Gwen
Gwen opened her eyes as the first rays of sun started to stream in through the window. She sat up and felt a little strange, then looked over and found herself next to Mordred, which left her with a peculiar feeling. She slowly stepped out of the bed, and lifted the elven dress from her drawer, the silver material cool against her skin, folded daintily.
A hand flew to her neck, fingering the elvish necklace that hung around her neck. She gazed at herself in the mirror for a moment, then took the dress into the bathroom, showered and dressed, the long sleeves fitting around her arms perfectly as she raised her arms and braided the top part of her long blonde hair back, noting with satisfaction her ears, pointed at the top.
Her eyes shone, pale blue against her almost translucent creamy skin. She slowly walked from the bathroom, her back straight and her shoulders squared, the picture of elegance and grace, poise and perfection.
An elf.
Gwen walked into the caf, to find the Fellowship, already eating breakfast. Or for the hobbits, second breakfast. Legolas looked up in astonishment.
"Gwen?"
"'Quel amrun," she said softly. (Good morning.)
"You look different," Pippin said, stating the obvious. "Have ye changed your hair?"
"Don't be silly Pip, she's changed her eyes," Merry responded.
"Mani marte?" Legolas asked. (What happened?)
"Amin n'sinta," Gwen replied. (I don't know.) She walked slowly over to the table and sat down, next to Frodo.
"Would you care for some breakfast, Gwen?" Merry asked.
"Thank you, yes," she replied.
"Or is it second breakfast? Elevensies?" Pippin put in.
Mordred
Mordred woke up and went and had a shower, shaving and doing all those other things that males do. He still felt shaken from the events of the day before. He needed coffee.
He checked on the babies, and fed Eavan, before changing Bryant. He wondered where Gwen was. It wasn't like her to not look after the two...
Vortigern stuck his head round the doorway.
"Want me to take one?"
"Nah, I'll put them in the stroller. It'll be fine. Odd Gwen didn't..." Mordred frowned slightly.
They went to go get breakfast, Faolan pattering at their heels.
BObby
Bobby came out of the caf, looking dazed, and running into Mordred, Vortigern and Faolan.
"There's an elf in the caf," he said in way of greeting. "She seems kinda familiar, but the only elves I know are Legolas and Shannon. And it's neither of them. Ok, Legolas is there, but there's someone next to Frodo."
Mordred and Vortigern
Mordred and Vortigern looked at each other and shrugged.
"Maybe Pippin stuffed up again?" Vortigern suggested.
"It certainly wouldn't seem to be out of character," Mordred drawled.
"You seen Gwen abouts?"
Bobby and Gwen
Bobby thought for a second. "I saw her heading for the bathroom this morning, but that's about it."
"Second breakfast?" Pippin offered to Gwen.
She shook her head and let out a tinkling laugh. "No thank you."
Mordred and Vortigern
"Anyway...I better get some coffee before the effects of the shower wear off..." Mordred started pushing the stroller in the direction of the caf again.
Vortigern shrugged slightly. "My twin, not a morning person."
Bobby and Gwen
Bobby chuckled. "I figured. Catch ya later." He waved and headed off to his room.
Gwen looked up as Mordred entered the room, and smiled sweetly at him.
"Greetings," she said softly.
Mordred
Mordred stared at her, frowning slightly.
"Gwen?"
The mind was hers...mostly. But she didn't look like his Gwen at all. And she didn't sound like her either.
Gwen
"Mordred," Gwen said pleasantly.
"See, I told ye she was different this morning," Pippin said proudly.
Gwen stood, the folds of her dress falling neatly into place as she walked gracefully over to Mordred, lifting her hand and touching his cheek softly.
Legolas stood slightly. "We can't explain it," he said.
Mordred, Chelsea and Vortigern
Mordred lifted his hand to hers where it was on his cheek, lacing his fingers through hers.
"Gwen?"
More then just slightly afraid...
Chelsea started to slide past, then she stared at Gwen.
"You look like him."
"Like who?" Vortigern asked.
"Like him." She jerked her head in Legolas's direction, eyes still on Gwen.
Gwen and Rebekah
"She has a point," Merry said quietly.
Gwen smiled, her newly blue eyes crinkling in amusement. "Because I am like him."
Rebekah walked into the caf and stopped in shock. "Another elf?"
"It's Gwen," Legolas replied.
