Cathleen's Live Journal

A Message from Dreamflower!

ceshaughnessy@livejournal.com — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:25:25 GMT

I just want to remind everyone--Dana's birthday *is* August 14, and not, as LJ says, August 1! So don't forget to help make her day a happy one.

LOTR Community July Challenge Stories now posted!

ceshaughnessy@livejournal.com — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:04:52 GMT

Come check them out!

http://community.livejournal.com/lotr_community/

This Little Piggy Went to Market

ceshaughnessy@livejournal.com — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:54:18 GMT

Another adventure for Pippin and Tulip as the Took's spend the day shopping in Whitwell! For Dreamflower - Happy, Happy Belated Birthday!!!

“This Little Piggy Went to Market”

“The only thing that really worries me about this is how will we explain it to Mum?” Pippin pursed his lips into a thoughtful pout as he held Tulip at arm’s length and confided in her. The pout deepened. “I know I have to explain it, not you! And I’m not trying to come up with a way out of it.” Pippin settled back on his heels and considered his dilemma. “At least, I don’t think I am.” He winced at Tulip’ s haughty tone of voice as she scolded him for getting them both into yet another fine mess.

“Anyway, you won’t be the one getting grounded. Well, I suppose you will, in a way -- yes! I know that whatever I do affects you too! Just help me sort out this mess, will you?” Pippin shook his head, disgusted with himself for his shortsightedness. “And, it’d be nice if I didn’t wind up getting the seat of my britches warmed, too.” Pippin listened intently and then sniffed. “What do you mean, I probably deserve it? I thought you were going to stick up for me?”

“Come on, Pip!” Pervinca waved impatiently at him as she hurried after Pearl. ”He’s talking to his piggy again,” she giggled tossing a knowing look at Pimpernel.

“Coming!” Pippin scrambled to his feet and ran after his sisters. His mother came hurrying out the door and looked around, spying him quickly.

“Oh, there you are.” Eglantine gestured for her youngest to come to her and gave him a quick once over. “Good. Your hair is still neat and you didn’t get any dirt on yourself yet. Let’s go then.” She steered him towards the waggon.

Pippin could see that his father was already seated on the driving bench awaiting them. Paladin hopped down and hoisted Pippin up to sit beside him, then scrambled back into his seat. “I see you have Tulip all settled in for the ride,” he remarked with a twinkle in his eye. Pippin answered with an enthusiastic nod. “Is everyone ready?” Paladin called over his shoulder.

“Yes, dear, we’re all settled in back here,” Eglantine replied. “Pippin, you be careful up there. Don’t squirm around so much, and mind your da.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Pippin said with a firm shake of his head, and a wink at Tulip. The knitted piglet sighed and crawled inside of her lad’s shirt to take a nap. Riding in the waggon always made her sleepy. And trying to help figure out a way to get her lad out of trouble was always dreadfully bothersome. She needed forty winks and a chance to think…

The trip was not a long one, as the family was only headed into Whitwell to do some shopping. The lasses all wanted cloth for new frocks, and Eglantine needed to restock her knitting basket, while Paladin was happy for the opportunity just to have an afternoon off from the tasks of running the farm. Pippin reached into his pocket and withdrew a small bag containing his pennies. He shook them out on his lap and counted them, dropping them back into the pouch one by one. Paladin watched him from the corner of his eye. The pennies had been burning a hole in his lad’s pocket for days, ever since he’d been given them in anticipation of the trip into the village. He grinned at the memory of being Pippin’s age and doing the same thing.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Pippin tilted his head to look up at his father after he finished dumping the coins back into the bag.

Paladin laughed. “Just remembering something, m’boy, that’s all. Come,” he gestured for Pippin to climb onto his lap and when he had, he settled the youngster in between his knees and placed the reins in his hands while still guiding them with his own. “I think it’s time you learned to drive the waggon.” Pippin squealed with glee, grasping the reins between his fingers. Inside his shirt, Tulip clucked her tongue in mild distress. How dare Paladin give her lad his first driving lesson while she was travelling with them?

“It’s all right, lass,” Pippin soothed, speaking into his open shirt collar. He grinned up at his father. “Tulip is a wee bit worried about my driving, Da.”

“Ah, I’m certain you’ll do fine.”

A groan could be heard from the back of the waggon and Eglantine shushed her youngest daughter. “But Mum, I’m older than Pippin and I haven’t been allowed to drive yet!”

Pippin twisted around and gave his sister a smug grin.

“Hmph.” Pervinca sat back and folded her arms. “You better not put us in the ditch, Pip.”

“Don’t be a worry wart, Vinca. Your brother’s doing fine,” Paladin reassured her. “And I’m holding the reins too.” He winked at his son and Pippin giggled. In truth, the youngster was urging the ponies on all by himself, and was feeling more grown up with each passing moment.

“What?” Pippin was distracted by a whisper and tilted an ear towards his collar. “What are you talking about?”

“Mum, he’s talking to his piggy again,” Pervinca said in a loud whisper.

“Why, I don’t think I’ll have any problems with it,” Pippin spoke into his shirt. “And how do you come up with these ideas?”

“Watch the road, lad!” Paladin grabbed the reins and steered the pair of ponies back onto a straight course.

“Maybe he’s going to give Tulip the reins?” Nell chuckled. “What do you think, Mum?”

“I’ll tell you what I think. I think our little brother is getting more daft by the day.”

“That wasn’t very nice, Vinca,” Pearl scolded.

“Now, Pervinca, I think if Tulip was asked to drive she’d do a fine job of getting us into Whitwell. After all, lasses can drive a waggon just as well as the lads! Isn’t that right, Pad?”

“Oh, yes indeed, m’dear. I couldn’t agree more wholeheartedly.” Paladin bobbed his head up and down.

“Well, Da, maybe we should see what kind of a driver Tulip is?” Pearl winked at her mother. “Why don’t you give her the reins for a few moments, Pippin lad?”

“Is it all right, Da?” Pippin’s voice rose in his excitement.

”Oh, I don’t see why not. Put her up here on your lap.” Paladin took the reins while his son scooped his toy out of his shirt and placed her in front of him. Paladin looped the reins around Pippin’s hands as they held the knitted piglet together. He coaxed the ponies to a brisker trot, and Pippin laughed.

“She likes it, Da!”

“Aye, so she does. I can tell. Perhaps we should have brought along Sammy Lambie? He’s missing out on all the fun.”

Pippin giggled. “Mum, Tulip’s driving the waggon! And she’s making the ponies go faster!”

“Yes, I see. My, but she is a fine driver, isn’t she lasses?”

Pearl poked Nell with her elbow and grinned. “Oh my, yes! What a talented piggy we have amongst us. Why, just for going to all the trouble of driving us in to town I’m going to purchase some cloth to make her a new sunbonnet.”

“And of course, you’ll need to embroider a tulip on the brim, Pearl,” Pimpernel told her with a straight face.

“Of course I shall, and perhaps she should have a wee parasol too, one with fine lace and frills--”

“What? No frilly parasols, Pearl! Tulip may be a lass piglet, but she’s not a fancy one.” Pippin sounded mildly disgusted. “See? Even Tulip says she thinks it’s not suitable for her,” he sniffed.

“Oh, very well. Just the bonnet, then?” Pearl had a mock look of disappointment on her face.

Pippin nodded his head firmly. “Aye, she says a bonnet is lovely, and she’d welcome it, but no lacey parasol!”

“Thank goodness. I don’t think I could keep from laughing if I saw Tulip carrying around a parasol,” Pimpernel whispered to her mother.

***

“What do you think Tulip would like to do?” Paladin asked his son in all seriousness. They had just left the lasses and were strolling around the little village square. “We have plenty of time. I’m sure it will take your mother and sisters at least an hour or two to decide on what they want at Miss Daisy’s fabric shop.”

Pippin nodded, slipping a small hand inside his father’s larger one. “And then Mum will have to pick out all her bits and bobs to go in her sewing basket and what colour wool she needs for her knitting.”

The simple gesture filled Paladin’s heart with warmth. He squeezed it gently as they continued their stroll down the busy village street, pausing every now and again to peer into one of the windows of the shops that beckoned their attention. They stopped at last in front of the one that boasted a colourful exhibit of every kind of sweet imaginable to Hobbit-kind. “Ah, me! What a fine selection Mr Chubb has for us today. What do you say we go in and take a look around, eh?” Paladin took an eager step forward.

Pippin hesitated, rattling the pouch of coins inside his pocket, his mouth watering as he studied the tasty display. Inside his shirt, Tulip wriggled, poking him firmly with one miniature hoof to remind him of what he needed to do. “I know,” he whispered. “Umm, Da? Wait for a moment?”

Paladin looked down, astonished. His lad? Resisting going into a sweet shop? “What is it, Pip? Is something wrong?”

“Mum has to get new knitting needles,” he confided. “And a great deal more wool, I think.”

“Oh?” This information took Paladin by surprise. “And why is that? Your mother didn’t mention it to me.”

Pippin frowned. “Well…she probably didn’t bring it up it because she doesn’t know it…that she needs them, that is…umm, yet.”

Paladin glanced down at his son’s almost golden curls. The lad was staring at his feet now. He tugged on Pippin’s hand to gain his attention. “Peregrin? Why does your mother need more knitting needles? I thought she bought a new set last time we came into the village?”

“Oh, aye. She did.” Pippin bobbed his head in ready agreement, still contemplating his feet.

“Then what--?”

“I think she needs a new pair of the fat ones. You know, the kind she uses to knit a big blanket?”

“And, how come she needs to buy the fat kind used to make blankets?”

“Umm, well, because I may have borrowed them the other day and…”

“May have borrowed them?” Paladin’s eyes widened. “Aren’t you sure whether you did or not? And whatever for? Were you planning on doing some knitting yourself?”

Pippin scowled. “You don’t have to laugh at me. I was only trying to help.”

“What?” Paladin scratched his head, bewildered. “What are you talking about, boy? I wasn’t laughing at you. Why, I wasn’t laughing at all!”

“No, I didn’t mean you, Da.” Pippin gave his father a shy smile and a half shrug, and then crooked a finger at him to lean closer. Paladin placed his ear close to his son’s mouth and Pippin pointed inside his shirt. “Tulip hasn’t let me forget what I did,” he whispered. “She told me not to borrow them, and so now every time she’s reminded of what happened she has a laughing fit.”

“Ah,” Paladin said. “I see. Piggy has the giggles, does she? Well, why don’t you tell me what you did so I can join in, hmm?”

“Promise you won’t be angry with me?”

