ATE: Hey everyone! I bet you weren't expecting me to update so soon today, did you? The reason for this is because today was teacher work day so I got the day off today from class. Thanks go out to 1loveluffy, Boston Rider, and Lelleg for their reviews from the last chapter, and of course I can't forget those still reading! Can't really think of anything else to say, so enjoy!
Declaimer: Don't own The Hobbit or Lord of the Rings. Never have, never will. I only have ownership of my OCs that appear in this story.
~*~Chapter 10~*~
Arwen had been right about Ithilwen looking for Silvia since they ran into her in the halls. She'd been surprised about how late it had gotten while she'd been conversing in the garden. Ithilwen had rushed Silvia back to her room and no sooner had they arrived the she-Elf got down to business getting her ready for tonight. By the time she finished Silvia found herself wearing a pretty white gown with sleeves that weren't as wide and long as the pale purple dress she wore. The skirt was wider as it flowed down from her hips due to the slight train behind her. Ithilwen soon ushered her out of the room when she deemed Silvia ready before escorting her to wherever the festival was taking place, the moon and stars giving Rivendell an heavenly appearance that made her wonder if she was in a dream.
Silvia was amazed at how the Elves seemed to softly glow in the moonlight as they all gathered in a large clearing, dancing and talking to each other lively. Their voices were beautiful and enchanting as some of them sang in Elvish. She smiled when she spotted Bilbo talking with some Elves, looking child-like in size compared to them as he listened eagerly to every word they spoke to him. He looked like he was thoroughly enjoying his time and she thought she would join him, only to be stopped when someone grasped her wrist. Silvia turned around to see who it was and found two identical Elves standing before her, both having dark hair and grey eyes. One of them wore dark green robes while the other wore a dark blue version. She noticed how they resembled Elrond and realized these two must've been Arwen's older brothers she'd told her about.
"Good evening, milady." They said at once, both giving her a slight bow.
Silvia was confused when they each took one of her hands but soon found herself blushing when they placed a light kiss to the back of her hands. She pulled her hands close to herself as soon as they let go which caused them to smirk at her reaction.
"L-likewise." She managed to get out. "You two must be Elladan and Elrohir."
"So you have heard of use then." The one wearing dark green said.
"Lady Arwen told me about you two. So who is who?"
"I am Elladan."
"And I am Elrohir." The one in dark blue added.
"It's a good thing you're both wearing different colors or I might've gotten you two mixed up."
"We would have, but Father would not allow it." Elladan explained. "He did not want us confusing our guests, though it would seem luck is on our side since the Dwarves have not shown up."
"It is a shame you had to travel with them, let alone put up with their…antics." Elrohir said the last bit as if he'd been forced to eat something he didn't like.
Silvia frowned a bit at this, not liking how Elladan and Elrohir were talking about the Dwarves as if they were something they had to tolerate. Then again the Dwarves didn't like the Elves either.
"I would ask that you refrain your words. They are my friends and I wouldn't want anything ill spoken against them."
Elladan and Elrohir looked at each other before turning to her.
"If that is what you wish we will refrain from speaking ill of your companions."
"To make up for our transgressions we would like to offer you a dance each."
Silvia tensed up as she began to feel somewhat anxious.
"I-I don't know how to dance." She stammered, her face heating up.
"Nonsense! Surely you have learned how to do something as simple as dancing."
"If I had I don't remember." She muttered.
Apparently Elves had good hearing since the two Elves grinned as if she had spoken clearly.
"Then allow us to help you remember."
He sat near the edge of the balcony (it was more like a platform since it lacked any railing of sorts) in the room the Dwarves chose to camp out in (even though the Elves had provided them with rooms or their own) during their stay. He could hear the others talking and laughing with each other, the glow of the fire made from one of the wooden chairs in the room providing warmth as they cooked some meat (thank Mahal!). He had eaten his fill and was smoking his pipe as he relaxed, silently watching the festivities in the clearing below filled with Elves along with a few others that sat down to observe as well. Of course they didn't go; what Dwarf in their right mind would do such a thing to begin with?
