Ok. I know it's been a bit of a wait, so this chapter (The Great River, as promised) is nice and lengthy to make up for the wait. I've been really busy lately (ya know, STUFF…) and my latest project is trying to squeeze five extra hours into the day (Einstein tried it in '03 and failed, but then he didn't have Mac OS X, did he?!?). Anyway, thanks for the continuing tipple of reviews, cos they're always welcome (flames or not).
FYI: The river Silverlode and the river Celebrant are one and the same ('Silverlode' being the Common speak rendering of the Elvish 'Celebrant'). Just in case you get confused, like I was for a very long time…
Though sleep had evaded many that night, none witnessed what had happened in the dark hours before dawn. In the eerie twilight, the troubled Queen of the Golden Wood summoned Frodo Baggins from his light slumber and together they ventured down to the secluded glade where the renowned mirror of Galadriél lay.
Under the grey winter skies, where the sickle moon and pale morning sun dwelt in unity, the Elf-queen allowed the young Ring-bearer to gaze into the abyss of the mirror. In it he saw what was, what is and what may be. As he bore witness to the sights before him, so too did the elf-queen.
It was with the greatest relief that she beheld her own diminishing presence. For it was possible that, if Galadriél were to hold both the One Ring and Ring of the Adamant - Nenya - she could rival the Dark Lord in his power. But she knew well that, despite that she was powerful and pure of heart, the Ring was wrought with evil lifeblood and she too would be corrupted.
Now she saw that she would never succumb to the lure of the Ring. Her presence would diminish, as would the glory of her realm, and together with her husband she would pass into the Undying Lands. All that remained was for Nephryn to survive the coming days to ensure that, even if Lothlorién dwindled, some protected haven would remain for the last of the Elves on Middle Earth.
**********
It was well into the early hours of the morning and the sun had risen high in the cloudless azure sky before Legolas felt any inclination to move from his position overlooking the glades. He'd slouched there most of the night. He could not close his eyes for every time he did, it was her sorrowful face that assaulted his mind. He could not walk in peaceful dreams for he knew that as long as Nephryn was unhappy she would not find such peace and so how could he allow himself such a luxury, when he was the cause of her anguish.
So he sat, lingering on the unhappy events of the previous day. Neither could he forget what Aragorn had said to him at the range.
There is more to this than is yet clear to you.
Legolas knew also that they would depart today, for to linger any longer was to forget the true purpose of their journey. They'd stopped here for rest, and though they would depart with much more than foreseen, their stay here was still a stopover in a much longer, more arduous trek.
Resolving that he could dwell no more on that which could not be solved in the immediate, Legolas stood briskly. He bathed in the warm pools and changed into clothes given in gift by the Galadhrim. This included an exquisite grey cloak, similar to the one worn by all the Galadhrim warriors. It gleamed and undulated in the light, such that it caught and mimicked the colours that surrounded it, making the wearer blend with his surroundings, whatever they be.
When he reached the court of Galadriél not an hour later, he found that the rest of the Fellowship, save Nephryn, had gathered there. All wore similar cloaks, even the hobbits, who were half the height of the Woodland elves, wore cloaks that appeared to have been cut to size.
Aragorn nodded to him from across the group, silent question clear in his eyes. Legolas merely shook his head despondently, unwilling to make a private matter fodder for discussion by the group.
Hours passed in a blur. Galadriél greeted them and together with her husband, she imparted many fine gifts. Legolas received a longbow and full quiver, superior in craft and method than his own, and though he was very grateful for the gift, he'd rather have received nothing and have Nephryn's smiling presence at his side.
The fellowship ate with the Lord and Queen, eating their fill for it would be their last meal in many days. From now they would live on lembas and likely not eat a proper meal until their war was done. Aragorn discussed how they would travel onto Gondor, for that was the next feasible stop before Mordor. On the far side of the Silverlode, the woods swarmed with Orcs and such creatures and so it was decided that the fellowship would journey by boat down the Silverlode and out into the Anduin. From there they could journey on foot or by boat as the situation dictated.
Legolas agreed with the plan without even really considering what was being suggested. He had other things occupying his thoughts and he'd readily trust Aragorn with such decisions.
