I do not own The Lord of the Rings or its characters.
Page 14
Kalin had just looked at Galadriel's mirror with Serwen for the first time. They were emerging at the top of the steps when Rumil appeared on the path before them. "Greetings ladies. Kalin, I am Rumil. I am most pleased to learn that your sight has returned."
"Thank you Rumil. I recognize your voice. I am quite pleased to see you." Kalin wondered how much Rumil looked like his older brother.
"Rumil, I thought the company was not due to return for several more days. Have you all come back early then? We have heard nothing," Serwen asked in surprise.
"No, only myself with two others, but nothing is amiss. Kalin, Lord Celeborn has requested your immediate presence in the Hall. He will explain the summons himself once we return to his chambers." Serwen, you may accompany us if you wish."
Try as they might, neither Kalin nor Serwen could goad Rumil into telling them more as they reached the great mallorn, and climbed the steps to the Hall. Reaching the Hall, they looked in curiously at Celeborn, who stood addressing a dark-haired stranger who stood with his back toward the entrance. Kalin stopped and looked in wonder at Celeborn. He was even more majestic than she had imagined. Then Kalin walked slowly around to the side, gripping Serwen's arm painfully. The bearing and stance looked familiar. But how could it be...?
"Welcome Kalin, Serwen. Please join us," said Celeborn, noting their presence and watching Kalin intently. As Celeborn spoke, the stranger turned in their direction.
"Malach!" Kalin stopped and cried out. "Oh, Malach!" she cried out again, in tears as she ran forward and threw her arms around him. The man picked her up and twirled her around, releasing her with a broad smile. Holding him then at arms length, she noted how thin and drawn he was. Malach's smile disappeared as he raised one hand to grasp her chin, looking first into her eyes, then turning accusingly to Celeborn. "The elf Haldir lied to me. She is not blind! Has she been held here against her will then?"
"Malach, no!" Kalin protested and looked apologetically at Celeborn, who raised his hand to calm her.
"Haldir does not lie," Celeborn said sternly, his eyes flashing with anger. "Kalin has only today regained her sight. He does not yet know of this joyous event.
As to Kalin, she has made her home among us of her own choosing. For her sake we have suffered you to enter the city of the Galadhrim as few mortals have. Being granted this gift, you foolishly accuse us of evil without cause. Yet still you have nothing to fear from us unless you bring it upon yourself.
I see from Kalin's actions that you are who you profess to be. Stay with us then in peace tonight. We will allow you only one day more in our land, then you must leave."
"And then you will allow Kalin to go as well?"
Looking intently into Kalin's eyes, Celeborn said, "Kalin is well loved by our people, and she is welcome to go or to stay as she desires. Our fences will always be open to her. Now go," he ordered, looking again at Malach, "for you have much to discuss with your friend."
* * * * *
"Malach, what is wrong with you?" Kalin demanded in embarrassment as soon as they left Celeborn's chambers. "How could you speak to Celeborn like that? He is mightier even than King Elessar. You have no idea what his people have done for me: They saved my life, they treated my blindness, taught me, befriended and accepted me as one of their own. They have earned my love, and they should have your respect."
"But you are not one of their own, Kalin. You don't belong here any more than I do. Your task here is done; you do not owe them or Tirendil anything more. Now that I am here, you can come home, to Enedwaith."
"Let us talk of this tomorrow, Malach," Kalin sighed. "Right now, walk with me and let me show you the beauty of this land and its people, and you can tell me the full tale of what happened to you and where you have been all of this time."
Page 14
Kalin had just looked at Galadriel's mirror with Serwen for the first time. They were emerging at the top of the steps when Rumil appeared on the path before them. "Greetings ladies. Kalin, I am Rumil. I am most pleased to learn that your sight has returned."
"Thank you Rumil. I recognize your voice. I am quite pleased to see you." Kalin wondered how much Rumil looked like his older brother.
"Rumil, I thought the company was not due to return for several more days. Have you all come back early then? We have heard nothing," Serwen asked in surprise.
"No, only myself with two others, but nothing is amiss. Kalin, Lord Celeborn has requested your immediate presence in the Hall. He will explain the summons himself once we return to his chambers." Serwen, you may accompany us if you wish."
Try as they might, neither Kalin nor Serwen could goad Rumil into telling them more as they reached the great mallorn, and climbed the steps to the Hall. Reaching the Hall, they looked in curiously at Celeborn, who stood addressing a dark-haired stranger who stood with his back toward the entrance. Kalin stopped and looked in wonder at Celeborn. He was even more majestic than she had imagined. Then Kalin walked slowly around to the side, gripping Serwen's arm painfully. The bearing and stance looked familiar. But how could it be...?
"Welcome Kalin, Serwen. Please join us," said Celeborn, noting their presence and watching Kalin intently. As Celeborn spoke, the stranger turned in their direction.
"Malach!" Kalin stopped and cried out. "Oh, Malach!" she cried out again, in tears as she ran forward and threw her arms around him. The man picked her up and twirled her around, releasing her with a broad smile. Holding him then at arms length, she noted how thin and drawn he was. Malach's smile disappeared as he raised one hand to grasp her chin, looking first into her eyes, then turning accusingly to Celeborn. "The elf Haldir lied to me. She is not blind! Has she been held here against her will then?"
"Malach, no!" Kalin protested and looked apologetically at Celeborn, who raised his hand to calm her.
"Haldir does not lie," Celeborn said sternly, his eyes flashing with anger. "Kalin has only today regained her sight. He does not yet know of this joyous event.
As to Kalin, she has made her home among us of her own choosing. For her sake we have suffered you to enter the city of the Galadhrim as few mortals have. Being granted this gift, you foolishly accuse us of evil without cause. Yet still you have nothing to fear from us unless you bring it upon yourself.
I see from Kalin's actions that you are who you profess to be. Stay with us then in peace tonight. We will allow you only one day more in our land, then you must leave."
"And then you will allow Kalin to go as well?"
Looking intently into Kalin's eyes, Celeborn said, "Kalin is well loved by our people, and she is welcome to go or to stay as she desires. Our fences will always be open to her. Now go," he ordered, looking again at Malach, "for you have much to discuss with your friend."
* * * * *
"Malach, what is wrong with you?" Kalin demanded in embarrassment as soon as they left Celeborn's chambers. "How could you speak to Celeborn like that? He is mightier even than King Elessar. You have no idea what his people have done for me: They saved my life, they treated my blindness, taught me, befriended and accepted me as one of their own. They have earned my love, and they should have your respect."
"But you are not one of their own, Kalin. You don't belong here any more than I do. Your task here is done; you do not owe them or Tirendil anything more. Now that I am here, you can come home, to Enedwaith."
"Let us talk of this tomorrow, Malach," Kalin sighed. "Right now, walk with me and let me show you the beauty of this land and its people, and you can tell me the full tale of what happened to you and where you have been all of this time."