Chapter 17

Who Am I?

When I woke up the next morning Legolas smiled at me. I kissed him softly and stroked his cheek. There was a knock on the door and I went to answer it. Haldir, Estelwen and Gloradir stood there. I smiled and let them inside.

"Ah! Finally awake I see!" Gloradir said.

Legolas smiled and they pulled up chairs and the chaise. I sat in the bed with Legolas while Gloradir took the chair and Haldir and Estelwen sat together on the chaise.

"You had us all scared for quite some time mellon nin." Estelwen said.

"Goheno nin, but I am certain you can understand why I did what I did."

I saw her take Haldir's hand and nod. Another knock came at the door and Gloradir answered it. He let Elrond in and I avoided his gaze. Legolas took my hand and squeezed. Elrond checked his wound and found it was almost healed.

"You may get up and move around once more."

I smiled and sighed in relief. Our friends were also smiling and then Elrond looked at me.

"If it is not asking too much, I would like to speak with you."

"Go ahead then. Whatever you have to say to me you can say to me in front of my friends and boyfriend."

He seemed confused by the word 'boyfriend' and Legolas chuckled.

"You are a indeed my brother's daughter."

"How's that possible? I was born in France, I've seen my birth certificate. I was born to Isabelle and George Bellrose."

He nodded.

"Yes, you were moved through time to be born safely. It was the only way to keep you safe. Your mother was dying and you would have died with her, your father could not bear to lose you both. They had you sent through time, hoping and praying you would return one day."

I looked down.

"To keep me safe? Do you have any idea what kind of people I was born to?" I looked at Estelwen. "Help me."

She nodded and stood up. I let Elrond see my back for a moment. Estelwen tied the shirt up again and I turned to Elrond.

"I would have rather have died, then been with them. The only reason I survived was because of my grandmother! You're my family! You should've found another way!"

I was crying now. Realizing I had a family that wanted me, but they still sent me away.

"You have no idea how it feels to be sent away, to be unwanted, to have nothing. My real parents are in Lothlorien, Galadriel and Celeborn! And I want to go home." I cried.

Elrond had tears in his own eyes.

"Jupiter please try to understand. Your parents though it was the best course of action. We had no choice."

I looked at him angrily.

"We had no choice! Always we had no choice! Those were our magic words, we repeat them to ourselves again and again but you know….the magic never worked. The only thing we're left with, is regret. I made it on my own, and I don't need to be protected anymore." I said.

He nodded sadly.

"There will be horses waiting for you at sundown. I am so sorry, Jupiter. I truly am."

He left the room and I closed my eyes. No one said anything and no one moved. I slowly stood up and cleared my throat.

"If you guys want to stay longer I will not stop you. But I can't stay here, I want to go home." I said.

"We go with you Jupe. Always."

I nodded and Legolas sat up, pulling me into his arms. I couldn't help but cry. My parents had sent me away, I didn't care if they were trying to protect me or not. We packed our things and mounted our horses. Elrond came to see us off but I didn't want to see him.

"Safe journey and Jupiter…." I sighed but looked at him. "I love you and I hope you can forgive me and your parents one day."

I looked at him sadly and I felt a bit guilty.

"No, I'm sorry. I was disrespectful and you didn't deserve that. It's just hard for me to accept this right now. I need my space." I said.

"I understand. You are always welcome in Imladris. And I will always be your uncle and you will always have your cousins. We are here for you whenever you need us."

I nodded slowly and looked away. We rode away and I didn't look back. How could I? All it would bring me was pain. I was silent for most of the trip, only talking when I had to. When we got back to Lothlorien I ran to Galadriel and Celeborn. Galadriel took me in her arms and I cried. I'd been holding back for so long I just couldn't do it anymore. She held me and gently stroked my hair as I cried.

Legolas' POV

Haldir, Gloradir, Estelwen and I followed Jupiter. She was there on the stairs with Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. She was crying her heart out and it was breaking mine. Galadriel looked at me.

"She will be alright, she just needs time. I will send for you soon."

I did not want to leave but I bowed and then started to walk away.

"Legolas."

I turned and walked to Jupiter when she called my name. She reached for my hand and I took hers. I knelt down and she looked at me through teary eyes.

"Don't go, please. Just stay with me."

I looked at Galadriel and she smiled softly. Lord Celeborn did not seem very fond of the idea but he nodded. Jupiter looked at Galadriel.

"I want you to know, you're the one I would call mother. And you I would call father. Always, no matter where I came from."

Galadriel smiled and stroked her hair.

"We know my dear, we know. And we have told you what you mean to us. We shall always feel that way."

"Of course we will." Celeborn added.

She smiled and I picked her up. I took her to her room and put her in bed. She held onto me but said nothing. When she fell asleep I moved to a chair and closed my eyes. How much more would she have to go through? What else was this world going to throw at her? She has been through so much already….how much more can she handle before she breaks?

Jupiter's POV

When I woke up the next morning I was safe in my own room. I was back home and I sighed in relief. Legolas was asleep in a chair in the corner of my room. I smiled softly and went over to him.

"Legolas."

He opened his eyes and smiled at me.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better, I'm just glad to be home." I said.

He nodded and gave me a kiss before holding me in his arms.

"Whatever this world throws at you next, I will be there to help you through it. You will not have to face it alone. I promise." he said.

I smiled and closed my eyes.

Je t'aime

We walked out to breakfast and Galadriel looked at me. I smiled a bit and she put her arms around me.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Yes, I'm just happy to be home."

She nodded and we wall sat down.

"I suppose we have some explaining to do."

I sighed and closed my eyes.

"You knew." I whispered.

"Yes. I am so sorry we never said anything. We did not know how to tell you or even bring it up. We did not want to upset you, you were happy and smiling and we did not want to ruin that." Celeborn said.

I slowly nodded.

"I understand, I really do. I wish I didn't know any of this. I don't blame you and I'm not angry. But please, if something like this happens again, just tell me. I'd rather hear it from you two than anyone else."

They nodded and I hugged them both.

"I love you." I said.

"And we love you. Now I am certain your friends will want to know you are alright. Go on."

I smiled and nodded. Legolas took my hand and we left. I knew who I really was now. I was a princess, an elf, and my parents sent me away. I'd had a family who actually wanted me but still sent me away. I didn't really know how to feel about it all. All I knew for certain, was that I had Legolas, my friends, and Galadriel and Celeborn. And that was honestly all I needed.