Chapter 10
They stopped for the night and set up camp several years from the road. Malithra cooked fish and potatoes for dinner and soon after Lexy was sound asleep. Lawen was glad to have someone, who was possibly closer to her age, to talk with.
"How old is she?" asked Malithra.
"My guess is five or six but I don't know for sure," said Lawen. "So where are you going?"
"Wherever the wind takes me," she smiled. "I go where I want. No one tells me what to do."
"That must be nice," Lawen said, smiling at the young woman before her.
"You sound like you don't know what that feels like," she said.
"I don't," the young elf said. "My parents keep me quite busy."
"I see," she said. "What are you? Your too well kept to be a common peasant girl. Are you the daughter of some rich merchant? A knight perhaps? Maybe a lord?"
"No," Lawen said sourly. "None of those."
"So you got any siblings? Is that why your running?"
"No I'm an only child."
"I wouldn't know what that's like. I've got two older brothers and one younger sister. My parents never paid that much attention to me, but I didn't mind cause then I could go off into the forest and practice my magic."
"You're a sorceress?" Lawen looked at her with an expression of amazement. "That's an interesting occupation."
"Yeah but I'm trying to get to white."
"There's levels? Wow."
"You don't know that much about the outside world, do you?"
Lawen shook her head. "I know how to sword fight and use Elvish magic but that's all."
"Elf magic is very powerful. Only because it's so pure."
"That's what my mother says."
"So it's you mother that's elf. You learn new things everyday."
"Yeah, I think it's time for some sleep. Good night," said Lawen lying down with Lexy.
"Night," Malithra said as she laid down.
Soon both were sound asleep. As midnight arrived, Lawen began to dream of Rivendell. She found herself walking down halls of white, past portraits of wars that have long since ended, and past a statue holding up a block of rock. The trees outside were covered with green leaves as the water flowed over smooth rocks in the streams and river.
Lawen walked into a room and found a large bed with a magnificent tree carved into the wall behind the headboard. She felt at peace in this palace of her ancestors as she sat on the bed. There was no need for fear or grief. The only feeling that she felt was happiness. An elf who was much older than her entered the room. He had long black hair that framed his stern face. He wore dark green cloths and walked with his head held high.
"What are you doing here?" asked the elf.
"I've come to find out who I am," Lawen said. "You look familiar. Who are you?"
"I'm Elrond," said the elf. "I'm your grandfather."
"My grandfather?" said Lawen. "You're dead though. Mother said so. She was crying her eyes out when she found out that you passed away."
"Arwen and I are very close," said Elrond. "You should not come here. It is dangerous for you."
"That's what mother said to father," Lawen said, "but why? Why is it dangerous for me? Is someone planning on killing me if I reach Rivendell? Please tell me."
Elrond looked at his granddaughter and a faint smile touched his lips. "Walk with me," he said in a sort of commanding voice.
Lawen followed her grandfather as they walked down the white halls. A warm breeze passed down the halls as they stepped onto a balcony. Elrond placed a hand on his granddaughter's shoulder as they looked out over the other elves that lived there.
"Vanimle sila tiri (Your beauty shines bright)," said Elrond.
"Thank you, grandfather," Lawen said looking up at him. "Lle naa belegohtar (You are a mighty warrior)."
"Thank you, my child," Elrond said. "You look just like my daughter and Aragorn."
Lawen beamed as she watched five small Elven children playing in a nearby gazebo. "You didn't answer my questions," she said. "Please don't evade them."
"No someone is not planning to kill you," he said. "When I saw my vision of you, I saw you dead on the floor. Your mother, too, had the same vision but you were much younger."
"Could something happen to change the outcome of your vision?" she asked.
"It is possible."
"Maybe it has happened or will happen soon. I have to go, grandfather."
"Aa' menle nauva calen ar' ta hwesta e' ale'quenle (May thy paths be green and the breeze on thy back), my granddaughter."
"If you see mother soon, please don't tell her where I'm going. Just tell her I'm okay and I'll be home soon."
"If that is what you wish."
"It is. Quel esta (Rest well)."
Elrond smiled at his granddaughter as he walked down the hall. When Lawen opened her eyes, she saw the pale lights of the sun flooding the sky. To her surprise, Malithra was already awake and making breakfast. Lexy was still sleeping beside Lawen as she sat up.
"Good morning," Malithra said with a smile. "Sleep well?"
"Yes," said Lawen, brushing her hair. "When did you wake up?"
"An hour ago," Malithra said. "You looked like you were enjoying your dream."
"Did I say anything?" asked Lawen.
"No but you had this look of absolute peace on your face," said Malithra tasting her stew. "What was it about?"
"It wasn't exactly a dream," Lawen said removing her leather jacket. "It was more of a visit from beyond."
"From who?" Malithra asked.
"My grandfather," Lawen said looking around. "Is there a river nearby?"
"I don't know," Malithra said. "You're an elf. Can't you find it?"
"I was never taught how," Lawen said.
"It's that way," Lexy said pointing deeper into the forest.
"Good morning," Lawen said. "Do you want to come and take a bath, too?"
"Sure," Lexy said as she stood up and followed Lawen over to the horses.