The Shadow

Ch 2

Rivendell

"Who is she?" a young voice asked.

"She is called Serenia, brother." Elladan said as he and the boy called Estel looked toward the tree line of the forest around Rivendell. He leaned on his bow watching her as did the young human beside him.

A young elven woman stood there. Though young, she was mature, though shorter in stature than most elves as she walked. Her long hair fell from her head like a waterfall about her shoulders and back. It shimmered in the light. Her dress was not that of an elf of Rivendell, Lothlorien, or even the Grey Havens. It was loose and beautiful and designed to blend with the subtle shadows and light of the forest.

"She is beautiful." Estel remarked.

"She is not for you." Elladan said. "She is Sindarin of the North. Her people were killed by Orcs or made slaves." Elladan and Estel watched the woman as a stag walked from the woods. "They are spirits or as the men call them Shadows, guardians of all living things."

The young woman reached her willow thin arm out and the stag stepped to her nuzzling her hand. The woman smiled. Her lips moved, but no sound came from her lips, at least none that could be heard.

Estel moved closer. His foot stood on a twig. It snapped beneath his weight.

The woman turned and saw him. She passed her arm before her and suddenly the woman and the stag vanished.

Estel looked about. "Elladan, where did she go? I just…"

"You are yet to learn Estel." Elladan smiled. "Trusting strangers is not something they do with ease. Listen to the wind. When she trusts you she will appear to you."

"How do you know her?" Estel asked turning his young gaze up to Elladan.

Elladan knelt down next to the young man. "She was brought here to be raised by Lord Elrond as you were."

"So she's a sister."

"Yes. Like I am a brother."

"Is she truly kin?"

"Yes. All elves are kin." Elladan said. He looked up seeing Serenia or Sera as those who knew her called her, standing on the brink of the waterfalls, high above them, the stag beside her. He dipped his head to her as Estel started back to the buildings. She just looked on her pixie like face betraying her true roots.

"Master Elrond." Estel said walking down the hall after his studies with Master Basir. He had seen his adopted father walking from his study.

Elrond paused and turned to look at the young man before him. Though nearly a man by human reckoning by years, Estel had the soft look of a boy yet, though he was nearly as tall as the Master of Rivendell.

"Yes, Estel?" Elrond asked patiently.

"Elladan took me to the forests edge. We saw a woman there. She made herself disappear. I have never seen an elf just vanish so." He said watching his adopted father's reaction.

"You have met Serenia then?" Elrond asked.

"Well, no, she fled and when…"

"She is a Wilder Elf."

"A what?"

"Estel." Elrond said as he walked out onto a balcony. "There are many creatures of this world. Some blending lead to evil."

"Like Orcs."

"Yes." Elrond nodded. "But some lead to good. Some of the Grey Elves years ago went to the far north. There in the northern woods before the icy flats, they found creatures, the guardians. They intermarried and soon the cold advanced killing the woods and the guardians. The half elves borne of such unions were all that remained of their knowledge. They are healers and understand all creatures of this world. They were the reasoning for alliances in the times of old. They were discovered by orcs of the Misty Mountains. They were captured and forced below. They did not live long without the sun, for they do not do well within stone walls." Elrond looked at Estel. "Serenia is the last of her people so for as the knowledge of all the shadows know. Once gone it will be a terrible day indeed."

"I thought such creatures were myth."

"They soon will be." Elrond sighed. "They are myths to the race of man whom have not had guardian protection for nearly two centuries."

"Estel walked to the balcony and looked out. "I wish to meet her."

"In time my son." Elrond said. "She must learn about herself before she learns and understands others."

Elrond sat in his open aired council chamber. "Come daughter. I am the only one here." He said sitting up.

"As you wish." A soft voice said as Serenia walked in from behind him.

"Child." Elrond said holding out his hands. The girl extended her forearms out and her palms facing her. She then pressed her hands to her head and bowed to him.

"Greetings father." She said gently as she took his hands and bowed at her hips.

Elrond raised her gently and nodded to a seat near him. She moved and gracefully dropped into it.

"You look ever like your mother." Elrond said.

Twin bold green eyes looked at him. "So you have told me father."

"She would be pleased that you have mastered your skills at such a young age."

"Thank you father." She said.

Elrond looked at the woman before him. Small and delicate she looked, but she was a powerful ally, though she knew not of such things at the moment. The pixie like face was fair and delicate. Her willowy arms rested on the arms of the chair. To most it would seem that one breath would destroy the small leaf, but Elrond knew that appearances could be deceiving.

"Child. You must find a mate." Elrond said. Elves did not hide sexuality from the young. Marriage for love encouraged and young the couple could enjoy children and each other for years. Monogamy was absolute and premarital sex was unthinkable. That was a vile practice among the race of man. Love it's physical form was intimate and for children conception, and to do so outside marriage, with another, other than one's mate, was forbidden.

"Yes. So you have told me father." Serenia said rising to her feet in a fluid motion. She walked to the wall that contained the window over-looking a waterfall.

Elrond sighed. He rose to his feet and gathered his robes about him. Though she was wise beyond her years, Serenia, was still young in the world, though it was easy to forget that. He wrapped his arm about her thin shoulders. "Fear not. You will find a man whom you will love and whose company you will enjoy for all time." He said.

She took a breath and touched his arm with a long boned small hand. "Yes, father."