Well I have a bad feeling this is late, and if you're wondering how I don't know, it's because I've been ridiculously occupied. So, apologies, and I'll stop blabbing now so you can go ahead and get to reading the chapter, which is far more interesting than me. So,
Read!
Enjoy!
Review!
Two weeks. Two weeks, and there still hasn't been any Rangers that have appeared. In that time I'd still been working as a server, and thankfully hadn't had to use my knives, though it'd come close several times. Not that I'd stab someone with them, I was a neater assassin than that. No, there were other ways to ward off unwanted attention. Why do you think I asked for blunt butter knives?
Esgalnoron still hadn't shown up, and I was getting rather impatient. Even I had my limits, and working in an inn and avoiding grabby hands all day and warding off comments wasn't the way I was planning to spend my life. It was getting down to my last nerve, and I knew that I'd have to move on sooner or later. I'd heard all of the rumors on everything and anything - including Rangers - from the loose-lipped Bert and his family, who had accepted me for my hard work and obvious concern for their daughter's safety from the characters who came into the bar at times despite my oddities.
They had even accepted my odd clothing preference of a black coat with long sleeves that came down to my ankles complete with a pair of boots and black leggings, along with my abnormally long bangs that I kept dyed the same reddish-brown color as consistently as I could. When asked, I simply gave the explanation that my eyes were highly unusual and therefore I wanted to keep them unseen. I even offered to show them, which was politely declined though it did do the trick to satisfy them that I wasn't some hideous being. My butter knives were kept in my voluminous sleeves, and due to my hidden eyes if I smiled I kinda looked like a psycho. It was rather off-putting, and I suddenly wondered with a smirk if I should make it my permanent style. That would be highly amusing.
It had been a busy day, and as nighttime approached I couldn't shake the niggling feeling that something was going to happen soon. I couldn't pinpoint when, but soon in general. That's no help. I mean, all times are soon for the Valar. I grumbled inwardly, but nonetheless waited with open eyes to see what would happen.
When it did, it was certainly in a most unexpected way. In the two weeks I'd been in Bree, not once had I run across elves. But when Peony clutched my arm in a death grip as I filled a tray with mugs, I had to look to the door that so obviously had her attention. Or rather, what was at the door. I nearly groaned aloud. Unlike Esgalnoron, I only had two forms, and I didn't have the ability to make my ears round. I wish I had. It would've made me feel safer, even if my thick mop of hair covered them sufficiently. They would still be able to sense my aura, and I was done for.
"You do it!" She squeaked. "I couldn't..." She waved her face with her hands, flustered, and I couldn't help but snicker. Sure, elves were breathtaking, but it still never failed to amuse me when females swooned at their presence. Most highly amusing. And it didn't help that these elves were obviously part of a patrol. What made me abruptly stop snickering was the sight of a group men with them. Men with grey and green cloaks and star-shaped cloak pins. Then I smirked as I turned to a hot and bothered Peony.
"Sure, darlin'." I drawled easily. "Don't blame me for missin' out on the fun, tho'." I snorted, and then began to walk into the crowded area again.
"Fun!?" She shrieked over the din, and I turned and flashed her a grin.
"Now don't start letting your mind wander in the gutter, I didn't mean anything like that." I replied cheerily as she glared at me and I chortled, dropping off a few pints to the hobbits sitting at a table - it had taken me a good week to get used to seeing hobbits in real life - and heading for the two back tables where the men and elves had decided to settle. Which was sort of unnecessary, as everyone was giving them a rather wide berth anyway.
"Anything I c'n do for ya lads?" I asked easily, perching the tray on my hip as I paused in front of the tables.
They gave me a glance that was keen nonetheless, especially the elves, and one of them nodded. "Ale for the men and wine for the elves, if you please." He said in a polite but firm tone, and I nodded professionally before heading off.
It took two trays on either hand to carry it all, and I slid each tray onto the right tables and began setting them out quickly but efficiently. "Please enjoy." I said simply, and turned to leave, trays in hand, when someone spoke up.
"If you don't mind, we would like to speak with you." An elf spoke up, and was immediately given surprised looks by the men. The other elves had expressionless faces, and seemed to be disinterested in anything but their cups, though I knew better.
