THE FORGOTTEN
Renaming a Strange Elf Maid
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings or Morgoth's Ring or anything else.
Author's Note: At the end of the last chapter I started giving an extremely brief explanation of just two components of the elven child naming process. This all has very interesting ramifications for this story and I'm going to take a whack at interpreting Eldar culture using Eldar reasoning I gleaned from "Morgoth's Ring" by Tolkien. In case you are curious, I shall be using Elrond in this chapter to flesh out my thought process. And for those of you that don't care quite that much, I'm sorry. I'm just that kind of nerd. There's more interesting stuff later on in the chapter, so skim through until you get to more of the action. I shan't be offended. I shall also be paraphrasing from Morgoth's Ring heavily at points.
The next morning Jennifer and Legolas visited Elrond in his study.
"What brings both of you here this morning?" Elrond asked once they were seated.
Legolas spoke first, "It is somewhat on account of me, Lord Elrond. Last night I asked Jennifer if she had considered changing her name, given she is or is becoming one of our kind. I had not realized that you had not discussed this with her. I explained it briefly to her, but I thought it best she talk about this matter with you before going forward."
"It is true we had not discussed it yet, but I was planning to do so very soon anyway. Jennifer, explain to me in your words what Legolas explained to you."
Jennifer relayed what Legolas had told her with as much detail as she could remember. "It seemed to me Legolas thought someone ought to pick a name for me and that you were probably the person to do it, Lord Elrond." She fell silent for a moment, but it was evident she had something else she wanted to say. The two remained silent and let her think. "It seems to me, given what I know, that whoever named me would be acting as some sort of father figure if the name is going to hold any sort of significance and be a true-name. And I say if because I'm not sure any new name could necessarily hold any kind of significance because I'm sixteen and started off life as a human."
Elrond nodded. "That is a good question – would the name anyone gave you hold any significance and be a true-name? I have been thinking of this for some weeks. On the one hand, your father should be the one to declare this name for it to traditionally hold as a true-name. However, in a very real sense to this world, you do not have a father or a mother. Furthermore, though you are by nature Elf and Maia, you were born as a human and I believe this also bears consideration in this matter. You do recall what we discussed about fëa, do you not?"
"Yes," she answered.
"And that is?" Elrond asked.
She felt like she was being given a pop quiz. "That fëa is spirit, that indwells and coheres with hröa which is bodily form and that the union of the two is permanent unless there are extenuating circumstances like death." She paused, "Do you want me to keep going?"
He shook his head. "That is sufficient. You and I agree your elven fëa, though existing prior to your arrival here, was more or less dormant. Therefore, practically speaking, your birth as what you truly are had only begun upon your arrival here."
There was a moment of silence.
"And?" Jennifer said.
"And I believe that it would be quite appropriate and a true-name for you to receive an elvish name. Furthermore, I think you could safely choose someone to give it to you. To echo Legolas' thoughts – it should be someone who knows you well and cares about you."
Jennifer nodded. "That does narrow things down quite a bit. May I have some time to think about it?"
"Certainly. This is a very important choice that should not be taken lightly. I am glad that you wish to think it over," Elrond said.
She got up and wandered towards the door without a word. Once the door latched shut behind her Legolas said, "She did not excuse herself."
Elrond smiled. "She never does when she is deep in thought. Though I must say, I am surprised she found the door."
"What do you mean?"
"Typically, when she is consumed in her thoughts, she wanders around for a bit then heads towards the bookcase there," he said pointing to a bookcase that stood just right of the door. "She usually only realizes her error when she cannot find the doorknob."
Legolas grinned, that sounded about right.
"I wonder though if this means she already has an idea of whom she would like to ask," conjectured the Elf lord.
"She did ask me last night, but I told her we ought to speak with you before she made any final decision."
Elrond nodded. "Then my guess is, she shall still choose you after she weighs the matter." A strange look came across Legolas' face. Elrond noticed it and fought the urge to smile but said nothing. "I also think that she shall return here before the morning passes and announce her decision. If you like, you are welcome to wait here with me."
For a better part of an hour the two sat in Elrond's study discussing metaphysics of the Eldar and whether or not the one who named her would experience any sort of a shift in their relationship to her. The conclusion of this matter was no – for whomever she picked would be someone she was close to and presumably quite fond and that the feelings would be mutual. Elrond knew from the training he and Jennifer had done together that he and Legolas were the most likely candidates. She was close to both of them, felt a strong bond with both of them, and was fond of them and them of her. At one point Legolas asked if he were the one to choose it if he could ask Elrond's opinion of it first. Elrond said he thought not unless she said specifically that she wanted him involved.
Their conversation had turned to more trivial matters like whether Legolas had managed to do much fishing while he was there and if Elrond had gotten any further with his mandolin making when Jennifer returned.
"I see you waited for me," she said. "Am I that predictable?"
"Only to some of us," Elrond answered, smiling.
She grinned, rubbed her forehead as if she had a headache, and then walked over and said, "Then you know I've made up my mind." She lapsed into silence for a moment then said, "I would still like it if you, Legolas, would name me, but I place no time limit on when you find that name. And if you wish to discuss it with Elrond, that's fine with me as well."
Elrond and Legolas looked at each other. Elrond nodded.
Legolas stood and bowed and said, "I shall gladly accept the honor of naming you, Jennifer."
She smiled. "Thank you."
"Jennifer, may I have a word with you, alone?" Elrond asked. Legolas bowed and made his exit.
"Yes, Elrond?" she asked.
"I think you made a very good decision. I know this has been a difficult and strange transition for you, but I think you are handling it well. Part of what is making things hard for you, I think, is the fact that you do not have any place to call home, no one to call kin, and nothing you can lay your hand upon and claim as yours."
She nodded and fought back that choked up feeling that usually precedes tears.
