I stood amongst the thinning trees near the entrance gate to my home Rivendell. Lord Elrond had foreseen the arrival of Aragorn, much to my lord's displeasure. Arwen was glowing more so each day, more than we elves usually glow I must say. She had left urgently not three days ago taking nothing but her horse and sword. Her father begged her not to leave, but she would not listen. "Something in my heart grows heavy, Faelwen. I feel he needs me, Namárië ni'n mellon. (farewell my friend)" She whispered desperately into my ear, grasping my shoulder and pulling me into a tight embrace. I returned it without thought and immediately set of to prepare for her return. Getting ready for the worst.
Two days turned into three and finally Arwen rode in on her horse quicker than the gates would open for her, pushing through the thin gap of an entry way. A small Halfling rested in front of her on her saddle, dark shadows casted over his eyes and he shuddered and writhed in pain. I had only minutes to get to my lord before the Halfling would surely pass into the shadow realm and turn into a creature much like the riders.
I had been sent to the gates once again, to await the arrival of Aragorn and the other Halflings Arwen had told us of. So I stood where the trees thinned and waited for his arrival, knowing that he would run to Arwens side almost as soon as he walked through those gates.
"Open the gate!" I heard a deep voice yell from ahead. Slowly the stone gate creaked open as three young guards heaved at the leavers.
A man emerged from behind them; his long brown hair matted which covered most of his bruised and muddy face. He drew his dark moss green cloak tighter around him covering his worn leathers, which was stained in a thick dark guy. Orc blood.
I ran too him, forgetting all my graces and sang softly the only healing melody I knew. Soon his weary eyes looked up to me and I grinned more than ever. Estel had returned.
I had met Aragorn many time before, whilst I was attending to my lady and guarding her on her many walks through the forest with him. He was a kind man, a good man and would always ask me to not steward to him, though I would persist. Over the somewhat thirty years I had known him, he grew to be like a brother in a way. More like a brother through his and Arwen's joining. He had even taught me most of my sword skills and I his bow skills.
But today I knew no such things would happen. He didn't look all that aged from the last time we were running through the forests, but he had. I could sense it in his eyes, wisdom and, hesitance? He smiled softly at me.
"Faelwen, man sad Arwen? (Where is Arwen?)" He murmured, worry clear in his eyes.
"She is healing the Halfling with her father Aragorn. Come you have travelled far, you need rest. Arwen is not going anywhere, clean sleep eat. We have plenty of food."
"You have food?" A small voice questioned from behind Aragorn, a young Halfling leaping out. He had curly blonde hair reaching just past his ears and was slightly cleaner than Aragorn, but not by much. He looked so tired. Worry had clearly gotten to them all.
"Yes Perian (Halfling), we do indeed. I shall take you to the dining hall if you please." I smiled down at him. His grin could make everyone laugh it seemed and two other Halfling emerged from behind the gate. One, larger than the other two, leading a small horse.
"Pippin, Frodo could be dying and all you can think of is your belly?" one scolded, he looked much like the one named Pippin but slightly more, wise I dared to think. Pippin looked own ashamed, but only smiled slightly when his stomach gave an audible groan.
"Is Mister Frodo okay?" The one by the horse asked softly.
"Lord Elrond's Healing is most effective I assure you Perian (Halfling). He shall be awake soon; after you rest I'll take you three to see him. Now come you need food in your bellies and to rest those weary eyes. I'll go and get some heated water for you to clean up." I said smiling down at the one near the horse and leading the horse to the stables. The three Halflings followed me tiredly, dragging their feet along the cobbled floor.
"Le hannon (thank you), Faelwen." Aragorn's deep voice murmured from beside my ear. I smiled to myself. "Man sad Arwen?" He asked again. I sighed. This man just didn't know when to give up.
"The last time I saw her Aragorn she was on the stone bridge. You know the one I speak of do you not?" I stared at him intently, almost willing him to remember with my eyes. He grinned back at me and pulled me in to his embrace and kissed my lightly on the cheek. I stood there for a second, shocked. He never showed much affection to other women other than Arwen. He held me at arm's length for a moment longer, his hands resting on my shoulders before he ran off. I sighed; he wouldn't know where his room was, unless Arwen showed him.