"Of course, if you'll give me a minute please to alert my fellow worker." I replied easily, and left before any protest was made. I made my way back to Peony, who gave me a wide-eyed look.
"They've requested a chat. Cover for me, eh?" I asked casually, and grabbed a few more mugs before heading away as she nodded.
There was a table nearby the elves and men that had requested refills, though they were rather obviously close to dangerous levels of being drunk. As I began to slide the mugs onto the table, one man gave me a crooked leer and eyed me with his red eyes. I curled my lip in disgust and made to turn away when he grabbed the string of my apron, pulling me straight onto his lap. That was a first for me.
"Aw c'm on lass, jus' a little cuddle, eh?" He laughed lasciviously, and I noticed that the Rangers had visibly tensed.
"You have three seconds to let go of me." I replied blankly, and he swore.
"Listen 'ere lass, it's just-"
"Three." I started. His hand started to make a trail for my chest. "Two, and one." I finished, and grabbed his hands, discreetly giving the pressure points of his wrists a press so that his hands were rendered numb temporarily. He cursed and snarled, leaping up to grab at me- before pausing with wide eyes as he found his sleeve pinned to the table by a butter knife driven expertly into a gash in the wood table.
"Keep your hands off those who don't welcome them." I snarled back before flouncing off to the elves' table with a huff, sitting down on a stool easily. The man rapidly left after paying his fees, while Bert nodded at me and I returned it.
"Now, I believe you asked for my presence." My lips pulled into a smirk. "May I assist you?"
The elves stared at me before nodding. "How come you here?" One of them asked, motioning around us.
I tilted my head. "Searching for my brother." I replied truthfully.
"Your brother? What would his name be?" Another elf asked, while the third, who still had his hood up, remained silent.
"Esgalnoron." I replied simply. "He is my brother."
They glanced at the third elf, who lifted his hood. I caught pale skin and a sudden flash of Amber eyes that twinkled, and almost felt like crying in relief. Instead, I smiled. "And I knew he would arrive sooner or later. Sometimes I was quite ready to kill him for being so late." I added darkly, and the elves chuckled as Esgalnoron reached out and pressed my hand.
~Apologies, sister, and no, they don't know my true identity or looks.~
~You and I need to have a chat. And good.~
"And I thank you for your service." I said smoothly, and stood. "Is there anything else I may do for you?" I asked with a small smile.
"No indeed, fair lady. Is there aught we may do for your brother and you?" The elf who seemed to be the spokesperson of the group asked, and I shook my head.
"No. But you have our thanks." I replied, and noticed the rather wary vibe coming from the group of men. "Now, I believe I have taken enough of your time. If you will excuse my brother and I-" and I bowed before walking away, Esgalnoron following me after exchanging a few words with the other elves, who clapped his shoulders and sent him off with apparently a warm farewell.
~I get off soon. There's a room off the stables out back.~
~Thank you.~
I couldn't help but wonder, though, even as Peony piled me with questions, how this was going to turn out.
_Break_Dragon_Esgalnoron_Break_
When I finally got off work, I made my way to the room I'd been staying in for the past two weeks, finding Esgalnoron sitting on the edge of the bed with his cloak still on his shoulders but his hood down. I took a moment to close the door before throwing myself at him and causing him to grasp me with a muffled exclamation of shock.
"I missed you, big brother." I whispered into his chest, and he hugged me tightly.
"As I did you, little sister." He replied softly, stroking my hair. "When we were brought back I woke up and found myself lying in the middle of a wolf pack that apparently considered me one of their own. I kept trying to find you, knowing that that was the only way I'd figure out what was happening. I finally ran across the elves and those rangers in the woods, and they agreed to help me find my sister since they were stopping by Bree." He said soothingly, and I sat up to tell him my own story and show him the note.
He nodded and handed it back as I pocketed it, reaching up to brush back my hair with a small grin. "You look like an undertaker." He chuckled, and I rolled my eyes heavily.
"Don't go there." I shook my finger at him as he chortled, then proceeded to tell him my plan. He hummed thoughtfully, then looked to me.