"I wish to tell you, you are not a guest in my house, but a member. You may never know the names of your ancestors, but I would gladly name you as one of my own and call you daughter." She smiled and burst into tears. He pulled her into a tight embrace and said, "Welcome home."
Once she calmed down, she wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "I thank you for an honor I certainly don't feel like I deserve, but that makes me all the more grateful. Though now I wonder if perhaps I shouldn't have had you name me."
"That was why I waited to tell you this until you made your decision. I did not wish to influence you one way or the other. As it stands, I think you have made the right choice, if there is one," he replied.
She thanked him and asked, "What should I call you going forward?"
"Whatever you are comfortable with. You are welcome to call me Adar, but if you would prefer to keep calling me Elrond, that is fine as well. It is wholly up to you," he replied.
She looked a little sheepish as she replied, "It will probably be an awkward mix of both."
He took her hands in his and looked her in the eyes and said, "Truly Jennifer, whatever you are comfortable with. I know your feelings towards me and your own family and I understand it all full well even if you never call me 'ada', I know, truly."
She smiled and took a deep breath. "Now my only regret is that this is not a time of peace. I probably shouldn't say anything, but – I believe my days dwelling in this house shall be very short. A conviction has been growing in my mind for some time now that my road shall lie with the Ring. I know you already have decided that it cannot and shall not stay here, and so when it leaves, with whomever bears it, I will go. That is the path I must travel."
Elrond looked long into her eyes searchingly and said at length. "I have thought as well for some time that your coming here and the Shadow moving in the East were too coincidental. I have feared for some weeks that this may be so. However, nothing has been firmly decided as yet and I believe we should hold off on a decision in this matter until the council. No matter what you decide, I shall not command you one way or the other."
She nodded. "Thank you."
Legolas spent the rest of the day in solitude trying to think of a name. There were many things he wished to consider and did not want to err in his decision. He didn't sleep that night. For a while he laid on his bed, and then he sat on it. He got restless so he stood on the porch. Before the night was over he was high up in the tree outside his porch. Trees are the best places to think.
It was only an hour before dawn. The moon was gone and the stars were shining brilliantly. The cold was refreshing to the elf. He gave a long, contented sigh and closed his eyes. He started humming to himself. Suddenly he opened his eyes with a huge smile.
"I have it!" he quietly exclaimed. He started singing a merry little tune, and watched the sky until the sun rose, singing softly to himself. A little before dawn he reached out to see if Lord Elrond was awake and found him stirring early. He presented the name he came up with to Elrond.
"What do you think, Lord Elrond?"
"I think it suits her well. I was thinking something along those lines. May I ask why you chose it?"
"There are these little white flowers that bloom in my father's realm that we call lothil*. They bloom in mid-autumn**and do not fade until the first hard frost. This year they reached full bloom just as she arrived and here she is, coming into her own but lately but no less lovely for her lateness."
"That is fitting. I thought perhaps she had told you what Jennifer meant."
"She has not. What does it mean?"
"It means fair, white, and blessed. Knowing that, I had considered something perhaps along the same line of meaning. The sound of yours though suits her better than what I had considered."
That took Legolas off guard, as he hadn't any idea of the meaning of her original name; he never dreamed he should strike so near it with his own. That confirmed to him that he had chosen rightly, and he thanked Lord Elrond and returned to his own thoughts and his singing.
Jennifer woke up that day a few moments after the sun rose. She thought she heard someone singing. She put on a green dress and over it thick grey robes and walked out onto the porch. She looked up in the tree and saw a glimmer of golden hair.
"Good morning!" she called up.
"Good morning!" came the reply. "I did not wake you, did I Jennifer?"
"Yes, you did Legolas," she answered truthfully.
"I am sorry. Please forgive me!"
"You are quite forgiven, and don't worry about it! I'm glad you did, it is a lovely morning," Jennifer replied. "Why don't you come down out of that tree?"
"Why don't you come and join me?" came the reply.
"I'm in a dress in case you haven't noticed!"
"I have. You could always put on your hunting outfit. Seeing an October sunrise in a tree is something not to be missed."
Jennifer smiled and hurried back into her room, closing the curtains behind her, and quickly changed into her hunting outfit, ran back out onto the porch and started climbing the tree. A minute later she was sitting on a branch neighboring Legolas's.
"Look that way," he pointed. He was pointing east over the Misty Mountains. She looked and saw the first golden rays of the sun shining through the colored leaves. Brilliant shades of pink and purple crowned the sun as she pushed back the diamond strewn curtain of night sky. The moon, who was still up, glowed dimly in her presence and seemed delighted he was able to share the same sky as her, even if it was only for a brief time. All of this framed in a quiet fire of autumn leaves left Jennifer and Legolas silent as the birds started their soft morning hymn.
"What a sunrise," she whispered.
"It is." They sat in silence for quite some time. "What did Lord Elrond wish to speak with you about after I left?"
"Oh, he told me I have a home here if I wish and," she hesitated a little then said, "he named me his daughter."
He reached over and grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. "You should be honored to be accepted into such a noble house."
"I am, though, this might sound funny to you, but back in my old world, the parents of most of my friends have told me they view me as one of their own. It is not that my parents are bad, far from it! I just seem to have a way of collecting family members." She paused for a moment then added, "Though I must say, Elrond's offer a home and kinship means a lot more to me, given I have no family or home here."
"You do not think of Mirkwood as a home?"
"You guys were certainly hospitable enough, but I wasn't there long enough to find the kitchen without getting turned around."
Legolas smiled. "That is true. But I do hope you will consider Mirkwood as another place you can rightfully call your own."
She looked over at him and grinned. "See? Something about me just collects homes and family members."
He gave a soft chuckle and said, "It is those big, innocent brown eyes. They make you look pitiful and helpless. Come, let's get down from here and get ready for breakfast."
