A day's ride it took to reach the safe borders of Rivendell; and Avari was very weary. Many thoughts swirled around in her mind as the day wore on, as her journey to The Old Land of the Elves, as she had heard it, neared an end.
She thought about the hobbits and how they faired after she left the watchtower of Amon Sul. She thought about Sauruman, and if he would ever find the true reason why Gaanon never returned back to the tower of Isengard. And she wondered about Aragorn.
All her life she had known him as the ranger who held many secrets. He was her friend and watcher. And his heart belonged to the fair, Arwen Evenstar: the elven daughter of Elrond. Alas! There was so much more to Aragorn than met the eye. And there was one more thing that troubled her: why did Aragorn turn away from becoming king of Gondor?
Avari knew that Aragorn was not aware she knew so much of him. She wanted to know why he turned from his rightful place: from his throne at Gondor. But, knowing he would not answer her, she never tried. Suddenly, her mind all focused upon Gondor: her beloved country.
Gondor was where she had grown up all her life. It was the only place where she had people that cared about her, or so she was told.
* * * * * * * *
"Halt! Who passes below?" a deep voice rang out in the dark, damp night. The pale moon lit barely the sky as a rider passed underneath it.
"It is Mithrandir. I have returned to Gondor as I said. I wish to speak with Denethor! And quickly!" Gandalf commanded, not wanting to waste a moment of his time.
"Mithrandir! As you wish! Are you with no company? By yoursel-" the guard paused as he saw a small body, wrapped up in a thick, black cloak. "You are not alone! I cannot allow any strangers within our borders of our city, Osgiliath. Who is with you?"
"A small child, she is. No harm could she endure on your great city! Allow her to pass; allow this helpless child to receive care from your great city!" the wizard commanded, becoming quite ill at having to wait upon the guard's decision.
"It is our law, I am afraid. 'No stranger to the land of Gondor shall pass before its gates of its great city, Osgiliath.': by order of Denethor. Whether it be an old, feeble man or small, luminous child." the guard called out, a guilty tone hidden in his voice was coming out.
Gandalf's anger and patience was wearing thin. Time was running.
"Ass! Fool! I have not the time nor patience to deal with you! I shall give you a choice you make quickly: let me pass through your gates PEACEFULLY with the harmless child that sleeps now, or let me set afire your gates as to let me through to your steward. Speak now! and swiftly!" Gandalf boomed. The guard, now in fear, caved in to the wizard's demands.
"According to your wish, Mithrandir! Open the gates!" a small voice was overheard talking to the watcher.
"Strom! You dare defy Lord Denethor? Forfeit your life shall be if you let him pass with the child!"
"I would rather my life be forfeit for this, Daclamitus," Strom paused at using his strength to open the gate in which Gandalf and the child raced through to reach their destination, "than to have Osgiliath's gates burned to the ground and catch afire anything near. Get back to you post! This shall be my undoing: not yours!"
Upon the opening of the gate, Gandalf sped through swiftly, not heeding any who stared and whispered about the return of the Grey Pilgrim.
* * * * * * * *
That was the most of Avari's memory of when she was taken to the High City of Gondor. Though, there were few moments that she could remember after her arrival.
* * * * * * * *
"Gandalf," a voice rang out. Young Avari awoke with a startle at the booming voice. "You do not seriously think we can care for another at times like these? And especially bringing a young child so close to the Dark Land....." the man paused for a moment, as if shaking off shudders and shivers from a dark thought. "....so close to Morder." he whispered.
"My Lord, please," Gandalf began, changing the tone of his voice to a more persuasive one. "Time is running short in my errands, Denethor, and I certainly cannot take her with me. She will be no trouble at all, to that I give you my promise. Give her to a family in needing of another child; a well-trusted family, one that you may know well. I would take her to Rivendell, but-"
"Rivendell?" Denethor interrupted. "Indeed tales tell of how a fair place it is, but you believe the child would be safer there? Believe me, I know my lands isn't the safest at the moment, but you need no worry about the people's safety. Is it, you think, Elves can be more trusted than Men?" Denethor paused waiting for a reply.
Gandalf wearily shook his head and let a sigh flow.
"Lord, I do doubt the race of Men; nor do I doubt the race of Elves. They are both equal in mine eyes."
