Something Special
Author: Lil-Hellraiser
Disclaimer: I wonder how much longer I'll have to put this up here. Maybe after a while I'll just quit. You guys are smart enough to get it.
Wow, you guys are really swell—I now have a total of 108 reviews and (hopefully!) counting! Now that I'm starting to update more, I hope you guys don't get used to it and quit reviewing—school's starting again and I'm signed up for lots of essay-writing classes. Reviewing helps motivate me.
Congratulations to the anonymous reviewer sirena, who, in fact, reviewed for chapter 10 first, and then followed up with chapter 11! You were my 100th reviewer—I checked after like, 30 minutes and you had spoken. Girl, you're fast!
A big thank-you to all else who reviewed, especially FallenTruth. My dear, you were, I think, the fourth person to review the story, but golly gee, your review made me so darn happy. You do rule. You do. You had better review again!
And now, without further ado, I give you then 12th installment. This one will probably be longer...I have to get back to Rivendell!
About a month and a half had officially passed while I was in Lothlorien and I was counting the days until my return. My entire little 'vacation' had consisted (up until this point) of exploring with Chase, occasionally visiting with Glorfindel, small talk with Galadriel, writing excessively to Gilraen, and sometimes I would hang out with Legolas. He wasn't always available, you see, being a Prince and all. He did have things to do. I was getting better about talking to the other elves, and even Arwen, but it was difficult to find her, so I usually didn't look.
About a month into my stay, the kind elf Diyerne who we had met at the border upon arriving passed away. Just as I suspected, Haldir was named Marchwarden only days after his death.
"Heartbroken," I had heard some gossiping elves whisper sadly. "Just fell apart when Nomirél was killed—poor dear never said goodbye. That's what's hardest."
"Chase?" I asked, lightly tapping my friend on the shoulder. As Chase turned, I felt a tug at my heartstrings.
Poor Chase, I thought glumly. His face was contorted in grief, his chin quivering, eyes bloodshot, but not teary. His cheeks were bright red and his hair was more unkempt than usual. Right away I had no clue what to do.
Sure, Chase had comforted me when my parents died, but in these situations I'm usually very awkward and worry about upsetting someone by saying the wrong thing. And since this was obviously a very touchy matter for him, I certainly didn't want to mess it up.
"Oh…" I said, pausing for a moment to gather my thoughts. Chase turned away. "No, don't do that." I said hopelessly, and sat down behind him. We were sitting up in a tree on a high platform were many of the elves kept watch over parts of the wood. From where we were it overlooked a small glen where elves were mourning over the body of the beloved elf. Chase's head was facing it, still as a statue. I sighed quietly.
"Um…" I slowly brought my hand to rest on his shoulder. "Chase…I don't know what to say to you…I wish there was something I—anyone could do…" But that didn't seem to help. He showed no sign that he had been listening, or had even heard my voice.
I was about to try again when I heard a bittersweet sound wafting through the air. Slowly, Chase lifted his head and glanced down below the tree, where Lady Galadriel stepped into view, apparently making her way solemnly towards the body. She was singing a horrible, beautiful, tortured song that burned into my soul and coiled around my heart. And before I knew it, Chase was leaning on my shoulder, his face buried into my arm. I instinctively drew him closer, like I would to a child, and let him get all his feelings out. He was nearly hysterical, mumbling incoherently and not even speaking in full sentences, but I stopped trying to 'shh' him gently and instead just let him sob.
"My…best friend," He hiccuped, his breath beginning to come in short gasps. "Taught me—everything—I ever—knew—" Now he was hyperventilating and I knew I needed to intervene.
I rubbed his back comfortingly and leaned my head against his. "Deep breaths," I instructed quietly, so not to set him off. "In and out…slowly, breathe…" He calmed down somewhat, but continued to sniffle and cry into my shoulder. I patted his back and allowed him to finish.
"Why?" He choked, clutching me tightly. "I don't…understand—why?"
"Shh," I said, beginning to cry myself. I'm one of those people who can't help but cry when someone else does, even if it's in a movie. "I don't know why, Chase."
"Why, why, why?" He continued to mumble, not ceasing his grip. "I...I never"—hiccup—"got to say goodbye…" He sniffed loudly. "I…I haven't seen him in four weeks…" And he broke down again. I felt my stomach drop. Was it my fault that Chase hadn't been able to see Diyerne? Was he so busy showing me around that he didn't have time for the fallen Marchwarden? Guilt soon began to claw at me.
