Ristad In Gwind - Cutting The Bonds
At the palace, Legolas was at the archery ranges firing arrow after arrow at one, very distant, target. He was muttering to himself angrily,
"I only asked her to move a short ride away but she flew off the handle at me," an arrow flew, "I thought if she agreed to move here then she would agree to everything else too, but no!" Another arrow, "I am not good enough for her," another arrow, which this time flew wide and Legolas growled with frustration, "Because I am not made of wood she had no time for me. Her precious workshop has to come first." An arrow went into the trees and there was a flutter of birds' wings. "It does not matter than in a short time there will be no elves left to sell anything to and that what we had could have lasted longer than that, forever." The arrow hit dead centre of the target, "Her family would be proud of her no matter what she did. They would not want to see the Birch name dragged down as our kin depart." This arrow split the last and buried its head in the target, "Well she can stay here and watch this forest slowly swallow up all that remains of ages of elves," another arrow, "I cannot let that happen." An arrow hit the edge of the target, "I will not give up on Middle Earth until I know I can do no more here." Another arrow flew wide and Legolas yelled with frustration. He readjusted his stance and then narrowed his eyes. He drew his arm back as far as he could and then let the arrow fly.
Legolas was unaware of the three elves behind him holding a whispered conference about him. They had been unable to hear what he was saying to himself, but even if they had it would have confused them further. Verlat was speaking,
"He is holding something back, I cannot say what, but we know Legolas. He is keeping something from us and it is eating away at him, just look! I sensed it as soon as I saw him this morning. Even I sensed it, and he has not shot that badly since I do not know when." Mineta allowed herself a small smile at this, and then gave her thoughts,
"We cannot force him, Verlat, that will only make him withdraw further inside himself. Was it Calina? Did you see her this morning?"
"Yes but only briefly. She seemed troubled, but she has a lot on her mind. Lathrin was saying how busy the workshop is with the dwarf coming to collect things soon." Nithin grinned at his friend at the mention of Lathrin's name and no insult following it,
"It seems you also have news about yourself Verlat."
"Never mind, Nithin." Mineta interrupted her husband sharply, "Legolas is almost out of arrows, we had best leave before he sees us. Let him come to us and speak his mind."
"That sounds like the best thing to do," Nithin said and then turned to face his friend, "Now Verlat, tell us the rest of the news." Verlat smiled and lights twinkled in his eyes as he spoke of the complete change in his emotions. Mineta would have been overjoyed at this, but her eyes lingered on the figure of Legolas striding to the target to retrieve his arrows, until she had to turn and enter the palace.
Nithin took his watch later that day over Thranduil's treasury in the bowels of the Halls and Mineta sat in their apartment alone picking up a tapestry she had been working on. There was a soft knock on the door and Legolas put his head around,
"Nithin is on duty," it was a statement, not a question, but Mineta nodded all the same and motioned for Legolas to sit down beside her. He chose a chair opposite her, instead. Mineta sat patiently, waiting for Legolas to speak, "There is something I must tell you Mineta." He took a deep breath and Mineta prepared herself, "During the last few years I spent in Gondor I spend most of my time exploring Ithilien. It is wondrous land Mineta, I could be truly happy there. Close to the members of the Fellowship dearest to me, and closer to the sea.
"Silver flow the streams from Celos to Erui In the green fields of Lebennin! Tall grows the grass there. In the wind from the Sea The white lilies sway, And the golden bells are shaken of mallos and alfirin In the green fields of Lebennin, In the wind from the Sea!
"I have spoken to Aragorn and to my father, and they to each other and if I can find those willing we may go and settle there until such time as we care to leave the plains and forests for the men, women and children of Gondor. Their numbers increase daily as our dwindle, but there is no reason not to make the most of the time we have left, until the calling to go to the Hidden Lands becomes too much to bear and.."
"Legolas! Slow down!" Mineta exclaimed, half in shock at the revelation and half in fear for Legolas who had risen during his speech and was dangerously close to a window, "You are leaving Eryn Lasgalen forever?"
"Yes, and I wish you all to come with me. I could not leave you here. Mineta, you have never been further than Dale, there is more out there for us to see that just these Woods." Mineta frowned and shook her head,
"Legolas, I do not know. It is not a decision I alone can make. I must speak to Nithin, and he to your father. It is not only you that has responsibilities in this wood."
"Father has promised to release any of those in his service. Everyday people are leaving here. There are far too many soldiers and servants in the Halls now. There would be less, but Father will not send anyone away who has been in his service. He feels obligated to them."
Mineta sat back into the soft couch she was sitting on. The golden Sun of the mid-afternoon was streaming through all the windows and Legolas sat before her like an excited young elf of maybe only a few years willing for the one answer he wanted. She thought of the number of years that they had been friends. The decades had turned into centuries and those into millennia. Life without him had been strange for all of them during his last time in Gondor. What was keeping her in Eryn Lasgalen except her husband? If Nithin and Verlat agreed to go too then perhaps it would be their one last adventure together. She let her eyes meet Legolas',
"If Nithin and Verlat agree, then we shall come with you." Legolas beamed as he heard this. He strode across the room and threw his arms around Mineta,
"I would have begged you all to come. Mineta, thank you. It means so much to me that you would give up your life here to follow me."
"Legolas, we have known each other for so long, we would never let you go without us."
That evening after dinner the four friends sat down together and discussed things. Nithin and Mineta agreed immediately to go with Legolas. Verlat was a little more reserved, but in the end he could not conceive being left behind and became wrapped up in the plans. There would have to be announcements throughout the Wood and then the migration could begin. Aragorn and Legolas had agreed to live near the settlements already set up so that when the elves left, their homes could be used for the families living there. They spoke late into the night about the plans they had. Legolas revealed that once the rest of the Fellowship had departed Middle Earth, so would he. This would be their last great adventure together.
The next morning Verlat rose at sunrise and went to Lathrin. He arrived just as she was waking, and she smiled sleepily as he came into her small flet. She wrapped her arms around him and said,
"What brings you here so early Verlat?"
"I have news. I thought I should tell you as soon as I could in light of what happened between us." Lathrin tried to meet his eyes, but he kept avoiding them,
"What? What is Verlat?"
"We, Legolas, Calina, Mineta, Nithin and I, we are leaving. We are going to Ithilien." Lathrin laughed,
"What? Where is Ithilien? You cannot just up and leave. Where will you live? Be sensible Verlat!"
