Chapter 6

October 19, T.A 2940
Afternoon

Thranduil cleared the top of his desk leaving only the necessary papers, and tomes in order to teach Anariel. 'Come, I am ready to begin,' Thranduil called, preparing himself for the task that lay at hand.

Anariel turned from where she stood beside the mirror, nervously looking over to her father, she let out a sigh unsure of what he expected of her. With caution Anariel made her way back to her seat, Thranduil nodded his head in thanks as she sat as earlier instructed.

As he pulled the tome closer Thranduil paused a moment, remembering back when Legolas was an elfling after his mother had passed and Thranduil already began his search for his daughter, his fingers trailed along the cover as he remembered teaching Legolas, it brought back such vivid memories.

'Let us begin,' Thranduil offered a kind smile, sensing her nervousness, feeling guilty for he knew he had partaken in making her feel so.

Anariel nodded, she tried to return the smile instead in the end all that she had managed was an awkward, confused, grin.

'While you grew up knowing the common tongue only, it both might prove to make this both harder and easier,' Thranduil informed, cracking the tome open he turned it to face Anariel.

Anariel scanned the pages close, biting her lips nervously.

'We will start on the pronunciation,' the king pointed to the first line on the page.

(A/Á/Â) Pronounce them /a/, râd (path) → /rˈa:d/

The King pronounced it himself, nodding for her to try. Anariel sighed as she caught the slight look crossing the king's feature indicating that she had said it wrong. Anariel continued biting upon her lip feeling idiotic.

'Surely there must be another who could teach me?' Anariel asked in a blunt tone, feeling like a fool and a child beneath his watchful gaze.

Thranduil seemed taken aback by her request yet, he could not blame her. This was as much his fault as any, he paused, this was all his fault.

Again he looked at his daughter, his daughter, he let those words fully sink in. She had hardly been back two full days and he had not even allowed himself to become accustomed to the idea his daughter was home.

And what a poor father he had been thus far, never in all his years, the long, stressful years of raising Legolas alone, while dealing with his own broken heart did he ever lay a hand upon that beautiful, joyful elf.

Had he lost himself so much, so deeply, was he so far gone that he had slipped so easily into blind cruelty?

A glance towards her made the answer clear, in his hesitation to answer, she opened her mouth to speak only to close it once more, he could see it in her eyes her hesitation, her eyes betrayed her strong exterior she already held a certain fear for him.

'No,' he answered rather abruptly, more than he intended, 'I will teach you.'

Anariel nodded and attempted it again.

'Father,' the king stated out loud, from seemingly out of the blue.

'Excuse me,' Anariel asked, looking at him with raised eyebrows. Lost at what point he was trying to get at.

'When you pronounce the word, 'father,' the 'a' of which you speak, is the same sound for these.' Thranduil finished pointing back to the line he showed her before.

'Oh,' Anariel breathed, nodding completely understanding as he made the connection between her language, Westron, and the Sindarin brother.

'What is it?' Thranduil asked with kindness, as he saw the way she hesitated to say something.

'Uh, I understood with the connection to the common tongue, is it possible to...' Anariel paused.

Thranduil picked up on her unspoken words with ease, 'I can make those connections with all we will go through today.'

Anariel smiled, a simple, but genuine smile. 'Thank you.'

He nodded, pulling a paper closer he jotted a few simple notes, 'Hannon le, meaning, 'thank you' as well uses the same 'a'.'

Anariel eyed the notes he made, a simple short form of what he was teaching, before moving on to the next line.

(E/É/Ê) Pronounce them /ɛ/, gem (sickly) → /gˈɛm/

Anariel looked over to the king expectantly.

'The 'E' is pronounced like in the word, 'better,' spoken in the middle of your mouth.' He informed.

Anariel thought about it for a moment, realizing how hard it was to simply break a common word down after speaking it for hundreds of years without a second thought. When she had sounded it out within the solitude of her mind, she spoke the sound out loud, once feeling confident enough. Anariel looked to the king expecting him to sigh and shake his head 'no.'

