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The Pentanath: Adventures in the Avathar	By : Sienna Category: -Multi-Age > Het - Male/Female Views: 3294 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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The Pentanath: Adventures in the Avathar
A Posthumous Writing of The Watcher of Tol Eressea
Book 2: Broniennin Guren
Chapter 7 - A Tangled Web

Nearly two weeks after Orophin's arrival at Guve Hall, word of his discoveries finally reached Alqualonde and made its way to the Rangers' Guildhome. Korthin was made aware of the missive and hurriedly crossed the wide cobblestone square which divided the Guild Headquarters from the sleeping areas.

Entering the Main Building, Korthin headed toward the Council Hall and pushed open the heavy and intricately carved wooden doors. Several pair of eyes turned in his direction and he nodded a silent greeting to all in the room, not wishing to disturb the on-going council.

Korthin quickly walked to the large rectangular table where the Guild Commanders sat and pulled a chair toward him. Silently he sat and waited. Turning toward the elf who now spoke, Korthin listened quietly.

"Indeed," intoned a dark haired elf, "twold seem we have lost our eyes on Eressea." He looked around. Other elven heads nodded in agreement.

Korthin frowned. "Surely it cannot be as you say!"

The others turned to Korthin. One elf named Ebarthel responded. "Word from Orophin o Alqualonde makes no mistake. His brother has not been seen nor heard of since MidSummer. There is the matter of the sea beasts off the coves of the Raica Falassë. We cannot afford to spend more time on the issue of Haldir o Eressea for other pressing matters have come to our attention." The elf turned a grave face toward Korthin. "We will proceed and close our contact with Commander Haldir."

Korthin sat back stunned. "We cannot simply assume what we do not know. Recall Orophin and let him speak here before you!" Korthin's voice was measured and calm but inside his heart beat furiously. He could not let his friend be forgotten as simply as this!

It was another elf who answered Korthin. "Captain Korthin," the elf intoned wearily and waited until Korthin acknowledged him. "We have long debated the issue of Haldir o Eressea and it is not customary to maintain Guild contacts with former Commanders. This is, as you well know, Guild policy." He looked upon Korthin with barely disguised impatience before turning away and reaching for a thick manuscript which lay on the table before him. "The Council has decided and now we will proceed with matters concerning the Raica Falassë." Abruptly he raised his gaze to Korthin, "Unless Captain, you have more to add?"

Korthin's anger was well controlled but he knew when to yield and thus he answered, "Nay, I have no more to say." With that, he stood and bowed curtly, turned and exited the chamber.

~*~*~*~*~

Over a month had passed and Orophin still was disinclined to depart Guve Hall. For one thing, he suspected there was still more to be learned concerning his older brother, especially given the reserved responses he had gotten from many of the fisher folk whose villages dotted the coastline near Lisse's lands. Already he knew that the Guild Council had voted to move on to more pressing matters, but Orophin knew he still had Korthin's support and aside from that he had not yet exhausted his leave.

No, thought Orophin, as he sat beneath a clump of linden trees and watched Guve Hall rise proudly before the vast expanse of ocean. There was still much more to be discovered and he would not be satisfied until he had the answers he sought.

His gaze was diverted away from the house and toward the lone figure who approached. Despite the situation, Orophin smiled. His blue eyes fixed on the slender elleth. He had come to enjoy the many priviledges that rank in the Guild offered him, but he had never exploited that advantage until now. Ever since the day he had told Lisse about the wonders of Middle Earth, Orophin had come to like and even admire the blonde elleth. She had done much for Guve Hall, and based on Haldir's last description of a sad and desolate place, it seemed Lisse had spared no sacrifice. Discipline and hard work were ethics Orophin well understood for they too formed part of his own personal code, as well as that of his brothers.

Coming to a slow stand, Orophin allowed himself to give the elleth a warm smile. He saw that it was returned.

"Hail, Orophin!" Lisse called and she scampered up the little hill.

Orophin watched her with undisguised admiration. Bending, Orophin reached out for Lisse and she caught his hand. "Greetings, my Lady."
sse sse allowed Orophin to gently pull her the rest of the way and then dropped his hand, although she noticed he held it longer than necessary. Her gaze followed Orophin's line of vision and then she turned to him. "I see you have discovered for yourself the enchantment of Guve Hall." The wind whipped her hair forward and she pushed it back absent-mindedly.

"Aye," replied Orophin, dropping to sit on the ground and gesturing for Lisse to join him. "I've done much of my thinking upon this spot, since arriving in your fair lands." He turned and gave Lisse a warm grin.

