*****Important*****
Okay, my parents have me grounded for another 2 weeks and instead of JUST putting a little warning note up here like last time, I put a chapter too. Ahhh, I'm so sorry. My parents ground me two weeks if I forget to set my alarm clock and I'm home schooled and all of the sudden I HAVE to set it. :( I'll try to make sure it doesn't happen again. Okay, here's the chapter...
Cave of the Black Griffin
By the campfire that night, Lauren just laid down and listened to Demrem and Legolas talking. They talked for an hour, in both English and in Elvish, about travel plans and the feasts of the Elves in King Thranduil's great halls.
Legolas turned to Lauren who was laying on her side and staring at the fire. "Why do you speak so little, Lauren?" he asked.
"Because...I feel alone. I'm in a total strange place that brings no comfort to me with none of my family or friends...what am I supposed to say?"
Legolas was motionless for a while, and then he finally said, "We can be your friends, Laurena Nicolea."
Despite of her depressed feelings, she smiled. "Thank you, Legolas."
"Now, let's get some sleep," Demrem said. He curled up and almost immediately fell asleep, but Lauren just stared at the canopy of trees above and thought of her friends and what would happen when she found the griffins. She had read a story with griffins in it before, and she actually liked it. But this was in a Tolkein story. If Tolkein had griffins in his story, did he think of them as furious and untamed?
"Tell me," Legolas whispered, "something about your world."
Lauren turned on her stomach to see Legolas in the same position, in front of her. His fierce blue eyes seemed to by shining just like an cat's does when it's dark. "Your eyes are pretty, Legolas," Lauren said.
"Don't change the subject. I wanna know about your world," he said.
"Well," Lauren began. "There isn't very many empty, untouched forests such as these that grow wild...we have lots of houses and buildings everywhere. We get around by...um, what are they called?" Lauren paused and took a moment to think. "Horseless-Carriages, I think they used to be called."
Legolas's eyes widened. "Carriages without horses?"
Lauren nodded.
"And they move?!" Legolas asked.
"Yes," Lauren said. "I love 'Earth'. That is what my world is called. I have two sisters, a brother, all of them younger than me, I did have friends in South Carolina, but I was moving to California, so I have really no friends when I get back. It's gonna be hard living in a new place, but I'd love to start over again...I must be boring you, Legolas."
Legolas shook his head, "No, not at all! I am fascinated with your world."
"Maar [good]," Lauren said, turning onto her back. "daw...fuume?" [Night...sleep?]
Legolas was surprised at her Elvish, even though she wasn't very good at it. "Where have you learned that, lady?"
"This," Lauren said, pulling out her green leather book. "All things are at my disposal unless they are white and silver, which leaves all green and gold things for me...or so the king has said. Why is that?"
"Because most silver things belong to the king and his people. The other things aren't AS important to our people," Legolas said.
"Oh, okay," Lauren said. "Let's just get some sleep now." Lauren curled up and didn't find it hard to get comfortable. The Elven pants she wore were a green silk and her shirt was a light Elven linen blouse. She was very comfortable in her clean clothes and felt safe with Legolas beside her, his arrows and bow at his side if they were needed.
"Goodnight, Legolas," Lauren whispered. She didn't hear his reply, because she was asleep before she could hear it.
Lauren looked face to face to the winged creature. He had a thick yellow beak that stood out in his black fur. His ears were pointed and his black body was shaped like an enormous cat. His wings were stretched out above him and his fierce yellow eyes glared at her. How was she supposed to talk this creature?
It screeched, or whatever you could call the piercing scream that came from him. Before she could say a word, the creature lunged forward, his claws out to tear her apart.
"I don't wanna die!" Lauren screamed, sitting up from her bed around the dim fire. She put her fist on her chest and breathed long breaths.
Legolas was at her side immediately. "Are you okay? That happened?"
Lauren looked up at Legolas with eyes full of tears. "Nothing...just a bad dream."
Legolas sighed. "Try to get some sleep. If you slept next to me would you be frightened?"
Lauren found that whole idea kinda weird...sleeping beside Legolas, but didn't say anything. So he pulled his blanket next to hers and they slept a foot away from each other, Lauren next to the fire and Legolas on the other side.
