DISCLAIMER: Let me see... nope, I don't own Middle Earth or any of
Professor Tolkien's creations. HOWEVER I *do* own Elenaina. (Go me!)
SPECIAL MENTIONS: Thanks to my latest batch of reviewers: Thorn Rose, staran, Dee, ivy, Natters, PHBee, SS/Destiny Daae, Villainous Vander Ark88, and Bellemaine Chercoeur. Cheers!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Big time apologies for the delay in updating. Also, I've stuck another note at the end of this chapter to explain some things to anyone who may not have read The Silmarillion yet.
... Indicates words being spoken into a character's mind.
R&R, please?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CHAPTER THREE: THE UNDERLING
As Laurelin's fruit rose above the horizon, its golden light glimmering on the Western Sea, the Ainur rose in song, The Great Music echoing throughout the Undying Lands. Lately, the Valar's melodies told of the destruction of the One Ring by a Halfling, Frodo Baggins, and the downfall of Sauron, underling of Melkor.
But in spite of this great triumph, all Elenaina heard as she stirred from her slumber was the lamentations of Nienna, Lady of Pity.
Rolling onto her side, she blinked her eyes open. A bloom of elanor brushed across her cheek. Elenaina sat up with a sigh, turning her gaze towards the dawn. Such a poor compensation for the light of the Two Trees. Smoothing her dark gown, she plucked a few stray blades of grass from the skirt, emerald eyes clouded in pensive thought as the breeze whipped her chestnut tresses into her face. Reluctantly, she stood, turning towards the Halls of Nienna.
Unlike the halls of any of her fellow Valar, save perhaps Mandos, Nienna favoured a dark home, sorrow crying out from the very walls. Despite being the handmaiden of the Lady of Pity, Elenaina could not stand to be around such pain and grief for so long. Thus, she tried to remain outdoors for as long as she could without neglecting her duties. Even the simple pleasure of falling asleep amidst the luscious blooms of elanor could lighten her heart; but today, that gave her little respite.
Translucent curtains of black stain shuddered from the doorway as Elenaina strode along the balcony before slipping easily into the House, feeling the sting of tears in her eye. Even after an age and a half, the pity of Nienna would overwhelm the maiden as she crossed the threshold, ensnaring her heart in the clutches of a dread so powerful she could hardly breathe.
Elenaina... The gentle, mournful voice of the Vala Nienna filled her mind, the connection sending a termor down her spine. It often filled Elenaina with unease, to know that someone else (although if felt wrong to consider one of the most powerful of Eru's servants as such) could enter her thoughts, see past the indifferent exterior she upheld.
Greetings, Lady of Pity. Her handmaiden replied.
She will soon wake. It must be done now, child. Touch her mind with your power, and show her what to do. Came the command, the laments the victims of Melkor and Sauron's terror ceasing for but a second.
At once, hiril-nîn. Elenaina bowed, despite the fact that her mistress was not around to see this show of respect, but compelled to do it nonetheless. Closing her eyes, she stiffened, allowing all thoughts but those of her task to flee her mind... allowing her thoughts to touch the Evenstar's and intercept her dreams.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Aragorn wrapped his arms around Arwen's waist and lowered his lips to her in a passionate kiss. She cupped his face, pulling him closer as the Bruinen Falls hissed behind them.
A clap of lightning drew them from the kiss. Arwen cried out in dismay as Aragorn vanished like a mist. "Meleth-nin, Manke naa lle?"
A gentle, feminine voice filled her mind. Lady Undomiel.
She spun around sharply, seeking the one who spoke to her. Before Arwen, stood a dark-haired maid, with eyes as green as foliage and milk-white skin. A smile crossed the young woman lips. There was an air about her, an elven grace, but her ears were rounded like a Human's.
Mae govannen, Lady Undomiel. The Maia spirit greeted, stepping towards Arwen, who stood wide-eyed in fascination. I bear tidings from the One. This message I offer thee: continue your course east of Osgiliath. At dusk, your true purpose will be revealed. Namarie...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Arwen awoke with a start, to find Aragorn watching her, concern evident in his expression. "Are you all right, meleth-nin?" he asked, sliding closer to her.