She laughed and they climbed down. They both ended up on Legolas' porch.
"So, did you think of a name for me yet?" she asked.
"As a matter of fact, I did," he proudly smiled.
"And what is it?" she asked. Curiosity was driving her mad and he knew it, that's why he waited a moment to reply.
"The name I came up with is Lothril," he said with a look of anticipation on his face.
"Lothril, Lothril" she repeated, as if she were trying it out. The elf studied her face carefully, but it betrayed nothing. Did she not like it? "Lothril," she said again with a smile. "I think it's perfect!" she exclaimed as she threw her arms around him in a big hug, and he was not as hesitant to return this time.
"I am very glad you like it," he said as they pulled apart. "And may I be the first to say, te maer covad gin Híril Lothril Elrondiel Hîr od Imladris. (It is good to meet you Lady Lothril daughter of Elrond Lord of Imladris.)" He bowed respectfully to her.
"Lin hannon, Ernil Legolas Thranduilion Aran," (Thank you Prince Legolas son of King Thranduil) she replied.
"Lin hannon?" he repeated with a raised brow. "Come now, we are friends and this is not court. "Gin hannon. We have spoken as friends since we met, I shall not suffer needless formality now. Shall I come get you in a few minutes for breakfast?"
She smiled and blushed a little at his words. "Alright, and yes. See you in a few!" she said as she walked backwards towards the door. A very large grin was upon her face.
She went back to her room and changed back into the green dress and grey robe. She was sitting around her room waiting for Legolas. "Slow coach," she joked to herself. She became inpatient so decided to knock on his door.
While Jennifer Lothril, was getting ready, Legolas was sitting on his bed in thought. In the course of trying to figure out a name for her, he realized his thoughts towards her were changing. She didn't seem like the little girl he had brought to Mirkwood two months ago. She didn't seem like an elfling either. Though not many years were yet to her credit, she had taken each of them very seriously and they had served to bring a soberness to her much younger than it came to any elfling without robbing her of her joy. Like the lothil that blooms in autumn when you suppose the last flowers of the year shall begin to fade, up it springs and blooms so sweetly and ties together the hope of spring, the fullness of summer, and the glory of autumn. That was why he had picked that name. The sound, the feel, the meaning just seemed to settle in comfortably with her. He was not able to muse long however, because he heard a knock at the door that joined their rooms.
"Just a moment!" he called out as he hurriedly threw on a fresh outfit. A moment later he was bidding her enter while putting his hair into one long braid.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
"Yes I am," he said while tying off his braid.
The two walked down to breakfast. After breakfast Jennifer Lothril, told Legolas that she had to ask Elrond a question and would see him later. They split company as she headed towards Elrond.
"Elrond, may I ask you a question?" she asked.
"Certainly. What is it?"
"Well, could I ask in some place we won't be heard? It's about..."
"Say no more. We shall go to my study."
They made their way to Elrond's study. Once inside, with the door shut she began.
"Elrond, you know that Frodo is coming here. Well, in seven days Glorfindel will find Frodo and Mithrandir will arrive here. Frodo will arrive here on the twentieth, now you may have guessed, but I can tell you that all nine Nazgûl are going to be chasing him. They shall be right on his heels. I do not know if you know this or not, but Frodo was stabbed by the King of the Ringwraith's on Weathertop. Frodo shall be riding alone on Glorfindel's horse and shall almost be a wraith himself. I should know better, but I am horribly afraid that Frodo will not make it. Something tells me that I should be worried. It would put my mind at great rest if you would allow me to watch for Frodo and tell you the moment he crosses the river."
The Lord Elrond looked at her earnest face. So far, she had been very careful to reveal nothing of what would happen and wondered what sense of foreboding must be upon her if she should now tell him of the future, even if it was only a fortnight or less ahead. "Very well, you shall be able to watch for him. When you do, keep in contact with me the whole time," he said.
"I will. Thank you, Elrond!" she said with a bow.
Elrond looked at her and asked, "Did he come up with a name yet?"
Her face burst into a smile. "Yes, he did."
"Why did you not tell me?" he teased.
"I hadn't gotten around to it yet," she replied with a grin. "This morning he told me that he picked the name Lothril for me."
"I think it suits you well. Then you shall always be remembered as Lothril," the elven lord said.
"Oh, please Elrond, I do not want to be remembered. I have not done anything worth remembering, and for as much as I believe I know the road before me, I doubt I shall do anything of much note."
"If you did do something of note, would you then want to be remembered?"
"I suppose it depends on what I did. I'd hate to go down in history as doing something amazingly stupid. Though I suppose if I saved the world single-handedly then it could hardly be avoided. As I doubt I'll do either, I'd just as soon keep on living quietly and leave the renown for those who earn it."
Elrond just smiled. "I'm afraid you may not be granted that wish. If you are half Elf and half Maia, and taken from your world to this one, then you are meant to be remembered. You will be remembered. There is nothing that either one of us can do about that."
"Have you seen that?" she asked.
Elrond wouldn't answer.
October the eighteenth had dawned golden and blue with the wind gently rustling through the blazing colored trees. All was still and peaceful until suddenly Gandalf appeared. Lothril had been having her usual lessons with Elrond when he arrived.
"Shall I leave so you may meet him?"
"No need," Elrond replied as he stared out the window. "He is coming here, and I would have him meet you."
"But surely I'm not the most important thing you two need to discuss right now."
"A girl brought to Middle-earth by request of the Valar who promptly begins turning into half Elf and half Maia on the eve of a council that shall likely determine the future of this world is not something important that needs to be discussed?"
"Well when you put it like that…"
In spite of himself, Elrond had to chuckle. "Dear Lothril, I am convinced you could be the crowned High Queen of Noldor and you would still present yourself as a mere Elf maid.
