A test of time two:
Racing against the gods
Authors note + Disclaimer: I do not own LOTR but I do own the characters I have added or the 'characters' like Eldarion who said to be the son of Aragorn when the war of the rings and stuff is over, you never get to meet these kids… so the personality I give him… I own, but not the actual character… as well I own Lómebrilas, Belaraniel, Jidda, Ducla Rafter Cotton Gamgee, Waredith, Faramir I I won the personality, I also own Narduril, Lamia, Tristan, Jessalin, and Gwaldor
Chapter one: the trouble causer
Belaraniel sat looking at the mess Tristan made. She let out a sigh before picking up the broken candle stand. That little boy got into everything. Belaraniel was getting tired of having to buy new things all the time because Lómebrilas spoiled Tristan letting him think it was ok to ruin the things in the castle. She wanted him to turn out respectful of things, peaceful… not a little monster.
Belaraniel walked down the white hallways of the castle in Mirkwood and grabbed the handle to her room. Lómebrilas sat in their room writing some things down. He looked at her and smiled. Belaraniel hated when he gave her that smile… it made her want to give in to anything.
"Hello melamin," he said getting up from his chair and walking to his wife. Belaraniel kissed him before sitting down.
"We need to talk about your son," Belaraniel said holding the broken candle stand. Lómebrilas looked at it and laughed, "it is beyond funny Lómebrilas Greenleaf."
"Well Belaraniel Greenleaf, are son is only six… I was mischievous at six, and I remember when you were six. You got into a lot of trouble at six," he said walking to her and kissing her hand gently.
"Yeah I only got into trouble at six cause you blamed everything on me, or got me so mad that I'd fallow you out of my boundaries and get into trouble," she said giving him the evil eye.
"Oh… that's right," he laughed taking her hand and kissing it.
"Oh that's right," she said looking up at him, "you need to not spoil him so much Lómebrilas."
"You need to spoil him a little more. You are so strict with our son, he's only allowed to leave with Bonabree' if he wants to go outside. When I was six I was off hunting alone," Lómebrilas said sitting beside her.
"Yes but did the dark gods want you dead?" she said looking to him. He didn't say anything, "I thought so."
"Well… I am just saying you've been no fun since he reached age three. What has happened to the Belaraniel I use to know?" Lómebrilas asked standing up and looking down at her.
"She grew up like everyone said she needed to do," Belaraniel said getting up and walking out of the room leaving Lómebrilas there. Belaraniel walked down to the white stables, everything was so heavenly and beautiful. Narduril neighed happy to see her.
'How are you today milady?' Narduril said bowing his head and stomping at the hay.
"Bad, Lómebrilas acts like our son is safe out in the world. Yes Crirawen and Pirg are gone, but the dark gods still plot. I can feel it in my bones," Belaraniel said sadly, "and I miss the way my life use to be. I miss my brother."
'Why don't you go and see him then?' Narduril said looking at her. Belaraniel felt Narduril's long black and silver horn.
"I should shouldn't I?" Belaraniel said sadly. Narduril seemed to shake his head up and down. Belaraniel pulled Narduril out of the stables and climbed onto him. It was a while since these two got to go on a good run. Everyone could handle Mirkwood by themselves while she took a quick journey. Lamia neighed in the stables.
"Hi Lamia… how is Rascal?" Belaraniel asked the bluish gray mare.
'He is well my lady, he has started to be a better runner,' Lamia said from the stables.
"I still can't believe you two after hating each other, managed to get together and have a baby Narduril," Belaraniel laughed climbing onto him. For hours those two rode through the forest never stopping. Narduril loved to run, and he loved being with his favorite girl Belaraniel. To him she was still the little girl who use to be wild and outspoken. Finally they turned around and rode for Mirkwood. It was getting darker and colder and Lómebrilas would be angry she left for so long.
"Belaraniel," Lómebrilas said trotting up to her with Lamia. Belaraniel just looked at him, "why did you tell no one you were leaving?"
"Because I do not need to inform people of my leave every ten seconds, even when I was princess of Gondor I didn't have to check in every minute," Belaraniel said passing him by angrily.
"You know I get worried about you Belaraniel, you are not safe out here either," Lómebrilas said walking Lamia by him.
"I need to feel a little free Lómebrilas, I am not one of your servants…" before she could finish Lómebrilas interrupted.
"No but you're my wife, and I will not tolerate you running off like that…" Lómebrilas said angrily.
"Then learn to tolerate it," she said bouncing on Narduril making him run off. Lómebrilas sat there looking at Belaraniel ride away.
"Why has she changed for the worst?" Lómebrilas said looking at the ground. Lamia just neighed before running off towards the stables where her foal laid sleeping.