Paladin rolled his eyes. How well he remembered using the same plea with his own father. “Lad, you’re causing me to worry, now. Tell me what happened to your mother’s knitting needles.” Paladin led him to a bench and sat, pulling Pippin into his lap. Pippin relaxed against his father’s strong shoulder and sighed.

“Ah, such a long and heavy sigh for a young hobbit. What’s wrong, Pip?”

“I just wanted to make a coverlet for Lily. She’s going to be a whole year old soon, and she needs one because I gave Snowflake my new blanket last year when Lily and her brothers and sisters were born, but it got all dirty so--” Pippin took a huge gulp of air. “So now she needs a new one and Tulip said I couldn’t do it and that I shouldn’t try, but I was certain I could do it, so--”

“Wait a minute!” Paladin held up his hand to silence his son’s breathless speech. “All by yourself? Pippin, you’re only just learning how to knit. Not that it wasn’t a nice thing to do, to think of your cat and her comfort, but you really must ask your mother before you take her things. You know that, lad.”

Pippin nodded. “Yes, but…I wanted to surprise her with how well I’m doing. And I really did think I could manage it by myself. So, I took Mum’s things without asking, but now…uh…now they’re gone.”

“And just what happened to them?”

“Umm…” Pippin hesitated, twisting around to peer up at his father.

“Yes?” Paladin raised an eyebrow, bracing himself for any number of peculiar explanations.

“Well…I’d just put my needles and ball of wool aside while I—Tulip! I know, all right? You’ve told me that a hundred times today!”

Paladin bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing at his son’s antics. He spoke into his son’s open shirt collar. “Ahem. Do be quiet, Tulip, and allow Peregrin to speak. There’s a good lass, now! Go ahead, lad. Tell me the rest of the story.”

“I put them on a hay bale while I was feeding Lily and the other kitties, and when I turned around, well…are you certain you won’t be angry with me?”

“Lad, what did you do with your mother’s knitting needles?” Paladin kneaded his temples where a headache was promising to bloom.

“Well…it’s a wee bit of a confusing explanation, Da. I’m not sure why she did it…”

“Why who did what?”

“Or what she wanted it for, and I just didn’t know what to think--”

“I’m fast getting there myself, boy.”

Pippin sighed and turned back to face the road. “Pansy snatched them up, and the wool too, and then ran away with them in her mouth and now I can’t find them anywhere.”

Paladin stared down at the top of Pippin’s head, his mouth twitching in amusement. “Your mum’s goose stole your knitting?” The curly head bobbed up and down. Father, son, and knitted piglet each sat in silence, considering. At last, Paladin offered an explanation. “Perhaps she wanted to knit herself a nest?”

Pippin twisted around and peered up at his father with a doubtful frown. A muffled snort drifted out of his shirt and Pippin swept Tulip into his arms, holding her snout against his ear. He listened carefully for a moment. “Tulip says she thinks you’ve gone ‘round the bend, Da.”

Paladin laughed heartily as he stood and set Pippin on his feet. “Oh, she does, does she? And you agree?”

Pippin gave his father a cheeky grin. “Aye!”

“Ah, well then. Where do you suppose she’s about to put those eggs she’s soon to lay, hmm?” Paladin draped an arm around his son’s shoulders and nodded towards the sweet shop. “Why don’t we go spend some of those pennies of yours before we head back to Miss Daisy’s and let your mother know she needs more knitting needles?”

Pippin giggled and waved Tulip in the air. “And more wool!”

“Aye, and more wool,” Paladin laughed. “Is there anything else your mum needs to know she has to purchase before we go home?”

Pippin tilted his head to one side, thinking carefully. “Well…Tulip says she’d be ever so pleased to have one of those big crème puffs we saw in the window of Mr Chubb’s shop, although she says we don’t have enough pennies for that and to get everything else we want.”

“It sounds like you both have a great deal of shopping planned.” Paladin led the way, sniffing appreciatively at the heady confectionary scents as they entered the store. “Perhaps I should treat everyone, what do you say? We can take them home to have tonight for afters.” Paladin winked and went to speak to the shopkeeper.

Pippin trailed after him. “We have to wait until then?”

“Yes, indeed you do. Now hush, Tulip says to mind your manners.”

Pippin frowned into his shirt. “I thought you said you were on my side?” Tulip stared up at him with an impish smile and a twinkle in her satin eyes.

***
“Oh! Pad, you must come and see this!” Eglantine ran into the barn later that evening after sending her two youngest to fetch their father for supper.

“What? Why Tina, you’re flushed! What’s the matter?”

“Come with me.” She tugged on her husband’s arm fairly bursting with excitement. Mystified, Pippin and Pervinca followed behind them. Stopping next to the shed near the kitchen door, Eglantine pointed. Still puzzled, Paladin stooped to look underneath the steps. A huge grin spread across his face and he threw back his head and laughed uproariously.

“What is it, Da?” Pervinca watched her parents shaking with laughter before dropping to her knees and having a look for herself. Pippin crowded her out of the way, squealing with delight. An indignant honk filtered out from the hiding place at the unwelcome disturbance.

“Back up children,” Eglantine warned. “You know how she is when she’s sitting a nest!”

Still laughing, they peered at the big goose sitting haughtily upon her clutch of eggs beneath the porch. Several layers of bright red wool lined the nest in sharp contrast against a background of white feathers. Pansy honked a warning again and flapped her wings for added effect.

“Well now, at least she has the beginning of a blanket there, thanks to Pippin!” Paladin shook his head. “You see, lad? I was right; all she wanted was to knit herself a nest. Why, ‘twas very fortunate that you just happened to be knitting your cat a blanket during Pansy’s hour of need!”

“She can be keeping it too,” Eglantine told them. “Because I shan’t be wanting it back. Oh my, I do wonder what she did with the knitting needles though? I don’t even want to entertain the notion of just what that goose might do with them if she were upset with someone.”

“Tina, surely she wouldn’t use them as a weapon?” Paladin raised an eyebrow at his wife.

“Oh, I don’t know about that, Pad. I wouldn’t put a thing past that goose. She’s a sly one.”

“Could be she’s hanging on to them for later.” Paladin glanced over his shoulder at Pippin and Pervinca and winked. “Who knows, we might find her finishing that blanket for Lily whilst she’s sitting her nest!”

Eglantine disappeared into the farmhouse ahead of them, the sound of merry laughter trailing behind her as the door swung shut.

Happy Birthday Shireling!!!!

ceshaughnessy@livejournal.com — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:15:10 GMT

I hope you have a very awesome birthday because you really deserve it!

(((Hugs Helen)))

LOTR_Community June Challenge Stories now posted!

ceshaughnessy@livejournal.com — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:57:07 GMT

We invite you to come and read all the great stories our authors have written for the June Challenge! If you'd like to participate, just email the mods.

http://community.livejournal.com/lotr_community/

If You Could See What I Hear - Epilogue

ceshaughnessy@livejournal.com — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:54:29 GMT

It's finally finished - whoohoo!

Summary: During the Quest, Pippin remembers what happened in the forest many years earlier.

“If You Could See What I Hear…”
Epilogue

“Come Yesterday”

Dim vales- and shadowy floods-
And cloudy-looking woods,
Whose forms we can’t discover
For the tears that drip all over!
Huge moons there wax and wane-
Again-again-again-
Every moment of the night-
Forever changing places-
And they put out the star-light
With the breath from their pale faces.

…Over hamlets, over halls,
Wherever they may be-
O’er the strange woods- o’er the sea-
Over spirits on the wing-
Over every drowsy thing-
And buries them up quite
In a labyrinth of light-
And then, how deep!- O, deep!
Is the passion of their sleep.

…Of which those butterflies
Of Earth, who seek the skies,
And so come down again,
Never-contented things!
Have brought a specimen
Upon their quivering wings.

“Faerie-Land”
Edgar Allen Poe

***

Paladin had been uneasy the entire day; but now, as darkness fell once more, causing long shadows across the green hills of his ancestral home, he was increasingly apprehensive. All day long he had tried to push the dark thoughts to the back of his mind in order to function in his role as Thain. These were troubled times in the Tookland, as they were in the whole of the Shire, and he had passed already a multitude of restless nights. But none thus far had been as terrible as those first few weeks after his son had gone missing. Immediately, the dread and the fear of another time when Pippin had disappeared had come readily to mind, along with the same feelings of desperation.

Paladin had berated himself soundly at first; he’d been aware of an oddness about Pippin’s behaviour. But the business of his position kept him so often preoccupied that he had put the thoughts aside, planning to have a talk with his son before long. And that time had never come. Pippin was simply not there one day, just as had happened the other time. But bits of information had come to him from Buckland. Frodo and Merry had also disappeared, and although Merry had left a letter for his father that contained a scant amount of information, nothing eased the aching hearts left behind to wonder.

The anger had set in, and then the hurt and confusion. Where they had gone, and what they were up to, he had no idea. Eglantine had wept her heart bare, and when he thought she had no tears left, she’d wept some more. And Paladin’s resentment towards his son’s actions had deepened. But there was naught to do but wait and hope for the best. Each day was a trial, and the nights sometimes felt endless. But his obstinate strength of mind saw him through a day at a time. And then the memories had started to return.

He hadn’t considered them in years, or for long at a time when he did remember. He’d rather hoped, somewhere deep in the back of his mind that the day would never come when he needed to call upon the lessons of that long ago guiding force. Over the passing years Pippin had seemed to forget entirely about what had happened in the forest. He still carried his faerie stone, however, and every once in awhile Paladin would find him gazing out over the meadow with a faraway, dreamy look on his face. It was the same expression he’d seen while he’d watched his son as Pippin listened to the music of the Otherworld, and conversed with the extraordinary beings. At those times, Paladin would grow afraid again.

Now, as he and his family were called upon to fight the ruffians that tried to take over their lives, he began to understand what the oak spirit was trying to teach him. Paladin was certain the time had come at last for the crucial task of which both the spirit and the Elf had spoken.

Peregrin was in danger. He knew this without a doubt. And he knew that this time he could not go to him and help. Instead, he would need to hold to his conviction that Pippin would be strong, and that he already possessed the inner power and ability to persevere, no matter what might come his way. But the lad hadn’t even come of age yet. Paladin sighed heavily and walked out into the late evening chill, forgoing his cloak and gloves. There was trouble, and it had become worse. He knew it, could feel it. There would be no sleep again this night.

