A/N: I got the leaf necklace idea from my beta's story, "Every Breath You
Take." Actually, this story is dedicated to my utterly and up mostly
wonderful beta, Fei Jiao. She has kept me motivated throughout this.
Bows and swords to her! (long story, don't bother)
~*Sky Magic*~
Chapter Three
Anar shone down upon Veralia and Legolas, making the journey more pleasant. As they walked Veralia told Legolas about the plants around them. Which were good to eat, which healed urns, which were best in poultices, which would make you sleepy. It didn't surprise Veralia when she found that Legolas was quick and eager to learn. In trade Legolas told Veralia stories about the palace of Mirkwood. The tricks that had been played on him and the tricks he had played on others. It was amusing to find that the young prince was actually quite devious. It amazed Veralia when Legolas spoke freely of his mother's death. She had never said a word to anyone about what had happened, the thought hurt so much, her mother had been everything to her until she found a husband and had a daughter of her own.
'We should stop for the night,' Veralia said as the Anar started to descend in the sky. They set up camp, and as Veralia cooked the meal, she watched Legolas play with Mundo. The dog had found a large stick somewhere and had been begging someone; anyone would do, to play with him.
'What is this? I have not seen it before,' Legolas walked to Veralia holding a leaf of something.
''Tis called the Athelas plant. King's foil by Men. A very powerful healing herb. It works for almost any ailment, and the flowers are said to give off a scent that sooths the soul and heals the heart, but I have never been able to prove that,' Veralia said. 'It can help slow poisons, if not cure them.'
'Is it very precious?' Legolas asked.
'No, not to Men at least. It is regarded as a common weed. They have no knowledge of how to use it. To Elves though, when it is needed, it is very, very precious,' Veralia explained.
'My instructors said they were going to teach me about herbs and lore just before I was captured,' Legolas said.
'Ah, then we mustn't let you fall behind in your studies,' Veralia said, smiling. 'We'll continue tomorrow, we both need rest.' Legolas curled up against Mundo's body again, snuggling into the warm fur. Veralia pulled a blanket out of her pack and placed it over Legolas.
'One story?' he asked. Veralia smiled, Legolas loved stories. Like most children, the words "once upon a time" were enticing. She told him of the making of Arda, and placed a kiss upon his forehead when he was asleep.
Veralia lay down. //If there is any reason they should end these wars, it would be for the children// Veralia thought, looking at Legolas through rapidly closing eyes.
~*~*~*~
Kasia had cried buckets when she learned her mother was leaving her. "How long?" she asked, her green eyes brightened with tears.
"I- I don't know," her ma replied, hugging the sobbing six year old against her.
"Will I ever see you again?" Kasia asked.
If Kasia had looked up, she would have seen the answer in her mother's eyes. "Yes, soon or far in the future, we will meet again. I have a gift for you. To seal the promise." A small package was held out for Kasia to take. Smaller hands took the package, carefully undoing the twine that held it shut. She pulled out two almost identical necklaces. Both hung on a delicate looking silver like chain. The metal looked to be similar to silver but creamier in color and having an almost pearly sheen. One them hung half a leaf of carved jade, veined with the same metal. When but together, the two pendants made a heart shaped leaf.
"What is it made of?" Kasia asked, her undying curiosity surfacing.
"Mithril, dear one. And Elvish metal, as lighter then silver and never tarnishing. It will stay bright and shiny forever. May I?" Kasia handed her mother one of the necklaces. Within seconds it was fastened around her neck, the pendant hanging by her heart. Kasia reached around her mother's neck, fumbling with the latch several times before fastening it around her Atara's neck.
"Veralia!" Kasia's da yelled, urgency in his voice. "They're here! Run! I'll hold them off!"
"Amin mela lle, o'elle. Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au'," Kasia did not know what her mother had said. She was pulled close for one more hug, her mother's tears falling onto her hair. Her mother kissed each of her cheeks and then her forehead, and stood. "Hide Kasia. Don't come out until they leave," her mother said and soldiers stormed into the house. Kasia's mother turned to them fearfully. "Run, Kasia!" Unarmed, there was nothing her mother could do. Soldier's closed around her mother, and Kasia ran out the back of the place that had been her home.