"But is a queen naught more than a servant to her people?"
Elrond shook his head and laughed as a knock came at the door to his study and then the door was opened by his butler who wasn't given a chance to announce Gandalf. But after all those years, he knew he wasn't going to be given one when the wizard was in such a rush and had ceased trying long ago. Gandalf hurried into the room, the butler gave a small nod to Elrond and left, shutting the door behind him, without a word.
"Master Elrond, I have news that must be discussed immediately. The nine are scouring the wild between here and Amon Sul and I have only just escaped them. They are looking high and low for the Ring and for Frodo."
"I am aware, Mithrandir. I have sent messengers out to look for him and to bring him here with all haste."
"He has taken up with Aragorn, so that is fortunate. At least we know Frodo is not lost and he may contend somewhat with the nine." Gandalf suddenly turned his attention to the elf lady was sitting very quietly at the table, listening and drinking tea. "And who is this?" he asked Elrond, still looking at the Elf maid.
"This is Lothril. She is come here but recently and is the newest member of my family," Elrond replied.
"A new member of your family? Master Elrond, I haven't the patience for riddles. Not today," the wizard said.
"I'm afraid I take a bit of explaining," Lothril said, standing up and giving a curtsy. "It is an honor to meet you, Mithrandir."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, I'm sure," he replied, sounding a little rushed. He looked as if he was going to say more, but Elrond guessed his thoughts and spoke first.
"She knows as much as any of us do about current events. Possibly more. And she is a safe confidant. You may speak freely in front of her."
"Forgive me if I am wary, but I have been betrayed but lately and possibly to our ruin," Gandalf replied.
"Saruman?" Elrond asked.
"Yes, how did you know?" the wizard asked.
"She told me," Elrond replied.
"And how did you come to know this?" Gandalf asked, turning to her and looking rather intimidating.
"Peace," Elrond said, placing a hand on his friend's arm. "Unless you ready for a long tale, that answer must wait."
Gandalf cocked an eye at Elrond and muttered, "And they accuse me of speaking in riddles. Ah well," he continued at a normal volume, "It seems I must have a tale, but do not make it longer than need be." He sat down at the table across from the elf and Elrond brought over another chair and sat.
"The short version of the story is I was a human brought here by request of the Valar and have since turned into half Elf and half Maia," Lothril said very succinctly.
Gandalf stared at her and Elrond for a moment and then sounding annoyed but looking staggered he said, "I could do with a slightly longer version of the tale."
Lothril began again. "Six, no eight months ago now I began having dreams wherein I would see someone from a place far away, but I could not quite see his face clearly, and he would speak to me or sing and then in the last dream he promised he would see me soon face to face, but I couldn't understand how as he was from somewhere I couldn't reach. Later that day I was at school and out the window I saw a great ball of light descend upon the lawn and out of it rode a figure on a horse. He called up to me and told me he was sent to fetch me to Middle-earth so I went with him. I knew I recognized him, but I couldn't place from where until later when I realized it was the very same person from my dreams. It was Legolas. He and King Thranduil were also given dreams around the same time I was. Thranduil had dreams about me, when I should come, who should fetch me, and so forth. Legolas had dreams where he saw me and spoke to me, and though different I think from the ones I remember, they weren't terribly dissimilar either. Anyway, Legolas brought me to the Woodland Realm and by the next morning I had perfect vision, I used to need glasses before to see well, and my ears were pointed. Legolas brought me to his father and all three of us agreed I should be brought here to Lord Elrond, so I was, and he determined I am part Elf and part Maia, and that I always was, but those aspects of me lied dormant until I was brought here."
"That explains why you are here, but not how you know what you do," Gandalf said.
Lothril looked at Elrond who nodded so she continued. "Where I am from, there are books about the history of Middle-earth and current events are mentioned in them with some detail."
"And future ones too, I suppose?"
"Yes, but I shall not speak of them."
"Indeed, she has not," Elrond confirmed. "Until very recently. She mentioned your coming the other day, which I did not know, but guessed would be so, and she mentioned the nine were in pursuit of Frodo. She is greatly troubled for him and it was only out of that concern that she mentioned the day he would arrive and the circumstances of it."
"And what are those circumstances?" Gandalf asked, studying her closely.
"I'm sure you've guessed Aragorn and the hobbits are but two or so days behind you. They shall arrive in two days time. Glorfindel has found them and even now Frodo rides Asfaloth and in the end, Glorfindel shall send Frodo and Asfaloth on ahead, for the nine shall be on their heels. What you do not know is that Frodo was stabbed by the leader of the nine on Weathertop two days after you fought the Nazgûl there. The tip of the blade has broken off into his shoulder and though Frodo is fighting it and Aragorn aids him, I am afraid Frodo is in great danger of becoming a wraith himself. I know he shall cross the river into Rivendell on the twentieth, but something in my heart warns me of trouble and I have sought Lord Elrond's permission to wait and watch for him and perhaps render aid to him if need be."
Gandalf looked troubled by what she had just said. "How many shall be chasing him?"
"All nine," she replied.
"And you have not spoken of this to anyone else?" Gandalf asked.
"None save you and Lord Elrond."
The wizard nodded. "That is well. It seems, Lord Elrond, if nothing else, she has been sent to be helpful to us."
"So it would seem," Elrond replied, "and that is why I had you meet her and hear her tale now instead of at the council. Her arrival seems more than coincidental. That she should be summoned here by the Valar at just this moment seems to suggest she is to have a hand in things."
"It rather does."
"But I think you shall agree with me when I say, I think she should be present at the council, and maybe speak, but say nothing of what she knows lest temptation overtake someone and they should try to force her hand."
Gandalf nodded. "I heartily agree. Lothril, who else knows?"
