Gift From The River

by Xandranda

she joins the fellowship with no memory of who, or what she is... will she find answers or things she never expected?rating for violance, possibly some conversations later on.Tenth Walker story, don't like don't read.

10. As the Rain Begins

here's the next one, hope you like this one, straight onto it.

enjoy

Xandrandra xx

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As the Rain Begins

She walked towards the three males to hear the dwarf complain of his chain mail that was more of a dress than anything else of the stout body, she had silently and invisibly watched the man and elf exchange a masculine apology; she had smiled at the elf's abrupt start.

'Téanar?' asked the elf,

'Yes?' she answered seemingly engrossed in inspecting a shield design,

'You are not going to fight.' It wasn't a question,

'No. I will merely defend myself on the battlefield.' She heard the dwarf stifle a laugh,

'Téanar, think for just a moment…'

'Hmmm.' she paused, 'nope! Still going.'

'You are remembering more.' Aragorn muttered,

'I'm sorry?' she asked,

'Your speech, it is once again effected.'

'You do not wish to hear the things my mind longs to say. Even the dwarf would be startled.'

'You are avoiding the topic of which we speak.' Said the elf,

'It has been solved, I will fight.' She looked up into blue eyes, 'you cannot say that you would not welcome my aid, they are old men and children and those who are fit can barely wield a sword.'

The elf shook his head and began to speak,

'I am not blind Legolas, if the walls fall then these people will, die. One person can make a difference; I intend to fight for our cause even if you think it folly.'

'Not all things you have spoken of have come to pass, you are blind Téanar…'

She held up a hand to stop him, 'a moment elf. Not only stubborn, but impatient also, many flaws do elves try to hide within calm exteriors.' She smiled at narrowed blue eyes,

she walked to the door which was closed and lay one hand on the handle, the other she held up with her fingers spread, evenly and surely she lowered them one by one, on the last she turned to grin at the three puzzled males over her shoulder before opening the door and stepping out of the way of the young boy messenger who stumbled into the room.

'The King requests your presence.' He told them,

'We will be there shortly,' answered Aragorn, looking to the female who raised an eyebrow and jerked her head towards the door,

'An army approaches. He wishes for your council.' Said the boy urgently,

'Ahh,' she sighed openly with a smile, taking note she had the other's attention, 'the joy that fills me when I am right.' She nodded at the four males, readjusted her quiver and walked out of the room.

'One day her actions will come to light.' Muttered Aragorn as he and his two companions followed the messenger out of the door.

The caught up with the still smiling female at the door where she was waiting for them, she nodded at them with shining eyes and opened the door, waiting for them to pass before following, falling into step beside the dwarf, just behind Aragorn. They were led quickly up onto the high platform where the king stood with his guards, the guards tried to stop her from advancing along with the messenger, but one sudden glance to one startled them enough for her to duck under their spears and hop up next to the elf, using him as a shield. She looked out over the walls where a handful of archers stood, their bows pointed to a quickly advancing army of shining metal armour and weapons, her smile broadened at recognition, even from a distance that the elf could not see clearly she knew who lead the army that marched towards them,

'Haldir.' She grinned and looked up to the young elf that looked down at her, barely hearing her word, 'open the gates.' She turned to the king and said louder, 'open the gate. These are friends that approach.'

'Can you see them Legolas?' asked Aragorn,

'You do not believe me.' She took a few steps towards the two men,

'If an elf cannot see them then you surely cannot, and you only have one eye still.'

'I do not need my eyes to see, you are sinking to the elf's logic!' she told him,

'You are not elf?' asked the king, Aragorn realising his mistake, began to speak,

'It does not matter what I am, it matter what they are,' she gestured to the army that grew ever nearer, 'they are not orcs your highness. If the elf cannot see clearly their faces, he will tell you of shining armour and weapons, orcs do not care for things of such beauty, these people clearly do.' She turned to the elf who was now staring at her, 'I told you your race would fight, did I not? Captain Haldir leads the elves to fight with men under the command of the Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel themselves. Would you deny them a welcome greeting?' she had turned back to the King,

'I cannot chance that…' she was gone before his words where begun,

'I apologise my lord, she is strong willed and most defiantly stubborn, though to neither she would admit.'

'She is much like my niece, I am used to such words, and though from a stranger I can hardly say I understand them.'

She paced by the gates, her anger slowly dwindling and being replaced by self annoyance, a king! She had offended a king! Right or wrong, she did not have the right…

'You shall dig us a moat for defence also if you continue to pace as such.'

