Chapter 1 - When It All Began. . .
elle.ana: Thanks for your review! I changed my settings so that I can now accept anonymous reviews. You had a good point ^_^
Tigger: I know, I'm so evil! I love Gollum's Song, and it seemed like a very fitting title.
Disclaimer: I own nothing! Zilch! Not even a single letter in any of Tolkien's books! I'm not that brilliant!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Middle Earth, three thousand and sixty years before the famous War of the Ring, in the Shire. A young Hobbit named Raedolia Took sat in a tree reading a book and chewing idly on an apple. She often came here, to the very border of the Shire, just past Michel Delving, when she needed to think or read. Her bright golden hair hung in curls down to her shoulders, and the sun made a sparkling reflection in her sapphire eyes. And, despite the dirt that came with working in the fields, she was quite an attractive Hobbit.
Nigh three miles away a tall figure on one of the many gently sloping hills that surrounded the Shire. A butterscotch-colored mare was at his side, ivory white mane falling regally over her proud neck, long tail flowing idly in the breeze. It was a rare thing for any of the Big Folk to the in the Shire, and even rarer for an Elf. Obsidian tresses fell over his shoulders and the middle of his back, small, golden cuffs holding the braided locks from his face above each delicately pointed ear, and a single cuff was clasped to his left ear. He was pale and fairly seemed to glow with the fabled 'moonlight' of Elves. He was dressed in dark blue, nearly black. His eyes, the color of the deepest forest with a splash of pale blue around the pupil, gazed nearly unemotionally down at the Shire.
Raedolia, or Rae as she was more commonly called, sighed and leaned back. She closed the book and turned her attention to the setting sun instead. Her gaze traveled across the horizon, over the outline of the hills beyond, and fell upon two large figures in the distance. Rae was a bit startled by this. She had never seen anyone around here before.
If the Fair Being had seen her (which he had) he made no sign. His mare snorted impatiently and nudged her master's face, causing the Elf to turn his green eyes upon her. The feisty beast whickered softly, tossing her head in the direction of the shire. Her master, Anendel, or 'Nendel, smiled faintly, before he took her reins and quietly walked down the hill they stood on.
Rae, realizing the two figures had started to move down towards her, looked away quickly. She did not want to appear rude by staring at them. She flipped her book open to a random page, and simply looked down at it, trying to give off the impression that she was reading. However, she had never been very good at covering things up...
And the two strode ever closer to the tree where she sat at, though 'Nendel intentionally slowed his pace as they did so, though his mare was impatient to get to the Hobbit in the tree, as overly friendly as she was. Rae brought the book closer to her face as she heard them draw ever nearer. She was trying to fight away the blush that was ever-threatening to appear. This proved to be a difficult task to do, as she was also trying to suppress her smile.
But the Elf stopped once he came but a few strides to her tree, his gaze fixed on the land before them, though his horse was staring upwards towards the Hobbit, then, when neither the lass nor her master did anything, whickered loudly. 'Nendel cringed and tugged on her reins, gently shushing the feisty mare.
Rae couldn't fight her smile or blush any longer, so she gave up and allowed herself to turn red and grin broadly. "You're mare is quite a restless one, isn't she, sir?"
He looked up at her, a wry smile tugging at his lips, which he too unsuccessfully hid. "Aye, wee one, she is. Her name is Ivorymane... she is restless, and quite friendly when it comes to people." His voice was quiet, and as golden as a summer day, though tilted lightly with the Quenyan accent.
Rae wasn't looking at the Elf, but at his accent, her blush deepened slightly. "You are an Elf, then?"
Another smile tried to force its way to his lips, but this time he managed to hold it back. "I am. My name is Anendel."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Anendel. My name is Raedolia Took." She finally mustered the courage to look at him, and when she did, her breath caught in her throat. He was very much an Elf: tall and slender, with that sort of Elvish glow. And she had to admit...he was rather handsome. And his smile was just as dazzling.
"The pleasure is all mine, Raedolia." He briefly looked around. "'Tis strange . . . I've come to the Shire often, but I have not seen you before. And I am surprised any Hobbit would come this close to the borders."
She shrugged. "I come here often to think and be alone. 'Tis rather busy where I live, Anendel. And . . ." She smiled slightly. ". . . you may call me Rae. Most do."
