Chapter 2
The Arrival of Ninniach
The morning had been a busy one for the Lord of Imladris. Already he had handled several emergencies most of them relating to loose poultry, an irate Elurin who had not been able to round up the elusive birds, and some excited elves who had been recruited by Elurin to help in the roundup but who had been no more successful at catching the frightened fowl than had been the excited elvish butler. Elurin was usually an island of calm in a sea of turmoil. He had to be when serving the Peredhil family where anything might happen at anytime. Elrond's first task had been to calm Elurin then convince him that the birds were definitely not laughing at him.
After the offending birds had finally been caught, the two elves who had fallen into a pond during the chase had been pulled onto dry land, and all the resulting bumps and bruises had been dutifully tended, Elrond had enjoyed a relaxing cup of tea in the garden before attending to the myriad other duties related to the running of an Elven realm.
He had just sat down at the desk in his Study to attend to a large pile of correspondence and had picked up the first scroll when there was a light knock at the door.
"Come in." He said without turning. He knew it was Elurin without even looking for he knew the elf's knock all too well.
Elurin entered the study then stood quietly and patiently waiting for his Lord to turn to him before he spoke.
Finally Elrond turned to the waiting elf. "Yes Elurin. What can I do for you?"
"My Lord, we have visitors. An elderly woman and a young girl have just arrived bringing with them a sick elf. The old woman has insisted on waiting in the courtyard for you saying that if they are to be turned away, she does not wish to have to negotiate the steps twice. I tried to reassure her that neither of them would be turned away, but my Lord ..."
"Yes, Elurin, please continue."
"My Lord." The Elven butler blushed and shifted from one foot to the other which fascinated Elrond for he had never seen his Butler this embarrassed before. "My Lord, when I tried to persuade her to come inside the house ... well, she ... she waved her cane at me!"
Elrond had difficulty containing his smile and the laughter that threatened to burst forth for he could almost imagine an old woman holding off this kind and proper elf with a cane. Shaking his head, he headed toward the door and the courtyard beyond to greet his guests.
As he walked down the steps toward the waiting humans, he looked at the old woman closely and found it difficult to determine the age of the woman although Elrond knew in his heart that she was, indeed, ancient. As he approached them, he could see her blue eyes watching him, assessing him in the same manner he had just used to assess her. He met her gaze with a smile, trying to convey to her, as well as to her companion, with a glance, that they would be welcome in his home.
The younger woman was more difficult to assess. At first glance, she appeared to be 17 or 18 years old, in human years. Her eyes were downcast so he had difficulty determining much of anything about her personality except for the fact that she appeared to be painfully shy, almost frightened. There was something both familiar and disturbing about her. Mentally, Elrond shook his head and reassured himself that there would be time for further assessment later. For right now, the wounded elf would have to be the priority.
Elurin had summoned two more healers, both of whom stood behind their Lord as he quickly examined the elf. When his fingers came to rest on the unconscious being's neck, he felt a weak but steady pulse and after Elrond took in the pallor, the cold sweat on the brow as well as the shallow breathing he had determined that though in extreme distress, the elf seemed to be in no immediate danger of dying. After asking the healers to take the elf to the Healing Wing and make him comfortable, he finally turned to the old woman and her young companion.
"My continued apologies to you and your companion, my Lady but I must see to the injured elf. Do you know his name?"
Twinkling blue eyes, filled with humor and understanding, met his.
"No, Master Elf, I do not, although there is quite a tale that comes to your fine home with him. I assure you that the elf's story as well as that of myself and my granddaughter can wait, for I see in your eyes that you wish to go to him. Please do, for I am weary and wish to rest for a time after which we can talk."
"You are most gracious." He inclined his head toward her. "Elurin, will escort you inside our home and will see to your needs. Please, make yourself comfortable and be assured that I will return to you as soon as I am able." After a slight bow, Elrond turned then walked inside the house and to the Healing Wing within.
Elurin looked at the old woman and receiving a wink, and after deciding that he was in no further danger of being beaten by the old woman and her cane, he quietly stepped to her side and offered her his arm. She patted the offered arm and with much dignity, took it then, after making sure that the young girl would follow her, she allowed the butler to walk her into the house.
8-) 8-) 8-) 8-).
When Lord Elrond reached the Healing Wing, the attending healers had just finished settling the elf into his bed. They stepped back when their Lord approached, giving him adequate room to assess the sick being's condition. There was no sign of a wound anywhere on the elf's body, no contusions, lacerations or bumps and the elf did not seem to be in any kind of pain. In short, other than being in a deep state of shock, there was nothing on the outside that would explain the elf's present state of unconsciousness.
Placing one hand on the elf's forehead and the other hand on his chest, Lord Elrond closed his eyes and opened his mind to the mental state of his patient hoping to find some clue in the being's mind that would help him determine what ailed his patient. Moments later, he reopened his eyes and took a step back. When he had entered the elf's mind, he had encountered a solid, blank, black wall. He had seen such a wall only one time before and that was in his adopted son's mind, after he had built it to hide behind when he had encountered a dark force that had been attempting to destroy him.
