Chapter One: Rude Awakenings
In Caras Galadhon in Lothlorien it was a beautiful morning as usual. Elves were busy with the last minute preparations of King Amroths trip to Mirkwood. But the King was far from his usual calm self. He paced his throne room grumbling to his mother the Lady Galadriel. 'She was supposed to return two days ago. This is not the first time she has done this either. She may be a captain but she must realise I am King and her father.' He raged. Galadriel sat serenely on her son's throne watching him wear a path into the talan floor.
'My son', she soothed, 'Your daughter is more like you than you know and she protects our borders. If her coming is late then you should feel worry instead of anger.' Galadriel frowned, it was true that Amarie disobeyed her father but it was never as serious as this. Amroth stopped his pacing and turned to face his mother. Looking upon him she saw herself and her beloved husband in his face. Amroth had his mother's features and his father's eyes. He had long golden hair that was adorned with a circlet of silver. He was dressed regally in colours of silver and purple. In his eyes Galadriel saw fear.
'I am worried. She is constantly telling me of the orcs growing confidence.' He replied with a sigh. A footman appeared at the arch of the throne room and bowed. Amroth sighed again and went to his mother and kissed her.
'Do not let you anger get the better of you when you see her.' She called as he left.
On the western borders of Lothlorien Amarie sat in a high flet, her eyes open but unseeing. She was asleep for the first time in four days. It is true that elves do not sleep every night like humans but even after four days they can tire. Like all elves Amarie was walking in a memory instead of dreaming. In her memory she was meeting her grandmother for the first time. She remembered the way she smelled when she took Amarie into her warm embrace and her laughter that sounded like birds singing. But the memory was interrupted by someone prodding her awake. As her eyes came into focus she saw Dorlas, her second in command. 'Your father approaches.' He said. Amarie cursed to herself. She was supposed to return two days ago to make ready for her trip to Mirkwood. Getting to her feet she picked up her bow, empty quiver and sword.
'Amarie!' she suddenly heard from below. 'Amarie come down this instant!' her father's voice boomed.
'He will wake the whole forest.' Dorlas said peering over the side. He looked sympathetically at Amarie. 'Enjoy you trip.' Amarie frowned at him as she descended the tree to meet her angry father.
Amroth huffed impatiently as his daughter descended the ladder. Just as she reached the bottom he began his rant. 'You were supposed to return two days ago Amarie. Two days!' But as she turned he could she that her tunic was covered in black blood and she stank of orcs. 'Did you bathe in orc blood?' He quipped. Amarie smiled as she mounted her horse, Nahar.
'Forgive me father.' She said through her gritted smile. Amarie nudged her horse and moved out from under the eaves of the forest. Her father and his scout followed after her.
Travelling with the King where ten of his finest archers, picked for the trip by the King himself, and a chaperone for his daughter. The chaperone was none other than Amaries best friend Haldir.
Haldir urged his horse to meet Nahars speed. 'You smell foul.' He noted as he drew level with Amarie. She didn't even look at him. She was annoyed. 'Was it that bad?'
'Yes Haldir it was. Over two hundred orcs marched on Lothlorien in the past three nights, not that you would have noticed thanks to my men. We nearly lost Maeglos. He only finished training a week ago.' Amarie snapped.
'I'm sorry. I didn't know. You should have sent for reinforcements.'
'We were more than capable to deal with it,' Amarie snapped, her fair face contorted in anger. She glared at Haldir then her face relaxed. 'Forgive me. I don't like it though. The orcs seem to be growing in strength and I don't want to risk my men but I can't risk the peace of Lothlorien. It is our duty to keep the borders safe.'
'And you do it well. The orcs may swell but we will defeat them every time the trespass on our home.' Amarie smiled and nodded. Haldir continued to watch her as her eyes misted over and she lapsed into sleep.
They had been friends ever since they were young and were inseparable. Many in the royal court thought that they would marry but Amarie and Haldir saw each other as brother and sister.