Well, I got a little better this time, I guess. Where is everybody? GAH!
PLEASE READ
Alright, I must ask a favor of those of you who have not done this yet. If you plan on continuing reading this until the very ending, I suggest going to read 'Call of the Red Bird'. There are going to be some references to it in future chapters and you will be completely lost if you don't read it. There is nothing bad in it; it is 'M' because of violence and that is it. Thanks.
By the way, italics in this chapter represent a flashback.
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Chapter 31- I Do Not But I Wish I Did
The door burst open to reveal a very stressed ellon. He looked around to where the others should have been but found that they were absent from the room, perhaps to give the two brothers some privacy. The prince shook his head and strode into the room.
Legolas dropped down quickly into his seat and rested his head in his hands. A soft sigh escaped his lips as he tried to shake the thoughts out of his mind. Why had he said such things? He had told himself that it was only sisterly love for the blonde haired elleth, not anything more.
'It was just a slip of the tongue.' He thought, 'And I did not mean what I told Norui. I could not love anyone; they would be taken away from me. Just like Naneth, Celebrían, and- No. I cannot think of that time.' He sighed heavily as he rubbed his eyes with his palms.
"Legolas?" Someone called and the prince looked up just enough so that his eyes were showing.
"Yes, Iaurtondariel?" He asked softly. He vaguely felt the elleth sit beside him.
"What is the matter?" She questioned, placing a hand gently on his shoulder. He looked up at her and smiled slightly.
"Nothing, I am fine, my lady." He replied.
"Are you sure? You seem troubled." He shook his head, "Well, alright. Can I get you anything?"
"Could you please tell my sister, Lothron, that I would like to speak with her for a moment?" He answered and she nodded, smiling.
"Of course." She said and stood, walking away to find the dark haired elleth. Legolas watched her disappear around the corner before sighing and hiding his face once again. Maybe Norui was right; perhaps it would be best to make sure that nothing happened between Jaimea and himself. It would only distract him and her.
He heard the soft footsteps of someone approaching slowly and he looked up. Lothron smiled softly at him as she sat down beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. Legolas gave her a weak smile before placing a brotherly kiss on her cheek. The elleth chuckled and patted his cheek.
"What would you like to speak to me about?" She asked gently. A frown appeared on the ellon's lips and he turned around.
"I seek advice from you." He replied and stood, "Come, I wish to go somewhere private." Lothron fixed him a curious gaze before nodding and following him as he strode outside. Even more confusion swept through the princess when Norui stormed past them and into the kitchen without even sparing them a glance.
She found Legolas sitting out on the porch in the same position he was before. Lothron once again sat beside him and nudged him gently.
"Now go on." She urged, smiling at him. The young prince looked her up and down before staring out into the distance.
"It is Jaimea." He whispered so quietly even she had to strain her ears. Lothron furrowed her brow.
"What about her?" She asked, eyeing her brother curiously. Legolas felt a blush rise up on his cheeks and he kept his gaze averted from hers.
"What am I supposed to do with her?" He asked quietly, "I cannot keep her off of my mind. She haunts my thoughts and dreams everyday and night."
Lothron stared in shock at her young brother. Was he saying that he feelings for the golden haired elleth? The princess sighed as she looked down into her hands and thoughts of a past conversation that had taken place even before they left Rivendell passed through her mind, setting a small frown on her lips.
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Lothron and Melyanna crossed their arms with glares on their faces as they stared down at the elleth on her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks. The older princess exchanged glances with her sister before sighing in annoyance.
"Jaimea, do not plead like that. It is degrading to yourself." She said, motioning for her to stand up.
"You must not ever tell him this, my ladies! I cannot have Legolas looking upon me in any other way; that is what would be degrading to me if he looked down upon me." She replied, trying to fight back her tears.
"We will not tell him anything." Lothron said, earning herself a glare from the brown haired princess beside her, "You must tell him when the moment is right otherwise we will not hesitate to tell everyone in the company."
