Legolas and Kerrinais were now on patrol. There was only a single day
remaining before the group reached the territories of Imladris, and the
woods were beginning to grow denser, the area more mountainous. Legolas had
decided to split up the group on the following day. He and Kizea would
travel to the Eyries, and he would send Kerrinais and Tenmelion to
Rivendell to look for Gandalf and possibly elicit some additional search
parties from Lord Elrond.
"My heart will not allow me to return there," he said to Kerrinais that evening, "Go if you will, and bid to Lord Elrond of our request for aid. Be sure to explain the importance of its nature, and that my father would keep the stone safe at Mirkwood until Gandalf is located."
But no sooner had Kerrinais acknowledged his friend's request, when both stopped short in their footsteps. They had come to a bend in the woods and needed to go around a craggy, 20 ft. outcropping. What stopped them was light. Although each elf emitted his own light (and it rather appeared in the dark of the woods as though they were walking lanterns), this other light was blue in nature. They could not see its source, but the blue rays dissipated into the blackness in all directions. Kerrinais quickly drew his sword, and Legolas silently drew an arrow and fitted it to the string of his bow, which he was seldom without. You must understand, although they treaded on elven lands, their anticipation of coming across one or many of Sauron's creatures was always in the back of their minds. Thus far, their trip had been blissfully free of such evil creatures. But Kizea had readily explained away that fact, much to the trepidation of even the courageous elves.
"Melune is roaming free in the world now," Kizea had told them in Tuluth, "And no orc or other beast of the Dark Lord would possess the effrontery to cross her path. It would be suicide for them, or something worse. So you see my good elves, I am sure the bar owner is not lying to us. Melune and the other Fendowan have indeed traveled here already. Unwittingly, she has cleared the road for us."
Without sound, Legolas and Kerrinais stepped around the bend, ready to strike. Kerrinais went first. As the blue light brightened across his eyes, he lowered his sword arm, his mouth opened in astonishment. Legolas stepped up beside him, with similar reaction. There in a smallish clearing, before a tiny, completely blue burning, crackling and sparking campfire, sat Gandalf the Gray. His arms were extended into the air, a wide grin upon his haggard face. Floating and diving all around the fire were a hundred Carner Blue butterflies, the terrible elven portents of fate. Legolas and Kerrinais had seen a single Carner Blue once, and the results were disastrous to each for just having looked upon it. Legolas immediately dropped his bow and covered his eyes with his hands. In any other situation, such an act would surely have betrayed their presence, but Gandalf seemed not to notice. Kerrinais stared in wonder at the unbelievable scene, unable to move. Then, without turning his head in their direction, Gandalf spoke up in a most pleasant, happy voice.
"Ah, Legolas and Kerrinais! Come! Be not afraid! Come sit down with me and tell how is it you are come to wandering so far from home!"
Kerrinais, his eyes still wide with shock took a single step forward, but Legolas refused to budge. His bravery had slipped away, and he was determined not to allow one of the tiny butterflies to land on him. It would be a sure sign of some eager fate, waiting to exact its horrific price once again on the unsuspecting elf. As it turned out though, the elf's reservations were not long-lived. As soon as Kerrinais took a single step, the whole of the Carner Blues flew into the fire with a loud CRACK, and were gone. When the elves once again opened their eyes, the fire was burning its bland red and orange, and Gandalf was hoisting himself up with his staff. He hobbled over to the incredulous elves, placing his right hand upon his chest and extending it outward to his new guests in the traditional elven gesture of greeting.
After a few moments, and when they had regained their composure, they reciprocated the like, and the three sat down to the campfire to talk. And so the elves told the wizard of their strange odyssey, and how Kizea had happened upon them in Mirkwood, of how the Stone of Anor had been stolen and that Gwaihir the Windlord had snatched it from the very hands of the traitorous Melune and everyone it seemed was searching for him. He sat listening to their discourse, his eyes intent on the campfire as if he half- expected to see the Carner Blues reappear.
"We have been searching for you nigh on 2 weeks now," Kerrinais said, "Tell us Gandalf, have you seen Gwaihir?"
"No," Gandalf replied, "He has not crossed my path. I knew some ill destiny was come into Middle-Earth, but I would not have conceived of such a misfortune as this! At least the stone is in good hands for the present. I know not how it might have been procured, but we must locate Gwaihir as soon as can be."
"The Fendowan will be most distressed to hear you do not already possess the stone," Legolas said grimly, "We should return to our own camp with all possible speed and let her know you are at least found."
Gandalf immediately lowered his pipe and gasped.
"You have brought a Fendowan WITH you? Why did you not tell me at once? We must go at once!"
Gandalf pulled himself up with his staff and immediately turned towards the darkness of the woods. He whistled four times. Within a few short minutes, a magnificent bay stallion appeared out of the darkness. Gandalf smiled at the horse appreciatively, and then he began walking in the direction from where the elves came. The elves followed suit, almost sprinting to keep up with him.
