CH II. Nebula, the angel city
Long before dawn, Aregnor got up telling Belemir and Glomli to gather the others. It was time to leave the mountain path. Legalos lifted himself from the ground and looked lovingly at Amaranth sleeping by his side. He felt the pride of being close to such a wonderful woman. She felt a kiss on her cheek and opened her eyes. 'Good morning beautiful, me lisse lote,' (my sweet flower in Quenya) he said. She yawned as he lifted her into his arms and gently saddled her on Darkmain. He grabbed his bow and arrows and overlapped the horse holding her as she tilted her head back to rest on his shoulder. He kissed her again and they trotted through the forest. Aregnor, high up on Undowen's Lightfoot, guided the fellowship. Undowen stayed close behind with the Hobbets, Glomli and Belemir lacking horses. She thought of the night she had spent with Aregnor. They had made love in an elegant way and had satisfied tastefully their craving. She looked to the ground. The grey of winter was dying as the orange leaves swirled in the wind. The stars were faint as the sun rose and the blue vaulted sky appeared.
They reached the tall mountains through the hills and stopped in a city called Nebula, where they met with Istar, the great Wiseman of the hills. The Nebulan community was spread on the verge of the mountain throughout the trees and down towards the stream below. The angel city was similar to Narond's house and the way silven elves lived but Nebulans lived in enormous stone houses along side the century-old trees. Hundreds of steps went up and down the mountain and all around, across, in and out. A room opened to another and so on. A small scent of honeysuckle flew in the wind as they entered the strange city.
Behind the stonewall, Istar greeted them 'Mea govannen' and suggested they should bathe in the fresh warm perfumed waters in the Far East of Nebula. The Nebulan bathing was a way to clear their souls and purify their thoughts. The lake was called Menelya after the oiale (everlasting) purity.
Washing away all their worries, they felt pure in the humid atmosphere. The water steamed and made tiredness appear. Istar's servants guided them into a candlelit room, across the bathing lake. They stepped inside and noticed a dozen gold incrusted beds covered by long diamond drapes. Wildflowers grew through the cracks in the walls and petals had fallen to the ground left to adorn. They all crawled into the white-glittery sheets and nature's never-ending light sounds were like faint music to their ears. The vague notes of sound sleeping plunged into their souls and their thoughts cleared. Each, one at a time, fell into a dream.
Amaranth felt her eyelids getting heavy and in a blurry part of her mind, she saw Legalos walking off without her to enter Mirdor. Her biggest fear of losing him vanished as she lay. She was suddenly calm and in a peaceful state of relaxation but was awakened by Belemir's tortuous sleep. He was dreaming in the bed next to her and seemed tormented. His lips parted and a small burst of grey smoke rose like Avathars (shadows) had left his body. In his head, he had been dreaming of the Ring and its powers but now as he was letting go of his selfish glory, he woke up relaxed and saw Amaranth staring at him with a horrible paleness. She then pretended to smile and looked around at the others who were still dreaming. A mysterious look was gliding on Aregnor's face. In his dream, he could see Undowen holding her unborn infant and married to another because Aregnor had failed in his quest and he could not wed his love. Finally, the fear of losing her if he fails to destroy the Ring left his body. He woke and looked over to Undowen at his side. Her eyes were twitching and she started speaking a strange language. She could see enemies approaching to attack; they burned her kin and their houses.
She whispered words from a spell to stop them 'I lach Anor ed ardhon gwannen, Caled veleg, ethuiannen...'
She woke and the fear had dissipated. Undowen and Aregnor looked at one another with flaming eyes as the tranquility overpowered but still Aregnor could feel the huge amount of pressure on his shoulders for the quest he had gotten into. Amaranth looked at them and sat up to see Legalos in front of her on the other side of the room. In the darkness, tears had traced a sparkling trail on his cheeks. In his mind, he saw an illusion of Amaranth bleeding and inanimate but soon the obsession had left him in a carefree deserting look as the fear and pain left. Glomli's dream was about his land getting robbed by the enemy. He was startled but slowly he found peace and looked towards the ceiling where a stone had fallen years ago and revealed a small part of the sky. A ray of light passed through the hole and fell onto Frohic's forehead. His fear was not unlike the other Hobbets. He feared loosing his peaceful village and lowering fellow Hobbets to slaves but it soon left his mind. Sen dreamed of the open fields destroyed. No more plants grew in Hobbeton. They all woke up quickly and looked at each other with strengthening confidence. Their sleep had lasted all night and in the morning they felt enchanted by their stay; like a sixth sense had been wakened and they were now full of strength to confront their destiny.
