Languages:
'Valari words/ or Erika's mother tongue'
"Quenya/Sindarin"
"Westron/Common tongue"
"Others"
Disclaimer: LOTR and Silmarillion are properties of J.R.R. Tolkien and Tolkien Estates. None of the songs used in the story are mine too and only borrowed for entertainment purposes.
Chapter 12:
The blessed one
Last night, I got back to the manor without any trouble at all which is a relief. I admit I was still a little wary of old man Ossë's offer of help, I think that was a normal response right? I took steps towards the ocean while looking behind my back as if he would do something crazy like call people for them to see what I look like.
I know, I know, that was a dick move but let's not be a hypocrite, okay? Trust is a hard thing to give especially if you're in my situation and that guy is practically a stranger. Like who in their right mind would just do that instantly? But after hours and I went back to the land to dry myself, I realized he really was sincerely helping me. Just like how the elves just simply accepted me and helped me. Wow.
Today is unusually quiet and the only familiar face I saw was the elleth from the Healing Halls. I believe her name was Edraith, and she was a very nice lady and was very intrigued to see that my injuries are about to be fully healed. She stated it must be a blessing from the Valars and that I am very lucky to receive their favors. Honestly, I have no idea how to perceive the concepts of these famed higher beings. The elves take them as their gods, a contradiction from my own beliefs but either way I'm respecting it. I am in a different world, I can't deny that fact anymore. I have to move on from my culture shock.
I was thinking of what to do with my day when Anauriel came by my room carrying more clothes and this time she was carrying sets of dark colors. I was amazed to see her works and to think she made this manually with her hands.
"How many clothes have you finished within the whole day and night?!" I asked as she pushed a dark blue dress in my hand and asked me to try it on. If my count was correct, I have five shirts, five pants, and five dresses. There were also five pairs of silk slippers and one pair of knee high boots.
"Oh, the footwears were created by our talented cobblers, it was mended for your size. The dresses were just altered so there is nothing much to do. Would you try that blue dress on, please?"
"And here I am I can barely stitch a whole in my pants." I said to myself but I guess Anauriel heard it as she chuckled. "Wait, that means you didn't even get a wink of sleep the whole night."
"Worry not, dear one. The eldar's hröa does not work like the body of edain. Our body can rest even while we are walking and we can function for days even without sleep." She said while checking out which slipper might look good with the dress I'm trying to put on.
"Oh, wow. That's gotta be really convenient." But I love sleeping. I guess I'm sticking with my pillows and blanket. The dress however looked really good, I'm starting to get used to the length and weight. "I don't mean to sound ungrateful, okay, but why didn't you sleep? I mean, these dresses can wait, I'm in no hurry and I still got a lot of them in the cabinet. Is there something that's bothering you or are you really just passionate about your craft?"
Anauriel froze, her hands stopped laying the dresses down in the bed and for a while emotions were painted in her face. She eventually sighs as she gives me a faint smile. "I admire how you are so straightforward, my lady. I just hope that like you, I have that same courage to voice what my heart desires."
"Well, where I am from we have a saying that life is too short. It might sound weird for you guys who can live for thousands of years, but men got a short time to live. We ain't got forever. There's no time for doubting and every moment that ticks by is very important. So if you want to say something to someone, don't hesitate." I much appreciate this saying now more than before as I remember the faces of my friends and family. Will I ever see them again? I'm not letting my hopes go.
The elleth's cheeks flushed red and I guess I hit a spot. "W-what are you talking about, Erika? I-I am thinking of no one." Oh, yeah. Say that when you are not being such a mess.
"You suck at lying by the way."
The elleth groaned. "You are evil." I laughed out loud when she sat down on the bed and hid her red face with the skirt of a dress she is holding. This elf who is possibly older than my grandmother is acting like a love sick teenager.
"You got it bad." If only the subject of her affections was not acting like a total pussy, their relationship could go into a higher level. "Then why don't you say your feelings directly to him? Faeron is denser than a rock and dumb enough to believe that social standing is a big matter." Or is it? Is it against their social norms? Well, for me it's not but it won't hurt to ask.
