Legacy of the Ring
Echo the Nymph
Disclaimer: Veorina!!! I don't own Tolkien's characters!
Chapter 25
Phoenix looked to the stars above in the western sky. She could feel something building, something that was held back until the time was right. Why do I feel this way? Is someone calling me?
Winter Serenity came up to her and lightly touched her shoulder. Instantly, the young huntress's attention was upon the Gatekeeper. "I know you feel it, Phoenix Tinuviel. You are being called to the West."
"Nanar?!" Her tone bore surprise; what was going on?
A soft chuckle from Winter Serenity calmed her. "Relax. You are being called to an audience with the Valar." She led the huntress back into the tent. "Fellowship of the Ring, listen to me." They turned; startled. They had no warning of her coming. "The Valar are calling Phoenix to an audience. All must stay here to help keep her safe. Now, make a circle around the fire."
Everyone settled down. Phoenix, Huntress of the line of Fire, stared into the flames falling into a familiar trance. A strong guiding force pulled her over land and sea, to the haven of the elves. Her vision became clouded prompting her to close her eyes in order to protect them.
All sensation of motion ceased, yet she didn't dare move. "Manwe, she is here." a feminine voice called.
"Then bring her here." he commanded.
A gentle hand touched her shoulder, causing her to open her eyes. She was face-to-face with one of the most beautiful elves she'd ever seen. The huntress blushed, averting her gaze. Taravana chuckled lightly. "You do not have to be embarrassed, Phoenix."
Her surprise at her name being known caused her to spring to her hooves. "Come, Manwe is waiting." The huntress followed Taravana, trying to be as unobtrusive as possible. "Phoenix is here, Manwe." She faded into the back round as Manwe approached the shaman.
"Phoenix look at me." She met his gaze easily. He, too, was in the form of an elf. "I know you have felt the power that we are holding back. Please understand that it cannot be released until the final battle." He stared into her eyes; seeing the strength and fire within her. Flustered, she averted her gaze. She is so much like Prairie Song. The powers of a Maia in the mortal life. Yet still, as humble as possible.
"Phoenix." She met his gaze again. "There is something you must know. Among your ancestors was a great Maia. She became clothed in centaur form and was called Prairie Song. It was her decision to become mortal. As you are her direct descendant, you face the same choice: the Gift of Men or the Life of a Maia. Consider carefully."
The surprise on her face was almost comical. Her? Descended of a Maia? Become a Maia? That explained some of the unusual abilities that she and her ancestress shared. "Phoenix, you must make your decision by the time of the final battle. Return."
The huntress bowed gracefully before the white void enveloped her vision once again. By instinct alone, she started back. Her hooves fell silently in the empty space as her speed increased. She felt something grab her and she cried out. Struggling wildly, she kicked out. In the distance, she heard voices.
"Quickly, everyone! Concentrate upon Phoenix! Share with her your light and strength. Do not let the darkness take her!" Winter Serenity cried. In response to her command, they obeyed.
The princess felt them with her, their strength coursing through her. Her struggles intensified until, with a screaming roar, the darkness lost its hold on her. She sped back to her body and came to with a sharpness that was shocking. Phoenix fell back into Legolas's arms. After catching her breath she got to an upright position. "I'm all right now."
Volcanic Strike burst into the tent, his eyes wild with rage. "Phoenix, what is going on? Talitha wouldn't let anyone in here, not even that spirit that seems to have befriended you!"
"Calm down." The princess rose to her hooves with the assistance of her friends. "Someone needed to speak with me and there was danger on the way back. I will be fine in a little while." Sapphire blue eyes sparkled in anger as he continued to doubt. From the first he had felt that she should never have the powers of a shaman. And now she was putting herself in danger because of them!
Winter Serenity stepped between the siblings. "Listen to me!" Her tone shocked Volcanic Strike into silence. "Phoenix will be fine. Your constant worrying has confused her, made her second guess her instincts. That is what has increased the danger of using her abilities!" It was almost as though she had struck him. He backed away, out of the tent. The only expression on his face was one of complete shock. His mouth hung open like that of a fish, his eyes as wide as saucers.
Once she was sure he was out of earshot, Phoenix burst out laughing. "Only you could get away with doing that to him, Winter Serenity. Not even Laela would stand up to him about this." She started laughing again. The others, recalling his expression, burst out laughing as well. They had never expected him to react so violently to what had happened. Then, that expression... It was too much for them to hold in.
