{A/N: Sorry I did not post last week!!!!! I was having internet trouble.
Grrrrr . . .}
THE GRIFFON'S TEARS
Chapter 4 ~ "Green Waves"
Alede brought Faunlend to an abrupt halt and dropped to the ground. She turned her head, 'listening' to a roar of magic that seemed to surround her.
"Aly?" Radagast called, as his horse approached her. "I thought we'd agreed to make camp up there by those trees where King Thranduil is waiting?"
"Hush Father," Alede admonished. She turned toward Radagast but the old wizard could see that her sight was focused inward.
"What is it, Daughter?"
"Do you not hear it, Father?"
"Hear what?"
Alede was astonished that her father could not hear the magic. It roared like the ocean and she could feel its powerful waves pushing through the air.
"Magic, Father. Like before . . . it is so powerful. How can you not hear it?"
"Aly . . . I do not know. Are you certain . . ?"
But Alede had turned away from him. She was looking where Thranduil had paused near the trees. When he had announced his intention a few days ago to travel with them, Alede had been horrified. But now, looking at his rigid posture as he stood gazing southward she was suddenly very glad of his presence. He could hear it too, of that she was certain.
Flinging herself back on to Faunlend's back, Alede raced to the King.
"You hear it too, do you not?" Alede asked as she slid to the ground beside the tall Elf.
"Silence, girl!"
Alede closed her mouth, not even taking offence at the rebuke. The magic battered all around her like wings beating upon her senses. It pressed on her ears and throbbed in her forehead. Never had she felt anything like it. It was wild, untamed magic and rode upon the air in great waves. If the King of Eagles could make magic, it would sound like this.
Looking up at Thranduil she hoped that he would give some sign. Did he know what it was? He was millennia older than she. Surely he'd experienced something like this before.
Storm clouds set an appropriate backdrop for the King's equally stormy countenance. His golden hair streamed out behind him in the wind and his sculpted face was grim.
Alede started to speak, ready to dare his wrath once again if only he knew what was happening. But the sound of Legolas' song suddenly broke through her thoughts.
"Legolas . . ." She only whispered his name, but it was enough to snap Thranduil around. He grabbed her arms roughly.
"What is happening to my son?" he shouted.
Alede yelped in surprise at his rough grasp. But her focus was still inward on the panic stricken notes that came from Legolas. Never had she felt such fear from him.
Thranduil shook her. "What is happening?"
"I . . ." Alede closed her eyes, shutting out Thranduil's fierce countenance.
Fear, panic, worry, desperation . . . the emotions flooded her senses. Normally Legolas' feelings were so calm, or at least they had been since she and Gimli had stepped in to combat the call of the sea.
"Legolas is afraid," she said, feeling the tight grip on her arms still. "He's afraid, not for himself, but for his people. I know not what threatens him though."
"Help him," Thranduil commanded, giving her another little shake. "You must help him!"
"I know not how! Tell me how!" Alede cried. But even as she said it, she reached out, though Thranduil had not answered her. Or he might have answered her and she did not hear, for her mind was intent upon crossing the long leagues to touch the mind of the one she loved. But when she reached Legolas, the magic tangled with her song and she felt it crashing over her. The pressure she'd felt before seemed to grow in her forehead. She tried to push against it, to force it back to where ever it had come from. And then she felt Legolas doing the same, felt him pushing something, whatever it was, forcing it away.
She was vaguely aware that some other song had joined with Legolas'. Wild and strong, it lent its power to the young prince's struggle and Alede was glad for its strength for this was something far beyond her.
How long she stood battling with the force that threw its magic at Legolas, she did not know. But she felt the moment that the power turned and crumpled upon itself and died, leaving only a whisper of magic in the wind.
And the sound of sobbing.
Alede sagged and would have fallen if not for Thranduil's grip upon her. But he stumbled as well, as if he were very tired.
"Legolas is . . . he has not been harmed," Alede told him.
She blinked her eyes open and found that the land was completely dark and the tents were set up around them. Radagast was wringing his hands in worry beside her. He looked as if he'd been there a long time.
"Take her," Thranduil said, pushing her roughly toward the old wizard. "She needs sleep."
Alede did not argue as her father led her away, but she did look back at the King and wondered at the weary stoop to his shoulders.
~ ~ ~
Legolas slowly uncurled his fingers from the branch. He was certain he'd find imprints where his fingers had gripped the wood so tightly after his fall and the subsequent battle with the storm.
The hurricane had abated. It had turned east toward Mordor and crashed against the unyielding Ash Mountains. It had been those rocky peaks that had finally defeated it.
*But I turned it. When it would not retreat to the sea, I turned it.*
Legolas shook his head, which only served to send the headache that had built in his forehead, crashing around inside his scull.
Thranduil had told him about this. Long ago he had spoken of an Elf king's ability to protect his land. Legolas knew that Thranduil had protected the Greenwood from many things, sometimes even the weather. But it was such a normal part of his life that he'd never really questioned that ability. Nor had he ever thought to ask for its instruction.
But tonight when he had seen that enormous wall of wind driven water roaring into his valley, something had awoke inside of him, something primitive and ancient.
It had been terrifying. It had been exhilarating.
Forcing the emotions out of his head, he turned to see his steward bounding up the long stairs. Climbing down, he dropped lightly to the balcony.
"Your Highness! Are you well? What was that?"
"Peace, Mändel! My head is about to split in two!"
"I am sorry, my lord, but what was that?"
Legolas shook his head carefully. "I do not know. But I am certain it came from Mordor. Hurricanes do not come this far inland. It had the same look as the vortex that cast us out of Mordor. It was too well directed to have been natural and there was a strange keening on the wind that I have heard before. But let us go down now and see to my people. I fear there may be wounded. We will solve this puzzle later."
~ ~ ~
The city itself was not badly damaged, but the outlying settlements had suffered considerable damage. In some cases entire homes had been ripped from the branches by the wind and sent plummeting to the ground. Legolas had commanded healers to accompany him and they set to work immediately, though fortunately there were no life threatening injuries.
The sun was starting to rise when he had seen the last of the homeless placed with family or friends. His carpenters were already beginning repairs.
"It could have been much worse," Mändel said cautiously. He had served under King Thranduil and was well aware of the Oropher temper. But Legolas was of a more practical turn of nature than his father. Fits of anger would serve no purpose here.
"Aye, it could have been. Though I fear it may be bad enough."
They had been making their way down to the Anduin, walking through the tangle of fallen trees and broken limbs of the forest. The hurricane had cut a strangely straight path through the forest as if it had been a scythe instead of a weather phenomenon. When they finally came out upon the plains surrounding the river a grim sight met them.
A wide swath of devastation showed where the vortex of the hurricane had left the Anduin and tore its way toward the forest. Legolas' carefully planted and nurtured vineyards lay in ruin. The tangled vines had been ripped from the earth and tossed about like child's toys.
Legolas sighed heavily and squatted down, lifting the vines of one precious plant, which still bore the partially developed fruits of this year's wine crop.
Beside him, Mändel was silent. The vineyards represented one of their major trade items. Ithilien wine had become a much sought after item even as far away as the Misty Mountains. But now . . . Legolas looked around at the devastation and felt his spirits plummet. Each newly planted grape vine took four years of careful tending before it produced its first meager crop.
Legolas stood up. In his hands were a few of the useless hard green nubs that would have turned into grapes by late summer.
"Well, Mändel, we have made our sweet wines famous all over Middle Earth. Do you think there is a market for sour, bitter wine?"
Mändel remained silent after his Lord's futile attempt at jest and watched him worriedly as he turned to walk back to the city.
~ ~ ~
Zarraweth chuckled happily as she watched the Elvin prince walk dejectedly back into the forest. She had injured his purse strings, an Elf's most vulnerable part.
Or so she thought.
*He will not wage war on me so easily now that I have crippled his kingdom financially!*
Zarraweth had been rather surprised that he had been able to push aside her vortex. It had been astonishing to watch his primitive magic battling hers.
She dismissed the incident though. It was probably the griffon's fault.
The scrying bowl had started to cloud. With a flick of her wrist she emptied it out on the stone floor near the hearth, where it hissed and steamed. The griffon's tears had less potency than when she first used them.
No doubt it was because the idiot wizard Maladok had decided to starve himself rather than eat the food she sent him. She shook her head in disgust. Why would a griffon care what it ate?
He had wasted the first Elf she had sent to him, allowed it to leap to its death. She could not allow that to happen again, so only yesterday she had had one of them killed and the meat taken up to the griffon, but again he had refused.
At least that Elf had not gone to waste. The Orcs had made short work of it.
But now she had to waste time while a few Orcs went up into the mountains hunting for deer or whatever they could find. She had had no idea the griffon would be this difficult to feed. Nor could she understand why he was refusing her commands. The manacles should assure his absolute obedience, but Maladok had flat out refused to eat the Elf. Even after she'd beaten him and singed his feathers, he had refused.
Obviously Sauron had not been as all-powerful as everyone had thought. The little relics of his magic that he'd left behind were not living up to her expectations.
~ ~ ~
"Are you capable of controlling the weather in your realm?" Alede asked as she rode beside King Thranduil.
They had risen at first light and not broken their fast until they were well down the road. Alede had called down a wild hawk as they traveled to send a message to Gimli, informing him of their change of plans. Initially they had intended to swing west so that Alede might enjoy the Dwarf's hospitality at the Glittering Caves. Though Alede regretted missing the dwarvin kingdom, she knew that she and Legolas would doubtlessly travel there at a later date. For now they must reach Ithilien as quickly as possible.
And Gimli would not be forced to endure King Thranduil's presence in his home.
*If I could have convinced Thranduil to travel there in the first place!*
"Why do you ask?" King Thranduil said and it took her a moment to remember that she had asked him about his weather controlling abilities.
"Your powers are legendary in Rivendell," Alede said with a shrug, "So I wondered if they were real or if they were purely the stuff of legend."
Because she was watching for it, Alede saw the tiny twitch of a smile on the corner of Thranduil's mouth.
"Who has told you of this 'legend', young one?"
Alede ignored the term 'young one'. Thranduil had certainly called her much worse, though it still pricked at her pride a bit. She was hardly 'young'.
"Elladan. He said that you have the original power of the Elves. I supposed since you have no ring of power, he meant that you have relied upon whatever gifts you already possessed."
"Never suppose what another means," Thranduil instructed. "You do not know what Elladan had in his mind when he spoke. You should have asked for clarification."
