AN: It has been *far* too long, and this will unfortunately not be nearly long enough to compensate. How I wish I could simply sit and type and write, and forget about everything else going on.
No such luck unfortunately. So I send out my most sincere apologizes to all of you, especially those who have been waiting for months, but looking ahead I see now end to this ghastly tunnel yet. I will try, but I fear the lack of updates (for all my fics) might continue for some while.
On a brighter note: Return of the King. Was it not amazing? Saw it for the second time the other day... I love it more and more with each viewing. Yes, some parts disappointed me, but we can still hold out for the extended, ne? Overall, it was an *excellent* movie and I highly recommend going to see it if you haven't yet... though you should definitely read the book! :D
And now we have a fic to read. Review Responses at the bottom, as usual. For a quick recap: Last time Frodo and Sam saw Hotaru/Saturn (the Seed of Darkness) as they struggled through Emyn Muil and she guided them. Gandalf and Galadriel decided that the only way to stop Sauron from gaining conquest of the crystals was to gather them together themselves. And Gandalf asked Gwaihir and his eagles to watch over Mordor and the hobbits, acting kind of as aerial spies. Galadriel would send word (through Rivendell) to Cirdan, and Gandalf left to speak with Treebeard. Now, enter the twins and Glorfindel!! :D
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With a stern eye to conceal his fatherly worry, Elrond surveyed his sons as the stood impatiently with their gear, eager to set out.
"And you understand the peril of this mission," Elrond said again. "It has been two days now since Galadriel sent word, but it may be that your mission will be part of one even more perilous than the Ring Bearer's. Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Ada, we volunteered for this mission," said the ever impatient Elladan. "We're ready for some more adventure and a change of scenery from Imladris." [Rivendell]
Elrond glared at his headstrong son. "This is not a mere adventure or hunting escapade, Elladan!"
"We know this, ada," said the more soft-spoken (and wiser) Elrohir. "We're just ready to play our part in this War, and play it as well as we can. We will not let you, or Middle Earth, down, ada."
Elrond sighed. "Very well. The horses should be about ready by now. And remember, though you travel our ancient path to the Havens of the West, remember that you will be always under the Dark Lord's Eye. It may not be long until you encounter his servants, with the same mission as you."
The sound of hooves coming up the path from the stables signaled that their departure was near. Elrond embraced his twin sons as a golden-haired elf appeared leading three swift horses.
"They are ready, Glorfindel?" Elrond asked the golden-haired elf.
Glorfindel nodded. "They are ready and impatient. It is time that we were off." Glorfindel and the twins sprang lightly upon their steeds, without assistance of any saddle or harness.
"Ride swiftly and be wary," Elrond cautioned to the three. "Cirdan should surrender the Seed of the Seas to you once he understands the dire need. Guard it well. Do not let it near any servants of the Dark Lord. May Elbereth watch over you and bless your mission. Vanya sulie!"
"Namarie, ada!" cried his sons as their horses sprang away. Glorfindel lingered for a moment.
Elrond looked sadly at the elf whom he'd come to think of as a brother, the elf whom he'd shared so much with. "Take care of them," he said softly.
Glorfindel reached down and clasped his arm tightly in a brotherly fashion. "We will return," he promised Elrond. "Tenna'san', namarie!" [Until then, farewell!]
~*~*~*~*~
"Hoom, hrum. Now Gandalf, I told you I cannot do this."
"But Treebeard," cried the White Wizard, hurrying to keep up with the lengthy strides of the Ent as they walked quickly through Fangorn. "We *need* your help. Without it, we will be unable to form any resistance against Sauron. With all the others, nothing will stop him from claiming it from you. All of Arda and Valinor and beyond into the Void will fall under his dominion, covered with Darkness for all eternity. All good living things will be destroyed and all free peoples will be enslaved!"
"I am sorry, Gandalf, hmm. But *we* need the Seed of the Forest. The Darkness is growing in and around Fangorn, hmmm-- none can stop it. Only the Seed keeps it at bay, hm."
"Treebeard, are you mad?!" cried Gandalf angrily.
