When the Snow Falls Red
Chapter 13: Uncertainties of Náessë
Don't own.
This will be the last chapter you get until I get home from band camp. I'll try to make it long, but I don't know. I'm kinda depressed right now because my best friend isn't going to camp this year because she quit band. I don't know how I'm going to survive. Oh well. I hope you enjoy.
OH and by the way... this chapter will go with the book, where Haldir didn't die. Stupid movie. –cough-
The sun was rising in the east, casting it's bright rays out across Middle Earth, bringing the joy of another day to the lives of many.
Galadriel sat tall on her horse, her white cloak wrapped around her thin shoulders. Her long golden hair fell down in waves on her back, and her wise, old eyes sparkled. Beside her, Celeborn was looking less comfortable. "Couldn't we have taken the route around the forest?" He asked, glancing at his wife. Galadriel cast a side long glance at him.
"No. Middle Earth would surely loose a precious soul if we did so." She said in her low voice. Celeborn sighed.
"And I suppose you aren't going to tell me who that is?" He asked. Galadriel gave him one of her brightest smiles.
"No." Celeborn scowled, and he heard the snicker coming from behind him of the elf they had brought along for the journey. Celeborn turned and glared at Haldir, who in turn made his grin wider.
Thranduil watched the carriage pull away from the palace and down the dirt path leading out of Mirkwood. Beside him, Órelindë and Finwë were watching as well, the same expression on their faces. All were worried, but only Órelindë knew of his true condition. She knew he was fading, and she could only hope to the Valar that Elrond could save him.
As the carriage pulled out of sight, Thranduil turned. "We should return. I must be there for the morning meal." He said. Órelindë and Finwë nodded, and followed their King and long time friend back to the palace.
Uruviel was helping Náessë down to the dining hall when she saw Aranel. "Brother, did you find Legolas last night?" She asked, narrowing her eyes. Aranel shook his head sadly.
"Sorry, Náessë, but I did not. I searched as far as I could, but it soon grew too dark for me to find him. I shall ride out again later." He said. Náessë nodded, but she kept her eyes narrow. She was getting the feeling she could not trust him.
When the three of them reached the dining hall, they waited for their father. When he arrived, he looked around the table, and did not see Legolas. "Where is Legolas?" He asked. Náessë looked to Aranel to wait for his explanation.
"I'm afraid I could not find him last night, Ada. I will go searching for him later on after the morning meal." Aranel said casually. Náessë thought this was odd, but before she could think about it further, Uruviel interrupted her thoughts by helping her to get her food and eat.
Celeborn was lost in his thoughts when he was pulled out sharply by a long howl, which was close by. He looked to Galadriel, then to Haldir, who had heard it as well. They kicked their horses and they hurried off in the direction of the howl.
When they arrived at the source of the howl, they found five wolves surrounding something on the ground. Haldir drew his bow, and fired an arrow at one of the wolves. It struck true, and the wolf fell over, dead. This distraced the other wolves, and they turned to see where the arrow had come from.
"They are foul creatures." Haldir whispered. He moved forward in front of his Lord and Lady. He notched another arrow and fired, killing another one of the wolves. This time, they started to advance on Haldir. Celeborn slid off his horse and slipped into the trees, using the shadows to his advantage. He moved around the fight scene, and came out of the trees on the other side. The wolves had moved and he could see what they were sniffing at. It was none other than the prince, Legolas. Celeborn was almost about to cry out when he heard a voice in his head.
"Do not scream, meleth-nin. It will frighten the wolves." Galadriel said. Celeborn nodded, and he remained silent, waiting for Haldir to kill the wolves.
The task did not take long, as Haldir was skilled with a bow. When the carcasses were moved away, they went to Legolas's side. Galadriel evaluated his wounds. A stab wound to the shoulder, bit marks on both arms... and he had hit his head on a rock. No doubt there would be some damage there. She could see the stained snow under his head, confirming that he had hit it hard enough to draw blood.
He was also covered in wolf blood, which is what probably drew the wolves to his body. "What shall we do with him, Lady?" Haldir asked, looking down at the elf prince that he was very fond of.
"Take him back to the palace." Galadriel said. She motioned to him with her hand, and Celeborn knelt down and picked up the unconscious elf from the ground. Galadriel mounted her horse, and Celeborn hoisted him up to her horse, and she wrapped her arms around him, aware of the blood that was dried on his hair. He must have been out there for a while. She held him close, and waited for Haldir and her husband to mount before continuing on through the forest.
Órelindë was leaning over Náessë, checking her wounds. "They are healing just fine, Náessë. You will be better very soon. You were lucky that those arrows were not poisonous." She said, dressing the wound on her leg.
"I'm glad." Náessë replied, smiling at the healer. "It is not often you have to tend to me." She commented. Órelindë smiled.
"Indeed. You were usually the one to drag in your brothers when they were hurt. But pay no mind, Náessë. You are a pleasure to tend to, for you actually tell me when you are in pain." The healer said with a smile. The princess smiled back, and leaned back in the soft pillows of her bed. "I will be back in a little while with your tea." She said, then left the room, and Uruviel returned.
"I brought the book you asked for." She said. Náessë thanked her, and took the leather bound book from her hands and opened it. Uruviel sat down in a chair beside the bed, but was very nervous and fidgety. This did not go unnoticed by Náessë.