"I am. It is all arranged with Thranduil and Lord Aragorn. I, I wanted to know if you would come too. If not for me, for Calina." Lathrin's whole face changed and anger flashed across it,
"For Calina? That deceptive witch! She never said a word to me. We will see about this." Lathrin, still in the clothes she had rested in, pushed her feet into a pair of boots and then down onto the ground. She stormed up the path in the direction of Calina's flet. Verlat hurried after her calling in loud whispers in case he woke up Lathrin's sleeping neighbours,
"Lathrin! Lathrin! Calm down! Please?" But she either did not or would not hear.
Calina was just getting herself some breakfast as she heard a very irate elf under her flet calling her name. She poked her head out of the window, which Lathrin saw,
"Let me in right this second Calina Birch!" Calina saw Verlat trying to shrink into the nearest tree. She flashed him a quizzical frown, but he gave her nothing in return. Calina opened the trapdoor and kicked the ladder down. Lathrin was up in her front room in a second and Verlat was behind her, trying to keep control on the situation. Lathrin seized Calina by the collar of her work robe and shook it, "Calina Birch, what in the name of Elbereth do you think you are doing moving to Ithilien, wherever that is? You never said a word. How could you use me like this? I have only ever tried to be good to you. After you arrived here from nowhere and set up the workshop and then finally people worked out who you were. They said it would never work, that you could never be as good as your father, but I stood by you. I had faith in you when no one else would. And what thanks do I get? You could not even tell me you were going to goodness knows where. And after yesterday's tears, I ask you?" Lathrin paused for breath and Verlat jumped in,
"Gondor. Ithilien is in Gondor. The Anduin flows through it before it gets to the sea."
"Gondor?" screeched Lathrin, "Gondor? It is further south than Minas Tirith?" Her anger overcame her shock and she turned on Calina again, "You did not tell me, you did not tell me!" Tears welled up in her eyes, "I thought we were friends Calina, and now you are going away." Lathrin curled up in the corner of Calina's couch and hugged her knees to her chin. Calina sat down next to her and took Lathrin in her arms to calm her. Calina looked at Lathrin curled up on her lap. Her eyes were already red from the tears she had shed and her tears splattered her night gown. Calina pushed back the thin blond hair behind Lathrin's ear and bent down to level their eyes,
"Lathrin, I swear to you, I am not going anywhere. I shall be here in the workshop for a long time to go yet. Hush now, do not cry." Calina wiped Lathrin's eyes with the sleeve of her robe as if she were an elf child, "There, all better," and Lathrin allowed herself a small smile,
"But you say you are not going and yet Verlat says they are all moving to Ithilien?"
"Well I shall say that is news to me, but I do not doubt that the Prince is at the centre of this. Is that so Verlat?"
The story came out then and there - the discussions between Legolas, Aragorn and Thranduil that had been kept secret for so long had now been made known to those around them. They had agreed to travel with Legolas to Gondor and had all naturally assumed that in light of recent events Calina would be going too. At this point Calina shook her head and said,
"Legolas knows I would never leave here. He has never spoken of such an idea, moving to Ithilien of all places." She stood and moved to the window and watched the Sun rising over the trees of Eryn Lasgalen and spoke softly to herself, "I could not leave with so much to do," and then turning to Verlat she said, "Verlat, I truly wish you well and I am sorry to see you go." Worse things have happened, she thought to herself.
"Is that it?" said Lathrin, "You are not going to get on your horse and ride to the Palace and tell Legolas exactly what you think of him for moving hundreds of miles?" Calina smiled and shrugged her shoulders,
"No, why should I? The prince is perfectly entitled to do whatever he wishes. Lathrin, it is not like I am bound to him and that being without him will cause me to join my family. We have different lives and they could never run together without one of us having to give something up. That would breed resentment which would then turn to anger and then what is the point of being together if in the end you cannot stand the sight of each other? I think the distance will suit us both."
"You cannot mean that Calina," said Verlat incredulously, "You and Legolas love each other so much. It is in your eyes and the light that surrounds you both when you are together. If there is no hope for you, then there is no hope for any of us." His eyes darted unseen to Lathrin.
"No Verlat," said Calina firmly, her eyes cold and steely fixed on his, "we cannot be in love." There was a pause and her eyes softened and she smiled, "Now why do you not take Lathrin home and get her to put some proper clothes on? She cannot go about exposing herself all day now can she?" Lathrin gasped and pulled her clothes closer around her and scuttled down the ladder. Verlat had one last sad, almost pitying, look for Calina before he followed Lathrin down.
Calina sighed. She was not angry, she was not even sad. She was just numb. And after all, what was the difference between Legolas living out his life in Halls or in Ithilien? Neither of them wanted to quit the lives they had been living in so the hundreds of miles were inconsequential. A prince was still a prince no matter where his realm and no matter what part of Middle Earth, princes cannot fall in love with carpenters' daughters. She collected a few things and went to the workshop.
A sense of achievement filled Calina as she opened up the workshop. Despite its recent damage the place was still standing and in every corner were boxes packed with furniture to be taken to various parts of the Wood, Dale, and finally, in its own room, was the order ready to be collected and taken all the way to Rohan. She looked at the almost-finished piece in the corner. The most important item still sat in a pile of sawdust. Gimli's chair. The carving was not happening as fast as Calina would have like it and she was not going to let anyone else touch it. Sighing she sat on a small stool and picked up a chisel and a little hammer and set to work. Her hands moved quickly as leaf after leaf and figure after figure emerged from the wood. Gradually behind her, elves came in and out about their business and the noise level rose, but Calina was locked in her memories of her childhood smiling to herself. And then all of a sudden it was finished. Calina sat back in amazement, she had not thought it would happen so quickly, but she knew that if she lifted that chisel one more time it would not make an improvement to what was in front of her. She was on her knees on the floor and she sat back on her ankles to admire what was before her. Someone placed a hand on her shoulder,
"It is the best piece of work I have ever seen you make Calina," and she smiled as they went back to their work. It is not a patch on the King's bed, she thought, but it would definitely do. Her face beamed and she stood up to brush some last dust off it and then she had to stand back and look at it from another angle. The combination of curves and straight lines gave the piece an edge that made it unique her. Anyone looking at it could say - that is a Birch piece, indubitably the daughter's, Calina Birch. Another voice said in her ear,
"Seems a shame to pack it up and send it all the way to Rohan. It is rare anyone makes a piece like that Calina, do you not even have any drawings?" She shook her head,
"I have my initial ideas, but nothing that looks like this, not really. If only we had the time to get an artist in here. I do not suppose I will ever get to see it again after another few days, except in my dreams." She was looking at it wistfully and stroked it in a maternal way, like all artists regard their "babies". A familiar elbow rested itself on her shoulder and its owner took in a loud, critical breath,
"I do not know Calina. If you just took this big sledge hammer here and knocked this bit a little," but Lathrin's arm did not get very high as the rest of the workshop piled onto her to stop her touching Calina's work. Lathrin emerged laughing from a heap of elves and looked at Calina seriously now, "Calina this is fantastic. True genius. I am so proud of you!" Lathrin put her arm round her friend's waist and rested their heads together and they both smiled and then danced around the workshop together. Calina did not pack it up immediately, but put it safe out of harm's way so she could look at it until Gimli came to collect it.
