The Lost City Of Cirus
Author's Note:
Thank you so much for your reviews I'm thrilled that you're enjoying this. Please read and review and I'll try and get chapters out faster.
Thirteen
In The Heart Of LórienAquila and Elrond were half done packing up their things when Legolas finally emerged from his tent.
"Good to see you up sleepy head." Elrond said before sweeping his eyes up and down the other Elf "Well at least you're dressed."
Legolas' stared at Elrond in confusion, his features blank. Aquila laughed softly to herself knowing full well that Legolas had not been sleeping.
He shook his head and ran a hand absently through his hair to detangle it.
"Where are the others?"
"They have returned to Minas Tirith." Elrond stated before carrying his packed bags over to his horse.
"Elrond sent the others back with Addramyr to…accompany him." She smiled, wishing she could be present when King Elessar was told of what the captain of his guard had gotten up to.
Legolas shook his head again and decided to simply begin packing up his own things.
The three ate a light breakfast before setting off once again at a flying pace. Bound for the woods of Lórien. Aquila was most excited at the prospect of visiting the golden woods as she had only been once when the Rocs had lived in middle Earth.
"Are there many who still dwell in Lothlórien?" Aquila questioned, not to either Elf in particular.
"Yes, there are plenty who still lives within the safety of the woods, not so many as would have been there when you last visited." Elrond answered.
Legolas seemed completely lost within his own thoughts for most of the ride but when Elrond spotted the Misty Mountains before them and called out Legolas snapped out of his daydreaming.
"Not long now then I suppose." He called over to Elrond.
"No and if we pick up our pace we will reach Lórien before nightfall."
"Oh that would be nice. We could sleep in the trees tonight, I do detest the ground."
Both Elves laughed but Aquila simply remained indifferent as to why that was funny.
Elrond urged his horse to run faster and the other two raced to keep up. They set a cracking pace across the remaining flatlands and it was not too long after they had stopped for lunch that the mountains loomed over them and the Woods of Lothlórien could be seen on the horizon.
Just as the sun began to set and tint the sky with vibrant oranges the two Elves and the Roc rode their horses through the trees on the outskirts of Lothlórien, thereby entering the golden wood.
The three dismounted and led their horses into the forest with them. Elrond cast his eyes about knowing full well that the Lady of the Wood did not leave her boarders unattended and expecting to be ambushed by archers at any moment.
Sure enough they had barely made their way far enough in for the foliage to become more dense when they were confronted by Haldir and his band of archers.
"Well if it isn't Lord Elrond, come to pay us a visit. I do wish you could have been someone or something more exciting."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you on that matter Haldir but I imagine the reason you are patrolling this particular part of Lórien's boarders is that your Lady already knows why I've made my way here."
"Indeed." Haldir sighed in boredom. "Something about creatures of potential threat emerging from the sea, yes?"
"You keep yourself well informed Marchwarden."
To this Haldir merely smirked before turning his attention to Legolas.
"My, my it's been awhile since the Prince of Mirkwood has graced us with his presence, or have we still yet to earn our title?"
Legolas detested having to go through this same charade but Haldir seemed to be one of the few Elves in Middle Earth who loved to remind him of the fact that he had no official title. Of course Haldir did not know the true reason why he had lost his title, only the contrived story his father had spread.
If Legolas had taken the time to glance over at Aquila he would have seen her look at him in confusion before realization struck her and she absently fingered the silver ring upon her right hand. She had forgotten all about it, and the fact that Legolas could not be Prince of Mirkwood without it had been lost on her as a child but now she understood. She felt terribly guilty but wanted to return his ring to him at a more private time. Not in front of everyone, most of who seemed to have been told a far different story as to what had become of Legolas' title then the truth she knew.
"No it is still just Legolas. Just as you will forever be just Haldir."
The cocky smirk on Haldir's face twisted into a snarl and Elrond quickly intervened so that the bickering didn't get any nastier.
"If you don't mind Haldir we are in some what of a hurry and need to speak with Galadriel immediately."
"But you haven't introduced me to your pretty friend." Haldir objected as he allowed his eyes to roam up and down Aquila's cloaked body.
"She's out of even your league Haldir so don't even try." Elrond was beginning to get annoyed and certainly sounded it. They had not come this far so swiftly only to be held up because Haldir wished to seduce yet another maiden.
Legolas stiffened as Haldir approached Aquila and Elrond couldn't help but notice the raging jealousy present in the Mirkwood Elf's eyes.
The Lothlórien Elf took Aquila's hand in his and brought it up to his lips to place a kiss upon the back of her hand.
