I got bored…so updated. This is Beinlóths' true story, about her life and family coming up now. I was asked the question 'How does Laraelia know Legolas?' Read on, and you'll find out! ^_^
~Lainfaer~
Elerrina- And I've updated quickly again! All your questions will be answered in time! Thanks for reviewing. ^_^
ElvenStar5- Well that was positive, thanks! ^_^
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Chapter 8: The Real Story.
"Long ago, there was an Elf
called Gwirnaru. She lived in a huge forest called Mirkwood. You have heard of
both Elves and Mirkwood I presume?"
"Yes, Legolas mentioned them. He said I am an Elf."
"Yes, that is correct. Now Beinlóth, Gwirnaru was your mother."
Beinlóths' eyes widened in shock. "My…mother?"
Laraelia nodded. "Yes, your mother. She married an Elf called Brethil. He was your father." Beinlóth just nodded. She found her voice had completely deserted her.
"They had one child. That
child was a girl. That girl, was you. For two years,
you lived peacefully and happy together as a family. Then, when you were two
and a half years old, still a young baby, Brethil was called into the Army. He
was already in it, but he had to go out with his King and the rest of the Army
to a nearby town called Laketown. You know the story of the Fall of Smaug I
presume?"
"Yes, the Battle of Five Armies."
"Yes, well, Gwirnaru knew her husband was going off into danger, but she had to stay at home with you. The Army left, returned, but Brethil was not among them. He had fallen in battle."
Beinlóth stifled a sob at the
news of her fathers' definite death, but she motioned for Laraelia to continue.
Laraelia placed her hand over Beinlóths' in comfort.
"I'm so sorry Beinlóth. But I know he died thinking of you and your mother. He
died bravely."
"How do you know?" Beinlóth asked though her tears.
"All your questions will be answered.
But let me finish the story first." Beinlóth nodded, and Laraelia continued.
"Gwirnaru was overcome with grief. She would wander the paths of Mirkwood alone, dressed all in black, mourning for the loss of her husband. You were kept with nannies. Now, wandering Mirkwood alone is very dangerous, and so she would be followed, but she never knew about it. Your parents had many friends, and they did not want you to lose both your parents. They were well-respected people, and so yours and Gwirnarus' care was of the utmost importance to them.
One day, Gwirnaru decided to take you with her. You were three years old by now, and able to walk unaided. She dressed you in black, and you rode out together to a clearing just on the borders of the Elves' kingdom. It was even more dangerous here than where she had been before, and once again, a few warriors who were the most protective of you, followed. Everything was going fine. Gwirnaru and you were sat beside the river whilst the horse roamed freely. Gwirnaru was telling you about Brethil, how brave he had been, but he wouldn't be coming back. 'I'm afraid we are not going to see Daddy again,' she whispered, tears streaming down her face. You were confused as to why your mother was crying, and looked it.
All of a sudden, out of nowhere, a huge scout of Orcs jumped out of the undergrowth. Your mother scooped you into her arms, and called the horse over. Arrows were being fired out of the bushes, Orcs were dropping dead, but more and more kept coming. The horse reached you, your mother placed you on top first, but then…" Laraelia trailed off, looking at the floor.
"Please keep going," Beinlóth begged, tears leaving a trail down her face. She felt she already knew what was going to happen next anyway.
"She was shot, by an Orc arrow," Laraelia continued. "She fell to the floor, but instructed the horse to get you to safety. She did not wish to leave her mistress, but tried her best to get out of the clearing. But the Orcs were too many. She was shot to the ground, and they picked you up. The Elves were fighting their way towards you, but the Orcs ran off with you, leaving only devastation and destruction behind them."
"Please, tell me now," Beinlóth interrupted. "How do you know all this?"
Laraelia sighed. "I did not want to tell you, but now Legolas has found you, I felt I had to. I used to be an Elf, Beinlóth. Long ago. I was Gwirnarus' sister, one of the many that tried to protect you."
Beinlóth gasped and stared at Laraelia, her eyes wide. "You…you're like…me?"
"Yes my dear. I am sorry I never told you before." She pushed her hair behind her ears, and sure enough, they were pointed.
Beinlóth smiled at her new-found Auntie. "It doesn't matter. Thank you for telling me."
"The story is not over yet. Many Elves had fallen, but Legolas and I…"
"Legolas!"
"Yes, Legolas. We rushed to your mothers' side as her life slipped away. I will never forget the words she uttered to us in those last, painful moments."
*Flashback
(Laraelias' P.O.V)
I saw her get hit by that arrow. I killed the Orc that had fired it myself. I rush to my sisters' side as soon as I can. The arrow protrudes from her abdomen, the poison slowly seeping its way in. I grasp her hand, although mine is covered in Orc blood. Legolas is at my side, his eyes downcast.
"My…baby…they took…my baby!" she stutters, coughing. Blood trickles out of the corner of her mouth.
"Hush Gwirnaru. We will find her, do not worry. We will not let any harm come to her," I promise, kissing her hand. I feel Legolas' hand come to rest upon my shoulder.
"Promise me," she whispers.
"I promise Muinthel. I promise, whatever may happen, that I will find her. Beinlóth will be brought back, no matter what I have to do. I will return her to her people."