That afternoon Calina set back into the task of making wardrobes, tables and the ordinary everyday furniture that sold well. Every so often she would have to go and take a peek at the Chair and fifteen, twenty minutes later someone would come and gently bring her back to her work whilst wearing a knowing smile. She also wrote a message to be sent to Erebor and gave it Lathrin to pass onto Verlat. Somehow she knew that he would be visiting her friend some time in the near future.
Over the next few days the level of activity in the workshop went back to its normal casual state full of songs, jokes and laughter and Calina also began to work on new sets of designs in a radically different style that seemed to have grown in her head as an extension of Gimli's chair. They had had news that Lord Aragorn and the lady Arwen were to return in three months and so Gimli would not be going to Rohan till then. However, he would take the furniture as far as the Lonely Mountain to get it out of Calina's way, and of course, he would complete the rich payment he had offered.
About a fortnight later a caravan of wagons arrived in the little village and more dwarves than Calina could possibly imagine appeared and picked up the boxes of furniture and whilst singing, loaded the furniture less carefully than Calina would have wanted onto the carts. Most of the elves sat back and watched what was going on in shocked silence, but the more curious crept a little closer and maybe exchanged a word or two in the Common Tongue with a dwarf. Calina on the other hand was bustling around trying to get the dwarves to be a bit more gentle with what they were carrying. The dwarves just ignored this she-elf who seemed on the verge of hysterics and carried on oblivious to Calina's more and more worried countenance. Their respite came when a noble and long-bearded dwarf strode up to Calina and bowed low saying,
"My lady Calina Birch, Gimli son of Gloín at your service." Calina stopped and bowed in reply saying,
"Calina Birch, at yours Master Gimli."
"I am very glad to see you in such good health my lady, my better than the last time our paths crossed."
"Yes, my good dwarf, and glad I am that our paths did. Come there is one last item left to be packed before you are on your way. It waits your approval." She led him into a little side room where the Chair was waiting. A shocked noise came out of his mouth and then he ran the short distance to the chair. His fingers ran over the carvings and then he sat in the seat wriggling to test how comfortable the it was. There was a broad smile on his face, and Calina found it oddly beautiful, for a dwarf of course. He said,
"My lady, this, this is more than I could possibly have imagined. When I heard of your talents I did not dream that they were so powerful as to create a masterpiece such as this."
"That is high praise Master Gimli, but this was only made to fit your position as Lord of the Glittering Caves, and no lord should be without his throne." Calina smiled and then motioned for it to be packed away. She took one last look and the left. Gimli called to two young dwarfs who brought a heavy chest into Calina's office.
"My lady, please accept this as payment for your great service to myself." The chest was opened and Calina had never seen so much gold or silver in her entire life, and the jewels were incredible,
"Gimli, surely this is too much, you must take this back."
"Never have I heard a craftsman refuse payment. We dwarves believe in rewarding good work and craft. Lady Calina you and those you have taught are the most gifted workers. Truly I have never seen such work, even by my kin. I could never take one coin back with me."
"You honour me greatly, Master Gimli and I am forever in your service." Calina bowed low. As quick as they had arrived, the wagons and the dwarves left and the workshop was almost empty. Calina was embarrassed by the money in her little office, but she counted out what she had and divided into piles for each of the workers and called them into the office one by one to give them large bags to reward them for their work. Lastly Lathrin came in and Calina put what remained of the chest on the desk. She had already taken out the money to pay for their materials and still there were piles of coins and jewels left. Lathrin's mouth dropped open as she closed the door. Calina motioned for her to sit down and then said,
"Lathrin, I want you to ask you a question. Are you going with Verlat to Ithilien? I am sorry to be blunt about it, but there is no easy way to ask it. If you go I want you to have what is left of this. I have enough to get by and the workshop is not exactly short of money after today, and I need to know you will be well looked after all those miles away, not that I doubt that Verlat would look after you, and." Lathrin cut her short,
"I am not going Calina. We spoke about it for a long time, but I do not think I am ready to move hundreds of miles for him after only a couple of weeks of a relationship. Neither of us is sure of our feelings so this really will give us a chance to test the water. If I miss him, I can always go to him and he could always come back here." She paused and looked at Calina, "Calina, keep this, you deserve it." Calina shook her head,
"I cannot keep all of this," and then she smiled, "But I am glad you are staying." Lathrin smiled too,
"As if I could leave you here with no one to look after you!" and they embraced, "Are you coming back to work?"
"No, I have a letter to write. I will be out later. Ask Turel to send for his younger son if he is willing to let him deliver a message for me, would you?" Lathrin nodded and the boy was sent for.
Calina settled down with paper and pen and wrote,
"Your highness,
In the past I have been greatly indebted to you and your family and twice now your son has quite possibly saved my life. I have spent much time living at your expense in your beautiful Halls and now I feel it is time to repay that debt. You will forgive me for not delivering this in person, but please accept this to in someway settle what I owe.
Your servant,
Calina Birch."
She signed and sealed the letter and then attached it to a parcel of a small box of her own making containing several of the most beautiful jewels she had received that day. She could finally cut the one tie that kept her at Thranduil's disposal and she knew jewels were the Elvenking's particular weakness.
By that time the boy, called Turel after his father, had arrived with his horse. Calina brought him into her office and paid him with a large gold coin and told him not to reveal his destination to anyone. He was under instructions to give the gift solely to the King and when he met the palace guards he was to say he was from the lady Calina Birch and that her business could only be told to the king. Calina sent him on his way.
