Chapter 14: Memories of Childhood
Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts. -- William Shakespeare, King Henry the Sixth
It had seemed months since Gandalf has appeared to the three hunters and Rhiannon in the forest of Fangorn. Months since they had mounted the horses that had returned on Gandalf's call and headed to the kingdom of Edoras. Long days since they had entered the hall of Meduseld and Gandalf the White made his appearance to all, and had forced the poisonous spirit of Saruman out of King Theoden, Master of Rohan. In all honesty it had been a day. The sun had set on one, and rose this morning as they arrived in Edoras. Never had a day seemed so long to Rhiannon, and yet she knew that there would come a time where she would wish for a day like this. They had spent the better part of the past two days riding at a break-neck pace on the horses. When they had stopped the night before, even Legolas found himself in need of sleep. They were to set out again on the horses in only a few hours, the realization that time was truly running out.
Rhiannon sat on a step, staring out among the people that gathered all they needed to travel to the Hornburg and to Helm's Deep, the fortress that had never fallen for those of Rohan. She had memories of times like these. She raised her head as Legolas approached her,
"What are you thinking about?" he inquired.
"My childhood." Rhiannon simply replied.
"Will you tell me?" Legolas asked with slight hesitation, fear still present from the last time they shared memories. Rhiannon motioned for him to sit down next to her. She lightly held his hands in her own; quite a task considering his hands were much larger than hers. She studied his hands, hands that could bring such comfort through touch, and such violent death by use of a weapon. He had some clauses on them, testament to the time spent with the bow and arrow, with knives and swords. She lightly traced the lines that criss-crossed his palms. Legolas jumped at the contact. Rhiannon gave him a mischievous smile and lightly blew a path of air along the line she had just traced with her fingertip. Purposefully she played on his enhanced senses.
"Do you really wish to know what is in my mind?"
Legolas had an almost feral look on his face, sensing her little game. "Mischievous children must be punished; or pay the consequences for their curiosity."
Rhiannon smirked, "I was never punished and I always thoroughly enjoyed the consequences of my curiosity."
Legolas gave a huff and tried to pull his hands away but Rhiannon held them tight. "Calm down, elf. I will let you know what my memory was of, even though you shall not understand it. Ready yourself."
Rhiannon held her palms above Legolas, resting his hands in her lap, she recalled her memory. She was a very young child, even to mortals. Her village was being attacked, fires being lit by arrows shot from enemies. Chaos reigned below as she watched from the window in her father's bedroom. She remembered being scared. Father was off on a hunting trip, her mother had just left for Rivendell to visit her people. Brhagdan had been left in charge of the house, but he had gone to the home of the young lady he was planning to court. Rhiannon did not know where to hide, who to run to. She was only nine years on this earth, she was too ignorant of the world to be as scared as she should have been. To this day she could not figure out what had guided her to the hiding place she stayed in for two days. The being had been light and warmth; two feelings she had always associated with Legolas. However she knew it was near to impossible that he was the being that had guided her through life. That warmth and light had always been there when she could not find her path, she always thanked the higher powers for blessing her with one that watched over her. After that battle her father had always made sure a servant was ready to whisk her off to a safer place. Both her parents and her brother felt guilt that Rhiannon would feel the emotion of abandonment at such a young age. They did not know that Rhiannon had never felt abandoned in those times, she always had the presence, almost like a mother to her..Rhiannon abruptly stopped her memories, her thoughts, and forced Legolas out of her mind. She just had a moment of revelation. Legolas jumped up at the same time she did.
"What is it? What has happened? What has upset you?" Legolas reached out and softly ran a hand down the side of her face, giving his touch to offer her comfort.
Rhiannon grasped his hand that now held her chin in it's palm and shook her head, "It's nothing really, just something I must speak to Gandalf about." She stopped, and lowered his hand from her face. She willed the childish glint back into her eyes, " Is your curiosity quenched now that you have seen what is in my mind?"
Legolas gave her a playful smile, "Not hardly." He reached a hand out again, tucking her hair beyond her ears, to view their slightly pointed shape. "You were an adorable child. Your hair has become even more of a startling contrast to your skin now."
"I spent more time in the sun as a child, more time to climb in trees and play in rivers and meadows, less time spent contemplating the mysteries of life."
"Was that younger man your brother?"
"One of my brothers, the one I am closest to in age, there is only fourteen years between us. His name is Brhagdan."
"His coloring is much different from your own."
"We have different mothers. His was a High-Priestess of one of our lands, a far off place in a desert-like land."
"Desert?"
"Hmm, how to explain this to you. Do you know what sand is?"
"Yes, it is around the gates of Mordor I have been told."
"Well, deserts are like that, made up of sand, more of a golden color. His mother came from these lands, she is a beautiful woman. I have always coveted my brothers golden skin, his beautiful green eyes that stand out so much."
"Your people are very.different in your looks."
