OMG ... I am so sorry... I forgot to put up my fence and I fell off the edge of the world there for awhile. HEHE! I am here again and here is the next chapter. I love all of my reviewers and I thank you for your unwavering patience.
Chapter 16
The reality of it all.
I have found home now, an identity and a peace that had long eluded me. Everything had started to make sense, and for me that was something that came few and far between. Galadriel or 'mother' as I tended to call her now, has been there through my entire recovery. A month had passed and it barely seems like anything at all.
The fellowship and I had started training together again so we don't get rusty in our short time off. It was always early in the morning ,I had been late a few times, but much to my relief I always made it before the hobbits.
I was on my way there now. The air had become crisp as fall settled in over the land. Everything shined in the faint sunlight that came over the horizon just ahead, only visible because of the training grounds clearing. I stepped out into the open to find that no one had arrived. It was strange because as it was I was running late. I looked around and there was no sign of anyone. Shrugging I walked out to the center and took out my sword, well not mine but one I had borrowed from the armory, mine had been lost in Moria. I started taking some practice swings warming myself up for Legolas. He had taken to being my sparing partner everyday and still... I couldn't beat him. I made a jabbing motion and started to lower my sword when I heard very faint foot fall behind me. I recognized those foot falls and smiled to myself. I waited until he had almost reached me and turned swiftly meeting his blade. He smiled at me approvingly, he nodded and lowered his sword and I soon followed.
" And what may I ask was that about." I said mockingly as I put my sword back into its scabbard. He just smiled.
" Well we have practiced everything but it is time to work on your developing your new found 'elvishness' as you call it." He said using the term I used to describe what happened to me. I laughed at how foreign it sounded coming from his mouth. He laughed as well coming to stand next to me.
"Where is everyone else?" I asked finally realizing no one had come out.
"They have taken the day off." He answered shrugging his shoulders. "Come lets get started so we can actually make in to lunch." he said swinging his arm over my shoulder. I laughed as he led me back into the woods.
4 hours later
This was getting absolutely ridiculous, this was like a warped game of hide and go seek. I would wandering around aimlessly and then out of know where Legolas would attack me. He would fight me and then again take off into the middle of no where. I was tired and wanted to quit but he wouldn't hang around me long enough to let me complain. I think he did that on purpose. Suddenly I was roughly awakened from my musings as I was shoved to the ground.
"Damn it Legolas, get off" I said knowing I had been caught... again. He laughed and jumped lightly to his feet.
" You get me every time, how do you do that?" I asked
" Its quite simple Gwen, your distracted, your not looking at your surroundings, all the places I've attacked you were places I had the advantages.." I abruptly cut him off.
" you have the advantage everywhere, you know this woodland, I don't." I said, I stuck out my hand and he helped me off the forest floor.
" Yes but you can use that to your advantage." He said, I began to walk down the path figuring he would follow. I walked a few steps and stopped, that didn't make sense.
" How?" I asked " How could I use that to my advantage?" I turned around at this point only to see that he had left. He was such a silent hunter, I hadn't even heard him leave.
" God damn it Legolas!" I yelled " advantage my ass." I mumbled to my self as I began to run nimble down the path.
I don't know how long I ran before finally stopped at the foot of a small hill. This place would be a perfect place for him to attack. He would come from the opposite direction and press my back to the hill, forcing me to go backwards up the hill. Unless he knows that's what I'm thinking he's thinking about doing . I took a few steps forward and closed my eyes listening intently to my surroundings, time seemed to stop as I listened to the area around me. Then I heard it the light pitter patter of Legolas' feet coming from my...behind me? He was moving fast and then he stopped, he'd spotted me. I heard leaves crackling softly under his feet as he hid in the under brush. I opened my eyes pretending I hadn't heard a thing and started to walk slowly forward my ears still focused on him. He moved to the left and out of the bushes and...turned around? What the hell was he doing? He was running away...the jackass was taunting me. He knew that I'd heard him. How did he know, he was so damn infuriating. Well... then again I thought, I could just use that against him. There is no way that he can no for sure that I'd heard him. I looked at the hill in front of me and slowly walked up the hill knowing that he couldn't resist attacking me when I put myself in a bad spot. I still listen intently upon his footsteps and as I ascended his footfalls ceased. I kept my face impassive and kept on going. Soon I heard him whisper ' has she learned nothing these passed few hours?" and he started toward me again. I knew he was getting closer and I started to walk faster. I knew that he was not far behind me and he went to grab me when I bolted up the hill the rest of the way. He quickly followed. I turned as soon as I reached the level land of its top and met his sword with my own. He seemed mildly surprised at my actions. He lowered his sword and I followed as well.