"We can sleep for two more hours. Now try to sleep," he said.
Lauren stared at the fire; thinking for what seemed ten hours. How could she handle this? How was she supposed to talk to these big creatures? She was creeped out by cats alone, and she never much liked birds, cause her old bird used to bite her, so how could she confront a whole bunch of giant bird-cats?!
Though she was frightened, she managed to fall asleep.
Lauren groaned, trying to wake up. She hadn't opened her eyes yet, but she just knew she was halfway awake.
"Uhhh..."she heard Legolas groan very close to her. She opened her eyes and jumped, finding her arm around Legolas and his arm around her.
Legolas woke up and they both looked at each other, faces just inches apart, and darted away from each other. Demrem just looked on and laughed. "I don't even want to know what happened between you two last night," he said with a laugh.
Lauren wrinkled her nose. "I promise you, that cuddling session was unintentional!"
"Yes, indeed," Demrem said sarcastically. "Whatever the case, lets get ready to go."
Lauren pulled herself on her large black horse. "I love black horses," she stated. "You can't see them well in the dark and they are beautiful." She stroked the horse's neck. "What is this horse called?"
"Rokko," Legolas said.
"Does that name mean anything?" Lauren asked as the horses started in a trot on the narrow road.
"It means 'horse'," Legolas said.
Lauren scowled. "That is no name for such a pretty horse!" she said, pulling out her Elvish dictionary. "Can I name him?"
"Sure, it is your horse," Legolas said.
Lauren grinned widely at that. "You mean he's mine?! I have a horse for as long as I am here?"
Legolas laughed. "I find that I have much to learn about you, Lauren. I already find that little things please you. He is your horse to name and to ride as long as you are here. He belongs to no one else."
"It's not a little thing! I've never thought I could have a horse! I'll call him Morthalion, dark and strong."
"Good choice," Legolas said. "Now, if we hurry, we can make it to the Mountains of Mirkwood this afternoon. Ride on!"
The horses started to move quicker until they were galloping down the narrow path. "How far is the mountains from griffin territory?!" Lauren yelled over the pounding of the hooves.
"The place is the same. We will make it to the griffins before nightfall!" he yelled back. Lauren gulped. She had thought she had one more day until she had to meet them!
"PUTTA!" [STOP!] Legolas said and held his hand up. The horses slowed to a stop and Legolas turned on his horse to face Lauren. His face was stern. "We are here."
"What must I do?" Lauren asked.
Demrem pointed ahead to the mountains. "You must crawl up there, as much as you can until the griffins find you and take you up into their caves. They then will ask why you have come and you must explain as best as you can. Tell them we will reward them with treasures if they help. You can do it. You were destined to do it."
Lauren's mouth fell open and she was silent. "You must be crazy! I didn't know THAT was the plan! They are gonna pull me up by their talons and bring me to their caves? I heard this in a book once and their caves are filled with bones of..."
"Lauren! You must go," Legolas said. "Though I am afraid for you. The griffins were never very kind to my people, but maybe they will be merciful..."
"Maybe?" Lauren squeaked.
"I am uncertain. I don't want you to go. You are a young girl and I find this task beyond your reach..."
"Young?! Are you saying I'm just a child?" Lauren snapped.
Legolas frowned. "To us, you are but a child! I think it is unfair for you to have to go!"
Lauren glared at him. "And I thought Prince Legolas was better than this!" she snorted. "Well, I was wrong. He's just another elf! Nothing special!"
"Quiet!" Demrem snapped. "Lauren is not a child. She is Brilaglar, no matter her age, and I believe she will save us. She may surprise you, Legolas."
Lauren smiled. It was the first time she actually LIKED being called Brilaglar. Maybe Demrem was right. Maybe she could change things around for the elves, whether Legolas thought differently.
"I will go," Lauren said bravely. "I am not scared."
Legolas huffed and Lauren glared one more time at him. What was wrong with him, anyways? Why did he have absolutely NO faith in her? The whole time was he just being nice to her like a man is nice to a little helpless kid?
Lauren took off towards the mountains. "Whatever you do, stay on the road!" Legolas said. Lauren just rolled her eyes and ran along the road until she came to a clearing. The mountains weren't very steep, but they went very far up and way up there she could see holes, most likely large caves in the distance.
