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Journey Of A Butterfly	By : Mel99Moe Category: -Fourth Age to Modern times and beyond > Het - Male/Female Views: 5714 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or places of Lord of the Rings/Tolkien. No money is being made. This is for personal enjoyment only.

Chapter List
- 71
- 72
Chapter 72 - Welcome Home

“Here we are,” Feredir said as he and Terrwyn reached the edge of the forest that housed the new elf colony.

Terrwyn looked out at the tall trees. “Have they grown taller or am I just imagining things?”

“They have sprouted new branches, filling in the empty space,” he answered as he took her hand and led her closer to the trees. They stopped just before entering the thick brush that grew at the outer edges. “Are you sure you are not disappointed?”

Terrwyn touched the side of his face and smiled warmly. “Of course not. We have no choice but to live in the city for now. Still, we will be able to visit from time to time.”

Feredir had recently told Terrwyn about the talan home that he had finished. He had said it was meant to be a surprise and they would have lived there, but that was before Glandur promoted him to Captain. It had been his dream to bring Terrwyn here once the talan was complete and tell her that this was their new home. When he told her he was going to give it to another elf family, Terrwyn rejected the notion, saying that this was special to him and that they would at least get to visit from time to time. He laughed and said that was exactly what Glandur told him.

“Great minds we have, Glandur and me,” she answered.

Now that the talan was complete, she insisted that they make their first visit before Feredir’s job as Captain became too demanding. It undoubtedly would during the transition and his first few months as a new officer.

They broke through the underbrush and came upon the spiraling staircase at the base of the tree. Terrwyn looked up in amazement. “Last time I was here, this ended at that first platform. Now I can see that it goes all the way up to . . . Is that the talan way up there?”

“It is. Come Naru, it’s a bit of a climb.” Feredir led her to the stairs and they climbed, stopping at the occasional platform to look out across the forest. “I hadn’t realized how many new talans have been built in this section. It looks like a real elvish community.”

Terrwyn giggled. “Of course it is. Who else would live so dangerously high above the ground?” Terrwyn noticed that there were walkways jetting off from some of the higher platforms. These led to other sections of the tree city. The elves could walk to other talans or meeting places without ever having to touch the ground. It was just like a village with homes and large halls for meetings or celebrations. One building housed the kitchens for such events. Another, Feredir informed her, was a library filled with books sent from Rivendell. Queen Arwen decided to donate part of her father’s collection and fill the new library with a wealth of knowledge, from elvish lore to medicine. There were even classrooms where the young elflings would go and learn about their heritage.

The buildings looked very similar, but each one had its own personality. They were all round with the trunk of the massive tree as their center. Great brackets supported the bottom of the buildings, anchoring them to the tree. Wooden walkways allowed the residents to walk completely around their house and they could look out over the forest from any angle. Some houses were only one story, while others had a second floor. The windows were different for each home also. Some were round while others were square or rounded only on the top. The homes with a second story had dormers jetting out, each with a window matching that of the others. The shingled roofs were slanted so that rainwater would run down to a series of narrow troughs. From there, the water would run through downspouts and collect in barrels. Trying to transport water from the ground to the talans would be a difficult task. Ithilien was fairly wet during certain times of the year and this would help to supply water for the elves.

Everything was well thought out for this city in the trees. Terrwyn could understand why Feredir was disappointed about abandoning his dream, but it was not to say they could not stay here on a reprieve. Then they could enjoy the elven city and get away from city life, if only for a short while.

Finally, they came to the newly built talan. It still smelled of fresh sawn lumber. Feredir led her around the walkway that surrounded the house, pointing out all the small features and elvish design that Terrwyn loved. And then they came to the front door. The edges were straight while the top was rounded. A beautiful stained glass design decorated it, with lead outlining the different pieces of glass.

“It’s beautiful,” Terrwyn sighed as she touched the shapes.

