Chapter 20
Tarin stood there staring in shock at Gimli and then ran straight to him.
She ran as fast as she could and hugged him as tightly as she could. Tears
of despair fell from her face as she felt Gimli stiffen to her touch. Then
tears of joy and utter relief fell when his arms slowly enveloped her.
The road to Rivendell would have been considered fairly easy, but for Tarin it was akin to Hell itself. Tarin stumbled along in the deepest of misery. While Voronda did her best to talk to Tarin and keep her hopes and spirits high Legolas barely spoke a word to her. This just made Tarin sink further into herself; her only solace was late at night. She would tap into the earth the way that Gimli had taught her, she didn't know what to feel for but the idea that she could link with the earth brought her comfort. Tarin wept bitterly when she realized at home there was no such thing as a connection with the earth. So she trudged behind the elves, eating little and saying less for their week of travel. All the while trying to convince herself that things would be better once she got out of Middle Earth.
It was the eighth day of the trek that Legolas gave a yell and raced ahead of Voronda and Tarin. Voronda almost followed but restrained herself and returned to Tarin's side to await Legolas's return. A few minutes later a man appeared on the path before them. Tarin almost gave a yell until she saw Legolas coming up behind him, his face smiling warmly. Voronda looked at her husband in confusion. Legolas smiled and indicated to the man who was now taking in the people around him with the air of an elf, "Nurhyandoien, it is time you met my friend Aragorn, king of Gondor and Rohan." Tarin didn't show any response but Voronda's face broke into a smile as she greeted him in elvish. He responded quietly but warmly. After she greeted him she turned to Tarin and said in the common tongue for her sake, "and this is Tarin, a woman who Varda brought to Middle Earth. She is on a journey to Rivendell with us now to see if Elrond could persuade Varda to return her to her home." Aragorn stooped down so that he was face-to-face with Tarin, "is Tarin your name from your home?" Tarin shook her head, "my name there was Helena." "And why aren't you Helena anymore?" Tarin whispered, "I like the name Tarin, it suits me." Aragorn looked hard at her, almost trying to read her before he abruptly stood and said, "I hope you may soon find rest and peace Tarin." Without any other idea of what to say Tarin simply whispered, "Thank you Aragorn."
Legolas and Aragorn, having much to discuss decided to camp early and spend the night in each others company. Aragorn, while charmed as much as any man by Legolas's wife seemed to be more interested in Tarin and her home. Tarin told him grudgingly as much as she could about her home. She recalled the wars, pollution, racism, and terrorism with disgust and disgrace. She finished with, "It is nothing like the beauty, wonder and majesty I find here." Aragorn looked at Tarin for so long that she found herself fidgeting under his steady gaze, however as soon as she found herself moving she straightened her shoulders and met his gaze evenly. Aragorn continued to look at her levelly until she could no longer hold his gaze and once more dropped her eyes to the ground. It was then that the true wisdom of the King of Gondor and lord of Rohan showed forth brilliantly, "Then why do you wish to go home Tarin?" Tarins' eyes flew up to the King of Gondors; all she found was a well masked face of steady eyes. She didn't know how to respond, her eyes went to Legolas. He was looking at her like she was a little child who was just about to discover that birds fly. Nurhyandoien wasn't much better; she looked at her with encouragement in her eyes. The truth hit Tarin like an avalanche just fell on her, she was still in so much shock at her own realization that she could only whisper, "I don't want to go back there."