The group had already been informed that Nephryn was to accompany them. Boromir had grumbled loudly at having another innocent to protect and Aragorn had informed him, just as he'd been told, that Nephryn would need no more protection than Boromir would. Gimli had very little to say, for his brief stay in Lothlorién had swayed his mind about all things Elven, and he held Nephryn in the same high regard as he held the great Galadriél.
All that remained was for the group to depart. They moved as one down to where Galadriél had three small sleek canoes carved and ready. When they arrived, Legolas was surprised to see that Nephryn was already there, inspecting the three vessels.
She crouched down, running her hand over the rim of one. She wore pants of soft grey, an undershirt of ivory and a tunic of dark blue. The tunic was hemmed in silver and embroidered in paler blue thread. A heavy belt hung low on her waist, and on it she carried a dagger on one hip and a small satchel on the other. She held over one arm a grey cloak, similar to theirs except that it was smaller and more worn. The sight of her was to his eyes was akin to the cool kiss of water on fevered skin.
When she heard their approach, she looked up and Legolas was appalled to see the rings of exhaustion around her eyes. Her long dark hair, which had hung loose previously, was bound tightly in a thin braid that snaked down her back. It made her face appear lean. Drawing herself up to her full height, she stood tall and slim, almost waif-like and yet an inherent strength seemed to radiate from within.
As she stood, Legolas could see a longbow identical to his own leaning against the side of the boat. Nephryn bowed formally as her Queen and Lord approached. They spoke in undertones that not even Legolas could make out. When they finished, Galadriél leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead, pushing thin tendrils of hair back off the elf-maid's face. Celeborn drew from the folds of his robes a sheathed knife. It was similar in shape to Legolas's, but the hilt was silver and it was slightly shorter than his own. Nephryn thanked with a chaste kiss on his cheek before securing the knife on her baldric.
Galadriél turned then and addressed them in hushed tones.
"You should depart while the weather aids you. As long as you stay on the Silverlode, you will remain in the protected boundaries. May the winds be swift at your backs and when the sun falls may the stars of the fallen children of the Illúvatar shine down to light your paths."
Each of the fellowship bowed and thanked the Lady. When all had said their peace, she departed to higher ground, where she would observe their progress until they were beyond even her sight.
All had boarded a boat except for Nephryn and Legolas. He approached her with caution and drew her gaze, his fingertips brushing her cheek.
"Will you travel with Gimli and myself?"
Nephryn looked up at him, the hurt and seclusion in her liquid eyes catching his breath, and she nodded once unable to bare the intense scrutiny of his gaze. She marched back to the trunk of a mallorn and pulled out a quiver and pack. The quiver itself was trimmed in silver and was full to the brim with long, slim feathered arrows. She slung it over her shoulders and pulled the strap across her body so that it hung high on her back.
She tossed the pack into the boat ahead of her and sprang lightly onto the vessel, such that Gimli would sit between her and Legolas. As they set off, Legolas paddled on one side while she paddled on the other and between them, Gimli basked in the glow on the sun, blissfully unaware of the crackling tension between the elves.
From on high, in the lush lands Galadriél watched until the three boats were not even a pin on the horizon and she prayed that she would see her apprentice safe and well once more.
**********
The Fellowship had travelled four days by river. They paddled long and hard by day, and although the currents aided them and they rotated the burden among them, by nightfall all were aching to rest their weary limbs. Tonight though was the first night they would spend exposed under the stars, for the protective reach of the Lady's Ring had expired that afternoon when they made the tumultuous journey through Cérin Yeief, the white rapids that carried the soothing Silverlode onto the back of the great Anduin.
Aragorn and Frodo were paddling their vessel while Pippen rested. Behind them, Boromir and Merry drew the oars while Sam munched lightly on lembas, all the while grumbling for the want of some pipe weed. Up ahead, setting a fast pace as they'd done from the beginning, Gimli and Nephryn paddled while Legolas tended to broken arrow.
Aragorn looked up, watching as the sun began its final voyage down the long jagged horizon. He surveyed the banks as they travelled and knew that he felt a stronger pull in the currents than before. If they did not pull in now, they might not find any suitable landing point later and the ink black night was not the time to traverse the unyielding rapids.
