Chapter One
And so like leaves in winter, we too must change...
The winter winds blew bitter in the dark of night, and there was no fire to keep them warm. Nor would there be rest, this night or many more to come. A darkness was coming, something fowl and without mercy. And in her heart, she knew there was no stopping it. But perhaps she could spare the life of one from the danger that was to come.
"Alaya, make haste my love!"
The figure of the child emerged from the shadowed door of the hut, her eyes and vivid green, hair shining like fire embers even in the dark of night. A bay stallion stood tied to the post just feet away, and without waiting the woman lifted her daughter from the ground and placed her upon the back of the horse.
"There is a great darkness coming, Alaya. You must ride to the east," she explained, knowing there wasn't time for long explanations. "into Rhovanion. Look for the Grey Mountains and stop only when you reach the river. Do you understand?"
Alaya looked at her mother from atop the back of Caladain, who stomped his foot in an impatient manor. He too knew something was off, and his nervousness was easily sensed by the child.
"Can you not come with me mama?" she asked, the fear she tried so hard to fight back becoming evident when her voice gave way between her words.
Her mother's eyes, normally just as vividly green as Alaya's own, were clouded with tears and dull now as she tried to hide the pain from her daughter. Only eight winter's old...it was unfair she should witness such darkness at her age.
"I am afraid not, little one," she whispered softly, taking her daughter's hands into her own. "But we will see each other again someday. This I swear to you, with everything I have. Now you must be brave, and do as I say. Will you make me this promise, Alaya?"
For her age, the child was smart. And she had clear understanding that this time she must listen to her mother. She nodded then and squeezed her hands as tightly as she could. "Yes mama."
Pulling away then, her mother moved back to their home and from the ground outside she lifted a pack and a long sword in a sheath. It was far too large for Alaya, but she must provide her daughter some protection. "Take special care of this, my love. For it will protect you so long as you trust in the blade."
Alaya recognized the sword instantly, and her heart hurt as memories tugged at her mind then.
Father...Elenion...
An eerie glow caught their eye from the north, and the sound of screams confirmed what her mother had said. Darkness had come. She must go now.
"Remember what I said, Alaya. I love you. Now go!"
"Mama..." Alaya's tears fell then as Caladain jumped and began to run. It was all she could do to hold onto him as he ran from the threat, and her mother.
When she disappeared into the darkness, her mother turned then. The creatures had descended upon their village, and one came straight for her. Its teeth yellowed and crooked, but clear in the dark as the light of the moon came into view at last.
"Guren níniatha n'i lû n'i a-govenitham..." My heart shall weep until I see you again...
And with that final whisper, the blow came, and her time ended.
******
Shivering in the cold, Alaya barely touched the food her mother had packed for her. Her heart ached with a sorrow she had never known before now. Somehow she knew, without any doubt, she would never see her mother again. Not until she entered the undying lands that her father had once told her about.
Her hand traced the lining on the sword's sheath as her mind returned to her previous thoughts. She had no more tears to cry, but still her heart wept. This was not her first dealing with death. Both her father and brother had long ago left this world, when Alaya was but five winter's old. They had been ambushed while out on a hunting trip with many others to find food for the village, but none had come back alive. The few remaining men of the village had gone to find them, and came back with the news. That was when the sword had been returned to them.
Elenion had reached his fifteenth summer that year, and was proud when their father had given him the sword. Alaya remembered watching in amazement for hours as her brother had practiced wielding it. She had been told he had died valiantly, protecting others, and in her heart she believed it to be true. Elenion had been the protective type, and it was that way she would always remember him. Just as she would her mother and father as well. After all, her memories were really all she had left. At least they would be a comfort in her time of solitude.
******
The sound of voices woke her with a start. It had been days since Alaya had lost everything, but exactly how long she couldn't say. Time had lost meaning as she rode for the mountains, and she was unsure if she had even been going the right way. She had only stopped to sleep when she found a large, hollow log that seemed safe enough. Now she wished she had kept moving.
"I'm telling you, I smell something here!"
The voice was loud and gruff, and Alaya stayed as quiet as she could. But she shook, that much she could not stop. Something in those words was terrifying, and told her she was in trouble.
Caladain was nowhere in sight from the log, as the light of a full moon shown in the dark. He must have been frightened away, and this struck even more fear into Alaya. She backed slowly toward the end of the log farthest from the voices, hoping to run before they could figure out her hiding place.
From the other end, two pairs of feet came into view and in that moment she stopped, holding her breath as she waited. But for what, she couldn't say.
"I seen a horse run off into the woods, and I still smell something," one figure growled.
"It's the stink of elf scum if ever I've smelled it," the other retorted, the same voice she heard before.
Elves? she thought to herself. Her father had told her of elves before, in many a bedtime story. They amazed her like no others had. But where was she, that elves would be close by?
