Hey! I'm back! Sorry for taking so long, I've finally finished chapter 2 haha XD. This chapter isn't going to be exciting as the next one, as it is more of a preparation ... thingy haha. Just to clarify something, Ladren is not a full elf nor is she half elven. I guess you could say she is 1/4 elven or something. However she has the features of an elf and a similar aging process (She is not quite immortal and her maturing age is 18, she is currently 16.) This chapter is kind of a history lesson (summary) on Ladrens heritage and i hope you enjoy it :) I also would love more feedback, i would love to know what Y'all think! And i would also like to say thank you to Reaper2908, Arianna Le Fay, betsy359, rose212121, str81994 and yasminasfeir1 :) They all have been very supportive either by giving me feedback or just following/favoriting my story so thank you so much :) Enjoy XD.
CHAPTER 2
"Ladrengilneth, Nin meld hen." A soft whisper embraces my ears. Darkness, nothing but darkness. Where is the voice coming from? Is this real? Anxiety builds up in my chest, making it hard for me to catch my breath.
"My dear child, my valley of stars." The voice speaks again. At the sound of her, all my uneasiness washes away. That voice. I have heard it before. I have heard her before; I just do not know when. I've no notion of where I am but I feel a sense of serenity and peace. Have I passed on? Is this the afterlife. Have I finally found my Valinor? The undying lands. A spirit, released into a world of bliss and calm.
"Matthias, promise … promise me you will keep he-her safe." The once soft tone conforms to a subtle sob. Matthias … Matthias … Father! Wait, oh god! This is my Mother. My Mother! Euphoria entwines throughout me.
"Mother!" I manage to cry out. She is here, she is here with me. I have joined her. Please answer me. Please just let me hear her voice speak to me. I wait and wait, but all hope is lost when no reply comes.
"No! Ma, say something!" My wail echoes out to nothing. The urge to run becomes intense, though I cannot move. All I can do is cry. The need to hear her voice is violent. It is as if someone has pulled my heart straight from my chest. She has left me again!
"Why! Why must you hate me so!" I shout at the gods, what have I done to them! They have no sympathy nor mercy. My mind is losing itself, my body is gone and I'm alone. Alone and helpless. There is never a break, never a moment of joy that will last. My will to live has left me, the will to do anything is gone. Am I to stay in the dark forever, is this a punishment!
"My love, you must let go, I will always be near no matter what." Her voice now fragile and croaky echoes through the silence, the sound of sobs becomes clear. It's my father. I've never stopped to think how he could be suffering, I've been selfish.
"Na let glenn- *doesn't* foeg na forget, ha *means* na díhen-," She speaks again, though I cannot understand her. I can sense she is passing, her voice is waning out.
"To let go does not mean to forget, it means to forgive."
Numbness takes over as I stare into oblivion. I have to let go. Let go of my hate, guilt and sorrow. Let go of the longing and yearning. But letting go is hard, it's too hard when you have been hanging on for an eternity. It is impossible. How could someone forget a life full of pain and misery?
A bright light shines through the dark, blinding me and sending a sharp pain in to head. What is happening? As the light fades away, it is replaced with the view of a small cottage. The walls made of splintered wood, the roof made of a large amount of straw. Wild flowers and healthy plants surround it; this place is beautiful. The sun shining brightly just like the light from before, warming my body.
I look down and see my gown, relief flows through out my body causing a large smile on my face. I'm free. This has to be the afterlife. It is too beautiful to not be, the sound of birds chirping in joy only proves my point. I can't help but twirl around laughing as a blue butterfly swoops past me.
"This is amazing!" I shout in a fit of giggles. It is almost like all my pain and grief never existed, it was never within me, like I imagined it all. It was just a nightmare. I could stay here forever. The breeze feels wonderful against my skin; I've never felt so alive. I slip my shoes off and run through the grass, the green strands of silk massage my feet, sending shivers of pleasure up my spine. I fall down to the ground in exhaustion from running and dancing so much, my hair acts as a pillow for my head. The white clouds seem to transform into the shape of fluffy animals and even whimsical shapes. This is my own fairy tale world. Not even Rivendell or Mirkwood could be this beautiful.
