Disclaimer: Go back 5 chapters, look at top of prologue, and READ!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Finnevere: Then you'll feel even worse later on. ;)
Aislin: Well, you can't always have your cake and eat it too. So this chapter is dedicated to you! Dude, that rhymed!
Starbrat: *monotone* Gee, I feel so loved.
Diadora: I'm speechless. (And that doesn't happen often.)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*sniff-sniff* My beta-reader, Kat-chan, a.k.a. Gryphon Gal, has not been able to beta-read my story for a while now. So if there are any errors, blame me! Nooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!! I lost my scapegoat!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I'm soooooooo sorry it took me so long to update. I have been loaded down with homework, and classwork, and I suffered a small case of writer's block so here's an extra-long chappie to make up for it. 'K? ;p
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Moon Song
Chapter 5 – Being a Gondorian Can Be Hazardous to Your Health
(revised edition)
My name is Khelek. He answered. I am a Water Balrog, I guess you could say. I am the only one of my kind. I was born here in the Sea of Núrnen. The Balrog sighed, creating a small breeze. Your third question, I'm afraid, is the hardest. I cannot truthfully answer for I, myself do not know. It was something bred into me by my creator. He shrugged. I do not know. She also sighed. "Well, it was worth a try."
She blinked, thoughtful. Turning to him, she asked. "So now what? I sure as hell ain't staying here in this hellhole." Khelek frowned. We could go into the deserts of Harad. You would be accepted and welcomed since you are not a Gondorian. Alyce's head jerked back in bewilderment. "A whatta-what-ian?" A Gondorian. Her brow furrowed in confusion and puzzlement. "Okay. If you say so."
She paused. "Hey, whoa, wait a sec…Can you even leave your lake?" He bared his fangs in a grin. Indeed. The Water Balrog stood up, appearing much like a mountain deciding to relocate, and glanced at her. Can you walk? He questioned, concern written all over his stony features. "After what you did to me? I couldn't move if all the evil forces in the universe suddenly decided to battle for supremacy in this very spot…If that tells anything."
In the next moment, she found herself again contained in his steely grip, but greatly softened. She relaxed back into his hand and smiled to herself. A Balrog could be a useful ally.
His gait was smooth and swift. Soon they were around the sea and following a river's course towards the nearby mountains. They were the southern half of the Ered Lithui or Ash Mountains, Khelek had told her. But he had never spoken of the river they happened to be following. "What's this river called?" She questioned.
She liked listening to his mind voice. It was a rich baritone, colorful and able to bring to life every nuance of human speech. It was never truly named. I've always called it Mornanen (black river), but the Haradrim named it Lioman, which means 'life giver' in their language.
A terrible thought suddenly occurred to her. Alyce's eyes widened. "Hey Khelek! I don't know Haradrimese or whatever the hell they call it! How in the hell am I gonna know what they're saying?!" The Balrog nodded, understanding her worries. True. But don't worry. They live in tribes, and every tribe has one or two multi-linguists so that they may trade amongst each other. I'm sure that one of them will understand the Common Tongue being so close to the outskirts of Gondor. "Oh…" She replied, her disbelief scattering in the face of reason, like a mist in a gale. She settled in to sleep the rest of the way to the mountains.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lord Glorfindel returned a moment later with a cup of brewed athelas leaves. He ran it under the other elf-lord's nose. Elrond blinked and his eyes focused on Glorfindel. He gave the golden-haired elf-lord a grateful look. "By the Valar, what would I do without you?" They shared a secret look , then Lord Elrond turned to the girl on his right. "Do not think we have forgotten you." He then spun around, or as much you can spin around when you're sitting, to face Losloth. "You may take your leave now, Losloth." The she-elf nodded in acquiescence, and hurriedly left the room.
The elf-lord brought his intimidating, or at least Kathy thought so, gaze back to a suddenly worried Kathy. What if she was in trouble? "Nay Lady," he said, as if reading her mind, "do not worry. We merely wish to ask you a few questions."
Lord Elrond rose in one fluid motion, and offered his hand to Kathy. The red-head took it, rising also but in a less graceful manner. Glorfindel glanced at her, his face an unreadable mask. "I believe we should find another room." The other Eldar conceded to his logic. "I surmise that Ahawesta would be quite perplexed to find another occupant in his rooms."
