(Disclaimer: I own or claim none of Tolkien's work or characters, the only character that I claim is Brenna.)
Brenna tossed and turned throughout the night, her mind plagued by memories of the battles that she fought. Her dreams turned to nightmares in which she was being circle by wolves and Nazgul. With a startled cry she tore herself from them, launching up sitting. She was shaking from the terror that she felt. The wound on her back from the Battle of the Black Gate ached for the first time in a long while.
Drawing a deep cleansing breath, she looked around and noticed that the elves nearby were looking at her in concern. She reached back to rub the ache from her shoulder and pulled her cloak around her tighter. Elladan and Elrohir were kneeling next to her, waiting for her to calm down.
"Are you well Brenna?" Elrohir asked her quietly.
She nodded, seemingly unable to speak still. Her hand was absently rubbing the shoulder were the orc blade had sliced across her back. "Memories of the Battle, turned into nightmares," she whispered with unseeing eyes. "I can almost feel the blade in my back."
Thranduil gasped in horror at her admission. He made his way to her side and took her hand in his own. "Lady Brenna, what happened?" he asked in concern.
"That my friend is a long story. I won't be able to sleep now, so I may as well fill you in on everything that I know."
And so she told him everything, pausing to answer questions and to clarify things for him. The others sat and listened, enthralled by what they were hearing. Long hours passed and when she finished, she bid them goodnight and closed her eyes against the images, forcing herself to relax and rest.
Sunlight filtered into the newly awakened wood as Brenna began to stir. Off in the distance she could hear her name being called, like a whisper on the breeze. Rolling over she looked around the camp to find many, save the guards, sleeping still.
Brushing herself off, she stood and packed her things. Fastening her cloak, she strapped on her weapons and grabbed her pouch wrapped in burlap. By now the members of her guard were awake and quickly packing and preparing as the Woodland elves looked on in confusion. Upon receiving a nod from King Thranduil, they too began packing and preparing to leave.
The calling of her name had intensified and Brenna blindly turned to follow. Like before she was heading toward the barren, battle-worn part of the forest. The trees and land were crying out to her in anguish and she could no longer ignore the call.
The Woodland elves called out in alarm as she set off the path heading further into the wood. King Thranduil swiftly caught up to her side. She walked while leading Ash and began humming the healing and soothing songs of Yavanna, Vana and Elbereth. The closer that she got to the call, the more urgent and powerful it was. Her legs gave out as she reached the crest of a hill overlooking a vast barren wasteland below. Dead and rotted trees were scattered along the way. The remnants of spider webs drifted in the breeze that had begun to swirl around her, like mourning shrouds.
Her eyes got huge and her breaths came in great gasps. The echoes of the battle and lingering effects of the evil that plagued the land overwhelmed her. Tears were pouring down her face as she stepped towards the destruction below. Thranduil tried to tell her to wait, but she couldn't hear him over the cries of the trees.
Elladan and Eothain each took up a side and aided her as she stumbled blindly towards the center of the desolate field. Elrohir brought forth a blanket for her to kneel on as her legs could no longer hold her. The elves became concerned when they could feel the pain and sorrow radiating off of her.
"Ai Elbereth!" she whispered hoarsely.
Elladan swallowed the lump in his throat, "Melamin, do not despair. We will make it right and heal it," he told her softly, taking her hand in his own.
Turning to him with tears in her eyes she nodded and smiled sadly. She drew a deep calming breath and centered herself. Taking out the pouch, she laid it gently on the blanket. With one last calming breath, she turned towards Thranduil.
"I will need to spend hours here and at any other sites that are similar. The forest calls to me and cries out in pain. I will not be able to rest until heal what I can," she settled in and took a cleansing breath. "I apologize now, but this won't be the social celebration and homecoming that some planned sir. I fear that there will be little if any time for me to rest before I must return to Lothlorien to heal their lands as well."
Brenna began singing softly as she closed her eyes and prayed for help and strength. Her hands began to glow bright blue and her forehead emanated iridescent silver light. The stars upon her brow stood out clearly and distinctly. The wind began to pick up and swirl around her.
Elladan and Elrohir knelt next to her, ready to aid her and anchor her if she used too much power. Her voice began to grow as the strength of the wind picked up, sweeping across the land, taking with it the smell of decay and taint of evil.
The others that were part of her guard fell into a protective circle around her, keeping an eye on their surroundings. Haldir, Beleg, and Telgalad kept close to her side. Haldir's brothers stood near them with the members of her Rohirric Guard keeping a close eye on the situation. Halabard stepped up to speak to Eothain and Haleth quietly, bringing over a few of the other Rangers.