"It's a good thing I listened to their conversations when they thought I couldn't, then." He remarked, making me raise an eyebrow as he elaborated. "Their city lies in one of the forests of Arnor, not too far from Rivendell, in fact. Perhaps three days of hard riding on a horse, although I could get you there faster. Maybe a week and half otherwise. Arathorn is their leader at this point, and he was just wed a couple weeks ago from what I heard." He went on, and I listened intently. "And I heard something very interesting as well. Apparently one of Arathorn's most trusted friend is a fairly young man - by their standards - who had had a severe illness a few months ago and only recently recovered." Then he gave me a keen look.
"And from what I heard, he was out hunting when he found a young woman and brought her home, only to wed her soon after. Everyone was rather suspicious of it, but apparently Arathorn knew something everyone else didn't and therefore no one asked because they trust their chief." He added, and was unsurprised when I allowed myself to turn pale and reach up to uncertainly place a hand on my forehead as the world spun.
"My father- mother-" my voice came out in an uncertain crack, and I licked my dry lips before looking at him.
"We'll go find out." He said gently, placing a hand on mine, and I nodded before sinking against him wearily. Because in all honesty, I was nothing but a lost child, yearning for her never-known father. I fell asleep against Esgalnoron, clutching him in emotional exhaustion.
_Break_Dragon_Esgalnoron_Break_
It hadn't been hard to quit my job at the Prancing Pony. It had always been a temporary job, as the Butterburs well knew, and though they were sorry to see me leave, having grown fond of me in their own way, they were happy that I'd found my brother. Even if I knew that their suspicions that I was weird were definitely confirmed by my brother that was dressed in a cloak and hood. I merely bid them farewell and gave them thanks for the job and their care before taking my leave and heading quietly out of Bree.
Esgalnoron and I made sure that we were safely in the woods before he morphed, and I had to take a moment to stroke his heavy, bushy ears in admiration despite myself. He growled contentedly, and I kissed his head as I clambered on.
~Mind changing clothes?~ He asked dryly, and I snorted before allowing my hair to turn completely black and my bangs to shrink, my clothes once more becoming a pitch black cloak with the familiar symbol of a red eye on the hood projection. My skin turned unnaturally pale and my eyes deep purple, while my fangs poked out from my lips stained red.
~Better?~
~...I kinda meant the other form, but whatever.~
And I laughed darkly at his comment as he bounded through the forests. Like he predicted, it was three days travel until we reached the general area that Esgalnoron had guessed was the location of the village. Knowing that Rangers would be around, he shrank into a tiny dragon and slipped into my pockets, both to rest and so that I could do my part of the job as he took his turn for a free ride.
I would've honestly preferred to slip into the camp unnoticed, but there was not a very high chance of that happening. Oh, I could physically pull it off, but if my mother truly was here and had found my father, I knew that I would have to reveal myself, and I wasn't sure if I could do that without too much fuss. It was much easier to just risk my parents not being there and just allow myself to be caught, seemingly vulnerable and helpless.
Having made my decision, I took a day to finally find a single ranger wandering on perhaps a solo patrol, following him for an entire day until he met up with another and switched patrols apparently. I considered making a dramatic reveal for the fun of it, then discarded the idea almost instantly as I saw the foolishness of it. With a sigh, I settled into a comfortable tree to spend the night without being seen. I would tell my plans to Esgalnoron in the morning while I spent the night thinking and waiting for him to wake up. He had, after all, went three days straight without sleep running. We had had our meals of course, but otherwise he needed to gather the energy he'd lost.
I watched below as the ranger's fire went on through the night and the sun slowly moved across Arda to reappear when the time was right. It was with a small smile that I looked straight at the sun as it peeked over the ridge of the horizon the next morning and seeing with Elven eyes the faint outline of a bright figure shimmering behind the vessel. Tirion wasn't out as it was a new moon, so I had to be content with waving to Arien instead.
