The Identity Quest--Chapter 1

The Identity Quest

Note: This story plot is NOT a revision to the books The Hobbit or The Lord Of The Rings. Some ideas came from the movies and books, and the characters of different people are based on those same people in the books, but I am not attempting to edit those books. The storyline roughly follows that of the movies and the storyline in the Appendixes from The Lord of the Rings; this is not intended to be a “improvement” on The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit. I consider those books excellent and not in need of any alterations; this is just a story based in Middle-Earth during the time of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, and also slightly before it.

Chapter 1

Melda and Family--a missing mother

Melda walked along the path, troubled. Her father was not given to being cheerful, nor to constant smiling, but he was grimmer than was his wont. When she asked what was amiss, he told her to go and play. “What could be wrong?” she asked herself worriedly. “And where is my mother? She should have returned yesterday. I wish I could go with her on her visits to the Fair Folk.” Melda's mother, Tolowen, was neither Elf or Dwarf; she was both. Kili, one of Thorin Oakenshield's twelve companions in the journey to recover Erebor and also Thorin's nephew, had fallen in love with a Wood-elf, Tauriel. Before the Battle of the Five Armies, they had married in secret (for Elves and Dwarves did not marry in those days), and Tolowen was born. Kili had been killed in that battle, and Tauriel had gone to the Grey Havens, leaving Tolowen with her kin. Tolowen had met Ranfea in Rivendell, and they had been married soon after.

Ranfea was one of the Dúnedain, a race of men who had lived in Númenor before its fall. In times past, they were much more numerous, but now they had dwindled to a small people, roaming the hills. The Dúnedain were more akin to Elves than other men, and they spoke a language among themselves very like to the Elvish spoken in Rivendell, which was not the speech of the Wood-elves. His hair was light brown, and he had hazel eyes. He was not exceptionally tall, but he was not short either.

Ranfea had brought his bride back to his people, where they now lived. Melda did not like to always be roaming, but there were always new things to see and places to explore. “Perhaps Father is worried because Mother has not returned,” she thought suddenly. “If she has been hurt, I do not know what Father will do!” Just then Ranfea came out of his tent and called to her, “Melda, come and eat!” As he watched her run up the path towards him, he was struck by her grace. She moved with the grace of an Elf, though her face was not as fair. Her long brown hair streamed out behind her as she ran, and her brown eyes watched him intently and with a knowing look, though she was still a child in the reckoning of the Dúnedain. She was about 30 years by Shire-reckoning, but to the Dúnedain she was about 9. The Dúnedain aged more slowly than other Men, because of their blessing from Ilúvatar, who created the world. “Where is Mother?” she asked him as the two walked to their tent. Ranfea hesitated. “I do not know. I intend to go to the Wood-elves and ask what has befallen her. ” Melda's face clouded, and he hastily added, “She likely tarried there, and will arrive soon.” Melda was not fooled, though she did not show it.

The next day they started for Mirkwood, the home of the Wood-elves. Melda had long wished to see the tall trees and waving branches which marked the land of her kin. Indeed, she had though of asking her mother if she could come along on her mother's next visit, but now it was not needed. In spite of her worry, she was glad to be out in the bright sun and tall grass, on a horse, and off to Mirkwood! She loved her horse, whom she had named Thalion, meaning Steadfast or Strong.

Ranfea did not show it, but he was not in high spirits. He was worried about Tolowen, and his worry was the greater since she had never failed to return on the day appointed before. However, Melda's cheerfulness and the beautiful day helped to enliven his spirits as well. His horse was named Lhach, which means leaping flame.

They traveled from the wild lands east of Rohan to Mirkwood, and through Mirkwood to the fortress of the Wood-elves. On the way, Ranfea did not speak much, but he did point out to Melda the signs of a disturbance in Mirkwood as they rode along. “The Wood-elves still do not go near the south-western edge of the forest, where Dol Guldur lies. When the Company of Thorin Oakenshield came to Mirkwood, they passed over the Misty Mountains and went on the Forest Road and avoided that region altogether. Now the giant spiders have been coming in ever-greater numbers from that place, and with increasing boldness. Be wary! They are foes to be reckoned with, especially in great numbers.”

“Why do the Elves suffer the great spiders to live?” asked Melda. “They have tried several times to root out the spiders entirely, but did not succeed, although the land was clearer for a time. ” “They dare not go near Dol Guldur, where the spiders issue from,” answered Ranfea. “The Wood-elves hate the giant spiders, and show them no mercy.” He sighed. “Father, is Mother alright?” asked Melda. “I do not know,” Ranfea said. “But she most likely is, and soon we will be back in the wild with our people,” he added quickly. “Come, enough of this talk. I know you have always wished to meet Elves!”

Melda was beginning to be seriously worried. Her father was hiding something. She said nothing, however, and asked about the length of the trip. “We will cross the River Running by the eastern edge of Mirkwood, and go past where Laketown was, ” her father answered. “Then we will go to the Wood-elves' fortress. We will find your mother, and take her back with us; however, we may stay several days, since it is time you met the Wood-elves.”

He paused for a moment before continuing, “Before we arrive there, it would be well for you to know something of their customs and way of life. In the days after the Woodland Realm was founded, there was peace for many years. Then Smaug came, and he caused much mischief. He would have caused more, I am sure, but your grandfather and great-uncle went with their uncle, Thorin Oakenshield, as two of his company. Smaug was driven out and killed, as you know, by Bard. Bard is now Ruler in Dale. But I wander from my story.

“Now there is peace between the Wood-elves and the Dwarves, and goods go from the land of the King under the Mountain to Mirkwood. The Wood-elves have begun again to hold many feasts in the wood, as was their wont of old. They are merry and love wine, food, and other such things. Be wary that you be not caught up in the feasting so that you forget you are not all an Elf! They can hold more wine than we, and it is unseemly for a person to drink too much. They also love to sing, and will sing ballads all day and night if taken with the fit. Wood-elves hunt, and I think you will learn the practice while we are there.

“But remember this above all else: do not lose yourself in song or feast or hunt. Remember that one day you may have to fight. Do not lose yourself in ale or wine. If it is necessary for me to leave, I will ask the Elvenking's son, Legolas, to look after you. He is old, and wise enough to make sure you do not get too deep into trouble.”

It took them several days, but at last they reached the fortress where the Wood-elves lived.

Bell