~*~ Part 20 ~*~
”Wake up, little one!”
Robin didn’t recognize the soft voice at first. She knew it wasn’t her mothers. Then she noticed softness encircling her and she opened her eyes. Galadriel met her look and smiled at her like you do to a very little child.
“You look like you thought I was a giantlittle,” said Robin.
Galadriel laughed. “Giantlittle?” she said. “How can something be that? I know only one giant, that’s true but he is not little. I haven’t seen him, but those that have say he is tall as a full grown spruce.”
“Almost, at least,” interposed Greenwood.
“Have you seen him?” asked Robin.
“Yes, a long time ago. But that I can tell you about another time, because we are here, you see.”
Robin looked around. They stood in front of an old ruin, which was in so many pieces that almost only the ground was left. Inside the low wall, flowers and grass grew in the broken flag stones, which once had been a floor. An ancient oak shadowed the stones with its thick crown. In the shifting leaf shadows stood a gathering of beings that greeted the newly arrived with waves and joyous acclamations.
Galadriel let Robin down to the ground, and then all five went in between what remained of the two doorposts. A short woman in a clear red dress came to them.
“Vedui’ il’er
[1]” she said.“Mae Govannen, Fragaria,” said Galadriel. ”Has he spoken, or does he wait?”
“He waits until more have arrived.” answered Fragaria, who was surrounded by a wild strawberry fragrance. Robin supposed she was a fairy and wondered if she watched over the forest berries, like Ticka watched over the mushrooms.
Fragaria put out her hand to Robin. “You, I have not seen before. You come from another dimension,” she said. “Come so I can introduce you to the others. What is your name?”
“Robin,” she hesitated. “Robin Hood.”
“I could swear that I’ve heard that name before,” mumbled the bird watcher behind her. But Fragaria didn’t listen to him. She put her hands on Robin’s shoulders and turned her towards those that were standing in the shadows. “Rubus, Elrond, Filipendula, Thranduil, Picea, Haldir, Convallaria, Celeborn and everyone else! This is Robin Hood, and I am sure she will be a big help. It shows in her eyes that she is both brave and ingenious”
[1] Vedui’ il’er – Greetings everyone
~*~ Part 21 ~*~
The praise embarrassed Robin, even though she was filled with warmth and pride. She glanced over her shoulder and saw that Ticka had a very sullen face. Greenwood and the mushroom fairy were standing as far away as possible. When Robin had been introduced, she went over and talked to Greenwood. She thought it was about time someone spoke nice with him, because he really looked alone and disassociated from everyone. Just like she knew she used to do when a lot of people crowded around her.
‘Why isn’t he going over to his father’ she thought. But, as she had promised Galadriel earlier she wouldn’t say anything, she didn’t ask him. Instead she asked, “Where is the sleeper, exactly?”
“He is under the earth. Do you see the two guards over there?” Greenwood pointed to a remote corner of the ruin, where two tall people covered in lichen grey cloaks and spinouts helmets stood. Because they were so light and stood so dead calm, she hadn’t noticed them before. Their beards were so long that they had wound them round and round around their necks. Robin wondered what they guarded, because in between them it she only saw a wild brier.
“Behind the bush is the entry to the Sleepers chamber.” Greenwood said.
“What is this building; I mean what was it before it fell into pieces?”
“A church, they say.” Greenwood didn’t seem to be familiar with the word. “Not far from here are the remains of several stone walls. There was a whole village here, but every one died in a plague.” He looked satisfied, something like Maria when she told ghost stories.
“How long ago?” Robin asked and looked worriedly around, like pieces of bones were left in the moss and flowers.
“It happen during the fourteenth century,” said the bird watcher, who had come up to them. “Then the Black Death went over the world. People died like flies you could say. The death carriage rattled through cities and villages; the diseased clothes were burned in the streets and ownerless pets strolled around closed houses.”
Robin thought he sounded like a teacher when he told about it.
“The people thought the plague was a punishment from God, so they went in big troops through the kingdom and prayed to the God and pioused themselves. They were called Scourges and Castigates.”
“Pioused themselves?” said Robin. “What is that?”