Alede threw him an irritated glance. "Yes, I suppose I should have. But all conversation is made up of small assumptions and it is a little late for me to ask him about it now. I never saw Elrond tampering with the weather, so I assumed that you must be different."
"Simply because you did not see Elrond 'tampering' with the weather, as you put it, does not mean that he did not. Nor does it mean that he was not capable of it."
"I imagine," Alede said throwing her hands up in frustration, "that Elrond could have blown the Misty Mountains to bits if he'd set his mind to it! I was merely trying to illustrate the differences between your two kingdoms. The Greenwood has always struck me as being more natural than Rivendell."
"More primitive, you mean," Thranduil said.
"Nay, that is not what I mean!" Alede cried in frustration. "Now it is you who is making assumptions!" Turning to him she saw once again the tiny quirk on the side of his mouth.
He was deliberately antagonizing her!
Alede huffed out a big breath and silently counted to ten. When that did not help, she worked her way up to fifty. Once she felt she could control her voice, she tried a different tactic with Thranduil. She would not allow it him to spark her temper again.
"Did your mother ever instruct you not to bait your daughter in law?" she asked, keeping her tone as light and teasing as she was able.
Thranduil surprised her by throwing back his head and laughing.
"Nay, she did not."
Alede shook her head at the strangeness of the Elf. She had an uncomfortable feeling that even after many decades she would never understand him.
It was not until they were many leagues down the road that she realized he had never answered her question about controlling the weather.
~ ~ ~
Legolas looked around at his counselors gathered in the great hall.
"The repairs are progressing at a good rate. By the end of the week, those who were displaced will have their homes back." He gestured at one of the Elves seated at the end of the table. "Girwyn has made an excellent suggestion. He will gather those of our people who have some knowledge of weather magic and disperse them to the outer areas of our kingdom. They will be on the alert for future attacks, so that we may have some warning." Legolas paused as one of the counselors made a gesture asking to be acknowledged. "Yes?"
"Are we so certain that the attack will come in the form of weather, Sire? So far these strange vortexes have caused us damage certainly, but not of a catastrophic nature. Is it not reasonable to assume that the next attack will be some other form of dark magic, something more deadly?"
"It is a possibility, which is why I am sending scouts into Mordor once again to watch the tower. We need as much information as possible. But as to the form of magic that might be used . . ." Legolas paused, trying to find the words to properly describe his hunch. "Thus far we have been beset by wind driven magic only. I . . . instinct tells me this dark power has limited abilities."
One of his warriors nodded. "Remember the enemy's follies upon on the battle field. This 'dark lord' seems inexperienced."
Legolas nodded in agreement. "Yet we must not underestimate him. When Lady Alede and her party arrive we will consult with them. Perhaps wizards are more familiar with this type of magic and know how to combat it. In the mean time, I am asking for volunteers to travel down the Anduin. Considering the amount of damage we received here, we may assume that the human settlements near the delta are in need of aid." He turned to another of his counselors who had gestured his willingness. "Organize a party equipped with food and medicines and leave as soon as possible."
The Elf nodded and Legolas continued, "And I have some good news concerning our grape crops . . ."
Eyebrows raised all around the table. All had seen the devastation and had thought the crop a total loss.
"Our head healer," Legolas said, "tells me that the unripened grapes can be made into a potent infusion used to wash wounds. He will mix it with witch hazel and marigold. I am told that it is highly coveted by the Men of the Mark for treating their horse's injuries."
Smiles met that information.
"Rohan will pay good coin to keep their horses fit," Mändel said with a grin.
"Aye," Legolas agreed. "This year's crop will not be the total loss we assumed it to be. We will benefit our allies and make some little profit after all."
"Though perhaps not enough to impress your betrothed," teased one of his warriors. "She may think that she has made a poor bargain marrying into such a poverty stricken kingdom."
Legolas laughed, "Come! We are not so very poor! If you lazy people would get to your work, I am certain our kingdom would prosper. But as it is now . . ." He left the sentence unfinished and grinned at them.
His people laughed and rose from their chairs, making a few teasing remarks as they left. Legolas' good-natured smile faded as he was left alone. He was far more worried than he had let his people know and profit had little to do with his troubles.
~ ~ ~
"Why must you wear such unbecoming clothing?" Thranduil asked with a curl of his lip. "Is it truly your wish to emulate the barbarians of the southern country?"
Alede looked up at him in astonishment and then down at her rugged breaches. She had been watching the sky in anticipation of a message from Gimli. Thranduil's question took her completely by surprise.
"We still have several days on the road, my Lord," she said as if that were explanation enough. But when Thranduil merely raised an imperious eyebrow, she continued. "A gown would be impractical! It would be hopelessly torn and soiled by the time I reached Ithilien as well as being too light for the ever changing weather."
"I see," he responded in a tone, which indicated that he did not. Apparently the truce, which had existed between them while Legolas fought the storm, was now over.
"I suppose it never occurred to you to have a cloak made which might protect you from the capriciousness of the weather?" Thranduil asked in his biting tone.
"Well, of course I've had a cloak made . . ." Alede began. She stopped however. She knew that Thranduil was baiting her again. Taking a deep breath, she continued. "I have gowns and a fancy cloak which were made by the ladies in Rivendell and I promise to change into more suitable clothing once we have reached Ithilien. I have no intention of embarrassing your son. However," and her voice took on a steely tone, "Legolas seems to have no objection to the clothing I wear. He knows that I am of a practical turn of mind and I seriously doubt that anything I wear will be of surprise to him."
Thranduil ignored this explanation and went on as if she had never given it.
"Had I known you were so poorly outfitted, I would have had my people supply you with clothing. I suppose you have spent all the coin I gave you?"
"Spent all the . . ?" Alede sputtered to a stop. With an inarticulate cry of irritation, she urged Faunlend into a sudden gallop and sprang away from the company, galloping down the road ahead of them.
With a sound of irritation of his own, Thranduil sprang into pursuit, his huge gray stallion catching up with the mare easily.
But Alede had achieved her purpose. Dismounting, she whirled to face Thranduil angrily and reached up to grasp his ankle. If the King had not already started to dismount, she did not know what she would have done standing there tugging on him ineffectually. But as it was he dropped lightly to the ground beside her.
"You will never run away from me again," he said in a low voice like a snarl, which Alede knew was more dangerous than his usual quarrelsome tones. Nevertheless, she was through being bullied by him.
"No, but I will put us out of earshot of your people for I will speak frankly . . ."
"I have never noticed you curbing your tongue in my presence," Thranduil observed spitefully.
"For Legolas' sake," she snarled back, "I have shown you great respect! But it is time for us to face facts. I am going to marry Legolas! Whether you like it or not, you are stuck with me as a daughter and I refuse to be bullied by you any more! I may not be the wife that you would choose for your son. But I love him and I am good to him and I will always have his best interests at heart! And, since you deem bloodlines of so much importance, I am one of the Maia and a servant of the Valar. Your behavior toward me borders on insolence!" Before Thranduil could comment she continued. "I intend to marry Legolas and not you nor the fates themselves can stop me!"
"I am perfectly aware of your status," Thranduil returned in angry tones. "But you seem completely unaware of the status you will hold in my son's kingdom! What do you know of ruling? For, in case it has not occurred to you, Legolas is king in his own right and you will rule as his queen!"
Alede was a little taken aback by his words and Thranduil jumped at the opportunity.
"Ha! As I thought! His rank and subsequently your own, has not occurred to you, has it?"
Alede's mouth fell open but she could think of nothing to say.
"What do you know of governing?" Thranduil asked heatedly. "What do you know of politics, of finance or trade or of commanding people? What do you know of the proper decorum that is necessary of royalty?"
"I . . ." Alede stumbled, "I am a quick learner. I will absorb all that Legolas tells me . . ."
Thranduil snorted. "Legolas spent two thousand years at my court under my tutelage, what do you hope to learn in so short a time?"
"I . . . I will learn as quickly as I must and support him in every way I can," Alede protested, still shaken by the King's revelation. Of course she had thought about Legolas' status, but it had never truly 'sunk' in before. "I will not be a burden to Legolas . . ."
"Good," Thranduil said, swinging himself up on his horse. "Mount and we will begin your instruction now."
"But . . ."
"Mount!"
Alede turned and saw the rest of the company quickly approaching. Reluctantly, she mounted Faunlend and fell into step beside the King. As she did so, he began to lecture her on the policies of running a kingdom. He lectured her all the rest of that day and the next and the next until Alede thought that she might go mad.
~ ~ ~
When the Elves spotted five short figures in the distance, Alede nearly fainted with relief. Her hawk had returned from the Glittering caves bearing welcome news. Gimli would meet them where the Entwash joined the Anduin. She had been keeping a hopeful watch as they had traveled all day.
Knowing that Thranduil would not follow her this time, she urged Faunlend forward into a ground-eating gallop.
"Gimli!" Alede dropped from her horse and ran to the squat, red haired dwarf. "I cannot tell you how happy I am to see you!" She fell to her knees in front of the old warrior and gave him a fierce hug. He returned it earnestly, patting her on the back.
"Been traveling with King Pain in the Butt, have you?"
Alede laughed. "Yes, but that is only partly why I am glad to see you."
"Ah . . ." Gimli glanced around at his Dwarvish companions. "She has finally come to her senses and wants to marry me, instead of that stick of an Elf!"
The other dwarves chuckled and Alede joined them.
"How did you guess?" Alede laughed. "But before we set the date, I wish to meet your father."
That remark was followed by more laughter and Alede gave Gimli a kiss on the cheek before rising.
"Will you introduce me to your companions?"
~ ~ ~
By the time the others caught up with Alede she was conversing easily with Gimli's companions and charming them with her good-natured sweetness. A large trunk sat on the ground beside their shaggy ponies. It contained the mysterious gift that Gimli had teased Legolas about.
King Thranduil greeted the dwarves with the courtesy that Alede had come to expect, that is to say, none at all. She was fuming after he swept an imperious gaze over Gimli and his companions and their seven ponies, looking for all the world as if they were vermin. The King did not even stop, but rode on past.
When Cyrus nervously came by and urged her in a whisper that she had better get mounted so they did not stray too far behind, Alede said loudly, "Nay, do not worry, Cyrus. Gimli knows the way to Ithilien. If I should lose sight of King Thranduil, I am in good company!"
Thranduil immediately turned his horse around and came back to her. Alede faced him with her shoulders thrown back and her chin lifted defiantly.
