Disclaimer: I. Own. Nothing. That. Tolkien. Created.
A/N ~ Due to the lovely, encouraging reviews I got when I was expecting flames...this chapter is being posted before O Emlyg's chapter! Hope you enjoy!
Normal type is Westron. Italic is dragon tongue.
Elven
Daro = Stop/Halt
Amlug-nerthril = Dragonrider (feminized)
Brethil = Princess
Duindes = River Maiden
Mell = Beloved
Haradaic
Siyirn = Mine
Bjork Urun = Green Warriors
Krin = Quiet
Muhaniret = Sand-flame/Flame of the Sand
Muhamik = Sand-spirit/Spirit of the Sand
Cjornark = Gold Spear
Anrarhin = White ones
Sabar ~ Mine
Her body swayed with the Haasin's gait with ease, like it recognized that unique movement of the sand dragon. She was starting to not feel surprised by the things her body remembered that her mind did not. It was too emotionally taxing when she tried to question everything that went through her head, everything she reacted to or her body found familiar. She was beginning to accept that some things were not going to be answered quite swiftly, but that was less shocking and made more sense when she took into account that she had nothing to lose in not reacting and nothing to gain. Her memory would come back in its own time and nothing she did was going to force it to show up any sooner.
"Are you tired, Kaleniya?"
Sky blue eyes blinked and focused on the sand-colored female beside her. "No, I am fine, but, Kamiseen may I ask you a few questions?"
The dragoness chuckled and bowed her head slightly as they lopped across the rolling sands, the bright sun high overhead, blue sky as far as the eye could see. "That would be fine. What is it you would ask?"
"I know Kaleniya is not my name, but...Kanitia said it is part of who I am. I would like to...use it as my name until I remember my own. Is this fine?" She watched as the young dragoness smiled and laughed. Haasin's body rumbled under her legs, signally his own amusement, though, the male said nothing as his sister answered. "That would be fine, Kaleniya. It is one of your names and only logical that you might use it."
Kaleniya nodded, closing her eyes and trying to just settle into the new identity. It didn't really feel exactly right, but it didn't feel wrong either and that was enough. She sighed and looked off into the desert again, thinking she saw a flash of green before they started descending down a sand dune again. "Kamiseen, where are we going? Kanitia said we were in Harad, but...I don't know where that is."
"There are many different places in Arda, Kaleniya. You are in the south, in a place called Harad. It is very different from the northern lands and the people here are much darker of skin, hair and heart. War ravages this place often and Harad has just come back from a war with Gondor, the people of the north. Right now, you are in Near Harad. There is a jungle, the Nrapir, that separates two halves of Harad. Far Harad is on the other side of the jungle. That is where we are going if you still desire it."
"I still desire it." Right now, there was nothing else she wanted more for in this Far Harad was the dark elf from her dream...and she knew he held more answers that anyone else could give her. She wasn't sure how she knew. She just did.
The three traveled in quiet for some time until the trees of the jungle came into view. Both Haasin and Kamiseen stopped and Kaleniya dismounted, glad for the break. She sat on the sand slowly and sighed. "What language do the northerners speak?" She met the surprised gold eyes of the siblings and is was Haasin who answered, lowering himself to the desert sand, enjoying the warmth. "The people in the north speak many different languages depending on their race and region, Kaleniya. The Gondorians and the horse-lords speak their own tongues as well as a language called Westron. It is the common tongue of many northerners, the way they communicate with each other. My sister and I only speak it haltingly, though, we understand it just fine. The elves speak two dialects of elven, Sindarin and Quenya, and the dragons speak in the dragon tongue or Westron. Few of our Northern Kin speak the old tongue, Dracon, anymore."
Kaleniya nodded, thinking she should recognize some of these languages, but unable to. It was frustrating and she turned her mind another topic, just wanting to learn more about that world around her. "Do the Northern Dragons live like you?"
Kamiseen snorted, amusement in her eyes. "No. We have heard that our kin are nine types of dragon and each one different from the next. They live in the cold mountains of the north, underground in a great caverns. Unlike the Kalei, their oldest dragoness do not govern them, rather one member from each of their kind take a role of leadership and they work together to direct their clan."
Haasin nodded in agreement and then spoke himself. "While our kind are only desert-bred, the same color with the same desert-like gifts, the nine types of dragons in the north have many different kinds of talent. Their names are Fire, Water, Sky, Earth-"
"Messenger, Knowledge, Treasure, Battle and...Shape-shifter." Kaleniya's voice was soft, whispered and her eyes unfocused as she finished the sentence that male Kalei had begun. Kamiseen moved her head, gaining attention and gold eyes met sky blue. "You remember?" It was a quiet question, but the woman didn't answer. Gold eyes. She knew gold eyes...gold eyes in a black face...a canine face...a feline face...the face of a bird...the face of a dragon...It made no sense! Her hands went to her head as it flared with pain and her eyes shut, trying to block out the image, though, her heart screamed to see it.
