Rivendell - Passageway - 05 September 3018 TA
Lightning lit the skies in brilliant streaks. Fog embraced every tree, every square centimeter of ground. Thunder declared itself as some rock star upon the stage. Sheets of rain revived the grass, resounding and rippling without frontier. And he stood there further down the entrance of Rivendell, away from the peace that Rivendell provided. Eruptions of green enveloped in front of him in a carpet of living nature. Trees and brunches now flourish with vines, victorious as they claim their valley. He stood there as the heavy rain dropped against his fair figure; the cold neither the rain bothered him.
"A si i-Dhúath ú-orthor, Legolas" [The Shadow does not hold sway yet, Legolas] another elf said as he appeared and stood next to Legolas "Gwenwin in enninath… Ú-'arnech in naeth I si celich." [Long years have passed. You did not have the cares you carry now.]
Legolas listened, still unmoved against the heavy rain as the other elf spoke. He slunk his bow back against his shoulder; he held it into his hand as if ready to attack. "Suil Annui, erio thûl lín I faer hen," [Western Winds, may your breath lift this spirit] he said, "Elladan, the shadow grows even beyond the borders of Imladris. This darkness, although it feels familiar with the one in Woodland, it is different, stronger, and heavier."
"Henion, Legolas," [I understand, Legolas] Elladan smiled, tapping his friend's shoulder. "We have experienced the same darkness. Orcs are getting bolder; we have scouted troops of the enemy even then and again."
From afar, his face looked indifferent, even cold, but he was worried. He turned and faced Elladan. "You say they passed the borders of Imladris?" he asked in a clipped voice.
Elladan nodded. "They try; our guard stands strong. Elrohir and I are patrolling the borders more frequently; we are getting ready to depart soon."
Legolas tilted his head a bit and raised an eyebrow. "Then you come to bid me farewell?"
"No," he offered, "I was hoping to travel together." Thranduil's son was baffled, but before he asked Elladan what he meant, the elf added, "My father will brief you in; he is awaiting you at his study chamber."
Legolas greeted his friend and walked away to meet with Lord Elrond and find out what arrangements the Lord of Rivendell prepared for him.
Rivendell - Lord Elrond's Study Chamber - 05 September 3018 TA
The approaching footsteps had the wet sound of someone on the grass, someone who had mastered to walk quietly and had muffled their steps. Each footfall had a rhythm on its own, too light for humans to hear and on point for elves to miss. He had reached the Halls of Rivendell at a fast pace; he didn't want Lord Elrond to await. He knocked on the door when a voice asked him to enter. He stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
"You asked to see me, Lord Elrond," he said with a slight bow on his head and gazed at Elrond curious.
"Take a seat Legolas," answered Elrond and gestured for him to take a seat. "Due to the recent events, I believe I cannot avoid holding a council. However, Gondor and Lothlórien lack information. I was hoping you would ride to Lothlórien inform Glorfindel and Haldir, and then Gondor. The race of Men is failing. Our hope cannot remain with them. But they have to be warned."
Legolas waited patiently for Lord Elrond to stopped and accepted the quest that was given to him. "I'll ride with Elladan and Elrohir, but I assume they will not journey with me to Lothlórien?"
"They will assist our men in the borders, but you know my son's they have missed you, Legolas. And they would take the chance to travel a few days with you; you are departing tomorrow. Inform your men, and be prepared." Elrond said, sharing a kind smile with Legolas.
"Nay," came Legolas, voice soft as the summer wind, "This time I'll travel alone. My men need to rest, and it will make the journey faster."
"But not safer, are you sure, although Lothlórien and Imladris are well protected, you will cross unsafe and dangerous land," Elrond questioned seriously. He knew how capable Legolas was, and while he was traveling with his sons, he didn't have to worry about anything. But Legolas would have to make most of the journey alone or better with a specific troublemaker, and that could be dangerous.
"I understand your worries, but I will take this task alone," Legolas assured him.
It was then when Lord Elrond decided to interrupt Legolas and announced that he would have one more companion in that journey "Not all alone, one more shall follow!" And before Elrond finished his phrase, the door opened, and Awarthrie stepped inside.
Awarthrie glanced upward, her mouth pursed but slightly open and loose. Her eyes were fixed as if she was looking at something unfamiliar. She blinked and refocused. After the last fiasco, she hadn't crossed paths with the shiny-elf at all. She even thought that he left. She was wrong. She was trying so hard to forget that the Mirkwood Prince stayed across her bed-chamber, and she tried the best not to end up attacking him again. So she spent most of her previous days aiding Camaeneth in any chore she could, and the rest of the day, she would spend it with Gimli and the rest of the dwarves.
The silence caressed her skin like a cool summer breeze, smoothing her soul, taking away her jagged edges. It had been one hell of a rough day. She had done all the tasks that Camaeneth gave her and then spent the rest of the day fighting with the dwarves in the training area. The rain and the mud made it only worse. And now there she was, dirty than ever, facing her foe that looked stunning than ever.
