The Book of Willow- Princess of the West

24.

'I've never been a person who believes in destiny. In spite of me not being the average human. I never believed that the stars were whispering my name or that I had some divine decree.

In fact, I want the exact opposite. I want to be normal. Completely ordinary. An invisible face in the crowd.  I want to be human. And without so much as a 'by your leave', my absurdly strange life was thrust down an endless rabbit hole of fairytales and superstition. 

Suddenly, a guy who looks like the walking embodiment of Adonis is telling me that I'm an Elfish Princess. With a ridiculously unexplainable identity. Who is charged with an auspicious burden of saving the world. And that he has to take me back to his universe's version of Elysium, to begin down some predestined path.

 Now, normally, I am a pretty stable, well-spoken individual. But, the only thing I could think to say was', "What. The. Actual. Fuck?" 

"Your duty is ineluctable, Princess. Princess?" Glorfindel tilted his head to the side and raised his perfectly arched brow. "I think she's come unglued. She has yet to nictate in the last two minutes." 

"Jesus Christ!  Is this dude even speaking English?" Miles complained, but his worried eyes stayed on Maia.

Glorfindel's nose scrunched as he turned a contemptuous gaze on Miles, "You are able to understand my speech, are you not?" These children were beginning to annoy him. "Something is amiss. The Princess seems unwell."

Miles shook his head, edging closer to Maia, "Look, she's smiling. She's totally fine." He pointed, seemingly relieved. 

Scratching at the stubble on his chin, Chance slowly shook his head, "Nah, that ain't a smile my G. She's tensing her face because she's terrified."

"AAAAAAAAHHHH!" Maia screamed abruptly, startling all three men. "Will you all just leave me the fuck alone!" 

"You!" She pointed a finger at Glorfindel, "I am not going anywhere until I know what the fuck is going on." 

He started, "Princess if you'll allow me-"

"ARGH!" She shouted again waving her hands frantically in the air, "I am not a princess! So stop calling me that!" 

Chance snickered under his breath and sharp blue eyes darted to him. 

"What's so Goddamn funny?" Maia snarled. His smile deflated immediately.

"Nothing," He answered timidly. He whispered under his breath "Its nice to know that someone else besides me is getting the sharp end of the stick."

Glorfindel stepped closer,"Princess we must-" 

"You don't get to appear out of nowhere and tell me, all of a sudden, what the fuck I have to do! As far as I'm concerned, the only thing I'm obligated to do is stay black and die! And I swear I'll fucking kill you if I hear the word 'Princess' one more time," She turned glaring up at him. "Miles! Get away from that thing!"

Miles wandered across the clearing and was curiously nudging at the fallen beast with his foot. He'd never seen nor heard of Uruk-hai, that is until this one tried to kill him. Its stature was huge. It had a humanoid shape with pointed ears and grimy skin.  

Apparently, this one was only a scout. Which meant it was one of many. One in an army. Miles knew enough from movies and media to understand what that meant. Something far stronger; something far worse was still out there and it was coming for them. 

"The young Lord is only partially correct." All eyes turned to Glorfindel who stared directly at Miles. "I did not mean to intrude on your thoughts. So, I must apologize. It is just...that they are very...loud." His demeanor became increasingly guarded as he stated, "Something worse is not coming. It is already here."

"Well, that's just perfect!" Miles flailed his arms wildly, "I was running out of nightmare fuel for a second there." 

"What could possibly be worse than this," Maia asked in a small voice.

Glorfindel stepped between her and the view of the Urk. "There are many things, Highness. All more deadly than the next. I must, with all urgency ask that allow me to speak with Ilmarë and Eönwë."

Maia drew a blank. She'd never heard those names before but something about them was oddly familiar. 

"I don't-I don't know anyone by those names." She shook her bob of blonde locks. 

"Yes, you do, Highness. They are your guardians." 

xxx

"Mom! Dad!" Maia screamed angrily, barging forcefully through the front door.

Miles, Chance, and Glorfindel followed quietly behind her. Glancing at their hosts with silent apologies on their faces.

Amber and Brom stood in the entryway, as unmoving as statues. There was no stunned look of surprise. They knew everything. And that only made Maia angrier.

They each gave a deep bow to Glorfindel which he returned in kind but no words were uttered, out loud at any rate. 

Seeing the look on Maia's face, Amber started towards her, "Maia, now before you start-"

"HOW COULD YOU LIE TO ME! ALL THIS TIME!" Maia screamed cutting her off. Tearfully she looked at the man she'd known as her father, "Especially, you! I told you everything. I trusted you but you never trusted me with the truth!"

"Maia, honey," Brom took two steps forward pulling the now whimpering girl into his arms. He rubbed soft circles across her back. The same way he'd done for years to mollify her during times of duress as a child. 

Pressing his lips to the crown of her head, Brom spoke softly as he stroked her hair, "Maia we did this to protect you. We know your parents would have wanted a normal life for you before..." He seemed unable to finish.

She sniffled, then rubbed her wet nose with the back of her sleeve. "Before what?"

"Maia," Amber called softly. "Honey, I think you, Chance, and Miles should sit down. This is about all of you." 

Amber took her hand leading them further into the living room. She sat Maia before her and the boys seem to naturally flank her no matter where they were. 

"I had hoped this day would never come and that you could live like a normal child. We wanted that so much for you. I know we've kept things from you Maia but it's because we love you so very much." Amber bit her lip and blinked rapidly to hold back her tears. 

"But, it's time you know. This story, your story, begins long ago, with a powerful demigod named Melkor. Who became a demon, we now know as Morgoth."