"You will ride with me, Lady Alede. I promised Legolas I would deliver you safely and I intend to honor that promise."
"Then I'm sure you will not mind waiting for our friends to join us, Father. The dwarves have brought gifts for your son and need to pack their ponies."
She held his gaze, though it was difficult. Thranduil was angry with her for defying him in front of the dwarves and she suddenly realized she may have gone a bit too far.
"Legolas needs no gifts from dwarves! Come child! Mount Faunlend or I will take you upon my own steed!"
"And I will have a gift for the King of Mirkwood as well," Gimli said, hefting his axe, "if he does not learn to keep a civil tongue in his head when he addresses Legolas' betrothed!"
Thranduil was off of his horse so quickly that Alede did not even see him dismount. But she was quick enough to throw herself between Gimli and the King.
"Stop it both of you!" she shouted. "Your actions cause disgrace to Legolas. He loves you both and it would grieve him to see you arguing like children."
Gimli was the first to back off, but Thranduil did as well, giving the dwarves a look of revulsion. Alede turned her back on him, thoroughly disgusted. She would have to work hard the next few days to keep them separated.
~ ~ ~
"How are you today, my pet?" Zarraweth asked with a sickly sweet parody of concern. "You're eating better now, are you not?"
Maladok watched her from beneath heavily feathered brows. The manacles still tightly controlled the wizard, but a new consciousness was stirring within him. It was something wild and untamable, something very avian. Maladok welcomed this new identity for it gave him strength, submerging the cowardly will of the wizard beneath one of fierce courage.
"Was it not a nice buck that I had the Orcs bring for you?"
Maladok reached forward with a talloned claw and dragged the carcass of the deer toward him, hulking over it like a great raptor. He needed stones for his gizzard to properly digest the meat, but he would not allow her to take it from him. Not now that he had decided to live . . . and to fight.
Zarraweth moved forward with a knowing smirk.
"Stay still!" she commanded and Maladok felt the vibration of the holding magic shiver up his legs. But as Zarraweth darted in to torment him and steal his meat, the griffon part of his mind rebelled.
With a shriek of rage, he struck at her, his hooked beak tearing a gash in her shoulder.
Zarraweth screamed and stumbled away, looking up at him incredulously. Maladok spread his wings and strained against the chain that held him to the tower. His claws tore at it, but he could not get free. Day by day Zarraweth would find him harder to control as he fought against the magic that bound him. And soon, very soon he would break its hold on him.
"You . . . you miserable animal!" Zarraweth shouted as she held a hand to her bleeding shoulder. "You'll pay for that!"
"Asssss will you," Maladok said, his voice taking on the lisping hiss of a griffon. "Think you sssssso clever Zssssarraweth? You are a fool to think you can control a griffon, a creature of magic. You have alwayssss been a fool."
"Fool am I?" Zarraweth shouted with rage. "Not so much the fool as you old man! Who was it who trapped you? Have you forgotten that?" She picked up the whip that she had used so many times to beat tears out of the griffon.
"How easily you fell into my trap old man," she scorned. "Your own foolishness bought my victory here and today your tears will buy my power." She struck him with the whip to emphasis her point.
Maladok hissed but did not cower. "I am an old man no more. I am griffon!" He struck out at the witch again, but she dodged out of his way.
"In two weeks men come from the south to bargain with me," Zarraweth continued, circling the griffon. "They will bring gold and jewels to barter for Sauron's left over toys. They will bring me wealth and then once they have done so . . . I will crush them and their desert kingdom as well! I will crush all who appose me! But all I need is more tears from you, my pet and you will once again assure my victory."
The wizard inside the griffon wanted to weep, knowing what he had caused and what he would bring about. But the new will that was taking over his mind cared not at all for the witch's games and when Zarraweth once again circled in to strike him with the whip, his beak tore at her raised arm.
Zarraweth screamed and hurled a flame spell at him. But the wizard buried in the griffon was ready for that and countermanded it with a spell of his own, sending the witch hurtling against the wall.
She picked herself up, shaken but furious and cast another spell, setting Maladok's feathers on fire. The griffon shrieked and threw the spell off.
The tower shook under the weight of their angry magic.
Down in the lower parts of Barad-Dûr the few remaining Orcs looked up. But they were too accustomed to the screams that had echoed through the towers during Sauron's rein to pay it much attention.
But even lower still, in the very bowels of the dark tower an Elf stood up shakily and listened to the waves of magic that vibrated around him. In the dark, other Elves stood up, listening as well and they tried very hard to stem the faint thread of hope that cursed through their drained bodies.
These Elves knew that hope never came to the dark tower.
~ ~ ~
Legolas paused to wipe sweat from his brow as he listened to the faint sounds of magic that trembled through the forest. Some of it reminded him of Alede's magic, but he knew it was not hers. Scowling, he cocked his head trying to 'hear' it better.
"Ready to quit for the day, my Lord?" Mändel asked. The steward wore a slightly reproachful look as he stood beside his prince.
Legolas abandoned his attempts to hear the strange magic and turned to the older Elf. He knew that Mändel hated it when he engaged in manual labor.
"Not yet," Legolas answered him. "We almost have this pod back in place." He looked up to where several of his carpenters were carefully guiding a fallen pod home back into the tree. The branches that had originally held it had broken and had now been carefully tended. The tree would heal well. The pod was now being secured in new branches. Legolas and several other Elves stood on the ground holding ropes that reached into the branches and connected to pulleys that hoisted the home aloft.
"Your father would never have done this sort of work," Mändel sniffed disdainfully.
"Yes," Legolas said, a grin spreading over his fair face, "I know."
~ ~ ~
Alede looked up as several of Thranduil's servants walked out of his pavilion carrying pitchers and finally a copper tub. She watched as they emptied the pitchers and tub on the ground and returned to the King.
Sighing, she tossed a pebble into the stream.
"I detest going to bed without bathing first," Alede said absently. The journey was starting to wear on her. According to Gimli they were only a day and a half ride from Legolas' kingdom and the leagues chaffed at her. She wanted to ride on! But Thranduil had insisted that they stop for the night and while she sat tossing stones impatiently into the stream, he had just finished a bath.
She sighed heavily. A shadow came between her and the light spilling out of the pavilion, but with so many elves coming and going, she thought nothing of it.
"Dwarves are accustomed to the hardships of travel," Gimli replied beside her. He too was gazing absently at the tiny gurgling stream. "But I look forward to reaching Ithilien. Wait until you see what inventions we have made there!"
"Inventions? Indeed? What have you accomplished?" Alede asked. A sound upstream made her miss the first of Gimli's words. She noticed that the elves were once again filling their pitchers and walking back into the King's tent. She shrugged mentally. Perhaps Thranduil had missed a spot.
" . . . that carry running water up into the tree tops," Gimli was explaining enthusiastically.
"Running water in the tree tops?" Alede asked, turning her attention back to the Dwarf. "What ever for?"
"So that they need not carry pitchers of water up into their homes!" Gimli exclaimed.
That caught Alede's attention completely. "How ingenious!"
"Humph! When you see how high the stairs and ladders are that lead up into the trees you will understand just how ingenious it is!"
"Indeed? I cannot wait. Though I must admit that my enthusiasm is overshadowed by my desire to see Legolas. Has he changed at all in the last five years?"
Gimli snorted. "He is back to his old self and twice as mischievous!"
Alede chuckled. "I am glad that he is happy and the sea longing does not trouble him anymore." She paused and tossed another pebble into the stream. "Oh! I cannot wait to see him!" Absently she scratched her arm. It had been a long time since she had had a proper bath. She hoped there would be a deep enough stream for her to bathe in the following night. She did not want to show up in Ithilien after only washing from a little bowl.
"King Pain in the Butt was especially nasty today," Gimli remarked, lighting his pipe. "The closer we get to Ithilien, the worse he gets. It must pain him to give away his youngest son to someone he despises."
Alede shook her head. "Aye. Though there have been days when I actually thought he liked me, or at least tolerated me a bit. At least he no longer calls me 'mongrel witch' so I suppose that is an improvement of some sorts."
"Mongrel witch?" Gimli laughed. "Why did he call you that?"
"Because it is essentially true," Alede said with a shrug. "I am only half Istari. My maternal grandmother was Elvish, but of an obscure clan. They've all passed over to the West now, so I know nothing of her people. In fact, I know nothing of her. She left when my mother was only two years old and apparently my grandfather never spoke of her. And my grandfather . . ." Alede paused and rolled her eyes.
"My grandfather was descended from the witch people of Angmar. After my grandmother left, he took my mother to be raised in Angmar. They're not exactly a reputable people. But my mother was a very skilled Green witch and used her abilities only for good. So, as you can see." Alede shrugged again, "I can understand why a king would not wish to have me as part of his family tree. If I had a prince for a son, I should not wish him to marry into such lineage."
Gimli chuckled. "Then you are fortunate that Legolas is the one making the decision and not his father."
Alede joined in his laughter. "Yes, though I admit, during the entire journey I have half expected Thranduil to pop a sack over my head and toss me over a cliff in the dark of the night. So, if I should suddenly disappear . . ."
"I will look over the edges of all the cliffs I come to," Gimli promised with a snort of mirth.
They were silent for a moment before Alede spoke again softly.
"It's a shame really. I do admire him."
"Who?" Gimli asked.
"Thranduil," she replied. "The other Elvin realms were protected by rings of power, yet Thranduil has stood alone without such aid. And Mirkwood is a great kingdom. It has endured terrific hardship, yet despite all that it has prospered."
"Humph!" Gimli snorted. "At the expense of the people of the Lonely Mountain."
"Well, that is a separate matter," Alede said. She could understand the Dwarves' point of view concerning the riches of the Lonely Mountain, though she did not quite agree with them. But she would not argue the point with Gimli. He was her friend and she respected his opinion. "I more referred to the evil that has so many times invaded Mirkwood and been driven back again. His power is very great."
"Are you certain that it is his power?" Gimli asked with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.
Alede laughed. "Nay, it may have more to do with his stubbornness! In that alone, he proves himself Legolas' father, though they do not look alike. Never have I known an Elf as hard headed! They say that wood elves are strange and stubborn anyway, but Thranduil the worst of them all . . ."
"Much like mongrel witches," a voice said behind them.
Both Alede and Gimli jumped and looked around. King Thranduil stood staring down at them, his arms folded across his chest.
"Oh dear," Alede breathed. It was obvious that he had been standing there for quite some time. She remembered the shadow that had fallen across her early in her conversation with Gimli. Scrambling to her feet, she faced him rather unsteadily. Looking up at the implacable expression on Thranduil's face, she shook her head in ironic amusement.
