Ri sat in the library reading through a book on a short history of the dwarves. She had gotten a routine, wake up go to breakfast with Arwen, to the library, lunch with Arwen. Library, dinner with Arwen, walk around the garden, bed. It was a tedious routine, she knew, she was content with it she only wished that Elrohir was back, worrying for him was not something she was comfortable with. She knew he was safe he had left the side of her sister who had recently left the borders of Rivendell. The sound of horns drew Ri's attention away from the book causing her to run out of the library. Ri knew not where Arwen was but cared little, she hoped that the party that was returning was the one with Elrohir.
Running down the steps Ri passed by Arwen who laughed and walked behind her. As the party neared she saw two identical elves leading the group and her heart jumped knowing it was Elrohir. Halting his horse Elrohir dismounted with a grace that caused Ri's breathe to catch in her throat. He pulled his helmet off and handed it to an attendant before opening his arms for Ri. Quicker than Elrohir thought possible Ri ran into his arms easily being lifted into the air and twirled her around.
"Welcome back." Ri whispered her forehead resting on his. "Everything go well?"
Setting her down gently Elrohir kissed her hand. "Yes, Worry not we met no resistance.
"I know my sisters and I were talking, they are now starting the trek through the mountains." Ri said lying her head on Elrohir's chest.
"Hello, oh I am fine! Thank you for asking dearest sister." Elladan commented sarcastically.
"Oh hush, let them be. Welcome back brother." Arwen chided walked toward her brother. Ri looked at them and smiled happily snuggling into Elrohir's chest as the three teased each other. She expanded her family to these three dark haired half-elves. "Shall we get some fruit to snack on?" Arwen asked. The others nodded and she led them up toward the dining hall.
"What have you been up to while I've been gone?" Elrohir asked looking down at the girl in the crook of his arm.
"Reading, lots of it. Do you think when Glorfindel and Elrond come back I can ask them some questions. I have some plans which could help with the peace amongst the elves and with the other creatures. I've been reading about them to understand their people and culture. It's fascinating." Ri commented smiling up at Elrohir.
Elrohir chuckled. "After your last 'discussion' with them, I think they are scared of you. Though no matter the fear, they will probably be quite eager to hear what you have to say. Have you spoken to Erestor?"
"Yes, we have been discussing my ideas, he thinks it would help if I travelled to see all the cultures." Ri said as she ran toward Arwen. Elrohir let his arm drop smiling after Ri..
Elrohir chuckled before nodding. "I think, that was his way of trying to shirk your independence onto another poor people." Elrohir teased.
Aranel:
Aranel looked at Haldir as they rode along the sloping paths. She peaked over the edge before quickly looking straight ahead.
"Aranel, do not worry. These horses know these paths well. They would not let you fall even if you slept."
"I think I will stay awake, thank you." Aranel commented. 'How long will we be in the mountains?"
Haldir chuckled. "I thought you controlled the earth, is a mountain not earth? And just to the end of the day. This path is quick and the horses are swift."
Aranel chuckled shaking her head. "Perhaps, but there is lot of air off the edge and down. . ."
"Focusing straight helps." Lord Celeborn commented behind her.
By nightfall true to Haldir's word they were out of the Mountains, Aranel breathing a quick sigh of relief.
"We will camp here for the night." Haldir commanded. "Daugion, you have first watch." The elf in question nodded.
Haldir turned to Aranel helping her off her horse gently. He set out her bedroll near hers and gave her some Lembas. "Sleep now my princess." Aranel nodded, cuddled up to Haldir and quickly fell asleep.
Movement woke Aranel, who blinked blearily. "Haldir?"
Haldir turned swiftly smiling down at her. "Sleep Aranel, it is just my shift to keep watch." Aranel shook her head fighting the sleep.
"I'll stay with you . . . if that's not trouble." Aranel added quickly. Haldir nodded his head and motioned for Aranel to join him. Pulling her blanket along with her she sat in his lap, laying the blanket over the both of them. "How long have we been travelling?"
"A week. The hardest part of the journey is done. It is two weeks from here."
Aranel hummed already being lulled to sleep. "What is it like in Lothlorien?"
Haldir chuckled, she was falling asleep and was still asking questions. "I can't imagine telling you anything that you don't already know."
"Tell me more about the homes." Aranel yawned out.
"We live in Talans, in the trees. The trees themselves are content knowing what they are used for and they do not grow higher. The talans are in levels though, some are higher than others, though they all are accessed through the winding staircases. My Talan is by my brothers. At night the magic of the Lady and the elves light the forest up.