A small creaking from the room's door had brought everyone's eyes towards it. It was Istar with three womanly creatures. The young women were Nebulans. They blew out all the candles for the day's light was entering the room. The women took Undowen and Amaranth by the arm asking to follow them.
Istar spoke my dear children, you must now feel numbness from the sleep but you will quickly recover. My daughters will take your women to bathe in the stream below and I will take you to feast.'
One of the daughters spoke 'Father, you must tell them that the sleep has made male figures starving and riels 'females' full of energy, too much energy, that must be washed away of they will loose their Elf powers.'
'Yes, right you are, my child, my people here have very different powers which they gain by sound sleeping; like you have done last night but, there are differences between male and female powers. The male Nebulans are stronger and bigger because they must find their power in nutrition same goes for most humans. Their sleep leaves them weak in anticipation to their appetites. Female Nebulans, or riels as Nebulans call them, receive a great deal of power during sleep and must leave a part in our quelle 'fading' waters to nourish all who go drink there.'
Legalos cautiously walking on his numb legs, went towards the three riels holding Undowen and Amaranth and said 'Amaranth, my love, 'bathe henion' (I understand). He pulled himself towards her; reaching for a kiss but one of the riels pushed him aside and replied 'No, you must not touch her, she could harm you. We must leave now father', she addressed her father. Legalos looked puzzled and turned towards Aregnor feeling just as sad as he.
'Yes, very well my daughters' said the Wiseman and he told the female Elves 'Nai tiruvantel ar varyuvantel I Vala tielyanna nu vilya.'(May the angelic power protect you on your path under the sky) He then, turned to the men and said 'Come now, Hobbets, Men, Elf and Dwarf, we will feast.' They were brought higher into the mountain, up two dozens of stairs, into a humongous room, supported by columns opened to nature surrounding it, filled with never-ending tables and comfy chairs. The first thing they spotted was all the food; fruits, meat, vegetables, bread; anything you could possibly imagine was there.
Aregnor looked laughingly at Legalos and said 'As a ranger, I am not used to big heavy meals. I am not sure if my body shall support it.' Legalos smiled; he felt too out of place and his mind was elsewhere while his ears were at his guard. Glomli proceeded 'Let's not let anything go to waste. 'It tastes just like at home!' He said munching down on a big piece of meat. Marar and Pelegg sampled on food with Sen. Frohic pulled Legalos' arm downward. As he did so, Legalos, not paying attention to the young hobbit, moved his long hair from his leaf-shaped ear and listened closely as he thought he had heard Amaranth. Guided by the sound, he let his hand wander and pointed between the trees towards a group of women bathing in the stream. Frohic frowned and nodded negatively as he expressed his unfortunate eyesight.
'What is it Legalos?' he asked.
Legalos put his hand over his eyes to see closely and clearly the group. He saw two of the riels spraying water at each other. He saw Undowen leaning her head back, soaking her long dark hair in the crystal waters. They were all nude and beautiful but Legalos' gaze caught Amaranth's backside. She was looking up at the mountains far away from where she stood as the small waves caressed her skin. He listened and heard her say in Elvish 'Ai Aniron Legalos.' (I desire Legalos) Aregnor approached him worried, and asked what he saw. As Frohic and Aregnor waited for an answer, Legalos smiled silently.
'I see a great beauty and it has been a short time apart but she misses me'.
The entire group ate to satisfy their hunger, which, had not been completely diminished since their separation with Narond. After an hour, Glomli, Pelegg and Marar had swollen stomachs but argued to continue eating their, most likely, last good meal. Sen puffed at his pipe while Legalos' mind drifted away as he looked down at the stream. The water was now calm and no rivulets were seen. The women had left. He looked around and saw Aregnor explaining a battle technique to Belemir and his eyes continued to stop on Frohic conversing with a Nebulan. Frohic was speaking of his small town he extremely missed. Legalos' head turned and looked at the others and saw that none had their attention linked to him and so, he decided to meet with his nil (lover).
