Disclaimer: Lord of the rings and all related concepts are owned by Tolkien and Newline cinema. We intend to make no money from this writing venture and intend no plagiarism towards the author. However, all our creative characters eg. Laingalad are ours and we hope that people can respect this and not nick 'em!

See the end of the chapter for any elvish translations.

A Work in Progress
Chapter one

The gardens of Imladris were a place I went to seek my privacy. I frequently strolled through the rose garden inhaling the fragrant scents of the many varieties that Imladris held. My favourite was a bright yellow flower, which seemed to attract many butterflies to its soft delicate petals. The bird song in this particular garden seemed louder and more joyous than anywhere else, with the rustle of the nearby poplar trees accompanying it beautifully. In the autumn its leaves would go from a bright green to a golden yellow, which I am told vaguely resembles the mallorn of Lothlorien.

What stopped me and took me out of my hazy reverie as I ambled along, was a giggle. A very high-pitched giggle to be more precise. I am a very curious creature, I would be the first to admit this, and so I found myself advancing towards the base of the poplar tree. Peering up into the canopy of the tree I could just about discern the forms of two elves that were so wrapped up in each other's arms it made me feel sick. Their blatant disregard for their safety aside, it was just not proper manners to be doing such a thing in a formal garden in the middle of the day. What if Lord Elrond, or even worse my adar had happened past? They would, no doubt, have much to say on the matter and these two lovebirds would find themselves inundated with chores, particularly if my adar had anything to say about it.

This train of thought was broken, however, as a soft rustle nearby alerted me to the fact that someone else was in the garden. I turned around hurriedly, the last thing I wanted was for Elladan and Elrohir to sneak up on me again, all to frequently do I loose myself in the sights and sounds of the gardens only to end up at the butt of one of their nefarious pranks; not that I don't give as good as I get. It was not the twins, however. Instead I found myself under the gaze of my naneth, her dark blue eyes scrutinising my attire, no doubt she would take offence to my wearing tunics and leggings again.

"Nana, how nice to see you in the gardens on such a lovely day." I did wonder what she was doing out here. Surely she had much more important business? She was a seamstress (though not of much renown) and she should surely be busy worrying over whether she was using enough lace or if cornflower blue was really the correct colour for the embroidery of the dress she was working on.

She smiled broadly before replying, "I have come to find you on more pressing matters then the weather and this garden. Your Adar and I wish to speak to you."

What had I done this time? I could think of no wrong doings, perhaps the tunics were wearing thin with them? True, an elleth of my age would not usually wear such clothes, unless travelling, but then my parents say that an elleth of my age should be married to some handsome warrior who had performed many brave deeds in battle.

Perhaps my naneth saw the worry clearly written across my face for she said; "Nay child you are not in trouble your Ada simply wishes to discuss something with you." She smiled at me, though this did little to ease my thoughts. When Ada wanted to discuss something they were always too important for my liking, usually involving a severe reprimand for some small misdemeanour or a seemingly endless repetitive monologue about how I should act more like my mother and how I should behave in a manner befitting the daughter of one of Lord Elrond's many advisors. Whenever I point out that Lord Elrond's sons dismally fail to act in such a manner I am met with a hard stare and a deep disgruntled sigh.

"Where may I find ada?" I asked knowing he was not an elf to be kept waiting.

"Come follow me, I shall take you to him."

Walking down the golden halls and corridors of Imladris the fear in my heart built up. "Naneth? What is it that you and Adar wish to talk to me about?" I asked.

"Patience Laingalad, patience, you shall see soon enough. I dare say you shall be happy about it."

The dread slowly pooling in my stomach told me a very different story. Suddenly my legs felt heavier and my heartbeat sped up, my naneth and I had very different ideas about what I would and would not enjoy.

Two minutes later we reached adar's study and after knocking twice on the large wooden door we entered. His study has always fascinated me, how so many scrolls and parchment could be kept in one place in such a logical order was beyond me. The room had a warm enveloping glow from the sun as it was south facing and in the summer he would open the large glass doors that opened onto a large flat plain of grass, allowing a refreshing breeze to enter the room.

Adar was by the large open doors, staring out towards the sky. I wondered what ensnared him so, was he looking for something? But before I could properly ponder this, his gaze turned upon naneth and myself. Waving his hand to indicate that we should sit, he walked slowly towards his desk as if contemplating something of great importance.

"Laingalad, I have never asked much of you."

I nodded, still wondering what this was all about.

"Well your naneth and I have thought long and hard upon something. We were so sure upon the matter that we have already asked Lord Elrond to assist us. Everything has been planned, and now it is time you heard and accepted it."

