Hey I am so sorry that I have not updated in such along time. I just got done with Basketball Sectional and...well...we lost, but that came as no surprise what so ever...trust me. Anyway I would like to thank my reviewers and also tell them I will update more often now.
Disclaimer: I own none of the LOTR characters. only Gwen
Well here is the next chapter Enjoy and Review!
Chapter 6
Of Wizards and Kings
Legolas POV
I looked over to Gwen to find her fast asleep. I sat in the garden and for the first time I studied this human woman that had become a friend to me. She laid there with a smile on her face, her features were similar to that of an edhel, her cheekbones were well defined and her skin was a soft cream. Her chestnut hair was to mid-back-length and laid over her shoulder. Also she was tall for a human woman, about 5" 9'. Her frame was thin but strong. I often wondered what this woman was hiding from us, because every time she looked at me she had seemed to hold some sort of recognition and understanding, but because Lady Galadriel told us not to question her until Gandalf did, we did not pursue it. I had many questions that needed answering, but I trusted her. With that thought I turned away from her and began to relax. I started to dose and knew it was time to go inside for the evening. I was going to wake her but decided against it. Gently I rose and picked her up from her resting place. She sighed softly and buried her head into the crook of my neck, causing me to chuckle lightly.
I entered the palace and walked soundlessly through the winding halls until finally reached her room, It was down the hall from mine because I was the only person she knew here. I nudged the door open and laid her down, she snuggled into the pillows again causing me to chuckle for the second time this evening. Removing her shoes I covered her with her blanket. I tucked a stray hair behind her ear.
"Goodnight my friend" I whispered and as quietly as I had come I left. I looked back down the hall towards my door to find my father standing outside it. He was about to knock when he saw me.
" There you are my son"
"Yes father what is it that you need, the hour is late" I asked walking over to him.
" I know but we have a visitor, he has asked for my council as well as yours" He replied. "How is our guest? I noticed you came from her room...Legolas..."
"Father I only brought her to her room, she fell asleep in the gardens after the feast and I did not want to wake her" I replied rolling my eyes.
"Good, just always remember she Is human and will only be a guest here nothing more"
"Yes father, now who is this guest?"I said dryly. 'So much for sleeping tonight' I thought.
"It is Mithrandir, he says he has some important business to discuss, concerning Lord Elrond of Imladris." My father said as we began to walk toward his study.
I thought he would have been here to discuss Gwen, but why would he want discuss Lord Elrond? We have not spoken to that kingdom in ages.
" But why would that have anything to do with us? We have not spoken with or about them in ages." I asked my father
" Indeed, you have not" came a voice. I looked to the source, and found it was Gandalf's voice I heard. We had entered the study and I hadn't even noticed. I walked over to Gandalf and embraced him.
"It is good to see you Gandalf", I said moving away.
"Yes it is good to see you too, but I can not stay long and the time for pleasantry has passed. I am here for business" I looked at him as he said this and was shocked by the seriousness in his voice and the weariness in his eyes.
"Gandalf what is troubling you so?" I asked taking my seat next to my father behind his desk.
"Son please, let me continue this meeting"
"Uma Ada" I said and kept myself quiet.
"Now Gandalf what has brought you to my kingdom this late night?" My father began. Gandalf look at us intently.
"Yes, I do have a message but that is not the only reason I have come ,I know that Gollum had escaped as she arrived. I am here to speak with that guest of yours also, I believe Galadriel has mentioned as much"
"Aye, but she has told us no more" I stated and my father sent me a look that clearly stated 'mouth shut'. I nodded and he continued.
" My son speaks the truth and I would like to know more of this guest that has been in my kingdom" He said
Gandalf sighed. "All of those questions will be answered, but first about the message I carry"
Gwen POV
BANG! BANG! BANG!
I shot out of bed to banging and let me tell you that is just how I wanted to wake up.
"Yes", I growled falling back against the pillows. Trying to get my heartbeat back to normal.
"Gwen, can I come in" cam a familiar voice. I smiled knowing who it was but he sounded different... almost panicked.
"Yes, Legolas come in" I replied sitting up against the headboard.
He walked in and quickly closed the door.
"Good Morn..." I started until I looked closely at him. He was leaning against the door and was in the same clothes from last night and looked as if he had not slept. His jaw was set and he looked worried. "Legolas, what is it , what's wrong" I asked
"Nothing that concerns you at the moment", he stated as he came away from the door, walked over and slumped down into the chair next to my bed. " I need you to make yourself ready, we have a guest that is waiting to meet you, he is with my father."
"Ok...is that where you have been all night?" I asked rising from my bed.
