Fan Fiction ❯ Bonds through Time and Space ❯ Chapter 2

Kathrine: We're back!!!! Sorry for the long wait, but we had to work on other stories.

JC: We've got a lot of things to work on.

Kathrine: We'll have more time now that we're done with our reports.

JC: Okay, well this chapter doesn't have action in it like the last one.

Kathrine: Nope, just the a lot of info if you look for it.

JC: And one of our favorite people, Celesta Sunstar asked for a definite Gimli/Legolas friendship so you got it! He's just not in this chapter…but reference to him is!

Kathrine: And we add some small tidbits if you pay attention. There is a lot of things that show up later in this story, peeking out in this chapter.

JC: So sit back, read and enjoy. We'll try to have another chapter sooner than this one and with someone actually happening in it.

Disclaimer: We do not own LotR or PotC. They are owned by Tolkien Enterprises and Disney. Tolkien is God, Jackson is his prophet and Disney is a religion all on its own.

Warnings: Dark story, Slash, long winded. Not much for this chapter actually. New OC that you will see more than just in this story if you read my other LotR story.

Bonds through Time and Space

Chapter 2

Middle Earth - Minas Tirith, Gondor - TA 1075

He stared out the window at the plentiful grounds below, the people bustling about in their morning duties and the market in full bloom. It brought a small smile to his lips to see that there were both Elves and Men together on the stone streets, acting so like each other and yet so different, they lived together in a peace that was stiff and yet hopeful. They'd only been brought into integration as part of the alliance when he had given his hand in binding to their King Elessar, who had lived amongst Elves for most of his seventy-five years of life seeing as he'd been fostered to them in his third summer.

Not many had expected their union. He'd only met Elessar, also known as Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Estel to Elves (and many other names than he could go through at one instant), when he'd been living in 'Lórien. He'd actually hated the at times misguided man to begin with all those fifty-five years ago, finding fault in everything he did though most of his actions were attempts at friendship to a wayward Greenwood (now often called Mirkwood) Prince.

Truthfully, he'd been far too afraid because he'd felt something clouding his judgment about this 'Estel' since he'd first laid eyes on him. He had wanted to keep him at arm's length, farther if he could manage. Now, so many years later he realized that it had been his inexperienced attraction towards the gray-eyed young man. He had never felt anything so powerful and unknown as what he had felt when he glanced Estel's way, what he still felt whenever he looked into his eyes.

Maybe things would have been better if I had let go of my fear sooner, he thought. Everything had been in shambles, Greenwood had been lost. After that fateful battle all those years ago, the Elves had been forced to abandon their home for fifty years before their one powerful front that regained their kingdom. The most loyal warriors remained, but the civilians had been taken on a perilous journey to both 'Lórien and Imladris for sanctuary. Their king had no choice with the destruction reeked by the Orcs so severe. Both other Elven Realms had taken in their people with no complaints, but many knew that it would be a dire memory for all of those from the Greenwood.

And it's all my fault, he thought. They were forced out of their homes, torn from their lives because of me.

A gentle hand touched his shoulder. He invisibly tensed, but calmed his body as the hand and its twin wrapped themselves around his body, giving silent comfort. " You should not brood on a such a beautiful day," he heard his visitor whisper.

His eyes widened slightly in surprise at the voice. He had been sure that Aragorn had been the one to soothe him, but this voice was one he'd known for much longer and had clung to at his most needed times. He turned his heard instantly and turned to smile into pale violet eyes. " Glosshen!" he exclaimed, most of his sour mood forgotten. " Mae govannen, muindor-nin."

" As to you, lass-tithen," his brother smiled. Legolas felt peace greet him instantly. Pure white hair like freshly fallen snow trickled down to his waist, skin so pale that it never darkened gleamed the same against the sun. All was the strange warrior elf that many had thought had been born defected though he had proven himself many times over. He had not even known that his brother was coming for a visit.

" What brings you so far from the Greenwood and your people?" he inquired. " Never before have you come to visit me without sending a message before you, no matter where I have been."

