Chapter 9... These characters are not mine….
A Wizard's Farewell Gift
In the darkened, hay filled stables, with a creeping tunnel of light glaring through the front opening and through small cracks in the wooden roof, Filinor sang cheerfully as he washed and brushed the coarse hair of six tall horses while Käriler meticulously, but quietly, prepared the reigns.
Off you go, off you trot
To where, fair horse?
I know not!
To the steam?
To the sky?
Off you go, off you fly!
To the wood?
To the sea?
Off you go, off you spree!
"Filinor, tell me, would you sing if you were about to embark on a scouting trip to greet Sauron's own personal servants?" Käriler asked as he fitted a reign onto one of the horses.
"Käriler, my good elf, I would sing if I were about to greet Sauron himself, blinded with my two hands tied behind my back! Because you see, I know the secret for defeating the Enemy that all the great elf lords of the past missed." Filinor distractedly answered as he finished one horse and moved to another.
"And what is that?" Käriler queried skeptically.
"To drive him absolutely mad with inane songs! He can torture me all he wants, but he will not stop me from song making. He'd soon find himself humming my songs and they will forever occupy his mind until he has no room for evil thoughts. I do plan on telling the princes this, for I truly believe that is the secret to his undoing."
Käriler considered this and chuckled. "Well Filinor, I suppose that could work until Sauron decided to cut off your tongue and your head to go with it."
"Ah, but by then it would be too late, for the song's tune will be planted in his mind and he would have to cut off his own head to free himself of it!" Filinor exclaimed this with such excitement the horse he was brushing released a small neigh and gave a slight jump, kicking up a fluttering of hay which fell into the hair of the two elves.
"Remind me when the final battle begins to tell King Thranduil to place you on the frontlines Filinor…" Käriler mumbled as he picked out the hay caught in his hair. Filinor ignored the hay on his own head and began another tune.
A battle! A fight! A war! A flight!
He who wins, He who smites,
Will take the wood, Will take the night!
A battle! A fight! A war! A flight!
He who loses, he who fails
Will lose the wood, Will lose the tales!
Käriler laughed, and unable to resist, joined Filinor. The horses' neighs accompanied the two, and just outside the stables, the sweet melodies of birds and Bratherond's not-so-sweet, grating shouts provided the backup to this boisterous concert of sorts.
"You call these lembas!! These are not lembas, these are hobbit biscuits!"
"Yes sir, sorry sir, I will take care of that straight away sir."
"Why can I not see my face in this sword? What are we rangers!?! Can we not afford to have clean swords???"
"Well sir, actually it would be a rather good thing to be rangers, don't you think? They are quite capable scouts…."
"I WANT A CLEAN SWORD!"
"Yes sir, straight away sir."
Aragorn pursed his lips and after gracefully swinging his own sword, testing its weight and quality, he sheathed it and turned abruptly to Gandalf who had been quietly perched on a stump, smoking his pipe and passively watching the ranger and elves.
"That elf is one insult away from losing all of that pretty hair of his…" Aragorn hissed.
"Aragorn, I had been ready to whack him ever since I first set foot in Mirkwood. If I can control myself for a few centuries, you can control yourself for a few days…Now, have you by any chance seen my pack anywhere, I seem to have misplaced it…"
"A few days?!?"
Gandalf frowned and blew out a wreath of smoke that swelled from a small ring to a large wheel before tumbling away in the breeze. Another beautiful day had descended on Mirkwood and Gandalf had to squint as he looked up at Aragorn to mitigate the blaring rays of the sun as they peaked through the tall trees and escaped the shadow of the large, puffy clouds. "Well yes Aragorn, we will all be traveling together for a short while as we head south before we separate and you and Legolas go East while the others scout Dol Guldur…" he trailed off as his eyes searched his surroundings for his missing pack.
Aragorn sighed and nodded stiffly as he looked away from Gandalf and fixed a cold glare on Bratherond who was now shouting something to Käriler and Filinor about the horses they just brought out.
"By the way, Aragorn, that was a fine choice you made for a companion. I could not have chosen better myself. Thranduil's youngest is a most talented warrior even if he has yet to prove it in the wild," Gandalf perked up cheerfully before inhaling again on his pipe.
A knowing smile bent Aragorn's lips as he raised his eyebrows at the wizard who pretended to be absorbed in Bratherond's scolding of Käriler and Filinor.
"You knew all along I would choose him. You intended it, even before we were introduced, before we even set foot in Mirkwood," Aragorn said this carefully though amusement tinged his voice.
