Anariel of Erudin: The Age of Revolution | Lord of the Rings

9. Catch of the Day

This can't be real, I thought as I stirred from a peaceful daydream, but the world I entered was the same as the one I'd left. I was resting upon a mighty oak tree, whose branches were so great I could turn over twice and still not fall off. On my stomach I lay, watching the birds and the butterflies flutter by, and once-only once-a black emperor butterfly, as large as my hand, came and landed beside me, flapping its beautiful black wings so gently it almost seemed a wave good morning. But when I tried to wave back, it flew off again and gracefully landed upon the branches of another tree. 

"There you are!" I heard Turin say from far below. "Do you know how many trees I've searched looking for you? I swear, I've been through them all."

"Well, now you've found me," I said with a playful grin. "Oh, Turin, you should see it up here. The view is absolutely amazing!"

He grimaced. "It is a long climb. Even with two arms, I would struggle."

"I could help you."

He shook his head. "No, I'd prefer to keep my feet on the ground, thank you."

I smiled. "You always have, even when we were children."

"Yes, well, I suppose I've grown fond of watching you from down here and seeing that smile on your face. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing the view through your eyes."

"Oh? And what am I seeing now?"

"... Trees, lots of trees."

"Possibilities," I answered. "I see endless possibilities. This world is beautiful."

"You're beautiful," he said. His words caught me off guard, for I'd never heard him speak of me like that; but there he stood, and he wouldn't take back those words. "Absolutely insane, but beautiful." He laughed to himself. "Will you come down now?"

"Yes." It didn't take me very long to climb down, and as soon as my feet touched the ground, I wanted to run and find another tree to climb. "There are so many trees here, Turin, and they each have their own view to share. I want to see them all ... Could I, Turin?" I stared about, pondering the possibilities.

He scratched the top of his head. "I honestly don't know. If you're determined enough, I suppose you can do just about anything."

His words made me excited, and I started bouncing around from tree and tree, trying to decide which one I wanted to climb first. Oh, but they were all so amazing; it was practically impossible to decide! On one side was a group of beech trees, whose branches were so vast and complex they seemed to tangle together. But I had also passed by this strange white tree with orange fruits I'd never seen before, and I wanted so badly to try them while they were still ripe.

"Ana," Turin said, and his voice was so quiet with hesitance that I almost didn't even hear him, "when are we leaving?"

I froze and my mind went blank. For the life of me, I couldn't remember what those bizarre beech trees looked like or imagine the taste of that unsampled fruit. They all just went away when Turin said those horrible words. "Leave? You want to leave?"

He shuffled his feet uncomfortably. "Well, it's just ... we've attended their feast and paid our respects to the royal family, so what more is there to do?"

So much! I wanted to say, but the words never left my lips; I just said, "You're right."

"The Southlands are calling us, Ana. Please, tell me you hear it, too."

"Yes, I do," I said weakly. "We've always talked about it, haven't we? Traveling there and riding the mûmakil and living among the natives and listening to their folktales over a great fire. They say there is a palace made entirely of gold, and during the day it shines as bright as the sun-but, oh, is it hot to touch. I want to see it very badly, but ..." I couldn't help but think of Legolas. "... so much has happened, Turin."