Silverhelm's Heirs
Draven, warlord of the southern region, halted his riders at a safe distance from the Elves' campfire. He hated Avari, especially meddling Avari that disrupted his plans. They'd killed his men, save one who managed to escape and report. But that was less bothersome than the blatant theft of his prize, the children. Five long years he'd searched for Colwin Silverhelm's heirs. The boy was rightful Overlord by blood right. As long as he lived, none could claim the position or long hold it buy force. But Draven was a wise warlord. He knew what would place him in line for leadership of the territory, the daughter. She was nearly come of age and ripe for the taking. He would marry her and kill the boy. None could oppose his right to rule with Silverhelm's daughter at his side.
"Lord, there is no sign of the children in the camp," Locke said as he rode back from scouting ahead.
Draven suddenly smiled, "Then they are fools. Is it possible they did not even know who they were?"
"It appears so," Locke said. "The woman is disguised as a boy. The Elves have seen us and are preparing to cross the river."
"We will not have to engage them after all," Draven said with a satisfied smile. "Split up and search for the children. Bring them both to me, unharmed."
The riders split into three groups of ten and went in search of Draven's prize.
Alcon and Thelyn spotted the two children leaving camp along the banks of the river. In minutes they had mounted up and took up the trail, but Cilmo called them back before they could find them. Alcon didn't want to break off the search, but Cilmo had sounded quite serious. The twins turned and rode back to see what the matter was.
"Why did you call us, we nearly found them," Alcon said in exasperation.
"Let the boys go, Alcon, they are Easterlings and none of our concern," Cilmo said seriously. "We have bigger problems. A large party of Easterling riders has been following us, and they are nearly upon us."
"How many?" Thelyn asked, glancing across camp to Jamie with concern.
"Thirty," Legolas said as he rode into camp from the west. "They are not far now, and seem to be halted to plain their attack."
"We have to get the women across the river," Thelyn said.
"We can all cross immediately," Cilmo said. "They will not cross, they fear the wood."
Alcon looked back along the shore thoughtfully. "Why follow us? There were few men at that farm. Why risk the loss of more?"
"They hate the Avari," Cilmo said. "They would want revenge."
"So we run away, and leave the boys out here alone to be killed?" Alcon asked.
"Alcon…" Thelyn started to say but saw the look on his brother's face and just sighed. Why fight it? "I'll help you find them; we can cross the river farther down when we find your adopted children. Polodrin can look after Jamie for me until we return."
"Thank you Thelyn," Alcon said.
Cilmo glared at the two but didn't protest their decision to remain. "Fine, we'll get everyone safely out of harm's way."
"I'll stay with them," Ambartur said. "They may run into trouble."
"We'll stay as well," Shaalth said, nodding at his brothers Lindar and Ohtar. "You can take charge of the crossing and look after the Ladies."
Tinechor and Anwaner just exchanged looks and Cilmo frowned, "I suppose you think you're staying out here, too?"
Legolas just looked at Cilmo with a shrug, "You know the wood well, Cilmo. You take Polodrin and the ladies across; we'll make sure those boys are alright. We'll follow as soon as we can."
Cilmo looked at Nyére and frowned, "So, this is how our world has changed. We have to risk our lives for the sons of our enemies."
Nyére smiled as she finished packing her bag and mounted up, "It is worth it, Cilmo, and you like the boys whether you admit it or not."
Cilmo glared at the river bank where the boys had run. "Polodrin can see to the ladies, you'll need another sword if you're to face thirty."
It was about that time that Polodrin returned from scouting the enemy's position. He rode in quickly.
"They have separated and are searching. They managed to slip a scout past us and got a look at the camp. They are avoiding us but actively searching the area," Polodrin said. "I heard one of the men say they wanted the children."
Alcon paled, "What?" He thought of Godwin and felt his blood boiling at the thought of anyone harming him. Forwin was no warrior. They'd be at the mercy of their captors as soon as they were found.
Cilmo was suddenly angry, "My lady, you and Jamie must cross alone. Wait for us at the Stone Glen."
Nyére nodded and waited for Jamie to mount up. "We'll be there, you just be careful, all of you." She looked at Polodrin who gave her a smile.
