Heey guys! I'm back again with good news! I will be continuing into LotR! This is the first chapter of my new book Elven Princess Under the Mountain; Long Lost. Go check it out. Updates will take a while because of school but I hope you enjoy all the same!
The Elves of Rivendell were merry and joyus, sind and laughing to others they passed. Sunlight shone through foliage overhead enhancing the realms unearthly beauty. Melodious singing floated through the air, lazy smiles of bliss and contentment appeared on the faces of all those lucky enough to hear it, elves, humans and even a few dwarves alike. Small children ran through the streets laughing and giggling, throwing beautiful flowers in the air. Women gossiped and smiled, mothers suckled their children. Young men sang, danced and jousted for the attention of fair maidens, older veterans traded stories of long forgotten wars and enemies while sipping and mugs of fine ale.
Jackie Dornessiti gazed over the elves of Rivendell, her long thick silver hair tied up into a ponytail at the back of her head. She suddenly felt out of place in her worn, well loved soft green tunic and brown elven leather breeches that had definitely seen better days. She frowned at the singing, and laughter. Do they not know the ruin of the world around them? Have they not heard stories of the black riders roaming so close to their peaceful lands? Or maybe, she began arguing with herself, you are jealous of their peace and happiness and joy. Or to used to the quiet of the Fangorn forest after all these years. Either way she sighed and began to wander the beautiful land, so different from the reality she was used to that it almost didn't seem real.
Weaving her way through the streets she passed vendors peddling their merchandise, young ladies grouping together for dress fittings and a small but well cared for stable with beautiful horses resting within. She dogged an onslaught of children as they raced through the streets, the adults and older children stepping out of their way reluctant to be trampled or dampen the mood of such happy children. A little elleth with brown doe eyes came up shyly to her, giving her a white lily before running off to join her laughing friends.
Jackie smiled, tucking the flower behind her ear, she continued her walk, slowly heading toward the main pavilions.
She stopped before the broken sword of Isildur, gazing at it, admiring the still sharp edges of the fractured weapon, the light glinting of the deadly sides of the beautiful weapon. "It's beautiful is it not?" A voice from behind her asked, echoing her thoughts. She whirled, drawing her daggers at the same time. The male before her chuckled.
"You will find you have no need for such weapons here my Lady. My name is Aragorn, may I be so bold as yours?" The man asked
She looked him over. He wore the worn clothes of a traveler but had the build of a warrior. A sword lay sheathed at his side though she could see the outline of daggers hidden beneath the fold of his cloak. A ranger. His eyes were twinkling, shoulder length brown hair hanging loosely around his face, the beginning of whiskers that coated his chin went fine with his face. She had to admit he was handsome, for a mortal. "Jackie Dornessiti of Fangorn forest.
The Aragorn's eyebrows rows. "Fangorn, that is many leagues from here my lady."
"Yes" She replied curtly.
"And yet you speak with a Mirkwood accent." He said following her as she began to walk down the open hall.
"I … spent some time there."
"And finally, I pray you do not find me rude," He began, completely undeterred by her obvious reluctance to begin a conversation, "Jackie Dornessiti does not sound like any elvish name I have heard."
"It wouldn't."
"Were you not offered a dress upon your arrival my lady?" He asked her, taking in her appearance. Muddied and worn as it was, she did not shrink or balk under his gaze. As he said she had road many miles on her fine mountain horse, not daring to stop for any weather and muck. That dissection had resulted in some uncomfortable situations.
"Are you always this talkative my Lord?"
"Not usually no."
She sighed. "I was indeed offered a dress but turned the offer down, I have no need for such a ridiculous garment."
He smirked. "You do not appear to be the type to wear such a ridiculous garment ethier my Lady."
To her surprise she smirked back. She had spent many years without any contact with any being on Middle Earth aside from Treebeard and his friends, if you could call such contact. Such an onslaught of …. Conversation was startling. "Do you by any chance know where to find a wizard by the name of Gandalf? I require to speak with him."
"Of course my Lady." Gandalf is most likely well known here, it should be easy to find the old fool.
