CH IV. A touch of hope
Undowen was running through the forest as fast as she could to make sure that the horn's sound wouldn't stop and she would reach the emplacement in time. She desperately tried to reach Belemir but when she did, it was too late. He was on the ground, next to his sword, horn in hand and his body already manifested signs of death. Gondalf was kneeling over the body, sobbing, holding his hat in one hand and sliding his hand from Belemir's forehead down to shut his eyes. Undowen approached silently from behind and Gondalf stood up keeping his eyes on the courageous man.
'Shame was in his eyes at his hour of death but he was brave even in his last instants; he never showed pain or fear. Your concerns are merely hidden by your lovely youth. your strange look comes from the wonder of my presence here, does it not?'
Undowen had heard Gondalf had died in the never-ending depths of the Moriha. She looked perplexed and her face turned blank from all the emotions overwhelming her soul.
''Tis a very long story indeed and I cannot explain yet how I survived the darkness of the underworld because you must first take me to the others.' He lifted his arm and his cloak followed his slow easy movements and he placed his hat on his aging head. 'Where are others?' He placed a hand under her chin. 'Quickly now!' he said to her.
-'I fear there aren't many others.' the sorrow caught in her throat.
-'Do not fear, my child. He is the bravest of all. A wonderful destiny awaits him. There is a possibility of failing but that uncertainty lives only within. I believe he can show all what a strong man he is for his race.'
-'I worry so' said Undowen.
-'He will find thee.' His tone of voice turned uncertain. 'Now, who is with you?'
-'Legalos and Amaranth. oh gosh.Glomli is also missing.'
-'That strong stubborn dwarf must have killed many Otarcs and is probably resting on a tree trunk somewhere. I have more concern for the Hobbets even if they can still surprise us all. even after knowing them for so long, I still find myself learning more about my dear friends.'
He put his arm around the elven woman as they headed back to find Legalos.
When Gondalf and Undowen arrived where she had left Legalos, Undowen noticed that he hadn't moved an inch. At the sight of the old wizard, Legalos placed his hand to his chest as a sign of deep appreciation. He was sitting legs crossed with Amaranth by his side covered with his cloak up to her eyes.
'She's been complaining about how cold it is.' Legalos told Gondalf.
Her eyes were pale and her mind seemed to wander in a far away parallel world. Gondalf stepped forward and pulled the cloak down to reveal her entire face. Her mouth was turning blue. Meanwhile, Undowen went off gathered firewood at the risk of attracting them but Amaranth needed heat.
Gondalf, with his staff, started the fire. He kneeled near Amaranth and whispered a spell 'Lasto beth nîn, tolo dan na ngalad' (listen to my word, come back to the light)
The flames of the fire made her skin glow and she seemed to have come back to life. She pressed her hand on Legalos' arm for support to pull herself towards the old man and he greeted her with open arms.
'You've some strength in you, dear child.'
Gondalf smiled at Legalos and sat beside him. Undowen took Legalos' flask of water opened it and offered some to the wizard. Everyone took a good sip and a sufficient piece of lembas, elven bread that satisfies your hunger with just one bite. The night had passed very slowly in worry but the morning light appeared. Legalos was awake, even though his eyes are never shut even when asleep. He was lying on his back with his head cradled in a hand thrown behind it and had an arm around Amaranth's waist resting beside him. His body ached from tension and lack of sleep. He brushed her hair with his fingers. Her skin was warm but her lips were still discoloured. A bizarre contrast that made him worry more. When all hope seemed to have vanished for her recovery, a galloping sound was heard. Gondalf was sitting with a knee up to his chest, staff in hand and head rested on his arm supported by the staff. He looked into the forest and saw a beautiful horse cautiously running through the tall trees with a dark haired elf on its back. Undowen quickly woke and placed a hand on throng-cleaver, waiting for the intruder. She was relieved to see that it was her father.
Gondalf exclaimed 'Alas!' Surprisingly enough, Legalos was sure Undowen's father's horse wasn't the one he heard.
