Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings however sad it may be. I only hope to represent Tolkien's work with an OC of my own. What you do not recognize from the books or movies or appendices or anything else of Tolkien's belongs to me.
"Not all those who wander are lost." ~J.R.R. Tolkien
11.
Map? Check.
Clothes? Check.
Weapons? Check.
What else did one need for a journey to Lothlórien? Erynell looked at the map she'd retrieved from the archives of Minas Anor. Cartography obviously wasn't one of her strongpoints, she had no idea how to read the map or prepare for a journey with destinations spaced two centimeters apart on paper. She sighed, hadn't she told Legolas she could do this just fine?
The thought of a guide came to mind, and she wondered how she might employ one. She had no money; being a guest to the king had certain advantages, money was certainly irrelevant.
Looking around her guest room, Erynell sighed, feeling like a leech. She was attached to a company she barely knew and simply felt as a burden. The space was mostly empty. Erynell left the two dresses gifted to her in the wardrobe, knowing they'd be kept safe for her, and was amazed at how empty the room was. All her worldly possessions could be carried around in her two arms.
Her gaze fell then to the small table to the right of her bed. On it, was the beautiful circlet gifted to her mysteriously, the same circlet that she couldn't bring herself to place on her head since the coronation. Without thinking, the elf marched up to the circlet and placed it in her bag, not wanting to leave something so beautiful behind.
Erynell marched into the great hall to properly excuse herself from the city. In a formal audience, Aragorn, or King Elessar, was situated on his throne and beside him the lovely Queen Arwen. They appeared regal as ever, though maybe slightly worn. Both seemed to be looking at Erynell in confusion.
"My friend, you do not need to ask to see me in such a formal occasion as this," Aragorn gestured around the grand hall, "you are always welcome to speak with me." As he spoke, Erynell saw with her keen eyes a few strands of grey in his previously black-as-night hair. It added wisdom, though also showed signs of stress and age. This bothered Erynell more than she knew it should.
In all her beauty, Arwen was also smiling down at her, though she too seemed a bit worse for wear. Shadows plague beneath her eyes, and the Queen no longer had a bright light shining from within. The ethereal quality that Erynell noticed surrounding most elves was absent, and her hands shook slightly with the mortality she'd come to bear.
"I simply wanted to express my gratitude properly, Aragorn. This seemed the best way to achieve that." Erynell smiled and pushed thoughts of her observations aside.
"Your gratitude…you do not mean to leave us so soon?" Arwen spoke this time, with her tone of voice hinting at regret at seeing Erynell go. Erynell was slightly confused, polite words in passing and few conversations had been shared between them, nothing to seemingly warrant Arwen's attachment.
Then, she realized something. Erynell and Arwen were the last two remaining fair folk in Minas Tirith. Arwen's people had long since gone home to Imladris, and even Legolas had left them two days before.
"I would hardly call this very soon, but it is true, my intentions are to leave this white city, and travel to Lothlórien in hopes that I may discover information of my past." Erynell had practiced this speech, but now was not prepared for the expressions on the faces of those before her.
Before anyone had the chance to speak up once more, Aragorn stood and in a flurry of his cloak, made his way in front of Erynell. He clapped a hand on Erynell's left shoulder and looked her straight in the eyes. Arwen made her way down to stand before them as well.
"I wish you all the luck in the world on your journey, Erynell. My only regret of our time spent together is that I could not help with your memories." Aragorn sighed.
"Aragorn, you have helped tremendously, do not worry. If not for you, I would be slain in The Battle of Helm's Deep among other nameless Uruk, elf, and man." Erynell paused, the words coming to her for another goodbye, "And you have helped with my memories. When I first awoke from darkness with no recollection of who or what I was, you and the rest of the company filled the darkness with time spent together that I will cherish forever."
The King enveloped Erynell into a sturdy hug. "Hannon le. May I request one thing of you?" Thank you. Aragorn asked suddenly.
"Of course." Erynell responded, pulling back a bit.
"Take an armored companion for the journey, it would allow less worry upon my heart knowing that you are as safe as I may make you." He said.
This time, Erynell pulled out of his arms. "I thank you for your concern, but I would not like to inconvenience anyone." She was reminded of her conversation with Legolas two days prior, and was imbedded with the same annoyance.
"There is no inconvenience, we simply wish to assist you." Arwen stepped forward, speaking Sindarin.
"I assure you, I do not require it. I-I already have a guide." Erynell found herself switching her tongue to Westron as she lied, and already felt terrible about it.