He dipped his head briefly. "And you may call 'Nendel." Ivorymane snorted and nuzzled his arm, before whickering and tossing her head. 'Nendel smiled slightly. "Forgive my mare, Rae. She's hardly acted this excited over something."
"I don't mind. We don't have many horses in the Shire, mostly ponies." A slightly awkward pause followed, as she didn't really know what more to say. Her gaze traveled to the sunset briefly. "I may want to begin heading home."
Anendel nodded. "I am heading towards Bree, so my journey will take me nearer to the Shire. Shall I accompany you until our roads part?"
Rae's blush, which had been fading, now instantly rushed back to her cheeks. "If you wish to, I would certainly enjoy the company."
'Nendel smiled and nodded. "I do wish to. No doubt my mare would like the company."
Rae nodded also, throwing the core of her apple away and tucking the book under her arm. She shifted so that her feet were hanging over the branch of the tree and made ready to jump down. The mare seemed ready to leap at her once she leapt down, but Anendel backed up a few paces and held Ivorymane still. With a graceful leap that she had obviously done many times before, Rae landed on the ground, brushing herself off. She then turned to Anendel and the mare. "Are we off then?"
The Elf smiled slightly and nodded. He stepped slightly closer to her, allowing Ivorymane to bend down and nuzzle Rae's face. Rae smiled, patting Ivorymane's head before starting down the Road, East towards her home, the Great Smials, and Bree. 'Nendel followed, slightly behind her, and Ivorymane trotted contentedly at his side, her white mane trailing behind her.
For awhile, they walked in silence. Finally, Rae decided to break it. "So...'Nendel, where do you come from?"
"I hail from Imladris, or Rivendell in your tongue, though I have traveled to each Elf haven and lived there for a time," he replied. His ancestors had been human, and he had inherited their restlessness.
"Rivendell . . ." Rae murmured slowly. She had heard many tales of that place before, and had always hoped that maybe one day her path would lead her there. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. "So...your family lives in Rivendell?"
"Aye, though my grandsire was born in the forests of Greenwood the Great, several leagues north of Lothlorien, another Elf haven."
"Oh. You visit your family often during your travels I presume?"
He nodded. "I travel for many years, though, so I am away often. But yes, I do see them once I return from my travels."
Rae was quiet for a moment. "Do you have a wife?"
It was his turn to be quiet, and a shadow darkened his face as he spoke, his voice softer than before. "I did. She was killed."
Rae's face paled slightly. She looked away from him. "Oh . . . I'm sorry, Anendel . . . I didn't mean to - I didn't know . . . I'm sorry."
He shook his head, and the darkness fled from his face like clouds before the wind. "You need not be sorry, Rae. You did not know."
She nodded, but still felt sorry. She didn't say anything for a while after that. Instead, she concentrated on walking, trying to figure out how far she would get before it was pitch black outside. But even as the darkness descended around them, his light seemed to grow brighter. Indeed, Elves did glow from the inside, their light beautiful enough to rival that of the stars, from which Illuvatar had birthed them from, and their voices could put the larks to shame.
Rae fell back as darkness fell to walk beside 'Nendel. She noticed that the stars shone brighter tonight than they had any time before that she'd seen. She wondered if it was perhaps the Elf walking beside her. Even his mare seemed to glow, though it could perhaps have been a trick of the moonlight. The silence hung between them was comfortable, though this time it was 'Nendel who broke it. "You've heard enough about me, Rae, and I've heard little from you. Do you have any siblings?"
Rae nodded, the look on her face not exactly one of joy. "Yes, I have one brother name Riadoc. He's a few years younger than I, but the laziest thing you would ever meet in all of the Four Farthings."
Anendel laughed, the sound like the clear ringing of silver bells. "That sounds very much like my twin brother, Vanidor."
"If he is anything like Ri, then my guess would be that Vanidor is back in Rivendell, lounging in the dining hall with a group of others, talking idly and ignoring every command given to him?"
'Nendel smiled and nodded. "Yes, though occasionally he rides with me to Greenwood to visit our grandsire. But, other than that, he does spend most of his time in the Hall of Fire."
Rae laughed softly. "He and Ri should meet someday, then."
Anendel nodded, falling silent a moment. "How far is your home?"
"Not far. Only a few more miles, I believe." She squinted ahead into the distance, spotting a few lights not far in front of them. "Oh, yes, see? That there is Waymeet. Tuckborough is only a few miles from there."
He nodded. "You must forgive me - it has been nearly two hundred years since I have last visited the Shire long enough to pay note to its landmarks."
