"Hush, little one." Faramir tried in vain to sooth the little child that
lay in his arms. The journey to Lothlorien had been made as quickly as
possible, to ensure that the child would reach warmth and safety as quickly
as possible. Now they stood at the borders of the forest, waiting for the
envoy from Lothlorien to come and take them to the city, blindfolded as
usual.
The child continued to cry pitifully. Faramir tried his best to quieten the little child by rocking his tiny form, but to no avail. The child continued to cry; perhaps aware of how lost in the wide world it now was, nameless, parentless and lonely. The two guards who accompanied Faramir also tried their hand to the task, but did not succeed.
"I expect you can guess why we had no trouble finding you." Haldir said as he approached the trio. His brothers, Rumil and Orophin followed behind him. He walked over to Faramir and looked at the tiny child. "And this must be the child of Arwen. I have been asked by many to convey their sorrow to you, to be given to King Aragorn. Many in Lothlorien knew Arwen well, and those who didn't knew of her beauty and goodness. She shall live in our hearts forever."
"Thank you for your kind words, Haldir." Faramir answered. "And she also lives on in this child, would that Aragorn could accept that!"
"It is a sad thing." Haldir nodded. "But we must continue, for a screaming child only lures predators towards us. Once we are under the protection of The Lady of the Woods, the boy may scream as much as he wishes, but here we are still in danger."
Faramir nodded and allowed Haldir to blindfold him. He would not, however, allow anyone else to hold the baby. Gandalf had entreated this duty unto him, and him alone.
For an immeasurable length of time they walked, led by the three elven brothers who only spoke to each other in elven. Finally, Faramir felt his blindfold being removed, and for a moment was blinded by the sight before him. A group of shining elves stood before him, and at the front of this group were Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. Remembering his manners, Faramir dropped to his knees, and felt the guards behind him do the same.
"Welcome, strangers from Gondor." Celebron said, signalling for them to rise. "It is unfortunate that it is with sad news that you visit."
"Indeed it is sir." Faramir replied. "And it is with even sadder news that we must return, Gondor has lost a Queen, and now it looses an heir."
"It is sad that Aragorn is blind to what is in front of him." Galadriel said. "And yet we have always felt an affection for Aragorn, ever since he led the quest to destroy the ring. We feel it is only right that we help him in his hour of need." She walked over to Faramir and took the snuffling baby into her arms, smiling down on it. It looked up at her for a moment, perhaps entranced by her beauty, but then not recognising the face, it began to wail again.
"We shall find a suitable couple to adopt the child." Celeborn assured Faramir.
"I am afraid, my Lord." Faramir said. "That I can not leave until I meet the elf who shall adopt the boy. It is Gandalf's orders that this child get the best possible care, and I must be assured of this before I return to Gondor."
"Of course." Celeborn said, noticing that the wailing of the child was getting louder as it longed for its nurse, a familiar face. "We shall find a suitable parent immediately."
He turned to the waiting group of elves. "Ruduin and Silia, step forward." He said. "These shall be the new parents of the child." A couple stepped forward, a male elf with long auburn hair and a comely looking female with fair hair. The female took the child from Galadriel, and instantly the child's cries doubled in volume.
"Mother!" A younger looking elf stepped from out from behind the crowd. She was a extremely beautiful, with long blonde hair and pretty green eyes. She walked over to the couple, who apparently were her parents. "I have been looking for you everywhere!" She faltered when she saw the lord and lady and the men from Gondor. "I'm sorry." She said. "I did not know.I'm so sorry." She began to back away and make her escape, but Lady Galadriel caught her by the arm.
"Your name is Anánia, is it not?" She asked.
"This is my foolish daughter, my Lady." Ruduin spoke up. "I am afraid she is rather headstrong and impulsive, we have not yet in these two thousand years of her life, been able to teach her to be less reckless."
"Recklessness can sometimes be a good thing." Galadriel whispered. Then she spoke loudly to Anánia. "Have you heard of the death of Lady Arwen of Rivendell, Queen of Gondor?" She asked.
