Story Downloaded from Open Scrolls Archive (https://www.openscrolls.net)

Title: Syah's Tears (#492)
Author: Trix
Chapters: 19

Archive: Tolkien
Category: Femme Fatale
Description: A young 21st century woman, whose painful past haunts her every waking hour, awakens in the forests of Mirkwood. And finds herself embroiled in the War of the Ring...
Published: 30 Dec 2003
Updated: 10 May 2004
Warnings: My English to Sindarin is not the greatest
Type: Drama
Characters: OC/Legolas/ Fellowship


Chapter 1 - Prologue

Syah Beltain sat alone on the porch of her cabin.

Alone. It was not a new concept for her. Her parents had died when she was six, leaving her with her aunt, the only living relative she had. Then, when she was sixteen, her aunt died of cancer. She had no one to go to. Or so she had thought. Her aunt’s boyfriend, Bane, took her in and let her work at his survival camp in the Northern Cascade’s of Washington State. But as fate would have it, when she was 24, he also died. He left her the camp to run, which she enjoyed doing. His partner was more than happy to help her with the things that she did not know. That her guardian didn’t have the chance to teach her.

So here she was, sitting on the porch swing of her inherited cabin, looking at the stars. A full moon lit the mountains around her. A light mist surrounded the tips of the mountains, which the moon made glow. This was it. This was the small moment in time when Syah could let her tears flow silently with no one to see. The moment when she could let the hurt out and let it show on her pale face. And no one would see it and pity her.

Before she knew it she was sound asleep, with tears still falling from her eyes. Because she knew that when she woke she would still be alone.


Chapter 2 - Chapter One

It was to the sound of leaves that Syah began to wake. But the sounds were different. She had been in the mountains and forests long enough to know that she was not in the Cascades anymore. She immediately knew she was on a tree limb instead of her porch. That these woods smelled different. That they felt darker and more dreary.

Do not panic, she said to herself. When I opened my eyes, I will not panic.

Years of pain and survival training had taught her enough to know that panicking would probably get her killed. So she cautiously opened her eyes. Only to find a man, like no other she had seen before, staring at her.

“Holy crap!” she yelped, startled to the point that she slipped off of the tree limp she was on and fell to the ground.

There were two more men looking at her when she returned to her senses. This made her back into another tree, but not before tripping on a root.

Get a hold of yourself, Syah.

She made herself stand up straighter and her defenses immediately took over. She looked at the three men, all still staring at her but more with curiosity and concern rather than if she was an intruder. They were staring at her clothes strangely also. And who wouldn’t? They looked tailored, while she looked...alien.

Dark green cloth pants and a gray zipper sweater. And black hiking boots to. Where the hell was she? Where in her world were there men like this?

Well, she sighed, at least the colors match theirs.

“Man eneth lin, hiril nin?”

Syah was completely caught of guard by his soft voice. As well as his blue eyes. Though, she had no idea what he was saying to her.

“What is your name?” he asked again, but in a different language.

“I don’t understand.“

Syah put on her best ‘I have no idea what you’re saying’ face, hoping he would understand her.

He obviously didn’t know what she was saying either, but he did nod to her expression. “Henion.”

Syah took that to mean ‘I understand’. She hoped so anyway.

The other two men looked wary of her presence. However, they did not say anything about it. They seemed to not want to question the third’s word.

“Where am I?” she whispered, trying hard not to show her own worry. She did not think it wise to show these men her doubt and concern.

Though her gut instincts told her they would not harm her, that did not mean she was not in danger. And a language barrier made the situation no easier.

The one who had been speaking to her walked closer. Fighting the urge to back away and move behind the tree, Syah instead took a few steps forward to show she wasn’t afraid.

He put his hand to his chest before he spoke. “i eneth nin, Legolas.”

It took Syah a moment to realize he was speaking his name to her. She put her hand to her chest and said, “Syah.”

“Syah,” he repeated with a gentle smile. “Suilad.”

Legolas turned to his two companions and said, “Hathol.”

The man bowed to her and said, “Suilad.”

“Aras.”

The other man turned and bowed. He also greeted her with, “Suilad.”

Legolas reached his hand out as if to usher her towards him. To have her follow him. “Aphado nin. Avo visto, hiril nin. Avam auta lye.”

Syah was not sure what to do so she listened to her gut instinct and began to walk with them. Little did she know that he had just told her to follow him, and to not stray from their side. That he promised that they would not leave her.

Little did she also know that her gut knew who Legolas was. What he was. Deep inside of herself, hidden, were the answers to her questions of this new place. But she would have to learn them for now. And rely on the one thing that had kept her going through the years.

Raw, human instinct.

The instinct to survive.

But she also would have to learn the one human thing that she had lost: the feeling of belonging.

And to not be alone.


Chapter 3 - Chapter Two

Syah kept four or five feet between Legolas and herself. Trust was a major issue with her, and while he wouldn’t hurt her she still didn’t know any of them. She looked at Legolas briefly and as she looked away a small breeze followed. Just enough for her to catch sight of what Hathol’s ears looked like.

She looked away swiftly and thought of what to do. Where was she!? Pointed ears? Think, she told herself.

What has pointed ears in your world?

Elves.

Bet Santa never saw the likes of these three, she smiled to herself.

Legolas caught her fleeting smile and looked at her curiously. It was obvious he wanted to know what made her smile. But how was she to relate this? They spoke different languages.

Syah stopped for a moment and tucked loose strains of her hair behind her ear. She wiggled her ear then pointed towards Hathol. “Elves.”

The three elves looked at each other and smiled briefly themselves. They nodded at her, knowing she now knew what they were.

They continued to walk through the dark forest. Syah was told by all of her guardians that she had a spirit born of the forest. That she was put on this earth to protect them, to show other people the magic that they could bring. But her aunt had once told her about an incident when she was fifteen that Syah never forgot.

-1989-

They were sitting on the porch of Bane’s cabin. A full moon lit the night sky. A gentle breeze blew through the air.

“You know something, Syah?”

“What aunt Grace?”

“When you were ten, Bane and I took you for a walk through these woods. We let you stay ahead of us but kept you in our view. Then, when we stopped for a few minutes so I could tie my shoe laces, we saw you standing in front of a tree. It was one of the oldest in the forest.”

“I like to walk through the oldest part of the forest. I feel connected to it somehow.”

“I know you do, Sy.”

A few moments passed before Grace continued.

“We got close enough to hear you speaking to it. You were speaking a language we couldn’t understand. And we barely heard you because you were talking so softly to it. Then something strange happened.”

“What?”

“The tree seemed to...moan. Softly, but it did seem to moan. That’s when we realized it was talking back to you. Does that happen often, Syah?”

“All the time. I can’t explain it. It’s a connection, like somewhere inside of me knows something of the distant past. That something inside of me is a part of the forest.”

“That’s because your spirit was born of the forest, Syah. You belong surrounded by them. It will help heal you someday.”

-Mirkwood-

Syah was so lost in thought that the loud warning startled her. When she came to her senses, the three elves were staring at her in awe and wonderment. Almost like they were not sure what she was.

She gave a confused look but then realized what had happened.

She was standing beside a tree. She had almost walked straight into it. The warning...?

The tree must of warned me to watch where I was going.

She looked back at the elves and gave them a ‘sorry, it sometimes happens’ expression and gesture. She looked away, feeling almost guilty she had startled them.

Someone touched her face. She picked her head up and saw Legolas looking at her with concern and understanding. Her eyes were locked with his for a moment, until he gestured for her to walk again. He stopped in mid step.

Syah began to worry when they pulled their bows and arrows out. She looked around for danger. A tall, wide, shadow crawled towards them. And out of the dark came the biggest, ugliest spider Syah had ever seen. Heartbeats passed before she finally screamed. All she felt were leaves around her and a whoosh of arrows, then all went black.


Chapter 4 - Chapter Three

Author's Note- Sorry it took so long to update this story!!! This chapter is going to kind of move fast and it's not the best chapter. But I needed it so that the rest of upcoming chapters read and move smoothly. And the chapters will get longer after this one also. And, I couldn't find all the Sindarin words I needed so when there's an * present, it just means I couldn't find the words in Elvish so I had to write it in English. Now, on with the STORY!!!
____________________________________________


Syah opened her eyes to find herself staring at a rather beautiful ceiling. It’s design was like nothing she had ever seen before. She would have gazed more upon it but memories of a giant spider came flooding back. She shuddered from the memory. Normally, a spider didn’t frighten her, but this one was the size of a house!

*Are you well?*

The gentle voice startled Syah. However, and fortunately, she did not jump off the bed. She turned her head to see Legolas by her bedside. His expression was one of concern. When Syah looked into his eyes, though, she knew what he had asked. “I’m okay.”

He nodded in understanding and moved his chair a little bit closer. When he did Syah noticed another look sweep over his face. Confusion. It dawned on her why he may have flashed her that look. The tree. The tree had scooped her up to protect her. What must he think of her?

“Ma merilyë yulma néno?”

What did he asked? She shook her head, telling him she didn’t understand what he was saying.

Legolas stood from his chair and walked to a table that was at the foot of the bed. He picked a bowl up just enough so that she could see what was inside of it. “Ma merilyë yulma néno?”

Oh, she smiled. “Yes.”

He smiled back and gave her a cup of water when she sat up against the headboard. It sure was bothersome not to be able to speak to him normally. It would make things easier for her, and himself no doubt. How would she ever learn of where she was and how she was to get home?

*Do you need anything else?*

She didn’t have time to try and understand him because someone walked through the door. A beautiful woman walked towards her, no doubt an elf. She looked at Syah and gave a gentle smile, then she gave Legolas a stern look and said something to him. Legolas stood, again, and smiled down at Syah.

*I will see you soon, Syah.*

Syah knew what that meant without having to ask. She gave him a small smile and nodded at him once. “Goodbye.”

When he was gone, Syah turned her attention to the other elf in the room. She tilted her head to side as she noticed that she was holding her clothes. Syah looked down at herself and found that she was in a nightgown. Legolas saw her in a nightgown? How embarrassing!

“i eneth nín, Marien.”

“Syah.”

“Syah,” the elf repeated. *A beautiful name.*

She watched Marien move around the room to a bathtub that she had not noticed before. Marien gestured a hand to it. *Would you like to bathe?*

Syah nodded and gave Marien a grateful glance. “Yes, I would.”

Marien just smiled at her and began to prepare Syah’s bath. To this, Syah did not know what to say or to convey. She had always done things on her own, without the aid of others. But this was a strange place. What was she to do? When Marien came beside her to help her up, Syah realized why she was being treated as if she was sick. Her left side was sore and aching.

It must have happened when the tree grabbed her, she thought. She tried to get Marien to let her bathe on her own but the elf wouldn’t hear of it. It was uncomfortable but Syah managed to relax enough to let the elf wash her hair. Marien finally turned and walked to make the bed so Syah could dress in her now clean clothes. It was a comfort to have them on again. She swept her hair into a loose bun, after combing it. The Marien gave her her hiking boots so she could put them on too.

*Are you hungry?* Marien said as she touched her stomach so that Syah would understand her.

Syah nodded. “A little.”

“Aphado nin.”

Legolas had said that to her once. She finally understood that it meant ‘follow me’ when Marien offered her hand to her and they started walking out the door. All it took was one look at the hallway and Syah was in awe. And she was in awe the entire was to the kitchen.

*We will eat here. Legolas is with his father.*

She wasn’t sure what Marien had said but she sat down in the chair that she was offered. She did not show the worry she felt when it hit her that she had no idea what elves ate. But Marien smiled when she set a plate in front of her on the small table. To say the least, Syah was pleasantly surprised...

-Throne Room-

“You need to take her to Rivendell with you.”

Legolas looked at his father with confusion. “But, father, she is a stranger to this world. You saw her, she is not from here.”

King Thranduil shook his head at his son. He had seen the young woman. In his many years of life he learned to spot a tired soul when he saw one. And Syah had a tired soul. He was sure that when he looked into her eyes he would see the pain that life had thrown at her. But this made no difference to the King of Mirkwood. It made no difference because he felt something sweep through him at the sight of the girl named Syah. He had not felt it in ages, and no doubt Lord Elrond would feel it too. That feeling had gotten stronger when Legolas had related the incidents with the trees in the forest. No, as much as the young one would be shocked and awed, she had to leave Mirkwood with his son.

“Father?” Legolas finally spoke.

“She is to go with you to Lord Elrond, son. She is...let nothing happen to her. If she is who I think she is, well...just get her to Lord Elrond safely.”

Though he did not know what his father was talking about, Legolas decided not to argue with him. Once his father’s mind was made up, the decision was set in stone. “We will leave in the morning, as planned. Hathol and Aras will journey with us.”

“So be it,” the King said. “So be it.”


Chapter 5 - Chapter Four

Marien was showing Syah the palace during the King’s talk with Legolas, it was not until they were headed to the stables that he joined them. He smiled and greeted the two women and it was then that Syah noticed his clothing. Very Prince-like clothing.

I wonder if that’s what he is...she wondered as they continued to walk.

She also noticed that there was something behind the smile he gave her, something very close to worry. No, not worry. Nor concern. What was it then? Syah, through her trials and pains, had learned to read people as if they were an open book. It did not matter if they spoke a different language, for facial expressions, the emotions behind someone’s eyes, the way they held their bodies. All told a story. And if she ever had the opportunity, she realized, she would read Legolas like that. When he didn’t know she was watching. She knew he would never hurt her, that he would protect her in this strange land of theirs. That he was honorable and loyal and kind. Dutiful.

But what was he like when no one was looking? When he shut the world out and it was just himself. Wait, why was she wondering this? He was a stranger to her, she shouldn’t even be thinking about him like this. Wondering about him like this.

It must be this place, she thought. Things are a little jumbled. I’ll be back to myself in no time.

When they were inside the stables, Legolas stopped her in front of four stalls. He turned to her so she could see his face. *You may chose the horse you wish to ride from these four.*

It took a moment for Syah to realize that he was telling her to chose a horse. This she was excellent at. She had two of her own horses in her world, not to mention the stable full she owned for the camp. She walked closer to the horses and looked each of them over. Two were pure white, the color of fresh fallen snow. One was brown with a black mane. The last was a stallion, solid dark gray with black eyes. It was staring at her with far more then interest. He was challenging her to chose another but him, to dare ride another but him. He seemed to think, as Syah thought, that she could do no better then him.

She put a hand out to the horse, daring him to acknowledge her as his rider. She smiled when he nuzzled her palm then moved closer to her as if to hug her, with his neck turned so his head wrapped her back.

Syah turned back to Marien and Legolas. Gesturing to the horse, she said, “He’ll do.”

To her surprise the two laughed softly. Marien said something that Syah took to mean that the horse she chose was choosey himself. She had a horse like him at home. There was no other way to take the look on the female elf’s face. Her horse, Rutter, refused to let anyone he didn’t approve of ride him. Maybe this horse was the same way.

*I need to speak with Marien in private. I will return.*

Legolas’ expression was one that she had seen before, in the office of her mother’s lawyer when he needed to talk to her Aunt alone. Syah nodded and turned back to the horse.

After a few minutes she could feel eyes on her, watching her curiously. Legolas. He was trying to read her. But Syah was very good at being unreadable when she needed to be. Emotions and closeness were held aside for the people she let inside the walls she had built up over the years. Not that she was cold to the outside world, quite the opposite. She enjoyed giving and sharing, especially when it came to sharing the immense pleasure she got from the forests and wilderness. She was a kind, gentle person. But when Bane died, she had decided not to let anyone into her heart that close again. The pain of loss was too much to bare. She felt that these elves she was surrounded by were very observant, and very old. That they could probably see things and read people as well as she could, but she didn’t let that bother her. They would never see far enough inside of her that would tell them her past pains. She would never allow them to see beyond the walls.

And while she felt the sorrow of loneliness and the ache of wanting to belong to someone, as she had to her mother and her aunt and to Bane, she would never open that gate again. It was better to be truly alone then to let the floodgates of pain free. It just...was.

All through these thoughts, while she pet the horse who chose her, Legolas was observant of her actions. He knew she could feel his presence. Something about her stirred him. His father thought this stranger important, for a reason he chose not to disclose. She was a curious person. The trees spoke to her. She was well trained with horses, this he could tell. But it was the way the forest reacted to her that had him thinking. He had never seen a tree scoop a person up like that. To protect them no less. Who was she, this stranger? What gifts lay in her? Where did she come from?

It was obvious to him, an elf of almost three millennia, that this stranger was alone in the world. Her walls were clear for almost all keen eyes to see. But why were those walls there? Why had she shut herself off like that? She was a kind heart, a caring one. This he could tell. And the few times they had had eye contact he could see that she had been through the darkness of life far too many times. He wondered if the dark, lush green eyes that she had were once lighter, and clearer. And her name, Syah. What a beautiful name. Like a light breeze. A longing sigh.

Legolas shook these thoughts from his mind. He had a journey to make, and she had to go with him. How was he to tell her of this? It was clear to him that she could read a person just as well as an elf. From his own observation of her in the forest and of what Marien had told him. All he needed to do was convey it into an expression and she could pick up the meaning of his words. Though, it might take more than a few minutes but she would come to understand the words he was speaking.

