In Her Youth
Echo the Nymph
Disclaimer: Tolkien owns his work, I don't.
Nine times, the seasons passed.
Deep in the forests green,
Two youngsters grew.
The wandering child
And her Betrothed
Leave Harlindon behind.
Yet another life within the wandering child
As the others are watched by their grandfather.
Chapter 4
"Thunderbird isn't very happy about this." Distant Storm declared as they stood on the edge of Harlindon. The grasslands beyond were a soft spring green in that month of May. White clouds were scattered in the blue sky and the sun cast its golden light over all the land.
"Who cares?" Lightning Bird stepped out of the shadows and into the warm light of the sun. "He's kept me from visiting Imladris fro three years. Besides, Lightning Strike is too young to make this trip and he's besotted with her. Come on!" She sprang into an easy gallop, her pregnant belly swaying in the motion. He chuckled, chasing after her. They froliced over the hills, leaving no trace of their presence behind.
Three days had passed since their journey over the grasslands. Their pace had put them within a stone's throw of Rivendell. The trees around them were bright with the soft spring green in the predawn gloom. Distant Storm turned his attention to his mate's gait which was still light and full of spring.
She froze then backed inot the brush, with him following. They wre passed by a rather angry looking man riding a pitch black horse. His white robes and metal staff instantly marked him as a wizard. "Saruman's not a wanderer; so why is he so far away from Isenguard?" Her question hung in the air unanswered as he left the area and they continued onward.
A sharp hiss escaped her as she froze in her tracks. Distant Storm turned only to see a contraction ripple across her spotted flanks.
"Nanar di E di?" He cried.
"Get me to Imladris. Lord Elrond knows enough about centaurs to help." Lightning Bird suppressed the contractions as best she could as she extended her gait. Giving birth alone and on the trail wasn't something she wanted to happen. The huntress had a hard time with her first two children.
Distant Storm eyed the cliff near his hooves uneasily as he helped his mate along the narrow path. Oh, it wouldn't seem narrow to a Riharan, but to him it was. Lightning Bird slipped and found herself steadied by her mate. It seemed like hours later when they arrived, yet the sun was not yet above the horizon.
Lord Elrond instantly recognized her and what was happening so he approached. With their help, she made it to a room that had been prepared for them.
The contractions rippling across her flanks became closer together. She hissed again before she could speak. "My water already broke."
Distant Storm saw her trust in the elf-lord and turned to comforting her. He started; they were speaking in Sindaran! What other languages did she know?
Elrond continued encouraging her until the foal was completely out. As dawn's first light broke over the horizon, a healthy squall relieved all that were in the room. After cleaning her and wrapping her in a warm, yet sheer, blanket around her, he handed her to her mother. "A lovely daughter." He set to work cleaning the slight mess that had been made. Luckily for them, they had been prepared for her to give birth soon after her arrival.
The sheer cloth revealed a baby fuzz that was a light golden bay. Her tail and hair were as black as a raven's wings as well as her hooves. White sprinkled across her quarters and barrel like little snow flurries. Her eyes, slightly unfocused, were as blue as sapphires from below the earth.
"To our people, she is Phoenix. Her name is Phoenix Tinuviel, for song and medicine are her strengths." Lightning Bird brought her baby close, singing a Sindaran lullabye. Phoenix fell asleep to the sound of elvish music after her first meal.
Then, the new mother rolled to an upright position. "Distant Storm, this is Lord Elrond of Rivendell. Lord Elrond, this is Distant Storm." Her introduction broke the ice between them and they greeted eachother politely.
"And here I thought stallions and elves did not get along all that well." Humor was evident in his voice, should you know him well enough.
"Estel!" Lightning Bird cried, happily greeting the Dunedain. She introduced him to her mate and new child, whom was still sleeping. She rose to her hooves and they walked outside. What they spoke of inside the garden startled him. That, and the exsquisit beauty of the garden. Trees shot to incredible heights, green beyound believing, even in this early morning hour. A babbling brook soothed the nerves and pristine white flowers blossomed from vines.
"I believe what we are speaking of is beyond Distant Storm." Elrond's comment drew him back to the present.
Lightning Bird shifted her grip on her child with the ease of practice. "He was never told of the Rings of Power." They settled onto benches so that she could explain. He would believe his mate better than they right now. She sighed, drawing in her thoughts. "The world has changed. I feel it in the earth, I feel it in the water, I can smell it in the air. Much of what once was is lost, for none now live who remember." Her tone was from far-off, Maia-like, Elrond thought. Much like Prairie Song and Sacred Smoke. "It began with the forging of the Rings of Power. Three were given to the Elves. Immortal, wisest and fairest of all creatures. Seven were given to the Dwarf Lords, great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls."