"Who is this guide?" Aragorn raised his eyebrows.
"He is surely waiting for me. I must be off. Naamarie, Gûr nîn níniatha n'i lû n'i a-govenithanc." Farewell, my heart shall weep until it sees you again. As she spoke, Arwen was next to pull her into a hug.
"So be it. No gelin in raid gîn, a no adel gin i chwest." May your paths be green and the breeze behind you. Arwen spoke in her ear.
"Avo faro an drastad." Do not look for trouble. Aragorn spoke with finality. Erynell could only nod and turn away as her vision started to swim. She had to leave, before she wouldn't be able to. She smiled, and turned away to walk out of the hall towards the courtyard.
Erynell was mid-stride when she stopped suddenly. The sun was shining down and she was almost into the courtyard when she paused. Oh no, the elf thought quickly and turned around, running to the Houses of Healing.
She remembered which room she was looking for, and evaded the healers all dressed in white; she didn't have time to stop and explain herself. It was already noon and Erynell couldn't risk putting off her journey another day without once more speaking to Aragorn and Arwen.
"Eowyn!" She called as she rounded into the room. The Shieldmaiden of Rohan stood in front of the window overlooking the courtyard. She no longer dressed in the garb of the houses of healing, but her arm was still healing which warranted her extended stay.
"I heard talk of you taking your leave today. This window allows me to observe any travelers." Eowyn turned around and put her uninjured hand on her hip. "I did not think you would come to say goodbye."
It was true, Erynell hadn't spent much time with her friend. Her thoughts had been elsewhere while she wallowed in self-pity, and she never found the courage to return to the healing rooms where such pain had once taken place. The battle had long since passed but the atmosphere of suffering remained. Erynell could feel it, even now she felt choked.
"I could never leave without saying farewell to my dearest friend." Erynell simply said. It sounded pathetic in her own mind. Eowyn did not respond but turned around, letting her blond hair wave behind her. Erynell sighed.
"When do you leave for Rohan?" The elf asked, though she was fairly certain that Éomer had already made the voyage home. He was, after all, the new king of the Westfold.
"I will not." Eowyn said. A slight smile overtook her sullen expression as she turned back to the elf. "My place is here, I've discovered. As soon as I may escape these healers, I will be a Lady of Gondor."
Erynell smiled slyly. "You mean that your place is with Lord Faramir." And just like that, the woman and elf quickly started to laugh and embrace each other, all traces of quarrel lost.
"I will miss you, Erynell." She said.
"And I you. However I do promise to return soon, and maybe then I'll be able to tell you of who I really am." Erynell looked at the ground.
"I know you are really my friend. And I am certain that nothing you learn of your past can change any way I feel about you. Good luck."
"Hannon le." Thank you. Erynell was waved off by Eowyn, and made her way out into the sunshine. As she passed, her hand reached out and caressed the bark on the now strong little tree blooming in the middle of the courtyard.
Farewell, a voice spoke in her head. Erynell smiled and continued on, past the mortal guards watching her stroke the tree questioningly. However, as she walked, thoughts of uncertainty overcame her.
Where am I going to get a guide? Erynell asked herself. Making her way to the stables, she traveled through the city's rings and ignored the bustle of the market. The elf was walking fast, and didn't notice the man watching her from the wall until he leapt in front of her.
"Hello, she-elf." He spoke. His voice was a bit too high-pitched for his appearance. The man was middle-aged with thinning hair, squinty eyes, and pale skin.
"Hello, sir." Erynell responded. Even being quite short for an elf, she towered above this man by at least two heads. He smiled up at her, showing perfectly white and straight gleaming teeth.
"I can guide you to Lothlórien. Heard you needed a guide!" He said.
"How did you hear?" She asked, though she wasn't very concerned now about having to search for her guide. "And I'm afraid I cannot hire you. I have naught to pay you with."
"Oh now, I can get you to Lothlórien easily and require only food and company for payment." The grin never left his face. Erynell found a smile working its way up to her lips as well.
"What may I call you, kind sir, that you would offer me your help?" Erynell asked. They started walking in the direction of the stables again.
"Donovan, a simple Southerner who enjoys his travels." He pulled ahead, leading them both to the stables. Erynell found no problems in trusting the man, and was only slightly surprised when he pointed to a horse in the stables that was his. Not many were fortunate enough to have a horse in the white city, and most of them seemed better off than Donovan.
