A/N: Sun Queen pointed out a good point, which I forgot. *Blushes* No
Sauron, no Ring, no Morgoth. But there are orcs. Aren't I just a little
odd? I can't tell you why the Elves and Men are fighting! Nor can I tell
you about Veralia's history, you'll learn about those as time goes on. I
also can add just a teeny tiny bit more about the elves, for those of you
who are confused.
I went and altered the alliances. Imladris and Mirkwood are allied (yes, I've said that) against the Men, while Lothlorien is pretty much indifferent (well, Lothlorien is considered a "sacred" place by the Men and therefore not attacked, the Lothlorien thing will be explained later on in the story). Every place west of Imladris is peaceful and not at war. Elves often go to the Shire or nearby places seeking refuge.
Rohan is pretty much neutral, not wanting to ruin good relations with both powers. They do not allow slaves, so if a slave can make it into Rohan, they are mostly hidden from Gondor authorities.
Does that clarify a few more things?
~*Sky Magic*~
P.S. Mundo means "bull" in Elvish.
P.P.S. The dreams get a little bit odd and they often switch points of view, including to some of the people who will only be mentioned in this story and are dead. If more then three people ask it of me, I'll write a prequel, after I finish this story of course, about Veralia's history, which will be revealed in the end. It'll just go into more detail. The sequel, which is going to happen because a friend of mine pleaded that I write a sequel that is slash and at least R. I think I'll keep it at R. I, being female, have not got the best idea about what is going on, yet I have quite a few friends who write slash. Anyway, back to the dream thing. They're all flash backs of Veralia's past and all out of order.
P.P.P.S. This isn't a happy fic kids. I think it's somewhere along the lines of the higher end of PG-13.
Chapter Two
Legolas yawned and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. Veralia had woken him up long before the crack of dawn, and, much to his dismay, had insisted that they leave to go out into the forest to get the rest of her gear, from where she had hidden it, and Mundo. Why she had a bull was beyond Legolas. For what reason would a wanderer like Veralia need a bull?
Veralia stopped and muttered to herself as she uncovered a pack shouldered it. Along with it was a quiver of arrows, and two long knives. The sword she had worn at her hip still hung there. 'You do know how to use a knife and dagger?' Veralia asked Legolas, looking at him expectantly.
'Yes, of course,' Legolas replied, sitting on a large root beside her.
'Take this,' Veralia commanded, handing him a sheathed dagger, hanging on a small belt. 'And this, hid it in your boot.'
Legolas nodded and took the weapons to inspect them. Both were very plain, lacking in all decoration, but quite well made. Clearly Elvish, men did not make weapons so light as those. The only things on the smooth hilts were an engraved symbol that Legolas knew from somewhere, but his mind had gone blank as to where.
Veralia sighed and muttered something in Common Tongue. She blew a sharp whistle, making Legolas jump. 'I am going to have to have a talk with him,' Veralia murmered. Before too long passed by, there was a rustling in the bushes and Legolas whirled, ready to strike. A huge, shaggy brown blur burst out of the bushes and jumped up onto Veralia. 'Mundo!' she cried happily. The gigantic dog had placed its front paws on her shoulders and was happily licking her face. 'Down!'
The enormous dog happily climbed down and turned to greet Legolas. Once Legolas had been sufficiently slathered with wet dog kisses, the dog plopped down at Veralia's feet; it's long tail sweeping back and forth in the leaves and moss. 'Legolas, this is Mundo, he will be accompanying us to Mirkwood.' Legolas looked at the dog, when sitting its head reached to Veralia's hips. A shaggy brown coat made Legolas think that calling it "bear" might be more appropriate. Friendly brown eyes seemed to laugh at the world as though they knew something everything else didn't.
'He seems as friendly as a lap dog,' Legolas commented.
'He likes elves, he has never attacked an elf, or Man for that matter, that has not attacked him or me. He does not care for Men though,' Veralia explained. 'We best be going.'
