Legends of Belariath
Fionnuala
When only a few days old, the half-elf/half-human infant Fionnuala [pronounced FEWN oo la], was abandoned in the woods by her High Elf birth mother. She was discovered by a traveling troupe of bards and entertainers who took her in as one of their own. They named her Fionnuala which means "white shoulders", because she was so white and near death when they found her, and at first, the only part of her they could see was her shoulders, because of the way she was covered by leaves. However, she quickly became known as Nuala [pronounced NOO la] to those who were close to her.
The troupe led a nomadic life, and home to Nuala was wherever the troupe camped. The troupe did not make use of slaves, each member doing their own work and looking out for each other. They were led by Nuala's foster mother, a renegade High Elf named Aoibheann [pronounced EE vyin]. She was an outcast among Elven kind for her beliefs that all people were of equal value: from the lowliest slave to the mightiest King. She passed these teachings on to Nuala.
If one would ask what Nuala was like growing up, her foster mother would have told you that she was a quiet child - all eyes and observation, a happy child - taking delight in all she saw, and a loving child - never failing to help one in need and always striving to serve others. She often said that Nuala had a "sense of rightness" - that she was able to see beyond outward appearances into the soul of another. But, she would quickly admit that Nuala had a fiery temper and was quick to flare up if her "sense of rightness" was challenged. She once told Nuala, "Little White Shoulders, not all are blessed to see as you do, and your anger will only push them further into their own thinking. You cannot possibly teach this way."
As soon as Nuala was able to grasp a stick and sit up, she was given a drum to bang on, and slowly taught how to play simple time-keeping rhythms. As soon as she was walking well, she was taught to dance, and daily practice, or “play” as it was called, was introduced. By the time she was 5 years of age, she was quite a little drummer and dancer, and was often given a small feature role at performances done for the common people. Nobles were never much impressed by the antics of the pretty little girl with the bright, wide-staring eyes, but the commoners often fell in love with her and often clambered for a performance by the “little bard girl” as long as the troupe was in a town or village.
One morning, while traveling through a forest, Aoibheann took Nuala on a walk away from the troupe, while they watered the horses at a stream. Holding her hand, she led the girl to a small glade and whispered, looking around, “He should be here, Nuala... look for a man laying on the ground beneath a tree.” Nuala pointed, quickly spotting him. They stood over the man who had an ugly gash on his face and missing an eye. He suddenly woke and grabbed his sword, then relaxed at the sight of the beautiful Aoibheann and her pretty little foster daughter. Aoibheann spoke to him, telling him to leave his sword and come with them. The man stood, naked and scarred. He stared at them a moment, then took Aoibheann's and Nuala's hands, letting them lead him to where their troupe was resting. The man was Maedoc Conlaodh, and he would stay with them the next 13 years, until the death of Aoibheann.
Maedoc quickly became attached to Nuala, and treated her, if not like a daughter, then like a very beloved niece. He immediately started teaching her a modification of the “dagger dance” she had been learning, turning it into a kata exercise. Maedoc with take counter-point with the young girl, and they danced together almost daily, he teaching her to fight with the dagger. He became her staunch protector, and taught her to hide herself when around others, how to make herself inconspicuous and not attract unwanted attention.
Often, when they thought she was asleep, Aoibheann would lay in Maedoc's arms and they would speak of their concerns over “their” sensitive and tender girl. “She is love-starved from being abandoned in the woods as a newborn,” Aoibheann said, neither knowing the young girl was listening. “She soaks up every bit of love or affection or praise thrown her way, yet hungers for more, and returns it ten-fold. She is not careful with her heart and will get hurt.” Maedoc would nod, and old Aoibheann close, not entirely sure what to do about the child, either. "Hopefully, when we can no longer protect her," Maedoc would say soothingly, "those who recognize her tender spirit and wish to protect it, will cross her path before those of more evil intent do." Aoibheann would then speak of her concerns that Nuala would lose her virginity through rape. “I want her first time to be gentle... filled with love... promise me, Maedoc, when the time comes, you'll make her a woman.” Maedoc promised, though he felt strange about it. But he knew the wisdom of Aoibheann's request, and when the time came, Maedoc did as he promised.
As she grew, Nuala fell in love with a young, High Elf lute player in the troupe, and he with her. They were engaged to be married, but one day, while out horse riding together, the young man was thrown from his horse and was instantly killed.
A few months after the death of her betrothed, Nuala's bard troupe came to the lands of a notoriously cruel landowner. They did not wish to stop on his lands, but they had no choice, so went to his keep to pay tribute. When they entered, the landowner was in the process of having five young women ruthlessly tortured. They were the daughters of tenant farmers who owed rent, and the fathers had gathered to plead for their daughters. A hailstorm had destroyed much of their crops, and if they sold what they had to pay the rent, they would starve. The landowner did not relent, however. Disgusted by the scene, Aoibheann told the troupe they were leaving - that they would not pay tribute to such an evil man.
Unfortunately, the troupe had already been spotted. Nuala was pulled from the ranks and taken before the landowner. He molested her, and boasted aloud his horrible intentions concerning her. Before things got too far, Aoibheann managed to draw the landowner's attention and anger. He cast Fionnula aside, and proceeded to use and torture her foster mother in ways too terrible to mention. When he was done, Aoibheann's broken body was thrown to the troupe. He said they had earned one night's stay on his lands.
The troupe quickly left and made camp. Nuala sat up all night with her foster mother, as she slowly died. In the morning, they buried her on the tyrant's lands. Before she died, Aoibheann gave her this charge: "Little White Shoulders, your task is to be a light in the dark. Yours is but a small light, but we must make what good in this world we can, with what we have. Where much is given, much is required. You have not been given as much as others, but in time it will grow. You are meant to touch those with Love who have not felt it... those with Compassion who have been denied it. But, you must not feel compassion for those who purposely bring their misfortune on themselves by disobedience and false pride, except in that they were foolish enough to do this to themselves. You will learn, over time, when and where your tiny touch will do the most good. And so, my charge to you is simple: You must do what you can, in small ways, to help make this world a better place.”
After the death of their leader, the troupe broke up and all went their separate ways. For several months, Fionnuala wandered alone. She kept away from people as much as possible, trusting no one. She foraged and trapped for food, but often hunger forced her to venture forth to dance or play for payment. Eventually, she came to the Lonely Inn in Nathalion. Tired of wandering alone, she decided to stay for a while and see if she could make a place for herself...