THE FORGOTTEN

Much Speech

Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings.

Authors note: Elvish in italics. If I may another 'behind the curtain' moment, I hadn't intended originally on rewriting this chapter from scratch either. I figured the scrapping and starting over wouldn't truly begin for another two chapters. However, with how I set up things earlier, I have come to realize what I had doesn't work anymore, and so a quick highlight and backspace later, here I am, staring at a blank page.

The next morning, Aragorn asked Lothril to join him and the other captains in council. Legolas and Gimli headed up to see Merry and Lothril told him to tell the hobbits she would be up to see them as soon as they were done.

As they awaited Imrahil and Éomer to join them, Aragorn asked Lothril, "How is your wound this morning?"

"You were wounded?" Gandalf asked.

"Just a scratch," Lothril said with a grin.

"It was more than a scratch," Aragorn interjected.

"But barely," Lothril said. "However, it is closing up nicely. There is hardly any blood on my bandage this morning and if I am given a minute to tend myself, I shall have it healed by tomorrow morning. This morning my bruise is troubling me far more than my wound is."

"Bruise?" Aragorn asked.

"Yes, I was thrown a ways by a troll and landed very hard. My bruise goes from mid-back down to my hip and Legolas said it has every color of the rainbow; so if we are sitting today, I humbly request a seat without a back," she answered.

"Do you have any broken ribs?" Aragorn asked.

She shook her head. "No. Breathing does not hurt at all."

"Good," he said. "Do you think you shall be ready for the next battle?"

She nodded solemnly. "I must go. I may need a thicker gambeson to wear under my chainmail, but I will and I must."

"I am sure if you petition Lord Imrahil, he shall see you are given all you need," Gandalf said.

"I shall do that," she answered.

"Do you have anything for bruises?" Elrohir asked.

"I do," she replied.

"Have you put on any this morning?" he asked.

"Yes, I think I got it all," she replied. She turned to Aragorn and said, "I must say I was surprised you wanted me here this morning. I am no captain or commander."

"No, but as your business overlaps with ours, I thought it best you make it known to Imrahil and Éomer," he answered.

"I assume you agree, Gandalf?" she asked.

He nodded. "I do. The time for secrecy has passed."

She nodded and Imrahil and Éomer entered. Gandalf wasted no time with formalities and jumped straight to business, much to the approval of Lothril.

Quickly he outlined their current position and the situation in the war at the moment.

"His doubt will be growing, even as we speak here. Especially now that Lothril has declared herself to Saruman and to Sauron on the field of battle. I think it time now Lothril, that you tell our friends why you are here," Gandalf said.

She nodded. "Gentlemen, I have been sent here by the high Lords of the West. I am acting in an official capacity as an emissary and something of a judge, as I shall be declaring his doom to him on their behalf. I am to do everything within my power to see that he is cast down to never rise again and bring all his works to ruin – but then, if we decide to march upon him, we shall all be doing so. I am to bring the fullness of my power to bear against him. It is the desire of my lords that I am seen as their sword arm and that whatever banner I fight under is seen as the official endorsement of the West. Therefore, I shall be fighting under the symbols of the King. To be honest – I am not really doing anything differently from that which Gandalf or Aragorn have been doing for decades or longer. Except for my sword in battle, I am all show. If Sauron thinks the Lords of the West are interfering more or less directly, he will grow more worried and confused. That I am a new face with great skill and power will puzzle him. That I seem to be endorsing a purely military overthrow of him will fuel his idea that we must either have the Ring and are trying to wield it and then maybe have me take it West or some silly notion, or else we have lost our collective minds and we think we can actually best him in battle. That is my role – to thoroughly distract and mislead Sauron."

Imrahil looked at her with some wonderment. "You have come all the way from the true West just to distract Sauron?"

"Not quite. Mine is a long tale I shall gladly you tell you later," she replied.

"Indeed," Éomer interjected.

"And therein lies all our hope," Gandalf said, bringing the conversation back to the point.

After some more discussion, they made all their plans and decided they would march on the second morning from that day with seven thousand troops, if they could muster them, and plans for fixing the gates if all went well, and defense of the city in case of an attack from the rear or they fail and then at length, they were dismissed.

Lothril asked Imrahil, "Lord Imrahil, my chainmail is in need of repair and I am in need of a gambeson and I was told you may be able to help me."

"Yes, I can. Bring your chainmail and we shall see about getting it repaired," Imrahil replied. "And while we walk, perhaps you can tell me your story."

