Elves
I ran out of curses after only a few miles. Thanking every god and goddess Ron believed in for the river racing along beside me and guiding me, I stopped to take a drink and rest, watching idly as Mori waded into the water and drank. Luckily my friend had kept up a stream of chatter to distract me from the long walk, but I was still exhausted. Walking across country hadn't been a part of the plan, but then again, neither had the place actually existing. Despite the words of me raven friend, I had been partially convinced that the brooding boat captain would drop me off somewhere near the border and that I would be forced to walk back and inform the king that he had been scammed. But the river matched the map, running and curving in all the right places. More than that, this place felt different, if such a thing made sense. The few trees I ran in to along the way felt…older, wiser even. The birds looked different. Even the grass seemed a different shade of green than I was use to, although it was just as edible as the stuff back home in a pinch.
Although the scenery was beautiful, I began looking out for cities where I could, if push came to shove, steal a horse before nightfall. I honestly hoped that I could find a kind traveler or innkeeper willing to lend me the steed, but I very much doubted that would happen. I didn't even know what languages they spoke in this place, or if the common tongue of me country would be understood. I hoped so, since communicating with this 'Lord Elrond' seemed to be part of the deal. Anyway, I hadn't exactly run into any other travelers. The roads and paths were deserted.
It wasn't until the sun began to sink in the sky and I had nearly resigned myself to walking the whole way that I saw a city in the distance. A large crudely fenced in area holding about fifteen horses I could see (and I was sure there were others) was visible off to the side. Deciding that taking a risk on bartering with the locals was a bad idea, I slipped into the city as dusk was falling, keeping my head down and my hood up. Whispering a prayer of thanks to whatever god was listening, I looked around the city. Most of the buildings were stone, with what appeared to be thatch roofs. A large stone building a little ways down the road towered over the other buildings, and a little well sat in the middle of a courtyard in front. Wondering if it was their place of worship, I turned back around and paid closer attention to the people.
Women and children, most in little more than rags, idled about, some holding discussions, others pulling their children along home. Men walked home from their jobs and new men came to guard the city and the horses. Following me nose, I was able to locate the stables, which were close to the entrance to the city, and walked inside. Long ago I had learned that acting as if you belonged somewhere was often the ticket inside. Bridles hung along the sidewall, and saddles sat on racks or on stall doors. Deciding quickly that I would never be able to smuggle a saddle out without drawing attention, I picked a plain bridle and strolled out to the pasture, me purposeful gaze keeping all that would question me at bay.
Slipping under the fence, I watched Mori scout out the horses, unnoticed by the aging guard. Thieving was an old skill that I had never quite lost, something I was grateful for now. "The grey one." Mori called from me perch on a fence post by me head, nodding to one of the horses. "He's young enough, and strong too. I asked if he would help and he said he would love to. He's itching to go on a good run." Thanking my friend quietly, I made my way over to the grey beast, first crouching in the grass as I nearly crawled forward, then using his body and neck to hide me from the obviously inattentive guards, and whispered in his ear as I eased the bridle over his head, and the bit into his mouth, careful not to hurt his ears as I bent them to fit under the head strap. "What's your name?" I wondered.
Mori translated my question, then perched on his shoulder. "His masters call him Silver. He says that'll have to do, since he doubts you can pronounce his horse name." I grinned with a nod and pulled myself onto his broad back. My lack of armor made it easier to mount and adjust my weight, and would make me lighter to carry, but I was still worried. Whatever evils they had in Middle Earth, and I was sure they were around somewhere; I knew I would feel better facing them if I had some protection.
The horse leapt the fence easily after I nudged him forward, and I wondered at the easy way I had just stolen a horse…albeit a willing one. Had it been my own home, I would have been shot dead the instant I attempted to enter a fenced field after dark. But I wasn't about to complain. It would make the journey to the elfish city that much easier. Promising myself that I would return the horse at the end of me journey, I set off along the river once again.
The journey from then on out was easy…until I reached the forest of course. But, I rationed later, it would have been strange to make it all the way to Rivendell without any trouble. Silver made excellent time, and he hadn't been lying to my raven friend…he really was desperate for a good run. The excuse would never hold up in court, and death would the penalty if the laws where were anything like the laws in my own land, but I was secure in the fact that I most likely wouldn't be caught. Anyway, I was borrowing the willing horse. He would be returned home in excellent condition, I would be sure of it.
