AN: Here you are! Chapter three. I must apologize, I forgot to add the elvish translations at the end of the first two chapters. I will add them now at the end of this chapter. Oh, and all elvish (including when someone is speaking elvish but is written in english) is in italics. Now read.
Chapter Three: The Fellowship Re-forms
Laileth left her home behind the next day. Before mounting her horse she'd been hugged by her brother, who sternly commanded her to be safe. She clung to him tighter, drawing strength from his presence and, already feeling the slight change in his being. Even being king for only a day had affected him.
"Take these," he said, holding his white knives and their harness out to her. She pushed them back to him with a frown.
"Nay, Legolas, I have my own weapons." Indeed, she was well armed. She was no stranger to combat and already wore her bow and quiver, which had belonged to their mother, and her twin short daggers, nestled safely within easy reach in the small of her back. Her long thin sword was strapped to the horse's flank, and she gestured to it as she spoke. He again stretched out his arms to her, offering the knives once more.
"Please take them," he said, "even if they do not get used. I would feel better knowing that at least part of me is present on the journey." She frowned deeply, but took the knives and hugged him again. Her heart ached from the necessity of parting with him, so soon after the death of a family member. She felt she was abandoning him to a cruel fate. Neither of them knew if they would ever see the other again, and silently they said their farewells, in case the worst should happen.
Turning from her brother's embrace, she stowed the knives in her pack, strapped next to her sword, and mounted her horse. The two siblings shared a long meaningful look, and Laileth reached down to take her brother's hand, kissing the back of it and clutching it to her heart.
"I will come back," she promised. He squeezed her hand before letting go with a nod, silently giving permission to go. With one last long look into each other's eyes, she tapped her heel into her horse's side and was off. She did not look back, though Legolas stood at the gates for a long time.
She rode with all speed to Imladris, barely stopping at all to rest, save for when her mount needed to regain strength. She took the quickest, most direct route over the mountains, using the High Pass of the Beornings out of courtesy for her horse. All the while during her travels she stretched her senses out to the trees, earth and waters, listening for rumor of anything that had happened, good or ill. They all whispered of a great shadow that had trampled the land, disturbed the trees to their core, and finally had been crushed by the river in defense of the elven realm. Laileth rode faster.
Less than a week after she had left home she passed through the gates of Rivendell. The courtyard was buzzing with activity, for she was not the only recent arrival – the sons of Elrond had also returned from their long traveling. She jumped from her horse and led her to the stables, ensuring she would be well cared for before slinging her pack over her shoulder and turning to find the master of the house. Just as she reentered the courtyard, however, she was stopped by another welcome face.
"Suilaid, Estel," she greeted, bowing slightly. He smiled, but then looked behind her, presumably looking for Legolas. She shook her head and could not hide the grief in her eyes. "He is not here." Surprise and shock vied for dominance on the man's face.
"Where is he? We cannot delay our departure much longer..." she raised a hand to calm his questions.
"Henion," she said, "and it will not be." She leaned in closer to keep her words for him alone. "Something's happened in Lasgalen," she said softly. Behind her, though she did not see, Elrohir and Elladan were watching the exchange. Laileth lowered her head and continued. "Thranduil is dead." The reaction was immediate. Aragorn gripped her arm firmly in his and caught her eyes, begging them to say otherwise. Behind her, the sons of Elrond began to come closer, now openly listening.
"How...how did this happen?" Aragorn was able to choke out. He'd had few dealings with the Elven King, but those he'd had he remembered fondly, and he knew well of Legolas' love of his father.
"In a raid. It is why I am here. I have news of Nasgul in Dol Guldur." She then turned, sensing the presence of the twins behind her.
"We have found no rumor of them in all of the western lands," said Elladan. "You say now they have fled to Mirkwood?"
"I did not say 'they'," she clarified, "but there is at least one who has returned to the old fortress in the south. It was he who struck my father." Aragorn and the twins exchanged glances at this, and then the man put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Come," he said, "you must be weary from your journey. We will find you a place to rest and then you can tell your tale to the council." She consented to being led through the refuge to a guest room in the east wing of the great house. Aragorn led her in and watched with amusement as she lay her weapons and pack on the bed, and then turned to him with an expectant look.
"I said you were to rest first," he chided. She smirked and walked towards the door.
"Estel," she said softly, "you should know better." The two friends began walking down the hall towards the stairs. "Besides," she continued, "I am anxious to meet this 'Fellowship' he spoke of." At this Aragorn's brow furrowed and he stopped her.
"Laileth, how much has your brother told you about what's happened?" he asked.
"Enough," she said simply. "Enough to realize how important this quest is to Ennor." He looked at her with a guarded expression and she sighed in frustration. "I know of the Ring, Estel," she said, "you need not be so cautious with me. He has sent me here to take his place among you." The guarded expression did not leave his eyes, but he let go of her arm and continued walking.