Still, Erynell saddled Léod while Donovan prepared his old mare for the journey and they were off no more than twenty minutes later. He had no traveling rucksack with him, and Erynell was pleased that she had packed plenty of food, it seemed as though she would be providing for the entire voyage.
Their days were spent riding north, going upstream the river Anduin from Minas Tirith. At night, the two travelers entertained themselves by a campfire, eating their meals and with Donovan telling stories. Most of the time, he spoke in hushed voices around the fire and his words were not always ones she could understand. Erynell didn't mind, she found his company somewhat charming.
The two had to travel through the plains of East Emnet as the path near the river became fraught with crevices and loose rocks sloping upwards. It was simply easier the travel around the uncertain terrain, following the tributary of the River Onodló, another name for the River Entwash.
All around them, Rohan appeared the same as ever, with golden fields and rocky outcroppings stretching as far as the eye could see throughout the Westfold; especially Erynell's elven eyes, which were far keener than that of the average man.
To the west, the Misty Mountains stretched far along the horizon, and every once in a while Erynell found Léod altering their direction towards what she could only guess to be Edoras. Beyond that, Erynell strained to catch a glimpse of the fortress of Helm's Deep where she knew Gimli and Legolas would be exploring the caves found below. It was too far off in the distance for her to catch sight of, and Erynell simply kept riding with Donovan straight and true, albeit with a bit of disappointment.
Another week passed, and before the two travelers there appeared an expanse of green unlike any Erynell had seen before then. When she asked Donovan about it, he revealed that the forest was known as Fangorn Forest, and that he would rather not venture inside. Erynell, however, was excited with the prospect of walking through such a wood.
"If we go around, we will lose another two days of this journey! Let us pass straight through! I am not afraid of any forest." She was arguing with him as they approached the trees ahead.
"She-elf," this was often how Donovan would address her, and it always felt slightly demeaning of him, "that forest is very old and very dangerous. The trees do not take well to strangers!" Again, he added something in his strange way of speaking, though it was unintelligible to his companion.
"I am no stranger to trees, Donovan. Do not worry, it is only a forest." Erynell did not stop as the trees loomed overhead, instead traveling right into the shadows. Donovan could do nothing else but follow her in, grumbling all the while.
Instantly, the air felt cold. Though it was a warm and sunny day, little light found its way through the canopy of leaves. While Donovan was only uncomfortable and his mare skittish, Erynell was concerned. The very air she breathed felt sick. Soon, they had to dismount their horses and travel in single-file through the rare gaps of the forest.
Just as the last time she wandered through a forest after being held captive by the Haradrim, Erynell knew in her mind which way was north in order to stay true to their path. The ground was becoming fraught with roots that seemed to appear before them in order to trip the horses. Erynell continued on just fine, everywhere she stepped there seemed to be a path for her and Léod. However, Donovan was starting to wheeze.
"Perhaps we should look for a place to rest." Erynell suggested, and as she said the words, they emerged into a small clearing, just big enough for the two of them and their horses. "See? Here we are. Breathe deeply, Donovan, and look up at the stars." As she said it, Erynell felt a tinge surprised; how could it be night already? The forest seemed to be taking from them their own time. However, the gap in the canopy was quite pleasant for the both of them.
That night there was no campfire. The thought of any kind of open flame near such a great forest made Erynell sick to her stomach. She told Donovan to simply lay down and get some rest as she tied the horses nearby.
In their clearing, the air felt less heavy, but Erynell was suddenly tired in much of the same way as in Minas Tirith. There would be no riding Léod to stay awake in the middle of this forest, so Erynell simply resigned herself to sleep instead of keeping watch throughout the night as she had been doing previously. Surely, nothing could occur that night as they were all alone in Fangorn Forest.
The glare of red behind Erynell's eyelids awoke her the next morning. As she opened her eyes, Erynell was pleased at the sight of a golden sun barely peaking over the green trees. The leaves had been doing well to shade the elf for most of the morning, so it was a few hours past dawn.
Rejuvenated, the elf sat up with a smile on her face. She figured that she would not need to sleep again for another two weeks at least. However, the smile fell as she looked around their small clearing.
"Donovan?" She whispered. The name slipped from her tongue and barely seemed to disturb the air around her. She knew inside of her there would be no answer.
Her companion was absent. The spot on which he lay for the night was cold, he must have been gone since before dawn. The old mare was also no longer tethered to the branch Erynell had tied her to. With the absence of her companion's horse, Erynell realized something else as well.
Léod was gone.
