Summary: Nilisil always lived in the shadow of her stepbrothers Elladan and
Elrohir. When the Fellowship arrives in Rivendell, she begs Elrond to go
with them, but he refuses. This follows Nilisil's journey as she defies
orders and tracks the fellowship, all the while discovering her own values.
*My first fanfic, constructive flames welcome. Sorry if they're not in
character!*
Disclaimer: I do not own any recognizable characters. They belong to JRR Tolkien. Only Nilisil is mine.
Author's Note: Thanks everyone for reviewing. I think I didn't make things clear, however. Nilisil is feeling left out because she isn't allowed to accompany her stepbrothers in tracking and hunting (since she is a female in a protective family) despite her skills and training. I also realized I didn't put much on her past. So this chapter is mostly devoted to her past.
.
Chapter Two: Mama! Ada! Why??
.
Nilisil watched as Arwen rode hard out of the protected confines of Rivendell. Deep down, she could not shake a feeling of unrest and fear that Arwen would face an evil worse than Orcs. She thought back to when she was an Elfling.
.
"Mama! Look! Look! I'm as good as Avardoion!!" Nilisil carefully notched her bow and pulled back the string. She aimed at the target one hundred yards away, noting the winds. She aimed slightly above the bulls eye and released the arrow.
The older female Elf watched as the arrow flew in a slight arc before slamming into the middle of the target. She smiled as her daughter danced in joy at accomplishing the task she had practiced for many months.
Airelond, the sword tutor and archery master for Nilisil and her brother Avardoion, smiled gently at Nili. "Good job, young Elf. By the time you are of two hundred years, you will be the best in all of Arda."
Nili squealed. "Really, Lond? That's less than thirty years! I can't wait!!" She ran over to hug her trainer tightly before running back into the house.
"You train her well, Airelond. Times are dangerous now, and she will want to go out on the Orc hunts with her brother Vardo. I fear for her safety, Lond. I do not want my only girl to be hurt and feel the pain of a poisoned arrow. I do not want her to die like her father." Nili's mother looked sadly at Lond.
"I know that pain too well. But I assure you, she will be as good as even Prince Legolas. Surely you have heard of his heroics in Mirkwood."
"Yes, Lond, I have. But even I fear for his health as he hunts. I just worry for Nili. She is still very young and to send her out to hunt those things." The Elf bit her lip anxiously. " I do not want her to leave for the Grey Havens before her time comes."
Lond looked at her and smiled fondly. "You remind me of my mother. She was always worrying after my sisters, even though they never ran into trouble or danger."
The other Elf smiled. "Motherly love. What can I say? It is all mothers' job to worry about their little Elflings. But mine, for Nili; it is more. You are training her to join the Rangers, are you not? Like Elrond and CelebrÃan's twins." She looked at Lond carefully for any emotions on his face.
Lond turned away. He had not wanted to tell her, but the question demanded an answer. "Yes, lady. I am. I am sorry if it is not your wish." He looked her straight in the eye then. "But you must know. Nili has great skill in tracking and an even greater skill for fighting. Her abilities are known even to the greatest of all Rangers. She is sought for. Lady, forgive me."
Nilisil's mother smiled sadly. "I have known for awhile, Lond. Aragorn passed by on his way to inquire of Nili. I know of her skill and what she can do. But still. A mother still worries."
Lond watched the mother as she gazed at Nili's window. A shadow could be seen swinging a sword in intricate movements with a delicacy only from a trained Elven maiden.
"So the time comes, Lond. The sun is setting and dinner will be ready soon."
Lond nodded and started to head back to his rooms when a scream was heard.
.
Nilisil was going through the routines with her sword when she heard a scream. She raced to her window and saw Lond running towards the forest next to the home. "Lond! Do you need assistance?"
Lond didn't hear Nili call out and continued running into the forest, taking out his sword and throwing the sheath to the ground.
Nili continued watching as Lond disappeared into the forest with several guards. She looked at her sword and closed her eyes in apparent indecision. After several minutes she snapped her eyes open and ran out into the forest.
.
Nili carefully stepped through the dry leaves, tracking Lond and the guards. She heard another scream and ran towards it, unheeding of any danger. The screaming got loud and more frequent as Nili got closer.
She suddenly burst into a small clearing, filled with Orcs. She caught herself before she gave herself away and backed behind a tree. She watched in horror as Lond and a few guards began attacking the Orcs. Seeing now chance in their survival against so many of them, she ran in and started fighting fiercely. She was trained and she would prove to Lond how good she could be.