For a moment, she stared at her surroundings: still the same woodland clearing they had stopped in last night. Trees loomed around them, the milky sunlight filtering through the green canopy overhead. A soft morning breeze whipped her dark tresses into her face.
"It was her again..." Arwen whispered, pulling Aragorn closer. "She still haunts my dreams, and she came bearing another message. We are to continue our journey, and at sunset, the meaning of my visions will be revealed."
"Then let us make haste!" Aragorn whistled to their steeds. Roheyrn and Asfaloth came galloping from the clearing where they had been grazing.
After eating a hasty breakfast of lembas and drinking water from the skin they carried, the lovers mounted their steeds. Arwen dug her heels into Asfaloth's side, spurring the magnificent white stallion onwards. "Noro lim!"
"Noro lim, Roheyrn!" Aragorn cried, racing after his beloved.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Elenaina blinked her eyes open, raising a hand to wipe away the tears. Arwen Evenstar would be presented with her task, a quest more perilous than the one undertaken by her ancestress, Luthien Tinuvel - and Luthien had died. What fate then, awaited Arwen Undomiel?
At the thought of Luthien, Elenaina dissolved into hysterical tears. Tears of grief, tears of regret, tears of failure. 'I failed you, mellon amin, but I swear upon my honour that I will not fail the Evenstar.'
Hurrying outdoors, she lay back down on the flower bed upon which she had slept every night for millennia beyond count. Her eyes fluttered shut as she turned her mind towards Middle Earth. Towards the elf-maiden whom she had watched from afar, watched blossom from a sweet, innocent child into a beautiful princess, destined to become Queen of Gondor.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Streaks of red, orange and gold marred the powder blue sky as Laurelin's fruit began its descent behind the hills. Two riders, silhouetted against the landscape, dismounted their horses.
"'Tis dusk," Aragorn said, helping Arwen down from Asfaloth's back. Her muscles screamed in protest, but blessed with elven grace and poise, she did not stumble. "Soon, we learn what is wanted of us."
"Estel..." Arwen whispered, clutching his hand protectively. "I am afraid, meleth-nin."
He pulled the elf-maiden, the keeper of his heart, into his embrace. "I refuse to pretend that I am not afraid too. But we have one another, and I swear that I will protect you no matter what." He brushed a tender kiss to her brow. "Amin mela lle."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Elenaina knelt up, arms outstretched. Murmuring a chant older than Arda itself, she felt herself slip away, spirit and body parting for but a moment before being pulled together again by an unseen force.
She shook her head. Her own trepidation was holding her back, preventing her from performing her appointed tasks and duties. This would not do. A Maia should not have to worry about an elven princess and a human king she had not even met, regardless of how protective she felt towards them both.
Inhaling a deep breath, she repeated the chant. A tingle, like cool water on heated flesh, reverberated throughout her body. Her fingers numbed, tension draining away as the state of complete bliss overwhelmed her. Her body grew slack, emerald eyes slipping shut.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Arwen stiffened. "Estel, nad no ennas."
He drew Anduril from its sheath. "Stay back, Evenstar."
But she shook her head, and unsheathed her own blade. "No. We promised to stand together in this."
Aragorn was about to protest when a blinding light filled the air. Both elf and man sank to their knees, screwing their eyes shut. "What is the name of the Valar is happening?" Arwen shrieked, groping blindly for her love. Aragorn joined her in an exclamation of pain when their foreheads crashed into one another.
Fear not, Elfstone and Evenstar. A voice, like the sound of a harp being plucked by nimble fingers, filled their ears, the light fading to a silver glow to reveal a young woman bathed in light, her pale face devoid of expression, the light of the stars glimmering in her eyes.
Arwen raised her eyes. "You!"
Aragorn stared in wonderment, both at his love and the mysterious maiden who stood before them. He turned to Arwen, a question flaring in his eyes.
