SHADOW IN THE TREES
By : mirkwood-elf-20931 & Thala
CHAPTER 11
After Arwen and Landailyn had left the Golden Wood, their course headed
straight for Fangorn Forest, entering under its darkened eaves not two days
later and spending a good four within it. And on the third, light was ahead and
the two knew that the forest of the Ents was ending and they would soon enter
the vast plains of Rohan.
At the edge, they took in the view around them. Open ground was as far as their
great eyesight could see southwards and eastwards, but west the mountains
continued to loom like a giant entity above, making their figures appear rather
small.
The afternoon sun was high and the wind blew slightly, but not a single person
or living thing was insight. Until one of them caught movement out of the
corner of her eye of something to the far left.
Landailyn almost did a double take at seeing this picture she'd never even seen
painted before and soon could not take her eyes off it. "Arwen, look!" A nod
pointing out the way she wanted her to see.
"Mearas," The word came out a whisper from the young princess.
Landailyn grinned. "Indeed," An idea growing in her.
History said that only the Lord of the Mark and his sons were allowed by these
legendary wild horses to be ridden. But a big 'what if?' stuck in the back of
her mind. So down she leapt from a halted Athron's back to the hard grassy
earth, telling him to remain there.
"Landy, what are you doing?" Arwen's brows were pressed together, as she stayed
atop her own steed.
"I'm trying something, it will not take long." The Elf called back softly.
Slowly and silently, she crept toward the small group of gathered animals. As
quiet as she might have seemed to most, their strong senses alerted them that
an intruder was nearby. As she continued, their ears twitched and all heads
rose in her direction, watching the every move of the new being. Some backed
away and gave low neighs, but she did not give up her pace.
Staying put, Arwen watched in silent interest, knowing now what she planned to
do and wondered if she was really even going to get near one.
Landailyn had picked it out from the very beginning, the one that she was
after. A bright white stallion, like her own and Asfaloth, the only light
colored one of the bunch, the rest all gray. Those surrounding it neighed
louder than before, as if in warning, but it stood its ground as they all now
did, tall and proud, looking almost mere statues.
She began speaking in Westron instead of Elvish, for it was said that the
greatest of the horses, Felarof, understood the speech of Men.
She was nearing them, about seven feet away, when some, appearantly afraid of
the closeness, started to scatter, circling around here and there.
Keeping her words up, she extended her hand.
A few had stayed by the white beast in front of her, perhaps curious like
itself to see the Elf closer up. But it was here that Landailyn stopped, her
right hand palm up. A minute went by that nothing happened. "Come on," She
coaxed. "I will not hurt you. You have my word and that is something I never go
back on."
Hesitantly, as if it had understood her, the Mearh inched forward, its nostrils
flared, dark eyes wide. One by one, its hooves went singly in front of another,
making its way to her.
"That's it." She said.
Finally, it touched its gray colored nose to her hand, sniffing for possible
food. She laughed quietly, slowly reaching the same hand up to stroke its jaw
and forehead, then her left to the other side. Now that it was sure she would
not hurt it, it stepped in a little further, smelling more of her than her
hands.
A smile broke into a grin on Arwen's face at what she saw from her seat.
Landailyn had done it, the stallion had came to her. Now, both of them thought,
if one could only ride it.
When she thought she had its trust, she turned away, hoping it would follow. It
lingered for a bit, watching the figure in confusion, it seemed as though it
would stay where it was, but to the surprise of two Elves, Landailyn could soon
hear soft hoof beats closing in behind her.
"There, see." Said Landailyn with pride in her voice, once reaching Arwen.
"And just what do you intend to do with it?"
"I plan on giving him to Thalawen," She said, turning back to give it
attention. "I noticed that she did not have a mount and when I saw this
one...it was different from the others, like she is." The latter came softer,
because Landailyn had never had any female friends back home, none that were
like herself that had the interests she did. Even Arwen wasn't and had never
been as much like her, as Thalawen was.