“They hit themselves with scourges and ripped out their hair and tormented themselves. Sometimes they made big heavy wood crosses and took them with them, and when they walked they sang anthems to God and virgin Maria.”
Robin could see in her mind how the Scourges haul themselves forward longest a muddy road. The fog lay thick over the untilled lands, mixed with the smoke from the village, where the polluted belongings were burned.
“Though,” said Galadriel, “It says there was a lot of happiness; the strange joy you can feel when you know that you can die tomorrow and do not need to worry anymore. It is said that they danced and played and let all the sorrow fly. Maybe it is true.” She went silent a short moment. “Though, that was in your world. It was slightly different here. We were hit by it too, but not as widespread and devastating. We did lose a lot of people though thanks to a few abilities not every race was affected. Working together I think we were able to exterminate the plague faster and the source.”
“How could they live right in the middle of the forest?” Robin asked. “Didn’t they have fields and roads?”
“Everything has become overgrown.” said Greenwood. “It is the woods it takes back the ground that the people had gained. The pines slowly walk in the field, linneor throw their tendrils over the earth, seeds fall and grow. Aspen and ashes push through the high; all the small and green lives get closer to the walls and push themselves through stones.”
“And mushrooms grow,” said Ticka, who had become curious and came forward to them.
“How did it go for those that died in the plague?” asked Robin. “Do they go around in the wood like you?”
~*~ Part 22 ~*~
Galadriel hesitated. “We have seen them, though they will not speak to us. Their cries are deplorable and they hide their visage. One night I thought I heard them sing, but maybe it only was the wind.”
“Do you think it is God’s punishment that the plague came?”
“I don’t know. I don’t want to believe that.” said the bird watcher.
“You never know what the Eru wants. His ways are hidden even for the wisest.” Galadriel added.
Robin wanted to ask Galadriel and the bird watcher and the others if they believed that God existed, but she didn’t dare. She thought Eru sounded something like God, and wondered if that was this world’s creator. She wasn’t sure of how it came to be that Galadriel and the bird watcher were living there, and if they had died in her world. If they had died, it was obvious that none of them had come to heaven. If this wasn’t heaven? Though in heaven you couldn’t have any Hrávemat[1] and thind mân[2] and Manulô[3], and would there be any Greenwood? With out them heaven would be very boring, she thought and threw a glance on the Edhellô[4], who stood deep in his own thoughts. His dark blue eyes was glossy, and he looked little taunting. She thought he wouldn’t be allowed into heaven.
“Look over there!” said Ticka. “Now arrives the elkgirl!”
Robin turned around and was amazed. Between the tall trees came a huge elk; one that could frighten her and her mother out of life during one of their walks to collect berries. On the animals back sat a little, little girl with black hair. When she got closer Robin saw that she was golden brown in her skin and her eyes were big and dark. She had a wide, happy mouth and funny high eyebrows.
“Aaye Alcesina!” shouted Fragaria. “Will the Oromë[5] come?”
The elkgirl shook her head. With a few strides the elk come to the ruin, and the girl took a jump from his back. He turned and disappeared into the forest, and the girl came to the waiting people.
“Tirithdîr is too busy,” she said with light voice to Fragaria. “There was a hurt hare which needed his help. But he trusts you to let him hear the Sleepers message to him.”
“Of course,” said Fragaria a little disappointed. “Maybe we should go down to the chamber now, because I don’t think many more will come.” She gestured towards the others. They were mostly fairies and elves, but there were some creatures she hadn’t any name for.
Greenwood, who saw how Robin looked at them, put his hand on her shoulder and whispered in her ear, “The brown is Ennor raug’s[6], those that looks like trees are Ents, those that looks like children are Peredhil – halflings, the small is Nogoth - Gnomes and some is Edan’s.”
These were all unknown words for Robin, but she felt now wasn’t the time to get it explained. Instead, she watched them. Some were dressed in cotton grass or wreaths of flowers, while some bore dresses like Fragarias or cloaks, tunics and other costumes. Some were naked and didn’t seem embarrassed. Strange, Robin didn’t get embarrassed either when she saw them; though she often felt uncomfortable when she saw a human naked. She remembered how embarrassed she had been when she saw the flasher in the city. But he had a strange look in his eyes, as if he hadn’t seen her. These naked beings that came from the meadows, fens and woods, had clear eyes and looked lithe and flexible.
