1 Chapter 1: The Mysterious Message
As she gazed about her, with the moonlight shinning in her inquisitive eyes, Elawen could see nothing but the highlight of fur trees climbing high up the sides of the Misty Mountains. She was perched on the branch of an elm tree. This was where Elawen was assigned to go every night, being one of the head guards of Rivendel, and the best archer for many leagues. Nothing much happened in these darkened hours, accept maybe the odd wolf, that had gone astray from its pack, in the winding paths at the mountains feet. Elawen longed for adventure, and the silent life of a city guard was far to calm, although it was better than her normal life of strolling around the house of Elrond all day long, and being greeted by guests and maids of the house. She was the forth child and second daughter of the Lord Elrond.
Women were forbidden to take part in any battles, or even the simple job of a city guard, so Elawen adopted the name Eluthas, and hid her identity with a long elven cloak which covered up her face showing no trace of Elawen. From when she had become a city guard, a couple of years ago, Elawen had always explained her absence by telling the people of the house, that she had gone to visit the local elves in Rivendel. Normally saying that she was just visiting her friends or relatives. Fortunately, the times when she was on watch were at night, so nobody had noticed that she had gone.
She would, have tried to become a member of Rivendels scouts or messengers, and be sent to the far borders of middle Earth. There she would see sites she had always dreamed of seeing, as she had never been far out of Rivendel. But as she was the daughter of the Lord of the house her absence would soon be wondered at. Elawen's elder brothers and sister, being much older than herself, were always sent out on errands for her father, but Elawen, being the youngest was always left at home, for she was the one who brought joy and beauty to the elves of Rivendel. Although nobody seemed to know how sad and lonely she was, having been trapped in the borders of Rivendel for most of her life.
"Eluthas", a voice whispered from below her, "It is almost three hours past the stroke of midnight". Elawen peered down, and could see the tall figure of the head guard, and captain, Galindor. She pulled her hood over her face, checking that all of her femininity was hidden before she climbed down from her perch on the elm tree, were she meet Galindor leaning against the tree's trunk. "I thought that you would never relieve me of my watch," Elawen whispered in return, "it seems to last for eternity when you're just staring into the dark world ahead, and nothing ever moves."
"I understand how you feel, but Lord Elrond has commanded me to keep an eye open around Rivendel at all hours, for there are dark times coming, and there is no telling what fowl creatures could be lurking on the mountain sides and woodland around us." There was a short pause. As Elawen looked about her, she sighed at the thought of dark times, for she too could sense them, but there was also a feeling of great joy as though something was going to happen that would change her life. Elawen dwelt on these thoughts of a while, until she was bought back to reality by the sound of her captain. "You had better go and get some rest. I will take you're post for the rest of tonight"
Elawen walked back to her room, which overlooked the silent waterfall at the side of the house. She unclipped the broach that was holding her cloak on her shoulders, and took off her light walking shoes. A gown of pure white and pale blue replaced her long-sleeved, emdroided vest, and she slipped on her silver slippers as she walked onto her balcony. Elawen stood, untying her braided her and brushing it through with her fingers. The cool nigh breeze flowed through her hair as it glistened in the starlight. She took one last look at the full moon before going to bed.
After having a couple of hour's sleep, Elawen woke at the first ray of light. She climbed out of her bed and pulled the sides of her hair into a plait. It was at this point that Elawen could hear the light sound of hoofs coming towards Rivendel. Her elven ears following this sound as it entered the guard gates and onto the stone slabbed path. Elawen was now on her balcony, and she could see the rider dismounting his horse. She knew straight away that he was an elf from Mirkwood, as he was speaking to one of the guards in Sindarin. Sindarin was the form of elvish used in the house of Thranduil, King of Mirkwood and many elves that dwelt near there. Rivendel also spoke this language, and Elawen could hear a lot of what was said.
