Hey! Back again, and this is a long chapter!
I do not own Lord of the Rings
Nolwe Chapter 8
All through dinner I wondered about the events that were going to take place while playing with my food. 'Poor Atanvardo, he will see war at first hand.' Something that I thought no one deserved to know what was like to live through.
Arwen looked at me from across the table concerned and said, "Are you feeling well Nolwe? You seem pale?" Fortunately I did not have to answer for Elrond chose that moment to make an announcement.
"Greeting to all. Tonight we celebrate the coming of age of Atanvardo. With the coming of his age he will join my foster son Estel with the rangers to complete his training. May we wish them good fortune and health." Elrond raised his glass along with everyone else in the room in a toast, and drank. Finishing dinner I stood up with everyone else at the table and Lord Elrond turned to me saying, "Lady Nolwe, may I escort you to the hall of fire?"
I nodded my head in acceptance, offering his arm, I took hold of it. I admit when I saw the hall of fire for the first time I was amazed. The light from the fire reflecting off the marble was like looking into a kaleidoscope. Sitting in a chair next to Elrond, I spent the next few hours totally immersed in the music and singing of the elves. Feeling a tapping on my shoulder, I turned to see Glorfindel.
"Nolwe how would you like me to walk you to your rooms?" he asked
"Thankyou. I am not sure if I would have made it on my own." I said standing and stretching the cramp out of my legs. Following Glorfindel to my room, I thought how wonderful the evening was, and I found my thoughts straying to a certain dark haired elf lord. Trust me to think of silly school girl crushes when my cousin is about to go train for war. Glorfindel turned to me outside the door and said, "Lord Elrond would like to speak to you tomorrow morning after breakfast, in his study, about what is to come."
I said, "Certaintly. I will be there. Goodnight Glorfindel." With that I went into my room, layed down on my bed and feel asleep.
I woke up some time in the middle of the night to hear a scream coming from the room next to mine. It was the type of scream that sent shivers down your spine. Rushing out the door in my nightgown, to the next room I found Calale lying in bed tossing and turning in the middle of a nightmare. About to wake her, she screamed again, before sitting up straight in bed awake and crying.
"Calale, are you okay?" I asked crushing her in a hug. Suddenly the door was opened and I saw Lord Elrond, the twins, Glorfindel, Estel and Atanvardo standing outside looking in at us.
"The eye! It burns me!" Calale sobbed into my shoulder. Holding her tighter I tried to comfort her. By now Arwen had also arrived and unlike the men who still stood at the door, she gave a small cry before joining in the hug. For some reason this snapped the men out of their stupor, and they too all came in wondering what had happened.
The room was becoming crowded with concerns, and I did not think that this was doing Calale any good so I said, "Maybe we should wait until the morning before we talk about this." Not giving them time to think, I continued, "You should all leave Calale so she can rest."
Taking a hint they all left the room. Arwen gave Calale one last final hug before leaving as well. Brushing away Calale's tears, I started to softly sing.
Sleep my child and peace attend thee,
All through the night
Guardian angels God will send thee,
All through the night
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and dale in slumber sleeping
I my loved ones' watch am keeping,
All through the night
Angels watching, e'er around thee,
All through the night
Midnight slumber close surround thee,
All through the night
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and dale in slumber sleeping
I my loved ones' watch am keeping,
All through the night
By the time I finished Calale was sleeping again. Sighing I sat back in my chair and feel asleep beside her.
I woke the next morning with someone shaking my shoulder. Opening my eyes I saw Lord Elrond looking at me. "Good morning Lady Nolwe. May I take you back to your room, so you can change and then maybe we can finally talk."
Straight to the point this elf. Looking down at my night gown, I said, "Yes. Thankyou and please call me Nolwe. I never have gotten used to the title of Lady."
Smiling Elrond helped me up and I looked at my cousin who was till sound asleep. Going to my room and quickly changing I came outside and walked with Elrond to a room which looked to be his study. Sitting down at his desk and motioning to me to do the same in a chair across from him .Seeing my concern he asked, "Has your cousin reacted this way before to a dream?"
"Never that I have known milord." I replied silence filling the room. Continuing I said, "I think that it has something to do with the growing power in the south. Calale mentioned something about a burning eye, and I already am aware of what haunts her if that is the case."
Startled at my frankness Elrond said, "I know you know something of our future and have been educated by Lord Celeborn himself in the politics of Middle Earth, tell me if you can, what you think of the happenings in this world."
