Disclaimer in chapter 1 – Into the wilds.
Reviews at the bottom of the chapter!
Hannon le, Mellon-nin.
Chapter 10 - The ring of Barahir.
"You'd entered my land five days ago and we have kept you out of harm's way and restored your Prince back to full health it seems." The Elf-Lord of Morbaneiâ spoke.
"My name is Beriädan Telrúnya." He had Silver hair which reminded them all of the great Balrog-slayer, Glorfindel but the slayer was much more composed then the Elf-lord. He wore robes of silver with extrinsic design upon the cuffs and upon his collar. Their sat on his head was a Mithril circlet which marked his status. "You have already spoken to my Wife, Lessien and my only Daughter, Larien." He moved his head to the side and looked towards Lessien and Larien.
Both Mother and daughter wore the same golden coloured dress, with the same design patterns that matched their Lord's. Each wore a smaller circlet above the heads which also explained how high up they were within the family. He smiled at them both which they both returned but Larien knew her father was annoyed.
"Let me introduce you to the rest of my family." Beriädan turned his head to face the fellowship and continued "To my left is my third eldest Voronwë. On his right is Larien's twin brother, Faeron – Who helped heal you're prince."
Voronwë had completely different colour hair than that of his Mother, Father and sister. He had some similarity in the colour to Faeron's. His hair was a very light brown. One you would often see on the decaying of leaves in the autumn months. Faeron's hair was black. It was not as dark as a shadows but more of a calming blackness. One that would ease someone's pain.
Many were shocked to find out that Faeron was Larien's twin. Both were complete opposites. Never had Aragorn seen such twins that didn't look alike! Or maybe it was spending too much time with his forester brothers did he loose sense that there are some twins that do not look alike.
Both Brothers wore a slightly darker silver to their father's attire but it also had the same designs and circlet.
"My two other sons, Aranhil and Handion will not be able to grace your presence for they are on patrol in the Eastern and Western borders." He looked towards the Fellowship for they had not spoken anything from the moment of stepping into the hall.
The Hobbits shifted nervously under the Elf-Lord's powerful gaze. Gimli just continued to stare at the well decretive ceilings and wall designs. Boromir, Legolas, Aragorn and Gandalf were the only ones actually paying attention to the Elf-Lord.
"Now, please do tell. Why have you come to my Forest?"
Gandalf was the first to speak. "We did not mean to cause any harm or to trespass. I have not heard of this Elven city before and our Prince could not sense any forms of life apon are arrival. We only wished to camp and be on our way the day" "Which obviously did not happen." The Wizard thought. They should have left by now to continue their dangerous journey to the land of fire, Mordor, not standing and making convocation with an Elf he had no idea existed.
"So, why did you bring them here?" He asked as he faced his Captain, Findecáno.
"My Lord." Findecáno steeped in front of the Fellowship and knelt to his Lord. "We found the group of nine and thought them suspicious. We came up behind the Prince, who we did not know was at the time, for his was sat against a tree." He stated, not once raising his head. "It was a foolish thing we did. We did not know that the Elf was communicating with our trees. We pulled him away just in time for them to see and…
"Just get to the point!" Beriädan shouted, getting rather impatient.
"Aranno, Hîr-nin" *Forgive me, my Lord.* He apologised "The Prince of Mirkwood became ill and we needed to send him to our healers. The Prince needed herbs to sedate him. He was in pain my Lord. That is why we brought him here." He sighed as he finished his long tale.
"And, Cunn-nin, are you well?" *My Prince* The Elf-Lord asked rather politely
"I am well, Hîr-nin. Your Healers are well trained." He smiled as he bowed slightly to show his respect and thanks.
"I thank you. Now, I would like to know when you will be on your way."
This time it was Frodo who spoke. "We wish to leave as soon as possible. We are on a very important quest in which will change the course of history." The small Hobbit explained.
"Please tell me brave Hobbit, what is this important quest you speak of?" The silver-haired Elf raised an eyebrow.
"It's a secret!" Pippin shouted rather rudely which made him receive a cold glare from the Elf-Lord.
"A secret? One which will change the course of history? Well you must want to be on your way. I will give you a day to leave." He said "Pack your bags and go. You are needed here no longer." He turned and motioned his family to leave. He too then went towards a door located at the back of the throne room and went through it leaving the nine Walkers staring in confusion at the Lords quick decision.