She noticed that Legolas seemed to be outside as well, his attire was wet, but it only made the elf look even brighter. It was the kind of brightness that sears into your retinas, making you close them for fear of going blind, a brightness that would make fresh snow look grey and dull. And if that wasn't enough, there was that scent of his. She was soaking in the atmosphere of spearmint and autumn rain. The 'princess' smelled different now as he seemed to be soaking wet as well. It was a pleasant scent, nonetheless. However, it was not enough to win over Awarthrie's range against the prince of Mirkwood.
The silence of the room made his blood as cold as the autumnal air that crept through an open window, even if an elf would hardly feel any cold. He was taken back when the 'dwarf-girl' stepped into the room, and he stood up from his seat. Never before had Legolas noticed how time is so much like water; that it could pass slowly, a drop at a time, even freeze, or rush by in a blink. His astonished reaction was because he had figured out who would ride with him. He didn't know the reason behind Elrond's decision to want her to accompany him. However, he knew that the Lord of Rivendell would never act without thinking.
Legolas observed the short girl that stood speechless under the door and glared at him. It was shocking how much dirt, rain, and mud had blended with her clothes. Her garments, an outfit only a male dwarf would choose. Leather boots that were not only dirty but had seen too many winters. Black leather pants that seemed a bit short and large for her. And a black shirt that was hiding her upper body enough to make someone think she was male. He smiled in bewilderment, as for a second, he seemed curious enough to ask her what she was doing to end up in such a state.
The storm had ebbed to nothingness; now, the silence was as pure as the wintry blanket outside. Elrond allowed the silence to settle in, and then he spoke, "Both of you take a seat," he offered and waited for Awarthrie and Legolas to sit down. He noticed the glares that both had exchanged and hopped that they would not end up killing each other in their upcoming journey. "As I have already informed Legolas, times are getting darker, and I fear that war is upon us. I wished to inform Gondor and Lothlórien, Legolas already knows what should be said and done. However, I wouldn't want him to travel alone. My sons will accompany him until they reach our borders, yet he will ride alone for the rest of his journey. I would appreciate your aid, daughter of Glóin, in this journey."
Legolas' gaze met with Elrond's, revealing a slight annoyance. But the Lord of Rivendell already knew that Legolas wouldn't cause any issues. The prince of Mirkwood understood Elrond's actions, and even if he seemed to have questions, he knew that Lord Elrond had a reason to ask him to take part in this quest. The task was troublesome like his companion would be, but Legolas wouldn't decline the challenge.
"Huh," she muttered, intimidating by Erldons words that she forgot her manners. "You want me to assist the Princess here? I thought Mirkwood elves were mighty enough for such missions." Awarthrie tried her best not to look at Legolas, but she could feel his glare like daggers against her. "I wouldn't mind the adventure Lord Elrond, but I am afraid it's beyond my strength to travel for days with an Elf, and especially for Mirkwood. I prefer some punishment instead."
"Nan Belain!" [By the Valar!] Legolas exhaled, astonished by her reaction. Until now, he never corrected her for calling him the 'princess of Mirkwood,' but now he had enough. That 'dwarf-girl' was the most annoying dwarf he had ever known. And he was wrong; even if she had fair skin and didn't look like a dwarf, he was sure now she was a dwarf all the way. "Haven't you heard what Lord Elrond said," Legolas responded, "What are you, an orc? Addressing us as is?"
Lord Elrond hid a laugh; he acknowledged that the young one was raised between dwarves. She was proud, stubborn, and greedy as most dwarves. And insulting was part of her culture and her bloodline. "Lady Awarthrie, I know that a few days of your punishment remain. But the punishment is long forgotten. I already spoke with your father, and he seems to agree. Some time away might aid you to find yourself," Elrond interrupted them before they both started a new argument.
Awarthrie sighed and looked at Lord Elrond, understanding that he and Glóin talked about this mission and thought it would benefit her somehow. The only way it would benefit here would be to have enough time to attack the shiny-bastard. "Fine," she finally agreed and glared up at Legolas, "But if I end up hurting the princess, it will not be my fault."
"I want to see you try Lady Awarthrie," offered Legolas as both of them stood up and ended up face to face. Blue eyes pinned against brown, and it took a moment for both of them to back off, realizing that Lord Elrond was still there with them.
"Neither of you would take such action; at times like this, we have to be united and face our enemy. Lady Awarthrie, I hope that you leave your bitterness behind and take this task seriously as it is," Lord Elrond added as he walked with them towards the door.
"I can only promise that I'll try," she answered as both of them stepped out of Erldons study room and strode along the corridors of his halls.
When they entered the corridors, the silence put them on edge; it was about as normal as the deserted paths of the old road they took to arrive in Rivendell. Both had fallen in deep silence, as only their footsteps and the rain was disturbing the peace. "You should pack your belongings; we ride at dawn," Legolas said with a harsher tone; he offered a fast bow and turned away to take his leave.
"Wait, what?" she blurted out, "Are we going to ride to Lothlórien? Like on a horse?" She looked astonished as she ran after Legolas and paused next to him, waiting for an answer.
