The Music in My Heart
folder
-Multi-Age › Het - Male/Female
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
75
Views:
7,329
Reviews:
108
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
-Multi-Age › Het - Male/Female
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
75
Views:
7,329
Reviews:
108
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 53 Now Near is Danger
Title: The Music in My Heart, Chapter 53
Author:
Fandom/Pairing: Elrond/OFC, Glorfindel/Haldir, Elladan/OFC, Elrohir/Legolas, others implied
Rating: PG-13, but will increase in future chapters
Warning: AU --- Story set 770 years after ROTK; Some slash but, mostly het
Feedback: This is my first fanfic, so constructive feedback appreciated.
Archive:
Acknowledgements: Many thanks to Alex Cat for her help in betaing this story.
Disclaimer: Any of the residents of Middle-earth and Aman that you recognize belong to Prof. Tolkien’s estate. The same is true about Middle-earth and Aman. I’m only visiting and admiring the “views”.
Summary: Sauron may be gone, but his legacy of evil still lingers. As Middle-earth faces the threat of another dark lord, a party of elves departs Aman on a mission for the Valar, a mission of mercy long delayed.
Feedback appreciated!
Chapter 53 --- How Near Is Danger
"Tell us how near is danger that we may arm us to encounter it."
William Shakespeare, "Richard II"
*****
The force was now assembled and their plans set. /One last night in the safety and comfort of Minas Tirith and then we march. I still have doubts about the lack of a leader, as I feel it will handicap our mission, but that is the will of the alliance. If all goes as planned, we will arrive at our first site within three days./
Lifting a glass of wine from the table next to his chair, Elrond rose and walked to the stone balustrade surrounding the balcony of his chambers. As he had often done in the five weeks they had been in the Gondorian capital, his eyes turned toward the distant land of Mordor.
/For only a few brief centuries of my long life has Arda not been plagued by worries of that dark land. Ever has it been the bane of my existence/ he mused.
Unlike the years preceding the Ring War, no ominous red glow reminded the watcher that evil ruled those desolate lands. There was no stronghold rising from the barren plain to serve as a focus for their efforts; Barad-Dûr had fallen long ago. Orodruin was long dormant, no longer poisoning the air with noxious fumes and choking ash. /I can still feel the grit that layered my skin… the pain of breathing that fowl air./
Sighing, he knew better than to take comfort in the apparent calm over the horizon. /No, that is a false sign. Evil still dwells in that cursed land and those I love… my friends and allies must once again seek to destroy it. Such seems to be the lot of this world./
A faint sound behind him drew his gaze from the distant peaks. “So… here we stand, prepared to once again battle the evil of Mordor. The more things change….”
A bitter smile lit Elrond’s face as he greeted his former father-in-law and long-time friend. Erestor stood at Celeborn’s right side, a strained expression on his face. “Indeed… the more they stay the same. Except the last time we three waited for the dawn when we would lead our forces to battle, it was on my balcony in Imladris where we had this conversation.”
“I remember. Then too it was from Imladris that Gandalf and Estel led the fellowship. So much of the defense of this world has had its start in your valley… as has this expedition. The leadership of Imladris… of Elrond Peredhel remains a reassuring constant. It gives me hope, ion nin. As you once said to Estel… ‘Ónen i-Estel Arda’, we will once again find a way. After all, the Valar commissioned this expedition, did they not?” (my son) (I give hope to the world.)
Looking back toward the distant horizon, Elrond sighed. “At least then we knew our enemy... and where he was to be found. We are going out into the world without a full understanding of what we must do to defeat this evil. I have no qualms about placing myself in such peril… but…”
“I fear for her too… but she will not let us leave her behind. She has a role to play in this and we must respect this, meldir,” Erestor whispered. “We must do all we can to see she is kept safe. We must be… invincible and pray to the Valar it will be enough.” (friend)
Hesitating, Elrond weighted the advisability of raising the issue of setting the date for his and Seere’s wedding. Before he could come to a decision, Erestor spoke. “We will see her safely home for we have a wedding to plan do we not? I believe Seere had hoped to have the ceremony at the Midwinter Celebration.”
