Delani pressed on through elves, dwarves, and a few hobbits that were
dancing, eating, or talking. She walked faster. She heard the voice call
her name again. Delani recognized the voice, almost anyone could say who it
was the second they heard the voice. She stepped swiftly and lightly, doing
her best not to knock into any one. Excitement blossomed inside of her. She
knew a reunion was nearing. She saw the familiar garments of Thranduil, his
back was to her as she approached. She saw the glint of white robes hiding
behind the emerald and dark brown material of Thranduil. She didn't want
stand and abide the King Of Mirkwoods proper introduction. She stepped
forward next to Thranduil, and there she felt everything disappear but the
warm hearted wizard that was facing her.
"Gandalf!" She squealed with delight as she bounded into the folds of white. She felt entirely safe after so many days of not knowing what to do with her self. With everything that was happening outside her kingdom, she felt safe in the arms the wizard. She felt his chest collapse with laughter as she clung to his sleeves tighter.
"Oh dear Lirimaer I fear that if you do not relax your grasp, I shall lose my blessed gift of breathing." She let go of the wizard and stepped back. Gandalf cupped her face in his hands. "Child, it has only been a few months since our last meet, but you always seem to become more and more beautiful." Delani felt herself blush. She looked at Thranduil who was smiling at them both.
"When did you get here?"
"Just now, I greeted your brother on the way in, and my does he look like his father. What a king he will be." Delani looked as him awkwardly.
"Is, what a king he is." Delani corrected him. Gandalf narrowed his eyes down at her. She saw the smirk that brew under his ancient beard, though old he was so young at heart.
"Yes in tradition he is, but not properly until the crowning. Oh come now Delani, relax that puzzled expression of yours." He placed his large hands around her face. His smile widened from ear to ear, with his wrinkles folding around his eyes. "Now where is Legolas? I have not seen the boy for many years." Delani turned her head a little ways out of Gandalf's hands.
"I was deemed to think he was behind me…" Just then a voice was heard behind her.
"Gandalf?"
"My dear boy…" Gandalf's eyes had become a painting of shimmering wonder. Delani felt the embrace of his hands upon her face let go. He took a step forward. Delani stepped back and watched Gandalf enfold the figure of Legolas in his arms. "Oh it has been some time, has it not?" Legolas let go of him.
"Too long. Last time I saw you was when Gimili and I left for the sea." His eyes quickly lost its sparkle at the mention of Gimli. Gandalf let go of him, only to place his hands on the prince's shoulders.
"As I have heard he lost the will to live. And then did you take him to the lands of Valinor. You did well."
Now who is to be with you on this journey?" He said changing the subject to retrieve Legolas from his room of grief. The prince looked up, shaking his head.
"I have heard that Perion, a warrior of Gondor, Naldur and Morion, two native elves of Neverwinter."
"And I presume I need not ask about Delani."
"She was the first to know the plan." Legolas said then looking around for her. "Where did she go?"
"Well fetch someone to find her. And gather the other members and meet me in the seminar room. I shall seek out Celendir once more, do not folly.
In the Seminar Room
Celendir stood by a window and observed the party down below. He yearned to be down there, to dance with Alitee again. But he knew that Gandalf brought them news, only to tell the foul burdens they would face in the wild.
Naldur, Perion, stayed in the shadows of the room. The room was held for meetings, discussions. Whenever Ryldor had a visit from Moria, Lothlorien or Mirkwood, into this room he would lead them. Now Celendir felt odd. He would be now the one to lead others into this room, and discuss matters he did not wish to think about.
The room had a long narrow table, able to seat seven people on each side, and one on either end. The table was made of bold mahogany. Legolas sat at one of the far ends of the table. The surface of it was polished so well, he saw his reflection neat and clear. Impatiently, he drummed his fingers on the wooden top, with his body half slouched in a high backed chair. There he watched Gandalf out of the corner of his eye.
The wizard was leaning his chin on his mighty staff. He too was watching the happy folk below.
"Who did you send again?" Gandalf tilted his head slightly towards Celendir.
"Morion," Celendir replied to him, with out ever straying his eyes from the sight below. "He will bring her up shortly." That very second the princess of Neverwinter walked into the unlit room at her side Morion and another elf guard.