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Belaraniel walked to her sons room and looked in at him sleeping peacefully. He was so cute for being such a monster. His golden hair and his cute little face. He was indeed the cutest of all six year olds. Lómebrilas walked up behind her and looked into the room.
"No matter how much I spoil him… he loves you more then me," Lómebrilas said behind her. Belaraniel felt bad for the way she talked to him. She just felt tired of feeling so tied down. Yeah she was a queen, but more and more she felt like a commoner. When she turned around Lómebrilas was already reaching their room. Belaraniel felt she should go talk to him.
"Lómebrilas…" Belaraniel said shutting the door behind her. Lómebrilas looked to her as he sat in a white wooden chair, "I am sorry. I just have been feeling different lately. I can feel something bad stirring, someone plotting. The gods are not done fighting… I can see them in my dreams. I am just so scared of losing everything and everyone… but mostly I am scared of losing myself. I love our son to death, but I am suppose to be raising him a certain way. Yet I don't know what that way is, but I know that it is taking all of me. I don't feel free, I feel… chained down, scared, like someone who has no choice in their life…" before Belaraniel could finish Lómebrilas stood up and kissed her.
"I know and I am sorry, I never meant to make you feel that way. Please forgive me, I just don't want to lose the one I love more then life," he said sadly Belaraniel smiled looking at him.
"I am sorry Lómebrilas, I am going to try to not be so…" Belaraniel couldn't find the word she was looking for.
"I know…" he said looking to her. They laid down together unaware of what tomorrow might bring.
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Tristan sat high up in a tree looking down. A horse with wings ran bellow him. Tristan laughed as the horse smelled the air looking for him. The Pegasus looked up the tree and saw his friend. Tristan climbed down and stroked Rascal's forelock. Rascal neighed as Tristan climbed onto his back. Tristan was only ten and already a pretty good rider.
"Come on my trustful steed," Tristan laughed… he loved to laugh… he wished his mother would laugh more. Rascal galloped through the field, he was a tall white horse with long white wings… though he couldn't yet use them. Tristan told Rascal to stop as they reached the stables. Narduril pranced as his son and Belaraniel's son walked in.
'Good day prince Tristan,' Narduril said bowing his head slightly.
"Good day Narduril, have you seen my mother?" Tristan asked stroking the black horses forelock.
'I believe she is in town Tristan Greenleaf,' Narduril said, Narduril and Lamia could never speak out loud, only in people's head… but there son Rascal… or Reglif could talk out loud.
"Bye Rascal, I'll see you tomorrow," Tristan said rubbing the winged son of the king Narduril and queen Lamia of the animals and unicorns. Tristan grabbed his sling shot from out of his saddle bag and began to walk to town. There were so many elf's in town, so many people to talk to. Tristan saw an elf putting up a sign. He pulled the sling shot back and placed a rock in it. The rock flung into the behind of the elf man. He yelped and grabbed his behind. Tristan laughed behind the cart he was standing behind, he always played little pranks like that.
"Darn prince Tristan!" the man yelled use to that behavior from the young prince of Mirkwood.
"Tristan," a familiar voice came up behind him.
"Hi mom," Tristan said before turning around. Belaraniel stood there with her hand on hips.
"Go and apologize Tristan," Belaraniel said pointing to the man who was still rubbing his behind.
"Mother…" he began to try and ask his mom to not make him do that.
"Nope… go Tristan," Belaraniel said pointing to the older elf. Tristan hung his head as he walked to the old man. The old man crossed his arms as he saw the mischievous prince of Mirkwood. The old man looked to the queen of Mirkwood and knew why he was walking to him.
"I am sorry master Delingten. I was being rude, and impolite," Tristan said with his head down.
"Thank you Tristan, it takes a man to admit when he is wrong," the elf said looking down to the ten year old boy.
"Thank you sir," Tristan said before walking off to his mother. Belaraniel smiled at her son.
"Good job Tristan," Belaraniel said bending down to hug her son, Tristan gave his mother a big hug. These days Lómebrilas was too busy for Belaraniel, so she had to fend for herself. Usually his mother and father would walk the town together, but now it was only Belaraniel. Tristan took his mothers hand and led her through the streets.
"Look at this mother!" Tristan said looking at a cage with a large bird inside.
"Wow… isn't that interesting?" Belaraniel said looking closely at it.
"Father always told me he'd get me one, but he never got around to it… I guess he is just to busy for me," Tristan said sadly missing his dad. Belaraniel could see in her sons eyes that he missed his father. Belaraniel kissed her son on the head.
"It would seem so these days, but your father loves you Tristan, he adores you," Belaraniel said using her hand to mess up her sons hair.
"Do you want to go on a horse ride together?" Belaraniel said her hands on her thighs so she could look her son in the face.