And so the next morning it was decided that Aragorn and Tarin would travel to the Iron Hills together. Tarin and Voronda hugged each other tightly, "go find your happiness Tarin" Voronda whispered to her friend. Tarin smiled happily and unsurely but she managed to respond, "thank you mellonamin, I will try." My friend Voronda got up and made space for her husband. Legolas came slowly up to the dwarf-girl he found, only three weeks ago? Tarin looked at his eyes as he approached, they no longer held hate, or malice but simply sadness with a spark of hope in his proud face. Tarin sighed, "I've been a fool Legolas." She looked at the ground, "forgive me?" Legolas breathed in deeply, he hadn't been wonderful either. "It is not I to whom you should apologize, go help Gimli." He awkwardly patted her shoulder then gracefully unfolded his form in front of her so he once more towered over her. He walked over to his wife and held her hand, "Nurhyandoien and I shall call you elf-friend now that you have discovered your path. Come back and visit as an elf-friend if you wish." With that Aragorn lifted Tarin onto the front of his horse and then he mounted himself. Aragorn quietly called out, "Lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva mellonamin" sweet water and light laughter till next we meet my friend Tarin was sure that they couldn't have heard but when she turned back to look the glade was empty and there was no sign of her two friends. However when she turned back around to face forward and the long path ahead of her Legolas's sweet voice carried strongly on the breeze and spoke to her, "Aa' menle nauva calen ar' ta hwesta e' ale'quenle" Voronda's voice picked up too, it seemed to float around Tarin as she struggled to make out the words, they sang, "Namaarie utugimli telnaikelea lle tenna'ento lye omentuva" Tarin turned her head up to Aragorn almost absentmindedly wondering why her face was streaked with tears. Aragorn sensed the question in her and he softly translated, "Legolas said may your paths be green and the breeze at thy back while Nurhyandoien bid you farewell, told you to find Gimli and end your pain she then said till next we meet. You have found two allies many would be proud to have." Tarin nodded and said solemnly, "So have you it would seem." Aragorn laughed whole-heartedly and agreed. He spurred the horse on into a canter.
It took them four days of riding before they beheld the Iron Hills but at the edge of the forest Aragorn reined his steed in and dismounted. "What's wrong?" Tarin was really worried because Aragorn had just put every weapon in his possession on himself and then handed her a knife. Aragorn gave a short smile, "Nothing, I just want to make sure it stays that way. Stay here, I will return soon." Not sure what else to do Tarin did as she was bid and waited in the shadows of a nearby tree. After about half an hour of waiting Tarin finally saw Aragorn slowly approaching her and at his heels marched another figure, a dwarf. "Gimli" she breathed and then took off at a run for the pair. She stopped short however when she could make out features, this dwarf was most certainly not Gimli, in fact SHE did not look very happy to be out here. Tarin and the other dwarf stood studying each-other intently for awhile, this strange dwarf had long burgundy hair carefully platted into a French braid. Her features were very pronounced, her eyes were sharp and her complexion was ruddy. She was the first to break the silence, "King Elessar I have come here at your bidding without explanation, but I must beg one now." The woman squared her shoulders, widened her stance and said her peace in a manner that said she was far from begging, she was demanding an explanation. Aragorn bowed slightly to her, Tarin wondered if he was truly bowing or lightly mocking her, "Of course my lady Nalin, meet Tarin Pooltears." Of all the explanations Nalin's very imaginative mind could have concocted that was an explanation she never would have guessed. Her mouth hung open until she abruptly closed it, stared at Tarin and demanded, "This is true?" Tarin met her eyes, "yes, I am Tarin." Nalin looked at the girl almost challengingly, "I am Nalin, cousin of Gimli." Tarin felt very small at that moment realizing what the entire family of Gimli must think of her at that moment. Nalin faced her once more, "why are you here?" Not one for subtlety Tarin looked up at Nalin and felt her resolve harden, she was not going to be looked down on for falling in love. "I am here to be with Gimli." Nalin inwardly smiled but outside she retained her cool look of disdain, "and to stay with him this time?" That hurt. Tarin looked at Nalin, "Yes I will stay with him for as long as he wants me." "If he wants you Tarin?" Tarin felt wretched and could only whisper, "Yes, if he wants me." Finally satisfied that this girl was sincere she finally let her smile show as she practically beamed at the downcast dwarf-girl. Nalin grasped her shoulders and made Tarin look at her, "of course he still loves you Tarin, he needs you, but know now that you are also killing him. Kill him and I will kill you." Tarin was so disoriented by the sudden mood swings of this girl that all she could do was nod dumbly. Aragorn watched all this from a distance and smiled, he really liked this Nalin girl.
So after sneaking her into Nalin's room Tarin got the one luxury she sorely missed ever since coming to Middle Earth, a bath. That was pure bliss, but the detangling of her hair was hell. Thankfully Nalin managed to leave some hairs in her head. Tairn felt so good being clean and fresh, she even got to borrow Nalin's dress and jewelry for the 'surprise' tonight as Nalin called it. Once more Tarin donned the huge cloak and hood that was used to sneak her into the hall and followed Nalin blindly. Eventually they stopped and Nalin seemed to push on a big door because there was a blast of warm air. Tarin was guided inside, the doors were shut behind her and Nalin plucked off her hood and cape. She was in a banqueting hall, no doubt on that. "Wait here Tarin, I can't stay with you any longer but Gimli will be in in about half an hour. Be ready for him." Without another word Nalin left and Tarin sat down, wondering what would happen next.