"For goodness sake, may we have a little light?" Delani quickly walked near Legolas's chair. She leaned over him slightly to an unlit candle on the table. She placed her three of her thin fingers over the wick of it.
"Koron en' naur*" She spoke like water. She then picked up the candle, then turned to other naked candlewicks and clothed them with more light. Soon the room was lit.
Celendir retreated from his spot by the window and took his place next to Legolas. Naldur, Perion, and Morion stood their ground until Legolas motioned for them to sit. Delani finished lighting the last candle, then placed the original back where she found it. She then turned to the other elf guard who still stood by the doors.
"Hyl, go down to the dancing! Drink and be merry." She reassured him with such cheerfulness. Hyl hesitated. His handsome face was stern and his blonde head shook.
"I wish to stay and serve my lady." Delani felt all eyes on her. She felt herself flush.
"You may serve me by going to the festivity and enjoying yourself." She pressed. Hyl nodded.
"Yes milady." He bowed, left the room closing the doors behind him.
"I see that our Delani is almost fully grown, and beautiful. But I did not expect admires and lovers to come along with it." She Legolas's sly remark, Delani whipped around. She was just behind the smart mouthed prince's chair. She leaned over his shoulder, and put her mouth next to his elfin ear.
"Who knew you that you would be only one of the many." Her soft voice quickened his blood flow. Legolas felt his hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, The hint of her lips curling up into a smile, so close to his skin made him tighten every movable muscle in his body.
A light chuckle was heard from the others. But the humor was only a temporary trance for Gandalf, he took his seat and sat himself comfortably, preparing himself for what he had to say. He coughed and began.
"What I hear is that your plan is too stay far east of Minas Tirith, then travel along the western border of Mordor, then to north west to Lothlorien. Does this plan still stand?" He looked to Celendir. The young king nodded. "And there is no alternative route that you have considered?"
"This route is the fastest. Celendir cannot be far from our kingdom for so long. Also we wish to be as invisible as possible, if we stop in every decent town we wouldn't reach Lothlorien fast enough. But is there a motive to make us change our minds?" Delani asked the wizard, who was staring down at the table, his thoughts seemed to be deepening.
"All of you know of the awakening revenge of Saruman's army. They have been pressing against the strong cities. Your kingdom could be next." The candle light reflected in his blue eyes. The wizard feared for them, he feared more for Delani. He gazed at her. Her beauty from her mother inherited her complexion, strong features held its place. She was so willing to give her life for her brother and any other. Perhaps too willing. But she would fight hard if need to. The pressure of her avenging her fathers death was strong. Gandalf closed his eyes, shedding they sight of them all away. " Your father gave his sword to Islair when the orcs were rampaging their gates. Islair won that battle, but it came with a cost, many lives were taken that night. More and more of these creatures are leaving the borders of Mordor and spreading their disease of death. If you travel against Mordor you will be but a minor target practice for them!" Gandalf exclaimed. He wanted them to see the danger they faced. They only way he could, was to show them how much he feared for them. "Delani are you willing to risk your brothers life? What if his life isn't spared, or yours? He would've left the kingdom with out an heir to the throne." He stared deep into her. He knew that she would never let her brother die. He knew she would lay her life in a split second before anything could touch him. But he said this only to scare her in guilt, hoping that she would change their route.
"I would give my life to protect my brother. I have fought orcs before, I still posses that skill. " She clenched her teeth. She hated to be doubted. Once more irritated she gripped the handles of the chairs until her knuckles shown white.
"But can you fight Uruk Hai? Goblins? The poisonous swords of the Nazgul?" Gandalf flashed his eyes open, and his voluminous voice thrilled through the air. He pounded his staff into the floor with much frustration. "Delani I know very well that you would do so, but it is not the time for risks!"
"Gandalf our very lives are about taking risks! We must get Celendir to Lothlorien quickly and unseen, danger or not, we will continue with this road. It is all a risk can't you see Gandalf?" Her voice was pleading to him to understand.
"I see the same fire that was in your father, and it's that very type of fire that cannot be put out." He sighed heavily. Then looked to the others. "Does anyone object to this plan?" Everyone's face was firm and stern in the dim lit room. "So be it. Take this advice and leave before the sun rises." The old wizard left his seat. With a flutter of white robes he disappeared down the hallway. The rest began to leave. Before Delani could leave down the hallway, Celendir stopped her with his hand.
