My name is Julia and I am very excited to start my first story. After the encouragement of my friend, Thenotoriousnineteen, I am beginning my first FanFiction ever! I am a HUGE Tolkien fan, and my favorite book is The Silmarillion. I am a French major and Medieval studies minor at Tufts. My focus is chivalry in the twelfth century; Arthurian tales and such.
I tried to encompass some of my learning into this story. I ask that you be honest in your reviews of it, reviews are for improvement and I want to improve! I'm so excited to begin this journey with all of you. Please go over and give love to Thenotoriousnineteen, she is my biggest inspiration.
-Julia
"My lady, we will stop for the night in the covering. The horses need a rest."
Andreth's contemplation was broken by the sound of the cavalry officer's voice. Gorth, a man about her father's age, fixed her with an expectant look and the young woman nodded her head in response.
It did not matter to the young woman whether they continued. The traveling party would arrive at the citadel tomorrow whether they stopped or not. It had nearly been a full day since the group had departed from her uncle's house in the south. For fifteen years, Andreth had been raised with great affection alongside her cousins. Now, she was being called back to stand at her father's side in the north.
When she had been but a girl, Andreth had been sent away to live with Belemir, her uncle, and his wife, Adanel. The last time she had stepped foot in her father's citadel in the north had been the day she had departed. An old chapter in her life was reopening; Andreth was returning to her birthplace. Her father was the new 'Lord of Ladros'; a title given to him by the Elven Princes for his undying loyalty to their kingdom. A letter had been sent to her a fortnight ago by her brother Bregor detailing the nobilities now bestowed upon their name. It was a great honor for the House of Bëor, to be sure. To say the young woman was anxious was putting it lightly. Andreth would now reside with her father, a man whose face she could barely remember. At least she would be reunited with her brother and her sister in the north. She would not be entirely alone.
A forest of silver trees loomed alongside the ice-capped mountains that they traveled by. Early fall rains had settled in the central plains, extending their travels. Their path took them far south, amongst the great ranges. They would then cut north avoiding the autumn storms.
Andreth had never seen the mountains before, and in the orange light of sunset they looked breath taking.
'These lands were carved many years ago by Melian as a sign of her love for Thingol.'
The young lady could not help her mind wanderings. She could recite the story of Melian and Thingol from memory; it was one of her favorites.
Melian had been one of the spirits who had created the earth in the beginning of time. Renowned for her loveliness, Melian fell in love with Thingol an Elven king. For years the two remained hidden amongst the trees, so lost in one another they were that they forgot about the rest of the world. Together, the two traveled far and wide. While passing through Ladros, Melian carved the southern mountain range in honor of her lover. Her aunt had told Andreth the story many times when she had been a child. Adanel would whisper these tales as Andreth fell asleep; every night a new story was woven by Adanel's soft voice. Andreth could not help but imagine her aunt's face at seeing the mountains. It made her miss the home she had just departed from even more.
At the edge of the forest the riding party reigned in their mounts. Onna, Andreth's handmaiden, helped the young lady down from her horse. Brushing off dirt that had caught on Andreth's overcoat, the older woman wrapped a scarf lined in fur around the lady's neck.
"It'll get colder in the trees, my lady. I am sure of it. No use you showing up sick, don't want your father to think we haven't been taking care of you!" Onna smiled, her eyes wrinkling.
The woman patted Andreth's face before tending to a bundle on the horses's back. Andreth could not help but grin, Onna reminded her of Adanel. The handmaiden had departed with her voluntarily after serving her aunt for nearly twenty years. Onna had raised Adanel; Andreth had felt ashamed for tearing the two apart. The handmaiden had assured her that she left on her volition; for that, the young woman was overwhelmingly grateful.
It had been difficult leaving everything she had known for so long behind. Andreth had been resolved not to cry when time came to depart from her uncle's house. With great strength, she had kissed every one of her cousin's faces without so much as shedding a tear. Her composure remained steadfast when she had hugged her uncle's neck and felt his thick beard tickle her face (a thing she did not normally enjoy, but she had enjoyed it then). However, when it had come to saying goodbye to the woman who had been like a mother to her, Andreth had broken down into sobs. The two women had clung to one another in the courtyard until Adanel had torn herself away. Andreth had been lifted into the saddle, eyes full of tears, not looking back as she left the house of Belemir.
It would be difficult adjusting to this new life she was to lead. But, Adanel had raised her well. She was a proper young woman, a sharp young woman. Andreth would not disappoint.
Patting the neck of her mount, Andreth assisted her handmaiden with her travel bag. The trunk carrying the rest of her belongings remained tied to the horse cart, along with various supplies being delivered to her father's residence. Taking Onna's hand, Andreth led the older woman to Gorth's side.
In a voice that was even, if not a bit commanding, Andreth informed the officer, "Onna will need someone to assist her. The forest floor is no doubt teeming with exposed roots and such. I don't want her to come to any harm."
Her handmaiden objected, but Gorth nodded and a young foot soldier took Onna's arm. Andreth smiled in appreciation, but politely refused when another man offered his arm to her, "Thank-you, but I prefer to go on my own."
Andreth took her place alongside Onna and the two women, and the rest of their escorts, fell in line behind did not walk far into the trees, just far enough to be well hidden. It was peacetime, there had not been war in Ladros for hundreds of years. Caution, though, was taken at all times. The race of Men did not have the privilege of short memories. Many of the soldier's ancestors had experienced all that war had to offer during the reign of the Dark King. That was many years ago, yet his presence still ebbed on the minds of those living.