They set off at only a moderate pace, not as fast as Veralia would have liked, but she did not want to push the young one. Mundo happily bounded along, running ahead only to lag behind when sniffing an interesting bush. At midday they stopped for a light meal and then continued on.
***
The sky overhead darkened and there was the ominous rumble of thunder in the distance. 'Curses,' Veralia muttered. 'We'll have to wait out the rain somewhere. Mundo!' The great dog came bounding over from where he had been intently walking too near to old bushes and collecting dead twigs, dirt and leaves in his thick fur coat.
Legolas and Veralia split up, looking for suitable shelter, Mundo going with Legolas.
'Here Legolas!' Veralia called, waving him over to a large tree. A hollow underneath the roots was a perfect place to wait out a wildly blowing storm. Just big enough for two elves and a dog. Mundo, being compatible in almost any environment leapt in, padded around the hollow, looking for the best spot to settle in, and lay against the furthest wall. Legolas followed the dog, sitting down with his back resting against him. Veralia took off her pack, set it near the door and sat next to Legolas. Mundo immediately lifted his head and set it on her lap, asking for someone to stroke behind the soft velvety ears.
***
Legolas fidgeted, he was very homesick and did not want to be delayed. Besides, sitting there was boring. Veralia watched him out of the corner of her eyes. She remembered very well what it was like to be young and caught in a situation with nothing to do and being too polite or shy to ask for someone to tell you a story or sing you a song to make the endless minutes pass by. 'Do you like stories?' Veralia asked when Legolas shifted positions for the umpteenth time.
'Aye,' Legolas replied, lifting his head slightly. He was now lying on his side, almost curled into a ball with his head resting on Mundo's back. Mundo paid no attention, basking in the warm glow of content while Veralia scratched that perfect spot behind his ears.
'Would you like me to tell you a story my mother told me?' Veralia asked, recalling her favorite story. Legolas nodded, eyes alight. 'Once upon a time, in a wondrous, far off land called Valinor, where Gods walked among the elves, there lived an elf. . . .' Legolas was swept away in the story. Veralia smiled when she saw the far off look in his eyes, the look of a child having fantasies in which they fought dragons and armies of orcs. A part of her sighed, she had never had time to share with Kasia this story.
'And so the elf answered the call of the sea and left to the West,' Veralia finished, knowing that Legolas had gone to sleep long before. Veralia smiled down at him. Despite every part of her that screamed against it, she liked the young prince. He shivered in his sleep. Veralia sighed, she undid the clasp at her throat, gently laying the gray cloak over the youngling's shoulders. 'Quel kaima, Legolas,' Veralia whispered and then she rested her back once again on the wall, bent her legs so they were comfortably relaxed and crossed her arms over her chest.
~*~*~*~
Kasia threw a small stick across the yard, the small fuzz ball of fur, the largest in the litter of five her mother's dog had given birth to. Keen ears, keener then most of her friend's, picked up the gentle clip clop of a horses hooves. Her mother was home. Every other month Kasia's Atara would go to Gondor and then return. Kasia loved her Atara very much, and thought her to be the most beautiful women in the world, like all children did. Kasia dropped the stick and ran to greet her Atara.
She slowed her stallion to a trot, hearing the sound of pounding feet and the over-joyed cries of a six year old. She dismounted as Kasia ran towards her, dark blond hair streaming behind her and green eyes dancing with joy. Kasia leaped into her Atara's arms. 'Cormamin lindua ele lle, Atara' Kasia whispered, showing her mother that she did remember the Elvish that she was taught a month ago.
'Nae saian luume', A'maelamin,' she whispered in return. "I missed you so. Tell me, how have you been?"
"Good, Da is waiting. He really wants to see you again," Kasia replied as her mother looked at her daughter for the first time in a month. Kasia's blond hair was wavy like her mother's own, although blond, like it had once been darker and bleached to the dark blond. Green eyes smiled and a wide smile was spread across her daughters face. She had grown a small amount, no more then the width of a finger.