"Am I really that obvious?"
I smiled. "You're not really doing a good job hiding it when you are in front of him." The elf groaned. I sat next to her in the bed and put an arm around her awkwardly, the elleth might not be as tall as Glorfindel or the other elves but I still look as puny as a green pea next to her. "Why don't we practice? Picture me as Faeron. What would you want to say to me?" I quirk my eyebrows as a signal that she may start.
She thought for a while. "Mae govannen?"
"Was that a confession?"
"No, silly girl, I greeted him."
"Okay, that's a start. What's next then?" I look up to her. When seconds passed and she's still blank out of ideas, I smiled teasingly at her. "Look, it won't do any damage if you at least be honest with what you truly wanted. I heard from my source that you are engaged with someone. I mean no offense but, If you never had romantic feelings with your fiancè then why did you accept the marriage proposal? Did anyone or anybody forced you to it?"
Anauriel smiled, it looked a bit strange as it tinged her beautiful face with half sadness and half fondness. "I accepted it not by force, dear Erika. Caramir and I have been friends since we were young elflings. He is a kind and sensible ellon. Have I not met Faeron I would not have second thoughts on having Caramir as my spouse. Our promise of marriage has been mutual since before and even as he found out that my heart is yearning for another person, he never took it against me and told me that I could have my freedom back if I simply wish it. But, Faeron has never shown any signs that he feels the same way as I did. He is courteous and respectful as anyone whom I have acquainted yet there is none beyond that."
So the fiancè's a reasonable guy. I'm seriously fighting myself not to roll my eyes because of frustration. I'm itching to spill the beans but that would be disrespectful on Faeron's side. I shook my head subconsciously. This situation is just like the telenovelas back at home.
"Since when have you been feeling this way towards that doof?" I stood up and reached for the glass of juice that an attendant had given me earlier and took a sip. I need to chill or I might skewer Faeron with a barbecue stick the next time I see him for being dumb.
"You mean Faeron?" She might not know what a doof is. "It was at the start of summer thirty five years ago."
The juice I'm currently drinking came up to my nose and sprayed out of my mouth in shock. I coughed miserably. "Thirty five years?!" Their meeting was years ahead than the day I was born and yet still nothing progressed? How loyal is this woman with her feelings?
Anauriel came up to me and rubbed her hand at my back. "Was it that shocking?"
"Are you kidding me? Girl, I was born twenty eight years ago. Don't you have any plans to say it straight on his face?"
"I have no courage, mellon nin. My heart would not be able to take it if I hear rejection from his lips." I sighed loudly as I watched her beautiful face become tinted with sadness.
My train of thoughts was cut when somebody knocked on the door. Thinking it was Edraith who promised to return and give me a healing tea, I opened the door without any second thoughts only to be surprised to see the one I'm planning to skewer standing in front of me, as tall and as shiny as any elf in this city. I was about to greet him when I noticed that his left arm was wrapped in a bandage and there was a slight bruising in his upper left temple.
"Hey, who the fuck bullied you?" I asked him, indignant and worried at the same time. I reached out to touch his arm to check it.
"Do not worry, penneth, it is only a minor injury. The battle was fierce but we managed to take back the city from the enemies." He said with a smile as if trying to reassure me that he is fine. "More importantly, I thought we already talked about your vulgar manner of speech? It is unbecoming of a lady to spout such foul words."
"Are you my dad now?" His retaliation was halted when he saw Anauriel standing just behind me with the same worried expression that I had earlier.
"Greetings, my lady."
"You are injured. Have you visited the Healing Halls already?" She said, almost as if she was whispering.
Faeron gave her a court smile. "It is hardly a serious one. Lord Nestaron was only insistent on having it wrapped as I was tasked to return to the city and deliver a report to Milord Círdan." The ellon reached into the satchel in his hip and took out what looked like a thick envelope made of parchment. "And also to deliver a letter for our resident midget."
