Wow! Thank you all for the reviews! It's really a wonderful thing to know that your work is appreciated. Anywho, I fear in this chapter I may offend some hard core Tolkein fans. I'm not an expert on Middle Earth history before the time of the ring, so please don't flame me for twisting it to suit my purposes. Also, there is a pronunciation that could be somewhat tricky in this chapter. Because pronunciation is a fetish of mine, I'll include how to say things I think you may need at the end of each chapter. Well, that's all. Hope you enjoy!
In the depths of an ageless forest, one who had become equally as ageless stirred. Golden leaves sailed down from the majestic trees above to brush by his body. And, in the waning evening light, the whole forest was ablaze with gold, shining like the crown of a king.
Rae's eyes opened, slowly, focusing on his surroundings. He lay in a bed of soft grass and leaves, with tall, golden trees towering above him. So then, he was in a forest. But it was not the same one he had run to that morning. Or had it been last morning?
Either way, there was something distinctly different about this forest, besides the physical attributes. A strange feeling of déjà vu racked his mind suddenly.
"This forest…feels so familiar." He thought. And, more important than that, his longing, the one that he had known for so long, the very same longing that had driven him to the only place that would ease it, was gone. This was the place he had longed for, felt called to. Yes, he was sure of it.
He pushed himself to a sitting position and peered through the trees. They seemed to go on for ages, never-ending. What next? So, he was here, a place he seemed meant for, but, where was here? And how did he get here? The last few moments in the forest at home had become a blur, an unpleasant memory to be avoided.
Fortunately, or not, his mind did not have time to dwell on it. A great rustling and racket came from a little ways off, and, in short order, three creatures pushed their way to his position.
Rae's first feeling when he caught sight of the three was sickness and revolt. The first creature was huge and lumbering, with stringy, greasy hair and chafing black skin. He wore gritty, unfit armor and carried a rusted and well-worn sword in his meaty fist. His face was a misshapen mess, with small, soupy brown eyes peering from underneath a large brow.
Whatever it was, it wasn't human.
The other two weren't much better. One was short and squat, with sparse hair and gray skin. He had huge eyes, gleaming red in the afternoon light and his piggish nose sniffed the air. The third was fat and stout, with bulging pockets of flesh beneath his miss-matched armor.
The second feeling Rae had was fear. As soon as the creatures caught sight of him, it crashed like a wave against his consciousness. Too afraid to move, he simply stared, horror-stricken. The tallest one, obviously the leader, stepped forward with a feral grin and a malicious gleam in his eye.
"Look an' what we gots 'ere!" His voice was rough and grating to the ears, like an overcomplicated snarl.
The other two laughed raucously, a reviling sound. The big one stepped forward and bent down, his face inches from Rae's. His rotting breath washed over Rae and caused his eyes to water.
"We been wantin' 'ome fresh meat." He said, grinning wickedly.
A huge hand clamped around Rae's neck, cutting off his air supply. Rae's eyes widened in surprise and fear and his hands came up, frantically clutching at his captor's arm. No good. It was too strong.
The creature shook him and laughed, and Rae could make out the laughter of the other two behind him.
"Let's cut 'em open. 'S quick like, that way." That came from the short one.
"Naw,'s better ta finish 'em nice and slow. Then ya get to see 'em struggle." They all cackled at that.
Stars had started to dance across Rae's vision, and his mind was becoming fogged. He desperately tried to free himself, but he was just getting weaker and weaker. His lungs screamed for air, and ached and burned with need.
His mind raced, trying to think of some solution, of some way out. There. His eyes were drawn towards a rather wicked looked knife, sheathed in the creature's belt. If he could just reach it without the creature noticing…
His hand wrapped around the hilt and the knife came free, its length of steel glinted sharply. The creature grunted in surprise, but had no time to react. Rae drove the blade as hard as he could into the creature's throat. Black blood sprayed from the wound, but the creature was dead and Rae was released from its limp grasp.
The dead one's companions hissed in surprise and drew their own blades. Rae gasped in a breath, but he was too far gone. He could breathe now, but he was on the verge of unconsciousness.
As he succumbed to the darkness, his last waking glimpse was of two white-feathered arrows embedding themselves into the heads of the two creatures. Then he was still.
For the second time in what felt like a day, Rae awoke to a very strange setting. He was lying on a small bed of a sort on top of a mound of white and silver pillows and a few blankets. The room he lay in was very small, but enlarged by three wall-sized mirrors. The fourth wall was a door, in front of which hung lush, green vines. And, to his surprise, the ceiling was a tree branch. A glance at the floor told him he was indeed in a tree, for the floor was a branch also. He could see leaves and branches behind the mirrors too.