"What?" She asked. He said nothing, just embraced her and then continued down the hallway. Delani stood their confused. She turned her head to see Legolas blowing out the candles. She felt safe around him, and she wished it would continue. She turned on her heel and left.
"Gandalf!" She squealed with delight as she bounded into the folds of white. She felt entirely safe after so many days of not knowing what to do with her self. With everything that was happening outside her kingdom, she felt safe in the arms the wizard. She felt his chest collapse with laughter as she clung to his sleeves tighter.
"Oh dear Lirimaer I fear that if you do not relax your grasp, I shall lose my blessed gift of breathing." She let go of the wizard and stepped back. Gandalf cupped her face in his hands. "Child, it has only been a few months since our last meet, but you always seem to become more and more beautiful." Delani felt herself blush. She looked at Thranduil who was smiling at them both.
"When did you get here?"
"Just now, I greeted your brother on the way in, and my does he look like his father. What a king he will be." Delani looked as him awkwardly.
"Is, what a king he is." Delani corrected him. Gandalf narrowed his eyes down at her. She saw the smirk that brew under his ancient beard, though old he was so young at heart.
"Yes in tradition he is, but not properly until the crowning. Oh come now Delani, relax that puzzled expression of yours." He placed his large hands around her face. His smile widened from ear to ear, with his wrinkles folding around his eyes. "Now where is Legolas? I have not seen the boy for many years." Delani turned her head a little ways out of Gandalf's hands.
"I was deemed to think he was behind me…" Just then a voice was heard behind her.
"Gandalf?"
"My dear boy…" Gandalf's eyes had become a painting of shimmering wonder. Delani felt the embrace of his hands upon her face let go. He took a step forward. Delani stepped back and watched Gandalf enfold the figure of Legolas in his arms. "Oh it has been some time, has it not?" Legolas let go of him.
"Too long. Last time I saw you was when Gimili and I left for the sea." His eyes quickly lost its sparkle at the mention of Gimli. Gandalf let go of him, only to place his hands on the prince's shoulders.
"As I have heard he lost the will to live. And then did you take him to the lands of Valinor. You did well."
Now who is to be with you on this journey?" He said changing the subject to retrieve Legolas from his room of grief. The prince looked up, shaking his head.
"I have heard that Perion, a warrior of Gondor, Naldur and Morion, two native elves of Neverwinter."
"And I presume I need not ask about Delani."
"She was the first to know the plan." Legolas said then looking around for her. "Where did she go?"
"Well fetch someone to find her. And gather the other members and meet me in the seminar room. I shall seek out Celendir once more, do not folly.
In the Seminar Room
Celendir stood by a window and observed the party down below. He yearned to be down there, to dance with Alitee again. But he knew that Gandalf brought them news, only to tell the foul burdens they would face in the wild.
Naldur, Perion, stayed in the shadows of the room. The room was held for meetings, discussions. Whenever Ryldor had a visit from Moria, Lothlorien or Mirkwood, into this room he would lead them. Now Celendir felt odd. He would be now the one to lead others into this room, and discuss matters he did not wish to think about.
The room had a long narrow table, able to seat seven people on each side, and one on either end. The table was made of bold mahogany. Legolas sat at one of the far ends of the table. The surface of it was polished so well, he saw his reflection neat and clear. Impatiently, he drummed his fingers on the wooden top, with his body half slouched in a high backed chair. There he watched Gandalf out of the corner of his eye.
The wizard was leaning his chin on his mighty staff. He too was watching the happy folk below.
"Who did you send again?" Gandalf tilted his head slightly towards Celendir.
"Morion," Celendir replied to him, with out ever straying his eyes from the sight below. "He will bring her up shortly." That very second the princess of Neverwinter walked into the unlit room at her side Morion and another elf guard.
"For goodness sake, may we have a little light?" Delani quickly walked near Legolas's chair. She leaned over him slightly to an unlit candle on the table. She placed her three of her thin fingers over the wick of it.
"Koron en' naur*" She spoke like water. She then picked up the candle, then turned to other naked candlewicks and clothed them with more light. Soon the room was lit.
