AN/ Ahhh guys! We are getting close to 100 follows which is absolutely crazy! I never thought we would get this far. We are so very nearly done with The Fellowship of the Ring. One more chapter to go! (or well, one big chapter, and one small chapter. I think. Idk) Wow I can't believe I'll have two thirds of this story written.
Thank you so much for sticking with me!
I don't like this chapter *sigh* but, at least it's a pretty big chapter (for me). I figured you guys deserved it :)
Some dialogue were taken directly from the book, The Fellowship of the Ring, Chapter: Farewell to Lothlorien
I definitely meant to update this chapter like two weeks ago, and then got caught up in exams, falling off my horse and limping for a week, revising, taking care of stuff. Yeah not fun.
So, I've made a little book rec list for every type based on books I've read and enjoyed that you should definitely read if you haven't yet:
-If you like a good thriller, puzzle-solving book with lots of twists and turns, sprinkled with some cool discovery, NASA, and politics, then Deception Point by Dan Brown might be the book for you
-If you'd like a YA book that makes you reconsider your life, and it's a coming of age book right in the mind of a teenager, then Looking for Alaska by John Green is for you.
-IF you want to read a book set in Middle-Earth, a tale long before the Fellowship was ever formed, one that you will enjoy if you like fighting, wars and forbidden love, then The Children of Hurin by J.R.R / Christopher Tolkien is for you. I definitely enjoyed that book.
-And finally, if you want to read a good classic, with lots of romance and a kinda enemy to lover trope, awkward talks, cottagecore vibes, then Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is for you.
All of these books listed above I've read and enjoyed. I am currently reading Jane Eyre which I am absolutely adoring, The Song of Achilles, which is gold, and the Time Machine, which I am enjoying so much. I cannot believe I'd never read them before.
Thank you for all the follows, favs and reviews!
Ten Duel Commandments: I hope this update will make your day again :) I love being the mysterious author who keeps all her cards hidden up her sleeves. Thank you for reviewing, Enjoy!
Scylla's Revenge: Thank you! I try, I try. Summer starts soon so I'll be free and able to write (honestly cannot wait!) Thank you for reviewing, enjoy :)
PrettyRecklessLaura: Hope you enjoy!
Ponytail Goddess: Is Alysae really okay tho...? sorry! lol. Anyways, hope you enjoy :)
Stygian Willow: Awe I made you cry? *grinning* Hope you enjoy this update then!
minstrelgirl451:Aww, anytime! Oh yes, things are going to go downhill in The Two Towers. You guys have no idea what I've planned... *rubs hands together* I love Legolas and Alysae! Theyre so cute :) Please don't feel obligated to leave a review (even if it's nice :) Enjoy this update!
MustardLady: Who is Alysae? Well, that is the ONE big question, the million dollar one. You're right, poor her. Enjoy this update!
mystarlight: Thank you! ENjoy :)
Anyways, enjoy :) sorry for the long AN
. . .Chapter 23 - Time Flies. . .
.~.
"The most beautiful moments always seemed to accelerate and slip beyond one's grasp just when you want to hold onto them for as long as possible."
― E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly
.~.
Time in Lothlorien, Alysae had began to realise, flowed differently than in the rest of Arda. The same aplied to Imladris; she figured elven realms had a way of intervening with the flows of time. It was not really the same in the Woodland Realm and she was not sure why. Perhaps it was because of the darkness that was infesting the land?
As the days passed, Alysae grew more and more anxious. She knew that each day spent brought them a step closer to the departure of the Fellowship. She was not sure if she could ever bear to relive it again, especially now that she more aware of the dangers surrounding her friends.
In just a couple months, it seemed that the entire world had fallen apart. The Ring was right in the middle of it, and she was being sucked into its whirpool.
Her mind often wandered to the Elrondion twins, whether they had made it safely back, and how they fared. She knew they were extremely good warriors, perhaps part of the bests amongst elven folks. But still, she could not help but worry. She had already lost so much, and she knew that Mithrandir's death was only the first to many.
She hoped hers would be the last.
-xxx-
She was walking with Legolas, their feet straying on the the soft floor of moss and grass, mallyrn trees disappearing high above them.
Alysae still had trouble believing that it was all real, that Legolas was truly there with her. Her gaze often strayed back to him, skimming over his face, commiting his features to memory. The thought of something happening to him often made her forget to breathe.