She quickly grabbed her chainmail and as they made their way into the city and up to the armories, she gave him the short version of her tale. As the smith repaired her mail, they saw about getting her a gambeson along with a pair of greaves. He was going to ask her more about her story, but then a messenger came up and he had to away on business. Lothril quickly asked him directions to the houses of healing and Imrahil told the messenger to take her and took his leave.

Lothril reached the houses of healing and found the hobbits, Gimli, and Legolas sitting outside in the fresh air. When they saw her they all waved and she hurried over to them.

"Lothril! How are you?" Pippin asked as she drew close. "Legolas said you were wounded."

"I am fine. It is just a scratch," she replied.

"It is more than a scratch," Legolas refuted. "And you are bruised."

"Yes, I am quite bruised," she said.

"What happened?" Merry asked.

"Oh, the scratch came from when I was fighting a couple orcs at once and the bruise came when I was thrown by a troll and landed hard on my back. I do not even remember if I landed on something or not," she answered.

She talked with them for a while and caught up on their part of the story and then Merry decided he was quite tired and so they all left him to sleep with Pippin staying behind as he said he went on duty soon and was reporting in not very far from there.

Legolas, Gimli, and Lothril only just reached the tents when Aragorn emerged from his tent. When he saw them he beckoned them to hasten over then went back in the tent. Inside was Imrahil, Gandalf, Aragorn, and the sons of Elrond.

"Lady Lothril," Imrahil began, "This morning's meeting put me in awareness in a glaring oversight of the city's hospitality." At this Lothril looked very confused, but didn't have time to say anything as Imrahil continued, "As acting ruler of the city, please accept my humblest apologies. I have seen to making ready for you fair lodgings in a place of honor in the city for the emissary of the high West, if you will kindly allow me to take you them."

Imrahil, on counsel from Aragorn, had worded his invitation very carefully so she couldn't refuse it, which was exactly what she was about to do until he said, 'for the emissary of the high West'. Well did he reckon his friend's reaction, and he told Imrahil if he didn't word it like that, she would graciously argue with him for days how it wasn't necessary and that she was quite used to sharing accommodations and so forth. He also knew that after her little proclamation this morning, she would not reject any honor or courtesy done (no matter how much she might refuse it otherwise) in the name of her being an emissary of the West.

Legolas had spotted the well thought out strategic wording and watched Lothril's face with no small measure of amusement, though he hid it well. She not as much. Her face flickered between several emotions and eventually settled on pink cheeked resignation as she graciously said, "You are quite forgiven, Lord Imrahil, you did not know. By the end of battle yesterday, my only thought was for rest and I failed to seek you out and declare myself. Give me but a moment to gather my things and I shall follow you."

"There is no need, I took the liberty of packing for you when Imrahil told me why he was looking for you," said Aragorn.

"Oh," Lothril said.

"And I have taken the liberty of having the servant I brought with me take them already, for your convenience," Imrahil added.

Legolas' face did not betray his amusement at Lothril's surprised and stunned reaction – as if it had never occurred to her that someone may wait on her. He had tried and tried in Mirkwood and Rivendell to convey to her the position she held as 'honored guest' and 'member of the family' respectively and what that was supposed to look like, but she never could seem to figure it out. Now as she had clearly announced herself as an emissary, she was going to be treated like a dignitary whether she liked it or not and he well reckoned she wouldn't.

To her credit, her reply was a simple and gracious, "Oh, thank you."

With that they left and returned into the city. Legolas waited until she was out of the tent before he allowed an amused smile and Aragorn said aloud, "That went smoother than I thought. I expected a bit more protest from her."

Legolas gave a soft chuckle and replied, "That was the only way that invitation could have been worded to get her to accept it. Otherwise she would have politely argued with him for some time about how it was unnecessary and how she should hate to be a bother. Poor thing, she shall be quite out of her depth having to call servants for every little thing. I think I shall go up later and see how she fares."

"Did she not have to do that in Mirkwood and Rivendell?" Gandalf asked.

Legolas shook his head, "My father assigned a particular servant to be her assistant, and she found she had to assume things or else she would go without. In Rivendell I warned Elrond of her manner and certain things were simply done while she was with him doing lessons. Otherwise, if she knew where to find a thing or how to get it herself, she would."

Aragorn's mouth twitched into a grin, "I am sure the servants loved that."

"I heard one of them asking father if some complaint had been made by Lothril against herself as she never seemed to call her and did everything herself," Elladan said. "He assured her it was just her way and not to take it as an insult."

Legolas and Aragorn both grinned a bit at that.

In the meantime, Lothril was walking with Imrahil up towards the upper levels of the city.

