Chapter 12 - Gladden Fields
When the Tavern was nearly empty, Galadwen followed Paige out into the cool night. After another large meal and the life force gifted by the Tavern Tree, Galadwen was starting to feel new again.
"I gotta go home, Ma will be startin' ta worry 'bout me," Paige said.
"Of course," Galadwen replied. "I'll walk with you."
As they walked, Galadwen was suddenly aware of something missing. It was the lack of weight on her shoulders. "Do you know where my cloak and weapons are?" she asked Paige.
"Yeah, Ma put them away somewhere safe. You're not leavin' are ya?" Paige asked, stopping with a start. Wide worried eyes stared up at Galadwen.
"I will have to leave soon, but not tonight," Galadwen said, bending down to the girl's height. "Tonight I only wish for my cloak so I can sleep under the stars."
"Oh," Paige said, looking a little relieved. "But what 'bout the trees?"
"At dawn, I will try to awaken them if you care to watch."
Paige grinned at her. "Yeah, I would like ta very much. Come on," Paige said, holding her hand out to Galadwen.
With a smile, Galadwen placed her hand in Paige's and they continued into the dark night.
Back at Captain's Tree, Galadwen retrieved her cloak and weapons from Ella, who was not impressed with Paige returning home so late. Slipping out the door, Ella's scolding followed Galadwen into the night as she made her way across the island. She approached Netter's Tree, the home of Joan. Galadwen knocked on the wooden frame of the small hut at the base of the tree and entered at Joan's impatient call.
"Oh m'lady," exclaimed Joan, jumping out of her seat by the fire at the sight of Galadwen in her doorway. "What brings ya here ta my tree?"
"I apologise for disturbing you Joan," Galadwen replied. "I wanted to ask if I could sleep in your tree tonight."
"Course ya can. I'd be honoured. Ya can take my bed in the first room."
"Thank you, but that is not necessary," Galadwen replied. "I wish to sleep under the stars on one of the highest branches."
Joan looked at her in disbelief before finally nodding. "Ya can sleep on any branch that takes ya fancy. Would ya like somethin' ta drink before ya retire?"
"Thank you, Joan, but no," Galadwen replied. "I have a busy night of dreaming ahead." With a final nod of thanks, Galadwen ducked out the doorway and after adjusting her weapons, she started to climb the thick trunk of the tree.
The poplar, like all the others on the island, was small compared to the mallorn trees of Lothlorien. But with a trunk five yards across, it was larger than any other trees Galadwen had seen outside her home forest. It's rough bark made scaling the trunk easy. Reaching the top room, Galadwen climbed up another few branches until she found one that looked comfortable. Taking her weapons off, Galadwen sat on the branch and placed them across her lap. Pulling her hood up, she leaned against the trunk and wrapped her Lorien cloak around her.
Nestled against the tree, Galadwen gazed out through the foliage to the horizon beyond. With the moon not yet risen, the stars shone brightly. Their familiarity eased her mind, but at the same time gave her a longing for home. A longing for Nestor, Laeroneth and surprisingly, Toron. She tried not to think of the fact that she would not see them again, for those thoughts would only lead her to sadness. So with a determined sigh, she pushed thoughts of home from her mind, closed her eyes and looked to the future.
First, she checked on the halfling and his dwarven companions. They were currently asleep in the Mirkwood forest. Studying their familiar futures, Galadwen confirmed that they would spend some time trudging through the forest, but even that was not without danger. She only hoped they would all make it to the relative safety of the Elvenking's custody without injury or worse.
With the object of her quest still on the expected course, Galadwen looked to the future of the villagers of the Golden Isle. From what Paige had told her of the increased orc attacks, she worried over the village's future. Galadwen saw that the next orc attack was in a couple of days' time. Just a small group. But there would be many more small groups of orcs that would continuously harass the villagers this winter. Orcs from the Misty Mountains by the look of them. There would be no reprieve from the attacks as the seasons changed. Many more orcs would come, and not just from the west. They would roam the land freely and attack any who left the safety of the Golden Isle. By the end of the following winter, there would not be a village left. Those few survivors would flee south down the river.
Galadwen watched the many and often gruesome deaths of the villagers with the detachment of one who has seen so much death. But during one future she saw Paige captured by orcs. The torture, mutilation, and rape that followed shook Galadwen to her core. She had seen similar images before in her many searches through the future. She had even seen it happening to herself. But when she watched what they would do to the kind, intelligent, and curious girl, she could not stop the horror from filling her.