~*~*~*~
A low growl, almost silent, woke Veralia. "What is it Mundo?" she whispered. The dog growled again and Veralia was silent, listening. She heard voices on the wind, she looked up and saw torches blazing far off in the trees, at first she had almost thought they were stars, and then she heard the dogs. She heard snuffling, they were searching for something.
Them. Or rather, Legolas.
She gently shook the slumbering Elf. 'Wha-? Veralia, it isn't dawn, is it?' the Elf asked, rubbing his eyes.
Veralia held a finger to her lips and then rapidly packed. Legolas sat dazedly on the ground, looking rather tired. "Mundo!" Veralia hissed. The dog came over to her and sat, looking her in the eye. "Stay hidden, and for the sake of everyone, don't attack a thing! You know how to find me. Don't get hurt, Mundo." The dog licked her face and ran into the brush. 'Legolas, we need to get away from here, and I'll explain,' Veralia started to climb a large, nearby tree. A motion of her hand was all it took for Legolas to follow suit. Once at a sufficiently high bough, Veralia crouched, staring intently at all the neighboring trees. 'Can you leap from tree to tree?' she asked Legolas, not bothering to look to see if he was up there.
'No,' Legolas frowned; he did not know what was going on.
'We need to get from this tree to that one without touching the ground,' Veralia informed him. 'I'm going to need to carry you.' She further instructed him on how this was going to work. She was going to get from this tree to that one with him clinging to her back.
Veralia took a deep breath. She hadn't needed to do this in over ten years. Hopefully it was like swimming, once you learn it, your body remembers. She stood, balancing on almost quivering legs. //Elbereth help me// she thought, and ran from that bow, leaping into the air. Her descent was quicker then she had expected, missing the first four limps and barely managing to grab the fifth.
After leaving six more trees, Veralia finally settled for a large, lush one. 'You may want to get settled, we could be here awhile,' Veralia told Legolas. 'The Slavers are looking for you, and maybe me. In Gondor, there is a bounty on me head, whether I am alive or dead, more if they can get me alive. We have to get you out of here.'
'Why are they looking for me?' Legolas asked, confusion lighting the emerald eyes that looked a dark jade in the night's darkness. 'What am I worth to them?'
'In Gondor, you are worth a king's ransom,' Veralia told him. Legolas was silent, troubled thoughts crossed his mind. //A king's ransom? Me? But, why?// he thought.
They sat in silence, both fretting in silence. Legolas fell asleep within hours, and Veralia watched the ground, watching the Slavers search around them.
***
It was night again when they climbed down out of the tree. The Slavers had been gone for a long enough time, when Veralia signaled for Legolas to climb down. 'We move by the cover of darkness, for the next two nights, they're still out there,' Veralia whispered.
'Where's Mundo?' Legolas asked, not wanting to leave with out him.
Veralia made a loud hooting call. Like an owls, but different. Legolas could tell immediately, but did not think that a man, as they were untrained to such subtleties of nature, would be able to. Legolas whirled around when he heard a rustling in the bushes. Mundo walked out, his coat now very dirty. They moved on, at night Veralia taught him about the dangers of the darkness.
In two days they started to move by day again. They continued on for a few more days, and Veralia declared that they were in Rohan and in the outskirts of Fangorn forest. 'Don't stray away from camp, Legolas,' she warned, gazing around.
'I don't like it here,' Legolas said, the forest had an eerie silence about it. 'Couldn't we move on?'
'Not tonight, I don't want to travel through here at night,' Veralia replied. 'I would like to move on though. We'll move at dawn.' Legolas nodded and sat next to Mundo, trying to take some comfort from how calm the dog was.
When Legolas was soundly asleep Veralia retired, slipping into unwanted dreams.
A/N: This story isn't going to be that long I've decided. Seven or eight chapters, maybe nine if I get motivated!
~*Sky Magic*~
Anar - The sun, if I later refer to it as a "she," that's because the elves thought of it as a "she."
