Chapter 36

I Am Free

Her back was bleeding and Tauriel shooed Kili and I away so she could help her.

"What happened? You were both asleep! You were sleeping late and then Snowball came out and there was blood on her tail."

We sat down and I told him all about the dream. He seemed very confused.

"I have never heard of such a thing before."

Before either of us could further the conversation, Tauriel called us in. We both ran into the room and Jupiter came out of the bathroom.

"Well that wasn't as bad as it used to be." she said.

I ran to her and took her in my arms.

"Interesting dream huh?"

I laughed a bit and she smiled. We sat down and told Kili and Tauriel all that had happened.

"You faced your…well the people who called themselves your parents. I know this is something you have been wanting to do for a while." Kili said.

She nodded and he smiled at her.

"You are free now. You confronted them and you finally realized how wrong they were about you. And you seem to have learned how to control your power a bit."

She looked down.

"I swore I would never use them again. I'm going back to that promise. It was lucky I didn't destroy the entire house."

"What made you angry enough to use them?" Tauriel asked.

"My father hit Legolas." she said.

Tauriel took her hands.

"You never have to go back again. You are safe here with us now."

Jupiter hugged her and Tauriel rubbed her back.

"I just wish I could have seen my grandmother one more time."

"She is always with you. You know that."

"I know. I know, but still."

"We understand Jupe." Kili said.

It made me smile to see how much they cared about her. When she pulled away from Tauriel she looked at me.

"I'm so sorry."

"There is nothing to be sorry for. Besides, he hits like a child."

She laughed bit.

"That's because he was drunk."

She hugged me tightly and I kissed her hair.

Jupiter's POV

Tauriel was right, I was finally free.

"Thank you for always being there." I whispered.

He hugged me tighter and I smiled.

"Amin mela lle."

"Je'taime."

When we separated her kissed me softly.

Two days later we left for Imladris. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go back. I was only doing it for Tauriel and Kili. I didn't want to see Elrohir again. But I was excited to see my brothers and sister. We only stopped to rest because Tauriel was pregnant. I laid awake one night and stared up at the stars.

"Je souhaite que vous étiez toujours là. Je faisais face à mes parents enfin. J'avais été de les laisser me contrôler depuis trop longtemps. Je ne sais pas quand je serai de retour pour vous rendre visite à nouveau, mais je le ferai. C'est une promesse. Bonne nuit Thorin." (I wish you were still here. I faced my parents finally. I'd been letting them control me for too long. I don't know when I'll be back to visit you again, but I will. That's a promise. Goodnight Thorin.)

I curled up against Legolas and fell asleep.

We got to Imladris early the next morning. The sun was just coming up and I was still half asleep. Legolas helped me off the horse and then carried me.

"She was probably up looking at the stars again." Kili said.

Legolas chuckled and I made him put me down. I smiled and then ran off to find Vardamir. I turned a corner and bumped into Elrohir.

"I thought you said you would not come back."

I growled and stood up. I grabbed him and pulled him up.

"That's it! I've had enough! You and I are going to have a little battle to set things straight. In the courtyard by the gardens at sunset. If you don't show, what little respect I have for you will be gone. So be a man for once."

I let him go and walked away.

Legolas' POV

Tauriel, Kili and I heard every word. I was angry and from the looks of it, so were Kili and Tauriel. I crossed my arms as Elrohir came around the corner.

"I warned you. And I am going to make certain you show up for that fight. I will not tolerate the way you treat my wife. So if she does not teach you a lesson…" I walked closer. "I will."

I walked away and went to find Jupiter.

I found her wondering the hall.

"Jupiter."

I went to her and put my hands on her arms.

"You do not need to do this. You have nothing to prove."

"Sometimes, this is the only option. I'll be alright, I promise."

She smiled at me before walking away.

Jupiter's POV

I went back to my room and took out a bag from under the bed. I'd stashed it here the first time I came here. I put it on the bed and took a deep breath. I opened it and smiled a bit. I hadn't worn cloths like this since I'd fist come to Middle-Earth. I put them on and then pulled back my hair. I wrapped my hands and put on my boots. My back was visible but I didn't care anymore.

"Jupiter?"

I turned and faced Legolas.

"Where did you-?"

"I hid a bag here a long time ago. It's almost sun set. I have to get going."

He grabbed my arm and I looked at him.

"If he hurts you-"

"You won't do anything. This is my fight, it's time for me to prove to him that I won't take his bullshit. I have to do this."

He sighed but nodded. He let me go and I went down to the courtyard. I kneeled down and closed my eyes. I cleared my mind and focused on my breathing. I could sense him coming before I heard him. When I knew he was in front of me, I opened my eyes. He looked shocked and I slowly stood up.

"A little something from the world I grew up in. Now let's go."

"You have no weapon."

"I don't need one."

I bowed my head but kept eye contact. He nodded his head and I stood ready to fight. He drew his sword and came at me. I moved and then knocked the sword from his hands. He ran for it but I drop kicked him before he could get to it. I grabbed his ankle and pulled him back. I hit him in the back but he knocked me down. I rolled as he tried to hit me and then kicked him in the face. He fell to the ground and stayed there. I stood up and looked at him.

"Get up."

He looked at me and I held out my hand.

"I don't hate you, Elrohir. But I won't take your bullshit anymore. What do you say? Why don't we try and be the family that we are." I said.

He looked at my hand and then back at me. I smiled small and nodded. He slowly took my hand and I helped him up.

"See? Isn't this better? No more fighting or bullying. I've been fighting and taking crap from people all my life. Now all I want is some peace. So how about it? No more fighting."

He smiled a bit and looked at me. He nodded.

"Forgive me, Jupiter. I should have welcomed you, instead I let my first opinion rule my heart."

I smirked and pat him on the back.

"It's alright. Now come on, I'm hungry."

He laughed and we walked off to the kitchens.