I know what you wish to know, Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Estel, King Elessar, the maiden spoke into his mind. Too long have I heard your secret wishes, the wish to spare the one you love from the grief your death would cause her. Aragorn blinked in shock, his head pounding. You tried pushing her away to spare her, but your love was stronger than fear. But know, you have been given a chance to save her; to save both of you. All you need to do is listen...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Arwen, Elrondiell, two nights ago your father beseeched the Valar, the Maia spirit whispered into the she-elf's mind. He wished that both you and your love be spared the fate that mortality will bring you.
Why are you telling me this? Arwen shot back.
I come to tell you that your Father's prayer has been answered. To a certain degree at least.
Arwen felt her heart sink into her stomach. For a moment, the briefest second, she had though that perhaps Estel had been offered the gift of the Elven-kind, the gift of immortality.
But you have a chance, Undomiel. Both of you. The chance for the one thing you have wished for every night in your dreams, and in the deepest, darkest caverns of your heart. An eternity.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Elenaina's indifference slowly melted to a smile. "Nienna, Lady of Pity, has offered you this gift, this one chance."
"And that is...?" Arwen watched the maiden with expectant eyes, hope shining out from her features.
"A quest."
"But we already on a quest!" Aragorn interjected. "For months now, Arwen has been plagued with visions of a terrible future, a future where the world will be ruled by Uruk-Hai, unless we stop it! And now, you come along and try to sway us from that purpose! Who are you?"
Elenaina smiled; a bittersweet smile. "Fear not, King of Gondor. The visions that have haunted your betrothed were my doing."
Arwen dropped to the ground. "Are you telling me..." she spat, flames of anger burning behind her eyes, "That what I saw was not real? That Estel and I disappointed our friends and family - not to mention the people of Gondor, who wanted to their king wed - for some... whim of yours?!"
Elenaina shook her head, indifference creeping back into her expression. "What has been shown to you was not for my amusement, nor the amusement of my Masters. It is a possible future for Middle Earth." She raised her hands above her head, eyes fluttering shut. "Watch..."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Aragorn and Arwen clutched one another fiercely as the fiery volcano in the background erupted, unleashing its anger in a sea of molten rock and foul black fumes, snatching the very breath from their lungs.
Inhumane moans screamed in the blackness, tortured souls howling in agony at the snapping of whips. Aragorn tightened his grip on Arwen's slender waist as she buried her face in his shoulder amidst the pounding of hammers forging crude weapons.
Then, they heard it: a cold, high-pitched cackle, followed soon after by furious commands in the Black Speech of Mordor. Lifting her head, she met Aragorn's eyes, seeing something that gripped her heart more powerfully than the nefarious voice whose words burned her ears. She saw terror.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
They tumbled, landing on the grass. Aragorn stared at the Maia, who watched them both, concern evident on her face.
"What you have seen is real," she said, "What you have seen is not the future, but the present. Mordor has awoken once more. The underling of Sauron has come into his own."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
ELVISH TRANSLATIONS:
Hiril-nîn = my lady
Manke naa lle = Where are you?
Nad no ennas = Something is out there
Elrondiell = Elrond's daughter/Daughter of Elrond.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A/N: Just some notes about the character Elenaina for anyone who is interested. The name is dervived from the Quenya word 'elena', meaning 'of the stars' and 'aina', which can be translated as 'holy'. So the name Elenaina means 'star of holiness'. Elenaina is a Maia, handmaiden to the Vala Queen Nienna, the Lady of Pity.
Now, for the confusing part: it was Elbereth who heard Elrond's prayer in the prologue, because, according to the 'Valaquenta' in The Silmarillion, "Varda [Elbereth] hears more clearly than all other ears the sound of voices that cry from east to west." However, since it was what I would classify as a prayer of pity, Varda would pass Elrond's wish onto Nienna. But, being a Vala goddess, Nienna would not wish to intervene in mortal affairs, so the duty of granting Elrond's wish would fall to her servant, Elenaina. Does that make sense?