When Esgalnoron finally stirred in my pocket and came out, stretching and yawning widely, showing off his sharp needle-point teeth, I patted him gently like a kitten, earning a purr in reply. "Rise and shine, brother mine. I need you to become my little wolf pup as I take on the disguise of a helpless maiden lost in the woods." I chuckled, and he looked up at me with curiosity in his amber slits. "To get into the village." I replied quietly, nodding downwards at the stirring ranger. Esgalnoron nodded, seeing my plan as I crawled down from the tree without a sound and slipped away deeper into the woods where I knew the ranger would find me in his rounds.
Setting Esgalnoron down so that he could morph, I myself made my own transformation from assassin to reddish-brown-dyed-haired, innocent Caladiel, a tattered grey cloak hanging pitifully from my shoulders.
When the ranger finally crested the small ridge, he stopped short with wide eyes as he saw me sitting there, weeping and clutching my squirming pup in my arms. In a moment he was beside me, reaching out and touching my shoulder. A slight shriek left my mouth as I scrambled to get away, and he raised his voice. "Wait, my lady, please!"
I paused, turning to him, lip trembling as I shook fearfully. He raised his hands in a gesture of goodwill. "I mean no harm, fair maiden. Please tell me what ails you, and I shall help you." He said calmly, and I studied him for a moment before collapsing and weeping all over again. They were half-genuine tears at the thought of seeing my mother again, and I managed to blubber something about orcs and mother and lost and only being able to save my dog that made him come to a decision.
"If you will allow me, I shall take you to my village, where there will be those who will care for you." The ranger said gently, while I just hiccuped and nodded, blindly allowing him to lead me off. I slacked off with the crying soon after, while exchanging a wink with Esgalnoron, who plonked his head on my arm.
~Your acting seriously needs help.~ He declared teasingly, and I growled at him mentally as he laughed riotously. I stumbled along, sniffling and following the ranger who led me along carefully. It wasn't too long before we came to a brook, from where I could see a fence stretching not too far away just beyond a copse of trees.
~Ah, here we are. I wonder how mother finds living here like?~ I snorted at the thought as Esgalnoron sniggered. Nothing new for us, but for my mother it must have been like going back to her childhood of living in the time of the Korean War, her native land. The ranger gently tugged my hand as he led me over the brook, and I noticed that he was fairly young, perhaps only twenty by his face. He also seemed a bit awkward around me, and I guessed that he didn't even have much experience with experience-broken females before, which thought highly amused me. Of all the people that could find me...
People stopped and stared as we went by, and I kept my head down though I could hear snatches of whispers and comments as he led me towards the main house in the center of the village.
"Another? Perhaps there was an Orc raid somewhere further in the north?"
"Poor girl, I wonder how badly she's scarred."
"D'ya think maybe someone will find another bride outta her too?"
"Tch, don't be ridiculous. Everyone knows that there was a good reason for that occasion."
My lips twitched slightly as I glanced down at the mithril band on my finger. I was already married, thank you very much, and I have no attention of going through another one. Besides, I miss my husband, to be honest.
~Wow. Finally getting sentimental?~
I nearly choked out loud. ~Did I just say that mentally aloud!?~
~yeah.~
~... Shut up, Esgalnoron.~
All I received in reply was a snigger that was far too smug. I pinched him as he let out a high-pitched yip, startling the ranger in front of me a little. But he continued to make his way to the center cabin, knocking on the door and standing ramrod straight. It was opened, and a golden-haired, blue-eyed woman was at the door, looking at us with soft, questioning eyes.
The ranger bowed. "Apologies, my lady Gilraen, but I found this young maiden in the woods all alone. She seems to have fled an Orc raid and was lost in the woods." He said gravely, and the woman raised a hand to her mouth.
"Oh the poor dear!" She cried, and then stepped towards me as I looked up at her pitifully. "Come here, you poor thing." She fussed, gently taking my hand as she nodded and quietly thanked the ranger, who seemed relieved to be handing me over to someone else, which just deepened my amusement. Gilraen gently led me into the house, and my ears caught murmuring from behind another door.
"What's your name, m'dear?" Gilraen asked, but all I could do was stare at the door, straining to hear the voices more clearly. Because... Was that-? Gilraen noted my gaze and gently took my hand, leading me towards the door as I followed readily. She gently rapped, and a muffled reply to enter made her open it.
