Chapter Text
"Come on! Come on!" Lothiual-Merilin held her arms out, beckoning with her fingers. In front of her, Daenith's young Pup, barely past his seventeenth year, was taking his first steps. His father, Edwenor, was currently out on patrol, and while Daenith wanted to wait until her Mate had returned, her Pup apparently had different ideas.
Lothuial-Merilin was conversing with the Elders when she had heard the cry of alarm from one of the Pup Watchers. Daenith's son had wandered too close to the edge of the Cave and was on the verge of falling off. The Alpha had dived from her perch, catching the young Pup just as he had fallen off the ledge. While the fall wasn't enough to seriously harm the Pup, even Lothuial-Merilin couldn't deny the instinct to protect the young Pup from any harm. Daenith ended up catching the two of them, leading to the current situation where the two Females were helping the young Pup to walk.
"Ah, hah," With every small grunt, the young Pup took a small step forward. His mother was holding his hands, her eyes glimmering with pride and affection.
Lothiual-Merilin couldn't help the proud smile that overtook her face when the Pup finally reached her hands. She scooped him up, growling low in her throat as she licked his head. "Well done, little one," she crooned as she handed him back to his mother. "Now no more until your father gets home." The Pup whined softly, but a reproachful snap from his mother quieted all complaints. "Have you decided on a name?"
Daenith shook her head. "He is changing by the day; by the time I settle on a name that I think suits him, he does something else that proves he deserves a better name."
"You could always do what my parents did." Daenith tilted her head in questioning. "Name him after his appearance and or the time of his birth."
"Truly? But then why is your name Lothiual-Merilin instead of just Lothiual?"
"Originally it was." The Alpha smiled softly at the sight of the Pup fast asleep in his mother's arms. "Originally my name was Lothiual Silefphind; Lothiual because I was born at twilight, and Silefphind, well," she laced her claws through her hair and gestured at her eyes for the explanation. " I was given the name of Merilin by King Thranduil after he and his son heard my mother and I singing in the courtyard one night."
"I see. If I may ask," Daenith blushed lightly. "Is that why the Prince always calls you Merilin?"
Lothiual-Merilin nodded. "It means Nightingale in Sindarin."
"You do have one of the most beautiful howls I have ever heard, Alpha." Daenith passed the sleeping Pup to a Pup Watcher. "If I may be so bold," the mate of the Beta waited until the Nimpgorphen nodded before continuing. "Any male who takes you to be his Mate will be very lucky indeed."
Lothiual-Merilin chuckled hollowly. "In truth, I do not ever see myself settling down with a Mate." Daenith's eyebrows furrowed in silent confusion. "My father was lucky enough to find a Mate and still rule as an effective leader. But I fear that the weakness that overtook his mind may be present in my own. With all the alliances that we have made in the past twenty years, I cannot afford to fall prey to the same afflictions as my father. Besides..." Lothiual-Merilin turned around, her starlight gaze soft as she looked over her Pack. "I see my Pack as my Pups. I need not birth a Pup for that."
~Ÿ~
"Gandalf the Grey approaches!" Lothiual-Merilin looked up in surprise at the sentry's howl. She placed her book down, cracking her neck as she exited her cave. Several of the Warriors were taking up guard posts around the Elder's and Pup's dens. Lothiual-Merilin joined the Betas just as Gandalf emerged from the forest.
"Aaye, Arwenamin!" the Wizard greeted as he swept his hat off, bowing low. Seeing he was alone, Lothiual-Merilin waved off the Betas, allowing them to return to their duties.
"Aaye, Mithrandir. It has been a long time."
"Indeed it has!" Gandalf straightened, leaning on his staff as he looked over the Alpha. "You have changed quite a bit, Lothiual."
"And you have not aged a day, though that goes without saying I suppose." After a few moments, the tense atmosphere was broken with laughter from the two. "It is very good to see you, Gandalf." Lothiual-Merilin wrapped the taller man in an embrace, inhaling his comforting scent of Old Toby and library books.
"And you as well, mellonamin." Gandalf returned the embrace, rubbing the young Alpha's back. "Shall I interest you in a stroll through these fine woods? I have quite a few stories to tell you. One, in particular, might interest you."
"Is that so?" Lothiual-Merilin made a motion to Calithilon. He returned it, taking over giving orders to the Betas and Warriors for the day. "What is it about?"