"About the books? Thranduil and Legolas. I only mentioned them because it seemed necessary at the time, but both of them seem to be of the same mind as you – the fewer who know the better. And I am certainly uninterested in telling. I'm not a fortune teller, and I don't want to be viewed as one. And besides, for all that I know, I am still worried sick about Frodo, and that in and of itself makes me wonder about things."
"Indeed," Gandalf said, but said no more about it. "Well, it seems all my news has been told. But I am curious about something."
"What is that?" Elrond asked.
"How and why her elven and maiar natures should remain dormant at all, and from whence she was fetched to Middle-earth."
"That has been matter of some discussion," Elrond replied.
"My personal theory is that either I am from another time, much later in the history of Arda, or else there are different worlds that exist separate from each other and somehow, somewhere along the line there was something that connected the two that caused me to be what I am, and in a way I have been sent back here."
A very curious expression came across Gandalf's face when she said that. He looked thoughtful, but also a little sad, as if some old memory had come to mind but then quickly passed. "Both of those theories seem –"
"Improbable?" she suggested.
"A little, but I assume Legolas can vouch for your being from somewhere not in Middle-earth?" Gandalf asked.
"I should think so. He did come to my world to fetch me. He didn't see much, I'll grant you, but he did the see the school building, which is frightfully dull architecture, and he will readily attest to my clothes being very different from anything found here."
"Hmm. Interesting. If you speak, are you planning on telling your full tale at the council?"
She looked at Elrond and said, "Only if it is deemed wise. I am prepared to tell as little or as much as considered necessary."
He nodded. "That is well. Lord Elrond, if I may speak with you later, I do have a few things I wish to discuss with you, but I have been riding hard for days now and could do with something to eat before more long speech."
"My kitchen is yours," Elrond said smiling.
That afternoon was brisk though lovely and Lothril wanted nothing more than a fire, a comfortable seat and maybe a throw blanket to cozy up in. The Hall of Fire almost fit the bill nicely, but Bilbo had been spending a bit of time in there the last few days and he seemed to be rather focused on whatever it was he was working on and she didn't want to be a distraction. Instead, she headed back to her room and was delighted to see a fire already lit with a healthy stack of wood beside the fireplace. Sometimes she thought elven servants must all be mind readers. The door between hers and Legolas's room was open, as it often was during the day now, and she left open her door to the hall. She pulled one of the extra blankets off the foot of her bed, curled up on the couch and watched the cheery little fire burn.
Her gaze turned the door between their rooms and she smiled. They had become good friends over the last two months, which was why she had picked him to name her. She hadn't had such a close friend in years, if ever. Over the last couple of weeks he had been seeking her out to do things with her and including her when he was doing things with others. What tipped her over the edge though, of finally being convinced they were in fact friends was him introducing her to someone as his friend.
"Ah, you have returned," he said, appearing in the door. "You look comfortable."
"Indeed! Care to join me?"
He came over and sat down at the other end of the couch and asked, "Have you heard? Mithrandir has come."
"Yes, he came to see Elrond while I was there."
Legolas nodded then asked, "What are you plans for this afternoon?
"This," she grinned.
"Should I leave you to your solitude then?"
"Well, if you want, I guess, but when I said 'this' I was including talking to you in my plans. What were yours?"
"To find you and see if you wanted to do something. Perhaps explore or music or what have you."
"Music might be nice, but I don't really know how to play anything here. I've been thinking about that song I heard in my dreams before you came for me. I almost think I remember it now, but I need to try playing it I think before I can say one way or the other."
"Wait here," Legolas said as he got up and went to his room. He returned a moment later with a lute and handed it to her. "Here, see if you can pick out the notes on this."
She took the lute and gave it a strum then began trying to pick out the notes as she remembered them. Every so often she would start over and play the tune so far as she had figured it, and work on the timing of it before moving on trying to pick out more notes. The third or fourth time she did this Legolas cried, "I know that song!"
"You do?"
"Yes, it is a very old one. If you shall give that to me, I will play it for you."
"By all means!" she handed him the lute and he began to play.
"What you played is from the middle of the song, but this is how it starts." He began to play and the melody that made her want to sing and dance, and yet be still and silent. Never had she so wanted to be a part of a song and yet removed from it so she could enjoy it fully. The tune drifted through the room like a stream through a forest and grew and swelled until it reached the part she knew and she almost burst into tears. The song ended and she couldn't speak. It was almost exactly as it had been in her dream.
"Was that it?" he asked after the last note had faded.
She nodded but could not speak for a moment. At length she asked, "What is the song called?"
"Erui Gilgalad," he answered.
"First Starlight, right, not First elven-king-named-Gil-galad?"
Legolas smiled, "Correct. First Starlight. You said this is the song that you heard in your dreams telling you I would be coming for you?"
"Yes, why?"
"Just curious," he said and he began playing a different tune that was more light hearted and airy. He played and sang for a while, and after a time they fell into conversation and he would play snatches of things as they spoke. Eventually, they fell silent again and Legolas took to quietly playing. The bell rang for dinner and Legolas stopped playing.
"We ought to get dressed for supper," Legolas said.
"Unless this dress is wrinkled, I think I'll just wear this. I should probably brush my hair though," she replied. With that she flung off the blanket and took a spin in the mirror. "I think it looks fine."
"It does," Legolas said, standing himself. "But this shall never do for me." He picked up the lute and returned to his room while Lothril set about fixing her hair and arranging her circlet so it sat just so and putting on her necklace. He knocked on the door between their rooms and she hurried over and opened it. "Shall we go?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied. They began their customary walk down the passage towards the dining hall and hadn't gone but a few feet when Lothril said, "Just so you know, I shall not be around much day after tomorrow, so don't be waiting for me to go to dinner with you."
"Oh? I was hoping to take you hunting that day. There is a herd up in the northern part of the valley that needs to be thinned a little before winter and the kitchen never turns away venison."
