Hi!! I hope you liked the last chapter! I enjoyed it! Personally, I think it was one of my best! Here is another one for you.
'…' represent thoughts
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Chapter 13- The Night Before
Legolas awoke from his dream filled slumber with a jolt when there was a loud knocking on the door. He slowly lifted his head off of the pillow and sat up. Rubbing his now red eyes, he called.
"Come in." The door creaked open to reveal Lord Elrond again. Legolas quickly sat up and straightened out his clothes in an attempt to look presentable for the Master of Rivendell. Elrond chuckled.
"I hope you slept well." He said, smiling. Legolas smiled sheepishly. Elrond chuckled again. "Anyways, there is someone here to see you. They say they know you, but I do not really believe a word they said." The prince nodded and sighed.
"Alright, let them in." He lay back down, expecting one of the twins or both to come and rub in some more humiliation.
'But it couldn't be them. Elrond said that he didn't know who they were, so it couldn't possibly be them.' He furrowed his brow, trying to figure out who it could be.
He took the chance to steal a glance outside his painted glass doors and out into the dark sky. He noticed that the stars were shining brightly against the night and the full moon stood out.
Legolas then heard the door open slowly and he faced it once more. A familiar, and yet unfamiliar, voice spoke up.
"My Lord, may I come in?" The person asked shyly. Legolas noticed the voice was feminine and sat up. The door then slowly creaked open and a delicate face poked through. To his surprise, the person was not a male, but a female, and one he recognized.
"Jaimea?" He questioned, quite shocked. "What are you doing here?" He stood up and stretched, then made his way over her, yawning. She chuckled at the prince's appearance, and then nodded towards the falcon that was perched on the headboard still with a glint in her eyes. Jaimea then took out a crumpled up piece of paper and handed it to Legolas who then proceeded to read it. He smiled and then turned to the bird.
"You have been a very naughty girl lately, Espenshade." He scolded playfully, shaking his finger at her. There was a twinkle of innocence in her eyes. Jaimea chuckled once more. "Why don't you come sit down?" He offered her, shoving the battered note into his pocket. She nodded.
"Sure, that would be nice." He led her to the edge of the bed and motioned for her to sit, which she did, gratefully. He sprang up onto the bed and sat cross-legged on it next to her. They sat in silence for a few moments, when Legolas spoke up.
"So, um, what made you follow me?" He asked, twiddling his thumbs in his lap.
"I wanted adventure." She answered.
"Oh." They both sat in silence once more, shifting uncomfortably.
'What to say, what to say?!' Legolas pressed himself for another topic to bring up. 'This isn't exactly the most polite thing in the world! To ignore a woman!' He quickly thought of something.
"So, how did you know I was coming to Rivendell?"
"I went to the palace and asked for you. They gave me some strange looks, then told me you left, headed for Rivendell." Legolas nodded.
"I see." Once again, they sat in silence until there was a knock on the door. "One moment, Jaimea."
"Alright." He then stood and made his way to the door. He opened it and was met with a wide grin.
"Hello, Legolas!" The prince gasped, it was Norui. Legolas's heart stopped for a spilt second, and then he quickly slammed the door in his brother's face. Jaimea stood up.
"Legolas, what is the matter?" She asked, concerned.
"It is my brother!" He hissed between his teeth. The elleth crossed her arms across her chest.
"So? I would like to meet him." Norui pounded on the door as Legolas braced himself up against it to keep him from coming in.
"No, I cannot let him in here with you in here also!" He whispered.
"What is it going to hurt?" She asked him, annoyance clear in her voice.
"Everything!" He countered. Norui continued to pound on the door. Even without seeing it, you could tell he was near raging, thanks to his short temper he had inherited from his father.
"Legolas. Open. The. Door!" Norui shouted through to him. Legolas braced himself harder and winced when the vibration from a powerful thump streamed through his spine.
"No, I can't! I am not proper!"
"What have you been doing in there?!" The youngest prince panicked.
"Uh…Legolas is not available at the moment. Please leave a message at the sound of the beep. BEEEEEP." He could hear Norui growl.
"You imbecile! Don't make me bust the door down!" The Crown Prince yelled, unable to keep his cool any longer. Legolas turned to Jaimea and said in a hushed voice.
"Jaimea, hide somewhere! He is serious when he says that he will bust down the door!" The elleth shifted her weight to one side.
"Oh, come on, I would like to meet my Crown Prince."
"Why?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. She shrugged.
"I just would, is all. Every since I saw him for the first time as a little girl, I had wanted to meet him. I would have gone up to him then, but he was busy and I was too shy." Legolas tilted his head to one side, and smirked.