The dragoness pulled the woman close with a gentle claw, crooning softly as she waited for the red-head to calm once more. Kaleniya soon pulled away, shaking her head. "So many thing I do not understand..." Haasin bumped her side with his narrow nose, but stood, his ears having caught the sound of something close to the jungle. Kamiseen stood as well and Kaleniya followed the two Kalei, shading her eyes against the glare the sun created on the golden sand. She soon found out that she needn't of bothered for there was little chance she would have missed seeing the great creatures coming toward them. They were huge and gray with trunks and long tusks that curved. And following, close behind the two walking hills were two horses, one a light gray and the other a chestnut of deep red.
Sky blue eyes blinked and then started as both the sand dragons on either side of her growled, the sound both dangerous...and hunter-like. Her hand rested on Haasin's scales and she felt the tell-tale tensing and rolling of muscles long before the male was ready to bound forward. The snapped command exited her mouth without thought and with a confidence she wasn't aware of possessing, but felt was right. Felt familiar. "Daro."
Both dragons froze, looking at her in surprise, but both of them also relaxed, taking the order like great hounds in loyalty to their mistress. Kaleniya touched each of them in a silent thank you, but walked forward on her own, sliding down the sand dune toward the great creatures who were now looking at her, a spark of intelligence in their great eyes. They did not move, but the horses had no such reservation, galloping up before skidding to a halt, nickering in welcome. She pet each of them, feeling memory tug, almost painfully, but not like before. She knew these animals... The gray horse bumped his head against her chest and she smiled slowly. "Mithtal." The stallion snorted and she looked toward the large creatures again, not knowing what they were, but having no doubt that they would not harm her. They knew her.
A trunk came toward her body and the horses skittered away but did not run. Kaleniya touched the offered body-part and looking up into the eyes of the animal knew its name. "Chifican." He was the leader and the other... "Beleg." And Tond. Tond had been killed. Darkness, heavy noises, roars, the trumpeting of a wounded animal... Kaleniya's eyes flew open as she looked back up the sand dune at the two dragons who blended into their surrounding so well that for a moment, she struggled to make them out. They'd killed Tond. Muhamik. Sand-spirits. That was the first night she'd heard that word, but from who? The memory was only a small, fragmented piece of the puzzle, but it gave her comfort and yet more questions, too. She tucked her red hair behind her ear, to distracted to notice anything strange about her own body, just trying to gain some balance with her jumbled mind. She thought she might have gotten some control when the chestnut bumped her arm with his head.
One look, one good look at the stallion had her calm bubble shattered again. "Talagor." Her eyes were wide as she caught the horse's bridal and studied him. Yes, she knew this horse. It belonged with him. With the dark elf. Hope rose in her as she looked toward the jungle again. He couldn't be far. He was real. She reacted on a strange instinct that she didn't have time to question, mounting Talagor and giving a piercing whistle to the sand dragons before turning the stallion toward the jungle at and urging him into a gallop. She looked back after a moment, red hair flying like a fiery banner, to see both Haasin and Kamiseen running with fluid, liquid grace and speed across the sand, Mithtal following close behind Talagor and both the Oliphants further behind, but keeping up well with their long legs. Kaleniya couldn't help but laugh as she turned her attention back to the looming green ahead.
She did not remember much, she didn't know any two-legged people like her yet, but she was not alone and to her, right now, that was better than anything.
The Nrapir Jungle was a wild place of exotic birds, reptiles and mammals. It was also a deadly place of poisons from both vegetation and animals. The humidity, coupled with the natural heat of Harad threatened to suck the air right out of your lungs. The trees were tall, taller than any of the giant animals following her and their leaves, some bigger than a man, blocked out the sunlight. Plants down below grew smaller without the light from above, but no less vibrant, thriving. Strange noises constantly shrieked, cawed and chattered through the tree-tops. Kaleniya could not help but feel like this was wrong.
She'd never been in a place like this before, that much she knew. It was supposed to be quiet at least. Talagor jerked his head nervously, eyes rolling as she urged him forward, both Haasin and Kamiseen slinking on either side of the stallion. Mithtal whinnied from behind, unsure, but eventually following as the giant creatures came up behind him, breaking trees and trampling things underfoot.
Kaleniya put a comforting hand on the horse's neck, whispering softly to him in the dragon tongue, the only language she actually knew. It didn't seem to help the animal as it didn't understand and Talagor gave a small rear and neigh as another shriek from an unknown animal was heard. The woman held on tightly and spoke sharply as the horse came back down. "Daro!" The stallion champed his bit and pranced, but he did not rear again and she realized that the horse understood the elven tongue, for it was elven she'd spoken... Kaleniya suddenly seriously wished she could recall the familiar language, but it seemed determined to hide from her. She sighed and kicked the horse back into a walk. The sky was already darkening and they would have to find a place to shelter for the night.
Kamiseen and Haasin soon found an open spot in the jungle and both dragons settled down with their backs to the foliage in a half circle. Kaleniya dismounted, finding that she didn't need words and it seemed, neither did any of her companions as she came to sit against the dragoness, Both the great animals with trunks lumbered close, lying down as well, breaking many leaves, trees and vines as they did so. Neither seemed to care, making the woman giggled slightly. Both the stallions came to lie quite calmly by the huge walking hills, creating a protective circle around the two-leg they followed.
