Chapter 6

I Don't Belong

We took Thorin's body back to Erebor. Fili gave me the gems that belonged to Thranduil.

"I hope you will stay with us a while. You are always welcome here."

I smiled and bowed.

"Thank you your majesty. Perhaps I will."

He bowed and I walked out of the mountain. I found Thranduil in Dale and I saw Legolas with him. I bowed in respect and walked to Thranduil.

"Here. Here are the gems you so desperately wanted. I hope they're worth the war you would've started had it not been for the orcs. Now if you'll excuse me your majesties, I'm pretty sure I have a long way to go."

I bowed and left the chest at Thranduil's feet.

I started to walk away but stopped. I looked at him one more time.

"Those gems are not all your wife left you. She left you him. She left you a son. Tell me something, which do you think she would have you value more?"

I walked away and found Bard. I smiled at him sadly and nodded.

"You are leaving." He said.

"I don't belong here. I don't really belong anywhere. I'm better off alone anyway. Besides, your people are safe now, and king Fili has decided to give you the money you need to rebuild here. You'll be alright."

He gave me a very sad look and I saw Tilda.

"Are you leaving, Jupe?"

I knelt down and nodded.

"I can't get back home and I don't have anyone else. So I should probably leave."

"No, you can stay here with us. Da would not mind and the people really like you. Please stay? Even if only for a little while."

After my grandmother died, I'd never been wanted anywhere. Now that I was being offered a place to stay, it felt strange.

"Well I.."

I looked at Bard and he smiled.

"We would be glad to have you here. You are forever welcome. And if not, we will gladly give you what you need for your journey."

It was strange to me. For someone who barely knew me to be so kind. I smiled brightly and tears of happiness rolled down my cheeks.

"Then I will stay. Thank you, thank you so much. You've got no idea how much this means to me."

Bard put his hand on my shoulder.

"It might take a while, but soon the city will be rebuilt. We can all live in peace."

I nodded and Tilda hugged me. I smiled and hugged her right back.

Legolas' POV

I had to stop her before she left.

"Jupiter!? Jupiter!" I called out.

Bard came forward.

"What do you need?"

"I need to see Jupiter before she leaves."

"Worry not my friend, she has decided to stay with I and my people. She is in the great hall."

I thanked him and then ran to the great hall.

"Jupiter!" I called.

"Lady Jupiter! There is an elf here to see you."

That was when I saw her. Her ebony black hair and silver eyes.

"Your highness."

I did not like her calling me that.

"Come with me please."

I led her away from prying eyes and looked at her.

"Why did you give my father those gems."

"Why didn't you tell me you're a prince?" she snapped.

I sighed and turned away.

"I did not want you to look at me like everyone else."

"You think just because you're a prince that I won't talk to you the way you deserve? Ask your father. No offense to you but he's an asshat. He's rude and arrogant and I can see you're more like your mother." she said.

I smiled. I really did like her, she was different. I turned and faced her.

"That is what I like about you. You see me as a person, not a prince or a lord. That was why I did not tell you. I thought that maybe if you did not know of my title you would treat me like everyone else."

She looked down sadly.

"I treat people the way they deserved to be treated. If you deserve respect then I will give you respect. If you don't, I'll tell you to your face exactly what I think you are."

I moved closer to her.

"And what do you think I am?"

She smiled.

"You're a good and honest man. You have a loving heart. You're brave, kind and courageous. My grandmother would've liked you. First thing she would've asked is if you're French. She would've really liked you."

"Well where is she?"

I saw tears in her eyes and immediately regretted asking.

"Oh no! Forgive me!"

"It's not you. I just don't like talking about it. Either way it doesn't matter. I'm beneath you according to your father and I have to stay away. I gave your fqather those gems because they rightfully belong to him. Even if he is an asshat, I understand his good luck wherever you go Legolas.

She walked away before I could say anything.