"Could we go the day after?" she suggested.
"I think so, but we shall have to rush the trip a little. Lord Elrond informs me the council shall be held soon," he said.
She nodded. "Anyone else going?"
"There are three or four others. They shall head up day after tomorrow anyway."
"Sounds like a plan," she said.
Two days later Lothril woke early and headed down to the Ford of Bruinen. She couldn't remember exactly when Frodo showed up, and she thought it was later, but she didn't want to miss him and she wanted time to find a good place to watch. At the top of the steep bank there was an oak tree she could climb into easily that had a rather comfortable limb she could sit on. It was a good angle from the trunk and created a good seat she could lean rather comfortably on. She didn't bring anything with her to do, but instead planned on reciting healing spells. To be perfectly honest, she wasn't sure why she was there, except for this nasty foreboding feeling she had. She knew in the books that as soon as the flood subsided everyone would cross and he would be taken to the house, but something kept bothering her. She decided it would be better to keep watch and possibly not be needed, than to be needed but not there. She kept watch until late afternoon. She was thinking about the promised hunting trip when she heard bells.
"Asfaloth's harness! FRODO!" she cried. She waited; soon she saw the horse with the small rider crashing through the trees with the most horrifying sight in pursuit. She had been bracing to see black horses with riders hooded and cloaked in black, but what she saw were black horses with riders, pale and grey, wearing crowns and carrying swords, with eyes – those horrible eyes! She alerted Elrond. She could see Frodo was struggling against the wraiths and knew she had to do something. Frodo was trying to resist, but Lothril could see, or almost see, something that looked like a dark mist creeping towards Frodo and he was wavering. Almost instinctually she began to sing a song of Elbereth and the Blessed Realm. A nearly imperceptible mist of light began descending the steep embankment and soon was swirling around Frodo, driving back the darkness. That was when he cried "Go back! Go back to the Land of Mordor and follow me no more!"
The wraiths that were in the river didn't seem to notice, too close to their target and intent on their prey, but one of the ones on the shore noticed and began looking around for the source. His gaze nearly found her and she faltered and the light receded. She shook herself and focused on Frodo and sang again, but it was almost too late. He was nearly lost. Asfaloth had crossed the river and brought Frodo on dry land, and not a moment too soon, for just then she heard a terrific noise like thunder echoing down a canyon. Then she saw it; white riders on white horses of angry, surging white water, barreling down the river with boulders smashing and grinding in their wake. Only just on the shore, Lothril feared Frodo might get swept away and leapt out of the tree and very nearly flew down the steep embankment. She looked up and only just saw Glorfindel shining like a white flame, wielding a flaming brand along with Aragorn and three hobbits. She was grateful to see them, but her heart told her not to delay, and so she hastily picked up Frodo and laid him over the horse then mounted and carried him as she rode as fast as she could up the bank and towards the house. Once she reached flat ground, she had Asfaloth break into a canter and off they sped to the front door with her singing all the way. She wasn't sure she was doing much and felt like the Dutch boy with his finger in the dike. She might not be making him better, but she was keeping him from getting worse.
Elrond had sent servants out to wait for her and as soon as she rode up, they took Frodo and carried him away towards Elrond. Lothril dismounted and left Asfaloth with a groom and then took off down the hallway after Frodo. She guessed, rather than knew, that he would be taken first to what Lothril privately referred to as the elven operating room. It was on the first floor towards the end of a hallway and had two or three beds in it that only had thin mattresses which were made to be easily washed or possibly burned. Two of the walls were lined in shelves covered in various herbs and there was an elevated platform on which you could put smaller cooking fires. Depending on the size, you could fit three separate flames. It also had a small oven set into the wall, but Elrond claimed that was just a remnant of the first kitchen, which is what that room was. That said, she was quite certain more than once she had seen him place his cup of tea in there during lessons to keep it warm. She walked in and found Elrond standing at the foot of a bed singing with the hobbit stretched out on it looking pale. A pair of elves were busily stripping off his shirt, waist coat, jacket, and cloak so Elrond could get at the scar more easily. There was another elf busily gathering things off the shelves and another grinding up certain things and throwing it into one of the two steaming pots sitting on tall trivets over bright flames. Lothril stood just inside the door against the wall so she was out of the way.
Without hardly looking up, Elrond gestured to her to come over. She stood beside him and without hardly stopping his singing, he asked her to tell him about what happened at the river. She relayed the encounter and Elrond only nodded slightly in response.
Gandalf came in and Elrond stopped his singing for a moment.
"How is he?" Gandalf asked.
"Not good. It is well that Lothril went to watch for him. Have the others arrived yet?" Elrond asked.
"They are approaching the bridge, but are not at the house yet," Gandalf answered.
"Yes, it is very well. Frodo is far enough gone as it is. You said there is still a shard in his shoulder?" he asked, turning to Lothril.
She nodded. "Yes. It's drawing near his heart, but I can't tell you any more specifically than that."
"I should be able to find it," Elrond said.
"I don't want to say he looks better already, but he looks less like a wraith than he did," Lothril said. "He looked horrible until I started singing."
"You've done well," Elrond said, clapping a hand on her shoulder. "Is everything ready?" Elrond asked, turning to his assistants.
"Yes, my lord. All is prepared," one of them replied.
"Throw in the aethelas now and I shall begin," Elrond commanded.
"What are you going to do?" Lothril asked. "I'm sorry, I'll stop asking. You need to focus."
A smile tugged at the corners of an otherwise grim looking face. "I can do both. If I cannot, then I will not answer you. I am going to re-open the wound, clean it out, and search for the knife shard. Would that I could see the blade that stabbed him. I may know better then how to counteract the spell."
Just then, as if on cue, Aragorn arrived. "How is he?" he asked, almost as soon as he entered the door.