***

Pippin tossed restlessly on the soft bed for a few minutes after startling awake, before giving in at last and rising. He padded to the window and gazed out at the star-filled night, wondering if anyone in his family were looking at it too, right at this very moment. Imagining that someone was felt oddly reassuring. The comforts in Rivendell in the house of Elrond were exceptional, yet he was unable to relax and enjoy them. They had arrived here only one short week ago, and Frodo already showed signs of improvement from the deadly wound of the Morgul-blade. They had all breathed sighs of relief and settled in to await word of how they would proceed.

Merry spent much of his time poring over maps and books in the impressive library, as if he knew he would have need of the information. Samwise spent his time attending Frodo’s bedside, and dear old Cousin Bilbo could most often be found napping. But Pippin was restless and often wandered through the gardens and the halls of the Homely House barely noticing its grandeur. At times, something touched his mind, lightly, as if beckoning, and then it would slip away, still too elusive for him to grasp.

He thought of this as he fingered the small, smooth stone he wore. It had always brought him a sense of ease when he held it, admiring its sparkle as it glimmered in the sunlight. He smiled, remembering the day his father had given it to him, a thin strip of leather threaded through the hole so he could wear it around his neck. It was just after his adventure in the woodlands that surrounded his family’s farm, and he thought his da might have found it by the water while he searched for him.

The perfect opening in its centre seemed to provide a window to another world when he looked through it. Pippin recalled how, when he’d first held it to his eye, he was certain he’d seen the face of a lovely wee lass looking back at him. At other times he saw only the trees and grass, although appearing more intensely alive than usual. Of course, as he grew older he understood that it was simply an illusion, but oh! how it fascinated him, and he continued to keep it close.

A dream came to mind unbidden, one that had recurred for as long as he could remember. In it, a beautiful figure in white appeared near the water and spoke to him, and when he awoke he always felt comforted. But some of the dreams he’d begun having since they’d left home seemed a queer vision of sorts, and he wasn’t sure what they meant. Strong feelings of danger overwhelmed him and he fought against the unseen perils while he slept. It was very disconcerting and he could never remember what he had actually dreamed, but it always left him with a sense of dread.

He’d experienced such things as visions before. There was the time he’d somehow known that his younger cousin, Goldenrod Took, at the tender age of five, was in danger of drowning in the pond on his family’s farm. He’d rushed to her without a thought, surprising everyone in the middle of a birthday celebration when he’d suddenly bolted away. And the funny way he always seemed able to find the hidden pebble whenever he and the other children played a game of ‘Hide the Stone.’ Pippin sighed. Those things paled in light of what he ‘saw’ now, and the fear it invoked. He left the window, feeling the summons of the moonlit night. Perhaps a walk might clear his head.

He trailed through the garden lost in his thoughts, until he stopped, shocked from his reverie. On the path ahead strolled an Elf, her back to him, gazing up at the sky as if in serene reflection. A cascade of long, red-gold hair trailed down her back, reaching almost to her waist. Pippin’s eyes grew large; he was dumbstruck, his mouth gaping in wonder. She wasn’t the first Elf he’d seen, of course, but there was something different about her, something that awed him in her presence. Pippin realised with a start that she was much smaller in stature than any of the Elves he’d seen thus far. A child? No…somehow that didn’t feel quite right. What then? The voice that had been murmuring in his head grew stronger. He started to back away soundlessly when she turned and caught Pippin’s gaze with her own, holding it for what seemed an eternity. Pippin stared as green eyes, the exact shade of his own, held him captive in their piercing stare. At last, she extended a hand to him, and in a soft voice, spoke his name.

“Peregrin.”

“Eolande?” The lovely vision before him nodded and walked towards him.

“Come, sit with me beneath the Dair, and we shall speak of many things.”

The memories of eighteen years before unlocked all at once, overwhelming him, and his knees buckled…

***

Pippin bolted upright from his haven beneath the oak, his breath coming in quick, frantic gasps, heart pounding in his chest. His eyes darted about the garden, but he was alone. Shaking, he took several deep breaths to calm himself. It had happened. It was real. He had been there, had seen them, and talked to them. His hand flew to his throat, feeling for the stone. “Rhoswen,” he whispered, “Alfie.”

***
Paladin followed Pippin outside of their home at the Great Smials and headed across the meadow. His mind drifted to all the other times he had followed him out of the farmhouse for an evening walk and a private conversation. Paladin breathed another grateful sigh of relief, thinking he still could hardly bear to take his eyes off his son. Pippin had come back to them once again, safe and whole, and yet changed by all that he had seen and done. That didn’t matter. His son had survived the dreadful War. What they had been through had changed his entire family. Now at last, the ruffians who had tried to take over the Shire were gone and life appeared to be settling down at last. Ah, he had so many questions, and so many things he wished to talk about with his child.

Pippin turned, feeling his father’s eyes upon him, and grinned. “It’s so wonderful to be home again, Da.”

Paladin slipped an arm around him and squeezed him tight. “It’s a wonder your mother will allow you out of her sight long enough to take a walk with me alone.” He ruffled Pippin’s hair, marveling once more at the need to reach up to do so. He shook his head. “Ent draughts, you called it. That’s what made you and your cousin grow so tall? I admit I still find it amazing, and difficult to understand. And yet, here you are, living proof that such things are possible.”

“Da…” Pippin began, and then stopped. His father looked at him quizzically. “Speaking of amazing things, there’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about for a long time.” Pippin gestured at the ground near a grove of young oaks and sat down tailor fashion leaning back against one of the trees. He fidgeted with a loose thread on his shirtsleeve and Paladin smiled at the familiar gesture.

“What is it, Pippin? Is something troubling you?” He had a feeling it was time for the discussion he’d thought they would’ve had many years ago.

“Well…no. I mean, not precisely that is. Do you remember the day I became lost in the woods when I was only ten years old? And you, and Uncle Saradoc, and everyone had to come looking for me?”

“Ah, yes. Actually, I remember it quite well. I’d never been so worried about you before in my entire life. Not that there weren’t plenty of other times after that when I was equally, or even more frightened!” Paladin chuckled, and then grew serious. “What is it?”

Pippin glanced at his father before gazing out across the meadow that was so similar to the one he’d wandered from that day. “I have a feeling you already know what it is I want to discuss.”

“Tell me, son.”

Pippin hesitated, tugging at some of the clumps of grass by his feet and frowning. “I…it…they were real. It did happen. I was there. I paid a visit to their world, didn’t I?” Pippin turned back to his father and waited.

“Yes.” The two of them sat in silence, watching one another.

Finally, Pippin tilted his head, puzzled. “Yes? Is that all? Isn’t there anything else you’d like to say?”

“What would you like to hear, son?”

Pippin stared at his father, somewhat taken aback. “I, I don’t know. It’s all so odd…so bewildering.” His fingers touched the stone about his neck.

“Aye, that it is.” Paladin sighed deeply and leaned one shoulder against the young oak. “It was the queerest experience of my entire life, truth be told, and I remember what happened vividly, still. Do you want to know why it happened? I’m not certain I can answer that. I’ve wondered the same thing myself all these years.” Paladin leaned forward and clasped his son’s hands in his own, squeezing them, then used one finger to lift his chin and stare into the troubled eyes. “Peregrin, all I know for certain is that I have my son back safely, and that there was something necessary about that visitation in order for it to be so. Now, perhaps you can explain that part to me.”

Pippin dropped his eyes and studied his toes. “I saw her, Da. The one Alfie told me the story about. Our…our ancestor. Eolande. While we were in Rivendell, right after Frodo was injured.” Pippin raised his head. “I remembered everything when I saw her. And, she told me things that helped me…” Pippin looked away again, “ah, through some very difficult times on our journey. That day and night I spent in the woods, it wasn’t a dream. Although I’ve seen her in my dreams as well, and for a very long time.”

“I know,” Paladin said softly, scooting closer to his son and pulling him into a hug. “I do too. And, I continue to be visited.” Father and son were silent for some time before Pippin spoke again.

“Now I wonder if I would have survived at all without…what I learned. Have you ever told anyone what happened?” Pippin sought his father’s eyes and studied their green depths for several long moments, and then smiled. “No, I didn’t think so.”

“I’m not certain ‘twas anything anyone would have believed. Perhaps I was afraid they’d think I’d gone mad.”

Pippin laughed and Paladin joined in. “I think I can understand what you’re trying to say, Da. Some things are better left unsaid.”

Paladin gazed out across the meadow. “While other things must be said, but only when the time is right for them. Wouldn’t you agree?” Paladin looked back at his son. The day Pippin was born flashed through his mind and he recalled the myriad of powerful emotions that had passed through him as he’d held the tiny lad who’d been entrusted to his care. Since that day he’d been tried many times along the way, but none so sorely as what they’d been through recently. Paladin shivered, recalling how many close calls they’d had, and how wondrous it was that they had all survived. Pippin looked up at him questioningly.

“Was there something else you wanted to say, Da?”

“Just that I love you, m’lad.” Paladin squeezed him tight.

“I love you too, Da,” Pippin whispered, returning the hug.

***

“I never could advance my curiosity to conviction; but came away at last only willing to believe.”

A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland, 1775
Samuel Johnson, quoted in “The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns & Faeries,” by Robert Kirk, 1691

A/N: This tale has taken me a whole year to create, and it’s been a true labor of love. I have learned many fascinating details about the myths of the Celtic Otherworld and the faerie faith. Again, I wish to thank Dreamflower for beta reading, Pearl Took for reading and commenting and sharing thoughts and ideas regarding the Took faerie blood, and both of these ladies as well as Larner, for allowing me to use their OC’s for some of the search party scenes. Thank you to Minniemoggie for naming the river, Cenedril o’galad, and to the ladies from our Groups: Ink, Rhysylle, and Lilyhawker, who replied to my plea to help me come up with the name for the river! Additionally, my thanks to Marigold’s Tale Challenges, where the first chapter of this story appeared using an assigned prompt, “How far have we walked, do you think?” as well as Marigold and Llinos’s beta of the first chapter. Although I mistakenly used the prompt in the middle of the story rather than the beginning, it still fit perfectly into Pippin and Tulip’s adventure!

A special note regarding Pippin’s age. I have utilized Dreamflower’s “Hobbit Age Chart” and in my story Pippin is said to be ten years old. Therefore, the equivalent in “man years” makes him approximately six and a half years old.

And a huge thank you goes to the readers who have followed my story all the way through and left many generous and much appreciated comments along the way. Your support helped keep this story flowing, and I thank you again!

