Disclaimer: I only own obvious OC characters! Everything else belongs to Tolkien.
Author's note: hi guys! A great big Thank You for reading. I realise the last chapter may have been confusing (another words it sucked) and not enough in depth but I shall remedy that with a better chapter ;)
Happy Reading!
Sleep consumed my thoughts. Happy dreams and memories played at the edge of my mind as consciousness resurfaced. But not on my own accord. Three abrupt knocks sounded on the door. The noise sounded sharp to my ears. I groaned softly. My eyes refocused on the world around me. I lay in my bed for a few moments before another set of loud rapping echoed on my door. It wasn't even dawn yet. The light outside was still faint. I knew who it was even before they said a word.
"It's Gwaenor, may I come in." My brother said indistinctly. I didn't bother answering he'd come in anyway. Moments later the door quietly swung open and in waltzed in Gwaenor in his patrol armour. I sat up immediately.
"Is it time to get ready for the next patrol." He said amusedly. I rolled over and snuggled back into the blankets. My reactions were to slow and a pillow came smacking own on my face. In a flash that was too quick for Gwaenor. I pulled a blanket over his head and whacking him with another pillow.
"Ahh! You cheated!" he whined as he toppled onto the bed. I laughed and jumped out of bed before he could get me back. I walked towards my closet where I could get dressed. I changed into my armour specifically fitted for Elleth. My long, nibble fingers quickly clasped the armour in place. It was light in weight, but would hopefully stop the full damage of an Orc's axe or another one of those creepy spiders.
I made sure, in my sleepy stupor that I put my armour on the right way round. Gwaenor was still lying face first on my mattress. I went to wash my face gently in the basin. Then I heard it, soft snoring coming from my dear brother. I looked at his form that was still covered in the blanket I had threw over his head. I looked back at the basin in mischief. I carefully cuffed a large hand full of water and walked over to the bed quietly. Small droplets of water escaped but it didn't matter. Gwaenor's face showed a little from under the blanket and slowly released the water. At first it didn't seem to bother him. His eyes suddenly came back into focus and he hissed in shock. I stopped and started laughing again as he wiped his face.
"I will get you back you for this." He smirked at me as he walked out the door. I made sure the coast was clear and walked after him. Couldn't have Adar or Naneth knowing where I was going. They'd worry too much. Secretly I think Malenor knew.
…
We had reached the gate that lead outside but before we could enter the forest, a guard stopped us. I've never seen this elf before. I couldn't see much of his face from his helmet but he had a lovely voice and gem like eyes that would instantly captivate anyone.
"My lady, the lord elven king requests your presence." The Ellon said apologetically as I stared after the patrol of guards that began to disintegrate into the trees. I internally groaned in despair. I remember the last time I had used my gift in such a large magnitude.
I felt worse than death, like something was clawing at me. And my eyes had a hollowness to the point that I looked as though they held little life in them. Like I was dead. No light had radiated from my being. Malenor believed I was fading. Like a flower in the oncoming season of winter. Wilting from the harsh cold.
Why these after effects happened I did not know. But it weakened me greatly. But I would do this for my king. Dragon burns hurt even years after they happened. And I had accused him of being vain. I signed quietly in chagrin.
I nodded to the guard and he led the way. He didn't speak much only when I asked for his name.
"My name is Eglanor…" he replied amusedly as we reached the corridor that led to the king's living quarters. The stone work of the floor and walls never ceased my fascination. It was so beautiful here. Every part of the woodland realm was different though. Everything was similar but never the same. We passed a pair of Elleth, who were gossiping rather loudly.
"Dwarves! Here in Mirkwood?!" one gushed questioningly like she couldn't believe what she was hearing. Neither could I for that matter. I averted my eyes from the pair.
"Yes, they are in the dungeons… such a horrid smelling creatures…" their words drifted out of my hearing range. Dwarves? I've never met a dwarf before. I thought excitedly. But my excitement was quickly squashed like a bug when we finally arrived at our 'destination'.
Eglanor knocked three well practised times on the delicately carved door. A faint 'enter' could be heard. Eglanor entered first and I followed closely behind. It felt like there was something fluttering in my stomach. I passed it off as anxiety.
Eglanor announced us and gracefully left. Closing the door softly behind him. I looked up from my feet. Thranduil sat at an oak writing table with a heavy looking volume. He wore a pale silver tunic with intricate designs of embroidery flowering across the fabric and dark pants. No crown adorned his head. I had never seen him without his crown. His head rested in the palm of his hand. He looked bored to say the least.
"I presume you already know your purpose of being here?" he asked reaching over the table and pulling a glass of what I guessed was wine towards him. It was a little early for wine.
"Yes, my lord." I said courteously. He stood up to his full height from his seat. He walked over to the chair across him and pulled it out, gesturing for me to sit. I did so. My movements felt stiff and awkward.
"Thank you." I said quietly. He was already seated again. He waited a few moments, collecting his thoughts before he spoke.
