Chapter 20: Darkness Descending
"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be." -Douglas Adams
Across the seas that separated the land of Middle Earth from the lands that lay beyond it, separated by barriers that could not be seen, by boundaries bound with the strongest form of magic, based on lines that separated one world from another, a woman sat staring into the night sky. Her heart and prayers went out to those that lay resting under a similar night sky in that land known as Middle Earth. In that land, two of the most beloved to her soul slept under those stars. Her children, one bound by blood, the other by ties that could not be measured. A head full of long black hair kneeled in front of an altar; candle light reflected in green eyes, brown skin glowed illuminated by the light of the altar and the moonlight shining in through the window. Cerethena, one of the eldest beings in all of the realm, prayed for her children, Brhagdan and Rhiannon. In her mind's eye she observed her children, as they slept on the ground, resting for the hard ride they had at dawn. Brhagdan's golden skin was darker, testament to the time he spent outside. In his sleep his anxiety was revealed in the lines set in between his brows. Her gaze then traveled to that of her step- daughter, her student of many years. Her face was hidden by her unbound hair, falling in ever direction and sure to be full of many twigs and leaves in the morn. Rhiannon still slept as a human child, curled up into a little ball, her hands crushed to her chest. A smile came to her face, no matter how many years that girl spent on this earth, part if her would always be a child.
Cerethena then turned her eyes towards the new male in the lives of her children. This may have been fated, some would argue that. Cerethena found that it was a large coincidence. The son of the guardian of Rhiannon was destined to be her soul mate? Not necessarily fate, but she had realized long ago that anything was possible. Rhiannon's guardian had not been determined until after she was born this occurrence oddly out of the tradition of the people, and the guardian was from another realm, another oddity. The reason for this being that Rhiannon's mother felt that an elf would be more suitable for guarding her mostly elf daughter. Cerethena had always felt that a person that had similar powers as Rhiannon would be the best guardian in her life, however, the mother of Legolas had done a superb job in guiding Rhiannon in life. Cerethena let herself study the elf; he was young by elven standards. He was not one of the high elves, a wood elf, a rustic cousin. He enjoyed the simpler things, appreciated the incomprehensible beauty of nature around him. He did not hold his title in front of all, but then again, being a wood elf, his title would not hold much sway. Still, she understood why Rhiannon was attracted to him even before the connection. He was a person full of light and laughter, even in the dark times that had come. There was a certain priceless asset in a person that can have laughter in dark days. Cerethena smiled as the blonde elf raised his head, aware that someone was watching him.
Legolas had a sudden disconcerting feeling, that someone was watching him. He turned his eyes to all the areas around him, and could find no one studying him in the distance. Much had happened since the departure of Gandalf and Pippin, of Brhagdan and Rhiannon. A group of the Dunedain, Aragorn's kinsman had shown up, along with the sons of Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir. He did not know how to respond to the sons of Elrond the Wise, how Elladan would react to Rhiannon now being bound to him. It caused uneasiness within him, but since there was nothing he could do about it, he had no real reason to worry. Aragorn was taking council with himself, trying to figure out what would be their next step. Now the Company was at the Hornburg; resting in the area where a battle had been fought not long ago. Merry lay sleeping not far from him. Gimli was gazing at all the strangers around them, Legolas continued to stare into the distance, to the North and the East. Legolas' gaze settled on the young hobbit, and decided it was finally time to rouse him.
" 'The sun is high, all others are up and doing. Come, Master Sluggard, and look at this place while you may.'"
A groan came from the young hobbit, unhappy about not getting his usual amount of sleep, being unsettled from having been separated from his closest of friends, Merry had no true desire to wake yet. While Legolas fully expected for an inquiry about food to come out of the hobbit's mouth, it was a question of another kind,
" 'Where is Aragorn?'
'In a high chamber of the Burg,' said Legolas. 'He has neither rested nor slept, I think. He went hither some hours ago, saying that he must take thought, and only his kinsman, Halbarad, went with him; but some dark doubt or care sits on him.'"
Merry nodded his understanding at Legolas' explanation, then turned his curly head towards the dwarf as he remarked on the Dunedain, the Rangers of the North, the kinsman of Aragorn.