"It does not look like... but it does feel..." Rebekah stopped in confusion.
Mordred, Vortigern and Chelsea
Mordred moved her fingers so they were in front of his mouth and kissed them gently.
"Still you. No matter what you look like."
"Now that's settled..." Vortigern went to get his breakfast.
Chelsea bit her lip, then slid past and went inside the caf thankfully disappearing.
Gwen
Gwen smiled and looked away shyly, then bent to see her children.
"Good morning, babies," she said, her voice smooth and enchanting.
Eavan and Bryant looked at her with big blue eyes. She sang an elvish lullaby softly.
Mordred
"You really need to teach me Elvish," Mordred told her softly, bending down slightly to kiss the side of her neck.
"And I need coffee. You want to take them so I can wake up properly?"
Gwen, Mirabelle, Mariette and Rebekah
Gwen nodded as she lifted Bryant from the stroller and handed him to Legolas, then lifted Eavan into her arms and sat down.
"Good morning, my darlings, my sweet children," she said, in an almost melodic voice.
Mariette and Mirabelle walked in. "Ok, Legolas has found himself a lady elf..." Mariette said raising an eyebrow.
"A lady elf with Gwen and Mordred's children," Mirabelle replied.
"Uh, that is Gwen," Rebekah said.
"No, Gwen's not an elf."
"She is now."
Mordred and Octavian
Mordred poured himself some coffee, managing only to twitch slightly at the comments about Gwen and Legolas.
Octavian grinned at Rebekah. "And I do hope you slept well, dear ladies?" He included Mirabelle and Mariette in his greeting.
Gwen, Mirabelle, Mariette and Rebekah
"Quite well, thank you, sir," Rebekah replied.
Mirabelle and Mariette smiled at Octavian.
"Why is Gwen an elf?" Mirabelle asked softly.
Gwen looked up and smiled pleasantly. "Because that is my destiny."
"In other words, I do not think anyone knows," Rebekah said quietly.
Gwen snuck a glance at Legolas from the corner of her eye, before refocusing on Eavan.
Mordred and Octavian
Mordred blew on his coffee as he walked back over, blue eyes inscrutable.
"But whatever species Gwen is, she manages to look fantastic every time," Octavian said, smiling.
Mordred lifted an eyebrow slightly.
"Course she does."
Gwen and Rebekah
"Thank you," Gwen said quietly, rocking Eavan gently in her arms. "And how are you this morning, Octavian?"
Rebekah poured herself a glass of orange juice and sat at the table.
"Am I the only one who is puzzled over this?"
"No," Legolas said softly.
Octavian and Mordred
"I am perfect as always, Gwen, thank you for asking," Octavian said cheerfully.
"So full of yourself..." Mordred shook his head slightly as he sat down near Gwen, cradling his cup of coffee in his hands. He sipped from it, watching Gwen over the rim of it. Would she leave now?
Gwen
"You are worried over something beyond your control," Gwen whispered into Mordred's mind.
She extended her free hand and rested it on Mordred's knee.
Mordred
Mordred looked at her.
That's what scares me.
Was there a place for him in her life if she was an elf?
Nathan's words haunted him again.
Gwen
"There will always be a place for you in my life... but what happens will happen for a reason, you will see..."
Gwen smiled, her blue eyes twinkling as the sunlight streamed in through the window, her blonde hair lighting up as though she were glowing.
Mordred
Excuse me if I don't have your faith in the universe.
Mordred lifted an eyebrow slightly.
But I'm glad to hear I'm not being traded in for a blonder model.
Gwen
"I am not completely an elf."
Yet hung in Gwen's mind, unspoken.
"But you won't be traded in. Not while I'm still me."
Mordred and Vortigern
Vortigern looked up his twin, fear suddenly flooding their link.
What's wrong?
Nothing. Don't worry about it.
Mordred shifted the focus of his telepathy back to Gwen.
Good to hear.
Gwen and Rebekah
Gwen sat up straighter in her seat and smiled at Legolas. "I assure you that I will be better at archery now," she said.
"No more broken windows, then?" Rebekah asked.
"Hopefully not unless I am aiming for the window," Gwen replied.
"I will always love you, my darling, never forget that"
Mordred and Octavian
"And why would you be aiming at the window, mo cariad?" Mordred asked.
"To kill Dawn!" Octavian said.
"Back on that again?"