"What can I say, my Liege? You have caught me out in a display of bad manners."
"Yes . . . your manners could do with some work."
Alede tilted her chin up. "As could yours. Eavesdropping is hardly polite."
Gimli held his breath, watching the tension between the two of them.
Thranduil stared at her for a moment and then turned around. "Come with me."
Alede gave Gimli a sidelong glance that spoke of dread.
The dwarf returned the look with a partial shrug of helplessness.
"You need not look for her body at the bottom of cliffs, Master Dwarf," Thranduil called over his shoulder. "The land is much too flat here."
"Oh, that makes me feel so much better," Alede whispered sarcastically to Gimli before she turned and followed the King.
~ ~ ~
Alede walked into the pavilion behind Thranduil and looked around at the plush rugs that were scattered over the floor and the deep pillows that served as a bed.
*He travels well.*
But she had little time to finish that thought before the King whirled upon her. He stood staring down at her with the ancient gaze that so many found unsettling. Alede forced her chin up and returned the stare.
"I have had my servants prepare a bath for you," Thranduil finally said, breaking the tension that welled up between them.
Alede glanced in surprise at the partition curtained off at the back of the pavilion where he gestured.
"Do you intend to drown me in it?" she asked without thinking.
"Do not tempt me!" he snapped. Alede flinched but held her ground.
"We will reach my son's kingdom by mid afternoon tomorrow," Thranduil said briskly.
"Gimli said a day and a half . . ."
"If not for the slowness of the dwarf ponies," Thranduil growled, "we would have reached it already!"
Scowling at him, Alede walked toward the curtain. Of course she knew that the ponies had slowed their pace, but she would not admit it for all the world. Gimli was her friend and she was glad of his company, no matter how her heart had begged them to quicken their pace.
Throwing one last glare over her shoulder, Alede entered the partitioned area and looked down at the steaming copper tub. All her anger melted out of her at the sight of so much hot water. She picked up a small cake of soap and inhaled its clean scent. On a small chair beside the bath, lay an intricately wrought nightdress. Alede ran fingers roughened by travel over the fine material and shook her head.
As long as she lived, she would never understand Thranduil.
But then she quickly forgot the king and eagerly tossed her stained clothing onto the floor and sank gratefully into the tub.
~ ~ ~
Alede tossed and turned in her bedroll.
She should be asleep. The night was still and quiet with no breeze to whistle down her neck. The deep grass where they had made their camp was soft beneath her. She felt perfectly comfortable and her new nightdress felt silky against her skin, instead of chafing her as her clothing did.
Beside her Gimli snored softly.
*I should be asleep!*
Rolling over on her side, she resolutely closed her eyes. But they soon popped open again.
*Legolas is out there! Only a day's ride away!*
Flopping back over, she stared up at the night sky. Millions of stars winked down at her, glittering like jewels. The moon was just starting to rise and it looked so huge and so near that Alede felt she could reach out and grab it.
So near.
Just like Legolas.
Sitting up quietly, Alede looked around the camp. An idea had formed in her head while she had been bathing and she had not been able to get rid of it. But now, she no longer wanted to.
Looking through the darkness, she saw Faunlend. The cloud-gray horse had been drowsing beside Thranduil's stallion when Alede had said goodnight to her. But now Faunlend was standing stock still, her head up and her ears pricked forward. She was watching Alede intently and the wizardess knew that the Elvin horse was aware of her thoughts.
Faunlend bobbed her head and stomped with one hoof.
That was all the encouragement Alede needed. Flinging back the bedroll, Alede rose stealthily and slipped on the tiny pair of leather slippers that had accompanied her nightdress. Clothing was not important tonight. The night was warm and her bags were much too close to where her father slept.
Creeping silently to Gimli's bedroll, she carefully placed his axe out of reach and put a hand over his mouth. The dwarf started awake immediately, but stopped himself from lashing out in time.
Alede placed a finger over her lips and gestured for the dwarf to follow her to the horses.
Once Faunlend's body shielded them from view, Alede whispered, "I cannot sleep."
"You woke me up to inform me that you cannot sleep?" Gimli asked incredulously.
"Hush," Alede admonished, glancing worriedly toward the camp. "Of course I did not wake you to tell you that. But I cannot lie here all night when Legolas is so near. Will you lead me to him? Are you too tired?"
"Too tired!?"
"Hush!"
"A dwarf is never too tired," Gimli growled.
"I am sorry. I meant no offence. But will you take me to him tonight? Faunlend will gladly carry us both."
"Do you mean, leave King Pain in the Butt behind?" Gimli asked, a mischievous smile showing his teeth in the dark.
"Yes. Will your people be willing to continue to Ithilien without you?"
"Of course! They do not care about Thranduil's insults. They know they are welcome in Legolas' kingdom."
"Good! Then let us go!"
"Uhm . . ." Gimli hesitated. "Should you not assume more appropriate clothing?"
Alede shook her head, grinning with mischief. "I dare not risk it. If my father awoke, he would not allow me to go. But he will bring my things tomorrow, even though he'll be angry with me."
Gimli nodded. "Very well, then. What are we waiting for?"
They led Faunlend out of the camp at a walk, going as quietly as they could and because they did not look back, they failed to see King Thranduil walk out of his pavilion and watch them leave.
He stood stroking his stallion's mane long after Gimli and Alede had mounted and galloped toward the south. The three quarter moon cast a silvery glow on his handsome face and if anyone had seen him, they would have thought that he wore an amused smile.
~ ~ ~
Legolas sat straight up in bed. She was coming!
*Alede! You foolish . . .*
But he was swinging his feet to the floor and pulling on clothing so quickly he hardly knew what he wore. He tugged his boots on as he raced down the hallway, two activities which did not go well together. Once he reached his study, he had to sit down and start all over again. His hair was caught under his tunic and he yanked it out impatiently as he bounded down the outer steps two at a time.
He whistled to Aransûl as he ran swiftly through the trees to the stables. The horse pushed his own door open and Legolas was up on his back instantly, urging the great stallion into a ground-eating gallop.
Horse and rider burst out of the forest and out onto the plains of Gondor. The grass undulated around them like waves, the great Elvin horse a ship upon that sea.
Many times clouds scudded across the moon, turning the plains to shadows. Then the bright orb would sail out again touching everything with its silver light.
Hours passed and still Aransûl galloped on, the call ahead of them as urgent to him as to Legolas.
~ ~ ~
Alede's back ached as she bent over Faunlend's mane, but she did not urge the horse to slow. Faunlend seemed as anxious as she and her strides were still elastic and strong. The moon disappeared many times behind clouds, yet the Elvin horse never once faltered and Alede trusted to her better eyesight in the dark.
When the moon burst out from behind another small bank of clouds, Alede's heart leapt at the sight before her.
A great white horse surged toward them, cutting through the deep grass like a ship through water. Gimli's grunt behind her only confirmed what her heart already knew.
"Legolas?"
Faunlend gave a tremulous whinny and it was answered with a thunderous neigh from her mate. Aransûl reared up and a bright figure dropped easily off of him.
"Legolas!"
Alede threw her leg over Faunlend's neck and hit the ground running.
~ ~ ~
Legolas thought his heart would choke him when he saw the silvery forms in front of him. He even thought that it might still be the product of his fitful dreams.
But it was no mist of the mind that rode toward him and as soon as he heard Faunlend's timid call and Aransûl's answering trumpet, he knew she was real.
They met in the sea of grass, the moon shining on their faces. There were tears on Alede's cheeks and as he swept her up in his arms, Legolas felt matching tears on his own face.
He set her on her feet and then her arms were around his neck, warm and real and solid. And she was kissing his face and he could barely speak for the emotions that roared up inside of him.
Without even knowing it, they both sank to their knees. Legolas pressed his lips to her mouth, tasting the salt of her tears and kissed her until they were both breathless.
In the west, the moon hung on the horizon until it faced the rising sun. Both shone their light upon the two travelers who still knelt in each other's embrace, turning the meadow around them to green waves.
~ ~ ~
*** I remember a meadow one morning in May, With a sky full of dreams that sailed in that day. I was dancing through green waves of grass like the sea, For a moment in time I could feel I was free.
Take me home to the meadow that cradles my heart, Where the waves reach as far as you can see, Take me home to the meadow - we've been too long apart, I can still hear you calling for me. ~ "Greenwaves" by Secret Garden ***
~ ~ ~
A/N: Anyone wonder what Gimli is doing and thinking at this moment? :D
Special thanks to Thecla for introducing me to Secret Garden's "Once in a Red Moon" album. It's proved to be inspirational for both of us. Also, special thanks to her for suggesting the nickname of "Aly" for Alede.
I normally don't play favorites with authors, because there are soooooo many of you who are brilliant writers. I could never name all my favorites. But I'd like to recommend a fic that I got a sneak preview of. "The Tale of Willow's Creak" is an enthralling fantasy full of intrigue and danger. I was hooked after reading one sentence. It is written by the Dulled Opal and is posted at ff.net's sister site Fiction Press. I highly recommend it. :D
*** Original Character List ***
Alede the Green - Witch, healer and wizard. She is daughter of Radagast the Brown. After the death of her mother, she was raised in Rivendell for a while and learned healing skills from Elrond. She also developed a terrible crush on Elrohir, which he has gently teased her about for centuries. She also spent some time learning the wizarding craft at Orthanc under the tutelage of Saruman. Because she felt her healer's calling was more important, and because she considered herself a poor wizardess, Alede never completed her training at Orthanc.
Cyrus the Blue - The forth Maia to be sent to Middle Earth and friend to Radagast the Brown
Lomomir - Brother to King Thranduil of Mirkwood and a healer. He has spent the last many years in Rivendell studying with Alede and reading from Elrond's many books and journals.
Maladok the Red - The fifth Maia sent to Middle Earth. After a disastrous encounter with Saruman, Maladok has become a bit of a "black sheep" in the wizarding world.
Zarraweth - A young human witch with more plans and beauty than is good for her.
Malina - A healer and witch of the Angmar Mountains. She was married to Radagast the Brown and was Alede's mother. She was killed by a mob of religious fanatics who thought her witchcraft had brought plague to a village when instead she had been trying to cure it. Alede was only sixteen when Malina was killed.
Mändel - Legolas' steward. He originally served under Thranduil in Mirkwood in a lesser position.
Galomir - Ithilien's healer.