A minute of silence went by and Merry was the first to spoke "Well…He was rather…urm…Polite?" The Hobbits silently laughed. "I mean…he isn't a very nice guy and all…" He too was now giggling along with his kin.
"Come Hobbits." Boromir smiled at the little folk "Let us go and pack. We are no longer welcome here." He and the Hobbits, along with Gimli who was grumberling at the Elf-Lords Rudness, turned and left the room leaving the Wizard, the heir to the throne of Gondor and the Prince of Mirkwood Elves.
"Perhaps Boromir is right. Let us leave before we cause unnecessary attention. These lands are dark. Lord Elrond spoke of a forest, one such as this and told me to be aware and stay away. I think he meant this one. We must leave and leave now we must."
Elf and Man nodded at the Wizard and they, all, too left the Throne room with dark thoughts running through their heads.
"Father!" Larien called as she saw her father about to disappear into his study.
"What is it, my dear?" He asked rather sweetly.
"About what just happened…" She started. "That was rather rude of you." She spoke quickly.
"And, why pray tell, was it?" He got annoyed rather fast. It didn't take long for the Elf-Lord to become enraged. Even the simple things made him mad and that made every Elf in the Kingdom careful with the words they spoke while addressing him.
"Well…They have only just arrived and…"
"Larien, I have made me decision and that decision is final. I will not have outsiders trespass my home, befriend everyone before they meet the Lord, in which case is me and then not tell me why they did it!" He yelled which made her flinch.
"But Father!" She yelled back as she started to become angry with her father's attitude.
"No but's Larien! My. Decision. Is. Final." He slowed every word for her for her to understand. He then turned and slammed the door. Leaving her teary eyed.
She had never been shouted at by her Ada before.
She blinked back the tears that were threatening to fall and thought of an idea, one which would aid her friends in the upcoming battle for Middle-earth.
There, she took off towards her friend and Captain, Findecáno to explain what she thought of.
The Next day, the Fellowship stood outside Palace and bid farewell to those they had made friends with, within the space of six days. The third eldest son of Beriädan along with his Mother Lessien and his twin's brother and sister, Faeron and Larien.
"It has been almost a week since you stepped within our lands. You have made great friends with some of the inhabitants here and they, as well as us, bid you a safe Journey." He smiled softly as he looked apon each of those in the Fellowship. "I am sorry my Father is not here to say his Farewells. Please, be safe. The road can be very dangerous." He brought his hand to his chest and swung it slowly in a circular motion, one all Elves do to say their goodbyes.
Legolas and Aragorn returned the gesture as the others slowly bowed and nodded their thanks.
"No in elenath hîlar nan hâd gîn" *May all-stars shine upon your path* He finally uttered his last words as he watch the Fellowship leave. Many Elves' along their path were whispering "Namarie" an Elvish word for farewell. They passed through the gates and began their long hard journey to Mordor.
Larien waited ten minutes after the Fellowship left and looked towards her mother, smiling as she remembered the words she told her;
"It's beautiful mother." She exclaimed as she looked at a ring in a red velvet like cloth her mother held in her hand.
"It is indeed, my daughter. This is the ring of Barahir." She smiled at her daughters face.
"How did you become to such a possession mother?" She asked not once taking her eyes off the emerald ring.
"I was told to keep it safe till Isildor's heir came to claim it." She explained
"By whom? If you don't mind me asking" She blushed as she quickly rushed her words.
"I do not mind at all." Her smile widened. "I was given it by a human. A woman, who went by the name of Gilrean. Such a beautiful girl." She laughed at the memories that began to resurface.
Larien smiled at her mother as Lessien began to tell the tale on how they met and why Gilrean gave her the ring. After her mother finished she and politely asked "What was his name? The one who will reclaim such a kingly gift?"
"I believe you have already met him, my darling daughter. His name is Aragorn."
Her mouth opened in complete shock. She was lost for words. She was about to speak but her mother put a finger to her lips and spoke instead "When he leaves you must give this ring to him and give him these words…"
She nodded at her mother and ran after the Fellowship. Her brother's and Mother were smiling at her with warmth and full of love.
Beriädan, her Father, stared out the window also with a smile on his face. "We will meet again, Aragorn. We will meet again."
They were half way through the forest and close to the border of the woods, Morbaneiâ. They were all laughing and talking away like they had been before they arrived at the forest those six nights ago. But then something caught Legolas' attention as he quickly turned around to face Gandalf.