*
Turel rode through the woods swiftly. He was not yet even half way to coming of age and was fed up of being treated as a boy. Often he argued that the sons of Men at his age were already fighting in wars and raising families of their own, but his father only laughed at his impatience. Turel was glad to be given such a responsibility by Calina because as soon as he reached fifty he intended to follow in his father's footsteps and work for her. Turel thought nothing more beautiful than watching the work of the carvers in the workshop producing little pictures of history from pieces of wood.
He had only seen the palace from a distance before, but he was not nervous at confronting the guards. The arrogance of youth still held him. He clattered into the yard at the front of the halls and dismounted his horse. Leading her up to the gate he cleared his throat and spoke loudly and as confidently as he could,
"I have a letter for the King that I must deliver in person. It is from the lady Calina Birch."
The guards laughed and sneered at him and one said,
"The King is too busy to deal with little boys and their games, now be gone!" Turel, however, stood firm and said,
"My business is with the King. These are my instructions." He stood tall and tried to appear confident. Turel saw another guard walking towards him and immediately those in front of him stopped laughing and stood to attention,
"What is going on here?" he said,
"This boy," one guard said emphasising the word, "wishes to speak to the King, Captain. Says he has a message for him."
"Speak, who sent you?"
"Calina Birch, sir."
"Very well, follow me. One of you take this horse to the stables for some water. Next time someone says they have a message for the King do not send them away without consulting me. Especially if they are from one of the King's favourite acquaintances." The guards looked suitably embarrassed and ashamed and Turel could not help a smile as he walked past. The Captain introduced himself, "My name is Nithin, I am a Captain of the King's Guards. You may tell Calina that I took her parcel to the King. She knows who I am."
"If you will excuse me Captain Nithin sir, Calina asked me to deliver this personally to the King and to let none other touch it or read the letter." Then a thought came to him, "You may see the seal. If you know the lady Calina then you will recognise it and tell me what it is."
"You are a smart elf. That is indeed Calina's seal. It is the symbol of the Birches of Beechgrove." Turel smiled and nodded,
"Will you take me to the King then?"
"Tell me your name first and I shall tell him you are here." Turel nodded and spoke his name. Nithin left him in an anteroom to go and speak to the King. There were several other people waiting. Two looked like impatient advisors carrying scrolls for the King to read, but soon Nithin came out again and said, "Turel, the King will see you now." The advisors stood up and angrily tried to complain, but Nithin held up his hand and ushered Turel in.
Thranduil sat as his large desk and smiled gently at the young elf in front of him, "Come, come, Turel. Nithin tells me you have been through much to get here. A little altercation with my guards I hear?"
"It was nothing, sire. I knew I had to carry out lady Calina's wishes as she had entrusted me with this task." Thranduil chuckled and then held out his hand for the parcel,
"I can see you will be a loyal and strong elf in the future. Is it long till you come of age?" Turel handed the parcel to the King and then said,
"It seems far too long sire." Turel bowed and then stepped back. Thranduil opened the letter and read it. He sighed deeply and there was a look of deep regret in his eyes. As much as he admired independence of the mind as a good character trait, when it led to a stubbornness of will, it was less admirable and more irritating. Both his son and Calina suffered from it. Neither would thank him for interfering though, even if banging their heads together may do them some good. As ever, Thranduil held to the hope that time would teach them a harsh lesson, but perhaps one that they needed. The King collected himself and pushed the thought of grandchildren from his mind,
"Turel, please wait outside. There will be a reply to this that I wish you to carry."
"Yes your highness." Turel bowed and then Nithin led him back to a seat outside and went back into the King's chamber. A few minutes later Thranduil's door opened and he was called from inside. Turel walked in again and bowed. Thranduil held out a sealed letter for him,
"Turel, please take this to Calina for me. It is very important she gets this tonight. Do you know where her flet is if she is not at the workshop?"
"Yes I do sire. I will give this to her tonight."
"Good lad. Perhaps once you come of age you would consider coming here to work as a guard for me?"
"I thank you for your compliment you highness, but I hope to follow my father into carpentry." Thranduil laughed and waved him out. Nithin led him back to the yard and made one of the guards retrieve Turel's horse. Turel rode off back in the direction of the village with the important letter tucked safely in his shirt pocket.
Unsurprisingly, Turel found Calina still in the workshop as the Sun set. He jumped off the horse and ran into the workshop,
"My lady, my lady. Here is a letter for you! It is from the King." Calina's eyes looked up murderously as Turel had revealed the destination of his errand. It was only Lathrin who was left and she looked up from her work. Turel immediately looked ashamed and mumbled an apology. Calina shook her head,
"Never mind Turel. I would probably have told Lathrin anyway, but next time be more careful."
"There will be a next time?" Turel said hopefully. Calina smiled and said mysteriously,
"Perhaps. Now get home to your mother!"
*
Calina sighed and watched the retreating figure of Turel. Lathrin came and sat by her,
"Care to explain?" Yet again, Calina sighed,
"I sent the King a few of those jewels to repay him for all the kindness he has showed me." She held her hands up as Lathrin opened her mouth to speak, "I know you will not agree with that, but I felt like it was something I had to do, especially as things ended so badly with the Prince and me. I do not have any reason to feel like I was entitled to claim such a favour. Let's see what he says shall we?" Calina broke the seal and the unfolded the paper. Thranduil's flowing hand went across the page.
"Calina,
I thank you very much for the gift you have sent me today. They appear to be some of Erebor's finest jewels. You seem to know both my weaknesses, fine jewels and my son. I am saddened to learn that you think you owe myself of my family anything. If you wish to reduce this to its lowest level then think of me as a king protecting his subjects. Also think of me as a father, Calina. I am sorry that things have ended so badly between you and Legolas. I will not lie to you, I had high hopes that you would marry and bind yourselves to each other. Of all the silly she-elves Legolas has had designs on, you were by far the most beautiful! I hope that made you smile, for I know my son misses seeing it. That is all I shall say on the matter because I know neither of you will thank me for getting involved. I remain as ever,
Thranduil, King of Eryn Lasgalen."
Calina folded it up immediately and tapped the folded paper on the table,
"You will be alright to finish up, will you not Lathrin?" Lathrin nodded and Calina went home slowly, now tapping the letter on her fingertips.