"What has happened to you, my friend?" The healer knew that he would not find any answers in his patient's mind but perhaps the women who had brought the elf to him would be able to shed some light on the matter.
8-) 8-) 8-) 8-).
When Lord Elrond entered the sitting room, he found Elurin sitting and talking to the old woman. When the Butler turned and saw his Lord standing in the doorway, with a raised eyebrow, he immediately sprang to his feet, mortified that his Lord had caught him sitting down. It took Elrond some moments to reassure the elf that he had committed no social error in keeping the Lady and her companion company, the Lord had just been surprised to see that his Butler had taken such a keen interest in his guests.
After requesting more hot tea then settling into a comfortable, wing-backed chair, the Lord of Imladris finally got the chance to formally greet his guests.
"I am Lord Elrond and I wish to extend my apologies for not greeting you sooner and I also wish to extend a heartfelt welcome to Imladris."
"Thank you for your most kind and gracious greetings, Lord Elrond. I am Ninniach, daughter of Tathren (Willow), and my companion is my granddaughter Amrûn, daughter of Aerin."
"Welcome to both of you. Have the two of you eaten?"
"Yes, my Lord, we have. Your kind Butler has served us with a fine assortment of sandwiches and fruits. They were most delicious."
"Good. If you would like to rest, we would be more than happy to provide you with accommodations."
"No, that will not be necessary for the moment. I believe that there is some business that we must conduct first. I have both a story to tell, and a request to make, and as I am getting no younger, I think it best that you and I get to the matter at hand."
Both she and Lord Elrond laughed before he motioned for her to continue.
"First, my Lord, I need to give you this courier pouch. The poor elf gave it to me before he lost consciousness, together with the request that I give it to you personally."
Thanking the old woman for her kindness, Elrond took the pouch then set it aside for a later reading. Turning back to the woman, he politely asked her to continue.
"First, my Lord, I must tell you that what I am about to say, however mad a story it may sound like, is the truth. Secondly, I must caution you to be most discreet in the sharing of this tale for it contains much darkness and a more evil darkness could be drawn to the telling."
"You can be assured, Lady Ninniach, that I will share your tale only with those who need to know. You have my word."
The old woman looked directly into Elrond's eyes, searching for truth, and after she seemed to have found what she was looking for, continued with her tale which included everything she saw and heard up until the time she and her granddaughter had left Lanthir.
"I will tell you one thing, Noldor Lord, and then I will not, we cannot, speak of it directly again." She glanced about the room then, lowering her voice to little more than a whisper, continued.
"There is a dark power abroad, my Lord, a power that not even the Dark Lord himself can abide for even he is governed by its intent. However, he seeks this power, as do others, for in their ultimate arrogance, they see in this power the ultimate weapon, a weapon that will insure their dominance over all living and even nonliving things. Their arrogance in assuming this power can be controlled is an error on their part of epic proportions and will be their doom, and ours as well if it is handled in an injudicious manner. This is my warning to you and I do advise you to heed my words closely. When unity becomes divided or destroyed, light will no longer recognize the darkness of night, and all will fall into chaos. No being or place will be safe from this chaos. This power must be contained at all costs. It must! This task can only be accomplished by those who have good hearts and no motives other than to see this thing done."
Elrond sat back in his chair, unaware that as Ninniach had been speaking, he had been leaning forward, strongly gripping the chair's padded arm rests. Even now, his hands ached from the strain.
"You have given me much to think about, Lady Ninniach. If what you say is true, and I have no doubt that it is, then we must see what can be done. In the meantime, I wish to extend an invitation for you to stay here, in Imladris, for it is a protected realm and no harm or hurt can befall you here."
The old woman's blue eyes twinkled as she leaned toward her host. She took his left hand and held it between both of her own.
"My friend, not even your Vilya will be able to protect this place or anyone in it from what is coming. This darkness of which I speak is a destroyer and if it comes to full power, not even Valinor itself will be safe."
Lord Elrond sat back in his chair, stunned speechless by what the woman had just told him. It was not just her prediction of a dark doom that was almost upon them that disturbed his mind and heart, no, what disturbed him more was that she not only knew that he was Vilya's keeper but also spoke of Valinor with an intimate familiarity. At that moment, he knew with certainty, that there was much more to this aged woman sitting in front of him than was first apparent.
"You are correct, my friend, when you sensed that there is more to this frail old woman sitting before you than meets the eye." Ninniach spoke as if she had been able to read his mind. She smiled at him before continuing. "You are also correct when you sensed the aura of magic about me and I will explain this to you but not before I receive your vow that this part of the tale will be kept between the two of us. Do I have your vow?" She looked into Lord Elrond's eyes with such intensity that he was sorely tempted to look away.
"Lady Ninniach, you have my vow. What you are about to say to me will stay between us."
Ninniach nodded, apparently satisfied, then continued.