Instead, she received a kind nod and as he continues on to the next.

(I/Í/Î) Pronounce them /i/, lind (tune) → /lˈind/

'This is spoken in the front of your mouth, as in the word 'machine'' Thranduil explained after thinking about it for a time himself,
Legolas had picked up Sindarin growing up around himself, it was more Westron he had to teach his son. Somehow, it seemed befitting he should sit here all these years later and teach his daughter.

Anariel watched and listened to the king carefully as he provided her with a verbal relation, Anariel spoke the word 'machine' several times before she tried the singular sound they were looking for, it seemed easier that way.

As Anariel practiced the king made precise notes for her, with what the book be held and the Westron brother for its sound.

Thranduil nodded, pointing to the next line indicating that she had spoken it correctly and they were free to move on.

(O/Ó/Ô) Pronounce them /ɔ/ nordh (oak) → /nˈɔrð/

'This is spoken like in the word 'laud',' The king showed his patience in these moments allowing time for Anariel to practice each and every sound, as he wrote down the notes.

Thranduil noted how well she was doing, he was proud her. When satisfied with the sound of the above letter, Thranduil tapped the page for her to continue.

(U/Ú/Û) Pronounce them /u/ Rûth (anger) → /rˈu:θ/

'The 'U' speaks like the 'u' in 'brute' at the front of your mouth,' Thranduil explains never ceasing in his writing.

'A word you must know well,' Anariel noted beneath her breath before she practiced the sound.

Thranduil exhaled, shooting her a look from the side at her comment, still, Thranduil said nothing on the matter letting her comment be.

(Y/Ý/Ŷ) Pronounce them /y/ ylf (cup) →/ˈylv/

'As elves, we do recognize the complexity of our language among mortals, who speak our tongue this, in particular, has always be seen as difficult, as such the Gondorian's pronunciation and speak it like an 'i' in the Sindarin, 'I'. Needless, I want you to try to pronounce with proper sound, said as in the word 'lune'.'

Anariel nodded listening and focusing intently upon the way he, himself spoke the word trying to repeat and practice it within her head before even bothering to say a thing out loud. Thranduil was right, not that she was going to admit that out loud either, out of the safety of her mind but it did indeed prove to be a tricky sound for one raised on nothing more the Westron.

'If you would,' Thranduil waved awaiting her to try.

Taking a deep breath Anariel tried speaking it out loud, as soon as the word left her mouth she shut her eyes waiting for the king to sigh in disappointment and frustration with her when nothing came to Anariel slowly peeked out.

'Spoken well, for your first lesson.' Thranduil congratulated Anariel leaving no room nor time for her to reply he immediately changed the subject and continued on. 'Well then, that sums up the vowels, we will move on to Diphthongs.'

A knock sounded at the door, 'Tolo vi!' The king called out to the waiting servant behind the door, his eyes turning to his daughter as he caught her practicing the word beneath her breath he smiled as she spoke it correctly.

The servant entered carrying a tray in each hand, placing them gingerly upon the desk, she curtsied before taking her leave as the king waved her away.

Legolas came slipping in behind the servant a bow firm in hand, 'Adar, Anariel's cú naa pant.'

Thranduil turned his attention to his son, 'Wonderful, let me see.' Thranduil stood from his spot coming around to face Legolas he accepted the bow looking it over with a critical eye.

Legolas bowed his head lightly.

Thranduil looked first and most importantly at the craftsmanship, looking over every fine detail. He nodded approvingly. Thranduil took in the finer details of the flawless metallic design, the sun on the one end, slivers of its rays falling to the bow's grip, while fine vines covered in leaves, and the rare miniature flowers both in bloom and still budding made its way up to the grip mingling with the rays of the sun. Thranduil cocked his head to the side, he noted the symbols of it each representing the three of them. It was a bold move, for Durothil, Mirkwood's bowyer, for this was not what the king had asked him to make.

