This will be my last update for this week. I have finals all next week and
then I am visiting a college for the weekend. I may be able to put in a
small chapter (such as this one) at some point, but do not count on it!
Thank you for the reviews, I am glad that my writing is not as horrible as
I thought it was! However, I can never have too many of them, so please
keep submitting!
****
Haemerethwen leaned against a tree, quietly waiting at the stables for the arrival of Thranduil's promised companions. She stood slightly in the shade and hoped that few would see her. The sun was just beginning to gently shine, but already the Elves of Eryn Lasgalen were busily preparing for the events that accompanied their daily tasks. More guards sped past Haemerethwen on their exhausted horses across the bridge, hastily jumping off from their beasts and walking through the palace doors. There appeared to be few Elven guards within the palace and the only time Haemerethwen noticed them was when they were either departing or entering Thranduil's Halls, relaying an important message involving the events within the forest. From this lack of guards, it could be deduced that Eryn Lasgalen also suffered from the attacks of the unruly Orcs; how strongly, Haemerethwen did not know. She hoped that her cry for help did not detract the forest's own situation with the Orcs, which was obviously Thranduil's main concern.
She let out a sigh and began to consider her personal situation. Her heart ached desperately to return to Mithlond and continue to fight against the vicious Orcs, mainly due to her fear of losing those she loved. Her brother was an esteemed warrior and was renowned for his skill with the bow, but she could not help but doubt his skill. She was, however, more concerned with her sister; Melciriel faced a political battle on top of the struggle to survive, which she faced with no battle skills. Haemerethwen had always been her little sister's guardian since their parents left and she was anxious to leave her at such a horrid time. She knew how ruthless the Orcs were with female Elves and to leave the defenseless Melciriel caused her unabated grief.
Her eyes turned to two passing Elves that were chatting about Thranduil's decision to send warriors to Mithlond. Focusing her hearing on them, she began to listen to their discussion:
"I do not believe it was in Thranduil's best interest to send some of our experienced warriors to Mithlond," stated one, "We are in dire need of them here."
"Aye, but I hear that the city is facing triple the amount of Orcs we witness," stated the other.
"Selfishness; that is what I hear. We need to return back to our more isolated state; we dedicate our interests too much on other's concerns."
"It is beneficial that we welcome others to Eryn Lasgalen; what if we desire aid such as Mithlond?"
"We will not. If for some reason we do, then we would not consider others to worry with us, for we are efficient warriors that can withhold all!"
"Too innocent, my friend; when will you understand to turn your pride aside and consider reality?"
Haemerethwen broke her concentration on listening to the distanced Elves when she noticed Thranduil and two guards approaching her. She quickly took her back off the tree and fixed her posture, hoping that he did not notice her previous relaxed position.
"Good morning, Haemerethwen," he stated after he ordered his guards away. She bowed her head and reciprocated his words. "Your companion should be accompanying us in a few minutes; I ask for a moment alone with you," he noted, and began to walk into the stables with her.
"What do you wish to discuss, sir?" she questioned, guessing that he wanted to again question Mithlond's situation to guarantee that she would not betray him.
"As you know, I will not be sending out my warriors until a week later. I am sorry if this is an inconvenience, but I need to train other Elven guards to take over their position on the outskirts of the forest. We, too, are being greatly attacked, but I realize your position is more serious." He stopped and faced the she-elf, peering into her grey eyes and preparing himself for the true reason behind his desire to talk alone. "I know that we have had our disputes in the past and although I am still slightly angered at the entire situation, I am not so stubborn to not concern myself with your journey back to Mithlond. Haemerethwen, you do not tell all about those who follow you." She peered at him, wondering how he knew she did not tell the whole truth.
"I should have known that I cannot fool you," she returned, allowing a slight smile to present itself, "How did you come to this realization?"
"Briefly: through the mention of Thrakdreg." Her smile disappeared at the mention of that name and her face went pale.
"H-how do you about him?" she whispered, ashamed that he had the knowledge of her past.
"Your brother," he gently stated, hoping that she would allow herself to discuss this personal matter; something her brother said was near impossible.
"Him?" she questioned, a shadow falling over her eyes, "why would he mention such a thing?"
"He fears for you; he delivered this information to me when I last visited Mithlond to question the situation involving my messenger. He defended your behavior as because to that situation. It was not mentioned to harm, but to suggest your strength." She blandly looked at him with an indifferent face and with no suggestion that she would reply to his statement.