I did not want to reveal the future so all I said was, "When you gave Aragorn the elvish name Estel, you chose well. He is without a doubt the hope that will light the skies in the darkest hour." Elrond seemed content with this answer.
At that moment Glorfindel came into the room. "Nolwe please go to your cousin Calale, she has woken and requests your company for breakfast." I stood up and said my farewells to the two elven lords before heading to my cousins.
So Elrond what do you think of Nolwe now that you have spoken to her?" Glorfindel asked his long time friend when Nolwe had left the room.
Elrond thought before saying, "She is everything that Lady Galadriel has said she is." 'And more' he thought to himself.
Glorfindel looked closely at his friend and saw what ever he was looking before. Taking a chair and sitting down he said, "I know what you think my friend and I also know that she will be good for you."
Elrond was surprised, 'how did Glorfindel know?' he thought to himself. Frowning he said, "I do not know how you know, but Glorfindel you must keep it a secret. I am well aware that she is my soul mate but she is not. I have no intention of asking her for something she is not willing to give."
Glorfindel was surprised at his friends admittance, 'then again' he thought 'he is talking about his soul mate so I guess it is something he can not deny.' Aloud he said, "Shall we go to breakfast?"
Elrond nodded, relief that Glorfindel let a touchy topic go. Together they left the study in search of food.
'Calale seems much better this morning' I thought, then smiled saying out load so everyone at the table could hear me, "Calale about this morning I will not be able to come with you on the tour of Rivendell as I have to talk to Lord Elrond about a few things. You will have to go with Elrohir by yourself," seeing her disappointment I said, "but if you have nothing to do in the afternoon perhaps you will show me some of the sights that Elrohir will have shown you." Noticing her smile I turned to Arwen whispering, "Got anything planned this morning I seemed to have nothing planned."
Laughing quietly Arwen said, "I see we think alike. Glorfindel is helping me with a few sword techniques, perhaps you would like to come along and watch or maybe learn something?" she suggested.
Thinking back to the attack form the orcs I replied, "Thankyou for the invitation Arwen, I think I will come." And that is how I found myself an hour later in the training room in my leggings again learning how to use a sword. Swinging my sword practice sword through the air I thought, 'this is way better than archery'.
After awhile I began to tire and Glorfindel turned and said, "Nolwe, you have done well today. Perhaps it is time to rest and go to lunch?" he suggested, while watching me sweat into a watery mess on the floor. Grateful I left. Before leaving I noticed Elrond was talking to Glorfindel about something, which was obviously important. 'When did he arrive?' I thought then something occurred to me, 'Has he seen me fighting?' I blushed in embarrassment. Taking a quicker pace I left the training halls and made it back to my room. I sighed in relief. 'Really,' I thought, 'I have to be more careful how I act in the public eye.'
Taking a bath and putting on one of the dresses which had been made for me I went in search of food and Calale.. I found her surprisingly enough, laughing at a joke Elrohir had said. Clearing my mouth, I said, "So I take it the tour went well."
Calale blushed while Elrohir just looked at the ground. Elrohir spoke first, "The tour did go well, and I enjoyed Calale's company. It was unfortunate that you were not able to join us Nolwe."
Seeing Calale's blush deepen, I decided to answer Elrohir quickly, "Well maybe some other time." I hurried away leaving them to entertain themselves. Not watching where I was going I ran into Elrond. Landing on top of him I blushed before squeaking, "I am so sorry milord."
I got up and started to go away when Elrond stopped me. "Nolwe I have someone who wants to meet you." Leading me to what looked like a healing room I saw a man who was sitting up in bed with a bandage around his head. "Nolwe may I introduce you to Thior. He was found for dead after escaping a group of orcs. He heard them speak of you and asked to see you." Elrond quietly said.
I was not aware that I was so well known, but then again if Sauron knew of Calale then he knew of Atanvardo and myself. Hearing a knock at the door Elrond excused himself to talk to the person outside, while I sat in a chair next to the bed Thior layed in.
"I am happy to finally meet you milady. It makes things so much easier." Thior hissed.
Without warning he attacked me, punching me in the stomach. Not used to anything like this, I fell out of the chair, onto my back gasping for air while Thior leapt out of bed pulling out a curved blade. Laughing he said, "I am really called Hailen, Assassin of Sauron, sent to destroy you and your cousins." With that he leapt at me. Closing my eyes, I cried out as the blade entered my shoulder. Hailen went to strike again and I cringed when I heard a moan. Opening my eyes I saw Elrond with a sword, which was covered in blood, to be precise Hailen's blood. Looking at my attacker he was slumped on the ground, blood pooling around him. At the sight of all the blood I threw up, right in front of the lord of Rivendell.
