Okay, so, basically, I don't own most of this. I only own Lupa and the Sizaan Elves, and at this rate I'm going to have to sign any and all ownership I have over this over to Lupa. She's the one doing the writing, peoples. I seem to just be the medium through which she tells the story. Gah.
"If it's like this, it be Sindarin."
The next day held a meeting of the White Council. Lupa was not in attendance, even though Gandalf had wished her to be, for she had hidden in one of the gardens that was full of twists and turns and shadows. Not even Lord Elrond found her, although she suspected that either of them could have found her with relative ease, considering that it was Lord Elrond's lands and Gandalf had magic and an uncanny knowledge of where people were.
She was fairly happily roosting barefoot in the branches of one of the taller, sturdier trees. Birds were sitting in branches above, below, and to either side of her. Many of them were brightly colored songbirds, singing and showing their plumage to the world. Or, at least, anyone willing to take a look at them.
"Oi! Lupa!" came a shout in Sindarin from below, startling the birds from the branches that they rested on. It also startled Lupa, who had, until that point, been sitting half asleep, basking in the sun that came through the leaves. Twisting around,she got into a position in which she could see two elven look-alikes staring up at her. Seeing them, she grimaced.
"Dear, sweet Elladan and Elrohir. What do you want?" her tone was rather dry.
The two elves below her wailed in mock hurt. "Lupa! Can we not even say hello on friendly terms? And we thought that we all parted so companionably!"
Lupa glared down at them. "As I recall, when we parted, you had just dumped a pail of fish guts on my head. And I still haven't found out where you got those. And yes, I did ask at the kitchens. They assured me that it had been awhile since there had last been a meal that involved fish. I also asked Arwen, and she confirmed them."
One of them, Elrohir, shook his head sorrowfully. "Ah, Lupa. We both had your best interests at heart! Elladan and I are sure it builds character!" he paused when he saw a dark gleam appear in her eye, as well as a rather speculative look.
Elladan also saw it appear. Hurriedly he went on to say, "anyways, we came looking for you, because someone wants to talk to you. Quite a lot, really."
The speculative gleam changed to suspicion in a second. "And who would that be?" A quick glance above her reassured her that no one was waiting to ambush her from above. Looks to the side and to the surrounding trees also comforted her in the sense that no one else was there.
Elladan pressed his hand to his heart in a theatrical manner, also putting a wounded look on his face. "Have you no faith in us, dear Lupa?!" he cried.
She gave him a cold look. "No."
He heaved a great sigh. "Well, we promise you, charming Lupa, that this is a person who well and truly wants to talk with you, and wishes no harm whatsoever upon you." A wicked grin grew upon his face. "Now, do you come down by yourself, or do we need to help you?"
She growled at both of them, for now they each sported a grin that promised mischief to whomever had the poor fortune to be caught up in their schemes. "If either of you try to 'help' me down, then I swear by by the Nine Gods and fourteen Valar that I will personally make sure that neither of you will be out of the Healing Wards for a month. And that is with whatever your father can do for you."
Elrohir had the gall to laugh, calling up to her, "truly your words are tempting, dear Lupa! But for now, come down on your own and we shall leave you in peace for the time being. She's waiting for you in the garden with all the roses! Fare thee well, sweet Lupa!" turning, both he and Elladan turned and walked away in perfect synchronization, Lupa growling at their retreating backs.
She was not entirely surprised to find the Lady Galadriel, sitting on an elegant bench in a corner of the garden. Upon seeing her, Lupa quickly swept into a bow, holding it as she listened to Galadriel rise from the seat and walk over to her. Like Lupa, she walked barefoot. Although, unlike Lupa, no dirt seemed to cling to her feet.
Lupa felt a gentle hand under her chin, carefully drawing her upright. "Please, there is no need to bow," was the soft rebuke. Galadriel's voice was beautiful, perhaps deeper than one may expect, but soft in such a way that all who were meant to hear it did.
Lupa glanced at Galadriel's face for a moment, before moving her eyes away, uncomfortable about looking such a powerful person in the face. "Forgive me, Lady," she murmured, looking at her feet.
Lady Galadriel laughed, a happy, mirthful sound that held a far-off echo of sadness that surprised Lupa. Turning, Galadriel walked back to the bench and sat, indicating the space beside her. "Come sit by me, that we may talk easily," she said, smiling up at Lupa.
Carefully Lupa sat, mindful of her ribs and keeping an eye on Galadriel the whole time.
"You were not at the Council," Galadriel noted. "But Gandalf wished for you to be there. You hid from him." An amused smile lit her face.
