A/N: This story was form during and RPG at the CouncilOfElrond site. I
thought the plot had become extremely interesting and decided to make a
story out of it. Some lines have been slightly changed and details have
been added This story takes place several years after the ring had been
destroyed.
Disclaimer: All original characters and places from Lord of the Rings belong to their respective owners. All new characters are property of me, or their respective owners. This piece was written for entertainment, no profit intended.
Credit: I would like to thank all the wonderful people from CouncilOfElrond that participated and continue to participate in the RPG. ElvenPrincess254, NellasTaralom, Palurien, Barahir1, Phae, and Lets_Hunt_Some_Orc.
Chapter 2: The departure.
"Náriël. My dear child. Put away your sword, for now is not the time of battle." He took a few steps forward and placed a hand on her cheek. Slowly Náriël lowered her sword and put it away stepping out closer to the Lord. "Many moons have passed since I last saw you, and yet you look just the same."
Náriël blushed and began to speak. "We are sorry to disturb your forest so now, but you know the terrors that haunt my mind. They are growing stronger, and there is need for much haste."
Lord Thranduil smiled and nodded, moving his hand to her forehead pushing a few stray hairs from her eyes. "I know my child, it grows ever heavier on my mind also." He turned to the shadow that was Mith. "Take who you will, whoever you feel will prove an asset to this quest. If they will not go, you can always find another. As you remember Legolas indeed volunteered to go on the quest years ago, and it proved a worthy one. You must find ones who believe at heart, they may not feel the darkness yet, as some elves senses aren't as strong as others, but soon we will all feel it..."
"Hail, Thranduil. As always you speak words of wisdom. Náriël, put away your sword and Eruvellas be comforted. For these are not evil times, those indeed have passed through the valor of the Fellowship and many others."
At this Mith turned and bowed low to the Lord and all others they're remembered themselves and followed suit. Now turning back to the company Mith began to speak again in a droning voice. "Nay my friends fear not the discussion of our quest in the light of a good moon. For, remember the words Frodo of nine fingers spoke upon the trothing of Elfstone and Evenstar. 'Now not day only shall be beloved, but night too shall be beautiful and blessed and all its fear pass away!' He spoke rightly. We live now in blessed times my friends so be glad and let it wash away this fey mood you all find yourselves in for it is the device of our enemy, meant to darken our councils."
Mith looked at Náriël who simply nodded for him to continue. "It is not our quest to save all of Middle-Earth from peril as it was of the Fellowship. In our turn we must only preserve the things they fought for and keep our vigil ever turned towards the evil things still lingering in this world."
Now Mith turned to Eruvellas "Of which I am not one I may assure you. So let us stop speaking of doom and slaying. My quest must start tonight in all speed as may be. We go to save a love innocent and pure, which has been twisted and defiled by the malice of our enemy. For think not that with the passing of Sauron all evil passed away. It has only changed forms, into something subtler, but not less wretched. And now I bid any who will ride with me sheath your swords and find a swift horse. Vows we will take to quest and each other with the leave of your wise Lord and then any who will shall depart."
Eruvellas seemed deep in thought and fell silent for a minute. When he did speak his tone had changed greatly, "You speak of a feeling of dread. My dreams have been troubled and my days unsettled because of my dread. I have not felt this way since my close kinsman Legolas spoke of going to the council of Imladris. I think we have both have allowed this to cloud our judgment kinsman. Forgive of my haste and mistrust."
His tone became softer as he turned to the elvish maiden. "Náriël, I have heard of this name yet I know you not. My Lord has trust in you and this stranger Mith, and he gives not his trust freely. I know not of this quest, but I feel it in my bones. Consider me not to be hasty but if you will have me I will give you what protection my sword and bow can give. I will ride gladly ride at your side."
"Eruvellas." She whispered. "The kin of Legolas." She smiled and approached him one again touching his face lightly. "I did not know. Any kin of Legolas is friend to I." She smiled and nodded towards him, then surprisingly brushed a light kiss across his forehead. She turned to the two she-elves. "If you are to ride among us then make it known so now. We have not the time, nor the patience, to set around while you discuss the weather." Smiling in the direction of Mith she spoke softly. "I will await you at Mirkwood's edge, Eruvellas you are more then welcomed to join me when you are ready."
Náriël whistled a high long whistle, and called out, "Fëanáro." Seconds later a large white horse appeared before them. Náriël pulled her cloak back around her, pulling the hood up, and jumped onto the saddle. She nudged the horse slightly and was soon out of sight.
