Chapter Eight: Lessons to be Learned
"The future depends on what we do in the present."
Two days later a very well-rested Rhiannon prepared to leave the peace of Rivendell. The only problem being, her two promised guides had not appeared yet. Damn elves. They have all the time in the world and make people wait an eternity for them. Yes, there was that short patience again. Rhiannon threw a glance at Elrond. They were in the dining hall, having a small morning meal. Lord Elrond did not seem upset that the guides had not yet appeared; as if he knew they would be arriving just in time, which he probably did.
"Elrond, where are these guides of yours?"
"They are coming. It is a long journey from Mirkwood, even for the swiftest elf and horse."
"Oh, ok." Rhiannon walked away and then stopped once she comprehended what Lord Elrond had said. "Wait. Did you say Mirkwood?"
"Yes, well, near Mirkwood. It is a long journey and I think we caught them before they had returned."
"Please, don't tell me you asked those two."
"If you are referring to Menepaurion and Lostladion, then yes. Yes, they will be escorting you as far as Mirkwood. They will return home, you will be guided as far as there or Lorien, wherever you may come first."
"So, our journey has not even been planned yet."
"One's journey is never planned, Rhiannon. Certain things may come into your path that cannot be accounted for."
"You have no idea which way to send me."
"I am an elf, one of the wise."
"You've been using that excuse for how many thousands of years?"
"You do make me feel weary, young one."
"And you do make me feel annoyed, old one."
"Rhiannon, I know you are not this childish. You are normally the most somber person I know, even more so than Gandalf. I swear, part of the Mirkwood Prince's personality has passed to you."
"No, I was acting like a child before the whole bonding experience. I've just made the decision that I am aging far too fast for my young age. I spend too much time around people like you, and not those near to me in age."
"The curse of your powers does that to you. You seek out the older and the wiser for many reasons. You find those closer to you in age, or those that still maintain the aloofness of youth, tiresome. This is not your fault. Experience makes one's life difficult, and ages you before time has the chance to keep up. You may find some of your youth replenished on this little journey of yours to the realm of Gondor. Then again, there may be such great weariness on your soul that you will find yourself becoming secluded to all those around you."
"You speak for yourself also."
"Either way this journey ends, I will not experience joy. I do not wish for darkness to rule our lands and yet I do not wish for my daughter to be taken from me."
"She has a right to choose, all of your line does."
"I am well aware of this, Rhiannon." Elrond spoke in a harsh tone. Rhiannon should have been angered, but she knew Lord Elrond rarely revealed his pain to others. She lightly rested her hand on his arms, willing a calm into him.
"Lord Elrond, if she travels with you, she will die of sorrow."
"If she remains here, she will die of sorrow."
"It will be much quicker if you separate her from Estel. You know this, and you know it can not be avoided. The lost king is returning to reclaim his throne."
"It will be an end for your people."
"No, it will be an end for the elves. You forget, none of my people are pure elves. Pure anything for that matter. We will always live in this world. This world can not survive without having some, what they call magic, to help it along." There was silence for awhile. Rhiannon felt the need to see that small smile on Lord Elrond's face again.
She shook her dark head, "I cannot believe my guides are two elves that have never been to Gondor!"
"Don't worry, Rhiannon. I will send a map. Those two seemed the most logical choice. They are wood elves from Mirkwood, they are going in that direction anyway. They are accustomed to dealing with the darkness. They already know who and what you are. Be honest, little one, the less that they know of you and your powers, the safer you will be. Lostladion, at least, knows how to handle you. It is also a very good opportunity to learn of Legolas and his people. I know you have not spent much time among him and have many questions."
"I still say you are a match-making elf. A smart one at that."
"You do not love Legolas yet."
"How could I? I do not know him. I care for him, as I care for all that I meet. I see beyond his appearance. He can be arrogant. He has a temper. He acts like a child sometimes."
"He is exactly like you."
Rhiannon opened her mouth to say something, and then stopped. She did not have a retort for that. She did notice the smirk that had settled on the countenance of the wise elf.
Rhiannon looked at the two elves that had now entered. Lostladion and Menepaurion did not look very happy, and she could not blame them. From what she knew it was a long trip to Mirkwood, and they had wanted to go home. Would they stare in awe when the Golden Wood was reached? Would they even go that far? She had studied that maps, Mirkwood resided on one side of a river, Lorien the other. Now, was not the time for such questions. She just wished to get to the area between Lorien and Mirkwood without Menepaurion threatening to kill her. He was not the happiest of elves. Lostladion gave her a small smile as she approached them. The weariness of never-ending travel was on the two elves. Menepaurion looked like he was suppressing the urge to kick her.