The last time Galadwen had felt such horror at what she had seen, it was that very first time. Back when she still had the relative innocence of childhood. After a night in the top reaches of Laeroneth, learning the stories of the stars from Nestor, Galadwen remembered collapsing happily into her bedroll, a smile upon her face as she drifted off to sleep. Somewhere in that deep sleep, she slipped into the future. It was not the organised paths that she could see and study now. Instead, she was immersed in the horrifying future of a human boy. His face was an agonising red of burnt skin as he screamed. By the light of burning buildings, he was being pulled through the dark night by a woman. Holding his had in one of hers, she had another child in her other arm. The boy tripped, falling hard to the ground, he put out his spare hand to stop his fall and screamed anew as the charred remains of his hand made contact with the stony ground. The woman turned around, eyes wide with fear and desperation, she hauled the boy back to his feet. But before they could continue fleeing, behind the woman, a looming figure emerged from the darkness. Galadwen shouted a warning, but they did not hear her. The glint of a blade flashed in the light of the fires and the heads of the woman and child fell to the ground. As the bodies followed, the boy's screams intensified. Galadwen reached out to grab the boy, but her hand simply passed through his arm, as if it was no more solid than smoke. She could do nothing more than stare in horror as the dark figure stepped over the bodies and thrust his sword into the belly of the boy. His screaming stopped then. The figure pulled the sword out of the boy and casually pushed him aside. As the boy toppled to the ground, horrified, Galadwen watched the figure stalked past her. She looked back to the boy, his mouth open in a silent scream, the wide eyes in his burnt face slowly glazed over, and to Galadwen, everything went dark. That had been the first of many terrifying dreams that night until finally, she had awoken screaming in the arms of Nestor.
Unlike that first night, her horror quickly turned into a burning rage. These monsters were a plague on Middle Earth and must be stopped before they destroyed everything that was good.
As much as Galadwen wished to run off and fight orcs, she knew that if an elven army could be defeated by them, she alone would not stand a chance of doing any real good. So reigning in her rage, Galadwen looked again to her quest. The halfling and the dwarves would hopefully end up in the safekeeping of the Elvenking's dungeons. There was little chance of escape and some time before they had to be at the Lonely Mountain. She could spare a few days to help the villagers prepare before she left. But Galadwen was unsure of what she could do to help these people. She was no expert on orcs or fighting them. A month ago she knew less about fighting and surviving outside of Lothlorien than a child. Eel knew more than she had. In the last month, there was a lot she had learned, and perhaps she could pass on some of that knowledge to any of the villagers willing to listen, but deep down, she knew it would not be enough. With a heart heavy with worry, Galadwen awoke to the nearing dawn.
Opening her eyes, Galadwen looked beyond her misting breath to the grey dawn sky. The last of the night stars still glittered above, and not a breath of air stirred the now golden poplar leaves surrounding her. Mist steamed off the black water, hiding the forest swamp in a sea of fog. In the distance, a blackbird issued one long musical note. Then, as if heralded by the blackbird, other birds began to sign their dawn songs. Each bird's individual song combined into a beautiful dawn symphony. The sound of the birds brought some pleasure to Galadwen's heavy heart. She still worried for the people of the Golden Isle. With only a few days to spare, Galadwen feared she would not be able to help them. She would not be able to save Paige.
Remembering her promise to the girl, Galadwen sent the poplar tree a thought of thanks and with renewed strength, jumped to her feet. After securing her weapons, she nimbly descended the tree.
Galadwen found Paige huddled at the foot of the Captains Tree, her breath steaming out from under the hood of a heavy cloak. When the girl saw Galadwen, a smile burst across her face as she ran up to the elf.
"Ya came!" she exclaimed. "I didn't know if ya would."
"Of course I did," Galadwen replied with a warm smile. "Now come, I will try to awaken the trees from the centre of the island."
Galadwen took Paige's hand in her own, and they walked quickly through the misty morning towards the heart of the island. Picking a dry spot under the New Captains Tree, Galadwen removed her weapons before taking a seat on the mossy earth and leaning against the tree trunk. She raised a hand to the trunk and greeted the tree as Paige sat beside her and did the same. Closing her eyes to focus on the tree, Galadwen could feel it's life force flowing under her hand.
Then with a deep breath, Galadwen began to sing the same song of awakening that she had sung to the Black Ash. Her voice sounded strange, even to her own ears, as it travelled through the mist over the island.
Singing of each of the Valar, a thought came to Galadwen's mind as she sang of mighty Yavanna, the Lady of the Earth. One of the stories sung of Yavanna told how she created a forest that was awake. The trees within it could think and feel. But Yavanna feared this forest would be destroyed by Dwarves so asked Eru to protect it from those that would do it harm. And so Ents were created. One of Nestor's songs said that over the years, the trees became more sentient while the Ents became more tree-like. The trees grew in strength, protecting those who lived peacefully within it but destroyed any with black hearts who only knew destruction. Galadwen did not have the power of Eru to create Ents, but it seemed that she had been blessed with the power of Yavanna. The village was surrounded by the forest of Gladden Fields, but to awaken it Galadwen would need all of Yavanna's blessing and perhaps more strength than she possessed.
Looking inward, Galadwen was surprised at how quickly she had healed. Perhaps she would be strong enough. Carefully drawing on her life force, Galadwen focused the energy into her voice. She could feel the life force projecting her song, beyond the island and dark waters around it, and far into the swampy forests of Gladden Fields. As she sang, Galadwen could feel the song draining her. Yet she continued, even as the world around her dimmed to her senses. As the song of creation came to an end, Galadwen started a song of blessings for Yavanna.
Galadwen could feel her life force being drained, and a sudden fear of entering the void to face Malkor's apprentice filled her. But the memory of Paige being tortured kept her singing. While she had strength left, she would do all in her power to prevent that happening. So she continued to sing as her life force was diminished, until finally, with the closing note of her song, Galadwen collapsed against the tree with a weary sigh.
