Disclaimer: As usual, I own nothing exept the plot and Alantië. The rest
belong to Tolkein Enterprises/New Line Cinema. In future, I will only
include disclaimers if I introduce a new character, but these last chapters
have had disclaimers in them, so don't sue!
Author's note: The main author's note is at the end, but I'm just doing some shameless self-promotion. Please please go to http://fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=168050 (my author profile-site on ff.net) and read and review my work! Also, could someone tell me what a Mary-Sue is? I keep coming across the term in fanfics, but, ignorant as I am, I don't know what it means! Help!
AnÃron
by Timeless
Preperations
"But where is Gandalf the Grey? For I much desire to speak with him. I know that he departed from Imladris with the Fellowship, but he stands not in Lórien with you now, and I perceive great sadness in your hearts concerning him. But I cannot see him - he surrounded by mist, and I cannot reach him."
At the words of the Lady Galadriel, there was not one of the Fellowship that did not bow their head. Finally, Aragorn spoke.
"He has fallen into shadow."
Alantië almost forgot her guise as a man, but remembered herself in time to stop her hand going to her mouth. She had met Gandalf only once before, while she was staying in Rivendell, but he was such a powerful entity, wise, imposing and calming at the same time. She had also heard many tales concerning him, and they only served to increase her awe and respect for him.
A ripple ran through the hall as all but the Lady drew a breath, or bowed their heads. "This is grave news." The Lady's face had not changed, but her voice was more solomn. "Action must be taken, but first I must hear this dread tale."
The tale was told, mainly by Aragorn, who was the only member of the Fellowship that was able to meet the Lady Galadriel's terrible eyes. When he had finished, Alantië saw that not one person standing there had failed to shed a tear, saw again the Lady. "My heart mourns his loss, and my mind tells me that you will now be vunerable. There is a way to overcome it, however. Aragorn, I would speak with you. The rest of you - you have travelled far, and must be weary. My elves have prepared sleeping quaters for you, where you can rest or sleep in peace, for no evil can enter the fair woods of Lothlórien."
The Fellowship bowed and left, as did the Elves. Galadriel motioned to Alantië to stay however, and she did, feeling Aragorn's hard grey eyes on her.
When the others were out of hearing, Galadriel spoke. "Aragorn, I know that you, like the others of the Grey Company, need your rest, so I will keep this short and to the point." Aragorn nodded, and Galadriel came. "Apart from the obvious direct loss of Mithrandir's personal power, I am sure you have noticed that the Fellowship's protection has considerabely decreased."
Aragorn nodded again. "I have. Gandalf's magic was not the only thing protecting us, but I could not perceive what our additional protection was."
"It was one of the oldest magics in this world, and it is to do with numbers. Nine." And now her voice became more sonorous. "The number of the Nazgul, the number of three Elven Rings timesed by itself, and the number, until recently, of the Grey Company. It is a number of protection and magic, and it is essential that the Fellowship make up that number, at least for as long as possible."
Alantië was puzzled, but she kept her face a mask, in case Aragorn saw it. He was as nonplussed as her it seemed, for his next words were "But my Lady, I am afraid I don't understand. Why nine? I understand us having to make up the number of the Nazgul, but we could hardly beat them in combat."
The Lady paused, as if considering how to phrase her thoughts, before answering. "Son of Arathorn, you know that the greater the number of people, the greater their strength?"
"Of course."
"Well it is not only their amassed strength. Numbers have power, and when that number is nine, the individual protections that each person provides is reflected and magnified in such a way that a great bond grows between the people. Did you not wonder that Elrond allowed so many near defenceless Halflings to travel as part of the Fellowship. He too knew of the power of nine. Do you understand?"
Aragorn nodded.
"So it is important, nay, /essential/, that nine is the number that the Grey Company amass. With the demise of Mithrandir, you only number eight, and I fear that Sauron will find a way to infiltrate the hearts and minds of the Fellowship."
"But Lady," said Aragorn, "how can we find another member of the Fellowship at such short notice? We can take only those we trust absolutely."
"And that is why Alandur here will accompany you." The Lady beckoned to Alantië, and she stepped forward, and bowed trying not to let her apprehension show. Aragorn was a powerful man, and was gifted with a certain amount of fore- and mind-sight. Would he guess her secret?
When she straightened up, Aragorn was staring keenly at her. "What are your skills, Master Elf?" he asked.
"I am a fair archer and swordsman," she replied honestly in her man's voice, "and I am trained in herb- and crystal-lore, and can wield a certain amount of magical power." In response to his questioning raised eyebrows, she said, "I can draw on the power of living things to weave spells of protection, concealment and bewitchment, in addition to a few other minor talents."