'Your highness, forgive me. I am often ignored and my warnings and advice are seldom heard, it angers me and it should not. I am female and roles of women here and the places where I come from differ greatly, I am not used to holding my tongue as I am sure it is clear.' She looked to the ground,

'The elf has told Aragorn that you do speak true, elves do approach with the elf you spoke of in lead. I wish for you to bring him to me when they arrive. Open the gates!' he commanded and left

She couldn't help but smile and feel in awe of the ruler; she would never understand these people. The gates opened and she went to stand where the approaching army could see her.

'Haldir.' She bowed to the captain as he drew near,

'Téanar, how do you fare?'

'well, I have no new fears that I am aware of, we are all well, though I am sure you know of our misfortunes and losses thanks to the lady.' she smiled, keeping the covered left side of her face hidden from his green eyes, 'I have been told to bring you before the king.'

'I shall follow you then little one.' smiled the elf,

She led him along and through the peasants that stepped slightly away from the two, the woman in what could have been fear, the children, pulled away by their mothers and the men with strange emotions on their face. A path was made for them,

'They make way for us, is it always so with strangers?'

'Nay, I fear it is my companions and I, when we first arrived, we were not greeted warmly,' she could not help but smirk slightly,

'You must have put up a good fight for them to fear you.' Laughed the elf,

'As we always have my friend, but I fear that this new fear has come from an incident yesterday,'

'Involving you?'

'As ever.' She smiled up sideways at him as they continued to walk, 'I fear the elf, Legolas spoke some harsh words to a man I bumped into before I could stop him.'

'I will try to mend matters…'

'Nay, do not. It was my fault and the elf cannot see that, he is angry at me, and I him for that. Our argument is yet to end.' She laughed shaking her head,

'So he has become protective of you?'

'I am unsure, but it seems to be so, we enjoy each other's company and we care for each other, we are similar beings, it is natural to seek each others company, though we do argue over the strangest things. He refuses to allow me to fight.' She reached the foot of the stair to where the king stood. 'I will wait here.' she told him as he began to climb the steps,

'Why?' Haldir turned back to her, his eyes suddenly drawn to her face,

'I believe I offended the king minutes before your arrival,' she looked up to find the elf standing before her,

One of his hands lifted, brushing her hair from the left side of her face, she looked visibly annoyed as he inspected the covering,

'It seems you have been the centre of many incidents of late… the reason for Legolas', talk, with the human?'

'Yes. I cannot see far to my left, it was inevitable that I would knock into something or someone. Do not fuss, I am healing quickly…'

'This is the reason for his wish for you not to fight.' He told her letting his hand drop,

'Loyalty of kin. Do not dally here, the king awaits you.'

'His logic is quite sound…'

'Auta miqula orqu.' She said evenly

Haldir laughed and turned, walking up the stairs, leaving her scowling at the foot of them, she moved to lean against the wall where she could watch them,

'Haldir, 'Quel undome.' Said Aragorn bowing, 'Nae saian luume''

'Indeed. Greetings King Théoden, I have been sent by Lord Elrond and the Lady Galadriel with an army to assist in this battle. This evil affects the whole of middle earth, not only the lives of men.'

'You are well met, Haldir of the elves. May I inquire as to why the lady Téanar is at the foot of the stair?'

'Ah, she believes that she is the cause for many problems here. Your people appear to be wary of elves and she has reason to believe that she has offended you.'

'I can put an end to both of those things. The elves are welcome here and we are forever in your dept. I thank you once more Haldir of elves. I will see to my guards now,' the king walked down the steps stopping for a brief word with the female, who bowed and looked somewhat relieved,

'So you know of our disagreement.' Said Legolas coming forwards,

'Yes. I told her that your logic in her wish to fight was just.'

'And she did not speak?' asked Aragorn,

'Yes, she did. I did not realize she had remembered what elvish I taught her while in Lothlórien.'

'She spoke in elvish?' asked Aragorn surprised,

'Yes. And quite well too, though I do not remember teaching her such phrases.'

'What did she say then elf?' asked the dwarf,

'She told me to, go kiss an orc.' Chuckled the usually stoic captain.

They had stood for a minute or so talking and occasionally glancing down at her, finally they began to walk down the steps, Haldir and Aragorn discussing the upcoming battle and the arrangements for the army positions, the dwarf was adding his own opinion to their discussion but walking a few steps below them, having to look back and up at the two taller beings much more than usual, the elf, Legolas walked behind them, seemingly listening to their conversation, but darting around them when they reached the bottom, gripping her arm firmly in his grip and began to drag her off,

'Aragorn!' she called back, 'the elf has lost his sanity. I would like some assistance!'

'Do not fear Téanar, we will see you before the battle.'