Erynell quickly dug through her rucksack. Among the missing items were her canteen of water and the food she had packed for the journey. She quickly slung the pack over her shoulder and ran up to where Léod had been tethered.
The rope was frayed. Upon first glance Erynell thought it had simply worn through, but she say the threads were too even, too precise to have simply broken. Donovan must have cut through the rope with a knife, but what then? Surely Léod would not willingly go with the squint-eyed man; he had been shying away from him the entire trip. Léod must have been scared off…or had run off.
Erynell brought one hand up to her forehead. She placed the other on a tree branch beside her for support. At that moment, it was as if a cork had been pulled from a bottle of wine—her ears popped and voices previously clouded from her mind spilled into her head. In surprise, Erynell took her hand from the tree's branch.
They did not quit, however, nor did the quiet at the loss of contact. Rather, the voices became louder and louder, with anger! Erynell started to squeeze her face between her hands, thinking she might burst! Her breathing became labored, and she had had enough.
"Daro!" Stop! Erynell cried into the morning in her natural tongue. The noises in her head finally subsided, settling into a restless murmur to which Erynell could open her eyes. It didn't sound so angry now, more confused and regretful. Once more, with caution, Erynell placed her hand on the branch.
Why are you here, Elf, why do you bring an enemy into our midst? Erynell felt rather than heard the words as they shuddered through her.
What enemy? I find myself now alone. Erynell attempted to return the words, trying for the first time to communicate back into the tree knowingly.
You are ignorant, either ignorant or stupid. The trees had different voices, and this one was definitely separate from the first. It was more quiet, more tired.
Erynell sighed. Explain what is happening. Who are you? She thought it was a longshot, could the trees really be self-aware?
Your partner is of orc-kind. Once a spy of Saruman who ventured deep into this forest. He is not welcome.
Erynell, pulled her hand away once more in confusion. Orc-kind? The smaller forebear to the Uruk-Hai? How could Donovan be one of them? He appeared almost…normal. The trees read her thoughts even as she was not touching them. However, Erynell could only focus on one voice if she was in contact with the branch.
Not full-orcish maybe, but partly just the same. Erynell didn't want to learn how that'd work out. Saruman once had many ill-bred in his service.
Not welcome! Another voice said. At this point, Erynell was confused as to why she was hearing more than one voice. Again, the trees answered her indirect question.
We are all connected.
Our roots grow strong and deep.
Together and entwined. Now, your spirit is among us as well.
Erynell frowned. That just didn't sound healthy. Did she want her spirit among these sick trees? More tones of anger chimed through her head at these thoughts, and she stepped away from the branch so she couldn't hear them directly.
From behind her, then, Erynell heard the quiet neigh of a horse. She turned to look as Léod emerged into the clearing. Had she ever felt more relieved to see him? As he stepped forward, Léod turned his head to look behind him apprehensively. Erynell, too, saw movement in the darkness and smiled. The trees had lead him to her once again.
"Hannon le, mellonin." Thank you, my friend. Erynell said as she rubbed his nose. She was thanking him for his presence, now hope was not lost for the rest of her journey. As Erynell was about to mount him, a panic settled into the pit of her stomach. Her hands fumbled as she opened one of the saddlebags attached to him.
Thank the valar. She thought to herself as she felt something cool and textured. Erynell sighed, pulling the object out. In her hand was the leaf-encrusted elven-made circlet given to her for the coronation. Erynell placed a hand over her mouth and stared at it, not knowing what she'd do if Donovan had found it, the thief.
While she placed it back in its bag, Erynell looked up at Léod. He shifted on his feet, almost looking at her curiously, so she smiled up at him reassuringly. Only then, at the look in her horse's eyes did Erynell chide herself for being more worried about her jewelry than her complete and utter lack of food.
Of course, she suddenly realized. It's all Donovan's fault. "Besto yrch! Amarth fêg!" F*ck the orc! Evil fate! She yelled out in the clearing. The quiet voices in her head trembled slightly, as if laughing at her, and Léod started to swing his head up and down, either nervous at her tone or ready to leave, or both. Quietly, Erynell apologized to the air around her and finally took hold of Léod's reigns to lead him into the darkness.
As the trees parted for Erynell and Léod like a river along the bow of a ship, the ground beneath their feet—and hooves—started to rumble periodically. The very earth shuddered as the beating of a drum, and Erynell could not stop herself from looking behind the two every few minutes. Whatever it was, it was gaining on them.
