Chapter 12

The King's Request

We walked in and went straight to my father. Jupiter did not try to hide, she stayed right by my side.

"So you did find her."

I nodded and he walked down. He looked right at Jupiter and she stared him down.

"At least you are dressed more appropriately."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Ada, please do not talk to her like that."

He looked at me in surprise.

"A daughter of Elros should dress like one. Especially when she comes before a king."

I could almost feel her anger rising.

"I will not tolerate this treatment of her." I said.

Jupiter's POV

I knew this was Legolas' father, but I was losing my patience.

"If you mean to say I should be wearing a dress, I can tell you now I'll never wear one. I'm only here because I'm with Legolas, and I will follow him anywhere. And since you're his father I'll do my best to be respectful, but right now you're making it real hard buddy." I hissed.

He narrowed his eyes and I stared him down.

"A daughter of Elros…a rare prize."

Before I could say anything, Haldir stepped forward and blocked me.

"My friend is no prize, my lord." he said.

I gently pushed Haldir back.

"Merci." I looked at Thranduil. " I am nobody's prize. I'm a person!" I snapped.

Legolas looked at me and turned my face towards his.

"Say the word and we shall go."

I smiled a bit but shook my head.

"No, you said you had things you had to do. If worst comes to worst I'll….I'll go to Dale and stay with Bard until you're done."

He smiled at me and kissed my forehead.

"Thank you."

I nodded and looked at Thranduil. He was just staring at me.

"I will show you where you can stay." Legolas said.

He nodded to his father and then led us away. I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself. Once our friends were in their own rooms he took me to mine. It was a very nice room, like an expensive hotel suite. I smiled and then looked at him.

"Your room huh?"

"How did you know?"

"Well, it's a bog room, there are a lot of weapons here, and a picture of you and a woman."

I walked over to the picture and smiled a bit.

"She's beautiful." I said.

"My mother."

I smiled more and looked at him.

"I haven't met her yet."

He looked down sadly and I knew.

"Oh god…I'm so sorry….I forgot that she…"

He shook his head and put his hands on my arms.

"U-moe edaved, there is nothing to forgive. It is hard for me to talk about her."

I smiled sadly and took his hand.

"At least you had a loving mother. Never forget that. Not all people are as lucky as you are." I said.

He looked at me strangely.

"What?"

"You still will not speak of your family. I know you had your grandmother but you have never spoken of your parents."

I put the picture back and looked away.

"Forgive me. I must go and see my father, I will be back shortly."

He touched my arm and I took his hand.

"I'm sorry. I just don't like talking about it." I said quietly.

He came back and put his arms around me.

"Its alright. You will tell me when you are ready."

He kissed my forehead and then left. I sighed and fell back on the bed.

"Que suis-je en train de faire? Grand-mère aide s'il vous plaît." (What am I doing? Grandmother please help me.) I whispered.

Legolas' POV

I was beyond angry! I went back to my father and glared at him.

"How dare you! You have no right to treat Jupiter like that!" I shouted.

"Remember who you are speaking to, Legolas!"

"I know to whom I speak! I speak to a man who is meant to be my father. But I know my father would never treat Jupiter like that. I care about her, more than any other elleth I have met. I will never allow her to be treated that way, especially not by you." I snapped.

He looked absolutely shocked and speechless.

"I will take care of whatever I have to do here, but then I will leave with her and our friends."

"The I will request you bring her to dinner. And please, have her dress for the occasion."

I scowled but I nodded. Jupiter was not going to like this at all. I took a deep breath before walking into the room. She was fast asleep and I smiled. I went and sat on the edge of the bed. I moved a strand of her soft hair from her face.

"Jupiter." I said softly.

I gently rubbed her arm and she slowly woke up. She smiled at me.

"How'd it go?"

I could not stop the worried expression that came to my face. She sat up slowly.

"He wants us to join him for dinner. Just you and I."

She raised her brow.

"I suppose he expects me to wear a dress." she said.

I nodded and she shook her head.

"I will go to dinner, but I won't wear a dress to please your father. I'm sorry."

I smiled at her.

"I knew you would not. I care not how you dress. You are always beautiful to me."

She smiled and put her hand on my arm.

"Before I came here, no man had ever said I was beautiful. Merci." she said softly.

She pulled me into her arms and I closed my eyes.

"I have never worn a dress in my life. I…I don't think I can."

"I would ask why, but I do not think you would tell me."

"I will…in time." she whispered.

