A/N1: Warning for minor language.
A/N2: Frodo's Walking Song was borrowed, in part, by the travelers.
A/N3: The conversation spoken in Sindarin will be in Italics.
NOTE: I apologize for the tardiness of this chapter but I have a very sore wrist that only lets me write for a short time each day. Considering the length of this chapter, I was considering cutting it into thirds but at the last moment, I decided to be bold and so … here it is.
Faith is not belief without proof,
but trust without reservation.
x Elton Trueblood x
Chapter 45
Going Home
Epilogue Pt. 2 of 4
The people of Tent City had risen with the new sun, to welcome it and whatever the day would bring, for better or worse. After breaking fast, sturdy volunteers had gone back to the pit to finish what they had begun the day before and would not rest that day before the last of the dead had been laid to rest.
After she had risen from her restless sleep, Anayah had answered a call from deep in her heart and had walked out to the edge of the forest where she now stood looking at the carnage of the pit. Then the scenery started to change and she blinked as if doing so would bring back the reality she had been looking at just moments before, no matter how ugly that reality had been. After a few moments however, she smiled, for this vision was soothing to the senses and gentle on her spirit.
She found herself standing at the edge of a great forest, thick, green and fragrant, while before her lay more of the forested land as well as a magnificent field of knee-high grass with an abundant array of flowers of almost every color and scent imaginable. In the middle of the field stood a beautiful white-tail buck whose coat shone with the vibrance of good health and whose muscles rippled with each minute movement he made. The great creature raised his head from where he had been contentedly grazing and looked in her direction, locking eyes with her, and nodding as if he knew that the message being conveyed in this vision had been recognized and accepted.
Anayah jumped when a hand was placed on her shoulder and when she turned her head, saw her Captain standing beside her with a look of concern on his face.
"I'm sorry, Anayah, I did not mean to startle you."
Anayah patted his arm, glancing back to where the large, dark pit once again occupied most of the field.
"I think I finally understand the meaning of that dream I had, Rahan."
The Captain remembered her telling him about the dream some days before and had noted at the time, just how much it had disturbed her.
"And?" He encouraged her.
"Once, a very long ago, this was a land of great beauty and it was not all that far from this very place that the land of the Great Awakening once existed. This land is special – as are all of Ilúvatar's creations - and it still remembers the joy and beauty that was here long before the arrival of the Wainriders, for long memory was always a gift of Ilúvatar for his special creations. Then for a time - too long of a time - that joy and the beauty of this place was turned to sorrow and despair as evil crept in and built its insidious nest, spreading its tendrils outward and snaring and dragging to its dark heart all that should have been good."
She paused then smiled.
"But now, the land has resumed its joyous song and from this place where great evil once lived will come healing and beauty. It will take time, Rahan, but it will happen. Life has begun again in this place, and this time it means to get things right."
Rahan nodded, for he had felt it too, the stirrings of new life, joyous, pure and untainted by darkness. Indeed, it would take time, but he believed as did Anayah that in due course, it would happen. After a few more moments of silence he turned to his Charge.
"Come, child. There is something that you need to see."
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"Your family, the Prince, and my elves await us."
When the two reached the place where the others had gathered, the group parted so they would have a direct path to the place that held everyone else's attention. Anayah gasped and put a hand over her mouth. It was not that the scene before her was distasteful or disturbing to her for she was an experienced warrior, and was not usually shocked or sickened by death – at any stage. No, it was neither shock nor horror that had made her gasp; it was the idea of just how "right" and "just" the scene before her was.
There was nothing remarkable about the body that had been lying dead for a day although in this case, the whole definition of unremarkable would have to be rethought. Garm still lay where he had fallen but the arrow that had pierced his forehead had been broken off and there were other things that were different as well.
Everyone had heard the wolves prowling the field the night before but had let them be, for nobody had been willing to risk life and limb for those whose spirits had already passed on. And so, the night had passed and those in Tent City had tried to close their ears to what they knew was happening beyond the fringes of their camp fires.
The man's throat, leg, upper arm and stomach had been ravaged - just like in the vision. Anayah spent only a few more moments looking at the remains of the human who had almost killed her and had tried to kill her brother.
Súrion rose from where he had been kneeling, looking intently at the ground.
"I see the marks of only four of the beasts, Anayah."
She looked as Saeros who nodded his head in confirmation. Rahan put his hand on her shoulder in support.
"No others of the dead have been disturbed - only him."
"Bastard." She said just before she turned and walked away.
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Nobody tried to stop her from leaving and nobody followed her for they all knew she would need a few moments alone.
"I think I understand all this."
All heads turned to where Greyfell stood looking around at the area.
"Lieutenant Súrion, does this place look familiar to you?"
The Silvan Guard looked around him then the others could see the look of dawning comprehension on his face.
"Aye, Captain Greyfell, I do indeed. This is the place where Anayah, Aglarion and I found you that night."
The elf's eyes were twinkling with excitement as he tried to explain his thoughts to the others.
"Exactly. The vision that Anayah and I shared was not our vision - it belonged to the land!"
He gestured in the direction of the pit.
"Why did we share the vision? I shared it because I happened to be laying where this particular event was destined to occur, and Anayah experienced it because she is more sensitive to these types of things. The land needed a shoulder to cry on, needed to share these events just like any of us would have - and do - this vision has been witnessed and is now over. Perhaps now the land can move on, just as we will be moving on tomorrow."
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When he got back to camp, Rahan immediately sought out Anayah to make sure that she was alright and found her helping break camp, for it had been decided that they would all leave the next day after dawn. Anayah looked up as her Captain approached her.
"You are well?"
She smiled wanly.
"Yes, my devoted Captain, I am well although I do have to admit that this whole place unsettles me. I will be so very glad when I can once more walk in the peace and serenity of my father's gardens."
She straightened from what she was doing and looked at the Captain with a frown on her face.
"Whatever happened to the Avari Prince and his Thurin Tirith Unit? I would have enjoyed personally thanking them for their assistance and would also have liked talking to the Prince for he seemed to be a very interesting elf, injured shin or not."
Rahan laughed.
