Chapter 2
Training and a Feast!
In the following months, the Elves and Men of Middle Earth trained for battle. They were up before dawn every day to perfect their techniques. And they went to bed after sundown every night. They ran themselves ragged until the final few weeks before the planned battle.
Thranduil proved to be the pertinent pupil that Alfirnewen had hoped for. He trained relentlessly with her and the other trainees. Alfirenwen was impressed by his abilities. Once he had gotten past his animosity, they both grew to be friends. Elrond, after much prompting, took a week off from his usual duties and came to the classes to teach the finer points of swordsmanship. He installed a great sense of respect in the son of the Mirkwood king.
One particularly fine afternoon in the summer found him in the practice field, wielding Hadafhang, his famed blade. It had belonged to his father, Earendil, who had in turn gotten it from Elrond's grandmother Idril, princess of Gondolin. Though the kingdom was by now long gone, burnt to a bare ruin, it's relics and weapons remained. Because of it's age and peculiarity in design, this particular sword was much thinner and slightly more elaborate then the other recurved elven swords that the warriors used. The other elven blades were broader, and had a more rounded end. They were also mass-produced by the smiths, so they bore no individual markings as the weapons of the masters did.
After several afternoons of hard practice, even Gil-Galad, the king of the Noldorian elves, came for a while. He stood on the periphery of the group, every once in a while giving hints for the younger elves and Men.
He decided, after much debate, that he would move the army out whilst it was still summer, to keep the soldiers from the shivering harshness of winter. He made an announcement that they would leave a week later. Upon hearing this, the Men and elves cheered. Training and practice were finished, they were to rest up as much as possible in the next sevenday.
Halfway into the week, Gil-Galad also made an announcement for a feast the night before departure. He knew that the Men were sick to death eating lembas, and he knew that even elves could stand it only so long.
The Galadhrim immediately volunteered to do the hunting. They woke up at dawn of the fifth day and set out armed with bows and full fletches. By midmorning, every member of the group, including the two elleths and a Thranduil who had insisted upon hunting with his trainer, had three deer to their name, and Thranduil had a wild boar added to his count when one was encountered on the walk back. It had been felled easily. Arriving back at camp, they found other contingents that had gone hunting near the rivers and snared water fowl and wild hare.
When the animals had been cleaned and quartered, they were laid in large, stone lined trenches that Alfirenwen had heated with a fire spell. They were then covered with more stones and grass, and kept burning hot, without flame so as not to waste wood or require supervision, by the heat spell. They would be left for a day and a half, until the meat was cooked to such tenderness that the meat fell from the bone.
Leaving the meat to its roasting, the elleths and several other elves that didn't mind carrying gathering and winnowing baskets, scoured the hills for edible plants. They filled the wicker baskets with wild berries and fruit from the trees. Vegetables were gathered from sunny clearings, almonds, hazels, and other nuts, and the ripe seed from wild grasses that grew in abundance around the heavily sunned meadows and fields. And one human soldier, after being stung several times, brought back a large jar of honey. Despite the rush and a small amount of time for its preparation, this feast was going to be a marvelous one.
After the wild edibles had been gathered, the elves really went to work. The little field which had served little purpose in the last two years except as a place to sleep, was now put to work as a massive outdoor cookery. Dozens of little fires went up, each with a special dish bubbling over it, whether it be a thick hearty stew made with the wild vegetables and conies, or a sweet dessert made from the fruits and honey.
The afternoon of the sixth day was a busy one. The meat that had roasted since noon the day before was removed and dispersed among the different camps, as were the other dishes. Alfirenwen and her family had received an invitation from her uncle to dine with him in the main camp. So after the food had been divided out, they prepared for the evening ahead.
About two hours before they were expected to arrive, Alfirenwen and Haldir went off to bathe. Along the way, she picked soaproot and lavender flowers she'd found along the bank. They washed and dried and went back to camp to dress. They had brought along outfits for just such an occasion.
Alfirenwen pulled from her pack a deep foresty green gown covered with thin, fawn colored embroidery along the hem and neckline. The sleeves were three quarters and belled slightly but not much, as it was a garment for light occasions and not the more important celebrations. Her dark brown hair she tied in a half-braid, with small lengths left loose over her pointed ears. She had a small, silver circlet that she placed over her head, alongside a mithril pendant in the shape of her namesake, the golden alfiren blossom. Haldir changed into a pair of dark trousers and a long robe of light blue, the color the ocean reflected at night, though he had never seen it. He tied his hair traditionally, and added a ring of woven mithril strands to his hand.
They had left their tent and headed for the King's camp when Alquavani and her husband emerged from their tent. Vani's dress was much like her friends, though a deep shade of midnight blue without embroidery, and a golden circlet upon her brow instead. Earlindor was wearing a simple long tunic and trousers of black and deep blue to match his eyes, simple but of fine cut enough to make up for it's lack of decoration. His hair, dark like his sisters, was tied in a half-herringbone like Haldir.