At the palace, Legolas was at the archery ranges firing arrow after arrow at one, very distant, target. He was muttering to himself angrily,
"I only asked her to move a short ride away but she flew off the handle at me," an arrow flew, "I thought if she agreed to move here then she would agree to everything else too, but no!" Another arrow, "I am not good enough for her," another arrow, which this time flew wide and Legolas growled with frustration, "Because I am not made of wood she had no time for me. Her precious workshop has to come first." An arrow went into the trees and there was a flutter of birds' wings. "It does not matter than in a short time there will be no elves left to sell anything to and that what we had could have lasted longer than that, forever." The arrow hit dead centre of the target, "Her family would be proud of her no matter what she did. They would not want to see the Birch name dragged down as our kin depart." This arrow split the last and buried its head in the target, "Well she can stay here and watch this forest slowly swallow up all that remains of ages of elves," another arrow, "I cannot let that happen." An arrow hit the edge of the target, "I will not give up on Middle Earth until I know I can do no more here." Another arrow flew wide and Legolas yelled with frustration. He readjusted his stance and then narrowed his eyes. He drew his arm back as far as he could and then let the arrow fly.
Legolas was unaware of the three elves behind him holding a whispered conference about him. They had been unable to hear what he was saying to himself, but even if they had it would have confused them further. Verlat was speaking,
"He is holding something back, I cannot say what, but we know Legolas. He is keeping something from us and it is eating away at him, just look! I sensed it as soon as I saw him this morning. Even I sensed it, and he has not shot that badly since I do not know when." Mineta allowed herself a small smile at this, and then gave her thoughts,
"We cannot force him, Verlat, that will only make him withdraw further inside himself. Was it Calina? Did you see her this morning?"
"Yes but only briefly. She seemed troubled, but she has a lot on her mind. Lathrin was saying how busy the workshop is with the dwarf coming to collect things soon." Nithin grinned at his friend at the mention of Lathrin's name and no insult following it,
"It seems you also have news about yourself Verlat."
"Never mind, Nithin." Mineta interrupted her husband sharply, "Legolas is almost out of arrows, we had best leave before he sees us. Let him come to us and speak his mind."
"That sounds like the best thing to do," Nithin said and then turned to face his friend, "Now Verlat, tell us the rest of the news." Verlat smiled and lights twinkled in his eyes as he spoke of the complete change in his emotions. Mineta would have been overjoyed at this, but her eyes lingered on the figure of Legolas striding to the target to retrieve his arrows, until she had to turn and enter the palace.
Nithin took his watch later that day over Thranduil's treasury in the bowels of the Halls and Mineta sat in their apartment alone picking up a tapestry she had been working on. There was a soft knock on the door and Legolas put his head around,
"Nithin is on duty," it was a statement, not a question, but Mineta nodded all the same and motioned for Legolas to sit down beside her. He chose a chair opposite her, instead. Mineta sat patiently, waiting for Legolas to speak, "There is something I must tell you Mineta." He took a deep breath and Mineta prepared herself, "During the last few years I spent in Gondor I spend most of my time exploring Ithilien. It is wondrous land Mineta, I could be truly happy there. Close to the members of the Fellowship dearest to me, and closer to the sea.
"Silver flow the streams from Celos to Erui In the green fields of Lebennin! Tall grows the grass there. In the wind from the Sea The white lilies sway, And the golden bells are shaken of mallos and alfirin In the green fields of Lebennin, In the wind from the Sea!
"I have spoken to Aragorn and to my father, and they to each other and if I can find those willing we may go and settle there until such time as we care to leave the plains and forests for the men, women and children of Gondor. Their numbers increase daily as our dwindle, but there is no reason not to make the most of the time we have left, until the calling to go to the Hidden Lands becomes too much to bear and.."
"Legolas! Slow down!" Mineta exclaimed, half in shock at the revelation and half in fear for Legolas who had risen during his speech and was dangerously close to a window, "You are leaving Eryn Lasgalen forever?"
"Yes, and I wish you all to come with me. I could not leave you here. Mineta, you have never been further than Dale, there is more out there for us to see that just these Woods." Mineta frowned and shook her head,
"Legolas, I do not know. It is not a decision I alone can make. I must speak to Nithin, and he to your father. It is not only you that has responsibilities in this wood."
"Father has promised to release any of those in his service. Everyday people are leaving here. There are far too many soldiers and servants in the Halls now. There would be less, but Father will not send anyone away who has been in his service. He feels obligated to them."
Mineta sat back into the soft couch she was sitting on. The golden Sun of the mid-afternoon was streaming through all the windows and Legolas sat before her like an excited young elf of maybe only a few years willing for the one answer he wanted. She thought of the number of years that they had been friends. The decades had turned into centuries and those into millennia. Life without him had been strange for all of them during his last time in Gondor. What was keeping her in Eryn Lasgalen except her husband? If Nithin and Verlat agreed to go too then perhaps it would be their one last adventure together. She let her eyes meet Legolas',
"If Nithin and Verlat agree, then we shall come with you." Legolas beamed as he heard this. He strode across the room and threw his arms around Mineta,
"I would have begged you all to come. Mineta, thank you. It means so much to me that you would give up your life here to follow me."
"Legolas, we have known each other for so long, we would never let you go without us."
That evening after dinner the four friends sat down together and discussed things. Nithin and Mineta agreed immediately to go with Legolas. Verlat was a little more reserved, but in the end he could not conceive being left behind and became wrapped up in the plans. There would have to be announcements throughout the Wood and then the migration could begin. Aragorn and Legolas had agreed to live near the settlements already set up so that when the elves left, their homes could be used for the families living there. They spoke late into the night about the plans they had. Legolas revealed that once the rest of the Fellowship had departed Middle Earth, so would he. This would be their last great adventure together.
The next morning Verlat rose at sunrise and went to Lathrin. He arrived just as she was waking, and she smiled sleepily as he came into her small flet. She wrapped her arms around him and said,
"What brings you here so early Verlat?"
"I have news. I thought I should tell you as soon as I could in light of what happened between us." Lathrin tried to meet his eyes, but he kept avoiding them,
"What? What is Verlat?"
"We, Legolas, Calina, Mineta, Nithin and I, we are leaving. We are going to Ithilien." Lathrin laughed,
"What? Where is Ithilien? You cannot just up and leave. Where will you live? Be sensible Verlat!"
