The time had arrived. Leannan awoke to a misty twilight with the sound of a few straggling crickets chirping and only a few birds sending out lonely calls. It was dark as dusk set on, and she rose from her bed to meet the night. It was strange waking in the evening, but Elrond had insisted they depart at sunset and she needed to get as much sleep in as she could.
She dressed quickly, wanting to get warm and shield herself from the bone chilling cold of winter. Soon the worst of the season would come and they would be traveling. She was accustomed to harsh climates, but still she dreaded it. Most of all, she dreaded leaving Rivendell and its glorious beauty. Rivendell was a book, which held the memories and tales of her life. It was distressing to leave her happy life and embark into the unknown.
Grudgingly, she moved away from her chamber and down the hallways to the outside courtyard. Her breath showed in white puffs as she walked with her hands in the pockets of her brown leather overcoat. Her boots crunched on the frosty ground as she moved along.
"Evening." She said solemnly to the form waiting in the dawn shadows.
The figure replied the same and Leannan came up beside him. "The others awake yet?" She asked.
The walked along into the night, making their way to the rest of the group. "All but the hobbits; they're still being roused. The pony is being packed now."
Leannan nodded; her mind still slow from the sleep. Aragorn led her to the city's main courtyard where a group of sleepy hobbits sat on the steps waiting while elves in royal garb prepared their pony and packs. Legolas was standing nearby helping. Leannan dropped down on the steps next to Sam. She gave him a reassuring smile, but didn't say anything. They were all rather silent, just watching the peaceful city as it prepared for night and wondering. Boromir moved down the steps past Leannan, stopping to say a solemn, "Good evening, milady." Leannan acknowledged his greeting, meeting his anxious gaze.
"Are you all prepared for our journey, Boromir of Gondor?" She asked him, casually.
"Aye, but not welcoming the weather we are heading into." He replied, shifting his gaze to the grey and unsettled sky. Leannan followed, craning her neck to look up, and agreed. "Me neither, it will not be pleasant." She turned to the hobbits. "I hope you brought warm clothes, my friends." They bobbed their heads morosely.
Just then Aragorn strode up. "Everyone, let's get our packs on and see how they feel." Leannan followed the hobbits over to the elves who handed them rucksacks of supplies. She helped get them situated and then accepted her own pack, which she had supplied herself. She slung it over her shoulder, along with her manageable harp, which had seen many times and places. Leannan did not care if it was unwise to bring the instrument along, she needed it and besides it has always been with her, why not now? Two elves came up holding Leannan's weapon belt with her sword and knives. As they fastened her belt and fussed with her packs, Leannan looked over to catch Legolas watching her. He gave her a light smile with raised eyebrows and turned away to slip on his quiver which an elf held out to him.
Leannan did not try to figure out his amused look and instead moved towards Aragorn and Elrond to listen as they spoke their plans. She glanced around and saw several elves watching the departing fellowship. She caught many faces and waved to them, smiling regretfully. Then Leannan saw Glorfindel among the crowds, standing tall under a tree nearby. He met her gaze and gave her a welcoming smile. Leannan made her way to him, wanting to say good-bye, if only for a brief moment. She had not seen him very much at all since she had bid him farewell that one time, but felt it necessary to at least speak to him before she left. For all she knew, she might never make it back to Rivendell, but she decided to shut that possibility from her mind.
"Glorfindel." She said, coming up to him.
He smiled briefly, but his face turned solemn. "Leannan, pen tithen, I will miss you."
She could not resist taking hold of his hand. "And I you. Farewell, my friend."
He let go of her hand and lifted his to cup her cheek, as a father would his child. "Aa' lasser en lle coia orn n' omenta gurtha." He whispered; his eyes deep and solemn. May the leaves of your life tree never turn brown.
Tears stung her eyes and she said, "Thank you."
With that, she stepped away from him and walked away to the courtyard without looking back. Aragorn met her and ushered her back into the group. Boromir was telling them of his horn. "Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills!" He declared, "and then let all the foes of Gondor flee!" He then lifted it to his lips and blew a blast. It vibrated down to one's very soul and echoed throughout the city. Leannan's eyes grew wide. What a stately sound, but so loud! She did not think she would like to be so close the next time he blew the great horn.
Elrond left them to go inside and they all waited outside in the cold for Gandalf to come. Leannan took a seat on the steps again and watched a handful of people standing around. Not many were there to say good-bye, for a banquet had already been held the night before for good-byes. Leannan had found the feast to be quite upsetting, but that it spared her the painful good-byes at the moment she was grateful.
