Hi people! I have to say that this chapter and the next one will definitely
be my favorite so far! Thank you so much to my beta, who is always full of
helpful advice and does the job so incredibly quickly it is amazing! Please
review to tell me what you think of it, and the certain blue character
introduced.
El looked around the dark forest and shivered.
"Dreary, isn't it?" Ivy remarked quietly behind her.
"Yes, very," El replied. She stumbled on a large tree root, and landed on her face on the hard forest floor. El leapt back up, startled. The trees groaned as if mocking her.
"Here." Legolas held out his hand. El took it greatfully and he pulled her up.
"The trees seem to be in a bad mood today, I must say." Elrohir said loudly so the trees could hear. "Keep your roots to yourself! I know El's pretty, but you do not even know her yet." The others laughed.
"Watch out Elrohir, I see a cherry blossom!" Elladan said as he pointed towards the tree ahead. Elrohir laughed at his brother's statement, then stopped suddenly as the tree shook its leaves.
"Did anyone see that?"
"What?"
"The cherry tree." The others turned their gazed to the tree. It shook its leaves again.
They silently walked towards the tree, and tried to get passed. The tree's roots seemed to move as it took a step towards them and opened two pale green eyes. Legolas and Ivy did not look at all surprised, but others did look a little shocked.
"Hello, Legolas and Iavas," the tree boomed.
"Oh golly. Did your cherry blossom just talk Elrohir? I really think you should keep your Lady Friends under control," Elladan said as he took a step backwards. Elrohir laughed nervously. The tree's whole body turned as it looked at Elladan. Its mouth opened in a wide smile.
"I am not a lady, young Elf, I am an Ent, Cherias is my name." Elladan nodded his head gaping at the Ent. The Ent's gaze fell upon El. "You are familiar my dear," he said warmly. "I believe we have met many times before. Gathiel is it not, Spring of Middle Earth?"
The others immediately turned their heads towards El. Elladan and Elrohir walked up to her. "Gathiel?" Elladan whispered in disbelief.
"I believe that is my name," El replied.
To El's surprise he lowered his head and dropped eye contact. Elrohir did the same. Ivy looked outraged.
"How come you two never do that to me?" Elrohir turned his head to the side to answer her question.
"Ivy," he whispered out of the corner of his mouth. "This is Lady Spring we are talking about." Ivy looked utterly offended by this. "Besides." Elrohir added. "We know you."
"Oh, and I suppose you have not known me for the past two months." El said liking the new attention.
Elladan lifted his head and took her hand in his. "Well, I have never had the pleasure of meeting Spring herself."
"Well, you had that pleasure many weeks ago," El said now smiling from ear to ear and taking her hand from his. Legolas was laughing from behind, and Cherias looked slightly amused. Elladan shot Legolas a cold glance, and Legolas stopped laughing, though still he smiled.
Elrohir narrowed his eyes, walked closer and looked El up and down. "Wait one second," he said, "How do we know this is Spring and El not playing some kind of a joke?"
"You have my word," boomed Cherias. "The word of an old Ent who has seen Gathiel many times."
" But doesn't Lady Spring have green hair? El certainly lacks that!"
"That is something that is puzzling me too," Ivy added.
"I do not know, although it may have something to do with her memory loss, but if you look closely, Elrohir, you can see it in her eyes," Legolas answered stepping closer and now looking at El. "You can see the joy of many springs, and the youth of a budding rose after the winter. Even now, El may not know why, but she feels the pain of all living things and she can do nothing about it." Legolas paused lost in her eyes.
"Yet," Cherias added, and Legolas' eyes darted to look at Old Ent, "you forget, Legolas, of the power of the forests. Her memory will return soon, you can be sure of it. Every tree mind here is bent on it, you may be surprised at what the woodland's magic can do.
"I am going to have to agree with you there, Cherias," Ivy said, smiling at El. "Come to think of it, I am surprised I had not noticed it before." Cherias let out a loud infective laughter.
