Tears in the Twilight
Echo the Nymph
Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Tolkien's.
Years went by,
March was slowly turning green.
In the forest of Harlindon
Stood a ray of golden dawn,
Feeling she was needed elsewhere.
Yet escape from the trees she could not
Thus sent aid another way...
Chapter 4
Had any been there to see, under the edge of the forest stood a lone huntress, gazing out into the world of the Riharan. The cry of her ancestress rode the wind. Men had not failed against the dark tide in the fortress of Helm's Deep. Yet, she still felt that she was needed, by those on the road to Mordor. The last time we tried to leave, you were stopped. Phoenix, I am still too young to take you to them through between.
Lightly, she stroked Talitha's green neck. They still need help. I may not be able to leave these woods and go to them, but my aid I can send. The huntress turned away from the outer lands and she loped to a meadow she'd known since her early childhood. Her hooves halted next to a babbling, bubbling brook. She curled up her golden legs and lay on the bank so they water could carry her words. Instinct took over and she spoke to the water in the common tongue. "Lord Ulmo, please carry my words to those who need them now."
She softly hummed a few measures, then Talitha expertly took over, using her own voice to make the musical background.
"Darkness gathers in strength,
Two Bearers have met.
In the West, light lingers,
Fear not.
Bearer of the Ring of Power,
Hear my voice.
Strength to endure to you I give.
True friend next to him,
Despair not.
Fire of Life is strong
In both of you.
Friendship is a greater power
Than the Ring; stay with one another.
He who bore the Ring before
The hobbits of the Shire,
Currents deep in your soul,
Like the Anduin.
Two I feel in you,
May light prevail
Where it may.
Yet it is darkest before dawn.
Three Little Folk
Wandering in eastern darkness,
May the light of the West
Guide you.
May the grace of the Valar
Protect you in your struggle;
We will meet someday."
Her gaze shifted from the road to Mordor to more southern lands. As one song ended, another began and once more she hummed a few measures to let Talitha know. Then the song poured out of her, like water over its fall.
"Four of Nine in southern lands,
Fear not for your friends.
Istari of the West,
Keep despair from your heart.
The Shire-folk live through
The turmoil.
Fair Elf of the Woodland Realm,
Stand beside your friends.
The Time of Men may begin,
Yet still your folk will linger
Among their loved ones.
Master Dwarf of a mountain lonely,
Keep the hope in your heart.
No fault is it of yours the
Shadows along the way.
Those with you stand beside you.
Chieftain of the Dunedain,
Son of Numenor,
Keep the courage alive.
Those you hold dear,
You will see again,
Dunedain of Numenor,
Who will be King of Gondor."
Phoenix's voice fell silent. She had done what she could for them. Eleboreth, I wish I could do more. Sapphire blue eyes shone with tears that wouldn't fall.
Talitha snuggled up to her huntress in a comforting manner.
Phoenix, you will be able to do more. The foresight of Amira then came upon her. There will be a war unexpected. A war against Mordor once more. You will stand among the peoples of Arda and fight alongside them. The darkness they faced, they will face again with you, and with your help, overcome it.
The Princess gazed to the west, to Aman. "Much darkness shall come and go between the times of the wars. In a short time, the Bearer will be restored. The scars of the Quest he will always bear, yet they will be eased by his friends." A distant, detached look crept into her eyes. "Together will the heroes of this war stand with the Forgotten Children of Iluvatar. If not, then all will fall to darkness. A darkness that will drive all but men from the face of Arda."
Silent splashing of the stream soothed Phoenix back to herself. The shaman power she bore could be quite a shock, and indeed, she was trembling from it. "That's it. I've had enough. Leala can help me learn how to deal with my abilities. I will apprentice with her."
Talitha chirped in agreement. A true shaman outranked the High Chief when it came to others of the calling. Leala would teach her to trust the instincts she now second-guessed. Deep within, she knew such a habit was dangerous.
