Chapter 6
Search for Sanctuary
Several days after his encounter with the Dwarves, Laiqua at last entered the forest of Lothlórien. The trees at the edge of the forest, if not unfriendly, were exceedingly watchful. So, too, he found, were the Lórien Elves. He had hardly stepped into the shadow of the wood when he heard the slight rasp of an arrow being pulled from a quiver. In a flash he had fitted an arrow to his own bow and drawn it. At once he found himself in a standoff with another archer, golden-haired like himself, but garbed in a gray cloak that was clasped at the throat with a leaf-shaped brooch. This Lórien bowman was no Elfling, but he was not very old for an Elf, perhaps a little more than a millennium in age.
"Lower your bow," ordered the Lórien Elf.
"You lower your own bow!" Laiqua shot back.
"I will lower my bow if you lower your bow."
"At the same time?"
"Of course."
Slowly the two Elves lowered their bows.
"Who are you?" said Laiqua.
"You are the stranger here. Who are you?"
"I am an Elf, not an Orc. You could be more courteous."
The Lórien archer was somewhat taken aback. "No, you are not an Orc, but we must be vigilant, for Orcs sometimes wander near these borders."
"Indeed, I well know that to be true!"
"You have encountered Orcs?"
"Yes, and now Middle Earth is cursed with some fewer of those creatures."
The Lórien archer gazed at him with more respect. "You have slain Orcs? I, I am a guardian of Lothlórien, but I have not yet seen battle."
"I have slain Orcs, but I did not fight alone." Laiqua decided not to mention that his companions had been Dwarves who had in fact done most of the fighting.
"There is no shame in accepting help against such foes."
"True, and that is why I am here. I would beg sanctuary from the Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel."
"Then I shall take you to them. They will no doubt be glad to welcome an elven archer who has slain Orcs." The Elf smiled slyly. "Of course, I cannot announce your presence unless I know your name."
Laiqua grinned. "I am Anomen."
"And I am Haldir. Come, I will take you to the Lord and Lady of Caras Galadhon."
"You tell the truth—and you tell no truth."
Laiqua gasped as the Lady Galadriel held his gaze with her unblinking eyes. The Lady had not spoken aloud, but he could hear her thoughts even more clearly than he had ever sensed the feelings of trees. And he feared that she could hear his thoughts with equal clarity. He had told her that his name was Anomen and that he had no father. Now he could feel her mind probing his, searching for the name of the man who was and was not his father. If she learned that he was Laiqua Thranduilion, prince of Greenwood, would she send word to the king, or, worse, send him back under an escort of Galadhrim archers? As the Lady stared intently into his eyes, Laiqua tried to empty his mind of all thoughts. At last the Lady released him from her spell.
"You are weary with sorrow and much toil. After you have supped and rested, we shall talk again. Haldir, will you take our young guest to your flet and see that he receives all that is needful?"
"Yes, my Lady." Haldir gestured for Laiqua to follow him down the stairs of the Lady's flet and led him to another talan that could be reached by a rope ladder. Haldir mounted the rope ladder gracefully, and Laiqua, a woodland Elf, was no less adept at ascending.
"You are welcome to make use of any of these," said Haldir, motioning toward a thick pile of blankets and fur coverings. "I will fetch you something to eat. Is there anything else that you need?"
"No, thank you, Haldir."
Haldir bowed slightly and then vanished over the edge of the talan. He returned shortly with a platter heaped generously with food, which he set before Laiqua along with a flagon of wine. Then he sat himself down. He smiled at Laiqua, but Laiqua hesitated to eat.
"Will you eat with me?" Laiqua asked.
"Nay, I have already eaten."
Laiqua still hesitated.
"Ah," said Haldir, "If you are uncomfortable eating before me, I would be glad to busy myself with some errand or another."
Laiqua smiled. "Thank you, Haldir. You are most kind."