"Kizea, the Fendowan master, has accompanied us to search for you and the stone," Kerrinais said as he quickly followed the wizard. Although old and elderly in appearance, Gandalf was possessed of great energy and endurance.
"If Kizea has journeyed so far into the wilderness to find me, our peril must be greater than I originally thought. We have no time to lose! I must speak to her without delay!"
They sped along in the woods until the faint outline of the elven camp came into view. Tenmelion and Kizea's horses were there, calmly munching on a thicket of blackberries, but Moaanen and Neonean were gone. So were Tenmelion and Kizea. Gandalf looked around the area, surveying every rock and tree. Nothing seemed out of place. No sign of ambush or attack. Gandalf relaxed his stance.
"They may be patrolling the area," Kerrinais said looking around, "We should split up and find them."
"I believe I know where Kizea is," said Legolas, "She is most likely down at the river's edge."
"Very well," exclaimed Gandalf, "Come with me Kerrinais, and we will search the woods for your other companion. Legolas go down to the river and retrieve Kizea. Let us meet back here with all haste!"
They parted company, and Legolas sprinted off in the direction of the Bruinen. Legolas was now most anxious to find Kizea. Gandalf's demeanor and urgency had worried him exceedingly, and he was eager to reunite everyone. There was safety in numbers.
Legolas sprinted towards the river while the others went to the forest to locate Tenmelion. Now that Gandalf was found, it would be a simple matter for him to call upon Gwaihir, or at least, so he thought. The moon was nearly at its apex in the sky. Legolas's feet sank into the soft mosses that lined the banks of the Bruinen. His sense of urgency prevented him from creeping stealthily through the reeds and brush, besides, seldom was a Fendowan taken by surprise, or an elf for that matter. But Legolas WAS surprised. As he drew near to the banks his keen ears detected a soft, melodious humming rising over the sounds of the rushing water. He stopped, perplexed, and peered through the reeds to the river's edge. There was Kizea, bathing. She splashed and swirled the water about with her hands gaily as would a child, and she was humming. Her voice, light and delicate was familiar to him somehow, but he thought little of it. He had heard much singing past the time when he began to care of such things. Every voice seemed to remind him of his Nevariel, and this was no different.
Standing silently, Legolas's eyes tightened on her muscular outline. He had never seen what was underneath a Fendowan's heavy tunic before. He half expected her to have some obvious magical properties underneath it all. He was not entirely surprised to find nothing. Still, he was not completely disappointed either. Despite her mortal flaws, she was, in her own way, quite beautiful. Her skin was alabaster white, with long-healed scars dotting her chiseled arms. Her long auburn hair fell in wet curls around her shoulders. The only thing she wore was her mask, its gold patina caught hold of the tiniest bits of moonlight and reflected glints and glimmers of yellow, green and red all around. Long strings of red garnets kept her mask in place. They fell aimlessly about her shoulders as well, mingling with her hair. Kizea stood up wringing her hair with her hands, her back towards the elf. The moonlight betrayed a healed 5-inch scar down the middle of her back. Legolas wondered what savage battle she was embroiled in to have left such a bitter reminder.
He stepped forward through the brush to the water's edge, staring at Kizea. Upon hearing the elf, the girl immediately dropped into the water again, until it was up to her neck. She glared at Legolas angrily.
"I had not conceived the elves so discourteous as to watch me bath uninvited!" she snapped, "I would beg you to leave!"
Legolas squatted down at the water's edge.
"Forgive my intrusion, but we have found Gandalf nearby and he begs you would join us back at the camp!"
"Then divert your eyes, sir elf, lest one of my daggers finds its way to them! None are allowed to gaze upon me without my clothes! Hurry!"
Legolas stood up, turning his back to her. He could plainly hear Kizea trudging out of the water. Her clothes were 10 ft from him, resting atop the still river reeds. Legolas waited patiently. Kizea's behavior often bewildered him. At times she was receptive and intensely interested in the elves, other times she displayed behavior more like when they had first met in Mirkwood, standoffish and arrogant. If the woodland elves of Middle- Earth had but one flaw, it was their inability to recognize and transition to the social etiquettes of other societies.
Legolas would think little of happening upon another elf bathing in the river, especially one in his own hunting party, and no other elf would think him rude for doing it. However, the Fendowans were intensely private, hiding all aspects of their physical selves. It was forbidden for any Fendowan to watch another undress without their permission, and this was never given. Legolas had simply not considered this possibility. To him, his stepping through the reeds and crunching over the leaves had been loud enough for her to hear, but the Fendowan had let her guard down. Kizea was angry with herself for not hearing the elf's approach straightaway. In any other situation, this could have been a deadly mistake. He had surprised her.
