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capricornus-rex · 3 years

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A Shadow of What You Used to Be (10)

Chapter 10: A Home Away | Cal Kestis x Irele Skywalker

Cal Kestis x Fem! OC

Requested by Anon

Summary: There is another! Years after young Anakin Skywalker departed Tatooine, his mother Shmi delivers a second child—this time, a daughter. Whilst the circumstance of the girl’s birth remains unexplained, Irele Skywalker has yet to choose the true path between those laid out for her.

Tags: Fem! OC, Irele Skywalker, Force-sensitive! OC, Anakin’s Younger Sister, Skywalker! OC, Darth Vader’s Secret Apprentice, Long-lost Sibling

Requesting to be tagged: @heavenly1927

Also in AO3

Chapters: Prelude – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 | Previous: Part 9 | Next: Part 11 | Masterlist

11 of ?

The maintenance droids only needed an hour to prepare a dorm for Irele within the command ship. Not that she would need a personal room in every ship she boards, but it would help if she did in the near future. The human guards did not need to wait for Irele to come to, they barged into the cell, pulled the poor girl by the arm to stand her up and then drag her out of the prison block while she could barely use her own two feet.

Irele’s eyes have not adjusted to the changing tones and gradients of lights of each part of the ship she passes through. She thought she said the question “Where are we going?” when the guards only heard an incoherent groaning at the throat.

The way from the prison block to her new chambers was a ten-minute walk, if one marched faster it would have been lesser. Upon reaching their destination, only one escorted her into her room and sat her down on the bed—to which she immediately fell limp and ended up lying down instead. While she was out cold, a nanny droid entered her bedroom to tend to whatever it can in the quarters; it took its time, in fact, until the girl came to. The droid’s sensors picked up the spike from Irele’s heart rate from slow to normal, it briskly turned around.

“It is fortunate that you’ve come to, milady. The serum from the probe has completely worn off. Should you feel slight nausea, do not be alarmed for it is normal as well. I can administer some painkillers to you with your choice of pill or syrup.”

The droid is programmed to speak in Basic and had a rather lulling, female voice—perhaps the most appropriate if you are to manufacture and program a droid for nursing.

“Milady? What are you talking about? Who are you? What are you?”

“You are here as a ward under the strict order of Master Vader. I am HY-L33, Nanny Droid,” it brought its head into a bow, “At your service, Milady Irele.”

“Why call me Milady when I’m kept hostage here?” she sits up and examines the room.

“Oh, you are mistaken, Milady. You are Lord Vader’s ward,” HY-L33 corrects. “And I have been tasked to take care of your basic needs and whims, if need be.”

“What I need is to go home! I don’t like being holed up in anywhere!”

The nurse droid lowered its head slowly, it stayed like so for a moment; with a rather sympathetic voice, HY-L33 responds, “I’m sorry, but I am incapable of fulfilling that whim, milady. I would suggest that you make yourself comfortable in this new one.”

Irele sighed, knowing that she’s talking to a wall here. She gave herself time to calm down and breathe. She passed her hands across her face and sighed.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be lashing out to you…” Irele inhaled. “What are you called again?”

“HY-L33, madam.”

Irele quietly parroted the name, “That’s a mouthful. How about I call you Haylee, is that alright?”

“If it proves to be more convenient for you, milady. Although personally, I do adore the name you’ve given me.”

Irele hummed as she managed a small smile, she hinted the chirp from the droid’s voice, relieved that she found some company out of the droid in this inorganic, cold room, she walked around to get a better feel of it now that the serum from the interrogation droid has worn off.

“Say, Haylee, do you know where we are?”

“We are aboard the command ship Anathema, the ship is within the Ulgoro system, and we are passing by the orbit of the planet Yelen.”

“How far are we from Tatooine?”

Haylee ran a quick scan from her processors, “We are approximately twenty-five parsecs away from the said Outer Rim planet.”

Irele breathed deeply, her heart sank, “That’s so far away…”

The droid’s photoreceptors picked up Irele’s increased heart rate and temperature. The girl was manifesting signs of anxiety: shivering hands, failing voice, and cold sweat.

“You are suffering from homesickness. Unfortunately, I do not have the appropriate medication for that, milady. Neither can I administer any medication for you. This is absolutely natural as you have been extracted from your real home to your current location.”

Irele took the deepest sigh and made a mantra.

Don’t lash out on the droid, you just screamed at it ten minutes ago.

She told this to herself mentally until she’s calmed herself down.

“Yeah, I am homesick. I left my family behind and…” she trailed off, realizing that the last people she was with were her friends. “My friends. They must be all worried sick about me.”

“You will be well taken care of here, Lady Irele.”

“Heh,” the girl huffed. “No need to be so formal. Just call me Irele.”

“As you wish… Mistress Irele.”

“Droids, gotta love ‘em…” she mumbled very quietly, knowing how acute droids’ hearing could be—depending on the model, that is.

–

Fortunately enough, Irele is indeed being taken care of.

Ever since she was moved to her own chambers in the Star Destroyer Anathema, she was thoroughly pampered—more or less—than anyone else in the ship, aside from Darth Vader. Never has she ever been well-fed in sixteen years! The serving portions were generous and they were quite tasty, but she had her moments where the food somewhat reminded her of home.

A uniformed officer enters Vader’s quarters to report of Irele’s adjustment to the new environment. Most of the officers feared that they’re speaking like a broken record, reporting the same thing to Vader every week—they had probably imagined it vexed him to be hearing the same thing over and over; it did them little comfort when adding their own personal observations of her such as asking for seconds with her food and interacting with the nanny droid, since she’s still shy and cautious from everyone else on board.Additionally, she was not yet allowed to wander off alone beyond her room. So, by all means, she is pretty much a hostage still—a rather pampered one, at the very least.

