Blah, blah, blah, it's cold and slushy out. But I got a super cool snowboard! So maybe when the weather clears I can test it out. It's something to look forward to.
Izzy: Besides my beautiful face?
MN9: Sure…whatever you say…
Izzy: That's right.
Disclaimer: I'll make this simple for you lawyers. I don't own any part of Lord of the Rings at any time!
Chapter 29 Recap:
She stopped talking altogether, and just wept on his shoulder.
"Shh, it's okay. Just breathe," he whispered, rubbing her back and trying to comfort her. A few minutes later her helped her up onto a chair and looked her in the eyes.
"Tell me what happened. Slowly and calmly, we have all the time," he said carefully.
She nodded and sniffled. She took a big breath and told him everything, about how her life had changed dramatically within the last hour.
Chapter 30:
Haldir was in shock. He had always known Abigail was different, of course. But another world, with technology and knowledge he could probably never understand. That he never fathomed.
"Well," he said, after a long moment of silence. "At least Authion finally spoke up."
She groaned. "Did everyone notice it, but me?"
"For elves, the look of a man in love can never be mistaken."
"Do you think he hates me?" Abigail wondered.
"No. He will be hurt for a while, but he will not hate you. He was warned that you didn't feel the same way."
"He is my best friend, my brother. I thought he knew that was the love I felt for him," she explained.
"You are at no fault. He is the one who should be sorry. It was not smart to corner you like that, on the night of your leaving."
She nodded slowly.
"I suppose I should apologize to you too, for I have done the same thing. I have burdened you with another secret, and now I am leaving you alone with it," she said sadly.
He shook his head.
"You are never a burden, Abigail. I would die for you. Keeping my mouth quiet is no great feet."
She smiled softly, tears brimming her eyes again.
"Thank you," she said.
"But, just so I understand, are you saying you know the outcome of this war?"
She sighed, and stood up to stand by the window, the cool night breeze refreshing against her face.
"So far, the general plot has come true. Frodo finding the ring, the council in Rivendell, you finding the fellowship in Lorien-"
"Has anything been different?" he asked.
"Besides me? No not really. Perhaps I was just left out of the story."
"Nonetheless, you need to remember this is reality. Rules can be broken. Your story is not entirely false nor is it entirely true," he cautioned.
"I don't want to leave. I don't know if I can walk besides them knowing who and what I am. It is just so…strange. I was thrown into one of my daydreams."
She paused, and faced Haldir directly.
"Do you think I will change the outcome?"
"Only for the better," he said confidently.
"Still," she said, thinking hard. "I don't think it is wise to tell them, at least not now. If they turn on me, here it is too easy to abandon me. They could just leave me on the shore. They won't be as understanding."
"It will be only harder to admit if you wait, you know," the wise elf said.
"Yes, I do."
Abigail kept thinking of Gandalf and Boromir. They will be the most affected by her silence.
"Do what you think is right, and I will stand behind you. But you shouldn't think so little of your companions. They could be more understanding and trustworthy than you think."
She thought about what he said, but didn't respond.
"Try to get some sleep, no matter how little the time is. I will walk you out in the morning," Haldir said, while slowly exiting her room.
"I doubt I could ever sleep," she thought, images still running strong through her head. But as soon as she lay her head down on the pillow, she closed her eyes…
"Men, so pitiful with their pleads and their shame," she said. It was her voice, but not her words.
"We are attracted to great things of power. Every time you use yours, it's like a beacon, making it that much easier to find you."
"Do not worry. Soon you will be able to use your powers all you want."
"You have made your choice, and there is no escaping it."
"I am the mighty. You will not deny my power and you cannot keep yours!"
"You are made only for me,"
"You are too much of a risk," he hissed. "My master thinks you are not ready. You are weak."
"A power you might have, but powerful you are not. You are a nuisance who doesn't belong."
Abigail's eyes snapped open and she sat up in bed. The faint light of dawn was coming in from her window.
"What was that about?" she whispered, rubbing her temples.
Her dreams were always dark, and never clear about what they were trying to tell her. She could barely remember what it was about.
"Never mind it. I need to pack."
She stood up and stretched. She looked down and saw she was still wearing the dress.
'Hmm, it is Rodwen's. But I don't want to risk seeing Authion, and there is not enough time go there. I said me goodbye's last night,' she decided. 'I'll have Haldir return it.'
A soft knock came on her door.
"I'm awake," she called out.
Haldir came in. "Just checking. Aragorn said he wanted to leave before mid-day, remember."
She was surprised at how calm he sounded, despite everything. This was a good thing, though, for she had not wanted it to be awkward.
"Yes, I remember. Say, do you know where I put my daggers?" she asked.
"They are in the chest, along with your bow. And there's bread and fruit in the kitchen."
"Ahh, that's right. Thanks," she said.
He nodded, and then left her to change.
She walked over to the closest, and pulled out her familiar brown skirt and green blouse. She also grabbed some extra tunics, leggings, boots and even crammed in a riding dress, just in case.
'Amazing how much this bag holds.'
She undid her braids from last night, brushed her hair and put it up in a coiled bun, praying that it would stay.