"I am. It is all arranged with Thranduil and Lord Aragorn. I, I wanted to know if you would come too. If not for me, for Calina." Lathrin's whole face changed and anger flashed across it,
"For Calina? That deceptive witch! She never said a word to me. We will see about this." Lathrin, still in the clothes she had rested in, pushed her feet into a pair of boots and then down onto the ground. She stormed up the path in the direction of Calina's flet. Verlat hurried after her calling in loud whispers in case he woke up Lathrin's sleeping neighbours,
"Lathrin! Lathrin! Calm down! Please?" But she either did not or would not hear.
Calina was just getting herself some breakfast as she heard a very irate elf under her flet calling her name. She poked her head out of the window, which Lathrin saw,
"Let me in right this second Calina Birch!" Calina saw Verlat trying to shrink into the nearest tree. She flashed him a quizzical frown, but he gave her nothing in return. Calina opened the trapdoor and kicked the ladder down. Lathrin was up in her front room in a second and Verlat was behind her, trying to keep control on the situation. Lathrin seized Calina by the collar of her work robe and shook it, "Calina Birch, what in the name of Elbereth do you think you are doing moving to Ithilien, wherever that is? You never said a word. How could you use me like this? I have only ever tried to be good to you. After you arrived here from nowhere and set up the workshop and then finally people worked out who you were. They said it would never work, that you could never be as good as your father, but I stood by you. I had faith in you when no one else would. And what thanks do I get? You could not even tell me you were going to goodness knows where. And after yesterday's tears, I ask you?" Lathrin paused for breath and Verlat jumped in,
"Gondor. Ithilien is in Gondor. The Anduin flows through it before it gets to the sea."
"Gondor?" screeched Lathrin, "Gondor? It is further south than Minas Tirith?" Her anger overcame her shock and she turned on Calina again, "You did not tell me, you did not tell me!" Tears welled up in her eyes, "I thought we were friends Calina, and now you are going away." Lathrin curled up in the corner of Calina's couch and hugged her knees to her chin. Calina sat down next to her and took Lathrin in her arms to calm her. Calina looked at Lathrin curled up on her lap. Her eyes were already red from the tears she had shed and her tears splattered her night gown. Calina pushed back the thin blond hair behind Lathrin's ear and bent down to level their eyes,
"Lathrin, I swear to you, I am not going anywhere. I shall be here in the workshop for a long time to go yet. Hush now, do not cry." Calina wiped Lathrin's eyes with the sleeve of her robe as if she were an elf child, "There, all better," and Lathrin allowed herself a small smile,
"But you say you are not going and yet Verlat says they are all moving to Ithilien?"
"Well I shall say that is news to me, but I do not doubt that the Prince is at the centre of this. Is that so Verlat?"
The story came out then and there - the discussions between Legolas, Aragorn and Thranduil that had been kept secret for so long had now been made known to those around them. They had agreed to travel with Legolas to Gondor and had all naturally assumed that in light of recent events Calina would be going too. At this point Calina shook her head and said,
"Legolas knows I would never leave here. He has never spoken of such an idea, moving to Ithilien of all places." She stood and moved to the window and watched the Sun rising over the trees of Eryn Lasgalen and spoke softly to herself, "I could not leave with so much to do," and then turning to Verlat she said, "Verlat, I truly wish you well and I am sorry to see you go." Worse things have happened, she thought to herself.
"Is that it?" said Lathrin, "You are not going to get on your horse and ride to the Palace and tell Legolas exactly what you think of him for moving hundreds of miles?" Calina smiled and shrugged her shoulders,
"No, why should I? The prince is perfectly entitled to do whatever he wishes. Lathrin, it is not like I am bound to him and that being without him will cause me to join my family. We have different lives and they could never run together without one of us having to give something up. That would breed resentment which would then turn to anger and then what is the point of being together if in the end you cannot stand the sight of each other? I think the distance will suit us both."
"You cannot mean that Calina," said Verlat incredulously, "You and Legolas love each other so much. It is in your eyes and the light that surrounds you both when you are together. If there is no hope for you, then there is no hope for any of us." His eyes darted unseen to Lathrin.
"No Verlat," said Calina firmly, her eyes cold and steely fixed on his, "we cannot be in love." There was a pause and her eyes softened and she smiled, "Now why do you not take Lathrin home and get her to put some proper clothes on? She cannot go about exposing herself all day now can she?" Lathrin gasped and pulled her clothes closer around her and scuttled down the ladder. Verlat had one last sad, almost pitying, look for Calina before he followed Lathrin down.
Calina sighed. She was not angry, she was not even sad. She was just numb. And after all, what was the difference between Legolas living out his life in Halls or in Ithilien? Neither of them wanted to quit the lives they had been living in so the hundreds of miles were inconsequential. A prince was still a prince no matter where his realm and no matter what part of Middle Earth, princes cannot fall in love with carpenters' daughters. She collected a few things and went to the workshop.
A sense of achievement filled Calina as she opened up the workshop. Despite its recent damage the place was still standing and in every corner were boxes packed with furniture to be taken to various parts of the Wood, Dale, and finally, in its own room, was the order ready to be collected and taken all the way to Rohan. She looked at the almost-finished piece in the corner. The most important item still sat in a pile of sawdust. Gimli's chair. The carving was not happening as fast as Calina would have like it and she was not going to let anyone else touch it. Sighing she sat on a small stool and picked up a chisel and a little hammer and set to work. Her hands moved quickly as leaf after leaf and figure after figure emerged from the wood. Gradually behind her, elves came in and out about their business and the noise level rose, but Calina was locked in her memories of her childhood smiling to herself. And then all of a sudden it was finished. Calina sat back in amazement, she had not thought it would happen so quickly, but she knew that if she lifted that chisel one more time it would not make an improvement to what was in front of her. She was on her knees on the floor and she sat back on her ankles to admire what was before her. Someone placed a hand on her shoulder,
"It is the best piece of work I have ever seen you make Calina," and she smiled as they went back to their work. It is not a patch on the King's bed, she thought, but it would definitely do. Her face beamed and she stood up to brush some last dust off it and then she had to stand back and look at it from another angle. The combination of curves and straight lines gave the piece an edge that made it unique her. Anyone looking at it could say - that is a Birch piece, indubitably the daughter's, Calina Birch. Another voice said in her ear,
"Seems a shame to pack it up and send it all the way to Rohan. It is rare anyone makes a piece like that Calina, do you not even have any drawings?" She shook her head,
"I have my initial ideas, but nothing that looks like this, not really. If only we had the time to get an artist in here. I do not suppose I will ever get to see it again after another few days, except in my dreams." She was looking at it wistfully and stroked it in a maternal way, like all artists regard their "babies". A familiar elbow rested itself on her shoulder and its owner took in a loud, critical breath,
"I do not know Calina. If you just took this big sledge hammer here and knocked this bit a little," but Lathrin's arm did not get very high as the rest of the workshop piled onto her to stop her touching Calina's work. Lathrin emerged laughing from a heap of elves and looked at Calina seriously now, "Calina this is fantastic. True genius. I am so proud of you!" Lathrin put her arm round her friend's waist and rested their heads together and they both smiled and then danced around the workshop together. Calina did not pack it up immediately, but put it safe out of harm's way so she could look at it until Gimli came to collect it.