Girwyn - A general in Legolas' army. He is in charge of Ithilien's security.
THE GRIFFON'S TEARS
Chapter 4 ~ "Green Waves"
Alede brought Faunlend to an abrupt halt and dropped to the ground. She turned her head, 'listening' to a roar of magic that seemed to surround her.
"Aly?" Radagast called, as his horse approached her. "I thought we'd agreed to make camp up there by those trees where King Thranduil is waiting?"
"Hush Father," Alede admonished. She turned toward Radagast but the old wizard could see that her sight was focused inward.
"What is it, Daughter?"
"Do you not hear it, Father?"
"Hear what?"
Alede was astonished that her father could not hear the magic. It roared like the ocean and she could feel its powerful waves pushing through the air.
"Magic, Father. Like before . . . it is so powerful. How can you not hear it?"
"Aly . . . I do not know. Are you certain . . ?"
But Alede had turned away from him. She was looking where Thranduil had paused near the trees. When he had announced his intention a few days ago to travel with them, Alede had been horrified. But now, looking at his rigid posture as he stood gazing southward she was suddenly very glad of his presence. He could hear it too, of that she was certain.
Flinging herself back on to Faunlend's back, Alede raced to the King.
"You hear it too, do you not?" Alede asked as she slid to the ground beside the tall Elf.
"Silence, girl!"
Alede closed her mouth, not even taking offence at the rebuke. The magic battered all around her like wings beating upon her senses. It pressed on her ears and throbbed in her forehead. Never had she felt anything like it. It was wild, untamed magic and rode upon the air in great waves. If the King of Eagles could make magic, it would sound like this.
Looking up at Thranduil she hoped that he would give some sign. Did he know what it was? He was millennia older than she. Surely he'd experienced something like this before.
Storm clouds set an appropriate backdrop for the King's equally stormy countenance. His golden hair streamed out behind him in the wind and his sculpted face was grim.
Alede started to speak, ready to dare his wrath once again if only he knew what was happening. But the sound of Legolas' song suddenly broke through her thoughts.
"Legolas . . ." She only whispered his name, but it was enough to snap Thranduil around. He grabbed her arms roughly.
"What is happening to my son?" he shouted.
Alede yelped in surprise at his rough grasp. But her focus was still inward on the panic stricken notes that came from Legolas. Never had she felt such fear from him.
Thranduil shook her. "What is happening?"
"I . . ." Alede closed her eyes, shutting out Thranduil's fierce countenance.
Fear, panic, worry, desperation . . . the emotions flooded her senses. Normally Legolas' feelings were so calm, or at least they had been since she and Gimli had stepped in to combat the call of the sea.
"Legolas is afraid," she said, feeling the tight grip on her arms still. "He's afraid, not for himself, but for his people. I know not what threatens him though."
"Help him," Thranduil commanded, giving her another little shake. "You must help him!"
"I know not how! Tell me how!" Alede cried. But even as she said it, she reached out, though Thranduil had not answered her. Or he might have answered her and she did not hear, for her mind was intent upon crossing the long leagues to touch the mind of the one she loved. But when she reached Legolas, the magic tangled with her song and she felt it crashing over her. The pressure she'd felt before seemed to grow in her forehead. She tried to push against it, to force it back to where ever it had come from. And then she felt Legolas doing the same, felt him pushing something, whatever it was, forcing it away.
She was vaguely aware that some other song had joined with Legolas'. Wild and strong, it lent its power to the young prince's struggle and Alede was glad for its strength for this was something far beyond her.
How long she stood battling with the force that threw its magic at Legolas, she did not know. But she felt the moment that the power turned and crumpled upon itself and died, leaving only a whisper of magic in the wind.
And the sound of sobbing.
Alede sagged and would have fallen if not for Thranduil's grip upon her. But he stumbled as well, as if he were very tired.
"Legolas is . . . he has not been harmed," Alede told him.
She blinked her eyes open and found that the land was completely dark and the tents were set up around them. Radagast was wringing his hands in worry beside her. He looked as if he'd been there a long time.
"Take her," Thranduil said, pushing her roughly toward the old wizard. "She needs sleep."
Alede did not argue as her father led her away, but she did look back at the King and wondered at the weary stoop to his shoulders.
~ ~ ~
Legolas slowly uncurled his fingers from the branch. He was certain he'd find imprints where his fingers had gripped the wood so tightly after his fall and the subsequent battle with the storm.
The hurricane had abated. It had turned east toward Mordor and crashed against the unyielding Ash Mountains. It had been those rocky peaks that had finally defeated it.
*But I turned it. When it would not retreat to the sea, I turned it.*
Legolas shook his head, which only served to send the headache that had built in his forehead, crashing around inside his scull.
Thranduil had told him about this. Long ago he had spoken of an Elf king's ability to protect his land. Legolas knew that Thranduil had protected the Greenwood from many things, sometimes even the weather. But it was such a normal part of his life that he'd never really questioned that ability. Nor had he ever thought to ask for its instruction.
But tonight when he had seen that enormous wall of wind driven water roaring into his valley, something had awoke inside of him, something primitive and ancient.
It had been terrifying. It had been exhilarating.
Forcing the emotions out of his head, he turned to see his steward bounding up the long stairs. Climbing down, he dropped lightly to the balcony.
"Your Highness! Are you well? What was that?"
"Peace, Mändel! My head is about to split in two!"
"I am sorry, my lord, but what was that?"
Legolas shook his head carefully. "I do not know. But I am certain it came from Mordor. Hurricanes do not come this far inland. It had the same look as the vortex that cast us out of Mordor. It was too well directed to have been natural and there was a strange keening on the wind that I have heard before. But let us go down now and see to my people. I fear there may be wounded. We will solve this puzzle later."
~ ~ ~
The city itself was not badly damaged, but the outlying settlements had suffered considerable damage. In some cases entire homes had been ripped from the branches by the wind and sent plummeting to the ground. Legolas had commanded healers to accompany him and they set to work immediately, though fortunately there were no life threatening injuries.
The sun was starting to rise when he had seen the last of the homeless placed with family or friends. His carpenters were already beginning repairs.
"It could have been much worse," Mändel said cautiously. He had served under King Thranduil and was well aware of the Oropher temper. But Legolas was of a more practical turn of nature than his father. Fits of anger would serve no purpose here.
"Aye, it could have been. Though I fear it may be bad enough."
They had been making their way down to the Anduin, walking through the tangle of fallen trees and broken limbs of the forest. The hurricane had cut a strangely straight path through the forest as if it had been a scythe instead of a weather phenomenon. When they finally came out upon the plains surrounding the river a grim sight met them.
A wide swath of devastation showed where the vortex of the hurricane had left the Anduin and tore its way toward the forest. Legolas' carefully planted and nurtured vineyards lay in ruin. The tangled vines had been ripped from the earth and tossed about like child's toys.
Legolas sighed heavily and squatted down, lifting the vines of one precious plant, which still bore the partially developed fruits of this year's wine crop.
Beside him, Mändel was silent. The vineyards represented one of their major trade items. Ithilien wine had become a much sought after item even as far away as the Misty Mountains. But now . . . Legolas looked around at the devastation and felt his spirits plummet. Each newly planted grape vine took four years of careful tending before it produced its first meager crop.
Legolas stood up. In his hands were a few of the useless hard green nubs that would have turned into grapes by late summer.
"Well, Mändel, we have made our sweet wines famous all over Middle Earth. Do you think there is a market for sour, bitter wine?"
Mändel remained silent after his Lord's futile attempt at jest and watched him worriedly as he turned to walk back to the city.
~ ~ ~
Zarraweth chuckled happily as she watched the Elvin prince walk dejectedly back into the forest. She had injured his purse strings, an Elf's most vulnerable part.
Or so she thought.
*He will not wage war on me so easily now that I have crippled his kingdom financially!*
Zarraweth had been rather surprised that he had been able to push aside her vortex. It had been astonishing to watch his primitive magic battling hers.
She dismissed the incident though. It was probably the griffon's fault.
The scrying bowl had started to cloud. With a flick of her wrist she emptied it out on the stone floor near the hearth, where it hissed and steamed. The griffon's tears had less potency than when she first used them.
No doubt it was because the idiot wizard Maladok had decided to starve himself rather than eat the food she sent him. She shook her head in disgust. Why would a griffon care what it ate?
He had wasted the first Elf she had sent to him, allowed it to leap to its death. She could not allow that to happen again, so only yesterday she had had one of them killed and the meat taken up to the griffon, but again he had refused.
At least that Elf had not gone to waste. The Orcs had made short work of it.
But now she had to waste time while a few Orcs went up into the mountains hunting for deer or whatever they could find. She had had no idea the griffon would be this difficult to feed. Nor could she understand why he was refusing her commands. The manacles should assure his absolute obedience, but Maladok had flat out refused to eat the Elf. Even after she'd beaten him and singed his feathers, he had refused.
Obviously Sauron had not been as all-powerful as everyone had thought. The little relics of his magic that he'd left behind were not living up to her expectations.
~ ~ ~
"Are you capable of controlling the weather in your realm?" Alede asked as she rode beside King Thranduil.
They had risen at first light and not broken their fast until they were well down the road. Alede had called down a wild hawk as they traveled to send a message to Gimli, informing him of their change of plans. Initially they had intended to swing west so that Alede might enjoy the Dwarf's hospitality at the Glittering Caves. Though Alede regretted missing the dwarvin kingdom, she knew that she and Legolas would doubtlessly travel there at a later date. For now they must reach Ithilien as quickly as possible.
And Gimli would not be forced to endure King Thranduil's presence in his home.
*If I could have convinced Thranduil to travel there in the first place!*
"Why do you ask?" King Thranduil said and it took her a moment to remember that she had asked him about his weather controlling abilities.
"Your powers are legendary in Rivendell," Alede said with a shrug, "So I wondered if they were real or if they were purely the stuff of legend."
Because she was watching for it, Alede saw the tiny twitch of a smile on the corner of Thranduil's mouth.
"Who has told you of this 'legend', young one?"
Alede ignored the term 'young one'. Thranduil had certainly called her much worse, though it still pricked at her pride a bit. She was hardly 'young'.
"Elladan. He said that you have the original power of the Elves. I supposed since you have no ring of power, he meant that you have relied upon whatever gifts you already possessed."
"Never suppose what another means," Thranduil instructed. "You do not know what Elladan had in his mind when he spoke. You should have asked for clarification."
