Disclaimer: See previous chapters
for heaven's sake.
Names/Pronunciations will come at the end of each chapter. '*' signals a
footnote
A/N: This is my longest chapter
ever!!! And ff.net has been a little stupid lately, so if there are so odd
lay-out problems, don't look at me!
A/N: Go check out "Whispers in the Rain" by Malevolent Mystic… it's really good, but she needs some encouragement so she'll actually finish it. I'm enlisting you all so that I can find out what happens! ^_~
____________________________
Chapter 23.) About a Broken Heart
***
or if your wish be to close me,
i and my life will shut very beautifully ,suddenly,
as when the heart of this flower imagines
the snow carefully everywhere descending
- e. e. cummings.
***
Time: It's been about two weeks since the company set out from Imladris; they are just now reaching LothLorien.
They had left the snows of the mountains several days before, but the air still
held a slight chill as the traveling companions entered the golden vale of Lorien. Elrohir dismounted his
horse first, and then the others followed his exampled, leading their horses
into the still forest.
Nessúlë gazed upon the gold and silver mellyrn* in awe.
She had heard tales about these majestic trees, but those words could not rival
the reality. They stood tall and watchful, regal and steadfast, witnesses to a
time almost forgotten. Nessúlë forgot about her
companions temporarily and did not even look back to see if they were following
her. LothLorien seemed to have placed her beneath a
spell: her careless footsteps taking her deeper and deeper into the wood. The
quiet and peace that pervaded the air sunk in like a sweet perfume. The gentle
murmur of a waterfall in the distance made her heart feel light and yet subdued
at the same time. Time itself seemed to stand still in this place, and all that
was beautiful could take refuge here.
Nessúlë was so caught up in her visual exploration
that she forgot to look where she was going. Her foot got caught on a root in
the forest floor and she almost fell flat on her face. Suddenly there was
someone before her, placing a steadying hand on her arm to help her regain her
balance. Startled, Nessúlë looked up into the eyes of
a strange elf clad in differing shades of gray and silver that blended in quite
well with the large trunks of the mellyrn. She froze
for a moment, but when the elf smiled at her and let go of her arm her
tenseness receded. Looking around cautiously she saw that their whole company
was surrounded by a group of these gray-clad elves. One of them spoke up.
"Hail, Lord Elrohir. We are glad indeed that you
have returned to the Golden Wood."
"Thank you, Haldir. I am very glad to have
returned myself - and hopefully I will be able to stay a little longer than the
last time."
Haldir just smiled in reply. Rúmil,
the elf that stood in front of Nessúlë, took this
opportunity to speak himself. "We knew of your
coming, Elrohir, but we do not yet know the rest of
your company, nor the reason for their coming. What trickery have you employed
that we should find you in the company of two respectable looking elves
and," he paused and swept up Nessúlë's hand to
place a courtly kiss on it, "a particularly lovely lady?"
Nessúlë blushed slightly at his compliment, but
didn't take it too much to heart. This elf looked jolly and carefree - no doubt
he was a born flatterer.
Elrohir cocked an eyebrow and replied. "My, my,
you're still the lady's man I see? What would Mynarquen*
think? I thought that when you found her you would leave off chasing other
women."
Rúmil just laughed. "She knows what a rogue I
am, but she also knows that my heart is only hers. And yet, while my heart does
not wander, my eyes cannot help but see and pay tribute to the true beauty and
grace that stands before me - it would be ungracious."
Nessúlë chuckled softly. "Well, that 'true
beauty and grace' would be honored with your acquaintance, sir, for you do seem
to have a merry heart indeed." Turning to Elrohir
with a smile she continued, "Since you seem to have a history with these
elves would you care to do the honors."
Elrohir readily obliged. "May I present Nessúlë Ëarwen and her brother Lantél Tindollo of Mithlond; also their guardian Alarkelú.
Their family has sailed into the West, and they come now to seek a new life
with their mother's kin under the Lord and Lady's protection."
