A/N: Hey! First chap already!...this chap takes place years after the first
one, the girls are almost grown up!...translations are written beside the
Elvish phrases! Enjoy da chap! Review please!!!!!!
Midsummer's Eve
Chapter 1: Great sorrows.
From that day on, when the girls discovered each other, their friendship grew as they visited Almare as much as they could. Nurruthien sometimes found it harder and harder to get to Almare because of her father's watchful eye. But she always got there no matter what to see Adulomeiel and visit her family. Nurruthien became quite fond of Rinwingiel, thinking of her as her own mother, and affectionately called her "atara." The girls soon realized that Almare was no ordinary place. Indeed they were correct, for Almare was an enchanted place. And because it was enchanted, the girls were able to feel or sense each other when one was in Almare. Time progressed on and both girls reached their teenage years. Nurruthien was turning into a lady of the palace, whereas Adulomeiel was becoming a common woodland beauty with her fathers skillful bow work, and her mothers grace and knowledge of the kitchen.
"Aa' ta lome elen ndu deno' lle,
Aa' ta iire huine lanta lle corm tath.
Lle ram ereb malle', aiya sut hae-lle tuulo' eska....."
Nurruthien sang as she wove a flowered wreath on a palace balcony. She heard a shout from down below and looked up briefly to see Legolas and his best friend Dimmacilion. Both of them were in the archery field practicing with their bow and arrows. Dimmacilion just hit a bulls-eye and that was the shout she had heard. Nurruthien watched as Legolas took his turn. She noticed how straight and rigid he stood, the only thing that was bent slightly was his head as he aimed, and how his hair fell over his shoulder. Legolas' long hair billowed down to his shoulders nowadays and it often reminded Nurruthien of the beautiful, golden trees in Lothlorien. Nurruthien listened as the bowstring snapped when Legolas let go. His arrow landed straight into Dimmacilion's and split it in half. Legolas laughed as Dimmacilion stood there in disbelief. Nurruthien shook her head.
"He always has to be the best in everything." Turning away from the archery fields, Nurruthien continued her weaving. The wreath contained beautiful flowers such as sunflowers, daisies, and baby's breath. But this wreath was for no joyous occasion. She was making it for her mother's grave, for Nurruthien's birthday was approaching quickly. Nurruthien never made a big deal of her birthday like most other Elven children. She was always somber on her birthday, for it was the anniversary of her mother's death. It was a painful day for most in the palace. Most didn't know whether to wish Nurruthien a happy birthday or to say how sorry they were that her mother was dead. Nurruthien always asked herself how anyone could be happy when your birthday is the same day that your mother died. Brushing these thoughts away, Nurruthien held out her wreath and examined it. It was almost completed and she smiled at it. The wreath was woven with love for her mother. Just as she was about to start weaving again, she felt a terrible pang in her heart.
Nurruthien gasped and held her hand to her heart. Immediately, thoughts of Adulomeiel came to her mind. But these were not the usual playful, joyous thoughts of her friend at Almare.....these were grievous thoughts.
"Something is wrong. I am coming Adul....." Nurruthien whispered to herself. She dropped her wreath and ran into the palace hallway. Running quickly down the hall, with her hair and dress flapping behind her, Nurruthien felt deja-vu.....as if Legolas was chasing her again like when they were children. But Nurruthien banished these thoughts from her mind as she ran towards the rose garden, not caring if all the lords and ladies were staring at her in disbelief. Nurruthien approached the wall in the rose garden and looked around to make sure no one was watching. Quickly, Nurruthien began to push on the loosened stones she knew by heart. To her surprise, the stones didn't budge. Nurruthien began pushing with all her might, but they were not falling.
"It cannot be!" Nurruthien was on the verge of tears when she heard someone behind her. Turning slowly, she gasped in surprise.
"Atar!"
"Yes, mela." Haeedhelion's face was somber and downcast as he watched his frazzled daughter.
"Atar, what is going on?"
"I had the stones fixed, mela. You have been discovered. I know that you sneak out, I do not know where you go, but I know that you leave. Did you really think you could fool me?"
Nurruthien's eyes grew wide and she panicked. The feelings inside of her were growing stronger and stronger and she needed to be by Adulomeiel's side.
"Please, atar....." She whimpered. Nurruthien felt so helpless and didn't know what to do.
"Tell me why is it that you disobey me? I told you that you may never leave the palace alone. And here I find you doing it again. Mela.....are you listening?"
"Atar, please! You do not understand.....I.....I.....my friend....."
"Friend? Who is this friend? Nurruthien, you have all that you need here.....why must you leave?"
"I do not have everything I need!" Nurruthien suddenly screamed out. Haeedhelion stepped back in surprise and shock.
Nurruthien wanted to scream at her father that she had no mother and how she longed for one. She wanted to tell him about Rinwingiel, and how she treats Nurruthien as if she was her own child. But Nurruthien knew that this would greatly upset her father. So instead she calmed down and said quietly, "I have a friend, atar. And she makes me happy.....we are good friends. We've been friends for a long time. Please.....I must go to her."
Haeedhelion sensed his daughter's distress, but he knew that the woods were no place for an up-and-coming lady of the palace. Especially his daughter, who he believed to be incredibly naive and fragile.
Haeedhelion placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder to comfort her. "Mela.....I am sorry, but I cannot allow this. I forbid you to leave this palace without my knowledge ever again."
Nurruthien felt her knees go weak as her father's painful words sunk into her. Tears ran down her cheeks and her face became distorted with grief from her father's words and the horrible thoughts coming to her from Almare. Nurruthien didn't know what to do.....all of a sudden, she felt strength and defiance towards her father. She shoved his hand off of her and ran.
"Nurruthien!" Haeedhelion yelled after her, which alarmed the palace guards who began to go after her. Haeedhelion was about to pursue her as well when he felt a restricting hand on his shoulder. Turning, Haeedhelion looked into the face of his friend Thranduil.
"No Haeedhelion.....let her go. Perhaps it will be lifted from her system if she goes this one last time. It is obvious that the child is in some sort of distress. Leave her be for now...all will be well." Haeedhelion looked down towards the spot where his daughter stood just minutes before and closed his eyes.
"These times are becoming rough, Thranduil....." The two elves walked away together into the palace. Legolas and Dimmacilion, who witnessed the whole scene, looked at each other in shock.
"Wonder what that was all about....." Dimmacilion whispered to Legolas...Legolas just shrugged and looked towards the gates where the swift Nurruthien outran the palace guards and left the palace gates.
Nurruthien ran with all her might and thanked the heavens that she was gifted with her father's speed. Not even her restricting skirts could slow her down. In fact, nothing could slow her down now. Nurruthien ran with incredible speed as she veered off into the thick forest. Branches scratched at her skin and she had to jump over logs and bushes. Nothing could stop her.
"I'm coming Adul.....hold on....."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Aha! Take that! The day hath come atar, when your wee little daughter has finally beaten you with her archery skills!" Adulomeiel boasted as she looked on to the archery targets with pride.
Firaglarion laughed at his daughter.
"Aye, so it has. Unfortunately, you are not so wee and little anymore." He smiled as he messed her hair. She laughed at him and picked up her arrows. Her birthday was coming up soon. Twas a happy day for her, but she knew it wasn't a very happy one for her friend. They were born on the same day, they had found out. And every year Nurruthien brought a wreath to her atara's grave. Adulomeiel would try to cheer her up that day. She would bring her home with her and her atara would make it a most wonderful celebration for the both of them, but Adulomeiel felt in her heart that her friend grieved. She was glad that her atara helped. Ever since Nurruthien had hugged her that day, Rinwingiel had taken her under her wing, and has treated her like her very own daughter ever since.
It was a beautiful day in the woods as father and daughter practiced their archery. Soon Rinwingiel appeared at the ledge of the tree house. Her big round belly stuck out from her dress and she looked happy.
She watched her husband and her daughter practicing as she rubbed her belly. She looked down at it and smiled.
"Someday, you will be down there as well, my pen-neth." She smiled and turned to go back into the house. She began to wash dishes and clean a little when she felt a pain shoot through her.
She gasped and leaned over, placing her hand on her large tummy.
She began to breathe vigorously as the pains continued to come.
'Oh Elbereth, this is it!' She thought. Soon she was aware that she was soaked from her waist down.
"My water broke." She mumbled. Intense pain came to her. And she leaned on the bed for support as she gasped in pain.