“Has she stopped her erratic behavior?”

“Fortunately so, Lord Vader, she has. Perhaps about a week and a half since her extraction, she had become somewhat… docile.”

Vader paused. He had presumed it was the effects of the interrogator droid’s syringe, but surely during the time the nanny droid was tending to the girl, the substance has flushed out since. Realizing that he truly knows nothing of what kind of person Irele is—compared from his earliest reference of her—he sighs with a quiet frustration under his mask.

“Very well. We are right on schedule. Carry on, captain.”

“Yes sir,” the captain bowed and dismissed himself militarily. His true posture showed when he rejoined his companion who had been waiting for him by the door. He hissed, “I didn’t conscript myself to the Imperial Fleet to be a babysitter!”

“Be more frustrated when Lord Vader does appoint you the official babysitter of the girl.”

“She’s quite a handful, don’t you think so?”

“Temperamental, to say the least,”

Only Vader and the droid, HY-L33, know what’s in store for Irele. Very soon, the plans for her life under the Empire’s wing—unknowingly under her brother’s care, or the walking shell of him perhaps—will be put into play.

For many weeks, HY-L33 patiently watched over Irele—especially in the medical aspect—and a mandate was programmed into her that once a diagnosis of the teenager would show optimum by the end of three weeks since her extraction from Tatooine, Irele would be considered physically eligible and be subjected to training. Eventually, HY-L33 was the only companion she has ever had in this ship since day one; so in exchange for medical knowledge and advice from HY-L33, Irele repays it with stories from her homeworld of Tatooine, but knowing that the droid is under Imperial property, she was cautious of what she ought to say, and rather told her adventures she had done on her own or with a friend instead of her family life.

“It seems as though your rigorous lifestyle has contributed to your increased stamina throughout your developmental stage.” HYL-33 commented once while listening to Irele recall one job she did where she would deliver goods door-to-door across the town of Mos Espa.

“Yeah well, I had to work. Because if I didn’t work, that just meant, I’ll be sleeping hungry—or if I’m lucky, with a half-full stomach.”

HY-L33, being the medical nanny droid that she is, went on to lecture Irele that it was ill-advised to sleep on an empty stomach for it will cause ulcers. The girl politely listened and heeded the advice, until she calmed down the droid that she had been fine for the rest of the time she was growing up.

She had only been staying for a week and a half. HY-L33’s sensors indicate a lesser trace of homesickness and anxiety within Irele, her body mass index has not changed drastically at all since her food intake was increased rather than imposing an eating strike—a few of HY-L33’s references cite that most human teenagers are more rebellious, especially when it comes to being fed after being thrown into a stressful situation. However, this was not the case with Irele, which made the nurse droid’s circuits cooler.

Eventually, the three weeks were over. Irele noticed HY-L33 seeming to be in full preparation. She did not mind this, but kept a close eye, until she could find the right timing to ask. After lunch, Irele went to the bath by rote, and quickly dressed herself in a dark gray shirt, black pants, and low boots.

Irele could truly sense something different in their routine.

“Haylee?”

“Yes, Miss Irele?”

“Is there something new added into the routine?”

“Yes, Miss Irele, we are about to perform a full health assessment on you. Please follow me and I will escort you to the medical ward.”

This was the first time Irele had been outside of her bedroom. For three weeks, she had been holed up in that metal room with no one and nothing else but HY-L33—to which she had grown fond of anyway—and then she finally comes out for a medical check-up.

Along the way, she could not look into the eyes of the crew, although she perfectly blended in with her gray and black clothes. She was nervous and afraid of what they’re thinking of her—because she felt like she knows what they’re saying about her, it’s a feeling that she can’t explain but it still manifests in her. Eager to avoid the stares and attention, Irele walked directly behind HY-L33 until they got to the said medical ward.

When they got there, the interior of the medical ward was a little bit brighter than most of the rooms in the ship. The walls were still metal, of course, but it was a cooler shade of gray which somewhat eased the people who are admitted and confined here—instead of the intimidating dark grays and blacks on other parts of the ship. At the center of operations was a 2-1B surgical droid stationed by a medical bed; it was approached by HY-L33 and Irele, when the droid’s photoreceptors saw the girl’s face, a deep male tone started speaking in a monotonous, continuous fashion.

“Irele Skywalker, human female, age is sixteen standard years, height stands at five feet and three inches…”

“Okay, okay, I think we got enough of my vitals already!” Irele interrupted.

“Were you briefed of your purpose here?”

Irele made a side-eyed glance at HY-L33, who didn’t move at all, “I was only told I was getting a check-up.”

“Correct.”

The surgical droid cleared out what HY-L33 failed to when they were still in the bedroom. It started with the physical examination—taking down her age, height, and weight, until it pored into analyzing the fluid levels and vitals of her organs to see if they were normal. It was all strange for little Irele, but she held up and did as she was told. She wasn’t getting hurt by the droids anyway, save the one pinprick that they had to do in order to conduct a blood test.

From Vader’s chamber, he was receiving real-time transmissions of the medical ward’s database. Whatever diagnosis the droids encode into the database under Irele’s profile, Vader saw it all firsthand—every revision, every new entry, every number.

Midichlorian count: 20,598.

Seeing this number and then recalling his impression on Irele baffled Darth Vader.