He left the room silently and crept towards the sound-sleeping room. There he came face-to-face with a male Nebulan.
'Can I help you with your search, stranger?' the Nebulan asked.
'How hath thou known I am seeking someone?'
'You cannot answer with a question. A Nebulan would be perplexed and will only ask more from you before letting you have another turn at asking and he might surprise you by changing the subject and forgetting your question. Nonetheless, I saw you glance around. searching.'
'Where do the women go when they leave the stream. after their bathing?'
'Clearly you are in a hurry for you only seek answers. I believe you are an Elf. but Elves are usually peacefully slow moving. They act as if they were a million years old and they usually are. What is thy birth name?'
'I am Legalos, a Mirkwood Elf from the black forest and I would most generously stay to chat but I need help provided quickly, if possible.' 'Ahh. I see. You care deeply about others like fellow Mirkwood Elves but thy lady awaits. Well, there is an Alqualonde (a sunroom) near the stream; you might find her there. Come, I will show you the way.'
'Many thanks. a name?'
'Belethil is my name' he replied and added 'Elves are the most interesting beings because they have been on the face of the earth for so long.'
Belethil leaded Legalos and while they walked towards the stream, Belethil spoke with Legalos.
'Oh. you must be the Elf in the fellowship and you have stopped here to rest with princess Undowen, daughter of Narond. Is that correct?'
'Indeed. I have the pride to accompany Aregnor. He is a brilliant warrior. Undowen, his love, has joined us recently; disobeying her father's wishes by following Aregnor on this dangerous quest.'
'Uhm. hum. I've heard of this. Lord Narond is a respectable Elf and wants only the best for his daughter.'
'The rule imposed on Aregnor's shoulders is harsh and difficult to bear as he loves Undowen deeply.'
'Yes, but Aregnor carries his heart high, he understands his weakness. Ah. Here we are.' said Belethil showing a blue globe on the white sand ' 'Tis best to wait here for your lady. I wish thou luck on your voyage'
Legalos turned, looking back to reply but he saw that Belethil had left.
'Thanks' he said quickly wondering if it had been heard.
The sunroom was made of glass and the patches of gathered steam altered its transparency. Legalos walked on the beach and left no footprint because his steps were lighter than feathers. He lifted a hand to wipe away a small circle of steam. He glanced inside. Gorgeous plants and flowers grew. Butterflies swirled as Legalos imagined himself inside concentrating on this paradise. The door opened and Amaranth along with the other women stepped out in long satin gowns hands together as if they were praying. They glimmered like queens.
'Ai nauthannen I ned ol reniannen.' (Alas, I thought I had stayed into a dream) Legalos murmured.
She heard his voice and looked up at him as he opened his arms to greet her. She ran and jumped into his arms almost making him fall over. She grasped at his clothing trying to feel him as closely as possible. He was relieved to see her also and cupped her face between his hands. A drop of water flowed down a strand or hair; she was still wet and her hair had a faint smell of perfume. She's comely, he thought. Legalos took her hand and they walked up towards the Haven. After a few steps, he stopped abruptly and stood still, hair blowing in the wind. All you could hear were the tree branches bending and cracking at the wind. Amaranth saw darkness in his eyes and knew danger was near once more. She felt the ground tremble. Then, they heard Belemir's horn. Legalos told Amaranth, slowly bending his legs pressing on her shoulder to hide close to the ground, to go back to the stream and hide. He had rested a knee on a step, preparing his bow as she kneeled beside him.
'Legalos do not force separation upon us. '
He took her arm and said 'I must leave but I will return to you, I promise.'
He gently kissed her hand and left, against his will and hers, running towards the horn's sound, bow in hand, ready for Otarcs. The last thing he heard was Amaranth shout behind him 'Andelu I ven.' (the road is very dangerous)
He felt the evil gaining his mind as he leaped towards the summit.