"For me?" I stepped towards him and took the letter. There was no return address but there is a wax seal on it with a flower stamp, there are words written on its other side. Which I found so weird because I can read it. Confusion came to me as to why I can recognize the letter written on the thick paper even though I had never studied the language of this continent. Come to think of it, why can I even understand them? I only realized it now that these people can converse with me in a language I can understand. Although the language of the elves is still foreign, it never really occurred to me that these people use the same universal language that I use. How come they knew a language that came from my world?
To Milady Erika. It says in the letter written in such elegant penmanship that my own handwriting would look like a third grader's scribbles that were scratched by an angry chicken.
"Thank you, Faeron." I took a step back and invited him to come inside but he refused.
"I thank you, my ladies, but I must not linger for I have tasks to finish. I have to return to the city of Mamgobel as soon as I can."
"Was the situation really dire?" Anauriel asked in concern.
"It was a sad tragedy. Right now we are setting a temporary camp for the people who had their homes burned down by the orcs. Our initial priority was to treat the injured people and warriors. As the attack had already begun when we arrived at the city. My heart is broken for many people have perished."
I gasped at the news and my mind blanked out for a moment. I remember being told that orcs are just plain evil creatures, but it never occured to me how far their madness could go. My eyes landed on the letter in my hand. With haste, I pulled the wax seal and tore the envelope open. I unfurled the delicate paper inside of it and read the words written in the same graceful penmanship.
Milady Erika
I pray to the Valars that you are well. I am writing this down while resting in my camp and thinking about what to say, it saddens me that the first letter I have given to you brings such tragic news. The son of Feredir must have told you already that the city of peaceful sheep herders, Mamgobel has been sacked by the remaining minions of Sauron, our enemy. More than hundreds of people perished including women and children.
My heart sunk as I read that particular last sentence. Here I was wondering what could get me out of my boredom while the others were fighting a war. This added to the weight of realizing the reality that I am in. I'm not new with violence, I see them in the news almost everyday. Somebody was mugged, someone was murdered, one was abducted. Those things that happened only through the lens of my TV have brought me sadness before. The weight of war is unfamiliar to me. Unlike natural disaster, a war is something that people decided to do. The pain that's inflicted to the people was intentional.
My hands that held the letter shook.
We might not have casualties on our side but there were elves who suffered injuries. I sent Sir Faeron to gather food and medicine as much as he can as well as people that could help us restore the life in the city. We need to give the free people a hope and this would have taken me days before I can return back to the city. When I see you again, melwen, I hope you can tell me more about your story.
Until then, please take care.
Glorfindel
This is the part where I wish that phones existed. I wanted to give him a return call and ask him how he is doing. How is everybody doing? Is Ms. Heledh and Nestaron safe? These words are enough for me to imagine how bad the situation is.
"What is it, mellon nin?" Anauriel asked with a concerned voice.
"It was the same as Faeron said. Lord Glorfindel told me a bit of what happened."
"Milord Glorfindel?" I nodded and the two elves looked at each other meaningfully.
"I will only be here until the preparations are finished." Faeron told us after a minute of silence.
"I could gather at least some warm blankets for the people. We have crocheted garments and clothes that can be used by everyone." Says Anauriel to Faeron the shyness has now disappeared in her eyes. Her attention is now in the situation and for sure, with her kindness and passion, she is now thinking about what she can contribute.
"That would be wonderful."
"Will you come with me to the seamstresses?"
Faeron nodded. "Would you like to come with us, penneth?"
I shook my head. "No, thanks. I-uh… I have something to do. I'll catch you guys later."
Faeron pinched my cheek gently and Anauriel gave me a smile before they left. Of course, I'm not just gonna sit here and do nothing. At least I have nothing to do, no work to miss and no parents to argue. I need to speak with the Lord Círdan.
With the letter in hand, I left my room and searched for the old elf's office.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Galdor's strides might not be at haste but he was surely faster than usual, the preparations for the Lord Glorfindel's request for assistance was about to be finished. There are kind people who volunteered to go and offer their help and most of them are healers and builders. The seamstresses also gave away some of the things they have like clothings, dresses, blankets and quilts. They will depart by the sunset with the city's knights to escort them. Feredir himself would lead them and the task for the city's safety would fall in the hands of Galdor.