" 'They are a strange company, these newcomers,' said Gimli. 'Stout men and lordly they are, and the Riders of Rohan look almost as boys beside them; for they are grim men of face, worn like weathered rocks for the most part, even as Aragorn himself; and they are silent.'
'But even as Aragorn they are courteous, if they break their silence,' said Legolas. 'And have you marked the brethren Elladan and Elrohir? Less somber is their gear than the others', and they are fair and gallant as Elven- lords; and that is not to be wondered at in the sons of Elrond of Rivendell.'"
Gimli raised his head, "Elladan, was he not the elf betrothed to Rhiannon?"
Legolas nodded, "Yes, her mother was a daughter of Imladris. Elladan and Rhiannon made a sensible match."
"Then why did they not wed?" Merry asked.
Legolas shook his head, "I do not know the full reasons. You can not force love on two people, she was young, he was and still is a wandering warrior. It was not right for them. Rhiannon fancied herself in love with him, infatuated by this creature that so differed from what she knew, this I know. She felt much turmoil when their marriage was called off, as if she was not good enough, as if she was tainted, as if she would never truly be accepted among elves. She knows she is not an elf, her closest connection seems to be with the Numenoreans, she is most like them. I do not know how Elladan feels about the end of their betrothal, but he has not shown any malice towards me, so therefore I believe he was content with their parting."
"Or he is not aware of what has passed between you and our half-elven friend." Gimli remarked.
"She is not half-elven." Merry stated. "She is ¾ elf."
Sometime later Merry spoke his wonderings out loud, for instance, why the Dunedain were here. The three walked towards the Burg as Gimli answered him,
" 'They answered a summons as you heard. Word came to Rivendell, they say: 'Aragorn has need of his kindred. Let the Dunedain ride to him in Rohan!' But whence this message came they are now in doubt. Gandalf sent it, I guess.'
'Nay, Galadriel,' said Legolas. 'Did she not speak through Gandalf of the ride of the Grey Company from the North?'
'Yes, you have it,' said Gimli. 'The Lady of the Wood! She read many hearts and desires. Now why did not we wish for some of our own kinsfolk, Legolas?'
Legolas stood before the gate and turned his bright eyes away north and east, and his fair face was troubled. 'I do not think that any would come,' he answered. 'They have no need to ride to war; war already marches on their own lands.'"
Later in the day Aragorn would come down from the Burg and reveal to all that he did not travel the same path as King Theoden and Eomer for any longer, his path was towards the Paths of the Dead. A sure to be trying and dangerous journey that only his kinsman and Legolas and Gimli would make. Merry was to go with Theoden to Edoras, to serve him in the Golden Hall of Medusled. Aragorn had pulled Gimli and Legolas to the side, explaining that he had glimpsed into the Seeing Stone, had let Sauron know that the heir of Isildur did walk the earth. The darkest times were ahead for them all, they were aware of this. All roads of the remaining members of the Fellowship seemed to lead towards Gondor, and then to the land that laid north of it, Mordor.
Brhagdan and Rhiannon had ridden for a time that felt like many days, when only being one and a half. A silence had settled between them. Both had many things on their minds, many ponderings caused by Rhiannon's last vision. They had planned to enter Lorien from the South, until the Lady sent both warnings. It was not time for them to enter the woods of Lorien yet. They were to head towards Mirkwood as soon as possible. Their assistance was needed. What assistance they could offer, Rhiannon did not know. They were coming upon the Northern borders of Lothlorien when Rhiannon stopped her horse, sensing that they were being watched, and knowing who it was that watched them.
"Why do you stop?" Brhagdan asked his sister. "Are you ill, do you need to rest? Is your horse weary?"
"You worry far too much, Brhagdan. And your worries is causing your senses to be dulled, we are being watched, frater."
Brhagdan closed his eyes for a few moments, taking in the peace of the forest, and then, breathing in the seemingly magical air of Lothlorien into his weary lungs, he sensed the eyes that scrutinized him from afar.
"It is just the guardians of Lothlorien. What, do you have a soul mate here also?"
"I do not find you funny." Rhiannon remarked with a very cold expression on her face.
Brhagdan shrugged his broad shoulders, "Gimli would have laughed at my sentiment, as would Legolas."