Lisse nodded but dropped her gaze. Orophin was too much like Haldir, though he had none of Haldir's natural reserve. This served to continually make her uncomfortable in Orophin's presence. What's more, and to her great chagrin, she knew he was well aware of her discomfort.

"When do you depart, Orophin?" Lisse asked abruptly. She could still feel his eyes on her.

Orophin raised an eyebrow and answered with a hint of laughter in his voice, "Why, Lady, it would seem you wish to be rid of me!"

Lisse shook her head and raised her gaze to his and then just as quickly looked away His gaze was, like Haldir's, too penetrating. "Nay, 'twas not my meaning, Orophin!" Her blue eyes widened in embarrassment. "I merely thought that the Guild would have need of its commanders."

Orophin raised one knee below his chin. "Indeed, they do, but I have been given leave." He studied Lisse carefully noting she did not meet his gaze. Was he such a painful reminder of his older brother? Suddenly he reached out and squeezed Lisse's arm in reassurance. "He still lives." Orophin said quietly.

Lisse turned to face Orophin. "How know you?" She asked softly.

Now it was Orophin who turned his gaze away from Lisse and fixed it upon a distant spot on the ocean before them. "I do not know how, but I know." He looked upon Lisse. "He still lives, though I know not why he hides from us."

Lisse sighed, "He has always been thus." She leaned back on the trunk of a sturdy linden in order to support herself.

The comment drew a frown from Orophin. "Indeed?" He asked, "How is this?"

Lisse pursed her lips in thought, not wishing to offend Orophin who was after all blood kindred to Haldir. "His goings and comings," she explained after a moment. "Always going somewhere, always alone." In her voice there was a hint of sadness.

Orophin finally understood, and in his heart there was pity for this young elleth. He was already well aware of her identity but had no way of knowing how much of Haldir's story she knew and did not wish to intrude upon Haldir's private matters. Thus, he was torn. While he was coming to like Lisse and feel at ease in her presence, he was also conscious that she represented a very painful chapter in Haldir's past. What Lisse represented to Haldir Orophin did not know and was reluctant to pry. Instead he offered some reassurance, "It is not uncommon for my brother to come and go at his wont. It has always been his way," he added as Lisse turned her eyes onto his face. "Always, even in Lorien, did he prefer the company of rivers and woodlands." His hand found Lisse's and he gave it a brotherly squeeze.

An awkward moment followed for both, but it was Lisse who broke the spell. Rising, she looked down upon Orophin. "Tis time for me to return to my duties, Commander." She used the formal title without realizing it.

Surprised by her formality, Orophin only nodded in response and softly bade Lisse a good day. He sat quietly, watching her disappear beneath the gentle slope where he sat only to re-emerge when she had reached the flat valley below. In this manner Orophin pondered many things until his stomach growled it was time for supper. Only then did he allow himself to leave his lonely vigil by the edge of the linden woods.

~*~*~*~

Far from the lands of Guve Hall, deep within the wildest interior of Tol Eressa a lone tree grew. For ages uncounted had it lain dormant beneath the shady fronds of wild woodlands where no Guild Ranger roamed.

Silthilion was its name, and was itself a child of Galathilion, the ancient White Tree of Eressea. Quietly and secretly did it prosper and grow, hearty and whole, tended by the loving hands of the Lady of the Gulls.

Whence came the Lady no one knew. Many names had she, but to the fisher folk she was the White Lady of Silthilion. But to those who knew and remembered the ancient lores she was called Star Spray or Elwing, the Lady of the Gulls and dwelled within a great tower in the secretmost parts of Tol Eressea.

Long had she tended Silthilion, from the time its seed was given her until it had grown into a mighty tree whose great silver light cast a bright reflection upon the lands nearby. Hidden from all of the elves was this wondrous treasure, and none knew of its existance save the mighty Valar and their heralds.

Upon a bright morning came a solitary figure to rest upon the base of the mighty Silthilion. Hands gently caressed the strong silver bark and not even his keen elven eyes could see the tallest spires of the tree's branches. The elf noticed the magnificent marbling of gold and silver that intricately wove about the trunk of the tree, winding its way to the branches and culminating in great wide silver leaves whose undersides were of a mottled gold. And as the elf gently caressed the tree into his mind came the gentle touch of an unmistakable intelligence which was not his own.

Elven eyes flew at once to the tree and the figure waited silently. At length the tree spoke, its language a mixture of emotion and images that floated and enveloped the elf. Long minutes later the elf silently nodded and with a last caress moved away from thee aee and disappeared behind a massive forest that effectively hid the tree from view. Silently and without mistep the elf walked, leaving the mossy cool forest behind him and stepping onto the spongy sand of a deserted beach. Fine white sand clung to his leggings and the blue sky overhead was reflected upon the clear and tranquil ocean.