"Great messenger of Thranduil, what brings you, to Rivendel?" The guard asked with curiosity. "I wish to speak with Lord Elrond, my business is my own," The guard looked at the elf in surprise at his comment, but lead him in through to the entrance of the house where he would meet Elrond. Elawen rushed down the corridor from her room, and then down towards a staircase. Still dressed in her night-gown and slippers, she tiptoed down the staircase and peered into the lounge before her. Elrond was sitting on a chair in front of a fireplace, staring straight ahead in deep thought. He looked noble, with his long dark hair hanging at his shoulders and a mantle made from pure gold was placed over his head, which hung about his forehead. A cloak made from dark brown silks was placed, hung over his shoulders by a golden, woven necklace. His dark eyes looked worried and sharp, until a voice call, "Lord Elrond", and his eyes softened. "My Lord, a messenger from Thranduils court wishes to speak with you". At this the guard walked out into the courtyard and back to his position at the gates.
" So my dear elf", Elrond's melodic voice rang out, "What did you wish to tell me? There are many leagues between Mirkwood and Rivendel, you're message must be of great importance." Elawen did not understand why she had followed this messenger, for she had never before been interested by her fathers business. But this time she knew it was something, something that would change her life. That was it. That was the same feeling she had had that night, this is why she had been so curious to find out about this message. Elawen strained her ears to try and hear what they were saying, but Elrond had taken the elf to the far end of the lounge to speak with him in private. There was no way now of being able to hear their conversation without being noticed, so she waited at the bottom step of the staircase until they had finished.
The conversation had finished quickly, for what reason she did not know, for the elf seemed to be reluctant to stay and talk for long. Once Elrond had sat down in deep thought again, Elawen walked over and sat next to him. "Father, excuse me for being curious, but I was wondering what that messenger from Mirkwood was telling you." Elrond looked at her and smiled, "Don't you start dwelling on things that are beyond your knowledge, my daughter. You shouldn't be worrying about my business; you're too young." Elawen was shocked by her father's comment, what did he mean, beyond her knowledge. She tried to stay relaxed, for her father surely would not tell her about the conversation he had if she reacted angrily.
"I know why it is that you don't want me to find out." Elawen spoke calmly, considering her outraged reaction, then took a beep breath and sighed, "It is because you don't want me to worry and be scared. I know father. I can feel it too, there are bad times coming, very bad times." Elrond turned from her gaze, and was now facing the window that looked onto the great gardens and woodland, as it sank down the hill. "I had hoped that you would not have found out so soon, but I always knew that at sometime you would." Elrond turned to face Elawen again, who had almost completely calmed down now. "You know the creature Gollum," Elawen nodded in agreement. "When that creature was in Mordor, he escaped, and was found and captured by the elves of Mirkwood." Elawen gasped at the thought that a creature that had been in such an evil place was dwelling so close to Rivendel. "Is Gollum sill there, in Mirkwood?" "I hope so, for he had escaped, and the elves are searching day and night for him, and if Suaron has managed to get his hands on Gollum again, there is no telling what he will do." Now it all made sense. That was why the messenger had come to Rivendel.
Elawen was still unsure what that had to do with elves if Rivendel. "Why did he come and tell you this? What do they want?" Elrond answered with the words that would change her life forever, "They need one of our best archers to come and help them, and also, so that our archer can return to us with the news, for all of their messengers are scattered around Mirkwood on important errands". Elawen couldn't help smiling with excitement. If she were picked, being the best archer in Rivendel, she would be able to travel to Mirkwood, a place she had longed to go to ever since she was a young elf. Elawen could not help herself from asking this last question, "How are you thinking of sending?" "Galindor has always informed me of our best and hardworking archers, and every time he always had, Eluthas at the top of the list. I am pretty much sure that I will pick him"
Elawen was over the moon for the rest of that day, cheering everybody up with her laughter and joy. That evening, word got round that Elrond and Galindor wished to speak to Eluthas. Elawen changed straight away into her guard clothes as soon as she found out. She was wearing her dark green leggings, and embroided, silken vest over the top of her lace-up corset. Her long, grey elven cloak hung on her shoulders, with the silver broach holding it in place. Her light walking shoes were laced up, and she was now plaiting up her hair so that it would stay in the back of her hood. Elawen walked outside to her balcony, and stood shining as the sun was setting in the shade of violet. She looked up towards the stars and could see the beloved star of all the elves, Earendil, and all of a sudden a sweet sound filled the air. Elawen was singing the elvish ballad, Elbereth Gilthoniel. Many people believed it to be the true star queen, Elbereth, as the beautiful elvish voice of Elawen echoed throughout the land, for Elawen was the Star Maiden.