Finally, as Léod's snorting and whinnying became constant when the shakes would come over them, Erynell decided to stop and rest. They were at the bottom of an incline, and the elf chose to rest on a fallen log nearby. Whatever was following them, they would wait it out. Erynell's bare hand brushed a small bit of greenery still left on the rootless log.
Elf, the voice said in her mind. Erynell sighed but tried to keep her thoughts from annoyance.
What is it that follows me? Erynell asked. She had to admit, she was surprised the fallen tree was still alive.
Here approaches the tree shepherd, the tree herder, Fangorn of the forest itself. The tree's voice was fading. Did it have to die right then?
All life must end, even your light will fade if you stay here, Elf. Another tree said. Erynell felt a calm sadness wash over her. If she stayed here? Did the tree mean staying in the forest, or Arda itself? Erynell just arrived in this land, it seemed, how could she leave?
However, then Erynell closed her eyes and remembered back to before the Battle of Pelennor Fields. She had wanted to leave so desperately then when the sea-longing washed over her.
She was ready to throw herself into the river, to perish and yet wash away into the sea. Even now Erynell could make out a vision in her mind—one that excited her and scared her at the same time, for it was not her own—showing white shores and pristine boats. Erynell would leave when the time came, she knew.
Erynell turned her attention back to the dying tree below her. She lifted herself up in order to kneel before it, and she smiled. Looking at the roots, the elf knew it had fallen naturally.
The tree itself was not very large and the roots did not go deep as the others had said. The earth must've been crowded, and maybe that was a reason for the sickness of this forest. Without growth, there is no progress.
The rest of the forest must've been consuming the minerals in the soil needed to prosper faster than little trees like this one could keep up. However, even as the young tree died, Erynell didn't feel it cursing its forest-brothers. The rest of the trees were cursing the men and the orcs for restricting their growth and tearing down the outer boundaries of the forest.
Once more, the pounding of the earth sounded, closer than ever before. Erynell turned suddenly, still kneeling, looking for whatever it was. At first, there was nothing amiss in the forest; only trees. Then, she realized. The monstrous tree directly behind her had not been there a minute ago. Léod reared. Erynell had to keep a tight hold on his reigns as he spooked. Then, she was almost afraid to look up.
The tree that was not a tree was generally shaped like a man. It had two legs with stumps for feet, two arms with branches for hands, a torso as wide as any trunk she'd ever seen, and a head with a knotted, knobby nose and yellow eyes. It was even complete with a canopy of green leaves that showered down whenever it moved and a beard of green moss trailing down.
"I was told…we had an orc problem in…my forest…" The word "orc" was spat like a curse and even then it groaned as it spoke and seemed to falter almost with the effort. The tree shepherd hunched over and blinked at Erynell with those yellow eyes.
"Fangorn," Erynell bowed her head hoping not to offend the creature by calling it and "it" and instead using the name given to her by the fallen tree, "I am no orc, only betrayed by one of their kind. My name is Erynell."
The tree herder bent down some more and squinted to see her. When he came to rest on one knee his eyes widened. He let out a "haruumph" much like a chuckle.
"You…are no orc, but one…of Elven-kind, Mistress Erynell! ...and from a forest. Many know…me by the name Fangorn…but you shall call me…Treebeard." Treebeard spoke slowly, and seemed to catch on the letter M. Erynell wasn't sure if he was thinking very carefully before he spoke or if he was simply tripping over his own words. She was having a difficult time understanding him, as he spoke in Westron with his strange words.
His gaze traveled slowly from her face to the tree she was kneeling before. In a strange language like muttering and groaning, Treebeard spoke to the tree. She couldn't understand the language, per say, but Erynell knew that he had just put the tree to rest.
"Treebeard, what creature may I know you as? I have heard tree shepherd and tree herder, but surely you have a…species." In her own ear Erynell sounded terribly rude, but she couldn't worry about that. She was amazed by the being knelt before her, the elf wanted to know everything.
"I? …Mistress Erynell…I am an Ent."
Reviews:
jdsnape: Hannonle, n'uir thiad dhîn 'ell. I'm glad to hear that this is your favorite, and I'm glad to always hear from you!
lolloexbee: Oh wow, thank you so much, and you're welcome! I'm glad that you can appreciate my writing like that, even if I sometimes think it isn't quite up to par, but I'm definitely proud of this story and I'm happy that you are as well.
LucyXHeartifiliaXfan: I'm glad you stuck it through, haha! It wasn't so much of me remembering to update as it was me thinking of updating and feeling bad about not updating but being super extremely busy! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!