Author's Notes: Hello, here'a the next chapter sorry if it is a bit long.
Farwell To Friends Of Lorien
How many days we spent in Lorien I cannot recall. Time seemed to moved at a slower pace in Lorien. We had lost count of the days and nights that had passed. None of us could recall how long we had stayed in Lorien, not even Horus.
Some days ago Coren had asked Haldir for his sister's hand in marriage. In reply Haldir had said yes and so did his younger sister. They said they would wait till this war was over and have the ceremony when all of Six Nighthunters can make it. Yet, I feared how this war would end. Would we rise from the ashes victorious? Or would we be downtrodden into the dirt never to rise again.
Elves came with gifts in the form of food and clothes for the long journey ahead. Our packs were filled and yet they felt light and were easily to lug around on our shoulders.
Our old clothes were fixed or discarded if they were presumed be no use to anyone. Our cloaks were never seen again, probably because the enemy was now looking for a group with members who are from different kingdoms and our cloaks showed greatly what we were and where we were from.
Instead they were replaced with beautiful cloaks made by the skilled hands of the Galadhrim. They were lighter than any other fabric that I had ever come across. Their colour? Well, these cloaks had no colour. For they were ever shifting in colour and shade. Under the hue of twilight they were grey like winters mist. But if moved into different light they were different colours. In the greenery of the forest they were green like the shadowed leaves of an old oak tree. In the fallowed fields they were brown like wet turf and under the the watch of night they were a dusky silver like water in the light of the moon. Each cloak was fastened at the neck by a brooch in shape of a green leaf veined with a silver circle. Fair indeed were these cloaks, all fitted perfectly to our differing statures.
"Oi!" Shouted a voice I knew all too well. I turned and saw Coren stood beside his bride to be. He whispered to her then came bounding over to me. "Didn't think I'd let you go without a good bye, did you?" He asked with a grin I had never seen before. His fiancée had brought out a new man out of him. He seemed more confident and even more joyful.
I laughed. "Well, I hoped you wouldn't. I suppose my hopes were useless, then" I joked whilst looking up at him. Even for a Elf he was still freakishly tall. He was almost half a head above me and that was when he was slouching.
"I see the twins gave you Thsan and Drethan. I almost want to runaway screaming, 'Don't kill me, I ain't a Orc'" He pauced still grinning then looked at his fiancée. She too was trying to hold in laughter. That was until Haldir called her name and she walked to her older brother.
Coren stuffed his hand into his leather bag, hanging at his side and took out a small sketchpad bound up by the coloured bands of the Six Nighthunters. On the tattered leather cover were five family symbols. Each belonging to a person or persons' in Elladan's and Elrohir's case, that were members of the Six Nighthunters. I knew almost all of its contents minus the new bits that Coren might have added.
Each us had taken turns in putting stuff in here. Some bits were maps, some were battle strategies, some were portaits done by a sparring partners. Mine was done by Tyson because he was my sparring partners due to the fact we were the same height though he had a lot more muscle than me. Luckily none of the twins were my sparring partner because we had to make the twins do their portraits of each other again because they both thought it funny to make each other look like monsters. Another bit was a logbook of what mischief we had done either with or without the group and so much more was written or drawn in this sketch book. But more importantly in the front there was a list of rules and terms of conditions that each us had signed in our own blood. The blood bit was Rilian's idea because he thought it would make it more legally binding and we all sadly agreed.
"In two days time it will be your turn to look after it. I checked the rotor at the back. So seen as though the chances of me seeing you again in the next two days is slim I thought I should give it too you now. Oh and give it to Elladan after the passing of the next five decades or earlier if you think you won't see him." He put the sketch book into my hands.
"I will and when I can I'll put some drawings in. Do you have any requested drawings?" I asked whilst putting it under my arm.
"Yes, I do in fact I was two requests. I'd like you to draw your current companions and Gandalf." he said The Grey Wizard's name with sorrow. "And I have anther request for you." He paused. "Come back safe." He suddenly crushed my arms to my sides with a strong embrace of goodbye. His chin rested on the top of my head. He let go but kept his hands on my shoulders. "Do you hear? Come back safe, no excuses. If I could follow, I would. Alas, I have responsibilities here, I am the Ranger nameless Glade's and I have a fiancée to look after" His eyes drifted to his wife to be talking quietly to her brother in the shadows.
"Mublan, senen amican" (Goodbye, old friend.) I said only to pause. I heard Aragorn call my name. Coren sighed. Then held out my hand. He joined his own holding tightly.
"See you when I see you and don't fall off the boat" he whispered into my ear before letting go and going to Haldir and his wife to be.
Aragorn was still calling my name. I turned and walked briskly to the group. The Hobbits were muttering amongst themselves and Gimli was murmuring to Boromir. "What's that?" Aragorn gestured to the sketch pad I held under my left arm. I rolled my eyes and held of the inscription of the title written in both Elvish and Castdeian. Aragorn sighed, even when he was in the care of Elrond we had to lock him out of meetings if any had to be held, well we didn't want to mentally terrify the kid with gruesome tales and news.