She pulled away and smiled gently.

"Well, dinner isn't too far off and I suppose I should clean myself off. Do you have anything I can wear? Like what Tauriel was wearing last I saw her?" she asked.

I nodded.

"I will be back momentarily."

She nodded and I left.

When I came back with the cloths I knocked softly. I opened the door and heard her in the bathroom.

"Jupiter! I will leave the cloths on the bed."

"Okay!"

I smiled and then left.

Jupiter's POV

I came out and put the cloths on. I kept my bra and was glad that the elves had been able to make me more. Once I was dressed I took a deep breath and tucked away my pendent. I walked outside and ran into Haldir.

"Oh sorry."

"Quite alright. I heard that the king invited you to dinner. Seeing as how the lady did assign me to protect you, I have to go with you."

I slowly smiled and nodded. Legolas came and we all went to dinner. Haldir stood behind me, even though I wished he would sit with us.

"I see she ignored my wishes." Thranduil said.

Really?! That's the first thing you say?!

Legolas pulled out my chair and I sat down. Most of dinner was silent, but Thranduil was constantly looking at me. I hid my discomfort and acted like a lady.

"Well, Jupiter-"

"Miss Bellerose."

I slowly looked at him.

"To you, I am Miss Bellerose." I said calmly.

"Very well, miss Bellerose. I am interested to know where you have been the past few years."

"Lothlorien. I found a home in Lothlorien."

"Judging by your attire you were trained to fight."

I just nodded.

"And I believe you have come to terms with being a daughter of Elros."

I took a deep breath.

"No. That may be what I am here, but I will always be French and a citizen of Chicago. I'm just a woman living life day by day."

"Still denying the truth. An interesting elleth you have chosen, my son."

Haldir came forward and put a hand on my shoulder.

"I believe it would be wise to leave."

"No, no, it's alright. Thank you for your concern mon amie."

He nodded and stepped back. Legolas was looking at me apologetically. I smiled and winked at him.

"I am interested to know what you were in your world."

I clenched my fists under the table.

"Jupiter you do not have to answer that." said Legolas.

I shook my head.

"I was an artist. I was homeless and living on the streets. I'm a nobody, a mistake."

As I looked into Thranduil's eyes, I knew he thought the same. I couldn't control my temper anymore. I guessed Legolas had sensed that.

"Jupiter…"

"Would you like to know the sort of life I was born into? I was born to parents who never wanted me. They told me every day that I was a mistake, and whenever I did something wrong they beat me. They never once told me they loved me or that they were proud of me. They didn't even name me! My grandmother named me and she was the only person who ever loved me. She paid for me to got to school or to the hospital every time my parents beat me. They hated me and they told me that too. My grandmother died when I was seventeen and my parents wouldn't let me stay with them. I was forced to live on the streets of Chicago, selling paintings in order to survive. Nothing you say or do could affect me, not after the life I had."

I stood up and removed my shirt. I turned so he could see my back. I heard Legolas gasp and Haldir too.

"This is all my parents ever gave me! This is why I am so untrusting."

I put my shirt back on and turned to face him again. His eyes were wide with horror.

"That is the life I was born into. Never feeling the love of your parents. Always being told you were a mistake. And I believe them. I am a mistake! When I didn't want to marry the man they wanted me to they beat me almost to death! So you can treat me however you like. Nothing you do or say to me could ever be as terrible as what I went through since I was born." I looked at Legolas. "I'm going to go stay with Bard until you finish here. I'm so sorry Legolas, I just can't stay here."

He came over to me and pulled me into his arms.

"I am so sorry. I should have never have let you come with me. Haldir, Gloradir and Estelwen will go with you to Dale. I will finish up here as quickly as I possibly can. Then I will come get you and we shall return to Lorien, alright?"

I just nodded and he kissed my forehead. I didn't want to let go of him but I did. He stroked my cheek and then I left with Haldir. I was fighting tears the whole way. I packed my things and then we went to the horses. Estelwen stayed close to me and so did Gloradir. Haldir looked beyond pissed off. We made camp by the lake and I sat away from the others. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I wanted to go home, to Galadriel and Celeborn. I wanted….I wanted Legolas. I wanted him there with me, I wanted to be in his arms. I pulled my legs to my chest and looked up. The clouds covered the stars and the moon so there was nothing but darkness. I was restless that night and only got a few hours of sleep. I was exhausted, upset and hurting by the time we reached Dale. Haldir carried me up the steps and into the city.