Yet, something struck the king's heart as he eyed the bow, the sun for Anariel, the leaves for Legolas and the representation of spring for Thranduil, he smirked, indeed it was a bold move but as he looked at all of them mingled in the middle, Anariel's symbolism separated from himself and Legolas was far too obvious to their own situation. Durothil always did such fine work, always made things with such thoughtful care to detail, something that always struck the owner, something vibrantly personal.

Legolas took a step back as he turned to his sister, 'How are your lesson's coming?' he asked crouching down beside her as he looked over the tome.

'Pardon,' Anariel turned stunned slightly, she had yet to speak to Legolas directly. 'I... good I suppose,' she shrugged absentmindedly.

'I am sorry, we haven't had a moment to speak yet,' Legolas smiled kindly to his sister, though he did not say such out loud he was glad to have her here and held hope that they could become friends.

'It's quite all right.' Anariel returned the smile this time.

'I had run into Feren on my way here,' Legolas continued making conversation as their father looked over the bow.

Thranduil paused at the mention of Feren listening intently.

'He spoke quite fondly of you, I am glad that you have made a friend in one already. He is looking forward to your lessons this evening.' Legolas related, 'Feren is a good friend of mine as well.'

Anariel felt her cheeks redden to a rosy pink, 'I'm glad too, he has been far too kind over these past few days. I am rather looking forward to them as well, as I am to my lesson's with yourself. Nervous, though.' Anariel admitted with a light laugh.

Legolas gave a light chuckle, 'I am sure you will be wonderful, Thel tithen.'

'What does that mean?' Anariel asked looking to him confused as she herself repeated the words, practicing the sounds of the words.

'Little sister.'

Anariel chuckled lightly, the sound of someone calling her such seemed foreign and strange to her ears.

Thranduil lets a secretive smile grace his lips as he watched and listen to his children, a warmth of pride and love cursed through his veins a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time, he glanced around the room there was no one but the three of them, and realized that perhaps nothing was missing after all. Perhaps, there was already too much.

Thranduil rested the bow upon the table, setting it aside until her lessons were finished to give it to her, 'Do you wish to stay?' he asked Legolas, catching both of his children off guard.

'During her lessons?' Legolas questioned as he stared at his father.

Thranduil nodded his head, 'Anariel and I are just going to read through these last pages together and then she is free to go. After she has eaten something,' he paused eyeing her sternly nodding to the tray in front of her.

Anariel went to say something, though with a signal of the king's hand he cut her off, 'I expect, with your leave, you will continue to practice them through the remainder of the day. Listening to those around you, Legolas, please do keep speaking Sindarin around her. You will learn much by listening to those around you.'

Anariel nodded, as Legolas agreed to stay behind. Anariel nibbled at the food as Legolas pulled over a chair joining them.

Thranduil read aloud pausing in his speaking only to give Anariel a moment to practice the sound momentarily herself, still, he continued to take notes for her marking down the words in which they were familiar to in their sounds.

Thranduil's Notes;

