Disclaimer: I do not own LOTR characters, whose births are credited to J.R.R. Tolkien.
I should probably also mention; I AM NOT WELL-VERSED IN THE HISTORY OF MIDDLE EARTH OR OF TOLKIEN'S WORKS. PLEASE DON'T HATE AND JUST GO ALONG WITH ME. I PROMISE I'LL TRY TO NOT MAKE THIS SUCKY. I admit that I am reading up on information that I feel I need, but not all.
Also, as for the various "languages" and "dialects" mentioned here; don't hate on that either. I know that animal communication is still being studied, and my portrayals are definitely not accurate, but guys, please: FANFICTION. FICTION
Sorry, writing this is giving me anxiety. I know what I want to write, and I'm trying to write well and update before a year passes...
A long, long time ago
I land in a beautiful meadow. I love meadows. While being out in the open makes me an easy target, it is easy for me to spot enemies as well. Everyone knows this is my favorite place on Earth. They see my shadow and come running to greet me. My students flock here to see me, and I welcome them with a hug and smile. Most of the entourage are children, but there are some adults and village elders who come here to learn, and keep an eye on wanderlust children.
"What are we learning today, Lyraniel?" asks a boy from the Hills nearby. He speaks in a lower-Hill dialect.
"More words, of course!" I answer in high-Hill with a smile. Asgrav, the boy, is here to learn high-Hill so he can impress the daughter of the Hill Chief, Vesuve. Poems and songs are the way to a girl's heart, and Vesuve loves them. Asgrav comes to learn from the source.
"What about with me?" asks a pig-tailed girl from Rivermarsh. Little Grenasa wants to talk to learn how to talk to fish. A strict vegetarian, her parents were slightly miffed their daughter chose to subsist on thin riverbank vegetation rather than whole fish, the staple of their village. But because Grenasa is their only child, they indulge in her. The tricky thing is that marine animals communicate through electrical impulses or other adaptive organs humans don't possess. So instead, I taught Grenasa how to recognize fish behaviors of different species.
"We are going to start salmon spawn hunger patterns," I say to her. "That way we can observe them when the spawn start hatching in half a moon."
"Actually, I was hoping to review salmon mating instincts," Grenasa replied. "I still can't seem to get it out of my head that they're flying upstream to lay eggs, not to purposely let themselves get eaten by bears."
"All right, we should still be able to find some stragglers on their way upstream," I say. Grenasa beams.
My other child-students clamor for my attention. Teaching the children of Men is always more tiring than teaching shy, wary animals. The adults themselves keep a more respectable distance, waiting quietly and watching for predators or enemies in the bushes.
When I get the youngsters settled, I see my mature students grouping together in their learning groups. These students learn the same language together, so they work with each other and report to me about their progress at the end of the day. It keeps them busy as I try to teach their children and siblings.
Just as I am leaving my last learning group to return to the children, the other adults freeze and the children still, sensing tension in the air. A prickling sensation runs up my spine, telling me there is a powerful being nearby. I straighten my back, arms close to my sides, ready to face the thing head-on. I turn around to watch the rustling bushes as the children run to heir parents, who grip them in frightened protectiveness.
He, for it was a he, sets foot into the meadow. He's close enough for me to identify his species; a Great Spirit*, a member of the Spirit Realm, cousins to us Skylings. The Spirit Realm and my own real tended not to interact much; the Spirits preferred to reside in a separate dimension on Earth, while we reigned the open sky. While it was not unheard of for a Great Spirit to seek out a Skyling and vice versa, it was certainly a rare occurrence. I eye him suspiciously. Meetings between two great species generally signaled disaster.
"I never expected to see one of your kind in front of me," I say in a low voice, using Common Celestial.
He laughs. "However, you wouldn't believe how long I've been searching for you."
"Me?"
"A like-minded being who enjoys acquiring and distributing knowledge!" He says with a smile. I don't return it.
He turns at an angle and offers his arm. "Walk with me?"
"No."
He turns back to face me. "Talk with me?"
"What is there to discuss?" He moves to say something but I raise my hand and cut him off. "Or better yet, what do you want?"
"What makes you think I want something?" What a clich answer.
"Why else do you want to take a walk?"
"Can't I enjoy a meeting with a beautiful cousin?" His smug face irritates me.
