Taelin's Story

“I must leave this place. Tonight.”

The conviction in the elf’s shaky voice told Laurilyn all she needed to know. There would be no stopping him, for it obviously pained him to remain there. With a quick nod, she returned to her room and dressed. Gathering a pack and some old blankets, she began packing for what the elf might need to ease his journey.

She packed the clothes her sister had bought, along with as much food as she could manage, an old bow and quiver and a large hunting knife. All these things she put into the pack, planning so that Taelin would not be in need of anything for at least a few days. Her final gift to him was her horse. Not a large animal, but loyal nonetheless.

Once packed and mounted upon the horse, Taelin took one last look around at the small town he had been forced to live in for so very long. His gaze finally came to rest upon that of the small woman who had freed him. He couldn’t find the words to express his gratitude to her. A simple “thank you” would truly not be enough. Yet in the end, there was little else he could say.

“Thank you for your kindness and thoughtfulness, my lady. I will never be able to repay you for such, and words cannot express my gratefulness towards you and your sister for all you have done for me this day. I never thought I would be freed and truly I had given up on the idea of escaping. The gift you have given me, I will treasure always. Thank you.” Taelin bowed his head respectfully from his seat upon the horse.

“I only wish I had been able to do so sooner, my lord. No one should have to suffer the captivity you have at the hands of my kin and for that I will forever be sorry. I hope that someday you may find the happiness that you truly deserve. I wish you well, Taelin.” Laurilyn spoke softly, as tears came to her eyes.

Taelin inclined his head politely. “Namarie, my lady.” (Farewell)

With that, he spurred the horse on, riding off into the woods. It felt good to have the wind in his hair, to feel the freedom that being on horseback gave him. Taelin closed his eyes, drinking in all the sensations. He had always enjoyed riding; it had been one of the few things he enjoyed in Lothlorien as a child.

Memories of his childhood flashed before his eyes.

Flashback:

“Taelin! Taelin! Slow down, ion nin!” (my son)

His father called to him, frantically from the horse behind. The child only laughed and urged the horse faster. The wind whipping through his long blonde hair, a bright smile upon his face. He loved these afternoon rides with his father and as they happened so seldom, he fully intended to enjoy it.

“Ai, penneth! (Ah, little one!) You shall make me gray before my 3000th birthday, I swear it!” His father laughed when he had finally caught up to him.

Taelin smiled winningly and slid from his horse, running as quickly as his little legs could carry and and climbing the nearest tree. He sat in the upper branches and sighed as he watched the Galadhrim practicing in the small clearing.

“Can I do that one day, Ada? Join the Galadhrim? I would be a mighty warrior, I would!” he giggled, not tearing his eyes from the guards and their sparring.

“Perhaps, little bird, perhaps.” His father teased softly.

“ADA! I’m nearly 50! Don’t call me “little bird” anymore!” Taelin whined in return, grinning at his father ed oed on the branch beside him. “One day, Ada, One day I’ll be a Galadhrim, and you’ll be oh so proud of me!”

“Aye, but I would be proud of you no matter what you did, Taelin. You are my son, and I will love you no matter what you do.”

End Flashback

His father’s voice rang through his head as he rode through the forest. I would be proud of you no matter what you did, Taelin. He sighed heavily. “but would you still be proud of me now, Ada?” He asked quietly to the trees as he passed, never receiving an answer.

For a few hours, Taelin rode, not sure in what direction he was going. In truth, he had nowhere really to go anyways. There was no family for him to return to, and he feared the reactions of others should he return to Lothlorien once more. So the weary elf continued riding with no destination in particular.

How he led the horse to that clearing, he would never know. It had been over two hundred years, yet Taelin still recognized that place as if he had only been there yesterday. The bushes, the trees, nothing seemed to have changed. Tears traveled slowly down his cheeks as a faint scream sounded within his head and images of his mother’s glazed stare came back to him. He shuddered and slid from the horse, retracing his steps from so very long ago.

His feet carried him to the very spot where he had built the funeral pyre for his parents. The ground had now recovered from the blaze, yet the elf knew by instinct that it was there. He knelt down, digging his fin dee deep within the soil and closing his eyes. His tears flowed freely and he stayed right there some time, simply feeling the earth between his fingers.

Something caught his attention however and Taelin opened his eyes once more. Looking down he saw the small mithril chain held in his hand. Cautiously he pulled it from the earth, revealing the small heart-shaped pendant, which held a single white pearl within its center.

Flack:ack:

“Nana? When will Ada be home? He’s been gone so very long!” The small elfling asked, grasping his mother’s dress and tugging gently.

