I do hope this chapter is liked. I wrote 2 chapters in one day. This one required more thinking and looking back into the history. Please enjoy and review!
Chapter VI
End of the New, Beginning of the Old
With hopes alike, as well as fates, my mother and I pray for and end and a beginning to all of this. But will that end and beginning ever come? Will my mother finally be reunited with her love? How do you awake a mortal Man from endless rest? How do you keep an ever living Elven-maid from a life of loneliness? How does one reunite the Elven people back to the dying lands of Middle-Earth? As of now, I do not have an answer to any of these. Perhaps there never will be one. That truth is not to be faced now. Let me succeed, and then will I know. But for now, a mysterious path is laid before me. I will follow it and overcome whatever obstacle withholding me back.
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And wither then? I cannot say.
Evenstar walked unconsciously through the woods of Lorien, not really thinking of anything at all. Instead just walked. Unbeknownst to him, Beren lurked from behind, with Evenstar aware of his presence, though not really heeding him. He followed as Evenstar walked down a staircase between two trees. On the bottom seemed to lay an empty bowl atop a tree trunk. A stream of pure water was found falling beneath a tree, with a pitcher just beside the stream.
Evenstar walked towards the pitcher and filled it with the falling water. Beren hid behind a tree just above the staircase, ever watchful of Evenstar. She poured the water slowly into the bowl, then placed the pitcher on the ground. With a sigh, placing both palms onto the trunk, she leaned in and looked inside the bowl. Evenstar wept and she was stung by pain, but she held her pose and continued looking. Beren wanted to run down, seeing her in torment, but it will soon be over, he thought. And then she walked away from the bowl, breathing heavily. She closed her eyes, clearing those horrid visions. "No need to hide behind a tree, Beren." He heard her. Embarrassed, he stepped out from his hiding place and went down to her. She opened her eyes and smiled. "You knew I was here?" He asked. Evenstar nodded. "I was well aware of your presence since I left Cerin Amroth. But do not fret, I do not mind you following." He leaned to take a look into the bowl which was now empty. "What happened? What did you see?" "That, sir, is only for me to know." She replied, then continued, "though I will tell you about this bowl if you wish it." He nodded. "It is not just any ordinary bowl," she explained, "as you can see. It's actually a mirror, my grandmother's mirror to be in fact. Lady Galadriel of Lorien. The water poured into the mirror is enchanted and used to see the life behind you, the life you live now, and the life before you." He nodded. "I see. Would I be one fit to look inside?" She shook her head. "Not at the moment, but in time, when you have grown and obtained more knowledge, perhaps then will you have the strength to look inside." She smiled at him. "But for now, I must bid you farewell for I have a long journey ahead of me." She began to walk towards the staircase. "Wait!" He yelled and caught up to her. Grabbing her arm, he asked "Let me come with you, to where ever it is you are going to. I have much to ask of you, and I would like the opportunity to know you. You cannot refuse such a small request." She laughed at him then. "No request is small in your case." With that, she walked up the stairs. Confused, he followed behind her. "Now what exactly do you mean by that?" She refused to explain herself, so instead let him follow her in silence.
* * *
After a few minutes of walking in silence, Evenstar found Legolas who was beneath a bridge, sitting inside a swan-shaped canoe. She walked down to the docking, with Beren beside her. Legolas spotted the two and smiled upon them welcomingly. "How did things go, milady?" Legolas asked, stepping out of the canoe. "Quite well." She replied, hugging him as he approached her. She whispered into his ears "She lives still, Legolas." He laughed and gave her a joyous embrace. Beren did not like the show of emotions what so ever. It may have been out of joy for Evenstar's mother, but he knew that relationships grew and he didn't want that between Evenstar and Legolas. So he interrupted their show of emotion. "So where are the two of you headed?" He asked. Legolas answered, "That, gentle Sir, I'm afraid we cannot tell you. We appreciate your help and wish for you all the best. Let us begin our journey back, milady. We have not time to waste." Evenstar smiled at Beren, then spoke to Legolas. "Give me a moment with him. I shall meet you where the horses await. Go now." Legolas nodded and went running to the horses. "You would not wish to follow me." She told Beren then. "And why not?" he asked. She replied softly, "Because falling in love with me would bring you to your fall." She kissed his cheek then and walked away. This woman was full of many mysteries, Beren thought. And he wasn't going to give up on her, ever. So he followed them secretly, through narrow paths which he knew well.
