Sorry the actual story in this chapter is quite small; but there's a decently sized note at the bottom on Mithmír's genealogy. I will try to put another chapter up a.s.a.p.; definitely in the next 24 hours but not sure when (probably tomorrow evening).
Thanks for the review Imaginator! I completely agree!
Please R&R. Thanks! Enjoy!
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Mithmír was introduced to many people on the field before they marched. Aragorn introduced her to Imrahil, whom she thought very stately; and re-introduced her to Elladan and Elrohir, Elrond's sons. She knew them from Imladris and greeted them warmly. Not only were they friends but also related [A/N see footnote and I'll explain]. They would have talked for a long while about Imladris, but they were interrupted by Aragorn.
'There is little or no time for idle chatter,' he said, not unkindly. 'You must meet the others of this group who are unknown to you: Gimli the dwarf firstly.'
'My Lady half-elf,' he said with a bow and kissed her hand. She tried not to laugh as his beard tickled her skin. She felt like she was halfway to Valinor, she was that happy… To be allowed to do what she wanted; to be riding to war regardless of whether she was woman or no was bliss. She silently thanked her father for giving her permission, as she had done over and over for the last two days. She was so happy she could forgive this man before her the fault of being a dwarf. Maybe he would even prove to her the worth of a dwarf later.
'The Dúnedain must be a hardy race indeed, if even their womenfolk come to war alongside the best Elven archers, Dwarvish axe-men and Gondorian warriors!'
'Indeed we are,' Mithmír replied with a smile. 'I shall have to show you what we "womenfolk" are capable of.'
'And I shall get to teach a half-elf the value of a well-aimed axe!' Gimli replied, and his dark eyes glinted with pleasure at the thought of warfare.
'Just before he passes, that Man who rides by on the horse is Eomer, Lord of the Mark after the death of Theoden, his uncle.' Aragorn butted in, pointing to a tall man with brown-gold hair who rode past a metre or three away.
'I see him, and I have heard of him also,' acknowledged Mithmír.
'I thought you would have, elfling,' Aragorn smiled. Mithmír blushed at his public use of her child-name. The Man, however, appeared oblivious to her discomfort. 'Last but most definitely not least - in anything but stature - is Peregrine Took of the Shire, my lady.'
The hobbit, blushing to the tips of his slightly pointed ears, bowed low. He wore the livery of Gondor, she noticed with amazement - but of course it had been much shortened. She dropped into a deep curtsy. 'It is I who should bow before you, my Lord Peregrine.'
'Pippin. My name's Pippin, Lady Mithmír. And I don't see why you'd want to bow to me. I'm a lowly hobbit of the Shire, and you're a warrior and a half-elf.' He blushed even harder.
'I disagree,' she said, barely containing her amusement. 'You have done many great deeds. The tale of them has passed through the City many times, and I have hearkened to all. It is truly an honour to meet you; and a greater honour to fight beside you.'
'I shall enjoy fighting beside a shield-maiden also,' Pippin replied quickly, smiling like a sunbeam in the dark day. 'Even more if she shall tell me any news of Frodo and Sam…?'
'Of course, brave Lord!' Mithmír replied with a chuckle. 'Anything you want to know of me, I shall tell you, if I am not bound by some other promise not to.'
'My thanks,' replied Pippin jovially.
Yet again it was Aragorn - whom Mithmír had been finding distinctly annoying recently - who broke up their conversation.
'If you don't mind,' he said, 'you two had better mount your horses: we ride at the head of the army, and it is the time to start our march.'
Mithmír did so quickly and easily. Brialvastor was champing at the bit to be gone; he sensed the action that was approaching. She stroked his smooth neck lovingly, and whispered Elvish words into his ear till he calmed. Her own spirits could not be dampened: she, a shield-maiden, rode to war at the head of the army of her people!
The horns of war were blown; and the Army of the West, thousands of swords and helmets glinting in the pale sunlight, moved away from the Tower of Guard to meet their doom head-on before the Black Gates; all for the sake of buying time for two hobbits deep in the Dark Land.
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A/N: Mithmír is related to Elladan and Elrohir; Elrond's sons. I don't know the exact term - probably 'millionth cousins thirty times removed' or something else as odd (I don't understand any terms more complicated than "cousin" and "uncle" etc.); but this is basically how they are related as best as I can explain it.
Mithmír's great-grandmother on her father's side, Culalqua (which means "red-gold swan", which she was named for her unusual but not unattractive hair colour) was the younger sister of Arador; Aragorn's grandfather. (This is how she has some right to call Aragorn a relation). This meant Culalqua (and so her great-granddaughter Mithmír) was a direct descendant of Elros, first King of Númenor. Elros' brother was Elrond, and Elrond's sons are Elladan and Elrohir.
Reading that through it makes very little sense, but ah well. Find a copy of Elrond's family tree - one that show's Elros' side of the family as well - and it might help make that clearer. Culalqua is a made-up character so don't wonder when you can't find her name ;-). Arador probably won't be in there either but read Appendix A, LOTR, and somewhere it tells you about him.
Another interesting by-product of this is that Mithmír has a TINY (did I make that clear enough? LOL.) amount of Maia blood in her from her ancestor Melian, wife of Thingol; and she is also descended from one of the greatest Elves, first leader of the Noldor, Finwë. None of these bloods are very strong in her now, however; after many generations.
That was just some interesting (maybe), odd (definitely) pieces of information that only become important later - I will refresh your memory when it does.
By the way: has anyone here noticed the really funny suggestions spell-check gives you for Tolkien's names? Here are some of my favourites (feel free to ignore as they have nothing to do with story):
Noldor = Noodle
Thingol = Tingle
Melian = Melon
No one else will find those funny, but hey, I do. Feel free to suggest any more! Also, if anyone has any corrections to do with Mithmír's possible descent, please post a review and I'll check out. Thanks!
--- Annaicuru