Jaimea looked up at the two elleths before her with wide eyes.
"Thank you, princesses." She breathed, "I am forever in your debt." The Crown Princess nodded once before motioning for her to stand. The young elleth quickly obeyed, leaping to her feet and curtseying deeply.
"We must make one request of you though." She added and Jaimea nodded.
"Anything."
"Stay away from Legolas."
Jaimea's eyes widened and her jaw dropped the slightest bit. She looked between the elleths' stoic faces and swallowed hard. Why would they ask such a thing of her?
"But, my lady, he is-"
"You can befriend him all you want, Jaimea." Melyanna quickly cut in.
"But do not seek to engage in a romantic relationship with him. Legolas does not need a lover right now." Lothron finished, "But even when this is all over, still do not hope for him to court you. Such a relationship would be frowned upon." The blonde haired elleth nodded quickly.
"Of course not. I would not think of such a thing; we are only friends."
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Lothron glanced over at her young brother out of the corner of her eye. She had promised Jaimea she would not tell anyone about her secret and she planned to keep to her word.
For a while, at least.
"Oselle?" Legolas called suddenly, causing the elleth to jump slightly. The princess looked over at him with a small smile and reached out to touch his cheek in a sisterly way. The prince quirked an eyebrow but smiled nonetheless, bringing his hand to rest on her own. (Sister)
"Do you love her, Gwador-nín?" She asked, still smiling. She had to bite her lips to keep from laughing out loud at his expression of surprise and embarrassment. (my brother)
"Well, I do not know anymore." He replied, clearing his throat, "I have told myself that everything that has happened between us is only in friendship but I am not so sure once I think about it. We have discussed it before and came to an agreement that we only love each other as siblings, if you understand."
"I think it best if you discuss it again, Legolas, and be honest with her about your feelings." The elleth replied and he nodded.
"Yes but Norui has said that I should leave her alone; not to get involved with her right now." Lothron sighed and played with the hem on her sleeves, thinking about what she could do for her brother.
"He is right as well, you know. You would be distracted from our mission, as well as she, if you were to begin courting her." She explained. Legolas opened his mouth to speak but the elleth stopped him, holding out her hand gently, "You do not know why our brother fears as he does for you."
"What do you mean?" He asked, eyeing her curiously.
"Did you not notice that Turwaithiel is not with us?" She questioned quietly with a frown, "When you and Jaimea were missing, she betrayed us all. She struck Norui over the head with her staff, attempting to kill him, we think, but the blow was not strong enough. She revealed herself as one of the Muruién, at least according to Norui, and once we found Gwador-mín, she was long gone." (our brother)
A wave of anger and worry flooded over the young prince as he stared at the princess before him. So Espenshade was right all along, he thought. The lady had been nothing but lies since they had arrived and it had nearly lost them a life of a comrade.
'I should have told someone about the lie she presented to us all yet no one detected it.' He thought, biting his bottom lip, 'Jaimea was right when she said to let somebody know.'
"Lothron! Legolas!" Someone called from inside the house, "Come back inside!" Legolas shot his sister one last glance and a weak smile before standing up and going back inside, shortly followed by the elleth.
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Everyone had gathered back into the living quarters and were seated back in their original spot. The two elves strode slowly into the room and sat down next to their other siblings, shooting each other small smiles. The group sat in silence for a few long moments before Mithrandir sighed
"I suppose we have some things to discuss." The old wizard said and everyone leaned forward in their seats as if on cue. He kneaded his forehead for a moment with his eyes closed. After a long moment and everyone thought the Istar to be asleep, Mithrandir looked up again, fixing his gaze upon Norui, "Your question should be answered first." He said and turned to Maladiel, "My dear, could you please explain how you changed forms?"
The woman looked to the wizard over a cup of tea and nodded. She looked over to Norui with a smile.
"Of course, Mithrandir." She replied and balanced the cup on her lap, "I can change because I am one of the Muruién."