The snow child (though no longer a child) gave him a weary smile. " Thôredhel bade me to seek out Gondor's enchanting Prince Consort in hopes that he would return to his homeland for the summer festival," he answered.

" And what other reason do you have for bringing yourself so far from our home?" he asked. " I know the look upon your face, white one. What has happened? Have your dreams troubled you into this reunion?"

" 'Twas never easy to deceive you, tithen muindor," his smiled deepened. " But was for the most part the truth of which I spoke. Thôredhel does wish of you at the summer festival. But I volunteered myself because I was worried for you. My dreams are silent, but my sense tell me that something is going to happen, something important."

" I see, my King and his seneschal wish it so, and in that I must concede," he nodded. " If you wish we may leave within a day or two. Aragorn will be pleased that I am returning to our newly flourishing home. How are the people, do they settle well into their old ways and rebuilding their homes?"

" You have asked me that every time of which I have come to see you since the day I told you of the rebuilding of Greenwood and its lands," Glosshen stated. " It would seem that Prince Consort of Gondor or no, you still are a Woodland Elf."

" As are you," he countered. " For all the time spent in Imladris with Elrohir, you still are a son of Thranduil." The mention of their father brought about a somber silence from both. It was not as if they were decreed not to speak of him, but mere speaking of his name brought about sorrow.

Seeking to change the subject, though not truly the mood, Glosshen stroked a hand rhythmically through his brother's non-braided golden locks as they fell about him to the ledge he sat upon. " How have your dreams been as of late?" he inquired. " I know that you often have recollections at this time of year, especially when so close to that day."

Eyes as bright blue as the sky slowly closed themselves, relishing in the soothing manner of which his brother touched his hair. Glosshen had always consoled him when he was upset or calmed him when he had injured himself by touching his hair as so. It worked so well because it had always been the way that Falmarin had helped him to overcome harsh dreams when they were young…when Falmarin was still with them.

" I had a dream of him only the night before," he admitted. " But it was different than others and Aragorn was able to calm me down as always. You know, I believe he is even rising to best you."

Glosshen saw the remark as what it was, a way to lighten the atmosphere. " Well I shall be glad for that because then I shall no longer have to baby your spoiled hide," he jested in return. But he knew they could not detour from the whole of their conversation. " Now what was there that was different about this dream, tithen muindor? What appeared out of place to you?"

" My dreams do usually end when I am pulled from the window," he replied, his voice suddenly becoming subdued. " I usually awake at…at the feel the feel of the claws digging into my skin."

The snow-haired elf nodded understandably. He knew the memories were not pleasant ones for his brother, especially due to how young he had been and what had transpired. Not many Elves would have lived through such a thing, Legolas almost had not. It was only his young age and Lady Galadriel of Lothlórien who had kept him from giving into the fading, though he knew not what it even was at that time.

" What happened?" he asked again. " 'Tis all right, you know I shall never judge you."

That was and had always been true. Though Glosshen was his closest sibling in age, he was still more than four hundred years his senior, and yet he had never thought ill of him. It had been Glosshen who had taken care of him after that fateful day. He had taken it upon himself to see that his younger sibling did not suffer as he might have. Most thought it odd that Thranduil himself was not constantly by his side, by the duty of kings kept his father from him even to the very last day.

Glosshen had comforted him, helped him to heal, and even had witnessed his nightmares within his mystic dreams. It had been a shock and a blessing when Glosshen had been discovered to have dreams not unlike that of Galadriel and Lord Elrond of Imladris. He had actually warned their father of a strange foreboding sense he'd felt the week of the massive Orc Attack. For days he'd not slept due to it and yet he could not decipher why he felt so on edge, something had been blocking his Gift. But their father had not listened because he believed that the Valar would never allow something to go wrong so close to the Summer Festival and the Day of Praise. He had been wrong.