"Legolas would laugh at anything. He finds many things entertaining."
Brhagdan raised one of his dark eyebrows and gave his sister a look, "I am sure he does."
Rhiannon shook her head, the movement displacing her hood. She made a tsking sound at her brother as she attempted to replace her hood and hold onto the reins of the horse, "What am I to do with you? May I remind you that I do not participate in such affairs in the middle of flat, open land, when a whole camp of men lies not ten yards away, and further more, even if I did, I am an adult."
"It is very easy to forget that about you. You are so childish."
"And you are saying you are so mature?"
"You both are bickering children." An amused and familiar voice spoke to them.
Rhiannon and Brhagdan turned to glance at Haldir, a marchwarden of Lorien, as he made his presence truly known.
"Why are you two stopping here? You still have a very long journey ahead of you."
"Don't you just know everything. You made us stop, your scrutinizing gaze could be felt by anyone." Rhiannon remarked.
"Only one that can sense such things. In fairer times I would welcome you to join us for a quick meal. However, you need to be on your way, as the Lord and Lady have informed me. We hope to have you return to us soon. Your assistance will also be needed here. There are already rumors that an attack is to be mounted on our northern borders."
Rhiannon slightly dropped her head, she stared at the peaceful forest around her and asked, "Is nowhere in Middle Earth safe?"
"Not anymore." Haldir replied, not even bothering to lie to make her feel comfort.
"And there is the lesson that now we all must learn. Peace may never come to these lands again." Brhagdan softly noted.
Rhiannon shook her head and turned towards her brother, "As if my anxiety was not at an already heightened level, you have successful just raised it, brother, congratulations."
Haldir turned to Brhagdan, "How have you put up with her for nine-hundred years. I have only spoken with your sister briefly over a few-months span and many times felt the need to gag her or push her off a talan."
Rhiannon's mouth dropped open in outrage. Brhagdan quickly covered Rhiannon's mouth before the obscenities he was positive were on the tip of her tongue, came flying out. After all these years, she was still not accustomed to elvish humor.
The two bid farewell to the guardians of Lothlorien, belatedly realizing that they would need to camp soon, Rhiannon could take no more of the night- riding. It took extreme amounts of concentration to try to see light in the darkness. They would come to the river soon, within the next day possibly, and then they would have to cross over towards Mirkwood. Rhiannon's stomach turned at the thought of entering the realm, and she did not know why. She studied her brother as he scoped out a safe area for them to rest, and a watering place for the horses. Times like these, she was reminded of a Ranger, her brother having very similar skills to their own. When he was younger, before Rhiannon had been born, her brother had spent years among the Dunedain, learning their ways of protection and survival. Brhagdan, however, was very different when it came to Rangers, he had powers of his own, gifted to him through his mother, the ability to see somewhat in the darkness being one of them. Rhiannon turned her dark head up to the night sky, glowing with stars, and knew that at this time, Cerethena looked at the same stars, that Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli gazed at the same night sky, that the hobbits, and Gandalf all slept under the same vast covering as she did. The thought brought some comfort to the very weary girl. Although one thought did cross her mind as she slowly drifted off to sleep. Haldir did not sleep under the same sky, time flowing differently in his realm. The haughty elf was behind everyone else. Oh, he would pay for that talan comment, just not until everything had settled down.
***
A few days passed, and the two siblings approached the hall of the Elven- king of Mirkwood. It had not be an easy journey in the least, they were able to cross the river by a very rickety bridge that Rhiannon was sure would collapse if they had dwelt on it one second longer. Then there had been the visions assailing her, both ones of what she guessed was the future, and those of which Legolas' was experiencing. He was on a journey through the Paths of the Dead, and while the elf did not seem bothered by it, just wanting to show Rhiannon what she saw, seeing all the ghosts of men had put a form of fear in her. Brhagdan had woken her in the middle of the night, to continue their arduous journey, but morning had still not shown it's golden head.
Rhiannon turned on her horse, glancing at the sky once again.
"What is wrong, sister?"
"The dawn has not come."
"Maybe it is not time."
"No, I felt it, when dawn should have come, my body prepared for it, and the sun has not risen."
"This is not a good sign at all, not in the least. And we will be descending into even more darkness. There is a reason why the forest is called Mirkwood."
