Ent Soccer
Thelyn and Alcon took the second watch together which gave them a chance to talk in private. The events of the past couple of days had been interesting, but they were careful what they said in front of Nyére. Alcon glanced at Thelyn thoughtfully and wasn't surprised to see his brother staring at Jamie.
"So, you finally took my advice?" Alcon asked.
"Against my better judgment," Thelyn said.
"And?" Alcon prompted.
A smile crept across his face, "She offered me her heart and calls me… boyfriend," Thelyn said.
Alcon smiled, "You're welcome."
Thelyn chuckled as he turned to his brother, "Thanks."
As the sun made its appearance on the eastern horizon, the travelers were finishing up breakfast. The horses were already saddled and the camp was packed. Nyére ate in solitude away from the others. The rest of them sat together, but Jamie excused herself to go talk to Nyére.
Jamie sat down beside her and gave her a smile. "You can sit with us," Jamie said. "You are a part of this company."
"No, I am not," she said. "You are the only one who trusts me."
"Perhaps if you allowed yourself to trust us, they would feel more comfortable with you," Jamie suggested.
"You are far too young to offer advice," Nyére said with barely masked annoyance in her voice. "What do you know of my people?"
"I know almost nothing about anything in Middle Earth," Jamie said. "You think you're out of place with us? I wasn't even born in this world. If I couldn't learn to trust someone here, I'd probably be dead now. Whatever you're used to where you live has nothing to do with any of us."
"I believe, Jamie, that I trust you," Nyére said. "Do not ask more of me today."
"Well, that's a start," Jamie said. "Where do you lead us today? Along the river?"
"Yes, but we must be wary. There are settlements on the far side of the river. We would not be greeted warmly here," Nyére said.
Legolas' interest was caught by the comment. "Easterlings?"
"If that is your name for evil men," Nyére said cynically. "They are a greedy and destructive people who followed the call of Mordor. When your King destroyed the Dark Lord and gained peace in the west, his followers fled eastward into Rhûn and beyond. There is no fit word in any language to describe their treachery."
"Then we will be cautious," Legolas agreed. He was beginning to understand Nyére's bitterness toward humans. Legolas remembered the battle at the gates and the double dealing of Deckion. "Is there any cover?"
"A few patches of trees here and there, and then the terrain is littered with cliffs and canyons. There is a waterfall ahead and the trail down is difficult," she said.
"Then let's get moving," Legolas said. He didn't like this land. They were surrounded by foes, and there were no allies to call on for aid. The sooner they reached the Entwives, the better.
So the company mounted up and Legolas and Nyére took the lead. Quickbeam's long strides carried him ahead into a small grove they were approaching. The riders picked up their pace to catch up and were relieved to have a little cover on their way. Jamie was in good spirits, and started to sing.
Gaily bedight,
A gallant knight,
In sunshine and in shadow,
Had journeyed long,
Singing a song,
In search of Eldorado.
But he grew old-
This knight so bold-
And o'er his heart a shadow
Fell as he found
No spot of ground
That looked like Eldorado.
And, as his strength
Failed him at length,
He met a pilgrim shadow-
"Shadow," said he,
"Where can it be-
This land of Eldorado?"
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,"
The shade replied-
"If you seek for Eldorado!"
(Eldorado, Poe)
"What is Eldorado, Jamie?" Polodrin asked when she'd finished.
"A legendary city made of gold," Jamie said. "It's a bit of a fairy-tale, really."
Thelyn cocked a brow at the term fairy-tale. "You've used that word before, what's a fairy tale?" he asked her.
"Your mother told fairy tales, don't you remember? Maybe Jamie will tell one, perhaps of the Sleeping Beauty?" Legolas asked.
"That's an excellent idea," Alcon said. "Let's have a tale."
Jamie wondered which version of Sleeping Beauty they'd heard. She wasn't sure she could tell a good fairy tale. Most Fairy tales were a little dark, and she was in a bright mood today. She pondered her options and finally settled on the story of Snow White.
"Once upon a time there was a princess," Jamie began.
"Oh, good," Legolas said. "I like this one."
"Shhh," Polodrin said. "I haven't heard this story. Let her tell it."
Nyére just shook her head at the absurdity of story telling. She tried to ignore it.
"This is not Sleeping Beauty, Legolas," Jamie said. "Now, once upon a time there was a princess named Snow White," Jamie began again. There was silence in the group as she described the evil queen's obsession with being the most beautiful woman in the land.
"'Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is fairest of them all?' the evil queen asked her magic mirror. 'Famed is your beauty queen, but a fair maid I see. Rags cannot hide such delicate beauty, hair black as ebony, lips red as the rose and skin white as snow….' The queen was enraged with vain jealousy, 'Snow White! Alas for her…!'"