In the eerily still silence that followed, the dawn sun broke over the horizon and lit the mist in a golden glow. Then starting with the poplar at Galadwen's back, the trees began to shake their leaves in the still morning. The noise of rustling leaves continued to build like an oncoming storm until it was so loud it filled even Galadwen's deaden ears. Then almost instantly, the noise stopped and the trees were still once more. Before another eerie silence could settle on the island, the birds restarted their songs of welcoming the new dawn.
With her eyes closed, Galadwen let herself smile as she felt the awakened presence of the New Captain's Tree at her back. She sent it a thought of greeting and thanks as she felt the tree's life force sustain her own nearly depleted reserves.
"Paige," Galadwen whispered. Her voice that had carried the song for miles now struggled to carry but a few feet.
"Yeah, m'lady," Paige replied as she carefully took Galadwen's hand. Galadwen felt the girl's concern in her gesture and wondered if she looked as frail as she felt.
"Can you please ask the leader of your village to come speak with me," Galadwen whispered.
"We don't have no leader, not since Lord Reyol died and his wife and daughters floated down the river after him," Paige said. "Master Mellor thinks he's our mayor but no one listens ta him. They listen ta the Captain though."
"Then please ask the Captain if he would come speak to me," Galadwen whispered. "Then if you would be so kind, I could do with some breakfast."
"Yeah," Paige replied with a gentle squeeze of her hand. "I will m'lady." And then she was gone.
Barely half a dozen laboured breaths later, Galadwen heard the hurried footsteps and excited murmurs of many people approaching around the trunk of the New Captain's Tree. They stopped dead in their tracks at the sight of the elf looking so pale at the foot of the tree. With an effort, Galadwen opened her eyes as a tall and well built young man approached. Galadwen thought he had barely seen twenty winters, but his deep brown eyes told of knowledge beyond his years.
"Captain?" she asked in a whisper.
"Yeah, m'lady," he replied in a deep soft voice. "Ya asked for me? That was ya singin' we all heard?"
"Yes," she whispered as her eyes fluttered closed for a moment. She could force them back open to look into his worried face. "I have awoken the trees of Gladden Fields. As long as you wish to call this forest home, treat them with respect, and they will protect you from the agents of darkness."
"I don't understand m'lady," he replied.
Galadwen could feel the life force of the tree flowing into her, giving her body enough strength to stay conscious. "Burn only dead wood. Cut living trees only when you have to. Care for them, and thank them for their service. In exchange, they will fight with you to destroy any orcs or creatures of darkness who dare step foot within the forest."
As she spoke, Galadwen saw the frown on his face deepen. "But how?" he asked.
Galadwen's eyes fluttered closed again as she gave only a slight head movement at his question. "Rest," was all she could say.
Galadwen felt the warm rough skin of his hands around hers. "We'll talk later," he said. Then after a moment's pause, he released her hands, stood and lead the group of villagers away.
Having expended all of her energy and some of the tree's in her effort to protect the village, Galadwen turned her thoughts inwards. At the rate the tree was giving her its life force, it would use up all its summer energy before the day was though. As she sent it another thought of thanks, Galadwen could feel the trees thoughts as it marvelled at all that it was.
Galadwen opened her eyes at the sound of Paige's return. In her arms, she carried a heavy looking basket, and she was not alone. Eel followed close behind, carefully carrying a jug of mead in each hand.
"I told Ma ya weren't well and she said ta bring as much food as I could carry," Paige said as she set the heavy basket down beside Galadwen.
"I helped," Eel said, carefully putting the two jugs of mead down next to the basket.
"Thank you, the both of you," Galadwen said. She lifted her arm that felt as heavy as a tree trunk and pulled back the cloth on the basket. Inside was a feast. Fresh steaming buns, dried fish, strawberries, blackberries, water cabbage, and a whole pile of leafy greens. Galadwen lifted a bun from the basket, but her arm lost its strength before she could get it to her mouth. Her hand fell to her lap and the bun rolled out of her fingers. Galadwen closed her eyes with a frustrated sigh.
"Let me," Paige offered. Galadwen opened her eyes again to see Paige offering a bun to her mouth, a concerned frown on the girl's face.
"Thank you," Galadwen said before taking a bite of the offered bun. Inside the crusty exterior, it was light and fluffy, and still warm from the oven. The energy required to eat was almost too much for Galadwen, but Paige's patience seemed eternal as she helped Galadwen, one slow bite at a time. Eel watched on, keeping them entertained with his endless advice, commentary, and stories. And so the morning passed, the three of them huddled at the base of the New Captain's Tree, while the rest of the island was abuzz with the news of Galadwen's gift.
It was afternoon by the time Galadwen finally finished all the food Paige and Eel had brought her. The life force from the tree had slowed, and looking up, Galadwen could see the leaves had already turned golden. She could feel her body improved by the food and the gifted energy from the tree. Enough so that she felt strong enough to walk.
"This tree has given me enough," Galadwen said to the children. "Would you help me walk to the next tree?"
Paige and Eel eagerly helped her to her feet, and while Paige offered Galadwen support, Eel proudly carried her weapons. Galadwen could feel the girl struggling under her weight, but she hadn't the strength to ease Paige's burden. Fortunately, it was no more than twenty yards to the next tree.
"Thank you," Galadwen said as she transferred her weight from Paige to the tree trunk. "I will rest here a while."