Rhiannon looked thoughtful, "I suddenly wish for the warmth of Lothlorien. I know understand Legolas' love of the Golden Wood."
Brhagdan nodded his dark head, "I believe all that travel there fall in love with it. Then again, Legolas could not stop talking about Fangorn."
"He is a wood elf."
"You say that as if it is a bad thing."
"It is not. I am merely stating a fact."
"You are his soul mate, you should not taunt him. Especially not when he is not here to defend himself."
"Now you are his sworn protector?" Rhiannon asked disbelieving.
Brhagdan raised his head as a true nobleman, nose in air and all, "I am merely standing-up for my brother in arms."
Rhiannon threw a cynical glance at her brother, when suddenly a rush came to her head. Stupid visions. This one confused her, the cave she had seen earlier, this time, the inside, there was a female, she was running towards a window, yelling something, suddenly the picture changed, a battlefield, trees everywhere. Rhiannon had seen this before. A blood stained tunic and blonde hair, long blonde hair, blood-stained. A male hand grasping a female one, her hand, she recognized her ring, and there were markings on her hands, markings she only drew on her hands in a time of mourning. Why were the markings there? Whose hand was she holding? Rhiannon took a deep breath and clenched her eyes shut tightly, trying to clear her head.
Brhagdan shook her, "Rhiannon?"
"I had visions, and they make no sense to me. At all."
"What were they of?"
"I can not tell you, I can not explain it." "Maybe it is time to rest."
Rhiannon took a deep breath and shook her head, "No, I feel we need to get to Mirkwood as fast as possible."
Brhagdan looked at his sister, concern filling his golden face, "It will do no good if both you and the horses are exhausted. We have crossed the River that was our largest barrier. Now it is time to rest. Stay here, I will go find a place to rest."
Rhiannon nodded and looked up into the sky, no light, none at all, stars and moon were not shown. She remembered the words of Legolas, if no light was to guide them, then use the inner-light that they possessed. She took a deep breath and drew on her strength, stifling her fear of the chocking darkness that surrounded them.
***
Rhiannon tried to remember what day it was, the constant darkness of the last day had made her very disoriented. Dawn had come this morning, and from the distance she could see the outline of a fortress of some kind. As Rhiannon pondered these very pointless thoughts, Brhagdan tapped her shoulder and pointed ahead. Ahead to the dwelling of King Thranduil. Rhiannon tried hard not to let out a gasp at seeing the "palace" of Mirkwood. The cave, stone palace she had seen in her visions. An extreme sense of foreboding came over her, but considering the time, this did not surprise her. Apparently the king had received notice of their entry to his realm, no one had stopped them, or approached them in their journey towards the hall of the Elven-king. They approached the doors and Brhagdan held up a hand.
"Wait, I remember once hearing a tale about these doors. They are well, enchanted. Only opening and closing at command."
"They may be waiting for us." Rhiannon pointed out.
"And if they are not?"
"We have a long wait in front of us."
"We shall find our answers soon enough." Brhagdan surmised. Rhiannon nodded. They came to the doors. Solid rock, closed.
Rhiannon turned to her older brother, "Should we knock?"
"I am almost scared to." He confessed, his green eyes inspecting the impenetrable doors in front of them. Rhiannon made a gesture of agreement, a power did radiate behind those doors. Brhagdan made a suggestion, "Should we say something. Maybe that will cause the doors to open."
Rhiannon tried not to roll her eyes at her older brother, realizing how annoying that habit truly was, "Yes, that is the picture we want to present to already suspicious elves. Crazy beings that talk to doors. They are elves, you idiot, they know we are here."
Brhagdan raised one of his aristocratic brows, not even attempting to hide his smirk," Nervous, little sister, about meeting the father of Legolas?"
"Of course not!" Her horse snorted in disbelief to that comment, "Shush you, you traitor. I didn't mean that. You are a nice, wise, calm, beautiful horse who has proven that you are more than worthy. I just have this anxious feeling."
Rhiannon raised her head to see a very amused look on her brother's face,
"Are you quite finished?" He asked.
"One day, dear brother, you are going to make a continually ass of yourself, and I will be right there, by your side, laughing the whole way."