Treebeard stopped abruptly and turned to face the wizard, his deep green eyes burning. "Brrruak! You don't see it, do you Gandalf? The one time we lost the Seed, the one time He stole it from us... hrum, that is when the Forest began to fall. The Greenwood stretched across the entire land once, hm yes. But He took it from us, and the trees became weak, and the men became lusty for land, and the Entwives left for the last time..." Treebeard turned away sadly so that Gandalf could not see the tear that slid down his woody face.
"We have never recovered, no hmm," he continued after a moment. "The trees grow dark hearts and orcs and men continue to delve into our home and the Entwives are lost and the land is open and dead between here and the evil of Mirkwood. Dark are these days for trees, hrum. No Gandalf, hmm," he said, looked down at the wizard. "Forgive me for my haste, hoom hrum, but I cannot help you."
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Kreee!"
The piercing cry of the eagle echoed through the skies above Lorien. Galadriel looked up in horror as a single young eagle, his right wing bloody and limp, crashed to the ground near the gardens of Lorien. Her face blanched as she realized her fears and the warnings of the Mirror had become a reality.
The best Healers of Lorien had been summoned, but the crowd continued to throng in curiosity and confusion. Galadriel hurriedly pushed her way through the people to kneel by the limp form in the center of the crowd.
"Fandil," she murmured, recognizing the young eagle. [AN: means 'Lover of the Clouds' if you care :D]
He opened one beady eye to gaze as her. "K'lady," he squawked weakly. "Lady, they took it." Galadriel gulped, and Fandil gasped for air. "K'I was with Meneldor, the Swiftest. We were scouting as Mithrandir and Gwaihir had ordered." He let out a weak cry. "But the k'arrows of the accursed Valley of the Moon (1) are long and true." Closing his eyes in pain, he let out a piercing wail. "Kreeee!!!! May Thronodor smite all servants of Mordor, especially the blackest shadows!!" Then Fandil was himself again, wounded and weak. "They shot down even Meneldor the Everswift. I only survived because they realized the worth of their first victim. They took it!!!" Fandil let out another miserable piercing wail before passing out of consciousness.
Galadriel's face was white with horror and pain and misery. She knew that for Ages, the swiftest of the Eagles had carried the Seed of the Skies. Passed down from generation to generation, the Swiftest carried a great honor and a greater responsibility. Meneldor the Everswift was not fast enough against the new devilry of Sauron. He fell, and with him fell the hope of the Eagles for safety of the Skies and the hope of Middle Earth against Sauron's rising might.
~*~*~*~*~*~
The darkness was growing heavy and impregnable before Frodo's eyes, and yet they struggled onward. New hope coursed through the two hobbits as they realized that the seemingly endless and unconquerable Emyn Muil was drawing to a close. Between bends in the stony path, they could see a new land below. The strange fairy-like figure of the frail girl of darkness continued to lead them with encouragement. Currently she waited, still and silent, atop a low yet deadly fang of the stony land.
The dead air stirred as the wind changed with a soft breeze from the East. The air was icy cold.
Frodo shivered and paused, lifting his head to look at the girl before them. Her head was turned, yet Fordo caught a glimpse of a mixed look: surprise and joy and worry etched into one upon her face. He followed her gaze to the edge of a higher cliff, a drop far above them.
Frodo heard Sam gasp beside him as they made out another figure upon this cliff, far and high, illuminated by the moonlight. Her hair was short and sandy brown. Her outfit and skirt seemed to be the same as the other girl's. But her face was grim and her eyes were steely.
The smaller girl seemed to gaze up at the figure with joy, yet the older woman looked down with sorrow. The cold eastern wind stirred once more as the older figure raised her head to look sadly at the skies.
"It will not be long now."
~*~*~*~*~
Ten days had passed since Glorfindel and the twins set out from Rivendell, and elf and beast were wearied to near exhaustion. With only three brief rests for the sake of the horses, the small band had ridden hard for ten days. When the horses grew weary, the riders dismounted and ran alongside the beasts for leagues upon leagues, under sunbeam and starlight, until none could go on without a rest.