This child has lived sixteen years in a backwater planet, with a high midichlorian count… and yet her sensitivity is dormant.

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kyndaris · 4 years

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The Cost of Honour

What would you sacrifice to save the lives of the people you love and the home you cherish? How long would you be able to hold onto your morals when faced with an enemy that is impossible to win against? In the last exclusive for the PlayStation 4, Ghost of Tsushima from the developer Sucker Punch, asks these hard hitting questions and many more as it follows the journey of Jin Sakai in his quest to drive out the brutal Mongols from the island of Tsushima.

Considering the pedigree of Sucker Punch and chafing to dive into the world of Feudal Japan, Ghost of Tsushima was an easy buy for me. Immersed in the world of the Yakuza series and delighting occasionally in fresh new anime, it seemed imperative that I see what this game could bring to the fore. After all, the game looked very much like Assassin’s Creed. I liked Assassin’s Creed. And hadn’t the fans of the Assassin’s Creed franchise been clamouring for something in a similar vein for a very long time?

Once I booted it up, I was immediately struck by the visual representation. The colours were vibrant (though one could choose to play in black and white mode) and coupled with the particle effects, I could have sworn I had been pulled into a cinematic world. The opening scene used this to great effect and proved to be a masterful attempt of immersing me immediately with the world. As Jin raced down the beach, I thoroughly enjoyed the rush that came with swinging my katana at anyone that was foolish enough to stand in my way. Yet, it is not long before it becomes exceedingly clear that the samurai have lost the battle. Many are slain on the beach and Lord Shimura, Jin Sakai’s uncle and jito (land steward) of Tsushima is captured. Jin, having taken a couple of arrow shots in the back, is left for dead.

Enter Yuna. It isn’t clear why she singled out our protagonist as being alive and pulled him away to nurse him back to health.

As the prologue continued, I wondered if she was questioning her choice of companion as Jin, armed with only his sword and a broken piece of armour went to confront the Khan at Castle Kaneda, in a desperate bid to rescue his uncle. This first attempt is met with failure and Jin is essentially yeeted off the bridge. Yes. I know. I used the word ‘yeeted.’ I’m basically roasting my own hands over hot coals as I type this.

Despite plummeting what looked like several hundred metres down into the water below, Jin manages to survive. The man, it seems, is almost unkillable. You could say...he’s a ghost. Badum tss. I’ll see myself out now.

From a discouraging defeat, Jin, however, vows to avenge his fallen samurai brethren and rescue his uncle from the clutches of the evil Mongol invaders. Here, too, was when my journey to collect everything and complete all the side stories began.

Unfamiliar with the works of Kurosawa Akira, I can not rightly say if the narrative nestled in Ghost of Tsushima’s maze of collectibles plays upon the tropes of those that came before. What I did manage to glean was a story of revenge and hate, the cost of war and the values embodied by the notion of ‘samurai.’ With his back to the wall, Jin Sakai must adapt if he hopes to win. Much like Yuna’s speech at the start of the game, he and Lord Shimura have forgotten what it was like to face someone stronger and smarter than they were. If Tsushima and its people hoped to survive, instead of throwing away their lives, they needed to change their tactics.

In the early stages, Jin is shown to grapple with the idea of going in quietly and silently stabbing people in the back. But after the first mission and the first outpost, he was free of the burdens that were his old code of honour. I suppose in that sense, there is a degree of dissonance between the narrative and the play. Alas, I couldn’t have cared less as I went from camp to camp, observing the leaders and unlocking new technique points.

The end of Act 2 and the beginning of Act 3, however, is when Jin Sakai’s actions finally catch up to him. Instead of following through with his uncle’s plan of rebuilding the bridge at Castle Shimura after an explosion killed countless soldiers and allies, he poisons the Mongols drink in a bid to save the lives of his comrades. Classic war crime manoeuvre. Learning from this, however, the Mongols use this against the people of Tsushima as well.

It is this devastation that we see after Jin escapes from his uncle’s stronghold, desperate to free the people from the Mongol’s iron grip. Despite the gruesome nature of it all, it helped put Jin’s actions into a different light. By making the enemy aware of a new weapon, could he have possibly doomed his own people?

Subsequently, when the Khan is killed and Jin is about to face his father figure, it makes sense for Shimura to point out many of his misdeeds. Can the people of Tsushima really be saved if Jin’s actions undermine the authority of those in power? What of the stories that paint him as a ten foot demon with eyes that glow in the dark?

So, it came as no surprise when Lord Shimura asked for a warrior’s death. And wishing to be the dutiful son, no matter how painful it would be, I granted it. One last ‘honourable’ act.

The gameplay in Ghost of Tsushima initially proved to be a challenge, although that was mostly due to the fact that I had to readjust my understanding of my controls. Navigating without a minimap in the corner or a HUD showing me the general directions of north, south, east and west also took some time to adjust to. I don’t think I’ve ever just ‘followed the wind’ when it came to video games before. But, because of that, it allowed me to actually keep my eyes focused on the screen in front of me rather than the top right/ left corner. I could actually take in the scenery instead of being solely focused on clearing out the fog of war.

As for the actual combat, the controls were incredibly intuitive. Square for a normal attack, triangle for heavy. L1 to block and circle to dodge. Where it seemed like the developers should have stopped a little when it came to the variety of options available to the player was mapping R2 as the interactions button - but also the stance and quick throw wheel.