Gasps and frantic whispers broke out in the group, excluding Mithrandir and Iaurtondariel, while Maladiel just glanced around at everyone worriedly, chewing on her bottom lip. She looked to the Istar and he only gave her a reassuring smile. The Muru just continued biting her lip and shuffling her feet anxiously.
Finally, Norui stood up. His eyes had turned from their normal bright emerald to a pale olive, showing his anger, while distrust radiated off of his form. The lady could only sink down into her seat, praying that Mithrandir would come to her rescue.
"Have you forgotten our purpose, Mithrandir?" He hisses, venom dripping off of his words, "Have you forgotten who it is that has my Ada and my people under its spell? I, for one, have not let this fact slip from my mind!"
"Norui, please, sit." The wizard said calmly, motioning for the elf to lower, "All will be explained in good time."
"Now is a good time!" The Crown Prince yelled, making everyone jump slightly. The wizard stared hard at the ellon for the longest time before sighing and pinching the bridge of his nose, shaking his head.
The three siblings of the outraged elf tore their gazes from their brother and exchanged worried glances. True, this woman was of the same race of the being that held their father captive in his own mind. Norui had a right to be angry, in a way, for he had also suffered under the hands of the Muru. But his behavior was unacceptable for the Crown Prince of Mirkwood.
"Norui, please calm down." Melyanna said softly. She winced when the elf only tensed.
"Let Lady Maladiel explain." Lothron added just as gently, "You know as well as I do that she has not harmed us in any way."
The soft voices of his sisters soothed him slightly and, with a glare to both Muru and wizard, he took his seat once more. Mithrandir shot him a disapproving look, then motioned for the lady to continue. Maladiel cleared her throat.
"My father was one of the Muruién and met my mother, an elf, on one of his travels. He fell in love with her almost immediately and went completely out of his way to try to be with her as much as possible. She did not return the affection immediately but within fifty years, they had married in elvish custom." She explained, "I was born only a few years after that, shortly followed by Iaurtondariel the next year.
"But on the day of her birth, my father was out hunting for supper where he was attacked by a pack of wolves, armed with only his small hunting bow and a small dagger. My mother gave birth without him and shortly succumbed to grief when she found him dead, leaving us to fend for ourselves."
"Is this where Mithrandir came in, my lady?" Elladan asked, looking over at her with a curious twinkle in his eyes. She smiled.
"Yes, it is." She replied, "Mithrandir was a good friend of my parents and I knew him well when I was still a child. He was there with my mother as she gave birth but had to leave the following day, stating something about having urgent news.
"When he returned, he found me outside in the forest as I tried to set a trap for food. I was only a few years at that time and no where near ready to fend for myself or support my sister. He took me back to the house where he raised us as his own."
"And that is as far as we should go on that matter." The old wizard cut in suddenly, "We have other things to talk about." He smiled softly at the lady who quickly sunk deeper into her chair, allowing the fragrance of the tea waft into her nose.
Uneasiness settled in the room, rendering everyone silent. Maladiel shifted uncomfortably in her chair and the idea that Norui still was suspicious of her tugged heavily at her mind. She glanced over at her sister furrowed her brow when she saw that she held a hazy look in her eyes. She thought for a moment that she had fallen asleep and was about the yell at her but reconsidered when Iaurtondariel blinked and looked over to her with a soft smile. Maladiel quirked an eyebrow, as if asking what she was thinking about, but the elleth shook her head and looked away.
"My lady?" A voice took the Muru out of her thoughts and she looked up to meet the eyes of Arwen, "Would you please tell us something of your people?"
"Of course." She replied, smiling, "Well, our main city is in the forest outside of Edhellond; my mother's homeland. We tend to keep to ourselves, not wanting to meddle in the affairs of others."
"I have heard that you torment innocent people and devour them heartlessly." Norui spat, stilling glowering. Mithrandir growled at the Crown Prince while the others just looked away, not wanting to get involved.