" I dreamt of him falling," Legolas finally told him. " He was so scared and yet so brave. He didn't want to die. The water was so cold… He tried to swim…he tried to come back to me… But he couldn't… He was sinking… It was as if I was feeling him being wrenched from me all over again, I could feel his presence all around me. And then I felt the emptiness, the hole in my soul where he should be."

His older brother stilled his hand in his hair and kneeled next to him. " Look towards your dream as a sign," he told him. " It shows that Falmarin cared for you even to his last breath. Maybe he is sending you a message, restating his love for you since he is not here to do so himself. Maybe he does not want you to feel pain once again this year."

" I had felt as if we were connected again," Legolas thought. " I was no longer alone."

" You are never alone," Glosshen stated, though he knew it was not in a way that the blonde had meant. " I have tried to be here for you through all this time, though I still regret that I cannot heal that loss within you. Twins in this world are said to be so linked with each other that the loss of one can lead to the loss of the other, but should one live they would only be half a soul instead of a whole. I am sorry I could not spare you from that."

" You have done more for me than any other," Legolas countered. " Were not for you than I would have most assuredly followed Falmarin in his departure and I know he never would have wanted that. You saved me."

" No, Aragorn saved you," his brother shook his head. " Not even I could do so much as he has done for you. He healed that fearful broken heart that dwelled within your breast when it fled from even I. I was your brother only, he is your intended. He healed your soul of that time, but no one can heal the loss of a twinship bond."

Legolas smiled at the thought of his mate. " Aragorn has done all he can to defer my dark moods, fits of remembrance, and restless nights. He even told me before we bonded that he would relinquish his claim to the throne of Gondor to the Stewards if it would help me, so that we could dwell in Eryn Lasgalen when it was rebuilt. I love him more than even my split soul realized for even now he attempts for rekindle its solidity."

Suddenly a voice broke into their realm of conversation, " I am glad that you think so highly of me."

Legolas turned towards the open door and smiled brightly into the gray eyes of his beloved. " Have you been eaves-dropping, meleth-nin?"

" Nay," the King of Gondor replied. " I have only arrived to hear you spouting words of my wonder."

" And have increased the size of your head ten-fold," Glosshen pointed out. " I fear your conceit shall swallow you now!"

Aragorn gave a small laugh. " Your jest amuses me so…not," he turned his attention to Legolas. " The day passes by quite slowly without you, why spend your time caged within these stone walls? The gardens wilt without your care and your midday archery class does draw near."

" You're just bored," the blonde pointed out. " But I am glad you have come. I wish to speak to you of-"

" You departure soon for your homeland," Aragorn finished for him.

" Did you not say you were not listening in?" his mate inquired.

" 'Tis the look in your eyes and your brother's presence that leads me to my own conclusions," he stated. " And it may also be that there is nigh a year you have gone without visiting a month with your family in the Greenwood for the Summer Festival."

" Than you know I shall be leaving within two days," he stated.

" Mayhap you should accompany him this time," Glosshen suggested. " You have not visited the Greenwood in many years and the festival this year is quite a feat. With the cleansing of the Greenwood complete we have invited many from Rivendell and Lothlórien to join us for it."

" Why has everyone chose to gather in Greenwood this year?" Aragorn questioned. " Most often the union festivals are held in Lothlórien."

" The Greenwood is finally free of all darkness and shines brightly with its inner-light once more," the white-haired elf said. " All wish to greet and rejoice in its regained freedom. Lord Elrond and his sons are most certainly coming as are the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood." A look of thoughtfulness crossed his features for a moment, his mind slipping into curiosity of his memories.

" What is it?" Legolas asked him.

" Is it just that I myself went to see Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn to ask of them their attendance and the Lady seemed quite eager to agree," he replied. " I believe she knows something just as my Sense calls to me of great change. Something may indeed happen in the Greenwood, but as my Sense speaks of it, it also speaks of no foreboding dilemma. Whatever comes is not a threat to our peace."

" Then that is a good sign," Aragorn agreed. " And what sort of family would I be to ignore the invitation to the Summer Festival of the Woodland Elves if it is to be a union celebration for all Elves. Especially since I am bound to the fairest Woodland Elf there is?"