Traversal also proved to be fun and because the HUD wasn’t as cluttered as I was used to, it made exploration easy. Equipped with the Traveler’s Outfit as soon as the game had started also made it incredibly easy to start hunting down collectibles and feeding my urge to see every nook and cranny that was on display. What pained me, however, was the fact that it took me a while to realise that I needed to progress the story and obtain the grappling hook before I could complete a few of the shrines in the first area. And to obtain a few choice head gear.

My only other gripe with the game is that my poor Nobu was felled so swiftly at the start of the third act. And the thin brown horse that served as its replacement was not the replacement I had hoped for. Thankfully, Yuna was able to gift me with another horse - which I named Sora - but my heart still goes out to the faithful Nobu.

Why do you have to kill all of my faithful steeds, video games? I was distraught when Red Dead Redemption 2 did it. Appalled when Shimmer was caught in an explosion in The Last of Us Part II and now...this?

The side characters and side stories also proved to be entertaining distractions over the course of the long journey to free Tsushima. While Masako’s revenge plot was a hollow echo of the pain Jin faced, it was Norio’s burning of the Mongol camp that left me frightened of the legacy of the ghost. At least the ending of Sensei Ishikawa’s story felt a little more redemptive and filled wit hope.

And, after IMDBing the cast, I was gladdened by the fact that many of the voice actors chosen for the game were Asian Americans. Jin Sakai was actually voiced by a Japanese man in the English dub! Imagine that!

Ghost of Tsushima is an excellent open-world game that hews quite closely to the more recent Assassin’s Creed formula. Despite that, I thoroughly enjoyed my time exploring Feudal Japan, inconsistencies and all! My favourite part of it was collecting Mongol artefacts, records and learning a little about each clan banner. The combat also provided a few surprises, although the duels were a little tedious in the latter half. With the world still unable to quite shake the virus that still threatens many of our loved ones, it’s fun to actually dive into this fantastical and historical inaccurate world that is Ghost of Tsushima.

#ghost of tsushima #video games #platinum trophy

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angelholme · 3 years

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May, Myself and I -- Year 3, Day 27 : Whisper

"Can't we just be two normal people?" "I can be two normal people if you can"

"I don't bite the heads off live foetuses" "Words never before uttered at a pregnancy seminar"

"It'll be fine. I know it will. I'll- I'll- I’ll be with him, like I should be. Me and Rory together."

When Doctor Who returned in 2005, I admit I had my doubts about it, but it proved to be a show that I could see myself watching. It wasn't like the original show, but that was probably a good thing in some ways. The original show was -- in its prime -- outstanding, and a phenomenon not to be rivalled. However as it went on, it got less good and -- sometimes -- far more silly than it should be. I think that (for me at least) The Trial of The Time Lord was its last great hurrah, and after that it just faded out. But honesty also forces me to admit I didn't watch a lot of the Sylvester McCoy era, so I might be judging it unfairly -- for all I know it might have been the greatest era of the show.

Then came the film -- and it has to be said that Paul McGann really drew the short straw with that one, because the film was just a total nightmare. The writer, director and everyone involved just betrayed it and let it down so much that it is hard to understand what they were thinking. And really you can't blame Mister McGann for it -- he was just the unfortunate actor who got picked to play the eighth regeneration.

But I digress.

The new series returned, and as it went on it got better and better. RTD was -- perhaps -- a little overly obsessed with Daleks, but that aside the plots, the development and the series got better as they went on. I am not necessarily convinced that Martha was a better companion than Rose, but Donna was definitely better than both of them. And the final two episodes were outstanding.

And then the first phase -- Phase 1, if I might steal a phrase from Marvel -- came to an end, and everything changed. There were some people who were worried -- handing the role over to someone so young (He was two years younger than Peter Davison was when he got the role, and -- as a fun fact -- he hadn't even been born when Peter Davison got the role) -- but it soon became apparent that he was more than capable.

For me? He -- along with Tom Baker and Peter Davison -- have been the best people to play The Doctor yet. This is partly out of the talent they've brought to the role, but also because of The Companions they've had along side them and the stories they have been given.

When I was a kid, I watched a series called Press Gang, and it was maybe one of the best series on TV at the time. It was smart, witty, snappy and the characters were well written, well developed and well acted.

Some years later, my most beloved introduced me to Coupling. And again -- smart, witty, snappy with well written, well developed and well acted characters.

So when Phase 2 of Doctor Who came around, and it turned out to be smart, witty and snappy with well written, well developed and well acted characters, it shouldn't have turned out to be much of a surprise that the man who was responsible for Press Gang and Coupling was also responsible for the new incarnation. He created the new Doctor, and -- at the time -- the two greatest Companions. And then -- after he wrote them out in maybe the most heart-breaking exit of all time -- he introduced another companion who can easily stand alongside them.

I have written -- a lot -- about how good the 50th anniversary episode was, so I am going to resist the urge to write an essay about it here. But even now -- nearly ten years later -- they have yet to write an episode that was anywhere near as good, or anywhere near as effective.

Really the only fly in the ointment was the final series of Phase 2. It wasn't the best work he has done -- rumours abound that he was asked to write another series so there wouldn't be an entire year when Doctor Who wasn't on the air and he didn't entirely want to do it -- and it kind of shows in places (especially since Bill's fate is pretty much the same as Clara's). However even with that in mind, the Veritas arc (Extremis, The Pyramid, The Lie) is surprisingly good and very well written.

I have very little to say about Phase 3 -- mostly because I was taught if you don't have anything nice to say then you should either say nothing at all, or you should say it sarcastically so people think you are joking.

