A/N: Hi everyone - very, very happy with the number of people who are favouriting/following/reviewing. Look at my inbox every day and beam. However, I SEVERELY apologise for how long it took me to get here! Long time... What I had previously written for this chapter was after all, not what I wanted to happen, so I went back and rewrote the whole thing, splitting events into two chapters instead...

Sadly, at the moment, this story ha been moved to the bottom of my priorities, I'm going to be really busy (even more so from here out). However, it is still a priority, I'm not going to forget it. :)

Because there are so many, thanks will be at the bottom :)

Remember to Read, Review, Follow, Favourite and Most Importantly - ENJOY! :)


III.

Darkness. All there was in the nothingness was darkness. A deep void of black that descended beyond time and space. Yet, there was no time, nor space, there was simply, the void. But even still, there was a presence, a silent being that encapsulated everything. Suddenly, it was as if something changed, a shift that echoed around like a roll of thunder; and then there was a single piercing ray - not of light, but of sound. It was not of any made instrument, and could not be described. It was beautiful and sweet, yet terrible and great.

Tariél saw and felt all. Finally, they appeared from the ray - people, more beautiful and terrible than any that could ever exist in the imagination. Eight male and seven female. All but one shone with an indefinite brightness that cast a glow on all around them. She could feel the darkness emanating from the one, and something in Tariél quivered with fear. Another shift, and she saw land and waters rise, birds and other creatures appear. Then there were elves, rising from the ground, each beautiful and powerful, yet different. Then more, men, and dwarves.

What she saw, coming from the Dark One however, made her skin crawl - no light shone from him, and no beautiful creatures did he create. Tariél saw a darkness rolling from him, but not the same type as there had been first. This darkness was full of a malicious vanity and greed, not the emptiness of before. She saw the way he twisted the creatures of beauty the people of the light had made, and she saw the battles and wars that followed.

Suddenly her head split and time flowed through her. Everything that had come to pass, she saw. Tariél felt, and lived the life of every breathing creature, every man, elf, and dwarf. She lived it all - their joy, pain, and anger. She experienced every war, every battle and every death. She felt every love, every happiness and every birth.

Tariél saw her mother, then herself - no more than a tiny bundle wrapped in swaddling. She saw Radagast, Gandalf, Saruman, he life on the Western eaves, and finally, time stopped. Brilliant blue eyes stared at her intently, studying her, evaluating her, and leaving her feeling like they belonged to someone important. Then they blinked and were gone.

• • •

The first thing Tariél became conscious of, was the dull throbbing of her head, and the dark green quality of the light that flickered through her eyelashes. Slowly, she opened her eyes, and for what felt like the first time in a long time, she took a deep breath, her lungs filling with the clean, crisp air that surrounded her.

Tariél tested her fingers, which, despite creaking with what felt like age, seemed to work fine. Slowly, she sat up a little, and for the first time looked around the room she was in. To her surprise, it was fashioned as if from the wood of trees, a lot like the home of Radagast had been. Yet, where his was all roughness and created a natural homey feel, with the odd, rogue branch sticking out in the middle of the room. This was all elegance and lithe beauty. From her place on the bed, she could see the intricate workings of the wood that flowed up and formed a ceiling above her.

Dimly, Tariél realised that she was in Thranduil's palace, home of the Woodelves. It was the only logical explanation. Gently, she smoothed back the covers of the bed she found herself in, and forced her protesting muscles to work. Just as one toe hit the smooth stone of the floor, the door (which looked as if it had been woven from the branches of a tree) flew open and several people walked in; and Tariél scrambled once more beneath the covers.

The first was a man - or male elf, with silvery blonde hair that fell about his shoulders. His face was sharp and angular, and his piercing blue eyes with black brows spoke volumes of wisdom and keen intelligence. It was his face, and not the crown of burnished leaves that adorned his head, which told her that this elf was the Elvenking Thranduil.

Behind him came two elven women, twins, and once more, Tariél knew who they were. Tuilinneth and Alfirineth, The Swallow, and Immortal flower - daughters of Thranduil. They held the same poised dignity and sharpness of their father, with his long silvery hair, but with the green eyes of their mother. That was something she did not wish to think about.

