E/N: Here we are again! Happy as can be! *hums happily* I'm going to New York on Sunday!!!!! YAY! Dooby doo!!! It's all good.
Sorry this chappie has taken so long, folkies, I've been really busy recently, and Moony requested of me that I don't update quite so often - though I think I'm taking it to the extreme now.
Before I let you go on with the chapter, unfortunately, there comes a time when shameless promoting is called for. *nods* I know, I know. I'm ashamed. But it cannot be helped. I have three things to advertise now, so do bear with me.
1) I urge (teehee, herbal essences) you all to go and read 'The Fellowship of the Naz-Girls' by Guardian of Tears. Not only is it a great fic, but it is also an immediate continuation of this fic. So if you absolutely love this fic, as I know some of you do…… you are completely insane, but also, you will want to read it. And anyone that's reading 'Make the right Choice' by me on fictionpress (which I have updated, by the way), it's sort of continuation of that, only it's not immediate and doesn't really revolve around Blaise. But anyway…… yeah…… go read!!
2) If you're reading MTRC, whilst you're on fictionpress, could you pleeeeease go and read the song that my friend has posted. The only person that has reviewed it so far is me, and she's feeling a little depressed. I'd be muchly appreciative if you could brighten her day a little. Anyone who writes themselves will understand what it's like to not get reviews. So, if you could do that for me, that'd be grand.
3) I post (crappy) artwork on www.deviantart.com and I am sort of in the same situation as 2). The only person that has commented on my work is Guardian of Tears, and nice as her comments are, I would like some other opinions on it - hers a little biased, you see, with her being my best mate and all.
Thank you all, my darlings!! If you could do at least one of the above, I'll do reviewer notes on the next chapter - yes, I know I keep postponing it, but if one of the above is heeded, then I really will. *mwah*
Chapter 54
Silva stepped off the boat and smiled. It was just as she remembered it. Green was really the simplest way of describing it. Yavanna had not been slacking in the slightest. It felt good to be back, but she knew it would feel even better to leave, knowing she'd soon be seeing Legolas and Kemen again. It had already been a month since Legolas waved her off at the Grey Havens and four months since she left Kemen at the Misty Mountains.
She took another step but stopped as a lock of hair fell in front of her eyes. She was startled by its length, colour and the way it fell. It was waist length, bone straight and jet black. She scooped her hair round to study it. It was indeed ebony and straight once more, as though it had been ironed. Her original appearance had returned. She was no longer Silvawen, spouse of Legolas Greenleaf, Lady of Mirkwood, but Laroleia, Handmaiden of Yavanna Kementarí. It saddened her slightly, but she was also gladdened at the thought of her mistress and best friend.
"Laro?" She turned to put a face to the one that had voiced her name.
"Metrion!!" She embraced her sister's lover warmly. "Oh my goodness!! How are you?! Oh my!! It's been so long!" They laughed together.
"I am fine, all the better for seeing you once again. Tell me, how is Aftalei? I miss her so much." It took her a moment to understand who he meant, as she had not heard her sister go by that name for nearly 2500 years.
"She is well, she is fine. I know she misses you just as much. I think she secretly desired to come with me, though she said nothing because she knew that she is needed there."
"That is comforting to know, though I still wish she had returned. But never mind that for now, how are you?"
"A little nervous, I still haven't worked out why I'm here. I'm glad you're here, I've barely spoken to anyone over the past month." Metrion's face darkened.
"I have to take them to you now, Laro."
"Metrion, do you know why I'm here? Manwë made it sound as though I have done great deeds, but I have done nothing. And Lady Yavanna only deepened my concerns. What is happening?"
"I'm forbidden to say. They will tell you what is happening when you arrive. Lady Yavanna is awaiting you at the foot of Taniquetil." She nodded and followed his lead.
The dock was not far away from the City of the Teleri, it was only about a half hour walk. As soon as Silva saw it, she realised she was home, in a way. She had spent much of her old life within that city and befriended many of the Elves there.
"Hello, Lady Yavanna," she said reverently.
"Welcome home, Laro!!" Yavanna said happily, hugging her friend. Silva almost commented that the Valinor would only ever be her home now if Legolas and Kemen were with her, but she stopped herself. If indeed the Valar did not know of her family, she would be dropping herself in it and there was no need to spoil the atmosphere like that.
"How have you been keeping? Are you well?" asked Silva.
"Very well, dear friend, very well. And what of yourself?"
"Fine, thank you, milady." Yavanna sighed.
"Laro, from now on, I forbid you to call me 'milady' or any variation of it. You're my best friend and so I want you to call me by my proper name. Without the title."
"All right. Yavanna it is then. Now then, can you please tell me why I'm here? I'm most intrigued." Yavanna lowered her eyes.
"Manwë will explain everything in due course. Thank you for escorting her, Metrion."
"Think nothing of it, my lady," he replied. "I'll see you soon, Laro."
"Bye Metrion." Silva turned to her mistress.
"Your presence is needed in Valmar. There, all shall be explained."
"Am I in trouble, Yavanna?" Silva asked desperately. "Please, I need to know."