Glossary of Terms

Alfie: Feminine Form of Alfred, meaning “Elf Counsellor”

Celeb henneth n’ atpaluin: Silver Window on Another World

Cenedril: Mirror

Cenedril o’galad: Mirror of Glittering Reflection

Dair: Gaelic word for Oak

Daoine Sidhe: Keepers of the Otherworld

Dha Shealladh: The Celtic Second Sight

Duin: River

Sidhe or Sidh: Faerie Mounds or Hills, also the people of the Faerie Mounds. The Otherworld, the Invisible Race

Dha Shealladh: The Celtic Second Sight

Eolande: Celtic/Gaelic word meaning “Violet Flower”

Ealdhun: Norse word meaning “From the Elves’ valley”

Glas: Gaelic word meaning “Green”

Liannan Shi’th: Beloved One of the Faerie mounds, a Faerie who took a mortal lover

Mi na Bealtaine: Modern Celtic word for Beltane, the First Day of May

Namárië: Elven word meaning Farewell or Goodbye

Rhoswen: Gaelic, meaning “White Rose”

Si’og: the descendants of the Tuatha

Sirith Amarth: Flowing Fate

Si’th: Celtic word for Hills, Mounds

Tuatha: Common Folk, Crafters, Farmers, lovers of the land and of nature

Tuatha de Danann: Legendary race, the forerunners of the Celtic civilization who became the Daoine Sidhe, the Faeries or Fey Folk

Thrimidge: Hobbit word meaning the month of May

Borrowed OC’s

Dreamflower: Sparrow Tunnelly, Chico Chubb, Gil Chubb

Pearl Took: Tolley Took

Larner: Malco Chubb, Dremma Chubb

A/N: All other Oc’s created by the author.

If You Could See What I Hear - Chapter 11

ceshaughnessy@livejournal.com — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:59:04 GMT

"The Song of the Morning Birds"

“If You Could See What I Hear…”
Chapter Eleven

“Song of the Morning Birds”

Hold Fast to Dreams
For if Dreams Die
Life is a Broken-winged Bird
That cannot Fly.

Eglantine and Esmeralda flew through the kitchen where the lamps burned low. Saradoc and Frodo had continued their conversation after the others had gone to bed, but now they were nowhere to be seen and the back door stood wide open. Eglantine stumbled towards her husband as he trotted up the yard, a small wriggling bundle on his shoulder. With a shriek of delight, Eglantine descended on them. The bundle protested noisily as she pulled Pippin into a smothering embrace.

“Oh! Oh, oh, oh – Pad! Wherever did you find him? Oh, my dear Pippin,” Eglantine sobbed into his tousled hair as she hugged him tightly against her.

“Mum! I can’t breath!” he complained, freeing an arm and flailing it above his head until his mother loosened her grip at last.

“He’s all right, Tina,” Paladin soothed as he ruffled Pippin’s hair. Eglantine continued weeping, hanging on to her child as if she feared he might suddenly disappear. “Hardly any worse for the wear, either!” he jested, “save for some streaks of dirt and dampish clothing, not to mention poor Tulip here.” Paladin held up the knitted piglet that had tumbled out of Pippin’s shirt as he was fussed over by his mother.

“Yes indeed, he looks fine to me,” Esmeralda said as she gathered both Eglantine and her nephew into a hug.

“I’m hungry!” Pippin shouted amidst all the excitement. “And I’m as hungry as three hobbits,” he declared as his father handed him Tulip. He held his toy to his ear and then giggled. “And Tulip says she is too!”

“Well, he certainly sounds like himself,” Frodo commented with a chuckle as he leaned over to pat his little cousin’s shoulder.

Paladin scooped him back into his arms and headed into the farmhouse with a laugh. “Well, I’m certain there’s something we can do about that!”

“Rhoswen was going to give me something to eat, but then Alfie said she couldn’t, even though Tulip and I were ever so hungry, but she said if we ate their food we couldn’t ever leave again so we didn’t.” Pippin shrugged and placed his toy on the table as Paladin lowered him into a chair. “But that was all right because we heard such splendid stories and saw some frightfully queer things and, oh, the music was jolly good, and the wee creatures, especially Ealhdun, were so…” he paused to take a huge bite of the buttered bread that his aunt had set in front of him, chewed quickly and then continued without missing a beat, “splendid, and I loved listening to him talk! He had the oddest voice and funny long ears, sort of like a rabbit but not exactly, and when he laughed it was like--”

“Pippin, lad, don’t talk with your mouth full,” Esmeralda told him, laying her hand on his shoulder. “You’re going to make your food go down the wrong way.”

Pippin obediently stopped talking while he chewed and swallowed, then took a deep breath and continued rambling while he buttered some more of the bread. “Everyone was so nice to us!” Pippin paused to place the bread in front of Tulip’s mouth. “But it wasn’t easy after seeing all that food Rhoswen had set out, and not being allowed to eat any! Was it m’lass?” he queried the knitted piglet before digging eagerly into the bowl of stew his mother was putting in front of him.

“Pad, whatever is he going on about?” Eglantine whispered, raising a brow in consternation.

Paladin shrugged. “You know how he is, Tina. He probably entertained himself by making up stories while he was lost. We can talk to him about his adventure tomorrow. Including his wandering off! Meanwhile, let him eat and then he can have a wash and get into bed. I don’t see how he could have had much sleep in the woods.”

“I want him into a hot bath before bed. I’m sure he’ll have a chill from being outside so long.” Eglantine gave her son another hug before leaving the room to prepare the hot water for the tub.

“Pip! You’re back!” Merry rushed into the kitchen with Pippin’s sisters close behind him.

“Merry!” Pippin reached out with both arms and a cry of delight as his cousin gathered him close, pressing the youngster hard against his chest. Pippin’s yelp of alarm came out muffled, “Oww, Merry, not so hard!”

“Sorry! I’m just happy to see that you’re all right. We were all so upset when we couldn’t find you.” Merry let him go, still grinning.

“Well, I won’t be all right if everyone doesn’t stop squeezing the stuffing out of me!” Pippin grumbled, rubbing his arms where Merry had gripped him a little too firmly.

“Ahem, my turn now,” Pearl said, moving in between her cousin and her little brother. She placed her hands on her hips and gave him an exaggerated scowl. “You scamp! Wherever have you been all this time? I was worried half to death.” She pulled Pippin to her for another fierce hug. “You’re not getting out of my sight ever again, m’lad!”

“Pearl!” Pippin let out a wail of protest at her declaration, while she laughed and rubbed his back.

“Well, at least for a few days, then.” Pearl knelt next to him and took both hands in her own. “Don’t ever wander off like that again and scare us so! Do you promise?”

Pippin nodded firmly. “I promise.”

“Good, I’m glad you agree with me.” Pearl moved away, shaking her head and allowing room for her sisters to greet Pippin.

Pimpernel, and finally Pervinca, took their turns giving him even more warm hugs and warnings not to wander off again.

“I said I wouldn’t!” Pippin rolled his eyes at Pimpernel, and then stuck his tongue out at Pervinca for being so bossy.

Merry couldn’t resist giving his cousin another hug after Pippin’s sisters stood back at last, before looking him over from head to foot to reassure himself that the youngster truly was all right. “Where were you?” Merry finally settled into the chair next to him and listened to Pippin babble on about his adventure, while the little Took continued to stuff himself, occasionally offering a bite to Tulip.

“In the woods, of course! But I wasn’t alone the whole time.”

“You weren’t?” Merry turned his puzzled look to his uncle.

Paladin cleared his throat. “Yes, well. Your cousin has a wonderful imagination, Merry. You know that.”

Before Pippin could protest, Bilbo trotted into the kitchen at last. “My stars, it did take a great deal to wake an old hobbit, but I’m glad I heard the commotion at last. Peregrin Took!” Bilbo hurried over to give his young cousin a hug and a kiss. “How are you, my lad? And just where have you been hiding yourself all this time, hmm?”

“I wasn’t hiding, Cousin Bilbo. Tulip and I were having an adventure with Rhoswen!”

“Ah, and who is Rhoswen?”

“She’s my friend, and so is Alfie. I met them in the woods. Oh! And I met so many others there, too! They played music for us, and sang and danced! And I did too, Bilbo, and we had ever so much fun!”

“He was having the time of his life while we were worried to death about him?” Bilbo raised his brow in surprise as he gazed at the family.

Frodo patted him soothingly on the back. “I think he was simply entertaining himself, Uncle. Our Pip has quite the imagination, you know.”

“Hmm, yes, I do indeed. Ah, well! All that matters is that he’s home safe and sound, and no worse for all his adventures, eh?” Bilbo winked at Frodo.

“That’s right. And Pippin is not going to wander off like that again and cause his family such dreadful worry.” Frodo gave his young cousin a mock glare. “Are you, Pip?”

The youngster shook his head slowly from side to side as he peered up at him from beneath his long lashes. Frodo knelt next to his chair and smoothed the disheveled hair from Pippin’s forehead. He leaned in close and whispered so only Pippin could hear him, “Don’t you ever go off on another adventure like that without me and Merry! Do you hear me?”

Pippin’s face split into a wide grin and he nodded enthusiastically before throwing his arms around Frodo and hugging his neck fiercely. “I promise!” He crooked a small finger at his older cousin and Frodo obligingly leaned near again. “And don’t you ever go on an adventure without me and Merry, either, all right?”

Frodo nodded solemnly, gazing into the earnest green eyes. “I promise,” he whispered back.

Esmeralda watched the scene with satisfaction, giving her brother a smile and a wink as she threw her arms around him. “I knew you would find him and bring him home safe, Pad.”

“You did, eh?” Paladin laughed and hugged her back.

Esmeralda nodded, her eyes twinkling.

“Where’d you find him?” Saradoc asked as he joined them. “We had quite a search of the farm ourselves, while you were gone. By the way, Pad, did you know there was a cave opening over at the end of the north pasture?”

Paladin grinned at the mention of the cave. “Ah…yes, I did, but I thought it was still well hidden. I’ll have to take a look at it--” he made a puzzled face as he reached into his pocket and retrieved a good-sized acorn from its depths. He held it up to the lamp, somewhat taken aback. Saradoc looked over his shoulder, equally mystified.

“Where did you find that? Why,” he said, taking it from Paladin’s hand and turning it over, “that’s a mature acorn, and a very healthy one, at that. But, it’s the wrong time of year for it. They won’t be ready to fall for months yet!” He gave it back with a grunt of perplexed wonder.

Paladin bounced it lightly in his hand, pondering. “Hmm,” he began, just as more of the relieved well-wishers interrupted his reverie, descending on them with cries of excitement, all of them wanting to know where Pippin had been found.

