The Lost Ones
Chapter Six
At dawn, we had risen and rode hard; Legolas said we would reach Imladris in another day. On the ride, I finally asked a question that had been bothering me. "How did your lover die?"
Legolas waited a while before answering the question. "There was a curse on her, she was doomed to die the day her first daughter turned 200. She said she would fade, leaving no signs of her existence. One day, I woke and she was nowhere to be found. The next day was the children's birthday. I lost her."
"How do you know that she is not in Valinor? Or hiding somewhere?"
"I told you, she was cursed!"
With that, he silenced me. His voice was filled with grief that I did not wish to revive.
Reyna rode in silence for the most part. He did not seem to like our conversations. Legolas asked me more about Keith, what he looked like and what he did.
"He used to play football, a sort of sport from my world."
Legolas nodded. "You remind me a lot of Reyna, but you do not have her eyes."
"No, she does not seem a bit like Mother. I have her eyes, I have her gift, and I do not think she looks a bit like Mother."
Prince glared at his son. "You will respect my opinion as your father!"
"You are not very worthy of that title. You didn't even try to save her."
Legolas grew very angry. "There was nothing anyone could do! She was cursed! It was a bloody curse!"
Reyn stared his father in the eye. "No. It was not. Forget the matter, Rivendell is still a day's ride away and we must hurry."
We fell silent until we dismounted at dusk. At that time, Legolas ordered Reyn to collect firewood and asked me if I knew how to hunt.
For a moment I just gaped at him. "What in our history together makes you think that I am even slightly capable of something like that?"
This mad Legolas smile lightly and he nodded. "Fine. I will hunt; when the firewood gets here I want you to start the fire. You can cook, right?"
I nodded and he grinned. "Then it is settled. I will prepare the fish and Reyn can prepare the rabbit if I kill one."
He took off, soundlessly into the night.
Reyn was the first to return and he had enough wood for a bonfire. I started the fire in a makeshift fire pit and smiled. "I can cook a mean fish but first I need to look for herbs. I will be right back."
It was especially hard to find anything in the dark, Reyn followed me and smiled. "These will help, this tastes like salt. We do not have the same plants here as you do I would imagine."
I shrugged. "I guess not..."
The meal went well, and we slept comfortably in crude sleeping bags. There were enough stars in the sky to mimic the light of the moon. There was no moon out tonight, making it somewhat darker.
Legolas and Reyn said a short prayer to 'Ithil' before lying down. "Who is Ithil?"
Reyn smiled. "Ithil is the moon. Anor is the sun."
So, the elves worshipped gods and goddesses too, how interesting. Sleep came quickly over all three of us and my dreams were peaceful for once.
~
We reached Imladris in the heat of the midday sun. I dismounted behind Legolas and was greeted by a wise looking elf that could have been none other than the Lord of Imladris himself.
Legolas bowed, and I followed suit. Reyn, behind me, did the same. "Lord Elrond, it is a pleasure to meet you again."
Elrond smiled. "The same, as always my friend. Who is this lovely maiden accompanying you?"
I smiled. "My name is Adriana."
We shook hands and I was introduced to his twin sons. Elladan and Elrohir, what beautiful elves they were; just the opposite of Legolas, with raven hair and alarming sapphire eyes.
Such feral beauty must have been common among elven royalty because I saw it behind the age in Elrond's face. I couldn't help but stare at the twins, images of perfection...
I shook my head hard and smiled at Lord Elrond again. "Thank you for allowing me to celebrate among such...exotic...people and in such a wondrous place."
Lord Elrond smiled. "It is my pleasure."
As I was shown to my room, across the hall from Legolas's, and came out after fixing my hair, which was disheveled after the long ride. Legolas smiled. "Dinner awaits us."
I nodded and followed him into a massive dining hall with a high table sitting above dozens of other tables. I was seated with Legolas in my left and Elrohir on my left. Elrohir spoke English too, but he accented some words wrong, unlike Legolas who was fluent.
Elrohir smiled. "How do you like the ways of the elves?"
A blush came to my cheeks. "It is magnificent staying among you all. Everything is different where I come from. Males are so much kinder here, polite and well mannered. Here everything is at peace and nature is a part of everyday life. Elves themselves are amazing creatures. Your voices are velvet-coated melody and your appearance can be described only as feral beauty. Your kind amazes me."
He laughed lightly, his laughter like a fine silver string being plucked at just the time to produce just the right tone "How long to you intend to stay Lady Adriana?"
I blushed. "Of this I am not sure, for I have yet to find a way to return home. It would seem I am a captive in this fairytale land, but a willing captive regardless."
Elrohir nodded. "I understand. Legolas is a wise elf, he has lived many years and experienced many things, I am sure he will be able to help you."
"He seems to be a bit downtrodden. Is it because of Reyna?"
Another nod responded. Elrohir lowered his voice. "He was planning on taking her here, until she faded."
"Well, what if she didn't? What if she survived but she left before the day to make sure he would not see her fade? What if she sailed to Valinor?"