He walked up beside her, standing to the side of the horse she had chosen. He pet the horse for a moment. The stallion had let only the King ride him, and that was only once. From his behavior Legolas could tell that the horse was going to let Syah ride him, and he was going to give her no problems. When Syah turned to him and waited for him to speak, he saw that behind her eyes was a calmness. A calmness one only obtained when you have seen too much and have become content with where life throws you.

Syah raised her eyebrows when she saw Legolas studying her. She knew that he saw the calmness of her eyes. That not only had she finally come to terms with being in a new place but also where life had taken her. She also saw one other thing...he couldn’t see beyond her walls. “Legolas...”

He shook his head slightly, then looked back at her. *We are to leave here tomorrow morning. We have to journey to Rivendell.”

How many times had she seen that look since her mother’s death. They were leaving this place. She nodded in understanding.

*It is an important journey. It will be dangerous at times.*

That one took her longer, but she got the meaning of his words none the less. “I can defend myself.”

Legolas wasn’t sure what she said but the immediate look of someone who could deal with anything came across her face. He nodded to her. *We need to go see my father. Come with me.*

“Aphado nin?” Syah said as she walked by him towards the stable doors. She looked back at him while he walked to her.

Legolas smiled. She was a fast learner. “Aphado nin.”

They walked to the throne room and Syah suddenly felt...small. The King rose to greet her and she stopped walking. Legolas looked so much like him. She knew in an instant that her gut had been right. He was a Prince.

The King reached the slightly shocked woman and smiled. “i eneth nín, Thranduil.”

“Syah,” she finally managed.

*My son...* the king confirmed at the look in her eyes.

Syah looked towards Legolas for a brief moment then back at the King. He handed her something that was wrapped in a green cloth.

* For you, my lady.*

She hesitantly took the gift from the King. She carefully drew the cloth away. Her eyes grew round when she saw the sword before her. It was amazing. Bane had left her a sword when he died, one he inherited from his father, but it was nothing like the one in her hands. She put it in her hand, cupping the handle and, stepping away from the King and Legolas, turned it expertly from back to front. Getting used to feel of it, the weight of it. She turned back to the King when she lowered it to her side. “Thank you.”

The King raised his hand. *Think nothing of it. It is a gift.*

*One she apparently knows how to use,* Legolas said, giving her a look of approval.

The King knew he had been right about Syah. Her eyes spoke volumes to him. She was kind and giving, but life had thrown her too many losses for one her age. And that made her older than what she really was. She was a treasure, and he was sure that Elrond would see this also. How she came to be among them, how she came into this world was not important. Getting her to Elrond safely was important. And the sword of his father would help do that. The rest was up to his son, Hathol and Aras.

Syah wrapped the sword back in the cloth, then looked to King and Legolas. Not knowing what to do or say she waited for one of them to move. Why had he given this to her? She would contemplate and think over the day’s events when she was back in her room. For now Syah waited for one of them to move.

*Have a safe journey, my lady. Son, take care of her.*

Having said that, he left the room. Syah looked to Legolas, waiting for him to do something now.

Legolas spoke when he saw how uncomfortable she was starting to get in the silence between them. Though, he knew it was because they were in the Throne Room that this was happening. He knew she was perfectly comfortable in silence when she was outside the palace. *Aphado nin *

Syah smiled and followed him out of the room. She spent the rest of the day letting Legolas show her the rest of the palace. It was strange how comfortable she was with him. A Prince no less. Boy had she pegged him right, she smiled to herself. She knew he could see her walls, as could the King, but that didn’t seem to bother them. Curious, yes, but it didn’t bother them. And she was glad because she was beginning to relax around Legolas, like she was with Greg- Bane’s partner in the camp. Not close enough to break the walls, but a friend none the less. And in only a few hours that had happened. It was this place, this world. It felt familiar, but she wasn’t sure how.

She was not afraid of what life just tossed her way. No, she knew she was here for a reason. But what was it? And why did the King look at her as if she were a gift that just dropped into their world’s lap?

At the end of the day, Syah was pleased when Legolas finally walked her to her room, after dinner. She was tired and needed sleep. The elves had a journey ahead of them...and she was going with them.


Chapter 6 - Chapter Five

Syah was awakened early by Marien. She saw that Syah had an extra pair of pants, made almost like the ones she arrived in except they were a dark brown color. A heavier shirt for the cold weather and three undergarments for changing. It all fit into a small pack that Marien had given her. Marien showed her a small pouch with three small bottles in it, each filled with a liquid. She indicated to Syah that you mix it with water, but only once a day. She also related to her that it was for pain. Any pain. Marien had also given her three or four medium-thick pieces of cloth. Syah gave her a strange look, which made Marien smile. She looked down once and put a hand to Syah’s stomach.

“Oh,” Syah had said, smiling at the woman. She hadn’t even thought of her period in the last two days. Her last one ended the night she fell asleep on her porch, only to wake up here. She would be fine for the next few weeks.

After seeing her to a light breakfast, Marien walked Syah outside. There, Legolas, Hathol and Aras were waiting for her. Her horse walked up to her immediately. This made the small party of five chuckle. “What’s his name?”

They looked at her, confused.

Syah pointed at herself, then to each of them as she said, “Syah. Legolas. Hathol. Marien. Aras. Who’s he?”

Hathol nodded. *Edhel’s Dagnir.*

Syah nodded. She didn’t know what the name meant but it sounded like a good one for the horse. She’d just call him Edhel. She nodded a ‘thank you’ to Marien, and in return got a sad smile. This was curious but Legolas beckoned her to mount her horse. It was barely dawn and they were leaving. She just hoped they wouldn’t run into any of those spiders. They would give her nightmares if she saw them again!

Legolas said something to Marien, then they were off on their journey. What lay ahead for them? she wondered as they made their way through the forest. Aras stayed beside her and Legolas in front of her. Hathol was behind them. They were flanking her! Though, if there were spiders anywhere near them she did not mind. Not at all. Part of her was excited about this journey, of seeing new lands. But part of her was also frightened. Did they react to her connection to the forest because they knew something of what she was? Did they know why she was here?

It still made her uneasy at how comfortable she was around the three of them, especially Legolas. They felt familiar to something inside of her. Somewhere deep inside of her. She worried briefly if they would break down her walls she so carefully had built up. The thought soon fled. She couldn’t afford that kind of mistake when she didn’t even know how long she’d be in this world.

Just then, Legolas looked back to see how she was doing. He saw her deep in thought, looking at the woods around her. What was she thinking? He was dying to know how she had come across her connection with the woods, the trees. When the tree had shouted a warning to her they had been stunned. But the look upon her face made him realize that there was something special about her, Hathol and Aras had felt it too. He touched her face to reassure her that they did understand, at least to some extent, what kind of gift she had. And they did understand. They were elves. Wood elves. They understood the forests. A few could speak Entish. But a human with that gift...

“Are you okay?”

Syah’s words shook him from his thoughts. He hadn’t realized he was staring at her the whole time. “Gohena nin.”

When he turned his head forward again Syah looked at Aras. He gestured that Legolas had apologized. She nodded and kept her eyes on the forest. They were going to a place called Rivendell. This much she had discerned. How far of a ride was it? How often would they stop?

Her thoughts were interrpted by a loud shout. She snapped out of her daze to find herself and Edhel in front of a tree. The horse, no doubt, had stopped before the warning. She got back next to Aras and felt herself turn pink at their smiles. “Sorry...”

Legolas laughed, as he was now turned toward the three behind him. *Keep an eye on her, gentlemen.*

*We will!* they said in unison.

Syah gave them a dirty look and shook her head. This was going to be an interesting journey for sure!

*************************

Three weeks later they were riding across a great plain. Through those three weeks Syah had gotten teased endlessly by Aras for her tendency to lose herself in thought while riding and walking. He had taken to calling her Mist Laes. She had no idea what this meant but from the laughing fits and humorous grins it evoked from Legolas and Hathol it surely was a name of great amusement. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know what it meant. Hathol, meanwhile, tried to explain to her where they were. She understood that he was teaching their language in small bits. So she could understand them better. Sweet, but he also found her amusing at times.

Legolas though, he watched her quite often. Even when he was riding in the front, when they were in the woods, he would turn to make sure she was faring well. When they stopped once or twice so that she could bathe, he would follow her down to make sure the area was clear and free of danger. Syah, however, wondered just how much he watched when he walked away to leave her to wash. He never would cross that barrier, she knew him better than that. He would not intrude on her personal space. But still, even as she slept, she felt his eyes upon her. This didn’t unsettled her as much as it should. Something about him stirred her, something inside of her. He made her feel safe, protected even though she could take care of herself...for the most part. His eyes were kind and soft when he looked at her.

But the three elves around her were now her friends, and though she should fear it Syah knew Hathol and Aras were starting to feel more like brothers to her. And Legolas was...something else. They were, all three, starting to wear down the wall she had built. This, out of all things, was what scared her. What frightened her the most. She couldn’t let them that close. Not ever. But could she stop it?

“Mist Laes!”

Syah felt the familiar brush of Aras’ leg on hers, pushing her back into their course. She looked at him and he laughed. Hathol and Legolas laughed as well when she was back beside them.

*We should just flank her the whole way to Rivendell.* Hathol said. *It would be easier.*

*Yes,* Legolas said. *But not as amusing.*

Syah shook her head. Let them tease her, it wasn’t her fault this place made her mind wander!

*I think she is highly amusing with her tree connection,* Aras smiled. *And the way they warn her about impending...crashes.*

Legolas burst out laughing. *Remember last week, when we were in the woods, and she walked straight into that huge tree! And it laughed at her!*

“Shut up!” Syah huffed, though she herself was starting to smile. “You are all impossible!”

She kicked Edhel to move faster and their laughter doubled at this. “Men!”

*************

When they stopped that evening to rest, Syah ate little. Her mind was still on the walls the three were beginning to break. She stood up from the ground and began to walk away.

“Syah?” Legolas called to her before she got too far.

She turned to him. “Walking. I’m just going for a short walk.”

He looked a little confused. What was the word for walk again? Oh, right. “Pada.”

He nodded and began to walk with her, though a few feet behind to give her room. He knew she probably needed to be alone, but in these troubled times he did not think it wise. Something had been bothering her all day. It was not their teasing, it was something she had been thinking about. This worried him. Syah was very good at hiding anything she did not want known. In the past three weeks it seemed to Legolas that she had began to let them inside herself. Maybe that was it. Maybe they were beginning to break her walls. Though, he could not see this around her. He couldn’t even feel it, sense it. No, when she wanted something hidden, it stayed hidden.

They were out of the sight of camp when Syah suddenly stopped. She turned to Legolas and he immediately saw the tears begin to form in her eyes. *Are you alright, hiril nin?*

Syah shook her head. “No.”

Why was she crying? She did not wish him to see her sorrow. Her fear. How alone she felt because of her walls.

*Try to tell me. Please.*

She was certain he wanted to know. But she couldn’t tell him. Ever. “I cannot do this, Legolas. I cannot let you in here.”

Legolas fought the urge to touch her face, knowing she wouldn’t like it. He sensed great sorrow from her. Great pain. And when she looked into his eyes, he knew why. She wouldn’t let them in. Wouldn’t let him in.

She touch her hand to her heart then at the camp, then to him. “You, Hathol, Aras. You’re breaking me. I cannot let you in.”

Legolas nodded in understanding. She was fighting them, fighting the urge to let them into her heart, past her walls. She was scared to death to do it. This worried Legolas even more. She was a strong woman, a survivor. He knew she feared she wouldn’t be able to handle another loss of one she loved. That she didn’t have that much strength in her. But she did. She did have. He decided then and there that he would see her through this pain. This fear. She was worth it, beyond worth it. She needed to know that she was that strong. That she had gifts beyond her own and his own comprehension. He looked her in the eyes and simply said, “Henion, hiril nin. Henion.”


Chapter 7 - Chapter Six

Syah spent the next few days trying to decide whether or not showing Legolas the truth of her feelings was a smart idea. Not that she had meant to do it, something had compelled her to. But why had she done that? Why had she shown him her weakness? He had spoken nothing of it to her, he was being patient and, it seemed to Syah, easing her into their lives more. Gently and with care. Why did he care so much? Why did the other two care so much?

They were getting ready to ride again, in the early hours of dawn. Syah had started her period that morning and she needed a little more time to prepare herself for the ride. She was mixing the liquid with a cup of water when Hathol came to check on her. He saw the bottle of liquid she was slipping into the velvet pouch. His face showed concern.

*Are you well, hiril nin?*

Syah stood with her water in her hand. “I am fine, Hathol.”

He gave her a look of disbelief. Was she really going to have to explain this? Apparently, because he didn’t seem like he was going to budge until she did. She rolled her eyes, drank the water and turned back to Hathol.

She put a hand to her stomach, looked down at herself once and said, “It’s that time of the month.”

He looked confused, until she showed him one of the cloths that Marien had given her. “Female problems.”

He nodded, turning as red as a lobster. He was so clearly embarrassed Syah had to fight not to laugh.

“Henion,” he said.

“Do no tell them, Hathol.”

He seemed to pick that one up pretty quick and he left her to her privacy. But he stopped for a moment, and turned back to her. *Are you in much pain?*

The concern on her face almost undid her. She shook her head, clearly understanding his question. “No. I will be fine, Hathol.”

He accepted this and continued back to the others. She could not believe she had just done that! But the look on his face was priceless. She hurried and packed the pouch inside of her small sack. When she was ready, they continued on their journey.

Aras rode with Syah, who were five or so feet behind Hathol and Legolas. She couldn’t hear what they were saying. Did she really want to? No.

*Do not ride too hard this day, Prince.*

Legolas gave him a look of bewilderment. *Why on Arda not?*

*Do not look back at her or she will know I told and Eru help me then...*

*Is she well?* the Prince said, concerned for Syah.

Hathol nodded. *But she is in some pain. Marien gave her some pain liquid to mix with her water.*

*She took it? Why?*

*She is human, Legolas. It has been almost a month since we left Mirkwood. Think on that.*

Light dawned in Legolas’ mind. *I will pace us at a trot and no more. We will slow to a walk every now and then.*

Hathol nodded, thankful that Syah had not heard or become suspicious of his talk with Legolas. While he was embarrassed about the incident, he was truly concerned of how much pain she was in. One did not take the pain medicine unless the pain was beyond that of uncomfortable. He chose to tell Legolas because Syah had taken it, which meant she was in a good amount of pain. She was probably cramping beyond belief. He hoped the slower speed of today’s ride would ease it somewhat. She was becoming like a sister to him and, while he knew she was perfectly capable of handling herself in the wild, he was still watchful of her. Whatever she was, he felt it. He sensed her need to keep them all at a certain distance, but he also sensed they were breaking her walls. He sensed her fear of this.

*She will come around, Hathol. I swear it.*

The determined and certain tone of Legolas’s words came through loud and clear to Hathol. He nodded to the Prince. The rest of day was spent riding in almost complete silence.

Aras had to shout at Syah four times because of this. Finally, towards dusk, he talked to her continually so she would stop wandering off in a different direction.

***************

Two days before they were to arrive in Rivendell, Legolas decided to set up camp by a river. Mostly to let Syah wash before she met Lord Elrond. She would feel uneasy enough due to the reaction the lord would surely have to her. The elves of Mirkwood had quite a reaction to her, but none as strongly as his father’s or himself. He hoped she would not be overwhelmed by the attention she was sure to get in Rivendell. It worried Aras and Hathol as well. Syah did well in silence and when she was out in the open, but when she was confronted by others, like her father, she seemed to grow uncomfortable. She liked small numbers of people. She was comfortable with just the three of them.

To him, Syah seemed to grow closer to the three elves around her. But she still refused to allow them entrance into her heart. No, they were in her heart. It was her soul that she refused them entranced. That wall was still up and well guarded. He prayed to the Eldars that he could change that. Not only for her sake, though she was the most important thing, but for his as well. A part of him longed to be let in where she wouldn’t let him. The feeling burned at times it was so strong. But he would not let her see this. She was like an elf in the way of observation, he needed to careful at all times. And that night, when she finally fell asleep, the urge to hold her grew stronger than ever.

**********************

Syah was caught in awe. She couldn’t move. Rivendell was beyond beautiful. It was...exquisite! This was just too much to take in. Never had she seen a place like this before. Her home was the forest, but she could see why one would live here forever.

*Aras, lead her horse.*

She slowly slipped out of her daze when she felt Edhel moving beneath her. “Sorry,” she smiled.

The three shook their heads. Legolas looked back at her, grinning. *So you do not wander off of a cliff, hiril nin!*

Syah laughed out loud at this. She knew well and good what he had just said!

When they passed through a gate, they all dismounted. An elf came to collect their horses. He stopped when he saw Syah. She immediately knew the look upon his face. He as well had sensed something in her. He saw her barriers.

“Gohena nin,” the elf said and led their horses away. He looked back once at Syah before disappearing from sight.

Syah turned to Legolas. “Will I get that often here?”

He knew what she had asked. He had been expecting it. “Aye, hiril nin.”

She nodded to him. Aras and Hathol walked behind her as Legolas led the way into the house in front of them. It was exquisite inside as well. She felt very out of place suddenly. Her mother and aunt would have loved this. But before she could think to clearly on it, a man met them as they passed through the door.