"I don't know why," I repeated, my unwanted tears spilling into his hair. "Sometimes, Chase…people…friends…they enter our world when we need them…and then they leave when we don't anymore…"
He let out a dry sob. "I still needed him!" He cried, punching the platform beneath us with his fist. "I still need him! It's not fair! Jolie, it's not fair!" His voice was cracking and hoarse from crying, but I was slowly starting to forget that. My parents left me when I needed them. I was thirteen…fourteen, really. What child DOESN'T need their parent's at that age? I was contradicting my own personal experience with a stupid explanation for the sake of a friend.
"No," I said, finally sinking deep into my own inner grief and letting my tears flow freely. "It's not fair, Chase. It's not. I'm sorry." I was so lost in my own sadness that I didn't even notice the beautiful song of Galadriel drawing to a close, when there was nothing but soft humming and gentle crying from the elves in the glen.
About ten minutes later I lifted my head (which felt so unusually heavy) and slowly parted from Chase's tight embrace. He didn't move his head; he seemed to be watching the glen now, silently, and if I tilted my head just right I could see graceful tears streaking down his face. I wiped my face on the back of my hand and disgustedly rummaged around in my skirts for my handkerchief. After I got rid of all the tears and snot I gingerly turned Chase's head towards me and cleaned his face off too, staring into his blank eyes.
"Chase," I murmured, wanting him to look at me. And when he did, I only just managed to hold back a gasp. His eyes—poor Chase. They were nothing like when he was happy or friendly. They were twisted and swallowed in teardrops…despaired and suddenly empty. My heart went out to him, possibly my best friend in the whole world…to see him in obvious pain was almost too much. I stroked his cheek with my thumb and noticed my ring pulsing softly.
"Let's take you to a nurse…she can give you something to go to sleep—"
"I'm staying here!" He said stubbornly, turning away, his face hard. I was quiet as I gathered my thoughts.
"So am I." I said at last, and we fell into a comfortable silence.
Later on in the day after dinnertime, I escorted Chase to a nurse, despite his protests. He just looked horrible—I wasn't going to stand by and do nothing. Once he had drank a half a glass of sleeping draught I calmly took him back to his talan to get some much-needed rest. At dawn three days later, Diyerne's body would be sent to the Halls of Mandos where he would find peace, and hopefully return to the elves in another body someday. At least, that's how Glorfindel explained it to me—apparently elves were into reincarnation. I never knew that before…every day's a new adventure, huh?
The next three days were full of sorrow and preparation. So many elves were wanting to attend the funeral that they were having trouble deciding who would stay to protect the border. It was finally decided that those most close to Diyerne would attend and those who were not were to stay behind and watch from far up in the trees, mindful of their duties. Chase (of course) was allowed to come, and Haldir was helping prepare the funeral pyre. I watched everyone hurry around and felt bad that there was nothing I could do to help.
On the evening of the day before the 'send off', I bumped into Legolas while coming back from Chase's talan. I was delivering another draught to him, so that he could have a fresh day when he woke up. He'd need it, the poor guy.
"Oh, it's you!" I said, squinting in the darkness of the area. "I'm sorry, I can barely see you."
"How have you been, Jolie?" He asked conversationally as he offered me his arm. I accepted, and we started walking in an unknown direction.
"Tired," I replied, my voice dragging. "Chase is so upset, I wish I could help him." I looked down.
"I haven't seen you for a while," I said.
"I've been visiting with Haldir and writing letters to my father. Mirkwood is growing darker by the day."
I'd read The Hobbit, so I knew what he meant.
"Giant spiders and all that?" I asked sympathetically. He looked at me with a suspicious face, but seemed to shrug it off.
"I'm going home tomorrow." He said quietly. We stopped walking.
"Are you staying for the funeral?" I asked when he didn't speak again.
"Yes, but later in the morning I must depart. I need to go home. My father needs me."
"I understand." I said. We lapsed into an awkward silence. Well, it was awkward for me. I don't know what it was for him.
"Jolie, I don't think I'll be able to see you again for a very long time." He finally said, his voice deep.
"We can still write letters," I suggested. "I'll send you letters every day, if you like."
"I'll be far too busy to even read them." He sighed and surprisingly took my hands.
"Lady…" He paused. "I want you to know that I have always cared deeply for you…and will not stop. I do not wish for you to return my feelings, only that you finally know." He dropped my hands and stood very still.
What just happened? What could I say to that? How DO you respond to something like that?