Thelyn looked at Jamie and she gave him a nod. "I'll be fine, go find the children."
The two women in the party rode down the banks and headed into the chilly river. The water was deep, but the current was slower here. The horses swam, carrying their riders safely to shore. The rest of their company rode south along the shore and fanned out. They searched carefully but remained wary of their lurking enemies. This was a race, but they knew it would end in a battle. You just never know what an Elf may choose to care about.
Draven led his men south and cut over to the shore. He was pleased that the Elves no longer held Colwin's children. It made things much easier. Soon he would kill the heir and marry the wench. It didn't' matter if she was pretty, as long as her blood established his claim on the territory. It was time the land was united again, under a leader that was strong. Colwin Silverhelm had been a weak Overlord, too delicate to rule. He banned slavery and demanded peace among the warlords. But Endrion had led his men to a revolt and killed him. He tried to take the Overlord position, but wasn't strong enough to keep it. Now he was dead, leaving none to oppose Draven save the dirt farmers. And the common people loved Colwin. They would follow his blood without question. He had to find Silverhelm's whelps before anyone else did.
The fire was leaping from the palace walls and the screaming was relentless. Lyneya ran from her room and was confronted by a large man with his bloody sword. She screamed and her screams were answered by Reynor, her father's captain. He killed the intruder and hugged the child.
"Your father asked me to care for you, child. Where is your brother?" Reynor asked.
Lyneya sobbed, "In the nursery with Merewyn."
Reynor headed down the hall at a run, leading his lord's orphaned twelve year old, and burst through the door, scaring the nurse nearly to death. "Gather up Godwin and a couple blankets, the Overlord is dead, we must flee with the children."
"Papa?" Lyneya cried. "Papa is… dead?"
"Shhh, old Reynor will take care of you," he said as he hugged her tight. "But right now you must be brave, we must hurry."
Lyneya wiped the tears from her eyes and sniffled, "I am brave, like papa."
Reynor looked at her with scrutiny. They would be looking for a girl and an infant. He looked at Merewyn, "Give me the baby, you cut her hair and dress her as a boy, hurry."
Merewyn acted quickly, without question. When the disguise was complete she smiled at her charge and said, "You cannot be Lyneya anymore, today I name you Forwin, after the son I lost…"
Lyneya was startled awake by her little brother suddenly jerking in her arms. She looked at him and could see he was having a nightmare. Poor kid saw them kill Reynor and Merewyn. To him, they were all the parents he had ever known. He had no idea he was so important. She just had to keep him safe.
"Godwin, wake up," she whispered. "You're dreaming."
Godwin stirred and looked up at his sister, "Lyneya, I'm scared. I don't like being alone, I want my mom and dad."
"I know, Godwin, I want them back too, but they are gone," Lyneya said. "You have me, and I'll never leave you."
"Why'd we leave? Alcon was nice to us, they all were," Godwin asked.
"They have their place and we have ours," Lyneya said. "They were going home to their woods. You and I don't belong there."
"Where do we belong, Lyneya?" Godwin asked.
Lyneya hugged him and sighed, "I'll find us a place, and don't call me Lyneya. My name is Forwin."
"When can you be my sister again?" Godwin asked.
"When we're finally safe from the bad men," Lyneya said. "The moon is sinking, we should get moving while we still have a little darkness to hide us."
Lyneya listened carefully and all seemed quiet so she and Godwin crawled out of their hiding place. She was uneasy and suspicious so she searched the horizon for signs of the Elves, but saw no one. It was a relief to be free. She took her brother's hand and led him south along the shore again. But they had not gone far before they heard horses. She grabbed Godwin and dove in the bushes.
"Here, Draven! They are here!" Locke shouted as he rode down the banks with two other men.
Lyneya unsheathed her dagger and waited. They were still looking around; maybe they didn't see where they'd hidden. Soon the three riders were joined by six more and an older looking ruffian dismounted and looked around.
"Well?" Draven asked as he glared at Locke.
Locke just smiled triumphantly and pointed right at them. "There they are," he said smugly.