And she knew that he too kept his eyes on her when he thoughts she wasn't looking. He had began to treat her like a wounded bird. Perhaps she was unable to stretch her wings nor fly, but she did not want to be stranded to a sick bed as though she was made of glass.
There was now something between them which had never existed before; it felt like a heavy blanket had been dropped onto the both of them, or perhaps it was a rock-hard wall which had began to be built between them. Either way, it made the air heavy with awkwardness, and Alysae wanted nothing else but cut it all away.
She had wanted her brother back so desperately. And now that he was with her, she did not know how to act.
Most of all, she felt disappointed.
She was ashamed to admit it to herself, but it was true. In her head, she had imagined so many times over and over again, in details, how her reunion with her brother would have been. She had fantasized over it so long, that it has become a sort of dream. Even with her new-found friends, she had often found herself lonely and unused to being away from him. But now that he was here...
It had not gone exactly as she had planned. In fact, the dull reality of it seemed to have ripped her dream to shreads.
She loved her brother, she really did, but she did not know how to be around him anymore.
And that scared her.
Would it be that way with her Adar too? Would she suddenly be awkward and out of place in the Greenwood?
Alysae pushed the thought to the side. With how things were going so far, she did not want to make them worse.
Fallen leaves crunched underneath their booted feet as they continued to walk in silence. There were other sounds around them though: the whispering of the wind in the branches, the whistle of birds over their heads, the soft scurrying of paws against the mossy floor. In the distance, voices drifted through the trees, those same ethereal voices that Alysae had grown used to.
Everything was so delicate in Lothlorien. It was very different from the harsh yet beautiful carved caves in the Greenwood, where the singing of the river echoed all around, and jewels sparkled from within the walls. Where in Lothlorien, all was out in the open, high above the ground, in the Greenwood it was all enclosed, deep within the ground.
Sometimes it became suffocating.
The darkness that was slowly spreading towards the palace like poison sometimes scared Alysae. She knew that all of the elven warriors were well-trained, and perhaps the best ones in all elven realms (safe for Glorfindel. He was something else entirely), but sometimes she wondered, what would happen if they were not strong enough.
Her fingers clenched at her sides when she realized that once again her thoughts had turned dark. It seemed that these days she could not bring herself to be happy.
"What is wrong?" Legolas' voice broke the silence.
Alysae turned her head to glance up at him, surprised. "Nothing," she shrugged. These days she had done nothing but to tell false tuths and to lie to him. She could remember the days where she'd telll him everything.
Legolas scoffed. "You have that furrow in your brow, and your fingers are clenched around your skirts. I know you, Alysae."
She stayed silent for a bit because she knew he was right. He could always pick up on her emotions easily. "I was merely thinking," she finally said, vaguely.
"What occupies your mind?"
A sigh escaped her lips. "Everything," she whispered.
Legolas frowned besides her. "That seems like a lot to think about," he said, trying to make her serious expression fade away.
It worked a bit for she smiled a little. Then, her smile faded off and a more serious expression replaced it. "So many things have changed in such a small time," she whispered, eyes on the ground. She kicked a small rock with her foot and watched it tumble away.
"Thus is the way of life," sighed Legolas. "Eternal change."
"Don't you ever get sick of it?" Alysae asked him curiously.
He seemed to ponder it. "I think," he began, carefully choosing his words, "change is what makes life less dull. If it was always the same I would not be able to bear the boredom. I would go insane without a little adventure. But I will not deny that immortality is also a curse; to live forever and watch the world fade around us, and never being able to rest."
Alysae nodded slowly. She wondered what fate was worse, to live forever and watch all your loved ones die, or to live for a qhort amount of time and leave all your loved ones?
As Legolas smiled gently at her, she decided that there was no need to ponder it.
"Legolas, what is it like to be in love?"
His eyes widened and his mouth opened. "In love?" he spluttered.
"Yes," said Alysae patiently. "That"s what I said, isn't it?"
Legolas gave her a deadpanned look, even though surprise still lingered on his features. "Why in all of Arda would you ask me that? I am certainly not the most qualified!"
Alysae looked down. "I used to ask you questions which you never failed to answer; you never questioned me. And now I do not understand what has happened. When did we become such strangers? I'd thought I would get my brother back, but perhaps I was wrong." She brushed her fingers under her eyes and made to walk away.
