Chapter 7

Gone

Jupiter's POV

It broke my heart to walk away from Legolas, but I didn't want to deal with his father. I sighed and shook my head. I wrapped my fingers around my pendent and closed my eyes. I missed my grandmother so much.

I stayed with Bard and his family. They seemed to have grown fond of me and I of them. When Thorin's funeral came Bard went with me. I saw Legolas and Tauriel in attendance as well. Fili had been crowned king and I bowed.

"Your majesty."

"Lady Jupiter, and I am glad you came. Thorin would be honored that you are here."

I smiled sadly and nodded. I walked up to Thorin's grave. The Arkenstone was in his hands and tears filled my yes.

"Adieu mon seigneur. Je suis heureux de vous avoir rencontré." (Farewell my lord. I'm glad to have met you.) I said.

I bowed respectfully and Bard put his arm around my shoulders. He led me away and I walked outside.

"Jupe."

I turned and looked at Kili.

"Are you alright?"

I nodded.

"I'm fine, I promise. I just don't like death." I said.

"I do not believe anyone likes it. You cannot blame yourself for Thorin's death. He made his choice, he knew what he was doing. My mother will be glad to meet you."

I sucked in a breath.

"I'm sorry…but I can't meet your mother. I just can't." I said.

"Why not?"

"I-I don't do so well with parents. Especially mothers, no matter whose they are. Please understand…."

"I think I do. Thank you again Jupe, for everything."

I smiled and him and nodded. He kissed my hand and then walked back to he gate. Tauriel was waiting for him there and she smiled at me. I smiled and bowed my head. Now that I thought about it, I really couldn't stay. I went back to Dale and left Bard a letter telling him why I changed my mind and why I had to leave. I looked at the knives Legolas had given me. I smiled a bit and took them. I slipped out of Dale and went in the direction I believed to be west. Once I was far enough away I looked back.

"Je reviendrai un jour." (I'll come back someday.) I said.

I took a deep breath and kept walking.

Legolas' POV

I noticed that Jupiter had disappeared. I had a bad feeling so I went back to Dale with Bard. She was gone! She left a letter but she was gone.

"She has gone to find her own place in life. She says she will come back. I believe her. All we can do is hope she will be alright." said Bard.

"She cannot have gone far. I have to find her."

He just looked at me and nodded. I found my horse and immediately galloped away.

I called her name and searched for her for days, but she was gone. When I returned home my father looked at me.

"She is gone, son. Accept it."

I glared.

"I will not! Perhaps she only left because you told her she was unworthy of being near me!" I snapped.

At that he fell silent and I went to the overlook.

"~I will find you Jupiter. It is I who is unworthy of you. You who helped so many people even at the cost of your life.~" I whispered.

Jupiter's POV

Even though the war had been won I knew I had to be careful. I slept mostly in well hidden places on the ground or up in trees. It had been over a month and I finally reached the end of a very dark forest. I breathed in the fresh air and smiled. I stopped to eat a little something and looked around. It was still cold up her so I decided to go south. I came to a beautiful river and followed it south. It was fast flowing and even though I was a good swimmer I didn't want to take any chances. Even from the river I could still see the borders of that dark forest.

After weeks of traveling I was starting to run out of food. I could try my hand at hunting but I doubted I would find anything in such an open area. I sighed and looked around for a forest or something. When I found one I decided it was worth the risk to cross the river. I took a deep breath and then jumped in. It was slower here and I made it across safely. I shook myself off and pushed my hair out of my face.

"Now this is more like it." I said to myself.

Even though I was sore and tired, I kept going. When it got darker I stopped and made camp. I piled some leaves together and then pulled out my blanket. I could see the stars in the small clearing I was in. I sighed and wondered if I really was stuck in this world now. I closed my eyes and tried to get some sleep.

I woke up to the birds singing the next morning. I stretched out and fished some bread from my bag. It wasn't the first time I'd gone with so little food. I ate quickly and then went deeper into the forest. It was a beautiful place, untouched by the outside world. I touched the trunk of a tree and smiled. My happiness was swept away when I found arrows pointed at my face.

Shit! Elves, I don't have a very good track record with them. Time for plan B.

"Qu'est-ce qui se passe ici!? Je ne l'ai pas fait quoi que ce soit!" (What is going on here!? I haven't done anything!)

When in doubt pretend you speak no English. They started talking but I didn't understand their language.