The sound of her voice seemed to awaken something deep within the Woodland elves. A latent longing and calling for Home stirred within them. A peace settled upon them as the forest seemed to come to life. She plunged her hands deep within the soil as her voice reached a crescendo.
Searching deep within the ground she found long dormant seeds. She called them forth, urging them and willing them to grow and flourish. Silently she called upon the Valar to lend her aid and help her heal the hurts. She felt her brow warm as power flared and surged within her, pulsing and pushing out from her hands.
Her body trembled with the immense amounts of energy flowing through her. She felt her skin flush and her hair crackle with residual energy. Still she carried on singing and willing the forest to heal. With a sigh she reached for her pouch and felt it pressed into her hands. Nodding in thanks she continued in her task.
Carefully and gently she took the precious flowers from her pouch. With great care and tenderness, she put a handful of the blossoms into the ground. Her voice carried out in the breeze, singing of renewed life and hope. With one final push of her power and strength, she slumped forward. Her consciousness faded away as she heard the alarmed cries of her Guardians and Woodland kin.
With a sigh her world faded to black as she drifted away. Deep in her mind she heard the Valar tending to her and healing her. She heard their praises and blessings before she felt herself drift into a deep Healing sleep.
Meanwhile Elladan and Elrohir caught her before she hit the ground. Their worry was evident as they laid her gently on the blanket. Each of them had watched and felt the power pour off of and out of her into the land while she healed the forest. Even now the swirling blue tendrils pulsed out spreading far and wide. Buds and saplings reached towards the sky and a bright array of colorful blossoms now danced along with the breeze swirling around them.
Eothain and the others began setting up camp around her, forming a protective circle around their charge. Thranduil looked around him and watched as his homeland began to heal and come to life. He knelt next to the young elleth and asked what he could do to help.
Elladan bit back any harsh response seeing his sincere concern. "She needs rest. We won't be able to travel with her in such a state. Most likely she will sleep for hours. We are vulnerable here in the open and need more coverage."
At his words Thranduil nodded and sent word with two messengers to bring more of the Guard. The others looked around uneasily, knowing that logistically, there were open to an ambush. Despite the evil being gone there were still rogue bands of orcs, goblins, and Wargs roaming and pillaging.
Eothain and the others of Brenna's original Rohirric Guard brought her pack and bedroll. Amrothos and his men set upon a perimeter and began setting up a watch rotation. News of her arrival and healing brought some curious Woodland elves. However, Thranduil sent them all away except for the Forest Guard members that he had sent for. With those that were turned away, he sent a stern warning to return to their homes and guard their holdings.
Brenna slept deeply for four long hours. In that time Elladan and those of her Guard kept a silent vigil. Thranduil and his kinsmen looked at the girl with reverence and guilt. They had soon discovered that she was only twenty after she fell into the Healing sleep. King Thranduil blanched at the thought that she was but a child by their standards. He felt shame and guilt for asking for her aid.
His men brought with them extra provisions and fallen wood for a fire, as well as gifts for the young elleth who had come to heal their home. Thranduil smiled sadly at the sight of the gift from his lady wife. She would be disappointed that Brenna wouldn't have time to visit the palace on this trip. She had sent another package of clothing with a deep green riding habit and two more dresses and tunics.
Sighing, he turned back to observe the young woman once more. As she slept her friends told their hosts more about her. He listened in horror and shock at all that she had been through and done. He vowed that he would do whatever he could to aid her. Telgalad had been the one to explain it all to him. His nephew watched over her and at first he thought there were more than platonic feelings there. He soon discovered that while each of them cared for and loved her it was the love of a friend or kin.
Brenna drew a shaky breath, causing the camp to fall silent. She murmured to Elbereth in elvish and grumbled a bit as she awoke. Blinking in confusion, she looked around and realized she was still in the meadow or clearing. The gentle floral breeze lightly caressing her. Stretching, she sat up and looked around curiously.
Elladan and Elrohir crouched next to her and asked her how she was feeling.
"No worries, I am well," she assured them. "I think two or three more days of healing here and then I must hurry back to Lothlorien. The Eastern border there called to me as we passed and I must go there as quickly as I can."
"Lady Brenna," King Thranduil began, "you have our eternal gratitude for your aid here. It will not be forgotten nor will it be taken for granted."
She nodded in acknowledgement, unsure of what to say. She was still weary and feeling drained. Her body felt fatigued and her mind a little groggy.
"My lady," one of the Mirkwood elves started. "What type of flower are these, I do not recognize them?" he asked.