"Fir...Firaglarion!" She yelled in her pain then slid to the floor, heaving and crying out again as another contraction came on her.
Firaglarion was instructing his daughter on her next shot when his wife's cry rang out. He quickly turned and ran to the tree house, barely using the ladder in his climb to get to her.
Adulomeiel dropped her bow and arrow and ran after him.
When she got to the top, she saw her mother on the floor, her dress soaking wet, and her father sitting behind her, holding her back up for support as he held her hand.
Adulomeiel felt joy sweep through her. Her baby brother was to be born. She knew it was a boy, she could feel it.
"Adulomeiel!" She was pulled from her thoughts at the sound of her father calling her name.
"Run, get the midwife!" He said and Adulomeiel nodded her head. She ran and jumped from the tree house with no use of the ladder, landing softly on her
Elven feet, she took off in a dead run towards the village.
When she reached the village, she didn't care it be She Elf or child, she would run them over if they got in her way so she thought, but if either one appeared before her she would generally jump over them, or around them and continued on her destination. Ignoring the laughter and the questions that would follow it.
She finally got to the midwife's house, and luckily, she was outside.
The midwife saw her coming and the look on her face made her stop her sweeping.
"Adulomeiel? What is it child?" Adulomeiel ran to her and smiled.
"The time has come, you must come now to my atara!" The midwife smiled and put down her broom.
"Let me get my things."
Soon both Adulomeiel and midwife were on their way.
When they got to the tree house, they both climbed up the ladder and the midwife rushed over to Rinwingiel.
Adulomeiel stopped at the doorway to watch. Her mother looked to be in much pain, but she had been told how this happens. The same thing happened when she was born, and therefore it intrigued her.
Right away the midwife began to coach Rinwingiel as she cried out in pain.
She had ordered Firaglarion to help her lift his wife onto the bed, and to boil some water.
Soon it looked like things were going well. Until Adulomeiel caught a faint look of fear pass through her mother's face.
"Oh...oh Elbereth..." She said through her gasps.
"What is it mela?" Firaglarion whispered in her ear. The midwife lifted her head and glanced at Rinwingiel quickly.
"S...something i...is w-rong!" She finally cried out as hard as it was for her to get a word out.
The midwife patted her leg as she smiled.
"Fear not Rinwingiel, all will be well." She said and Adulomeiel caught the sign of relief in her fathers face, but nothing changed for her mother.
"No! S-something is wrong! I-I can feel it!" She cried out.
Firaglarion looked at the midwife, but she did not return his look. Adulomeiel kept her eyes on her mother, she felt it too. Something was wrong.
Her mother cried out in pain as she continued to push.
Adulomeiel prayed to the Valar that all would be well...but her prayer would not be answered that day.
As Rinwingiel cried out one last time as she pushed, the baby came forth, but no cry was heard from its lips. It did not move, it only laid in the midwife's arms lifeless, and not breathing.
The midwife looked at Firaglarion and he saw the tears in her eyes.
"I am sorry...the baby is a stillborn." Rinwingiel cried out in grief and Firaglarion held her hand as he fought the tears that threatened to fall.
Adulomeiel was in a stage of shock. Had she truly heard what she thought she had?
"Is it a boy?" She finally asked, barely above a whisper. The midwife turned to Adulomeiel and she asked again.
"Is it a boy?" The midwife smiled and nodded her head.
"Aye, tis a boy." Adulomeiel felt her heart rip as she saw her stillborn baby brother lying lifeless in the midwife's hands.
But then something else caught the midwife's attention. She was then aware of the pool of blood that was coming from Rinwingiel. It flowed out and kept coming.
She looked up at Firaglarion alarmed.
"Get me a needle and some thread quick!" She said and without question he stood to do what she had requested. She was going to try to patch up the bleeding she-Elf's wounds from the birth.
He returned with it, but the midwife looked at him hopelessly. She had tears in her eyes and she looked at Rinwingiel. Rinwingiel seemed to know what the midwife was saying in her eyes.
Rinwingiel felt the tears sting her eyes as she looked on past the midwife to her daughter standing in the doorway.
The impact of her mother's eyes hit her hard. What was wrong?
In her mother's eyes was love, and compassion. She felt guilty for something, but Adulomeiel could not tell what it was.
Rinwingiel then looked up at her husband. Firaglarion's eyes were wide with fear as he caught site of the puddle of blood that was coming from his wife, and faster.
He looked at the midwife, but he received no comfort from her look. He looked at his wife as a lone tear rolled down his cheek. So many memory's passed through his mind.
When he had first met her, when he asked for her hand in marriage. Their wedding day, Adulomeiel's birth, all this went through his mind as he looked at the face of his dying wife.
"Amin mela lle." She whispered to him. And he choked back a sob that tried to escape.
"Oh Elbereth no. Please melamin, do not go..." He said in desperate plea.
She smiled faintly and took his hand.
"You must be strong mela. You must be strong for Adulomeiel." Firaglarion kissed his wife's hand and left tears of sorrow to streak down it.
Realization was coming to Adulomeiel as she backed away from the doorway in denial. She could not watch her mother die, she would not. Tears stung her eyes as she backed up, until all she could see was her father.
"I am sorry Firaglarion, there is nothing I can do further." The midwife said as she felt her own tears fall. This was the worst part of her job. When births go wrong, she has to sit and watch the sorrow of the family.
Rinwingiel began to feel her strength leave her. She looked on to the doorway, but saw her daughter there no longer. She closed her eyes as a tear streaked down her face. She looked back up at Firaglarion.
"Tell Adulomeiel that I love her. Tell her to remember not to cook the apples to much, because you don't like them when they are." Firaglarion looked up at the doorway. He could see his daughter and he felt his heart break. Her face held so much confusion and pain.
"Tell her to make sure she takes care of you." Rinwingiel said as she lifted her other hand and placed it on his cheek.
He put his hand up to her hand as fresh tears fell.
"I can not do without you melamin, you can not leave me." He whispered to her.
"Nay mela, you can survive, and you will. Together you and Adulomeiel will survive." She smiled.
Her face was growing pale and she felt her life beginning to slip.
"Oh Elbereth!" She cried as she began to see naught but black.
"Amin mela lle, melamin." She said one last time, before her life slipped completely from her, and she died.
The midwife wrapped the stillborn baby in the blanket his mother had made for him. And placed him beside the lifeless figure of the mother.
Firaglarion stared at his wife as his mind began to torment him. Never again would he come home from a hunt to his wife's smile and beautiful face. Never again would he be able to kiss her lips or make love to her. Never again would he hold her in his arms. Never again.
Firaglarion let his grief overtake him as he leaned over his wife's dead body.
He began to weep, and the midwife stood.
"I am sorry Firaglarion." She said but he waved her off.
"Leave me!" He said through his sobs.
She drew in a deep breath and walked out the door.
She stopped when she saw Adulomeiel standing there. She had tears in her eyes and some were falling. The midwife's thoughts went back to the day Adulomeiel was born. Such a joyous day that was. But not this time.
Adulomeiel took in a shaky breath.
She didn't know how a day that was to be so joyous was so grieving.
The midwife placed her hand on her shoulder and Adulomeiel jumped in surprise.
"I am sorry dear child. Your mother is at a better place now." Adulomeiel ripped her shoulder from the midwife's grip.
"No! Her better place is here with me and atar!" She said hoarsely, and then she took off and jumped from the tree house, landing in a dead run.
"Adulomeiel!" She heard the midwife calling her, but she did not listen. She needed to be comforted, and there was only one she knew who could at this moment of grief.
"Please come Nurruthien." She said as she burst into Almare.
She ran to the log and leaned against it. Her breath came in gasps, which was unnatural for any Elf after a run.
She shook her head as the tears came. She didn't fight them, nor the sobs that overtook her body.
She prayed to the Valar that Nurruthien would come soon. Now was a time she needed her friend. How the tables had turned...
!!! (A/N: three exclamation points are gonna signify that we are writing together instead of three stars, b/c three stars doesn't work!)
Nurruthien didn't slow down for anything, not even when she approached Almare. The only thing that stopped Nurruthien dead in her tracks, was the state she saw Adulomeiel in. Adulomeiel was by the log, struggling to get breaths out between her sobs.
"Adul! What is wrong, mellon?" Nurruthien shouted as she sprinted towards Adulomeiel.
Adulomeiel still struggled. Nurruthien approached her and went to place a comforting hand on her friend's back.
"What is it? Tell me.....is it the baby?"
