Author's note:
Mae govannen, mellonae! I hope you enjoy this humble story. The characters, the setting, all are the property of J.R.R. Tolkien. Except for Tanglinna, Celair, and Riwmegor. They were created by Treehugger, who was kind enough to give me permission to write a story about them.
If you want to read more about Tanglinna *swoon*, go read all of Treehugger's fics. There are a few others floating around, too.
Last thing, promise: please review! I've never written much and any comments will be appreciated.
Diola lle (thank you)
********
There was no sound in the room save for the sound of a brush moving over paper. The maiden in the painting smiled up at the artist, causing him in turn to smile back. Looking outside, the artist could see that the moon gleamed over the forest. With a sigh, he put down his brush. Slowly, he began to dress for the feast. Gathering the loose strands of his silver hair in a long, complex braid, he left his room and walked out into the forest. Very soon, he began to hear the sounds of laughter and singing, the sounds of merry-making. As he strode into the firelight, a dark haired elf turned towards him, mirth in his eyes.
"There you are, Master Archer! We have been feasting since sunset and you just now arrive? Shame on you! I would think an elf of your years would at least know better than to keep your lady-to-be waiting. If you do not press your suit soon, she may cast her eyes elsewhere."
"Stay your tongue," the Master Archer replied, a stern look on his face. "Or I shall do it for you. If you must know, I was attending to a matter of great importance. I have not completed it yet, but I felt I had reached a good stopping place." The archer began to walk towards his place at the high table, and suddenly spun around.
"As for my lady 'casting her eyes elsewhere', I have faith in my lady. If she is not truly happy with me, then I will not hinder her leaving, for I care more for her joy then my own. But I do not believe that will come to pass". With that, the Master Archer turned once again to the high table and made his way to the place at the king's left hand. As he approached, King Oropher turned towards him.
"Well Tanglinna, I see that you have finally decided to grace us with your presence," the king paused, and then turned towards the assembled elves. "What shall be done?" he cried. "Here we have an elf that has chosen to miss the better part of our feasting! What should be done about this?"
No sooner had the king spoken did the gathered host begin to call out suggestions.
"Throw him in the dungeon!"
"Send him to live with the dwarves!"
"Feed him to a dragon!"
"Force him to eat the cooking of Galion the Butler!"
Hearing this, the king smiled a mischievous look in his eyes. He turned again, not towards the people, nor to the archer, but instead to a young elf-maiden who sat next to Tanglinna's empty seat. "What say you, Lady Celair?" he asked. "It is you he has slighted most; it is only fitting that you should decide his fate."
Celair smiled, laughter dancing in her eyes. "The offence is a grievous one. For him to choose to hole himself up in his room like a mole rather than come to the Autumn Solstice Feast does require some penalty. But since he did not miss the entire feast, I do not see how we need be too harsh. Should we throw him in the dungeon, would he not again be absent? And can any here truly believe this offence is great enough to force him to live with dwarves? If he is eaten by a dragon, he will surely never make such a lapse in judgment again, but do we truly wish to be deprived of the Master Archer's sly wit? But as for the last." With that, Lady Celair smiled and rose gracefully. "I think a meal cooked especially for Master Tanglinna by the good butler Galion would be a fitting punishment."
Hearing this, Tanglinna's eyes had gone wide. Galion had never been known to make any meal that did not leave its consumer absent from court for several weeks. Gathering his wits about him, he knelt before Celair. "If it pleases you, my lady, may I have a two days respite from your sentence?" he paused for a moment, watching her face before continuing. "If you would grant me this humble request, I will be able to show you the reason for my tardiness."
Celair looked at him curiously before agreeing. For a moment, it seemed to the two that the feast had vanished, leaving them alone, away from prying eyes. They both jumped slightly when King Oropher cleared his throat and gestured for them to seat themselves. Smiling, they did so, and there was much song and laughter through the night.
**********
Tanglinna fiddled with the strap of his satchel as he waited for Celair. Seeing her approach, he straightened, assuming all the dignity he could muster.
"Good day, my lady," he said. "Would you care to walk with me?" Celair merely laughed and took his arm.
"Well, Silver," she began. Tanglinna chuckled at her pet name for him. "At Solstice you promised you would reveal the reason for your delay. May I assume that this project of yours rest in the satchel at your side?" Tanglinna smiled, unsurprised by his lady's quick wits.