"Lostladion, Menepaurion, I apologize for having you return for me. If I was aware Lord Elrond would have chosen you as my guides, I would have left when you departed. I apologize again."
Menepaurion started a snort, but stopped at the quelling look from Lostladion, whose light eyes blazed with an intense annoyance. Apparently Menepaurion could grate on other people's nerves. Lostladion then glanced down at her, and spoke.
"Your apology is greatly accepted. We would rest tonight, but Lord Elrond needs you to deliver a message to the Lady Galadriel as soon as it is able. There will be no rest for many days."
Rhiannon nodded her dark head, "I understand. I am able to endure long and arduous travel. Fighting, battles, they are not for me."
Menepaurion looked at her, "And you go to the realm of Gondor by yourself! It is darkness and danger throughout that realm."
"I will not be traveling to Gondor myself."
"We will not even travel with you to Lorien!"
"I was not speaking of your company. You are more than needed in your own realm. The more time we spend here debating, the more we waste. Once Elrond comes with his letter, we will leave."
"Rhiannon," Lostladion spoke, "I am the leader of this journey. I am to say when we will leave."
"Lostladion, I hold more power then you do. I say we will leave as soon as we can. You are already needed in your kingdom. I will not have us held even longer."
*************************
Later in the day the group headed out, taking a similar path to that of the Fellowship. All were gifted with elven sight and watched the Fellowship from afar whenever they could make them out. The three were very curious about the decisions sometimes made. The apparent unsuccessful journey up the mountain and then the entrance to Moria. It was all a riddle for the three, but they choose not to contemplate much. The elves were focused on their homeland and Rhiannon was concerned about Lorien. She knew she was not full-elf. She was not elf-friend to the Lady, but only those of Rivendell. She prayed they would let her in, the message from Lord Elrond being her key. The parting with the two elven guides was not a time of rejoice or one of sadness. She knew that one she would see again, and one she would not. The misery Elrond had spoken to her was starting to weigh on her. This tangible darkness from Mordor would affect all, none would be able to keep their innocence. Such sadness, yet a lesson to be learned. Rhiannon took a calming breath and then continued towards Lorien.
"The future depends on what we do in the present."
Two days later a very well-rested Rhiannon prepared to leave the peace of Rivendell. The only problem being, her two promised guides had not appeared yet. Damn elves. They have all the time in the world and make people wait an eternity for them. Yes, there was that short patience again. Rhiannon threw a glance at Elrond. They were in the dining hall, having a small morning meal. Lord Elrond did not seem upset that the guides had not yet appeared; as if he knew they would be arriving just in time, which he probably did.
"Elrond, where are these guides of yours?"
"They are coming. It is a long journey from Mirkwood, even for the swiftest elf and horse."
"Oh, ok." Rhiannon walked away and then stopped once she comprehended what Lord Elrond had said. "Wait. Did you say Mirkwood?"
"Yes, well, near Mirkwood. It is a long journey and I think we caught them before they had returned."
"Please, don't tell me you asked those two."
"If you are referring to Menepaurion and Lostladion, then yes. Yes, they will be escorting you as far as Mirkwood. They will return home, you will be guided as far as there or Lorien, wherever you may come first."
"So, our journey has not even been planned yet."
"One's journey is never planned, Rhiannon. Certain things may come into your path that cannot be accounted for."
"You have no idea which way to send me."
"I am an elf, one of the wise."
"You've been using that excuse for how many thousands of years?"
"You do make me feel weary, young one."
"And you do make me feel annoyed, old one."
"Rhiannon, I know you are not this childish. You are normally the most somber person I know, even more so than Gandalf. I swear, part of the Mirkwood Prince's personality has passed to you."
"No, I was acting like a child before the whole bonding experience. I've just made the decision that I am aging far too fast for my young age. I spend too much time around people like you, and not those near to me in age."
"The curse of your powers does that to you. You seek out the older and the wiser for many reasons. You find those closer to you in age, or those that still maintain the aloofness of youth, tiresome. This is not your fault. Experience makes one's life difficult, and ages you before time has the chance to keep up. You may find some of your youth replenished on this little journey of yours to the realm of Gondor. Then again, there may be such great weariness on your soul that you will find yourself becoming secluded to all those around you."
"You speak for yourself also."
"Either way this journey ends, I will not experience joy. I do not wish for darkness to rule our lands and yet I do not wish for my daughter to be taken from me."