She smiled, waving it aside. "Quite alright. I could find my way home from pretty much anywhere in the Shire."
He smiled. "I do not doubt that. You do seem more . . . ah . . . adventurous than most Hobbits."
"I wish that my adventures could vary to more than walks down a long dirt Road to a tree and back again." She sighed thoughtfully. "It would be quite a wonderful thing to get away from here someday."
He looked down at her with another smile. "Most Hobbits wish to stay in the homes and work in the fields . . . you do not?"
"Working in the fields has grown rather old. I do more than my share of work. Someone has to make up for Ri, and of course, since I am older, that someone must be me." She was about to say more, when a large Hobbit Hole appeared in the distance. It looked large enough to house more than thirty Hobbit families. "Well, this is it. The Great Smials of Tuckborough."
His steps slowed. "And soon, I'm afraid, I must trek upon a different road."
Rae stopped completely in front of the gate that surrounded the large home. She looked up at him, smiling slightly. "I suppose this is good-bye then . . ." She held out her hand. ". . . until next time."
He smiled in parting and took her hand. His was as soft and silk, fingers strengthened from years of using bow and sword. "Until next time."
She smiled a bit brighter, tightening her grip briefly, then allowed her hand to return to her side. "And don't go off and forget me, alright?" she said in mock scolding, though the grin still lingered on her lips.
He chuckled. "Ai, I doubt I would do that Rae. Here." He reached into a pocket and produced a beautiful silver chain. He held it out to her. "Take this. It was my wife's. Think of it as . . . a promise that I will return." He smiled a last time as she took the chain and he grasped Ivorymane's reins. "I was pleased to meet you. I do hope I can return soon."
She turned and opened the door to the gate, stepping through and closing it behind her. Rae spun back around to face the Elf and the mare. "As do I. And thank you."
He smiled again, briefly nodding his head to her, before, leading Ivorymane, he turned and walked down the dirt road towards the surrounding forests and Bree. The young Hobbit-lass watched them until they had disappeared into the night. With a sigh, she walked up to the door of her home and entered, securely closing the door behind her.
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A/N: I hope you enjoy this chapter. Trust me, this is the start of a big adventure. Please review!
elle.ana: Thanks for your review! I changed my settings so that I can now accept anonymous reviews. You had a good point ^_^
Tigger: I know, I'm so evil! I love Gollum's Song, and it seemed like a very fitting title.
Disclaimer: I own nothing! Zilch! Not even a single letter in any of Tolkien's books! I'm not that brilliant!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Middle Earth, three thousand and sixty years before the famous War of the Ring, in the Shire. A young Hobbit named Raedolia Took sat in a tree reading a book and chewing idly on an apple. She often came here, to the very border of the Shire, just past Michel Delving, when she needed to think or read. Her bright golden hair hung in curls down to her shoulders, and the sun made a sparkling reflection in her sapphire eyes. And, despite the dirt that came with working in the fields, she was quite an attractive Hobbit.
Nigh three miles away a tall figure on one of the many gently sloping hills that surrounded the Shire. A butterscotch-colored mare was at his side, ivory white mane falling regally over her proud neck, long tail flowing idly in the breeze. It was a rare thing for any of the Big Folk to the in the Shire, and even rarer for an Elf. Obsidian tresses fell over his shoulders and the middle of his back, small, golden cuffs holding the braided locks from his face above each delicately pointed ear, and a single cuff was clasped to his left ear. He was pale and fairly seemed to glow with the fabled 'moonlight' of Elves. He was dressed in dark blue, nearly black. His eyes, the color of the deepest forest with a splash of pale blue around the pupil, gazed nearly unemotionally down at the Shire.
Raedolia, or Rae as she was more commonly called, sighed and leaned back. She closed the book and turned her attention to the setting sun instead. Her gaze traveled across the horizon, over the outline of the hills beyond, and fell upon two large figures in the distance. Rae was a bit startled by this. She had never seen anyone around here before.
If the Fair Being had seen her (which he had) he made no sign. His mare snorted impatiently and nudged her master's face, causing the Elf to turn his green eyes upon her. The feisty beast whickered softly, tossing her head in the direction of the shire. Her master, Anendel, or 'Nendel, smiled faintly, before he took her reins and quietly walked down the hill they stood on.