Startled, he rose and found himself clothed in new attire. A white robe hung on his frame over his boxers and tank top, the clothes he had on when he disappeared from the forest near his home. The strange pendant still hung from his neck, glowing slightly more intensely.
His eyes drank in the room and landed on his reflection in one of the mirrors. He sat down hard on the bed, at first thinking someone else was in the room with him, but then realizing he was starting at his own reflection. He cautiously moved towards the mirror, staring at himself in wonder.
His short, messy hair was now fawn-colored instead of its former chocolate brown. Ethereal, sage green eyes stared back at him in wonder, replacing his former hazel ones. The eyes… they looked like they belonged to someone else. They were ageless and inhuman, shining with mystery.
And what he discovered next caused him to cry out and jump back in alarm.
His ears! They were pointed, like and elf's! He turned his head to get a better look at them. Sure enough, they were longer and ended in soft, slender points. But besides his ears, there was something else. He had a strange aura now, something almost… magical.
His mind was spinning, churning over the information his eyes were feeding him. Somehow, he was an elf. Somehow.
A soft click came from the door and a young girl entered, no older than Rae's sister. She was dressed in a gown right out of a medieval storybook and, wait, she was an elf too? Yup, pointed ears were visible behind long locks of ebony hair. She bowed to Rae and straightened, grey eyes shining.
"Please come with me, milord." Rae just stared at her for a moment, unable to move. Was he really seeing what he thought he saw? Had he just been dropped into some strange, thirteenth century-type world?
The girl stood patiently, waiting, and Rae shook himself out of his trance. Seeing that he was ready to follow, she turned and headed out the door. Rae followed, somewhat hesitantly.
And, his jaw unceremoniously dropped when he exited the room. The tree they were in was enormous! It had to be several stories, and at least two hundred feet across. Delicate, twisting staircases led to the levels below and above. The branches were thick with leaves and moss making a solid floor beneath their feet. Soft lanterns hung all over gave off a pleasing blue light.
Several elves passed them as they walked, but none paid them any notice. The girl led him up a staircase to the next level of the tree. This level was considerable smaller, and the levels kept getting smaller as they ascended up two more.
As they steadily climbed, the soft, soothing blue light of the lanterns melded into a warm orange glow. The inviting light enveloped the stairs in its soft touch, illuminating the intricate carving. The stairs seemed almost too delicate to walk on.
Finally, the young girl drew to a stop and swept aside a rich mahogany curtain. She beckoned for Rae to enter, but did not herself. Rae stepped into the room and saw that he had finally come to the top.
This room was the smallest yet, but one of the most beautiful. It was decorated all in warm reds and mahoganies. Polished wood slats had been fitted together to form a regal flooring. Large, skillfully woven tapestries covered the walls, full of battles, beautiful scenery, and the culture of the elves. Lanterns hung everywhere, filling the room with light and warmth.
At the far end, an ornately carved chair atop a small dais overlooked the room. Despite the kingly chair, the overall feeling of the room was one of close companions sitting together for a heartening talk.
Rae turned his head and noticed an elf in the far corner. He wore dark brown pants and a gold embroidered, maroon tunic, along with high leather boots. His hair was light brown and rested just below his shoulders. In his hand he held a glass goblet and swished a red liquid around.
The elf turned to Rae and a warm smile broke his handsome face. He appeared in his forties, but he was an elf, after all. He could be centuries old. He crossed the room to stand in front of Rae, but came no closer, though his merry eyes betrayed his desire to.
"Finally, you have come." He said, his voice full of joy. Rae looked at him quizzically.
"Can you explain to me what in the world is happening to me?" Rae questioned.
"Yes. But you must promise to ask no questions until I am finished."
Rae was puzzled, but his curiosity led him to agree.
"It is customary that, when an elven baby of noble blood is born, they be taken to Galadriel's Mirror, and allowed to look into it. Children carry the memories of the visions they see in the mirror with them, waiting to be remembered. But never has the gathering of elders and parents seen the visions too.
Eighteen years ago, a young child was born to an elven couple with noble blood. So, on the child's name day, he was taken to Galadriel's Mirror and allowed to look in. What was seen that day was glimpsed by all who accompanied the child."