Following Aragorn through the halls she continued to observe the beautiful walls of the building. When they entered the grand library Aragorn just smiled at her loss of words. The walls of the building stretched up more than several floors, each lined with bookcases filled with everything from old and worn books to new and stiff scrolls. Rows and rows of bookshelves were laid out across the floor creating a labyrinth of literature around them. The smell of old books hovered in the air as natural light streamed in from cleverly placed windows. As her new acquaintance led her deeper and deeper into the maze of books she took in each and every little detail.
"My Lady Dornessiti, it was an honor." Aragorn said as they neared a number of tables, an old man with a twinkle in his eye and swathed in what looked like tent sheets of grey fabric was rising from one of the chairs. "I hope to see you again, My Lady." He added mockingly before turning tail and walking confidently into the sea of books around them.
"It is a pleasure to see you again in person Miss Dornessiti." Gandalf spoke coming up beside her, the midday sun making her beard look silver.
"You know of me?'' She asked, surprised.
"Of course, or rather I can piece together your appearance and that of the Hero of the Lonely Mountain, or Princess Under the Mountain if you prefer." The old man said with a smile.
"Gandalf! Of course! You were traveling with my kin by the Lonely Mountain the last I saw you! Those are titles I have not heard in a very long time, old friend."
Gandalf merely chuckled, "You best get used to such titles once more I'm afraid, you are somewhat of a legend outside of Fangorn forest. I am flattered you traveled so far at all!"
"I am afraid I have not come to catch up over a cask of ale or a cup of wine. I have come to give you information on Saruman, then I will return to my forest." She replied, getting straight to the point.
"Wonderful! You can tell me in the council tomorrow." He said cheerily.
"Umm, my Lord if I could just tell you know and be off-"
"No no, that wouldn't do, wouldn't do at all. You may tell us all at the council tomorrow." He said firmly.
"Gandalf, are you sure such information is suited for other ears?"
"Quite Dornessiti, and if you know what I know then we know that it includes others, not just those of Fangorn and wizards."
"But-"
"Dornessiti." He said, his tone growing more firm.
"Surely I can tell you an then you relay the message-"
"Dornessiti!" He spoke firmly. "I have need of you child, at the council tomorrow. And you will be present. It is time to re-enter the world. A long time has passed since the battle of the five armies, you must try to recover. That is final."
She just stood there. Silence raining over her thoughts.
"Now then, I believe the other's are arriving as we speak so if you could kindly move, I must go speak to a certain hobbit before he sees our new visitors." And with that he breezed out of the room. "And fate has not finished it's plans for you yet little one." He murmured once she was out of ear shot.
Grumbling sourly Jackie began her trek to meet said visitors. Three days had passed since she was forced to withhold her information for the council and her mood had been trying at best. She spent time conversing with Aragorn but when he left to talk to Arwen, with much teasing from her part, she was left alone. She did not fit in with the gay elves around her. So while many made polite conversation none seeked her out in a crowd or offered her a place at a party. And that was fine she assured herself. I have little need for such useless pastimes. Leading her to spend much of her time on the sparring mats and in training rooms. Firing at target after target with her special arrows and bow to match.
She arrived in the grand courtyard as the travelers began to enter. One in particular caught her eye. He was shot but stocky, a red beard covering most of his harsh face. Twin battle axes rested on his back as he discounted his donkey loudly, cussing so badly that some of the curious elves coming to see the arrival of the newcomers burst into tears. A dwarf through and through, a Lonely Mountain dwarf….
"Gimli! The last time I saw you you were but a wee boy!" She cried, bending down to wrap her arms around the surprised dwarf.
"Yes yes lassie. I aint seen you in an age either." He replied gruffly, his shock worn away into embarrassment when she refused to release her tight embrace
"Go find your lodgings and take a bath, you smell like the rump of a horse!" She laughed, shoving him away. "Nimthurul me ra rukhs, zânami rukhs! (Dwarvish: Between you and an orc, I would kiss an orc)
Gimli bristled. "I should say the same to you! You smell like them." He said glaring at even more innocent bystanders, resulting in more tears. "You're about as pleasant as a breath of bauxite"
She laughed loud and true. When was the last time I laughed? She whipped tears of laughter from her eyes.
A Gondorian man on a white mare dismounted quickly and came over to her. "Boromir of Gondor, son of the steward." He said, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles.
Before she could reply with the same title she had Aragorn Gimli appeared at her side and said; "This here be the Hero of Lonely Mountain, The Princess Down Under herself!"
"I can announce myself just fine Gimli," she said sharply. "Go take your much needed bath."