"I heard about that incident and wish that I could have been a witness to the Charge of one Thurin Tirith Unit being laid low by a kick to his shin from the Charge of another." Seeing her raised eyebrow, Rahan decided the safest course of action would be to get the conversation back on its correct path. "I apologize, but when the ground started collapsing I lost track of them and when it was over, they were gone. I have a feeling though, that the day will come when we will all meet again."
Anayah nodded for she had gotten that feeling as well.
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Later that afternoon, when the burial detail had returned to camp, Aragorn called a meeting of all the various human Captains to discuss the particulars of the journey that lay ahead of them. There would be few obstacles for the people to overcome before they left the next morning, for they had wains for the elderly, wounded and children to ride in, and tents for shelter as well. Those who could, would hunt for fresh meat along the way and the elves and other able-bodied humans would act as military support.
Though only 500 humans remained out of over 2,700 able warriors who had entered the conflict, these people were still nervous about what would happen once they reached the village of Hope. Aragorn, his brothers and Legolas all tried to reassure them that between the three elven realms and the village of Hope, that nobody would remain homeless, hungry or without shelter. They would find a way to make things work.
Seemingly reassured, the people nodded to each other. They had been slaves - now they were not – and now, all things were possible and the attaining of these new lives could not be any worse than what they would be leaving behind.
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The day of departure had finally arrived and everyone was prepared, packed and ready to begin the journey. They had all received final instructions the night before and everyone clearly understood what was expected of them. The only tears that were shed as the long line of walking humans walked along the eastern edge of the Sea of Rhûn, were those shed for the loved ones that were being left behind.
Someone among the people began a walking song, a familiar one, and soon anyone that could carry a tune and many who couldn't had joined in until everybody was singing and in this fashion made the trip less monotonous.
Home is behind, the world ahead,
And there are many paths to tread
Through shadow to the edge of night,
Until the stars are all alight.
Then world behind and home ahead,
We'll wander back to fire and bed.
Mist and twilight, cloud and shade,
Away shall fade! Away shall fade!
Fire and lamp and meat and bread,
And then to bed! And then to bed!
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Anayah rode from one end of the long line of humans to the other, always alert for problems and watching for those who were exhausted but were too proud to say anything. On more than one occasion, complaining that she needed to stretch her legs, she would let somebody else ride Elias for a bit. This act of kindness brought a smile to the face of more than one elder or child and pleased Elias as well, for he enjoyed the sound of laughter and the soft tickle of the beings' hands as they tentatively patted his strong neck.
The group would frequently stop to rest during the day and it was during one of these stops that Anayah happened to notice a young boy of about 13 years of age who seemed to be ignoring people and spent his rest time, staring off into space as the others bustled around with water flasks, bread and cheese that they were passing out to other hungry travelers. It was when the young boy knocked the cheese out of a woman's hands that Anayah decided to get involved.
The woman with the bread and cheese had left the boy's small meal on a piece of clean cloth beside him and was about to move on when Anayah laid a hand on her shoulder and silently signaled for her to stay. The boy continued to stare off into space but when Anayah reached out with her foot and stepped on a nearby twig, his head twitched slightly in that direction. Anayah's heart broke at that moment and when she looked at the woman saw tears in her eyes as well.
"Come find me when you are finished with what you are doing."
The woman nodded then moved on while Anayah sat herself on the ground beside the boy who seemed to be totally ignoring her. She found a small stick nearby then turning back to face the boy, tapped the ground beside where the cheese lay.
"Bread and cheese." Was all she said.
Instantly the boy's hands shot out and grabbed the small meal and began eating ravenously. After he had eaten the small meal, Anayah put her own water flask on the cloth where the cheese and bread had been laying.
"There is a water flask where the bread and cheese were."
The boy grabbed the flask and after taking the lid off, drank almost the whole thing. Anayah frowned.
"My name is Anayah."
"My name is Hyadar - Hy is what my mother and father used to call me."
"Used to?"
"Yes ma'am." He nodded his head sadly. "I heard everyone leaving – screaming and running – but both my parents were gone and I didn't know if I should wait or not. The ground started to shake so I found some other children and managed to follow them to where everyone was camped but even though I have listened very carefully since then, I haven't heard my mother or my father. I think they may have still been in the city when the big noise came."
Anayah reached out her hand and tenderly brushed the boy's dirty hair out of his eyes.
"I am so sorry, my young friend. You have been alone all this time?"
The boy nodded his head silently as two tears made their way down his dirty cheeks. She looked into his eyes and frowned at what she saw.
"Hy, how long have you been blind?"
The boy lowered his head then nervously played with the dirty hem of his tunic.
"Not long - maybe a year. My family's Master got mad at me one day because I wasn't turning the soil in his garden fast enough and threw a shovel full of dirt in my face. I got an infection in my eyes, but mother and father didn't have any way to get medicine for me and before it was all over, I was blind."
He turned his head towards her.
"You aren't going to put me out just because I can't see, are you?" He rose to his knees and clasped his hands in front of him. "I'll work hard, I promise. Just tell me to do something and I will do it - just please don't make me leave."
Anayah had been in frozen shock when the boy had knelt and begged but she quickly got over it and threw her arms around him. It turned her stomach to think of the atrocities perpetrated on the slaves of Hoth and in particular, on the children, for to abuse and emotionally scar such young lives was a heinous and unforgivable crime. As soon as he felt her arms go around his thin shoulders, the boy started to sob and was soon clinging to her arm as if it alone had the power to tether him to this life. She heard someone approaching her and was more than a little glad when Greyfell put a hand on her shoulder.
She pushed the boy a little bit away from her and using the bit of clean cloth and a little water from her flask, began to clean the grime off his face. She patted Greyfell's knee and the boy's head turned in the direction of the small sound.
"This is Captain Greyfell, Hy, and he is a good friend of mine."
The Captain held out his hand but frowned in puzzlement when the boy didn't take it. Anayah tapped his hand lightly.
"The Captain would like to take your hand in greeting."
Hy reached out and shyly took the Captain's hand.
"I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Captain Greyfell."
"As am I, young sir."
Greyfell looked at Anayah questioningly.
"Hy, may I share our conversation with the Captain?"
"Yes, ma'am. Just please don't put me out."
