Welcome back everyone, next chapter is here, yay! I have to say my teachers are not impressed when I always hand in homework late, but this is far more important and investing than the digestive system. (Than any sort of science work in fact) Again the elvish translations will be at the bottom, enjoy!
Silver as the Rain x
Indilwen awoke first, her sensitive ears picking up the sound of a twig snapping. She sat bolt upright and drew back an arrow. "Wow." She gasped, staring at the ornate weapon, perfectly lethal but beautiful. "Oi, sluggy, get up!" She hissed and kicked her best friend awake. Alkira groaned.
"Ten more minutes." She grunted.
"Now!" She slowly sat up.
"What is it?" Suddenly she frowned then stared at Indilwen. "Was all that real?"
"I think so, I just pulled a fast one on a twig." Indilwen demonstrated her fast reflexes.
"Wow, that is awesome! This is awesome! I can't believe we're here!" Suddenly the neigh of a horse made us look up. "Oh no...not horses." Alkira shuddered. The elf maid got up, finding herself to be robed in soft breeches and a riding dress of fern green with long sleeves, only she was also wearing body armour, framing her breasts and covering her stomach. "Here now." She went over to the horses, one was pure white and the other was coal black. They were both mares and they seemed very friendly towards us. "I hate horses..." Alkira moaned.
"No you don't. You're just scared of falling." Indilwen grinned then began to search for some form of food. She only found some tiny loves of bread.
"Lembas!" Alkira gasped and snatched some from the bag and ate some. "Hm. That is good..." She groaned dreamily then took another bite.
"Easy, you know what it did to the hobbits." Indilwen grinned then continued stroking the grey mare who nudged her affectionately. The black stallion stamped his hoof and pushed his nose repeatedly into Alkira's back, making her jump jerkilly then giggle nervously. Slowly she got used to the creature, patting it and saying things like, "there now" or "that's a good boy".
"It's a girl." Indilwen corrected her.
"Oh. Good girl." She stammered then collected her bed roll together. We mounted our horses and rode, talking quietly. "Are you sure this is the way to Imladris?" Alkira whispered.
"Nope. But the horses seem to." I glanced over to her. "You know, I don't think I've ever seen you ride to comfortably." Alkira grinned.
"Perhaps I am from Rohan, I look like one, with the blonde hair and all..."
"You should tell people that then, if they ask." Indilwen nodded. "Let's say...your family were nomads, gypsy sort of people but orcs killed them." Alkira gasped and clapped her hand over her mouth.
"That's horrible!"
"Ali, it's not true." Indilwen reminded her with a chuckle.
"Oh yeah. Continue." She nodded.
"Yeah so...orcs killed them but my family came riding in and killed them and found you alone. So we took you in. Let's say I'm from...Mirkwood, they have white hair there, mostly, but we traveled too. We grew up together, me raising you as I am a lot older, a few hundred years older and we've been best friends and sisters ever since."
"So how do we explain being at the council?" Alkira asked. "No wait! I know! We heard about the return of the Ring so we came to investigate and...then we offer to go on the quest." Alkira offered.
"That'll do for now." Indilwen laughed then took off at a gallop. Alkira soon following close behind. Both girls laughed loudly, following the river. Somehow Indilwen knew exactly where they were on the map and which direction they were going, which was probably thanks to the Valar. "Shall we rest here?" Alkira asked, pointing to a grove of trees. Indilwen smiled as she used her incredible elvish sight, looking into tiny details in leaves and stones. She looked back then gasped. "Alkira, it's Bilbo's trolls!" She pointed, jumping up and down. They both raced towards the clearing then settled down.
"What-what if Aragorn and the hobbits arrive? It's nearly dark." Alkira asked with a hint of worry. "Frodo would be hurt." Indilwen thought for a moment.
"Let's move off somewhere, it's too open here and with those Nazgûl prowling around. We'll keep close in case they come by. I have a feeling we might be able to help." Indilwen led the way into a more closed up area where it was protected and kept the rain away from them and their horses but could see anyone who passed. Two hours later Indilwen heard someone coming. "I'm going to scout around, someone's here." Alkira nodded and shrank back into the shadows. Indilwen mounted her horse and drew the curved blade from her back without thinking.
