Alas, For Captains No Hope.

Chapter 6

Alas, For Captains No Hope

Chapter 6

“Finish the last ten before you leave for school.” Faerval told the young elfling before she left the small, cold cottage.

It was mid autumn in the Woodland Realm. The elfling once found underneath a tree in the stronghold had started kindergarten a few months ago, when the sun still shone in the early morning. Unlike most children, he enjoyed spending time alone. It did not occur to the young mind that this could have nasty consequences.

The elfling was still under the care of the elleth Faerval. He grew rather fond of her, although they shared bitter moments together. He had learned in their time together when it was smart to ignore or avoid the female elf at certain moments. The current moment was a good example of one – he could better do his work instead of starting an argument.

Although it was cold in the room and the work was definitely not meant for youngsters, he bravely finished his task. Afterwards he picked up his small bag and walked into the open air, ready for his school day. He only hoped with a grim face that his teacher showed mercy on him. The last thing he needed was imposition!

After arriving several times late on school, his teacher had decided upon a punishment. For every quarter he missed, the elfling had to write ten penalty rules selected by the teacher. They had to be grammar correct and perfectly written. Since he was still a mere child, he had trouble controlling his hand while writing. Most of the time his hand slipped away, creating messy letters and words. This resulted in having to do it over – all the sentences. One simple mistakes and it cost you. He badly hoped his teacher was in a good mood!

“Celeblasson Faerdhinen!” The elleth in charge of the elfling's class called out to him. The name Celeblasson Faerdhinen was chosen a short while after his presence was noticed by the Elvenking himself. Many had noticed that the elfling barely spoke or interacted with his kin. Therefore the elvish name Faerdhinen – which meant Silent Spirit. The name Celeblasson was applied by the elfling himself, although none knew why. It was one of his secrets he had closed in a long time ago.

Carefully he met the eyes of his teacher, Glessil. She was a beautiful maiden, familiar by many ellyn in and out the stronghold. In the years she graced Middle-Earth, she had traveled through Mirkwood and the other elven realms in order to teach the young generation the arts of kindergarten. She has been teaching hundreds of elflings, from Noldor to Sindar. To her, the origin of the ones she was teaching did not matter. All she truthfully cared about was that they got the education they deserved and needed. The elleth was a honest, joyful elf who had no bad intentions.

That still didn't make the elfling think otherwise of her. To him, she was the elleth who gave him loads of unwanted work. His guardian already gave him enough tasks to do in his free time – he surely couldn't use more! No wonder he never came outside to play or interact. The adults gave him an awful lot of burden upon his shoulders!

But alas, he never spoke of it. He'd rather fulfil them and afterwards play with his toys or play on his own than having to face a trial. He might be young, but he knew what to expect if someone found out about Faerval and the tasks she gave him. He had been observing the other elflings and their families to know they did not get the same treatment as him – which meant Faerval was not doing justice.

After a short preach from Glessil, he was free to sit on his small chair in front of his desk in the corner of the classroom. She wasn't too bad after all. He had been allowed to choose his own spot wherever he liked.

“Class, we will start with an educational lesson of Sindarin. It's important that we will known how to communicate...” The elfling let out a bored sigh. Weren't all the lessons meant to be educational? Guess not if Glessil had to tell them. His thoughts wandered off shortly after the first sentences his teacher spoke. He did however pay attention to the necessary curriculum, but further on not. He knew deep down it was clever to pay attention, but his mind had other ideas.

Celeblasson was the last one to leave the main school building. He softly walked on the stone path leading in different directions through the stronghold. Instead of taking the usual and mandatory road to his cottage, he took a different path. The last thing he wanted was to hear Faerval's daily hour of complainants about him and her 'difficult' life. It would deliver him more tasks for sure, but he did not mind. At this very moment, he needed a break from her and everyone else.

In silence he made his way over to the pond near the borders of the stronghold, covered by many large trees. He took a seat as near as possible and stared with fascination to the flow of the water. In the water were several plants and beautiful lilies. The water also influenced the temperature and the surrounding area. It was lovely cool around the pond – something he could appreciate. The only sounds he heard was the water, the movements of the trees and the birds chattering away. He closed his eyes in peace and wandered off to his own world of imagination. A world without Faerval, without the Elvenking, without the elves, without the cities and without the pressure of Middle-Earth. The only thing present was the nature – beautiful as always. If this only could be real! He thought to himself. But he knew that whatever he did, this world would never exist. In a short time, he would return to the world of living and impossible tasks. Otherwise know as his lonely, painful life.

Translations

Faervel: Strong Spirit

Elleth: Female elf

Celeblasson: Silver leaf

Faerdhinen: Silent Spirit

Ellyn: Male elves

Glessil: Joy

A/N

Hannon Le, readers of "Alas, For Captains No Hope"! for helping this story reach 400 reads and 17 votes. I was more than a bit surprised when I logged in on Wattpad and saw the many reads and votes. I couldn't thank you enough! I put a lot of effort, time and sometimes personal feelings into this story and I'm glad it plaid off. I will try to update much more, although I am quite busy and not very fond of the upcoming chapters. I hope that's only in my opinion and you, the readers, do like them. I can't wait to hear your opinions about this chapter, the story and the upcoming chapters!

Please vote, read and comment.

Love,

HannonLeTolkien.