"Oh most definetly, old boy. She breathes and she annoys me beyond all reason."
Gwen
"But she fell into her own mind," Gwen smiled slightly. "She was not strong enough to wield that power."
Gwen looked at Frodo with admiration. "And yet, this little one, he has wielded more power than ever imaginable."
Octavian and Mordred
"I say, we go down to the Medlab, and smother her with a pillow!" Octavian said.
Mordred smiled slightly.
"According to Faith, that's a characteristic of the Summers family."
Gwen
Gwen nodded. "The power to fight, to live, comes from your heart... until you are strong enough to control that, then you cannot be truly strong..."
"Yes, but sometimes the power and courage come from within," Legolas argued gently.
"That is not a problem for you," Gwen said. "Cormlle naa tanya tel'raa." (Your heart is that of a lion.)
She sighed.
"Dawn will live, but her mind will be tainted. More so."
Octavian and Mordred
"Oh, joy." Octavian rolled his eyes. "I would guess that I have many more delightful stunts coming up where I'm transformed into *something* other then my usual self."
"Why? What has she done before?" Merry asked.
"She turned me into a rat twice, and a girl once."
"We've got pictures," Mordred said.
Octavian looked at him.
"I truly loathe having you as my friend sometimes."
Gwen, Mariette and Rebekah
Gwen rocked Eavan in her arms as she pulled a bottle from the stroller and handed it to Legolas to feed Bryant with. She then pulled the second bottle and started to feed Eavan.
"Don't they make a perfect couple?" Mariette snickered.
"Hush," Rebekah said.
Mordred and Octavian
Mordred went very still and quiet as he sipped his coffee, staring down at the table.
Merry and Pippin started to badger Octavian about his experience as a girl.
Octavian held a hand up to stop their questions.
"Fine. First thing you should really know, is that girls *move* almost totally differently to guys. I was really clumsy for a while."
"You could say that..." Mordred muttered.
"Second of all, most guys are complete arseholes. And sex is very, very good."
Gwen
Both Legolas and Gwen looked up in astonishment, elvish culture not used to hearing about such things.
"I think a breath of fresh air would be nice," Gwen said, standing up and arranging Eavan into the stroller. Legolas put Bryant into the stroller and looked at her inquistively.
"Shall you require company?" he asked.
"I thank you, but no," Gwen replied, wheeling the stroller from the room, pausing to touch Mordred's cheek lightly, her elven gown dragging slightly along the floor.
The Mavericks
Mordred looked after her, worry in his eyes.
The Hobbits just blinked at Octavian's frankness.
He laughed slightly and leant back in his chair, sipping at his tea.
"Welcome to the exciting new world."
"What are we talking about?" Demetria inquired as she entered the room.
"Tav's stint as a girl," Vortigern said.
"Oh, that." Demetria waved her hand as she sat down at the table, before several rolls of film worth of photos spilled over the table.
Octavian shot her a deadly look.
"But you made such a *cute* girl, Tav."
Gwen and Rebekah
As Gwen walked outside, she felt an overwhelming feeling of sorrow hit her. She ached to be with the elves.
Legolas stood, feeling her sorrow and headed out to see what was wrong with her.
Rebekah grinned and peered at the photos.
The Mavericks
Mordred bit his lip so hard he drew blood.
Octavian started to bang his head lightly against the table.
Demetria giggled in delight.
"Isn't Octavian sweet as a girl?"
"I wouldn't exactly say that..." Vortigern said.
"How was it Mordred put it? Very...goth slut bite me please."
Rebekah and Gwen
Rebekah giggled.
"Octavian, you look lovely. You shouldn't be ashamed, not all men would look nice as a female. You pull it off rather well."
Gwen turned to Legolas with sorrow filled eyes.
"I know," he said.
"Do you feel it pull to?" she asked.
"Every moment I am not there. Lothlorien is an elven paradise, and only those who have experienced it's pull can understand."
Octavian and Mordred
"I don't know whether to feel complimented or insulted," Octavian said in a muffled voice, face resting against the table.
Mordred patted the back of his head slightly. He looked to where Gwen and Legolas had disappeared and bit his lip, worrying the already torn flesh between his teeth.
Rebekah and Gwen
"Complimented. If it makes you feel better, I find you attractive as a female as well as a male," Rebekah said, trying to be helpful.