Alaya had no time to think of such things. She had to escape, and fast. Could she outrun these figures? She doubted it. But she was small, and that could be an advantage if she could find somewhere to hide.
"We haven't got time to waste," the second figure snapped out. "Our master has little patience and I'm not taking a whipping for your insistence on chasing something that ain't there!"
Their argument persisted, but they moved away from the log then. Alaya waited, not daring to breathe until she was sure it was safe. She moved toward the back of the log and crawled out carefully.
Make for the woods, she told herself. At least there you have a chance to disappear into the trees.
But she had no chance. A snarl and outcry of "THERE!" told her she hadn't waited long enough. Doing the only thing she could, she ran for the sword. It was heavy but her adrenalin ran, giving her just enough strength to pull the blade free before she saw the creatures she was up against. In her heart she knew then, that this was the darkness her mother had spoke of before.
There were three of them, and they each held blades and twisted, evil smirks upon their faces. "Look boys," the middle one sneered, jesting his sword just inches away from Alaya's middle. "A midnight snack."
"And here I was thinking we wouldn't have meat for days!" the one on the right growled, licking his lips as he stared intently and advanced upon her.
Doing as she had seen Elenion demonstrate many times in the past, Alaya found her strength and swung the blade. To her surprise she felt it make contact, and the arm of the creature hit the ground with a thud.
A cry of pain and outrage came from its throat as it shirked back, only to be replaced with the one from the left. It was quicker than the first and grabbed her by the throat, lifting her from the ground and causing her to drop her sword in shock.
"You're gonna pay for that, girl," it growled, dangerously low as its yellow eyes caught hers.
Alaya felt her windpipe begin to cave in as the creature tightened its grip, her air supply leaving her though she continued to struggle for a breath. But in her mind she told herself it was alright to let go.
At least I will be with them again...
But the Valar smiled down upon her then, as something whipped past her face and into the skull of the creature holding her captive. His release ceased and he fell to the ground, as did Alaya who coughed and gasped for breath as she looked at the body of her attacker on the ground. An arrow stuck out of his head, and more flew from the forest behind her, killing the other two instantly.
She looked up, when she could breathe normally again, to see who had come to her rescue. Were they friend, or foe?
From the trees they emerged. Three figures on horseback, the one in the middle holding the bow from which the arrows had been released. He lowered himself from his saddle and moved over to her slowly, and as he approached Alaya took in his appearance.
He stood tall, with long blonde hair fixed to show a sign of royalty. His footfalls were light, undetected, and were she not facing him she would never have noticed his approach. His clothing was green and he bore a cloak along with a quiver of arrows on his back, where he then placed the bow before kneeling to the ground.
"Are you injured, young one?" his voice was soft, calming. Alaya, for the first time in many days, found herself at ease in his presence.
"N-no," she managed to say, and took his hand when he offered it out to stand herself up. "Thanks to you, I am without harm."
His smile told her she was safe, though the fact that he had come to her rescue had already confirmed that fact in her mind.
"What is your name, henig?" my child.
"Alaya," she told him then, looking wearily at the bodies on the ground before she turned to the male before her. It was then her eyes fell upon his ears. He was an elf, like those in the stories. Disbelief fell over her then. She never, in her short life, imagined she would ever meet one. Yet here she was, in dept to a member of the very race she had so loved to learn about.
"Where is the rest of your company, Alaya?" the elf asked, and it was then that her sadness returned. She bit her lip, moving to pick up her sword, only to find she lacked strength to return it to its sheath.
"My village was attacked." Her voice was soft, and she prayed silently to the Valar she wouldn't break into tears again. "My mother...the darkness took her away. She was all I had."
The elf had moved to her side while she spoke, and gently cleaned her blade of the black blood before placing it back where it belonged. "And your father?"
Alaya shook her head. "Mama said he and my brother went to the undying lands, long ago. I am alone, sir."
She turned to see the elf looking at her, his eyes compassionate as they met her own. There were no words spoken for a moment, but soon he turned to the others that waited in silence. "She will come with us," he stated simply before tying her belongings to his saddle.
"More orcs are bound to come, and she cannot be left alone," he continued before lifting Alaya onto his saddle. "Fear not, young one. You are safe now."
******
The sounds of birds chirping brought Alaya from the dark of slumber then, and for a moment she thought herself to be back home. She sat up with a start, and would have fallen off the back of the horse were it not for a gentle arm keeping her up.
"It is good to see you awake at last."
Alaya looked up to see the elf from before, the one who had saved her, holding onto her. All the memories flooded back then, and she blinked as her eyes adjusted to the light of the sun.
"How long have I slept?" she asked him.
"Three days time now," he replied. "I was beginning to worry you may never wake again."
Three days? How was it she slept for three days without stirring once?
"Where was your destination, young one? Before the orcs attacked you." one of the other elves asked her. The one she rode with looked down at her in curiosity as well.