“Ai, little bird! Your father will be home just as soon as he is finished his work. The lord and lady asked for his services in making some of the uniforms for the Galadhrim. It is a big job, and one your father will gain much from completing.” The she-elf crouched down before Taelin and smiled, playfully grasping his chin and giving his head a soft shake. “Though I am sure nothing would please him more than to be here and playing with you, penneth!” (little one)

Taelin grinned at his mother, and leaned in planting a sloppy kiss upon her cheek. She smiled and rose to her feet, returning to her chores once more. Taelin picked up the small carved horse that lay on the floor, he neighed loudly and proceeded to have the horse ‘ride’ along the floor towards his mother.

The she-elf glanced at her son, smiled gently and then began to sing softly. Taelin stood, forgetting the little horse and gazed at his mother while he listened to her singing. He loved to hear her voice, it had always quelled his fears and made him smile. Slowly he approached her and tilting his head to one side, he raised his own child-like voice in song to match hers.

End Flashback

Grasping the small necklace in his fist, Taelin felt new tears slide down his cheeks. He had lost so much in this clearing so very long ago and now he had something returned to him. A small piece of his parents to remember them by. Swallowing hard against the lump of emotion that had formed in his throat, Taelin carefully cleaned the necklace off and fastened it around his neck.

Taking one last look around the meadow, he returned to his horse. Mounting gracefully, he rode from the clearing, never looking back. His hand rose and gently grasped the small heart pendant, his only link to the life he had lost. With a deep sigh, he leant forward, resting his aga against the neck of the large animal and closed his eyes. He was weary from the emotions of this day and wished only to sleep. Not truly caring where the animal carried him to.

~*~

Taelin awoke to the soft rays of sunlight peeking through the forest canopy. At last he sat up, taking in his surroundings. The horse had ridden all through the night and the air here felt different. He couldn’t quite figure out why, or how, but it simply felt different. He looked around, listening carefully. Silence.

He couldn’t help but smile. To have been held within a village for so long, the quiet of the forest was nearly overwhelming. Taelin breathed deeply the damp earthy scent of the early morn, his delicate hearing picking up the first notes of birdsong beginning in the treetops.

At last he came to a small bubbling brook. The horse stopped, drinking deeply of the fresh water, and Taelin slid from its back. Splashing some of the water upon his face, he sighed.

Flashback:

The water felt cool and refreshing upon his face. Taelin cupped some and drank deeply, quenching his thirst at last. Finally he stood and straightened his tunic, took a deep breath, and walked into the practice range determinedly.

“You there! What are you doing in here? You’re far too young to be one of us.” One of the guards called, with much amusement in his voice.

“I..I wanted to offer my services.” Taelin replied nervously. Even though he was head and shoulders taller than the other elf, he still felt small and like an elfling.

“You?” The guard laughed. “How old are you? You don’t look a day over 60!”

Taelin swallowed hard, refusing to let this guard frighten him away. “S-seventy-two.” He replied.

The guard simply laughed, leaning on the hilt of his sword and gazing at Taelin appraisingly. The young elf stiffened, rising to his full height and biting his lip a little. There was nothing on Arda that he wanted more than to be one of the Galadhrim. Taelin knew he was still too young, but he had to try anyways.

“Valar! You’re a tall one!” The guard remarked, having to look up to look into Taelin’s eyes. “What’s your name, penneth?”

“Taelin, son of Laentendir.”

The guard raised an eyebrow, looking the elfling up and down once more.

“A tailor’s son? And you wish to become a mighty Galadhrim, do you?” He asked, laughingly.

“I would like nothing more, my lord.” Taelin replied honestly.

The guard laughed again, straightening up and sheathing his sword once more.

“Go back to your father, penneth.(little one) I’m sure he could make use of your help. You’re far too young to go to battle, yet. You would only get yourself and possibly others killed.”

Taelin bit his lip, fighting back the tears that burned in his eyes. All he had ever wanted was to become a Galadhrim and now one of his mighty heroes had simply laughed at him and sent him home to his father. Spinning on his heels, Taelin ran from the practice grounds as quickly as he could.

End flashback

That day had changed Taelin’s life forever. He sat down on the bank, and sighed. Curling his knees to his chest, and wrapping his arms around them, he gazed up at the clouds. His whole life he had wishnly nly to become a Galadhrim, but that one fateful day when his dreams had been crushed, changed everything.

Taelin had run home to his father in tears, and his father, only wishing to help his son, offered to apprentice the elfling. That day, Taelin’s future had been set. He was to become a tailor, to follow in his father’s footsteps. That was the last day that he had ever considered becoming a warrior.

Now that he had his freedom again, Taelin didn’t know what to do with himself. He couldn’t return to Lothlorien, and he knew he could not stand to return to the small village from which he came. He had never traveled before and did not really even know where he was.

With a sigh, Taelin stood once more and gathering the reigns of his horse, he mounted. With a heavy heart, he began to ride west. Holding tightly to his mother’s necklace once more, Taelin steadied himself and rode swiftly out of the forest, only to be surprised at the sight of where he had ended up. Before him lay a large village. A village of men.