When all had walked to the brier bush, the guards spoke with husky voices and said: “What do you have for business at the Sleeper’s dwelling place?”
Flagaria bowed, “We yearn to hear his voice.” she said.
“Big is his peace and wisdom. His dreams are bigger than the world,” said the guards in chorus.
“To disturb his peace gives us grief. But the danger we fear is close,” said Fragaria.
The Guards nodded and removed some of the brier branches. Then they lifted a moss covered stone, and a faint light rose from the earth.
~*~ Part 23 ~*~
Fragaria took hold of her skirts and went down behind the brier. Obviously there was a stair there. Every Ennor rag’s, ents, fairies, elves and humans followed her, as well as Galadriel, the bird watcher and the others.
Robin gave Greenwood a questioning look before she stepped down. Was it really true that she, who didn’t belong to this world, also would meet the Sleeper? Then Greenwood put his hand on her shoulder and for a moment she thought he would push her down the stair. But he didn’t.
They entered a big, damp room, which was filled with hazy faint light. Big drifts of mold lay like snow over the floor. Robin thought it was awful to step in it, but everyone else did it, so she didn’t want to show herself as being silly, even if it smelled strong too. At the other end was something that looked like a bed, though it was stone. On the bed lay a white clothed being. His hair and beard were so long, that it hung down to the floor and curled in waves around the resting place.
Smooth breaths sounded in the room. Flagaria went closer, and everyone stayed at a distance from the Sleeper. Robin saw that his face was white and very, very old. His eyes were looking at the ceiling and he didn’t blink. A big peace filled the room.
“Alas, Sleeper, father of the time. What answer gave your dream to our question?” said Flagaria. Her voice was filled with respect. Everyone stood unmoving and silent except Ticka, who cleared her throat.
The breaths broke. A voice came from the Sleepers mouth. It was like it came from deep in the earth; ancient and slowly it filled the room:
“Seek the stone that the Angel has thrown. With that you shall exterminate the city!” The voice faded.
Everyone looked at each other, but none dared to say anything.
Finally Flagaria spoke again: “Is this the only answer to the question?”
A wheezing came from the Sleepers mouth. Then it was totally silent, and the faint light trembled. Flagaria that looked disappointed gave the sign that everyone should go out again.
It took some time until everyone was out. When Robin put her feet on the broken stone plates, she drew a big deep breath of the fresh, flower-scented air.
Everyone looked confused, and Flagaria seemed almost angry, but she bowed deep for the guards, who that put the stone hatch back and stood on the same place as before. Robin wondered if they always stood there.
Flagaria went with fast steps to the other end of the ruin, and they followed. She bade them to sit down on the ground and then did the same.
“Fifty years!” she burst out. “For fifty year have we waited, and then he gives us a riddle, that may take fifty years to solve!”
“The Sleepers answer has always been mysterious. That is the way it should be,” said an Ent, with the special sound that characterizes his species.
“And we have always solved the riddles.” Elrond put in.
“Sometimes I think we should let him sleep and manage ourselves,” said the elkgirl and wrinkled her eyebrows.
“Don’t you dare say that!” interposed Ticka.
Robin didn’t think the mushroom fairy, who had joked about a lot of dangerous things, had any right to scold the elkgirl.
Flagaria became irritated too. “Everyone has their right to say what they want – as long they not say ‘yes’ to the Manulô.”
Ticka seemed to let the criticism get to her and went silent at once.
“Shall we think over the Sleeper’s answer instead of arguing?” said the beautiful Convallaria. Several nodded and some agreeing voices were heard.
“You are right,” said Fragaria. “Well, is there anyone that has heard about a stone, that an angel has thrown? There has to be one or the Sleeper would not have dreamt about it.”
“Shall it be a big stone?” wondered a little Ennor raug.
“It has to be, if it shall make some good,” thought a human being in a pale green dress.
“There are a lot of stones to choose between,” said the elkgirl dryly.