"We can getchya more food," Eel offered as he gave Galadwen back her weapons.
"Thank you, but no,' Galadwen replied. "I have eaten enough for now. But I expect your Ma could do with some help."
"Fetchin' things for Ma's no fun," Eel complained. "I wanna help ya."
"You would be helping me if you helped your Ma," Galadwen argued. "I've eaten a lot of her bread today, and I'm sure I will eat a lot more before I am recovered. So fetching things like water for your Ma would help her to make more bread for me."
Eel sighed.
"Come on Eel," Paige said, taking him by the hand and trying to lead him away. "She wants ta rest, and can't do that with ya constantly yakkin' in her ear. Besides, we've chores that still need doin'."
Eel turned back to look at Galadwen. "We'll see ya later?" he asked pensively.
Galadwen nodded with an encouraging smile. Satisfied, Eel let Paige lead him away.
As soon as the two children were out of sight, Galadwen gracelessly slid down the tree trunk, collapsing in a heap at the bottom. Exhausted, this is where she stayed.
In a meditative state, Galadwen passed the rest of the day talking silently to the tree while it gifted her its life force. Now the tree was awake, it was less of a one-way conversation. As she told it stories, Galadwen could feel the tree's emotions reacting to them. It enjoyed her elven tales, but she got a stronger reaction with any mention of the villagers. So Galadwen told the tree of all she knew of the people who occupied this island. She told the tree of the villagers she had met, what she knew of their daily lives, and the dangers they faced with the orcs.
When Galadwen opened her eyes at the sound of the Captain's approaching footsteps, the shadows of the trees had grown with the passing of the day. A dappled golden light of the setting sun now shone across her face as she looked up at the Captain. Standing erect, with his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, and an unruly mass of dark hair falling to his shoulders, he had quite an imposing presence as he towered over her. But the look in his eyes and the frown between his heavy brows told of an intelligent and thoughtful man.
"M'lady," the Captain said as he studied her. "I see ya lookin' more alive than this mornin'."
"Yes Captain," Galadwen said with a respectful nod of her head. "We have not been formally introduced. I am Galadwen of the elven realm Lothlorien. I apologise for not rising to greet you properly, but I find I am still weary."
"Not ta worry m'lady, we're not big on fancy manners here. Captain Bray, son of Brack, of the Golden Isle, at ya service, m'lady," he said with a small bow. Galadwen smiled at his manners, as courteous as an elf. "Do ya have a moment ta talk?" he asked.
"Of course," Galadwen replied. "Please sit, and I will answer your questions as best I can."
Captain Bray crouched down as he continued to study her. A silence settled between them. Galadwen waited for him to speak.
"Ya have caused quite a stir m'lady," he finally said. "I've had reports from all who've braved ta venture in ta the forest t'day. There's no doubt that things aren't right. The forest's changed. I've had reports of a branch the size of a man's leg movin' of its own accord, of roots movin' underfoot trippin' men up, and of unnatural sounds. Groans, whispers, and rustlin', that don't belong ta any animal. The bravest men I know, men who've spent their whole lives roamin' about the forest, are now scared ta leave the island."
Galadwen could feel the accusation in the Captain's eyes. "Change is scary," she replied. "But without change, the village will be gone before the end of next winter. There is a growing darkness in this world that threatens to swallow all life. The orc attacks will only get bolder and more frequent. I have seen there are not enough capable fighters to protect the village. You would not have lasted long. But now, you may have a chance at survival."
"How long'll we survive when everyone's too afraid ta enter the forest?" Captain Bray asked with frustration. "It sustains us. We hunt in it, we fish in it, and we farm on the edges of it. If we can't enter it, we'll starve before winter's out."
"Let me take you and any who are willing into the forest. I will show you that there is nothing to be afraid of."
The Captain looked at the ground, shifting uncomfortably. "Ya will not find many willin' ta go," he said quietly. "People fear ya just as much as the forest, m'lady. They say ya brought an evil ta our lands. And only servants of the darkness can bring evil."
Galadwen could feel her heart sink at his words. Her time in the void with the Dark Lord flashed through her mind. We are alike, he had told her. Galadwen dismissed that thought from her mind, but with less conviction than she had felt earlier. Doubt lingered like a bad smell.
"Will you come with me?" Galadwen asked with uncertainty.
"Yeah," he replied firmly, finally looking her in the eyes again. "And I'll do what I can ta persuade others ta come also."
Galadwen breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you," she said. "We can go tomorrow at dawn."
"Aye," he replied with a nod. "It'll be arranged."
The Captain stood and looked around him. They were in shadow now, but the setting sun lit the leaves of the poplar trees around them. Some still the green of summer and others glowed bright gold.
"Do ya have somewhere ta sleep t'night?" he asked.
"I will find another tree to spend the night against," Galadwen replied.
"Begging ya pardon m'lady, but I don't think that'd be wise," the Captain said, scratching the stubble on his chin. "Ta be out in the open that is."
"The island is safe from orcs," Galadwen replied with certainty.
"That may be, but it's not orcs that concern me," Captain Bray said. "The villagers are afraid. When they're afraid, they drink ta hide their fear. And a group of drunk men can do things under the cover of night that they'll regret come mornin'."