The wizard did not turn from his gaze nor remove his pipe, which dangled from the corner of his mouth, as he answered half-heartedly, "Nonsense, Aragorn. How am I to know who you would choose? I am but an old man with a staff, not a fortune-teller or matchmaker."
Gandalf then bolted from his seat and with one last searching glance for his lost pack, he grasped Aragorn's shoulder.
"Come Aragorn, I have had quite enough of this ranting, half sane elf. Let us seek out Legolas and my pack."
Aragorn nodded and the two left Bratherond alone with Käriler, Filinor and six horses all of whom gazed longingly at the departing ranger and wizard, wishing they too could escape Bratherond's haranguing.
The stables' mixed stenches of horses and hay were soon replaced with the refreshing smells of sweet flowers and wood. Déjà vu struck the ranger as he and Gandalf approached the archery grounds in search of Legolas as once again, the frustrated shouts of Cièdron and Alasse greeted the two. Aragorn frowned and protectively moved ahead of Gandalf.
"Aragorn, is there a reason..."
"Just trust me Gandalf and stay alert," Aragorn tersely interrupted as he darted behind a towering beech and beckoned for Gandalf to follow.
"Alasse, can you not focus, just this once! This is our last lesson! At least try to make an effort to strike the target…"
"Prince Cièdron, I am trying!"
A frustrated sigh and a new voice entered the fray.
"Cièdron, you are doing it all wrong – she will never learn this way."
"Oh! And I suppose you could do better, Legolas!"
"Well actually, yes I think I could! At least I had her striking the target!"
"I would have also had you not interrupted me!"
"Argh! You are as stubborn as a dwarf protecting his gold! Now give me that!"
"No!"
"Give me it Cièdron! I can teach her!"
"NO!"
Gandalf sighed and shook his head disapprovingly when they finally reached the clearing (after ducking behind trees and scurrying carefully in a crooked, angled path at Aragorn's insistence.) Just ahead, Cièdron and Legolas were frantically tugging on a bow. A second later, the bow dropped and they tugged on each other instead, yelling, kicking, and cursing furiously.
Aragorn gave a sidelong glance at Gandalf, "We will only be together for a couple of days, right?" he asked tentatively.
"Actually, perhaps it would be better if we took separate paths the entire way – Cièdron could have the western half of Mirkwood, while Legolas remained in the east," the wizard grumbled.
"That still would not stop them…. Oomph!" as Aragorn doubled over, he looked down to see what four-foot, seven inch figure just violently knocked the air out of him.
"Master Aragorn! Ah good, I see you have recovered! That is good, that is good, now if you would excuse me…" Alasse's eyes darted furtively around her and she dashed away again, leaving her two tutors in a tangled, yelping mess in the center of the field. As Aragorn gasped for breath, he made a mental note to keep away from the princes' archery lessons from now on.
As was his wont, Gandalf chose to ignore the runaway elfling and the winded ranger beside him, and instead focused intently on the vicious scene playing out in front of him. After much grumbling and muttering, the wizard cleared his throat in an attempt to get the elves' attention.
This proved to be as effective as a feather in knocking some sense into the two brothers. Again he tried, and again he failed, as Legolas proceeded to fall with Cièdron to the ground shouting all the while to give him the bow. Aragorn frowned slightly as he noted the bow lying innocently on the ground, out of both Cièdron's and Legolas's hands though it still rested within their reach. The same thought dawned slowly on the elves as they paused momentarily and hesitatingly looked towards the bow. A second later they both lunged at it and resumed their fierce tug-of-war.
"This is absolutely ridiculous," Gandalf muttered before gathering his breath for a ground shaking bellow.
"LEGOLAS AND CIÈDRON, SONS OF THRANDUIL AND FOOLS OF WOOD ELVES, YOU WILL DROP THAT BOW NOW!"
All the forest quaked, birds scattered from the trees, and Aragorn could have sworn even dark storm clouds gathered around the irate wizard. Legolas and Cièdron halted and dropped the bow.
"Good, now that I have gotten your attention…."
A high pitched whoosh and a thunderous pop interrupted Gandalf and all four heads snapped back and gaped at the sky. A sparkling pandemonium of bright colors crackled and shaped into oliphaunts, dragons, and ships, before dissipating into glowing particles of dusts, only to be replaced by another series of pops and explosions.
"Ah yes, that's where I left it!" Gandalf exclaimed happily as the colors reflected off everyone's awed faces marveling the vivid sky. "Hmmm… they would have been much better at night…" he mumbled.