"This really is quite kind of you Lord Imrahil, to give me a room in the city," Lothril said as they headed up.

"It was the least I can do after your deeds yesterday. We are a city at war, but do feel free to ask anything you may want or need, and we shall do our best," Imrahil replied.

"Thank you," she said. This really felt like a whole lot of fuss and bother, and she had to keep reminding herself that this was all for appearances for the war effort. She was tempted to feel bad that she was going to be staying in the city in a proper bed and a proper room while Aragorn and the others were sitting out in a tent, but then she remembered that Aragorn had chosen deliberately to stay out of the city and the others were following him. And she hadn't totally missed the amusement on Legolas' face as Imrahil extended the invitation. And wasn't Gandalf staying in the city? Not that he wasn't busy or going six directions at once usually, but knowing he was also up in the city was somewhat comforting. And Pippin too, for that matter, though she couldn't remember if he was in barracks or sharing quarters with Gandalf. After what seemed like a prodigiously long walk she asked, "What level are we on? I have lost count and I expect to reach the mountain tops in a minute."

Imrahil laughed, "It does feel that way. We are on the fifth level."

"Where am I staying?" she asked.

"You will be staying next to me milady, on the seventh level," he answered.

"Oh," she replied, a little surprised.

"Are you displeased?" Imrahil asked.

"Certainly not! If anything I am humbled by receiving such an honor," she answered. "By the way, how should you wish me to refer to you? I know you are Prince of Dol Amroth, should I refer to you as Prince Imrahil while I am here?"

Imrahil replied, "I am Prince of Dol Amroth and acting lord of the city, so if speaking of me while we are here, I suppose Lord Imrahil would be sufficient, but otherwise if we are talking amongst ourselves, Imrahil will suffice. How should I refer to you?"

She frowned, "To be perfectly honest, I am new to the world of diplomacy and monarch based politics. I think I am technically Lady Lothril as Lord Elrond of Rivendell has adopted me and made me his daughter, but I never thought to ask if I have an actual title or not. However, I am an emissary of the West, so I suppose 'emissary' or 'envoy' would be titles I could lay claim to. They certainly seem most applicable."

"Then you shall be referred to as such," Imrahil said.

"But please, call me simply Lothril as much as possible."

"As you wish, Lothril."

They chatted a little as they continued up and at last they reached the seventh level. She turned around and gazed down at the city. "The view up here is astounding!"

"It is very impressive," Imrahil said.

Lothril could see their camp from there and wondered if she could use ósanwe with Legolas from there. She reached out and could just feel his mind. He looked around and then looked up and saw her. She waved down at him and he waved back with a laugh and with that she turned and said to Imrahil, "My apologies, I just wanted to take in the view. We can continue on."

Imrahil smiled, "Not at all! It is breathtaking." He led her on towards the large building or buildings behind them, she couldn't decide whether it was one building a series of them. In any event, they were some of the richest and grandest buildings she had seen yet. The elvish buildings all had graceful lines that flowed with the surroundings and made them blend in; but Minas Tirith being on the side of a mountain was different and the lines were all straight, hard, and clean. The inside was as impressive as the outside. Everything was black and white with clear, clean patterns. He led her on and down a corridor to their right, which was only slightly warmer looking as between the pillars on the left were tapestries. Every so many pillars on the right were doors, and her room was second door on the right. "Here we are," Imrahil said, opening the door for her. "I hope you find everything to your liking."

"I am sure it is," she said with a smile and thanked him. He bowed and left. She looked around. This room was definitely meant to impress. The room was not quite as checkerboard black and white as everything else had been. The walls were plastered and a warm cream color. The stone on the large fireplace was white, as was the stone floor, but the bed, table, chairs, and other furniture were all wood. The coverings on the bed were a soft twilight blue and the curtains a deep blue. She poked around and found her dress hanging in the closet and her mud splattered leggings missing. She supposed they were probably being washed somewhere. Her tunic was also missing, but she was vaguely hoping it was being burned. She well imagined there wasn't a stain remover past, present, or future that could wash out that much blood. She had a couple days and a huge room to herself and nothing she really needed to do – at last! She closed the curtains on her windows and sat down on the bed, took off her tunic, and peeled off her bandage. It looked better. She went into the bathroom and tried to get a better look at it in the mirror. It was healing up nicely, but not enough for her to want to march with it in two days. Quickly she fetched her medicine box out of her bag and pulled out the balm again and smeared some on the wound then lay down on the bed and gingerly put her hand on it and began to sing. Healing oneself was an odd experience, but after half an hour or so, she checked and it seemed the wound was closed entirely. She sang a little longer and when she checked again, there was only a white scar left that looked like it would disappear entirely in a couple of years.

