Disclaimer: I own nothing! You must get the point.
A/N: Thanks to the following reviewers –
JessieRose: Hi! Long time no see! Thanks for reviewing though. Hope you'll enjoy the chapters to come.
Banana2244: Thank you for the encouraging words. Surely you have a knack of releasing writers from writers block!
AuroraNights: I am honored to know that people actually take time to correct me! I am very thankful for your suggestions. I hope my future chapters will mirror your corrections. My computer is to blame as well. You see, I tried uploading the seventh chapter and the entire story came out as one BIG paragraph. It was irritating no doubt! Then I had to copy and paste stuff between notepad and the word document and it was all very tiring. But I know I am to blame and I hope you will read the stories further and correct me if any future mistakes turn up. I know I am NOT perfect. Thank you so very much!
leggylover2004: I am so happy you reviewed! Well, a Valar is someone like a god to the elves. But they are not really gods. Iluvatar was the boss who created the entire middle earth and the Valar who are nine in number are more like chieftains. They come in Silmarillion. Though I haven't read the book, I have read the 'Shaping of Middle Earth' by Christopher Tolkien. It is a very good book. The excerpt of Silmarillion is given and the various corrections that Tolkien senior made is also given. It was quite interesting!
Northern Phoenix: I agree with you completely. One encouraging word can make us go miles. And I am so happy people are doing this to me! I feel loved!
Now that THAT is taken care of, on with the story.
The Prophecy
Chapter 8 (The truth untold)
"It has been a severe blow in the morale of the warriors here that Laerwen had to die." Aragorn sighed as he placed another white daisy over the tomb where Laerwen now slept. Legolas nodded his head sadly. He then turned to Gimli.
"It feels just like losing Haldir doesn't it?"
The dwarf nodded. He then turned to his right where Silme was slowly whispering to Amrûn. " But she fared the worst of it Legolas. It would take a while." The elf nodded. She would mourn long. He was sure of this. He then turned back to Aragorn.
"Don't you think we should leave quickly? I mean time is short. I am sure Nwalme knows we approach her castle as we speak. So, she will hurry at her defenses." Aragorn nodded.
"But will Silme come so quickly? I mean after losing a friend so close, I doubt that." Just as he finished speaking, Silme came and stood by Legolas.
"Will it suit lord Aragorn if we were to leave immediately?" Aragorn looked at the elleth in front of him not believing his ears. Legolas was surprised as well.
"But Silme, I know you mourn over Laerwen. It would be unjust if we forced you to move on so quickly."
Silme shook her head, as she turned towards Legolas whose eyes looked both sad and concerned.
"I would request the prince of Mirkwood mot to worry his beautiful head over matters like these. We have to move on. If we stay here to mourn the death of Laerwen, a thousand others will follow. I cannot let another face the same trouble I face now - the same loss. I cannot let this tragedy repeat itself my prince. So, if you would hurry."
She then moved past them taking Amrûn with her. Gimli was the first one to come out of his shock.
"That is one elleth I don't understand!" Legolas looked at the retreating figure in front of him and smiled a little.
" Silme, with all due respect, do you think it is right for you to leave this glade so quickly? We are now without a proper march warden and moreover, they are after you and your friends. It would be advisable to stay low for a while-"
"-And let Nwalme finish the prophecy? She will kill the child if we do not hurry! But I am not sure she will do that." Silme frowned as she sat on the chair in the flet of Laerwen. Though she still mourned in her heart, she felt more pressing matters demanded her attention. The elf before her was dressed in grey and black in the way of the elves of Edona.
"What do you mean?" the elf asked. Silme looked up at the elf and smiled ruefully.
"She might turn the child against us. I don't know if the child holds powers within herself, but if she was born to kill Nwalme, she sure must have certain abilities that Nwalme does not posses. And I don't think Nwalme would like that. Any other doubts Gabriel?"
Gabriel smiled a little. " It would not be too bold if I ask you how a child so small would wield a weapon to strike a powerful sorceress like Nwalme?"
"She is the blessed child of the Valar. Her mother was the evenstar of her people. She is no ordinary child. She was born to fulfill the prophecy."
"So what happens after that? Will she remain?" Silme looked abruptly at Gabriel, her eyes wide with surprise. Gabriel flinched as he saw her reaction. Silme slowly lowered her gaze and looked at her bow, which lay on the table before her.
"Gabriel, close the door."
"Beg your pardon milady?"
"I said close the door!" Gabriel obeyed her confused. As he turned back towards Silme, she was fingering her bow gently.
"What is it Silme? Sil-"
"She goes back to Valinor. Her purpose complete. She leaves back to her real place of rest."
Gabriel looked at Silme thunderstruck. "You know so much of this prophecy! How?"
Silme slowly opened the door and shouldering her bow and quiver placed her boot-clad foot onto the first step. She turned back to look at Gabriel. She smirked and said,
" Nwalme mistook me for the child of prophecy before." She descended the steps two at a time missing the shocked look at Gabriel sported in his face. As she got down, she found Legolas waiting for her with his arms crossed across his chest. He was looking at her with a grave expression. She smiled at him and was about to pass by when he caught her arm and pulled her back. She fell against his chest. As she straightened up and looked at his face surprised, he gazed at her with the same grave expression.
The first question that he asked explained his grave expression.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Legolas you don't understand. I-"
"Aragorn is out there crying every minute he gets to himself thinking about his daughter and here you are! Why didn't you tell Mithrandir that you were once mistaken for the child of prophecy? It could have helped us! Why did you hide it from us?"
"I had my reasons. Vala-"
He cut her short. "Vala is not the one who has her child abducted! Vala is not the one who suffers agony over the loss of a child. Vala does not understand anything! Vala will just sit there commanding us to go find Nwalme when the guide she sends hides crucial details. Vala-"
"Not another word!" she pointed her finger at him threateningly. "Don't breathe another word." Legolas looked at her surprised. Her eyes were swimming in tears. She angrily wiped them away. She then turned to look at Legolas with a death glare.
"Vala, for you kind information, knows exactly how Aragorn feels. That is why she spoke nothing at all! Do you remember Sulé? My mother? Well, she died defending me. I stayed when I was a little girl. Nwalme did not know that a child of one year was the one mentioned. She wanted me, as my father was mortal. But only after killing my mother and her sister Mila, did she realize that I was too old for the prophecy! Vala is my grandmother. And she does know what it feels like to lose a child. Believe me she does."
"Sulé died for this reason?" Legolas whispered.
Silme merely nodded as she tried to stem the flow of tears that threatened to spill out. If this was his reaction now, she hated to think of his reaction after the prophecy was fulfilled. When the child completes her purpose. But she couldn't tell him. Not just yet. Legolas turned towards Silme who stood there glaring at the sky before her. But tears still flowed down her cheek.
He had forced her to recall her mother and her death. He had insulted Vala who now he knew suffered more than any elleth he knew. She had sacrificed both her daughters and now willingly had sent her only relation, Silme to Nwalme knowing well that it could be her end. He knew he had spoke too much.
"Silme-"
She turned to face the prince.
"Time is running out for both Aragorn and his daughter. So, let us hurry." There was a cold air in her voice. She then turned and left Legolas to stare at her with shock.
So, new light is thrown into the prophecy. What will happen to Silme and Legolas?
Will they remain friends or - er – you know what I mean! Read and review and the answer shall be given.
- Anarya of Lorien.