Gwen and Legolas came walking back into the caf, not quite close enough to be touching.
"Photos?" she asked serenely.
"Of Octavian as a female," Rebekah replied.
Gwen smiled slightly and took a closer look.
Octavian and Demetria
"Thanks ever so much, Rebekah." Octavian moved his head onto his hands and beat his forehead softly against them. "I do loathe you, Dem."
"Be thankful I didn't bring out the pictures fo you in that Oxford Street bar," Demetria said sweetly.
"Point taken."
Rebekah and Gwen
Rebekah smiled sheepishly. "But you look good, do not blame Demetria."
Gwen glanced over the photos then took her seat again.
"I will go to back to Middle Earth with you," she said to Legolas.
Mordred and Demetria
Mordred fidgeted, then did something he had said to himself he would never do. He looked inside her mind. The colour drained from his face.
"You're going to leave," he said slowly.
Demetria looked up from giggling over her brother's photographs.
"Hmm?"
Gwen
"I must," Gwen replied. "Galadriel will have the answers."
"She will be quite safe," Legolas said, somehow knowing that wasn't the concern.
"But I will return."
The Mavericks
"I'm coming with you," Mordred said softly.
Demetria and Octavian exchanged a glance. That was Mordred's I'm going to be stubborn and there's nothing short of drugging me into unconsciousness that you can do to stop me. And even then, when I wake up, I'm going to do it anyway.
Gwen
Gwen nodded.
"You must do what you feel, and so must I."
She blinked.
"We shall travel from Lothlorien to Rivendell."
"And to Mirkwood, my homeland," Legolas said softly.
"Yes," she smiled. "Seeking counsel from the elves."
Mordred and Nyx
Mordred nodded.
"Have we discovered how exactly we're going to get there?"
"Hello, people." Nyx stood in the doorway, glowing faintly as she bent to catch up Faolan. "And hello, my darling boy." She kissed him, before looking around. "Hmm...I think I've missed a lot."
Gwen
Gwen felt something flare up in her chest, and Legolas put a calming hand upon hers. She smiled gratefully at him.
"If Pippin could reverse what he did..." she began.
Pippin smiled sheepishly.
Nyx, her children and Mordred
"Give us a look then. Hello, Gandalf." Nyx nodded as she walked over, balancing Faolan on her hip.
"MAMA!" Serafina and Kanika zoomed in and attached themselves to her legs.
She looked down.
"Hello, sweeties."
Mordred had gone so still and quiet, you could be forgive for being mistaken he was carved from stone. Except for the spoon he was slowly crushing in one hand.
Gwen
Gwen looked away from Nyx, and focused her attention on her own children, but at the same time, feeling distinctly disconnected from the humans in the room.
She was an elf now.
Nyx
Nyx looked at Mordred and Gwen shrewdly. Hmm. This would not be a good thing.
She sat down next to Gandalf, balancing Serafina and Kanika on her knees.
"So, what did he use?"
The two magic users fell into an estoric debate about what properly should be done to return the Fellowship to its home.
Gwen
Gwen lifted Eavan from the stroller and kissed the top of her head.
"I think the elves would like to see the children," Legolas said. "After all, they spend much time in song over them."
"Yes, with blessings and poetry. I remember. And time passes quicker in Middle Earth, so they shall grow up with the elves," Gwen said, smiling in delight.
Mordred
"We did talk about going to Lorien sometime," Mordred said to her, ignoring Nyx's prescence for the moment.
Aragorn wondered for a moment at the obvious history there, then decided it was none of his business.
Gwen
"Then shall Vortigern and Spike join us too?" Gwen asked. "And shall we see your lady, Aragorn?"
Eavan giggled as Legolas tickled her chin.
"Tickles!"
"Awww, my baby girl," Gwen cooed.
Vortigern, Mordred and Spike
"Yes," Vortigern said, standing, dazed look already in his eyes as he thought about what art he could bring out of the trip to Middle Earth.
"What are we doing?" Spike asked as he entered the room.
"Going to Middle Earth," Mordred said.
Spike quirked an eyebrow, then nodded.
"Alrighty then."
Gwen
"You must see Mirkwood," Legolas said to Gwen.
"Indeed, I must. I confess I am eager to see it, after all you have told me about your homeland," Gwen replied.
"Then it is settled," she said out loud. "We shall journey back to Lothlorien?"