Narond gracefully set foot on the ground and took her daughter's arms into his hands placing a kiss on her forehead. He casually walked towards Amaranth and Legalos' lips curved upward at the sight of his second father. Narond whispered a kyerme (prayer) of vala. (angelic power) She opened her eyes and saw his palm towards her face. He placed a hand on her wound and it seemed like centuries passed but in a few minutes a bright light froze the scene and Amaranth was cured. Narond backed away and Undowen helped him recover from his mending. Legalos was speechless. He had seen elves mend others before but this meant the world to him. He leaned in for a kiss and he felt his heart stop when she languorously slipped a hand through his hair. He loved those fingers. It was always just enough to drive him over the edge. He had kissed her before but it never been this sincere.
She whispered to him 'Are you expecting to get lucky?'
-'No, just hoping.' His eyes were wild. His heart was racing and so was hers.
Narond had recovered from his energy loss from his mending skills. He walked elegantly towards Undowen. Tall, powerful and superior, it would seem.
'Listen my child', he told his daughter. 'This has high importance.'
-'I know what thou will say father but I am not leaving here without Aregnor whether or not you like it'
-'I had a feeling it wouldn't be easy to make you come home, stubborn as thou be, just like your mother' said Narond.
He lifted his hand palm reversed from his shoulder and beckoned someone. A gorgeous man came forward out from behind the trees holding on to a white horse's harness. Amaranth looked at the man with misappropriation. He took a glimpse at Undowen and rested a knee to the ground bowing his head to it.
He spoke in a singing voice resembling a man's, 'I am Aldaron, lord of the trees. let me express to you my deep joy of having the possibility of meeting Narond's daughter.. he said you were beautiful but, I now think he meant. breathtaking.'
-'Enough!' Undowen shouted. 'Why comes this stranger?'
Narond replied: -'Undowen, dear child, he comes to take thy hand in return of my hospitability..'
-'I am slightly confused. you offer him shelter and you give him my hand which is not his to take?'
-'It is for your own good, my Undowen, he is serving me and will continue the family name in nobleness..' said Narond.
-'Nobleness does not intend marriage.. I refuse to go with you father' Undowen said angrily.
-'You arrogantly disobey my gesture of good will? You shall go to live with your grandmother Galadria and I shall take care of these arrangements to suit your unwilling nature.'
Undowen looked at Legalos, trying to find help, but Legalos is deeply indebted to Narond, he will not stand between a father and his dear friend Undowen.
Narond continued 'Aldaron shall accompany you to Lothlarian or to Havendell if you wish to reconsider. Nonetheless, I will not leave you in this disagreement. and so, I forgive you, my child. I beg for your return home but after you have reached common sense.'
-'It is rather unfair. and. might I say, the forgiveness is mine' Undowen said with a strong tone.
-'My heart aches for my daughter's refusal to admit her wrongs.' Undowen did not know what to say at this point but a simple phrase slipped out of her lips
-'I am Aregnor's love'
At the sound of this phrase, Narond shut his eyes.
-'Aregnor is not worthy of your hand. He chose exile and left to fight in the battle for Middle Earth in Mirdor. because I ordered him to' said Narond.
Undowen replied -'He has always been a son to you. How could you do such a thing to your own flesh and blood?'
-'For your own good.'
-'Why didn't he say goodbye?'
-'He left without a farewell because I told him you would refuse his absence and forbid him to leave..'
-'He does not know that I will also die of loneliness. as I have forsaken my immortal life,' she cried.
-'Aldaron will take care of you' Narond brushed beside his daughter to reach his horse.
-'Aregnor does not know of Aldaron, does he?' asked Undowen inquisitively.
Narond hesitated to answer. He knew Aregnor would not have left his love to another, specially, introduced by him.
-'He knows that you are not his to take until he has proven himself as noble as you.'
She turned from her father's eyes and walked away. Slowly, Undowen sank to her knees. The breeze kicked in just then, ruffling the fallen leaves and tossing them in every direction.
Narond gave his thanks to Legalos and handed a piece of cloth with writing on it. 'This is from Aregnor. He wishes you to accompany him to Mirdor.'