Celendir retreated from his spot by the window and took his place next to Legolas. Naldur, Perion, and Morion stood their ground until Legolas motioned for them to sit. Delani finished lighting the last candle, then placed the original back where she found it. She then turned to the other elf guard who still stood by the doors.
"Hyl, go down to the dancing! Drink and be merry." She reassured him with such cheerfulness. Hyl hesitated. His handsome face was stern and his blonde head shook.
"I wish to stay and serve my lady." Delani felt all eyes on her. She felt herself flush.
"You may serve me by going to the festivity and enjoying yourself." She pressed. Hyl nodded.
"Yes milady." He bowed, left the room closing the doors behind him.
"I see that our Delani is almost fully grown, and beautiful. But I did not expect admires and lovers to come along with it." She Legolas's sly remark, Delani whipped around. She was just behind the smart mouthed prince's chair. She leaned over his shoulder, and put her mouth next to his elfin ear.
"Who knew you that you would be only one of the many." Her soft voice quickened his blood flow. Legolas felt his hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, The hint of her lips curling up into a smile, so close to his skin made him tighten every movable muscle in his body.
A light chuckle was heard from the others. But the humor was only a temporary trance for Gandalf, he took his seat and sat himself comfortably, preparing himself for what he had to say. He coughed and began.
"What I hear is that your plan is too stay far east of Minas Tirith, then travel along the western border of Mordor, then to north west to Lothlorien. Does this plan still stand?" He looked to Celendir. The young king nodded. "And there is no alternative route that you have considered?"
"This route is the fastest. Celendir cannot be far from our kingdom for so long. Also we wish to be as invisible as possible, if we stop in every decent town we wouldn't reach Lothlorien fast enough. But is there a motive to make us change our minds?" Delani asked the wizard, who was staring down at the table, his thoughts seemed to be deepening.
"All of you know of the awakening revenge of Saruman's army. They have been pressing against the strong cities. Your kingdom could be next." The candle light reflected in his blue eyes. The wizard feared for them, he feared more for Delani. He gazed at her. Her beauty from her mother inherited her complexion, strong features held its place. She was so willing to give her life for her brother and any other. Perhaps too willing. But she would fight hard if need to. The pressure of her avenging her fathers death was strong. Gandalf closed his eyes, shedding they sight of them all away. " Your father gave his sword to Islair when the orcs were rampaging their gates. Islair won that battle, but it came with a cost, many lives were taken that night. More and more of these creatures are leaving the borders of Mordor and spreading their disease of death. If you travel against Mordor you will be but a minor target practice for them!" Gandalf exclaimed. He wanted them to see the danger they faced. They only way he could, was to show them how much he feared for them. "Delani are you willing to risk your brothers life? What if his life isn't spared, or yours? He would've left the kingdom with out an heir to the throne." He stared deep into her. He knew that she would never let her brother die. He knew she would lay her life in a split second before anything could touch him. But he said this only to scare her in guilt, hoping that she would change their route.
"I would give my life to protect my brother. I have fought orcs before, I still posses that skill. " She clenched her teeth. She hated to be doubted. Once more irritated she gripped the handles of the chairs until her knuckles shown white.
"But can you fight Uruk Hai? Goblins? The poisonous swords of the Nazgul?" Gandalf flashed his eyes open, and his voluminous voice thrilled through the air. He pounded his staff into the floor with much frustration. "Delani I know very well that you would do so, but it is not the time for risks!"
"Gandalf our very lives are about taking risks! We must get Celendir to Lothlorien quickly and unseen, danger or not, we will continue with this road. It is all a risk can't you see Gandalf?" Her voice was pleading to him to understand.
"I see the same fire that was in your father, and it's that very type of fire that cannot be put out." He sighed heavily. Then looked to the others. "Does anyone object to this plan?" Everyone's face was firm and stern in the dim lit room. "So be it. Take this advice and leave before the sun rises." The old wizard left his seat. With a flutter of white robes he disappeared down the hallway. The rest began to leave. Before Delani could leave down the hallway, Celendir stopped her with his hand.
"What?" She asked. He said nothing, just embraced her and then continued down the hallway. Delani stood their confused. She turned her head to see Legolas blowing out the candles. She felt safe around him, and she wished it would continue. She turned on her heel and left.