“Mae govannen, Legolas,” he smiled.

“Suilaid, Lord Elrond.”

Elrond than turned to greet Aras and Hathol. That is when he saw her. The three elves had walked to one side of her, not but a few feet from her.

Syah, through years of loss, had kept her calmness in check. Though she was a tad nervous at the reaction this elf was having towards her. What was she to do? Was he royalty as well?

Elrond inwardly shook off his shock. He bowed slightly to her. *Welcome to my home, hiril nin. I have not felt one like you in many years.*

He had said what the King had said to her at their first meeting. What was she that they had this reaction to her? She could tell what he was saying to her.

“i eneth nín, Lord Elrond of Rivendell.”

Hathol had taught her how to introduce herself during their journey. “i eneth nín, Syah.”

Hathol was very proud at that moment. He had taught her well. She had spoken perfectly.

*Can you speak much, Sindarin?*

Syah shook her head. “I am learning.”

Elrond nodded to her.

*She is learning slowly. Though she seems to understand us with ease.* Legolas stated.

*There is a reason for that. I will explain it to you later. She must desire a decent bath and clean clothes.*


Syah looked to Legolas for translation. She smiled when she heard the word for bath and the word for clean.

*I will take that as a yes,* Elrond smiled.

He called out a name and a woman entered the room. *This is Ariana. She will see to your needs. Does she need a dress, Legolas?*

*Yes. Though whether or not she will wear it is a different story.*

Aras and Hathol chuckled at this.

But Syah turned to the woman and smiled. “Aphado le?”

They laughed as she followed the woman upstairs to a room. Yes, Syah thought. A nice, long, hot bath. That would be most excellent.

******************

Downstairs in Lord Elrond’s study, Gandalf the Grey had joined them. Legolas related the event that were originally his reasons for coming, to tell of Gollom’s escape. Once relayed, the subject turned to Syah.

“You will understand more when you meet her, Gandalf,” Elrond said. His eyes danced with amazement. “How did she come to you, Legolas?”

Legolas related the tale, from her falling off the tree to the time they left Mirkwood. Elrond and Gandalf were stunned. “So it is true, the legend of the past.”

The three Mirkwood elves turned towards Gandalf, asking for an explanation. The wizard smiled for a moment before answering.


“There was someone like her that came to us once, if she is who Elrond thinks she is. The woman came to us during the first battle with Sauron.”

Elrond jumped in then. “Yes, she had much the same feeling as Syah has. The woman, Sierra, even looked close to what Syah looks like. She was born with the spirit of the forests. But Syah feels like much more. As if...something else beside the forest is inside of her.”

“What of this first woman?” Aras asked. “Why was she sent to Arda?”

“She was sent to aid us,” Elrond said. “She was here to protect the forests but her mere presence invoked a sense of...it is what made us, in part, form The Last Alliance of Men and Elves.”

“What happened to her?” Legolas asked, a little frightened of the answer.

Gandalf smiled. “She vanished.”

“She what?”

“Not vanished, just...left us. I believe she was sent from a future time of Arda. Thousands of years in the future. I do not believe she had a choice in leaving. It broke her heart to leave, it was in her eyes.” Elrond said, saddened by the memory of Sierra’s eyes the last time he saw her.

“So what is the purpose of Syah’s arrival?” Legolas asked.

“I do not know. Gandalf and I will have to spend more time with her. Do you think she will be alright with that?”

Legolas thought on this. “She is...she has many barriers upon her. Could you not see the pain behind her eyes, hir nin?”

Elrond nodded. “Yes, I did. She has a tired soul. She is beginning to shut the world out of her heart and soul. I saw her walls as well. This worries me. Though, I sensed around you three they are not so strong and she fears this.”

The three nodded. Aras said, “I think she will be fine to talk with you one at a time. She is most comfortable outside, in the fresh air. She will no doubt wish to explore this place.”

“Yes,” Legolas agreed. “That will agree well with her. But she will also wish to explore it on her own.”

“That will be fine,” Elrond said. “Let us first have some lunch with our other guests, unless that would be unwise.”

“Keep things small at first, Lord Elrond,” Legolas said. “She will not show it but all of those eyes upon her will overwhelm her self of calm.”

Elrond stood from his desk. “Then let us eat in private, my friends. And we shall decide what to do from there.”


Chapter 8 - Chapter Seven

Syah had to force herself to leave the warm water of the bath. Ariana had put in bath scents, they smelled a lot like Lavender or maybe Lilac. She had washed her hair and it felt wondrous to be clean. When she had finally gotten out of the bath she noticed that Ariana had left her a dress to wear. A dress. She hadn’t worn a dress since her mother’s funeral, and even then her aunt had to practically put it on her herself. After drying herself Syah walked over to the dress and touched it. It was soft, with lace and silky cloth- though she wasn’t certain it was indeed silk. She looked at it for several minutes before deciding what to do.

“Oh, what the hell!” she said to herself. “All my cloths are being washed anyway.”

She put the dress on, which was slightly harder than she thought it would be. She felt...feminine. Like a woman, no, like a lady. But, how did she look?

She walked over to the mirror in her room, full length, and looked at herself. Was that really her? She didn’t look like herself in this dress. She was not as tall as the female elves, not by far. She was only 5’4. But the dress fit her like a glove. It hugged all the right places without making her look...well, like a wanton. The dark green and gold colors matched her eyes and went well with her brown-blonde hair. Or would go well with her hair, as soon as she did something with it.

Just as she was sitting down to comb her hair there was a knock at the door. “Come in.”

And in stepped Ariana. She smiled widely when she saw that Syah was wearing the dress. *Let me help you with your hair.*

Syah allowed her to take the brush out of her hand and comb her hair. Ariana let it dry some before styling it. She took only a few strands from both sides of her head and made to small braids, tying them loosing together in the back. Then she placed the loose strands of Syah’s bangs, which were almost as long as the rest of her hair- that was down to her mid-back- and feathered them to the side of her face.

Syah looked again into the mirror. She almost looked exactly like her mother. She turned to Ariana and said, “Thank you.”

Ariana smiled. *You are very welcome. We should head to lunch, Lord Elrond is awaiting you.*

Syah didn’t understand how she had what Ariana had said, but she did. Not in exact words, but something inside of her knew what she had said. She followed Ariana outside to a small balcony. There she met Legolas, Elrond, two men and a woman she had never met. She took the hand that Lord Elrond offered and sat down at the small round table. She was seated between Legolas and Elrond, and that was a comfort to her.
*This is my daughter, Arwen.*

“Nice to meet you,” Syah said, a little taken back by Arwen’s beauty.

*It is my pleasure,* Arwen said. Syah saw the same look most of elves who met her in Arwen’s eyes. *Forgive me, Syah. You take me by surprise.*

Syah had figured this to be an apology and simply shook her head. “Do not worry about it.”

“i eneth nín, Aragorn.”

Syah noted that this man was older than he looked and that he was some sort of...Ranger maybe. He looked like a man who could survive in the wild. “Syah.”

*And I am Gandalf.*

Syah looked at this man. He looked like a wizard. Well, what the people in her time would consider a wizard. She nodded at him. She had a feeling that this small group was due to Legolas. He knew that she would be uncomfortable with all the eyes that would be on her else-wise. She gave him a grateful look and, in turn, he gave her a small smile.

*She seems to understand us well for someone who is a stranger to this land,* Aragorn said as they began to eat.

*She has been like that since her arrival,* Legolas said. *It seems to grow stronger by the day.*

Syah knew they were talking about her. It made her feel uncomfortable because she knew that they knew, at least in part, of who she was. She looked at Gandalf and asked, “Are you a wizard?”

Gandalf looked at her and nodded. “Yes, my lady, I am a wizard.”

Syah was shocked for a moment. She could understand what he was saying. She could hear and understand his words as clear as day. Her eyes must have been huge because the wizard laughed.

“Do not fear, child. I had a feeling you would understand Entish.”

“What is Entish?”

“The language of the Ents, of the trees. Legolas told us of your...run-ins with the trees and I had a gut feeling you would understand what I was saying.”

“That is what the trees are speaking to me? Entish?”

Gandalf nodded, seeing the relief in the girl’s eyes. This young lady was beyond anything he had met before. He could feel and see the spirit of the forest in her eyes. But there was something else, as Lord Elrond had said. Something inside of her he couldn’t name. And her spirit was tired. He could see the walls she had put around herself. This young lady, she was...special.

“Do you know of why I am here?”

“Not in certain terms, no. I know there was one like you before but you are more than she was. There is something inside of you beside the forest.”

Syah could see that the wizard was studying her somewhat. “You see my walls?”

“As do we all. The elves can sense something inside of you, as you know well. But we can speak of this later, in private. I believe the others are gawking at us.”

He smiled as she realized that they were being watched. She was so thankful that she could understand someone, and they her, that she had toned the rest of them out. Legolas raised his eyebrows at her, smiling with his eyes. The others as well were amused by this turn of events.

“Sorry,” she smiled.

*Do not think on it,* Elrond said.

The rest of lunch was spent in a comfortable silence. When they did talk it was mostly about their journey from Mirkwood. After lunch, Gandalf asked if she would like to join him for a walk. Syah agreed in a heartbeat and they excused themselves from the others. She turned to look back at Legolas and he smiled at her, his eyes gentle and reassuring. She then turned back to Gandalf, and they walked away from the House of Elrond.

******************

“This place is beautiful.”

“Yes,” Gandalf said. “There are few places like it.”

“I have lost much in my life,” she said out of the blue. “I put the walls up so I wouldn’t feel the pain of loss again. Not as strongly anyway. It brings me fear to think of letting someone inside my soul again.”

Gandalf nodded, sadness in his eyes. He had seen this in people before but not as strongly, not as deep. “I understand, Syah, why you would do that. I see that Legolas, however, is wearing down those walls.”

Syah didn’t speak for a moment as they walked. What of that elf? What could she say? “He...he feels familiar and something inside of me stirs in his presence. Aras and Hathol are becoming like brothers and this scares me. I cannot...I know not the words to describe the fear I have of letting them inside of me. The pain would be too much to bear.”

“You feel things stronger than most,” the wizard said. “The forest feels it, your fear of letting people in. I cannot name what else is inside of you, of what else is in your soul, but I sense that it has something to do with how deeply you feel things. Did your mother feel things as you?”

Sadness filled Syah at the mention of her mother. “She had the spirit of the forest in her as well, though not half as strong. And her sister did also. As well as their mother.”

“So it runs on your mother’s side of the family?”

“Yes. It seems to go back to my great, great, great, great grandmother. No one knows why. So when I began talking to trees and such, no one treated me like...like I was crazy, or out of my mind. Though, it did strike them as odd that it was stronger in me. My aunt told me a story once, after my mother died, about the first time she heard me talking to the trees. No one had ever done that before. The forest was in them and they felt it, but never had they talked to a tree and had it talk back.”

Gandalf thought on this for a moment. “We will try and figure this out. But you should try to let people inside again. Even if it starts with a friend. No one should have to feel the loneliness of life as strongly as you. And, so you know,” he smiled. “You are not in a different world, just a different time. Thousands of years no doubt separate you from our time and yours.”

Syah nodded, glad to know she hadn’t been kidnapped by aliens. “Gandalf, I can feel the darkness in this time. The forests are worried.”

They sat on a bench overlooking the waterfall. Syah found this wizard comforting. Maybe because he could talk to her and understand her, but it was more than that. He had lived a long life and he definitely had knowledge far beyond her.

“There is a darkness rising, an evil. His name is Sauron. And...there is only one way to destroy him.”

“Please tell me,” Syah said, suddenly feeling a desperate need to know what was happening around her. Of why she was here and who she was.

And so it was that Gandalf the Grey told the story of Sauron to Syah. Of the rings he forged and the One Ring to rule them all. She had a right to know what she had been thrown into. And, he feared, the quest she would soon be embroiled in.

**********************************

Legolas watched as Gandalf walked back to the house with Syah. She looked so beautiful, so much like the lady she was. His throat knotted as he rested his eyes upon her. She felt familiar to his soul. Every time he saw her something in him stirred. But his thoughts were interrupted by someone.

“You love her.”

Legolas turned to see Aragorn behind him. “It is more than that.”

Aragorn nodded in understanding. “I know what you mean.”

“She has closed her soul off to people. Not her heart, her soul.”

“She is in fear of what will happen if she lets someone in,” Aragorn said. “She has lost much and her soul is getting tired. Though, you are breaking her.”

“I am trying to help heal her.”

“Give her time, Legolas. Give her time to adjust to this new place, this new time. To you.”

Legolas nodded, and left with Aragorn to greet Gandalf and Syah downstairs. As his gaze met hers in that moment, when he was still coming down the stairs, that his soul acknowledged who she was.

His.

And he was not letting her go.


Chapter 9 - Chapter Eight

Legolas and his friends were busy the following week and a half. She mostly stayed with Ariana, who showed her around Rivendell and introduced her some of the elves they had passed. Though they all kept a watchful eye on her, she had managed to explore Rivendell on her own. It was a splendid place, as were the elves there. After the initial shock of feeling her, they became quite welcoming and warm.

She had met others as well. Gandalf had introduced her to people called Hobbits; Frodo, Sam, Pippin, Merry and Bilbo. She met a dwarf named Gimli. And a man named Boromir, whose jaded and overburdened eyes seemed eerily like her own. He had seen too much himself. Heard too much, felt the burden of being alone for too long. Syah could tell he had been put in a place, maybe by his parents, that he wasn’t sure he wanted be. But she couldn’t seem to think on it too long. And she knew why.

She had chosen to ignore the look that quickly swept through Legolas’ eyes one week ago. She had chose not to think on it, but found she had no choice in the matter. She had to work it out or it wouldn’t go away. For just a moment his jaw had tightened and his expression was set. She wasn’t sure exactly what that look meant at first but once she was alone with Arwen, before supper one evening, she suddenly realized what it meant.

“He loves me.”

Arwen saw the fear spread through Syah so swift at this revelation that she thought the poor girl was going to faint from it. Her breathing began to quicken and she was have trouble controlling it. *Do not fear this, Syah. Just breathe for now. Just breathe.*

As Arwen began to sing to her, Syah felt her breathing go back to normal. She let Arwen hold her for a few minutes until the initial panic left her. Legolas loved her. No, he was in love with her. What was she going to do?

*The look he gave you, I saw it.* Arwen paused to make sure that Syah was understanding her. When Syah nodded, she continued. *Something inside of him stirs for you also. You have let him into your heart, why not your soul?*

Syah shook her head and stood from the bench they were sitting on, out on the balcony. “No. No, Arwen. You don’t understand. I can’t! It is too much for me.”

Arwen gave her a sad smile. She had feared that Syah would discover this too soon for her to handle. The young woman had a wall around her soul so thick it would take...well, something very strong to break it. But Legolas was rubbing this wall, and wearing it down. This brought great fear to Syah. Arwen could see that she had lost far too much, far too soon. She felt things deeper and greater than even most elves. She wondered why that was. But that was not now important. Retrieving Syah’s sense of calmness before supper was.

*You have nothing to fear from him.*

“You don’t understand, Arwen,” Syah said, her calmness coming back as she again sat down. “It is not him I fear.”

Understanding dawned on the Evenstar’s face. She now knew why Syah was so reluctant to let Legolas, or anyone, inside of her soul again. If she didn’t let anyone in, then she wouldn’t feel the pain of loss. But more than that she wouldn’t feel the loss. Feel. Syah felt things like Galadriel saw things. She was partially an empath. Why had no one saw this until now? The answer was clear. No one saw because Syah wouldn’t let them see. Her inner calmness hid her empathic abilities. Syah probably didn’t even know she was an empath. The poor thing!

“Henion, Syah. Henion.”

“I feel things too deep. You know why.”

Arwen nodded. *I will let Gandalf explain this to you, Syah. He can speak to you better than I.*

There was a short silence following their conversation, it was broken by Ariana letting them know it was time for supper. Arwen sat beside her, and Syah was grateful. It kept her calmness in check.

Lord, Syah thought to herself. She needed to get herself together. Her inner calmness was still intact. She would except what life threw at her. But her outer walls were crumbling. She had to put them back in place before she did something stupid and let someone inside her soul again. What was wrong with her!?

**********************

When Syah retired to bed, the rest stayed at the table where they had also eaten lunch. Arwen explained to them why Syah felt too much. This hit Legolas hard. Not because she was an empath but because no one but Arwen had picked up on it. Why had he not seen it? How could he not have known?

“I picked up on this also,” Gandalf said. “When I was talking with her, the first day she was here, I realized just how much she felt things. Though, I did not realize that she was an empath. She does not know this about herself. Only that she feels things too deeply, too hard. That, in part, is why she put up her walls. So she couldn’t feel the pain that hits her so deep. It is why she is so frightened to let someone in.”

Elrond took this in. “But there is something else beside this. That is not what we all are feeling from her. The spirit of the forest is strong within her, this we know. But what is the other thing that is inside of her. You do not just become an empath. It is past down from generation to generation. Mostly from mother to daughter. Males sometimes get this gift but not as often. You all know this. Somewhere in her bloodline there lies the key to the other half of her being. Her bloodline holds the answers.”

To this they all agreed.

“This may be a far stretch to make,” Aragorn started, “but do you think mayhap, somehow, she has some elvish blood in her?”