He reached the big doors of his lord's workroom. He was about to knock and announce himself when the heavy doors opened and a young woman appeared in his sight.
"Thank you, sir! I promise I will not get myself into trouble." She said waving to his lord energetically. There are no etiquettes in her actions but what Galdor likes about her was her respectful tone and treatment of others. The young lady turned around and smiled when their eyes met.
"Greetings to you, young lady." Galdor gave her a curt smile.
"Oh, hello there, Lord Galdor." Erika greeted back and unlike his small smile, she was beaming brightly. In all his years, Galdor has never heard such forms of greetings before. Does ¹'hello' have the same meaning as their own greeting in her native tongue? He remembers his wife saying that the young lady in her care has a very interesting mother language. "I'll see you again next time, sir, I'm gonna have to fix my stuff."
"Alright, young one. Be on your merry way." She gave him a wave before she pranced away, literally bouncing on her feet. "Does Milord know the reason why the young Erika is in high spirits?"
Círdan gave Galdor an amused smile. "She practically begged me to let her join the aides we will send to Mamgobel."
Galdor was surprised. "The city now is no place for a young woman to visit, especially for her who just recovered from a life threatening injuries, Milord, did you grant her the permission?"
"She insisted on offering her help and I admit the young girl was starting to have a soft spot in my heart like a granddaughter I never had.²"
"Milord, was that enough reason to let her go in a place that might be attacked once more?" Galdor could almost sound exasperated but he tried not to show that in front of his lordship.
"Young Erika apparently received a letter from the son of Findis."
He was ready to rebuke the old ellon about the risks of letting Erika go but what he said made him stop. "Well that was unusual."
Círdan's eyes were shining from something that Galdor was already starting to slightly understand. Sending a personal letter to someone aside from those who are closest to him was something that the ellon in their legends has rarely done. Glorfindel has always been a valiant person, always acted in his instinct to protect and has never shown any interest in someone enough for him to send a personal letter. That also piqued his interest. But as a father and a grandfather, was that enough reason to allow her to go?
"I can almost sense what you are thinking, my friend. Come and sit with me." He did as he was told, the old ellon poured a lavender tea on another cup and handed it over to Galdor. He accepted it with a murmur of gratitude. "Erika has opened slightly about herself today. Apparently the young lady has a kind heart and said that she once volunteered to help her people when a natural disaster has hit their land, stating that she is a decent cook and can provide random help to others. She made it look like she did it out of her whims but also said that she cannot sit around and do nothing. Of course, I inquired about her health. That will always be my first concern. She told me, however, that she is 'as healthy as a horse'." The lord of Lindon said with a twinkle in his eyes.
Galdor chuckled and shook his head while sipping his warm tea. "She never ceases to amuse me with her bizarre speech. None of the ladies whom I know would ever compare themselves to a horse."
"I believe a certain someone would keep an eye on her. A wise that he is, he might not have realized yet the situation he is in right now."
"It is quite early to speculate, milord. And I believe that there are more reasons for you to accept her request. Was it something nobody, not even I can know?" Galdor has sensed it. It might be related to the young woman's origin and since he can see amusement in his lord's expressions, he assumes it is not something that would concern the safety of the Grey Havens nor related to anything evil. Erika might still be reluctant to share it to the others yet.
Círdan grunted in a roguish way. "I admit, she persuaded me in an unexpected way but right now It is early for me to speak about it. In time, my friend. I would tell you about it. The matter of this young woman might be bigger than we imagine."