"Tomorrow may be the last time I ever see you," He continued. "It will be years before I am able to visit Imladris or Lorien again. If…" He stopped.
"If? If what?" I asked, confused by all of this.
"If I do come to Rivendell someday and you are…gone…I want you to know how much I love you."
Insert SHOCKED expression.
Now I DEFINITELY don't know how on earth you respond to that. It had finally hit me, though. Legolas didn't know that I was immortal because of my stupid ring, and he thought that I would have died a normal mortal death by the time he was available to see me. And I most likely would have—I don't think humans in Middle Earth survived very long, especially in these times. And to think that it would only get worse…
"Legolas…" I faltered. "That's…thank you…" I could have slapped myself. "I mean…there's something you have to know…"
He turned to me again, his eyes blazing with a feral passion. "Jolie, if you must reject me, do so out of pity and pretend to care for me, for I could not bear the heartache of knowing for all time that you do not."
But I do! I wanted to scream to him. The words wouldn't come, so I stood meekly instead.
"Prince Legolas!" An elf suddenly came running down the path we were on. We both turned, and I don't know about Legolas, but I was pissed off at being interrupted.
"Yes?" He questioned.
"King Celeborn requests an audience with you, my Lord," The elf bowed low. "Immediately."
"I'll be there," He said politely and the elf high-tailed himself out of there. He took both of my hands and unexpectedly kissed my cheek.
"I will see you tomorrow, Jolie."
And he was suddenly moving very fast among the trees.
"Wait," I whispered. I could have sworn that all movement stopped.
"I do," I said, probably now to the wind. "I really do."
But I had no way of knowing if he heard.
The next day I woke up two hours before dawn, still pondering Legolas' words. Glorfindel had instructed me to wear something white or golden colored (something bright), so I chose a gown that was flowing and a light gold with light embroidering around the sleeves. I put my hair half up--half down and the part that was up was in a French braid, entwined with small white flowers. Last, I donned my golden circlet, which had been adorned with elvish script since I first got it from Gilraen.
I saw myself in the mirror and frowned. I looked like a fairy out of a storybook, not like I was going to a funeral. There was a hasty knock at the door. I opened it to see Glorfindel standing there in a dashing golden robe, his long hair braided with ornate jewels.
"You look lovely," He commented, seeing my outfit. "Remove your shoes, Lady."
"Why?" I asked, appalled that I'd have to walk around in the dirt. I looked down at my cream colored slippers.
"It's a funeral. Elves are sending their kin to the heavens and at the time we communicate with Elbereth, the last star to fade before morning."
"In other words, you become one with nature or something?" I asked, feeling skeptical.
"Right. No shoes." I grudgingly took them off. "Would you rather we all attended in the nude?" That made me quit complaining.
"Do we eat before this?"
"We eat after." He said, smoothing his robes. "Are you ready to come out now?"
"I was going to go help Chase." I said, slipping off my shoes and tossing them carelessly to the floor. "He's been out since about eight last night."
"He and Diyerne were exceptionally close." Glorfindel noted. "Diyerne needed someone to care about since his own beloved had been attacked in an orc raid and its most likely he was the only friend Chase had. They were very dear to each other. But since you showed up, I believe Chase has no reason to feel alone."
"Sometimes, Chase…people…friends…they enter our world when we need them…and then they leave when we don't anymore…"
My own words rang in my ears and my mouth fell open in surprise. As I dismissed Glorfindel and wandered down the path to Chase's talan, I stared up at the slowly lightening sky.
Whoever's up there…you work in mysterious ways. I thought, confused by everything that had been going on.
Chase's talan was dusty and unkempt, most likely because of the fact that he hardly lived there half the time—he was always protecting the border. The room was thick with a dreary feeling, and in a solitary corner was his bed, Chase laying upon it, sleeping soundly. I wished he would continue to wear that peaceful face, but knew it couldn't be so, and sat down.
"Hey, sleepyhead," I murmured, gently shaking his shoulder. He stirred slightly. "Wakey, wakey," I chirped. He opened his eyes, but didn't get up.
"Time to get ready," I said, feeling like I was his mother. He had apparently figured out what outfit he wanted to wear, a long golden tunic, similar colored trousers, and a long embroidered cape. I looked at them sadly and then walked back to Chase. "Please, Chase." I said, rubbing his back. "You need to get up."
He suddenly sat up and wordlessly held out his hand. I passed him his clothes and stood turned around, waiting for him to dress.
