Ancient Languages

Chapter III: Meetings


Lyla sat on the bed and sighed. She had been stuck in this room for two days, and she was bored to tears. The room was lovely, with elegant furnishings and gossamer curtains, but she had nothing to occupy herself with. The only time she ever saw anyone was when they brought her food. She sighed. She was dying for someone to speak with. Even when the girl brought her food, she never spoke to Lyla. She sighed again. What did it matter anyway? Although their language seemed familiar to her, she could not understand these people, and they could not understand her. How did I get here?

Lyla rose and walked over to the ornate wardrobe in the corner of the room. She supposed she could occupy herself by trying on the immense amount of clothing that had been given to her, but that was not particularly appealing. I’ll save that for when I’m really desperate. She sat on the floor and started going through the bottom of the wardrobe. Sandals, undergarments, a book, belts…. Wait a minute, a book? She snatched up the book and hugged it like it was a priceless possession. She sat at her small vanity and opened the leather-bound book. Her eyes widened as she read the language inside.

This is the same language that I was trying to translate from my father’s book! Perhaps if I can finish translating this language, I will be able to speak to these people, and they can help me find my way home.

She searched the room for paper and a pen, but she came up empty-handed. She spun around as the door opened, and the girl brought in her food. Lyla ran up to her and grabbed her hands. She swore that the girl jumped three feet, but she was too excited to care. She released the girl’s hands and began making writing motions with her own hands, hoping that the girl would understand what she wanted. The girl stared at her for a moment before she smiled. She nodded and left the room. Lyla crossed her fingers and hoped that the girl would bring her what she had asked for.

An hour passed, and the girl had not returned. Lyla sighed and lay back on the bed. I suppose I’ll have to attempt to translate it in my head. Her mouth curved into a wry smile. Doesn’t bode well.

She jumped up as the door suddenly opened, and the girl walked back into the room. She smiled and handed Lyla several pieces of parchment, an ink well, and a quill pen. Lyla grinned at her.

“Thanks.”

The woman gave her an awkward smile and nodded. She turned and left the room, leaving Lyla to her translating. Lyla looked at the supplies and smiled. A little different than I had imagined, but they’ll do the job just fine. She sat on her bed and began the tedious task of attempting to decipher the language once again.

***

Elrond sat back in his chair and listened as Erestor told him of the woman that the sentinels had found on the outskirts of Rivendell.

“We have been unable to obtain any information from her, Lord Elrond,” Erestor said. “I have placed her in a room under guard.”

Elrond nodded. “A wise decision. Has Elhael been able to decipher any of her language?”

“No. He has had no success.”

Elrond sighed. “Please have her brought to me, Erestor. I wish to attempt to speak with her.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Erestor stepped outside the room and told the guard to have the woman brought to the study. Several moments passed, and the guard returned with the girl. He bowed before Elrond and quickly departed.

Elrond leaned forward and rested his hands on the desk. He motioned for the woman to sit in the chair opposite him. She took the proffered chair and looked at him, and expectant look on her face.

***

Lyla sighed as the guard, once again, led her down the maze of hallways. Who am I being sent to now? Another person that I can’t understand and who can’t understand me? She was tired of being unable to communicate with anyone, and these meetings were unnerving and frustrating.

The guard stopped before a large, ornate door, and Lyla found herself meeting the piercing gaze of a rather imposing figure. He was different than the man that stood on his right; he was more regal, yet he seemed far less arrogant than the man she had met previously. He motioned for her to sit in the chair opposite him, which she did. He studied her for a minute before beginning to speak in that same strange language. Lyla bit her lip and tried to restrain herself from screaming in frustration.

He continued to speak for a moment longer, but then he stopped and gave her an odd look. Lyla raised a brow at him. What is he thinking? He’s probably going to send me to the dungeon, knowing my luck. The man suddenly smiled at her and pointed to himself.

“Elrond,” he said.

Lyla’s eyes widened. Was he actually trying to tell her his name?

“Elrond,” he repeated.

She couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across her face. At last, communication! No matter how small this step was, it was still better than nothing. She nodded and pointed to herself.

“Lyla,” she said.

The man smiled and pointed to the man from her previous meeting. “Erestor,” he said.

She nodded. Perhaps things were looking up.

***

Elrond smiled as the woman told him her name. At last, he had been able to obtain some information. He frowned slightly. Her name was odd, unlike anything that he had ever heard before. He studied the woman for a moment. She was strange and her language was even stranger, but he did not feel that she was a danger to them. He glanced at Erestor.

“Erestor, send for Elhael. I wish to speak with him.”

Elrond continued to try to speak with Lyla until Elhael arrived. He motioned for Elhael to come forward, and Elhael bowed low as he neared. Elrond smiled at Lyla and pointed to Elhael.

“Elhael,” he said.

She nodded in understanding, and Elrond looked at Elhael.

“Elhael, this is Lyla. We have been able to establish some communication using the manner that I demonstrated. I want you to continue to attempt to speak with her and to learn her language.”

Elhael nodded. “Yes, my lord.”

Elrond turned to Erestor. “She will no longer be confined to her room. She may go wherever in the city that she desires, but she is not to leave the city. Please inform the guards of this.”

Erestor nodded, and Elrond returned his attention to Lyla. He pointed to her and then to the balcony, where he made a sweeping motion with his hand.

“You may go wherever in the city that you like, Lady Lyla.”

A slight frown momentarily crossed her face, but then she smiled and nodded. He motioned to Elhael and extended his arm to the door. She rose and moved to follow Elhael, but she stopped. She picked up a book from Elrond’s desk and pointed to it. His eyes widened, and he looked at Elhael.

“I do believe that she wishes to go to the library, Elhael. Please escort her there.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Lyla smiled and followed Elhael out of the room. Elrond looked up at Erestor, and he had to restrain himself from smiling. Erestor did not look pleased at his decision to allow Lyla to wander the city unguarded.

“I do not believe she is a threat, Erestor. With time, I believe that she will be able to communicate with us, and I see no purpose in keeping her locked in her room until that time.”

Erestor nodded, and Elrond picked up the book from his desk. He fingered it and thought about Lyla. He hoped that he was correct about her, and that she truly was no threat.