Nianna's Journey

AN: Again, thanks so much for all of you who read and continue to review.

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Chapter 17: Nianna’s Choice - Part 2

The night’s meal was tangibly subdued in comparison to the previous night’s festivities. All who attended waited quietly to hear the decision that had been made regarding the One Ring. Whispered rumors could be heard throughout the room about the final fate of the One Ring elusively echoed within the great walls of Imladris.

After the remnants of the meal had been removed and prior to the musicians beginning the nightly ritual of song and dance, Lord Elrond stood from his seat and addressed the room.

“The fate of the One Ring has been decided. A Fellowship has been formed to travel with the Ring and it shall be destroyed. While I do not wish to give details regarding their path or their final destination, I wish them good travels and success on the harrowing journey they will undergo.” He signaled to the ten members of the Fellowship to stand.

The Elven attendees of the feast watched as ten individuals stood including the Prince and Princess of Mirkwood.

Lord Elrond raised his glass high in the air, “To the Fellowship.”

All in the room repeated his words and as everyone drank from their own cups, toasting to the success of the destruction of the One Ring.

The musicians began playing and after several moments, the atmosphere of the room changed as more and more partook in the uplifting music.

The two immortal lovers lay entwined on the soft bed, the early rays of dawn traveling toward them through the open windows. They were both deep in thought over recent events and those that may occur in the near future as their great journey approached.

Legolas broke the silence when he whispered, “What does it whisper to you?”

Nianna raised her head from his bare chest and looked deep into his clear blue eyes.

Legolas’s gaze was distant and unfocused. “Yesterday, you said that the Ring spoke to us all. What does it say to you, Nia?”

She contemplated on her answer for a moment.

“Promises. Promises that my mind knows that can never come true. Promises my heart wishes deeply to be a reality.” She whispered.

Legolas remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

Nianna leaned up, her body resting on one arm while the other curved over her hip, her hand caressing the soft skin of her flat stomach. Her own gaze became unfocused, remembering the flashes of images that crossed her mind when the Ring whispered in her head.

She gave a small smile. “It begins with a image…I’m heavy with our child. My womb swollen and active with the child’s movements. You are there caressing and whispering where our child rested.”

A silent tear traveled down her cheek and Nianna did nothing to remove the track it left behind.

“A boy. His eyes are so blue that it rivals the sky on a clear day. The very sound of his laughter makes my heart light.’ She looked at Legolas and her smile widened. “He’s strong and stands as tall as his stature will allow him. He mimics your mannerisms…trying so hard to be like the man that fathered him. He doesn’t understand that he is already so much like you, Legolas, that I know he will be wonderful, intelligent and strong. He will succeed in anything he sets his mind to. He will be a good leader for our people, Legolas.”

Tears escaped from her eyes unrestrained and Nianna noticed the slight glaze that covered her husband’s eyes at the images painted by her words. She wipes the tears from her eyes and her focus returns from the imaginary world the Ring had created.

“I know it lies, Legolas. That future is not ours to have. Our son will remain in my mind and imagination, forever a child and forever unconceived.”

Legolas drew Nianna close, wrapping his arms around the shaking body of his wife. He caressed the crown of her head, whispering softly to her about the love that encompassed his heart for her and wishing that the fate dealt to them could be different. In his heart, he knew that a child was inconceivable but he knew that this one small thing injured his wife.

Legolas remembered the great care Nianna spent when dealing with a young Estel as well as her instant friendship to the four hobbits. Nianna held within her the ability to love many without diminishing the love she held for him. He knew that if it were possible for Nianna to have a child, she would be a wonderful mother, unsurpassed by few.

The light of the new day filled the sky as the two held each other. Both knew it would be time to rise soon but held onto the other for another brief moment of comfort.

Nianna raised her head to gaze at her husbands. “What of you, Legolas? What does the Ring whisper to you? Do you see the same images as do I?” She whispered quietly.

The body beneath her stiffened and Legolas refused to meet her gaze. Nianna sat up further at his reaction and looked into the eyes of her husband.

Nianna gasped, “The Ring doesn’t speak to you.”

Legolas’s eyes finally met the dark orbs of his wife’s but remained mute.

Nianna rose from their bed and donned the robe that lay nearby. Cinching the ties tightly, she paced for several silent moments before returning to the bed and seating on its edge.

“What does this mean, Legolas?” She whispered. Concern and fear laced her words.

Legolas reached over and grasped her just beneath her elbows. With gentle pressure he turned her arms until they laid palm up against the sheets that covered his legs.

“Perhaps the dark whisperings of the One Rings reach you because you have touched the same darkness that created it.” Legolas whispered.

Nianna looked down at her arms momentarily confused. The sudden memory of attacking the Ring Wraith in the forest and the sudden chill that encompassed one of her arms made Nianna realize her husband’s words.