If anyone doesn't agree with what I've said, feel free to e-mail me at princessevenstar0104@hotmail.com or to post your comments in a review.
SPECIAL MENTIONS: Thanks to my latest batch of reviewers: Thorn Rose, staran, Dee, ivy, Natters, PHBee, SS/Destiny Daae, Villainous Vander Ark88, and Bellemaine Chercoeur. Cheers!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Big time apologies for the delay in updating. Also, I've stuck another note at the end of this chapter to explain some things to anyone who may not have read The Silmarillion yet.
... Indicates words being spoken into a character's mind.
R&R, please?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CHAPTER THREE: THE UNDERLING
As Laurelin's fruit rose above the horizon, its golden light glimmering on the Western Sea, the Ainur rose in song, The Great Music echoing throughout the Undying Lands. Lately, the Valar's melodies told of the destruction of the One Ring by a Halfling, Frodo Baggins, and the downfall of Sauron, underling of Melkor.
But in spite of this great triumph, all Elenaina heard as she stirred from her slumber was the lamentations of Nienna, Lady of Pity.
Rolling onto her side, she blinked her eyes open. A bloom of elanor brushed across her cheek. Elenaina sat up with a sigh, turning her gaze towards the dawn. Such a poor compensation for the light of the Two Trees. Smoothing her dark gown, she plucked a few stray blades of grass from the skirt, emerald eyes clouded in pensive thought as the breeze whipped her chestnut tresses into her face. Reluctantly, she stood, turning towards the Halls of Nienna.
Unlike the halls of any of her fellow Valar, save perhaps Mandos, Nienna favoured a dark home, sorrow crying out from the very walls. Despite being the handmaiden of the Lady of Pity, Elenaina could not stand to be around such pain and grief for so long. Thus, she tried to remain outdoors for as long as she could without neglecting her duties. Even the simple pleasure of falling asleep amidst the luscious blooms of elanor could lighten her heart; but today, that gave her little respite.
Translucent curtains of black stain shuddered from the doorway as Elenaina strode along the balcony before slipping easily into the House, feeling the sting of tears in her eye. Even after an age and a half, the pity of Nienna would overwhelm the maiden as she crossed the threshold, ensnaring her heart in the clutches of a dread so powerful she could hardly breathe.
Elenaina... The gentle, mournful voice of the Vala Nienna filled her mind, the connection sending a termor down her spine. It often filled Elenaina with unease, to know that someone else (although if felt wrong to consider one of the most powerful of Eru's servants as such) could enter her thoughts, see past the indifferent exterior she upheld.
Greetings, Lady of Pity. Her handmaiden replied.
She will soon wake. It must be done now, child. Touch her mind with your power, and show her what to do. Came the command, the laments the victims of Melkor and Sauron's terror ceasing for but a second.
At once, hiril-nîn. Elenaina bowed, despite the fact that her mistress was not around to see this show of respect, but compelled to do it nonetheless. Closing her eyes, she stiffened, allowing all thoughts but those of her task to flee her mind... allowing her thoughts to touch the Evenstar's and intercept her dreams.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Aragorn wrapped his arms around Arwen's waist and lowered his lips to her in a passionate kiss. She cupped his face, pulling him closer as the Bruinen Falls hissed behind them.
A clap of lightning drew them from the kiss. Arwen cried out in dismay as Aragorn vanished like a mist. "Meleth-nin, Manke naa lle?"
A gentle, feminine voice filled her mind. Lady Undomiel.
She spun around sharply, seeking the one who spoke to her. Before Arwen, stood a dark-haired maid, with eyes as green as foliage and milk-white skin. A smile crossed the young woman lips. There was an air about her, an elven grace, but her ears were rounded like a Human's.
Mae govannen, Lady Undomiel. The Maia spirit greeted, stepping towards Arwen, who stood wide-eyed in fascination. I bear tidings from the One. This message I offer thee: continue your course east of Osgiliath. At dusk, your true purpose will be revealed. Namarie...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Arwen awoke with a start, to find Aragorn watching her, concern evident in his expression. "Are you all right, meleth-nin?" he asked, sliding closer to her.
