The Protector in the Shadow
*Guys! I finally posted my new story, it's called "The Lost Fawn" I think it's pretty cool. You should partake (if you're interested that is). I'm on a new schedule for updating now; I'll be spending a day writing one or two longer chapters, then posting it the following day. So I'm writing this the 4th, and posting it the 5th. I realize now it's been awhile since I've posted, but I want to make it clear on this! Please enjoy! Love you guys! Oh and I'm so glad I wasn't the only one who wanted to punch Boromir. I want him to seem more of the darker character than he is normally portrayed. Like he is just utterly consumed by the ring now, there isn't much hope for him. - Ze*
Disclaimer: why must I repeat this over and over again…I don't own LOTRs locations or characters. Only Ava and any other character I choose to add
*Past*
*Present*
Chapter Fifteen: Lothlórien
She at first was not sure how to react either. She had not spoken to the creatures in this form since lying to them in Rivendell. Her azure eyes passed over each of their faces as she pulled away from Frodo slowly and stood. She was not as tall as a normal Elf, the reason being her mixed blood. She was not hunched, but she was simply shorter, standing only around five feet and seven inches compared to a normal elf who stood around six feet or taller. She gently ruffled Frodo's hair before took a step towards the group. "It is refreshing to see you all in normal eyes. I am saddened by the betrayal I was forced to cast over you." She said quietly, her eyes dipping down to the hobbits that started to approach. Pippin didn't even take the time to walk; he sprinted, running almost like Frodo did into her arms. He spoke mutely into her cloak on how he was sorry, how he felt horrible mostly for being impolite, and another bit for talking about inappropriate subjects before a lady.
Lyavain seemed surprised at first smiling brightly after a few moments. Patting Pippin to calm him down. "Master Took, there is nothing to feel ashamed for. If you ask Frodo I participated in those conversations as well, we should both feel ashamed." She chuckled as he stopped his apologizing to look at her with a bright smile before stepping back and getting into a conversation with Merry about what a dirty bird Ava was.
She frowned slightly as she noticed Boromir glaring at her, her eyes turned to stone as she raised her head to meet the eyes of the Man from Gondor. He wasn't proving to be a good example of his people. If his people were anything like he, Gondor was a place the wolf never wanted to visit. "I see you're as charming as ever, Boromir. So welcoming to new things." Sarcasm dripped from her tongue in a tone that she had been hiding from him for a very long time. "You put me through quite the painful trip back there, I hope you feel satisfied that the breaking of my bones was more intense." Boromir raised his brow lightly a smirk played across his face, he wasn't sure if she was attempting to start a fight, or make peace. So he turned his face before so he would be given time to think of an effective come back.
Her gaze drifted to the Dwarf, who was now sitting with his pipe in hand, shocked at the grace and beauty of the wolf. "Do you still wish me dead Gimli son of Gloin? My grandmother would be most disappointed in you." She said quietly tilting her head lightly; she looked smug, as if she was happy to finally be able to speak her mind to the creatures, Samwise pulled lightly on her dress to grab her attention.
"Did it hurt, Miss…" his voice trailed off as he was not sure what to call her.
She looked thoughtfully at Samwise for a moment before her lip twitched lightly in a slight hidden smile. "My calling is Lyavain, but I have grown most fond of being called Fëa. The nickname has interested me so." She said gently lowering herself back onto her knees, her side still hurt, and apparently the change had not fixed one of her legs completely. If her grandmother found her here she would most likely not be let back for some time. But she found herself unable to rest when she was away from the creatures.
"Ah, but I'm interested too Lass," Gimli suddenly spoke up, taking a step closer, "did it hurt?" he asked in a hushed tone looking around.
Legolas nodded lightly as if highly interested, but Aragorn stood stock still staring at the Elf. He was confused, obviously. Not knowing how to react, the hobbits had reacted so well, yet Boromir, Gimli, and Legolas had not. He wasn't sure if he should side with the men, or the Hobbits. He felt relief when he had found their companion to be an Elven woman. He had slowly found feelings for the creature creeping into his soul in the beginning of their journey, and was not sure how to deal with such thoughts. Yet now he stood, a woman in place of a beast, and he was quite content with the turn of events to be more than honest.