Long before dawn, Aregnor got up telling Belemir and Glomli to gather the others. It was time to leave the mountain path. Legalos lifted himself from the ground and looked lovingly at Amaranth sleeping by his side. He felt the pride of being close to such a wonderful woman. She felt a kiss on her cheek and opened her eyes. 'Good morning beautiful, me lisse lote,' (my sweet flower in Quenya) he said. She yawned as he lifted her into his arms and gently saddled her on Darkmain. He grabbed his bow and arrows and overlapped the horse holding her as she tilted her head back to rest on his shoulder. He kissed her again and they trotted through the forest. Aregnor, high up on Undowen's Lightfoot, guided the fellowship. Undowen stayed close behind with the Hobbets, Glomli and Belemir lacking horses. She thought of the night she had spent with Aregnor. They had made love in an elegant way and had satisfied tastefully their craving. She looked to the ground. The grey of winter was dying as the orange leaves swirled in the wind. The stars were faint as the sun rose and the blue vaulted sky appeared.
They reached the tall mountains through the hills and stopped in a city called Nebula, where they met with Istar, the great Wiseman of the hills. The Nebulan community was spread on the verge of the mountain throughout the trees and down towards the stream below. The angel city was similar to Narond's house and the way silven elves lived but Nebulans lived in enormous stone houses along side the century-old trees. Hundreds of steps went up and down the mountain and all around, across, in and out. A room opened to another and so on. A small scent of honeysuckle flew in the wind as they entered the strange city.
Behind the stonewall, Istar greeted them 'Mea govannen' and suggested they should bathe in the fresh warm perfumed waters in the Far East of Nebula. The Nebulan bathing was a way to clear their souls and purify their thoughts. The lake was called Menelya after the oiale (everlasting) purity.
Washing away all their worries, they felt pure in the humid atmosphere. The water steamed and made tiredness appear. Istar's servants guided them into a candlelit room, across the bathing lake. They stepped inside and noticed a dozen gold incrusted beds covered by long diamond drapes. Wildflowers grew through the cracks in the walls and petals had fallen to the ground left to adorn. They all crawled into the white-glittery sheets and nature's never-ending light sounds were like faint music to their ears. The vague notes of sound sleeping plunged into their souls and their thoughts cleared. Each, one at a time, fell into a dream.
Amaranth felt her eyelids getting heavy and in a blurry part of her mind, she saw Legalos walking off without her to enter Mirdor. Her biggest fear of losing him vanished as she lay. She was suddenly calm and in a peaceful state of relaxation but was awakened by Belemir's tortuous sleep. He was dreaming in the bed next to her and seemed tormented. His lips parted and a small burst of grey smoke rose like Avathars (shadows) had left his body. In his head, he had been dreaming of the Ring and its powers but now as he was letting go of his selfish glory, he woke up relaxed and saw Amaranth staring at him with a horrible paleness. She then pretended to smile and looked around at the others who were still dreaming. A mysterious look was gliding on Aregnor's face. In his dream, he could see Undowen holding her unborn infant and married to another because Aregnor had failed in his quest and he could not wed his love. Finally, the fear of losing her if he fails to destroy the Ring left his body. He woke and looked over to Undowen at his side. Her eyes were twitching and she started speaking a strange language. She could see enemies approaching to attack; they burned her kin and their houses.
She whispered words from a spell to stop them 'I lach Anor ed ardhon gwannen, Caled veleg, ethuiannen...'
She woke and the fear had dissipated. Undowen and Aregnor looked at one another with flaming eyes as the tranquility overpowered but still Aregnor could feel the huge amount of pressure on his shoulders for the quest he had gotten into. Amaranth looked at them and sat up to see Legalos in front of her on the other side of the room. In the darkness, tears had traced a sparkling trail on his cheeks. In his mind, he saw an illusion of Amaranth bleeding and inanimate but soon the obsession had left him in a carefree deserting look as the fear and pain left. Glomli's dream was about his land getting robbed by the enemy. He was startled but slowly he found peace and looked towards the ceiling where a stone had fallen years ago and revealed a small part of the sky. A ray of light passed through the hole and fell onto Frohic's forehead. His fear was not unlike the other Hobbets. He feared loosing his peaceful village and lowering fellow Hobbets to slaves but it soon left his mind. Sen dreamed of the open fields destroyed. No more plants grew in Hobbeton. They all woke up quickly and looked at each other with strengthening confidence. Their sleep had lasted all night and in the morning they felt enchanted by their stay; like a sixth sense had been wakened and they were now full of strength to confront their destiny.