Legolas caught her wrist. "Alysae," he called out. "What do you mean?" He forced her to not look away.
"Am I still your sister to you? Has everything I have ever known changed for the worse?"
He frowned. "This is not like you, Alysae. When have you become so bitter and resentful?"
Something finally broke in her. Something that always threatened to out but that she'd always supressed. "When the whole world fell apart!" she shouted, pushing him away. Her voice echoed in the woods; the air stilled. "When you left me to go on a quest! When I was told I have so little time left! When-" She broke off and looked away, tears welling in her eyes.
"What do you want me to do?" Legolas questioned, his mouth twisted. "Stay? Let the Fellowship continue without me?
"You know that is not what I meant," she said bitterly, turning away from him. "They would not last a day without you. I am not the little girl you used to race in the woods, Legolas. But I wish I still was." Her voice trembled slightly.
"You will always be my Alysae," said Legolas gently, placing a hand on her cheek. "My gwathel tithel."
Alysae could not hold the tears in any longer; her head dropped and she let them wet her cheeks. With a small sigh, Legolas drew her into his arms. "I think we need to have a long talk," he said.
And so the both of them sat down and in the course of an afternoon, spent it all talking and exchanging stories. Tears were shed, and sometimes they spoke angrily at the other. But when night began to fall, the two siblings felt lighter than they had ever been; a heavy weight had been removed from the both of them.
-xxx-
The next morning dawned bright and fair.
As she woke to the ceiling of entangled branches, Alysae felt a twistening in her gut. Today was the day the Fellowship would leave again.
She rose and dressed slowly, reluctant, as if hoping that she could delay the inevitable.
It did not last long however, Laereth soon appeared at the door. "What are you doing? You will be late if you go any slower!"
And so she found herself descending the stairs into a clearing where the Fellowship waited. Elves bustled around like a hive of bees, going to and fro, carrying packs and bundles.
She watched as Laereth, Caladwen, Taurya, and a couple of other elves handed a cloak to each of the Fellowship. The cloak was neither gray nor green, glistening like twilight; it blended with its surroundings like mist.
"... You are high in the favor of the Lady!" she caught the end of what Haldir was saying. Haldir. She could not even look him in the eye, so embarassed was she. "For she and her maidens wove your cloaks, and never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our people."
He turned and his eyes caught Alysae; she quickly looked away, her cheeks burning.
"Mae govannen!" she called out to the Fellowship instead, trying to ignore the Marchwarden.
The Hobbits' faces broke into smiles. "Hullo Alysae!" said Pippin.
"How are you?" asked Merry.
Alysae smiled. It had been a while since she had last seen them (her urge to distance herself from the Ring had also meant that she had stayed far from the Fellowship). She regretted it a bit, but was relieved that none of them seemed to hold it against her.
Legolas sent her a smile, which she easily responded to. The wall that had existed between them was now gone, and she felt much better.
She recalled a part of their conversation from the day before.
"Why did you want to ask me if I ever fell in love?" asked Legolas, leaning back into the trunk of a mallorn tree.
Alysae picked at her dress, trying to sound nonchalant. "I am curious, is all."
"Alysae." He gave her a deadpanned look, to which she responded similarly.
"Legolas."
"Do not take me for a fool."
She sighed.
"Well?" he asked, raising his eyebrows. "You and I both know that elves only ever fall in love once, and I'm sure you would know if I ever did."
"What about humans? Can they fall in love more than once?"
Legolas furrowed his brow. "I am not sure," he admitted slowly. "I have seen both: women devastated by the loss of their husbands, unable to find happiness again, for they vowed that their only love was gone. And I have found men who married more than once, and young couples who stopped loving themselves. The race of man is strange, Alysae, and I am sure Boromir or Aragorn would be better suited to answer your question."
Alysae nodded, deep in thought.
Legolas' eyes narrowed. "Now wait a moment," he suddenly said. "Why would you want to know that?" When she did not respond, he leaned forward, noticing the faint trace of a blush on her cheeks. He let out a horrified gasp. "By Elbereth and all of the Valars above! Please do tell me I am wrong!"
She blushed even harder. "Legolas, I do not think I-"
"Oh no!" he cut her off. "Has anyone made any inappropriate advances towards you? Who are they? I will murder them!" He jumped to his feet, his eyes screaming murder.
