Fandom Lord of the Rings: Ringing in the New Year

[Apollafae]

Tathariel

Maiden to Lady Galadriel

It was a strange sort of excitement that had filled Tathariel as she had left in the company of four elves. In a way, she wished she was traveling alone as she had when she had journeyed to Mirkwood on her own but, she knew that the world had changed since she had done so. Many years had passed and she now required an escort to ensure she safely travelled to and from Rivendell. While it was a much further trip to the Elvenking’s halls in Mirkwood, they had to cross the Misty Mountains to reach Rivendell. Besides, Tathariel knew that it was an honor for Lady Galadriel to request for her to attend the meeting Lord Elrond was holding, and that if she argued to go on alone, she would have been left in Lothlorien.


Despite having grown up in the beauty of Lothlorien, Tathariel could not help but be in awe as she rode into Rivendell with her escort. It was a different sort of beauty from her home, but a commotion quickly took her attention from the décor. It seemed there were a few hobbits that would be joining them as well as a few dwarfs. She gave them a cold once-over before swinging off of her horse and allowing her to be led to the stables with the other horses from her company. She waited for them to finish taking their horses away before leading her company off.


She thought it would be best to greet Lord Elrond first, however as she neared, it appeared he was already in deep conversation with the wizard Gandalf. Instead, she then led her company to join the few other elves milling around. It seemed that they were also waiting to either greet Lord Elrond or for the meeting to begin, and Tathariel would much rather be in the presence of other elves especially with the dwarves around.


It was as she approached that she recognized one of the elves standing there, King Thranduil’s son. She had met him once before, but only long enough for them to introduce themselves before she left. He was of course, a higher rank than she was, but only slightly. She was Lord Celebram’s niece, despite acting as a handmaid to Lady Galadriel.


“Prince Legolas, it is an honor to meet you once more.” She spoke carefully, aware of the audience they held with both of their company around. But she gave a slight curtsey out of respect for him, holding a higher status.

Rivendell

Legolas

coded by natasha.

Faramir

Captain of the Rangers of Ithilien

To say that Faramir was happy to be out patrolling would be a difficult statement to assess. While he was happy to be out doing something while his brother was away, he could hardly say he enjoyed his task. The patrolling was not what bothered him as much as he disliked the reason behind it. He was of course looking out for any dark forces attempting to reach Gondor, and if they found any it would be his company’s duty to defeat them.


In previous years this hadn’t been necessary, the dark forces of Sauron hiding as their master had vanished. However, as time had gone on, things grew more and more active. They had even received word that Nazgul had been spotted near the Shire, hence his brother getting summoned to a meeting being held by the elven Lord of Rivendell.


He certainly didn’t envy his brother, although he hoped he would return home quickly. Not only would it bring an expert set of hands to this task, but it would hopefully improve their father’s mood. Since their mother had passed, his father had grown withdrawn and almost angry. Yet Boromir had always seemed to calm him down and served as a good buffer between Faramir and their father.


He was pulled from such thoughts, however, when he noticed several sets of footprints off to the side of his company. With all of them on horseback, it was easy to see that this was strangers. He gave a signal to his men and they took off, following the trail of footprints. While there was no guarantee that these footprints belonged to enemies, it was better to assume that it did and confront them than just allow them to wander and possibly reach the city.

Outskirts of Gondor

interactions

coded by natasha.

 

[Lucyfer]

Legolas had journeyed to Rivendell and arrived a few days ago, catching up with Aragorn, though his true task had been to speak to Lord Elrond. He had done so, informing him already of the movements of the creature known as Gollum, which seemed to trouble Elrond more than he was already.

Although Lord Elrond himself did not tell him, it was easy to discern from rumor and admittedly, eavesdropping, that beyond Gollum being on the move, so, too, were the Nine. None of that bode well, and could only mean one thing, though no one dared to say it, and Legolas even found himself reluctant to think it. Yet, it was there, in the back of his mind, as he occupied himself with catching up in Rivendell and awaiting the meeting that was delayed for many to arrive.

Aragorn hadn’t put him any more at ease. His journey had apparently brought him in close quarters with the Nine, yet he lived to see another day and make it to Rivendell, for which Legolas was grateful. He had been escorting hobbits, and Legolas has the pleasure of at least meeting two called Merry and Pippin.