"Humph!" Denethor snorted. "Well, the child would be as in Gondor, than in any other place upon Middle Earth....except that of-"
"That place has been named enough for one night!" Gandalf interrupted. "So your answer is that you will take this small, harmless child into your land and keep hre protected until she takes her leave?"
"And if she never does?" Denethor asked quickly.
"Then there will be no more discussion." Gandalf finished abruptly. "Yet I believe she will leave you lands, but not unloved. I'm sure that you will find her charming and loving as she grows. She will probably be one of your most trusted." Denethor turned away, drifting into his own thoughts as Gandalf continued.
"Give her to a well-known and trusted family. I'm sure you have aplenty. And if you do not find any willing to take her in, keep her yourself: as your own child. For I am sure Boromir and Faramir would not mind having an addition."
"How did you find her? Did you know her before?" Denethor asked swiftly and commanding, changing the subject rather quickly.
* * * * * * * *
As Avari looked up from the trodded path below Sereg's feet, the waters of the Loudwater were flowing swiftly.
"Rivendell...." she whispered to herself, stopping Sereg to observe what stood still and silent about her.
"Cormamin lindua ele lle. (My heart sings to see thee.)" Avari smiled lazily as her eyes wondered abroad the lush land that surrounded her.
Beyond the the great river that divided the outer world from the beautiful Rivendell, a light shone through the forests of trees and water. Green moss, leaf, and plant was everywhere. Gold in the sea of trees lay hidden, only to those who knew the land well. Animals lie secretly, watching the slightest movement very friendly. The lushness of the water that treated the land invited anyone so lightly, that none could turn away from its mesmorzing power. Behind every tree, rock, and grain of sand and soil that lay compacted in the lands of Rivendell his a secret: a secret of happiness; a secret of sorrow and melancholy; and a secret of mystery.
There was, however, one thing that troubled Avari's mind as she approached. What would the Elves say of her when she entered their home?
It had been so long since she had spoken with them. It had been so long since....she had loved them.
A/N: A big thank you to everyone who had been keeping up with my story and reviewing!!! Also, a big thanks to Trishette for giving me advice on how my story was! Anyways, LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT CHAPTER COMING VERY, VERY SOON! Also, PLEASE, PLEASE REVIEW!!! Thank you! ^_^
She thought about the hobbits and how they faired after she left the watchtower of Amon Sul. She thought about Sauruman, and if he would ever find the true reason why Gaanon never returned back to the tower of Isengard. And she wondered about Aragorn.
All her life she had known him as the ranger who held many secrets. He was her friend and watcher. And his heart belonged to the fair, Arwen Evenstar: the elven daughter of Elrond. Alas! There was so much more to Aragorn than met the eye. And there was one more thing that troubled her: why did Aragorn turn away from becoming king of Gondor?
Avari knew that Aragorn was not aware she knew so much of him. She wanted to know why he turned from his rightful place: from his throne at Gondor. But, knowing he would not answer her, she never tried. Suddenly, her mind all focused upon Gondor: her beloved country.
Gondor was where she had grown up all her life. It was the only place where she had people that cared about her, or so she was told.
* * * * * * * *
"Halt! Who passes below?" a deep voice rang out in the dark, damp night. The pale moon lit barely the sky as a rider passed underneath it.
"It is Mithrandir. I have returned to Gondor as I said. I wish to speak with Denethor! And quickly!" Gandalf commanded, not wanting to waste a moment of his time.
"Mithrandir! As you wish! Are you with no company? By yoursel-" the guard paused as he saw a small body, wrapped up in a thick, black cloak. "You are not alone! I cannot allow any strangers within our borders of our city, Osgiliath. Who is with you?"
"A small child, she is. No harm could she endure on your great city! Allow her to pass; allow this helpless child to receive care from your great city!" the wizard commanded, becoming quite ill at having to wait upon the guard's decision.
"It is our law, I am afraid. 'No stranger to the land of Gondor shall pass before its gates of its great city, Osgiliath.': by order of Denethor. Whether it be an old, feeble man or small, luminous child." the guard called out, a guilty tone hidden in his voice was coming out.
Gandalf's anger and patience was wearing thin. Time was running.