However my main point is that Steven Moffat has been one of my favourite writers since I was a child. He has written some of the best episodes, created some of the best characters and was in charge of the show during the greatest time it was running. And since his departure -- since it was handed over to someone else -- it has, alas, undeniably gone downhill.

"Do you hear the Whisper Men? The Whisper Men are near. If you hear the Whisper Men then turn away your ear. Do not hear the Whisper Men, whatever else you do. For once you've heard the Whisper men, they'll stop and look at you"

x-x-x

So -- for anyone paying attention, you will have noticed that Day 26 should have been “whisper” and Day 27 should have been “apocalypse”

Sorry about that -- I was convinced yesterday was “apocalypse” so I forgot to check the prompt before I started writing, and I didn’t realise my mistake until today.

I guess these things happen.

#may myself and i #mmi year 3 #day 27 #whisper

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paigenotblank · 7 years

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Self Rec Meme

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with five of your favorite fics that you’ve written, then pass on to at least five other writers.

I was tagged by @chocolatequeennk Thank you!

Going to the Chapel: (Mature) Part of my (ongoing) Embracing Life series, in which the Doctor stops running and embraces a life with Rose after nearly losing her (fyi – the series will eventually feature kids, and Rose is pregnant in this fic, in case that’s not your thing). This was meant to be a fluffy little ficlet showcasing their wedding, but when I started writing I had trouble actually envisioning their wedding and so I just kept writing. It became about the planning stages, and then it became a reunion with Jack, and then it became a gallifreyan handfasting until finally I could see their Earth ceremony. It turned into a 11K+ word, 4 chapter fic. What I love about this is seeing the little things that go on in their lives together and how their relationship grows. Loose ends are tied up allowing them to move forward in their life together. Also chapter 3, the handfasting, is something I’m actually quite proud with how it turned out. I surprise even myself sometimes. (Ten x Rose)

Penance and Pain: (Explicit) I have no idea where this came from and I honestly didn’t think I was capable of writing something like this. I think I got the idea when I commented on someone else’s fic (or maybe the thought just crossed my mind) that the Ninth Doctor would be the Doctor with the most sexual kinks. I have to say I was pretty shocked by how much this fic took off ( @fleurdeneuf I’m looking at you, cuz i think you had a big part in sharing it before i was even on tumblr - thank you!), but I’m thrilled that people like it, because I love it too. This is completely how I think the Ninth Doctor would be with Rose if he’d had the chance. Hard around the edges but a complete softy on the inside, especially for Rose. (Nine x Rose). [PS – there is a sequel: The Light of Day]

Hold on Tightly: (Explicit) This is Rose and Tentoo’s first time together. The premise is that Rose and the Doctor had had an existing sexual relationship prior to them being separated. Rose is distracted by the differences between the Time Lord and the half-human Doctor, but quickly recognizes that they are the same in the most important ways. And when the new Doctor takes her hand, she realizes he is the Doctor and she's made it home. (Metacrisis Tenth Doctor x Rose)

A Little Bit of Hope (version 2): (General) This is a fluffy little fic that has Rose and her children running into the Eleventh Doctor at an amusement park giving him a small peek of the future. I think it's sweet and it makes me smile. I got the idea for this when watching Cold War and the Doctor pulls a Barbie doll out of his pocket. This tells the story of how it got there. It’s a prequel to my As It Should Be series, though it could just as easily be the epilogue - timey wimey and all that. It’s version two because it was originally written prior to the announcement for the Thirteenth Doctor and I needed to tweak it to reflect Jodie Whitaker’s casting. (Eleven x Rose, Thirteen x Rose)

A Moment of Solace: (Explicit) I adore the Eighth Doctor and this is my first attempt at writing him. It features an Eighth Doctor running from any involvement in the Time War and a dimension hopping Rose trying to get back to the Tenth Doctor. They are both weary and yet manage to draw strength from the other. This has a little bit of everything, telepathic-bond/marriage between the Doctor and Rose, Time War back story, smut, hurt/comfort, reunion, and a Journey’s End fix-it. (Eight x Rose, Ten x Rose)

Honorable Mention:

The Merry Adventure of Marion (General): So I really enjoy mixing past with present (aka crossing timelines) between the Doctors and Rose. I like to think that Rose would pull out parts of conversation she’s had with the Doctor in the future and tease the Doctor in the past with it, and if that inspires the future Doctor to say it to Rose in the first place, well what’s a little circular paradox among friends? This little fic is just a fun romp between Rose and the Second Doctor, while Rose is dimension hopping. She recognizes the Doctor immediately and has a little fun with him, without letting on who she is. It briefly features the Second Doctor’s companions Jamie and Zoe, and it set during the Twelfth Doctor episode Robot of Sherwood. (Second Doctor x Rose)

I think most everyone has done this already, but if you haven’t and you want to consider yourself tagged! I love finding out which works are close to the author’s heart.

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berjhawn · 7 years

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Lost Lothlorien Princess - Part 10 - Lothlorien

Warnings: None bad, just some arguing and confrontations

Pairings: LOTR X Reader

Parts;

Part 1 - High School

Part 2 - Rivendell

Part 3 - Concerning Hobbits

Part 4 - Merry and Pippin

Part 5 - Bree

Part 6 - Aragorn

Part 7 - The Council

Part 8 - The Road Ahead

Part 9 - Moria

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lothlorien… I had wanted to come here since the moment I learned Galadriel was my mother. I suddenly feel my body start to shake with nervousness as we glance forward to see in the distance the shimmer of the large forest of Lothlorien. As we near the forest I pull away from Boromir and giving him a forced smile say, “Thank you,” He gives me a slight nod before moving in front of me leaving me to bring up the rear of our fellowship.

