Chapter 11

I Will Follow You

Jupiter's POV

Someone was shaking me awake and I was annoyed.

"What?" I snapped.

"Jupiter, please, come with me."

It was Legolas' voice.

"Legolas? Can't it wait until morning?"

"No."

I sighed in frustration but got up. It was completely dark and he led me out of the tent.

"Come with me."

I was too tired to argue so I followed him. He led me away from the clearing and to a small river. The moon and stars made it shine. I smiled a bit and pushed my hair back.

"This is amazing. Thanks for showing me this."

"Actually…I brought you here for more than to show you this river."

Now I was curious.

"Alright, do the others have something planed? Are they hiding somewhere?" I asked.

He turned and looked at me seriously.

"We are alone."

He stood with his back to me and I started to get nervous.

"Did I make a mistake?"

He turned and looked at me.

"Why do you always assume you did something wrong?"

I looked down.

"I don't want to talk about it. What did you want to tell me?"

"You know I am returning to the Woodland Realm next week." I nodded and he walked forward. "I cannot leave without telling you how I feel about you."

I couldn't speak and I couldn't look away.

"I care about you very much, more than just a friend."

"Cela ne peut pas se produire." (This can't be happening.)

He looked down and I did too.

"I do not expect anything to come from this. I only hope that you share my feelings. If not, I will be happy to remain friends." he said.

Galadriel and Celeborn had told me to listen to my heart. I knew that in my heart I shared his feelings.

"Regarde moi. Look at me." I said.

He looked into my eyes.

"I'm not good at relationships, I never have been. It's different with you. You're patient and understanding. And I do feel the same, I really do."

He smiled at me and pulled me into his arms. I smiled and closed my eyes.

"I will come back soon. And I will stay with you."

I shook my head and pulled away.

"No. I'm coming with you, if you want me to."

"Of course I do, I just do not want you to be uncomfortable."

I smiled and rubbed his arm.

"I won't be, I promise. I'm going with you."

He smiled and at me and stroked my cheek.

"I have to tell you, I love your eyes. They are like pure silver, shining and glimmering. They are so beautiful."

I smiled and laughed a bit.

"My grandmother always said the eyes were the windows to the soul. She told me my eyes were different. She never knew anyone with the same eye color I had. She said something like….what was the word….."

"Mithril?" he asked.

"Actually yeah that was the word she used. How'd you know?"

"Mithril is the most precious metal in the world. And she was right, your eyes are beautiful."

I smiled sadly and we walked back to camp.

"I can stay outside if you wish." he offered.

I shook my head.

"Actually, I think I want to stay outside. I want to stay under the stars." I said.

He smiled a bit and nodded. I laid down and looked the stars. I took a deep breath and smiled.

Je pense que je l'ai trouvé, grand-mère. Je pense que Legolas est celui-là. (I think I found him, grandmother. I think Legolas is the one.)

I fell asleep with a smile on my face that night.

It was decided that Gloradir and Estelwen would come with us. Galadriel had also assigned Haldir to guard us. I packed my things and then met with Galadriel and Celeborn. They were the parents I never had. They gave me a home and showed me love and kindness. I smiled at them sadly.

"It's hard for me to leave. You've given me so much. A home, support….and you're family to me. You're….you're like the parents I never had. I could never thank you enough." I said.

They smiled at me and Galadriel hugged me.

"And we love you as though you are our own. This will always be your home and we will always be your family. Remember Jupiter, you are NOT a mistake. You are a blessing to this world. Please be safe and come back to us." she said softly.

I hugged her tightly and closed my eyes. Celeborn put his hand on my back and I smiled.

"Jupe." I looked at Haldir. "We are ready."

I nodded and Celeborn kissed my forehead.

"Go, be careful and enjoy yourself. Try not to be away for too long. We will miss you my dear Jupiter."

I smiled and hugged him too before leaving. Legolas took my hand as we walked to the horses.

"We will come back soon. I just have some business to take care of and then we will return."

I nodded and squeezed his hand. I looked back to where Galadriel and Celeborn were watching.

"Au Revoir." I whispered.

I got onto my horse and we all rode off. The last time I'd gone this way it felt like forever. With Legolas leading the way it didn't take too long at all. When we stopped to rest outside the forest I couldn't sleep.

"Something wrong?"

I didn't answer and Haldir moved next to me.

"Are you frightened?" he asked.

I looked at him with an arched brow. He chuckled.

"Of course you are not. But I can tell something is troubling you."

I sighed and looked at the sky.

"Thranduil and I don't get along. I have a bad temper, you know that, but if he's rude I won't hesitate to tell him so. I don't want to make things hard on Legolas or the rest of you. I'm just worried about what's going to happen."

Haldir nodded and looked at the ground.

"I know how King Thranduil can be. Honestly, I think you are brave to stand up to him. He can be very intimidating."

I laughed softly.

"Seriously? All you have to do is picture him in a pink dress with a tiara and you're good. Oh well, I am who I am. Though I will try and control my temper."

"That would be wise. Now you should get some sleep. We still have a long way to go."

I nodded and laid down next to Legolas. He looked so peaceful when he slept. I closed my eyes and slowly fell asleep.

Legolas' POV

I knew that Jupiter was nervous. She was nervous bit not scared. I smiled to myself because I knew she was afraid of almost nothing. I took her hand and she looked at me.

"I will not tolerate him being rude or disrespectful to you. I promise I will defend you, even though I have seen first hand that you can defend yourself."

She smiled and I tucked her hair behind her ear. IT took us about a day and a half to reach my father's halls. When we came to the gates, she tensed up. Estelwen put her hand on her shoulders.

"Everything will be fine." she said.

I nodded in agreement and we went inside.