.
Lond watched in horror as he spotted a small Elf enter the battle. He recognized Nili through her swings and tried to move his way towards her. However, the Orcs were too many and he was too busy trying to protect the Human boy to go to Nili. A slash wound to his right arm made him vulnerable, as the Orcs began pushing in the small protective circle around the boy.
.
Nili saw Lond slashed on his dominant arm and her fury increased. 'How dare they attack in my home! How dare the vile creatures go after a Human boy. She's barely of age to walk, vulnerable, unprotected, untrained!'
Nili began getting angrier as her swings became methodical. Cut, jab, slash, continue the cycle. Slowly, the Orcs realized her skill with the sword and retreated, running instead towards her home.
Gradually, Nili relaxed, not realizing at first the direction they were running in. When she saw Lond's horror stricken face, she turned and saw the Orcs stampeding past the guards, cutting down everything in their path.
"No!! Mama! Ada!!" Nili cried out and started to run towards the house. She was too late, as the Orcs raided the home, killing every Elf and stealing every valuable item. Nili managed to only dispatch a few straggling Orcs, but it was too late for her family. She found them in the study, fear in their eyes, sadness etched forever on their once perfect faces.
.
Lond took the Human boy in his arms and slowly walked toward the house, knowing that they were too late, knowing that even Nili was too late. He knew of their swiftness and cruel mentality against Elves. He knew that even by the time Nili found her parents, they would be dead, or near dead.
And that was how he found Nili. She was sobbing, pulling at her mother's sleeve, calling out for her to come back. Lond fought back tears, nearly forgetting Nili was only an Elfling of two hundred years. Her wisdom and heroism often made everyone forget her age. Lond set down the Human on a chair and knelt by Nili. He gently closed the eyes of the dead Elves and pulled a grief stricken Nili to him.
"Nili. We must leave. There is a chance the Orcs will be back for more."
Nili nodded sadly, reluctant to leave what she knew. She whispered goodbyes to her parents and glanced up at Lond.
"I wish to avenge my parents." Lond felt dread settling into his stomach as he saw a cold look entered her eyes.
"Nili," he murmured. "We are going to the House of Elrond. You will be raised there. His sons will finish your training to be a Ranger."
Nili's eyes flashed with annoyance. "I wish to avenge my parents! Those.ORCS killed them, and you want me to just forget about them?! You trained me, Lond! You know I am good! I can do this, and I will do this. You cannot stop me, Lond. They are my parents and I will take revenge." She spun around before Lond could see her tears and ran out of the room to the stables. Nili quickly took her horse and rode hard at the direction of the Orcs.
.
Lond watched her run towards the stable and sighed. He would have to find her later, but the Human needed his help first. He decided to give him to the care of a kind Human couple he knew by Bree. It was a long journey and he needed to get there quick.
.
A pair of eyes watched a young brunette Elf perched on a tree above a group of Orcs. The eyes took in every detail of the female Elf. She was beautiful, her dark hair braided intricately, nearly reaching her waist. Her features were perfect and stunning even among her kind. She was wiry, wearing dark clothing to hide her among the trees. Her garb accented her muscles well. The watcher noted the unsheathed sword in her hand, the quiver filled with arrows and a bow slung over her shoulder. It was also evident there were daggers in her boots and sleeves. She would be even more beautiful if not for the hard, cold look in her eyes.
The watcher noted as she jumped down, landing with perfect balance without any noise, behind the Orcs. She began swinging her sword and ran at the Orcs. The watcher was amazed at the skill the young Elf had. He wasn't prepared for her ability, only hearing of it. He was amused as she was obviously playing with them, slashing only to wound them enough for a slow death.
When the battle was over, the watcher retreated, careful to not make any noise.
"You." The watcher froze as he felt a dagger at his neck. "Why were you watching me?" He looked at the Elf and asked a question of his own.
"You are an Elf. A young one at that. What do you have against Orcs that you hunt them mercilessly?"
The smile didn't reach her eyes as she took in his question. "Do you know who I am, Human?"
"I have heard of you. But no one knows of your past. You keep it well hidden."
"Yes, I do. What do you watch me for?"
"I wished to see your skill. I followed you. I was surprised you did not notice me, Elf." He smirked at her.