In turn Galadriel came to each of us and gave us gifts. She gave Aragorn: A sheath overlaid by a tracery of flowers and leaves wrought of silver and gold with Ancient Elven runes set upon it and she also gave to him a green Elfstone that he put closely to his chest, next to his heart. To Gimli, Galadriel gave him three strands of her golden her as he had sheepishly requested. To Sam came a box that he was to use to allow his garden to become as grand as Lorien's gardens. To Merry and Pippin she gave each of then a silver belt with a golden flower fastening. Next she came to Boromir who she gave a belt of pure gold and to Legolas she have him a bow along with a sturdier quiver filled with deadly arrows. This bow was stouter that the ones of Mirkwood and looked easier to handle. To Frodo she gave a phial that contained the purest light of all, the light of a fallen star.
"And what to give a young Queen of far off lands to the north?" She asked me. I looked at my feet. The Hobbits looked up at me as if shocked.
A laugh came from Celeborn. "I do believe she wants anything that can be seen or held in one's hand" He looked at his wife then at me.
"Your husband is correct, my lady. I do not wish for any gift. You have given us enough already. But if could you send this note to my uncle" I passed her folded up piece of paper closed up by a seal that can only be broken by the touch of who the note is meant for. After being read the paper who turn to ash.
Galadriel looked at the paper and handed it one of her maidens to hold. "I shall send it to Doehas with the upmost haste. Now your time in Lorien is over. You the Company of The One Ring must now move on and seek out the end of your quest. Your boats are waiting" Her gestured to the boats sat upon the water. We all bowed our heads and said our thanks.
At the water's edge laid three rowing boats tethered to the wooden moorings. These crafts were made by pine and were light and streamline. Groups were arranged by Aragorn. In the first boat would be himself, Sam and Frodo. In the second craft would be Boromir, Pippin and Merry. Now in the last craft would be Gimli, Legolas and myself.
"So who out of you two can row?" Gimlilooked between myself and Legolas. We looked at one another. We both came from the Northern lands that had rivers and lakes.
"I can" We both said at the exact same time. "We can take turns, I'll go first" We both said again. Gimli laughed.
Before I or should I say before we could say any more Legolas bounded into the boat into the seat where the oar was. 'I think I shall fly this next part of our journey' Horus said as he was stood on my shoulder.
I laughed. Was this Phoenix who flew into the danger of the Nazgul and a large pack of Orcs? 'Come on, it'll be fine.' I jumped onto the craft and sat myself at in front with my back against my pack. Gimli followed and sat at the back. I got out some dried meat that the Elves had given me for me to use when Horus couldn't hunt for himself. He jumped off my shoulder and onto my hand were he gulped down the small piece of dried salted bacon. 'Don't eat so fast, you'll be sick the next time you dive-bomb some poor creature or unlucky Orc.' I said whilst stroking his feathers down on his chest. It wouldn't be long until he is fully matured. The crafts were pushed of the mooring
I took out and opened up the sketch pad on the next clean page. Using a long thin piece of charcoal I began drawing the Fellowship of The Ring, minus myself standing in a clearing in some far off forest under the watch of night. I added Gandalf knowing he was still in the Fellowship, only he wasn't physically there but he was a strong memory.
I wasn't paying much attention to the scenery but when the sun reached the middle of the sky I knew it was time to swap over with Legolas. "I'll get up first." I left the sketchpad resting on my pack and steadily got to my feet. Horus balanced on the bow of the boat looking down at the water. I say down beside Legolas and took control of the oars. He went to where I sat and picked up the Six Nighthunters sketchpad.
I rowed the boat forwards. I could see Legolas flicking threw the pages and smirking. "Before you ask, yes all of that is placed in that book is the truth minus were Elrohir said he jumped off the Rivendell bridge into the river below, he actually chickened out. The only reason why he ended up in the river from the bridge was because his brother and Rilian both pushed him in whilst Tyson distracted him." I smiled at memory and Elrond's face when we entered the court all drenched in water with leaves stuck in our hair. Those were the days where no shadow hung over the world and you could run around freely with no fear in your heart. That had been one of the first deeds the Six Nighthunters had carried out.
Legolas changed the pages. I rowed onwards until we were beside Aragorn's boat. Legolas pointed at a drawing of a young 3 year old Aragorn sat on Elladan's shoulders waving a wooden sword in the air. Aragorn cringed as Legolas showed it to Sam Gamgee who did his best not to laugh. It had been a quick sketch by Elrohir.
But a fearful silence ended our speaking. Eastern winds blew over the water. I stopped rowing allowing the boat to glide on the water. With this wind came the sound of heavy feet pounding the ground, harsh breaths being expelled from lungs and cries we all knew too well. They were the cries of Uruk-hai. Boromir and Aragorn also stopped rowing. Legolas closed the sketchpad and put it back into my pack. He looked to the eastern shore and his face filled with alarm. I followed his gaze and saw what I did not wish to see. The shadows Uruk-hai were running amongst the gloom of the eastern forest. "Stop rowing. Anduin flows south, let it take us there in silence until they pass" I said as I reached out to stop Boromir's oar from touching the water.
