Chapter Eleven: Leavings and Arrivals
". . .if we wait for the moment when everything, absolutely everything is ready, we shall never begin." Ivan Turgenev
Throughout the next month Rhiannon slowly made herself known to the remaining members of the Fellowship. She knew the only members that felt comfortable around her were Aragorn and Legolas, a thing she expected and had always felt from them. The Hobbits of the Shire were known for their lack of trust when it came to outsiders. In fact, all the races of Middle Earth were suspicious of outsiders, of those not of their own race. They were learning though, and realizing, that with the passing of the elves came the passing of all the races other than men. If Aragorn fulfilled his destiny, it would mean that good would prevail in this world for some time. With that though came the loss of all things whimsical and magical. Rhiannon remembered something Lord Celeborn had revealed to her in one of their long and confusing (at least for her) talks. Something of the elven race always had to dwell on this earth in order for nature to sustain. Descendants of the elven race had to carry this on; this somewhat protection of the earth. Rhiannon had the oddest feeling that Lord Celeborn meant for her to be the one to implement the carrying out of this task in the future.
Yes, there seemed to be some pressure there. Then again he may have just meant her people, that was always a possibility. For now Rhiannon did not wish to think of the future and her part to play in it. The Fellowship would be leaving this day, traveling on to futures unknown and paths unseen. Rhiannon had been informed to at least learn one source of weaponry from either Aragorn or Legolas before they departed. They had started on arrows, being an elf, Legolas had argued, it was only natural for her to learn their weapon of choice. It also meant that she did not have to be directly involved in battle. After almost accidentally killing quite a few of the Galadhrim it was decided that Rhiannon would not be taking anymore bow and arrow lessons. If Lorien was attacked in the coming days, Rhiannon would be in a big lot of trouble.
Battle, wars, death, destruction. Occurrences to her that she had been so far removed from as a child. Of course wars occurred in her own lands, she knew what it was, had seen it's affects. She had grown up with war as part of her life, but she never had to fight. Her father had always seen to her protection, sending her to the faery and nymphs that lived hidden in hills, realms that few could breach and could only find if looking for them. She did not know how to use any weapons really, beyond being able to defend herself with a small dagger her brother had once given her. Swords, bows and arrows, all of those things were objects almost foreign to her. She knew one day she would have to pick up even the basic of skills to survive in this world, if only to reach her brother, but she still felt she would be better used for figuring out strategies. Who was she trying to fool? She just didn't want to fight. The idea of being in battle caused an uneasy feeling to settle within the pit of her stomach. It amazed her really, her mother had been an elf of Rivendell and yet her daughter knew very little elvish, knew nothing of fighting, little of the traditions of the elves, she could not handle their weapon of choice, she felt almost ashamed.
Times like these reminded her that she was not really an elf. She was many things, and while predominantly elf, that was not all she was. She was almost the reverse of dear Aragorn; a man closer to the elves. Rhiannon, of elven blood, closer to the humans of this land. Aragorn had started sword lessons with her, and she felt much more comfortable with that. Much more sure of her target, even if her target was a heavily padded and obviously scared and stubborn dwarf. The dwarf had been chosen as her target practice simply because he had too much pride to admit to the fear of a female wielding a sword. She hadn't killed anyone by accident, that had to be a good sign. Rhiannon wondered who would teach her now, now that her teachers were leaving. She felt loss at seeing them go. Oddly enough, she had not spent the most time with the one she was bonded with. Rhiannon understood Legolas' deep need to connect with his kindred and therefore she choose not to accompany him when he spent the many hours talking with and listening to the Galadhrim. He did not seem eager to play translator. The Man of Gondor seemed wary of her and this was no surprise. He had never been around her kind, was suspicious of the unknown. The hobbits while seemingly drawn to her also seemed to feel fear. The last time they had seen her, she had passed out, not the best impression in the world to leave on one's mind. The dear dwarf was Rhiannon's greatest source of entertainment. He always had a story to tell and his voice inflections were priceless. Out of all though, her time was spent with Aragorn. They had this understanding of living in different worlds, among different peoples, never truly knowing where you fit in. The uncertainty he had been feeling, the blame he placed on himself for all that was happening, broke her heart. She reassured him, as she always had and as much as she could, that the future must not be worried about at this time. You cannot plan the end of the journey before all your tasks are done. If anything is unpredictable in this world it is the path one treads. The simple life course can be drastically changed by the smallest action. She was aware Aragorn found little solace in her words, but he found just enough to have a full night's rest before he and the others traveled once more.