It was not long afterward that the elf encountered the object of his search.

There, amidst the white sands and blue sky, not three leagues away, rose the White Tower of the Lady of the Gulls. The elf squinted his eyes. It stood, a lonely sentinnel, upon the white sands, reaching to the bright heavens above. Made of the finest white marble, had the Tower withstood the rages of time and storms. Whose hands had built the Tower none now remembered, though many said 'twas the handiwork of the mighty Vala, Aulë, the Smith. If the Tower had ever been the dwelling place of this Vala none now knew. Legends told that one day, long after the Silmarils had been stolen, did a fine and great lady appear on the beach and there within the Tower came to live out her life. The elf looked once upon the silent Tower. Would she reveal herself to him, wondered the elf. Or would she simply revert to the enchanment under which her life spanned the ages and refuse him an audience? The elf did not know, and he resolutely approached the massive stone tower.

In moments he had come to the Tower's single entrance, a wide stone stairway which had no gate nor lattice and without preamble began to climb it, conscious of a power dwelling within the Tower. The silence within the Tower was nearly a living and pulsing entity, encompassing the elf within it. No bird call, rustling breeze or gentle lapping of ocean waves was heard. A mighty silence enveloped the Tower and the only sound were the elf's soft footfalls. A great power dwelled here. No doubt, thought the elf, the lasting after effects of the Lady's magic.

Suddenly his attention was diverted to his right, where a small window had been cut into the wall beside the steps. Upon the window's ledge was perched a single sea gull. The elf halted and studied the bird as it twisted its head from side to side. Then it flew away and the elf began climbing again.

At the end of the stairway the elf encountered a single hallway. He could see the hallway streched before him and led to the only chamber within. This already stood open and bright light from the chamber spilled onto the quiet hallway. Quickly the elf covered the steps from the stairs to the entrance of the chamber, hesitating at the doorway.

Suddenly, from within a soft feminine voice called. "Enter and be welcomed, Haldir o Eressea."

Haldir stepped into the room without fear, as the Lady bade. He looked about him discreetly and saw a chamber full of memories. All about were the remnants of a by-gone age. Parchments, maps, and tapestries were framed and hung on walls as though they served as a reminder of some sort. Haldir had the distinct impression these items were of an immense age. Some tapestries showed scenes from battles he knew had been waged upon Middle Earth when Morgoth walked that fair land. Others were so far into the distant past that he could not recognize the details. About him sat tables made of the finest mithril and upon the walls were golden and mithril sconces, all casting a soft light upon the room.

Haldir wondered at this for the chamber was lit from within but instead turned his attention to the female standing beside an open window. He could smell the ocean spray from where he stood.

When their eyes met, Haldir was struck speechless. Here was an ancient of the Eldar, the spouse of Earendil the Blessed who still sailed each day brightly upon the heavens. Tall was the Lady, with the same elegance as Galadriel. Yet, this Lady emanated a power that not even Galadriel could match for the light of the Valar was in her eyes and the glow of their blessing upon her brow.

She turned to the elf, and he saw that her countenance was fair and true, and that her skin glowed softly like the purest alabaster. Bowing low, Haldir finally acknowledged the greeting.

"My Lady, you do me honor." His eyes raised and fixed upon the lovely features of Elwing, the Lady of the Gulls. He saw her smile and how it transformed her face. Like Galadriel, her form was enveloped in a great light which shone from every pore of her being. Here, thought Haldir, was an ancient being of great knowledge and the realization humbled him and he bowed once more.

"Tell me, Young One," the Lady began softly, "what can I do for the herald of Varda?" The Lady's voice was gentle and warm, soothing and comforting.

Haldir raised his eyes and spoke, "My Lady, I am naught but a servant of the Valar, and come to ask a great favor of thee."

The Lady laughed and it was a gentle and at once merry sound, much like the lapping of waves upon a shore or of many breezes rustling the leaves of trees. "News upon these lands travel faster than you would own." She fixed him with a kind gaze and moved away from the window and came to sit upon a delicate mithril chair. Motioning with her hand, she bade Haldir to sit beside her upon a matching chair of gold. From the window wafted a cool ocean breeze and Haldir felt it fan his face as if tendrils of air were delicately searching his features.

"A great gift from the Dwarves," she began, with her head nodding to the chair where Haldir now sat. "One of gold for my husband and one of mithril for myself." Her eyes sparkled with mirth. "Only the Dwarves nearly did not part with these treasures!"

Haldir waited silently until the Lady turned her bright azure gaze onto his face. "You would take a seedling from Silthilion, is that not so?"