Though filled with curiosity and maybe a little concern for the girl, Galdor only responded with a single nod and accepted his lordship's reason. He left the subject alone and brought forth the matter of his visit and gave the old elf his reports.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
I never bothered to check myself for a second time in the mirror because I know that by the next hours I'll be out on the road. I chose to wear the shirt and the pants that Anauriel gave me and for the first time since I was clothed, I wasn't worried about tripping myself. The pants were like a casual and a little bit loose skinny jeans that's made from a soft and sturdy fabric. I would've prefered it with rubber shoes but the dark brown leather boots were also not bad, it was surprisingly comfortable and soft inside. I'm just not really used to using a footwear that reaches two and a half inches below the knee. My creamy white shirt is also loose and super comfortable with a long sleeve. It has this dark green leafy embroidery that looks really fancy and wooden buttons in the chest area, which I left open. It reached till my hips so I decided to tuck it inside my pants. It was a perfect fit and would've looked really really perfect if I'm just wearing a proper bra. Well my boobs shape aren't that bad, in fact I'm quite proud of them but I found out this place doesn't know the concept of bra. They only provided me with a stretchable thick undershirt that was so uncomfortable, I got annoyed and decided to cut it carefully in a baby bra style. It was the best last minute decision I've ever made as it at least prevented my nips to scandalize everybody.
I told Anauriel about what I'm gonna do when I was borrowing her a bag enough to carry my personal belongings and she was flabbergasted. She tried to stop me from going and thought I'm totally out of my mind but I told her that I really wanna go and at least lend a hand. I'm not expert at anything so I can only do some random and simple stuff like cleaning or cooking, help with the injured or even run some random errands.
My brothers and I happen to be a part of our city's local Red Cross community volunteers and had experienced a rescue and relief operation after a deadly storm almost flatten half of my home country. My hometown itself was plunged by a two-storey deep flash flood. Thousands of people lost their homes and the worst, some lost their lives. Witnessing that tragedy and realizing that our family was safe unlike the others opened my eyes and urged me to do something even to the smallest of my capabilities. And it's not about being heroic or noble at all but I did that to satisfy myself craving to do something. I got to at least try.
I know what I'm about to face is different from that experience. This is war. Not mother nature. This is a result of violence. Not an accident. The weight of each situation is different from the other. But that's even more reason why I have to go, right?
With that resolve, I talked to Lord Círdan and begged him to let me join the crew who would go to the city (which I forgot the name). At first he flatly refused and told me that I just recovered from my internal injuries. He also asked me if I have any skills that can contribute to the restoration of the city and I answered honestly that I don't have any particular expertise unlike the others who were carpenters, healers and even chefs. I had no choice but to tell that specific red cross mission albeit undetailed.
I saw it in his face, the curiosity about the truth of my origins and the realization about the fact that I just lied to them when I told everybody that I don't remember what happened to me. He knew that I was hiding the truth, there were suspicions hidden beyond those old eyes but fortunately he kept all the questions I knew he was dying to ask. I might be facing the music later but at least not today. I'm glad that none of them forced me to say something about where I am from or else I might've resorted on weaving more lies just to prevent them from discovering my secret. The more questions they ask, the deeper they will dig.
Lastly, I told him about the letter that Lord Glorfindel sent to me and told him that I found out about the news through this letter and Faeron's updates. It added fuel to my desire to go.
I admit I was surprised to find his eyes sparkling with interest and curiosity was painted on his face. He did not ask for the letter's content but after that he changed his mind and allowed me to finally go. He gave me little precautions, told me that I shouldn't overdo it and if I ever happen to have a hard time, I could always ask someone to bring me back to his house.
So, I only packed the light weight clothes that I can get even the sleeping clothes that seriously looked like a normal dress to me. The owls were watching me run around and get ready as I neatly folded my things inside the suitcase that's made from embroidered leather skin. It was too fancy but hey, beggars can't be choosers. I slid one pair of the soft slippers just in case with some soaps I grabbed from the bathroom and I was good to go. I was told to get ready before the sunset and meet everyone outside the manor's gate. The little white owl Luna was perching at the top of my suitcase behind my back. I just hope she won't poop on my back. Hedwig was flying around and I saw Artemis and Apollo land at the top of one of the carriages.
Faeron and the elves were shocked to see me walking towards then.
"What in Morgoth's unholy name are you trying to do, lady?" Faeron blurted out. He removed his hoodie that's on his neck and wrapped it around me. He was also looking at my badly tied up long ass hair as if being scandalized. Compared to his neatly braided and perfectly flowing silver hair, mine looked like a thick mass of black tangled ropes in a ponytail.
