Chapter three: The Summoning of Seven
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Niphrediel awoke to the music of a harp coming far from the gardens to sooth all ears that listened.
She opened all her windows and the light from the moon shone so brightly she did not need any candles to see clearly. If she were Aragorn she would of needed candles, though.
She smiled, watching the rain falling like tears from the heavens.
She walked outside to her balcony and listened to the sound of the rain, her hair free around her and dressed in her pale blue nightgown and a blue satin robe.
She looked to the doors leading to Estel's apartments, but did not disturb him. She knew he needed his rest.
Niphrediel unbuttoned the robe and placed it over a rocking chair, leaving it under the shelter of the silver roof sheltering the balcony.
Niphrediel quickly shoved on some boots and walked to the railing of the balcony and swung her legs over and climbed all the way down, hooking her feet into the gaps of the root stem pillar with scandalous familiarity in doing so until she let herself fall to the group with a short squish from the soggy grass under her feet.
Niphrediel ran across the grass to the stables, not even caring as the rain poured upon her
Her hair, skin and nightgown were saturated and damp, her hair flat and almost plastered to her back and down her front and shoulders.
Niphrediel peaked her head through the wooden doors of the stables, quickly searching with her eyes to see if anyone was there. She then looked to the line of horses and smiled.
"Draconic?" She whispered, as she stepped through the door.
She walked slowly down the isle, checking every stile until she came upon the one housing Draconic.
He looked at her with bright eyes, jumping excitedly on his front legs and neighing loudly. His excitement disturbed the horses around him and the noise began to increase with him.
Niphrediel walked to him, opening up the stool. "Dina!" *Be silent* She hissed, strapping a pair of reigns onto him. Immediately the horses were quiet, no longer chattering. Niphrediel could even hear the humming of beetles from outside.
Niphrediel quickly prepared Draconic's saddle and lead him out the doors of the stable, backwards, looking back to make sure she did not trip on something.
She lead him back behind the stables and hoisted herself up onto the saddle and looked over the moonlit fields highlighted blue under the moon's face.
The rain felt fresh against her skin, cooling her flushed skin. She lifted her head to the sky, feeling absolutely free.
Draconic began to run across the fields, taking Niphrediel along with him.
Niphrediel cherished this time, the only time where she could be outside without the heavy material of her estranged cloak. Only in her dreams would she be able to do so under daylight without cover.
She rode hard, her eyes closed and raised to the heavens as the rain fell down and soft thunder boomed.
Niphrediel did not know how long she rode, but once she returned the horse she was dead hungry.
She quickly slipped Draconic back into his stile and quickly ran back to the house but hid quickly when she saw Aragorn talking to Elladan and Elrohir on the balcony.
Niphrediel cursed. She was not supposed to go out riding alone. She was not supposed to sneak out, either.
She quickly ran under the balcony and headed for the doors in the garden.
She poked her head through the door, and slipped in when she saw no one was there, closing the door silently behind her.
Her hair dripped and water ran down her skin almost as much as her nightgown that trailed water behind her, making her shivering cold now that her adrenaline rush had come to an end.
The sleeves and skirt clung to her, but Niphrediel detached the material, which helped. Her hair was a dripping mess down her front and back.
She walked through the garden entrance and into the first floor south hall. The staircases that lead to her apartments were in the north hall.
Niphrediel walked through the fire lit hall wearily, the soft breeze in the house making her almost freezing.
She made it through to the north hall easily, and her stride became more relaxed as she walked to the staircase.
"Gwilwileth?"
Niphrediel's eyes closed in dread. She turned around and bowed her head. "Lord Elrond." She greeted and looked up into the grey eyes of her once foster father.
Lord Elrond stood grandly, with Legolas and Glorfindel on either sides of him.
Glorfindel frowned and took off his robe. "Sana sina."*Take this* He put his golden robe around her shoulders.
Niphrediel nodded in thanks, then turned to Lord Elrond who looked at her with a disapproving intensity.
Niphrediel lowered her eyes "Amin hiraetha, Heruamin." *I'm sorry, my Lord* She said quietly.
"Mani nae lle umien?"*What have you been doing?* Elrond asked firmly.
Niphrediel turned back to Elrond, her eyes downcast. "Draconic, nîn "-
"You still ride that wild horse?"