"As one of her oldest and dearest friends, Iavas, I too am surprised. The trees are not trying to harm her," he added, now looking at Elrohir, "in any way. They are pleased, to see her at last after so long a time, and angry at the ones who held her captive. More angry then you can believe."
El was beginning to feel a pressure great weight on her shoulders, as though everyone was depending on her and her memory. She bowed her head. The tree next to her whispered, though not harshly, the whisper comforted her.
"I must leave now to tell the others of Gathiel's return. Goodbye Legolas son of Thranduil, we shall meet again soon." The tall Ent lifted his head and put a hand to his mouth and a low, loud rumble erupted from his throat. Far off El could hear more rumbles answer. Cherias lifted one of his long legs off the ground and took a step into the dense forest and then another, and soon disappeared totally from view.
They stood silent for a while.
"So I am the one they call Spring," El said, hoping that the confusion over her identity had been solved. "And from what I have heard Legolas, Gwaihir knew too and you guessed all along. Why did you not tell me?"
"I was not sure and I did not want to get my hopes up only to have them fall," he replied, smiling now and looking free of all cares. "But just before we left the Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn reassured my queries.
"I knew all along." Ivy added.
"I am sure you did not, Ivy," Elrohir said, "I saw the surprise on your face when Cherias spoke her name." Ivy ignored him and walked faster.
Elladan, who was lagging behind, ran slightly to catch up with his brother. His playful attitude dropped. He kept glancing nervously up at El and Legolas began to notice.
"She is still the same El as before," Legolas said still looking ahead. El turned to look at Elladan.
"Legolas is quite right. I am still the one who hit you in the head with a pillow, winning the fight this morning." She poked out her tongue cheekily. Elladan smiled.
"Watch what you say, Lady Spring, for it may come back and hit you in the face," Elladan said. "It may not be as soft as a pillow."
"Hmmmm Lady Spring," came a calm and cold voice from a little way on, "Gathiel." El jumped slightly at the mention of her name by an unfamiliar voice. Behind a silver berch tree, there was the electric blue hair of a young man. "You have been gone for some time. Having 'fun' I imagine, you always were off 'playing' in this little wood."
"Riwel," Elladan said bitterly. "How dare you mention such a thing to someone so fair!" The one called Riwel turned his head to reveal dark blue eyes.
Legolas' face was full of anger at his insult. "I believe, 'Riwel' you have misunderstood the situation." Riwel ignored Legolas, turned his gaze to El, and walked closer to her, until he was nearly pressed against her body. He lifted a finger and ran it along her cheek. Elrohir had now moved closer and pushed Riwel's hand away forcefully.
"Do not touch her." Legolas said with clenched teeth, now at El's side. Both Elladan and Ivy were standing a little behind El and were looking at him with hate.
"As you wish 'Prince'." He took a step back. El felt cold and shocked, Ivy put a reassuring hand on El's shoulder.
"You have changed. Your hair has lost its colour and your memory has gone. You no longer recognize me. The trees have been whispering your name for some time now. They can sense your presence, and I came as soon as I felt it," Riwel said coolly.
"I cannot help but wish you had not," El said to everyone's surprise. "I do not like the company of the ill-mannered and sarcastic." Riwel's eyes flashed red, then went back to normal, he laughed bitterly.
"Oh, I apologize, my Lady," he said pretending to bow. "I believe I have not set a very good impression. Besides, I have not introduced myself properly. I am Riwel, Winter of Middle-earth."
Legolas growled. Riwel straightened up and walked towards Ivy.
"Hello, Ivy. Missing Laerian?" he smirked crookedly. Ivy knocked him backwards, it looked as though an invisible force had pushed him, and he was now two meters away.
"Remember what I said about personal space, Riwel." He smirked and ran into the distance. "Creep," Ivy said, her eyes were flashing. "He will be following us."
Legolas looked at El, she tried to smile but it faltered. He put an arm around her cold shoulders.
"Do not worry about him," Elladan said on her other side.
"He is just a creep." Elrohir added. "He cannot do anything to you; he is not allowed."