Like mice crawling out of dark holes and cracks, dozens of elves emerged from their perches in the birches, beeches and oaks, and peaked out from the foundry, stables and other small, wooden buildings dotting their mossy realm. They all gazed up in wonder at the glittering sky. Merry shouts and joyful songs praised the delightful spectacle.
"It must be a farewell gift for our brave princes!"
"Aye! Or a gift from the wizard to honor our King!"
"I wonder if the fell inhabitants of Dol Guldur can see this! These bright, strange colors would scare them away for sure!"
"Aye! A magical realm Mirkwood is! Perhaps the Valar will take note and now aid us in our struggles!"
"Here, here!"
The cheers reverberated in and out and around the thick trunks like a light beam in a hall of scattered mirrors. The bemused cries, some muffled, others clear and piercing, and all of them melodious, brought grins to Aragorn's, Cièdron's, and Legolas's faces. Gandalf too appeared rather amused by the elves' buoyant cries and jovial faces.
The ebullience even penetrated the palace's thick walls and a befuddled Thranduil soon emerged on his terrace, glancing inquisitively first at the elves below him and then at the midday sky, alit with exploding firecrackers. He raised his eyebrows and searched the grounds for Gandalf, when another eruption of cheers brought another flash of confusion to the King's face.
"Look! It is our King!"
"Hail King Thranduil!"
"Hail our King who brings us such joy and hope in these dark times!"
Legolas's and Cièdron's grins widened as they looked up and playfully saluted their father. Though Thranduil was too far for Aragorn's mortal eyes to see clearly, he laughed at the bewilderment he imagined must now be growing on the King's face, while Gandalf also raised his staff as a salute. As he did so, an entire fleet exploded and sailed dreamily across the blue sky.
Thranduil narrowed his eyes suspiciously at them and looked up again at the sky as an image of a giant eagle flitted against the clouds before fading away leaving in its wake a hobbit farmer. Entranced momentarily, he stood and watched until the hobbit too disappeared with the eagle. A sad smile graced his face and he nodded to his cheering subjects before turning and retreating into his room.
"Ah well, that was quite a surprise! At least they were outside the caverns this time!" Gandalf merrily noted.
Legolas grinned at the wizard, "I believe our wizard hides more in that pack than a rat does in his nest! So what else do you have planned for us today?"
"Hmph… well a good solid whack in the head for acting so foolishly when you two should be preparing for your departures tomorrow is long due," Gandalf answered glaring sternly at the two elves.
"Ah, Mithrandir – we were merely giving Alasse one last lesson to make sure she could protect herself before we leave her…" Cièdron lightly explained as he stood and brushed the grime off his leggings.
"Indeed…" Gandalf eyed the scruffed-up elves and sighed. "Well then, now that you accomplished that, come and help an old man retrieve his pack from whatever rascal filched it from me."
"Or from wherever the old man carelessly left it…" Aragorn corrected as he lifted the bow and handed it to Cièdron while Legolas laughed and teasingly allowed the 'old man' to lean on his arm.
"Beware the wizard who feigns to be an old man! For he will strike with his staff which he pretends is a cane and outwit with his mind which he claims to be feeble!"
"Pah! That is enough of that Legolas…" Gandalf scolded though he could not help smiling at the elf's nonsensical (or perhaps extremely sensible) warnings.
Legolas continued to spout warnings and jibes much to the wizard's chagrin, as the group left the archery grounds to retrieve Gandalf's pack and meet with the King for further preparations. Cièdron fell back and stealthily pulled Aragorn with him until they were out of earshot of Legolas and Gandalf.
"Aragorn, can I ask you a favor?" the elf pleaded softly.
Aragorn turned and raised his eyebrows, "You may," he answered with a voice tinged with surprise.
"Make sure he does not do anything stupid." Cièdron narrowed his eyes at his brother, still not completely forgetting his earlier fight. "I know this may be a lot to ask for…"
"Cièdron," Aragorn said firmly as he stopped and grabbed the elf's shoulder. "You have my word I will do everything within my power, and even everything not within it, to bring him back safely." Aragorn locked his steely gaze on Cièdron's and amiably slapped the elf on the back before he continued walking. Cièdron nodded gratefully and paused, relishing for a moment the warm sunlight on his face, before scurrying to catch up with the rest of the group.
As they approached the palace, Gandalf quickly found his pack leaning innocently against a lone tree, though it was left suspiciously ajar. And suspiciously not far from where we first started to look, Aragorn thought, believing the wizard purposely left it there and brought Aragorn to the archery clearing with the specific intent to view the firecrackers without the hindrance of the trees.