Adulomeiel prayed a silent prayer of thanks to the Valar when she heard her friend's dear voice, but now the hard part had come.....she must actually speak the words. "Y...yes!" She finally gasped out.
Nurruthien looked down and knew that the child was dead. Nurruthien rubbed Adulomeiel's back.
"It will be all right. Let's sit.....tell me what happened." Nurruthien went to sit but Adulomeiel wouldn't sit just yet.
Adulomeiel was feeling the realization sinking deep into her heart, shattering it to pieces, and when Nurruthien tried to comfort her she pulled away. She could not sit, she could not walk, she could not move.
"No Nurru! You do not understand!" She cried out. Nothing was making sense to her, how was she to make sense to Nurruthien?
"Just tell me, Adul. I'm sure I can understand if you just tell me." Nurruthien sat there looking at her friend. Adulomeiel stared into her friend's hazel eyes and saw the perplexed feelings of care in them. Nurruthien tenderly held onto Adulomeiel's shoulders.
Adulomeiel nearly shouted that she wouldn't understand, but the remembrance that Nurruthien had also lost her mother came to her. Adulomeiel felt fresh hot tears stream down her cheek and she nodded her head.
"The birth.....was hard. He was a stillborn. HE Nurru.....Twas a boy just as I told you!" Adulomeiel closed her eyes and took in a deep breath to continue.
"She.....she couldn't handle the birth Nurru....." Adulomeiel broke off into more tears.
Nurruthien sat there dumbstruck as the hard realization that Rinwingiel may not have made it, just as her own mother didn't make it through birth.
"You mean.....your atara? She's.....gone?" Nurruthien got the words out with a struggle for tears were now threatening her eyes.
"Say it isn't so, Adul!" Nurruthien shrieked with a shaky voice.
Adulomeiel was shaking uncontrollably now. The tone in her friend's pleading voice made her sick to her stomach. She realized this would be a big loss for Nurruthien as well.
Finally through her gasps and sobs she began to talk.
"She just kept bleeding! The midwife tried everything, but it didn't work Nurru.....it didn't work!" and with that she collapsed to the floor in her tears.
Nurruthien threw her arms around Adulomeiel and held her tight. Nurruthien began to cry and shake as well. She placed her chin on top of Adulomeiel's head and stroked her hair.
"Not another one....." Nurruthien silently mumbled. She had lost another mother. Two gone in her short life was too much for her to handle.
Adulomeiel felt the comfort of her friend's arms overtake her. She closed her eyes as the last tears fell, for no more would come. Soon small sniffles were all that was heard from her. She let out a shaky breath.
"At least I still have you, my dearest Nurru." She whispered to her friend
Nurruthien closed her eyes at Adulomeiel's words, for her heart was shattered as she remembered the argument with her father. In her heart, Nurruthien knew she could not disobey her father nor could she leave Adul. Nurruthien slowly pulled away from Adulomeiel, keeping only her hands on her arms.
"I'm afraid that.....my father caught me today, Adul. He has forbidden me to leave the palace anymore. And I ran away from him to top it all off. I'm sorry Adul but....."
Adulomeiel's head shot up. The words that came from her friend's mouth stabbed at the already shattered pieces of her heart.
"No!" She cried out desperately.
"No Nurru! You cannot leave me now! Would you abandon me to die in my grief? Please Nurru! You cannot leave me now!" She cried as she stood to her feet swiftly.
Nurruthien stood up slowly, distressed at her friend's state and words that shot at her like arrows.
"Adul.....you don't understand. I cannot disobey my father anymore! But I swear that this will NOT be our last meeting! I will try my very best to get away when I can but.....it's going to be hard. That's all I'm saying....." Nurruthien put her head down.....she knew she was hurting Adulomeiel, but she also knew that her father would have her chained to his wrist and never let her out of his sight again.
Adulomeiel began to back away slowly.
"But I need you Nurru, can not you tell your father that? Plead with him!"
Nurruthien looked at her distressed friend sadly.
"I tried, Adul.....I really did. I was so worried about you, and he just didn't understand. I promise, I swear that I will not let him sever our relationship. But for now, I cannot disobey him."
Adulomeiel nodded her head as sobs tried to break through her.
"Then tell me what I am to do?" She said pitifully.
Nurruthien walked over to Adulomeiel and held her close. Nurruthien spoke softly as she stroked Adulomeiel's hair with a loving touch.
"You must go home. Your father needs you. No doubt he is just as upset as you are. He's lost his love, his soul mate, and a child all in one day. He needs you now more than ever. You must take care of him.....he's all you have."
As she said the last sentence, she thought about her own father.
Adulomeiel nodded her head and wiped away her tears. She pulled from Nurruthien's embrace and looked into her friend's eyes.
"Will I ever see you again?" She questioned.
Nurruthien smiled, "Of course you will. We're friends for life, remember? Just have a little bit of faith."
Adulomeiel smiled despite herself and hugged her friend once again.
"I will think of you always dear friend."
Nurruthien hugged Adulomeiel back tightly, not wanting to let go, tears silently falling down her cheeks.
"As will I think of you always."
Reluctantly pulling away from their tight embrace, Nurruthien smiled.
"Where there's a will, there's a way. We will see each other again."
Adulomeiel smiled and waved to her friend.
"Namaarie Nurru." She said then turned and swiftly ran on through the forest.
Nurruthien walked slowly through the forest away from Almare and towards the palace with her head down. Tears dripped down her cheeks and she didn't care to wipe them away as she watched them fall to the ground. Nurruthien felt incomplete...like a part of her was missing. Adulomeiel was missing. Nurruthien placed her hand over her heart, thinking that it was ease the pain she felt. All of a sudden, Nurruthien's ears perked up at the sound of leaves rustling above her head. Nurruthien stopped walking but kept her head on the ground.
'I don't care if it's an orc.....I hope it takes me away.'
All of a sudden a figure jumped down from the tree right in front of Nurruthien. She immediately recognized the boots. Startled by his appearance so deep in the woods, Nurruthien turned her back to Legolas. Legolas stood there and smiled to himself, proud of his excellent tracking skills.
Nurruthien turned her head slightly, "Did my father send you?"
The way Nurruthien's voice shook when she spoke made Legolas' smile fade.
"Are you crying?" He asked softly.
Nurruthien quickly turned her head away from Legolas. "Did my father.....send you?" She asked Legolas more sternly then before, but he could still hear the shaking in her voice.
Slowly, Legolas moved towards Nurruthien and gently placed his hand on her shoulder.
"No, your father did not send me. I came after you on my own. The way you ran from him...it was as if you were running for your life.....I was worried about you....." Legolas spoke softly to Nurruthien. He knew that she was upset about something, and he cared for her. Legolas wanted to understand what was wrong and make Nurruthien feel better.
Nurruthien closed her eyes when Legolas touched her. She could feel the compassion in his voice and touch. Such a strange feeling to come from her childhood associate. Nurruthien couldn't overcome the strange feeling, and let herself go. Nurruthien began to weep, trying to stifle her cries. However, she couldn't and her weeping tore at Legolas' heart. He immediately took her arm and turned her around. When Legolas saw the tears running down Nurruthien's beautiful but horribly sad face, he felt just awful for her.
"Shh....." Legolas brought Nurruthien into his arms and held her close. He placed his hand on the back of her head. This was the closest the two had ever been physically. Legolas rubbed Nurruthien's back as she sobbed into his tunic. Legolas couldn't help but like the feeling of Nurruthien in his arms. Her hair was soft to his touch, and he could feel the womanly curves of Nurruthien's back as he rubbed it. Though, Nurruthien's crying was too much for Legolas, he wanted nothing more than to comfort her.
"Tell me what ails you.....are you hurt?" Legolas said softly as he turned his head towards Nurruthien's ear. Nurruthien slightly shivered as she felt his hot breath on the peak of her ear.
Shaking her head, she answered him, "N-no.....you wouldn't understand." Nurruthien pushed Legolas away and began her slow, painful path back to the palace. She only took a few steps before Nurruthien felt her knees buckle and give out on her. Letting out a slight cry she began to fall, but Legolas caught Nurruthien in mid air and held her tight to his chest. Legolas sat on the ground and Nurruthien sort of laid in his arms. She was so weak from her emotions and crying, Nurruthien could barely keep her eyes open anymore. When Nurruthien's tears began to slow and her breathing became even, Legolas decided to press further.