From her place on the bed, Tariél bowed her head "Dhe suilanthon Thranduil, Elvenking; Tuilinneth, Alfirineth ." she said softly, "Ni veren an dhe ngovaned, gail síla erin lû e-govaned 'wîn."

If they had been surprised by her greeting, the elves did not show it. They simply smiled and inclined their heads in reply. "Mê dh'ovannen Tariél Alatarsell und Amielsell. Dhe nathlam hi." Thranduil replied, when suddenly, another person entered.

Immediately, Tariél smiled and relaxed, "Radagast!" she cried happily, throwing back the covers and attempting to race over to her guardian. Sadly, her attempt failed epically, and she had not taken more than two steps before she promptly fell over. Luckily, before she hit the floor, the Elvenking caught her, and deposited her safely back on her bed. Blushing furiously, Tariél thanked him, and not wishing to be rude, but desperate to talk to him, looked to the brown wizard, "I don't mean to sound rude, but what are you doing here? Where is Gandalf, and how did I get here for that matter?"

Radagast was fidgeting terribly, his eyes flickering to Thranduil, and her, then around the room. Finally, he stepped forward and hugged her, "Oh this is wonderful, so wonderful!" he exclaimed, giving her a squeeze, before moving away, excitedly, "Everything can go back to normal now! Gandalf will be so pleased! Oh, there was something I had to tell you..."

"That Gandalf has gone." Thranduil said gently, whilst the wizard attempted to conjure the fact from his mind.

Radagast smiled, "Ohhhh yes, that is right, Gandalf has gone, but he should be back in a few years - not too long at all." he said confidently, but concern etched itself over his features when he saw Tariél's distraught look. "What's wrong my dear?"

"I thought he was going to show me middle-earth, take me with him." Tariél said, dumbfounded and more than a little hurt, "When did he leave?"

Radagast took the opportune moment to become quite flustered again. "Oh my, yes, well...How about I go and bring you some tea while Thranduil tells you what happened, my dear." he said, practically fleeing from the room. Tariél sighed, so Radagast wished to avoid answering, that did not bode particularly well.

Ice blue eyes turned on her, "You may need to prepare yourself for this Tariél, you have been asleep for a very long time." Thranduil said slowly, as if gauging her reaction, "Gandalf left us for the first time ten years ago, not long after you came to us, perhaps three months. He carried you in unconscious, and left you in our care when he was called elsewhere."

Tariél could not think straight, couldn't breathe. Ten years? "How...why...what..." she gasped out, her head starting to ache once more.

"I think you and I should discuss this. There is much that needs to be explained." Thranduil interjected her tirade smoothly, pulling a nearby chair closer to her bedside, before turning and saying something to his daughters, who then left the room. Tariél barely noticed the exchange however, too busy trying to process the information she had just been given. It was a hard fact to believe.

"First of all, when you were brought here, Gandalf instructed me in the secret you hold." Thranduil said calmly, and Tariél looked up at him sharply. So much for the level of secrecy regarding her parentage the grey wizard had impressed upon her. "It is, however, not my secret to tell. You have slept for the entirety of the time you have been here. At first, our healers tried to help you, but you had gone too deep, and you were left in the hands of the Valar."

Tariél frowned, thinking. The Elvenking practically radiated power and calm; if she were to stay here and learn, she would trust him. Just as Gandalf (and Radagast) obviously did. "When I was unconscious...I dreamed..." Tariél said slowly, looking up into the elf's eyes. "And yet, I do not really think it was a dream, but a remembrance of everything that has ever happened."

Thranduil frowned, his blue eyes studying her piercingly, "What did you see?" he asked.

"I saw the world, it's creation. I saw fifteen beings appear, as if out of nowhere and shape the earth. I saw one turn to darkness. I saw wars, and death and destruction." Tariél said softly, her eyes downcast as she recalled her visions. "I lived the life of every creature to ever walk the earth."

If the Elvenking was surprised, he did not show it; his gaze still an impenetrable stare. "And do you remember everything that you saw?" Thranduil asked quietly. "The events of all lives?"