"Aragorn?" said Galadriel.
After considering Alantië for a moment, Aragorn nodded. "Very well. But may I not see who will join us?"
Without a moments hesitation that might betray herself, Alantië removed her hood, and looked Aragorn straight in the eyes. No woman would have done so, and it took every ounce of Alantië's will power to continue staring into his hard, grey eyes. They contained a small amount of grief and concern - for what? - but ultimately power and control. She wrapped herself in confidence, knowing that Aragorn would be searching for any magical concealment. Finally, he nodded again. "We will be honoured to have you with us, Alandur," he said. Then he bowed to Galadriel. "If you will excuse me, my Lady, I will retire, for we must leave at dawn, and I need my strength as much as the others." He knelt, kissed Galadriel's hand, rose, and left. When he was out of earshot, Galadriel turned to Alantië.
"Well, my child, it is done. How do you feel?"
"Better than I would have expected." It was true. Aragorn was plainly honourable, and even the dwarf seemed all right. The only one she was slightly uneasy about was Boromir. From rumours she had heard, and her own knowledge, he was Heir to the Stewardship of Gondor, and a powerful and honourable man. However, she was uneasy about men of Gondor ever since . . . well, since the incident. But she did not relay her fears to the Lady Galadriel.
"Alantië, I know that you have no weapon, but are quite capable of bearing one. It is not absolutely necessary, since you can wield magic as effectively as a physical weapon, but it would seem strange to the Fellowship if you carried no weapon save your magic. Are you willing?"
Alantië nodded. "A bow would be favourite, if it was possible, but I do not own one."
The Lady of the Golden Wood spread her hands and a blue glow filled them. In a few moments, it cleared, and she held a bow of smooth, polished yew, and a quiver of ebony filled with grey-fletched arrows. She offered them to Alantië, who took them.
"My Lady," she said, awed, "these are amazing . . ." She selected an arrow and sighted down the shaft. It was perfectly smooth and straight "I shall treasure them."
"Each arrow has been carefully crafted by the Galadhrim of Lórien, and you will have trouble loosing them. Also, when you return to your room, you will find several knives. They will be useful for close and medium- distsance combat, but I strongly advise you to keep their existence a closely-guarded secret, for an unexpected knife-thrust can be the turning- strike of a battle."
"I will," said Alantië. "My Lady, if you have no objections I will retire. I will need my strength for the morrow."
Galadriel nodded, and Alantië bowed as a man would, and left the Lady's presence.
When she returned, it was as the Lady had said. Half a dozen knives lay on her desk. They had blades of shiny hard steel and were bound in thin strips of black leather. They were practical, and nothing fancy, but each had a large smooth gemstone in its pommel: blue topaz for peace, concentration and leadership and spiritual abilities, clear quartz for purity, healing and spiritual abilities, moonstone for friendship, peace, love, loyalty and long life, orange calcite for confidence, awareness and vitality, emerald for fore-sight, love and deep sleep and tiger's eyer for will-power, persistence, strength and self-confidence. Alantië smiled. All these abilities would be blessings on a quest such as the one on which she was about to embark.
Alantië yawned, and she looked through the small window of her room to see the sliver of moon shining high in the sky. It was quite late, so she undressed and slipped between the sheets of her beds, knowing she would need to rise early in the morning to prepare for her journey.
_*_
The following morning, Alantië rose well before morning and dressed, tucking her knives into her sleeves and boots and the front and back of her tunic. She tied her hair back and examined herself critically in her mirror. Her disguise was certainly good now, and since male Elves were more feminine than their human counterparts, she ws unlikely to need to fake stubble, but nevertheless she tucked a small pot of blue-black khol powder into a small pouch at her waist. This also contained her most precious herbs, crystals and magical equipment - the rest would go in the communal packs - and (and she smiled at this) a small gold charm against conception on a chain. She doubted she would need it, but her memory of - the incident - forced her to take it out and fasten its clasp round her neck. She tucked it out of sight beneath her tunic, where it felt ice-cold for a moment, before adapting to her body heat.
With a last glance in her mirror, she decided to wear her hood down, and walked out of her door towards the Great Hall, where she would break her fast with the rest of the Fellowship.
_*_
The Great Hall was crowded, but not overly noisesome. Alantië joined the queue next to a male Elf with the long blonde hair usual to even male Elves. He nodded at her as she arrived.
"Quite a fine day to leave on a quest, do you not think?"
Alantië was suprised. "I beg your pardon?"
The Elf held out a hand. "I'm Legolas. I assume by your travelling gear that you are the other Elf who will be accompanying the Grey Company?"