The Gondorian smirked as the dwarf flushed but left obediently. "You do not look like much of a warrior."
"Appearances can be deceiving good sir."
"Then I suppose I will have to try your skill to yours in spar, friendly of course."
"When and where Lordling." Was her reply. Boromir smirked.
A hand clamped on her shoulder, strong but gentle. A voice, a voice she tried so hard to forget, from behind her almost growled; "Harassing women already Gondorian? You best keep your big mouth shut and fat hands to yourself lest you wind up in …. Trouble."
She spun to find herself staring at the face of an elf. Golden hair fell to his shoulders, white but slightly tanned skin went well with his shockingly blue eyes. His face was proportioned perfectly like all elves but his was graced with beauty that rivaled that of Rivendell itself. He wore his traditional outfit, the same as it always had been; a two toned suede jerkin. This is worn over a pale silk shirt and dark suede trousers. He wears knee high soft boots and wide leather vambraces. He was seldom without a bow and quiver which was still on its normal place on his shoulder. Legolas Greenleaf, the Mirkwood prince himself glanced at her once before turning once more to Boromir.
"Excuse me!" An angry Boromir yelled. "Am I not allowed to have a conversation with the lady!"
"You were threatening her, when that is considered conversation I will love a dwarf!" The prince spat.
Jackie just laughed. Before Boromir could manage another strangled reply she wrapped her arms around Legolas's torso and spoke loudly for both to hear; "You and I both know I can defend myself fully well mellon nin (Elvish: My friend.). The stewards' son and I were merely jousting, I will gladly clash swords with him in training if only to see him fall on his spoiled ass."
To her surprise Legolas yanked her away from him, his eyes hard and hostile. "How dare you-"
"Come on, do you not recognise me? Have all those court meetings gone to your head?" She teased.
Boromir left quickly from a glare from the prince, mumbling about being sore and trying her worth tomorrow. Gimli who was watching the whole thing just followed muttering about horses' asses. "Who are you and how dare you act so around me? Such a manner could have you thrown in prison, woman." Legolas spat.
"How dare I? How dare you? Is this payment for leaving? I'm sorry but your father-"
"Do not speak of him in such a manner, elf."
She held her tongue for once, meeting his gaze defiantly. Inside it was only hostility, confusion, wariness and not a hint of recognition. Her anger stumbled as she pulled her gaze away. Fear and doubt began to nag at her heart. Did he truly ….. "Do you truly not recognise me?"
"Should I?" Came a sour reply. She began to shake the slightest bit
"…. No, I am sorry, Ibelieved you another elf I knew who is dear to me. I-I must be going." Steadying herself she took a step back and bowed deeply. Turning and walking with as much dignity she could muster away from the bemused prince. She broke into a run when she entered the halls, paying no heed to the happy children or kind calls of hello. When she entered her room she sat on the bed and stared at the white lily she had placed in a glass on her bedside table. The pastel blue silk sheets moved around her body as she lay back and stared at the ceiling, the feather soft pillow still feeling foregin on her head. She did not cry. She had cried enough in her life. Something had happened to Legolas, no Prince Legolas. He did not remember.
"Ka really tul E piece eron tira isn't Ka? (Dwarvish: He really is a piece of work isn't he he?)" Kili asked as soon as the prince left.
"Othok Zal lare idea, Ur then Narhe, Ka was raised by thranduil. Like Ka'az like kadan. (Dwarvish: You have no idea, but then again, he was raised by Thranduil. Like father like son.)" She replied, smirking.
"Inbul-hibir fundhamâd-ublag (Dwarvish: Pointy-eared lembas muncher.)" Kili spat.
"First eron, yir da heck, Tha yol E Inbul-hibir fundhamâd-ublag, second, Ekor Kav othok know yir lembas tul? (Dwarvish: First of, what the heck, I am a pointy-eared lembas muncher, second, how do you know what lembas is?)" She said in a fake hurt tone leaning away from him and putting a hand over her chest.
"Fimm castar says da Ork got out Nar your prince had oz shoot Kaad. (Dwarvish: Five castar (the money currency in Middle earth that Tolkien created) says the orc got out and your prince had to shoot him.)"