Elrond felt the tense set of his shoulders ease slightly. A broad smile lit his face as he walked over to embrace his old friends. /Midwinter! I need to find my beloved and tell her we can begin to plan!/
“We will keep her safe, meldir. I intend that we are all safely home at year’s end to celebrate the formal joining of our families as they have long been in our hearts!” (friend)
*****
The first site had at first seemed a complete waste of their time and efforts. It had once been a thriving village located on the coast on the Bay of Belfries. Records indicated it had been abandoned centuries earlier, as the natural harbor that had been the center of the village’s economy had silted over and ships no longer sought its shelter. The sagging buildings of the old village had recently been utterly destroyed… clear evidence the Hordes had already come and gone.
At Elrond’s insistence, they organized a search of the ruins, picking through the rubble in hopes of finding something of use left behind by orcs. The ruins of a small building had quickly drawn his attention. It teased elven senses; the magic disturbed by its destruction still tingled in the air.
A brief, painful flash of insight caused Elrond to stagger as he stepped through the doorway. Thanking the Lorien warden that had steadied him until the vision passed, Elrond pushed aside his disquiet and moved into the ravaged remains of the small cottage. /Why would Sauron have visited such an insignificant dwelling if this was not the cache noted in Saruman’s records?/
“Elrond… are you well?”
Turning to face his son-in-law, he gave a distracted nod. “Sauron was here… more than once I suspect, for the imprint he left behind is very strong. I had a vision of him… Ai! He still wore the visage of Annatar! His tie to this place is ancient… sometime between the end of the First Age and Eregion I would think!”
Looking about the rubble, Legolas felt the lingering darkness that had passed and perhaps lingered in the small building. “I feel the echo of his evil, as well. What can this tell us?”
Frowning, Elrond moved further into the main room. “I do not yet know… but something is here. It whispers to me. Have Glorfindel arrange an elven detail to shift through the rubble with great care, for I fear our mortal allies may miss something because they will not sense it. I know not what they seek… but it is here.”
*****
Several hours passed before Elrond heard Glorfindel call his name. “Lord Elrond… can you please attend us. We have found… something that you need to see and adjudge.”
A small group of curious elves had gathered near the front entrance of the cottage. They swiftly parted to allow the elf lord to pass. “What have you found, mellon nin?” (my friend)
“I am not sure, my lord. It appears to be a stone tablet. The marking are what… worry me. Is this…” the Balrog Slayer began.
Looking down at the stone slab, Elrond felt a shudder of revulsion skitter over his senses. “Aye. See that it is wrapped carefully for transport. We must see that it is returned to Minas Tirith as soon as possible. The ones that were sent here will be back, for their master will not be happy that they left their prize behind. I ask that you make sure it is properly secured and guarded at all times.”
Stepping back to allow the guards to finish extracting it, he noticed that Erestor had joined him. In a whisper pitched for his ears alone, his second-in-command asked, “Is what I think it is…? My vantage point is not a clear as yours was.”
Seeing Elrond’s curt nod, he added, “May I suggest we make at least one rubbing of the surface before it is secured? If we are forced, we must destroy it rather than allow it to fall into our enemy’s hands. A copy of its content would be an appropriate precaution.”
Glancing sideways to meet his advisor’s steady stare, he considered Erestor’s suggestion. “Agreed. Make haste, for you will need to do this before we remove it from this room. I will alert Glorfindel while you retrieve paper and charcoal.”
*****
Once the tablet was secured and the rubbing hidden in a secret compartment of Erestor’s saddlebags, Elrond took a deep breath before approaching the other leaders of the expedition. Signaling them that he needed to relay important information, he quickly assembled them off to one side.
“One of our patrols found something that may be of great interest. I ordered it secured and made ready for immediate transport back to Minas Tirith for it is not something we want to expose ourselves to for long,” he reported, in a hushed voice.
“What have you found, Adar’ra?” Aranuir asked.
“A tablet… with inscriptions in black speech*. We took no time attempting to transcribe it, for that would take too long. I had a vision of Sauron… in the guise of Annatar visiting the small cottage where it was found. It whispers of his evil,” he replied, his unease at this discovery apparent to all. “We made a quick rubbing as a precaution should we be forced to destroy it before we can get it to safety,”
“Destroy it! Why would we do that?”