His heart began to race, his breath quickening in fear. Taelin’s eyes widened, and he grabbed up the reigns, spinning the horse around and riding as quickly as he could back into the woods. His whole body trembled with fear, and all he could hear was the rushing of his own blood in his ears.

The horse suddenly skidded to a halt; nearly bucking Taelin from it’s back in fright. From the trees all around him, orcs began pouring out, surrounding him. Taelin grabbed up the bow that was tied to the saddle, and aimed an arrow shakily at one of the orcs.

“Looky what we gots here, boys!” One of the orcs sneered, approaching Taelin’s horse with a grim smile upon his face.

“I thinks we just found us a meal!” Was the cry that went up from another one.


Taelin’s heart leapt to his throat. He had never been in combat before. He could aim and shoot a bow, but was by no means skilled. His hand-to-hand combat skills were nearly nonexistent. Wild green eyes raked over each of the orcs, simply waiting for them to make their move.

He didn’t have to wait long, for one of the orcs lunged upon the horse, attempting to pull Taelin from the saddle. The elf, being a little more agile, swung himself suddenly from the saddle, hunting knife in hand. The orc, caught off guard, soon succumbed to Taelin’s blade.

The death of their comrade only served to enrage the rest of the orcs. They circled the young elf, sizing him up. Taelin stood at the ready in the middle of their circle. His every sense was trained on his attackers. It was still a hopeless fight however, for he was completely outnumbered at twelve to one.

“Give up, elf! There’s no escape for you.” One of the orcs sneered, a crooked smile growing on his face.

“I..I will not go w-without a fight.” Taelin stammered in fear, which only served to make the orcs laugh.

Taelin was trembling so hard, the blade in his hand shook as though he would drop it. He knew that when the orcs finally attacked he would not be able to fight them all off. They were skilled warriors and he barely knew how to hold his knife properly.

The elf’s eyes widened, as a cry went up from just beyond the circle. “You there! Let the boy go!”

A few of the orcs turned their heads, their laughter only increasing. Behind them stood a man in his forties. He leaned heavily upon a walking stick, one of his legs seemingly badly damaged. His hair was graying, and his face seemed tanned and weathered. There was a hard glint in his dark eyes.

“Oh, what’re you gonna do? Hobble us to death?” One of the orcs laughed.

“Well I thought I might try, at least.” The man replied levelly. He seemed completely calm, even faced with eleven foes and a terrified elf. “You alright, boy?” He called over the orcs heads to Taelin, who nodded shakily in return.

The man nodded to Taelin before picking up his walking stick and approaching the group of orcs. Taelin watched in amazement as the old man dispatched the orcs one by one. Even with his crippled leg, the man was extremely skilled. He first disarmed one of the orcs, using his walking stick. Then grabbing up the orcish weapon, he handled each he ohe orcs that approached him. In only a matter of moments, Taelin stood shaking in the middle of the forest, with a crippled old man and a pile of dead orcs.

“T-Thank you.” Taelin whispered, sliding his hunting knife back into his sheath in his boot.

“T’was nothing, son. Now, what’re you doin’ out here on your own? Surely you know t’is not safe to go wanderin’ ‘round on ones own out here!” The man spoke softly, a small smile playing at his lips.

Taelin simply shook his head, picking up his discarded bod red re-attaching it to the saddle once more. The man made him nervous and all he wanted to do was to get away from him. At the sound of the approaching shuffled steps, Taelin stiffened, a fine shiver of fear traveling down his spine. The elf let out a tiny yelp when the man finally laid a hand upon his shoulder.

“Shh, my boy. I din’t mean to frighten you.” The man said softly and smiled. “What’s your name? You can call me Wess.”

Taelin swallowed, turning frightened green eyes to the smaller man before him. “Taelin, my name is Taelin.” He whispered, not trusting his voice to stay steady.

“Pleased to meet ye, Taelin.” The man gave a tiny stiff bow, which surprised the elf. Then Wess looked up at the horse and sighed. “Don’t s’pose I could trouble you for a ride back to town? T’is a long walk on my old weary bones.”

Taelin bit his lip, but nodded. After all, the man had rescued him. He owed Wess some form of repayment, didn’t he? Helping the man into the saddle, Taelin took hold of the bridle and began leading the horse back in the direction that Wess directed.

Wess was fairly talkative. He never stopped throughout the whole ride. He told Taelin of his home in the village, of how he was injured on a patrol from Gondor and so made his home in the smaller villages. He traveled a lot, simply going wherever his services could be of use.

It took a long time, but finally Taelin worked up his nerve enough to talk to Wess. Not turning back to look at the man, he timidly spoke up.

“W-Wess?”

“Yes, my boy?”

“Coyou…you…that is…woulu shu show me how to fight?” Taelin bit his lip, waiting for the response.

Wess laughed warmly. “T’would be my pleasure, master elf!”