Hidden Valley
The company returned to the river to quickly break down their camp and they were greeted by Quickbeam. He had already filled the canteens and packed up all the saddlebags.
"Hoom-hum, we must leave now," he said to Jamie. "There is whisperings among the trees that we are going to be attacked."
Everyone was saddling their horses and gathering their things. Jamie slid off Thelyn's horse and headed over to where Starsong was tied up.
She just rolled her eyes and said, "Yeah, we know. I think everyone should eat before we get going."
Aragorn nodded, "A good idea, we'll be riding hard, everyone grab some fish, we'll eat in the saddle."
So they were off, and the moon was all they had to light their way. They rode at a light pace while they ate, and then they rode with urgency. Aragorn took the point along with Legolas, keeping watch for signs of ambush. Jamie and Nyére rode in the center of the rest of the company and Quickbeam brought up the rear. They crossed the rolling hills of the meadowlands with all speed and came into the foothills during the early morning. Aragorn halted them and looked toward the great pass between the peaks. He looked to Nyére for directions.
"There are many hidden paths here, do you know which way?" he asked.
"No, I have never been here," she said. "I only know that the gardens should be up there."
Aragorn sighed. It would be dawn soon, and the advantage of darkness would be lost. He looked at Jamie and was struck by the answer he needed. "Jamie, the time has come for you to lead us."
Jamie looked up at the mountains and paled. "I don't know which way," she protested.
Quickbeam spoke up, "You choose the path that seems right to you, and if you feel lost, sing."
Jamie sighed and gave him a nod. There was only one way that looked safe, so she took it, and everyone followed. They weaved their way through canyons and between hills as they gradually climbed. The trees were few, and silent, so Jamie ignored them. The Entwives were not tree herders, they were gardeners. As the sky lightened ahead of them with the coming dawn, Jamie came to a crossroads. Both ways looked equally promising, and she could not decide. She paused a moment, looking from one side to the next. Everyone waited quietly, and finally, Jamie started to sing…
By a route obscure and lonely, haunted by ill angels only, where an Eidolon, named NIGHT, on a black throne reigns upright... I have reached these lands but newly from an ultimate dim Thule... From a wild clime that lieth, sublime... Out of SPACE- out of TIME."
The stillness of the early morning was interrupted by the soft whisper of wind that suddenly came up and teased their hair as they waited. On the right path nothing happened, but on the left flowers sprang up and the trees parted invitingly. Jamie continued her song and followed the flowers.
"...By the mountains- near the river Murmuring lowly, murmuring ever, -By the grey woods..."(Excerpts from Dreamland,Edgar Allan Poe)
And as she sang, they passed through a canyon that was bright with flowers of all varieties. The cliff walls were covered with plush creeping vines and on the right was a lazy trickling waterfall that fed a babbling brook that crossed their path. They emerged from the canyon into a quiet wood, and Jamie suddenly stopped singing. The trees were pressed in tightly, almost completely blocking their way, and they were speaking rudely to her.
Go away, go away, none may enter here, go away…
Jamie had come too far to be insulted by antisocial trees. She got off her horse and walked up to the nearest tree and stood firmly, with her hands on her hips. "Oh, no you don't!" she said angrily. "You will step aside for me."
The trees hissed and Quickbeam almost spoke up, but then Jamie started to sing, and the trees silenced. Her song was old, older than the first age, older than even his memory could call up. Quickbeam was in awe of the language that poured elegantly from her, and the trees were also moved. After a few moments, the trees trembled and then bowed. Jamie just kept singing and finally the trees moved, revealing a clear path through into the valley. Jamie continued her song as she mounted up and led them through. The forest was old and the trees all trembled as they passed.
Everyone in the company was mesmerized by the sudden display of power from one so young and innocent. Thelyn stared at Jamie in admiration. He knew that when the time came she would find the confidence to use her gift, and she did. As the sun finally broke over the horizon they emerged from the wood and gazed out into a beautiful green valley. Jamie thought it looked a little like a Japanese tea garden, meticulously groomed, but made to look natural. It was an absolutely breathtaking sight, and she gasped, abruptly ending her song.
"You found it," Aragorn said softly.
Quickbeam strode ahead at a brisk walk, gradually increasing his pace to a near run. Everyone tried to see where he was going, and finally they saw her. A tall, graceful looking Entmaid with features not unlike a willow tree looked up from her gardening and smiled.
"Who is that?" Nyére asked Jamie.
Jamie smiled, remembering Quickbeam's story of his lost love. "That would be Willowhair," she said with a smile. "And I believe they are happy to see each other again."
"What are you talking about, Erveryo? You are not making sense. Slow down and start from the beginning," Ondollo said in frustration.
"My lord, your daughter lives, I have seen her," Erveryo said, "She travels with a group of Elves from the west, and several… humans."
"Why did you not rescue her?" Ondollo demanded angrily.
"She was not their prisoner; she was there by choice, and refused to return. She had the Taure Lirilla with her," Erveryo said.
"What? You do not believe in such things, and nor do I," Ondollo scoffed.
