a bit of a longer chapter today, yay! Okay, so I just want to let everyone know that thursday, friday, and Saturday I won't be able to update as I'll be away, but I promise that I will update on Sunday! Not too long, right? Anyway, thanks to all who have followed and favorited! So many!
Cartec677: thanks so much! I will!
MiaraElerina: you are introduced in the next chapter... Spoiler alert! Anyway, thanks as usual!
and... Well, disclaimer. Okay, go on and read.
Chapter 2
"I think I'm gonna be sick, Toron."
"What!?"
I sighed. "Exaggeration, much?"
"Oh. In that case- me too." I laughed at him.
We were currently walking towards the throne room, to say goodbye to Adar before we left. We both walked in to see Adar in the middle of a meeting with several dignitaries. They all paused and looked to see the both of us standing there.
I was wearing a traveling outfit, a white tunic with red swirls (typical of me), and green pants. Both the shirt and pants were decorated with silver patterns as well. A dark, forest green cloak finished it off. My hair was done up in my usual style- two braids on either side tied up in the back, the rest hanging loose. My favorite silver coronet crowned my forehead. I had very many coronets, but this one was my favorite.
My brother was wearing the same clothes and cloak. Both of our cloaks were from Lothlorien, tied with the green and silver leaf brooch. He also had his silver coronet.
We bowed in tandem, our hands clasped together as a sign of our position. Rising, we saw that the other dignitaries inclined their heads. Adar motioned for us to come closer.
We stood in front of him and he whispered some words into Legolas' ear. Legolas nodded gravely and Adar moved on to me. He bent over and whispered in my ear. "Be safe, mîn yeldë. I will miss you. I will call for you both when the time is right. Be good." He kissed my forehead tenderly.
I smiled up at him and whispered back, "No promises on the last one." Before he could scold me, I wrapped my arms around him and smelled the scent of wild berries on his tunic for the last in a long time. His arm wrapped around me and I felt him take a deep breath into my hair. I whispered, "If you need me, Adar, send a Phoenix." I pressed a fiery hand into his.
It was a method of communication I had learned to do. If I gave them the ability, a person could use fire and send me a message in the form of a fiery Phoenix.
He nodded and then sent us off with a fond smile. Both Legolas and I had begged to go alone together, no guards. He had started to protest, but seeing the look on my face, namely, determined, he gave in.
We left, and hands clasped, went to find Father before we left. I reached across our connection and tugged. I tugged Legolas in the direction of the bond and found Father in his room, standing by the window, looking out into the palace garden.
He turned, but the aloof expression on his face did not disturb the either of us. It was an expression he always wore in public. He was- well, he was not a very- okay, let's just say that dragon habits die hard. In other words, he didn't really show affection very well, except for with me. And Blondie.
His face melted into a smile and he strode forward to take me in a fond hug. I snuggled into his tunic and smiled. He hummed and buried his face into my hair, taking a deep breath. WHAT'S SO FASCINATING ABOUT MY HAIR!?
Legolas saw the expression on my face and smirked at me. I gave him a glare. He gave me the innocent look while I returned with the I-don't-believe-it one.
I pulled back and looked at Father, smiling innocently. "Be safe, Father."
He gave me the look. "Be safe, Naryl. Or else I will come and kill you in anger."
I huffed. "So not true. And it's Eruanna, not Narylfiel." I glared while Blondie snickered.
I had changed my name to Eruanna because I wanted to keep Narylfiel as a dwarfish name. It was special to me because of the memories that came with it. So I changed my name to Eruanna. Only the Dwarves and Father were allowed to call me Narylfiel.
It was my turn to snicker when he got a cuff to the side of the head and then a hug.
We left out the door. Before it closed, though, I poked my head back. "And I expect to get a message if I get a mother while I'm gone."
I slammed the door shut and both Lego and I fled, laughing at the enraged shout muffled behind the thick, wooden door.
...
"Come on!" I whined.
"I'm coming!" Was the retort I got.
I skipped into the stables and beelined for one of the stalls. I was almost as tall as Legolas now, just about a head shorter. Which is kinda nice, seeing as most of the enemies I encounter underestimate me. Yes, it's good because then they leave themselves wide open. And I mean wide open. Anyways, back to the stables.
I loved riding. It's so fun and I feel so free. I know I can fly, but I like to ride nonetheless. I went to my horse and petted his nose. Yes, I chose a male horse. He reminded me slightly of the one that I had met at Beorn's house.
And yes, I could understand him. He was an interesting horse, as far as appearance. He was white, but with a black nose and brown ears. He had a black star smack in the middle of his forehead. Interesting, right?
I petted his nose and whispered in his ear. "Are you ready for an adventure, mellon-nîn?" He snorted and pawed the ground impatiently, head bobbing up and down. I grinned and tacked him up, slipping the bridle and bit over his head, then grabbing the reins, leaped up. "Show off!" Came the accusatory call from my brother.
"Look who's talking!" I retorted, Black Star prancing underneath me. He tacked up and leaped on fluidly. "See?" He just grinned at me. "I can't have my little onònë beating me, can I?" I stuck my tongue out and he returned the sentiment.
