...Well. Next chapter. Thank you for all of the faves and follows and most importantly, reviews! They truly do make my day... This story is so exasperatingly fun... Excuse me while I go cry in a corner because of foresight of what is to come...
Enough spoilers, on with it! *marches off* *stops* oh and yeah, enjoy and review, please?
Chapter 17
Dawn had come like a thief, quickly snatching and carrying off Varda's diamond-spangled cloak of dark splendor. Arien rose over the horizon, scattering her path in the sky with pale peach rose petals to smooth the way for the flower of Laurelin.
Eruanna had woken up that morning feeling odd, as though she were forgetting something. It was an almost amnesic feeling. And then she remembered the night before and her dream-turned-nightmare and consequential promise to her beloved brother.
As soon as he entered her thoughts, she had looked beside her to see that Glorfindel was staring up at her with a look in his eyes that suddenly made a frisson of fear run through her. She didn't like it. It smacked too much of another look she had seen one before- on the face of Prince Maeglin whenever he had looked on the fair Princess Idril. Obsessiveness.
But in the next instant, it was gone, and Glorfindel was smiling at her as he sat up. She blinked for a moment, wondering if she had imagined it.
"Good morning, seler." He murmured, and scooped her up into his arms as he stood and went about preparing for the day. "Are you feeling better?" He asked. She yawned and nodded, rubbing her eyes as he competently dressed her in a simple gown of white wool edged with blue and violet thread.
A few minutes later saw Eruanna walking towards the main talan with Glorfindel, holding his hand as he held her flute for her in his free hand. They arrived at the top of the main talan and walked in to find that Galadriel was sitting gracefully on one of the rugs that cushioned the floor, embroidering a piece of cloth that Eruanna recognized as the famous cloak material of the Galadhrim.
Galadriel looked up with a smile and motioned the elfling over to her. Eruanna sat down next to her on the carpet as Celeborn greeted Glorfindel and they sat down to talk. Glorfindel set her flute next to her as she gave him a smile of thanks.
"Here, my dear, can you hold this?" Galadriel asked gently, and Eruanna did as she was bid, smoothing out the grey material and pinning it down by sitting on it. Glorfindel chuckled as he saw it, and Celeborn smiled down at her.
"And while you are- helping- my beloved, penneth, would you mind giving me your opinion?" Celeborn asked, bringing forth several other items and spreading them before her for inspection.
She first noticed a sheath that had flowers and leaves of gold embroidered on it, and gemstones that formed the name of Andùril and it's lineage on it. Obviously it was for Aragorn. Thoughtfully, she ran her fingers over the surface, a thoughtful look appearing on her face. Then she smiled.
*I would wish to ask to put my own touch upon it. May I?* She asked softly. Celeborn nodded.
"As you wish, Eruanna." He replied graciously. She slipped her blue ring over her neck and then onto her finger. It vibrated with glee and hummed, growing warm on her hand. At the same time, her eyes snapped to Galadriel's hand, upon which a white ring glittered. Galadriel looked up and gave her a tiny, knowing smile before turning back to her work. Eruanna returned to the sheath.
A blue mist that only she could see enveloped the sheath, and she began to work on the gemstones that wrote the name of the sword, manipulating them. The inner properties of the stones were manipulated to cover the entire sheath. Then the mist disappeared and Eruanna nodded in satisfaction, putting the ring away.
*The inner properties of the stones allow them to last long. Whatever blade is set in this sheath shall never be stained or broken, even in defeat, just as the gems of the earth.* She smiled up at them before turning to the other gifts. She didn't notice the pleased looks that Celeborn and Glorfindel exchanged.
There were two smaller sheaths that were decorated with clasps in the shape of golden flowers, to which she smiled, guessing correctly that they were for the hobbits. After that came a fair belt of gold that was fit for an elven lord. Perhaps for Boromir?