Turning to face the speaker, Grór, a grandson of Gimli, he answered. “I suspect the cottage was one of the caches mentioned in the Orthanc records. If that is the case, the one controlling the Hordes will not be happy with the Orcs that left it behind and will send new forces to secure it. I propose we make our first priority that it does not fall into their hands,” Elrond urged.
“Black speech? You are positive?” Prince Háma of Rohan asked, his face paling at the thought.
Nodding his head, the elf lord let his revulsion show. “I have no doubt. I had hoped never to be cursed to see or hear that foul tongue ever again. There is no mistake that is what it is… a fact confirmed by both Lord Erestor and Lord Glorfindel who saw to its removal for transport.”
“You propose to take it to Minas Tirith?” Aranuir asked.
Meeting his gaze, Elrond offered, “I think that is as good a place as we have to secure it. I do not think it likely the Horde would attack the city to retrieve it. The group studying the confiscated artifacts is there and could be assigned to transcribe the rubbing. Bergil should be helpful in this endeavor. The tablet needs to be locked away for now… eventually it must be destroyed.”
Scanning the group, Celeborn spoke for the first time. “I see not any other option aside from taking it to Minas Tirith. We cannot risk keeping, it for it will draw too much unwanted attention.”
“If I may propose… we have a garrison some twenty miles northeast of here. That direction would move us in the general direction of our next site. I could secure a large patrol to accompany it back… perhaps Lord Glorfindel could accompany them. They could then see him back to us once the tablet is safely in the archives… under heavy guard,” Prince Aranuir offered.
“A reasonable plan,” Elrond agreed.
*****
The expedition had traveled but twelve miles when an alarm was shouted from one of their forward scouts. Within minutes, a large party of Orcs and Uruk Kai appeared from over the ridge to their left. Drawing his sword, Elrond moved to take position at Seere’s side, positioning his mount between her and the enemy.
/This is one time I would have preferred to be wrong!/
*****
A/N --- *Black speech is the language created by Sauron in the Second Age. The inscription marking the One-Ring was in this tongue.
Thanks MarzBar... you're a star!
Author:
Fandom/Pairing: Elrond/OFC, Glorfindel/Haldir, Elladan/OFC, Elrohir/Legolas, others implied
Rating: PG-13, but will increase in future chapters
Warning: AU --- Story set 770 years after ROTK; Some slash but, mostly het
Feedback: This is my first fanfic, so constructive feedback appreciated.
Archive:
Acknowledgements: Many thanks to Alex Cat for her help in betaing this story.
Disclaimer: Any of the residents of Middle-earth and Aman that you recognize belong to Prof. Tolkien’s estate. The same is true about Middle-earth and Aman. I’m only visiting and admiring the “views”.
Summary: Sauron may be gone, but his legacy of evil still lingers. As Middle-earth faces the threat of another dark lord, a party of elves departs Aman on a mission for the Valar, a mission of mercy long delayed.
Feedback appreciated!
Chapter 53 --- How Near Is Danger
"Tell us how near is danger that we may arm us to encounter it."
William Shakespeare, "Richard II"
*****
The force was now assembled and their plans set. /One last night in the safety and comfort of Minas Tirith and then we march. I still have doubts about the lack of a leader, as I feel it will handicap our mission, but that is the will of the alliance. If all goes as planned, we will arrive at our first site within three days./
Lifting a glass of wine from the table next to his chair, Elrond rose and walked to the stone balustrade surrounding the balcony of his chambers. As he had often done in the five weeks they had been in the Gondorian capital, his eyes turned toward the distant land of Mordor.
/For only a few brief centuries of my long life has Arda not been plagued by worries of that dark land. Ever has it been the bane of my existence/ he mused.