Galadwen's eyes grew wide in surprise. She did not know men were capable of being one thing during the day and another thing at night. Galadwen knew that in her weakened state, she would be no match for even untrained men.
"Don't fear m'lady, my kid sister has heard all about ya from Eel and Paige," he said with a reassuring smile. "She and Ma will take ya in for the night. Come, I'll introduce ya."
Galadwen grasped the Captain's offered hand and he gently pulled her to her feet. As Galadwen slung her weapons over her shoulder she was happy to note that although her legs were weak, they were steady. With a nod to the Captain, she followed him into the growing twilight.
As twilight changed into night, the Captain led her in a wide berth around the Tavern Tree. It was a beacon of light and noise in the growing dark. Offering a sense of safety, the villagers swarmed to it, like moths to a flame. Captain Bray was on high alert, eyes continuously scanning the dark. He often stopped, hiding them in the darker shadows of a tree as villagers passed. Galadwen shifted with unease and kept close to the Captain. On the far side of the island, they finally approached a poplar tree with a smaller lean-to than most. Galadwen could see the Captain relax as he knocked on the low door frame before ducking and entering. Following close behind, Galadwen entered the small lean-to.
The first thing Galadwen noticed as her eyes adjusted to the light was the smell of a hot fish stew. At a small cook fire on the outer wall of the lean-to, a young woman was crouched, tending to a stew pot over the flames. Behind her sat an old frail woman, hunched in a rocking chair, leaning over a fishing net laid across her lap. More nets hung from the walls behind her. Galadwen froze in surprise when the frail woman looked up as they entered. An old ugly scar crossed the woman's face from her right cheek, across a flattened nose, over a hollow socket where her left eye should have been, and ended above her left eyebrow. With the light from the cook fire casting flickering shadows across her face, it made for a frightful sight. That was until she smiled. It didn't make her face any less ugly, if anything, the tightening of the scar made it look frightful. But the warmth that filled her only eye at the sight of her son made all her other features disappear into the background.
"Ma," the Captain said, raising his right hand and placing it over his heart. "Let me introduce Galadwen of Lothlorien."
The woman's eye moved to Galadwen, and the smile returned, as warm as it had been for her son. "Welcome, m'lady," the woman said.
"Galadwen," Captain Bray said. "This is my Ma, Tulla, and this is my kid sister Misha."
Galadwen gave them both a small bow. "Thank you for opening your home to me," she said.
"Of course m'lady," Tulla said. "We all know men're afraid of change, but not us women. We know change well. So when the weak men let fear take control of 'em, we'll keep our good sense."
"Ma," Captain Bray said with a sigh.
"Oh not all men," Tulla replied with another smile for her son. "But that's what marks the difference between a great man and all the rest. And you, my Bray, are a great man."
The captain approached Tulla, bent down and kissed her forehead. "I think most Ma's say the same of their sons," he said. "But before we argue further, I need ta return ta patrol."
"But won't ya at least stay for supper?" Misha asked, looking up from her pot.
"Not t'night, Misha," he said with a small shake of his head. "Those frightened men need someone ta watch over 'em. Make sure they don't do anythin' stupid. We can ill afford ta lose men by banishment."
"Very true," Tulla said. "Be safe Bray."
"As always, Ma," Bray replied with another kiss on her forehead. Then with a loving smile for his sister and a nod for Galadwen, he ducked out of the lean-to.
Galadwen watched him leave, then looked around her, unsure on what to do.
"Come closer m'lady," Tulla said. "Let me get a good look at ya. My old eyes aren't what they used ta be. Only seem ta work half as well."
The woman seemed to be waiting expectantly, so Galadwen approached her.
"No laugh?" Tulla asked. "Not even a smile." Galadwen kept the frown from her face as she tried to understand what this woman was expecting of her. "The problem with losin' an eye is that I'm half as likely ta see it again," Tulla said with a wink. Galadwen just stared at her.
"Still nothin'," Tulla said with a disappointed sigh. "I take it elves aren't big on humour?" she asked.
"Ma," Misha said from her spot by the fire. "No one is big on ya humour. Not even the fish."
"That's not true," Tulla protested. "Black flounder get my humour. They know what it's like ta only see the world from one side. That's what makes me such a good fisherwoman, they jump in ta my net ta show their appreciation."
"Are ya sure ya not just scarin' 'em in ta ya net with that so-called sense of humour?" Misha asked.
"I don't know," Tulla mused as she rubbed at the scar on her cheek. "I've never asked them."
Misha just rolled her eyes before turning back to her stew.
Tulla smiled at her daughter's reaction before turning her attention back to Galadwen. "Now m'lady, a little closer if ya please. I promise I won't bite."
Galadwen approached Tulla and knelt down beside her creaking rocking chair. Up close, the scar dominating Tulla's face looked more horrendous than it had from a distance. A patchwork of pink and white scar tissue, pulling and stretching at her facial features, distorting them in unnatural ways. Tulla studied her with her remaining eye while Galadwen tried not to stare at the scar.
"Paige was right," Tulla finally said. "There's no darkness in ya m'lady."
"How can you be so sure?" Galadwen asked her.
"Because ya aren't," Tulla replied. "Darkness grows fastest in those who're absolutely convinced they know what's best for themselves and for the good of all. But I see the doubt in ya eyes. Ya are unsure, and so ya question ya-self. As long as ya continue ta question ya actions, darkness'll struggle ta grow."
