Hey it is me again I am so sorry it too me so long to write it, but I have lot of work now so I do not have much time to write these days :/ but I have the third chapter for you ;).
I hope you all will like it ;)
Sorry for any mistakes, because I know I make them but not see them ;).
Chapter 3
Story of Nightmare Moon
It did not take Legolas and Luin so long to dry themselves as it normally would, but they were ravenous after their long quick but long journey from Mirkwood realm to Imladris. The pair entered the Hall of Fire were their breakfast was prepared elven maids.
The ancient elf smiled when he saw the elven prince going through the door. "Estel," He said a got the attention of his adopted son. "Legolas and I. we wanted you to meet Legolas' friend Luin." The great cat bowed and said. "Mae gowannen Estel. My name is Luin, daughter of the Silver star."
Little Estel was taken back when he heard the feline actually speak elven language. "Mae gowannen Luin. I am Estel Elrondion. Nice to meet you." The little edain boy said a bit shaken.
Legolas walked to the empty seat next to the elven lord and the little edain. But when Luin came and sat next to the golden haired prince, little Estel flinched and started to shiver. The great cat saw it. Her face fell and she sighted, then she took some fruit from the table and carried it to the other side of the room. Next she took some lembas and the piece of meat that the next elf carried in for her. The feline sat near her breakfast and quietly started eating it.
Lord Elrond looked sadly at the feline on the other side of the room then on the little boy and the elven prince, who had the same expression on his face as himself. "I am sorry about this Luin I know that in the near future you two will be good friends."
"I hope so my Lord. I hope so too." The feline quietly mumbled.
The ancient elf wanted to end this part of the discussion quickly as he heard the felines' mumbled sentence. Suddenly a thought popped up in his mind. "Legolas can I ask you to do something after breakfast?" Lord Elrond asked.
"What do you need my Lord?" The golden haired prince asked.
"I need you to catch your young mare before she ruins the garden." The elven lord laughed.
"Oh she escaped again! I am so sorry lord Elrond she can be a handful almost all the time." The young elf quickly said and stood up from his seat shoving the remaining fruit in his mouth and grabbed the last piece of lembas from his plate. "I will take care of her immediately my Lord." Legolas bowed.
Luin also stood up and swallowed the last bits of the meat and headed to the door.
"Go with them little one." Lord Elrond whispered to the small boy sitting next to him with a smile on his face.
Estels' eyes grew wider at the elven lords' words. He wanted to go with Legolas, but he was scared of the big cat. So he grabbed the raven haired elfs' sleeve and dragged him to the door, in which the pair disappeared in.
Lord Elrond had no other choice just to go with the little boy, so he went with him.
Outside in the garden the elrondion twins were already chasing the black mare around the place. It was really hard for them to even get near to the energetic young mare.
"We have to approach her from both sides." Elrohir said.
"Aye." His twin brother nodded and circled the mare.
When the twins got near enough the mare she let out a loud neigh and charged toward the younger twin.
Elrohir yelped and threw himself on the ground, but the black mare just jumped right over him, her flowing dark mane and tail sparkling in the sun like a starry night sky. When her feathered hooves touched the ground she dashed as far from the younger elrondion as she could and neighed in amusement. At that Elladan ran to his brother and helped him to stand up. "We will need more help with this one." The older twin said to his sibling.
"I agree with you gwador." Elrohir said his heart racing in his chest.
Suddenly they heard a high whistle.
As the young prince and his feline companion entered the gardens, closely followed by the elven lord and his adopted son, they saw as the black horse jumped over one of the twins. Legolas just shook his head and let out a high whistle, just to get the attention of the mare.
Luin on the other hand raced to the in front of the young prince and stopped few meters in front of the golden haired elf. She was the barrier between the small elf and the big black horse, just in case that Nightmare will not charge at the princeling. She stood with her head high, as proud as a feline can get, swishing her tail wildly from side to side.
Estel was amazed how the cat looked right now. He almost forgot that he was afraid of her. She was so big with her head raised so high. The wind was playing with the felines' long fur, but that was not the thing that captivated the boy so much. It was how the felines' long fur was shining in the morning sun. The great cat looked like she was shining a pale blue light.
Luin saw as the black mare stopped and looked at Legolas, her ears facing from where the whistle came from. The great cat looked to Nightmares' eyes with her own sky blue ones and a loud rumbling came out of her throat so even the far away mare would hear.
Little Estel did not know what it was he expected that the cat will let out a fearsome roar, but the feline just stood there. Suddenly he heard the rumble that the cat made. It even made his body vibrate. Then the mare neighed happily, and to Estels' amazement, went right to the great cat.