Unlike the years preceding the Ring War, no ominous red glow reminded the watcher that evil ruled those desolate lands. There was no stronghold rising from the barren plain to serve as a focus for their efforts; Barad-Dûr had fallen long ago. Orodruin was long dormant, no longer poisoning the air with noxious fumes and choking ash. /I can still feel the grit that layered my skin… the pain of breathing that fowl air./
Sighing, he knew better than to take comfort in the apparent calm over the horizon. /No, that is a false sign. Evil still dwells in that cursed land and those I love… my friends and allies must once again seek to destroy it. Such seems to be the lot of this world./
A faint sound behind him drew his gaze from the distant peaks. “So… here we stand, prepared to once again battle the evil of Mordor. The more things change….”
A bitter smile lit Elrond’s face as he greeted his former father-in-law and long-time friend. Erestor stood at Celeborn’s right side, a strained expression on his face. “Indeed… the more they stay the same. Except the last time we three waited for the dawn when we would lead our forces to battle, it was on my balcony in Imladris where we had this conversation.”
“I remember. Then too it was from Imladris that Gandalf and Estel led the fellowship. So much of the defense of this world has had its start in your valley… as has this expedition. The leadership of Imladris… of Elrond Peredhel remains a reassuring constant. It gives me hope, ion nin. As you once said to Estel… ‘Ónen i-Estel Arda’, we will once again find a way. After all, the Valar commissioned this expedition, did they not?” (my son) (I give hope to the world.)
Looking back toward the distant horizon, Elrond sighed. “At least then we knew our enemy... and where he was to be found. We are going out into the world without a full understanding of what we must do to defeat this evil. I have no qualms about placing myself in such peril… but…”
“I fear for her too… but she will not let us leave her behind. She has a role to play in this and we must respect this, meldir,” Erestor whispered. “We must do all we can to see she is kept safe. We must be… invincible and pray to the Valar it will be enough.” (friend)
Hesitating, Elrond weighted the advisability of raising the issue of setting the date for his and Seere’s wedding. Before he could come to a decision, Erestor spoke. “We will see her safely home for we have a wedding to plan do we not? I believe Seere had hoped to have the ceremony at the Midwinter Celebration.”
Elrond felt the tense set of his shoulders ease slightly. A broad smile lit his face as he walked over to embrace his old friends. /Midwinter! I need to find my beloved and tell her we can begin to plan!/
“We will keep her safe, meldir. I intend that we are all safely home at year’s end to celebrate the formal joining of our families as they have long been in our hearts!” (friend)
*****
The first site had at first seemed a complete waste of their time and efforts. It had once been a thriving village located on the coast on the Bay of Belfries. Records indicated it had been abandoned centuries earlier, as the natural harbor that had been the center of the village’s economy had silted over and ships no longer sought its shelter. The sagging buildings of the old village had recently been utterly destroyed… clear evidence the Hordes had already come and gone.
At Elrond’s insistence, they organized a search of the ruins, picking through the rubble in hopes of finding something of use left behind by orcs. The ruins of a small building had quickly drawn his attention. It teased elven senses; the magic disturbed by its destruction still tingled in the air.
A brief, painful flash of insight caused Elrond to stagger as he stepped through the doorway. Thanking the Lorien warden that had steadied him until the vision passed, Elrond pushed aside his disquiet and moved into the ravaged remains of the small cottage. /Why would Sauron have visited such an insignificant dwelling if this was not the cache noted in Saruman’s records?/
“Elrond… are you well?”
Turning to face his son-in-law, he gave a distracted nod. “Sauron was here… more than once I suspect, for the imprint he left behind is very strong. I had a vision of him… Ai! He still wore the visage of Annatar! His tie to this place is ancient… sometime between the end of the First Age and Eregion I would think!”
Looking about the rubble, Legolas felt the lingering darkness that had passed and perhaps lingered in the small building. “I feel the echo of his evil, as well. What can this tell us?”
Frowning, Elrond moved further into the main room. “I do not yet know… but something is here. It whispers to me. Have Glorfindel arrange an elven detail to shift through the rubble with great care, for I fear our mortal allies may miss something because they will not sense it. I know not what they seek… but it is here.”
*****
Several hours passed before Elrond heard Glorfindel call his name. “Lord Elrond… can you please attend us. We have found… something that you need to see and adjudge.”
