Legacy of the Ring
Echo the Nymph
Disclaimer: I don't own any of Tolkien's characters.
Chapter 31
Together they helped Phoenix out of Mount Doom. Her injured leg would support very little weight, so they offered what her left would not. Talitha chirped as she flew to her bound huntress. Her warm brown eyes took sight of the wound and she hovered near her huntress as they halted. The soldiers gathered about them, relieved that the war was over.
Winter Serenity held up her hand for silence. The skies above them cleared back to the pristine blue they had been before Sauron had begun his attempt. "This part of the war is over. But do not the shadow sway your hearts. For if you do, peace will last only months. Go unto your homes, and keep with the light."
The soldiers scattered to their homes while the Fellowship went to the capital city of Gondor.
Days later, Phoenix stood firm out in the courtyard. A soothing breeze blew from the sea, carrying the song of the waters. Yet still, she felt one was uneasy. She turned to the Gatekeeper. "Winter Serenity, is something bothering you?"
The concern the young Maia showed was soothing. "I must return to the Gate, High Princess Phoenix. I am the only guardian." Winter Serenity pawed the ground uneasily as the huntress approached her.
"You know you will be missed, but none of us can stop you." Phoenix clasped her friend's shoulder in sympathy. Both had given up the lives they had known for destiny which was not easily done.
The mare vanished in a howling wind, leaving the filly alone.
"Tinuviel." Elrond called.
She turned to him, her eyes sad.
"The time has come." He added.
Sapphire blue eyes closed. "I feel that something else has happened. Spirits upon the wind speak of the Havens, of Valinor. I feel something coming with a great power to Arda." Confusion was apparent on her voice. Such spirits wouldn't lie. "Perhaps you should wait. They have no reason to lie."
Lord Elrond looked into her now open eyes. They were a mixture of clashing emotions: sorrow at the thought of most of the elves leaving, joy that the Ring was gone forever, and confusion about the spirits. However, she was right; they didn't lie about such things.
"That's where you got off to." Arwen declared. "Come on." She herded both the Gem and her father to the room the others were waiting in.
Aragorn hid a smile. His father-in-law was acting a little uncomfortable, yet what he had in mind would take his mind off of it. "We were planning on going to the Shire. Would you like to come with us?"
Phoenix readily agreed, knowing quite a few of the huntresses that frequented the area. Lord Elrond was a little more reluctant, but eventually gave in. Something was telling him that he should be there.
Laughter floated through the palace as they got ready for their trip. "Tinuviel, catch!" Legolas cried, tossing a pack to her.
She easily caught it, laughing again. "Just remember to call me by my tribal name among Riharan." Phoenix set it with the others then whirled and caught Pippin before he tackled her. "Not easy to catch a huntress off-guard, Pippin!" Her laughter was contagious and soon, all were laughing.
Faramir walked into the room with Eowyn at his side. His eyes were troubled, as the Numenorian part of him was warning of danger. "Please be careful, my king. Something doesn't bode well."
Aragorn nodded. "Don't worry, with friends such as these, it would be hard for anyone to come up on us without being noticed."
Talitha flew up with a chirp. The light of the sun glistened off her hide, splitting into the colors of the rainbow. Now that she had returned from hunting they could leave. Together they set out for the northwest. The easy pace that was set made it possible for them to really see the land. Phoenix's instincts served them in good stead, as she kept them out of trouble and danger. But then again, Pippin was always trying to get them into trouble.
Other groups of huntresses and the occasional Veroanda were run into and they were more cautious of Lord Elrond and Legolas than the others. On the final night of their journey, ten miles outside of Hobbiton, a familiar lesser dragon flew into the dancing circle of fire light. Ember settled down with a chirp as Vixen showed herself.
"Good evening, Fellowship." She curled up next to her lesser dragon near the fire. "You have noticed the caution of the huntresses and Veroandas to the elves?"
"Yes, we have. Why do they act in such a way?" Aragorn queried. His curiosity was echoed in the faces of the others.
"Rumor has it that some have seen beings similar to elves committing terrible crimes. Please be careful, many are not going to welcome you with open arms." Vixen rose to her hooves, with Ember in her arms. She vanished into the darkness of the night, leaving no trace of her presence.