This made everyone go silent. Normally, most elves would sense their blood in a human. But Syah was not just a human.

“This could be. But she will need to be around someone who can break down those barriers she has in order to tell,” Elrond said. “Someone who can see as she feels.”

“You wish for her to join the Fellowship?” Legolas said, not sure he completely liked the idea.

Elrond nodded. “She needs to go to Lothlorien, to see Galadriel. She is the only one who will be able to see the truth of what Syah is.”

“Is this a wise choice?” Aragorn asked. “I have no doubt she can survive in the wild, that she can bare burden’s that are beyond most. And I have no doubt that she would be an asset. But she has seen and felt so much already. Should we add to that?”

It was Gandalf who spoke. “I have a feeling that this journey will help heal part of herself. That she will grow to understand that feeling things as strong as she does is not always a bad thing. However, I also feel that she will be able to help Frodo bear the burden of the Ring.”

“What do you mean?” Legolas asked.

“I mean that because she feels things so much stronger that she might be able take some of the power of Ring from getting to Frodo.”

Legolas thought on this. “You are saying that she will be able take in some of the Ring’s influence, just enough to sway its affect on Frodo?”

“Yes, that is what I’m saying.”

“I will let the rest of the Fellowship know of our decision on the morrow. Legolas, you tell Syah that she is going with you.”

Legolas nodded. He wasn’t sure he liked this idea of putting Syah in danger, but they were right about everything they had said. She could have an effect on the outcome of this war. Perhaps enough to win it. And she would be with him. Near him, where he could see her with his own two eyes.

As he stood to leave the table he concluded that this was indeed a good idea.

*******************

-Two Months Later-

Syah dressed in the outfit that she had arrived in this land in. Her hiking boots were still in good condition so she decided to just wear those. She packed the pair of pants and undergarments that Marien had given to her, and the two more that Ariana had made for her. She had the pain medicine refilled and got two more bottles to put in the pouch. The pack she had was small but she managed to fit everything inside without a problem. She wasn’t sure if she was ready for this quest, but if this was the turn life wanted her take she would take it. As she always did.

Arwen walked into her room a few minutes after she had packed, to tell her it was time to go. She handed Syah some cloths for her period and Syah thanked her.

“I don’t know why I am taking these. I haven’t had my monthly since I arrived in Rivendell.”

Arwen nodded, understanding her now because Syah had learned to speak Sindarin like she had grown up with it. “I know not why it stopped coming, but you have been assured by Ariana and my father that it is not to worry about. Those are just in case it decides to come back.”

Syah smiled. “Just in case.”

Arwen smiled back at her. “Be safe, Syah. You are precious to me, like a sister, and I wish not to lose you.”

Syah nodded. She had let Arwen into her heart, but she was unsure of letting her into her soul. No, that had not changed. “I will miss you also. And you will see me again. Even if it is just in your dreams.”

“Try to let them inside Syah. Especially Legolas. You know he loves you. And you know you love him, though you stubbornly refuse to admit it.”

“No, I admit to myself that I love him. I refuse to let him in on the knowledge.”

Arwen laughed. “Maybe you should befriend Boromir more. You and he have much in common, as you know.”

“He has the same look in his eyes as I do,” Syah said. “I will try Arwen. I will try.”

This was good enough for Arwen. She hugged Syah before they stepped outside of the house. She had been told of her empathic gifts, and Syah seemed to take it well. She had had a gut feeling that there was a reason for her feeling things so deep and she was grateful she now knew the truth about why. And now they were to leave Rivendell, to unknown fates.

Life had a way of throwing things like this at her. And she, for some unknown reason, felt very up to the challenge of the wild.


Chapter 10 - Chapter Nine

Author's Note: I am sooooo sorry for not updating sooner. I have been very sick. I haven't gone through and check this chapter for grammer because my sinus infection is killing my head. But I wanted to get another chapter up so I hope you enjoy it! And I want to send out a special thanks to StarSplash for continuing to review me!!!!!!!!
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It was the first time she saw Boromir truly smile, and laugh. Her heart warmed at the sight of him with Merry and Pippin. Currently, she was sitting on a rock next to a standing Legolas. She had eaten little, but enough to get her by. They were halfway to Lothlorien and so far it was nothing Syah couldn’t handle. Having grown up in the forest, for the most part, and climbing mountains on a repeated basis, with her survival camp, she was far beyond prepared for the journey.

All the untouched land amazed her. It made her laugh to realize that she was now breathing clean air. The cleanest she had ever breathed. As she watched Boromir and the hobbits, she took the time to reflect on the passing days. In the month she had gotten to know them in Rivendell, and now on the beginning of their journey, Syah had begun to let them in to her heart.

Boromir, whose eyes so closely mirrored her own, was the easiest for her to read. Many burdens had been put upon him as a warrior and a first born. He had spoken to her of it at times and she knew it was his father who put those burdens on him. Though, Boromir had seen things she had not. Heard things she had not. He even spoke of his brother, Faramir, to her. Syah could feel his sorrow and regret as he spoke. He partially blamed himself for his brothers position. But Boromir was strong and loyal and would fight with all he had inside. He did what he said he would do. At this Syah felt jealous. How could he live with all of the loss and hardship and still...share who he was? Bare his soul to those who counted?

Aragorn, the reluctant king- so Legolas had told her, was easy for her to read as well. She understood his reason for fearing his bloodline. She was beginning to wonder what was in hers. And it was fear he felt. Fear that he was just as his predecessor was. That he had the weakness in him. He did not. She felt it somehow. Felt the strength and will power that was inside of his veins. He would not fail as man, a husband, a father. A king. No, he was too strong for that failing. And he would learn this someday.

Gimli. What could she say about that dwarf? He was stubborn and obstinate. But he was also kind and had a sense of humor that often made her laugh until her sides hurt. He had a great amount of pride, though she couldn’t yet tell if this was good or bad. There was no way to perfectly describe him. He was just...Gimli.

The hobbits amazed her with their strength and ways. They were underestimated, and she knew that that would help them through this journey. Though she hadn’t quite picked up the knack of speaking Westron, as Gandalf said it was called, she found she could understand them just the same. Merry and Pippin were constantly telling her about the Shire and their escapades. She delighted in hearing their tales. They would be a handful, those two. Sam was quiet but he had a strength she couldn’t quite grasp. She couldn’t explain it. He would be Frodo’s saving grace and she didn’t know how she knew it but he would be. She picked this all up when her and Sam talked about gardening. She wished he was her gardener, she smiled. Frodo was...he carried the heaviest burden around his neck. She felt the weight of it on him. He often walked beside her for some reason, as if she helped with that burden. But he had strength as well, and she hoped that it would stay with him. As long as Sam was with him she knew it would. But she feared for him inside. Something inside of him would never be the same. She knew how he felt.

Gandalf was a mentor of sorts. He understood her way with the forest and trees more than she did. He had lived long and seen things beyond her imagination. He smiled and answered all of the questions that had her curious and intrigued. She knew that he knew something about her that she did not. But he would not answer that question. He said there was someone else that could answer it better. He did ask her questions about her family though, in Entish so that not all could understand them. She was grateful for his presence.

Then there was Legolas. He was...breaking her walls. She did not doubt her love for him. She was very in love with this elf. And she knew he was in love with her. But it ran deeper than that. There was something inside of them that knew each other. Something deep and hidden. He was dangerously close to her soul and it was frightening her. But how...

Her thoughts were interrupted by Legolas yelling at her to take cover. He grabbed her and threw her into the brush, pressing her against him. She looked up and saw birds. They were not giving out very nice vibes. When they were gone, Legolas let her stand.

“What were those?” she asked as they all out of hiding.

“Spies of Saruman,” Gandalf said. “He has many.”

Syah just nodded in understanding. “What do we do now?”

Maybe she shouldn’t have asked, at least that was her thought days after the question left her lips.They were now walking on snow and were hiking up a mountain.

“What were you thinking about before?”

Legolas’ voice caught her off guard. “Oh. Just all of you.”

He smiled. “Mostly about me, right?”

Syah laughed. “You are full of yourself Prince Legolas. Maybe I should walk back with Boromir.”

“And I would not mind!” Boromir called to her.

Syah smiled back at him. But her smile faded when Frodo fell backwards and into Aragorn. He was alright but he was missing something...

“Boromir, give the ring back to Frodo.”

The air grew tense and uneasy. Syah felt Legolas take her arm gently.

“I care not,” she heard Boromir say. “I care not.”

As they began to walk again, Syah felt Boromir’s guilt at what had just occurred. He was confused and fighting himself. The Ring was beginning to affect him. His feelings were so strong that Syah walked back to him.

“I hope you still don’t mind my company,” she smiled.

He looked at her eyes for a moment. When he realized that she was there to comfort him he smiled back. “No, I do not. Though I imagine the elf does.”

Syah gave him a dirty look and she heard the familiar sound of Legolas’ chuckle. “You two think that’s funny do you?”

She bent down and grabbed a handful of snow, putting it down Boromir’s cloak. “Aye, woman!”

She got more snow and threw it at the back of Legolas’ head. “Hiril nin!”

Everyone except Boromir and Legolas was laughing. Gandalf said, “Do not tempt her more, my friends. We will get no where if you do!”

*********************

The snow was blowing so hard that Syah had to hold on to Boromir’s cloak for support. She had never walked in snow this bad before. She did not like the feeling she was getting up here either. They were not safe!

Legolas swept by her, walking on the snow. He was listening for something. “There’s a foul voice in the air!”

“It’s Saruman!” Gandalf said.

Words were exchange by Gandalf and before she knew what was happening snow was burying then all. She couldn’t breathe! Her arm was caught on something! She felt someone grab her then suddenly she could breath again.

“Meleth nin, are you alright?”

The concern etching the Prince’s face nearly put her to tears. She touched her hand to his cheek. “I am fine, Legolas. Thank you.”

Something passed along his face. It was quick but she did see something. Like...hope. “Legolas...”

“The Ring bearer shall decide!”

She heard Gandalf say. It was shortly followed by Frodo’s voice. “We will go through the mines!”

She felt something sweep through Gandalf then. Something like fear. What was in those mines? What would make Gandalf feel this way? It was an unsettling feeling, to say the least.

*****************

A feeling of dread struck her again as they began to walk through the doors of Moria. She felt like she couldn’t breathe again. She couldn’t really hear what Gimli was saying. She stopped walking when she realized that she was walking on bones, and bodies. She backed into Aragorn in shock.

“This isn’t a mine,” Boromir said. “It’s a tomb.”

She heard his words but was frozen until she heard Frodo cry out. She ran out the door. “Frodo!”

Gandalf grabbed her by the hood of her cloak. What the hell was that thing?! A giant octopus! She struggled to get loose of Gandalf but he wouldn’t let her go. She kept screaming Frodo’s name. His fear was running through her. She needed to get to him.

“Everyone into the Mines!” She heard someone scream and she felt Gandalf pull her back inside. She finally was able to run when the monster outside collapsed the entrance. They couldn’t get out.

Light suddenly appeared from Gandalf, and she looked to see if everyone was okay. Frodo was suddenly beside her, in front of her actually. He calmed his breathing when her hand touched his small shoulder.

“We have no choice but to face the endless dark of Moria...”

Great, Syah thought. Just great.
______________

Meleth nin- my love (sindarin)
Hiril nin- my lady


Chapter 11 - Chapter Ten

They were lost.

Or, as she liked to put it, misplaced. Misplaced in the bowels of darkness with lord knew what. But she had faith that Gandalf would remember the way. After all, he was Gandalf, a great wizard. He just needed a moment to jog his aged memory.

She was standing beside Legolas, leaning against a rock. It was an amazing mine. She never knew such a feat was possible. The dwarves were truly a gifted race. She would have to ask Gimli to tell her more about his people. Legolas and Gimli seemed to have a back and forth bantering going on. She knew through Aragorn that elves and dwarves did not go near each other. They normally did not get along. She wondered why this was. She would have to ask both Gimli and Legolas to explain this to her.

“Huh! I remember.”

Syah almost fell forward from the sudden announcement. Legolas caught her just in time. She smiled at him as they began to walk down the stone stairs. They were down very deep. Not as deep as the mine went, this she knew from when she looked down at the Mithril, but still deep. She had been in caves, she loved caving, but this was different. She felt like she was in a different world. Though, her gut was telling her they were in danger. That something was in this mine. Something dark and ancient. Thus, she stayed close to Legolas and Boromir.

When they entered a great room, and Gandalf announced where they were, Syah found herself again in awe. People built this room, she thought to herself. What great hands had forged this place? But her thoughts were interrupted by Gandalf.

“Gimli!”

The gut feeling that had been gnawing at her grew. Her stomach turned at the sight of Gimli on his knees before a stone coffin. These people were part of his family. And they were all dead. She and Boromir placed a hand on each of his shoulders as Gandalf read from a book.

“...Drums, drums in the deep. We cannot get out. We cannot get out...”

A crash startled her away from Gimli’s side. “Oh...Pippin.”

“Fool of a Took!” Gandalf said.

Syah felt sorry for the poor hobbit. He was always out of place. But she did not have time to ponder this. Low, at first, but growing louder was the sound of drums. As the men tried to block the door, Syah drew her sword. The sword of the King of Mirkwood. She stood in front of the hobbits with Gandalf.

“Stay next to Gandalf,” Aragorn told the hobbits. “Syah, try to next to the little ones.”

Syah nodded. Though she knew it would not be that easy. Soon there were goblins rushing through the door and she was fighting them off the best she could. She was separated from the hobbits before long but she knew whereabouts in the room they had scattered. She saw that there was a goblin ready to strike at Boromir and she ran to him.

“Boromir!” she shouted and beheaded the goblin. She didn’t know where this fight was coming from inside of her but she felt it deep. Very deep.

Boromir caught her eyes for a quick moment. “You are not alone, my lady. Never again.”

The fighting continued until she felt the ground shake. What the hell?

“Troll!” she heard Gandalf shout.

And there before her was a very large...troll. “Holy Hell...”

It was chaos for many minutes. Syah managed to make a deep cut in the trolls leg with her sword, then she was swatted against the wall.

“Syah! Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, Gandalf,” she said as he helped her up.

The troll finally fell from an arrow of Legolas’. Something was wrong, she felt it. Someone was hurt...Frodo!

She turned with the others to where Frodo lay. She was very relieved when he moved. “I’m not hurt.”

Then he revealed the Mithril shirt that Bilbo had given to him. She didn’t have time to thank the stars because they were again running through the great room. What was making those noises? They all stopped as hundreds of goblins surrounded them. Sword still drawn, Syah found herself in the middle of a circle of the Fellowship with Frodo. But then a loud...booming sound came. The goblins scattered rapidly back from whence they came.

“What new devilry is this?” Boromir asked.

“A Balrog of ancient time.”

“So that is what I felt...” Syah whispered but not low enough for Legolas not to hear. He looked at her for a brief moment.

“This foe is beyond any of you. Run!”

Syah looked behind her to see a huge fireball of a beast lurking behind them. “Fuck me!” she screamed in the language of her time. She could not run fast enough! She followed Aragorn down steep winding steps towards a bridge. Aragorn grabbed her just in time for the stairs to split in half.

The staircase began to sway. “Lean forward!”

Aragorn did not let her go until she was safely in the arms of Boromir and they were again running. Across the bridge they flew but they were missing somebody...

Syah felt the breath of death on her skin the moment she saw Gandalf facing that beast. Her heart stopped for what seemed like hours. Just as Gandalf turned back to them, the fiery whip grabbed his ankle and dragged him to the edge. “Fly you fools!”

And he was gone.

“Gandalf!” Frodo screamed, and she felt the hobbits pain like a knife in her heart. He would be wounded greatly by this loss...

Gimli grabbed her arm and she ran out of the mine with the others.

She stopped by Aragorn, who stopped to look back at the others. She knew what he would say and she agreed with him wholeheartedly. Though she strangely did not feel Gandalf’s death, now was not the time to grieve or ponder.

They had to run....

**************************

They slowed to a walk and Syah was thankful. She was feeling their pain and it was stealing her breath away. Thoughts ran through her mind now. Why didn’t she feel the loss of Gandalf? Why did he not feel dead to her? What was happening to her?

She felt the familiar touch of the elf’s hand on her shoulder. She turned to him, her eyes carefully guarding her thoughts and feelings. “Do not hide from me.”

Legolas saw the walls going back up as the words left his mouth. What was he going to do? She was an empath, she was feeling their feelings? His fear grew at the shadows in her eyes.

“Now is not the time, Legolas.”
He nodded, and they again began to run, no jog, into the woods. A feeling of such...familiarity came over her. This place felt very, very familiar to her.

Welcome home, child of Lorien.

The words were inside of her head and she saw a flash of blue eyes. She was startled but not to the point of jumping into the air in surprise. Moments later, they were surrounded by arrows.

She hadn’t felt that coming!

Her hands were in the air when she heard someone say, “The dwarf breathes so loud we could shot him in the dark.”

This almost made her laugh. But it died when she saw who spoke those words. Several eyes were upon her at that moment. Syah turned her head to see that all of the elves surrounding them were staring at her. They must be feeling the forest in me, she thought.