For the entire return trip to the camp then, she grumbled angrily under her breath, and would not walk beside the elf, but behind him. Legolas simply brushed the whole incident off. He had achieved his task in retrieving Kizea, now the wizard could have her, and at least part of his journey was over. He felt he would soon be able to leave that part of the land and go home to Mirkwood to nurse his grief once more. When they broke the thicket of trees, they could plainly seen Kerrinais and Tenmelion busily preparing an evening meal of fish. This wasn't a common occurrence. Normally, the group picked and ate sporadically. Seldom was a meal cooked over a fire, but then, seldom did the elves entertain a wizard, much less Mithrandir.
There were several fish skewered through sticks, barbequing over the campfire. Tenmelion was cleaning some freshly picked blackberries and Kerrinais was cleaning some wild carrots they had found previously. The woods were thick with them. There were also walnuts and tiny elderberries. Gandalf was busily talking to the elves as they worked, sitting upon a large stone that jutted up from the ground like a stool. He leaned on his staff with one hand, and held a long and worn wooden pipe with the other. His mood was merry and joyful, and he looked as though he was merely having a nice evening with some good friends, not as the pivotal stone on which the world's precarious fate now hung.
"Come, come!" Gandalf said loudly, "Come and eat! We have a feast and good company!"
Kizea peered distrustfully around Legolas's back at the wizard. She was like a shy child that did not want to stray too far from her mother's leg. But in the end, she had no choice but to come forward. Without further prompting, Legolas proceeded into the camp, leaving the Fendowan standing in the shallows of the trees, gazing at the group. No sooner had Legolas sat down, when Moaanen and Neonean ambled over her from the other side of the camp, and began to nudge her with their muzzles. She stepped back a foot to keep her balance, and quietly lifted a hand to pet Neonean's nose. Gandalf lifted his eyebrows, and continued to eat.
"She prefers a horse's company to that of the elves." Tenmelion said half jokingly to Gandalf. The wizard did not look up.
"They have accepted her as part of their herd," Gandalf replied, "Do not take that as a bad sign, Tenmelion, guardian of Mirkwood. Often a horse can be wiser than his master. He would alert us to danger long before we, ourselves see it. I would sooner trust a Fendowan who befriends a horse than one who's presence would chase him away."
They continued to eat until only one fish remained on the skewers. Still, Kizea stood at the edge of the forest, looking on and around the entire scene. Sometimes gazing at the trees, sometimes stepping behind the horses so that less of her was exposed. As critical as it was for Kizea to speak to the wizard, she also wanted to be sure that it was not some trick Melune was playing upon her. No one prompted her to come into camp, but they sat and talked without a care. It wasn't until Neonean ambled up to Legolas, that the group knew Kizea had come.
She reached over, plucking the final fish from the campfire. Backing away, she chose a spot to sit some five feet from Legolas. She used one of her golden daggers to cut away pieces of fish from the wooden spit, and then she carefully placed the dagger in front of her, for a quick retrieval. Gandalf noticed this, but he was not offended by the gesture. He realized that he was the only one within the group who might overcome her, and she had to be sure of him before she could let her guard down. Time crept by that evening. The elves talked of Mirkwood and the marvelous feast they would all have upon their return. Gandalf spoke to them of where his journeys had taken him, although, as a matter of courtesy, he did not mention his passage into the surrounding mountains of Mordor, and what he had seen of the billowing volcano there. Kizea waited for Gandalf to begin the one conversation she knew they must have. As usual, Kerrinais and Tenmelion went into the woods to patrol the area. Legolas decided to take the horses to the river for a drink. At last, the wizard and Kizea were alone.
"It is good to see you again, my dear," Gandalf said finally. Kizea looked at him quizzically.
"You mistake me for another," Kizea said in a serious tone of voice, "You have never been to Goldorma, or surely I would have known it. And I have never journeyed away until now. But let us away with such idle pleasantries, Gandalf. I have no need for social etiquettes. We have serious matters to discuss."
Kizea then repeated what the elves had already told him. She spoke of the stone's abduction, and how she overheard Melune's intentions to raise Rakal and his horrific armies once she acquired it, and how Valnin and the others were dead or dispersed, and now only she remained.
"Hmmmm, yes" Gandalf replied finally, "We must find Gwaihir straightaway. But take heart. While the stone is in his possession, no harm will come to it. And I do not believe the Fendowan master, Melune, can fly."
"Not yet," Kizea exclaimed, "But she has acquired many new talents since she has come away from the mountain. Neither was she able to conjure a demon to help her on her way."
"Such powers take much energy to produce," Gandalf reassured her, "She has not yet the strength to conjure at will, only at great need. It will take her time to find Gwaihir. My concerns for the Stone of Anor lie closer to home than to Melune."
Kizea seemed confused by his statement.
"What do you mean?" she asked in a whisper as she looked about the camp.
"Surely you do not believe that one of the elves intends to do evil with the stone," she said, incredulous, "They might be ill-mannered, but they are trustworthy."
