Legacy of the Ring
Echo the Nymph
Disclaimer: I don't own the book.
Chapter 15
Aragorn intercepted her before she could leave their company again. "Phoenix, earlier this morning I noticed the scar on your leg. How did that happen?"
A startled gasp escaped her before she could stop it. She steeled herself against the wave of sorrow that accompanied the memory. He had asked; she would answer. "It happened fourteen years ago." Tears welled up in her eyes as she tried to continue telling him. "My mother had befriended an elven lord in her youth and wanted me to meet him. While we were on our way northeast we were caught off guard by a group of orcs. I was pushed down into a den while my parents tried to fight them off." Her tears were threatening to fall onto the ground covered in grass-so-green.
"I heard the sounds of a rapidly approaching horse, but it was already too late for my father. My mother was fatally wounded by another one just before I was pulled out of the den. I recall wounding him after he slashed my leg open. He dropped me and kicked me once I was on the ground. A man cried out 'Yrrch' and killed the orc that had been about to kill me. The sword of the Dunedain was stained with black blood. I'm not quite sure about what happened to the others. He tried to save my mother, but was unable to so he stitched up my wound and took me to where my people could find me."
Aragorn swore softly. "Did your mother call him by any name?"
Phoenix gave him a confused glance. "Estel. Why?"
"Phoenix, that was me. When the Elves raised me, they called me 'Estel'. Your mother knew me because I was near Rivendell when I met her. She wanted you to have this." He silently withdrew the silver chain her mother had worn during her lifetime. Suspended from this chain was an elvish star. Her hands trembled as the necklace was lowered into them. Aragorn gently stilled them. "It will be all right, little Tinuviel."
Lord Elrond saw what was happening and approached. "Phoenix Tinuviel, you are an elf-friend as your mother was. You have proven yourself many times during these battles." He lifted the necklace and fastened it around her neck. "Keep it with you, always." The huntress nodded silently. Talitha flew around to the front of her huntress to get a better view of the necklace. She chirped happily, letting her approval be known.
"You little scamp." Affection showed in the filly's tone as she caught the dragoness in a headlock and rubbed her head. A startled cry brought their attention back to the rest of the camp. A mare, whose black coat carried the white of a blizzard, made her way over to them. Her glacial blue eyes weren't focused on any certain person and her presence was commanding.
The rest of the Fellowship gathered about Phoenix, Elrond and Aragorn. Somehow they knew that this was important. Winter Serenity stopped before them, a grave expression upon her face. "He has moved against mortals. Although his first attack was repelled, he will try again. Fellowship of the Ring, this has increased the danger ten fold. The Ancient Huntresses are not here to give guidance where it is needed."
The huntress met the Gatekeeper's gaze. "Prairie Song was not yet an Ancient Huntress when she was in the final battle of the Second Age, and Sierra not yet born. Still, they managed to stop Sauron. If their guidance is needed, I am a shaman and can inquire of them about our situation."
Winter Serenity nodded, then gestured to the tent. "Everyone please come inside. I must speak with you in private about what is happening." She vanished into the tent before all the others. These coming days will be hard on them. By the creators, the elves must stay! Sauron returned; Morgoth may as well. By the powers of all the Elven Stones, may the light prevail!
Phoenix eyed Winter Serenity. "You are thinking so loud that you're giving me a headache." Her dry tone snapped the mare back to reality.
"You are, indeed, a true shaman. You did not pry, yet you heard my thoughts clearly. Keep your respect, for that is what makes you so rare." She bears the Elven Stone given unto her mother! Phoenix is now an elf-friend. Yet...could she also be a kindred spirit?
Echo the Nymph
Disclaimer: I don't own the book.
Chapter 15
Aragorn intercepted her before she could leave their company again. "Phoenix, earlier this morning I noticed the scar on your leg. How did that happen?"
A startled gasp escaped her before she could stop it. She steeled herself against the wave of sorrow that accompanied the memory. He had asked; she would answer. "It happened fourteen years ago." Tears welled up in her eyes as she tried to continue telling him. "My mother had befriended an elven lord in her youth and wanted me to meet him. While we were on our way northeast we were caught off guard by a group of orcs. I was pushed down into a den while my parents tried to fight them off." Her tears were threatening to fall onto the ground covered in grass-so-green.
"I heard the sounds of a rapidly approaching horse, but it was already too late for my father. My mother was fatally wounded by another one just before I was pulled out of the den. I recall wounding him after he slashed my leg open. He dropped me and kicked me once I was on the ground. A man cried out 'Yrrch' and killed the orc that had been about to kill me. The sword of the Dunedain was stained with black blood. I'm not quite sure about what happened to the others. He tried to save my mother, but was unable to so he stitched up my wound and took me to where my people could find me."
Aragorn swore softly. "Did your mother call him by any name?"
Phoenix gave him a confused glance. "Estel. Why?"
"Phoenix, that was me. When the Elves raised me, they called me 'Estel'. Your mother knew me because I was near Rivendell when I met her. She wanted you to have this." He silently withdrew the silver chain her mother had worn during her lifetime. Suspended from this chain was an elvish star. Her hands trembled as the necklace was lowered into them. Aragorn gently stilled them. "It will be all right, little Tinuviel."
Lord Elrond saw what was happening and approached. "Phoenix Tinuviel, you are an elf-friend as your mother was. You have proven yourself many times during these battles." He lifted the necklace and fastened it around her neck. "Keep it with you, always." The huntress nodded silently. Talitha flew around to the front of her huntress to get a better view of the necklace. She chirped happily, letting her approval be known.
"You little scamp." Affection showed in the filly's tone as she caught the dragoness in a headlock and rubbed her head. A startled cry brought their attention back to the rest of the camp. A mare, whose black coat carried the white of a blizzard, made her way over to them. Her glacial blue eyes weren't focused on any certain person and her presence was commanding.
The rest of the Fellowship gathered about Phoenix, Elrond and Aragorn. Somehow they knew that this was important. Winter Serenity stopped before them, a grave expression upon her face. "He has moved against mortals. Although his first attack was repelled, he will try again. Fellowship of the Ring, this has increased the danger ten fold. The Ancient Huntresses are not here to give guidance where it is needed."
The huntress met the Gatekeeper's gaze. "Prairie Song was not yet an Ancient Huntress when she was in the final battle of the Second Age, and Sierra not yet born. Still, they managed to stop Sauron. If their guidance is needed, I am a shaman and can inquire of them about our situation."
Winter Serenity nodded, then gestured to the tent. "Everyone please come inside. I must speak with you in private about what is happening." She vanished into the tent before all the others. These coming days will be hard on them. By the creators, the elves must stay! Sauron returned; Morgoth may as well. By the powers of all the Elven Stones, may the light prevail!
Phoenix eyed Winter Serenity. "You are thinking so loud that you're giving me a headache." Her dry tone snapped the mare back to reality.
"You are, indeed, a true shaman. You did not pry, yet you heard my thoughts clearly. Keep your respect, for that is what makes you so rare." She bears the Elven Stone given unto her mother! Phoenix is now an elf-friend. Yet...could she also be a kindred spirit?