-Seeking Hope-
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: As much as I want to I don't own any LOTR characters, places, monsters or anything else created by Tolkien, but I do own the characters and places, which I have invented or will invent or introduce. If you wish to use any of my characters or places, email me first.
Read the first chapter for additional notes and other information.
"Gil-Galad was an elven king
Of him harpers sadly sing:
The last of whose realm was far and free
Between the mountain and the sea"
The sun was setting as the elven song drifted through the trees. Two voices sang the song as they ran and rode through the forests around Rivendell. The first was elven, so it was beautiful, blending in to the forest's natural melody. The second was a young human's, slightly out of tune but with some potential. These two beings had been singing and telling tales for the whole day, laughing and talking for hours on end.
"His sword was long, his lance was keen
His shining helm afar was seen
The countless stars of heaven's field
Were mirrored in his silver shield"
Estel stopped singing at the end of this verse for two reasons. The first was that his throat was sore and dry from singing all day; the second was he couldn't remember the words. Tar kept singing the tale despite him stopping, her voice rivalling that of the Dulin. (Nightingale in common tongue.)
"But long ago he rode away
And where he dwelleth none can say;
Far into darkness fell his star
In Mordor where the shadows are."
Taking a sip from her water skin Tar said, "Very good Estel, but you must learn the song. Gil-Galad is an elven hero." Adding sadly under her breath, "And a good teacher."
She didn't realise that Estel heard her, and only found out when he asked, "You knew him?" Hiding a look of surprise she slowed her pace until she was beside Mornsuifuin and Estel.
"Yes," She began. "I knew him, but only for a few years when I was still very young." Estel wondered how old she was, but was afraid to ask. It was considered rude to ask an elf's age, but curiosity got the better of him.
Taking a deep breath, he cautiously asked, "How old are you anyway?"
Tar was actually expecting that question so she casually answered, "Around 3050 I guess. Not really that old." A few questions suddenly came to Estel's mind. The first was one he'd wanted to know the answer to for a long time.
He asked it without a second thought. "What was the war of the ring like?" Elrond and Glorfindel wouldn't tell him about it, and his brothers were born after it, as was Legolas.
At that question Tar stopped dead in her tracks, almost being trampled by Vorimaer as a result. "We'll stop here for the night. I'll answer your question when I return with something to eat." She quickly explained before dropping her pack onto the ground and leaping into the branches of a nearby tree, quickly disappearing into the forest, leaving Estel alone in his thoughts.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Estel was growing impatient. Tarveth had been gone for an hour now, and he'd already lite a fire and set up camp. The sun's last rays of light were dancing over the treetops and hills. He began reciting the words he'd forgotten under his breath, "But long ago he rode away, and where he dwelleth none can say; for into-" He closed his eyes in concentration and racked his brain but couldn't remember what came next.
"Darkness fell his star, in Mordor where the shadows are." Tarveth finished for him, strolling towards him with a deer over one shoulder. "Game is thin around here, what with the wargs and all. I was lucky to find this young fellow grazing. How do you like it?"
Estel replied, "Doesn't worry me, just not to hot, I'm not fond of spicy food." The main reason for that was when his brothers added 'death' sauce to one of his meals when he was five. Estel wouldn't have been surprised if he'd drunk all the water in Rivendell trying to wash the hot spices from his mouth. Mind you, it was worth it to see the look on Glorfindel's face when he tasted it to see what was wrong. Estel never thought the elf lord would let his brothers live after that.
Estel then remembered his question. "So, what was the war like?" A look of disappointment shot across Tarveth's face as Estel realised she'd been hoping he'd forgotten about it.
She sighed before saying softly, "It depends." Estel didn't understand. Seeing this, she explained what she meant.
"In the far west the lands had a few minor battles, nothing serious. But in the east lands were devastated, one race even destroyed."
Estel wanted to hear actual tales, not historic facts, so he questioned, "What about your home, Mirkwood? How did the war affect it?"
Tarveth quickly shot back, "One, call it Greenwood, in memory of what it once was. Two, I'm not from Greenwood, I come from Rhun." Bitterness and sorrow were in her voice, as was pain, but this went undetected by the young human.
Now Estel was confused. "But isn't that a baron wasteland, governed by slave-traders and Easterlings?"
Tarveth shook her head. "Further east, yes, but a group of elves lived on the north shore of the sea of Rhun in a grand city. All the land that surrounded the inland sea was ours. My people were rich, powerful and graceful. Fine warriors too. But we kept to ourselves, which led to our undoing." Here she paused, remembering the past.