The journey was hard, but they made good time. In less than four days, they had covered the lands of the Wild, a journey that would have usually taken over a fortnight. In this deadly land, they had met little resistance. The silence made Glorfindel nervous and uneasy. They had only encountered a few stray orcs and a warg, terrified to encounter elves in the wilderness, and the twins slayed them with ease. But there had been no Nazgul, no hint whatsoever of any interest of Sauron against which Elrond had so feverishly warned. Interest which Glorfindel knew was surely foremost in the Dark Lord's mind. Glorfindel's eyes remained alert and his ears were uneasy and his heart was troubled.
He looked over at the twins as they rode through the Far Downs. Elladan's eyes were glassy and unfocused and his mind was clearly resting in some distant haven. Elrohir, on the other hand, looked up as he felt the older elf's gaze upon him. The dark-haired youth looked grim and worried, almost reflecting the feeling Glorfindel felt inside. Glorfindel nodded slowly and turned his gaze back upon the lands before them.
Quietly, he nibbled a piece of lembas, the only food they had brought on the journey. It gave both elf and animal the heart to continue onward with haste. Glorfindel held out the rest to Asfaloth, who gave a whinny of thanks and gratefully accepted as they slowed to a trot down the final hill of the Downs.
The small band paused silently to gaze at the Towers, and they looked upon the distant Sea. The gentle lap of the waves upon the shore and the cry of the gulls filled their hearts with longing, whispering of white shores and green lands, the utopia beyond the silver curtain of the waves, the lands of peace and beauty and wonder...
Glorfindel hardened his resolve. His time would come to return to Valinor one day, but today was not the day. He turned his gaze towards the glimmering gates of Mithlond, the Grey Havens of the elves and the dwelling of Cirdan the Shipwright.
"And now for the final race," he said. Glorfindel raised himself upon Asfaloth's back and prepared for the sprint when a faint breeze tickled his back. A shadow of doubt entered his mind, but he brushed it aside and urged Asfaloth forward, eager to catch up with the twins who had already sprinted away.
The salty air swirled around them, and the sea seemed to roar in their ears. Every minute seemed to last for an eternity as the Gates grew slowly nearer. "Noro lim, Asfaloth!" Glorfindel cried as the cold wind behind them seemed to pick up strength and urged them forward.
Elladan laughed with joy as the silver Gates slowly swung open to greet them and mischievously sprang ahead of the other two. With a hearty laugh, Glorfindel and Elrohir urged their steeds forward and the three raced to the welcoming Gates.
Through the Gates they galloped, slowing to a trot as they broke into laughter. Glorfindel shook his head smiling at the younger two, who seemed to have an unquenchable energy for competition. The buildings and gardens of the Havens smiled down upon them, and they finally felt at rest.
And there was Cirdan, ageless and aged, gazing at the sky over the Sea. They dismounted and allowed their horses to be led away. Their smiles quickly vanished as he turned and they beheld the grim expression on his face. His eyes were troubled and Glorfindel's unease returned.
Without a word, he extended his right arm to them and opened his fist. There in his palm lay a glittering turquoise gem, a perfect blue jewel.
"The Seed of the Seas," gasped Elrohir.
Cirdan nodded. "Things have gone ill in the South since you left Imladris. The winds have changed. It will not be long now." He gazed to the sky once more.
Glorfindel gasped as he realized what this meant. The wind from the West, the wind from the Sea was faint and weak, but the cold wind from the East, the wind of Sauron blew strong. And if they strained their ears, their hearts grew fearful, catching the echo of some monstrous scream.
Looking down, he saw that Cirdan's face was hard and his eyes were steely. "The Seed cannot keep the Seas safe any longer." He deliberately turned his arm and dropped the jewel into Glorfindel's waiting palms.
The Shipwright turned away slowly. He looked back at them, his face seeming haggard and ancient. "Go now. You can tarry no longer." The three travelers looked alarmed. "The Dark Lord is ready and will send his forces to assault the Havens. You must be as far away as possible when this happens."
"But Lord Cirdan--" Glorfindel began.
"No, you cannot return to Imladris," interrupted Cirdan, understanding his mind. "There is no time, and Elrond's house will offer no safe haven for the Seeds. You must go south." Cirdan was walking swiftly now as the three hurriedly followed. "It is there in the City of the Stars that they will be united, for good or for ill. You will take one of my ships and go along the coast and to the Bay of Belfas and up the mouth of the Anduin..."