Niphrediel's nodded. "Aye, my lord." She said slowly.
Elrond sighed, shaking his head helplessly. "Well you should go and change into fresh clothes, we shall be in my study where Aragorn has already been summoned to come."
Niphrediel nodded. "Uma. Tenna' telwan san.'"*Yes. Until later then*. She bowed her head before continuing on her way to her room.
"Gwilwileth?"
Niphrediel paused and turned around. "Yes?"
Elrond's face was dark. "I am asking you to come, also."
Niphrediel's eyes darted to Glorfindel quickly, but nodded. "Very well. I will not be long."
Elrond nodded. "We will be waiting."
Niphrediel turned back around and strode quickly away.
Once she made her way into her bedchamber he dried herself off and changed into comfortable and dry dark red robes, brushed her wet hair and took back the two tails of hair around her face and tied them into two braids that fell down her front behind her ears, and walked back down the staircase and back into the hall.
Her stomach rumbled, making her remember its neglect. But this was not the time to eat.
She walked with her hands joined in her front to stop her fidgeting.
She frowned, seeing that the doors to Elrond's study were wide-open.
Niphrediel walked through the doorway, into the room but paused.
Elrond sat at his grand desk. The two of the four chairs in front of him seated Glorfindel and Aragorn. Mioniel stood behind Elrond's left, her hands joined and head low and Gandalf stood tall with his staff on Elrond's right.
Niphrediel frowned. "Naneth?" She whispered, more to her self.
Mioniel sighed, looking at Niphrediel with morbid eyes. "Sit, gwennamin ." *My girl*
Niphrediel's lips slightly parted in alarm. Something was wrong, Mioniel never called her gwenn.
Niphrediel slowly walked to her seat, her feet having no trouble not tripping over the long robe.
She looked to Aragorn on the chair beside her own, and Glorfindel on the other.
Aragorn looked up at Niphrediel and smiled in a quick greeting as Niphrediel wearily sat down.
"What is this about, Heruamin?" *My Lord* Niphrediel asked, her voice discontented.
Elrond took a deep breath. "You attacked the party!" His voice seemed to boom like the loudest thunder.
Niphrediel winced, her eyes falling. "I thought they were intruders, my lord." She answered quietly.
Aragorn nodded. "It was a misunderstanding." He said.
Elrond did not seem to hear, he looked only at Niphrediel with eyes that seemed to see through her soul. "You ran from Glorfindel"-
Aragorn spoke for Niphrediel as she silently sat on her chair looking down at her hands as if in pain. "She meant not to do any harm"-
Elrond sighed, shaking his head. "That is not the point, Estel. Let the girl speak for herself." He turned his gaze back to Niphrediel's lowered face. "You ran from Glorfindel, whom Aragorn ordered you to accompany." He said, his brows high.
The room waited for Niphrediel's reply.
Niphrediel took a deep breath. "Yes, but I"-
"You disobeyed guidelines; guidelines that are made for your safety"-
"I know, but"-
Glorfindel spoke, "It was not her fault, my lord. She is a child; they all make mistakes. We must not forget that, since it has been so long since we have been one."
Elrond looked to Glorfindel. "How long is she supposed to remain a child in our minds before we all realise she is no longer one?"
Niphrediel frowned, raising her head. "What is that supposed to mean?" She asked.
Elrond frowned darkly. "It does not matter. You were hurt in a way that I always feared you would. I never agreed to you being able to go out during the day in the first place, but Estel gave reasons that even I agreed upon, but now I see it was wrong," his voice suddenly softened, "I do not blame you for what has happened. I should have never allowed it. If we had never allowed you to go outside when the sun was out then nothing would have happened. I see now that it was no use to push the bounds. It is not natural for you."
Niphrediel stood. "Then perhaps I should make a home in Mordor for it seems that by your point of view that I share a nature with all those creatures that live there." She hissed quietly and turned to leave.
Mioniel took a step foreword. "Niphrediel, stop."
Niphrediel paused, turning around to look at her. Her frown darkened. "What else is there to say?"
Gandalf looked at Elrond. "There are things your mother should have told you, my dear."
Niphrediel's eyes seemed to harden. "My mother has nothing to do with this matter." She said.
