Title & Chapter Number: The Foolish Wish 5/8
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, Violence, Het
Betas: 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 Five: Flight to Gondor
Haldir felt relief sweep over him as they entered the Golden Woods. He had changed into his uniform not long after they had left Eryn Lasgalen. They had not gone far when two Elves stepped onto the path, they bore a striking resemblance to Haldir.
"Greetings, Brother. The stars have shown you the way home." The first Elf spoke suddenly in Sindarin.
Haldir dismounted and approached his brothers. "Greetings to you both, my Brothers. I am pleased to be back beneath the golden leaves of home but I fear a shadow shall soon fall upon us."
The second Elf who had been quiet until now looked over at the others in Haldir's party. "One you were sent for but three you have returned with."
"This is the Lady Niere, her handmaiden Allinda, and the Lady Belladonna."
"These are my brothers Rúmil and Orophin." He spoke in Westron for the sake of young Belladonna who could speak very little Sindarin.
"Come Brother, The Lord and Lady are anxious for news. We are to act as escort." Rúmil said quietly before returning to the woods to retrieve his and Orophin's horses.
It was near dawn by time they reached the walled city of Caras Galadon. Haldir not surprised to see armed archers walking the walls. The Lady had ways of knowing things before others.
~*~*~*~
Jessy heard Celeborn calling her name and felt the brief shake he gave to her shoulder. Since her return to Lórien, he had resumed her training schedule. She cracked one eye opened and noted that the Sun had yet to rise. Grumbling, she pulled the covers back over her head and promptly went back to sleep.
"Jessica. You will get up now." Celeborn was not so easily put off by Jessy's reluctance. He grabbed the covers and whisked them off the girl.
Jessy curled into a ball as the cold early morning air hit her body. "Go away! Dawn is still a good hour from now and I will not move until then." Jessy cried out grumpily while she reached down desperately seeking the covers.
"Not even to see your daughter." Celeborn said sarcastically.
That got the result he was seeking. Jessy sat up and blinked at him.
"She's here?"
"Yes in the other ro - ", Celeborn was nearly knocked over as Jessy flew past him still clad in her nightgown.
"Bella!" Jessy called as she burst into the private parlor of Celeborn and Galadriel. They had insisted that she stay in her old room. Though Jessy had suspected this was so Celeborn could torture her with his early morning wakeups.
"Mommy!" Bella cried as she flew into her mother's open arms.
Jessy could do nothing but hold her daughter and sob. She kept thinking that if she moved or spoke this would turn out to be nothing more than a dream. She had awakened sobbing more than once as such a dream had faded into nothing.
Bella started to squirm and Jessy finally released her. She wiped her tears and looked her daughter over.
"Daddy is sure going to be surprised when he gets here! He told me all the time how much he misses you."
"I bet he will." Jessy said plastering a smile on her face for the sake of her daughter. "Are you hungry?"
Bella nodded. "Can we have pancakes?"
Celeborn chuckled. "You can have anything you like." He scooped Bella up and carried her from the room, followed by Haldir and his brothers.
Jessy stood and faced the other occupants. Besides Galadriel there were two other women in the room.
"This is Niere. She is Legolas' mother. And this is Allinda her companion." Galadriel made the introductions. "It was Niere who arranged for Bella to returned to you."
Jessy eyed the dark haired Elf with suspicion ignoring her seemingly sincere smile. "Why?"
"Because I too am a mother and my son was wrong. There were other ways to settle the dispute between you." Niere explained.
Jessy wasn't quite ready to count Niere as an ally just yet. "I won't go back with you and I'll be damned if you're gonna take Bella away again."
Niere ignored the hostile tone of her daughter-in-law. "My plan is to stay with you despite the outcome. My son has allied with my husband, I seen no reason why I can not ally with you."
Jessy smiled. "You do realize what you are saying?"
Niere returned the smile. "Of course."
Jessy suddenly realized she was standing in nothing but her nightgown. "Well, I had better get dressed." She glared at Galadriel. "No doubt that husband of yours will insist on keeping to his insane schedule of training."
Galadriel nodded. It amused her to watch the playful banter between Celeborn and Jessy. It had been too long since her husband had found joy in something. Stirring Jessy up into a huff had become his new favorite pastime.
Jessy left the room.
"She seems so different from the Human females I have met from Lake City." Niere commented to Galadriel after the girl had left.