Seeing Nolwe throw up, Elrond swiftly raced to her side. Picking her up in his arms he carried he to her room. Laying her down, he finally saw her shoulder. Muttering curses underneath his breath he left her there only to return with water that had herbs in it and bandages.
Looking at my shoulder he said, "Nolwe I am sorry but I will have to cut your dress." Not waiting for my reply he brought out a dagger and cut away the top of my dress. Picking up a cloth he washed out the cut with the water, and placed bandage around my shoulder. When he pressed the bandage into my shoulder a let out a small cry.
Handing me a potion he said, "Drink this it will take away the pain," pausing he added, while placing a hand on mine, "I am sorry I didn't realise his true intentions sooner. I would never want to happen to anyone."
When he placed his hand on mine I felt warmth. A voice in my mind said, 'look to your heart Nolwe what do you see?'. Shaking my head I looked at Elrond. I could see the distress in his eyes, trying to comfort him I said, "Don't blame yourself. No one could have prevented it milord."
Elrond started, "Please stop with the milord, just call me Elrond." Pausing as if thinking something over before shaking his head he said, "Well I shall leave now. There is the matter of dealing with the body."
"Thankyou." I whispered. Suddenly I felt very alone for the first time in a long time.
Hearing her faint whisper, I had to struggle with my self before turning and looking at her face. Those eyes that captivate my heart every time. "Your welcome."
***
"Hello my child we meet again." Manwe said as he approached me.
Curious I asked, "Why am I here?"
Manwe sighed, "You have meet your soul mate." I went to interrupt when he continued, "When I said look into your heart what did you see?"
"I saw nothing." I answered honestly.
"And what do you see now?" he asked
"I see nothing," a tear slipped down my cheek, "but I do not understand, how can I love someone if I have only meet him?" I wondered.
"Understand Nolwe to have a soul mate is a great gift indeed. You will know when the time is right, but I leave you with a warning child. Try to figure ut out before it is too late." Manwe said
"What do you mean too late?" I was starting to worry.
"Elves can die of a broken heart. Already he knows who and what you are to him. If you wait to long and question you heart too much he will fade, and in turn so will you."
***
I woke up to see Glorfindel looking at me.
I do not own Lord of the Rings
Nolwe Chapter 8
All through dinner I wondered about the events that were going to take place while playing with my food. 'Poor Atanvardo, he will see war at first hand.' Something that I thought no one deserved to know what was like to live through.
Arwen looked at me from across the table concerned and said, "Are you feeling well Nolwe? You seem pale?" Fortunately I did not have to answer for Elrond chose that moment to make an announcement.
"Greeting to all. Tonight we celebrate the coming of age of Atanvardo. With the coming of his age he will join my foster son Estel with the rangers to complete his training. May we wish them good fortune and health." Elrond raised his glass along with everyone else in the room in a toast, and drank. Finishing dinner I stood up with everyone else at the table and Lord Elrond turned to me saying, "Lady Nolwe, may I escort you to the hall of fire?"
I nodded my head in acceptance, offering his arm, I took hold of it. I admit when I saw the hall of fire for the first time I was amazed. The light from the fire reflecting off the marble was like looking into a kaleidoscope. Sitting in a chair next to Elrond, I spent the next few hours totally immersed in the music and singing of the elves. Feeling a tapping on my shoulder, I turned to see Glorfindel.
"Nolwe how would you like me to walk you to your rooms?" he asked
"Thankyou. I am not sure if I would have made it on my own." I said standing and stretching the cramp out of my legs. Following Glorfindel to my room, I thought how wonderful the evening was, and I found my thoughts straying to a certain dark haired elf lord. Trust me to think of silly school girl crushes when my cousin is about to go train for war. Glorfindel turned to me outside the door and said, "Lord Elrond would like to speak to you tomorrow morning after breakfast, in his study, about what is to come."
I said, "Certaintly. I will be there. Goodnight Glorfindel." With that I went into my room, layed down on my bed and feel asleep.
I woke up some time in the middle of the night to hear a scream coming from the room next to mine. It was the type of scream that sent shivers down your spine. Rushing out the door in my nightgown, to the next room I found Calale lying in bed tossing and turning in the middle of a nightmare. About to wake her, she screamed again, before sitting up straight in bed awake and crying.
"Calale, are you okay?" I asked crushing her in a hug. Suddenly the door was opened and I saw Lord Elrond, the twins, Glorfindel, Estel and Atanvardo standing outside looking in at us.
