A/N: Things written in parentheses are the meaning of the elvish words prior to them. I hope nothing is confusing in the story. Please message me or review to ask questions or comment.
Down in a tunnel of trees walked an elf. Her footsteps were sure but fell softly on the green grass littering the forest floor. She began to ascend a small hill in order to look out over the river at the edge of the kingdom. Her horse whinnied softly at her from the bottom of the hill. She turned and smiled at her horse, Hwesta (breeze). She came back down the hill as slowly as she ascended and leapt gracefully back on the mare. They rode back to the main city.
"You're back, sister" said a tall beautiful elleth as she descended the stairs into the palace.
She impatiently waited for her sister to slip off her horse before threading her arm through hers. The first elleth, Emerwen (Shepherdess), graced the guards with a soft smile as they led her horse away from the girls who flew up the stairs. Alata (Radiance) hurried her sister along the open hallways to their shared room. She scolded her sister gently like a mother hen would even though she could assume her sister wasn't listening. Emerwen loved her sister dearly, but she always had the same gentle reminders to not stay out too long, not eat too quickly, etc.
Alata shut the door with a quick push and turned to her sister
"Why were you out so late today? It's well past four already and the guests have started to arrive!"
"Oh my dear loving sister, the water was so beautiful today and so hard to resist. Hwesta enjoyed it also, she dearly loves to run" Emerwen responded with a soft smile.
Alata sighed, but knew her sister. Emerwen loved to be outside and with those she loved. When the ones she loved were busy, as they were this past week, she would be found outside with her beloved horse. Her elven glow shown more when the trees and sun felt her appreciation. She treated the flowers and trees as her dearest friends. Alata and Emerwen's grandmother often said that Emerwen could bring light to even the darkest of places.
At last the elleths were ready and with her arm linked through Emerwen's, Alata steered them out the door and down the corridor. As Alata had said, the guests had begun to arrive and for a while the two elleths stood in a balcony watching the horses bear more and more people to the wedding party. This would be the wedding of their older sister, Erulissё (Grace), to her betrothed. Both girls were very excited for their sister, but a little sad that she would now be started a new family without them.
Thranduil and Legolas of Mirkwood rode side by side in front of the other Mirkwood elves as they descended the path that would take them to the heart of Imladris. They had been invited to the wedding of their protector's oldest daughter. Megil (Sword) was the royal protector ever since he turned of age. His father before him and his father before him and so on had all been royal protectors. In the very essence of the name, they protected the royal party. In the palace, the protector and his people would roam the halls watching for any who might harm the royal family. Should the king or any of his family take council, go out riding, or any other occasion, a protector was to go with them. Megil was the king's protector and his only son was the prince's. More guards had been taken along for protection since Megil and his son would be distracted. This was an important event for all of them since this was the first of Megil's four children to be married.
Legolas heart lightened as Imladris came into view. He had always loved how it looked, ever since a boy. His visits were less frequent now because of the amount of responsibility placed on him in his realm, so he was glad to be able to make a visit now. His eyes roamed the hillsides, noticing the carefree air of the place. The waterfalls rushed down the hills, always in a hurry unlike the animals of the forest who roamed about slowly. His eyes caught the glimpse of two girls in a balcony looking at all the arriving guests. The one was pointing and hugging the other as she appeared to be talking the other's ear off. But the other didn't seem to mind since she smiled at the first girl and hugged her slightly.
Legolas couldn't see the girls anymore as they entered the main courtyard and dismounted. Father and son ascended the stairs together and were guided down a hall to their separate rooms to change for dinner.
The main room was an outstanding affair. It seemed Megil and Dúlin (Nightingale) had spared no expense for their daughter's ceremony. The walls were draped with light fabric with a scattering of flowers placed amongst the folds. Candles showered the room, and on the balcony where the ceremony would take place there were more flowers and candles making an arch over the couple. The guests were seated and the couple met on the balcony. They joined their lives together forever with the smiles and love of everyone present. The two sisters hugged their older sister for a long time as the couple thanked everyone for coming. Even though there were tears rolling down their cheeks, their smiles outweighed the sadness. The two left the happy couple with the rest of the guests as they went to finish their tears in a quiet corner.
Soon everyone was swept into to dining room to finish the happy day. The two sisters sat with friends as their mother and father went to be with their daughter and new son. Their son, also a protector, sat near Thranduil and Legolas, because even in happy times, they needed to be protected.
Legolas caught sight of the two girls whom he saw earlier on the balcony. The one was very chatty and seemed to know everyone present at her table and took her time to talk with each of them. The other was quiet, but smiled and spoke softly to those who spoke to her.
After dinner came music and dancing. The musicians got out their instruments and began a simple song. The quieter sister, whose name Legolas found out was Emerwen, began to tune her instrument. It was a sort of fiddle known for its happy tune, but it was hard to find a voice to accompany it since the voice needed to be high. After the first song was done, Emerwen called for her sister, Alata, to join her. Alata did so and at the first notes Emerwen played, her voice rang out in a beautiful melody. Everyone stopped to listen and gathered around the fireside to enjoy a night of festivities.
