A/N: I'm borrowing an idea from Jocelyn's "A Little Nudge Out of the Door"
and I'll be posting the names of original characters at the end of chapters
to make it easier to keep straight. Alede (àl uh dây) was introduced in
"The Road to Isengard."
Oh, and "*" indicates unspoken thoughts.
Enjoy and thanks for reading! Nebride
*********
"The Caverns of Mirkwood"
Chapter 2
Urgent Plea
Alede sat on the balcony gazing absently out at the trees of Rivendell. Out of long habit, her fingers stroked the simple locket that hung around her neck. It was wrought of gold and shaped like a tiny leaf. Inside lay coiled one long silver gold hair. She'd had it made over a year and a half ago and never took it off.
Ever.
Below her a group of Elves strolled into view. They spotted her and waved. She smiled and waved back. It was good that Rivendell had not been deserted after Elrond's departure.
This particular group were wood Elves from Lorien. After Galadrial's departure some of her people had delayed their leaving to the West, stopping at Rivendell as a part of their pilgrimage. Many of them had stayed. And every now and then wandering companies also stopped, often losing a few of their members to stay in Rivendell. It looked as if the ancient Elvin stronghold would never be completely deserted, of which Alede was glad.
*This place is too dear to lose to the ages*, she thought. *And Elladan and Elrohir are here.* Though she knew not for how long. She suspected that the twins would follow their father eventually.
Rivendell would become even more secretive than it had been in the past, but at least it would be here. Since the third age had passed, the age of Elves was over. The last wizards who remained in Middle Earth had joined with the Elves to conceal these last refuges of the old age. Rivendell and the Shire would both be hidden by the mist of magic, safe, but gradually passing out of the awareness of mankind.
It was the last great works of wizards before they too passed over the sea and into the Undying Land. Alede dreaded the time when she knew she must pass over, for she loved Middle Earth. Yet at the same time, she knew the land was changing. And that which she loved so much would be gone. And what would Middle Earth be with only a few strongholds of Elves and Hobbits? Without the Elvin influence, she feared it would be a dreary land. There was one Elf in particular whose absence would be keenly felt.
"Daydreaming Daughter?"
Alede started at the voice behind her, though she immediately knew who it was. Turning she smiled up at her father.
"I'm sorry I startled you," the old wizard said, kindly patting her shoulder.
"It's alright Father. Please join me." She indicated the chair opposite her.
Radagast the Brown sat down slowly and Alede wrinkled her brow at his apparent stiffness. Her father was a minor wizard and had not the skill to ward off the complaints of old age. His face was etched with lines, though his green eyes still sparkled with good humor. Saruman had thought her father lacking in intelligence. But Alede knew that the head of the council never understood or appreciated Radagast's simple ways.
For a wizard to follow the humble path of the natural world was considered a waste. But Alede saw no waste in a man who spent his life mending broken wings or conversing with trees. Radagast was a kind and thoughtful wizard who'd raised his daughter with an equal appreciation of Middle Earth.
Radagast sighed and Alede reminded herself to fix him some willow bark tea later. It soothed his pain.
"I much prefer the winters here in Rivendell," Radagast said. "They are milder. It was kind of you spend it with me this year instead of in your tower house in the Misty Mountains. Its too cold up there, makes my bones ache."
Alede smiled sadly and her fingers touched the locket instinctively. She was unaware that she did it, but the gesture was not lost on her father.
"I imagine spring has come to the land of Ithilien, don't you?" he asked innocently.
"That was not very subtle," Alede said wryly, giving her father a mock frown.
Radagast chuckled. "Yes, I know. But perhaps you should spend the spring there. We can manage the work here without you for a while. I remember what it was like to be in love. Your mother meant everything to me."
"But, I am not in love, Father." Alede rose swiftly. "I'm going to take a walk. I've depleted my supply of willow bark. I'll gather some more, so that I may make you a tea tonight."
"Alede, I did not mean…" Radagast began, but she swept out of the room quickly, not wanting to hear the rest. Because she did not look back, she missed the expression of worry and regret on her father's face.
Nearly every day he hinted to her about Prince Legolas. She began to regret that she'd ever mentioned him.
"Of course there was really nothing to mention," she whispered fiercely to herself as she strode down the winding pathways. "He only kissed me goodbye and held me twice…" Her face crumpled and she stopped in a secluded archway, cursing the tears that threatened. The memories of those embraces both comforted her and pained her. Anger was the only emotion that could keep those memories at bay and she often scolded herself.
She had known Legolas only thirteen days. Thirteen days should not have been enough time to form such a strong attachment. Yet when they'd parted, Alede had known herself to be in love with him. She had hoped that with time he might come to miss her, for they'd become good friends. But in a year and a half, there had been no word.
