Imperfect Stars
Chapter I_ What One Can See
I_ Dreamer's Lie
Rain poured outside of the gates that surrounded the kingdom of Thranduil, her Grandfather. She sat by a window and watched the rain soak everything. She was relatively young, only fifty, but she thought about the deeper meaning of rain than most her age. She looked over her shoulder when she heard someone climbing the stairwell behind her.
"Amaiel," he said her name with endearment. "What do you think you are doing out of bed at this late hour?" Legolas asked her.
"I couldn't sleep," the Elleth answered. He motioned for her to come to him. Amaiel obeyed and rose to her feet and went to her father.
Legolas looked his daughter in the eyes. One of her eyes was bright and the shade of blue that would be of the ocean bathed in pure sunshine. The other eye was deep and the shade of an emerald. Her hair was a long river of whitish blonde. Her skin was pure as porcelain.
"Did you have bad dreams again?" Legolas asked as he brushed a loose strand of his daughter's hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear.
"No," Amaiel shook her head.
"Amaiel, what have your Grandfather and I told you about lying?"
Amaiel was quiet for a second. "I'm sorry, ada. I just didn't want to worry you."
"Amaiel..."
"Yes, I did have a bad dream," Amaiel told Legolas as they walked down the stairs. "But just one, it's always the same one. Is that normal, ada?" The child asked as she held her father's hand.
"I don't know," Legolas answered. He smiled softly when Amaiel yawned. She looked at Legolas. "You should go back to bed," Legolas told her.
He went with the sleepy Elleth to her elaborate decorated room to make sure she actually got into bed. He kissed Amaiel's cheek. "I love you little one." He whispered.
"I love you too, ada," Amaiel said.
II_ An Ill Omen
Legolas hated that Amaiel had to be without a mother. Tauriel was a strong warrior but not strong enough to survive giving birth to their child. Legolas adored Amaiel. He never once blamed or even thought about blaming Amaiel for Tauriel's death.
If Tauriel had lived she would treasure Amaiel as much as Legolas did. Legolas had made a vow to Tauriel, the last moment he got to hold her, that he would never take another wife. He loved no other woman but her even if that meant that Amaiel would be left to live without knowing a mother's love. It was selfish of Legolas to do such a thing, but a vow was a vow and he couldn't go back on his word to his late wife.
"Ada," Amaiel came up to him in the gardens one morning.
"What is it iell nín?" Legolas looked at her.
"Grandfather has requested your presence at once. We have a visitor," Amaiel told him.
"Very well," Legolas stood from the stone bench where he sat and took Amaiel's hand as she reached it out to him.
oOo
They went before the throne of Thranduil and bowed to him before taking their places at his right hand. Amaiel's eyes widened with awe when a traveler, a wizard by the name of Gandalf, came before them.
"Lord Thranduil," Gandalf bowed to the Elvenking. "Thank you for seeing me," He stood erect.
"Why have you come Mithrandir?" Thranduil asked.
Amaiel saw Gandalf look her in the eye and Amaiel shuddered slightly. She childishly hid behind her father and then all of a sudden a huge painful throbbing consumed Amaiel's head. She started to see visions of a golden ring, a young Hobbit, and of a huge fiery eye. She also saw her father fighting in a war against a great army of Orcs. She screamed in fear as well as pain and collapsed to her knees crying.
"Amaiel!" Legolas dropped down beside her in an instant as Thranduil stood up from his throne and Gandalf came forward.
"What's the matter?" Thranduil placed a gentle hand on her shoulder as he too kneeled beside the Elleth.
"He wants father to help him and a Halfling get rid of the one ring," Amaiel said trembling.
The Elves looked at Gandalf. "What is she talking about?" Legolas asked.
"I believe that it would be best not to answer that in front of the girl," Gandalf held onto his staff.
"I already know the answer!" Amaiel stated angrily, "You're going to get my father killed!" She broke down into tears again as Legolas pulled her into his embrace as he shushed her softly.
"Shh-Shh," Legolas petted her head.
"Ah, I see now," Gandalf said somewhat to himself.
"I as well," Thranduil stood.
"See what, Grandfather," Amaiel asked through her tears. Legolas looked at his Father.
"The child is an Oracle," Gandalf stated.
"Mithrandir..." Thranduil started.
"I'm a what?" Amaiel wiped her eyes dry.
"That's nonsense," Legolas stood up with Amaiel clinging to him. "Oracles are a myth."
"Then how do you explain how the child knows why I am here without me saying a word about it?" Gandalf asked. Legolas didn't answer, he looked at Amaiel. Amaiel was slightly shaking against Legolas.
"He has a good point, Legolas," Thranduil looked at his son.
"Adar..." Legolas started then stopped. "But how is an Oracle possible?" Legolas asked to no one in particular.
To Be Continued...
Italics = Elvish
Elleth = Elf maiden
Adar = Father
ada = daddy
iell nin = my daughter