* * *
Passing through the misty valley, it was quite hard for Beren to keep track of the two. Though he was well trained and had unimaginably keen senses for a mere Man. After two days of traveling, they finally came to an end. The mist was gone, and all around were luscious trees and plants of all sorts. Rivers and falls could be seen in the distance. Beren knew exactly where he was. Rivendell. He had once visited a land surrounded by mist. It was when he was a younger child. Though by that time only Dark Elves dwelled in that land. It was Rivendell, the Hidden Refuge that he remembered dwelling in once. He wished that he had seen it when it was in it's full stature.
Beren followed quietly, knowing that both Evenstar and Legolas had keen Elven senses themselves. He let them go their way in Rivendell, deciding to find Evenstar later that eve. After Evenstar and Legolas were far ahead, he entered Rivendell, hiding his horse near a riverbank just outside the city. He was in awe and amazed by the sight of Rivendell. It was more than he could ever ask for. Though the refuge was barren. It looked almost dead if not for the growing plants and running waters. He spotted Evenstar and Legolas climb a flight of stairs and enter a building. He let them be for the time being and decided to take a look around.
* * *
Back atop the meeting platform, Evenstar was surprised to see all seats filled with a variety of races. There, to represent Men, was Evenstar's brother, the King of Men, and his right arm man, Bergil, son of Beregond, member of the White Company. Beside them was Gimli and a few of his kin. And beside them, whom Evenstar stared at in amazement, were two little creatures. "Hobbits." Gandalf stated, who was at the high chair in the circle. Evenstar turned to him, then to the two small creatures known as hobbits. Both, were already far in age, though didn't show a sign of weariness, except for one. That one rose to greet Evenstar. He smiled as he looked upon her face. Kissing her palm and bowing, he said "Greetings, Evenstar, daughter of Arwen, Queen of the Elves. My name is Frodo Baggins, of the Shire, once the Keeper of the One Ring. I have sailed across to the West and back in haste to aid you on your quest." The other Hobbit stepped up as well, also greeting Evenstar. "Hail and well met, milady. I am Samwise Gamgee, also of the Shire, and once for a moment the Keeper of the One Ring." Frodo spoke again. "We were two of the nine Companions, along side your father. He served me well, Evenstar. He was a good man. Loyal and trustworthy. Now I ask that you put your trust in me. I will serve you, as your father did to me." He whispered to her then. "I feel your pains. I suffered much during my time here in Middle-Earth. Coming back only makes it worse. But that pain will fail to cease until those that have wounded me are gone forever. But to ease my pain is not what I ask of you. That is not it at all. I can live with pain, as long as I know my beloved land is safe from the Nazgul and of Sauron's evil creatures for good. Also, I've spent much of my time with the Elves of the elder days. I grew to love them, especially your mother and the Lady Galadriel. I am behind you on your quest to destroy the remaining Nazgul and to return the Elves back to Middle-Earth. Oh, and by the way, the Lady sends her greetings. The Elessar I believe was sent to you by our dear Gandalf?" Evenstar nodded. "Aye, he did give it to me. Though I lent it to someone who suffers more than I do." Frodo nodded and smiled. "That Elessar has helped me through hard times. Your mother gave it to me as a gift, telling me that it will cure me when I am wounded. I hope that it will work as well for her as it has for me."
