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Chapter 2

Closing the door behind her she gripped her dress and sprinted towards the opposite side of the castle. She must find the one she seeks and leave on time. They can't delay any longer for any minute the elders would call her husband in for a meeting and he would be force to share the news on the arrow. The sound of her dress tearing behind her as she ascended the stairs was the least of her problems, turning to her left at the top of the stairs she headed towards the library. The hallways were overly decorated with frames of their ancestors and priceless heirlooms. Some she wished would disappeared, others were gladly accepted. Turning down one of the halls her face lit up in excitement.

"Melda!" The said she-elf stopped at the voice of her ruling lady. She saw Lady Cristiel rush over towards her and couldn't help but wonder if something had gone terribly wrong. She had just gotten back yesterday from scouting their posts by the edge of the White Mountains, across from Isengard and had quickly gotten in trouble with the captain for not telling him of recent orc population in the area increasing. She had not wished to get punished by the lord and lady as well. Once Cristiel settled herself in front of the younger elf a smile graced her light pink lips. "Melda I'd like to speak with you for a second if you could spare it."

"If you need it, I can spare anything you'd like Lady Cristiel." Melda whispered. Cristiel smiled faltered for a minute before regaining its place. Sometimes Melda surprised her with the words that came out. The older elf reached up and moved a piece of hair the strayed away from the others face. Cristiel couldn't help but look at the beautiful woman in front of her. Melda was of average height and weight with simple attributes not worth stating. She wore grey riding pants and a long sleeved shirt to match. A silver emblem of their realm was stitched to the front of her shirt to show her loyalty but it was not her clothes or her normal body structure the drove people to look at her. It was her hair that held such a mystery beneath it. Black hair came down just below her shoulders in slight curls while her bangs fell in front of her eyes. Her eyes were something nobody have ever seen, except Cristiel who had seen them when she was born. They were always hidden and when they weren't the she-elf had her eyes closed.

"There has been a crisis in which my husband has been asked to send someone to go and help. I have been given the task to chose who I wish..." Cristiel explained, "I have chosen you to do this for me. Now we must hurry so you may leave immediately." Melda opened her mouth to reject the offer handed to her but was not given the chance as the lady of the castle grabbed her hand and pulled her along towards her bedroom. Ascending another flight of stairs the two she-elves came towards the youngest door. Cristiel quickly opened the door before ushering Melda in. Closing the door behind her, Cristiel headed towards the bath which was in her room.

"Melda please bathe while I gather your things. There isn't a minute to waste." Hearing the roar of the water filling the bath she pulled off her clothes and left them in a heap on the floor. Not wishing to bother her lady any longer she stepped into the steaming water and washed herself as best as she could in the time she given. While Melda occupied herself, Cristiel bent down to her knees in front of the bed and lifted the sheets. Looking under the bed she spotted a lone box and quickly pulled it out.

Getting back to her feet she rested the box on the bed and smiled. It was a rectangular white box, sadly covered in dirty and dust from the years of storage. Cristiel had hidden it until she felt that it was needed; however, she never expected it to come so soon. Looking over her shoulder to see Melda hadn't gotten out yet she decided to open it. Laying the lid next to the box she pulled out its contents and held it in front of her. It was a little long for herself but it would be perfect for Melda.

"Lady Cristiel?" Not bothering to turn to the young she-elf she lied the dress down and pulled out matching slippers. "Ai (eek) please tell me that isn't the firsts' riding dress." Cristiel put the slippers on the ground before turning towards Melda who had her body draped in a towel. She hadn't thought of how she was going to explain where the dress had come from all she knew was that there wasn't enough time in the day to explain honestly. Tugging the girl over Cristiel tore off her towel before tossing her, her under garments.

"We shall keep this a secret between us. I had stolen the dress when you were given the chance to become a warrior. You were going to wear it one day and now is a better time than ever." Melda understood knowing her ruling lady was always different from other royalty she's met; however, only being the fourth lady in the kingdom there wasn't much of a chance to exploit the power Lady Cristiel had.

After pulling on her garments Melda grabbed the dress handed to her and slipped it on over her head. The fabric of the dress fluttered against her skin as it stopped at her knees. Cristiel smiled and turned the she-elf to look into the mirror to see her reflection. The dress was a pearl white, simple in design with nothing but a small patch of their emblem at the top by the heart. It was sleeveless but had thick straps so it could be worn with any weapon. Melda let her hands brush against the dress afraid she might ruin it. She had never worn anything so elegant before and she felt like she didn't deserve it. "Lady Cristiel..."

