A/N: Changes made - new chapter soon, I swear!! Important notice at the
bottom about one big change I made, please don't hurt me for it!!
Chapter Five
The Council of Elrond had passed. The Fellowship had been formed, and had left. Melian was worried for all of them. No, perhaps worried wasn't the right word; she was simply troubled. She had confidence that all of them could make it back, if the Ring didn't take over their minds, and they worked together.
It had been a little over two months since the Fellowship had set out from Rivendell. Elrond had received news from the Lady Galadriel that the Fellowship had passed through Lothlorien without Gandalf whom had fallen in Moria. Both of them knew that he would, however, return from the Mines, and become more powerful than before. Also, the Lady Galadriel told Elrond that she had sent for the Dunedain in the north, and that they would be coming through Rivendell to rest and renew any supplies to continue their journey to the Golden Wood. Although Galadriel did not mention it, Melian knew Halbarad would be leading them.
As excited as she was, Melian had to carry on as though his arrival simply meant that a.friend was coming. At this point, she knew it was more than friendship, and that she was falling in love with this mortal man, but she could only guess at his feelings, and she knew what her father would say.
While sitting in the library one day, a messenger came to her. "Lord Elrond requests your presence for the arrival of the Dunedain."
Melian couldn't help but smile, and nodded at the messenger as she stood to leave. Quickly, she walked down the hall, checking herself so she didn't run. Finally, after what seemed like ages, Melian reached the Entrance Hall. Elrond stood near the doors, awaiting the arrival of the Dunedain.
"Melian! Hurry! The Dunedain will be here in a moment," Arwen called to her.
Immediately, Melian rushed to her sister's side. As she had said, perhaps half a minute later, the doors opened to reveal thirty tired and dirty men, all clad in armor and cloaks, some with swords and some with bows. Melian gasped at the sight. It was obvious that they had made great haste to go to the aid of their captain, and that many of them had fought along the path to Rivendell. The man in the front walked up to Lord Elrond whom had moved to stand next to Arwen, and bowed. Removing his hood, Melian was greeted with the sight of Halbarad's bright hazel eyes.
"Lord Elrond. My men and I are most grateful for your hospitality, especially with such large numbers. We pray we shall not be a burden during our short stay."
"Of course not, Halbarad. I will see to your wounded after dinner, unless there are some that require more immediate attention. How long will you and your men be staying in Imladris before moving on to Lothlorien?"
"If possible, with our wounded, and with the exhaustion we now are burdened with my Lord, we would like to request a week of stay."
Elrond nodded, and Melian smiled slightly. Halbarad bowed again to Elrond, and then to Arwen and Melian.
"I can provide fifteen rooms for your men, and one for yourself. You will be shown to your rooms after dinner."
"With all due respect, my Lord, I would like to be staying in the same conditions as my men, and will gladly share a room."
Understanding, Elrond gave his assent, then turned and led everyone into the Dining Hall, where a feast had been laid out for the ravenous Dunedain. Halbarad caught up to Melian and whispered, " It's very good to see you again, Lady Nilromen. My heart rejoices. Will you do me the honor of meeting me at the waterfall an hour before the new day*?"
Melian smiled and nodded with excitement racing through her heart, then hurried to her seat next to her father. Dinner passed smoothly with Melian anxiously awaiting her meeting with Halbarad.
The moon lit her path as Melian raced to the waterfall. When she was not far away, her keen ears' picked up the sound of the water hitting the rocks below. Ahead, she could barely glimpse the natural bridge that crossed the pool of water. Finally, she slowed to a walk and emerged from the trees.
"Halbarad? Where are you?"
"Behind you."
Melian jumped and flipped around, only to be greeted with the sight of Halbarad with an amused smile upon his face. "Are you laughing at me?"
"I would not think of such a thing, my Lady. I am glad you decided to meet me here."
"Why would I refuse such a request?"
"I don't know. Perhaps you were scared, or horrified at my request. Why did you come?"
"I think a better question, amin mellon**, is: why did you ask me to come?"
Halbarad sighed heavily, and walked over to the pool of water, sitting on a large rock. Absentmindedly, he began throwing rocks out into the torrents of water. Melian, worried, walked over and sat beside him. As he began to throw another rock, she put her hand on his arm, making him stop and look at her.
"Halbarad? What's wrong?"
He hung his head. "I wanted to tell you - oh Illuvatar, it's hopeless!"
Standing, Halbarad made to leave, but in the blink of an eye, Melian had blocked his path. Desperately, as there was a little voice in the back of her head speaking her hopes, she said, "Please. Halbarad, we are friends - we do not hide things from each other, and do not laugh when secrets are revealed, or scorn. We simply carry on."
"But that's the problem! If I say what I have to say, then we will not be able to carry on. Something will change, and that change will, in all probability, tear us apart!"
When he started to move again, Melian literally pushed him back, making him stumble back onto the rock. Furious, she cried, "Sometimes you've got to take that risk! Look, if you aren't going to say what you have to say, then I'm going to say something! It's tormented me for months, and I don't want it to any longer. I- I'm falling in love with you."
