Taelin's Story

Riding swiftly through the forest, Taelin closed his eyes, allowing the horse to guide their path. The elf had grown weary in the past years, his heart heavy from sorrow. No longer could he see the beauty in a sunset, the crimson and gold losing their power in the overwhelming knowledge of the darkness that would follow.

Long weeks it had been since Taelin had left his village home. The sickening sweet smell of the tavern below his room finally having driven him away. That smell would always bring images of darkness and smoke. Of dirty men with a dangerous gleam in their eyes, and a self-loathing he would always carry.

But now he was free once more with the wind in his hair and the wind in his hair and the sunlight on his face. Yet his heart was heavy, each beat, each breath becoming painful. He knew this pain well, for it had become his companion since youth. Never ceasing its grip on him.

In the crisp evening air, Taelin relaxed, letting his ever-present guard down. He was tired, and sore, though he knew that he would not find rest. Not until he reached the Havens.

The forest grew thick and dark around him, forcing Taelin from his distracted reverie. Blinking to clear his eyes, Taelin finally recognized the unmistakable sight and smell of smoke, and it was not too far away.

Taking the reigns, he finally took control of the horse once more. Whispering in Elvish and urging the animal to top speed. Taelin followed the trail of smoke coming to the edge of a small village. In the distance, he could hear the foul speech of Mordor, and realized he had just ridden into the middle of an orc attack.

All his senses moving into full alert, Taelin reached for his twin blades, and entered the village. The smell of death was nearly overwhelming, for the streets were littered with corpses who had been cut down where they stood. Most of the buildings were aflame, and Taelin began to fear he would never find any survivors.

He ran silently though the shadows, using all his elven stealth to avoid any straggling orcs. Straining his hearing and sight in hope that if there truly were survivors, he would reach them first.

Taelin made his way quickly to the center of the village, finding there was less orc activity and less damage as well. The tired elf began searching each building. He would enter and call out in both Elvish and the common tongue, stating that he was a friend, and come to give aide.

He entered what looked to have been a tavern, checking each body for signs of life. The tables were overturned, and broken glass littered the ground. Taelin stepped lightly through the debris, making his way to the back of the tavern. He caught a faint flicker of movement from the corner of his eye, and spun around ready to defend himself. His eyes widened at the sight before him.

In the middle of a broken table and pinned beneath a fallen beam, was a young elf. His blond hair falling loose from its braids, and his deep blue eyes glazed with pain. His body was battered and broken, and his clothes bloodied and torn. Whoever this elf was he had not gone down without a fight. Taelin knelt by the elf’s side, and gently grasped the cooling hand that was reaching out to him.

“Suilaid, mellon nin.” (Greetings, my friend) Taelin said softly, knowing there was little he could do to save the battered elf. “Man eneth lin?” (what is your name?)

“R-Rion.”

Taelin smiled softly, “Mae Govannen, Rion. I eneth nin Taelin.” (well met, Rion. My name is Taelin.)

“P-Please…my wife…and d-daughter..”

Taelin held up his hand to stop Rion’s pained speech. “Where would they be, mellon nin? (My friend) I give you my word that I will search.”

Rion closed his eyes, his brow creasing with pain. “Turn right…. There is… small street…fifth…fifth building on … left…”

When Rion’s eyes opened once more, they were distant and dim. Taelin had seen that look enough to know what the outcome would be. Tilting his head to one side, he sighed softly as the hand that held his relaxed and slipped from his grasp, the glassy blue eyes taking on a vacant stare. Taelin gently closed Rion’s eyes.

“Safe journey, mellon nin. (my friend) Perhaps we shall meet again someday.” He whispered.

With that, Taelin rose and turned to the door just in time to come face to face with a rather large orc. Instinct taking over, Taelin spun around, driving each of his blade’s into the beast’s chest. The near deafening scream that left the orc’s lips as is died was sure to alert the others of Taelin’s presence.

Shoving the writhing body aside, Taelin fled the small tavern and quickly followed Rion’s directions. He ran as fast as he could, finally reaching the small cottage he had been directed to. Steadying himself for what he might find inside, he pushed open the door. Looking around, he chanced a soft call in Elvish.

“Hello? I am a friend, please, I only wish to help!”

Taelin stood still, straining to hear the softest of sounds, which paid off. He could hear the soft, shuddering intake of breath from one who had been crying. He followed the sound through the small cottage and into the kitchen. His breath catching at the gory scene before him.

Lying on the floor, in a pool of her own blood, lay a young elf-maid. Her dress torn and legs still spread from the abuse she must have suffered. Her eyes were closed, and aside from the position of her legs and her arms bruised and extended above her head, she almost seemed peaceful.

Taelin fought down the memory of coming upon his own mother in such a state. He unfastened his cloak and gently covered the body, sending a silent prayer that the elf-maid be reunited with her husband once more.

At last, Taelin rose to his full height once more. He looked around the room for any sign of the daughter that Rion had mentioned, for neither he, nor the she-elf Taelin had found were old enough to have a child who would have reached their majority.

