*first person pov* (italics are elvish btw except for the song part)
There were voices all around. People were cheering, laughing, daring people to do things, reconciling over a fallen friend, and there was a drinking game in front of me.
So why did I feel so immensely lonely?
Maybe it was because I missed my friends, my crew. In another time, all of the people around me would be my crewmates. The sounds of gruffy laughing escaping their lips would be Jonathan. Or Ivan. Out of everyone they always had a louder and booming laugh.
The table besides me who were having an arm wrestle would've been Radelia and Kiaan. They were always the muscle on the ship, and they'd like to taunt each other by challenging themselves with arm wrestling or lifting heavy things, and the person who drops it first loses.
Most of the times the game would end in a tie, or they would lose not long after the other does. Maybe in another life they would've been twins, the only thing distinct about them were just their face complexion and the fact that Kiaan is a human and lia is an elf.
The girls dancing to the music and singing to each other would be Freya and Daratrine. They always had a certain grace and femininity in them regardless of how strong they fight or do something considered "manly".
Astrid would be the old lady leaning against the pillars, arms crossed and a crease between her brows. Being the healer and health expert on our ship, she's the lookout and care taker whenever we drink. Especially if we're not on our ship and in a random tavern somewhere, she makes sure we don't end up hung over the next day because of the drinks. Or making sure a fight doesn't break out amongst us and the strangers.
Alva doesn't drink. Since what happened between her and her father she doesn't bother to drink anymore, afraid to end up exactly like him. So she's always the person who refills the drink, like Eomer here. But she always has more fun sober, so she never really misses out on anything.
Like the guy who is passed out two tables to my right, Emira would end up exactly like him early in the drinking. She's a major lightweight, so after 2 drinks she'd already passed out. Astrid just shakes her head and volunteers to carry her to her hammock. Where she would sleep like a dead person until 5 in the morning.
In which she would wake us up early as fuck when we just want to sleep.
I sigh. When I see my ship I'm gonna hug every single person in my crew.
Legolas and Gimli were still drinking. Gimli looked the worse for wear, his hair was a mess and foam was dripping on his beard. Legolas on the other hand, still looked well put and conscious.
Honestly well put is an understatement. He looked beautiful. He had his tunic on, the silver complimenting his blonde hair. His blue eyes shined in the brightly lit room, and not a single drop of the ale was spilled from his mouth.
When I first set eyes on him I had to resist the urge to latch on to him and kiss his soft lips. He looked comfortable without his armour and journey garbs, it made me want to hold on to his hand and never let go. Never let him be more further from me ever again.
Legolas's eyes caught mine, he brought the tankard up to his lips and winked. A mischievous smirk on his face.
I roll my eyes at his arrogance, I couldn't help but smile at his confidence. He probably caught me staring at him, which was why he felt the need to acknowledge it. Shit, he better not sense what I was thinking or else we'll be in big trouble.
Gimli sniggers besides Legolas, which made me remember how the both of us weren't the only one in the room with each other's faces in front of us.
Gimli slightly rises from his seat and farts. Eomer takes another take towards Gimli as he refills another cup for legolas.
I laugh loudly, a hand covering my mouth slightly. Personally I wasn't really disgusted by it. I'm a pirate for fuck's sake, I've seen more worse things regardless of drunk people.
"Here here." He takes another sip and groans. "it's the dwarves that go swimming with hairy women." Gimli burps and takes another cup.
"interesting taste in women but I'll take it." I cross my arms, still smiling at the chaos ensuing in front of me. And to think that Legolas was involved in it, oh how was this for a sight?
"you never know unless you try it lassie." Gimli points the tankard at me and cackles.
Suddenly Legolas stares at his fingers and speaks up. "I feel something."
Me and Eomer turn to each other, our brows raised. Is there an actual chance we'll be seeing drunk legolas tonight?
"A slight tingle in my fingers, I think it's affecting me." Legolas's brows furrowed, he looks up to us, his face concerned then turning to Gimli.
Gimli slammed his empty tankard on the table, besides his mountain pile of other cups. "what did I say? He can't hold his liquor." He slurred the words, then his eyes went cross and his head starts to slowly fall back until he ends up on the floor with a bang.
We watch as Gimli falls, Legolas raises his eyebrows, then turn to me and Eomer. "Game over." He grins.
The men all around over heard and started patting Legolas on the shoulder and congratulating him. I clap loudly and gave him a proud but slightly surprised smile.
Eomer nudged me with his elbow. "you owe me." He smirked and took a sip of his celebratory ale.
I groan, forgetting about the bet that we made. "ah shit, I don't have anything on me right now. I'll pay you in the morning savvy? Remind me tomorrow alright, I tend to forget about these things sometimes." I frown, trying to remember all the money I owe.
"alright. And good luck with the man." Eomer winked, before going on his way.
I tilt my head. Who was he talking about?
"how did I do?" Legolas behind me asked.