"You should pay heed to your new captain," Pallando said as he rounded the corner taking a puff on his pipe.
"And what foolishness would please you today wizard? Shall I beg a song from a stranger to grow flowers on my head?" Ondollo asked sarcastically.
"You mock what you do not understand," Pallando said in annoyance. "Soon I will return to my home whether your people choose to follow or not."
"Farewell, blue wizard," Ondollo said. "Don't let me keep you."
"Mark me, Ondollo, and mark me well," Pallando said angrily. "Your arrogance will doom all your people to a bitter and bloody end. Very soon you will be faced with some choices. You will live or die by your words."
Ondollo glared at his unwelcome adviser, "You have brought nothing but grief into my house. Depart in peace if that is your wish, but trouble me no more with your lectures. I gave up on choices long ago. Our people were doomed in the beginning when my father refused the call. There is no choice left to us but survival among these barbarians."
"You are just like your father, Ondollo. You are blind and deaf to all but your own beliefs, and they are false. Your daughter will never return," Pallando said.
"Speak not of my daughter!" Ondollo retorted angrily. "She will return, for the guard will go and retrieve her with whatever force Erveryo deems necessary."
Erveryo bowed, "As you command, Lord Ondollo." And then he departed.
Pallando threw his pipe on the floor, "Fool of an Elf. You already make the wrong choice. I am through with you. Alatar was right; you are the king of fools. I should have left with him, but I stayed out of hope."
"What hope?" Ondollo asked.
"The hope that your daughter would have the wisdom you have lost," Pallando said.
"Then you are a bigger fool than I," Ondollo said. "My daughter is a traitor."
Pallando stormed out of the room, grabbing his hat off the table as he went. He snorted angrily and called back over his shoulder, "She loves your people more than you do. I leave you to your folly, Ondollo. I've done with you." And with that, the Blue wizard donned his tall pointed hat and stalked down to the stables to get his horse. "Fool," he muttered under his breath. "There's naught to do now but see to the safety of the princess and her company."
As the day progressed in the peaceful valley, the Entwives all gathered in their meadow to greet their visitors. There were nearly a dozen of them, and as they came into the meadow, they formed a great circle and started to sing in Entish. Jamie could swear she saw stars in Quickbeam's eyes as he watched Willowhair. The riders waited on the edge of the meadow while the Ents all talked.
"Well, you've done it," Thelyn said brightly. "You found the Entwives."
Jamie smiled, but she could hear the singing, and knew they were arguing about leaving their gardens. "I found them, but will they return?"
"That will have to be up to them," Aragorn said. "You have done your part."
Jamie nodded, "And now that this is done, what about you, Nyére?"
"I expect I will go home and face my father," Nyére said with a sigh.
"You do not have to," Legolas said seriously. "You are welcome to return to Ithilien. You will be welcome in my wood."
Nyére smiled, "Thank you, but I don't think that would be wise. My father would not permit it." In truth, Nyére thought her father would sooner see her dead than see her leave, but she wouldn't say that.
The Entwives had finished talking and Quickbeam called Jamie over. She went to the center of the circle and waited.
"They would hear the song," Quickbeam said.
"What song?" Jamie asked.
"Your song," Willowhair said. "You carry a song, we would hear it."
Jamie sighed and closed her eyes. She pictured the forest by her home, and she imagined she was there, listening to the Redwoods' voices whispering to her. She smiled and lifted up her voice. The language was of the old ones before the dawn of time, but the melody was Jamie's. She stood as if in a trance, swaying slightly as her song filled the valley. The Entwives seemed lost in the music, and then they started to sing with her. Like a great cathedral choir the music rose majestically, and the garden bloomed as if the spring had returned. Jamie's companions watched in awe.
"That is incredible," Bergo said.
"What is she singing? Is it Entish?" Fretho asked.
"It is the old tongue," Legolas said. "None now live that could translate it. Some of the words are still used by the Elves, but I cannot understand."
"How could she know the old speech?" Aragorn asked in surprise.
Thelyn shook his head as he watched her sway dreamily, "She doesn't, it is the gift. Look at her, she is singing from her dreams."
The song seemed to go on for hours, and Jamie ended it before collapsing this time. She bowed to Wandlimb, the oldest and wisest of the Entwives, and stood on shaky knees to wait for their reply.
"Your song has moved us, Taure Lirilla, Wandlimb said. "We will return with Quickbeam to the west and the Ents. Your quest is fulfilled; you and your friends may go. Gather your supplies from the bounty of our garden and depart in peace. Thank you."
Jamie bowed again and returned to the others before dropping down onto the grass. She sat a moment to catch her breath and Thelyn sat beside her.
"Are you alright?" Thelyn asked.
Jamie smiled weakly, "Yes, it's just tiring singing like that. They will return with Quickbeam. Our part is finished, and we are welcome to their garden for supplies. We have been… dismissed."
Aragorn smiled. Ents did not worry over manners as men did. It was not insulting, and would be just as well. Perhaps they could sneak past Erveryo on the way home.