Alysae scrambled to her feet. "No, no, no, it's not like that, I promise!"
His white knife was suddenly in his hand. "Just tell me his name, Alysae, and I promise he'll be gone."
She wanted to drop her head into her hands and disappear into the ground. She was glad that at least they were alone, and no one could witness that embarassing moment. "Legolas!"
She had explained herself, without telling him about Haldir, making up a lie on the spot. She simply had told him that ever since her discussion with Boromir, she had wondered about her own future, if she ever lived long enough. (Thankfully he had bought it.) She could not bear the embarassment and shame if he ever learnt of her infatuation to the Marchwarden.
Laereth elbowed her in the side to bring her back to the present. "They're going!" she whispered to Alysae.
And indeed the Fellowship was following Haldir who was leading them away.
"Where to?" she responded, her heart beat accelerating. She was not ready for them to go just yet! They hadn't even said goodbye.
"To bring back the boats, silly," comforted Laereth.
A large, relieved breath escaped Alysae.
They made their way into the forest, following the bank of the river. At last, they arrived at a clearing where the trees parted at the edge of the water.
Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn sat on the grass, the lady's maidens about her. Laereth joined them.
Alysae, Taurya and Caladwen sat on the edge of the clearing, where other elves were.
And then they all waited for the Fellowship to come.
-xxx-
A short while after came the sound of soft padding, and the gentle breaking of water. From the river, three white boats were arriving to the shore, and sitting in these boats were the Fellowship. In one boat were sat Boromir, Merry and Pippin; in another Aragorn, Sam and Frodo; and in the last Gimli and Legolas.
They reached the shore, which was the edge of the clearing, easily enough. They got out of the boats, under all the watchful eyes, and made their way in front of the lord and lady.
And the lady rose and took from an elleth's outstreched hands a cup which she filled with white mead. "Now it is time to drink the cup of farewell," she said, turning to her bonded. "Drink, Lord of the Galadhrim!" Her keen eyes softened as she watched him take a sip from the cup.
Then she turned to each member of the Fellowship and offered them the cup, so that all of them drank from it.
"It is one of the finest mead in all of Arda," Taurya whispered into Alysae's ear. She snorted softly; the taste of mead was the farthest thing on her mind, but the elleth had succeeded into cracking a smile on her face which was all the best.
"Please sit," the lady commanded, and so they all sat back down onto the grass. The Hobbits' eyes were wide with wonder and curiosity.
"The Lord and Lady of the Galadhrim now offer you ships before you go, in memory of Lothlorien," said the lady. Alysae glanced around, her eyes falling upon said boats.
"Here is the gift of Celeborn and Galadriel to the leader of your Company," she said to Aragorn. His hands rose to accept the sheath that she offered him. It was engraved with flowers and leaves dusted in silver and gold, and on it were set in many gems. It gleamed in the light.
"The blade that is drawn from this sheath shall not be stained or broken even in defeat," said Galadriel, her keen eyes set on Aragorn's. "But is there anything else that you ask of me at our parting? For it may be that we shall not meet again."
"Lady," breathed Aragorn, his fist over his heart, "you know all my desire, and you have long kept the only treasure that I seek. Yet it is not yours to give me, even if you ever would."
The unspoken lay between them like a banner floating in the wind: Arwen.
"Perhaps this will lighten your heart," said Galadriel; "for I was tasked to return it to you." She lifted from her lap a large green stone, set in a silver brooch that was made in the shape of an eagle with outspread wings. As the lady held it up, the gem flashed like a beacon of hope. "This stone was given to Celebrían my daughter, by I, and she to hers; and now it comes to you as a token of hope. In this hour take the name that was foretold for you, Elessar, the Elfstone of the house of Elendil!"
Aragorn, his expression solemn, took the stone and pinned the brooch to his tunic. Alysae looking at him wondered; in the sunlight that filtered among the leaves, she remarked how tall and kingly he stood, years of hardship seemingly falling away from his face. And then she knew, that no one else was better suited to be a King of men.
He turned towards the lord and lady and bowed his head. "I thank you for the gifts you have so graciously given me." And Alysae knew that he wasn't just talking about the stone; but of their quite approval to Aragorn and Arwen's love. It was something that not in many people in the clearing understood; only the ones aware.
The Lady bowed her head back, a small smile playing at her lips. She then turned to Boromir, and gave him a gorgeous belt of gold. To Merry and Pippin she gave small silver belts, each with a clasp made in the likes of a golden flower.
