The Undecided of Earendil
By- Larien
Chapter 5
A/N- First off, thanks again to all the people who read and message.
Just as note, though, I'm not into the whole Legolas/OC thing. Legolas is to fall in love with Caniel, not necessarily Caniel with Legolas. And just because there's a bit of romance doesn't make it bad. Actually for what's in my head, that slight compassion is necessary. Now, it's not going to be multitudes of romantic scenes after another, actually the romance will be quite subtle (take Finding Neverland for example) but it's there for those who like it, and for those who don't, I won't make it a major thing. As for myself, I'm going to commandeer a ship, pick up a crew in Tortuga, raid, pillage, plunder, and otherwise pilfer my weasley black guts out. (Argh! Disclaimer: That was from Pirates of the Caribbean. Not me.)
Crecy- Thanks, sorry it took so long to update!
Aimee- I'm glad you like it!
Navaer- Thanks for messaging. I really do respect and appreciate you're opinion. I do agree that the whole Legolas/OC thing is really overrated, and I haven't been planning on making it out to be that way. It's really all a big balancing act, I guess. Please let me know of future thoughts.
Legolaslover77- Thanks again for the review! I'm glad you enjoy it.
Cilmesse- I stand corrected.
Vicangel- Thanks!
Arwen slid the door open; its hinges creaked with great effort as it revealed to them a rather large and empty room. A bookshelf immediately to Caniel's left was coated with dust, yet its books each were clean and glimmering in the sun shone through the high rafters. The windows, all bleak and dark, let little light in and dust swarmed in the air as they made their way in. The crafted rugs on the ground were dull in color and the few pieces of furniture sat unused against the walls.
In the joining room, Caniel could hear the faint voice of man. It was lively yet low, and it sang with tender tellings. Arwen looked at her over her shoulder before leading her also into the room. This room was much like the other, but with much less dust. Even so, the surroundings appeared shriveled and abandoned. It looked as though no one lived here at all. Had it not been for the candles lit on the table in the far corner, Caniel would have been convinced no one did. It was so quiet, aside the hushed voice, as if the very dead, buried far off, were lingering here. And if not dead, tamarisk shadows lingering in memories coating the walls. Her own breath seemed shallow and dispersed as if it were forbidden that anything living should be here.
Caniel stopped short, despite the fact that Arwen had made her way in. Shaking the feeling from her, she closed her eyes and took a few more steps and saw who the man was and what elf he coaxed with the story brushed on his lips. Aragorn did not turn to acknowledge them, nor did his telling stray or vary in pace as the two approached. But more concerning to Caniel was the young elf that watched Aragorn with such intensity one might easily take her for nothing more than a painted statue. Her delicate nature and small body gave her somewhat of a frail appeal, and her skin white as snow clung to what was left of her bones which shown almost visible through the sheets. Hair as long as the vines from the willow and gold as the coins on which stained her people's lives caressed her back. Though it was bunched and uncombed in appearance, it shimmered in the darkness, and rested easily around her ears. But the most catching feature, which was buried deep into the fine chisel of her skull, was her amazingly big, blue eyes. As lifeless and void as space they gazed. Yet somewhere hidden deep within the dark caverns, Caniel sensed a great intensity and alertness that though strong, was prevented from emerging in the shallows visible to others. Perhaps it was the great sadness that came with seeing her. Or the immense loss one plundered as they looked upon her pathetic appearance. Either way, Caniel immediately became engrossed by her and longed to dig out her deep secrets and longings.
As Aragorn finished his story, he closed the book quietly and smiled to her. The young girl let only the faint etch of a smile nudge her lips, but her eyes remained anon and empty.
How futile it all seems, Caniel thought, to try to open a diary with no key.
, Caniel thought,Aragorn stood, his eyes still tender as he looked to the two women behind him. Gently he laid the book on the table and took a few steps towards them.
"Suil. Mudannen lû ann na narn hen." He said quietly. (Greetings. I have toiled long on this tale.)