And the next and last gift that had been set out she involuntarily smiled at. It was a bow of the Galadhrim, strong and stout, longer than than the one that Legolas currently carried. For obviously it was for him. There was a simple but strong string on it, and a fine quiver of arrows.
The bow was carved with soft white elven swirls, spelling out in Tengwar the name of the elven Prince and the name of the Galadhrim. The quiver was a simple and practical soft green color with silver borders and filled with red-fletched arrows. On the body of the quiver was the royal symbol of Legolas: a young, half-unfurled leaf pierced through the center with an arrow.
Eruanna suddenly pulled her hair in front of her face and chose a long lock, plucking it out without so much as a wince. It was the exact color of Mithril, with pure golden streaks at the ends of it. It was a beautiful piece of hair, and Eruanna offered it to Celeborn, who took it with reverence and began to fix the bow.
Eruanna watched, thumb in her mouth, as the string was replaced with the lock of her hair and fitted perfectly into the bow. Glorfindel chuckled.
"Well, Legolas will certainly have the most beautiful bowstring of any." He chortled, and Celeborn rolled his eyes in agreement.
"And I shall have to stave off all of the other jealous Galadhrim who will ask for such a string." He said dryly. Eruanna merely giggled, just as Galadriel tugged on the piece of cloth she was sitting on. Eruanna moved off and plopped down next to the lord of the wood, looking up at the bow that was being turned over critically in experienced hands.
She had to wonder, though, when the fellowship would leave. Not that she was particularly eager for them to, although at the same time she wished they would- for the faster their mission could be completed, the better off the world would be. But then, as she thought to herself wryly, that was probably too much to ask for, knowing the way the world usually worked.
But still. She could always pray that Eru wouldn't forsake them...
LOTRLOTRLOTR
Master- I miss you. I wish I knew where you were. Are you and Halbarad safe? Are you protecting the Shire? Or are you somewhere out there, fighting the Dunlendings and orcs? Or are you even within the village in the North, protecting the women and the children? If you could actually read this, I would tell you to tell them hello for me, if you were.
I haven't forgotten any of our training, master. I have been practicing privately, just as I promised. And I have kept the sigil e-hered with me at all times, as you told me to.
I met with lord Beör, also known as Caracil. He told me many things. I wish you would have warned me a little better, but I guess there just wasn't time. But thank you for thinking me worthy. Lord Beör called me Nàmiel. Do you think that is supposed to be my alias? Because if it is it's rather disturbing, but at the same time I feel strangely honored.
Things here have been tense, and the air, for all that this is an elven kingdom, is fraught with premonition. I don't like it, Ciaran. I wish you were here, master, because I know you would put it into cut-and-dry words that would put everything into perfect perspective as sharp as one of your daggers.
Please be safe, Ciaran, as safe as you possibly can be in the midst of battle. I know you would never be a coward, and I am proud that you taught me that. I secretly hope that the gem I gave you, with the Valar's light fused into it, will somehow give you some small form of protection. I hope you keep it close with you.
Ada hasn't yet replied to my letter. Maybe he cannot send one back, I don't know. I keep wondering what you would say to me if you were here with me. Our master/apprentice bond still hasn't faded even one bit, although you are so far away I can't really feel you. But I know that so far, you are safe, because if you had been hurt I know I would have felt it. But I am so relieved that you are not.
Please, Ciaran, be safe. I don't want to open the chest without you, if I ever even find i-
Eruanna flew up out of the cradle in the center of the talan as lady Galadriel suddenly let out a small cry of shock, looking pale. Celeborn was immediately by her side as Glorfindel leaped for the pitcher of water.
Galadriel drank the water offered to her, and color returned to her fair face as she looked up at them, a look of relief on her face. "He is alive. He is returned to us!" She smiled. The rest looked on, confusion on their faces.
"Mithrandir has returned." She said quietly. Glorfindel's face lifted. Eruanna's face broke into a smile. Celeborn looked delighted and amazed. Eruanna and Glorfindel looked at each other with wide smiles.