Aranel cuddled into Haldir. "Hmmm. That sounds nice." Haldir placed a kiss on the top of Aranel's head.
"Sleep now."
"We should head out soon."
"I don't want to wake her."
"We should have Haldir do it." Aranel tried to block out the arguing wardens but eventually cracked open an eye.
"No need I'm awake." The wardens stuttered out apologies which Aranel was quick to brush off. "No worries. I'm not used to travelling for such long periods of time."
"I thought you and your sisters had travelled from past the Shire?" One warden, Daugion she thought, mentioned. Aranel blinked at the wardens for a couple of moments before curing in her head.
"Haldir!" Aranel called out.
"Wait my lady! We did not mean to insult you!" The other warden panicked. Aranel stood smoothing out her travelling dress, waving his comment off.
"You did not. I simply forgot something that would make this trip much quicker."
Haldir came bounding toward her alarm on his face, Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn behind him. "Aranel? What's wrong?"
Aranel looked at the three a frown on her face. "Do you remember that day I first arrived?" Haldir nodded remembering the panic that had ensued. "And after I came back. . ." Aranel trailed off. Haldir continued to stare at her blankly. "Remember how we asked to rest?"
"Yes of course, the orc attack." Haldir commented worried that she feared going out to the open plain.
"Yes—well no!" Aranel fumbled. A light sparkled in Galadriel's eye.
"Yes, Mithrandir had commented that it took you and your sisters merely two days to travel well past the shire." Lady Galadriel commented remembering.
"How did you manage that young one?" Lord Celeborn questioned curious.
"With my powers. I am able to manipulate the earth and this helps me to move, it's hard to explain."
"Can you speed up our trip?" Haldir asked. "Having fewer wardens helps to move quickly but it makes me uneasy."
Aranel nodded happily. "Yes, I had forgotten, my sisters and I never travelled before visiting Rivendell so I had never used my powers in that way before. I forgot that I could do it, until Daugion had commented on me making a trip before."
Haldir nodded gathering everyone and the horses around. "What should we do?"
Aranel looked at the party, it seemed larger. "Nothing. I'm not sure how long I will be able to do this. When it was just my sisters and I, I pushed myself, perhaps too hard." Haldir nodded understanding.
Aranel twisted her hands up toward the sky, and a fence formed around them. She couldn't have the horses panicking and running off. Haldir noticing ordered everyone to go their horse to soothe them, him going to both his own and hers. Aranel walked forward to the front of the small gate and stepped one foot forward swinging her hands back. A gush of wind hit the party quickly as the group rushed through the open plains at a speed seemingly quicker than the horses galloping.
Haldir watched amazed as their surrounding flew by them quickly. The horses at first jerked at the sudden movement but calmed down quickly once they noticed that the elves were calm. She was for the most part still in front of him though he could see her arms moving slightly every now and then. He was curious how much time this could possibly take off of their travel time. Haldir walked up somewhat shakily to Aranel, afraid that if he disturbed her that she would drop them. His fears were uncalled for though, since as soon as he was close enough she looked over at him from her peripheral.
"Yes Haldir."
"I have a simple map, to track our paths. I just want to see the distance we are making." Haldir commented before holding the map out in front of him. Aranel looked over her shoulder briefly before pointing to a point on the map.
"If we are lucky I will last that long. This is much harder than just my sisters." Aranel conceded. Haldir nodded and stood by her side silently, making his presence known, in hopes that he could lend her strength. Already he noted her brow furrowed a slightly sweat forming there. The went for like that for a few more hours before they began to slow down.
Aranel breathed tiredly before gently letting them down. "Haldir. I'm afraid that's as far as I can go." Haldir's arm around her waist tightened slightly.
"Where are we?" He questioned, his sense slightly off. Aranel pointed on the map and Haldir nodded catching her as she fainted.
Lady Galadriel walked up concerned. "She is well, exhausted though. How much time did she manage to take off?"
Haldir sighed lifting the sleeping girl into his arms. "A full day, in the matter of a few hours. If we go at a steady pace, like this every day. We should reach Lothlorien a week early." He stated happy they were close.
Lord Celeborn stepped up an arm wrapped around Galadriel's waist. "She will have to ride with you, it will be dangerous if there is an orc attack."
Haldir nodded as the two mounted their horses. "Alyan, you will be in charge of her horse." Haldir commanded before mounting his horse, Aranel sleeping soundly against his chest. The rode at a steady pace for the rest of the day.
