Adjusting to a soft, warm bed, in his own room, in a home? That was hard. Being around a family such as this. The culture was strange as well, though he was progressing little by little in studying elvish and throughly enjoyed exploring his new home. The lack of children hardly bothering him being with his father so long.
He was starting to enjoy the life of an elf, maybe even a little more than the life of a human.
He woke up the morning that his life was truly to change like it was any other morning. Dressing in his dubbed “elvish clothing” that still felt soft and unusual on his skin, and bounding into the kitchen to grab himself some breakfast.
No one else seemed to be around quite yet. But he knew they would show up eventually, and then perhaps he could join Adan for whatever he had planned for the day. Or go to play somewhere in the halls or the safer parts of the forest. Of course it would all depend on their plan for the day.
If he only knew what meaning this day would have in his life.
Last Edit: Mar 12, 2018 2:38:36 GMT -5 by Thangureth
Adanedhel normally would have been awake right before the sun popped her head up, but today he actually “slept” in. Of course, elves do not really sleep. They do something along the lines of “daydreaming” and keep their eyes open. It probably would terrify the small boy that was now starting to live in their home. Wait. Small child.
Falkner!
The elf blinked a few times and rubbed his eyes, hearing the pitter patter of small feet. Falkner was awake, most likely searching for food. Valar! And here was Adan still in his night robes! He shook his head with a small smile as he dressed and braided his hair back the way he usually wore it and came walking out to the kitchen.
It seemed as if his Naneth wasn’t in the kitchen this morning. Perhaps she had already went out? Come to think of it, he hadn’t seen her in awhile and began to worry. Perhaps he should ask Saeros where his mother was. Of course, news spread like wildfire upon Adan’s return, for he was supposed to have been dead. Instead, for a year, Adan had been a slave to orcs and then escaped with Wyn. Though, Adan barely escaped with his life, saving hers and him being cut by a morgul blade. The elf almost became a Nazgul because of the blade.
Everyone had heard of it and whispered stories and rumors about how Adan was now “tainted” and no longer pure of Light like the others were. Oh well. Did you sleep well, Falkner? Adan came and ruffled his hair, helping him get something to break fast. Here is some lembas that Naneth makes. Go on and give it a try.
He was growing quite fond of his adoptive father, though it was still taking getting used to. The elf treated him with great gentleness and kindness. And he felt very safe while in his care, which is more than he could say for his time in the wilds. And he already had been learning a great deal from him in the ways of the elves.
It wasn’t to say he didn’t miss his human father. He supposed he would never not miss the man who had give him life. But he also knew that his father could rest easy in the halls knowing he was being taken care of.
He let the elf carefully ruffle his hair, and smiled widely. With a small nod, he allowed Adan to prepare him breakfast before taking the lempas and giving his answer. “I slept well, yes. I think I am finally adjusting to a genuine bed,” he replied. The first little while had been an adjustment from where he’d used to sleep after all. “Did you sleep well?” He questioned, having since learned elves did sleep - unlike he first was told.
Sitting down, he bit quietly into the bread as his eyes lit up. My, this was even better than he had first expected when he had described them on the road. “Goodness Adan, you did not kid about these. They are quite delicious,” he dxplained rather brightly. “I swear, the food here may well be one of the best things in Mirkwood.” He noted.
“I slept well, yes. I think I am finally adjusting to a genuine bed.”
Falkner had smiled happily and wide at him and Adan smiled back. It was good to have something happy and positive around the house. Falkner was certainly a joy and Adan enjoyed teaching him things about elves and history. That is good to hear. If you need anymore blankets and such, let me know.
”Did you sleep well?”
At their first encounter, Adan had mentioned how elves didn’t sleep. And honestly, they really didn’t. It was a “daydream” that gave them some rest, but to other races he supposed that it was, in other words, their sleep. So Adan just nodded at his question. Aye, what I managed to get anyways. I am restless; always have been.
As the boy sat down and bit into the sweet bread, Adan couldn’t help but to chuckle in amusement at how adorable the boy looked. His eyes were wide and it was obvious that the boy enjoyed what he tasted. “Goodness Adan, you did not kid about these. They are quite delicious,” I am glad you enjoy it so. My mother makes them often and will try to fatten you up with the tasty treat.
