THE DAYSTAR
BY: GABRIELLA THE FAIR
Chapter 16
SECRETS UNTOLD
"What was she like, how would you explain her?" With a faraway smile, he looked up to the sky and answered, "She was the Daystar, lighting up the day during our darkest hour, warming the earth with her love." "She is as clear as the moon, as fair as the sun, and as glorious as an army under one banner"
To most she was a loving friend, her fairness lighting up the world, no matter what the weather. To some a companion, and one a lover and dream. Yet, many feared her dignity in her footsteps, power in her stride, and authority in her eyes. This is her story.
^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^
"Come, we are to begin"
"How long will this journey take?" Frodo asked. Haldir had lined the Fellowship up in a straight line, with Raquel near the front.
"About two days, but that is only if we travel leisurely, if we traveled with haste, it would only take about a day."
They started, going in a line through the forest. Raquel could hear Haldir talking quietly to Merry of the old Elf Havens in the Shire. They traveled for awhile, walking at a good pace, not too fast, yet, not too slow.
"I have never seen the Havens in the Shire. Before this quest, I have never been out of my own land, and if I did go back, I don't think I would leave, knowing what the world is like outside and all."
Raquel turned to the direction of his voice, "Not even to see Lothlórien the fair? You will be amazed, my friends, at the splendor of this place you speak so lightly about."
She turned, and a song of old arose in her heart. It had nothing to do with what they were talking about, but it was one that she had heard many times as a child, sung by the Lady herself. She sang, softly, letting the breeze gently drift it back to the rest.
I sang of leaves, of leaves of gold and leaves of gold there grew, Of wind I sang, a wind there came and in the branches bloomed. Beyond the Sun, beyond the Moon, the foam was on the Sea, And by the strand of Ilmarin there grew a golden Tree. Beneath the stars of Ever-eve in Eldamar it shone, In Eldamar beside the walls of Elven Tirion, There long the golden leaves have grown upon the branching years, While here beyond the Sundering Seas now fall the Elven-tears. O Lorien! The Winter comes, the bare and leafless Day. The leaves are falling in the stream, the River flows away. O Lorien! Too long I have dwelt upon this hither shore, And in a fading crown have twined the golden elanor. But if of ships I must now sing what ship would come to me, What ship would bear me ever back across so wide a Sea?
She finished the song and all was silent. No sound could be heard but the breeze. The Fellowship walked confidently. A smile appeared on everyone's face.
"Glînrómen, keep singing." Haldir came be side her, whispering in Elvish.
"Why?" Raquel turned to him, tilting her head slightly to the side.
"It seems that when you sing, your companions walked lightly, try it again."
So she sang again, another song of Lorien and the people.
"Why did you sing that Glînrómen?" Haldir asked in Elvish.
"I sang it because the song rose in my heart, and I love it, though the Lady sings it much better than I."
"I would not be so sure of that." Haldir whispered in Common, closing his eyes as she started to sing again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They stopped that night, and according to Haldir and Raquel, they had passed some ways back, the greatest tree in Lorien.
"We will rest here tonight." Haldir announced, laying down his bow and sitting down on the ground. Everyone did the same, though not as evenly, for their eyes were still bound. After a short meal, everyone slowly fell asleep, except Haldir who had guard. Raquel waited for some hours before getting up.
"Haldir, I'm going up." Raquel went to him and left her bow, "Please look after them," she looked at each of the Fellowship.
"You have become fond of them, have you not?" he asked, she felt his gaze upon her.
"Yes, you could say that." she turned and smiled to the tree.
"Do you remember.?" she started but was interrupted by Haldir.
"Yes, I remember that day better than I remember anything, now be off, dawn is near."
She turned and left, going in the direction of the tree. She had reached it's bole when she heard a rustle behind her.
"Who is there?" she said, turning and fingering Sunstone.
"Raquel what are you doing?" Legolas whispered, his voice sounding small.
"What are you doing? Go back to camp, get some rest." she whispered, but she heard him come closer, "This is no place for you."
"What, where are you going?"