"Nurruthien, it pains me so to see you like this. Tell me what is it that has happened and I swear I will try and make things better for you. Anything to see you smile again." Nurruthien looked up at Legolas, she came face to face with his deep blue eyes that looked like an endless ocean to her. Nuzzling her head closer to his chest, her ear coincided with his heart and Nurruthien listened to it beat with the rise and fall of his chest. Legolas smiled down at her and wiped away some stray tears from her cheeks. Nurruthien felt so comfortable and relieved that she decided to tell Legolas about Adulomeiel. Slowly Nurruthien began to tell the story of how Adulomeiel and herself met, about Adulomeiel's family, about how they were so close, about how Rinwingiel treated Nurruthien as her own daughter, and sadly about Rinwingiel's death. Nurruthien closed her eyes and let out a shaky sigh. The only thing she kept from Legolas was Almare, that was still her secret place with Adulomeiel.
Legolas put his chin on Nurruthien's head as his eyes searched the ground, as if trying to find something to say there. He was absolutely speechless. Legolas knew himself what it's like to lose a mother, so he felt pained inside. Pain for Nurruthien and for her friend. Legolas knew he must try to do something for Nurruthien. He carefully picked up Nurruthien's head by putting the tips of his fingers on her chin. Legolas looked deeply into Nurruthien's eyes and all he could see was sadness. Then it came to him, Legolas knew what he could do.
"Nurruthien, perhaps.....if it is all right with your father.....I will escort you to see your friend. I won't stay, I'll just take you there and back to the palace. I can protect you. How does that sound?"
Nurruthien smiled and a spark of hope could be seen in her eyes. "Do you mean it Legolas? You would really do that for me?"
Legolas smiled and nodded, "Of course. But now, let us return to the palace. It's getting late and you must be famished."
Indeed Nurruthien was hungry so she didn't mind when Legolas helped her stand up. Legolas began to walk towards the palace when Nurruthien grabbed him. Before Legolas could ask what was wrong, Nurruthien put her arms around his neck and gave him a tight hug. Legolas smiled and placed his hands around Nurruthien's waist.
"Thank you, Legolas." Nurruthien mumbled into his tunic, as her head only reached his chest. Legolas just smiled at her, and put his arm out so Nurruthien could latch on to him. She smiled, took his arm, and they both began back to the palace side by side.
~*~*~*~
Once they got to the palace, Nurruthien immediately went to her chambers and cleaned up for dinner. She put on a new dress and fixed her hair. Her eyes were still a little bloodshot from crying, but Nurruthien didn't care, she wanted her father to see how much pain she was in. Before leaving her chambers, Nurruthien said a silent prayer that her father would agree to have Legolas escort her to see Adulomeiel. Taking a deep breath, Nurruthien opened her door and began towards the dining hall. Her quick step brought her to the dining hall faster than she had anticipated. So, Nurruthien just stood outside the door. She could hear her father and Thranduil talking as she became more nervous. Nurruthien lost her appetite as the knot of apprehension grew in her stomach. Nurruthien turned on her heal and was about to run back to her chambers when she bumped right into Legolas.
"Manke naa lle autien?" (where are you going?) Legolas said with a smile on his face. Nurruthien looked into his eyes, which sparkled when he smiled and felt some relief. Legolas had also cleaned up for dinner and now he looked like a prince in his silver tunic and grey leggings instead of a warrior when he found her in the forest.
"Amin um-sina!" ( I can't do this!) Nurruthien exclaimed in a whisper. Legolas' smile faded as he held her arms just above her elbows.
"Amin na-ed' lle eller....." ( I will be by your side) Legolas said softly.
"Lle vesta?" ( Do you promise?) Nurruthien looked up at him and felt assured when he smiled.
"Uma, mellon." (Yes, my friend) Legolas linked his arm with Nurruthien's and opened the door. Nurruthien felt her knees shake as she walked. Thranduil and Haeedhelion looked up at the two coming in the door. Thranduil smiled when he saw them walking arm and arm. Haeedhelion, on the other hand, stared at his daughter with an emotionless look. Nurruthien turned her head as Legolas pulled out her chair and let her sit. Legolas sat beside her and began conversation with his father and Haeedhelion. Nurruthien barely raised her head during the whole dinner, she ate her food and drank, she was fearful of looking up at her father. After they finished eating, Legolas cleared his throat.
"I wish to ask something of you Haeedhelion." Shocked to hear his name from the prince, Haeedhelion looked away from his daughter and at Legolas.
"Yes?"
Legolas shifted in his chair and kept a stern look on his face. Nurruthien admired him, how nothing seemed to sway him from his task.
"I found Nurruthien in the forest today and she was greatly distressed. She revealed to me everything about her friend. Haeedhelion, I don't wish to offend you, but poor Nurruthien was so heart-broken.....I wish to ask your permission for me to escort her through the forest and back to the palace so that she can see her dear friend."
Haeedhelion sat there and looked at his daughter's lowered head. He knew she was in pain, but it seemed as though that Nurruthien didn't notice how much pain her father was in. Haeedhelion didn't want to cage his daughter in, but she seemed to show no remorse for what she did.
"Legolas, I appreciate your willingness to help. However, I cannot allow it."
Nurruthien's head shot up at her father, she stared in disbelief. Looking over at Legolas, she noticed how he sat back and looked down. Nurruthien looked back at her father as tears ran down her cheeks. She became filled with rage and stood up, shocking the other people in the room.
"I loathe you! You have no idea the pain I go through! I hate this place and you most of all! I pledge my silence from here on in!" And with that she turned and ran out of the room. Haeedhelion looked down sadly because of the words that stung at him like ten thousand bees. Legolas looked out the open doors, watching Nurruthien's dress flapping behind her as she ran.
'She's always running.' He thought silently to himself.
Nurruthien ran all the way to her chambers before finally letting her emotions out. She opened the door, slammed it behind her and leaned back on it. Placing her head in her hands, Nurruthien let out a small sob and let the tears trinkle down her cheeks. Nurruthien knew she hurt her father and she felt bad. Nurruthien felt bad because she knew that she was the only reason her father lived and thrived. Haeedhelion lived for Nurruthien, but he just didn't understand what she was going through. Nurruthien locked her door and threw herself on her bed. Crawling under the blankets, not caring to change out of her dress, Nurruthien breathed into her pillow. She felt all her emotions of the day sink heavily down on the bed, as if they were weighing her down. Nurruthien's legs and feet tingled from running so much and all she wished for was sleep. Before letting sleep overcome her, Nurruthien let out a small whisper, so faint that not even the keenest elven ears could pick it up.
"Amin hiraetha, atara....." (I am sorry, mother)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adulomeiel slowed her running pace as she entered the little part of the village.
None spoke to her, but she felt the sorrowful stares that went out to her as she walked with her head down.
News sure did travel fast in this little village.
When she passed through the village and came upon her father's archery targets, she let out a heavy sigh as she remembered earlier on in the morning.
She loved practicing with her father.
Adulomeiel let out another heavy sigh as she turned towards the tree house.
She for the first time realized what pain her father was going through. She was all he had now, and since her departure from Nurruthien, he was all she had.
Adulomeiel closed her eyes as a silent tear rolled down her cheek.
Adulomeiel began to walk to the tree house, climbing the rope ladder slowly.
When she got to the top, she stood before the door and took in a deep breath.
Releasing it as she slowly pushed open the door.
She stood there and took in the scene.
Her mothers body lay on the bed, covered with a white sheet, Adulomeiel let her eyes roam the room, her green orbs searching, until at last they came to rest on her father.
He was sitting upon a chair in the corner, he had his head in his hands, and his whole body shook with the sobs that racked it.
Adulomeiel felt fresh, hot tears sting her eyes, but she sniffed them back.
"Atar..." She said faintly.
Firaglarion's head shot up, and his eyes set upon his daughter.
Despite her dark hair, she favored her mother. She was his gift from Rinwingiel, and he had to treasure her. She was all he had, his only reason to draw the breath that hurt him so.
He tried to smile faintly as he held out his arms to her.
Adulomeiel began to weep as she ran to her father and flung herself into his arms.
Firaglarion held tightly onto his daughter...his life.
His tears flowed down his handsome face, and landed on his daughter's silky hair.
"Amin hiraetha atar..." (I am sorry father) She said through her sobs.
Firaglarion withdrew from his daughters embrace and took her face in his hands, looking into the green eyes that so reminded him of her mother's.
"Dear child...this was not your fault. We have each other mela, we have each other...we will make it through this. Together." As he spoke, his voice quavered and broke between words.
