A Time To Forget

Chapter 9. Words and meanings

During the morning Legolas and Iriador roamed the forest near their camp and the elf would point out various things and give their Sindarin name. In some cases Iriador was able to repeat the word easily while others he just could not manage. But Legolas simply reassured him even though he was unable to say the word he would as least have an idea of how it sounded.


By the time they made their way back to camp for the midday meal, Iriador could either say or recognise the words to things such as tree, butterfly, sky, flower, rabbit, bird and the names of other inhabitants of the Golden Wood.


The afternoon was taken up with words and phrases the boy might hear once they were among the elves in Caras Galadhon.


“Again Iriador the words for please and thank you are?” Legolas had begun reviewing what they had learned near the end of the afternoon.


Iriador despite himself was trying hard to learn and understand what his friend was teaching him. So he concentrated hard and then with a satisfied smile announced, “Saes and hannon le. Legolas, did I pronounce them right?”


“Yes that was perfect, now the words for stop and come here?” the elf smiled back.


“Daro and tolo si and the one for greetings is Suilad, isn’t it?” Iriador beamed with pride that he remembered without prompting.


“Indeed it is, Iriador, but remember though that it should only be used between friends and people you know well. You have done excellently for your first day. Now perhaps just a couple more before we begin the evening meal.” Legolas beamed back.


“One you will no doubt come across is Mae govannen, which means well met and is the more formal address that is used. Should you meet the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood, you should address them as Hir Nin and Hiril Nin, which means my lord and my lady.


The other term is Man eneth lin which means What is your name? To reply you must say I eneth Nin, Iriador which of course is My name is Iriador. Now you can practice those while I prepare our evening meal if you like.” With that Legolas turned to their supplies and began pulling items out of them.


The evening meal was silent as both were very much aware of the conversation that was to take place after it. Legolas spent his time going over how he was going to approach this deeply sensitive matter.


For his part Iriador was trying to calm his nerves and concentrate on getting through his meal without throwing up.


Inevitably as happens with things of this nature, the meal was over all too soon and they made themselves comfortable at the side of the fire.


Legolas took a deep breath before letting it out slowly then let his soft blue eyes catch the emerald green of his young companion.


“Iriador, I know you have every right to know what I saw that day and I give you my oath that I will never withhold anything from you. But I must first address a concern of my own. I believe that what you turned into after you were injured had a lot to do with how you felt when you first arrived. Indeed if your feelings were to become solid, then I imagine that the creature that you turned into would be what they may look like.


I tell you this now because I fear that you may return to the creature’s form when you hear what I have to say. Please know that I want to be here with you and I truly care what happens to you.” The elf paused worriedly to see what reaction he would receive to his heartfelt plea.


The youth had a thoughtful expression on his face as though this was not what he had expected to hear. Finally he nodded, “Alright I understand and thank you for taking the time to explain and I accept and appreciate your oath.


As for the other, I don’t really remember anything clearly until I woke up here with you like I am now. I am not sure how I became the other form, although I vaguely remember hearing someone say that I had been poisoned, so I put it down to that.”


The blond archer nodded his understanding before continuing, “Very well, know that you are safe here and I will accept you in either form, although it is my greatest wish that you will not feel so bad this time.”


Legolas turned his gaze to the fire as though by looking into it he could see the scene again, “So now I will begin my tale, when I entered your soul it was like a corridor or dim hallway with many closed doors along it. Outside each door was a mist which gave off a different negative emotion. If I had to guess I would say that the mist had seeped out from under each door. Interspersed along the hallway was the occasional window which let in a little light and showed a happy scene outside.


I felt every emotion keenly as I passed through the mist, all of them hurt deeply. There was pain, guilt, hopelessness, betrayal, worthlessness, self-doubt and loneliness. If you had been an elf I believe, you would not have survived all of that so I can only conclude that you are stronger than you give your self credit for.