Alantië froze for a moment. She had not touched a man by choice since she had first come to Lothlórien, and certainly not a stranger. However, she could not act like this and keep her true identity a secret. Trying to master her fears, she shook hands with Legolas. "I am. My name is Alandur." Suprisingly, she was not revolted at his touch. Quite the reverse, infact. "Aragorn told you about me?"
"Yes. Anyway, we had better get our food, we're holding the others up."
Together, they picked up chunks of bread topped with butter, and took them outside. They sat on a tuffet of grass to eat, and talked while they were doing so.
"So, Alandur," said Legolas, "Why have you been sent on this quest? How much do you know about it?" He seemed quite friendly, and Alantië found herself talking to him as if she had known him for a long time.
"Well, I am skilled in herblore, crystallore and magic, and I can use a sword or bow. As for the Quest, I know of its history so far, and I know its aim."
Legolas lowered his voice. "Then you know of Isildur's Bane."
"I know of it," Alantië said heavily. "I know what it can do to men's hearts,
elven, human or otherwise. I have lived much of my life in the South, where it's Shadow is longest. I know of its evil, and how it and it's wicked Master are carved into our Lore forever."
Legolas was silent. He did not question Alantië's past, and she was glad of it. Eventually, he looked at the sun and spoke.
"Well, I think we should make our way to Cerin Amroth. The Grey Company are assembling, and it would be ill-fitting should we be late."
Alantië nodded. "I will retrieve my baggage from my rooms and meet you there."
Author's Note: I'm very sorry about the last scene. I tried to make it as less like a buffet-breakfast as I could! The next chapter may be a long time in coming, since I tend to write large chapters and I have several other stories and ficlets going at once, as well as school etc. I am also working on the scene in 'AnÃron' where Alantië and Legolas kiss for the first time (since that's the scene I want to write, and I write the chapters in whatever order takes my fancy!). Please review this story and tell me what you think (don't worry if you want to give advice - they don't sound like flames, and they're really constructive), and also whether you would like me to post the kiss scene as a separate story (like I did with 'AnÃron - in the Arms of Another', which is up, and will make up part of this story when I get to that stage), or whether you want me to save it completely until its proper place in 'AnÃron'. In the kiss scene, we'll also find out what Alantië's mysterious secrety is, although I guess some of you may already worked out. Thank you so much for the reviews, keep reading and reviewing everyone, I will write some more!
Author's note: The main author's note is at the end, but I'm just doing some shameless self-promotion. Please please go to http://fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=168050 (my author profile-site on ff.net) and read and review my work! Also, could someone tell me what a Mary-Sue is? I keep coming across the term in fanfics, but, ignorant as I am, I don't know what it means! Help!
AnÃron
by Timeless
Preperations
"But where is Gandalf the Grey? For I much desire to speak with him. I know that he departed from Imladris with the Fellowship, but he stands not in Lórien with you now, and I perceive great sadness in your hearts concerning him. But I cannot see him - he surrounded by mist, and I cannot reach him."
At the words of the Lady Galadriel, there was not one of the Fellowship that did not bow their head. Finally, Aragorn spoke.
"He has fallen into shadow."
Alantië almost forgot her guise as a man, but remembered herself in time to stop her hand going to her mouth. She had met Gandalf only once before, while she was staying in Rivendell, but he was such a powerful entity, wise, imposing and calming at the same time. She had also heard many tales concerning him, and they only served to increase her awe and respect for him.
A ripple ran through the hall as all but the Lady drew a breath, or bowed their heads. "This is grave news." The Lady's face had not changed, but her voice was more solomn. "Action must be taken, but first I must hear this dread tale."
The tale was told, mainly by Aragorn, who was the only member of the Fellowship that was able to meet the Lady Galadriel's terrible eyes. When he had finished, Alantië saw that not one person standing there had failed to shed a tear, saw again the Lady. "My heart mourns his loss, and my mind tells me that you will now be vunerable. There is a way to overcome it, however. Aragorn, I would speak with you. The rest of you - you have travelled far, and must be weary. My elves have prepared sleeping quaters for you, where you can rest or sleep in peace, for no evil can enter the fair woods of Lothlórien."
The Fellowship bowed and left, as did the Elves. Galadriel motioned to Alantië to stay however, and she did, feeling Aragorn's hard grey eyes on her.
When the others were out of hearing, Galadriel spoke. "Aragorn, I know that you, like the others of the Grey Company, need your rest, so I will keep this short and to the point." Aragorn nodded, and Galadriel came. "Apart from the obvious direct loss of Mithrandir's personal power, I am sure you have noticed that the Fellowship's protection has considerabely decreased."