Rae, realizing the two figures had started to move down towards her, looked away quickly. She did not want to appear rude by staring at them. She flipped her book open to a random page, and simply looked down at it, trying to give off the impression that she was reading. However, she had never been very good at covering things up...
And the two strode ever closer to the tree where she sat at, though 'Nendel intentionally slowed his pace as they did so, though his mare was impatient to get to the Hobbit in the tree, as overly friendly as she was. Rae brought the book closer to her face as she heard them draw ever nearer. She was trying to fight away the blush that was ever-threatening to appear. This proved to be a difficult task to do, as she was also trying to suppress her smile.
But the Elf stopped once he came but a few strides to her tree, his gaze fixed on the land before them, though his horse was staring upwards towards the Hobbit, then, when neither the lass nor her master did anything, whickered loudly. 'Nendel cringed and tugged on her reins, gently shushing the feisty mare.
Rae couldn't fight her smile or blush any longer, so she gave up and allowed herself to turn red and grin broadly. "You're mare is quite a restless one, isn't she, sir?"
He looked up at her, a wry smile tugging at his lips, which he too unsuccessfully hid. "Aye, wee one, she is. Her name is Ivorymane... she is restless, and quite friendly when it comes to people." His voice was quiet, and as golden as a summer day, though tilted lightly with the Quenyan accent.
Rae wasn't looking at the Elf, but at his accent, her blush deepened slightly. "You are an Elf, then?"
Another smile tried to force its way to his lips, but this time he managed to hold it back. "I am. My name is Anendel."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Anendel. My name is Raedolia Took." She finally mustered the courage to look at him, and when she did, her breath caught in her throat. He was very much an Elf: tall and slender, with that sort of Elvish glow. And she had to admit...he was rather handsome. And his smile was just as dazzling.
"The pleasure is all mine, Raedolia." He briefly looked around. "'Tis strange . . . I've come to the Shire often, but I have not seen you before. And I am surprised any Hobbit would come this close to the borders."
She shrugged. "I come here often to think and be alone. 'Tis rather busy where I live, Anendel. And . . ." She smiled slightly. ". . . you may call me Rae. Most do."
He dipped his head briefly. "And you may call 'Nendel." Ivorymane snorted and nuzzled his arm, before whickering and tossing her head. 'Nendel smiled slightly. "Forgive my mare, Rae. She's hardly acted this excited over something."
"I don't mind. We don't have many horses in the Shire, mostly ponies." A slightly awkward pause followed, as she didn't really know what more to say. Her gaze traveled to the sunset briefly. "I may want to begin heading home."
Anendel nodded. "I am heading towards Bree, so my journey will take me nearer to the Shire. Shall I accompany you until our roads part?"
Rae's blush, which had been fading, now instantly rushed back to her cheeks. "If you wish to, I would certainly enjoy the company."
'Nendel smiled and nodded. "I do wish to. No doubt my mare would like the company."
Rae nodded also, throwing the core of her apple away and tucking the book under her arm. She shifted so that her feet were hanging over the branch of the tree and made ready to jump down. The mare seemed ready to leap at her once she leapt down, but Anendel backed up a few paces and held Ivorymane still. With a graceful leap that she had obviously done many times before, Rae landed on the ground, brushing herself off. She then turned to Anendel and the mare. "Are we off then?"
The Elf smiled slightly and nodded. He stepped slightly closer to her, allowing Ivorymane to bend down and nuzzle Rae's face. Rae smiled, patting Ivorymane's head before starting down the Road, East towards her home, the Great Smials, and Bree. 'Nendel followed, slightly behind her, and Ivorymane trotted contentedly at his side, her white mane trailing behind her.
For awhile, they walked in silence. Finally, Rae decided to break it. "So...'Nendel, where do you come from?"
"I hail from Imladris, or Rivendell in your tongue, though I have traveled to each Elf haven and lived there for a time," he replied. His ancestors had been human, and he had inherited their restlessness.
"Rivendell . . ." Rae murmured slowly. She had heard many tales of that place before, and had always hoped that maybe one day her path would lead her there. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. "So...your family lives in Rivendell?"
"Aye, though my grandsire was born in the forests of Greenwood the Great, several leagues north of Lothlorien, another Elf haven."
"Oh. You visit your family often during your travels I presume?"
He nodded. "I travel for many years, though, so I am away often. But yes, I do see them once I return from my travels."
Rae was quiet for a moment. "Do you have a wife?"