"Oh, I see. You were too shy." She glared at him. Another heavy beating against the door brought him back to the present. Legolas thought a moment. He had always wanted to please his people, even if he was never around them, but he feared of what his brother might think. He sighed.
"If I let him in," He started, "don't ever ask me to do a favor for you again." She beamed and nodded excitedly. Legolas rolled his eyes as she straightened out her clothes.
"Alright, let him in!" She exclaimed, jumping up and down happily in place. With another sigh, Legolas stepped away from the door. But alas, at the wrong time. Norui had caught the twins and Aragorn going down the hall and told them of the situation. At the very same time Legolas had stepped, they had charged the door. The force was enough to knock the door off the hinges, causing it to fall on the two elves on the side and the other four fell on top of the door.
The two under the door were pinned in such a way that they could not move under the pressure. They were on their sides, pressed up against each other and, to their horror, their lips touched very slightly, but that was enough for the two young elves to panic.
Legolas struggled to move, but the weight of three grown elves and a man prevented him from doing so. Jaimea's eyes were closed tightly and she was turning a crimson red. Both of the elves' hearts were racing. Elladan's voice then rang out.
"Oh, Legolas!" He chimed.
"Where art thou, Legolas?" Elrohir called this time. Estel groaned and shifted heavily.
"Could you three please get off of me?!" The elves looked down at their human companion and burst out laughing. Estel growled in his throat. Slowly, they began to pile off of the door, starting with Norui.
At the feeling of the group climbing away, Legolas was able to pull away from Jaimea and he absolutely erupted. He let out a yell rivaling that of a fell beast, making the other five flinch and cover their ears. The prince then threw himself out from under the door and sprinted into the bathroom, locking the door behind him. The oldest elves, not to mention the human, laughed out loud when they heard the youngest prince begin to pour water into the wash tub.
"I wonder what got into him." Norui questioned, trying to stifle his laughter. Elrohir clapped him on the shoulder.
"Who cares?! It was hilarious!" He remarked. After ending his laughter, Norui continued.
"A little weight wouldn't do that, though."
"What do you mean 'a little'?" Elladan asked, nudging Estel in the side. The human punched him playfully on the back.
"Shut up." Elladan then patted his foster brother's belly.
"I don't know, Estel, you seem to be getting a gut there." He said and Estel glared.
"I am not! If anyone here is, it is you, Elladan." This time, it was Elladan's turn to glare.
"Take that back! I am not fat!" Estel crossed his arms and grinned at the older elf. Not long after, the two ended up in a scrap on the floor, kicking, punching and biting. Of course, this ended up being a moment of laughter afterwards.
Norui placed a light foot on the door, but gasped and removed it quickly when his sharp ears picked up a quiet whimper coming from underneath of it. Forgetting their fight, the three Rivendell brothers turned their attentions towards the door. Elrohir took a step closer to it, but jumped back when it began to shift.
"Hey," Norui began, "Since when did your Ada get moving doors?" He asked cautiously.
"I don't think he did." Elladan said.
"No, he didn't." Estel added. They all stepped over the door, staying as far from it as possible. They stopped at what would be the top of door and Elrohir pushed Estel out towards it.
"Go see what is under there, Estel."
"Why do I have to go?" He asked.
"Because you are the youngest." He replied simply. Estel rolled his eyes and mumbled under his breath.
"Fine, coward." Elrohir ignored the comment. With a gulp, the human stepped forward and knelt down beside the door, but paused. "What if it a wolf or something? The lump is big enough for it to be a wolf!" The other three just rolled their eyes.
"Estel, it is not a wolf. Just go and see what it is." With a growl, he peeked underneath the door and gasped. Quickly, he lifted the door and pushed it up and over into the hall to reveal an elven maiden. She had golden brown hair that was tied up in a braid and brown eyes. She wore what seemed to be riding clothes; a dark red tunic with black leggings and black boots. She was curled tightly into a ball.
Estel put a hand on her shoulder as the other three approached.
"Milady, are you alright?" Lifting her head from her protective arms, she nodded.
"Yes, I am fine." She said, shyly. Noticing the other three males, she brushed his hand away and sat up. She stared into the eyes of the males, feeling a bit intimidated. She then shifted her face to the floor. Suddenly, Elrohir pushed his twin to the ground.
"See, Elladan? Your ugly face just scared her!" Elrohir shouted at him, laughing.
"I do not have an ugly face! You do!" He argued with his twin. Estel just rolled his eyes again.
"Elrohir, you are twins. You look exactly alike which means you would also have an ugly face." Estel said, causing Elladan to laugh. Elrohir just scowled.