That afternoon Calina set back into the task of making wardrobes, tables and the ordinary everyday furniture that sold well. Every so often she would have to go and take a peek at the Chair and fifteen, twenty minutes later someone would come and gently bring her back to her work whilst wearing a knowing smile. She also wrote a message to be sent to Erebor and gave it Lathrin to pass onto Verlat. Somehow she knew that he would be visiting her friend some time in the near future.
Over the next few days the level of activity in the workshop went back to its normal casual state full of songs, jokes and laughter and Calina also began to work on new sets of designs in a radically different style that seemed to have grown in her head as an extension of Gimli's chair. They had had news that Lord Aragorn and the lady Arwen were to return in three months and so Gimli would not be going to Rohan till then. However, he would take the furniture as far as the Lonely Mountain to get it out of Calina's way, and of course, he would complete the rich payment he had offered.
About a fortnight later a caravan of wagons arrived in the little village and more dwarves than Calina could possibly imagine appeared and picked up the boxes of furniture and whilst singing, loaded the furniture less carefully than Calina would have wanted onto the carts. Most of the elves sat back and watched what was going on in shocked silence, but the more curious crept a little closer and maybe exchanged a word or two in the Common Tongue with a dwarf. Calina on the other hand was bustling around trying to get the dwarves to be a bit more gentle with what they were carrying. The dwarves just ignored this she-elf who seemed on the verge of hysterics and carried on oblivious to Calina's more and more worried countenance. Their respite came when a noble and long-bearded dwarf strode up to Calina and bowed low saying,
"My lady Calina Birch, Gimli son of Gloín at your service." Calina stopped and bowed in reply saying,
"Calina Birch, at yours Master Gimli."
"I am very glad to see you in such good health my lady, my better than the last time our paths crossed."
"Yes, my good dwarf, and glad I am that our paths did. Come there is one last item left to be packed before you are on your way. It waits your approval." She led him into a little side room where the Chair was waiting. A shocked noise came out of his mouth and then he ran the short distance to the chair. His fingers ran over the carvings and then he sat in the seat wriggling to test how comfortable the it was. There was a broad smile on his face, and Calina found it oddly beautiful, for a dwarf of course. He said,
"My lady, this, this is more than I could possibly have imagined. When I heard of your talents I did not dream that they were so powerful as to create a masterpiece such as this."
"That is high praise Master Gimli, but this was only made to fit your position as Lord of the Glittering Caves, and no lord should be without his throne." Calina smiled and then motioned for it to be packed away. She took one last look and the left. Gimli called to two young dwarfs who brought a heavy chest into Calina's office.
"My lady, please accept this as payment for your great service to myself." The chest was opened and Calina had never seen so much gold or silver in her entire life, and the jewels were incredible,
"Gimli, surely this is too much, you must take this back."
"Never have I heard a craftsman refuse payment. We dwarves believe in rewarding good work and craft. Lady Calina you and those you have taught are the most gifted workers. Truly I have never seen such work, even by my kin. I could never take one coin back with me."
"You honour me greatly, Master Gimli and I am forever in your service." Calina bowed low. As quick as they had arrived, the wagons and the dwarves left and the workshop was almost empty. Calina was embarrassed by the money in her little office, but she counted out what she had and divided into piles for each of the workers and called them into the office one by one to give them large bags to reward them for their work. Lastly Lathrin came in and Calina put what remained of the chest on the desk. She had already taken out the money to pay for their materials and still there were piles of coins and jewels left. Lathrin's mouth dropped open as she closed the door. Calina motioned for her to sit down and then said,
"Lathrin, I want you to ask you a question. Are you going with Verlat to Ithilien? I am sorry to be blunt about it, but there is no easy way to ask it. If you go I want you to have what is left of this. I have enough to get by and the workshop is not exactly short of money after today, and I need to know you will be well looked after all those miles away, not that I doubt that Verlat would look after you, and." Lathrin cut her short,
"I am not going Calina. We spoke about it for a long time, but I do not think I am ready to move hundreds of miles for him after only a couple of weeks of a relationship. Neither of us is sure of our feelings so this really will give us a chance to test the water. If I miss him, I can always go to him and he could always come back here." She paused and looked at Calina, "Calina, keep this, you deserve it." Calina shook her head,
"I cannot keep all of this," and then she smiled, "But I am glad you are staying." Lathrin smiled too,
"As if I could leave you here with no one to look after you!" and they embraced, "Are you coming back to work?"
"No, I have a letter to write. I will be out later. Ask Turel to send for his younger son if he is willing to let him deliver a message for me, would you?" Lathrin nodded and the boy was sent for.
Calina settled down with paper and pen and wrote,
"Your highness,
In the past I have been greatly indebted to you and your family and twice now your son has quite possibly saved my life. I have spent much time living at your expense in your beautiful Halls and now I feel it is time to repay that debt. You will forgive me for not delivering this in person, but please accept this to in someway settle what I owe.
Your servant,
Calina Birch."
She signed and sealed the letter and then attached it to a parcel of a small box of her own making containing several of the most beautiful jewels she had received that day. She could finally cut the one tie that kept her at Thranduil's disposal and she knew jewels were the Elvenking's particular weakness.
By that time the boy, called Turel after his father, had arrived with his horse. Calina brought him into her office and paid him with a large gold coin and told him not to reveal his destination to anyone. He was under instructions to give the gift solely to the King and when he met the palace guards he was to say he was from the lady Calina Birch and that her business could only be told to the king. Calina sent him on his way.
