Upon Shattered Dreams
Chapter 2- The Woods of Lothlórien
Legolas treaded carefully through the woods, ahead of the Company. But light were his footsteps no more, for the full loss of Mithrandir weighed heavy upon his heart. The grief was new and the pain almost unbearable. But they could not stop. Orcs would soon follow them, and if the quest was not to fail, they must go onwards.
The night-wind blew chill up the valley to meet them. Before them a wide grew shadow loomed, and they heard an endless rustle of leaves like poplars in the breeze.
Legolas stopped. "Lothlórien!" he cried. "Lothlórien! We have come to the eaves of the Golden Wood."
"Here is Nimrodel!" said Legolas, as the Fellowship stopped in front of a fast flowing stream. "Of this stream the Silvan Elves made many songs long ago, and still we sing them in the North, remembering the rainbow on its falls, and the golden flowers that floated in its foam. Come, let us bathe our feet, for it is said that the water heals the weary."
Legolas stepped in, and felt the cool purity of the water touch his feet, and it seemed all his fatigue left him. He called out for the Company to follow him, and one by one they climbed down. When all had crossed, they sat down by the bank, and ate a little food.
It had been a little more than one month since the Fellowship left Rivendell, recalled Legolas, and already one of the members was lost to them. And without Gandalf, what hope did they have? Dark was their path when they set out from Rivendell, but darker it was now without their guide. There was silence in the air, as each member reflected on the grief. The only noise was that of the flowing stream.
Legolas looked up suddenly.
"What is it?" asked Aragorn.
Legolas frowned. "Singing…"
And the rest of the Company heard it soon too, a distant echo. The music grew louder, and soon they mere able to make out the words.
A star was bound upon her brows,
A light was on her hair
As sun upon the golden boughs
In Lórien the fair.
"It is a song of the maiden Nimrodel, who bore the same name as this creek…" mused Legolas. "It is a sad long tale, speaking of the sorrow that fell upon Lothlórien. It is a fair song in our woodland tongue, but that was a fine translation into the Westron Speech. Sh… listen."
Her hair was long, her limbs were white,
And fair she was and free;
And in the wind she went as light
As leaf of linden-tree.
The voice belonged to that of a maiden's. She sang beautifully, her voice melodious and clear, with a deep sadness and regret that could only come from within the heart. The Company listened, enchanted. The song touched upon their hearts.
Beside the falls of Nimrodel,
By water clear and cool,
Her voice as falling silver fell
Into the shining pool.
Where now she wanders none can tell,
In sunlight or in shade;
For lost of yore was Nimrodel
And in the mountains strayed…
The voice faltered, and it seemed that the singer was overcome by grief for Nimrodel. It seemed that they would hear no more. But a deeper and equally clear voice continued for her. The Company turned, and found that Legolas was singing.
The elven-ship in haven grey
Beneath the mountain-lee
Awaited her for many a day
Beside the roaring sea.
Legolas stopped, and waited for the other singer to continue. There was a pause, a hesitance. But the maiden continued.
A wind by night in Northern lands
Arose, and loud it cried,
And drove the ship from elven-strands
Across the streaming tide.
When dawn came dim the land was lost,
The mountains sinking grey
Beyond the heaving waves that tossed
Their plumes of blinding spray.
The voice faded away. For a while the Company waited, hoping to hear more. But there was nothing. The maiden singer had left.
Merry sighed. "I should have liked to listen to more. Could you sing it to us?" he asked Legolas, causing the Woodland elf to laugh.
"I have forgotten much, for it is a long song. My voice is no match of what we have just heard, and you would surely be disappointed. It is better if you heard from a better singer. But even if I could, we not the time."'
"I would like to know who that was," wondered Frodo.
"As would all of us, I suspect, Frodo," said Aragorn.
"Is she not an elleth of Lothlórien?" asked Boromir.
"No young elf should be wondering at the outskirts of these borders alone. It is not safe, especially at night."
"Her voice was beautiful. I felt as if I was floating," said Pippin dreamily.
"Beautiful is too common a word to describe it," said Legolas. "Magical more like. Indeed she has a lovely voice, and one could almost say that she was fair as Nimrodel herself."
"It seemed oddly familiar," commented Frodo lightly.
"No doubt you have heard a voice likewise in Rivendell," dismissed Boromir.