She was beginning to feel naked underneath all of those eyes. It took her a minute to realize that Aragorn, Boromir and Legolas had formed a half circle around her. “I am beginning to feel naked underneath your gazes.”

It came out soft, but clear.

“I am sorry, my lady.”

She locked eyes with, what seemed to be to her, the leader of these guardian elves. “We were caught off guard by you. The lady wishes to see you now. Rumil will bring you to her.”

A blond elf walked up to the half circle. He looked past the three men to meet her eyes. There was something in those dark blue eyes that frightened her. Those eyes...they were so much like that of her mother’s. She didn’t realize she was staring so hard at them.

He recognized her somehow also, she could feel this, and he was confused as well. “i eneth nín, Rumil. Aphado nin, hiril nin.”

But the wall of men in front of her would not move. She felt their tension and concern. That they did not want her out of their sight, even here. Even here? What was going on?

“Please let me pass,” she said to them.

“She will come to no harm here,” she heard the leader, or Captain, say. “You know this.”

“One of us should be with her,” Boromir said.

Syah sighed. “Let me pass, gentlemen. I will be all right.”

It took them a few moments but they moved out of her way. She followed Rumil away from her friends.

“We will not be far behind you, my lady!”

Syah turned back and smiled at them. All of the men, including the dwarf and hobbits, had spoken in unison.

Her heart sang.

*******************

As Rumil walked beside her, Syah could feel his confusion. He reminded her of someone, and something about him pulled at her insides as well. These woods were familiar also. But why? And why had the voice in her mind said ‘Welcome home’? Why did Gandalf not feel dead? Was she that detached?

A warning sounded in her mind and shook her out of her daze. A tree again. No wonder Aras called her Mist Laes, it meant Wandering Baby.

She found Rumil staring at her wide eyed. She managed a small smile and said, “This happens sometimes. I do it often. Often enough for Aras, of Mirkwood, to call me Mist Laes.”

The elf actually smiled at her. “I see. Let us not keep the Lady waiting.”

She had no doubt that Rumil was talking about Lady Galadriel. Was that who she heard in her mind?

When they came upon the home of the Lady Galadriel, Syah almost fell over from shock. It was amazing. Everything about this time was amazing. But this...this was amazing.

Rumil led her into the heart of this new place, and to a fountain. He asked her to wait there. She felt his need to ask her something but he did not. He bid her farewell and left her there alone.

Alone. Why did this...loneliness always come to her? She wanted back with her friends. To hear Gimli and the hobbits laugh. To see Aragorn and Boromir. To...feel Legolas beside her. Oh no! Her walls were coming down just thinking about them! She had to stop doing this. She didn’t know why Gandalf didn’t feel dead to her but it was not because she did not let him into her soul. Something was happening to her! Something in her blood wanted out and it frightened her more than anything now that she was in this place. What was wrong with her?!

“Nothing is wrong with you, child of Lorien.”

Syah jumped against the fountain at the sound of the melody-like voice. She turned to see a woman, dressed in white with long blonde hair and blue eyes. Blue eyes...she almost glowed!

“I am Galadriel, Lady of these woods. I do not know your true name.”

Syah watched as Galadriel stopped walking, standing but a few feet from her. “I am Syah Beltain.”

“Syah...” the Lady smiled knowingly. “You have much on your mind. It is chaotic, to say the least.”

Syah nodded. She did not speak as she stared at the beauty in front of her.

“Do you wish to bathe first? Or would you like a taste of what I have to share with you?”

Syah thought on this for a moment. She did smell of the wild, and of the blood of goblins but... “This place feels very familiar to me.”

“As it should. I cannot tell how or why, but you are a child of these woods. I have seen it. But I will need to see into your mind before I can be sure.”

“Do you know how I came to be here, in this time, my lady?”

Galadriel nodded. “The forest called to you but someone sent you to us, to aide the Fellowship in their quest.”

“Someone?”

“Yes. I will need to see into your mind for this as well, to get a name and face, but someone indeed sent you to us.”

Syah took this in. “Letting you into my mind would...feel like a betrayal to my friends.”

Galadriel smiled sadly at the girl in front of her. Syah was indeed a child of Lorien, she felt this very strongly. But the walls the girl had built were strong as well. Much pain had to be felt before those walls could be built, and Galadriel knew that Syah felt she was better off truly alone rather then feel that kind of pain again. She felt it would destroy her. Kill her. No, worse, that it would utterly defeat her. But there was something in the girl that shook even her, the Lady Galadriel. Syah had many things running in her veins. The spirit of the forest, which was lain by the soul of an Ent Wife. The soul of a warrior, that was lain by a King of men. There was elf blood in her as well. And there was something else. Something she couldn’t quite place. Something that ran very deep, and very ancient. Before her time.

“My Lady...?”

Galadriel came back to face Syah. “You fear letting them into your soul. But they know you Syah. They know that you fear that you will be broken by the loss of one of them if you let them in. But you will not, they know this as well. Pain and loss are a part of life, my dear. You feel things strongly, because you are an empath. Many things touch you deeper than even an elf could imagine. Because of this you are afraid to let them past your heart and allow into your soul.”

Syah nodded, close to tears. “Many things are happening to me that I do not understand. My walls are weak around the Fellowship, especially Legolas. They are going to break them down and I am very frightened of this. I, unlike you and them, do not think I could handle that loss.”

Galadriel took her hand, placing her other one on Syah’s cheek. “You are stronger than you know, Syah Beltain. But you are tired now, and have many things running through you mind. You need rest. I will have one of my elleths take you to your own talon. There, you can bathe in peace and get much needed rest. We will speak of this later, when you are rested.”

Syah bit back her tears. “Thank you, my Lady. Thank you.”


Chapter 12 - Chapter Eleven

Syah was enjoying her bath immensely. Corah, the elleth that Galadriel had sent her with, helped her wash her hair before leaving her alone. She left Syah a sleeping gown, it was thin and light and looked very comfortable. So did the bed. All thoughts had fled her mind when her body hit the hot water but now that she was alone they came flooding back. Galadriel was right. She had strength, but a lot of fear. Could she handle letting them into her soul? Would that be so bad?

And what of Gandalf? The others mourned him, she could feel them now. But to her, he was not dead and gone. Why was this? Could he have survived the fall with the Balrog? She did not think so yet she could feel him like he was alive. Like he was still breathing life.

Something came over her then. Sadness. Boromir’s sadness. He was thinking of his home, his family. He was feeling guilt and pain. Should she go to him, or let him be alone for now? Sometimes loneliness did help, she knew this well. Her heart broke for him but she decided to let him be for now.

She felt Legolas mourning for Gandalf. And his worry for her. He wanted to see her but she felt him hesitate. Maybe Galadriel told him to let her rest. As she should be doing now. She stepped out of the water reluctantly and dried off. She put on the gown and climbed into the bed. For now, she just wanted to sleep.

********************

When she woke, Corah was in her talon. “Good morning, Lady Syah.”

Syah smiled at her. “Good morning, Corah. How are you?”

“I am well, thank you,” the elf smiled. “And you?”

“I am doing okay so far.”

Corah waited for her to sit up in bed before placing some food in front of her. “Eat, then you can dress.”

“Something clean I hope.”

Corah laughed. “Yes, my lady. Lord Legolas told me to find you a dress to wear. Something light and comfortable. I have brought you this.”

Syah liked the dress. It was like Galadriel’s except it was light blue instead of white. “It’s beautiful. Thank you, Corah.”

“It was nothing, my lady.”

“Could you please call me Syah, Corah. It would make me more comfortable than Lady Syah.”

Corah smiled and nodded. “Of course, Syah. I will do that. You better hurry up and eat and dress. There are some men who are waiting impatiently to see you.”

Syah laughed at the image that came to her. She wished to see them as well. She hurried through her breakfast and got dressed quickly. Corah insisted that she keep her hair down with this dress. The elf took a wisp of hair from her behind her ears and pinned it back with an elegant clip.

“Now, you are truly a lady, Syah.”

Syah smiled as Corah led her to her friends. Before she left she told Syah, “If you have need of me, just ask.“

“Thank you again, Corah.”

The hobbits ran up to her and hugged her all at once. Boromir and Aragorn embraced her as well. When she reached Legolas she embraced him first, her arms wrapping around him tightly. His held her just as tightly in return. She felt his relief at this embrace. She also noted the look of...passion, in his eyes as she was approaching them.

She smiled when she pulled away from him. “Are you all well? I have felt your loss all night.”

Aragorn answered. “We are well, Syah. We were more concerned for you. Are you well?”

Syah nodded slowly. How could she tell them that she didn’t feel Gandalf was dead? “I am well, my friends. Actually, I think I am expected by Lady Galadriel this morning. I think I will go look for her. On my own.”

“Take care you don’t walk into any trees, Mist Laes,” Legolas smiled.

Syah turned back and said, “That name is for Aras only. Think of your own!”

They smiled as they watched her walk away. Boromir sighed. “I wish she would let us in. I wish we could heal her.”

Aragorn nodded. “I wish that too. But I think we are helping her. We seem to have a permanent place in her heart. That is a start. It will take time for her to let us in deeper.”

“She is fighting herself,” Sam suddenly said. “Her soul wants us in, but she is fighting that feeling like she fought the goblins. Just be patient with her, she’ll come around.”

They all looked at the hobbit in surprise. Frodo said, “You always had a good way with words, Sam.”

“No, I have a good way with plants and flowers. She just needs a little more care to grow...and water.”

At that, the three men and three others hobbits shared a much needed laugh.

********************

Syah was admiring the beautiful woods when she caught sight of Rumil. He was talking to another elf who looked much like him. She leaned against a tree and watched him quietly. He felt so familiar to her, as if she knew him. Not like Legolas, but something even deeper than that. His hair was like that of her mother’s, straight and golden blonde with natural strands that were sun-kissed. And his eyes, dark blue and full of knowledge beyond his years. They too were like her mother’s. She saw her mother then, standing beside the Rumil, smiling at her knowingly. But it was fleeting and didn’t last but a moment, though it still shook her slightly.

“You are watching him quite intensely, Lady Syah.”

She turned to see the ‘captain elf’ standing beside her. She did not even hear him approach. He too felt familiar to her, though she hid this from him. “You know my name?”

He nodded. “We were told about you by Lady Galadriel. I am Haldir, March Warden of Lorien.”

She smiled at him. “I am just Syah, Haldir.”

He smiled back but he looked slightly shaken.

“Are you well?”

“Yes,” he said. “You just...remind me of someone who used to dwell here.”

Syah nodded.

Haldir stared at her for a moment. She looked so much like the Lady Sierra it was unsettling. Her walls were clear for all to see, as was the reason they were there. Her eyes...they were so much like his brother’s true love... “My brother, Rumil?”

Syah gave him a look that made him laugh. “He is your brother?”

“Yes, Syah, he is.”

“Well, that would explain that.”

“What?”

“He seems so familiar to me. Like I know him. You feel the same, as does the elf Rumil is talking too.”

“That is our youngest brother, Orophin.”

They were brothers, and they all felt familiar to her. What was that about? “He looks at me like he knows me.”

“That...is a long story, Syah. Is there somewhere you were going?”

Syah nodded. “To see Galadriel. Will you take me to her?”

He took her arm in his and said, “It would be a pleasure.”

******************

They were at the fountain again. Syah and Galadriel thanked Haldir before he took his leave. “He feels familiar to you?”

“As does Rumil and Orophin...and this place.”

Galadriel gave her a small smile. “I imagine they look at you the same way.”

“Yes.”

“It is because you remind them of someone that was close to their hearts, all of our hearts.”

“Haldir told me the same thing. Well, he basically told me the same thing.”

Galadriel nodded. “You came to see me, my child.”

Syah took a deep breath. “I want to know what is in my blood.”

Galadriel smiled to herself. “I will have to see into your mind for this. You will have to open to me.”


“I understand.”

Galadriel sat down beside her on a bench near the fountain. She looked into Syah’s eyes and took both of her hands in hers. “I will most likely feel what you feel as well, because you are an empath. This is what was meant to be, do not be afraid to let my see...”

It only took a fraction of a second for Syah’s mind to burst open once she took down the block she had up in her mind. Memories flooded her and the tears flowed freely. She saw her grandmother, first teaching her to make cookies when she was four, then in a hospital taking her last breath. And even though she was only six when they died, she saw her mother, beautiful and sweet and funny. Her father, strong and brave and determined she know that he loved her. Both so full of life. She remembered them showing her how to ride a pony, how to fly a kite. Playing games with her and showing her the marvels of the forests. Her mother singing her to sleep. Her father telling her stories. The way they smelled. Their eyes, their faces, their laugh, their tears, their strength, the feel of their arms.

Then she remembered the accident. She was sitting in her aunt’s lap at a small outdoor cafe in town. She saw the truck hit her parents car. Her mother flew out of the windshield, from the impact she was later told. The car caught on fire and she could hear her father screaming and screaming. Then, he stopped. She never saw him again. And she remembered her mother’s last words as she lay dying in the hospital...

“...You are my sunshine, my only sunshine...be brave for me, little one. Be brave and live life as your father and I taught you too....”

She remembered the pain she felt, so deep and cutting. She never thought she’d heal from it. Then memories of the happy times with her aunt and Bane came flooding back. They taught her so much about life and the forest. She remembered her conversation with her aunt that night on the porch of Bane’s cabin, the one about her talking to the trees. Her aunt telling her stories of the Beltain family and their link with the forest and the wild. Then her aunt died, and she felt that just as deep if not deeper than her parents death. Memories of Bane teaching her about the survival camp. Then he died. And she felt that just as hard as the others. She remembered his funeral and the days after, she was numb. So numb that she had blocked everything out, until one day when she was sitting on the porch of the cabin. She looked up at the moon, she heard the trees talking to her. And it all came flooding in.

There was too much pain! So much pain! She couldn’t breath! She collapsed on the porch and cried so hard she passed out, then cried more when she woke a few hours later. She cried for days. She grieved for days. She cried until there were no more tears. Her soul had been ripped out of her body and she went numb again. She was numb for weeks. Then she took over the survival camp, she threw herself into her work and into taking care of the horses. She was like that for almost a year. Then she came to the conclusion that they did not wish for her to live like that, so she slowed down. She relaxed and took long walks, letting the forest and trees calm her. She learned to enjoy the wild again, nature again, like she had been taught growing up.

Her memories then came to the night on the porch when she let her tears fall down her face, silent and freely. And she woke up in Mirkwood...

When Syah broke her contact with Galadriel, the Lady was crying. She took Syah into her arms suddenly, holding her tight. “Oh, child...”

A few minutes later, Lady Galadriel was herself again. She stood and walked to the fountain. “I see now why you fear to let them into you soul. But from your memories I can see that you realized that your loved ones did not wish for you to live in such a way. Mayhap, you should think on that.”

Syah nodded. She was tired. Tired from reliving the pain. But she needed to know who she was...

“Your gifts run on your mother’s side of the family?”

“Yes,” Syah said, standing up as well. “My mother, aunt and grandmother all were like me, except they did not talk to trees or feel things as strongly as I. We can trace it back to my great, great, great, great grandmother.”

Galadriel smiled. “Your mother, she looked a lot like Rumil. I believe I know why but I do not wish to guess at such things. I do not want to tell you lies. You have elf blood in you. An elf from this wood. I believe it is from Rumil. It is a long story and I believe you will have the truth of it during your quest, therefore I will not dwell on it. You also have the soul of a warrior in you, from a King of Men. You have the spirit of the forest in you, which comes from the soul of an Ent Wife. Though, I do not know how that became a part of you or your family line. Mayhap it is due to your...very great grandmother.”

Syah smiled at Galadriel. Very great grandmother...

“I also believe that you have something else in your blood. Something I cannot name, something I cannot see. It is very strong, very strong. And very ancient. But as I said, I do not know what it is.”

Syah took all of this in. She was 25 years old, and it had been a little over a year since Bane’s death. Yet, she took this information in stride. Mostly because she knew not what to do with it.

“You will sort it out, I assure you,” the Lady smiled. “It will take time, Syah, but it will come.”
Syah nodded. “I understand that. Will you tell anyone else of this day?”

Galadriel understood her question. “I will need to tell Legolas, and Aragorn. Boromir as well. They should know. Do you wish to be here when I do?”

Syah shook her head. “No. I do not wish to see...I do not wish to see their faces or feel what they feel on this. It will be...too much right now.”

“I understand. Now,” she said. “I know you have been through a lot with me this morning. Would like to take a tour of our fair woods?”

“Yes, I would. Though, someone will need to speak to me because my mind wanders...”

Galadriel laughed. “Rumil told me of the other day. And I saw some of your journey with the elves from Mirkwood. I know of Aras’ name for you.”

Syah blushed. “That elf...”

“Come Syah, my husband Celeborn and I will take you for a tour.”

“That sounds great!”

**********************

It was dinner time before Syah was reunited with the Fellowship. She was still tired but refreshed from her walk with the Lord and Lady. They were sitting at a table when Corah and she arrived.

“How was your time with Galadriel?” Legolas asked, searching her eyes. He saw the thoughts running through her mind.

“It was good,” Syah answered as Corah put a plate in front of her. “I...I learned a lot about myself. The Lady is going to speak to you of it before we leave here.”

“Not you?” Boromir asked.

“No. It was too hard the first time,” she said.