"It is a fascinating tale of a young Gorphen female who spends the first two decades of her reign as Alpha making friends, instead of slaughtering enemies." Gandalf's eyes twinkled with mirth. "Care to hear it?"
"It sounds riveting," Lothiual-Merilin snickered. "Please, tell me all about it."
"Well, it starts in the year 2921, with the removal of her father, a great and powerful Alpha in his own right..."
~Ÿ~
"It was good to see Gandalf again," Calithilon mentioned as he sat down next to Lothiual-Merilin. They were resting outside her cave, watching the Pack slowly start to sleep.
"Indeed. I hadn't realized how much I had missed him." Lothiual-Merilin tilted her head back, watching as the moon poked its way out from behind the clouds. "It did the Pack good to see him as well, I think."
"How so?"
"We have been making the initial contact in reforging old bonds and forming new ones for the past twenty years. To have someone come to us with the same intent was a refreshing breeze that swept away some lingering clouds of doubt as to whether or not we were actually making a change."
"I see." Calithilon held his peace as the night patrols began to howl. Lothiual-Merilin joined in, the melodic sounds echoing through the forest and into the night. "Did you hear?" he asked once the howls had died away. "Edwenor and Daenith decided on a name for their son: Faervelon."
Lothiual-Merilin hummed softly. "A male of strong spirit." She snorted lightly, tucking her legs underneath her. "It suits the Pup. He is certainly unhindered by his age; already he is walking."
"I saw you with him, today." Lothiual-Merilin tilted her head to look fully at her brother. He was watching the Deltas spar around the fire; the winners got first pick of the sleeping places. "I haven't seen you that tender in a very long time."
"Not since you were a Pup yourself. And with Beorn, I suppose." Lothiual-Merilin smiled, nostalgia clouding her eyes. "I still remember the day I found you." Calithilon looked at his sister. "You were too young to know the full story then, but you deserve to know the truth now."
"What do you mean?"
"I was patrolling with Tadion's father the day we found you. He had been helping me control my transformed body when a strong wind from the peaks of the Misty Mountains brought the smell of Elvish blood down to us. Given how much there was, we decided to investigate." Lothuial-Merilin sighed heavily. "Orcs had attacked an Elvish convoy from Rivendell. They were in the process of slaughtering the survivors when we arrived at the scene.
"We engaged them, but at a heavy cost. Tadion's father was gravely wounded by the leader's Warg, but not before we had killed enough to send them running." Calithilon's fingers were white, he was gripping onto the ground so tightly. "My only regret from that day was allowing the feuyaer that slaughtered your family and Tadion's father to escape."
"I see..." Calithilon remained silent for a long while, processing everything he had just been told. "Tell me: what did the Orc look like?"
"I had never and have yet to see again an Orc that looked like him, save once." Lothiual-Merilin's usually starlight eyes were now steel flints. "He was white-skinned and rode a black Warg. He was covered in scars, metal implants, and the bones of his slain enemies. Though, if I can say one thing that I did right that day, besides saving you, was delivering a blow that I doubt he will ever fully heal from."
"Sister..." Calithilon turned his eyes to his Alpha, watching her every microexpression. "What did you do?"
"Just before the saurar could kill you and Tadion's father, I attacked him. I caved the left side of his head in, scratching my claws down his skin and face. The blow knocked him off the path and down into a ravine. It was his Warg that carried him away, bleeding and with his left eye hanging out of the socket. If he managed to survive the blow, he will doubtless be recognizable because of that. I only wish I had been strong enough then to kill him."
"You were but a child then, barely able to transform. But at least you managed to avenge Tadion's father and save me." Calithilon squeezed Lothiual-Merilin's shoulder in comfort, smiling when she looked at him. "Sacrifices were made, but look at the good that has come of it. Our Pack has grown, in strength, size, and friendships, and now we are side-by-side, leading them into the future." Lothuial-Merilin smiled at her brother, nuzzling his hand with her nose. "Thank you, for telling me the truth."
"You're welcome, little brother." The Nimpgorphen sighed softly, sitting up. "I only wish Erymen could see you now." She looked up at the sky. "In his last moments, he pulled you from underneath your mother's body and used his body to protect you. The blizzard was so bad that we used our bodies to keep us warm long enough so that we would survive when I brought you down the mountain. He was carried down by a group of Greenwood Elves and Warriors the following week after I had recovered enough to tell them where his body was. He's currently buried in Thranduil's cemetery."
"I'll have to pay my respects one day." Calithilon stood up, brushing off his pants. "Well, I believe it is time for me to retire for the night."