"What is it?" The Wizard asked.
"Someone's approaching. They are calling for you Aragorn." He smiled as he heard the voice of the fair lady Larien.
"Me? Why me?" He furrowed his brows slightly.
"ARAGORN!" The voice of a young Elleth made the whole company except for Legolas who was still smiling and facing that direction to begin with, turned to see Larien running towards them.
"What is wrong, Larien?" The ranger asked worriedly as she stopped in front of them and put her hands on her knees to catch her breath.
"My mother asked me to give this to you." She held out the red velvet cloth in her left hand and unwrapped it slowly. The ring of Barahir appeared and Aragorn's eyes grew wide in shock.
"The ring of Barahir?" He whispered. He could not believe that he had found his fathers and forefathers ring. He had been searching for its location for 5 years and gave up because he found it impossible but now it was within his reach.
Estel did not notice Legolas and Gandalf shooing the Fellowship away as he stared at the ring.
"How?" He asked as he looked deeply into her Emerald green eyes.
She smiled as she explained the story to him through her mother's words.
"All this time my mother hid the ring and told me to find it before she departed this world. Now I finally have it." He wiped a tear from is eyes for the story Larien had told. His mother. If he were to see her again, she would be lectured. He chuckled. "Thank you Larien." He smiled as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
She returned the gesture and smiled back at him. "You are indeed welcome."
"Namarie." Still smiling he clutched the red fabric and placed it gently in his pocket before turning around to leave and join his companions.
"Namarie." She replied.
She watched him turn around and take three steps before she stopped him again. "I forgot to tell you these words my mother wished to tell you before you left…
"Anirne hene beriad i chen lîn. Ned Imladris nauthant e le beriathar aen." *She wanted to protect her child. She thought in Rivendell you would be safe.*
Aragorn turned back around to face the red-haired Elleth. Eyes wide-eyed at what he was hearing.
"In her heart, your mother knew you would be hunted all your life. That you'd never escape your fate. The skill of the Elves; Mirkwood, Lothlórien and Imladris can reforge the sword of kings…But only you have the power to wield it." She finished. Her gaze still stuck to the heir of Gondor's eyes.
Aragorn was startled by these words. "I do not want that power." He said gently. "I have never wanted it."
"Aragorn…" She said sadly "…You are the last of that bloodline. There is no other."
Strider narrowed his eyes slightly and said farewell one last time before turning around, making his way back to the Fellowship, leaving Larien standing still as a tree, completely shocked at his decision not to take the throne.
She sighed and smiled warmly at the man walking away, his body getting smaller and smaller with every step he took.
"Ná Elbereth veria le, ná elenath dín síla erin rád o chuil lín." *May Elbereth protect you, may her stars shine on the path of your life.*
The Fellowship came to the edge of the forest. They each drew a sigh as they felt the darkness from the Lord of Morbaneiâ, lift the weight of their chests.
Gandalf turned to face the eight companions "We must hold this course…" He pointed at the land behind him. "…West of the Misty mountains, for forty days. If our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us."
He looked gravely at each of them.
"From there, our road turns east, to Mordor."
Success! So I had enough with this whole 'Morbaneiâ' idea. I decided to end it there. I will explain the Dark bit and the 'Warning' the voice gave Elrond before the Fellowship departed during the Helms Deep chapter which will be in a few months time (hopefully). I have a rough Idea about it and it's a long way to go till I finish book 1 :L
Reviews;
BrightWatcher; I thank you for all your wondrous reviews :3! And I also thank you for liking my star idea. Yes, sadly you did read that correctly…Legolas is indeed the last Elf that was ever born on Middle-earth. Thank you again! :D
scathach47; Thank you for liking the star idea :D I have such a creative imagination! ;) aha! thanks for reviewing!
.Serious96; Mellon-nin, I thank you! I will try :') xxx
Always; Thank you for your last 2 reviews :'D! I hate those stories that do that…I hate the wait! I also feel the same for when I'm writing this. I know how much people want to read what happens next and I also want to write what happens next. I come in everyday from college and type away! Screw homework :L Thank you very much for your reviews! By the way, I love leggy to ;D
Gandalf: Finally start getting to the rest of the Journey…
Shut up, you old fart. -.-
Gandalf: *Raises staff* YOU SHALL NOT CALL ME OLD FART! *Slams staff on floor*
*Flies away screaming*
Namarie!