"She has a right to choose, all of your line does."
"I am well aware of this, Rhiannon." Elrond spoke in a harsh tone. Rhiannon should have been angered, but she knew Lord Elrond rarely revealed his pain to others. She lightly rested her hand on his arms, willing a calm into him.
"Lord Elrond, if she travels with you, she will die of sorrow."
"If she remains here, she will die of sorrow."
"It will be much quicker if you separate her from Estel. You know this, and you know it can not be avoided. The lost king is returning to reclaim his throne."
"It will be an end for your people."
"No, it will be an end for the elves. You forget, none of my people are pure elves. Pure anything for that matter. We will always live in this world. This world can not survive without having some, what they call magic, to help it along." There was silence for awhile. Rhiannon felt the need to see that small smile on Lord Elrond's face again.
She shook her dark head, "I cannot believe my guides are two elves that have never been to Gondor!"
"Don't worry, Rhiannon. I will send a map. Those two seemed the most logical choice. They are wood elves from Mirkwood, they are going in that direction anyway. They are accustomed to dealing with the darkness. They already know who and what you are. Be honest, little one, the less that they know of you and your powers, the safer you will be. Lostladion, at least, knows how to handle you. It is also a very good opportunity to learn of Legolas and his people. I know you have not spent much time among him and have many questions."
"I still say you are a match-making elf. A smart one at that."
"You do not love Legolas yet."
"How could I? I do not know him. I care for him, as I care for all that I meet. I see beyond his appearance. He can be arrogant. He has a temper. He acts like a child sometimes."
"He is exactly like you."
Rhiannon opened her mouth to say something, and then stopped. She did not have a retort for that. She did notice the smirk that had settled on the countenance of the wise elf.
Rhiannon looked at the two elves that had now entered. Lostladion and Menepaurion did not look very happy, and she could not blame them. From what she knew it was a long trip to Mirkwood, and they had wanted to go home. Would they stare in awe when the Golden Wood was reached? Would they even go that far? She had studied that maps, Mirkwood resided on one side of a river, Lorien the other. Now, was not the time for such questions. She just wished to get to the area between Lorien and Mirkwood without Menepaurion threatening to kill her. He was not the happiest of elves. Lostladion gave her a small smile as she approached them. The weariness of never-ending travel was on the two elves. Menepaurion looked like he was suppressing the urge to kick her.
"Lostladion, Menepaurion, I apologize for having you return for me. If I was aware Lord Elrond would have chosen you as my guides, I would have left when you departed. I apologize again."
Menepaurion started a snort, but stopped at the quelling look from Lostladion, whose light eyes blazed with an intense annoyance. Apparently Menepaurion could grate on other people's nerves. Lostladion then glanced down at her, and spoke.
"Your apology is greatly accepted. We would rest tonight, but Lord Elrond needs you to deliver a message to the Lady Galadriel as soon as it is able. There will be no rest for many days."
Rhiannon nodded her dark head, "I understand. I am able to endure long and arduous travel. Fighting, battles, they are not for me."
Menepaurion looked at her, "And you go to the realm of Gondor by yourself! It is darkness and danger throughout that realm."
"I will not be traveling to Gondor myself."
"We will not even travel with you to Lorien!"
"I was not speaking of your company. You are more than needed in your own realm. The more time we spend here debating, the more we waste. Once Elrond comes with his letter, we will leave."
"Rhiannon," Lostladion spoke, "I am the leader of this journey. I am to say when we will leave."
"Lostladion, I hold more power then you do. I say we will leave as soon as we can. You are already needed in your kingdom. I will not have us held even longer."
*************************
Later in the day the group headed out, taking a similar path to that of the Fellowship. All were gifted with elven sight and watched the Fellowship from afar whenever they could make them out. The three were very curious about the decisions sometimes made. The apparent unsuccessful journey up the mountain and then the entrance to Moria. It was all a riddle for the three, but they choose not to contemplate much. The elves were focused on their homeland and Rhiannon was concerned about Lorien. She knew she was not full-elf. She was not elf-friend to the Lady, but only those of Rivendell. She prayed they would let her in, the message from Lord Elrond being her key. The parting with the two elven guides was not a time of rejoice or one of sadness. She knew that one she would see again, and one she would not. The misery Elrond had spoken to her was starting to weigh on her. This tangible darkness from Mordor would affect all, none would be able to keep their innocence. Such sadness, yet a lesson to be learned. Rhiannon took a calming breath and then continued towards Lorien.