But his attention wasn't focused on the Elves.
Instead it was the young woman dancing among their glowing forms.
She was wearing a white gown that flowed and fluttered around her form as she twirled and danced around, and he could only imagine the smile that lit her face up at that moment. He knew she wasn't an Elf but she could've almost passed as one (especially when he first saw her in that lavender dress earlier that day) if she'd had their features such as the immortal beauty they were known for (that only improved as they aged) and the ears. Despite all this he couldn't deny her beauty.
He remembered the annoyance he felt when he'd witness the two identical Elves talking to her, having tighten his hold on his pipe when they'd kissed her hands. Whatever their real intentions were, he knew Silvia would be oblivious to what they were. He would've been down there if it weren't for his stubbornness and pride as a Dwarf. He would've been the one to dance with her, to fully appreciate her beauty as he gazed upon her up close and see her smile in happiness.
But alas he was up here smoking a pipe as he could do nothing more than watch the lass from afar.
He was more than glad when she managed to get away from the two Elves in order to dance alone to the music being played below. He could faintly see the smile on her face when she briefly turned in his direction, a faint smile gracing his lips at her innocence. She was precious, he mused, precious as the mithril the Dwarves had once mined in Khazad-dûm back when their ancestors still occupied the place and possibly just as valuable to the Company as well.
It was a wonder how this daughter of Men had managed to worm her way into all their hearts in such a short time but she had pulled it off. And with the state her mind was in her child-like demeanor had only made the process that much easier for her.
It had pulled at their heartstrings to see her so frightened when she had her near death encounter with a Warg earlier that day and twisted her ankle trying to get away. To see how confused she'd been about what happened until she found the black blood on herself and registered that she would've died if they hadn't killed the beast when they did. She'd been so shaken up, like a child having woken up from the most horrifying nightmare in their life; they wished they could've taken her off to the side and told her that it'd all been a nightmare, but the truth was they couldn't. They couldn't brush off her experience as merely a nightmare. With the world being a strange and unknown place to the amnesic woman they couldn't continue to shelter her much longer even if they wanted to. She'd willingly agreed to join the Company on their journey to the Lonely Mountain and sooner or later she'd have to learn about the world anew. And from what he knew of her so far Silvia wasn't likely to leave their group because of a close encounter with death.
Because she was one of them now.
And he didn't trust the Elves enough if they ultimately decided to leave her in Rivendell, even if it meant she'd be safe.
Even if she wasn't like mithril or all the precious gems in the world, she was their treasure. For she had won them over with her kind heart. Pure and innocent and irreplaceable.
'Yes.' He thought, taking a drag out of his pipe. 'She is our treasure. Our precious treasure.'
Silvia was more than glad to get away from Elladan and Elrohir when she did, more because of the questions about herself she couldn't answer than how uncomfortable she'd been around them. The attention they'd been giving her made her feel suffocated which was why she didn't regret losing them. But dancing by herself in that clearing was so surreal and yet she felt joy from the sense of freedom she received as a result.
At one point she encountered Arwen off to the side watching the Elves singing and dancing, a look of longing on her face as she held a goblet in her slender fingers. She wore an extravagant gown that was fit for royalty (and in a sense the she-Elf was considered such), the color of it being a light green. As she gazed up at the Elf Silvia couldn't help but think how angelic Arwen looked as she glowed in the moonlight.
"Why do you look sad?" She asked, approaching Arwen.
Arwen turned to Silvia, giving her a sad smile.
"I see how happy everyone here is, but I can't help but feel sorrow knowing the fate that is to come for my kin." She answered.
"And what would that be?"
"The age of Elves is coming to an end, which is why some of us have started leaving for Valinor. At this time the progress of our departure is a slow, but as the Third Age draws to close more and more of us will be leaving and eventually even Rivendell will be emptied."