Gandalf nodded. "That is true, my dear, this has something to do with this. It is a matter much more important then anything revolving the sun."
Niphrediel frowned. "What is it?"
Silence.
Niphrediel looked from Elrond to Gandalf knowing that both of them knew something she did not by the expressions on their faces. "What is it?" She repeated again.
Gandalf lowered his gaze. "I have not the heart to tell you, nor does Lord Elrond. It would be best for you to seek the answer elsewhere from someone who would have the will and power to answer all of your questions."
Elrond nodded. "That is why you shall go to Lothlorien."
Niphrediel's eyes became wide. "Banishment." She gasped.
Aragorn straightened in his chair, full of alarm.
Elrond shook his head. "No, not banishment, child."
Niphrediel relaxed. "You are certain?"
Elrond nodded. "There is nothing to banish you for." He said.
Niphrediel nodded twice. "When will I depart, and with whom?"
"You shall leave one day before the Fellowship depart, and you shall be accompanied there by two of my most trusted escorts." Elrond answered.
Niphrediel frowned. "It is safe to travel at such a time?"
Elrond sighed. "Unfortunately, we no longer have a choice."
Gandalf looked to Niphrediel. "We will not force you to go. Robbing you of free will would make us just as bad as any orc." He said, "Will you go?"
Niphrediel downcast her eyes and thought for a moment. She looked back up, her eyes weary. "I will go."
Elrond smiled sadly. "Good."
The meeting was dismissed, and all seven left the study. Most left to sleep, whereas Niphrediel walked into the kitchen where Annabon, the main cook, waited as she did every night to make Niphrediel something 'nutritious' to eat.
Annabon, whose name meant 'Elephant', was a firm, grumpy woman, but had a heart of gold. She was mortal, rather large, middle aged, but had always had a soft spot for Niphrediel ever since she was a child.
Annabon always made sure Niphrediel got the first cupcake, and snuck her cockies if Niphrediel wanted a snack. Annabon believed that food was the flavour of life, and always made sure Niphrediel was well fed since Niphrediel was always too lithe for Annabon's comfort, as was Aragorn, whom she had a soft spot for also.
Niphrediel sat on a wooden chair, leaning on the kitchen table with her head against the warm wood and her finger on the end of a knife that she dug gently into the wood, slowly rotating it.
Annabon worked the kitchen. "What do you want, princess?"
Niphrediel shrugged. "I do not mind."
Annabon groaned, walking passed her and taking the knife, startling Niphrediel for a moment.
Niphrediel frowned, looking up into Annabon's angry face.
"Yes! You see me now!" Annabon exclaimed, "What do you want to eat?"
Niphrediel bit her lip. "Whatever you wish to make."
Annabon gave Niphrediel a threatening look, making Niphrediel laugh.
"All right!" Niphrediel laughed in defeat, "I will have"-
"I know what you will have. Since when did I ever give you a choice of what to eat?" Annabon cursed, and began to chop up vegetables in silence.
Niphrediel laughed, and put her head back onto the table and waited as Annabon did what she would.
Niphrediel tapped her fingers against the wooden surface as she closed her eyes, listening to the sound of Annabon chopping and humming softly to a happy tune.
She frowned, and her eyes opened when she heard the sound stop.
"My lord, are you lost?" She heard Annabon ask, friendly and polite. It was a stranger; else Annabon would not be using her manners.
"Please do not call me a tittle, Legolas is good enough."
Niphrediel frowned, and turned her head. He must've been lost; it is not unusual since the house is so large.
Annabon put down her knife, and looked at Niphrediel. "My dear, the lord must've lost his way."
Niphrediel looked at Legolas. "Have you?"
Legolas shook his head. "No, Aragorn told me where you would be so I would not."
Niphrediel held back a frown. Why would he be looking for her?
Legolas laughed. "Do not worry, child, I will not hurt you." He said, and then his face seemed to sadden. "In fact it seems the image is eating me alive."
Niphrediel frowned, sitting back in her chair. "I do not need pity, milord."
Legolas nodded. "That is exactly what Aragorn said, but I am not giving you my pity."
Niphrediel looked at him wearily. "Then what?"
Legolas smiled. "I wish to pay you back." He said.
Niphrediel's eyes widened. "You wish to harm yourself in such a way?" She asked quietly.
