Disclaimer: I do not Lord of the Rings I just own Luinel, Danerun, and Aeglos.

Spoilers: None

Characters: Mairead, Danerun, small appearance by Frodo Baggins, and Queen Aeglos

Summary: This is a story about a different breed of Elf, one who was overlooked in the telling of LOTR, female. This is the introduction to her people and to her. Long, but not much story... Yet. This piece is based mainly on the book, but some movie scenes are used

Warning: No angst as far as I can tell.

A/N: Glossary of Elvish in this piece:

Aeglos- Snowthorn

Hiril-nin- My lady )

Mellon nin- My friend

Lassetelemna- Silverleaf

Ada- Mother

And the last bit of Elvish is translated at the bottom of the page.

In the far West of Middle Earth just North of the Land of the Periannath, there lived a forgotten People, the Jewels of the Mist. These people were of the First Children of Illuvatar, but were neither of Noldorian decent nor of the Dark Elves. They were lords of the Eldar, great in valor and stature, blessed by the greatest love from the Valar.

After the fall of Morgoth, the Hithmir remained near the coast, as the world changed, they moved farther inland. They took it upon themselves to protect the shores of Middle Earth. Many of the Hithmiri peopled the Lost Lands of Arnor, and all the lands vacated by Morgoth's foul rabble. They rebuilt, reseeded, and blessed the land; it thrived and became fruitful once more under their constant loving care. Ever wary, the lands were watched for all signs of any who would attempt to bring evil back to the Western shores of Middle Earth.

For a week, Mairead had been wandering the wilderness of Arnor, and no sign of pursuit. She stood on the borders of the Periannath's land, the Shire. The tiny people had always fascinated Mairead, living their happy, innocent lives, never aware of the constant vigil the Hithmir to the North and the Dunedain in the East held over their beautiful land. As Luinel fell into the deep paths of her mind, a shape loomed up through the darkness of the woods. A twig snapped and an Elf leapt forward, grabbing Luinel around her slender waist. She awoke from her meditation in a flash, spinning around as his arms closed around her. She wriggled, long, dark blonde hair falling loose from its braids, and her bright blue eyes flashing in anger, but it was too late, the guards had her. She fell limp, and permitted herself to be led to her home surrounded by a royal convoy.

As she marched through the deep green woods, Mairead looked at the Elves guarding her, faces she had seen all her life, the youngest, older than she. She was the youngest of her people; there were no Elf-children in their great realm. She frowned, and shaking back her golden copper locks, pulled them into a braid, down to her hips. As she was still lost in her thoughts, the company came to a sudden halt. Peering over the heads of the others as they crouched down, she saw a Periannath. A young one, he crept quietly though the woods, looking for something. For what, only she knew. He was searching for her, she had befriended this adventurous youth once when she had strayed too far toward the edge of the woods, and he too deep, in search of mushrooms. They had become close friends, and he had taught her the speech of his people, Common Speech, and she had greatened his knowledge of the High Elven Speech in return. /Go back!/ she urged him with her mind, /Away from this place, quickly!/ He paused, and slowly turned around, towards his home. She sighed, as she realized the archers had drawn their bows, aiming toward his heart. He scurried off, and her guards relaxed, commenting to each other with grins on the audacity of the young Periannath, never had one of the self proclaimed 'Hobbits' had strayed this far into the woods. Smiling, they watched his small form return to the far edge of the woods.

Hurrying home, Frodo paused, wondering what had come over him. He was already at the gate to Bag End, one minute his was wandering the woods, trying to find the Elf, the next he was overcome by the desire for flight.

"Mr. Frodo?" he heard, "is that you?"

"Yes, it's me Sam!" he returned, walking through the large green door into his home.

After a few hours march, the convoy began to relax, they had their quarry, and she was giving no resistance As they set up camp the first night, they were singing. The young captain Danerun, walked up to where Mairead was seated against a tree bole.

"Hiril-nin?" She glanced up at his beautiful face and worried soft pale green eyes, glaring, "Would you like something to eat?" concern eating at him, he offered some fruits and a loaf of way bread.

She hadn't spoken a word to him since they had found at the borders of the woods, and he was afraid of what she was thinking, her mind had been closed to all. Smiling insincerely, she accepted the plate. Danerun lowered himself to the forest floor beside her. /She is beautiful/, he thought to himself. Her porcelain skin reflecting the moonlight, long lashes fluttered against soft cheeks, then opening and looking off deep into the forest. The most amazing feature was her eyes, all was told through those windows, and in them now, he saw hurt. He continued to watch her as she stared off into the dark night; a wispy lock of hair fell from the braid across her face. As he reached to flip it off, she shied away. She stood, and as she turned to go, he reached out and grabbed her wrist.

"Mellon nin," he whispered, "What is wrong?"

Sighing, she turned around, looked straight into his eyes, and stated. "I am unhappy," and stalked off to sleep.

Upon the company's return to the great hall, Mairead was summoned to the King and Queen.

"Mairead Lassetelemna, this is your final violation of our laws. Your disregard for the reasonable boundaries set forth have gone too far this time, our people were almost spotted by a Hobbit, the one thing that would be most dangerous to us," Queen Aeglos paused. "You are dangerous to our survival."

"I am dangerous?!?" Mairead could not keep her stoic silence any longer. "The mere existence of such an outlandish belief in secrecy as our best defense is a threat to our people!"

"Stay yourself, Lady Mairead!" Aeglos commanded, "A decision has been reached, your penalty for this breach shall be exile."

Mairead felt the floor drop. Exile, for a trip through the Borderlands? Almost being caught by a Hobbit whom already knew of their existence? It was inconceivable. But the look on Aeglos's face told all, she was to leave her homeland forever.

/Ada!/ her mind cried out, but Aeglos just closed her eyes and turned away. Mairead succumbed to the darkness closing over her eyes.

When she came to, Danerun was bending over her, concern wrought in his eyes, but trying to hide it.

"Arwenamine, it is time for you to leave." He straightened up, and held out a formal hand to her. As she stood, he handed her a pack, "These are all the most suitable clothes you own, and food for a month's journey. Now I must escort you to the Border. Leading her out of the anteroom, they passed all the lords and ladies, the ancient ones, none so near to her age as the guards surrounding her. Even if her exile lasted ten lifetimes of Men, there would only be these. She hung her head and wept.

As they reached the Border, Danerun pulled Mairead aside, and whispered in her ear, "Guren nallatha nalú achenin le". Then he kissed her gently, a single, slow tear rolled down his cheek as she pulled away and began her journey.

- My heart shall weep until I see thee again.