Undowen was running through the forest as fast as she could to make sure that the horn's sound wouldn't stop and she would reach the emplacement in time. She desperately tried to reach Belemir but when she did, it was too late. He was on the ground, next to his sword, horn in hand and his body already manifested signs of death. Gondalf was kneeling over the body, sobbing, holding his hat in one hand and sliding his hand from Belemir's forehead down to shut his eyes. Undowen approached silently from behind and Gondalf stood up keeping his eyes on the courageous man.
'Shame was in his eyes at his hour of death but he was brave even in his last instants; he never showed pain or fear. Your concerns are merely hidden by your lovely youth. your strange look comes from the wonder of my presence here, does it not?'
Undowen had heard Gondalf had died in the never-ending depths of the Moriha. She looked perplexed and her face turned blank from all the emotions overwhelming her soul.
''Tis a very long story indeed and I cannot explain yet how I survived the darkness of the underworld because you must first take me to the others.' He lifted his arm and his cloak followed his slow easy movements and he placed his hat on his aging head. 'Where are others?' He placed a hand under her chin. 'Quickly now!' he said to her.
-'I fear there aren't many others.' the sorrow caught in her throat.
-'Do not fear, my child. He is the bravest of all. A wonderful destiny awaits him. There is a possibility of failing but that uncertainty lives only within. I believe he can show all what a strong man he is for his race.'
-'I worry so' said Undowen.
-'He will find thee.' His tone of voice turned uncertain. 'Now, who is with you?'
-'Legalos and Amaranth. oh gosh.Glomli is also missing.'
-'That strong stubborn dwarf must have killed many Otarcs and is probably resting on a tree trunk somewhere. I have more concern for the Hobbets even if they can still surprise us all. even after knowing them for so long, I still find myself learning more about my dear friends.'
He put his arm around the elven woman as they headed back to find Legalos.
When Gondalf and Undowen arrived where she had left Legalos, Undowen noticed that he hadn't moved an inch. At the sight of the old wizard, Legalos placed his hand to his chest as a sign of deep appreciation. He was sitting legs crossed with Amaranth by his side covered with his cloak up to her eyes.
'She's been complaining about how cold it is.' Legalos told Gondalf.
Her eyes were pale and her mind seemed to wander in a far away parallel world. Gondalf stepped forward and pulled the cloak down to reveal her entire face. Her mouth was turning blue. Meanwhile, Undowen went off gathered firewood at the risk of attracting them but Amaranth needed heat.
Gondalf, with his staff, started the fire. He kneeled near Amaranth and whispered a spell 'Lasto beth nîn, tolo dan na ngalad' (listen to my word, come back to the light)
The flames of the fire made her skin glow and she seemed to have come back to life. She pressed her hand on Legalos' arm for support to pull herself towards the old man and he greeted her with open arms.
'You've some strength in you, dear child.'
Gondalf smiled at Legalos and sat beside him. Undowen took Legalos' flask of water opened it and offered some to the wizard. Everyone took a good sip and a sufficient piece of lembas, elven bread that satisfies your hunger with just one bite. The night had passed very slowly in worry but the morning light appeared. Legalos was awake, even though his eyes are never shut even when asleep. He was lying on his back with his head cradled in a hand thrown behind it and had an arm around Amaranth's waist resting beside him. His body ached from tension and lack of sleep. He brushed her hair with his fingers. Her skin was warm but her lips were still discoloured. A bizarre contrast that made him worry more. When all hope seemed to have vanished for her recovery, a galloping sound was heard. Gondalf was sitting with a knee up to his chest, staff in hand and head rested on his arm supported by the staff. He looked into the forest and saw a beautiful horse cautiously running through the tall trees with a dark haired elf on its back. Undowen quickly woke and placed a hand on throng-cleaver, waiting for the intruder. She was relieved to see that it was her father.
Gondalf exclaimed 'Alas!' Surprisingly enough, Legalos was sure Undowen's father's horse wasn't the one he heard.
