Hey, y'all!
Thanks to everyone who followed this story already! I can't believe how far this story has gone! It's already had over 100 visitors.
In this chapter we are going to meet my other OC. I did a butt load of research on this one and I hope you can tell the farther into the story we get.
By the way, pronunciations for the OCs' names are Air-a-veth, Tah-sur, and the new one is Ay-are-wen. No, it is not a play off the name Arwen. It means "Mistress of the Sea."
Please, feel free to review. I'd love to hear what everyone thinks.
Also, I know the story is a little fast paced, but I want to focus on my OCs' POVs
I mean, if you saw the movies or read the book, you know what happens.
And, by the way, I wil be deviating from the book and movies some, so it will be AU farther on.
If you have any questions about the OCs or storyline, feel free to PM me or ask in a review.
I will try to answer all questions! I promise!
Anywho, hope you enjoy this chapter! I really want to know what you think of Eärwen..
Love y'all!
~ Rachel
Eraveth stayed with the rest of the dwarves for some time until she felt her eyes closing in sleep. She slipped from the room and tried to find her way back to her own room. She took one wrong turn to many and found herself lost. She wandered the hallways hoping to find someone who could direct her back to her room. She came to a large room and studied the walls. She stopped in front of a statue that was holding a tray on which were placed fragments of a sword.
Eärwen watched the young she-dwarf as she walked aimlessly around the room. As Eraveth stopped to glance at the shards of Narsil, Eärwen took the opportunity to speak. "Where are you from, young one?" she asked as she moved the child she was carrying to her other hip.
Eraveth spun in the direction of the voice and saw the beautiful woman with the small child. The woman, whom Eraveth assumed was an elf by the point of her ears, was quite striking. She had red hair that hung in loose curls down her back. Her hair had stripes of pale gold that Eraveth had never seen before. Sapphire eyes, framed by thick, dark lashes, seemed to be studying her.
The child that the woman was carrying was clearly of the race of men and had a head of unruly brown hair. He, also, seemed to be studying Eraveth and once he was content, he gave her a wide smile and tried to squirm out of the woman's reach. Before she knew what was happening, she was being handed the child to hold and was being steered to a bench to sit down at.
Finally, Eraveth had remembered that the woman had asked where she was from. "I am from Rohan, my lady," she said as she settled the little boy on her lap. "My name is Eraveth."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Eraveth of Rohan," the woman said in a soft, husky voice. "I am Eärwen of Rivendell, daughter of Lord Glorfindel, and this little one you are holding is Estel, adoptive son of Lord Elrond. It seems he is quite taken with you. I must apologize for startling you. It was not my intention."
Eraveth shook her head slightly and said as she ran her fingers through Estel's hair, "You need not apologize, Lady Eärwen. I was simply enjoying the beauty of what your people have to offer."
"I will thank you," Eärwen said as she teased Estel with a lock of her own hair. His small hands reached for it only to have it slip from his grasp the moment he closed his fist around it. "I must say, though, that it is not the beauty of my people's workmanship you see around you and, please, I am just Eärwen. There is no need for titles with me."
Eraveth's brows lowered in confusion and she asked, "How is it that this is not of your people? You said yourself you are of Rivendell."
Eärwen smiled and explained, "It is true that I call Rivendell my home, but I am not from here originally. Lord Glorfindel is not my true ada. He took me in when I was found not far from here as a small child. He raised me as his own, but I am not even an elf."
"What are you, then," Eraveth asked as she studied the woman again. "You look like an elf, except for the coloring of your hair."
"I am a nindari," Eärwen said, but once she saw that Eraveth still did not understand, she explained some more. "We have many names. My people are from the water. We are often referred to as nymphs. Your people surely had tales of what they call mermaids."
Eraveth was sure the shock that she felt was clear on her face. Upon hearing Eärwen's light laughter she did a second take of the woman. "You don't have fins, though," she said as she looked at the two feet that were peeking out from under Eärwen's pale blue gown.
"That is correct," Eärwen chuckled as she reached over and took Estel from Eraveth's lap and placed him on the floor. "I have the ability to walk on land if I want to, but once I am in the water, my tail fin returns. I would like to tell you more, but I do not know much more."
Their discussion was cut short by the arrival of Lord Elrond. He greeted each woman with a nod and said, "Forgive my intrusion, ladies." He turned to Eraveth and continued, "I wonder if I might steal Eärwen away. I have something I need to discuss with her and I believe Estel is ready for sleep. Do you mind?"
Eraveth shook her head in response. The question seemed rhetorical to her. Who would deny Lord Elrond? Elrond thanked her and turned to Lindir.