"It is a pleasure to welcome such beauty into our fair woods, it makes a nice change from stuffy old Elves from Rivendell." He added with a sidelong glance at Elrond, who merely rolled his eyes upwards in distaste. "I am Haldir Marchwarden of Lothlórien."
"Aquila." She stated simply, staring at Haldir with a none too impressed look on her face. His brow rose and he released her hand before continuing.
"Interesting name and what a pretty way to style your hair, though you shall have to tell me from what bird you got the feathers as I do not recognize them." Still having no luck in eliciting a response from her. "Isn't it a little warm to be wearing such a heavy cloak? How about I take it for you?"
"You're right Haldir." Elrond stepped in with a smirk upon his face. "We are safely hidden within these woods, I see no reason why you couldn't take it off Aquila."
So Aquila removed the cloak and handed it to Haldir who, almost dropping it, stumbled backwards in shock. He stared at her with wide eyes as he tried to find his voice again, while a murmur went up amongst the archers behind him.
"Princess Aquila." Haldir finally managed to choke out. "I didn't recognize you. My you've grown." He finally managed to compose himself and, along with the Elves behind, him bowed low to show his respect.
"I think we only met briefly on my one visit to Lothlórien as a child so you are forgiven Haldir." She smiled prettily as the Elf swallowed hard. He quickly began to look irritated as he could hear Legolas and Elrond snickering in the background.
"How kind of you Elrond, to inform the rest of us that the Rocs have returned. The Lady will not be impressed."
"I'm afraid it's just her and I imagine your Lady already knows she is here."
Aquila would have been confused by Elrond comment except that she managed to remember that the Lady Galadriel's seeing abilities surpassed that of even Elrond's.
"Now Haldir, if you don't mind?"
"Of course my Lord. Please follow me." He then instructed the other archers to continue their patrols of the borders, indicating that he would catch up with them once he had taken their guests to see the Lord and Lady.
Haldir lead them swiftly and by the most direct path into the heart of Lothlórien. Aquila spent most of the walk marvelling at the tall trees she remembered so little of. Legolas, a worried look on his face, had not forgotten the last time he'd had the pleasure of meeting with the Lady Galadriel. He had certainly not forgotten her ability to enter your mind and read your inner most thoughts and at that moment Legolas was most embarrassed as to what she might find there.
Elrond too had a great distaste for Galadriel's mind reading ability but while Legolas could do little about it Elrond, who himself was a seer and had more control over the inner workings of his mind, could. So as they walked he worked on preparing himself for his encounter with her. He cleared his mind as best he could and then using a simple trick prevented her from seeing his inner thoughts by creating a mental block, simply projecting an image of the peaceful Rivendell at the front of his thoughts. This trick had worked well before and he trusted it would work again.
Poor Aquila was the only one who would have the Lady's ability sprung upon her but perhaps, seeing as Legolas was thwart with worry, it was for the better.
They emerged from the forests depths into Caras Galadhon. All around them where giant trees with elegant staircases that seemed to grow up with them, curving around their trunks. At their very tops were talans, which housed the Galadhrim. The larger trees often housing more than one talan, which were more elaborate than those found at the tops of the smaller trees.
Aquila gasped as she took in the sight of the most elaborate talan of them all. In the twilight it appeared to glow all on it's own and it was towards the tree that housed it they headed.
Haldir led them dutifully up the long winding staircase into the upper most branches of the tree where they stepped out upon the large talan and were greeted by Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel rising from their seats.
Legolas swallowed the lump beginning to form in his throat. He really didn't want to go through this again, especially not now. Clearly the Lady sensed his unrest and turned her glittering blue eyes towards him. He met her gaze for only a moment before lowering it to the floor. She then turned her attention to Elrond.
"Welcome to Lórien, all three of you. I trust Haldir greeted you respectfully at our borders." Celeborn glanced over at Haldir who stood stiffly at the top of the stairs.
"He was a most gracious welcoming party Lord Celeborn. I can assure you he was nothing but courteous towards us." Elrond lied, not really wishing to get the Marchwarden in any severe trouble seeing as no great harm was done. Celeborn gave Elrond a questioning look before turning and nodding at Haldir, indicating he was excused. The Elf quickly made his way down the stairs, not wishing to remain in case Elrond had a change of heart.
"I'll cut straight to the point Lord Celeborn, as you may already know this is not a personal visit." Elrond began grimly. Celeborn nodded to acknowledge that he did know this and also for the other Elf to continue. Elrond knew very well that many of the events of the past days he was accounting both the Lord and Lady of Lothlórien already knew of but the two were always great activists of formalities. He was also aware that while he spoke with Celeborn Galadriel would be busy with searching Aquila and Legolas' minds for any extra information she could get.