"As Sauron's power grew and his army conquered more and more land he turned his eye to our city, Rhunite. To the east of the city was forest that he could use to build his machines of war and fortresses and to the west lay mountains filled with precious metals. It was the perfect place for him to use as a war factory and training ground, but one thing stood in his way: us" Tarveth stopped again, not really wanting to finish. Estel was sitting eagerly, waiting to hear the rest. Seeing this, she continued.
"A massive army of just under 500,000 orcs and wargs as well as many other creatures of darkness marched upon our grand city. When we caught wind of the news half of the elves fled west to Greenwood, but never made it. They were cut down like wheat at a harvest with nowhere to take shelter. Some escaped the slaughter and found refuge in Lorien, and they still dwell there, as far as I am aware, for I've never ventured into those woods."
Estel didn't dare interrupt. Even the horses seemed to be hanging onto every word. Tarveth, who'd been standing up, dumped the deer onto the fire before sitting down across from the boy and continuing,
"7,500 against 500,000, almost impossible odds. However, our arrows flew straight and our walls were high, so we won the battle, largely thanks to luck though, for their trolls went on a rampage, killing the orcs instead of us. After the battle only 57 of us remained, if I remember correctly, including most of the royal family. The devastation to the city and its people was too much so the Valar ordered the sea to swallow the city, as it did."
"The sea swallowing a city?!" Estel interrupted, not realising it. Seeing the look Tarveth gave him he muttered, "Sorry." before letting her continue.
Taking a breath tar recalled what happened next. "Some stayed in Rhun to make a new city nearby, but the majority of us made for the grey havens, to then sail to the undying lands. It seemed Sauron had other ideas. He commanded his only fire-drake to hunt us down in the mountains and kill us, and it succeeded."
Estel wanted to ask 'then how did you escape', but thought is best to keep his mouth shut.
Tar skipped the part about the fire-drake's attack and went on to the aftermath. "These days elves from Greenwood live in the forest east of the city. Dwarves inhabit the mountains to the west, and men shelter in the new city, called Niquema. Three completely different races all living in peace, yet all ruled over by one man. One of the last Rhun elves. He himself isn't of royal blood but by marriage, he was the king's wife's brother."
Estel didn't know what to say, so he just sat there, like a stunned mullet. Finally finding his voice, he murmured, "How did you escape? Did you stay in Rhun?"
"No, little Estel." Tarveth replied, "I went with the royal family to the grey havens. What happened exactly I cannot remember, but the next thing I knew I was in Rivendell's healing wing. When we return, ask Glorfindel. He'll give you the answer. Anyway, enough about death, tell me, how fares Legolas? I haven't seen him for ten years."
Estel took the hint and began to tell her about Legolas, but didn't really pay attention to what he was saying. Something nagged him about her version of events. For once, he wished he'd listened to Glorfindel telling him about Rhun and the elves that lived there. He pushed it to the back of his mind and when Tar began to sing again, it was completely forgotten.
Just a note: There is a sauce called 'death' sauce, and it's extremely hot. I haven't tried it personally but I've seen my brother's and some of his friend's reactions so it must be pretty hot. The stunned mullet part came from a friend from school. I think it's funny, so if you don't that's your problem. LOL. Responses:
Castra13: First thing, Tariravethvala is just her formal name that I'll hardly ever use. (However, Elrond may use it when lecturing her and the twins!) Tarveth or Tar will do, mainly because it's much easier to type. (P.S. Pronunciation is up to you, it's more fun that way.)
HarryEstel: Had to look up what Madrigals meant, which might come in handy if it's ever a question on 'who wants to be a millionaire.' Guess it's my luck to catch you at the last moment. Can't tell you weather she's going to die or not, that would spoil the fun. (Evil grin!)
JEWR: That's a lot easier to type. Your review made me laugh, and don't worry, takes a loony to know one. Yea, someone else I know made that assumption, so you're not alone there. Was originally going to make Tarveth be close to trees like wood elves but a tree can't deliver messages can it, or help you out in battle for that matter.
I was aiming for very anti-mary-sue as you say, but tell me, what makes a mary sue? I'm sure your answer will be very original. One of the things I aim for with my stories it that not every ending is happy. Not saying weather Tar will survive this one, just telling you and all readers to keep on your toes. Well, my response is almost as long as your review, so I'll stop here.
Review, do I really have to ask? Oh, by the way, just out of interest, what do you guys define as a 'mary sue?' Have a rough idea, but want your opinions. Review and tell me, so none of my future characters turn out like them. Cool?
P.S. I've added the date when the chapter was updated, but because I live in Australia the day comes first, then the month then the year. (9th of December 2004 is written as 9/12/04.) Just thought I'd let you American psychos know. :)