The dwarves started to get ready to move, and the girl went to the not-a-man on the sled, pausing to stroke the back of each Rabbit, murmuring their name and wishing them speed. "So," she started, once she got to him, "You'll be our distraction. You better not miss our talk," she said, stubbornly not looking at him.
He had a wistful smile on his face, "Of course, my dear, of course. Now, I think Gandalf wants to talk to you." I suppose that must be the other not-a-man, she thought, and nodded once at Radagast before going to talk to the figure in grey.
"Ah," he said, when she tapped his elbow, "Yes. Now you must accompany us. Not even the cruelest man would leave a child alone in the Wilds when an Orc Pack is on the move." The girl thought that was perfectly reasonable. Mr I-Don't-Like-Elvish-Blades did not, apparently.
"She will only slow us down," he spoke over her, to her annoyance.
"Now Thorin," he said (yes, one more name for the collection), "We cannot leave her behind." The dwarf still looked like he wanted to argue, but acquiesced with a grunted "Don't get us killed".
"Come and get me! Ha ha!" Radagast could be heard in the distance, taunting the Orc Pack and leading away the Wargs as Gandalf lead the group of 15 across the stretch of rocky flatland. They darted from rock to rock, pressing themselves against the boulders when the not-a-man would whiz nearby on his sled.
"Ori no!" cried Thorin, and grabbed a dwarf she supposed was named Ori. He looked shocked as not two seconds later Radagast drove by on his sled, trailed closely by the Orc Pack.
Her lungs were starting to burn when they next stopped, but became ice cold as she heard the sound of snuffling behind her. An Orc and Warg had broken off from the main pack, and was now standing directly above their heads. She froze, not daring to even move as the sounds of shuffling got louder and louder. I don't want to die, she thought. She mentally slapped herself: you can be pessimistic later, brain.
Thorin made a sign of protest at the beardless dwarf (and how horrible that must be), but it was too late, he had turned and shot an arrow at them. Both fell in front of them, wounded, and were quickly killed by some other Dwarves. However, neither had died quietly.
There was silence on the plains.
"Run, run!" cried Gandalf, and the spell was broken. The yips and snarls of Wargs were behind them and in front of them and all around them. The haunting cries of their masters carried on the wind, their harsh words grating on her ears. The group had abandoned all pretences of stealth, and were fleeing after Gandalf as fast as their feet could carry them.
The girl was running as fast as she could, but still keeping an eye out for any danger to the Company. That is why, when Ori was cornered by a Warg and rider, she saw and leapt atop it's back. Knife already in hand, she slit it's throat and jumped in front of the dwarf to protect him from the riderless and very angry Warg.
"Run," she said, and without looking to see if he followed her instructions, dove for the Warg. She dipped and ducked it's snapping jaws, darting around the creature like she was dancing. Seeing her opportunity, she slid under it's belly, slicing open it's stomach with her knife, then rose from the ground as it dropped dead behind her.
Ori was watching her in awe. "Come on!" she snapped, and grabbed his arms, pulling him to the others. They had made it to a rock, and the Orc Pack was closing in on the group. Gandalf has disappeared, but the girl could Feel him beneath the rock … hang on, beneath the rock?
"Where's Gandalf?" asked a dwarf. At least they had noticed too.
"He's abandoned us!" cried another. Ori pulled out a slingshot (a slingshot, really?) and started aiming at the Orcs. The beardless dwarf was shooting arrows, which were more effective than the slingshot.
"Stand your ground," yelled Thorin, ready to fight. Gandalf popped up from behind the rock.
"This way, you fools," he said, and started chivvying the dwarves down the hole he had popped out of. The girl stayed behind, shoving the others down the hole until only Thorin and the beardless dwarf remained.
"Kíli, run!" Thorin said, and the other dwarf turned, only to have a Warg leap on him. She ran towards him, unsheathing her hunting knives (she had taken a lot from that cave) and decapitating the Warg before it could do more than breathe in the direction of the dwarf.
"Thanks," said Kíli, but she was already pulling him towards the other dwarf, and once they got there, pushed both in. There was a squawk of indignation as they fell, though she couldn't tell which dwarf it came from. Out of the hole came the sound of one crying "She pushed me!" (and she'd worry about his bruised ego later) as she stared at the approaching Orcs, then jumped down the hole herself.
Landing in a roll, the girl stood up to the faces of more than a few astonished dwarves. She pushed past them to the back of the tunnel, and only paused a moment when the sound of a hunting horn was heard. An Orc fell down the tunnel, an arrow embedded in it's chest. Thorin pulled it out to examine it, and scowled when he recognised it.
"Elves," he spat, and she continued to end of the cavern, where there was the beginning of a path.
"I cannot see where the pathway leads. Do we follow it?" asked a dwarf with tattoos on the top of his bald head. She looked back to see what the others would do; she was going to follow it whether they did or not, (seriously, why wouldn't you when behind there are Orcs?). Besides, she had to meet Radagast in Rivendell.