Eglantine hurried Pippin off the moment he was finished eating, in spite of his protests that he didn’t need a bath. “Yes, you most certainly do, my young sir. And Tulip too.”

“I’ll help you, Mum,” Pearl offered, not ready yet to take her eyes off her little brother.

“I bet Rhoswen isn’t being made to take a bath right now,” he grumbled.

“Oh, I’ll just wager she is, Pip. Especially if she spent as much time in the woods as you have,” Pearl chuckled as she gathered up a fluffy bath towel and the soap.

“She lives in the woods, Pearl! And she looked like she never, ever got dirty, either. Right Tulip?” Tulip murmured that a hot bath sounded delightful to her, and that he should stop giving his mother a hard time. “You would be on her side,” the youngster grumbled, finally giving in as Eglantine shut the door to the bathroom firmly behind them.

***
“Thank goodness everyone is bedded down once more. Perhaps we can all manage to get a few hours of sleep. I don’t think I can keep my eyes open much longer,” Paladin yawned as he stretched out at last, grateful to feel the cool sheets beneath him. His head ached from the lack of sleep, but that was a small price to pay for the safe return of his youngest child.

“Now,” Eglantine sighed as she settled into bed and snuggled gratefully against her weary husband, “tell me where you found him.”

Paladin was quiet for several moments; he’d known she would ask him this question, and more. He’d been pondering his answer ever since he’d located Pippin and started back along the path towards home. There was so much he didn’t understand about what had happened. It was one thing to hear the tales about the mysterious Took ancestry, and quite another to experience actual visions and converse with an ancient spirit who sought to instruct and guide him. Just how much would his wife be able to understand, and also, how much would she actually believe?

“Pad?” Eglantine rose up on her elbow, smoothing the unruly hair from her husband’s brow and searching his eyes with the hint of an anxious frown.

He smiled back at her and kissed the tip of her sharp nose, chuckling, “I don’t think I’ve ever noticed before that you and Pippin have exactly the same nose.”

“And what precisely does my nose have to do with the question I’ve asked you, hmm?”

“Very little, I suppose, when you put it that way.” Paladin put his arm around her and drew her close, settling her into the crook of his arm where she had always fit just right. “He was sitting on the ground in a little clearing with Tulip on his lap, and they were having quite the conversation. I imagine it had to do with the very long adventure they’d enjoyed amongst the trees, and I wonder if hunger didn’t have a great deal to do with all the fanciful stories he and his piglet friend were sharing. He told me they’d found some berries and a few mushrooms, but hardly enough to keep a growing young hobbit lad satisfied for long.”

“I certainly intend to do something about that! I’m going to work hard at fattening him up and I’m going to make all his favourite foods tomorrow.”

“I don’t think you’re going to have a problem enticing him to eat, Tina,” Paladin snorted. “The lad has to be half-starved.”

“Aye, he certainly did do himself proud eating all he could hold tonight. But he’s so tired he was almost falling asleep in the bath.” Eglantine snuggled closer, enjoying the warmth and the strength of her husband’s nearness. “I have never been so frightened in my entire life, and I hope I never have cause to feel that way ever again!”

Paladin laughed quietly and kissed her. “My love, when has our son ever given us leave to breathe easily where he’s concerned? No, I’ve a feeling it’s only the beginning of his adventures. I think he’s going to try us sorely on many more occasions before he reaches his majority.”

“I have a feeling you’re right about that, Pad,” Eglantine sighed and laid her head on his shoulder. “I’m just glad he’s safe in his own bed now. I hated to leave his room.”

“I know.” Paladin pulled her closer. “He’ll sleep well enough with Merry next to him, and Tulip tucked under his arm.”

“Aye, they looked so dear all tucked in together. Pippin had one arm slung over his cousin, and his piggy pulled up to his chin. It made me feel quite warm inside to watch them.”

“A feeling you’re well deserving of, after what you’ve just been through, dearest.”

“Oh, how I wish sometimes that he would stay small forever. Then I could just keep him right here by my side at all times, and safe.”

Paladin laughed heartily at his wife’s words and shook his head in disbelief. “My love, we’ve just spent nearly two days worried to death about him. How would keeping him young and small help with that, hmm? No, we just have to do the best we can, and know we’ve taught him well.”

“Aye, you’re right, Pad. ‘Twas a nice thought though, wasn’t it?”

“It was indeed!” Paladin yawned and stretched. “Get some rest now, Tina. Stop fretting, now. He’s home and he’s well.”

Eglantine snuggled in to her husband’s warmth and was soon asleep.

***
Several days had passed since Pippin’s adventure and Paladin was pleased to find that the lad hardly seemed to remember much of what had happened. At least, it appeared to be so. Perhaps there would be little he would need to explain, and even less he’d have to give details about to his family. He still puzzled over the acorn. He knew in his heart where it had come from, of course, but the whole experience still unnerved him. The coin Pippin had been given was indeed extremely old, and he couldn’t help wondering if its past was linked to the hobbit lad from so long ago, and the day he too, had wandered into the forest as Pippin had, although his adventure had come to a very different conclusion. Luckily, everyone thought Pippin had simply found it on the woodland floor during his journey, and the lad hadn’t said otherwise.

The so-called ‘Faerie Stone’ was a fascinating bit of rock with an odd sparkle and Paladin had threaded a thin leather strip through the hole so Pippin could wear it around his neck. The spirit had said it was important, and Paladin had no reason to question it. Pippin didn’t seem to want to put it down, either, and so far he had worn it every day. He couldn’t help being curious when Pippin had said very little about the whole experience and then appeared to be forgetting it altogether. He couldn’t say that made him unhappy. All the fears he’d had about what to say to his son, and about what questions he might ask, had been for naught. Paladin remembered what the oak spirit had said about Pippin holding the information in his heart and not being troubled by it. He too, would hold it in his heart, as well as the mysterious tale of the Took ancestor and Eolande. He had not discussed what had happened that night with anyone, and he likely never would.

Paladin strode out into the pasture to enjoy the late evening breeze and watch the setting sun after his long workday. He rested one foot on the lower rung of the split rail fence and leaned on it while he contemplated the nighttime sounds. He’d always loved the sweet call of the birds at both dawn and dusk, but for some reason their cries had always seemed the most haunting at sunrise. But whatever the time of day when he stopped to listen, it always felt as though the captivating, ethereal music drifted to him from another world entirely. Now, the evening birdsong reached into the very core of his being and caused him to shiver with delight as the chorus rose in one voice to hail the coming night. Perhaps this was the reason he had named his only son after a winged creature?

Paladin drew the acorn out of his pocket and examined it in the fading light. He had taken to carrying it with him for some reason beyond his ken, except it seemed to bring him an odd sense of comfort. He sighed, but it was not in sadness. Instead, he felt invigorated and at peace, and ready for whatever was to come in the future. The Sight had never failed him. Whether he’d wanted to see or sense the things he did, had always been irrelevant. But he felt he had indeed learned an important lesson while in the company of the oak spirit.

Paladin stared across the meadow where Pippin had disappeared that day and recalled the alarm and the fear that had gripped his heart. Yet, deep inside he’d known he would find his son whole and sound. That had never really been the issue, and Paladin reflected on that memory now. He felt he would always know in his heart if Pippin was well, or if danger threatened him. What had the oak spirit meant regarding the future, and his need for determination? Why did his son need to hear the tale the Elf had shared with him? And, just who was the wee lass, Rhoswen, who had seemed so fascinated with Peregrin? Paladin considered the child’s lovely red-gold curls, and wondered.

There was one last thing he yearned to know above all the rest. What had Alfie whispered in Pippin’s ear before sending him on his way and into his father’s waiting arms?

Paladin sighed in frustration this time, feeling much like he did when his father had refused to answer his questions about his granda’s stories. But, even though it had taken all these years, he had finally received his answers. He supposed he would know the rest when the time came. The spirit of the oak had said it was so, and he had no reason not to believe in those words. What task of such grave importance did his son have to meet in his future? Paladin looked searchingly at the sky as if the answers might be found in the deepening darkness, before turning around and heading towards the light spilling from the kitchen window of his family’s home. He would know, when the time came.

Epilogue to follow

If You Could See What I Hear - Chapter 10

ceshaughnessy@livejournal.com — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:52:39 GMT

Hope you enjoy this latest chapter! Thank you Dreamflower for your awsome Beta skills! Whew, it's *almost* finished at last!!!

“If You Could See What I Hear…”
Chapter Ten

“Silver Window, Flowing Fate”

Those wast that all to me, love,
For which my soul did pine –
A green isle in the sea, love,
A fountain and a shrine
All wreathes with faerie fruits and flowers,
And all the flowers were mine.
…And all my days are trances
And all my nightly dreams
Are where thy gray eye glances,
And where thy footstep gleams,
In what ethereal dances,
By what eternal streams.

“To One in Paradise”, st.1 & st. 4

Edgar Allan Poe

Paladin sighed in relief upon seeing his son again, although he was somewhat troubled by the question Pippin had asked. He watched his son’s eyes light up and heard him gasp when the storyteller said the person had been a hobbit, and a Took. Pippin was excited and no doubt wanted to hear more. Paladin spoke without allowing his eyes to stray from the vision lest it fade away, taking his child with it. “Why does he need to know this tale? How much has he already been told? He’s far too young to hear such things, and no one has even asked my leave to tell him all of this.”

He has need of this knowledge. He will hear no more, nor any less, than what he requires.

“But he’s too immature to understand! Such tales may frighten him, and cause him to ask questions for which I have no answers.”

Fear not, for he will hold the knowledge within his heart and it will not trouble him, yet it will be there when he needs to draw upon it.

“It would seem you have all the answers sorted out, as usual,” Paladin muttered in irritation as he again sensed growing amusement, although he held his tongue this time. After all, it was most likely for the best to have this entity amused with him, rather than angry.

As it would seem you learn no lesson without a struggle. So be it.

“Will you allow me to reunite with my son now?” Paladin was aware of the pleading tone in his voice; annoyed, he ignored it with no small measure of effort.

Yes, you shall meet presently along the path you now follow.

Paladin rushed ahead, only to find himself drawn back immediately. He balked at the admonishment he knew was coming. “Let me go to him!” he cried.

You shall walk this path with me and hear the remainder of the story, until it is time to reach your son. And you shall make the acquaintance with patience as you proceed. Mark my words, Paladin Took. Your determination will serve you well one day, just as it has throughout this ordeal. But you must learn to harness it as you would one of your beasts of burden, and direct it according to your will, rather than allow yourself to be drawn astray by the same force. For now, be still and listen closely to all that you see and hear.