Elrohir sighed. "I suppose that could be, but no one returns from Valinor. If Legolas were to look for her there, he would not return."
I smiled. "I realize that, but you said yourself he has lived many years. Perhaps it is time he sailed?"
My elven companion pondered this. "I will speak with him on the matter later this week. Until then, do not mention his maiden. She was truly beautiful, although on the outside she looked plain. All the elves that met her wept when she passed. Something about her just shined with joy when you were around her. You could not help but love her, even though her appearance was not nearly as fair as one of us."
A sharp pang hit me. 'Are people talking of me like this back home?' I smiled weakly. "I think I had best retire for the night, I feel weak from the long ride."
Legolas smiled. "One last toast."
I nodded. "You have a deal." I raised my glass. "To love and finding the one for you!"
"Here, here!"
Prince cut in. "And that this fair friend of mine may find her home!" I blushed but toast anyway, drinking the sweet wine that tasted like pears.
After my glass was empty, and my plate similarly void, I stood. Every male at the table stood also. "Are you all going to rest?"
Elrohir smiled. "It is only proper to stand when a lady leaves the table."
With a mischievous grin, I sat back down. The men followed suit. I stood again, causing them all to stand.
Legolas laughed. "You have made us all look like clowns, now go rest your head."
I giggled. "I will remember that little rule."
Elrohir glanced at Legolas and Legolas nodded. "She will." Elrohir sighed and laughed merrily again.
"Good night to you all. Sweet dreams." Elrohir nodded politely and I departed.
My chambers were a distance from the hall. Upon reaching them, I realized just how tired I was. Just before I fell asleep, I heard Legolas bid Reyn good night and the two turn in. My eyelids slid shut and I dreamed again of my home.
~~~Dream Sequence~~~
My friends, the whole cheer squad and the volleyball and track teams, not to mention my teachers, were all crying. The only person I did not see weeping was Keith. In fact, I did not see Keith anywhere. I heard someone say something along the lines of. "Now he is gone too."
My stomach dropped. 'Has Keith killed himself?' According to the date on one of the whiteboards, it had been a year. I had missed an entire year of school.
The senior year, my senior year, which was supposed to be so grand, was passing before me and without me. I went to Keith's house, looking for some signs of his life. His room was untouched, the bed perfectly made.
Reality began to pound at my mind; I struggled to deny the inevitable. Keith was dead.
~~~To Be Continued~~~
Well? Only a few more chapters until I complete this. If you like this story and want to learn more of Reyna, read 'The Broken Stone' and then 'The Mystery of Love' R&R!
Chapter Six
At dawn, we had risen and rode hard; Legolas said we would reach Imladris in another day. On the ride, I finally asked a question that had been bothering me. "How did your lover die?"
Legolas waited a while before answering the question. "There was a curse on her, she was doomed to die the day her first daughter turned 200. She said she would fade, leaving no signs of her existence. One day, I woke and she was nowhere to be found. The next day was the children's birthday. I lost her."
"How do you know that she is not in Valinor? Or hiding somewhere?"
"I told you, she was cursed!"
With that, he silenced me. His voice was filled with grief that I did not wish to revive.
Reyna rode in silence for the most part. He did not seem to like our conversations. Legolas asked me more about Keith, what he looked like and what he did.
"He used to play football, a sort of sport from my world."
Legolas nodded. "You remind me a lot of Reyna, but you do not have her eyes."
"No, she does not seem a bit like Mother. I have her eyes, I have her gift, and I do not think she looks a bit like Mother."
Prince glared at his son. "You will respect my opinion as your father!"
"You are not very worthy of that title. You didn't even try to save her."
Legolas grew very angry. "There was nothing anyone could do! She was cursed! It was a bloody curse!"
Reyn stared his father in the eye. "No. It was not. Forget the matter, Rivendell is still a day's ride away and we must hurry."
We fell silent until we dismounted at dusk. At that time, Legolas ordered Reyn to collect firewood and asked me if I knew how to hunt.
For a moment I just gaped at him. "What in our history together makes you think that I am even slightly capable of something like that?"
This mad Legolas smile lightly and he nodded. "Fine. I will hunt; when the firewood gets here I want you to start the fire. You can cook, right?"
I nodded and he grinned. "Then it is settled. I will prepare the fish and Reyn can prepare the rabbit if I kill one."
He took off, soundlessly into the night.
Reyn was the first to return and he had enough wood for a bonfire. I started the fire in a makeshift fire pit and smiled. "I can cook a mean fish but first I need to look for herbs. I will be right back."
It was especially hard to find anything in the dark, Reyn followed me and smiled. "These will help, this tastes like salt. We do not have the same plants here as you do I would imagine."
I shrugged. "I guess not..."
The meal went well, and we slept comfortably in crude sleeping bags. There were enough stars in the sky to mimic the light of the moon. There was no moon out tonight, making it somewhat darker.
Legolas and Reyn said a short prayer to 'Ithil' before lying down. "Who is Ithil?"
Reyn smiled. "Ithil is the moon. Anor is the sun."