Legolas laughed and he shook his head. "No, milady, no. Lo! I only wish to give you a gift. You shall get one with every scar I inflict on you." He laughed again.
Niphrediel shook her head, but began to laugh with him, though her laughter was quieter. It took away the tenseness of the room.
"A gift?"
Legolas nodded. "Aye. But I must know if you are allergic to anything."
Niphrediel shook her head.
"Do you suffer from hay fever?"
Niphrediel raised an eyebrow, as she shook her head again. "You have gotten me a cat?"
Legolas chuckled, shaking his head. "No, young one, what I will give you is so much greater."
Annabon glared at Niphrediel, making Niphrediel turn her gaze. "Well, skinny-bin-ninny, do not just sit there and make the good lord have to drag you outside. It's obvious his present is not in this room." She walked over to Niphrediel and dragged the chair back away from the table.
Legolas laughed at Annabon's antics and Niphrediel jumped off the chair.
Niphrediel frowned at Annabon. "Must you be so violent?"
Annabon laughed, walking back to the vegetables. "Leave me, my love, I must cook."
Niphrediel followed Legolas out the door into the hall.
Niphrediel looked around the hall; it was empty apart from the torches put here and there to lighten the room.
Legolas sighed, walking in front of her. "Again, I must give my indeed apology of hurting you so, I swear that the memory will haunt me forever." He said.
Niphrediel raised an eyebrow. "Is that supposed to make me happy?" She asked, unsettling.
Legolas shook his head. "No, that is what my gift is supposed to do."
Niphrediel nodded. "Very well."
Legolas sighed; he seemed to look from her to the door leading to the garden.
Niphrediel raised an eyebrow as silence drew on.
"Any moment now." Legolas assured, biting his top lip.
Minutes seemed to roll as no sound was made.
Legolas sighed. "The gift must be running a little late, I'm afraid." He said, and then sighed again, "Well let us talk then to keep us occupied."
"Very well." Niphrediel cleared her throat and crossed her arms.
"What is your name?" Legolas laughed, "Lord Elrond, Glorfindel and Aragorn all call you different names that I am utterly confused."
Niphrediel looked to the staircase, watching a maid walk passed. "It's properly Niphrédiel." She answered.
Legolas nodded, "That is what Aragorn called you, as did Glorfindel, but he also called you Nieninquë so I was not sure."
Niphrediel nodded and she saw him notice her scar and his face sorrowed. "Oh no, I have branded you!" Legolas exclaimed, making Niphrediel crack up laughing.
Legolas frowned. "Usually it would not be a laughing matter, child."
Niphrediel replied with a shrug of her shoulders. She glowered at the maid that always seemed to walk back and forth sneaking peaks down at them.
"You are certainly your brother's sister." Legolas chuckled, making Niphrediel look back to him.
"Do you have any siblings?" She asked.
Legolas nodded. "A sister and brother." He answered.
"All younger?"
Legolas nodded again.
The creaking of a door made Legolas's head snap in the doors direction and a huge smile came onto his lips.
Niphrediel turned her head slowly to the door as it opened slightly.
A wolf trotted through the gap. It was huge, reaching Niphrediel's waist. It was beautiful, one of the most beautiful creatures Niphrediel had ever laid her young eyes upon. Its pelt was the colour of slightly grey tinted snow and its eyes glowed an endless blue and small stars seemed to sparkle right in its depths. It was large and obviously very strong with limps that could drag a boar and legs that could outrun any horse. It seemed to smile at Niphrediel with its white toothy smile.
Niphrediel's eyes widened and her breath came short and her heart missed a beat.
Legolas smiled at her reaction. "Beautiful, is it not? It is male only because it is the stronger of the wolf-genders. I tried to think of what would be able to protect you and what would be able to befriend you, but alas you already have a brother, so . . ."
Niphrediel smiled, her gaze still locked with the animals. Her eyes began to glisten.
The wolf was so beautiful.
The wolf walked to Legolas's side and brushed his head against Legolas's hand.
Legolas looked down at it and crouched down, becoming shorter then the wolf. He looked up at Niphrediel. "Come, child, it won't hurt you, I promise. He is a very magical creature." He said, as he entangled his hand in the pelt of its neck.