Anayah spent a few moments bringing Greyfell up to speed with what was going on. Greyfell had tears in his own eyes as he sat himself next to the boy and put his arms around his shoulders.
"Young Hy, the only time you bend your knee is out of allegiance and sometimes out of respect, but never out of subservience and you especially do not ever have to beg. My heart grieves for your loss but you may be assured that from this time on you will never be alone. We will find you a home with people who will love you. They will never be able to replace your mother and father, but I'm sure you will agree that both your parents would have wanted you to be happy. Is this not so?"
The young boy nodded his head then burst out crying again – this time with relief. Greyfell wrapped his arms around the boy.
"Everything will turn out, young one, I promise."
The human woman returned at that time and Anayah made arrangements for her to see to Hy's care when she could not or when Greyfell could not. Knowing that the boy was at a tender point in his life, Anayah mounted Elias then had Greyfell hand the boy up to her, sitting him comfortably in front of her. When the refugees finally resumed their journey a short time later, young Hyadar was smiling.
All through the day, Anayah talked to the young boy, telling him everything that was going on. She found that he was a quick learner but just before they stopped for the night, when she had asked him what he heard and he had answered, "the wind," she knew that there was hope for him. If he could still recognize the beauty of the world around him and still wanted to be part of it, then she would help him do that, as much as she was able. Secretly, she was hoping that her father would be able to do something to restore the boy's sight although she was careful to keep that particular thought to herself.
Before the day was over, Anayah, Greyfell, Rahan and the rest of her Guards were all covertly watching the boy although they all found there was little need. He surprised them all for now that he no longer had to deal with the fear of being "put out" as he had called it; he did his best to help whenever he could. He apologized to Raina, the woman who had been giving him his meal when he had accidentally knocked the cheese out of her hand. She kissed him on his forehead and said the fault had been hers for not noticing his need. At dinner, he followed Raina around, holding onto her arm and carrying the basket with the bread in it and everyone could tell that he was finally beginning to feel like he was one of them.
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Anayah moaned before she even opened her eyes, which surprised even her. When she finally managed to sit up, she held her arms closely to her body and rocked back and forth to try and ease her discomfort then looked up when she heard Rahan tell Saeros to go and get her brother.
"I'm fine, Rahan. I just need a moment here … and I'm sorry that I woke all of you over such a small matter."
Rahan just shook his head as he took one of Anayah's arms and gently straightened it out. The muscles in the arm he held in his hand were quivering as were the muscles on the other arm she was still holding against her side. Aragorn and Legolas ran to where the two of them were sitting and knelt. Just as Rahan had done, Aragorn took her arm and after carefully and gently running his hand over the entire length from shoulder to fingertip then feeling the muscles on her shoulders and back, he looked at her and frowned.
"How long has this been going on, Anayah?"
"My arms were starting to hurt yesterday but I considered it an insignificant matter, thinking they were just overused muscles from all the shooting I did the day of the battle."
Aragorn looked at her.
"Answer me truthfully now, sister - how many arrows did you shoot?"
Anayah dropped her eyes for a moment and her brother raised an eyebrow.
"Ten."
"Ten arrows did this? Anayah … do you want me to send you to your room for telling a lie?"
Anayah looked at her brother and saw that he was joking to try and ease her embarrassment. She shrugged her shoulders then winced at the pain that motion induced.
"Ten quivers, Estel."
Forever after, Anayah as well as the Guards would always swear that at that moment more than at any other time in his life, Estel had sounded exactly like his father, for his voice was almost as high as his eyebrow and loud enough to be heard for a great distance - probably even as far as Imladris.
"Ten quivers? Anayah, what were you thinking? I know for a fact that you carry three dozen arrows in each quiver or arrow bundle. Do I need to do the math for you? That's a lot of arrows, in only a short time … sweet Elbereth, girl! You hold your draw longer with Huan than you do your flight bow so it would almost be like shooting twice as many arrows. You're a healer, Anayah, and should have known that even the most fit archer would need to have a healing salve put on the muscles in his arms, shoulders and back after shooting half that many arrows."
When he saw Anayah silently looking down at the other hand that was lying in her lap, he relented his lecture and kissed her forehead.
"Don't worry, sister, for I will have you feeling better in no time at all. But please, from now on, don't assume an injury or an overuse is insignificant - be kinder to yourself. Do you promise me this?"
When she still didn't look at him, he lifted her chin so she was forced to look at him.
"Do you promise me?"
Anayah favored her brother with a small smile.
"Aye, Estel. I promise."
Legolas had run to their tent and had retrieved Aragorn's healer's kit and had found then handed his friend the tin of ointment he knew he would want to use. As Legolas rubbed the ointment onto her shoulder muscles, Aragorn worked on her arms. He looked into her eyes a couple of times and she knew that he had something on his mind.
"Speak, Estel, for I do not bite either humans or other elves."
Aragorn smiled.
"Thank you for that consideration."
He started working on the opposite arm.
"What did Greyfell mean when he told us about you making a fuss over missing that shot on Garm by two inches?"
Anayah blushed.
"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to."
"No, I'm fine about it." She took a small sip of her morning tea before she continued."
"When I am using Huan as a sniper's bow, I have to gather all the pertinent information I need to make a shot in a very short amount of time. If someone is assisting me as Greyfell was that day and is helping search out shots, but for some reason I don't feel that I can make a particular shot, I will call out "no shot." If Greyfell called out a shot or if I found a shot, there would be many different things I would have to take into account before I even thought about taking the shot. Safety is but one of the major factors that I have to consider, for I would not want to injure or kill any humans fighting on our side.
Anyway, when I made the shot on Garm, he was at an angle to me and I had determined the best and safest target was his left eye. It would have been a tricky shot, but doable. But something happened that I had not taken into consideration - Garm heard Huan's arrow sing ... and turned toward the sound. He was about to kill you and had the sword raised over his head but when he lowered it, he also marginally lowered his head. After all things had been taken into consideration, instead of his left eye being the intended target, with body movements taken into consideration, the new and unintended target became the middle of his forehead, and when it did, it was already too late - there was nothing I could do to correct my shot.