Atara - Mother
Amin mela lle, o'elle. Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au' - I love you, little one. My heart shall weep until it sees thee again.
Bows and swords to her! (long story, don't bother)
~*Sky Magic*~
Chapter Three
Anar shone down upon Veralia and Legolas, making the journey more pleasant. As they walked Veralia told Legolas about the plants around them. Which were good to eat, which healed urns, which were best in poultices, which would make you sleepy. It didn't surprise Veralia when she found that Legolas was quick and eager to learn. In trade Legolas told Veralia stories about the palace of Mirkwood. The tricks that had been played on him and the tricks he had played on others. It was amusing to find that the young prince was actually quite devious. It amazed Veralia when Legolas spoke freely of his mother's death. She had never said a word to anyone about what had happened, the thought hurt so much, her mother had been everything to her until she found a husband and had a daughter of her own.
'We should stop for the night,' Veralia said as the Anar started to descend in the sky. They set up camp, and as Veralia cooked the meal, she watched Legolas play with Mundo. The dog had found a large stick somewhere and had been begging someone; anyone would do, to play with him.
'What is this? I have not seen it before,' Legolas walked to Veralia holding a leaf of something.
''Tis called the Athelas plant. King's foil by Men. A very powerful healing herb. It works for almost any ailment, and the flowers are said to give off a scent that sooths the soul and heals the heart, but I have never been able to prove that,' Veralia said. 'It can help slow poisons, if not cure them.'
'Is it very precious?' Legolas asked.
'No, not to Men at least. It is regarded as a common weed. They have no knowledge of how to use it. To Elves though, when it is needed, it is very, very precious,' Veralia explained.
'My instructors said they were going to teach me about herbs and lore just before I was captured,' Legolas said.
'Ah, then we mustn't let you fall behind in your studies,' Veralia said, smiling. 'We'll continue tomorrow, we both need rest.' Legolas curled up against Mundo's body again, snuggling into the warm fur. Veralia pulled a blanket out of her pack and placed it over Legolas.
'One story?' he asked. Veralia smiled, Legolas loved stories. Like most children, the words "once upon a time" were enticing. She told him of the making of Arda, and placed a kiss upon his forehead when he was asleep.
Veralia lay down. //If there is any reason they should end these wars, it would be for the children// Veralia thought, looking at Legolas through rapidly closing eyes.
~*~*~*~
Kasia had cried buckets when she learned her mother was leaving her. "How long?" she asked, her green eyes brightened with tears.
"I- I don't know," her ma replied, hugging the sobbing six year old against her.
"Will I ever see you again?" Kasia asked.
If Kasia had looked up, she would have seen the answer in her mother's eyes. "Yes, soon or far in the future, we will meet again. I have a gift for you. To seal the promise." A small package was held out for Kasia to take. Smaller hands took the package, carefully undoing the twine that held it shut. She pulled out two almost identical necklaces. Both hung on a delicate looking silver like chain. The metal looked to be similar to silver but creamier in color and having an almost pearly sheen. One them hung half a leaf of carved jade, veined with the same metal. When but together, the two pendants made a heart shaped leaf.
"What is it made of?" Kasia asked, her undying curiosity surfacing.
"Mithril, dear one. And Elvish metal, as lighter then silver and never tarnishing. It will stay bright and shiny forever. May I?" Kasia handed her mother one of the necklaces. Within seconds it was fastened around her neck, the pendant hanging by her heart. Kasia reached around her mother's neck, fumbling with the latch several times before fastening it around her Atara's neck.
"Veralia!" Kasia's da yelled, urgency in his voice. "They're here! Run! I'll hold them off!"
"Amin mela lle, o'elle. Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au'," Kasia did not know what her mother had said. She was pulled close for one more hug, her mother's tears falling onto her hair. Her mother kissed each of her cheeks and then her forehead, and stood. "Hide Kasia. Don't come out until they leave," her mother said and soldiers stormed into the house. Kasia's mother turned to them fearfully. "Run, Kasia!" Unarmed, there was nothing her mother could do. Soldier's closed around her mother, and Kasia ran out the back of the place that had been her home.