"I have, my Lady." Anánia answered, frowning. "It was a sad event."
"Indeed." Celeborn added. "Then you must have heard that her son, the cause of her death, has been rejected by his father."
"I had heard rumour." Anánia admitted.
"Rumour!" Ruduin scoffed. "Yoy probably listened to our conversation, did you not Anánia?" Anánia looked down at the floor of the forest, ashamed with her herself.
"How she came to know is no concern now." Galadriel said. "The fact is that she knows." She took Anánia by the arm and led her over to where Silia was holding the crying baby. "This is the son of Arwen, brought to Lothlorien to grow up in safety and a loving family."
"He is beautiful." Anánia gasped, seeing the tiny baby. "May I hold him?" Galadriel nodded and Anánia gently took the baby in her arms. At first his wails increase two-fold, but then he began to quiet in her embrace, and finally silenced his cries. Those around them gasped, a young and inexperienced elf had managed to quieten the howling child.
"This is a sign." Celeborn said finally. "Anánia has been chosen to take care of the child."
"But I can not!" Anánia gasped. "I know nothing of child care!"
"I will help you." Her mother promised, standing proudly by the side of her daughter.
"I believe this to be foolishness." Ruduin interrupted. "Anánia is carefree and impetuous, she can not cope with the demands of looking after such a young child."
"In my experience sir." Faramir interrupted. "The most errant and delinquent soldier can thrive, if given responsibility. I believe that this young elf will flourish when given the care of this child to look after."
"But she has no partner to help her!" Ruduin protested. "No matter how hard Silia and I try to find her a suitable man, she always rejects him."
"And why is this, Anánia?" Galadriel asked, a smile playing on her face.
"The suitors my parents select are so boring!" Anánia said. "They are homemakers and workmen. I want an exciting man, who is dangerous and yet loving!"
"Impossible!" Ruduin cried. "My daughter is impossible, she sets her sights too high!"
"If we do not make targets, we can never improve." Galadriel scolded him. "Anánia shall look after this child. Does anyone object?"
They all shook their heads. It was clear that the now peaceful child liked her, and Faramir could not think of a better way for the future King to be brought up. The son of a single elf, shunned by her father, although not as much as the child himself was.
"I shall be happy to tell Gandalf that the child is in good hands." Faramir said. "And now, I am sorry to leave so soon, but I must return to Gondor. The funeral shall take place tomorrow at sunset, and I must be back before then."
"Very well Faramir." Celeborn said, waving Haldir over to blindfold them. "Please tell Aragorn that is child is in safe hands and that he, or anyone else for that matter, is welcome to come and see the child whenever they wish."
"I shall do that." Faramir bowed and then walked over to Anánia and handed her a small scroll. "Elrond, the grandfather of this child, bade me give this to the new mother." Anánia accepted the rolled up parchment without words.
"Faramir, might I ask something of you?" Galadriel asked.
"Anything, my Lady." Faramir said. Galadriel walked over to him and gave to him a small box. It was heavy and something inside it clunked as it exchanged hands. "Give this to Gandalf. Tell him that I do not know if it can be of help, it is probably too old to be used. But there is a chance." She trailed off, and Faramir could have sworn that he saw a tear in her eye.
"I shall take it to him." He promised. With that, Haldir blindfolded him and the elves watched as the three guards led the men back the way they had come. Anánia watched them go. In her arms, the child slept lightly. When she returned to her home, she laid the child on her sleeping place whilst she dug out the old cot that her mother had used when she was a child. It was made of carved oak and vines. She laid the child into the cot and then sat on the ground next to it, reading the note Elrond had sent her. It was written in elvish, in Elrond's hand.
"To the elf who cares for my grandson." She read. "It is sad for me to have to write this, I never expected to send a relative of mine into the care of strangers. I thank you for the kindness you have shown taking in my grandson, it will not be forgotten.