Rúmil bowed low and replied, "Rúmil at your service. You have already heard the name of
my brother, Haldir. He is Marchwarden
of the western borders and a most reluctant bachelor. Also with us is yet
another brother, Orophin, already happily married and
domesticated; then Haldayúla, who is more of a lady's
man than I am, and Kallindo, who is currently
lovesick and moping. So you see, we are all of us
entangled with the fairer sex and there is nothing for it. Yet I am sure that
we can all find it in our hearts to welcome you warmly to our wood. I hope that
you will not find the hospitality of LothLorien
lacking in any way. Come, Kallindo and I will bring
you to Caras Galadhon now.
It is several leagues* from here, but if we move quickly we may arrive shortly
after nightfall when the hearths are still warm the doors still open."
Nessúlë smiled cheerfully up at him. He certainly did
have a merry heart and a quick tongue. When he offered her his arm she did not
hesitate to take it, and so they began, leading their horses, to walk deeper
into the Golden Wood.
With her back turned to him, Nessúlë did not perceive
the sour glances that Elrohir was casting in Rúmil's direction.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Oloriel smiled at the lively conversation that was
flying between the women sitting at the looms, as she turned one of the pegs on
her harp ever so slightly to bring it back into proper tune. It had been quite
some time since she had sat with these women as they worked and she had
forgotten how very entertaining they could be, giving their tongues free reign
as their hands attended to the intricate weave of the cloth.
One of the older women rolled her eyes at the comment of another and then
turned to Oloriel. "Come, dearest, play us
another song. We need something to sooth our spirits otherwise we may all loose
our good sense amidst this prattling... play!"
Several other women joined in calling for a song as well, so Oloriel obliged them. As she was singing, another elleth appeared
in the doorway with a searching look on her face. Her eyes locked onto Oloriel, but she did not interrupt the song.
When the gentle melody came to an end, and the ladies had all murmured their
approval, the elleth sidled up to Oloriel
and whispered something in her ear. Nodding quickly, Oloriel
got up from her seat and gently rested her harp against the stool, then
followed the maiden out of the weaving room and into the dappled sunshine.
Oloriel breathed in deeply to try and calm her
ruffled nerves. She knew that this meeting was inevitable, but she was still
not quite prepared for it. As she attempted to compose her spirit, the maiden
who had summoned her led her to one of the many flets
that composed the complex of the Lord and Lady's dwelling. Ducking beneath some
of the vines that hung lazily from the lattice-worked roof, Oloriel
came up in the presence of Galadriel. The Lady was sitting in front of a
stretched piece of cloth, which was set up in a very large frame to allow for
the embroidering of a delicate design. The piece of material was so large,
exceeding even the dimensions of the frame to drape along the ground, that it was perhaps meant to be a tapestry that
would one day adorn the wall of some great library, recounting a tale of days
gone by. The Lady, however, was not focused on the task before her. Instead her
eyes gazed off into the distance as though she was trying to see something afar
off, the needle momentarily forgotten and held hovering in mid-air.
Oloriel stood quietly for some moments, wondering if
she should speak or wait to be spoken to. The silence continued to reign.
Finally, Oloriel grew so uncomfortable that she was
about to interrupt the Lady's reverie. However, as soon as she opened her mouth
Galadriel spoke.
"Patience little one - there is time yet for words. Come, sit with
me."
Oloriel did as she was told, sitting tentatively next
to Galadriel on the carved bench. Her breath caught slightly as she saw the
picture that was being formed by the Lady's skilled needle.
It was Elladan. And also another, very like to him in
form and countenance - she supposed it to be his twin. They stood poised in
battle, a raw light gleaming from their eyes. They were beautiful, and yet
terrible at the same time. Oloriel's heart beat
quickly as she gazed upon them. Was this the elf who
had captured her heart? Although she had always been aware of his lineage,
never had he seemed so lordly or so perilous to her before. She smiled softly
even as confusion settled on her brow. This was the same elf who
treated her with such gentleness and kindness. How could the same person be
composed of such opposites? How could someone so regal and deadly be at the
same time so compassionate and affectionate?