So, the elves worshipped gods and goddesses too, how interesting. Sleep came quickly over all three of us and my dreams were peaceful for once.
~
We reached Imladris in the heat of the midday sun. I dismounted behind Legolas and was greeted by a wise looking elf that could have been none other than the Lord of Imladris himself.
Legolas bowed, and I followed suit. Reyn, behind me, did the same. "Lord Elrond, it is a pleasure to meet you again."
Elrond smiled. "The same, as always my friend. Who is this lovely maiden accompanying you?"
I smiled. "My name is Adriana."
We shook hands and I was introduced to his twin sons. Elladan and Elrohir, what beautiful elves they were; just the opposite of Legolas, with raven hair and alarming sapphire eyes.
Such feral beauty must have been common among elven royalty because I saw it behind the age in Elrond's face. I couldn't help but stare at the twins, images of perfection...
I shook my head hard and smiled at Lord Elrond again. "Thank you for allowing me to celebrate among such...exotic...people and in such a wondrous place."
Lord Elrond smiled. "It is my pleasure."
As I was shown to my room, across the hall from Legolas's, and came out after fixing my hair, which was disheveled after the long ride. Legolas smiled. "Dinner awaits us."
I nodded and followed him into a massive dining hall with a high table sitting above dozens of other tables. I was seated with Legolas in my left and Elrohir on my left. Elrohir spoke English too, but he accented some words wrong, unlike Legolas who was fluent.
Elrohir smiled. "How do you like the ways of the elves?"
A blush came to my cheeks. "It is magnificent staying among you all. Everything is different where I come from. Males are so much kinder here, polite and well mannered. Here everything is at peace and nature is a part of everyday life. Elves themselves are amazing creatures. Your voices are velvet-coated melody and your appearance can be described only as feral beauty. Your kind amazes me."
He laughed lightly, his laughter like a fine silver string being plucked at just the time to produce just the right tone "How long to you intend to stay Lady Adriana?"
I blushed. "Of this I am not sure, for I have yet to find a way to return home. It would seem I am a captive in this fairytale land, but a willing captive regardless."
Elrohir nodded. "I understand. Legolas is a wise elf, he has lived many years and experienced many things, I am sure he will be able to help you."
"He seems to be a bit downtrodden. Is it because of Reyna?"
Another nod responded. Elrohir lowered his voice. "He was planning on taking her here, until she faded."
"Well, what if she didn't? What if she survived but she left before the day to make sure he would not see her fade? What if she sailed to Valinor?"
Elrohir sighed. "I suppose that could be, but no one returns from Valinor. If Legolas were to look for her there, he would not return."
I smiled. "I realize that, but you said yourself he has lived many years. Perhaps it is time he sailed?"
My elven companion pondered this. "I will speak with him on the matter later this week. Until then, do not mention his maiden. She was truly beautiful, although on the outside she looked plain. All the elves that met her wept when she passed. Something about her just shined with joy when you were around her. You could not help but love her, even though her appearance was not nearly as fair as one of us."
A sharp pang hit me. 'Are people talking of me like this back home?' I smiled weakly. "I think I had best retire for the night, I feel weak from the long ride."
Legolas smiled. "One last toast."
I nodded. "You have a deal." I raised my glass. "To love and finding the one for you!"
"Here, here!"
Prince cut in. "And that this fair friend of mine may find her home!" I blushed but toast anyway, drinking the sweet wine that tasted like pears.
After my glass was empty, and my plate similarly void, I stood. Every male at the table stood also. "Are you all going to rest?"
Elrohir smiled. "It is only proper to stand when a lady leaves the table."
With a mischievous grin, I sat back down. The men followed suit. I stood again, causing them all to stand.
Legolas laughed. "You have made us all look like clowns, now go rest your head."
I giggled. "I will remember that little rule."
Elrohir glanced at Legolas and Legolas nodded. "She will." Elrohir sighed and laughed merrily again.
"Good night to you all. Sweet dreams." Elrohir nodded politely and I departed.
My chambers were a distance from the hall. Upon reaching them, I realized just how tired I was. Just before I fell asleep, I heard Legolas bid Reyn good night and the two turn in. My eyelids slid shut and I dreamed again of my home.
~~~Dream Sequence~~~
My friends, the whole cheer squad and the volleyball and track teams, not to mention my teachers, were all crying. The only person I did not see weeping was Keith. In fact, I did not see Keith anywhere. I heard someone say something along the lines of. "Now he is gone too."
My stomach dropped. 'Has Keith killed himself?' According to the date on one of the whiteboards, it had been a year. I had missed an entire year of school.
The senior year, my senior year, which was supposed to be so grand, was passing before me and without me. I went to Keith's house, looking for some signs of his life. His room was untouched, the bed perfectly made.
Reality began to pound at my mind; I struggled to deny the inevitable. Keith was dead.
~~~To Be Continued~~~
Well? Only a few more chapters until I complete this. If you like this story and want to learn more of Reyna, read 'The Broken Stone' and then 'The Mystery of Love' R&R!