Halbarad's head jerked up. "You're- what?"
"I'm falling in love with you. I-I realized it when you last left. I didn't get to see you, except for at meals, and I felt an overwhelming sadness. Arwen realized what was going on and told me about her and Aragorn, and slowly I understood." A tear ran down her cheek. "I didn't know love could hurt, but, at times it does. My father - he wants nothing more than for me to go with him to the Undying Lands. If he knew - I don't want to think about it."
Turning away from him, she let the tears fall. After a moment, she realized that two strong arms had encircled her waist. Hesitantly, Halbarad whispered in her ear, "Thank you. You said that far better than I was going to."
Melian tensed and turned in his arms. "You wanted to - were going to - oh Illuvatar."
Throwing her arms around his neck, she buried her head in his shoulder. He smelled of pine. But then she pulled away. "Wait. What about my father? He's too protective of me, and there is no way on Middle-Earth he will allow this!"
"Melian - he can't stop it. Your fate is your choice, and not his own. If nothing else, he can only stop me from seeing you. Even that, however, won't matter if we are meant to walk in this life together."
His words sounded so sensible and even eloquent that Melian simply smiled. She was so happy, here in his arms. Feeling her joy, Halbarad laughed and twirled her around, lifting her just off the ground. Their laughter mingled into the night, and was swept away with the wind like music.
Translations/meanings: * - This means 11:00 PM, not an hour before dawn. **- Amin mellon = My friend - somebody tell me - should this be such as it is (amin mellon), or should it be mellon amin. Everyone says melamin (my love) so, should this be 'backwards' as well? Please tell me in a review, that I hope you will leave despite the question! : )
Okay, so this wasn't that great, cuz I kinda threw it together, but can oyu believe I updated??? I'm so proud of myself, and I beg you forgiveness for it taking so horribly long. It's been a hard time to get through cuz of family and writing problems, but here it is!!!! Anyway, plz leave a review, and don't flame.
I CHANGED SOME THINGS SO THAT THIS REMAINS PG MATERIAL!!!! Originally, there was going to be a shadow in Melian's past, but, I decided that might make her too, well, weak and too 'important'. In no way do I want Melian to overshadow Arwen, as that could be considered sacrilege of J.R.R. Tolkien's work. ( Also, if I had used this 'shadow' then I would have been forced to up the rating. (
Okay, so what do you think? PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!! Thanks to all my reviewers and my beta reader Melian Nilromen (only similarity between character and person is the name) who is also an author on FanFiction.Net!!
Chapter Five
The Council of Elrond had passed. The Fellowship had been formed, and had left. Melian was worried for all of them. No, perhaps worried wasn't the right word; she was simply troubled. She had confidence that all of them could make it back, if the Ring didn't take over their minds, and they worked together.
It had been a little over two months since the Fellowship had set out from Rivendell. Elrond had received news from the Lady Galadriel that the Fellowship had passed through Lothlorien without Gandalf whom had fallen in Moria. Both of them knew that he would, however, return from the Mines, and become more powerful than before. Also, the Lady Galadriel told Elrond that she had sent for the Dunedain in the north, and that they would be coming through Rivendell to rest and renew any supplies to continue their journey to the Golden Wood. Although Galadriel did not mention it, Melian knew Halbarad would be leading them.
As excited as she was, Melian had to carry on as though his arrival simply meant that a.friend was coming. At this point, she knew it was more than friendship, and that she was falling in love with this mortal man, but she could only guess at his feelings, and she knew what her father would say.
While sitting in the library one day, a messenger came to her. "Lord Elrond requests your presence for the arrival of the Dunedain."
Melian couldn't help but smile, and nodded at the messenger as she stood to leave. Quickly, she walked down the hall, checking herself so she didn't run. Finally, after what seemed like ages, Melian reached the Entrance Hall. Elrond stood near the doors, awaiting the arrival of the Dunedain.
"Melian! Hurry! The Dunedain will be here in a moment," Arwen called to her.
Immediately, Melian rushed to her sister's side. As she had said, perhaps half a minute later, the doors opened to reveal thirty tired and dirty men, all clad in armor and cloaks, some with swords and some with bows. Melian gasped at the sight. It was obvious that they had made great haste to go to the aid of their captain, and that many of them had fought along the path to Rivendell. The man in the front walked up to Lord Elrond whom had moved to stand next to Arwen, and bowed. Removing his hood, Melian was greeted with the sight of Halbarad's bright hazel eyes.
"Lord Elrond. My men and I are most grateful for your hospitality, especially with such large numbers. We pray we shall not be a burden during our short stay."
"Of course not, Halbarad. I will see to your wounded after dinner, unless there are some that require more immediate attention. How long will you and your men be staying in Imladris before moving on to Lothlorien?"
"If possible, with our wounded, and with the exhaustion we now are burdened with my Lord, we would like to request a week of stay."
Elrond nodded, and Melian smiled slightly. Halbarad bowed again to Elrond, and then to Arwen and Melian.