"She was not born on this world and is more Elvish in her upbringing than anything." Galadriel briefly explained Jessy's origins to Niere.
"Her speech is strange to say the least."
Galadriel laughed merrily. "You get used to it." Her face turn somber and she continued. "I fear for both our people. The time draws near when blood will be shed over the child."
Niere nodded. "What do you purpose? I hate the thought of ripping the child away once again and I do not think Jessy will willingly return with me to Eryn Lasgalen."
"There may be another way."
~*~*~*~
Jessy had spent a pleasant morning at the archery range with Bella and Celeborn. She noted that Haldir and his brothers had joined Ondollo and Melui as part of her personal guard. She had just left her room where Bella was taking a nap when Galadriel asked her to come to her private glade.
"What about Bella?" Jessy was still nervous about Bella being out of her sight unless she was with Celeborn or Galadriel.
"Haldir will sit with her." Galadriel nodded at Haldir who had been standing silently in the corner of the room.
"Ok then."
Jessy knew that Galadriel wanted her to look into her Mirror. Frodo had told her about what he had seen during his stay in Lothlórien. Jessy wasn't sure if she really wanted to know what the future held.
Thirty minutes later, Galadriel had just finished pouring water into the large metal bowl and Jessy still wasn't sure if she wanted to look or not.
"There is nothing to fear. You can only see what has been, what is, and what may be. You can not change what is past but you can change what may be."
Jessy swallowed the lump of fear in her throat and stepped forward. Her face reflected back at her and then the water seemed to shimmer.
Blood. The field ran red with it. At first, Jessy thought she was seeing the past. But then she realized that it was not the bodies of Orcs and Men that littered the field but Elves. Jessy shuddered not wanting to believe the vision. It shifted. She saw the same vision of Celeborn that Galadriel had before her.
Jessy shook her head in denial but could not break free from the images that flashed before her. Bella ripped from her arms by Legolas. Only it wasn't Legolas, so similar yet different. His father. Jessy tried to grab her daughter but was stopped. An arrow protruded from her back. She saw her future self turn and look at her killer. Legolas stood his bow in his hands. The scene shifted again and she saw Legolas on a boat with Bella. They looked to be sailing on the ocean.
Jessy was finally released from the vision and she staggered backwards.
"What you have seen may yet come to pass." Galadriel said softly.
"You've seen it too." It wasn't a question.
"Yes." There was a note of despair in Galadriel's voice that Jessy had never heard before.
"Have you told Celeborn?"
"Not everything."
Jessy sighed. "I have to leave with Bella as soon as possible."
"Where will you go?"
"I don't know and I wouldn't tell you if I did. It's better that way. Maybe they will leave you alone."
Galadriel shook her head. "No, already Thranduil and Legolas march with an army from Eryn Lasgalen."
"Look it's Bella he wants, he will follow me."
Galadriel remained silent. For one moment Jessy thought she had slipped into reverie. Then she spoke again, "You must travel to Gondor, to Minas Tirith and seek the council of Elessar."
Jessy frowned. "It's bad enough that you're about to have an army camped at your front gates, now I'm supposed to drag Aragorn into this."
"I do not know why but my heart tells me that is where you will find peace, for all of us."
Galadriel would say no more on the subject. Both women were subdued when they left the glade.
~*~*~*~
Jessy double-checked the pack tied to the back of her horse's saddle. The rest of her escort quietly went about their preparations. Celeborn had refused to even consider the possibility of Jessy and Bella leaving the safety of Caras Galadon without taking their personal escort with them. This meant that Ondollo, Melui, Haldir and Rúmil had joined her party. Haldir and Rúmil having been assigned as Bella's personal guards. Niere and Allinda had also insisted on going. Elladan and Elrohir were suddenly overtaken by a powerful desire to see their sister and since they knew all the shortcuts to Gondor, Jessy's party may as well go with them.
Jessy had tried to get Celeborn to swear that he would not venture forth from the city, especially with Legolas in the vicinity. The Elf Lord simple raised one eyebrow and promptly reminded Jessy that he was quite capable of handling Legolas.
The riders mounted, Bella seated before Jessy, and approached the front gates. Celeborn, Galadriel and many members of their court were standing nearby. Jessy, Bella, Elladan and Elrohir had already said their private goodbyes.
"May the stars guide you to your destination and see you there in good health." Celeborn called out to the party.
The Marchwardens saluted their Lord.