Nightmare Moon. Enough playing please come to me. Luin called out to the young mare.
I am coming Luin. The black mare happily neighed and trotted to the bluish snow leopard. When Nightmare got to the great feline they nuzzled together as a cat mother with her kittens.
I was looking for you and Legolas. The black mare said. But then the twin elves came and we were playing together. It was fun. She neighed happily and started jumping around the great bluish feline joyfully.
Luin just smiled at her. So you had fun with Elladan and Elrohir I take it.
Aye.
But next time when you want to play with them or us, you have to find another place to play. It is because you almost damaged lord Elronds' garden. The snow leopard said.
At that Nightmare stopped jumping and looked around. She saw some broken flowers and hung her head. I am so sorry. The young mare said.
You do not have to apologize to me but to lord Elrond. Luin said and nudged the mares' side.
But which elf is it? Nightmare asked and looked around at the elves.
The raven haired one with the little edain next to him. Luin said and smiled. Now go.
The black mare slowly walked to lord Elrond and little Estel, looked him in the stormy eyes with an apology clearly seen in her gaze and bowed her head low, so her mane was touching the ground right in front of the boy. Estel in awe reached his little hand and touched the silky mane.
"Apology accepted, Nightmare." The ancient elf said and the mare rose her head. "But next time you have to be more careful where you play." Lord Elrond smiled and stroked the mares' forehead. Nightmare neighed.
"She will be." Luin said when she walked closer, but stopped when she saw Estel hide a bit behind the elven lord. She kept smiling, but in the inside she was really sad. The great feline whined at the young mare and started walking away to the Mirkwood prince. But suddenly she turned her head to the elrondions.
"Elladan! Elrohir!" Luin called out loud.
"What is it mellon nin?" They asked in unison.
"Nightmare says that she enjoyed playing with you two." The feline smiled.
"Playing!" They both exclaimed and everyone including lord Elrond and little Estel started to laugh.
After Legolas got Nightmare to a paddock, the black mare stood at the gate watching and waiting what will the young golden haired elf will do next. Legolas rose his hand and stroked the black mares' forehead. Then he turned and walked to his friends and lord Elrond.
"You never told us told us, peneth, how you obtained such a spirited young mare." The raven haired elven lord asked when Legolas got near them.
"Spirited mare ada? More like a nightmare to us." The twins said in unison.
Legolas laughed, when he got to the group of elves and looked at the black mare grazing in the paddock.
The great bluish snow leopard lay down next to the nearest tree next to the small group. The small princeling saw her and walked closer to her. The young elf was sad that she would be lonely there so he got closer to her.
"Well it was about three years ago. Luin and I. we were on patrol near the western borders of Mirkwood." The golden haired prince began.
Flashback
Do you feel it Legolas? Luin asked the young prince as she trotted next to his white stallion.
"Aye. I do Luin." The golden haired prince replied.
"My prince it is coming from in front of us." Rongal, the blond elf scout, said. All the elven scouts in Legolas' company bore the color for the woodland realm, mostly green and brown, but also golden color, their armor was in harmony with their brown steeds.
All elves dismounted and headed to the trees and going to the direction from where the foul feeling was coming from.
The great cat was the last to enter the tree tops, while Ninim was keeping watch after the other horses.
Legolas and Luin hopped though the tree branches, the bluish snow leopard had to use the thicker branches which supported her weight, while the sleek princeling jumped from almost the thinnest ends of branches.
In a few minutes the elven company arrived at the edge of the small clearing and what they saw was the cruelest thing they ever saw.
In the middle of the clearing was, still alive, pregnant dark brown mare surrounded by a pack of wargs. The mare was neighing in agony, terror and fear as the wargs were tearing pieces of meat form the fighting mare.
The young golden haired elf quickly gave the order, the elven scouts drew their arms back, stretching the bowstring and let the arrows fly.
Luin on the other hand jumped down with a laud roar and when she landed near the inured mare, she swiped at the nearest warg blinding it.
Right behind the great feline the mare tried to attack the feline, but her legs gave up under her from the injuries and blood loss. The great cat turned to her and her eyes glittered.
On the other side of the mare Legolas fought another of the foul beasts. Luin did not even see when her elven brother jumped down to her.
In a few minutes all the foul beasts were scattered around, all were dead.