The road to Rivendell would have been considered fairly easy, but for Tarin it was akin to Hell itself. Tarin stumbled along in the deepest of misery. While Voronda did her best to talk to Tarin and keep her hopes and spirits high Legolas barely spoke a word to her. This just made Tarin sink further into herself; her only solace was late at night. She would tap into the earth the way that Gimli had taught her, she didn't know what to feel for but the idea that she could link with the earth brought her comfort. Tarin wept bitterly when she realized at home there was no such thing as a connection with the earth. So she trudged behind the elves, eating little and saying less for their week of travel. All the while trying to convince herself that things would be better once she got out of Middle Earth.
It was the eighth day of the trek that Legolas gave a yell and raced ahead of Voronda and Tarin. Voronda almost followed but restrained herself and returned to Tarin's side to await Legolas's return. A few minutes later a man appeared on the path before them. Tarin almost gave a yell until she saw Legolas coming up behind him, his face smiling warmly. Voronda looked at her husband in confusion. Legolas smiled and indicated to the man who was now taking in the people around him with the air of an elf, "Nurhyandoien, it is time you met my friend Aragorn, king of Gondor and Rohan." Tarin didn't show any response but Voronda's face broke into a smile as she greeted him in elvish. He responded quietly but warmly. After she greeted him she turned to Tarin and said in the common tongue for her sake, "and this is Tarin, a woman who Varda brought to Middle Earth. She is on a journey to Rivendell with us now to see if Elrond could persuade Varda to return her to her home." Aragorn stooped down so that he was face-to-face with Tarin, "is Tarin your name from your home?" Tarin shook her head, "my name there was Helena." "And why aren't you Helena anymore?" Tarin whispered, "I like the name Tarin, it suits me." Aragorn looked hard at her, almost trying to read her before he abruptly stood and said, "I hope you may soon find rest and peace Tarin." Without any other idea of what to say Tarin simply whispered, "Thank you Aragorn."
Legolas and Aragorn, having much to discuss decided to camp early and spend the night in each others company. Aragorn, while charmed as much as any man by Legolas's wife seemed to be more interested in Tarin and her home. Tarin told him grudgingly as much as she could about her home. She recalled the wars, pollution, racism, and terrorism with disgust and disgrace. She finished with, "It is nothing like the beauty, wonder and majesty I find here." Aragorn looked at Tarin for so long that she found herself fidgeting under his steady gaze, however as soon as she found herself moving she straightened her shoulders and met his gaze evenly. Aragorn continued to look at her levelly until she could no longer hold his gaze and once more dropped her eyes to the ground. It was then that the true wisdom of the King of Gondor and lord of Rohan showed forth brilliantly, "Then why do you wish to go home Tarin?" Tarins' eyes flew up to the King of Gondors; all she found was a well masked face of steady eyes. She didn't know how to respond, her eyes went to Legolas. He was looking at her like she was a little child who was just about to discover that birds fly. Nurhyandoien wasn't much better; she looked at her with encouragement in her eyes. The truth hit Tarin like an avalanche just fell on her, she was still in so much shock at her own realization that she could only whisper, "I don't want to go back there."
And so the next morning it was decided that Aragorn and Tarin would travel to the Iron Hills together. Tarin and Voronda hugged each other tightly, "go find your happiness Tarin" Voronda whispered to her friend. Tarin smiled happily and unsurely but she managed to respond, "thank you mellonamin, I will try." My friend Voronda got up and made space for her husband. Legolas came slowly up to the dwarf-girl he found, only three weeks ago? Tarin looked at his eyes as he approached, they no longer held hate, or malice but simply sadness with a spark of hope in his proud face. Tarin sighed, "I've been a fool Legolas." She looked at the ground, "forgive me?" Legolas breathed in deeply, he hadn't been wonderful either. "It is not I to whom you should apologize, go help Gimli." He awkwardly patted her shoulder then gracefully unfolded his form in front of her so he once more towered over her. He walked over to his wife and held her hand, "Nurhyandoien and I shall call you elf-friend now that you have discovered your path. Come back and visit as an elf-friend if you wish." With that Aragorn lifted Tarin onto the front of his horse and then he mounted himself. Aragorn quietly called out, "Lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva mellonamin" sweet water and light laughter till next we meet my friend Tarin was sure that they couldn't have heard but when she turned back to look the glade was empty and there was no sign of her two friends. However when she turned back around to face forward and the long path ahead of her Legolas's sweet voice carried strongly on the breeze and spoke to her, "Aa' menle nauva calen ar' ta hwesta e' ale'quenle" Voronda's voice picked up too, it seemed to float around Tarin as she struggled to make out the words, they sang, "Namaarie utugimli telnaikelea lle tenna'ento lye omentuva" Tarin turned her head up to Aragorn almost absentmindedly wondering why her face was streaked with tears. Aragorn sensed the question in her and he softly translated, "Legolas said may your paths be green and the breeze at thy back while Nurhyandoien bid you farewell, told you to find Gimli and end your pain she then said till next we meet. You have found two allies many would be proud to have." Tarin nodded and said solemnly, "So have you it would seem." Aragorn laughed whole-heartedly and agreed. He spurred the horse on into a canter.
