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Oh companion of my soul, where are you? Are you

Praying in the temple? Or calling Nature in the

Field, haven of your dreams?

-Kahlil Gibran

Chapter Two

Kanatasulo

Karanisuri arrives just before most everyone is awake. This is her morning ritual. She is clean her red hair loose of braids or any adornments. You would think at this time my sister is at her most vulnerable. You are right if you catch her before her bath. Now she is guarded.

"Suri," I call to her. She glances up at me from setting the firewood in place. A brief smile crosses her face.

"Sulo," she says, using the shortened version of my mother-name. Sulo I am to her and our other siblings. Sulo, because as an infant she had struggled to say my name, Kanatasulo. I am Sulo still, her brother wind. I know her heart as well as I know mine.

"Ride with me." It is a demand, not a request. I walk away knowing she will follow. My sister always followed me as a child and I inturn followed after our elder brother, Kandatuo. I am sure we annoyed our elder brother at times, but we were all inseparable. Karanisuri is not the little shadow running after bigger brothers. She has grown into herself, into her mother-name.

At times like this my heart hurts for my sister. Suri is no longer little with scraped knees and knuckles for she is a full grown nes. Suri's emotions run deep like the Great Water. Our childhood feels distant and yet in these same moments I am reminded of them. Karanisuri hardly cries. The few times I remember my sister crying was always when she was physically hurt. I would say she bore everything quietly, but she laughs loud and smiles. The shadows in her eyes are the only hint to the storm within.

We untie the horses in silence. The stallion I ride neigh softly while I run my hands along his side and up into his mane. My fëa reaches out to commune with him. He is content but desiring to run free across the plains. With sweet words I promise the stallion as I lead him away that he will get to ride hard and fast today. We exit the temporary horse paddock and lead them a short distance away. We mount up and begin to ride away from the encampment. The silence continues to linger between us. The horses slowly amble along from the encampment. Once we are clear, I push the stallion into a gallop. Karanisuri and I gallop away and the tents dwindle into dots along the horizon. The sound of the horse as it breathes, the pounding hooves drown out everything but the wind. Karanisuri's loose hair flies all about her. She grimaces when it blocks her sight briefly but whips back out of her eyes again. The Gathering dwindles fast into the distance before we direct our horses into a trot.

"Sulo…" Karanisuri says my name so quietly. It is almost lost into the wind if I was inattentive. Suri has my sole attention so I hear her.

"You know that your words are safe with me," I remind her. Our sister Viloma may at times be a close confidant yet I am Karanisuri's secret keeper. This is our family feud at times, who is close to who and who is the secret keeper. The other family feud is who can outdo who. Viloma does not often participate as most of these are rough sports.

"I know this. Did mother tell you about the reports of the missing Quendi?"

"Yes. There is little we can do but hope for their return." This is not what my sister is wanting to say. She starts off first with practical topics before she gets to the one that causes the merriment in her eyes to be faded. It is her way. It is the yoke of leadership that she wears.

"There is little we can change in our ways. We already run double watches. Perhaps a third person on watch? It seems a bit much," Suri looks thoughtful. Her eyes are upon the stars. Her lips moves wordlessly with probably a prayer. Suri does not usually give weight to the superstitions of the Quendi. They are so ingrained even if the history of the Quendi are short.

"Suri, we already take great safety measures to ensure the protection of our people. We are in a big group. I highly doubt that we will be attacked." Suri remains quiet like a gentle breeze that barely stirs the trees. She glances at me for a moment and her expression remains guarded.

Finally after a while, Karanisuri speaks up. "When I heard the news, trepidation filled my heart. I am not one for superstitions but I fear the changes that will occur as the seasons go on."

I remain silent. What could I ever say? Should Karanisuri and I go looking for the answers to the missing elves? It would require a long time talking to many of the Quendi? Should we seek our grandfather Imin? He would have heard all the same reports that Mother had heard. I know that Mother would not appreciate us taking upon this task. What more could we add? We would be possibly be risking our lives.

"Do not think about it Sulo."

"What?" Suri's eyes are focused on me. Those blue eyes are penetrating as if she could see my heart. My sister has no true gift for foresight. She has never experienced a vision or called forth from the mirror pools the sight of the one she will love. No matter how she fasts or prepares herself to glean what may come from the mirror pools all she sees is her reflection. Even among the paths our fëa travel in dreams she glances only the present. Karanisuri is an odd one unable to call up images; though she is not the only one. Unlike her, I have glimpsed my future partner. I fear we may never meet for who has seen trees that glow? Yet there is hope for others have dreamed of the same strange trees. The trees that glow silver and gold are but whispers and superstitions. For who would dare to believe and yet the Quendi believe that the stars are Guardians. They watch over the Quendi and in fact, each star is special to one Quendi. Thus there will be countless Quendi and one day our people shall be countless like the stars. Still, I hold hope in my heart that one day I will meet her under the silver tree.

