Chapter 1 - Little Doe:
Bold= Sindarin
Normal= Common
A pair of sparkling sapphire eyes peered mischievously through the thicket of plants that separated her and the golden haired elf that was admiring the roses. Every step he took around the garden was so graceful, she acknowledged, his beautiful blue eyes inspecting every inch of the flowerbeds that lay before him. He bent down to smell one, the petals tickling his nose, causing him to scrunch up his face in an adorable manner. The hidden angel silently giggled, amused by his actions.
Leaning to take a closer look, the bush slightly trembled at her touch, causing the prince to look up startled. He squinted, his elven eyes equipped to uncover the stranger watching him, but she had already darted to another bush, continuing to watch him. Her movements were soft and nimble, her feet making no noise as she darted from one thicket to the next to continue watching the blonde-beauty in fascination.
"You may come out, stranger." He spoke calmly, standing up straighter.
She said nothing, only smiling when the confused expression passed over his face at the silence. He looked around, his unseeingly eyes passing over her spot once, then began walking back to her grandfather's kingdom. Knowing the smallest of noises would reveal her, she watched as he left in silence, wondering why the Sindarin Elf of Mirkwood was visiting at such a time.
"Where is she? Where is Aenil?" Lord Elrond asked a maid passing, worry etched over his features.
"I saw the little doe near the roses, my Lord" she replied, smiling as she referred to the Lord's "adopted daughter"; the young bundle of joy of Rivendell.
"The day she needs to be inside must be the day she spends roaming about out in the garden," he muttered, shaking his head. The maid smiled at this, then dipping into a curtsy, she quickly scurried to the main feasting hall, her hands full with a bowl of overflowing fruit.
Passing down the halls, he paused when he heard footsteps running up behind him. He turned, a hidden smile forming on his lips at the sight of the disheveled looking girl.
Her smoky auburn hair was in tangles at her waist, her pale olive skin flushed at the cheeks as if she had been running a distance.
"Adar nîn, I am so sorry, I lost track of time." she gasped, attempting to smooth down her messy locks.
"Go wash, child, then come to the feast hall to greet the guests."
She felt her heart skip, thinking about meeting with one of the guests in specific; one she had taken an interest to earlier. But before her guardian grandfather could ask her anything regarding the matter, she dipped into a half curtsy and ran off in the direction of her chambers, her nimble feet pattering throughout the great halls.
"You look beautiful, Aenil" The maid politely said as she finished the maiden's signature "headband" braid in her chambers, stepping back to admire her work.
"Le hannon" Aenil whispered as she stood, twirling once in her cream coloured dress. She remembered a time when all she wanted to wear were tunics and leggings, and play outside with the other child-elves, practicing how to wield a sword or aim a bow. Ada would teach her to spar in the gardens sometimes; once accidentally knocking over a statue that had caused Grandfather Elrond to turn a shade of pink she'd never seen before. She shook her head at the memory, giggling.
"You seem rather excited to meet our guests, young one," The maid inquired curiously, watching the young girl's features, "perhaps you're excited to meet a certain prince?"
"Of course not, I am simply happy to finally meet a hobbit!" Aenil quickly said, covering her emotions from the elf-maid. It was not a complete lie; she was very thrilled to be finally meeting a hobbit, but her excitement did truly extend farther than that.
"Shall I escort you down to the hall, little doe?"
She smiled at the nickname. Ada had started the name after countless hours of losing her in the garden when playing. He said she was as quiet and cunning as a doe, yet soft and fragile. She was his little doe.
"Please" she nodded, following the maid out of the chambers. She clenched her hands by her side as she glided down the halls.
"Here we go" she whispered to herself, preparing herself for the meeting of Lord Elrond's guests.