Aragorn came to stand beside her and said quietly, as one speaking to his colleague, "It's going to be rough, and the weather does not look to be in our favor. Be prepared for a harsh trek, Leannan." He warned and the young woman nodded.
"Indeed," She replied. "I never expected otherwise. It will hard on us all." She craned her neck to look up at the grey skies. Gandalf will most likely choose the path of the, for that was the most usual way, and Leannan was convinced they would meet snow, if not before, at the point and it would be ugly to try to climb the mountains in stormy weather.
Finally Gandalf and Elrond emerged from inside and the company, sensing their time to depart quite near, stood from their places of waiting and came close to the two as Elrond called out, "This is my last word, the Ring-Bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On him alone is any charge laid: neither to cast away the Ring, nor to deliver it to any servant of the Enemy nor indeed to let any handle it, save members of the Company and the Council, and only then in gravest need. The others go with him as free companions, to help him on his way. You may tarry, or come back, or turn aside into other paths, as chance allow. The further you go, the less easy will it be to withdraw; yet no oath or bond is laid on you to go further than you will. For you do not yet know the strength of your hearts, and you cannot foresee what each may meet upon the road."
Leannan listened to the last words of the great elf, her heart grave and her spirits downcast. Elrond said that she was not bound by any oath, but surely she was for she had given her word to Frodo and sworn to follow her mentor, Aragorn, and could never step away from it…for she had even been tested before she had embarked, and her calling had become even more real to her. Nay, she was bound, whether she had the strength or not.
Again Elrond spoke, "Look not too far ahead! But go now with good hearts! Farewell, and may the blessing of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you. May the stars shine upon your faces!"
At those last words, Leannan felt her heart constrict and a silent sob broke forth, as she realized that she was now embarking on the path of her destiny; her path was dark and unclear, but a path she knew she must take. She followed the rest of the company, not looking back to the household of Elrond and his city where she had spent many of her happy days, and moved through the gate and onward. And at last they faded into the dusk.
~~~~~~~~
They traveled into the night, and it seemed fitting that the moon was completely veiled by the thick clouds and cast no light upon the earth. But the crickets still came out to serenade them, their chorus of chirps soothing to Leannan, who walked along in the darkness clutching herself against the chill and following the shadowy forms in front of her. Their pace was not very fast, because the hobbits had shorter legs than the others and most of them were still full of sleep. She strongly felt the presence of Legolas behind her, his watchful eyes glowing divinely in the shadows. She only turned over her shoulder once to look at him and even then turned warm with embarrassment.
She knew that Aragorn had placed her towards the back on purpose, because she'd be closer to Legolas who took up the rear. He probably thought they would talk. But no chance of that, Leannan had no intention of carrying on a conversation with the elf. Why did Aragorn always have to meddle in her business? She knew it was only his fatherly nature towards her, but it truly irritated her sometimes. Granted, the man had protected and raised her for her entire life, but she was a full-grown woman now and capable of taking care of herself, she had proved that.
"Pen tithen, you are pondering much?"
That voice. It sent shivers through her whole body and into her soul, sending it up into the stars. A voice so wise, yet so pure. So demanding, yet so gentle.
She grit her teeth. She was doing it again, letting herself fall back into that dark pit of regret. If only…if only. She needed stop.
"Do we not all have much on our minds, Legolas?" She retorted with an aggravated bite in her tone.
"Leannan…do not be so bitter," Came his blunt reply floating in the night. She could only feel ashamed.
He continued, "We have a long journey ahead of us, do not put a wall around your heart…pen tithen. The past is gone and we have a future to build."
Leannan did not say anything but quickened her pace so she would move out of his range. She did not need a lesson from him. She did not want to be taught and reprimanded like a child. Perhaps to him, she was a "little one", but in her race she was considered an adult and he ought respect that. She did not give thought that her actions towards him were very childish, she was too upset to think of anything but of how he was too good for her. Perhaps Aredhel did deserve him.
Leannan hugged herself tighter against the sharp cold. Aredhel and her schemes, Leannan had known that the day in the chamber when Aredhel had exposed Leannan to Legolas had been an attempt to show him how distasteful and imperfect Leannan was. She had thought Aredhel had been her friend, but she had humiliated her and secretly become her companion only in order to gain access to the prince. Well she could have the prince, Leannan screamed inwardly. He was arrogant and too righteous for her.
They stopped finally, as the sky began to lighten and the birds began to awake. The cricket's night song slowly died away, leaving the glorious dawn to approach in silver silence.
Gandalf and Aragorn agreed to make camp now and take the time to rest and eat before beginning their journey again in the late afternoon. They found a pleasant glen that provided a spot to create a campfire among the dew decked earth floor and patches of moss and fallen leaves to rest.