Lyneya waited for him to get closer and then shoved Godwin back out of harm's way and lunged at the warlord with dagger in hand and fury in her eyes. But Draven was a warrior, and easily stepped aside and disarmed her. She fell face first on the ground and he just put a foot on her back to hold her.
"Well, well, well," Draven said. "What have I caught here?"
"Filthy warlord let us go!" Lyneya shouted.
Draven looked into the bushes at the cowering boy and smiled. He drew his sword and held the point right above Lineya's neck.
"Come out boy or I'll just drive my sword right through…" Draven slowly lowered his sword but was interrupted by Godwin's terrified shout.
"NO! I'll come out, just don't hurt Forwin!" Godwin cried as he crawled out of the bushes. "Please don't."
Draven sheathed his sword and nodded to Locke who tied up the boy. He didn't want to kill him just yet. He might need him to control the woman, if indeed she was under all that filth and rags. He took his foot off her back and she rolled away and leapt to her feet.
"Let him go, he is but a boy," Lyneya said angrily.
Draven's face turned serious, "Indeed? If that is true, then you are a boy as well?"
"I am Forwin, the son of a simple farmer whom your men killed," Lyneya said.
Draven smirked, this was too much fun. He stepped forward and she didn't back down. He lifted her chin and looked at her face. She was a beauty, and her hair would grow out again. He looked her up and down and frowned, "You're quite thin for a boy, and you look too pretty."
"I'm young sir, my beard has not come in yet," Lyneya explained.
"Indeed?" Draven said as he nodded for one of his men to tie her up. When her hands were secure, he grabbed the collar of her tunic and ripped it open, exposing the sheer linen shirt underneath. He smiled and pushed the tunic back and gazed lustfully at the cleavage he'd exposed. "I do hope your face does not grow a beard, my lady. My wife will look odd in my hall with whiskers."
"Bastard, I'll never marry you, I'd die first!"
Draven glared at her in fury and ripped her shirt open. She had bandages wrapped tightly around her chest and he took a knife and carefully cut them, exposing her full breasts for his men to see. "You belong to me by right of conquest," he rasped. He liked what he saw and roughly groped her while his men laughed.
"Leave her alone!" Godwin shouted. "Get your filthy hands off my sister!"
Draven looked at the boy and smiled, "You'll marry me, or I'll kill the boy… very slowly."
Draven shoved her to the ground and she tried to shrug and cover herself, but her clothes were in shreds. Draven drew his sword and held it to Godwin's throat. "What do you say, my dear?"
"Don't do it, Lyneya!" Godwin said.
Draven just looked at her defeated expression and smiled…
The Elves had split up. Cilmo and four of his rangers already dealt with one group of riders, killing ten. They'd had the advantage of surprise and expert archery on their side. Polodrin, Legolas and two more Rangers rode off to deal with another search party that went north. Alcon and Thelyn had stuck to the riverbank with Ambartur. It was not long before they could see the third search party had beaten them to the boys. They left there horses and snuck in on foot. They were outnumbered and would have to form a plan. Alcon was the first to get close enough to see.
"Let him go, he is but a boy," Forwin said angrily.
The leader's face turned serious, "Indeed? If that is true, then you are a boy as well?"
"I am Forwin, the son of a simple farmer whom your men killed," Forwin said.
"You're quite thin for a boy, and you look too pretty."
"I'm young sir, my beard has not come in yet," Forwin explained.
"Indeed?" Draven said, and then ripped the tunic open, "I do hope your face does not grow a beard, my lady. My wife will look odd in my hall with whiskers."
"Bastard, I'll never marry you, I'd die first!" Forwin shouted angrily.
Alcon suddenly tensed and his face was one of utter shock at the realization that Forwin was no boy. Thelyn and Ambartur grabbed his arm and tried to calm him.
"Wait," Thelyn whispered.
Then the leader ripped her shirt open and Alcon strained against their grasp.
"I want him!" Alcon whispered. "I will kill him, understand?"
"He's all yours, Alcon, just wait for an opening," Ambartur said as he readied his bow.
The leader had a sword at Godwin's throat and Alcon couldn't stand it anymore. He leapt from the bushes with his sword drawn and laid a challenge before the man.
"The woman and the boy belong to me," Alcon said. "You'll have to kill me for them."