Kaleniya smiled as she curled, drifting off, feeling safe.
(dream-vision) Faces, faces she knew but could not put a name to. A white wolf...or was he a man? A silver-haired elf. A bearded, white-haired old man. A gruff-looking short being with a red beard who smiled at her. A man with dark gold hair and beard with tired dark brown eyes, looking at her with love, a two younger men of the same colors next to him. A black-haired, green-black eyed woman with a laughing grin. She was speaking but Kaleniya could not understand her words. A man with dark hair, streaked with gray and even grayer eyes. There was a kingly air about him... An elf with gold hair and sky blue eyes...no, two of them, one older and the other younger. Their expression spoke sadness and worry, but for what, she didn't know. Four curly-haired, short beings who smiled at her, making a well of fondness rise within her heart.
All these people, she knew that she should know them, but strangely, they didn't intrigue her like the elusive gold-eyed one did. Where was he? Who was he and what was he to her? She didn't know and it was driving her to anger. He was the one who'd evoked such sadness and longing within her, she knew it, but she could not picture his face, his name. Kaleniya pushed the images away impatiently and darkness came over her. It didn't last long as another face came into her mind.
The male was elven with dark hair and brown eyes. It looked like an older version of her dark elf and suddenly, a voice came into her head, like she was hearing a long-forgotten memory. "Do not be afraid to stretch your Sight. It is the only way it will truly grow." It seemed as if the first sentence was missing a word, but that did not concern her at the moment. Sight? She had Foresight! (end dream-vision)
Kaleniya's world went black and she woke with a start, staring up into the canopy, the sound of night all around her. The animals slept and Kamiseen's scales rose and fell in a steady rhythm under her back. Sky blue eyes blinked slowly before she sat up, crossing her legs and moving her hair back thoughtfully.
Foresight. Is that what the older elf had meant? Did she truly have that gift? Kanitia had not mentioned it, but perhaps the dragoness had not known. Was there anyway foresight could help her now, help her get her memory back? Kaleniya laid back down slowly, contemplating the idea. She was not going to try anything yet, some small voice, a strange, but persistent voice was warning her not to attempt anything until she'd found the dark elf. Why? She didn't know.
Kaleniya fell back asleep with questions buzzing around like angry bees in her head and no answers.
They were approaching the end of the Deep Forest, having traveled it from dawn to now, the late afternoon. Their movements had been swift, seeing as most of the group consisted of four-legged animals. They had crossed the river Inkarwirn with little trouble and Kaleniya was just glad to be getting closer to open spaces again and air that didn't feel wet with every lungful. She kept her eyes open for any signs of life, wondering about the people that lived here. Haasin had told her about the Bjork Urun, the tribe of Haradrim-like people who preyed on the travelers that came through their jungle. Kamiseen had added to her brother's statement, saying that the Bjork Urun feared the Muhamik above every animal, keeping well-clear of the Grey Mountains even when they did venture out of Nrapir. Their respect for the sand dragons was great.
Perhaps that was the reason they were not bothered by the natives. Or maybe it was for another reason entirely. She didn't know. All she knew was that the native's absence and yet knowing they were there didn't sit well with her. Kaleniya was relieved when the golden sand of Far Harad came into view through the trees. The Mûmakil - for that is what Kamiseen had told her they were - let out loud trumpets as they smelled their homeland after many months and the woman snapped at them with her gift unintentionally. "Krin!" The Oliphants stopped immediately and Kaleniya was unsure what she'd said or why she'd said it. What she did know was that a unsettled feeling had entered her stomach and her sky blue eyes scanned the desert without knowing why.
"What is wrong, Kaleniya?" Haasin looked at the red-head carefully, on her left and Kamiseen did the same on her right, both Kalei ready to defend her if she needed it. Right now, though, they were unsure what was going on and honestly, had no idea what to expect. They'd never been this far away from their home before. Kaleniya shook her head silently, unsure what it was she was sensing. She needed-
Her power flared so unexpectedly that she cried out in surprise, blinking gray eyes as an image swam before her, blurry, but there. Three men, all of similar facial structure and stature, were struggling in their bonds, yelling - the sound muffled and unclear - to their captors. Green-painted, fur-wearing men with dark skin, hair and eyes, held them fast, their faces closed off and uncaring. One being with silver hair and light blue eyes - one of the elves from her dream! - was struggling more than the rest and as she watched, he was hit in the middle, where old blood still showed, and he crumpled to the ground in agony.
Kaleniya felt anger stirring, but also confusion. Why were they struggling? She needed to know why they were fighting! The picture before her swam and jumped crazily before steadying as her gift searched for the answer and then gave it to her. The dark-haired elf knelt in the sand with his hands tied behind his back with rawhide, his head low, hair around his face, hiding it from view. His body jolted once more as something heavy, painful was brought down on his back. His clothes were torn and Kaleniya could see the livid bruises that stood out on his light skin, the cuts that still bled.
The staff raised to strike again, a green-painted man wielding it...and her vision faded, leaving her looking out into the desert with horror and fury such as she'd never remembered having coursed through her veins. Her eyes were still a stormy gray as she gave an animal, dragon-like shriek and kicked Talagor into a gallop, a gallop like he'd never known as his feet seemed to skim across the sand, not sinking and going faster than he could have ever accomplished alone. Kaleniya's power knew what she wanted and all the animals seemed to feel it, their speeds increasing as well until they were flying across the desert.
