Disclaimer: I own nothing of Tolkien's. The song about Nimrodel belongs to
him, though one day I might find a way to steal it. Only Ariel and her few
miscellaneous elves hither and thither.
A/N: Please note that elves are immortal, and they prefer to take things slowly, and if I make them fall in love with each other immediately then my story would fall under the 'Mary-Sue' category. And Ariel is not a perfect character, she has flaws too, which will come out later in the story. Oh well then, here goes nothing.
Nevweh: Glad you like it.
CityofAngel: Thanks!
Lady in Red: Ah.hope this chapter would be long enough
Biliousneko: You really think so? Aack! My worst fears are about to come true then. But I am keeping this story no matter how much it sucks.
Chapter 8
Ere dawn the next day Ariel waited at the arena, quivering in excitement. The moon was still out, giving sufficient light and provided an ethereal glow to the circle of grass.
Soon Elladan and Elrohir arrived and they taught her the basics of attacking and defending. Ariel had the talent so when it was developed, she mastered the skill of wielding two knives to perfection.
"Very soon her skill in blade will surpass mine." Elladan groaned.
Chuckling, Elrohir said," I wonder how she would fare with a sword."
Ariel overheard and said, "And risk fracturing my knee again? No thanks."
She enjoyed herself much when with her brothers, and spent a lot of time with them.
Much to her dismay, they had to leave.
"We will meet again," Elrohir promised Ariel.
"Naamarie, Ariel and Arwen, dear sisters, Naamarie Father." With that they left for their errand, which was to scout the area near the fields of Celebrant. Ariel gazed after them sadly, small specks disappearing on the horizon.
"They usually stay for only a day, and their visits home are extremely rare." Said Arwen.
"But you being here made a big difference." Noted Elrond.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chess was one of her favorite games with her father. Arwen who could not see what fun there was in moving wooden pieces just stood nearby while she watched Elrond and Ariel challenge each other.
"Your bishop is in danger of being eaten." Elrond pointed out.
"You should not be so kind to your opponent in the game. My bishop is there for a reason." Ariel said, before moving her pawn.
"Then I am sorry I have to do this to you." Elrond took her bishop with his knight. "Check."
"Checkmate, Father." Ariel moved her queen triumphantly across the board, trapping his king. Elrond admitted defeat.
"Who taught you all these moves?'
"Elladan and Elrohir." Said Ariel, before winking at Arwen.
They taught me various ways to cheat
My, sister, I did not know you were so mischievous and crafty. How was it Father could not see?
That, is his weakness
Elrond raised his eyebrows questioningly at his daughters and they just gave him innocent smiles.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Legolas was in search of Ariel, he wanted to say a personal farewell to her, though he did not know why. He had felt jealous when her attention was given to her brothers, but when he saw how happy they made her, he too wished he could do the same.
Unknown to him, though Ariel was in high spirits when with her brothers, she missed Legolas - his singing, laughter, just being with him. It was hard to comprehend why this was so, but she passed it off as missing a friend.
Arwen sighed, she had seen the way Legolas and Ariel gazed at each other when they thought no one was looking.
She spoke of this to Aragorn, who was downright amused.
"Now," she began in a scolding tone, "you had better not tease the poor boy about it." "I can't promise you about that, but I assure you I will make his life miserable about it." He replied cheekily.
"How dare you!" Arwen said in mock anger. Then she chased him all over the house, before he turned and clasped her hands in his.
"Remember when we first met?" Her voice low and husky.
"I thought I strayed into a dream."
"You did not have the cares and worries you have now." She caressed his forehead with light touches.
Fingering her Evenstar pendant Ariel has the Silverstar pendant, Aragorn felt all his weariness and troubles fall.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ariel was practicing her archery when she felt warm arms around her.
"You are tilting too much to the left, it will affect the direction the arrow goes. Ariel stiffened immediately, and then relaxed when she realized whom it was.
"I have not seen you practice before?"
He let go of her, and for that she was sorry.
"Watch." He released three arrows in rapid succession and the first imbedded itself dead center, the second split the first into two and so did the third.
He was pleases by the stunned look on Ariel's face, but sobered quickly when he remembered his sole purpose for seeking her.
"Ariel, I have come to say farewell. The ring shall go south tomorrow as the sword that was broken has been forged anew and there is no more reason for delay."
"I know." She told herself firmly,'I am just worried for him as a friend and nothing more.' 'Is that so?' Her inner voice piped up. 'Then why aren't you feeling the same for the other members of the fellowship?' 'Oh, shut up.' But she knew there was no denying the fact there was something other than friendship between them, but what was it?
"Legolas, promise me you will be careful." For she knew the journey was going to be wrought with dangers.
He looked offended, as if she questioned his ability to look after himself.
"Rest assured I would."
"Now shall we adjourn to the halls ere your father sends out search parties for his missing daughter?"
"We shall." Ariel answered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lord Elrond and his daughters bade the fellowship farewell.
Legolas held her eye for a moment, before tearing himself away from her gaze.
