Title: Cry Havoc. [Elf Children Series]
Author: Mayetra
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Tolkien characters belong to the Tolkien Estate. Original characters belong to me. No profit is made from this story.
Special Warnings: This story deals with war and death. Parents should be ready for additional questions raised by their children should they share this fic with them.
Timeline: AU after Out Of The Pot And Into The Fire?
Author's Note: Since these are tales for my son, I have taken poetic license with Tolkien's canon for the purposes of plot. Sauron did not begin rebuilding the foundations of Barad-dûr until 2951 T.A. Minas Ithil fell to Sauron for the second time in 2002 T.A. I am also take poetic license with Gil-galad's death. Galadriel's Girdle about Lothlórien is vulnerable to Sauron's gaze unlike in canon. Elves can sleep just like humans. I am moving the dates up so that I can touch on the subject of war as seen through the eyes of a child. For more information on talking to children about war, specifically Iraq, go here:
Summary: Orophin worries about the possibility of war.
*~*
. and unleash the Dogs of War. - Shakespeare
42 Quellë * 170 T.A. - Caras Galadon, Lothlórien
"There are rumors that Sauron has begun work on Barad-dûr*."
Orophin looked up from where he and Hwest* were playing as he heard these words spoken. Two wardens returning from the Fences were walking down a nearby path, deep in conversation. The young Elfling continued to listen with interest.
"Messengers from the East and South say that Minas Ithil has fallen to the Nazgûl. These are dark times as the Orc bands grow ever bolder," the second warden commented glumly.
"I fear it will not be long before full-blown war touches the land," the first added. "Already Gondor suffers grievous losses."
The two Elves moved out of hearing range, leaving Orophin to digest what he had just heard. He looked down at his best friend, Hwest, and said, "Did you hear that, Hwest, we are at war!"
The stuffed black cat stared balefully up at his young master. Hwest looked as if he could be a casualty of war himself. One of his ears was tattered where Orophin had cut his teeth on it and his neck bore a fine seam where it had been recently reattached.
"How far do you think Mordor is from here?" the young Elfling continued his one-way conversation with the stuffed cat. After a moment of silence, he added, "You do not know either. I suspect if the wardens are worried about Mordor than it must be close. After all, they did say that the Orc bands were becoming bolder."
Orophin shuddered as memories from his last two encounters with Orcs fluttered unbidden through his mind. He quickly pushed them aside. "We should go ask Haldir how close Mordor is," he told his stuffed friend before climbing to his feet.
*~*
". and then my father told Glorfindel that Sauron strode forward towards Gil-galad," Elladan said in a hushed voice.
"What happened next?" Rúmil asked, his eyes wide with fear.
"Well, Gil-galad was not afraid, after seven years of waiting to fight Sauron he was not about to turn tail and run," Elladan continued. "What followed was a great battle between the Dark Lord and King."
Orophin stood outside their clubhouse and listened intently to the story being told inside.
". just as it seemed Gil-galad would be victorious, Sauron loosed a great ball of fire."
"Coward!" Haldir exclaimed.
"It gets worse," Elrohir interjected quietly.
"My father saw the whole thing from a cliff above, he said that when the fire had passed, there was nothing," Elladan continued. "Not even Gil- galad's armor remained."
"That would be a horrible way to die," Rúmil said with a shudder.
"Yes it would be," Haldir agreed, "but Gil-galad died valiantly defending Middle Earth. He could have stayed where it was safe and allowed his armies to fight alone but did not. I admire him greatly."
Orophin blanched. What if Lord Celeborn had to go into battle? What if Sauron burned him up too? The young Elfling quickly departed down the ladder to search for the Lord of the Galadrim. He would ask Lord Celeborn not to go to the war.
*~*
Celeborn reread the latest missive from Thranduil before tossing it on his desk with a disgusted sigh. It seems that Sauron was beginning to stir. His mind whirled as he began to consider preparations for Lothlórien's defense. So far, Galadriel had been able to keep their tiny realm hidden from prying eyes, but the silver haired Elf Lord had a sinking feeling it was only a matter of time before they were discovered. It wasn't just the safety of his people that concerned him, but also Nenya, the Ring of Power his wife guarded. Should it fall into the wrong hands, the consequences could be disastrous even if the One Ring was still lost.
