Learning is forever
Finafyr had been born at the beginning of the Third age. This is what she had always been told. She had been born in the shadow of the Blue Mountains in Forlindon, Near the Ice bay. That was the sea that Finafyr had loved as a child. Her parents had come there after the seas were sundered in the second age. In truth, time had no meaning to her. The events of middle earth did not concern her much, for after she had left her valley she wandered far and wide. She usually traveled east as far as the Iron hills and as far south as Fangorn forest. She only stopped for short periods of time, never wanting to take the risk that she would endanger the lives of others. When she had entered the towns of men she usually spoke little, just getting the few supplies that she needed, always with her hood up and cloaked to hide her identity. She became very adept at avoiding trouble with man. Her kindred she avoided. Though there were times that she would draw close as one of the wandering bands of elves and she would listen to their songs, imagining that she was sitting among them. There were many times that she felt the Voids presence and she would quickly leave, or rather it seemed at times, that she would run to avoid a conflict. She knew that she was not yet ready to confront its evil. She knew that she would know when the times were best.
There was three different occasions when no matter what she did she ran into its evil. All three times she was caught in the backlash and once while she was traveling in Fangorn forest it seemed to chase her, but the tree shepherds helped her elude them, by hiding her. She had spent much time there learning how to become like a tree. The long years she spent wandering were a learning time for her, and a very lonely time. The only time that she had ever let her guard down was when she had entered into the outskirts of Lothlorien and Rivendell there she would rest and become one with the trees so that none made note of her passing, But where she could here the music of her people. She knew that there were times that she was detected by the Lady of the woods and The Lord of Rivendell but they left her alone. Once she had come across a creature known as Tom Bombadil. And at his dwelling she rested. But it was a strange place, seeming to be outside of time and space. But she did not tarry long.
The one constant in her life was her fight against evil. There were not many Orc bands or such like that did not feel the fury of her weapons training. One time she almost laughed out loud when she had heard the tale of the destruction of one such band, for the stories held her to be 20 feet tall and a Valar warrior likened unto Tulkas, but she was neither, Just and elven woman, very adept at stealth and the death of Orcs. She wondered if Tulkas would forgive her for others thinking she was him and at that thought she smiled.
Once she had come across a strange man dressed in grey, what she noticed almost for the start was that he had the most amazing eyes. He had come passing her on the road. They were not very far apart and though Finafyr was well hidden in her disguise he tilted his pointed hat and said "My Lady" and bowed his head to her. Finafyr said not a word and though she felt no menace, she neither wanted to stop and find out more. She was after such a long age, more like a skittish colt avoiding all contact from man or elf or stranger. And it was as if her knew, and did not press her.
Over the years she had seen him several times, each time by the place that came to be known as the shire. And once she had made a small fire and he came upon her out of nowhere. He made not a sound at his approach. One minute she was alone and the next he was standing at the edge of the clearing. "May I join you? Share some tea? My old bones would do well with a warm fire and some company." And then he waited. Finafyr looked at him and the courtesy of her kin came to the fore and she nodded her head in assent. He came and knelt down by the fire, holding his hands out to catch the fires warmth. "I have seen you many times lady, wandering alone. And I find that very strange. Yes strange indeed, that an elven woman should do such a thing. It would seem that your horse is your only companion." She did not know how to answer she just watched him all the while making him tea. And when it was done she passed it to him." I can see the light of the Noldor in your face." and then he smiled, "Ah and much more." He smiled at her "will you not speak or had a band of orcs stolen your tongue." At this Finafyr could not help smiling." I am sorry Lord but I am unused to company and seem to lack the niceties of speech, forgive me. Need keeps me solitary ", and then Finafyr reached out her senses to this stranger. And felt something. There was in him a power that was strong, but totally of the light. And there was a feeling such as she had when she had felt the presence of Yavanna, and somehow she there was a part of her that knew that she need not be afraid of him.
When she had sent out her sense, he had looked surprised, but he did not hinder her. He just drew out his pipe and let her take her time. When she was done she looked embarrassed that she had done such a thing to him "I ask your pardon Lord but I felt the need to know. I have been alone too long to take chances" but he did not chide her just smiled. "I think that you have an interesting story My Lady. Yes interesting indeed"
She did not know if it was his unique qualities or her great loneliness but that night she shared parts of her life and much of her story. When she was done he looked at her. "Yes there is much of this that I know, though I see that you find that surprising. For you see child I know Yavanna and she bid me come this night to you. We have ever been close her and I." he sat back and blew a large smoke ring." Yes she has told me much. And it saddens her heart that one such as you would be so alone. There are people that you will meet that you can trust. There are those that you would meet that would be able to give a respite from the danger you avoid." At this Finafyr started to protest and He put up his hand "No tis alright. It is good for you to avoid the evil, for you are not near ready to be able to fight it. And you still have much to learn, about yourself and about others. You will find Finafyr" Finafyr's eyes flickered slightly at the mention of her name "Yes I name you Finafyr," and he smiled "you will find child that there are ever people out there that are willing to aid you, never minding that they could be destroyed. And though it is ever present it is not everywhere. And you have spent much of a thousand years since you have left your home, never knowing that, never letting down your guard. But there will come a time when you will find companions to trust, Yes Trust Finafyr. And when you meet them you will have to let them decide for themselves, if they think you are worth the risk." He sipped his tea "you are certainly good at silence, far better than most elves that I have known" then there passed a bit of time that was spent in listening to the sound of the trees. "You have much ability inside of you Finafyr and you know it not. But never fear. That is something that you will learn. It is probably good that you are an elf. For it will take many years. There are some things Finafyr that you have done that you did not realize that you were the cause of, Like the flowers at the grave of that child's family so long ago. But I can not teach you .for this is something that it is important for you to learn on your own" and then he sat back and was silent. All that long night Finafyr spent in the company of the stranger and there was much wisdom that he passed on to her. But never once did she ask his name. And it was in the early dawn as he lay down to sleep when all was quiet that she heard a quiet chuckle. "My name is Olorion Child. It is Olorion"
**TBC
