"The sons of Earendil were Elros and Elrond, the Peredhil or Half-elven. In them alone the line of heroic chieftains of the Edain in the First Age was preserved; and after the fall of Gil-Galad the lineage of the High-elven Kings was also in Middle-earth only represented by their descendents…"

Chapter One: Bar

(July, 3034 FA Minas Tirith)

I never spent my summer's home anymore. My time was nearly always spent in Mirkwood or Lorien, even in Rivendell with my uncles Elladan and Elrohir and the little that is left of my mother's kin. Scrolls were written to lie about the last sailing to the West by the Quenya elves. Not everyone left, some remained for their love of Middle-earth and some remained because the Sea had not called them home yet. These lies were made as a protection to keep the last of this folk alive and inconspicuous to enemy eyes. Such things I learned while I spent my time after my coming of age three years ago under the wisdom of the trees, learning their stories and reading scrolls of my own. But I don't remember the last time I was home or heard the golden trumpets blare from the turrets closets to the famous open gates of the White city. It felt odd to casually ride through these gates that I have seen so many times. It felt even out of place to look upon the city of Minas Tirith again and see my people bow low to me as my horse trotted pass them and headed to the stables. I blushed as more and more people bowed to me, me the middle daughter of four children to King Elessar; me, Princess Sylael. I had spent so much time among the forgotten and mysterious wonders of Middle-earth that I had forgotten what it felt like to be treated with higher respect amongst my people.

My reason to be within the city walls again was simple. My youngest sister was to have her coming of age ceremony in two days time. Tanna, the youngest of us four children had recently turned seventeen, was how I described her – the most good-natured and easily amused of us all. Eldarion is known famously as the prankster which both Naneth and Lady Eleniel claimed to be results of both sets of fathers causing so much trouble when they were younger. Legolas had quickly argued that Eleniel had once made my Uncles Elladan and Elrohir seem like children with her own pranks. Frankly, I believe him. Caelsi is the obedient one, the model princess that many wish to mirror. And me, well I am the rebellious daughter who took after her uncles and her father's ranger-like ways at an early age. I was never into the princess theme and hated to be reminded that I am one. I avoided the white city and wandered Middle-earth mostly because I did not like standard protocol for young women like me. It bored me to tears.

I found my way to the stables fast enough, though I took in the changes to the city that had been made in my absence. They were little modifications but still changes that my own eyes had never seen before and they somewhat enthralled me. I dismounted in the stables, allowing one of the servants to help me down and steady me on my feet. From there I allowed my curiosity to get the better of me and lead me up into the gardens behind the palace where our family resided. The garden was vast and always beautiful in the summer months. I used to draw for hours underneath various brushes in different sections of the gardens.

"Has the season ended already?" Came an amused voice that my ears had suddenly missed very much. My heart started to race as I noted that the voice came from behind me just as I was about to push open the iron gates of my favorite place. "Or is it my eyes playing cruel tricks and Gondor's second princess if finally home?"

"It may have Eldarion, I know only of one time when a certain Princess returns home." My heart began to drop as another voice added to the conversation. I didn't particularly like this voice. "Perhaps our counting is off and it is fall now? No, maybe it's winter?" Laughter broke out behind me.

"Nay, it cannot be either Tirithon. Tanna's birthday is in the summer and that was only two days ago." I wanted to turn around and smack my brother for bringing such ungrateful company to these blessed gardens and then hug him for the time I had not seen him. "Welcome home Sister," Eldarion laughed as I spun quickly and raced into his arms, nearly knocking him to the ground. I wish I had.

"It is good to be home," I whispered. I looked up into a pair of stormy gray eyes, identical to my own. Eldarion and I had our father's eyes. Caelsi had Naneth's and Tanna had Uncle Elrohir's, a pure hazel color. I found a face that looked nearly like my father's smiling down at me and almost gasped. I held a curious hand to his face and said, "You've changed again. Each time I come home you look more and more like Ada. If it were not for your voice, I would've thought you were him this time!"

"Maybe if you stopped going away for so long it wouldn't be such a shock to you."

"Maybe you should come join me and have an adventure or two instead of being stuck here, bothering with boring paperwork and tiresome meetings." I added. Eldarion and I used to travel together. But the last two years have been a consistency of denials from him. I doubt he has seen much else but the white walls of the city in these two years. I pitied him for I alone knew how much Eldarion loved to travel and see new sights, but knew Father would have none of that if Eldarion wanted to be king someday.

"Boring as it may be sister, it must be done and there is now more it that Ada alone cannot do." Eldarion sighed, taking a seat on a stone bench that was placed just beside the gate of the garden. "Surely you've heard through you traveling, the new trouble being cause?" I shook my head as to say no. I honestly had no idea of what he spoke of. Eldarion waved a hand carelessly. "Never mind, we'll speak of it later." I nodded.