Without thinking, her hand went out slowly to touch the image of his face. Only
then did reality force itself back upon her. Her mind cleared as her fingers
brushed over the threads - just threads, not him. She ducked her head down then
and twined her fingers in her lap.
Galadriel smiled down on her. "He has grown into a fine man, has he not? - The pride of his people."
"Aye," Oloriel whispered softly.
Then, gaining more courage, lifted her head and asked, "How can one man be
so glorious? What on earth can he see in me?"
The Lady laughed softly. "It is all in the eye of the beholder. Perhaps he
is not quite as glorious as he seems to you now. We all of us have our faults,
but sometimes love blinds us to the shortcomings of those we love. No doubt he
sees you in the same light that you see him. Everything takes on a golden hue
when your heart finds its home with another.
Oloriel's brow furrowed slightly. "Are you
saying that we are both of us deceived? That we are both caught up in some illusion
that will not hold under the light of day?"
"Nay, I said not so. The light of day need not destroy your love; it may
perhaps strengthen it. One day you will discover something far greater than
what you perceive now, for instead of loving him for his perfections, you will
learn to love him regardless of his faults. And that is a wonderful thing
indeed. Blessed are those who find refuge with one who sees all of their
shortcomings and loves them anyway."
Oloriel looked away then, through the branches of the
mellyrn up into the watery blue sky. Everything
seemed too surreal. That she was sitting here, speaking of love with the Lady
of Light; that she was in love after so many years of detachment; that she was
loved in return after so many years of loneliness. She shook her head slightly
as if to clear the cobwebs out, and sighed softly. Turning back to the Lady she
spoke softly. "I am honored by your concern for me. Your words are wise
indeed. But, this is not the only reason you had in summoning me her, was
it?" The question came out more like a statement.
"No, you are right - I had another purpose in mind."
Oloriel nodded then braced herself for the coming
conversation.
Galadriel did not speak right away. Instead she went back to her task - letting
her needle glide through the shapes and forms. Oloriel
watched in wonder; she had not seen such skill at work before.
After several minutes Galadriel finally broke the silence. "I have heard
that you do not meet with Kallindo any more? How have
you kept up with your instruction these past weeks?"
Oloriel looked at the wooden floor of the flet and wondered how much she should say. "I… I have
gone to the archery field almost every day to practice… but I have not worked
with my long knives or with the sword." Oloriel
frowned slightly at the thought of her long-knives. They had been a gift from Kallindo, but she had not picked them up since the rift had
formed between them.
Galadriel set down her needle and sighed. "I believe I know something of
the reason for this, but perhaps you can set the record straight."
Oloriel grimaced. She did not feel comfortable
talking about this with anyone other than Elladan. It
would make her feel oddly exposed.
After several minutes of silence, Galadriel stood up then and walked to the
edge of the flet, looking down on the world below.
"He has made some sort of declaration to you, yes?"
".Aye," Oloriel finally whispered.
The Lady nodded her head, but still stood with her back to the younger elleth. "You must not withhold these things from me Oloriel - I am not one to fear and I hold your allegiance.
Do not defy me for such a petty issue. You hold the heart of my grandson and
that is enough to procure my goodwill. Now you must trust me."
Oloriel bowed her head in shame but did not reply.
Galadriel turned back to her then and softened her tone as she spoke. "I
will not force you to meet with Kallindo, but you
must continue with your training. I will think on the matter and see if I
cannot come up with an alternative. Is there any other elf that you would feel
comfortable working with?"
Oloriel cocked her head slightly as she analyzed the
situation. Was there any other whom she felt at ease with? For several moments
her mind could only draw a blank, but then it hit her. "Nimfallë." Yes, Írima's
husband was skilled and gentle and patient - he would do quite nicely
Galadriel inclined her head. "The husband of your friend, is he not? He is
a good warrior. We shall see what we can do. You may go back to the other women
now. Doubtless they have missed your songs while you have been so busy these
past weeks." In parting she added, "Keep a light heart, Aiwë* {little bird}, all may yet be well."