Legolas stopped observing her in disbelief; the dwarf-girl could change the atmosphere from one to one hundred in no time. He closed the gap between them and leaned a bit closer, his eyes still pinned against hers. "Do you even know how far Lothlórien is?" Legolas quizzed his expression once more unreadable "We can only make it in time if we ride, and we usually use stallions."
Awarthrie stood there for a moment, unable to answer. Legolas didn't wait for her and faced away, starting to walk away. "You better be prepared," he added and disappeared at the end of the corridor, leaving a very confused and anxious Awarthrie behind. Since dwarves hardly ride, and she was raised in the mountains. There was never the need to ride or own a horse. She already had the feeling that this journey would be more difficult than she thought.
Rivendell - Awarthrie's Bed-Chamber - 05 September 3018 TA
It was tomorrow—the day of departing from Rivendell and starting a new adventure. The day everything she knew would be gone. Familiarity would be a memory locked away in an old dusty wooden box, to be reopened later, to reminisce. She would travel to strange lands she never was before. She would meet with Elves and humans. Now the journey she would take sounded exciting. She always wanted to travel and see the world. The adventure was in her blood. Even her own father went on his own adventure. On an adventure, he met her mother. She was so bothered by the 'princess of Mirkwood' that she hardly knew what Lord Elrond offered to her. Indeed she would have to travel side to side with her enemy, but it wasn't as important as being able to come to cross new lands and races.
"What do you mean you agreed?" Gimli asked her as he gathered his fist in anger. "Lass, you can't simply leave? You said father agreed?" Gimli kept cursing and yelling and the absurd news that Awarthie told him. "I'll not allow it, a quest with the son of Thranduil, that is madness!"
The dwarf-girl paused, packing her belongings, and stopped gazing at Gimli apologetically. "I am sorry, but I want to go. Gimli, it has nothing to do with the shiny-princess," she said, smiling as she daydreamed. "I'll finally be able to see some of the places I read in my mother's books. Lothlórien, Nandorin Elves lived there, I am not sure how far we are going to travel in the Elven realm, but I will be one of the dwarves who actually stepped into Lothlórien and saw the elves," she said proudly.
"You are insane; your pride and greed blind you," Gimli interrupted her from her daydream. "It's dangerous lass, out there are creatures worse than orcs. And even if you can stand your ground, it's easy to outnumber you, even with the pretty-princess aiding you." Gimli advised her as he cut her way, demanding her attention.
Dwurim, Taeth, Fet, and Feg, the youngest dwarves from their company, were eating and only observing them. Although it seemed they thought it would be a bad idea to let their only female friend travel with the elves. And especially with an elf from Mirkwood. It bothered them why Glóin agreed with such a silly idea. It wasn't only dangerous to let them ride out, but it sounded like an insult as well.
"Gimli, I am going," she said stubbornly while finally looking at Gimli. "I am not going to change my opinion. So you better accept it and when I am done packing you have to aid me. We are supposed to ride out tomorrow on a horse."
Of course, Gimli knew how stubborn Awarthrie could be. After all, she was half a dwarf, and Mahal saved us all from the stubbornness of the dwarves. He tried for a few long minutes to make her cancel the quest, but his efforts went in vain. Then he started laughing, and the rest of their friends laughed with them. "You have never ridden a horse in your life. And you want us to teach you how to ride in one night?"
"I know Gimli, but what am I supposed to do," she asked him, confused. "I want to take this journey, but I don't want to end up looking ridiculous in front of the eyes of the elves. It hurts my pride."
"I'm confounded that your pride is unhurt," a deep low voice came across the hallway, and a moment later, Legolas appeared in the doorway. The dwarf-girl and her friends were so loud; he had heard everything from his room. "Know this; tomorrow you will ride with me; we cannot set back and wait for you to learn how to ride. My horse can carry us both!"
"You..." Awarthrie yelled loudly, "You Eavesdrop-shiny-bastard, you have no shame eavesdropping conversations you were not invited to hear."
Legolas didn't comment on her outburst, neither her new insults. He had to admit her insult vocabulary was one of a kind. "We are leaving in the dawn; make sure you are well-rested and prepared," he said with his indifferent look and walked out of her room, closing the door behind him.
Awarthrie was ready to share a piece of her mind, but Gimli stopped her; fighting now with the elf would bring only further problems. For the time being, she had to get ready and swallow the bitter truth that she would be riding with the prince of Mirkwood, and that part hurt her pride.
The dwarf-girl didn't know that earlier when she and Gimli fought about the quest, Arwen and he was in his room talking about the quests. It didn't take long, and both of the elves had heard their conversation. It was Arwen who prompted Legolas to stop being so difficult and let her ride with him. The Prince of Mirkwood at first decline Arwen's suggestion. There was no way he would ride with the insulting dwarf-girl. But when Arwen outlined that he would be able to hurt her pride. Legolas ran to announce that she would be riding with him. Arwen hadn't lost her touch to manipulate her brothers or Legolas if needed.
(( Next Act: 9 The departure from Rivendell))
Thank you for taking the time to read this! Feel free to Review - Follow - Favorite!