"The Muruien do not seek out people, my lord." The lady said, grinding her teeth, "Those who do are murderers and exiles to our land." Sensing the tension the in the room, Iaurtondariel stood quickly.
"I am going to fetch something to eat." She said hurriedly and walked off to the kitchen. The Istar sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Would you please continue, Maladiel?" He sighed. She only buried herself deeper into the velvet couch and nodded once.
"As you noticed, we can change shapes but every Muru has their own dominant shape though they can still shift into anything that they desire. There are two Muruien that have the same dominant shape and those two are what we call 'life mates'."
"But you said your father married an elf." Lothron pointed out.
"Yes but that is because his life mate was killed in an ambush by orcs of the White Mountains." She replied.
"But do Muruien not bond for life?" Elrohir asked as he leaned forward in his seat but looked away when the other elleth came back in the room.
Iaurtondariel smiled slightly at everyone as she strode back to the group, carrying a tray with assorted breads, cheese and dried meat. The company's eyes locked onto the foods as if they had not eaten in days and she laughed, bringing the platter around to all of the companions.
She stopped in front of Norui who looked up at her with a tired gaze. She smiled shyly and motioned towards the food with her head. The Crown Prince managed a weak smile at her and took a small piece of bread, nodding his head in thanks. Iaurtondariel's smile brightened and she placed the tray on the table in the middle of the room, then retook her seat.
"Well," Maladiel began again, "We do bond for life in a way, yes. Once we meet that person, we do not notice anyone else unless our partner dies somehow. Then, if the person decides to take another lover, it will not be of the Muruién." The Noldor elf nodded in understanding, smiling slightly.
"And how do you go about killing one?" The Crown Prince asked, also leaning forward in his seat. Maladiel glared at him but soon softened when she saw the innocent and sincere look on his face.
"Why do you want to know this? What business have you with the Muruién?" She questioned, pleased that he was not as harsh but she was suspicious nonetheless. The old Istar sighed as he closed his eyes and the Muru turned her scrutinizing gaze on him, "Mithrandir, what did you come for?" He looked up to the lady's gaze and sighed again when he saw the hardened glare she wore.
"The Woodland Realm of Mirkwood is under a spell made by a Muru. Many elves have fallen into its trap including the Elvenking." He explained slowly, "We need to destroy the creature before it destroys the kingdom." Maladiel frowned deeply.
"How long has is been?" She questioned.
"A month, at the most." Norui supplied, speaking much softer now. The woman's frown only deepened.
"Not many can survive that long once a Muru takes hold of their mind."
Norui felt himself go numb as those words passed through his mind his face visibly pales. His heart quickened as he stole glances at his siblings who had the same expressions on their own faces. The Crown Prince swallowed hard.
"They are dead?" He breathed.
"That is not what I said." Maladiel quickly amended, "I do not know the people who you speak of. What I can tell you though is that the Muruién have weaker holds over the elves then they do men. They may yet be alive."
A great weight was lifted off the young ellon's shoulders but it did not diminish completely. Norui noticed that the faces of his siblings appeared much calmer but he could sense the turmoil that they were still going through.
"How do you destroy a Muru though? We cannot achieve anything if we do not know its weakness." Estel said quickly, trying to gain as much information as possible. Maladiel sighed and rested back into her chair, closing her eyes in thought.
"A Muru is at is weakest when in its other form. Only there can it be killed."
"We cannot expect the creature to willingly shift if it knows it will be harmed. There must be another way." Lothron cut in suddenly, "Surely, we could think of something else." The Muru shot the elleth a quick glance before nodding slowly.
"Aye, there is another way." She said, "But I wish not to use it."
"Please, dear, we must know." Mithrandir said, "If this Muru is not destroyed, the largest elven realm might very well fall."
"But what of my people, Mithrandir!" She snapped, "If this method were to fail, the whole Muruién race would die!"
