Chapter Four: What Arwen Saw
"But personally, I never liked him," Snorra the Dwarf declared, eating very heartily and talking with her mouth full. "I'm glad the men of Silver Lake banished the big ugly brute. Even if he was the son of the king!"
"So now Rann Golden-hair is king," Galadriel said thoughtfully, setting down her wine goblet after only a tiny sip. "A nephew succeeding to the throne instead of a son. Such goes against the customs of the lake men. I wonder how he convinced the council of Brann's guilt?" The tall elven-lady frowned, as though seeing things beyond the walls of the cave. "Perhaps we are meant to discover the truth with the help of the Golden Leaf. In that case, all will depend on Arwen, the bearer of the leaf. Arwen? Are you ready?"
"What?" The dark-haired daughter of Elrond opened her eyes in confusion. Snorra's stew had been wonderful, and the oat cakes with honey even more delicious. Arwen had only begun falling asleep at the end of the meal because the tale of Rann and Brann seemed so long and tedious. It had nothing to do with Aragorn, or the Ring. "I mean yes! Yes, I am ready!"
"Ready for bed, poor lass." Snorra the dwarf gave a deep chuckle. "At least you've had a bath and a decent meal. Galadriel, why drag the poor child all this way? Surely your own elvish nose will soon smell out the mischief in these wild lands. If there is any, I mean."
"I don't believe so," the golden-haired lady replied seriously. "The Golden Leaf came to Arwen, and she must go where it guides her. Though I'm sure the answer will come more easily after a good night's sleep."
"I don't see why everyone thinks I'm still a baby," Arwen grumbled. She battled the urge to rub her eyes, for she was feeling winky and blinky and very sleepy. "I came all this way, didn't I?"
"Yes, you did," Snorra replied, her merry old eyes twinkling. "You walked for miles and miles. And now to bed you go!" She clapped her hands, and with a groan of splitting rock an inner chamber appeared within the cave. Within the chamber was a bed covered with furs. Though crudely made it appeared very comfortable.
Arwen could have argued further, but wisely decided to fall into bed. She needed rest, and it had been a long day. The closed in space of the cave didn't bother her so long as there were other people close by. For a short time she lay awake, listening to the two females in the nearby chamber, laughing and talking like old friends. But soon she slept. And in her dreams, she saw blue water and a ship. The prow of the ship was shaped like a dragon's head and painted gold.
On board the ship was a prince with golden hair. He was coming home after a long voyage, and he looked so handsome and kind and good that in her sleep Arwen cried aloud. But the prince didn't see or hear her. He was landing now, to the loud cheers of a joyous crowd. They crowded the docks, waving and smiling. But hidden behind the barrels and boxes there was a hooded figure. Someone was waiting for the golden prince. Someone was planning to do him harm . . .
"Look out! Look out!" Arwen sat up in bed. Her heart was pounding and the sweat was cold on her brow. Hours had passed, and the fire in the main chamber was nearly out. She called out for Galadriel, and for Snorra. But no one answered.
The daughter of Elrond was all alone.