"I'm back in quest chic," she thought to herself. And it felt good.
She opened her bedroom door, and was shocked to see Rodwen standing in front of it.
"What are you doing here?" Abigail asked, politely.
"I knew you would avoid our house, so I came to you," she explained.
"Oh, right," Abby said, hanging her head slightly. "Listen, Rodwen I-"
"It alright, don't worry about a thing. He'll be fine and nobody blames you. Not even Authion."
"You're sure?" Abigail asked hopefully.
"Positive," Rodwen assured. "We're only upset to see you go so soon," her friends voice wavered in sadness.
"I'll be fine, I always am. I only want you to worry about your family. I want that kid shooting arrows by the time I come back, because I am coming back," Abby scolded.
"I'll always be worrying about you, but I'll take care of them," Rodwen promised.
Abigail embraced her long-time friend in a tight hug.
"I'll miss you," she whispered.
"May there always be angels to watch over you," Rodwen quoted from the song.
"And you."
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Abigail and Haldir walked slowly and thoughtfully, stepping together as they went through the woods.
It was so quiet, and almost no other elves could be seen.
"Actually, while we are alone, I want to give you something," Haldir said something.
"Really?" Abigail said, arching an eyebrow.
He nodded, and slowly pulled something from his pocket. It was a small wooden bow.
"Open it," he urged gently.
She slowly lifted the top, and gasped at what was inside.
It was a silver bracelet, with crystal carvings and some small, gold leaf imprints. She took a closer look at the carvings, and it looked like there was a liquid inside.
"It beautiful," she whispered.
"There is one night a year, when the star Eärendil shines it brightest. They say, that if you collect the dew on the willow tree the following morning, you have captured a bit of the star itself. The liquid is called the pool of Eärendil, which is what is inside that bracelet."
"Part of the sacred star? This is a gift for royalty!" she said amazed.
"So it is perfect for you," he said.
He gently took the bracelet from her.
"Watch," he said. He closed his eyes, and chanted quietly,
"Pool of Eärendil, shine for me bright. Give hope in darkness, give shadow a light."
Even in the daylight, Abigail could see how the bracelet began to glow brightly, casting a protective warmth.
"This is meant to give you hope and safety, and you can use it when darkness seems to be clouding your footsteps," he explained.
"It's magnificent. Thank you…Ada," she said.
He smiled, even more brightly than the bracelet.
"Ada," he repeated, as if he were trying out the name.
"On earth, where I first came from, my name means joy of the father. For all the joy you have given me, I can only hope I'm done the same. I hope to call you father, for you are the only man I have loved as one," she said happily. "I would be just as honored if you could think of me as a daughter.
"You always have been and always will be my daughter, Abigail."
He kissed her on the forehead, and they embraced each other tightly and tenderly.
She sniffed. "I've cried way to much in the past 12 hours."
He chuckled lightly, and watched as she slipped the bracelet in her left wrist.
"Perfect," he said.
She nodded in agreement.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
The fellowship was standing at the rivers end, except for Abigail. But they soon saw her coming in with the Captain Haldir. Halfway there, the two stopped and Abigail hugged him one last time. Then she went on her own to join the line up of the fellowship. She stood at the far end next to Aragorn.
"Better late than never," he told her.
She smiled. "I needed to pack," was all she said.
Elves came up, and offered Lorien cloaks and pins to each member of the fellowship.
"Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes," Lord Celeborn said.
His eye lingered on Abigail for a moment, and she nodded her head in respect.
Next Galadriel stepped forward, so she could present them with gifts.
The members spaced out a little, so each could have their privacy with the lady.
From a distance, she saw Galadriel give Legolas a bow, daggers to Merry and Pippin and a rope to Sam.
To Gimli, all she saw was Galadriel laughing, and taking something from her head.
Her view was blocked from Frodo, but she already knew what he was getting.
Next she stopped and Boromir, and handed him a small gift which he took gladly.
Aragorn was still fairly close to her. At least close enough to hear what Galadriel said to him.
"I have nothing greater to give than the gift you already bear." She touched the Evenstar. "Am meleth dîn, i ant e guil Arwen Undómiel pígatha."
(For her love, I fear the grace of Arwen Evenstar will diminish)
"Aníron i e broniatha, ad ae periatham athar i methid en-amar hen. Aníron i e círatha na Valannor," he hastily replied.
(I would have her leave these shores and be with her people. I would have her take the ship to Valinor.)
"Their bond is strong. Such love at such a distance," Abigail thought. Her heart ached at the thought of it. "Few will ever understand it."
She was taken from her thoughts, when Lady Galadriel approached her.
"There is also no gift I can offer you," she said.
"You have shown be grace, hospitality and knowledge, my lady. Gifts that I can never repay, but I always will be thankful for," Abigail replied.
Galadriel glanced at Abigail's wrist.
"The pool of Eärendil," she said thoughtfully. She looked into her eyes.
"You now have the love of a father, but you still yearn for more."
Abigail gave her a confused look.
"You have many choices and burdens to keep. Do not try to hold back what is plain to see," Galadriel continued.
"I'm afraid I don't understand."