Elrohir clenched his teeth against the cry of pain that wanted to break from his throat as the staff came down once more. His whole body cried out in pain, showing it with every jerk and every tense muscle. He shook and his breath came in shallow draws as he kept any voice of pain inside. Anger burned in him, though, as he watched the enemy hit Eluchon in his wound as the silver-haired elf struggled for his sake. He had tried many times over the last two days to stop the other male from trying to intervene, but the Sindar never listened.
The men had fought at first and still did at the beginning, but there was nothing they could do and after a time, they simply stood or sat in silence, wincing at every blow, their eyes burning with hate and anger for their captors. Faramir looked sick, guilt in his eyes before he closed them. Elrohir wanted to tell the Steward it wasn't his fault, but words escaped him as another blow was landed to his side causing a cracking sensation that brought a sharp, choked cry from his lips as he fell to his side, trying to curl around the injury.
His enemy, the Bjork who had told him he would soon die, smiled in a satisfied way that made the elf shudder with both anger and loathing. The green-painted man started to crouch, but he never completed the action as thunder shook the air. Wait. Not thunder. Roars! Elrohir lifted his eyes from his captor to see two sand-creatures seem to appear out of the desert itself, springing over the head of his enemy and behind Elrohir himself. There was little time to react as the creatures snarled before a more chilling-sounding shriek was heard and a red horse came galloping over the sand dune.
It was the red-haired figure upon his horse's back that captured the elf's attention, though, and he blinked in utter amazement as Arienel leaped off the stallion and came to half stand, half crouch over him, protecting. Her eye were the darkest shade of gray he had ever seen and he could almost feel her shaking with the way her gift was running through her. The Bjork Urun had stepped away from the captives and were now staring at the woman and the Muhamik that seemed to obey her - the sand dragons were still snarling fiercely from either side of her - with undisguised fear and awe. All accept Elrohir's captor. He seemed paralyzed and the dark-haired elf soon realized why as crackles of faint lightning shimmered around the native. Arienel was holding him there.
Her voice came out a hiss, deadly and chilling, speaking first in Haradaic and then in a language he didn't understand. "Siyirn." She bared her teeth, mimicking the sand dragons to her sides. "Mine." The green-painted man's eyes widened as he gave a terrified nod. He was suddenly released and fell over in his haste to get further away from her, from the Sand-spirits with her. Both Haasin and Kamiseen snarled and the male dragon leaped behind the group of natives, preventing them from fleeing into the desert. The Kaleniya would wish to deal with them.
Kaleniya watched as the siblings corralled the green-painted men and her eyes slowly faded back to sky blue, the cross about her neck dying down, the flame flickering out as her power no longer called for its energy. She took a shaky breath and suddenly realized just what she'd done. It had been so sudden! So natural...and she done it for him. Kaleniya finally looked down at the elf she crouched over and her eyes avoided his as she untied his wrists, anger coming to her all over again at how tight they were, about how badly his back was bruised and cut. A sound of relief came from the dark elf as his hands were finally undone and that was when his brown eyes finally met her own sky blue.
Kaleniya backed up instantly at the intensity she saw in him, unsure and the elf looked like she had struck him. "Arienel?" Her eyes widened and she started speaking, wanting him to understand now that it was apparent he knew her. "I am sorry. I do not remember you. I want to, but I do not. I know I should remember, but..." The dark elf now looked even more confused and almost panicked as the words poured from her mouth and Kaleniya suddenly realized that he couldn't understand her anymore than she could understand anyone else. She looked away in frustration and stood, walking swiftly for the others who were still tied. She knew things were about to get confusing and complicated, and she would rather face them with a clearer head, with a calmness she didn't yet feel. In fact, she was still shaking slightly from what she'd done, the sheer fury she'd felt for someone she didn't even remember.
Elrohir watched Arienel as she walked away and crouched to untie the men, silent toward them even when both Faramir and Eluchon spoke to her, asking if she was well. The dark-haired elf moved slowly, his hand over his ribs, barely feeling the pain. He felt almost numb. She was before him, real, he didn't doubt that, but...it wasn't Arienel. Something was wrong. She hadn't said one word he could understand and when she looked at him, there was no recognition. Elrohir finally gained his feet and winced as his body made its objections known. Arienel looked over quickly, as if she sensed his pain and he watched as, while she still didn't look like she knew him, something like concern or caring passed through her sky blue eyes. Eyes he'd missed more than he could say. She walked back toward him and seemed to hesitate before taking his arm and pushing him down gently. The son of Elrond sat, but continued to hold her gaze, trying to make sense of the wrongness around her, around them.
"Arienel? What is wrong?"