She crawled and climbed up the rocks, cutting her knees a few times as she went along. When she looked below, all she saw was rocks and trees as far as she could see, with no elves to be found. Then she heard a "caw!" that directed her attention to above. Up in the blue sky, a great bird-like animal flew lower and lower, till it was practically soaring down, aiming right for her. She saw that is was very similar to the one in her dream, his big bright eyes fierce and terrifying.
It landed clumsily onto the side of the mountain; it's claws chipping the rocks. "Human child!" it exclaimed with a sort of gruff, throaty voice. She looked into the creature's eyes and found that its eyes were soft and warm. "Come, child! Ride on my back and we shall ride to my home!"
Without a word, she climbed sideways on the mountain and onto the great griffin's back, between his wings and he flew up into the air.
"You come to bring me company after all these long years, Annaway?" asked the griffin as he flew into his cave. His claws screeched on the floor as he went to a stop.
"Who is Annaway?" Lauren asked, hopping from his back and standing in the dim cave.
The griffin stared at her with glowing yellow eyes. "Well, you are, aren't you?"
"No," she answered. "My name is Lauren."
The griffin shook my head. "Oh, yes, it would make sense," he said sadly. "For it as been more than three hundred years since I've seen my beloved Annaway."
Lauren drug her feet through the cluttered cave. "I can't see," she said.
"Oh," replied the griffin. "Yes, you humans were such sun-needing people. Let me give you some light." The griffin lit a lamp and Lauren took a moment to observe the cave. It was filled with books, odd trinkets, and a few dry bones. "You don't clean much, do you?"
"Never saw much need for cleaning after Annaway left," he replied with a sigh.
"Who is Annaway?" Lauren asked, looking at the griffin. "And more importantly, who are you?"
The griffin gave a gruff sound, which she guessed was a chuckle. "I am Thorwen. There is not much to say about me besides I've lived her for thousands of years alone. That is where Annaway comes in, you see. Outside these dratted forests of elves and beasts, there are human villages. There were girls and sometimes boys that would wander into the forest and back then the griffins loved the forest. We would sometimes find lost children and bring them into our caves. We would then take them back to their homes and sometimes we would go back and bring the children back in these caves. We felt as if the humans were our children...I never had children, you see. But one day I was searching for gold and silver trinkets as the griffins used to do. We have a weakness for treasure and it is no secret. So I found Annaway and she brought love and happiness to me. She came into my caves a whole day each week for many years and I could never forget her. But then she came only once a month, then once a few months, then never at all. She grew up and had children and I know not where they moved. I always held a picture in my mind of when she crawled up here, blond hair flowing, pretty little girl. I know it's hopeless. She is old, probably dead, and climbs not, but I guess I can dream..."
Lauren nodded. "That is so sad. I am sorry."
"You need not be sorry, child, for that is how life is. Not always filled with happiness...I have learned to live with it. Would you stay in my cave once a week as Annaway did? It would bring me much happiness for a long time."
Lauren frowned. "I am sorry, but that is impossible. I came here for a reason and unfortunately it's not to carelessly chat...I need help."
The griffin waited for her to carry on and he just watched her silently.
"The elves need help," Lauren began.
"Gah!" shouted the griffin. "Greedy and selfish peoples are the elves. Gah!"
"They have asked me to come up here an seek your friendship. The elves are not bad. They are good, wonderful people. They need help against the Wargs," Lauren said.
"They keep their treasures to themselves and then ask for help? GAH! I think not," he said, but then got this flash in his eyes. "What are my other choices? I could just keep you up here for company forever if I wished to."
Lauren shook her head. "You can't do that!" she objected, running towards the edge of the cave. "I could climb down." She looked out of the cave and saw it was an impossible way down unless she wanted to just fall thousands of feet down.
"You would climb down that?"
Lauren turned to the griffin. "Thorwen, the elves will offer you great treasures as a reward if you help! Please help. For now, with them is my only home."
Thorwen's eyes glittered with interest. "Treasure, you say?"
*sigh* I think it is finally getting better! Tell me what you think. REVIEW.