Suddenly there was a clearing of a throat and Eldarion didn't miss the scowl that crossed my face for he started to laugh and shake his head.

"What's this, am I so unimportant Lady Sylael, that I do not deserve even a 'hello'? It is quite rude for a princess to ignore her guests."

I turned my attention away from my brother to glare at the dark haired elf standing just a few feet behind me, oddly thinking that the Mirkwood prince didn't follow my brother – to whom he was inseparable with. I narrowed my eyes at him, walking closer, and dug an index finger into the soft velvety fabric of his tunic. I had not missed this particular face at all in my travels and was going to make it very clear that I hadn't. If there was one person on all of Middle-Earth to whom I detested, it was the handsome elf smirking down at me, knowing that I was displeased. His beautiful grey eyes that matched perfectly with his attire and a face, flawless and smooth, with lips that spread wide into a pearly smile that could get him out of any trouble instantaneously, all looked down on me in a teasing manner. Everything about him, from physique to manner, made me see red.

"Important?" I glowered. "The only thing important about you is your title. What you are Tirithon is an ungrateful princeling who has yet to learn proper mannerism and respect for women of any race. Perhaps your father didn't tell you, but acting on ones ego is not the best way to acquire any kind of attention."

Tirithon shook his head, smiling down at me and gently grasping my hand. "Now Sylael, do not judge what you do not know." He bowed and kissed my hand. I could hear Eldarion make gagging noises in the background. I heartedly agreed with him, I'd have to disinfect my body now!

"Do not know? Where have you been all these years Tirithon? I was raised with you! Eldarion, Caelsi, and I! Together! In your grandfather's home! I have seen enough poor mannerism and pranks from you than I care to ever see in my lifetime."

"Ah, but you've made a mistake already Princess," I wanted to wipe that arrogant, sweet smirk off his gorgeous face. "I have not seen you in nearly five years. That is a long time to mortals and less than a blink to us. But even in five years things can change."

"Are you telling me you've changed your wicked ways, Tirithon?" I raised an eyebrow to him, snatching my hand out of his grasp and away from those smooth lips. "I doubt that."

Tirithon sighed and straightened himself. "As you wish."

"Sy-" Eldarion attempted to warn me but it was to no use. He was now standing behind me, hand on my shoulder tightly and yet I continued to ignore him.

"As you wish," I laughed, annoyed. "My wish is for you and your brothers to leave me be for once and cause me no trouble with my parents! Each time I see you, nothing but trouble befalls you, and I of course, am the one to take the blame for whatever actions you have done. Spare me Tirithon; I am in no mood to deal with your silly attempts to tell me something that will never happen. When you've grown up some more, perhaps I will believe you."

"Sylael!" Eldarion barked suddenly and I immediately wondered what I had done wrong. I looked at him quickly and noticed he was not looking at me but at Tirithon. He looked… concerned. Eldarion glanced at me and smiled slightly. "Enough already, you may continue to threaten Tirithon after you have met with the rest of the family." I nodded but I did not understand. Eldarion began to walk away from the gates of the garden. The same garden I had not been able to enter yet. Tirithon however did not move, he only stared at me. I crossed my arms suddenly and threw him a look.

"Is there something you want?"

Tirithon snapped out of whatever daze he was in and smiled at me. The same smile that made me want to snatch it away and stomp on it, yet to leave it there to shine forever. I remember Tirithon's smiles; they were always gentle, always kind to me. And there were times when those smiles could be just as cruel to me too. But I noticed now that the smile he was giving me seemed to have a different meaning; that it was just there for ceremonial purposes. "Yes actually." He didn't answer for awhile and began to feel uncomfortable. What was he playing at?

"Unless you've mistaken me for my sister Caelsi and thought I was a still doll of some sorts, I suggest you stop gawking and start asking whatever it was you wanted to ask me." I added impatiently.

"Did you notice Sylael, that you look…"

"Look what?"

"No," Tirithon said quickly, nearly panicked. "Never mind me. It was stupid. Please, forgive my…" He never finished and I never heard the end of his apology because in the time that it took me to blink away my confusion I could see him running to catch up with my brother nearly half way up the second tier of the city.


A/N: Hi everyone, I just wanted to let you know that if any of the you know the dates of the story line as in who sails West and when and why, I will warn you now that I do mess with dates and they do not always follow what Tolkien's original actions had been. Also the chapter titles are in elvish. Most of this is historically accurate to the timeline and facts of the older races and so on :] Read and Review, like always!

Translations:

Ada- Father

Naneth- Mother

Bar - Home