Words Exchanged and Journeys Traveled
Just about to start this new chapter, check the old one, look at kudos and follows and then…. WTF, when did that happen. Now I know I gotta post another chapter, especially with the replies from BBHW (KattyByNature), ShadowsWithoutHope, kkamjongbel, LegendaryBritinKinlor, Junebug, Faery66, ob1292, Sefir98, Zayabel_Draga, dancing_dahlia, monkeytalks, pepear, and ShadowGrrl98 . Thanks for the replies by the way. Ya'll are what keep this story going. But nevermind that, I'm sure you wanna read the next chapter, instead of this, so here ya go. ^^
"Thoughts"
"Westron"
"Black Speech/ Parseltongue"
"Elvish"
-Lines, Bro-
It has been a hundred years since the death of Melda…
An elf, standing at the height of 5'4, leaned against the tree that he had lived in, alongside Rawodhiel, whoms appearance has not changed. His unnaturally black hair was pulled back in a braid, the same one his nana would do for him when he was younger. The same circlet from back then gracing his head, and emerald eyes downcast in thought. His skin no longer as pale as it was when he was a child, but a light tan from working outside with his caretaker for the past hundred years.
Soft leather pants, with elven boots of soft deer leather, although still tough enough for long journeys and combat, gracing his feet. His tunic was dark grey and black, simple in its own way. Also leaning against the tree was a quiver, filled with arrows, crafted by Rawodhiel, and the black bow that Melda had gave him all those years ago, polished and in good-shape.
Rawodhiel stood next to him, not leaning against the tree, her old hazel eyes looking at the child she had taken care of since that night," Are you sure you want to do this, Elenion? You are still young, and to many, just a child."
Elenion looked up at his friend, teacher, guide, and smiled lightly, his own emerald eyes meeting her own as they showed his determination" I am sure, Rawodhiel. I assume you can feel it, too. We all can. A darkness has reawoken and is seeking to shroud the world. A company of Elves, the Prince of Mirkwood included, is going to Rivendell so find a solution, and I want to help…. I know I can help. It's the least I could do after what happened back then."
Rawodhiel sighed and stepped forward," Elenion, is this is out of revenge, you should not go. Nothing good will come of leaving with blackness in your heart."
" Blackness?" He furrowed his eyebrows, and glared down at the green grass under his feet," You and I both know that Nana would be rolling in her grave, should she find out I left to avenge her." He then chuckled slightly, and looked at the elder elf with reassurance in his gaze," Fear not, Dear Rawodhiel. I do not leave out of revenge and anger, but out of purpose. I cannot just stand by why this is happening."
Rawodhiel sighed and that and shook her head, rubbing the back of her head in thought," There is truly no way to entice you to stay, is there?"
He smirked in response," No, there isn't."
The elven woman laughed," You are so much like her, Elenion. Would you not be male, I'd think I was looking at a ghost of Melda." She sighed then," Very well. Elenion, son of Melda, Go to Rivendell. I know you will do good on your quest." She then reached out, pulling the elf into a hug, much to his surprise," Make sure to come back alive, though. I do not want to lose you too, Child."
Elenion blinked several times as he processed what just happened, then smiled, returning the hug, before stepping back, hearing Sirius trotting over, geared in Melda's old elven riding gear, repaired as a gift from Rawodhiel as well. The stallion snorted as Elenion patted his neck in greeting, and turned to retrieve his bow and quiver of arrows.
As he did so, Rawodhiel walked up to the black horse, cradling his head, and the stallion stilled," Take care of Elenion for me. Make sure to bring him back alive."
Sirius seemed to nod his head, as Elenion, quiver and bow now secure, gracefully swung into the saddle, and nodded to Rawodhiel with a smile," Farewell, Rawodhiel. I'll make sure to bring you back a gift when I return."
The elven woman laughed with great mirth at that, and nodded as she patter Sirius's neck and looked up at her young charge," See that you bring yourself back before any gifts, Elenion." She then gestured to the path that lead out of Mirkwood," Off with you both, then."
Elenion grinned and Sirius neighed before turning and taking off down the path, as Rawodhiel watched then leave, saddened as they became shadows in the forest before vanishing altogether between the trees that blocked her sight," Be safe, Elenion."
- Lines… Lines everywhere-
The journey was mostly uneventful. Hiding his features with a black cloak that Rawodhiel has snuck into his saddlebags, along with a few coins, water skins, and bread she had baked that morning, Elenion passed through countrysides and towns without troubles, much to his surprise. The worst event that has happened was a scuffle with a few towns guards, in which he had easily charmed his way out.
Now he was walking through a forest, path well worn from wagons and such before him. He merely lead Sirius along as he let his eyes close, listened to the many sounds around him. To the falcon in the trees, to the mouse in the bushes, and the shifting of the trees in the cool breeze. Nothing sounded out of place. Nothing that he could sense, anyway.
He then thought back on that night. The night he lost his nana. He knew now that that attack could have been avoided, her death could have never happened. She had become careless though, her alert nature, as Rawodhiel said, had dropped for merely a moment, resulting in her death.
After that night, Rawodhiel had taken up Melda's task of raising Elenion. She never took the place of his nana, though, referring to herself more as a guide and mentor. She taught Elenion to learn from the mistakes that had cost Melda her life, and he became a better elf, the elf Nana would want him to be, because of it.
He reopened his eyes then as Sirius had stopped, a lone elf standing before them, aiming an arrow at, what Elenion suspected, was his own heart. The elf was obviously male, with light leather armor, obviously the work of other elves, his oddly dark blond hair tied back in many braids. The elf then demanded in Westron," Who goes there?"
Elenion raised a slim black eyebrow and sighed, his shoulders dropping in a nonthreatening manner," A friend." He pulled back his hood then, not shocked that the other elf kept a straight face," If you wish to call me that, that is. I've come to offer aid."
" Oh, and just what do you offer aid, too?"
Elenion resisted the urge to sigh, annoyed by the distrust of the other elf, though again not surprised," I know of the council that was held here. I've been travelling for several days, so I am sure I missed it, but I offer help, my skills and my bow, to the ones who are to save these lands."
The elf then asked in a slightly mocking tone, " And how do you know that these lands need saving?"
Elenion could not help but smirk then," I am no fool, Fellow Elf. Darkness is sweeping over the lands like an airborne sickness. I do not wish to stand by when I can help."
The elf studied him a moment longer, before cautiously putting his bow down, and gestured, turning," Follow me then." He then whistled and a white mare trotted up from the path ahead and stopped, letting the elf swing into the saddle, and soon both elves and horses were starting down the path again.
The elf looked at Elenion, as they were now side by side," I'm not one for formalities, so I'll just give my name. Call me Beinion."
Elenion spared the elf only a glance, before pulling up his hood once more," I am called Elenion."
-Lineleo, dude-
Beinion is just a temporary, and the bottom half of this chapter was a filler. Next chapter is Rivendell, and Legolas. Replies and kudos keep the story going. Until next time, then.