A soft rapping at his study door interrupted his thoughts; he started to send the knocker away but decided a distraction might be good thing. "Enter."
The door cracked open and Orophin slipped through clutching Hwest to his chest. Celeborn knew instantly from his body language that something had disturbed his favorite Elfling. Moving to meet the young Elf, he dropped down into a crouch so that they were eyelevel. "What is wrong, Orophin? Has Haldir been teasing you again?"
"Nay, Lord Celeborn, 'tis worse than that," Orophin declared with tears awash in his eyes. "Orcs are coming to kill us!"
For a brief second, Celeborn was alarmed. Had the foul creatures trespassed this far into the Golden Wood? Had Sauron managed to pierce the veil Galadriel had woven around their home? He was just about to rush from his study when he realized that it was highly unlikely the first word he would hear of these disasters would be from an Elfling barely past his twentieth year. Calming, he regarded Orophin with what he hoped was a serious expression, "And how is it that you have come to conclude this, Orophin?"
Orophin gave his hero a grave look. "I heard some of the wardens talking about Mordor." He hesitated a moment before he blurted out, "Please, my lord, do not go to Mordor! Sauron will burn you up just like King Gil- galad! I do not want you to die like. "
The young Elfling dissolved into sobs before completing his sentence, but the silver-haired Elf knew 'my father' were the words on the tip of Orophin's tongue. He gently pulled the young Elf into his arms and stood, murmuring words of reassurance. He strolled to the balcony attached to his study, overlooking the great lawn. Settling in his favorite chair, he continued to console Orophin, who still cry hysterically.
After a while, Orophin's tears were reduced to a few stray sniffles and the occasional hitch of breath. Celeborn had waited patiently for the young Elfling to calm. In truth, it gave him time to think about how he would address Orophin's fears. He had no wish to lie but he did not feel it would benefit Orophin to tell him more than he already knew. Giving him additional things to worry about would not help the situation either.
The Elf-Lord's eyes drifted over his home. It was a small piece of paradise in a harsh world, but even here decay and wear had begun to show. Still, the air was cool and fresh, with the pleasantly spice scent of Mellyrn blooms lightly permeating it. The sweet sounds of singing and music filled the air, soothing the Teleri's nerves. He would miss this place when the time came to go west, but that was far in the future, and he had the present to deal with.
"Now, tell me everything you have heard about Sauron and Mordor," Celeborn said kindly.
Orophin took a deep breath and started with the conversation between the wardens he overheard and finished with the boys' discussion of the Fall of Gil-galad.
Celeborn listened intently, making a mental note to issue an order to his wardens that all discussions of such nature should not be carried out casually where they could be overheard by small ears. "Orophin, Mordor is far away from Lothlórien. While Orc bands are harrying the Fences, I assure you that the wardens have the matter well in hand. Should the Fences be breeched, the walls around Caras Galadon are thick and will withstand a siege."
"But what about Sauron? Can he not just burn the forest down?"
"The Lady Galadriel prevents his eye from settling upon the Golden Wood. Sauron has many things on his plate, little one, and the Dreamflower is but one of them. Trust that our lady keeps us hidden."
Orophin's anxiety seemed far from relived. "Will you go to Mordor, my lord?"
Celeborn sighed. It was a difficult question to answer. "I have no plans in the near future to travel to Mordor, Orophin. I cannot promise that fate will not lead me to the Black Gates one day, but if I should find myself before them, I will strive to stay clear of Sauron's fire."
"I do not want you to die, my lord." New tears formed in the little Elfling's eyes.
"I know, Orophin. I do not wish to fly from my body either, but if I should fall, I will return to the Halls of Mandos. It is the fate of the Firstborn and even now, your dear mother and father reside there. One day, they will be reborn to walk upon the shores of Valinor once more."