Adulomeiel nodded her head and hugged him again tightly.
"Together..." She repeated quietly.
Midsummer's Eve
Chapter 1: Great sorrows.
From that day on, when the girls discovered each other, their friendship grew as they visited Almare as much as they could. Nurruthien sometimes found it harder and harder to get to Almare because of her father's watchful eye. But she always got there no matter what to see Adulomeiel and visit her family. Nurruthien became quite fond of Rinwingiel, thinking of her as her own mother, and affectionately called her "atara." The girls soon realized that Almare was no ordinary place. Indeed they were correct, for Almare was an enchanted place. And because it was enchanted, the girls were able to feel or sense each other when one was in Almare. Time progressed on and both girls reached their teenage years. Nurruthien was turning into a lady of the palace, whereas Adulomeiel was becoming a common woodland beauty with her fathers skillful bow work, and her mothers grace and knowledge of the kitchen.
"Aa' ta lome elen ndu deno' lle,
Aa' ta iire huine lanta lle corm tath.
Lle ram ereb malle', aiya sut hae-lle tuulo' eska....."
Nurruthien sang as she wove a flowered wreath on a palace balcony. She heard a shout from down below and looked up briefly to see Legolas and his best friend Dimmacilion. Both of them were in the archery field practicing with their bow and arrows. Dimmacilion just hit a bulls-eye and that was the shout she had heard. Nurruthien watched as Legolas took his turn. She noticed how straight and rigid he stood, the only thing that was bent slightly was his head as he aimed, and how his hair fell over his shoulder. Legolas' long hair billowed down to his shoulders nowadays and it often reminded Nurruthien of the beautiful, golden trees in Lothlorien. Nurruthien listened as the bowstring snapped when Legolas let go. His arrow landed straight into Dimmacilion's and split it in half. Legolas laughed as Dimmacilion stood there in disbelief. Nurruthien shook her head.
"He always has to be the best in everything." Turning away from the archery fields, Nurruthien continued her weaving. The wreath contained beautiful flowers such as sunflowers, daisies, and baby's breath. But this wreath was for no joyous occasion. She was making it for her mother's grave, for Nurruthien's birthday was approaching quickly. Nurruthien never made a big deal of her birthday like most other Elven children. She was always somber on her birthday, for it was the anniversary of her mother's death. It was a painful day for most in the palace. Most didn't know whether to wish Nurruthien a happy birthday or to say how sorry they were that her mother was dead. Nurruthien always asked herself how anyone could be happy when your birthday is the same day that your mother died. Brushing these thoughts away, Nurruthien held out her wreath and examined it. It was almost completed and she smiled at it. The wreath was woven with love for her mother. Just as she was about to start weaving again, she felt a terrible pang in her heart.
Nurruthien gasped and held her hand to her heart. Immediately, thoughts of Adulomeiel came to her mind. But these were not the usual playful, joyous thoughts of her friend at Almare.....these were grievous thoughts.
"Something is wrong. I am coming Adul....." Nurruthien whispered to herself. She dropped her wreath and ran into the palace hallway. Running quickly down the hall, with her hair and dress flapping behind her, Nurruthien felt deja-vu.....as if Legolas was chasing her again like when they were children. But Nurruthien banished these thoughts from her mind as she ran towards the rose garden, not caring if all the lords and ladies were staring at her in disbelief. Nurruthien approached the wall in the rose garden and looked around to make sure no one was watching. Quickly, Nurruthien began to push on the loosened stones she knew by heart. To her surprise, the stones didn't budge. Nurruthien began pushing with all her might, but they were not falling.
"It cannot be!" Nurruthien was on the verge of tears when she heard someone behind her. Turning slowly, she gasped in surprise.
"Atar!"
"Yes, mela." Haeedhelion's face was somber and downcast as he watched his frazzled daughter.
"Atar, what is going on?"
"I had the stones fixed, mela. You have been discovered. I know that you sneak out, I do not know where you go, but I know that you leave. Did you really think you could fool me?"
Nurruthien's eyes grew wide and she panicked. The feelings inside of her were growing stronger and stronger and she needed to be by Adulomeiel's side.
"Please, atar....." She whimpered. Nurruthien felt so helpless and didn't know what to do.
"Tell me why is it that you disobey me? I told you that you may never leave the palace alone. And here I find you doing it again. Mela.....are you listening?"
"Atar, please! You do not understand.....I.....I.....my friend....."
"Friend? Who is this friend? Nurruthien, you have all that you need here.....why must you leave?"
"I do not have everything I need!" Nurruthien suddenly screamed out. Haeedhelion stepped back in surprise and shock.
Nurruthien wanted to scream at her father that she had no mother and how she longed for one. She wanted to tell him about Rinwingiel, and how she treats Nurruthien as if she was her own child. But Nurruthien knew that this would greatly upset her father. So instead she calmed down and said quietly, "I have a friend, atar. And she makes me happy.....we are good friends. We've been friends for a long time. Please.....I must go to her."
Haeedhelion sensed his daughter's distress, but he knew that the woods were no place for an up-and-coming lady of the palace. Especially his daughter, who he believed to be incredibly naive and fragile.
Haeedhelion placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder to comfort her. "Mela.....I am sorry, but I cannot allow this. I forbid you to leave this palace without my knowledge ever again."
Nurruthien felt her knees go weak as her father's painful words sunk into her. Tears ran down her cheeks and her face became distorted with grief from her father's words and the horrible thoughts coming to her from Almare. Nurruthien didn't know what to do.....all of a sudden, she felt strength and defiance towards her father. She shoved his hand off of her and ran.
"Nurruthien!" Haeedhelion yelled after her, which alarmed the palace guards who began to go after her. Haeedhelion was about to pursue her as well when he felt a restricting hand on his shoulder. Turning, Haeedhelion looked into the face of his friend Thranduil.
"No Haeedhelion.....let her go. Perhaps it will be lifted from her system if she goes this one last time. It is obvious that the child is in some sort of distress. Leave her be for now...all will be well." Haeedhelion looked down towards the spot where his daughter stood just minutes before and closed his eyes.
"These times are becoming rough, Thranduil....." The two elves walked away together into the palace. Legolas and Dimmacilion, who witnessed the whole scene, looked at each other in shock.
"Wonder what that was all about....." Dimmacilion whispered to Legolas...Legolas just shrugged and looked towards the gates where the swift Nurruthien outran the palace guards and left the palace gates.
Nurruthien ran with all her might and thanked the heavens that she was gifted with her father's speed. Not even her restricting skirts could slow her down. In fact, nothing could slow her down now. Nurruthien ran with incredible speed as she veered off into the thick forest. Branches scratched at her skin and she had to jump over logs and bushes. Nothing could stop her.
"I'm coming Adul.....hold on....."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Aha! Take that! The day hath come atar, when your wee little daughter has finally beaten you with her archery skills!" Adulomeiel boasted as she looked on to the archery targets with pride.
Firaglarion laughed at his daughter.
"Aye, so it has. Unfortunately, you are not so wee and little anymore." He smiled as he messed her hair. She laughed at him and picked up her arrows. Her birthday was coming up soon. Twas a happy day for her, but she knew it wasn't a very happy one for her friend. They were born on the same day, they had found out. And every year Nurruthien brought a wreath to her atara's grave. Adulomeiel would try to cheer her up that day. She would bring her home with her and her atara would make it a most wonderful celebration for the both of them, but Adulomeiel felt in her heart that her friend grieved. She was glad that her atara helped. Ever since Nurruthien had hugged her that day, Rinwingiel had taken her under her wing, and has treated her like her very own daughter ever since.
It was a beautiful day in the woods as father and daughter practiced their archery. Soon Rinwingiel appeared at the ledge of the tree house. Her big round belly stuck out from her dress and she looked happy.
She watched her husband and her daughter practicing as she rubbed her belly. She looked down at it and smiled.
"Someday, you will be down there as well, my pen-neth." She smiled and turned to go back into the house. She began to wash dishes and clean a little when she felt a pain shoot through her.
She gasped and leaned over, placing her hand on her large tummy.
She began to breathe vigorously as the pains continued to come.
'Oh Elbereth, this is it!' She thought. Soon she was aware that she was soaked from her waist down.
"My water broke." She mumbled. Intense pain came to her. And she leaned on the bed for support as she gasped in pain.
"Fir...Firaglarion!" She yelled in her pain then slid to the floor, heaving and crying out again as another contraction came on her.