She sighed, "If I tell you, will you go back?" There was no answer, "Fine, I am climbing this tree, so go back, please."
"Can I come?" he asked, "I cannot sleep and you seem to know this place well. Tell me about Lorien, how did you come to know it so well?"
"My aren't we chatty today?" she whispered under her breath as she turned to climb, "Yes, you can come, so start climbing, it is a ways up."
"How can I climb if I cannot see?" he asked fingering the tree.
"Follow my voice and my footfalls, have you ever climbed a tree at night?" her voice already sounded faraway. He climbed the first branch, his fingers groping for another one.
"Yes, I have." he answered, finding the branch and climbing.
"Then act as though you are climbing one at night." she sounded very far now, her voice sounding as if the sky were talking. Panic shot through Legolas.
"Raquel, where are you?!" he asked, losing his focus and footing. Before he fell, a hand grabbed his, pulling him up.
"Do you not trust me enough to lead you rightly?" Raquel asked guiding his hand to the next branch. He did not answer, his head bowed in shame.
"Do not be ashamed Legolas, it happens to everyone the first time, you definitely are not the first."
For the rest of the way up, Raquel stood by his side, guiding him to the next branch. After what seemed like days, they reached a point where Raquel decided to stop.
"Here is my favorite spot, sit here, you have a great view of the forest." She sat down next to him.
"I cannot see the forest though, my eyes are covered." he said, half forgetting that Raquel's were too.
"Yes, you can see the forest. Here." she took his hand again and brought it up, pointing to a space in front of them, "That is the Celebrant, small it seems from up here, though it is still there."
They sat there for hours until dawn, talking of adventures, forests, homes, and much more. Raquel would occasionally show him more, painting a vivid picture of the forest in his head.
"So you do have a good side." he whispered, a smile hinting itself upon his face.
"And what do you mean by that?" she asked, taking no offense.
"I mean, when I met you, I mean at the archery range, you were." but he was cut off by Raquel.
"You caught me at a bad time, that is all."
"What was wrong though, you never really told me what was."
"I never really had the chance."
"Well now you do, so what was it?"
"Elrond, Lord Elrond, gave me the choice of coming with this Fellowship or not, he used my own advice against me. I could not decide whether to come or not. Half of me wanted to stay out of danger, but half of me wanted to go and fight, and finally be free."
"Free? Advice?" Legolas asked, "What do you mean by free, and what advice?"
"Legolas, you know of what I talk of. It is where you just want to get out and be free, to finally do what you want to, and not what any lord or anyone else says. To be yourself, and fight for what is right." Raquel got up walked to one end of the branch and stared out to the Forest.
"And do you finally feel that way?" Legolas asked quietly.
"I do not exactly know, sometimes I question why I decided to come."
"All of us do." Raquel nodded. There was silence for a moment, but Legolas broke it.
"What advice do you mean?" he asked.
She smiled, "What dost thy heart desire?"
"So that is why I got you so mad, I asked you what your heart said, and you did not know." Legolas realized.
"Exactly, at that point, I could not stand my heart, but that was the night I decided to come, and I again listened to some of my own advice."
"What might that be?" he asked.
"Its not exactly in lore, it is just, with the heart, you cannot search for an answer, you must wait for the answer to come to you." Again there was silence.
"It's beautiful." Legolas murmured.
"What is?" Raquel asked, turning to him.
"The Wood, even in the Winter, I cannot even imagine it in the Autumn or Spring."
"And it is even better when you take the covering off your eyes."
"Raquel, you have not yet told me, how do you know all this? You act like you have lived here all your life. Are you not of Rivendell?"
She shook her head, "I am sorry Legolas, I cannot tell you, yet. All will be explained, later though, I promise then I will tell you." He stared at her and said nothing, but she gave him no time to think of anything anyway, "Come, it is almost dawn, and we must leave." She jumped up and made her way to the trunk, extending her hand to Legolas. Before he got up, he spoke quietly.
"Raquel, when we get to the city, will you show me Lorien? Like show me the woods and all the beautiful things in it."