"No," replied the wizard taking another puff of his pipe, "I do not worry about the elves."
Kizea stiffened her back as she stared at Gandalf.
"You do not accuse ME!" Kizea exclaimed, aghast.
Gandalf sighed. He was at a quandary as to how much information he should reveal. The truth was that he knew many things before being told them, and once Legolas and Kerrinais had explained the current situation to him, several things began to fall into place in Gandalf's mind.
"My dear, I would accuse any who intends to destroy a mystical gem such as the Stone of Anor. Unlike the rings of power, the stone MAY be destroyed, as I suspect you are aware. But because of its destruction, the equilibrium and light that it sets upon Middle-Earth will be destroyed with it."
Kizea flashed him a disconcerted look, and she shifted uneasily on her seat. She bent her head low, not caring who saw or heard her. The wizard had read her very deepest thoughts it seemed. Her lowest designs were now laid bare to him. Her true intentions were to return Valnin to life and then destroy the stone, bringing its useless pieces to King Thranduil after.
"What would you know of it? You do not wield the flame of Anor. You cannot know its power, or what will become of the world should it fall to the wrong hands. But I do Gandalf, and I fear in my heart for all living creatures. When Melune is done, there will be no living thing left in the world." she whispered, anger growing in her voice.
"Your intentions are good, Kizea, priestess of the Fendowan," Gandalf admonished, "I know that after you bring your brother to life, you would obliterate the stone and thereby prevent Melune or any other demon from ever obtaining it. But in destroying the Stone of Anor, you would do more harm than good, though you realize it not. And it would not alter the evil that Melune would unleash. She is what she is. And without her, evil would simply wait and find another venue for its freedom. Can you not see that?"
"I can see nothing! A lifetime have I been imprisoned behind this mask!" Kizea said bitterly, "Stolen from my home, my family and forced into darkness and slavery! And now my only fragment of my past lies dead in Tuluth, with as much thanks to Melune! Your precious elven stone also brought HER to life from the dead, or did you not know THAT? The stone prefers not the warmth of the light or the cold of the dark, Gandalf, but will provide equally for both! I have come to believe the stone of Anor is not good, but evil. Did it not choose that demon as its protector as well? If Melune obtains the stone, there is no limit to the destruction she will cause! Do you think in my returning it to the mountain and reestablishing the Fendowan order, she would give up her quest? She will always lust after it, and her search will not end until she finds it. And I have not the power to stop her. That is why I would destroy it! If the stone is gone, she might never use it for the Dark Lord's purpose!"
"The stone of Anor is not a thing of evil," Gandalf said gently, "But it would reflect goodness in the hands of the right keeper. The stone chose YOU Kizea, over endless numbers of others because of your courageous heart. You were chosen to counter its evil side. You were chosen to keep it from Melune and be the instrument of its protection."
"But," she stammered, "The stone could not have foreseen this ill future! It brought us to it as a common defense against outsiders only, not to fight against each other! I cannot defeat Melune! We swore an oath never to shed the blood of another Fendowan. Even Melune was unable to kill me when we fought in the elven king's throne room. Some unseen force prevented her from finishing me. I do not want this responsibility any longer, Gandalf. I would only make the world safe as can be and then retreat back to the mountain to live out what is left of my life with my brother."
"If you are so resolute, my dear, take off your mask. And then let another take the responsibility from your shoulders." Gandalf smiled.
"What?" asked Kizea, "What do you mean?"
"If you are resolute to being a Fendowan no more in the world," smiled the wizard, "Then simply remove your mask, and be a Fendowan no more."
Kizea's eyes grew wide and she stared blankly into the fire, but then an astonished realization came to her. Never before had she considered that being a Fendowan was a matter of free choice. She had simply never thought about it. Her voice grew grim again.
"Gandalf," she said quietly, "You said you knew me before. Tell me truthfully, who am I?"
The wizard bent his head low and sighed. He did not answer her for some minutes, and Kizea did not repeat the question. Instead, she merely waited for his eventual answer.
"I am not entirely sure, my dear," he said finally, "I only believe I know, but until your face is revealed, we will not know for certain. And it would do you no good service to speak a name that you hold no memory of or value to. I CAN tell you of the great heart you must possess, or you would never have achieved your present station. I know that you long to discover your previous life, but from the discovery is exacted a heavy price. I am sure you realize, when you shed your Fendowan mask there is no going back. Before giving up such a supreme honor, please think about what you are now and the good you can achieve now."
Kizea nodded, bringing her hand up to her mask. She slowly drifted her fingers across the gemstones that lined it one side. She was not ready yet. She gazed down and felt of a small string underneath her tunic, and Gandalf eyed her actions with great attention. But she did not reveal what lay underneath. Instead she stood up.