"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be." -Douglas Adams
Across the seas that separated the land of Middle Earth from the lands that lay beyond it, separated by barriers that could not be seen, by boundaries bound with the strongest form of magic, based on lines that separated one world from another, a woman sat staring into the night sky. Her heart and prayers went out to those that lay resting under a similar night sky in that land known as Middle Earth. In that land, two of the most beloved to her soul slept under those stars. Her children, one bound by blood, the other by ties that could not be measured. A head full of long black hair kneeled in front of an altar; candle light reflected in green eyes, brown skin glowed illuminated by the light of the altar and the moonlight shining in through the window. Cerethena, one of the eldest beings in all of the realm, prayed for her children, Brhagdan and Rhiannon. In her mind's eye she observed her children, as they slept on the ground, resting for the hard ride they had at dawn. Brhagdan's golden skin was darker, testament to the time he spent outside. In his sleep his anxiety was revealed in the lines set in between his brows. Her gaze then traveled to that of her step- daughter, her student of many years. Her face was hidden by her unbound hair, falling in ever direction and sure to be full of many twigs and leaves in the morn. Rhiannon still slept as a human child, curled up into a little ball, her hands crushed to her chest. A smile came to her face, no matter how many years that girl spent on this earth, part if her would always be a child.
Cerethena then turned her eyes towards the new male in the lives of her children. This may have been fated, some would argue that. Cerethena found that it was a large coincidence. The son of the guardian of Rhiannon was destined to be her soul mate? Not necessarily fate, but she had realized long ago that anything was possible. Rhiannon's guardian had not been determined until after she was born this occurrence oddly out of the tradition of the people, and the guardian was from another realm, another oddity. The reason for this being that Rhiannon's mother felt that an elf would be more suitable for guarding her mostly elf daughter. Cerethena had always felt that a person that had similar powers as Rhiannon would be the best guardian in her life, however, the mother of Legolas had done a superb job in guiding Rhiannon in life. Cerethena let herself study the elf; he was young by elven standards. He was not one of the high elves, a wood elf, a rustic cousin. He enjoyed the simpler things, appreciated the incomprehensible beauty of nature around him. He did not hold his title in front of all, but then again, being a wood elf, his title would not hold much sway. Still, she understood why Rhiannon was attracted to him even before the connection. He was a person full of light and laughter, even in the dark times that had come. There was a certain priceless asset in a person that can have laughter in dark days. Cerethena smiled as the blonde elf raised his head, aware that someone was watching him.
Legolas had a sudden disconcerting feeling, that someone was watching him. He turned his eyes to all the areas around him, and could find no one studying him in the distance. Much had happened since the departure of Gandalf and Pippin, of Brhagdan and Rhiannon. A group of the Dunedain, Aragorn's kinsman had shown up, along with the sons of Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir. He did not know how to respond to the sons of Elrond the Wise, how Elladan would react to Rhiannon now being bound to him. It caused uneasiness within him, but since there was nothing he could do about it, he had no real reason to worry. Aragorn was taking council with himself, trying to figure out what would be their next step. Now the Company was at the Hornburg; resting in the area where a battle had been fought not long ago. Merry lay sleeping not far from him. Gimli was gazing at all the strangers around them, Legolas continued to stare into the distance, to the North and the East. Legolas' gaze settled on the young hobbit, and decided it was finally time to rouse him.
" 'The sun is high, all others are up and doing. Come, Master Sluggard, and look at this place while you may.'"
A groan came from the young hobbit, unhappy about not getting his usual amount of sleep, being unsettled from having been separated from his closest of friends, Merry had no true desire to wake yet. While Legolas fully expected for an inquiry about food to come out of the hobbit's mouth, it was a question of another kind,
" 'Where is Aragorn?'
'In a high chamber of the Burg,' said Legolas. 'He has neither rested nor slept, I think. He went hither some hours ago, saying that he must take thought, and only his kinsman, Halbarad, went with him; but some dark doubt or care sits on him.'"
Merry nodded his understanding at Legolas' explanation, then turned his curly head towards the dwarf as he remarked on the Dunedain, the Rangers of the North, the kinsman of Aragorn.