"Yes", he sighed.
" Well what happened and who's guest?" I asked grabbing a dress from the Vanity.
" Please just make ready and stop asking so many questions, they are waiting" he said harshly and impatiently. He was clearly irritated, but it gave him no right to take it out on me.
" Fine, get out so I can get ready, unless you want me to delay you further" I snapped.
He looked surprised at my little outburst. He simply nodded and exited the room. I could tell something was wrong with him and I knew I shouldn't of snapped, but well, what could I do he started it. I had no idea who the person was that wanted to see me, I couldn't guess for the life of me. I snapped out of thought and quickly dressed into a silver, long sleeved gown with a green silk belt to tie around my waist. I brushed my hair and headed for the door. Legolas, of course, was waiting out side for me. He offered me his arm and quietly took my down the halls. We walked silently as I thought things over. Legolas was tense as we walked, and he never once shifted his gaze to me. I hadn't seen him like this since I'd met him, however, it was a short time ago, but I could tell, something was different. The only time I'd seen him like this was...was... IN THE MOVIES - OH GOD-. The war I had totally forgotten all about it. I stopped walking. 'But what if it is just something else, like an argument with his father. I thought trying to calm my nerves. I must have visibly shaken because Legolas was shaking me.
"Gwen, Gwen answer me Gwen"
blinking a few times I looked up at him.
"Legolas" I started
" Are you ok I was yelling your name and you wouldn't answer you stopped walking and looked to be in deep thought, what's wrong?" He asked panicked slightly. I just stared and swallowed hard.
"Legolas, what is the date and year?" I asked
"It is 3018 of the 3rd age, late summer, why Gwen, why is that important, are you ok." That answer, answered my question, I now knew that war was coming. I looked down the hall and stated walking.
"Yes , I am fine...lets just go now", I finished
"Gwen...", he started.
"No, lets just go, ok"
He simply nodded and we continued again in silence. I was nervous to say the least. We came to the doors of the study and I swallowed hard, what ever was behind that door was not going to be good. Legolas opened the doors he ushered me inside. The study had a large desk with scrolls, books and quills scattered all over it; book cases where all around. The room was candle lit. I noticed also the many chairs in front of the desk, and in one of those chairs sat our guest. It was someone I recognized all to well. It was Gandalf the Grey. We approached the desk and I was seated near Gandalf and Legolas joined his father behind the desk. The King's face looked like it was etched of stone, but his eyes held worry and unfortunately I knew why. The War was about to begin and he was sending his own son right into it.
"Welcome Gwen" Thranduil started. "Gwen this is Mithrandir, or Gandalf the Gray."
I nodded my head in his direction and he did the same. The king continued " Gandalf this is Gwen or Gwenivere" He nodded again and I smiled at him slightly and he returned it, I could tell by the slight twinkle in his eye he knew who I was and he knew that I knew him as well. Thranduil looked at us and raised an eyebrow, but continued. " Now that Introductions have been made, will you please continue?"
" I will but I would like to speak to Gwen in private first" Gandalf replied looking at Thranduil.
"Gandalf I am sorry, but I will allow that, I will not be kept in the dark on this subject any longer, she is in my kingdom and I will know about who and what she is, with what..." he said looking at me. " With what you have just reviled to me, I need to be wary and I will know more about her"
Oh my- he seems to think I might have something to do with the ring. Not GOOD.
I just sat there wide eyed. I leaned deeper into my chair and sighed loudly. I looked from Thranduil to Gandalf and back again not quite sure of what to do.
"Thranduil, I will allow no discussion on this matter. I will speak to her alone he finished firmly and stood up.
"Very well, But I will know more about this child, or , may the Valar help me, she will not stay within the safety of my boarders" He finished slamming his fist against the table. I cringed and closed my eyes. I couldn't find my voice. I was now frightened of this king before me. The way his anger rose and the way he slammed his fist reminded me of...of 'no I will not go there' I looked down and tried to calm myself. Living in the past will not help matters.
"You will know, but I need to speak to her now" Gandalf finish calmly, laying a hand on my shoulder. I open my eyes.
Thranduil just waved his hand and stormed out, slowly Legolas fallowed but stopped near me. I looked into his eyes he looked angry, hurt and worried all at once. I couldn't look into his eyes any longer and looked at my lap. Legolas then fallowed his father example and left the room. I sighed and looked over at Gandalf, who only smiled knowingly.
"You have found a friend in the young prince, yet you have not told him", I smiled lightly at him.
"I've told him nothing, nor anything his father." I replied laughing slightly. "I mean what would they have thought"
"It is good that you have told them nothing, but that will soon change." He said suddenly becoming serious. I gaped at him.
