Chapter Ten
With something akin to an extremely contented sigh, Kayla paused from her book and gazed up at the sky. The faint patches of the sky seemed somewhat faraway and just out of reach. 'Today is one of those days.' She settled herself back into the fork of her treetop perch, studying the words on the page before her. Her time here was drawing to a close and she found that she was rather reluctant to journey to the next stage. Aside from the somewhat unpleasant experience with the Spiders, she was perfectly content and happy with the way things were going.
"I should go and remind Legolas that I'll be leaving soon. And inform Thranduil. They have been very generous here, especially the parents who leave their kids with me for the stories."
A chuckle escaped from her throat as she remembered the daily sessions that had become somewhat commonplace over the time she was here and not around exploring Mirkwood and the surrounding region. The children had flocked to her every time she returned, asking for a new tale or to hear an old, but much loved, one.
"She's not here. I don't think she's back yet."
Kayla looked down through the tree leaves to see her usual flock of listeners with disappointed expressions. Taking firm hold of the book, she stuck her head out of the leaves. "Are you sure of that?"
Cries of delight filed the air as she jumped down, looking at the somewhat amused expression on the man's face.
"You're Culros' father right?" she smiled as the man nodded. "I gather this bunch here wants another story?"
"If you would be so kind..."
"So what do we want to hear today?" she asked, seating herself crossed legged. "Of Hercules? Or of-"
"The Spiders!"
Kayla laughed at the unanimous round of 'Spiders' that filled the air. "The Tale of the Mirkwood Spiders it is then."
"Start from the very beginning! When you walked into the forest!"
"All right Culros." Kayla said, reaching out and rumpling his hair. "But it would be better if you seated also, like your friends."
The brunette haired child sat down quickly, his eyes as bright and as eager as the other children's. Kayla watched them carefully before she started.
"You all know what the forest is like right? That thick black that could be cut through with an Elven dagger forged of mithril. There's a very good reason why you should not tread those dreaded woods with out others around you. They lurk there in the dark, waiting to snatch hapless Elflings that cannot fight properly. The Spiders of Mirkwood are out there."
She looked around, finding the man leaning against one of the nearby trees, a look of amusement and interest on his face; he wasn't the first parent to hear the tale for the first time.
"There I was, Legolas and Vioviel by my side. It was my very first time in the woods of Mirkwood and they have strangeness about them. You can see it with your eyes, feel it with your very soul; the woods are something that they should not be."
Paused, she watched as the kids shifted very little; she had their attention as she always did.
"And then there just up ahead was the tiniest ray of light. It managed to make its way through the murk to shine upon the floor. And there in the middle, was this tiny flower, just sitting there in its simplistic beauty. But from the trees surrounding us, things were watching. Fell beasts from ages past that should not live still."
She swept her gaze over the crowd of children, their eyes like saucers as they held onto her every word. Spying a motion up ahead, she saw Vioviel standing away, just out of sight behind one of the birch trees.
"Before we knew it they were upon us. Wherever I looked, the creatures were scuttling around, seeking to kill us and take us back to their horrid nests to feed upon us. I barely could see a hand let alone Legolas and Vioviel, yet I could hear the sounds of their struggle. It seemed like things were becoming worse when I saw Vioviel fall, succumbing to the Spider's poisonous bite. I fought even harder than before, slashing and cutting, managing to make my way towards her. You can't begin to imagine the sound a Spider makes when it's dying; it's like countless lutes all off chord and being constantly played at their loudest."
An understanding grimace went all around; apparently everyone at one point had heard something similar.
"And I think the rest of this tale shall have to wait until later." Kayla said, smiling at the collective groans that went up from the children. "Don't worry. I will finish it."
She remained seated as they all stood and shuffled off, murmurs of disappointment and fragments of other stories floating around. It was only when Vioviel started over towards her that she made a movement to rise.
"And what do you want of me today?" Kayla asked crossing her arms.
"Thranduil wishes to speak to you." there was something of a triumphant tone in her voice.
"Then I shouldn't keep him waiting now should I?" she retorted in a frosty accent.
Kayla brushed past her, making her way into the palace quickly. She had become familiar with the palace grounds over the past month and a half. Before long she found herself knocking quietly on the door of Thranduil's study before entering after hearing a response.
'You wished to see me?" she said simply, standing before his desk.
"Yes I did Lady Arlonniel. You told me you had a sister; however I realize that you failed to mention why she didn't come here." the expression on Thranduil's face spoke of not talking sooner.
"Well," Kayla paused, unsure of how to continue. Midori wouldn't lie about the animosity between elves and Dwarves.
"Perhaps it has to do with the reason why there is a camp of Dwarves with an Elf just outside our borders?"
"Perhaps." she said. "How long have they been there?"