Letting go of her left arm, Legolas moved his hand to gentle caress her right hand. “I feel the difference. I noticed it soon after you told me of your journeys here. It’s slight, almost unnoticeable but it is there.” He moved his gaze to her face. “A coldness that was never there before,” He whispered sadly.

She was speechless, unable to comprehend his words for a moment. Thoughts raced through her mind, as quickly as an arrow let loose from her bow. Her mind ceased and settled on one thought. “I’m a danger to the Fellowship,” She whispered. “I cannot go.”

Legolas cupped her face gently in his hands. “Nianna, I do not think you should make such a decision as of yet.”

“How can I go when the very thing we attempt to destroy has some sway over my thoughts?” She asked.

“It does not. You, yourself have told me that you know that what it says are untruths. Your strong, Nia. You know that the Ring cannot make true any of its promises.”

A tense silence followed his words and after several minutes he leaned forward and kissed her forehead before drawing her further onto the bed. Once again wrapping his arms around her while her head rested warily on his shoulder, he whispered, “We will speak to Mithrandir or Lord Elrond…later…regarding this manner. Rest now, Nia. All will be resolved than.”

Despite Legolas’s assurances, Nianna was unable to return to the peaceful rest that she wished. By the tense muscles that lay underneath her, she knew the same held true for Legolas.

Though Legolas had offered to be with her when she spoke with Lord Elrond or Mithrandir regarding the issue, Nianna decided to speak with Mithrandir alone. While she had known Lord Elrond for many centuries, she was more comfortable speaking to the Istari regarding the Ring.

It wasn’t until midday however, when Nianna was finally able to approach the elder immortal.

“Mithrandir, may I speak with you in private…please.” She said the plea in a whisper.

Mithrandir looked at the she-elf before nodding his ascent. The two traveled back to the library; which was empty due to the approach of the noon hour.

“Is all well, Nianna?” The Istari asked, as he sat at one of the large chairs facing the blazing fireplace.

Nianna glanced at him nervously. “I fear that the Ring may…is calling to me.”

The wizard before her remained silent. Several moments passed before Nianna watched him repeat an action she had seen many times before.

Mithrandir reached into his grey robes, retrieving his pipe and a small leather bag. Removing a pinch of dried leaves from the bag, he filled the end of his pipe and than leaned forward to grab a slim twig from a container nearby which he than lit the tip with the flames within the fireplace. Lighting the pipe, he tossed the glowing twig back into the fire to be further consumed by its blaze.

After several deep breaths from his pipe, Mithrandir looked over to the she-elf across from him and nodded his head, signaling to her to continue.

Nianna told the Istari regarding the visions that the Ring had sent her. Once again tears fell from her eyes as the retelling brought forth wanted dreams and desires of the future.

After she had finished her experiences with the Ring, she told him of her concerns. “I fear that I will be more of a hindrance…possibly a danger…during our journey to destroy the ring. It may be to the best interest of all if I do not travel with the Fellowship.”

Mithrandir puffed several times before speaking, “And what of Frodo and the other hobbits?”

She sighed quietly. “Though I have promised to travel with them until they return to their homes, I may be able to protect them more if I do not, even if that requires me to forsake my promise to them.”

Mithrandir’s face remained expressionless as he thought over her words while Nianna sat rigidly in her seat, awaiting his concurrence to her thoughts and fears.

Mithrandir rose from his seat and approached the fireplace. He gently tapped his pipe against the inner wall of the fireplace, emptying the contents before placing the pipe on the table to cool.

Staring into the fire, Mithrandir spoke. “As you know, Nianna, I have within my possession one of the rings forged with the aid of the Lord of Gifts. While I do not physical wear it, it weighs heavily upon me. I, too, am touched by the darkness that ultimately created it. You are not the only member of the Fellowship that the Ring calls to. It calls to me as well.” He turned to the elf that stared at him intently and smiled cordially. “It’s promises are very different but no less powerful.”

He returned to his seat. “Perhaps the very fact that we are aware of such promises and question their reality, we are more suitable to share in its destruction.”

He paused for a moment, allowing his statement to convey in the young elf’s mind. “The ultimate decision is yours, Nianna. But I have seen your interactions with the hobbit’s, especially Frodo. I believe your presence will be a great influence to the Fellowship as well as to Frodo.”

He stood to leave the room but before walking by Nianna, he placed his hand on her shoulder. “I do hope you will travel with us, Nianna.” With that, Mithrandir walked out of the room, leaving Nianna alone to gaze unseeing into the flames within the fireplace.

Nianna missed the noon meal as she sat in the library and she left only when others intruded unknowing into her solitude. As she walked through the halls of Imladris, she came to her finally decision.

As she approached her rooms, she noticed Legolas walking toward her from the opposite direction. Upon the question in his clear blue eyes, she simply nodded and smiled at him.