" 'They are a strange company, these newcomers,' said Gimli. 'Stout men and lordly they are, and the Riders of Rohan look almost as boys beside them; for they are grim men of face, worn like weathered rocks for the most part, even as Aragorn himself; and they are silent.'
'But even as Aragorn they are courteous, if they break their silence,' said Legolas. 'And have you marked the brethren Elladan and Elrohir? Less somber is their gear than the others', and they are fair and gallant as Elven- lords; and that is not to be wondered at in the sons of Elrond of Rivendell.'"
Gimli raised his head, "Elladan, was he not the elf betrothed to Rhiannon?"
Legolas nodded, "Yes, her mother was a daughter of Imladris. Elladan and Rhiannon made a sensible match."
"Then why did they not wed?" Merry asked.
Legolas shook his head, "I do not know the full reasons. You can not force love on two people, she was young, he was and still is a wandering warrior. It was not right for them. Rhiannon fancied herself in love with him, infatuated by this creature that so differed from what she knew, this I know. She felt much turmoil when their marriage was called off, as if she was not good enough, as if she was tainted, as if she would never truly be accepted among elves. She knows she is not an elf, her closest connection seems to be with the Numenoreans, she is most like them. I do not know how Elladan feels about the end of their betrothal, but he has not shown any malice towards me, so therefore I believe he was content with their parting."
"Or he is not aware of what has passed between you and our half-elven friend." Gimli remarked.
"She is not half-elven." Merry stated. "She is ¾ elf."
Sometime later Merry spoke his wonderings out loud, for instance, why the Dunedain were here. The three walked towards the Burg as Gimli answered him,
" 'They answered a summons as you heard. Word came to Rivendell, they say: 'Aragorn has need of his kindred. Let the Dunedain ride to him in Rohan!' But whence this message came they are now in doubt. Gandalf sent it, I guess.'
'Nay, Galadriel,' said Legolas. 'Did she not speak through Gandalf of the ride of the Grey Company from the North?'
'Yes, you have it,' said Gimli. 'The Lady of the Wood! She read many hearts and desires. Now why did not we wish for some of our own kinsfolk, Legolas?'
Legolas stood before the gate and turned his bright eyes away north and east, and his fair face was troubled. 'I do not think that any would come,' he answered. 'They have no need to ride to war; war already marches on their own lands.'"
Later in the day Aragorn would come down from the Burg and reveal to all that he did not travel the same path as King Theoden and Eomer for any longer, his path was towards the Paths of the Dead. A sure to be trying and dangerous journey that only his kinsman and Legolas and Gimli would make. Merry was to go with Theoden to Edoras, to serve him in the Golden Hall of Medusled. Aragorn had pulled Gimli and Legolas to the side, explaining that he had glimpsed into the Seeing Stone, had let Sauron know that the heir of Isildur did walk the earth. The darkest times were ahead for them all, they were aware of this. All roads of the remaining members of the Fellowship seemed to lead towards Gondor, and then to the land that laid north of it, Mordor.
Brhagdan and Rhiannon had ridden for a time that felt like many days, when only being one and a half. A silence had settled between them. Both had many things on their minds, many ponderings caused by Rhiannon's last vision. They had planned to enter Lorien from the South, until the Lady sent both warnings. It was not time for them to enter the woods of Lorien yet. They were to head towards Mirkwood as soon as possible. Their assistance was needed. What assistance they could offer, Rhiannon did not know. They were coming upon the Northern borders of Lothlorien when Rhiannon stopped her horse, sensing that they were being watched, and knowing who it was that watched them.
"Why do you stop?" Brhagdan asked his sister. "Are you ill, do you need to rest? Is your horse weary?"
"You worry far too much, Brhagdan. And your worries is causing your senses to be dulled, we are being watched, frater."
Brhagdan closed his eyes for a few moments, taking in the peace of the forest, and then, breathing in the seemingly magical air of Lothlorien into his weary lungs, he sensed the eyes that scrutinized him from afar.
"It is just the guardians of Lothlorien. What, do you have a soul mate here also?"
"I do not find you funny." Rhiannon remarked with a very cold expression on her face.
Brhagdan shrugged his broad shoulders, "Gimli would have laughed at my sentiment, as would Legolas."