I let my skin and hair soak up the vibrant sun, it has been too long since I have experienced this feeling. Me and father fishing, having small feasts out near the river, playing tag and me just reading my favorite books. The thought brings me happiness yet sadness, I might never see him again. My throat begins to tighten as if I'm going to choke, my eyes burn and I can feel the liquid building up. I don't want to leave him behind. I want him here with me, him and Ma who I never met. I don't want this anymore; I would rather spend the rest of my life in the infamous Mt Doom if it meant I could be with him again.
I always thought that this would be my dream come true, to finally leave that place and become an adventurer, find peace. But it's not, well at least not yet. I even miss Inus for god sake. At least there, I had some kind of purpose, not just me sitting around and letting everyone back there do all the work. I don't want to be selfish. That is not who I am. I'm not special like a king or queen.
I sit up slowly as tears threaten to leave my eyes. My hair falls softly down my back, letting leaves and pieces of grass fall back to the ground. My hands begin to fidget with my grey dress, something I have done ever since I was a small girl. This is all too much. Too overwhelming. I can't think straight.
"Ladren." A flawless voice reaches out to me. I gasp in surprise and fright at the sound of it. Who else could possibly be here? My feet jump to the ground in a hurry. The sense of being watched is strong but it's not menacing or alarming. I have the courage to turn around. I turn my head ever so slightly to the right to look over my shoulder. I can't help but trip back when I see her.
She is stunning. Her brown wavy locks cascade down her back and chest, her silvery silk gown wraps around her figure almost perfectly. The soft and elegant features of her face … but her eyes. So unnatural and unusual yet so familiar. My eyes. The lilac colour of them glisten in the sunlight. They could almost be mistaken for blue if it wasn't for the comparison with the sky. They are purple, just like mine. Oh god, it can't be?
"Mother." I whisper in anxiety and reluctance. A small smile forms on her beautiful face. It is her! I watch as slight tears fall down her face, and her arms extend out as if she is waiting for an embrace.
I don't hesitate a second as I run into her arms. This is surreal, the comfort and warmth I feel in her arms is stronger than any fire or even a star could give. The touch of her hand on my head gathers a sigh from my mouth. I have finally found her.
"My sweet girl, I have missed you." I hear her sob; it brings more tears to my eyes. She missed me. She never forgot me, she never left us.
"I can't believe it! You are here with me! I wish father was here to see!" I cry out in an explosion of emotions. She only giggles out loud while sniffling. I never knew you could cry in happiness till now.
"I know my dear girl; I wish he was here too. Do not fret, you will be with him soon." She speaks softly while a sad smile appears on her face. Something tells me this won't last forever, but I understand. I'm not meant to be here. I will miss her but I have father back home, and a whole adventure ahead of me.
"You are beautiful!" She gasps before caressing my face with her cool hands. I would disagree if it weren't for the fact that she is my mother. I can't help but giggle, I'm definitely nowhere near as beautiful as her. I don't think it's possible.
"Well I definitely do not get those looks from Father." I laugh out loud, instantly regretting it. I have forgotten that even though she is my Mother, we are practically strangers. I frown in embarrassment but the sound of her music like laugh, only leaves my happiness. I stare up at her, she is like the sun. Young, radiant and warm. My eyes widen at the sight of her ears. Somewhat pointed just like mine.
"Your ears … are you an elf?" I ask in curiosity while slowly reaching out to touch her left ear. I giggle when it twitches at the touch of my finger, earning another laugh from her.
"Yes and no, I am half elven." She whispers to me with a smirk, there is something else. I can feel it; I don't know if I should ask.
"My sweet Ladren, you do not understand do you?" She sighs faintly while knitting her eye brows. I tilt my head to the side in confusion. What does she mean? Oh gods! I am idiotic!