She locked her eyes with Aquila's first and initially let her mind wander within hers to learn all the Roc had learnt about the creatures from the sea. She further used her memories to update herself on all that had happened since Aquila's arrival in Middle Earth. It was when she went in search of the lost city of the Rocs location that she encountered a locked door and it was this that alerted Aquila to the presence of another in her mind.
'You have better control over your mind than most' the voice of the Lady rang clearly throughout her head.
'But it seems to be only this that you think worthy of locking away and not your apparent feelings for the young Prince of Mirkwood'
Aquila looked shocked as she heard her innermost thoughts being voiced. Panic began to swell inside her at the thought of the Lady looking any further but Galadriel was not one to exploit her abilities for her own amusement. She merely liked to make others aware of the thoughts they were keeping locked away from themselves.
So she retreated from Aquila's mind, much to the Rocs relief. She quickly flicked her gaze to lock with Legolas'. What she discovered within his thoughts, regarding the present matter of the threat from the sea, was no different from Aquila's. The rest of the thoughts racing about the Elf's mind were of more interest and seeing as he was making no effort to hide them she thought they best be brought to his attention.
'You should not attempt to fight your own desires Legolas. Not all of life requires you to act as the responsible heir to your father's throne.'
Legolas froze, stopping even his breathing as his fears of the Lady encountering these thoughts while in his mind were realized.
'Besides I think she'd make a fine queen for Mirkwood. Wouldn't you agree?'
She then quickly removed herself from Legolas' thoughts and turned to Elrond. Legolas sighed loudly as he let out the breath he'd been holding.
Galadriel usually had not luck when trying to pry into Elrond's mind but she thought she'd give it a go as he was presently distracted by his conversation with Celeborn.
As per usual all she found was a quaint image of his beloved Rivendell, waterfalls and all. However just as she was going to with draw from his mind something flashed past her awareness and she smiled slyly.
'I believe it is her image you are in love with my Lord, not her. Perhaps it is the return of another Roc you await?'
Elrond baulked and stopped mid-sentence to look over at Galadriel who smiled at him. Unsure how she'd gotten past his mind block, or more likely how he'd allowed the block to slip he coughed before continuing his conversation with Celeborn.
"…simply we have come to ask if you will sent troops to aid us in this possible battle."
"Of course we will Elrond. We will have the finest of our army ready to leave within three days. You must understand we cannot sent our full forces as we still have Lothlórien's protection in our best interests."
"Of course Lord Celeborn, any that you can spare will be greatly received."
"So be it then." Galadriel spoke for the first time for all to hear. "We shall have troops ready to return to Gondor with you in three days. Until then you shall be housed as our guests and treated to the finest of our hospitalities."
Elrond and Legolas bowed while Aquila curtsied politely before they were shown down the winding staircase to the vast forest floor.
The first thing Elrond saw to when a group of Elves came to show them to the talans that had been reserved for them to stay in, was to ask if they could have some garments made to fit Aquila. The Elves ensured him they could have a number of both formal and informal garments suitable for all purposes, including riding, prepared by morning. They then whisked Aquila away so they could take her measurements, leaving Elrond and Legolas to discuss their next course of action.
They followed the Elf who had remained in order to show them to their respective talan. Legolas and Elrond walked leisurely behind their guide enjoying the serenity of Lothlórien at night.
"I think it's best if you continue onto Mirkwood with Aquila in the morning." Elrond finally spoke up. Legolas looked quizzically over at him. "I think it's best to keep her away from Gondor for as long as possible and I plan to return there as soon as the Lórien Elves are ready. Not to mention you still have a long journey, once you've gathered forces from Mirkwood you must journey to Aglarond and I think it's best if you rest tonight and leave as soon as possible tomorrow."
"You're right, even if we the Old Forest road it will at least two days before we reach my father's halls. Hopefully I can convince him we're in a hurry and manage to get in and out with troops in a day. It'll be tough though, once he finds out Aquila's here he'll want to throw celebrations that would go on for weeks. I'm hoping to gather what forces I can from Mirkwood and send them straight to Minas Tirith, that way we wont be slowed down on our way to Helm's Deep." He smiled at the older Elf; satisfied he had everything planned out.
"Well it sounds like you have everything thought through."
Upon having said this, their guide stopped at the base of four trees growing in a sort of semi circle.
"These will be your accommodations for your stay with us my Lords. I hope they are to your liking. If there is anything more we can do for you, don't hesitate to ask." He then bowed formally at left.