“Penneth? (Little one) You are safe now. I mean you no harm, and wish only to get you to safety.”

“Safe?” A tiny voice asked from inside a cupboard.

“Ai, Penneth, I will protect you.” (Ah, Little one)

Taelin was nearly knocked from his feet as a flash of blond hair leapt from the cupboard and nearly flew through the air to land soundly in his arms. He held the elfling protectively close and turned, leaving the child’s home as quickly as he could.

“I knew you’d come for me, Ada. (Father) I just knew it.” The elfling whispered against Taelin’s neck before falling asleep.

Under the cover of darkness, Taelin was able to leave the village without delay. Once within the tress, Taelin whistled for his horse, mounted and quickly rode for the safest place he could think of. Lothlorien.

Taelin rode through the night, with the small elfling cradled safely against his chest. Her tiny voice echoing through his head. “I knew you’d come for me, Ada.” He closed his eyes against the tears that threatened to fall. For so long he had wished to be called that, to have tiny arms wrapped around his neck, to feel the soft breath of a child in sleep. But, he knew this elfling was not his to keep, he had no home, no family to take her to. His life was not proper for raising a child, and so he did the only thing he could think to do. Brought her to a new family.

Taelin was known to the border guards, having taken shelter within Lothlorien many times before. They barely stopped him, once they caught sight of the exhausted elfling held safely in his arms. He rode through the golden wood, finally coming upon the talan he was looking for. The weary elf dismounted his horse carefully, mindful not to wake the sleeping elfling in his arms. He climbed the steps to the talan and knocked upon the door.

“Who is it?” A voice sounded from within.

“It’s me, Firieth. Taelin.”

The door opened, and the small female elf smiled up at Taelin. She was short by elven standards, yet truly beautiful. She wore her long, blond hair, braided intricately, and her flowing gown was of the finest silk. Her blue eyes widened at the sight of the small blond child in Taelin’s arms. She stepped aside and gestured for him to enter.

“I have a problem, mellon nin. (my friend) I was on my way to the Havens, when I came across a village under attack. This child is the sole survivor.” Taelin spoke softly, as he lay the elfling down upon the cushions of the divan.

“Ai, the poor babe!” Firieth whispered, kneeling before the child and softly stroking her hair.

“She needs a place to stay, Firieth. I can’t take her. I..well I was on my way to the Havens.” Taelin bit his lip; he had hoped that he would not have had to face his only friend with his decision.

Firieth looked up at Taelin, tears glistening clearly in her eyes. Taelin’s heart nearly broke right there. In all the years since he had begun to wander Arda, he always knew he could return to Firieth’s talan. That she would have a bowl of warm soup, and a soft bed in which he might sleep. It was comforting to him to carry such knowledge, but he never thought of her talan as home.

The elfling stirred upon the divan, deep blue eyes blinking sleepily before fixing upon Taelin intently.

“Ada? Where are we?”(father) The child asked, fear apparent in her voice.

Taelin didn’t have the heart to correct the child, to tell her of her parents’ deaths, not just yet, anyways. He came to kneel beside the divan as well, a soft smile gracing his lips.

“We’re safe, penneth. (little one) This is my good friend Firieth. She is going to look after you from now on.”

The child frowned, before launching herself from the divan and wrapping her little arms around Taelin’s neck tightly.

“Ada, please don’t leave me! Please! I promise, I’ll be good. You’ll see!” (father) The elfling cried into his shoulder.

Taelin closed his eyes and sighed. This day truly was not going according to plan. He wrapped his arms around the child and rocked her softly until she calmed down. Once the tears and tiny sobs had abated, Taelin pulled back a little to look into the elfling’s eyes.

“Penneth, (little one) I do not know if I can take care of you. I’ve never cared for an elfling before.” Taelin spoke quietly, nearly biting his lip in uncertainty.

“Please, Ada! (father) Don’t send me away. I loves you!” the child began to sob once more.

Wrapping his arms around the child once more, Taelin began to hum softly to her. Songs of his childhood coming back to him easily. For a long time, they stayed like that, the child curled tightly against Taelin’s chest, while he rocked her and hummed softly. Firieth smiled and raised an eyebrow slightly, knowing the elfling had already worked her way into Taelin’s heart.

“What is your name penneth?” (little one) Firieth asked, softly.

“A-Analielle.” Came the stuttered response from against Taelin’s chest.

“Pleased to meet you, Analielle.” Firieth smiled, and then turned her attention to Taelin. “You know you are both welcome here for as long as you need. I don’t think she wishes to be parted from her Ada.” (father)

Taelin gave Firieth a teasing glare, as he hugged Analielle tightly against him. In one day, his entire life had changed, and only time would tell just truly how much. Taelin looked down into the sleepy blue eyes once more, and his heart nearly exploded with the wish to protect the child. He knew all too well the pain that could be suffered from the loss of ones parents, and he vowed right there that night, that no matter what it took, he would protect Analielle from that pain.

He would give her a happy life, no matter what the cost.

The End