Paladin fell silent, taking the words to heart at last. He suddenly felt very small and vulnerable, as if he, too, were a lad of Pippin’s age. Was it simply the Spirit’s manner of speaking to him as a parent would a child? Perhaps that was part of it. However, Paladin could feel the ancient wisdom in the Oak Spirit’s words; in an odd way, they carried weight that felt as solid as anything in his surroundings. The words commanded obedience, even if he didn’t entirely understand why it was so.

He turned his attention back to the storyteller. A thought occurred to him as he listened to Alfie speak of Eolande and the hobbit lad. He addressed the Spirit again. “You have called this being ‘Elf Counsellor’. Is she an Elf, then? Or is she of the Daoine Sidhe?”

She is Elven-kind, as well as kin to the people of the Otherworld.

Alfie continued speaking in her soft, musical voice and Paladin listened closely. He smiled at the mention of the yellow primrose Pippin had been given and recalled the day recently when the excited lad had brought it to him. He wished he had paid more mind to what Pippin was talking about that day. He laughed aloud when Pippin glanced at his toy with an obviously guilt-ridden face, no doubt recalling he wasn’t allowed to stray any further than the bottom of the meadow, and how Tulip had stopped him. Pippin apparently had found a very strong voice of conscience in the knitted piglet, and that could only be a good thing. He sobered recalling that for whatever reasons nothing had stopped Pippin from his adventure yesterday. They would need to have a discussion about that once he had him home safe and sound.

The Elf began to speak of the destiny of the Took ancestor and Paladin fixed his attention on his son as he was told there was another young hobbit born to a special purpose. Pippin asked if she was talking about him, and how did she know what was going to happen in the future? “What exactly is she referring to?” Paladin tilted his head as if to hear her better. “What does she mean in saying that my child has a crucial task to complete one day?”

Listen with your heart as well as your ears. You too, will understand when the time is right.

Paladin sighed and resisted the temptation to roll his eyes as Pippin so often did whenever the lad was given an ambiguous answer. Another thought occurred to him. “She says my ancestor’s son was bade not to reveal what he knew of his mother and her people. Yet, it’s apparent that something about what happened must have been discovered along the way. Why else would this tale have been handed down amongst generations of Tooks? And be spoken of only in whispers late at night,” he said, recalling the condescending looks his granda had often received while speaking of the Great Battle. “And few believed him,” Paladin added, his voice soft.

Yes, few of your relatives took the legend seriously. Yet, there were those, including yourself, who knew in their hearts that it was so. That it was not a question of belief; rather, it was a search for enlightenment. Those of your kin who possess the Dha Shealladh feel this strongly.

Paladin found himself nodding in agreement. He had heard his granda use that term when referring to the Sight. That odd way of knowing things, of seeing what others did not. Yes, there had always been something…a feeling of empathy, or a queer certainty that his grandfather was sincere in his beliefs. Paladin had sought answers, but instead had uncovered only more questions. The one time he had summoned the nerve to ask his father about the stories, he’d been scolded soundly for his covert behaviour and warned not to eavesdrop on his elders. Paladin had never approached anyone with his questions again. Somehow he couldn’t imagine Pippin giving up as easily as he had.

Alfie rose and offered her hands to both children, drawing his attention back to her and he became anxious again. “What is happening now?”

They will go to the duin and there they will say their farewells. But first, she has a gift to bestow upon your son.

“What sort of ‘gift’ are you talking about?” Paladin’s brow climbed into his hairline and he eyed the Elf with suspicion.

A significant gift. One he should be encouraged to treasure.

“Come children, it is time.” Alfie led Pippin and Rhoswen into the woodland, following the path towards the river Cenedril o’galad. There she stopped and invited both to kneel alongside her.

Paladin grew frantic. “She is not—she cannot allow him to--”

Fear not, he will not be allowed to drink of the waters.

Paladin tried to calm his racing heart, but its pounding did not slow until he saw that the Elf indeed did not intend for Pippin to drink from the river. He blew out the breath he hadn’t realised he’d been holding, feeling dizzy with relief.

Alfie dipped her fingers into the sparkling liquid at the same time she began to sing in a soft voice. Rhoswen beamed at Pippin, who returned her grin with one of his own. Even Tulip was awed by the strange ceremony as she watched from her perch inside Pippin’s collar. Oddly, she felt no need to caution her lad.

“Close your eyes, Peregrin,” Alfie murmured, and when he had, she touched her fingers to his eyelids and continued her song. “You may open them,” she said after several moments had passed.

Pippin darted a look around, unsure what to expect. “What did you do that for?”

“You are already blessed with the gift of Dha Shealladh, the Sight, as it is known among your people. I have added an Elven blessing to enhance your trait, and one day, when you need it most, it will serve you well. And you will see the Daoine Sidhe whenever they are near. The waters of the duin will serve you.” Alfie leaned over and laid a gentle kiss on Pippin’s brow, and pressed a small object into his palm.

“The Sight?” Pippin murmured. “I’ve heard--what’s this?” Pippin turned the small gray stone over in his hands, examining it in surprise. It was worn smooth by the waters of the river, and held an unusual sparkle within. In the center of the stone was a small hole and Pippin held it up to his eye and looked through it.

“It is known in your tongue as a Faerie Stone, Peregrin. Keep it always.”

“I will!” The excitement on Pippin’s face faded as he looked up at the Elf with a sad smile. “Will I ever see you again?”

“Time will tell, my dear, young Took,” Alfie said with a wink and a mystifying nod.

Rhoswen hugged him enthusiastically, and kissed his cheek. “I am certain you will, Peregrin.”

Tulip squeaked as she was pressed between them. Pippin chuckled, extracting her from the front of his shirt and placing her on his shoulder. “I’m very glad to hear that. I would miss you even more if I thought we’d never see one another again.”

Rhoswen slanted a glance at Alfie, then leaned forward and gave her friend another kiss, causing the Elf to laugh at the little one’s antics. Rhoswen also pressed something into Pippin’s hand, and he studied it curiously, running his fingers over its smoothly worn edge. “A coin?” Pippin raised his brow in question.

“A very old coin, Peregrin. I hope it will remind you of the story about your ancestor, as well as the time we have spent here together.”

“I’m sure it will! Thank you, Rhoswen.”

“You are welcome.”

Pippin held his toy up. “Will you give Tulip a special blessing too, Alfie?” The knitted piglet squeaked with delight and the Elf laughed. Her laughter was like music to Pippin’s ears and his smile widened as she took the piglet from him and placed Tulip upon her lap.

“Of course. We could not allow Tulip to feel left out.” Alfie cupped her hands into the sparkling river once more and then pressed her fingers to Tulip’s embroidered eyes, murmuring a few words for the piglet’s ears alone. She gave Tulip back to Pippin with a smile. “Your companion was fashioned with your mother’s love, Peregrin. I think she will always watch over you.”

Pippin chuckled and winked at Tulip before tucking her back inside his shirt. “I think she watches over me a little too carefully sometimes,” he told Alfie.

“Ah, but in your case there is no such thing!” Alfie gathered Pippin in her arms and whispered something into his ear before turning him towards the woods with a nudge. “Go now child, your father is waiting for you there, just beyond that clearing where the three trees meet. You see it, yes?”

“Aye!” Pippin cried and trotted off, then stopped and turned back to his friends one last time. “Thank you for taking care of me, Alfie. Goodbye Rhoswen!”

“Namárië, Peregrin Took,” Alfie called.

“Farewell, Peregrin!” Rhoswen waved excitedly.

Pippin returned her wave before turning and sprinting towards the trees fearlessly…and straight into his father’s waiting arms.

“Daaaa!”

Paladin rushed forward when he saw his small son running towards him and gathered him up into his arms at long last, embracing him fiercely. Tears ran down his face unchecked, and when he pulled back he saw that Pippin’s eyes were bright, but he wasn’t weeping. Instead, he was grinning from ear to ear.

“I missed you, Da!”

Paladin groaned and hugged Pippin to him again with a sob, rocking him back and forth. “We’ve been so worried…oh, mercy…I was so frightened for you…” Paladin felt an insistent tap on his shoulder and drew Pippin back again to find his son giving him his most engaging, impish grin along with a half-shrug. Paladin’s heart swelled with pleasure.

“But I’m all right, Da!” Pippin giggled as his small hands patted his father’s wet cheeks. “Don’t cry!”

Paladin couldn’t resist a shake of his head before bouncing Pippin in his arms. “Aye, so you are! What do you say we get you home now to see your mum, so she’ll quit worrying too?”

“Yes!” Pippin flung himself onto his father’s shoulder and hugged him enthusiastically.
Paladin turned and started walking. He seemed to know which direction to head and he breathed a quiet word of thanks to the Spirit of the Oak for its guidance. He smiled as a strong feeling of warmth overcame him just as it had before; he knew a heartfelt hug when he received one.

Remember…

“I will,” Paladin promised in a whisper.

Pippin had been asleep on his shoulder for some time when they emerged at last from the dense cover of the mighty oak, ash, and thorn near the clearing where he had last seen his friends. He looked up at Milo’s shout to the others, and grinned, placing a finger to his lips to indicate Pippin was asleep as his cousin ran towards him.

“Look! It’s Pad! It’s Pad, and he’s found Pippin!” Milo gestured wildly over his shoulder to his fellow searchers.

“Pad, wherever did you disappear to?” his cousin asked. “We were just starting to look for you and here you are already, and with Pippin too! What happened? Did you know right where to look?” Milo grinned and patted Paladin on the back as he shook his head in amazement. “My goodness, I can’t believe it. It’s as if you knew precisely where to go and find him.”

Paladin smiled ever so slightly. It would seem then that very little time had passed in this world while he was gone. “Come lads, let’s be getting this young one home to his mother. Help me, will you?” He placed the stirring child in Milo’s arms while he mounted his pony and then reached down for him, settling Pippin in front of him in the saddle. “Let’s go!” With that, he coaxed the pony around and started off without waiting for the rest of them.

***

Eglantine lay motionless in the darkened room, every minute that passed without word from her husband stabbed at her heart with an almost physical pain. It had been far too long and she was finding it increasingly difficult not to give in to her growing despair. She dared not give free rein to the dark feelings that festered in her soul as the night aged. Beside her, Esmie sat attentively, holding her hand and saying nothing for the time being. Together, they listened to the night sounds in the still farmhouse, sounds that would have felt comforting at other times. A light, warm breeze wandered in through the open window, causing the lacy curtains to lift gently back, revealing the moonlit night. Somewhere in the distance a night owl hooted and Eglantine shivered and squeezed Esmeralda’s hand. They held that pose for several minutes, neither one speaking.