"Thank you Gandalf," she said with a touch of sadness in her voice, "I think I would keep my mask awhile yet. I must go on patrol now, for I would not leave all the work to the elves."
Gandalf nodded and watched Kizea as she stepped over a bedroll and walked towards the woods.
"My heart will not allow me to return there," he said to Kerrinais that evening, "Go if you will, and bid to Lord Elrond of our request for aid. Be sure to explain the importance of its nature, and that my father would keep the stone safe at Mirkwood until Gandalf is located."
But no sooner had Kerrinais acknowledged his friend's request, when both stopped short in their footsteps. They had come to a bend in the woods and needed to go around a craggy, 20 ft. outcropping. What stopped them was light. Although each elf emitted his own light (and it rather appeared in the dark of the woods as though they were walking lanterns), this other light was blue in nature. They could not see its source, but the blue rays dissipated into the blackness in all directions. Kerrinais quickly drew his sword, and Legolas silently drew an arrow and fitted it to the string of his bow, which he was seldom without. You must understand, although they treaded on elven lands, their anticipation of coming across one or many of Sauron's creatures was always in the back of their minds. Thus far, their trip had been blissfully free of such evil creatures. But Kizea had readily explained away that fact, much to the trepidation of even the courageous elves.
"Melune is roaming free in the world now," Kizea had told them in Tuluth, "And no orc or other beast of the Dark Lord would possess the effrontery to cross her path. It would be suicide for them, or something worse. So you see my good elves, I am sure the bar owner is not lying to us. Melune and the other Fendowan have indeed traveled here already. Unwittingly, she has cleared the road for us."
Without sound, Legolas and Kerrinais stepped around the bend, ready to strike. Kerrinais went first. As the blue light brightened across his eyes, he lowered his sword arm, his mouth opened in astonishment. Legolas stepped up beside him, with similar reaction. There in a smallish clearing, before a tiny, completely blue burning, crackling and sparking campfire, sat Gandalf the Gray. His arms were extended into the air, a wide grin upon his haggard face. Floating and diving all around the fire were a hundred Carner Blue butterflies, the terrible elven portents of fate. Legolas and Kerrinais had seen a single Carner Blue once, and the results were disastrous to each for just having looked upon it. Legolas immediately dropped his bow and covered his eyes with his hands. In any other situation, such an act would surely have betrayed their presence, but Gandalf seemed not to notice. Kerrinais stared in wonder at the unbelievable scene, unable to move. Then, without turning his head in their direction, Gandalf spoke up in a most pleasant, happy voice.
"Ah, Legolas and Kerrinais! Come! Be not afraid! Come sit down with me and tell how is it you are come to wandering so far from home!"
Kerrinais, his eyes still wide with shock took a single step forward, but Legolas refused to budge. His bravery had slipped away, and he was determined not to allow one of the tiny butterflies to land on him. It would be a sure sign of some eager fate, waiting to exact its horrific price once again on the unsuspecting elf. As it turned out though, the elf's reservations were not long-lived. As soon as Kerrinais took a single step, the whole of the Carner Blues flew into the fire with a loud CRACK, and were gone. When the elves once again opened their eyes, the fire was burning its bland red and orange, and Gandalf was hoisting himself up with his staff. He hobbled over to the incredulous elves, placing his right hand upon his chest and extending it outward to his new guests in the traditional elven gesture of greeting.
After a few moments, and when they had regained their composure, they reciprocated the like, and the three sat down to the campfire to talk. And so the elves told the wizard of their strange odyssey, and how Kizea had happened upon them in Mirkwood, of how the Stone of Anor had been stolen and that Gwaihir the Windlord had snatched it from the very hands of the traitorous Melune and everyone it seemed was searching for him. He sat listening to their discourse, his eyes intent on the campfire as if he half- expected to see the Carner Blues reappear.
"We have been searching for you nigh on 2 weeks now," Kerrinais said, "Tell us Gandalf, have you seen Gwaihir?"
"No," Gandalf replied, "He has not crossed my path. I knew some ill destiny was come into Middle-Earth, but I would not have conceived of such a misfortune as this! At least the stone is in good hands for the present. I know not how it might have been procured, but we must locate Gwaihir as soon as can be."
"The Fendowan will be most distressed to hear you do not already possess the stone," Legolas said grimly, "We should return to our own camp with all possible speed and let her know you are at least found."
Gandalf immediately lowered his pipe and gasped.
"You have brought a Fendowan WITH you? Why did you not tell me at once? We must go at once!"
Gandalf pulled himself up with his staff and immediately turned towards the darkness of the woods. He whistled four times. Within a few short minutes, a magnificent bay stallion appeared out of the darkness. Gandalf smiled at the horse appreciatively, and then he began walking in the direction from where the elves came. The elves followed suit, almost sprinting to keep up with him.
"Kizea, the Fendowan master, has accompanied us to search for you and the stone," Kerrinais said as he quickly followed the wizard. Although old and elderly in appearance, Gandalf was possessed of great energy and endurance.