"Follow it of course!" cried the dwarf with the stupid hat, and Gandalf murmured an agreement. The group started moving, and the girl fell to the back of the group, staying silent when the not-a-man cast his roving eyes on her. There was a bit of a hold-up when a dwarf with ginger beard and a bit of a stomach got stuck in the narrow passage, but she simply walked up to him and shoved him through the gap, taking care to not let him or any of his hair be harmed.
The group finally got to the top of a valley. She let the air wash over her, and the feeling of relaxation it brought had her feeling boneless. A dwarf pulled her back from where she was swaying near the edge of the cliff, and she profusely thanked him. If she kept acting like a sappy fool, she was going to get pushed off the cliff by the dwarves. The girl was also confused by the city nestling in the valley; she had never seen or heard of it before. It was worrying, because she prided herself on being intelligent, and it was obvious Imraldis/Rivendell was well-known.
As the group began to descend, she caught the tail-end of an argument between Thorin and Gandalf. The dwarf was being openly hostile, and the not-a-man was getting more and more annoyed.
"If we are to be successful," Gandalf was saying, "This will need to be handled with tact and respect. Which is why you will leave the talking to me." She hid her giggles behind her hand, and when the two turned questioningly, her face was blank.
Crossing the bridge to get into the city, there was no small amount of awe coming from parts of the group. The dwarves seemed to be discussing the craftsmanship of the buildings, but she was more interested in their personalities. Because these building were … not alive, maybe, but conscious. Like Hogwarts, she thought. The girl nodded respectfully to the two statues on either side of the bridge, and ignored the marble eyes on her in favour of joining the others.
The dwarves were murmuring amongst themselves distrustfully, while Gandalf was greeted by someone he called Lindir (and apparently Gandalf is also called Mithrandir) … who certainly wasn't human. She supposed he must be an elf, because Thorin's expression was the same as it was in the cave looking at the swords.
"We heard you had crossed into the Valley," Lindir said, though his voice sounded more melodious than it had earlier.
"I must speak with Lord Elrond," said Gandalf, and the girl could almost feel more elves entering the valley, though when she turned there was no one in sight (yet).
"My Lord Elrond is not here," answered Lindir, and his voice had lost the musical quality. Horns could be heard, and the group turned to join her looking across the bridge to the group of elves crossing it.
"Ready weapons!" called Thorin, and his voice had a guttural undertone, "Hold ranks!" he added, and his voice had lost the note. The dwarves bunched in a circle, shoving her and the hobbit to the centre, and pointing their weapons outward. She was annoyed at being shoved to the middle for protection, and when the Lindir's eyes caught her own, she mouthed 'Can you believe this?'.
He was saved from answering by her sight being cut off as the elves on horses started circling the company, heightening her annoyance: she was only part of this group by chance, and only because she had to meet up with Radagast.
"Gandalf," said the elf who had separated himself from the others. Gandalf bowed.
"Lord Elrond," he said, answering the girl's unspoken question of who he was. When he spoke again, his voice had gained the musical quality Lindir's had had earlier, "My friend! Where have you been?"
Elrond replied in the same way, "We were hunting Orcs that had come up from the South. We slew a number near the Hidden Pass," the elf then dismounted, and hugged the not-a-man, "Strange for them to come so close to our borders. Something or someone must have drawn them near." His voice had become normal again, and he lifted up a sword (she had seen an Orc holding it earlier), then handed it to Lindir.
Gandalf looked slightly sheepish. "Ah, that may have been us," he said, and he too had returned to a normal tone of voice. Elrond had turned to talk to Thorin.
"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain," he said, and after a bit Thorin insulted the elf, who turned to Lindir. "Light the fires, bring forth the wine. We must feed our guests," he said, and his voice had gotten the musical quality again.
"What's he saying?" asked a dwarf, "Is he offering insult?" The girl was confused, and even more so as the rest of the dwarves began to ready their weapons.
"But he's offering you food," she said, "How is that an insult?" The dwarves had started to discuss this, while the girl found herself the subject of quite a few assessing looks.
"And who is this Gandalf?" asked Elrond. She was a bit miffed at being talked above, but Gandalf answered for her.
"I don't know," he said, "We found in a Troll cave, but before we could ask her anything we were fleeing from Orcs."
"So you don't know why a human no one has met before knows Sindarin?" Elrond questioned again. This time the girl interrupted.
"Sindarin? What's that?" she asked, but before she got an answer, the dwarves had separated.
"Well then, in that case, lead on," the same dwarf who had been offended said. The group was led away, and the other eves broke off in groups of two or three, talking about her like she couldn't even understand them. She stood in the centre of the courtyard, unsure of what to do.
"Come with me," said Lindir, beckoning her closer, "I am to deliver you to the Lady Arwen, who will help you bathe before supper." She couldn't really find it in herself to be offended she had just been told she smelled, so just followed along behind the elf.