*Olòrin is back!* She squealed. Glorfindel swept her up and laughed, happily hugging her in his delight.
"I sense that he is on the peak of Zirakzigil. How shall we fetch him?" Galadriel murmured. "And we must not tell the fellowship. They must not know, for their own good." She added firmly. Those listening nodded gravely.
The fellowship had parted paths with Gandalf, and they should find their own way now. If Mithrandir was meant to help them further, he would seek them out. But leave things as they are for now. Then Glorfindel smiled.
"That is easy." He answered the lady. "I will call lord Gwaihir." He said cheerfully.
"How?" Celeborn asked.
"Before I left Aman, lord Manwë reminded me that if I ever needed Gwaihir then he would come to my aid. I shall call him, and lord Manwë will carry my voice on the winds, I am sure." He replied, and strode out of the talan to call for the lord of the eagles.
Eruanna merely went to the window and looked up to the sky, smiling, as she thanked Eru from the depths of her heart for bringing Olòrin back to them. And inside, she felt herself warm and a feeling of love caress her gently.
Maybe, just maybe, she thought, the light of the Valar somehow connected her a little with Eru.
LOTRLOTRLOTR
Eruanna,
Thank you for your letter. I am well, there is no need to worry for me. I am glad to hear that you are well.
I am sure that the lord of Mandos would allow such an elfling as you to take Legolas from him and back to us, should such a thing happen.
Stay safe yourself, tithen pen, or else I shall have to have a word with you. The Valar be with you.
Thranduil Oropherion, King of Greenwood the Great
Eruanna smiled slightly and folded the letter, putting it safely away in the front of her journal. She petted the head of the messenger bird with gentle fingers, feeding it a bit of grain, which it took with a grateful chirp. It flew away after it's meal and rest, and she turned back to the window thoughtfully.
Gwaihir had been more than happy to go bring Gandalf to Lothlòrien, and had flown off happily enough. But that was not her concern at the moment.
Rather, she was thinking of the fellowship, who were leaving tomorrow to continue their journey. And she was understandably mourning that her brothers would have to leave once again into the thick of the war.
Almost without thinking about it, she grasped her flute in her hands and climbed down the many steps, wandering about absently. Glorfindel wouldn't worry about her, seeing the absence of the flute and knowing she was probably off somewhere trying to find a peaceful place to practice. In truth, though, she was not only searching for a place, but also she wanted to be alone to think.
She just walked randomly, not looking where she was going and allowing her feet to lead her where they would. In a little while, she reached a tree with a wide trunk and smooth silver bark, and she looked up at it thoughtfully, feeling her thoughts began to form into a tune that wafted about in her mind. She placed a hand against the bark, connecting with the tree, who stirred and placed a branch on her head.
*May I sit in your branches?* She asked politely, and in response the branch picked her up and gently deposited her in its thick limbs, curling them around her so that she wouldn't fall. She gave it a smile and lay back comfortably, feeling the silver underneath her fingers.
It was so cool and soothing, and she felt herself relaxing as she looked up into the sky and stroked the smooth flute in her hands. The keys clicked pleasantly, as though it were coaxing her to play.
If she had looked down, she would have noticed that she was at the clearing where the fellowship were staying, and she would have seen that Legolas and Estel had seen her and were quietly whispering to the others to listen. But she didn't see, and she didn't know.
The thoughts in her mind were whirling about insistently, and she couldn't get rid of them. She took a deep breath and centered herself. Merged herself between the seen and unseen realms. She listened to the tune inside her mind that grew suddenly clearer and louder in response to her thoughts.
The flute gave a few hesitant notes. Then she began to play slowly, not listening to anything but the song in her mind; feeling nothing but the flute in her fingers; eyes closed and seeing nothing but the notes dancing in front of her mental vision.