"Oh, I knew you were there. You just weren't of importance. To reveal you would keep me from finding the Orcs faster."
"You have great tracking skills, Elf. Even I did not notice some things, with the training I have."
"Oh really. And who trained you, may I ask?" She quirked an eyebrow at him.
"Airelond. Perhaps you know of him, Elf?" He watched carefully for any emotions in her features.
"Lond." She looked impassionately at the Human. "You are the boy we found some thirty years ago."
He looked at her in surprise. "So you are indeed Nilisil. Lond talks of you much. He suspected you were her."
Nilisil refused to look at him. "Yes, I am Nilisil. How is Lond?"
"He is fine. He misses you. He believes you have not fulfilled your full potential however. He keeps muttering how you never finished your training. Although how someone could get any better is beyond me." He flashed a charming smile at Nilisil.
"Don't think you can charm me, young Human. Your flattery will get you nowhere. Go back to Lond. You still have much to learn. You are too loud, for one. And I have work to do."
The Human watched in amazement as the Elf leaped into the trees and disappeared.
.
Nilisil leaped from branch to branch. The conversation disturbed her. 'So Lond thinks I have not fulfilled my full potential.' She leaped to the ground and took out a cloth, wiping her bloodied blade with it. 'We will see about that. Looks like my next destination will be Rivendell.'
.
"Nili, daughter, I need your help." She snapped out of her memories as Elrond called out for her. She saw Mithrandir carrying a half-dead Hobbit to the Healing rooms.
"Yes, Ada. I am coming." Nili looked anxiously for Arwen, but Elrond noticed.
"Nili, Arwen is fine. She went back with horses to lead Estel and the other Hobbits here in case there is more danger. Come now. Frodo needs our help." He disappeared into a room.
"Yes, Ada." She went after him, intent on forgetting the pain the memories had pulled up.
.
End Chapter Two. All reviews welcome again! Sorry if it is a little confusing or not enough on detail, but I just wanted to give a cursory on her past. The family lived in a house, unlike most Elves, in case that part confused you. It's sort of like Rivendell, a house but with many open walls. They lived down south, deep into South Gondor (farther south than Mordor). I hope you got the idea that Nilisil was trained well and has a deep hatred against Orcs, thus giving her incentive to track the Fellowship despite orders not to. It isn't about revenge or personal objectives though. I can't tell you what it's about, though, because it will all be explained why she goes in the next chapter or two. Thanks!
Disclaimer: I do not own any recognizable characters. They belong to JRR Tolkien. Only Nilisil is mine.
Author's Note: Thanks everyone for reviewing. I think I didn't make things clear, however. Nilisil is feeling left out because she isn't allowed to accompany her stepbrothers in tracking and hunting (since she is a female in a protective family) despite her skills and training. I also realized I didn't put much on her past. So this chapter is mostly devoted to her past.
.
Chapter Two: Mama! Ada! Why??
.
Nilisil watched as Arwen rode hard out of the protected confines of Rivendell. Deep down, she could not shake a feeling of unrest and fear that Arwen would face an evil worse than Orcs. She thought back to when she was an Elfling.
.
"Mama! Look! Look! I'm as good as Avardoion!!" Nilisil carefully notched her bow and pulled back the string. She aimed at the target one hundred yards away, noting the winds. She aimed slightly above the bulls eye and released the arrow.
The older female Elf watched as the arrow flew in a slight arc before slamming into the middle of the target. She smiled as her daughter danced in joy at accomplishing the task she had practiced for many months.
Airelond, the sword tutor and archery master for Nilisil and her brother Avardoion, smiled gently at Nili. "Good job, young Elf. By the time you are of two hundred years, you will be the best in all of Arda."
Nili squealed. "Really, Lond? That's less than thirty years! I can't wait!!" She ran over to hug her trainer tightly before running back into the house.
"You train her well, Airelond. Times are dangerous now, and she will want to go out on the Orc hunts with her brother Vardo. I fear for her safety, Lond. I do not want my only girl to be hurt and feel the pain of a poisoned arrow. I do not want her to die like her father." Nili's mother looked sadly at Lond.
"I know that pain too well. But I assure you, she will be as good as even Prince Legolas. Surely you have heard of his heroics in Mirkwood."
"Yes, Lond, I have. But even I fear for his health as he hunts. I just worry for Nili. She is still very young and to send her out to hunt those things." The Elf bit her lip anxiously. " I do not want her to leave for the Grey Havens before her time comes."