Kasia buried her face into her mother's shoulder. Smelling her unique scent of honeysuckle and sweet wildflowers. Her mother seemed worried, tense. Kasia said nothing.
~*~*~*~
Veralia stirred, moaning. She knew what would come in the nightmare, and the dread was nearly enough to wake her. Mundo raised his head from the floor, feeling his mistress's discomfort.
~*~*~*~
Kasia sat outside her parent's door, listening to the hushed conversation and whispered words.
"They saw you?" her da asked, trying to stay calm.
"They've seem me before, but this one, it was the Prince, he got my hood down. They know I'm a half elf, and now they know why I'm seen around the castle. They know that I help elves, they'll be coming for me," Kasia recognized her mother on the verge of tears.
"Shh, Veralia, we're in Rohan, they can't hurt us here," her da whispered again.
"You don't understand, if they find us, they will - will. . ." Kasia heard her mother begin to cry. Why is Atara crying? the little girl asked herself.
"We'll be safe," even Kasia's da sounded unsure now.
"It's so terrible. I lost him. I lost the poor thing. He begged me to kill him, to end his pain with the simple blow of a knife or a draught of poison," her mother sobbed, her voice muffled as though she were crying into someone's shoulder. "I refused, I thought I could save him. But he died anyway. He died of a broken soul."
"Shh, shh," Kasia's father's voice lowered as he whispered words to her mother. When the crying stopped, her mother continued, trying to sound composed.
"I- I- confronted him. Angrily. I actually pinned him to a wall and yelled at the Crown Prince. He turned the tables on me and ripped off my hood. He. . . I don't know what he was going to do. I knocked him out and ran. It'll take them a week to get here, I think. I'll need to leave in five days. Take good care of Kasia." Kasia gasped, her mother, leaving?
"We'll go with you."
"Jaren, I can't let you come. You'll be in too much danger," Kasia's Atara said, sounding ready to cry again.
"You'll break Kasia's heart. Veralia, you're breaking *my* heart!"
Kasia heard her mother start to cry again. "You can't come! They'll kill you if they find you and I don't want you to die because of me."
Kasia's father relented. "At least tell me where you are going."
"I can't tell you. If they come, you'll be able to say you don't know where I went truthfully," Kasia's mother said. Kasia sat confused, why was her Atara crying? Why did her mother need to leave her?
"You'll need to tell Kasia something. She is you daughter, you owe it to her."
"I don't know what to say. She wouldn't understand. I want to stay three days and spend time with my daughter and husband, the last time I will ever see them," Kasia's mother said through tears.
Kasia crept back to her own room. Saddened and confused by her mother's sorrow.
~*~*~*~
A soft tongue bathed Veralia's face. 'Ai! Mundo! I am awake!' she cried, sitting up. Veralia stumbled out to where Legolas was standing, looking around with childish curiosity.
Soft morning sunlight filtered thought the lush green foliage, causing the dewdrops on the leaves to appear as tears from an angel. 'It is so beautiful,' he murmured, looking at the scene before him.
Veralia smiled, it was a bitter sweet smile, for she marveled at Legolas's innocence and curiosity, and bit back the sobs of pain at how much he reminded her of her daughter. Mundo romped, crushing the greens beneath his heavy paws. Mundo was the only one who reminded Veralia to be an optimist, making him very dear to her.
'We will eat breakfast and then see how far we can get,' Veralia said.
Legolas fell upon the morning meal with the same vehemence he did that first night. //Must be growing// Veralia thought. //Kasia always ate more when she was growing// Veralia winced at the thought of her daughter and continued to eat. //I never did so many things I wanted to with her// she thought wistfully. //If only I had a second chance. . .// She gazed over at Legolas who was playing with Mundo now, and a thought crossed her mind. Maybe this was her second chance. The child she saved from the Slavers, when she had been helpless to save her own daughter. She resisted the urge to cry. She had the chance to do things right.
A/N: Ah, you know, reviews, they're my life! I feed off of them! Please, send me food!!!!!!