It was nearly nightfall, five days later, when I caught sight of the forest, and I decided to camp by the road, asking my raven to keep watch as always. That evening, we all sat in the shade of the trees, as the shadows grew longer and my animal friends rested, although Mori had ridden on my shoulder for much of the journey. I teased her, asking if she'd lost the use of her wings, and she retaliated by biting hard on my earlobe and then flying out of reach, the horse looking on in what I assumed was amusement. When we were done with our horseplay which mostly involved me attempting to chase her lazily, since I, too was tired from the journey, I sat down, pulling out the map and studying it by the light of the moon. I knew it by heart now, of course, or most of it. Rivendell. Home of the elves. I wondered if elves were anything like the stories I'd heard…benevolent creatures, kind and warm and a little bit magic.
Eventually, I lay on the ground, curling up under my cloak. I hadn't dared risk a fire while traveling alone so far from home in a strange land. I knew nothing of the monsters that roamed this land, and for all I really knew, the elves themselves would attack me on sight. I hoped not. I had quite hoped to live until at least 21. Despite these thoughts, I fell asleep rather quickly, lying near Silver as he grazed, but was startled awake after a few hours by a sharp tug on me ear. Biting me lip at the sharp pain, I employed every bit of self-control I owned so as not to cry out, since I was sure that Mori had woken me for a good reason. She always had a good reason. Lo and behold, the sound of marching met my ears as I slipped out from under my traveling cloak and led the horse closer to the cover of the forest. Whatever these creatures were, there were about thirty of them, and I didn't care for those odds. We hid amongst the trees and I hoped that these monsters, for as they came closer, I realized they were, in fact, some sort of horrible monster, would not see me. Dying before I met Lord Elrond was a most distasteful thought.
Just when I was starting to plan an escape, the sound of hooves met my ears, and a company in full armor came thundering through a path in the forest, bows drawn, and arrows rained down on the deformed creatures, making quick work of the apparent intruders before they could really begin to retaliate. None of the creatures had fired a return shot, although some of them had drawn crude looking swords, which lay on the ground after the short battle, visible only because of the bright moonlight. The company dismounted from their horses, some of the men going to the edge of the clearing, apparently keeping watch, while the others gathered the bodies and, pulling out stones and flint, lit the pile of corpses ablaze. I flinched at the sharp, awful smell of burning flesh, placing a hand on Silver's side as Mori quietly spoke with him. I wasn't sure what they were saying, but the bird sat perched on his head, making soft sounds I couldn't understand.
I did not know who these men were, but I was close to Rivendell, according to my map. That was, assuming the map was drawn correctly. Although it had been right so far, I knew better than to rely on the skills of other mapmakers. Still, this company seemed like they could be trusted. They had taken out those monsters with little effort, and they worked efficiently, climbing easily back onto their horses which had no saddles, only plain, bitless bridles. I glanced down at Silver's bridle, which I'd carried over and left on the ground, then decided to disregard it. If I tried to leave for Rivendell now, they would certainly spot me, and sleeping with them so close would be impossible…so I made a rash decision.
I stepped out from the bushes slowly, hands up, palms out, and hoped they wouldn't shoot first and ask questions later. Mori perched on my shoulder, watching these men as closely as I did. I had met men who would kill strangers on site, and I'd met those who waited calmly for answers before engaging in a fight, but I had no knowledge of these people. Perhaps killing strangers was the custom here. It would explain the lack of travel between our lands. The men noticed me immediately, and all eyes were on me as they turned, showing me long, graceful faces with long dark hair and narrow eyes. They were unlike any man I had ever seen, and I could not help but be surprised by how attractive they all were. Each narrowed their eyes at me from atop their horses, bows at the ready but not yet aimed at me. The one I presumed was their leader steered his horse over to me, bow drawn, an arrow pointed at the ground by my feet. I kept my tongue, hands still up as he approached, not daring to move.
"Who are you?" He spoke sharply, his eyes raking over my tall, undernourished frame and meeting my hesitant eyes with suspicious ones. I bowed slightly, moving just my head and keeping my hands up.