"Do not think of searching for the truth. We are not ready." My sister's voice pulls me from my musings.

"If not now then when? Is it not best to figure it out while we can?"

"If the Forest Watchers cannot track them then what little can we do?"

"Finwë." He is one of the few Tatyar who is gifted with visions.

"And what of our cousin Ingwë?" Suri asks me.

"Our cousin…"

"Sulo he is as gifted as any other. You and I know little of visions. We are gifted in the way of the Nelyar. We hear the winds whisper and the commune with trees and animals. We get ahead of ourselves. If we are to take such an expedition we must select members who will suit our purposes and talk to Grandfather Imin."

"I knew you were entertaining the idea!" I cannot help but grin at this. My sister has me fully distracted from the shadow in her heart. My mind is drifting along like leaves in the wind on how to prepare for this trip and when to start out. Suri and I are of the wind and. We are not meant for cages nor to forever linger in one spot. The journey is every calling us onward from hearth and home.

"Sulo," Suri starts, censuring me in the midst of my thoughts. "Sulo, we must wait. There is much thought that must goes into this. We should linger for a time as well for Mother is pregnant again."

"So soon?" I am dubious of Mother's pregnancy. Her body was never quite the same after the birth of Karanisuri and Vilóma. The twins birth had been rough on Mother and she did not conceive for a long time. Tankatiro had been born a few seasons before the twins hit their one-hundred year. Our youngest brother Cwîlneno was born shortly after Tankatiro hit majority, only two Dry Seasons ago. If Mother is pregnant again it would be the shortest time between us children. Not even elder brother Kandatuo and I are born so close together. Karanisuri and Vilóma do not count for they are twins.

"I have heard it from Vilóma. Shush. If she is to give birth or have a miscarriage, I wish to be there to close ranks."

"Suri, wind-sister, what is wrong? Why has a shadow fallen upon your heart?" I ask it outright. I do not want to continue to dance to her tune. I shall play the role of older brother and take control of the conversation.

"I wish to not speak of it yet. I may in time but the issue is delicate," Suri admits to me. Her fingers twine through her horse's mane. She clicks her tongue and her stallion launches forward. I catch the briefest lyrics that she sings.

"Away, away you shall ride from me, for a season or three," she sings. It is a song of lovers who are parted at times because they cannot give up this life of traveling. This is probably the one clue she has given to me of her thoughts. Suri probably does not even mean to. Yet if we had not spoken of the topic of our loneliness I would have never guessed. She is lonely and wondering if the reason she cannot gain a vision of her future spouse is that she is meant to be alone. It is our people's belief that found in the pools along the Great Water that a Quendi can gain a vision of either their future and or their future spouse. Some people are far greater with this ability than others. Others like Karanisuri have looked into the pools and see nothing no matter how hard they prepare by fasting.

Karanisuri is nearing her one hundred and forty fourth Storm Season. It is a sacred number for us as there were originally one hundred and forty-four elves. They are the founders of our society. There are still many others who are Unbegotten but these family lines are considered sublime and well established. They are all settled in Irin Minmbar, the Town of First Dwelling. Most Quendi have settled down with their partners and are starting their families.

Karanisuri and I are of some of the few who do not have spouse. There has been pressure lately for us to settle down with a partner to have children with. Their arguments are weak. Why, we only have to lay together to beget children! There is no declaration of spending the rest of our lives together. We can keep our lifestyle. We just need to have children after all! My sister and I both want to experience what our parents have and our married siblings have. We may fool around with other elves, even copulate. We hold to hope. We keep hoping that we will meet the Quendi whose very fëa we will madly and deeply in love with. We hope to hear that calling. Oh it is not a calling that is spoken or even whispered but a mere feeling. I have never experienced it. I have only ever beheld a vision of her beneath those trees. Karanisuri has never been given such a gift. I wonder if she holds to hope.

"Come on boy, let us catch up them," I murmur to the horse. I nudge the stallion and he sets off picking up speed fast. I had lingered too much time in my thoughts and cannot catch up to my sister. Suri brings her horse into a trot and waits for me to catch up. She is smiling, the shadows of her heart is chased away for the moment. We make our way to the river to let the horses drink. Karanisuri dismounts and takes out a brush from a small pack at her side. The stallion drinks and she begins to brush him. Suri will brush him until his hair glistens as if it is silky smooth.

