Chapter 24

The Reason is You

Legolas' POV

I felt terrible. Just as I was planning how I would propose, this happened. I wanted to go after her, but I did not know if I should.

Jupiter's POV

I found myself leaving the valley. Why didn't he tell me?! He knows what family means to me and still said nothing. I needed to leave.

"Are you so ungrateful that you would just disappear?"

I stopped and balled my hands into fists. My patience was hanging by a thread.

"I thought he was the love of your life. Now you would leave him because he was trying to protect you?"

I remained silent.

"He is a dear friend to me and to my family-"

"I AM your family. Yet you treat me like shit! I've done nothing to you." I snapped.

"Oh no? You came here and even after my father helped you, you were disrespectful!"

That did it. I turned and kicked him in the face as I did. I pinned him to the ground and glared at him.

"You don't know a damn thing about me. You're right I was disrespectful and I apologized for it! I grew up with no family, at least not with one who loved me or even cared about me. You're nothing but a pampered brat! You don't know what it's like to be beaten mercilessly and told you were a mistake. I love Legolas very much! And it's because I love him that I'm taking a head start. I have a terrible temper and I didn't want to take it out on him. The last time I unleashed my anger I killed many, many orcs, but I couldn't protect my friend. You do not know me Elrohir of Imladris! You want me to leave and so I'm leaving. You'll never see me again." I said.

I let him go and left without another word. When I was far enough away it was dark. I finally let the tears fall. I screamed in pain and anger as I fell to my knees. A strange silver smoke shot out around me but I was too upset to notice. I thought I had family that loved me, apparently not all of them.

"Jupiter!?"

I looked at Legolas and ran to him. I crashed into his arms and cried.

"I'm sorry! You were just trying to protect me. I'm so sorry!" I cried.

"Shh-hh-hh! I am not angry, I understand. You were right, I should have told you. That is why I am taking you to Dulliond. Your brother still dwells there."

I pulled away and looked at him.

"Brother?"

"Yes, his name is Vardamir. I have never met him but I know he is there. I wanted to surprise you, but I realize now, you are not one for these sorts of surprises."

I smiled a bit and hugged him.

"I'm so sorry." I whispered.

"You are forgiven."

I smiled in relief and closed my eyes.

"I also know, you do not get along with Elrohir."

I sighed and pulled away from him.

"He thinks I don't know my place. So I taught him a lesson. He doesn't know a damn thing about me. He doesn't know what I went through."

He wiped my tears away and I looked at him.

"If he doesn't like me, what will Vardamir think of me?" I asked softly.

"You cannot think like that. Elrond told me your brothers and sister have been waiting a long time to meet you. Three of them have already sailed for Valinor. Vardamir alone remained, he knew you would come back."

I smiled a bit more and nodded.

"It will take us about a month to get there. We must pass through the town of Bree, the Shire and then move towards the blue mountains."

"Bilbo lives in Hobbiton. Can we visit him?"

He smiled and nodded.

"Of course we can."

I kissed him. His hand slowly went to the side of my face and I slid my tongue past his lips. He wrapped his other arm around me and pulled me tight against him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and deepened the kiss.

Legolas' POV

I had to stop before I did too much. I slowed the kiss down and then slowly pulled away.

"We should get some sleep. We still have a long way to go."

She nodded.

A week and a half later, we arrived in Hobbiton. Apparently hobbits were not used to seeing elves in these lands.

"My word! Look, elves!" said one woman.

Jupiter smiled at them and then went up a hill to a bright green door. She knocked and it opened a moment later.

"Jupe!"

She smiled and hugged the hobbit.

"Bilbo it's so good to see you. I'm sorry for the unexpected visit."

"Nonsense, one of the greatest adventures of my life began with an unexpected visit. Come in, come in!"

I had only met this hobbit once, but he was very hospitable.

Jupiter's POV

I told Bilbo everything I had been doing.

"So you have a family now? I am happy to hear it. When I returned they were auctioning off my home and all my belongings."

My eyes went wide.

"What?"

"It was quite bothersome."

"Well I should think so."

"The Sackville-Baggins', they have always wanted my house."

"Well have you told them to get lost?"

He seemed confused.

"I mean, that they'll never have it?"

"Well, unless I were to marry and have children of my own, it would end up going to them."

"Well is there any girl you like around?"

"Oh no. I have never thought about it much. Now that I have gone and had an adventure, I would imagine not many girls would want to settle down with me."

"Really? Being on an adventure usually makes men more desirable."

"Maybe where you come from. Here not so much."

I nodded and Bilbo made dinner. I helped him and he offered us a room for the night.

"You may have to put two beds together."

"Oh it's no problem mon amie."

He smiled and I laughed a bit.

"That's right. You've never really heard me speak French have you?"

"Only once. It is a very interesting language."

I laughed with him and we all sat down to dinner.

"And you Master Elf," Legolas looked up. "Take special care of this young woman. She is very brave and selfless, she is special."

Legolas smiled and took my hand.

"I will. I always will, I made that promise long ago."

Bilbo smiled and nodded. After dinner he showed us where we could stay.

"It is the best and biggest room I have."

"You're too kind Bilbo, thank you."

"My pleasure. Sleep well and I shall have breakfast ready in the morning."

"Good night Bilbo."

He closed the door and I looked at Legolas.

"Your friend is very hospitable. I like him."

I nodded.

"Bilbo's a wonderful person and very brave too. I fought with him in the war."

My smile suddenly fell and I sighed.

"Jupiter look at me."

I looked up and he stroked my cheek.

"You did everything you could to save him. He knows that and we all know that. I wish you never had to fight in that war."

I took his hand.

"The only reason I went out there, is because I knew you were out there. And Thorin…well he showed me what real redemption and honor were. And Kili loves Tauriel. I was saying something in the cell and he heard me say her name. But the biggest reason was you. Ever since that day we met it's always been you."

He just stared at me before kissing me passionately. I smiled into the kiss and wrapped my arms around him.