After a few minutes I chanced a look and was relieved to see that he was just clasping his cloak. I whistled and saw a ghost of a smile appear on his face.
"Do you want me to do something to your hair?" I asked, wondering if he wanted to do something…more to it.
He nodded, and I came over to the bed and made two small braids, then braided them together while the rest of his shoulder-length hair was down in its customary wavy fashion. As I admired my handiwork, I noticed that he looked feminine, but very handsome, still.
I pulled him up by the hands, patted his back, and then we left.
Throes of elves gathered around the funeral pyre, throwing flowers on Diyerne's corpse and giving him their last farewells. Celeborn and Lady Galadriel were at the head with a single torch, their backs turned to us, watching the sunrise. I could pick out Legolas in the crowd and desperately wanted to see him, but knew that I should stay near Chase. The light was brimming the horizon now, and I knew that it would start very soon.
King Celeborn suddenly held up his hands, commanding silence and Galadriel began to sing a soft melody with no real words. She was staring off into the distance and her entire aura reeked of sadness and sorrow. The entire glen was quiet; all eyes were fixed on their beautiful queen.
I was staring straight at the horizon when I saw it—dawn's first light, glinting through the trees, piercing my eyes. At that precise moment, Celeborn and Galadriel turned and thrust the torch into the wood on the pyre, setting it aflame instantly. Galadriel continued to sing her unknown song of death and everyone bowed their heads. I did too, after a moment of confusion. I didn't know what to do, but I assumed we were all supposed to be praying. So I tried to reach out to Diyerne. Maybe it was like reaching out to God.
Hello? I hope you're listening…I didn't know you all that well…I only met you that one time.
This was harder than I thought.
Well, I don't know what to say to you…I'm thankful that you were a friend to Chase. I'm glad that he found a confidante in you, because I'm sure he was dreadfully alone when he first appeared. I remember going through that…I paused. The air was definitely different.
I'm happy that you found each other when you needed each other most. I could never express my gratitude to you for just being there for my best friend. I want nothing more than for you to find eternal peace, wherever you may be.
Something was incredibly calming about this entire scenario, and I went with it, feeling like I was being carried away.
I heard a small noise and turned to my right to see a tear run down Chase's cheek, his head down, face heavy with concentration. I felt perfectly awful right then. I bowed my head again and was silent while everyone else prayed and Galadriel kept singing. It was several more minutes until she stopped, and everyone looked up at the pyre. The entire thing was on fire now, smoke rising up to the morning sun. I glanced at everyone's faces and noticed that no one seemed to be crying—in fact, most were smiling.
I looked at Chase and realized that he had wiped his tear away and looked very different. It was as if a weight had been taken off him, and he looked relieved. He wasn't smiling, but I could tell that he was feeling better.
Did I look that way, too? Maybe…seeing Chase uplifted made me feel happy, so perhaps that was it.
We continued to watch Diyerne's body burn, the flames climbing higher and higher into the dawn.
During breakfast, Arwen approached Chase and I, who was finally starting to eat like a regular person again.
"I still sense some grief within you," She said to him, and laid a calming hand on his cheek.
"Well—well, yeah," He said, amazed at her close proximity and at her statement. I watched on in interest.
"Do not be sad," Arwen said, a smile on her face. "Lord Diyerne has gone on to a better place, and will return to us one day. There is no reason to be unhappy."
Chase seemed much more happy after that and before Arwen could leave us fully, I mouthed a hasty 'thank you' to her. She gave me a warm smile and then disappeared.
We met the Mirkwood Company minutes before it was time for them to leave. The morning sun was high, though it was only about seven or eight. All the elves were next to their pretty horses, saying their good-byes to friends. I spotted Legolas putting something in his saddlebag and determinedly made my way over to him.
My heart was beating so fast that I'm not sure how I convinced myself to go over there. When I was within a few feet of him I coughed, for lack of a better thing to do. He turned slowly.
"Hello, Lady Jolie," He said, seeming surprised. Why would he still call me Lady after he pretty much confessed his love for me only the night before? I offered him an embarrassed smile.
"I…I wanted to say goodbye to you…" I murmured uncertainly. He smiled and lifted my hands. He kissed each one while looking deep into my eyes.
"Farewell, my love," He said once he was finished.
"Farewell," I said, feeling suddenly choked up. For a moment Legolas looked slightly upset, but he covered it up nicely and released my hands. He moved to get on his horse.
"Legolas, wait!" I cried out to him desperately. He couldn't leave without knowing…
"I—I care for you, too." There. It was finally out. "A lot." I gave him a smile and laughed nervously.