Narond gracefully set foot on the ground and took her daughter's arms into his hands placing a kiss on her forehead. He casually walked towards Amaranth and Legalos' lips curved upward at the sight of his second father. Narond whispered a kyerme (prayer) of vala. (angelic power) She opened her eyes and saw his palm towards her face. He placed a hand on her wound and it seemed like centuries passed but in a few minutes a bright light froze the scene and Amaranth was cured. Narond backed away and Undowen helped him recover from his mending. Legalos was speechless. He had seen elves mend others before but this meant the world to him. He leaned in for a kiss and he felt his heart stop when she languorously slipped a hand through his hair. He loved those fingers. It was always just enough to drive him over the edge. He had kissed her before but it never been this sincere.
She whispered to him 'Are you expecting to get lucky?'
-'No, just hoping.' His eyes were wild. His heart was racing and so was hers.
Narond had recovered from his energy loss from his mending skills. He walked elegantly towards Undowen. Tall, powerful and superior, it would seem.
'Listen my child', he told his daughter. 'This has high importance.'
-'I know what thou will say father but I am not leaving here without Aregnor whether or not you like it'
-'I had a feeling it wouldn't be easy to make you come home, stubborn as thou be, just like your mother' said Narond.
He lifted his hand palm reversed from his shoulder and beckoned someone. A gorgeous man came forward out from behind the trees holding on to a white horse's harness. Amaranth looked at the man with misappropriation. He took a glimpse at Undowen and rested a knee to the ground bowing his head to it.
He spoke in a singing voice resembling a man's, 'I am Aldaron, lord of the trees. let me express to you my deep joy of having the possibility of meeting Narond's daughter.. he said you were beautiful but, I now think he meant. breathtaking.'
-'Enough!' Undowen shouted. 'Why comes this stranger?'
Narond replied: -'Undowen, dear child, he comes to take thy hand in return of my hospitability..'
-'I am slightly confused. you offer him shelter and you give him my hand which is not his to take?'
-'It is for your own good, my Undowen, he is serving me and will continue the family name in nobleness..' said Narond.
-'Nobleness does not intend marriage.. I refuse to go with you father' Undowen said angrily.
-'You arrogantly disobey my gesture of good will? You shall go to live with your grandmother Galadria and I shall take care of these arrangements to suit your unwilling nature.'
Undowen looked at Legalos, trying to find help, but Legalos is deeply indebted to Narond, he will not stand between a father and his dear friend Undowen.
Narond continued 'Aldaron shall accompany you to Lothlarian or to Havendell if you wish to reconsider. Nonetheless, I will not leave you in this disagreement. and so, I forgive you, my child. I beg for your return home but after you have reached common sense.'
-'It is rather unfair. and. might I say, the forgiveness is mine' Undowen said with a strong tone.
-'My heart aches for my daughter's refusal to admit her wrongs.' Undowen did not know what to say at this point but a simple phrase slipped out of her lips
-'I am Aregnor's love'
At the sound of this phrase, Narond shut his eyes.
-'Aregnor is not worthy of your hand. He chose exile and left to fight in the battle for Middle Earth in Mirdor. because I ordered him to' said Narond.
Undowen replied -'He has always been a son to you. How could you do such a thing to your own flesh and blood?'
-'For your own good.'
-'Why didn't he say goodbye?'
-'He left without a farewell because I told him you would refuse his absence and forbid him to leave..'
-'He does not know that I will also die of loneliness. as I have forsaken my immortal life,' she cried.
-'Aldaron will take care of you' Narond brushed beside his daughter to reach his horse.
-'Aregnor does not know of Aldaron, does he?' asked Undowen inquisitively.
Narond hesitated to answer. He knew Aregnor would not have left his love to another, specially, introduced by him.
-'He knows that you are not his to take until he has proven himself as noble as you.'
She turned from her father's eyes and walked away. Slowly, Undowen sank to her knees. The breeze kicked in just then, ruffling the fallen leaves and tossing them in every direction.
Narond gave his thanks to Legalos and handed a piece of cloth with writing on it. 'This is from Aregnor. He wishes you to accompany him to Mirdor.'