Aragorn asked, “All this time was being spent talking of your past?”

She shook her head. “No. The Lord and Lady took me on a tour of Lothlorien. It is amazing here. Though, to tell the truth, I...much prefer Mirkwood.”

Legolas did not hide his pleasure at her words. “And why is that?”
“This place feels familiar. Like a part of me knows it, knows it like I was born here. Mirkwood, with the exception of the spiders,” she paused with a look of displeasure, “feels more like where I grew up. The trees feel like the ones at home.”

Legolas nodded and laughed. “She should know. She walked into plenty of them!”

“Yes,” Boromir laughed. “And a few on the way here!”

“Shut up!”

Everyone at the table laughed, even Corah. When dinner was finished, everyone but Legolas said their goodnights, they were off for a walk. The prince, however, was walking her back to her talon.

“I see much heartache in you this eve,” he said as they walked. “Are you sure you are well?”

“Legolas, I assure you I am well. It has been a long day, though, and I am tired. Lady Galadriel will speak to you of our talk.”

“I am just worried...”

Syah stopped at the stairs to her talon and turned to him, putting a finger to his lips. “Legolas, I am not going to kick you all out of my heart. I just need time to think things through. I have much to digest this night.”

He nodded, staring into her green eyes. She was fighting herself, as Sam had said and as he already knew. He had been with her since the beginning. He just couldn’t stop staring at her. She was so beautiful, so...his. He body and soul stirred for her, burned for her. She looked so much like the beautiful maiden that she was in that dress. A breeze came by and blew her hair into eyes. He removed it gently and let her see a fraction of what he was feeling for her.

Syah couldn’t breathe. His eyes were full of love, part of the love he felt for her. She could feel it in her blood, it touched something inside of her to actually see some of what he was feeling. What should she do?!

Before she knew it, his lips were on hers. It was a gentle kiss, one meant not to scare her but to comfort her. His lips were soft on hers and she began to lose herself. He must have felt this, and the fear it brought to her, because he broke the kiss. His hand caressed her cheek, every so lightly.

“I needed to do that.”

Syah nodded, still feeling dazed by the light kiss.
“Are you angry with me?” he asked.

Syah found her voice and said, “No, Legolas, I am not. It’s just...you are getting so close to breaking my walls. So close, deeper than my heart. A part of me burns for you too. But I am not ready for you yet. I do not know if I am strong enough to handle this yet. To handle letting any of you in yet, especially you.”

He looked in her eyes, pleased that she at least could speak the truth to him. “I will give you time. But know that I am here for you. We all are. There is nothing to fear from us.”

Syah nodded, close to tears. “I need some rest, Legolas. It has been a long day, and I have the feeling that the Lady is wanting to speak with you and Aragorn and Boromir.”

Legolas stepped away from her, slowly. “I will see you tomorrow my lady.”

When he was gone, she was still standing at the bottom of her stairs. What had she just let happen? What had she just done? What the hell had she just done?


Chapter 13 - Chapter Twelve

Author's Note: I know this is moving kind of fast, I am not the greatest at writing action scenes that have been so well done by Tolkien and Jackson. But I hope you are still enjoying the story! Review and let me know!!!!
______________________________


To say that the men before her were in shock was an understatement. Lady Galadriel had told them of what had occurred between her and Syah Beltain. Everything. She felt it important that they know, not for their sakes but for Syah’s sake. The men needed to understand what she was going through and why she refused to let them into her soul. They also needed to know what Syah was made of, what was in her blood, her soul.

“Well,” Boromir said. “This explains much, to say the least.”

Aragorn agreed. “No wonder she did not want to be here. Who would want to relive that pain not once but twice in one day?”

“That is why it is so hard for her to let us in,” Legolas said softly. “That is why she is so afraid of us. That sorrow would have made an elf fade!”

Galadriel nodded. “So you see, brave ones. She was sent here to aide you in this quest. She is already helping Frodo with the burden of the Ring. But I feel she is also here to heal herself. Whoever sent her to us, sent her here to heal. She is much stronger than she knows and it will take time for her to see this, but she has a large roll to play against the Dark Lord. A much bigger role.”

“Thank you for telling us, my lady,” Aragorn said. “It is now clear why she is the way she is with us. And it is clear what we must do.”

Galadriel smiled at this. “And I am certain you will, Ranger.”

**********************

On the way back to their camp, the three talked about what they had just learned.

“This explains so much about her,” Boromir said. “That is why her soul is so deeply hidden.”

“Gandalf’s death must be killing a part of her,” Legolas said.

“We should not force her to speak to us on it,” Aragorn warned. “Let her come to us.”

“We agree,” the two said in unison.

“We must take this slow, we must not push her in any way,” Aragorn continued. “We leave here in two days.”

“That is a smart way of handling this,” Boromir said. “A smart way indeed.”

When Legolas was alone he thought back on Syah. No wonder she had looked so tired. His father had said that she was a tired soul, and it was true. But he had kissed her. He hoped to Eru that he had not panicked her in any way. He would take Aragorn’s advice, he would allow her to come to him when she felt it was right. He felt if he lost her that it would kill him. That he would fade from the pain. But she was human, right? Who really knew the truth of that. She was so many things, mayhap she was not truly human. Only time would tell. And he would help her discover who she was, and how strong she was. He would help her because he was beyond in love with her. She was his. His. Something in him knew her as his and wanted to claim her as his. It was a mystery they would solve together...

***********************

Syah lay on her bed and thought of Legolas. Something inside of her knew she was his, that they belonged together. But she didn’t know why, or how that was possible. Galadriel said that she would discover these reasons on their quest against the Dark Lord, that all of her questions would be answered. She was so many things, so many, many things. How could she work through it all? And now they knew. They all knew what had happened with Galadriel. Would that change how they were to her? Would that change how they felt?

And what of Legolas’ kiss? So soft, so gentle. But it had frightened her. He was getting to close, too soon. She didn’t know how she would handle this.

Go to sleep, Syah Beltain. Rest for your quest.

The Lady’s voice in her head somehow soothed her. She took the advice, however, and willed herself to fall asleep. Maybe the morning would be easier on her mind.

******************

-Two Days Later-

As Syah washed and dress, in pants of course, she thought of what lay ahead. The unknown. Aragorn, Boromir and Legolas did not act differently towards her after they found out about her past. They did seem more understanding and they gave her a little more room to breathe. Aragorn stated that the would not push her, nor pressure her to let them in. They would wait for her to come to them. She was very grateful. Even Legolas, who had kissed her, told her that he would let her kiss him next time. At this she laughed greatly.

But something did not feel right. She felt like she was losing something. But what could that be? She packed her things and Corah led her to the river. Rumil and Haldir met her on the way.

“I wish I could explain who you remind me so much of,” Rumil said.

“You do not have to. Maybe, if the Gods allow it, after the quest we can speak of it. Maybe I’ll have more answers.”

Rumil nodded at her. “You are so much like her...”

“Safe journey, Syah,” Haldir smiled. “May Eru keep you safe.”

“Goodbye, Haldir.”

When they were at the river and the Lord and Lady gave them their cloaks, Galadriel stood in front of her. She handed her a jewel. It was blue, aquamarine, and it was on a silver chain. “This is for protection and a clear mind. May it guide you through your journey.”

“Thank you, Galadriel. You have answered some of my question, at least. Even if they left more questions to be answered.”

The Lady nodded and turned to Aragorn.

In a few minutes they were all in boats. She was with Boromir, Merry and Pippin. Syah felt like she was leaving a home, the kind of home that you went back to visit. It was almost heartbreaking. She kept her eyes on the scenery. Something was so very...off. She tried to shake the feeling but found she could not. She hid it well from the hobbits but she knew Boromir could sense her unease, because he felt it as well.

They were being followed.

That night, at camp, when Boromir stood to leave, Syah felt that feeling of loss come upon her. Like she shouldn’t let him go. “Where are you going?”

“For a walk,” he said, a little startled. “Would you like to join me?”

“Yes. May I?”

“Of course.”

Boromir waited for her to join him. She sounded so afraid of him leaving that it had caught him off guard. What was she so afraid of? Did she think he would leave her? When they were out of hearing shot of the camp, he spoke to her.

“Is there something on your mind?”

“Gandalf.”

Boromir looked at her for a moment as they walked. “You may speak to me of anything.”

Syah felt the loss more now and she leaned against a tree. “I am feeling a sense of loss, but it is not Gandalf’s. I don’t know what is. Something is very off, I have felt since we left Lothlorien. We are being followed.”

“I feel this too,” he turned a concerned gaze to her. “But what of this feeling of loss?”

“I do not know where it is coming from. I just...needed to walk,” she started. “You need not worry about the loss of Gandalf. I...he does not feel dead to me, Boromir.”

“What do you mean?”

“He does not feel dead. Inside of me, somewhere deep, he still feels alive. I can almost feel him breathing. I do not understand this but it is why I do not grieve him. He does not feel dead.”

Boromir nodded. They continued to walk again, though he kept a hand on her back. “Is there something else, Syah? Something else you wish to speak of?”

She nodded. “This is hard for me but I need you to know. You mean a great deal to me, Boromir. Not as a lover would feel but it is more than the love for a brother. Your eyes so match mine...I’m sorry I am having a hard time letting you in. But I do care for you, deeply. And your loss would make me grieve for a long time.”

Boromir took in what she was saying. She was opening up to him. To him.

“You understand me in ways that not even Legolas does. You understand the need for distance. The need to take a step back and take it all in. You have never pushed me or pressured me or tried to lure me into letting you in to my soul. I do want you there. I just...don’t know how to let you in.”

He stopped walking and touch her face. “You will find your way, Syah. You will. And I will be there to help you through it. I know you, I know your needs as I know mine. And we will work through this with you. As I said, you will never be alone again. Even if you lose me in this form.”

Syah let him hold her for a long time. His arms felt safe, felt warm. Oh damn! She could not lose him! She did not want to lose him!

They walked back to the camp and Syah slept next him. She did not want him out of her sight for one moment! The next morning, they were on the river again. And again she was with Boromir. She took a quick glance at Legolas and saw the worry in his eyes. She knew that he could feel her unease and concern for Boromir. That it was unsettling her.

They passed the statues of the kings of old and stopped just before a waterfall. Boromir had gone off for some firewood and Frodo was taking a walk. At the beach, Aragorn asked, “How are you?”

“Something’s off. Something is coming and I feel, no, I sense loss. Boromir’s loss. We are in great danger here.”

They looked at her, worried. They felt the danger but she obviously knew something they did not. That they could lose Boromir.

**************

Syah was walking with Legolas when the first wave of Uruk Hai attacked. There were so many! “I am going after the hobbits!”

Legolas did not want her too but was powerless to stop it. She was an expert warrior, this he admitted. There was definitely a warrior in that woman.

Syah ran as fast as she could, killing Uruk Hai’s along the way. But nothing would stop her from reaching the hobbits and Boromir. And they were together, she could feel it. She was momentarily knocked backwards but she recovered fast. She caught sight of Boromir and ran to him, helping him fight.

“Stay behind us, hobbits!” she shouted as she fought.

She felt the first arrow enter Boromir as if it had struck her. Then the second, and the third. “Please don’t do this!”

“I will never leave you!”

“Boromir!” she heard Merry and Pippen scream.

It did not take long for her to become overwhelmed with enemies. Her sword was thrown from her hand and she was tossed over a shoulder, as were the two hobbits. “Boromir! Don’t you die on me! You hear me? Don’t you dare die on me!”

That was last thing she that she said before a fist connected with her head. Then all went black.

*********************
After Legolas was done singing and Boromir was gone over the falls, it hit the men what they had lost.

“So it was all in vein,” Gimli said.

“We will not leave Merry, Pippin and Syah to die. Not as long as we draw breath. Now,” he said as he took a few steps up a hill. “Lets hunt some orc!”


Chapter 14 - Chapter Thirteen

She was being bounced around...and it did not feel good at all. Her head was spinning and everything was cloudy. She opened her eyes slowly and realized she was bouncing on the shoulder of an Uruk Hai. Oh...she thought. What do I do now? Oh Gods! Merry and Pippin! Syah lifted her head slightly and saw Merry on the back of an Uruk Hai, then she saw Pippin on another. They looked unharmed, but she could feel the dried blood on the side of her face. Which one of them hit her? She would be sure to return the favor...

Then she remembered what had happened. “Boromir...” she whispered. He was dead. The familiar feeling of numbness crept up on her slowly. “Don’t think on it, don’t think on it...protect Merry and Pippin, protect Merry and Pippin...”

As hours past they were still running, but Syah felt a familiar presence. Aragorn. Legolas. Gimli. They were still alive! And following them! Her feelings were confirmed when the Uruk Hai’s stopped and she heard one say, “I smell man-flesh!”. It would not be until nightfall that the three were dropped on the ground as the Uruk’s finally decided to stop. Syah closed her eyes and breathed deeply, calming the dizziness that swept her. She then turned her head to her two friends, their hands bound like hers.

“Are you all right?” she asked, whispering.

They nodded. “And you?”

“I am...okay.”

They were close to each other, but more importantly they were close to a forest. And it felt old...very old. She could feel them trying to reach for her mind. After being separated suddenly from the hobbits, she heard the Uruk Hai’s fighting over whether or not they could eat them. She heard the name Saruman as she tried to free herself of the bonds but found she could not. She stopped trying when the Uruk Hai’s started eating one of their own.

“Oh that’s...nasty!”

She didn’t have time to think on it because horses came charging in. She looked at Merry and Pippin and shouted, “Run! Run for the forest! Run! Run!”

She saw them make a run for it but when she tried to, an Uruk Hai grabbed her ankles and yanked on her. She kicked as hard as she could. “Get off!” she said as she kicked him hard in the gut. He stumbled backwards and she took the opportunity to run then. Syah was certain the riders could not see her, she was behind them now as the Uruk Hai had tried to drag her away. She ran into the forest, hoping to find Merry and Pippin. She knew in her gut that she should have alerted the riders to her presence but she could not do it, she could not leave Merry and Pippin in the forest alone.

Syah had ran deep into the forest before the dizziness hit her again. No! She had to get to Merry and Pippin! She had to get...

********************

For the second time since her arrival in this time, Syah woke up in a tree. But this tree was different. It was holding her! She shook her head slightly, as if to clear her daze, and found that her hands were free of the bonds. Oh this forest was ancient! She could feel it in her blood, in her mind.

“Are you well, spirit of the forest?”

Syah jumped at the deep voice. When she realized the tree was talking to her, she calmed back down. “I am all right? Where am I?”

“Fangorn Forest. Deep inside of it you are,” it said. “You have the soul of an Ent Wife in you. This is strange to me. How did it come about?”

Syah relaxed in the trees limbs. “I do not know. It has always been this way in my family.”

“You have a heavy sense of loss on you. I am sorry, youngling.”

Syah felt tears coming but fought against. This was no time for tears!

“You need to rest some more, youngling. You are safe here, with me. Go back to sleep...”

But it was too late, the loss of Boromir hit her head on. She knew the moment she had woken up on the back of the Uruk Hai that he was gone from this world. She had not had enough time with him! The numbness started to spread over her again, shutting off the pain.

“Sleep, youngling. Sleep and dream...“

******************

-Dreaming-

She was in the forest, Fangorn, and she was standing by the edge. There was a vast plain before her but she stayed inside the forest. It was beautiful to say the least.

“Yes, it is.”

The deep voice behind her startled her. She spun around to see Boromir, who walked up to stand beside her. “Boromir...”

His eyes met hers and she quickly hugged him tightly to her. She held him for what seemed like hours, but surely only minutes. When she let him go, he said, “A dream was the only way I could reach out to you.”

“I don’t understand. Why are you here?”

He smiled at her. “You cannot hide from the pain of my loss, Syah. I felt you starting to go numb when you realized I was dead. Do not do that, my lady. Do not hide from the pain. Do not refuse it release.”

Syah took a deep breath. So much had happened so fast she hadn’t even had the chance to think of Boromir’s death. But she had started to go numb, she admitted. And now the feeling was coming back. He was standing before her in a dream but he would never do that in life again.

“Do you think the pain is less because you never let me into your soul?”

She thought on this for a moment. “Yes. But...”

“But what?” he asked when she stopped speaking.

“But...it does not feel the same. The pain does not feel the same, the loss does not feel the same.”

“What do you mean?”

Syah turned to look out into the vastness again. “When I lost Bane a little over a year ago, the pain and loss were unbearable. That is when I decided that I would be better off shutting my soul off to everyone. That to truly be alone was better than feeling the intolerable loss. And I have lived that way ever since. I did not want to feel the pain, the loss, the emptiness. It was too much for me to bear because I feel things too deep. But then I came here, and it started with Legolas, Hathol and Aras. This place, this time, it feels like home. Everything about it feels right, like I belong here.”

“But...?”

“But I fought letting anyone in. I let you all into my heart, where I still have you. I fought so hard to keep up my walls, I still am. Legolas is far to close for my liking, to say the least. Yet, my walls are breaking and I fear that. Everything is too deep, Boromir,” she said, tears starting to fall. “But when I lost you, when I knew that you were truly dead, the numbness came. I fought it so that I would be strong for Merry and Pippin but it was there. It only means one thing...that I let you in too deep.”