"Let us sleep now," said Aragorn, "For night is upon us. Let us seek refuge amongst the tree-tops, as the Galadhrim. We have sat here beside the road already longer than was wise."
The Company now turned aside from the path, and went into the shadow of the deeper woods, westward along the mountain-stream away from Silverlode. Not far from the falls of Nimrodel they found a cluster of trees, some of which overhung the stream. Their great grew trunks were mighty girth, but their height could not be guessed.
"I will climb up," offered Legolas, "For I am at home among trees." Swift as an arrow, Legolas sprang up and caught hold of a large branch. He swung his legs around and propelled himself upwards.
"Daro!" a commanding voice suddenly shouted.
Legolas, shocked, loosened his grip and fell back to the ground. He gazed up, and spoke in an elven-tongue unknown to the Company except for Aragorn. A few moments later, a silvery rope fell down from the treetop and three elves climbed down. The tallest one nodded to Legolas, and bowed his head slightly towards Aragorn.
"Welcome," said the elf in Common Tongue, "I am Haldir. And these are my brothers, Rúmil and Orophin." Here the other two elves bowed slightly. "They speak little of your tongue," explained Haldir. "Messengers from Imladris arrived a few days ago that spoke of your company. You may stay with us tonight, as Elrond has bid us to befriend you, though it is not our custom."
Haldir spoke softly, but his voice radiated authority, and it was no doubt he was of high status within the March wardens. His gaze turned upon Gimli, and a smile played upon his lips. "Alas… a dwarf! We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days. By law, you are not permitted in our land."
Gimli glared at Haldir.
"But Elrond himself chose him to be one of our companions," said Frodo, "And he has been brave and faithful."
Haldir spoke softly to his brothers, speaking in elvish again. He turned back and nodded grimly. "Very well. The dwarf shall pass. But he must walk blindfold through Lothlórien."
This was not at all to the liking of Gimli. "I will not walk blindfolded, like a beggar or prisoner."
"This is our law. I cannot change it," replied Haldir coolly.
Laughter ran through the trees. Legolas felt a sudden surge of familiarity. A female voice followed. "Oh dear Haldir, let the dwarf pass."
The Company looked up, wondering who the voice belonged to, for it was the same that had sung whilst they were at Nimrodel. Haldir looked up too, and Legolas noticed that there was a smile on his lips. But when he spoke again, his voice was harsh and commanding.
"What are you doing here, Ithilwen?"
The same laughter echoed around them, making it impossible to tell which direction whence it came from. "Why can't I come here?" the female voice whined.
"You know it is not safe," said Haldir sharply.
Ithilwen sighed. "And you know perfectly well that I am fully capable of fending for myself," she complained. "Why won't you ever let me come with you? I can fight just as well as all your other wardens."
"You know not of the dangers involved, nor can you understand," said Haldir. His tone softened. "Go back now, back to where you will be guarded. My heart will rest easier tonight if I knew you were safe and protected, away from danger."
Who was this elleth? Legolas saw the expression on Haldir's face and knew he cared about this Ithilwen. His whole demeanor differed whenever he spoke with her- his tone was only sharp because he feared for her. The sudden change from a strict, cold and fearless March Warden to a caring soft-mannered elf puzzled Legolas. But he had no chance to ponder further.
The elleth at the other end sighed. "Fine… You win," she said sulkily. "I know… I know… you're right. You always are. I'll go back." Her confession caused Haldir to smile, and once again, Legolas was amazed at the influence this elleth had over Haldir.
"You'd better now," said Haldir, "Before this place is flooded by orcs."
"ORCS!" was the excited cry from the other end.
"No," said Haldir firmly. "You are not staying."
"Oh but Haldir!" cried Ithilwen. "I promise I'll stay close to you and Rúmil and Orophin. I promise not to do anything stupid, like trying to fight them. I just want to stay and look at them, Haldir. Oh please, Haldir. Please!"
Legolas couldn't help but grin at the elleth's naïve enthusiasm. No doubt she had never seen anything except those of her own kind before. Orcs must be fascinating to her. Had it been him, he would've let her stay after the adorable outburst. But obviously the resolve of the March Warden was stronger than his.
"No. And I'm not saying that there would be orcs, I am simply saying that there might be, though unlikely as it is," said Haldir.
"Oh but Haldir…" wailed the elleth.
"Ithilwen," warned Haldir.