'Do I even know how to use this thing?' She thought to herself as she slowly walked around through the trees, listening. She heard the Nazgûl close by but there was a party even closer. She circled back to the grove and found Alkira there, her hands touching Frodo's chest and...glowing slightly. This was unnoticed by the others as Indilwen came closer, she felt light blossom around her. "Frodo." She smiled at him as she dismounted and came forwards. "Im Indilwen. Telin le thaed. Lasto beth nîn, tolo dan nan galad." The words rolled of her tongue. She couldn't help but say them. Where was Arwen, was she coming?
"No. She will not. It is up to you now." Varda whispered into her head. She felt her ear twitch at the sound of someone crashing through the trees. She swiftly drew her sword and stood in front of the hobbits. Aragorn met her with a shocked look, staring at her then at Alkira.
"Who are you?" Indilwen asked him, pretending not to know.
"Strider, who are you?" He looked down to Alkira. "What is she doing to him?" He took a step closer.
"Aiding him. Have no fear, Strider, we are here to help." Indilwen put away her sword to prove her point. Alkira looked up and tugged at Indilwen's robe.
"He has not long, I have done what I can to slow the poison, one of us must take him." She stood and whispered into Indilwen's ear. "I heard Varda too." Indilwen nodded.
"I am Indilwen and this is my closest friend Alkira. We mean no one any harm." Indilwen glanced to the other three hobbits and smiled at them. "I must take him to Rivendell, where he shall be healed. There is no time." Strider picked Frodo up as Indilwen whistled for her horse, who she had named Celestial. He slid Frodo into the saddle then turned to Indilwen. "Let me ride with him, the road is dangerous."
"I know, I can take him. I am unafraid and I am the faster rider." Indilwen swung up elegantly into the saddle then nodded to Alkira.
"I shall stay with them. Ride. I shall only hinder you." Indilwen's face fell with worry.
"Stay safe sister." With that she whispered the words. "Noro lim, Celestial, noro lim!" They sprung away like a white shadow, there one moment, gone the next. Aragorn turned to Alkira. "I am Strider." He nodded his head and placed his hand on his heart.
"Alkira." She copied the gesture with a slight blush.
"I'm Pippin and this is Merry." Pippin introduced with a wide grin. "And he is Sam." Alkira giggled.
"It is a pleasure to meet you." She smiled brightly at them. Suddenly the screech of the Nazgûl rang in their ears.
"Hurry." He quickly grabbed his torch. Alkira ran to her horse and led him forwards towards the hobbits. She lifted the three of them onto Briaca's back then whispered to him. "Run with me." She took off after Aragorn, praying her body would be as athletic as it looked. It was. She found long distance running suddenly easy compared to how she used to find it, long and labored. She ran with ease and speed, not as fast as Aragorn but her horse had to canter beside her to keep up. She was constantly shoving the hobbits back up into the saddle to keep them from falling, trying not to feel fear within her but that was hard, she could hear the thundering of the Nazgûl's hooves behind her.
Aragorn kept on looking back. "Hurry!" He called and raced on, sword at the ready. Alkira was clad in tunic, breeches, boots, cloak and an armour similar to Indilwen's but instead of some sort of metal, it was leather. She also had leather gauntlets and pads on her shoulders which made everything slightly heavier. She soon found it becoming heavier by the second. After what felt like an eternity of running, she felt like her old self again. Completely useless.
"In here." Aragorn had found a cave which he quickly ushered everyone inside of then covered the entrance. It was roomy, even with the horse, and Alkira collapsed onto the ground panting deeply. Suddenly Aragorn fell beside her and clasped his hand over her mouth, making her jump but he pressed a finger to his lips and looked to outside. Again the shrill shriek of the Nazgûl sounded like sirens, making Alkira stiffen and her eyes grow wide, her fingers fingering her sword hilt for comfort. They thundered past them, horses growling and snorting painfully until finally, silence.
Everyone relaxed slowly and Aragorn pulled his hand away from Alkira's mouth. "Sorry." He whispered richly. She shook her head.
"Thank you." She slowly pulled herself to her feet and helped the hobbits down, who were ducking their heads as not to hit their heads on the low ceiling. Once they were all settled and beds made, Alkira began untacking Briaca with expert fingers. She didn't know how she knew, she'd never untacked a horse before but she let it pass. She was too tired to think about it. "You are from Rohan?" Aragorn asked quietly, chewing on his pipe but not actually smoking it.