Kaleniya sighed and bit her lip. He was speaking again, asking her something she could not answer and it frustrated her. She felt drawn to this elf, she felt like...well, like she wanted him to embrace her or that she should be relieved to see him...or something. Instead there was just this emptiness where she KNEW something should be. She looked toward Kamiseen with pleading. "Do you speak his language?" The dragoness took a momentary look at the Bjork Urun, but her brother gave a small growl, indicating he had them under control. The sand dragoness came over to the red-haired woman and looked at the dark-haired elf who looked between the two of them with confusion and worry, a quiet sadness starting to form in his brown eyes. Kamiseen addressed the one she followed. "He asks you what is wrong."
"Will you tell him I don't remember him, but..." She wasn't sure what more to say, but the Kamiseen seemed to understand and turned her gold eyes to the male. Elrohir's attention snapped to the dragoness as she started speaking in halting Westron, mixing with the dragon tongue, her accent heavy but understandable. "Elf, my name is Kamiseen. I...understand...do know that you are...not knowing...confused...about this. Kaleniya does not...remember...know you. She does see you, but does not know you. She wants to know you."
It took a moment, weeding out the dragon tongue and just understanding what certain words really meant, but Elrohir soon had it figured out and his face drained of color as his brown eyes found sky blue. Eyes that didn't show any recognition of him, though, they did hold apology and an anxiousness he was now starting to notice. She didn't remember him, didn't even remember how to speak his languages. What had happened in that desert? The dark-haired elf wasn't sure what to do. Cry or scream? Take her in his arms or avoid touching? She didn't know him. He love her, had missed her, wanted to hold her and never let her go...and she didn't even know who he was or what they'd been through. Elrohir was saved the awkwardness for a short time as Eluchon came over with a pack. The silver-haired elf had heard what the dragoness had said, and while he was shocked and wanted answers, Elrohir's injuries had to be seen to first.
Kaleniya bit her lip and stood, going to stand by Kamiseen as her dark elf was taken care of, his eyes never leaving her. Her dark elf. The phrase, the possessiveness, even in her mind didn't bother her. It didn't seem strange. Only the fact that she didn't know exactly what he was to her was strange. Knowing that he was hers was not. She finally looked away from the male and toward the group of Bjork Urun. The green-painted men looked back, held at bay by Haasin who looked perfectly smug as he kept them in place with bared teeth and growls, his gold eyes glowing. Kaleniya couldn't help but smile as she approached and the natives seemed to relax slightly at her expression. The expression was not one of anger anymore and the great female Muhamik that followed at her right side didn't look hostile, though, they did not let that fool them. The Muhamik were swift creatures, quick to anger and to be feared. And this woman with fire-hair commanded them, walking with them without fear. The Bjork Urun were not about to make her angry, either.
Sky blue eyes regarded the men silently, unsure what she felt. There was still anger in her for the native who had struck the dark elf, but the others? She had no quarrel against them. She had no fight with anyone that she could remember and these men did not feel evil, just different. Kaleniya started to open her mouth to speak to the Kalei siblings when a trumpet was heard and the Oliphants finally caught up, announcing their presence. She smiled as Kamiseen looked annoyed. The woman sighed. "What should I do? Can you not ask them why they captured these...Anrarhin?" The word just slipped out, as many words had started to and Kaleniya paid it no mind other than to remember it and its meaning.
Haasin eyed the Bjork Urun and spoke in Haradaic, his voice clipped by more than just the language. The leader of the natives stepped forward with respect, more green symbols painted on him than the rest, his hair shaved along the sides of his head, leaving only a long streak of black, clumped hair at the top of his head to fall down his back where it was secured at his neck by rawhide. He was the only one with this style, the rest of the men leaving their hair unbound and unshaven. His reply was spoken with dignity and firmness and Haasin met Kaleniya's eyes as he translated for her. "He says that the Northerners were trespassing through the Nrapir, that they are not supposed to come this far south. He said his warriors attacked them and took these ones captive to take them to Cjornark, their main city, where they will be judged."
Kaleniya nodded, but her eyes had hardened and her voice was soft, dangerous, though, she didn't even know that about herself. "Ask him why he let one of his warriors beat the Elf." The Bjork Urun and even the Kalei might not have understood what the quietness of her voice meant, but Elrohir did and though he could not understand what was being said, he KNEW Arienel. Eluchon helped him stand without protest, the silver-haired elf's eyes narrowed as he, too, watched the strange proceedings. The red-haired woman started slightly, but didn't move away when the dark-haired elf came to her side, just a little behind her. His presence comforted her. Eluchon took up presence behind Elrohir and Faramir came forward to stand on her right - Kamiseen allowing him to come between her and the red-head - as the leader of the group. They all awaited an answer that would be translated into the dragon tongue for Kaleniya and into Westron by Nazir - who was behind Faramir - for the Northern men and elves.
The Bjork Urun leader answered without hesitation, knowing the action had angered the fire-haired one, but that lies might anger her even more. The chilling blue of her eyes was like nothing he'd ever seen, being like the deep waters of the oasis or the sky, not like the frothing sea, pale color of the silver-haired one's light blue eyes. It was almost difficult to hold her gaze, both innocent and full of simmering fury. Haasin and Nazir both translated what the leader spoke. "He says that until they are judged, the Northerners are no better than slaves and have been treated as such. The other Northern men caused no trouble, not even the strange silver one, but the dark one did, refusing to do as he was told. It was Romjin that claimed possession of the dark elf and so it was within his power to decide what to do with him. Romjin chose to punish his slave for disobedience."