Niphrediel uneasily took slow, weary steps to the wolf's side. She crouched down, her arms around her knees, as the wolf stared down into her eyes.
Niphrediel looked at Legolas quickly. "Should I avoid its eye contact? Will it think I am trying to dominate?" It was common sense to know that if you stared into the eyes of a wolf it would think you are trying to make a fight to see who is the dominate one. That was how wolves settled rank.
Legolas smiled. "Do not do it just yet," he said, then put his mouth close to the wolf's ear.
What he whispered was too quiet for Niphrediel to translate, but it was definitely in Elvish.
Niphrediel looked back at the wolf, and somehow could tell that it stood prouder then it did before.
Legolas moved his mouth away from the wolf's ear. "There you go," he said to her. "He knows he is your protector now. He knows you are his equal."
Niphrediel smiled broadly.
Legolas frowned, turning to the wolf. "Mani ume lle quena?" *What did you say?*
Niphrediel waited as Legolas listened to whatever the wolf said.
Legolas smiled when it seemed the wolf had finished its comment, and turned back to Niphrediel. "He says he will fight till his death for you, but that he also desires a name." He said with a small grin.
Niphrediel smiled and put her head against her knees, deep in thought. "Beren." She answered.
Legolas raised his eyebrow and repeated the word to the wolf.
Legolas waited a moment before turning back to Niphrediel. "He likes it. It is better then what I named him."
Niphrediel frowned. "He is yours? If he is yours I cannot take him. He is your own. I cannot take him away from his master. I will be no pet-napper." She said.
Legolas shook his head. "I trained him, yes, but I have three others waiting at home for me. Dar—Beren is the best, which is what I am giving. Do not bother to tell me not, it is already done."
Niphrediel could only smile in thanks.
Beren licked Legolas's cheek, surprising him.
Legolas groaned, wiping his cheek. "Yes, thankyou, Beren." He said.
Niphrediel stared at the perfection and softness of Beren's pelt. She ached to brush her hand against it, but would not bring herself to do it.
Legolas laughed. "Young one, Beren will not ever hurt you." He took her hand and guided it to Beren's neck.
His pelt felt like the softest fur. It was beautiful.
Beren walked to her, too quickly, pushing her over.
Niphrediel fell onto her back and laughed.
Legolas patted Beren's head with one hand as he stood, and offered his other to Niphrediel who remained laughing on the floor.
Niphrediel's laughter came short and she took Legolas's hand and he slowly pulled her up easily.
She took a deep breath. "Thankyou so much, my lord. No one has ever given me anything so beautiful before."
Legolas shook his head. "I nearly killed you, there is no gift I could give that could make up for that."
Niphrediel lowered her gaze. "Perhaps, my lord, but nevertheless, thankyou."
Legolas smiled. "That is quite fine, child. At least now you have two brother's to watch over you; Beren and Aragorn."
Niphrediel laughed.
Legolas sighed. "Beren will follow basically every instruction you give him, he is no stranger to orcs or any such fiend, and he is very obedient. I promise he will protect you always." He bowed and slowly walked away to the staircase.
He paused, and turned back around. "Milady, if I may be honoured, may I ask why your skin reacted so? It is my one question, then I will leave you be."
Niphrediel looked down. "I am . . . . . ." Niphrediel thought of a way she could put it without him giving pity. "Let us just say that I burn easily."
Legolas beamed. "Very well. Quel du." *Goodnight*
Niphrediel nodded. "Quel esta." *Rest well* If he was no elf, he would not have heard her quiet voice.
Legolas bowed his head, and walked away.
Niphrediel looked down at Beren. "Well come along, Beren. I hope you are hungry." She turned and opened the door to the kitchen.
"A pet? Isn't that extravagant?"
Niphrediel lay on a quilt under the soft, dry green grass in the garden looking up at the stars. Beren lay his head on her stomach, her fingers curled in the pelt of his neck. "Do not be so glum, Glorfindel."
Glorfindel sighed. "Well, that is Legolas for you; he was very angry at himself for harming you. You better have been grateful!" He growled.
"I was." She defended, eyes widened to show her innocence.
Glorfindel nodded. "Good. The night is at its later hours, Nieninquë. You should go inside now."
Niphrediel got up and folded the quilt and walked inside to her room, where she would sleep the daylight away.