Galadwen frowned at Tulla. Her words sounded wise, and she wanted to believe her, but if what she had learned of men was correct, this woman was nearly half Galadwen's age. How could someone so young be wise?
"But that's not saying darkness won't grow," Tulla continued. "For just as disease can take even the healthiest of men, darkness can corrupt even the purest."
"Ma," Misha protested. "That's enough talk of disease and darkness." She approached them with a steaming bowl of stew. "Eat ya supper and give our guest some peace."
Tulla took the offered bowl from her daughter with a grin. "My Ma used to warn me that one day I'd have children that'd boss me around in old age as I did her. Oh, how pleased I am that she was right, and how much I hope the same for ya, Misha."
"Oh Ma," Misha replied with a fond smile for her mother. "Please take a seat m'lady," she said gesturing to a three-legged stool next to the tree trunk.
Galadwen sat on the offered stool and Misha handed her a bowl of stew before taking a seat with her own steaming bowl. A contented silence filled the small lean-to, broken only by the crackle of the fire, as Galadwen and the two women enjoyed the rich fish stew. Galadwen gratefully took a second and a third helping of stew while the two women continued with their evening routine in comfortable silence. Tulla knotted her net while Misha stripped long fibres off reeds, then broke those down further until they were fine enough to be used for netting. Galadwen leaned back into the tree trunk, and after sending it a silent thought of greeting, she let her eyes drift closed. Listening to the quiet rhythmic sounds of the women work, Galadwen could feel the life force of the tree start to flow into her.
"M'lady," Misha said, "I'll be goin' up ta bed now. Ma will be sleepin' down here so the first room up is spare for ya. Or if ya prefer, I'll make up another cot for ya down here with Ma."
"I'll sleep down here, but there is no need for a cot. The dry earth against the trunk here will do nicely," Galadwen replied with a warm smile.
Misha shrugged. "As ya wish. Ya can bar the door behind me, and as long as ya don't open it until mornin', ya'll be safe enough."
"Not that anyone would disturb me," Tulla said.
"Most of the men are nearly as afraid of Ma as they are of ya," Misha confirmed with a grin. "She likes ta think it's the scar and missing eye, but it's really her sharp tongue that scares 'em."
"I'd give 'em a what for," Tulla agreed.
Misha gave her Ma a kiss then left after showing Galadwen how to bar the door behind her.
After baring the door, Galadwen settled herself against the tree truck while Tulla climbed into her cot. The reassuring feeling of the bark against Galadwen's back and the familiar feeling of the life force that flowed through her from the tree was nearly as comforting as Nestor's singing. With a homesick sigh, Galadwen closed her eyes and entered her dreaming.
Galadwen opened her eyes and jumped at the sight of Tulla's face hovering over her. Galadwen felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment as she remembered what, or rather who, she had been dreaming of.
After looking to her quest, then at the village's future, Galadwen had indulged herself by watching the blonde elf. It was different from how she watched others in the future, always looking for clues or ways to help or save. But with him, she watched for her own pleasure. She watched the way his mouth quirked and his eyes sparkled in constant amusement. His big smile that was never far from his lips filled her with warmth. Galadwen knew it was not right, she felt like a predator stalking her prey, but yet she still could not help herself. He was the balm that eased her fears and calmed her soul.
"Sorry, m'lady, I know my face isn't the nicest thing ta wake up ta. I've been tryin' ta wake ya for a while. It's mornin' m'lady," Tulla said. "Bray is waitin' for ya at the jetty on the other side of the island with our village's bravest."
Galadwen jumped to her feet, nearly knocking Tulla over. "I should not keep them waiting."
"Nonsense m'lady," Tulla replied. "They can wait a while longer. When the men see how many woman and children are willin' ta go in ta the forest with ya, pride 'ill beat fear and they'll be comin' too. So just wait and have somethin' ta eat."
Tulla handed Galadwen a bowl of last night's stew before directing her to the stool. "Ya can walk me over when ya done," Tulla added.
"You are coming too?" Galadwen asked in surprise.
"I wouldn't miss it for even a king trout," Tulla replied. "Now eat up."
Galadwen did as she was told, and ate her bowl of stew as quickly as good manners allowed. Soon she was walking across the island with Tulla's firm grip on her arm. The old woman had implied that she needed to be guided so she wouldn't trip, but as her steady strides seemed far from faltering, Galadwen suspected she had an ulterior motive. Those suspicions grew as the people they passed all stopped their work to watch Galadwen and Tulla.
"Pay them no mind," Tulla said quietly as they walked. "Oh, what a stir ya have made," she said with a grin and wink. "The pot needs ta be stirred now and then."
Galadwen frowned as she wondered if this was more of Tulla's humour that she did not understand. But she didn't have time to dwell on it, as just then the jetty came into view. Well, Galadwen couldn't actually see it for all the villagers waiting there. At the sight of Galadwen, Paige and Eel came running up to her with the abandon of the innocent, followed by Bray at a more dignified pace. Galadwen could see the excitement bubbling out of them, and it brought a smile to her face.