"Legolas!" He called out. The elf looked up from the painstaking work and blinked as his vision readjusted to the distance.
"We ought to find a suitable rest place now!" Aragorn gestured to the increasing currents and the sinking sun.
Legolas merely nodded and indicated to Gimli and Nephryn to change their course. Both pulled in hard to the right and began to paddle more strongly, having spotted a fitting site. Minutes later, all three boats were moored in the small cove.
Gimli set about building a small fire while Boromir and Aragorn departed to scout the immediate area for signs that it had been disturbed recently. Nephryn was intensely grateful for the respite. Though she was beginning to feel stronger now that they had left the boundaries of Lorién, the strain on her muscles was still no less and her arms trembled from the effort of hauling the boats ashore.
Stiffly, she made her way over to where Gimli was blowing softly on smoking foliage, trying to kindle the flame, and sat heavily on a piece of fallen log. Gingerly, she stretched out long legs that had been folded up and cramped for most of the day. The prickling sensations the stung her aching limbs as the blood flowed freely once more almost caused her to cry out and she bit back with a sharp gasp.
Gimli looked up at her from his task, a small smirk on his face as he recognised her plight.
"You will find that light exercise will help now and will allay the pain come the morrow," the dwarf mumbled gruffly.
Nephryn was taken by surprise by his suggestion. During the past days, she and Legolas had spoken little and Gimli seemed content to suffer the silence. She thanked him politely and stood up, intending to accept his advice.
As she walked, her strides were short and uneven and she felt foolish, knowing that she would not get very far at such a pace. Every joint from her hips down throbbed, and it felt as though at every step, bone grated coarsely against bone. She rotated her head from side to side to loosen the muscled that had cramped during the day, and she stopped and stretched her arms high over her head, groaning as the true extent of her pain set in. With a frustrated mutter, she decided she could go no further and stiffly made her way back to the log.
Legolas stood, seeing her plight and walked over to her. Wordlessly, he knelt behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders and slowly, his light fingers began to pinch and squeeze each muscle, forcing it to release. Throughout the entire process, both were silent. When he'd finished her shoulders, he grasped her thin arms at the wrist and raised each limb, gradually increasing the stretch until she could raise both arms above her head without effort.
Nephryn smiled, delighting in her rediscovered mobility. She turned to Legolas who was smiling also. Taking his hands, she clasped them between her own and held them up.
"Good sir, you have magical hands. I thank you and my aching body thanks you!"
Legolas's face split into a grin and he bowed his head, accepting her gratitude. For a long while, she stared, lost in the liquid depths of his sapphire eyes. They carried in them, such open love and care. His unconscious stare conveyed his regret and his need to escape the oppressive strain that had become their every waking moment, more than any words could.
From that point in the night, the wounds that had lain open for a seeming eternity began to heal. They would not be fully closed for perhaps a while, but certainly they were on the mend.
It made Legolas's heart glad. Nephryn had the first watch and when it was done, she was glad to make her bed next to the elf-prince's comforting presence. He did not hold her, for though both yearned for it, both knew that to succumb now would be to ignore all that had happened, and that would surely come back to haunt them later. So for the night, both had to contend with slumbering under the others watchful gaze.
They arose the next morn to find that a thick cloud had settled gloomily over the land, but a quick inspection of the outlying areas revealed that the mist was natural and not the work of Sauron, though it was a hindrance nonetheless Aragorn stood tall on a rough outcropping that spilled over the bank of the river, with Legolas standing beside him. The elf shielded his eyes from the glare of sunlight dispersing through the mist.
"I can see very little. I fear if we proceed by the river, we will not know the white waters until they throw us. In this light, they will be all but impossible to navigate."
Aragorn nodded slowly as he accepted the news that he'd presumed himself. If keen elven eyes could not make out a course, then it was very unlikely that they could foresee any danger until it was too late.