"We are diverse, we see many different things as beautiful in others. All are allowed to decide what they find beautiful, and to try to attain that. It is both a good and bad thing."
"Your land sounds very interesting."
"All things that we are not familiar with are seen as interesting, because they are different." Rhiannon paused. "You should go prepare for the journey, check that we have everything, I must speak with Gandalf." Legolas gave her a small nod and slowly turned around, glancing back at her once as he made his way to the stables.
***
Rhiannon found Gandalf speaking with Aragorn, he gave her a look and simply said, "What you think is true. His mother was assigned to watch over you. Now is not the time for such questions. The Lady sent a summons for your brother before we left, he is on his way and shall arrive before nightfall tomorrow. Go and enjoy the small space of peace with Legolas, you will be separated soon from us all, you know why."
Rhiannon gave Gandalf a nod, not the least surprised that he knew what was forefront in her mind. She dreaded what the near future held but was quite ecstatic to know she would soon be with her brother.
Rhiannon ran down the stairs and almost collided with King Theoden's niece, Eowyn. The young woman had the heart of a warrior, and yet lived in the land where she would never have the chance to show it. She was a beautiful caged bird, who fancied herself in love with Aragorn. Rhiannon smiled at the woman who looked up at her with frightened eyes, like a small child. She would get happiness, just not in the ways she so thought. So young and yet so cynical about life. Wait, where had she heard that before? This must be how Gandalf, Elrond, Celeborn and Lady Galadriel, even Aragorn and Legolas must feel when they viewed those younger and more innocent then themselves. It was like looking at a child. Eowyn's eyes traveled over Rhiannon,
"You are not an elf-maiden, are you?"
Rhiannon bowed her dark head, "No, I am not. I am something..else."
"Then why are you traveling with the others. I believed you the wife of the elf, but why would he marry one that is not an elf?"
"I am traveling with the others only until my brother comes into contact with me. Elves do, and can wed, outside of their race, even though I am not the wife of the elf. I am more his.well, I am one that will always know him. Nothing for you to worry about, you should prepare for the travel ahead. Do not get that expression, I am not scolding you or saying you are not fit to wait until the last minute like those foul males. I simply believe in being prepared."
The young woman seemed a bit taken aback that her thoughts were read. Rhiannon had to remember that the race of Men in this part of the world was not comfortable with the mysterious. She watched Eowyn continue up the steps into the Golden Hall. Rhiannon went in the opposite direction, into the dark stables.
Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts. -- William Shakespeare, King Henry the Sixth
It had seemed months since Gandalf has appeared to the three hunters and Rhiannon in the forest of Fangorn. Months since they had mounted the horses that had returned on Gandalf's call and headed to the kingdom of Edoras. Long days since they had entered the hall of Meduseld and Gandalf the White made his appearance to all, and had forced the poisonous spirit of Saruman out of King Theoden, Master of Rohan. In all honesty it had been a day. The sun had set on one, and rose this morning as they arrived in Edoras. Never had a day seemed so long to Rhiannon, and yet she knew that there would come a time where she would wish for a day like this. They had spent the better part of the past two days riding at a break-neck pace on the horses. When they had stopped the night before, even Legolas found himself in need of sleep. They were to set out again on the horses in only a few hours, the realization that time was truly running out.
Rhiannon sat on a step, staring out among the people that gathered all they needed to travel to the Hornburg and to Helm's Deep, the fortress that had never fallen for those of Rohan. She had memories of times like these. She raised her head as Legolas approached her,
"What are you thinking about?" he inquired.
"My childhood." Rhiannon simply replied.
"Will you tell me?" Legolas asked with slight hesitation, fear still present from the last time they shared memories. Rhiannon motioned for him to sit down next to her. She lightly held his hands in her own; quite a task considering his hands were much larger than hers. She studied his hands, hands that could bring such comfort through touch, and such violent death by use of a weapon. He had some clauses on them, testament to the time spent with the bow and arrow, with knives and swords. She lightly traced the lines that criss-crossed his palms. Legolas jumped at the contact. Rhiannon gave him a mischievous smile and lightly blew a path of air along the line she had just traced with her fingertip. Purposefully she played on his enhanced senses.
"Do you really wish to know what is in my mind?"
Legolas had an almost feral look on his face, sensing her little game. "Mischievous children must be punished; or pay the consequences for their curiosity."
Rhiannon smirked, "I was never punished and I always thoroughly enjoyed the consequences of my curiosity."
Legolas gave a huff and tried to pull his hands away but Rhiannon held them tight. "Calm down, elf. I will let you know what my memory was of, even though you shall not understand it. Ready yourself."