Her question was so abrupt and unexpected, that it took Haldir by surprise. Yet he recovered quickly enough to respond, "Aye, Lady, for Varda the Starkindler."

The Lady nodded, "Aye, I have seen it." Was her quiet response. "And have you asked Silthilion?" Her intelligent gaze fixed on Haldir's face. "For he will not refuse a request from the Valar."

ir nir nodded, "Aye, my Lady." Haldir answered. "I have asked it and it has been granted."

The Lady stood and faced Haldir, who also came to his feet. "Then," she said, "it shall be done."

~*~*~*~*~

Long did Haldir and the Lady speak and when at last their council was over, night had descended upon the lonely beach. Biding the Lady goodbye, Haldir quickly retraced his steps and exited the Tower.

High above a silver moon had already risen and a thousand stars glittered within the black velvet of the sky. Below, the ocean calmly lapped the shore, mirroring the sparkling gems of bright starlight. A cool wind blew inland.

Haldir walked several yards clear of the massive tower and turned toward the ocean. His eyes canvassed the sky but saw nothing. Pulling his cloak tightly about him he whistled softly and waited.

Not long after a silent and massive shadow blotted out the stars. Haldir looked upon the approaching shadow and waited quietly.

Moments later an eagle landed softly before Haldir, its intelligent eyes meeting the elf's silver gaze. Haldir smiled, "Aye, old friend, the request has been granted." The eagle nodded and looked away as Haldir swiftly mounted upon the strong shoulders of the giant bird. "Now, Aquihir, bear me aloft to the Halls of your lord, Manwë."

Aquihir nodded and without response beat mighty wings that spanned more than one hundred feet. Below him the sand was whipped into a small whirlwind. Gaining speed quickly Aquihir turned east and flew in the direction of the Taniquetil, the residence of Manwë and Varda.

As they flew into the starlit night, Aquihir spoke and his voice was deep, like the rushing of many winds, "Have you that which Varda seeks?"

Haldir smiled, "Aye, my friend. The Tree will bear fruit upon the children of the Avathar."

But there was doubt in the great eagle's heart, "I do not gainsay you, Star Herald," Aquihir answered, "but from that land came the foul creatures of Ungoliant's seed."

Haldir nodded and felt his heart grow heavy, "Aye," he said quietly, "but we cannot know what the will of Illuvatar is, nor do I think even the Valar know."

Aquihir thought for a moment, looking down at the ocean that swiftly rushed past him, "This none can know until the moment is at hand." Turning slightly, the eagle spoke again, "Do we make for the Avathar soon, Haldir o Eressea?"

Haldir shook his head though he knew the eagle did not see the gesture, , no, not until we are bidden."

" 'Tis a journey I will not anticipate," Aquihir answered and then fell silent.

~*~*~*~*~

Key:

Star Spray or Elwing - mother of Elrond, wife of Earendil. Turned into a white bird (believed to be a gull) by Ulmos and thus escaped the fall and sack of the Havens of Sirions, which was the last refuge of the elves of Beleriand. (First Age). In the form of a bird, Elwing came to her spouse, bearing a silmaril on her breast. Because of her association with birds and the ocean, I have designated to her a new title, The Lady of the Gulls. Very AU, I know...:)

Aulë the Smith - One of the Valar, builder and smith and teacher to the elves. From him Feanor learned the craft of jewel making.

Ungoliant - Ungoliant, Gloomweaver, the accomplice of Melkor, and who brought about the Darkening of Valinor by poisoning and destroying the Two Trees of Valinor (Telperion and Laurelin).

The Eagles - servants of Manwë. Giant birds possessed of intelligence and speech. It is believed that when Illuvatar created "spirit" beings, some took form in physical shape and some of these are the Ents, and the Eagles. The greatest of all the Eagles was Thorondor who was able to attack and mar Morgoth's face.. Manwë sent the Eagles to Middle Earth to watch over the Noldor and afterward becamed allied to the elves. The eagle which helps Mithrandir and Sam and Frodo in the Lord of the Rings was Gwaihir, the son of Thorondor. The eagles were the deadly enemies of shadow and of all who allied themselves to Morgoth or Sauron.

The Pentanath:
Adventures in the Avathar
by na Dna Dawn

Rating: NC17
Pairing: Haldir/OFC

Legal disclaimer:
Characters, places, events from JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and Silmarillion used without permission, no attempt has been made, nor will be made, to copyright these characters and no profit is being made from this work. All other non-Tolkien characters are of my own invention.

[To be continued...] Feedback appreciated.
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The Pentanath: Adventures in the Avathar