Chapter 1


A light breeze whispered through the trees, ruffling leaves. Maith used the cover of the sound to shift slightly amongst the branches of the old oak. The sky was darkening and she had been here, in the tree, since noon and saw no sign of the company approaching.

Maith had not been sent to welcome the company this far from Rivendell. Her father, lord Elrond preferred her to stay at home and wait, but her patience had worn thin and she'd snuck out after lunch to spy on them in the forest. Now the elves were approaching; Maith could sense it in the trees.


"How far to Rivendell? The day is ending." Larrel murmured to himself.

His friend, Legolas, seemed unconcerned, "pass the old oaks is the river, we are near enough." Larrel had doubts, but those were silenced as Legolas had suddenly pulled out his bow and arrow, aiming into the semi-darkness.

A figure stood in front of them, presumably having landed from a tree, for otherwise the guides would have raised the alarm.

"Who are you? Show us or you will not live." Legolas' cold voice was laced with curiousity.

Slender hands reached up to pull back the hood, revealing a pale, heart-shaped face and dark hair twisted into a bun. "I may have died, but I would have killed you too," Maith said pleasantly, withdrawing her sword which had been pointing at his neck. She smiled merrily, "greetings Legolas Thranduilion."

"Maith!" Larrel couldn't help but shout, for he had missed his childhood friend dearly since they had last visited. Maith's smile slowly grew into a grin, and she launched at him, hugging him tightly. "Couldn't resist making a dramatic entrance, could you?" he teased, laughing.

"Couldn't," Maith said, shaking her head guiltily. She turned to Legolas, "I hope you weren't offended, my lord." Though she would never admit it, she was impressed by how quickly the elf had detected her on in the oak.

"Not at all," he said lightly and, not admitting defeat, added "but I could have knocked your wrist with my elbow then released my arrow."

"Well," Maith replied, "if you did that I would kick…"

As the two elves continued to quarrel, Larrel grew impatient, "quarrel over something more significant, will you please, and let us move on." He was returned with equally indignant looks from the elves.

Annoyed for some reason, Maith decided to irritate her interrupter. "Any luck with Merethyl?" she asked innocently, referring to a pretty she-elf with dark red hair leaning against a tree, out of hearing distance. Her quick eyes had picked up Larrel's darting looks to her direction, and the speed Larrel's cheeks flushed confirmed her guess.


Arwen studied her sister skeptically, "are you really going to wear that?"

Maith looked down at her light green dress. "Yes, why?"

"It's plain," she shrugged.

"It is," Maith agreed, "but surely formal enough?" she asked hopefully.

Arwen tossed her a bundle, "no, but this is."

The dress was a dark blue colour, with a sweeping neckline and rippling hem that ended at her ankles. For your archery practice later, Arwen had explained. Maith had to admit, the dress suited her, bringing out the blue in her dark eyes and caused her skin to seem almost translucent. She turned away from the mirror.

"Never mind later, I will go and practice now," her eyes pleaded with her sister, "and find me if they arrive." Maith added as she rushed out of the room with her weapons and cloak before Arwen could stop her.