Prologue / Newest Version/Proofread by Alicia457
"Eli, are you listening to me?" A weak voice whispered heavily. "Eli, my child?"
"Yes, nana." The elf boy who was called Eli answered with tears in his eyes. "Please tell me that you are not passing away." He kneeled beside the bed, holding the elf maid's hand and sobbed.
"Eli, pack all your belongings immediately." Eli's mother uttered those choppy words with very short breath. "You must leave now. I've already requested Lord Elrond for taking care of you. He's the only hope of saving your sister. Leave the woods and ride to Rivendell, my son. Take your bow and take your sword. Don't look back, ride straight. Do you understand, Eli?"
"Nana...Don't leave me behind... Don't leave Lilith... I don't want you to go... " Eli cried out loud.
"It's no use." Eli's mother struggled a smile. "I can already see the white shores. Eli, my son. I'm just sailing away, which you will also do eventually. I shall bid you farewell now, but remember who killed your parents and cursed your sister. Always strive for the righteous side. You shall never fall into the dark powers. You shall battle it till the very end of your days. Remember Eli, ride straight and don't look back." As Eli's mother said her very last words, the light in her eye darkened and disappeared.
"No! No, NANA!" Eli shouted. His tears fell like a rainstorm. But slowly he picked up his bow and ran to tell another elf to tide his mother's remains. His steps were heavy. He could not control the huge sorrow that lied in his heart. But he also couldn't reveal it. He never could. As a brother with huge responsibilities, Eli must accept his duty and take his sister to Rivendell.
"Go on, Delia! Good girl, make haste!" Eli rode on his horse Delia with his sister Lilith, who lost her consciousness in front of him. He often observed Lilith's face to see if she was okay while riding. But this didn't affect their travel process at all – Eli was taught to ride, to shoot and to wield a sword since the very day he was 6, and now he was excellent at it.
Days and nights passed like if they were arrows to the target. Eli entered the borders of Rivendell.
"The Valley of Imladris... That's quite a sight I've never seen before." He said to himself while he admired the brilliant scenery of Rivendell. He continued to ride until he reached the Entry Bridge. He swiftly came down from the horse, brought Lilith with him, and walked directly to the chamber of healing.
"Two elf children, one is conscious and another not. I was informed that you would come." Lindir said carefully as he scanned over them with his eyes.
"My name is Eli and this is my sister Lilith. Please, we need help from Lord Elrond. My sister is in grave danger." Eli begged, helplessly.
"Come with me then." Lindir said.
"According to Tethair's letter you two should be Ril and Evy." Lilith was lying on a bed unconsciously as Elrond looked at the paper and uttered their names in elvish. "I was entreated to heal Evy and take care of you." He finished up with a glance upon Eli.
"I'm also called Eli in common tongue and my sister is called Lilith." Eli explained. "Please help us, Lord Elrond. We traveled a great distance to Rivendell and seek for a stable life. My mother said that you are the only hope of saving my sister."
"Indeed." Elrond replied quickly. "Your sister's wound will heal eventually, but some part of it is beyond my ability of healing. I heard of your father Caladar. He is a true elvish warrior." He ended somewhat giving compliments.
But Eli seemed not to be focusing on that. "Which part is beyond your ability?" He asked.
"Your sister is cursed. I have heard of the tale." Elrond sighed. "I can do nothing to break it."
"What curse?" Eli asked urgently.
"When your father slew the leader of the orc pack in that massive attack at the north of Mirkwood, he accidentally stepped on one small piece of black crystal in that orc filth's pocket. Thus he released a dark spell that was brought from Dol Guldor which curses the youngest descendent of the spell-releaser. Your sister will be trapped in the war and forced to kill for all her life. And when she touches others with her bare hand, that area of skin will burn and leave an ugly fiery mark. " Elrond said with a pitch of pity.
"How could..." Eli cried. The life was crashing him down to pieces. He is only a young elf. He could not bear so many things at once. "What have I ever done!" He smashed his bow onto the ground.
"I believe that the gloves will help." Lindir walked towards Eli and tried to pacify him – This elf boy, innocent and purer than anybody he ever met, has surely touched the deepest part of his heart and sympathy. "Isn't it, my Lord Elrond?"
Elrond nodded, then squatted till Eli can see him clear enough. He wiped out the tears on the boy's face and whispered: "Don't be afraid, don't panic, my dear Ril. Henceforth you and your sister shall live in my protection. I had already foreseen that you two will be involved in a great war. Don't worry to much about your life and your sadness. It will pass. You are safe now, safe here in Rivendell."
Eli nodded with a bit of ignorance and finally smiled.