Vaniel, My Heart

Disclaimer: All familiar characters are owned by JRR Tolkien and are used without permission. No monies are being made from this work. Original characters are part of the story and owned by the author.

Vaniel, My Heart
by Sienna Dawn


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Chapter 13 - In Bree

Two days later.....

Vaniel looked over and politely nodded to Elladan as he spurred his mount to close the gap between his steed and Haldir. She frowned, and allowed her mind to wander back to the two days prior to leaving Imladris. She sighed. So many revelations.

Much like the time when her Mother had revealed her true origins, did she feel little surprise at Haldir's careful explanation for their visit to Gondor. He had made certain that she had not felt threatened by the revelations laid at her feet. But, again, Vaniel had always known she was not Eryniel's true daughter and that her parentage lay elsewhere. It was to the elves' credit for their upbringing and acceptance of her as one of their own that she never felt as an outsider. All of her life, no mention had been made of her human parentage, but since her features were elven, only those that were brought into the tight circle of her family or friends would have known.

She sighed again and cast her golden gaze about her, lost in thought, not realizing she was being studied by deep green eyes. She had indeed learned many things in the past few days. How were these revelations going to affect her life, she wondered? The morning was crisp and she heard Haldir's smooth baritone as he called back to the other riders. Briefly, her eyes focused on his form and she took a deep breath. How could he move her so? And what, thought Vaniel, flickering her eyes once again to his back, did Haldir think of all of this? He had never said.

She reflected that most of the things Haldir had told her were pure conjecture. Still her spirit recognized the truth and indeed she came to realize she was true daughter of Imrahil, Prince of Dol Amroth. She had quietly listened to Haldir, as he told her all of Elladan's suspicions. She asked a few questions, listened to Haldir's response, and accepted in quiet grace what she heard.

Just then her steed snorted and it brought her out of her reverie. Casting a look about them, she saw nothing out of the ordinary and she leaned down to pat the horse's neck, whispering soothing words. In moments, the animal had quieted and resumed a smooth canter. As she continued to stroke the horse's neck, her eyes had stolen to Haldir and she realized he had turned partially when her horse had started. Although their eyes did not meet, she still smiled and arighted herself. He cares, she thought warmly, he cares but he's too proud to show it. These thoughts led her back to her reverie of before.

Although the affairs of Men or the politics of Middle Earth were a thing unknown to her, Vaniel fairly well understood the political consequences of a long-lost daughter of a Gondorian royal line suddenly appearing out of nowhere. And half-elven, no less. But she was not interested in royal lineages, nor crowns. She wanted above all things to discover where her true path, her destiny, waited. Whatever road she must travel to get there, she must. That she may be daughter to a Prince of Men had not altered her desire to fulfill her spirit, for she much desired to find contentment and true peace. And yet, she was still unsure how and where this was to come to her. Long years of captivity had taught her patience, and she knew she possessed this virtue aplenty.

Looking at Haldir's strong back as he rode ahead of her, she knew she had patience aplenty for a great many things.

Just now she sighed and looked about her.

They had set off before the last ice of winter faded for they had to make fair speed to reach Gondor in time for the celebration held there each Spring in memory of Sauron's defeat.

Following the North-South road, they left Imladris and set out for Bree. There were seven in total. A company made up of Haldir and Elladan, as well as herself, plus four other travellers. One was an archer, and another a tracker. Although Sauron was long defeated, many roads were still unsafe and neither Elladan or Haldir wished their company to be made mincemeat by the roaming rogue bands of Yrch and Goblins.

Yet not all the travelers were elves. Two were human. A male named Eodwyn and his sister, Aladwyn. Although they resided in Gondor, they had arrived in Imladris from visiting kin North of the Anduin and desired to pass the winter months in the elven city before returning to their home.

Both humans were long acquainted with Elladan and Elrohir, so it came as no surprise that Elladan used the opportunity of their return to Gondor to bring Vaniel there. In this manner, she could see with her own eyes what the world of Men was like.

This advantageous coincidence had not been lost on Vaniel or Haldir. However, she knew that neither Eodwyn or Aladwyn had been told the true reason for the elves' trip to Gondor, although the humans did know of her and her mysterious origins. Still, it seemed neither human really cared to befriend Vaniel or the other elves, and Vaniel was glad that the two spent most of their time with Elladan.

Well, she mused, at least Eodwyn spent most of his time with Elladan. The human female, Aladwyn, spent most of her time primping for Haldir. Vaniel frowned at the thought.

Not that she cared. The human female was unlike elven women in every way imaginable. She was rude and direct, often expressing her opinion while others still spoke. Her eyes haughty when she gazed at Vaniel, but seductive when she gazed at the males. Vaniel knew Elladan laughed often in Aladwyn's company, while Haldir avoided her and rode back to check Vaniel's own progress, making certain she was comfortable. Vaniel had observed how Haldir always seemed to relax around her and visibly stiffen whenever Aladwyn was nearby.

And no wonder, thought Vaniel. The woman looked at Haldir as if he were a roast chicken simmering on a spit. Despite herself, she smiled at the thought. That Aladwyn had taken an instant dislike to Vaniel was not lost on her. But she also knew that the human female realized Vaniel disliked her as well. And so, each maintained her distance from the other.