"I'm going with you to the Mam-gobbled City too. I had permission with Lord Círdan." I told him all smiles and ignored his unhappy expression.
"Penneth, do you have any idea what you are getting yourself into? Mamgobel is currently not a place that is in a good situation. People are getting sick, some of them are dying. Though the warriors are patrolling the lands, the pack or wargs might retaliate and another battle would transpire." Said putting more significance on pronouncing the city's name that I just butchered.
"I know. That's why I'm going as well." I said patiently and the guy sighed in frustration.
His father, Lord Feredir came in to rescue me from his son's wrath and gently took the baggage I'm carrying behind my back. The peacefully perching Luna hooted with indignance as the elf invaded her peace. "I am not in anyway stopping you from going, young Erika. But I just want you to know that it would not be a comfortable and kind ride to the city as we would be in haste. Riding in the evening would not be easy. When we get to our destination, you won't find any of the comforts you have in here." He said with such saint-like patience.
I smiled up to him. "I know, sir. But you might also have to put your faith in me." I said full of respect.
The general smiled back. "Very well. You should ride with one of our carts. Choose where you are more comfortable and we would ride out in the sunset."
"Thank you, sir!"
Faeron sighs in defeat. "What a stubborn girl." He said helplessly in his tongue, he took my baggage from his father's hand and placed it behind his huge brown stallion's back.
The owl finally left the bag alone and perched at my shoulder, unfortunately her talons were too sharp and I forcefully removed her sharp bird fingers away. I stepped closer to Faeron and patted his horse gently in his nose. The horse bobbed his head up and down in excitement. "Please don't be upset with me, my friend. I just want to help. I promise I won't cause trouble."
"I am not upset, Erika. I am worried. You are being reckless." He took the owl from me and perched it in his arm that's covered with a metal brace thingy.
"Aww thank you." I'm touched by his concern and crushed him in a big bear hug that might look funny because I barely reach his shoulder. "But I swear, I'm not just being reckless. My conscience won't let me sleep at night if I chose to do nothing even if I knew I could do something as small as it is. Don't you know? One small candle can still help light up the darkness, that's what my father always says."
"Alright, alright." I can hear the exasperation in his voice but it was kind nonetheless. Faeron patted me in the head and I moved away from him.
"Okay, so I gotta get inside one of these carriages. I think I would go there." I pointed to the carriage where the two brown owls are perching. I step closer to it. Why am I not surprised that the cart was quite tall for me. I have to climb up if I want to get on it.
I reached for the step that's as tall as my chest, for an elf with long legs, this reach is just a single step for them. I want to cry. The universe is so unfair when it distributes the gift of tall stature.
"Midget." I heard Faeron chuckled behind me and I yelped when he lifted me from the underarm like a child and placed my feet up to the cart.
"Hey, I'm not a midget! The elves are just super dooper tall!"
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
The elves departed from the city by the sunset just as planned. Under normal circumstances they would not resort to travelling at night as there is a possibility of an enemy attack, however, the supplies cannot wait until the next day. It would take almost a day to reach Mamgobel, less if they travel in haste.
Surprisingly, the elves never heard their young companion complain at all. Through the rough carriage ride, the only thing they had from her is a gentle hum of an unusual melody and singing strange lyrics that does not make sense at all. To normal ears, her sound could barely be heard but for the elves, it was loud enough. The ones who are riding near the cart that she is in found themselves anticipating the next melody that she will sing. They found her voice amusing, it is not displeasing even as she purposely makes it sound so lousy. It was a refreshing kind of sound so unlike the voices of the eldar nor the voices they have heard from the other edain. In her voice they can hear freedom, like a sea breeze, a wind freely moving above the ocean traced with young innocence, something that the elves wanted to protect. In their eyes, she is like an elfling, Eru, even her countenance is childlike. Yet they would never forget that behind the baby face that she possesses, lies a full grown woman capable of making her own decisions.