She was silent for a moment, but replied, "Yes, I would love to Legolas, but right now we must go."
They went more quickly this time, for Legolas had developed a sense of where the branches were, though at times he still needed Raquel's help. When they got back to the ground Raquel lead them to the campsite, where Haldir was waiting. He got up and bowed.
"Welcome back Glînrómen." he said, "I need to talk to you."
She nodded and turned to Haldir, when Legolas stopped her, "Thank you Raquel, for letting me come, I enjoyed talking with you." she nodded, and he bowed.
"Legolas, please do not bow." she said. He got up and she whispered, "All will be explained, later." he nodded and left. She turned to Haldir.
"Yes, what is it?" she asked him.
"Gilwen."
"No, call me Raquel."
"Yes, sorry I forgot, is it still fine to call you Glînrómen?"
"Of course!" she said, "I love that name!"
He smiled and went on, "Glînrómen, you are back in the Wood." he hesitated and went on. "From what I hear, you do not need to keep traveling with this Company, you may stop when you feel it is necessary."
"Yes?" Raquel asked.
"Glînrómen, you have people to fight for and govern, are you to stay with them, or go on with this Company?"
Raquel stopped walking and looked down.
"You could be safe again, Raquel, safe at home, here in the Wood."
"What are you saying, Haldir? Are you telling me to abandon the people I have made an oath to protect? I swore upon my bow and blade that I would protect them with my life!" her voice turned into anger.
"No Raquel, I do not ask that of you. Glînrómen," he turned to her, "I have known you since you were just but a child, and I raised you like you were my own child. I do not want to see you hurt or killed. I would rather give up my own life than that, you know that. I would never let anyone hurt you and get away with it."
"I know, I know Haldir, I know you would not. I would never let anyone hurt you either, you have been like a father and brother to me all these long years." from under her blindfold, tears started to form, "And you know how much I love this wood and people."
"Yes," he said, "you would give your own life for them." she nodded to that and he continued, "But, it is not I that wishes to do anything against your own will. I want you to do whatever you want. You must decide, not now, but sometime, and I cannot help, for this is one that you must decide on your own." she nodded and a tear soaked her eye covering.
"Oh, Raquel, you have grown to be so beautiful and strong," he ran his hand down her face, "and you are still as innocent as the first day I saw you, do not let anyone cheat you of that." she shook her head, more tears now running through the covering. After a few moments she spoke.
"No, I know if I let anyone cheat me, they would have all of Lorien in an uproar."
Haldir laughed merrily, "Yes, and they would be killed and ground to grains of sand, but come, we now need to join back up with your companions."
He led her back to the site, where everyone was just waking. Haldir turned to her,
"Welcome home, my Glînrómen." he said and she smiled and laughed.
LEGOLASLEGOLASLEGOLASLEGOLASLEGOLASLEGOLASLEGOLASLEGOLAS
hey, I like that border! lol, yea that was REALLY long, I hope it was worth while. So, next chapter- umm. they get to the elven city. Thanx to everyone that's reviewed, syren2003, crystal, aga_xris, Elena, and an anonymous reviewer that didn't sign, thanx anyways! so, I will stop this AN right now so I can go do the dictionary thing. cya and have a great day! *~*~*Gabi*~*~*
I have finally brought you the name dictionary I promised awhile back. It has the meaning of all the names I make up and who they're for, so enjoy! Everytime a new name comes, I'll put its meaning and all that down here. So here goes-
Gilwen- Also known as Raquel, her name means "Star-maiden"
Ithildin- Raquel's name from Gandalf, which means "Star-moon"
Glînrómen- Haldir's name for Raquel which means "Gleaming-sunrise"
Thalionfëa- Raquel's elvish name for her horse, Artemis, and it means "Strong/dauntless Spirit"
Artemis- her Common name for her horse, Artemis is the Greek goddess of Hunting, the Moon, and young children. Artemis's symbol is the bow.
Katriel- Katriel is Raquel's friend, also a servant in the House of Elrond, "God is my crown"
I think that's it for now, I'll have much more in later chapters. More to come!