"Surely you won't have me tell them everything, things could change, and weather it be for better or for worse, I don't know" I said shaking.
"No, no my dear child, I know that you know of the future, that is not what I meant. You will simply tell them where you hail from, and that you do know of the future, but you will not reveal what you know of it."He said kindly, he squeezed my shoulder slightly. "And I know there are some things that you would rather leave out about your life back home, and that...well that is just fine" He finished giving me a pat on the back. I was shocked that he already knew of me and my home but somehow I felt comforted and not so much alone anymore. I gave him a shy smile and let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.
"Thanks Gandalf." I started. "Is there anything you need to know though that you do not now?" His gaze hardened again and he looked to be in deep thought and then he came too again.
"Yes there is one thing I would know, how exactly did you get here? That I do not know" He said finally. I thought back to the morning it had happened. I told him of the night I went into the forest and what exactly had happened with the fall, the necklace and the messenger. He listened the entire time only asking questions when he needed more detail. Finally I finished.
"So you say you posses a necklace and that is what brought you here?" he said grabbing the bridge of his nose. "And that it has a leaf carved into the center"
"Yes" I said simply as I watched at the old man processed this information. Then suddenly he turned to me with eyes wide.
"May I see this necklace?"He said quickly. I nodded and unhooked it from around my neck and handed it too him. His face softened as he saw it and he slowly tuned it over and handed it back to me.
"What Gandalf? What is it?" I asked expectantly
"It was nothing my child just an old man jumping to conclusions" He replied with a smile. I looked at him with suspicion, he knew something and wasn't telling me. Stupid wizard I thought. Same as in the movie always keeping his secrets. I put the necklace back on. "Now I think it is time we tell a very impatient King who his guest really is."
I nodded and he went over to the door and called for them to return. Minutes later Legolas and his father arrived. They took there seats and Slowly I began. I never stopped I told them everything they 'needed' to know about me and what I knew and why I knew it, about the books and all, But I still kept some secrets, but only to keep them safe.
" And well that's all", I finished finally. I looked up at Legolas and the King for the first time, both had a look of disbelief etched into there faces, but there was something else in Legolas that I couldn't decipher and it bothered me. Then Thranduil found his voice.
"Well..." he started, "This is indeed very strange, to say the least" he turned to Gandalf. " Why would she be here, if the enemy got a hold..." he started again.
" They won't" Gandalf said simply. "But they do know she is here, in Mirkwood, but that will change soon"
"What, how?" I asked looking at him.
He just looked over at Legolas and then at Thranduil.
"She knows you are leaving soon Legolas, and she is going with you." Gandalf finished.
"What?" Legolas yelled
"Silence , Legolas" his Father bellowed. Then he looked over to Gandalf. "I will not allow it, she will be only a burden to my son, and would slow his travel down!"
" She will go with him she needs the council of Elrond and that is final. If you are so worried about her being a burden then teach her, teach her the way of combat here and help her not be the very burden you think she will be" Gandalf finished with more force in his voice but know anger.
" She will endanger my son, he needs no distraction out there. He needs to watch his own back not hers" The king finished standing up.
" She is more than she appears to be and she will not be a beraded, she is going"Gandalf said standing as well. I looked at Legolas and felt anger flow through me. They saw me as a child and talked about me as if I was not here. Then they have to call me a burden on top of it all. Insulting me hurt but to say that I would potentially get his son killed hurt worse. I had, had enough. Thranduil was about to reply when I interrupted.
"Stop" I yelled standing " both of you, neither of you are my guardians and therefore can not tell me what I should and should not do. I WILL go to Rivendell and I will travel there alone if I have too. I know what is out there. I faced them coming here and I will do so again."I seethed "I am not a child, where I came form I learned hand to hand combat, ran cross county for miles, I have ridden horses, and took fencing lessons as a teenager, I can learn whatever you can teach me,But you have given up on me before you have even given me a chance."
That is when the silent elf, Legolas, finally had his say.
"You almost didn't make it last time you faced what was out there, and there is more out there then just Orcs." Legolas finished.
" But you forget my dear prince, I do know there is more out there, and I did survive. I will go and You can not stop me" I said watching the hurt flash across his face at his title, looking firmly at them all. "Now if you would excuse me, you have all pointed out that I have much preparation to see to."Thranduil looked into my eyes and held my gaze.
"You may go, Gwen, but remember, If my son gets hurt or killed on your account, his blood will stain your hands. You leave in 2 weeks."
"Very well" I said trying to keep my emotions in check. I turned and walked quickly away so that they couldn't see the tears that began to fall from my eyes.
