A/N: This is a short chapter and not much action accompanies, but I really wanted to give a chapter out. Thank you everyone who has faved, followed, and reviewed. The next chapter after this is half written so I should be able to post that one up relatively soon. Good reading!
Hallel's face broke with a grin when he realised she had spoken… She had spoken! He had finally met a hound who could speak! Did that mean she was one of the hounds of Oromë? Did that mean she was sentient? Of course, she is sentient! He chastised himself… Still he just couldn't get over this… This was amazing.
Of course, however (and as usual), no one else seemed to be experiencing the same glee Hallel was feeling… Or at least not to the degree the freshest (and most energetic) ellon of the group was feeling it. Indeed, Celeborn had to supress a smile at seeing the apparent joy in his friend's face. Celeborn himself was bewildered to say the least but quite pleasantly surprised. He hadn't expected such a turn of events. It was altogether not a bad thing to have attained such a guide – and a such a lovely one at that. Though Celeborn would also be the first one to reject the idea that he had been in need of any type of guide to begin with… having one nonetheless was a pleasant involvement.
It was this reason why he was content to let the hound lead. Indeed, he had no idea how to steer the majestic creature off course anyway. The little wolf was as sure in her steps as a mountain goat and just as light footed. Her golden tipped tail swished and swayed seemingly of its own accord, dashing this way and that gracefully, adding balance to her movements. Her rich copper furred ears twisted and rotated with even the faintest noise in the relatively, silent forest. Celeborn smiled to himself once again. As the tree clad mountains were setting down to bed, the air had steadily grown more quiescent.
The sun was nearly down. Having already blessed the low, silver clouds, she had only to kiss the horizon goodnight before she would finally be ready for sleep. The shadows of tall standing firs were lengthening against her last rays of light as if they were raising the palm in a farewell wave to her glory - Celeborn shook his head. This was another thing he had noticed whilst in Valinor.
In middle-earth, the land had life and breathed of its own accord, but here… Here everything was accentuated. The Sindarin elf could almost feel the trees looking at him and pondering who he was and why he was walking in their lands. He could nearly sense the rocks under his feet bursting with curiosity about his travels and his distant destination. It was a bizarre sensation and he had been growing more attuned to it with each passing hour. He wasn't sure how he felt about it… but it only made him miss the familiarity of his home-forests. Those fields of dark earth, rustling foliage and the birch trees, which he was raised under. It had all been so much subtler in that place… but then he had been raised amongst it. Perhaps he would grow accustomed to this place as he had grown accustomed with the woods of distant Lothlórien?
He set his jaw and reminded himself. Of course you will get accustomed to this. Soon all will be right with the world and I will have my wife beside me and we shall walk in the forests as we did before: unbound with worries or fears.
Well, that was the plan. What would actually happen after he reached home was another issue. He had no idea what to expect and doubted anyone else of the team knew as well. His silver eyes slid to give Haldir a glance. The former Marchwarden was ahead of everyone else, choosing to stay close to the hound lest anything unexpected happen again. He seemed exasperated… as if something was troubling him. Celeborn made a mental note to ask him how he was doing when they finally stopped… The elf lord shifted his gaze to the darkening horizon. In fact, they would best be starting to look for some place to sleep soon.
Though he had no real worries about being attacked in this… land. Celeborn would feel better to rest at night in a safe place… Not to mention that, while the soft terrain was easy, it was at an incline that made trekking and balancing difficult even for his lithe Sindarin body. He cleared his throat and stopped.
The trio halted and turned to face their leader. The little wolf kept walking, not even swishing her tail any different.
Haldir face twisted in annoyance… a reaction Celeborn rarely saw in Haldir... and the ellon called out, "Miss, we must stop," he said politely.
The wolf finally did stop walking and turned around. Her haunches hit the floor and she tilted her head. She did not speak though her amber eyes sparkled with implicit curiosity.
"I do believe it best if we stop, milady," Celeborn spoke kindly, remembering to treat the lass with respect, even if she was a wolf. "It is getting dark, and a rest would be welcome," he said.
She seemed to consider it then she snorted and turned around, nonchalantly trotting in another direction.
"Wh—"
Celeborn silenced Haldir's comment with a raised palm then carefully moved to follow the wolf deeper into the forest.
"I guess we are continuing?" Hallel whispered to no one in particular as he moved to follow his lord.