Kaleniya eyes swam gray and she closed them, jaw clenched, feeling the swirling storm of anger in her middle, her gift as it came forth at her unintentional call. He had been beaten, punished because he refused to obey another. She didn't know she'd growled low or made fists until gentle fingers touched her face. Sky blue eyes snapped open to meet brown as Elrohir turned her face toward his and shook his head slowly. "Do not, Mell. I am fine. Calm down." He spoke to her as he always had, with patience and love, and Kaleniya suddenly understood as Kamiseen translated the words for her quietly, omitting nothing. Not even Mell, Beloved. The realization of what he felt for her, what he could be to her, made her cheeks redden almost as much as her hair and she looked away quickly, confused. Her power had calmed, though, and for that she was grateful as she met the Bjork Urun leader's eyes and then found the eyes of the warrior, Romjin.
"I forgive you the action taken against what was never yours to harm, but mine to care for. If you ever touch my elf again, I will kill you." She said it with little anger, just promise and as Haasin related the message to the native, Nazir took what the sand dragon said and told the Northerners. Elrohir found his heart giving a surge of hope at her words. She had turned away from him a moment before, seeming uncomfortable, but she had not denied that he was hers...and perhaps that she was his? The dark-haired elf looked over at Faramir as the man spoke. "We would leave these people on peaceful terms." He looked at the sand-colored dragon across from him, over the heads of the natives. "Would you tell them that we meant them no harm and that we hope to make peace between their people and ours. That is why we travel to Cjornark now." He waited as Haasin spoke once more and watched as the leader of the painted natives shook his head in a disbelieving way, but spoke.
"He says he does not think peace will come between the North and the South, but that he wants no more quarrel with you this day. You travel with the Mûmakil, you are under the protection of the Muhamik and the power of the Muhaniret, a thing they have never encountered before. They wish to depart in peace with you this day."
The next hour was a slightly confusing and awkward one for everyone. The two stallions, the Oliphants and Nazir seemed to be the only ones unaffected as they settled in the sand, the sky darkening overhead and two fires having already been built from the wood taken from the jungle by the Bjork Urun. The natives had departed swiftly, having no desire to anger the sand dragons that stood with the Northerners or the Muhaniret, and everyone had relaxed somewhat after their departure. Bergil and Derufin were already asleep, glad for the rest and for the knowledge that they would be well-guarded. They had been unsure of the dragons at first, but looking at Arienel and remembering that she was the Amlug-nerthril, the bonded of a black dragon, their fear had evaporated.
Both Haasin and Kamiseen had explained exactly what was going on with Kaleniya/Arienel to the best of their ability, starting with when they had found her in the desert to now, how she knew their language - the dragon tongue - but no other, how she seemed to remember things vaguely and only in spurts and they told the group, in halting Westron, that they would not be leaving the Kaleniya. The two Kalei now lay comfortably in the sand, seeming to disappear as twilight approached, with their head on each other's back scales. Kamiseen was ready to translate anything Kaleniya might say.
The red-haired woman sat by the fire with Eluchon to one side, a small distance around the fire and Elrohir seated directly beside her. Faramir sat across the flames. All three males regarded her with mixed expressions that made her finally sigh and frown in a familiar way that made them hide smiles. "What?" At Kamiseen's translation, Elrohir looked down at his hands before looking back up at her, his eyes piercing her own. "Your name is Arienel. You have many others as well. Duindes is your Father-name. Kaia your heart-name among your Rohirrim family. The people of Gondor call you Amlug-nerthril. You are the Eldanarë, Kaleniya to the dragons and Brethil to your father's people. The Bjork Urun call you Muhaniret. I call you Mell." As the dragoness relayed this to the woman, the dark-haired elf held Arienel's eyes, watching as no recognition came, but curiosity did. He continued without prompt, speaking of her families, telling her the names of Ethon, Edonar, Edinon, Legolas, Thranduil and Lohinon, the one brother who had died. He told her how they met, the war she'd been in, small stories that she should know and larger events that even Harad would have heard about. Nothing made those sky blue eyes light up with understanding as Kamiseen translated.
Kaleniya finally spoke, placing her hand on his arm. "I am sorry. I do not remember any of this. I want to, but I cannot."
Elrohir nodded and in his eyes, she saw an emotion that made her warm from her head to her toes, and a blush crept onto her face. "I know you do not remember, but I would tell you anyway." She merely nodded and listened to him once more, listened to her life as if to a story, scarcely daring to believe some of the things he told her. And yet...she had to trust they were real for looking in his brown eyes, she couldn't make herself believe that he would lie to her. Whoever he was...he wouldn't lie to her. Both Faramir and Eluchon had gone to sleep long before Elrohir ever mentioned Morroch. He wasn't sure why, but he had been referring to him as 'the dragon'. Now that he thought about it, perhaps that was because he was scared how she would react - or not - hearing about the shape-shifter.
The dark-haired elf came about the question simply. "Arienel, do you remember the name Morroch?" The reaction was instant as sky blue eyes dilated in the flickering light and her face grew pale. Her eyes suddenly swam gray and Elrohir swallowed, unsure what she would see, but hoping.