It was his turn to be quiet, and a shadow darkened his face as he spoke, his voice softer than before. "I did. She was killed."
Rae's face paled slightly. She looked away from him. "Oh . . . I'm sorry, Anendel . . . I didn't mean to - I didn't know . . . I'm sorry."
He shook his head, and the darkness fled from his face like clouds before the wind. "You need not be sorry, Rae. You did not know."
She nodded, but still felt sorry. She didn't say anything for a while after that. Instead, she concentrated on walking, trying to figure out how far she would get before it was pitch black outside. But even as the darkness descended around them, his light seemed to grow brighter. Indeed, Elves did glow from the inside, their light beautiful enough to rival that of the stars, from which Illuvatar had birthed them from, and their voices could put the larks to shame.
Rae fell back as darkness fell to walk beside 'Nendel. She noticed that the stars shone brighter tonight than they had any time before that she'd seen. She wondered if it was perhaps the Elf walking beside her. Even his mare seemed to glow, though it could perhaps have been a trick of the moonlight. The silence hung between them was comfortable, though this time it was 'Nendel who broke it. "You've heard enough about me, Rae, and I've heard little from you. Do you have any siblings?"
Rae nodded, the look on her face not exactly one of joy. "Yes, I have one brother name Riadoc. He's a few years younger than I, but the laziest thing you would ever meet in all of the Four Farthings."
Anendel laughed, the sound like the clear ringing of silver bells. "That sounds very much like my twin brother, Vanidor."
"If he is anything like Ri, then my guess would be that Vanidor is back in Rivendell, lounging in the dining hall with a group of others, talking idly and ignoring every command given to him?"
'Nendel smiled and nodded. "Yes, though occasionally he rides with me to Greenwood to visit our grandsire. But, other than that, he does spend most of his time in the Hall of Fire."
Rae laughed softly. "He and Ri should meet someday, then."
Anendel nodded, falling silent a moment. "How far is your home?"
"Not far. Only a few more miles, I believe." She squinted ahead into the distance, spotting a few lights not far in front of them. "Oh, yes, see? That there is Waymeet. Tuckborough is only a few miles from there."
He nodded. "You must forgive me - it has been nearly two hundred years since I have last visited the Shire long enough to pay note to its landmarks."
She smiled, waving it aside. "Quite alright. I could find my way home from pretty much anywhere in the Shire."
He smiled. "I do not doubt that. You do seem more . . . ah . . . adventurous than most Hobbits."
"I wish that my adventures could vary to more than walks down a long dirt Road to a tree and back again." She sighed thoughtfully. "It would be quite a wonderful thing to get away from here someday."
He looked down at her with another smile. "Most Hobbits wish to stay in the homes and work in the fields . . . you do not?"
"Working in the fields has grown rather old. I do more than my share of work. Someone has to make up for Ri, and of course, since I am older, that someone must be me." She was about to say more, when a large Hobbit Hole appeared in the distance. It looked large enough to house more than thirty Hobbit families. "Well, this is it. The Great Smials of Tuckborough."
His steps slowed. "And soon, I'm afraid, I must trek upon a different road."
Rae stopped completely in front of the gate that surrounded the large home. She looked up at him, smiling slightly. "I suppose this is good-bye then . . ." She held out her hand. ". . . until next time."
He smiled in parting and took her hand. His was as soft and silk, fingers strengthened from years of using bow and sword. "Until next time."
She smiled a bit brighter, tightening her grip briefly, then allowed her hand to return to her side. "And don't go off and forget me, alright?" she said in mock scolding, though the grin still lingered on her lips.
He chuckled. "Ai, I doubt I would do that Rae. Here." He reached into a pocket and produced a beautiful silver chain. He held it out to her. "Take this. It was my wife's. Think of it as . . . a promise that I will return." He smiled a last time as she took the chain and he grasped Ivorymane's reins. "I was pleased to meet you. I do hope I can return soon."
She turned and opened the door to the gate, stepping through and closing it behind her. Rae spun back around to face the Elf and the mare. "As do I. And thank you."
He smiled again, briefly nodding his head to her, before, leading Ivorymane, he turned and walked down the dirt road towards the surrounding forests and Bree. The young Hobbit-lass watched them until they had disappeared into the night. With a sigh, she walked up to the door of her home and entered, securely closing the door behind her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
A/N: I hope you enjoy this chapter. Trust me, this is the start of a big adventure. Please review!