They ate quite a lot; one serving had not satisfied them.

Yet it was not only hobbits who were not in attendance. Beyond men, elves, the wizard Gandalf, and the halflings, the direness of the situation showed most clearly in the presence of dwarves invited to Elrond’s council, which was not at all what Legolas expected, nor did it seem many others.

‘Things must be desperate.’

He wasn’t pleased to see them, but he was not the host. He had no say in dismissing them, either.

He at least took some pleasure in seeing the arrival of other elves, not from Mirkwood this time, but Lothlorien. The dwarves would always be outnumbered here, but at least more elves of other areas were represented, while the dwarves seemed to represent just a small number, and were keeping to themselves where the meeting was to be held.

He recognized one among them, and smiled gently as she approached from amidst the others of her group, inclining his head a little in greeting, “Lady Tathariel, it is an honor to be graced with your presence once again.”

They had met briefly before, but had not enjoyed each other’s company long. Legolas had not forgotten her, in spite of that. It was not that long ago, by comparison to their lifespans, nor could he forget someone who still shone with the radiance of Lothlorien; she may not have been Galadriel herself, but she still held the beauty of them in her fair hair and light eyes.

“What has brought you to Rivendell?” Obviously, now, the meeting, but he wondered if she had purpose prior to her arrival as so many of them had. Elrond hardly had the time to get word out to most, which did make Legolas wonder if the dwarves were here without his summons, and for what reason Elrond would host them.

‘Not your concern.’ He waved it off once again, for now.

~***~

The lands of the West were colder than those of the East, a fact many of those Rayna’s party were not accustomed to, nor expecting. It was tolerable enough, but the complaints in rhûnic still came and went as they moved beyond the Lossarnach, a land they did not know the name of, only recognized it for how close it was to Minas Tirith and Osgiliath.

They could not rest there.

They could not rest anywhere near there, lest they be found out by their own for traitors, though so far, Rayna had managed conversation with those few they ran into, and explained away their actions with pretty lies about being a scouting party.

It was near the Serni river, up towards the White Mountains, that the group found respite among a forest, where they set up camp and started to take stock of what remained to them, and what they needed.

“We need to do it quickly,” it was Jahar, her brother, who spoke in rhûnic, a man of 26 years who had darker skin than most, and multiple wiry scars along his back and arms. He kept his black hair long, and pulled back into a ponytail.

“How do you suggest it? Just march up to the white city and demand an audience?” Another, Yulfin, questioned, “They will shoot us. They will not care we have a woman in attendance, they will kill her just as well – and do that first, if she is so lucky,” he had his arms crossed defensively over his chest, as others in the camp moved about setting up tents and making space to cook.

“We cannot march to the white city, that would be suicide,” Rayna agreed, “if I can get paper and ink, I can at least send word. I am certain I can find a courier in a town nearby.”

“So you would write to who? To the white city and tell them where we are?”

“No,” Rayna shook her head, but frowned as she considered it, brows furrowing as she tried to consider, “I would not tell them where we are, but request communication through the messenger for a time. I could return to the city every week for word—”

“We do not have such time!” Jahar argued, “Their own scouts will find us here, there must be a better way.”

“Then what would you suggest?” Rayna did not snap at her brother, but she felt close to it, as she realized how foolish this venture from their homeland truly was. There was no hiding what they were or where they were from, no going into the spaces of men, and finding allies.

‘What would you do, Pallando?’

It was with that thought, that one of their own scouts returned to the camp, eyes wide, “We’ve been found.”

“Already?” Jahar was startled by the news, and looked to Rayna for an action, a decision.

She bit her bottom lip a moment, before saying, “Everyone disarm, and take a seat.”

“Are you mad?” Yulfin questioned.

“Do as I say! Or do you not presume the men of the West soft?” Had he not said that before as a complaint? “They will not react with violence if they see us this way first.” At least, she hoped.

And in the time the scout had given them, the party disarmed, putting the weapons in plain sight, and found places to sit in the camp, to wait.