"If Kizea has journeyed so far into the wilderness to find me, our peril must be greater than I originally thought. We have no time to lose! I must speak to her without delay!"
They sped along in the woods until the faint outline of the elven camp came into view. Tenmelion and Kizea's horses were there, calmly munching on a thicket of blackberries, but Moaanen and Neonean were gone. So were Tenmelion and Kizea. Gandalf looked around the area, surveying every rock and tree. Nothing seemed out of place. No sign of ambush or attack. Gandalf relaxed his stance.
"They may be patrolling the area," Kerrinais said looking around, "We should split up and find them."
"I believe I know where Kizea is," said Legolas, "She is most likely down at the river's edge."
"Very well," exclaimed Gandalf, "Come with me Kerrinais, and we will search the woods for your other companion. Legolas go down to the river and retrieve Kizea. Let us meet back here with all haste!"
They parted company, and Legolas sprinted off in the direction of the Bruinen. Legolas was now most anxious to find Kizea. Gandalf's demeanor and urgency had worried him exceedingly, and he was eager to reunite everyone. There was safety in numbers.
Legolas sprinted towards the river while the others went to the forest to locate Tenmelion. Now that Gandalf was found, it would be a simple matter for him to call upon Gwaihir, or at least, so he thought. The moon was nearly at its apex in the sky. Legolas's feet sank into the soft mosses that lined the banks of the Bruinen. His sense of urgency prevented him from creeping stealthily through the reeds and brush, besides, seldom was a Fendowan taken by surprise, or an elf for that matter. But Legolas WAS surprised. As he drew near to the banks his keen ears detected a soft, melodious humming rising over the sounds of the rushing water. He stopped, perplexed, and peered through the reeds to the river's edge. There was Kizea, bathing. She splashed and swirled the water about with her hands gaily as would a child, and she was humming. Her voice, light and delicate was familiar to him somehow, but he thought little of it. He had heard much singing past the time when he began to care of such things. Every voice seemed to remind him of his Nevariel, and this was no different.
Standing silently, Legolas's eyes tightened on her muscular outline. He had never seen what was underneath a Fendowan's heavy tunic before. He half expected her to have some obvious magical properties underneath it all. He was not entirely surprised to find nothing. Still, he was not completely disappointed either. Despite her mortal flaws, she was, in her own way, quite beautiful. Her skin was alabaster white, with long-healed scars dotting her chiseled arms. Her long auburn hair fell in wet curls around her shoulders. The only thing she wore was her mask, its gold patina caught hold of the tiniest bits of moonlight and reflected glints and glimmers of yellow, green and red all around. Long strings of red garnets kept her mask in place. They fell aimlessly about her shoulders as well, mingling with her hair. Kizea stood up wringing her hair with her hands, her back towards the elf. The moonlight betrayed a healed 5-inch scar down the middle of her back. Legolas wondered what savage battle she was embroiled in to have left such a bitter reminder.
He stepped forward through the brush to the water's edge, staring at Kizea. Upon hearing the elf, the girl immediately dropped into the water again, until it was up to her neck. She glared at Legolas angrily.
"I had not conceived the elves so discourteous as to watch me bath uninvited!" she snapped, "I would beg you to leave!"
Legolas squatted down at the water's edge.
"Forgive my intrusion, but we have found Gandalf nearby and he begs you would join us back at the camp!"
"Then divert your eyes, sir elf, lest one of my daggers finds its way to them! None are allowed to gaze upon me without my clothes! Hurry!"
Legolas stood up, turning his back to her. He could plainly hear Kizea trudging out of the water. Her clothes were 10 ft from him, resting atop the still river reeds. Legolas waited patiently. Kizea's behavior often bewildered him. At times she was receptive and intensely interested in the elves, other times she displayed behavior more like when they had first met in Mirkwood, standoffish and arrogant. If the woodland elves of Middle- Earth had but one flaw, it was their inability to recognize and transition to the social etiquettes of other societies.
Legolas would think little of happening upon another elf bathing in the river, especially one in his own hunting party, and no other elf would think him rude for doing it. However, the Fendowans were intensely private, hiding all aspects of their physical selves. It was forbidden for any Fendowan to watch another undress without their permission, and this was never given. Legolas had simply not considered this possibility. To him, his stepping through the reeds and crunching over the leaves had been loud enough for her to hear, but the Fendowan had let her guard down. Kizea was angry with herself for not hearing the elf's approach straightaway. In any other situation, this could have been a deadly mistake. He had surprised her.