I had known he was going to fall and I even knew that he was still alive but that didn’t stop the hurt. Especially as I look at all the saddened faces around me. I wish I could tell them but I knew against it, they would all learn in due time. As we run across a forest floor strewn with yellow flowers, above is a roof of golden leaves, held up by silver pillars; the trunks of huge, grey trees. I find myself staring in awe.

“Stay close, young hobbits. They say a Sorceress lives in these woods. An elf-witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell, and are never seen again!” Gimli says and I narrow my eyes as I say, “Watch it Gimli, that’s my mother you’re talking about.”

All save for Aragorn and Legolas stop and stare at me wide eyed. “Well, here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!” Gimli continues suddenly stopping as an elf appears an arrow aimed right at his face.

The Fellowship looks around as we are suddenly surrounded by armed Elves, deadly arrows aimed at their heads. An elf with long blond hair steps forward and he looks at Gimli with disdain. “The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark.” I narrow my eyes about to say something hateful when Aragorn chimes in with, “Haldir of Lorien, we come here for your help. We need your protection.”

“Aragorn! These woods are perilous. We should go back.” Gimli says obviously uncomfortable to be surrounded by elves.

“You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Wood. You cannot go back.” Haldir says his eyes locking onto Frodo. “Come, she is waiting.” He continues not even looking at me. I try again to say something when Legolas touches my arm and shakes his head. I tilt my head in confusion but remain quiet. Why didn’t he want me to say anything?

Haldir leads us onto a Hill Top. When we arrive I stare in wonderment at the vista spread before us. Several miles towards the South, a Large Hill rises out of the woods. Upon the hill rise many mighty Mallorn Trees, taller than any others. Nestled high in the crown of the Mallorns is a Beautiful City. It gleams in the low rays of the late afternoon sun; green, gold, and silver.

To the east of Caras Galadhon, the Woods of Lorien run down the pale gleam of Anduin, the great river. Beyond the River, the land appears flat and empty, formless and vague, until far away, it rises again like a dark and dreary wall. The Sun that lies on Lothlorien has not power to enlighten the shadows that lie beyond.

We continue walking until we are brought to a large chamber. We step onto a wide fleet filled with a soft light. The walls are green and silver, the roof gold and in its midst is the trunk of the mighty Mallorn tree, now tapering toward its crown. A tall elf steps forward to greet his guests. His hair is long and silver, his face grave and beautiful, with no sign of age upon it. Next to him stands a female elf. She has hair of deep gold and timeless, unsurpassed beauty. “Nine there are, yet ten there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf, for I much desire to speak with him.” The male elf says but I can’t pull my eyes away from the female elf.

“The Quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail, to the ruin of all...Yet hope remains while the company is true.” The female elf says and my heart jumps in my throat as I realize that said elf is my own mother Galadriel. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace.” She finishes and I watch as everyone starts to walk away leaving me standing there staring like an idiot at the beautiful woman who was my mother.

She seems not to notice me until she happens to glance back at me her eyes widening as she says, “Henig,” She slowly starts to walk toward me making tears slowly fill my eyes as I say, “Nana,” Before I am able to react she throws her arms around me and says, “Goheno nin,” (I’m sorry.) I stand there for a moment before I finally let my arms wrap around her pulling her into me tightly.

“It’s okay, I forgive you.” She pulls away and smiling gently runs her hands through my hair as tears fill her eyes. “I should never have sent you away.” My body tenses as I say, “Then why did you? Didn’t you want me?” She reaches down and taking my hands in hers says, “Of course I wanted you, things were complicated and the only way to protect you was to send you away.”

“Why?” I ask starting to feel my anger get the better of me. Her face fills with sorrow and regret at she says, “Because I had no other choice, you my child are special.”

“How, how am I special?!” I yell out a little louder than I meant too as I rip my hands from hers.

“I cannot tell you.”

I scoff in anger as I lose my temper, “You can’t tell me, seriously? This is bullshit! Do you have any idea what I’ve been through?”

She stands straight her full height towering over me, “Do not speak to me like that, I am your mother!”

“Mother? Seriously you feel you have the right to call yourself my mother? No I had a mother and you are not her!”

My anger reaching its boiling point I turn a rush off into the direction my companions had gone. Gimli, Legolas, Merry, Pippin, Frodo and Sam are in a pavilion set among the trees near the fountain. They lie on soft couches as Elves leave food and wine for them.

When I reach them Aragorn turns toward me about to say something and I glare at him as I say, “Don’t even say it.” He raises his hands and I walk past him throwing myself down onto one of the lavish couches they had given the rest of my companions. I let out a scream into one of the pillows before rolling over onto my back and staring up at the ceiling. Mournful singing drifts down from the trees above.

“A lament for Gandalf,” I hear Legolas say sadly and I gulp down a breath of air as I slowly look over at my companions. “What do they say about him?” Merry asks and I bite my lips as I start deciphering their words myself.

“I have not the heart to tell you. For me, the grief is still too near.” Legolas says as he sits down on a couch near to mine. I sigh as I force myself to sit up and turning to him say, “Can I speak to you alone?” His blue eyes find mine before he nods and says, “You can.”

He stands up and gently holds his hand out to me. Taking it he lifts me to my feet and then turns heading down a long corridor with me following closely behind. When we are alone he turns to me and says, “What did you wish to speak to me about?” I sigh as I say, “I think it was a mistake to come here.”

“What do you mean?”