 

[Apollafae]

Tathariel

Maiden to Lady Galadriel

She inclined her head ever so slightly in return to his greeting, a faint smile gracing her lips. To be greeted so kindly by the prince, especially with the stresses from the rumors was truly an honor. While she expected a kind greeting from the prince out of respect for Lady Galadriel, she was a bit touched that he even remembered her name.


“Lady Galadriel sent me for a message from Lord Elrond.” Tathariel informed him, unable to help her gaze from shifting to the dwarves. Of course, if she wished to keep her words a secret from them, she could simply speak to Legolas in Sindarin. However, she did not think her reasons for arriving should be kept that much of a secret, she just didn’t enjoy the idea of the dwarves coming close to listen.


“Now I believe she must have known there would be cause for a meeting.” It would be a dishonor to assume that her Lady hadn’t known something was happening, especially for her to have sent Tathariel and her escort to arrive just in time for this meeting. And it seemed that all of Middle-Earth was feeling what was coming, in her short time in Rivendell she had seen not only elves and dwarves, but hobbits and men as well.


“What brought you to Rivendell, Prince Legolas? Is everything well in Mirkwood?” She had been there not too long ago for them, however her parents still resided there for now and she hoped no danger had prompted Legolas to come to Rivendell. Of course, she knew Lady Galadriel would offer what help she could if Mirkwood asked, but it was better that there was no trouble in Mirkwood.


Her gaze briefly scanned the faces of those near them, wondering if she could gauge how concerned any of them were, but she quickly returned to Legolas. She didn’t want to see rude of course, but especially not after discovering that he both remembered her and was courteous enough to say that he felt it an honor to see her again. Not that she anticipated much arising from their conversation aside from possibly bringing a message back to Galadriel asking for help for Mirkwood, she had high doubts that she would be seeing him in Mirkwood any time soon or vice versa.


Elrond would not call for a meeting on such little notice if it was not serious, and with the whispers of everything going on she knew it could hardly be anything but serious. It brought her worry, but she hid it carefully. An elven lady could hardly go around showing how she felt so plainly on her face, especially with dwarves and even with the men around. She supposed Aragorn didn’t count as the men, he was almost an elf of Rivendell however, there were other men around.

Rivendell

Legolas

coded by natasha.

Faramir

Captain of the Rangers of Ithilien

Faramir was careful not to ride his men and their horses too hard for too long, it would be no use to catch up to the strangers exhausted. If they were hostile, they would need their energy to fight. He set a hard pace, still allowing rest every so often, but not too long. They would have to catch up quickly, although it seemed the prints were not leading straight for Gondor.


It was only when one of his scouts returned with news that they spotted the company they were tracking that Faramir gave up the slower but less tiring pace he had set for them. Instead, the company flew into full gallop, heading straight for the other company.


He knew travelling back horseback gave them a strong advantage, especially if they surrounded the group. So, they did, forming two rings around the group, the inner riding in a circle in one direction with their weapons drawn with the outer doing the same only riding in the other direction. This was in efforts to keep those enclosed from breaking out and attempting to surround their men.


“Who are you and what is your business here?” Faramir demanded sharply, addressing his question to the group as a whole, not having picked out a distinct leader yet. As they rode their circles, he began to notice that the party contained weaponry, however it was in plain sight. And it was a camp they surrounded with seemingly everyone in sight sitting. It was almost eerie, and it made him wondering they were missing something, if it was an ambush. With the news spreading so quickly it seemed difficult for this to be anything but an ambush.


Leaving the weapons lying so plainly out for them to see felt as though it was meant to set him and his men at ease. So, of course, it did anything but that. Faramir tightened his grip on his weapon and forced himself to try and scan each face while keeping an overall eye on everything inside the circle. He had to trust that his men in the outer ring were keeping an eye outside as well.


He felt as though there was something he was missing about this group as well, as though they were just recognizable for him to feel uneasy. He hoped he was wrong about one thing at least, and it was the feeling that there were others outside of the camp. He was confident that they would win, however he had no wishes to bring home news of an ambush leaving wounded rangers to his father. He had no interest in bringing home bad news of any kind to his father, actually.

Outskirts of Gondor

interactions

coded by natasha.

