Hello Everyone! It's been a few days but as I said, I am spacing out updates! This chapter was probably the hardest to write because, I know things you as readers don't just yet. So I have to be very careful.
****But please please please check out and follow my Tumblr. I'm user name bntjammer on there as well! I've been posting pictures that go along with this fiction and Forever Yours. I also post all kinds of stuff for LotR and the Hobbit Movies! I'd really appreciate it! Plus, it will help with visualization for the story!****
Chapter 11: Farewells in Rivendell
"So when can I leave for Lothlorien?" I asked as silence enveloped our group. I know we all had that question.
"That is up to you my dear. As we were discussing before you joined us, it would be to your benefit to meet with the Lady as soon as possible but do not strain yourself. The healing process took a lot out of you." Elrond warned.
"I could be ready the day after tomorrow. I have held up my escorts long enough."
"Lina I have already sent world to my father than Friel and I would not be returning for some time. I believe Haldir has sent similar word to Lorien. There is no rush, you were gravely injured. No one would judge you for wanting to rest a few more days. The road to Lorien is long." Legolas said putting his hand on my arm.
"I am fine. I am able to travel tomorrow! I am not a child! I know what my body can and cannot handle!" I said shaking his hand off.
"Two weeks ago you were terrified of horses now you are injured and want to travel two weeks to a realm you've never been to by horseback?" Elladan asked curiously raising an eyebrow. I opened my mouth to stay how the twins weren't exactly the best teachers that first day but
"You will leave in four days. This gives Lina more time to recover fully and supplies to be gathered for the trip. Legolas, I wish to meet with you and Haldir tomorrow after the morning meal to discuss your route to the Golden Woods." Elrond stopped the argument then and there.
"Yes my Lord." We all said almost unanimously. I rose from my chair.
"I will see you all later. I have been asleep for days, I'm starving!" I said leaving the room in search of food. I found my way to the kitchen where the chef gladly fed me some stew and fresh bread. She was a sweet elleth, always complimenting me on my beauty and saying I was easily a sister of the Evenstar. I shied away from the compliments. I had too many scars. I am just a plain elf. I have no features to rival Arwen's beauty.
As I left the kitchen, I heard footsteps. Elrohir had come up behind me. I felt a hand on my shoulder and slowly looked back. I didn't know what to expect from him. I haven't exactly been the best of friends since the start of the festival.
"Lina...could we talk?"
"Of course Ro. I feel as though I have not spoken to you in days." I said casually.
"We haven't seen each other really since the festival started."
"I'm sorry. I've been so busy with the festivities and I've been getting to know Legolas. He is a great friend. I can now see why you and Dan enjoy his company so much." I said smiling but feeling guilty. He was right. I basically ditched him and Dan for the Mirkwood Prince. We walked up to the bridge that leads out of the city. We had sat here many times watching the day pass by.
But something Arwen said once when we sat here by ourselves came to mind: "It is sometimes the only time I could talk to them. We usually set here on the days before he and Dan left to go with the Rangers..." My face paled. It was one thing for me to leave but the twins have been a constant in my new life. I know I haven't exactly been the star friend since Legolas came into the picture, but I always knew if something happened they would be there. What would happen when they leave?
"You're leaving aren't you..." The words were barely a whisper.
"Tomorrow at dawn. We planned it this way because you were to be well on your way to Lorien by now." I closed my eyes and leaned back to lay flat on the bridge, leaving my legs dangling over the edge.
"So you had no intentions of saying goodbye had I not woke." It left my mouth before I realized it.
"I would never have left! You know that! I don't see Dan leaving either with your health unsure."
"I see." I knew his words were true, but the way he said it was unexpected.
"It would have been agonizing for me to be away Lina should something had turned for the worse." His voice lost its passion.
"Well, I'm fine. So go play with your ranger friends. Say hello to Aragorn for me... Never mind I haven't met him yet." I said frustrated. I know how Elrond feels now. Knowing things I shouldn't.
