The Play of the Immortal

Installment One—The Leaves of Fall

Chapter Four: Alagmenelion's Secret

Author: Tigerbleu         

            Mithrandir smiled to himself as he entered the clearing beside the river. Full of good humor, elves of different clans mingled together, setting up tents or organizing supplies. Young warriors boasted among friends from different realms and their fellow maidens laughed at their antics as they passed.

            The old wizard could spot the different clans within any given group. The silvery-blonde Loriens wore loose, silken pastels while the golden Mirkwood elves wore fitted tunics of dull earthy tones. The rich brunettes of Imladris, with their high collars, clashed with the less modest Nenore, who were known for their bright jewel-toned features.

            Mithrandir dismounted near a mixed group of lords and felt an immediate welcome.

            "We had not expected you for at least a day or so." Lord Elrond clasped arms with the Istari by way of greeting.

            "I have matters here that concerned me sooner than I had thought." came the reply as Mithrandir scanned the area. Has lord Alagmenelion arrived yet?"

            "I have not seen him. His daughter has been here, though, boldly stating her presence before Mirkwood's prince and Lorien's mouth."

            "Ah, Nefpaurion will be entering competitions again this year?" the wizard's eyes twinkled merrily. "I shall go now and ask entrance into the city. Perhaps I can speak with Alagmenelion before the celebrations command his attention."

            With a farewell, he made his way down to the boat launch and found a Nenore shipping out goods that could not be waterproofed with beeswax. The young Nenore agreed to take the wizard make with him and was soon rowing swiftly toward the magnificent gateway tunnel of Kel-Telpeon. As they drew closer, Mithrandir admired the way the sun shone on the pounded, pearl tiles of the large dome that rose above the shell-shaped tunnel. To either side, breathtaking towers released thin veils of waterfalls, evidence of the elaborate Nenorean water-pump system.

            Within the tunnel, the little boat was swallowed up in the cool, blue shadows and echoes of lapping water. Blue lamps hung from tall pillars lining the waterway and the Nenore rowed the tiny craft between two of them.

            The young elf slipped over the side of the boat, into the water. He reappeared to retrieve some rope and looked toward his passenger. Clear eye-lids now made his bright eyes a frosty turquoise. "It will only be a moment."

            "I can wait." Mithrandir smiled, swimming was not listed among his hobbies.

            The elf disappeared and, a few seconds later, a low, wide gate opened in the wall releasing a golden warmth into the tunnel. The elf appeared inside and pulled the craft into a tiny port, closing the gateway behind it.

            Mithrandir thanked him and stepped out onto the wooden walkway. Looking about, he absorbed the warm, safe, comfortable feeling in the air surrounding him. Shops and smithies lined this side of the tunnel. Lamps of gold reflected against the quartz lining the cavern walls and bathed the village in an eternal afternoon glow. The smell of spice and apples tempted the wizard's senses as he made his way to one of the polished stone stairways leading over the top of the tunnel.

            Nearing the top of the stairs, he came across two maidens carrying baskets of vegetables from the rooftop gardens. He recognized one of them immediately.

            "Mithrandir!" the red-head beamed, "What a welcome sight!"

            "I came, all but specifically, to hear your stories, Lirakel." he winked as he passed and began his descent down the other side of the tunnel.

            This side of Kel-Telpeon consisted of homes lit softer than the townside, with lamps of gold, blue, and silver. Tiny streams ran alongside the cobblestones, lining the pathways with fragrant water-lilies.

            Walking down one of the narrow lanes, Mithrandir came to a cozy cottage, not unlike the rest. As he approached the curtained doorway, he heard a crash followed by an elven oath.

            "Is everything alright, Alagmenelion?"

            "Gandalf! Come in, please." The elf lord appeared in the doorway to release a small otter. "And out with you!" The veteran warrior then led the wizard back into his cottage. "Thinhithwen brings a new friend home everyday. She heals their wounds and they wreck my home." He turned to clean up the mess of herbal powder and broken vials across his work table. "So what brings you to my door, old friend? Or, need I ask?"

            "It concerns Thinhithwen."

            Alagmenelion sat down with a sigh.

*****

            Lirakel stood at the port gate, lowering baskets of goods to the water where a few other Nenore waited to float them out. It seemed that more baskets were being set down next to her than she could hand to the floaters.

            "Enough." She muttered to herself and jumped into the water with her companions. "Quickly, before another basket joins our flock."

            The gates were opened and the expanded group of baskets was herded out by the four young Nenore.

            "This is the last of my chores." Dalfonin swore as he and the maidens swam toward the shore. "All morning, we have brought the inside outside."

            "I think I shall stay on the shore this time and simply forget to back in." Lirakel agreed.

            Other elves took the baskets from the shoreline and the four friends made a hasty escape toward groups of younger elves. Their Nenore clothing dried quickly in the cool morning air, as well as their hair, by some Nenore magic. Lirakel soon found herself cut off from the others by Sea Breeze and Thinhithwen, who sat grinning and breathless upon her steed.

            "I came across the guard in their hunt."

            "It was supposed to be a scouting mission." Lirakel declared.

            "Yes, but they have scouted out three large boars. Look!"

            Lirakel looked in their direction Thinithwen pointed and saw her father ride into the clearing with his men. Three of their horses were draped with large boars which were deposited near the cooking pit amid elven cheers.

            "My father loves boar's meat, he will be pleased."  Thinhithwen rode off into the water, disappearing beneath the surface.

            Lirakel scowled as her own father rode his horse closer. He stared down at her grimly as his men led their horses past him into the river and swam them across to the other shore. Tuyen removed a pouch from his belt and dropped it into his daughter's hands. Lirakel opened the bag to discover a wealth of ripe blueberries. Her scowl was replaced by a smile that lit her whole face.

            Her father grinned, "I was picking the berries for you when we were rushed by the boars."

            He tapped his gloved knuckles gently on the top of her head before riding his horse down into the river. Joining his men on the opposite shore, they led the horses away to the hidden stables. Lirakel popped a blueberry into her mouth and ran off to join her friends. She found Koramis greeting Arwen, who had just arrived with her twin brothers from Imladris.

*****

            Thinhithwen had released Sea Breeze under the water to let him go where he may. Surfacing within the city gates, she leapt onto the boardwalk and jogged to and up the stairs. She skipped steps while descending the other side and continued to run through the alleys. Coming closer to her own cottage, she had slowed to a quick walk but crashed into Mithrandir as he made his exit. The wizard caught the maiden's arms before she could stumble backwards.         

            "Gandalf!"

            "Young Thinhithwen, charging ahead as usual, I see."

            "Forgive me...I did not know you were here."

            "Just leaving, I'm afraid. But I look forward to seeing you in the competitions."

            "I have every intention of winning." she grinned.

            "I have little doubt, but don't be too hard on the guests, Thinhithwen."

            As he walked away, the young maiden entered the cottage with a smile.  However, the grave look her father gave her made her stop in her tracks.

            "Father? What has happened?"

            "Thinhith.....nothing."  Alagmenelion sighed, then forced a smile into his eyes. "Have you met your competition yet?"