"I'm an elf too?" I say out loud to no one in particular.
"Sit down, we have much to talk about." She speaks as she sits down on the grass, before crossing her legs and looking up at me with a kind grin. A smile leaves my face as I sit down in front of her, eager to listen to what she has to say.
"I gather he hasn't told you." She speaks to herself before staring into my eyes. I feel hypnotized by them, the most beautiful purple.
"Ladrengilneth. That is your full name. It means Valley of stars in common tongue." I grin in interest. Although I knew that, it still seems new when she says it.
"I chose that name before you were born … Matthias then came up with Ladren, saying it was too long." She giggles in nostalgia.
"Any way, that is not what I wanted to tell you. I suppose you want to know where you are, more than anything." I nod in approval; I would like to know.
"You are in Valinor, the Undying lands. We are near the Halls of Mandos, the afterlife."
"It is beautiful here, I've always dreamed of visiting." I smile while glancing up to the sky.
"It is, although there are many of times when I dream of being with you," She whispers in a somber tone.
"But you are here now, unfortunately not for long though." She smiles sadly while picking at the grass.
"Why am I here? What happened to me before?" I need to know, it wasn't normal. None of this is normal.
"You are elven; you have elven blood in your veins … but there is more than that. Have you ever heard of the Noldor elves?"
"Yes, the high elves, they were exiled to Middle Earth." I say in a matter of fact tone. I remember Father telling me stories of them. Stories of Galadriel, the Lady of Lothlorien.
"Smart little one," She smirks in a humorous tone.
"You have the blood of a powerful Noldorin elf, a she elf. Guldes. A young sorceress blessed with the gift of Anand a gilith. The gift of time and space. Not many know of her … or her blood line. You and me." It takes me a moment before it ticks. Not only am I an elf, but I have the blood of a powerful sorceress! I do not know what to say!
"I understand if this is overwhelming, but you needed to know. You have that gift too, it is how you are with me at this very moment." Her voice slow and steady as she stands up gracefully reaching her hand down to me. I put my hand in hers and she lifts me up. My mind is racing with so many thoughts. This is all so surreal, I would never have imagined this, even with my brain.
"Ladren, you cannot stay much longer. You have to listen to me carefully." She speaks in a faster and more panicky tone. I nod my head quickly as she takes my hand once more and pulls me into a hug. Her heart beat is loud and intense against my ear.
"You must tell your father of what has happened. Tell him you must go see Lord Elrond. You are no longer safe out in the open. Your power has been revealed, revealed to those who shouldn't know." Before I can even ask how or why, she leaves my arms and closes her eyes. My eyes watch in awe as she chants in elvish, her hands glow blue, similar to what happened to me before. I step back as it becomes more bright and intense.
The light soon fades away leaving her standing with a silver necklace, adorning a crystal or stone of some sort. It is gorgeous, it shimmers like a star up in the night sky. Her fingers slide across it in content, and her eyes travel up to my face. I then notice the slight tear drops falling from her violet eyes.
"I want you to have this, a star from the Valinor. It shall always remind you of my presence. As you discover a life full of love and joy, you will have a piece of me with you every step of the way. May it fulfil the time, which was taken from us when I left your world." Her voice weakening as she entrusts the jewel into my hands. My throat tightens once more, letting a sob escape. All of this is crazy. I thought I was saying goodbye to my Father, now I'm saying goodbye to her. But she Is right, I will always have this memory.
"Don't ever forget me or Pa!" I blubber out in one sentence. Her head tilts to the side as more tears flow down her perfect face.
"Never! I love you and always have. We will meet again. Some day we will all live happily together." I break down into tears. It is as if there is a river in my eyes. I'm flooding. Flooding with emotions and tears.
"Good bye my valley of stars." She whispers as my whole world fades away. I'm falling, it's as if I'm falling. Everything Is dark and I'm tired. My mind is sleepy, I'm ready to go home. Good bye Mother.