"I understand that it may be strenuous and draining for such a young mind. So I only ask that you restore limited amounts." He said slowly, gouging my reaction to this. I purposefully kept my face blank and forced my posture to be relaxed. The fluttering wouldn't settle in my stomach. He pulled his chair closer to me. His movements seemed fidgety. Was he nervous?
He pulled the sleeve of his shirt up, exposing his arm. I couldn't help but think how perfect it was. Pale and smooth. But then it began. It shimmered and the illusion came away with a shock. In some parts the smooth red muscle and tendrils began to uncover themselves. It must still hurt. There was no way it couldn't. I sucked in a deep breathe. I took extreme care in handling his arm with my hands. Then it began.
A silver blue mist faintly began to cover over his flesh like water or fog. He gave a startled gasp. It would have felt cold at first then pacifying. Until there was no ache to sooth.
…
After a long while I felt a moment of fatigue wash over me. The feeling began to dissolve but the weight was still there. That wasn't entirely as bad as I had thought it would have been. I removed my hand away from his arm. His arm almost completely to its illusioned self, but this time it was real. His arm was still slightly pink but that would heal in little to no time at all. And more importantly it wouldn't scar. Hopefully. I slouched slightly in my chair. I looked to the king who gazed at me admiringly. One of the first most positive expressions I've seen him express.
"Can I get you something? Wine perhaps." He asked softly. To me he seemed to be in shock but I had found no motivation to make sure. He kept touching his arm in wonder and bewilderment.
"No, thank you." I said quietly. I stood up, catching myself on the back of my chair. He noticed my lumbering weariness and went to the door and called for a guard to escort me to my home. I didn't need it! I was perfectly capable of walking there myself.
He didn't touch me but he stood in my personal space. Causing my heartbeat to dramatically speed up. The fluttering in my stomach battered itself against the cage of my body.
"Thank you, Mel-Hareth Nin." His sweet breath floated across my features. He smelt faintly of wine and the forest. I remembered my manners and bowed respectively, then hastily left. But not quick enough it seems.
"When you have recovered. Return to me." He ordered. I only noticed now that he had no shoes on. He had nice feet. I smiled faintly at the strange thought and left. Eglanor stood patiently waiting for me and we continued in the direction of my home.
…
We weren't half way there before a horn sounded off in the distance. We both knew what that meant and I rushed towards it. Eglanor joined the other guards of his station. Whilst I joined Captain Tauriel's Patrol group, they were sent to get the dwarves back.
Were came out of the entrance and down the small hill side. The sight that beheld us was comical.
The dwarves were in barrels. I would have laughed my head off if the situation weren't so serious. I could see in the near distance a guard pulling the lever to close the gates below the bridge. My eyes found movement. They had brought orcs here! I used a tree to my advantage and jumped and slinked across its branches. No doubt the enemy knew we were in the trees. Once I passed over the flowing river I jumped down behind an enormous orc.
I sliced the back of its leg. Successfully making it deter in its attacks and hunch over. I then proceeded cutting its head off from its very shoulders. My blade cut through the calloused skin of the orc like it were a young sapling. Its sickly black blood spurted onto the ground.
I turned again and carved through the shabby armour of another orc. And another until my blade was covered in blood. I noticed I was too far ahead of the others. I stood on the old stone watch tower. I could feel a tide of lethargy and exhaustion but on I pushed. I made a move to stop the dark haired dwarf from pulling the lever to open the gate, freeing the rest of the prisoners.
I fell back after I felt a sharp prick and a shuddering impact against my abdomen. I glanced down to see a black arrow in my side. The shock subsided. I yelped in pain as I felt a vicious kick in my side, which broke the arrow from my stomach. As I fell backwards, I could see the greedy, malicious eyes of the orc that shoved me. I hurled one of my daggers at the monster. It embedded itself in the disgusting creature's neck. It gave an ear splitting cry.
The arrow head was still implanted in my skin. I felt myself slowly break the surface of the rushing water. The freezing water quickly pulling me downstream. I struggled to get above the water to breathe. But was in vain. The water kept pulling this was and that to the point that I didn't know which way was up.
…
I don't know how long I was under the water but in my weakened state a long forgotten memory played at the lids of my eyes. Silver hair that was not my own nor was it anyone I knew.
'Ivolon' the name echoed in my mind. It was my voice, I realised. I was calling him. Taunting him.
Sunlight played on the little elflings hair as they frolicked about in the sun. A giggle escaped my mouth as he chased me through the field of wilting flowers and pass rows of hedges. The leaves had changed to an orange, golden colour. But one day they would thrive once more. Ivolon laughed merrily as he almost caught me. His hands gripping thin air, as I put on a burst of speed.
"Ivoriel, maybe we should return to the safety of the trees? "He asked cautiously looking about, I nodded in agreement. Ivolon grabbed my hand and we raced off into the golden wood. Together.
My thoughts were now my own again. The blankness of the world around me scared me.
The suspense of my fate plagued my mind like a disease. Would the orcs finish me? Was I going to drown? Did I drown?
Translations:
Hareth Nin – my lady
Meleth Nin – my love
Hope this chapter was better than the last! And not a month of waiting either! ;) hate it? love it?
Until next time…