For a moment, she stared at her surroundings: still the same woodland clearing they had stopped in last night. Trees loomed around them, the milky sunlight filtering through the green canopy overhead. A soft morning breeze whipped her dark tresses into her face.
"It was her again..." Arwen whispered, pulling Aragorn closer. "She still haunts my dreams, and she came bearing another message. We are to continue our journey, and at sunset, the meaning of my visions will be revealed."
"Then let us make haste!" Aragorn whistled to their steeds. Roheyrn and Asfaloth came galloping from the clearing where they had been grazing.
After eating a hasty breakfast of lembas and drinking water from the skin they carried, the lovers mounted their steeds. Arwen dug her heels into Asfaloth's side, spurring the magnificent white stallion onwards. "Noro lim!"
"Noro lim, Roheyrn!" Aragorn cried, racing after his beloved.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Elenaina blinked her eyes open, raising a hand to wipe away the tears. Arwen Evenstar would be presented with her task, a quest more perilous than the one undertaken by her ancestress, Luthien Tinuvel - and Luthien had died. What fate then, awaited Arwen Undomiel?
At the thought of Luthien, Elenaina dissolved into hysterical tears. Tears of grief, tears of regret, tears of failure. 'I failed you, mellon amin, but I swear upon my honour that I will not fail the Evenstar.'
Hurrying outdoors, she lay back down on the flower bed upon which she had slept every night for millennia beyond count. Her eyes fluttered shut as she turned her mind towards Middle Earth. Towards the elf-maiden whom she had watched from afar, watched blossom from a sweet, innocent child into a beautiful princess, destined to become Queen of Gondor.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Streaks of red, orange and gold marred the powder blue sky as Laurelin's fruit began its descent behind the hills. Two riders, silhouetted against the landscape, dismounted their horses.
"'Tis dusk," Aragorn said, helping Arwen down from Asfaloth's back. Her muscles screamed in protest, but blessed with elven grace and poise, she did not stumble. "Soon, we learn what is wanted of us."
"Estel..." Arwen whispered, clutching his hand protectively. "I am afraid, meleth-nin."
He pulled the elf-maiden, the keeper of his heart, into his embrace. "I refuse to pretend that I am not afraid too. But we have one another, and I swear that I will protect you no matter what." He brushed a tender kiss to her brow. "Amin mela lle."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Elenaina knelt up, arms outstretched. Murmuring a chant older than Arda itself, she felt herself slip away, spirit and body parting for but a moment before being pulled together again by an unseen force.
She shook her head. Her own trepidation was holding her back, preventing her from performing her appointed tasks and duties. This would not do. A Maia should not have to worry about an elven princess and a human king she had not even met, regardless of how protective she felt towards them both.
Inhaling a deep breath, she repeated the chant. A tingle, like cool water on heated flesh, reverberated throughout her body. Her fingers numbed, tension draining away as the state of complete bliss overwhelmed her. Her body grew slack, emerald eyes slipping shut.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Arwen stiffened. "Estel, nad no ennas."
He drew Anduril from its sheath. "Stay back, Evenstar."
But she shook her head, and unsheathed her own blade. "No. We promised to stand together in this."
Aragorn was about to protest when a blinding light filled the air. Both elf and man sank to their knees, screwing their eyes shut. "What is the name of the Valar is happening?" Arwen shrieked, groping blindly for her love. Aragorn joined her in an exclamation of pain when their foreheads crashed into one another.
Fear not, Elfstone and Evenstar. A voice, like the sound of a harp being plucked by nimble fingers, filled their ears, the light fading to a silver glow to reveal a young woman bathed in light, her pale face devoid of expression, the light of the stars glimmering in her eyes.
Arwen raised her eyes. "You!"
Aragorn stared in wonderment, both at his love and the mysterious maiden who stood before them. He turned to Arwen, a question flaring in his eyes.