Leannan slid her pack off her shoulders and rested it against a tree before stretching her arms in the air and yawned. That rest in Rivendell didn't do her physical state very well, for she was already getting stiff. By the end of their journey, if it ever did end, her body would definitely be much stronger.
She eased herself onto the a comfortable patch of moss, if sitting on the ground could be comfortable. She scolded herself; she was definitely getting too soft. Whence had she disliked sitting on the earth's floor? She had spent most her life sleeping in nature, albeit once and awhile she and Strider would take a night in an inn or tavern. But even then, she had not had a good night rest in the places, for it was stuffy and smelled of smoke and she missed the cool breezes on her face and being able to open her eyes in the night and feel comforted by the stars.
Leannan stared up at the canopy of trees, with a few specks of blue sky peeking through. She couldn't help drifting in and out of her memories. Her heart squeezed when that familiar face entered her mind, that face…those eyes that were always there. They were ever-present reminders, constantly taunting her. But now it was pleasant, for she was dreaming of old times, of laughter and love in Rivendell- the book of her life, the keeper of her past. And somewhere beyond this forest, and further on past the mountains, lay her future. But she did not dwell on her blurry future, but on the clear past…
"I am a pirate of the seas, milady, and I am here to take you away to my ship!"
"On the sea?"
"Of course! Where else would my glorious ship be?"
"I have never seen the sea…"
"I am here to take you away against your will, milady."
"Oh, that's right. I will not go with you, never!"
She was prancing through the trees, her shining hair flickering between the branches. She was talking to someone, it appeared that she was playing.
Giggles followed the snippet of conversation. And he pushed aside a hanging vine to see the young woman and a small boy holding a wooden sword.
"Someone save me, I am being abducted by a terrible pirate." She was wailing playfully and the little boy, thoroughly enjoying the game moved over to her and grabbed her wrist.
"But, Leannan, there is no one here to save you." He said, suddenly turning serious.
The young woman laughed. "That's okay, Dolfinrod, you shall take me to your…" She was cut off when the boy exclaimed,
"He will save you!"
The elf eavesdropping in the trees suddenly found himself caught. He gave a sheepish grin and replied, "Indeed, I will save this fair maiden from you horrid pirate!" Legolas stepped closely and joined their game, swiftly picking up a branch the earthen floor.
"I shall duel you!" He declared to the boy, thrust the stick at the boy's sword.
Leannan stood back and watched the two playfully fight. Sometimes, Legolas would lightly jab Dolfinrod in the ribs and the boy would burst into a fit of laughter and charge the elder elf. "No!" He cried, jumping at him and pretending to slice him with the wooden sword.
Legolas fell to one knee and groaned. "Oh, you got me…" He faked several dying noises that children enjoyed and fell to the ground in a hilarious mock death.
Dolfinrod looked up at Leannan, who was watching with wide, amused eyes. The boy was serious, looking at the dead elf. "He's dead now…" Dolfinrod kept staring at Legolas and finally poked at him.
Legolas popped open one eye.
The boy stared at him and said quietly, his voice solemn, which caused Leannan to cover threatening laughter. "You can have her if you want." Dolfinrod said. "Because my mother is calling me for lunch."
Legolas laughed and rose to playfully cuff the boy. "Get on, you."
As Dolfinrod ran off, he stood to his full height and looked down at the young woman, who was not familiar to him. She was barefoot and her hair flowing down over her shoulders. Her cheeks were flushed from running with the boy and she had amethyst eyes that were almost too large for her delicate face that were sparkling with mirth. He looked at the small ears poking out from her honey brown hair. They were not pointed.
"You are not an elf." He found himself remarking, amused at the stranger.
She turned a shade of red and would not meet his gaze. "No, I am not."
He watched her closely. "I am Legolas of Mirkwood."
"Leannan." She shifted uncomfortably. She couldn't offer much more information to him. She didn't have a surname, she didn't belong to anyone or anywhere.
"An unusual pleasure, Leannan." Her name rolled off his tongue like music and she blushed and finally looked up to meet his deep, attentive eyes.
And then she was lost…
"Leannan." A voice broke through her reminiscing. She fluttered awake from her dreamland and met the eyes that haunted her in her sleep.
"Gandalf says we continue now." Legolas was saying and she nodded, absently.
Her dream was weighing upon her the entire time she prepared to embark again. That had been the first day she had found Legolas, and as much as she hated to admit it…the day she became lost. The day she fell and descended further until the day they both left Rivendell to pursue two different lives. And now she was face to face with him again, and face to face with her past. She thought she had found her way again, thought she was done with the elf and that part of her story.