I am old, and have not the abilities to take care of such a young child. However I do not wish to loose him from my life. When he has come of age to leave your care, I request that you and he travel to Rivendell, so that he may spend time with his blood relatives for a time. That is, unless Aragorn has a change of heart and wants to see his son, yet this I do not see happening.
Until we meet, fare thee well and let my grandson grow into the fine young man that I see him becoming.
Lord Elrond of Rivendell."
Anánia re-read the note three times, taking it all in. She had not realised what a huge undertaking this would be. It was only when she had finished reading that she noticed a small note added on the end of the main body of the letter.
"Arwen did not have time to name her son." It read. "However, in a vision I had last night she came to me and told me that the child's name should be Eldarion. Please uphold her final wish."
"Eldarion." Anánia whispered, looking at the sleeping babe. "I could not have thought of a name so perfect." She smiled, already having grown attached to the child. She watched him sleep, not daring to take her eyes off of him in case he should disappear, although she knew that he wouldn't.
AN - so, a new character. Sorry if people don't like them, but I have to add some for the purpose of this story. You will see why later, I promise! By the way, can some one please suggest how I can show that a character is speaking in a language other than the common tongue? Like a symbol or something instead of using speech marks? Keep reviewing!
Response to reviewers:
SOB - did you really cry? I didn't think my story was that sad! If you did cry, I'm sorry! Keep reading though; there will be happy moments soon, even though it is very tragic at the moment!
Grumpy - no, Arwen would certainly not have liked Aragorn giving up her child, but he is too grief stricken to see sense. He blames the child for her death, which is kinda sad! But more to come, and the father and son will have a reunion before you know it. Can't say any more just now though..
Fay*Evenstar - Gwen Sefani is wicked, good music taste there! Anyway, glad you like it (again). I am waiting for your next review, they always make me smile!
Lady Serensa Pharodel - gald you like, there will be loads more to read soon, I have the next two chapters drafted and will be finishing them soon to be posted!
What has happened to all my other reviewers? ParaKeet007, ShawThang, Moose Head (still loving the name)? Are you out there?
I seem to have a select few reviewers here. I hope to be hearing from more of you soon! I will reply to every review, no matter how small. If you have any suggestions or whatever I will answer those too, I am a nice writer!
The child continued to cry pitifully. Faramir tried his best to quieten the little child by rocking his tiny form, but to no avail. The child continued to cry; perhaps aware of how lost in the wide world it now was, nameless, parentless and lonely. The two guards who accompanied Faramir also tried their hand to the task, but did not succeed.
"I expect you can guess why we had no trouble finding you." Haldir said as he approached the trio. His brothers, Rumil and Orophin followed behind him. He walked over to Faramir and looked at the tiny child. "And this must be the child of Arwen. I have been asked by many to convey their sorrow to you, to be given to King Aragorn. Many in Lothlorien knew Arwen well, and those who didn't knew of her beauty and goodness. She shall live in our hearts forever."
"Thank you for your kind words, Haldir." Faramir answered. "And she also lives on in this child, would that Aragorn could accept that!"
"It is a sad thing." Haldir nodded. "But we must continue, for a screaming child only lures predators towards us. Once we are under the protection of The Lady of the Woods, the boy may scream as much as he wishes, but here we are still in danger."
Faramir nodded and allowed Haldir to blindfold him. He would not, however, allow anyone else to hold the baby. Gandalf had entreated this duty unto him, and him alone.
For an immeasurable length of time they walked, led by the three elven brothers who only spoke to each other in elven. Finally, Faramir felt his blindfold being removed, and for a moment was blinded by the sight before him. A group of shining elves stood before him, and at the front of this group were Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. Remembering his manners, Faramir dropped to his knees, and felt the guards behind him do the same.
"Welcome, strangers from Gondor." Celebron said, signalling for them to rise. "It is unfortunate that it is with sad news that you visit."
"Indeed it is sir." Faramir replied. "And it is with even sadder news that we must return, Gondor has lost a Queen, and now it looses an heir."