 

[Lucyfer]

It seemed that Lady Galadriel had been made aware – or knew ahead of time, as rumor held she had such power. Legolas was inclined to believe it, it was a common enough sentiment among many elves, even outside of Lothlorien, though he knew not how far that power extended, nor how she was capable of it herself. Either seemed probable, he knew that, and was not surprised that Galadriel had not shared more with her handmaiden.

He offered a nod, his smile staying on his lips as he answered, “Yes, everything is well in Mirkwood, I thank you for your concern,” which was true, as far as he knew. Hopefully, things had not changed since his departure, though he doubted it. Nothing ever really changed in Mirkwood, just as nothing ever really changed in Rivendell or Lothlorien.

It was not their way to change much, that was given over more to humanity who faced the peril of mortality. Of course, more and more, he and other elves were becoming aware of that peril with regards to being killed by another. It seemed to be increasingly more of a threat.

“I was sent to bring a message to Lord Elrond of events beyond our borders that were concerning, which I assume many people are here doing, as I have heard from others that the Nine are moving again,” troublesome enough.

He considered whether or not he ought to tell Lady Tathariel of the details of what he was doing there, and he opted to, but he did switch to Sindarin in order to tell her, “The creature known as Gollum was seen on the move. We knew he had been beyond the Black Gates.” He dared not say ‘Mordor’, lest it be heard and understood by all. Perhaps he should have also spoken of the Nine in such a way, but as he overheard it from others, he did not think that was so well hidden.

Many knew what Aragorn and the hobbits had fled, and what Arwen had helped save one of those hobbits from.

There was an earnestness in his voice and his eyes as he spoke of it, a desire for her to understand his concern for why they were all there, without him saying it. He had no proof of it, and he knew she had none herself, but he hoped she would begin to see the direness of the situation that brought even dwarves and hobbits among them.

There were few things in this world that could do that.

Few things, of course, that would move the Nine, and let Gollum be released from Mordor’s grasp.

~***~

The riders came and found no resistance – which meant, no attack. That was the hope that Rayna had harbored, but now came the tricky part: she had to convince them they were no threat. One man spoke for all, and she followed him as he moved, demanding their reasons, though her mind went through the process of trying to translate it and seek anything in tone she might be missing.

It was a useless endeavor and she knew that – but she was certain the riders still held more of a threat in their posturing than anything else, so she would retain caution on her side.

“My name is Rayna, I am of the Rhûn, from the East.” Her accent was obvious, the r’s rolling, the ‘th’ sliding a bit more, almost an ‘f’ sound. Her words were measured, the evidence she wasn’t as well practiced in the tongue herself, composed first in her head, translating it out from rhûnic to westron, “I speak for this party, as they cannot speak Westron.” She did not rise from where she was, but kept her head up. Their lives depended on her getting this right. Their lives, and many others. “We are not here to fight, our business was to make contact with the men of the West and offer what aid we could in the fight against Mordor, to unite all of mankind.”

She swallowed. Recomposed herself.

She could feel the glares her men were giving those who surrounded them, and imagined a few were on her, for they knew not what she was saying, knew not if she was selling them out at the last second. To what end? Still, she knew, they were afraid in the unknown. She’d translate when she could, but for now, she had to convince these men they were not a threat.

“I come from Pallando the Blue. I have a letter.”

She did not know how trusted the wizards were here, but he had told her men had more faith in them, in the west, and were more inclined to heed their wisdom. He had suggested she invoke his name, and had at least given her such a thing. She had not opened the letter, in case the blue wax with his seal would be recognizable, so she did not know what it said, but she did trust him.

It was he that opened her eyes, and the eyes of others, to the true evils of Sauron, and how they were all being tricked into following him. She could not save them all – but she could still try to save this group, and to save others from a terribly long war that would never harm Sauron – only her people, and others so deceived.

 

[Apollafae]

Tathariel

Maiden to Lady Galadriel

Tathariel inclined her head gently in response to him thanking her for her concern. Usually, she wouldn’t have any worry for there being anything wrong in Mirkwood, but these were far from normal times, something his further words confirmed.


During their travelling, mostly approaching Rivendell, her company had heard rumors of the Nine being active. However, to have Legolas confirming that he had heard such as well, made her less certain it was only a rumor.