Alede threw him an irritated glance. "Yes, I suppose I should have. But all conversation is made up of small assumptions and it is a little late for me to ask him about it now. I never saw Elrond tampering with the weather, so I assumed that you must be different."
"Simply because you did not see Elrond 'tampering' with the weather, as you put it, does not mean that he did not. Nor does it mean that he was not capable of it."
"I imagine," Alede said throwing her hands up in frustration, "that Elrond could have blown the Misty Mountains to bits if he'd set his mind to it! I was merely trying to illustrate the differences between your two kingdoms. The Greenwood has always struck me as being more natural than Rivendell."
"More primitive, you mean," Thranduil said.
"Nay, that is not what I mean!" Alede cried in frustration. "Now it is you who is making assumptions!" Turning to him she saw once again the tiny quirk on the side of his mouth.
He was deliberately antagonizing her!
Alede huffed out a big breath and silently counted to ten. When that did not help, she worked her way up to fifty. Once she felt she could control her voice, she tried a different tactic with Thranduil. She would not allow it him to spark her temper again.
"Did your mother ever instruct you not to bait your daughter in law?" she asked, keeping her tone as light and teasing as she was able.
Thranduil surprised her by throwing back his head and laughing.
"Nay, she did not."
Alede shook her head at the strangeness of the Elf. She had an uncomfortable feeling that even after many decades she would never understand him.
It was not until they were many leagues down the road that she realized he had never answered her question about controlling the weather.
~ ~ ~
Legolas looked around at his counselors gathered in the great hall.
"The repairs are progressing at a good rate. By the end of the week, those who were displaced will have their homes back." He gestured at one of the Elves seated at the end of the table. "Girwyn has made an excellent suggestion. He will gather those of our people who have some knowledge of weather magic and disperse them to the outer areas of our kingdom. They will be on the alert for future attacks, so that we may have some warning." Legolas paused as one of the counselors made a gesture asking to be acknowledged. "Yes?"
"Are we so certain that the attack will come in the form of weather, Sire? So far these strange vortexes have caused us damage certainly, but not of a catastrophic nature. Is it not reasonable to assume that the next attack will be some other form of dark magic, something more deadly?"
"It is a possibility, which is why I am sending scouts into Mordor once again to watch the tower. We need as much information as possible. But as to the form of magic that might be used . . ." Legolas paused, trying to find the words to properly describe his hunch. "Thus far we have been beset by wind driven magic only. I . . . instinct tells me this dark power has limited abilities."
One of his warriors nodded. "Remember the enemy's follies upon on the battle field. This 'dark lord' seems inexperienced."
Legolas nodded in agreement. "Yet we must not underestimate him. When Lady Alede and her party arrive we will consult with them. Perhaps wizards are more familiar with this type of magic and know how to combat it. In the mean time, I am asking for volunteers to travel down the Anduin. Considering the amount of damage we received here, we may assume that the human settlements near the delta are in need of aid." He turned to another of his counselors who had gestured his willingness. "Organize a party equipped with food and medicines and leave as soon as possible."
The Elf nodded and Legolas continued, "And I have some good news concerning our grape crops . . ."
Eyebrows raised all around the table. All had seen the devastation and had thought the crop a total loss.
"Our head healer," Legolas said, "tells me that the unripened grapes can be made into a potent infusion used to wash wounds. He will mix it with witch hazel and marigold. I am told that it is highly coveted by the Men of the Mark for treating their horse's injuries."
Smiles met that information.
"Rohan will pay good coin to keep their horses fit," Mändel said with a grin.
"Aye," Legolas agreed. "This year's crop will not be the total loss we assumed it to be. We will benefit our allies and make some little profit after all."
"Though perhaps not enough to impress your betrothed," teased one of his warriors. "She may think that she has made a poor bargain marrying into such a poverty stricken kingdom."
Legolas laughed, "Come! We are not so very poor! If you lazy people would get to your work, I am certain our kingdom would prosper. But as it is now . . ." He left the sentence unfinished and grinned at them.
His people laughed and rose from their chairs, making a few teasing remarks as they left. Legolas' good-natured smile faded as he was left alone. He was far more worried than he had let his people know and profit had little to do with his troubles.
~ ~ ~
"Why must you wear such unbecoming clothing?" Thranduil asked with a curl of his lip. "Is it truly your wish to emulate the barbarians of the southern country?"
Alede looked up at him in astonishment and then down at her rugged breaches. She had been watching the sky in anticipation of a message from Gimli. Thranduil's question took her completely by surprise.
"We still have several days on the road, my Lord," she said as if that were explanation enough. But when Thranduil merely raised an imperious eyebrow, she continued. "A gown would be impractical! It would be hopelessly torn and soiled by the time I reached Ithilien as well as being too light for the ever changing weather."
"I see," he responded in a tone, which indicated that he did not. Apparently the truce, which had existed between them while Legolas fought the storm, was now over.
"I suppose it never occurred to you to have a cloak made which might protect you from the capriciousness of the weather?" Thranduil asked in his biting tone.
"Well, of course I've had a cloak made . . ." Alede began. She stopped however. She knew that Thranduil was baiting her again. Taking a deep breath, she continued. "I have gowns and a fancy cloak which were made by the ladies in Rivendell and I promise to change into more suitable clothing once we have reached Ithilien. I have no intention of embarrassing your son. However," and her voice took on a steely tone, "Legolas seems to have no objection to the clothing I wear. He knows that I am of a practical turn of mind and I seriously doubt that anything I wear will be of surprise to him."
Thranduil ignored this explanation and went on as if she had never given it.
"Had I known you were so poorly outfitted, I would have had my people supply you with clothing. I suppose you have spent all the coin I gave you?"
"Spent all the . . ?" Alede sputtered to a stop. With an inarticulate cry of irritation, she urged Faunlend into a sudden gallop and sprang away from the company, galloping down the road ahead of them.
With a sound of irritation of his own, Thranduil sprang into pursuit, his huge gray stallion catching up with the mare easily.
But Alede had achieved her purpose. Dismounting, she whirled to face Thranduil angrily and reached up to grasp his ankle. If the King had not already started to dismount, she did not know what she would have done standing there tugging on him ineffectually. But as it was he dropped lightly to the ground beside her.
"You will never run away from me again," he said in a low voice like a snarl, which Alede knew was more dangerous than his usual quarrelsome tones. Nevertheless, she was through being bullied by him.
"No, but I will put us out of earshot of your people for I will speak frankly . . ."
"I have never noticed you curbing your tongue in my presence," Thranduil observed spitefully.
"For Legolas' sake," she snarled back, "I have shown you great respect! But it is time for us to face facts. I am going to marry Legolas! Whether you like it or not, you are stuck with me as a daughter and I refuse to be bullied by you any more! I may not be the wife that you would choose for your son. But I love him and I am good to him and I will always have his best interests at heart! And, since you deem bloodlines of so much importance, I am one of the Maia and a servant of the Valar. Your behavior toward me borders on insolence!" Before Thranduil could comment she continued. "I intend to marry Legolas and not you nor the fates themselves can stop me!"
"I am perfectly aware of your status," Thranduil returned in angry tones. "But you seem completely unaware of the status you will hold in my son's kingdom! What do you know of ruling? For, in case it has not occurred to you, Legolas is king in his own right and you will rule as his queen!"
Alede was a little taken aback by his words and Thranduil jumped at the opportunity.
"Ha! As I thought! His rank and subsequently your own, has not occurred to you, has it?"
Alede's mouth fell open but she could think of nothing to say.
"What do you know of governing?" Thranduil asked heatedly. "What do you know of politics, of finance or trade or of commanding people? What do you know of the proper decorum that is necessary of royalty?"
"I . . ." Alede stumbled, "I am a quick learner. I will absorb all that Legolas tells me . . ."
Thranduil snorted. "Legolas spent two thousand years at my court under my tutelage, what do you hope to learn in so short a time?"
"I . . . I will learn as quickly as I must and support him in every way I can," Alede protested, still shaken by the King's revelation. Of course she had thought about Legolas' status, but it had never truly 'sunk' in before. "I will not be a burden to Legolas . . ."
"Good," Thranduil said, swinging himself up on his horse. "Mount and we will begin your instruction now."
"But . . ."
"Mount!"
Alede turned and saw the rest of the company quickly approaching. Reluctantly, she mounted Faunlend and fell into step beside the King. As she did so, he began to lecture her on the policies of running a kingdom. He lectured her all the rest of that day and the next and the next until Alede thought that she might go mad.
~ ~ ~
When the Elves spotted five short figures in the distance, Alede nearly fainted with relief. Her hawk had returned from the Glittering caves bearing welcome news. Gimli would meet them where the Entwash joined the Anduin. She had been keeping a hopeful watch as they had traveled all day.
Knowing that Thranduil would not follow her this time, she urged Faunlend forward into a ground-eating gallop.
"Gimli!" Alede dropped from her horse and ran to the squat, red haired dwarf. "I cannot tell you how happy I am to see you!" She fell to her knees in front of the old warrior and gave him a fierce hug. He returned it earnestly, patting her on the back.
"Been traveling with King Pain in the Butt, have you?"
Alede laughed. "Yes, but that is only partly why I am glad to see you."
"Ah . . ." Gimli glanced around at his Dwarvish companions. "She has finally come to her senses and wants to marry me, instead of that stick of an Elf!"
The other dwarves chuckled and Alede joined them.
"How did you guess?" Alede laughed. "But before we set the date, I wish to meet your father."
That remark was followed by more laughter and Alede gave Gimli a kiss on the cheek before rising.
"Will you introduce me to your companions?"
~ ~ ~
By the time the others caught up with Alede she was conversing easily with Gimli's companions and charming them with her good-natured sweetness. A large trunk sat on the ground beside their shaggy ponies. It contained the mysterious gift that Gimli had teased Legolas about.
King Thranduil greeted the dwarves with the courtesy that Alede had come to expect, that is to say, none at all. She was fuming after he swept an imperious gaze over Gimli and his companions and their seven ponies, looking for all the world as if they were vermin. The King did not even stop, but rode on past.
When Cyrus nervously came by and urged her in a whisper that she had better get mounted so they did not stray too far behind, Alede said loudly, "Nay, do not worry, Cyrus. Gimli knows the way to Ithilien. If I should lose sight of King Thranduil, I am in good company!"
Thranduil immediately turned his horse around and came back to her. Alede faced him with her shoulders thrown back and her chin lifted defiantly.
"You will ride with me, Lady Alede. I promised Legolas I would deliver you safely and I intend to honor that promise."