"Yes mother, I'd love to," Tristan said a little down.
"Good, go have the stable hands prepare Rascal and Narduril for me please," Belaraniel said standing up to her full height. Tristan nodded his head yes, "hurry," Belaraniel laughed patting his back. Tristan ran off for the castle. Belaraniel smiled at her son.
"A good child you have there," a mans voice said from behind her. Belaraniel turned around spooked.
"Oh yes, he is a good child. But he misses his father, I fear that in the end he will hate his father for not spending time with his family," Belaraniel said smiling at the handsome shop owner.
"My name is Tinóng," he said with a smile. Belaraniel smiled and before she could tell him her name he interrupted, "I already know who you are my lady."
"Please no need to call me that, call me Belaraniel. So do you work here?" Belaraniel asked looking at the large hawk.
"Yes, I own this store," Tinóng said bowing to her slightly.
"Well then… how much is this bird?" Belaraniel said pulling out a little bag full of money.
"Originally a hundred gold pieces, I know expensive… but for you I'll make it fifty gold pieces," he said smiling at the beautiful queen of Mirkwood.
"Well thank you that is so kind of you," Belaraniel smiled at him and handed him the fifty gold pieces.
"Are you interested in birds and exotic animals?" Tinóng said looking at her seriously.
"Kind of, but it is my son who wanted this bird…" Belaraniel said smiling at him. He had a charming smile… but she would not fall for a subject, she was married, and vulnerable.
"Hawk… smart creatures they are. They bond to you quickly, your son will love this little guy," he said smiling at her still. She began to feel slightly un comfortable.
"Well thank you Mr. Tinóng, regrettably I must take my leave. My son will be waiting for me," she said looking into his and smiling. She turned to leave holding the cage.
"Wait!" he said running after her. Belaraniel got a funny look on her face showing her confusion before she turned around, "you should come by again… my lady. I assure you there will be more wonderful things… please… bring your son, I assure you he will love all the other things around."
"I do not think that is wise sir," she said looking over her shoulder at him.
"Then just come back to say hello to a friend perhaps," he said standing under the suns gaze. Belaraniel smiled at him and nodded.
"Perhaps shop keeper, perhaps…" she said before turning and walking off. He stood there smiling at the queen of Mirkwood. She was nearly twenty seven, Lómebrilas was thirty one. Belaraniel walked up the white paved road and then saw Tristan waiting with the horses, "I'll be right out Tristan!"
Belaraniel put the bird away before going out to the stables. Tristan looked inpatient as he saw on top of Rascal. Belaraniel smiled at her adorable son. She loved her son indeed, but he seemed to be such a handful for her. Everyday she loved her son more and more if it were possible. It took her awhile to get use to the idea of having to take care of a child… but now she was use to it and didn't mind. Her newest worries were where Lómebrilas was for he was almost always gone. He was off in the east training his military so that they could be open to more knowledge, sometimes he was off with a few of his generals exploring the world, sometimes he was off at other countries talking to the leaders, or he was off taking care of any orcs he could find. He was always doing something.
Belaraniel leaped up onto Narduril. It use to be Belaraniel, Lómebrilas, and Tristan riding together. But since Lómebrilas was never there they never went riding. Belaraniel never got to see her son, for he was always off doing other things… like his father. This gave her time to be the child she use to be, except… she missed her family, both her new and her old family. Narduril and Rascal rode side by side with there friends on top. Belaraniel laughed as she looked to her son, he looked to his mother smiling too as they raced each other. He loved to see when his mother smiled, for it seemed she didn't smile very often. Night began to fall across the lands, and Belaraniel decided it wouldn't be safe to have her son out so late. The two rode back to the stables and put Narduril and Rascal away. Lamia missed Lómebrilas, and the long rides they'd go on. But since she had Rascal she had to stay and watch her son. Soon he would be old enough to be alone.
Belaraniel and Tristan walked up to the castle. Belaraniel covered Tristan's eyes as she led him to his room. He had a large room, full of the items he thought were cool. He loved collecting things, including swords, and a few bows and arrows. He wanted to be the greatest sword master in the world. Belaraniel didn't approve much, but that was the one thing that Lómebrilas loved the most to show his son… how to fight. Tristan had no idea his mother could fight, she didn't want him thinking that it was good to fight, he was suppose to be peaceful, was she doing something wrong? She let Tristan open his eyes to see the cage with the hawk in it.
"Thank you mother!" he said happily, he jumped into her arms and she knew why Lómebrilas loved spoiling him. The sound in his voice, the look in his eyes, the way he hugged her tight.
"What will you name the hawk?" Belaraniel said trying to remember what the man had called the strange bird.