------
Rhiannon watched the Fellowship depart, a whispered good-bye to Legolas as he stared from the small boat, seeking her out in the trees. Between the two there was an unexplored peace. When things settled they would have a very long talk about their pasts, their lives, their cultures. Rhiannon was brought back to her vision on the day she had bonded with Legolas and seen visions of his mother. She could not explain it but, she felt as if she knew who that woman was. If only Gandalf or Lord Elrond were here. The Lady of the Wood would most likely know the answer to her question, but the Lady made Rhiannon very uncomfortable.
"It is because I know what you are, and what, if you choose wisely, will be."
Rhiannon jumped as the Lady's voice reverberated in her mind. She truly hated mind-reading, it was such an intrusion. "Why is it that everyone seems to think I fear what I am?"
"You do not fear what you are, Rhiannon. You know what you are. It is what lies in your future that you fear. You fear the power within you, you fear the bond you have with Legolas. A bond, I must say, that is being very neglected."
"A bond can be neglected? How do you neglect something you can't control?"
"Yes, a bond can be neglected, by ignoring it. And you can control the bond, you already have in a sense. You forced Legolas to let you witness the events on the Mines of Moria and he forced you out. The bond, the connection allows that. Even now, you sit up here thinking that a peace lies between the two of you, and yet you know better. Or you should. One so wise and then so blind to herself. You want to be closer to him, you wished to leave with both him and Aragorn."
"They speak the common tongue and do not often confuse me; of course I would wish to be with them. I admit I have many questions about the past of Legolas, about his life. That is only natural."
"Yes, it is. As it is also only natural how you sat and watched him at night wishing to be curled up at his side, to take away the anxiety that has been silently building inside you. To reassure you that you are not a disgrace to the elven race for not knowing a thing about us."
Rhiannon's face faded into a blank state as the Lady voiced things she had meant to hide. Rhiannon had always associated the need for comfort as a form of weakness and therefore did not voice her want for someone to soothe her in the middle of the night. She did not let it show that she was feeling very uneasy as of late, knowing that something great was about to happen and an amazing sadness to occur. She glanced at the Lady, the strong, silent elf. She stood as still as a statue, barely blinking.
"You know the fate that awaits you, Lady Galadriel, no matter the outcome you must leave this earth. All the elves know this, they have a place to escape to in case the darkness wins. I do not know my own fate at the end of these days. I have no place to escape too. I am bonded to someone that will eventually leave these shores and I can not follow him when he leaves. Do you understand the fear I have of that? Do you understand the fear of becoming so dependent on someone that you cannot function without them? I do not wish for that to happen; I do not wish for that pain."
The Lady's silence continued. Rhiannon stood still as she was studied under the gravity of the gaze of the Lady of the Wood. Their stare was broken as an eagle squawked overhead. Galadriel smiled, "There is greater pain in never taking the chance to bond completely with the one that holds not only your soul but your heart. I know your mother told you of the sorrow so strong it can destroy an elf. Battle wounds can be healed, a broken mind can not. For both you and the son of Thranduil your strength lies in each other. You would have met eventually, for your ways do lie with each other. I have told you Legolas is not the answer to your great question. You have informed me that he is part of it and you are very correct. We will have yet another guest coming to Lorien very soon. When he leaves, so shall you. You will need to start taking your own council and providing it to others. You may leave with our guest, but you will not journey with him. Now, come, you must rest and gain strength. The coming days will be very trying for you, young one."
