Chapter 30

Warm Greeting

We stayed in Lothlorien for only two days. Haldir and Estelwen came with us, but Gloradir had to stay behind. Tindomiel was an excellent healer so she said she would stay with him. I hugged her tightly and smiled.

"Take care of him. He's one of my oldest and dearest friends."

"He will be well tended to. And he will be well before your wedding."

I nodded and said goodbye to everyone else. It was a long way to Mirkwood, and I hoped and prayed that nothing attacked us. If someone got hurt…I was afraid of what I could do.

Legolas' POV

Jupiter had been acting strangely for the past week. I had a feeling I knew what it was about.

"Did you have a fight?" Vardamir asked.

"No. I think it may have to do with what happened last week."

"What happened? Was she hurt?"

"No, no. She….well she demonstrated quite a bit of power."

He nodded slowly and looked at Jupiter. She was fast asleep and I went over to her. I sat down and put my hand on her side.

"She might be afraid of herself and what she can do." I said quietly.

She turned in her sleep and I smiled a bit. I knew she could control it, and that she would never hurt any of us.

When we reached the forest I smiled. I had not been home in a very long time.

Jupiter's POV

I remembered what happened the last time we were in this forest. I refused to sleep and I was always on alert. By the time we reached the Woodland Realm I was exhausted and ready to fall over. Legolas picked me up and carried me the rest of the way.

Legolas' POV

She was absolutely exhausted. I knew she had not been sleeping. When we reached the gates my father was there waiting for us. He was smiling until he saw Jupiter.

"~What happened?~"

"~She has not slept in almost three days.~"

"~Come, bring her inside. Quickly.~"

I nodded and we all followed him. I brought Jupiter to my room and laid her down. I left her alone to get some rest. I went back to my father and friends.

"Is she alright?"

"She will be fine. She just needs to rest a while. I should have known she would not sleep."

"What do you mean?" Atanaclar asked.

"Legolas was injured last time we went through this forest. I had never seen Jupe so scared or so angry." Estelwen said.

"She did not want it to happen again." Haldir said.

I sighed and looked away from them.

"It is my fault. I should have seen that orc behind her. I had to get in the way, I could not see her die. It was the only way I could save her."

Manwendil put his hand on my shoulder.

"You saved my little sister. It was not your fault."

I just nodded and then looked at my father.

"I asked Jupiter to marry me, and she said yes."

He smiled.

"This is good news indeed. I will ensure that it is a celebration to remember."

I smiled so did the others.

"Well if you will excuse me, I would like to be with Jupiter."

I nodded and then left. Jupiter was still fast asleep. I wanted her to sleep as much as possible.

After a while she started to move and whimper. I frowned and walked over to her. I sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Jupiter?"

She moved very suddenly and her hand shot up, hitting me square in the face. I fell to the floor and she sat up.

"Oh mon Dieu!"

She dropped down beside me and moved my hand.

Jupiter's POV

His lip was bleeding and I felt terrible.

"I'm so sorry!"

"I am fine. But are you?"

I nodded and took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry if I worried you. I just wanted to make sure we were all safe."

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

"This is not the first time you hit me in the face."

I laughed a little and he kissed the top of my head. I looked up at him and leaned forward. He kissed my lips and put his hands on the sides of my face. I ran my hand down his arm and then up to his shoulder. I kissed down his jaw and to his neck making him moan softly. When my fingers touched the tip if his ear, he grabbed me and threw me onto the bed. I smiled and laughed a bit. He kissed my neck and the moved down to my collar bone. I closed my eyes and he put his knee between mine. His hand stopped at my hip. He moved his hand under my shirt and stroked my skin. I felt his hand go higher and I gently pushed on his chest.

"Not yet. I want to wait. Grandma always told me to wait until you're married. And right now…it's so damn difficult to wait."

He chuckled and rolled off me. I smiled and looked over at him.

"Thank you for always being so understanding. Most guys wouldn't want to wait. They'd just leave the girl."

"I would never leave you. I cannot imagine life without you and I never want to. You give my life meaning. Never forget how much I love you."

I smiled and held myself up on my elbow.

"You know when you're really sexy when you say things like that. And I mean really sexy."

He smiled and moved my hair behind my ear. I trailed my finger down his chest and then kissed his lips. I kept my eyes closed as I pulled back slightly. I touched his cheek and smiled lightly.

"Are you tired?" I asked.

"Hm."

"You go to bed. I'll be back once I've seen your dad."

He nodded him and I gave him a kiss before leaving. I walked down the hall and found Thranduil at his throne. He smiled when he saw me and I ran forward.

"Jupiter! My dear we were very worried when you came the way you did."

I hugged him and pulled back quickly.

"I'm alright. I was just really tired."

"Yes. Legolas and your family told me about what you can do. In all my long years I have never heard of someone being able to display such power. Are you alright?"

I nodded but I even I knew I was lying to myself.

"I…I won't use my powers anymore. I can't."

"It is part of who you are."

I shook my head.

"No. It's destruction. I can't use it. I could hurt my family and my friends. I'd never forgive myself. And if I hurt Legolas…..it would kill me. It would literally kill me." I said.

He looked at me sympathetically.

"Do you truly believe you could ever hurt them?" he asked.

I looked at him again.

"I don't know. And not knowing scares me so much. Legolas is my life, my whole world. Without him I'd have nothing, nothing to live for, nothing to give my life meaning." I said.

I looked away and closed my eyes.

"I'll do whatever I have to, to protect the people around me. The people I care about."

"You must do what you think is best. Only you can make the choices for your future."

I nodded and then walked away. I went back to my room and found Legolas fast asleep. I smiled at the peaceful look on his face. I watched him for a moment before going into the bathroom to take a bath. I didn't bathe for too long. When I got out I dried myself off and then looked in the mirror. I pushed back my hair and wondered if I could ever learn to control it. I sighed and shook my head. I blew out all the candles except for one and got into bed. I stared up at the window on the ceiling.

You were once my one companion

You were all that mattered

You were once a friend and mother

Then my world was shattered

Wishing you were somehow here again

Wishing you were somehow here

Sometimes it seems if I just dream

Somehow you would be here

Wishing I could hear your voice again

Knowing that I never will

Dreaming of you would help me to do

All that you dreamed I could….

I wiped away a few tears and looked at the candle flame.