Vaisha
In the first years of my life they told me that my mother was the brave Valaisha but about my father they were silent. I knew I was born in the beautiful Mirkwood but my hometown quickly became Rivendell where I grew up under the Sindarin name Vaisha that my mother had given me after my birth. Elrond took me as a daughter, but despite that I could never call him dad. But except for this little thing, I felt being a nature sister of Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen; daughter and sons of Rivendell, the refuge of many elves at that time. Still, I stayed the daughter of Valaisha which, as I found out later, had been the half- sister of Thranduil and the daughter of Oropher and the Maia Vavalaisha. However, I didn't met my mother's family till the year 3018 of the Third Era ; then I met my many hundreds years younger cousin Legolas.
But so far isn't this story yet. Less than a week after my birth my mother left Middle-Earth with many others of her sex, in order to ship to Valinor to be there forever happy and to dance on the green plains of the Blessed Empire. I was too young when I was brought to Rivendell to have some awareness of these events. And it was Elrond who told me all of this during my youth. Around the year 1000 of the third Era, when Master Gandalf arrived in Middle-earth, it was this wizard who amused me with stories of my ancestors. However, he didn't only told me about great hero's and mighty gods. He also learned me how to use a sword and Elladan taught me archery. Soon it was definitely clear that I grew up in the wrong body. I hated dresses, jewellery and other girl stuff, instead I acted like a boy. And especially my mother's last wish constantly bothered me during that. I began to braid my hair, but when even that wasn't possible anymore the braids were bound around my head so that there arose a crown of dark blond curls. From that time I started to change my name and I asked strangers to call me Vaiser, and hidden in the hood of my cloak only a few dared to doubt that I was indeed a boy.
The first sorrow in my life came when I was at the age of 296 years. Together with Elladan and Elrohir I freed my adopted aunt and their mother Celebrían from the hands of evil Orcs. And although my role was not particularly great at that liberation, I was shocked when I saw what they had done to my aunt. Her beautiful blond hair was cut off, and she was wounded on several places . They had stripped of all her clothes and had edited her in several places with the most horrific torture. I do not know what happened between her and Elrond after this time but soon she decided to leave Middle-earth because she had lost her delight in the world.
Elrond continued with his three children and his young niece, but he mourned the loss of Celebrían whom he had loved. Around 2460 of the Third Era however, everything changed because it was rumoured that Sauron had returned and settled in Dol Guldur. And with him came many armies . Three short years later the White Council came together for the first time and deliberated. Gandalf was also present with them. It was also in this year that Déagol found the One Ring in the Anduin but that Sméagol killed him and took the ring as his own property. The evil returned to Middle - earth, and with her Saruman who founded Isengard. Rohan was also founded and the White Tree of Minas Tirith died. For me, there came another time of wanderings, which continued until the year 2931 of the Third Era. In those years we spent a lot time with the Rangers. But after 2931 I went back to Rivendell where a change had taken place: Aragorn , son of Arathorn had appeared at court, brought there by his mother Gilraen. And Elrond had took care of him and called him Estel, which means hope.
We stayed for seven years at the court of Elrond. During this time I specialized in the sword fight. And when Elrond took notice of my practising he let me choose a sword from his own armouries. I chose Asburhn; it for many unknown third sword that was forged in the armouries of Eol, whose son was Maeglin. The stories said that Asburhn was forged from a burning steel that had fallen from the sky and that the sword could split iron. Her blade glowed up when servants of Sauron were nearby and she had a ferocity that was feared through many dark creatures. But when Elrond saw my choice he thoughtfully said: 'Every sword that is forged by Eol carries the the darkness of his Master. Therefore not many want to be called the master of this sword.'
'Yet she will serve me.' I had replied. 'Moreover, I am her mistress, not her master.'
'Maybe that will make a difference, but I doubt it .'
'Yet she remains my choice.'
'Then so it will be Vaisha, let her be my gift to you . That only pure things should be said about her during the time you'll wear her.'
Later that day I walked through Rivendell, looking for Gandalf who lived at court this years. His task was teaching young Aragorn. Arwen was absent in those times and stayed in Lothlorien at the court of Galadriel, her grandmother. I found the Magician in the green fields nearby Rivendell, his student was with him. 'Greetings, Vaiser.' Smiled Mithrandir when he noticed me. But then his eyes slid to the magnificent sword that hung around my slim waist. 'I see Elrond has given you Asburhn, my dear Elf.' He said.
'No, I chose her to wear.' I replied.
He smiled again . 'Do you know who carried this sword before you?' He asked.
'No.' Curious I looked at him. And even Estel followed the conversation with attention.
'It was the brave Nienor Niniel who bore her, though she did not like war.'
'Wasn't she Túrins sister, and trough Saurons hate for the House of Húrin also his wife, without that they both knew of their close connection, Master Gandalf?' Estel asked before I could say anything.
'Certainly. She was his mistress and used the sword for good deeds, but only if it was necessary.' Gandalf replied approvingly at the request of his young apprentice.
'Well,' I replied, 'than the fate of the sword Asburhn seems to be connected with elven princesses.'
'Yes it is.' Gandalf nodded. 'Cause before Nienor she is also carried by Aredhel, Princess of Gondolin who was abducted by Eol, the Dark Elf. When she and Maeglin fled back to the city of Gondolin she stole the sword of her husband to protect herself in the forest. After her death Asburhn was concealed in Nargothrond. When this land fell in the hands of the dragon Glaurung the sword ended up in the hands of Finduilas, Princess of Nargothrond and daughter Orodreth who hid the sword under her cloak during her imprisonment. She was slain by a spear that pierced her body and pinned her to the tree to which she was bound. However, the people who found her and buried her on Haudh - and - Elleth took the sword and gave it to Túrin when he came searching for Finduilas. He got the sword, and when he found Nienor on the hill where Finduilas was buried, he gave the sword to her as a gift. So after Asburhn was forged by Eol she has only been in the hands of virgins . That she also may bring luck to you.'
I had listened quietly to his story, and even more surprised. Now I knew the sword that I could call mine had a history in which three different women had played a role it felt like a strong strength bound us together. And from that time Ashburn seemed to accept me too because she was in my hand as if she was cast in it, and let herself be used by me alone.
I know all this history have to be a kind of boring to you, but I am telling this because it will influence the rest of the story. I would have more to tell; about the actions that I performed with Elladan, and my fame that enlarged. Over the years I fought in Rohan. About the many wonderful names I got in Gondor. But I will not talk about this, because the years of the ring were approaching. And there begins my story. The story of Vaisha of the Mirkwood.