"I didn't see you anywhere around," Draven said. "Who are you that you should care about these little children? Are you not Avari? This is not your affair. Cross your river and forget this business."
Some of his men were moving in, but Ambartur dropped two of them with arrows and Thelyn dropped two. Alcon just stood there with a cocked brow.
"How many more shall I have them kill?" Alcon asked.
Draven moved forward and faced him, "Do you not know who I am? I am Draven, warlord of the south and soon to be high Overlord. I'm the most deadly swordsman in the entire east!"
"I'm not from the East," Alcon said as he casually pulled his cloak off and covered Lyneya, "And you are going to die for assaulting my woman."
Another of Draven's men tried to interfere but was also shot, this time by Cilmo who rode up from the opposite side with his four riders. There were only five Easterlings left but Draven was tenacious.
"Kill the Elves," Draven shouted and lunged for Alcon.
Alcon was ready for the attack and countered without difficulty. The two were evenly matched in skill and seemed to anticipate each other's moves. Alcon sparred with him and studied his attack patterns. The Warlord was not hard to figure out; he went for the kill stroke every time. Alcon blocked a swing and then twisted to the side and kicked Draven's foot out from under him. But the warlord rolled and leapt to his feet.
"Not bad for an Elf," Draven hissed.
Alcon said nothing, but glanced around. The rest of his men were dead and Godwin and Forwin… if that was her name, were safely in the care of his friends. He smiled and attacked. This easterling was too arrogant to last long. Draven continued his one stroke to kill approach and Alcon easily deflected every stroke. Finally he'd had enough and Alcon drove his sword through Draven's left leg. When the man fell, he drew back and severed the vile man's head in one swift blow.
"Thus ends another warlord," Alcon said bitterly as he spat on the body. He cleaned his blade and sheathed it and then turned to check on Godwin and…
Godwin ran to Alcon and hugged him and Alcon lifted the boy into his arms.
"You saved us!" Godwin said.
Alcon just held him and sighed with relief. The others were standing around and he saw Forwin, wrapped tightly in his cloak, sitting alone as far from them as possible. Her expression was one of complete defeat and his heart just broke to see it. He set Godwin down and the boy looked at him.
"Are you mad that we lied to you?" Godwin asked.
"No, I'm not mad, Godwin. But why did you lie?" Alcon asked.
"Because of the warlords," Godwin said. "And because we are…"
"Godwin!" Lyneya interrupted. "Enough."
Alcon saw the fear on the boy's face and just smiled, "It's alright Godwin, go with Thelyn, I want to talk to your sister."
"She won't let any of us get close to her," Cilmo said. "Watch your step."
"Go find the others and get ready to cross the river," Alcon said. "I'll be along."
Thelyn nodded and they mounted up, leaving Alcon's horse for him. When they were gone, Alcon walked over to… Forwin?
"Woman, I have killed for your honor," Alcon said firmly. "I will have your real name and I will have the full truth."
Lyneya looked up at him as the sun was rising behind her. His bright red hair glowed in the morning light and his eyes, green like the grasses of the prairie, were firm but kind. She was so tired, tired of hiding, tired of lying. She hugged herself and slumped back against the rock she sat by.
"I am Lyneya," she said softly as she looked away from him.
"And Godwin?" Alcon asked.
"That is his name," she said.
Alcon stepped closer, but left her a little space for her comfort. He sat down across from her and waited for her story, but she remained silent. He studied her face and realized he'd been blind. It was so obvious that she was no boy. Short disheveled hair and baggy clothes cannot hide such beauty. But her silence, after everything he'd done, offended him.
"Lyneya, why do you fear me so?" he asked softly.
"Because I am my father's daughter," she said. "The man that I lived with was not my father; he was the captain in my father's guard. My father was Colwin Silverhelm, high Overlord of all of Rhûn."
Alcon remembered rumors of his death, and the ensuing chaos that followed. He had no idea the man had children at all let alone children that survived. It all made sense now. Her bloodline could establish a replacement that the people would support, and Godwin…was a threat to anyone who tried to usurp the position illegitimately.
"You lied for your brother," Alcon said.
