Faithful
By: jadoredancingintherain
Disclaimer: I do not own any of J.R.R Tolkien's works. Nor will I ever claim to.
Author's Note: Hey! It's jadoredancingintherain. I just watched the Two Towers (again) and I was kind of inspired, I guess, this plot has been mulling around in my brain for quite some time. No, I have not read the books, this will be based mostly on the movie. Sorry!!! The next paycheck I get, I am going straight to the bookstore and purchasing myself a copy of The Lord of the Rings. Alrighty? I hope you like it!! I have all the chapters planned out, there is a plot, I promise!! Heheheh. Okay, well, enjoy! Please review! Flames are just mean ;( -jadoredancingintherain
Prologue – Home Again
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The frail-looking elf-maiden grunted with the effort of picking up the large, metal basin filled with water from the stream. She blew her platinum-blonde locks out of her bright blue eyes and readjusted the basin against her waist. Doing so, she clumsily spilt some on herself. The elf-maiden groaned as the cold water seeped into her clothes, and she hurried down the worn path towards Rivendell. She smiled as a few elf-maidens passed her. Feeling a shiver down her spine as the cold cloth touched her skin, the elf-maiden quickly opened the door and set the basin on the table.
"Thank you, Mallwen" a kindly voice called from the bed. Mallwen, our elf-maiden, curtseyed to her mistress. Mallwen quickly grabbed a pitcher form the side of the room and filled it with water from the basin. She scurried outside and poured the water on the flowerbeds outside her mistress's room. Mallwen touched the flowers briefly, smiling as she imagined the flowers drawing in the nutrients and water from the soil. She recollected herself and pulled her away from her thoughts. She still had a lot of work to do.
As she ran down the pathway, she undid her hair from its ponytail and let her waist-length hair blow in the breeze as she rushed to her room. There, her roommate, Sindenis, was waiting for her with a brush and ties. Quickly, Mallwen ran her fingers through Sindenis's hair, expertly weaving into an intricate pattern of braids. Then, she turned and waited patiently for Sindenis to do her hair. Giggling, the two girls changed from their plain frocks to slightly more elaborate dresses, tying sashes around their slender waists and slipping on silken shoes. They practiced curtseying to each other, and shaking with silent laughter, ran down to the dining hall, grasping onto each other's hands.
The stiff head of waiters frowned at them over his glasses as they dropped another curtsey to him. "Sindenis, you will wait on Elladon this evening" Sindenis gave Mallwen an excited glance as she daintily walked over to wait on the handsome elf-prince.
The waiter's long finger traced over his parchment. "Mallwen…wait on Arwen for now" Mallwen felt her hands clam up with fear. Nervously, she approached the elven beauty and curtseyed gracefully. Arwen smiled at her, and continued her discussion with the elf-lady next to her. Mallwen stepped back, and drifted away into her own thoughts.
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Mallwen Fefalas was a serving-maiden of Imaldris. Originally from Lothlorien, she had been sent to Rivendell by her father. Good-natured, but with a feisty attitude. Mallwen was no different from her fellow sisters and brothers. Nothing unique set her apart. She was just an ordinary elf-maiden, far from her home, surrounded by so many people, yet so alone.
Mallwen lay on her bed, on top of cold sheets, contemplative of her future. Her father had sent her away for an indefinite period of time; perhaps he would send for her soon? As much as she loved Rivendell and its people, she longed for her home, the woods of Lothlorien. Homesickness had driven her to lose weight, smile less, and caused her eyes to lose their luster. She often walked around in a daze, and rarely ever discussed her own feelings. How could she, when her feelings were so ungrateful? Lord Elrond did not have to take her in. They should have kicked her out after her first blunder, when she had spilled water all over her mistress's paintings. Instead, they had patiently taught her how to carry the water so it wasn't so burdensome.
Mallwen turned onto her side, gripping her pillow tightly and staring into the darkness. From her left, she heard the soft breathing of Sindenis, deep in sleep. She sighed and brushed away a tear from her face. She curled up into a tight ball and willed herself to sleep.
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"Mallwen, Elrond calls for thee" Sindenis's voice could not conceal the worry in her eyes. Mallwen smiled at her friend and wished she could say something to comfort her friend, but she found no words. For she had asked Elrond for a meeting, to discuss returning home. She touched her friend's cheek briefly; then, fearing that she would make a scene, Mallwen gathered up her skirts and trudged down to Elrond's hall.
"My lord?" Mallwen quietly peeked through the oaken door. "Sindenis says you called for me"
Elrond put away his parchment, and the serious line on his brow disappeared as his face warmed into a smile. "Mallwen. Sit, please, dear elleth" Mallwen obeyed, and perched herself on the edge of a long, red satin couch. Mallwen kept her eyes fixated on her nails, as her stomach tightened with nervousness.
"Mallwen" Elrond's kind voice tempted Mallwen into raising her head and meeting his eyes. But, fearing she would cry if she did, Mallwen kept her head bent. "Mallwen" Elrond's voice, now firm, seemed to force Mallwen's head up and meet his dark eyes.
"A reliable source has told me you no longer wish to serve here" Mallwen's eyes instantly fell from his gaze. She felt her lower lip tremble as she slowly nodded her head in agreement. "Well, Mallwen, it sorrows me greatly" Elrond stood from his chair and stared out the window. After a long and almost unbearable silence, Elrond spoke once more. "Well, so it shall be"
"My lord?" Mallwen's voice quivered with hope and surprise.
"Pack tonight. You shall set out for Lorien on the morrow" Elrond quickly sat down and picked up his parchment again.
"Th-thank you, my lord" Mallwen quickly dipped into a curtsey and rushed out of the hall back to her room to pack.
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