She drew a steadying breath before continuing. "And Nine, nine were gifted to the race of men, who above all else, desire power. For bound within these rings was the strength and will to govern each race. And they were all of them decieved, for another ring was made. Deep in the lands of Mordor, in the fires of Mount Doom, Sauron forged in secret a Master Ring, to rule all the others. One Ring to Rule them All. And into this ring he poured his malice, his hatred and his will to dominate all life."
Her gaze shifted to the eastern sky, almost as though she expected it to be glowing with the unearthly glow of Mount Doom. "One by one, the Fee Lands of Middle Earthfell to the Ring's power. But there were some who resisted. A Last Alliance of Men, Elves, and the Thirty Huntresses, confronted the darkness on the fields of Mordor. But the power of the Ring could not be denied. It was in this hour when all hope had faded, that Isildur, son of the King took up his father's sword. Sauron, the enemy of the free peoples of Middle-Earth was vanquished. Thus the ring passed to Isildur, who had this one chance to destroy the evil forever. Yet the hearts of men are easily corrupted and the Ring of Power has a will of its own."
This time her gaze seemed to come back to Imladris slightly, but it was still very distant as she cradled Phoenix gently. "Isildur took the Ring and it betrayed him, unto his death. History became legend and legend, myth. Some things that should not be forgotten were and for 2,500 years the Ring passed out of all knowledge. Until, by chance, it ensnared a new bearer. The creature Gollum took the Ring deep into the Misty Mountains and there it consumed him." Her eyes lost the far-seeing gaze that had been in them. At last she came back to Imladris. "Now where the One Ring is, not even the Wizards of the West know."
Elrond felt a slight tug on his hair and glanced down. Phoenix had her little hand in his hair and had tugged to get his attention. She reached out to him unsteadily and Lightning Bird handed her over. "It seems that she wants to see you, mi'feyla."
He gently gathered the baby centaur in his arms. "Hello, little Tinuviel." She has a voice that is most certainly blessed by Lord Ulmo. And that riddle that Sacred Smoke posed to Smeagol... By the Valar! She is the Gem! Softly, he whispered a few Sindaran words to her and recieved a happy baby's chuckle. Already she understood although she would have to learn the languages of elves. "Lightning Bird, perhaps you should teach her the Elven tongues." The mare nodded, as that had been her plan all along.
Echo the Nymph
Disclaimer: Tolkien owns his work, I don't.
Nine times, the seasons passed.
Deep in the forests green,
Two youngsters grew.
The wandering child
And her Betrothed
Leave Harlindon behind.
Yet another life within the wandering child
As the others are watched by their grandfather.
Chapter 4
"Thunderbird isn't very happy about this." Distant Storm declared as they stood on the edge of Harlindon. The grasslands beyond were a soft spring green in that month of May. White clouds were scattered in the blue sky and the sun cast its golden light over all the land.
"Who cares?" Lightning Bird stepped out of the shadows and into the warm light of the sun. "He's kept me from visiting Imladris fro three years. Besides, Lightning Strike is too young to make this trip and he's besotted with her. Come on!" She sprang into an easy gallop, her pregnant belly swaying in the motion. He chuckled, chasing after her. They froliced over the hills, leaving no trace of their presence behind.
Three days had passed since their journey over the grasslands. Their pace had put them within a stone's throw of Rivendell. The trees around them were bright with the soft spring green in the predawn gloom. Distant Storm turned his attention to his mate's gait which was still light and full of spring.
She froze then backed inot the brush, with him following. They wre passed by a rather angry looking man riding a pitch black horse. His white robes and metal staff instantly marked him as a wizard. "Saruman's not a wanderer; so why is he so far away from Isenguard?" Her question hung in the air unanswered as he left the area and they continued onward.
A sharp hiss escaped her as she froze in her tracks. Distant Storm turned only to see a contraction ripple across her spotted flanks.
"Nanar di E di?" He cried.
"Get me to Imladris. Lord Elrond knows enough about centaurs to help." Lightning Bird suppressed the contractions as best she could as she extended her gait. Giving birth alone and on the trail wasn't something she wanted to happen. The huntress had a hard time with her first two children.
Distant Storm eyed the cliff near his hooves uneasily as he helped his mate along the narrow path. Oh, it wouldn't seem narrow to a Riharan, but to him it was. Lightning Bird slipped and found herself steadied by her mate. It seemed like hours later when they arrived, yet the sun was not yet above the horizon.
Lord Elrond instantly recognized her and what was happening so he approached. With their help, she made it to a room that had been prepared for them.
The contractions rippling across her flanks became closer together. She hissed again before she could speak. "My water already broke."