A small creaking from the room's door had brought everyone's eyes towards it. It was Istar with three womanly creatures. The young women were Nebulans. They blew out all the candles for the day's light was entering the room. The women took Undowen and Amaranth by the arm asking to follow them.
Istar spoke my dear children, you must now feel numbness from the sleep but you will quickly recover. My daughters will take your women to bathe in the stream below and I will take you to feast.'
One of the daughters spoke 'Father, you must tell them that the sleep has made male figures starving and riels 'females' full of energy, too much energy, that must be washed away of they will loose their Elf powers.'
'Yes, right you are, my child, my people here have very different powers which they gain by sound sleeping; like you have done last night but, there are differences between male and female powers. The male Nebulans are stronger and bigger because they must find their power in nutrition same goes for most humans. Their sleep leaves them weak in anticipation to their appetites. Female Nebulans, or riels as Nebulans call them, receive a great deal of power during sleep and must leave a part in our quelle 'fading' waters to nourish all who go drink there.'
Legalos cautiously walking on his numb legs, went towards the three riels holding Undowen and Amaranth and said 'Amaranth, my love, 'bathe henion' (I understand). He pulled himself towards her; reaching for a kiss but one of the riels pushed him aside and replied 'No, you must not touch her, she could harm you. We must leave now father', she addressed her father. Legalos looked puzzled and turned towards Aregnor feeling just as sad as he.
'Yes, very well my daughters' said the Wiseman and he told the female Elves 'Nai tiruvantel ar varyuvantel I Vala tielyanna nu vilya.'(May the angelic power protect you on your path under the sky) He then, turned to the men and said 'Come now, Hobbets, Men, Elf and Dwarf, we will feast.' They were brought higher into the mountain, up two dozens of stairs, into a humongous room, supported by columns opened to nature surrounding it, filled with never-ending tables and comfy chairs. The first thing they spotted was all the food; fruits, meat, vegetables, bread; anything you could possibly imagine was there.
Aregnor looked laughingly at Legalos and said 'As a ranger, I am not used to big heavy meals. I am not sure if my body shall support it.' Legalos smiled; he felt too out of place and his mind was elsewhere while his ears were at his guard. Glomli proceeded 'Let's not let anything go to waste. 'It tastes just like at home!' He said munching down on a big piece of meat. Marar and Pelegg sampled on food with Sen. Frohic pulled Legalos' arm downward. As he did so, Legalos, not paying attention to the young hobbit, moved his long hair from his leaf-shaped ear and listened closely as he thought he had heard Amaranth. Guided by the sound, he let his hand wander and pointed between the trees towards a group of women bathing in the stream. Frohic frowned and nodded negatively as he expressed his unfortunate eyesight.
'What is it Legalos?' he asked.
Legalos put his hand over his eyes to see closely and clearly the group. He saw two of the riels spraying water at each other. He saw Undowen leaning her head back, soaking her long dark hair in the crystal waters. They were all nude and beautiful but Legalos' gaze caught Amaranth's backside. She was looking up at the mountains far away from where she stood as the small waves caressed her skin. He listened and heard her say in Elvish 'Ai Aniron Legalos.' (I desire Legalos) Aregnor approached him worried, and asked what he saw. As Frohic and Aregnor waited for an answer, Legalos smiled silently.
'I see a great beauty and it has been a short time apart but she misses me'.
The entire group ate to satisfy their hunger, which, had not been completely diminished since their separation with Narond. After an hour, Glomli, Pelegg and Marar had swollen stomachs but argued to continue eating their, most likely, last good meal. Sen puffed at his pipe while Legalos' mind drifted away as he looked down at the stream. The water was now calm and no rivulets were seen. The women had left. He looked around and saw Aregnor explaining a battle technique to Belemir and his eyes continued to stop on Frohic conversing with a Nebulan. Frohic was speaking of his small town he extremely missed. Legalos' head turned and looked at the others and saw that none had their attention linked to him and so, he decided to meet with his nil (lover).