Aragorn nodded again. "I have. Gandalf's magic was not the only thing protecting us, but I could not perceive what our additional protection was."
"It was one of the oldest magics in this world, and it is to do with numbers. Nine." And now her voice became more sonorous. "The number of the Nazgul, the number of three Elven Rings timesed by itself, and the number, until recently, of the Grey Company. It is a number of protection and magic, and it is essential that the Fellowship make up that number, at least for as long as possible."
Alantië was puzzled, but she kept her face a mask, in case Aragorn saw it. He was as nonplussed as her it seemed, for his next words were "But my Lady, I am afraid I don't understand. Why nine? I understand us having to make up the number of the Nazgul, but we could hardly beat them in combat."
The Lady paused, as if considering how to phrase her thoughts, before answering. "Son of Arathorn, you know that the greater the number of people, the greater their strength?"
"Of course."
"Well it is not only their amassed strength. Numbers have power, and when that number is nine, the individual protections that each person provides is reflected and magnified in such a way that a great bond grows between the people. Did you not wonder that Elrond allowed so many near defenceless Halflings to travel as part of the Fellowship. He too knew of the power of nine. Do you understand?"
Aragorn nodded.
"So it is important, nay, /essential/, that nine is the number that the Grey Company amass. With the demise of Mithrandir, you only number eight, and I fear that Sauron will find a way to infiltrate the hearts and minds of the Fellowship."
"But Lady," said Aragorn, "how can we find another member of the Fellowship at such short notice? We can take only those we trust absolutely."
"And that is why Alandur here will accompany you." The Lady beckoned to Alantië, and she stepped forward, and bowed trying not to let her apprehension show. Aragorn was a powerful man, and was gifted with a certain amount of fore- and mind-sight. Would he guess her secret?
When she straightened up, Aragorn was staring keenly at her. "What are your skills, Master Elf?" he asked.
"I am a fair archer and swordsman," she replied honestly in her man's voice, "and I am trained in herb- and crystal-lore, and can wield a certain amount of magical power." In response to his questioning raised eyebrows, she said, "I can draw on the power of living things to weave spells of protection, concealment and bewitchment, in addition to a few other minor talents."
"Aragorn?" said Galadriel.
After considering Alantië for a moment, Aragorn nodded. "Very well. But may I not see who will join us?"
Without a moments hesitation that might betray herself, Alantië removed her hood, and looked Aragorn straight in the eyes. No woman would have done so, and it took every ounce of Alantië's will power to continue staring into his hard, grey eyes. They contained a small amount of grief and concern - for what? - but ultimately power and control. She wrapped herself in confidence, knowing that Aragorn would be searching for any magical concealment. Finally, he nodded again. "We will be honoured to have you with us, Alandur," he said. Then he bowed to Galadriel. "If you will excuse me, my Lady, I will retire, for we must leave at dawn, and I need my strength as much as the others." He knelt, kissed Galadriel's hand, rose, and left. When he was out of earshot, Galadriel turned to Alantië.
"Well, my child, it is done. How do you feel?"
"Better than I would have expected." It was true. Aragorn was plainly honourable, and even the dwarf seemed all right. The only one she was slightly uneasy about was Boromir. From rumours she had heard, and her own knowledge, he was Heir to the Stewardship of Gondor, and a powerful and honourable man. However, she was uneasy about men of Gondor ever since . . . well, since the incident. But she did not relay her fears to the Lady Galadriel.
"Alantië, I know that you have no weapon, but are quite capable of bearing one. It is not absolutely necessary, since you can wield magic as effectively as a physical weapon, but it would seem strange to the Fellowship if you carried no weapon save your magic. Are you willing?"
Alantië nodded. "A bow would be favourite, if it was possible, but I do not own one."
The Lady of the Golden Wood spread her hands and a blue glow filled them. In a few moments, it cleared, and she held a bow of smooth, polished yew, and a quiver of ebony filled with grey-fletched arrows. She offered them to Alantië, who took them.
"My Lady," she said, awed, "these are amazing . . ." She selected an arrow and sighted down the shaft. It was perfectly smooth and straight "I shall treasure them."
"Each arrow has been carefully crafted by the Galadhrim of Lórien, and you will have trouble loosing them. Also, when you return to your room, you will find several knives. They will be useful for close and medium- distsance combat, but I strongly advise you to keep their existence a closely-guarded secret, for an unexpected knife-thrust can be the turning- strike of a battle."
"I will," said Alantië. "My Lady, if you have no objections I will retire. I will need my strength for the morrow."