She gave to Legolas a bow like the ones the Galadhrim used, longer and stouter than the bows of Mirkwood, and strung with a string of elf-hair. With it went a quiver of arrows.
Alysae gasped when she saw it. The Galadhrim bows were the best ones ever made in all of Arda, and they had never let any strangers ever weild one. To gift it away was an act of immeasurable respect.
To anyone who did not know him, they would think that Legolas was simply content with his new bow. They'd see the small smile on his face and that would be it. But Alysae knew that a sort of giddy excitment lit up his eyes as his fingers ran over the curve of the bow.
The lady then turned to Sam. "For you, little gardener and lover of trees," she said to him, "I have only a small gift."
She drew out a small box of plain grey wood, unadorned save for a single silver rune upon the lid, and placed it onto his hand. "On this box is drawn G for Galadriel," she said; "but it can also stand for garden in your tongue. In this box there is earth from my orchard, and the blessing I have bestowed upon it. It will not keep you on your road, nor defend you against any peril; but if you keep it and see your home again at last, then perhaps it may reward you. Though you should find all barren and laid waste, there will be few gardens in Middle-earth that will bloom like your garden, if you sprinkle this earth there. Then you may remember Galadriel, and catch a glimpse far off of Lórien."
Sam's ears reddened, and he muttered something inaudible, as he clutched the box and bowed as well as he could. Alysae smiled warmly at the Hobbit.
"And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves?" said Galadriel, turning to Gimli.
"None, Lady," answered Gimli, taking his helmet off. "It is enough for me to have seen the Lady of the Galadhrim, and to have heard her gentle words."
"Have you all heard well, Elves?" she cried to those about her. "Let none say again that Dwarves are grasping and ungracious! Yet surely, Gimli son of Glóin, you desire something that I could give? Name it, I bid you! You shall not be the only guest without a gift."
"There is nothing, Lady Galadriel," said Gimli, bowing low and stammering. "Nothing, unless it might be — unless it is permitted to ask, no, to name a single strand of your hair, which surpasses the gold of the earth as the stars surpass the gems of the mine. I do not ask for such a gift. But you commanded me to name my desire."
Celeborn gazed at the Dwarf in wonder, and all of the elves began to murmur among themselves. Alysae glanced at the dwarf in surprise, expecting anger or shock on Galadriel's face. But the Lady smiled. "It is said that the skill of the Dwarves is in their hands rather than in their tongues," she said; "yet that is not true of Gimli. For none have ever made to me a request so bold and yet so courteous. And how shall I refuse, since I commanded him to speak? But tell me, what would you do with such a gift?"
Gimli straightened up. "I will forever treasure it, Lady," he answered, "in memory of your words to me at our first meeting. And if ever I return to the smithies of my home, it shall be set in imperishable crystal to be an heirloom of my house, and a pledge of good will between the Mountain and the Wood until the end of days."
Then, to the surprise of all present, the Lady unbraided one of her long tresses, and cut off three golden hairs, and laid them in Gimli's hand. "These words shall go with the gift," she said. "I do not foretell, for all foretelling is now vain: on the one hand lies darkness, and on the other only hope. But if hope should not fail, then I say to you, Gimli son of Glóin, that your hands shall flow with gold, and yet over you gold shall have no dominion.
"And you, Ring-bearer," she said, turning to Frodo. "I come to you last who are not last in my thoughts. For you I have prepared this." She held up a small crystal phial: it glittered as she moved it like liquid moonlight. "In this phial," she said, "is caught the light of Eärendil's star, set amid the waters of my fountain. It will shine still brighter when night is about you. May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out."
Frodo took the phial gingerly. He seemed equally troubled and awed. He bowed, but found no words to say.
And then, the Lady arose, and Celeborn led them back.
And all at last was made ready.
-xxx-
So there we go! Please let me know what you thought. I also definitely enjoy reading your theories :) I know that a while ago I said that I would make you guys vote for who Alysae should end up with, but I'm sorry bc that ain't gonna happen. I know who she's going to end up with :) Once again, the romance is definitely not a big part of this story, but rather an aspect of it. Honestly I definitely approve of who that someone is :)
See you next time (with more book recs if you guys like them)
Unedited - sorry! will go back later when i find the time tho :)