Tears in the Twilight
Echo the Nymph
Disclaimer: I don't own Tolkien's characters.
Cycled seven times
The seasons did.
In the forest far from the village,
Crept Firespirit and Phoenix.
Near the Gray Havens they lingered
To speak with the Lord of the Havens
Was their goal...
Chapter 2
Firespirit crept through the trees, a silent Phoenix by her side. Over the years, the young huntress had become like a daughter to her. But the time was fast approaching when the young Princess would have to make her choice.
They halted in the dappled light of the forest, near the clearing of the harbor. "Phoenix, you must never tell your grandfather of what we're to do. Although the time of the elves is ending, they still wield much power over Arda."
Phoenix gazed through the trees and into the clearing. "I know what he would do if he knew. This secret I will not tell, not even to those closest to me."
The older mare warmly clasped her shoulder. Even when she is happy, sorrow is hidden in her sapphire eyes. Phoenix was born among the elves; she needs to be with them. They walked into the sunlight unafraid. There were several Sindaran exclaimations, yet no action was taken against them.
Lightly, Firespirit touched the shoulder of the elf in front of them. He turned around and saw one that had been absent for a long while.
"Firespirit, it is good to see you again."
"I missed you as well Cirdan." She then directed his attention to the filly by her side.
"I am Phoenix, Huntress of the Line of Fire." She bowed politely to the lord and added something in Quenya, startling a few of those nearby. Rare was it for a centaur to speak as though she were born to that tongue. Cirdan smiled and replied in the same way.
Firespirit moaned. "You had better be glad no Watchers are in this area. If they had heard you and told your grandfather, he'd kick you halfway across Arda."
A merry laugh came from Phoenix. "He'd have to catch me first!"
Cirdan chuckled. "You have your mother's wit, young Phoenix."
She smiled radiantly. A group of elflings ran by as the adults continued their discussion.
The filly filled her gaze with the Gray Havens, drinking in its beauty. This place was different than the retreat in her dreams. That retreat was the place of her birth. A gentle hand startled hre out of her thoughts.
"You have waited long for the companionship of the elves. Yet a little longer you must wait to find friends that are true." Cirdan declared.
"Long in mortal years, Lod Cirdan." Her eyes took in the leaving ship. "It seems wrong for elves to leave. All life is connected, woven together. Loose but a strand and all is weakened." Tears shone in her eyes. Already she understood the consequences of their choice.
"Much depends on the Gem." Cirdan made eye contact with her. "Now I look into her eyes. Your choices and actions can inflluence the fate of all of Arda."
Phoenix gazed at him as a child would. "That is a power I do not want. But if I must, I will do what I can."
"Let the future shape itself." Cirdan advised. "For now, you must be a child. Within huntresses, maturity comes swiftly. Don't rush towrds adulthood. Let childhood linger."
"Time will take its time,
Seasons slowly pass.
She who waits
Will be given honor,
But to the impatient
Only squander."
Phoenix sang softly, cluing him in to the Sindaran name she bore.
Surely that is a verse from Huntress lore. Firespirit has taught her well.
Firespirit ambled up with their packs in hand. She then handed the smaller one to Phoenix. "We really would like to stay longer, Cirdan. But the longer we delay, the angrier High Chief Thunderbird will get. Farewell."
Phoenix chanced eye contact with the lord. "Namare." She vanished into the undergrowth with Firespirit and Blaze. In her heart was a profound sorrow, one from leaving the elven home. "I would rather stay among elves all my days instead of returning to an overprotective family." The Princess started at a sound, then glared in the direction it came from. "We are being watched."
The older huntress glanced back at her. From long experience; she could tell the young one was troubled. "Don't doubt your instincts. You have your father's gift for a reason."
"I can't help it. They worry constantly about it and tell me not to use them because I'm too young." Her gaze went back to the brush as they trotted along. The feeling of eyes on them didn't waver; yet the eyes felt friendly. No danger came from this watcher.
Along the way back to the village, Firespirit drilled her on the plants along the path's edge. Healer's instincts had made themselves known two years before, thus she was a blending of song and healing in one. A very rare occurance in all the ages of huntresses had existed.
Laughter rippled through the woods as they continued onwards. Finally, they emerged into their village after two weeks on the trail. Relief flooded through the villagers as they had feared for the young huntress. Yet they noticed a light in her eyes; a light that hadn't been there since she was an infant.
What had happened to bring back this light? It troubled them; as such radience was unnatural in centaurs.