"He's rightful Overlord, at least when he is old enough to claim it," Lyneya said. "I would have died to protect him, but now it is too late."
"He is in no danger from us," Alcon said. "Do you not know how much I have already grown to love the boy?"
"But Avari…" Lyneya said in confusion.
"I am not an Avari Elf, Lyneya," Alcon interrupted. "I am from the west. I care nothing for your politics."
"Then why…?" Lyneya asked.
"You needed someone, and I was there," Alcon said. "I am an honorable Elf, and claimed lost children as my own responsibility. I have business in this wood, but then I will return home, and you and Godwin will come with me. You need never fear for your lives again, that is my promise to you."
"I can take care of us…" Lyneya's words trailed off and her protests fell silent when she saw him look at her sternly. There was little use in fighting it. "We owe you our lives, we will go with you. I will be forever in your debt for saving my brother."
Alcon didn't like the sound of that at all. He wanted her to come with him because she trusted him, not because she felt obligated.
"You are not a prize to be won, Lyneya," Alcon said firmly. "You are a free woman. I am not your captor, I am your guardian."
"I need no guardian!" she said angrily. "I was old enough to wed years ago!"
"How old are you?" Alcon asked in confusion.
"Seventeen, as I told you before," Lyneya said.
"You are too young…" Alcon quickly said.
"Men are not like Elves, women are married off at fourteen or fifteen in the plains," Lyneya said. "I am already too old to be a desirable bride."
Alcon was horrified by the thought. He didn't like these Easterlings or their ways. They treated women as slaves and raped children under the guise of marriage. He was thankful she had been hiding for so long. It saved her from an evil fate at the hands of a sweaty old warlord like Draven. It was no wonder that she trusted no one. There was no one in her life worthy of trust save her guardians.
"Where I am from, you are yet too young," Alcon said as he stood. He walked over to her and offered her his hand to help her up but she cowered away from him.
"I can do it," she said and clumsily got to her feet, while holding the cloak around herself.
Alcon sighed and took off his coat and then started to take off his shirt. Lyneya backed away nervously.
"W-w-w-what are you doing?" she asked weakly.
Alcon just threw the shirt at her and turned around. "Cover yourself," he said as he put his jacket back on.
Lyneya blushed, for the first time in years she was embarrassed. She peeled the shredded shirt and tunic off and put on his shirt. It was very big, but she was used to that. She wrapped the belt around it and held out the cloak to him.
"Thank you," she said.
Alcon looked at her standing there with her head bowed and his heart just ached for her. He wanted to hold her, and comfort her, but she was not ready to trust him. He took the cloak and draped it around her again.
"Keep it, it is cold," he said and took the brooch and pinned it. He gently lifted her chin and looked in her eyes. "Lift your head, Lyneya. You are the daughter of Colwin Silverhelm, high Overlord. A princess bows her head to no one."
Alcon led her to his horse and helped her mount up and then mounted up behind her.
"Why are you being so kind to us?" Lyneya asked.
Alcon didn't answer her question because he didn't know the answer. He was always carefree and wild, but not anymore. He cared and he cared very deeply. This woman in his arms had him tied in knots, and he'd only known her a couple days.
"They are waiting for us," he said and headed back to the campsite.
Back in camp, Thelyn was a little concerned. Forwin, or Lyneya the boy said her name was, was obviously old enough to be… a temptation. It was inappropriate for Alcon to be alone with her, especially in her condition. Alcon had already had protective feelings for her when he thought she was a boy. But the look in his eyes when he found the truth at the brutal hands of Draven was absolutely murderous. They got most of the story from Godwin, and Cilmo, who was familiar with the warlords, figured out the rest. Apparently, this Lyneya was a very important young woman, and her brother was the Easterling version of a King.
Everyone was ready to cross the river and finally, shortly after dawn, Alcon rode in with Lyneya. She didn't look overly thrilled, but she was seemingly content. The pair dismounted and Lyneya went right to Godwin. She hugged him and smiled. Then she noticed the looks she was getting and blushed.
Alcon was annoyed. "Lyneya and Godwin are in my care," he said. "This surprise changes nothing."
Cilmo looked at her a moment and cocked a brow, "So you're old Silverhelm's daughter?"