Galadriel nodded, and Alantië bowed as a man would, and left the Lady's presence.
When she returned, it was as the Lady had said. Half a dozen knives lay on her desk. They had blades of shiny hard steel and were bound in thin strips of black leather. They were practical, and nothing fancy, but each had a large smooth gemstone in its pommel: blue topaz for peace, concentration and leadership and spiritual abilities, clear quartz for purity, healing and spiritual abilities, moonstone for friendship, peace, love, loyalty and long life, orange calcite for confidence, awareness and vitality, emerald for fore-sight, love and deep sleep and tiger's eyer for will-power, persistence, strength and self-confidence. Alantië smiled. All these abilities would be blessings on a quest such as the one on which she was about to embark.
Alantië yawned, and she looked through the small window of her room to see the sliver of moon shining high in the sky. It was quite late, so she undressed and slipped between the sheets of her beds, knowing she would need to rise early in the morning to prepare for her journey.
_*_
The following morning, Alantië rose well before morning and dressed, tucking her knives into her sleeves and boots and the front and back of her tunic. She tied her hair back and examined herself critically in her mirror. Her disguise was certainly good now, and since male Elves were more feminine than their human counterparts, she ws unlikely to need to fake stubble, but nevertheless she tucked a small pot of blue-black khol powder into a small pouch at her waist. This also contained her most precious herbs, crystals and magical equipment - the rest would go in the communal packs - and (and she smiled at this) a small gold charm against conception on a chain. She doubted she would need it, but her memory of - the incident - forced her to take it out and fasten its clasp round her neck. She tucked it out of sight beneath her tunic, where it felt ice-cold for a moment, before adapting to her body heat.
With a last glance in her mirror, she decided to wear her hood down, and walked out of her door towards the Great Hall, where she would break her fast with the rest of the Fellowship.
_*_
The Great Hall was crowded, but not overly noisesome. Alantië joined the queue next to a male Elf with the long blonde hair usual to even male Elves. He nodded at her as she arrived.
"Quite a fine day to leave on a quest, do you not think?"
Alantië was suprised. "I beg your pardon?"
The Elf held out a hand. "I'm Legolas. I assume by your travelling gear that you are the other Elf who will be accompanying the Grey Company?"
Alantië froze for a moment. She had not touched a man by choice since she had first come to Lothlórien, and certainly not a stranger. However, she could not act like this and keep her true identity a secret. Trying to master her fears, she shook hands with Legolas. "I am. My name is Alandur." Suprisingly, she was not revolted at his touch. Quite the reverse, infact. "Aragorn told you about me?"
"Yes. Anyway, we had better get our food, we're holding the others up."
Together, they picked up chunks of bread topped with butter, and took them outside. They sat on a tuffet of grass to eat, and talked while they were doing so.
"So, Alandur," said Legolas, "Why have you been sent on this quest? How much do you know about it?" He seemed quite friendly, and Alantië found herself talking to him as if she had known him for a long time.
"Well, I am skilled in herblore, crystallore and magic, and I can use a sword or bow. As for the Quest, I know of its history so far, and I know its aim."
Legolas lowered his voice. "Then you know of Isildur's Bane."
"I know of it," Alantië said heavily. "I know what it can do to men's hearts,
elven, human or otherwise. I have lived much of my life in the South, where it's Shadow is longest. I know of its evil, and how it and it's wicked Master are carved into our Lore forever."
Legolas was silent. He did not question Alantië's past, and she was glad of it. Eventually, he looked at the sun and spoke.
"Well, I think we should make our way to Cerin Amroth. The Grey Company are assembling, and it would be ill-fitting should we be late."
Alantië nodded. "I will retrieve my baggage from my rooms and meet you there."
Author's Note: I'm very sorry about the last scene. I tried to make it as less like a buffet-breakfast as I could! The next chapter may be a long time in coming, since I tend to write large chapters and I have several other stories and ficlets going at once, as well as school etc. I am also working on the scene in 'AnÃron' where Alantië and Legolas kiss for the first time (since that's the scene I want to write, and I write the chapters in whatever order takes my fancy!). Please review this story and tell me what you think (don't worry if you want to give advice - they don't sound like flames, and they're really constructive), and also whether you would like me to post the kiss scene as a separate story (like I did with 'AnÃron - in the Arms of Another', which is up, and will make up part of this story when I get to that stage), or whether you want me to save it completely until its proper place in 'AnÃron'. In the kiss scene, we'll also find out what Alantië's mysterious secrety is, although I guess some of you may already worked out. Thank you so much for the reviews, keep reading and reviewing everyone, I will write some more!