After the first verse Emerwen joined Alata in singing the chorus. The second verse they did together in harmony, and as the chorus came around for the second time, Alata encouraged everyone to sing with them. The night progressed with singing and some dancing. Emerwen was very skilled in her instrument and played most of the night. As the hour grew later, she finally put down her fiddle and with apologies to everyone, retired from the room. Legolas found himself following her out to the hallway.
"May I escort you to your room, my lady?" Emerwen turned around with a surprised look on her face.
"That is very generous my lord, but you should stay to visit with everyone. I will see you on the morrow." With that she left and glided down the hall into another hall and disappeared. Rana (Wanderer), Legolas's protector, hurried over to see what the prince was up to. He glanced down the hall as Legolas shook his head and went back into the room.
Several days later Legolas met his father in the library as requested.
"Son, I will be leaving for our home in two days. You may remain here for a time if you wish. I know how you love this place and a time away from your burdens would be good for you." Thranduil said, turning to his son.
"Father I would love that, but only will I stay if you are sure I am not needed right away" Legolas replied, a little surprised at his father's offer. Thranduil smiled and placed a hand on his son's shoulder.
"You are young yet, but you have too many burdens as of now. Take these next few months off to enjoy yourself and free your heavy heart." Legolas bowed his head in thanks of his father's wishes and left.
"Come on, Emmie, you must show me!" Alata pleaded with her sister.
"Only if you will describe the view for me tonight." Retorted Emerwen.
"Oh all right, but not too much, otherwise I won't have anything else to bargain with you!" Legolas laughed softly as he heard Alata trying to persuade her sister to do who-knows-what. He had remained in Imladris at his father's wishes for a month now. He had gotten to know the two sisters rather well and enjoyed spending time with them.
Both turned at his laugh and Alata jumped up to hug him, as she was rather fond of doing. Emerwen knew it was only so she could tell her friends that she had hugged the prince of Mirkwood, but there was no harm in Alata's innocent gesture. Both sat next to Emerwen as she sat among the flowers in the garden. This was her favorite spot in all of Imladris and Legolas and Alata were both seen with her on most days. She turned her face to the sun with closed eyes and breathed in the clean air.
"It is a most glorious day, don't you think?" Emerwen asked softly.
"Yes, the colors are most brilliant." Legolas replied. Emerwen turned with a question upon her lips but turned back to the sky with a slight shake of her head. Legolas was about to inquire about her behavior when Alata broke in.
"Oh we must go horseback riding! Just think Emerwen, Hwesta would love being out on a day like today." Emerwen hesitated for a moment, but then smiled in agreement.
"She does love being out of the paddock" Emerwen said as she stood. Legolas smiled at the two sisters as Alata threaded her arm into her sister's as they took off down the path. They were close, these two. Rarely did you find one sister without the other. They seemed to complete each other because they were so very different.
Emerwen loved the simple things in life: the sun, her horse, and her family. Alata loved rich things such as clothes, food, and books. She wanted to get the best life could offer, whereas Emerwen was glad that life was offered to her.
Emerwen was cool and collected and could easily calm her sister down she the slightest thing set her off. They were both fairly good with their weapons though Emerwen refused to shoot a bow. She preferred her double blades as much as Alata preferred archery.
The days began to get longer as the summer months blossomed. Everyone was found outdoors if they could manage it. Legolas came upon the idea of an archery contest. His friend, Astaldo (Valiant), whom he had met in Imladris was a good shot and was longing for something to do this fine summer day. They found the sisters outside by the stream picking up smooth stones.
"Why don't we go down to the archery fields to see who among us is the best." cried Astaldo. Alata whipped her head around with a shout of glee.
"I would love to!" She exclaimed. Legolas smiled at Alata grabbed her sister's arm and began to hurry to the fields. Emerwen laughed and allowed her sister to drag her through the forest.
"Alate, why don't you hurry ahead with Astaldo to make sure he doesn't get all the good arrows and I'll walk with Emerwen at a reasonable pace." Legolas suggested to the hurried maiden. She glanced at her sister and a whispered, "Will you be okay?" At a nod, Alata grinned and ran ahead to find Astaldo. Emerwen waited for Legolas to catch up to where she was standing while looking back in his direction, but off into the distance.
"What are you looking at, Mellon." (friend) Legolas questioned as he drew closer. Her eyes flew to his face as she smiled and said,
"Oh nothing much. Just wondering who will win this afternoon." Legolas smiled a reply and offered his arm. Emerwen continued to look into his face before frowning slightly and beginning to walk in the direction of the archery fields. Legolas frowned and took a few long strides to catch up with her.
"If my lady does not want to be treated as such she only has to speak the word." Legolas said a little gruffly. He was not used to being rejected, especially for such a simple gesture. Emerwen turned her head toward him with a confused expression. Legolas sighed.
"I understand you do not need help, but I originally thought the gesture made maidens glad." Legolas tried to clarify his actions but her brow was still furrowed. She opened her mouth to speak, shut it again, and then with hesitation, began to speak.
"I'm afraid, dear prince, that you do not know everything about me. I must confess that I don't tell people until it is the utmost necessary because I do not like their feelings towards me to turn afterwards." Legolas drew in a breath to speak, but closed his mouth as she shook her head and continued,
"You are a dear friend to me and I don't wish for you to be kept in the dark any longer. Mellon, I am blind. I have been ever since the day I was born and do not expect to get any sight back by the time I pass into the Undying Lands."