"It is sad that Aragorn is blind to what is in front of him." Galadriel said. "And yet we have always felt an affection for Aragorn, ever since he led the quest to destroy the ring. We feel it is only right that we help him in his hour of need." She walked over to Faramir and took the snuffling baby into her arms, smiling down on it. It looked up at her for a moment, perhaps entranced by her beauty, but then not recognising the face, it began to wail again.
"We shall find a suitable couple to adopt the child." Celeborn assured Faramir.
"I am afraid, my Lord." Faramir said. "That I can not leave until I meet the elf who shall adopt the boy. It is Gandalf's orders that this child get the best possible care, and I must be assured of this before I return to Gondor."
"Of course." Celeborn said, noticing that the wailing of the child was getting louder as it longed for its nurse, a familiar face. "We shall find a suitable parent immediately."
He turned to the waiting group of elves. "Ruduin and Silia, step forward." He said. "These shall be the new parents of the child." A couple stepped forward, a male elf with long auburn hair and a comely looking female with fair hair. The female took the child from Galadriel, and instantly the child's cries doubled in volume.
"Mother!" A younger looking elf stepped from out from behind the crowd. She was a extremely beautiful, with long blonde hair and pretty green eyes. She walked over to the couple, who apparently were her parents. "I have been looking for you everywhere!" She faltered when she saw the lord and lady and the men from Gondor. "I'm sorry." She said. "I did not know.I'm so sorry." She began to back away and make her escape, but Lady Galadriel caught her by the arm.
"Your name is Anánia, is it not?" She asked.
"This is my foolish daughter, my Lady." Ruduin spoke up. "I am afraid she is rather headstrong and impulsive, we have not yet in these two thousand years of her life, been able to teach her to be less reckless."
"Recklessness can sometimes be a good thing." Galadriel whispered. Then she spoke loudly to Anánia. "Have you heard of the death of Lady Arwen of Rivendell, Queen of Gondor?" She asked.
"I have, my Lady." Anánia answered, frowning. "It was a sad event."
"Indeed." Celeborn added. "Then you must have heard that her son, the cause of her death, has been rejected by his father."
"I had heard rumour." Anánia admitted.
"Rumour!" Ruduin scoffed. "Yoy probably listened to our conversation, did you not Anánia?" Anánia looked down at the floor of the forest, ashamed with her herself.
"How she came to know is no concern now." Galadriel said. "The fact is that she knows." She took Anánia by the arm and led her over to where Silia was holding the crying baby. "This is the son of Arwen, brought to Lothlorien to grow up in safety and a loving family."
"He is beautiful." Anánia gasped, seeing the tiny baby. "May I hold him?" Galadriel nodded and Anánia gently took the baby in her arms. At first his wails increase two-fold, but then he began to quiet in her embrace, and finally silenced his cries. Those around them gasped, a young and inexperienced elf had managed to quieten the howling child.
"This is a sign." Celeborn said finally. "Anánia has been chosen to take care of the child."
"But I can not!" Anánia gasped. "I know nothing of child care!"
"I will help you." Her mother promised, standing proudly by the side of her daughter.
"I believe this to be foolishness." Ruduin interrupted. "Anánia is carefree and impetuous, she can not cope with the demands of looking after such a young child."
"In my experience sir." Faramir interrupted. "The most errant and delinquent soldier can thrive, if given responsibility. I believe that this young elf will flourish when given the care of this child to look after."
"But she has no partner to help her!" Ruduin protested. "No matter how hard Silia and I try to find her a suitable man, she always rejects him."
"And why is this, Anánia?" Galadriel asked, a smile playing on her face.
"The suitors my parents select are so boring!" Anánia said. "They are homemakers and workmen. I want an exciting man, who is dangerous and yet loving!"
"Impossible!" Ruduin cried. "My daughter is impossible, she sets her sights too high!"
"If we do not make targets, we can never improve." Galadriel scolded him. "Anánia shall look after this child. Does anyone object?"
They all shook their heads. It was clear that the now peaceful child liked her, and Faramir could not think of a better way for the future King to be brought up. The son of a single elf, shunned by her father, although not as much as the child himself was.
