Belladonna Took
by Belladonna Took
Chapter 21, A Short Time in Lorien
During their time in Lorien, Bella and Fengel spent a large amount of
time with Haldir and his brothers. Haldir seemed quite taken with
Fengel and was determined to teach him all that he knew. Fengel was
given shooting lessons and lessons on proper sword handling. Bella
loved spending time with Galadriel. She reminded her so much of Arwen.
But, of course, she was Arwen's grandmother. Galadriel took time to try
and help Bella control the images in her head and Bella was making
steady progress. She could recall things in steady streams rather than
random flashes of information.
They were in Lorien about three months, although it seemed much longer,
when Gandalf decided it was time for them to move on. It had been
almost two years since Bella and Hildi had left home.
"Bella, Fengel, it is time that we move on. I know that you are both
enjoying your time here and both of you have healed, emotionally and
physically but I would like to be through the mountians before winter
really hits. Besides," Gandalf said looking pointedly at Bella, "you
have someone waiting to see you in Rivendell."
Bella's mind went instantly to Arwen, Elrond and Arador. She was eager
to see all of them again. It was tearfully that Bella and Fengel said
goodbye to Galadriel, Celeborn and Haldir. Bella felt a strong
affection for all of them and hoped that she would make it back one day
to see all of them.
As the three travellers rode away it occurred to Bella that she would
never see any of them again. Tearfully she turned away and looked at
the mountians looming ahead of her. They were very intimidating and she
felt like they were frowning down on her. She felt as if they were
going to do anything they could to make passing impossible.
Chapter 22 The Pass of Caradhras
"Now you two, we need to go through the Pass of Caradhras as fast as we
can. It is not a terribly dangerous path but there are orcs that
inhabit this area. And I do not want to face foes like them with just
the two of you." Gandalf stated while hurrying Bella and Fengel through
the area as fast as possible.
While the mountians still seemed to be frowning at her, Bella felt none
of the fear that she head earlier. She was at present a bit indignant
at the thought that Gandalf thought she was incapable of defending
herself. It actually seemed as if the mountian itself was protecting
her. As she glanced behind her she noticed that it was snowing quite
hard and covering all signs that they had passed. She looked up at the
largest mountian and smiled. It no longer felt imposing at all. She
felt safe in the shadow of this massive protector.
When they had reached the other end of the pass Bella glanced back and
smiled one last time at the mountian that had protected her. She heard
Gandalf's sigh of relief and was startled out of her reflection.
"It should take us at least a week if not more to get to Rivendell. But the journey should be a lot easier now."
As they travelled Bella was constantly taking out the sketch book that
had been given to her by Théya for her to draw in. She was
sketching trees, mountians, grassy knolls and many different flowers.
But her favorite subject was Fengel. She had grown to love the little
man as if he were her own son. As she sat there sketching yet another
picture of him sleeping she came to the realization that, while he was
not biologically hers, she would die for this child. He was dearer to
her than her own life. She would ensure that he lives to become the
great king and father that she saw he would become. She walked over and
pushed his hair out of his sleeping eyes and kissed his forehead. When
she looked up she realized that there was something moving in the trees
just feet from where they now stood. She moved to place herself between
Fengel and whatever was coming and drew her small sword.
"Bella, please lower your sword. Would you attack an old friend just out to meet you on your journey?"
Bella recognized the voice immediately as the voice of Legolas. Sweet
as a nightengale and just as welcome. As he walked out into the
clearing Bella launched herself on him. "I am so glad to see you
Legolas. I have missed you terribly. Is Arador with you?"
"No Bella. I am here alone and I have come to accompany you to
Rivendell. Arwen is eagerly awaiting your arrival and was beginning to
get worried. So she sent me looking. I am very glad to see you as well,
and your young friend, Fengel I believe." Legolas said laughing.
"Yes, this is Fengel," Bella said placing her arm around the now awake
Fengel. "He is coming to live in the Shire with me for a little while."
"Well, we need to get moving if we are to reach Rivendell before nightfall."
With that the once party of three was now a party of four and they set
off towards Rivendell and the last leg of Bella's journey home.