In Jessy's mind she heard Galadriel's rich alto. Stay close to your escort for they will not betray you. Follow the twins for they will not let you stray. Listen to your heart for it will guide you to that which is true.
Then gates opened. The party spurred their horses and galloped through them.
~*~*~*~
Legolas grew restless at the slow pace of the army. Despite the fact that it was comprised completely of Elves it still progressed at a slower rate than a lone Elf on horseback. He was anxious to get to Lórien, anxious to get Bella back.
He considered briefly riding ahead but dismissed the idea. Surly he did not need to present Celeborn with another hostage to use against his father. Still time seemed to chafe, as it never had before. Every hour seemed a millennium to him.
They were still several hours away from the Golden Wood and he knew that it would be at least a day or more before they reached the city gates. He tried not to think of his first visit there. The wondrous sights that had met his eyes, the new friends he had made among his distant kin, or the songs he had learned beneath the pale stars. They were painful memories now where once they had brought joy.
"What thoughts plague you, Legolas?" Gimli asked quietly.
Legolas regarded his friend. "I was just thinking of the time we spent in Lórien during the War of the Ring."
"Those were glorious times indeed. I was honored that you choose to share them with me." Gimli smiled broadly at his friend.
There was an awkward silence and then Gimli continued. "Perhaps, she never received your messages. Maybe this is all just a huge misunderstanding." Gimli had started to harbor the suspicion that Thranduil had somehow waylaid Legolas' letters to Jessy.
"Nay! Who would dare to stop my letters? Why would they not be passed on to her? Even if she could not read them, Celeborn or Galadriel could. No, she is making good on her threat of keeping Bella from me. Say no more Gimli, I beg you. The pain of her betrayal is still fresh and I must fight constantly to keep from succumbing to a broken heart."
Gimli nodded. He had hoped to plant a seed of doubt in Legolas' mind. Perhaps he had, only time would tell.
~*~*~*~
Gandalf looked deeply into the palantír at the army stretched across the open field. With a thought, the scene shifted and he watched the ten riders exit the Golden Wood and turn east.
"What mischief are the Elves about, I wonder?" He said to no one in particular. Gandalf sighed. He like the other Istari he had been sent by the Valar to guide the Free People of Arda. Thranduil could be rash at times and the sight of his army marching on Lothlórien was disturbing to say the least.
This situation bore watching. But for now he had other more pressing matters to attend to.
~*~*~*~
Thranduil stood before the great white wall of Caras Galadon, heedless of the many arrows pointed at him. Above him on the wall stood Celeborn.
"You will release my wife and my grandchild or I will burn your precious city to the ground." Thranduil bellowed.
"Peace, Thranduil. Your wife was never a prisoner and came here of her own free will, bearing our granddaughter with her." Celeborn responded in a much calmer voice than his Sylvan counterpart.
"Liar. Your `messenger' kidnapped them from my palace. You will send them forth."
Celeborn smiled. "I would but unfortunately they are no longer here. Jessica wished for Belladonna to meet her cousin Arwen and your wife was inclined to journey with them."
"More lies!" Thranduil started to say more but was cutoff by Legolas who spoke softly to him.
"Nay Father, in this, I think, he speaks the truth. It would serve Jessy more to seek sanctuary with King Elessar." He fairly spat out Jessy's name. "She is Human after all and Gondor has more resources at its disposal."
Thranduil considered his son's words. "And what of your Mother?"
"No doubt a hostage. She will probably be released once they arrive at Minas Tirith." Legolas hoped he was right about his mother's whereabouts.
"They will never make it to Gondor's borders. Take ten of my most experienced guardsmen and give chase." Thranduil smiled wickedly. "I will follow with the army in case they elude you. Perhaps King Elessar will be less apt to give her sanctuary with our army closing in on his borders."
Legolas nodded and motioned for ten of his father's personal guard to follow him. "Are you coming, Gimli?" Legolas looked over at his friend.
"Aye! I was at the start of this folly and I shall see it through to the end." Gimli said before saluting Celeborn, who nodded in return. Ignoring the scowl Thranduil sent his way, he followed Legolas back towards the road that led to Gondor.
~*~*~*~
Jessy's party rode hard across the Wold of Rohan towards the Entwash. Summer was fading into fall and the long green grass was topped with brown from days in the Sun. Dusk seemed to come earlier as each day passed and the nights became color.