For the entire return trip to the camp then, she grumbled angrily under her breath, and would not walk beside the elf, but behind him. Legolas simply brushed the whole incident off. He had achieved his task in retrieving Kizea, now the wizard could have her, and at least part of his journey was over. He felt he would soon be able to leave that part of the land and go home to Mirkwood to nurse his grief once more. When they broke the thicket of trees, they could plainly seen Kerrinais and Tenmelion busily preparing an evening meal of fish. This wasn't a common occurrence. Normally, the group picked and ate sporadically. Seldom was a meal cooked over a fire, but then, seldom did the elves entertain a wizard, much less Mithrandir.
There were several fish skewered through sticks, barbequing over the campfire. Tenmelion was cleaning some freshly picked blackberries and Kerrinais was cleaning some wild carrots they had found previously. The woods were thick with them. There were also walnuts and tiny elderberries. Gandalf was busily talking to the elves as they worked, sitting upon a large stone that jutted up from the ground like a stool. He leaned on his staff with one hand, and held a long and worn wooden pipe with the other. His mood was merry and joyful, and he looked as though he was merely having a nice evening with some good friends, not as the pivotal stone on which the world's precarious fate now hung.
"Come, come!" Gandalf said loudly, "Come and eat! We have a feast and good company!"
Kizea peered distrustfully around Legolas's back at the wizard. She was like a shy child that did not want to stray too far from her mother's leg. But in the end, she had no choice but to come forward. Without further prompting, Legolas proceeded into the camp, leaving the Fendowan standing in the shallows of the trees, gazing at the group. No sooner had Legolas sat down, when Moaanen and Neonean ambled over her from the other side of the camp, and began to nudge her with their muzzles. She stepped back a foot to keep her balance, and quietly lifted a hand to pet Neonean's nose. Gandalf lifted his eyebrows, and continued to eat.
"She prefers a horse's company to that of the elves." Tenmelion said half jokingly to Gandalf. The wizard did not look up.
"They have accepted her as part of their herd," Gandalf replied, "Do not take that as a bad sign, Tenmelion, guardian of Mirkwood. Often a horse can be wiser than his master. He would alert us to danger long before we, ourselves see it. I would sooner trust a Fendowan who befriends a horse than one who's presence would chase him away."
They continued to eat until only one fish remained on the skewers. Still, Kizea stood at the edge of the forest, looking on and around the entire scene. Sometimes gazing at the trees, sometimes stepping behind the horses so that less of her was exposed. As critical as it was for Kizea to speak to the wizard, she also wanted to be sure that it was not some trick Melune was playing upon her. No one prompted her to come into camp, but they sat and talked without a care. It wasn't until Neonean ambled up to Legolas, that the group knew Kizea had come.
She reached over, plucking the final fish from the campfire. Backing away, she chose a spot to sit some five feet from Legolas. She used one of her golden daggers to cut away pieces of fish from the wooden spit, and then she carefully placed the dagger in front of her, for a quick retrieval. Gandalf noticed this, but he was not offended by the gesture. He realized that he was the only one within the group who might overcome her, and she had to be sure of him before she could let her guard down. Time crept by that evening. The elves talked of Mirkwood and the marvelous feast they would all have upon their return. Gandalf spoke to them of where his journeys had taken him, although, as a matter of courtesy, he did not mention his passage into the surrounding mountains of Mordor, and what he had seen of the billowing volcano there. Kizea waited for Gandalf to begin the one conversation she knew they must have. As usual, Kerrinais and Tenmelion went into the woods to patrol the area. Legolas decided to take the horses to the river for a drink. At last, the wizard and Kizea were alone.
"It is good to see you again, my dear," Gandalf said finally. Kizea looked at him quizzically.
"You mistake me for another," Kizea said in a serious tone of voice, "You have never been to Goldorma, or surely I would have known it. And I have never journeyed away until now. But let us away with such idle pleasantries, Gandalf. I have no need for social etiquettes. We have serious matters to discuss."
Kizea then repeated what the elves had already told him. She spoke of the stone's abduction, and how she overheard Melune's intentions to raise Rakal and his horrific armies once she acquired it, and how Valnin and the others were dead or dispersed, and now only she remained.
"Hmmmm, yes" Gandalf replied finally, "We must find Gwaihir straightaway. But take heart. While the stone is in his possession, no harm will come to it. And I do not believe the Fendowan master, Melune, can fly."
"Not yet," Kizea exclaimed, "But she has acquired many new talents since she has come away from the mountain. Neither was she able to conjure a demon to help her on her way."
"Such powers take much energy to produce," Gandalf reassured her, "She has not yet the strength to conjure at will, only at great need. It will take her time to find Gwaihir. My concerns for the Stone of Anor lie closer to home than to Melune."
Kizea seemed confused by his statement.
"What do you mean?" she asked in a whisper as she looked about the camp.
"Surely you do not believe that one of the elves intends to do evil with the stone," she said, incredulous, "They might be ill-mannered, but they are trustworthy."
"No," replied the wizard taking another puff of his pipe, "I do not worry about the elves."
Kizea stiffened her back as she stared at Gandalf.