Okay, my parents have me grounded for another 2 weeks and instead of JUST putting a little warning note up here like last time, I put a chapter too. Ahhh, I'm so sorry. My parents ground me two weeks if I forget to set my alarm clock and I'm home schooled and all of the sudden I HAVE to set it. :( I'll try to make sure it doesn't happen again. Okay, here's the chapter...
Cave of the Black Griffin
By the campfire that night, Lauren just laid down and listened to Demrem and Legolas talking. They talked for an hour, in both English and in Elvish, about travel plans and the feasts of the Elves in King Thranduil's great halls.
Legolas turned to Lauren who was laying on her side and staring at the fire. "Why do you speak so little, Lauren?" he asked.
"Because...I feel alone. I'm in a total strange place that brings no comfort to me with none of my family or friends...what am I supposed to say?"
Legolas was motionless for a while, and then he finally said, "We can be your friends, Laurena Nicolea."
Despite of her depressed feelings, she smiled. "Thank you, Legolas."
"Now, let's get some sleep," Demrem said. He curled up and almost immediately fell asleep, but Lauren just stared at the canopy of trees above and thought of her friends and what would happen when she found the griffins. She had read a story with griffins in it before, and she actually liked it. But this was in a Tolkein story. If Tolkein had griffins in his story, did he think of them as furious and untamed?
"Tell me," Legolas whispered, "something about your world."
Lauren turned on her stomach to see Legolas in the same position, in front of her. His fierce blue eyes seemed to by shining just like an cat's does when it's dark. "Your eyes are pretty, Legolas," Lauren said.
"Don't change the subject. I wanna know about your world," he said.
"Well," Lauren began. "There isn't very many empty, untouched forests such as these that grow wild...we have lots of houses and buildings everywhere. We get around by...um, what are they called?" Lauren paused and took a moment to think. "Horseless-Carriages, I think they used to be called."
Legolas's eyes widened. "Carriages without horses?"
Lauren nodded.
"And they move?!" Legolas asked.
"Yes," Lauren said. "I love 'Earth'. That is what my world is called. I have two sisters, a brother, all of them younger than me, I did have friends in South Carolina, but I was moving to California, so I have really no friends when I get back. It's gonna be hard living in a new place, but I'd love to start over again...I must be boring you, Legolas."
Legolas shook his head, "No, not at all! I am fascinated with your world."
"Maar [good]," Lauren said, turning onto her back. "daw...fuume?" [Night...sleep?]
Legolas was surprised at her Elvish, even though she wasn't very good at it. "Where have you learned that, lady?"
"This," Lauren said, pulling out her green leather book. "All things are at my disposal unless they are white and silver, which leaves all green and gold things for me...or so the king has said. Why is that?"
"Because most silver things belong to the king and his people. The other things aren't AS important to our people," Legolas said.
"Oh, okay," Lauren said. "Let's just get some sleep now." Lauren curled up and didn't find it hard to get comfortable. The Elven pants she wore were a green silk and her shirt was a light Elven linen blouse. She was very comfortable in her clean clothes and felt safe with Legolas beside her, his arrows and bow at his side if they were needed.
"Goodnight, Legolas," Lauren whispered. She didn't hear his reply, because she was asleep before she could hear it.
Lauren looked face to face to the winged creature. He had a thick yellow beak that stood out in his black fur. His ears were pointed and his black body was shaped like an enormous cat. His wings were stretched out above him and his fierce yellow eyes glared at her. How was she supposed to talk this creature?
It screeched, or whatever you could call the piercing scream that came from him. Before she could say a word, the creature lunged forward, his claws out to tear her apart.
"I don't wanna die!" Lauren screamed, sitting up from her bed around the dim fire. She put her fist on her chest and breathed long breaths.
Legolas was at her side immediately. "Are you okay? That happened?"
Lauren looked up at Legolas with eyes full of tears. "Nothing...just a bad dream."
Legolas sighed. "Try to get some sleep. If you slept next to me would you be frightened?"
Lauren found that whole idea kinda weird...sleeping beside Legolas, but didn't say anything. So he pulled his blanket next to hers and they slept a foot away from each other, Lauren next to the fire and Legolas on the other side.