Silence fell over the room and tension was thick in the air. No one dared to move, only glancing at each other out of the corners of their eyes. Everyone held their breath, waiting for someone to break the silence. Not even the bravest in the group could face the wrath of the Muru's eyes.
"Perhaps we should take a break." Elrohir suggested quietly. No one said a word but stood to go relieve their own tension. Maladiel sighed heavily while Iaurtondariel rushed over to her.
"Would you prefer it if I explained it to them?" She asked once everyone was gone.
"No, I'd rather not tell them at all. I cannot risk my people." The Muru replied quietly, "If they were to fail, it would be the downfall of us all."
"But if we do not help them, it would be their own end." Iaurtondariel persisted, "Tell me, would you rather let a race fall knowing that you could have saved them or done all you could for those in need, no matter the result?"
"This is my race, sister, and I cannot risk killing them all."
"Well, this is my race, Maladiel! What about them?"
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Jaimea sighed as she gazed up into the night sky. More time had passed then she noticed but she was glad for it. The moon was full that night and created shadows on the ground as it peeked out from behind clouds. Stars littered the sky, creating shapes and patterns that the elleth would pick out and name. The only thing that she heard was the soft trickling of the stream nearby and the chirping of the crickets.
Slowly, her mind drifted off to the fall off the cliff. The panic and terror had engulfed her senses and she had felt as if she couldn't breathe. Her long life flashed before her eyes as her death plummeted towards her.
But his words brought her back and made her feel again. Had she heard him correctly? She could feel his lips upon her own, capturing them as they poured out his fear, worry and love for her. Surely that meant that those few words were true.
"Jaimea?" Someone called, snapping her out of her thoughts. She turned to face the person and smiled.
"Hello, Legolas." She said and sat forward again. She could hear him take careful steps towards her until he sat down beside her. Jaimea looked up at him with a small smile and he returned it with his own. The two sat together like this for a few moments, enjoying each others company and the peacefulness of the night.
"What are you thinking about?" The ellon asked after a while.
"Nothing." She replied, "Just things." He smiled curiously with a quirked eyebrow and she laughed.
"It must be something of importance if it makes you smile like that." Legolas said, moving closer to her, "Tell me, I will listen." The elleth smiled impishly at him before standing suddenly and hopping off the porch.
"You must catch me first!" She laughed as she disappeared into the small forest behind the house. Legolas blinked quickly before grinning mischievously and dashing after her.
The elves' laughter rang out in the silent forest, causing birds to wake from their sleep and an old owl to hoot in annoyance. The light feet made not a noise on the leaf covered earth, making it even harder to find each other. Legolas could only see brief flickers of her eyes as she disappeared behind yet another tree only to reappear behind him, running in the other direction.
"What magic are you using on me?" He called out, laughing, "Surely you must be a nymph if you are able to escape my eyes!"
When he received no response, not even a laugh, fear for her washed over him and his mind conjured up every possible thing that could have happened to her. His wide eyes pierced the darkness, searching desperately for any sign of her but found nothing. His heart rate quickened and he started to run in the direction he last saw her.
"Jaimea?" He cried, "Jaimea!" He came to a small hill and half expected to see the elleth's body pierced among sharp rocks but found only the soft, plush grass below.
Something pushed him from behind suddenly, sending him tumbling down the hill as he cried out in shock but not before grabbing the one behind him. The two crashed to the bottom and Legolas's jaw dropped when he saw Jaimea grinning down at him like an elfling. They sat like this for a moment until they both burst out in laughter, enjoying the time together that they had not shared since the group had split up.
"How did you do that?" The prince asked softly, still grinning. Jaimea shrugged.
"I don't know exactly but it looks like I have you pinned." She replied. Legolas blushed a deep crimson when he finally registered their position: he laying on his back underneath of the elleth who was straddling his waist, "Legolas?" She questioned, still grinning. He looked up at her with a smile on his face.