...Her smile widened as her fingers ran gently over the black muzzle under her hand. Warmth spread from her fingers right up her arm and then seemed to engulf her body before fading. The stallion appeared to have felt something as well because the tension had drained out of his stance, gold eyes glazing slightly before he raised his head once more, backing away. The young woman had to wonder at the pang of loss as she watched the horse gallop off into the darkness once more...
...She groaned, turning over and looking up at the worried gold eyes that looked down at her. She glared and coughed, sitting up slowly. "You crazed cow! You could have killed me!" The horse snorted and side-stepped away at her tone, but didn't leave. The young woman continued to glare as she checked her sore body over for injuries before standing. She looked back the way they'd come to see a rider approaching quickly...
...The young woman watched Morroch for a time, studying him as her thoughts ran in sleepy circles. He was different and strange, yes, but hadn't she already known that? He was still talking wasn't he? And that didn't bother her. Why should his age or what he was bother her? She smiled and curled slightly, getting more comfortable. "You're still Morroch. You're still my friend. I don't care about the rest." Her eyes drifted closed and this time they didn't open again as her mind succumbed to sleep...
..."Morroch, how are you? Can you hold them?"
The voice that answered was angry, tired and almost sounded hoarse. "There are too many, Kaia." The young woman glanced over to see the black dragon kill a group of at least three Uruk-hai with his powerful jaws, but even as he did, more seeped around his body, pouring in. Many tried to hack at his scales, only to have their sword bounce off and a large tail come to snap their necks with a side-sweep. The dragon roared, causing a momentary retreat by some of the creatures, but they seemed to realize no more fire was forthcoming and were getting bolder...
...Morroch stirred, feeling her restlessness and opened one gold eye to frown at her in his feline way. "It is hard to sleep when your thoughts are tumbling about like a rock-slide in my head." The young elleth grinned and pet his head while he sat up and stretched. "I know. I am sorry, but I need to move." It was the only warning she gave before standing, making the black cat jump to the ground with an offended air. She chuckled at his glare, starting to walk aimlessly just to do something. Morroch hissed, but followed, weaving between her legs for the intended purpose of being as big a hindrance as possible. The red-haired female was more than irritated by the fourth almost-fall and glared down at the innocent-blinking cat, picking him up.
"Warg." she snapped.
"Orc." was the quick retort...
...Sky blue eyes blinked. "What did you talk about?" She didn't bother keeping the nerves, excitement, uncertainty or anything else out of her tone. Morroch could already feel the emotions going through her mind even if he wasn't actively trying to read her thoughts. The shape-shifter's tongue came out lazily as did his words. He was clearly enjoying this. "We talked about you." The black wolf yelped as he was suddenly almost-tackled by a red fury. The canine's laughter rang out as the female grabbed his head - without intent to harm - and shook it back and forth.
"You great warg! Tell me plainly!"
"Fine!" The wolf pulled his head from her grasp and stood on the bed, shaking his body out as the female waited, pulling his tail impatiently. Morroch grinned in his wolfish way as he laid down once more...
...Morroch winced as his rider threw the tent flap back and pinned him with a glare so harsh he felt as if his fur was being ripped off. "Morroch." She gritted the name between her teeth and the canine's tail went between his legs as a whine escaped him.
"Sorry."...
...She found herself in a warm place. The walls were soft and pulsed red, gold and a dark orange in color. The place was overall comforting, but the elleth hardly noticed any of this as her attention was fixed upon the black dragon curled up on the soft ground, grinning at her with sharp teeth and blinking the sleep from his gold eyes."Have you come to lead me home?" he asked with a teasing lilt. The female smiled, her heart filled with joy and no longer empty. "Yes, you great warg."
Morroch's laugh was deep and happy as he stood up and nuzzled her shoulder. "Good, I was getting impatient waiting for you, orc." His rider hugged his neck tightly as she came forward, sniffling. As they separated, the elleth's attention was drawn to a scene playing out on the wall behind her friend. Her gray eyes watched with interest and Morroch turned his head to see what she saw...
...Morroch licked his muzzle one last time, tasting the meat on his tongue and leaped on to the bed with his rider. He circled a few times and then laid his head on her hip as she settled on her side. "I haven't been that full in a long time." the elleth's laughter rang in the room and the two drifted off to sleep, happy...
...The elleth and the shape-shifter's heads snapped up to see a fell beast in the sky, circling and clearly trying to provoke. Morroch growled, a sound that startled the female until she realized that the animal under her was no longer a horse. The black creature she now rode had giant eagle-like wings, but a cat body and the end of his slim tail sported feathers. A white smudge adorned his nose. The cat-creature stood much taller than the stallion under her a moment ago had. The shape-shifter looked back at her in question and the elleth clenched her teeth. "Fly."...