"Then I'm sure you will not mind waiting for our friends to join us, Father. The dwarves have brought gifts for your son and need to pack their ponies."
She held his gaze, though it was difficult. Thranduil was angry with her for defying him in front of the dwarves and she suddenly realized she may have gone a bit too far.
"Legolas needs no gifts from dwarves! Come child! Mount Faunlend or I will take you upon my own steed!"
"And I will have a gift for the King of Mirkwood as well," Gimli said, hefting his axe, "if he does not learn to keep a civil tongue in his head when he addresses Legolas' betrothed!"
Thranduil was off of his horse so quickly that Alede did not even see him dismount. But she was quick enough to throw herself between Gimli and the King.
"Stop it both of you!" she shouted. "Your actions cause disgrace to Legolas. He loves you both and it would grieve him to see you arguing like children."
Gimli was the first to back off, but Thranduil did as well, giving the dwarves a look of revulsion. Alede turned her back on him, thoroughly disgusted. She would have to work hard the next few days to keep them separated.
~ ~ ~
"How are you today, my pet?" Zarraweth asked with a sickly sweet parody of concern. "You're eating better now, are you not?"
Maladok watched her from beneath heavily feathered brows. The manacles still tightly controlled the wizard, but a new consciousness was stirring within him. It was something wild and untamable, something very avian. Maladok welcomed this new identity for it gave him strength, submerging the cowardly will of the wizard beneath one of fierce courage.
"Was it not a nice buck that I had the Orcs bring for you?"
Maladok reached forward with a talloned claw and dragged the carcass of the deer toward him, hulking over it like a great raptor. He needed stones for his gizzard to properly digest the meat, but he would not allow her to take it from him. Not now that he had decided to live . . . and to fight.
Zarraweth moved forward with a knowing smirk.
"Stay still!" she commanded and Maladok felt the vibration of the holding magic shiver up his legs. But as Zarraweth darted in to torment him and steal his meat, the griffon part of his mind rebelled.
With a shriek of rage, he struck at her, his hooked beak tearing a gash in her shoulder.
Zarraweth screamed and stumbled away, looking up at him incredulously. Maladok spread his wings and strained against the chain that held him to the tower. His claws tore at it, but he could not get free. Day by day Zarraweth would find him harder to control as he fought against the magic that bound him. And soon, very soon he would break its hold on him.
"You . . . you miserable animal!" Zarraweth shouted as she held a hand to her bleeding shoulder. "You'll pay for that!"
"Asssss will you," Maladok said, his voice taking on the lisping hiss of a griffon. "Think you sssssso clever Zssssarraweth? You are a fool to think you can control a griffon, a creature of magic. You have alwayssss been a fool."
"Fool am I?" Zarraweth shouted with rage. "Not so much the fool as you old man! Who was it who trapped you? Have you forgotten that?" She picked up the whip that she had used so many times to beat tears out of the griffon.
"How easily you fell into my trap old man," she scorned. "Your own foolishness bought my victory here and today your tears will buy my power." She struck him with the whip to emphasis her point.
Maladok hissed but did not cower. "I am an old man no more. I am griffon!" He struck out at the witch again, but she dodged out of his way.
"In two weeks men come from the south to bargain with me," Zarraweth continued, circling the griffon. "They will bring gold and jewels to barter for Sauron's left over toys. They will bring me wealth and then once they have done so . . . I will crush them and their desert kingdom as well! I will crush all who appose me! But all I need is more tears from you, my pet and you will once again assure my victory."
The wizard inside the griffon wanted to weep, knowing what he had caused and what he would bring about. But the new will that was taking over his mind cared not at all for the witch's games and when Zarraweth once again circled in to strike him with the whip, his beak tore at her raised arm.
Zarraweth screamed and hurled a flame spell at him. But the wizard buried in the griffon was ready for that and countermanded it with a spell of his own, sending the witch hurtling against the wall.
She picked herself up, shaken but furious and cast another spell, setting Maladok's feathers on fire. The griffon shrieked and threw the spell off.
The tower shook under the weight of their angry magic.
Down in the lower parts of Barad-Dûr the few remaining Orcs looked up. But they were too accustomed to the screams that had echoed through the towers during Sauron's rein to pay it much attention.
But even lower still, in the very bowels of the dark tower an Elf stood up shakily and listened to the waves of magic that vibrated around him. In the dark, other Elves stood up, listening as well and they tried very hard to stem the faint thread of hope that cursed through their drained bodies.
These Elves knew that hope never came to the dark tower.
~ ~ ~
Legolas paused to wipe sweat from his brow as he listened to the faint sounds of magic that trembled through the forest. Some of it reminded him of Alede's magic, but he knew it was not hers. Scowling, he cocked his head trying to 'hear' it better.
"Ready to quit for the day, my Lord?" Mändel asked. The steward wore a slightly reproachful look as he stood beside his prince.
Legolas abandoned his attempts to hear the strange magic and turned to the older Elf. He knew that Mändel hated it when he engaged in manual labor.
"Not yet," Legolas answered him. "We almost have this pod back in place." He looked up to where several of his carpenters were carefully guiding a fallen pod home back into the tree. The branches that had originally held it had broken and had now been carefully tended. The tree would heal well. The pod was now being secured in new branches. Legolas and several other Elves stood on the ground holding ropes that reached into the branches and connected to pulleys that hoisted the home aloft.
"Your father would never have done this sort of work," Mändel sniffed disdainfully.
"Yes," Legolas said, a grin spreading over his fair face, "I know."
~ ~ ~
Alede looked up as several of Thranduil's servants walked out of his pavilion carrying pitchers and finally a copper tub. She watched as they emptied the pitchers and tub on the ground and returned to the King.
Sighing, she tossed a pebble into the stream.
"I detest going to bed without bathing first," Alede said absently. The journey was starting to wear on her. According to Gimli they were only a day and a half ride from Legolas' kingdom and the leagues chaffed at her. She wanted to ride on! But Thranduil had insisted that they stop for the night and while she sat tossing stones impatiently into the stream, he had just finished a bath.
She sighed heavily. A shadow came between her and the light spilling out of the pavilion, but with so many elves coming and going, she thought nothing of it.
"Dwarves are accustomed to the hardships of travel," Gimli replied beside her. He too was gazing absently at the tiny gurgling stream. "But I look forward to reaching Ithilien. Wait until you see what inventions we have made there!"
"Inventions? Indeed? What have you accomplished?" Alede asked. A sound upstream made her miss the first of Gimli's words. She noticed that the elves were once again filling their pitchers and walking back into the King's tent. She shrugged mentally. Perhaps Thranduil had missed a spot.
" . . . that carry running water up into the tree tops," Gimli was explaining enthusiastically.
"Running water in the tree tops?" Alede asked, turning her attention back to the Dwarf. "What ever for?"
"So that they need not carry pitchers of water up into their homes!" Gimli exclaimed.
That caught Alede's attention completely. "How ingenious!"
"Humph! When you see how high the stairs and ladders are that lead up into the trees you will understand just how ingenious it is!"
"Indeed? I cannot wait. Though I must admit that my enthusiasm is overshadowed by my desire to see Legolas. Has he changed at all in the last five years?"
Gimli snorted. "He is back to his old self and twice as mischievous!"
Alede chuckled. "I am glad that he is happy and the sea longing does not trouble him anymore." She paused and tossed another pebble into the stream. "Oh! I cannot wait to see him!" Absently she scratched her arm. It had been a long time since she had had a proper bath. She hoped there would be a deep enough stream for her to bathe in the following night. She did not want to show up in Ithilien after only washing from a little bowl.
"King Pain in the Butt was especially nasty today," Gimli remarked, lighting his pipe. "The closer we get to Ithilien, the worse he gets. It must pain him to give away his youngest son to someone he despises."
Alede shook her head. "Aye. Though there have been days when I actually thought he liked me, or at least tolerated me a bit. At least he no longer calls me 'mongrel witch' so I suppose that is an improvement of some sorts."
"Mongrel witch?" Gimli laughed. "Why did he call you that?"
"Because it is essentially true," Alede said with a shrug. "I am only half Istari. My maternal grandmother was Elvish, but of an obscure clan. They've all passed over to the West now, so I know nothing of her people. In fact, I know nothing of her. She left when my mother was only two years old and apparently my grandfather never spoke of her. And my grandfather . . ." Alede paused and rolled her eyes.
"My grandfather was descended from the witch people of Angmar. After my grandmother left, he took my mother to be raised in Angmar. They're not exactly a reputable people. But my mother was a very skilled Green witch and used her abilities only for good. So, as you can see." Alede shrugged again, "I can understand why a king would not wish to have me as part of his family tree. If I had a prince for a son, I should not wish him to marry into such lineage."
Gimli chuckled. "Then you are fortunate that Legolas is the one making the decision and not his father."
Alede joined in his laughter. "Yes, though I admit, during the entire journey I have half expected Thranduil to pop a sack over my head and toss me over a cliff in the dark of the night. So, if I should suddenly disappear . . ."
"I will look over the edges of all the cliffs I come to," Gimli promised with a snort of mirth.
They were silent for a moment before Alede spoke again softly.
"It's a shame really. I do admire him."
"Who?" Gimli asked.
"Thranduil," she replied. "The other Elvin realms were protected by rings of power, yet Thranduil has stood alone without such aid. And Mirkwood is a great kingdom. It has endured terrific hardship, yet despite all that it has prospered."
"Humph!" Gimli snorted. "At the expense of the people of the Lonely Mountain."
"Well, that is a separate matter," Alede said. She could understand the Dwarves' point of view concerning the riches of the Lonely Mountain, though she did not quite agree with them. But she would not argue the point with Gimli. He was her friend and she respected his opinion. "I more referred to the evil that has so many times invaded Mirkwood and been driven back again. His power is very great."
"Are you certain that it is his power?" Gimli asked with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.
Alede laughed. "Nay, it may have more to do with his stubbornness! In that alone, he proves himself Legolas' father, though they do not look alike. Never have I known an Elf as hard headed! They say that wood elves are strange and stubborn anyway, but Thranduil the worst of them all . . ."
"Much like mongrel witches," a voice said behind them.
Both Alede and Gimli jumped and looked around. King Thranduil stood staring down at them, his arms folded across his chest.
"Oh dear," Alede breathed. It was obvious that he had been standing there for quite some time. She remembered the shadow that had fallen across her early in her conversation with Gimli. Scrambling to her feet, she faced him rather unsteadily. Looking up at the implacable expression on Thranduil's face, she shook her head in ironic amusement.