"One more thing." The Beta looked back when Lothiual-Merilin spoke up. "Gandalf has asked us to meet him in Imladris in six months' time."
"For what purpose?"
"I do not know." Lothuial-Merilin sighed, cracking her back. "He would only say that "Those who must be there are convening, and you have been requested by three of the joining, including myself." He left after that."
Calithilon could feel the sweatdrop rolling down his forehead. "That sounds like him. At least he hasn't changed too much in the time that we have not seen him."
Lothiual-Merilin laughed ruefully. "True. In any case, I want you to start training Faerdhinen in earnest. Edwenor will need him while we are gone."
"As you command, my Alpha." Calithilon bowed, taking his leave.
Lothiul-Merilin waited until he had returned to the Betas' cave before retiring to her own. As she fell asleep, her conversation with Gandalf replayed in her head.
~Ÿ~
"I'm sure you have noticed that the Orcs have become more active of late." Gandalf watched Lothiual-Merilin's reactions as he spoke. "They are becoming more brazen, more bloodthirsty. They move in large packs, and they do not fear the sun."
"Yes..." Lothiual-Merilin wiped the water from her lips. "Seregruth and I have been exchanging correspondence on the matter. Orcs from Mordor are constantly testing his borders; they have been driven back by our mutual efforts, but no one knows how long that will last. Morfinnor also reports the same of the Orcs of Moria. It seems that something is rousing them to action."
"It is infecting your own people as well." Lothiual-Merilin's eyes jumped sharply to Gandalf. "I have been more active than I led you to believe."
"Indeed..." Lothiual-Merilin straightened, all pretenses dropped. "What do you know of the Rogues of Rhûn?"
"I know who leads them and that their number grows by the day." Gandalf felt the creatures of the forest wither away from the growl that came from the young Alpha. "It seems you have your suspicions as well."
"I knew from the start that my father would not take kindly to being removed. This became even more apparent when he would conveniently disappear whenever Thranduil or any of the Greenwood would visit. It appears as if he knew they would never side with him, not when our alliance has grown as strong as it has."
"So you are aware that your father leads the Rogues, yet you still allow him to reside with the Pack. Why?"
Lothiual-Merilin said nothing for a while. She slowly walked up to the rocks from which the spring came, the one that fed the river that watered the entire Pack. "I do not yet know how loyal his followers are, or how many are in total. If I was to cut off the head before I knew from where he gained his power, it would build until it exploded, wiping out the entire Pack." For emphasis, the Nimpgorphen stopped the stream with a fallen tree. The water piled behind it, eventually spilling over the log and pushing it downstream. "But once I can know how many follow him, and how many have betrayed the Pack..."
With a snarl, the Nimpgorphen destroyed the boulder that sat above the stream. It blocked the hole from which the water flowed. In under a minute, all but a trickle had dried up.
"I can destroy them all with a single blow. In the meantime..." Gandalf watched as the young Female moved the boulder to the side, allowing some of the water to flow back out. "I will act ignorant of their movements, allowing them to dig their own grave until I decide to bury them in it."
"I see..." Gandalf stood up, placing his hat on his head. "Well then, I look forward to seeing you in six month's time."
"Calithilon and I will join you in Rivendell at the appointed time, though I wish you would tell me why you wanted us there." Gone was the malice and bloodlust from Lothiual-Merilin's eyes, instead replaced with mirth and teasing.
Gandalf chuckled, embracing the young Gorphen. "You will find out when you arrive. Namaarie, Lothiual-Merilin."
"Namaarie, Gandalf. Tenna' into lye omenta." Lothiual-Merilin watched until Gandalf left the forest. "Treebeard."
"Harooomm..." The Ent awoke, looking down at the Nimpgorphen.
"I trust you will keep watch over my Pack in my absence."
"My brothers and I, haroomm hummm, will watch over your Pups, Alpha, baroomm."
"Thank you." Lothiual-Merilin turned away, returning to her Pack. "I leave them under your watchful eyes, Mellon en emel."
~Ÿ~
"The Valley of Imladris," Gandalf announced as he stepped down the path. "In the Common Tongue, it's known by another name."
"Rivendell," Bilbo Baggins whispered reverently.
"Here lies the Last Homely House East of the Sea."
Thorin Oakenshield marched up the path, slamming his ax down in front of Gandalf. "This was your plan all along: to seek refuge with our enemy," he hissed at the Wizard.