Silvia observed Arwen, hearing the sad tone of her voice.
"So you can't just stay?"
"We could but it would only serve to prolong the inevitable. There are some Elves that have the option to choose a immortal or mortal life but they are few. My father, along with my brothers and myself, have such a choice."
"You and your family have such a choice?" Silvia was surprised by this. "If you have a choice between being mortal and immortal do you know what you would choose?"
Arwen smiled at her, as if knowing something.
"I believe I know my choice, but I feel that it is bound to change at some point in time."
Silvia couldn't help feeling a sense of sadness at this. True, she had just met Arwen not that long ago but already she considered her a good friend that she was able to talk to, just like with Ithilwen. Strangely enough the she-Elf seemed to pick up on Silvia's thoughts since she placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Do not feel sad. You are still young and have much to live for, so much to experience. There is already a path laid out before your feet that you must take now."
"If that's so then where do I start?" Silvia asked.
"Your path began when your companions first found you. Your heart will know the way. But for now enjoy what tonight has to offer you."
Silvia eventually found herself sitting down beside Bilbo, each with a goblet of Elvish wine in hand as they talked to each other. She couldn't help but smile as the Hobbit talked animatedly about the Elves and what he'd heard from them thus far. She got the feeling he might've drank more than one goblet of the Elvish wine since he wasn't usually this lively or at ease with himself as he was at that moment.
Suddenly everyone became quiet and Silvia looked up to see what was going on. Everyone had stopped dancing to look at the stage set up and she stood to see Ithilwen on stage alone. At first she wondered what she was doing, but then she started singing in Elvish with no music to accompany her. Her voice was hauntingly beautiful and sad, as if singing mournfully for something she lost and longed to regain. Silvia assumed she was thinking of her daughter and husband as she sang, making her want to reach out and comfort the sad she-Elf. If only she knew the meaning behind the Elvish words being sung.
Silvia noticed something out of the corner of her eye and turned to see a beautiful Elvish woman standing a ways away from the rest of the Elves. She had long blonde hair that trailed behind her like a long gown that pooled at on the ground, a gleaming silver crown atop her head. Her gown was white with light blue long sleeves that flowed from her arms, the fabric of the entire outfit seeming almost transparent. Her form glowed brighter than all the other Elves, as if she were a star herself, but not bright enough to hide her appearance. Despite how bright her light was no one seemed to notice she was there.
"Bilbo!" Silvia whispered, nudging the Hobbit. "Bilbo, do you see that?"
"See what?" Bilbo asked, having lowered his voice.
"That Elf over there."
"Where?"
Silvia started getting somewhat frustrated that Bilbo couldn't' see the Elf glowing brightly. She went as far as to grab his arm (he let out a quiet yelp when she did) and pointed it in the direction the Elf was in.
"Over there!"
Bilbo looked bewildered as he stared at the spot Silvia had his hand pointing at, blinking a few times as if to make sure he was seeing the right way. He furrowed his eyebrows and squinted a bit.
"I don't see anything." He told her after awhile, turning to face her with a confused expression. "What am I looking for?"
"What? You don't' see the Elf glowing brighter than the others?"
"No. Maybe you've had too much Elvish wine and are seeing things. I've heard that's stuff stronger than normal wine."
Silvia's face paled, suddenly feeling anxious. No one could see the Elf she was talking about, and yet she could. She hadn't even finished her goblet of Elvish wine and Bilbo thought she was seeing thing? Was she seeing things?