He stopped and turned as they reached a small silver vessel. Few ships were left in the harbor, and few elves lingered in the Havens, but this craft had been readied and prepared for voyage. A small ramp even waited for them, leading up to the deck of the ship.
"You knew..." uttered Elrohir with surprise.
Cirdan nodded. "I knew long before you left Imladris that this day would come. Your steeds will be cared for and eventually sent back to Imladris when they are ready. You must go now and make haste over the waters. Time is short. It will not be long before the Dark Lord suspects you and sends his servants to delay or destroy you. Heed them not and stay on your course! You will find all you need stored upon this ship. Her name is Mirengaer (2), Jewel of the Sea, and she is light and swift. She will guide you straight and true, as long as your hearts remain true to the mission." The three nodded and boarded the craft as Cirdan watched from below.
Several elves from the Havens hurriedly pulled the ramp away and helped them push off the dock. Then the white sail caught the wind and grew strong, carrying them towards the Sea.
"May the winds of Sauron not assail you, and may you remain true to your quest!" called Cirdan from afar. "Vanya Sulie!"
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(1) Morgul Vale, formerly a beautiful part of Ithilien and home of Minas Ithil, now taken over by the Nazgul and servants of Sauron to create Minas Morgul.
(2) This name may sound familiar to those of you reading my other LotR/SM fic "Niirer" (READ IT! hehe)... Mirengaer is the elvish name I have invented for Michiru.
AN: So the quest begins. Basically there will be three different "fronts": Frodo, Sam, and the Seeds in Mordor; Gandalf and the Three Hunters; and Glorfindel and the twins. And be warned: I will go into little to no detail about events that happen in the book/movie that don't have to do with the gathering of the crystals (i.e. Helm's Deep). Might make reference to it after it happens, but I won't describe it happening because my focus will be elsewhere. Assume the events take place as in the canon unless I describe something different.
Hope this chapter makes you (a little) less angry with me. Now, Review Responses:
Thea-chan- Makoto/Eomer, hm? Haven't gotten many requests for that lol. ^_^' We shall see... ;D
Princess Silver Serenity- Dark is Rising = great series. Definitely one of my favs, up there with Narnia and Terry Prachett and Earthsea and David Eddings and such. ;D
Vittaria- very true! And if you have any idea for a pairing for Hotaru, please let me know. (Eomer...maybe?)
JaminJellyBean- hmm... I considered Haldir originally, but ruled him out. They expand his part in the movie, and though he is skilled and probably a leader of the defense of Lorien (I call them the Vakhar in my other fic), I still struggle to see it for Usa. Ack! I'm thinking I will develop the character of Glorfindel, the amazing elf lord who has been left out of the movie. He's kind of the #2 elf in Rivendell, after Elrond of course. v kewl guy.
SilverStarlightAngel- dunno if you got my email from ages ago or not. ;D And never fear about enough places for Middle Earth for all the gems... I have a nice little chart with it all planned out. Huzzah!
datajana- lol thank you very much! And if you have an idea for a pairing for Hotaru, please let me know. I was thinking maybe Eomer somehow... hmm....
hiyayaka- sorry but that pairing just won't work in this fic. Gomen nasi. Legolas will be paired with Ami if you care.
Loopy Lu- Lol!!! And thanks for the promotion. ;D
minnieshon- yah, the height is an issue, but besides Hotaru, Rei is one of the shortest senshi (ok so they're all mostly the same height :-P). But remember that the senshi of her is her spirit, not her physical self. Who knows? I might decide that when (if) she regains a physical body, it is the body of a hobbit. But that would be weird. Hmmm....
Thank you also to:
AJaKe
Eternal Salior Earth Zodiac
Brightness
PadFootCc
Hikari_angel
DragonStar
angelwings6117
Finally, I think I have almost solidified the pairings. Makoto, Minako, and Hotaru are still up for debate, but they will probably be paired with Elladan, Elrohir, and Eomer (just not in that order). Haven't decided who will get who yet hehe.
Thank you for your continued patience and dedication, and please review. Sweet water and light laughter till next we meet. Namarie!
~Calli-chan