They carried on walking until they reached a tall tree next to a small running stream. Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir set out the sleeping bags around the base. Ivy sat down next to El, who was idly throwing stones into the shimmering water.
So what do you think? Please review to tell me.
El looked around the dark forest and shivered.
"Dreary, isn't it?" Ivy remarked quietly behind her.
"Yes, very," El replied. She stumbled on a large tree root, and landed on her face on the hard forest floor. El leapt back up, startled. The trees groaned as if mocking her.
"Here." Legolas held out his hand. El took it greatfully and he pulled her up.
"The trees seem to be in a bad mood today, I must say." Elrohir said loudly so the trees could hear. "Keep your roots to yourself! I know El's pretty, but you do not even know her yet." The others laughed.
"Watch out Elrohir, I see a cherry blossom!" Elladan said as he pointed towards the tree ahead. Elrohir laughed at his brother's statement, then stopped suddenly as the tree shook its leaves.
"Did anyone see that?"
"What?"
"The cherry tree." The others turned their gazed to the tree. It shook its leaves again.
They silently walked towards the tree, and tried to get passed. The tree's roots seemed to move as it took a step towards them and opened two pale green eyes. Legolas and Ivy did not look at all surprised, but others did look a little shocked.
"Hello, Legolas and Iavas," the tree boomed.
"Oh golly. Did your cherry blossom just talk Elrohir? I really think you should keep your Lady Friends under control," Elladan said as he took a step backwards. Elrohir laughed nervously. The tree's whole body turned as it looked at Elladan. Its mouth opened in a wide smile.
"I am not a lady, young Elf, I am an Ent, Cherias is my name." Elladan nodded his head gaping at the Ent. The Ent's gaze fell upon El. "You are familiar my dear," he said warmly. "I believe we have met many times before. Gathiel is it not, Spring of Middle Earth?"
The others immediately turned their heads towards El. Elladan and Elrohir walked up to her. "Gathiel?" Elladan whispered in disbelief.
"I believe that is my name," El replied.
To El's surprise he lowered his head and dropped eye contact. Elrohir did the same. Ivy looked outraged.
"How come you two never do that to me?" Elrohir turned his head to the side to answer her question.
"Ivy," he whispered out of the corner of his mouth. "This is Lady Spring we are talking about." Ivy looked utterly offended by this. "Besides." Elrohir added. "We know you."
"Oh, and I suppose you have not known me for the past two months." El said liking the new attention.
Elladan lifted his head and took her hand in his. "Well, I have never had the pleasure of meeting Spring herself."
"Well, you had that pleasure many weeks ago," El said now smiling from ear to ear and taking her hand from his. Legolas was laughing from behind, and Cherias looked slightly amused. Elladan shot Legolas a cold glance, and Legolas stopped laughing, though still he smiled.
Elrohir narrowed his eyes, walked closer and looked El up and down. "Wait one second," he said, "How do we know this is Spring and El not playing some kind of a joke?"
"You have my word," boomed Cherias. "The word of an old Ent who has seen Gathiel many times."
" But doesn't Lady Spring have green hair? El certainly lacks that!"
"That is something that is puzzling me too," Ivy added.
"I do not know, although it may have something to do with her memory loss, but if you look closely, Elrohir, you can see it in her eyes," Legolas answered stepping closer and now looking at El. "You can see the joy of many springs, and the youth of a budding rose after the winter. Even now, El may not know why, but she feels the pain of all living things and she can do nothing about it." Legolas paused lost in her eyes.
"Yet," Cherias added, and Legolas' eyes darted to look at Old Ent, "you forget, Legolas, of the power of the forests. Her memory will return soon, you can be sure of it. Every tree mind here is bent on it, you may be surprised at what the woodland's magic can do.
"I am going to have to agree with you there, Cherias," Ivy said, smiling at El. "Come to think of it, I am surprised I had not noticed it before." Cherias let out a loud infective laughter.
"As one of her oldest and dearest friends, Iavas, I too am surprised. The trees are not trying to harm her," he added, now looking at Elrohir, "in any way. They are pleased, to see her at last after so long a time, and angry at the ones who held her captive. More angry then you can believe."