Firaglarion was instructing his daughter on her next shot when his wife's cry rang out. He quickly turned and ran to the tree house, barely using the ladder in his climb to get to her.
Adulomeiel dropped her bow and arrow and ran after him.
When she got to the top, she saw her mother on the floor, her dress soaking wet, and her father sitting behind her, holding her back up for support as he held her hand.
Adulomeiel felt joy sweep through her. Her baby brother was to be born. She knew it was a boy, she could feel it.
"Adulomeiel!" She was pulled from her thoughts at the sound of her father calling her name.
"Run, get the midwife!" He said and Adulomeiel nodded her head. She ran and jumped from the tree house with no use of the ladder, landing softly on her
Elven feet, she took off in a dead run towards the village.
When she reached the village, she didn't care it be She Elf or child, she would run them over if they got in her way so she thought, but if either one appeared before her she would generally jump over them, or around them and continued on her destination. Ignoring the laughter and the questions that would follow it.
She finally got to the midwife's house, and luckily, she was outside.
The midwife saw her coming and the look on her face made her stop her sweeping.
"Adulomeiel? What is it child?" Adulomeiel ran to her and smiled.
"The time has come, you must come now to my atara!" The midwife smiled and put down her broom.
"Let me get my things."
Soon both Adulomeiel and midwife were on their way.
When they got to the tree house, they both climbed up the ladder and the midwife rushed over to Rinwingiel.
Adulomeiel stopped at the doorway to watch. Her mother looked to be in much pain, but she had been told how this happens. The same thing happened when she was born, and therefore it intrigued her.
Right away the midwife began to coach Rinwingiel as she cried out in pain.
She had ordered Firaglarion to help her lift his wife onto the bed, and to boil some water.
Soon it looked like things were going well. Until Adulomeiel caught a faint look of fear pass through her mother's face.
"Oh...oh Elbereth..." She said through her gasps.
"What is it mela?" Firaglarion whispered in her ear. The midwife lifted her head and glanced at Rinwingiel quickly.
"S...something i...is w-rong!" She finally cried out as hard as it was for her to get a word out.
The midwife patted her leg as she smiled.
"Fear not Rinwingiel, all will be well." She said and Adulomeiel caught the sign of relief in her fathers face, but nothing changed for her mother.
"No! S-something is wrong! I-I can feel it!" She cried out.
Firaglarion looked at the midwife, but she did not return his look. Adulomeiel kept her eyes on her mother, she felt it too. Something was wrong.
Her mother cried out in pain as she continued to push.
Adulomeiel prayed to the Valar that all would be well...but her prayer would not be answered that day.
As Rinwingiel cried out one last time as she pushed, the baby came forth, but no cry was heard from its lips. It did not move, it only laid in the midwife's arms lifeless, and not breathing.
The midwife looked at Firaglarion and he saw the tears in her eyes.
"I am sorry...the baby is a stillborn." Rinwingiel cried out in grief and Firaglarion held her hand as he fought the tears that threatened to fall.
Adulomeiel was in a stage of shock. Had she truly heard what she thought she had?
"Is it a boy?" She finally asked, barely above a whisper. The midwife turned to Adulomeiel and she asked again.
"Is it a boy?" The midwife smiled and nodded her head.
"Aye, tis a boy." Adulomeiel felt her heart rip as she saw her stillborn baby brother lying lifeless in the midwife's hands.
But then something else caught the midwife's attention. She was then aware of the pool of blood that was coming from Rinwingiel. It flowed out and kept coming.
She looked up at Firaglarion alarmed.
"Get me a needle and some thread quick!" She said and without question he stood to do what she had requested. She was going to try to patch up the bleeding she-Elf's wounds from the birth.
He returned with it, but the midwife looked at him hopelessly. She had tears in her eyes and she looked at Rinwingiel. Rinwingiel seemed to know what the midwife was saying in her eyes.
Rinwingiel felt the tears sting her eyes as she looked on past the midwife to her daughter standing in the doorway.
The impact of her mother's eyes hit her hard. What was wrong?
In her mother's eyes was love, and compassion. She felt guilty for something, but Adulomeiel could not tell what it was.
Rinwingiel then looked up at her husband. Firaglarion's eyes were wide with fear as he caught site of the puddle of blood that was coming from his wife, and faster.
He looked at the midwife, but he received no comfort from her look. He looked at his wife as a lone tear rolled down his cheek. So many memory's passed through his mind.
When he had first met her, when he asked for her hand in marriage. Their wedding day, Adulomeiel's birth, all this went through his mind as he looked at the face of his dying wife.
"Amin mela lle." She whispered to him. And he choked back a sob that tried to escape.
"Oh Elbereth no. Please melamin, do not go..." He said in desperate plea.
She smiled faintly and took his hand.
"You must be strong mela. You must be strong for Adulomeiel." Firaglarion kissed his wife's hand and left tears of sorrow to streak down it.
Realization was coming to Adulomeiel as she backed away from the doorway in denial. She could not watch her mother die, she would not. Tears stung her eyes as she backed up, until all she could see was her father.
"I am sorry Firaglarion, there is nothing I can do further." The midwife said as she felt her own tears fall. This was the worst part of her job. When births go wrong, she has to sit and watch the sorrow of the family.
Rinwingiel began to feel her strength leave her. She looked on to the doorway, but saw her daughter there no longer. She closed her eyes as a tear streaked down her face. She looked back up at Firaglarion.
"Tell Adulomeiel that I love her. Tell her to remember not to cook the apples to much, because you don't like them when they are." Firaglarion looked up at the doorway. He could see his daughter and he felt his heart break. Her face held so much confusion and pain.
"Tell her to make sure she takes care of you." Rinwingiel said as she lifted her other hand and placed it on his cheek.
He put his hand up to her hand as fresh tears fell.
"I can not do without you melamin, you can not leave me." He whispered to her.
"Nay mela, you can survive, and you will. Together you and Adulomeiel will survive." She smiled.
Her face was growing pale and she felt her life beginning to slip.
"Oh Elbereth!" She cried as she began to see naught but black.
"Amin mela lle, melamin." She said one last time, before her life slipped completely from her, and she died.
The midwife wrapped the stillborn baby in the blanket his mother had made for him. And placed him beside the lifeless figure of the mother.
Firaglarion stared at his wife as his mind began to torment him. Never again would he come home from a hunt to his wife's smile and beautiful face. Never again would he be able to kiss her lips or make love to her. Never again would he hold her in his arms. Never again.
Firaglarion let his grief overtake him as he leaned over his wife's dead body.
He began to weep, and the midwife stood.
"I am sorry Firaglarion." She said but he waved her off.
"Leave me!" He said through his sobs.
She drew in a deep breath and walked out the door.
She stopped when she saw Adulomeiel standing there. She had tears in her eyes and some were falling. The midwife's thoughts went back to the day Adulomeiel was born. Such a joyous day that was. But not this time.
Adulomeiel took in a shaky breath.
She didn't know how a day that was to be so joyous was so grieving.
The midwife placed her hand on her shoulder and Adulomeiel jumped in surprise.
"I am sorry dear child. Your mother is at a better place now." Adulomeiel ripped her shoulder from the midwife's grip.
"No! Her better place is here with me and atar!" She said hoarsely, and then she took off and jumped from the tree house, landing in a dead run.
"Adulomeiel!" She heard the midwife calling her, but she did not listen. She needed to be comforted, and there was only one she knew who could at this moment of grief.
"Please come Nurruthien." She said as she burst into Almare.
She ran to the log and leaned against it. Her breath came in gasps, which was unnatural for any Elf after a run.
She shook her head as the tears came. She didn't fight them, nor the sobs that overtook her body.
She prayed to the Valar that Nurruthien would come soon. Now was a time she needed her friend. How the tables had turned...
!!! (A/N: three exclamation points are gonna signify that we are writing together instead of three stars, b/c three stars doesn't work!)
Nurruthien didn't slow down for anything, not even when she approached Almare. The only thing that stopped Nurruthien dead in her tracks, was the state she saw Adulomeiel in. Adulomeiel was by the log, struggling to get breaths out between her sobs.
"Adul! What is wrong, mellon?" Nurruthien shouted as she sprinted towards Adulomeiel.
Adulomeiel still struggled. Nurruthien approached her and went to place a comforting hand on her friend's back.
"What is it? Tell me.....is it the baby?"
Adulomeiel prayed a silent prayer of thanks to the Valar when she heard her friend's dear voice, but now the hard part had come.....she must actually speak the words. "Y...yes!" She finally gasped out.
