Chapter 1
Author: Arwen
For several days past, Araréiel's father had been speaking of strange goings-on to the west and south, but that did not bother her now. The sky was clear, birds singing, warm breezes, and she was in the company of her best friends. Besides, those older than she were always talking about something happening. She assumed that by now they were simply trying to scare the younger Elves. They must lead boring lives to do so.
A small group of young Elves had congregated under the trees at the edge of a clearing. "I can hit the target from further away!" "We ladies are much better at archery!" A friendly competition with bows had started, ladies against the gents. Two Elves behind her began to speak in hushed tones.
"Did you hear about the concerns among the Elders?" A male voice came from behind.
"No! Tell me," a feminine voice chimed.
"Smoke has been billowing in places it shouldn't be. Something strange is afoot. Counsels are being called all over Middle Earth. Men and Elves are gathering for some sort of mission."
A third voice, a lady, broke in. "Oh, don't let him bother you. Nothing is going on. He's-" The voice broke into a stifled giggle, and it's owner poked Araréiel in her shoulder. "Don't look now, but he's coming this way, and doesn't look happy!"
"Who?" But she saw. Their leader's young son, Legolas, came walking briskly through the tournament, a worried and determined look on his face. Normally he had a kind, teasing word for her, but not today. Something was amiss. Other maidens around her smiled and blushed as he past, the lads encouraging him to take a shot and help even the score. But he looked neither left nor right, and said not a word as he walked through the gathering.
Araréiel knew him well, and could easily see something was deeply bothering him. Why did the others fail to notice he was not happy? She glanced back toward the clearing and saw smoke in the distance toward the land of Sauron.
"Go!" The young Elf who had poked her pointed after the young Elf. She knew the two had eyes for each other.
She jumped up and ran after him. If he would not tell her what was going on, then her father would. Maybe the time had come to take the concerned words of her Elders, those who knew better than she, seriously.
Author: Arwen
For several days past, Araréiel's father had been speaking of strange goings-on to the west and south, but that did not bother her now. The sky was clear, birds singing, warm breezes, and she was in the company of her best friends. Besides, those older than she were always talking about something happening. She assumed that by now they were simply trying to scare the younger Elves. They must lead boring lives to do so.
A small group of young Elves had congregated under the trees at the edge of a clearing. "I can hit the target from further away!" "We ladies are much better at archery!" A friendly competition with bows had started, ladies against the gents. Two Elves behind her began to speak in hushed tones.
"Did you hear about the concerns among the Elders?" A male voice came from behind.
"No! Tell me," a feminine voice chimed.
"Smoke has been billowing in places it shouldn't be. Something strange is afoot. Counsels are being called all over Middle Earth. Men and Elves are gathering for some sort of mission."
A third voice, a lady, broke in. "Oh, don't let him bother you. Nothing is going on. He's-" The voice broke into a stifled giggle, and it's owner poked Araréiel in her shoulder. "Don't look now, but he's coming this way, and doesn't look happy!"
"Who?" But she saw. Their leader's young son, Legolas, came walking briskly through the tournament, a worried and determined look on his face. Normally he had a kind, teasing word for her, but not today. Something was amiss. Other maidens around her smiled and blushed as he past, the lads encouraging him to take a shot and help even the score. But he looked neither left nor right, and said not a word as he walked through the gathering.
Araréiel knew him well, and could easily see something was deeply bothering him. Why did the others fail to notice he was not happy? She glanced back toward the clearing and saw smoke in the distance toward the land of Sauron.
"Go!" The young Elf who had poked her pointed after the young Elf. She knew the two had eyes for each other.
She jumped up and ran after him. If he would not tell her what was going on, then her father would. Maybe the time had come to take the concerned words of her Elders, those who knew better than she, seriously.