Orophin considered all that he had been told for many silent minutes. "My lord, what about the little children who have lost their parents in Gondor? Who looks after them?"
Celeborn smiled inwardly, leave it to gentle hearted Orophin to think of others. "They will be cared for by their kin, little one. Men are like Elves; they do not leave their young to suffer when they can prevent it. If it will make you feel better, I will seen scouts abroad to see if they require aid for their young ones."
Orophin smiled broadly. "Oh yes, my lord, that would be wonderful."
"Are you feeling better, Orophin?" Celeborn gave the little Elfling a gentle hug.
"Yes, my lord," Orophin said with a contented sigh.
"Do not worry about war and Orcs, little one, leave that to me. I promise you that I will protect you and all the other Galadrim to the best of my ability." Celeborn kissed the top of Orophin's head. "And should you have any concerns in the future, come ask me about them."
Orophin snuggled closer to Celeborn, before a wide yawn split his lips. He smiled up sleepily at his hero. "I promise."
Celeborn should have sent Orophin on his way as he had many things that needed his attention, but he couldn't bring himself to disturb the little Elfling. He sighed contently and continued to cradle Orophin, who had promptly fallen asleep. The older Elf would savor this moment. The day would come when the child would decide he was too old for such nonsense.
*~*
The Lady Galadriel knocked softly at her husband's study door. The dinner hour was fast approaching and she knew he would spend it hunched over his desk if she did not insist he take a break. She opened the door when there was no answer. A quick glance around the room showed it was empty and Galadriel frowned. Where could he have gone?
She was just about to leave when a curtain fluttering over the opening to the balcony caught her attention. Through the sheer curtain, she could see her husband settled in his favorite chair. Moving closer, a smile crossed her lips. Orophin was curled in Celeborn's lap and both were softly snoring.
Lifting a light throw from the back of a nearby chair, Galadriel silently walked out on to the balcony and covered the two sleeping Elves.
The End
42 Quellë * - 8 November Hwest - Sindarin 'Puff' Barad-dûr - Sindarin 'Tower-dark' The fortress of Sauron.
Author: Mayetra
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Tolkien characters belong to the Tolkien Estate. Original characters belong to me. No profit is made from this story.
Special Warnings: This story deals with war and death. Parents should be ready for additional questions raised by their children should they share this fic with them.
Timeline: AU after Out Of The Pot And Into The Fire?
Author's Note: Since these are tales for my son, I have taken poetic license with Tolkien's canon for the purposes of plot. Sauron did not begin rebuilding the foundations of Barad-dûr until 2951 T.A. Minas Ithil fell to Sauron for the second time in 2002 T.A. I am also take poetic license with Gil-galad's death. Galadriel's Girdle about Lothlórien is vulnerable to Sauron's gaze unlike in canon. Elves can sleep just like humans. I am moving the dates up so that I can touch on the subject of war as seen through the eyes of a child. For more information on talking to children about war, specifically Iraq, go here:
Summary: Orophin worries about the possibility of war.
*~*
. and unleash the Dogs of War. - Shakespeare
42 Quellë * 170 T.A. - Caras Galadon, Lothlórien
"There are rumors that Sauron has begun work on Barad-dûr*."
Orophin looked up from where he and Hwest* were playing as he heard these words spoken. Two wardens returning from the Fences were walking down a nearby path, deep in conversation. The young Elfling continued to listen with interest.
"Messengers from the East and South say that Minas Ithil has fallen to the Nazgûl. These are dark times as the Orc bands grow ever bolder," the second warden commented glumly.
"I fear it will not be long before full-blown war touches the land," the first added. "Already Gondor suffers grievous losses."
The two Elves moved out of hearing range, leaving Orophin to digest what he had just heard. He looked down at his best friend, Hwest, and said, "Did you hear that, Hwest, we are at war!"
The stuffed black cat stared balefully up at his young master. Hwest looked as if he could be a casualty of war himself. One of his ears was tattered where Orophin had cut his teeth on it and his neck bore a fine seam where it had been recently reattached.