"You do not accuse ME!" Kizea exclaimed, aghast.
Gandalf sighed. He was at a quandary as to how much information he should reveal. The truth was that he knew many things before being told them, and once Legolas and Kerrinais had explained the current situation to him, several things began to fall into place in Gandalf's mind.
"My dear, I would accuse any who intends to destroy a mystical gem such as the Stone of Anor. Unlike the rings of power, the stone MAY be destroyed, as I suspect you are aware. But because of its destruction, the equilibrium and light that it sets upon Middle-Earth will be destroyed with it."
Kizea flashed him a disconcerted look, and she shifted uneasily on her seat. She bent her head low, not caring who saw or heard her. The wizard had read her very deepest thoughts it seemed. Her lowest designs were now laid bare to him. Her true intentions were to return Valnin to life and then destroy the stone, bringing its useless pieces to King Thranduil after.
"What would you know of it? You do not wield the flame of Anor. You cannot know its power, or what will become of the world should it fall to the wrong hands. But I do Gandalf, and I fear in my heart for all living creatures. When Melune is done, there will be no living thing left in the world." she whispered, anger growing in her voice.
"Your intentions are good, Kizea, priestess of the Fendowan," Gandalf admonished, "I know that after you bring your brother to life, you would obliterate the stone and thereby prevent Melune or any other demon from ever obtaining it. But in destroying the Stone of Anor, you would do more harm than good, though you realize it not. And it would not alter the evil that Melune would unleash. She is what she is. And without her, evil would simply wait and find another venue for its freedom. Can you not see that?"
"I can see nothing! A lifetime have I been imprisoned behind this mask!" Kizea said bitterly, "Stolen from my home, my family and forced into darkness and slavery! And now my only fragment of my past lies dead in Tuluth, with as much thanks to Melune! Your precious elven stone also brought HER to life from the dead, or did you not know THAT? The stone prefers not the warmth of the light or the cold of the dark, Gandalf, but will provide equally for both! I have come to believe the stone of Anor is not good, but evil. Did it not choose that demon as its protector as well? If Melune obtains the stone, there is no limit to the destruction she will cause! Do you think in my returning it to the mountain and reestablishing the Fendowan order, she would give up her quest? She will always lust after it, and her search will not end until she finds it. And I have not the power to stop her. That is why I would destroy it! If the stone is gone, she might never use it for the Dark Lord's purpose!"
"The stone of Anor is not a thing of evil," Gandalf said gently, "But it would reflect goodness in the hands of the right keeper. The stone chose YOU Kizea, over endless numbers of others because of your courageous heart. You were chosen to counter its evil side. You were chosen to keep it from Melune and be the instrument of its protection."
"But," she stammered, "The stone could not have foreseen this ill future! It brought us to it as a common defense against outsiders only, not to fight against each other! I cannot defeat Melune! We swore an oath never to shed the blood of another Fendowan. Even Melune was unable to kill me when we fought in the elven king's throne room. Some unseen force prevented her from finishing me. I do not want this responsibility any longer, Gandalf. I would only make the world safe as can be and then retreat back to the mountain to live out what is left of my life with my brother."
"If you are so resolute, my dear, take off your mask. And then let another take the responsibility from your shoulders." Gandalf smiled.
"What?" asked Kizea, "What do you mean?"
"If you are resolute to being a Fendowan no more in the world," smiled the wizard, "Then simply remove your mask, and be a Fendowan no more."
Kizea's eyes grew wide and she stared blankly into the fire, but then an astonished realization came to her. Never before had she considered that being a Fendowan was a matter of free choice. She had simply never thought about it. Her voice grew grim again.
"Gandalf," she said quietly, "You said you knew me before. Tell me truthfully, who am I?"
The wizard bent his head low and sighed. He did not answer her for some minutes, and Kizea did not repeat the question. Instead, she merely waited for his eventual answer.
"I am not entirely sure, my dear," he said finally, "I only believe I know, but until your face is revealed, we will not know for certain. And it would do you no good service to speak a name that you hold no memory of or value to. I CAN tell you of the great heart you must possess, or you would never have achieved your present station. I know that you long to discover your previous life, but from the discovery is exacted a heavy price. I am sure you realize, when you shed your Fendowan mask there is no going back. Before giving up such a supreme honor, please think about what you are now and the good you can achieve now."
Kizea nodded, bringing her hand up to her mask. She slowly drifted her fingers across the gemstones that lined it one side. She was not ready yet. She gazed down and felt of a small string underneath her tunic, and Gandalf eyed her actions with great attention. But she did not reveal what lay underneath. Instead she stood up.
"Thank you Gandalf," she said with a touch of sadness in her voice, "I think I would keep my mask awhile yet. I must go on patrol now, for I would not leave all the work to the elves."
Gandalf nodded and watched Kizea as she stepped over a bedroll and walked towards the woods.