Suddenly Rae's vision blurred and shifted, forming a strange image. A young, elven warrior rode a horse over endlessly stretching fields. His back was turned, preventing Rae from seeing his face. His posture was filled with urgency, driving him forward. A crystal bow was lashed carefully to the saddle, along with a quiver of white-feathered arrows. Dark, hideous hands stretched from behind the man, reaching for him as if to draw him to them. He was barely staying ahead of them.
The scene changed, this time inside a cold, stone room. A lone figure sat atop a massive throne. He was dressed in crimson robes, the color of fresh blood. Jet black hair fell down his shoulders to mingle with an equally dark beard. Thick eyebrows drew over sharp, penetrating eyes. His head shifted and he seemed to be looking straight at Rae.
Once again, the scene shifted. This time, it was an ethereal forest blanketed in moonlight. The young man of before strode beneath the trees, his back still turned. A voice drifted through the forest.
He comes…
The one who sees…
The one who sees the truth!
Now it was the dark-haired man again. His features were full of malice and rage as he stared at something behind Rae. The view panned and stopped as a bright light exploded. The outline of a figure, striding through the light came into view. And as the figure neared, Rae recognized it as the same man from before. But now, the man's face was visible.
Rae gazed upon his own face.
As he watched, the Rae in his vision drew the crystal bow and fitted an arrow to it. And he heard the voice again, soft and sure.
A light shines in the darkness, and the darkness shall not overcome it.
Suddenly, Rae found himself looking at the elven man he had been talking to before the vision. Rae opened his mouth to speak, but the man silenced him.
"All will be explained. I know what it is you saw. I was there the day that you laid eyes on it for the first time. The dark man in your vision, he is Galamar. Many years ago, before you were born, he was the most promising student of the wizard order. But power and arrogance too often corrupt. He was seduced by the darkness and turned against his fellow students and teachers. It was a slaughter like no other. Of the hundreds there that day, only a handful survived. They fled to Minias Tirith, Lothlorien, and The Hall Under the Mountain, the three capital cities of men, elves, and dwarves.
There, they beseeched the residents, asking for help in bringing about Galamar's demise. The elves were the first to rise up against Galamar. And for that, we have paid a terrible price. Instead of slaughtering our forces like he did his former comrades, he seduced many elves to his cause, and they became the twisted shadow race known as orcs.
With his new forces, he launched attacks on the nations of Middle Earth. He was not content with the power he had already gained, he needed more. His forces were seemingly endless, and, as long as he fed his dark power into them, invincible.
He was a master of the shadows, and, throughout all that time, not once was his face seen by any of the forces against him. We knew that if we could only destroy Galamar, our armies would be able to conquer his own.
But none could find him. Countless warriors died in search of him. It seemed all hope was lost. But then, a child was born. And on his name day, he saw the very same vision that you just witnessed. The elves were filled with hope. That child would be the one to find Galamar and destroy him.
But Galamar had spies among them. News of the child reached him, and he set all his power against the child, attempting to destroy the baby. We, the elders of the elves, knew the child was not safe, so we did the only thing we could think of.
We sent the child to another world, one similar to our own. Disguised as a human, the child grew to manhood, unaware of his heritage. But the time came for the child, now a man, to return to his world and meet his destiny. So, after his eighteenth birthday, we brought him back.
That child, Rae, is you."
Rae sat in stunned silence, his mind desperately trying to comprehend what he had just been told.
"You mean that… I… that I'm an elf?" Rae finally managed.
"Yes. You were sent to another world for your protection." The man answered.
"So then, my real parents live here."
"Yes."
Silence reigned for a moment as Rae built up the courage to ask the questions he so desperately needed to.
"Where is my mother?" He questioned.
"She passed away." The man answered sorrowfully. Rae swallowed.
"And my father?"
The man's deep eyes locked onto Rae's own.
"I am your father. My name is Estrian. And your birth name is Raevial, 'one who sees the truth.'" Estrian answered.
"I… I can't… So… all this time…" Rae stuttered.
"We had to send you away. There was no other choice. But now you are where you belong Rae, with us, with me, in Middle Earth."
Raevial: Ray-v (say the letter 'v') –l (say the letter 'l'): Ray-v-l
Estrian: S (say the letter 's') –tree- n (say the letter 'n'): S-tree-n
Galamar: Gal (as in the term for a woman) –a ( 'a' as in father) –mar (the word mar: to mar one's beauty): Gal-a-mar
Oo, oo, oo! 'Nother chappie done! I'll try and get the next ups soon. This chapter was a little long in coming because I had trouble writing the last scene with Estrian and Raevial. C ya next time! Please Review! ;