The Shadow Hunter

Chapter 17: Many Meetings

Frodo slowly awoke from his deep and painful sleep. His eyes brokenly fluttered as he tried to remember the events before he lost his consciousness. He remembered one of the Ringwraith stabbing him near his shoulder, and Daefaroth trying to push his way past his opponents. After regaining his memory of the events before, he glanced at his surroundings, surprised that he was inside a magnificent room. He at first doubted that he was in Rivendell, yet alone in the living world. Is this the afterlife? Frodo mused again when he saw Gandalf sitting by his side. Vaguely he saw a figure leaning against a post not far, both watching him as he tried to sit straight.

“Gandalf?” asked Frodo dreamily. “Gandalf is that you?”

“I see that you are confused,” Gandalf muttered. “Maybe you think that this is the land of the dead, but I assure you that you are still alive and well. You are in the House of Elrond and it is ten o’clock in the morning on October the 24th, if you want to know.”

Frodo heard a snort from the person leaning against the post. Fluttering his eyes again, he finally had a better view of the person eyeing him. He could not discern whether they are a female or male, but he knew they were fair, really fair. “Who is that?”

“Another thing I should explain to you,” Gandalf answered. The person walked closer, letting Frodo see her face clearly. It was rigid and cold, like the blade that had stabbed him, but somehow not hostile as it looked. “This is Daefaroth, the ranger who has watched over you throughout your journey.”

Frodo lost words to say. He clearly didn’t expect the stern ranger who had fought the Ringwraiths to be a female. “My true name is Varilerin,” Varilerin told the surprised Hobbits in amusement. “You are fortunate to be alive, Frodo Baggins. Morgul blade is a dangerous weapon, even to us the Elven kind, but Lord Elrond managed to save you. You should thank him later when you see him.”

“Speaking of the Morgul blade, I’ve heard that you’re wounded by one as well?” Gandalf instantly asked. “Aragorn told me. He said that it is no small scratch either.”

“Compared to Frodo’s wound, it is nothing,” Varilerin said, shrugging her shoulders.

“What happened Gandalf?” Frodo asked. “Why didn’t you meet us?”

“I was delayed,” Gandalf slowly explained. “Saruman, the head of my order, has turned against us. He held me captive in his tower, torturing me for information, for my cooperation. I managed to escape by the help of several friends, and find you here.” Gandalf paused, a smile crooked from his lips. “I have heard you have an amazing journey as well—“

Just as he ended his explanation, Sam barged into the room. Sam instantly smiled when he saw Frodo healthy and alive. “Frodo! Bless you, you’re awake!” Sam said, rushing and lunging at Frodo. Frodo received Sam’s embrace with a bright laughter, whilst Gandalf chuckled as he watched the touching reunion.

“Sam has hardly left your side,” Gandalf said. “And he is not the only one.” Frodo looked bemused, for Gandalf meant someone else other than the Hobbits that had travelled with him. He grinned when he realised who it was, leaping off his bed in excitement.

“Easy there,” Varilerin said, her tone still plain and cold like the usual, but with a hint of warmth. Frodo didn’t understand what had happened to her, but she seemed happier. It made him slightly comforted to see her well as well, after watching her brawling with several gruesome creatures at once. “Follow me,” she said as she touched Frodo’s shoulder, leading him out of his resting room. Sam and Gandalf joyfully followed the little Hobbits to the place where his family was waiting. A pair of familiar eyes stared back at him. Bilbo gave Frodo a smile he had not seen for a long time, one he missed dearly.

“Hello Frodo my lad,” Bilbo greeted, standing from his seat and stopped his writing. “Come here!”

“Bilbo!” Frodo shouted as he threw himself into Bilbo’s arms. Bilbo chuckled and tapped his back with kindness and love. “I miss you!”

“I as well,” Bilbo said lovingly. Varilerin and her friend watched the reunion from afar. “Daefaroth! It’s good to see you as well! You have gone in some adventures, haven’t you?”

“Indeed. It’s good to see you as well, Bilbo,” Varilerin said as she approached him. Bilbo insisted on embracing her despite her resistance, but she accepted his warm greeting not long after. His face seemed far older than the last time she had seen him. It was possibly the effects of not having the One Ring, she thought; but other than that the Hobbits seemed satisfied of his own travels. Letting the old man go, she noticed a book laying on the table nearby.