~*Sky Magic*~
Translations:
Quel kaima, Legolas - Sleep well, Legolas
Cormamin lindua ele lle, Atara - My heart sings to see thee Mother
Nae saian luume', A'maelamin - It has been too long, my Beloved.
I went and altered the alliances. Imladris and Mirkwood are allied (yes, I've said that) against the Men, while Lothlorien is pretty much indifferent (well, Lothlorien is considered a "sacred" place by the Men and therefore not attacked, the Lothlorien thing will be explained later on in the story). Every place west of Imladris is peaceful and not at war. Elves often go to the Shire or nearby places seeking refuge.
Rohan is pretty much neutral, not wanting to ruin good relations with both powers. They do not allow slaves, so if a slave can make it into Rohan, they are mostly hidden from Gondor authorities.
Does that clarify a few more things?
~*Sky Magic*~
P.S. Mundo means "bull" in Elvish.
P.P.S. The dreams get a little bit odd and they often switch points of view, including to some of the people who will only be mentioned in this story and are dead. If more then three people ask it of me, I'll write a prequel, after I finish this story of course, about Veralia's history, which will be revealed in the end. It'll just go into more detail. The sequel, which is going to happen because a friend of mine pleaded that I write a sequel that is slash and at least R. I think I'll keep it at R. I, being female, have not got the best idea about what is going on, yet I have quite a few friends who write slash. Anyway, back to the dream thing. They're all flash backs of Veralia's past and all out of order.
P.P.P.S. This isn't a happy fic kids. I think it's somewhere along the lines of the higher end of PG-13.
Chapter Two
Legolas yawned and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. Veralia had woken him up long before the crack of dawn, and, much to his dismay, had insisted that they leave to go out into the forest to get the rest of her gear, from where she had hidden it, and Mundo. Why she had a bull was beyond Legolas. For what reason would a wanderer like Veralia need a bull?
Veralia stopped and muttered to herself as she uncovered a pack shouldered it. Along with it was a quiver of arrows, and two long knives. The sword she had worn at her hip still hung there. 'You do know how to use a knife and dagger?' Veralia asked Legolas, looking at him expectantly.
'Yes, of course,' Legolas replied, sitting on a large root beside her.
'Take this,' Veralia commanded, handing him a sheathed dagger, hanging on a small belt. 'And this, hid it in your boot.'
Legolas nodded and took the weapons to inspect them. Both were very plain, lacking in all decoration, but quite well made. Clearly Elvish, men did not make weapons so light as those. The only things on the smooth hilts were an engraved symbol that Legolas knew from somewhere, but his mind had gone blank as to where.
Veralia sighed and muttered something in Common Tongue. She blew a sharp whistle, making Legolas jump. 'I am going to have to have a talk with him,' Veralia murmered. Before too long passed by, there was a rustling in the bushes and Legolas whirled, ready to strike. A huge, shaggy brown blur burst out of the bushes and jumped up onto Veralia. 'Mundo!' she cried happily. The gigantic dog had placed its front paws on her shoulders and was happily licking her face. 'Down!'
The enormous dog happily climbed down and turned to greet Legolas. Once Legolas had been sufficiently slathered with wet dog kisses, the dog plopped down at Veralia's feet; it's long tail sweeping back and forth in the leaves and moss. 'Legolas, this is Mundo, he will be accompanying us to Mirkwood.' Legolas looked at the dog, when sitting its head reached to Veralia's hips. A shaggy brown coat made Legolas think that calling it "bear" might be more appropriate. Friendly brown eyes seemed to laugh at the world as though they knew something everything else didn't.
'He seems as friendly as a lap dog,' Legolas commented.
'He likes elves, he has never attacked an elf, or Man for that matter, that has not attacked him or me. He does not care for Men though,' Veralia explained. 'We best be going.'
They set off at only a moderate pace, not as fast as Veralia would have liked, but she did not want to push the young one. Mundo happily bounded along, running ahead only to lag behind when sniffing an interesting bush. At midday they stopped for a light meal and then continued on.