"I am an outcast in my own land, Avari. Life is not all flowers and sunshine for you either… arrogant elf!" she said angrily. "I owe Alcon my life, but I don't like you."
"Peace, Lyneya," Alcon said, "Let's go, we don't want to keep Jamie and Nyére waiting."
Jamie and Nyére were sitting in the grass in a quiet glen waiting for the others to join them. Jamie felt a strange familiarity to this place, and the trees were strangely familiar. As the sun peeked through the canopy, she saw a large boulder with markings on it. Jamie immediately recognized it and went to have a closer look.
"What is this rock?" Jamie asked.
"It is the Forest stone," Nyére said. "It tells of your coming to save my people."
"You can read this?" Jamie asked.
"No, it is very old, but Pollando read it to me once," Nyére said. "The Taure Lirilla will travel across time and space and free the Avari from the anger of the trees."
"Then what?" Jamie asked.
"The forest will be renewed, and my people will be free," Nyére said.
Jamie ran her fingers over the symbols on the stone and closed her eyes. It was cool and familiar, like the stone by her home and the stone in Gondor. Her mind wandered and she felt the urge to sing. Her voice lifted in a dark and angry sounding song, and the words were older than history. Nyére saw the trees start to sway and she backed away nervously. Jamie's song was ever changing from dark to bright, and the trees were trembling. Jamie seemed lost in a trance and Nyére just watched in fascination.
Cilmo led the riders into the glen and they halted, staring at the sudden changes in the wood as Jamie sang. The trees began to move, opening a path that led toward the city. Cilmo just stared in wonder.
"She is powerful," he whispered to Thelyn. "What language is that?"
"It is the language of the trees," Thelyn said as he dismounted. He went to Jamie and tried to wake her from her trance. "Jamie," he whispered.
She opened her eyes but kept singing. She pointed to the path and Thelyn helped her up onto her horse. She just rode down the path, singing as she went. The others all followed and watched as the trees parted and bowed as they came. It took almost an hour to reach the city which was surrounded by trees packed so tightly together they looked like a great living wall that touched the sky. Jamie dismounted and walked over and touched the trees. Her voice was commanding and her song was full of anger. She stepped back and suddenly stopped singing. There was silence among the riders, especially among the Avari.
Jamie raised her hands and shouted to the trees in Entish, "Hear now the voice of the Taure Lirilla! Return to your places and take your rest. Release your captives! Let there be peace between the trees and the Elves."
Suddenly the ground started to shake and the trees started to tremble. There was a great snapping and breaking sound as if thousands of trees were being broken. Then they saw one move, and then another and another. The wall was leaving and the forest returned to its quiet sentry, and moved no more.
From behind the wall, the Elves emerged from their dwellings and came to meet the one who'd freed them. A tall dark haired Elf maid stepped forward and bowed to Jamie.
"Your song has freed us," she said.
Ambartur leapt from his horse and ran to her. "Oloriel! Oh, my beloved, you are well!"
Shaalth searched the faces for his wife and his heart leapt when he saw her. He rode around the others and slid off his saddle and ran to her.
"Tavaril! Tavaril, my love," Shaalth exclaimed.
Jamie watched the reunions with a smile and Thelyn joined her. Nyére rode forward and the Elves all bowed.
"My father, Lord Ondollo is dead," she said. "My friend, Jamie has come to tame the trees and free us, and now we are free."
"Hail the great lady of the wood! Hail the forest singer and her powerful song!" The Elves all cheered. The riders entered the city with the Avari greeting them as they went. There were more survivors than Jamie had expected and she was glad she came. The Rangers all returned to their homes and Nyére brought the rest to her father's home. Everyone was given comfortable accommodations, and Lyneya was sent with a couple of Elf maids to get cleaned up and given more proper attire.
After everyone had been tended to, bathed and given fresh clothes, they gathered in the main hall of the house. Jamie and Thelyn sat lounging on a comfortable chaise and Polodrin and Nyére saw to the table.
"So, this is your home," Polodrin said with a smile. "I like it."
"It's quieter than I remember," Nyére said.