"Did you comprehend the fact that you were not readily murdered in the attack within the forest by his company, but only wounded? That does not seem to indicate that his attitude has altered," he sternly whispered, lowering his voice so that no Elves but her would hear, "I fear that your future will return to the blighted past." She looked away from his piercing eyes.
"Speak no more!" she violently whispered, "I realized my position before you knew of it!"
"Please, do not become upset, I merely wish to eradicate the option that he will succeed," he soothingly replied, hoping to quell her beginning anger. She returned her eyes to him, fear showing though she desperately tried to disguise it.
"What is your proposition?"
"I am sending one of Eryn Lasgalen's best warriors along with you," he stated, "He does not know of the underlying reason he accompanies you, only that you need new companions due to those you lost." She considered his idea. Although her pride would want her to deny such help, her logic quickly overtook that thought.
"I accept, but only if this information does not go beyond us," she stated.
"Gweston," Thranduil stated. They began to walk back outdoors and when they stood before the door, she whispered:
"Thank you." Thranduil made no move to suggest that he heard her, but they both understood that he did.
****
Legolas stood outside the stables, waiting for his father and Haemerethwen to return from within. He was slightly annoyed that he was asked to accompany the she-Elf in her return to Mithlond, for he was just newly returned from his previous journey with the Fellowship. 'Gimli will become annoyed in this delay,' he thought, wondering how he would get the news across to him of this situation. He smiled when he considered about having his father ask the dwarf to visit Mithlond as well, but knew that Thranduil still did not approve of his friendship. 'Perhaps that is his reasoning behind having me do this,' he considered. He straightened when he noticed out of the corner of his eye that Thranduil and Haemerethwen had come outside. He waited for his father to beckon him over. Thranduil turned to Haemerethwen and mentioned one last thing, which she answered with hardly any alteration to her face. The King then turned to Legolas, his cue that he should walk over.
Haemerethwen looked terribly pale standing behind the King and he wondered what Thranduil had been talking to her about. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she was staring at the ground, seemingly disturbed over some matter. Legolas did not like to see her appearing such way; he had become slightly attached to her over the past few days and thought that yesterday was a stepping-stone in helping her overcome her anxiety and fear. However, she now looked worse than she did when she first opened the door to him before the celebration.
He stopped in front of his father and questioned him with his eyes about Haemerethwen. Thranduil's face was stoic, though, and relayed no information to his son.
"Here is your companion," Thranduil stated, turning to the side to have his eyes both on her and Legolas at the same time. Haemerethwen looked up at Legolas and her eyebrows raised, indicating to him that she probably did not know he was to be aiding her.
"Good morning," Legolas said. She only nodded her head in reply to his comment then again looked away. He was slightly hurt that she did not seem more happy in that he was her companion, but he also understood that something was greatly bothering her, so he tried to not take notice of her rudeness.
"Your horses are ready," noted Thranduil, "Everything is in preparation for your departure. Do you wish to leave now?" he directed his question at Haemerethwen.
"Aye, better sooner than later," she meekly answered.
"Then I shall tell them to bring out your horses," he stated, leaving the two together for a few minutes. Haemerethwen still looked at the ground, but now there was fear displayed on her face. Legolas greatly desired to know what the problem was, but he knew that she probably would not answer him. So, he instead tried to bring her mind off the topic that provoked her anxiety.
"I believe I know who your brother is," he stated. She quickly looked up as if she was surprised that someone was nearby. He glanced at her, "Are you surprised by this?"
"No," she replied, "I was wondering when you would figure it out." He smiled at her, trying to ease her out of her previous emotions.
"I met him at the Council of Elrond,' he said, "I did not realize the resemblance at first."
"Aye, but what was his name?"
"Galdor," he briefly stated, "We became fast friends during the time in Rivendell. A very interesting Elf who made me promise to visit him in Mithlond." She then slowly smiled at him, the mention of her brother cheering her up.
"He always bragged about meeting the Prince of Eryn Lasgalen," she admitted, "But I suppose that he will have no reason to anymore." The horses then came outside the stables and the two Elves walked over to them. Legolas' esteemed horse, Arod, was one of the horses while the other, which Haemerethwen was to ride, was named Habard. The two horses gleamed in the sunlight, muscles outlined and their hair blowing in the quiet breeze. Legolas walked over to Arod and checked his equipment, making sure that he had packed all that was required. After Haemerethwen had done the same, they both gracefully jumped onto their horse's back.