"Say nothing, let's just get you finished up so you may leave." Nodding she slipped on her matching slippers and grabbed a brush to fix her dried hair. Letting her bangs fall into her eyes, Melda; surprisingly pleased, turned towards her lady to see she held a black cloak in her arms. "Hurry put this on we cannot allow anyone to see you. When you're finished meet me at the stables." Giving the cloak to the girl, Cristiel opened the door and rushed out to make sure that everything was ready for the departure. Melda watched as the door closed leaving her to her peace. Why had her lady chosen her for this quest left her baffled. There were far better warriors they possessed then her. Shoving her arms into the sleeves to release some of her hidden anger she realized the most important thing. She hadn't a clue to where she was being sent to. For all she knew the kingdom was trying to get rid of her and was letting her go on this 'journey' in hopes she never came back.

Cursing herself for thinking such thoughts she grabbed her bow and quiver and left her room hoping to return. Her adventure to the stables was quietly enjoyed as she let the silence over take her and her thoughts. Young she-elves shuffled pass her as they made their way to the kitchen and towards other places of their expertise. There were days she wished to be them. Cook, clean and take care of the family; however, she had stumbled upon the path of a warrior. Dare she say she regrets it? Not in the least. She liked the adventure and the chances to see places people dreamed of. Though she gets yelled at periodically, it doesn't concern her. Opening the door to exit to the stables she see Lady Cristiel with her horse fully packed and ready to set off. Sensing her approach Cristiel turned around and greeted her with her usual untainted smile. "Glad you could make it."

"My apologies for my lateness. I suppose I was thinking too much." Melda confessed having nothing to hide. Cristiel faltered for a moment before a sad half-heart smiled showed itself. Reaching out she grabbed the hood to the girls cloak and pulled it over her head. "Does it worry you?" She whispered as her hands started tying the cloak so it wouldn't fly open. Bowing her head, Melda wished she could answer. It was the question that has been from hell and back between them. A question that held secrecy up to its highest valued. Neither one had ever answered, and she wasn't going to be the first. Hands fell from the cloak, Cristiel with held her urge to cry as the young she-elf turned towards her loyal friend.

Melda grabbed the reins connected to Durion; her horse, her friend. It had been awhile since they had such a burden on their shoulders. It was as if they shared the same feelings. Not one without the other, the words they lived by. Putting her foot into the stirrup she swung her other leg over the beast beneath her, feeling the dress ride up enough to feel comfortable in the saddle. "Everything is packed. There is bread and extra clothes if things get worst..." Cristiel said before reaching behind her and unhooking something. "...I wish to give this to you. It has served me well for many years." Melda took the dagger into her hand and smiled. "But it is yours."

Cristiel laughed and patted her leg. "My name might mean 'sword' but it's not because of any weapon I have possessed. Now take this before someone stumbles upon us." This time Melda could not help but stare at her lady as if she has finally lost of mind. The sword was not something she could take. It did not belong to her or Lady Cristiel. It didn't belong to anyone in the kingdom besides the first lady. "Melda please don't make this harder than it should." Cristiel said taking the opportunity to tie the sword to her riding dress so it may be covered by the cloak. Durion stomped his feet on the ground, showing his discomfort at the long thawed out goodbye. Melda frowned running her fingers over his tan skin to calm him down so they could start. Pulling the reins, Durion turned around and walked towards the back gates. The lady of the kingdom stood in her spot knowing she could go no further.

"Lady Cristiel I forgot to ask...what is my task?" Melda asked slowly slipped away. A tear traveled down the lady's face as she gave the girl the last smile she could give. "You are to go to Rivendell which is where Gandalf shall meet you. The one ring has been found and they seek our help. Go! I have already given orders for you to be entered as close to Rivendell as possible." Durion huffed as they finally passed the back gates. Gaining speed Melda watched her lady disappeared from view. So she had been sent to her death, and not just by herself. Gandalf was to join her in the fate which had been laid out for them.

Cristiel closed her eyes not having the courage to see the gates close behind them. She was sure her choice had been right. It was her birth right, and Cristiel had promised herself that Melda would fulfill it. Glancing up at the blue clear sky Cristiel picked up the bottom of her dress and headed back inside. "Galu yelya." (Good luck my daughter)