The three Hobbits stared up at me expectantly, and I smiled down at them.
"too food then, but first I must learn your names…" Pippin grinned at me.
"I am Peregrin Took, but you can call me Pippin, my cousin Meriadoc Brandybuck-"
"And you can call me Merry" That would explain the similarities, I thought. Pippins cousin smiled at me offering me his hand. I looked down at it unsure. Was this a Hobbit's gesture of a greeting? My brows furrowed as I tried to think of what to do with it.
"She's Elven Merry, elves don't shake hands. Samwise Gamgee" he lowered his head frowning "When do we get to see Mister Frodo?"
"Soon Perian. I promise"
The Hobbits followed me through the winding halls of the mansion, stopping only to a large oak door. Pippin was the first to run in, leaping over the large bed and flying through to the balcony. I had personally asked Lord Elrond if the Halflings may have this room. It was furthest from everyone else and offered much needed rest and peace from prying eyes. The view was majestic in its ways. The sky burning with orange and pink hues. Making Rivendell almost glow.
I sighed contented, watching the three study the room in awe. The high ceilings were like skies to them I would assume, with the light reflecting off the water below making shimmering shapes flitter across it. For a moment, looking at them, you would assume all was right with the world. That dark forces were not crawling their way here at this very moment. Their laughter and smiles only drew out mine as Sam stumbled from the bed with a large thud and looked around confused for a moment before bursting into a loud guffaw. Indeed, all was right it seemed.
A soft knock on the door brought me back and I turned to see Beriadan slowly walk in as if unsure what to do with himself.
"Lord Elrond wishes to speak to you Faelwen. He says it is urgent ni'n mellon. (My friend)"
"You wished to see me, my Lord?" I asked, hesitantly pushing his door open and knocking lightly. His head shot up from the table where it lay buried in a pile of letters and books. His breaths were shaky and he seemed tired. It would seem the healing took more effort than assumed.
"Yes, ni'n hin (my child). Have you seen to the Halflings?" he mused, stroking his chin.
"Yes my lord"
"Good, have you spoken to many today ni'n hin?"
"Indeed. Why is it that you ask my lord?" My brows furrowed. I hadn't done anything wrong I hoped.
"Then you have indeed heard the rumours that prince Legolas is to arrive soon?" He asked suddenly. I looked at him confused. I was sure that he would know if the rumours were true or not.
"Yes my lord, but why do you ask?"
"I saw earlier that he would arrive, but it was unsettling. He comes bearing grave news it would seem. You are the only one I trust enough to go and see to him at the gates Faelwen." He said, slowly walking over to my side and placing a strong hand on my shoulder. I nodded. My heart racing. The last time we had met, we were young, naïve.
He was a prince and I was a fair young elf, ready to prove my worth as one of Arwen's mighty guards. We were staying in Mirkwood as Arwen travelled the Elven lands for her father. I was one of her guards. Her only friend on the trip.
One day as Arwen was discussing with Galadriel, I took a walk through the trees around the city itself, I took my bow with me, I cannot tell you why now but I got a feeling that I should. I knew there was a patrol and that if I made my self known they would not harm me. I climbed through the trees, leaping from branch to branch, glorifying in the feeling of freedom. I missed the trees so much as I stayed in Rivendell; so much of my time was with Arwen or Lord Elrond that I rarely got a chance to simply be one with nature as I had when I was young.
I had landed on a large oak, which stood taller than most the trees in Mirkwood together. Climbing to the top I noticed a figure below. It was moving fast, and swerving to avoid other figures. It was so graceful, I knew it had to be another elf so slowly as not to be heard I slid down the tree. There at its foot Stood an elf. His long golden hair flowing in the breeze around him as he twisted and curved around five other figures.
Orcs.