He left the room silently and crept towards the sound-sleeping room. There he came face-to-face with a male Nebulan.
'Can I help you with your search, stranger?' the Nebulan asked.
'How hath thou known I am seeking someone?'
'You cannot answer with a question. A Nebulan would be perplexed and will only ask more from you before letting you have another turn at asking and he might surprise you by changing the subject and forgetting your question. Nonetheless, I saw you glance around. searching.'
'Where do the women go when they leave the stream. after their bathing?'
'Clearly you are in a hurry for you only seek answers. I believe you are an Elf. but Elves are usually peacefully slow moving. They act as if they were a million years old and they usually are. What is thy birth name?'
'I am Legalos, a Mirkwood Elf from the black forest and I would most generously stay to chat but I need help provided quickly, if possible.' 'Ahh. I see. You care deeply about others like fellow Mirkwood Elves but thy lady awaits. Well, there is an Alqualonde (a sunroom) near the stream; you might find her there. Come, I will show you the way.'
'Many thanks. a name?'
'Belethil is my name' he replied and added 'Elves are the most interesting beings because they have been on the face of the earth for so long.'
Belethil leaded Legalos and while they walked towards the stream, Belethil spoke with Legalos.
'Oh. you must be the Elf in the fellowship and you have stopped here to rest with princess Undowen, daughter of Narond. Is that correct?'
'Indeed. I have the pride to accompany Aregnor. He is a brilliant warrior. Undowen, his love, has joined us recently; disobeying her father's wishes by following Aregnor on this dangerous quest.'
'Uhm. hum. I've heard of this. Lord Narond is a respectable Elf and wants only the best for his daughter.'
'The rule imposed on Aregnor's shoulders is harsh and difficult to bear as he loves Undowen deeply.'
'Yes, but Aregnor carries his heart high, he understands his weakness. Ah. Here we are.' said Belethil showing a blue globe on the white sand ' 'Tis best to wait here for your lady. I wish thou luck on your voyage'
Legalos turned, looking back to reply but he saw that Belethil had left.
'Thanks' he said quickly wondering if it had been heard.
The sunroom was made of glass and the patches of gathered steam altered its transparency. Legalos walked on the beach and left no footprint because his steps were lighter than feathers. He lifted a hand to wipe away a small circle of steam. He glanced inside. Gorgeous plants and flowers grew. Butterflies swirled as Legalos imagined himself inside concentrating on this paradise. The door opened and Amaranth along with the other women stepped out in long satin gowns hands together as if they were praying. They glimmered like queens.
'Ai nauthannen I ned ol reniannen.' (Alas, I thought I had stayed into a dream) Legalos murmured.
She heard his voice and looked up at him as he opened his arms to greet her. She ran and jumped into his arms almost making him fall over. She grasped at his clothing trying to feel him as closely as possible. He was relieved to see her also and cupped her face between his hands. A drop of water flowed down a strand or hair; she was still wet and her hair had a faint smell of perfume. She's comely, he thought. Legalos took her hand and they walked up towards the Haven. After a few steps, he stopped abruptly and stood still, hair blowing in the wind. All you could hear were the tree branches bending and cracking at the wind. Amaranth saw darkness in his eyes and knew danger was near once more. She felt the ground tremble. Then, they heard Belemir's horn. Legalos told Amaranth, slowly bending his legs pressing on her shoulder to hide close to the ground, to go back to the stream and hide. He had rested a knee on a step, preparing his bow as she kneeled beside him.
'Legalos do not force separation upon us. '
He took her arm and said 'I must leave but I will return to you, I promise.'
He gently kissed her hand and left, against his will and hers, running towards the horn's sound, bow in hand, ready for Otarcs. The last thing he heard was Amaranth shout behind him 'Andelu I ven.' (the road is very dangerous)
He felt the evil gaining his mind as he leaped towards the summit.