"You may not wish to go once you hear of the nature of the mission," he said. She shook her head in what he would describe as amusement.
"You worry too much," she said, "and I have given my word. I know the ultimate goal lies in the Black Lands. It does not bother me." Aragorn sighed, but felt somewhat comforted. At least she was equally, if not more stubborn than her brother. He wondered idly then who was older and which had picked up the trait from the other. The thought brought a smirk to the man's face.
"Something funny, mellon?" she asked with a grin of her own. He shook his head with a chuckle.
"No, I was just thinking of how much you remind me of Legolas. You're as stubborn as he is." She flashed him a proud smile as they reentered the courtyard. Aragorn left her side for a moment, heading in the direction of another man she saw on the other side of the glade. They spoke briefly, and the man looked over Aragorn's shoulder at her several times before he nodded and left. Aragorn walked back to the now puzzled elf.
"That was Boromir, a Man of Gondor. I asked him to call a meeting with the Fellowship as soon as we can gather. We should ask also for Elrond to be present, for he it was who formed our company."
"Why does he not go with us?" she asked. She thought she saw her friend flinch as she said 'us', but chose to ignore it. He shook his head to disguise the reaction and answered.
"It is not his fate to go. Each member has a specific function in the fellowship and since he wished that the group be few, there is no room for another."
"What is your function?" she asked curiously. A strained smile showed itself for a fleeting moment, and was then hidden.
"I am the Heir of Isildur." It was the only explanation either of them needed.
An hour later Elrond entered the council room where Laileth and Aragorn had been waiting. The Silvan Princess bowed, greeting the half-elf formally, after the manner of her people. He greeted her warmly also, for it had been many years since either had visited the other.
"It is good to see you, Laileth. I'm sure you'll forgive me for asking the whereabouts of your brother." Laileth's smile faltered for a moment, quickly replaced with a mask of calm.
"I would prefer to speak of it when all are here," she said. Worry passed over the other elf's face, but it was wiped away as another entered the chamber. Laileth remembered the face fondly from the many times he'd visited her realm since her birth.
"Mithrandir!" she cried, struggling to resist the urge to run envelop the gray pilgrim in an excited hug. He smiled, as if sensing the battle within her.
"Laileth," he replied in an equally cheerful voice. Almost as quickly, however, a look of worry replaced it. "Where is Legolas?" he demanded, seeing something he did not like in her grey-blue eyes. She opened her mouth to respond but was drowned out by the sounds of high-pitched laughter. All turned to the door to watch the hobbits trot in all in a row. An involuntary smile graced the elf's face and she leaned in to Aragorn.
"Periannath?" she asked. He nodded with an amused grunt. "Canad Periannath?" Aragorn turned to her with a grin, clapping her on the shoulder before going to greet the hobbits. Laileth's eyes watched him go, amusement blazing from them as if from an inner light. This light faded when she saw the last two companions enter the room. The human, Boromir, followed by a Dwarf. Her eyes narrowed. The dwarf glanced in her direction, also regarding her with suspicion, before joining Boromir and Aragorn with the hobbits. Lastly came Elrohir and Elladan, as well as some of the scouts that had recently returned from the wild. At last Elrond spoke, winning the attention of all present.
"This meeting has been convened to hear the reports of the scouts from their travels, and the news from Mirkwood that has just arrived," he began, motioning first to his sons, and then to Laileth. All nodded their understanding to this statement, save one. Laileth's brow furrowed at the other elf's words, turning to look worriedly beside her at Aragorn, who had since returned to her side as they'd sat when the meeting began. He shot her a questioning look and then paused, guessing the problem before it was explained.
"He's not speaking Sindarin," he whispered. "Do you not know the Common Tongue at all?"
"I've never needed it before. It is Legolas who deals with men." Suddenly fear took root in her heart. They would never let her go now. How can she be part of a fellowship when she can't communicate with them? Elladan caught her worried expression and nudged his brother who also looked. Elrond, having seen his sons' reaction looked over as well. Soon all eyes were on the Mirkwood elf who was slowly becoming more fearful under the scrutiny.
"Is something the matter, Laileth?" he asked. She looked franticly between him and Aragorn before responding.
"I can not speak this language." Elrond's eyebrows lifted in astonishment before lowering again in understanding. Most elves, save for those who have regular contact with other races, speak only their own tongue, just as humans and hobbits rarely know Elvish unless they are elf-friends. Being a princess, one would expect her to be familiar with the other languages of Middle-Earth, however her duties had rarely taken her outside of her own realm until now. Elrond looked to Gandalf, who simply shrugged in what appeared to be amusement.
"How then, will you deliver your message?" asked Elrond. She couldn't tell whether he was putting on a severe pretense, or if he were truly annoyed with her limitation. Either way it startled her. Fear turned to anger.
"All those here who need to hear it will understand me," she replied, injecting her own annoyance into her voice. "The others may be given a translation if they wish to know." She felt a hand clamp down on her forearm in warning, knowing without looking it belonged to Aragorn. Elrond seemed to consider her words and then, to her surprise, nodded and stepped aside so that she could speak.