"Hmph...the work of impish elves," Gandalf muttered as he peaked inside and studied what remained of its contents.
Aragorn cocked a skeptical eyebrow and Cièdron smirked at the wizard.
"Or of wily wizards..." Legolas suggested as he crossed his arms against his chest.
"Legolas, I would strongly recommend you hold your tongue before the wily wizard becomes an angry, fiery wizard…" Gandalf warned threateningly.
Legolas merely laughed and began to casually stroll towards the palace, soon to be followed by the rest of the group. Maps, books, meetings, and packing occupied the rest of the day for the elves, wizard and ranger.
***
Later that night when he finally was able to escape the plethora of chores to be accomplished before he left, Aragorn sighed and relaxed against the rough trunk of the same oak he had sat in with Legolas beneath a fan of fluttering leaves. Something about the ancient tree comforted the ranger, as if just by spending time with the wood elves he had picked up their uncanny relationship with and understanding of their surrounding wood. He allowed his lids to droop and his muscles to relax completely, placing all of his trust in the tree's branches to cradle him. The setting sun cast glittering beads of light on the quivering leaves and Aragorn's breath coincided with the light sighs of the wind. A tingle passed through his body, and a part of him wondered if perhaps this was what it was like to feel the trees' memories.
Memories. Aragorn wandered about what memories these trees might hold - memories of the forest it once was. The elves' cheers for the fireworks and for their King echoed sadly in his mind. The cheers were hopeful, but hollow - for theirs was a race whose peak had been surpassed and now they were fading, soon to be no more than a memory themselves and Middle Earth would soon be no more but a memory to them. Aragorn's thoughts then wandered to the Grey Havens, a land he would never see. What was this land that captured the hearts of the elves enough to lure them away from Middle Earth? Or had Middle Earth become so hopeless that they were driven away?
Aragorn pulled out his pipe and blew out a series of wreaths and again he closed his eyes. With a deep breath he tried to no avail to clear his mind of the somber thoughts that weighed it down. He grew up with elves and knew more of them than he did of humans, yet he would never truly understand their race. Never could he hope to understand the yearning that tormented them and eventually brought them together in a guarded land he could never journey to himself. One day Lord Elrond, Elladan, Elrohir, his childhood friends, Legolas, Cièdron, Thranduil, their kin, Haldir, Galadrial, Celeborn…Arwen… they would all be reunited in Valinor for eternity, left with only memories of Middle Earth. What would he become to them when they left and he passed away to whatever fate lay beyond the mortal lives of the second born? A memory. He would only be a memory, as fickle and ephemeral as a passing breeze. Yet, perhaps even after the passing of time, his ghost would remain with them as he knew their ghosts would live with him long after they departed, until he drew his last breath. Perhaps in his own way, he too would hold on to their memories for eternity, when his body was no more and the earth itself faded away with the waning of the stars. And perhaps one day, they all would be reunited again…
"I see you have grown used to climbing Master Ranger," a musical voice brought Aragorn out of his reveries. "You have usurped my perch!"
Legolas laughed at the distracted, slightly baffled state he had caught Aragorn in. "Surprised to find yourself in a tree, human? Perhaps you have smoked a little too much of that pipe and you did not realize you were no longer on the ground?"
Aragorn smirked and feebly shook his head. "Nay Legolas I was just thinking…"
"Ah! A good exercise indeed! I see we are rubbing off on you then! We do enjoy that also you know… A fine way to spend your time, and most useful as well…"
Aragorn chuckled, but did not elaborate when the elf sat comfortably on a neighboring branch and raised his eyebrows expectantly.
"It was nothing Legolas…" One look at the lighthearted elf was enough to drive away whatever melancholy thoughts tugged at his heart and a genuine smile spread on the human's face.
"Are you ready for what awaits us mellonin?"
Legolas grinned eagerly as he cockily turned to face the ranger. "I have always been ready, Master Ranger."
Aragorn's smile remained firm as he clasped the elf's shoulder. A moment later, two figures walking towards the palace doors caught his attention. Legolas followed his gaze and upon locating what it was that had distracted the ranger, he smirked mischievously. Aragorn raised an eyebrow as he leaned back and crossed his arms against his chest. In response to the human's unasked question, Legolas sang in elvish,
The reckless youth, the handsome elf with a far-roving mind
Vowed to set out to woo the flower of the wood,
Who has caught the moon with her hands!