"Aye, it appears you do." He replied as he gazed up into her eyes. The elleth eyed him questioningly as a blush crept up her neck. The golden haired ellon reached up to touch her cheek tenderly with his knuckles as his eyes drifted from her bright eyes to her lips, then back.
Jaimea swallowed hard when she felt him place his hand over her neck and pull her closer until their faces were just inches apart. His breath on her lips made her tremble but her thoughts of his feelings for her were confirmed when he captured her mouth gently with his own, enveloping her in a soft kiss.
But her thoughts crumbled immediately when he suddenly gasped and tore himself away from her. She pulled back quickly and stared down at him, her heart pounding and mind racing. Legolas caught her eyes for a brief moment but he was not able to hold her gaze and turned away from her.
"Legolas?" The elleth asked hesitantly. The ellon clenched his eyes shut tightly and tried to catch his breath.
"Please, get up, Jaimea." He whispered and she obeyed quickly, shifting off of him so that he could sit up.
The prince rested his head in his hands as he tried to clear his muffled mind. He could sense the she-elf's questioning gaze on him and turned to her slowly.
"We must talk about this." He said and turned his body to face her while she scooting closer.
"What do you mean?" She asked, "You said-"
"I know what I said." He interrupted, "But I-"
"You didn't mean it." Jaimea finished for him though it pained her to do so. His eyes met her own and she saw the pain that flashed behind them, "You didn't mean it."
"Jaimea, I…I don't know anymore." He began quietly, "Anything between us would only prove as a distraction. Besides, we haven't known each other very long and it would be unwise to be hasty in our actions." The ellon sensed her stand and he looked up at her, seeing unshed tears glistening in her eyes. She motioned for him to stand and she obeyed only for her to take his hands in hers.
"Legolas." She breathed, "Do you love me or not?"
His heart and stomach twisted up at her words and all coherent thoughts in his mind had hid themselves from him. He gazed deep into the elleth's misty eyes as he searched for the right answer. His mind told him to just walk away from her and listen to what his brother had told him while his heart screamed at him to take her in his arms and claim her lips in his own.
Finally, he sighed and brought her knuckles to his lips.
"I do not, Jaimea, I do not love you." He answered but felt a sharp jab go through his heart.
Her heart broke and her senses went numb. After all of their times together, he never loved her as a lover would. Nothing made sense to her anymore and she wondered at her purpose of being with the company. She bit her lip to try to stop the inevitable tears but failed miserably as her shoulders racked with sobs. Legolas reached up to wipe away her tears but felt a stinging sensation across his face as he touched her. He hissed in pain as the elleth tore her hands from his and he instinctively put his hand over the red mark on his face.
"Then stop pretending that you do." She hissed and stormed past him, soon disappearing back up the hill and into the blackness of the forest.
Legolas could only stand there with his hand over his cheek, wondering at the mistake he had just made.
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Eh, this chapter isn't very good. I hope you all liked it though. :shrugs: I'm just not feeling very motivated. School starts next week so that doesn't really help. :pouts: I don't like school.
Jousting Elf with a Sabre- Oh, it is alright. :) As long as I get reviews, I'm happy, lol. I hope you had fun! Did you now? Well, there is going to be more then that to it. Don't worry. Muahaha. Thank you for the birthday review as well. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Swasti- Oh, thank goodness, you are back! Lol! You like those little moments? Aw, poor elves! What'd you think of this 'little moment' then? Muahaha. It's alright that you were gone for a while. I was just worried that I did something wrong, lol! Yea, my computer doesn't like me either. Technology is evil. I'm glad you're back! Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Well…that's it. By the way, here is a picture that I drew the other day of how I imagine Jaimea to be kinda. I hope you like it.
http / i4. photobucket. com /albums/ y115/ Manwathiel / JaimeaDrawing .jpg
There you go, just take the spaces out. Now, PLEASE review!
Until Next Time,
Manwathiel