"Tye arë -va mysterime Jackie Dornessiti, er i ni sam- amna solved mal ni am lanta sinta -o qua. Mana are tye nurtale (Elvish: You are a mystery Jackie Dornessiti, one that I have almost solved but I am falling short of something. What are you hiding)?" Legolas spoke softly, staring up at the stars peaking at him through the green leaves above him. Jackie smirked softly in her sleep
It was the shifting of what she assumed to be a bed under her that really woke her. Lifting her head the slightest bit she tried to take in her surroundings, hissing in a very cat like manner when a stab of pain seared through her body, head in particular. After wiping away the sleep in her eyes she finally began to realize where, and what she was laying on. Her hand edmediatly unclenched from the fabric that she had assumed to be bed sheets until now and lifted herself up over Legolas's body, knees and hands on either side of his body. This action just brought another wave of pain down on her body and she collapsed, once more, into the prince's chest.
"Ni am- varda Dornessiti, reallime. (Elvish: I am flattered, Dornessiti)." The prince spoke, his voice rumbling through his chest sending small vibrations through her body.
Looking up she saw just where she fell on him. Her face had landed on his upper chest, just below his collar bone. Her body lay straight on top of his, everywhere except for her legs which were on either side of his. His face was looking down at her's, his trademark smirk already on his face.
"Townmaster." She barked none too gently, ignoring the pain that once again laced through her body. "We are looking for~"
"I do not recognize your face pretty one girl. Who are you?" The townmaster asked in what he probably thought was a cool and flirtatious way.
"Someone you do not want to anger." Legolas said from behind her. She must have been imagining the hostile edge in his tone.
"We are looking for a company of dwarves." She continued as if she was never interrupted.
"Haven't seen any of their race here in ages. Now about that name…" the Townmaster responded much too quickly. Kili scoffed behind her.
Legolas, on the other hand growled. Before Jackie could ask what happened to the non expressioned, unfeeling elf he was supposed to act like he had flipped off the Stallion and onto the platform the Townmaster was so proudly standing on. Pulling out his knives he held the poor man at knife point.
"Do you remember now sir?" He snarled. She couldn't help the smirk that found its way onto her face.
"Y-yes! Company of eleven dwarves and one small thing, Hobbit, it called itself. Now if you could just lower your extremely pointy blade…" He said breathlessly. She was surprised he hadn't peed his breeches yet.
"Where are they now?" She asked.
The Townmaster tried to speak with as much dignity he could muster with an elf pressing it's blade into his meaty neck. "T-they left just before dawn to~"
"The Lonely Mountain." Jackie finished for him.
Jackie stared at the flowing water, wishing she could be moving that fast but instead she was stuck on the stupid pouch while Kili dragged her along. Legolas's voice brang her out of her brooding reprieve.
"Are you sure you're not tired yet Master Dwarf?" He chirped. A false smile plastered on his face.
"I'm a dwarf. We don't get tired, ye no good son of a cockroach." He snapped bad immediately. The long tiresome walk through the forest and knowing that his twin was far ahead of them, almost completing their goal had made him easier than normal to annoy. And she was fairly certain that Legolas was counting on that.
"I'm sorry, it's just that your kind are not known for their…. Athleticism." Legolas smirked even more at the dwarf easy reaction.
"What are ye implying princling?" Kili gritted out. His fists clenching and unclenching over and over again in obvious attempts to stay somewhat calm. Considering his past attempts in this area Jackie thought he was doing an amazing job.
Legolas made an exaggerated sigh sound and shook his head like he was scolding himself, or childing the dwarf. "I should have spoken to you straight out anyway. Your kind are much too dull to understand complicated, civilized speech."
"Too dull? TOO DULL! Ye shall soon see how dull my axe blade is!" Kili roared angrily. As much as Jackie knew that the both of them should be quiet and that Legolas was being rather unfair she couldn't stop the smile that dominated her features. Kili was soooo easy to annoy.
"I suppose, if you can catch me of course." Legolas stated as if he had just figured it out.
"I won't need to, yill run straight to me. All pretty face, no brain." Very original insult thought. Of all the insults you choose to basically copy what Legolas said in different wording. You are putting your brethren to shame.
"At least I have a pretty face." Legolas shot back, not missing a beat. "It's a pity I can't say the same thing for you."
"I am deeply sorry my manly appearance made ye jealous in any way." Kili retorted in a fake apologetic tone. "It must be hard having the appearance of a female such as yers."