...A snarl came from Morroch as the dragon clawed an opponent. It was more for his own frustration than to scare the enemy. He couldn't use fire without first ingesting rock and they both knew it. The elleth's failed fire and his own inability to help angered the shape-shifter. The elleth had to agree with his sentiment as she blocked a downward thrust from a Morgul blade and struck out with her own, lightning from the darkened sky striking the fell beast the Black Rider rode upon. It shrieked, disengaging and she breathed a sigh of temporary relief as Morroch twisted away, making even more room between them. The shape-shifter turned to the left and the red-haired female caught a glimpse of something approaching in the sky. She focused her attention on it hurriedly and her eyes widened as she saw fully what it was that was winging its way toward them...
...She smacked the shape-shifter over the head. Hard. "What were you DOING!" Morroch merely blinked, not looking ashamed in the least. "He is fun to talk with." The elleth stared at him before shutting her eyes and rubbing her temples. "This is like your rivalry with Gimli, isn't it? Morroch, this elf is so different from the dwarf. I don't think it was to do this."
The winged-cat sighed. "I know, but I think it is too late now." He understood his rider's worry, but he couldn't help but like the challenge Glorfindel represented. He didn't have anything against the elf, in fact, he was sure if they could get past their differences than they might get along. It was just the fact that the Balrog-slayer seemed to already dislike him that bothered Morroch and he felt no guilt in taking some amusement in the situation. He looked up at her with innocent gold eyes. "I'll try not to vex the elf, too much."
She just groaned under her breath in frustration. This was going to end badly, she knew it...
...Neither the elleth or the shape-shifter spoke as they laid on the bed, one looking at the ceiling, the other looking at the wall. They were not without communication, though, as their minds simply melded, curling in and around each other, listening and searching. They had nothing to hide and even if they did, they had long ago learned how to share and how to keep to themselves certain emotions and thoughts. The elleth glanced at the black wolf and her voice was quiet even mind to mind.
"You are leaving soon." It wasn't a question and the canine licked her wrist gently and then rested his head on her arm. "Not for another three weeks or so. Do not fret about it, Ainarë."
The elleth sat up and the wolf's head raised with her movement. She tucked red head behind her head and sighed, looking at him with sky blue eyes that held sadness, fear and frustration. "Morroch, we cannot avoid talking about this and hope it goes away. You are going to leave me."
Gold eyes watched her face, but the canine's mind searched hers and he whined, laying his head in her lap, curling close. The female laid her head on his, fighting scared tears. "I am going to miss you."
"I will come back. I will not leave you."
The red-haired female sat up and stroked his head gently. "What if you find a mate, have children? What then?" They both knew of the vision she'd had and the shape-shifter truly had to think about an answer. He finally spoke and she listened patiently, truly wanting an answer, comfort. "I will visit you and your children and you will visit me and mine." The black wolf lifted his head and warm gold eyes met damp sky blue. "You are my bonded, Arienel. That will not change. You are part of me and I of you. I could not leave you even if I tried."...
...They stood in front of the Gates of the Palace, by the Forest River. Neither wanted to be the first to say good-bye. Neither wanted to take the painful step. The female's body shook as she hugged the black dragon's neck, reluctant to ever let go. Morroch's tail was curled around her waist and he appeared of the same sentiment. The bonded pair held each other's gaze and it was with purpose that they touched forehead to large nose, eyes closing.
"You will be in my heart. My mind will be open to yours. I will answer your call. I will not forget." They said it together, in perfect sync and the elleth felt hot tears trail down her face, felt Morroch's keening sound in the back of his throat, fighting to come free. They had not known parting would be this hard and for a moment, neither of them could remember why they were doing it. The thought faded, however, and with painful slowness, the two separated...
Each memory, each image passed through her mind in a blur until gray eyes cleared to sky blue once more. Morroch. She remembered Morroch! She didn't remember the reason for many of the circumstances in the images or the other people mentioned or even where they were, but she remembered her shape-shifter and the feeling of remembrance, the feeling of knowing something, of having that empty place filled, the place that hurt...it was more than she could handle without tears of joy and laughter spilling from her. She remembered Morroch. She closed her eyes and bit her lip, smiling and squeezing the hands holding hers. Sky blue eyes flew open and looked up with surprise. She was in the dark elf's arms and he was looking down at her with concern, but also the beginning of a smile, realizing that she must have seen something good to react thus. He looked reluctant to let her go - even when her slight movement brought pain to his ribs - but when she moved to sit up and put some distance between them, he did so.
Kaleniya...no. Arienel. She was Arienel. She had told Morroch she would not forget and she had, but she would not forget again. She would try to understand the person she had been. Arienel settled in the sand and looked into brown eyes that watched her once more, and spoke with a smile. "I remember Morroch." The male smiled as Kamiseen translated, but the female wasn't done and she seemed to study him for a long moment before gathering the courage to simply ask the questions that had plagued her since she'd 'seen' him. "What is your name and what are you to me, what am I to you?"
The dark-haired elf looked down and took a breath. This was stranger than he was allowing himself to feel. "My name is Elrohir and I...we are betrothed. I love you." Brown eyes came up to hold sky blue eyes, eyes that had widened considerably. Eyes that held fear, confusion, hope and question. Elrohir spoke softly, meaning every word he said as he looked at her, grateful beyond belief to have her back at all. "I still love you."
Review so I can get writing and hopefully Arienel can get more of her memory back! :D
