Saving Middle Earth

The Guard

The next morning I woke up much too late after one of the best sleeps I have ever had. I got dressed as quickly as possible and ran downstairs. I already missed breakfast in fact it was after 10. I went outside and could see that many of the Mirkwood guards where outside getting ready for the tournament.

I could see Legolas and Tauriel sparring and all those silly girls including Eloise cheering him on. I wanted to walk out there and kiss him just to make her jealous for a change, but I did not want to embarrass him. I took a seat in the stands set up around the field. I caught Legolas' eye and he waved. Tauriel took that opportunity and pinned him to the ground disarming him. I had to laugh it was quiet funny. Truth be told, I had no idea who I wanted to win. The man I loved, my best friend, my own brother or my cousins who I was very close to.

This tournament used to be held once every 10 years but since travel was getting harder these days due to orc attacks it had been many years since it was held. It had not been held for the past 400 years and last time my brother had won, so it would not be so bad to cheer for Legolas. You had to be under or over a certain age to enter so that ruled out the lords of the kingdoms, otherwise this tournament may be a whole lot more difficult to win.

It was sometime after lunch when the first guests begin to arrive. Rivendell was the first to arrive which was surprising since they were the furthest away. I stood near the gates waiting to see them. Many guards came first, and then I saw them, my cousins first followed closely by my aunt and uncle. Aunt Celebrían was not off her horse 30 seconds when I ran and hugged almost knocking her to the ground. We yelled and talked all at once. My uncle was the next to receive my bear hug. I could tell he was just as happy to see me but quieter in the way only uncle Elrond was. My cousins the twins Ellendale and Elrohir where just as happy and boisterous and loud as always. My cousin Arwen gave me her usual cold hug, I knew he cared about me but she was always jealous about the close relationship between me and her mother.

"I am so happy to finally see you all. Come I will take you inside." I grabbed my aunt by the hand and the others followed into the palace.

"How is life treating you here Lilly?"

"It has been good, some crazy things have happened, but I have made many friends and King Thranduil had been very kind to me. I have wanted for nothing. My father has mostly kept me prisoner and mother hardly speaks to or anyone, but I am still quite happy here."

"Glad to hear," my aunt says. "Tell me how is Legolas."

"Oh he is good, taking care of everything as always." Suddenly my aunt's voice comes in my head. You seem very happy when I said his name. Should I interpret that as anything?

"Yes," I said aloud by mistake. I wasn't that used to communicating with other's telepathically anymore not many people around here had that ability.

"Hey you two care to share your conversation with the rest of us," my cousin Ellendale said.

"Not right now thank you," we all laughed all except Arwen.

I bring them right to the palace parlor there is many tables set up there where guests can register and be assigned their living quarters. Lord Thranduil was there with Legolas and many others of the participants from Mirkwood. I found out each kingdom has 10 entrants. So 30 people would be competing. I could have but knew that I would have never won, I would have done well but I knew many here could beat me unless I used magic and well that would just end badly. So I would have to be content watching from the sidelines. The elves from Rivendell and Mirkwood exchanged pleasantries. I decided I wanted to go and wait for my brother. 

"Well if you excuse me I would like to go welcome Lothlorien when they arrive." My aunt decided to join me.

Once we were in the same spot I was last time my aunt and I had some time to have a conversation.  "Aunt Celebrían did you decide to join me out here so I would be cordial to grandmother."