"I will name him… Beleger," Tristan said poking his finger through the cage and stroking the birds feather.
"You want to name him Mighty one?" Belaraniel said laughing, for that was the elven word for mighty one. Tristan shook his head yes, "you must be naming him after me…" she laughed ruffling his hair and kissing his forehead.
"Sure mother," Tristan said looking at his mom. Belaraniel smiled before walking to the door.
"You should find a place to put him," Belaraniel said looking to her son.
"Yes mother," he said holding the cage in his hands.
"Then turn out your lights and go to sleep," Belaraniel said sighing looking to her son, he looked so much like his father.
"Yes mother," Tristan said smiling. Belaraniel went to close the doors but Tristan had one more thing to say, "good night mother."
"Good night son, I love you and I will see you in the morning," Belaraniel said smiling to her soon.
"Love you mother and see you in the morning," Tristan said before finding a spot in his room to put his hawk. Belaraniel smiled as she shut the door behind her. Belaraniel walked into her room where she spent the night… crying… and alone. That night Belaraniel had another nightmare. That the gods had burnt the city, and everyone within. Was no one safe any longer? Belaraniel woke up in a heavy sweat. Belaraniel walked to her mirror and pulled the back of it out. There was Glamthaus still shiny, bright, and beautiful. She took him out of his case and swung him around slightly. Belaraniel felt the cold metal as she began to think of the days when she use to fight with him. She use to practice with him until Tristan got old enough that she didn't want to put anything in his mind. Belaraniel tucked it under her bed like she use to, and then fell asleep.
Morning came and Tristan was up with his bird. He fed it mice, and then ran down the stairs to eat his breakfast. Belaraniel smiled at her son. He then kissed his mother on the cheek and ran off to play. He grabbed his sword before going to the stables and brining Rascal out. Rascal neighed as Tristan climbed on top. Nellia and Arabil trotted out. They were good friends with Tristan, though they were five years older then him. They all went out towards the woods of Mirkwood.
"Guess what you guys!" Tristan said as they rode through the forest dodging branches and roots in the ground.
"What Tristan?" Rascal said excitedly as he raced through the forest.
"I got a hawk! The one my father always promised to get me when he had time!" Tristan said excitedly.
"Well about time your father do what he said he was going to," Nellia said galloping beside Arabil through the forest.
"Well my father didn't exactly get it for me…" before he could finish Rascal interrupted.
"You didn't steal it did you?" Rascal said throwing his head around as he ran through the forest.
"Of course not Rascal! My mother bought it for me," Tristan said slowing Rascal down. He heard a boy yelling, obviously needing help. Immediately he made Rascal ride in that direction. He saw a little red head boy being picked on by five other kids. They were pushing him around. Rascal stomped uncomfortably in the mud, "leave him alone!"
"Look who it is, the prince of Mirkwood and a couple of centaur's," one of the boys said crossing his arms and laughing.
"Yeah and?" Tristan said climbing off of Rascal. The boys all looked at each other and laughed.
"Leave now, your highness," the boy laughed mocking Tristan.
"Leave him alone… now," Tristan said crossing his arms and standing his ground.
"Or what will you do? Call your daddy?" the boy said pushing the other little boy into the mud. These kids were obviously older then him, they were nearly fourteen, obviously only half elf's.
"No, I will deal with you myself," Tristan said pulling out his sword. The boys looked nervous for a moment but then all laughed. Nellia and Arabil looked at each other uncomfortably.
"What you think you can take me by yourself plus two centaur girls? All of us? With that sword of yours?" the boy asked laughing with his other friends. Tristan pulled out his bow and shot the boy in the foot. The boy jumped up in pain holding his foot as Tristan pulled another arrow out and pointed it at the others. They all started running followed by their obvious leader, who was now limping.
"Are you alright?" Tristan asked helping up the little red head boy. He was strange to Tristan, he'd never seen a boy with red hair before.
"Yes thank you," the little boy said wiping the mud off of his face, "my lord," he said hastily forgetting Tristan was the prince of Mirkwood.
"No need to call me that, call me Tristan. What is your name?" Tristan said smiling at his new friend.
"My name is Gwaldor, but almost everyone else calls me Gwaldo," Gwaldor said walking out of the mud.
"Well Gwaldor you have a new friend. It is a pleasure to meet you," Tristan said holding his hand out.
"My name is Nellia, and this is Arabil," the two girls said trotting up to the red head boy and shaking his hand.
"Hello Arabil and Nellia," Gwaldor said waving to them shyly. They both waved at him back. Tristan climbed onto Rascal and offered Gwaldor a ride into town. Gwaldor took that offer from Tristan, and they rode Rascal out of the forest. For the rest of the day the two boys and two fillies played in the seat.