“I swear, the food here may well be one of the best things in Mirkwood.”
Adan grabbed a glass and poured something to drink and handed it to the boy. Perhaps. I have tried things from Rohan and it was good. Runa could certainly cook. Realizing that the boy had no clue who Runa was, he knew he needed to explain. I had been away from home a long time. I ended up in Rohan’s capital, Edoras, because I had been wounded. Runa was a healer there and took care of my wounds and we became friends.
Of course, the day was still young and Adan knew that they would need to start the day together. Well, enough of my chatter about the past. Let’s focus on now. What would you like to do today? I have one thing in mind, but it is a surprise. The elf grinned at him, wondering if he was going to guess out loud what Adan had in mind.
Post by Thangureth on Mar 12, 2018 14:21:38 GMT -5
Falkner understood being restless.
As well as he slept, he did often feel restless at night. Try as he might life in the forest had been... Tough. After his father had died he had spent days at his side after all before burying him. That traumatic experience still burned in his brain. He wouldn’t bother Adan with such things, he didn’t feel it was right to bother him with them. “I can understand restlessness,” Falkner admitted. “I have had nightmares before which have kept me up at night. Not that it is anything to worry about.”
He smirked, liking the sound of that. His new grandmother could fatten him up with those things all she wanted as far as he was concerned. He took the drink from Adan, with a... “Ni ‘Lassui,” though with a little struggle. The word for thank you, like most Elvish words was still a bit of a struggle, but he hoped in time he would learn. He just had to practice during little moments like that.
“Runa sounds like a kind person. But I can’t imagine anything in Rohan being this good!” Falkner replied rather honestly. “I’ve eaten in Rohan too... But not recently. Maybe I should have been trying her cooking.” He then added not knowing the full story. “That must have been hard, but a bit of an adventure, I’m sure you’re happy to be home.”
A surprise? Falkner didn’t know what to make of that. If his adoptive father had brought it up, he might have remembered talk of a name change. Part of assimilating him into elvish culture, and separating him a little more from his human identity. But at the time he hadn’t really caught on - given he was young and did not know this was a very real thing.
“Are you going to show me more of your magic?” He guessed rather curiously, one of the only things he could think of. “I hadn’t thought of what I wanted to do today. I’d thought of hunting, but I have yet to devise a safe path to do so.”
I can understand restlessness,” Falkner admitted. “I have had nightmares before which have kept me up at night. Not that it is anything to worry about.”
Adan nodded slowly and continued to think about the boy and his nightmares. It was indeed something to worry about and perhaps they were things that needed to be brought up so wounds could heal. Do you have nightmares now? Do not be afraid to come get me if you cannot sleep. If there is anything that troubles you, know that I am here.
Falkner spoke Elvish! He was learning quick and Adan couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. That was good! You’re learning well, Falkner. Adan was proud of how fast of a learner this boy was. Of course, he never taught anyone that wasn’t of his kind Elvish, but just seeing that the boy, with a little struggle, produced the word correct was a good sign.
”Runa sounds like a kind person. But I can’t imagine anything in Rohan being this good!” Adan laughed at that. ”I’ve eaten in Rohan too... But not recently. Maybe I should have been trying her cooking.” Perhaps sometime we can visit the people of Edoras. She has a daughter and a little babe that is their first son. When I left she was expecting another. So if we ever go, you will have someone your age to play with.
”That must have been hard, but a bit of an adventure, I’m sure you’re happy to be home.”
Aye, I am. Home is where the heart is.
The surprise was for them to change his name today, but Adan thought perhaps it would be fun for the boy to play the guessing game. After all, children loved games and Adan was trying to make things more fun for Falkner. He also wondered if the boy would truly like his new name given by Adan and wondered if the boy would be bothered by not using his given name. Adan would make sure he never forgot it, for his real father had placed that name upon this boy.
“Are you going to show me more of your magic? I hadn’t thought of what I wanted to do today. I’d thought of hunting, but I have yet to devise a safe path to do so.”
Well, today is when we give you a new name. Though, I’m sure I can throw in a little hunting and some magic as well. Adan grinned. This is a special day because you will be given an Elvish name that you will use for a very long time. Do not worry though, for you will always remember the name your father had given you. I won’t let you forget.