“You’ve finished your book,” Varilerin noted, opening the pages carefully. She marvelled over the Hobbit’s creation, revealing detailed accounts of the events that occurred in the Misty Mountains and maps as accurately drawn as the ones in Rivendell library. “There and back again, a Hobbit’s Tale,” she muttered sadly, for somehow the title touched a certain part of her heart.

“It’s wonderful,” said Frodo, who joined her. “Bilbo, you’ve made such a great work.”

“Thank you,” Bilbo chuckled, turning a significant page and showing it to her. “I’ve not forgotten to include you as well.” Bilbo pointed at Varilerin’s alias. She leaned down and read the page carefully. It recorded in detail everything that happened when she first encountered Bilbo, including her threatening him with her weapons when the Hobbit sneaked into Thranduil’s tent using his Ring. Varilerin smirked, reminiscing the strange way she had met the man. “I meant to go back,” Bilbo continued when he saw his drawing of Erebor. “Wander the paths of Mirkwood, visit Laketown, see the Lonely Mountain again. But age it seems, has finally caught up with me.”

Frodo’s bright smile slowly faded, feeling similar like his uncle. “I miss the Shire as well, Uncle. I spent all my childhood pretending I was off somewhere else… off with you on one of your adventures. But my own adventure turned out to be quite different,” Frodo said. He turned to Varilerin when he finished his sentence, giving her a meaningful look.

“Alas! You’re still young,” Bilbo sighed as he turned to Varilerin as well. “If I can be like you, Daefaroth, living long until my heart misses death, journeying whenever you wanted to.”

“And I envy you as well,” Varilerin said. “You are free to wander, whereas I cannot. Shadow always waited for me, trailing me like death.” Varilering glanced at Gandalf, who clearly showed his concern towards her. He knew that, despite having returned to her home, the elleth still had her dark past haunting her. She was the Shadow Hunter, and the shadow remained by her side. She might be changing towards her brighter life, but a single flick could also bring her back to her exile days.

“You are no longer Daefaroth, Varilerin,” Gandalf assured her, grabbing her shoulders lightly. “We must let go eventually. Do not let darkness control you forever.” Varilerin merely nodded, worrying the Wizard more, though she found it hard to follow his suggestion. Gandalf forced a smile to encourage her, still hoping that his words would motivate her to leave her past and walk towards her brighter future.

“Speaking of old friends,” Bilbo exclaimed to break the glooming atmosphere. “I have learnt from Lord Elrond that several of ours are being invited. Guess who it is!”

“Judging from your face, it must be a member of Thorin’s Company,” Varilerin plainly guessed, raising her brows. “Balin maybe?”

“Oh, not Balin. He’s growing too old to get out from his own house. Gloin is coming! With his son Gimli!” Bilbo explained, eyes glimmering. “They come to represent Erebor, I’ve heard, along with several of the less friendly Mirkwood Elves… But it’s a great news, isn’t it?”

“Indeed it is,” Gandalf agreed. “It has been decades since we last saw those wee lads. I wonder how Gloin is doing.”

“That, you will immediately know, because they should have arrived by now—“ Bilbo stopped when he heard a commotion from the gate. Snickering now, he jumped from where he stood and rushed towards the entrance of Rivendell. Frodo couldn’t prevent Bilbo from running with his elderly body, barely keeping up with his pace as well. Varilerin and Gandalf tailed them, the latter interested with the guests Elrond had invited. She had expected several Dwarfs to attend, yes, but she had not expected a member of Thorin’s Company. She might not interact with Gloin too much back in Erebor, but the Dwarf was noisy enough to talk with her. She had made him an accidental acquaintance, one who would not be forgotten for decades.

“Gloin!” came Bilbo’s welcoming shout when she arrived at the gate. Varilerin smirked vaguely when she saw the Hobbits hugging the buff Dwarf as they chuckled madly.

“Little Burglar!” Gloin greeted, lifting the Hobbit high with his brute strength. Behind him his son, Gimli, watched in horror and marvel at the same time. Surely he had heard the stories about Bilbo from his father. Gloin immediately put Bilbo to the ground after his back suddenly sounded painfully. With a grimace Gloin chuckled once more. “Age has taken toll of me, lad.”