"That is because your father is not here to bark at you, my dear," Nilde, Nyére's old nurse said. "You are the greatest gift he's given this wood, may he find peace in his mind as well as his body, poor old Elf."
"Nilde, you are too kind," Nyére said.
"He was still our leader," Nilde said, "Even if madness took him in his later years. Sit, my lady, I will tend to the meal."
Alcon strolled in, his hair still a little wet from bathing. He felt relaxed, and led Godwin with him, now dressed in fine dark grey Elvish attire. The boy looked good all cleaned up with his hair tamed. Legolas joined them, and Alcon just looked around for Lyneya.
"Where is Lyneya?" Alcon asked.
Nilde just smiled, "She is in good hands. The poor girl has been through much, and is being tended."
Alcon was concerned, "Is she well?"
"She is a fine strong girl," Nilde said, "Strong in will, too."
Thelyn tried not to laugh at the truth in that. Everyone sat at the table and discussed their plans while they waited for Lyneya to join them.
"I do not intend to stay," Nyére said seriously. "This is not longer my place."
"But they are your people," Polodrin said. "I will stay, if it is your wish."
Nyére smiled at her husband, "No, Polodrin, I cannot ask it of you. But a new leader must be chosen, and I must consider it before we can leave. I'll meet with the council tomorrow and discuss the future of our people."
Legolas decided now was the time to speak. "I have an option for your council to consider. You and all your people are welcome to settle in Ithilien."
Nyére smiled, "You are kind, Prince of Emyn Lasgalen, but our people are accustomed to their own ways. They would sooner consider crossing the sea."
"Ask them anyway," Legolas said. "Or if you would permit, I will present the idea to your council myself."
"I will discuss it, you have my word," Nyére said.
Nilde returned from the kitchen with another maid in tow. No one seemed to pay much attention, just figuring it was another Elf that was helping. But Alcon looked up from the table and his heart skipped a beat. It was Lyneya, and she was breathtakingly beautiful. Her soft brown hair, though short, was curly and full with tiny white flowers in it. She wore a peach gown that accentuated her newly revealed curves and seemed to draw out roses in her cheeks. Her wide brown eyes were bright and innocent and she looked strangely timid, not at all the boy he'd first seen.
"Here is your lost princess," Nilde said, presenting Lyneya to the gathering.
Alcon stood and went to her and bent close to her ear. "I will not have you wear men's clothes ever again," he whispered to her and then straightened up. "Come sit by your handsome brother," he said in a normal tone and took her hand and led her to the table. He pulled out her chair and she sat down.
Alcon sat on her other side and Thelyn just rolled his eyes. He'd have made a comment, but the girl spoke fluent Sindarin. Suddenly, Thelyn wondered where she learned it.
"Lyneya, where did you learn to speak Sindarin?" Thelyn asked.
Lyneya was suddenly aware of being the recipient of everyone's undivided attention. She blushed but answered. "It was taught in my house. My father had dealings with a captain… Atanvardo. He didn't like him, but it was necessary to maintain the peace."
Nyére's face visibly paled, "What manner of dealings?"
"It was not something a child heard," Lyneya said. "I only know that Atanvardo's honesty was always in question. My father never trusted him. After he abolished slavery in the territory, he had to be careful. The warlords lost a great part of their profits and that was the beginning of the end for my father."
"Your father sounds like an honorable man for…" Polodrin started to say but Nyére elbowed him before he could finish.
"For an Easterling?" Lyneya finished for him. "My grandfather was Wakelin the Bloodthirsty, and you'd think my father would have been like him, but he was not. After the fall of Mordor, my grandfather had been killed and my father was a very young man. He did not follow the old ways and he hated the dark lord. He tried to set things right, and they killed him for it. Do not look at me like a common raider, sir. The pattern of blood has been broken in my family. Godwin is his father's son, not his grandfather's legacy."
Polodrin was impressed by her thoughtful response even in the face of his rudeness, "I am sorry, Princess, I did not mean to offend you."
"No offense was taken, and I am no princess," Lyneya said. "Women have no rights and titles only pas to male offspring."
"Then why did Draven want you so badly?" Legolas asked.
"I still carry the bloodline," Lyneya said. "He would have failed in any case. I'd have killed myself before I ever let him use me to gain power."