"What can I say, my Liege? You have caught me out in a display of bad manners."
"Yes . . . your manners could do with some work."
Alede tilted her chin up. "As could yours. Eavesdropping is hardly polite."
Gimli held his breath, watching the tension between the two of them.
Thranduil stared at her for a moment and then turned around. "Come with me."
Alede gave Gimli a sidelong glance that spoke of dread.
The dwarf returned the look with a partial shrug of helplessness.
"You need not look for her body at the bottom of cliffs, Master Dwarf," Thranduil called over his shoulder. "The land is much too flat here."
"Oh, that makes me feel so much better," Alede whispered sarcastically to Gimli before she turned and followed the King.
~ ~ ~
Alede walked into the pavilion behind Thranduil and looked around at the plush rugs that were scattered over the floor and the deep pillows that served as a bed.
*He travels well.*
But she had little time to finish that thought before the King whirled upon her. He stood staring down at her with the ancient gaze that so many found unsettling. Alede forced her chin up and returned the stare.
"I have had my servants prepare a bath for you," Thranduil finally said, breaking the tension that welled up between them.
Alede glanced in surprise at the partition curtained off at the back of the pavilion where he gestured.
"Do you intend to drown me in it?" she asked without thinking.
"Do not tempt me!" he snapped. Alede flinched but held her ground.
"We will reach my son's kingdom by mid afternoon tomorrow," Thranduil said briskly.
"Gimli said a day and a half . . ."
"If not for the slowness of the dwarf ponies," Thranduil growled, "we would have reached it already!"
Scowling at him, Alede walked toward the curtain. Of course she knew that the ponies had slowed their pace, but she would not admit it for all the world. Gimli was her friend and she was glad of his company, no matter how her heart had begged them to quicken their pace.
Throwing one last glare over her shoulder, Alede entered the partitioned area and looked down at the steaming copper tub. All her anger melted out of her at the sight of so much hot water. She picked up a small cake of soap and inhaled its clean scent. On a small chair beside the bath, lay an intricately wrought nightdress. Alede ran fingers roughened by travel over the fine material and shook her head.
As long as she lived, she would never understand Thranduil.
But then she quickly forgot the king and eagerly tossed her stained clothing onto the floor and sank gratefully into the tub.
~ ~ ~
Alede tossed and turned in her bedroll.
She should be asleep. The night was still and quiet with no breeze to whistle down her neck. The deep grass where they had made their camp was soft beneath her. She felt perfectly comfortable and her new nightdress felt silky against her skin, instead of chafing her as her clothing did.
Beside her Gimli snored softly.
*I should be asleep!*
Rolling over on her side, she resolutely closed her eyes. But they soon popped open again.
*Legolas is out there! Only a day's ride away!*
Flopping back over, she stared up at the night sky. Millions of stars winked down at her, glittering like jewels. The moon was just starting to rise and it looked so huge and so near that Alede felt she could reach out and grab it.
So near.
Just like Legolas.
Sitting up quietly, Alede looked around the camp. An idea had formed in her head while she had been bathing and she had not been able to get rid of it. But now, she no longer wanted to.
Looking through the darkness, she saw Faunlend. The cloud-gray horse had been drowsing beside Thranduil's stallion when Alede had said goodnight to her. But now Faunlend was standing stock still, her head up and her ears pricked forward. She was watching Alede intently and the wizardess knew that the Elvin horse was aware of her thoughts.
Faunlend bobbed her head and stomped with one hoof.
That was all the encouragement Alede needed. Flinging back the bedroll, Alede rose stealthily and slipped on the tiny pair of leather slippers that had accompanied her nightdress. Clothing was not important tonight. The night was warm and her bags were much too close to where her father slept.
Creeping silently to Gimli's bedroll, she carefully placed his axe out of reach and put a hand over his mouth. The dwarf started awake immediately, but stopped himself from lashing out in time.
Alede placed a finger over her lips and gestured for the dwarf to follow her to the horses.
Once Faunlend's body shielded them from view, Alede whispered, "I cannot sleep."
"You woke me up to inform me that you cannot sleep?" Gimli asked incredulously.
"Hush," Alede admonished, glancing worriedly toward the camp. "Of course I did not wake you to tell you that. But I cannot lie here all night when Legolas is so near. Will you lead me to him? Are you too tired?"
"Too tired!?"
"Hush!"
"A dwarf is never too tired," Gimli growled.
"I am sorry. I meant no offence. But will you take me to him tonight? Faunlend will gladly carry us both."
"Do you mean, leave King Pain in the Butt behind?" Gimli asked, a mischievous smile showing his teeth in the dark.
"Yes. Will your people be willing to continue to Ithilien without you?"
"Of course! They do not care about Thranduil's insults. They know they are welcome in Legolas' kingdom."
"Good! Then let us go!"
"Uhm . . ." Gimli hesitated. "Should you not assume more appropriate clothing?"
Alede shook her head, grinning with mischief. "I dare not risk it. If my father awoke, he would not allow me to go. But he will bring my things tomorrow, even though he'll be angry with me."
Gimli nodded. "Very well, then. What are we waiting for?"
They led Faunlend out of the camp at a walk, going as quietly as they could and because they did not look back, they failed to see King Thranduil walk out of his pavilion and watch them leave.
He stood stroking his stallion's mane long after Gimli and Alede had mounted and galloped toward the south. The three quarter moon cast a silvery glow on his handsome face and if anyone had seen him, they would have thought that he wore an amused smile.
~ ~ ~
Legolas sat straight up in bed. She was coming!
*Alede! You foolish . . .*
But he was swinging his feet to the floor and pulling on clothing so quickly he hardly knew what he wore. He tugged his boots on as he raced down the hallway, two activities which did not go well together. Once he reached his study, he had to sit down and start all over again. His hair was caught under his tunic and he yanked it out impatiently as he bounded down the outer steps two at a time.
He whistled to Aransûl as he ran swiftly through the trees to the stables. The horse pushed his own door open and Legolas was up on his back instantly, urging the great stallion into a ground-eating gallop.
Horse and rider burst out of the forest and out onto the plains of Gondor. The grass undulated around them like waves, the great Elvin horse a ship upon that sea.
Many times clouds scudded across the moon, turning the plains to shadows. Then the bright orb would sail out again touching everything with its silver light.
Hours passed and still Aransûl galloped on, the call ahead of them as urgent to him as to Legolas.
~ ~ ~
Alede's back ached as she bent over Faunlend's mane, but she did not urge the horse to slow. Faunlend seemed as anxious as she and her strides were still elastic and strong. The moon disappeared many times behind clouds, yet the Elvin horse never once faltered and Alede trusted to her better eyesight in the dark.
When the moon burst out from behind another small bank of clouds, Alede's heart leapt at the sight before her.
A great white horse surged toward them, cutting through the deep grass like a ship through water. Gimli's grunt behind her only confirmed what her heart already knew.
"Legolas?"
Faunlend gave a tremulous whinny and it was answered with a thunderous neigh from her mate. Aransûl reared up and a bright figure dropped easily off of him.
"Legolas!"
Alede threw her leg over Faunlend's neck and hit the ground running.
~ ~ ~
Legolas thought his heart would choke him when he saw the silvery forms in front of him. He even thought that it might still be the product of his fitful dreams.
But it was no mist of the mind that rode toward him and as soon as he heard Faunlend's timid call and Aransûl's answering trumpet, he knew she was real.
They met in the sea of grass, the moon shining on their faces. There were tears on Alede's cheeks and as he swept her up in his arms, Legolas felt matching tears on his own face.
He set her on her feet and then her arms were around his neck, warm and real and solid. And she was kissing his face and he could barely speak for the emotions that roared up inside of him.
Without even knowing it, they both sank to their knees. Legolas pressed his lips to her mouth, tasting the salt of her tears and kissed her until they were both breathless.
In the west, the moon hung on the horizon until it faced the rising sun. Both shone their light upon the two travelers who still knelt in each other's embrace, turning the meadow around them to green waves.
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*** I remember a meadow one morning in May, With a sky full of dreams that sailed in that day. I was dancing through green waves of grass like the sea, For a moment in time I could feel I was free.
Take me home to the meadow that cradles my heart, Where the waves reach as far as you can see, Take me home to the meadow - we've been too long apart, I can still hear you calling for me. ~ "Greenwaves" by Secret Garden ***
~ ~ ~
A/N: Anyone wonder what Gimli is doing and thinking at this moment? :D
Special thanks to Thecla for introducing me to Secret Garden's "Once in a Red Moon" album. It's proved to be inspirational for both of us. Also, special thanks to her for suggesting the nickname of "Aly" for Alede.
I normally don't play favorites with authors, because there are soooooo many of you who are brilliant writers. I could never name all my favorites. But I'd like to recommend a fic that I got a sneak preview of. "The Tale of Willow's Creak" is an enthralling fantasy full of intrigue and danger. I was hooked after reading one sentence. It is written by the Dulled Opal and is posted at ff.net's sister site Fiction Press. I highly recommend it. :D
*** Original Character List ***
Alede the Green - Witch, healer and wizard. She is daughter of Radagast the Brown. After the death of her mother, she was raised in Rivendell for a while and learned healing skills from Elrond. She also developed a terrible crush on Elrohir, which he has gently teased her about for centuries. She also spent some time learning the wizarding craft at Orthanc under the tutelage of Saruman. Because she felt her healer's calling was more important, and because she considered herself a poor wizardess, Alede never completed her training at Orthanc.
Cyrus the Blue - The forth Maia to be sent to Middle Earth and friend to Radagast the Brown
Lomomir - Brother to King Thranduil of Mirkwood and a healer. He has spent the last many years in Rivendell studying with Alede and reading from Elrond's many books and journals.
Maladok the Red - The fifth Maia sent to Middle Earth. After a disastrous encounter with Saruman, Maladok has become a bit of a "black sheep" in the wizarding world.
Zarraweth - A young human witch with more plans and beauty than is good for her.
Malina - A healer and witch of the Angmar Mountains. She was married to Radagast the Brown and was Alede's mother. She was killed by a mob of religious fanatics who thought her witchcraft had brought plague to a village when instead she had been trying to cure it. Alede was only sixteen when Malina was killed.
Mändel - Legolas' steward. He originally served under Thranduil in Mirkwood in a lesser position.
Galomir - Ithilien's healer.
Girwyn - A general in Legolas' army. He is in charge of Ithilien's security.