Finally, after several days of hard riding they reached the banks of the Entwash. The Sun was sitting low in the sky and Elladan called for a halt.
"We cannot stop for long." Elrohir said softly.
"Bella and I need to get some sleep. At least a couple of hours." Jessy protested.
Elrohir exchanged a glance with Elladan and Haldir. Jessy caught it.
"What?" she asked the three Elves.
"Nothing. Get what rest you can but we must continue on." Elladan tried to reassure her.
Jessy narrowed her eyes. "You're hiding something."
Elrohir sighed in a decidedly human fashion. "We are being followed."
"Elrohir!" his twin hissed.
"We cannot hide it from her." Elrohir protested to his brother. "There are at least ten riders on horseback and they are riding hard. We are starting to lose our lead."
"Legolas?" Fear tinged Jessy's voice for she had not forgotten the visions of the Mirror.
"Most likely." Elladan confirmed her fears.
"Alright, new plan. We don't stop unless the horses need to." Jessy was trying not to panic.
"I have another idea." Haldir interjected.
They looked over at him expectantly.
"Myself, one of the twins, and Bella ride ahead. The rest of you can lead Legolas the long way while we take a shortcut."
Jessy didn't want to let Bella out of her sight. "I don't know."
"Listen to him, Jessy." Niere placed a hand on her shoulder. "If Legolas catches us than we will be no closer to a solution then we are now."
After much persuading, Jessy finally agreed. The pain of separation lanced through her as she watched Elrohir, Haldir and Bella ride off.
"They will look after her." Elladan sought to reassure her.
"I know." Jessy didn't bother to fight her tears. If she hadn't loved Bella so much she would have cursed the day she ever laid eyes on Legolas.
~*~*~*~
Jessy reeled as the blow caught her unprotected face. The coppery taste of blood filled her mouth from a cut on her lip.
"WHERE IS SHE?" Legolas roared as he jerked Jessy back to her feet.
"Legolas! You will stop this instant!" Niere cried as she watched Legolas backhand Jessy a second time.
"Stay out of this, Mother."
Legolas' party had caught up with them three days later. Niere had managed to prevent any major bloodshed between the Elves. Currently, Elladan, the remaining Marchwardens and Jessy were being held under guard.
Niere was distressed at the rage Legolas was displaying. He was not the same Elf she had seen not two weeks before. "Beating her to death will not solve anything."
Jessy had just regained her feet and stood swaying slightly. Her hands fastened securely behind her back. "Enough. I'll talk." Her voice was barely more than a whisper.
Legolas stepped closer until less than a foot separated them. "Tell me where she is," he hissed.
Jessy spit in his face. "I'd rather rot then tell you anything. You were a worthless lover and even worse father. Bella is better off where she is."
Legolas wiped the red tinged spittle from his cheek and smiled grimly at the defiant girl. "That was always your problem, Jessy. You never knew when to quit. You walk around under the mistaken impression that you are invincible."
His hands snaked out before Jessy could think to get out of the way. His long fingers wrapped around her neck and he squeezed.
Jessy struggled as she tried desperately to draw air into her lungs. Spots of color burst before her eyes, as the hands around her neck seemed to squeeze tighter.
"I will find her. It would be easier if you just tell me. But have it your way." Legolas' voice had taken on a hauntingly eerie quality.
"LEGOLAS!" Niere screamed and rushed forward to stop him.
Gimli reached Legolas first. With a powerful blow he knocked Legolas' hands loose.
Jessy fell to the ground coughing and gasping. Niere dropped to her side and pulled the semi-conscious girl to her.
"Why did you interfere?" Legolas stared at the Dwarf.
"Because someday you will regret having ever laid a finger on her." Gimli said simply. He had confirmed his suspicions with Niere but Legolas was beyond reasoning with.
"Fine." He turned to the lead guard. "One or two of the group must have taken a different route with Bella. It is too late to try and backtrack to find their trail. We know that they are heading for Minas Tirith. We will continue on to the White City and I will deal with King Elessar when we get there."
Legolas shot a look of disgust at his mother before continuing. "We will rest here tonight for my mother's sake and then continue on in the morning." Without another word, he stalked from the campsite. He was weary and heart sore. First, Jessy, then his mother, and now Gimli, they had all one by one turned against him. All he wanted was his family together now that nothing but a shattered dream. But he would not stop until he had Bella in his arms once again.
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