"What is left of the old leadership?" Nyére asked seriously.
"There were four warlords and the high overlord," Lyneya explained. "Overlord is vacant, Endrion is dead, Draven is now dead, Deckion's line is lost, and the last was Durant, in the north, but he has not been seen for some time. It is rumored that he is dead."
Nyére cocked a brow at the name Durant, "Yes, the rumor holds true. He was killed some months ago."
Lyneya just laughed at the irony, "Then there is going to be chaos in Rhûn," she said. "Perhaps when Godwin is old enough he can pull the land back together, if he still wants to."
"Father would have," Godwin said seriously. "My day will come."
Lyneya smiled at him. He looked good in his new clothes, even if they were Elvish. She was completely out of her element, and exposed to strangers that should have very reason to hate her, and yet she was unafraid. Perhaps it was because Alcon was sitting by her. She felt stronger than she ever had before. For the first time in over five years, she felt that she might actually have a future.
They set aside politics for a while and ate their dinner. Alcon tried not to be too obvious, but he watched Lyneya all evening. For a girl who'd hidden for so long, she was surprisingly delicate and feminine. She was soft spoken, but highly intelligent. She was well informed of events even in the west and seemed to have a clear understanding of the structure of Gondor and Rohan as well as the Avari.
As the hour grew late, everyone broke up to go to bed. Alcon and Lyneya walked Godwin to his room, which was between Lyneya's and Alcon's. Alcon waited for her by the door and Lyneya helped him with his boots and Godwin put a hand up to stop her assistance.
"I can do it myself, Lyneya," Godwin said. "You don't have to be my brother anymore."
Lyneya smiled, "No, I don't. I can be your sister now."
"I think I might miss Forwin a little," Godwin said. "I liked having a brother sometimes."
"Whatever name you call me by, Godwin, I'll always be here for you," Lyneya said. "Goodnight."
Godwin hugged her tight, "Goodnight, Lyneya. You look real pretty."
Lyneya smiled and left him to change in privacy. Alcon met her by the door and walked with her the last few steps to her room. He couldn't take his eyes off of her, and he knew that he did not look at her like a guardian would.
"I don't know how I could have missed it before," Alcon said softly.
"I was a boy for five years," Lyneya said as she stared at the floor between them. "I started to believe the story myself."
"I cannot be your guardian, Lyneya," Alcon said seriously.
She suddenly looked at him in confusion and he saw worry in her eyes. "Why not?"
"Because I would rather be your husband," Alcon said with tenderness in his voice. He lifted a hand and gently touched her cheek. "I loved you from the first moment I saw you desperately trying to rescue your brother from us."
"But you thought…"
"I thought you were a boy," Alcon said. "And I knew I'd love you like a son and claimed you then. Now that I know the truth, I find I only love you more. I cannot look at you like a daughter, nor will I even try, Lyneya."
"I don't know what to say," she said weakly.
"Say only that you will allow me to court you," Alcon said. "I do not want your gratitude or your obligation, I want your love. I would ask that you tell me truthfully if you cannot love me."
"I-I-I don't know," Lyneya stuttered. "I'm still trying to get used to the dress, give me time."
Alcon bowed and then kissed her hand. "I will give you time, Lyneya, and if you allow me, I will give you the moon and the stars."
"I… should go," she said as she backed through her doorway, dumbfounded. "I… uh, goodnight." She quickly closed the door and Alcon just leaned his head against the wall and sighed.
"So, it finally happened to you too," Thelyn said as he slipped around the corner.
"Shut up, Thelyn," Alcon said angrily. "I am falling on my face here."
"I can see that," Thelyn said with a smirk. "If it's any comfort, I did the same thing, often."
"It doesn't solve my problem, but it helps," Alcon said with a grin.
They walked down to Alcon's room and paused.
"So, now what do I do?" Alcon asked.
"Just what she said, give her time to get to know you and trust you," Thelyn said. "That's all you can do." He put a hand on his brother's shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Go sleep, tomorrow is another day."
Alcon nodded and disappeared into his room. He hoped he didn't lay his heart on the line too soon. He didn't think he'd get very much sleep.