"We can sleep for two more hours. Now try to sleep," he said.
Lauren stared at the fire; thinking for what seemed ten hours. How could she handle this? How was she supposed to talk to these big creatures? She was creeped out by cats alone, and she never much liked birds, cause her old bird used to bite her, so how could she confront a whole bunch of giant bird-cats?!
Though she was frightened, she managed to fall asleep.
Lauren groaned, trying to wake up. She hadn't opened her eyes yet, but she just knew she was halfway awake.
"Uhhh..."she heard Legolas groan very close to her. She opened her eyes and jumped, finding her arm around Legolas and his arm around her.
Legolas woke up and they both looked at each other, faces just inches apart, and darted away from each other. Demrem just looked on and laughed. "I don't even want to know what happened between you two last night," he said with a laugh.
Lauren wrinkled her nose. "I promise you, that cuddling session was unintentional!"
"Yes, indeed," Demrem said sarcastically. "Whatever the case, lets get ready to go."
Lauren pulled herself on her large black horse. "I love black horses," she stated. "You can't see them well in the dark and they are beautiful." She stroked the horse's neck. "What is this horse called?"
"Rokko," Legolas said.
"Does that name mean anything?" Lauren asked as the horses started in a trot on the narrow road.
"It means 'horse'," Legolas said.
Lauren scowled. "That is no name for such a pretty horse!" she said, pulling out her Elvish dictionary. "Can I name him?"
"Sure, it is your horse," Legolas said.
Lauren grinned widely at that. "You mean he's mine?! I have a horse for as long as I am here?"
Legolas laughed. "I find that I have much to learn about you, Lauren. I already find that little things please you. He is your horse to name and to ride as long as you are here. He belongs to no one else."
"It's not a little thing! I've never thought I could have a horse! I'll call him Morthalion, dark and strong."
"Good choice," Legolas said. "Now, if we hurry, we can make it to the Mountains of Mirkwood this afternoon. Ride on!"
The horses started to move quicker until they were galloping down the narrow path. "How far is the mountains from griffin territory?!" Lauren yelled over the pounding of the hooves.
"The place is the same. We will make it to the griffins before nightfall!" he yelled back. Lauren gulped. She had thought she had one more day until she had to meet them!
"PUTTA!" [STOP!] Legolas said and held his hand up. The horses slowed to a stop and Legolas turned on his horse to face Lauren. His face was stern. "We are here."
"What must I do?" Lauren asked.
Demrem pointed ahead to the mountains. "You must crawl up there, as much as you can until the griffins find you and take you up into their caves. They then will ask why you have come and you must explain as best as you can. Tell them we will reward them with treasures if they help. You can do it. You were destined to do it."
Lauren's mouth fell open and she was silent. "You must be crazy! I didn't know THAT was the plan! They are gonna pull me up by their talons and bring me to their caves? I heard this in a book once and their caves are filled with bones of..."
"Lauren! You must go," Legolas said. "Though I am afraid for you. The griffins were never very kind to my people, but maybe they will be merciful..."
"Maybe?" Lauren squeaked.
"I am uncertain. I don't want you to go. You are a young girl and I find this task beyond your reach..."
"Young?! Are you saying I'm just a child?" Lauren snapped.
Legolas frowned. "To us, you are but a child! I think it is unfair for you to have to go!"
Lauren glared at him. "And I thought Prince Legolas was better than this!" she snorted. "Well, I was wrong. He's just another elf! Nothing special!"
"Quiet!" Demrem snapped. "Lauren is not a child. She is Brilaglar, no matter her age, and I believe she will save us. She may surprise you, Legolas."
Lauren smiled. It was the first time she actually LIKED being called Brilaglar. Maybe Demrem was right. Maybe she could change things around for the elves, whether Legolas thought differently.
"I will go," Lauren said bravely. "I am not scared."
Legolas huffed and Lauren glared one more time at him. What was wrong with him, anyways? Why did he have absolutely NO faith in her? The whole time was he just being nice to her like a man is nice to a little helpless kid?
Lauren took off towards the mountains. "Whatever you do, stay on the road!" Legolas said. Lauren just rolled her eyes and ran along the road until she came to a clearing. The mountains weren't very steep, but they went very far up and way up there she could see holes, most likely large caves in the distance.
