Title & Chapter Number: The Foolish Wish 4/8
Author(s): - Author's Index
Website: Tortured Scribes
Fandom: Tolkien
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: I am only borrowing J.R.R. Tolkien's world for a bit. The only things that are mine are Jessy, Bella, and this twisted plot.
Warnings: Language
Betas: Alex and Hedda
Cast: Lord of the Rings characters and two O/C's
Timeline: Post The Return of the King; Sequel to The Wayward Wish
Spoilers: Some for The Return of the King
Summary: Five years have past since Jessy went to live in The Shire. Legolas returns unexpectedly to find Jessy is not very happy to see him.
Notes: I'm playing with official canon a bit for storytelling purposes. The Keepers of the Rings have not passed over the Sea. Frodo and the others have not taken on any positions of leadership in The Shire at this point. I have also shortened the distance between Buckland and Hobbiton. Celeborn and Galadriel still reign in Lothlórien.
Chapter Four: Deception and War
Niere sat amid the gardens of Eryn Lasgalen putting the finishing touches on the gown she was sewing for Bella. She was suspicious of the true nature of her son's arrival with her granddaughter. No mother in their right mind would send their child on a journey wearing nothing but a nightshift and one slipper. She did not believe Legolas' story that her pack had been lost during a river crossing. Then there was the whole issue of the mother having not arrived as Legolas said she would.
"My Lady." The sound of her handmaiden drew her attention.
"What is it, Allinda?" She smiled fondly at the other Elf for they had long ago become close friends and confidants.
"There is a messenger for Lórien but your husband is in a meeting with the wine merchant from Lake City. He says that it is urgent he speak with him."
"I will see to the messenger. Bring him here and see if you can find some refreshments." Niere wondered what could be so urgent. There had been a shaky peace between her husband and the Lord of Lórien ever since Celeborn and Galadriel had taken over as rulers of that realm. Thranduil still maintained that it was part of his kingdom, but he had never really pushed the issue.
Allinda returned moments later with a young Elf dressed in gray and brown. He bowed courteously and waited for Niere to acknowledge him.
Niere stood and greeted her guest. "Please have a seat." She gestured towards an empty chair near hers. "By what name are you called?"
"Thank you, My Lady. I am Haldir, Captain of the Lórien Marchwardens."
Niere frowned inwardly. Whatever message this young Elf carried must be dire indeed for Celeborn to send the Captain of his border guards. "I am afraid that my husband is unavailable at the moment. Perhaps I can be of service. What message do you bring from Lórien?"
"The same as the one from Imladris." Haldir replied in his typical stoic fashion.
"I am sorry, but I do not know what you are talking about." Niere had a funny feeling that this was about Belladonna's missing mother.
"My Lord Celeborn requests that his granddaughter, Belladonna Lórien, be returned to her mother immediately. I am to escort her back to Lórien, where her mother is waiting for her."
Niere did not bother to hide her frown this time. "Forgive me but I thought Celeborn only had one child and she married Lord Elrond."
Haldir smiled briefly. "My Lord and Lady recently took the Lady Jessica as their ward." It was obvious to him that the Lady Niere had no idea who Bella's mother was. Apparently, Legolas had not told them the true nature of how he acquired custody of his daughter.
"I see. Well I can assure you that I will pass the message on to my son. Perhaps you could tell me of my daughter-in-law." Niere was more than a little curious.
"She is of the race of Man. I have only seen her on a few occasions." Haldir paused as he tried to think of something more to say. "I know she fought in the Battle of Pelennor Fields." He had been impressed when he heard that she had joined in the battle especially since she had seemed so weak at their first meeting. The woman he saw in Minas Tirith bore little resemblance to the waif he had first met on the Borders of the Golden Wood.
"She sounds like an extraordinary girl."
Allinda returned with a two goblets of wine on a tray. "My Lady, Bella has finished with her tutor and wishes to join you."
Niere hesitated and looked over at Haldir. The Elf revealed none of his thoughts. If Thranduil and Legolas proved difficult, which Niere feared they might, perhaps it would be good for Haldir to be able to reassure Jessy that Bella was in good health. "That will be fine, Allinda."
Moments later, Bella burst into the garden, a piece of parchment held in her fist. "Nana, look I drew you a picture." She stopped short when she saw Haldir. "You are from Lórien."
Niere looked shocked.
Haldir nodded at the child. He had never been around a young child before and was not looking forward to escorting her back.
"How did you know he was from Lórien?" Niere asked her granddaughter.
"He has a uniform like Mommy's. I've seen it." Bella was proud that she had remembered what the uniform had looked like.
"Bella, this is Haldir. He has brought a message for your grandfather." Niere motioned for the child to curtsy.
Bella made an awkward curtsy and then promptly crawled into Haldir's lap much to the Marchwarden's shock. He hid his discomfort well and neither female was the wiser.