Estel and Legolas looked up at her, watching curiously, never having heard her play before. Glorfindel joined them, and the hobbits quieted somewhat, listening. Gimli and Boromir started, then looked into the tree. Glorfindel leaned back against the trunk of a tree, hands clasped on his stomach and eyes closed as he listened.
The tune started out sounding like rain falling upon the melancholy land. It came down in teardrops, fat notes splashing and scattering everywhere. The dipping keys dropped water onto the leaves of the tree, droplets bouncing off of them and falling to the ground and into their ears.
The rain slowed, and instead, the breeze sighed through the branches sounding mournful and utterly pessimistic, moaning bitterly of the injustice of the world. The notes settled among the listeners, filling their ears with complaints.
Then the trees decided that they were tired of the incessant pessimism of the wind and decided instead to brush the breeze off, replacing it with fluttering leaves and petals of flowers. Breathy notes that spun in whirling flight and landed in their laps, littering the ground. It tickled their ears condescendingly, patting their heads.
Then came the wistful, haunting melody of the grasses. They rustled afar off, calling to them, begging them to come to them and forget their troubles. Yearning stirred in their hearts for a county far off under a swift sunrise. Then the tune faded off, trailing behind until it was so quiet that they could barely hear, straining their ears to try to catch the tempting notes.
And then came the beat of drums. It was such a sudden change that they all blinked, baffled, as it forced them to wake up from their half-dreamlike state. The dreams beat as another sort of call, rising louder and louder in ominous message, sending shivers down their spines as images of beating drums, cracks of thunder and battering rams, and roaring beings sprang to their minds.
But then out of the approach of the enemy rose another tune, one that countered the evil. The lightning struck in staccato notes, and thunder rumbled. And then the flute trilled. It slowly morphed into a battle call for the free folk, drowning out the drums of the enemy.
Instead, it sang in cheerful march, beckoning to them to join it as it shouldered its spear gleefully in anticipation of victory. It laughed loud and long at the thought of freedom and a good fight. It brandished its sword high in the air and shouted for them to follow.
It evoked hope in them, urging them to spring up and follow, singing gaily of fell deeds and the prospect of war. Glorfindel's eyes sparkled as a feral smile crossed his lips. The light of battle shone in the others' eyes. Sam almost started to rise before Frodo pulled him down with an amused smile as Sam blushed.
The battle commenced as the lines of good and evil met. Eruanna smiled through her playing. She painted the image in front of their minds, the notes settling on their eyes and forming pictures. They could see it, an army of Maiar and elves, facing down the hordes of orcs and Balrogs and dragons. The War of Wrath.
The Maiar and elves roared, raising swords and screaming against their enemy. The enemy quailed in the light of their eyes as they charged. The first sword plunged in with a sense of satisfaction. The lines met in clashes of steel and the smell of hot metal as sparks flew from the swords and spears.
The notes flew among them in flaming sparks, like fire and brimstone. A staccato note represented a shout. Darker notes splattered them with the black blood of enemies and the red life of their comrades. Howling notes screeched warnings against the dragons that flew above their head. Whips rained down in many blows, cracks of sound that snapped sharply from the flute.
But slowly, the battle began to fade, the noises dimming down until all they could hear was the sound of the wailing of bereft infants, worried mothers, distraught wives left behind at home. Boromir let out a strangled gasp as he was snapped out of the blood lust that had momentarily overwhelmed his senses. Gimli blinked, realizing he had unconsciously hefted his ax in his hands. Legolas found himself reaching futilely for his bow that wasn't there. Aragorn realized sheepishly that he had been reaching for his sword that was normally at his side.
And then it all stopped. And Eruanna played one last tune of hope. It rose in an ever rising crescendo, singing brightly of freedom and hope. They found themselves galloping on wide, grassy plains, wind whipping through their hair as flesh rippled underneath them and carried them far and fast under the shadow of the eagles, hooves pounding against the ground under them.
