Orlando's Hot Chick, Ms. Unknown, Nessa
Dee69 - Several people have suggested writing a prequel about Anna and Calenmir. I seriously considered the idea, and have even started a few chapters of it. But my life's been busy right now, and I can't seem to get into it. I will post an anna/calenmir story if it's the last thing I do. Even if it's pretty short. I'm going to need some help though. If you have any suggestions for the story, please don't hesitate to email me. I need ideas for obstacles that they need to overcome and even snip its of dialogue you think of would be greatly appreciated.
Voldie on Varsity Track - I'm so glad you chose my Legomance to read of all the billions there are out there! Thanks tons, and I hope to hear from you again soon!!
-Austin B.