"How far do you think Mordor is from here?" the young Elfling continued his one-way conversation with the stuffed cat. After a moment of silence, he added, "You do not know either. I suspect if the wardens are worried about Mordor than it must be close. After all, they did say that the Orc bands were becoming bolder."
Orophin shuddered as memories from his last two encounters with Orcs fluttered unbidden through his mind. He quickly pushed them aside. "We should go ask Haldir how close Mordor is," he told his stuffed friend before climbing to his feet.
*~*
". and then my father told Glorfindel that Sauron strode forward towards Gil-galad," Elladan said in a hushed voice.
"What happened next?" Rúmil asked, his eyes wide with fear.
"Well, Gil-galad was not afraid, after seven years of waiting to fight Sauron he was not about to turn tail and run," Elladan continued. "What followed was a great battle between the Dark Lord and King."
Orophin stood outside their clubhouse and listened intently to the story being told inside.
". just as it seemed Gil-galad would be victorious, Sauron loosed a great ball of fire."
"Coward!" Haldir exclaimed.
"It gets worse," Elrohir interjected quietly.
"My father saw the whole thing from a cliff above, he said that when the fire had passed, there was nothing," Elladan continued. "Not even Gil- galad's armor remained."
"That would be a horrible way to die," Rúmil said with a shudder.
"Yes it would be," Haldir agreed, "but Gil-galad died valiantly defending Middle Earth. He could have stayed where it was safe and allowed his armies to fight alone but did not. I admire him greatly."
Orophin blanched. What if Lord Celeborn had to go into battle? What if Sauron burned him up too? The young Elfling quickly departed down the ladder to search for the Lord of the Galadrim. He would ask Lord Celeborn not to go to the war.
*~*
Celeborn reread the latest missive from Thranduil before tossing it on his desk with a disgusted sigh. It seems that Sauron was beginning to stir. His mind whirled as he began to consider preparations for Lothlórien's defense. So far, Galadriel had been able to keep their tiny realm hidden from prying eyes, but the silver haired Elf Lord had a sinking feeling it was only a matter of time before they were discovered. It wasn't just the safety of his people that concerned him, but also Nenya, the Ring of Power his wife guarded. Should it fall into the wrong hands, the consequences could be disastrous even if the One Ring was still lost.
A soft rapping at his study door interrupted his thoughts; he started to send the knocker away but decided a distraction might be good thing. "Enter."
The door cracked open and Orophin slipped through clutching Hwest to his chest. Celeborn knew instantly from his body language that something had disturbed his favorite Elfling. Moving to meet the young Elf, he dropped down into a crouch so that they were eyelevel. "What is wrong, Orophin? Has Haldir been teasing you again?"
"Nay, Lord Celeborn, 'tis worse than that," Orophin declared with tears awash in his eyes. "Orcs are coming to kill us!"
For a brief second, Celeborn was alarmed. Had the foul creatures trespassed this far into the Golden Wood? Had Sauron managed to pierce the veil Galadriel had woven around their home? He was just about to rush from his study when he realized that it was highly unlikely the first word he would hear of these disasters would be from an Elfling barely past his twentieth year. Calming, he regarded Orophin with what he hoped was a serious expression, "And how is it that you have come to conclude this, Orophin?"
Orophin gave his hero a grave look. "I heard some of the wardens talking about Mordor." He hesitated a moment before he blurted out, "Please, my lord, do not go to Mordor! Sauron will burn you up just like King Gil- galad! I do not want you to die like. "
The young Elfling dissolved into sobs before completing his sentence, but the silver-haired Elf knew 'my father' were the words on the tip of Orophin's tongue. He gently pulled the young Elf into his arms and stood, murmuring words of reassurance. He strolled to the balcony attached to his study, overlooking the great lawn. Settling in his favorite chair, he continued to console Orophin, who still cry hysterically.
After a while, Orophin's tears were reduced to a few stray sniffles and the occasional hitch of breath. Celeborn had waited patiently for the young Elfling to calm. In truth, it gave him time to think about how he would address Orophin's fears. He had no wish to lie but he did not feel it would benefit Orophin to tell him more than he already knew. Giving him additional things to worry about would not help the situation either.