Sweet, adoring praises of women and children seemed to thank them as the air was clean once more and the land flush with new life. Mead and ale and wine flowed as freely as laughter and the rushing of the rivers. It was what they fought for- the prattling of new infants, the safety of their people. And it reminded them that they must not give up.
The stars twinkled as the notes led them higher up into the sky, showing them the cloak of Varda and making them hear cold, clear song of the stars that scintillated in their ears. And one last vibrating note spilled into the air, bright and beautiful- Eärendil, their symbol of hope.
There was a silence. Glorfindel found himself completely relaxed, his muscles loose and a smile on his face. Legolas felt the same, his inner glow as bright as ever in testament to his relaxed mood. Aragorn leaned back on his couch, one hand on his chest where the Evenstar lay, mind filled with thoughts of the stars shining in the eyes of an elven maiden far away. Boromir found his hands trembling slightly from the emotion he had been put through, a longing in his heart sparked from the song. Gimli had his hands clutched on the staff of his ax, seemingly lost in thought as his head sank onto his breast. Merry and Pippin looked half-asleep. Sam was weeping quietly, head buried in his hands. Frodo's pinched face had relaxed, and his eyes were closed, a hopeful smile on his face.
Eruanna stirred and then patted the tree, thanking it as it let her down. The mallorn plucked one of the flowers that scantily clad its branches and gave it to her. She took it with reverence and twined it in her hair as the tree rustled its leaves in pleasure at the manner in which its gift was honored.
Then she looked around and realized where she was and saw the others. For a moment she looked startled, then she smiled as she saw the mood of the fellowship. She caught sight of Glorfindel and immediately ran to him, setting the flute down carefully and pitching herself into his lap, squirming into a comfortable position as he chuckled softly and welcomed her. His hand ran through her hair in an intimate gesture, and she clutched a lock of his, thumb in her mouth, smiling happily.
And the spell she had woven continued its magic their hearts, embedding itself into their minds to be remembered for as long as they were alive. For it brought them hope, and encouraged them to press on, for the sake of all that they held dear, for the thrill of seeing the enemy vanquished, and for the sake of the little elfling that had reminded them of all they had to fight for, remembering the story of her life.
That night, they slept well with renewed resolve.
LOTRLOTRLOTR
"She has a gift for music. I do believe that Ecthelion would be proud." Manwë noted interestedly.
"I would like to hear her play something in praise of Atar. Imagine that." Vána murmured thoughtfully.
"Indeed." Varda agreed thoughtfully. "Her depiction of my stars were quite concise." She murmured, pleased.
"Well. Now Frodo will receive what we have made for him through Eärendil, so the maze has served its purpose." Irmo said in satisfaction.
"True enough. And now that Olòrin has gone back-" Nàmo started.
"I'm still shocked at that." Aulë noted.
"Well, Atar decreed it." Nàmo shrugged. "And as always, I live to serve. As I was saying, now that he is, it's about time that her part is fulfilled." He declared.
"Yes, yes it is." Nienna murmured.
"All that's left is for her to get there." Yavanna agreed.
Manwë smiled. "Now, would anyone like to bet whether or not Glorfindel will chide Olòrin on not taking advice from his death?" He asked, eyes twinkling.
The Valar laughed long and loud as they laid their bets with good humor, leaving the Maiar to wonder what had caused their lords such amusement. The elves who happened to hear them felt their hearts lighten with joy for a moment, though they knew not why.
Guest: you are completely right, I admit. :) No need to be too concerned with where her path lies... *looks ahead* never mind, be concerned. 0_0 As for her wound... Eruanna says thank you for your concern but she will be okay... ;)
Guest: oh my, thank you so much! Less than 24 hours!? Was that the first and second book up till now!? You must be a fast reader! Like me. ;) oh, I made you neglect your schoolwork? Now I feel just guilty... *giggles* I'm so glad it was worth it! thank you so much! Please enjoy this update, hope to hear from you again~ XD