“I shouldn’t have come here I should have stayed in Rivendell, hell I should have stayed back home; even if the people who raised me were starting to regret it.” I feel his hands gently touch my upper arms as he says, “No one could regret knowing you.”

I sigh as I say, “I met my mother.”

“Oh,” He says curiosity in his voice.

“I blew it, I let my anger get the better of me. I wanted to know why she sent me away and when she said she couldn’t tell me I lost it. I said some things I shouldn’t have and I regret it.”

“Have you thought about telling her this?” I shake my head as I let out a heavy sigh. His hands tighten on my arms and I look up into his eyes. I felt like they were hiding some unknown feeling behind them.

I suddenly forget what I was saying as I find myself drowning in their deep blue pools. I stare at him as his eyes suddenly dart from mine to my lips making bite my lip. He reaches his hand up and gently touching my cheek smiles at me and says, “Êl síla erin lû e-govaned vîn.” (A star shines on the hour of our meeting.)

I smile as I say, “Hîr vuin Legolas,” (My Lord Legolas.) He smiles back at me as he tilts my chin up and gently places his lips against mine. As his lips touch mine my body erupts in a wave of passion making my arms fly up and wrap around his neck deepening our kiss. I suddenly realize that he smells like fresh pine needles and oak trees. I smile into his lips as I feel his hands wrap around my waist, everywhere his hands touched were starting to heat up.

I suddenly feel eyes on us and I pull away looking away from him instantly meeting the eyes of my mother. “Nana,” I say my eyes wide. She smiles as she says, “Legolas may I have a moment with my daughter?” I glance over to see his face tinted pink as he nods and says, “Of course my lady.” Before I am able to say anything he walks off leaving me there alone. ‘Dammit!’ I cry out in my head as I try to calm my heart.

“______, I want to apologize for everything I have done. When I had you, Middle Earth was not a safe place. We had just learned that Sauron had betrayed us and in result of the prelude to the war it was not safe for you. I used a little of your own magic to send you away from here. I did not know that you would have grown up in hardship.” I sigh as I walk over to her and say, “I didn’t have a hard life but it wasn’t easy.” She nods and I reach for her hands as I say, “I’m sorry I got so upset. It’s just I have dreamt of meeting you since I found out you were my mother; everything I wanted to ask you and I guess I let my temper get the better of me.”

“I forgive you, now I feel I should tell you what you wish to tear.” I raise an eyebrow as I say, “Didn’t you already tell me why you sent me away?” She nods as she says, “I have; but you also wish to know who your father is do you not?” My eyes widen as I say, “I do actually,” She takes a deep breath as she says, “You father’s name is Mithrandir,” My eyes widen as I realize who it is, “Gandalf? Gandalf is my father?” She nods as she says a faint smile on her beautiful face, “I was young and he was my first love.” I let out a sigh of relief as I say, “You don’t know how happy that makes me; I thought Sauron was my father.”

Her eyes narrow at me as she says, “What gave you that idea?” I quickly explain to her how I was somehow connected to the ring and she shakes her head. “That is strange to me, I do not understand.” I watch as her beautiful face tries to put together invisible pieces of my story. “Could it be that somehow Sauron got a hold of me before I left?” She shakes her head as she says, “Tis not possible you were-” she pauses a sudden recognition filling her face. “There was a brief moment after you were born when you were unsupervised. It is possible that somehow he may have sent a spy to do something to you.”

My eyes widen as I say, “Then that explains why he wants me. I am half elf, half Istari; there is no limit to my abilities. He wants me to change sides and help him.” I gulp down a breath of air before I say, “No matter what happens I will never join him. I know how this all plays out and he’s not the one who wins. Good shall triumph over evil.” She reaches over a smile covering her lips as she pulls my head toward her gently placing a kiss upon my brow. “I told you that you were special.” I smile as I throw my arms around her and say, “Thank you for telling me everything.”

“I wish you would stay here in Lorien with me, but I know you will not.” I smile as I say, “I will return to you.”

“I must go I am going to have a conversation with the ring bearer, but you already knew that.” I smile as I say, “I did.”

“One more thing before I take my leave, I see you and Legolas are getting to know each other.” My face flushes as I say, “I have decided that I will try to get to know him before I decide on whether or not I marry him.” She smiles as she starts to walk away leaving with a knowing look.

When she is gone I let out a heavy sigh. Knowing everything about myself didn’t seem to make me feel any better. I was still confused as to who I was and what I really wanted. I shake the thoughts from my head as I walk back to where my companions were. When I arrive my companions are asleep on their beds. Gimli is snoring loudly. I smile brightly as I walk over and grabbing a piece of bread walk back over to the couch I had been sitting on before and plopping down on it start nibbling on the bread. Before I know it I join them in sleep but my dreams were all but pleasant.

I glance around to see once again the familiar sight of Sauron’s great eye peering down upon me. “My child I see you have made it to Lothlorien, soon we shall be together again.” I hear his distorted voice say and my blood starts to curdle. “I am not you child!” I cry out trying my hardest to be brave. Suddenly he appears before me and I find myself staring at the very image of the mysterious man in my sketchbook. His face was surprisingly very handsome with his chestnut hair and glowing orange eyes, contrasting very well with his ivory skin.

“This isn’t possible,” I say as I stare wide eyed my body frozen in shock. “Is it not?” He says as he walks over to me raising his hand and gently touching my face. “You’ve grown even more beautiful than I could have even imagined, just like your mother.”

Finding my voice I pull away from him and say, “Do not touch me.” His eyes narrow their fire growing wilder. “Do you not know who brought you here? You are mine to control, to command.”