Anduin sent us silently down stream till we came to the wider channel of the river. In this wider channel we found a lone island cut of from the land at either side. It was surround by deep waters. The sounds of the Uruk-hai had passed away.
We rowed our boats to the shallows. Aragorn jumped from his boat into knee deep water and pulled his craft away from the water. I jumped off into the cold water and shivered as water seeped through my leggings and into my boots. Legolas stood at the other side of the craft. "I'll do it. But if you would just wake up the Dwarf I would appreciate it" He said as he went to the bow of the boat.
I pushed all my weight down on one side of the boat causing it to rock side to side. Gimli suddening sat up in shock looking around whilst he cradled his axe. "Come on out." I said to him as I waded onto to the island.
We made camp upon the rocks. Gimli struggled as he tried to make a fire that would not be blown out by the cruel Northern wind. Aragorn and Boromir talked together at the other side of the island. Pippin and Merry asked inquisitive questions about Legolas's homeland, Mirkwood. Sam tried to get Frodo to eat and rest.
"How am I meant to get this drasted fire going if we can't bloody find a decent spot to start it?" Gimli said as he fumbled with his tinderbox. As if rebelling against Gimli's wishes a group of grey clouds above us began expelling rain. "Just my luck" he scoffed. He sat back in defeat no longer caring for a fire to be going.
I looked at the fagot of pieces of dried thatch and fallen oak. A blue spark went off in the centre of the fagot, passing on energy making a fire for the camp. Gimli looked at me, rather annoyed by the fact a so called 'Darkling' could make a fire where he could not. I kept the flames under my command until the rain had stopped and flames could hold their own against the wind.
"Legolas! Tara! Come here for a second. You both understand river maps better than I do" Aragorn called from inside the small stretch of trees, where he had found a circular stone to put all his maps down so he could make sense of them. I got up from where I had been sat and heard my knees crack from the stiffness. As I walked I could hear Horus following me and Legolas walking to my far right.
We came to Aragorn and found he had packed up the maps into his bag. I swore aloud with the most vulgar word that I knew in Castdeian. Legolas passed me a rather shocked look, as if he knew he that it wasn't a pleasant saying. Aragorn rolled his eyes. "Enough cursing. I think we all can guess what you just said"
"Well, its better saying it Castdeian it makes more sense. Galadriel told you both then?" I said as I leant against a tree. My arms were still killing me from the rowing and it was a pain to keep them at my sides.
Legolas and Aragorn looked at each other. Each of them knew of the nightmares but not of each other knowing. "Yes. We have been told. But what the Lady did not explain why this witch, Sinolest seems to target you?" Legolas asked.
"Because she can't get into anyone's heads other than a heir of Videl Stormhold. In Sauron's rise his strike of violence hit Castel Forest, a stretch of woodland just outside it Castdeia. King Videl, my grandfather killed Sinolest her physical form in this battle but he also lost his life, causing the throne to be passed onto his oldest son, Vidon, my father. But when King Videl had killed Sinolest he had had to use all his energy, his life force. Sinolest must be using a his life force to get to me." I paused.
I still did not understand why she had to target me, now. What was she even getting out of tormenting my dreams? Ok, maybe she gets some sort of psychopathic pleasure of knowing of my lack of peaceful sleep or maybe she's punishing me for what my grandfather did.
Before I could open my mouth to say anymore I heard a high pitched laugh coming from the campsite. "It seems the Hobbits are smoking Longbottom pipe weed, again." Legolas said almost finding it amusing. There was another laugh only deeper then that was followed by a gruffy laugh.
"You both better not tell them? Understand?" I said with warning looking at both them in the eyes. Aragorn's still showed a dormant storm cloud readying itself to release thunder and lightening. Legolas's eyes showed a starlight lake filled with unheard, utters of the Northern wind brought down from the forests of Mirkwood. They both nodded at once.
There came another high pitched laugh. We came back to the camp and found the usual suspects smoking away. Pippin, Merry, Gimli and even Boromir had chosen to partake in this night's smoking season.
"You two, I think would enjoy this you know?" Pippin said after a quick hiccup of grey smoke that smelt like burning grass.
Boromir made a smoke circle come out from his mouth and into my direction. I wafted it away with my hand and tried my best not to glare at him as if he was the first stage of evaluation. Boromir blew another this time it hit Legolas in the face as he set out his sleeping mat. Legolas pulled a face of annoyance which cooled down in a matter of seconds.
"I don't understand, surly you must smoke, Legolas." Boromir said calmly after he inhaled. "I mean you have lived upon this earth for so long. Surly you must have..." The Gondorian's voice was cut off by Legolas.
"I have not and I will not." He laid down and looked at the stars. For all the times I had seen him either asleep or star gazing he always had his head to the North and his feet to the South. Maybe it was just natural for him to do it or maybe it has a reason.
Horus suddenly appeared flying down with a dead Wood Mouse in his talons. He dropped it on a rock into front of Boromir's feet and came down after it. He clawed it open then began to eat. Boromir looked at him with disgust and sneered at me. "Control your bird."