Maternal Instinct
Legolas walked on, not turning to see if Aragorn and Gimli were following him. Ivy was in no danger, this he knew, but his need to be with her was growing stronger by the day.Night had fallen and they were deep within the thick of the forest. Gimli stopped when he saw a black substance on the leaves of a nearby shrub. He rubbed it with his finger and licked it.
"Bleeaargh!" Gimli exclaimed, spitting on the ground, "Orc Blood"
Aragorn turned and shushed Gimli. Legolas looked around as though he heard something.
"This forest is old" he said, "Full of memory... and anger"
Legolas took a few steps forward.
"Aragorn... nad no ennas"
Ivy slept in the thick of a bush at the foot of a large willow tree. Nearby, Pippin and Merry also slept soundly. Ivy turned over restlessly in her sleep. She was running through the forest where she had been gathering wood when Boromir appeared. Ivy's breath caught in her throat. He was gaining closer and calling her name.
"Ivy"
"No..." she mumbled, fighting him away.
"Ivy"
Ivy woke from her dream to find it was daylight and someone was trying to wake her.
Ivy's eyes fluttered open and she began to focus on the world around her. A strange woman was kneeling before her a hand resting on Ivy shoulder. Ivy sat up and looked glanced around looking for the hobbits.
"Fear not Ivy, for they are with the Ents and will find no harm,"
The lady smiled softly. Ivy took a moment to study her. She was slender and pale with a faint green hue that touched the outlines of her luminescent skin. Her ears were sharply pointed at the tips more so then elves and hobbits but were not overly large or pronounced. Her lips were luscious and the deepest of red, her eyes were almond shaped and of the deepest green. She wore a dress of a deep forest green that hung from her shoulders and fell around her ankles in deep folds of lush velvet.
She moved her hand from Ivy's shoulder and Ivy noticed that the arms of her gown were slit from the wrist almost to the shoulder so they fell open hanging graceful at her side the underside of the gown was soft green silk. From the base of her index finger, winding elegantly to her shoulder on both arms was a trail of the finest ivy, almost like a tattoo but nothing so crude, it was as if a plant was actually alive under her skin. Resting there, sharing her life force, it looked so real.
Ivy regained her wits and pulled her focus off of the woman's arms.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"I go by many names and yet I have none, but the one you would know me as is mother"
Ivy stared open mouthed.
"What? This cannot be," She rose to her feet shaking her head. The lady moved towards her with a grace only the elves could match.
"It is true my darling. For long I have been forced into hiding, torn from those most dear to my heart. I have risked much coming back here but there are things I must show you, things that must be passed on to you so that you may become one with the Earth,"
"What are you talking about? Become one with the earth? Isn't that what I already am?"
The woman shook her head.
"Nay, Ivy what you feel is but a shadow of what you must become. As I stand here I can sense what a mouse is doing in the farthest forest on the farthest island,"
Ivy faced the woman. Could it be? She did not want to believe it but she felt this woman's presence it was like nothing she had ever experienced. The plants and animals that had always clambered for her attention were ignoring her in the shadow of this woman's power.
"Where have you been?" Ivy asked. She knew she was being rude, but being polite was not what was foremost in Ivy's mind at that moment.
"I have been with the entwives. You see Ivy dearest, I could not stay here for the shadow that ever grows was tearing at me. Making me weaker than I have ever been. So I placed you in your father's care, and he in turn placed you in the care of his good friend Bilbo. The shadow would have killed me Ivy. Even now, being back here, I feel it. It is stronger than ever."
Ivy took a moment to consider this. She could feel tears forming behind her eyes. What was wrong with her? All her life she wanted nothing but to meet her mother and now that the moment was finally here, she was angry with her. A single tear slid down her cheek.
"Oh Ivy..." said her mother, pulling her into her arms. She stroked her hair and comforted her as only a mother knows how. Ivy reveled in the feel of her mother's arms around her and the tears became sobs. A lifetime of anger, hurt and pain came gushing out, like a dam bursting.
"Shh..." her mother said, "It is ok now. Although I cannot stay for long, you will see me again"
Her mother smiled.