At last, Eglantine released a little sigh, and Esmie knew she was weeping. “Tina, are you certain you wouldn’t care to take just a wee dose of sleeping powders? You are utterly exhausted, dear.” She felt, rather than saw, her sister-in-law shake her head from side to side. “Perhaps a cup of tea, then?”

“In awhile, perhaps, Esmie. Not now.” The pair fell silent once more until Tina spoke into the darkness a few minutes later. “How…how does a mother…prepare herself for the worst…?”

“No, Tina.” Esmeralda squeezed the hand she held, and shook her head. “Don’t start thinking like that, now. You are completely worn out. Why, you’ve had no sleep at all in two days, and small wonder your mind is starting to wander in the wrong direction.”

“Is it the wrong one?” Eglantine struggled to a sitting position and Esmie moved to the bed to sit beside her, one arm squeezing her shoulders in comfort.

Pulling her friend close, she whispered, “Yes, it is. My brother will leave no stone unturned until he finds his son.”

Eglantine buried her face in both hands and sobbed. “There are some things even a father can’t fix, Esmie.”

Esmeralda tightened her grip. “Paladin will not fail you, Tina. I know it in my heart. Pippin is alive and well, and you’d feel it too, if you weren’t so drained.”

“How do you know that?”

Esmeralda hesitated. “Because…I do. That’s all. He will be found safe, and I haven’t thought otherwise for a moment since I found out he’d gone missing.” She chuckled softly, “Oh my, for such a young lad you certainly can count enough times when his antics have set you to fretting over him. Why, remember the time, just last autumn, I think it was, when he was convinced he could fly like a bird if only he set his mind to it?”

“Oh, mercy,” Eglantine half-chuckled, half-groaned at the memory. “He climbed up on the roof of the shed and scrambled his way up into the big oak out back of the barn, and--”

“And then called out for us to watch, because he was going to fly straight across the barn!”

“Oh, I have never been so frightened in my entire life, as I was at that moment! Pippin had both of his arms spread out like a bird, and he was ready to leap!”

“Aye, and I remember poor Pad was as pale as fresh milk in his panic. But he kept his head and was right there to catch him when Pippin tumbled out of that tree like a stone from a catapult, rather than soaring like a bird!”

“Oh, dear, you’re right, Esmie.” Eglantine pressed a hand to her forehead. “I thought I was going to swoon on the spot.”

“And my poor Merry, trying to get there in time to help his uncle catch him. I remember the shriek the poor boy let out when he saw Pippin falling, and I suppose I was screaming too, by then. But there was Pad, rushing up to the tree just in time, and a moment later had his arms full of his giggling lad!” Esmeralda bent forward with her laughter. “What a surprised look my brother had on his face! Not to mention Pip, who couldn’t understand why everyone was so upset.”

“Ah, yes, that’s my boy. Always way too daring for such a wee young lad. Why, I shudder to think just what kind of mischief he’ll be getting himself into as he gets older, whenever I see the kinds of things he’s already doing!”

“Yes indeed, you and Paladin may have to put him on a short lead if he keeps this up--” Esmeralda was interrupted by a sudden commotion outside.

Eglantine rushed to the window, her heart catching in her throat. Were the cries she heard ones of sorrow and grief, or…? She darted a look of panic at Esmie, who was smiling broadly now, her excitement and laughter pouring forth. Could it be? The thud of ponies’ hooves and the shouts of the returning searchers filled the air now and Esmeralda grabbed her the hand and pulled her along.

“Come, Tina! They’re back!”

sammylambie

ceshaughnessy@livejournal.com — Thu, 29 May 2008 21:15:44 GMT

adopt your own virtual pet!

Tulip

ceshaughnessy@livejournal.com — Thu, 29 May 2008 21:11:38 GMT

adopt your own virtual pet!

"If You Could See What I Hear"

ceshaughnessy@livejournal.com — Fri, 23 May 2008 11:26:39 GMT

I have posted Chapter 9, "A Seeker's Journey" at SOA and here.

Summary: Paladin and Pippin learn of the Took ancestor who took a faerie wife, and the history of Eolande's people.

“If You Could See What I Hear…”
Chapter Nine

“A Seeker’s Journey”

In dreams I’ve seen a Golden Wood
That holds the riddles of the World
And I’ve trod upon a Hidden Path
To which shadowed strangers often have
Lead me to its Gate.

Strange Sights I saw while all alone
Like candle light encased in stone
And heard I laughs and music low
Which lead me to where I did not know
For I had wandered off the Path.

Then an unknown voice did Call to me
From the bowers of the shaded Trees
A stranger’s voice, yet one I knew
And I ran through the grass and sleepy dew
Just to find that Voice.

Amalthea of the Children of Twilight

“As I told you, Peregrin, our people are the keepers of the natural world. We are charged with keeping watch over the elements that make up all of Middle-earth, and which are joined together in a common bond. We are the si’og, the descendants of the Tuatha de Danann, and an ancient people. I shall tell you something of our history, and of the union of two people who lived here together a very long time ago. One from our world…and one from yours.”

Pippin’s eyes widened at Alfie’s words. “Who…?” he began, but she hushed him with a gentle finger against his lips.

“They met for the first time on the banks of the River Cenedril o’galad.” She pointed to the grove of oak and ash behind the immense garden. “The duin is a mirror, and a portal, to other places and times. Indeed, we refer to it as ‘Celeb henneth n’ atpaluin’, or ‘silver window on another world’ in your tongue. It is said that those who possess the Dha Shealladh, the Sight, are drawn to it because they enjoy the ability to see the reflections of truth in the face of its waters. And any who drink from it shall become one with the duin, and can glimpse the face of eternity within its crystal flow.”

Pippin felt the gooseflesh sprouting on his arms as he listened, and he wondered what might happen if he were to taste of the water? Tulip whispered that she certainly wasn’t about to let him find out, and then tucked herself into a tight ball inside his collar, leaving only her pink snout peeking out. Pippin patted her head to comfort the flustered piglet. Tulip was taken aback by what she’d heard. The story didn’t frighten him, but it sounded quite mysterious and he wondered again in what special way he was like the people who lived here? His friend had said it was so, and he had no reason to disbelieve her.

“Alfie? Who…who was the person from my world?” Pippin tilted his head to one side. Tulip poked her head all of the way out of her hiding place and cocked an ear towards Alfie, while Pippin absent-mindedly scratched her ears.

“He was a hobbit much like you, Peregrin. Indeed, he was a member of your own family, a forbearer.”

Pippin drew a quick breath that matched Tulip’s gasp. “A…a Took?”

“Yes, and it his story, in part, that I shall tell you now.”

Pippin fidgeted, excited to hear more, while Rhoswen settled in next to him with a smile. Tulip scampered all the way out from beneath Pippin’s shirt collar and he perched her on one of his knees so she could hear everything. Tulip graciously thanked him and then peered up at Alfie with renewed interest. To Pippin’s right, Ealdhun cackled in his high-pitched voice and drew his thin legs up to his chin. The soothing music lulled Pippin and before long a dreamy smile settled over his face. The little group waited expectantly.
“The one from our land was called Eolande, which means ‘violet flower’, and indeed she was as slight and delicate as one, with lovely golden-red tresses that flowed to below her waist.”

“Her hair was the same colour as mine,” Rhoswen piped up helpfully, dangling a strand of her own locks before his eyes.

“Have you heard this tale before?” Pippin quirked an eyebrow at his friend and the child nodded.

“It was Mi na Bealtaine, or, the first day of Thrimidge, in the tongue of your people, when the young hobbit wandered into the forest,” Alfie continued, with a knowing smile and a nod to her audience. “Much in the same way as you came to be here, Peregrin.”

Rhoswen giggled. “I brought you here,” she explained at Pippin’s quizzical look. She pressed her dainty hands to her mouth and giggled again, “and you did not realise I was watching you.”

“What?” Pippin began.

“I have been following you for some time, Peregrin. I…” Rhoswen hesitated and cast a furtive look at Alfie.

Alfie nodded. “Go ahead, child. I am aware of everything you have been up to. It is all right, tell him.”

Rhoswen sighed in relief. “I visited you in your home. I wanted you to come here to see mine, that is all,” her voice trailed off and Rhoswen blushed.

“Oh…well, how come you didn’t just ask me?”

“I do not know. Perhaps I thought you would not come.”

Pippin recalled his recent picnic with Tulip in the meadow, when he’d been certain he had seen a lass. He’d wanted to pursue her then, but Tulip had stopped him. Guiltily, he remembered the promise he’d made to his mother that day. “I would’ve liked to,” he murmured, with a sideways glance at Tulip. The knitted piglet frowned her disapproval, tapping her hoof impatiently on his knee, and Pippin couldn’t resist rolling his eyes.

“I gave you a gift while you were sleeping. Just as I did here.”

Pippin’s eyes widened in sudden understanding, “The primrose, you gave me the golden primrose!”

Rhoswen nodded with a smile. “To help you come visit me.”

“Why ever would I need a primrose before I could visit you? Oh! And how come--”

“Children,” Alfie interrupted, “we are straying from our tale once more. Hush now, and simply listen, yes?”

Rhoswen and Pippin bobbed their heads in unison.

“Our people have dwelt here for years untold,” Alfie continued. “When Eolande met the hobbit lad we came to understand this was destined to be. And knew from that union another very special lad would one day be born to a great purpose, and there would be an important reason why he would visit us one day while still very young.”

“Are…are you talking about me?” Pippin’s brow furrowed in confusion. “But, how can you know what’s going to happen? What purpose? How do you…?”
Alfie touched her finger to his lips once more. “Peregrin, allow me to tell you what I will. For the moment, do not ask so many questions. Can you do that?”

“Aye,” Pippin nodded, his face lighting up with a shy grin.

“The duin draws those to its banks that have a special need for its gift. The lad of long ago felt that power and met his fate, Eolande, there by the water.” Alfie leaned close and spoke directly to Pippin in her soft voice. “He drank of the duin’s waters, and his eyes were opened unto a world none of his kin had ever before experienced.”

Pippin felt a chill course through him. “Did…did…drinking the water hurt him? Is that why I can’t drink it?”

Alfie chuckled, a sound as light as the feather touch of a mother’s kiss for a sleeping child. “No, the water did not harm him. However, it did change him.” She placed a hand upon his shoulder and looked deep into his eyes. “In a way that is not appropriate for you and your own destiny, Peregrin. Do you understand?”

