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Children of the New Kingdom	By : TCardan Category: -Fourth Age to Modern times and beyond > General Views: 2569 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings nor make any money from writing this fiction.

Chapter List
- 3
- 4
Disclaimer: I do not own LOTR and make no money from the writing of this fiction.

A Change of Plans
Early the next morning, Gilraen had readied herself quickly. She wanted time to say her good-byes to Barahir and Elfwine. She hurried into the Golden Hall and found the two boys waiting by the fire in the middle of the room. Elfwine was more subdued after being handed out his sentence by his father yesterday. He had to formally apologize to Legolas last night and for the next fortnight he was ordered to clean stables with the stable boys at dawn. None of them spoke of this, however, as the whole matter still disturbed Elfwine.
"It is too bad you cannot stay longer," said Barahir.
"Yes, I would have liked that. Mayhap on my return trip," she replied.
"When shall that be?" asked Elfwine, a little too quickly.
Gilraen sighed and stuck her hands out to warm them by the fire. "I don't really know for certain. Two, or perhaps three years may pass, perhaps more."
They were silent for a moment.
"But you will return, won't you?" Elfwine inquired with a hopeful expression.
It was then Gilraen met his eyes and saw for the first time Elfwine's feelings for her. She saw his hope and his vulnerability. Something inside of her wanted to reassure him.
I will return, I promise.
Elfwine blinked, surprise crossed his face as he realized she had just spoken to him in his head. The surprise then turned to delight as he comprehended her words. He smiled that they had shared a secret thought and that Barahir had not heard.
Queen Lothiriel came in from outside, "Gilraen, it is time. The others are mounted and ready to leave. Your horse stands waiting outside."
They all walked out and went down the stairs to the waiting mare. She nickered a greeting to Gilraen and the princess stroked her nose. She turned to King Eomer and Queen Lothiriel, who stood on the bottom stair, and bowed deeply. "I thank you for your hospitality and care."
"You are most welcome, Gilraen. The doors of Edoras will always be open to you." King Eomer gave a slight bow in return and smiled at this beautiful child.
The Queen then added, "We would be most happy to have you for a longer visit if the occasion ever arises."
"I would welcome that," Gilraen bowed to the Queen.
She turned to Barahir and place her hand upon his arm. "Goodbye, Barahir. I'm sure we will have plenty to speak of the next time we meet." She kissed him lightly on the cheek.
Barahir nodded and blushed.
She then stepped up to Elfwine, who seemed very sad at the parting. "Remember what I have told you." And she kissed his cheek as well. She turned to mount her horse, but her hand was pulled back and a soft kiss was placed on the top then quickly released. She looked at Elfwine and smiled a shy smile before mounting her horse.
As she rode off to join the waiting Gimli, she heard Elfwine say, "I will never forget, Gilraen."
The companies headed northeast across the plains of Rohan, planning to edge around Fangorn Forest and past Lorien. This would take some days, and they fell into the steady pace they had rode before the stop at Edoras.
Gilraen pondered all that had happened thus far. She thought of the people of Rohan, the stables, and how Elfwine had kissed her hand. She had never had a boy act in such a manner around her. Elfwine made her feel as though she was beautiful. She had been told she was beautiful many times before. But this was the first time someone had made her feel it. These feelings were very new to her and she did not know what to make of them.
Then there was that strange old man, Radagast, he called himself. When she asked Barahir about him, Barahir said that he had not seen anyone by that description.
Gilraen was deep in thought about this when Legolas rode up next to her. "How fair you, Gilraen?" he smiled at her.
She gave him a small smile in return. "Well enough. I met someone in Edoras that I found very strange. He said strange things to me."
Legolas looked concerned. "Tell me of it."
"He surprised me at the brook yesterday. It was as though he had appeared and then disappeared too quickly. He knew who I was and said he wanted to meet me."
Legolas thought back to yesterday. He did remember seeing the two children walk to the brook. He did not have them followed as he could still see them from the archery field, wading in the water. He did not remember a man being there with them.
"Did he say who he was or why he wanted to meet you?" Legolas inquired.
"He said he was called Radagast the Brown."
Legolas looked surprised. "Radagast! In Rohan?"
"You know him?" Now Gilraen was the surprised one.
Legolas looked over at her. "Yes, I know him. He makes his home in Rhosgobel on the southern border of Mirkwood. He prefers the company of birds to being with anyone else. But he is a good wizard, as far as wizards go."