"The time will come for questions," answered Yavanna sadly. "We'd better get going."
They travelled for two and a half days to the hallowed mound of Ezellohar, at the western gate of Valmar. They were not far from Máhanaxar, the Ring of Doom. There were set 14 great thrones in which the seven Valar and seven Valier sat in council, deciding the fates of all. When this occurred to Silva, she began to panic, though she tried not to let it show.
"I'm in trouble, aren't I?" she whispered.
"We're to wait here until you're summoned to Máhanaxar. I will then bring you before the council and all shall be revealed," replied Yavanna. She hated seeing her friend so confused and distressed, but she was not permitted to say anything. Manwë had almost not sent her for fear of her saying something, but she had given him her word that she would not.
When the time finally came, Silva just about gathered all her wits about her and entered the Ring of Doom nervously. She stood in the middle and waited for Manwë to begin. She curtseyed to all present as a sign of respect and stood in silence.
When Yavanna had finally taken her seat, Manwë arose and began his judgement. He did pity the woman before him, but things could not be changed and laws not disregarded.
"Welcome back, Laroleia," he said, trying to ease the tension a little before he dealt the blow.
"Thank you, my lord, it is good to be back," she said meekly.
"Do you know why you have been summoned here?"
"Nay, my lord."
"We have received word from an anonymous source in Middle Earth making allegations against you. It is said that two laws have been broken on your part. Is it true that, whilst residing in Middle Earth, you have espoused an Elf and bore his child under the false name of Silvawen?" Silva hung her head. She knew there was no use denying it and she would not anyway.
"Yes, it is true."
"Do you accept full responsibility for your actions, and with that full punishment?"
"I do." She awaited the word 'exile'.
"Therefore, Laroleia, Handmaiden of Yavanna Kementarí, you are stripped of your gifts, graced to you by the will of Ilúvatar, and you are exiled from the Outer Lands, Middle Earth. Are all gathered here in agreement that this be a worthy punishment for her crimes?" (E/N: NO! I disagree!!!) The thirteen other Valar nodded.
Silva stood rooted to the spot. He head was still lowered, but her eyes were wide and unblinking. '……and you are exiled from the Outer Lands, Middle Earth.' Had he really cast that as her punishment? Forbidding her from reuniting with her loved ones?
"Laroleia, your judgement has been cast," Manwë announced.
"Wh-what do you mean? Exiled from Middle Earth?" she stammered, it didn't make sense. She had expected to be exiled from the Valinor, not Middle Earth.
"You are never to cross the sea again. You are never to make contact with any of the inhabitants of the Outer Lands, excluding your Heart-Sisters on their return."
"But…… why? I don't understand."
"You have disgraced your people, Laroleia."
"But, surely, I should have been exiled from here, not there. Why?"
"This was considered, but then you would be returned to your spouse and offspring. It would be as though your deeds were disregarded. So it was decided that you should be kept here."
"Spouse and offspring? You make them sound like objects!" Silva shouted angrily. "Why can you not say my husband and my son, for that is what they are. You have no right to keep me away from them!"
"You had no right to marry an Elf or bear his child. You broke two laws, Laroleia, now you must face the consequences of your actions."
"I didn't even tell Kemenhin who I really was until he was 21 years old! I missed out on his childhood already."
"Then it shall not matter that you are forever estranged."
"How can you say that?! I kept that fact from him for his own good! Even now only three other people know! I could have easily kept him from birth and told everyone he was my own. Just as I could have told everyone of my marriage to Legolas, but I didn't because I knew the problems it would cause."
"Because you knew you would get caught."
"Laro, you must accept your fate," said Yavanna.
"I love Legolas and I love Kemenhin. They are my family. Middle Earth is my home. You cannot take it all way from me!"
"We are not taking them away from you, we are taking you away from them and putting you back where you belong," said Manwë, sternly. "You were not sent to 'fall in love' or to have children. You were sent to protect Middle Earth and its inhabitants from the growing threat of Sauron, along with your fellow sisters and Istari."
"Which I was doing!"
"You cannot bear such a responsibility when you have also to think of a spouse and child. Your focus cannot be complete." Silva was becoming desperate."
"Am I not even to be granted one last opportunity to speak with them? To send them a message? Can I not even say farewell?"
"No, Laroleia." Silva fell to her knees and clasped her hands. None of the Valar had ever seen her this desperate, vulnerable or weak before.
"Please. Will you not even let me kiss my son goodbye?"
"You are exiled, Laroleia. You cannot ever see any of your friends or so-called family again. You are not to make contact with any of them, or even try to make contact. Is that understood?" There was no way of getting round him. The simple fact of the matter was, she would never see Legolas or Kemenhin for as long as Manwë ruled. She got to her feet and lifted her head proudly, though the tears welling and glistening in her eyes were plain for all to see.
"I accept my punishment."
"Very well. You are free to leave, Laroleia."
"Is it too much to ask to reside with Lady Yavanna and Lord Aulë in their mansions of plant and stone, for I am most accustomed to their company."
"Arrangements have already been made for you, for we deemed this would be your wish."
"Thank you, my lord, ladies, gentlemen. Good day to you all." She left quickly.