"You didn't think of that, did you, Elrohir?"
"Be quiet!" He crosses his arms and glared at his brothers. All in the room laughed, except Jaimea who was as embarrassed as ever.
"Aw, look! Elrohir is having a fit!" Estel said.
"I said be quiet, mortal!" Elladan then punched his twin in the arm.
"Don't call him that!" He shouted.
"Right, you prancing, little, pansy elf!" Estel agreed with him. Elladan then kicked the human in the shin.
"Elves are not pansies!"
"They why did I see you two getting your hair done?" The twins gaped.
"Ada made us do it for the merrymaking!" They said in unison. Estel just rolled his eyes.
"Oh, sure he did." He then laughed sarcastically. Norui laughed along with him while Jaimea still sat on the floor, looking confused.
"Then why were you wearing a dress the other day?" The twins both questioned him.
"Arwen was upset and I was trying to cheer her up!" He explained.
"Sure, Estel." They scoffed. He glared and clenched his fists.
"Be quiet, you princesses!" Norui rolled his eyes and sighed. Within moments, the three Rivendell brothers were at it again. They were screaming and yelling, pulling at each others hair, and doing anything that could cause pain to one another. The Crown Prince shook his head in annoyance and then knelt down beside the she-elf.
"Come, milady, let us go somewhere peaceful where we may talk." She nodded as he held out his hand. She hesitated, but took the offer. With a smile, he pulled her up and led her through the glass doors and out onto the balcony. Jaimea smiled as she took in the sight before her.
Before them, the great falls of the Bruinen gushed down, shimmering all of the way down. On the banks, two elves sat next to each other while a young elfling waded in the shallows.
On the balcony, two chairs were set facing each other. A glass table with a vase of flowers on top sat on the opposite side of the balcony.
Norui led her to one of the intricately designed chairs and gently helped her down, and then sat down in the other chair. She once again lowered her gaze from his glowing eyes.
"So," He began, "Man eneth lín?" He asked, easily slipping into the elvish tongue.
"Jaimea eneth nín, hir-nîn" She answered quietly.
"Jaimea, you do not have to call me that."
"It is out of respect, Prince Noruion." The prince furrowed his brow and leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows on his knees.
"How do you know that I am a prince?" He asked curiously.
"I have traveled from Mirkwood, as have you." Norui smiled.
"Oh, well that explains a lot." She chuckled shyly, but kept her brown eyes averted from his emerald eyes. "Why were you in my brother's room? You did realize it was his, yes?"
"Yes, I did know it was his. We were just talking."
"Have you met before?"
"Once." She replied simply. Norui then stood and knelt down in front of her and raised her hand up with his forefinger slowly. Her eyes darted every which way, but never directly at his. He searched her face for any emotions, but only found anxiety.
"Why do you fear to look me in the eye?" She shifted in her seat.
"Honestly, I am afraid to tell you." Norui put his hand to her cheek and caressed it gently, staring intently at her pale face. Something about him made her suddenly break and tell him exactly what was on her mind.
"Well, there is something about you that is enchanting." She began, thankful the night was able to hide her blushing. "I don't know what it is, but I didn't see it in your brother. Your eyes pull me in. They are so beautiful." Norui smiled softly. Jaimea then finally lifted her head and locked gazes with the prince and felt something she didn't expect. "I also sense kindness in you. I did not think I would find such a thing within you."
"You are very kind, Jaimea."
"Thank you, Noruion."
"Please, Norui will do. I do not like my full name too much. Hearing it makes me feel like I have done something wrong." She laughed, as did he. Norui then took his original seat, pleased that he was now able to make eye contact with the she-elf. "So, you said you can sense kindness in me." She nodded.
"Yes. That is what I said."
"What do you think of Legolas?"
"He is nothing like you." Norui grinned.
"Then I am going to tell him that you hate him." He teased. Jaimea gasped and sat up in her seat.
"No, don't tell him that! I don't think that about him. He is very nice, but I don't understand him." Norui nodded.
"I understand what you are talking about. I have lived with him for ever and yet there are still some things I don't get." She laughed and he grinned.
"He is so mysterious, I mean. I have known him longer then I have you, bu eems like I already know you better. You seem more like an open person." He nodded as she said this.
"I understand. There are some things that even I don't know about him. He used to be very open about his feelings, but a very long time ago something happened and he has been very different ever since. I know not why though for he will not tell any one." Jaimea rubbed her chin in thought.
"That is strange. Maybe," She started awkwardly, "the loss of your Atara?" Norui shook his head in the negative.
"Possibly, but I doubt it. Many years past after her death until he changed."