"Je ne vous comprends pas." (I don't understand you.)

The one I guessed was their leader took my bag and weapons. I narrowed my eyes and tackled him to the ground. He pushed me off and the arrows closed in. Attacking him might not have been the best course of action. I held up my hands and they tied my hand.

Lovely. This is exactly what I hoped would happen when I got out up today.

They took me away and then blindfolded me. I decided it would be useless to fight so I just went with it. At least they helped me over the hills and things like that. I was suddenly being led up some stairs, and a lot of them. When we finally stopped I was exhausted.

"Remove her blindfold. She is no threat to us." came a soft voice.

They took it off and I glared at their leader.

"Je serais ravi de vous voir me battre seul." (I'd love to see you fight me yourself.) I hissed.

"Welcome to Lothlorien, Jupiter."

I looked over and saw a beautiful woman there. She had a kind face and soft eyes.

"Je ne voulais pas empiéter, je cherchais juste pour la nourriture." (I didn't mean to trespass, I was just looking for food.)

She smiled kindly.

"I know you speak the common tongue. Do not be afraid."

I sighed and looked down.

"I'm not afraid. I'm not really afraid of anything ma'am."

"Untie her Haldir, this is no way to treat a guest."

"At once my lady." said the leader.

He cut the ropes and I rubbed my wrists.

"I am Galadriel, queen of elves."

I bowed.

"A pleasure, your majesty."

She lifted my face and smiled.

"I have been expecting you. Come, you must be hungry."

I nodded and followed her. Haldir still looked untrusting of me.

"Um, do you think I could have my things back? Those weapons were a gift from….well someone I can never see again."

He looked at Galadriel and she nodded. He gave them back and I looked at the knives.

"What makes you believe you can never see him again?"

I looked at her in surprise.

"He's a prince, I'm a mistake, a nobody. His father doesn't like me very much, and honestly I don't really like him."

She looked annoyed and she sighed.

"Thranduil cannot see past what he believes. But in time he will see that he was wrong about you, Jupiter."

I stopped hoping for such things long ago, but I didn't say that to her. She brought me to a table filled with food. My eyes went wide. Another elf sat there, a male elf.

"Allow me to introduce my husband, Celeborn."

I bowed low.

"It's an honor, your highness."

"Please stand, there is no need for formalities. Come, eat, drink." he said kindly.

I nodded and sat down. I still felt out of place, but I was grateful.

"I assume by now you have been told who you are?" Celeborn asked.

I looked up.

"Look, with all due respect, I'm not a princess. I'm just one girl living life one day at a time. I don't even know how I ended up here, but I know I can't go back." I said.

"You are not just one girl. You are a daughter of Elros. You are a very special elf and you are meant for great things. There are many who already love you." Galadriel said.

I shook my head.

"I don't believe in love. The only person who ever loved me died a long time ago. I don't feel love anymore."

She smiled lightly.

"Are you certain?"

I gave her a confused look and she looked at my knives. My eyes went wide and I shook my head.

"No! That's not possible. He doesn't even know me and I don't know him. His father doesn't like me and it's better for me to stay away. That's why I left, and why I don't think I can ever go back. I don't belong there….I don't belong anywhere."

She gave me a sad look.

"I think in your heart you know where you belong. All you have to do is listen to it. It will never lie to you or lead you astray. Now, there is a room here for you to rest in, and should you wish to leave right away there are fresh cloths and provisions waiting for you." she said.

My heart told me to stay, so I decided to listen.

"Thank you very much. I suppose I will stay for a little bit. And if it's not asking too much…I'd like to learn how to fight. There aren't any guns in this world and I'm barely able to fight with my knives."

Celeborn and Galadriel smiled.

"Of course. I will assign my best trainer." she said.

I smiled and bowed my head. When dinner was over a young girl came and bowed to me.

"This way my lady."

I followed her to a room and I smiled when I saw it.

"This is incredible!"

She smiled and bowed her head.

"If you need anything my lady, my name is Estelwen. I am at your service."

I turned and smiled at her.

"Please, just call me Jupiter or Jupe. To me, we're the same. Titles don't matter to me."

She smiled happily.

"You are a unique woman my la…I mean, Jupiter."

I smiled and then she left. There were fresh cloths for me to sleep in and a soft bed waiting. I got changed and got into the bed. I smiled and fell asleep quickly.