"I am busy. I would appreciate it if you leave and reschedule."
"It was hard enough finding you, I do not wish to track you down again."
"It is just as hard for me to find time to teach these people. Do not think you are the only one who is experiencing difficulty. These people are also taking precious time out of their life to see me, and I do not wish to waste it."
"Then I will make this quick. I wish for you to teach me power."
That is strange. As a Great Spirit, he should have power of his own. What is he after? I search his face, trying to find his true purpose. But he looks sincere. Which is even more confusing.
"Why should I teach you? As a Great Spirit yourself, you already have power."
"But not the same power you have."
Was he daft? Why would any two spirits have the same power?
"Of course not. That is like saying all the stars should shine the same. But they do not. Because no two stars are alike."
He laughs. "That's not what I meant, silly girl."
I stiffen in anger. Where does he get the authority to call me a silly girl? He sees the fire in my eyes and attempts to retract his comment.
"What I mean to say is, I'm not stupid."
Of course not.
"I know there are some tricks you Skylings have that you are allowed to share with others."
"Others of my kind, you mean."
"No, others." His expression darkens. "You Skylings are so secretive, you think you're the only ones who can share knowledge? My kind has experimented and learned and advanced than you primitive beings. We've discovered that those powers, or spells that we are allowed to share with others can be taught to most anyone."
I was near bristling as he spoke. "If you came here just to insult my intelligence, please leave. I have no time to waste on you."
"My dear, I am not here to prey on your ignorance, as entertaining as that may be. I am here because I've heard that the Skyling Mistress of Sound is said to be the most open-minded when it comes to acquiring knowledge. I am here, with a proposal," he says with what I assume is his most charming smile.
"I am engaged."
He looks crestfallen. "I was hoping you weren't going to say that. Then, onwards to my next proposal! If you teach me your ways, I will teach you mine. A mutual exchange of information?"
An interesting idea, but he still has not earned my trust. "I do not know you, what can I learn from you?"
When he smiles again, I see a flash of darkness in his eyes. It disappears swiftly, but it does not ease my fears. "You can call me Mairon, the Smith."
My eyebrows raise. " 'The admirable'? How humble of you."
"So you know the language of my people? You are a true scholar, aren't you?" He puts his hand to his heart. "I did not give myself that name, but it is the only name I have." His eyes maintain contact with my own eyes, urging me to tell him my name as well.
"I refuse. You have nothing I want, and there is something false about you. You try to disguise it with your face and your flattery, but I can hear the sour note in your voice. Do not approach me again." I walk away, about to fly off to my next destination, wings ready to flap.
"Can I at least give you a gift for your wedding?" he shouts loudly in the Common. The whole clearing must have heard him. Whispers start in the groups, confused as to why I had not told them about the upcoming nuptials. I could almost hear their thoughts: I ve never spoken about my personal affairs, but surely an important event such as this should be shared among friends?
It would be impolite if I refuse him openly in front of my students, so I reluctantly face him again. He smiles again again and strides quickly, much to quickly for my liking. Why is he always smiling? He holds a hand out to grasp my palm. I open it, to receive a shimmering silver chain artistically crafted to resemble outspread wings.
"It goes around your neck."
I look at him with clear doubt in my eyes. It is much too small and delicately made to fit over my head.
"May I?" He picks up the chain and walks behind me. Somehow, he is able to open the chain and he places the silver around my neck. When I feel it rest wholly against my skin, I feel a sense of wrongness invade my body. It is oily and cold, but also coarse and burning like fire. I tug on the chain, trying to take it off. "I created something I call a 'clasp.' It opens easily and closes securely, I am sure this will replace rope and leather ties when metal becomes the prime source of industry in the coming years. I m sure you will come to know all about it, when you keep me company in the evenings."
What is nonsense is he spewing about now? Better to leave a babbling fool to himself than entertain such notions. I bend my knees and tense my wing muscles to start flapping, intent on escaping Mairon s delusions by any means possible, but my body doesn t move, completely disobeying my commands. With all the fury I can express with my eyes, I glare at Mairon, silently commanding him to release me.