"Is there something the matter?" She asked Uruviel. The novice healer looked down at the floor. Without a word, she pulled a small book out from the folds of her dress.
"I took this from the library. I was going to read it tonight before I went to bed, but I felt guilty about taking it." Uruviel confessed, lying the small blue book on the bed next to Náessë. The princess picked it up and looked at the title that was written in silver script; Elvish Tales from Ancient Greenwood. Náessë smiled fondly at the book. She handed it back to the girl.
"Read it. I think you will enjoy it. Please, feel free to take books from the library, as long as you return them when you are through. If any one questions you, ever, just tell them that Princess Náessë said you could, and if they have a problem with that, they can come talk to me." Náessë said. Uruviel scrambled to her feet, took the book that was being offered to her, then bowed low.
"Oh thank you! Thank you so much! You are a wonderful princess!" She cried, almost in tears. Náessë held up a hand.
"That is not necessary. Please, just enjoy the book." She said. Uruviel nodded and sat down and opened the book right away. Náessë watched her for a moment before retreating into her thoughts.
--flashback--
The sun had set, and the world was dark. There was a candle burning on the night table next to the large bed, almost too large maybe for the small occupant. A little blond elf with bright blue eyes sat on the bed, his hands folded in his lap. His older sister had promised him a surprise.
As he waited quietly in the room, the door opened, and a beautiful young elf entered the room. Her dark hair fell over her shoulders, and she was wearing a long, flowing velvet dress. A silver tiara was resting on her head, and her hair was braided in the fashion of a princess.
Legolas was bouncing on his bed now in anticipation. Náessë smiled at him and crossed the room and sat down on the edge of the bed. Legolas crawled over to her and sat down in her lap. "You have present for me?" He asked. She smiled at him, marveling at the way that his blue eyes sparkled.
"Yes, Little Leaf, I have a present for you." She said, and she pulled something out of a pocket in her dress. It was small, and square, and wrapped in cloth. Legolas took it from her, and pulled the cloth away, revealing a small blue book. As he could not yet read the title, he held it out to his sister.
"Read?" He asked. She smiled.
"It says 'Elvish Tales from Ancient Greenwood', Little Leaf. The stories in this book are about great elven warriors and other elves who were great and did wonderful things." She opened the book to a page, and showed him a beautiful picture of an elf slaying a dragon. Legolas gasped in delight.
"You read?" He asked. Náessë nodded.
"Yes, Little Leaf. Now come." She said, and she set down the book and lifted him into her arms. She took him to the head of the bed and pulled away the blankets, and tucked him in. He waited, and she sat down beside him, and he leaned into her. "Now, this story is about a great elf who was a great archer..."
After three stories from the book, Legolas was asleep. Náessë smiled down at him. She tucked the book into his arms, then kissed his forehead. As she rose, she saw something she hadn't noticed before. There was a picture on the night table. She picked it up. It was done with coal pencils. It was an elf-maiden standing on a great ship, waving. She bore a striking resemblance to Náessë's own mother. In the bottom corner of the picture she saw that Legolas had attempted to write his name. He got as far as Leg, but the rest of the letters were scribbles, as if he just gave up.
Náessë replaced the picture. It had only been one week ago that her Naneth had left to cross the sea to the Undying lands. Náessë had taken it upon herself to make sure that her family was happy, and she was most worried about Legolas, for he was still young and still did not fully understand that their Naneth was not coming home.
Náessë leaned down and blew out the candle, then left the room, pulling the door closed.
--end flashback--
Aranel was about the leave the palace when he saw some horses emerging from the forest. It was Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn, accompanied by Haldir. Aranel bit his lip. This would not end well. Instead of having the Lord and Lady see him, he slipped off quietly into the woods.
Galadriel and Celeborn rode right up to the palace, and while they were in the process of taking Legolas off the horse, a soldier came running down the steps. "Lady Galadriel, Lord Celeborn!" He cried. When he reached the bottom step, he bowed. "What happened?" He asked.
"We found Prince Legolas in the woods, hurt." Celeborn said. "We need to get to Órelindë and the Hall of Healing." He said. The soldier nodded and led them to the Hall of Healing, which they could have found themselves, but did not say anything. Haldir left the small group to find Thranduil and possibly Aranel to tell them of the news.
When Haldir found Thranduil, he was pacing in his room, as he had always done. When Haldir entered the room, Thranduil stopped.
"Haldir! What are you doing here?" He asked in surprise.
"I came with Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. I had something to tell you." He said. Thranduil nodded, signaling for him to go on. "We found Legolas in the forest, injured. He had bit marks on both arms, as well as a stab wound in his shoulder." He explained.
"WHAT?" The king roared. Haldir nodded, taking a small step back. He, like so many others, was afraid of the king when he was angry.
Ok, this is kinda long, right? Well, I'm losing my desire to write this chapter now, and I need to sleep seeing as it's 1:44 am and I need to be "awake" at 6.
This is the last chapter until probably next Sunday. So I hope you enjoy it! And don't forget to review!
ALSO! If you want –cough- you could always read and review my other stories –cough- Hehe. Ehem. Anyway, enjoy you're week, as I will not enjoy mine, and I shall see you next week.
Farewell, mellyn-nin.
Blue September Rain