I notched an arrow and shot one straight through the heart. The elf paused for a second, his small silver blades gleaming with fresh blood. I shot again this time wedging an arrow into one of the orcs shoulder blades making it scream in agony. It stumbled backwards clutching his shoulder and suddenly the elf sliced, twirling in a blur of green and gold. The Orc never stood a chance. It fell to the ground with a quick thud and the elf soon got its self acquainted with the others. He sliced and slashed at them as I shot my arrows.
In no time they were down. The elf looked up and my breathing stopped. For below me was no other than the prince of Mirkwood. Prince Legolas. He squinted into the trees, searching for his timely aid. I dare not move for he might see me. His piercing blue eyes caught mine and my breathing hitched. I knew I had been caught. I knew he could see my now. But all thought stopped when I saw what crept up behind him. An Orc stood, my arrow embedded into his shoulder, behind him. His rotten teeth turned up into a menacing snarl and I shot. My arrow narrowly missing The princes perfect face and lodged itself in the Orcs skull.
The prince jumped, hissing as he span around, fear clutching at his heart. The Orc fell backwards and My heart slowed down in pace. The sound of hooves sliced through the still air, startling me until I almost fell from my perch. Legolas, still gazed up at me and smiled knowingly too himself. Soon around three guards arrived, red faced and panting.
"Your highness, are you alright?" one asked urgently. The young prince merely nodded.
"Faelwen, did you not hear? I need you to keep the young Halflings out of the secret council in a few days' time." Elrond said, gazing down at me sternly. I couldn't help but blush at the intensity of his gaze.
"I will try my best my lord"
"Thank you ni'n hin. Namárië. (my child, farwell)" He kissed my forehead and escorted me out. I tried to steady my breath but all that happened was a shaky laugh.
Try and keep those three Halflings out? He may as well have asked me to heal Frodo myself. This was going to be impossible.
Soon the day drew on and more council members began to draw in. I was sent to see to a dwarf named Gimli, a small man with a thick heavy beard braided and twisted. He cussed and cursed upon seeing me, an elf, but let me see him to his room none the less. Soon he was roaming Rivendell, commenting to passers-by on how his home, under the mountains was far more to his tastes than the vast trees and fresh air. Elves were not meant to readily like a dwarf, but Upon meeting Gimli, I could not help myself. He was just so entertaining to watch. How he talked about his home, almost star eyed. I could not blame him. I missed the endless trees and rivers as much as he missed his precious rock.
As day drew into night and I was once again sitting in he dining hall, entertaining the small Hobbits I was summoned to the gates once more. This time I knew who it would be.
He rode smoothly on his dark grey horse, a light green cloak wrapped tightly around him in an attempt to keep the chilling nights air at bay. Close behind him were three guards. All with similar hair to the first. A light blonde hue which was long, well past their shoulders.
The first Elf leapt off his horse, a young elf running up to him and taking the reins from his hands leading the horse to the stables nearby. The other followed suit.
The guards looked at me, leering almost and I shivered. I had always hated being under prying eyes. Preferring solitude to numbers. They were all handsome, but what elf wasn't. We were all superior in beauty. Our grace bowing to no one.
But none were as handsome as him. His light pale skin glowing softly against the now raising moonlight. His dark blue eyes full of wisdom, power and kindness. His thin lips were turned up into a soft smile and he bowed slightly to me.
I could feel the heat rising up on my face and I curtsied as low as I could. Lifting the edges of my pale blue dress up as I did.
"Your highness, I have been asked by Lord Elrond himself to escort you to your room, if you will permit me too" I all but whispered in my embarrassment to him. He shook his head frowning.
"No, I need to see Elrond urgently. If you could escort me to his room and then my men to theirs I would be most grateful…"
"Faelwen, my name is Faelwen your highness." I said under thick lashes. He nodded smiling slightly.
"Mae govannen, Faelwen (well met)" He said as I lead him and his three men through the halls.
It was quiet as we walked, only the guardsmen ever spoke. And was usually, of my capabilities. Price Legolas gave them all a reprimanding look each and silenced them for the time being as we walked.
It was going to be a long few days.