Ariel said under her breadth, "Whither thou goest, my thoughts goest with thee." And none could hear save Arwen.
She and Arwen were in low spirits that day, which was why Elrond suggested they make a trip to Lothlorien and visit Galadriel.
"The high pass would be the safest way."
Later on Ariel asked Arwen how their grandmother is like. For she had only a vague memory of a lady in white.
"Having seen her once only, I doubt you will remember much of her. She is very grave and beautiful, last of the Noldorians who came from Valinor. And Lothlorien is the fairest dwellings of our kindred. The trees grow to heights unimaginable, and in winter their bark is silver and the leaves do not fall. Nimrodel and Silverlode flow from the misty mountain into it. There is a tale, which goes:
An Elven-maid there was of old,
A shining star by day:
Her mantle white was hemmed with gold,
Her shoes of silver-grey.
A star was bound upon her brows,
A loght was on her hair
As sun upon the golden boughs
In Lórien the fair.
Her hair was long, her limbs were white,
And fair she was and free;
And in the wind she went as light
As leaf of linden-tree.
Beside the falls of Nimrodel,
By water clear and cool,
Her voice as falling silver fell
Into the shining pool.
Where now she wanders none can tell,
In sunlight or in shade;
For lost of yore was Nimrodel
And in the mountains strayed.
The elven-ship in haven grey
Beneath the mountain-lee
Awaited her for many a day
Beside the roaring sea.
A wind by night in Northern lands
Arose, and loud it cried,
And drove the ship from elven-strands
Across the streaming tide.
When dawn came dim the land was lost,
The mountains sinking grey
Beyond the heaving waves that tossed
Their plumes of blinding spray.
Amroth beheld the fading shore
Now low beyond the swell,
And cursed the faithless ship that bore
Him far from Nimrodel.
Of old he was an Elven-king,
A lord of tree and glen,
When golden were the boughs in spring
In fair Lothlórien.
From helm to sea they saw him leap,
As arrow from the string,
And dive into water deep,
As mew upon the wing.
The wind was in his flowing hair,
The foam about him shone;
Afar they saw him strong and fair
Go riding like a swan.
But from the West has come no word,
And on the Hither Shore
No tidings Elven-folk have heard
Of Amroth evermore."
"I am convinced I will love the place as much as you." Ariel smiled as the song ended.
"It was also the place where Aragorn and I declared our love for each other. Father says we are to leave in half a month's time, but I can barely wait to see Celeborn and Galadriel again."
Then Ariel noticed something. "Where is your Evenstar pendant?"
"I gave it to Aragorn."
Ariel saw Arwen truly loved him, and prayed Arwen and him would be together when this whole war ends.
End of Chapter 8
A/N: Please note that elves are immortal, and they prefer to take things slowly, and if I make them fall in love with each other immediately then my story would fall under the 'Mary-Sue' category. And Ariel is not a perfect character, she has flaws too, which will come out later in the story. Oh well then, here goes nothing.
Nevweh: Glad you like it.
CityofAngel: Thanks!
Lady in Red: Ah.hope this chapter would be long enough
Biliousneko: You really think so? Aack! My worst fears are about to come true then. But I am keeping this story no matter how much it sucks.
Chapter 8
Ere dawn the next day Ariel waited at the arena, quivering in excitement. The moon was still out, giving sufficient light and provided an ethereal glow to the circle of grass.
Soon Elladan and Elrohir arrived and they taught her the basics of attacking and defending. Ariel had the talent so when it was developed, she mastered the skill of wielding two knives to perfection.
"Very soon her skill in blade will surpass mine." Elladan groaned.
Chuckling, Elrohir said," I wonder how she would fare with a sword."
Ariel overheard and said, "And risk fracturing my knee again? No thanks."
She enjoyed herself much when with her brothers, and spent a lot of time with them.
Much to her dismay, they had to leave.
"We will meet again," Elrohir promised Ariel.
"Naamarie, Ariel and Arwen, dear sisters, Naamarie Father." With that they left for their errand, which was to scout the area near the fields of Celebrant. Ariel gazed after them sadly, small specks disappearing on the horizon.
"They usually stay for only a day, and their visits home are extremely rare." Said Arwen.
"But you being here made a big difference." Noted Elrond.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chess was one of her favorite games with her father. Arwen who could not see what fun there was in moving wooden pieces just stood nearby while she watched Elrond and Ariel challenge each other.
"Your bishop is in danger of being eaten." Elrond pointed out.
"You should not be so kind to your opponent in the game. My bishop is there for a reason." Ariel said, before moving her pawn.
"Then I am sorry I have to do this to you." Elrond took her bishop with his knight. "Check."
"Checkmate, Father." Ariel moved her queen triumphantly across the board, trapping his king. Elrond admitted defeat.
"Who taught you all these moves?'
"Elladan and Elrohir." Said Ariel, before winking at Arwen.
They taught me various ways to cheat
My, sister, I did not know you were so mischievous and crafty. How was it Father could not see?