"The eye! It burns me!" Calale sobbed into my shoulder. Holding her tighter I tried to comfort her. By now Arwen had also arrived and unlike the men who still stood at the door, she gave a small cry before joining in the hug. For some reason this snapped the men out of their stupor, and they too all came in wondering what had happened.
The room was becoming crowded with concerns, and I did not think that this was doing Calale any good so I said, "Maybe we should wait until the morning before we talk about this." Not giving them time to think, I continued, "You should all leave Calale so she can rest."
Taking a hint they all left the room. Arwen gave Calale one last final hug before leaving as well. Brushing away Calale's tears, I started to softly sing.
Sleep my child and peace attend thee,
All through the night
Guardian angels God will send thee,
All through the night
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and dale in slumber sleeping
I my loved ones' watch am keeping,
All through the night
Angels watching, e'er around thee,
All through the night
Midnight slumber close surround thee,
All through the night
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and dale in slumber sleeping
I my loved ones' watch am keeping,
All through the night
By the time I finished Calale was sleeping again. Sighing I sat back in my chair and feel asleep beside her.
I woke the next morning with someone shaking my shoulder. Opening my eyes I saw Lord Elrond looking at me. "Good morning Lady Nolwe. May I take you back to your room, so you can change and then maybe we can finally talk."
Straight to the point this elf. Looking down at my night gown, I said, "Yes. Thankyou and please call me Nolwe. I never have gotten used to the title of Lady."
Smiling Elrond helped me up and I looked at my cousin who was till sound asleep. Going to my room and quickly changing I came outside and walked with Elrond to a room which looked to be his study. Sitting down at his desk and motioning to me to do the same in a chair across from him .Seeing my concern he asked, "Has your cousin reacted this way before to a dream?"
"Never that I have known milord." I replied silence filling the room. Continuing I said, "I think that it has something to do with the growing power in the south. Calale mentioned something about a burning eye, and I already am aware of what haunts her if that is the case."
Startled at my frankness Elrond said, "I know you know something of our future and have been educated by Lord Celeborn himself in the politics of Middle Earth, tell me if you can, what you think of the happenings in this world."
I did not want to reveal the future so all I said was, "When you gave Aragorn the elvish name Estel, you chose well. He is without a doubt the hope that will light the skies in the darkest hour." Elrond seemed content with this answer.
At that moment Glorfindel came into the room. "Nolwe please go to your cousin Calale, she has woken and requests your company for breakfast." I stood up and said my farewells to the two elven lords before heading to my cousins.
So Elrond what do you think of Nolwe now that you have spoken to her?" Glorfindel asked his long time friend when Nolwe had left the room.
Elrond thought before saying, "She is everything that Lady Galadriel has said she is." 'And more' he thought to himself.
Glorfindel looked closely at his friend and saw what ever he was looking before. Taking a chair and sitting down he said, "I know what you think my friend and I also know that she will be good for you."
Elrond was surprised, 'how did Glorfindel know?' he thought to himself. Frowning he said, "I do not know how you know, but Glorfindel you must keep it a secret. I am well aware that she is my soul mate but she is not. I have no intention of asking her for something she is not willing to give."
Glorfindel was surprised at his friends admittance, 'then again' he thought 'he is talking about his soul mate so I guess it is something he can not deny.' Aloud he said, "Shall we go to breakfast?"
Elrond nodded, relief that Glorfindel let a touchy topic go. Together they left the study in search of food.
'Calale seems much better this morning' I thought, then smiled saying out load so everyone at the table could hear me, "Calale about this morning I will not be able to come with you on the tour of Rivendell as I have to talk to Lord Elrond about a few things. You will have to go with Elrohir by yourself," seeing her disappointment I said, "but if you have nothing to do in the afternoon perhaps you will show me some of the sights that Elrohir will have shown you." Noticing her smile I turned to Arwen whispering, "Got anything planned this morning I seemed to have nothing planned."
Laughing quietly Arwen said, "I see we think alike. Glorfindel is helping me with a few sword techniques, perhaps you would like to come along and watch or maybe learn something?" she suggested.
Thinking back to the attack form the orcs I replied, "Thankyou for the invitation Arwen, I think I will come." And that is how I found myself an hour later in the training room in my leggings again learning how to use a sword. Swinging my sword practice sword through the air I thought, 'this is way better than archery'.