“It is never a good sign for so many to arrive with troubling news at once.” She mused; her gaze once more moving across those she could see. If it were only a few small troubles, one could think nothing of it.


At first, she hardly noticed when he switched to Elvish, yet it struck her quickly as to why he did it. She didn’t hesitate to respond back in Sindarin, there was certainly no point in alarming those around them for the two of them to share suspicions. “The Black Gates?” She echoed, her eyes widening. There was a slight tenseness to her mouth now as he all but confirmed her suspicions.


“For the Nine to be on the move and Gollum beyond the Black Gates…” She didn’t finish her thoughts, but she could tell from his gaze that he agreed with her. There was a part of her that didn’t want to believe, but all of the signs were pointing to the only thing that could set it in motion. But she didn’t even want to say it in her mind.


“Lord Elrond will be discussing this in the meeting, I expect?” She remained in elvish for this, while it would likely be alright to speak in the common tongue, she felt more comfortable discussing such matters in her native tongue. It made more sense to her now as to why Lord Elrond had welcomed dwarves into his halls and why the hobbits were now involved as well.


While it was almost comforting to have someone to share suspicions with, it was also almost worse. To have someone else agree made it seem all the more real. Yet in a way, it couldn’t quite seem real to Tathariel yet. While she was no longer allowed to travel as freely, that was the only thing that had changed recently for her. She also had been born early into the Third Age, so while she knew the stories of what had happened it seemed such a long time ago for her having happened at the end of the Second Age.

Rivendell

Legolas

coded by natasha.

Faramir

Captain of the Rangers of Ithilien

When one of the women began to speak, Faramir pulled out of the circle to stop facing her. He shifted his grip on his weapon when she stated where they were from. His family had been fighting to keep those of the Rhûn out of Gondor for far longer than he had been alive.


There was a flicker of recognition, however, at the wizards’ name. He was close to Gandalf, all but his pupil, and while the Grey Wizard had never given him the name of either Blue wizard, he knew enough to realize who she was referring to.


“One of the Blue Wizards sent you here?” He asked warily, still being careful to keep an eye on everyone else in case it was a trap. But if it wasn’t and one of the Blue Wizards was offering them aid, they would be great fools to deny the aid.


Faramir hesitated a moment longer before sheathing his weapon and leaning forward in his stirrups to extend his hand for the letter. If it was indeed a real letter, reading it would hopefully be enough to determine if these people could be trusted. The Valar know the White City was spread thin enough as it was without him mistakenly trusting these people from the Rhûn and bringing them within the city.


A part of him wished Boromir was here, he trusted his brother’s instincts far more than he trusted his own. And there was certain to be less of an uproar over his brother’s decisions. There was always the option to travel a bit with the Rhûn, see if they would attack his men. Or maybe he could make arrangements for them to stay outside the walls of the city, leaving at least the walls as a barrier to protect his city from them.

Outskirts of Gondor

The Rhûn

coded by natasha.

 

[Lucyfer]

Thankfully, Tathariel caught on to the switch, and Legolas showed some relief as she responded in their own tongue. He nodded along with the unfinished thought, seeing the reflection of understanding in her light eyes. She understood where this was going, what thing could motivate the Nine, and Gollum as well, yet a poor pawn in all of this, though a troublesome pawn Legolas wished he had shot already.

It would save them a world of trouble, of that he was certain, and yet he had not had the opportunity, never getting close enough to put that wretched soul out of his misery. Perhaps it was yet to come.

“Yes, I am certain Lord Elrond will discuss this.” Why else were they all here, waiting?

As he said it, one of those hobbits stepped into the area, and Gandalf and Elrond fell into a hush as the dark-haired lad stepped forward. Gandalf parted from Elrond’s side, and Elrond moved to a more central location, recognizing the arrival of those from Lothlorien with a nod, but no words, only a simple gesture outward that seats be found, as the meeting was to be called to attendance.

Legolas looked to see where his own party had moved, near enough those of Lothlorien, “We will know soon, it seems,” he shifted back to westron, stepping back with a deeper nod, “Let us hope it is otherwise.” He did not say what it ought to be otherwise, but moved to join with those of Mirkwood in finding a seat from the many gathered chairs, as the men and dwarves did as well.

