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Autumn's End	By : Cee Category: -Multi-Age > Het - Male/Female Views: 848 -:- 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.

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
- 4
Chapter 3

The Wandering Folk.
Varyar watched as the dancing girl, Alamathea, disappeared in the crowd. He lifted his hand to the place where she had kissed him. Her forwardness had surprised him, as well as her sudden retreat.

As the crowd began to disperse Varyar made his way back to where Maratar stood, seething.
"I thought I told you not to get involved." Maratar gestured for Varyar to follow him. "I've never known you to so blatantly disobey orders. "
"I could not stand by and allow those men to harm her. You know as well as I that she could not have won that fight." Varyar followed Maratar as he led them through the crowds, out of the noisy fish market, and down a dirt path towards a clump of trees.
"Is it perhaps that you no longer think you need listen to your old teacher?" Maratar stopped walking and turned to Varyar. "I understand that she was outnumbered, saving her speaks highly of your honor, Varyar. But I saw the look on your face when you laid eyes on her."
"There was no "look" other than my usual _expression when I see someone in need of aid." The words were false and he knew it.
"Elves and humans do not mix." Maratar said, obviously ignoring Varyar. "I do not want to see you rescuing anymore dancing maidens. You are still under my command for the time being, and I expect to have my words heeded."
Before Varyar was able to reply, Maratar had turned back to the town and was hurrying down the path. Varyar watched him go before turning and walking down the path in the opposite direction. It had been a long time since Maratar had spoken to him as though he were fresh out of training. He understood well what Maratar had meant when he said that elves and humans didn't mix. There had been few cases in history when an elf had engaged in a relationship with a human, and the outcome had been the same each time: death
He would be lying to himself if he didn't admit that honor was not the only thing that had driven him to the girl's aid. There had been something new and exotic about her. True he hadn't had a great deal of experience with mortals; even so, her behavior seemed rather contrary to everything he had heard about humans. Even now, thinking back to the way that she had twisted and turned on the fountain's edge, her skirt wrapped round her made his pulse quicken.
"Master elf?"
Varyar turned around, surprised by the voice of another, especially when the owner of that voice had been the subject of his guilty thoughts. He straightened his tunic, hoping his thoughts were not written clearly on his face. "Milady."
The young woman smiled at him. "That's sweet, but I am no lady. Please, call me Alamathea."
"Alamathea," Varyar inclined his head. "Is there something that I can do for you?" He couldn't help but glance briefly at her slender body before returning his gaze to her delicate face, framed by a mane of ebony curls.
"You have done quite enough, my brave warrior." Her voice was full of laughter, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "I owe you more than the simple thanks you received in the village. I wished to invite you to a celebration at my camp tonight. It's the least that I can do." She smiled widely, revealing a charming set of dimples.
"How could I refuse such an offer?" All thought of Maratar or the differences between elves and Humans fled Varyar's mind at the sight of her smile, which only grew more broad at his response.
"Then let's go," she grabbed his hand, and began leading him down the path and towards the woods. "My people are waiting."
For a moment, Varyar remembered his duty and his promise to Maratar. He stopped suddenly, looking back in the direction of the village. In his heart he knew that what he was about to do could be seen as nothing but direct disobedience.
His hand slipped from hers.
"Why do you halt?" Alamathea turned, her hazel eyes full of confusion.
Varyar's heart skipped a beat; no elleth had ever affected him this way. On Cirana he was known for his self control and discipline, but here, standing on a muddy path, outside a dank fishing village, gray skies overhead, there was but one thing he wished for, and it had little to do with discipline. He remained silent, battling with what he knew he should do and what those bewitching eyes asked of him.
"No reason," the soon to be Harbor Master replied, taking her hand again, allowing her to lead him away from the comfort of the life he knew so well, and down a dirt path that led to a forest, and then, he knew not what.
* * * * * * * * *