*Not that I expected any,* she thought bitterly. He did not love her. Why would he send her any word? She had saved his life, he had saved hers. They were even. She must cease thinking about him and get on with her life.
Disgusted with her self-pity, Alede walked swiftly down to the stables and took a mount, riding out of the valley and following the river.
She rode for a couple of hours, forcing herself to concentrate on finding a suitable willow tree. On the windy plains above Rivendell there were few trees, but some grew along the river. Spring had not quite reached the up lands. Though tiny buds showed on bushes and scrub, the trees were still bare. A young willow swept its branches over a marshy area and Alede slipped off her horse.
She approached the willow warily. Many trees did not like those who walked abroad and it would not do to be caught in one's snare if it were hostile. She hummed to it a little to soothe it and then gently pressed an ear to the rough bark.
A cacophony of sounds greeted her from inside the tree. Branches creaked in the wind, sap flowed, buds clattered, but above all burbled the cheerful voice of the tree.
The wizardess leaned back and laughed. "Well met Mistress Willow," she cried. The tree swayed its branches and chattered back to her.
Alede spent an enjoyable morning beneath the willow. The tree was young, but old enough to remember the Elves of Rivendell. It clattered happily as Alede delicately cut away dead branches and trimmed off tiny portions of pealing bark. She would take nothing live from such a sweet natured tree. The willow was only too glad to be spruced up and talked eagerly of robin's nests and spring buds.
She stopped at midday and took some bread and apples from her saddlebag. The apples were wrinkled from their winter storage, but still sweet. Alede leaned against the willow's trunk and had her lunch. Lulled by the soft sounds around her, she gradually closed her eyes.
Alede did not even realize she had fallen asleep until the shrill cry of a hawk startled her. Looking around, she could not see it. The skies appeared empty. But when she looked around the base of the tree trunk, she finally spotted the small hawk headed toward Rivendell. Noting its labored flight, Alede wondered if it were injured. In any case, it was heading toward the Elfin city. Her father would care for it and she would enquire once she got back.
Giving the hawk no more thought, Alede picked up her knife and went back to work on the tree.
Alede arrived back in Rivendell just as the sun was setting. A day out in the wild had done her good and her melancholy was gone. She unloaded her horse, for she'd found other medicinal herbs in her wanderings and then rubbed the gentle beast down, sending him off to his feed.
As she trudged back to her rooms with the saddlebag over her shoulder, her father's shout made her stop.
"Alede! Where have you been?! I've been looking all over for you!"
"I went to gather willow bark. I told you this morning…"
"Never mind that child. I've a message for you!"
"A message?"
Radagast handed over a tiny parchment. "It was tied around the neck of a hawk. The poor bird has been flying for miles trying to find you. It had nearly exhausted its strength, but I think it will be…"
"The royal seal of the Prince of Mirkwood!" Alede exclaimed interrupting her father.
Radagast beamed. "Yes, dear. That's why I was so anxious to find you."
With shaking hands Alede broke the wax and unrolled the tiny scroll. She quickly scanned it. "King Thranduil is ill and Legolas begs me to come to Mirkwood at once." She looked at the date, "It is twelve days since he wrote it. Father, I must go at once!"
"But to Mirkwood Daughter?" Radagast had lost his enthusiasm. "Remember what happened last time? Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure! I imagine Legolas has explained to his father that I'm not as evil as once thought. We spent 13 days together after all. Please father, help me pack."
*********
As the spell horse touched down on the eastern boundaries of Mirkwood, Alede wondered if it were a good omen that the sun had just risen. She'd flown all night to get here quickly. Unlike that last time three hundred years ago when the urgent plea had come from Mirkwood.
Elrond had been gone from Rivendell then. Elladan, his oldest son had sent Alede. That Elladan had, had such confidence in her skills to send her in place of his father, had been a great compliment.
But at that time, Alede had not dabbled too greatly in green magic. She had not then possessed the ability to make a spell horse. Instead, she'd barrowed one of Rivendell's fastest horses and set out for Mirkwood immediately. One did not tarry when the wife of an Elf king was ill. Unfortunately, she arrived too late, despite the incredible swiftness of the Elfin horse she rode. The queen of Mirkwood's king had died even as Alede had approached the bed.
King Thranduil had flown into a rage, blaming the young wizardess for his wife's death. The following argument had shook the halls of the forest kingdom and Alede had found herself locked in the dungeon for three days. After her escape, she'd never returned.
*But now, here I am*, she mused as she came out of her reverie and looked up at the dark trees overhead.
The summons this time had been different though. Legolas had asked for her, so the misunderstanding with his family must be over.
Alede's heart pounded at the thought of seeing Legolas again. She only wished that the circumstances were better.
*Much better*, she thought as three Elves suddenly stepped out of the trees, their dark bows aimed at her. She sincerely hoped that the hospitality of King Thranduil's kingdom had improved.