Legolas snorted. "We can barely tell Dwarven men and Dwarven women appart! It must be the beards they both possess."
"At least we have women." Kili retorted.
"I don't know." Legolas mocked thinking. "Those things you call children look a lot like dogs."
"I am sure ye would know, ye live among them." Kili muttered angrily, either forgetting elves enhanced hearing or counting on it.
"Boys please~" Jackie tried, fed up with their bickering already and seriously concerned about unfriendly ears.
"I assure you dwarf, if I ever need a fell face to beseech mine eyes I will simply call upon my horrid memories of you." Legolas lipped quickly.
"Both of you~" Jackie tried again, not liking how Kili's fists were gripping her pouch thing.
"Laddie, laddie, laddie." Kili chuckled. Shaking his head the same way Legolas did a few minutes earlier. "Beseech mine eyes?There must be holes in yer special elven education or yer trying to act like normal dispassionate elves. Honestly, I ain't surprised if it's both.
Knowing that she would never get through to both of them at the same time she tried to appeal to her brother. Turning so she was no longer staring at Legolas she menouvred herself to hold the grip area of her pouch so she could stare at the back of Kili's head. "Kili thry. Ov Tha var cause da halls eron Erebor oz fall morred your thick head. (Dwarvish: Kili stop. Or I will cause the halls of the Lonely Mountain to fall on your thick head.)"
"Your speech as well as your face is vile to the ears and eyes." Legolas quipped. Jackie spun around falling back into the bottom of the pouch. The wave that ran over her did not stop her from glaring at the prince.
"STOP!" Jackie yelled, sending another splitting headache through her skull. "You are both acting in the manner of children! There may still be Orcs in the forest and your idiocy will draw them nigh. Sén (Elvish: Children)."
There was a small pause before Legolas spoke. "I stop only because you intervene Dornessiti."
"Fine.' Kili spat. "I still think yer a pompous brat Princeling."
"Kili." She said warningly, not taking her eyes off the now smirking prince and increasing the intensity of her glare.
'Ya ya. I'll stop, hold onto yer breeches, jeez woman."
"You're a smart elf, smarter by most at least. You'll figure it out." She said negletantly, eyeing the end of the passage before continuing.
Legolas reached out swiftly, wrapping his arm around her waist firmly before yelling; "WHAT ARE YOU HIDDING!"
Jackie turned around swiftly, loosening the male's hold on her before stomping down hard on his foot and replying with a shoot of her own. "By the Valar Legolas! Are you that fucking stupid? The answer has been in front of you this whole time!" She took a deep breath, then turned tail and spoke normally the rest of the way down the hall. "When you put the pieces together come find me."
"After I passed out they carried me to Thorin who patched me up." Dornessit sighed. "Why do you think I told you those stories? Look." She then hefted up her shirt. A long ragged scar ran along the expanse of her stomach. "All the injuries except that one nasty one, right along the stomach. Everything else healed. Oh and that other story? About me being attacked, yeah it had a purpose to." She flipped her hair to the left, showing the right side of her throat. A smaller, yet still visible scar rested there too.
"That- you- you have~" Legolas began
Dornessit just laughed heartlessly. "Have scars? Yep. Three actually." She turned her left arm over, showing the bare forearm as her shirt had already ridden up from her slide down the wall. A two inch long scar ran vertically down from where her arm connected to her wrist.
He just stared. Dornessit got up slowly. "You see your majesty, I am no elf. I am not perfect to a fault~"
He kissed her. Right on the lips. It felt like fireworks exploding in her body. Pulling away briefly he looked her right in the eyes. She was surprised, he could see it. "I don't care." He murmured softly, pulling her closer to his body. Kissing her again, this time he didn't break away.
When darkness finally took her into t's arms and blessed her with a dreamless sleep she welcomed it with the new resolve to forget the Prince. She would return to Fangorn where she would never see him again, where she would forget about him.
In the seating lounge a young elf came up to an old man swathed in grey tent like robes, whispering hurriedly the encounter between the strange elleth and the new arrivals as requested. When he left the old man sat staring at the fire, puffing smoke rings out of his pipe as he frowned.
"That won't do, that won't do at all…" He murmured. "Ah well, I suppose I must make do."
See you in the new book my lovelies! Hope you love it!