Feredir opened the door and escorted her inside to a small lobby. To the right was a living area with a couch in the middle, shelves on the walls, a small fireplace on the far wall, two chairs on either side and a deerskin rug on the wooden floor. To the left was an office, partitioned off by a wall of thin material giving just enough privacy but allowing light to filter through. Past the office was a small kitchen with a wood stove and a basin with a pump. There was a rain barrel just outside where the water could be pumped from. Cupboards and a round table with four chairs finished off the open kitchen, connecting it with the rest of the front half of the house. In the very middle, of course, was the trunk of the tree and a hallway with three separate doors that circled around. Through the first door was a small bedroom, empty for the time being, but room for a bed, a wardrobe and a small table or two. The second door led to a bathing room with a large tub in the middle. A comfortable chaise sat at one end and a closet for towels and shelves for soaps and oils was at the other end. Behind the third door was a rather large bedroom, taking up most of the back half of the talan. This room had a large bed with posts running up and into the ceiling as if it were part of the tree. It was made up with soft white sheets and a beautiful thick yellow satiny blanket on top. Terrwyn looked to the windows and noticed the curtains matching in the same shade of yellow. The room was very bright and cheerful, just the kind of room she had always dreamed of. A small desk, washbasin, wardrobe and a few small accent tables finished off the luxurious room.

Terrwyn couldn’t wait and threw herself down on the comfortably soft bed. She waved her arms up and down as she did as a child making shapes in the snow. The coolness of the material gave her goose bumps. Then she sat up and looked at Feredir, who was standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame and watching her with a contented smile. “You really meant for us to live here didn’t you,” she asked. “It is fully decorated, not just an empty shell.”

“It was supposed to be a surprise, but with the promotion and all . . . well, it will just have to wait until we get time to ourselves and away from our busy city lives.”

Terrwyn could hear his disappointment. “We can still live here if you want. We don’t have to do anything we don’t want to do. I don’t have to work for Master Curuven. I’m sure my talents could be used here in the tree city. And you have not officially been made Captain yet. The ceremony is not until next week.”

Feredir laughed. “You are not good at lying are you? I know how much you enjoy working for Curuven and being Captain is something I never thought possible for me. It was meant to be, Terrwyn. City life has been good to us. We cannot turn our backs on it now.”

“It was only a thought. I just want you to know that whatever you decide I will support you and stand by your side.” She got up from the bed and strolled over to Feredir. “We will make this our retreat and hide away from the world whenever we can.”

Feredir took her by the waist. “I think I like that idea more every time I think about it.”

Terrwyn pulled Feredir by his hand and led him to the bed. “And of course, you know we must do something to make this place seem like it is truly ours.” She turned him around so his back was to the end of the bed and then leaned into him as if to kiss him. Instead, she pushed his chest, making Feredir fall backwards, leaping upon him with a knee on each side of his hips. Terrwyn bent forward, gazing deep into his silver depths. “I noticed there are two bedrooms. You have planned quite far into our future haven’t you?” She kissed him, lips gliding over each other while tongues caressed exotically.

“There is plenty of time to think about little elflings running around. We do not need to be in a rush, but I know it will happen someday,” he answered.

“I don’t mind thinking about it at all. You will make a wonderful father, Feredir. You have already made an extraordinary husband.” As she spoke, Feredir’s hands slid beneath her shirt, lifting it over her head and tossing it to the side. He sat up and devoured her breasts as she straddled his hips. Terrwyn’s hands slipped down to his belt then the laces of his leggings. Soon they were both unclothed and Feredir flipped her onto her back, covering her with his strapping body. Their kisses were demanding and their bodies were alive with the feel of flesh upon flesh. He pushed into her body, making her moan most delightfully. They made love beneath the roof of their elvish talan, filling the house with sounds of ecstasy until they were both sated and breathless. Needless to say, Feredir and Terrwyn never made it back to the city that day as they explored all of the areas of their home in the trees.