A small group of curious elves had gathered near the front entrance of the cottage. They swiftly parted to allow the elf lord to pass. “What have you found, mellon nin?” (my friend)
“I am not sure, my lord. It appears to be a stone tablet. The marking are what… worry me. Is this…” the Balrog Slayer began.
Looking down at the stone slab, Elrond felt a shudder of revulsion skitter over his senses. “Aye. See that it is wrapped carefully for transport. We must see that it is returned to Minas Tirith as soon as possible. The ones that were sent here will be back, for their master will not be happy that they left their prize behind. I ask that you make sure it is properly secured and guarded at all times.”
Stepping back to allow the guards to finish extracting it, he noticed that Erestor had joined him. In a whisper pitched for his ears alone, his second-in-command asked, “Is what I think it is…? My vantage point is not a clear as yours was.”
Seeing Elrond’s curt nod, he added, “May I suggest we make at least one rubbing of the surface before it is secured? If we are forced, we must destroy it rather than allow it to fall into our enemy’s hands. A copy of its content would be an appropriate precaution.”
Glancing sideways to meet his advisor’s steady stare, he considered Erestor’s suggestion. “Agreed. Make haste, for you will need to do this before we remove it from this room. I will alert Glorfindel while you retrieve paper and charcoal.”
*****
Once the tablet was secured and the rubbing hidden in a secret compartment of Erestor’s saddlebags, Elrond took a deep breath before approaching the other leaders of the expedition. Signaling them that he needed to relay important information, he quickly assembled them off to one side.
“One of our patrols found something that may be of great interest. I ordered it secured and made ready for immediate transport back to Minas Tirith for it is not something we want to expose ourselves to for long,” he reported, in a hushed voice.
“What have you found, Adar’ra?” Aranuir asked.
“A tablet… with inscriptions in black speech*. We took no time attempting to transcribe it, for that would take too long. I had a vision of Sauron… in the guise of Annatar visiting the small cottage where it was found. It whispers of his evil,” he replied, his unease at this discovery apparent to all. “We made a quick rubbing as a precaution should we be forced to destroy it before we can get it to safety,”
“Destroy it! Why would we do that?”
Turning to face the speaker, Grór, a grandson of Gimli, he answered. “I suspect the cottage was one of the caches mentioned in the Orthanc records. If that is the case, the one controlling the Hordes will not be happy with the Orcs that left it behind and will send new forces to secure it. I propose we make our first priority that it does not fall into their hands,” Elrond urged.
“Black speech? You are positive?” Prince Háma of Rohan asked, his face paling at the thought.
Nodding his head, the elf lord let his revulsion show. “I have no doubt. I had hoped never to be cursed to see or hear that foul tongue ever again. There is no mistake that is what it is… a fact confirmed by both Lord Erestor and Lord Glorfindel who saw to its removal for transport.”
“You propose to take it to Minas Tirith?” Aranuir asked.
Meeting his gaze, Elrond offered, “I think that is as good a place as we have to secure it. I do not think it likely the Horde would attack the city to retrieve it. The group studying the confiscated artifacts is there and could be assigned to transcribe the rubbing. Bergil should be helpful in this endeavor. The tablet needs to be locked away for now… eventually it must be destroyed.”
Scanning the group, Celeborn spoke for the first time. “I see not any other option aside from taking it to Minas Tirith. We cannot risk keeping, it for it will draw too much unwanted attention.”
“If I may propose… we have a garrison some twenty miles northeast of here. That direction would move us in the general direction of our next site. I could secure a large patrol to accompany it back… perhaps Lord Glorfindel could accompany them. They could then see him back to us once the tablet is safely in the archives… under heavy guard,” Prince Aranuir offered.
“A reasonable plan,” Elrond agreed.
*****
The expedition had traveled but twelve miles when an alarm was shouted from one of their forward scouts. Within minutes, a large party of Orcs and Uruk Kai appeared from over the ridge to their left. Drawing his sword, Elrond moved to take position at Seere’s side, positioning his mount between her and the enemy.
/This is one time I would have preferred to be wrong!/
*****
A/N --- *Black speech is the language created by Sauron in the Second Age. The inscription marking the One-Ring was in this tongue.
Thanks MarzBar... you're a star!