I was ushered into what was obviously a study room, with rugs and a hearth that had a small fire in it, papers everywhere and a desk in the center of the room. But what captured my attention was the people in the room. My eyes only briefly skimmed over the dark haired, grey eyed man sitting in a chair behind the desk and instead settled on the woman and man sitting across from him - or rather, specifically the woman. They turned to look at me, and a smile spread over my face as I looked at the woman.
Brown eyes widened, and long brown hair tumbled around her face in familiar, luscious waves that had always been my delight to touch from a very young age. Admittedly, there were fewer wrinkles on her face now, but it was still the same if rejuvenated face, complete with the burdened, shocked eyes.
"I knew I would find you, mother." I said gently, and her hands visibly shook as she stood. Silence settled in the room, everyone staring, and I went forwards to hug her as she flew forwards and clutched me, bursting into sobs.
"Celine-!" She choked, and I made sure Esgalnoron wasn't about to be suffocated before kissing her cheek and hugging back.
"Yes mother, last time I checked that was my name." I said amusedly. "Unless, of course, you consider my other names..." I teased, and she pulled back to smack my head as I winced in exaggerated protest.
"Don't joke at a time like this!" She cried, but a small smile was on her face nonetheless. "Do you know how much I was panicked when I woke up in the middle of nowhere and couldn't find you?" She demanded, and I held up my hands.
"Sorry, but I've been there and done that, twice already." I replied dryly, and she sighed before hugging the stuffing out of me again. "As much as I love you, dear mother, would you mind having a little compassion on my poor brother and I and allow me to see my father?" I asked, and she leaped back in embarrassment as she realized that everyone was smiling, albeit confusedly.
Then I turned to the man who had stood next to my mother, slowly setting Esgalnoron down at my feet. He looked back at me, and we studied each other. His eyes were a bright, sizzling blue, with dirty blonde hair that reached his shoulders. He stood in the stance of a warrior, tall and yet at ease. My eyes softened as I recognized my own features in his, and remembered the pictures I had seen of my father along with my hazy memories. His own eyes were moist, and I stepped forwards to gently wrap my arms around his waist.
"I missed you, daddy." I said softly, remembering all the times when I was younger I had run to him as he came home, saying the same thing as he bent to pick me up.
"As I did you, my little princess." The thick reply reached my ears, and I smiled happily. I leaned back to look into his eyes, and heard sniffles all around.
"You know, dad, I remember when you used to feed me ice cream on the sly when mom was out." I said slyly, and he threw back his head to burst into laughter as my mom cried in indignation and slapped his arm. The other man also laughed heartily and Gilraen smiled tearfully, perched on the man's lap.
I pulled back and turned to him as the laughter died down, bowing politely. "Greetings, my young cousin." I said warmly, and the laughter immediately died down as the room turned to look at me in confusion - all except for my parents, of course. I had expected mother would tell him all. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you - although I must admit that you do remind me of our ancestor Eärendil in your eyes." I said gaily, and his eyes turned hard.
"Please sit, Celine. It is a pleasure to meet you as well." He said, lips thinning into a tense smile. I sat along with everyone else, and he took a long look at my parents.
"Your parents have made known to me of their... past. And I will not deny it, though it baffles me. They were about to tell me of their child when you came, to our great joy." He began, and I nodded as Esgalnoron leaped into my lap, earning another long look.
"And as much as I appreciate your enthusiasm, I would greater appreciate if you do not speak as though you presume to know our ancestor in such a familiar fashion." He said sternly, and I raised my eyebrow in clear amusement.
"You will excuse me if I do not understand why not, young cousin." I replied genially, and his frown was thunderous. I could practically feel my parents' amusement.
"Ciaran, you never mentioned that your daughter is apparently older than you and I." Arathorn remarked, and I heard my father chuckle.
"Well, I never did tell you her story, did I, Arathorn?" He replied, and attention turned to me again.