The Elf-Lord's eyes drifted over his home. It was a small piece of paradise in a harsh world, but even here decay and wear had begun to show. Still, the air was cool and fresh, with the pleasantly spice scent of Mellyrn blooms lightly permeating it. The sweet sounds of singing and music filled the air, soothing the Teleri's nerves. He would miss this place when the time came to go west, but that was far in the future, and he had the present to deal with.
"Now, tell me everything you have heard about Sauron and Mordor," Celeborn said kindly.
Orophin took a deep breath and started with the conversation between the wardens he overheard and finished with the boys' discussion of the Fall of Gil-galad.
Celeborn listened intently, making a mental note to issue an order to his wardens that all discussions of such nature should not be carried out casually where they could be overheard by small ears. "Orophin, Mordor is far away from Lothlórien. While Orc bands are harrying the Fences, I assure you that the wardens have the matter well in hand. Should the Fences be breeched, the walls around Caras Galadon are thick and will withstand a siege."
"But what about Sauron? Can he not just burn the forest down?"
"The Lady Galadriel prevents his eye from settling upon the Golden Wood. Sauron has many things on his plate, little one, and the Dreamflower is but one of them. Trust that our lady keeps us hidden."
Orophin's anxiety seemed far from relived. "Will you go to Mordor, my lord?"
Celeborn sighed. It was a difficult question to answer. "I have no plans in the near future to travel to Mordor, Orophin. I cannot promise that fate will not lead me to the Black Gates one day, but if I should find myself before them, I will strive to stay clear of Sauron's fire."
"I do not want you to die, my lord." New tears formed in the little Elfling's eyes.
"I know, Orophin. I do not wish to fly from my body either, but if I should fall, I will return to the Halls of Mandos. It is the fate of the Firstborn and even now, your dear mother and father reside there. One day, they will be reborn to walk upon the shores of Valinor once more."
Orophin considered all that he had been told for many silent minutes. "My lord, what about the little children who have lost their parents in Gondor? Who looks after them?"
Celeborn smiled inwardly, leave it to gentle hearted Orophin to think of others. "They will be cared for by their kin, little one. Men are like Elves; they do not leave their young to suffer when they can prevent it. If it will make you feel better, I will seen scouts abroad to see if they require aid for their young ones."
Orophin smiled broadly. "Oh yes, my lord, that would be wonderful."
"Are you feeling better, Orophin?" Celeborn gave the little Elfling a gentle hug.
"Yes, my lord," Orophin said with a contented sigh.
"Do not worry about war and Orcs, little one, leave that to me. I promise you that I will protect you and all the other Galadrim to the best of my ability." Celeborn kissed the top of Orophin's head. "And should you have any concerns in the future, come ask me about them."
Orophin snuggled closer to Celeborn, before a wide yawn split his lips. He smiled up sleepily at his hero. "I promise."
Celeborn should have sent Orophin on his way as he had many things that needed his attention, but he couldn't bring himself to disturb the little Elfling. He sighed contently and continued to cradle Orophin, who had promptly fallen asleep. The older Elf would savor this moment. The day would come when the child would decide he was too old for such nonsense.
*~*
The Lady Galadriel knocked softly at her husband's study door. The dinner hour was fast approaching and she knew he would spend it hunched over his desk if she did not insist he take a break. She opened the door when there was no answer. A quick glance around the room showed it was empty and Galadriel frowned. Where could he have gone?
She was just about to leave when a curtain fluttering over the opening to the balcony caught her attention. Through the sheer curtain, she could see her husband settled in his favorite chair. Moving closer, a smile crossed her lips. Orophin was curled in Celeborn's lap and both were softly snoring.
Lifting a light throw from the back of a nearby chair, Galadriel silently walked out on to the balcony and covered the two sleeping Elves.
The End
42 Quellë * - 8 November Hwest - Sindarin 'Puff' Barad-dûr - Sindarin 'Tower-dark' The fortress of Sauron.