"Well done." he said putting his hand upon my shoulder. I shrugged
"I had a good teacher." I replied "and I have learned something over the passed few hours." He nodded and then stopped short and looked at me slightly taken off guard.
"And what did you learn?" he said smiling slightly.
"That just because I don't know the layout of the land doesn't mean I can't use that to my advantage." I said turning and walking back towards the woods , my mother was calling me. I looked back and Legolas jogged to catch up with me. And together we entered the city.
(1 hour later)
Legolas walked me to my mothers talon and bid me a good day and went to clean himself
up. I sighed watching him go. My feelings had developed strongly since he took up my training. I think about him all the time and when I'm not with him I wish that I was. I doubt he feels the same, but then again I wonder as I think back to the day I woke up from my injuries to find him at loss and the worry in his eyes made my heart break. There were emotions there I could not identify and it made me curious. I walked up the many stairs that led to Galadriel's talon. I reached the top and went to knock when a voice called from within.
"Come in, child." I sighed and went inside. I smiled at my mother and father for they were both sitting in there main room. "Have a seat Gwen" I quickly walked over and sat down upon one of the many chairs within the room.
"What is it that you need, Mother?" I asked looking at them intently. They looked at each other and then back at me. "Is something wrong?" I asked becoming slightly panicked.
"No, no child calm down all is well we just need to talk to you." Galadriel replied cooly. "We have a favor to ask of you while you are here" she continued. I nodded .
"What is it you can ask me." I said with upmost curiosity. Galadriel nodded and Celeborn took over.
" No w as you know, you are our daughter, our only daughter we have here in Middle Earth. For your sister has crossed." I nodded in understanding. "It is time that you are presented to the Golden wood and crowned as it's heir. We should do it as soon as possible because you will leave again on this quest and even though we have much faith in you, it is still dangerous and if you do not return... well we want you to receive your honors as a part of this house."
" I would be honored to be crowned the heir of the Golden wood. When do you plan to do this presentation?" I was getting more and more nerves as she went on. ME being the heir to any kingdom was frightening in itself.
" Tonight"
I gulped " you wo..ould proclaim ..me..me as your heir ...tonight." I stuttered. Dinner was in less then 3 hours and they were plaining on me being able to bath, find something to wear, and do my hair, not like the way I would do it the first time or the dress I'm wearing redo that and then plan on being proclaimed the heir to a kingdom I'd only known actually existed for like 5 months and then on top of that every one was going to be there including Leg...There was no way I was going to be able to handle this every vein in my skull would implode.
Galadriel must have been reading my mind. I looked up from my lap to see a smile on her face and her eyes twinkling merrily. Her smile soon turned to laughter, her voice ringing like soft bells in the wind. " You my dear are just like your sister." She stood and knelt before me and took my hands into her own. " There is nothing on the face of this earth that you could not get through, you will be fine. We have already arranged for the party, your dress has been picked out, by me of course, I will come and do your hair myself if it will make you feel better and we've already arranged for an escort."
I leapt to my feet and hugged her tightly. " Thank god I don't know what I'd do with out you."
She split up our hug and turned me toward the door.
" Go and bath I'll be with you in an hour." With that she shoved me off toward the door.