I was upset about missing the shot and Greyfell was trying to make me feel better and made the mistake of saying, "But you only missed by 2 inches." Well, it was "on" from there, for to me, a miss is a miss ... if the arrow doesn't end up in the middle of your intended target then you missed the shot - black and white! I just couldn't get passed the "only missing by 2 inches thing," and was really going on about it, talking about 100 miles an hour and waving my free hand around and I guess Greyfell couldn't help himself and started laughing at me. I finally realized that I was overreacting a bit and calmed down." Anayah sighed deeply. "I just know he is never going to let that one go."
Aragorn was looking at her while doing his best not to laugh.
"What?" She gave him her best mock-glare. "Don't even think about laughing at me!"
"Well, it was funny!"
He couldn't quite get out of the way as several small sticks and twigs were vehemently sent in his direction.
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The second day of their journey was much like the first but unlike the boredom that settles in on many long trips, the spirits of the refugees remained high. This fact was going to change however, and for just a bit, the day would be somewhat bizarre.
A scream tore through the morning air and anybody that was able, picked up whatever weapon was close at hand and ran toward the area where someone was apparently in trouble. Anayah pushed her way through the crowd of people and when she reached the center of the group, one of the humans pointed up into the air but when she looked up, rather than be alarmed, Anayah smiled.
"Anayah?"
She turned to her Captain.
"He won't land with all these people here. Information control, Rahan, and push them back a little."
While Rahan and the other three Guards were getting the people to move back and explaining the situation to them as they did, Anayah raised both hands into the air and gave Shakir the command to land. Once the big falcon was on the ground, Anayah dropped to her knees beside him and stroked his downy head while telling him what a good friend he was and how glad she was to see him, as well as know that he had recovered from his previous ordeal.
She removed the message tube from his ankle and was about to open it when she saw that it bore the seal of the Lord of Imladris and was addressed to Aragorn and not to her. It was somewhat disturbing to her that Shakir would carry a message sent to someone other than her, for if Shakir made a habit of doing so, it could seriously compromise the training she had given the bird, for he could easily be taught to carry messages for anyone - the enemy included. She stroked the bird's head and to make sure his attention was focused on her.
"Shakir, you only carry messages to me, for me or from me from this moment on - am I making myself clear, my friend?"
The falcon cheeped apologetically as if he knew he had made an error, then bobbed his head up and down as if in acknowledgement of her request. After kissing him then telling him to go hunt, she turned to find her brother and jumped when she discovered he was standing almost directly behind her. She stood for a moment, with her hand over her heart as she tried to get it to slow its mad pace. Finally, she opened her eyes.
"Why not give me a heart attack while you're at it, Estel!" She handed the message tube to him. "This is addressed to you."
Aragorn took the tube from her, frowning as he did. He broke the seal, read it then handed it to Anayah who also read it.
"Praise Ilúvatar, sister. Hope unlooked for is three times blessed."
After Aragorn had motioned for the Captains of the people to gather around him, he spoke to them as well as anybody else who was within earshot.
"I just received word ... Lórien, Imladris and Mirkwood are on their way and should meet with us in the next one or two days. We only have to hold out until then."
A great cheer went up from everyone, for they had all been wondering just how the logistics for this many people would be handled. The elves were coming ... and that could only be a good thing.
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Everyone seemed to be in a much more confident and happy frame of mind after they found out that additional assistance was on its way. There was much talking and laughing and the miles were rolling away from them without barely being noticed.
The Peredhels and Legolas then began a game which consisted of everybody asking each other questions, oftentimes silly ones, with the unspoken rule being that you had to truthfully answer, in some fashion, the question you were asked and without previous thought or consideration.
Legolas had decided to take on the one elf that even the legendary pranksters themselves, Elladan and Elrohir, had a hard time keeping up with - Anayah. Pretty soon, Halgar joined in the fun as well.
"Ok. Here's an easy one for you." The brow of the Mirkwood Prince was furrowed as if in deep contemplation. "What is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen."
Without even a thought or pause, Anayah answered.
"Your dimple."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
"I don't have a dimple."
"Yes you do."
"No I don't."
"Yes you do, and it looks exactly like your father's dimple."
Legolas couldn't help himself and laughed.
"Ok. I don't have a dimple but here's another one for you."
Anayah did her best to look like she was serious - it didn't quite work.
"What is the ugliest thing you've ever seen?"
Again without pause, Anayah answered while casting glances to see if a certain other elf was listening.
"The ugliest thing I have ever seen in my long life is Súrion - when he's naked." She mock shivered.
Súrion looked at her with a wide-eyed expression of surprise on his face.
"You said you weren't peeking!"
"I wasn't peeking, Súrion, I looked - there is a difference."
Then Aragorn decided to enter the contest.
"Have you ever been beaten in a footrace?"
"Once."
"By whom?"
"Arwen."
"Which ankle was broken?"
"The right one."
Halgar rode up beside Anayah.
"Legolas told me that you have ridden against the Úlaire, Anayah. Is this true?"
"Yes I have. Many times. Ugly bastards... But not as ugly as Súrion when he's naked!"
She was laughing so hard that she could barely finish her sentence and at one point may have fallen off her horse if Halgar had not caught her and pushed her upright.
"You're going to give me a complex." Was Súrion's sarcastic reply.
Anyone within earshot of the game was now laughing for they had learned something else about the elves this day ... they seemed to love to laugh and cut up just as much as anyone.
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Tathrin and Greyfell had been riding together since they had started out that day and somewhere along the way, the realization had come to the elder human that the Captain he had come to know and in his own way, love as a son, had changed. There was nothing mysterious about it although it was something that would probably only have been noticed by a father. He knew the elf had been alive for a very long time and was a very capable survivalist, but there was something in his heart that had always wanted to protect and comfort the Captain from all the hurt and heartache he had suffered while working for Ostara. Tathrin smiled for it truly made his heart glad to see the new life in his friend.
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Shakir screeched at them from high over their heads and after Aragorn had ridden up next to a once-more-serious Anayah, he sat quietly until she severed her mental connection with her falcon and had turned to him. She said only one word, but that one word was enough to send a spike of ice through his heart.
"Slavers."
"Damn." Aragorn swore. "We're out in the open."