"When your time in Middle Earth comes to an end, you will see me again in Valinor."
Ivy mother pushed her away and looked deep into her eyes.
"Ivy are you ready?"
Ivy didn't know if she was. What her mother was giving her was a powerful thing and she wasn't sure if she could control it. She wasn't sure that she wanted to. Ivy's mother saw the doubt flickering in her eyes. She reached out and touched her shoulder and showed Ivy what may come to pass if she did not take this gift and help fight against the evil flowing over the land. She showed her how the earth would decay if she did not tend it in the coming centuries.
Ivy's eyes snapped open as the horrifying images stopped. Her mother took Ivy's hands in her own and Ivy felt warmth rush through her. The vines under her mother skin snaked up her own arms resting under her skin. Her hair changed colour to a deep shade of forest green and her skin lost all imperfections becoming a pale and luminous light green. Then it was over and Ivy dropped to the ground in a deep sleep. Gandalf who had been watching from a short distance walked over to his lover.
"It is done …" she whispered.
Gandalf kissed her temple. His wife had changed into an almost exact replica of what Ivy had been. Just a normal maiden with deep brown hair and deep brown eyes. The only difference was she was a little older, with few creases around the eyes and a light trail where the ivy under her skin had once been.
"You must go. I will see you soon in Valinor,"
Ivy's mother turned to leave. She did not get very far before she turned back to Gandalf.
"Look after her,"
Gandalf nodded and watched as the light of his heart walked out of his life for the second time.
Ivy felt herself slipping back into consciousness now that the others had left her alone. Gandalf had disappeared back into the forest and Pippin and Merry were trying to listen in on the ent moot and drinking too much growth draft than was good for them.
Fear, confusion and uncertainty swirled within her, but most of all an empty pit where she missed Legolas dropped low in her belly. Her longing for Legolas overwhelmed her. Her back was pressed sharply against the earth. Her mind reeled with the power she couldn't stop. The Earth, the Plants, the Life force of the planet was flowing through her, out of her control.
Legolas carried on the others following him closely.
"Must we continue elf?" Gimli grunted.
"Yes,"
Legolas strode purposely forward as vines shot out of the earth pulling him down into it.
"Ai! Ai!" He screamed pulling out his sword and hacking at them. Gimli ran forward heaving his axe up and trying to free the vine that was dragging Legolas towards the forest.
Pain shot through Ivy. Cuts appeared on her arms and her eyes flew open as she realized what was happening. She used pure strength of will to control her powers. She had no idea her powers were that strong. The urge she felt to be near Legolas had caused the nearest tree to pull him to the ground.
She felt herself adjusting, her organs shifted slightly and she felt coolness spread over her body as it grew accustomed to its new power. She looked down at her bleeding arms, where her friends had cut at her vines. Legolas! His name rang through her mind. What if she had hurt him!
She stood up and started to stumble towards the edge of the forest. Heedless of the length of the journey but the loss of blood was too great. She fell to the ground and yelled out for Merry and Pippin. The pair rushed from the pool nearby to offer assistance.
Legolas put his sword back in its sheath.
"Legolas, what devilry is this?" Aragorn whispered.
"The White Wizard has new tricks I see," Gimli grunted.
Legolas stepped towards the nearest tree and pushed his ear against it.
"No, not Saruman. The earth, the trees they are crying, the shadow of sadness…..mourning,"
"What has happened?" Aragon asked in concern, resting his hand on Legolas shoulder.
Legolas pushed himself away from the tree.
"Ivy!" he yelled and bolted into the woods.
Legolas sprinted through the forest leaping over root and log. The others trailing behind him, keeping up as best they could. Legolas' heard his heart thumping in his ears.
The hobbits reached Ivy and tried to stem the flow of blood from her arms. Gandalf appeared in the small clearing where two frantic hobbits bustled over the pale Ivy.
"Hobbits," he boomed.
"The Ents have made their decision," He looked knowingly at Merry.
"Treebeard has agreed to take you to the destination of your choice. He awaits you now. Do not fear for Ivy, I will tend to her,"
The hobbits stared at Gandalf open mouthed for he was not as they remembered. He was different somehow.