He touched her face with his hand, turning her to face him. “But not deep enough
to truly feel my loss. Not deep enough for there to be an emptiness in your soul.”

Syah shook her head. “I am so sorry, Boromir! I feel like I have betrayed you!”

“You have not.”

“But I have!” she cried. “My heart aches from your loss but my soul does not. And that, son of Gondor, is intolerable to me. I should have let you in, I should have let you touch that part of me but I did not. You deserved that from me. You deserved to have a place in my soul. I am so sorry...”

Boromir pulled her to him, holding her. “My lady, you showed me a part of yourself that no one else has yet to see. The night before my death you let me in deeper than your heart and that gave me hope. Hope that you would heal. Hope that one day the smile would return to your face, the true one. That your green eyes would sparkle with the forest and of emeralds. The fact that I, a warrior and kindred spirit, played a part in that is overwhelming. You opened up to me. You allowed yourself to show me part of your soul. Do not run from my loss, feel it. Let your heart break, let your spirit cry. Feel me, my lady. Feel me...”

She collapsed in his arms, the tears flowing as if a weight had been holding them back. And she cried. Her heart cried. Her spirit cried. She felt his loss deep enough that it shook the walls of her soul.

Then, it happened.

Something broke free. Something inside of her sprung open like a gate and she felt Boromir’s soul run through her. It filled her, comforted her, made her feel safe. It let her know that no matter what she would never be alone ever again. Ever...

*******************

Syah woke but did not open her eyes. She felt...whole. As if someone had filled her and not left. Boromir. He had promised her in life that death would not stop him from being at her side. He was what filled her. He was what completed her calmness. She held on to that feeling, not wanting to let go.

When Syah finally did open her eyes it was to see a familiar face leaning over her. “Gandalf?”

He was bright. A shining white that dimmed as she stood. “I was in a tree...”

“Oh, yes,” he smiled. “The Ash let you down because I asked him too. You look different.”

He studied Syah, hard. There was something different about this girl. She seemed...calm. And at peace. “Your soul is healing.”

Syah nodded, not knowing what to say. “How are you here?”

Gandalf explained to her what had happened. “But you knew I wasn’t dead. You felt me once again draw breath.”

“Yes, I did. It is why I never mourned you.”

He nodded at her. “I need you to do something for me, Syah.”

“What is it?” she asked as they began to walk through the forest.

“The tides are about to turn in this war. I need you to ride towards Gondor, but not all the way.”

“What do you mean not all the way?”

“Stay in the forest until the trees tell you to leave. Then I want you to ride towards Gondor. You will come upon mountains, a haunted path. Stop there. It may take days, weeks maybe, but I need you to do this. I fear Aragorn is going to need your strength.”

Syah was so confused she could not speak for minutes. “What? What are you saying you want from me?”

Gandalf smiled at her. “Go there, Syah. You will know when to stop. Boromir will know.”

Syah nodded, still confused. “And I am to wait there?”

“Yes.”

Syah tried to understand fully of what he wanted but found the wizard just as puzzling as ever. “I will do as you ask. But what of food? Water? A weapon? A horse?”

Gandalf laughed. “Do you think I would make you so unprepared? Here is the sword of Legolas’ father. The Uruk Hai’s took it with them after you dropped it, I picked it up from the scene of their deaths. Gather what you need from the forest. Here,” he handed her a small bag, “are some apples and lembas bread. Make it last. You know the forest, Syah. You know what is safe and what is not. Here is a flask for water.”

“And a horse, Gandalf? Is it imaginary?”

Gandalf sighed. “Boromir is inside of you all right. There will be one waiting for you when it is time for you to leave. It will show itself. Have no fear, the horse, as well as Boromir, will guide you.”

********************

Gandalf prayed that he was making the right decision. He had learned of what Syah truly was, who she was. He had a feeling that the path he had just put her on would answer all of her questions. He hoped, anyway. He was pleased to see that she was healing. Legolas and the others would be pleased to hear this. The elf especially.

Speaking of which....

********************

“So you are saying that she is well?”

Gandalf sighed. How many times would he have to say it before the elf believed him? “Yes. I put her on a different course than us, but she will be well. And, so you all know, she is beginning to heal her soul. Thanks, in big part, to Boromir.”

“What?” Gimli asked.

The wizard explained the best he could. His companions seemed very pleased with this new information. Though, the elf grew quiet.

Legolas prayed that Syah would remain safe. He missed her greatly, his being cried for her. But their paths were different right now. He had no doubt that he would see her again, but the separation was difficult. At least she was well and she knew that they were alive as well. He wished to see her so deeply...

“Do not worry, elf,” Gimli said. “The girl is made of tough stock. She’s probably better off then we are!”

Legolas nodded.

“Legolas,” Aragorn said as they reached the end of the forest. “Syah would want us to concentrate on the war. She would want us to fight. She would want us to do...what we set out to do.”

“And we shall not disappoint her!”


Chapter 15 - Chapter Fourteen

The forest was angry, she felt it through the next few days. Something was happening and she did not know what. She wanted to follow the trees that had walked passed her but she did not, she stayed where Gandalf had told her to stay. She missed her friends greatly. There was a part of her missing for each of them. Ever since the dream with Boromir, she had felt their absence stronger everyday. Especially Legolas. It was as if her soul was slowly letting them in. Slow enough so it did not frightened her. She wondered if Boromir had something to do with that.

She was sitting under a tree, by the edge of the forest, when she heard hoof beats drawing near. She stood up and soon could see a horse. He was solely white and beautiful. Syah held her hand out and it nudged it lightly. “So, you are my horse?”

It grunted softly.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” she laughed. She picked up the small bag that Gandalf had given to her and took one more look at the forest. She was going to miss it...She sighed and mounted the horse. “Well boy, take to where I need to be.”

The horse took off in the same direction that Gandalf had told her to go, as if it knew exactly where it needed to go. The wizard had given her directions but she was glad that the horse knew the way too. This was still a foreign land to her after all. She rode hard for hours, stopping only to rest the horse once and to go to the bathroom. She rode through the night and the next day. Finally, on the third day, Syah stopped to take a dip in a river and to take a nap. She was tired from the riding, though, strangely, she was not as tired as she should have been. Why was that?

As she bathed in the river, she also thought on the changes her body was going through. She noticed that she did not need to rest that often and she still had yet to get her period even once since Rivendell. And she did not need to go to the bathroom that often either. Something was happening to her body and she didn’t know what it was. She had never felt this way before. It was as if it was awakening for the first time. She also noted the changes in her hearing. She had always had excellent hearing but now it seemed more clearer, like she could hear even better. She sensed things more, the slightest movement and she heard it. What was wrong with her?

After a short nap, Syah was riding again. It was chilly so she wore her cloak around her. She did not have her small pack with her, not since the attack, so she had only the clothes that she had on when she arrived in this time. She wished she had clean ones.

It took more than a week, or so she guessed, but Syah finally arrived at the mountains Gandalf was speaking of. She would have been happy to stay at the bottom but the horse thought it prudent to take her to a high ledge. There was an entrance through the mountains, but she was so tired from her endless riding that she fell to ground and fell asleep. The strange sensations she got from these mountain could wait.

She slept for hours, until she felt someone shaking her. “You must wake up, Syah.”

Syah slowly woke, opening her eyes warily. She realized that there was no one around her. She looked at the horse and gave it a glare. “Were you talking to me?”

The horse just stared at her like she had gone mad. Syah laughed at herself. It must have been Boromir...

She ate a little bread then stood and stretched her limbs. It was gray in these mountains this morning. She felt a tugging sensation in her gut. She turned towards the mountain and that is when she noticed the entrance in the mountain. She walked to it, but did not pass through. There was something in there...

“This must be the haunted path that Gandalf was speaking of.”

She could not see far into the entrance but she could feel something. This place was not at rest. It yearned for something. Some type of relief...no, not relief. Release. Something wanted out, in a bad way. She sensed death through that entrance. Many deaths. But it was calling to her, something was calling to her to enter. She didn’t realize that she was walking in until the horse grabbed her hood and yanked her backward. Syah shook the trance away and found the horse stomping its hooves and shaking its head furiously.

“It’s okay. I will not go in,” she said as she turned away from the entrance.

Syah spent the next few days walking about the mountain. Up and down. It got to the point where the horse was looking at her strangely with its head turned to one side. One morning, when she had stood from the ground, she looked out from the ledge she was on. She squinted her eyes, then rubbed them. She could see something in the distance...oh, by the gods! her head shouted. She was seeing men. Hundreds of men! They were a day or two away from her. How could she see this?

And she felt them; Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli. She could feel them! They were alive! “How is this possible?!”

Syah was beside herself, she did not know what to do. She paced the open ledge until the horse grabbed her sleeve and made her sit on the ground. She looked at the horse, not knowing what it wanted. Her mind still reeling from what just happened. The horse sat down beside and laid its head her lap.

“I guess I’m just supposed to sit here,” she chuckled as she pet the horse.

When darkness fell, and the light of the moon was high, the horse stood up. Syah watched it, not knowing what it was doing. Her mind was still trying to grasp at all the new things she was experiencing. Her hearing, her sight, even her empathy was growing. The horse nudged her head, until she was facing the entrance. A smoky haze began to form then, a few moments later, a woman appeared and walked towards her. She looked so much like herself...

The woman smiled as she sat down in front of Syah. “Do you know who I am?”

“No,” Syah said softly, not knowing what to say.

“I am truly here,” the woman said. “This is not a dream. Boromir felt it was time to put some of your questions to rest.”

“I can feel him inside of me.”

“Because that is where he is. His soul, or spirit rather, filled a hole inside of you. It enabled you to heal.”

“Why...why are you here? Who are you ?”

“I am the woman that you remind everyone of,” she said, still looking into Syah’s eyes. “My name is Sierra. I was sent here once also. During the first War of the Ring.”

Syah looked at her, shocked not only by the resemblance but also by this new information. “We have the same eyes.”

Sierra smiled. “Of course we do. I am your great, great, great, great grandmother.”

Syah’s eyes grew wide. She was speechless.

Sierra laughed. “I know this is a shock, but there are things you need to know.”

“But...why now? Why not when I woke in Mirkwood?”

“Because that was not the right time, Syah. Now is the right time. When Boromir came to you and your soul began to heal, it opened a gate. A gate for me to be able to reach you.”

“What do I need to know? What can you tell me? Many things are changing and while they don’t necessarily frightened me, they make me uneasy.”

Sierra sighed, still not breaking eye contact with Syah. “Before I came here I was engaged to a man. He was a good man and I did love him. But while I was in this time I fell in love with another. Fell completely. His name was Rumil, he was from Lothlorien. I was not meant to stay in this time but I gave myself to him before I left. I found out that I was pregnant a few weeks later. I had my daughter nine months later. She was half-elf but I never told her or my husband, by then, about anything. When I was in this time I also found out that my father was from a line of Kings. The Kings of the Mark, whom you shall soon meet.”

Syah digested this new information. “So, I am part elf and have the blood of Kings, as Galadriel told me?”

“Yes.”

“No wonder Rumil, Orophin and Haldir felt so familiar to me...”

Sierra nodded, sadness filling her. “I...you were meant to be in this time. As were all the children born to my daughter, Lorien. But you, Syah, you were meant for this time. Out of all of our line, you are the only one who houses all of our blood inside you. You have the spirit of the forest. You have the elf-blood. You have the Kings of the Mark. You have the empathy. All of these traits are inside of you. You carry them so strongly that I mourned your birthing.”

“What?”

“I knew, Syah, I knew that you would carry the weight of our blood and more. You would feel the heaviest loss, the mightiest pain, the unbearable loneliness. I, in part, did this you. And I am sorry.”

Syah felt tears, hers and Sierra’s. “But Galadriel said there was more to me than that. She couldn’t name it but it was there all the same.”

Sierra suddenly went still. Her eyes went blank and Syah could feel...something like fear coming from her. “You were blessed by the Eldar.”

“Pardon?”

“When I died I went to the Halls where all the souls of the dead go. The Valar watched over my family because of their unique blood. They sent me back to this time, and now they have sent you. In your blood, Syah, lies the heart of Arda. Your blood is the blood of Kings, of elves, of forests, of life. Don’t you see what you are?”

Syah shook her head, fear filling her.

“You are Arda.”


Chapter 16 - Chapter Fifteen

Author's Note: I just wanted to let you all know that from this chapter on, when it involves Syah's family, I am just going to write great-grandmother or father because it takes away from the sentence when I have to write great, great, great, great grandmother...:) Now, on with the story!
____________________


You are Arda...

The words kept playing over and over again Syah’s mind. Words failed her, her breathing grew rapid with her fear of this new knowledge. All she could do was stare blankly at her ancestor.

“You embody the spirits of this time,” Sierra continued. “Men, Elves, Ents, the Forest. You even have the stubbornness of a dwarf,” she briefly smiled. “But your soul, Syah...your soul is that of Arda.”

Finally finding her voice, Syah asked, “What does that mean? Who does that make me?”

“It makes you...you. Arda breathed life into you when you were still in womb of your mother. Your time, our time, is much different than this one. My daughter should have been raised here, but it was not possible. Something stayed inside of her and it was passed down through generations of her children. That is, until it met you,” Sierra paused, hoping this was making some sense to her great-grandchild. When she saw that Syah was retaining this information, she went on. “Somehow, the earth knew you were conceived. It felt you, felt your life starting. In you, the past found a release.”

“A release?”

“Yes, a release. Each generation felt things, but you were a full empath even in the womb. Not all of Lorien’s children showed signs of her elven heritage. They all had the spirit of the forest, as did all of the children on my side of the family, from my mother and back. But not all of them had pointed ears, nor the hearing and seeing ability of the elves. Not all of them had the spirit of the Kings of Rohan. But you had them all and more.”

“What did you mean by ‘you are Arda’?” Syah asked, the words ringing her ears still.

Sierra knew this was going to be difficult to explain. Because of her empathy, Syah was the gate to the past. At her conception, Arda entered her and filled her with the past, filled her with gifts not even Sierra knew of. Being in the past was awakening these gifts. Galadriel could feel it, but not grasp it because it was beyond her. It was ancient and before her time, beyond the time of her ancestors.

“Sierra?”

Sierra looked at her again. “You can feel it, Syah. You can feel the life of every plant, every tree, every body of water, every animal. Your gifts grow stronger everyday you are here. Arda breathed itself into you. You were born the walking, talking version of Earth. Just with your presence, you have changed things. Gave more hope to those who did not have it. You can feel the danger that Sauron brings to this time. You feel the evil. When you shut your soul off Syah, you shut, literally, the Earth off. Boromir opened it again, and now, in the passing days, Arda will breathe again inside of you. Stronger. It needs you to be strong, Syah. It needs you to rise and to give hope to its People. Arda cannot do it alone. Arda feels it all, it bears the brunt of Sauron’s and Saruman’s evil. It feels the despair of all the life that walks here and it mourns for it. Arda mourns and you mourn. It is why it lives in you.”

“What?”

“It lives in you because you can feel life, through your empathy you can feel life. Your heritage makes that twice as strong. Arda chose you because of this. You were meant to be here.”

This was all too much for Syah! She had begun to feel everything stronger and things were happening to her that did not make sense, yet now they were beginning too. Oh how she wished for her friends to be here!

She looked at Sierra, not sure what to say or ask but Sierra waited for her to speak. Her great-grandmother was sent here to do something as well. What was it? “What were you sent here for?”

“To protect the forests in the first War of the Ring. The spirit of the forest was strong in me and while I could not speak to it as you can, I could feel the danger it was in. The forest told of the dangers they were in, the ancient forests. The past reached out to touch me that way.”

Then, suddenly, something dawned on Syah. “I woke the trees when I arrived in this time. Merry and Pippin must have been the pebbles that start an avalanche and the trees began to move again. But I woke them. And I awoke hope in Elrond and Galadriel at first sight because they remembered you. Because just by your presence you set events into motion that helped win the war.”

Sierra nodded, smiling sadly.

“Oh, Gods!” Syah cried. “I am going to feel it all! The loss of life, the pain of Arda! I am going to feel it!”

Sierra touch her slightly glowing hand to Syah’s cheek. “Do not be afraid of these things! Do not try to shut down again, doing so could mean a different ending to this War. Do not push aside feelings meant to be felt and endured. Everyone feels loss Syah but you feel it too many times over. Arda is in you. It is asking you to bear this burden to help save her! Do not fear feeling, Syah. It would be denying who you are. Who I am. Your ancestors...your mother!”

Syah began to cry, almost as hard as when she cried to Boromir. Sierra pulled her in close, letting Syah feel the touch of family once again. “You are Arda, Syah. You are life. Do not fight this. Do not fight what your road is. It will destroy who you are. You are our family, Syah. We live in you. All of us, the ones who left you alone on this earthly plain, live inside of you. Use us for strength. Use us to heal you...”

******************

When Syah woke it was dawn. The men were getting closer, as were her friends. Just lying there on the ground, Syah could feel the heavy loss of life on them. A battle had taken place and many were now dead. She felt it. Felt it strongly.

She was Arda...

