Author Note: I do not own Lord of the Rings only the characters I created.
Of wandering elves and strange meetings
Lothlorien was a peaceful and wondrous place to anyone that has heard tale of the elven land. It was home to many an elf, the ones that hadn't yet left middle earth. Sitting beneath the giant trees sat a raven haired elf, she had plaits down her back and blue mournful eyes that had long since lost their spark. Her green dress made her stand out from what the other elves wore which sometimes was a hindrance.
The elf's name was Nerufiel, she once had a husband; Torin. She also had three children, Margolin, Systeri, and her youngest Toniele. Her husband Torin Sunglade of Gondolin had died in battle and her oldest children had left for the undying lands; many wondered why she didn't leave herself to heal her heart. She looked over at her flame haired daughter as if to answer that question. She stayed for her, despite barely registering her presence the elf loved and cared deeply for her youngest and didn't want to leave her alone.
Nerufiel became lost in thought and perpetual grief as her adventurous daughter approached. Remaining silent she listened to the light and airy soprano, "Mother? I am to leave for the time being. There's a lot more to explore out there. I would stay if you wanted?"
Nerufiel shook her head without looking at the slender young woman. She still couldn't speak so she gestured, she didn't want her child staying here watching over her constantly. She needed to find more ruins and explore, not stay chained at her mournful and heartbroken mother's side. She looked over at where Lady Galadriel usually spent time as if to indicate she wouldn't be alone.
"I know mother but Galadriel won't be here forever, I have a feeling that…." Toniele trailed off when her mother looked up to her. "Alright, but I shall not stay away. I do not like leaving you to mourn father."
The elder elf remained silent amongst the large trees causing a small sigh to emit from toniele's lips. She walked away from her heartbroken mother and before getting ready decided to speak with the Lord and Lady of the wood.
Before she could even approach them she heard the soft voice in her mind. "What troubles you? Daughter of Nerufiel."
Toniele stood up straight and looked past the arches where she knew the golden haired elves were. "I know these are troubling times My Lady but there is something that eludes me in my travels to and from Lorien." She answered into the mind of the elf Queen who slowly approached, her ring Nenya sparkled in the dim light and her radiance almost made the younger elf look away. "What is it?" She said aloud now standing closer and meeting flame haired elf eye to eye.
"Love, I don't understand it sometimes. Even after being alive for 2 millennia; does it always hurt so much when a love is lost?" She asked honestly while trying not to fidget with the sleeves of her dress.
Galadriel smiled and placed a hand on toniele's shoulder, "Yes, it just depends on the person's will power to move on. Sometimes…" she paused and looked at the departing raven haired beauty of Beleriand. "Your mother lost more than a husband in those days, she lost two places she called home. And to cope she stays here because of you, I am on the same boat with you however; she would find better peace in the undying lands. But myself and celeborn cannot force her."
"I understand, I thank you for your council." Toniele smiled slightly at the older elf, "That is all I wondered I must go" she adds not wanting to be there any longer.
Take care not to add to her sorrows, she may not show it but she's grateful when you return to her it means you are alive. Galadriel said as a way of farewell to the wandering elf.
Toniele nods and returned to her packing, she signals her animal companion and grabs her pack, weapons, and books for reading. She pulled out a map, "Hmm, what do you think? Eriador seems nice this time of year." She suggested to the brown bear at her side. The bear makes a noise causing Toniele to laugh as she hops on her chestnut coloured horse she got when near the Rohirrim.
Days later…..
"Right, let me see...we are…" Toniele trailed off looking at her map once again as she entered the Lone Lands. She had rode past mountains unhindered and through Rivendell, her second home without so much as a word from Lord Elrond. As she rode she felt a slight unease, she could see why this was called the lone lands. The elf pulled her firey hair back into her green cloak feeling like she was being watched, "Why do I feel like this, it's not like I've travelled here before" she said to herself mostly. Even her animal companions were on high alert, something was wrong. The wind blew sharply against the faire elf maiden and whistled past, she saw ruins in the distance and as she kept riding she saw the place known as weathertop. "Same as before but why do I feel uneasy?" She rode faster til she found an inn to stay in, if anything she could get a free room for her dealing of the wolves a couple summers ago.