"You are correct my lady, as usual." By this time they had reached a secluded glade in the forest. The Master Archer guided Celair towards a nearby tree stump and knelt beside her. Reaching into his satchel, he pulled out the picture he had begun the day of Solstice, now encased in an elegant frame made by Tawarant the carver. He extended it towards her, his eyes watching her face.
Celair took the picture from him and let out a gasp of surprise. Within the frame was a portrait of Tanglinna and herself, standing in a woodland glade much like the one they were in now.
"It's beautiful," she exclaimed. "I have seen many of your sketches before, but this one is truly your best!"
Tanglinna smiled, feeling much relieved. He opened his mouth to say more when a harsh screech ripped through the air. The archer sprang to his feet, his hand moving to grasp bow and arrow only to discover he had left them within the Hall. He pulled Celair to her feet and shoved the portrait back into the satchel.
"Run," he cried. "Get back to the Hall! Warn the guards that goblins have entered the forest! I will hold them off for as long as I can, but you must go for aid."
"But beloved," she exclaimed. "You are armed with only a belt knife! Would it not be better for us to flee together? If you stay, you will surely be killed!"
"I have no choice, dear heart," he said. "If we both fled, we would lead them directly to the Hall. It would be overrun within minutes if the guards received no warning. But if you go and I remain, then they will have to delay, giving you time to alert the guards." Celair looked at his determined face. The hideous cries of the goblins were coming closer. She stood for a moment, and then suddenly took off, clutching the precious satchel to her chest.
Seeing her go, Tanglinna drew his belt knife to face the goblins. Within moments, he was surrounded. He fought hard, using his familiarity with the forest to his advantage. He held them off for a time, but there were too many. Just as despair began to grip his heart, horns shattered air. Elven warriors sprang out of the trees, armed for battle. Seeing them, Tanglinna felt relief that he had not felt since the Great War. Without warning, the Master Archer felt a sharp blow on the back of his head. Everything began to blur, and the ground rushed towards his face.
*******
I hope you enjoyed that! I'll have the next chapter up soon, promise!
Mae govannen, mellonae! I hope you enjoy this humble story. The characters, the setting, all are the property of J.R.R. Tolkien. Except for Tanglinna, Celair, and Riwmegor. They were created by Treehugger, who was kind enough to give me permission to write a story about them.
If you want to read more about Tanglinna *swoon*, go read all of Treehugger's fics. There are a few others floating around, too.
Last thing, promise: please review! I've never written much and any comments will be appreciated.
Diola lle (thank you)
********
There was no sound in the room save for the sound of a brush moving over paper. The maiden in the painting smiled up at the artist, causing him in turn to smile back. Looking outside, the artist could see that the moon gleamed over the forest. With a sigh, he put down his brush. Slowly, he began to dress for the feast. Gathering the loose strands of his silver hair in a long, complex braid, he left his room and walked out into the forest. Very soon, he began to hear the sounds of laughter and singing, the sounds of merry-making. As he strode into the firelight, a dark haired elf turned towards him, mirth in his eyes.
"There you are, Master Archer! We have been feasting since sunset and you just now arrive? Shame on you! I would think an elf of your years would at least know better than to keep your lady-to-be waiting. If you do not press your suit soon, she may cast her eyes elsewhere."
"Stay your tongue," the Master Archer replied, a stern look on his face. "Or I shall do it for you. If you must know, I was attending to a matter of great importance. I have not completed it yet, but I felt I had reached a good stopping place." The archer began to walk towards his place at the high table, and suddenly spun around.
"As for my lady 'casting her eyes elsewhere', I have faith in my lady. If she is not truly happy with me, then I will not hinder her leaving, for I care more for her joy then my own. But I do not believe that will come to pass". With that, the Master Archer turned once again to the high table and made his way to the place at the king's left hand. As he approached, King Oropher turned towards him.
"Well Tanglinna, I see that you have finally decided to grace us with your presence," the king paused, and then turned towards the assembled elves. "What shall be done?" he cried. "Here we have an elf that has chosen to miss the better part of our feasting! What should be done about this?"
No sooner had the king spoken did the gathered host begin to call out suggestions.
"Throw him in the dungeon!"