Brenna smiled softly and reached out to gently touch a flower nearby. Her forehead glowed brightly when she turned to answer him.
"These are a gift from the Valar. Blossoms from Vana herself," she told him with a smile. "The Valar have charged me with healing as much of this world as I can before I leave these shores. In doing so I bring hope, but also will help transition things to the rule of man. When I leave, it will be the last ship to Valinor."
King Thranduil looked at her almost in question. She nodded in response and simply said, "The Valar have deemed it time for our people to return Home."
The king looked at her with a slow smile spreading across his face. He looked around to his kin and saw the answering smiles on their own. They would be returning Home!
"Lady Brenna, you should eat something to help recover your strength," Eothain implored.
There were murmurs of agreement throughout the camp and she gratefully accepted some lembas and water. Her thoughts wandered as she took in the transformed clearing. She could see and feel the blue tendrils of her magic. Mercifully she wasn't beset with visions, as she would be too weak to fight back to reality.
Brenna noticed the others keeping careful watch over her and was grateful for their care and concern. She felt shaky and fatigues. Towards the Northwest she could feel the pull and call of the forest. Closing her eyes she reached out and sought the area in need. About six hours away she found another clearing much like this one, in a deeper and older section of the forest.
Turning towards the others she nodded in the direction they would need to travel to. King Thranduil looked at her in concern when she voiced her intent. His guard and countrymen looked at her, shocked that she would go through that again so soon.
"Lady Brenna, could you not rest more?" Thranduil asked, clearly concerned.
"Alas, I cannot sir," she told him softly. "I will find no rest until I reach Valinor. There is much to be done and very little time to do it all in."
The elves all shared a look and silently vowed to aid her and to make things as easy as possible for her. She was one of their own and she was going to be struggling with the call of Valinor; a call that she obviously already felt and would have to apparently suppress and live with for years to come. Brenna didn't know it then, but she gained the respect and aid of many of the Mirkwood elves that vowed to stay and aid her. King Thranduil saw this and nodded to those of his men who would remain in Arda with her and their Prince until it was time to take the last ship to Valinor.
The company had packed up and rode out of the clearing within the hour. If they were lucky they would reach their destination before nightfall. Dernhelm had Ash ready and waiting for her to set out. King Thranduil and his group accompanied them, giving extra protection and guiding them on their way.
Ash, seemingly knowing his mistress was not feeling well, kept in pace with the surrounding horses and riders. He tread carefully as they set off at a quick pace toward the next area she needed to reach. The others formed a protective buffer around her.
King Thranduil sent ahead scouts to monitor their path. He was unwilling to take any chances with the task at hand or the lives of those involved. Messengers were also sent to have a small company meet them to check the area and set up the best possible position for camp to ensure their safety. It had been many years since the elves were able to travel so freely within their wood and they were cautious as to what they might find along their journey.
The eerie drifting spider webs sent chills down Brenna's spine. She trembled slightly at the thought of the large infestation of spiders that until recently had resided here. Struggling to stay focused she kept glancing around them to try to stay alert.
Brenna eventually let herself drift as they rode quickly through the wood. She was humming songs from Valinor softly soothing the nerves and worries of her companions. She sang of speed, strength and protection, fortifying their resolve to make it quickly through the thick forest.
The day passed quickly and they only stopped to briefly rest and take care of their horses. An hour before sunset they reached their destination. Brenna was helped from Ash by Thranduil himself. His men had set up a large fire in the center of the clearing. There was some discussion about this decision, but it was eventually agreed that setting up camp in the forest itself could potentially be just as dangerous. At least in the clearing they would be able to see any foes as they got closer. There was an eerie stillness and silence in the wood. But Brenna could hear and feel the call of the trees and land. There was no warning of danger, just a call for help and relief.
Elladan insisted that she eat and rest. The others agree with him and urged her to conserve her energy and recover from the morning. She could see there was wisdom in their words but something kept pushing her to set about working immediately. Her instincts honed by battle, gave her a feel of urgency to get the task done.
"Brenna, I know that you need to help and heal, but you must also take care of yourself," Elladan reminded her.
Her blank stare and raised eyebrow was enough to have him stop and observe her carefully. She was pale and looked tired, but her forehead and hands glowed brightly in the darkening night.
"If I heal some of the clearing now, I can recover and sleep through the night. By morning I will be well and able to finish here before going to the next location."
They could not argue her logic, but worried for her. Her supplies were brought to her. She set up her bedroll and pack next to her and kneeled. A hush fell in the clearing with only the crackling of the fire and sound of the wind to be heard. Softly, Brenna began to sing. She closed her eyes and performed the same healing ritual she had done earlier in the day, but she pulled back and stopped before completely draining herself.
