A/N: The falcon, Shakir, is patterned after the Gyrfalcon, the largest of the falcon species and which has a wingspan of four feet or better.
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Chapter 3
Farewells
Lord Celeborn smiled. "Our granddaughter is a handful, Estel, but we hope that some of the rougher edges of her personality can be smoothed out if she spends some time in Imladris."
"And she is willing to go?" Estel shot back to the other elf.
"Oh, yes. Anayah believes it would be just another grand adventure, as she calls it."
Lady Galadriel's eyes twinkled.
"You will learn, and quickly, Estel, that Lady Anayah is her own person and a very strong woman in her own right for she has had to be in order to survive. You must also know that underneath that brash exterior, she is also vulnerable and sensitive and is eager to please - to a point." She turned to her husband. "Husband, perhaps you should explain about her wanderings."
"Ah, yes," he replied, "her wanderings. Over the years, our dear granddaughter has developed some very strange habits, some of which cannot be explained and others, which are a cause for great concern. She is a very capable warrior and skilled in the use of many different types of weapons and even though Haldir has been diligent in his duties as both mentor and teacher, she possesses skills that cannot be attributed to either his teachings or her elvish lineage. Where she has learned these skills, we do not know. Our granddaughter also has a habit of disappearing for periods of time, only to reappear with a new skill or a new weapon. We have never been able to learn where she goes during these times and when we ask, she only smiles at us and says that she has promised not to tell but is perfectly safe where she goes."
It was at this point that interesting things began to happen. A small fuzzy, black squirrel ran up the trunk of the nearest mallorn tree and across the flet. It paused in front of the each of the visitors in turn; first Legolas, then Estel, then back to Legolas. After his visit, he chattered at all of them for a moment, flicked his tail as if in approval, then reversed direction and returned the way he had come. When the friends looked at the Lord and Lady for an explanation, it was Celeborn who had the twinkle in his eye.
"That was Chubby, a friend of Anayah's. I believe you have just passed inspection and we should see our granddaughter momentarily."
Within moments of the tiny herald's disappearance, a figure appeared on the flet, moving with the effortlessness and grace of one used to using trees as a place to live as well as for transportation. Every person took notice that she was fully dressed for apparently, Haldir had been successful in solving that particular dilemma.
Estel and Legolas rose from where they were seated but the newest arrival spared them only a momentary glance before she went to her grandmother and grandfather and greeted them in an entirely un-elf like way. She flung her arms around their necks and kissed them both on the cheek.
After extricating her arms from around his neck, Celeborn held her in front of him. "Anayah, you are well?"
"Oh yes, Grandfather. All went well and we walked through fire and came out the other side with not even ONE singed tail feather."
A concerned Lady Galadriel, shook her head.
"I am glad to hear that you are safe Anayah, for your grandfather and I were worried and are both relieved to hear that all went well and that you were unharmed."
She favored her granddaughter with a loving smile.
"Now if I may, Anayah, I would like to introduce you to our guests. Please welcome, Prince Legolas Thranduilion of Mirkwood and standing next to him is Estel, son of Arathorn, your brother."
Anayah surveyed both elf and man for some moments; then taking a deep breath, she walked first to Legolas and after touching her heart and bowing her head, she greeted him.
"It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Prince Legolas of Mirkwood."
For a moment, Legolas found himself lost in the sea-green eyes looking back at him but when the eyes started to twinkle and one delicate eye-brow arched in amusement, he suddenly found his voice. Touching his heart and bowing his head, he replied.
"As I am pleased to meet you, Lady Anayah."
Anayah stopped in front of Estel and looked the man for a time without speaking then, in a move which surprised all those present, she dropped to one knee in a bow.
"Lord Estel."
Estel had expected one of many different reactions to their meeting, but this was not one of the ideas he had explored. As he helped her to her feet, he was utterly speechless and when they again looked at each other, he noticed something in her eyes that had not been there when she had greeted his companion. The emotion, profound sadness, flickered in her eyes for a moment then was gone after which, brother and sister flung their arms around each other and hugged.
A smiling Lady Galadriel spoke to the three of them.
"I know you will be wanting to start your journey back to Imladris as soon as possible, for a late fall storm is coming and I believe you will not wish to be caught out in it. Provisions have been packed for your trip and although waybread would be sufficient to sustain you, I believe this to be a special journey and to that end, have prepared food, which should relieve you of the burden of having to hunt for your meals. Anayah," she said, turning once more to her granddaughter, "you are prepared?"
"Yes, Grandmother, I am packed and ready."
"Then I give you our blessing for a safe and speedy journey. Notice, Granddaughter, that I did not say, uneventful. That, my dear, is your business!"
It was Anayah's turn to blush.
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Haldir reappeared to escort them to the borders of Caras Galadhon where horses waited to carry them on the next stage of their journey. After the leave-taking courtesies were over and Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel had left them, the three started to follow Haldir. When they reached the edge of the flet, Anayah suddenly stopped and turned, her boot heels mere inches from the edge of the platform.
With mischief twinkling in her eyes she looked at Haldir.
"Hey, Haldir ... do you dare me? How about one last heart attack!"
Haldir made a move as if to grab the she-elf and drag her back from the edge but he was too late as with a smile, she took a step backwards and quickly disappeared from view. There was a communal gasp as both elves and human rushed to the edge of the platform and looked towards the ground. All they could see was a grinning Anayah sliding gracefully to the floor of the forest while grasping a thin piece of elvish rope.