Anyway as I passed the few windows, I saw a young man with red hair and a young woman with brown hair who were about your age and were laughing and joking. Next I came across an enclosed garden where a large black dog was playfully chasing a very small black haired child. The last window showed a room with a mirror that a large number of people were looking out of, chiefly a man with your colour and kind of hair and a beautiful woman with hair the deep colour of red wine.


Finally I came to the end of the corridor where I encountered the strongest mist yet, that of a heavy burden. When I made it through this mist I came upon an old cupboard where I found you crying. When I asked what was wrong you simply told me not to stay with you or I would get hurt which made me even more determined to help you.


I must depart from my story here a little to explain something. You see I am a very stubborn elf and I have a close friend named Aragorn who sees fit to always get into life and death situations usually taking me with him. So you see your words did not cause me any alarm as I am very much used to that way of life.” The elf smiled mischievously at the boy and despite himself the boy smiled back.


Now where was I, oh yes the cupboard well eventually I persuaded you that I was trustworthy and got you out of there. At length I convinced you to let me call you mellon nin, my friend, and to lead you to help.”


Legolas paused to look over at Iriador who was staring at him with tears falling down his cheeks. The concerned elf pulled the youth into his arms and held him tight. Iriador for his part just held on as the emotions his friend had described suddenly washed over him and made him shiver just like being the recipient of a bucket of cold water being thrown over you.


Noticing the shivering the archer quickly went to retrieve a blanket, when he returned to place it over the boy, he was unaware that Iriador looked up and in that moment the boy realised he missed the elf’s comforting arms.


The elf placed a reassuring hand on the shoulder of the still seated youth, “I am just going to build up the fire and make us some tea,” the boy nodded sadly.


He had just added more wood to the fire when he heard the shaky voice coming from behind him, “Legolas, I must have done something terribly bad to have those emotions, but then I don’t feel like a bad person.


There’s something else, I don’t remember any of the scenes you described but somehow I know that my parents were killed and that it was a very long time ago. Wherever I come from it doesn’t sound like I was wanted or loved.


I don’t want to remember anymore and I don’t want to go back either.” He yelled bitterly before calming and looking towards the elf.


“Do you think that’s wrong, Legolas?” A movement beside him and Iriador was looking up into the gentle elf’s face to see he was concerned by Iriador’s outburst but not angry.


Kneeling beside the boy he took the boy’s face into his long pale hands, he spoke softly and with conviction, “Iriador I think that it is quite understandable that you do not wish to go back, but the heavy burden you carry may be a task that is meant for only you to fulfil. For now, remember I want you and love you as if you were a brother or a son. However one day when you are ready your memories will come back and then you must face the burden that awaits you.”


Finding that the water pan he had placed in the fire was now bubbling, the elf made quick work of getting tea for both of them. As he handed the mug to Iriador and sat down himself, he looked at Iriador as though asking himself a question before nodding and opening his mouth to speak.


“Everyone I travel with knows the type of burden you bear, for all of us have duties and obligations to their realms, but all of us have agreed to take on the most important burden of all to save Middle-Earth from falling into darkness and we cannot fail.


But we are united together, each with unique skills to bring to the task. Some are in the form of protection, some in the form of morale and some in leading. I believe you also have unique skills which are yet to manifest, but would also help on our quest.” At that the elf placed his free arm around Iriador’s shoulders before continuing.


“Think on this my young friend, we all have fears of failure and suffer from uncertainty, but with a friend beside you, you can also have the courage to overcome your fears. I want to be the one who does this for you, Iriador, if you allow me.”

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A/N 2 - All translations for these words were taken from the Elvish Phrases section of the Council of Elrond site.

A/N 3 – I am sorry for taking so long to get this chapter up, but the nature of the story requires a certain mindset to write it, one which has eluded me for many months but now thankfully has returned. I thank all those wonderfully patient people who have reviewed and read it. For those who were asking for longer chapters, here you are. I hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think.