"Yes." She nodded, pulling out her bed roll and setting it down.
"What are you doing here?" He asked curiously. Alkira looked to him, not able to see his fine features in the cloak of darkness he wore around him.
"Elrond calls, so I came. Indi and I heard about..." She lowered her voice. "The One Ring, so we came to see if it were true." Aragorn said nothing. "Is it?"
"I am not a person with authority to tell you, so you shall have to wait. Sleep, Alkira, you must be tired." Alkira nodded.
"Friends call me Ali."
"Good night Ali." There was a hint of a chuckle in his voice which made her blush in the dark and smile.
"Good night friend."
Indilwen's heart rate matched the rhythm of her horse's hooves as they touched the ground. They seemed to fly over the land, it was amazing. However the Ring wraiths were close behind and Indilwen could smell them, a pungent odor of death and somehow despair and fear. The elleth rode with all haste, glad that Celestial never seemed to tire, her breath never became labored and she never broke out in sweat. The hissing grew louder and Indilwen looked around her, finding herself surrounded. "Noro lim Celest!" She cried and Celestial ran even faster, pulling ahead of the black riders as they screeched at her. One tried to reach out but Indilwen pulled out a curved dagger and slashed at it, making it draw back with an angered, ear piercing scream.
They rode hard and fast, the fear never rising to panic, merely worry. Indilwen refused to be afraid of these creatures. Frodo gasped for breath in front of her, his head slapping into her chin painfully and she could feel his heartbeat slowing by the minute. "Hold on Frodo." She whispered. Quickly she pulled Celestial into the forest, smiling slightly in amusement as they took them in the exact chase as in the movie. As they flew like angels over the tree, Indilwen slowed as they reached the gushing river, drawing her sword at the other side of the bank. The Nazgûl pulled up their horses forcefully, making them rear and shriek with them as they screeched. "Give up Halfling, she-elf!" They commanded her in a dark, deep, cavernous echo.
"If you want him, then you may claim him but only after you have met my sword!" She bellowed at them then began the enchantment.
"Nîn o Chithaeglir
lasto beth daer;
Rimmo nîn Bruinen
dan in Ulaer!"
The water rose and roared like lions, spilling massively around the bend and cantering with white foamy horses towards the wraiths as they crossed the river. They were frightened. Indilwen relished in their fear as they tried to flee from the water's strong grasp. Like a mountain it fell upon them, washing them away like filth in the rain. Frodo choked. "No Frodo, we are not far, I think." She commanded him, shaking him slightly. "Stay strong for me, Frodo, this is not the end yet." She placed a hand on his heart as she turned to gallop on. "Your light is here, within, do not lose it as it is your own shield that cannot be broken. It is who you are, your guardian." She prayed to the Valar to keep him strong enough to reach Rivendell. 'Must I share my immortality with him?' She asked.
'No, he will make it. Keep going brave one.' They answered. In answer Indilwen went even faster. She rode right into the courtyard and shouted out in elvish. "Boe nestad Frodo! Boe de nestad! Edraith!" Instantly elves swarmed around her and Frodo was swiftly taken from her and carried away. She watched him go before turning to one of Elrond's councilors. He was tall and spindly with long white hair and beard, falling to his chest. He was clad in silky grey robes and wore a silver circlet of linked chains.
"Suil. Gi nathlam hi. Man i eneth gîn?" He bowed his head low and rested his right hand on his heart. Indilwen dismounted and repeated the gesture, slightly nervous but the right words came to her mouth and she understood what he said.
"Im Indilwen estar." She introduced then asked where her horse might be stabled and told him that she was here for the council. He told a younger looking elf of brown hair and eyes to lead the weary travelers to the stables whilst he found a room for Indilwen. She cared for her horse personally, wanting to let Celestial know she was proud of her efforts and courage, whispering constant praise to her. Celestial enjoyed the attention, whickering softly at her before closing her eyes to rest. Indilwen gathered her bed roll, blanket and belongings, all found with Celestial then followed the elleth that came to collect her. She said nothing to Indilwen but beckoned with her nose in the air and led her to a room.