Halabard and the other Rangers watched uneasily. They were closer to their own realm than many had been in some time and there were many anxious to see how their people had faired. Years of honed instincts told him that something was off. He nodded to the others and they stood drawing their weapons.
The rest of her guard followed suit. Just as Brenna finished singing, her eyes flashed in terror. "Wargs!" she cried out. "Make ready!" she commanded shakily as she grabbed her own weapons.
Thranduil gave a signal and one of his men whistled a signal. An answering call was made in the distance. A series of calls rang out in the night throughout the forest. Torches were lit and they formed up protectively around Brenna.
Ash and the other war honed horses stamped in anticipation. Brenna weakly clasped her sword and prayed for the strength and protection of the Valar. In the distance a fearsome howl rang out in the night.
"Brenna, stay close," Elladan told her.
Not able to speak she nodded, too scared to make a sound. Flashes of her parents' horrifying demise were fresh in her mind. Taking a deep calming breath she let go and focused on the task at hand. She had faced Nazgul and lived to tell about it for goodness sake!
With her resolve strengthened she stood tall, weapons at ready awaiting the coming enemy. A gentle breeze swirled around the company as she began to softly sing about strength, valor, honor, and protection. Her voice carried out and seemed to resonate through each of them, calming them.
Growls, howls, and the sound of a pack of Wargs running through the forest soon reached their ears. Shouts of commands and the sound of elves battling foes in the night echoed throughout the clearing. All too soon the glowing eyes of the Wargs seemed to surround the camp.
Brenna sheathed her sword and quickly took out her bow. Taking aim she notched her first arrow and let it fly at the eyes. A yelp sounded, followed by a thud. With a speed she didn't know that she possessed she notched another and another, letting arrow after arrow fly into the night.
Many of the elves and men had also used their bows first, trying to keep their foe at a distance for as long as possible. After the first wave of Wargs were downed, there was a lull in action. Everyone looked around checking for more of the enemy.
Brenna swiftly walked towards the corpses of the Wargs, taking as many of the undamaged arrows as she could, refilling her quiver. The others were doing the same, while half of the company stood at ready and watched the woods waiting for the next wave.
There was a whispering, a warning coming from the trees, Brenna spun around with her eyes wide. Facing south she watched as a large Warg approached the edge of the clearing. Others followed and soon they were surrounded. Thranduil whistled, there were answering calls once more and arrows rained down on the beasts from the trees.
Howls of pain and terror rent the air. The great beast stepped forward, blood dripping from its muzzle. It snarled at her, and quivered, ready to pounce. She stood facing the Warg and notched her arrow, waiting. As the Warg twitched she let the arrow fly. With her attention on the Warg in front of her she didn't see or notice the two flanking her from both sides, but her companions did. Arrows flew in the night taking down most of the beast but some broke rank and attacked.
Swords were drawn and it was battle Brenna had been ill prepared for. The fatigue from her day was catching up to her as she switched to her sword to face off against the Wargs closing in. They were luckily not outnumbered, but it would not be an easy fight. The whispering of the trees let her know that these were the last of the foes that she would face this night.
Sweat dripped down her brow as her arm muscles felt like jelly. She spun and ducked as the Warg launched itself at her. Rolling out of the way her Guard closed in around her. Amrothos helped her to her feet and as the others dispatched the remaining Wargs. He felt her tremble as he legs would no longer hold her. Exhaustion had set in, she had dark smudges under her eyes and she was pale. Elladan and the others turned to see Amrothos helping her to sit on her bedroll, his weapon ready to defend her.
Once the perimeter was secured and it was deemed safe, they all began cleaning up. Brenna was urged to sit and rest. Her whole body was trembling as she tried to sip the water brought to her. Elladan knelt next to her and was murmuring to her quietly. The others watched quietly as he tried to comfort her and assure her that all would be well.
It was just a few hours before dawn when Brenna had finally fallen asleep. Her Guard stayed closed and took turns with taking perimeter watch. Thranduil and his men spoke quietly as the bodies of the Wargs were dragged and piled away from the central fire just as the sun was breaking over the horizon.
Brenna stirred and shivered remembering what had happened just a short few hours ago. With a sigh she sat up and gathered her things. She splashed some water on her face and fixed her hair. Standing she went to tend to Ash and get her saddlebag ready.
As she walked towards her horse some of the Woodland elves stepped out of the forest into the clearing. Haldir and Beleg reached her side with her bedroll and additional pack as a group of the elves approached.