He sighed deeply before turning to the Captains of the humans who had ridden up and encircled him. Aragorn thought about his next words for a moment.
"Form a circle around the women and the children then you Captains pass out as many of the weapons as you can. Go ... do it quickly."
As the Captains rode off to do his bidding, Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas rode out to a spot approximately in the middle of the two groups. There were many well-armed men in front of the three and the elves knew that if it came right down to it, the humans in their charge would be hard pressed to defend themselves, for many of them were still recovering from wounds suffered in the battle with the Wainriders.
It didn't take a genius to figure out why the slavers had come. By now, the news of what had happened in Hoth could have reached to most of the habitable areas between Hoth and Harad. Such news would have made the slavers very happy for they would know that the survivors would strike out on their own and would be extremely vulnerable when they did. It couldn't get any easier than that. There was a lot of gold and silver now circling the women and children with determined looks on their faces. It mattered not that some of the men were armed for that act was nothing more than a show of force, an old, toothless, bitch dog, standing in front of her pup, protecting it to the bitter end.
Finally the leader and two others rode out from the group until they were almost face to face with the elves. The leader's eyes widened in surprise.
"Elves? Well this is certainly good news. We'll be able to get a lot of money for you three. Why don't you make it easy on yourselves and put down your little bows and teeny tiny swords and daggers before you hurt yourself on them then come along with us. We'll find all of you some good homes - where you won't get beat much at all - if you behave yourselves."
The human looked at his two companions who both laughed but when they looked back at the three elves in front of them, they saw the look of steely determination in the eyes of the three beings, and found that for a small moment, their own confidence wavered. The leader's horse was getting anxious and the human circled the animal to get him to calm down.
Legolas took advantage of the man's moment of inattention to glance at the group behind him and saw that Anayah was unpacking Huan. He spoke to the twins in Sindarin so that the humans would not know of what they spoke.
"Anayah is unpacking Huan. If you hear a high pitched whistle, stay very still."
The twins nodded their head in understanding.
"What are you jabbering on about? When you speak, you are to speak in regular talk - none of that animal gibberish. Do you understand me?"
Elladan's eyes sparked fire in their seriousness.
"I think the better question would be for you to tell me if you see that archer standing in front of all those people and who is holding that not-so-teeny bow with that not-so-teeny arrow that is pointing at you?"
The three humans looked and for a moment were quiet. Then the "special" moment was over and they began to smile and laugh.
"We are supposed to be afraid of one archer, a female archer, whose bow is almost bigger than she is? Why, she's too far away to do any damage to anybody! Do you take us for fools?"
"Well, yes, actually," Elrohir answered, "because that archer is a sharpshooter and that bow is not just a long bow - it is a Great Long Bow, and it can kill you from so far away that you would die without even knowing who it was that took your life."
"But the little girlie only has one arrow pointed at us. We could kill all three of you before she could get another arrow out of the quiver." He smiled at his two friends.
Legolas leaned just a little bit forward in the saddle and locked eyes with the leader.
"Yes, human, you could very well do just that. But I must remind you that at least one of you would still be dead. Which one of you is brave enough to sacrifice himself for the others?"
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Aragorn, Anayah and the others had been watching what had been happening although it was only the elves who could actually hear what was being said. Anayah had been repeating the conversation for her brother's sake, for as the leader, it would serve a useful purpose if he knew everything that was being said. Anayah knew that Aragorn was an honorable man and though he might be young, his heart and soul were Númenórean and he would do whatever was necessary to protect his people even at the expense of his own life.
Then Aragorn did something that surprised everybody, especially Anayah. He reached over and with the blade of his sword, tapped Huan. Surprised by what her brother had done, Anayah prematurely released the arrow without adjusting the cant of the bow. The arrow sang as it traveled toward its target and quivered only slightly when it imbedded itself in the exact center of the leader's forehead. Anayah turned and looked at Aragorn with a raised eyebrow. In turn, he just innocently shrugged his shoulders.
"I just wanted to see if I could make you miss twice."
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The twins looked at each other with eyes the size of teacup saucers and if things hadn't been so serious, Legolas would have laughed at the two. The seriousness of what had happened suddenly hit home when Elladan raised a hand to his right temple and wiped away a few drops of blood. The shot had been a damn close one.
Then the ground began to tremble and even though they were on horseback, the twins and Legolas could still feel the vibration. They could have all cried with relief when they looked at the small rise on the hill to their right and saw mounted elves pouring over the top. Imladris, Lórien and Mirkwood had arrived.
The slavers, what was left of the leadership as well as the others, were not altogether stupid men and when they saw the elves arrive, turned their horses around and fled.
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Aragorn, the twins, Legolas and Anayah were waiting for the riders and when they saw that the first two riders were none other than Lord Elrond and King Thranduil, they all could have broken down and cried for joy. With the arrival of the two fathers, this part of the journey had come to an end, for the two families had been reunited with their children.
For a long moment both Lord and King stood perfectly still then they all rushed forward and were folded into their fathers' embraces. There were many tears shed then - by the children as well as their fathers. Anayah was just about to walk forward when she heard her father speak.
"My sons - oh how I have missed you."
With their arms around each other, both the Imladris Lord and the Mirkwood King turned and walked to where a comfortable campfire had been started and where a tent had been hastily put up so if the family wished, they could have some additional privacy. Anayah stood alone - with tears in her eyes and after only a few more moments, finally collected herself then turned and walked away.
All four of her Guards had witnessed what had happened and their hearts were breaking for their Charge but when they called out to her, she had just gathered the reins of Elias' hackamore and had kept on walking. Semoro, Saeros and Súrion looked at Rahan but he just shook his head sadly.
"Leave it be for the moment. Just leave it be."
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Anayah's world was shattered. She had had no idea that her feelings could be hurt as bad as they had been - but they had been. Now as she was searching through her belongings for something in particular, she started thinking about her future - whatever that might be.
"There you are."
Grabbing the small, carefully wrapped parcel, she went in search of Halgar.
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Saeros ran to where Rahan and Greyfell now stood, glowering at the tent in front of them. Legolas had finally collapsed and had to be sedated for the evening and Elrond, Aragorn and the twins didn't look like they would be leaving his side. Haldir of Lórien had taken over security and had ordered the watch for the evening and was out making sure that all the humans had been settled in for the night. Rahan turned his head as the Guard reached his position.
