Chapter 40 - Stories That Best Remain Untold

                                    

                                          


Avadis stood at the bow of the ship, watching as they sailed closer and closer towards Gondor. But she did not trouble her eyes over watching the dark cliffs of Mordor approach them in the distance. Beside them, the fertile land was a rolling green blanket, blowing gently in the wind as if they were waves washing onto the shore. Small flowers grew amongst the grasses, their faces following the path of the sun as it travelled across the clear blue sky. Occasionally, a bird would soar from a tree and into the sky, singing a carefree song of freedom as Avadis travelled past. Smiling, she felt the air move her hair as the ship maintained its steady course, the waves creating a calming rhythm as they hit the front and ran away down the sides of it's hull. Closing her eyes, she felt the warmth of the sun press gently against her skin, listening to the water rush past her and the breeze whistle through her wings. She did not think of the future, she did not think of the past. For the first time in a long time, it almost felt as if she was home. 
"We arrive in an hour" Legolas announced, the boards creeking slightly as he walked up the steps behind her.
Avadis did not bother to move, instead she slowly opened her eyes and raised her hand out over the water below them, casting out her shadowy hand which danced across the waves. 
"If there were one thing I could wish for" she said softly, "it would be to swim as the fishes do. To move through water as I do through the air, feel it's coolness on my skin." She sighed, turning to look at Legolas who was leaning precariously against the rigging, watching her with a small smile. "But I suppose others will tell me I must be content with what I have. As we all should be." She returned a smile back to him before looking back out to the water. 
"It is possible to have dreams with a grateful heart" he replied, pushing himself up and walking over to stand next to her, his arms leaning over the side of the ship. "As a child, I used to dream of speaking the language of the whispering trees. When our forest was still good and light I would walk through the trees each day and pretend they were speaking to me, telling me all of their secrets." He smiled, lost in his memories. "I feel as if my father would rather have me dream of becoming a king and a warrior leader like him. But alas, I have more of my mother in me than he would have wished. I was never happier than when I was exploring our forests, listening for the trees." He laughed, his hair blowing behind him in the wind. 
Avadis was careful to keep her gaze forwards. He had spoken of his father before, and of his home. But never of his mother. "I am sure he cannot be upset at you being like her" she spoke gently, "there is no greater compliment to me than to be compared to my mother, though it is a compliment that no one has the ability to give to me now. To be as your mother means that there is a part of her that lives on within you. That is the greatest treasure of all."
"Yes. You are right." He paused a moment before looking down at his hands. "I would have liked you to meet her. I did not know her very long, but from what I have heard of her, you sound to be very similar people. I am sure she would have liked you." 
Avadis turned her face away from him, tears welling up in her eyes that she dared not show him. She took a deep breath, "what was she like?"
"The advisors called her wise, the healers called her gentle, warriors called her brave and craftsmen called her patient. But my father, he calls her beautiful." He went silent for a moment, "I do not remember as much of her as I wish. But I remember her voice, and the touch of her hand. I hold those memories closest to me. As does my father, though he will not share them anymore with me."
Then they were both silent, looking out over the water which sparkled under the sunlight. Avadis could not speak, for if she did she would not be able to restrain the tears which ran down her face. There was so much that she wished to tell him, but even more that she knew she could not. She was not ready to tell him, and he was not ready to hear it. So instead the pair stood side by side enjoying the comfort of the others presence for a while, taking in the slowness of life before the world came crashing down around them yet again. 
"What is it that you think about, in moments like this. When war is on the brink of the horizon?" Legolas asked, his voice whistful and quiet. 
Avadis thought a moment. "Peace" she sighed, "and quiet, such as what is around us right now. I wish for a time when the fields of battle become fields of flowers, when cries of pain become songs of birds, a place where there is no need for anger, jealousy and revenge." 
He smiled, looking down at her as her eyes reflected the shimmering water. "Then I wish nothing more than for you to find peace in such a beautiful place as this."
She nodded, "I know that whether I live or die, there will be a home waiting for me on the other side of this war."
"No, do not let death call you home just yet. Let us hope first that this home can be found here with us, so that we can explore these beautiful places together."
Avadis smiled and leant her head gently against his shoulder, her wing wrapping around behind him. "I hope for this as well."
...
"We approach!" Aragorn called from the cabin below them, waking both of them from their daydreams and back to reality. Avadis lifted her head slowly with a sigh and smiled to Legolas before running down the stairs to meet Aragorn. He leant over the ship's wheel, his finger poised over a map scribbled with notes. "We can rest assured that Mordor's armies will be lacking another 300 men thanks to our efforts here today" he said, slowly guiding the ship towards a portside town to their left. Gimli waltzed into the room, axe in hand, ready to attack. 
"It has been too long since my axe has been covered in the stench of orc blood" he grinned at Avadis, "let's go finish this war."
She smiled at him briefly before pulling her bow from her back, "so, what is your plan Aragorn?"
"My plan? My plan is to win" he smirked, looking back over his shoulder at her. He pulled Andruil from it's sheath and held it firmly in his hand, turning to look over at his three companions. He had changed so much from when she had first met him. No longer was he the rugged ranger that she had met months ago, but a man who was returning to save his home and free his people. Gandalf was right, he had become a king. A leader whom Avadis would be proud to fight alongside in this war. 
"Where you go I will follow" she said, placing a hand on his shoulder, "to whatever end." 
He smiled, "I can direct armies of men and lead them to victory. But you my friends need no such motivation from me."  
"I could not agree more. To war!" Gimli cried as the ship came to a stop. He walked out from the cabin and into the sunlight. Aragorn smiled and followed him, holding his sword out by his side, his stride filled with stoic bravery. 
Avadis looked at Legolas, who had unsheathed his bow, an arrow lying ready within it's string. "I'll see you on the other side" she smirked, "let's go tell these guys to ego mibo orch" (go kiss an orc).
He patted her on the back as they walked out, "I could not agree with you more."