Echo the Nymph
Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Tolkien's.
Years went by,
March was slowly turning green.
In the forest of Harlindon
Stood a ray of golden dawn,
Feeling she was needed elsewhere.
Yet escape from the trees she could not
Thus sent aid another way...
Chapter 4
Had any been there to see, under the edge of the forest stood a lone huntress, gazing out into the world of the Riharan. The cry of her ancestress rode the wind. Men had not failed against the dark tide in the fortress of Helm's Deep. Yet, she still felt that she was needed, by those on the road to Mordor. The last time we tried to leave, you were stopped. Phoenix, I am still too young to take you to them through between.
Lightly, she stroked Talitha's green neck. They still need help. I may not be able to leave these woods and go to them, but my aid I can send. The huntress turned away from the outer lands and she loped to a meadow she'd known since her early childhood. Her hooves halted next to a babbling, bubbling brook. She curled up her golden legs and lay on the bank so they water could carry her words. Instinct took over and she spoke to the water in the common tongue. "Lord Ulmo, please carry my words to those who need them now."
She softly hummed a few measures, then Talitha expertly took over, using her own voice to make the musical background.
"Darkness gathers in strength,
Two Bearers have met.
In the West, light lingers,
Fear not.
Bearer of the Ring of Power,
Hear my voice.
Strength to endure to you I give.
True friend next to him,
Despair not.
Fire of Life is strong
In both of you.
Friendship is a greater power
Than the Ring; stay with one another.
He who bore the Ring before
The hobbits of the Shire,
Currents deep in your soul,
Like the Anduin.
Two I feel in you,
May light prevail
Where it may.
Yet it is darkest before dawn.
Three Little Folk
Wandering in eastern darkness,
May the light of the West
Guide you.
May the grace of the Valar
Protect you in your struggle;
We will meet someday."
Her gaze shifted from the road to Mordor to more southern lands. As one song ended, another began and once more she hummed a few measures to let Talitha know. Then the song poured out of her, like water over its fall.
"Four of Nine in southern lands,
Fear not for your friends.
Istari of the West,
Keep despair from your heart.
The Shire-folk live through
The turmoil.
Fair Elf of the Woodland Realm,
Stand beside your friends.
The Time of Men may begin,
Yet still your folk will linger
Among their loved ones.
Master Dwarf of a mountain lonely,
Keep the hope in your heart.
No fault is it of yours the
Shadows along the way.
Those with you stand beside you.
Chieftain of the Dunedain,
Son of Numenor,
Keep the courage alive.
Those you hold dear,
You will see again,
Dunedain of Numenor,
Who will be King of Gondor."
Phoenix's voice fell silent. She had done what she could for them. Eleboreth, I wish I could do more. Sapphire blue eyes shone with tears that wouldn't fall.
Talitha snuggled up to her huntress in a comforting manner.
Phoenix, you will be able to do more. The foresight of Amira then came upon her. There will be a war unexpected. A war against Mordor once more. You will stand among the peoples of Arda and fight alongside them. The darkness they faced, they will face again with you, and with your help, overcome it.
The Princess gazed to the west, to Aman. "Much darkness shall come and go between the times of the wars. In a short time, the Bearer will be restored. The scars of the Quest he will always bear, yet they will be eased by his friends." A distant, detached look crept into her eyes. "Together will the heroes of this war stand with the Forgotten Children of Iluvatar. If not, then all will fall to darkness. A darkness that will drive all but men from the face of Arda."
Silent splashing of the stream soothed Phoenix back to herself. The shaman power she bore could be quite a shock, and indeed, she was trembling from it. "That's it. I've had enough. Leala can help me learn how to deal with my abilities. I will apprentice with her."
Talitha chirped in agreement. A true shaman outranked the High Chief when it came to others of the calling. Leala would teach her to trust the instincts she now second-guessed. Deep within, she knew such a habit was dangerous.