Lond looked at her and smiled fondly. "You remind me of my mother. She was always worrying after my sisters, even though they never ran into trouble or danger."
The other Elf smiled. "Motherly love. What can I say? It is all mothers' job to worry about their little Elflings. But mine, for Nili; it is more. You are training her to join the Rangers, are you not? Like Elrond and CelebrÃan's twins." She looked at Lond carefully for any emotions on his face.
Lond turned away. He had not wanted to tell her, but the question demanded an answer. "Yes, lady. I am. I am sorry if it is not your wish." He looked her straight in the eye then. "But you must know. Nili has great skill in tracking and an even greater skill for fighting. Her abilities are known even to the greatest of all Rangers. She is sought for. Lady, forgive me."
Nilisil's mother smiled sadly. "I have known for awhile, Lond. Aragorn passed by on his way to inquire of Nili. I know of her skill and what she can do. But still. A mother still worries."
Lond watched the mother as she gazed at Nili's window. A shadow could be seen swinging a sword in intricate movements with a delicacy only from a trained Elven maiden.
"So the time comes, Lond. The sun is setting and dinner will be ready soon."
Lond nodded and started to head back to his rooms when a scream was heard.
.
Nilisil was going through the routines with her sword when she heard a scream. She raced to her window and saw Lond running towards the forest next to the home. "Lond! Do you need assistance?"
Lond didn't hear Nili call out and continued running into the forest, taking out his sword and throwing the sheath to the ground.
Nili continued watching as Lond disappeared into the forest with several guards. She looked at her sword and closed her eyes in apparent indecision. After several minutes she snapped her eyes open and ran out into the forest.
.
Nili carefully stepped through the dry leaves, tracking Lond and the guards. She heard another scream and ran towards it, unheeding of any danger. The screaming got loud and more frequent as Nili got closer.
She suddenly burst into a small clearing, filled with Orcs. She caught herself before she gave herself away and backed behind a tree. She watched in horror as Lond and a few guards began attacking the Orcs. Seeing now chance in their survival against so many of them, she ran in and started fighting fiercely. She was trained and she would prove to Lond how good she could be.
.
Lond watched in horror as he spotted a small Elf enter the battle. He recognized Nili through her swings and tried to move his way towards her. However, the Orcs were too many and he was too busy trying to protect the Human boy to go to Nili. A slash wound to his right arm made him vulnerable, as the Orcs began pushing in the small protective circle around the boy.
.
Nili saw Lond slashed on his dominant arm and her fury increased. 'How dare they attack in my home! How dare the vile creatures go after a Human boy. She's barely of age to walk, vulnerable, unprotected, untrained!'
Nili began getting angrier as her swings became methodical. Cut, jab, slash, continue the cycle. Slowly, the Orcs realized her skill with the sword and retreated, running instead towards her home.
Gradually, Nili relaxed, not realizing at first the direction they were running in. When she saw Lond's horror stricken face, she turned and saw the Orcs stampeding past the guards, cutting down everything in their path.
"No!! Mama! Ada!!" Nili cried out and started to run towards the house. She was too late, as the Orcs raided the home, killing every Elf and stealing every valuable item. Nili managed to only dispatch a few straggling Orcs, but it was too late for her family. She found them in the study, fear in their eyes, sadness etched forever on their once perfect faces.
.
Lond took the Human boy in his arms and slowly walked toward the house, knowing that they were too late, knowing that even Nili was too late. He knew of their swiftness and cruel mentality against Elves. He knew that even by the time Nili found her parents, they would be dead, or near dead.
And that was how he found Nili. She was sobbing, pulling at her mother's sleeve, calling out for her to come back. Lond fought back tears, nearly forgetting Nili was only an Elfling of two hundred years. Her wisdom and heroism often made everyone forget her age. Lond set down the Human on a chair and knelt by Nili. He gently closed the eyes of the dead Elves and pulled a grief stricken Nili to him.
"Nili. We must leave. There is a chance the Orcs will be back for more."
Nili nodded sadly, reluctant to leave what she knew. She whispered goodbyes to her parents and glanced up at Lond.
"I wish to avenge my parents." Lond felt dread settling into his stomach as he saw a cold look entered her eyes.
"Nili," he murmured. "We are going to the House of Elrond. You will be raised there. His sons will finish your training to be a Ranger."