It took them four days of riding before they beheld the Iron Hills but at the edge of the forest Aragorn reined his steed in and dismounted. "What's wrong?" Tarin was really worried because Aragorn had just put every weapon in his possession on himself and then handed her a knife. Aragorn gave a short smile, "Nothing, I just want to make sure it stays that way. Stay here, I will return soon." Not sure what else to do Tarin did as she was bid and waited in the shadows of a nearby tree. After about half an hour of waiting Tarin finally saw Aragorn slowly approaching her and at his heels marched another figure, a dwarf. "Gimli" she breathed and then took off at a run for the pair. She stopped short however when she could make out features, this dwarf was most certainly not Gimli, in fact SHE did not look very happy to be out here. Tarin and the other dwarf stood studying each-other intently for awhile, this strange dwarf had long burgundy hair carefully platted into a French braid. Her features were very pronounced, her eyes were sharp and her complexion was ruddy. She was the first to break the silence, "King Elessar I have come here at your bidding without explanation, but I must beg one now." The woman squared her shoulders, widened her stance and said her peace in a manner that said she was far from begging, she was demanding an explanation. Aragorn bowed slightly to her, Tarin wondered if he was truly bowing or lightly mocking her, "Of course my lady Nalin, meet Tarin Pooltears." Of all the explanations Nalin's very imaginative mind could have concocted that was an explanation she never would have guessed. Her mouth hung open until she abruptly closed it, stared at Tarin and demanded, "This is true?" Tarin met her eyes, "yes, I am Tarin." Nalin looked at the girl almost challengingly, "I am Nalin, cousin of Gimli." Tarin felt very small at that moment realizing what the entire family of Gimli must think of her at that moment. Nalin faced her once more, "why are you here?" Not one for subtlety Tarin looked up at Nalin and felt her resolve harden, she was not going to be looked down on for falling in love. "I am here to be with Gimli." Nalin inwardly smiled but outside she retained her cool look of disdain, "and to stay with him this time?" That hurt. Tarin looked at Nalin, "Yes I will stay with him for as long as he wants me." "If he wants you Tarin?" Tarin felt wretched and could only whisper, "Yes, if he wants me." Finally satisfied that this girl was sincere she finally let her smile show as she practically beamed at the downcast dwarf-girl. Nalin grasped her shoulders and made Tarin look at her, "of course he still loves you Tarin, he needs you, but know now that you are also killing him. Kill him and I will kill you." Tarin was so disoriented by the sudden mood swings of this girl that all she could do was nod dumbly. Aragorn watched all this from a distance and smiled, he really liked this Nalin girl.
So after sneaking her into Nalin's room Tarin got the one luxury she sorely missed ever since coming to Middle Earth, a bath. That was pure bliss, but the detangling of her hair was hell. Thankfully Nalin managed to leave some hairs in her head. Tairn felt so good being clean and fresh, she even got to borrow Nalin's dress and jewelry for the 'surprise' tonight as Nalin called it. Once more Tarin donned the huge cloak and hood that was used to sneak her into the hall and followed Nalin blindly. Eventually they stopped and Nalin seemed to push on a big door because there was a blast of warm air. Tarin was guided inside, the doors were shut behind her and Nalin plucked off her hood and cape. She was in a banqueting hall, no doubt on that. "Wait here Tarin, I can't stay with you any longer but Gimli will be in in about half an hour. Be ready for him." Without another word Nalin left and Tarin sat down, wondering what would happen next.