"Legolas would laugh at anything. He finds many things entertaining."
Brhagdan raised one of his dark eyebrows and gave his sister a look, "I am sure he does."
Rhiannon shook her head, the movement displacing her hood. She made a tsking sound at her brother as she attempted to replace her hood and hold onto the reins of the horse, "What am I to do with you? May I remind you that I do not participate in such affairs in the middle of flat, open land, when a whole camp of men lies not ten yards away, and further more, even if I did, I am an adult."
"It is very easy to forget that about you. You are so childish."
"And you are saying you are so mature?"
"You both are bickering children." An amused and familiar voice spoke to them.
Rhiannon and Brhagdan turned to glance at Haldir, a marchwarden of Lorien, as he made his presence truly known.
"Why are you two stopping here? You still have a very long journey ahead of you."
"Don't you just know everything. You made us stop, your scrutinizing gaze could be felt by anyone." Rhiannon remarked.
"Only one that can sense such things. In fairer times I would welcome you to join us for a quick meal. However, you need to be on your way, as the Lord and Lady have informed me. We hope to have you return to us soon. Your assistance will also be needed here. There are already rumors that an attack is to be mounted on our northern borders."
Rhiannon slightly dropped her head, she stared at the peaceful forest around her and asked, "Is nowhere in Middle Earth safe?"
"Not anymore." Haldir replied, not even bothering to lie to make her feel comfort.
"And there is the lesson that now we all must learn. Peace may never come to these lands again." Brhagdan softly noted.
Rhiannon shook her head and turned towards her brother, "As if my anxiety was not at an already heightened level, you have successful just raised it, brother, congratulations."
Haldir turned to Brhagdan, "How have you put up with her for nine-hundred years. I have only spoken with your sister briefly over a few-months span and many times felt the need to gag her or push her off a talan."
Rhiannon's mouth dropped open in outrage. Brhagdan quickly covered Rhiannon's mouth before the obscenities he was positive were on the tip of her tongue, came flying out. After all these years, she was still not accustomed to elvish humor.
The two bid farewell to the guardians of Lothlorien, belatedly realizing that they would need to camp soon, Rhiannon could take no more of the night- riding. It took extreme amounts of concentration to try to see light in the darkness. They would come to the river soon, within the next day possibly, and then they would have to cross over towards Mirkwood. Rhiannon's stomach turned at the thought of entering the realm, and she did not know why. She studied her brother as he scoped out a safe area for them to rest, and a watering place for the horses. Times like these, she was reminded of a Ranger, her brother having very similar skills to their own. When he was younger, before Rhiannon had been born, her brother had spent years among the Dunedain, learning their ways of protection and survival. Brhagdan, however, was very different when it came to Rangers, he had powers of his own, gifted to him through his mother, the ability to see somewhat in the darkness being one of them. Rhiannon turned her dark head up to the night sky, glowing with stars, and knew that at this time, Cerethena looked at the same stars, that Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli gazed at the same night sky, that the hobbits, and Gandalf all slept under the same vast covering as she did. The thought brought some comfort to the very weary girl. Although one thought did cross her mind as she slowly drifted off to sleep. Haldir did not sleep under the same sky, time flowing differently in his realm. The haughty elf was behind everyone else. Oh, he would pay for that talan comment, just not until everything had settled down.
***
A few days passed, and the two siblings approached the hall of the Elven- king of Mirkwood. It had not be an easy journey in the least, they were able to cross the river by a very rickety bridge that Rhiannon was sure would collapse if they had dwelt on it one second longer. Then there had been the visions assailing her, both ones of what she guessed was the future, and those of which Legolas' was experiencing. He was on a journey through the Paths of the Dead, and while the elf did not seem bothered by it, just wanting to show Rhiannon what she saw, seeing all the ghosts of men had put a form of fear in her. Brhagdan had woken her in the middle of the night, to continue their arduous journey, but morning had still not shown it's golden head.
Rhiannon turned on her horse, glancing at the sky once again.
"What is wrong, sister?"
"The dawn has not come."
"Maybe it is not time."
"No, I felt it, when dawn should have come, my body prepared for it, and the sun has not risen."
"This is not a good sign at all, not in the least. And we will be descending into even more darkness. There is a reason why the forest is called Mirkwood."
