Disclaimer: No, I don't own Orophin, Rumil or Haldir, much as I would like
to, so don't sue me. Danali, however, is mine. I am eternally gratefully to
the great J.R.R. Tolkien for creating Middle-Earth, Elves and magic.
And, as always, thanks to all who review. I am very interested in critiques of my writing.
Kindled Hope
Danali sat perched on a smooth branch near the flet and allowed her mind to wander freely. The Elves had sent her to this isolated section of the flet for they had wanted to discuss "newly-arisen issues". She ran her fingers through her hair and pulled it away from her face, sighing, staring at the enchanted beauty before her, the sorrowful whisper of the fading land.
She unwillingly thought back to her days at Nencoras, the place of her sorrow-filled childhood, the hated prison that had wrenched her soul and choked her spirit. Reflections of her lost brothers and sisters shimmered in her memory and then faded out. She wondered what had become of her beloved comrades. Jenian hadn't made it past the perimeter, nor had Nysal. Both had been downed by cruel arrows seeking blood, even as they had sought freedom. And Torilai, and Kenar. Danali buried her head in her knees and shook it, trying vainly to fling the memories away, the terror of that night, the terror and the sweet exhilaration of freedom, of the bonds of captivity loosed. How she had exulted, throwing herself on the new ground and tasting the air, gasping for it as one gulps water in the desert! And then the hunters had been deployed. She had had to flee once more for her life, blindly half-lumbering eastwards, away, away from the hell that she had once called home. Away from everything she had ever known or loved, abandoning all for liberty.
Danali shuddered as she suddenly, vividly saw Jenian dragging herself through the sand and loam, remembered how the moonlight was splashed over the leaves and tree roots, how peaceful it all had looked in the midst of the merciless bloodshed taking place, the air thick with silent terror and the occasional cry as the hunters stalked through the forest seeking the escapees. Four words kept flashing through her mind as the unwanted replay continued: 'I'm going to die.'She remembered turning and looking back as she flew, remembered the agony spread on Jenian's face, the two arrows sticking straight up out of her back, her hair hanging in damp strings as the driving rain struck her head, the ground, the mud. Remembered her scream.
The shrill cry reverberated back into Danali's brain with staggering force as a light hand fell upon her shoulder. She whipped around and gasped as she grasped the startled Elf's forearm and, with amazing strength, twisted it and flung him to the slatted floor of the flet below. He grunted as the wind was sucked from his lungs, tried to say something, but had not the breath to form the words. Still locked in the escape-and-evade mode, Danali whirled her head around, searching for a hidden exit. Her hands groped wildly for her missing knives as she hurriedly stood, but her balance was thrown off and she plunged the short distance from the bough to the poor Elf sprawled supine beneath her. He had only time to widen his eyes in dread before she hit.
Rationality returned to her and sense flooded her mind as she flopped onto his chest and stomach, the impact sending reason surging back to her in a flash. She drew in a strangled gasp, struggling to calm herself, her heart pounding so hard she could feel it's surge in her brain. She immediately rolled off and bent one knee, breathing heavily as she inspected the hapless messenger, whom she quickly recognized as Rumil. A small panic rose and stabbed into her stomach. Her breaths came slower now, and she winced inwardly as he opened his forested eyes and glared back up at her.
She pulled her head away from his and gingerly offered a hand, which he promptly refused with an angry shake of his head. His bright eyes were flashing, and Danali pulled back away even more as she observed his anger. He groaned loudly as he struggled to sit up, one hand cradling the other arm, his breathing labored and painful. He clenched his eyes shut as he exhaled between gritted teeth, his brow furrowed, his legs straight out in front of him. They sat in awkward silence for a few moments as Rumil slowly regained control of his breath, Danali's gaze averted from the fuming Elf's face, her cheeks flushing uncontrollably.
"By Eru, lady, you are trying to kill me, aren't you?"