And so, when they stopped for a while to camp and let the horses rest, Feredir approached her cart and was surprised to see her lying down on the carriage and sleeping like a rock. Earlier, they were wondering why she stopped humming and now they know. Feredir chuckled in amusement and even though he wanted to let her sleep, he knew the young one missed her supper for they left in haste. She would need to fill her stomach for her to gain strength she would need once they arrive at Mamgobel. Feredir woke her up as he would wake up a young child. He cannot help it, his father's instinct is being aroused.
"Nin hina, edra èg hendi." He said, gently touching Erika's forehead with his thumb. He sighs with how she sleeps without worries about her surroundings. The young one stirred from her sleep and eventually opened her brown eyes. She sat up still dazed if not for the owl who gently pulled the ends of her messy hair with its beak.
"Oh, Lord Feredir. Is it morning already?" She said as her sight focused on her and fell back to her senses. She unconsciously wiped the sides of her mouth for any possible signs of drooling which made Feredir smile.
"Gi suilon, penneth. It is high time at night and we settled for a while so horses could rest. I bid you to rise, and have some late supper. You might have recovered from your injuries but that does not mean you will neglect your nourishments."
"Oh, okay. Thanks a lot, sir." She nodded and rose up, fixing her hair tie and the cloak his son gave her to cover her body. It is unusual for the females to clothe themselves in trousers and tunics yet this young woman even wore it tight fitting to her body. The elves did not mind as they know they have different cultures and have bigger understanding of things out of their norms. However, it would be different when they reach the city full of men with shallow minds.
"Allow me, my dear." He can see Erika considering jumping down from the cart but he held his hands and lifted her like a child down to the ground just as his Faeron did before. Her face flushed in embarrassment.
"Thank you. Though, I feel like a five year old being carried around by her father."
The elves laughed in amusement. "Warn us next time, young one so we could carry a ladder for you." One ellon said good naturedly.
Erika pouted, mumbling about tall people while walking towards the elf who offered her a bowl of soup. She uttered her gratitude before she sat down next to Faeron who was sitting on a large root of a tree. "Are we still far from the city?" She asked Faeron.
"Half a day's worth of riding, my friend. Are you tired?"
"Oh, no not really. You know I just had a weird dream." She said nonchalantly, drinking the soup by the bowl and not bothering to take a spoon.
"Would you like to share it?"
Erika's eyebrows furrowed as if trying to remember what she had seen in her dream. "There was a guy with silver hair, he was really pretty by the way and we were floating in the air. He showed me this army of uglies with huge dogs… I think? They have like dirty gray spiky hairs. The guy with fancy hair said to tell the one who's in charge, which is I think Lord Feredir, that they are on the other side of Little Lhun." She shrugged and did not see the surprised reaction of Faeron and the other elves who heard her. Her full attention was on removing the bell peppers of her soup. "I don't know what that means but it's weird. Then things changed and I saw a screaming giant sausage running towards me-"
"Wait, wait. Erika, what did you just say?"
"That there was giant sausage."
"The former one. What is in the Little Lhun River?" Faeron asked once again, his voice is tainted with agitation and wonder.
"I don't know, I told you it was weird. That's the only thing that I remember. The guy said that the giant mutts were in the Little Lhun. I don't know what that means."
Feredir knelt down in front of the young woman with a serious expression. "The Little Lhun is a river west of the Mamgobel. It is a wide shallow river between two steep valleys. It may be too deep for a man to cross by his feet but a creature as tall as a warg may cross it without any problems. In the reports given by Lord Glorfindel, the scouts have spotted tracks of the ones who manage to get away from the battle. It poses a great threat to a city already on the verge of ruins. Tell me all the details of your dreams, Erika."
The young woman scrunched her forehead. "Wait, it was only a random dream, why would you think it has any significant information? What if it's just a bunch of nonsense?"
Feredir shook his head. "Erika, don't you know that dreams could be a message sent by the Valars to aid their people? And you might not know it but I can feel that they look closely after for you. How do you think you survive from the sea? How did your wounds heal in such a short time?" He said against her skepticism. "If your vision is real it could help prevent another disaster."
The knot in her forehead became deeper and her face showed the things that run through her mind.