Distant Storm saw her trust in the elf-lord and turned to comforting her. He started; they were speaking in Sindaran! What other languages did she know?
Elrond continued encouraging her until the foal was completely out. As dawn's first light broke over the horizon, a healthy squall relieved all that were in the room. After cleaning her and wrapping her in a warm, yet sheer, blanket around her, he handed her to her mother. "A lovely daughter." He set to work cleaning the slight mess that had been made. Luckily for them, they had been prepared for her to give birth soon after her arrival.
The sheer cloth revealed a baby fuzz that was a light golden bay. Her tail and hair were as black as a raven's wings as well as her hooves. White sprinkled across her quarters and barrel like little snow flurries. Her eyes, slightly unfocused, were as blue as sapphires from below the earth.
"To our people, she is Phoenix. Her name is Phoenix Tinuviel, for song and medicine are her strengths." Lightning Bird brought her baby close, singing a Sindaran lullabye. Phoenix fell asleep to the sound of elvish music after her first meal.
Then, the new mother rolled to an upright position. "Distant Storm, this is Lord Elrond of Rivendell. Lord Elrond, this is Distant Storm." Her introduction broke the ice between them and they greeted eachother politely.
"And here I thought stallions and elves did not get along all that well." Humor was evident in his voice, should you know him well enough.
"Estel!" Lightning Bird cried, happily greeting the Dunedain. She introduced him to her mate and new child, whom was still sleeping. She rose to her hooves and they walked outside. What they spoke of inside the garden startled him. That, and the exsquisit beauty of the garden. Trees shot to incredible heights, green beyound believing, even in this early morning hour. A babbling brook soothed the nerves and pristine white flowers blossomed from vines.
"I believe what we are speaking of is beyond Distant Storm." Elrond's comment drew him back to the present.
Lightning Bird shifted her grip on her child with the ease of practice. "He was never told of the Rings of Power." They settled onto benches so that she could explain. He would believe his mate better than they right now. She sighed, drawing in her thoughts. "The world has changed. I feel it in the earth, I feel it in the water, I can smell it in the air. Much of what once was is lost, for none now live who remember." Her tone was from far-off, Maia-like, Elrond thought. Much like Prairie Song and Sacred Smoke. "It began with the forging of the Rings of Power. Three were given to the Elves. Immortal, wisest and fairest of all creatures. Seven were given to the Dwarf Lords, great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls."
She drew a steadying breath before continuing. "And Nine, nine were gifted to the race of men, who above all else, desire power. For bound within these rings was the strength and will to govern each race. And they were all of them decieved, for another ring was made. Deep in the lands of Mordor, in the fires of Mount Doom, Sauron forged in secret a Master Ring, to rule all the others. One Ring to Rule them All. And into this ring he poured his malice, his hatred and his will to dominate all life."
Her gaze shifted to the eastern sky, almost as though she expected it to be glowing with the unearthly glow of Mount Doom. "One by one, the Fee Lands of Middle Earthfell to the Ring's power. But there were some who resisted. A Last Alliance of Men, Elves, and the Thirty Huntresses, confronted the darkness on the fields of Mordor. But the power of the Ring could not be denied. It was in this hour when all hope had faded, that Isildur, son of the King took up his father's sword. Sauron, the enemy of the free peoples of Middle-Earth was vanquished. Thus the ring passed to Isildur, who had this one chance to destroy the evil forever. Yet the hearts of men are easily corrupted and the Ring of Power has a will of its own."
This time her gaze seemed to come back to Imladris slightly, but it was still very distant as she cradled Phoenix gently. "Isildur took the Ring and it betrayed him, unto his death. History became legend and legend, myth. Some things that should not be forgotten were and for 2,500 years the Ring passed out of all knowledge. Until, by chance, it ensnared a new bearer. The creature Gollum took the Ring deep into the Misty Mountains and there it consumed him." Her eyes lost the far-seeing gaze that had been in them. At last she came back to Imladris. "Now where the One Ring is, not even the Wizards of the West know."
Elrond felt a slight tug on his hair and glanced down. Phoenix had her little hand in his hair and had tugged to get his attention. She reached out to him unsteadily and Lightning Bird handed her over. "It seems that she wants to see you, mi'feyla."
He gently gathered the baby centaur in his arms. "Hello, little Tinuviel." She has a voice that is most certainly blessed by Lord Ulmo. And that riddle that Sacred Smoke posed to Smeagol... By the Valar! She is the Gem! Softly, he whispered a few Sindaran words to her and recieved a happy baby's chuckle. Already she understood although she would have to learn the languages of elves. "Lightning Bird, perhaps you should teach her the Elven tongues." The mare nodded, as that had been her plan all along.