Chapter 4: Weapons
A few hours after dusk the five companions are still riding hard toward Fangorn Forest. They speed along as Aragorn leads, Legolas and Gimli follow beside, while Pippin and Merry trudge along behind. Aragorn turns to the two hobbits, "We need to go faster, we're behind schedule!" Merry whines, "My butt hurts..." Gimli just nods to the poor hobbit, "It appears hobbits are as made for long distance riding as dwarves."
While they discuss the speed from which they travel, Legolas peers into the black night and catches a faint red flicker some distance away. "Aragorn, we're coming upon a camp fire! Could it be them?" Astonished the now ranger looks ahead toward the flicker, "I suppose it is possible. Hopefully Gandalf will be there when we arrive, then we can see whom we are to meet." The five continue ridding, with an occasional murmur from Merry complaining about hunger and soreness.
* * *
A few seconds after Vywien spoke they both saw a bright light seemingly walking toward them. Neither knew what to do, so they looked at this beautiful light, and hoped no ill will was aimed toward them. Stepping out of the light was an old man wearing long white robes with a rather large beard. His face had an aged look to it, not one from time itself, but from worry and hard times though a few appeared to be lines from smiling. "My name, is Gandalf. Gandalf the White."
Zayn and Vywien glance at each other before looking back to the tall man dressed in white. They both stood up, not quite sure what to make of the situation. "Would you like a bit of stew?" Zayn finally asked, breaking the silence.
In the few moments that there had been silence, Gandalf had sized up the two 'youngsters', and decided that they barely had enough to feed themselves, let alone him. That it was a considerably nice gesture for them to offer some to him. "It looks delicious, but I need no food to sustain me." Gandalf said with a smile. "Please, sit down...you need not fear me." Zayn glanced at Vywien as if for confirmation. When Vywien slowly sat back down on her rock, then Zayn followed suit. "It's good to finally meet you, Vywien," He nods at her, then nods at Zayn. "And Zayn."
"How do you know us?" Vywien asked. She sat up rigidly, not at ease. Two people in one day, being the only people that she'd seen for thousands of years was taking a toll on her. She was overjoyed, and yet a bit nervous.
Gandalf smiled to reassure her. "I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. The two of you are needed for a grave mission."
* * *
"The trees of Fangorn." Legolas whispered quietly. The dark trees loomed in front of the group. "Still in the dead of night, as beautiful as anything I've yet seen."
Pippin glanced at Merry. "Looks kind of creepy to me." Merry nodded in acknowledgment. Pippin turned to Strider. "Strider...are we going to camp here for the night?"
Aragorn glanced around the dark night, silently thanking the full moon for it's light. "Gandalf said the cause was great, we must press forward and try to find him in the forest."
Merry looked toward Strider with a dumbfounded look. "Tonight?! It'll be near impossible to find him in the dark."
"The young hobbit has a point, friend." Gimli said, glancing toward the unwelcoming woods.
"If I know Gandalf, he'll make his presence known just as soon as he senses us." Aragorn acknowledged. "Legolas tie up the horses, the forest is no place for them. I'm going to scout ahead."
* * *
Zayn cocked her head to the side, looking at Gandalf. "Why are we so important? Vywien maybe, but I'm just a poor peasant thief."
Gandalf smiled warmly at her. "You're importance is still yet to be known to you, Zayn. As is Vywien's." Zayn and Vywien glanced at each other before looking back to Gandalf. He was just reaching into a bag at his feet, and Vywien lurched to her feet. Gandalf paused, and smiled warmly at her. "As I've said before, no harm will come to you while I am here. Sit down and relax for a few minutes, I have a couple of gifts for the two of you." When Vywien still looked reluctant to sit back at her rock, Gandalf made a hand motion in her direction, and instantly as if a weight had dragged her down she sat upon the rock.
"How did you do that?" Vywien asked, more puzzled then scared.
"A wizard never reveals his tricks." Gandalf winked at her mischievously, then continued to rummage around in the bag. After a moment his face hit recognition. "Ah! Here it tis." Zayn and Vywien watched closely as he pulled from his bag various weapons. Included were: two broadswords, a bow and arrow, and a short dagger. The two broadswords were beautiful in their simplicity, and very different. The hilt on the first sword was carved with intricate designs of three stars, a half moon, and the sun all on one side. And Elvish words on the back. This sword he handed to Zayn. "This I believe was forged for you." Zayn's eyes went wide when Gandalf handed her the weapon. She glanced up at him nervously, and he smiled at her reassuringly. "The elves made this sword long ago, before the war for the ring of power. See those three stars on the side there? They each represent one star for each of the Elvish gods of the night. Eanfled is the goddess of the twilight. Swidhelm is the protector of the night. And Elmede watches over all things. The sun and the moon both represent the power that these gods have over the Elvish people. It's yours now. Use it well, and it will serve you in all of your fighting needs." With both hands he gives it to Zayn.
Zayn with trembling hands accepts this beautiful sword. Her eyes were glittering when she looked back at the wizard who she'd not even met until this night. "But I cannot accept this...I...it's beautiful but..." She trailed off, lost in the beauty of the sword.
Gandalf smiled at her, pleased by her reaction. "It will serve you well, Zayn. You more then deserve it." He reaches for the short dagger on the ground. "This dagger is also yours now." He hands the much shorter, but still beautiful weapon over to her. "Use it well." Zayn nodded, speechless. Gandalf now turned to Vywien, picking up the other broadsword. This sword was just as beautiful, or more so then the first one. It too was made of Elvish design, with the same kind of intricate carvings on the hilt, but the carvings were different. "This sword was fashioned for an elf that once lived in a city called Rivendell...have you heard of it?" Vywien shook her head. "It belonged to a good friend of mine, who has since departed for the new world. He was the greatest, and most well-known elf of his time. Lord Elrond used this sword well, and I expect that you will too."
Vywien let Gandalf settle the sword into her hands, and was amazed at how light it actually was. She glanced down at the carvings, and noticed one giant star with a miniature horse carved into it. She looked up to meet Gandalf's intent gaze. "What do the carvings mean?" She traced the star with the tip of her finger.
Gandalf craned his neck a bit to see the carving then smiled in remembrance. "The star is awarded to an elf when he achieves great recognition in battle. The five points of the star all stand for something: courage, honor, discipline, leadership and loyalty. You possess all of these attributes Vywien, I'm sure you shall earn your star before this adventure is over." He glanced at
the miniature horse inside the star. "Ah yes, the horse. The horse carved into the star represents the willingness to go on to finish the job. The heart may be wild and carefree, but the task will always get done." Vywien smiled at the sword, though she had no idea of how to use it, it made her content to think that one of her kind had once used it, fighting for Middle Earth. Gandalf reached down to his feet and pulled up the bow, and the packet of arrows. "And this, I believe will also treat you well. I believe elves have impeccable precision with a bow and arrow." Vywien allowed Gandalf to set the bow and arrows down on her lap.
The elf and the young human woman gazed down at the beautiful gifts they had just received.
It dawned on them that they didn't know how to handle these beautiful weapons, and just when Zayn was about to ask Gandalf about it, they heard a noise in the forest behind them. Vywien jumped to her feet, Zayn followed suit. She had stolen many things in her life, and spent all of her waking hours looking over her shoulder to make sure that no one was sneaking up on her. Gandalf sat on his rock quietly smoking from a pipe that appeared out of no where. Zayn looked to Vywien for confirmation on what to do, Vywien held a finger to her lips, then pointed to her ears. Zayn nodded.They stared at the surrounding forest in quiet for a few moments, when suddenly two figures appeared, with faces lit with the small campfire's light.