Echo the Nymph
Disclaimer: Veorina!!! I don't own Tolkien's characters!
Chapter 25
Phoenix looked to the stars above in the western sky. She could feel something building, something that was held back until the time was right. Why do I feel this way? Is someone calling me?
Winter Serenity came up to her and lightly touched her shoulder. Instantly, the young huntress's attention was upon the Gatekeeper. "I know you feel it, Phoenix Tinuviel. You are being called to the West."
"Nanar?!" Her tone bore surprise; what was going on?
A soft chuckle from Winter Serenity calmed her. "Relax. You are being called to an audience with the Valar." She led the huntress back into the tent. "Fellowship of the Ring, listen to me." They turned; startled. They had no warning of her coming. "The Valar are calling Phoenix to an audience. All must stay here to help keep her safe. Now, make a circle around the fire."
Everyone settled down. Phoenix, Huntress of the line of Fire, stared into the flames falling into a familiar trance. A strong guiding force pulled her over land and sea, to the haven of the elves. Her vision became clouded prompting her to close her eyes in order to protect them.
All sensation of motion ceased, yet she didn't dare move. "Manwe, she is here." a feminine voice called.
"Then bring her here." he commanded.
A gentle hand touched her shoulder, causing her to open her eyes. She was face-to-face with one of the most beautiful elves she'd ever seen. The huntress blushed, averting her gaze. Taravana chuckled lightly. "You do not have to be embarrassed, Phoenix."
Her surprise at her name being known caused her to spring to her hooves. "Come, Manwe is waiting." The huntress followed Taravana, trying to be as unobtrusive as possible. "Phoenix is here, Manwe." She faded into the back round as Manwe approached the shaman.
"Phoenix look at me." She met his gaze easily. He, too, was in the form of an elf. "I know you have felt the power that we are holding back. Please understand that it cannot be released until the final battle." He stared into her eyes; seeing the strength and fire within her. Flustered, she averted her gaze. She is so much like Prairie Song. The powers of a Maia in the mortal life. Yet still, as humble as possible.
"Phoenix." She met his gaze again. "There is something you must know. Among your ancestors was a great Maia. She became clothed in centaur form and was called Prairie Song. It was her decision to become mortal. As you are her direct descendant, you face the same choice: the Gift of Men or the Life of a Maia. Consider carefully."
The surprise on her face was almost comical. Her? Descended of a Maia? Become a Maia? That explained some of the unusual abilities that she and her ancestress shared. "Phoenix, you must make your decision by the time of the final battle. Return."
The huntress bowed gracefully before the white void enveloped her vision once again. By instinct alone, she started back. Her hooves fell silently in the empty space as her speed increased. She felt something grab her and she cried out. Struggling wildly, she kicked out. In the distance, she heard voices.
"Quickly, everyone! Concentrate upon Phoenix! Share with her your light and strength. Do not let the darkness take her!" Winter Serenity cried. In response to her command, they obeyed.
The princess felt them with her, their strength coursing through her. Her struggles intensified until, with a screaming roar, the darkness lost its hold on her. She sped back to her body and came to with a sharpness that was shocking. Phoenix fell back into Legolas's arms. After catching her breath she got to an upright position. "I'm all right now."
Volcanic Strike burst into the tent, his eyes wild with rage. "Phoenix, what is going on? Talitha wouldn't let anyone in here, not even that spirit that seems to have befriended you!"
"Calm down." The princess rose to her hooves with the assistance of her friends. "Someone needed to speak with me and there was danger on the way back. I will be fine in a little while." Sapphire blue eyes sparkled in anger as he continued to doubt. From the first he had felt that she should never have the powers of a shaman. And now she was putting herself in danger because of them!
Winter Serenity stepped between the siblings. "Listen to me!" Her tone shocked Volcanic Strike into silence. "Phoenix will be fine. Your constant worrying has confused her, made her second guess her instincts. That is what has increased the danger of using her abilities!" It was almost as though she had struck him. He backed away, out of the tent. The only expression on his face was one of complete shock. His mouth hung open like that of a fish, his eyes as wide as saucers.
Once she was sure he was out of earshot, Phoenix burst out laughing. "Only you could get away with doing that to him, Winter Serenity. Not even Laela would stand up to him about this." She started laughing again. The others, recalling his expression, burst out laughing as well. They had never expected him to react so violently to what had happened. Then, that expression... It was too much for them to hold in.