Tariél frowned, thinking back and trying to sort through her muddled mind, "No, I do not." she said finally, after some time, "Not every detail. But I can still remember people - I knew your daughters - their names." Thranduil nodded, his face pensive. Just as it seemed he was about to say something, there was another knock at the door and this time it was Radagast who entered once more, another elf close behind him.

"Tea, Tariél! Just how I know you like it!" the brown wizard said cheerfully as he entered (although, she could still see the worry plain as day on his face), "Did Thranduil tell you? I'm so sorry my dear, I didn't know how to...it just wasn't right...I mean, you were always a deep sleeper but never like this! I-"

"Aiwendil," Tariél cut in gently, realising that he was heading in the direction of one of his fretful conversations he sometimes held with himself, "It is alright. I will be more than fine. I'm just a little...confused. Thank you for the tea."

Radagast had calmed when she had said his name, and he smiled and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, "Alright my dear." he said, pulling another seat to her bedside, "Although I am sure you would want nothing more than to get up after sleeping for so long!"

Tariél laughed, her old guardian still made her smile. Apart from a few more silver hairs, he was unchanged and she almost couldn't believe that ten years had passed. It seemed like only a few days ago that she had left him in Rhosgobel, "This may surprise you, but I feel like I could go back to sleep for another millennia." she said with a smile, "I feel so tired."

It was then that Thranduil spoke up, and Tariél's attention turned back to the Elvenking, and the elf that stood beside him. "Tariél, this is Nestadir." he said, "He is our healer here, and will check that you are alright - if you so permit."

Tariél smiled and nodded at the elf. He looked much the same as Thranduil, tall and willowy with silvery blonde hair; but with bright green eyes instead of blue. Where the Elvenking's eyes were old and powerful, Nestadir's eyes were so deep and wise that she found herself almost drowning in them. She knew immediately, he was old, so very very old.

Tariél closed her eyes and gave herself up to the feeling of serenity and calm that flowed from the elf when his hands hovered inches over her face. She could feel the blackness of sleep creeping at the corners of her mind, drawing her down; and desperately, she tried to keep herself awake.

"No, do not fight it." a deep voice spoke up, gentle, but firm, "Accept it. Sleep Tariél." With a sigh, Tariél listened to the voice and obeyed; relinquishing her hold on the waking world, and giving herself up to the dark of sleep. This time however, she did not dream.


A/N: The way I have described the creation of Middle-Earth is based on the way Tolkien described it. I am drawing from his lore and not making things up willy nilly, I promise. If anybody can guess who the fifteen people are at the beginning of creation, you get a cyber cookie ;) (You don't need to state their names, just who they are in general)

Moving on...

Thanks to zenstarrflower, page88, Mad4books, chained2love, Lonetear, sleepyPrincess,, and for following. Mercede216, emickohana21, and Suz Singer for favouriting, as well as breneke87, BarronsBaubles, and hungergamespetalover for both favouriting and following. To Kasuka-clan, Poke Kid 25 and alicewonton as well for reviewing.

Thank you all so much, I know it's taken me a while, but each and every one of you have contributed to me pushing to get this chapter out. Thank you :)

alicewanton: Thanks for your review! I was a little depressed when I realised you were a guest and I couldn't reply personally but oh well! :P I'm glad you are appreciating it. I really am a super hard core Tolkien junkie (I will actually get around to learning Sindarin and Quenya properly one day!) so I don't mind doing research. Woot! I'm glad you think her name suits. I can't remember if I already said, but it is the Elvish form of Regina - or Queen (Yes I purposely looked up names in Tolkien's Elvish :P) and I try never to do anything without a reason ;) Thanks again!

Translations:

Dhe suilanthon Thranduil, Elvenking: I give greetings to you Thranduil, Elvenking.

Ni veren an dhe ngovaned, Gail síla erin lû e-govaned 'wîn: I am happy to meet you, a star shines on the hour of our meeting.

Mê dh'ovannen Tariél Alatarsell und Amielsell. Dhe nathlam hi: Well met Tariel, daughter of Alatar and Amiel. You are welcome here.