They continued on their way, Gil-Oiromil and Shaelen jumping into the group dressed similarly to Earlindor, though their was of lighter shade and slightly longer in the tunic. Shaelen was akin to his father in appearance, the same height, same hair, even the same shade of light, tourquoise-blue in his eyes, whilst Alfirenwen and Earlindor were analogous of their mother, Anaronwe, dark haired, he with deep blue and she with deep green eyes.
They made their way through the camps of Men and elves alike, heading for the main camp of their host. They received a few funny looks from the Men, who were unaccustomed to elven designs in clothing beyond that in gilded armor.
They arrived at the central camp, where huge, elongated oaken tables had been placed, covered in white linen and lit every few inches by tall, fat taper candles that would burn wide and bright for hours. The tables had been placed in rows, parallel to one another, with one table perpendicular to the rest at one end. It was at this table that the group was led, taking honorary seats along the right side of Gil-Galad's high-backed, bannered chair. The left side already seated those of importance in the world's of Men. Directly left sat the king of Gondor, Elendil, and his sons, the younger of whom Alfirenwen had met. His name was Isildur. She was unsure of the name of the second brother.
They sat down, awaiting the arrival of other guests of the High-King. Alquavani and Earlindor sat, their hands held under the tablecloth. Alfirenwen, Shaelen and their father sat convivially until other friends of theirs arrived. Alfirenwen jumped from her chair when she saw Elrond enter from the edge of the wood, giving him a very brief, but nonetheless warm, embrace. Behind him came Thranduil, who led his father over for introduction. He came over and bowed slightly, gesturing towards the slightly taller likeness of himself.
" Tura Alfirenwen, meet my father, King Orophur, Lord of Green Wood."
Alfirenwen stepped forward and curtsied, putting her hand over her heart in kindly elven respect, Orophur imitating hers. " I am pleased to meet you, Lord Orophur. Your son here has turned out to be a very apt pupil."
Orophur's eyes twinkled slightly and the corners of his mouth turned upward in a grin, " Ah, and I thank you, Lady, for had you not, he would still be the little burr he was before." He grinned at his son, who sheepishly smiled and looked demurely, and a little embarrassingly, to the ground.
Gil-Galad then entered the periphery of the group, greeting the others in the group.
" Vedui' il'er (greetings, everyone)." He said in a good-humored voice, " Sut naa lle umien sina re?(how are you doing today?) ".
" Amin tereva, amin atario toror' (I am fine, my father's brother) (uncle) ", replies Alfirenwen.
Thranduil and his father bowed deeply to the Noldor king, and introduced themselves." Amin heru Orophur, haran en'Calentaur, amin heru, ar'sinaio utinu ar'chil, i'taren Thranduil (I am Lord Orophur, king of GreenWood, my lord, and this is my son and heir, the prince Thranduil) ".
Gil-Galad bowed in return. " May I show you to your seats?"
Father and son nodded assent, and they were led to chairs on the right side of Alfirenwen and her family's. they sat and offered their thanks.
They sat for a while longer. It took nearly half an hour for all to be seated, for indeed there were nearly seven score people there. With nearly one then half again a hundred guests, it took a while for all to be situated.
When all were in attendance, Gil-Galad stood from his chair. All immediately rapt into silence.
" I thank thee, friends, for dining here with me on this fine night, on the eve of battle. May this food fill our bellies and replenish our strength with it's sustenance." And with that he gave a small clap of his hands, and on either side of the clearing, Men and elves appeared, bearing the platters and other trays heaped with food. They were sat along the tables with relish, and their bearers quickly took seats saved for them along each bench.
Gil-Galad finished with obvious relish, " Now to the feast, I command you all!"
For several minutes the tables were bustles of activity as Men and elves alike scrambled side by side for helpings of their favorite dishes and some that weren't. Then there was muted silence for many more minutes as the food was happily devoured. After a while, conversations flew up as the food off plates was eaten, and second helpings of a favorite dish were added. The noise grew and grew. From across the forest, the other celebrations, with much singing and dancing, could be heard. They could see the dots of bonfires through the trees, giving them an oddly eerie feeling, yet cheery.
When the moon was high, the High King announced that they would all retire, as they would need their rest for the upcoming journey. He sent messengers to the other camps in the forest. All across the woods fires were doused and Men and elves dropped into bed, happily full and awaiting the upcoming battle.
The last to bed were the Galadhrim. Most stayed by the fire a while, until urged to sleep by Gil-Oiromil. Even elves needed rest, especially right before a major battle. His calls of, " Hearken, hearken, my friends, to your covers!", brought smiles and laughter to the rest of the group, but they consented anyway. Even those of the Eldar needed rest, especially preceding the future conflict that they were. All scuttled up from their places around the last blaze and made their way into bed. Soon, the only ones left were the two couples. With Alquavani's help, Alfirenwen poured cold water from the stream unto the coals, causing them to sputter and die. Then they made their own ways to their blankets.
Later that night, both Alfirenwen and Haldir still lie awake, side by side under the same coverlet. They comfortingly listened to the sounds of the night. Their stronger hearing allowed them to hear the whispers of the forest in shadow. They heard the slight bubbling of the creek, the delicate rustling of leaves, even the soft swish from the wings of some night hunter.