"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill-will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself." Gandalf rebuked the hot-headed Dwarf.
"You think the Elves will give our quest their blessing? They will try to stop us." Thorin challenged.
"Of course they will." Gandalf agreed. "But we have questions that need to be answered." Thorin ducked his head, knowing Gandalf was right. "If we are to be successful, this will need to be handled with tact, and respect, and no small degree of charm, which is why you will leave the talking, to me." With that, Gandalf led the Dwarves and the Hobbit down the path into the courtyard of Rivendell.
"Mithrandir!" The group turned to see a brown-haired Elf walking down the stairs. From his clothing and the circlet around his forehead, he was a member of the Court.
"Ah, Lindir!" The Elf extended a hand towards Gandalf, the customary greeting for Elves. Behind him, another Elf stood on the landing, looking over the group. His clothing was different: leather breeches, a loose white long-sleeved shirt, and a fur vest, with a sword strapped to his side. A twinge of familiarity pulled at Thorin's heart, though he could not understand why.
"Lastannem i athrannedh i Vruinen," Lindir spoke in Sindarin.
"I must speak with Lord Elrond," Gandalf responded to whatever Lindir had said.
"Milord Elrond is not here."
"Not here?" Gandalf glanced up, making eye contact with the Elf that stood on the stair landing. The two exchanged a nod of greeting. "Where is he?"
The blowing of a familiar horn gave him his answer. The group turned around in time to see a party of Elvish warriors cantering down the path, headed directly for them.
"Close ranks!!" Thorin ordered. Bifur threw Bilbo into the middle of the group as the Dwarves pressed their shoulders and backs to each other, guarding themselves against an attack from behind. The Elves circled their horses around the group, cutting off any and all escape routes. One Elf broke the circle, directing his horse directly at the group.
"Gandalf!" he greeted.
"Lord Elrond." Gandalf's voice was filled with warmth as he greeted his old friend. "Mellonamin."
Thorin resisted the urge to roll his eyes when the Wizard and the Elf began to converse in the Elvish tongue as the Elf dismounted his horse. Elrond and Gandalf embraced briefly before Elrond displayed the Orcish sword he held in his left hand.
"Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders. Something, or someone, has drawn them near." Elrond commented as he passed the sword to Lindir.
"Ah, that may have been us." Gandalf turned his gaze to the group for emphasis. Thorin walked to the head of the group, meeting Elrond's gaze unwaveringly.
Elrond stepped forward. "Welcome Thorin, son of Thráin."
"I do not believe we have met." Despite the rage he felt, Thorin restrained himself enough to maintain some level of propriety.
"You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thrór, when he ruled under the mountain."
"Indeed? He made no mention of you."
"But I know my sister did." All eyes turned to the owner of the new voice. The Elf that had been standing behind Lindir now stood by Gandalf's side. Thorin felt like someone had kicked him in the gut when he realized why he recognized this Elf. The Elf smiled gently at him. "Hello again Thorin. You've grown much since last we met."
"Calithilon..." Thorin swept his gaze over the young Elf. "You have grown as well. The last time I saw you, you were barely over one hundred years old."
"One hundred and seventeen, to be exact." Calithilon smiled warmly. "I am seven years shy of three hundred now." Thorin snorted quietly. "You have aged well, son of Thráin, considering all."
"Yes well, I suspect you expect me to say something of the same to you."
"Not at all." Calithilon chuckled. "Though I suspect my sister will say something similar."
The feeling of being kicked in the gut returned tenfold.
"Your sister..." Behind him, Dwalin and Balin exchanged apprehensive looks. "Is she here?" In response, Calithilon looked to the main entrance of Rivendell as a deep howl resonated through the valley. The Elves that had been surrounding the Dwarves quickly moved off to the side, leading their horses to the stables below.
"By the stars..." Bilbo whispered in fear as he watched the beast trot down the walkway.
So large was it that the shoulders brushed the leaves of the trees that surrounded the path; the trees themselves seemed to shrink next to the beast. The group could hear the rhythmic thud-click of the clawed paws on the cobblestones as it grew closer. From even one hundred meters off, Bilbo thought the beast was massive, yet it still seemed to grow as it got closer. As it did, the details became more and more evident.
A patch of fur was dyed black on the right shoulder; it seemed to be in the pattern of a wolf itself. The left foreleg was covered up to the elbow in a horrendous burn scar, leaving the enormous claws unobscured by fur; Bilbo swore the claws alone were going to be taller than him. The maw of the wolven beast was stained black, saliva darkened by the slick dripping to the ground.