His voice shimmered darkly, a hint of rage underlying the surface calm. Danali's face burned and she stayed turned away from him as he groaned again and shuffled to his feet, muttering under his breath.
"First you almost scare me to death, and now this."
Rumil brushed himself off and grimaced as his hands slid over his ribs, his features crinkling in pain as he inhaled deeply. His rumpled cloak flowed into place behind his back, it's velvet green glistening in the zealous sunlight. Danali jumped to her feet and approached the wincing Elf penitently as he stiffly bent to retrieve the longbow that had flown out of his hands.
He cut her off before an apology could escape her lips.
"Do not bother. I came to tell you of dinner-'' He swept up his fallen bow and calmly restrapped his now slightly squashed quiver to his back, his features controlled, only his voice betraying his anger. "But now that I've been sufficiently frightened, attacked and crushed, I think instead I shall go sit down for a little while and ponder over the reasons why I am a guard again." Without a backwards glance at her, he turned and swiftly disappeared around the wide mallorn trunk, his cloak flowing out behind him, his feet stamping irritatedly.
Danali dropped the hand she had raised in protest, heaved an exasperated sigh and leaned against the bough she had fallen from, it's leaves waving languidly in the autumn-laden breeze. Her eyes traversed around the small area absently, her mind still reeling.
What am I doing here?
She knelt on the smooth floor and felt a knot of frustration climb her throat, prompting unwanted tears to spring to her eyes. What if she had seriously injured Rumil? A solitary tear trailed down her cheek. What if she had killed him? Minutes whirled by, the time seeming both fast and slow. She sniffed and swiped her hand across her face, a gasp jolting her as she saw the Elf who had appeared seemingly from nowhere kneeling close before her, his handsome features softly displaying concern.
The first thought that struck Danali's mind was how his eyes resembled moon- splashed moss, their velvet grey-green depths mirroring the kindness within. Her second thought was about how all Elves seemed to have gorgeous eyes.
The Elf's fair face crinkled into a smile as he wordlessly offered Danali his hand, his gaze encouraging her to accept. She hesitantly slipped her hand into his and he effortlessly pulled her to her feet, his eyes remaining locked on hers. She hardly had time to wonder at this new Elf before he turned to go, his hand still firmly clasping hers, and she followed close behind.
She turned her head to look back at the secluded alcove in the shimmering twilight, and started in surprise and fright when she turned back around to see thirty or so Elves seated around a small feast on the large flet, Haldir standing immediately before her, Rumil behind him. Her first instinct was to take flight, then and there, before she was punished for what she had done to Rumil, but the guide Elf had other plans. He grasped her hand tighter and gently pulled her around to stand in front of Haldir, his gaze assuring her of no harm. She swiftly fell to her knees, her eyes downcast, her hands spread in surrender, her lip trembling in fear.
Her surprise was great when Haldir knelt as well, his hand sliding under her chin so he could search her eyes, his stern face full of kindness, although he did not smile. His voice was silk as he spoke to her in the Elven tongue.
"Do not weep again, Danali, for I know you weep much. Your heart is burdened with what heavy sorrows, I cannot tell, but you are safe here under the Lady's protection, and you have nothing to fear from us."
Danali slowly stood with Haldir, her heart's misgivings easing a little, and he spoke now louder to her.
"Come. The meal is prepared. Let us forget the day's griefs and eat in peace. I trust you have met my brothers Rumil and Orophin?"
Haldir nodded toward the two Elves now standing on either side of him. Danali stared at Rumil, who simply lifted an eyebrow, then to the guide Elf, who smiled warmly at her, and nodded.
"It is well, then. Let us begin."
Haldir and Rumil turned to join their companions, but Orophin swept forward and grasped the rather startled Danali's hands in his own, his eyes shining with suppressed excitement.
"Come, lady. I shall introduce you after the meal, and then you shall tell me of your home."