"You are so beautiful. You are so very strong and fast," Suri mutters compliments to her horse. I am doing the same, my spirit is communing with him. It is hard to explain to someone who does not commune with their spirit to nature, to animals, or even with the wind. The world is alive. My horse is alive. The stallion has emotions and experiences desires. Right now he is hungry and he longs to have a few pieces of apple.

"I will give you an apple later," I convey to my horse. He nips my shoulder playfully. I laugh joyfully. We linger upon the river banks for a while. Suri finally stops brushing her horse and gives me her brush. Her stallion snorts in Suri's ear causing her to grin.

"Do not be jealous you. He is your brother," she teases the horse tapping the stallion on the nose. I brush out my horse humming along.

"Are you going to participate in the Hunter's Drumming this year?"

"Ah yes. I got chosen to lead it this year," Karanisuri's cheeks redden as she tells me this.

"This is a great blessing for our family and high praise for you."

"I am well pleased to be honored. I pride myself on my abilities as a hunter," Karanisuri confides. Ah yes, the infamous Tatyar pride that seems infectious. It seems that everyone who is a descendant of the Tatyar clan has pride. Even our family suffers from pride though it is only our father's mother who is of the Tatyar. We are Nelyar, we are singers and passionate, we are Minyar, we are insightful and courty. Karanisuri leads the stallion away. I do not follow instead I attend to my horse still. I make his coat shine with my efforts before I lead him away. I run back to camp but Karanisuri is not there. I grab two apples to feed to my horse. He deserves it after all.

Kandatuo is waiting for me by my stallion his grey eyes trained on my figure. He waits for me to feed the stallion the pieces of apple he longs for. My elder brother always makes me feel nervous when he is like this. Kandatuo's silence always seems to convey louder than his words can. I do not think he is displeased. I am not Karanisuri. I cannot see into his heart like she can.

"Karanisuri is chosen to lead the drumming this year," Kandatuo starts off.

"She has just told me."

"Has she asked for you to be her second?"

"No."

"Do you have any idea of who she will ask?"

"Suri may ask Berowë as they are childhood friends or one of us. Suri may also have asked father to choose someone. There is still time nonetheless." Kandatuo nodded his grey eyes thoughtful. "Go look for Viloma or Mother, Suri may be with either of them."

"I am not so worried. Though I must ask, are Suri, or you, Sulo, thinking about looking for the missing Quendi?" I give a wry smile.

"Suri has thought of it but has reminded us of our duty to our people and family. We cannot run off without good information either," I answer truthfully.

"This is a relief to know you will not go immediately. I am happy to hear that you have considered it. I to have given it much thought. We shall discuss more when we season at Minmbar this year. When the storms lets up meet me at Irin Orosundova. We have much to do and discuss before we even set out," Kandatuo informs me. His eyes glance from me, to the camp, to the wide plains that lay before us.

"Is this wise?"

"We must seek answers. There are some who are too superstitious to do so and some who are too cowardly. I know who is stout of heart. Those who are settling Irin Orosundova are such people. The Plains Riders are such people and so are the Forest Watchers. We will not be like those of Minmbar ready to accept whatever cage our Leaders will grant to us." Kandatuo's eyes grow dark in this statement. There is a fire in his eyes that match his hair. Kandatuo speaks to me passionately of his beliefs for a while longer his eyes trained on the distance. Kandatuo turns back to me.

"As I said there is much to discuss. Do not mention it to Mother or Father. They will be worried." Kandatuo all but orders me this. I know he is serious. When Mother spoke of missing Quendi her fear was clear to see. I did not need to be insightful to understand the worry that dwells on her mind like a small rock in a shoe. It is bothersome.

"Does your wife approve of this?" I finally ask.

"Aye, she does. Do you think I would marry someone who could not match my spirit?" Kandatuo laughs at this and shakes his head. "My wife is a match for me in every way. One day you will met the nes who will make your fëa dance to her tune."

"I fear that may never happen brother."

"Hold to hope brother, hold to hope," Kandatuo tells me. He squeezes my shoulder briefly and briskly walks away.

'I do try' I wanted to shout at my brother. I shudder at the thought of the future. Some cold wind of fate will blow our way. My eyes set upon the stars and I pray that they will guide and watch over us. This journey for answers may as well go ill.