As Jamie unfolded the story for them, Polodrin's eyes drifted to Nyére, whom he suddenly realized fit the description of Snow white rather well. Her own attire was dark and drab. She wore black breeches and boots and a dark grey coat. Her cloak was black as well, and yet she seemed to glow. Her silent stern façade was misleading. Polodrin caught glimpses of laughter in her eyes, though not directed at him. She was not always as solemn as she appeared now.
Legolas found the seven dwarves to be a most interesting part of the story. His thoughts drifted to his friend Gimli now ruling the Crystal Caves in Rohan. It had been too long since he visited him.
Jamie finally reached the part where the Dwarves placed Snow white in the glass coffin and everyone seemed to think that was the end. There was grumbling about the sad ending.
"Leave it to Jamie to tell a sad tale," Alcon said with a frown.
"Well, if you'd let me finish," Jamie said in annoyance.
"Oh, good, there's more," Polodrin said.
"SHHH!" Legolas said. "Go ahead, Jamie."
Jamie finished with the happy ending where the Prince's kiss awakens her, and he carries her off to his castle. Legolas smiled. These Fairy tales all end the same way.
"That's better," Alcon said. "A good tale."
Nyére was unimpressed. Such stories promised happiness to little girls, but they were false dreams. Nyére stopped looking for happiness that wasn't there long ago.
Polodrin rode over to Nyére. "How amazing the resemblance between you and the fair princess of the story," he said with a smile. "Are you a princess in disguise?"
Nyére's eyes suddenly doubled in size at the bold question. "What?" she gasped, and then quickly recovered her composure. "Don't be absurd! What would a princess be doing riding across the countryside?"
"Then tell me, Nyére," Polodrin said seriously. "Who are you?"
Legolas was most interested in her answer, but she brushed the question aside.
"No one of consequence," she said quietly. "I am the last, and indeed the least, of a group sent to seek the Voice. We found trouble often along the way. I was near my own end when you found me."
"What secret are you carrying, lady? It seems very heavy," Polodrin asked with tenderness in his voice.
"None that could be shared," she said firmly.
Jamie glanced at Thelyn and he gave her a smile. She seemed to be in good spirits today, but there was concern in her eyes. He wondered what she was worrying about.
Up ahead they could hear the roar of a waterfall, and could see the cliffs. Legolas led them into the cover of the trees and halted.
"Let us rest here before descending," he suggested.
"We should keep moving," Nyére said nervously. "This is not a safe place."
Legolas could see genuine fear in her blue-green eyes. She had not shown the slightest hint of fear until this moment.
"What happened here before?" he asked.
"We had the misfortune of meeting a large party of your Easterlings," she said. "We lost several of our company in the battle. The sight of any Elves here would be seen as a challenge."
"Then we will have to stay hidden," Legolas said. "The trail is long and steep. We need to rest first."
Their lunch was brief, but Jamie was grateful for the time out of the saddle. Her derriere wasn't used to riding all the time. Thelyn sat beside her and held her hand. It was a simple and innocent sign of affection, but one that was easily interpreted by all. Polodrin frowned at the gesture and Nyére was completely disgusted. She glared at the pair as she crossed to the opposite edge of the camp.
Legolas followed and confronted her. "Is it love that you object to, or the fact that she is not an Elf?"
"He dishonors his family," she said bitterly.
"You know nothing of his family, or of honor," Legolas said angrily.
"I have done nothing dishonorable," she said defensively.
"You treat Jamie with polite tolerance because you need her," Legolas said heatedly, "and you show Lord Polodrin complete disdain. They are my friends and have more honor than you can possibly know. Polodrin risked his life to save you in the forest yet you treat him as an enemy. Where is your honor, Avari?"
Nyére looked across the camp to Polodrin. He was smiling and laughing with Alcon. His long unruly hair and scruffy beard made him look like any other human warrior. Perhaps he had a nobler birth than those she'd seen, but where was the difference? He saw her watching and gave her a warm smile. There was the difference. In his eyes she saw an absence of malice. His smile was genuine. How strange that she had not seen it before. She sighed and walked over to him. She glanced at Alcon who politely excused himself. Polodrin looked at her expectantly and Nyére realized this was going to be very hard.
"I have treated you unkindly, Lord of the West. I dishonor myself and my family with me rudeness. I offer you my apology, and my thanks for your timely and selfless rescue in the forest," she said softly as she stared at the ground between them.
She had spoken slowly and deliberately and he could see how difficult it was for her. He reached out and gently lifted her chin to look in her eyes. "I accept your gracious apology, Lady, and in return I offer you my friendship, if you will have it," he said.
Nyére stepped back out of his reach but held his gaze. She seemed to be sizing him up and he waited for her answer.
"You would not make such an offer if you knew me better, Lord," she said seriously. "I have been an enemy to your people all the days of my life."
"I will be the judge of whom I deem fit to call my friend. My offer still stands," Polodrin said firmly.