He didn’t want to bother the elf with his nightmares but at the same time he knew he shouldn’t lie. His father had always taught him not to get caught in one - it never ended well. He shifted a little bit and pretended to be interested in something else before answering. “Sometimes... It’s just a lot happened before you came along and found me.” He explained honestly. “Things I wish I could more easily forget.”
It was quickly replaced by a big, proud smile at the encouragement. He knew he had a long way to go, but it did feel good to know that he was on the right track with his elvish. Learning a new language was hard, but positive reinforcement was good for any child. “I’ve been practicing before bed each night,” Falkner admitted. “I think it helps a little.”
He perked up a more bit at the thought of visiting Edoras and having other kids to play with. That certainly was one way to get his mind off of it. He’d never really had playmates his age, which he didn’t totally mind. But at ten he sometimes wished he did. “Oh that would be quite fun! I haven’t seen Rohan since I was very little. I wonder how it has changed?” He questioned.
A new name? Now he did remember a little bit about this. Though he’d never say anything he was a bit nervous, if only because this was again, something new and foreign to learn. But the way that Adan spoke of it made it sound like names were a big deal in elvish culture. And so he would adapt, as he had the other things in his new life. He just hoped he would learn fast so as to not be the cause of confusion.
“I suppose that makes sense. I’ve never heard of an elf called Falkner. No doubt it would be very strange in these parts,” Maybe even dangerous if the wrong parties got wind of it. Or a human living with the elves in general. “I might take some time to learn it. But I’m sure you have picked a good name for me. So I’m not worried.” He smiled that last part was true.
Forget? Why would he forget? At only ten, Falkner did not realize how easy it was to adapt to a new life in all ways. Nor had he realized yet how quickly he’d probably forget his old life given time. Given enough time. “Why would I forget my old name? Is that a common thing?” He asked curiously.
”Sometimes... It’s just a lot happened before you came along and found me.” He explained honestly. “Things I wish I could more easily forget.”
It is best to talk about it to help you sleep and.. move on. Though, only when you are ready. Adan was not going to push him into doing something that he was just not wanting to do. Oh and that big proud smile came as soon as Adan had praised him. His little foster son was so cute!
”I’ve been practicing before bed each night,” Falkner admitted. “I think it helps a little.”
Before bed? Well you are doing good. I am proud of you! Sure, he had a long way to go, but he was doing great!! Would you like for me to help you study?
Ah, so Falkner perked up on visiting Edoras and seeing other children. Adan could understand; being the only child in Mirkwood was a hard thing. Adanedhel had that problem when he was small. He knew what it was like to be lonely. Oh that would be quite fun! I haven’t seen Rohan since I was very little. I wonder how it has changed?”
You have been to Rohan? Come to think of it, he really didn’t know too much about Falkner’s past life. He really needed to learn more about his foster son. We can visit Rohan and you might be able to play with Paega, Runa’s little girl. She’s adorable.
He hoped that Falkner will be alright with the name he chose. Adan didn’t wish to pick a name that he did not like. He had thought long and hard for some time before today. “I suppose that makes sense. I’ve never heard of an elf called Falkner. No doubt it would be very strange in these parts,” It might be a little strange to the others.
Adanedhel didn’t wish for anyone outside of Mirkwood to catch wind of Falkner living here. If the orcs heard of it then they would know that there had to be a way inside their fortress if a man was able to get inside. I might take some time to learn it. But I’m sure you have picked a good name for me. So I’m not worried.”
He wasn’t worried? Good. He was such a sweet boy. Adanedhel could just hug him all day honestly. Adan was very much like his mother; loving, kind, affectionate. He was all of these and more. I am glad you are not worried. I have picked out a fine name for you, for I have thought for days on what it would be.
Then there was the talk of Falkner possibly forgetting his Man name. Why would I forget my old name? Is that a common thing?” He asked curiously. Sometimes people tend to forget, yes. It is because we will be using your Elvish name so much that over time you may not remember the name your birth father named you. Adan tried to make Falkner understand. But I do not wish for that to happen. I want you to remember your first name and your second one. I want you to remember who you are and where you came from so that way you will always have a piece of your birth father with you.
Post by Thangureth on Mar 13, 2018 21:18:35 GMT -5
Falkner nodded his head slowly.
