Starlight (Vikings/The Hobbit crossover) AU

Old friends

-Unedited-

Gilthoniel POV

         It is fortunate that creatures such as I don't need sleep nor do we need food because the road home was so far. Day and night of horse riding I have traveled from Rivendell to a small village nearest to the border between middle earth and the mortal lands. The village's name was, Cork. It's villagers were blessed by my people with fertile lands to grow their crops and tend to livestock. Many years prior its small population had found themselves to be refugees after, an unexpected invasion of orcs. So, they went to the those who were the most generous and open, elves. However, it wasn't the elves of Mirkwood that helped them but nonetheless, they were grateful for such generosity.

           For years it had been prosperous and ever so grateful to elves for blessing them with such fruitful lands. And none of them were afraid to show how grateful they were if, they saw any elf passing through. An elf such myself was one of those elves seeking shelter for the night until, my horse edolitha was ready to ride again. She was sleeping in the comfort of her warm hay in the stables while, I was gazing outside my window. I looked up at the stars like I do every night before, bed with endless thoughts. Thoughts that were filled with blurry pictures of my mother. Even though my father, Thranduil never talked about her I always thought she would be watching the same stars as I am. That she would be thinking about her husband and two children that she had mysteriously left behind. Father, never confirmed to either me or Legolas if she had simply disappeared or she had already passed to the undying lands. I would like to think that she had just disappeared with no way of coming back home. I had hoped since, I was a child that she was still alive. It was a hope that I would feel the love of my nana (mother) and that my ada (father) would smile again. That he would be happy once again and not bitter and overprotective like he is now. But, one could only dream so looking at the stars was enough for me in the abstinence of a mother figure.

I sighed deeply as I looked at the stars one last time for bed. I walked away from the window to the makeshift bed that a village woman named, Mika had made for me. Even though it is well known that elves didn't need sleep the warm effort was welcomed. As was about to lay my head on my pillow a soft knock upon the door had reached my ears. I immediately reached for one of my long knives before, answering the door.

"Who's there?", I asked cautiously.
"An old friend", a woman replied.
I frowned a little because in all years of living I've only had one true friend. A young woman with fiery red hair named, Aslaug. And it has been many mortal years since, I've seen or heard from her. So, I slowly opened the door with my knife hidden behind my back. My eyes opened to see my dearest friend right in front of me. And I have to say that time has done her well. She was much taller now, but still was blessed with her slim figure and great beauty.

I was so overwhelmed with joy to see her that I held her face in between my hands.

" Iston i nîf gîn. My Aslaug", I said to her (I know your face)
She smiled with tears of joy in her eyes as we embraced each other in pure happiness. "It has been such a long time, old friend. And you still look the same", she said.
I laughed as we pulled away from each other. "Anann le. But, the Valar and Eru himself has blessed you with great beauty at your age. It has been a long time since, I've seen you last. Please come in", I said. I moved aside for Aslaug to come in. (Anann le - I haven't seen you for a long time)
"How did you know where I was, mellon (friend)?", I asked as I closed my door. She stood there for a moment to look around my room taking it all in. Until, she had decided to sit on the edge of my bed. Aslaug, sat there for a moment in contemplation of what she was about to say.
"To tell you the truth, Gilthoniel I didn't. I had heard that there was a village that welcomed elfin folk. So, I came here on the off chance that you would be here considering your need for adventure", she said with a smile.
"Then, it is good that I was here then", I sighed, "But, I must apologize if, I seem to be too forward. Aslaug, why is it after all these years that you finally come to see me? Is there something wrong, mellon?", I asked with concern. 
She looked down at her hands then, back at me with sadness in her eyes. "It has been some years since, I've seen my husband. I haven't seen him in a long time and it has been somewhat difficult these past few years. My sons has grow into men not knowing their father since, childhood. And ruling a kingdom alone has proven to be difficult", she replied. I could see in her eyes that she was indeed sad with worry and loneliness.
I walked across the room and sat beside her, taking her hands in mine. "I may not know what it is like to rule a kingdom like yours, Aslaug. But, you must be strong not only for you, but your sons and your people. I have lived long enough to know that a city will fall into ruin when their leader is weak. But, I know you little one you are a strong and righteous queen. You can and will overcome many difficulties with ease", I brushed away her hair from her face, "Is there anything I can do to help you, mellon to erase your pain?", I asked in a gentle tone.

"I came here with a wish that you would come back with me to, Kattegat. It is my dearest wish that you would be my advisor. Someone to confide in with my deepest troubles and to share my greatest joys. Please, Gilthoniel say that you will come with me", she said beggedly.

Her green eyes searched mine as I silently took in her pleas into my mind. If, I were to come to the mortal lands, to Kattegat what benefits would there be for me. I would be far from home for longer periods of time then, I'm use to. I miss seeing my Ada and muindor (brother) everyday. It would be a lonely life for me, but on the other hand there could be a great adventure. I would see what kind of life it was in Kattegat and perhaps bring brillant stories to bring home to tell my family. There was many pros and cons in accepting, Aslaug's request however I chose to do the right thing.

"This is a choice larger than, myself Aslaug. As much as I would love to come with you I need the council of my father and brother first. For that I must come home to Mirkwood first before, making the journey to Kattegat", I said gently.
She smiled with cautious joy on her face. "I understand what you are saying, Gilthoniel. My kingdom is very much different than yours. And I'm all too familiar with being in a land that is not my own", she sighed, "Am I aloud to hope that you will come as soon as possible?", she asked cautiously.
I nodded. "I will try my best to convince my father to allow me to come in a weeks time. But, if he doesn't allow me I'll still go to see you no matter what. I promise you that", I said sincerely.

We both leaned in so that our foreheads touched like we did in her childhood. Years before our separation, Aslaug had taught me many things about viking culture. One of them was this affections sign between friends and siblings. And Aslaug although she is mortal I considered her to be both.

"You must be tired, my dear from the long journey you've had", I said as we pulled away. She covered her mouth as she let out a long yawn. "Indeed I have.""Take my bed, mellon. I don't need it anyway", I said. Aslaug smiled in remembrance of what elves were like. "Then, this is good night then my friend", she said laying down. "Indeed little one. Losto vae, Aslaug. Oltho vae ne fuin hen", I said, moving away to sit next to the window once again. (Losto vae -Sleep well, Oltho vae ne fuin hen - May you dream well tonight)   

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A/N - Hello! Author ELF here. So, here is the first chapter of, "Starlight". I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I love writing it. 

I will say that in every chapter I will try my best to integrate real Sindarin phrases and words. Since, Thranduil, Legolas, and Gilthoniel are Sindarin elves it made sense for me to do so. And I will put the English translation either right beside the word itself or put it at the end of the paragraph in bold. 

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