All of what Sierra had said to her was now settling into her mind. She now had many other questions she wanted to ask of her great-grandmother but Sierra was not gone, back to halls of the dead. Where did that leave her? She was afraid of all the feeling! Afraid it would leave her numb again. That she would shut down again. It strangely did not frighten her to let her friends into her soul, not anymore. It frightened her to lose them, to lose the touch of them inside of her. Especially Legolas. She wished now, out of all of them, that he was holding her. She needed his touch...

Her horse nudged her to get up and walked around. She obliged. “You know,” she said as they walked in circles on the ledge. “I am going to tell Legolas I love him. I am going to tell the others as well.”

The horse looked at her disbelievingly.

She stopped walking at gave him a look of hurt. “Well, I am. As soon as I get the chance and it feels right, I will tell them. In any way I can, I will tell them.”

The horse nodded at her. Syah smiled. “I know what you are thinking horse, and it has nothing to do with my new gifts!”

The horse whinnied and began to walk again. She talked to the horse as she ate and kept her eyes on the hundreds of men riding towards her. It was sunset and she standing on the edge of the ledge. She breathed in and was suddenly washed over by feelings, the feelings of the men. They were all willing to die for this cause. They were willing to die for their people, their families, their country. There was really no fear in them. How strange, she thought, that none of the men were truly afraid of what fate may have in store for them.

She felt something else stir inside of her then, something like...pride. Arda was proud of these men and their next deed. And Syah realized she was too. If these men could make such a selfless decision, why could she not give them what Arda wanted her too? She decided then, looking into the sea of men, that she would do what Sierra had told her to. She would draw on the strength of her ancestors, and draw on the knowledge that Arda had waiting for her. She would take it all in and endure it because it was her path to take. Her road to walk and she would walk it the best she could, for however long she needed to. She would die with each fallen warrior. She would cry with each loved one left behind. She would give hope to those who needed it. She would endure the pain and grief that befell Arda and her spawn. It was her fate.

She would be strong for her friends and for Arda. She would make her ancestors proud of her. Her parents proud. And she would love like she had never loved before, without fearing every heartache that could come from that love. And she would never again bow down to her grief!


Chapter 17 - Chapter Sixteen

She was just finishing putting her clothes on, from washing up, in the trees below when she heard the voices of her friends. Excitement grew inside of belly, almost overwhelming her. She threw on her boots and turned to watch the men ride by, not seeing her hidden behind the trees and brush. She was going to hug them until they couldn’t stand it anymore! She could almost hear Boromir laughing at her in her mind! She waited until most of the men had ridden by and stopped. They were just beginning to set up camp when someone shouted from the top ledge.

“Whose the horse belong to!?”

It was Gimli. The men ignored it below but Syah shook her head. She laughed as she ran out of the brush and ran up the steep path to the camp. When she stopped, it was to shocked faces. “To me, you stubborn dwarf!”

She laughed again as she pulled Gimli in for a long, tight hug. She didn’t let go until he said, “Lass! You’re killin’ me with this affection!”

She let him go, smiling. “What can I say? I missed you, obstinate dwarf!”

Though he did not say it, she could see the warmth and affection behind the dwarf eyes, she felt his happiness at seeing her again. “You cannot hide from me, dwarf...”

He grunted but did not get a chance to say anything because Aragorn pulled her in for a hug. He held her tight, and kept saying, “Thank Eru! Thank Eru!”

As much as she did not want to let go... “Aragorn, I can’t breathe!”

He laughed as he let her go. “I am sorry, Syah. Your absence has affected me. I am so glad to see your face!”

He noted the clearness of her eyes, the determined look in them. Something was different about her...

Syah jumped into Legolas’ arms, who was standing not three feet from Aragorn. She wrapped her arms around his neck and felt him hold her to him. She was so relieved to be in his arms. There were no words to describe the feelings she was having. She felt his relief as well. She could feel the immense pleasure he was having with her in his arms.

Reluctantly, she let go him and looked into his eyes. “It is good to see you too, elf!”

Legolas’ laughed. “And you, meleth nin.”

Syah could feel the warmth spread through her. He called her his love! She couldn’t speak for a moment. Aragorn saved her.

“Syah, this is Theodin. He is the King of the Mark.”

Her blood acknowledged him immediately as he bowed slightly to her. “You have been talked of highly by these men. You seem strangely familiar to me.”

Syah just smiled at him. “Funny, I was going to say the same thing.”

Theodin smiled back. “Mayhap our souls have seen each other in their pasts.”

“Mayhap,” Syah smiled, keeping the truth to herself.

“Do you have a moment to spare from your friends? There are some who would be very pleasured to meet you.”

She looked back at her friends then back at King. “I would be honored to walk with a King.”

Theodin offered his arm and Syah took it. She was about to be introduced to more family...

*********************

“There is definitely something different about that Lass,” Gimli said when Syah and Theodin were on the ground below them.

“Yes,” Aragorn agreed. “Most definitely. She seems clearer, more determined about something. And she was awful welcoming when she saw us!”

His two companions laughed.

“Especially to elf-boy here!”

Legolas’ smiled and shook his head. “She is at peace with herself. I feel Boromir near her, as if he is with her somehow. Her soul is healed. We are imbedded deeply inside of her now. Somehow, she has healed.”

Aragorn nodded. “I wonder when we will hear that tale.”

Gimli said, “I imagine she’ll tell us when she is ready. There’s no rushing the lass.”

“She seems more...beautiful without the dark clouds hanging over her head. She did not show fear when I called my love. I feared she would run from me.”

Aragorn said, “My friends, I think we have just entered a new phase of her life. She has many secrets now. New knowledge in her mind. It should be an interesting journey.”

****************

Syah had changed into new clothes and she was so beyond grateful that her friends had grabbed her pack before searching for her, Merry and Pippin. Hobbits...she was glad to see that Merry was well and she hugged him as well. He was pleased to see her also. She could feel Frodo, he was weakening, but somehow Syah knew that now was not the time to dwell on Frodo. Something else was more dire at the moment.

When night fell, Syah could feel a change in the air. Something was happening to Aragorn. He had to face his path now, she knew that somehow he had to face it. She had just left Eowyn, who was bound for a fate that would show the world just how strong she truly was, and was on her way to see Legolas and Gimli. But she stopped when she saw the three of them standing in front of the entrance in the mountain. She walked up to them, beside Aragorn.

“My path walks with you, Aragorn,” she said.

Aragorn did not know what to say to her. Her eyes bore a new strength, a new knowledge of who she was and what her path was. He suddenly felt the wealth of friendship she was sending to him. She was not leaving his side until it was time for her too, or she was forced to. He nodded at her and the four walked through the entrance of the haunted mountain.

And something shifted. Syah could feel walls coming down around them. This course, Aragorn’s path, would change the course of the War...


Chapter 18 - Chapter Seventeen

The horses had been spooked away, and Syah really couldn’t blame them. Walking into the mountain cave was making her nervous, though she did not show it. They were standing in front of a door and she could feel Aragorn’s emotions conflicting. She touched his arm and he looked at her. “Do not fight this path, Aragorn...”

It was whispered but Aragorn heard her. The words seemed to make up his mind. “I do not fear death.”

And they walked in.

It was dark, and Syah could feel death riding her skin. Not death for one of them, but that death lived here. Restless spirits not able to leave this world. They entered a large room and before Syah could blink they were surrounded by ghosts. No, not ghosts...they were something else. Cursed spirits.

A spirit came before them, looking straight into Syah’s eyes. She stood, frozen to her spot. “I know you...” he said, sending chills up her spine. “You are the blood of Sierra. I remember her...I remember her...”

Syah stared at the spirit. “Yes, I am her great-granddaughter. You are the traitor?” she made it into a question, using Aragorn's description of these spirits.

The spirit scowled at her. “You are just like her but more. I will enjoy stealing your life!”

Aragorn stepped in front of her. “She is not of concern to you, I am. I have a proposition for you...”

Everything happened so fast after those words. Aragorn proved he was the rightful King of Gondor, and that he could free their souls if they fulfilled their oath of past. After a short show of doubt, they agreed to stand by the King. Syah wasn’t sure how to feel. All she could feel was Aragorn. She was so very proud of him that she wanted badly to hug him to her.

They were out of the cave soon and the minute they hit sunlight once more, though shortly, Syah felt a wave of danger sweep over her. She grabbed Aragorn’s shoulder and looked him in the eye. “We do not have much time, King of Gondor. There is already much death in Minis Tirith.”

Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas exchanged looks of worry, then looked back at Syah.

“Trust me, my friends,” Syah said. “There is much I need to tell you but it will matter not if we do not hurry!”

*****************

As they drew closer to the White City, Syah could feel death upon her. She braced herself for the rush of pain, the rush of loss...and courage. There was so much courage!

“Syah, are you all right?” Legolas asked her, concern in his voice.

She turned to him and said, “I am fine. I can handle this. This is my path.”

Legolas wasn’t sure what to say so he just nodded. There was a new strength to her. Something inside of her was growing and he felt it as though it was growing in him also.

“Focus Legolas,” she smiled and turned to all three of them. “This is our land, our home. And filthy orcs and giant beasts will not rip it from our grasp. We will never bow down to the Lord of the Ring again!”

The three looked at her. She could feel the pride, the courage, the fight rise inside of them. She smiled and winked. “Come, my friends, my family...let us kick some orc ass!”

*******************

And kick it they did! Syah had never been so overwhelmed in her entire life. The wave of new hope choked her, and the wave of loss and the sight of how many had been lost stole her breath. But this war was not over yet. The remaining men were now riding to Mordor. To help Frodo and Sam in any way possible. As she watched them ride off, she heard a voice in her mind.

My blood, draw on our strength. Draw on the gifts of Arda inside of you. Reach out to Sam. Frodo cannot complete this mission without him. Give him hope like you gave to the men. Send him our strength to double the strength that is already inside of him. Make him realize that he can do this, he can help change the world...

Syah grabbed the stone railing on the balcony. She instinctively closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She used her empathy to locate Sam’s mind and reach out to him. She whispered, “My family...help me help him. Help me give him the strength to realize his own.”

She felt a wave of familiar touches, her family’s touch, upon her skin. She heard whispers all around her body, in her mind. She felt Sam’s despair as he held Frodo in his arms, on the slopes of Mount Doom. She poured all of the strength inside of her into him. “Sam...Sam hear me. Give him your strength. Show him what he can do...lean on me. Feel me. Do not give up on him!”

She felt Sam register her words and he brought her to tears with his courage as it poured out him. He was her hero! What strength lay in him! She stayed with him, Sam, until the end, giving him all of her support. Until the ring, and Gollom, were no more. Then she was suddenly ambushed by loss and pain. She felt the cold stone on her back, and all went black.

********************

-Dreaming-

Syah opened her eyes to find Boromir sitting beside her bed. “I am dreaming.”

He smiled, looking younger and calmer than in life. “Yes, you are.”

Syah smiled back at him. “We won the war,” she stated.

“Yes, because of the strength and support you gave to these men. You enhanced what was already inside of them. You gave them the hope they needed, but it drained you and you have been out for a week now.”

“Are Frodo and Sam all right? Did they make it?”

“Indeed they did. They are resting and healing as well.”

Syah swallowed before she spoke again. Everything part of her felt so weak, so...empty. “I feel...empty.”

“When your contact with Sam was broken, you were bombarded by the loss and pain from the amount of fallen warriors. You were feeling the impact of the War. But it will pass. You will sleep and heal, and you will be strong again.”

“What happens now, Boromir?” there was fear in her voice. “Must I...leave?”

Boromir was silent for a moment and Syah knew he was trying to choose his words carefully. “That is your choice, Syah. You were meant to be in this time. This is where you belong. But you do have the choice, of when you wake, to wake here or to wake in your time.”

“My time...”

“It will be as if you never left,” Boromir explained. “But you will always remember this. You will always remember us.”

“But, won’t staying here upset the future?”

Boromir shook his head. “How can it upset the future, Syah, when your future was meant to be here?”

“And my responsibilities in my time?”

“I have been informed by nameless sources,” he smiled, “that everything will be taken care of by Bane’s partner. You are free to choose your course, daughter of Arda.”

Daughter of Arda...Syah thought long and hard about those words. Boromir held her hand to support her and she was grateful for his touch. His touch!. She could not live without the touch of her new family. Gimli and Aragorn. Eowyn and Eomer. And, by the Gods, Legolas! Her soul could not bear to be without him! He was like breathing for her. It burned her insides at the thought of leaving him. He was...hers.

“Legolas...” she whispered, tears forming in her eyes.

She felt Boromir grip her hand tighter. “Your elf-blood is strong now, as well as the gifts of Arda. You will live as long as he does. But if you go back to your time, you will remain mortal.“

She could not leave and she knew it. She had healed here, she had family here. She was here. “I will wake here.”

With that, Boromir left her, kissing her on the forehead, and she fell back into a deep sleep.


Chapter 19 - Epilogue

When Syah woke again it was to the faces of Legolas and Aragorn. She smiled weakly at them, still feeling some of the drain. She had to tell them how she felt, they deserved to here it from her lips. She would not make the same mistake she did with Boromir.

“How do you feel?” Aragorn asked.

“I am...well. Tired and drained from all of the emotion, but I am well,” she answered. “How are the hobbits?”

“They are well. They are awake and healed,” the King said. “You saved a lot of lives, Syah.”

She shook her head but he stopped her words. “You did. You did.”

Syah chose then to tell them of her encounter with her great-grandmother. Of what she was, who she was. They were shocked to say the least, but they readily excepted it. It made sense to them because of their conversation with Galadriel. She felt nothing but their love and support.

They helped her sit up and she took both of their hands. “You are my family. You and the hobbits, Eowyn and Eomer. But you helped me heal a wound that went very deep. I love you both beyond words and if it is all right with you I would like to stay in this time. With all of you. Where I belong.”

Tears formed in the King’s eyes. “You will always have a home in Minis Tirith. You are a part of me, like a sister but more than that. I could not imagine never feeling your presence again.”

He kissed her on the forehead and left her alone with the elf. “Legolas...I need you to know something.”

“You do not have to say it,” he said, though he was aching to hear them.

“Yes,” she said, beginning to cry. “You mean more to me than breathing. Since the day we met something inside of me stirred. It burns inside to be away from you and I do not wish to be. You are my other half, my mate. I...should have told you I was in love with you when we were in Rivendell but I was not ready to let you in. I cannot stand to be without your touch, Legolas. You are my home.”

Legolas let the tears flow from his eyes as he held her to him, careful not to crush her with his strength. “I love you, meleth nin. You are also my home and I do not wish to be from your presence ever again. Not as long as I draw breath.”

She grinned up at him then. “Not to worry, hir nin. I have learned that my blood will allow me to live as long as you do.”

Legolas smiled wide. “Good. Then I have ages to teach you about being my wife!”

********************

The coronation was beautiful but also full of sorrow. Syah was overjoyed for Arwen and Aragorn. She would miss the hobbits, but promised them that if they needed her she would be there in a heartbeat. She had told Eowyn and Eomer of who she was, and though they found it difficult to understand they accepted her promptly as their family. At this, Syah was speechless. She had learned also that Eowyn was her aunt and that it was Eomer that was her great-father. They all found that somewhat odd, but it was no matter. Blood was blood. Family was family. And they would hold on to each other no matter where they went.

Faramir hand thanked her for letting Boromir into her heart, as few had ever done and he thanked her for loving him and giving him what no other could besides Faramir himself...unconditional love and support. He made her cry when he informed her that he would be proud to call her sister.

Legolas soon took her back to Lothlorien, with Gimli in tow, and she reunited with her great-grandfather and great-uncles.

“So,” she said as she smiled up at Rumil. Orophin and Haldir standing to the side of them. “Do I call you grandfather, or great-father?”

He laughed and said, “Oh, hiril nin! Call me what you wish, for I am too overjoyed at this news to care!”

Haldir and Orophin had taken quite a liking to her over the month they were in Lothlorien. They were pained to see her go. She promised to visit often until it was time for them to go to Valinor. She would miss them much when they were gone to the sea.

Syah, Legolas and Gimli traveled to many places. It gave Syah a chance to see all the places she kept getting flashes of in her mind. But in the end, Legolas took her back to Mirkwood. There, they were married and Legolas promised that they would stay there until she felt it was time to leave. One night, as she wrote in her journal that Lord Elrond had made for her, she looked back on the events that brought her to this time over two years ago.

Her emotions were full, she felt happiness and joy, but she still felt the loss of those who died. The loss of so much forest and trees. But she was whole again. She felt complete and her soul was strong.

“What are you thinking of, meleth nin?”

Syah turned her head from her journal, looking at her husband. She was sitting at the table in their room, but she stood to walk over to him where he sat on the edge of the bed. “I am thinking of everything.”

He smiled as he hugged her to him, kissing her now growing belly. “That is too much to think on,” he stated. “You should think of nothing but you and our growing babe.”

Syah laughed softly as she stroked his hair. She took his head in her hands and kissed him passionately. “I think there is someone you left out...”

“Aye,” he grinned. “But you always think of me!”

****************

Syah listened to her husband’s breathing as he slept. It was like a lullaby to her and she knew she would soon join him in sleep. She closed her eyes and felt the world around her rebuilding itself. She felt happiness in her friends and family. She heard the forest singing to her, a familiar comfort to her ears. She felt the touch of her baby in her mind. She smiled to herself then, knowing she was in the right place, the right time.

She was home.
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