" Fairest Woodland Elf?" Legolas frowned in jest, though it appeared quite real. " I am only the fairest Woodland Elf? So you do not believe that I am the fairest Elf of all? I would think that my own husband would not be so rude to me."

" Oh Legolas you are the most beautiful Elf of all," Aragorn told him earnestly before stopping for a moment. " Except for Arwen."

" She is your sister!" Legolas exclaimed. " How dare you compare me to your sister! Even she would be cross with you at such an insult! To compare us when we are both of different-" His tirade was silenced by warm lips covering his own, milking his words until they were not but small moans.

Glosshen knew that this was becoming a rather private moment, so he spoke what he knew would bring his brother from his 'intimate' mood. " I almost forgot to mention! Did you know that Gimli is attending the festival as a guest as well, Legolas?"

The blonde elf pulled out of the lip-locked embrace with a smile covering his lips. " Gimli! I haven't seen him since last fall when he and his kin finished their work on the outer wall of the city!"

Aragorn almost sighed in frustration, but couldn't help the curl of his lips at how jovial his lover was at the prospect of seeing his dear friend again. Gimli was a Dwarf, soon to be Lord of the Glittering Caves that had befriended the elf over twenty-five years earlier. Legolas had been on his way to Imladris to from Lothlórien at the bidding of Lady Galadriel when his party had been waylaid by a group that could not have been just mere rogue Orcs. It was shocking of their numbers and though he and his seven companions had fought well, none came out unscathed.

He was the only one of his party to survive, though he had been wounded by an arrow in his shoulder and deep slice to the bone on his left leg. The last Elf with him had died trying to get him to safety and he was forced to flee, hiding within underbrush and trees low branches. It had taken him so off course that he'd run into a group of fifteen Dwarves heading towards the Mines of Moria before collapsing.

The Dwarves had finished off what had been left of the Orcs and then were forced to decide what to do with him. Quite a few had voted for leaving him where he was due to the strained and distrustful relations between Elves and their kind, but it was their leader's honor and compassion that had won him lodging in Moria for four months. Gimli had spared his life. Unfortunately, the arrow used to wound him had been poisoned heavily, leaving him unconscious for quite some time. When his healing abilities had finally taken enough consequence Legolas had been able to wake a meet the face of his savior. He'd thanked the Dwarf, though they were still slightly awkward.

Neither trusted each other. Though Gimli had saved the blonde, Legolas was never truly trustful of many people, let alone one who kind had been at his owns' throats for so long. They still hadn't taken much to each other, though Legolas was grateful and tried to show his appreciation by helping. He'd tried to do anything he could, seeing as he was going nearly insane being trapped beneath the ground, away from the trees and their sanctuary. When he'd been well enough to travel, Gimli had led him from the Caves of Moria. Legolas had only hoped he was ready to make the trip back to 'Lórien, seeing as it was the shorter distance.

Gimli had been reluctant to do anything with the Elf. He thought it would be best if they parted ways so that their strained civility would not lose itself. He'd thought to lead the blonde back to the proper path in the wood and then he would return home while the Elf would go back to the Golden Wood. It was an attack by viscous Wargs, the bloodhounds of Orcs, that had forced them to remain together. Legolas had in turn repaid his debt to the Dwarf by killing three Wargs as they planned to make Gimli their evening meal. This had caused a new turn in their relationship. Legolas could have left Gimli to die, forsaken his debt and left the Dwarf on his own, but he hadn't.

It was then that Gimli agreed to accompany the Elf the rest of the way to the border of 'Lórien. The blonde was tired, but refused to give up his journey home to rest longer in Moria. He would have lost all sanity had he remained any for more time in the caverns of Khazad-dûm. There had been a company meeting then at the border instantly. Haldir, Captain Marchwarden of Lothlórien, wasted no time in questioning the Dwarf until Legolas had spoken for him. Haldir had then stated that they must see the Lady and Lord immediately to announce Legolas' safe return.