It was beautiful there, the room was ornately carved and painted, soft fabrics floating on the breeze at the window, a large bed awaiting her temptingly...Indilwen almost forgot about her companions. She asked for the elleth to take her to Elrond and she frowned snootily at her.
"Elrond is healing the Halfling. You can wait for him." She switched to the common tongue with a slightly affronted tone.
"You do not understand." Indilwen took a menacing step towards her. "My companions and close friends are out there, weary and hungry, they could be in danger and they are heading here. I need to know if there was anything that can be done to get them here safely."
"They can walk, can't they?" At that Indilwen yanked at the elleth's arm and snarled at her.
"Then take me to someone with at least half a brain and more sense of dignity than you." Her grip became steel as the elf maid struggled. She nodded stiffly then led her back to the man she had first met with. "A! Man ci Indilwen?" He smiled cheerfully. Indilwen repeated her request but added that the man was called Aragorn, knowing that he would be known well around here.
"Aragorn?" The elf's eyes widened and he nodded. "We shall send men to collect them." She bowed and gave him her sincere thanks. The rest of the day she spent with Frodo, not moving from his side. He was fitful as he slept but Indilwen calmed him with soft lullabies she knew from her world. They calmed him enough to have a peaceful sleep but she guessed he was still in pain. "You poor thing." She murmured, wiping his sweaty brow with a damp cloth.
"So you will be Indilwen?" A deep voice asked, making Indilwen turn with a smile. Gandalf smiled back at her.
"I am." She nodded and gave the usual elvish gesture to him.
"I must thank you for taking care of my Frodo, it was a brave thing you did." Gandalf came and sat with her. He looked old and wearied, but his eyes were bright and grateful looking, fatherly almost.
"It was nothing. I only wished to help him." Indilwen answered. "You are Gandalf?" She quiried innocently.
"You have heard of me." Gandalf nodded his shaggy head, resting his staff and hat down.
"You are the great wandering wizard, Gandalf the Grey, who is one of the five wizards. You went on a quest with Thorin Oakenshield and Bilbo Baggins." Indilwen inched towards him with a soft smile. "And you make fireworks." Gandalf chuckled.
"Yes. Everyone seems to know about my fireworks." He smiled then began to smoke his pipe, gazing at Frodo with concern.
"He'll be alright." Indilwen told him, resuming her task of keeping him as comfortable as possible. "All pain ends."
"Does it?" Gandalf looked at her curiously. "Does it end?" Indilwen turned to him.
"Only if you want it to." There was a thoughtful silence and this time, Gandalf regarded her closely. Finally he nodded sadly, repeatedly until he continued to watch Frodo as he slept. When Sam came bolting through the door with Merry and Pippin hot on his heels Indilwen stood. "Mr Frodo!" Sam cried out and went to his dear friend, tears staring to stain his sweet clear blue eyes.
"There now Sam. Frodo will be alright. All pain ends." Gandalf said cheekily, winking at Indilwen who gaped at him then smiled. She looked up as Aragorn and Alkira entered. "Ali." Indilwen breathed and embraced her tightly, touching her cheek affectionately.
"Indi...you have a tattoo!" She breathed quietly, pulling her into one corner.
"What?" Indilwen looked to where Alkira was pointing. In the grove of her neck, on her collar bone there was a strange symbol, swirling and completely-"Awesome!" She grinned. "I always wanted one of those." She turned to Alkira then stared at her forehead. "You have one too."
"What?" She touched her forehead. "What is it?" She looked panic stricken.
"It's an eight pronged star, fairly small, don't worry, it looks cool." Indilwen grinned then looked over to Aragorn. "I see they found you all in one piece." She noted. He nodded to her slowly.
"I am glad to see you well." They looked at each other for a moment more before looking away at the same time. After a few minutes everyone was herded out save for Gandalf and Sam, who insisted in staying with Frodo in case he wakes up. Alkira shared a room with Indilwen, since there were two beds anyway. Indilwen helped Alkira out of her leather padding before she went into a separate room with the hot spring where she bathed for a long time. "This feels so good! I miss a good bath back at home. And the beds, actually...and the TV." Alkira began to list the things she missed. Indilwen listened, putting in contributions where she felt necessary. "So what happened after I left?" She asked.