Haldir once again slipped over the edge of the flet. As soon he was gone, Laiqua stuffed the bread and the fruit and some of the meat into his pack. The remainder of the meat he ate. He drank some of the wine and poured the rest into his flask. Then he made up a bed for himself out of some of the blankets and furs. At last Haldir returned. He glanced with surprise at the now empty platter.
"You were certainly hungry!"
"Aye," said Laiqua. "But now I hope that I shall not be hungry for some time."
"No, I should think not!" exclaimed Haldir. "You will want to sleep now, I suppose. I shall let you sleep long. You need not arise until you are quite rested."
"Thank you, Haldir."
Curled up in his coverings, Laiqua listened as Haldir made up his own bed and settled into it. After a long time, Laiqua carefully sat up and glanced toward Haldir, who lay on his back sleeping in elvish fashion, with eyes open, the moonlight mingling with his dreams. Quietly Laiqua slipped out from his bedding. He carefully arranged the blankets and furs so that it looked as if they were still occupied by a sleeping Elf. Then he shouldered his pack and silently descended from the flet.
Smiling, Galadriel stood in a glade watching in her mirror as Laiqua slipped out of Lothlórien. "Now you would go to Imladris, O Nameless One. It is well. The Lord of Rivendell has ever been a protector of the young. As a father he will be to you—for a little while."
Laiqua knew that to reach Imladris he must either cross the Misty Mountains or pass through the Gap of Rohan. He had no desire to cross the mountains, as by all reports they were troll-ridden. The Dwarves, he had been told, had a passage that ran right under the mountains through a mine, but he had no wish to encounter any more Naugrim, who struck him as a singularly unpleasant race. If it came to that, he would rather chance the trolls! But, no, the Gap of Rohan it would be.
The plains of Rohan, although rolling and broken by stony outcroppings, did not provide as much cover as the forest to which Laiqua was accustomed. Thus it was that an outrider of a passing company of Rohirrim caught sight of Laiqua as, too late, he scrambled to take cover behind a boulder. The scout shouted out his discovery to his fellow riders, who wheeled around and began to circle Laiqua, drawing closer and closer until he was hemmed in on all sides. Each rider bore a spear, and each spear was pointed at Laiqua. The Elfling feared that he would be skewered if he merely drew too deep a breath. To his relief, the leader, after silently studying him for a few moments, gestured dismissively to the other riders, who lowered their spears.
"'Tis only an Elfling," said the leader.
"Aye, Helm, 'tis true," replied a rider. "But what business has an Elfling in Rohan? Perchance he is a spy."
"Of what interest would an Elf have in the plains of Rohan? They are no horse breeders."
"But why then is he here?"
"I may answer that, if you would let me," blurted out Laiqua.
"Ah, impertinent are we?" growled the rider.
"Nay, nay, let him speak," laughed the leader, the one called Helm. "He is not daunted easily, an admirable quality whether in Man or Elf. Now, who are you and what do you do here?"
"My name is Anomen, and as beautiful as these plains may be to horsemasters such as yourselves, I have no wish to linger long in your land. I am on my way to Imladris and beg leave to pass through the Gap of Rohan."
"The Gap of Rohan? And then you will turn north to Imladris?"
"Yes, Lord Helm."
"That route will take you through Dunland. Know you not that the Dunlendings have no love for Elves?"
"Then I shall try to conceal myself as I pass through their territory."
"No doubt as successfully as you concealed yourself from these riders," laughed Helm.
Laiqua smiled back. "Once I pass through the Gap of Rohan, I hope that the land will afford more cover than do these plains."
Helm nodded. "True. Well, Anomen, you have leave to pass through the Gap of Rohan. But it is a long way. You have a bow, but I fear that you shall encounter little game that would not run away long before you could come within bowshot." He undid a saddlebag and tossed it down to Laiqua. "I hope that these provisions may suffice until you are able to make use of your bow."
"I thank you, Lord Helm. I hope that I may someday repay your hospitality."
Helm chuckled. "And how might an Elfling such as yourself repay our hospitality?"
"I do not know, but if I ever return to your land, I shall strive to do so."