"Yes, it hurt quite intensely. Normally it is not so painful, it feels more like a discomfort than anything," she started as she was planning on explaining, but she was unsure if they would be interested, "When I change, my bones completely have to change. They break; they dislocate and fracture like rocks under a pick axe." She explained in the least graphic way she could possibly manage. But the description of a pick axe described the pain the last time so well it caused her to shiver. There was silence for a second before Ava cleared her throat. "I wish to continue on with the Fellowship. Even if I am unable to shift forms for the time being I will be of help. I know these forests and rivers like the birds know the sky." Her voice was light, but Aragorn could sense a fear behind it.
The hobbits seemed overly fond of the idea, and Legolas had decided she would be an effective asset to have at the time. Gimli was also for it, but it was Boromir who found it hard to accept. "We will turn into a watch service for this woman?" He spat indignantly, his eyes poised hate that no one wanted to admit. It was almost frightening.
"Boromir do not bring the sex of the creature into the argument." Aragorn said coolly after finally finding that he was content with the turn of events. He had stayed silent for all of the conversation until now, which seemed to surprise everyone.
"You are alright with this Aragorn? A woman on a man's quest?" Boromir asked with his brows bunched in anger. Aragorn was not willing to fight at this moment but Ava clearly was.
An animalistic snarl escaped her maw silencing the one sided dispute. "I have lived through much harsher days then your darkest fears of your dreams, Boromir son of Denethor!" She barked violently, Frodo laid a hand on her shoulder to calm her, but the rage of her eyes remained. As she continued to growl softly, simply because she was in Elven form meant nothing. She was still half beast, and possessed the same qualities of a beast. The enlarged canine teeth, the growling, she even purred almost. Which though it frightened most, Frodo seemed to enjoy. "I have lived in darker areas then the Dark Lord himself would venture. Do not doubt me simply because of my sex, Mortal." She hissed lightly, dropping her gaze before looking to Aragorn from the corner of her eye.
The other man had a slight smirk, quite pleased that someone had finally put the steward's son into his place. Though he found the "Mortal" comment to be a little much yet he said nothing to indicate such feelings. The expression on Boromir's face turned to shock, he faltered in attempt to come up with something cunning and inelegant to say, yet nothing escaped his maw.
"I-I-I find that hard to...b-believe." He finally stuttered out looking down at his shield knowing he was about to get a tongue lashing he would never forget. Yet the strikes never came, Ava sat clenching and unclenching her fists in her lap as the hobbits surrounded her, Merry and Pippen shared her lap as a pillow, while Sam and Frodo lay their heads on her shoulder as she leaned back against the rock wall which was nearby. Nothing was said for quite some time, and Ava started to look more and more saddened.
"Even I do not remember the place I was when Gandalf found me, lost to the shadows, angry with my people for killing my mother and discarding me like nothing more than a broken gantlet." She said softly, the Fellowship stared off thoughtfully, some smoked, others cleaned their weapons, and the hobbits look up at her with concern in their eyes, "I just remember him whispering words to me, in a language I could not understand. And then I remember darkness." She said lightly looking at the hobbits with fondness and love laced in her eyes. She smiled softly before looking up, "I may not know where I've been, but I know where I am. I have pledged my loyalty to Frodo long before you have, and I plan to do everything in my power to protect the Fellowship which I now serve." She said with a glitter of something lost in her eyes. They seemed bright and energetic again. Just waiting to explode and help.
Aragorn nibbled thoughtfully on his pipe before looking down at the weed that sat in the end of it. He hummed lightly looking over to Ava, who had been watching him for quite some time. She didn't avert her gaze, only stared more after she was caught. Why hide it, she was not embarrassed. Though when a warm, heart filled smile crossed over Aragorn's face her gaze dropped and a blush crept to her face. Why was the human getting such a reaction out of her? He hummed once more before nodding slightly, "We must not break our promises. I respect your wishes, Lady Fëa, if you wish to continue with us you are welcomed by my side if not anyone else's." Aragorn offered lightly with a spark of happiness in his eyes. Though it was hidden quickly when the hobbit Pippin spoke up quickly.
"You are welcomed at our side too! Right Merry?" Pippin spoke with a bright smile looking to Merry who nodded with a soft Of course Pip before returning to his light nap.
Soon everyone was content, Gimli even agreed though when the Fellowship turned their eyes to Boromir they were not so pleased. "I am over ruled, out voted. I haven't a choice to but to except you, mongrel Elf." He snarled violently, clearly not pleased with that which had happened. Who would be? He was backed into a corner and forced to accept that which he did not wish to accept in the slightest.