Rhiannon held her palms above Legolas, resting his hands in her lap, she recalled her memory. She was a very young child, even to mortals. Her village was being attacked, fires being lit by arrows shot from enemies. Chaos reigned below as she watched from the window in her father's bedroom. She remembered being scared. Father was off on a hunting trip, her mother had just left for Rivendell to visit her people. Brhagdan had been left in charge of the house, but he had gone to the home of the young lady he was planning to court. Rhiannon did not know where to hide, who to run to. She was only nine years on this earth, she was too ignorant of the world to be as scared as she should have been. To this day she could not figure out what had guided her to the hiding place she stayed in for two days. The being had been light and warmth; two feelings she had always associated with Legolas. However she knew it was near to impossible that he was the being that had guided her through life. That warmth and light had always been there when she could not find her path, she always thanked the higher powers for blessing her with one that watched over her. After that battle her father had always made sure a servant was ready to whisk her off to a safer place. Both her parents and her brother felt guilt that Rhiannon would feel the emotion of abandonment at such a young age. They did not know that Rhiannon had never felt abandoned in those times, she always had the presence, almost like a mother to her..Rhiannon abruptly stopped her memories, her thoughts, and forced Legolas out of her mind. She just had a moment of revelation. Legolas jumped up at the same time she did.
"What is it? What has happened? What has upset you?" Legolas reached out and softly ran a hand down the side of her face, giving his touch to offer her comfort.
Rhiannon grasped his hand that now held her chin in it's palm and shook her head, "It's nothing really, just something I must speak to Gandalf about." She stopped, and lowered his hand from her face. She willed the childish glint back into her eyes, " Is your curiosity quenched now that you have seen what is in my mind?"
Legolas gave her a playful smile, "Not hardly." He reached a hand out again, tucking her hair beyond her ears, to view their slightly pointed shape. "You were an adorable child. Your hair has become even more of a startling contrast to your skin now."
"I spent more time in the sun as a child, more time to climb in trees and play in rivers and meadows, less time spent contemplating the mysteries of life."
"Was that younger man your brother?"
"One of my brothers, the one I am closest to in age, there is only fourteen years between us. His name is Brhagdan."
"His coloring is much different from your own."
"We have different mothers. His was a High-Priestess of one of our lands, a far off place in a desert-like land."
"Desert?"
"Hmm, how to explain this to you. Do you know what sand is?"
"Yes, it is around the gates of Mordor I have been told."
"Well, deserts are like that, made up of sand, more of a golden color. His mother came from these lands, she is a beautiful woman. I have always coveted my brothers golden skin, his beautiful green eyes that stand out so much."
"Your people are very.different in your looks."
"We are diverse, we see many different things as beautiful in others. All are allowed to decide what they find beautiful, and to try to attain that. It is both a good and bad thing."
"Your land sounds very interesting."
"All things that we are not familiar with are seen as interesting, because they are different." Rhiannon paused. "You should go prepare for the journey, check that we have everything, I must speak with Gandalf." Legolas gave her a small nod and slowly turned around, glancing back at her once as he made his way to the stables.
***
Rhiannon found Gandalf speaking with Aragorn, he gave her a look and simply said, "What you think is true. His mother was assigned to watch over you. Now is not the time for such questions. The Lady sent a summons for your brother before we left, he is on his way and shall arrive before nightfall tomorrow. Go and enjoy the small space of peace with Legolas, you will be separated soon from us all, you know why."
Rhiannon gave Gandalf a nod, not the least surprised that he knew what was forefront in her mind. She dreaded what the near future held but was quite ecstatic to know she would soon be with her brother.
Rhiannon ran down the stairs and almost collided with King Theoden's niece, Eowyn. The young woman had the heart of a warrior, and yet lived in the land where she would never have the chance to show it. She was a beautiful caged bird, who fancied herself in love with Aragorn. Rhiannon smiled at the woman who looked up at her with frightened eyes, like a small child. She would get happiness, just not in the ways she so thought. So young and yet so cynical about life. Wait, where had she heard that before? This must be how Gandalf, Elrond, Celeborn and Lady Galadriel, even Aragorn and Legolas must feel when they viewed those younger and more innocent then themselves. It was like looking at a child. Eowyn's eyes traveled over Rhiannon,
"You are not an elf-maiden, are you?"
Rhiannon bowed her dark head, "No, I am not. I am something..else."
"Then why are you traveling with the others. I believed you the wife of the elf, but why would he marry one that is not an elf?"
"I am traveling with the others only until my brother comes into contact with me. Elves do, and can wed, outside of their race, even though I am not the wife of the elf. I am more his.well, I am one that will always know him. Nothing for you to worry about, you should prepare for the travel ahead. Do not get that expression, I am not scolding you or saying you are not fit to wait until the last minute like those foul males. I simply believe in being prepared."
The young woman seemed a bit taken aback that her thoughts were read. Rhiannon had to remember that the race of Men in this part of the world was not comfortable with the mysterious. She watched Eowyn continue up the steps into the Golden Hall. Rhiannon went in the opposite direction, into the dark stables.