Helm bowed slightly. "Westu hal, Anomen."
"The grace of the Valar be upon you and your kin, Lord Helm."
Laiqua was deeply grateful for the provisions in that saddlebag long before he came within sight of the Gap of Rohan. It was indeed a long trek for an Elfling on foot, especially since, mindful of how he had been spotted by the Riders of Rohan, Laiqua moved forward with greater care. He did not abandon his caution even when the Gap came within view. Sometimes, however, caution is not enough. Flattened within a trough in the grass, Laiqua scouted out the passage before him. To his dismay, he saw a company of Orcs passing east through the gap—coming toward him. "A Elbereth!" he thought, "am I to encounter every Orc in Middle Earth!?"
Hidden as he was, Laiqua might have been able to avoid the Orc's notice had they not been accompanied by Wargs. Even then he might have gone undetected, but it was his misfortune to be upwind of his foes. Oft the wind blows strong across the grasslands of Rohan, and today was no exception. When the Wargs raised up their muzzles and howled, Laiqua gave up all hope of remaining hidden. A forest covered the base of the mountains that stood to the north of the gap. Laiqua leaped up and made for its shelter. At least this time a sanctuary did lie within sight.
Laiqua reached the margin of the forest and scrambled up the nearest tree. The Orcs and their Wargs swarmed around its base, gibbering and snarling, confident that their quarry was trapped. These Orcs and their beasts had had few encounters with Wood-Elves, however, and did not know the ease with which such Elves can travel treetop to treetop. Laiqua was able to slip from the first tree to a second, and continuing in that manner, soon left the Orcs and Wargs far behind. At last he reached a particularly old and unusual looking tree. It had a double trunk that consisted of two pillars of wood that rose up to meet together at a crotch. Above that crotch the now-unified trunk rose until it reached two large branches, one on either side of the trunk. Just above the juncture of those two branches was a tangle of vines and moss that Laiqua seized hold of as he scooted up onto one of the limbs.
"Who might you be?" boomed a voice next to Laiqua's ear, a voice coming from the tree itself!
Laiqua gasped and, woodland Elf though he was, nearly tumbled from his branch. Not that he was unaccustomed to the utterances of trees. To a Silvan Elf the minds of trees are always present. Indeed, Laiqua was unusually gifted at sensing the moods of rooted creatures (though he was not aware that he was exceptionally skilled at this—no one had told him, just as no one had told him how gifted he was at archery). This voice, however, was different from any that Laiqua had ever heard before, for it was no mere murmuring in his mind. The tree had spoken aloud—had voiced its thoughts as clearly and loudly as a herald announcing the arrival of an emissary from Esgaroth. Moreover, the tree was now beginning to move—not to sway in the breeze, either, but to actually stride, each of its twin trunks bending stiffly at knots that looked like knees, each trunk rising in its turn from the ground, moving forward, and replanting itself on the forest floor. The movement of the tree was slow, even majestic, but each step covered a dozen feet because of the tree's great height.
"Hoooom, hoom, who might you be?" the tree asked again. To Laiqua's surprise, he realized that the creature was speaking in Quenya, the oldest of the elven languages.
"Ná E-e-elda," stammered Laiqua, adopting Quenya as well.
"Hoooom, I know what you are," boomed the tree. "I have not lived these many years without learning how to recognize an Elf. So, again, who might you be?"
"Anomen," Laiqua replied promptly. It was almost second nature now for Laiqua to use this name.
"Anomen?" mused the tree. "That does not sound very elvish. Does that not mean "No name" or "Nameless" in the Common Speech?"
"Nevertheless, it is my name," Laiqua replied stubbornly. "My parents gave me none other."
"Ah, your parents, and who might they be—and more to the point—where might they be? I thought Elves cherished their offspring much too highly to let such a young Elfling wander about in a world full of wolves, Wargs, and Orcs—for I judge you to be no more than one-hundred years of age—if even that old you be."
"I am nearly one-hundred and twenty," Laiqua cried indignantly. "And I am well able to fend for myself!"
