Fangorn was known to many as the forest of gloom and darkness. The forest where strange things happened to those who entered. The forest where only the mad ventured and few who went in ever came out. It was only a few centuries ago that the Elves had taught the trees of Fangorn how to speak and move. Now one of the most ancient trees was chosen for a special task. The Elf who had decided to attempt this feat, stepped up to the tree and placed his hand upon it; he smiled as the tree greeted him and let him know that it was ready for the attempt. The Elf began to sing, to sing a song of life and joy.
For four and a half days, the Elf and tree remained in contact with one another, and the Elf did not stop singing. His song was entwined with an ancient magic, which the trees helped channel from the very air around them. Then after the sun had reached its zenith on the fifth day, it happened. The trunk of the ancient tree rippled and a small crack appeared in the center. The crack widened golden light spilling out of the crack and shining out across the clearing. The light grew brighter, blinding the Elf momentarily, and then it was gone. The crack was sealed and at the base of the most ancient tree, laid an Elf maiden. She had emerged fully clothed in a dress green as the leaves of this ancient tree. Her hair was black as night, her figure was lithe, as all Elves were. Yet there was something different about this particular Elf. Even so soon after she emerged from the tree, he could sense the specialness of this Elf, he knew that she was important, though he was not sure why.
He removed his hand from the tree, and smiled widely down at this new Elf, this Elf that he had created with song and magic. As he gazed down at the unconscious Elf maid, a sense of doom came over him, and he knew that what he had done would not come without a great price. He would give his life so the maiden could have a chance at one of her own. The Elf smiled down at the maid, he knew the trees would be her guardians until she learned enough to venture out on her own. His only sadness came from knowing that he could not be there to teach her anything himself. He could feel the Valar calling to him and he knew he could not tarry any longer. He bent over the unconscious figure and whispered her name into her ear. Then he departed through the trees, never to be seen or heard from, again.
Freya slowly opened her eyes and she gazed around in wonder at the different colors, textures, plants, and insects. Her eyes were large blue-green pools flecked with gold; the gold of the sunlight which fell through the branches of the trees to illuminate the forest floor. Slowly she sat up, and looked around at her surroundings. Her large eyes wide as she attempted to take in all the sights of the forest. Freya saw the leafy-moss covered trees, the large-fragrant flowers, the rough-stone of the rocks, the water running merrily down the streams. She saw the way that the sunlight filtered down through the dense branches and leaves, to pool on the carpet of fallen leaves. Freya sat up straighter, as she heard the trees singing around her. She heard them talk to one another, she understood them, and she found that she could speak to them.
In one smooth motion, she got to her feet and turned her face upwards to see as far up the enormous tree, as she could. Freya felt that there was something special about this tree, she felt closer to this particular tree than to any other. This was her tree, she knew that the instant that she placed her hand upon the rough bark of the tree. She wondered what it would be like to be at the top of the tree, how high was it from the ground? Freya didn't have to think about it, she simply leapt and then she was sitting among the uppermost branches of her tree. She looked out over the vast expanse of Fangorn, the trees stretched as far as she could see in nearly every direction. There was only one place where the forest was not there, and that place was occupied by a tower of black stone. For a long while, she stared at the tower. It did not seem right to her, she did not think the tower was a good place, or if it was…then it would not remain one.
She stayed up there well into the night, counting the stars and listening to the trees as they sang to one another.
Time meant nothing to the trees of Fangorn, and so it meant nothing to Freya. What did trees care for seasons, or gaining another year in age? They cared about the sun, rain, life, and occasionally the destruction of orcs who came to cut down a tree. Freya had no contact with anyone or anything outside of Fangorn; she had not even met another Elf. Yet that would change, and the meeting with another Elf, would change her as well.
The day she met an Elf by the name of "Tharadain", she had been wandering the hidden paths of Fangorn and trying to find the guardians which the trees sometimes spoke of. Freya moved slowly through the trees, not attracting attention and not startling any of the wildlife she came across. This was how she saw him long before he noticed her. She watched him and wondered where he was going to in such a hurry. Freya knew that he was an Elf, and she was curious as to what he was doing in her forest. Not that she minded, it was just odd to see another Elf.
Alright, so this is the prequel to: The girl who followed the king. It is about how Raven came to be and parts of her life in Fangorn before her abduction. This story will probably not be very long, as I simply wanted to give an overview of her life. I hope that it is enjoyable, any feedback would be great. Thank you so much.