“And so have I,” Bilbo chuckled again, peering over Gloin’s short shoulder. Gloin fluttered his eyes when he saw Varilerin standing behind Bilbo. Bilbo immediately understood Gloin’s confusion. “This, my lad,” Bilbo said as he dragged Varilerin closer to Gloin. Gloin shuddered when he saw Varilerin’s face, fair but menacing. “Is Daefaroth, whose true name is Varilerin.”

“Da-Daefaroth?!!” exclaimed Gloin, his jaws open as if they were ready to fall from his head. Gimli also gaped once Bilbo stated her alias, much to her amusement. “You are the lad that helped us back there?”

“You’re welcome,” Varilerin said as she produced a small smirk. “Don’t expect me to be an elleth? I suppose it does not sever our strange friendship, does it?”

“No-no, not at all,” Gloin stammered, his cheeks flushing terribly red. If Varilerin was capable of laughing, she would do it now, for it was rare to see a Dwarf blushing when he saw an elleth. Elves and Dwarfs had an intense rivalry between them, thus it was rare to find a Dwarf so relaxed when facing an Elf. What surprised Varilerin more was Gimli’s reaction, for he was flustered and flushed a brighter shade of red than his father. Gandalf chuckled at the sight, and so was Bilbo.

“You two coming alone this far?” Bilbo asked, seeing an empty expanse laying behind the two Dwarf. Gloin instantly snorted, his eyes narrowing menacingly. “Oh, you don’t,” Bilbo said upon realizing that the Dwarfs had indeed not travelling alone. “Let me guess—“

“Enough of the guessing!” Gloin snapped, his cheeks still flustered with embarrassment. “I am tired lad. I need rest,” he said, as if he was in a hurry. Chased, perhaps, but Varilerin knew too well that would be chaos from the forest. Ignoring her accusing glare, Gloin continued, “Now, I need to hurry to rest, or I’ll—“

Suddenly came from the forest a group of cloaked figures, walking calmly and patiently. It seemed that he is not chased by anyone after all, Varilerin grimly thought as the approaching groups closed in. She studied them carefully, recognizing the authentic style of the cloaks worn by the travellers. “Mirkwood Elves,” Varilerin mumbled in understanding. “It seems you have quite a trouble in travelling with them, yes? Considering you have an unhealthy relationship with them in the past.

“Peace has come to us, but I will never forget how they lock us in their cages,” Gloin hissed. Gimli shared the same look as his father, almost replicating his features entirely with his frowning face. “And to make it worse, that Elven Prince who captured us is the one sent by that Elven King.”

“Legolas Greenleaf?” Gandalf guessed. “Well, it is not unusual for Thranduil to send his son as a delegate…” Varilerin shuddered, scanning the group for the said person. She and Legolas had unwanted and uncomfortable confrontations back in Erebor, and though she was now Daefaroth no longer, she still felt wary of Legolas’ presence. She stepped close to Gandalf to seek his protection when the Mirkwood Elves had entered Rivendell, being greeted by the guards politely. All of them immediately pulled back their hoods once they stepped their feet in the village.

“Gandalf,” was the first word Legolas uttered when he revealed his face, unchanged and still full of strength. He did not look tired, but his face was full of dread when he looked at Gandalf.

“Legolas Greenleaf,” Gandalf greeted. “I hope your journey is well? For my own is not as well as I hoped.”

“We did not encounter any obstacles, other than—“ Legolas paused when he received two menacing glares from the Dwarfs he had been travelling with. “Other than tiredness,” Legolas corrected himself, not wanting to brew a war with Gloin although he was very tempted to.

Varilerin raised her brow, and so did Frodo and Bilbo, wondering about the poor choice the Elves or the Dwarfs had made by travelling with their rivalling race. It was inconvenient enough for them to stand side by side, yet alone spending a long road together. Varilerin, too focused on the silent war Legolas and Gloin was waging, did not notice Arwen sneaking behind her.