Aranel slowly regained conscious, she felt a warm body behind her and assumed Haldir was riding with her on the horse. Looking up at him she noted his somewhat tense jaw. "Haldir."
Immediately Haldir relaxed and looked down at the girl. "Aranel, you pushed yourself too far."
"I know. I have a plan though, to make this more efficient and less dangerous."
"No Aranel. I do not want you endangered like that. What if an orc was to attack?" Haldir said. Aranel twisted slightly.
"Please, listen to me."
She waited as Haldir's jaw tensed and untensed for a few moments before he sighed.
"What was your plan?" Lord Celeborn asked behind them.
"We wait until it is night, and everyone is making camp. I can take us a bit farther and then when I am done I sleep as if would have been anyway. That way I am on my horse, during the day, so it does not burden another and you don't have to ride with me." Aranel pleaded.
"No Aranel." Haldir refused, it would be harder to see at night, more dangerous. "I will not risk you travelling us in the dark."
Aranel sighed but nodded her head. "But what if"
"No."
"But."
"No."
"Haldir."
"Aranel. I am not endangering you."
"Well that is fine, what if instead we stop shortly before sunset and have me use my powers until dark when we would normally stop." She rushed out hoping he would not refuse.
Haldir sighed pinching the bridge of his nose. "Only if- and I mean this. If I am at the front watching with you the entire time." Haldir commented giving in.
Aranel bounced happily. "Yes of course. This is good! We will reach even sooner than we originally thought!"
"Yes. We will now. I suppose those few hours of daylight are upon us so shall we stop?" Aranel nodded brightly.
Haldir held up his hand signaling to stop.
Alyan rode up Aranel horse in tow. "March Warden, are we stopping? There is but a few hours of daylight." The warden asked curiously.
"We are done riding yes. Aranel is going to use her powers for the rest of the daylight hours." Haldir dismounted and the group urged the horses together. A gush of wind, and they were off again, Haldir by her side eyes alert. They continued like that until the light was lost.
Haldir placed a hand on Aranel's shoulder. "That is enough. We will rest here for the night." Aranel looked up blinking sleepily and nodded. She waited blinking away her heavy eyelids as Haldir prepared her bed roll.
"Aranel."
Aranel turned to Lady Galadriel smiling. "Yes my lady."
"Thank you. We are eager to return and—" Aranel tried to listen, she really did but her eyes refused to stay open any longer and she felt a pair of arms catch her before she was asleep.
Lord Celeborn had sensed the young girl struggling to stay awake and was quick to catch her when she began to fall. Chuckling he turned to his wife. "Dead on her feet."
Lady Galadriel smiled and brushed some hair from her face. "She is a treasure indeed." She watched as her husband laid the girl down on her bedroll, Haldir thanking him quickly.
Haldir watched Aranel sleep for a moment before he allowed rest to reach him.
They continued like that for a week until they reached the outskirts of Lothlorien.
Aranel was riding beside Haldir as normal when she suddenly felt a presence, it was large and great, and filled with magic. Galadriel noticed her pause and commented.
"We are nearing Lothlorien young one. Can you feel it?" Looking over her shoulder Aranel nodded the excitement bubbling in her stomach.
"It is," Aranel paused unsure how to word it. "It is much more than I thought." Reaching out she tried to reach the wood quicker with her mind.
"It is yet in view. Aranel, how do you know we are close?" Haldir asked looking over at her.
"She feels it my dear March Warden. Through her powers over the earth; she feels the trees, the plants, and the elven magic. Our golden woods are even more magical to her than it is to us." And will become even more so with your presence. Galadriel added to Aranel silently.
Haldir nodded perceptively, "once we arrive we will rest for the night far enough inside the boarder to be out of danger. This will give the horses' time to rest before making the long trek to the city." Though they had been travelling for weeks Aranel was still stunned at how he could turn so quickly to the cool March Warden that many feared. Though she knew he would never harm her he could not help but be intimidated by him. "My brothers will be on border patrol, their cycle is up and they will join us on the journey back to the city." Haldir added glancing over at Aranel.
Aranel nodded, his brothers. Suddenly the excitement turned to fear, what if they did not like her? What if they hated her? Too caught up in her musings she did not see the woods come into view. Her father had commented that the only thing human about the girls was their ears and height, their other features, especially their sense was definitely elven. At first all Aranel saw were trees, large trees that seemed to touch the sky. They were in a defined border and she could sense many presences just inside it and much farther in as they got closer Aranel could hear the trees, it sounded like singing. Surprised Aranel turned to Lady Galadriel.