* * *

Days passed and Feredir was officially brought in as the new Captain of the Ithilien Guard with a proper celebration and a glorious feast. Glandur’s promotion to Commander was also celebrated that day. The people of the city were glad to see the changes and knew that Ithilien was growing rapidly thanks to the elves. Unfortunately, not all were pleased with the new arrangements. A small group of men band together to protest against the elves having so much authority in what they thought should have been a human community. This group stirred up trouble as they continuously tried to recruit others to join their cause, but Feredir did his best to keep order. Most of the city had no disagreement with the elves and knew that more sailed every year. They enjoyed this time, knowing that one day there would be no more elves to share their lives in Ithilien.

Feredir and Terrwyn moved into their house next to the Captain quarters. They came to love their little cottage, but visited their talan whenever they could. Terrwyn continued working for Master Curuven and took over more responsibilities all the time. The Master healer and his wife found more time to enjoy each other’s company with Terrwyn keeping watch over the healing house. She had come quite far in her training thanks to Master Remlas. Her reputation grew also and she found certain patients asking for her attention whenever they felt ill. Curuven took note of this. Terrwyn was a true healer and he had every confidence in her.

* * *

Fall was settling in now. The days grew cooler and the leaves were turning to their brilliant orange, red and yellow luster. Terrwyn was in her back yard preparing her garden for the winter months. The skies clouded over recently, bringing with it a cold wind. This was nature’s way of tapping her on the shoulder and telling her to get to work. There was a lot to do, not only with her own garden, but also with the herb garden at the healing house. First, her own though, since it was smaller and had not the important healing plants like that of Master Curuven’s. It was best to get this one out of the way first so she could
concentrate on the larger one next.

Today, however, the cold wind had traveled back to the north and the sun shone brightly, making it pleasant to be outside. She was just finishing with the last row of flowers when a familiar voice called out to her. “Terrwyn, my lovely, you have been on hands and knees all week. How about you join me for a walk?”

Terrwyn looked over her shoulder to see her favorite elf smiling and sitting on the lowest branch of an oak that grew in the yard. She stood and dusted her leggings, smiling at him. “Antien, it is always good to see you, but I have so much work to do. I don’t have time to play.”

“Nonsense,” he complained. Then he licked his finger and held it in the air, looking around as if searching for something. “I say there is plenty of time before even the first frost sets in. One afternoon will not make a difference. Come on now. Just a walk and then you can return to your precious garden.”

She put her hands on her hips and glared at him with a raised eyebrow. “The last time you said just a short walk, we were gone all day and did not return until sundown. Feredir was not so pleased when he came home and I was not here. It was only because I was with you that he did not take me over his knee and spank me,” she jested.

Antien regarded her with an impish grin. “And if he had?”

“Then I would have you to thank,” she laughed.

“Come on then. If you like, I’ll send word to Feredir and tell him what we are doing. I don’t want the Captain of the Guard mad at me now do I?”

“Very well, a quick walk and then I must get home.”

Antien clapped his hands and jumped gracefully to the ground. “Excellent! Now, I know a place that I’m sure you have not gone to before. It’s deep in the old section of the city, where the trees grow wild.”

“How exciting!” she sang and the two were off on their exploration.

They walked quite a distance, through the center of town where they stopped for a brief moment. Terrwyn was famished and craving sweet rolls. Antien joined her for the treat and soon they were on their way again. They went through the manicured gardens and past the pine forest, across a small glade and into another copse of trees. The undergrowth became thick with wild blueberry bushes, well spent of their sweet fruit and ready for their winter’s nap. Travel became slower as they got deeper into the old forest. Antien walked a little ahead of Terrwyn, clearing a path for her through the thick weeds. The ground was littered with decaying branches and while watching where she stepped, Terrwyn hadn’t notice that Antien stopped. She bumped into him, pushing him forward unexpectedly. They both stumbled and fell, laughing uncontrollably as they sat on the ground. Antien’s laughter died away, but he kept watching her, listening to the pure joy of her voice. Her green eyes sparkled with a new vibrancy that he had not seen before.