-Language Notes

Please remember my elvish is rather poor. I am not a genius when it comes to creating names and such. I have done the best I can.

Nicamarin - Nica is meant to be mean "small" with "good senses." Marin means ripe or mature. In this rather poetic term, is reference to the time of an elf that is between 50 and 100. See Elven Ages.

Irin means town in Quenya. It is hardly a valid word in Tolkien's later Quenya, but I shall use it anyway.

Minmbar is derived from "minya" which means first and "mbar" which is dwelling in Primitive Elvish.

Irin Altanenwa - Town of the Great Water. Alta - great. Nen - Water. Wa/Va - Of.

Irin Orosundova - Town of the Mountain Base.

-Chapter Notes

Elven Ages - Tolkien wrote that elves can reach full growth between 50 and 100. I have decided that around 50 the elves are often seen as say Teenagers still, imagine like 17 - 19 years olds, possibly even early twenties. They are adults, they are basically recognized as such, but they haven't necessarily grown into maturity. Of course some people never mature. Yet as with reaching 50, they can marry and do the same things as adults. It is when they hit 100 that they are recognized as adults of their clan.

-In Response to Reviews

-stdale

Lhinnor is like Rumiel, or a Tolkien like character. He will make an appearance into the fifth and final book, besides in the various prologues of each book. You will see more of the Plains Riders as this story evolves as well as their bond with their horses.

Quick Character Profiles of the People You Have Met So Far (names, nicknames, ages, relationship status,a few 'history' facts, and other things):

Kandatuo is 179 Dry Seasons and 35 seasons older than Karanisuri. He is called "Kando" by his siblings. Kandatuo has red hair and grey eyes. Kandatuo is a Plains Rider. He is married to a Nelyar and one of the Forest Watchers. He is a recognized leader of his people, a Kheru. He leads his own Plains Riders group.

Kantasulo is 153 Storm Seasons and ten seasons older than Karanisuri. He is referred to as "Sulo" by his siblings. Kanatasulo has red hair. He is is a Plains Rider and unmarried. Kantasulo is a Kheru and leads a Plains Riders group with Karanisuri. Kantasulo also has no gift for foresight, but has seen the vision of who he will marry.

Karanisuri is 143 Storm Seasons. She is referred to as "Suri" by her siblings. Karanisuri has red hair. Karanisuri is a Plains Rider and unmarried. Karanisuri is a Kheri, a female leader of her people, and is the main leader of her Plains Rider group. Karanisuri learned much of what she knew from Kandatuo and his wife. She is an lustful relationship with Berowe, an offensive one in the eyes of the Quendi. She is often insightful of the people around her. Karanisuri has no capability of visions of the future, not even using mirror pools. She is very in tune with her spirit and the spirits of the world around her. Karanisuri has abilities that she will grow into.

Viloma is 143 Storm Seasons. She is Karanisuri's twin. She is called "Vili" by her siblings. Viloma has blonde hair. Viloma is a leather worker and dyer. She is married to one of the Minyar. She lives in Minmbar.

Tankatiro is 52 Dry Seasons. He is called "Tiro" by his siblings. Tankatiro has blonde hair. Tankatiro is a Plains Rider and unmarried. Tankatiro is Karanisuri's second-in-comand of the Plains Riders group.

Cwîlneno is only two Dry Seasons. He is called "Neno" by his siblings. Cwîlneno has blonde hair. He is just a child.

Leylaldë (Karanisuri's mother) is well over four hundred seasons. She is the second child of Imin and Iminyë. She is a Minyar and married to Sirlindo. She is blonde, tall, and has a very slender figure.

Sirlindo (Karanisuri's father) is much younger than his life. He is of the third generation of children born in Cuivienen. His mother is one of the Tatyar and his father is one of the Nelyar. Sirlindo is a gifted singer and musician. A talent which passes onto his children. It is their love of music that unites them.

Berowë is 145 Storm Seasons. He is called "Bero" by Karanisuri. Berowë is sometimes a Plains Riders and the other he is a craftsman of Pottery. He is tall and bulky with muscle. He is a Tatyar and unmarried. He grew up with Karanisuri in Minmbar.

Tarakano is 140 Dry Seasons. He lives in Irin Ailinmbar. He has silver hair and green eyes. He is a full descendant of the Nelyar. He is, in the future married to Karanisuri.

Lhinnor is born during the end of the second age. He is a scholar and a writer. He is famous for telling the tales of common people. He considers the story of Karanisuri and her family his masterpiece. He dreams of Middle-Earth for he has never been.