“I take orders from no one! You misogynistic prick!” I say as I find my anger and courage.

“You are my blood you will have no choice but to join me.” He says as sly smile covering his face.

“Jesus Christ how many times do I have to say it you are not my father!” His smile grows as he says, “I may not have been their when you were conceived but I was after your birth.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“I placed a piece of myself inside you, my blood is coursing through those veins of yours.” I all the sudden turn from him and hold up a hand as I say, “I think I’m gonna be sick.”

“You think yourself humorous?” He says once again reaching out and grabbing your arm this time his touch burns against your skin.

All the sudden I feel my anger grow as an unseen force fills my body. Jerking my arm out of his grasp I feel my voice turn distorted as I say, “I will not tell you again servant of Morgoth! Do not touch me!”

All the sudden a bright flash of light emanates from my body flowing out like a wave throwing Sauron back away from me him landing hard on the ground a few feet away. “I will not take too kindly to being manhandled!” I say my voice growing louder.

His eyes turn back to me, anger and rage filling them as he says, “This is not over, I shall have what I need. You will join my side it is inevitable.” Then without warning he turns back into the great eye of Sauron and as he rushes toward me I awaken breathing heavily a cold sweat pouring down my face.

I glance around at my companions still fast asleep and sigh. I still didn’t understand. My head starts to swim as the thoughts bombard my mind. Why did he call himself my father when he himself said he’s not? I groan out in annoyance as I run a hand through my hair. I look over to see that Frodo was now back and sleeping a few feet away from me.

All the memories of the books fill my mind making me smile. He was going through hell and it was only going to get worse but he would prevail. Such a lucky little Hobbit. Letting out a sigh I reach down and pulling my sketchbook out open it up to the picture of the mystery man and sighing write Sauron next to it.

I stare at the photo for a while before I once again glance up to see the sleeping faces of my friends. Smiling I flip to a blank page and taking a quick look at them start drawing their innocent sleeping forms. It was a few hours later before anyone woke up. By the time I finished my last drawing Boromir was rousing the Hobbits from their slumber. I watch as Boromir stares lovingly at Merry and Pippin as they fight against waking up.

I knew I couldn’t let him die, he was overall a peaceful soul. Here in this moment I make a vow to keep all my companions alive no matter the costs. I see Legolas rise out of the corner of my eye and my face flushes pink. All the sudden I feel his breath by my ear and I turn to see him smiling at my drawing.

“Tis a fair likeness.” He says and I turn back to see that the page he was looking at was of him sleeping and I instantly close the book my face now as red as an apple. “Um I uh,” I stumble with my words as he smiles and giving me a polite nod heads over to where Aragorn was packing.

I groan out in frustration as I stand and placing my sketchbook back in my bag say, “See if I kiss you again.”

“Kiss whom?” I hear a familiar male voice say and my eyes widen as I turn to see Boromir smirking at me.

“Um nothing,” I say as I force a laugh. “I’m just gonna- yeah okay.” I turn and quickly make my way to a wash tub and wash my face hoping that it would make my blush go away.

A few moments later we are called in small elven boats. We row away from the Lothlorien Shore into the Silverlode River. Elves quietly watch us depart. I think back to right before we left and smile as I remember the gifts my mother had given everyone. I watch as handing Legolas a bow says, “My gift to you Legolas is a Bow of the Galadhrim; worthy of the skill of our woodland kin.” Smiling she moves to Merry and Pippin to whom she gives two daggers saying, “These are the daggers of Anoduili, they have already seen service in war. Do not fear young Peregrin Took, you will find your courage.”

“And for you young Samwise Gamgee, elven rope known as Hithline.” Sam nods before glancing at Merry and Pippin and saying, “Do you not have anymore of those nice shiny daggers?” causing Galadriel to smile brightly. When she arrives at Gimli she asks, “And what gift would a dwarf ask of us elves?”

“Nothing, except to look upon the lady Galadriel on last time; For she is more fair than all the jewels beneath the Earth.” He replies making my mother laugh fondly. He starts to walk away before he stops and turning back says something none of us are able to hear.

When she arrives at Aragorn she says, “I have nothing greater to give, than the gift you already bare.” The next few sentences I avoid listening to, to give them some privacy. She then moves to Frodo as she gives Frodo a small Crystal Phial. “Farewell, Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of Earendil, our most beloved star.” She says with a smile before she gently places a kiss on his forehead. “May it be light for you in dark places when all other lights go out.” She then moves to Boromir to whom she gives a solid gold belt crafted in Lórien, shaped like linked golden leaves.

When she reaches me she smiles and kisses my brow. “There is nothing I can give you save for my undying love and promise that if you ever need me I shall be there.” I smile as I wrap my arms around her and say, “Gi melin Nana,” Her arms tighten around me as she says so only I can hear, “Be safe my child.”

Then with a quick nod my companions and I climb into the boats and start rowing down the river. As our boats drift past, Galadriel stands alone, watching from the banks of the river giving us a single wave. The boats pass into the great river Anduin. The Three Elven boats carry the Fellowship steadily southward. Green trees slowly give way to a brown and withered land.

“I have taken the last swoon of this parting, for I looked my last upon that which was fairest. Henceforth I will recall nothing fairer than her gift to me.” Gimli says causing me to smile. “What was it?” Legolas asks as he slowly places his row into the water. “I asked her for one hair from her golden head, she gave me three.” I smile as I gently place my hand into the water letting it trail along creating ripples that trailed behind us.

Will Continue in - Boromir

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