Pippin thought hard. “Because I’m not supposed to stay here. Am I?”

“No, child. Your future lies elsewhere. You have an important, nay, a crucial task ahead of you one day, and you must be allowed the opportunity to complete it.”

“What task, Alfie? Won’t you tell me?”

Alfie shook her head. “I cannot. But you will find your way, young Peregrin Took, and there will always be someone there to aid you in your hour of need. Never forget that, and never lose your faith. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“That is good.” Alfie gazed across the meadow, deep in thought for a moment, before continuing. “They wed, and Eolande gave birth to a son, a child of mixed heritage. Here they dwelled in peace and harmony for many years to come, living amongst Eolande’s people. The union produced more than one child and for many years they prospered and were content.”

“But alas, the hobbit was mortal and he knew when his time approached to pass across the duin. He wished to see his kin one last time, and so they left this place, taking their children into his world and returning to his family. They dwelt there during his last days and it was decided that his eldest son should remain there after his death. When that time came, Eolande was heartbroken. She had lost her husband, and felt that she would now be losing her son. However, she honoured his wishes and allowed the lad to stay with her husband’s relatives. He had of course, come of age by that time, and expressed his own desire to heed his father’s request. Eolande bade him farewell and took the rest of her children back into the woodland, and home. As far as her husband’s relatives could discern, she and the children had simply disappeared one day.

Alas, the hobbit’s family did not realise she was a faerie, and were very worried. The lad who was left behind was bid not to reveal his mother’s true identity. Thus, it is said that none from her husband’s world ever knew what happened to her and the other children, nor from whence they came, although the family never stopped searching. But they treasured the lad who remained with them. For he was all they had left of their loved one who had gone missing for all those years, and then come home at last, only to die soon thereafter.”

“Eolande’s gift to her lineage was the gift of glas, or green, eyes. She also decreed that in some descendants her blood would run almost pure, and they would possess the gift of Dha Shealladh, the Second Sight.” Alfie paused and looked at Pippin with a meaningful smile. The hobbit child startled. He swallowed hard, trying to find his voice.

“You mean…that I’m…uh, a faerie?”

Alfie chuckled at the shocked expression and shook her head. “Not precisely.” She tilted his chin upward ever so tenderly and studied his face. “Your ancestor’s gift is evident in the colour of your eyes, as well as in your inquisitive and unconventional nature. You are one in whom Eolande’s blood runs almost pure.”

“But, but what does that mean?” Pippin scratched his head while Tulip quivered in wonder.

“It means that you are indeed a very exceptional young hobbit, Peregrin,” Alfie said.

“I am?”

“Yes indeed, you certainly are,” Alfie assured him, while his companions laughed, enjoying his wonder.

“I’m still not certain exactly what you’re talking about.” Pippin cast a sideways look at Tulip and she shrugged her plump shoulders and told him she was sorry, but she didn’t have the answer to his question either.

~~~

Paladin moved closer to the river and the young lovers. It was now apparent to him they were indeed but shadows of the past, airy and light, yet their features were distinct. He studied the cheerful face intently, hoping to figure out whom he might resemble the most out of all his relatives. He sensed the Oak Spirit’s amusement at his actions and bristled, “How can you expect that I would have no curiosity about this lad?”
I expected no less.

“Hmph.” Paladin turned back to the vision. The couple paid him no mind and continued to converse in their soft voices. He circled the young hobbit slowly, one hand rubbing his chin in thought. “I can detect features that many generations of Tooks have in common.” He peered into his ancestor’s eyes and saw they were light grey. He looked into Eolande’s and was taken aback by the brilliance of her sea green eyes. He breathed, “Why, ‘tis just as the legend says. Her eyes are the same shade as Peregrin’s.”

And identical to your own.

“Aye. The same as mine.” Paladin laughed quietly and retreated a step, continuing his scrutiny. The couple knelt beside the river and Paladin’s interest heightened, even more mystified by their actions as Eolande dipped the fingers of both her hands into the waters and then touched them gently to the lad’s closed eyes. She held this pose for several moments, whispering some words Paladin was unable to understand. The lad opened his eyes and drew back, taking both of Eolande’s hands in his own. Again, Paladin could not discern the exact words that were spoken, but the intent was clear enough to him, and he found himself smiling slightly.

“I’m certain I recognise a proposal of marriage when I see one.” His smile widened as the young couple embraced again and shared a tender kiss. They shocked him then by reaching into the water together, and cupping their hands to their mouths, drinking of the sparkling liquid. Paladin’s eyes widened in alarm and he whirled, raising his voice to his invisible companion. “She is inviting him to consume the water! Why?”

It was his destiny to do so, and his choice.

Paladin was silent for several moments, thinking furiously. “For what purpose are you showing me these things?” he finally asked.

It is your time to know.

“Can you not give me a single answer that isn’t couched in a riddle?”

It is no riddle. It is simply truth. The time for you to know has come. You are here, now, for that purpose.
Paladin snorted under his breath and muttered, “That’s what I thought you were going to say. And to me, ‘tis still a riddle. What of my son? Is it time for him to know these things also? Is that why he was lured away from his home and into the woodlands? Does someone conspire at this very moment to keep him here forever? He was alone and unprotected--”

Nay, he is neither alone, nor unprotected, and has not been during a single step of his journey. There is merely a time for every purpose. What he learns through this experience will serve him well later on. It will serve you too, Paladin Took. For that reason you must heed the lesson well.

“What lesson?” Paladin cried, his temper rising again. “A lesson in patience, perhaps? Or one in frustration? I want nothing more than to locate my son and return him to our home. Can’t you understand that?”

I understand. And so must you. Your son’s eccentricities will serve him well. They may even one day save his life. Your impatience does not serve you; instead, it hinders you from the truth. Stay your temper and mind my counsel. You are in many ways the same as your offspring; and you are in other respects, the opposite of one another.

“Yes? And just what is it you’re hinting at? That I’ve a hot temper? That I’m too impatient?” Paladin began to pace back and forth, his voice rising, “Or do you simply not recognise that I’m a father, distraught over his missing son and in a hurry to find him? And that I’m weary of being led along the primrose path with naught but a handful of riddles leading my way? You are taking advantage of my curiosity and delaying my--”

Behold!

Paladin felt the ground shudder beneath his feet and almost lost his footing. He was troubled by the Spirit’s admonishment. Perhaps he had overstepped his bounds? After all, he really wasn’t sure exactly what sort of creature he was speaking with. Glancing about somewhat warily, he gasped as another vision unfolded abruptly before his startled eyes, one more vivid and powerful than any he had witnessed thus far. “What in Middle-earth is happening?” he whispered, eyes widened in wonder as he stared into the heart of the fast moving images.

A huge clash between the peoples took place before him and Paladin witnessed the overthrow of an ancient society. He watched, frozen in place, as the scenes passed before his eyes quickly, one after another, and yet he was able to comprehend all of what was happening. “Granda’s tale of the Great Battle,” he breathed in helpless awe. At last, the two sides came together in counsel following the war, apparently reaching an agreement after much debate. Paladin found himself nodding in understanding. Yes, according to his grandfather’s story, the victors had taken control of the land while the defeated had gone underground to live. As if in answer to his thoughts, Paladin watched as an entire civilization retreated beneath the earthen hills he knew were called si’th, a word he had heard repeated many times during those late night tales. “Oh my, the Daoine Si’dh…”

Paladin gasped as a sense of warmth enveloped him in its ghostly arms, and the voice of the Oak spoke once more. The reproachful tone had disappeared.

The survivors. They are what remains of the Tuatha De’ Danann. They are the people of the land. Abiding by the historic agreement, they retreated underground and now embrace and care for all of nature within and without the Otherworld.

“The people of peace,” Paladin whispered respectfully. “Farmers, lovers of the land…like me and my kin.”

Yes, the Tuatha. Common people, Farmers, crafters and artists. Your forebears, Eolande’s people.

Paladin thought furiously for several minutes, one hand pressed to his temple, attempting to recall more of what he’d overheard. His granda had spoken of the legend extensively during those late night chats with family. And Paladin had listened intently from his hiding place behind the parlour door, fascinated by everything he’d heard, and wishing desperately that he could ask questions. Ah, yes. He remembered now. The tale of the beautiful fey who sometimes took a mortal lover…Paladin’s expression darkened along with his temper. “Then Eolande was a liannan shi’th? A beloved one of the faerie mounds? She used my ancestor?” Paladin felt the anger and disbelief rising within him.

Nay, she did not use him; she fell hopelessly in love with him. Eolande was enthralled by his charm, his appearance, and his lilting voice. Theirs was a relationship of mutual consent; she did not take him against his will.

Paladin released a mighty sigh of relief. “Oh, well…good, then. Is there more?”

Indeed.

The air shimmered in a gossamer wave of light and the odd group of beings appeared again, the beautiful storyteller still in their midst. And there was his son, relaxing amongst the circle of listeners, leaning up against a big stone with Tulip perched on his knees and a big smile on his face. Paladin studied the diminutive child who sat next to Pippin. This was the first clear glimpse of her he’d been given, and he noted the lass’s red-gold curls and exceptionally fair skin with interest. The gathering raised their voices in laughter once more before settling back to listen further. Paladin could hear the words this time, and his ears perked up at the sound of Pippin’s voice asking a question.

~~~

“Alfie? Who…who was the person from my world?”

June Challenge

ceshaughnessy@livejournal.com — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:33:39 GMT

The LOTR General Fiction Challenge Community, lotr_community would like to announce its June Challenge. The theme will be Father's Day, and the element will be a quotation from canon. To receive your element, either email the mods: virginia_lee_redcat@yahoo.com or aelfwina@gmail.com or comment on the post. If it matters to you, indicate whether you wish to write Hobbits, Elves, Men or Dwarves.

The community will be moderated, so that you may post your stories directly at the community. The deadline will be Friday, June 14, and the posts will be unlocked and revealed on Monday, June 16.

First Challenge Stories for our group now posted!!!

ceshaughnessy@livejournal.com — Sun, 11 May 2008 19:14:04 GMT

The LOTR Community Gen-Fic Group's new monthly Challenge Stories were posted today! We'd love to have you all stop over and take a look! If you do, please leave the authors some FB, if you would. That will certainly help everyone to stay motivated and keep contributing. As all of us who write are aware, just a quick "I liked it" is so encouraging to hear.
Thank you!

http://virginia-lee.livejournal.com/