It was only one hobbit in the meeting, though, and the wizard favored him, taking position besides him for the conversation.

As Legolas settled into his seat, and others as well, Lord Elrond began, “Strangers from distant lands, friends of old.” He looked upon them all, even the dwarves, which Legolas took note of in that, “You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle Earth stands upon the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate, this one doom.”

And then, his eyes alighted and stayed on the hobbit. “Bring for the ring, Frodo.” He made a gesture to a single pedestal that rested at the center of the gathered party, which he stood behind.

The hobbit – Frodo – walked forward, eyes down, and placed the ring directly in the center of the pillar.

Legolas felt his heart sink.

It was what they all feared.

~***~

The name had worked!

Rayna felt some elation at that, but more relief, when the weapon of the leader was sheathed. It was not so with the others, but this was still a good beginning. She could feel the group around her beginning to relax, at least a little, with this gesture, as she nodded slowly at the somewhat rhetorical question about Pallando.

When he extended his hand, however, she was momentarily confused before she realized what it was he wanted. Of course he wanted the letter immediately!

Rayna rose, though the move was slow, and she kept her hands open and at her sides, “It is in my bags, with my horse.” Still in sight, he hadn’t run off at the sound of approach, but seemed all but oblivious to the situation as he pulled at grass on the ground. He remained in full tack; she hadn’t yet taken the time to remove his tack and brush him down, a terrible oversight, but she’d been harassed with questions almost as soon as they chose to try and make a camp here.

They hadn’t even gotten to making food.

“I will retrieve it,” she hardly wanted to startle them as she moved, and so long as she was not hindered or no one else moved to get the letter that was in there before her, she would indeed approach Aduri, who looked up from his grazing to grunt a question.

She only gave the red horse a small pat on his neck, as she dug into the saddlebags for the letter, and retrieved it. She walked gingerly back to where the stranger awaited her, and gave the letter over.

Thankfully, Pallando would be not traitor – although the letter would be addressed to Faramir himself; the wizard had foreseen the letter falling into Faramir’s hands. He spoke a little of the group before Faramir, a reminder that humans on all sides, East and West, were still that – human. They could choose to do good, or choose to do evil, and Pallando had found good in the East as he hoped, where Saruman had given up.

And it was in mentioning that, that Pallando left a not-so cryptic warning about how what he was surprised was not how humans among evil could do good, but how wizards among good could choose evil, and a note that the party before Faramir knew more.

 

[Apollafae]

Tathariel

Maiden to Lady Galadriel

“Yes, it would seem so.” Tathariel agreed, bowing her head slightly in a form of farewell, although she assumed the elves would have a smaller meeting after to determine if any of them needed to be sent out. She went to take a seat among her company of elves from Lothlorien, watching the hobbit curiously as she waited for everyone to settle down.



She could only assume she was meant to go somewhere from here, she had thought possibly Mirkwood before Legolas assured her everything was as usual there. But why else would Lady Galadriel have sent her with the intent of her attending this meeting. Just attending and bringing back a report was not usually a task given to Tathariel, in fact it seemed more in line with something one of her companions might do.



However, these questions were soon pushed from her mind as Lord Elrond began to speak. She felt a faint chill run through her at the bold mention of a threat from Mordor. It only confirmed what she had been discussing with Legolas, that the old evil was arising. This confirmation only served to confirm as well what each of the races were gathered here, even the dwarfs.



She watched in silence as the hobbit – Frodo – brought a ring forward. She had some idea of what it was, and yet while she knew it would be to their advantage for it to be the One Ring, she couldn’t help but hope it was one of the dwarven rings. It would be less dangerous; it might even mean that they had more time before He was ready to fight them.



But as she watched Frodo place the ring down, she knew it was the One Ring. Being one of few to have seen another ring of power it was easy to see that this was one as well, however this one was darker.



She found her gaze drifting from the ring to Legolas; Lord Elrond was right in that this involved them all. Usually, Lothlorien was content to stay out of matters which did not involve them, but this involved all of them. She wasn’t sure if Legolas had been around to see the last war, she had been told they were around the same age, but she assumed he knew the same stories she did. He certainly knew how serious this was if their earlier conversation was any indication.