After awhile I began to tire and Glorfindel turned and said, "Nolwe, you have done well today. Perhaps it is time to rest and go to lunch?" he suggested, while watching me sweat into a watery mess on the floor. Grateful I left. Before leaving I noticed Elrond was talking to Glorfindel about something, which was obviously important. 'When did he arrive?' I thought then something occurred to me, 'Has he seen me fighting?' I blushed in embarrassment. Taking a quicker pace I left the training halls and made it back to my room. I sighed in relief. 'Really,' I thought, 'I have to be more careful how I act in the public eye.'
Taking a bath and putting on one of the dresses which had been made for me I went in search of food and Calale.. I found her surprisingly enough, laughing at a joke Elrohir had said. Clearing my mouth, I said, "So I take it the tour went well."
Calale blushed while Elrohir just looked at the ground. Elrohir spoke first, "The tour did go well, and I enjoyed Calale's company. It was unfortunate that you were not able to join us Nolwe."
Seeing Calale's blush deepen, I decided to answer Elrohir quickly, "Well maybe some other time." I hurried away leaving them to entertain themselves. Not watching where I was going I ran into Elrond. Landing on top of him I blushed before squeaking, "I am so sorry milord."
I got up and started to go away when Elrond stopped me. "Nolwe I have someone who wants to meet you." Leading me to what looked like a healing room I saw a man who was sitting up in bed with a bandage around his head. "Nolwe may I introduce you to Thior. He was found for dead after escaping a group of orcs. He heard them speak of you and asked to see you." Elrond quietly said.
I was not aware that I was so well known, but then again if Sauron knew of Calale then he knew of Atanvardo and myself. Hearing a knock at the door Elrond excused himself to talk to the person outside, while I sat in a chair next to the bed Thior layed in.
"I am happy to finally meet you milady. It makes things so much easier." Thior hissed.
Without warning he attacked me, punching me in the stomach. Not used to anything like this, I fell out of the chair, onto my back gasping for air while Thior leapt out of bed pulling out a curved blade. Laughing he said, "I am really called Hailen, Assassin of Sauron, sent to destroy you and your cousins." With that he leapt at me. Closing my eyes, I cried out as the blade entered my shoulder. Hailen went to strike again and I cringed when I heard a moan. Opening my eyes I saw Elrond with a sword, which was covered in blood, to be precise Hailen's blood. Looking at my attacker he was slumped on the ground, blood pooling around him. At the sight of all the blood I threw up, right in front of the lord of Rivendell.
Seeing Nolwe throw up, Elrond swiftly raced to her side. Picking her up in his arms he carried he to her room. Laying her down, he finally saw her shoulder. Muttering curses underneath his breath he left her there only to return with water that had herbs in it and bandages.
Looking at my shoulder he said, "Nolwe I am sorry but I will have to cut your dress." Not waiting for my reply he brought out a dagger and cut away the top of my dress. Picking up a cloth he washed out the cut with the water, and placed bandage around my shoulder. When he pressed the bandage into my shoulder a let out a small cry.
Handing me a potion he said, "Drink this it will take away the pain," pausing he added, while placing a hand on mine, "I am sorry I didn't realise his true intentions sooner. I would never want to happen to anyone."
When he placed his hand on mine I felt warmth. A voice in my mind said, 'look to your heart Nolwe what do you see?'. Shaking my head I looked at Elrond. I could see the distress in his eyes, trying to comfort him I said, "Don't blame yourself. No one could have prevented it milord."
Elrond started, "Please stop with the milord, just call me Elrond." Pausing as if thinking something over before shaking his head he said, "Well I shall leave now. There is the matter of dealing with the body."
"Thankyou." I whispered. Suddenly I felt very alone for the first time in a long time.
Hearing her faint whisper, I had to struggle with my self before turning and looking at her face. Those eyes that captivate my heart every time. "Your welcome."
***
"Hello my child we meet again." Manwe said as he approached me.
Curious I asked, "Why am I here?"
Manwe sighed, "You have meet your soul mate." I went to interrupt when he continued, "When I said look into your heart what did you see?"
"I saw nothing." I answered honestly.
"And what do you see now?" he asked
"I see nothing," a tear slipped down my cheek, "but I do not understand, how can I love someone if I have only meet him?" I wondered.
"Understand Nolwe to have a soul mate is a great gift indeed. You will know when the time is right, but I leave you with a warning child. Try to figure ut out before it is too late." Manwe said
"What do you mean too late?" I was starting to worry.
"Elves can die of a broken heart. Already he knows who and what you are to him. If you wait to long and question you heart too much he will fade, and in turn so will you."
***
I woke up to see Glorfindel looking at me.