"Ahh Toni lass, back on yer travels?" The middle aged human said with a warm smile. "I got a nice fire for ye to sit next to"
"Thank you hrothera it's always a pleasure to visit." She looked around the cabin which could really only house six travelers at a time plus himself and his wife. She sat down in one of the wooden chairs and took in the smells of ale and cooked meats from the kitchen. The other guests eyed her a little suspiciously before Hrothera said a few choice words that the elf wasn't going to repeat.
"Sorry 'bout them, it's been rather tense lately; what with all them rumours of black riders and goblins making their way 'round these parts. Tis not safe for yer artifact hunting." He warns quietly as not to cause any panic.
"It is alright, I'll exercise caution. However I am not staying, I travel past Bree to explore the lands there" she reassured him.
The two continue their talk til an alarmed patron burst in, "Goblins!" He fell forward when the whistle of an arrow was heard.
Toniele lept into action with the owner at her side, a hunched over goblin was at the doorway ready to fire, "She-elf will die too" he said dangerously.
"She-elf has a sword and an angry human at her side" she said drawing her silver blade which shimmered against the moonlight. Hrothera pulled out his crossbow ready to defend his home and livelyhood.
Two more appeared from behind with axes and swords and one with the bow that felled the dwarf earlier. They entered and glared menacingly at the other patrons who by this time revealed their own weapons, "Hrothera's Inn is one of the only ones out here with the best rabbit stew we won't let it fall"
Toniele nodded and gracefully lept forward, her blade twisting with her to find its mark on the goblins arm. He snarled and charged forward only to have the agile elf cartwheel away. Hrothera used that as an opening to shoot the goblin that advanced first.
The small siege of the inn lasted only a couple hours with minimal casualties on the side of the humans and elves. All three goblins were dead.
Toniele helped clean up and then kept watch for the rest of the night.
"Thank ye lass, always glad to have you." Hrothera said very grateful of the wandering elf and her assistance. "Ye could just avoid this but ye don't and I'm thankful of that" he pats her on the shoulder, "Oi lass? What's yer kinds word for friend?"
"Mellon" she answered causing the man's heart to fill more warmth towards the elf. He went back to his quarters, keeping his crossbow at his side incase there was another attack. He knew by morning Toni would leave and he'd have another tale for the bards who come through this way from Bree.
She rides from her elven home,
The firey elf maiden,
An adventurous nature has she….
He hums the beginning of one of the songs he had heard in passing. By morning as predicted she is gone and his inn is safe to continue its existence.
Toniele rides past Bree and into a forest, it's beautiful and relaxing to her as she replenished her water and food from a hunt. She looked to her bear companion who looked more at ease in this area than the lonelands.
She relaxed til she heard a sound, she reached for her blade scanned the forest. The bushes gave way to a small woman with a mess of bright red curls and a short bow that was now pointed at the elf.
"Don't move! I know how to use this!" Said the hairy footed woman. She wore a floral print dress with a small blue cloak that nearly touched the ground. Toniele looked her over closely, "You're tall for a hobbit"
The Hobbit looked up and realised what she was pointing her arrow at. "What's an elf doing out here?" She asked suspiciously, "is that rabbit stew?" She suddenly asked smelling the aroma of cooking meat. "Do you have potatoes too?"
Toniele laughed and sheathed her sword, "no, but if you have some I'd be glad of some. What is your name, cannot just call you hobbit girl" she teased.
"Lucania Took...and yes I am tall, one of the few taller hobbits in my families history. What's your name?" She asked
"Toniele Sunglade" she says nodding her head.
Lucania took the elf by the hand and pulled her near the garden and farm just outside the forest. She had a mischievous grin on her face, "Potatoes are over there just make sure farmer maggot doesn't catch you"
"I'll be as quick as I can" she nudged her friend before sneaking into the farm.
The young Took laughed when she heard a tell of, "Out you!"
The elf had her arms full, "this enough?" She said a little out of breath from running.
"Oh yea, that's enough" Lucania said still laughing.
"You knew this was going to happen?" Toniele asked incredulously.
"Yes I did, and it was well worth it for some potatoes." She said already pulling out a knife and heading to the pot of stew Toniele had started.
After awhile the two enjoyed what Lucania called Elevenses and traded stories, "I want adventure like my cousins, they left the shire not long ago and I thought, why should they be the only ones to explore. Would you like to join me Toni? You don't mind that I call you that right?"
Toniele raises an eyebrow and figures this hobbit wouldn't take no for an answer. "Sure if I can call you Luca."
They shake hands cementing their agreement and new friendship ready for the adventures that greet them.