"Th…thank you…Gwaloth," she smiles, squeezing my hand.
"Do not worry Gwirnaru," Legolas whispers, his hand
stroking her forehead. "We will find her."
"Diolla lle Cundnin," she whispers, her blue eyes closing.
"Gwirnaru!" I hear myself cry.
But there is no reply. I feel for a heartbeat, but there is none. I break down then, in front of everyone. I collapse over my dead sister, the tears flowing freely. Legolas takes me into his arms, and I welcome his comfort.
"The hunt begins," he murmurs.
*End of Flashback
Laraelia was also silently crying now. Beinlóth was just staring ahead. That tale had chilled her to the bone. Why had Laraelia told her? What was so important about Legolas?
Laraelia wiped away her
tears, and looked at the girl beside her. "Are you ok Beinlóth?"
"So that was what happened," she murmured in response. She looked at the old
woman. "What happened to me, with the Orcs?"
"Well, going totally against Legolas' orders, I galloped along the trail the
Orcs had left. It was reasonably easy to follow. I caught up with them, and we
fought. Their number had dwindled, and so they weren't much of a match. But
when I searched the bodies for you, you were nowhere to be found. I ended up
here, in the village, disguised as this old woman you see before you. I had
been living in the wild for a while as my wounds needed to heal themselves. My
horse had been slaughtered during the fight, and so I had no way of returning
to Mirkwood. I made up some story of travelling with my family from another
town, and we had got lost and separated. The people were kind, and let me stay
here. And here I have lived ever since, always in disguise."
"Why haven't you told me before?"
"I had no way of getting you out of here. I had to wait for another Elf come here and find you themselves. I knew that Fán was an Elvish stallion when I saw him wandering freely on the
borders, so I coaxed him in as Gwaloth."
"Gwaloth?"
"It is my Elvish name. It means 'blossoms'."
"All Elves seem to have names
to do with nature. Blossoms, Greenleaf, Fair Flower.
What did Gwirnaru and Brethil mean?"
"Red Rose and Birch Tree."
"See what I mean?"
"Yes well, we are Wood-Elves."
"Suppose so."
"Anyway, once he was far
enough in for Aronuel to catch him, I just had to wait for his owner to arrive.
Imagine my joy when I saw Legolas creep in at midnight a few nights ago. I went straight to him of course,
and he was overjoyed to see me again. He and everyone feared me dead when they
found the Orc corpses I had left behind, plus the body of my poor horse. I told
him you were here, but not to tell you. I said I would stay here to look after
you whilst he returned for extra people to get you safely out of here. So soon,
my dear child, you will be home."
"Oh thank you Laraelia!" Beinlóth cried, flinging her arms round her. "Sorry, I
mean, Gwaloth. Where did my bracelet come from actually?"
"It was a gift from your father. He gave it to you just before he left for the
battle."
For another hour, they sat together and talked about Elves and Mirkwood. "You mentioned some funny words in that story," Beinlóth said.
Laraelia smiled. "Yes, Elvish
words. Muinthel means 'sister' and Cundnin means 'my Prince'."
"Prince? Legolas is the…Prince?"
"Yes."
"Oh."
They talked a little longer, then Laraelia/Gwaloth returned home.
Terena questioned Beinlóth about her conversation with Laraelia, but she gave nothing away. She would tell those details to no one, except Legolas when he returned. She hoped he would be back soon.
That night, she finished her entry in her diary.
Crystal,
Sorry about leaving earlier. Alonia came up and interrupted. I had to hide you before she saw. Anyway, since then, a load has happened. I went out to see Legolas this morning, but Aronuel was there, looking over Lesei. She had been limping, so I helped. When he went to fetch something, I rushed to talk to Legolas. He was still there, and informed me he would be leaving as soon as possible. He kept his word, and left at lunchtime.
Aronuel galloped after him of course, and I had to follow, but he was much too fast. I was soon way ahead of Aronuel, and I wasn't even a tiny bit scared. We went so fast, Kayla and I, but I knew se wouldn't let me fall. It was fantastic, to be able to finally gallop so fast and freely.
Also, Laraelia told me everything. About my real parents, and how they came by their deaths. She is my Auntie. I have finally found one of my own family. Terena and Aronuel know nothing of this of course, and they never will. The tale was extremely sad, and we both ended up crying. She informed me that Legolas is actually a Prince! Great. I have been talking, not always that politely, to an Elvish Prince! He never even mentioned it.
Laraelias' real name is Gwaloth. It means 'blossoms' in the Elven language. All Elves seem to have lovely names, names to do mainly with nature and flowers in particular.
I do hope Legolas returns soon. Now that I know my true story as it were, I do not wish to stay here longer than is necessary. I cannot wait to be back amongst my own people, my own kind. A place where I will no longer be teased and laughed at. My home, where people will accept me for who I really am, not a freak or abnormality. Others like me, who will not think I am weird or deformed. No more pointing, no more whispering, and no more secrets. At last, I will be accepted.
Beinlóth.
So, now you know. She lost her mother and father when she was only tiny. And Legolas vowed to protect her! Aww, such a sweetie! ^_^
Chapter 9 coming soon. ^_^
~Lainfaer~