"How does he act?"
"Around my family and me, he acts pretty much like his old self. Though, when he gets around others, he seems to lock up and then goes somewhere to hide in his mind. Throughout the years, he seems to have built up a barrier in his head where no one can enter."
"He seemed pretty open to me. He allowed me to help him." Norui perked up and his eyes beamed.
"Really?" She nodded.
"Though, when I tried to help him stitch a cut, he sort of froze and seemed nervous. I thought that he was just mad at me, but I guess not."
"Oh." Norui sunk into his chair. "I thought he was getting better."
"I am sorry." She said quickly, but he just waved it off.
"No, it is not your fault." He assured her and smiled. She nodded.
"I would like to see what he does."
"Alright, then come to the Halls of Fire tomorrow around noon. I have asked Mithrandir to come. Legolas has never met him, so you should see a pretty good example."
"Alright, I will be there." Their conversation came to an end when the glass doors slid open.
Legolas stepped onto the balcony. He wore only a pair of leggings that seemed to have been cut off and hemmed again a little above the knees. Water dripped down from the tips of his hair down his face and chest. Norui and Jaimea both stared at him and he froze.
"Did I miss something?" He asked, puzzled.
"No, we were just getting to know each other." He told his brother with a smile.
"Well, alright." He said with a shrug and leapt nimbly up onto the railing of the balcony. Evening out his weight, he rested up against the large column supporting it.
"Legolas," Norui began, "You do know we are going to talk with Gandalf tomorrow about Ada, correct?" Legolas nodded.
"Yes, I am well aware of it."
"Will you be alright?" At that statement, the youngest prince froze.
"Yes, I will be fine." He replied bitterly.
"You must pay attention. This is very important." Legolas then gritted his teeth and swung around to face his brother, gripping tightly onto the column.
"Norui, I will be fine! Do not pester me on it!" He shouted. Legolas then turned back into his original position with crossed arms and gazed out at the bright moon that cast only a small amount of light for its size. An owl could be heard hooting quietly in its roost.
Jaimea stole a glance up at the young prince. His golden hair brushed across his face gently in the light, nightly winds. Water still dripped down his chest and shimmered in the stars' light. She noticed that from her angle, his eyes seemed to glow a royal blue, flashing to dark purple whenever he blinked. She wondered how someone that seems so carefree could be hiding something so huge that it affects the way he lives and then being able to hide it so well.
"What?" Legolas suddenly asked her with a hint of anger in his tone.
"What?" She asked as well.
"Why are you staring at me?" Her eyes when wide and she turned away. She realized she had indeed been staring at him the whole time she had been pondering her thoughts. "I do not like the way you were staring at me. It angers me."
"How?" She asked and he glared.
"I saw pity in your eyes." He said, anger evident in his voice.
"I am sorry."
"I don't ever want to see you look at me that way again." He orde ly. "Do not ever feel sorry for me. I have nothing that I am ashamed of." Biting her bottom lip, she looked to his eyes to find they were no longer the warm, comforting eyes they normally were, but they were cold, steely ones that were seeping with anger.
"Please, forgive me, milord." At that name, his expression softened. He frowned as he saw a lone tear trickle down the lady's cheek.
"Jaimea, it is alright. I forgive you." She looked up again at him and was met with a small smile. She wiped her tears away and smiled too. Without another word, Legolas stared out at the moon once more.
Norui looked between the two, then stood and stretched, letting out a content moan.
"It is getting late. We should go get some rest so we are ready for tomorrow. Good night," He stood and then disappeared behind the glass doors. Legolas remained motionless. The two sat in silence when Legolas spoke.
"Jaimea, you should get some rest. I know my brother told you to come tomorrow. If you do indeed plan to, then you must sleep."
"I do indeed plan to come. So, if you insist, I will depart. G'night, Legolas."
"Sleep well, Jaimea." She stood and left.
Legolas still sat on the railing, staring into the darkness of Rivendell. His falcon, Espenshade, soared across the light of the moon, crying out solemnly. As he listened to the call of the bird, a tear fell down his cheek and dropped down the balcony.
'I come here for peace, yet I never find any.' Tears then fell freely down his chiseled cheek.
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Man eneth lín- What is your name?
Jaimea eneth nín, hir-nîn- My name is Jaimea, my lord.
There you go! Wow, this one took 11 pages! That is the most I have ever done! I'm proud of myself now! YAY! I think my description of Jaimea was a bit Mary Sue-ish though. If it is, please tell me and I will try my best to keep away from that horrible path!
HyperSquishy- Cute name! I like it! Thanks! Here is more for you!
Until Next Time,
Manwathiel