"Is anyone injured?" Legolas asked his companions and stepped closer to the dying mare when he heard that they have no injuries. The spark of life that was in the eyes of the mare was slowly fading away. When he looked her over he already knew that she would not make it. Her hind legs were torn to shreds and she also had some gashes on her belly. The young prince then placed his hand on the mares' belly and felt strong movement under it.
Faroniel, the silver haired healer, came to the young Mirkwood prince and looked over the mare too. The scout party healer looked to the mares eyes and said. "She is forcing the delivery. She is going to have the foal now. We have to help her give birth to the little one"
Legolas was shocked at the healers' statement. "But I know not what to do."
"We will just help her to push the foal out. She is not strong enough no to deliver it by herself." The silver haired healer said. "Worry not I will tell you what to do." She smiled at the princeling softly.
Legolas nodded and called to Rongal. "Rongal please keep watch while we deliver the foal and call the horses."
"Aye, my prince." The bond scout bowed.
"Now come and help me." Faroniel tucked on Legolas' leg.
Luin sat on the sidelines and watched her elven brother and the healer. She saw as they pressed the belly of the mare to help her push out the small foal. In few minutes the battle was over the foal was breathing the fresh air and resting on a patch of soft grass. Luckily it was not harmed during the attack of the foul beasts. It was pure black with a small crescent moon birthmark on the upper part of her left hind leg and blue eyes. The mare mas totally exhausted and closed her eyes.
It was the last and only battle for her that she lost.
"May the Valar welcome you around them." Faroniel and Legolas said together and bowed their heads.
The whole elven party payed their respect and goodbye. Luin bowed her head and whispered her prayer.
When the foal was able to stand up and walk it came closer to Ninim and sniffed him. Then it looked at the great bluish feline. It was a bit afraid, but it made a step closer to the cat and when Ninim nudged it to go even closer the foal looked back offended at the old white stallion.
When the foal was near enough Luin let it sniff her, not making any sudden or threatening moves, the foal then looked at the stallion. Mommy? It asked insecure.
No little one. I am not your mother. Ninim neighed. It looked at the resting feline. And neither is she. But come with us and we will take care of you. The old stallion smiled as did the feline.
Luin stood up when she saw Legolas approaching them. This is our friend Legolas. She smiled and pointed to the approaching elf. The black foal looked at him and sniffed the offered hand.
"Hannon le, little one." The golden haired elfling smiled. "Are you coming with us?" He asked. The foal neighed a bit and let her be patted on the head.
The young Mirkwood prince then mounted his stallion and called his companion to follow him home. The black foal walked with them between the young prince on his white stallion and the great bluish snow leopard.
End of flashback
"Well this is how she got to be with us." Legolas smiled as he watched the black mare.
"But why to name her Nightmare, penneth?" Lord Elrond asked.
"Well her full name is Nightmare Moon. Her original name was Crescent Moon due to her birthmark, but as you saw she can cause quite a havoc. She is feared by most of our stable-masters and stable-hands." Legolas laughed. "The only one that can handle her is either me, Luin or Ninim. And I almost forgot she also listen to my sister Eluwien. She rarely listens to someone else. But on the other hand she is really nice and kind." Legolas said and looked at the boy.
"Do you want to take a ride on her penneth?" Legolas asked the edain boy.
Estel looked shyly ant the ancient elf behind him, then at the black mare and ended on the elven prince and nodded shyly. "Aye."
Legolas smiled and whistled once. The black mare raised her head and looked at him. "Come to us Nightmare."
Nightmare looked around and walked a bit back. The blue eyed mare took off. When she got near the fence, she jumped. The poor stable-hand, Enefan, a young pale haired elf, had to duck and he let out a loud scream as the black mare sailed over him. When the black mares' feathered hooves touched the ground and she raced to the golden haired prince and raven haired boy.
"Are you well Enefan?" the raven haired elven lord asked.
"Aye my Lord." The young elf answered and hurried back to his work.
Legolas stood up, took the boy in his arms and when the mare stopped in front of him he mounted her with one swing. Estel squeaked in surprise. The elven prince grabbed the silky black mane and urged the black mare into a walk.
Estel sat in front of the Mirkwood princeling eyes wide, but he was happy to be playing with his friend.
Luin, who stayed in the shade of the tree, was watching her friends with a smile and she was happy that they were having such a great time.
TBC…
Translations:
Ada- dad, daddy
Adar – father
Edain- human
Hannon le- thank you
Mae govannen – well met
Mellon nin- my friend
Penneth- young one
Ion nin- my son
Tithen gwador- little brother
Gwador- brother
I hope you all liked the last chapter :) so please R&R.
Your LeoLuin ;)