Turning again and bowing low to Lord Thranduil Mith said, "Now Thranduil it is time for my company to take leave of your gracious halls. But first before we fly there is the matter of the Dwarf."
And to this Thranduil laughed and all the forest echoed the joy of that sound. "Yes dear Mith, I do believe that you will have to go personally to the hall and drag him away. Being Gimli's kin and having met my fair son, the Dwarf Braud has become quite an attraction to my people. They have shut him in the hall and plied him with our best food and drink that he may tell them all the tales known to him. I dare say he has quite taken to the rapt attention they pay him. He may decide to skip your 'small' quest and stay here among the elves." At this Thranduil laughed again and took his leave.
"Narwen, Gilmiriel your first task on this quest will be to part a drunken Dwarf from his ale," said Mith "Of all the perils we may face together, I would not name this deed the least dangerous." Then Mith laughed, that strange laugh, and followed Thranduil towards the hall.
Eruvellas smiled at the thought of separating the Dwarf Braud from his ale and meat. He had watched this dwarf and even spoken to him on a few occasions. He had no concerns with the idea of Braud joining them on this quest, actually he looked rather forward to the opportunity. He hops off his horse lightly and follows Narwen and Gilmiriel through the entrance to hall, comes up behind them and has them stop for a quick word. "Legolas has told me much of the Dwarfs, their ways, old customs and how they think and react in situations where we might think quite differently. I have watched him while he has been with us, I am curious and I would like to understand this dwarf more. If you like and he consents I will bear him when we ride and stand with him if we fight, but I think our first struggle will be to separate him from his ale."
Narwen laughed. "I'm starting to like the sound of this dwarf. I welcome meeting Gimli's kinsman." They made their way to the hall where Braud was enjoying his ale. When they reached him, Narwen bowed low. "Hail, Braud, my friend! I am Narwen, and this is my brother Eruvellas, and my friend Gilmiriel."
The dwarf belched loudly, and reached out to shake her hand. "Hello, my good elves! Come and join me for a drink!" He tried to lean over and pull up a chair, but fell of his seat in the attempt. "Oh, no mind! I meant to do that." He said when Narwen, trying not to laugh, helped him to his feet.
"Actually we need you to come with us, Braud. We have to prepare for a mission."
The dwarf took a large gulp of ale and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Never mind the quest, lass. You're too pretty to worry your head about such matters. Come, 'tis a fine evening for a pint of ale!"
Narwen looked despairingly at Eruvellas. How in the world were they going to get this intoxicated dwarf out the door? She suddenly had an idea. "Braud, I'm going on this quest. And I'll need a sturdy dwarf to defend me from those foul orcs. Won't you come with us now?"
Braud looked up in interest. "Orcs, did you say?"
"Yes, there will be lots of fighting on a dangerous journey like ours. We'll need you, for you can't expect us elves to manage alone." She caught Gilmiriel's eye and winked.
"Well, if that is indeed the case, then what are we waiting for!" Braud cried heartily. Narwen giggled a little. Taking the dwarfs hand, she and the others left the hall.
Upon leaving the hall the company met up with Mith who had gone to the stables of the lord to gather their horses and gear. "Well done Narwen." Said Mith, seeing the elf leading the stumbling Dwarf. "On this quest you have already won renown."
And upon saying this it seemed to the companions that the voice emanating from the dark cloak actually had a ring of merriment to it instead of it's usual droning tone. "Now if we are all ready, I expect Náriël will be getting impatient. We must now head south even though our final destination is far to the North and West. We make for the Gap of Rohan. I have spoken to King Eomer and he has assured me our safe passage through his lands. I had hoped to reach Anduin by the coming of dawn two days from now, but I fear our delay here will not permit that. But now let us ride with what haste we may."
Eruvellas had wondered after his sister had so charmingly enchanted the Dwarf Braud how he would take to having to ride with him and not his sister. There was little time for pleasantries as Mith was already at the stables readying to go. "Master Braud kin of Gimli, I am kin to Legolas, I would be honored if you would ride with me on this journey".
Braud mumbled something slightly resembling a 'yes' and nods towards Eruvellas' horse. Just before mounting Eruvellas speaks quietly to his sister "What do you know of this quest? Though I have been troubled for some weeks I have not heard anyone speak of it. Lord Thranduil has not spoken to me of this but yet he knew and now gives us his blessings. In spite of the haste I feel within that we are doing, as we should. We may know more of it at our first camp."
Braud had now come over to Eruvellas looking prepared to go. "Well Eruvellas are we to go or stand here and talk the night away." Braud said in his gruff Dwarf manner. Eruvellas mounts, reaches down and lifts the dwarf up onto his saddle directly behind him. They now only wait for Mith to mount and lead the way.
