Ethelinn's POV
"My lady, why must you go out exploring so often? You know that your father would worry sick if you ever disappeared on one of your adventurous escapades." Edanir, my private tutor, remarked.
"Why do you always worry so, Edanir? I am the heir to the throne, yes, but I am not to be underestimated. You have taught me well in the arts of archery and how to survive in the wild, and I do not doubt your teachings. I'm just going to collect some berries and herbs, I'll be back soon enough." I mounted my steed, Pollux, and moved forward toward Lothlorien's gates. Upon seeing me, the two guards quickly drew back their bows and stepped aside for me to pass.
My name is Ethelinn Galalinde, I'm the daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn. I'm about 500 years old, but in human years, you could say I'm about the equivalent of 23. Many would describe me as a shy and sweet person, but I'm known for my temper. I'm quite skilled with a bow and arrow, but I also use a pair of silver daggers decorated with jewels and intricate carvings. I've lived in Lothlorien my whole life; I like to go exploring quite often, but I have never actually passed the borders of Lorien.
Once out of the city, Pollux trotted briskly along the barren dirt road toward the deeper parts of the forest. I needed to collect more Athelas leaves for my supply; I had always had a soft spot for caring for the animals of the woodlands of Lorien. I had cared for the creatures of Lothlorien longer and more deeply than any other elf, and some I had specially named. I reached around to adjust my mallorn-carved bow on my back and directed Pollux into the forest. Once into the shelter of the trees, I dismounted Pollux and knelt down to greet the creatures that had approached. Hares, squirrels and deer alike; they came to greet Pollux and I. After giving my greetings, I started searching for Athelas plants, as well as berries to feed to Pollux.
Upon finding Athelas, I dropped some of the leaves in my pouch and hunted for more. The breeze was particularly refreshing, and I couldn't resist lifting my head toward the tops of the trees to inhale the scent that the wind carried from the North. The chirps of the birds, the chattering of the squirrels, and... crunches of footsteps upon the leaves? As far as I knew, I was the only elf that ventured this far into the forest. As swiftly as my cousin Legolas himself, I instinctively snatched my bow from my back and loaded a silver-plated arrow in a mere matter of seconds. I could hear the string of my bow groan under pressure as I drew my arm back, ready to strike whatever, or whoever, approached. Suddenly I heard a noise off to my right and spun around, ready to shoot.
A girl appeared from behind the tree nearest to Pollux. I lowered my bow slightly, but didn't lower my guard. I didn't know if this girl was friendly or not, and for all I knew, this could be a planned ambush. I was the heir to the throne of Lothlorien, after all. This girl was not an elf, that was all too clear. She was, in fact, as human as humans can get. A slim build, but she was covered in armor and had a sword tucked into its hilt on her back. Not a normal place for a sword. Maybe just roughly just past her teenage years, but she looked more mature than most. She appeared to be one of the Rohirrim, a telltale sign because of the color and style of armor she was wearing. I was still wary, however; what was a Rohirrim girl doing in the forests of Lothlorien? Rohan was nearer to Lorien than Bree or the Shire, but it was still quite a ways away. There was no way she could have just wandered away from home; the Rohirrim were well coordinated folk.
"Who are you? State your business, you are trespassing on the land of Lothlorien." I did not know what to expect from her. Then, she spoke.
CHAPTER END