"And you really wonder why the King was reluctant to let you both go alone?" Asked an amused voice from the door. We rolled our eyes at Tauriel. "He knows we are more than capable, Tary." She sighed. "As you say, princess."
"See you!" She bowed in reply as we headed out of the stables and passed the gates, whooping as Black Star and Hasufel pulled at their bits.
...
As we cantered out of the Forest, both of us were silent and listening for any threats. We finally arrived on the plains and grinned at each other in relief. No trouble so far. We kicked into a gallop across the plains for a while, laughing cheerily.
/This is fun! I'm glad I have onònë to share it with./ The thought that entered my mind made me bring Black Star to a halt, startled. Hasufel also stopped.
"What is it, onònë?" I gave Legolas a baffled look.
"I just heard a thought in my head that certainly wasn't mine." I replied, bewildered. His eyes lit up. "What did it say?"
"Ummmm, this is fun, I'm glad I have onònë to share it with?"
"Wow! We have a sibling bond, Eruanna!" He shouted exuberantly.
"What!? Awesome!" I exclaimed. We grinned and I sent a thought over. /This is awesome!/
/Exactly./
We continued traveling on, talking through the bond and occasionally listening in on Hasufel and Black Star's conversation as well.
As we arrived half-way to Imaldris, both Black Star and Hasufel stopped, whinnying and shying away from a grove of trees. "What is it, Black Star?"
"Foul smell!" He replied nervously.
"Orcs." I hissed. I drew my bow out and a red-feathered arrow, tip flaming. My fire was interesting. It was actually more of a golden color than red. I know, right? "Toron, get ready." It was barely out of my mouth when his bow was also trained on the direction the horses were facing, green and red feathers rustling in the slight breeze.
The orcs charged out of the tree line, swords raised and yelling. Arrow after arrow was flying, and Orc after Orc was falling, but many were still getting closer. We both gave up and hopped off, Legolas drawing his double blades and I as well. I was more comfortable with both, although I was just as good with a single.
/Ready?/
"Are you kidding? Yeah!"
We both yelled and charged. Communicating over the bond, we guarded each other's backs and managed to finish them off. I had a tiny bit of black blood smeared across my cloak, but was otherwise okay, except for the small gash on my arm where an arrow had managed to nick me.
"Toron? Are you alright?"
He nodded as I placed my hand on my wound and it closed. I healed a small nick on his cheek and we both grinned. "Epic." We high-fived.
/Let's go see their camp./
We both headed off, grabbing both of our steeds and leading them by the reins. We arrived at the camp and looked at the mangy set up, noses wrinkled. Until I noticed the humans huddled in the corner of the camp, eyes wide. I immediately dropped the reins and ran over, concerned.
"Stay away!" The man's voice came out shaky. I stopped and held up my hands.
"I mean you no harm. The orcs are dead and I wish to help you." I said placatingly.
They broke down in relief. I walked forwards and knelt in front of them. I pushed my hair behind my ear and checked them over gently. "Are you hurt?"
The man gestured vaguely to his arm. I winced at the sight of a gash an inch deep. "How did they find you?" I asked, puzzled. The woman spoke up. "We were traveling to our relations in Rohan from Lake Town and we were captured." She whispered. I shook my head. "I'm sorry."
"Let me help you." I reached for the man's arm. He held it out shakily as my hand caught on fire. He jerked his arm away. "Please, I promise it will not hurt. It will heal you. See?" I held the flame up to my cheek and pulled it away to show them.
I healed their wounds and the woman pulled her cloak away to reveal a tiny child lying in her arms, unhurt. I gasped and reached out, caressing the tiny cheek gently. "Is she okay?" I asked, concerned. She nodded wordlessly. "Thank you for your help." The man whispered. I smiled and helped them up. "It was my pleasure. I am Eruanna, and that us my brother over there."
The man looked at me curiously. "Pardon, but why would you elves help us? And who are you?" I smiled softly.
"We help anyone who needs it. I am a-" my eyes became distant and blank. "A legend. A mystery." I smiled gently. "Why would you think me an elf?" I asked.
"You ears." I touched the tip of my ear, confused, and felt- wait, a pointed tip!? "Oh." I brushed it off till later. "Will you be safe?" They nodded. "Thank you again, for your help." He said gratefully. I smiled. "Our pleasure. Be safe!" I waved and bounded back over to my brother, talking in Sindarian now. "Toron, since when exactly have I had pointy ears? And since when have orcs come this close to Imaldris!?"
He shook his head. "I don't know. We should tell Lord Elrond- wait, did you say pointy ears!?"
"No, I said square ears." I said sarcastically. He glared, then reached over and brushed the tip of my ear. "Ah! Toron, be careful! You know that they are sensitive!" I cried.
"Sorry, onònë!" We both mounted, and with a last farewell to the people, headed off.
"That IS strange... Must be the will of the Valar." He mumbled. I sighed. Valar, if this was your doing- well, so be it. I'm not complaining.
I just hope we can get to Imaldris soon. This has been a weird several days.