Suddenly the Elf woman turned to face Silvia, her clear eyes seeming to glow as she gazed straight at her. She seemed to be waiting for something or someone. She looked around her before reluctantly pointing a finger to herself in question. The Elf woman smiled at this as if telling Silvia she was correct before turning around and gracefully walking off, her long hair dragging along the ground behind her with the long trail of her gown. Silvia hurried after the Elf woman, trying to keep up as the glowing being glided through the halls like an ethereal spirit or angel. She didn't know where this woman was taking her, but after awhile she followed her up a long flight of stairs twisting around the corner as it wrapped around the side of a tower. It eventually led outside where the stairs continued going higher up, but there was no sign of the Elf woman she'd been following. Silvia was greatly bewildered by this as she searched frantically for the Elf before suddenly feeling uneasy if not disturbed by her sudden disappearance. Where did she go? Maybe she shouldn't have left. She probably wasn't supposed to be here.
{Come.}
Silvia froze, her heart beating loudly in her chest as her eyes widened in fear. Where did that voice come from?
{Do not be frightened, Silvia.} The voice of a woman told her. Was it the Elf she'd been following? {Continue following the steps to the top, where I will be waiting.}
Silvia took a deep breath in order to calm her nerves before cautiously following the stairs up. If the voice was right then the Elf woman she'd been following was most likely at the top. She became more anxious the higher she went, not sure what she'd find at the end. Eventually she reached the top and she did find an Elf woman, but not the one she'd been following earlier.
This Elf woman's appearance was very similar to the one she'd followed, but with a few minor differences. Her blonde hair flowed down her back like a river of golden waves, reaching past her waist while a silver circlet was set on her head. Her gown was purely white with transparent long white sleeves that showed off her fair skinned arms. Looking into the woman's deep blue eyes she could see what appeared to be stars dotting around the pupils, appearing to be older and wiser than even Elrond despite her youthful appearance. This woman was so ethereal and beautiful that she believed her to be more beautiful than Arwen, if not the most beautiful in the world, rivaled by none.
Silvia suddenly felt intimidated by this beautiful woman, not because of her appearance but because of the powerful presence she had that even the younger woman could sense from where she stood. The Elf woman gazed at Silvia, her eyes all-knowing and reading her as if she were a book laid open before her. She then smiled as if to invite her closer.
{Because I am.}
Silvia jumped in surprised, not having expected the voice to return.
"W-was that you?" Silvia asked quietly. And can you read minds, she added silently.
"It was I. And I am capable of reading your mind as well." The Elf answered, the voice being the same one she heard in her head.
"How do you know who I am when I've never met you?"
"I know a lot more about you than you realize, as well as many things when it comes to this world. You are right to consider me all-knowing."
"May I ask your name?"
"It is only fair that you know my name, for I know yours. I am Galadriel, Lady of Lórien."
Silvia might not have known who Galadriel was but she got the feeling the Elf was very important. She took a deep breath before speaking.
"I…saw a woman who closely resembled you, yet at the same time she didn't. She glowed…like a star but not as bright. In fact I followed her here and found you instead."
Galadriel smiled knowingly at this before slowly approaching Silvia.
"The Valar work in mysterious ways. Tell me…what do you know of Elbereth Gilthoniel?"
By this point the Elf stood within reaching distance and she resisted the urge to take a step back.
"If what you told me is true then you would know my knowledge of this world is quiet limited at best."
"Indeed it is." Galadriel placed a hand on her back before gently guiding her towards one of the chairs at the table located in the center of the platform. "I believe you remember the song Ithilwen sang not that long ago. You wished to know what the words meant in the common tongue."
"O-of course."
The Elf smiled down at her before she opened her mouth.
Snow-white! Snow-white! O Lady clear!
O Queen beyond the Western Seas!
O light to us that wander here
Amid the world of woven trees!
Gilthoniel! O Elbereth!
Clear are thy eyes and bright thy breath!
Snow-white! Snow-white! We sing to thee
In a far land beyond the sea.
O Stars that in the Sunless Year
With shining hand by her were sown,
In windy fields now bright and clear
We see you silver blossom blown!
O Elbereth! Gilthoniel!
We still remember, we who dwell
In this far land beneath the trees,
Thy starlight on the Western Seas.