"You are quite young in my eyes I'm afraid, lord Arathorn. I have had the pleasure of speaking with Eärendil as well as fighting alongside him in the War of Wrath some... oh, two Ages ago. I don't remember the dates anymore." I waved it off as though it were smoke, while confusion clouded the air. "In fact, I was there when he was born. I was also personal friends with Tuor - speaking of which, I really should go to Imladris and pay respects to lord Glorfindel and Elrond. I did live in Gondolin under lord Glorfindel's house for a while after all. Won't it be a surprise when he sees me, thinking me dead, Esgalnoron?" I asked delightedly, clapping my hands as he yapped.
~You are having way too much fun with this, Caladiel!~ He accused.
"Honey, you're really confusing him now. Do explain and stop teasing already!" My mother scolded, and I laughed before bowing my head to Arathorn.
"Forgive my rudeness, young lord. I meant no offense, but it has been long while since I have had the time or been in the mood to joke. Now, assuming you know where my parents come from - or at least my mother, apparently-"
Arathorn nodded as he and Gilraen paid close attention.
"Well. My father died when I was ten..." I began to tell them my backstory and how I ended up in the First Age by the Sirion. Interest was kindled in their eyes when I abruptly stopped just as I came to telling them my conclusion where I was. "But before I go on, I must know- what are the tales of the First Age concerning the Maia Sauron and the Vala Melkor?" I asked curiously. Although looking somewhat disappointed at my pause, it was Gilraen who answered.
"Sauron was said to have seemingly defected to Morgoth, but in the end came out as a hero for his part in working behind the enemy lines as part of the Faithful. He is praised for his heroic deeds in war, while Melkor is respected and Morgoth is greatly feared. During the Second Age, he was responsible for the destruction of Númenor-" She said, and I held up a hand.
"Let me guess. He was finally weakened by Isildur cutting off the finger where rested the One Ring." I said shrewdly, and they nodded despite looking surprised. I sat back in my chair, musing. Looks like everything is practically the same as the books, all except for the fact that it's Morgoth that's the hated name instead of Sauron. Heh, well isn't that coincidental?
"And let me ask this - what was the name of the leader of the Faithful during the War of Wrath?" I suddenly asked, almost startling them. Gilraen's eyes became wistful as she answered.
"An elf by the name of Caladiel, who was the vessel of the Secret Flame of Eru and died sacrificing her life to win the war." She sighed, while Arathorn rolled his eyes.
"Something I will not dispute, although I will say that I think it's exaggerated." He said, and I chuckled.
"Most likely. After all, that the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated is very possible, I'll admit. Nice to know that there are those who believe in me, though: I was rather afraid that I'd become nothing but a wives' tale." I said amusedly, and both Arathorn and Gilraen stared in consternation.
"Oh don't look at me like that, I told you most likely a lot of things are exaggerated." I scoffed, waving my hand at them while Esgalnoron stretched and decided to morph into his Elven form, sitting down at my feet and yawning, earning stares.
"Although, I do hope that Glorfindel will keep things straight." I said, frowning. Then I shook my head. "Well, to be honest, I'll have to ask you to keep my true identity as secret, I'm afraid. I'd rather become known as a shadow again, not immediately be known as a hero, which I'm not." I said with a sigh, as everyone shook their heads in amazement.
"I cannot believe..." Arathorn shook his head, and then shook himself visibly before nodding at me. "We will keep this conversation in this room." He said firmly, and I nodded cooly.
"For which I thank you. Unfortunately, however, I cannot stay here." I gave my mother a guilty look as her face became stricken. "I am, always and forever, a Maia of Melkor, and I cannot forsake my duties." I sighed, and reached out to take her hand. My father gave me a look that I nodded slightly to show that I understood, while mom sighed.
"I should have known that." She said miserably, and I smiled.
"But I won't leave until a few days, and in the meantime let's keep up the facade of me being a lost and orphaned girl that was taken into your household, if that is agreeable with you, young lord?" I asked, looking to Arathorn, who nodded in agreement. Gilraen was smiling, but I could tell that they were going to have a long talk when we left.
I stood. "Perhaps we should leave and give them some time to come to grips with what has just been said here, yes?" I said calmly, and everyone stood in agreement before scattering to our respective homes.