The stoic Lothlórien Captain, then sarcastically said, "Estel, please extend my most sincere sympathies to Lord Elrond!"
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When the group reached the clearing they found their horses waiting for them, and while Anayah busied herself by looking through her pack one last time, Haldir spoke privately to Estel and Legolas.
"Anayah holds a special place in my heart, Estel, as she does in the heart of every elf in Lothlórien. She is both good and kind so please, my friend, give her a chance."
Clasping hands with his long-time friend, Estel nodded.
"I will."
"Anayah, where is your horse?" Haldir asked, surveying the clearing.
"He is coming." She answered. "Ah. Here he is now!"
A horse appeared at the edge of the clearing and Estel and Legolas looked at each other in surprise for the horse was black, huge – and very familiar. Every movement the stallion made, every step, spoke of power, his neck arching naturally and proudly as he danced into the clearing. The two noticed that all four legs were neatly wrapped in soft, black leather, and when the two friends looked at Anayah, she met their gaze with a wink.
In a short time, the horse had been saddled and several small bundles had been attached to the saddle. As she bent down to inspect the stallion's legs, Estel asked, "My Lady, why are his legs wrapped - has he been injured?"
She straightening from her inspection and turned to look at Estel.
"No, brother - he is well - although, I must tell you this about him. In all my dear friend's perfection, he has one imperfection, or should I say four imperfections - he was born with white boots."
Seeing the confusion in Estel's eyes she explained.
"He is white up to the knees."
Peeling back the leather on one of the stallion's legs, they could see the white beneath the wrappings. She continued.
"White legs are easy to see at night so I wrap them in black leather."
After another moment of inspecting her horse, Anayah looked at the sky then scanned the surrounding forest, frowning.
"Where is he?" She muttered, almost to herself.
She took a thick leather glove from her pack and was putting it on her hand when those in the clearing heard another noise. Something small and black, bouncing up and down through the long grasses and making a frightful noise, approached the five individuals. The small, furry squirrel, the one who had "inspected" them earlier, ran straight to the horse, who bent a knee so the little one could scamper up the offered leg to the broad shoulders where he sat on the saddle and scolded everyone.
Stroking her tiny friend to calmness, Anayah patiently explained that she had no intentions of leaving without him.
After a few more moments of making much of her diminutive friend, she said, "Peace little brother. I must call Shakir for he is tardy and we are eager to be off."
Again scanning the tops of the nearby trees, Anayah called. The others were amazed to hear a perfect imitation of the voice of a bird of prey but when they looked at Haldir, he merely shrugged. Calling one more time, she was rewarded with an answer and when everyone looked skyward, they saw a large black falcon gliding gracefully towards them. The bird, whose wingspan would easily match a grown man's arm length from fingertip to fingertip, landed on the she-elf's forearm, its talons tightly grasping the glove she wore. After the falcon had twittered at his friend for a moment and she had lovingly stroked his head, he quieted. She then turned to the others.
"We are all here now but before we leave I believe I should introduce you to the rest of my little family. This fine warrior on my arm is Shakir."
The falcon bobbed his head as if in greeting.
"The fat, furry ball of fluff sitting on the saddle is Chubby, who you all met on the flet. I found Chubby when he was just a baby after his mother had either deserted him or had been killed. My other very large friend is Elias, and yes, Prince Legolas, he is a Mearas and full-brother to Shadowfax, though younger by three years. Make no mistake, my friends and I are a team and even little Chubby has a purpose. Shakir, Elias, Chubby and I, have lived together and fought together for several years although in dear little Chubby's case, his fighting skills are normally limited to about ankle level, knee level if he takes a really big jump!"
Everyone laughed when the squirrel trilled as if in agreement.
"His talents lie in the area of food finding and surveillance. If there is a nut or berry to be had in the forest, he will find them."
When everyone once more laughed, Chubby, who seemed highly offended by the remarks concerning his size, scolded Anayah fiercely for her remarks.
It was Legolas who offered the first overtures of friendship to the diminutive creature. Walking to the side of the horse and looking up at the little squirrel he said, "Master Chubby, do not overconcern yourself with remarks made about your size. Many of the creatures and beings on Middle Earth are not large at all yet they are still considered great!"
Chubby looked at his new friend and trilled his thanks.
Finally, there were no more introductions to be made and no more excuses for putting their journey off. Anayah walked up to Haldir but when she did not meet his eyes, he put a hand under her chin and gently lifted her head until their eyes finally met. Her eyes were filled with tears and Haldir, his own eyes threatening to tear hugged her to him fiercely then after a moment, pushed her away.
Looking into her eyes, he said, "Anayah, you must remember that your home will always be here and my heart will always be yours. Peace, little one, and may the Valar protect you!"
"And you will always be my hero!" She whispered in return.
She smiled at her long-time friend then with a sigh walked to where Elias was patiently waiting. Seeing the great size difference between the horse and his sister, Estel took a step forward as if to help her mount but when Legolas put a hand on his arm to stop him, Estel looked at his friend in surprise. The Mirkwood archer had spent long years teaching his human friend about elvish pride and with an almost imperceptible shake of his head, he let Estel know that his sister would not appreciate his help for so small a thing as mounting her own horse. After Anayah patted the stallion's chest, she took the knee the stallion offered her, and after stepping lightly on it, leapt into the saddle with ease. Settling little Chubby in his small carrier, the four then left the Golden Woods. Haldir stood at the edge of the clearing watching them until they disappeared from even his long sight.
TBC