Aredhel comes to the borders of Nan Elmoth.
It was a windy day in Beleriand, with sprinkles of rain. As the wind whipped her black hair about her face, Aredhel looked around her with a smile. Just the right weather for adventure, brisk and exciting. She was now several days out from Celegorm's and Curufin's home in the Pass of Aglon, on the northern shore of the River Celon.
Feeling the pangs of hunger, she decided to take a break and eat some dried fruit and bread. Taking the saddle off her horse, she let her roam free in the grass. But while she ate, sitting on a large grey rock, the forest on the opposite side of the bank kept drawing her eye. It looked like a great place to explore. Perhaps no one lived there. Maybe she could even claim it for Celegorm… or maybe… a wild idea entered her head. Even for herself? What was the forest called again? She had heard mentions of it before… Nan Elmoth, that was it. She could rule it, at last have something more of than the wild, fresh, invigorating wind she had tasted in Feanaro's passionate speeches back in Tirion. Gondolin was not enough, it was too sweet, just as Tirion had been. Riding in the forests was close, very close, but not quite there. She did not exactly own these lands, but Nan Elmoth was free, free for the taking from all that she had heard. If some insignificant Sindar or Laiquendi lived there, so what? She would be able to take care of them. Aredhel could not imagine Turgon approving, but that only added fuel to the fire that burnt in her.
Taking over Nan Elmoth and ruling it was rather impossible at the moment, though. Checking her supplies, she realized that she only had food for two more days, four if rationed carefully. Water would be no problem, as she noted the stream flowing from the forest and into the Celon. Exploring was a different matter, though. Aredhel was fairly good at navigating by the stars by now, though not as good as Celegorm, and she figured that she would be able to explore Nan Elmoth easily. She would explore for a day, then ride back to Celegorm's home, which would take another day or two. Easy. What could possibly go wrong?
Aredhel finished eating and packed up. She summoned her horse and mounted. Together they splashed across the shallow river and came up upon the bank. The trees began a few meters away from the river, becoming what seemed to be a close, forbidding thicket.
Aredhel suddenly hesitated. Was this really a good idea? It would take a longer time to get back to Celegorm, and even longer to Gondolin… no, she would not think about that. Turgon would in all probability not be pleased.
No visible entrance immediately presented itself to her eye, but after some searching Aredhel finally came upon a small path leading in, just wide enough for her horse.
Taking a deep breath, she plunged in.
See, proof I am not (yet) dead! As for my current story, "The Cry of the Seagull", I can make no promises, but I am working on the next chapter, so you will get it eventually. :)
This was written very quickly, in about half an hour, with little editing, so blame lack of quality on... me, as usual. ;P
And shall I continue, or leave this as is? Review please!
Somehow while writing this Aredhel displayed all of this yearning for power and her own land. I don't really think it's OOC, but if you think so and have legitimate reasons, please tell me via the review box!