He sighed heavily at the prospect of lugging the canoes downriver, for though they were not as heavy as the appeared, such a journey was more cumbersome and certainly more dangerous than travelling on the water. It seemed though that there was very little choice in the matter. The fellowship could not afford to linger in one spot for very long, lest the forces of Sauron hone in on the presence of the Ring.
"Haul the boats ashore. We must journey by land today." He muttered despondently to Boromir and Gimli.
From her position, sitting lacing her boots tight, Nephryn looked up in surprise.
"Surely that is rather more dangerous than we are equipped to deal with?" She queried lightly. Aragorn looked at her in surprise. She did not seem averse to the physical aspect of the work thus far, but could she not see that there was no other option?
"We cannot plot a course through white waters while the clouds sit on the river. Nor can we afford to wait until it lifts. I am afraid that it will be a difficult day but it is necessary."
Nephryn bristled slightly, resenting the insinuation that she was unwilling for such a trek.
"I did not mean to imply that I was averse to such a task, merely that there is another option."
Aragorn turned back to her in surprise, eyebrows raised in curiosity.
"And what might that be?" he tossed lightly, through a small smile.
"I can lift the mist." Nephryn smiled shyly at the man's confused reaction, as though modestly trying to play down her suggestion.
By now, Boromir and Legolas had begun to listen intently, and the man snorted loudly at this. Even Legolas was forced to admit that such a claim was rather grandiose and he watched as Nephryn blushed softly under the scrutiny of the group. She stood, drawing up her bow and quiver as she arose.
"I can bend the physical realities to my will. I cannot raise the entire blanket, but it can be parted as we travel. Our visibility will be as normal before us, but will be quite limited to our backs. But then, just as we cannot see the approaching enemy, neither can the approaching enemy see us."
Aragorn ran the tips of his fingers along the blade of his dagger as he considered this. Boromir looked across at her with piercing eyes, doubt playing on his worn face.
"This is witch madness. Such trickery will lead us on the path to failure!"
Nephryn opened her mouth to defend herself but found that Legolas was already there, jumping to support her.
"It is a faster and safer option than to travel in the forest, hauling heavy loads. It would take all of us to carry the boats. There would be no one to guard our backs. And I doubt that we could travel speedily enough to avoid revealing ourselves to Sauron's minions!"
Legolas's eyes blazed as he defied Boromir's sullen doubt with his own innate faith in the elf-maid. Nephryn was certain there would follow a heated argument, and almost regretted mentioning it until Aragorn stepped between them and forced down their voices with his own. Then he turned to Nephryn and held her gaze with his own.
"You are certain that it will work?"
The elf-maid nodded, needing to words to reassure him for her sincerity was plainly set in her green eyes.
"How long can you sustain such an enchantment?"
Nephryn bit absently on her lower lip as she considered this.
"I believe I can see us through till midday. If by then the mist still lingers, we can continue on foot. But I believe that the fog will lift by then, for there is a rising wind from the north to offset the southern wind that has surely carried this haze in from the bay of Belfalas."
Aragorn nodded, conceding at last that her suggestion was truly the best course of action. He gestured to Sam to wake the others hobbits, who lay some distance away, huddled in small balls, still sleeping off the exertions of the previous day.
Minutes later, three bleary-eyed hobbits stood, squinting in the pale morning light, aghast at the sight of the thick rolls of fog that loomed heavily over the land. Boromir and Gimli had returned to the boats to their shallow moorings, while Legolas and Aragorn stamped out the fire and gathered together any belongings that might indicate their presence.
Aragorn instructed that Nephryn travel with him and Frodo, since Aragorn could best navigate the river and the elf-maid would light their way. Gimli, Pippen and Merry would travel directly behind them and Boromir, Legolas and Sam would bring up the rear, for the man and the elf could best guard their unseeing backs.
Nephryn settled herself at the bow of the boat, and as Aragorn pushed the boat away from the shore and hopped lightly into the boat, the elf-maid began to chant softly under her breath. She balanced herself in her seat as much as possible and then held out her hands in supplication, invoking the powers of the wind and sea. Gradually a breeze picked up and she closed her eyes and tilted her face into it.