It brought back both familiar memories and painful truth. They both well knew that this could be the last time either might enjoy a peaceful night together. While they were sure of their skills, even the most accomplished warrior could be brought down by sheer outnumbering. And through spies, they had learned that Sauron had amassed a vast army, so large that the reporters could not count them all.
The two lay together, she on her side with her arms around his middle, his arms reaching around to hug her shoulder and one forearm as her head rested in the hollow of his shoulder. They needed no words. The simple company of the other was enough.
One space over, Earlindor and his mate, too, lay together, immersed with both happy reminiscences and a threatening future. The tent had been tied back at the entrance, to allow a breeze into the tent to stifle the heat of summer that penetrated even at night. Earlindor was facing his wife, knowing the look of her face even in the shadows of night. He could drink in her beauty even when she wasn't able to be seen. The slight breeze that had sprung blew aside the clouds that had been covering the now half-moon. When the light from the semi-full orb lit upon Alquavani's face, Earlindor's eyes opened wide in surprise.
She was lying on her back, her face turned slightly from him towards the wall of the small marquee. Her pale skin lit with the moonlight, seeming to glow like the very trees of Valinor itself. But it wasn't her fair skin that had startled him, nor the fact that she was turned away from him, but the now brilliant splash of silver light falling in a line down her cheek. A tear. He made a face of confusion. He hiked up onto one elbow, reached over with his other hand and gently stroked the wet cheek.
His touch made her shudder. He quickly withdrew his hand, his face now concentrated with wonder. He'd had no idea that the upcoming melees weighed so heavily on her. He instead rested his fingers on her shoulder. " Manieo ta, mela? (what is it, my love?) "
She turned to face him, her eyes brimming, her usual bright, cerulean-blue eyes now darkened to a limitless depth of violet from the darkness. His features turned to one of shock. He quickly sat up fully, taking her hand and, grasping her hands, pulling her up as well. As he let go her hands, she reached up to wipe at the tears. When she was through, he pulled her into a tight embrace. " Amin hiraetha, mela, amin hiraetha (I'm sorry, my love, I'm sorry ").
She pulled away enough to look at him. " N'uma, amin hiraetha (no, I'm sorry )" she let out a slight cry. " Amin uuma merna ta! (I don't want it!) " she leaned back into him, burying her face in his shoulder. He let her shed out her woe.
" Merna mani, mela (want what, love?)" he asked when the crying had stopped. The query only brought renewed sobs.
" Sina ohta (this war !)" she stopped, attempting to stifle her tears. " Cara nir'coiar nauva di wanwa (too many lives will be lost )."
" U'uma dela, Alquavani (do not worry, Alquavani) ."
She looked up at him in surprise. " How can you say such things?"
He smiled slightly, which caused her face to go from one of sadness to one of surprise and slight anger. " Because, mela, worry will only bring the feared death along at a faster pace."
" How?"
" Think of it, mela. If we are meant to die, or meant to live, it will happen, regardless of what we do to try and change it. We are bonded. If our bodies are, then our soulsare as well. If one of us is meant to live or die, then we shall do so together. We will only end in sharing eternity, whether it be in this world, across the sea in Valinor, or in the next one in the shade of Mandos Halls. Either way, worry will do no good. Our fortune, or our doom, is already decided. Fretting will, as I said, bring the fate upon us faster than we want it to."
He pulled her into another hug. This time she returned it. When they parted, she was smiling.
" And I swear, As long as I have life left in me, I will fight to keep it, if only it means staying with you."
Her smile grew a little wider. " Lee vesta (you promise) ?"
" Amin vesta (I promise) ."
He took the moment to wipe the last of the tears from her face. As his hand stroked her cheek, her head turned, and she lay a soft kiss unto the palm of his hand. She turned back to face him, smiling. " San'ten lye il'ten i'dome di tho, (then let us not let this night be wasted )."
Earlindor smiled then, kissed her lightly, slipping his hands from hers, unlaced the front of his night tunic, tossing it to one corner of the tent once it was off. He ducked under the covers to unlace the leggings, as Alquavani untied her single long woven nightrobe. She stripped it off as fast as she could, and threw it to join the tunic.
Earlindor reappeared, holding a pair of short pants. They quickly became the topmost article on the heap. Alquavani opened her arms. He dove into them. Her thinner arms wrapped around him as they rolled underneath the blankets. She ended up underneath him, arms around his neck, with him propped on his elbows, gazing down at her.
He drank in her beauty, from her now dark eyes to her deeply hued hair spread seductively on the pillows all around her and her mouth turned up at the corners. With a mocked, husky growl, he darted in to catch her lips in a deep, searing kiss, her arms tightening around him as well as her long, shapely legs wrapping around his waist. His hands reached around to grip the small of her back, pulling her closer to him with a deathlike grasp. His nails scratched pleasurably along her skin.
A sudden chill wind reminded them that the front flap of the tent was still open. Earlindor stretched out his arms to untie the cord that help the door flaps open. Alquvani took the opportunity to lift her head and teasingly kiss his neck, then bit him lightly just under the chin. The slight tickling caused him to flinch back before he reached the cord. He laughed lightly, then reached out and quickly tugged the cord. The flap dropped shut, enclosing them in darkness………