Haldir shot the ellon a glance. Eloel shrugged as he stepped over a stone to follow Hallel. "At least we don't have anything to fear," he said hopefully.
That only left the elder warden to stand alone for a handful of seconds. His keen senses did not trust this land… not yet. Memory of the land they had left still haunted him and would always steal his security in such situations… or so it felt that way. He scanned the region as best he could in the fading twilight. It was difficult to see through the darkening thickets. All appeared well. He dropped his head, still anxious, and followed his companions. All was well…
Celeborn huffed as he pulled himself up over a mighty sloping stone. The rough grey rock held fast pinpoints that sparkled with the shining rays of Ithil. His dusty boots scrabbled for purchase and he finally found sturdy, even ground. He uprighted himself in a small clearing as his companions moved after him. The secret place was roofed with an immovable, overhanging slab of stone jutting out from the mountain. A row of rocks stood like teeth around the perimeter. His silver eyes skimmed the forest from this vantage point. The region was still; only the trees swayed with a soft breeze. A digging sound behind him made hi tear his gaze form the beauty of the blessed lands.
The wolf was scratching a pit into the hard-packed dirt. She circled her freshly moved bed then laid down. "Sleep," she said in sultry tones.
Celeborn suddenly felt drowsy at her words, but shook the feeling off. Instead, he addressed his former Marchwarden. "Haldir," he glanced around again. "I think we will be comfortable enough here, do you agree?" The question was innocent enough, but the silver haired elder was having an inkling that his trusted slider was getting the same feeling as him. There were many things in this forest, stealthier or perhaps simply less inclined to reveal themselves than their little wolf friend. Indeed, Celeborn felt like he was being watched this very moment though the land only wished to blanket a feeling of tranquillity over him.
Haldir felt instant relief when he understood the meaning behind Celeborn's words. His shoulders visibly relaxed. Yes, he understood his lord's feeling all too well. With every moment they had been in this forest after dark he had been getting a growing, nagging sensation of disquiet. Haldir pretended to think about his response for a moment while he pondered whether the other two in their company felt the same way… or even more intriguing… whether the lass knew anything about this strange restlessness in this forest. He was seriously doubting whether Valinor was as "carefree" as they said it was… "I agree. It is quite comfortable. Thank you, lady," he said, dipping his head in acknowledgment of the wolf lass. She didn't even look at him. He continued, his annoyance with the wolf peaking once again, "Do you think we should light a fire tonight? It is so beautiful," he spoke. The ellon had to hide a smile when he noticed the other two ellyn suddenly take an interest in the conversation.
"I have some sausages we can cook up," Hallel spoke up brightly.
The wolf did twitch an ear at that, but did not lift her head.
"How do you have sausages?" Eloel asked
Hallel didn't answer Eloel's question. Instead he turned to face Celeborn, "We can light a fire and have a real meal for the first time since landing." His voice held the enthusiasm so evident in his shining hazel eyes.
The wolf snorted loudly and changed positions brashly. Celeborn gave no heed to her, however. In fact, he had only to think about it for a moment. The concept didn't seem at all like a bad one and it would give him an excuse to stay up a bit later and perhaps keep watch for the mysterious cause to his unease. "Go ahead. You and Eloel may go gather fuel but be back as quickly as possible…. And do not stray too far," he added glancing out into the vast forest. "This land is foreign," he finished soberly. The subsequent grin on Hallel's face was enough to break Celeborn from his stoic-ness and smile as well. "Haldir and I will be waiting for you, here. Now go," the silver haired ellon ordered.
The two ellyn quickly moved to descend the rocky peak like swift grey shadows in the pale moon light. Haldir caught Celeborn's eye and gave the slightest of smirks. "How long do you think they will be, Celeborn?" He asked just for the sake of conversation. He was quite proud of himself for not calling the elder by his title this time.
The ellon turned to look over their camping grounds. His spirits were rising faster as he thought about the upcoming supper. It would remind him of home. He snorted at the memory of past hunting trips with Galathil. As he squatted down to begin unpacking his satchel, he replied. "I hope it does not take them long. I am looking forward to a warm meal in my stomach."
Haldir chuckled despite himself and carefully stepped around the wolf. "Aye, it will be good. Reminds me of home," he spoke bravely.
Celeborn felt an unexpected tug at the corner of his mouth. "Yes," he breathed.