"There was no need for me to be there, Lady. I have not walked in this land for one hundred years; I know little of what changes may have happened in that time, and my tribe would have little to add." Still Lupa did not look Galadriel in the eye.
The Lady of Light fixed Lupa with a piercing gaze. "And we have heard little of your people. Tell me, Garaveth, what news have the Lost Folk to share?"
Lupa gave Galadriel a quick glance and a slow smile. "Few are those who remember that the word Sizaan means Lost in our tongue, and that we prefer to be known as the Lost Folk. For many, we are merely the Sizaan Elves, and it is left at that. And you know my Sindarin name… tell me, was it King Thranduil or Prince Legolas who told you?"
Galadriel laughed again. "It was Prince Legolas, in one of his stories of what the two of you got up to. Was the dye truly necessary?"
Lupa now blushed slightly, remembering some of the things the two of them had done together. "If it was the one about dyeing Lord Heledhon's dogs' fur green, it was Prince Legolas' idea." Suddenly her face darkened, her eyes hardening. "You asked what news we have. The Far Seers have felt something dark, something dangerous that is rising here."
Lady Galadriel sighed, acknowledging what Lupa said as truth. Folding her hands on her lap, she seemed to withdraw, dimming the light that she glowed with. "Then they see clearly. There is indeed an old evil rising, one we hoped had vanished from this world. We were mistaken." She cast a curious look at the smaller woman. "You have the power to see the truth. Do you not feel it?"
"My power grants the ability to see immediate truth, not something that will come in the future. For that, you want the Far Seers. I can… sense… something, as it were, but no more and no less than any other elf." Lupa brushed a hand over the eye with the tattoo.
They were both silent for a time, before the Lady Galadriel stood, motioning for Lupa to to remain sitting. "It has been a pleasure talking with you, Lady Garaveth. I hope that we may meet again, someday. Farewell." She swept off before Lupa could point out that she was no lady; she was just the one Galadriel had been talking to.
She had stayed on the bench for awhile before deciding to wander off. Lady Galadriel had given her much to think about, and so Lupa mulled over the Lady's words as she wandered. Something rising… odd. She had a good idea of what that evil might be, and hoped that she was wrong. For if she was right, then all of Arda would fall, and not even her own people would be left untouched.
Gandalf and the dwarves left the next day. Lord Elrond had granted them mounts; ponies for Bilbo and the dwarves and a horse for Gandalf. Lupa was not leaving with them, as her ribs and wrist had yet to fully heal and Elrond refused to let her go before they did. As it was, he was keeping a close eye on her and had asked the Elven guard to also do so, that they may keep her from sneaking off to join the dwarves. Bilbo had been somewhat unhappy that she was not coming with them, but was somewhat raised in spirit when she reassured him that she would be joining them eventually. Right now she was talking with Thorin.
"You are sure you will be joining us?" he asked her. He was clearly displeased, although it was mostly over the fact that they were losing a fighting member of the company.
She laughed, though she was cut short by a lancing pain in her ribs. "Look, pup. I'm under orders from Gandalf to help you. And I have to obey him, because as far as the wolf in me is concerned, he's my Alpha. I'll catch up to you, but I'm not allowed to leave now."
He sighed, nodding his understanding. "Fine. Catch up when you can." Turning his pony away from her, he faced the other dwarves, calling out, "time to move out! Let's go!"
All the dwarves slowly fell into line behind Gandalf and Thorin, with Bilbo sitting somewhere in the middle of the group. Lupa watched as they moved up the path into the mountains, shaking her head. At this rate they were almost guaranteed to run into goblins. She hated goblins.
It's not that this chapter dislikes me. It isn't that I lost internet for a while. It IS that this chapter plain didn't want to be written. I wanted to write it. It was like, "no thanks, I'll just stay like this for a bit." Needless to say, it was not conducive to story writing. But, it finally agreed to be written; hence: you have this chapter.
Translation: for those of you who are like me and have little to no understanding of Elvish whatsoever, Garaveth means 'wolf female'. Fitting, is it not? ;D
The name Heledhon means 'glass male'. Don't ask me why I picked it; it just sounded nice. XD
So, there may or may not be Saruman in the next chapter before Lupa goes off to join the Dwarves. I'm not entirely sure. Do you guys think he should join in the fun?
Queen-of-Earth - Maybe, maybe not. Likely though, even if just mild flirting… ;)
Thanks to all who have commented and/or favourited and/or followed!
If you guys have never heard of Weird Al, you should check him out. I have been listening to SO much of his music lately. Epic.
By the Nine Gods Lupa mentioned, it's done! This chapter is DONE! YES! TWILLIN OUT, PEOPLES!
WAH HA HA!