*********
Look for chapter 3 in a few days. All reviews are welcome and help me improve my writing! :) Nebride
Oh, and "*" indicates unspoken thoughts.
Enjoy and thanks for reading! Nebride
*********
"The Caverns of Mirkwood"
Chapter 2
Urgent Plea
Alede sat on the balcony gazing absently out at the trees of Rivendell. Out of long habit, her fingers stroked the simple locket that hung around her neck. It was wrought of gold and shaped like a tiny leaf. Inside lay coiled one long silver gold hair. She'd had it made over a year and a half ago and never took it off.
Ever.
Below her a group of Elves strolled into view. They spotted her and waved. She smiled and waved back. It was good that Rivendell had not been deserted after Elrond's departure.
This particular group were wood Elves from Lorien. After Galadrial's departure some of her people had delayed their leaving to the West, stopping at Rivendell as a part of their pilgrimage. Many of them had stayed. And every now and then wandering companies also stopped, often losing a few of their members to stay in Rivendell. It looked as if the ancient Elvin stronghold would never be completely deserted, of which Alede was glad.
*This place is too dear to lose to the ages*, she thought. *And Elladan and Elrohir are here.* Though she knew not for how long. She suspected that the twins would follow their father eventually.
Rivendell would become even more secretive than it had been in the past, but at least it would be here. Since the third age had passed, the age of Elves was over. The last wizards who remained in Middle Earth had joined with the Elves to conceal these last refuges of the old age. Rivendell and the Shire would both be hidden by the mist of magic, safe, but gradually passing out of the awareness of mankind.
It was the last great works of wizards before they too passed over the sea and into the Undying Land. Alede dreaded the time when she knew she must pass over, for she loved Middle Earth. Yet at the same time, she knew the land was changing. And that which she loved so much would be gone. And what would Middle Earth be with only a few strongholds of Elves and Hobbits? Without the Elvin influence, she feared it would be a dreary land. There was one Elf in particular whose absence would be keenly felt.
"Daydreaming Daughter?"
Alede started at the voice behind her, though she immediately knew who it was. Turning she smiled up at her father.
"I'm sorry I startled you," the old wizard said, kindly patting her shoulder.
"It's alright Father. Please join me." She indicated the chair opposite her.
Radagast the Brown sat down slowly and Alede wrinkled her brow at his apparent stiffness. Her father was a minor wizard and had not the skill to ward off the complaints of old age. His face was etched with lines, though his green eyes still sparkled with good humor. Saruman had thought her father lacking in intelligence. But Alede knew that the head of the council never understood or appreciated Radagast's simple ways.
For a wizard to follow the humble path of the natural world was considered a waste. But Alede saw no waste in a man who spent his life mending broken wings or conversing with trees. Radagast was a kind and thoughtful wizard who'd raised his daughter with an equal appreciation of Middle Earth.
Radagast sighed and Alede reminded herself to fix him some willow bark tea later. It soothed his pain.
"I much prefer the winters here in Rivendell," Radagast said. "They are milder. It was kind of you spend it with me this year instead of in your tower house in the Misty Mountains. Its too cold up there, makes my bones ache."
Alede smiled sadly and her fingers touched the locket instinctively. She was unaware that she did it, but the gesture was not lost on her father.
"I imagine spring has come to the land of Ithilien, don't you?" he asked innocently.
"That was not very subtle," Alede said wryly, giving her father a mock frown.
Radagast chuckled. "Yes, I know. But perhaps you should spend the spring there. We can manage the work here without you for a while. I remember what it was like to be in love. Your mother meant everything to me."
"But, I am not in love, Father." Alede rose swiftly. "I'm going to take a walk. I've depleted my supply of willow bark. I'll gather some more, so that I may make you a tea tonight."
"Alede, I did not mean…" Radagast began, but she swept out of the room quickly, not wanting to hear the rest. Because she did not look back, she missed the expression of worry and regret on her father's face.
Nearly every day he hinted to her about Prince Legolas. She began to regret that she'd ever mentioned him.
"Of course there was really nothing to mention," she whispered fiercely to herself as she strode down the winding pathways. "He only kissed me goodbye and held me twice…" Her face crumpled and she stopped in a secluded archway, cursing the tears that threatened. The memories of those embraces both comforted her and pained her. Anger was the only emotion that could keep those memories at bay and she often scolded herself.
She had known Legolas only thirteen days. Thirteen days should not have been enough time to form such a strong attachment. Yet when they'd parted, Alede had known herself to be in love with him. She had hoped that with time he might come to miss her, for they'd become good friends. But in a year and a half, there had been no word.
*Not that I expected any,* she thought bitterly. He did not love her. Why would he send her any word? She had saved his life, he had saved hers. They were even. She must cease thinking about him and get on with her life.