"Take care on your journey," stated Thranduil, who had quietly reappeared, "Make sure to arrive safely." They both nodded. "My warriors expect to see you when they arrive; do not disappoint them!" And with that, the Elves kicked their horses and were off.
****
Haemerethwen leaned against a tree, quietly waiting at the stables for the arrival of Thranduil's promised companions. She stood slightly in the shade and hoped that few would see her. The sun was just beginning to gently shine, but already the Elves of Eryn Lasgalen were busily preparing for the events that accompanied their daily tasks. More guards sped past Haemerethwen on their exhausted horses across the bridge, hastily jumping off from their beasts and walking through the palace doors. There appeared to be few Elven guards within the palace and the only time Haemerethwen noticed them was when they were either departing or entering Thranduil's Halls, relaying an important message involving the events within the forest. From this lack of guards, it could be deduced that Eryn Lasgalen also suffered from the attacks of the unruly Orcs; how strongly, Haemerethwen did not know. She hoped that her cry for help did not detract the forest's own situation with the Orcs, which was obviously Thranduil's main concern.
She let out a sigh and began to consider her personal situation. Her heart ached desperately to return to Mithlond and continue to fight against the vicious Orcs, mainly due to her fear of losing those she loved. Her brother was an esteemed warrior and was renowned for his skill with the bow, but she could not help but doubt his skill. She was, however, more concerned with her sister; Melciriel faced a political battle on top of the struggle to survive, which she faced with no battle skills. Haemerethwen had always been her little sister's guardian since their parents left and she was anxious to leave her at such a horrid time. She knew how ruthless the Orcs were with female Elves and to leave the defenseless Melciriel caused her unabated grief.
Her eyes turned to two passing Elves that were chatting about Thranduil's decision to send warriors to Mithlond. Focusing her hearing on them, she began to listen to their discussion:
"I do not believe it was in Thranduil's best interest to send some of our experienced warriors to Mithlond," stated one, "We are in dire need of them here."
"Aye, but I hear that the city is facing triple the amount of Orcs we witness," stated the other.
"Selfishness; that is what I hear. We need to return back to our more isolated state; we dedicate our interests too much on other's concerns."
"It is beneficial that we welcome others to Eryn Lasgalen; what if we desire aid such as Mithlond?"
"We will not. If for some reason we do, then we would not consider others to worry with us, for we are efficient warriors that can withhold all!"
"Too innocent, my friend; when will you understand to turn your pride aside and consider reality?"
Haemerethwen broke her concentration on listening to the distanced Elves when she noticed Thranduil and two guards approaching her. She quickly took her back off the tree and fixed her posture, hoping that he did not notice her previous relaxed position.
"Good morning, Haemerethwen," he stated after he ordered his guards away. She bowed her head and reciprocated his words. "Your companion should be accompanying us in a few minutes; I ask for a moment alone with you," he noted, and began to walk into the stables with her.
"What do you wish to discuss, sir?" she questioned, guessing that he wanted to again question Mithlond's situation to guarantee that she would not betray him.
"As you know, I will not be sending out my warriors until a week later. I am sorry if this is an inconvenience, but I need to train other Elven guards to take over their position on the outskirts of the forest. We, too, are being greatly attacked, but I realize your position is more serious." He stopped and faced the she-elf, peering into her grey eyes and preparing himself for the true reason behind his desire to talk alone. "I know that we have had our disputes in the past and although I am still slightly angered at the entire situation, I am not so stubborn to not concern myself with your journey back to Mithlond. Haemerethwen, you do not tell all about those who follow you." She peered at him, wondering how he knew she did not tell the whole truth.
"I should have known that I cannot fool you," she returned, allowing a slight smile to present itself, "How did you come to this realization?"
"Briefly: through the mention of Thrakdreg." Her smile disappeared at the mention of that name and her face went pale.
"H-how do you about him?" she whispered, ashamed that he had the knowledge of her past.
"Your brother," he gently stated, hoping that she would allow herself to discuss this personal matter; something her brother said was near impossible.
"Him?" she questioned, a shadow falling over her eyes, "why would he mention such a thing?"
"He fears for you; he delivered this information to me when I last visited Mithlond to question the situation involving my messenger. He defended your behavior as because to that situation. It was not mentioned to harm, but to suggest your strength." She blandly looked at him with an indifferent face and with no suggestion that she would reply to his statement.
"Did you comprehend the fact that you were not readily murdered in the attack within the forest by his company, but only wounded? That does not seem to indicate that his attitude has altered," he sternly whispered, lowering his voice so that no Elves but her would hear, "I fear that your future will return to the blighted past." She looked away from his piercing eyes.