"Not much, there was a lot of running, which nearly killed me. I can run further and faster! It felt great but we had to run further than I used to even, it soon became torture again. We hid in a cave and let the wraiths go past us then continued on. On day three the elves found us and brought us back on horses so...yeah. What about you?"
"You'll never guess what, I did the river enchantment?" Indilwen heard a sudden splash.
"What? No way! That is so cool!" Alkira squealed with excitement. "The whole thing? Did the horses come out and everything?"
"Yep. It was a very satisfying feeling." They both giggled and recited the enchantment together. They were such nerds.
"You know what...I think what Manwë said to us has more meaning than we thought. He called you the sword and shield, so maybe that's what you are. A warrior, but I'm a healer. When I saw Frodo lying there, I felt my hands go all warm and tingly so I just touched him and they began to glow, it felt weird but the right thing to do, you know what I mean?" Alkira asked.
"Yeah, I know. I saw you do it. I think you're right Ali, maybe that's what the marks mean." Indilwen agreed, hearing her get out of the water.
"Do you think there would be some book about markings somewhere?" She asked as she came out, dripping wet and with a silk robe wrapped around her.
"Let's go find out."
The library was colossal. The neat rows of books stretched endlessly it seemed. Both girls looked to each other and winced. "Let's find someone." It turned out Alkira could not speak a word of Elvish so all the talking and translating was left to Indilwen. One of the book keepers helped them, knowing exactly which book they wanted just by looking at their tattoos. He handed them a large, thin manuscript and told them to be very gentle with it. Indilwen placed it on a table and opened it out to the first page. It had been written and the symbols drawn in but Indilwen could read it none the less.
"The marks of the Valar are placed on precious few who are chosen to carry out their deeds. Their children are the only known to bear such markings." Indilwen read in a sort of summary, making it quicker. "Each symbol has a different meaning...warriors, healers, hunters, heroes e.c.t but...sometimes the marks mean they are branded, cursed." She looked to the first marking. "This one means that the person has murdered in cold blood." Alkira shuddered. The marking was of a bloodied heart dripping like it was melting. They scanned through the markings, learning each one in case they were marked with it, wanting to know each one. "Look! There's mine!" Alkira suddenly pointed to the star. "What does it mean?"
"It means you're a healer." Indilwen translated. She read on a little more. "It says you're a pretty powerful one too, most people only get six prongs, eight is a special number." She grinned. "Let's find mine." They looked through more of them, occasionally Indilwen would tell Alkira what a symbol meant either if Alkira asked or it she thought it might apply to her. Finally they found it. "So what does it mean?" Alkira prompted.
"It means courage, bravery. That's good." She beamed. "These are so cool, you can get ones for controlling water or fire or other elements, ones for speed, strength, courage, mercy, all sorts!"
"I hope I don't get too many, I like my skin the way it is." Alkira bit her lip nervously, rubbing the star. Once they had had enough studying they replaced the book then went to eat with Elrond's table. Again he wasn't there but this time, Arwen walked in. Alkira gasped loudly so Indilwen kicked her.
"Sh!"
"But it's her!" She hissed back. Indilwen rolled her eyes but watched the interaction between Aragorn and Arwen. There was none. "What? Aren't they meant to be in love?" Alkira frowned. In fact Arwen blatantly ignored Aragorn, throwing him a look of annoyance before smiling at the hobbits.
"Maybe they had an argument?" Indilwen suggested quietly. Alkira shrugged.
"Whatever it is, do you think they love each other still?" They answer echoed in their minds.
'No. This is how it should have been.'
Im Indilwen. Telin le thaed. Lasto beth nîn, tolo dan nan galad. - I am Indilwen. I have come to help. Hear my voice, come back to the light.
Noro lim! - Ride fast!
Nîn o Chithaeglir
lasto beth daer;
Rimmo nîn Bruinen
dan in Ulaer! -
Waters of the Misty Mountains
listen to the great word;
flow waters of Loudwater
against the Ringwraiths!
Boe nestad Frodo! Boe de nestad! Edraith! - Frodo needs healing! He needs healing! Help!
Suil. Gi nathlam hi. Man i eneth gîn? - Greetings. You are welcome here. What is your name?
Im Indilwen estar. - They call me Indilwen.
A! Man ci Indwilen? - Ah! How are you Indilwen?