"Súrion is watching her but it looks like she is going to give Halgar the Elendilmir and then she will be leaving. Elias has been groomed and stands ready to depart."
Rahan turned to Greyfell.
"She values your friendship greatly, Captain. Could you please see what you can do to stall her while I go and figuratively knock some heads together?"
With only a silent nod, Greyfell turned and melted into the deepening shadows.
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When Elrond heard the knock on the doorframe of the tent he turned and bid the being enter. The big Captain had to duck his head as he came inside but once there, seemed to grow before his very eyes. Elrond felt all the blood leave his face.
"Captain Rahan, what are you doing here?"
Rahan nodded his head politely.
"Lord Elrond. If I may, I would like to have a word with you."
"Can this matter wait, Captain? I must attend the Mirkwood Prince and my sons are all exhausted by what they have recently gone through."
Rahan seemed to get a bit larger as he stood in front of the errant Noldor Lord.
"No, my Lord, this matter cannot wait."
Both twins rose to their feet but all Rahan had to do was move his head in their direction and they both stilled. Thranduil watched everything that was going on carefully and with great interest although he remained silent.
"Lord Elrond, the one who has called you father for some years now, the one you pledged to care for and nurture, is at this moment, preparing to leave this place because the elf she loved and respected above all others welcomed his sons home then turned his back on her."
Elrond turned even paler than before, if such was possible.
"She is here? Anayah is here?"
Rahan shook his head and sighed deeply in exasperation.
"At this moment, Lord Elrond, you remind me of an elfling who was just caught with his hand in the sweets jar and is trying to deny it with the stain of the berries still upon his fingers. I would have thought you above something like this. Of course she is here. If I stand before you then it is understood that she is here as well. Sir, she suffered no less during the Hoth incident than did your own sons, yet you left her unwelcomed and unthanked, as if she mattered no more to you than your household cook who you expect to have dinner on the table in the dining room at a particular hour. This is not lordly conduct, nor is it the conduct of a loving father. It is not even the conduct of a loving foster father or whatever you choose to call yourself.
Your daughter has gone to return something to Halgar then plans to leave this place. You have until then, sir, to persuade her to stay. It is now up to you."
With nothing further to say, he bowed to King Thranduil, nodded his head to the others then turned and soundlessly left the tent. When he was gone the entire Peredhel family let out the breaths they had been holding. The twins and Aragorn looked at their father without speaking as he continued to stare out the door the Thurin Tirith Captain had just stepped through.
"I thought she would have left Hoth after she had freed you and Legolas, Estel. Why didn't you tell me this part of the story?"
When none of his sons answered him, he just shook his head, then rummaging around in his pack; he found something and after putting it in the pocket of his tunic, looked at his three sons.
"I must have temporarily lost my mind. You share no blame in this for I should have asked after your sister when I first got here. Sometimes my lack of tact and common sense surprises even me."
He picked up his cloak and put it on.
"No matter. What has been done has been done. Now I must go see if it is still possible to repair the damage and let that sweet she-elf know that she is still loved."
He turned to Thranduil.
"If you would do me a favor, Thranduil, and see that my sons remain here and resting, I would greatly appreciate it."
The King nodded his assent.
"Go my friend. You are needed elsewhere."
With a final nod to the others, Elrond turned and left the tent.
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"Halgar?"
Halgar spun around and looked at his visitor. He had been standing beside the Guards and Greyfell when the incident had occurred and so knew what had happened. He had not expected Anayah to come to him and so had been startled when she had spoken his name.
"I'm apologize for being startled, my Lady."
He took her arm and escorted her to a nearby barrel and helped her sit. The small courtesy had not been lost on Anayah and she had to make a conscious effort not to start crying. Instead, she held out the package to the young human.
"I believe this belongs to you, Halgar. Guard the lady well until the time comes to give her to my ... to Isildur's heir."
Halgar took the box from Anayah and after a few moments of silence he decided to speak his mind.
"Please don't go." He said quietly.
She frowned.
"Why should I not go, Halgar? My job is finished and with the warriors from the three elven realms that are now here, I am not even needed as a warrior. You are only a long day's march from your home then all will be well – you can start a new life."
Halgar sat on his heels next to where she was sitting.
"You are needed, Anayah. My people need your humor, your bad jokes, your almost falling off your horse routine. Young Hyadar needs you."
"I need you."
The two turned to see Greyfell walking up to them. The elf knelt in front of Anayah.
"Who is going to introduce me to other elves then hold my hand when I am so nervous about meeting them that I almost cannot swallow? You have a life here, Anayah, and you should fight for it. Go to them. State your case and chew their collective asses out. Why wouldn't you want to fight for your life in this family?"
Anayah stood and began to pace and after a few moments of this, turned to the human and the elf.
"Because I am a fake, a wanna be."
Greyfell frowned.
"I don't understand, Anayah. What do you mean?"
"I'm a wanna be. I wanna be part of this family and until earlier, thought that I was. I don't know why I didn't see it before that my dream of having a real family could never be anything more than a fantasy. I will never be more than the hired muscle - kind of a small muscle - but a hired muscle nevertheless."
Greyfell wrapped his arms around Anayah and Halgar put his hand on her shoulder in support. The Captain kissed the top of her head then spoke his heart.
"That last night in camp when you fell asleep while we were looking at the stars, your Captain Rahan came to me and told me to never make the mistake of hurting you. I told him that if friendship was all that you would ever be able to give me, then in turn, I would be your best friend and staunchest ally until the end of all things and ever after, if Ilúvatar would allow it - or something to that effect. The point is, Anayah, that I meant what I said with all my heart and soul.
You have already changed me - and for the better and when you touch my shoulder or hold my hand, it is enough to see me through to eternity, for my soul truly knows great joy when you do this small thing. There is no need for anything else - it is enough - for our friendship transcends all else. Now that you know how I feel, would you still want to leave - even knowing that the sun would set on my life if you did?"
Halgar gently lifted Anayah's chin with his hand until she was forced to look at him.