He knew he was likely right, and that his biological father would have agreed. In some ways, his adoptive father and biological father were very different. His father had been a tough man, though loving. He had believed far more in tough love, for many reasons. But at the same time, he saw some of the same soft side in him he saw in Adan as well. And he had agreed about any nightmares as one example. “I’ll tell you if I ever need to talk,” he noted.
Helping him study would probably help. Given he was still sometimes having more trouble understanding it. Many elves greeted him in elvish in an attempt to see what he had learned. But he only sometimes understood their words. “I think I’d like that. It’s very hard to understand sometimes,” he replied honestly. “I get lost when someone starts using larger words or phrases. Or attempts to carry conversation.”
The next question caught him off guard, but he nodded. “When I was a small boy... Well, smaller. I think i was five,” he explained, barely remembering it. “We went into town to make trade. And i remember all the grand horses. It was very fun... But I’d love to go back now.”
“As well as draw unwanted attention. I don’t think his majesty would be happy with that.” He had grown used to referring to Thandrull as such. After all, he was now his king as well. The one he would bow to and show respect to from the moment he allowed him to live in these halls. “Names must hold a great meaning to us if you thought for so long.”
He was about to say how he never would forget something like that. But after a long moment, he thought about some things and already realized what he had forgotten. He could picture the area in which he lived, Mirkwood , or what he’d seen well enough. But the path taken there was lost to him. As was the name of the forest in which he and his father had spent a year before his death. If he left here he’d no longer be able to find his way back to that forest... Or any town.
It made him wonder if he would someday forget the world of man completely. And one day only remember how to be an elf. But it didn’t scare him... Per say. He’d made the choice to come to Mirkwood and live among them, and this was part of if. Assimilating into his new life, as sad as it may have sounded. Was far better than being homeless on the streets of some man made village or in some unknown woodland.
And so... He’d embrace this new identity, while trying to keep “Falkner” in the back of his mind. “So what is it to be? Or am I not allowed to know yet?” He asked curiously. “You’ve got me quite excited. It will be a grand memory to have since I do not remember being named as a babe by my father.”
Last Edit: Mar 14, 2018 0:50:27 GMT -5 by Thangureth
”I think I’d like that. It’s very hard to understand sometimes,” he replied honestly. “I get lost when someone starts using larger words or phrases. Or attempts to carry conversation.”
Ah, I see. Well I can certainly be of assistance then. We will have to study the larger words then so that way you do not get lost. Adan was going to help him in any way, shape, or form. He was going to make sure that this boy was well taken care of and that the King approves overall of the boy being here. Adan was still worried, still wondering if the King would ever change his mind.
”When I was a small boy... Well, smaller. I think i was five,” he explained, barely remembering it. “We went into town to make trade. And i remember all the grand horses. It was very fun... But I’d love to go back now.”
Runa’s husband has a grand horse. It is beautiful and black, looking like raven’s wings. The creature is very powerful and I heard that it does not like Runa too much. I think it might be jealous. Adan smiled to himself about that. He really did miss them, even if Ceolmund did not care for him. Though, he could not go back now. Not yet.
”As well as draw unwanted attention. I don’t think his majesty would be happy with that.”
No, he would not. And Adan did not want the unwanted attention on his new son. He wanted the boy to live happily and in peace. ”Names must hold a great meaning to us if you thought for so long.” They do, Penneth. It is why I have been trying to decide on your name. I have had several in mind but I finally got the one I wish to call you.
Adanedhel didn’t wish for the boy to forget his home land and who he was. He was, after all, a man’s child and should remember where he came from and be proud of it. He knew for now though, he would have to live the life of an elf, but once the boy grew... Adanedhel knew if the boy wished to live with his own race he certainly could.
He could become possibly one of the Eored like Ceolmund, or he could choose to go to Gondor and possibly become a Ranger. He could do whatever his little heart desires. It was sad though that in a blink, the child’s life would go and Adan would still be living..
”So what is it to be? Or am I not allowed to know yet?” He asked curiously. “You’ve got me quite excited. It will be a grand memory to have since I do not remember being named as a babe by my father.”
The innocent one took him away from his grieving thoughts and made him smile with joy. I cannot tell you just yet. I was going to have a little celebration for you and tell you then. I am not so good with surprises but I hope this one will make for a good memory.