*
Turel rode through the woods swiftly. He was not yet even half way to coming of age and was fed up of being treated as a boy. Often he argued that the sons of Men at his age were already fighting in wars and raising families of their own, but his father only laughed at his impatience. Turel was glad to be given such a responsibility by Calina because as soon as he reached fifty he intended to follow in his father's footsteps and work for her. Turel thought nothing more beautiful than watching the work of the carvers in the workshop producing little pictures of history from pieces of wood.
He had only seen the palace from a distance before, but he was not nervous at confronting the guards. The arrogance of youth still held him. He clattered into the yard at the front of the halls and dismounted his horse. Leading her up to the gate he cleared his throat and spoke loudly and as confidently as he could,
"I have a letter for the King that I must deliver in person. It is from the lady Calina Birch."
The guards laughed and sneered at him and one said,
"The King is too busy to deal with little boys and their games, now be gone!" Turel, however, stood firm and said,
"My business is with the King. These are my instructions." He stood tall and tried to appear confident. Turel saw another guard walking towards him and immediately those in front of him stopped laughing and stood to attention,
"What is going on here?" he said,
"This boy," one guard said emphasising the word, "wishes to speak to the King, Captain. Says he has a message for him."
"Speak, who sent you?"
"Calina Birch, sir."
"Very well, follow me. One of you take this horse to the stables for some water. Next time someone says they have a message for the King do not send them away without consulting me. Especially if they are from one of the King's favourite acquaintances." The guards looked suitably embarrassed and ashamed and Turel could not help a smile as he walked past. The Captain introduced himself, "My name is Nithin, I am a Captain of the King's Guards. You may tell Calina that I took her parcel to the King. She knows who I am."
"If you will excuse me Captain Nithin sir, Calina asked me to deliver this personally to the King and to let none other touch it or read the letter." Then a thought came to him, "You may see the seal. If you know the lady Calina then you will recognise it and tell me what it is."
"You are a smart elf. That is indeed Calina's seal. It is the symbol of the Birches of Beechgrove." Turel smiled and nodded,
"Will you take me to the King then?"
"Tell me your name first and I shall tell him you are here." Turel nodded and spoke his name. Nithin left him in an anteroom to go and speak to the King. There were several other people waiting. Two looked like impatient advisors carrying scrolls for the King to read, but soon Nithin came out again and said, "Turel, the King will see you now." The advisors stood up and angrily tried to complain, but Nithin held up his hand and ushered Turel in.
Thranduil sat as his large desk and smiled gently at the young elf in front of him, "Come, come, Turel. Nithin tells me you have been through much to get here. A little altercation with my guards I hear?"
"It was nothing, sire. I knew I had to carry out lady Calina's wishes as she had entrusted me with this task." Thranduil chuckled and then held out his hand for the parcel,
"I can see you will be a loyal and strong elf in the future. Is it long till you come of age?" Turel handed the parcel to the King and then said,
"It seems far too long sire." Turel bowed and then stepped back. Thranduil opened the letter and read it. He sighed deeply and there was a look of deep regret in his eyes. As much as he admired independence of the mind as a good character trait, when it led to a stubbornness of will, it was less admirable and more irritating. Both his son and Calina suffered from it. Neither would thank him for interfering though, even if banging their heads together may do them some good. As ever, Thranduil held to the hope that time would teach them a harsh lesson, but perhaps one that they needed. The King collected himself and pushed the thought of grandchildren from his mind,
"Turel, please wait outside. There will be a reply to this that I wish you to carry."
"Yes your highness." Turel bowed and then Nithin led him back to a seat outside and went back into the King's chamber. A few minutes later Thranduil's door opened and he was called from inside. Turel walked in again and bowed. Thranduil held out a sealed letter for him,
"Turel, please take this to Calina for me. It is very important she gets this tonight. Do you know where her flet is if she is not at the workshop?"
"Yes I do sire. I will give this to her tonight."
"Good lad. Perhaps once you come of age you would consider coming here to work as a guard for me?"
"I thank you for your compliment you highness, but I hope to follow my father into carpentry." Thranduil laughed and waved him out. Nithin led him back to the yard and made one of the guards retrieve Turel's horse. Turel rode off back in the direction of the village with the important letter tucked safely in his shirt pocket.
Unsurprisingly, Turel found Calina still in the workshop as the Sun set. He jumped off the horse and ran into the workshop,
"My lady, my lady. Here is a letter for you! It is from the King." Calina's eyes looked up murderously as Turel had revealed the destination of his errand. It was only Lathrin who was left and she looked up from her work. Turel immediately looked ashamed and mumbled an apology. Calina shook her head,
"Never mind Turel. I would probably have told Lathrin anyway, but next time be more careful."
"There will be a next time?" Turel said hopefully. Calina smiled and said mysteriously,
"Perhaps. Now get home to your mother!"
*
Calina sighed and watched the retreating figure of Turel. Lathrin came and sat by her,
"Care to explain?" Yet again, Calina sighed,
"I sent the King a few of those jewels to repay him for all the kindness he has showed me." She held her hands up as Lathrin opened her mouth to speak, "I know you will not agree with that, but I felt like it was something I had to do, especially as things ended so badly with the Prince and me. I do not have any reason to feel like I was entitled to claim such a favour. Let's see what he says shall we?" Calina broke the seal and the unfolded the paper. Thranduil's flowing hand went across the page.
"Calina,
I thank you very much for the gift you have sent me today. They appear to be some of Erebor's finest jewels. You seem to know both my weaknesses, fine jewels and my son. I am saddened to learn that you think you owe myself of my family anything. If you wish to reduce this to its lowest level then think of me as a king protecting his subjects. Also think of me as a father, Calina. I am sorry that things have ended so badly between you and Legolas. I will not lie to you, I had high hopes that you would marry and bind yourselves to each other. Of all the silly she-elves Legolas has had designs on, you were by far the most beautiful! I hope that made you smile, for I know my son misses seeing it. That is all I shall say on the matter because I know neither of you will thank me for getting involved. I remain as ever,
Thranduil, King of Eryn Lasgalen."
Calina folded it up immediately and tapped the folded paper on the table,
"You will be alright to finish up, will you not Lathrin?" Lathrin nodded and Calina went home slowly, now tapping the letter on her fingertips.
