The latest chapter! Thanks to my three loyal reviewers! Spring Break is over now, so I don't know when I will be able to next update. (sigh) Enjoy!
Disclaimer: All things but Lenwe and Luinen belong to Prof. TolkienI awoke with a start. I had had the most wondrous dream! I tried to recall the details, but it was like holding on to water. Everything was gone by the time I was fully awake, save one detail. Luínen had been in my dreams. It was then that I realized I would never see her again. The pain had been dulled by the events of yester-night, but now it hit me full in the face. I felt like my very breath was stolen away. Hot tears fought to escape their prison and rolled down my cheeks. I felt bitterly and utterly alone.
It was then that my brother entered the room. He crossed and sat on the edge of my bed.
"Come, dear brother. Why do you weep? It pains me to see you so."
I then imparted unto him all the details of Luínen and her mother leaving Mirkwood, never to return.
"They go to the sea, brother! And I shall never see them again!" I bemoaned.
"No, you shall never see them again with your eyes. But look deeper, little Princeling! You may see them with your heart, always. And the memory shall never be stained with grief or grow stale in the reliving. You will see them, always." He sighed. "These tidings bring sadness to my eyes also. Long have I known Morwen and her daughter." It took me a moment to realize that Morwen was Luínen's mother.
"I did not realize you knew them also, brother," I said.
"Yes. But it was many summers ago. I have not spoken with Morwen for a very long time." He cast his eyes out the window. "It is a glorious winter's morning, is it not?"
I nodded. "Brother, what happened last night? Who were those strange figures?"
He surveyed me carefully, evidently weighing in his mind what I could and could not hear. Finally, he spoke.
"The one in the hat was none other than Mithrandir himself." He paused, waiting for my reaction. I stood there, nonplussed. "But certainly you know of Mithrandir, the wisest of the Istari?" I shook my head. Legolas seemed upset, but he patiently explained that Mithrandir was a wizard who has wandered the land for many ages, always giving help to those in need. "Now," he said, "The cloaked figure was Aragorn, chief of the Dúnadan. He and I have a history together, but that is a long story. He has captured a most foul creature in the festering marshlands to the east of here. Mithrandir now entrusts the elves of Mirkwood to keep watch over him. The creature is clever and wicked. You must never go near him. He is a servant of The Enemy."
Even I knew what 'The Enemy' meant. My eyes went very wide, and I gave my word to never go near the thing. Indeed, I had no desire at all to make its acquaintance.
"Lenwë, the Lord Aragorn desires to speak with you; he is eager to meet my younger brother. Be sure to make yourself presentable. He will eat the midday meal with us. Then I am off to see him to the border of our lands. The Dúnadan has duties to attend to in the West." He then tuned on his heel and left. I could tell he hadn't got a wink of sleep the night before, his skin gave off no glow and his eyes seemed dull.
Almost immediately after my brother left, my mother and her handmaidens came in to bathe me and dress me for the meal. I resented this intrusion on my privacy, but stood it only to meet the Lord Aragorn, for he much piqued my curiosity. Two hours later, scrubbed pink with clean and dressed in a rich robe I only wore the one time, I slowly made my way to the Great Hall of the King.
There I met Legolas and my father. Father seemed happy to see me. He stood up and embraced me, caressing my cheeks. I winced as his fingers, soft as they were, touched my raw flesh.
"Ada, please!" I whispered. The scent of wine was already upon him, not yet midday. He released me, and I went to my seat, to the left of Legolas. A tall man with fair grey eyes sat to the right of my father. He surveyed me and gave me a kind smile.
"And so, Lord Aragorn, here is my other son, very recently turned of age. Lenwë Wílwarîn!" boomed my father.
I stood up and made a hasty bow. My already red cheeks reddened even further to be singled out so. "It…it is an honour to make your acquaintance, my Lord," I stammered. I then sat down rather quickly.
Aragorn stood up and then spoke in a clear voice, "Thank you, most honoured Thranduil for your hospitality. It has been good for these weary limbs." He held up his flagon. "To King Thranduil, son of Oropher. May your halls be ever full, and may your domain be ever green." He nodded his head towards my father, my brother and me, each in turn, before sitting down. Applause broke out and rang through the hall. Talk resumed, rising like a flock of birds from a disturbed tree. He then raised his flagon again, but towards me and said quietly, "Well met, Lenwë Wílwarîn, Son of Thrainduil." He then drank of his cup deeply.
I was among the party that saw Lord Aragorn and the members of his escort off from the palace gates. There was much revelry and celebration, as if it was a party for a king, not a Chieftain of the West. I felt, perhaps there was more to this man than was revealed.
"Goodbye, Lenwë!" my brother called. "I will be back tomorrow eventide!"
"Goodbye, Brother! May your journey be free of peril!" I returned. I caught the gaze of Aragorn and he again nodded his head to me. I, in turn, gave him the most graceful bow I could muster. I then turned away and made my way back to my chambers, cries of "Namárië" and "Quel fara" still lilting through the windows hewn from stone. I arrived at my door and flopped down on my bed in a state of lethargy, alone again.
A/N- Quel fara means "good hunting" Next chapter on Sat 16 or around that date if I have any free time at all. Have a good day!