"I shall be happy to tell Gandalf that the child is in good hands." Faramir said. "And now, I am sorry to leave so soon, but I must return to Gondor. The funeral shall take place tomorrow at sunset, and I must be back before then."
"Very well Faramir." Celeborn said, waving Haldir over to blindfold them. "Please tell Aragorn that is child is in safe hands and that he, or anyone else for that matter, is welcome to come and see the child whenever they wish."
"I shall do that." Faramir bowed and then walked over to Anánia and handed her a small scroll. "Elrond, the grandfather of this child, bade me give this to the new mother." Anánia accepted the rolled up parchment without words.
"Faramir, might I ask something of you?" Galadriel asked.
"Anything, my Lady." Faramir said. Galadriel walked over to him and gave to him a small box. It was heavy and something inside it clunked as it exchanged hands. "Give this to Gandalf. Tell him that I do not know if it can be of help, it is probably too old to be used. But there is a chance." She trailed off, and Faramir could have sworn that he saw a tear in her eye.
"I shall take it to him." He promised. With that, Haldir blindfolded him and the elves watched as the three guards led the men back the way they had come. Anánia watched them go. In her arms, the child slept lightly. When she returned to her home, she laid the child on her sleeping place whilst she dug out the old cot that her mother had used when she was a child. It was made of carved oak and vines. She laid the child into the cot and then sat on the ground next to it, reading the note Elrond had sent her. It was written in elvish, in Elrond's hand.
"To the elf who cares for my grandson." She read. "It is sad for me to have to write this, I never expected to send a relative of mine into the care of strangers. I thank you for the kindness you have shown taking in my grandson, it will not be forgotten.
I am old, and have not the abilities to take care of such a young child. However I do not wish to loose him from my life. When he has come of age to leave your care, I request that you and he travel to Rivendell, so that he may spend time with his blood relatives for a time. That is, unless Aragorn has a change of heart and wants to see his son, yet this I do not see happening.
Until we meet, fare thee well and let my grandson grow into the fine young man that I see him becoming.
Lord Elrond of Rivendell."
Anánia re-read the note three times, taking it all in. She had not realised what a huge undertaking this would be. It was only when she had finished reading that she noticed a small note added on the end of the main body of the letter.
"Arwen did not have time to name her son." It read. "However, in a vision I had last night she came to me and told me that the child's name should be Eldarion. Please uphold her final wish."
"Eldarion." Anánia whispered, looking at the sleeping babe. "I could not have thought of a name so perfect." She smiled, already having grown attached to the child. She watched him sleep, not daring to take her eyes off of him in case he should disappear, although she knew that he wouldn't.
AN - so, a new character. Sorry if people don't like them, but I have to add some for the purpose of this story. You will see why later, I promise! By the way, can some one please suggest how I can show that a character is speaking in a language other than the common tongue? Like a symbol or something instead of using speech marks? Keep reviewing!
Response to reviewers:
SOB - did you really cry? I didn't think my story was that sad! If you did cry, I'm sorry! Keep reading though; there will be happy moments soon, even though it is very tragic at the moment!
Grumpy - no, Arwen would certainly not have liked Aragorn giving up her child, but he is too grief stricken to see sense. He blames the child for her death, which is kinda sad! But more to come, and the father and son will have a reunion before you know it. Can't say any more just now though..
Fay*Evenstar - Gwen Sefani is wicked, good music taste there! Anyway, glad you like it (again). I am waiting for your next review, they always make me smile!
Lady Serensa Pharodel - gald you like, there will be loads more to read soon, I have the next two chapters drafted and will be finishing them soon to be posted!
What has happened to all my other reviewers? ParaKeet007, ShawThang, Moose Head (still loving the name)? Are you out there?
I seem to have a select few reviewers here. I hope to be hearing from more of you soon! I will reply to every review, no matter how small. If you have any suggestions or whatever I will answer those too, I am a nice writer!