He avoided eye contact with me, he was nervous and it didn't bode well. I cannot remember a time when my adar had been so uneasy. He was busily rearranging his desk so I turned my gaze to naneth to see if she could shed more light upon the matter. She had her hands in her lap and was smiling away as though whatever they had planned would go perfectly smoothly.

"And what is this thing that I have to accept?" I ventured softly.

Taking in a deep breath my Ada replied, "You, my only child, are to wed."

"I am to what?" I demanded, sure that I had not heard correctly. Surely my mind was playing tricks on me. I know that lately they have been giving me some not-so-subtle hints, but if what I had just heard was true…it was just outrageous!

"You are to wed, it has already been arranged," Adar replied, his voice full of pride as though I had already accepted what he had only told me two seconds ago.

Anger slowly built up inside of me, I could see that my knuckles had already become white, I could hear the steady thump, thump, thump of my heart beat roaring loudly in my ears.

"Nay! I cannot accept!" I stood quickly, knocking my chair to the floor in the process.

"Laingalad, you are not listening," naneth said as if talking to a small child, "he will be here in six days and I know he shall be perfect for you." She smiled brightly and I could not help but feel sickened. How could both my parents know so little about me? I could never consent to such a ridiculous notion it was just preposterous.

"Ada!" I exclaimed, reverting back to a more childish form of address, "this is just…" I could not form the words; "You cannot chose my suitor for me. Surely I should have the choice in who I wish to spend the rest of my life with."

"We have already given you the chance. We waited as you grow in years and still you have not pursued an interest in anyone. We have simply done it for you." Adar looked at me kindly but I refused to believe such a claim.

"But I am an elf. I am not like one of those edain you have to deal with when trading chickens. I am not some piece of livestock that you can trade, all the while bartering and haggling over its price. I have an eternity to live my life, to choose who I love. Should I not have the choice in where my heart would sit? And with whom?"

How could they do this to me? Taking away my freedom and freewill all in a few short minutes.

"But you shall like him, if not then you shall have to learn to live with it." Said my adar. I felt all heat leave my body I was numb. All the while my adar continued to fiddle with his maps and his quills and his paper weights. How I wished to pick up a paperweight and throw it through one of the windows behind his head. To hear it shatter and break into small sharp shards just like my heart had been with this news.

"So who is it that I am doomed to be with?" I asked, curiosity taking the better of me.

"Do not talk of Haldir in such way, he is a gentleman, and is suitable for you." My naneth interrupted once more.

Haldir! That arrogant haughty elf of the galadhrim? Of all the elves him?

"You wish for me to marry Haldir? He is undoubtedly the most egotistical, arrogant, pigheaded elf that ever graced Arda. And I have heard that he is known to be a cheat! This is the type of elf you would place your daughter's life in?"

I had to argue, even if I had little evidence, little proof, little anything if I am honest. If I stop, if I let them win then I have lost the battle. Hate for an elf I had never met was beginning to develop like bindweed. Ensnaring itself around my heart and smothering it.

"I place you in the most capable hands in all of Lothlorien exempt Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn themselves. My dear you should be less ungrateful and considerably more honoured to be in Haldir's presence." My adar attempted to sooth me placate me. Had he no honour? Did he even know me? This Haldir could be an orc or Eru himself, either way it would make no difference to me.

"Honoured by his presence? How can I honour his presence when he has been forced upon me? I find that you and naneth are being highly unfair! How is it that you were allowed to choose, yet I have been given no choice?"

Anger and self-pity rose up within me sending silent tears coursing down my cheeks in angry torrents, I could almost hear as they fell from my face to the stone floor where they crashed and exploded, marring the stone, darkening it with its salty moisture. Why had the Valar given me such a horrid path? I saw no light at the end of this tunnel, none at all.

"Choice or not, you shall pick. But do not dishonour Lord Elrond's kindness or disgrace you naneth and I. It shall be on your shoulders if we are to fade from this world." My adar threatened. He was beyond all reason, and this was pure blackmail! I could not stand there for another second.

"I hate you!" I shouted, if they could be entirely unreasonable then so could I.

I ran from the room, slamming doors as I passed through the halls, taking my anger out on everything and everyone. Where I was heading I had not a clue. Passers by stared at me. I envied them, they had not had marriage forced upon them, where as I had.

Laingalad I thought to myself with bittersweet irony, it couldn't be further from the truth. How could my ada give me a name that meant free brightness only to take that light and imprison it, waiting to snuff it out whenever he felt like it? Did my parents not have a clue how I felt when It came to marriage and love? Adar said I would learn to deal with it. And deal with it I shall!

Imladris: Rivendell
Mallorn: Trees indigenous to Lothlorien
Adar: Father
Naneth: Mother
Elleth: Female elf
Ada: Dad, daddy (informal)
Edain: Man, the second born
Galadhrim: Elves of Lothlorien
Edited: 1st August 2006