Satisfied with her work, she put her tunic back on and rang for a servant and asked for a bath to be drawn. The servant asked if she wanted it scented to which Lothril gave an enthusiastic yes. Once everything was ready she slowly sank into the steaming water with a sigh. Her bruise was still there and she was very, very careful about how she leaned back against the tub, but at length she found a comfortable position and soaked. Never in her life had she been that long between proper baths. She was just grateful that elvish her didn't seem to need to bathe as much as human her… or else she had gotten so used to it she didn't notice. She tried not to think about it as she began scrubbing herself vigorously head to toe.

Sometime later she was bright pink and not entirely sure how much was from hot water and how much was from scrubbing, but regardless she was clean and smelling floral and feeling quite a bit better than she had been. She dressed and summoned a servant again and asked if she could get something to eat. The servant was not gone two seconds when there was a knock at the door. She answered and it was Legolas.

"You smell nice," he said by way of greeting.

"Come to borrow my bathtub?" she asked, standing aside and letting him in.

"Do not tempt me."

"You could, you know. You wouldn't need to add scented oil to your bath like I did."

"It would look very improper," he pointed out.

"Probably. I could always go somewhere else for an hour," she suggested.

"You could, but that would defeat the purpose of my coming up here," he said, sitting down in one of the chairs.

"And that is?"

"To see you," he replied.

"I should have thought you would like a minute without me," she teased.

"Maybe in a few thousand years I shall seek to spend a day away from you. In the meantime, things are coming to a head and soon for good or ill it will all be over and you and I will be parted while you return to your old world. Until then, I intend to spend every spare moment with you as possible," he said.

"You are an incurable romantic, aren't you?"

"Only with you," he answered with a smile. "I must say Lothril, I have grown so accustomed to your company the last few months that I am not sure how shall I adjust to your absence. Perhaps we shall be fortunate, and it shall be brief."

"I hope so. For as much as I am happy to rid my old world of orcs, for as much as I love my family and friends and am glad I shall be able to say goodbye to them, I am not looking forward to returning," she said with a frown. "And I feel terrible for even thinking like that, but I'm really not."

He got a thoughtful frown then said, "You said you felt out of place there, and I think I understand it but very little as I know my home is but north of here. I reckon it is different than feeling out of place amongst Men than it is out of place in your whole world. Regardless though, I think you may be glad that you returned in the end. I do not know how much time you will have with your kin, but I think you ought to take full advantage of whatever you do have and spend as much time with them as you can. I want you to make memories with them that you can keep always. For however old you may be and however long you were in Valinor, I still do not think you grasp how long we live. You have thousands and thousands of years ahead of you Lothril, and you shall not see them again. There is no reuniting in death after a short span of years."

"Are you trying to talk me out of my decision to return here?" she asked, staring into his face.

"Nay, I would not counsel you one way or the other on such a weighty matter. I want you to make this decision for yourself. I have told you I love you and I have pledged to betroth you, but if you go back there and decide that is where you belong, do not return here only for me. I want foremost what is best for you and what shall bring you the most joy. I love you enough to make that sacrifice for you, though…"

"Speak your heart to me, Legolas."

"Though it should break my heart. I love you more than anyone else and I hold you dearer than anything in the skies above or the earth below, but I want you happy. Return to me, but only if that is what you want and will make you happiest," he said seriously.

She smiled, "You are very noble, but I promise you, if my years back home could not convince me of its merits, a quick trip back certainly shall not. I may try to convince my kin to come with me, but I will not stay."

"If they do, they shall be welcomed readily by my father, I am certain. We have room enough for them," he answered.

"That is a bold statement even for the prince to make, as you do not know if your father even approves of me yet," she warned.

Legolas waved his hand dismissively, "I am more than old enough to make up my mind in these things, and he liked you for as well as he got to know you when you were there. I am certain he shall like you better on further acquaintance. As for your kin, I do not think given your circumstances, he would be so cruel as to deny them. If he did, then we would simply move elsewhere and let them live with us and help them establish themselves and be at peace and content with wherever we landed."

Lothril smiled, "That is a lovely thought, but I strongly doubt they shall return with me. I think if they were going to they would have already. At least my mother and father. Perhaps my sister or brother might change their minds yet, but I cannot recall a time when I did not long for this place, and I have never seen in them a longing for anywhere but where they are. Who knows?"

"Any or all of them, I shall place them under my protection and see they are provided for," he said.

"Thank you," she said and then sighed.