"What was she like, how would you explain her?" With a faraway smile, he looked up to the sky and answered, "She was the Daystar, lighting up the day during our darkest hour, warming the earth with her love." "She is as clear as the moon, as fair as the sun, and as glorious as an army under one banner"
To most she was a loving friend, her fairness lighting up the world, no matter what the weather. To some a companion, and one a lover and dream. Yet, many feared her dignity in her footsteps, power in her stride, and authority in her eyes. This is her story.
^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^&*^
"Come, we are to begin"
"How long will this journey take?" Frodo asked. Haldir had lined the Fellowship up in a straight line, with Raquel near the front.
"About two days, but that is only if we travel leisurely, if we traveled with haste, it would only take about a day."
They started, going in a line through the forest. Raquel could hear Haldir talking quietly to Merry of the old Elf Havens in the Shire. They traveled for awhile, walking at a good pace, not too fast, yet, not too slow.
"I have never seen the Havens in the Shire. Before this quest, I have never been out of my own land, and if I did go back, I don't think I would leave, knowing what the world is like outside and all."
Raquel turned to the direction of his voice, "Not even to see Lothlórien the fair? You will be amazed, my friends, at the splendor of this place you speak so lightly about."
She turned, and a song of old arose in her heart. It had nothing to do with what they were talking about, but it was one that she had heard many times as a child, sung by the Lady herself. She sang, softly, letting the breeze gently drift it back to the rest.
I sang of leaves, of leaves of gold and leaves of gold there grew, Of wind I sang, a wind there came and in the branches bloomed. Beyond the Sun, beyond the Moon, the foam was on the Sea, And by the strand of Ilmarin there grew a golden Tree. Beneath the stars of Ever-eve in Eldamar it shone, In Eldamar beside the walls of Elven Tirion, There long the golden leaves have grown upon the branching years, While here beyond the Sundering Seas now fall the Elven-tears. O Lorien! The Winter comes, the bare and leafless Day. The leaves are falling in the stream, the River flows away. O Lorien! Too long I have dwelt upon this hither shore, And in a fading crown have twined the golden elanor. But if of ships I must now sing what ship would come to me, What ship would bear me ever back across so wide a Sea?
She finished the song and all was silent. No sound could be heard but the breeze. The Fellowship walked confidently. A smile appeared on everyone's face.
"Glînrómen, keep singing." Haldir came be side her, whispering in Elvish.
"Why?" Raquel turned to him, tilting her head slightly to the side.
"It seems that when you sing, your companions walked lightly, try it again."
So she sang again, another song of Lorien and the people.
"Why did you sing that Glînrómen?" Haldir asked in Elvish.
"I sang it because the song rose in my heart, and I love it, though the Lady sings it much better than I."
"I would not be so sure of that." Haldir whispered in Common, closing his eyes as she started to sing again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They stopped that night, and according to Haldir and Raquel, they had passed some ways back, the greatest tree in Lorien.
"We will rest here tonight." Haldir announced, laying down his bow and sitting down on the ground. Everyone did the same, though not as evenly, for their eyes were still bound. After a short meal, everyone slowly fell asleep, except Haldir who had guard. Raquel waited for some hours before getting up.
"Haldir, I'm going up." Raquel went to him and left her bow, "Please look after them," she looked at each of the Fellowship.
"You have become fond of them, have you not?" he asked, she felt his gaze upon her.
"Yes, you could say that." she turned and smiled to the tree.
"Do you remember.?" she started but was interrupted by Haldir.
"Yes, I remember that day better than I remember anything, now be off, dawn is near."
She turned and left, going in the direction of the tree. She had reached it's bole when she heard a rustle behind her.
"Who is there?" she said, turning and fingering Sunstone.
"Raquel what are you doing?" Legolas whispered, his voice sounding small.
"What are you doing? Go back to camp, get some rest." she whispered, but she heard him come closer, "This is no place for you."
"What, where are you going?"
