I own Nothing from the Lord of the Rings, (Sighs sadly) just the OC's Elhíni and Elkal. Takes place after Return of the King.
Antan len sina nyárë vanyó az nírion az laliewa az melmëo az lendó az estelo
I present to you this tale of a beauty and tears and laughter and love and a journey and hope.
A/N: This is 10 years after Elhíni set out from Mirkwood. We finally learn the story behind Elkal's hatred of elves (eek!), why he's so cold towards Elhíni. Hope you guys like it!
Chapter 10
Tell the Tale
"Six years ago," The Man began, "I was on leave with my best friend, Thalion…"
"We were travelling around Mirkwood, believe it or not," Elkal said, shaking his head, "We were enjoying ourselves, Thalion making jokes as he always did. That soldier always knew what to say to make me smile. I would jest with him, but he always came out on top. We had only stopped for a rest when we came upon an elven hunting party. It was the first time I had set eyes upon your kind, Elhíni…I was awestruck. Thalion knew elvish better than I, and he greeted them.
"We must have met Thranduil, because the only word I recognize in elvish is aran, king."
"Perhaps," Elhíni said, "He adores hunting. He used to take Legolas and me on his adventures,"
He smiled.
"Anyway, we were getting along quite nicely, when suddenly; arrows came flying out of the bushes and trees,"
"Orcs?" Elhíni asked.
"I regret to say that I never found out who was shooting, the only thought I had was for Thalion. I saw him by the elven king, fighting something that I had no clear sight of, the king was occupied, firing arrows into the brush.
"I brought out my own sword, ready to fight, but I heard Thalion scream in pain."
He gripped his knees, tightly.
"I looked over, and saw Thalion, lying dead next to the elven king. Seven arrows jutting out from his chest and neck, his blood spattered across the elven king's clothes and face. I screamed 'Murderers! Killers! Innocent blood lies on your hands!' I did not know what to think, what to say, what to do, but scream and cry like a child.
"The elven king looked at me and spoke in his tongue, thinking I understood. I shook angrily, not understanding his words made me angrier than anything."
He shook his head.
"Th-they took Thalion's body. I know not what happened to him, his family is grief-stricken for they could not see their only son have a proper burial. And…I blamed myself, for the longest time, 'If only you had been quicker,' I had thought, 'you might have saved him!' now I do not blame myself,"
"That is a good thing," Elhíni said, "Is it not?"
"I blamed the elves," Elkal said, "I blamed their perfection, I blamed their long lives, I blamed their inability to save my friend, but most of all, I blamed them for killing him,"
"Now wait a moment!" Elhíni yelled, "We elves do not kill in cold blood, we are not an evil race!"
"Elhíni…"
"The only ones that would actually be considered evil would be Eöl Mornedhel, maybe perhaps his son, Maeglin and he…"
"Elhíni!" Elkal shouted.
"What?!" She snarled.
"You did not let me finish," he said, "I said I blamed them, not blame."
She looked shocked.
"You do not hate us anymore?"
"I never said that," Elkal said, "I said I do not blame you for his death, I know if your kind could have saved him…"
"He was probably too heavily wounded, Elkal," Elhíni said softly, "I think Thranduil would have saved him, given the circumstances, if he could."
Elkal's shoulders sagged and he sighed.
"I just wish they would have given the body back to me, so that his family could mourn for him,"
Elhíni put a pale hand on his own callused fingers.
"Let go of your hate, Elkal," she said, "It will only destroy you. Thalion is dead, yes, but he lives on,"
Elkal looked up at her.
"He lives on," she continued, touching his heart, "in here, where he will never die. Never become sick, never be lonely…Elkal, he lives in you."
Elkal took her hand in his and brought it down to his lap.
"You truly think so?" He asked softly.
She smiled gently.
"I know so."
She looked up at the window. Elkal followed her gaze, only to see the sky a dark velvety black, speckled with diamond stars.
"It is getting late," he said, getting up, "I should be leaving,"
He could not believe how long they had talked!
Elhíni got up as well and watched him leave.
He stopped, one hand on the door frame.
"Elhíni," He said, "Could I perhaps ask you something?"
"And what would that be?"
"You talked about your parents," He pointed out, "What were their names?"
"My mother's name was Tindómerel, sister of Thranduil," Elhíni said, fondly, "My father was Laurëiant, son of Fëakal."
"Fëakal?" Elkal asked.
"It means: Spirit-shine, for his spirit outshone all of his brothers'," Elhíni said, "Your name means Star-shine,"
"And yours?"
"Star-children," she said, blushing.
He smiled, "I think I will have to learn elvish…and soon, so I know when you are insulting me again,"
Elhíni groaned, picked up a pillow and playfully threw it at him.
He caught it full in the side of the head.
"Lucky shot," he muttered.
She laughed.
"Abarad, Elkal," she said, "Until tomorrow,"
Elkal smiled as he closed the door behind him and walked to his room, his heart lighter than it had ever been before.
Elkal did not know it, but there was a little spy behind one of the pillars between his room and Elhíni's.
Eldarion grinned, his father had told him to keep an eye on the two, and it was finally paying off.
He had to report it to father.
Eldarion sprinted down the hallway with a happy heart.
The Elf and the Man, Eldarion's two friends, had become friends with each other!
A/N I take that back, three in one night! Oho, sneaky little Prince! I thought Elkal told you not to eavesdrop Eldarion! (shakes finger at him) Where do you get these ideas!? Oh wait…me! :) Wonder what Aragorn will say…
Qui vállë tóquetë, ván tecë (If no review comes from y'all; no story comes from me)
Máriessë ar mára tecië
Farewell and fair writing
Elhini Prime signing off.