"Are you going to bring Mommy here?" Bella asked Haldir.
Haldir was unsure of what to say. He did not feel it was appropriate to embroil a child into the middle of her parents' battle. He looked to Niere for help.
"Haldir has brought a message that your mother is going to be a bit late. But she did send her love and she does not want you to worry."
Bella seemed satisfied with her grandmother's answer much to Haldir's relief.
Niere sent Bella to the kitchens for a snack and then spent the next hour drilling Haldir for information. By time Allinda returned to tell them that Thranduil would see the Marchwarden, Niere had learned all she needed to know. Her son and her husband had conspired to keep her granddaughter away from her mother. Niere was furious.
~*~*~*~
"I cannot believe that my son would pull such a stunt as this. To steal a child from her mother." Niere continued to pace in her private study. "I tell you, Allinda, I never thought to see the day when my son would do something so low."
"Thranduil refused to allow Haldir the courtesy of resting for the night but sent him beyond the borders." Allinda, at Niere's bequest, had listened into the meeting between Haldir and Thranduil.
"Did you deliver my message to him?" Niere asked though she continued to pace.
"Yes, My Lady. He will wait for us just beyond the first sentries in the hidden glade."
"And everything else is ready?"
"All has been prepared as you ordered."
Niere finally settled herself into a chair. "Legolas was always such a thoughtful child with none of his father's rashness." Niere dearly loved her husband but he was not always the easiest person to get along with. He greed for jewels and love for wine had often been a sore spot between them. "I can understand my daughter-in-law's anger, five years to a mortal is akin to a lifetime. He could have found another way to breach the gap between them."
~*~*~*~
Legolas strode down the hall, Bella tucked safely in his arms. "Now you will be good for your Nana and not give her any trouble." He eyed his daughter sternly.
Bella merely kissed her father on the cheek, oblivious to his expression. "Guess what?"
"I give up." Legolas had learned that his daughter was a fountain of questions that never seemed to cease.
"Mommy is coming here soon. She says she loves me."
Legolas smiled, though inwardly he wondered if Jessy had decided to desert them both. "I know, Tithen'gell."
Legolas stopped before his mother's private rooms. "We are here. Have a good time with your Nana. I will see you in the morning." He kissed his daughter on the cheek before turning and retracing his steps.
Bella knocked lightly before entering the room.
Niere smiled at her granddaughter. "Are you ready for our adventure?"
Bella nodded happily. "I kept it a secret from Daddy just like you asked."
"That is excellent. You are such a big girl."
"Where are we going?" Bella had been dying with curiosity ever since her grandmother had proposed that they go on an adventure.
"We are going to see your Mommy."
"What about Daddy?" Bella knew that her daddy had missed her mother. He told her everyday that he loved her and Mommy both.
"Your Mommy wants to surprise your Daddy, which is why it is a secret." Niere did not feel one ounce of shame for her words. It was, after all, somewhat the truth. Legolas would surely be surprised when he found them missing in the morning.
~*~*~*~
Niere, Allinda and Bella entered the small glade on horseback to find Haldir waiting for them. Wasting no time, the women quickly dismounted.
"We do not have a lot of time before the changing of the guard. Our success will depend on the guards believing that you are my son." Niere explained in a rush to Haldir.
The Marchwarden looked confused. "My Lady?"
"Let us worry about the details. Here put these on." Niere had removed a bundle of clothing from a back on the back of her horse.
Haldir took the offered clothing and quickly changed. He was beginning to understand what the Lady had in mind.
Allinda motioned for him to sit on a tree stump. She deftly undid the braids in his hair and rebraided them in the fashion favored by Legolas. Once she was done, Haldir stood and faced Niere.
"You are a bit broader in the shoulders than my son and your hair is lighter but from a distance I think you will fool the guards." Niere said after looking him over.
Haldir had changed into brown leggings and a forest green over tunic. The over tunic had been embroidered with green thread that matched the light green silk under tunic. A long forest green hooded cloak completed the ensemble.
"If for some reason we are approached, be sure to pull up your hood and allow me to do the talking." Niere continued to instruct the younger Elf.
They approached their horses and Niere pushed Bella towards Haldir. "You will ride with Haldir for now."
Haldir cringed inwardly. "Perhaps it would be better if she rode with you, My Lady."
"Nay. She always rides with Legolas when we go out. It will better serve our illusion if she rides with you."
Haldir nodded and lifted Bella onto the back of his horse. It seems that he was going to have no choice but deal with the child.
~*~*~*~
The night wore on and the small group finally passed the last of the border outposts. No one had challenged them but several guards did wonder why the young Prince and his mother would choose to ride so late into the evening, especially with the little Princess. Since the fall of Dol Guldur, the woods had become a safer place but there will still caches of spiders throughout the forest.