'Aragorn! Haldir, surely you see this! Do not laugh elf. Lle Nadorhuanrim! (You cowardly dogs)' she yelled at them as she was forced to turn a corner.

Many eyes were drawn to her strange behavior so she stopped struggling and trotted beside the elf that still held her arm in a vice; she looked up at him,

'What are you doing? Where are we going? Will you let me go!' she asked them all with malice but hushed,

'Make sure you follow me. You will see. No.'

'Stubborn elf.' She muttered.

They reached one of the caves or rooms inside the cliff, beds where set up and water pails and bandages where being carried around by women.

'The healers?' she looked at the satisfied elf, 'I will not stay here. I will fight. If you like it not, I can and will fight…'

she was cut off by his cool hand covering her mouth, he called one of the women over who looked strangely at her annoyed look with the elf covering her mouth,

'She wishes to fight and is intent on doing so. Aragorn has requested her wound be look at.' He said the last part in more of a sigh,

The woman nodded and took her hand, sitting her down on the bed while setting about removing the bandages, the blonde haired woman, Eowyn came over,

'Elf, I did not expect to see you so soon.' She looked to the other woman, 'you must not remove it! You can not yet have healed!'

'If I am to fight I will need both my eyes. I will fight despite how many people are against me.'

'It is...'

'I will fight. It has been two days, I heal quickly, it is a gift of my race. Remove it. Please.'

Eowyn nodded after a moments thought and allowed the other woman to continue, Téanar sat patiently while they worked but became alarmed when they both gasped, Eowyn washed her face with some water and inspected her wound closely as did the other. She looked over their shoulders to where Legolas stood with a smirk on his face, he could not she her wound but was enjoying the fuss that she was being subjected to,

'Lle san seasa e'sina.' Her words where halted for she had to think carefully but they weren't a question. (You take pleasure in this)

The elf merely nodded, another gasp from the women, but wide and astonished eyes stared at her face when she moved her eyes to look at them. He left eye had been uncovered, the dim light not effecting it too much.

'What is wrong?' Téanar asked,

'You are healed. The wound is fully closed and I do not believe it will heal more.' She turned to the male elf, 'I am sorry, if you wished to use her injury as an excuse for her not to fight then you can not. See for yourself.' She stepped aside, the other woman already having disappeared, back to her work.

Legolas moved nearer, she defiantly turned her head away from him so he could not see, Eowyn smiled at her defiance, stepping away a little, the elf raised and eyebrow but she ignored it, he lifted a hand to her chin, trying to gently turn it towards him but she did not move,

'Must you be so stubborn?' he muttered,

'These people believe me to be an elf; I am merely behaving as an elf would.' She said quietly so Eowyn did not over hear,

'Elves are not stubborn…'

'Antolle ulua sulrim' (Much wind pours from your mouth)

'Lle holma ve' edan' (You smell like a human)

'I used to be human, remember?'

'Last lalaithamin' (Listen to my laughter)

'Dolle naa lost' (Your head is empty)

'Llie n'vanima ar' lle atara lanneina' (You're ugly and your mother dresses you funny)

She did not reply with either insult or wit, she breathed deeply, 'I believe that this round goes to you Legolas.' She turned to face him, 'I will see you on the battlements.' She stood and left,

'What did you say to upset her? She is clearly distraught.' Said Eowyn stepping towards the elf,

'I am unsure, I do not know much of her past and I have clearly insulted her deeply.'

'You where insulting each other?'

'Yes.' He answered truthfully, sitting on the bed,

'It is a beautiful language, even insults sound beautiful.'

'There are few insults, and few are ever used or taken seriously by my people, but it appears that she did.' He was confused,

'What did you say? Maybe I can make a guess, to see if it is something only women would find offensive. You need not, I just do not wish for you to go into battle like this,'

'I believe I said "You're ugly and your mother dresses you funny" I cannot see how offence could be taken at such a phrase.'

'she has been scared, and on her face, it is clear from our examination that she will hold it until her last breath, she may be very aware of that… do you know her mother?...'

'Ed' i'ear ar' elenea! (By the sea and stars!) I have caused her more pain than I first thought, thank you, it is clear to me now, I must find Aragorn, she will be with he, or Haldir. I must hurry, thank you for your time m'lady.' And he was gone,

'Elves are strange creatures are they not?' asked a passing woman.

'Haldir!' the young elf arrived at his side,

'She is readying herself for battle, with Aragorn; I will not allow her to fight without armor.' Said the older elf quietly, his green eyes piercing into blue,

'I did not realize my words…'

'You explain to the wrong person, explain to her, not to me. Make haste for battle will soon be upon us.'