~*~*~*~
A low growl, almost silent, woke Veralia. "What is it Mundo?" she whispered. The dog growled again and Veralia was silent, listening. She heard voices on the wind, she looked up and saw torches blazing far off in the trees, at first she had almost thought they were stars, and then she heard the dogs. She heard snuffling, they were searching for something.
Them. Or rather, Legolas.
She gently shook the slumbering Elf. 'Wha-? Veralia, it isn't dawn, is it?' the Elf asked, rubbing his eyes.
Veralia held a finger to her lips and then rapidly packed. Legolas sat dazedly on the ground, looking rather tired. "Mundo!" Veralia hissed. The dog came over to her and sat, looking her in the eye. "Stay hidden, and for the sake of everyone, don't attack a thing! You know how to find me. Don't get hurt, Mundo." The dog licked her face and ran into the brush. 'Legolas, we need to get away from here, and I'll explain,' Veralia started to climb a large, nearby tree. A motion of her hand was all it took for Legolas to follow suit. Once at a sufficiently high bough, Veralia crouched, staring intently at all the neighboring trees. 'Can you leap from tree to tree?' she asked Legolas, not bothering to look to see if he was up there.
'No,' Legolas frowned; he did not know what was going on.
'We need to get from this tree to that one without touching the ground,' Veralia informed him. 'I'm going to need to carry you.' She further instructed him on how this was going to work. She was going to get from this tree to that one with him clinging to her back.
Veralia took a deep breath. She hadn't needed to do this in over ten years. Hopefully it was like swimming, once you learn it, your body remembers. She stood, balancing on almost quivering legs. //Elbereth help me// she thought, and ran from that bow, leaping into the air. Her descent was quicker then she had expected, missing the first four limps and barely managing to grab the fifth.
After leaving six more trees, Veralia finally settled for a large, lush one. 'You may want to get settled, we could be here awhile,' Veralia told Legolas. 'The Slavers are looking for you, and maybe me. In Gondor, there is a bounty on me head, whether I am alive or dead, more if they can get me alive. We have to get you out of here.'
'Why are they looking for me?' Legolas asked, confusion lighting the emerald eyes that looked a dark jade in the night's darkness. 'What am I worth to them?'
'In Gondor, you are worth a king's ransom,' Veralia told him. Legolas was silent, troubled thoughts crossed his mind. //A king's ransom? Me? But, why?// he thought.
They sat in silence, both fretting in silence. Legolas fell asleep within hours, and Veralia watched the ground, watching the Slavers search around them.
***
It was night again when they climbed down out of the tree. The Slavers had been gone for a long enough time, when Veralia signaled for Legolas to climb down. 'We move by the cover of darkness, for the next two nights, they're still out there,' Veralia whispered.
'Where's Mundo?' Legolas asked, not wanting to leave with out him.
Veralia made a loud hooting call. Like an owls, but different. Legolas could tell immediately, but did not think that a man, as they were untrained to such subtleties of nature, would be able to. Legolas whirled around when he heard a rustling in the bushes. Mundo walked out, his coat now very dirty. They moved on, at night Veralia taught him about the dangers of the darkness.
In two days they started to move by day again. They continued on for a few more days, and Veralia declared that they were in Rohan and in the outskirts of Fangorn forest. 'Don't stray away from camp, Legolas,' she warned, gazing around.
'I don't like it here,' Legolas said, the forest had an eerie silence about it. 'Couldn't we move on?'
'Not tonight, I don't want to travel through here at night,' Veralia replied. 'I would like to move on though. We'll move at dawn.' Legolas nodded and sat next to Mundo, trying to take some comfort from how calm the dog was.
When Legolas was soundly asleep Veralia retired, slipping into unwanted dreams.
A/N: This story isn't going to be that long I've decided. Seven or eight chapters, maybe nine if I get motivated!
~*Sky Magic*~
Anar - The sun, if I later refer to it as a "she," that's because the elves thought of it as a "she."
Atara - Mother
Amin mela lle, o'elle. Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au' - I love you, little one. My heart shall weep until it sees thee again.