"Speak no more!" she violently whispered, "I realized my position before you knew of it!"
"Please, do not become upset, I merely wish to eradicate the option that he will succeed," he soothingly replied, hoping to quell her beginning anger. She returned her eyes to him, fear showing though she desperately tried to disguise it.
"What is your proposition?"
"I am sending one of Eryn Lasgalen's best warriors along with you," he stated, "He does not know of the underlying reason he accompanies you, only that you need new companions due to those you lost." She considered his idea. Although her pride would want her to deny such help, her logic quickly overtook that thought.
"I accept, but only if this information does not go beyond us," she stated.
"Gweston," Thranduil stated. They began to walk back outdoors and when they stood before the door, she whispered:
"Thank you." Thranduil made no move to suggest that he heard her, but they both understood that he did.
****
Legolas stood outside the stables, waiting for his father and Haemerethwen to return from within. He was slightly annoyed that he was asked to accompany the she-Elf in her return to Mithlond, for he was just newly returned from his previous journey with the Fellowship. 'Gimli will become annoyed in this delay,' he thought, wondering how he would get the news across to him of this situation. He smiled when he considered about having his father ask the dwarf to visit Mithlond as well, but knew that Thranduil still did not approve of his friendship. 'Perhaps that is his reasoning behind having me do this,' he considered. He straightened when he noticed out of the corner of his eye that Thranduil and Haemerethwen had come outside. He waited for his father to beckon him over. Thranduil turned to Haemerethwen and mentioned one last thing, which she answered with hardly any alteration to her face. The King then turned to Legolas, his cue that he should walk over.
Haemerethwen looked terribly pale standing behind the King and he wondered what Thranduil had been talking to her about. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she was staring at the ground, seemingly disturbed over some matter. Legolas did not like to see her appearing such way; he had become slightly attached to her over the past few days and thought that yesterday was a stepping-stone in helping her overcome her anxiety and fear. However, she now looked worse than she did when she first opened the door to him before the celebration.
He stopped in front of his father and questioned him with his eyes about Haemerethwen. Thranduil's face was stoic, though, and relayed no information to his son.
"Here is your companion," Thranduil stated, turning to the side to have his eyes both on her and Legolas at the same time. Haemerethwen looked up at Legolas and her eyebrows raised, indicating to him that she probably did not know he was to be aiding her.
"Good morning," Legolas said. She only nodded her head in reply to his comment then again looked away. He was slightly hurt that she did not seem more happy in that he was her companion, but he also understood that something was greatly bothering her, so he tried to not take notice of her rudeness.
"Your horses are ready," noted Thranduil, "Everything is in preparation for your departure. Do you wish to leave now?" he directed his question at Haemerethwen.
"Aye, better sooner than later," she meekly answered.
"Then I shall tell them to bring out your horses," he stated, leaving the two together for a few minutes. Haemerethwen still looked at the ground, but now there was fear displayed on her face. Legolas greatly desired to know what the problem was, but he knew that she probably would not answer him. So, he instead tried to bring her mind off the topic that provoked her anxiety.
"I believe I know who your brother is," he stated. She quickly looked up as if she was surprised that someone was nearby. He glanced at her, "Are you surprised by this?"
"No," she replied, "I was wondering when you would figure it out." He smiled at her, trying to ease her out of her previous emotions.
"I met him at the Council of Elrond,' he said, "I did not realize the resemblance at first."
"Aye, but what was his name?"
"Galdor," he briefly stated, "We became fast friends during the time in Rivendell. A very interesting Elf who made me promise to visit him in Mithlond." She then slowly smiled at him, the mention of her brother cheering her up.
"He always bragged about meeting the Prince of Eryn Lasgalen," she admitted, "But I suppose that he will have no reason to anymore." The horses then came outside the stables and the two Elves walked over to them. Legolas' esteemed horse, Arod, was one of the horses while the other, which Haemerethwen was to ride, was named Habard. The two horses gleamed in the sunlight, muscles outlined and their hair blowing in the quiet breeze. Legolas walked over to Arod and checked his equipment, making sure that he had packed all that was required. After Haemerethwen had done the same, they both gracefully jumped onto their horse's back.
"Take care on your journey," stated Thranduil, who had quietly reappeared, "Make sure to arrive safely." They both nodded. "My warriors expect to see you when they arrive; do not disappoint them!" And with that, the Elves kicked their horses and were off.