Maethorial

I remember when she first came to us. Maethorial. The vibrant, redheaded beauty no one knew anything about. Her mother, Eleniel, arrived in Imladris one day, half dead, holding her baby daughter in her arms. Maethorial. Such an apt name for the pen neth. Warrior maiden. A warrior she is and has been. She too was in a bad state when she came to us. Fever and dehydration mostly. Though even I could tell her mother wouldn't last the night. Elrond and the other healers watched over them during the night, and, as I had guessed, the mother didn't survive the dark hours. The child though, that brave spirit. She soldiered on, and come the dawn, she was becoming well again. She was, maybe, one or two at the time. And now, now as I watch her sleep peacefully beneath the moon, I remember. I remember how we came to be here, journeying to the Realm of the Greenwood, now more commonly know as Mirkwood. Though I am many years old, my memories remain as fresh as the early morning rainfall in spring. I shall attempt to recount her tale with as much accuracy as possible. Though it may be difficult; she is now nearing her 43rd birthday.

Bubbling laughter coming from the shade beneath an old oak tree turned the heads and placed smiles on the lips of any Elf near enough to hear. A single figure emerged from the shadows to leap lightly over a nearby bush and sprint off towards the nearby buildings. Fiery hair flew behind the elf-child as she fled on swift feet, her laughter lingering behind her. A blonde Elf-maiden hurried after her, calling to the child.

"Maethorial! Maethorial! Pen neth, come back!"

Paying no heed to the wails from behind her, she fled up the stairs and collided with a figure clothed entirely in grey. Taking a step back, she peered up and emerald eyes met with sincere grey ones.

"Go careful pen neth. You'll hurt someone."

She merely blinked in reply, her words suddenly gone. Behind her, the Elf who looked after approached.

"I'm sorry Erestor. Are you hurt?" She asked anxiously.

"No." He replied, turning and sweeping off. Maethorial watched him go, her eyes thoughtful.

"Of all Elves you could have run into." Faelwen sighed. "You had to run into him."

The child didn't reply, just watched the way he had gone with those bright eyes.

"Come, pen neth." She said, touching her shoulder lightly. "Time for bed."

The passages were empty as she wandered the city. Though nearing the afternoon, few Elves walked the corridors of Imladris. Having long since lost her minder in the gardens, she wandered idly, enjoying the silence. Bored of the indoors, she bounded lightly down a flight of stairs back into the gardens. She passed into one of the many groves of trees around the Elf city and relaxed, listening to the trees singing. Pale digits smoothed over rough bark. She smiled to herself. This is where she felt most at home. Slipping her shoes from her feet, she continued barefoot. The grass was cool and gentle against her feet, and the breeze whispered gently around her. Time had no meaning to her here. Here she lived in her world, and played by her rules. There was no one to tell her what to do and where to go here. This was her place. Her Haven.

Eventually, she left the trees behind and passed out into the open again. The sun had reached the heights of the sky and watched her disapprovingly. Ignoring him, Maethorial wandered on, wondering where she was supposed to be, and if she was supposed to be in a lesson. She would get a speech later; on how the other Elf children were good and arrived for the lesson on time. Her sighed disturbed the quiet of this place, and she mentally apologised. She pressed on, replacing her shoes when the grass turned to rock, and she reached the river. She turned then and walked along the bank of the river, right on the boundary of Imladris. She'd get told off for this as well. She wasn't supposed to come this far out. She reached a bend in the river and knew that the ford was just around the corner. If there were Elves there, she'd get caught and dragged back to Imladris and Faelwen. Slowly, she approached, and cursed softly as she heard voices. Half-turning to return, she heard voices behind her as well. A second curse passed her lips. She continued towards the ford, and blinked as she rounded the bend. An Elf warrior with golden hair sat astride a gleaming white horse, talking with other Elves at the ford. All heads turned to look at her as she approached.

"Maethorial." One of the guards recognised her. "What are you doing out here? You know you should not be here."

"I'm walking." She replied, eyeing the warrior on the horse. The voices behind her grew closer, and she wondered if they were Elves sent after her. Again.

"Well you should not be out here. It's dangerous. Shouldn't you be with Erestor in the library?"

Ah yes, that was who she was supposed to be with.

"Judging by your silence, I assume I'm correct?"

"Yes." She replied quietly. Nodding to his comrades, the Elf stepped forwards.

"Come, I'll take you back."

She didn't say a word, just followed him. As she walked away from the ford, a thought flitted through her mind. She turned and looked back the way she had come. The voices had vanished, and there was no sign of anyone around. She took a few steps back towards that place.

"Maethorial!" The Elf sounded exasperated.

"What is it pen neth?"

She looked up at the golden haired Elf. He watched her with eyes that were as blue as the sky. She pointed up the river.

"As I was walking towards here, there were voices behind me, following me. But now they've gone."

His eyes looked away, searching up the river where she pointed.

"I'm sure it was just some Elves. Nothing to worry about."

She nodded, turning away and heading over to where the guard waited, following him back towards the city. When she was gone, the Elf urged his horse up river a few steps, and then came back.

"Keep a close eye out." He said to the guards, before turning and riding for the city.

"Of all the other children I've ever looked after, none of them have been as bad as you! I just don't know what to do with you anymore!"

Maethorial didn't look at her. She couldn't drag her gaze above the toes of her shoes. She heard footsteps and knew Faelwen was walking away. Away from her for an eternity. Then she was alone again. Her room felt cold and empty. Sighing heavily, she curled up in a chair, watching the sunset through the window. Bored, and with nothing else to do, she let herself fall into reverie.

She looked peaceful. Curled up in a chair, sleeping peacefully. Glorfindel approached her softly, gently picking her up and tucking her into bed. She barely stirred.

"Until the morning, pen neth." He murmured, walking out.