"Please escort Lady Eraveth back to her rooms," he said. "I am sure she is tired from the day's events."
Eraveth curtsied as she whispered a thank you. Lindir began to move away and Eraveth silently followed him. The silent elf stole a glance at the female dwarf and found her walking with her head down. He did not carry a fondness for dwarves but this girl seemed to mystify him. She was not like the dwarves in her company. They were loud and boisterous; whereas, she was quiet and subdued. She did not look like a dwarf either. She had no beard and was not plump like dwarves tended to be.
Eraveth glanced up to find Lindir studying her and offered him a soft smile. The elf continued to walk silently until they reached Eraveth's rooms. He pushed her door open to allow her to enter. He asked as she walked past him, "Is there anything you need, Lady Eraveth?"
"No, there is not, but thank you." She moved to close the door but noted his hesitance to leave. She paused to study him for a brief moment before asking, "Is there something I can do for you, Lindir?"
The elf looked down at her lovely face and said, "It is not that I need anything, but may I ask you a question?"
"Of course, you can. What is it that you wish to know?"
"You are not like the other dwarves," he said quietly. "How is it that you came to be in this company?"
Eraveth offered him a brilliant smile and said, "I owe them a debt. They saved my life, albeit unwittingly, from a trio of trolls. My brother and I promised them our services in payment of that debt. I realize it is an odd story but it is the truth."
Lindir gave Eraveth a brief nod before departing. Eraveth looked around her room and walked to the balcony. A light breeze was blowing and she let it blow the wayward strands of hair that had escaped her braids. She gazed down at the beauty that lay before her. A small courtyard lay below her and a fountain sat gurgling in the middle. The last light of day was fading on the horizon and the sky was painted with yellows, oranges, reds, and purples. The moon was rising in the east and added its silvery glow to the darkening sky.
Eraveth leaned on the railing and let the beauty of the valley wash over her. Before she knew it, she found herself singing a song that had been taught to her by her mother. Her clear voice seemed to ring out through the valley.
How green are your valleys, how blue your great skies,
Your mountains stand tall in their glory:
Your rivers run free - the bright stars are your eyes,
Your beauty is endless before me.
Oh, you are the song ever singing in me,
And you are the heart ever true:
For, you are my land and you always will be,
The voice ever calling me… home to you.
When times we are far from your forests and streams,
When sailing from your shining waters:
We carry your hopes - your spirit, your dreams-
In the hearts of your sons and your daughters.
Oh, you are the song ever singing in me,
And you are the heart ever true:
For, you are my land and you always will be,
The voice ever calling me… home to you.
When to your green valleys, someday I return;
When you lay your mantle around me:
At rest I will be where the heart will not yearn,
With my land to ever…surround me.
Oh, you are the song ever singing in me,
And you are the heart ever true:
For, you are my land and you always will be,
The voice ever calling me… home to you,
The voice ever calling me…home to you.
As she sang, many people began to seek the source of the song. Some elves stood back and smiled when they saw the young girl on her balcony. The company having heard the song and realizing that it was not like that of the elves also came out to investigate. They found their way to the courtyard below Eraveth.
Kili and Fili were the first to spot her. She stood above them and sang with her eyes closed lightly. She was bathed in the dying light of day that made the silver embroidery in her dress to shine. Curls that had escaped her braids now framed her face. It created a softening effect. They watched as she sang with emotion and a tear slip down her cheek. The tear glistened in the light.
Thorin and Balin were the last to find their way to the courtyard. They had been heading to tell the others to prepare to depart when they had heard the singing. The two dwarves looked up to see the singer. When they realized it was Eraveth, they listened intently until the song ended.
Eraveth stood still for a moment when she had finished her song. She breathed in the fresh night air and heard a sound below her. She looked down to find the company in the courtyard below her. She gave them a small smile and Balin motioned for her to join them. She gave a swift nod and left the balcony. With her gone, the dwarves turned to look at each other. Thorin was the first to speak. He told them of what they had discovered with Lord Elrond's help.
Eraveth soon joined them and Thorin spoke again. "I suggest you all get to sleep. Be prepared to leave at any time. Rest now. You have earned it."
A series of grunts seemed to agree with what Thorin had said. Eraveth bid goodnight to the Company and returned to her room. She changed into a nightgown and took note of her clothes that had been washed and repaired. She slid under the covers and was about to fall asleep when a knock sounded at her door. With a grumble, she pulled on a dressing gown and opened the door. Eärwen stood outside and forced the door open more. Eraveth was about to ask what the matter was when the other woman spoke.