"You rely on the love, trust and hope of others, and keep none for yourself. Do not be afraid and despair, because you still have a chance."
Despite the riddles of her words, Abigail always had faith in them and she would try to remember it.
"Thank you, for everything," she said softly.
"I do not believe we will meet again, young Abigail."
"Parting is such sweet sorrow," said Abigail.
Galadriel gave her all-knowing smile, nodded and walked away.
"Give him time," the voice came.
Abby turned around, wanting to ask more, but the lady had already left the area.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
One by one, the company got into to boats in groups of three. Gimli, Legolas and Sam in one. Boromir, Merry and Pippin in another and Aragorn, Frodo and Abigail in a third.
They cast off from the misty shores, and paddled softly away on the crystal-blue river.
In that moment, Abigail wondered if she would ever see the trees of Lorien again.
She fingered her bracelet lightly.
"Namárië," she whispered, and pulled her cloak tighter for she suddenly felt a chill in the air.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Dusk came quickly and silently, and the fellowship had to pull over to make camp on shore.
Late at night, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn were gathered around the fire.
The hobbits were fast asleep, while Abigail pretended to sleep and mainly stared at the ground, away from the others.
"What did Celeborn say to you?" Legolas asked Aragorn.
"It was a warning about the increasing danger. The eastern shore holds orcs from Mordor, while the western bank holds a new type of orc, which can travel under the sun. The river has given us a good heads start, but we are being tracked by the minute," Aragorn replied, sounding a bit dismayed.
"It sounds as if we are better off crossing to the eastern side," commented Boromir.
"Do we know how large a group?" said Gimli.
"Not exact numbers, but we are for sure outnumbered," said Aragorn.
"Should we wake Abigail?" Legolas suddenly asked.
She could feel them watching her back, and she closed her eyes tightly hoping they wouldn't notice she already was awake.
"Nay, let her sleep," Aragorn told them. "She has been in a strange mood all day, and didn't looked like she slept much the previous night."
"She must be worried about leaving Lorien. It could be a while before she is back," Boromir said.
"I noticed it too, but I there is something else bothering her besides homesickness," said Legolas.
"Let's just leave the girl be. If she has a lot on her mind let her sort it out," suggested Gimli.
It was true, that Abigail had barely looked at anyone all day. But she didn't know how she was supposed to act. She had been debating herself in her mind about any sort of solution, but none came. If she was sitting with them now, could she pretend to be surprised about the orcs hunting them? Or that there was a new breed that could walk in light?
No, she knew exactly what evil was coming, and they were coming hard and fast.
Could she protect them from the fate that they will soon meet? Would she be able to mend the breaking of the fellowship?
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Saruman stood in his tower looking over his army. The mark of the white hand could be seen even from this height.
"Hunt them down," he ordered to the troops. "Do not stop until they are found. You do not know pain. You do not know fear. You will taste man flesh!"
He raised his hand in triumph, and the barbaric sounds of howls and growls could be heard below.
Saruman walked away, and met the captain, Lurtz in the middle of the seeing stone room.
"One of the halflings carries something of great value. Bring them to me alive and unspoiled. Kill the others!" he directed.
Lurtz grunted in understanding, and made a move to leave.
"Wait, one more thing," the wizard said, fingering the palantir. "There might be another…a woman that I want. If she is with them, knock her out and bring her as well. Do not allow her to be fully awake, or it will be the last thing you do."
"No woman with trick me," he rasped. "Does she have to be…unspoiled too?" Lurtz asked with a twisted smile.
"Yes," Saruman scolded quickly. "No one is to touch her, unless absolutely necessary. She must be whole."
"Fine," Lurtz grumbled. "As you wish, master Saruman."
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Quick note, if you look back to 21, you will remember that Saruman is aware the Abigail exists.
This chapter is not very exciting, I overall don't like it that much, but I needed something here before next time. I will probably rewrite this some day, but I wanted to post on time and you get the general idea.
Next Chapter: Will Abigail change the fellowship's fate? Can Saruman succeed in capturing her? Update to happen either Wednesday or Thursday, most likely.
Thanks to "tres bien" reviewers:
ArwenEvenstar83: Oops, I didn't mean for that to be a cliffie. I'm glad you approve the chapter. When I first started out I was only going to have, like, 2 memories, but then I branched out. And I hope the little Oo's will make for better page breaks. Thanks!
writin4fun15: Ah yes, I love the plot twists. Perhaps Abigail isn't so innocent. I hope I never have writers block, too! Thank you!
Daughter of Arabia: Thank you, thanks you very much.
nightskylover: Hello new person! I'm very happy to hear you like the story so far. As always, I do apologize for all the typos. I am trying to read through more carefully so there are less, and I do plan to fix the other chapters at some point. Thanks, please review again!
Narnian Sprite: I told you she was going to get her memory back sometime in the middle. Have faith in Mystic! LOL, thanks and I'm glad you enjoyed.
LadyEruaphadriel-orderofthe...: I'm happy you're happy about the chapter! Boromir's fate will be decided next chapter, so stick around. Thanks!
Questions, comments or concerns? Please contact MysticNight9 through the review button.
Until we meet again!
-MN9