Arwen recognized the tone, it was of sadness and rejection. "You know I've
always counted you my friend."
She looked over her shoulder at the princess and nodded her thanks. "I know."
She didn't want to admit it, but it made her feel better to actually hear the
words aloud.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
"I'm losing patience with you, Elf!" roared the White Wizard. He stalked to the
other side of the cell to where the guard stood next to the door. "I thought
you said there was no more hope left in her eye." Spittle flew from his mouth
and landed on the Orcs' face. Saruman grabbed the guard by the arm and pulled
him to Thalawen, shoving his face into her's. "Don't you see it; the glimmer of
faith that has kept her sane? I want it gone! Do you hear me? GONE!"
He shoved the guard back to his post and was ready to walk out when he heard a
feeble voice in the dark cell. "Why am I here?" It was a hoarse croak, no
longer beautiful as it once was.
Slowly turning around, a small smile crept across his horrible twisted lips.
"You want to know why you are here, do you. I would have thought you had
figured it all out by now. After all you are an Elf and Elves are supposed to
possess the wisdom of all creatures," he said sarcastically.
Thalawen's only response was a shake of her head.
Walking forward, Saruman resumed his place before her. His staff was dimly lit
and he shone it on her face. "You really don't know." He shook his head in
disbelief. "I want the information you carry regarding the Nine. You do live in
Rivendell and that is where the Council met last. If anyone had the knowledge
of the Fellowship, it would be you."
Thalawen's eyes were raised to his. "I would never tell you, you know that. I
would never put my friends at risk."
"Not even for the one you love?" He let the question linger, hang on the air.
He saw her lower her mutilated eyes to the ground.
"I love no one," she said in a whisper.
"Do not lie to me, She-Elf, for I know whom it is you care for. I know who has
your heart. Can you honestly tell me you still do not know of whom I speak?"
A silent tear fell over Thalawen's lashes and spilled down her cheek. "I would
tell you nothing. Not even for him." Her voice was sad and shook with fear.
Fear for she knew she could hold on not much longer. "I WILL TELL YOU NOTHING!"
she shouted her rage at him.
He seemed to take no notice of her anger, but was rather pleased by it instead.
His smile seemed to grow. "You know that Legolas works for me," he said in a
sinister way. "He is my spy. Ever since he was a young boy, he's told me all of
what happens. Did you really think he was on your side?"
All tears vanished from Thalawen's eyes. "You, sir, are a liar and I believe
not a word you say. Your voice is filled with lies!" she screamed.
"No, my dear. I tell the truth. He is not what he seems." His eyes took on a
new light. "He has told me often of you: how beautiful you are; how innocent,
young, and untouched you are; how he would love to make you his bride so you
could rule forever, side by side in the new kingdom he would build for you. He
even said he would die for you."
She shook her head from side to side, moaning her disbelief. "You lie. Legolas
does not love me. He loves Landailyn. She is the only one for him. He does not
love me," her sentence ended in a painful whisper.
"Who is this 'Landailyn' that you speak of?" he asked.
Without thinking, she answered, "His Captain. She is the woman he loves."
Thalawen's sanity was shrinking back into a miniscule part of herself. An evil
that resides in us all was now taking over, and where it once hid is where
Thalawen herself was now going, where no one would be able to reach her. She
would be safe there. No one could touch her as long as she was in this small,
dark, comfortable room by herself. A new Thalawen emerged, one that was exactly
what the evil Wizard was hoping for.
"Thalawen?" he asked eagerly.
"Yes, master?" Her voice was harsh and pitiless. Her eyes were dry as dust and
evil as sin itself.
"Do you want Legolas?"
"Yes."
"Then kill the girl and take him for yourself. It is you who he wants after
all," he said as an ugly laugh escaped his throat.
"Yes, master." The Thalawen inside screamed for a savior, but no one would
come, no one would help her. She would be alone for eternity in the smallest
place imaginable. "Daddy!" she screamed in the darkness, but Lord Elrond would
not come to her rescue.
TBC ...
