(chapter 10)

He stood on the river's edge that evening, holding the dark red pouch in his hands. Inside was her silver ring and necklace. He remembered taking them off of her long ago, just after her capture. Tonight, he would give them back to her. It was the least he could do, under the circumstances. He wanted to do so much more. All they had to do was figure out which way to go once they reached the Falls. They'd leave in the morning on foot.

Sighing, he turned around and found her standing not far behind him. Her hands were clasped in front of her, and as was her custom on this journey, she watched him. 'She's beautiful, even in the dim light of evening.' he thought as he looked back at her. She looked content, and wore a slight smile. He knew he'd probably never be able to make up for everything he had done to her, but from now on, he would do his best to do it.

She moved closer to him. Wordlessly, she reached up and brushed a stray lock of hair from his face, and then looked into his eyes. 'His eyes! They are not completely white anymore!' she thought. She gasped a little in surprise and smiled even more. He had golden brown eyes that off-set the midnight black of his hair. They were intense and filled with raw emotion, much different than before. Instead of the raw lust, she saw love.

He moved slightly, and she looked at his hands. She saw the pouch he was holding and wondered what was inside it. Glancing back up at him, he noticed the question in her eyes. Steeling himself against the sudden nervousness, he pulled the pouch open and took out the black silk that wrapped the jewelery. She watched as he continued to unwrap the black silk. Once he was finished, he held out the jewelery to her.

"Where did you get these?" she asked him in amazement.

"I took them from you after your capture. You weren't awake yet. I put them away and forgot about them until just before we escaped."

She nodded and then took the necklace from his hands. Holding it up, she saw two small charms. Both were leaves, one was silver and the other gold. Standing back a little, she place the necklace around her neck. A strange, familiar feeling washed over her. Looking at him, she reached up and touched the charms.

Suddenly she felt the earth lurch and her sight became clouded. She heard the voice of a woman talking quickly to her.

"You must go, my daughter. Go to Gondolin and to safety."

"But mother, I cannot leave you!"

"You must!" Overhead, the sounds of fighting could be heard. Her mother grabbed her hand and they ran toward an entrance leading up and out into the forest of Neldoreth.

"There is a passage to the Esgalduin. There you'll find a landing with boats. I hope they have not been taken. If you find one, use it to go upriver to Gondolin. You must tell them that Maeglin is your father at the gates. He has become well-known there. If they still refuse you entry, tell them that you seek sanctuary and must see King Turgon. Tell him that Menegroth and Doriath have fallen."

Her mother then took out a necklace and a ring. Placing the necklace around her neck and the ring on her finger. She gathered her up in a strong embrace.

"This necklace was given to me from Queen Melian. She told me to give it to you. She also said that should this necklace be taken off or removed, you would not remember anything about your life here, and the name you would assume is Morniel. The leaf charms are representative of both Belthil and Glingal, the silver and gold trees of Gondolin. I hope those at the gate recognize them."

"Will I see you again, mother?"

"My dearest Geliriel. I wish that it would be so, but I think we shall not see each other again in this life. I must go back and help those that need it. It is you that must get to safety."

Her mother kissed her forehead, and then pushed Geliriel toward the river. Geliriel turned and ran, but turned back to look upon her mother one last time. Both raised their hands in farewell.

"Namarie, mother. I love you." she whispered.

She had managed to get the last boat and had began her journey upriver. She stopped, one night, at the northern-most part of Brethil. She made camp, but was suddenly attacked by a group of men. She escaped and ran into the forest, the men not far behind. She ran blindly, slipped and fell. Struggling to rise, she was hit from behind and her world went dark.


"Morniel, wake up! Morniel!"

Raven was frantic. Morniel had fainted after she touched the charms. He was about to take them off again when she came to and stayed his hand.

"My name is Geliriel, not Morniel."

"Geliriel?" he asked as she slowly sat up. Somehow, he liked this name better.

"Yes, Geliriel. My mother gave me this necklace, and the ring you still hold."

Raven didn't hear her last words, for he had seen two boats heading toward them. Then, one of the men stood and shot an arrow at them. It missed. Raven bent to pick up Geliriel and ran with her into the fens. He didn't know how the hunters had found them. He could only hope he could lose them and get away.

After a while, Geliriel made him stop and put her down. Making sure she was steady enough on her own two feet, he grabbed her hand and they took off running. Their goal was to get to the Falls. From there they'd have to decide which direction to go. Should they go west, they'd certainly have to climb the Andram to get to the other side of the Falls. He wasn't sure if she'd be in any condition to do so. Should they go east, there wouldn't be any climbing, but it would be a difficult walk. He remained undecided for a time. If they ever got the chance to stop, he'd ask her which way she'd go.

They ran on relatively sturdy ground and in the shallows. They were growing weary. He suddenly spied a large cypress and ran to it. They would either hide up in its branches, or if possible, within its trunk. They'd rest there and discuss their next route. With the roar of the Falls growing louder, it seemed less of a chance for the hunters to follow the sounds of their flight.