"A wizard? You mean like the wizards I have heard of in stories, like Gandalf and Saruman?", marveled Gilraen.
"Yes, he is of the same kind, the Istari."
Gilraen thought of how rude she was to him. She was relieved he did not turn her into a stone or something. Then she remembered his other words. "Legolas, he said something strange before he disappeared. He said, 'Beware the red.' Know you what he meant?"
Legolas looked ahead, deep in thought. Why would Radagast give Gilraen such a warning? What could it mean? He did not like the feeling those words gave him. He wished Radagast were here for questioning. Why was Radagast so far south? Legolas had never heard of the brown wizard traveling unless there was trouble afoot.
"I cannot think what he meant by those words, Gilraen. Perhaps the meaning will become apparent later."
"So do you think he has foreseen trouble for me?" the worried girl asked.
Legolas looked over at her concerned face. "Though I do not dismiss the words of wizards lightly, you must know you will be well protected wherever you are. Myself and everyone traveling with you here today would never let harm befall you. In Rivendell, your uncles are more than capable of protecting you and the magic surrounding the lands around Rivendell is strong. Elvish spells meant to keep out evil.", he reassured her.
Gilraen nodded and looked ahead, unsure of how safe the world really was.
Legolas knew she wasn't consoled. He did not know what else to say and he, too, was disturbed by the wizard's words. They rode in silence, lost in their own thoughts, until it was time to make camp.
The days passed uneventful, although the trail alongside Fangorn caused the companies to be unusually silent. The occasional sound of groans and cracking branches would catch their attention and cause many nervous glances. Gilraen spoke softly to Gimli, as she had heard about Fangorn and about the creatures that lived there. "Have you seen any Ents spying on us yet?" she whispered.
Gimli laughed at her caution, "You need not fear Gilraen. Ents are gentle creatures for the most part. Why, Legolas and I have had some lengthy travels through that forest and I am pleased to say I am still in one piece."
"The trees, however, are the ones to watch." he continued. "They are very wary of strangers. I have seen how dangerous they could be when angered."
"I have heard those stories." Gilraen was half hoping to meet an Ent like the one in the story with the halflings.
Gimli went on. "If it were just you, me, and Legolas, we would be able to go through Fangorn and satisfy that curiosity of yours, lass." He smiled at her. "But to bring all these men through, weapons hanging off their horses, well, let's just say, it would upset the trees. We best go around this time."
Late one morning Legolas stopped and signaled for all others to halt as well. Gilraen looked around for the cause and finally spotted three elves walking towards them from the northwest. They did not seem overly friendly, but they did approach Legolas as if they knew him. Legolas jumped down off his horse and spoke to them in elvish. Gilraen understood elvish and listened carefully with her keen hearing.
Legolas was explaining to them who all the men were and where they were headed. They spoke of the orc problems to the north. Legolas wanted to know if they had seen anything lately.
The three elves looked at the troops and their gazes found Gilraen, sitting atop her mare. She heard them ask Legolas why an elf maiden child traveled with soldiers. She heard Legolas explain who she was and where she was going. They looked at her with more interest this time.
Legolas turned and walked to Gilraen. "Gilraen, those elves are from Lorien, home of your great grandfather, Lord Celeborn. They have suggested that perhaps you should like to meet him."
Gilraen could not hide her excitement. She knew of Lord Celeborn and thought how very old he was and how wise he must be. It always made her sad when she thought of how his wife sailed to Valinor without him. He must be very lonely without her, she thought. "I would like to meet him, Legolas. Are we near Lorien now?"
"It is just over that next rise." he pointed to the northwest. "I will take the troops a little more north and make an early camp while they take you to see Lord Celeborn. I will come into Lorien and retrieve you when we must move on."
Gilraen was a bit nervous about this arrangement. She would have to leave with these elves she did not know. Legolas sensed her fear. "Would you like me to send someone with you?"
Gilraen swallowed her fear and replied bravely, "No, I think I can trust them if you do."
Legolas smiled at her. "I know these elves. They are good warriors and will protect you well. Do you think they would let anything happen to the kin of Lord Celeborn?"
She smiled slightly back. "Farewell, my lord." she said as she made to move her mare towards the three waiting elves. Legolas waved to the three elves and said, "Care well for her my friends."
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Next: Gilraen meets Celeborn and a journey she did not plan on begins.
- 3
- 4
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Children of the New Kingdom