When he turned back around his face was alight with a joyful expression that I had only seen on few people. Before I knew what was going on, I was pulled into a fierce embrace and was drowning in the passionate depths of a kiss.
It wasn't just A kiss. It was THE kiss. There were sparks and I saw flames dancing around the edge of my vision and my entire body seemed to befloating on sunshine. His arms around me were gentle, but probably wouldn't let me go even if a tornado threatened to rip us apart. I lost myself in my own mind, my hands straying to his hair, knees giving way—the whole enchilada. It was love.
When he parted I felt so sad, so unbelievably different than before. My eyes must have reflected my feelings because Legolas began to stroke my cheek comfortingly.
"Be not saddened, my love," He said, however his own eyes betrayed him and looked absolutely torn.
"I'll see you again," I said, and it wasn't exactly something to calm him down. It was the truth—I'd definitely be around.
His expression became sorrowful. "I will pray to Elbereth every night," He said, and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. Slowly, I stepped back from him and allowed him to mount his horse. For his sake, I gave him a smile—one with teeth, because I still retained some acting skills from my teen years. And really, I didn't have to act. I had found love in a wonderful person…er, elf. That was more than enough to make me feel gleeful.
I watched them all leave one by one with the other elves feeling depressed. Legolas would never know that I was even alive. He would go on about his duties and thought that by the time he came to Imladris I would either have died or just been really old. Old enough to die. But who's to say when we're old enough to die, anyway?
As I walked to my talan I spotted Chase coming towards me very fast, with a look on his face that I hadn't seen for days.
It was exactly seven seconds later that I received my first noogie in years.
"Ouch!" I exclaimed, breaking away from his headlock. "Why did you do that?" I rubbed the top of my head.
"Making out in public, are we?" He tsk'd. "And with a Prince. Shame, shame."
I didn't even remember to be upset. Chase was genuinely happy. I was so shocked that my eyebrows shot up and I promptly hugged him. He returned it immediately and suddenly we were jumping up and down for no real reason. We were vaguely aware of other elves staring but when you have your best friend near you, you tend to forget that.
We went right up to my talan where I told him everything that happened. I ended up bursting into girlish giggles and Chase foolishly did too (after which I smacked him with a pillow).
All too soon it was time for me to leave. I had sent a letter ahead of time to Lord Elrond informing him of all that happened (and along with it letters for Estel and Gilraen) and to let him know when we'd be back. At least, the tentative time frame. Our company got our horses ready, I packed all of my belongings, and we would set off for the border where the Lorien elves would leave us to travel alone.
After one last sad look at my talan, I closed the door and made my way down the ladder so that I could catch up with Glorfindel and Chase. I entered a clearing where all of our horses were and found my mare standing near a tree, looking bored. After petting her, I turned to see Galadriel and Celeborn overseeing us all. I mounted my horse like everyone else already had and waited for them to address us so that we could be off to the border.
Arwen approached me before her grandparents could speak.
"A letter for my father," She said, placing a neatly folded piece of parchment in my hand. "I trust that you will keep it safe."
"I will," I said truthfully. "Goodbye, Lady Arwen. It was a pleasure to have met you."
"And it was a pleasure to have met you, Lady Jolie." She walked gracefully to her grandmother, who was currently watching her husband expectantly.
"Friends of Imladris," Celeborn started. "Your company has been truly appreciated during this tragic time in Lorien. We are eternally grateful for your friendship and may Elbereth bless your journey."
And then it was Galadriel's turn.
She placed her eyes on each individual person and I knew what was coming. Her eyes rested on me.
You still have one more hard goodbye awaiting you.
I thought for a moment before my thoughts rested on Chase. Crap.
I wasn't sure if Galadriel was still listening or not, so I tried to keep my thoughts to a minimum until she moved on.
"Goodbye, dear friends." She said out loud once everyone had been talked to.
And Haldir, newly appointed Marchwarden, led us out of the clearing.
It was time for us to say our final good-byes. Where once there had been Diyerne standing greeting us, Haldir stood in his place, bidding us farewell. A few elves were behind him. A few elves and Chase, that is.
"We can watch your progress as far as the edge of the wood, but we cannot guide you any further." He said regretfully.
Glorfindel rode his horse over to him and grabbed his shoulder in a brotherly manner. "If you can do no more, then I ask no more of you. Thank you, my friend. Take care."