“Ah, our guests have come,” Arwen noted, surprising and jolting Varilerin in process. She glanced at her accusingly, thinking that the elleth had a secret plan untold of, but Arwen merely smiled. “You must be Lord Gloin and Lord Gimli. Welcome to Rivendell,” Arwen greeted the two Dwarfs, who were once more mesmerized by the beauty of the Elves. Legolas sneered when he saw this, causing the two stout men to bow their heads quickly in return of Arwen’s elegant welcome.

“Thank you for your kindness, Lady Arwen,” Gloin said as politely as he was allowed to with his gruff voice. Arwen nodded and turned to the Mirkwood Elves. “And I welcome you and your company as well, My Friend,” Arwen said, turning to Legolas and greeting him in the manner of their kin. Legolas returned the gesture, erasing his previous sneer as fast as the wind.

“It is good to see you once more, Lady Arwen,” Legolas said, smiling. “Forgive me with the lack of proprieties, but I need to speak with your father immediately, concerning an urgent matter. I need Gandalf and Aragorn’s presence as well.”

“He is in the library, as usual,” Arwen told him. “Though I should apologize, for I need to escort the guests to their rooms. Gandalf, if you may?”

“I am sure I can escort you there,” Gandalf said to Legolas. “In the meantime, Varilerin, I need you to keep an eye on the Hobbits… You know what will happen when our eyes are not on them.”

“Building a campfire without permission. Yes, I will,” Varilerin said plainly. She stole a glance from Legolas, who was fortunately unaware of her identity as the Shadow Hunter, though Varilerin knew sooner or later Gandalf would tell him. He though, eyed her suspiciously and she immediately glanced away when she noticed him doing so. Nodding to Gandalf, she shepherd the Hobbits away and disappeared with Arwen, who with outmost propriety, escorted the guests to their rooms.

“I have visited this place many times and I haven’t ever seen her,” Legolas said to Gandalf as they walked to the library. Gandalf chuckled from under his beard, making Legolas confused. “What is it you’re hiding from me?”

“No, nothing,” Gandalf answered gleefully. “Except that she’s the Daefaroth who pointed an arrow to you and scolded your father.”

Legolas was bemused by Gandalf’s answer, his mind stirring into confusion. “What do you mean?”

To this Gandalf merely laughed.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Relax Pippin. Peaceful mind is the key to win your battle.”

“How can I be peaceful when I am fight—“

With a single, careless step Pippin slipped to the stony ground, with Merry’s sword hanging close to his neck. Pippin screamed and immediately crawled away like a terrified animal and Merry merely laughed to the top of his lungs. Sam and Frodo joined his laughter once Pippin stopped in front of Varilerin and she hit him with her mighty hand.

“I thought you want to learn how to wield a sword,” Varilerin sighed, pulling Pippin up to his cowering feet. “And yet you cannot even not panic.”

“Come on Pip! Be a man!” Merry teased him joyfully. Pippin scowled and patted his pants from dust while Varilerin picked Pippin’s forgotten sword lying on the ground next to him, sighing again. It had been several hours since Pippin and Merry requested her to train them the way of the sword, reasoning that they wanted to protect themselves in case dangers happened again. She didn’t refuse, for she knew that it was the only way to keep the two troublemakers in her vicinity. Frodo and Sam had decided to stand watch, laughing whenever Pippin was defeated by his cousin.

“Tired?” Varilerin asked as she handed the sword. Pippin, despite the waterfall of sweat that poured from his forehead, shook his head confidently. “Good. Now repeat again with patience and peaceful mind, or I will switch with Merry to be your opponent,” she continued sharply.

Pippin instantly nodded, frightened of sparring with her again. She was his first opponent and it didn’t end well. Pippin and Merry resumed their training, this time the former gaining slight control of his mind and body. Varilerin glanced towards the direction of the library, where Legolas had been having a meeting with the wise men since he had arrived in the village. Whatever they were discussing, it must hold a high degree of importance.

“I don’t know you like teaching,” Varilerin heard Glorfindel’s voice coming from beside her and she jolted. “It seems your senses are numbed when you returned home.”

“Which is why I need to go to the forest right now,” Varilerin hissed, her straight face filled with signs of annoyance. She turned to Glorfindel, studying his always joyful face. “What happened?” she asked, knowing that he had always had intentions whenever he came to her out of nowhere.