"Fine, fine, fine…" said the elleth impatiently. "But you have to promise to tell me all about the things the happen. Everything… you have to promise. Then I'll leave."
Haldir smiled. "I promise."
"That's good enough for me then," chirped the elleth happily, "I'll see you later Haldir!"
And the Company heard no more from the strange elleth. Haldir turned back to them, and said apologetically, "I am sorry about that interruption."
"Who was she?" asked Frodo. This was something that the whole Fellowship wanted to know. "We heard her voice down at Nimrodel."
"Ah," said Haldir knowingly, "You are lucky, for though Ithilwen's voice is beautiful, she rarely sings. Many of my folk would ask of a performance from her, but she would decline so politely that it is impossible to force her, not that any would, for she is much loved. She sings only at special occasions, or when she feels like it. But her songs are deep and meaningful, and truly mesmerizing. She is known throughout Lothlórien for her voice. My folk gave her another name, Aerlinniel, which is Elvish for Song."
"But why would she not sing?" asked Pippin.
Haldir shook his head. "That is a mystery to us. She would not say. She would merely smile at us dazzlingly and then run off with some children. That is her… she is wild. She cannot be tamed. But that is why we all love her."
Orophin stepped forwards to his brother and whispered something into his ear. Haldir nodded. "It is getting late, and I believe you are all weary. Your folk must not remain on the ground. We have seen a troop of Orcs going north towards Moria. Wolves are howling on the wood's borders. The peril is not far behind. Tomorrow morning you must go on."
"But sleep safe tonight, for you will be well guarded. My brothers and I will keep watch. I will show you were you will sleep tonight. Follow me."
Haldir climbed up the silver rope ladder with great ease. Legolas followed after him, with the same grace and speed. One by one, each member climbed up, and last came Gimli, who had trouble with the flimsy ropes for he feared that they would not carry his weight, forgetting the skill of the elves.
The branches of the tree spread out far, strong and stable. On top of these the elves had built a platform. There were no walls, nor any railings. A light adjustable screen was used to block wind, but that was it. There was a hole down the middle of the platform, through which the rope was let down.
"This is what my people call a talan," explained Haldir. "Tonight you shall sleep here."
"I doubt I will be able to fall asleep tonight," murmured Merry, "I shall be frightened that I shall fall off! I'm afraid I am not particularly fond of heights!"
"Neither am I. But I shall go on sleeping, whether I fall of or not!" whispered Sam back.
"The hobbits shall sleep with us," said Haldir, not noticing the quiet conversation. "There is another talan in the next tree. The rest of the Company will sleep there."
A/N: Wowa…. Another chappie! This one might've been slightly boring, but it sets a really good foundation for the rest of the story. It was necessary. The next chapter gets much more interesting. As you can all see, Cosmos, or Ithilwen as she is now called, has regained her voice. This will be explained in the next chapter; however, those of you who are clever might be able to figure out who really fixed it up.
Ithilwen is pronounced- Ith-ill-when. Ithil is elvish for moon and wen means lady or maiden. The literal translation for Ithilwen is maiden of the moon. Also, it is the elvish equivalent of the name "Selene".
Aerlinniel is pronounced Ire-lin-nee-ell. It is elvish for song, as explained by Haldir.
As you can see, I did my homework!
IMPORTANT: I follow the book as well as the movie. Basically... just follow along with the story. It depends on which version for a specific event I liked better. Most people have seen the movie and read the books... so it shouldn't cause a lot of trouble. But to the movie-only people, it's all pretty self-explanatory.
Thank you goes to:
Koko Belle
Flame Ivy Moon
Angel: Hm... the site didn't work... but I found what I needed
Lucin
Princess Silver Serenity: Thank you for your encouragements... it meant so much to me!
Seren Lunar Echo
Crystal-Winter: I never said she was a child. I said she was 'small' and 'little', describing her stature. Legolas assumed she was young because of her height because he believed that she was an elf. But she's not... I think you must've misunderstood. She's not a child!
Chou Hime: Yes... over 2000 words per chapter... lots of work! But fun ;)
Callisto Star: I like Boromir... I just don't see him with Serenity.I know LegoSerenity is so cliche... but I can't help myself.
devilsheart
StarBella
Thank you ALL for reviewing... it means so much to me! I'll try to update soon. Please continue to support this story. Have a great day,
Amy