The moon from the bend on the birch branch…
Who has enchanted the sun!
The sun from the crown of a pine…
And now she has captured the reckless youth!
And she will carry him off with her sun and her moon!
The two figures - Cièdron and a pretty lady elf - disappeared into the palace. Aragorn's grin faded slightly as Legolas musingly watched the door through which his brother and his companion just passed and whispered sadly, "They are saying good-bye…"
A familiar explosion then caused both heads to snap up at the sky in wonder.
***
Thranduil and Gandalf stood side by side on the King's terrace watching as the night's shadowy veil fell gracefully upon Mirkwood. Gandalf puffed his pipe, sending smoke rings far above the dark trees, as Thranduil leaned calmly against the rail.
"I have sent word to Lord Elrond of all that has passed here," the King began, sounding rather serene for the first time since Gandalf arrived. "I have also sent a few extra patrols to the South…"
"That was wise Thranduil – I am sure Lord Elrond would much desire to know the extent that the shadow has descended on your wood," Gandalf answered between smoke rings.
Thranduil nodded and looked up at the sky as a smile teased his lips, "That was quite a show you put on today Master Wizard…"
"Ah yes, thank you, though I am afraid I cannot take credit
for it beyond being scatterbrained enough to leave my pack unattended long
enough so that one of your rascally elves could discover it…
"Scatterbrained, hm?" Thranduil mused skeptically.
Gandalf cleared his throat and glanced surreptitiously at Thranduil out of the corner of his eye, "That's right…"
The wood elf King laughed and asked, "So what other tricks do you have up your sleeve tonight Mithrandir?"
A smile crept up on the wizard's features and his eyes sparkled merrily.
"Oh, just one more tonight…"
Just as Thranduil's eyebrow shot up, something else shot up in the distance, terminating in a magnificent explosion in the darkened sky.
"Ah, yes, this is much better at night than during the day," Gandalf muttered as he watched the colorful explosion reflected in his companion's eyes.
Thranduil caught his breath and marveled at the night sky brought to life one last time with Gandalf's fireworks. A giant elf hunter with an uncanny resemblance to Oropher exploded in a vibrant array of blues, yellows, greens and purples against the blackened cloak of night. It lingered a little longer than the other explosions before it too drifted away and mixed with the glittering stars.
The elf king's eyes shone with awe and his faint smile reflected the innocence and lightheartedness of youth that he had long ago lost. Gandalf noted how much Thranduil resembled Legolas in this fleeting moment. No doubt, if Legolas was also watching the night sky, his face would reveal as much unrestrained wonder as his father's now did. The wizard grinned contentedly at this thought before leaving the terrace unnoticed by the charmed elf King.
* * *
The next morning, after some final preparations, the two scouting parties were ready to depart. The six scouts, six horses, Thranduil and Käriler stood at the foot of the bridge in the dappling of early sunlight that found its way through the thick clustering of beeches.
It amazed Aragorn that he had only spent three nights in the halls of the woodland King for he felt as if he had known this realm for much of his life. Indeed, he had grown fond of the wood elves and sympathized more than ever with their plight. Again, their songs and cries occupied his thoughts. A magical realm Mirkwood is! Perhaps the Valar will take note and now aid us in our struggles!
Perhaps… Aragorn thought bleakly as he tied his pack to the back of a sinewy chestnut horse…But must it be the Valar who take note and help them? Have they already lost hope in the peoples of Middle Earth?
A neigh and a melodic laugh tickled the air as Legolas spoke something in elvish to his own chocolate colored horse. The horse then butted Cièdron as he bent over to retrieve his own pack, after which Cièdron threw a handful of crumbled lembas at his brother. Merionè and Käriler whistled a cheery tune as they prepared Merionè's horse while Bratherond took everything out of his pack and meticulously repacked each item according to his own obsessive order.
Thranduil and Gandalf stood off to the side, watching the final preparations with a mixture of anxiety and amusement.
"Are you sure there is nothing else I can bring you Gandalf?" Thranduil pressed for the third time.
"Nay, Thranduil, you have already given me more than I could ever ask for and for that I am exceedingly grateful. I am sorry our meetings must always come on the waves of such ill tides. I look forward to the day we will meet again in Greenwood."
"Aye, we will, Mithrandir, we will…" Thranduil sighed and smiled at the four elves and one human that stood attentively before him and the wizard, awaiting their final instructions.