I know what you wish to know, Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Estel, King Elessar, the maiden spoke into his mind. Too long have I heard your secret wishes, the wish to spare the one you love from the grief your death would cause her. Aragorn blinked in shock, his head pounding. You tried pushing her away to spare her, but your love was stronger than fear. But know, you have been given a chance to save her; to save both of you. All you need to do is listen...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Arwen, Elrondiell, two nights ago your father beseeched the Valar, the Maia spirit whispered into the she-elf's mind. He wished that both you and your love be spared the fate that mortality will bring you.
Why are you telling me this? Arwen shot back.
I come to tell you that your Father's prayer has been answered. To a certain degree at least.
Arwen felt her heart sink into her stomach. For a moment, the briefest second, she had though that perhaps Estel had been offered the gift of the Elven-kind, the gift of immortality.
But you have a chance, Undomiel. Both of you. The chance for the one thing you have wished for every night in your dreams, and in the deepest, darkest caverns of your heart. An eternity.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Elenaina's indifference slowly melted to a smile. "Nienna, Lady of Pity, has offered you this gift, this one chance."
"And that is...?" Arwen watched the maiden with expectant eyes, hope shining out from her features.
"A quest."
"But we already on a quest!" Aragorn interjected. "For months now, Arwen has been plagued with visions of a terrible future, a future where the world will be ruled by Uruk-Hai, unless we stop it! And now, you come along and try to sway us from that purpose! Who are you?"
Elenaina smiled; a bittersweet smile. "Fear not, King of Gondor. The visions that have haunted your betrothed were my doing."
Arwen dropped to the ground. "Are you telling me..." she spat, flames of anger burning behind her eyes, "That what I saw was not real? That Estel and I disappointed our friends and family - not to mention the people of Gondor, who wanted to their king wed - for some... whim of yours?!"
Elenaina shook her head, indifference creeping back into her expression. "What has been shown to you was not for my amusement, nor the amusement of my Masters. It is a possible future for Middle Earth." She raised her hands above her head, eyes fluttering shut. "Watch..."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Aragorn and Arwen clutched one another fiercely as the fiery volcano in the background erupted, unleashing its anger in a sea of molten rock and foul black fumes, snatching the very breath from their lungs.
Inhumane moans screamed in the blackness, tortured souls howling in agony at the snapping of whips. Aragorn tightened his grip on Arwen's slender waist as she buried her face in his shoulder amidst the pounding of hammers forging crude weapons.
Then, they heard it: a cold, high-pitched cackle, followed soon after by furious commands in the Black Speech of Mordor. Lifting her head, she met Aragorn's eyes, seeing something that gripped her heart more powerfully than the nefarious voice whose words burned her ears. She saw terror.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
They tumbled, landing on the grass. Aragorn stared at the Maia, who watched them both, concern evident on her face.
"What you have seen is real," she said, "What you have seen is not the future, but the present. Mordor has awoken once more. The underling of Sauron has come into his own."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
ELVISH TRANSLATIONS:
Hiril-nîn = my lady
Manke naa lle = Where are you?
Nad no ennas = Something is out there
Elrondiell = Elrond's daughter/Daughter of Elrond.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A/N: Just some notes about the character Elenaina for anyone who is interested. The name is dervived from the Quenya word 'elena', meaning 'of the stars' and 'aina', which can be translated as 'holy'. So the name Elenaina means 'star of holiness'. Elenaina is a Maia, handmaiden to the Vala Queen Nienna, the Lady of Pity.
Now, for the confusing part: it was Elbereth who heard Elrond's prayer in the prologue, because, according to the 'Valaquenta' in The Silmarillion, "Varda [Elbereth] hears more clearly than all other ears the sound of voices that cry from east to west." However, since it was what I would classify as a prayer of pity, Varda would pass Elrond's wish onto Nienna. But, being a Vala goddess, Nienna would not wish to intervene in mortal affairs, so the duty of granting Elrond's wish would fall to her servant, Elenaina. Does that make sense?
If anyone doesn't agree with what I've said, feel free to e-mail me at princessevenstar0104@hotmail.com or to post your comments in a review.