"Hurry, I have not time to share my story now. I will reveal all to you my dear little friends when we have time to rest."
The hobbits ran towards the booming Ents voices. A plan to change Treebeard's mind was already forming in Merry's sharp mind.
Gandalf knelt next to his daughter and rested his hand on her forehead.
"tanka harwa" he whispered. (heal)
The cuts on Ivy's arms closed but thin pinkish lines remained, slicing their way across her pale skin. Her eyes fluttered open. Gandalf smiled and helped her sit. She threw her arms around him and let salty tears slip down her cheeks.
"Father……" she whispered breathing in the musty smell of his robes.
"I am sorry my dear, I cannot remove those scars. They will be with you for all your years," Gandalf said moving back from Ivy's embrace slightly.
Ivy ran her hands down her arms and smiled up at her father.
"They are not so bad; they will forever be a reminder to control my power. I am so glad to see you. I thought you had fallen…"
Gandalf brushed some of Ivy's now green hair behind her ear.
"I did, child through flame and water. I was sent back for my task here is not yet completed,"
Ivy smiled.
"I'm glad,"
Gandalf stood and helped Ivy to her feet.
"How do you fare? I know what has transpired. You have received your destiny. The power you now possess is greater than all that walk this earth. For without you there would be no earth for them to walk upon. Now, the time has come for me to tell you more about who you are, but come we must walk. I know you must be tired but we have a meeting we must not miss,"
Ivy linked her arm with Gandalf's, resting her hand lightly on his forearm as he walked forward using his staff for balance. She reached out slightly with her powers testing them. She felt the fear of the beetles under the leaves they stepped upon rushing away in fear. She reached down and could hear the very core of middle earth turning. It was not like the powers she had held when she was younger she felt in complete control of the life and power surging through her. A sense of completeness washed over her. These powers were hers and this was her path to tread. Now she not only had power but the knowledge that she did not need to control it with force but with kindness and heart. It was one with her and she need only ask and the world would stop for her.
"Father? Will you not tell me more now? I know all I am now but I do not understand …. What do they call me? I feel as if I do not know myself any longer."
"Your mother had no name. She was created before there was anyone or anything to name her. Although in elvish legend she is known as Atara Arda. (mother earth) She was formed from the earth as it itself was formed there has never been one without the other. Now her legacy has passed to you. Ivy, knowing your name will not help you on the path to finding yourself. Only you can do that."
Ivy was silent, testing her powers and thinking about the new knowledge she had gained. She was probing into the forest when she hit a familiar aura. Legolas!
Ivy turned to Gandalf searching his face.
"They are not far Ivy, we shall wait here for them," his eyes twinkled, "We shall give them a little surprise"
Legolas trudged on through the forest, ever aware that the White Wizard was still roaming the country side. He was certain that the Wizard had caused the tree to draw him to the Earth and the thought frightened him that he had so much power over all that dwelt in the forest.
Legolas stiffened when he saw that Aragorn had stopped and was clutching his sword hilt. Aragorn glanced at Legolas.
"Do not let him speak; he will put a spell on us"
Legolas nodded slightly and reached behind him to grab an arrow. Gimli gripped his axe tighter.
A bright, incandescent white light burst over a rock.
Legolas shot a bow into the light and it was fended away. Gimli hurled his axe in the wrong direction and Aragorn tried in vain to wield his sword.
"Show yourself!" Aragorn cried.
"You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits and a young maiden. They passed this way, the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?" came the voice.
"Show yourself!" Aragorn yelled again.
Gandalf leaned forward on his staff so that he blocked the light somewhat.
"Forgive me," whispered Legolas as he knelt in front of Gandalf, "I mistook you for Saruman"
Gimli knelt also, bowing his head in shame.
"You fell" said Aragorn disbelievingly.
"Through fire and water…" said Gandalf, "but that is another story for another time." Gandalf turned and looked over his shoulder at Ivy.
Ivy walked forward gracefully and knelt in front of Legolas, who was still kneeling on the grass. She reached forward and lifted his head with her hands. He started, wondering who in Middle Earth this was that was kneeling in front of him. Then his eyes saw something else, something familiar. Ivy watched as Legolas came to terms with her new appearance.