I turn to him. Ah, I get it now.
I cross my arms, putting a finger to my lips, pretending to look like I'm thinking it through. "hmmm let me think, you at least drank ale. And more than 20 cups at that so I'm proud of you for that." I point at him, shifting my feet and pretending to think again.
Legolas smiled as I said that.
"Although you hesitated to drink the ale at first so we gotta make you drink more of those so you'll be more used to it."
Legolas's eyes went wide and he shook his head. "Oh valar please never make me drink any of those foul things anymore." He begged.
"oh come on! It not that bad!" I laughed.
He shook his head and grimaced at his pile of cups that he managed to drink a while ago. "It's disgusting, my tongue feels numb and the taste of ale feels stuck on my mouth." He stuck out his tongue and looked at it.
"forever." Legolas shuddered.
I couldn't help but burst out laughing. "you're such an elven princeling you know that?"
"if it means not liking something as horrible as ale then yes I am." Legolas said, his face still looking traumatized by the drinking game. Then suddenly, out of nowhere his shoulders started to tense up and he traced the lines in his hands.
I looked at his hands and up to him. He looked weirdly alert. I try to focus on my surroundings, listening and looking for any threats. I frown, there was nothing. Did it fade out as I try to focus?
"Hey what's wrong?" I asked Legolas, taking his hand in mine.
He looked down on my fingers that were intertwined with his. He took a deep breath, and started to stammer between his words. "uh...um Ral can I- do you mind if I ask you something ?"
I raise my eyebrows, smiling nervously. He was speaking in elvish, What has gotten into him?
"yeah sure what is it about? " I reply back in elvish.
"I think this is best to be heard in a more quiet environment." Legolas said, looking around the room.
"alright, I don't mind some fresh air anyways." I chuckle. Legolas chuckles back, albeit more nervously.
Just as we were about to move out of the room, Pippin and Merry call out my name.
"Maeral! Sing with us!" Two small figures grab hold of my hands.
"What??" I said in disbelief, a small chuckle escaped from my lips. I don't mind singing in front of a crowd, but right now?
"Oh come on! It'll be fun!" Merry prodded for me to sing with them.
I shake my head. "I'm pretty sure there are way more better singers in this room compared to me, it's probably better if you ask them." I look at Legolas, sending him a message through my eyes for him to agree with me.
Of course he understood what I meant but instead did the opposite of what I asked.
"I don't know Ral, maybe these rohirrims want to listen to an elf maidens voice. It's not always elves go through Rohan." Legolas smirked, putting emphasis on elf maiden.
"you know I was never the elegant singer compared to the other girls in my kingdom. Besides, how about the thing you wanted to talk to me about?" I said, mirroring Legolas's smirk.
"That thing can wait. Besides, I never said anything about being elegant did I?"
I roll my eyes, punching Legolas softly on his shoulder. "you better tell me what it is you want to tell me about later okay?"
The playfulness in his body seemed to run away and his body was tense again. He gave a tight lipped smile and nodded.
"Alright hobbits, what song is it you want me to sing?" I clasped my hands together, rubbing them so I'll be more psyched.
"It's your choice, as long as we know the song." Pippin shrugged.
I scratch my neck, trying to think of one that is not too long nor too short for me to sing without the audience getting bored too fast.
I snap my fingers, gaining Pippin's and Merry's attention.
"I got it." I smiled and turned to them.
They rise their eyebrows, trying to make sense of what song I'm going to be singing.
"you know that one song that I sang on Pippin's fifteenth birthday? The one about the three brothers who built a prospering country?"
"oh yeah! the name of the song is soldier, poet, king right?" Pippin asked, his face lighting up as he remembers the times where me and my crew would sing whenever we visit the shire.
I nod at them.
Merry and Pippin jumped on the table, knocking out some plates and cups in the process. "Hear hear! since you lot want another song, we shall give you one!" Merry shouted, throwing his hands up in the air. The men cheered and clinked their cups with one another.
"But first, we want to invite our lovely friend, Maeral to sing with us." Merry held out his hand to my way. Heads turn to me and the crowd erupted like a volcano, Nelda and Fastred's voice being the loudest.
Legolas and the rest of the people in the fellowship stood besides a pillar, Gimli was beaming like a ray of sunshine. Aragorn was standing with a supporting smile on his face, Legolas on the other hand stood with a sly smirk.
I'm gonna give them a performance they'll never forget.
A man placed a chair in front of the table for me to step on, I smile at him and took his hand that was held out to me.
"Thanks darling." I winked. The man gawked at me, nodded and almost fell on his feet when he stepped back.
I faced the crowd, everyone was looking up to me like I'm a deity. And honestly I could live with that.
"alright lads, I'm sure you know this one. It's a famous song, 'specially round these parts." I remarked, before the music starts to play.