She sighed, "If I tell you, will you go back?" There was no answer, "Fine, I am climbing this tree, so go back, please."
"Can I come?" he asked, "I cannot sleep and you seem to know this place well. Tell me about Lorien, how did you come to know it so well?"
"My aren't we chatty today?" she whispered under her breath as she turned to climb, "Yes, you can come, so start climbing, it is a ways up."
"How can I climb if I cannot see?" he asked fingering the tree.
"Follow my voice and my footfalls, have you ever climbed a tree at night?" her voice already sounded faraway. He climbed the first branch, his fingers groping for another one.
"Yes, I have." he answered, finding the branch and climbing.
"Then act as though you are climbing one at night." she sounded very far now, her voice sounding as if the sky were talking. Panic shot through Legolas.
"Raquel, where are you?!" he asked, losing his focus and footing. Before he fell, a hand grabbed his, pulling him up.
"Do you not trust me enough to lead you rightly?" Raquel asked guiding his hand to the next branch. He did not answer, his head bowed in shame.
"Do not be ashamed Legolas, it happens to everyone the first time, you definitely are not the first."
For the rest of the way up, Raquel stood by his side, guiding him to the next branch. After what seemed like days, they reached a point where Raquel decided to stop.
"Here is my favorite spot, sit here, you have a great view of the forest." She sat down next to him.
"I cannot see the forest though, my eyes are covered." he said, half forgetting that Raquel's were too.
"Yes, you can see the forest. Here." she took his hand again and brought it up, pointing to a space in front of them, "That is the Celebrant, small it seems from up here, though it is still there."
They sat there for hours until dawn, talking of adventures, forests, homes, and much more. Raquel would occasionally show him more, painting a vivid picture of the forest in his head.
"So you do have a good side." he whispered, a smile hinting itself upon his face.
"And what do you mean by that?" she asked, taking no offense.
"I mean, when I met you, I mean at the archery range, you were." but he was cut off by Raquel.
"You caught me at a bad time, that is all."
"What was wrong though, you never really told me what was."
"I never really had the chance."
"Well now you do, so what was it?"
"Elrond, Lord Elrond, gave me the choice of coming with this Fellowship or not, he used my own advice against me. I could not decide whether to come or not. Half of me wanted to stay out of danger, but half of me wanted to go and fight, and finally be free."
"Free? Advice?" Legolas asked, "What do you mean by free, and what advice?"
"Legolas, you know of what I talk of. It is where you just want to get out and be free, to finally do what you want to, and not what any lord or anyone else says. To be yourself, and fight for what is right." Raquel got up walked to one end of the branch and stared out to the Forest.
"And do you finally feel that way?" Legolas asked quietly.
"I do not exactly know, sometimes I question why I decided to come."
"All of us do." Raquel nodded. There was silence for a moment, but Legolas broke it.
"What advice do you mean?" he asked.
She smiled, "What dost thy heart desire?"
"So that is why I got you so mad, I asked you what your heart said, and you did not know." Legolas realized.
"Exactly, at that point, I could not stand my heart, but that was the night I decided to come, and I again listened to some of my own advice."
"What might that be?" he asked.
"Its not exactly in lore, it is just, with the heart, you cannot search for an answer, you must wait for the answer to come to you." Again there was silence.
"It's beautiful." Legolas murmured.
"What is?" Raquel asked, turning to him.
"The Wood, even in the Winter, I cannot even imagine it in the Autumn or Spring."
"And it is even better when you take the covering off your eyes."
"Raquel, you have not yet told me, how do you know all this? You act like you have lived here all your life. Are you not of Rivendell?"
She shook her head, "I am sorry Legolas, I cannot tell you, yet. All will be explained, later though, I promise then I will tell you." He stared at her and said nothing, but she gave him no time to think of anything anyway, "Come, it is almost dawn, and we must leave." She jumped up and made her way to the trunk, extending her hand to Legolas. Before he got up, he spoke quietly.
"Raquel, when we get to the city, will you show me Lorien? Like show me the woods and all the beautiful things in it."