"Melin narn lîn." Arwen smiled. "Ce coren?" (I love your story. Are you finished?)
"Im" Aragorn sighed. (I am.)
"Gen cenin, avo nuitha hi drenared!" (I beg you, don't stop the tale now!) Arwen touched his arm slightly then picked up the book.
Caniel averted her gaze from Aragorn who had started speaking again, to the elf maiden who had also shifted her eyes from the ranger to Caniel. Like spyglass they probed her, gazing deep into her eyes. Enchanting they were, as if they could read her very thoughts. The rest of the room dimmed and faded as Caniel looked to the girl. When she tried to move her eyes, she couldn't. They were plastered to the others with such a soothing sensation. It was not alarming, just soothing…just needed. As if she were pleading to be looked at and read the way she was doing it to Caniel. But when Caniel attempted to search her eyes, she was struck with utter terror and in an instant had to look away, breaking a bond so tight, she felt winded. Her mind replayed the images she had seen in her mind as she gazed at the floor now. Flames, flesh, and metal all collided in a horrible nightmare rigged with the screams of mothers and the cries of children. Teeth gnashing and claws scrambling to grab hold and tear clouded the scene. Ancient history destroyed and an entire people lost with a swift current of evil that arose and disintegrated like a giant wave. Her insides churned over and her breathing quickened, Caniel dared to glance back up at the girl whose gaze remained fixed on her.
"Caniel, I have failed to introduce you to Sírdhem." Aragorn said suddenly, snapping Caniel from the trance she had been so steadily fixed in.
"Where are my manners?" She said quietly, trying to regain her composure. "It is a pleasure meeting you Sírdhem. My name is Caniel."
She offered a smile, but to no avail. Not as if her expectations had been raised since the brief vision, for the girl simply continued to look at her blankly. Caniel wondered for a moment if she had indeed heard her.
"Caniel is half blood like you, Sírdhem. She is a good friend of mine." Aragorn coaxed her.
"I would very much like to come visit you again." Caniel said, using more force behind the smooth words she spoke. Perhaps, all she needed to do was probe further. Summoning what will power she had, she let her words flow from her while relaxing her thoughts. If her hope was fulfilled, she would receive some sort of answer from the young girl. "Ae han anírach, im sí gen nesto. Garo estel ned nin." (If you wish it, I'm here to heal you. Have trust in me.)
"We do not know if she speaks elvish, Caniel." Arwen said sighed quietly.
Caniel didn't acknowledge the elf, only continued to watch Sírdhem intently. Sírdhem's gaze remained fixed and blank as she looked to Caniel. Aragorn shook his head sadly before standing and rubbing his neck in disappointment.
"You have my permission to visit as often as you want." Aragorn said after a moment of awkward silence. "It would do her good to see others."
Caniel's brow ruffled as she refused to look elsewhere until she received an answer. No one could remain this silent. More moments of silence passed, the two loners, the two girls who had more in common then either realized gazing at each other intently. Neither giving in, neither bothering to give existence to anything else in the world at this moment. The other beings in the room simply watched in silence at the inner struggle the two dealt with, within each other's mind. No bird chirped, no wind stirred; only a faint ticking of the old clock drumming steadily along with the pounding of the sun on the enclosed building. Time itself seemed to beg to continue, but neither girl budged.
"Please." Caniel breathed, not purposely, out loud. She didn't know whom she said it to; herself or Sírdhem. While her will remained strong and ever alert, her mind started to get the best of her. It warned Caniel of the awkwardness enclosing around them, the passing day, the constant minutes ticking with nothing being accomplished. Her mind urged her to stand and give up. Let the girl live in silence if that's what she so greatly coveted and kept too. Her will argued back, and told her to have patience. But weariness took over and the placement of the situation got the best of her.
As she began to stand in defeat, the frail person in the corner, illuminated by only a small light now emerging from a crevice, nodded her head.