Disclaimer: All original characters and places from Lord of the Rings belong to their respective owners. All new characters are property of me, or their respective owners. This piece was written for entertainment, no profit intended.
Credit: I would like to thank all the wonderful people from CouncilOfElrond that participated and continue to participate in the RPG. ElvenPrincess254, NellasTaralom, Palurien, Barahir1, Phae, and Lets_Hunt_Some_Orc.
Chapter 2: The departure.
"Náriël. My dear child. Put away your sword, for now is not the time of battle." He took a few steps forward and placed a hand on her cheek. Slowly Náriël lowered her sword and put it away stepping out closer to the Lord. "Many moons have passed since I last saw you, and yet you look just the same."
Náriël blushed and began to speak. "We are sorry to disturb your forest so now, but you know the terrors that haunt my mind. They are growing stronger, and there is need for much haste."
Lord Thranduil smiled and nodded, moving his hand to her forehead pushing a few stray hairs from her eyes. "I know my child, it grows ever heavier on my mind also." He turned to the shadow that was Mith. "Take who you will, whoever you feel will prove an asset to this quest. If they will not go, you can always find another. As you remember Legolas indeed volunteered to go on the quest years ago, and it proved a worthy one. You must find ones who believe at heart, they may not feel the darkness yet, as some elves senses aren't as strong as others, but soon we will all feel it..."
"Hail, Thranduil. As always you speak words of wisdom. Náriël, put away your sword and Eruvellas be comforted. For these are not evil times, those indeed have passed through the valor of the Fellowship and many others."
At this Mith turned and bowed low to the Lord and all others they're remembered themselves and followed suit. Now turning back to the company Mith began to speak again in a droning voice. "Nay my friends fear not the discussion of our quest in the light of a good moon. For, remember the words Frodo of nine fingers spoke upon the trothing of Elfstone and Evenstar. 'Now not day only shall be beloved, but night too shall be beautiful and blessed and all its fear pass away!' He spoke rightly. We live now in blessed times my friends so be glad and let it wash away this fey mood you all find yourselves in for it is the device of our enemy, meant to darken our councils."
Mith looked at Náriël who simply nodded for him to continue. "It is not our quest to save all of Middle-Earth from peril as it was of the Fellowship. In our turn we must only preserve the things they fought for and keep our vigil ever turned towards the evil things still lingering in this world."
Now Mith turned to Eruvellas "Of which I am not one I may assure you. So let us stop speaking of doom and slaying. My quest must start tonight in all speed as may be. We go to save a love innocent and pure, which has been twisted and defiled by the malice of our enemy. For think not that with the passing of Sauron all evil passed away. It has only changed forms, into something subtler, but not less wretched. And now I bid any who will ride with me sheath your swords and find a swift horse. Vows we will take to quest and each other with the leave of your wise Lord and then any who will shall depart."
Eruvellas seemed deep in thought and fell silent for a minute. When he did speak his tone had changed greatly, "You speak of a feeling of dread. My dreams have been troubled and my days unsettled because of my dread. I have not felt this way since my close kinsman Legolas spoke of going to the council of Imladris. I think we have both have allowed this to cloud our judgment kinsman. Forgive of my haste and mistrust."
His tone became softer as he turned to the elvish maiden. "Náriël, I have heard of this name yet I know you not. My Lord has trust in you and this stranger Mith, and he gives not his trust freely. I know not of this quest, but I feel it in my bones. Consider me not to be hasty but if you will have me I will give you what protection my sword and bow can give. I will ride gladly ride at your side."
"Eruvellas." She whispered. "The kin of Legolas." She smiled and approached him one again touching his face lightly. "I did not know. Any kin of Legolas is friend to I." She smiled and nodded towards him, then surprisingly brushed a light kiss across his forehead. She turned to the two she-elves. "If you are to ride among us then make it known so now. We have not the time, nor the patience, to set around while you discuss the weather." Smiling in the direction of Mith she spoke softly. "I will await you at Mirkwood's edge, Eruvellas you are more then welcomed to join me when you are ready."
Náriël whistled a high long whistle, and called out, "Fëanáro." Seconds later a large white horse appeared before them. Náriël pulled her cloak back around her, pulling the hood up, and jumped onto the saddle. She nudged the horse slightly and was soon out of sight.
Turning again and bowing low to Lord Thranduil Mith said, "Now Thranduil it is time for my company to take leave of your gracious halls. But first before we fly there is the matter of the Dwarf."