She was silent for a moment, but replied, "Yes, I would love to Legolas, but right now we must go."
They went more quickly this time, for Legolas had developed a sense of where the branches were, though at times he still needed Raquel's help. When they got back to the ground Raquel lead them to the campsite, where Haldir was waiting. He got up and bowed.
"Welcome back Glînrómen." he said, "I need to talk to you."
She nodded and turned to Haldir, when Legolas stopped her, "Thank you Raquel, for letting me come, I enjoyed talking with you." she nodded, and he bowed.
"Legolas, please do not bow." she said. He got up and she whispered, "All will be explained, later." he nodded and left. She turned to Haldir.
"Yes, what is it?" she asked him.
"Gilwen."
"No, call me Raquel."
"Yes, sorry I forgot, is it still fine to call you Glînrómen?"
"Of course!" she said, "I love that name!"
He smiled and went on, "Glînrómen, you are back in the Wood." he hesitated and went on. "From what I hear, you do not need to keep traveling with this Company, you may stop when you feel it is necessary."
"Yes?" Raquel asked.
"Glînrómen, you have people to fight for and govern, are you to stay with them, or go on with this Company?"
Raquel stopped walking and looked down.
"You could be safe again, Raquel, safe at home, here in the Wood."
"What are you saying, Haldir? Are you telling me to abandon the people I have made an oath to protect? I swore upon my bow and blade that I would protect them with my life!" her voice turned into anger.
"No Raquel, I do not ask that of you. Glînrómen," he turned to her, "I have known you since you were just but a child, and I raised you like you were my own child. I do not want to see you hurt or killed. I would rather give up my own life than that, you know that. I would never let anyone hurt you and get away with it."
"I know, I know Haldir, I know you would not. I would never let anyone hurt you either, you have been like a father and brother to me all these long years." from under her blindfold, tears started to form, "And you know how much I love this wood and people."
"Yes," he said, "you would give your own life for them." she nodded to that and he continued, "But, it is not I that wishes to do anything against your own will. I want you to do whatever you want. You must decide, not now, but sometime, and I cannot help, for this is one that you must decide on your own." she nodded and a tear soaked her eye covering.
"Oh, Raquel, you have grown to be so beautiful and strong," he ran his hand down her face, "and you are still as innocent as the first day I saw you, do not let anyone cheat you of that." she shook her head, more tears now running through the covering. After a few moments she spoke.
"No, I know if I let anyone cheat me, they would have all of Lorien in an uproar."
Haldir laughed merrily, "Yes, and they would be killed and ground to grains of sand, but come, we now need to join back up with your companions."
He led her back to the site, where everyone was just waking. Haldir turned to her,
"Welcome home, my Glînrómen." he said and she smiled and laughed.
LEGOLASLEGOLASLEGOLASLEGOLASLEGOLASLEGOLASLEGOLASLEGOLAS
hey, I like that border! lol, yea that was REALLY long, I hope it was worth while. So, next chapter- umm. they get to the elven city. Thanx to everyone that's reviewed, syren2003, crystal, aga_xris, Elena, and an anonymous reviewer that didn't sign, thanx anyways! so, I will stop this AN right now so I can go do the dictionary thing. cya and have a great day! *~*~*Gabi*~*~*
I have finally brought you the name dictionary I promised awhile back. It has the meaning of all the names I make up and who they're for, so enjoy! Everytime a new name comes, I'll put its meaning and all that down here. So here goes-
Gilwen- Also known as Raquel, her name means "Star-maiden"
Ithildin- Raquel's name from Gandalf, which means "Star-moon"
Glînrómen- Haldir's name for Raquel which means "Gleaming-sunrise"
Thalionfëa- Raquel's elvish name for her horse, Artemis, and it means "Strong/dauntless Spirit"
Artemis- her Common name for her horse, Artemis is the Greek goddess of Hunting, the Moon, and young children. Artemis's symbol is the bow.
Katriel- Katriel is Raquel's friend, also a servant in the House of Elrond, "God is my crown"
I think that's it for now, I'll have much more in later chapters. More to come!