The dark-haired elf-lord belatedly released Kathy's hand. "If you would follow me?" It was more of a statement then a question. Lord Elrond strode towards the door. Kathy followed a few moments later, and Lord Glorfindel closed the door behind them.
Kathy mentally sighed. She could tell it was going to be a long day.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Alyce awoke to find that true night had fallen. The dark craggy Ash Mountains lay behind them. A cool breeze tousled her hair. Desert spread out before her, stretching for miles, an ocean of sand cast in crystalline moonlight.
A breath of balmy air went down her back, warming her against the cold of night. Her gaze moved skyward to find a stony visage. The Water Balrog's eyes were closed a light slumber but flickered open when she shifted in his grip. Yes? She shrugged at his query and swiveled back around, staring at the vista of moon-bleached sand. "Just looking." He snorted, and shut his eyes again, feigning sleep.
It was all so weird. One minute she was walking in the woods, wishing she could just live there for the rest of her life, and the next, she was in a foreign desert in another world with a monster, a Balrog, as a companion, for Pete's sake! People said she made odd friends. They didn't know how right they truly were!
Alyce sighed gustily and settled against Khelek's surprisingly warm and silky skin, forcing herself to sleep. She woke up with the blazing sun beating down on her face and a serrated spearhead hovering over her collarbone.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lord Glorfindel smiled disarmingly at the girl, who sat nervously in one of the now vacated chairs of the council chamber. The other elf-lords had already left, voting to continue the council at a later date.
Lord Elrond turned from watching the scenes of daily life of Rivendell to face the red-haired stranger. The large bay window at his back, he stepped closer to question her. "Child, can you give me your name?"
The strange girl was silent for a moment, thoughtful, then answered. "My name is Kathy." Elrond gave her a polite smile, no doubt wondering at such a strange name, though it seemed oddly befitting. "Well then, Lady Kathy," he said her name deliberately, pronouncing it as she had. "From where do you hail?" The girl, Kathy was it?, took a deep breath. "I'm from a far-away land, of which I'm sure you have never heard."
The dark-haired Eldar's mouth twitched into a small smile. "Try me." The Man-child looked at him with mouth agape, obviously not expecting this answer. "America." The Lord of Rivendell sighed softly, silently admitting defeat. "You are correct. I have not heard of this land, nor of its people." He paused. "Well, Lady Kathy, then may I ask you another question?" She shrugged. "I guess." "How did you come to be in Ahawesta's room?" She let out a long sigh. "It's a long story."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The spear-point moved up to her throat. Alyce looked up slowly and deliberately. A tall, swarthy man stood above her, menacing her with the spear. He wore a golden helmet and thin crimson robes, his mouth covered. The dark-skinned man next to him spoke to her. "Coro de ru?" She blinked. "Wha?" The spear-tip pressed harder against her skin, close to drawing blood. The man who had questioned her ordered the other man to back down. At least, that's what she thought he said. She couldn't tell. Then he waved another martial man over. They talked in low tones for a minute, then the second man turned to her.
"Who are you?" He asked cautiously, as if he himself barely understood what he was saying. "My name is Alyce." Her interrogator frowned slightly. The other men whispered her name amongst themselves like they were discussing the latest gossip, which seemed quite absurd, at least in that context. "Why are you here?" He queried, nervousness tingeing his voice. "I'm looking for somewhere to stay. Me and my friend." The desert nomad quirked a skeptical eyebrow. "Friend? I see no-one." She then belatedly noticed the lack of Balrog warmth on her back. He was not there. Khelek had deserted her. "Um, well, it seems that my friend has already left." The man, he was a Haradrim she believed, gave her a strongly suspicious look. "I see. Where are you…" He trailed off for a moment, his brow furrowed in concentration, "from?" The Haradrim finished. "A very far-away place that you have never heard of and do not even know exists." He blinked in surprise. "Oh."
The man turned back to his comrades. They discussed something for a moment, then the multi-linguist turned his attention back to her. "You may come with us." He ushered her in front of him, but kept his spear in hand, neither relaxing his grip nor aggressing her. The Haradrim called out to a few of them and they scattered, but the majority followed him.