He stood up and dusted himself off, then offered her his hand helping her to her feet. When he turned, Terrwyn picked some dried leaves from his thick auburn hair. “Why did you stop so sudden, Antien? Next time, give a girl some warning.”

“I stopped because we are here,” he said with that mystical voice she had heard as a child.

“Where is here?”

“Do you not see it?” His voice turned to a whisper.

Terrwyn noticed the direction he was looking up and she followed his sight. They had fallen into a small opening in between the thick growing trees. The sun shone down, illuminating the patch of tall grass that spread across the clearing. The trees on the other side were bright with their autumn colors, but there was nothing different from the ones that grew in the city.

“Look closer, dear Terrwyn,” Antien hinted. “There.” He pointed across to one of the trees.

Terrwyn looked closer and now she saw what he was speaking of. They were not leaves as she had originally thought, for they moved with a life of their own. Millions upon millions of butterflies the color of goldenrod covered the tree. Terrwyn’s mouth hung agape as she watched them rapidly beat their wings, all fighting for a spot on the branches. There were so many that they piled on top of each other.

“I have never seen anything like this, Antien. How did you know about it?”

“Every fall they gather here in the old forest. When they are ready, they all leave together and fly south just like the birds. They will lay their eggs and some will live long enough to return here in the spring. Their offspring will take the same path back here also. I don’t know how they do it, but they always find their way back.” Antien turned back to Terrwyn. “Just like you.”

She blinked and lowered her sight back to Antien, smiling as she did. “I guess the journey is complete now, isn’t it? I am home.”

“You have truly emerged and spread your lovely wings,” he answered.

Suddenly, a breeze swept through the clearing and the butterflies left their clusters. They looked like leaves falling, but they flew up and out instead of floating to the ground. The small glade filled with butterflies in flight, swirling and lifting on the breeze. The blue sky above disappeared and turned gold.

Antien chortled and lifted his arms above his head. Terrwyn did the same and butterflies landed on their hands and fingers, one last reprieve before their long journey south.

“Better them than me this time,” Terrwyn jested.

Soon all of the butterflies were gone. The sky opened back up and the sun washed over the clearing once more. The tree that they had been in was dead and barren, no leaves, no new growth. One could not have known with all the colorful insects covering it. “For one brief moment, the tree lived yet again. What a wonderful gift,” Terrwyn commented.

“I hadn’t thought of it that way before, but you are right. What a lovely thing.” Antien held his arm out and Terrwyn took it. “We had better get back before it gets late.”

Terrwyn reached up and kissed his soft cheek, then gazed into his radiant hazel eyes. “Thank you for bringing me here, Antien. What a truly amazing thing to witness.”

* * *

Back home now, Terrwyn stood at the washbasin in her kitchen and looked out of the window. From here, she could gaze upon her garden and the oak tree in the backyard. A short hedge grew along the edge and beyond that, she could just see part of the stone path that led to the Captain’s building. Sometimes she would stand there and watch Feredir walk up the path at the end of the day, his long black hair streaming behind him in the breeze, tall and magnificent. And she would wonder how she ever got so lucky to have captured his love and his heart.

Attached to the basin was a pump, another clever invention of the dwarves that allowed water to be pumped into the kitchen rather than having to fetch it from a well or a stream. Terrwyn pulled and pushed the handle a few times and water poured from the pipe, filling the basin. She picked up some potatoes that she had bought at the market earlier and washed the dirt from them.

Firm arms snaked around her waist as his warm body pushed against her back. “So, you were off gallivanting with Antien again today.” He brushed the hair from her neck. “To the old forest, I hear.”

Terrwyn smiled as his eager lips kissed the soft skin of her neck. “We witnessed a butterfly migration today. It was truly magical.”