During the whole time had Galadriel been sitting silent and far away in her thoughts. Now she suddenly spoke up. “I think I have heard about such a stone. It was during the time I lived in the mortal world. It was about a clod somewhere out in the settle, which was said to have been touched by an angel hand. But I can not remember where it lies. It is utterly impossible.” She shook her head sadly.
“What we need,” said the bird watcher, “is someone that has a very good understanding of the surroundings, who knows it like the back of their hand, so to speak. The stone can’t be in the forest. And how shall we then reach it? And how shall we be able to move it – we that can’t harm anything in the mortal’s world. It will be little hard if you understand what I mean?”
~*~ Part 24 ~*~
Everyone looked dejected. The bird watcher turned to Robin. “Do you know anyone that knows the area inside and out?”
Robin thought about all the people that lived near the wood. Her mother and father probably didn’t know anything about an angel stone. Not Maria’s parents either. But Maria had an old grandmother, who shared the second floor in the white house with her son, Maria’s uncle. Maria often complained about how her grandmother could endlessly talk about her old memories from the old time; long stories about people and places and events. To the grandmother you only went to get sour candy, Maria used to say. Robin followed her there a few times and admired the old fancy goods and her illustrated bible, but she was little scared of her; mostly because she didn’t know how to speak with someone that was so old.
The bird watcher looked hopefully on her.
“Maybe Maria’s grandmother knows,” she said very uncertain. “I could ask her.”
“Look there!” exclaim Fragaria. “Didn’t I know you would be to help!” She rose, came forward to Robin, crouch down and lay her arm around her shoulder. The wild strawberries fragrance stood sweet around her. Rubus, Elrond and Convallaria and the others gathered around Robin. She sought out Greenwoods eyes and saw that he looked proud and happy. Only Ticka was sulking as usual. Robin felt almost sorry for her.
“Do we agree that the brave Robin Hood shall be our special correspondent to the mortal world? Shall we give her the quest to find the angel stone?” Fragaria looked on the others.
Everyone said “yes”, and Robin blushed.
“Then it is decided,” said Fragaria. “Everyone that wants to give Robin good advice can do it now.”
And everyone had to stand in a cue in front of Robin. Most of them hadn’t any good advice for her; they only wanted to wish her happiness. A little Ennor raug[1] with a moss hat shyly pressed a little blank root in her hand and said it would bring her luck.
Ticka told Robin to be careful and to not be drowned on the way back.
Rubus said she was allowed to eat as many raspberries she wanted in Middle Earth. He offered to give her the gift of forever and always finding the biggest and juicy, even if they hide behind the leaves.
Robin asked for them to wait and give her their gifts until she was back, because it wasn’t certain that she would succeed with the mission. She also thought about what her mother had said about having to go back home – though she could go directly to Maria’s grandmother without telling that to her parents. The thought of the journey home made her very sad.
Earlier, Galadriel’s story and their walk to the Sleeper’s place had made her almost forget the quarrel between her parents. But she shouldn’t think about it now either. She should think about her mission. Everyone seemed to trust her.
The elkgirl wanted Robin to ride back on the elk with her, but Galadriel advised against it. As only the elkgirl – and the Tirithdîr, of course – could safely sit astride the tall animals, she said.
“Who is the Tirithdîr?” asked Robin.
Galadriel got a warm luster in her eyes, like you get when you think of someone you like very much. “Uma, who is he? None of us know. We do not know where he comes from, but he has always been here. He is the one that help the wild animals. He carries a horn of gold and when he blows he can bring all the animals to him.”
“He is a very decent fellow,” the birdwatcher said. “A real honored person, indeed. Confidence himself that is what he is. It is something peculiar about him; you can’t lie to him. You will surely meet he who is lechery, so you will understand what I mean. But now I think we shall follow the little girl – I mean Robin – back, before it gets dark.”
“I can carry you, so it goes faster,” Galadriel said.
“Nope, this time is it I who will carry her.” The birdwatcher looked distinct.
“I’ll walk myself, if that does not delay you,” Robin said, she hoped she didn’t sound angry.
[1] Ennor raug – Earth being/creature
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