Gandalf stood then. "Come, friends, there is little time for acquaintances now. We've all gathered here to report our progresses. Men of Gondor, what have thee to say?" Eldarion spoke on behalf of his people. "I have rode quick to Edoras, sending my messengers back to Minas Tirith to prepare an army of ten thousand. That is all that I can spare at the moment from my army, but as for the Rohirrim and other people of my land, they were sent a message and have ordered an army, sending them to Helms Deep. As for the quantity, we have not gotten word of just how much yet. I shall ride in two days to Edoras to meet with their militia, then we will ride South, to Helms Deep, where my army awaits and protects any enemy passing. And now for the progress of the Mountain dwarfs." Gimli stood, tall and proud. "I have reunited with my kind, and they have sworn once again to aid the King of Men. They work now to forge weapons and armor. Some have chosen to aid us in the battle fields and will meet down South in Helms Deep as well." Gandalf nodded. "As for me," he spoke, "I have searched hard for the remaining Elves in Mirkwood and other woods here in the North. I have found them, but all they wish for is peace again. Their hearts are tormented by the dying Elven lands. But a few have agreed to lend us their bows and aid us as well. But I shall tell you this now: the Nazgul will not fight in Helms Deep. They will not even come close. They await in the ruins of the Dark Tower, where only one is strong enough to step onto the lands of Mordor." Evenstar new what was requested of her and what was to be done. The faith behind Gandalf's eyes is all that Evenstar needed. She gave it no second thought. With her head held up high, she spoke like a true queen. "That is the task appointed to me since birth, and I will do all I can to make sure it is done. I will ride in two days to Helms Deep with my brother, and from there, we shall make our parting."
"No!" A voice yelled. Just then Beren, who was in hiding, jumped onto the platform and stood before Evenstar. "What are you doing here?" Evenstar whispered angrily to Beren. He only looked at her. Eldarion, worried for his sister, immediately drew his sword and came after Beren. "Don't!" Evenstar commanded her brother, and she stood in front of Beren. "He wishes no harm." She turned to Beren, and asked aloud "Again, what are you doing here? I told you not to follow me." Beren smiled. "Correction, you said it would be wise not to follow you." He was mocking her, and in the midst of a brewing war, he had the nerve to jest. Angry, she turned away from him and let her brother take over. "My sister has asked of your being here. How dare you even think of following her. Explain yourself." Eldarion stood with his sword still wielded. Beren was prepared to defend himself. "I will not deny that I have followed your sister here because she has enchanted me. That is exactly why I am here in Rivendell. And that is the reason why I will not allow her to venture to the land of Mordor alone. I will journey with her whether you approve of it or not." Evenstar was furious by then. "You will follow me no more." Gandalf interrupted just then. "Wait, Evenstar, before you explode, and you as well, Eldarion, this boy's idea is not so bad. To journey with companions that is." Frodo knew exactly where he was headed. "Gandalf, you are a genus!" Frodo exclaimed and continued, "The Fellowship reunited, except this time, with four open spots to fill in the spots of the lost, and with the exception of a lady." Frodo smiled and rejoiced, as did Sam, Gimli, and Legolas. Legolas realized the plan then, and spoke, "Eldarion to fill in Aragorn's spot, Gandalf to retake his, Frodo and Sam to Pippin and Merry's, Gimli and me to ours, Bergil to Boromir's, Evenstar to our beloved Frodo, whom we shall serve and protect, and our new found friend to the protective Samwise Gamgee's role." Curious as to who this young man was, Gandalf again asked him to present his self. Beren stepped up, announcing his title. "I am Beren Erchamion, Son of Elurin, descendent of and named after the legendary Beren himself, who was the son of Barahir, loyal protector of Finrod Felagond, who was the brother of the Lady Galadriel. So in all truth, just as the legendary Beren's father, I am as well a loyal protector to the bloodline of Finrod, including the Lady Galadriel, as well as her descendent, Evenstar Elessar, daughter of the great King of Men, and heir to the Elven people under her mother, Queen Arwen Evenstar of the Elves, making Evenstar, the Lady of the Elves." Everyone was surprised with his knowledge of history and of his royal tone, especially Evenstar, who spoke not a word, only gasped at the truth of his words. Gandalf gave out a great laugh, rejoicing along with the others, except for Eldarion and Evenstar, who kept quiet. "Ah, you do know your history. Very Well, Beren, loyal protector of the Finrod line, you shall join and complete the newfound and reunited Fellowship. And we shall call this Fellowship: the Nazgul's Bane." And all rejoiced and cheered to the heavens, all but Lady Evenstar, who wept silently within.