"There are things that you might not have experienced before, Erika. The magic in this world runs through every fiber of our being, from the lands, the trees, the water and even in the very air that we breathe. It is not just you who have received such messages from the Valars, mellon nin." Faeron said gently, the other elves all have serious expressions and their attention is all directed to her.
Hesitation passed across her face but she eventually opened her mouth to speak. "We were floating above a cliff. I have no idea which side is it but on that cliff I can see ruins of what I think is a stronghold."
"The ruins of Beleghost. Tell me, young one. Are they exactly taking refuge at the ruins?" Feredir chided.
Erika shook her head. "No they are on the other side. I think inside the deep forest because the guy with silver hair was pointing there."
Feredir nodded. "Fetch me a paper, a quill and an ink. Send what I write directly to the Lord Glorfindel through a messenger bird." His son complied and sat up from his seat. Erika has a bewildered expression in her face as she watches some elves scatter and hastily move.
After receiving the set of paper, Feredir wrote the first letter with all the details he received. Choosing not to say yet where the information came from and added his own speculations and possible solutions. He would discuss everything later to Glorfindel once they arrived in the city. He rolled and sealed the letter before putting it inside the messenger bag that he would hang in the messenger dove's leg. He was about to take the dove from Faeron when a sharp hoot rang in the air and the big great grey owl who always accompanied Erika landed upon Feredir's arm. The owl flapped its wings and bobbed his head up and down before clamping the letter with its talons.
Erika put her soup bowl down before she stood up and tried to take the letter away from the bird. "Hedwig! Let go of the letter, please." She said to the bird but the owl did not comply.
Feredir, however, was surprised when the owl put the letter back in his hand and offered its own leg. "Do you want to deliver the message yourself, little friend?" He asked the creature in Sindarin and the bird of prey hooted in response. He thought about it for a while. Compared to a dove, the owl is faster and suited best at this time of the night. But the problem is this owl is not even a trained messenger bird. Who knows where it would take the letter. As smart as it looks, it will not be practical as the letter is of great importance.
However, through his doubt, Erika spoke to the bird using her own tongue. It is the first time Feredir heard her talk using that language and he found it very much unlike the melodic and noble sound of any ³Oromëan language. It was strange to him, and can even be considered as harsh sounding to new ears.
"Look sir, this bird is stubborn but he is really really smart. Wherever I go, he would always manage to find me. I think he would be able to find Lord Glorfindel too. Hedwig has seen him before." Erika said, determined.
Feredir sighed. He does not know where it is coming from but there is an impulse in him saying he has to trust whatever is going on. Like an instinct nagging him to just be swept away by the chances. He grabbed the letter and tied it at the great grey owl's leg. The bird nipped Erika's hand gently before taking off, flying through the heavens with great speed.
"I really hope you are right with this, Ada." Says Faeron who just crossed his arms in his chest
"Don't jinx it!" Erika pouted and glared to his son in a funny way, though Feredir knew she was not trying to look that way.
"For now we cannot do anything but wait, we would travel with vigilance as now we know that there is a possibility of an attack to happen. I will establish a five-person groups to scout ahead of us. We will ride faster and will not stop until we reach the city." His people responded and started to prepare. For now, he would need to send another letter to his lord and report to him this unexpected incident.
He needed to know that their young one possibly found herself treading at the border of Olórë Mallë, the Path of Dreams. For who is the only one with the mane of light silver had the power of visions and dreams but the Lórien himself?
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Author's note:
¹Hello was first recorded and used around the early 1800s by Thomas Edison and so it does not exist in any language of Arda.
²Círdan the Shipwright has no record in The Silmarillion or LOTR that he was wed to someone. If he had one, it was never mentioned and I think it would be better for me to use that in the story.
³Oromëan language - named after Oromë. It's the term used for all kinds of elven language as Oromë was the one who taught the elves the gift of languages. The languages of men such as the old Adunaîc and Westron also belonged in this category.
Translations:
Hröa - the physical body. It is different from Fana which is the physical body of the Ainur (Valar and Maiar)
Nin hina, edra èg hendi - (Sindarin) Open thine eyes, my child.