***
The sky overhead darkened and there was the ominous rumble of thunder in the distance. 'Curses,' Veralia muttered. 'We'll have to wait out the rain somewhere. Mundo!' The great dog came bounding over from where he had been intently walking too near to old bushes and collecting dead twigs, dirt and leaves in his thick fur coat.
Legolas and Veralia split up, looking for suitable shelter, Mundo going with Legolas.
'Here Legolas!' Veralia called, waving him over to a large tree. A hollow underneath the roots was a perfect place to wait out a wildly blowing storm. Just big enough for two elves and a dog. Mundo, being compatible in almost any environment leapt in, padded around the hollow, looking for the best spot to settle in, and lay against the furthest wall. Legolas followed the dog, sitting down with his back resting against him. Veralia took off her pack, set it near the door and sat next to Legolas. Mundo immediately lifted his head and set it on her lap, asking for someone to stroke behind the soft velvety ears.
***
Legolas fidgeted, he was very homesick and did not want to be delayed. Besides, sitting there was boring. Veralia watched him out of the corner of her eyes. She remembered very well what it was like to be young and caught in a situation with nothing to do and being too polite or shy to ask for someone to tell you a story or sing you a song to make the endless minutes pass by. 'Do you like stories?' Veralia asked when Legolas shifted positions for the umpteenth time.
'Aye,' Legolas replied, lifting his head slightly. He was now lying on his side, almost curled into a ball with his head resting on Mundo's back. Mundo paid no attention, basking in the warm glow of content while Veralia scratched that perfect spot behind his ears.
'Would you like me to tell you a story my mother told me?' Veralia asked, recalling her favorite story. Legolas nodded, eyes alight. 'Once upon a time, in a wondrous, far off land called Valinor, where Gods walked among the elves, there lived an elf. . . .' Legolas was swept away in the story. Veralia smiled when she saw the far off look in his eyes, the look of a child having fantasies in which they fought dragons and armies of orcs. A part of her sighed, she had never had time to share with Kasia this story.
'And so the elf answered the call of the sea and left to the West,' Veralia finished, knowing that Legolas had gone to sleep long before. Veralia smiled down at him. Despite every part of her that screamed against it, she liked the young prince. He shivered in his sleep. Veralia sighed, she undid the clasp at her throat, gently laying the gray cloak over the youngling's shoulders. 'Quel kaima, Legolas,' Veralia whispered and then she rested her back once again on the wall, bent her legs so they were comfortably relaxed and crossed her arms over her chest.
~*~*~*~
Kasia threw a small stick across the yard, the small fuzz ball of fur, the largest in the litter of five her mother's dog had given birth to. Keen ears, keener then most of her friend's, picked up the gentle clip clop of a horses hooves. Her mother was home. Every other month Kasia's Atara would go to Gondor and then return. Kasia loved her Atara very much, and thought her to be the most beautiful women in the world, like all children did. Kasia dropped the stick and ran to greet her Atara.
She slowed her stallion to a trot, hearing the sound of pounding feet and the over-joyed cries of a six year old. She dismounted as Kasia ran towards her, dark blond hair streaming behind her and green eyes dancing with joy. Kasia leaped into her Atara's arms. 'Cormamin lindua ele lle, Atara' Kasia whispered, showing her mother that she did remember the Elvish that she was taught a month ago.
'Nae saian luume', A'maelamin,' she whispered in return. "I missed you so. Tell me, how have you been?"
"Good, Da is waiting. He really wants to see you again," Kasia replied as her mother looked at her daughter for the first time in a month. Kasia's blond hair was wavy like her mother's own, although blond, like it had once been darker and bleached to the dark blond. Green eyes smiled and a wide smile was spread across her daughters face. She had grown a small amount, no more then the width of a finger.
Kasia buried her face into her mother's shoulder. Smelling her unique scent of honeysuckle and sweet wildflowers. Her mother seemed worried, tense. Kasia said nothing.