"Send him to live with the dwarves!"
"Feed him to a dragon!"
"Force him to eat the cooking of Galion the Butler!"
Hearing this, the king smiled a mischievous look in his eyes. He turned again, not towards the people, nor to the archer, but instead to a young elf-maiden who sat next to Tanglinna's empty seat. "What say you, Lady Celair?" he asked. "It is you he has slighted most; it is only fitting that you should decide his fate."
Celair smiled, laughter dancing in her eyes. "The offence is a grievous one. For him to choose to hole himself up in his room like a mole rather than come to the Autumn Solstice Feast does require some penalty. But since he did not miss the entire feast, I do not see how we need be too harsh. Should we throw him in the dungeon, would he not again be absent? And can any here truly believe this offence is great enough to force him to live with dwarves? If he is eaten by a dragon, he will surely never make such a lapse in judgment again, but do we truly wish to be deprived of the Master Archer's sly wit? But as for the last." With that, Lady Celair smiled and rose gracefully. "I think a meal cooked especially for Master Tanglinna by the good butler Galion would be a fitting punishment."
Hearing this, Tanglinna's eyes had gone wide. Galion had never been known to make any meal that did not leave its consumer absent from court for several weeks. Gathering his wits about him, he knelt before Celair. "If it pleases you, my lady, may I have a two days respite from your sentence?" he paused for a moment, watching her face before continuing. "If you would grant me this humble request, I will be able to show you the reason for my tardiness."
Celair looked at him curiously before agreeing. For a moment, it seemed to the two that the feast had vanished, leaving them alone, away from prying eyes. They both jumped slightly when King Oropher cleared his throat and gestured for them to seat themselves. Smiling, they did so, and there was much song and laughter through the night.
**********
Tanglinna fiddled with the strap of his satchel as he waited for Celair. Seeing her approach, he straightened, assuming all the dignity he could muster.
"Good day, my lady," he said. "Would you care to walk with me?" Celair merely laughed and took his arm.
"Well, Silver," she began. Tanglinna chuckled at her pet name for him. "At Solstice you promised you would reveal the reason for your delay. May I assume that this project of yours rest in the satchel at your side?" Tanglinna smiled, unsurprised by his lady's quick wits.
"You are correct my lady, as usual." By this time they had reached a secluded glade in the forest. The Master Archer guided Celair towards a nearby tree stump and knelt beside her. Reaching into his satchel, he pulled out the picture he had begun the day of Solstice, now encased in an elegant frame made by Tawarant the carver. He extended it towards her, his eyes watching her face.
Celair took the picture from him and let out a gasp of surprise. Within the frame was a portrait of Tanglinna and herself, standing in a woodland glade much like the one they were in now.
"It's beautiful," she exclaimed. "I have seen many of your sketches before, but this one is truly your best!"
Tanglinna smiled, feeling much relieved. He opened his mouth to say more when a harsh screech ripped through the air. The archer sprang to his feet, his hand moving to grasp bow and arrow only to discover he had left them within the Hall. He pulled Celair to her feet and shoved the portrait back into the satchel.
"Run," he cried. "Get back to the Hall! Warn the guards that goblins have entered the forest! I will hold them off for as long as I can, but you must go for aid."
"But beloved," she exclaimed. "You are armed with only a belt knife! Would it not be better for us to flee together? If you stay, you will surely be killed!"
"I have no choice, dear heart," he said. "If we both fled, we would lead them directly to the Hall. It would be overrun within minutes if the guards received no warning. But if you go and I remain, then they will have to delay, giving you time to alert the guards." Celair looked at his determined face. The hideous cries of the goblins were coming closer. She stood for a moment, and then suddenly took off, clutching the precious satchel to her chest.
Seeing her go, Tanglinna drew his belt knife to face the goblins. Within moments, he was surrounded. He fought hard, using his familiarity with the forest to his advantage. He held them off for a time, but there were too many. Just as despair began to grip his heart, horns shattered air. Elven warriors sprang out of the trees, armed for battle. Seeing them, Tanglinna felt relief that he had not felt since the Great War. Without warning, the Master Archer felt a sharp blow on the back of his head. Everything began to blur, and the ground rushed towards his face.
*******
I hope you enjoyed that! I'll have the next chapter up soon, promise!