"And you as well, Glorfindel," Haldir said, nodding curtly.
Chase stepped up to my horse and handed me a folded letter.
"Don't read it until you get home," He said. "I want to be able to talk with you in your native habitat."
I swiped at the top of his head and tucked the letter away safely with Arwen's.
"I'd kill for cell phones," I moaned, and we laughed, despite that fact that most of the elves probably thought we were crazy.
"I'll write," I told him, growing serious. I looked around at the elves—they were watching us interestedly. "Excuse you." I said irritably. They began to talk amongst themselves. I turned back to Chase and opened my arms. He stood on tiptoe and hugged me while I leaned down and just relished in the feeling of him. It was very slim that I would see him for a long, long time. After a few more seconds, we kissed each other's cheeks and I righted myself on the horse.
"You'd better write," He said lightheartedly. "Now that I know you're here with me I'm going to go crazy if I don't hear from you."
I laughed. "Bye, Chase." I ruffled his hair.
"Love ya, babe." He said with an Elvis voice and the trademark upper lip curl.
"Love you, darling." I said with the husky voice of a rich white actress and pronouncing 'darling' like 'dahling'.
I can understand now why most of the elves stopped talking and began to listen in on our conversation.
"Let's be off," Glorfindel said, confusion evident in his voice, and the whole company moved as one away from the Lorien elves and the mysterious human.
I sighed. It felt good to be going home.
"And by the way, Jolie," Glorfindel said, riding up next to me. "What are cell phones, and why in the world would you kill for them?"
It was only two weeks before I started noticing familiar signs. I don't know what it was, but something about the trees, the sky, even the air that made me feel closer to home. I had taken out Legolas' harp and was playing a small, happy melody on it that played along with the sunshine and breezy atmosphere. I didn't know whether or not I would try to send him messages. He said he would be too busy to read them…
It was settled: I would wait for him to send me a letter and then see what would happen from there. If he instructed me not to, then I wouldn't. But I desperately wanted to write him.
I heard voices up ahead, but I supposed I was a little behind in the hearing department because all of the elves probably noticed a sound long before I did. We rounded a bend and I realized that we were VERY close to The Last Homely House. The hustle and bustle of the town nearby was what I was hearing, and we would only have to pass it in order to be home.
Twenty minutes later found us riding up to the front of Lord Elrond's palace, a throng of elves outside waiting to greet us. There were cheers among our return from everyone, and I could see Estel up in front with his mother, looking dignified in his regal welcoming clothes. Looking kingly, at such a young age.
Lord Elrond stepped up to us, a smile on his usually stern face.
"Welcome home, Company of Imladris!" He said jovially and the elves behind him gave another hearty cheer. I went red in the face from so much attention and we all dismounted our horses to say hello to loved ones. I went right up to Lord Elrond and engulfed him in a loving hug.
"Lothlorien wasn't the same without you there," I said honestly. He patted my back and I let him go.
"I trust you had a fulfilling experience?" He asked, inquiring about my ring.
"Yes," I nodded. "I know everything I need to. Oh, and before I forget…" I gave him Arwen's letter.
"Your daughter entrusted me with this," I said, feeling proud. "Lovely woman—er, elf. Elf-woman."
He smiled. "Thank you for taking care of it." He tucked it into his robes. I heard a shriek.
"Gilraen!" I cheered, and practically jumped on her. "I expect that you got my letters?"
"Every one," She replied, giving me a welcoming kiss to my cheek. "What an exciting visit!"
"There's more," I said lowly and she gave me a questioning look. "Later," I muttered. "I'm so happy to see you!" I raised my voice again and grinned as big as my mouth would allow. We laughed and talked until I felt a tug on my arm. I turned around and saw Estel looking at me tentatively.
Immediately I enveloped him in a sisterly hug. "I definitely missed you," I said, kissing his forehead. "You have so many things to tell me!"
"I've been so lonely without you," He said, latching on to me. "You have to tell me everything that happened."
"I will," I said, looking into his gray eyes and smiling happily.
With Elrond, Gilraen, and Estel—there was no doubt that this was the side of the Misty Mountains that I belonged on.
Wow. A LOT happened. Please review—I want to know that I didn't type 10 pages on Microsoft Word for nothing.
A note: What Jolie says to Chase about 'people leaving our lives when you don't need them anymore' is actually something I've taken from my life. Its a pattern that I've noticed and have accepted and dealt with. I don't know if that's true for any of you. You don't have to agree.
Well, now that that's all done...how did I do?