Part Four: Concerning Wine and Water
We were riding for about half a day before Legolas stopped in front of a clearing before a river. He asked if I was thirsty. Of course it sort of troubled me that he would ask such a question before a river and troubled me even more when Legolas pull himself from the horse, carrying with him a silver cup.
"Legolas, I'm not thirsty."
"Why, the cease of you face speak of a thirst that must have entered into your very bones."
He seemed quite content to kneel by the banks of the fast flowing river, and draw up a full cup of water. The air around these woods are nothing like Bilbo said they were - the trees seem not to close in around you, but rather to throw open a vault of endless sky. And the wind! The wind smelled of beech wood and fragrant rose bushes, hidden somewhere among this sea of greenery. The birds never stopped singing, even for a moment, as if some song of joy was forever in their tiny hearts.
This forest has changed - I must remember to write to Bilbo and tell him. He ought to change that book of his.
"Drink, and let us go before the sun has risen too high and I can not find my way out."
Even though it has changed, I still wouldn't drink that water. The tales of a river that made one sleep even with a tiny sip of its clear water - I grew up on that story and I could not bring myself to drink the offered cup.
"I'm not thirsty."
"Then let us be on our way. I wish to hunt a deer and eat it all - for I am sure by nightfall, you will not hungry either."
With a laugh, the Elf drowned the contents of the cup and sprung lightly on Arod's back. With a gentle murmur into the horse's ear, the horse reeled his head and neighed, with in turn made Legolas laugh as well. Though I rejoice to see such an uplift in Legolas' persona, and my heart was already busy with a letter to Gimli, that good hearted worrying drawf, I did not find much comfort in knowing that both an Elf and a horse could find so much amusement at my expense.
As we rode on, I thought of deserts. I never seen one, only read of them in the oldest books that the library at Rohan offered. Endless plains of dry land, with not a drop of life saving water upon them for a good many years - that was exactly how quickly my mind was descending to, as we rode farther and faster under the high sun.
I glance sideways at Legolas, and found him quite adsorbed with singing, a fair song in the Common Tongue, one hand absentmindedly stroking the side of Arod's neck. By his waist, a wine flask hung, a fair one of leather and jeweled handle. Behind him sat two more tiny casks of wine, and the thought of it made my lips crack with pleading. Of course, I forgotten anything of wine; all I carried were the food supplies and cooking utensils. I would have pleasured Sam greatly if he knew I packed even an iron skillet and a coffee pot!
Surely, the fair Elf would have given me a drink if I were only to ask. But I did not want to stop his singing - nor endure anymore of his gentle teasing. And for all of Bag-End! I wouldn't let his horse canter around in merriment either!
I quickly squeezed my knees together twice, as Legolas instructed once before we started this riding, and the horse, wonderfully trained, speed two full strides and continued at a steady pace. I was quite close to Legolas' side, and I reached out my hand to the strap that held the wine flask to his side. But when I did, Legolas quickened his pace, with my hand still untying the flask's strap.
Together, we galloped at a rapid pace, my horse quite content on racing Arod, as Legolas rode on, still singing, switching from the Common Tongue to his own, and then, to my surprise, a drinking song in Gimli's tongue!
I would have enjoyed all this, if we were not quickly approaching yet another rapid river. There was not a bridge in sight and I heard Legolas pause in his verse and murmur to Arod to jump. Now I had but little choice to hold on, for jumping was not something I understood. I'm not much of a rider - at the very least, I am only half the rider that Merry is. My horse could jump, easily, for she was trained in Elvish style, but I myself doubt that I could clear the jump with all my wits still with me.
So I held on, and I fancy, what a sight we were. I swore on all that is green and good, I would have loved the sensation of sailing over water, if the water were not flowing quickly and carrying bits of broken branch and wood and if not, when we were not even halfway over the river, the flask strings came loose and I lost my footing with the horse. I almost fell, but before I could, someone yelled in Elvish,
"No more, my lord!"
And Legolas reached down and held onto my hand before my feet could even brush the river's surface and placed another upon my horse's back. With that fashion, we managed to land quite safely on the river's western bank.
I turned to look up at Legolas, but he was watching the thicket of wood that stood before us, a strange, half scornful, half happy look in his eyes. So I turn my eyes to the wood too, and he spoke.