(AI) Pronounce this /aj/, said (private) → /sˈajd/ - as in the word 'twine'
(AE) Pronounce this /aɛ/, faen (white) → /fˈaɛn/ - it is liken to (AI (above)) however, this time glide into an (E), not an (I).
(AU) Pronounce this /au/, Raud (noble) → /rˈaud/ - as in the word 'loud'
(AW) Pronounce this/aw/, raw (lion) → /rˈaw/ - as in the word 'owl'.
(EI) Pronounce this /ej/, Rein (footprint) →/rˈejn/ - as in 'ray'.
(OE) Pronounce this /ɔɛ/, goe (terror) → /gˈɔɛ/ - as in the word 'boy'.
(UI) Pronounce this /uj/, Muin (dear) → /mˈujn/ as in the word 'we', just put more emphasis on the W instead of the E.
(C) Pronounce it always as a /k/, Cîl (renewal) → /kˈi:l̡ / -as in the word 'kill'.
(G) Pronounce it always as a /g/, gell (joy) →/gˈɛl̡l/ -as in the word 'give'.
(F) When it's at the end of a word, say it as a /v/ Falf (seafoam) → /fˈalv/ -as in the word 'slave'.
(L) pronounce it as a /l/, Lest (girdle) →/lˈɛst/ or pel (fenced field) →/pˈɛl̡ / -as in the word 'clear'.
(LH) Pronounce it /ɬ/, a voiceless L. Lhing (spiderweb) →/ɬˈiŋ/ - Meaning, it will sound a little like a TH.
(R) Pronounce it as an /r/; rem net→ /rˈɛm/ - roll it as in 'growl'
(RH) Pronounce it /r̊/, a voiceless R. Rhach (curse) → /r̊ˈax/, - like a trilled H.
(PH) Pronounce it /f/, Salph (broth) → /sˈalf/ -as in the word 'physical'.
(CH) Pronounce it /x/, bach chall (hidden item) → /bˈax xˈall/ as in the name 'Bach'.
(TH) Pronounce it /θ/, Thôl (helmet) → /θˈɔ:l/ l- as in (TH) in 'nothing'.
(DH) Pronounce it /ð/. sîd (peace) → /sˈi:ð/ - as in the sound in the word 'the' and 'blithe'.
(HW) Pronounce it /ʍ/, Hwest (breeze) → /ʍˈɛst/ - as in the word 'white'. Like an airy W.
(NG) Pronounce it /ŋ/,Ngîl (star) →/ŋˈi:l̡ / or Fang (beard) → /fˈaŋ/ - as in the word 'sing'
(ER) Pronounce it /ɛr/, Certh (rune) → /kˈɛrθ/ - as in the word 'fair'.
(IR) Pronounce it /ir/, Dîr (man) → /dˈi:r/ - as in the word 'ear'.
(UR) Pronounce it /ur/, Gûr (heart) → /gˈu:r/ - as in the word 'tour'.

Any letters missing, are pronounced the same way you would in Westron.

Thranduil handed over the notes to Anariel, she looked them over briefly, thankful that he had taken the time to do so for her.

Anariel went to thank him, but paused remembering the example he used earlier on in the lesson, she thought of the sounds and of how he spoke them himself and did the best she could. Anariel knew if she never tried the words out loud she never get anywhere, so despite feeling positively foolish and her heart racing with nerves she spoke quietly and meekly, 'Hannon le.'

Thranduil and Legolas turned to look at her.

'I said it wrong didn't I?' Anariel spoke defeated, hanging her head low.

'No, no you didn't. You are correct.' The king confirmed.

Anariel smiled, beamed, happy her efforts had paid off.

'Come, Legolas had your bow brought up.' The king stood, gathering her bow from the table presenting it to her. 'For you, muinlell nin. (my dear daughter)'

'It is beautiful,' Anariel sighed, 'This design is breathtaking.' She admired running her fingers over the fine craftsmanship. 'Thank you!' Anariel leaped at Legolas pulling him into a hug, Legolas stood stunned, stiff and unsure slowly he relaxed hugging her back.

Anariel was about to turn around and hug her father, Thranduil had picked up on this and braced himself for the oncoming hug when she paused halting in her steps. Anariel looked to him, his face held in his flawless mask, she quickly thought better than to just hug the king instead she bowed her head formally as she had seen Legolas do so many times.

Thranduil took a silent breath in, telling himself he was thankful that she had stopped herself yet, he could not deny the ache in his heart.

'The two of you are dismissed,' Thranduil ordered in a firm and stern voice, 'Anariel to your chambers to change for your lessons on the training fields.'

Legolas and Anariel nodded as they headed towards the door, Anariel turned to steal one last glance at the king, catching the turmoil in his eyes as the door was slammed closed behind them.