He had taken one look at her face, one look at her eyes and she found herself in a strong and sudden embrace,

'What causes you pain?' he asked her,

'It does not matter. I have been sent to you by Haldir who said something about armor, I wasn't listening.' She explained, running some elven armor through her hands absently

'I fear there is little that will fit you…'

'Then give me what will, he will be angry if I disobeyed him.'

She was submissive, thoughtful, it was clear to the ranger, something, or someone had caused her pain, but she did not wish to speak of it so he let her be, finding what little armor that would fit her. She took the things from him, taking out the protection for her legs, setting the other things on the floor she sat and began to buckle them on, she stood and took a few uncomfortable steps but was soon used to the new weight on her calves and thighs. She discarded the skirt type armor and the heavy bodice that was too large, she saw Aragorn's unhappy gaze at her actions but they were not made for female use and she was not used to the extra weight, she looked at the strange elven armor, protection for both her arms and the top part of her chest and back, allowing easy movement. She turned the armor over in her hands, working out it's positioning, it dropped to the ground as the door opened and banged against the wall, and she sighed and picked them up, not needing to turn to know who it was.

'Legolas? What is wrong?' asked Aragorn,

'I need to speak with Téanar.' He said, he sounded out of breath,

She heard he and Aragorn exchange words in elvish, only a few of which she could understand, Aragorn's voice rose and so did Legolas',

'A battle will begin in a few hours, save your anger for the orcs. I do not know what you say for my elvish is limited but it is clear blame is being passed. If you wish to speak with me then speak elf for we do not have the time to argue.'

'I will be outside, I will return.' Said Aragorn,

'I thought you where repeating your argument over the battle for a few seconds, but it is now clear that you were not. What did you wish to speak of?' she asked, returning to the task of her armor,

'I come with an apology. I did not think of my words, the lady Eowyn has brought light to what I thought was nothing…'

'I miss my home, and I long to know who my mother is. My vocabulary is limited so I only know that you called me ugly and you said something about funny and mother. I now know that I am not part of this world and I want to go back there with every part of my being. You reminded me. That is all. And the, ugly, remark hit me strangely, I am not ashamed of being scarred, nor do I truly care, yet… it must be some memory from the past… I do not know… do not worry yourself.'

'It does not explain my behavior or lack of understanding towards you…'

'I told you before elf, all beings have flaws, even elves, Pride and Stubbornness appears to be theirs….' She looked down at the unexplainable armor, 'mine appears to be putting on battle garb. Think of it no more.' She said, once more trying to put one of the arms on,

'Another is that you do not allow people to take blame even when it is due.' Said the elf walking towards her.

'Many would be thankful for it.' She said, 'let us quibble no longer for allegiance is needed, not more enemies.'

'I agree.' He extended a hand and she took it, then finding herself in yet another strong embrace, 'my head is not empty.' He muttered,

She pushed him away and shook her head at him, laughing quietly, the door opened and Aragorn returned,

'Must grown men scowl so much? I do not believe I have seen so many ill gazes in such a short time and within such a small group! Be at peace Aragorn.' She told him,

'If all is once again well. Though these are dark times ahead of us, I do not see how you can seem so joyous Téanar,'

'I hate to quote phrases from my home land for you do not always understand them, but this I believe you will… always look on the bright side of life.' She sighed and shook her head as once again the armor hit the floor.

The elf bent and picked it up, raising her arm he strapped it on, then took the other from her and moved to do the same to her other arm,

'I knew that.' She muttered,

'The sentinels say that they can see a dark wave upon the horizon.'

'The orcs approach.' She said as the elf wrapped the last piece around her shoulders and buckled it.

'Do you have any words of advice?' he asked from behind her,

'The elf asks! Yes. A few… kill them before they kill you. Don't get shot, stabbed or beheaded. Shields can be used for other things than warding off blows…' she bent to pick up her weapons and dropped to one knee taking a deep breath, 'look out for each other and don't leave your back unguarded.'

'Are you alright?' asked the elf quietly, covering his concern by helping her gather her weapons, the man not seen her movements,

'Yes. I am fine; the weight of this armor is new to me. Let us move now for the rain has begun… I pray Gandalf reaches us soon.'

'As do we all.' Answered the elf as they stood

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hope you liked this, i love this new hit thingy, 179 since it was put on! now all i need is for you lot to reveiw, it really is a boost when you get them. i am really sorry about taking so long to put up these chapters but my big end of year show is now out of the way, all my assesments are done and now, i can focus more of my time into this story. so, please let me know what you think it will make me write more if you let me know what you like and dont and if you want any perticular thing to happen.

Xandrandra xxx