Oloriel froze mid-step. "What did you call
me?"
Galadriel's expression did not change, but by the glint in her eyes one could
almost say that she was… amused. "It is a fitting name, no matter who gave
it to you."
Oloriel's looked warily up at the Lady but decided
not to argue. Turning to leave yet again she murmured, "Good day, m'lady."
Galadriel smiled then, and the turn of her lips spoke so many different things:
sadness, joy, foresight, wisdom. With a gentle shake of her head at the ways of
the young, she sat back down onto the carved, wooden bench, and gazed at her
work. Then, taking up the neglected needle, she began to let the colors and the
textures of the threads lead her mind to more peaceful places.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"You jest, certainly! He really did that?" Nessúlë
laughed heartily as Rúmil continued to recount an
embarrassing tale from Elrohir's younger days.
Looking back over her shoulder she caught Elrohir's
sour look and laughed harder. "Oh come now, Elrohir,
you were crowing about your own devilish exploits earlier on in our trip, why
so testy now?"
"There's something about having control over the telling that doesn't make
it quite so distasteful," Elrohir shot back
grouchily. "Besides, Rúmil is just as inclined
to lie as he is to tell the truth. Things hardly happened that way."
"Oh no?" Rúmil
inquired, his eyebrows raised in disbelief. "I think that they did
indeed." He leant down to whisper in Nessúlë's
ear, "Just ask my brother, Orophin
- he shall tell you exactly the same thing."
Nessúlë laughed aloud once more. This elf was
certainly entertaining. For a moment she felt a prick in her heart for Elrohir. He was a true friend, and she would never want to
hurt him. But then she remembered the "friendly" torture that he had
put her through during their journey, and she didn't really feel guilty any
more. 'Let us have some fun with him, he will recover soon enough.'
~~~
Kallindo watched the pair in front of him carefully
then he looked back to the elf that stood beside him. He had never met any of
the Peredhil*
before, but he took a liking to this one. Perhaps it was because he perceived
their common plight. Kallindo may have been
preoccupied in heart, but he was not so wayward in mind. He recognized the
glances that Elrohir was throwing the lady's way.
"You know," began Kallindo softly,
"The others always joke about how sodden I am in love, and that I have
grown clumsy in my watch, but I still see many things. This may be too bold on
my part, but.you love her, yes?"
Elrohir's head jerked around to look at Kallindo. He wasn't sure how to reply to that. "I.
well, won't deny that I. I like her..."
Kallindo raised a slender eyebrow in disbelief, but
chose not to reply.
Several moments passed in silence and Kallindo
thought that the conversation was over, but then suddenly Elrohir
spoke up. "Did you tell her. of
your love?"
Kallindo's eyes dimmed slightly, but he replied.
"Yes. she rejected me."
Elrohir nodded gently with a thoughtful expression on
his face. "I do not know how to tell her. I am a coward I suppose."
Kallindo smiled sardonically. "We are all fools
in the game of love - do not feel too ashamed. No man treads these waters
without faltering a few times."
"Aye," Elrohir agreed softly, and then did
not speak again until the company reached Caras Galadhon.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Hail, friends. It is not often that we are honored with the
presence of any of our western kin, but they are always welcome here. The
hospitality of the Wood is at your disposal." Lord Celeborn
spoke in regal yet warm tones to the elves of Mithlond.
"We are grateful for your welcome, Lord," Lantél
replied.
Celeborn smiled then, turning to Elrohir,
spoke more lightly. "And ever is your sight a joy, child. Is peace with
you and your family?" Elrohir came up to his
grandfather and embraced him, beginning to recount the news from home.
Meanwhile, Galadriel attended to the strangers. "You have journeyed far;
no doubt you are both tired and hungry. However, while I bid you to partake of
refreshment, I would also ask you to wait with us here
and not yet retire. I knew of your coming and have summoned your kin to welcome
you." As she spoke, servants brought in several trays of food to set on a
table to the left of where the guests were being received.
