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Cailinn of Lorien
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Location: Nuimenel, Lothlorien
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 ~*Navaer 'nin Lorien*~
Hey all, since the link to the other topic isn't working, I decided to move my story to a new thread.
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Here follows in full the history of Cailinn Elanesse:
~*Navaer 'nin Lorien Part 1*~
In the land of Lothlorien, in Nuimenel, which is the Forest Under the Heavens, the twinkling lights of the Elven lanterns began to appear everywhere as evening turned to dusk. A soft light filtered through the woods as the remains of the lustrous sunset faded away into night loveliness and the sky deepened to the ethereal blues and silvers of twilight. Flowers swayed and chimes danced in the whispering breeze and the enchanting song of a distant Elf echoed through the trees.
Here, in the forest of the Galadhrim, which is called also Eithel Ardhon, the Hidden Realm, the Elves dwelt in peace in beautiful treehomes of exquisite design high up in the majestic mallorns, among golden leaves and lamplit walkways. These walkways wove like glittering ribbon, whose lights shimmered ever like sapphire stars, through the tapestry of trees, spiraling here and there and to the forest floor where paths wound away through the woods.
And it was here, near the Orchards of Ortelume, that an Elf walked quietly along, her dark eyes gazing dreamily ahead and her feet falling silently on the path she tread. She was the daughter of Elaviel Elanesse, a maiden tall and fair-skinned, clad in a robe and cloak of white that was trimmed with silver. Her long golden hair was drawn halfway up, just above her ears, in a braided coiffure, while the rest fell brightly over her shoulders and down her back; and upon her forehead rested a small Elven circlet which glinted now and then in the fading light. Alongside her trotted a horse, proud in stature, with a coat of cream, tinted with grey, and silver mane and tail.
As she went, she began to sing a cheerful song to herself, one of the many she had heard earlier that day. The words were bright and clear and they rang forth merrily in the soft dusk:
An sí Tintallë Varda Oiolossëo
ve fanyar máryat Elentári ortanë
ar ilyë tier undulávë lumbulë;
ar sindanóriello caita mornië
i falmalinnar imbë met, ar hísië
untúpa Calaciryo míri oialë.
Sí vanwa ná, Rómello vanwa, Valimar!
Namárië! Nai hiruvalyë Valimar.
Nail elyë hiryva. Namárië!*
"It is not often that I hear you sing, Cailinn Elanesse,"a voice rose behind her once the song had ended and she had again fallen silent.
"Meneldor!,"Cailinn exclaimed as she turned to find a tall and handsome Elf standing before her,"Why I thought that you and Seflore had returned home!"
"Seflore did, but I went to visit the Thalons,"Meneldor smiled at her.
"Oh, I see."
"And what about you?,"he asked,"Why are you not still at the berry festival?"
"Well, Asenath and Umae left early and so I decided to do the same, since Valia was not there, having gone to Caras Galadhon for the day. I brought Nimue with me for company,"Cailinn replied, stroking her horse affectionately.
Nimue had been given to Cailinn by her father, Selore, the year before his death, when Cailinn was only four, and the two were great friends. Cailinn rode him often and had become quite skilled in that area.
"It was nice to speak with Asenath and Umae again,"Cailinn continued, smiling as the merry events of that afternoon filled her mind,"it had been quite a while since I had seen either of them. I was very pleased to hear of Asenath's victory at the archery contest, although it did surprise me that you, Meneldor, did not win. I hope your reputation has not been too badly damaged,"she teased him.
Meneldor laughed. "I doubt, Lady Cailinn, that I had much of one to begin with. Only a very few archers are noted for their skill with the bow."
"Yes, but only those who are skilled and well-trained dare to venture to Caras Abriel to compete,"Cailinn smiled at him,"Do not underestimate yourself, Meneldor, for you have greater strength and talent that I think you yet know."
"Maybe so,"Meneldor said.
"Meanwhile, I have something to show you,"Cailinn said, stopping and turning to Nimue.
She lifted a grey cloth that was attatched to the back and side of the saddle, revealing a leather sheath that was laced with tiny silver leaves and set with pale gems. The clear sound of ringing steel pierced the peaceful quiet of the night as she drew something out of it.
"This is Naidhrinel, the sword of my great-grandfather Finarfin's house,"she said, turning and handing the sword to Meneldor,"It was given to me by my grandmother a few days ago, when I was in Caras Galadhon."
Meneldor took Naidhrinel and looked at it with amazement. It was a beautiful sword, slightly recurved and tapered to a sharp point, with Elvish markings inscripted on its scarlet handle and cascading down its glimmering blade.
"It was wielded by my kinsmen in the ancient days, in the wars against the Elves' greatest foe: Morgoth,"Cailinn told him.
"A powerful weapon indeed,"Meneldor remarked as he handed Naidhrinel back to Cailinn,"Many of the servants of the Dark Lord must have trembled before its light."
Cailinn smiled and re-sheathed her sword, the gleam of its blade vanishing like a star behind a cloud.
"And many more still shall do so,"she said softly.
Meneldor looked questioningly at the Elf beside him. Her eyes sparkled for a moment, as though she beheld visions of things far off.
"I have often wondered,"she said suddenly,"what it would be like to see the lands outside of Lothlorien. To glimpse the wide plains of the horse-lords, the vast regions beyond the Misty Mountains and Imladris, or Gondor, the great kingdom of Men, in which stands Minas Tirith. Can you imagine, Meneldor, seeing the White City? I have heard so many tales of that land, tales of the glory of old, before the might of the kings faded."
"Ai (oh), but that land is now covered in darkness,"Meneldor replied gravely,"An evil which hides in the shadows and threatens the lives of that people, awaiting the war that shall come, as the Power in the East grows."
"Yes, but I do not fear it,"Cailinn determined,"I know I am neither Man nor warrior, but Nimue and I can ride just as fast, as fast as the wind, and I have been taught to wield both sword and bow."
"It would be dangerous,"Meneldor said,"Dangerous for a maiden to travel alone."
"Yet I am not foolish. I would not ride willingly into any harm." She smiled. "Do not worry, Meneldor, I shall be alright. This is my path and I must follow, wherever it may lead me."
At last, as the moon began to rise high over the treetops, the two Elves came to Cailinn's home: the House of Elanesse. There, Meneldor bade her farewell and then was gone, leaving Cailinn standing alone in the soft silver light. She sighed and watched him for awhile, her mind being filled with many thoughts. Finally, she turned and went aloft to her room, a look of determination on her face. Her mind was made up. She knew now what she must do and she was no longer afraid.
_____________________________________________
Pronunciation Key:
Cailinn: Kay-uh-lin
Meneldor: Men-ell-door
Nimue: Nim-you-ay
Valia: Vuh-lee-uh
Naidhrinel:
Nye (as in "rye" )
th (like "th" in "these" )
ree
nell
Elaviel: Ay-la-vee-ell
Nuimenel: Noo-wee-men-ell
Eithel Ardhon: Ay-thell Are-thone (again, "th" as in "these" )
*This song was written by Tolkien
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~*The Pointe of life is to live, love, and DANCE!*~
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