"Hoom, hoom, harrumph," replied the tree with a sound that resembled a chuckle. "I suppose that accounts for the fact that you were perched in my branches hiding from those Orcs—a mere morsel you would have been had they caught you."
Laiqua shuddered and fell silent. The tree strode on, and they came into a clearing. The tree flexed a limb that looked remarkably like an arm, and Laiqua found himself grasped by branches that looked remarkably like fingers. He was lifted from his perch on the tree and set down on the ground. Peering back up, he could now make out the creature's face, which looked like that of a wise man ancient in years. He realized that the tangle of vine and moss that he had been clutching earlier was in fact a beard. The creature studied him thoughtfully.
"Your parents?" the tree asked again.
"I have already told you my name, and you have told me nothing. Would it not be courteous for you to tell me something of yourself before I tell you anything more about me?"
"Courteous, hooom? Do not forget that you were one who was yanking on my beard—was that courteous, hooom? Nevertheless, I will tell you my name—or a short version of it, anyway. My name is Fangorn. In the Common Speech, I am Treebeard."
"You also know what I am," parried Laiqua. "What are you?"
"I am an Onod, Master Elfling. I am a herder of trees. And, you, from your clothes are a Laiquendi, a Green-Elf—yet you have never heard of the Onodrim?"
Laiqua felt a trifle foolish for not having sooner realized that he was in the presence of an Onod. Of course he had heard of the Onodrim or Enyd.
"Your pardon, Master Fangorn. I have indeed been told of those venerable beings. I have addressed you most disrespectfully, and I beg forgiveness."
"Venerable, hooom, harumph?" said the Onod. "Yes, I suppose to an Elfling I may seem venerable, and my joints are getting rather creaky, I must confess. Now, as to your parents…."
"My mother died when I was born." Laiqua hesitated for a moment before he went on. "And as for my father, now I no longer have a father."
The Onod glanced shrewdly at Laiqua. "You tell no lies—we will leave it at that. So, having no parents, with whom do you live?"
"I have no home at the moment, but I mean to travel to Imladris and enter the service of Lord Elrond of Rivendell. I had intended to pass through the Gap of Rohan but was forced by the Orcs to make for the shelter of this forest."
"Orcs. Hooom. Since Orcs are lurking about the borders of Fangorn—for that is what this forest is called as well—perhaps you should go to Isengard for the time being. It is not too far, and the lord of Isengard is Saruman, who is one of the Istari. Ever have they been allies to the Eldar and the Onodrim. Oft have I walked with Saruman in these woods, and I do not doubt that he would aid you most willingly. Come. I think I know where we can find him. Some nights he likes to walk abroad in the forest."
Laiqua considered for a moment. He wished to reach Imladris as soon as possible, but he was tired and hungry. He had heard of the Istari. Their magic was powerful, and they could be fearsome, yet were doubtless friends to all that was good in Middle Earth. He had a vague memory of once seeing one such wizard in Greenwood—an old Man he was, bearded, cloaked in gray. Laiqua did not dare approach him too closely—that might have brought Laiqua to the notice of Thranduil—but he remembered that the Man had seemed kind. Hidden behind the door, Laiqua had watched the Istar blow smoke rings—not smoke rings, really, but smoke figures. At one point he thought that the Istar had caught sight of him and smiled. If Saruman was like this gentle wizard, then, yes, he would like to go to Isengard.
"Yes," Laiqua said. "I would like to meet this wizard."
Laiqua found himself being lifted up by one of Fangorn's leafy arms and settled upon the Onod's shoulder. Fangorn began to stride through the woods, pointing out his tree friends as he went and relating their histories. They made for a point in the south of the forest. There they came upon a Man who looked very like the wizard Laiqua had once seen in Greenwood: old and bearded. He was, however, clothed in white.
"Ah, Fangorn, my friend, will you join me in a walk? I have encountered a plant with which I am unfamiliar, and I am sure that you above all could enlighten me as to its uses and virtues."