As she gazed about her, with the moonlight shinning in her inquisitive eyes, Elawen could see nothing but the highlight of fur trees climbing high up the sides of the Misty Mountains. She was perched on the branch of an elm tree. This was where Elawen was assigned to go every night, being one of the head guards of Rivendel, and the best archer for many leagues. Nothing much happened in these darkened hours, accept maybe the odd wolf, that had gone astray from its pack, in the winding paths at the mountains feet. Elawen longed for adventure, and the silent life of a city guard was far to calm, although it was better than her normal life of strolling around the house of Elrond all day long, and being greeted by guests and maids of the house. She was the forth child and second daughter of the Lord Elrond.
Women were forbidden to take part in any battles, or even the simple job of a city guard, so Elawen adopted the name Eluthas, and hid her identity with a long elven cloak which covered up her face showing no trace of Elawen. From when she had become a city guard, a couple of years ago, Elawen had always explained her absence by telling the people of the house, that she had gone to visit the local elves in Rivendel. Normally saying that she was just visiting her friends or relatives. Fortunately, the times when she was on watch were at night, so nobody had noticed that she had gone.
She would, have tried to become a member of Rivendels scouts or messengers, and be sent to the far borders of middle Earth. There she would see sites she had always dreamed of seeing, as she had never been far out of Rivendel. But as she was the daughter of the Lord of the house her absence would soon be wondered at. Elawen's elder brothers and sister, being much older than herself, were always sent out on errands for her father, but Elawen, being the youngest was always left at home, for she was the one who brought joy and beauty to the elves of Rivendel. Although nobody seemed to know how sad and lonely she was, having been trapped in the borders of Rivendel for most of her life.
"Eluthas", a voice whispered from below her, "It is almost three hours past the stroke of midnight". Elawen peered down, and could see the tall figure of the head guard, and captain, Galindor. She pulled her hood over her face, checking that all of her femininity was hidden before she climbed down from her perch on the elm tree, were she meet Galindor leaning against the tree's trunk. "I thought that you would never relieve me of my watch," Elawen whispered in return, "it seems to last for eternity when you're just staring into the dark world ahead, and nothing ever moves."
"I understand how you feel, but Lord Elrond has commanded me to keep an eye open around Rivendel at all hours, for there are dark times coming, and there is no telling what fowl creatures could be lurking on the mountain sides and woodland around us." There was a short pause. As Elawen looked about her, she sighed at the thought of dark times, for she too could sense them, but there was also a feeling of great joy as though something was going to happen that would change her life. Elawen dwelt on these thoughts of a while, until she was bought back to reality by the sound of her captain. "You had better go and get some rest. I will take you're post for the rest of tonight"
Elawen walked back to her room, which overlooked the silent waterfall at the side of the house. She unclipped the broach that was holding her cloak on her shoulders, and took off her light walking shoes. A gown of pure white and pale blue replaced her long-sleeved, emdroided vest, and she slipped on her silver slippers as she walked onto her balcony. Elawen stood, untying her braided her and brushing it through with her fingers. The cool nigh breeze flowed through her hair as it glistened in the starlight. She took one last look at the full moon before going to bed.
After having a couple of hour's sleep, Elawen woke at the first ray of light. She climbed out of her bed and pulled the sides of her hair into a plait. It was at this point that Elawen could hear the light sound of hoofs coming towards Rivendel. Her elven ears following this sound as it entered the guard gates and onto the stone slabbed path. Elawen was now on her balcony, and she could see the rider dismounting his horse. She knew straight away that he was an elf from Mirkwood, as he was speaking to one of the guards in Sindarin. Sindarin was the form of elvish used in the house of Thranduil, King of Mirkwood and many elves that dwelt near there. Rivendel also spoke this language, and Elawen could hear a lot of what was said.