Nurruthien looked down and knew that the child was dead. Nurruthien rubbed Adulomeiel's back.
"It will be all right. Let's sit.....tell me what happened." Nurruthien went to sit but Adulomeiel wouldn't sit just yet.
Adulomeiel was feeling the realization sinking deep into her heart, shattering it to pieces, and when Nurruthien tried to comfort her she pulled away. She could not sit, she could not walk, she could not move.
"No Nurru! You do not understand!" She cried out. Nothing was making sense to her, how was she to make sense to Nurruthien?
"Just tell me, Adul. I'm sure I can understand if you just tell me." Nurruthien sat there looking at her friend. Adulomeiel stared into her friend's hazel eyes and saw the perplexed feelings of care in them. Nurruthien tenderly held onto Adulomeiel's shoulders.
Adulomeiel nearly shouted that she wouldn't understand, but the remembrance that Nurruthien had also lost her mother came to her. Adulomeiel felt fresh hot tears stream down her cheek and she nodded her head.
"The birth.....was hard. He was a stillborn. HE Nurru.....Twas a boy just as I told you!" Adulomeiel closed her eyes and took in a deep breath to continue.
"She.....she couldn't handle the birth Nurru....." Adulomeiel broke off into more tears.
Nurruthien sat there dumbstruck as the hard realization that Rinwingiel may not have made it, just as her own mother didn't make it through birth.
"You mean.....your atara? She's.....gone?" Nurruthien got the words out with a struggle for tears were now threatening her eyes.
"Say it isn't so, Adul!" Nurruthien shrieked with a shaky voice.
Adulomeiel was shaking uncontrollably now. The tone in her friend's pleading voice made her sick to her stomach. She realized this would be a big loss for Nurruthien as well.
Finally through her gasps and sobs she began to talk.
"She just kept bleeding! The midwife tried everything, but it didn't work Nurru.....it didn't work!" and with that she collapsed to the floor in her tears.
Nurruthien threw her arms around Adulomeiel and held her tight. Nurruthien began to cry and shake as well. She placed her chin on top of Adulomeiel's head and stroked her hair.
"Not another one....." Nurruthien silently mumbled. She had lost another mother. Two gone in her short life was too much for her to handle.
Adulomeiel felt the comfort of her friend's arms overtake her. She closed her eyes as the last tears fell, for no more would come. Soon small sniffles were all that was heard from her. She let out a shaky breath.
"At least I still have you, my dearest Nurru." She whispered to her friend
Nurruthien closed her eyes at Adulomeiel's words, for her heart was shattered as she remembered the argument with her father. In her heart, Nurruthien knew she could not disobey her father nor could she leave Adul. Nurruthien slowly pulled away from Adulomeiel, keeping only her hands on her arms.
"I'm afraid that.....my father caught me today, Adul. He has forbidden me to leave the palace anymore. And I ran away from him to top it all off. I'm sorry Adul but....."
Adulomeiel's head shot up. The words that came from her friend's mouth stabbed at the already shattered pieces of her heart.
"No!" She cried out desperately.
"No Nurru! You cannot leave me now! Would you abandon me to die in my grief? Please Nurru! You cannot leave me now!" She cried as she stood to her feet swiftly.
Nurruthien stood up slowly, distressed at her friend's state and words that shot at her like arrows.
"Adul.....you don't understand. I cannot disobey my father anymore! But I swear that this will NOT be our last meeting! I will try my very best to get away when I can but.....it's going to be hard. That's all I'm saying....." Nurruthien put her head down.....she knew she was hurting Adulomeiel, but she also knew that her father would have her chained to his wrist and never let her out of his sight again.
Adulomeiel began to back away slowly.
"But I need you Nurru, can not you tell your father that? Plead with him!"
Nurruthien looked at her distressed friend sadly.
"I tried, Adul.....I really did. I was so worried about you, and he just didn't understand. I promise, I swear that I will not let him sever our relationship. But for now, I cannot disobey him."
Adulomeiel nodded her head as sobs tried to break through her.
"Then tell me what I am to do?" She said pitifully.
Nurruthien walked over to Adulomeiel and held her close. Nurruthien spoke softly as she stroked Adulomeiel's hair with a loving touch.
"You must go home. Your father needs you. No doubt he is just as upset as you are. He's lost his love, his soul mate, and a child all in one day. He needs you now more than ever. You must take care of him.....he's all you have."
As she said the last sentence, she thought about her own father.
Adulomeiel nodded her head and wiped away her tears. She pulled from Nurruthien's embrace and looked into her friend's eyes.
"Will I ever see you again?" She questioned.
Nurruthien smiled, "Of course you will. We're friends for life, remember? Just have a little bit of faith."
Adulomeiel smiled despite herself and hugged her friend once again.
"I will think of you always dear friend."
Nurruthien hugged Adulomeiel back tightly, not wanting to let go, tears silently falling down her cheeks.
"As will I think of you always."
Reluctantly pulling away from their tight embrace, Nurruthien smiled.
"Where there's a will, there's a way. We will see each other again."
Adulomeiel smiled and waved to her friend.
"Namaarie Nurru." She said then turned and swiftly ran on through the forest.
Nurruthien walked slowly through the forest away from Almare and towards the palace with her head down. Tears dripped down her cheeks and she didn't care to wipe them away as she watched them fall to the ground. Nurruthien felt incomplete...like a part of her was missing. Adulomeiel was missing. Nurruthien placed her hand over her heart, thinking that it was ease the pain she felt. All of a sudden, Nurruthien's ears perked up at the sound of leaves rustling above her head. Nurruthien stopped walking but kept her head on the ground.
'I don't care if it's an orc.....I hope it takes me away.'
All of a sudden a figure jumped down from the tree right in front of Nurruthien. She immediately recognized the boots. Startled by his appearance so deep in the woods, Nurruthien turned her back to Legolas. Legolas stood there and smiled to himself, proud of his excellent tracking skills.
Nurruthien turned her head slightly, "Did my father send you?"
The way Nurruthien's voice shook when she spoke made Legolas' smile fade.
"Are you crying?" He asked softly.
Nurruthien quickly turned her head away from Legolas. "Did my father.....send you?" She asked Legolas more sternly then before, but he could still hear the shaking in her voice.
Slowly, Legolas moved towards Nurruthien and gently placed his hand on her shoulder.
"No, your father did not send me. I came after you on my own. The way you ran from him...it was as if you were running for your life.....I was worried about you....." Legolas spoke softly to Nurruthien. He knew that she was upset about something, and he cared for her. Legolas wanted to understand what was wrong and make Nurruthien feel better.
Nurruthien closed her eyes when Legolas touched her. She could feel the compassion in his voice and touch. Such a strange feeling to come from her childhood associate. Nurruthien couldn't overcome the strange feeling, and let herself go. Nurruthien began to weep, trying to stifle her cries. However, she couldn't and her weeping tore at Legolas' heart. He immediately took her arm and turned her around. When Legolas saw the tears running down Nurruthien's beautiful but horribly sad face, he felt just awful for her.
"Shh....." Legolas brought Nurruthien into his arms and held her close. He placed his hand on the back of her head. This was the closest the two had ever been physically. Legolas rubbed Nurruthien's back as she sobbed into his tunic. Legolas couldn't help but like the feeling of Nurruthien in his arms. Her hair was soft to his touch, and he could feel the womanly curves of Nurruthien's back as he rubbed it. Though, Nurruthien's crying was too much for Legolas, he wanted nothing more than to comfort her.
"Tell me what ails you.....are you hurt?" Legolas said softly as he turned his head towards Nurruthien's ear. Nurruthien slightly shivered as she felt his hot breath on the peak of her ear.
Shaking her head, she answered him, "N-no.....you wouldn't understand." Nurruthien pushed Legolas away and began her slow, painful path back to the palace. She only took a few steps before Nurruthien felt her knees buckle and give out on her. Letting out a slight cry she began to fall, but Legolas caught Nurruthien in mid air and held her tight to his chest. Legolas sat on the ground and Nurruthien sort of laid in his arms. She was so weak from her emotions and crying, Nurruthien could barely keep her eyes open anymore. When Nurruthien's tears began to slow and her breathing became even, Legolas decided to press further.