Aragorn had actually been there when the blonde had returned. He had been the messenger to 'Lórien for Elrond when the Elf had not reached their lands. By then the entire Wood knew of his absence because the bodies of the other Elves had been found by travelers. But his return, so ragged and weary after his and Gimli's travel and yet so beautiful and ethereal at the same time, had made him realize how much he'd fallen for the Elf. He'd been so worried when he'd heard that the Greenwood Prince had failed to arrive, it was why he'd been the messenger in the first place.

But in all the most shocked out of those present had come with Gimli's reaction to the golden one that was Lady Galadriel. He had been enamored by her instantly and lost to her forever. Although it seemed that his attraction to her was not love or lust, but complete and utter admiration and devotion as a child would have or an Elf in sight of one of the great Valar. None could have expected a Dwarf to be taken so by an Elf, let alone the Lady Galadriel.

But the Lady had been very polite and actually flattered by Gimli's innocent veneration. She and Lord Celeborn thanked Gimli highly for the assistance and medical attention given to Legolas. They had even offered him a grand reward, but the Dwarf was content with having Galadriel's gratitude. Even so, she still offered him a small token of her affection, a cloak of 'Lórien usually only worn by the Galadrim, the border patrol and personal guard. Gimli had gladly accepted it, taken in by the 'Lórien leaf brooch used to hold it closed around his shoulders.

On that day Gimli had become the only Dwarf ever given free reign of the Golden Wood by Lady Galadriel. He was also the only one to be labeled as Elendil, 'elf-friend'. And since then Gimli had indeed visited the 'Lórien as frequently as his position allowed, as he had gained Lordship over the Caverns of Khazad-dûm after the death of his cousin, Balin, son of Fundin. Although it was debatable whether he visited the Wood to see Legolas or for merely the awe of looking upon Galadriel once more.

Their visits with each other had become quite lessened since the blonde had been betrothed to Aragorn six years ago. That was until the Dwarves had been contracted to work on the outer wall of the White City. The wars had long taken their toll on the great foundation and protective fortress that was the walls of Minas Tirith, but none more so than the outer wall of the city. Gimli and many of his fellow Dwarves spent the entire summer reinforcing the walls and making certain it would well ready to face any danger should it come once again upon them.

Glosshen smiled inwardly as he thought of the strange companionship between his brother and his Dwarven ally. " So you both shall be joining us at the Summer Festival?" he inquired.

" Yes," Aragorn nodded joyfully. " Who is a King of Men to deny the will of the Elves? Boromir will be able to take care of the Realm of Gondor; Faramir will assist him no doubt.

" I suggest you prepare," the white-haired elf said then. " I do believe that this will be a strange time in the era of Elves, the winds of change are coming."

Port Royal, Jamaica - 1768 AD

" William!" The bright smile on his best friend's features was enough to tear away all of the fatigue and depression he felt.

" He did it!" she cried out in exuberance, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. " He finally did it!"

" So Norrington finally proposed to you?" he rejoiced in her happiness.

" Yes!" she cried out. Then she backed away from him and looked around secretively, before pulling the brown-haired young man away into a small nook in her home's parlor. She lifted a necklace from within her dress, formerly hidden within the confines of her bosom. " This was his engagement gift to me."

It was a medallion of some sort, the entire pendant seemingly pure gold and a skull on spider's web as the emblem. It was a pirate medallion. " Why would James Norrington, pride of the Royal Fleet's forces and avid condemner of all things dealing with piracy, give the governor's daughter something like THAT for a 'engagement gift'?!" he exclaimed in hushed tones.

" It's something he knew I wanted," Elizabeth stated. " You know I've always been curious about pirates. He told me that it was his way of grounding me if he could. I wouldn't need pirates because I had something of them to think of."

She put in back within her dress, shifting the clothing to be more comfortable. " Well, then you would be the only pirate that Norrington would NEVER let get away," he jested. " His personal swashbuckling lass."

" William Turner!" she smacked harshly on the arm and for a 'lady' it actually stung somewhat. " I would tell my father about your quick tongue if I did not think he would have it cut off for insulting me so!"