"You will in time Lina. He can't stay away long as long as Arwen is in the valley. Even if our father refuses to acknowledge it, Dan and I are not blind." He said putting a hand on my arm.
"At least one of you has a head on his shoulders. Their love is one for the history books." I said smiling thinking of the end scene of Return of the King.
"What information does your world hold of my future?" I had to think what the books said about the sons of Elrond, since the movies never portrayed them. It never specified the fate of the twins, just that at the start of the fourth age, they hadn't chosen their fates.
"You know I can't tell you that." I said chuckling before opening my eyes to look at the younger twin. He smiled at me.
"I love your laugh. It lights up the valley."
"You jest." I said sitting up. It was getting dark as the sun set over the mountains. In a few hours, he would be gone. I stood wishing to be inside before it got completely dark. But his words froze me in place.
"So does your smile...your eyes..." He brushed a strand of hair out of my face. But his fingers lingered on my cheek.
"This may be the last time is we see each other for years Lina." His words were like a rock hitting my chest. He was right. They wouldn't return to the valley for five or ten years at a time.
"I will miss you." I said looking down.
"You have no idea how much I will miss you." When I looked up curious as to his words, I was met by soft lips on mine. Shock ran through me but I responded to his gentle kiss. Could I give him what he wants from me? He is like a brother not a…lover. I pulled away but he continued to smile. No I can't give him false hope. I have some kind of feelings for Legolas. I can't let him think I return his attraction. But this explains why he has been acting so strange this week.
"Elrohir, I can't..." I went to speak further but he put a finger to my lips.
"Goodbye Evangelina; be well and enjoy Lothlorien. Give me this one good memory to hold to." He said hugging me before releasing me and disappearing towards the stables.
I just stood there and looked as his shadow followed the path. I slowly walked back towards the house. Why did he have to do that? Then to not let me speak! What if someone saw us? I had three days left in the valley and I had a lot to think about over those two days. Sadly, I knew those three days would go by too quickly.
The morning we were to leave, I woke well before the sun and lit a candle in my room as I bathed for the last time for possibly weeks. I braided my hair in a tight traveling style. Then I pulled on light leather-like riding leggings and my under tunic before sliding into my black boots. I finally I put my blue over tunic and black cloak on. I looked at the sword leaning against my wall. I prayed I wouldn't have to use it but I knew the basics, that is stretching it. I could stay alive I suppose thanks to the twins defense concentration. I strapped the light sword to my side before gathering my things for the trip. I had a small bag of supplies and slightly bigger bag of my clothes for my time in Lorien.
I walked quietly to the stables before saddling Vanya with the help of the stable boy. I'm pretty sure he enjoyed the entertainment of seeing me try first. Elrond insisted I took a horse I was familiar with even if it was Elrohir's mare. No one could bare me the whole trip.
Once finished I walked back inside to get some breakfast and meet everyone else. Only Lord Haldir was there.
"Lord Haldir," I greeted him.
"Lady Evangelina" he nodded taking a bite of his meat. He looked to be deep in thought for a moment.
"If I may be bold my lady..."
"You may my Lord only if you drop the 'my Lady'. We will be traveling together for two weeks if not longer. I need only be Evangelina or just Lina."
"Of course, Evangelina. I was curious as to your relationship with Prince Legolas. You two seemed inseparable during the festival, but it was of my knowledge that you had not met prior to that."
"We are merely friends Marchwarden and your knowledge was correct. I had only met him three days prior to that."
"Indeed. Thank you for clarifying that. My wife, Lady Alywen, had similar questions."
Legolas was the next to appear. It seemed as though he was pulled into Elrond's office every thirty seconds.
"Good morning Lina." He said with a smile as he filled his plate with assorted food found on the table before coming to sit next to me.
"Are you ready?"
"Vanya is saddle and packed. I am just relaxing while I wait for everyone."
"I meant emotionally. You're leaving your home to go to a new place." He asked whispering in my ear. I don't understand why elves even tried to whisper. We heard even hushed tones over great distances.