That, is his weakness
Elrond raised his eyebrows questioningly at his daughters and they just gave him innocent smiles.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Legolas was in search of Ariel, he wanted to say a personal farewell to her, though he did not know why. He had felt jealous when her attention was given to her brothers, but when he saw how happy they made her, he too wished he could do the same.
Unknown to him, though Ariel was in high spirits when with her brothers, she missed Legolas - his singing, laughter, just being with him. It was hard to comprehend why this was so, but she passed it off as missing a friend.
Arwen sighed, she had seen the way Legolas and Ariel gazed at each other when they thought no one was looking.
She spoke of this to Aragorn, who was downright amused.
"Now," she began in a scolding tone, "you had better not tease the poor boy about it." "I can't promise you about that, but I assure you I will make his life miserable about it." He replied cheekily.
"How dare you!" Arwen said in mock anger. Then she chased him all over the house, before he turned and clasped her hands in his.
"Remember when we first met?" Her voice low and husky.
"I thought I strayed into a dream."
"You did not have the cares and worries you have now." She caressed his forehead with light touches.
Fingering her Evenstar pendant Ariel has the Silverstar pendant, Aragorn felt all his weariness and troubles fall.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ariel was practicing her archery when she felt warm arms around her.
"You are tilting too much to the left, it will affect the direction the arrow goes. Ariel stiffened immediately, and then relaxed when she realized whom it was.
"I have not seen you practice before?"
He let go of her, and for that she was sorry.
"Watch." He released three arrows in rapid succession and the first imbedded itself dead center, the second split the first into two and so did the third.
He was pleases by the stunned look on Ariel's face, but sobered quickly when he remembered his sole purpose for seeking her.
"Ariel, I have come to say farewell. The ring shall go south tomorrow as the sword that was broken has been forged anew and there is no more reason for delay."
"I know." She told herself firmly,'I am just worried for him as a friend and nothing more.' 'Is that so?' Her inner voice piped up. 'Then why aren't you feeling the same for the other members of the fellowship?' 'Oh, shut up.' But she knew there was no denying the fact there was something other than friendship between them, but what was it?
"Legolas, promise me you will be careful." For she knew the journey was going to be wrought with dangers.
He looked offended, as if she questioned his ability to look after himself.
"Rest assured I would."
"Now shall we adjourn to the halls ere your father sends out search parties for his missing daughter?"
"We shall." Ariel answered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lord Elrond and his daughters bade the fellowship farewell.
Legolas held her eye for a moment, before tearing himself away from her gaze.
Ariel said under her breadth, "Whither thou goest, my thoughts goest with thee." And none could hear save Arwen.
She and Arwen were in low spirits that day, which was why Elrond suggested they make a trip to Lothlorien and visit Galadriel.
"The high pass would be the safest way."
Later on Ariel asked Arwen how their grandmother is like. For she had only a vague memory of a lady in white.
"Having seen her once only, I doubt you will remember much of her. She is very grave and beautiful, last of the Noldorians who came from Valinor. And Lothlorien is the fairest dwellings of our kindred. The trees grow to heights unimaginable, and in winter their bark is silver and the leaves do not fall. Nimrodel and Silverlode flow from the misty mountain into it. There is a tale, which goes:
An Elven-maid there was of old,
A shining star by day:
Her mantle white was hemmed with gold,
Her shoes of silver-grey.
A star was bound upon her brows,
A loght was on her hair
As sun upon the golden boughs
In Lórien the fair.
Her hair was long, her limbs were white,
And fair she was and free;
And in the wind she went as light
As leaf of linden-tree.
Beside the falls of Nimrodel,
By water clear and cool,
Her voice as falling silver fell
Into the shining pool.
Where now she wanders none can tell,
In sunlight or in shade;
For lost of yore was Nimrodel
And in the mountains strayed.
The elven-ship in haven grey
Beneath the mountain-lee
Awaited her for many a day
Beside the roaring sea.
A wind by night in Northern lands
Arose, and loud it cried,
And drove the ship from elven-strands
Across the streaming tide.
When dawn came dim the land was lost,
The mountains sinking grey
Beyond the heaving waves that tossed
Their plumes of blinding spray.
Amroth beheld the fading shore
Now low beyond the swell,
And cursed the faithless ship that bore
Him far from Nimrodel.
Of old he was an Elven-king,
A lord of tree and glen,
When golden were the boughs in spring
In fair Lothlórien.
From helm to sea they saw him leap,
As arrow from the string,
And dive into water deep,
As mew upon the wing.
The wind was in his flowing hair,
The foam about him shone;
Afar they saw him strong and fair
Go riding like a swan.
But from the West has come no word,
And on the Hither Shore
No tidings Elven-folk have heard
Of Amroth evermore."
"I am convinced I will love the place as much as you." Ariel smiled as the song ended.
"It was also the place where Aragorn and I declared our love for each other. Father says we are to leave in half a month's time, but I can barely wait to see Celeborn and Galadriel again."
Then Ariel noticed something. "Where is your Evenstar pendant?"
"I gave it to Aragorn."
Ariel saw Arwen truly loved him, and prayed Arwen and him would be together when this whole war ends.
End of Chapter 8