Chapter 1

The air was bright and warm as Elyzabêth strolled along the balcony.

Elyzabêth Habadeth Telcontar, daughter of Elessar (Aragorn) son of Arathorn was yet awaiting the return of her mother, Arwen, daughter of Elrond, son of Eärendil. Elyzabêth had only inherited her mother's eyes and stubbornness, but had inherited her fathers; looks, talents and wisdom. She still had a fair face, fairer than most, but her beauty lay in her skills. She could yield a bow well, but she fought best with a blade.

Her father's blade.

Isildur's blade.

She sighed and silently cursed her mother's being late. Long had Arwen been in the land of her mother's kin, in Lórien beyond the mountains and was but to have returned moments ago.

At least, that was what she had told Elyzabêth, who was now making her way through the palace to find her father.

She found him in the weaponry and was (as always), studying Isildur's sword.

"Father," Elyzabêth began, but she was rather abruptly cut off by the sound of a bugle, announcing an arrival. She let out a small gasp and bobbed a brief curtsy to her father before rushing out of the weaponry.

She raced across the courtyard, just in time to see a small assembly of bay horses trot through the entrance gate.

Astride a grey of pure white was none other than Arwen herself, Undómiel, the Evenstar of her people.

She dismounted swiftly and one of her elvin guards led her horse away.

"Mother," Elyzabêth said and she curtsied before continuing.

"I trust you are well?"

"Yes my child."

"How was your journey?"

"Long and tiresome, but my mother's hospitality was as exceptional as always. You should have accompanied me."

"My place is here mother," She said, "You know that."

Arwen sighed and brushed a stray strand of hair from her daughter's hair.

"Yes, my dear one, I know."

They then made their way back across the courtyard to where Elessar now stood.

"You have returned, my queen," He said, kneeling and kissing her hand, "A place be set to hold a great feast! As honour of your arrival."

"Thank you my love," Arwen replied and Elessar stood.

"Come now, you must eat and drink and rest, my Lady."

Then all three of them made their way to the banquet hall where man and elf sat together and the day was lost to the sound of merrymaking. It was not until late evening did Arwen speak to her daughter once more.

"On my journey back, I passed through the house of my father, of Lord Elrond. He has offered an invitation that you and you alone go to visit him in the last homely house. I can promise you myself that you won't be disappointed by his company. It is time you left Gondor and found peace elsewhere."

"When does he wish me there by?" Elyzabêth asked.

"You are to set off tomorrow with a set of elvish guards to accompany you. You shall not travel alone."

"Of course. It shall be a pleasure to see my grandfather once more. I trust he is well?"

"As always, Elrond is at peace in Rivendell."

"It is good news to bear mother, thank you." She curtsied once more and headed off to her quarters.

There she lay on her bed and thought about the journey ahead and why Lord Elrond would summon her to Rivendell. It puzzled her greatly and she longed for the answer so much, she decided she must travel there to find out.

It was only after she'd thought it through did she lie down and drift off to sleep, the sounds of merrymaking still rung clearly in her ears.