". . .if we wait for the moment when everything, absolutely everything is ready, we shall never begin." Ivan Turgenev
Throughout the next month Rhiannon slowly made herself known to the remaining members of the Fellowship. She knew the only members that felt comfortable around her were Aragorn and Legolas, a thing she expected and had always felt from them. The Hobbits of the Shire were known for their lack of trust when it came to outsiders. In fact, all the races of Middle Earth were suspicious of outsiders, of those not of their own race. They were learning though, and realizing, that with the passing of the elves came the passing of all the races other than men. If Aragorn fulfilled his destiny, it would mean that good would prevail in this world for some time. With that though came the loss of all things whimsical and magical. Rhiannon remembered something Lord Celeborn had revealed to her in one of their long and confusing (at least for her) talks. Something of the elven race always had to dwell on this earth in order for nature to sustain. Descendants of the elven race had to carry this on; this somewhat protection of the earth. Rhiannon had the oddest feeling that Lord Celeborn meant for her to be the one to implement the carrying out of this task in the future.
Yes, there seemed to be some pressure there. Then again he may have just meant her people, that was always a possibility. For now Rhiannon did not wish to think of the future and her part to play in it. The Fellowship would be leaving this day, traveling on to futures unknown and paths unseen. Rhiannon had been informed to at least learn one source of weaponry from either Aragorn or Legolas before they departed. They had started on arrows, being an elf, Legolas had argued, it was only natural for her to learn their weapon of choice. It also meant that she did not have to be directly involved in battle. After almost accidentally killing quite a few of the Galadhrim it was decided that Rhiannon would not be taking anymore bow and arrow lessons. If Lorien was attacked in the coming days, Rhiannon would be in a big lot of trouble.
Battle, wars, death, destruction. Occurrences to her that she had been so far removed from as a child. Of course wars occurred in her own lands, she knew what it was, had seen it's affects. She had grown up with war as part of her life, but she never had to fight. Her father had always seen to her protection, sending her to the faery and nymphs that lived hidden in hills, realms that few could breach and could only find if looking for them. She did not know how to use any weapons really, beyond being able to defend herself with a small dagger her brother had once given her. Swords, bows and arrows, all of those things were objects almost foreign to her. She knew one day she would have to pick up even the basic of skills to survive in this world, if only to reach her brother, but she still felt she would be better used for figuring out strategies. Who was she trying to fool? She just didn't want to fight. The idea of being in battle caused an uneasy feeling to settle within the pit of her stomach. It amazed her really, her mother had been an elf of Rivendell and yet her daughter knew very little elvish, knew nothing of fighting, little of the traditions of the elves, she could not handle their weapon of choice, she felt almost ashamed.
Times like these reminded her that she was not really an elf. She was many things, and while predominantly elf, that was not all she was. She was almost the reverse of dear Aragorn; a man closer to the elves. Rhiannon, of elven blood, closer to the humans of this land. Aragorn had started sword lessons with her, and she felt much more comfortable with that. Much more sure of her target, even if her target was a heavily padded and obviously scared and stubborn dwarf. The dwarf had been chosen as her target practice simply because he had too much pride to admit to the fear of a female wielding a sword. She hadn't killed anyone by accident, that had to be a good sign. Rhiannon wondered who would teach her now, now that her teachers were leaving. She felt loss at seeing them go. Oddly enough, she had not spent the most time with the one she was bonded with. Rhiannon understood Legolas' deep need to connect with his kindred and therefore she choose not to accompany him when he spent the many hours talking with and listening to the Galadhrim. He did not seem eager to play translator. The Man of Gondor seemed wary of her and this was no surprise. He had never been around her kind, was suspicious of the unknown. The hobbits while seemingly drawn to her also seemed to feel fear. The last time they had seen her, she had passed out, not the best impression in the world to leave on one's mind. The dear dwarf was Rhiannon's greatest source of entertainment. He always had a story to tell and his voice inflections were priceless. Out of all though, her time was spent with Aragorn. They had this understanding of living in different worlds, among different peoples, never truly knowing where you fit in. The uncertainty he had been feeling, the blame he placed on himself for all that was happening, broke her heart. She reassured him, as she always had and as much as she could, that the future must not be worried about at this time. You cannot plan the end of the journey before all your tasks are done. If anything is unpredictable in this world it is the path one treads. The simple life course can be drastically changed by the smallest action. She was aware Aragorn found little solace in her words, but he found just enough to have a full night's rest before he and the others traveled once more.