Danali opened her mouth to protest, but Orophin was already turned and part- dragging her to an empty place between Rumil and a raven-haired Elf. She managed a weak smile as she was seated, wondering silently at the strangeness of the world- and Elves.
And, as always, thanks to all who review. I am very interested in critiques of my writing.
Kindled Hope
Danali sat perched on a smooth branch near the flet and allowed her mind to wander freely. The Elves had sent her to this isolated section of the flet for they had wanted to discuss "newly-arisen issues". She ran her fingers through her hair and pulled it away from her face, sighing, staring at the enchanted beauty before her, the sorrowful whisper of the fading land.
She unwillingly thought back to her days at Nencoras, the place of her sorrow-filled childhood, the hated prison that had wrenched her soul and choked her spirit. Reflections of her lost brothers and sisters shimmered in her memory and then faded out. She wondered what had become of her beloved comrades. Jenian hadn't made it past the perimeter, nor had Nysal. Both had been downed by cruel arrows seeking blood, even as they had sought freedom. And Torilai, and Kenar. Danali buried her head in her knees and shook it, trying vainly to fling the memories away, the terror of that night, the terror and the sweet exhilaration of freedom, of the bonds of captivity loosed. How she had exulted, throwing herself on the new ground and tasting the air, gasping for it as one gulps water in the desert! And then the hunters had been deployed. She had had to flee once more for her life, blindly half-lumbering eastwards, away, away from the hell that she had once called home. Away from everything she had ever known or loved, abandoning all for liberty.
Danali shuddered as she suddenly, vividly saw Jenian dragging herself through the sand and loam, remembered how the moonlight was splashed over the leaves and tree roots, how peaceful it all had looked in the midst of the merciless bloodshed taking place, the air thick with silent terror and the occasional cry as the hunters stalked through the forest seeking the escapees. Four words kept flashing through her mind as the unwanted replay continued: 'I'm going to die.'She remembered turning and looking back as she flew, remembered the agony spread on Jenian's face, the two arrows sticking straight up out of her back, her hair hanging in damp strings as the driving rain struck her head, the ground, the mud. Remembered her scream.
The shrill cry reverberated back into Danali's brain with staggering force as a light hand fell upon her shoulder. She whipped around and gasped as she grasped the startled Elf's forearm and, with amazing strength, twisted it and flung him to the slatted floor of the flet below. He grunted as the wind was sucked from his lungs, tried to say something, but had not the breath to form the words. Still locked in the escape-and-evade mode, Danali whirled her head around, searching for a hidden exit. Her hands groped wildly for her missing knives as she hurriedly stood, but her balance was thrown off and she plunged the short distance from the bough to the poor Elf sprawled supine beneath her. He had only time to widen his eyes in dread before she hit.
Rationality returned to her and sense flooded her mind as she flopped onto his chest and stomach, the impact sending reason surging back to her in a flash. She drew in a strangled gasp, struggling to calm herself, her heart pounding so hard she could feel it's surge in her brain. She immediately rolled off and bent one knee, breathing heavily as she inspected the hapless messenger, whom she quickly recognized as Rumil. A small panic rose and stabbed into her stomach. Her breaths came slower now, and she winced inwardly as he opened his forested eyes and glared back up at her.
She pulled her head away from his and gingerly offered a hand, which he promptly refused with an angry shake of his head. His bright eyes were flashing, and Danali pulled back away even more as she observed his anger. He groaned loudly as he struggled to sit up, one hand cradling the other arm, his breathing labored and painful. He clenched his eyes shut as he exhaled between gritted teeth, his brow furrowed, his legs straight out in front of him. They sat in awkward silence for a few moments as Rumil slowly regained control of his breath, Danali's gaze averted from the fuming Elf's face, her cheeks flushing uncontrollably.
"By Eru, lady, you are trying to kill me, aren't you?"
His voice shimmered darkly, a hint of rage underlying the surface calm. Danali's face burned and she stayed turned away from him as he groaned again and shuffled to his feet, muttering under his breath.