Their walk through the forest was a pleasant one, despite the murky gloom of the day. They walked hand in hand, talking of everything and nothing. Alamathea spoke of her travels, of the many people she had met and the lands she had seen, while Varyar described the wonders of his beloved island home. Alamathea listened with rapt attention to his description of the sandy beaches and roaring waterfalls.
"I wish that I could see your home, Varyar," she whispered as he finished.
"Perhaps you will one day," Varyar smiled, pushing a low hanging branch aside so that they could pass. To his intrigue, something in her voice lent the statement an air of finality. "Just because humans have not been there before does not mean that it will never happen."
Alamathea walked on, silent, a distant look in her eyes, as though the mention of such a possibility caused her great pain. After several moments of silence she shook her head, as if to banish a dark dream.
"We're almost there," she pointed beyond the last trees to a grassy plain.
Several wagons stood in a circle. Their sides were painted with bright colors, many with flags fluttering merrily in the cool breeze. Dogs barked and ran to greet the newcomers, as children darted in between the wagons, laughing and squealing at their play. Men laughed and played instruments near a large bonfire in the center of the colorful ring. Fiddles and flutes sang merrily together, a lively duet to match the colors and mood of the camp.
Laughing, Alamathea pulled at Varyar's hand, urging him to a greater pace. The Elf had little choice but to follow, laughing as they raced through the grass to the happy sight.
Children stopped their games and stared openmouthed at Varyar. Alamathea waved to them, and with shouts of glee they ran toward the couple, reaching up to touch the pointed tips of Varyar's ears, gazing wide eyed at the sword hanging from his waist. Varyar froze, startled by such a greeting.
"Away with you now!" Alamathea smiled, shooing the enchanted children away. "I'm sorry about that. We do not see many elves, let alone have them as dinner guests."
"No need for apologies," Varyar replied straightening his rumpled clothing and smoothing his hair back. "Children will be children."
"Alamathea!" One of the men called, raising a hand in greeting, beckoning them to the fire. The man eyed Varyar with curiosity. "Who is this strapping fellow you have brought to our table?"
"This," Alamathea gestured grandly, "Is Varyar of Cirana, warden of his people, and gallant warrior!"
"Well, gallant warrior, I welcome you!" The man laughed, looking at Alamathea with affection. "I am Graddil, leader of the Traveling Folk. It seems you have made quite an impression on my daughter."
"Father," Alamathea looked to her father with annoyance. "Varyar saved me in the village. I have invited him to the celebration tonight."
"Saved my little girl, did you?" Graddil turned to Varyar. "Then you must be our guest of honor tonight!"
Alamathea led Varyar away with a bright smile, and a kiss on her father's cheek.
Everywhere Varyar looked, he found an outpouring of love from one to another among these people. They laughed and danced, flirted and teased. As the evening passed he found himself enchanted by the life that emanated from the traveling folk. Everything seemed a cause for celebration, though nothing of import seemed to happen. He was accepted instantly and treated as though he had always been a part of their group. Everything about them was rich and colorful.
The sky darkened and turned to night, the flickering golden light of the bonfire and lamps along the wagons danced, casting an amber glow to everything. Varyar sighed with contentment as he set aside his empty plate and looked to the couples that danced playfully near the fire.
"Master Elf, when are you going to ask Alamathea to dance?" Alamathea's brother, Aredur, shouted from across the circle they sat in.
"Oh, leave him be!" Alamathea snapped, blushing fiercely. "I do not see you jumping to do a jig with Rima."
"No, he is correct," Varyar replied, turning to Alamathea with a playful grin. "You have shown me great hospitality, and I have not had the courtesy to ask you for a dance."
Varyar stood and turned to her, extending a hand. "I would be honored to have the pleasure of sharing a dance with you." A slow smile crept across her face, as her hand slipped into his and she rose to her feet.
They stood facing one another, their eyes meeting for the first time in the evening. The warmth of the fire seemed to reach out to engulf them in its heat, as they crossed the small circle to where the others danced. As Varyar stepped closer to her, the music slowed, and suddenly the rest of the world seemed to fade away. They began to move together, each step seeming as though it moved them further and further from the grassy glade and merry fire.
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Autumn's End