Rivendell

Legolas

coded by natasha.

Faramir

Captain of the Rangers of Ithilien

Faramir gripped the hilt of his sword tightly as he saw the woman approaching her tacked horse. While it was entirely plausible for the letter to be there, it could also make a good time for her to draw a weapon and attack. When she retrieved only a letter, he loosened his grip on his sword.



He took the letter from her, noting that it was still sealed, and opened it carefully. He read it over quickly, pausing over it being addressed to himself. He wished he had a faster way to contact Gandalf, if only for the peace of mind over the rest of the letter. Not that it would do much good, his father didn’t place much faith in the words of wizards. But he did, he knew of a blue wizard and this blue wizard seemed to be offering up good information while informing him that those of the Rhûn knew more.



“I am Faramir, Captain of the Rangers of Ithilien.” He introduced himself to the group then, or rather he introduced himself to the woman as he remembered quickly that she had stated none of the others spoke Westron. “The blue wizard claims you have useful information, we should head to Gondor.” He made the decision loud enough for his company to hear. He knew it was likely his father would set them up outside the city walls as Faramir himself had been considering due to his lack of faith in the wizards. But until they proved otherwise, Faramir supposed now he needed to give them whatever comforts his father allowed him to provide.



He gave a signal to his men and they stopped circling, however their weapons remained close at hand if necessary. “However, until we can be certain you will not betray us, I hope you don’t mind us escorting you to the city.” He addressed the woman once more before beckoning one of his men. They needed to send word ahead to his father, returning home with a large group of the Rhûn unannounced would not make for a pretty sight for him or this group.

Outskirts of Gondor

The Rhûn

coded by natasha.

 

[Lucyfer]

“So it’s true.”

These words came from one of the humans that Legolas did not recognize, and he cast his gaze towards the man as Frodo returned to his seat.

The man continued as he rose from his seat, “In a dream I saw the Eastern sky grow dark,” he began to walk towards the ring, every gesture sending a wave of paranoia through Legolas as he watched the reckless man, “In the West a pale light lingered A voice was crying, ‘Your doom is near at hand, Isildur's bane is found’.”

His hand moved for it, as if in a dream, and he spoke again, “Isildur’s bane….”

Elrond, who had taken a moment to sit, rose, “Boromir!”

His call drew the man from his act, and he looked up, as Gandalf rose from his seat as well. Only he did not speak any tongue that Legolas knew. Yet, still, he knew the language – the Black Tongue of Mordor he had no interest in ever learning. The sky itself darkened upon it being spoken, and Gandalf’s voice boomed like thunder as he held onto his staff and let those dark words interrupt the situation.

Legolas could only shut his eyes against it, and wish his senses were duller than they were, as others around him reacted by crying out or clutching their heads.

It passed, thankfully, and the man so-called Boromir seemed to collapse back into his seat, staring at Gandalf with something akin to fright, before Elrond shot him a repulsed look, “Never before has anyone uttered words of that tongue here in Imladris.”

“I do not ask your pardon Master Elrond,” Gandalf answered, “for the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West,” he turned from facing Elrond, to look upon everyone, trying to catch every eye, even Tathariel. “The Ring is altogether evil.”

He turned back towards his seat, but Boromir rose, “Aye, it is a gift!” He contradicted, “A gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this Ring?” He started to walk forward, this time not towards the ring, but to occupy a spot where he could hold the attention of many, “Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people are your lands kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy, let us use it against him.”

Legolas wanted to speak out, but Aragorn did so first, and his eyes fell gently on his friend, “You cannot wield it. None of us can,” he sounded almost exasperated, and Legolas did not blame him. Doom followed the ring, “The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master.”

“And what would a ranger know of this matter?” Boromir asked scathingly.

Legolas rose immediately to his defense, “This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn son of Arathorn You owe him your allegiance!”

~***~

The man at last introduced himself after reading over the letter. Rayna had not found it in herself to sit back down, and so she had remained standing, patient, quiet, as he read over the contents. Whatever was in there, it seemed to favor them. Rayna hoped she would be able to see Pallando once more, to thank him for this gift, but she did not know if that would be possible.