"My friend, if the Lady did not think you worthy and very special, then she would not have allowed you to keep and protect her. You are special to more beings than you realize. You do have a family and it is quite large, Anayah, for I greatly doubt that there is a single human in this camp who doesn't know your name nor a single human that doesn't know the story of how you gave a blind, 13 year old boy back his purpose and determination. That has to count for something."
"Anayah?"
All three beings looked up to see Lord Elrond standing there. Anayah hid her eyes on Greyfell's shoulder.
"I don't want to talk to him, Greyfell."
The Captain pushed her away to arm's length and looked into her eyes.
"I know you don't want to, Anayah, but I also hope you know that you have to. Please. For our friendship, talk to him and resolve this."
She looked into the grey eyes of the tall elf and instantly knew that he spoke the truth and knowing this, her resolve was strengthened.
"I will be here, Anayah."
"As will I." Halgar said.
Kissing both beings on the cheek, Anayah took a deep breath and walked toward her father.
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Lord Elrond and Anayah walked a ways from the tent then finding a downed tree, sat on it. For a few moments the two sat silently, still uncomfortable with each other.
"Anayah, I am extremely ashamed of my conduct toward you when we first arrived here earlier this day. I was so absolutely relieved to see my sons alive and in relatively one piece that I was blinded to my daughter's worthy presence. Somehow I had it in my mind that you and your Guards would have left Hoth after finding Estel and Legolas and so I wasn't even looking for you when we arrived. I am doubly faulted, though, because I didn't inquire after you when I was talking to my sons. Can you ever forgive me?"
Anayah sighed, still not looking at the Noldor Lord sitting beside her.
"You have already been forgiven, my Lord. However, it will be some time before I can put this incident behind me. To be rejected in that fashion has always been one of my deepest fears - to be told in no uncertain terms that I am no longer loved or needed - that single act tore my heart into tiny pieces."
Anayah turned tear filled eyes to the elf.
"And no amount of kind words or apologies can ever make up for that."
She turned her head away.
"I cannot stay in a place where I have been so wounded. Cut me with a blade or beat me with your fists. These wounds I can receive and eventually recover from. But tear my heart to pieces and reject me and the love I felt for you ... I don't know. I just don't know."
She felt the Lord take her hand, put something in it, then close her fingers around it. When her hand had been put back into her lap, she opened it and looked at what had been put there. It was a small lapel pin made of mithril and which held a small chip of a white stone. She looked at Lord Elrond who smiled at her sadly.
"When the elven smiths of Imladris created the second Elendilmir for Isildur's remaining son, they took a chip left from the cuttings of the stone and placed it in a lapel pin for me. I have treasured this pin and have always kept it close by to remind me of what happened and what could have been. I want you to have it so that you will know that you are just as treasured by me as any of my children are."
He reached up and wiped a tear off Anayah's cheek then tenderly kissed her brow.
"Please forgive a father's transgressions - my daughter."
Anayah couldn't keep it in any longer and began to cry. Quickly Lord Elrond wrapped his arms around her and drew her to him where he held her and rocked her in an effort to sooth away the hurts she had suffered. After a time when her tears had abated and only an occasional hiccup could be heard, Elrond finished his thoughts.
"There will always be a place in my heart for you, Anayah."
"As there will be in mine for you - father."
After Anayah and her father had walked away towards their family's tent followed closely by Greyfell, Halgar had walked inside his small tent to carefully put the carved wooden box and the crown it held into a safe place before he joined everyone for dinner. The tent was dark, not having a glow yet lit for the evening, and as he was turning away to leave, there was a faint pulse of light followed by the faint whisper of a voice, as if the speaker was standing very far away. Only a single word was spoken but that word as well as its meaning was very clear.
Peace.
Halgar kissed his fingers and for a moment laid them on the box then turned and walked away.
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Dinner that evening was a happy affair. Haldir joined them and the first thing Anayah did was embarrass the elf by placing a kiss in the middle of his forehead in front of everybody who of course had to laugh at the bright shade of pink the march warden's cheeks had turned.
Elrond and Thranduil were introduced to Cyrano, Irildë and baby Tinu and both Lord and King laughed at the story of Cyrano's adventure with the wall of the sleeping cavern as well as the story of how Tinu had ridden home for the first time inside the tunic of a certain Silvan Guard. When the Lord had later watched Súrion running around the campsite trying to catch a madly dashing Tinu, he had remarked that the two seemed to get along well together. Anayah had answered by saying that it was only natural, for they were both about the same age.
After dinner, Elrond had summoned young Hyadar and had examined the young boy's eyes to see if there was anything that could be done. It broke the Lord's heart to have to tell him that it was too late and that the damage would be permanent.
Both Elrond and Anayah could tell that Hy was thinking deeply on the matter but where the two had expected tears and had been prepared to comfort him, he surprised them both.
"Well, I guess that's that then." He said quietly. "I'm not all that sad, Lord Elrond, for I have been blind for almost a year now and I'm kind of getting used to it. Maybe I would have, or should have been more upset but nothing has hurt as much as losing my mother and father and nothing has given me more hope than Miss Anayah's lessons on how to listen.
I hear things now that I have never paid attention to before, like what exactly the wind sounds like and what it is saying. Did you know that it talks? It tells us when a storm is coming or when there is danger nearby. I know where people are by the sound of their footsteps. I know what is being served for dinner by the wonderful smells."
The young boy reached out and patted the elf Lord's hands comfortingly.
"See? I knew exactly where your hands were, sir, and I knew you were upset about telling me that you couldn't do anything for my eyes. There's a whole world out there for me to experience and both you and Miss Anayah have given me a chance to do just that. I will cry only for my mother and my father, but never will I cry for my eyes."
Both Elrond and Anayah had to wipe tears off their cheeks as they walked off a bit for a private discussion. They soon returned and when both were once more seated by the boy, Elrond reached out and took his hands.
"Hy, I have talked to Lady Raina and have asked her to come to Imladris to work in my gardens for I understand that she loves to nurture things and see them grow. She has agreed to do this but only on the condition that you be allowed to come as well. I hope that you will consider this and agree to it. We have elves at Imladris that can teach you how to do many things, including how to read."