"Don t look at me with that ugly expression, it s unbecoming. Now come along, we have much to discuss." He takes my by the arm and leads me away from the clearing. The children clamor behind me. "Smile at them, let them know you are doing this of your own volition," he mutters in my ear. Against my will I turn and give them a reassuring smile. I wave, and we fully disappear into shadow.
I jolt to awareness when the nightmarish images blur together. My hand jumps to my neck, fingering a faded burn scar from when I was finally able to rip off his "gift" and escape to the safety of the Elves. Sessions of teaching Mairon the language of wolves, the language of death, of mind-speak; the terrible tools he mastered before he decided he wanted raw power over language and stole my tongue and ate my power. I was right, someone has come and covered me with a soft blanket. The sun shines through the leaves of the Lórien trees.
"I trust you have had a restful sleep?" a lilting voice asks.
As restful as one can have when they are slowly being poisoned, I mind-speak wryly. Has something happened?
"I trust you know about the fall of the Boromir. The Fellowship has separated, Frodo and Sam continue to journey for Mordor, while the others hunt after Uruk-hai. Their trail takes them to the land of Rohan."
I wince, and then I shift into a more comfortable sitting position. I can hear the trees screaming on the breeze, and even with the blessings of this Elf-land, I can feel the vibrations of the uprooted trees.
Speaking of the Fellowship, they took the gifts well?
"I did what you wished, I did not tell them of your presence. And you were correct, Aragorn seems to have suspected you were here. Celeborn noticed him scanning our river shores when they left."
Clever child, I smile. My son's intuition is still as sharp as ever. I stretch my muscles to relieve cramps. Saruman has been reborn, I say to her. And Fangorn stirs.
Lady Galadriel smiles enigmatically. Another test to see how much power I have left. "Yes. And the creature Gollum has taken upon itself to lead the Ring to Mordor."
Yes. As it was predicted, he is still valuable in this venture.
"What will you do now?"
How long have I been asleep?
"Almost a week."
I should greet the new Saruman, and offer my counsel. They will need help to pierce through the stubbornness of Men. I will fly to Edoras.
"Your last flight left you in such a weakened condition, you intend to repeat this feat? The land of Rohan is not pure. You could weaken even more."
It is something I am willing to risk. I have faith in Men. I have faith in my Hope. It will be one of my last journeys, the time for war is almost upon the horizon.
"Will you not stay longer?"
I have stayed long enough.
"Any last requests before you leave?"
I look at her. You always know what to do. You have no need of my Sight when yours is the strongest on Middle Earth.
And then I notice something different about Galadriel. She is shimmering. Lady Galadriel normally shines as brilliant as the sun and glows as light as the moon, but her light now is just slightly dimmer.
"I passed the test. I will diminish and remain Galadriel, and I will pass into the West."
I bow my head in respect. My congratulations, I am sure your husband is delighted.
"Do not worry, peace will come to you, too." I did my best to keep the bitterness from my tone, but it appears as though I failed. Galadriel decides to change the topic. "When will you leave?"
I unfurl my wings and stand. Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Galadriel. I will see you at the end of days.
Galadriel dips her head slightly, the most acknowledgement I will receive from her. She hands me a double wineskin, heavy with water. "For the poison."
I am about to leap into the sky when she stops me again.
"The secret to purity lies in starlight."
I stare at her. Did she just tell me how to harvest pure water?
"Lórien itself is clean, from the air and the trees, to the grass and waters. Water that holds the stars is the purest of spirit. Know this, and you will last to the end of days." Her hand touches my heart, and for a moment, I forget why I am distrustful of her. Our eyes lock together as we acknowledge our past faults, now united against a common foe.
And this time, when I rise to the skies, she does not stop me.
*Great Spirit - I just happened to be researching Sauron, because I was hoping for some sort of physical description to use, before I remembered that he, the other wizards, and some of the elves were actually spirits who (for one reason or another) ended up on Middle Earth.
I only had a vague idea about what I wanted to write in this chapter when I started this. So apologies, once again, for the super-late update. I reiterate, I only write when I have inspiration, which is unreliable of me...
AN: As far as my ignorant self knows, these areas don't exist in Middle Earth. If they do exist, let me know. Also, seeing as how I used one of Sauron's previous names in this chapter, I feel I should mention that some of the information I will be incorporating will be, for lack of a better phrase, "ripped off" of wiki...