"For the past two days. My scouts were fairly surprised to see an Elf conversing with Dwarves, even more so in Khuzdul."
"Khuzdul; is that the language of the Dwarves?"
"It is a somewhat harsh guttural tongue. If this Elf is indeed your sister, why did you not tell me?"
"Well, she's with Dwarves for starters." Kayla said, hoping that strengthen her argument. "And I thought it inconsequential. My sister has a very good grasp of geography and is able to read a map and find anyplace. She knew I was coming to Mirkwood, so I assumed that she would show up eventually. However, I expected that she would show up on the other side of the forest."
"You let her go wandering about the land alone?" Thranduil gave her a somewhat harsh look.
"Legolas was the one to protest that. However, who am I to stop her from what she desires? I wasn't happy with it, but that was what she wanted." Kayla didn't say anything else, hoping he bought her words; she had over three thousand years of smoothness behind her
"And then you are off on your task?"
"Yes."
Thranduil nodded before he rose from his seat and gazed pensively out the window. He finally looked back at her with something close to a genuine smile. "Then I would suggest you go and greet your sister."
"You know Legolas; you did not have to come on this trip." Kayla said as they made their way on the road, their horses' bits muffled to prevent any sound.
Legolas shook his head. "When I see Lady Carardaiel with my own two eyes, only then will I be satisfied. I never should have let her go."
Kayla watched him for a few seconds, feeling a sharp stab of jealously. Pushing it down, she snorted. "I wasn't happy about her wanting to go off on her own either. But it was what she wanted. She gets so little out of life sometimes I think, I couldn't refuse her one request."
"You care deeply for her."
Kayla felt her face flush at his words, making her look back to the road. "I only want what best for her." she murmured. 'But you know what you don't want her to have...' She gave a small sigh as she pushed away the thought immediately; just where was all this coming from anyways. She had never been the jealous type.
"Is something amiss?"
"No Legolas. I was just thinking how I would miss it here in Mirkwood." that also was the truth.
"You'll eventually go back to Lothlórien." he paused. "What would you miss if you were there?"
"Mirkwood is," she paused, trying to compose her thoughts. "Mirkwood has become my home away from home. Forgive me if I sound very foolish but I have come to love the trees and the caves as if they were part of me."
"It is far from foolish." Legolas said. "You simply want what's best for her."
"Hm." Kayla watched as the darkness started to thin out gradually. "The scouts said that they were somewhere in this area. If I know Midori, they wouldn't be out in the open like that."
"We shall see..." Legolas said somewhat enigmatically.
Kayla found herself somewhat anxious with anticipation, just wondering how Midori got to the Dwarves if there really was that hostility. Once they broke through the trees and found themselves out in an open field, a river running just up ahead. And there by its banks sat around six squat figures and one tall one, all conversing somewhat loudly, eating something that even from her vantage point didn't look too good. A black horse stood by the river, drinking from its waters.
Trotting up, Kayla watched as they still took their places but even from the leathery worn faces of the Dwarves, she could see the sideways glances in her direction. Dismounting, she could see the axes, lying by their owners' sides, causing a wave of longing to run through her.
"Mênu [1]!" the harsh word rang out over the grass as one of the Dwarves looked up at her and Legolas.
Kayla paused, looking back at Legolas. "Are they talking to us?"
He nodded. "It seems you sister is alright."
Kayla didn't say anything hearing the scepticism in his voice. "We shall see." The somewhat tense atmosphere that had descended wasn't lost upon her.
"Glóin, that was very rude." Midori said in a quiet amused voice. "She is my sister, and I told you she was an Elf; an Elf with red hair also. How quickly you forget Ai' atar [2]."
"Has she lost her senses? She's calling a Dwarf that?" Legolas asked in a hushed whisper into Kayla's ear.
"Your words are not lost upon me Prince." Midori said looking up at him sharply. "These Dwarves have been very hospitable to me over the past weeks and I would like you treat them with the respect that they deserve."
Legolas' face went slightly red at being called out like that. "Are you ready to leave Lady Carardaiel?"
"And you will not stay to meet my friends?"
"Yes, we will." Kayla nudged Legolas in the side gently before she started walking forward. "Introduce us please."
A Dwarf beside her gave a low angry mutter.
"Introduce us please Carardaiel." Kayla repeated.
The Dwarf subsided into content grumbling.
Midori smiled. "Legolas, Arlonniel, this is Gimli, Glóin's son, the grumbling one. The other Dwarf beside him is his father." she gestured easily.
"Zirakshathûr* has spoken highly of you." Gimli said in a somewhat brusque voice, not making a motion forward.
"My sister, Zirakshathûr? Why do you refer to her as that?"
"Her skills Lady." the words Glóin spoke had the tone of respect. "Her work is among the finest of our smiths."