And to this Thranduil laughed and all the forest echoed the joy of that sound. "Yes dear Mith, I do believe that you will have to go personally to the hall and drag him away. Being Gimli's kin and having met my fair son, the Dwarf Braud has become quite an attraction to my people. They have shut him in the hall and plied him with our best food and drink that he may tell them all the tales known to him. I dare say he has quite taken to the rapt attention they pay him. He may decide to skip your 'small' quest and stay here among the elves." At this Thranduil laughed again and took his leave.
"Narwen, Gilmiriel your first task on this quest will be to part a drunken Dwarf from his ale," said Mith "Of all the perils we may face together, I would not name this deed the least dangerous." Then Mith laughed, that strange laugh, and followed Thranduil towards the hall.
Eruvellas smiled at the thought of separating the Dwarf Braud from his ale and meat. He had watched this dwarf and even spoken to him on a few occasions. He had no concerns with the idea of Braud joining them on this quest, actually he looked rather forward to the opportunity. He hops off his horse lightly and follows Narwen and Gilmiriel through the entrance to hall, comes up behind them and has them stop for a quick word. "Legolas has told me much of the Dwarfs, their ways, old customs and how they think and react in situations where we might think quite differently. I have watched him while he has been with us, I am curious and I would like to understand this dwarf more. If you like and he consents I will bear him when we ride and stand with him if we fight, but I think our first struggle will be to separate him from his ale."
Narwen laughed. "I'm starting to like the sound of this dwarf. I welcome meeting Gimli's kinsman." They made their way to the hall where Braud was enjoying his ale. When they reached him, Narwen bowed low. "Hail, Braud, my friend! I am Narwen, and this is my brother Eruvellas, and my friend Gilmiriel."
The dwarf belched loudly, and reached out to shake her hand. "Hello, my good elves! Come and join me for a drink!" He tried to lean over and pull up a chair, but fell of his seat in the attempt. "Oh, no mind! I meant to do that." He said when Narwen, trying not to laugh, helped him to his feet.
"Actually we need you to come with us, Braud. We have to prepare for a mission."
The dwarf took a large gulp of ale and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Never mind the quest, lass. You're too pretty to worry your head about such matters. Come, 'tis a fine evening for a pint of ale!"
Narwen looked despairingly at Eruvellas. How in the world were they going to get this intoxicated dwarf out the door? She suddenly had an idea. "Braud, I'm going on this quest. And I'll need a sturdy dwarf to defend me from those foul orcs. Won't you come with us now?"
Braud looked up in interest. "Orcs, did you say?"
"Yes, there will be lots of fighting on a dangerous journey like ours. We'll need you, for you can't expect us elves to manage alone." She caught Gilmiriel's eye and winked.
"Well, if that is indeed the case, then what are we waiting for!" Braud cried heartily. Narwen giggled a little. Taking the dwarfs hand, she and the others left the hall.
Upon leaving the hall the company met up with Mith who had gone to the stables of the lord to gather their horses and gear. "Well done Narwen." Said Mith, seeing the elf leading the stumbling Dwarf. "On this quest you have already won renown."
And upon saying this it seemed to the companions that the voice emanating from the dark cloak actually had a ring of merriment to it instead of it's usual droning tone. "Now if we are all ready, I expect Náriël will be getting impatient. We must now head south even though our final destination is far to the North and West. We make for the Gap of Rohan. I have spoken to King Eomer and he has assured me our safe passage through his lands. I had hoped to reach Anduin by the coming of dawn two days from now, but I fear our delay here will not permit that. But now let us ride with what haste we may."
Eruvellas had wondered after his sister had so charmingly enchanted the Dwarf Braud how he would take to having to ride with him and not his sister. There was little time for pleasantries as Mith was already at the stables readying to go. "Master Braud kin of Gimli, I am kin to Legolas, I would be honored if you would ride with me on this journey".
Braud mumbled something slightly resembling a 'yes' and nods towards Eruvellas' horse. Just before mounting Eruvellas speaks quietly to his sister "What do you know of this quest? Though I have been troubled for some weeks I have not heard anyone speak of it. Lord Thranduil has not spoken to me of this but yet he knew and now gives us his blessings. In spite of the haste I feel within that we are doing, as we should. We may know more of it at our first camp."
Braud had now come over to Eruvellas looking prepared to go. "Well Eruvellas are we to go or stand here and talk the night away." Braud said in his gruff Dwarf manner. Eruvellas mounts, reaches down and lifts the dwarf up onto his saddle directly behind him. They now only wait for Mith to mount and lead the way.