“Once Frodo awoke from his sleep, Erestor immediately arranged a feast for the night,” Glorfindel hummed cheerfully. “He noticed that all of the council attenders have arrived today, so he prepared a grand dinner for all the guests…” Glorfindel winked at her and Varilerin finally understood his intentions.

“No, not in a million years,” Varilerin told Glorfindel.

“Consider it as a welcoming party for you as well,” Glorfindel persuaded with his sweetest tone. “And it is an obligation, since you are also part of the council.”

“You have never said it as an obligation,” Varilerin retorted, scowling.

“Well… It is important to build friendship within the council members,” Glorfindel explained. “Furthermore, even if you refuse this request of mine, Lady Arwen will also urged you. Force you maybe and I am sure she is more difficult to resist. It will be better if you accept the invitation now.”

Varilerin stayed silent, pondering over Glorfindel’s request. She had attended a feast with the Dwarfs decades ago, but she was not surrounded by many people at once. She talked with only Gandalf and Bilbo, a little with anyone else perhaps, but she didn’t converse together with all of them. What made Rivendell’s feast worse was the fact that they would be sitting together in a large table, so closely to each other. Varilerin doubted she could survive even a single minute.

“You’ll sit beside me, Gandalf, or Arwen,” Glorfindel assured her. “Just once Varilerin, then I will not ask more of you,” Glorfindel pretended. Varilerin narrowed her eyes suspiciously, igniting anxiety in Glorfindel’s vessel. “Please?” Varilerin winced when her master said the last word with cat eyes.

After a long moment, Glorfindel was relieved that Varilerin said, “Fine,” shortly. Glorfindel’s smile grew wider, for he saw that his daughter was different than when she first returned to Rivendell. “Good, very good. I will meet you here once the sun has set, properly dressed of course.”

“Do not expect me to come dressed like Arwen,” Varilerin said. “It is only a feast, not a party. I will come as proper as I deem to.”

“Fine, fine,” Glorfindel said, tapping her shoulder lightly. “Continue your training then. Oh, dear Halflings, you are invited to the feast at night as well,” Glorfindel said, careful not to mention the council meeting to them. Merry and Pippin instantly stopped their training and looked at Glorfindel enthusiastically, causing him to laugh more. “It is a gift after your long travels. See you then!” Glorfindel finally said, skipping away from the group. Frodo glanced at Varilerin, who seemed grumpier than usual.

Finally the doors of the library were opened, with Gandalf first stepping out of it. Behind him followed Legolas, Aragorn, and then Elrond the last. Varilerin moved from where she had been standing and approached the wizard, who looked distressed like the other people following him.

It is a poor news Legolas has brought then, Varilerin thought as she confronted the wizard. “Gandalf, what has happened?” Gandalf drew a deep breath, giving Legolas a look to assure the ellon that Varilerin ought to know what they had been discussing. Legolas turned away, choosing to talk further with his friend Aragorn, though he stole glances from the elleth. Gandalf had told him that she was Daefaroth, doubting him slightly, but now that he had seen her, he was assured that those silver eyes were the same ones that glared at him back in Erebor. He shuddered slightly when her silver eyes flashed towards him.

“Gollum has escaped the custody of the Silvan Elves,” Gandalf whispered to her. “Aragorn captured him some time ago and I interrogated him for information regarding our enemy or the Ring to no avail. Legolas informed me that two months ago Gollum escaped, leaving no traces. He feared that he was captured by Orcs.”

“Which was why the Ringwraiths know the Ring is in Shire,” realized Varilerin. “What else?”

“He brought us news from Lothlorien as well, which in turn received words from Rohan. It says of evil growing in the Land of Horse Lords. Saruman’s influence, I am afraid. If we do not act quickly, Sauron and Saruman’s power will surely grow.”

“Then it is imperative for the council to decide the fate of the Ring tomorrow,” Varilerin sighed. “This is worse than I thought.”

“Indeed it is,” Gandalf said again. “Though it is worse to hear Glorfindel laughing when we were discussing important matters.” Varilerin scowled when Gandalf chuckled. “I will see you in the feast tonight, Dear.”

“How did you—“ She could not ask him further as Gandalf had disappeared with Elrond into the corridors, leaving her with the Hobbits. Frowning, she turned her attention back to the now brawling Merry and Pippin. Cunning wizard.