An hour later I sat on my bed brushing out my hair, waiting patiently for my mother to come gliding through the door as her usual graceful style. I hummed lightly to myself trying desperately to calm myself down. I'd never been in a situation like this. This life was so different from the one back on earth yet I fell into step with my life here as if I'd been doing it all my life. I could do this. I thought to myself. I can do this. There was a knock at my door and Galadriel swept in before I could even give an answer. In her arms she held a dress silver in color, it shimmered even while she stood motionless in the middle of my room. She laid it beside me on the bed, I ran my hands over the gown. It was so beautiful. The bodice of the gown was tightly fitted and shaped almost like the bodice of an under gown. Vines of flowers ran from the top left and wrapped down to my opposite hip. The flowers were almost the color of the gown except the thread seemed as if it had diamonds woven in to it. As the dress got longer the material grew thinner to the point that you would eventually just barely make out the shapes of my legs.
" It's beautiful." I whispered and I ran my hands over the gown. It felt like liquid satin running trough my hands.
"It was mine, I wore it the night I met your father I always thought it had some luck woven into it, I only wore it that one time and now I want you to have it."
I looked down at it and was about to refuse
" It's a gift, you're the only daughter I have left in this world, take it." She said as she ran a hand through my hair.
" Thank you" was all I said as she gathered me into her loving arms and held me close. To be held in the arms of your mother is a thing to be cherished above all others. There is always love, kindness, and comfort to be found there. It was here in the arms of my mother that I finally felt that I was home. " I love you so my daughter, you have no idea how we grieved for you, and you have know idea how much love we have for you."
" you are much to kinda to me, in fact I'd have to say you even spoil me." I said wryly as I broke our embrace.
" lets get you in to that dress." she said as she helped me out of my clothes and into my new gown. It slid down my body in a wave and landed with a soft swosh. I turned my back to her as she laced up the back. She pulled it snug and tied the laces in an elegant bow.
" Now for your hair." she said as she turned me to face her and ran her fingers through my hair.
" I think I have an idea" she said softly.
30 minutes later
" Its beautiful."Galadriel said as she finally finished my hair. " it's absolutely stunning on you." I tentatively reached up to touch my head. Galadriel had really out done herself...again. She had turned my once simple straight black hair into...well a masterpiece of sorts. It's hard to explain exactly what she did. There were so many different braids and twists going in every direction. My hair was half up and in some sort of bun. "Come lets walk over to the full mirror so you can see how you look." Galadriel finished taking me over to the mirror. What I saw was most definitely not me, well it was, but just not the me I was use to. My hair shimmered and my dress framed my shape outlining every curve I had. I had never looked this beautiful... ever. Even back at my old home... my old home I'd never gone to prom or any school dance because I had no parents to witness it, like so many of my friends did. Even though I knew that my parents from earth were only my adoptive parents, it still hurt to think of them. They raised me and I loved them as they were truly my parents, and to think that they wouldn't see me like this made me want to cry. I closed my eyes to stop myself from that train of thought. Galadriel must have felt my sadness because she turned me around gently and I looked up into her eyes to find that she had a tears on her cheeks. I sighed and looked to the floor.
"I am... sorry, I shouldn't be thinking this way." I said still not looking at my mother. She sighed as well and took my chin in her hand making me look into her tear filled eyes.
"It is understandable for you knew them for the beginning of your life and you cared for them deeply. The way you lost them was terrible and It is only natural that you think of them. Just always remember that they will watch over you. Also I will always be there for you." She finished hugging me.
" Thank you." I said simply burring my head in her shoulder. I loved when we did this, when she comforted me. I really felt cared for. She broke our hug and pushed me back a little. She just kept looking me up and down. I was worried for a moment. I just watched her until she left and walked over to a small wooden box sitting upon the dresser. She brought it over to me.
"There was something missing, this is for you turn around." I smiled shyly and turned around. I heard the box open and then snap shut again. "Close your eyes." she said. I complied and I felt something settle around my neck. "Now you can open them." I gasped at what laid around my throat. It was my necklace. I hadn't even realized I had lost it. It had been cleaned and It shined brightly. But there was something different about it now. The leaf that was engraved upon it was filled in with gold, completing it nicely.
"I don't know what to say." I said looking at her thorough the mirror in front of me.