"I for one am thoroughly exhausted" Elrond sighed. "I believe I will turn in for the night. I'll be sure to be up early to see you and Aquila off. Good night Legolas, try and get some rest as it is upon you we place our hopes of recruiting the Dwarves."
Elrond then walked to the tree nearest him and climbed up the rope ladder that hung down from the talan, high in the tree. Legolas didn't stay to watch the other Elf climb up, instead he wandered over to the next tree and too climbed up to the talan nestled in its braches.
Aquila, after being measured and fitted, asked a nearby Elf, who did not seem horribly busy stitching together garments, if she could show her to where she would be sleeping. The Elf smiled and quickly led her through the centre of Lothlórien to where the trees seemed to house smaller and fewer talans per tree.
"You will be staying next to the Lord of Imladris and Prince Legolas of Mirkwood I believe." The Elf told her as they found themselves at the based of four trees set in a semi circle.
"Here?" Aquila asked as she looked up at the talans set high in the trees. Candlelight flowed from the open windows of the two nearest to her and she assumed Elrond and Legolas must already occupy these.
"Yes, is there anything else that the lady requires?"
"No thank you and thank you for showing me here."
The Elf curtsied and hurried off to return to help with the garment production. Aquila watched her go and was about to climb up the ladder of the third tree when she suddenly remembered about Legolas' ring. She ran a finger over it and decided it was high time she returned it to him. The next problem however was which tree he was in.
Shrugging her shoulders she went with the first one, figuring if it was Elrond she found she could always ask him come contrived question about what they planed to do tomorrow.
She was not particularly shocked when she emerged into the talan and found Elrond standing by the bed wearing nothing but his leggings and tunic, which he was in the process of unbuttoning.
"Elrond."
He turned to face her and smiled, dropping his hands from the fastenings of his tunic. He'd managed to get the first two undone before he was interrupted.
"And to what do I owe this late night visit?"
"I was wondering what you'd planned for us to do with ourselves for the three days we have to wait here." She said as she crossed the room to stand before him.
"Of course. You will be travelling with Legolas to Mirkwood to gather the Elves from Legolas' kingdom who will come, before returning to Gondor through Aglarond to gather the Dwarves, those that will offer their aid anyway. Unless you have any objections?"
"No I would be quite happy to go with him. I should certainly like to meet this Gimli I have heard so much about, not to mention it would be most wonderful to visit Mirkwood again."
"I thought as much."
"But what will you do?"
"I'll remain here until the Lothlórien Elves are ready and I will then led them on to Gondor where we will join the others back in Minas Tirith."
"So I guess this is good bye then?" She looked sadly up at him.
"Only until we meet again in Minas Tirith."
He held his arms out to her, inviting her into a hug, which she entered. She wrapped her arms about him as he did the same to her. She rested her head briefly on his shoulder before pulling back to look up at him.
"I promise we will meet again Elrond Peredhel." She reached up and held his face in her hands. She then brought his lips down to hers in a chaste kiss. "Good bye Elrond"
She walked to the round hole in the floor that served as the talan's exit, leading to the ladder she had climbed up only minutes before. She was about to lower herself through when Elrond called out from behind her.
"Good bye to you too Princess. Have a safe journey." He then paused for a moment "Sometimes when you want something enough, you have to make the effort to get it."
Aquila looked thoroughly confused by the last comment but knew Elrond was a very wise Elf and so she did not forget what he had said. Simply put it to the back of her mind for later contemplation. Right now, she had another task to concentrate on.
She landed softly on the grass at the trees base, after jumping down the last few rungs of the ladder. Quietly she strolled over to the base of the tree she assumed Legolas must be sleeping in and began to climb the ladder hanging down from it.
Elrond sat down on the soft bed provided for him after Aquila had shut the hatch behind her. His delicate fingers finished unfastening his tunic and he shrugged it from his shoulders. Casting it over onto the pile formed by his other discarded cloths. It was a hot night so he wished to sleep in nothing but his leggings, had it gotten any hotter he would have stripped them off too.
The funny thing though was, despite the hug and kiss Aquila had left him with he felt little affected by them. He lay back on the bed and began to wonder if perhaps what Galadriel had said to him was in fact true. That it was not Aquila he was harbouring these feelings for but merely her image. Was it that he'd been too long without the company of a mate and was simply seeking companionship? If that was so then why did no Elf trigger the same feelings he had been harbouring for her in the past few days? In which case was it the image of a Roc that he was in love with or lusting after, he really wasn't sure which it was any more.