Rather than passing over the bridge, the beast jumped the ravine, landing with a shattering THUD on the grass next to the group. The shock of the landing was enough to knock Bilbo, Ori, and Kíli off their feet, while Fíli and Balin stumbled to their knees. The rest of the group had to regain their balance, though they did not lose their footing. Gandalf and the Elves, comparatively, just smiled and shook their heads at the beast.
"Lothiual-Merilin!" Gandalf greeted, ignoring the poisoned glare Thorin sent his way. The Wizard walked up to the beast without fear, embracing the snout of the creature. "I am sorry for the trouble," the Wizard apologized as he stepped away. "I did not think the Orcs would follow us so closely to the border."
"Don't worry about it, my friend." Bilbo was sure he was going to faint when a deep yet feminine voice left the wolf-like beast. She stretched, extending her forelegs towards the group as she bowed her body down; Bilbo noted with fear that her claws, while not quite as tall as him, were at least half of his height. "I needed to stretch my legs. It has been too long since I had a good hunt."
'A good hunt... that's all that was to her... a good hunt...' Bilbo felt the world around him start to sway.
"It seems your little one is about to pass out." Thorin started when he realized the wolf was addressing him now. He looked over in time to see Bilbo's eyes roll into the back of his head before he collapsed. "Hello again, Thorin."
The Dwarf turned his gaze back to the Gorphen. She was significantly taller than he had ever remembered, towering well above even Gandalf; if he had to estimate her height, she was easily five times as tall as the Wizard. He took his time responding, looking over the Gorphen's form.
'She is so much bigger than I remember... no doubt stronger too. And that mark...' His eyes flickered over her right shoulder. "So you are Alpha now, hm?"
Lothiual-Merilin nodded, laying down in front of the group. She chuckled softly when Dwalin held onto his axes tighter. "I have been Alpha for twenty years now. Much has changed since we were children, Aier."
"Tch." Thorin gritted his teeth, trying to keep the waring emotions in his heart exactly that: internalized. "Do not think I do not remember much Elvish, wolf. I know that much."
Lothiual-Merilin laughed, the sound deep and rumbling. "Forgive my insolence, my lord. I meant no disrespect. Calithilon." The Elf straightened immediately. "Bring the little one here. I'll take care of him till he wakes."
"Of course." Calithilon lifted Bilbo easily, placing him on Lothiual-Merilin's back.
"Wait!" The Gorphen and the Elf looked back at the group. Kíli and Fíli had pushed their way forward, standing resolutely before them. It was Fíli that had spoken. "Er, Alpha, I..."
"Speak, Henig." Fíli's breath caught in his throat. Lothiual-Merilin's expression softened, an almost motherly warmth in her eyes. "That is what you wanted to know, yes?"
"It is you..." Fíli whispered, his blue eyes wide with disbelief and wondering.
"So then... that day, with the wolves..." Kíli took a tentative step forward. "That was you?"
"Indeed it was." Lothiual-Merilin leaned down, gently nudging Kíli's head with her nose, just like the day she had saved them. "I will explain all when you wish to hear it."
"Now?" the two chorused. Calithilon began to laugh heartily, covering his mouth in an attempt to stifle it. Gentle, panting laughter left Lothiual-Merilin as she crouched down, a silent invitation. The brothers wasted no time in clambering onto her back.
"Fíli! Kíli!" Thorin barked, but he swallowed his next words at a stare from Lothiual-Merilin as she stood.
"Do not worry, Thorin. I have guarded them since before their birth. I will not harm them now." With that, the Gorphen walked away from the group, her furry tail brushing the ground with every step.
"Now then..." The Dwarves turned their eyes to Elrond. "Nartho i noer, toltho i viruvor. Boe i annam vann a nethail vin."
"What is he sayin'!? Does he offer us insult!?" Gloin growled, brandishing his ax.
"No Master Gloin." Gandalf sighed. "He is offering you food."
The Dwarves spoke amongst each other for a moment. "Ah well, in that case, lead on then." Gloin declared.
Elrond and Gandalf exchanged an exasperated look as they walked up the stairs. "You planned this," Elrond commented lowly as he led the group through the halls.
"Of course I did. How else would they reunite if not for outside intervention?" Gandalf smiled softly. "She has grown much in these one hundred and seventy-five years. It is time for Thorin to see that."