Elrond shook his head. "He is not out of it yet. You did well though in slowing things."
"I can only take so much credit. Hobbits are made of stern stuff. I brought you this," Aragorn said, handing him something wrapped in thick cloth. "It is the handle of the blade. The blade melted away almost as soon as I touched it, but the handle remained."
Elrond took it and held it with merely the tips of his fingers, taking it over to the table where the mortar and pestle were. He flung back the cloth and began singing spells over the handle. Lothril stood a little to his left and looked at the handle. There was writing all over the pommel, handle, and guard, and though the characters looked elven, the words didn't make any sense to her, and so she assumed it must be the black speech. Elrond could read it though and seemed to be singing the reverse of whatever the spells said. When he finished, he wrapped it back up and handed to Aragorn saying, "Take this to the smithies and have it destroyed."
Aragorn said nothing but took it, gave a brisk nod, and sped off.
Elrond returned the bedside of Frodo and Lothril stood at the foot to watch, as that was where she felt she would be most out of the way, that is, until Elrond summoned her to the side opposite of him. He had a small blade and began cutting into the wound. An evil looking scab had formed that was all sorts of unhealthy looking colors. Frodo at this point was well unconscious and didn't even so much as twitch when Elrond began working. Lothril had never considered herself particularly squeamish, but the unnatural colors of the scar, the wound, and the flesh around it was nearly enough to do her in. Indeed, if the smell of aethelas wasn't flooding the room, she wasn't sure she wouldn't have been sick. As soon as the wound was well reopened and the nasty scab and scar tissue removed, Elrond began cleaning the wound out thoroughly and washing it. She was helping as she could, but she felt like she wasn't doing much of anything at all and was feeling increasingly woozy.
Elrond looked up at her and was about to ask her something and changed his mind. "Lothril, you look unsteady on your feet. You have done much today, you needn't stay. Go take three leaves off the aethelas plant and use them in your bath. I shall have supper sent to your room."
He looked at one of his assistants who immediately left the room and the other came and took Lothril's place as she quickly took off the leaves and then walked past Gandalf and left the room.
Legolas had spent the day reading. He had spent a good part of the afternoon in the library and then spent the evening playing the harp and singing. It was growing quite dark and Legolas wondered Lothril had been all day. She had been so cagey he decided it was probably best to let her have her secrets. However, now that it was decidedly growing dark, he began to wonder. Part of him wondered if she had fallen asleep up in the tower again. That had happened the last time she had disappeared all day, but she hadn't warned him she would be gone. He was just about to make up his mind on whether or not he should look for her when he heard an odd noise outside his door. He opened it and saw her sitting against the wall and looking pale and exhausted.
He knelt down beside her and asked, "Lothril, whatever is the matter?"
"I think I over-extended myself today," she mumbled. "Just give me a minute and I'll be fine."
"I am sure you shall, but I am going to carry you inside your room all the same," he said, picking her up. He managed to get her door open and carried her over to the couch where he laid her down and noticed the aethelas in her hand. "What is that for?"
"Huh? Oh, yes. This. Elrond gave it to me. He thought I looked a bit unsteady on my feet. I feel pretty woozy. He told me to put it in my bath."
"Woozy?"
"I feel like I'm spinning and going to fall over."
"Ah. You know, that is not a normal state for an Elf," he said. His tone was light, but his face was rather serious
"No, it isn't for humans either. I think I'm just tired from the encounter and then the sight of that scar was… it was disgusting, frankly,"
Legolas stared at her. Obviously there was a story here, but she was in no state to tell it. "Lay here while I draw a bath for you. I think it best you follow Lord Elrond's instructions."
She gave a small nod then sunk her head back on the arm of the couch and stared at the ceiling. She hadn't felt this wobbly in ages. Legolas came back out and the smell of the aethelas filled the room and helped her head stop spinning.
"Do you need help sitting up?" he asked.
"No, no. I think I have it," she said sitting up slowly and then standing. "Better already." She headed towards her wardrobe, pulled out something to wear, and then carefully made her way into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. The bath was steaming hot and the scent was helping to clear her head very nicely. Slowly she sunk into the hot water and sighed. Yes, she had probably been a bit of a fool not bringing lunch with her. She could see that now. That probably accounted for a good deal of her exhaustion. Trying to work against the Nazgûl on an empty stomach was clearly ill advised. Then of course, watching Elrond not only open a partially closed wound, but one that was a series of unnatural colors, healing in ways that looked unhealthy, and then watching him try to draw out the poison and remove the unhealthy scar tissue… she had never had ideas of being a surgeon. This confirmed she had made the right decision.
It didn't take long for her head to clear completely and the last remnants of queasy feelings left over from watching Elrond work faded as well. She was almost feeling back to her normal self, though prodigiously hungry, when she heard the door to her room open and a tray being set down.
"That will be supper!" she thought to herself, and quickly got out of the tub, dried off, and dressed before anything had a chance to get cold. She came out of the bathroom tying her wet hair back with a brown ribbon and headed straight for the table.
"That was quick," Legolas said. "Are you feeling better?"
"Yes, but I'm starving," she replied, taking the covers off the dishes. The kitchen did not disappoint. Hot, thick venison stew, fresh bread and butter with jam, potatoes, fried fish, apple pie, hot mulled cider, wine, and for good measure a pitcher of water. "I'd say it's a shame I missed dinner tonight, but stew is always better if it's sat and it's obvious they just fried the fish."
"For fare, you are certainly doing as well as we did. For company though, you should have fared better at supper, for the Lady Arwen was there and I was hoping to introduce you to her," Legolas said.
"Oh?" Lothril said pausing as she buttered her bread. "I do think I would like to meet her."
"We are longtime friends. I think you shall like her."