"I can provide fifteen rooms for your men, and one for yourself. You will be shown to your rooms after dinner."
"With all due respect, my Lord, I would like to be staying in the same conditions as my men, and will gladly share a room."
Understanding, Elrond gave his assent, then turned and led everyone into the Dining Hall, where a feast had been laid out for the ravenous Dunedain. Halbarad caught up to Melian and whispered, " It's very good to see you again, Lady Nilromen. My heart rejoices. Will you do me the honor of meeting me at the waterfall an hour before the new day*?"
Melian smiled and nodded with excitement racing through her heart, then hurried to her seat next to her father. Dinner passed smoothly with Melian anxiously awaiting her meeting with Halbarad.
The moon lit her path as Melian raced to the waterfall. When she was not far away, her keen ears' picked up the sound of the water hitting the rocks below. Ahead, she could barely glimpse the natural bridge that crossed the pool of water. Finally, she slowed to a walk and emerged from the trees.
"Halbarad? Where are you?"
"Behind you."
Melian jumped and flipped around, only to be greeted with the sight of Halbarad with an amused smile upon his face. "Are you laughing at me?"
"I would not think of such a thing, my Lady. I am glad you decided to meet me here."
"Why would I refuse such a request?"
"I don't know. Perhaps you were scared, or horrified at my request. Why did you come?"
"I think a better question, amin mellon**, is: why did you ask me to come?"
Halbarad sighed heavily, and walked over to the pool of water, sitting on a large rock. Absentmindedly, he began throwing rocks out into the torrents of water. Melian, worried, walked over and sat beside him. As he began to throw another rock, she put her hand on his arm, making him stop and look at her.
"Halbarad? What's wrong?"
He hung his head. "I wanted to tell you - oh Illuvatar, it's hopeless!"
Standing, Halbarad made to leave, but in the blink of an eye, Melian had blocked his path. Desperately, as there was a little voice in the back of her head speaking her hopes, she said, "Please. Halbarad, we are friends - we do not hide things from each other, and do not laugh when secrets are revealed, or scorn. We simply carry on."
"But that's the problem! If I say what I have to say, then we will not be able to carry on. Something will change, and that change will, in all probability, tear us apart!"
When he started to move again, Melian literally pushed him back, making him stumble back onto the rock. Furious, she cried, "Sometimes you've got to take that risk! Look, if you aren't going to say what you have to say, then I'm going to say something! It's tormented me for months, and I don't want it to any longer. I- I'm falling in love with you."
Halbarad's head jerked up. "You're- what?"
"I'm falling in love with you. I-I realized it when you last left. I didn't get to see you, except for at meals, and I felt an overwhelming sadness. Arwen realized what was going on and told me about her and Aragorn, and slowly I understood." A tear ran down her cheek. "I didn't know love could hurt, but, at times it does. My father - he wants nothing more than for me to go with him to the Undying Lands. If he knew - I don't want to think about it."
Turning away from him, she let the tears fall. After a moment, she realized that two strong arms had encircled her waist. Hesitantly, Halbarad whispered in her ear, "Thank you. You said that far better than I was going to."
Melian tensed and turned in his arms. "You wanted to - were going to - oh Illuvatar."
Throwing her arms around his neck, she buried her head in his shoulder. He smelled of pine. But then she pulled away. "Wait. What about my father? He's too protective of me, and there is no way on Middle-Earth he will allow this!"
"Melian - he can't stop it. Your fate is your choice, and not his own. If nothing else, he can only stop me from seeing you. Even that, however, won't matter if we are meant to walk in this life together."
His words sounded so sensible and even eloquent that Melian simply smiled. She was so happy, here in his arms. Feeling her joy, Halbarad laughed and twirled her around, lifting her just off the ground. Their laughter mingled into the night, and was swept away with the wind like music.
Translations/meanings: * - This means 11:00 PM, not an hour before dawn. **- Amin mellon = My friend - somebody tell me - should this be such as it is (amin mellon), or should it be mellon amin. Everyone says melamin (my love) so, should this be 'backwards' as well? Please tell me in a review, that I hope you will leave despite the question! : )
Okay, so this wasn't that great, cuz I kinda threw it together, but can oyu believe I updated??? I'm so proud of myself, and I beg you forgiveness for it taking so horribly long. It's been a hard time to get through cuz of family and writing problems, but here it is!!!! Anyway, plz leave a review, and don't flame.
I CHANGED SOME THINGS SO THAT THIS REMAINS PG MATERIAL!!!! Originally, there was going to be a shadow in Melian's past, but, I decided that might make her too, well, weak and too 'important'. In no way do I want Melian to overshadow Arwen, as that could be considered sacrilege of J.R.R. Tolkien's work. ( Also, if I had used this 'shadow' then I would have been forced to up the rating. (
Okay, so what do you think? PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!! Thanks to all my reviewers and my beta reader Melian Nilromen (only similarity between character and person is the name) who is also an author on FanFiction.Net!!