Disclaimer: See previous chapters...
Author's Note: First of all, the names of some of my characters apparently have meanings - I don't know it they're correct but for the sake of this story, just go with it
Enelya Cúthalion = Lonely GreatHeart
Findecáno Súrion = Loyal Friend
Curufinwë Tinehtelë = Great Protector
Tathar Míriel = Golden Hair
Second, to avoid confusion, the first set of italics is a memory and the second set is a song. The song is "Imaginary" by Evanescence - to which I have no rights, etc, etc.
Also, I borrowed this chapter title from a Madonna song cuz I thought that it fits the chapter well.
Thanks to Raz 42492 and Crecy for reviewing!
Chapter 6 - The Power of Good Bye
Several days later..........
Enelya along with Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Pippin, Merry, Sam, and Frodo had left Lorien with light hearts. The rest period for the fellowship had allowed many of them the chance to catch up on rest and get their fill of Elvish fare. Enelya was eager to prove beyond a doubt that was she was worthy to be in such exalted company. The company was presently going down stream on elvish canoes. As Enelya became more and more distanced from her home, her mind went back to her last moments in Lothlorien.
Enelya couldn't help the feeling a great sadness well up in her heart as she bid her best friend good-bye.
"Aww Fin, I'm going to miss you the most you know." Enelya said tearfully, as she uncharacteristically threw her arms around his neck and gave him a fierce hug.
"I'm going to miss you my little one," replied Findecáno a little taken aback at Enelya's public display of affection. "But I have a feeling that this is going to do you a world of good. You'll get the chance to get away from the memories, the painful ones."
"I suppose," she replied. Silence settled around the two elves as Enelya looked out far into the distance and fiddled with her silver necklace.
"He would have been proud of you En," answered Findecáno to her unvocalized question. "I don't want to fight with you about this but you have to let him go - holding on to him isn't helping you and it certainly isn't affecting him in any way. The guilt will kill you if you don't let it go." Enelya looked at him with anger banked in her eyes. "I know, I know, you want me to drop it, but you're my friend Enelya Cúthalion and I don't want anything to happen to you."
Enelya sighed, "I know Fin but I'm not ready yet...." She trailed off.
"It's been almost two thousand years since he entered the Halls of Mandos. Tathar would have wanted you to go and explore and if he was here, he'd try to come with you. Don't let his death become yours too."
"I know, I know. Sometimes, I just miss him so much."
"We all do, but enough is enough. Now is the time to open up your heart to your new companions - do not push them away. The only way you can heal your heart is by accepting others and allowing them to love you and allowing yourself to love them. This won't be hard to do - you are a wonderful elf. I have heard nothing of great things about your travel companions - especially in Estel and Legolas. With them you have two beings who can understand your pain - don't push them away, open your heart." Findecáno looked very serious as he said this. Enelya knew that he was a very smart elf and that she should heed his words.
"I can't promise anything, however I will try..." Enelya said as Findecáno smiled, relieved that for what it was worth, she would try.
"That is all that I ask for sweetie," he said. "Now go have fun, save Middle-Earth and come back quickly...... I will miss you and don't forget how much I love you."
Enelya smiled through her teary eyes, " I will miss you - don't you forget how much I love you, My Loyal Friend".
With a quick smile and tears in his own eyes, Findecáno turned and walked away, unable to watch his friend leave to what he thought, was certainly her death. Enelya turned back to go back to the boats when a voiced stopped her.
"I certainly hope that you are going to go find me, because I don't think I'd like it if you left Lorien without giving me the chance to say I'm sorry."
"Oh Curu, there's no need for you to be sorry, I know that you just want to protect me from the evils in this world." Enelya looked at her friend who, for her, had always lived up to his name. He was her protector, but he had protected her from herself for too long. It was a situation that was painful for them both - him letting her go and her breaking away from him. "But I am ready now to start to explore on my own and make my own mistakes."
"I will miss you Enelya," Curufinwë said uncomfortable with his display of emotion in front of all the elves who were around getting the fellowship ready to leave.
"I will miss you too," Enelya replied as her eyes threatened to overflow with tears. Quickly, she stepped forward and gave Curufinwë a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Part of me is jealous of you Enelya - I know that you are embarking on a wonderful journey that will give you hundreds of great stories to tell your children and grandchildren."
"I already have great stories, the great stories of Curufinwë - a wise and noble elf who put up with a touchy emotional elleth for centuries." Enelya smiled as two tears fell down her cheek.
Clearing his throat, "Yes, well.......ummmm, I'm not going to say good bye to you Enelya, because I know in my heart that this will not be the last time we meet - go forth and make me proud." Curufinwë stopped abruptly and almost ran away as he became overcome with emotion too.
With a sigh, Enelya looked around and saw no one else to say good bye to - and felt an unexpected pang of sadness. Unsure of why she felt this odd sadness, she told herself that Lorien would always be there for her and that she would come back. No matter how much she tried to convince herself that it was merely sadness for leaving her home, the sweet tang of loneliness crept into her heart. Maybe it is time to shed my skin - maybe I should......
"Enelya." Interrupted a voice in her head. Galadriel.
"M'lady." Replied Enelya as she looked around to see if she could find the Elvish queen.
"Enelya, I look upon you as I do my other granddaughter - you are so very strong. But, know this - you must keep true to your company, if you do this, you shall be successful both in your inner and outer quests. You must do whatever it takes. Do not be afraid to be rid of your burdens - to fly you must become light."
Confused Enelya nodded, unaware of how she looked to others, nodding for absolutely no reason. Just as fast as she came, Galadriel left.
As Enelya started to walk again towards the boats, many elves waved good bye and bade the elf a safe journey. Many of them Enelya didn't know at all, yet they called out to her and wished her a speedy return. A thought suddenly pierced her mind. 'I pushed away so many people but yet I have still managed to accumulate friends who will miss me while I'm gone.' It was an odd thought to her but nevertheless, it sent a warm glow through her body. A small smile spread across her face as she got into one of the boats.
Just remembering sent a smile to her face as she continued to paddle down the river. As Enelya looked around, she realized that while she had been lost in her reverie, they had traveled a long way down the river. Looking around at the darkness that surrounded her, she couldn't help but wish that she was back at home, or at least, back at home in her memories. Enelya did what she always did when she felt sad - she sang.
I linger in the doorway
Of alarm clock screaming
Monsters calling my name
Let me stay
Where the wind will whisper to me
Where the raindrops
As they're falling tell a story
In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me
Don't say I'm out of touch
With this rampant chaos- your reality
I know well what lies beyond my sleeping refuge
The nightmare I built my own world to escape
Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming
Cannot cease for the fear of silent nights
Oh how I long for the deep sleep dreaming
The goddess of imaginary light
That's it for now - please review (p.s. Don't expect an update as soon as this one came)
Next chapter - members of the fellowship make an appearance- maybe orcs too!