Echo the Nymph
Disclaimer: I don't own Tolkien's characters.
Cycled seven times
The seasons did.
In the forest far from the village,
Crept Firespirit and Phoenix.
Near the Gray Havens they lingered
To speak with the Lord of the Havens
Was their goal...
Chapter 2
Firespirit crept through the trees, a silent Phoenix by her side. Over the years, the young huntress had become like a daughter to her. But the time was fast approaching when the young Princess would have to make her choice.
They halted in the dappled light of the forest, near the clearing of the harbor. "Phoenix, you must never tell your grandfather of what we're to do. Although the time of the elves is ending, they still wield much power over Arda."
Phoenix gazed through the trees and into the clearing. "I know what he would do if he knew. This secret I will not tell, not even to those closest to me."
The older mare warmly clasped her shoulder. Even when she is happy, sorrow is hidden in her sapphire eyes. Phoenix was born among the elves; she needs to be with them. They walked into the sunlight unafraid. There were several Sindaran exclaimations, yet no action was taken against them.
Lightly, Firespirit touched the shoulder of the elf in front of them. He turned around and saw one that had been absent for a long while.
"Firespirit, it is good to see you again."
"I missed you as well Cirdan." She then directed his attention to the filly by her side.
"I am Phoenix, Huntress of the Line of Fire." She bowed politely to the lord and added something in Quenya, startling a few of those nearby. Rare was it for a centaur to speak as though she were born to that tongue. Cirdan smiled and replied in the same way.
Firespirit moaned. "You had better be glad no Watchers are in this area. If they had heard you and told your grandfather, he'd kick you halfway across Arda."
A merry laugh came from Phoenix. "He'd have to catch me first!"
Cirdan chuckled. "You have your mother's wit, young Phoenix."
She smiled radiantly. A group of elflings ran by as the adults continued their discussion.
The filly filled her gaze with the Gray Havens, drinking in its beauty. This place was different than the retreat in her dreams. That retreat was the place of her birth. A gentle hand startled hre out of her thoughts.
"You have waited long for the companionship of the elves. Yet a little longer you must wait to find friends that are true." Cirdan declared.
"Long in mortal years, Lod Cirdan." Her eyes took in the leaving ship. "It seems wrong for elves to leave. All life is connected, woven together. Loose but a strand and all is weakened." Tears shone in her eyes. Already she understood the consequences of their choice.
"Much depends on the Gem." Cirdan made eye contact with her. "Now I look into her eyes. Your choices and actions can inflluence the fate of all of Arda."
Phoenix gazed at him as a child would. "That is a power I do not want. But if I must, I will do what I can."
"Let the future shape itself." Cirdan advised. "For now, you must be a child. Within huntresses, maturity comes swiftly. Don't rush towrds adulthood. Let childhood linger."
"Time will take its time,
Seasons slowly pass.
She who waits
Will be given honor,
But to the impatient
Only squander."
Phoenix sang softly, cluing him in to the Sindaran name she bore.
Surely that is a verse from Huntress lore. Firespirit has taught her well.
Firespirit ambled up with their packs in hand. She then handed the smaller one to Phoenix. "We really would like to stay longer, Cirdan. But the longer we delay, the angrier High Chief Thunderbird will get. Farewell."
Phoenix chanced eye contact with the lord. "Namare." She vanished into the undergrowth with Firespirit and Blaze. In her heart was a profound sorrow, one from leaving the elven home. "I would rather stay among elves all my days instead of returning to an overprotective family." The Princess started at a sound, then glared in the direction it came from. "We are being watched."
The older huntress glanced back at her. From long experience; she could tell the young one was troubled. "Don't doubt your instincts. You have your father's gift for a reason."
"I can't help it. They worry constantly about it and tell me not to use them because I'm too young." Her gaze went back to the brush as they trotted along. The feeling of eyes on them didn't waver; yet the eyes felt friendly. No danger came from this watcher.
Along the way back to the village, Firespirit drilled her on the plants along the path's edge. Healer's instincts had made themselves known two years before, thus she was a blending of song and healing in one. A very rare occurance in all the ages of huntresses had existed.
Laughter rippled through the woods as they continued onwards. Finally, they emerged into their village after two weeks on the trail. Relief flooded through the villagers as they had feared for the young huntress. Yet they noticed a light in her eyes; a light that hadn't been there since she was an infant.
What had happened to bring back this light? It troubled them; as such radience was unnatural in centaurs.