After about half an hour of walking, Alyce turned to the now obvious leader, continuing to walk even as she spoke. "What's your name?" He cocked his head, giving her an odd look. "Name?"
"Yeah. What do they call you?" The Haradrim puffed out his chest, thumping it with his fist. "Am Shamanyo." Her expression became that of a stunned cow. " Alright…What do you want me to call you?" The Shamanyo frowned a bit. "Birth name is Corolan. You call me Shamanyo though. That is what is proper tribe pro…pro…"
"Protocol?" She offered helpfully. He nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Protocol." Now it was her turn to frown. "Oh." Alyce thought for a small while, then looked behind herself again. "So, Shamanyo, is there anything else I should know?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kathy exhaled into the soft, plush pillow, breathing in the light scent of flowers. Native flowers in Rivendell. She just couldn't believe it. Rivendell. She was in Imladris, the Last Homely House. With Lord Elrond and Lord Glorfindel, the twins, Arwen, everyone. It was incredible but true.
This was the first time all day she'd had a chance to sit and think. Just think. The questions, the tour, the introductions, the total transition. It was all so overwhelming. We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto. Kathy snorted. Wasn't that the truth.
She rolled over, staring at the ceiling. It was all so…different. Kathy closed her eyes, a small sigh escaping her lips. She had better get some rest. Tomorrow was going to be even worse…
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When the Haradrim and their 'captive' reached the camp, people darted out of their tents, trying to get a glimpse of the stranger. She wore her dark brown hair back in a ponytail and conservative black clothes covered her body. A type of black leather overcoat created such an odd effect to her outfit that most of the tribe was left scratching their heads in wonder. She looked strangely enough like a Sumoro, or Dúnadan, as the Gondorians called them.
The Shamanyo brought the girl to the center of the camp. The sunset colored his gold and crimson garb, giving him such a glorious air that the whole camp was entranced. His booming voice broke the spell.
"Se ron quer de stu me nos." This child wishes to stay with us. "So es te." She is lost. "Nos wan ta so a." We will take her in. Voices rose, questions filling the air like angry bees. Who was she? Where was she from? What did she want with them? How did he know that she did not pose a threat to the entire camp? The Haradrim man smiled in a calming manner. "Do no mou, sen tra wan bi ano." Do not worry, all questions will be answered.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Alyce had been settled in for about a week. She stayed in the Shamanyo's tent, which was obviously a high honor, considering the looks she received from the rest of the camp. But she stayed with him because he was the only person she trusted.
The Haradrim sure were an odd lot. The Liomano, the tribe she settled in with, in particular. They had given her Haradrim clothes to wear and she was incredibly glad to have them after her first day in the desert. The memory always made her shudder.
They had moved several times, but Alyce had seen no sign of Khelek and was silently fuming. He had left her defenseless and open to the elements. Tonight, she decided, they were gonna a nice little heart-to-heart.
Man! That was a long-ass chapter! Even longer than the last one. I still haven't recovered from that one. You know what? I've come to realize that my characters blink too damn much. Question, blink-blink, question, blink-blink. It is a sad and pathetic cycle and must be broken! Sorry, went off on a tangent there. Isn't Khelek awesome?!!! That is before he leaves her, of course, but do not worry, there is a method to my madness. Oh yeah, in the beginning that was the Sea of Núrnen for those of you who couldn't read that. My computer was being an ass and making it look like Númen. And another thing, for the Dúnadan, I meant one person not the people of the Dúnedain. Hee. Sorry if I confused you there.
On the next episode of Moon Song, we will find out what happens when Alyce confronts her so-called 'deserting' friend, how Kathy spent her days at Rivendell, and a surprise cameo by one of my other friends! (Mwhahahahahaha! Pity her, it will be a dark day indeed for my poor friend. Mwhahahahahahaha!!!)
For you poor, poor Legolas lovers out there, stop screaming me and savaging the computer(it never did anything to you!), do not fear, he will appear soon! Probably in the next few chapters or so! I know the story's moving really slow but, bear with me, I promise that it will speed up!
Tell me what you think! If you don't, I won't know what to keep doing or kick out. Tell me! Press the stupid, bloody button! I BEG OF YOU! *gets down on knees and begs, sobbing her heart out* *pet-elf Legolas comes to comfort her* *both end up sobbing*