"I will be fine. I will have Arwen with me. Not to mention you and Friel will be there for the journey." I said smiling at him. He reached under the table and squeezed my hand gently. Which brought a blush to my face. He never was so daring before. Not to mention in front of Haldir! I looked at him with a questioning stare.
He just winked and went to work on his food. I just shook my head and returned to my own food. Our group continued to trickle in. Soon enough, everyone had said their goodbyes and I stood before Lord Elrond.
"Evangelina, know that in the months you have spent in my house, you have grown strong and into a beautiful elleth. You have touched my family and this valley in ways that was much needed. Should your journey ever lead you back here, you are always welcome as a daughter of my heart. I had this made when we decided upon your departure with Arwen. It is made of mithril much like your ring. May the symbol of my house, protect and guide you in the journeys that lie before you." He said clasping the necklace around my neck. I touched the cool metal and smiled.
"I don't know what to say but thank you. But that doesn't begin to sum up all you and your family has done for me. You saved my life physically, but you also saved me emotionally and mentally. I had no one in my old world. Now I have friends and family that love me more than life itself. There is no 'thank you' that is good enough."
"Thank you will do just fine and a promise to come back when you find your answers." He said smiling. This man who was portrayed as so intimidating in the movies is one of the most kind and generous men…err elves, I have ever met. I am so blessed to have fallen into his care. I couldn't help it. I legitimately reached out and hugged the elven lord.
"I promise, Ada"
"Go my child, I cannot hold you from your destiny any longer." I pulled away and smiled. As I was a few feet away he spoke again.
"Lina, the Prince of Mirkwood is a good elf…should things change between you two…I would approve…" He said it with that all knowing grin of his. I looked at the ground and blushed at his words. I turned and waved one last time as I ran down the path to the stables.
"Based on my brothers' stories, I did not expect you to be willing to get on a horse let alone ride by yourself." Arwen said leading her own mare to my side as I petted Vanya. Elrohir had given me permission to take her to Lorien, since other than Riana she was the only horse I had rode before.
"Well, the experience wasn't exactly the most pleasant since they apparently need lessons themselves. But Legolas is a much better teacher." I said shying off as I finished. Realizing I was adding fuel to her fire.
"The handsome prince continues to woo you and you are oblivious to it." Then I realized I had spent the last three days thinking about Ro and not the golden haired prince of the woodland realm. My thoughts drifted to the conversation we had before the attack.
"I am not oblivious; his affections do not lie with me. He has an elleth here in Rivendell he is trying to court. We talked about it briefly before the attack." Arwen's face dropped as mine did as my own words sunk in. I can't believe I had let myself think that him holding my hand this morning was more than a friendship gesture. I almost missed Arwen speak.
"Did you learn her name?"
"No, we were kind of attacked before we got that far."
"Do not give up hope until he gives you a name Lina." She said jumping up onto her horse.
"Come the others are probably waiting." She said urging her horse away. I looked at Vanya and took a deep breath.
"I can do this." I reached up to the saddle and launched myself up. I froze as I sat on top of the creature.
"I did it!" I shouted bringing a worried Legolas and Arwen into the stables.
"What's wrong…? You made it up by yourself?" Legolas asked in disbelief as a smile crept to his face.
"Somehow yes!" He came up beside me and patted my thigh. I blushed horribly and looked down. What is with him today?!
"See no worries, you'll be a great rider in no time!" He said before urging his stallion further.
Arwen came up next to me with a huge grin.
"So about that other elleth..." I just pushed her shoulder before almost loosing my balance and hugging Vanya's neck tightly.
As if I wasn't confused enough. I had her brother being very advent on his pursue and then Legolas who was being cautious and subtle.
It's going to be a long ride to Lorien. I sighed and followed after everyone as we crossed the bridge and out onto the path that lead east.
Sooo what did you think?
How about that kiss between Lina and Ro? She kissed back so there is obviously something there but then there's her unknown feelings for Legolas. Poor confused elleth, stuck between two elvish princes. (NOT! What I would pay to be in her place!)
Who do you guys like more for Lina: Legolas or Elrohir? Be honest.
Please review, follow and favorite!