Haldir gently wrapped the sleeping girl in his borrowed cloak and handed her over to her grandmother. "We are past the guards and entering a more dangerous portion of the forest. It would be better if I am able to use my weapons."
Niere nodded and watched as Haldir retrieved his bow and nocked an arrow.
They had taken a side path that was not as well used but would hopeful put more distance between them and their eventual pursuers. The trees seemed to close in on the path, their branches blotting out the night sky. There was a stillness in the air and it grew warmer as they traveled on. This part of the forest had not changed at all and could still be called Mirkwood.
The first sign of trouble came when Haldir's mount began to snort nervously. The steed was well trained but not familiar with the Giant Spiders that populated these woods.
Allinda noted the horse's nervousness and deftly strung her bow. She had just nocked an arrow when the first spider dropped from the treetops onto the path before them. Without hesitation, she aimed and let her first arrow fly, a second one following a split second later.
Haldir fired at the spider while he called to his mount to hold steady. The horse obeyed, for it was well trained.
The spider squealed once before scuttling off into the underbrush that lined the path. From all around them came the answering hisses and clicks of its companions.
"We must flee." Niere shouted spurring her horse as she clutched Bella tightly to her chest.
Haldir and Allinda followed suit. The three horses tore down the path at a full gallop. From behind them, they could here the sounds of pursuit. Haldir turned around and fired a few more arrows at the pursuing spiders.
Then they were clear of the woods. They rode hard for a few more minutes before they slowed their mounts to a walk. It was close to dawn when Haldir finally called for a brief stop. They would allow the horses to rest a bit but dared not stay still for too long. They had a long way to go and needed to stay well ahead of Thranduil and Legolas.
~*~*~*~
Legolas entered the glade where most of the Elves had gathered for breakfast. He frowned when he noted his mother and daughter were not present. He walked over to the table where Gimli and his father were already seated.
"Where is Mother?" Legolas asked his father.
"I have not seen her all morning." Thranduil continued his conversation with Gimli about the various gems in his collection.
Legolas turned and left the glade, heading back to the caverns. It was not like Bella to miss a meal. Her time with the Hobbits had given her some interesting eating habits. She ate less at each sitting but ate more meals throughout the day. She never missed breakfast. Legolas would swear that it was her favorite meal.
He arrived at his mother's rooms a moment later and knocked on the wooden door. There was no answer. After a moment's hesitation, he opened the door and entered. The rooms were empty.
Several minutes later, Legolas burst into the glade and ran to his father's table. "They're gone!"
"What?" Thranduil stood and looked at this son. "Who is gone?"
"Mother and Bella. I have searched both their rooms and no one has seen them all day." Legolas was getting a dose of what Jessy had gone through.
"That vile thief has done it again." Thranduil bellowed. "I should have had that Elf shot!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Celeborn! It was not enough that he has stolen land, not once but twice, from my kingdom. Now he has stolen my wife and granddaughter. Well, this time, I am not going to let him get away with it." Thranduil turned and shouted for his guards to rouse the army.
Gimli frowned at Legolas. "I will not bear arms against the Lord and Lady of Lórien."
"Peace, Friend. My father is angry, but it is forbidden for one of the Eldar to take the life of another." Legolas sought to reassure his friend.
He followed his father out of the glade trying to discern what exactly had happened. It was moments later that he learned that Haldir had arrived the day before demanding that Bella be turned over to him. Thranduil had not wanted to alarm his son and sent the Elf packing with a resounding no.
"He must have sneaked back in and taken them." Thranduil explained.
Legolas was furious. He had sent missive after missive to Lórien begging Jessy to join them and she had instigated a war between his kin. He felt emptiness in his heart at her betrayal. Never once did he consider what she must have felt when she had awaken to find Bella missing.
~*~*~*~
Gimli sat on horseback before a gathered force of Elven warriors. He looked nervously over at Legolas.
"I tell you again that this is folly. I will ride with you, but I will not strike against those in service to the Lady Galadriel."
"I understand, Gimli." Legolas wore a hard expression. "This is mostly a show of force. There will be no blood shed between our people, but I will get my daughter and mother back."
"And what of Jessy?" Gimli asked softly.
Legolas turned stony eyes upon his friend. "She is dead to me. I will not hear her name again."
Gimli held his tongue. This had escalated beyond anything he had imagined. It hurt to see how much pain had been caused since that day in the Shire.
With a great blast from a horn, Thranduil's herald sounded the advance. It was a sight not seen since Thranduil had marched on Erebor. Two hundred horsemen, nine hundred spearmen, and three hundred archers began the march toward Lórien. If they had not been so light of step, the ground would have trembled.
~*~*~*~
Galadriel looked up from the Mirror as the vision faded. "So it has begun," she said softly to the wind. A great sorrow stirred in her heart. She sent a silent prayer to Ilúvatar that history would not repeat itself. She did not think she could bear it if it did.
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