"Great messenger of Thranduil, what brings you, to Rivendel?" The guard asked with curiosity. "I wish to speak with Lord Elrond, my business is my own," The guard looked at the elf in surprise at his comment, but lead him in through to the entrance of the house where he would meet Elrond. Elawen rushed down the corridor from her room, and then down towards a staircase. Still dressed in her night-gown and slippers, she tiptoed down the staircase and peered into the lounge before her. Elrond was sitting on a chair in front of a fireplace, staring straight ahead in deep thought. He looked noble, with his long dark hair hanging at his shoulders and a mantle made from pure gold was placed over his head, which hung about his forehead. A cloak made from dark brown silks was placed, hung over his shoulders by a golden, woven necklace. His dark eyes looked worried and sharp, until a voice call, "Lord Elrond", and his eyes softened. "My Lord, a messenger from Thranduils court wishes to speak with you". At this the guard walked out into the courtyard and back to his position at the gates.
" So my dear elf", Elrond's melodic voice rang out, "What did you wish to tell me? There are many leagues between Mirkwood and Rivendel, you're message must be of great importance." Elawen did not understand why she had followed this messenger, for she had never before been interested by her fathers business. But this time she knew it was something, something that would change her life. That was it. That was the same feeling she had had that night, this is why she had been so curious to find out about this message. Elawen strained her ears to try and hear what they were saying, but Elrond had taken the elf to the far end of the lounge to speak with him in private. There was no way now of being able to hear their conversation without being noticed, so she waited at the bottom step of the staircase until they had finished.
The conversation had finished quickly, for what reason she did not know, for the elf seemed to be reluctant to stay and talk for long. Once Elrond had sat down in deep thought again, Elawen walked over and sat next to him. "Father, excuse me for being curious, but I was wondering what that messenger from Mirkwood was telling you." Elrond looked at her and smiled, "Don't you start dwelling on things that are beyond your knowledge, my daughter. You shouldn't be worrying about my business; you're too young." Elawen was shocked by her father's comment, what did he mean, beyond her knowledge. She tried to stay relaxed, for her father surely would not tell her about the conversation he had if she reacted angrily.
"I know why it is that you don't want me to find out." Elawen spoke calmly, considering her outraged reaction, then took a beep breath and sighed, "It is because you don't want me to worry and be scared. I know father. I can feel it too, there are bad times coming, very bad times." Elrond turned from her gaze, and was now facing the window that looked onto the great gardens and woodland, as it sank down the hill. "I had hoped that you would not have found out so soon, but I always knew that at sometime you would." Elrond turned to face Elawen again, who had almost completely calmed down now. "You know the creature Gollum," Elawen nodded in agreement. "When that creature was in Mordor, he escaped, and was found and captured by the elves of Mirkwood." Elawen gasped at the thought that a creature that had been in such an evil place was dwelling so close to Rivendel. "Is Gollum sill there, in Mirkwood?" "I hope so, for he had escaped, and the elves are searching day and night for him, and if Suaron has managed to get his hands on Gollum again, there is no telling what he will do." Now it all made sense. That was why the messenger had come to Rivendel.
Elawen was still unsure what that had to do with elves if Rivendel. "Why did he come and tell you this? What do they want?" Elrond answered with the words that would change her life forever, "They need one of our best archers to come and help them, and also, so that our archer can return to us with the news, for all of their messengers are scattered around Mirkwood on important errands". Elawen couldn't help smiling with excitement. If she were picked, being the best archer in Rivendel, she would be able to travel to Mirkwood, a place she had longed to go to ever since she was a young elf. Elawen could not help herself from asking this last question, "How are you thinking of sending?" "Galindor has always informed me of our best and hardworking archers, and every time he always had, Eluthas at the top of the list. I am pretty much sure that I will pick him"
Elawen was over the moon for the rest of that day, cheering everybody up with her laughter and joy. That evening, word got round that Elrond and Galindor wished to speak to Eluthas. Elawen changed straight away into her guard clothes as soon as she found out. She was wearing her dark green leggings, and embroided, silken vest over the top of her lace-up corset. Her long, grey elven cloak hung on her shoulders, with the silver broach holding it in place. Her light walking shoes were laced up, and she was now plaiting up her hair so that it would stay in the back of her hood. Elawen walked outside to her balcony, and stood shining as the sun was setting in the shade of violet. She looked up towards the stars and could see the beloved star of all the elves, Earendil, and all of a sudden a sweet sound filled the air. Elawen was singing the elvish ballad, Elbereth Gilthoniel. Many people believed it to be the true star queen, Elbereth, as the beautiful elvish voice of Elawen echoed throughout the land, for Elawen was the Star Maiden.