I hummed to the music, tapping my foot softly. Some people in the crowd shushed the drunken men who were being grumbling and mumbling to themselves and their friends.
there will come a soldier
Who carries a mighty sword
He will tear your city down
Oh lei, oh lai, oh, Lord. I lift my hands, urging the rest of the people to follow along with the song.
Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh, Lord. The rest of the crowd understood, their voices singing along in perfect harmony, low and high voices alike.
He will tear your city down.
Oh lei, Oh lai, oh lei, Oh, lord.
I smiled and held out a hand to them, giving them a sign to stop.
The music danced around, the guitar playing softly, the violin twirling the notes around.
There will come a poet
Whose weapon is His word
He will slay you with his tongue
Oh lei, oh lai, oh, Lord. I lift my hands again, the crowd smiled and started to harmonize.
Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh, Lord
He will slay you with His tongue
Oh lei, oh lai, oh, Lord
The music started to dance again, the guitar and violin picking up a quicker pace and a more louder sound.
Merry and Pippin harmonized around the music. I smiled and did the same.
There will come a ruler. The three of us sang together now, we stomp our foot more louder this time.
Everyone else stomped their feet and clapped along to the song.
Whose brow is laid in thorn. My voice was in the lead now, Merry and Pippin vocalized and danced along to the song.
Smeared with oil like David's boy
Oh lei, oh lai, oh, Lord. I raise my hands, the crowd started to sway and sing their lungs out.
Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh, Lord
Smeared with oil like David's boy. Merry's voice started to meld in with mine, with pippin vocalizing in the background.
Oh lei, oh lai, oh, Lord
Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh, Lord. I could see even Aragorn and Legolas joining in with a grin on their faces.
I smiled and locked eyes with Legolas, his voice starts to get more louder, with a proud smile on his face.
Smeared with oil like david's boy
Oh lei, oh lai, oh, Lord. Gimli laughs, singing along with much joy in his heart.
Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh, Lord. The crowd starts to sing louder, swaying with an arm around their partners and another hand stretched out with a drink in their hands.
He will tear your city down, oh lei, oh laiiiii-. Merry's voice was in the lead now, he held on to that final note, before giving an exaggerated bow.
Ohh!
Merry and Pippin danced around, dragging me into it too. People also started to dance along to the joyful music playing before we get on to the next verse.
A laugh escaped my lips, merry and Pippin laughed too. With the cheers and ruckus of the people behind us creating a perfect symphony.
Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh lai, oh. We stopped spinning and faced each other, grinning our asses off. With the crowd also singing along too.
Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh lai, oh
Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh lai. In this moment everyone sang along, even Theoden and Gandalf. everyone held on to the final notes, their voices growing with each syllable spoken.
Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh lai, oh!
The music stopped, I stretched my arms out. Pippin and Merry were breathing heavily, with a crooked grin on their faces.
The crowd cheered and clapped. I faced the crowd, taking off my hat and giving a deep bow with my hat in my outstretched hand.
"Thank you Thank you! I hope the song was a delight and good night!" I jump off the table, headed towards Legolas and Aragorn who were now sitting on a sofa, with Aragorn breathing heavily and laughing along.
The crowd groaned, asking for more. I wave their requests off, pretending to breath heavily and saying next time.
And honestly the crowd wasn't bad, who knows? maybe there will be a next time.
"There she is." Aragorn grinned, waving his hands around and bowing his head. "pirate captain of the hour."
I breathed out a chuckle, plopping down on the sofa and putting my feet up on the table. "how did I sound?"
Legolas besides me laughs. "you were amazing."
"amazing was an understatement. You were astounding!" Gimli dropped down on the sofa with a cup of ale in his hand. Causing me to scoot closer to Legolas. He tensed.
"Thank you for the kind compliments my dear sirs, make sure to pay me the next time you see me perform." I said, rubbing my fingers together. Meaning money.
Gimli and Aragorn bursted out laughing, Legolas on the other hand just gave a wry chuckle.
Suddenly a hand clasps my shoulder. I turn back, seeing Darvyn behind me. "we're about to go home. Brea is probably going insane taking care of the kids alone, I'll see ya tomorrow yeah?"
"oh hang on I'll go with you." I spring out of the sofa, about to go with Darvyn then stopped short.
I turn back to Legolas. "Wait I forgot, what was it you wanted to tell me Legolas? is it important cause if not I'll..." I motioned to Darvyn, he stood next to me with a raised brow.
"oh uh..." Legolas stammered and glanced at Aragorn and Gimli, gulping nervously. "no not really, I can tell you after you get back." He smiled. Way too widely than usual.
"okay, I'll see you guys later!" I waved them goodbye, following Darvyn out of the halls.
Legolas waved back. Although a bit more meekly.
A/n: HELLOOOOOOO IM BACK!! sorry for the late update yall I had like writers block lol so like i got stuck a lotta times. This chapter is inspired by daisy jones and the six btw Im on episode 3 rn and I love it sm AND DAISY HELLO??? SHES SO FINE.
anyways hope yall liked this chapter and vote for it if you thought it was good!!