"Ya will never believe it," Eel said to her as soon as he was close enough for her to hear. "I had night terrors last night, but that ain't new. I've had 'em every night since the strawberry field. But this time, when I woke up, I could feel the tree swaying. A gentle sway, tellin' me I was safe. Our tree rocked me back ta sleep, just like what Ma used ta do when I was little."
"Like she did two days ago," Paige said with a grin.
"I am glad," Galadwen said with a warm smile for Eel.
"Will the forest be like that?" Eel asked her.
"I hope so," Galadwen replied uncertainly as she remembered her dreaming. There was a chance that it could go terribly wrong and all Bray's fears would come true. But there was also a chance that the forest would protect the villagers as she hoped. Galadwen adjusted her weapons nervously. So much of the villagers' futures would depend on today. She had seen what had to be done, but there was only so much that she could do. The rest depended on the villagers.
"Well we'll see soon enough," Bray said with a smile that did not reach the tightness in his eyes. He was nervous, and Galadwen knew that he had good reason to be. Bray gestured for Galadwen to follow him, as he led the way through the crowd of people to the jetty.
There were canoes, rafts, and boats of all descriptions tied up to the jetty, five or six deep. Misha was standing on the end of the jetty and greeted Galadwen with a warm smile.
"If it pleases ya, m'lady, I'll take ya in ta the forest in my canoe," Misha said.
Galadwen returned her warm smile and nodded agreement. Misha turned, and with the grace and balance of someone far more confident on the water than Galadwen, she stepped across the bobbing boats to a canoe tied to the edge of the floating island of vessels. Galadwen followed slowly, trying not to rock the boats. These people saw her as an elf, but she was all too aware that she was only half elf. And not the graceful half, unless she used her life force. But with her strength not yet recovered, Galadwen resisted the urge to draw on it for the sake of her pride. Stepping from a raft into the canoe, the little boat tipped and slipped away from her. If not for Misha's quick weight shift and firm grip as she pulled Galadwen onboard, it would have been an embarrassing, not to mention cold and wet trip into the forest.
With Galadwen seated at the bow of the canoe and Misha at the stern, Bray seated himself in the centre. People were now swarming the jetty as they boarded their own vessels. The boats rocked with all the movement, causing water to splash up between them. Galadwen's fingers gripped the edge of the canoe as it forcefully bobbed about with the island of vessels. Slower than Galadwen liked, but faster than she could have done herself, Misha untied the canoe and pushed them off into the calm dark water.
In no time at all, the group of villagers were on the water, with not one of them having taken an unwanted dip, despite all the commotion. With a nod from Bray, Misha picked up her paddle and started them towards the forest. They crossed the wide expanse of dark water and entered one of the narrow channels that wound through the Gladden Fields.
As the trees closed in around them, Galadwen reached out a hand and touched a passing branch. She could feel it's consciousness as she sent it a thought of greeting. Galadwen could feel uncertainty coming from the tree but it was out of her reach before she could ease its concerns. There was a tension in the forest that was almost suffocating to Galadwen. The villagers seemed to sense it too, as the excited group and gone eerily quiet. No one stirred. The only sound was that of paddles gently moving through the water.
Galadwen reached out to touch another branch as they passed. She sent it a greeting of peace and could almost see the tree relax. The forest only needed some reassurance. It's conscious was new, it was only just discovering what it was, and did not know if these people were friend or foe. The forest was wary. Talking to each tree as they passed was helping, but it would take many moons to talk to every tree in the forest. But Galadwen knew of another way to talk to the trees. She started to sing of family and friendship, of working together in peace and harmony, of depending on each other. Galadwen dared not use her life force to project her voice, so it did not carry far from the canoe. But she sang until her mouth was dry and her notes were no longer clear and true.
As Galadwen's voice failed, another silence fell on the procession of villagers floating through Gladden Fields. Galadwen could feel the tension building again in both the forest and villagers alike. She waited, holding her breath, hoping. Then from the middle of the silent procession, a rich voice rang out clear and loud.
"Oh ho ya trees we call home,
Tall and mighty ya stand strong,
Better than a tower of stone,
On the Golden Isle."
"Ma," said Bray with a proud smile, before he too started to sing. By the third verse, every one of the villagers in their procession was singing. Galadwen could feel the forest listening as she continued to touch the overhanging branches they passed. When the song finished, there was only a brief pause before someone else started up a song about catching a king trout in the shade of the forest. As they sang, Galadwen smiled when she noticed that some of the children started to reach out and touch the trees as she did. By the time the procession finished their third song, many of the adults were doing the same.
The sun was overhead when at the close of the sixth song, Misha pulled the canoe up to a bank. She jumped out and tied it to a tree root sticking out of the mud. Bray got out and Galadwen accepted his offered hand as she followed him. The procession of boats of all descriptions swarmed around the canoe and the muddy bank. Each tying onto the other before the villagers nimbly climbed over the vessels to reach land.
As she watched in amazement, Galadwen felt Bray's large hand on her arm.
"I'm goin' ta check if Wheat Field is safe," Bray said, scratching his chin. "I'm not too proud ta ask for backup from a woman, if ya willin'."
"Of course," Galadwen replied with a smile. Bray nodded and led her into the forest.
As they followed a track, Galadwen took her bow in hand and checked the string. It was looking a little worn. Galadwen mentally chided herself. She would need to take better care of it.
"I owe ya an apology," Bray said as he rubbed the back of his neck. "And a debt of gratitude. I think ya were right. This forest'll help us."