She crawled and climbed up the rocks, cutting her knees a few times as she went along. When she looked below, all she saw was rocks and trees as far as she could see, with no elves to be found. Then she heard a "caw!" that directed her attention to above. Up in the blue sky, a great bird-like animal flew lower and lower, till it was practically soaring down, aiming right for her. She saw that is was very similar to the one in her dream, his big bright eyes fierce and terrifying.
It landed clumsily onto the side of the mountain; it's claws chipping the rocks. "Human child!" it exclaimed with a sort of gruff, throaty voice. She looked into the creature's eyes and found that its eyes were soft and warm. "Come, child! Ride on my back and we shall ride to my home!"
Without a word, she climbed sideways on the mountain and onto the great griffin's back, between his wings and he flew up into the air.
"You come to bring me company after all these long years, Annaway?" asked the griffin as he flew into his cave. His claws screeched on the floor as he went to a stop.
"Who is Annaway?" Lauren asked, hopping from his back and standing in the dim cave.
The griffin stared at her with glowing yellow eyes. "Well, you are, aren't you?"
"No," she answered. "My name is Lauren."
The griffin shook my head. "Oh, yes, it would make sense," he said sadly. "For it as been more than three hundred years since I've seen my beloved Annaway."
Lauren drug her feet through the cluttered cave. "I can't see," she said.
"Oh," replied the griffin. "Yes, you humans were such sun-needing people. Let me give you some light." The griffin lit a lamp and Lauren took a moment to observe the cave. It was filled with books, odd trinkets, and a few dry bones. "You don't clean much, do you?"
"Never saw much need for cleaning after Annaway left," he replied with a sigh.
"Who is Annaway?" Lauren asked, looking at the griffin. "And more importantly, who are you?"
The griffin gave a gruff sound, which she guessed was a chuckle. "I am Thorwen. There is not much to say about me besides I've lived her for thousands of years alone. That is where Annaway comes in, you see. Outside these dratted forests of elves and beasts, there are human villages. There were girls and sometimes boys that would wander into the forest and back then the griffins loved the forest. We would sometimes find lost children and bring them into our caves. We would then take them back to their homes and sometimes we would go back and bring the children back in these caves. We felt as if the humans were our children...I never had children, you see. But one day I was searching for gold and silver trinkets as the griffins used to do. We have a weakness for treasure and it is no secret. So I found Annaway and she brought love and happiness to me. She came into my caves a whole day each week for many years and I could never forget her. But then she came only once a month, then once a few months, then never at all. She grew up and had children and I know not where they moved. I always held a picture in my mind of when she crawled up here, blond hair flowing, pretty little girl. I know it's hopeless. She is old, probably dead, and climbs not, but I guess I can dream..."
Lauren nodded. "That is so sad. I am sorry."
"You need not be sorry, child, for that is how life is. Not always filled with happiness...I have learned to live with it. Would you stay in my cave once a week as Annaway did? It would bring me much happiness for a long time."
Lauren frowned. "I am sorry, but that is impossible. I came here for a reason and unfortunately it's not to carelessly chat...I need help."
The griffin waited for her to carry on and he just watched her silently.
"The elves need help," Lauren began.
"Gah!" shouted the griffin. "Greedy and selfish peoples are the elves. Gah!"
"They have asked me to come up here an seek your friendship. The elves are not bad. They are good, wonderful people. They need help against the Wargs," Lauren said.
"They keep their treasures to themselves and then ask for help? GAH! I think not," he said, but then got this flash in his eyes. "What are my other choices? I could just keep you up here for company forever if I wished to."
Lauren shook her head. "You can't do that!" she objected, running towards the edge of the cave. "I could climb down." She looked out of the cave and saw it was an impossible way down unless she wanted to just fall thousands of feet down.
"You would climb down that?"
Lauren turned to the griffin. "Thorwen, the elves will offer you great treasures as a reward if you help! Please help. For now, with them is my only home."
Thorwen's eyes glittered with interest. "Treasure, you say?"
*sigh* I think it is finally getting better! Tell me what you think. REVIEW.