------
Rhiannon watched the Fellowship depart, a whispered good-bye to Legolas as he stared from the small boat, seeking her out in the trees. Between the two there was an unexplored peace. When things settled they would have a very long talk about their pasts, their lives, their cultures. Rhiannon was brought back to her vision on the day she had bonded with Legolas and seen visions of his mother. She could not explain it but, she felt as if she knew who that woman was. If only Gandalf or Lord Elrond were here. The Lady of the Wood would most likely know the answer to her question, but the Lady made Rhiannon very uncomfortable.
"It is because I know what you are, and what, if you choose wisely, will be."
Rhiannon jumped as the Lady's voice reverberated in her mind. She truly hated mind-reading, it was such an intrusion. "Why is it that everyone seems to think I fear what I am?"
"You do not fear what you are, Rhiannon. You know what you are. It is what lies in your future that you fear. You fear the power within you, you fear the bond you have with Legolas. A bond, I must say, that is being very neglected."
"A bond can be neglected? How do you neglect something you can't control?"
"Yes, a bond can be neglected, by ignoring it. And you can control the bond, you already have in a sense. You forced Legolas to let you witness the events on the Mines of Moria and he forced you out. The bond, the connection allows that. Even now, you sit up here thinking that a peace lies between the two of you, and yet you know better. Or you should. One so wise and then so blind to herself. You want to be closer to him, you wished to leave with both him and Aragorn."
"They speak the common tongue and do not often confuse me; of course I would wish to be with them. I admit I have many questions about the past of Legolas, about his life. That is only natural."
"Yes, it is. As it is also only natural how you sat and watched him at night wishing to be curled up at his side, to take away the anxiety that has been silently building inside you. To reassure you that you are not a disgrace to the elven race for not knowing a thing about us."
Rhiannon's face faded into a blank state as the Lady voiced things she had meant to hide. Rhiannon had always associated the need for comfort as a form of weakness and therefore did not voice her want for someone to soothe her in the middle of the night. She did not let it show that she was feeling very uneasy as of late, knowing that something great was about to happen and an amazing sadness to occur. She glanced at the Lady, the strong, silent elf. She stood as still as a statue, barely blinking.
"You know the fate that awaits you, Lady Galadriel, no matter the outcome you must leave this earth. All the elves know this, they have a place to escape to in case the darkness wins. I do not know my own fate at the end of these days. I have no place to escape too. I am bonded to someone that will eventually leave these shores and I can not follow him when he leaves. Do you understand the fear I have of that? Do you understand the fear of becoming so dependent on someone that you cannot function without them? I do not wish for that to happen; I do not wish for that pain."
The Lady's silence continued. Rhiannon stood still as she was studied under the gravity of the gaze of the Lady of the Wood. Their stare was broken as an eagle squawked overhead. Galadriel smiled, "There is greater pain in never taking the chance to bond completely with the one that holds not only your soul but your heart. I know your mother told you of the sorrow so strong it can destroy an elf. Battle wounds can be healed, a broken mind can not. For both you and the son of Thranduil your strength lies in each other. You would have met eventually, for your ways do lie with each other. I have told you Legolas is not the answer to your great question. You have informed me that he is part of it and you are very correct. We will have yet another guest coming to Lorien very soon. When he leaves, so shall you. You will need to start taking your own council and providing it to others. You may leave with our guest, but you will not journey with him. Now, come, you must rest and gain strength. The coming days will be very trying for you, young one."