With a sigh she slipped her pack on and followed after the rest of the fellowship.
~~~~~~~
He had watched her sleep for the short amount of time they had paused for rest. Her face had gone emotionless as she dwelled in a land unknown. He always pondered what went on inside the beautiful mind of the mortal woman. What did she dream of when she slept? If only she knew the images that haunted him when he entered into his own dreamland, it was the cost of being immortal.
He followed the fellowship, taking up watch in the rear of the band of travelers. Gandalf would lead them, and the warrior elf would keep his elven eyes alert for any dangers.
Leannan, he did not know what role she played in the fellowship. She was Aragorn's daughter, not by blood, but by spirit. Although, it was difficult for one to distinguish between daughter and companion, for she seemed as both. Legolas knew she would follow Aragorn to the ends of the earth, why else did she accompany them? She was skilled in battle and survival, but she was still of the fairer sex and Legolas found himself questioning whether she deserved to be subject to such peril or not. Deep down, he knew Leannan held such a righteous spirit that saving the world was a battle she could never put down. She was unlike the usual woman, a death in battle would be a glorious one for her, and the wilderness was her domain. But inevitably their eyes of this fellowship of heroes would see many terrible things and it troubled him that the innocent Leannan would have to see such things. Who knew what Iluvatar held for them in this journey.
They trudged on for some time and the travelers grew accustomed to the silence and lapses into the recesses of their minds. The hobbits did provide much conversation though, and Leannan enjoyed their company so much that she could not help joining in with them. It was just that so much time passed. Their walks for the next few days seemed endless and silence had to come at some. To think this was just the beginning. That the Caradhras loomed before them and further on past they would journey. They still had so far to go. But step by step, conversation coming and leaving, trees passing and hills spreading before them as they grew nearer.
When they reached the land called Hollin by Men, but once called Eregion in happier days, Leannan was exhilarated by the rolling hills with jutting rocks and the horizon so visible now within the shadow of snowy Caradhras.
She jogged through the fields, overstepping rocks and fallen logs and perched herself on top of a protruding boulder. She looked into the distance, arms crossed. Yes indeed, the mountains were near to them. The majestic peaks rising before them, one being the tallest and nearest standing up menacingly, covered in shadow and glowing a faint red where the slant of sunlight hit its snowcapped point.
She breathed in the frigid, wintery air.
"Darkness glowing red,
Like warm fire,
Righteousness is but swords of ice,
That cannot penetrate the flames
For its strength melts in the heat." She sang forlornly, feeling bitterly cold and dejected beneath the towering shadows of the mountains. The fellowship stood below her, staring to at the great structure that stood in the way of their path.
They were talking in low tones and sometime between the catches of conversation, Legolas hopped upon the rocks with Leannan, standing by her side. They did not speak, but listened to others. His presence beside her sent a warmth throughout her chilled body, and she scolded herself for the comfort she felt from his nearness. She had been making a hard effort to keep her distance from him this journey, but sooner or later she would lose her strength, for this elf….he held the power to break down all her barriers.
"Only once before have I seen them from afar in waking life," Gimli was telling them, referring to the mountains. "but I know them and their names, for under them lies Khazad-dum, the Dwarrowdelf, that is now called the Black Pit, Moria in the Elvish tongue."
The dwarf told them more of his knowledge of the mountains, he seemed quite fascinated and Leannan had encountered many dwarves in her lifetime, and knew them to be lovers of the mountains, crafters of rock.
Gandalf had told her the other night by the fire that they were making for the Dimrill Dale, of which they reached through the pass Redhorn Gate, under the far side of Caradhras, and then come down by the Dimrill Stair, deep into the hollows of the Dwarves. And there they would find the River Silverlode.
Merry suddenly questioned what would come after their trek through the mountains and Gandalf paused his conversation with Gimli and the others lapsed into silence.
"To the end of the journey- in the end." Gandalf finally said. "We cannot look to far ahead. Let us be glad that the first stage is safely over."
The decided to rest there for the breezes in the land of Hollin was fresh and nourishing, and they would soon face the icy air of the Caradhras. They lit a fire in a deep dell, of which they cuddled around for some bit of warmth. They planned to rest there for good amount of time, and Leannan was grateful for she needed time alone to calm the storm inside of her, the fears rising of what laid ahead of them.
She left the group shortly after their meal and trekked to the south for awhile, still close enough for the fellowship to see her, but far enough for her to feel secluded somehow.
Lowering herself into the grasses, she propped her head on her arms, and stared up at the sky. A soft, nipping wind picked at her hair and the grass. She closed her eyes and listened to its haunting whispers.
Red flames….ice swords…strength.