Nessúlë smiled in return. "Thank you, Lady. We
have yet some strength in us and are eager to meet with my mother's kin."
Rúmil and Kallindo were
about to depart when Galadriel stopped them. "Nay, do not be so hasty,
guardsmen - you are welcome as well. Your vigilance is worthy of reward. Come
eat with us."
Rúmil hesitated. "Your offer is most gracious,
but my heart yearns to see Mynarquen. However, I am
sure that Kallindo would enjoy the repast - he has no
one to make haste for." Rúmil smirked and cast
and laughing look Kallindo's way. Kallindo
just arched an eyebrow at this not-so-veiled jibe at his bachelorhood, but did
not protest since the food and drink did indeed look appetizing.
Galadriel excused Rúmil, and the rest of the company
took some food and settled down into quiet conversation.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"When was the last time you saw them?" Oloriel
asked eagerly. She had been spending a leisurely evening with Írima and her family when the summons had been received.
Being eager to welcome the new arrivals herself, she had come along as well.
Írima sighed. "Alas, it has been too long. Nessúlë was still a young girl when my sister left with her
husband to make the journey to Mithlond. Lantél was only a babe in arms then. He will not remember
me."
Oloriel gasped slightly. "Why, that must be at
least two thousand years, if what I remember about their ages are correct. How
you must have missed them."
"Aye, it is a long time. I certainly missed having my sister at my own
wedding." Írima cast a loving glance at Nimfallë, who was carrying the sleeping Almarië
in his arm.
"You will see her again one day, love." Nimfallë
assured her.
"Aye, but I am glad that I will not have to wait so long to see my niece
and nephew. How they must have grown - I probably won't recognize them at
all!"
They soon arrived at the vast talan of the Lord and
Lady and were announced by a servant. Írima and Nimfallë were in front of Oloriel,
and as they bowed respectfully to Galadriel and Celeborn,
Oloriel caught a glimpse of the company within. Her
eyes were quickly drawn to Elrohir. Her breath caught
quickly and for a moment her heart sped up. But she brutally yanked her
emotions back to reality, reminding herself that this must simply be Elladan's twin brother. And yet, that was something.
Meeting one of Elladan's siblings was nerve wracking
in itself - what if she didn't make a good impression?
The joyful introductions were being made as Oloriel
continued to scan the room. Her eyes rested on a lovely, smiling, dark-haired elleth, and then an elf who
appeared to be near kin of the maiden. There was another elf as well and then. Oloriel's mind froze suddenly. Her eyes locked onto Kallindo and both of them visibly paled.
"…And this is my close friend, Oloriel,"
the voice of Írima began to register in Oloriel's mind, "She helps with our child sometime;
she was with us when we received the summons and was eager to meet you."
With strength she did not know she possessed, Oloriel
tore her gaze away from Kallindo and tried to focus
her mind back on the company at hand. Unfortunately, her control was not
strengthened as she heard Elrohir gasp softly and
send a piercing glance her way. "Oloriel?"
he inquired.
She stood motionless for a fraction of a second and then dipped into a curtsy.
"Aye, it is an honor to finally meet Írima's
kin. and you, my lord."
Elrohir's face split into an enormous smile.
"The honor is all mine. I have longed to meet
you, but did not expect to do so until the morning, at least. My brother sends
his love. I'm sure that it nearly broke his heart to have to give up seeing
you."
Oloriel's face paled slightly, and then a rosy hue
began to creep up her cheeks. The whole room froze. Kallindo's
face went pure white and a strange spark ignited in his eyes, Nessúlë cocked her head in curiosity, Lantél
raised a questioning eyebrow, Nimfallë momentarily
ignored the fussing of his infant child, and Írima
crossed her arms across her chest and gave Oloriel a
look that read, "I knew you were hiding something." The only people
who didn't seem to be affected were Galadriel, Celeborn,
and Alarkelú. The first two, because it wasn't a
surprise to them, and the last because he had seen too many seasons to be so
easily surprised.