She caught a charming, if mischievous, glint in his eye and decided to take a chance. "I accept," she said. "You may regret your offer before our journey ends."
Polodrin just smiled, "We shall see, Lady, we shall see."
Nyére wasn't sure she liked the sound of that. It seemed to be meant in jest, but it was too much like a challenge. If she was going to be friends with a human, she would have to get used to their humor.
Legolas seemed pleased to see the pair make peace and he decided they should get moving. Nyére showed them the trail they had used before, and they navigated their way down the cliff cautiously. There were no songs or stories. The need for quiet watchfulness was greater than the need for conversation. They reached the base of the cliff and gazed up at the powerful falls. It was as impressive a sight as the falls of Rauros. There was still the cover of trees here, and Legolas suggested they retreat back into the wood.
Unfortunately, they were already discovered by a band of twenty Easterling riders. Legolas frowned at the bad luck to be caught between the river and the enemy.
"What have we here, Endrion? Elves in our territory, and they have the nerve to flaunt their women!" a rough looking bald man said angrily. "That one is a human!" he added pointing to a very nervous looking Jamie.
Thelyn, Polodrin, Alcon and Legolas quickly maneuvered their horses between the Easterlings and the ladies. Legolas addressed them.
"We seek no trouble in your realm, we are merely traveling through. Let us pass in peace," he said with authority.
"Oh, no little Elf," the angry bald man said. "You must pay tribute to gain passage here."
Polodrin was appalled by their daring. "We will pay no tribute to…!"
Legolas quickly interrupted Polodrin's outburst, "What tribute?"
"Only a very small little thing," the bald man said, "We'll take the women."
Thelyn's face twisted in fury, "Never!"
Jamie went pale at the thought, but Nyére spoke up, "What guarantee do you give of their safe passage?" she asked as she rode forward.
Endrion gasped when he saw her and turned to their bald leader. "The Elf princess is worth a dozen human wenches," he said under his breath.
The bald man looked at Nyére with interest. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully a moment and then pointed at her. "Give us the dark one and you may pass. I give my word."
"The word of a tree cutter," a deep voice boomed from behind them in the trees. The ground rumbled as Quickbeam emerged from the grove and towered over the Easterlings. "The word of a tree cutter is not to be trusted! You can cut a tree, but can you swim?" he asked angrily as he swung back a great foot and kicked the nearest horse and rider into the river.
Legolas smirked and motioned for everyone to get out of Quickbeam's way. An angry Ent is a formidable warrior. Four horses and riders found themselves in the raging river before anyone had time to react. Legolas and the twins took out several riders with their bows, and Polodrin got a couple with his sword. Nyére managed to get one, and Jamie just tried to stay out of the way. The battle was over in minutes with the Easterlings either dead, or swimming. The rider less horses ran away, and Jamie rode over to where Quickbeam stood.
"What did you find in the wood?" she asked quietly.
"Treachery," Quickbeam said.
Jamie looked through the trees and saw dozens of tree stumps and fallen trees. They were clear cutting, that is why they were here. How awful for Quickbeam to see that.
"Some of them might live," Alcon said as he watched them getting carried down stream. "We should get going."
"Let's go," Legolas said.
Polodrin rode beside Nyére for a while and finally decided to say it. "Princess, eh?"
"Never trust an Easterling, Lord Polodrin," she said lightly. "They're just men, you know."
Polodrin chuckled at the obvious jest. "You would know, Snow White," he said with a smirk.
"If I were a princess, I wouldn't be one that needed rescuing," she said. "And you are no Prince."
"Actually…" Thelyn started to say but Polodrin cleared his throat loudly.
"Never mind, Thelyn," Polodrin said quickly. "Leave it alone."
They found a good place to camp as dusk approached. It was a draw between two hills with brush for cover. Alcon suggested they not have a fire, but Legolas decided to risk it. Jamie sat with Quickbeam, but he didn't feel much like talking. Dinner was fish again, and Thelyn sat with Jamie again, holding her hand.
"How long has that been going on?" Nyére asked Alcon.
"It is new," he admitted. "She is too young for him to formally court her; they are still getting to know each other."
"And that does not bother you?" she asked in confusion.
"No," Alcon said. "I encouraged him."
"Whatever for?" she asked in astonishment.
"Love is not a respecter of peoples," he said. "She is worthy of him, and I approve."
Nyére had no answer for that. This was a strange company to be so accepting of each other. It was a foreign concept for her. She went to her bed in silence and lay down to sleep. Shortly after, she saw Thelyn kiss Jamie's hand and walk her to her blanket.
"Goodnight, Jamie," he said softly. "Sleep well, we will keep watch."
When he left, Nyére asked her a question. "You and Thelyn?"
"Yes," Jamie said.
"His eyes light up for you," Nyére said. "You are lucky."
"Very," Jamie admitted wistfully.
Nyére just sighed. The girl was obviously just as taken with him as he was with her.