"I can not even manage to outride the likes of you. And you wish to call me Windcatcher, fair Gwyn? "
And to my surprise, but I really must stop being surprised, for these Elves were always forever accomplishing something that never stopped making marvel, an Elvish maiden stepped from the wood. She was dressed in green silk and yellow, and a single chain of silver was clasped at her throat.
"She's beautiful, Legolas. Is she your sister?"
The look in Legolas' eye spoke of a feeling that I couldn't quite name. Once more, it was a mixture of two separate feelings, one of joy and one of a sadness I did not understand.
"No, she is pledged in my family's name. She is the cook's daughter."
===
Legolas watched as Gwyn approached, bringing with her a flower. She bent to the ground, already pleading his forgiveness and his patience with her impertinence, but as she got ready the horses for his father's hunt, she noticed that Arod and her own were missing. And she continued her tale of following them this far, on foot, and how Ledilor stopped her and asked if she would bring a message to the prince.
At this point, Legolas lifted a hand, and Gwyn stopped. She did not lift her eyes from the ground, and remained kneeling. A sound, more like a sigh, fell from Frodo's lips, and he turn to find the Hobbit looking up at him.
And he spoke, in Gimli's tongue, so Gwyn could not understand his words. When and how Frodo learned the language was yet another question that Legolas must ask on their journey. The Hobbit must be filled with secrets that reach twice his height in size.
"Can you not forgive her? She is only, after all, following the words of Ledilor. Please, forgive her."
"Forgive her? Why, something else has crossed my mind. I have but another purpose for her."
===
Legolas rode in front of us, leaving Gwyn and I following quickly behind. The flower she offered back at the river was now tucked into the folds of her braid, and every so often, she would point out a tree, or a flower, and tell a story in Elvish. I am pleased that I understand every word she said - Bilbo's lessons truly were of use. I must remember to thank him for Gwyn seemed to marvel at the fact I knew her tongue so well.
She sat behind me, a great honor to me, for no matter what Legolas says, she seemed as fair of a lady as Arwen - and just as beautiful. Her laugh was merry, and her eyes shone of a light that sparked brightly and echoed faintly of fallen stars, set adrift to this land.
I did not understand why Legolas insisted that she would accompany us, until we reached the woods of Lorien. When I questioned him, all he said in reply was that he was fulfilling a promise, whatever promise that was. I know that once we reached Lorien, we would rid ourselves of Gwyn's company, and already I have begun to grow sad at that approaching fate. Already, her laugh has lifted something dark in me. I would fain enjoy riding without her.
"Frodo?"
Something fell in my lap, and I gingerly held it. The wine flask was even more precious and beautiful up close. A hand reached out to pat my horse's neck, and Legolas turn nothing but his eyes to look at me.
"Why didn't you drink the water when I asked you?"
Legolas is more of a Prince then I thought he was. He has inherited the same kindness and pride from his father.
"Well, I did not feel like sleeping, because the sun was still high and I am not an Elf like you are, Legolas."
And how he laughed! Gwyn as well, lifting her hand to cover her mouth. I can not describe it, but something in me, laughed too.
"Frodo, that river lies west of the Palace. I see Bilbo's tales has spread from not one corner of my realm, but to cover all the Great Forest."*
===
They reached the outskirts of the forest by the third day, and traveled quickly on the Old Forest Road. For a moment, Frodo thought they were returning to the Shire, and his heart sank. He did not want to share the company of Legolas and Gwyn with any one else, save Merry, Pippin and Sam. What a riot the other Hobbits would stir up if such fair people entered into their land.
But Legolas did turn his horse west, and then to the north, and Frodo rode easily. Legolas must be riding to someplace in the mountians. That was until he realize - they were riding to Rivendell.
There was nothing there for Legolas, or for him. The Elves have left. Frodo quickened his pace, until he was riding alongside Legolas, and spoke quietly, for Gwyn was asleep.
"There's nothing left for you there, Legolas."
"There's nothing left for me anywhere, Frodo. After all, I am doing nothing more but making sure that is the truth."
* Note - This is a part of the Hobbit. Bilbo and his company reach Mirkwood, only to encounter a river that makes anyone who steps in it, fall fast asleep. Since Bilbo journeyed from the Shire, the river does indeed lie west of the palace, and Frodo, Legolas and Gwyn are traveling southwards. At the end, Frodo wonders if they are going to the Shire, because the Old Road leds east.