Silence reigned.
Elrohir looked around at everyone with a quizzical
expression. "What?" he finally asked. Nessúlë
was the first to reply. She shrugged her shoulders lightly, as if to indicate
that, after all, the affair really wasn't any of her business, and said,
"Nothing - I suppose that we are all just a little tired. We have been
offered guest flets tonight, aunt, but I should like
to come and visit you in the morning. Perhaps you could show us where you
live?"
Írima nodded her head slowly then turned to her niece
with a smile. "Yes, we shall." She cast one more quick,
searching glance at Oloriel and then rested her hand
on the arm of her husband as they exited the talan. Elrohir declared that he would stay behind, and so bid the
others goodnight. Oloriel stayed rooted in her
current position, not quite sure what to do. Kallindo
remained also, simply staring at her with the oddest look in his eyes.
Elrohir turned back to Oloriel
with a smile. "Shall I walk you home? I am anxious to know you
better."
Oloriel replied with a shaky smile, but did not have
time to form a verbal response before Kallindo cut
her off.
"What?!" he spat out.
Oloriel closed her eyes and tried to breathe
steadily. Elrohir gazed at Kallindo
with a confused expression.
"What call do have to know her better?" Kallindo
blurted out. "Few indeed have been given that privilege and it has been
dearly won! What are you to her, and who is this upstart of a brother?" Elrohir stiffened visibly at these words, but Kallindo did not heed the warning sign. "How does he
know her? What right does he have -" He was cut off then by Elrohir's strong voice.
"What exactly are you implying?" He bit out the words slowly, trying
to remain calm.
Kallindo did not answer (not really knowing himself),
but instead stood their fuming, and throwing daggers with his eyes. All he knew
was that he didn't like another elf acting in such a
"friendly" way toward Oloriel.
The tension in the air might have grown until the trees caught fire if Celeborn had not intervened. "Enough, Kallindo," he said gently, "Elrohir
has no part in your quarrel, or your hurt. Do not be foolish."
Kallindo flinched at the words and then, several long
moments later, stormed out of the talan.
Elrohir relaxed and then turned to Oloriel with a confused look, which turned into a concerned
one when caught sight of her pale face. "Lady Oloriel,
are you alright? What was that all about?"
Oloriel looked up into his eyes and sighed quietly.
"It was about a broken heart."
Elrohir was about to ask for clarification when it
suddenly dawned on him. "You were the maiden… the one that rejected
him?" Oloriel pursued her lips and looked away.
"Please, not tonight Lord Elrohir, I am weary of
thinking on it already. Let us be merry. I have so much that I would like to
ask you."
He hesitated for a moment, but then nodded in agreement. "Very well… shall
we?" He offered her his arm, and then, bidding farewell to his grandparents,
led Oloriel out into the star-studded night.
***
1. mellyrn = plural of
"mallorn" - the golden trees of Lorien
2. Get it, get it? Mynarquen just won Rúmil in the "Win a Random Cute Elf" raffle. = )
3. I know that it's at least several miles between the western border and Caras Galadhon. I didn't really
want to work out all the details, though, so let your imagination run wild.
4. peredhil = plural of
"peredhel": half-elf. Elrond and his
brother, Elros, were known as the peredhil
b/c of their human and Maia ancestry. Elrond's
surname is Peredhel.
Things that you might have forgotten or that you might want to know:
Aiwë: Kallindo's nickname
for Oloriel, "small bird"
Nessúlë Ëarwen: "young
spirit/ sea maiden"
Lantél Tindollo:
"falling star/ silver cliff"
Nimfallë: "white foam"
Almárië: "be blessed"
elleth: "she-elf"
***boxes of e-brownies for everyone who reviews***
**Next chapter there will be another "Wina
Random Cute Elf" Raffle. keep your fingers
crossed!**
~Iluvien~