Withered Leaves

Disclaimer-I own nothing you recognize, everything belongs to Tolkien and estate.

Chapter 1-Restless

The leaves whispered in Imladris that day.

Totally unremarkable in every way was that day, so far as remarkable days go, as nothing of importance happened that day.

But, of course, opinions do differ, and for the girl who is one of the subjects of our narrative, this day was to be marked as one of the most important days of her life.

The wind wasn't howling ominously, nor was the rain pouring down in torrents as it often did when it felt tiresome enough to do so.

But there was a strange atmosphere of welling anticipation in the air, as though something indefinable was lurking evasively, quite at home with the shadows, like an elusive scent.

But not everyone noticed it, very few actually stopped to consider it, as they had far more important things to do, but the girl, who was relatively young and guileless, spent many pleasant hours thinking of it.

She was seen to be a lady of some mere three hundred years, perhaps a little small for her age, with large brown eyes, and sharp ears that heard far more than they should.

She was a healer by trade, although it could more accurately be called a hobby, as she had no compulsion to work at all. But being the daughter of a wealthy lord in Elrond's court she had a relatively easy life, if a trifle insipid.

The girl in question was shredding tough bunches of a particular sort of leaf found only next to Rivendell's waterfall, useful for chest aches and other bodily aches.

She had two siblings, and in spite of this, she managed to make herself thoroughly lonely. Her brother was an ambitious young warrior training to become a part of Rivendell's prestigious border patrol, and her sister had married a quiet young man of Cirdan's people and had since gone to live with his family some twenty years ago.

Her brother had married some time before, and had leg shackled himself to a thoroughly agreeable, self-possessed lady a little younger than him.

Ara, for that was the sister-in-law's name, was later found to be shockingly forward and overbearing, though at times proved to be very entertaining company.

In spite of all this, Mavwyn always made vague attempts to avoid Ara whenever she could, retaining a rather childish dislike of the older woman that was all too common in stable families.

Ara did not share the same interests that Mavwyn did, she had more interest in the shocking fashions displayed at the glamorous event that was Rivendell's court.

Mavwyn, to Ara's disappointment, displayed only a passing interest in the vicious world of high society, despite having excellent taste in clothing, and preferred to spend many joyous hours of childish glee procuring balms for many rare diseases that Ara saw no point in.

Ara however, left Mavwyn severely alone when she fell into times of depression, hearing that it was common among healers, even Lord Elrond was known for his fits of moodiness sometimes!

Now, it was a long standing legend, although perhaps rubbish, that if the leaves of the willows of Imladris' wild gardens whispered, that day would be special indeed.

Now, Mavwyn normally paid no heed to rumours that were probably untrue, but this tale appealed to her naïve heart, and after an afternoon of tiresome leaf grinding, she decided to visit the willows.

There was an ambling, rarely used path to the wooded area, the ground was littered with moss and dead leaves and the air was old and stifling, the silence broken by the shattering cries of a bat or two, swooping ominously over her head, unseeing milky white eyes piercing her like a sword, beautiful wings, cutting through the stagnant air, brought cool breeze to her face and cooled it slightly.

At last she left the path and veered slightly to the right.

There, in all their glory, stood the famed willows of Imladris.

They were tall, and graceful arched up high, as though seeking light in darkness, their kind motherly boughs stretched in kind temptation toward her enticingly.

With a few quick moments she was able to swing herself onto one of its boughs.

There were dozens of the majestic trees, dotted sparsely across the landscape of Imladris.

But this was one of the largest groups of trees that were ever there, and often she had shivered, thinking of the tles of Orodrim, the Ents, what if they woke up to their anger and crushed her like the mere twig she was?

Irrational thoughts, yes, but they were fuelled by her longing for the old tales to come true, like pages from a book, tales that seemed so impossible.

The willows were very kind to her that day, they looked upon her benevolently, like she was not an imposition, but rather a guest, humble and small in front of her betters.

Presently, almost dozing off from the peaceful area, she heard rustles.

Who is there? She asked frantically, for she guarded this place jealously, it was almost her own, the others had been driven away by the unpleasant darkness and it did not occur to her that the thought was selfish.

The leaves rustled louder, in anger it seemed, for soon there were showers of leaves falling on her head and she was frightened.

Who are you? She asked desperately, choking on a sob.

The fearful rustling stopped and now the trees seemed apologetic, and they seemed to caress her gently, rocking her gently.

Pray, do not cry. Someone told her, female, yet—old, and so wise…

Motherly, though the voice was, Mavwyn was still a little wary.

The willows, young daughter. The voice chided her gently.

You have woken them while they were sleeping. Mavwyn was shocked.

Perhaps, to appease the kind voice's barely hidden irritation, she stroked the trunk of the trees.

Quickly and noiselessly she slid down its trunk and dazedly walked away.

Farewell, young daughter. The old willow woman said sleepily, yet there seemed to be an undercurrent of kind, contemptuous laughter in her tone.

And as she went, she was quiet sure that the trees were moving away from her path.

Certainly today will be something different. She thought hopefully.

And certainly it was.

Did anyone like it:)
Read and Review please. I know I should be updating Redemption Earned, but this just popped into my head for no reason at all and I couldn't get it out of my head.:) Sorry.

I'm pretty sure I'll be updating RE in maybe two or threee days.:) Sorry.