Aragorn watched as the fog began to swirl and undulate before them, and slowly it shrank away as though a bubble of constantly spiralling winds had erupted about the boat. He observed then as Nephryn slowly moved her hands apart and it was as though she was shaping the bubble. The fog remained low over their heads, by in front a long tunnel appeared through it and Aragorn could see for nearly half a league down the river.
He exhaled audibly in awe and beside him Frodo muttered in amazement.
"Amazing!" The hobbits eyes had widened and the gentle breezes that wafted around them seemed to lift the halfling's spirits.
For nearly six hours, Nephryn continued to chant, pushing forward the tunnel of clear sky as the company proceeded quickly down river. At last, as expected Nephryn dropped her hands and turned to Aragorn.
"I can continue no further. I require pause." She murmured in defeat.
Aragorn was surprise to see that elf-maid had paled and a thin sheen of sweat gleamed in the light. It was obvious that she'd pushed herself to her limit. It also seemed that the timing was just right for up ahead, Aragorn could see that the fog had begun to thin and lift.
They pulled into to a small inlet and all rested and ate their share of lembas. Nephryn sat away from the group, trying to quell the nausea that always accompanied such exertion. It was most unpleasant but she was glad to finally be able to prove her worth.
A slender hand fell on her shoulder and a canteen of water was thrust into her hands. She turned to greet Legolas, and was touched to see the concern written plainly on his fair face. He sat down beside her and took her hand in his.
"That was a great thing you did. I believe that you have put to rest any doubts among the group."
Nephryn smiled warmly, taking in a long deep gulp of the cool water. Then she turned to the elf and clasped their entwined hands.
"Even your doubts?" she uttered quietly, begging that the heartbreaking tension that had wedged between them would allay soon.
Legolas heard in her mellifluous voice the longing for acceptance, but he'd never doubted the value she would bring to the company. He only resented the associated dangers such a task carried.
"I never doubted your abilities for a second. You have long proven your worth and earned my respect. I fear for your life because even the most capable of warriors would chance death on such a journey, and I fear that if you were to die, an eternity alone would be too difficult a prospect for me."
He leaned across to caress her cheek and she tilted forward willingly into his touch, her body too long starved for the warm spark such intimacy gave. She saw in his face, the fear and worry that had so affected him in Lorién and knew that she would have reacted similarly if she'd been in his position.
"Then you would accept without further proof that I am needed and even destined to accompany you?" She gazed longingly into his eyes, eagerly anticipating such reception.
"Yes," he mumbled brokenly, "But it does not ease my fear or allay the dark thoughts that plague my dreams."
Nephryn felt a swell of warmth inside her, that her prince would accept her so keenly at her word, without ever knowing of the prophecy of the Vessel. She knew then that she must tell him. Before they parted, she approached Aragorn asking if she could travel alone with Legolas, for they had a great many things to discuss but little time in which to do it. Aragorn agreed readily, knowing well the details of what could prove to be a trying conversation. Nephryn thanked him and was about to return to the boat when Aragorn called her back.
"For what you did this morning. Thank you. You had no need to prove yourself to me or to Legolas, but I believe that the others have been convinced of your value, though their doubt was misguided to begin with."
The elf-maid nodded modestly, for she was unused to such high praise for a task so meagre.
"We live in strange times and to many woes have befallen the Fellowship for them to trust a stranger so readily. I could never take offence when I myself would have been wary of such strangers. I only hope that I can continue to aid our cause in the coming days."
Nephryn did not wait for a response, but turned and went to where Legolas waited beside the boat for her. What she about to tell him worried her, in that she feared he might react angrily, but it would be welcome relief to her burdened heart to share the secret that had silently terrified her since her meeting with Galadriél.
Well, things are movin a bit quicker now aren't they?? I think we all (including myself) needed a break from the mush. I'll always have a little bit but now of little dearie Nephryn, who holds the heart of Leggies, is gonna have to toughen up a teeny bit. Stay tuned for the action-packed 'Divide and Fall' (original, huh!!). I realised that I actually like writing fight scenes almost as much as I like writing love and mush… What can I say, I've got a dark side. Wow.
PS Has any noticed that FF.net has been kinda possessed of late? I'm talking about my monitor doing a full 360 on me. What is that about??