The hobbits cheered happily, Pippin pulled Frodo up and danced with him around Lyavain who was cradling Merry and Sam's sleeping form. She giggled lightly before it turned into a musical bell like laugh. Her shoulders moved lightly up and down which at first hurt, but she could not stop herself. Boromir's eyes bore into her body, and she knew they would not stop for some time. She was nervous about this new adventure in her Elven form. What if Boromir tried something? Not even to harm her, but she knew how the race of men got after a long time. She would have to never stray far from the side of the hobbits or Aragorn. She knew the heir to the throne would protect her, though she didn't know why her body trusted him so!
She was suddenly pulled up from the ground with a gasp. "You are in big trouble, Lady Ava. Your Grandmother has been searching for you for hours." Haldir's voice was not welcomed in her ears but she knew he was right. She cursed herself for forgetting before leaning down the gently place a kiss on Frodo's forehead.
"I shall return my friends, for now take rest. A feast shall be prepared later for you I shall see you there." She bowed her head lightly before fallowing after Haldir who made jokes about what her grandmother would do once she returned. They ran swiftly away from the meadow where the Fellowship settled down again before a conversation started once more.
(Fellowship)
"I never expected the legends to be true." Legolas stated lightly, his eyes trailed after Lyavain with something hidden deep within. Aragorn nodded lightly, nor did he. The stories Arwen and Lord Elrond had told him of a creature who could walk between two different forms. They talked about the abuse she suffered yet still how she rose and was to keep rising. Finishing her life as a queen. Obviously if it was Lyavain that they spoke about but she was not yet a queen. And If she ever would be, that would mean she must be wedded to a king.
The idea of the wolf wedding another man suddenly struck Aragorn as horrible. He wasn't sure why, but the more he thought about the stories, the more irritated it made him. The stories talked about the love she would share with her king, the children she would bear for him happily. The live she would spend as she gave up her immortality with him. Then they were to be laid side by side in the halls of royalty. He found himself jealous, upset that such a thing could happen while he cared for the creature so. Though he not yet knew of his feelings for her. He hardly realized how much she cared for him as well. Though he would say nothing, not wanting to ruin her chance at a life will get him nowhere.
He dwelled on this subject for a good while, and had found even though he was out of smoke still chewing on the wooden object lightly. He didn't want her to take another man, still so oblivious, still so childish in his ways. For a hardened ranger he sure didn't seem all that tough. Fretting over the creature whom he had just found to be Elven like he was a woman with unrequited love.
(Fëa)
She helped the other women set the table despite her grandmother's wishes. She missed talking to the few friends that she had in Lothlórien, they gossiped and chatted as they prepared the food they would be partaking in. The lovely kitchen maids not sure of what to cook for the men simply cooked everything with so much joy it almost hurt to look at them. The tables were stacked with food, everything from boar's meet, to gentler vegetables and fruits. Apples galore and fish. There soon the Elves filled the hall and sat quietly talking amongst themselves.
Not long after the Fellowship walked carefully in, led by Haldir who had gone the fetch the creatures. Lyavain sat quietly at the end of the single empty table and smiled brightly at the creatures that soon moved to sit either by her, around her, or somewhere near.
She sat quietly in a pale blue and white dress that almost made her moonbeam colored hair invisible. Long had It been since she had moved anywhere without a cloak, she found herself rather self conscious as she sat waiting. Frodo sat beside her and Aragorn across from her. Legolas and Gimli side by side, with Boromir far end of the graceful looking table. All of the hobbits plopped down at the side of Frodo. A toast was made, and the feasting began.
Soon after enough, food and drink, everyone was laughing. Even Boromir who had been distant from the group. For a second in time all was happy, even though the loss of Gandalf still fresh in their minds. Still cutting deep into their hearts any time they thought about the man.
But still, they worked around it. Lyavain had been the light in the darkness.
*I hope you liked it! For anyone interested there is a poll on my profile for my other story about who the main character should fall in love with. Please cast your vote if you read the other story! If not don't worry! R&R if you were content with this chapter! If you love me, read my other story "The Lost Fawn"! If not I'll settle for a favorite, or a story alert (just kidding!). Love you guys! Enjoy! Be waiting for the next update on the 7th! - Ze*