A/N: My last second day of exams, and a free day tomorrow. So I'm trying to write this up first. And the humans are using some Elven speech 'cause their people adopted um…(is it?) Sindarin for usage. If it's not Sindarin, pardon me, since I don't learn Quenya. And please, I'm not hinting of anything more than sibling love in their actions. These were the norm in M.E.
My thanks to all my reviewers. I really appreciate your comments. g Please R/R. Okay?
The Tale of an OrcFour: Spying
Alkaré walked beside Utíraiel in the plain, and felt the cool air of open space and smiled at Ithil and Varda's stars that bathed them in their silvery brilliance. Now that he came again, he remembered the joys of open space he had felt in their travel to the west, and berated himself that he should forget the feeling so soon, taking on the lives of Elves, and forgetting that of Men.
He shook his head, holding his sister's hand that did not hold her staff. Ai! It had been long since they had walked or truly spent time together as they had in their youth. He missed those times, when they were traveling, and he would hold his sister's hand so that he could lead her, and ensure that no danger came to her.
O! How he had grieved when he had understood that she could not see, for the race of Men was young, and more resilient to the sicknesses that plagued Men in older ages. Why his sister, he knew not as well, but he grieved then, and did so now, for she loved the plains and would not forsake it wholly. Yet, the attack on her worried him. He had seen her wounds, and those seemed not ones that were inflicted by any Man or Elf.
Mayhap an Orc.
Stop these thoughts, Alkaré, he scolded himself. For he was certain that Utíraiel's assailant still roamed Brethil, and until it was caught, he would not leave her to wonder alone. Aye. She was capable, but her blindness left her open to attacks more than their people were. And he was here to be certain that her assailant not hurt her again, so he should not let his guard down now. Nay. Not while they were so far from their people or from aid.
Curse the fate that she was born blind! Haleth's people were all in great health and stature. Why should his sister not have the same gift?
Utíraiel's hand tightened on her brother's. "Alkaré, you are troubled again," she said, thumb softly caressing her brother's knuckles, as she had done so since young when both had walked together, hands held.
He sighed, and groaned inwardly. How Utíraiel always knew him troubled was beyond his understanding. Mayhap the lack of her sight gave her keener senses in sight not of the eyes? "Nay, sister. Do not trouble yourself with my thoughts."
The girl laughed softly, and Alkaré wondered to see that she bore no grievances for her plight, nor did she seem worried over the hurts she had. "Do not try to deceive me, brother. I know you well enough. Come now. Tell me your thoughts."
Alkaré chuckled. "You always seem to know me better than I do you, my dear sister." He was silent for a moment. "I was only cursing fate that should have you born blind, and worried about your assailant."
Utíraiel smiled. "O, worry not about my blindness, brother, though I know you have oft cursed fate." She laughed at his surprised jerk. "Aye, I have heard your curses many times, when you thought I could not hear." Her hand squeezed her brother's. "Truly, Alkaré, worry not, for I have lived so long in darkness it would frighten me greatly should my sight be given back now. And worry not about my assailant as well, for I am certain he has fled."
"He, sister?" Alkaré said. "I have no certainty to that."
The girl shook her head. "I know not he, she or it, brother. Not yet." She gave him a playful tug. "Come now! Long has it been since we have walked together as we used to! Let us not dwell on unpleasant thoughts now!" So saying, she let go of his hand and ran, her staff hitting the ground at times to feel for obstacles in her way.
Alkaré laughed, and gave chase, grabbing her hand again and running, as light as deer under the stars.
***
Utíraiel knew that Alkaré was troubled. O! She knew. For the un-sight had given her sight in places not of the eyes. And though she was glad for those, it made her vulnerable as well, for it was as if with the darkening of her eyes, naught from the world beyond could she see, nor could she truly reveal to others her world within.
She wished for the sight of her eyes, but she had lived without it for so many years. Could she accept it if she was to be given sight back?
Worry not about my assailant? She thought. Nay. She worried, and she was frightened, but it would do no good to worry her brother too much. And she was still troubled over her assailant, and his tears. O! Despite her words, she knew it was a he, not it. Or mayhap it was an it as her brother thought, but she felt not that way.
She wished to meet him again, though it frightened her greatly to remember the hurts she had received from him. Yet…his tears. He had cried. And she wished to know why.
***
He crouched on the branch of a beech, second from the last tree of the forest, certain to remain in shadows out of the hate of the stars. The branch was sturdy, and bore him well without the slightest creak under his weight, yet it felt as if the branch and leaves moved under his feet and hands. The tree liked him not, though it bore him now, for he felt it from its murmurs.
Still, it made him wonder that he could understand its murmurs. Not all. Some. As if he had been taught how to read the speech of its leaves and bark.
He growled slightly, and the murmurs halted. The branches stopped. And he returned his eyes to the plains.
The girl was there, but now, a man walked by her side. They were not far away, and easily seen. He was tall and well-built, and the grace at which he walked hinted of unseen strength. If a fight should come, the man would prevail easily, for he walked without fear under the stars and was loved by them, as the girl was.
He rumbled in discontent. O! How he wished to feel flesh under his claws now, to tear them apart, and breath in the scent of fresh blood! To tint the darkness he saw with red!
Their cries of delight made him look again, and he saw the man chasing the girl, laughing, dancing gaily under light of silver, and thoughts unbidden came again, of people golden and silver-haired, tumbling, crying with joy. He saw in his mind a starlit mere, and people in play.
He saw all of those, and they hurt him much, so that he snarled and hit his fist against the tree. Though not strong enough to even cause a ripple of leaves, the tree trembled and shook slightly, and the murmurings returned.
That, with his visions, shot pain through his head, and darkness threatened to tear at his mind. His master! Think of his master! His master would heal his hurts!
The trembling of the tree increased, until the branches shook under him. Nay! Think not of its mutterings! Morgoth! Master! Help me!
In his pain, his eyes and ears still saw and heard clearly the play of the girl and man, and their laughs of joy and delight.
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Which name do you think sounds nicer? The first two mean (hopefully) "Star mere" and the last two mean "Star waters." Or if you have any suggestions that are nicer than these, which IMHO are awful, please suggest them. Thanks.
Giláel
Eláel
Gîlnen
Elnên
Argh!!! The format came out all wrong after uploading! So if those come out side by side, please, they're not one name but four different names. *grumbles*