Galadriel soon finished the song and Silvia stared. Those were the words to the song Ithilwen sang?
"Who is Elbereth Gilthoniel?" Silvia asked.
"She is the Queen of the Valar known as Varda. All starlight in the heavens above this world were created by her. The woman you encountered was her."
Silvia's eyes widened in surprise, having lost the ability to speak as she tried to voice her thoughts. Eventually she managed to find her voice.
"Y-you're telling me that I followed a goddess of this world here?"
"She led you here, knowing you would have need of me."
"Need of what?"
"Answers."
{You are not what you seem, Silvia. You appear to be of the race of Men, but you are much, much more.} Galadriel spoke telepathically.
'What do you mean?' Silvia asked.
{Your mother, Merildis, was an Elf. 20 years ago she disappeared from this world, only to reappear in your world. It was there she married a man called Richard, your father.}
Silvia took a sharp breath, not expecting to hear this. Her mother was an Elf…and her father a human? Did that mean she was…half Elf?"
{In a way you are. Though the only things you inherited from your mother's Elvish blood are our beauty and a longer lifespan. It is because of your father's side being more dominant that you appear to be of the race of Men.}
Silvia remembered that Galadriel mentioned her mother having disappeared from this world 20 years ago and her eyes widened in shock.
'My mother, Merildis, is Ithilwen's daughter!' She exclaimed, getting up from her seat before making her way to the stairs. 'I have to tell her!'
"It would not be wise to tell her, Silvia." Galadriel spoke aloud.
Silvia stopped short of the steps and turned to face the she-Elf.
"Why? She deserves to know what happened to her daughter."
"She may deserve to know the truth but it is not the right time to do so, for she is still grieving. Do not reveal your relation to her because it will cause her to worry over your safety when the time comes for you to continue your journey with your companions."
Silvia wanted to argue with Galadriel but she couldn't find it in herself to do so since the she-Elf made a valid point. She averted her eyes, feeling stupid for being reckless and wanting to tell Ithilwen the truth when it would only cause more harm than good. At least Galadriel prevented her from making a mistake she knew she'd regret.
"Do not fret." Galadriel told her, having picked up on her thoughts. "Your intentions were pure and good for wanting to do the right thing. That is one of the many things the Dwarves value you for."
"I wish I could do more for them than be valued for my kindness. Every time we've run into trouble they're forced to protect me because I don't know how to defend myself. After what happened today with the Warg…"
Silvia stopped as she was reminded of what happened. And then there was that woman she saw when she started panicking. Who was she and why did she shoot her?
{Because she wanted you dead.} Galadriel answered, causing Silvia to look up.
'What did I do for her to want me dead?'
{Jealousy. It is a powerful motivator that can even spark the fires of war. For your stepmother it was her jealousy of your beauty that made her attempt to kill you.}
'Apparently she failed since I'm alive.'
{And yet she almost succeeded before help arrived to apprehend her. It was by the grace of the very Vala you followed here tonight that you were spared and brought to this world. It was by chance your path crossed with that of your companions when they found you, for you would have surely bled to death if they had not.}
"How come I don't remember anything from before I was found, let alone my past?" Silvia asked aloud.
For the longest time Silvia had wanted to know who she was and her past. This was her chance to find out the answers she'd wanted.
"Your memories were lost due to the trauma you suffered at the hands of your stepmother. I cannot reveal the rest of your memories for they are not mine to uncover. I have told you what I have because that knowledge is more important than the others. For one so young you have lost and endured so much. In time you will regain your memories."
"Thank you for telling me what you could, Lady Galadriel. I am truly grateful."
"You are welcome, Silvia. Go now, enjoy the rest of tonight and not let your heart be troubled by your worries." Galadriel replied.
Silvia smiled before making her way over to the stairs. She had only descended a few steps before she stopped, her smile dropping as she remembered something.
"Milady?" Silvia asked, turning to face Galadriel. "Why did the Valar spare me?"