"Ass! Fool! I have not the time nor patience to deal with you! I shall give you a choice you make quickly: let me pass through your gates PEACEFULLY with the harmless child that sleeps now, or let me set afire your gates as to let me through to your steward. Speak now! and swiftly!" Gandalf boomed. The guard, now in fear, caved in to the wizard's demands.
"According to your wish, Mithrandir! Open the gates!" a small voice was overheard talking to the watcher.
"Strom! You dare defy Lord Denethor? Forfeit your life shall be if you let him pass with the child!"
"I would rather my life be forfeit for this, Daclamitus," Strom paused at using his strength to open the gate in which Gandalf and the child raced through to reach their destination, "than to have Osgiliath's gates burned to the ground and catch afire anything near. Get back to you post! This shall be my undoing: not yours!"
Upon the opening of the gate, Gandalf sped through swiftly, not heeding any who stared and whispered about the return of the Grey Pilgrim.
* * * * * * * *
That was the most of Avari's memory of when she was taken to the High City of Gondor. Though, there were few moments that she could remember after her arrival.
* * * * * * * *
"Gandalf," a voice rang out. Young Avari awoke with a startle at the booming voice. "You do not seriously think we can care for another at times like these? And especially bringing a young child so close to the Dark Land....." the man paused for a moment, as if shaking off shudders and shivers from a dark thought. "....so close to Morder." he whispered.
"My Lord, please," Gandalf began, changing the tone of his voice to a more persuasive one. "Time is running short in my errands, Denethor, and I certainly cannot take her with me. She will be no trouble at all, to that I give you my promise. Give her to a family in needing of another child; a well-trusted family, one that you may know well. I would take her to Rivendell, but-"
"Rivendell?" Denethor interrupted. "Indeed tales tell of how a fair place it is, but you believe the child would be safer there? Believe me, I know my lands isn't the safest at the moment, but you need no worry about the people's safety. Is it, you think, Elves can be more trusted than Men?" Denethor paused waiting for a reply.
Gandalf wearily shook his head and let a sigh flow.
"Lord, I do doubt the race of Men; nor do I doubt the race of Elves. They are both equal in mine eyes."
"Humph!" Denethor snorted. "Well, the child would be as in Gondor, than in any other place upon Middle Earth....except that of-"
"That place has been named enough for one night!" Gandalf interrupted. "So your answer is that you will take this small, harmless child into your land and keep hre protected until she takes her leave?"
"And if she never does?" Denethor asked quickly.
"Then there will be no more discussion." Gandalf finished abruptly. "Yet I believe she will leave you lands, but not unloved. I'm sure that you will find her charming and loving as she grows. She will probably be one of your most trusted." Denethor turned away, drifting into his own thoughts as Gandalf continued.
"Give her to a well-known and trusted family. I'm sure you have aplenty. And if you do not find any willing to take her in, keep her yourself: as your own child. For I am sure Boromir and Faramir would not mind having an addition."
"How did you find her? Did you know her before?" Denethor asked swiftly and commanding, changing the subject rather quickly.
* * * * * * * *
As Avari looked up from the trodded path below Sereg's feet, the waters of the Loudwater were flowing swiftly.
"Rivendell...." she whispered to herself, stopping Sereg to observe what stood still and silent about her.
"Cormamin lindua ele lle. (My heart sings to see thee.)" Avari smiled lazily as her eyes wondered abroad the lush land that surrounded her.
Beyond the the great river that divided the outer world from the beautiful Rivendell, a light shone through the forests of trees and water. Green moss, leaf, and plant was everywhere. Gold in the sea of trees lay hidden, only to those who knew the land well. Animals lie secretly, watching the slightest movement very friendly. The lushness of the water that treated the land invited anyone so lightly, that none could turn away from its mesmorzing power. Behind every tree, rock, and grain of sand and soil that lay compacted in the lands of Rivendell his a secret: a secret of happiness; a secret of sorrow and melancholy; and a secret of mystery.
There was, however, one thing that troubled Avari's mind as she approached. What would the Elves say of her when she entered their home?
It had been so long since she had spoken with them. It had been so long since....she had loved them.
A/N: A big thank you to everyone who had been keeping up with my story and reviewing!!! Also, a big thanks to Trishette for giving me advice on how my story was! Anyways, LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT CHAPTER COMING VERY, VERY SOON! Also, PLEASE, PLEASE REVIEW!!! Thank you! ^_^