El was beginning to feel a pressure great weight on her shoulders, as though everyone was depending on her and her memory. She bowed her head. The tree next to her whispered, though not harshly, the whisper comforted her.
"I must leave now to tell the others of Gathiel's return. Goodbye Legolas son of Thranduil, we shall meet again soon." The tall Ent lifted his head and put a hand to his mouth and a low, loud rumble erupted from his throat. Far off El could hear more rumbles answer. Cherias lifted one of his long legs off the ground and took a step into the dense forest and then another, and soon disappeared totally from view.
They stood silent for a while.
"So I am the one they call Spring," El said, hoping that the confusion over her identity had been solved. "And from what I have heard Legolas, Gwaihir knew too and you guessed all along. Why did you not tell me?"
"I was not sure and I did not want to get my hopes up only to have them fall," he replied, smiling now and looking free of all cares. "But just before we left the Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn reassured my queries.
"I knew all along." Ivy added.
"I am sure you did not, Ivy," Elrohir said, "I saw the surprise on your face when Cherias spoke her name." Ivy ignored him and walked faster.
Elladan, who was lagging behind, ran slightly to catch up with his brother. His playful attitude dropped. He kept glancing nervously up at El and Legolas began to notice.
"She is still the same El as before," Legolas said still looking ahead. El turned to look at Elladan.
"Legolas is quite right. I am still the one who hit you in the head with a pillow, winning the fight this morning." She poked out her tongue cheekily. Elladan smiled.
"Watch what you say, Lady Spring, for it may come back and hit you in the face," Elladan said. "It may not be as soft as a pillow."
"Hmmmm Lady Spring," came a calm and cold voice from a little way on, "Gathiel." El jumped slightly at the mention of her name by an unfamiliar voice. Behind a silver berch tree, there was the electric blue hair of a young man. "You have been gone for some time. Having 'fun' I imagine, you always were off 'playing' in this little wood."
"Riwel," Elladan said bitterly. "How dare you mention such a thing to someone so fair!" The one called Riwel turned his head to reveal dark blue eyes.
Legolas' face was full of anger at his insult. "I believe, 'Riwel' you have misunderstood the situation." Riwel ignored Legolas, turned his gaze to El, and walked closer to her, until he was nearly pressed against her body. He lifted a finger and ran it along her cheek. Elrohir had now moved closer and pushed Riwel's hand away forcefully.
"Do not touch her." Legolas said with clenched teeth, now at El's side. Both Elladan and Ivy were standing a little behind El and were looking at him with hate.
"As you wish 'Prince'." He took a step back. El felt cold and shocked, Ivy put a reassuring hand on El's shoulder.
"You have changed. Your hair has lost its colour and your memory has gone. You no longer recognize me. The trees have been whispering your name for some time now. They can sense your presence, and I came as soon as I felt it," Riwel said coolly.
"I cannot help but wish you had not," El said to everyone's surprise. "I do not like the company of the ill-mannered and sarcastic." Riwel's eyes flashed red, then went back to normal, he laughed bitterly.
"Oh, I apologize, my Lady," he said pretending to bow. "I believe I have not set a very good impression. Besides, I have not introduced myself properly. I am Riwel, Winter of Middle-earth."
Legolas growled. Riwel straightened up and walked towards Ivy.
"Hello, Ivy. Missing Laerian?" he smirked crookedly. Ivy knocked him backwards, it looked as though an invisible force had pushed him, and he was now two meters away.
"Remember what I said about personal space, Riwel." He smirked and ran into the distance. "Creep," Ivy said, her eyes were flashing. "He will be following us."
Legolas looked at El, she tried to smile but it faltered. He put an arm around her cold shoulders.
"Do not worry about him," Elladan said on her other side.
"He is just a creep." Elrohir added. "He cannot do anything to you; he is not allowed."
They carried on walking until they reached a tall tree next to a small running stream. Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir set out the sleeping bags around the base. Ivy sat down next to El, who was idly throwing stones into the shimmering water.
So what do you think? Please review to tell me.