"My apologies, my Lord. I am Anne, Lady Knight of Tortall. Your lord Elrond, has requested my presence. He asked the King of Tortall to send a representative from our land." I winced inwardly, hoping that it was true. Ron had never proven his claim to me. "I am to attend a council?" I made it a question, hoping they would know of what I spoke. The man dropped his bow arm and eased the arrow until it was lose, then placed it back into a quiver at his back. He then removed his helmet, revealing a wizened, though somehow young, face and pointed ears. This time when he spoke, his voice was calm, almost gentle.
"No, my apologies, my Lady. We did not receive word from your King, though we waited for many days. I had lost hope that anyone would come, and you were…unexpected." I didn't have an answer for that, as I was staring at his fair, though aged face (I was still pondering that one) and pointed ears in the moonlight, coming to the realization that this was no man at all. I was never expected…anywhere. When a knight was coming, no one ever expected a woman. It was something I had learned to accept, and even something I used to my advantage whenever possible. My childhood, and then my training to become a knight, had taught me to use whatever advantages I could, whenever I could. "I am Lord Elrond. Allow me to escort you into Rivendell, Lady Anne."
Shocked into speaking my mind, I stared at the elf as he sat gracefully atop his horse, feeling like a great ogre trying to throw myself onto Silver's back, especially since I had no saddle. "Um…no my Lord. I mean…there's no need to call me…you need only call me Anne, my Lord." I finally stammered out, red in the face at both my sudden inability to articulate and the amused smiles on a few of the company's faces. Lord Elrond only gave me a soft smile and a short nod before urging his horse forward. Glancing at the other elves, I realized that I was to follow first, and nudged Silver forward; Mori perched on my shoulder beneath my braid.
I could scarcely see the city we approached, even with the moon shining down, so I didn't bother looking around, focusing instead on the elf in front of me and the path we followed towards what appeared to be a sort of palace. Around us, I could hear waterfalls, and I could tell we had crossed more than one bridge. I dismounted when he did, once again feeling like a great beast next to the graceful elf, and smiled gratefully at another elf who came to lead my horse away. Mori, always letting curiosity win over sleep, opted to follow Silver and do a little exploring, or so she called back to me. The elf didn't respond so I did not bother bringing up the fact that I was friendly with a talking raven. While she set off on her own adventure I followed Lord Elrond (I didn't know if he was to be called a king, so I stuck with 'my Lord') into a large, beautiful building that shone even in the moonlight. I wasn't sure if it was a palace or a castle, or even just a normal dwelling, but it was more beautiful than any palace I had ever seen. Inside, torches were lit along the walls, which were covered with paintings and murals. I followed reverently, keeping my eyes on the walls whenever possible to see what works of art hung there. Also, I was trying to figure out how to get out should that become a necessity, but the elf led me down many winding hallways until we came to an open door, at which point I was completely lost.
"Please make yourself comfortable." He told me, gesturing to the room. I started, staring at him with wide eyes. It was rare that I was able to get any kind of good sleep while traveling or following the commands of the king, and my hosts were seldom welcoming. This room was almost the size of Ron's, with a large bed in the center covered with a canopy, and a door which led to a balcony easily visible through the open curtains. "We shall all meet tomorrow after the midday meal, and you will be informed of the location beforehand. You have plenty of time to sleep, or explore, if you so choose."
Folding my hands, I bowed at the waist, showing as much respect and gratitude as I could manage, exhausted as I suddenly felt. "Thank you, my Lord." I said, feeling suddenly lucky that Ron had sent me on such a lovely quest. A room, all to myself, indoors, with a comfortable bed. I had rarely been so well treated. Whatever I had been expecting of the elves of Rivendell, this was not it.
"Of course. I will see you in the morning." I could hear the smile in his voice, and felt his hand briefly rest on my shoulder, surprising me a bit. It seemed the elves of Rivendell were kind to strangers after all…or maybe just to invited guests. Remembering the way they'd easily killed those monsters, I knew that I did not want to be on the bad side of these creatures.
I straightened, watching him leave and then shutting the door. After a few minutes, I pulled it open once more, half surprised that I wasn't locked in. I stepped into the hall for a moment. "So it wasn't a trap." I whispered into the stillness, feeling somewhat silly, but it wouldn't be the first time I'd been trapped in a seemingly nice place. Thoughts of my childhood home came to mind against my will. "So what is it I am to do here?" Turning back to my room, I climbed into the bed and allowed myself to fall asleep in the strange place, deciding to leave the questions until morning.
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