Fangorn's trunk expanded as if he were swelling with pride. "Hooom, hoom, maybe so, maybe so. But perhaps another day. Have you not noticed what I bear upon my shoulder?"
Saruman smiled at Laiqua. "An Elfling. A most unusual ornament for an Onod, would you not agree, Fangorn?"
"Hoom, hoom, harrumph," Fangorn chuckled. "And would you not agree that such an ornament would be well suited to Isengard?"
Saruman bowed. "I would be honored to add such an ornament to Isengard."
"Then I leave you in good hands, Elfling." Again Laiqua found himself lifted from the shoulder of the Onod and placed upon the ground.
"Thank you, Master Fangorn."
"You are quite welcome. Stay well, Elfling." Fangorn took two immense strides and vanished back into the forest.
"Lord Saruman, I will not trouble you long. If you would let me rest a night or two at Isengard, then I shall be on my way. I will travel on to Imladris."
"You will not trouble me," Saruman replied gently. "You look weary, and you must feel free to stay as long as you like."
Laiqua bowed. "Thank you, Lord Saruman. You are most gracious."
"And you are quite the polite little Elfling." Lord Saruman smiled with amusement. His eyes glittered. "But come now; let me show you to Isengard." He gestured for Laiqua to walk beside him. As they walked he questioned Laiqua about his name and history.
"My name is Anomen, my Lord."
"Anomen?" Saruman said softly. "That is a most interesting name. And who are your parents?"
"I have no parents, my Lord."
"Nameless and parentless," murmured Saruman. He studied the Elfling intently. "But you make for Imladris. Have you friends or kin there?"
"No, my Lord. But I hope that I may be able to serve Lord Elrond in some capacity."
"Perhaps so, yondo-nya, but if the Lord Elrond has no need of your services, you must remember that you are welcome to return to Isengard. I am sure I could find some use for your skills."
"Thank you, my Lord." Laiqua was surprised at how disappointed he felt at hearing himself addressed as yondo-nya. No one had ever addressed him as 'my son', and he had always been sure that he would feel great joy if anyone ever did. But, he thought to himself, yondo-nya, even though it did mean 'my son' in Quenya, was much too formal. Not only was it a phrase in a language that few spoke, but it was stilted High Elven at that—a native-speaker would have addressed him as yonya. Saruman must have acquired his knowledge of Quenya mainly from books, mused Laiqua. Above all, whether he said yondo-nya or yonya, Saruman was merely being polite. Would anyone ever address Laiqua with the affectionate 'ion-nîn' with which he had so often heard Greenwood elves summon their sons? No, thought Laiqua sadly, this ceremonial yondo-nya was as close as he would come to hearing himself spoken to as if he were someone's son. Laiqua regretfully returned his attention to his surroundings.
Is that Isengard ahead?"
"That is the wall that guards the ring of Isengard. We shall see the tower of Orthanc in a moment. The view is blocked by the forest."
A short walk later the tower was indeed visible. The wizard and the Elf passed through a gateway in the wall and continued on through the ring of Isengard, which was thickly planted with trees. Ahead Laiqua could see that numerous steps led up to a door in the side of the tower. Saruman continued to talk gently as they walked on, but Laiqua began to feel uneasy. Why was he so fearful? He realized that it was the utterances of the trees that troubled him. The trees were afraid. "What frightens them so?" he wondered. He slowed and then stopped walking altogether. The Istar, too, came to a stop, and Laiqua felt the eyes of the wizard upon him.
"What troubles you, yondo-nya?"
"The trees."
"A woodland Elf troubled by trees?"
"The trees sense danger."
"If that is so, then we had better hasten further into the safety of Isengard."
"But the trees will not find safety within Isengard."
The wizard appeared startled, but the expression was fleeting. "I assure you that nothing will happen to these trees unless I myself command it. Let yourself rest easy on that score."
Laiqua did not know why, but he was not reassured by the wizard. Yet he could find no words of reply and reluctantly allowed himself to be drawn forward and into the tower of Orthanc.