We were riding for about half a day before Legolas stopped in front of a clearing before a river. He asked if I was thirsty. Of course it sort of troubled me that he would ask such a question before a river and troubled me even more when Legolas pull himself from the horse, carrying with him a silver cup.
"Legolas, I'm not thirsty."
"Why, the cease of you face speak of a thirst that must have entered into your very bones."
He seemed quite content to kneel by the banks of the fast flowing river, and draw up a full cup of water. The air around these woods are nothing like Bilbo said they were - the trees seem not to close in around you, but rather to throw open a vault of endless sky. And the wind! The wind smelled of beech wood and fragrant rose bushes, hidden somewhere among this sea of greenery. The birds never stopped singing, even for a moment, as if some song of joy was forever in their tiny hearts.
This forest has changed - I must remember to write to Bilbo and tell him. He ought to change that book of his.
"Drink, and let us go before the sun has risen too high and I can not find my way out."
Even though it has changed, I still wouldn't drink that water. The tales of a river that made one sleep even with a tiny sip of its clear water - I grew up on that story and I could not bring myself to drink the offered cup.
"I'm not thirsty."
"Then let us be on our way. I wish to hunt a deer and eat it all - for I am sure by nightfall, you will not hungry either."
With a laugh, the Elf drowned the contents of the cup and sprung lightly on Arod's back. With a gentle murmur into the horse's ear, the horse reeled his head and neighed, with in turn made Legolas laugh as well. Though I rejoice to see such an uplift in Legolas' persona, and my heart was already busy with a letter to Gimli, that good hearted worrying drawf, I did not find much comfort in knowing that both an Elf and a horse could find so much amusement at my expense.
As we rode on, I thought of deserts. I never seen one, only read of them in the oldest books that the library at Rohan offered. Endless plains of dry land, with not a drop of life saving water upon them for a good many years - that was exactly how quickly my mind was descending to, as we rode farther and faster under the high sun.
I glance sideways at Legolas, and found him quite adsorbed with singing, a fair song in the Common Tongue, one hand absentmindedly stroking the side of Arod's neck. By his waist, a wine flask hung, a fair one of leather and jeweled handle. Behind him sat two more tiny casks of wine, and the thought of it made my lips crack with pleading. Of course, I forgotten anything of wine; all I carried were the food supplies and cooking utensils. I would have pleasured Sam greatly if he knew I packed even an iron skillet and a coffee pot!
Surely, the fair Elf would have given me a drink if I were only to ask. But I did not want to stop his singing - nor endure anymore of his gentle teasing. And for all of Bag-End! I wouldn't let his horse canter around in merriment either!
I quickly squeezed my knees together twice, as Legolas instructed once before we started this riding, and the horse, wonderfully trained, speed two full strides and continued at a steady pace. I was quite close to Legolas' side, and I reached out my hand to the strap that held the wine flask to his side. But when I did, Legolas quickened his pace, with my hand still untying the flask's strap.
Together, we galloped at a rapid pace, my horse quite content on racing Arod, as Legolas rode on, still singing, switching from the Common Tongue to his own, and then, to my surprise, a drinking song in Gimli's tongue!
I would have enjoyed all this, if we were not quickly approaching yet another rapid river. There was not a bridge in sight and I heard Legolas pause in his verse and murmur to Arod to jump. Now I had but little choice to hold on, for jumping was not something I understood. I'm not much of a rider - at the very least, I am only half the rider that Merry is. My horse could jump, easily, for she was trained in Elvish style, but I myself doubt that I could clear the jump with all my wits still with me.
So I held on, and I fancy, what a sight we were. I swore on all that is green and good, I would have loved the sensation of sailing over water, if the water were not flowing quickly and carrying bits of broken branch and wood and if not, when we were not even halfway over the river, the flask strings came loose and I lost my footing with the horse. I almost fell, but before I could, someone yelled in Elvish,
"No more, my lord!"
And Legolas reached down and held onto my hand before my feet could even brush the river's surface and placed another upon my horse's back. With that fashion, we managed to land quite safely on the river's western bank.
I turned to look up at Legolas, but he was watching the thicket of wood that stood before us, a strange, half scornful, half happy look in his eyes. So I turn my eyes to the wood too, and he spoke.
