1NIENNA
Author: Tammy
Ratings and Warnings: Rated R – NC-17, angst, violence, adult situations, no spoilers
Summary: An A/U. . . She was said to be one of the greatest beauties on Middle Earth, or so he had heard. Haldir will soon discover for himself what awaits him by the sea, when he accompanies the Lord and Lady of Lothlórien to the island of Cirana to visit its king and his daughter.
Pairings: Haldir/OFC
Disclaimer: Firstly, for legal purposes of course, I do not own any of the characters, places, plots, etc., created by the masterful J.R.R. Tolkien in book-land or movie-verse. They're just too wonderful for words! Those that I make up however, are my own, and are not to be used without my permission.
Betas: Secondly, a big thanks to the people responsible for keeping me in line, my beta pal Oli, and honorable mention to many other beloved friends who have helped lend a hand or just allowed me to bend their ear over the years. You're all the absolute best of the best, for without your inspiration and encouragement, this story might never have taken its wings and flown!
A/N: Lastly, I do love feedback and suggestions. I only ask that you please relay it in a constructive, not demeaning manner.
PROLOGUE
Wells and Water…
Someone once said no land was truly safe from harm; from the evils, whether seen or unseen, that wandered the darkest shadows of Middle Earth. And yet safe was her home; a true, inviolable paradise.
Though she had only seen Cirana from within, she heard it described as the lonely isle by others who had witnessed its splendor from across the wide-swept waterway of the Gulf of Lhun. Rugged snow-capped mountains towered above golden beaches, their steep ridges and inclines mingled with meandering streams and shimmering waterfalls. In the early morning and late day sunshine, misty sprays carried high on the swelling sea breeze, casting an ever-changing crescent of vivid color. While upon sparsely-nestled foothills and meadows, a brilliantly-hued kaleidoscope of purple, red and pink wildflowers, native only to her island, peeked up from beneath tall green grasses.
Unlike the treetop homes of her woodland kin, she and her subjects lived in white marble dwellings sprinkled along majestic cliffs overlooking the foreboding waters crashing inward below. Indeed, her father had built an unassailable fortress for his people. The dark, churning waters of the mighty Belegaer cocooned the island of Cirana so as to offer only one way on and one way off the island. Those foolhardy enough to try and breach its shores met with an untimely death via the jagged rocks and violent barrier waves.
Upon the tallest bluff of the city, there sat the largest of all the white palaces. It was the home of King Cirdani.
A relic of high-elven kingship, Cirdani's name was legendary yet elusive to all, including his mainland brethren. Even though few had set eyes upon him, he was greatly rumored to be a king of fairness and love to his subjects, yet unconcerned with the perils of those beyond his own realm. After all, the Dark Lord's dirty fingers had not reached Cirana, its rare beauty remaining as always, pure and unspoiled.
# # # # # #
In the courtyard of the royal castle sat the daughter of King Cirdani, his most treasured possession and as such, his most guarded.
Like her father, her elusiveness was great, for even fewer had been graced by her presence. Her name was Nienna, its utterance said to be softly whispered upon the farthest reaching tides of Sundering Seas, spun into many tales and myths. She was said to be so stunning, her visage emanated a glowing aura that transcended as divinely as the Lady of Light, while the endless depths of her eyes made time stand still and content, and her voice trumpeted all things wonderful, both far and wide.
She was the king's most beloved and sacred – his only child.
The perfect image of a mother lost in the finality of elven death, the princess languished in a beautiful prison of loneliness and despair. Long years slowly come to pass while the little one grew into a beautiful elleth, with hair as dark as raven and eyes as green as the finest emeralds. Each day, seeking peace and solitude, Nienna visited her mother's wishing well, and it was there she allowed her mind full rein, daring to imagine a life emerged in many strange and illustrious adventures beyond her island. With wistful thoughts, she prayed salvation would grant her leave from her gilded cage.
This was her most fervent wish and, by far, her most hopeless. . .
# # #
Lost in deep thought, I turn the small stone over in my hand, briefly studying the slight sheen of dust left upon my skin. Each tiny shard I imagine to be one of many vast lands my horse will one day carry me. I will see creatures so different from the fair elves; mankind, dwarves, ents – even small childlike people known as hobbits! Little do I know of these other races, for I have never ventured past the boundaries of my realm, not even to visit the mainland homes of my kin. I sigh and peer upwards, realizing another day has yet come and gone.
It vexes me that I am unable to feel true happiness or joy, despite the privileges of my station. Though to look at me with pity, that is not what I wish, nor have I sought. Above all, I am proud! Still, in the dark recesses of my soul, I crave freedom outside the fortress of Cirana.
Wishes are granted only to those most deserving.
With a heavy heart, I return my full attention to the wishing well. Pushing all thought from my mind, save one, I squeeze my eyes tightly shut and toss the tiny pebble into the well, watching it ripple to life. At last, I free my most fervent wish. . .
While great is the love I feel for my father and my kingdom – of this I am certain – a commanding presence beckons me from the desperate corners of my mind whilst I slumber. I know he is my salvation from the devastating loneliness pooling around my heart, twisting and coiling my life from me. But who is he that visits when I am most vulnerable? Where is he? Never have I seen his face, or felt his touch. Yet still, he comforts me in such a manner so indescribable, I find myself rejoicing when I enter the resplendent illusion my mind has created.
I am Nienna, and this is my tale.