"Don't say a thing just where it proudly." I nodded and then there was a knock at the door. "Your escort is here. I will leave you." She turned and walked to the door. I turned to the door to introduce myself to my escort as she walked out and was thoroughly surprised to see that I already new that elf and I knew him well. I walked over to the door and smiled shyly at Legolas. He seemed to be lost for a moment as he looked me over. I blushed at the attention and he soon came to and smiled as well.
"You look ... gorgeous." he replied offering me his arm. I couldn't help but noticed that he looked absolutely delicious. His outfit had been made to match mine. His leggings where black and his under shirt was back, but his tunic, it was a masterpiece. I was a lot like my dress. It was silver in color and it had diamonds sown into its fabric forming a mollon tree. His hair was in his traditional warrior braids. I blushed when I meet his eye, they were full of mirth. "Do I meet with your approval." I laughed slightly blushing.
"Yes you do. You look very handsome." I said trying to make the true affect he was having on me unobvious. I was going to hurt my mother for making him look like this. "Lets go, or I am going to be late."
We walked down the halls talking and soon we had arrived at the doors of the Dinning hall. I couldn't believe what was about to happen. I was to be crowned, me crowned. I mean what if the people don't except me, what if they don't want me here. Then what do I do? I must have started shacking because Legolas pulled me to him. I looked into his eyes and he smiled slightly.
"You have nothing to worry about Gwen, everything will be alright." Legolas said matter of factly.
" I cant help but wonder what they'll think of me, I mean what if they don't like me? What if they think I'm not ready for something like this? What if..." He shushed my babbling with a single finger up on my lips. I looked up at him, his eyes glittered in the shallow light of the candles up on the wall provided.
" How could they not love you Gwen, How can they not love you as all others have come to love you, when there's so much there to love." His hand moved to the side of my face cupping my cheek in his hand. He inhaled deeply and met my eyes and I had the feeling he was looking right through them straight into the hidden depths of my soul. My feelings for him seemed to explode into me right then and there and I couldn't help but let out a shuttered breath as a tingling feeling ran down my spine.
" Legolas." I murmured my voice deeper even to my own ears. His hand moved to the base of my neck and tilted my face up to his. He hesitated for a second before slowly leaning forward until our lips met. It was a slow kiss that even in its chastity left my head spinning and feeling as if my heart was in my throat. I open my eyes that I hadn't realized I had closed and looked in to his shining blue orbs. I smiled slightly as I ran my hands up his chest and wound them around his neck, pulling him to me this time and kissing him like I'd always imagined kissing him. With all the passion and intensity that raged with in the storm of emotion in my heart. It was a moment before he responded back as if he were shocked by my actions but I didn't care about that. The only thing that mattered right now was him, was us, and for a moment I forgot about all the "what ifs" and all I could do was concentrate on the "right now." I pulled away and looked up at him and almost laughed at the look that was plastered upon it. His eyes were wide as if in wonder and his brows furrowed together in a look of confusion. It was as if his face couldn't decide what emotions to portray. I ran my thumb over his bottom lip, that seemed to pull him out of his dais. He looked me straight in the eye and I couldn't help but smile.
" You have no idea how long I've thought about doing that." I said as he leaned for ward to place his forehead upon mine.
" I have an idea." His voice was so deep and smooth with emotion that I couldn't help but shutter against him. He laughed lightly and kissed me lightly. His lips gently caressing mine in a calming matter as if he was not only trying to calm my pounding heart but his as well. He ran his hands down my arms and grabbed my hands as he reluctantly ended our kiss.
" We will speak more of this later, that I promise you, but if we don't get down to the hall now I don't suspect we ever will." He said and then I caught something that I had only seen once before. It was that twinkle in the deep depths of his eyes and it was then I realized what it was. It was happiness, a happiness so strong that even a seasoned warrior couldn't hide. I smiled widely and squeezed his hands and slipped one into the crook of his arm.
" Then lets get going I don't want my mother being angry at me for being late to dinner because I was making out with you in the hall way." I almost laughed at my own words that sounded so out of place here and belonged back in a place where I never wanted to go back to. I had everything right here, what more could a girl want.