"Nurruthien, it pains me so to see you like this. Tell me what is it that has happened and I swear I will try and make things better for you. Anything to see you smile again." Nurruthien looked up at Legolas, she came face to face with his deep blue eyes that looked like an endless ocean to her. Nuzzling her head closer to his chest, her ear coincided with his heart and Nurruthien listened to it beat with the rise and fall of his chest. Legolas smiled down at her and wiped away some stray tears from her cheeks. Nurruthien felt so comfortable and relieved that she decided to tell Legolas about Adulomeiel. Slowly Nurruthien began to tell the story of how Adulomeiel and herself met, about Adulomeiel's family, about how they were so close, about how Rinwingiel treated Nurruthien as her own daughter, and sadly about Rinwingiel's death. Nurruthien closed her eyes and let out a shaky sigh. The only thing she kept from Legolas was Almare, that was still her secret place with Adulomeiel.
Legolas put his chin on Nurruthien's head as his eyes searched the ground, as if trying to find something to say there. He was absolutely speechless. Legolas knew himself what it's like to lose a mother, so he felt pained inside. Pain for Nurruthien and for her friend. Legolas knew he must try to do something for Nurruthien. He carefully picked up Nurruthien's head by putting the tips of his fingers on her chin. Legolas looked deeply into Nurruthien's eyes and all he could see was sadness. Then it came to him, Legolas knew what he could do.
"Nurruthien, perhaps.....if it is all right with your father.....I will escort you to see your friend. I won't stay, I'll just take you there and back to the palace. I can protect you. How does that sound?"
Nurruthien smiled and a spark of hope could be seen in her eyes. "Do you mean it Legolas? You would really do that for me?"
Legolas smiled and nodded, "Of course. But now, let us return to the palace. It's getting late and you must be famished."
Indeed Nurruthien was hungry so she didn't mind when Legolas helped her stand up. Legolas began to walk towards the palace when Nurruthien grabbed him. Before Legolas could ask what was wrong, Nurruthien put her arms around his neck and gave him a tight hug. Legolas smiled and placed his hands around Nurruthien's waist.
"Thank you, Legolas." Nurruthien mumbled into his tunic, as her head only reached his chest. Legolas just smiled at her, and put his arm out so Nurruthien could latch on to him. She smiled, took his arm, and they both began back to the palace side by side.
~*~*~*~
Once they got to the palace, Nurruthien immediately went to her chambers and cleaned up for dinner. She put on a new dress and fixed her hair. Her eyes were still a little bloodshot from crying, but Nurruthien didn't care, she wanted her father to see how much pain she was in. Before leaving her chambers, Nurruthien said a silent prayer that her father would agree to have Legolas escort her to see Adulomeiel. Taking a deep breath, Nurruthien opened her door and began towards the dining hall. Her quick step brought her to the dining hall faster than she had anticipated. So, Nurruthien just stood outside the door. She could hear her father and Thranduil talking as she became more nervous. Nurruthien lost her appetite as the knot of apprehension grew in her stomach. Nurruthien turned on her heal and was about to run back to her chambers when she bumped right into Legolas.
"Manke naa lle autien?" (where are you going?) Legolas said with a smile on his face. Nurruthien looked into his eyes, which sparkled when he smiled and felt some relief. Legolas had also cleaned up for dinner and now he looked like a prince in his silver tunic and grey leggings instead of a warrior when he found her in the forest.
"Amin um-sina!" ( I can't do this!) Nurruthien exclaimed in a whisper. Legolas' smile faded as he held her arms just above her elbows.
"Amin na-ed' lle eller....." ( I will be by your side) Legolas said softly.
"Lle vesta?" ( Do you promise?) Nurruthien looked up at him and felt assured when he smiled.
"Uma, mellon." (Yes, my friend) Legolas linked his arm with Nurruthien's and opened the door. Nurruthien felt her knees shake as she walked. Thranduil and Haeedhelion looked up at the two coming in the door. Thranduil smiled when he saw them walking arm and arm. Haeedhelion, on the other hand, stared at his daughter with an emotionless look. Nurruthien turned her head as Legolas pulled out her chair and let her sit. Legolas sat beside her and began conversation with his father and Haeedhelion. Nurruthien barely raised her head during the whole dinner, she ate her food and drank, she was fearful of looking up at her father. After they finished eating, Legolas cleared his throat.
"I wish to ask something of you Haeedhelion." Shocked to hear his name from the prince, Haeedhelion looked away from his daughter and at Legolas.
"Yes?"
Legolas shifted in his chair and kept a stern look on his face. Nurruthien admired him, how nothing seemed to sway him from his task.
"I found Nurruthien in the forest today and she was greatly distressed. She revealed to me everything about her friend. Haeedhelion, I don't wish to offend you, but poor Nurruthien was so heart-broken.....I wish to ask your permission for me to escort her through the forest and back to the palace so that she can see her dear friend."
Haeedhelion sat there and looked at his daughter's lowered head. He knew she was in pain, but it seemed as though that Nurruthien didn't notice how much pain her father was in. Haeedhelion didn't want to cage his daughter in, but she seemed to show no remorse for what she did.
"Legolas, I appreciate your willingness to help. However, I cannot allow it."
Nurruthien's head shot up at her father, she stared in disbelief. Looking over at Legolas, she noticed how he sat back and looked down. Nurruthien looked back at her father as tears ran down her cheeks. She became filled with rage and stood up, shocking the other people in the room.
"I loathe you! You have no idea the pain I go through! I hate this place and you most of all! I pledge my silence from here on in!" And with that she turned and ran out of the room. Haeedhelion looked down sadly because of the words that stung at him like ten thousand bees. Legolas looked out the open doors, watching Nurruthien's dress flapping behind her as she ran.
'She's always running.' He thought silently to himself.
Nurruthien ran all the way to her chambers before finally letting her emotions out. She opened the door, slammed it behind her and leaned back on it. Placing her head in her hands, Nurruthien let out a small sob and let the tears trinkle down her cheeks. Nurruthien knew she hurt her father and she felt bad. Nurruthien felt bad because she knew that she was the only reason her father lived and thrived. Haeedhelion lived for Nurruthien, but he just didn't understand what she was going through. Nurruthien locked her door and threw herself on her bed. Crawling under the blankets, not caring to change out of her dress, Nurruthien breathed into her pillow. She felt all her emotions of the day sink heavily down on the bed, as if they were weighing her down. Nurruthien's legs and feet tingled from running so much and all she wished for was sleep. Before letting sleep overcome her, Nurruthien let out a small whisper, so faint that not even the keenest elven ears could pick it up.
"Amin hiraetha, atara....." (I am sorry, mother)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adulomeiel slowed her running pace as she entered the little part of the village.
None spoke to her, but she felt the sorrowful stares that went out to her as she walked with her head down.
News sure did travel fast in this little village.
When she passed through the village and came upon her father's archery targets, she let out a heavy sigh as she remembered earlier on in the morning.
She loved practicing with her father.
Adulomeiel let out another heavy sigh as she turned towards the tree house.
She for the first time realized what pain her father was going through. She was all he had now, and since her departure from Nurruthien, he was all she had.
Adulomeiel closed her eyes as a silent tear rolled down her cheek.
Adulomeiel began to walk to the tree house, climbing the rope ladder slowly.
When she got to the top, she stood before the door and took in a deep breath.
Releasing it as she slowly pushed open the door.
She stood there and took in the scene.
Her mothers body lay on the bed, covered with a white sheet, Adulomeiel let her eyes roam the room, her green orbs searching, until at last they came to rest on her father.
He was sitting upon a chair in the corner, he had his head in his hands, and his whole body shook with the sobs that racked it.
Adulomeiel felt fresh, hot tears sting her eyes, but she sniffed them back.
"Atar..." She said faintly.
Firaglarion's head shot up, and his eyes set upon his daughter.
Despite her dark hair, she favored her mother. She was his gift from Rinwingiel, and he had to treasure her. She was all he had, his only reason to draw the breath that hurt him so.
He tried to smile faintly as he held out his arms to her.
Adulomeiel began to weep as she ran to her father and flung herself into his arms.
Firaglarion held tightly onto his daughter...his life.
His tears flowed down his handsome face, and landed on his daughter's silky hair.
"Amin hiraetha atar..." (I am sorry father) She said through her sobs.
Firaglarion withdrew from his daughters embrace and took her face in his hands, looking into the green eyes that so reminded him of her mother's.
"Dear child...this was not your fault. We have each other mela, we have each other...we will make it through this. Together." As he spoke, his voice quavered and broke between words.
Adulomeiel nodded her head and hugged him again tightly.
"Together..." She repeated quietly.