Andreth gazed above her at the forest canopy. Light peered through the foliage, though it was significantly darker amongst the wood than it was outside. It was quiet, but not frighteningly so. Noise soon filled the air as men set about making camp. There were logs that had been shaven down to serve as benches already littered about the clearing. The young woman figured that this spot was frequented by travelers. Andreth felt useless standing around. Onna was rolling out their sleeping pads as tents were into the dirt. She hugged her fur closer to her neck; Onna had been right, it was colder in the trees. This was her first time traveling in a while, Andreth did not know the proper protocol expected of a lady when traveling. Her aunt had not instructed her on all matters, only those Adanel had believed important. That limited Andreth's knowledge to fables, languages, and basic medicine. It was not a conventional education for a girl, Andreth was quite aware, but it was what she had received. She decided her best service was to remain out of the way.
Fires were soon started as men gathered wood. Onna gestured for Andreth to join her by the central fire. The young lady sat on a trunk bench next to the older woman who smoothed the younger woman's skirts. Unlike Adanel, Onna was a tad more old-fashioned. She believed a woman was to always be properly dressed. There were many battles fought between Adanel and Onna when Andreth had been growing up. Onna had won most of them, but the two women compromised all the other times.
Gorth and several of his officers approached them. Addressing Andreth, they talked of food and supplies. The lady listened intently, knowing she was supposed to take careful heed of their words.
"My lady, some of the men are hunting. They spotted a buck not ten yards shy of our camp. If they are not successful, there is meat brought from your uncle's house. We will have that with some potatoes and bread. I apologize for the lack of extravagance; we travel simply and aren't used to having a lady's company."
Gorth bowed his head to her. He was an honest man, much like her uncle in manners. Andreth was grateful and felt no inconvenience. Her uncle's house had been comfortable but modest; she was not used to any sort of luxury.
"Sir, I give my thanks for everything. My handmaiden and I are safe, that is all we ask for."
The officer responded, "Aye, you're safe my lady. Not much in these woods except for deer and the occasional passerby. Though, there should not be anyone travelling now. Normally, this path is only used when the Tarn's waters overrun in the spring…"
At the mention of the Tarn, Andreth's eyes lit up. Everything else Gorth said fell upon deaf ears.
"Is the Tarn you speak of the Tarn Aeluin?"
Surprised, Gorth stopped mid-speech. He gave Andreth a queer look, "Aye, my lady. The Tarn Aeluin is the only lake in the area. You know it?"
Gorth and the men watched her with interest. Andreth felt herself pink from the attention. She glanced at Onna who was holding her hands up to the fire, disinterested in the conversation. Collecting herself, Andreth explained, "My aunt Adanel told me tales of the Tarn Aeluin. The lake is notorious for its crystal waters. At night it is said the heavens are captured in its surface. The goddess Melian bathed in the waters of the Tarn on occasion of her marriage to the Eleven king, Thingol."
At the conclusion of her speech, the men began to chuckle. Andreth's embarrassment increased. They probably thought her a silly girl with her tales of magic and kings. Never before had she been laughed at for telling tales; on the contrary, everyone normally encouraged her. In her defense Onna spoke, quieting the men's laughter, "You forget yourselves, sirs. It is not right to laugh at a woman's discomfort. The lady speaks only what she has been taught."
The men settled down. Gorth bowed before expressing his apologies.
"Pardons my lady, we did not mean any disrespect."
Andreth's pride had been bruised but there was no use holding a grudge. With civility, she accepted the man's apology.
"It is fine, sir. I forget that not everyone appreciates a story. Now tell me how far the Tarn is from here. Is it quite a distance?"
Gorth appeared to contemplate her question before shaking his head, "The Tarn's on the other side of the trees, my lady. Not a long walk from here."
To see the Tarn Aeluin at night would be a dream. If it was not far, there would be no objection to her going to see it. Andreth smiled, "Then I ask, sir, for an escort tonight to the waters. I wish to see them when the moon has risen."
Her statement left little room for argument. Andreth, in her mind, began to compose the letter she would send Adanel when she reached her father's house. In every detail, she would recount her visit to the Tarn to her aunt. If only the lady where there to go with her.
"I'm sorry, my lady. I'm afraid going to the Tarn would be too unsafe. I am trusted to deliver you to your father unharmed."
Gorth was not endearing in his sentiments, if anything he seemed annoyed. Andreth's anger flared. He had just said himself that the forest was safe, that they traveled without harm. To go to the Tarn not a far distance away was as safe as staying the night amongst the trees.
Andreth was about to object before Onna gripped her arm tightly. The lady turned to her handmaiden, demanding an answer. The older woman gave her a steely look. As a child, she had been mischievous; sneaking into the library after pretending to fall asleep to look over the books. Both Adanel and Onna had chastised her on many occasions; the look she was receiving from Onna was the same look from childhood. Andreth would not test Onna's patience. Plastering a smile on her face, Andreth nodded in understanding to Gorth before directing her gaze away to the fire. The men dispersed to deal with the arrival of several foot soldiers carrying between them the body of a dead stag. The hunters had been successful in their tracking after all.
Andreth fumed, upset with Onna at objecting. Onna remained at her side, stroking her hair.
"My lady, do not test the patience of these men. Their mission is to see you safely to your father's house, nothing more. They are not prepared to deal with the fancies of a young woman as wise as you are."
The older woman's compliment soothed Andreth's spirit. Honestly, the young woman could not stay angry at her companion. Onna was the only familiar thing Andreth had left.
She felt Onna lean nearer to her. Andreth thought that the old woman would perhaps recount a story to make her feel better. Instead she listened as Onna whispered, "You and I shall go to the Tarn once the men have fallen asleep. Who do you think is the one that told Adanel the tales of Melian and Thingol?"
Andreth felt a grin spread across her face. For the first time since leaving her uncle's house, she felt happiness creep into heart once more.