"Amaelamin?" he whispered. (My Beloved)
Ivy nodded, bending her head down so that some of her now deep green hair fell in front of her face.
The entire time she had been separated from Legolas she felt like a part of her was missing. Legolas raised his eyes and met Ivy's own, he studied them carefully, they had been green before but now they were like deep mossy green pools, a dark pure green of nature. He stared at her speechless for a moment, dwarfed by her power, unsure of how to react what to do. She was so different now; she was as close to a god as elves believed in. She was everything they cared for and admired. She was the forest, the seas and the sky. Legolas pulled himself together enough to whisper.
"It is done then?" Legolas asked.
"Yes, I met her. I met my mother Legolas"
Ivy's fingers trailed down the sleeves of Legolas' tunic. He warmed at the gentleness of her touch, his heart reaching out for her; he almost made to kiss her but the stopped himself. It was not his place not anymore she was above him, exalted.
"I did this…" she whispered, "I am sorry"
Legolas shook his head.
"Nay, it was the White Wizard Ivy. He can control the trees with his mind!"
Ivy smiled sadly.
"Nay Legolas it was I. In my effort to be near you when my powers came into full effect I accidentally harmed you." A single tear slid down her cheek.
"Look" she said, extending her wrist and moving the folds of her sleeve back so Legolas could see the tiny cuts over her forearms. He stood and stumbled back in terror. What had he done!
"Ai! I did this to you?" He muttered barley a whisper.
Ivy stood slowly and nodded. Legolas fell to one knee in front of her bowing his head.
"Lady of the earth, find it in your heart to forgive your most humble servant,"
Ivy looked awkwardly around at the others who were as much in awe of her as Legolas.
"My friends do not be so distant it is still me! I walk among Princes and Kings, you do not have to show reverence to a woman from Hobbiton! Please, I beg of you, do not treat me any different"
Aragon walked over to where Legolas and Ivy were he touched Legolas gently on the back telling him to stand. Aragon looked at Ivy and saw how different she had become. The air around her was thick with power; the ground beneath his feet seemed to sing with it. Ivy smiled at him, long seconds passed and finally he returned her smile and she threw herself into his arms holding him tightly. She then moved to Gimli and touched the dwarf gently on the shoulder.
"Are we still friends my dwarf?"
Gimli nodded, obviously over come by the moment.
"Aye, we are friends Ivy Arda,"
He smiled cheekily.
"So long as you see to it the mines of my house grow abound in mithril to be mined"
Ivy's laughter rang out through the musty forest and the forest around her lightened. The feelings of rage and anger left the woods around them and small flowers bloomed at the base of the trees and that small section of Fangorn became what it should have been with out Saruman's influence. To the right Legolas stood silently. Gandalf moved next to him both watching the friend's reunion most carefully.
"She is much changed is she not Prince Greenleaf?"
Legolas nodded and turned his gaze to the older man.
"As are you Gandalf,"
Gandalf chuckled.
"I do not think however my transformation weighs as heavily on your mind. This was to be expected you know. Atara Arda is not meant to form bonds with the peoples of this world, but like her mother Ivy will be unable to resist. Especially as she was raised among them,"
Legolas paused to consider this for a moment.
"This is the first time the legacy of the earth has passed to another, Will it be the only?"
Gandalf shook his head.
"No one can foretell the future, for in theory there should have only been one forever, but fate has dealt us a different road. Ivy will have children and one day they will bear the legacy or perhaps her children's children. I can not tell you how long the earth will linger, Legolas"
Legolas turned his gaze back to Ivy who was now conversing most animatedly with Aragorn and Gimli about all that had transpired. Gandalf rested his hand on Legolas shoulder.
"Do not look so grave young elf, It is hard to love an Atara Arda, but not impossible and I am the only person in any place or age who can vouch for that!"
Legolas smiled and moved to join the group. Gandalf watched for a time as the four of them reformed the bonds of friendship. Then he urged them on. They must make for Rohan if there was going to be a Middle Earth for them to save!