The dark-haired young man just gave another small chuckled before bringing her into his arms for a strong hug. " I am glad that you're happy," he told her. " This is what you've wanted for almost as long as I've known you." Then his eyes turned serious. " Just know that if he mistreats you, hurts you, in any way, I will cut off whatever he has that makes him a man."

" Not until after the wedding," she shook his finger at him. " I want to put the to some good use first."

Will's eyes widened, his ears turning pink at the undesired mental image that suddenly jumped to the forefront of his mind. Elizabeth always seemed to be able to do this to him. A sudden comment that was just a little too much for him to take that sent him into embarrassment. And she knew it got to him, hence the reason for him near hysterical giggling at his reddened face.

" Oh Will!" she hugged him again. " You will come to the wedding, won't you? James thought it would be best to have it in the fall when its cooler and all the major priorities are dealt with the winter months. Not to mention my father has 'mentioned' a certain promotional banquet being held later on today for a certain Captain turning Commodore."

" That's why your father ordered the sword," he smiled. " I will most definitely be at the most important day of my best friend's life. I regret that I won't be there to congratulate the both of you today, although. I have too much work that needs to be finished at the smith today."

The young woman's eyes looked rather despondent then. Will loathed disappointing her. " You shouldn't spend so much time there," she told him. " All you ever do now is work you arse off in the stuff blacksmith shop, you don't even get enough sunlight form how pale your skin is getting."

" I fine," he assured. " There have just been more work to do lately."

" Only because that lazy, no good, drunkard you call a 'Master' spends all the money, but won't do any of the work!" she huffed under her breath. Then she looked at him closely, her eyes searching about him for something he did not yet know. " Has he tried to hit you again?" she questioned in a low tone.

Will knew how worried she was about Master Brown and his 'attention' for him. She was the only one, besides maybe Brown, he knew that Brown had struck him as a child, or that the despicable excuse from a man had once before tried to 'touch' him in a way that was most definitely not appropriate. That had ended with both of them being quite beaten, Brown most of all.

Elizabeth had wanted to go to Norrington and tell him, or even her father, but Will had manage to dissuade her from that path. Instead he had warned Brown that if she ever try such a thing again he would cut off the man's hands with one of his own still-heated swords and then leave the shop. Brown never did such a thing again, save the constant 'accidental' collisions with his rear end when the dunce was to drunk to realize it. Will hadn't told Elizabeth about that, for fear that she would go back on her word out of concern for him.

" No," he told her. "He knows better than to attempt something like that again after the beating he received for it last time."

" All right," she agreed, albeit reluctantly. " Just as long as you all right. Well, I have to go and prepare for the ceremony. Father will be waiting for me."

" I shall see you later on," he gave her another small hug before allowing her to go. He watched her leave, the smile he'd worn fading from his face. He left the governor's home and looked up into the sky. It was bright, the sun shining happily and very little clouds in the sky. But for some reason he didn't feel the uplifting mood this weather usually brought him.

Something's wrong, he thought. It's almost as if this isn't real, just an illusion of the beautiful day. It's as if something is coming, something that is going to change this. Or could it be someone? He had felt like this before. This strange sense of foreboding. Usually, he was right and something did indeed happen, whether it be bad or good was something he was never sure of. He could only hope that whatever it was wouldn't ruin the happy day that Port Royal was having. Unfortunately, he doubted that this would be the case.

Translations:

Mae govannen, muindor-nin : Well met, my brother

Lass-tithen : little leaf

Tithen : little

Meleth-nin : My love

JC: Hope that satisfied ya for a bit. Jack will show up in the next chapter, at least we hope so anyway. If not, definitely the one after.

Kathrine: A no, there won't be any Gimli/Legolas. At least not in this story. ~_^

JC: Please review and tell us what you think or any ideas that you would like to put in the story.

Kathrine: Anything that sounds good to us will most likely be put in and we'll give credit for what we use.

JC: Until, next time! ^_^