They wandered through the orchards and gardens and found all varieties of fruits and nuts, vegetables and flowers. They gathered what they thought they could use before it spoiled and departed. Near the exit of the valley, Quickbeam stood and waited. Jamie smiled up at him.
"I'll miss you," she said with a smile.
"We'll depart in good time," Quickbeam said. "Entwives are not a hasty sort. I would expect to see you in the spring."
"You may visit her in Ithilien," Thelyn said with a smile.
Aragorn cocked a brow at that and said, "She'll be staying in Minas Tirith until she is old enough to wed."
Thelyn blushed, and Quickbeam laughed. "I will follow her song. Farewell gentle hearted singer. Listen to the trees. The forest will always protect you."
With everyone's farewells to Quickbeam, Jamie led them back down the mountain. The farther from the gardens they got, the more nervous Nyére became. Polodrin rode beside her, and she tried to look calm for him.
"I won't let them take you," Polodrin said quietly so that only she could hear. "That forest is not safe for you."
Nyére didn't like the thought of him dying to protect her. She'd never forgive herself if that happened. "What if I want to go?"
Polodrin looked at her seriously. "What if I asked you to stay with me?"
Nyére never answered, there was no time. Jamie had led the riders back down onto the rolling meadows, and up from the tall grass sprang dozens of Elf Archers with their bows drawn and ready. Erveryo stood before them with a smug expression on his face.
"Welcome home Princess," he said. "Come, and we will let the Elves in your company live."
"And what of the others?" Nyére challenged.
"The only good human is a dead human," Erveryo said with a sneer.
Jamie looked to the forest, it wasn't far. She placed herself between Erveryo and Nyére and spoke up. "She will go if she wants and not because of your threats. Tell them to lower their weapons."
"Jamie, no!" Nyére said.
Jamie just glared at him, but Erveryo was unmoved. "Or what?" he asked as he drew his sword.
Jamie just started to sing, and the ground around them shook. The expressions on the Elves faces changed from smug to terrified. The trees of the forest started to move, and all Erveryo could think to do was bark orders.
"Kill her! Kill her!" Erveryo shouted.
Thelyn heard his cries and rode over to Jamie to pull her out of harm's way, but by the time he reached her, she vanished just as an arrow flew over her saddle. He jerked back on the reins just in time to avoid the arrow, and his horse reared up.
"Jamie! Jamie!" he called but she was no where in sight.
The elves all ran as the trees marched toward them. Erveryo shouted, "Make it stop!"
The riders stayed together, and the trees ignored them, following Erveryo's archers as they fled. But then another rider appeared from within the trees and he rode over to them. He wore a blue cloak and tunic with a tall wide brimmed hat. His long beard was golden brown with gray peppered through it. He looked at Nyére and gave her a friendly wink, and she laughed. Then he looked at Erveryo, still desperately trying to bark orders.
"None can stop it but the girl you would have killed," Pallando said.
"Where is she? Tell her to stop it!" he yelled.
"She is gone," Pallando said. "I sent her home where you cannot hurt her."
The trees continued to roam, and Erveryo had to keep dodging them. "Then you stop it, Wizard," he yelled.
"I will stop it when you swear that you will not harm these riders, or try to take the princess back to the wood," Pallando said.
Erveryo looked at Nyére and frowned, "I swear it."
Pallando smiled and raised his staff. He chanted a spell, and the trees returned to their places. He smirked at the captain who was visibly shaken. "Return to your lord and warn him against bringing war on anyone. If he tries to leave the wood with an army, I will command the forest to destroy everyone within the wood."
Erveryo paled, "But you are our ally…"
"I am the ally of peace," Pallando said. "Now go."
Erveryo shouted for his archers to retreat and then he disappeared into the wood. Thelyn held the reins to Jamie's horse and stared at the blue wizard in horror.
"Where is she?" he asked weakly, too stunned to fully grasp what just happened.
"Her journey was completed," Pallando said. "I sent her home to her mother in her own wood. She will be safe there."
Thelyn paled, "But… she wanted to stay with me."
Nyére felt a lump in her throat. Thelyn looked as though he'd been stabbed in the heart. She looked at Pallando and interceded.
"Master Pallando, bring her back," she said. "She and Thelyn have pledged their love and were to marry when she came of age."
Pallando's expression softened, "Sorry, I cannot just wave my staff and bring her back. The choice must be hers."
"Then send me to her," Thelyn said firmly.
"No, Thelyn!" Alcon said quickly.
"That may not be wise," Aragorn said. "You know nothing of her world."
Pallando sighed. "Let me think on a solution," he said. "I find that I must travel west. May I join your company, King Elessar?"
"You know me?" Aragorn asked.
"Indeed, and Gandalf was most fond of you. My purpose here is finished now, and I must return home. I will enjoy a little company on my way."
"Then welcome," Aragorn said.
Pallando looked at Thelyn who just stared blankly at Jamie's empty saddle. "She was a little young, don't you think?"
Thelyn glared at him, "We knew that, we planned to wait."
Pallando smiled, "Waiting will be much easier now."