"First you almost scare me to death, and now this."
Rumil brushed himself off and grimaced as his hands slid over his ribs, his features crinkling in pain as he inhaled deeply. His rumpled cloak flowed into place behind his back, it's velvet green glistening in the zealous sunlight. Danali jumped to her feet and approached the wincing Elf penitently as he stiffly bent to retrieve the longbow that had flown out of his hands.
He cut her off before an apology could escape her lips.
"Do not bother. I came to tell you of dinner-'' He swept up his fallen bow and calmly restrapped his now slightly squashed quiver to his back, his features controlled, only his voice betraying his anger. "But now that I've been sufficiently frightened, attacked and crushed, I think instead I shall go sit down for a little while and ponder over the reasons why I am a guard again." Without a backwards glance at her, he turned and swiftly disappeared around the wide mallorn trunk, his cloak flowing out behind him, his feet stamping irritatedly.
Danali dropped the hand she had raised in protest, heaved an exasperated sigh and leaned against the bough she had fallen from, it's leaves waving languidly in the autumn-laden breeze. Her eyes traversed around the small area absently, her mind still reeling.
What am I doing here?
She knelt on the smooth floor and felt a knot of frustration climb her throat, prompting unwanted tears to spring to her eyes. What if she had seriously injured Rumil? A solitary tear trailed down her cheek. What if she had killed him? Minutes whirled by, the time seeming both fast and slow. She sniffed and swiped her hand across her face, a gasp jolting her as she saw the Elf who had appeared seemingly from nowhere kneeling close before her, his handsome features softly displaying concern.
The first thought that struck Danali's mind was how his eyes resembled moon- splashed moss, their velvet grey-green depths mirroring the kindness within. Her second thought was about how all Elves seemed to have gorgeous eyes.
The Elf's fair face crinkled into a smile as he wordlessly offered Danali his hand, his gaze encouraging her to accept. She hesitantly slipped her hand into his and he effortlessly pulled her to her feet, his eyes remaining locked on hers. She hardly had time to wonder at this new Elf before he turned to go, his hand still firmly clasping hers, and she followed close behind.
She turned her head to look back at the secluded alcove in the shimmering twilight, and started in surprise and fright when she turned back around to see thirty or so Elves seated around a small feast on the large flet, Haldir standing immediately before her, Rumil behind him. Her first instinct was to take flight, then and there, before she was punished for what she had done to Rumil, but the guide Elf had other plans. He grasped her hand tighter and gently pulled her around to stand in front of Haldir, his gaze assuring her of no harm. She swiftly fell to her knees, her eyes downcast, her hands spread in surrender, her lip trembling in fear.
Her surprise was great when Haldir knelt as well, his hand sliding under her chin so he could search her eyes, his stern face full of kindness, although he did not smile. His voice was silk as he spoke to her in the Elven tongue.
"Do not weep again, Danali, for I know you weep much. Your heart is burdened with what heavy sorrows, I cannot tell, but you are safe here under the Lady's protection, and you have nothing to fear from us."
Danali slowly stood with Haldir, her heart's misgivings easing a little, and he spoke now louder to her.
"Come. The meal is prepared. Let us forget the day's griefs and eat in peace. I trust you have met my brothers Rumil and Orophin?"
Haldir nodded toward the two Elves now standing on either side of him. Danali stared at Rumil, who simply lifted an eyebrow, then to the guide Elf, who smiled warmly at her, and nodded.
"It is well, then. Let us begin."
Haldir and Rumil turned to join their companions, but Orophin swept forward and grasped the rather startled Danali's hands in his own, his eyes shining with suppressed excitement.
"Come, lady. I shall introduce you after the meal, and then you shall tell me of your home."
Danali opened her mouth to protest, but Orophin was already turned and part- dragging her to an empty place between Rumil and a raven-haired Elf. She managed a weak smile as she was seated, wondering silently at the strangeness of the world- and Elves.