"And so the hour has come when we must part. I wish you all the best of luck and may the Valar speed your return." As he said this, Thranduil met the gaze of each of the scouts, lingering on each one, including his sons, for an equal amount of time and with an equal amount of intensity. He then gently grabbed Cièdron's shoulder and the two placed their hands on the other's cheek in a warm farewell gesture. He did the same with Legolas before backing away.
Gandalf proceeded to climb upon his own horse with surprising agility. "King Thranduil, I thank you for your hospitality. When we meet again, I will perhaps have more answers for you."
Thranduil nodded though the wizard took little time to acknowledge it before turning to Aragorn and the elves. "Come! The day will not grow younger and our troubles will not ebb as we wait!"
Without waiting for the others to mount, Gandalf kicked his horse and it broke into an easy gallop over the bridge. The elves swiftly mounted their own horses and followed the wizard. As Aragorn placed one foot in the stirrup to mount his horse, a hand grasped his shoulder and he turned around to find himself face to face with the intense gaze of the elf king.
"I never had the opportunity to thank you, Estel." Thranduil warmly emphasized Aragorn's elven name. "We appreciate the help of anyone, but to have the help of one who is of the line of Elros is a blessing indeed."
This time, Aragorn did not cringe at the mention of his lineage. Instead, he grasped the King's shoulder and replied with a strong voice graced with natural nobility.
"It is an honor, my lord. And it is an honor to fight alongside those of your own blood. You have my word, I will not rest until this evil is stricken from this land."
Thranduil smiled and squeezed Aragorn's shoulder before the ranger mounted his horse and with a quick elvish command, galloped over the bridge to catch up with the others. The King watched until the scouts disappeared into the slinking shadows of Mirkwood. He turned to Käriler and genially patted the elf on the back, though like peeling off a mask, his smile melted and his face once again became worn and dismal.
"And so it begins again Käriler. Another battle against Sauron."
Käriler faced the King, his brows furrowed in slight confusion. "Do you believe another war will commence so soon, my King?"
"Nay Käriler, I believe war is already upon us - I am only waiting for the rest of Middle Earth to realize it. But I believe they are beginning to… I believe it will not be long now before we finally fight back."
With one last look behind him, Thranduil disappeared into his cavernous palace, with Käriler close behind. The great oak doors shut with a thunderous quake. Mirkwood trembled for but a second and then fell silent, except for a few twittering birds, scurrying squirrels, and the creeping of sinister creatures that lurked ever closer to the wood elves' home.
TBC
If I were to divide this story into parts, I guess that would be the end of part 1…. I can't believe I made it this far! Thank you reviewers!
BRYN!! Ohmygoodness, I got a review from Bryn! And such a wonderful long one! Argh, I am so awful for not being a better reviewer- Do you know how much I love your stories??? (no you wouldn't because I'm a horrible, horrible reader who has only started to review though I've been lurking for months) Ohmygoodness, ohmygoodness, thank you! You are such an amazing writer – I love Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire & Marinus Stiria– you're so wonderful! You're on my list of best authors on fanfic & have been for quite some time. Ooooh, I'm so glad you like it so far… Thank you so much!
Dot: Kill off Cièdron??? Oh dear… I don't know about that… Am I capable of such angst? Can I really be that mean to Legolas and Thranduil? I've kinda grown to like the guy…
RainyDayz: You're proud of me!! Thank you! I hope you haven't been staring too long at the computer (ha – I'm one to talk… *glances at clock* oh! Look at that! Four hours straight in front of the computer! How did that happen?)
WeasleyTwinsLover1112: Ah… Weasley fans! Always a welcome folk in my review inbox. Thank you so much! I don't know about original books… I can only regurgitate other people's fabulous characters...
Alexa: Thank you once again! Well, for now I'm a quick updater… Is Bratherond really that stupid? Hehe.. well, I guess he's a bit of a dolt.
Aceswild: I have been partially basing Legolas & Ciedron on some real life sibling relationships so it's cool to see it actually is working and it reminds you a bit of your own!
Mithrilarrow: Thank you for reviewing! I certainly hope I don't let you guys down!
Phoenix23531: I knew I recognized your name! I read your story a while ago & I must say, I enjoyed it a lot! (Once again, as I said to Bryn, I am a horrible reader and haven't reviewed anything until a couple of weeks ago, though I have read many many wonderful stories before)
Wednesday's Child: I'm glad you stumbled upon it & liked it! As I said before, it always amazes me anyone can find this buried under all those thousands of other stories…
P.Rico: Thank you! (ooh, near tears.. yay! That was my goal ;)