They did have such information they thought would be useful, knowledge of an alliance not far spread, and knowledge of what that alliance was soon to bring for those of Gondor and the West. They had heard it spoken of in their camps, almost a rallying cry of celebration, that the White Wizard was on their side. “Thank you, we will not mind an escort,” she noted his gesture to another, “I will inform my own group of what is to happen.”

She turned away from Faramir and shifted into her native tongue once again, “This is Faramir of the Ithilien Rangers,” honestly she had no idea what that meant in relation to anything, though she saw a few heads turn. The warriors must have understood it, somewhat. “He and his company will escort us to Gondor.”

“How are we so sure they won’t kill us there?” Yulfin asked.

“They could kill us here and now,” Jahar said, rising to his feet slowly, eying the men with their weapons. “They will let us move and pack up camp?”

Rayna held up a finger and turned back to Faramir. She would wait for him to finish speaking with his fellow, before indicating, once again in westron, “By your leave, we will pack our own camp to follow along with your rangers, Faramir.” Should he have a title with that? Was it improper to just call him Faramir? Oh well – what was done, was done, for now.

She would have to ask some of the others later what sort of ranger he was, those who had understood the reference, at any rate.

 

[Apollafae]

Tathariel

Maiden to Lady Galadriel

When one of the men began to speak and stood to walk closer to the ring, Tathariel found herself leaning forward out of concern. If the man tried to touch the ring it would surely consume him. She knew as well as she thought the others did that men were too weak, too susceptible to corruption from Sauron.



Yet she was far from prepared when Gandalf spoke the Black Tongue, clutching her head as her eyes shut. It was not a language that she ever wished to hear spoken, and when the echoes faded it brought great relief to her. For as little as she had enjoyed that, she hoped it had at the very least served its purpose and convinced this Boromir that the ring was indeed evil.



Tathariel was in a sort of disappointed shock when Boromir denied Gandalf’s claims, claiming the ring to be a gift to their cause. She wished to speak out against him, to have words that would satisfy him with knowing it was evil, yet Aragorn spoke first.

Her gaze landed on the ranger, knowing exactly who he was. She had known of him for a while, but she had only met him when he had travelled to Lothlorien to visit Lady Arwen when she had been visiting. It was in this meeting that she was introduced to him and his history as well, leaving her far from surprised when Legolas spoke up in his defense.



She did however notice the surprise on the others faces, particularly in the group of men. She kept her gaze on them, not anticipating this to go much further as Legolas’ words clearly showed that Aragorn had the elves support.

Rivendell

interactions

coded by natasha.

Faramir

Captain of the Rangers of Ithilien

Faramir gave a simple nod in response to her informing him that she would be relaying their conversation to her group. Yet even as he gave orders to his man to ride ahead and warn the city of their arrival, he kept watch over the group before them. He didn’t understand their tongue, and while the blue wizard was vouching for them, he still was wary. They could change their minds at any time and attack.



“I am sending word ahead to the city.” He decided he should be open about that so the group didn’t question why a few of his men were leaving. “The rest of us will wait while you pack.” He didn’t mind the lack of a title from the group, it had been made quite clear that they didn’t speak Westron so he found it no issue that she didn’t refer to him as the captain.



He assumed his words would be enough to settle his men as well, watching as they settled into a more relaxed stance. However, they kept their weapons easily accessible just in case something suddenly changed.



Faramir wondered if he should offer to help them pack, but he decided that might seem more threatening than anything, and it certainly would put his men more on edge. So instead, he simply waited, watching the group for any signs of an attack. Even then however he kept an eye out as well for any who might approach from outside the group.



He also made sure to make a mental note to try and make contact with Gandalf as soon as he could, it would bring great relief to him at least for his friend to confirm the note from the Blue Wizard was reliable. For now, he and his men would simply have to rely on instinct, and the fact that the group had not known who he was when they handed him the letter addressed to him. He hoped that whatever information they carried would be enough to calm his father though.



There was doubt, however that it would calm his father. Faramir couldn’t help but assume he and his men would be set on watch over this group until his brother returned home. There Boromir could either vouch for them or council Faramir better on what to do.

Outskirts of Gondor

The Rhûn

coded by natasha.