"Stop Ai' atar." Midori said, her face flushing rapidly. "I only try to do my best and you praise me so."
"You have earned it." Gimli said. "She has made things for you that are near impossible."
A murmur of assent went up around as Gimli went to get the large bundle that was buried beneath their cloaks. Midori stood there, scuffing her feet, looking as if she wished to escape sometime soon. Kayla watched with some amusement as they peeled back the layers of protective cloth to reveal what lay beneath. She glanced back at Legolas, whose breath had caught somewhat as Midori took out a set of long knives.
"This is for you Prince." she handed them over to him.
"Surely Lady Carardaiel, you cannot-"
"I can. You have taken good care of my sister, during her Spider killing exploits."
Kayla cleared her throat under Midori's arched eyebrow.
"Diola lle [3] Carardaiel." he said, fingering the leather of the straps.
"Lle creoso Legolas [4]. And for you Arlonniel, these men envy you highly."
"Why is that?" she asked, watching as Midori bent back down over the cloth.
"This."
Kayla felt her jaw drop to the ground as Midori held up the stout axe, its twin blades gleaming in the sun with unusual light and brilliance. She took it slowly, in awe of the work. Upon its surface, she found fine engravings, moving around at sharp angles to form a geometric design.
"I don't know...how does it-"
"It's mithril. We found a disgustingly large lode in the mountain during mining. They felt that I deserved plenty of it, even though I didn't really. Yours are mithril also Legolas."
"So much you found?" his voice was surprised.
"Yes. They were amazed to find such a treasure. And I trust that these words and knowledge will stay between us and no one else." Midori looked at them with an arched eyebrow.
"You made this for me?" Kayla said as she turned it over in the light. "Why did you go to all this trouble?"
"I had nothing to do really after I finished my sword. I was glad to make it for you. I made many things actually."
"You would not stop working." Glóin said. "We had to drag you from your forge."
"Hush. You've seen me here. Now hurry back home to Erebor, would you Ai'atar?" Midori said in an amused voice.
"Already, you try to be rid of me." Glóin said as he shook his head. "Take care in the woods and where ever you will be. You must come back and visit us sometime. We will sorely miss your company."
"I shall miss you all. And I will come and visit you when I have the time." Midori said as she bowed. "Take care on your way back."
Kayla watched as the small camp was dispersed and the pack of Dwarves started off towards the lone mountain in the distance, their small cloaks, swishing in their arms. Midori whistled and her horse came trotting over easily, nickering as it nudged her with its nose.
"How was your time with the Dwarves?" she asked as she mounted her own horse.
"Very well spent." Midori said with a genuine smile. "I fail to see why there is hostility between Elves and Dwarves."
Kayla watched as Legolas gave half hearted mutters before he mounted his horse and started towards the pathway. "Come on; when we get to the city, we can talk." she mounted her horse, waiting for Midori.
"Yes. And you can tell me all of your Spider killing exploits. The tale reached Erebor for quite some time now." Midori said, falling in step beside her.
"Yes, well I just remembered that you'll have to wait for us to talk."
Midori gave her a curious glance. "And why is that?"
"I have to finish a tale for a very demanding audience."
Sliver beams of moonlight streamed down through the treetops, creating scattered pools upon the forest floor. Kayla sat in the middle of one, studying a leaf she held in her hands. The bright green veins stood out against the dark jade colour of the leaf. 'Almost like a ying and yang to speak…' she gazed at the leaf, suddenly feeling a wave of rage wash over her. 'Why am I mad? This is not like me at all. It's almost as if I'm mad enough once more. Mad enough to….' She shook her head, crushing the leaf in her palm.
"Kill someone?"
"Annatar." she whipped around to see him standing by the tree. "Are you here to collect?"
He shook his head, remaining on the fringe of the light pool. "No; I am here to show you something. Come."
Kayla watched him suspiciously before she rose, leaving the crumpled leaf to drift to the ground. Simply seeing it there angered her for an odd reason and she ground it maliciously beneath her heel before walking off after Annatar. She followed him deep into the forest, the trees growing thicker and thicker, the moonlight choked out. She paused once he stopped in front of towering ruins, gazing around.
"Why is there a fortress as this in the middle of a forest?" she asked somewhat imperiously.
"It was once my home." Annatar said. "And they destroyed it."
She didn't say anything; the hate in his voice was palpable enough, but she had learned that it didn't to well to become attached to things. Sometimes they never lasted, and one was only left with the hurt.
"Then make them suffer when you are able to," she said with a shrug. "And show them no mercy if that will make you feel better. It is not good to deny yourself."
Annatar smiled, his teeth visible as the rest of his face was cloaked in darkness. "Come and you shall see. Another thing that you have come to desire."