"Now, for a moment I would like you to indulge an old woman in her prideful thoughts. In my younger days, there were few beings on the whole of Middle Earth who could match the strength of my magic, except, perhaps, for one of my kind whom you know as Olorin, for my magic was blessed by Varda herself." Seeing the dawning comprehension on the face of the Noldor Lord, she smiled softly.
"Yes, my friend, I am of the Maiar. My life and mission in Middle Earth has been long and now, this old body is beginning to betray me and the time is fast approaching when I will be able to return home. However, before I go, I have one last task to complete and only enough strength to accomplish this task with, to make this one thing right. I must put together what has been undone."
As Elrond sat in silence for some moments looking at the aged woman sitting in front of him, he got a fleeting glimpse of the ages of the world as they had been seen from her eyes and knew that she was weary and had well earned the rest that would soon be hers. Leaning forward once more, he took one of her aged hands in his, kissing it lightly.
"Lady Ninniach, I am honored that you have graced my home with your presence and it is my promise to you that I, and all those of my line, will do whatever is needed to share and hopefully lighten your burden. You have but to ask and it will be done."
"Elrond Peredhel, Noldor Lord of Imladris, I accept your offer of sanctuary and succor though I must once again remind you of my warning. Do not be free in your discussion of this evil for it will hear you and be drawn to you. Listen carefully to me when I speak, for though it may sound like the babbles of a senile old woman, there will be meaning for those who truly care to listen."
At this point, there was a discrete knock on the door of the sitting room as Elurin brought more tea and a plate of pastries for his Lord and his guests. After the door had closed behind his retreating form, Ninniach turned back to Elrond.
"There is another matter of importance that I must speak to you about."
When Elrond nodded his head, signaling that she had his full attention, she continued.
"It has come to my attention that two members of your household have incurred the wrath of some very powerful people whose financial gains were disrupted when the folk of the Westfold and the horses of the Rohirrim were liberated. Although I do not know the identities of these people, I can tell you this. A bounty has been placed on the heads of your youngest daughter and her brother and those who will try and enforce this bounty will stop at nothing to get to the two. Although the true identity of young Lord Aragorn is safe for the moment, I am afraid that, physically, he is not, nor is his sister. Watch them both very closely, Lord Elrond. Watch them very closely."
8-) 8-) 8-) 8-).
The four elves and the young Ranger were on their way home, for their patrol duties had been met, and the perimeter of Rivendell had been ridden and carefully checked for any Orcs, wargs and marauding wolves. The five had found no evidence of any "Orcs, wargs, wolves, toadstools, turnips or muffins" anywhere within the perimeters of the Elven realm. The first time Anayah had used the phrase, Elrohir had fallen off his horse laughing and up until that point, the mood had been light and the banter among the five friendly. It was not until later in the afternoon, shortly after the rain had begun to fall that their sister had grown unnaturally quiet and was often caught frowning as if she were deep in thought.
The twins, Aragorn and even Legolas had all asked her if she was well or if she was still in pain from the wound she had received in the battle with the Captain of the Shadow Wraiths that had occurred six weeks previously. They had all become convinced that something was indeed bothering her when she answered them the fourth time they asked the question with the same amount of patience she had used the first time.
Finally, they decided as only brothers and friends could, to pull a prank on her to see if they could cheer her up, hoping that if they could get her to laugh, that her distress might be eased. With Legolas holding their horses in the trees and out of sight, the three brothers quickly climbed a tree with low branches that hung over the path they had been riding on. When their sister approached their hiding place, the three brothers planned to spring out at her. Usually she played along with whatever prank was being pulled, seeming to enjoy the interaction with her siblings. However, not one of the four was prepared for what actually happened.
Anayah came riding up the path, still deep in thought and seemingly oblivious to her surroundings. Even Elias seemed subdued and when Elladan, Elrohir and Aragorn, as if on cue, dropped out of the tree and landed on the path in front of horse and rider, both had been startled. Elias reared high on his hind legs, eyes wide and ears flat against his head. Under normal circumstances, such an unpredictable action on the part her horse would not have been a problem because Anayah was an excellent rider and it would have taken more than the act of her horse rearing unexpectedly to unseat her. What no one had taken into consideration was that the rain had made the path muddy and slick and as the stallion reared, one of his back legs slipped causing him to come perilously close to the edge of the path. When she felt her horse slip, Anayah immediately threw her weight forward in the saddle trying with hands and leg pressure to balance the animal until he could regain his footing.
This time however, nothing helped and all the others could do was watch in horror as startled horse and rider fell backwards and slowly disappeared over the edge of the embankment.
TBC
A Sly Fan: I'm glad you noticed how calm she was. And to an Elf with sensitive ears, that vibration in the air would sound like fingernails on a chalkboard! Thanks for the review!
hieiman23: The Elf is taking a little nap right now but not to worry. He will be back!
Soccer-Bitch: It makes me feel great that you are enjoying this story! Thanks!!
DesolateAznVamp: Thanks! I'm glad you like the story! 8-)