King Thranduil watched the scene play out unsure of what the outcome would be. He hoped that his people would be kind to this young elleth. They had better be kind to her, he thought grimly.
"Greetings Lady Brenna," one of the elves called out with a slight bow.
"Good morning," she replied tiredly.
"Milady," Haldir said drawing her attention. "You should come eat something before we leave. We must leave as quickly as possible to reach the next location by midday."
Brenna smiled weakly at the Woodland elves and thanked them for their aid in the fight the previous night. She let Haldir and Beleg lead her back toward the central fire, where Elladan stepped forward and helped her sit on a log. Elrohir handed her something to eat as the rest of camp was packing up.
Looking around Brenna observed her company quietly. Seeing one of the Rohirrim pull out bandages she stood and swiftly made her way towards him, despite the protests of the others. Elladan and Elrohir stepped forward, knowing her intent. They intervened and aided the injured before she could, telling her that she needed rest until they reached the next major area that needed healing. Sighing, she nodded to them in thanks and offered Elladan a shy smile as she made her way back to where she had been sitting.
King Thranduil sat across from her and began talking to her quietly. He praised her for her ability with the bow and other weapons. She grinned and told him that she had good teachers, explaining that his son had helped her improve her skill with the bow. She also told him that Aragorn, the late Boromir, and the Sons of Elrond were responsible for her skill improvement with her blades.
Eothain brought her small arsenal to her and the King and his men watched in fascination as she strapped on her bow and quiver, her twin elvish blades, her dagger in her boot and her sword at her side. A few of them realized that she carried more weapons than they themselves did. Eothain grinned and winked at her as he stepped back towards his companions.
"Lady Brenna," Thranduil began, "the next location passes near one of our outposts. We can rest there at the halfway point. You should be able to take a brief nap and perhaps freshen up if you so desire."
Brenna thanked him for his thought and concern. She looked and saw that everyone was just about ready. Amrothos was at her side aiding her before she realized they were standing. He reminded her of his promise to his sister and father to protect her as he pinned her cloak back in place and lead her to where Wulf was waiting with Ash.
Smiling and thanking her friends, she wearily mounted the horse. The rest of the group quickly mounted up and they turned towards the East. Some of the additional Woodland elves stayed to dispose of the Warg carcasses, others set out towards the main palace to bring word from their King, who once more called for more men to be waiting at the next location.
They rode hard and fast and reach the outpost in just under two hours. Brenna slid into the waiting arms of Elladan as she dismounted. Her fatigue was palpable and the elves were gravely concerned for her well-being. She was brought to one of the buildings where there was an elleth waiting to assist her. Warm water had been brought for her to quickly wash. One of the fresh tunics was waiting for her when she finished. The elleth carefully packed away her dirty clothes and helped her with her hair before leading her back to her awaiting friends.
Her bedroll was waiting and she slid bonelessly under the covers. She was asleep almost instantly. Though they were on a tight schedule her companions decided to let her sleep and catch up on some much needed rest.
In the meantime King Thranduil and his men went over which areas were the most damaged and gave Brenna's company a rough map of where Brenna's help would be most needed. Over the course of the next two hours they hashed out a rough schedule for the next two days. Whatever could not be addressed in that time frame would have to wait, as Brenna needed to be back in Lothlorien as soon as possible.
Brenna's sleep was dreamless, the Valar made sure of that. Este sat quietly with her, soothing and healing her, while Elbereth sat with her head in her lap singing softly. They and the other Valar helped to rejuvenate her energy fast and lent their aid to making sure that she would be able to complete her task swiftly and safely.
She awoke to find that she had slept for longer than she had anticipated, but she felt much better and refreshed. Quietly thanking the Valar, she softly prayed to them to continue aiding and blessing them on their journey.
Turning on her side, her movement drew the attention of the others. Elladan, who had been on the other side of the clearing talking with Beleg, sighed in relief seeing her awake and alert. He had worried for her.
Soon the group packed up and mounted up again. They traveled for another two hours East towards the site of another fierce battle that had left their land scarred. The next two days followed the rough schedule they had laid out and Brenna was able to heal three more major sites as well as other areas of the forest along the way in that span of time. She didn't get to see everything, or even get to the palace, but she felt accomplished and good about what she was able to do in her short time there.
With the promise of coming back soon, Brenna mounted up and left on the morning of the third day. They had made their way to the original spot they had met King Thranduil the night before. After a brief celebration and a Woodland feast, the company set out for Lothlorien. It was a fast grueling pace that they set, which enabled them to reach the border of the Wood of the Lady in three short days. The journey there had been uneventful and boring in comparison to what they had experienced thus far, and for that Brenna was grateful.