At this Galadriel smiled warmly at her.
"It was because of a mother's love for her child. She prayed for your life to be saved should misfortune befall you while on her deathbed. What you do with your life now is up to you, but know that by the time your journey has reached its end you will have made a difference."
By the time Silvia came back to the festival she found that things had calmed down a bit from earlier. The Elves sat around as they listened to stories being told by another. She wondered what they could be about and was curious enough to join. However her mind was heavy from what she learned about her parents and that she had Elven blood running through her veins. What would the Dwarves think if they found out about that? She knew she couldn't tell them because of how they might react to the news, especially Thorin's reaction. The Dwarves were only tolerating the Elves for now because of the Company's current predicament as far as food and supplies went.
'If they found out…Thorin won't let me stay.' She thought sadly. 'Bond or not they wouldn't want Elf blood around.'
"There you are, Miss Silvia!"
Silvia turned towards the voice to find Bilbo with a slightly winded look on his face. She sighed, guessing that he'd probably been looking for her this whole time. A smile graced her lips from the fact that he was concerned enough to look for her.
"Where have you been?" Bilbo asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the Elves listening to the current story being told. "I've been looking all over for you."
"I found a beautiful Elf that told me a wonderful story." She told him.
"What was it about?"
"I wish I could tell you but I don't remember all of it." She didn't like having to lie to the Hobbit but she couldn't risk him knowing. Under the right circumstances she felt that he'd blurt out what she was in front of the Dwarves, especially if he were under pressure. "I don't think I'd do the story much justice if I do."
Bilbo smiled and nodded his head.
"Must be quite the story if you don't want to ruin it due to misinterpretation."
"It was, Bilbo." She agreed. "It was."
ATE: Explanation time!
(1) Festival: Given the fact that we don't know much of what all happened when the Company stayed in Rivendell during The Hobbit (Tolkien doesn't really elaborate the details in the book), I took the liberty to have this happen. I don't really know that much as far as the Elves go so this was taking a huge leap of faith on my part. Hopefully you all understand where I'm coming from.
(2) Elladan and Elrohir: Seeing as Arwen mentioned these two back in the previous chapter, I couldn't help but include them somehow. As far as their outfits go I'd assume that Elrond wouldn't be too keen in allowing them to wear identical clothes, especially if you have guests in your home. Can you imagine how much confusion and chaos there would be if that happened, given that they're identical twins?
(3) Varda: By now I'd think the identity of the woman Silvia saw at the end of the Prologue would be obvious since I outright told you all here. I had to do my research when it came to her and I hope I did an okay job with my interpretation here.
(4) Galadriel: Seeing as the Lady of Light would already be in Rivendell (I believe), I thought it would be appropriate of Silvia to meet her. Even more so given Galadriel's knowledge of certain things, which made her the perfect person to reveal who Silvia is or what she provides her. Like with Varda, I hope I did okay with Galadriel's character and keeping her in character as well. If anyone can tell me what they think, that'd be great.
(5) Merildis: Silvia's mother is Merildis, who happens to be the daughter of Ithilwen, and in turn makes Silvia Ithilwen's granddaughter. Wow! That seemed almost like a tongue twister to me just now. As you can tell Merildis is an Elf, which would make Silvia a half Elf since she married Richard, a mortal human. From some of the reviews I've received for the Prologue, readers were already figuring out that Silvia's mother was an Elf. Bravo to you all that were thinking that and/or figured it out! As for how or why Merildis died (as mentioned in the Prologue) when Elves are immortal, I believe that that'll be explained later in the story. If not, you can always ask and I'll explain.
On that note I have posted more images on my DA account (Aerith-The-Evenstar) of the dress Silvia wears during the festival, Varda, a comparison image between Varda and Galadriel, and Merildis. Feel free to check those out whenever you get the chance.
Also, please remember to review and tell me what you all think so far. Any questions involving the chapter count as well. ;D