He finally managed to get to sleep and would be plagued by no dreams of any sexual nature, far from it. His dreams, or visions as he would confirm to himself in the morning when he called upon them again, concerned his sons and what they had witnessed since they had arrived at the Western Shores. Of them observing till something triggered them to leave, what that something was was hazy as were most of the finite details of his visions. He then saw them racing across Middle Earth in a mad dash for Gondor. The last image he saw before he woke however troubled him greatly. It was a man dressed in brown and white leathers but Elrond could not be sure of that. All he remembered clearly of this man was he had the most amazing blue eyes the Elf had ever seen, eyes that somehow seemed familiar.
Aquila prayed silently that Legolas wasn't yet asleep as she knocked as best she could on the bottom of the floorboards. She heard his soft footfalls above her as he padded his way across the floors to see who his caller was.
"Aquila?" He stepped back from the open hatch to allow her room to climb through. She wandered further into the talan as she attempted to explain her presence so late at night.
"Sorry Legolas, I didn't wake you did I?"
"No I was about to go to sleep but hadn't quite made it to the bed yet." This being no lie as the bed sheets were still yet to be even creased. Legolas it would seem had also decided the night was too hot for his tunic and had shed it to sleep in nothing but his leggings. At another time Aquila probably would have taken the time to admire the Elf's beautifully chiselled body but she was otherwise occupied with trying to find the best way to approach the subject she wished to speak with him of.
"I wouldn't have come up so late Legolas but…I wanted to give you something." She had meanwhile slipped his ring from her finger and held it, concealed in her left hand. She then took his right hand in hers, palm up, and opened his fingers out. Pressing her left hand into his right she transferred the ring from her hand into his. Then closing his fingers about the metal object released his hand.
She smiled at him and he looked at her in confusion before uncurling his fingers. As he gazed down upon the same silver ring he'd given her all those many years ago a smile slowly spread across his face.
"I promised to return it to you when I returned."
"I know, I'd forgotten till recently." He then walked over to his pile of discarded cloths and, after searching for a minute found what he was looking for. He returned to stand before her with the feather she'd given him held carefully between thumb and forefinger.
Aquila smiled and laughed softly.
"I know you promised to return my feather to me but you don't need worry about that Legolas. I'd like for you to keep it. Besides I've already grown a new one, see." She pointed at the middle feather of the three that dressed up her hair. "Your ring means far more to you then a feather does to me."
He smiled and slipped the bottom of the feather under the waistband of his tights, having nowhere else to put it. Aquila laughed at this and he quietly joined in as he slipped the ring onto the slender ring finger of his right hand.
"I'll let you get some sleep then. Good night Legolas." She turned to leave but he caught her hand in his, turning her back to face him.
"You're wrong you know. This ring means nothing to me when it's on my finger. It's everyone else that it means a lot to." He then lent down and placed a soft kiss upon her parted lips. "Good night Aquila."
He released her hand and she finally made it to the talan's exit. She made her way down the ladder before stepping onto the soft ground of the forests floor. She could not see the moon clearly in the sky for her view was obscured by the trees but she guessed the night was getting rather late and she was to be setting out early in the morning.
With nothing more to delay her she climbed swiftly up into her own designated sleeping quarters. No sooner had she set foot in the talan did she head straight for the bed. Being a warm night she decided to change into her Final form and sleep naked beneath a light sheet.
About the time she settled into her bed to go to sleep Legolas was doing the same, absently fingering the ring she had returned to him only moments ago. He sighed and closed his eyes, swiftly falling into a much-needed deep sleep.
Aquila had a peaceful night too, falling asleep easily and dreaming of nothing that caused her enough concern to wake before dawn. As soon as the birds awoke to welcome the sun from it's sleep, however, Aquila too rose to watch its light seep through the forests canopy from a large open window.
With the new day came a new journey to be undertaken. She looked forward to it and couldn't wait to visit Mirkwood on their way back. She imagined they'd miss Elrond's forever guiding wisdom but her and Legolas would get by and have fun along the way, they always did.
The light began to get brighter and, already in her Half form she watched for any signs of others who were awake. When she saw small groups of Elves beginning to make their way about in different directions, getting on with their daily lives she decided that she'd go down and see if the seamstresses had finished the collection of clothing Elrond had asked them to make up for her.
To be continued…
Disclaimer:
I do not own Lord of the Rings or any of the places, characters, items, etc associated with it. I am not making any money from this piece of fiction and am merely borrowing these places and characters to place in a new situation for your and my amassment.
However, the Rocs, the City of Cirus, Aquila, Pandion, Audax and any other characters, weapons, places, etc associated with the Rocs are my own creation and I lay full claim to them.