Rhiannon looked thoughtful, "I suddenly wish for the warmth of Lothlorien. I know understand Legolas' love of the Golden Wood."
Brhagdan nodded his dark head, "I believe all that travel there fall in love with it. Then again, Legolas could not stop talking about Fangorn."
"He is a wood elf."
"You say that as if it is a bad thing."
"It is not. I am merely stating a fact."
"You are his soul mate, you should not taunt him. Especially not when he is not here to defend himself."
"Now you are his sworn protector?" Rhiannon asked disbelieving.
Brhagdan raised his head as a true nobleman, nose in air and all, "I am merely standing-up for my brother in arms."
Rhiannon threw a cynical glance at her brother, when suddenly a rush came to her head. Stupid visions. This one confused her, the cave she had seen earlier, this time, the inside, there was a female, she was running towards a window, yelling something, suddenly the picture changed, a battlefield, trees everywhere. Rhiannon had seen this before. A blood stained tunic and blonde hair, long blonde hair, blood-stained. A male hand grasping a female one, her hand, she recognized her ring, and there were markings on her hands, markings she only drew on her hands in a time of mourning. Why were the markings there? Whose hand was she holding? Rhiannon took a deep breath and clenched her eyes shut tightly, trying to clear her head.
Brhagdan shook her, "Rhiannon?"
"I had visions, and they make no sense to me. At all."
"What were they of?"
"I can not tell you, I can not explain it." "Maybe it is time to rest."
Rhiannon took a deep breath and shook her head, "No, I feel we need to get to Mirkwood as fast as possible."
Brhagdan looked at his sister, concern filling his golden face, "It will do no good if both you and the horses are exhausted. We have crossed the River that was our largest barrier. Now it is time to rest. Stay here, I will go find a place to rest."
Rhiannon nodded and looked up into the sky, no light, none at all, stars and moon were not shown. She remembered the words of Legolas, if no light was to guide them, then use the inner-light that they possessed. She took a deep breath and drew on her strength, stifling her fear of the chocking darkness that surrounded them.
***
Rhiannon tried to remember what day it was, the constant darkness of the last day had made her very disoriented. Dawn had come this morning, and from the distance she could see the outline of a fortress of some kind. As Rhiannon pondered these very pointless thoughts, Brhagdan tapped her shoulder and pointed ahead. Ahead to the dwelling of King Thranduil. Rhiannon tried hard not to let out a gasp at seeing the "palace" of Mirkwood. The cave, stone palace she had seen in her visions. An extreme sense of foreboding came over her, but considering the time, this did not surprise her. Apparently the king had received notice of their entry to his realm, no one had stopped them, or approached them in their journey towards the hall of the Elven-king. They approached the doors and Brhagdan held up a hand.
"Wait, I remember once hearing a tale about these doors. They are well, enchanted. Only opening and closing at command."
"They may be waiting for us." Rhiannon pointed out.
"And if they are not?"
"We have a long wait in front of us."
"We shall find our answers soon enough." Brhagdan surmised. Rhiannon nodded. They came to the doors. Solid rock, closed.
Rhiannon turned to her older brother, "Should we knock?"
"I am almost scared to." He confessed, his green eyes inspecting the impenetrable doors in front of them. Rhiannon made a gesture of agreement, a power did radiate behind those doors. Brhagdan made a suggestion, "Should we say something. Maybe that will cause the doors to open."
Rhiannon tried not to roll her eyes at her older brother, realizing how annoying that habit truly was, "Yes, that is the picture we want to present to already suspicious elves. Crazy beings that talk to doors. They are elves, you idiot, they know we are here."
Brhagdan raised one of his aristocratic brows, not even attempting to hide his smirk," Nervous, little sister, about meeting the father of Legolas?"
"Of course not!" Her horse snorted in disbelief to that comment, "Shush you, you traitor. I didn't mean that. You are a nice, wise, calm, beautiful horse who has proven that you are more than worthy. I just have this anxious feeling."
Rhiannon raised her head to see a very amused look on her brother's face,
"Are you quite finished?" He asked.
"One day, dear brother, you are going to make a continually ass of yourself, and I will be right there, by your side, laughing the whole way."