Disgusted with her self-pity, Alede walked swiftly down to the stables and took a mount, riding out of the valley and following the river.
She rode for a couple of hours, forcing herself to concentrate on finding a suitable willow tree. On the windy plains above Rivendell there were few trees, but some grew along the river. Spring had not quite reached the up lands. Though tiny buds showed on bushes and scrub, the trees were still bare. A young willow swept its branches over a marshy area and Alede slipped off her horse.
She approached the willow warily. Many trees did not like those who walked abroad and it would not do to be caught in one's snare if it were hostile. She hummed to it a little to soothe it and then gently pressed an ear to the rough bark.
A cacophony of sounds greeted her from inside the tree. Branches creaked in the wind, sap flowed, buds clattered, but above all burbled the cheerful voice of the tree.
The wizardess leaned back and laughed. "Well met Mistress Willow," she cried. The tree swayed its branches and chattered back to her.
Alede spent an enjoyable morning beneath the willow. The tree was young, but old enough to remember the Elves of Rivendell. It clattered happily as Alede delicately cut away dead branches and trimmed off tiny portions of pealing bark. She would take nothing live from such a sweet natured tree. The willow was only too glad to be spruced up and talked eagerly of robin's nests and spring buds.
She stopped at midday and took some bread and apples from her saddlebag. The apples were wrinkled from their winter storage, but still sweet. Alede leaned against the willow's trunk and had her lunch. Lulled by the soft sounds around her, she gradually closed her eyes.
Alede did not even realize she had fallen asleep until the shrill cry of a hawk startled her. Looking around, she could not see it. The skies appeared empty. But when she looked around the base of the tree trunk, she finally spotted the small hawk headed toward Rivendell. Noting its labored flight, Alede wondered if it were injured. In any case, it was heading toward the Elfin city. Her father would care for it and she would enquire once she got back.
Giving the hawk no more thought, Alede picked up her knife and went back to work on the tree.
Alede arrived back in Rivendell just as the sun was setting. A day out in the wild had done her good and her melancholy was gone. She unloaded her horse, for she'd found other medicinal herbs in her wanderings and then rubbed the gentle beast down, sending him off to his feed.
As she trudged back to her rooms with the saddlebag over her shoulder, her father's shout made her stop.
"Alede! Where have you been?! I've been looking all over for you!"
"I went to gather willow bark. I told you this morning…"
"Never mind that child. I've a message for you!"
"A message?"
Radagast handed over a tiny parchment. "It was tied around the neck of a hawk. The poor bird has been flying for miles trying to find you. It had nearly exhausted its strength, but I think it will be…"
"The royal seal of the Prince of Mirkwood!" Alede exclaimed interrupting her father.
Radagast beamed. "Yes, dear. That's why I was so anxious to find you."
With shaking hands Alede broke the wax and unrolled the tiny scroll. She quickly scanned it. "King Thranduil is ill and Legolas begs me to come to Mirkwood at once." She looked at the date, "It is twelve days since he wrote it. Father, I must go at once!"
"But to Mirkwood Daughter?" Radagast had lost his enthusiasm. "Remember what happened last time? Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure! I imagine Legolas has explained to his father that I'm not as evil as once thought. We spent 13 days together after all. Please father, help me pack."
*********
As the spell horse touched down on the eastern boundaries of Mirkwood, Alede wondered if it were a good omen that the sun had just risen. She'd flown all night to get here quickly. Unlike that last time three hundred years ago when the urgent plea had come from Mirkwood.
Elrond had been gone from Rivendell then. Elladan, his oldest son had sent Alede. That Elladan had, had such confidence in her skills to send her in place of his father, had been a great compliment.
But at that time, Alede had not dabbled too greatly in green magic. She had not then possessed the ability to make a spell horse. Instead, she'd barrowed one of Rivendell's fastest horses and set out for Mirkwood immediately. One did not tarry when the wife of an Elf king was ill. Unfortunately, she arrived too late, despite the incredible swiftness of the Elfin horse she rode. The queen of Mirkwood's king had died even as Alede had approached the bed.
King Thranduil had flown into a rage, blaming the young wizardess for his wife's death. The following argument had shook the halls of the forest kingdom and Alede had found herself locked in the dungeon for three days. After her escape, she'd never returned.
*But now, here I am*, she mused as she came out of her reverie and looked up at the dark trees overhead.
The summons this time had been different though. Legolas had asked for her, so the misunderstanding with his family must be over.
Alede's heart pounded at the thought of seeing Legolas again. She only wished that the circumstances were better.
*Much better*, she thought as three Elves suddenly stepped out of the trees, their dark bows aimed at her. She sincerely hoped that the hospitality of King Thranduil's kingdom had improved.
*********
Look for chapter 3 in a few days. All reviews are welcome and help me improve my writing! :) Nebride