"Your concerns were valid," Galadwen replied, "But tomorrow we will see how well the forest will help."
"What'd ya mean?" Bray asked.
"Orcs will attack tomorrow," Galadwen said with certainty. "Although I don't know this forest so I cannot say where, I do know there will be nearly a dozen orcs."
Bray stopped and stared at her. Shock filled his face as his hand tightened on his sword hilt. "How?" he asked. "How'd ya know this?"
Galadwen could see the fear in his eyes and realised that perhaps telling him was not the correct course. Just because Toron had been so understanding did not mean that others would be. But it was too late now, she had to tell him. "I can see the future," Galadwen said simply. "It is not easy to make sense of, but that is how I knew the village would not survive to next winter unless I did something. I have seen that orcs will attack some of your village women tomorrow. Fisherwomen I think, but I am not sure."
Bray stared at her from under a lowered brow. "It's believed that only servants of darkness can tell fortunes," Bray said as he continued to stare at her. His eyes were searching her face for something. Galadwen didn't know if he saw what he was looking for, but after a moment he seemed to relax. "But a servant of darkness wouldn't help us, and despite what many say, I believe ya want ta help." Bray gave a weary sigh. "So I believe ya. But unless ya want ta cause more trouble, keep ya fortune tellin' to ya-self."
Bray waited for her nod of affirmation before he turned and continued along the track. Following close behind, Galadwen could see the light of a clearing up ahead. Sure enough, they soon stepped out of the dim forest into the bright midday sun. They stood on the edge of a golden wheat field, rimmed by the dark forest.
"This path," Bray said as he pointed out the faint markings of a track that intersected the well-worn one they had followed. "It goes 'round Wheat Field. Follow it that way, and keep an eye out for signs of orcs. They've ambushed us here once before. We'll meet on the far side."
Galadwen did as he asked, and set out along the track. It followed the edge of the forest, keeping in the shade of the trees. She did not know what signs of orcs Bray was talking about, Galadwen only hoped that she would know the signs if she saw them. Galadwen saw signs of many things, the scratchings of birds, tracks of small rodents, diggings and scat from rabbits, but nothing that seemed out of place. Knowing the limits in her tracking knowledge, Galadwen referred to the trees. Walking from tree trunk to tree trunk along the path, Galadwen greeted the tree and asked for any news of orcs. When finally she made it around to the far side of the clearing, Bray was standing there with a scowl shadowing his face.
"Was anythin' wrong?" he asked gruffly.
"No," Galadwen replied as she approached him. "I saw no sign of orcs, and the trees had no news of them."
"Hmph," he replied, then started striding across the field through the golden knee-high wheat.
Galadwen hurried to catch up. "Is something the matter?" she asked.
"I don't know what ta make of ya," he replied with a sigh. "Ya are strange, ya can do strange things, and ya have made our forest strange. I know ya say ya tryin' ta help, and I believe that ya are tryin'. But I don't see how any of this'll help."
"You will see tomorrow," Galadwen replied.
"Yeah, t'morrow. Ya say there is going ta be an orc attack, so I can't rightly let anyone go about their business t'morrow. But if I don't, they'll ask why, and I can't rightly tell them that you've seen their future or your life'll be on my hands. Ya got me stuck in an eddy and I don't know if I should let it pull me down or take ya offered branch and pull ya in with me."
"Do not worry yourself over my safety," Galadwen said. "I will leave after I have seen everyone is safe from the attack tomorrow."
"Leave?" Bray asked with another frown. "But ya can't be well enough ta travel yet."
"I am not, but by tomorrow I should be," Galadwen replied.
"Where are ya going?"
"To continue my journey to the elven kingdom in Mirkwood."
"But it's not safe," Bray protested. "Ya can't travel so far alone."
Galadwen felt relieved when the sound of loud singing interrupted their conversation. The procession of villagers emerged from the forest, gayly singing another fishing song. As the song finished, the villagers fanned out into the field. They sat in small groups, with only heads showing above the golden wheat. Eel came running up to Galadwen.
"Will ya eat with us?" he asked her eagerly. Galadwen agreed and as Eel took her hand, she let herself be led away. Looking back, she saw Bray frowning after her.
Eel lead her to a spot on the edge of the field, where Paige, a girl and boy about Eel's age and three old fisherwomen were sitting, spreading food out between them. Galadwen quickly recognised one of the fisherwomen as Joan.
"This's Sissy, Dill, Joan, Sara, and Gran'ma Tilly," Eel said, pointing to each of the group in turn. "And this here is Galadwen, she's an elf, and my friend."
"Mine too," Paige added.
"Won't ya sit and join us," said Gran'ma Tilly. Galadwen did as invited. It felt nice to be so included. Eel and Sissy entertained them all with stories while they ate. The younger children soon ran off into the field to play. Paige sat with the women a little longer, before the delighted yells of the other children drew her off as well. Galadwen sat with the three old fisherwomen, talking with them while they watched the children play. A warm glow of pleasure filled Galadwen. At that moment she felt alive, happy, and content.
AN: I apologise for the year-long wait for this chapter. Apparently renovating and having a baby don't leave much time or energy for writing.
A huge thank you to Aerinia and A Deathless Song for your kind reviews!