Kayla scoffed at his words to herself and walked in after him. "What is the name of this place anyways?"
"It has been called Dol Guldor by many over the years." Annatar paused, as if thinking. "At one point, after the time of the Lamps, it was connected to the forests of Lothlórien. Dol Guldor is in the lower forest of Mirkwood."
"I can visit you on my way back."
"I am not there in the day. At night I leave and return before dawn; you would not see me."
Kayla didn't say anything; that whole sentence smacked of a lie to her. "Then I shall wait to see you in person one day then. I know that day will come at some point."
He turned and rested a hand on her shoulder. "One day, you will see my kingdom, but you will not see it as others do."
"What is it that you wanted to show me?" she asked in a steady voice. The power she had felt emanating off of him was seductive; she once had that intangible in her hands and now they burned to feel it once more.
"This."
The room was massive, with a vaulted ceiling coming together in a dome. Blackness covered the walls and the floor. In the middle of the chamber, clear as day, was a pedestal, a large bowl on top of it, a glimmering surface of water visible even from where she stood.
"Another mirror?" she curled her lip in disgust; since the one at Lothlórien, she had taking a disliking to the things.
"But this one does not delve into the past; it shows the future." Annatar said as he stood beside it. "And I know you would prefer to see the future; to have a bit of certainty in your turbulent life."
"You are going to end up dead one day if you don't stop that." she muttered. "People don't like to be analyzed."
He didn't say anything in response, simply standing by the bowl, waiting for her. Kayla came slowly, peering into the reflective surface with a growing curiosity. The obsidian depths remained black and blank for a few minutes before it wavered and a dim scene took over.
Trees grew closely together, the two people shaded from her view. The sound of a babbling brook could be heard nearby. 'I want to see.' The determined thought passed through her head. The water rippled once more, before the view changed. The trees were still in the way, but all she could see were two head, one dark and one light, seated on the bridge, their feet dangling over the water.
"It hasn't been the same Legolas; she is not herself. I am worried for her."
"I sense a change in her too. She is far more serious than she was a year ago." Legolas' voice sounded hesitant with his next words. "Carardaiel…do you think she suspects what we've done?"
"No. We've been careful and I have told anyone else I spend time with why I have been coming to Mirkwood so much and that is very few people. I told Mother, Father and Haldir the real reason but I couldn't tell her; that would ruin everything."
"And now there's the Quest." Legolas' voice sounded mournful. "Our plans have fallen apart this time. Perhaps afterwards…"
"I would like that." there was an obvious smile in Midori's voice.
Kayla looked up at Annatar sharply. "That is a lie. How could you show me such a thing? She would never do that to me."
"Are you sure? She is your kin, true, but you don't know her as well as you may think. Stake your claim before it slips away from you."
"I don't believe a word you are saying!" she said angrily, grabbing the bowl and flinging it to the floor. She glared at him, ignoring the soaked front of her clothing. "It is lies and I refuse to believe that my sister would do that to me."
Annatar gave a wistful sigh as he gave her a piercing look. "I thought it wasn't good to deny yourself."
Notes
[1] Mênu - Khuzdul for 'you'
[2] Ai' atar - Elvish for 'little father'
[3] Diloa lle - Elvish for 'Thank you'
[4] Lle creoso - Elvish for 'You're welcome'
* Zirakshathûr - Khuzdul meaning 'Silver Cloud' for Midori's ability to forge lightweight objects of immense beauty
http://www.grey-company.org
- click on Language Resources (the English appears when the cursor is on the Elvish script)
- the site where I got the Elvish. I believe that it's a slight offshoot of Sindarin, so don't take these at full value. Simply for my time purposes (I'll have six Independent Study Units due by the end of December and can't afford to screw up on them) this is the Elvish I'll be using in my story. You can download a dictionary (that includes a VERY through grammar lesson) and phrases/sayings book. Sorry to the purists who were hoping for authentic Sindarin and/or Quenya.
But if you want something more on Tolkien's languages, here a few sites:
Quenya: http://members.ams.chello.nl/a.grigny/quenya.html
-basic starting vocabulary words that's easy to use and pull information from. Contains a list that gives Quenya verbs and nouns. The links to the Quenya lessons gives a firm standing that can easily be utilized when looking for words.
Sindarin: http://www.aboriginemundi.com/sindarin/related.htm
-a link page for Sindarin words and grammatical structure and such; great as a starter
Khuzdul doesn't seem to have a definitive dictionary and phrases/sayings books but existing in particles and on treatises, lists and such.
Khuzdul: http://www.delving.com/helge.html
- this is the basic list that is out there. It contains word particles from and phrases, geographical locations and links to a VERY extensive treatise on Dwarvish Language. Read the link only if you have lots of time to spare…say in the vicinity of an hour or two, depending on your reading skill and speed.