"Rhovanion," Alaya told them, remembering her mother's instructions from that night what seemed so long ago. "Mama told me to head toward the grey mountains, and not to stop until I found the river."
The elves looked at one another in surprise. "She was looking for Mirkwood?" the elf to the left asked.
"It appears so, Rimedur," the elf she rode with said before his attention turned to Alaya once more. "Why would your mother send you to our home, Alaya?"
She honestly had no answer, and was just as shocked. Her mother was sending her to the elves? Why was that?
"I wish I knew the answer," she said softly, ashamed she was lacking information. They had saved her, and she could not answer the simplest of their questions.
"Legolas," the elf on the right spoke then. "Your father will not be pleased with this..."
"I will handle my father, Arandur," Legolas replied, his voice curt with his companion. The other simply bowed his head and fell silent. Alaya felt unease grow within the company. She hadn't meant to cause trouble, and guilt nagged at her. Why couldn't her mother had told her more, and why was it that Legolas' father would not be pleased?
She dared not ask, for fear of what the answer might be.
******
Two more days passed before Mirkwood came into view. Alaya had ridden with Legolas the entire time, for he insisted on keeping her in his watch and care. The other elves, Rimendur and Arandur, were just as protective over her as their leader. Rather that was because he instructed them to be or because they were just that way in their nature, she was unsure. All she knew for certain was that the closer they got to Mirkwood, the more uneasy she felt.
Legolas picked up on her feelings long before the city came into view, but as they approached, he placed a gentle hand upon her shoulder. "Fear not," he said softly. "You will not be cast away. To this I give you my word."
Ease fell upon her shoulders, and at last Alaya was able to smile. Legolas was proving to be someone she would consider a lifelong companion, and with a nod she finally allowed herself to take in the beauty of Mirkwood. The trees and lake, the homes, and the other elves who began to emerge. All were beautiful, and the inhabitants of the city looked to her in curiosity. Who was this strange girl that had come into their world uninvited? None cast her harsh looks, but Alaya was sure this was their exact impression of her.
Legolas dismounted his horse and helped her to the ground, and with a curious eye Alaya watched as many of the elves bowed to him. She questioned this action in silence as she followed him through the crowd.
"My father may come off as harsh, but he will do you no harm. I will speak to him on your behalf."
Alaya nodded, knowing that meant to stay silent. Anything to avoid being cast out from the only kind creatures, and companions, she had come to have in this dark time.
They entered a large room, where an elf that was a near spitting image of Legolas sat on a throne. Legolas and his companions bowed, and Alaya did the same as her mind spun. If his father was on a throne, that made him a king. And Legolas...
"And what has my son returned with?" Legolas' father said then, his voice gruff and his piercing gaze landing on Alaya. Thank the valar she had been warned of his harshness, otherwise she was sure she would have shrunk back at the look she was receiving.
"She was attacked. Orcs, my lord," Legolas stepped up, speaking on her behalf. "Her village is no more, and her mother instructed her here."
"Why would a human woman send her child to the care of elves?" the elven king asked, snapping his gaze to Alaya once more. "Your name child. Speak it quickly."
Gathering her courage, she moved from behind Legolas and came into full view, bowing once more. "Alaya, my lord. Daughter of Thandion and Saerwen."
At the mention of her mother's name, Alaya could have sworn she saw the elven king's eyes change. But it was an emotion she didn't quite understand. He stood then, rather quickly with a look that was more than obvious to her; anger.
"Take her out of the city," he told Legolas, with narrowed brows and furious eyes.
"But my lord Thranduil," came Arandur's voice. "she has no one to care for her. Surely you would not turn a child away!"
Thranduil, it seemed, was relentless. "Unless you wish banishment upon yourself Arandur, I suggest you do as you are instructed!"
Alaya did shirk back then, fear of the elf king's rage creeping upon her. She told herself to leave, quietly, to make sure her newfound companions were not harmed or banished.
"I cannot allow this, father," Legolas stated then, taking a stand against his father. "It is madness to leave a child to fend for herself, when there are capable hands here to care for her."
Thranduil stared his son down a moment, before looking back at Alaya. "You will find her care then, Legolas. But should anything become amiss with her in the presence of our people, it shall be on your head, and you will cast her out. Am I clear?"
Legolas bowed, replying in elvish while Alaya herself bowed as well. "Thank you, my lord."
He said nothing, nor did he look at her. Legolas turned with Arandur and Rimendur who escorted Alaya out with them. Relief truly washed over her when they left the throne room. She was safe, among the race she had longed to learn more about since her childhood. Little did she know however, just how much her new found kinfolk would truly affect her life.
She would learn, in due time, her destiny. The answers to the many questions that still lingered in the back of her mind would indeed be answered. For now, however, she would learn but one great lesson; like the leaves in winter, she too, was bound for change.