Chapter 2
Glorfindel:
In the Hall of Fire I watch a maid dust a painting. A painting of a family but clearly not Elrond's. A father, a mother, and seven sons. All the males seem to have dark hair and light brown eyes unlike the lady who is blonde. Who are they and why haven't I noticed this painting before?
"Miss may I ask you a few questions about this painting?" I ask the maid as she finishes her job.
"Of course but I only know a few things"
"Well tell me what you then"
"Certainly. This painting is of the Imperial family. Ruler of the elves. Higher ranked then our Lord Elrond" She says smiling up at them.
"Them? I don't remember him being in power" I jester to the oldest male.
"I believe two generations have past while you were..not alive"
"I suppose your right but I haven't heard anything of the family since I've been back. Can you tell me who they are?" My curiosity is in full force.
"This is Emperor Tirithon and Empress Raina, sister of King Thranduil of Mirkwood" She points at the two. "Together they had seven children. All sons"
"Twins?" I ask as I looks closely at two of the boys that look very similar to each other.
"Yes. They had a set of twins."
"This one seems a lot younger compared to the others" I say as I point to the toddler sitting of his mothers lap holding a ball in his chubby hands.
"The seventh son. From what I have heard the couple was told they could never conceive another child after their sixth. Both were heartbroken as they had wanted a big family. Many, many years later the Empress gave birth to the last prince. I remember the day when the news came to Rivendell. My parents danced around our house with joy. I also remember when the family came to visit with the newborn" She sighs sadly.
"Hmm I've missed a lot in my death. You'd think one would hear more from the people who rule over a whole race. Where are they now?"
"Dead?" She whispers,
"Dead?"
"Yes. All killed. A horrible assassination. One or two bodies have yet to be found. One being the young child but all are believe to be dead. Since then no one has come to take the throne. Some believe the Empire to be cursed to remain with out a ruler and some believe there to be a heir still alive." She leaves me to look at the painting to go do more house work. Who will kill such a happy looking family?
"Glorfindel?"
Turing away from the painting I am meet by Erestor who has his arms loaded with papers. His hair must have come undone as it is loose and covers have his face flowing down to his waist. Beautiful he is but way to good for me.
"Yes?"
"Elrond wants us to see him in his office" He says as he struggles to keep hold of his papers. Going over I take a great deal of them into my own arms and he gives me a grateful look.
Inside the office Elrond isn't alone. His talking to a tall dark haired elf and standing nearby is another one holding a box.
"Ah there they are. Earendur, This is my foster son and adviser Erestor and Captain Glorfindel"
"You sent for us My lord?" Erestor bows his head to Elrond.
"Yes come and sit. We have something interesting to discuss" Elrond motions to chairs in front of his desk. We set the papers down and take our seats. The elf he called Earendur take the box and places in on the desk.
"We need your help finding him" He takes out a paper and hands it to me. It's a picture of a child sitting a swing. Looks to be the same child from the painting. Under the boy there is a name written in silver letters.
'Ashwryn Raven Amandil'
"Weird I was just looking at a painting with him in it. I was told he was dead"I look at my lord who sighs.
"We were told different. A seer has told the kingdom that she saw the child. Grown up now. Many elves are coming and claiming to be the child" The elf say and keeps digging in the box.
"And you believe this seer?" Elrond rubs his temples.
"I haven't know seers to be wrong. This child may be the only heir left to the throne. You and I both know the people need their king. The Amandil bloodline holds great power. Great gifts. The Emperor's mother is frantic. She wants the rumor of her grandchild to be true" He starts handing papers to Erestor who remains quiet as he looks through them.
"Why do you think it was Ashwryn who survived?"
"The seer said so" He reply's a little quickly. Something is up with this elf.
"Alright..Well try to aid in your search" Elrond says sharing a look with me. He noticed the rushed answer aswell.