Chapter One: The Grey Havens
I am Lhunrothien; the swift, silent and deadly child of Laughter. Be not deceived by my title. I am just as deadly as the most feared creatures of Middle Earth, more so in some aspects. This is my true story. There are others that may say different, but I have shrouded my past in lies to protect my present, and my future.
I was born to Elvish parents in Mithlond during the second age. My parents were overcome by grief when I was a young maid and left for the Undying Lands without me. My carefree nature faded that day. I had long forgotten my age when I came under the care of Cìrdan the shipwright. He taught me well in the Lore of the Teleri and in the history of the Elves.
I was not very old when I became suddenly overwhelmed and collapsed while I worked in the shipyard. The council in Mithlond called me to them and informed me that I had been blessed by the power of Empathics. Forever would I be blessed, and cursed, by the emotional burdens of others. I learned of my parent's sudden departure but Cìrdan refused to tell me why they had become so grief stricken. I sensed that something terrible had happened outside of my home on the shore of middle earth and in year 2250 of the Second age I decided to leave the Havens to seek answers and peace in my heart in the wide wilderness of Middle Earth.
Cìrdan, who had been like a father to me for my entire life was sad to see me leave but was never one to hold the fair Lhunrothien back. The day before I was to leave I received his summons and went to where he stood, looking over the sea.
"You summoned me Lord?" I asked, walking slowly across the mosaic floor towards him. "Fairest child of my Laughter," He spoke slowly in Sindarin, turning awayfrom the sunset, "You still plan to leave tomorrow for Imladris?"
"I do my Lord." I responded
"You know that the walls of the Havens have sheltered and protected you from those emotions and pains of Middle Earth?"
I bowed my head. I had been preparing for months for the burdens I would endure when I left the Sea. I had, for the first time since I collapsed, journeyed out to the crowds, I had subjected myself to torture that no other Empath dared attempt. I was ready, or so I thought.
"I can not hope to dissuade you from your decision." Cìrdan sighed, "But you should know that you will always be welcome near the sea, should you choose to return."
With that, he crossed the room to me and took my hand in his.
"You have been like child to me Lhunrothien." He said simply, his pain brought tears to my eyes, but I did not look away. He reached into the small silk pouch at his waist and removed a simple silver band set with a deep blue jewel. "If the pain becomes to hard to bear, focus on your happiness and it will get better."
With that, he turned back just in time to see the sun set below the smooth shinning waters of the Sea. If he heard my whispered thanks as I left his chamber, he gave no sign.
****
It seemed that the entire population of Mithlond came to bid me fairwell. Most were sad, but there were some at the back who had come simply to fulfill expectations. I wasn't angry with them, for since I had collapsed, I had mostly remained secluded in a tower to the south of the city. They couldn't be expected to feel sad for my going, when they barely knew I existed.
I stood before Cìrdan that glorious morning as he presented me with a quiver of arrows, two long knives, a dagger and a gilded long bow. The deep blue stone of Laughter hung solemnly around my neck and Cìrdan's ring sat on my finger, but I was dressed in the green garb of a traveler and a forest green cloak sat on my shoulders. To the careless observer, I was none other but an outcast, which was exactly how I wanted it.
I let a cry escape my lips before turning away from the Teleri.
"I will return hither to the land of my life!" My voice ran clear over them and they cheered as I turned and headed down the path towards the unknown.
I am Lhunrothien; the swift, silent and deadly child of Laughter. Be not deceived by my title. I am just as deadly as the most feared creatures of Middle Earth, more so in some aspects. This is my true story. There are others that may say different, but I have shrouded my past in lies to protect my present, and my future.
I was born to Elvish parents in Mithlond during the second age. My parents were overcome by grief when I was a young maid and left for the Undying Lands without me. My carefree nature faded that day. I had long forgotten my age when I came under the care of Cìrdan the shipwright. He taught me well in the Lore of the Teleri and in the history of the Elves.
I was not very old when I became suddenly overwhelmed and collapsed while I worked in the shipyard. The council in Mithlond called me to them and informed me that I had been blessed by the power of Empathics. Forever would I be blessed, and cursed, by the emotional burdens of others. I learned of my parent's sudden departure but Cìrdan refused to tell me why they had become so grief stricken. I sensed that something terrible had happened outside of my home on the shore of middle earth and in year 2250 of the Second age I decided to leave the Havens to seek answers and peace in my heart in the wide wilderness of Middle Earth.
Cìrdan, who had been like a father to me for my entire life was sad to see me leave but was never one to hold the fair Lhunrothien back. The day before I was to leave I received his summons and went to where he stood, looking over the sea.
"You summoned me Lord?" I asked, walking slowly across the mosaic floor towards him. "Fairest child of my Laughter," He spoke slowly in Sindarin, turning awayfrom the sunset, "You still plan to leave tomorrow for Imladris?"
"I do my Lord." I responded
"You know that the walls of the Havens have sheltered and protected you from those emotions and pains of Middle Earth?"
I bowed my head. I had been preparing for months for the burdens I would endure when I left the Sea. I had, for the first time since I collapsed, journeyed out to the crowds, I had subjected myself to torture that no other Empath dared attempt. I was ready, or so I thought.
"I can not hope to dissuade you from your decision." Cìrdan sighed, "But you should know that you will always be welcome near the sea, should you choose to return."
With that, he crossed the room to me and took my hand in his.
"You have been like child to me Lhunrothien." He said simply, his pain brought tears to my eyes, but I did not look away. He reached into the small silk pouch at his waist and removed a simple silver band set with a deep blue jewel. "If the pain becomes to hard to bear, focus on your happiness and it will get better."
With that, he turned back just in time to see the sun set below the smooth shinning waters of the Sea. If he heard my whispered thanks as I left his chamber, he gave no sign.
****
It seemed that the entire population of Mithlond came to bid me fairwell. Most were sad, but there were some at the back who had come simply to fulfill expectations. I wasn't angry with them, for since I had collapsed, I had mostly remained secluded in a tower to the south of the city. They couldn't be expected to feel sad for my going, when they barely knew I existed.
I stood before Cìrdan that glorious morning as he presented me with a quiver of arrows, two long knives, a dagger and a gilded long bow. The deep blue stone of Laughter hung solemnly around my neck and Cìrdan's ring sat on my finger, but I was dressed in the green garb of a traveler and a forest green cloak sat on my shoulders. To the careless observer, I was none other but an outcast, which was exactly how I wanted it.
I let a cry escape my lips before turning away from the Teleri.
"I will return hither to the land of my life!" My voice ran clear over them and they cheered as I turned and headed down the path towards the unknown.