"I can not even manage to outride the likes of you. And you wish to call me Windcatcher, fair Gwyn? "
And to my surprise, but I really must stop being surprised, for these Elves were always forever accomplishing something that never stopped making marvel, an Elvish maiden stepped from the wood. She was dressed in green silk and yellow, and a single chain of silver was clasped at her throat.
"She's beautiful, Legolas. Is she your sister?"
The look in Legolas' eye spoke of a feeling that I couldn't quite name. Once more, it was a mixture of two separate feelings, one of joy and one of a sadness I did not understand.
"No, she is pledged in my family's name. She is the cook's daughter."
===
Legolas watched as Gwyn approached, bringing with her a flower. She bent to the ground, already pleading his forgiveness and his patience with her impertinence, but as she got ready the horses for his father's hunt, she noticed that Arod and her own were missing. And she continued her tale of following them this far, on foot, and how Ledilor stopped her and asked if she would bring a message to the prince.
At this point, Legolas lifted a hand, and Gwyn stopped. She did not lift her eyes from the ground, and remained kneeling. A sound, more like a sigh, fell from Frodo's lips, and he turn to find the Hobbit looking up at him.
And he spoke, in Gimli's tongue, so Gwyn could not understand his words. When and how Frodo learned the language was yet another question that Legolas must ask on their journey. The Hobbit must be filled with secrets that reach twice his height in size.
"Can you not forgive her? She is only, after all, following the words of Ledilor. Please, forgive her."
"Forgive her? Why, something else has crossed my mind. I have but another purpose for her."
===
Legolas rode in front of us, leaving Gwyn and I following quickly behind. The flower she offered back at the river was now tucked into the folds of her braid, and every so often, she would point out a tree, or a flower, and tell a story in Elvish. I am pleased that I understand every word she said - Bilbo's lessons truly were of use. I must remember to thank him for Gwyn seemed to marvel at the fact I knew her tongue so well.
She sat behind me, a great honor to me, for no matter what Legolas says, she seemed as fair of a lady as Arwen - and just as beautiful. Her laugh was merry, and her eyes shone of a light that sparked brightly and echoed faintly of fallen stars, set adrift to this land.
I did not understand why Legolas insisted that she would accompany us, until we reached the woods of Lorien. When I questioned him, all he said in reply was that he was fulfilling a promise, whatever promise that was. I know that once we reached Lorien, we would rid ourselves of Gwyn's company, and already I have begun to grow sad at that approaching fate. Already, her laugh has lifted something dark in me. I would fain enjoy riding without her.
"Frodo?"
Something fell in my lap, and I gingerly held it. The wine flask was even more precious and beautiful up close. A hand reached out to pat my horse's neck, and Legolas turn nothing but his eyes to look at me.
"Why didn't you drink the water when I asked you?"
Legolas is more of a Prince then I thought he was. He has inherited the same kindness and pride from his father.
"Well, I did not feel like sleeping, because the sun was still high and I am not an Elf like you are, Legolas."
And how he laughed! Gwyn as well, lifting her hand to cover her mouth. I can not describe it, but something in me, laughed too.
"Frodo, that river lies west of the Palace. I see Bilbo's tales has spread from not one corner of my realm, but to cover all the Great Forest."*
===
They reached the outskirts of the forest by the third day, and traveled quickly on the Old Forest Road. For a moment, Frodo thought they were returning to the Shire, and his heart sank. He did not want to share the company of Legolas and Gwyn with any one else, save Merry, Pippin and Sam. What a riot the other Hobbits would stir up if such fair people entered into their land.
But Legolas did turn his horse west, and then to the north, and Frodo rode easily. Legolas must be riding to someplace in the mountians. That was until he realize - they were riding to Rivendell.
There was nothing there for Legolas, or for him. The Elves have left. Frodo quickened his pace, until he was riding alongside Legolas, and spoke quietly, for Gwyn was asleep.
"There's nothing left for you there, Legolas."
"There's nothing left for me anywhere, Frodo. After all, I am doing nothing more but making sure that is the truth."
* Note - This is a part of the Hobbit. Bilbo and his company reach Mirkwood, only to encounter a river that makes anyone who steps in it, fall fast asleep. Since Bilbo journeyed from the Shire, the river does indeed lie west of the palace, and Frodo, Legolas and Gwyn are traveling southwards. At the end, Frodo wonders if they are going to the Shire, because the Old Road leds east.