"You should visit the Shire!" Pippin bounced.
"And Bag End," Frodo said quietly.
Vortigern and Mordred
"We would be honoured to," Vortigern said as he came and stood next to Spike.
"I'd like to," Mordred agreed.
"And Gondor," Aragorn said firmly.
"Of course." Vortigern smiled.
Gwen
Gwen nodded. "For the king will return to Gondor and the prince will return to Mirkwood."
Legolas smiled. "But for a time."
"Aye, not forever."
Mordred and Nyx
Mordred nodded, then looked at Nyx and Gandalf.
"How long do you think until you figure out a way to open a portal to Middle Earth?"
"Mmm...ask me tomorrow, and I'll tell you," Nyx said. She bounced Serafina on her knee and returned to her discussion with Gandalf.
Gwen and Rebekah
Eavan broke the silence between Gwen and Legolas by wailing loudly. Gwen stood up. "She needs a change," she said, then turned around slowly and left the caf, heading back for her room to change the baby.
Rebekah moved over to her seat to play with Bryant.
Mordred, Nyx, her children and Logan
Mordred glanced after Gwen, thumb rubbing over his top lip. He was suddenly so afraid...afraid that he was going to lose her. He could almost see it in her eyes already.
Faolan climbed into his lap and Mordred scratched behind his ears thoughtfully as the kitten curled up.
"So, what exactly are you?" Pippin asked Nyx.
"Cat goddess," Nyx said briefly.
"Well, now that's very impressive, isn't it, Pip?" Merry said.
Nyx smiled slightly.
"It has its perks..."
Logan entered the room, saw Nyx and turned on his heel to leave again. Nyx's smile slipped away, and she stood, putting Serafina and Kanika down.
"Excuse me for a moment."
She left after him, hurriedly.
Gwen
Gwen changed Eavan and walked back in, the long train of her silver dress dragging along the floor.
"All better, isn't it, my darling?" she whispered to Eavan as she went and sat by Mordred.
Mordred
Mordred reached over and kissed her cheek, then looked down at Eaven.
"Hello, little one."
She gurgled back at him happily.
"Love."
"Always."
Gwen
Gwen let Eavan slide slightly down into her lap, then reached over and took Mordred's hand, curling her fingers around his hand.
Astrid, Chelsea, Mordred and Nathan
Astrid hissed in pain and shot into the sky, still holding Chelsea in her arms. The red haired girl dangled, eyes closed and face white.
Mordred tried to 'port again and snarled in frustration.
"I can't 'port!"
"I think this is where I say goodbye...and don't think I won't be back for you, Seer," she spat at Nathan. She whistled sharply and a roar answered her. She descended gracefully onto the back of a black dragon, which rapidly beat its wings and disappeared into the night sky.
Mordred 'ported and almost fell onto Nathan, before he went after Chelsea.
Nathan started to weep silently.
Gwen
Gwen walked slowly over to Nathan and bent down.
"Do you want me to get the professor?"
Legolas hovered behind her, and took her arm as she straightened up and lost balance slightly.
Mordred and Nyx
Mordred lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her knuckles lightly.
"So..."
Nyx reentered, the signs of tears streaking down her face as she sat back next to Gandalf.
"So. Where were we?" She asked him brightly.
Gwen
"She is not happy," Gwen observed. "At least, she was not a few moments ago."
She smiled sweetly at Mordred.
"Bread?" Merry asked.
"Toast!" Pippin replied.
Mordred
"Well, I don't think she and Logan are getting along so well..."
Mordred glanced over at Nyx who had once again started to converse with Gandalf, who looked slightly concerned for her.
"Do you want anything, love?"
Gwen
"It is not our place to know," Gwen said softly.
She shook her head.
"No, I am quite well for now, thank you."
Mordred
"Ok..."
Mordred bit his lip slightly.
"Anyway, I better go get ready for class."
Students started to leave the cafeteria, chatting amongst themselves.
Gwen
Gwen nodded and kissed Mordred's cheek.
"Yes, I will meet you here for lunch, later?"
Mordred
"Ok, love," Mordred said as he stood.
"Oh joy, I have a Danger Room session today."
He winced slightly.
"With Logan. Isn't this going to be fun? See ya later, angel."
He kissed her cheek then left.
Gwen
"Farewell."
Gwen stood and went outside with the rest of the Fellowship.