He saw the look of surprise on the boy's face.
"Yes, Hy, we can teach you how to read. And there are gardens for you to walk in and fields of grain and trees where birds sit and sing for anyone who might want them to. I cannot promise that all the times will be pleasant, but I can guarantee that you will always have a home there and you will never be alone again. Would you like to do this?"
Hy threw his arms around the elf Lord's neck and with tears in his own eyes, Elrond hugged him back. Finally, the boy answered in a small, quiet voice.
"I would like that very much, sir."
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The rest of the evening passed in relative peace with the one exception being the great eagle that had landed in a nearby field. The grey wizard and the eagle could not stay but did deliver what Anayah had requested when she had hurriedly sent Shakir to find him earlier in the day. Elrond and Anayah both bowed and touched their foreheads as the two lifted into the air and were soon swallowed up by the night.
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As Anayah and Rahan walked the camp the next morning to make sure that everybody was ready to begin the last day of their journey, they both got a surprise they were not quite expecting. Stopping in front of Halgar's tent, she knocked loudly.
"Come on human, get a move on. We leave in two hours and you are still abed? Are you ill?" She winked at Rahan who smiled. "Have you been injured? Is there some way that I can assist you?"
Anayah's hand was still in the air, ready to knock again, when the flap of the tent was opened and Edda poked her head out.
"I am sorry, my Lady. We were late rising but shall make haste to be ready to continue our journey."
The tent flap was quickly replaced. When Anayah heard the deep laughter of her Captain, she realized she still had her hand raised to knock and lowered it.
"If only you could see the look on your face! It's priceless!" The Captain was laughing so hard at this point that he had tears running down his cheeks.
Anayah gave the big Captain a playful shove.
"It's your fault, Rahan!" She said while vehemently pointing at the tent. "You started that!
The two turned and began walking away.
"Aye!" He admitted with a smile still on his face. "That I did."
"Rahan, our baby is all grown up - what are we going to do?"
Rahan put a "consoling" arm around Anayah's shoulders.
"We can wish him well - he has earned that much and more."
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Anayah went to find Hyadar and Raina. The two were sitting in a wain and talking to each other as they waited to leave with the others. She helped her "surprise" onto the wain then leaned over and kissed Hy on the cheek. The young boy's eyes lit up and he threw his arms around Anayah's neck and hugged her fiercely. After she had disentangled herself from the boy's arms she gave him another kiss.
"Hy, I have a surprise for you."
"A surprise? What is it?"
The boy was fairly squirming with excitement. He didn't have long to wait for an answer before a long wet tongue began to enthusiastically lick his face. His eyes crinkled with merriment, he reached out and felt the animal sitting beside him.
"A dog? For me?"
"Yes, Hy. Just for you."
She reached out and stroked the dog's silky head.
"His name is Orion and he is very special."
She made sure that she had the boy's attention before she continued.
"A friend of mine raised him and trained him especially for people that cannot see. Orion will be your friend for the rest of your life and will be your partner wherever you go."
She took the boy's hand and placed it on the dog's back.
"He is wearing a special harness that you can hold on to when you walk. It is Orion's job to make sure that you don't trip, or fall, or walk into things and if you can learn to trust him, he will keep you out of harm's way as much as he is able. It will take some time to learn each other's ways, but I have every confidence that things will work out and you will both be very happy. He is a special friend and is just for you."
Hy buried his face in the dog's furry coat and hugged him. Raina had tears in her eyes.
"Thank you, my Lady."
"It is but a small thing for me to do, Lady Raina, for this young man has shown such courage in his short time with us that it would have been small of me to not help him seek out his full potential."
She kissed the dog and the boy one last time then turned to where Elias was patiently waiting for her and mounted.
"Tonight you will sleep in the village called Hope, but today that concept already lives in your hearts."
Touching her forehead in respect, she turned and galloped away.
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The day went smoothly but when they at last laid eyes on Hope, the mood became somber. Everyone dropped back respectfully then Anayah rode up beside Halgar and Edda.
"We follow your lead, Legend Keeper."
Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves then squeezing Edda's comforting hand, Halgar rode forward and crossed the threshold of the village. He stopped in plain view of the houses, shocked and speechless and when the others rode up beside him they were just as shocked.
They had expected to see the remnants of a village that had been pillaged by slavers for when they had last seen the place, there had been broken fences, damaged houses and debris scattered throughout the village. But now, the village was clean, repaired and pristine, seemingly unspoiled by the hands of murderers who had left their bloody mark on everything they had touched.
The only things that remained to remind the villagers or anybody else for that matter, that anything bad had happened were the ten graves that lay side-by-side. But even they seemed somehow peaceful, at ease with the fact that resolution had come and all those that had been unjustly taken were once more home. All ten graves were covered with the beautiful, fresh blossoms of simbelmynë, a simple testament that those who slept in the soil beneath the beautiful blossoms were at peace once more.
Anayah reached over and laid a hand on Halgar's shoulder.
"Welcome home, my friend."
TBC
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NEXT: Farewell to a King, Epilogue Pt. 3 of 4
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Aranel-Calen: Thank you for the review. I am sending your review response with the chapter because I could not find an email for you. Hope you don't mind. I am very happy that you have stayed with the story for so long and seem to still be enjoying it. To answer your question about Hoth ... yes, the city and the battle field all went down into the pit because the industry of the city, namely the stone quarry, had severely undermined the whole area. When the ghost of Isildur started the earthquake, the whole place just caved in. Unfortunately, not everyone, worthy or otherwise, would have been able to leave the city in time even though a special plan had been put in place to get as many people out of Hoth, at the last minute, as they could. At least in death the ones that didn't make it out had finally found their freedom.
The prisoners had all been freed or had been snuck out of the city. No, Legolas has not miraculously recovered, poor elfie, but with the love of his father and his friends, is expected to recover fully - in time. Legolas was able to hold himself together longer than the others, but finally, royal or not, he folded. Once he knew his father was there to hold him, he knew it was ok to let go.
Love triangle? Not for now although I am playing with an idea for the future. I guess because I am older than dirt that I have a different idea about love and fully believe that before love can be born there has to be a great friendship first. Maybe in the future. Again, thank you for reviewing.