"As I seem to get along with most of your friends, I think I very well may," she said optimistically. With that she turned her attention to her dinner. Legolas sat at the table with her and she let him drink her wine in exchange for him keeping her company. Once she finished she push her plate back and sighed. "That was delicious."
"I am glad you enjoyed it. So, now that you are bathed, fed, and looking significantly better, would you care to tell me what led to you being in a heap in the hallway?"
"Well, I don't know if I should… although I guess I can. I spent the day down by the ford waiting for Bilbo's nephew Frodo to show up," she answered.
He gestured for her to continue, "And then what?"
"Well, I knew how things were supposed to go, but I kept having this nagging feeling something was going to go horribly wrong. So I stayed down by the river all day and kept watch for him. You see, well, remember a couple weeks ago when those riders went out at dawn and you were curious as to why?" she asked. He nodded and she continued, "They were going out and looking for Frodo and Mithrandir as they were both due here before now. Gandalf, as you know, showed up just a couple days ago and Frodo today. Well anyway, I knew he should arrive today and I just kept having this foreboding feeling that something was going to go wrong, so I waited down by the river. He showed up around sunset followed by the nine and-"
Legolas paled. "The nine?" he whispered. "What were they doing after him?"
"I can't really tell you yet. You'll find out at the council. Regardless, it ties in with why Mithrandir and Aragorn were hunting Gollum and why you all were watching him and why they were chasing the hobbit. Anyway, Frodo was found by Glorfindel a couple days ago, and he came crashing through the trees riding Glorfindel's horse with the nine on his tail. He, that is, Frodo, was stabbed by a Morgul blade a little over two weeks ago, and was very nearly a wraith when he arrived. In such a weakened state, with the nine right there, he could hardly fend them off and nearly fell to them, but then I remembered a song I recently heard about Elbereth and I began to sing that and somehow, I think it helped Frodo muster the last bit of resistance he had, because he did resist them and made it to the other bank. And just in time too, because Elrond and Mithrandir released an enormous flood that swept the nine away. I quickly ran down the bank, picked up Frodo, got on Asfaloth and rode as fast as I could back here, singing all the way. You should have seen him, Legolas – well, no, you shouldn't have. It was dreadful! The poor thing looked horrible! And the scar where he was stabbed looked worse. I've never seen such hideous colors. Anyway, now that Elrond is working on him, he looks better already, but he won't really be in the clear until or unless Elrond can get out the little shard that's still in his shoulder. But Legolas – you should have seen the nine! They were horrible! Just horrible! Pale kings in grey robes with pale swords and crowns, with eyes that looked dead and yet terrifyingly alive," she shuddered. "It made my blood run cold."
For a moment Legolas stared at her in wonder then said, "I think I have underestimated you. Anyone so young and inexperienced who can work anything against the nine is – I can hardly believe it."
"Well, I don't really think I did very much. I think at best I just sort of put my hand over the hole to keep the water from escaping."
"I don't think you understand what you did. You pushed back against the nine and made headway. Even an inch is more than could be said for most," Legolas said.
"Yeah, but I was hiding in a tree at the time. It's not like I was face to face with them."
Legolas shook his head, "Lothril, I do not think you appreciate your skills. You have only been in possession of the ability to do these things for mere weeks. It takes most of us years to master these abilities, and some never do. You have made great strides in a very short time. That is in addition to all the other things you have mastered."
She frowned. "Well, if you say so."
"I do say so," he said with a smile. A comfortable silence fell between them and after a few minutes Legolas stood up and said, "I shall take my leave now. I shall go find Aragorn, I think. Good night, Lothril."
"Good night," she said, standing up and seeing him to the door. "It's early yet. I may stay up a while and read."
Legolas turned with his hand on the door. "Would you do me a favor, Lothril?"
"Name it," she said.
Legolas smiled, "Go to sleep."
"Oh fine."
Legolas left the room grinning and headed down the hall a ways. There was no real knowing where Aragorn may be, as he knew the place even better than Legolas. He reached the main entryway which more or less lays center of the house, and debating which way to go when Aragorn saw Legolas standing there and said, "Legolas! Mellon nin! What brings you here?"
"News and a strange Elf maid bring me here," Legolas replied.
"A strangeElf maid?" Aragorn asked, looking curious.
"Yes, I was sent for her over two months ago."
"Sent for her? I do not understand," Aragorn said.
"I am not sure anyone fully does," Legolas replied.
Glorfindel had been walking by and heard the conversation and interjected, "Legolas, it is strange enough tale on its own. There is no need to be mysterious on top of it."
"Thank you," Aragorn said with a nod to Glorfindel.
"By the way, Glorfindel, you may wish to know that she changed her name to Lothril," Legolas said.
"Did she? I like that much better than Jennifer. Jennifer has a strange sound to it," Glorfindel commented.
"Legolas, I have had a very long month traveling across the wild trying to avoid the enemy. I am in no mood for riddles," Aragorn said.
"I will speak more plainly, but let us find somewhere besides the middle of the entryway to talk," Legolas said.
Glorfindel took his leave, and Legolas and Aragorn found an empty sitting room and Legolas explained in brief the story of Lothril.
"It is strange all of this should happen just now," Aragorn said.
Legolas only nodded in reply.
"But it is too late for mysteries. I am in need of sleep. Good night," Aragorn said.
Legolas bade him goodnight and they each left for their own rooms.
Translations:
loth- blossom, flower, ril- glittering light, brilliance, flame
*lothil – it's a fake flower I made up. I know almost nothing of flowers, so I decided it was just as well if I invent some little white wild flower that conveniently blooms when I want it to rather than research the heck out of wild flowers and get frustrated and then make up my own anyway.
**mid-autumn – by elven reckoning, that would be somewhere in mid to late August, as they consider autumn or "Iavas" to start mid-July and go until mid-September.