~*~*~*~
Veralia stirred, moaning. She knew what would come in the nightmare, and the dread was nearly enough to wake her. Mundo raised his head from the floor, feeling his mistress's discomfort.
~*~*~*~
Kasia sat outside her parent's door, listening to the hushed conversation and whispered words.
"They saw you?" her da asked, trying to stay calm.
"They've seem me before, but this one, it was the Prince, he got my hood down. They know I'm a half elf, and now they know why I'm seen around the castle. They know that I help elves, they'll be coming for me," Kasia recognized her mother on the verge of tears.
"Shh, Veralia, we're in Rohan, they can't hurt us here," her da whispered again.
"You don't understand, if they find us, they will - will. . ." Kasia heard her mother begin to cry. Why is Atara crying? the little girl asked herself.
"We'll be safe," even Kasia's da sounded unsure now.
"It's so terrible. I lost him. I lost the poor thing. He begged me to kill him, to end his pain with the simple blow of a knife or a draught of poison," her mother sobbed, her voice muffled as though she were crying into someone's shoulder. "I refused, I thought I could save him. But he died anyway. He died of a broken soul."
"Shh, shh," Kasia's father's voice lowered as he whispered words to her mother. When the crying stopped, her mother continued, trying to sound composed.
"I- I- confronted him. Angrily. I actually pinned him to a wall and yelled at the Crown Prince. He turned the tables on me and ripped off my hood. He. . . I don't know what he was going to do. I knocked him out and ran. It'll take them a week to get here, I think. I'll need to leave in five days. Take good care of Kasia." Kasia gasped, her mother, leaving?
"We'll go with you."
"Jaren, I can't let you come. You'll be in too much danger," Kasia's Atara said, sounding ready to cry again.
"You'll break Kasia's heart. Veralia, you're breaking *my* heart!"
Kasia heard her mother start to cry again. "You can't come! They'll kill you if they find you and I don't want you to die because of me."
Kasia's father relented. "At least tell me where you are going."
"I can't tell you. If they come, you'll be able to say you don't know where I went truthfully," Kasia's mother said. Kasia sat confused, why was her Atara crying? Why did her mother need to leave her?
"You'll need to tell Kasia something. She is you daughter, you owe it to her."
"I don't know what to say. She wouldn't understand. I want to stay three days and spend time with my daughter and husband, the last time I will ever see them," Kasia's mother said through tears.
Kasia crept back to her own room. Saddened and confused by her mother's sorrow.
~*~*~*~
A soft tongue bathed Veralia's face. 'Ai! Mundo! I am awake!' she cried, sitting up. Veralia stumbled out to where Legolas was standing, looking around with childish curiosity.
Soft morning sunlight filtered thought the lush green foliage, causing the dewdrops on the leaves to appear as tears from an angel. 'It is so beautiful,' he murmured, looking at the scene before him.
Veralia smiled, it was a bitter sweet smile, for she marveled at Legolas's innocence and curiosity, and bit back the sobs of pain at how much he reminded her of her daughter. Mundo romped, crushing the greens beneath his heavy paws. Mundo was the only one who reminded Veralia to be an optimist, making him very dear to her.
'We will eat breakfast and then see how far we can get,' Veralia said.
Legolas fell upon the morning meal with the same vehemence he did that first night. //Must be growing// Veralia thought. //Kasia always ate more when she was growing// Veralia winced at the thought of her daughter and continued to eat. //I never did so many things I wanted to with her// she thought wistfully. //If only I had a second chance. . .// She gazed over at Legolas who was playing with Mundo now, and a thought crossed her mind. Maybe this was her second chance. The child she saved from the Slavers, when she had been helpless to save her own daughter. She resisted the urge to cry. She had the chance to do things right.
A/N: Ah, you know, reviews, they're my life! I feed off of them! Please, send me food!!!!!!
~*Sky Magic*~
Translations:
Quel kaima, Legolas - Sleep well, Legolas
Cormamin lindua ele lle, Atara - My heart sings to see thee Mother
Nae saian luume', A'maelamin - It has been too long, my Beloved.