Nili's eyes flashed with annoyance. "I wish to avenge my parents! Those.ORCS killed them, and you want me to just forget about them?! You trained me, Lond! You know I am good! I can do this, and I will do this. You cannot stop me, Lond. They are my parents and I will take revenge." She spun around before Lond could see her tears and ran out of the room to the stables. Nili quickly took her horse and rode hard at the direction of the Orcs.
.
Lond watched her run towards the stable and sighed. He would have to find her later, but the Human needed his help first. He decided to give him to the care of a kind Human couple he knew by Bree. It was a long journey and he needed to get there quick.
.
A pair of eyes watched a young brunette Elf perched on a tree above a group of Orcs. The eyes took in every detail of the female Elf. She was beautiful, her dark hair braided intricately, nearly reaching her waist. Her features were perfect and stunning even among her kind. She was wiry, wearing dark clothing to hide her among the trees. Her garb accented her muscles well. The watcher noted the unsheathed sword in her hand, the quiver filled with arrows and a bow slung over her shoulder. It was also evident there were daggers in her boots and sleeves. She would be even more beautiful if not for the hard, cold look in her eyes.
The watcher noted as she jumped down, landing with perfect balance without any noise, behind the Orcs. She began swinging her sword and ran at the Orcs. The watcher was amazed at the skill the young Elf had. He wasn't prepared for her ability, only hearing of it. He was amused as she was obviously playing with them, slashing only to wound them enough for a slow death.
When the battle was over, the watcher retreated, careful to not make any noise.
"You." The watcher froze as he felt a dagger at his neck. "Why were you watching me?" He looked at the Elf and asked a question of his own.
"You are an Elf. A young one at that. What do you have against Orcs that you hunt them mercilessly?"
The smile didn't reach her eyes as she took in his question. "Do you know who I am, Human?"
"I have heard of you. But no one knows of your past. You keep it well hidden."
"Yes, I do. What do you watch me for?"
"I wished to see your skill. I followed you. I was surprised you did not notice me, Elf." He smirked at her.
"Oh, I knew you were there. You just weren't of importance. To reveal you would keep me from finding the Orcs faster."
"You have great tracking skills, Elf. Even I did not notice some things, with the training I have."
"Oh really. And who trained you, may I ask?" She quirked an eyebrow at him.
"Airelond. Perhaps you know of him, Elf?" He watched carefully for any emotions in her features.
"Lond." She looked impassionately at the Human. "You are the boy we found some thirty years ago."
He looked at her in surprise. "So you are indeed Nilisil. Lond talks of you much. He suspected you were her."
Nilisil refused to look at him. "Yes, I am Nilisil. How is Lond?"
"He is fine. He misses you. He believes you have not fulfilled your full potential however. He keeps muttering how you never finished your training. Although how someone could get any better is beyond me." He flashed a charming smile at Nilisil.
"Don't think you can charm me, young Human. Your flattery will get you nowhere. Go back to Lond. You still have much to learn. You are too loud, for one. And I have work to do."
The Human watched in amazement as the Elf leaped into the trees and disappeared.
.
Nilisil leaped from branch to branch. The conversation disturbed her. 'So Lond thinks I have not fulfilled my full potential.' She leaped to the ground and took out a cloth, wiping her bloodied blade with it. 'We will see about that. Looks like my next destination will be Rivendell.'
.
"Nili, daughter, I need your help." She snapped out of her memories as Elrond called out for her. She saw Mithrandir carrying a half-dead Hobbit to the Healing rooms.
"Yes, Ada. I am coming." Nili looked anxiously for Arwen, but Elrond noticed.
"Nili, Arwen is fine. She went back with horses to lead Estel and the other Hobbits here in case there is more danger. Come now. Frodo needs our help." He disappeared into a room.
"Yes, Ada." She went after him, intent on forgetting the pain the memories had pulled up.
.
End Chapter Two. All reviews welcome again! Sorry if it is a little confusing or not enough on detail, but I just wanted to give a cursory on her past. The family lived in a house, unlike most Elves, in case that part confused you. It's sort of like Rivendell, a house but with many open walls. They lived down south, deep into South Gondor (farther south than Mordor). I hope you got the idea that Nilisil was trained well and has a deep hatred against Orcs, thus giving her incentive to track the Fellowship despite orders not to. It isn't about revenge or personal objectives though. I can't tell you what it's about, though, because it will all be explained why she goes in the next chapter or two. Thanks!