Hesitantly, she rose and approached the pillar in front of Elrond's chair. Then she told her tale, beginning with the scouting party and the sighting of the Nazgul, causing several to visibly squirm in their seats. She went on to report the death of Thranduil and the crowning of Legolas as the new king.
"Thus making him the youngest king in Mirkwood's long history," Gandalf said, as if to himself.
"And so he cannot return," said Elrond, "this is ill news." While she spoke, The hobbits, Gimli and Boromir sat listening in bewilderment. Laileth noted with surprise that the dark haired hobbit had an expression of vague understanding on his face.
"So you see now why I have been sent," Laileth continued. "He wished me to take his place and follow the Periannath into the Black Lands." At these words Elrond looked sharply at her.
"And who is he to presume that I would not send another?" Laileth gasped and turned to the elf-lord.
"Who are you to deny my King's wishes?" she shot back. Aragorn and Gandalf both tensed in their seats, and the hobbits looked anxiously at each other. Even though they did not understand the argument, their tone of voice was unsettling enough.
"He was chosen. You were not. This will require more thought before I decide who should take his place." Laileth approached Elrond as if in challenge, but Gandalf came between them, separating them at arm's length.
"Would you two wish to further aid the enemy by bickering amongst yourselves?" he said firmly, leaving no room for argument from either elf. "Every moment we waste here is one more that could have been spent on our long road. Elrond," he said, turning to fix the Noldo with his stern gaze. "I know she is not Legolas, and you had many reasons for choosing him specifically, but he would not have sent her if he thought she could not do as good a job as he. You must have faith in your Sindarin kindred." Elrond's jaw tightened at the appropriation of his hold on the situation, but nodded his assent.
"And Laileth," Gandalf continued, turning to the silvan elf behind him. "You must learn to accept the judgement and authority of others if you are to survive at all in this fellowship," he said in Sindarin for her benefit. "Legolas may now be king of Mirkwood, but his reign does not extend beyond the forest." Laileth's head bowed in supplication, her cheeks slightly glowing from embarrassment. She too nodded her compliance.
"You are right, Gandalf," Elrond said finally. "This fellowship is about acceptance and tolerance of others as much as it is about the quest itself." He looked around the room at each face individually before his eyes finally rested on Laileth's face. "If no one has any further objections, I will send Laileth in place of her brother." The chamber was silent for several moments while the information was absorbed. When at last no one spoke to challenge the declaration, Elrond continued. "Elladan, you're report?"
As the sons of Elrond began to tell of their actions for the past month, the tension in the room slowly ebbed and Laileth sat back down, as did Elrond. Aragorn again put a hand on her forearm, but this time in encouragement. She looked up at his eyes and smiled as they listened to the report. No Nazgul or other fell creature had been sighted anywhere in the lands from the Shire to the borders of Mirkwood. The servants of the Dark Lord seem to have fled for the time being, leaving their route more or less clear.
"The occurrence of a Nazgul in Mirkwood, however, is curious," he continued. "And since you say there is only one, that would mean that the eight who approached Imladris are still shapeless and no doubt, finding their way back to their master as we speak." Gandalf nodded.
"And also, since the others have been exposed," the wizard offered, "the one in Mirkwood may depart to search for them."
"Or they all may join their brother in Dol Guldur," Boromir commented. He spoke softly, almost as if the comment were for his ears alone. Nevertheless, all heard them and turned their eyes on the man of Gondor.
"That is unlikely, Boromir," Gandalf continued, "Dol Guldur had been long lain waste and the evil purged. Even if they were to return it would take many years to rebuild the tower, and Sauron is not one for wasting time when there is a war to be fought." Laileth breathed a soft sigh of relief at this. "No," Gandalf continued, "they will return to their master in Mordor, there to be clothed once again."
"Then we haven't much time," said Aragorn, the first time he'd spoken aloud since the meeting began. "Already we have wasted much time searching for something that we did not find. We must leave as soon as possible."
"Agreed," said Elrond. "Very well. At first star in three days this fellowship will depart. I bid you all take what rest you can, and prepare yourselves for your long task." With that, the council was dismissed.
**end of Non-Cannon. From here on, it's book all the way!**
Sindarin translations:
Chapter one:
Hiril nîn - my lady
Daro! - stop
Saes! - please
Chapter two:
perian - hobbit
Orodruin - Mount Doom
Ú-aníron den - I do not want it (lit.- 'do not desire it/this')
adar - father
Muindor nin - my brother
Chapter Three:
Suilaid- greetings
Estel - hope (name given to Aragorn by the elves.)
Henion - I understand
Lasgalen - 'Leaves of Green'; name of Mirkwood (before evil came, and after it was banished)
Mithrandir - 'The Grey Pilgrim'; name for Gandalf
Periannath - hobbits
Canad - four