Feredir bit lightly on the back of her ear. “I’m not so sure I like the thought of you walking so far. There have been more disturbances amongst some of the citizens. I don’t understand their anger with the elves, but it seems to be escalating lately and I don’t want you anywhere near them. Besides, are you sure you are not overexerting yourself in your condition?” Feredir’s hand went to her belly, making small circles that tickled her.

Terrwyn giggled. “Feredir, it is only the beginning stages. And besides, I am pregnant not crippled.”

Feredir nibbled on her shoulder. “And when will we make this known to our friends and family?”

“Soon, my love, but for now I like it being only us who knows our little secret.” As she spoke, his kisses became more demanding and his hands went in search of sweeter treasure. Terrwyn bumped him away with her behind. “Now, you must behave yourself or there will be no dinner tonight.”

Reluctantly, Feredir released her. “I will leave you alone . . . for now.” He groaned into her ear and started to leave the kitchen when he remembered something. “Oh, a package came for you today, from Minas Tirith. He picked up the small cloth wrapped bundle from a shelf and handed it to her.

“Who is it from?” she asked as she untied the twine.

“I’m not sure. There was no name given and the messenger did not know.”

Terrwyn laid it on the table and carefully unfolded the cloth, revealing three things that she had all but forgotten about. First was the torn page from the child’s book with the picture of the dusty rose. Still scribbled on the bottom were the words Taldred had written, More beautiful than any flower, she is. Suddenly the memories of her life in Edoras came flooding back.

Next, she lifted up a leather cord with a silver medallion hanging from it. “The symbol of Rohan, I had forgotten about this,” she said aloud as she observed the etching of a horse rearing on its hind legs, its mane flowing out behind it.

Last, she unwrapped a dagger, silver with a white handle and elvish runes upon the blade. “This was Antien’s gift to Hathmund when we met him as children. I found it after he disappeared and kept it with me until . . .” It finally dawned on her who the package was from. “Rosloch,” she uttered.

“Who?” Feredir asked curiously.

“Someone from my past, someone I had known in Minas Tirith. He must have kept these things for me after I was . . . after I was arrested.”

“You mean that guard that brought you to Ithilien, the Gondorian that you kissed at the gate?” queried Feredir, a hint of jealousy in his tone.

“How would you know about that?” she said accusingly.

“It was the first time I saw you and the moment I learned that I would be your guard.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it passionately. “And the moment that changed my life.” Their eyes connected as their souls found each other. Then, just as quickly as it started, Feredir ended it by releasing her and looking to the pot on the stove. “Now I’ll let you get back to cooking. I’m beyond famished and believe I could eat a horse,” he laughed.

“Speaking of which, did you check in on Brannoss today? I want to make sure the stable hands are riding him as often as they can. You know how restless he gets,” she reminded him.

“Since you were off playing with Antien, I took it upon myself to check and Brannoss is just fine,” Feredir teased as he left the kitchen.

Terrwyn finished peeling and dicing the potatoes and dropped them into the pot of stew. When she was done, she gathered her apron in her hands, drying them, and felt her little trinket in her pocket. She reached in and pulled out the wooden treasure, turning it over in her hand and looking at it closely. “We have been through much, you and I, but through it all we have survived. I guess there is no reason to keep you hidden away any longer.” Then she placed her hand on her abdomen. “And soon everyone will know about you too.” She smiled and sighed contentedly, sitting the trinket on the windowsill and giving it a permanent place. It felt odd not having the little wood figure close to her, hidden inside her skirts, but there was also a new sense of stability knowing that she no longer needed to carry it hidden away. She stroked the intricately carved wing, remembering that day at the Hornburg, the lovely voice that drew her attention and the handsome elf she met who was singing the song and who gave her the tiny gift. She had come so far and found peace. Terrwyn smiled and spoke to the little wooden butterfly. “Welcome home.” Then she looked down and rubbed her belly, a tear of joy gathering in the corner of her eye. “Welcome home, little one.”

The End . . .
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Journey Of A Butterfly