Every now and then, Haldir broke away from the group and rode back, passing her on his way to the rear guard where the two other elves were positioned. Always he brought Rohanor to a slower canter as he approached her and always did he nod gracefully in her direction, his eyes warm and telling her he was watching and aware of her at all times.

Vaniel never quite knew how to respond to this special attention Haldir reserved for her and none other, but her heart was glad for it and she merely allowed herself to smile and nod a greeting in return.

As the first day passed, Vaniel had not noticed a true difference between the land of Imladris and the places they entered. But this was, explained Elladan, because they were still under the magic of Imladris. Yet, when Elladan announced they had crossed out of its realm, did Vaniel finally begin to see the difference. Here was the land greener, fuller, life abounding gaily. In Imladris, there were already signs of fading, its colors sad and muted. Elrond's passing had reduced Imladris but to a shadow of its former glory.

Here, she mused, beyond the elven lands, the earth was newer. Colors were different, less muted, more vibrant. The call of insects louder and more persistent. The grass taller. She never failed to be enchanted by something new. And always Haldir explained what a thing was, how it had come to be, its name in Westron, and its importance or significance in the world of Men. She was amazed at the wealth of knowledge he possessed, and already in two days' time had learned more than she had ever anticipated learning in an entire lifetime spent with Men.

"My Lady, " came a deep, rich baritone to her right. Vaniel smiled before turning, knowing the owner of the voice. Still she acknowledged its owner.

"Eodwyn," Vaniel turned and bowed her head lightly. Unlike his sister, Eodwyn possessed a warm, welcoming smile, and deep-set kind green eyes. Eyes like the forests of Imladris, she had thought the first time she had seen them.

Eodwyn smiled in return, "Haldir has decided 'tis best to stop and camp for a while. We near Bree, but will not reach it until sundown. We're to make camp here and let the horses rest." His eyes seemed to be lit with an inner fire that Vaniel had not seen on elf or human faces before.

Vaniel nodded, "Very well." and reined in her steed. She watched him ride toward the back of the group where she knew he would round up the other two elves.

An hour later, after the horses had rested, the company broke camp and set out toward Bree as bright sunlight began filtering past dark storm clouds.

As usual, Haldir and Elladan rode in the front, with Aladwyn usually between them and Vaniel behind, with Eodwyn by her side. The other two elves brought up the rear.

As the time passed, Eodwyn kept Vaniel entertained with tales of Gondor, life in that city and the many deeds of King Elessar. Sometimes, Vaniel caught Haldir turning briefly to smile upon her, and always she returned the gesture. Yet, there were moments she saw his gaze flicker momentarily on Eodwyn's face before dropping a mask of indifference and turning away.

They reached Bree just as the sun was dipping over the horizon. The town sentry gave them wide passage when he recognized the elves that rode toward their gates. Silently, were the doors to Bree opened and n'eer a challenge was given them.

Once inside the village, the company rode single file and Vaniel was assailed by a monstrous attack on her system. Used to the tranquility and silence of Imladris, she was ill prepared for the roaring, hooting, screaming and rushing hordes of people, human, hobbit and some elven, that rose from the pit that was Bree. She instantly loathed the place, her eyes clearly showing her disdain.

Following Haldir, she let her steed trot slowly while they passed row upon row of small thatched huts which Haldir dropped back to explain where individual dwellings of separate families. They came near a place that reeked of burnt meat and other unpleasant odors Vaniel could not define. As they rode past this place, Vaniel's eyes widened at the dirty, grimy children who happily played in mounds of mud. Despite her shock at the way this city of Men was fashioned, she could not help smiling at the children, who spotting her, ran and screamed, "Elves, elves!"

Turning quizzical eyes toward Haldir, he had merely shrugged and plodded on.

After turning down several narrow, stone streets, Vaniel gaped at the wooden carriages that rolled past them. Haldir and Elladan came to stop before an entrance that Eodwyn translated for her as "The Prancing Pony". She waited as the elves and Eodwyn dismounted their steeds and led all the horses, including hers and Aladwyn's, around the back of the building. Here they found a dark but dry stable to house the steeds. Haldir quickly helped Vaniel dismount, while Elladan assisted Aladwyn. Making certain their horses had water and hay to eat, everyone set off for the entrance to the inn.

Before they entered, however, Haldir took Vaniel's arm and looked into her face, his voice a calm whisper, but his eyes intense, "Stay close to me or Elladan. Do you understand?" His eyes bored into her own and Vaniel nodded mutely. She had never seen Haldir so tense. "This place is no lover of elves." His voice a whisper. "Here are men, dwarves, and hobbits from all of Middle Earth. Some do not trust us. But we, Quendi, trust none!" His eyes were brilliant in their intensity and Vaniel nodded once more, understanding the warning.

Giving Vaniel one more meaningful glance, Haldir dropped her arm and moved ahead of the others. True to her word, Vaniel closed the gap between herself and Elladan. She noticed Aladwyn gave her a haughty look, but she did not care.

Walking ahead of the company, Haldir silently signaled to the other two elves and they positioned themselves at the end of the group. Satisfied, Haldir made certain his Noldorin knives were still well concealed. Glancing back, his eyes met Elladan's. Seeing the older elf nod imperceptibly and knowing this was the signal to proceed, Haldir threw open the doors to the Prancing Pony, a wide-eye Vaniel close behind him. After her followed a grave Elladan, Aladwyn to his side and Eodwyn following them. The other two elves waited outside, silently watching.

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key:

Quendi = the elves