Echo the Nymph
Disclaimer: I don't own any of Tolkien's characters.
Chapter 31
Together they helped Phoenix out of Mount Doom. Her injured leg would support very little weight, so they offered what her left would not. Talitha chirped as she flew to her bound huntress. Her warm brown eyes took sight of the wound and she hovered near her huntress as they halted. The soldiers gathered about them, relieved that the war was over.
Winter Serenity held up her hand for silence. The skies above them cleared back to the pristine blue they had been before Sauron had begun his attempt. "This part of the war is over. But do not the shadow sway your hearts. For if you do, peace will last only months. Go unto your homes, and keep with the light."
The soldiers scattered to their homes while the Fellowship went to the capital city of Gondor.
Days later, Phoenix stood firm out in the courtyard. A soothing breeze blew from the sea, carrying the song of the waters. Yet still, she felt one was uneasy. She turned to the Gatekeeper. "Winter Serenity, is something bothering you?"
The concern the young Maia showed was soothing. "I must return to the Gate, High Princess Phoenix. I am the only guardian." Winter Serenity pawed the ground uneasily as the huntress approached her.
"You know you will be missed, but none of us can stop you." Phoenix clasped her friend's shoulder in sympathy. Both had given up the lives they had known for destiny which was not easily done.
The mare vanished in a howling wind, leaving the filly alone.
"Tinuviel." Elrond called.
She turned to him, her eyes sad.
"The time has come." He added.
Sapphire blue eyes closed. "I feel that something else has happened. Spirits upon the wind speak of the Havens, of Valinor. I feel something coming with a great power to Arda." Confusion was apparent on her voice. Such spirits wouldn't lie. "Perhaps you should wait. They have no reason to lie."
Lord Elrond looked into her now open eyes. They were a mixture of clashing emotions: sorrow at the thought of most of the elves leaving, joy that the Ring was gone forever, and confusion about the spirits. However, she was right; they didn't lie about such things.
"That's where you got off to." Arwen declared. "Come on." She herded both the Gem and her father to the room the others were waiting in.
Aragorn hid a smile. His father-in-law was acting a little uncomfortable, yet what he had in mind would take his mind off of it. "We were planning on going to the Shire. Would you like to come with us?"
Phoenix readily agreed, knowing quite a few of the huntresses that frequented the area. Lord Elrond was a little more reluctant, but eventually gave in. Something was telling him that he should be there.
Laughter floated through the palace as they got ready for their trip. "Tinuviel, catch!" Legolas cried, tossing a pack to her.
She easily caught it, laughing again. "Just remember to call me by my tribal name among Riharan." Phoenix set it with the others then whirled and caught Pippin before he tackled her. "Not easy to catch a huntress off-guard, Pippin!" Her laughter was contagious and soon, all were laughing.
Faramir walked into the room with Eowyn at his side. His eyes were troubled, as the Numenorian part of him was warning of danger. "Please be careful, my king. Something doesn't bode well."
Aragorn nodded. "Don't worry, with friends such as these, it would be hard for anyone to come up on us without being noticed."
Talitha flew up with a chirp. The light of the sun glistened off her hide, splitting into the colors of the rainbow. Now that she had returned from hunting they could leave. Together they set out for the northwest. The easy pace that was set made it possible for them to really see the land. Phoenix's instincts served them in good stead, as she kept them out of trouble and danger. But then again, Pippin was always trying to get them into trouble.
Other groups of huntresses and the occasional Veroanda were run into and they were more cautious of Lord Elrond and Legolas than the others. On the final night of their journey, ten miles outside of Hobbiton, a familiar lesser dragon flew into the dancing circle of fire light. Ember settled down with a chirp as Vixen showed herself.
"Good evening, Fellowship." She curled up next to her lesser dragon near the fire. "You have noticed the caution of the huntresses and Veroandas to the elves?"
"Yes, we have. Why do they act in such a way?" Aragorn queried. His curiosity was echoed in the faces of the others.
"Rumor has it that some have seen beings similar to elves committing terrible crimes. Please be careful, many are not going to welcome you with open arms." Vixen rose to her hooves, with Ember in her arms. She vanished into the darkness of the night, leaving no trace of her presence.