"So," the girl started, "Why is everyone talking about me?" she asked, and Lindir seemed to sigh. "Sorry, sorry, it doesn't matter," she quickly backtracked, wary. The elf, who before had been resigned, now seemed confused.
"Everyone is wondering why a human girl knows the language of the elves, when the only humans who do are the Dúnedain," he answered, surprising her. "Why should you need to apologise for such a question?" he then asked, and she quickly retreated.
"Oh, don't worry," she tried to laugh it off, then, when he still looked curious, changed the subject. "It makes me wonder why they're all gossiping about me in … was it Sindarin? In Sindarin when they know I can understand them."
Lindir laughed, "That is a good question. I think it's because they are so used to outsiders not knowing what they are saying they forgot you do." She laughed as well.
They got to a door, and Lindir knocked on it, "Lady Arwen," he called, "Your father needs you to help with his guest." The girl awkwardly stood to the side, and when the door opened, became even more so.
The lady in the doorway was beautiful. Like the first star on the evening horizon, she drew your eyes. Her delicate face was framed by long, dark brown hair. Lindir had started speaking again.
"This is …" he said, then trailed off, "You never did say your name, did you?" he asked, and the girl froze in place. Lindir tried to carry on, "Your name?" he asked her, and was gifted with a sigh.
"I do…" she trailed off. Lindir coughed.
"Sorry, what was that?" he asked her. Arwen stood to the side, looking worried.
"I said, I don…" she trailed off once more. Lindir now was starting to look slightly annoyed, while Arwen was looking on in interest.
"I'm sorry, you'll have to speak up." he said, with a bite of impatience.
"I don't have one! I never got one, ok?" yelled the girl, then immediately retreated into herself, scolding herself for her outburst. She was also confused by it: she was a quiet person, and it didn't make any sense for her to yell. After a minute of silence, she looked up questioningly.
Lindir looked shocked, almost like he was in pain, while Arwen's face held an emotion she couldn't place, though her eyes were starting to fill with tears. "Don't worry," she quickly tried to reassure the two, "It doesn't really matter." She missed the look Arwen and Lindir exchanged, but couldn't miss when she suddenly an armful of crying elleth. Lindir had put his arms round her as well.
"Are you ok? Did you hurt yourself, what's wrong?" she asked Arwen, whose sobbing redoubled. She could also feel Lindir starting to shake behind her. She looked around for someone who could help her figure out what happened, and caught sight of Elrond at the end of the hallway. The two also exchanged a look, though this was one of confusion. The elf Lord walked up to the trio.
"Whatever is the matter, dear one?" he asked Arwen, who detached herself from the girl and sobbed into her father's chest. Meanwhile, Lindir was holding on so tightly it seemed he was never going to let go.
"She was never named, father," said Arwen, and when Elrond looked to Lindir, got a nod.
"Said it doesn't matter," he said, and Elrond's face became grave. When he was met by a confused stare from the girl in Lindir's arms, he explained.
"In our culture, indeed, in nearly every culture, a name is what defines you. What you are, how you will be remembered, it is all part of your name," he said, while Arwen nodded in his arms. "Since your parents never gave you one, I guess we'll have to," he finished. The girl's eyes were wide: she hadn't realised what a big thing a name was. She said as much.
"Everything should have a name," said Lindir above her head, "Even if the only thing that knows it is what it belongs to, it has a name." It was obvious to the girl that there would be no discussion.
"How about Laelynn," said Arwen from her father's arms, "Flower of hope, in the language of the Kings of Old," she continued. The other two agreed.
"Do you like this name," said Elrond, and the girl quickly agreed.
"Laelynn," she tested the name on her tongue, and the three nodded.
"Do you like it?" asked Arwen.
"I love it," answered the newly-christened Laelynn in awe. She had never had a name before, and this one was hers; no one else's, hers.
"Now let's get you to the baths, so you can join the rest of us at dinner." The two women walked off in the direction of the bath house, and Arwen seemed much more cheery. The elves left behind shared a look, and walked together in search of Gandalf; how much did he know about the mystery girl exactly.
It turned out he knew even less than they did.
So here's chapter 2. In my head cannon, I think names mean a lot to the races of Middle Earth; after all, what will they remember you by? Sorry if you think anyone is OOC, but I think the shock of someone's parents not caring enough to name their child would have shaken them. I hope this answers any questions you might have had to Laelynn's name. Laelynn is an actual name, which does mean flower of hope. I was looking for a name for her when I found it, and it only later occurred to me to find an elvish one. But Laelynn is a Canadian name, and I never see names from my country, so I'm keeping it.
I'm dedicating this to everyone who has school starting this week, because going back to school sucks. Speaking of, I'm going to be heading back as well, so I'll try to keep updates coming quickly, but I'm sorry to say this is probably the only time updates will happen within a couple days. I also don't have a beta, so any if you see any errors, please tell me and I'll fix them as soon as I can.