"My lady, are the trees singing?"
Lady Galadriel looked shocked for a moment before she quickly schooled her expression. "It should not surprise me that you hear them. Yes they are, the trees here have long welcomed many a guest and habitant. They both welcome us home and you, they can sense a strong pure magic in you."
Lord Celeborn smiled at Aranel. "I am surprised that you can hear them. Most simply feel their emotions, their warmth, very few actually hear their voices."
Aranel smiled back to Lord Celeborn his presence reminding her of her father and soothing her frayed nerves. As the grew nearer to the border Aranel sensed a shift in the leaves, barely there but there.
"Haldir, do you keep watch in the trees?" She asked curiously.
Haldir turned to her smirking. "Why do you never cease to amaze me? Yes we do." This new piece of information caused Aranel to smile brightly. Once they entered the border Aranel immediately felt a change. She felt much more secure and serene, more so than she felt even on their isolated island.
"It seems my Lady that the woods changes with your presence." Aranel commented feeling the woods grow happier, and healthier.
Galadriel laughed good-naturedly, "It is not just mine that the wood seems stronger with." Looking pointedly toward Aranel, "your magic strengthens the woods."
Haldir halted their party once they were far enough in the woods to no longer be seen from the edge of the border. In the blink of an eye a party of twenty wardens dropped to the grounds hands on their chest in respect. One elf stepped forward, he looked much like Haldir, Aranel assumed this to be one of Haldir's brothers.
"Welcome back, Lady Galadriel." The warden bowed in respect to Lady Galadriel, "Lord Celeborn." The warden bowed to Lord Celeborn. "There is a Talan ready for you farther in the woods. If you would follow me." With that the warden turned and the party of twenty surrounded their party. Many of the wardens sent a curious gaze in Aranel's direction. "How was the trip March Warden?"
Haldir nodded and the party moved forward, "good. We ran into no trouble and you?"
"No trouble."
"Good. It seems that we were able to go to Rivendell without anyone noticing." As the party drew further into the forest the tension that many of the wardens carried on their shoulders seemed to melt. With every step of the horses Aranel observed Haldir relax. The sanctity of the woods put him at ease, with his Lord and Lady safer he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Once they were at what Aranel assumed to be there destination they stopped. Two guards stepped forward grabbing the reigns of the Lord and Lady's horses. Lord Celeborn was the first to dismount his horse, he did so with a grace that surprised Aranel. It was both the Lord and Lady who were powerful magic beings, often times Aranel forgot the power that the Lord held. He was quiet and very observant, Aranel however had little doubt in the fact that he was as capable as Haldir in killing. Once fully dismounted Lord Celeborn wasted little time in helping his Lady. The look they shared and the intimacy of it made Aranel look away embarrassed. The two guards lead the horses away to where Aranel assumed they would stay to rest. Looking over Aranel watched almost mesmerized as Haldir himself dismounted. She could imagine his muscles pulling under his clothing, she caught his eye as he walked over to her.
"Would the lady like help?" Haldir asked gentlemanly. Aranel simply smiled serenely surprised with the butterflies she still got. Reaching out Haldir placed both hands gingerly on her waist and easily lifted her off the horse. Aranel in order to balance placed both of her hands on his shoulders. As he set her down she could feel the eyes of the wardens around her on them. Haldir seemed to care not and rested his forehead on hers once she was safely on the ground. "Welcome to Lothlorien."
Aranel laughed softly and pulled away somewhat embarrassed. Haldir looked over Aranel's shoulder to the warden with her horses' reigns and nodded for him to take it. Releasing his hold on her waist Haldir grabbed one of Aranel's hands and lead her to a tall tree. With an eyebrow raised Aranel looked to Haldir.
"Worry not, they will lower a rope ladder for you. Unless you would not mind me carrying you." The twinkle in Haldir's eye hinted to Aranel that he would not mind carrying her at all. Sighing and rolling her eyes Aranel held her arms open in invitation. Laughing Haldir scooped her up and easily climbed the tree while holding her. Aranel took that time to look over his shoulder. She had indeed been right, the wardens that were discreetly peaking at her were now openly gawking. Aranel could hear the laugh of Galadriel in her mind.
Thank you Aranel, this is truly amusing. The wardens have yet to see their leader act in such a manner. They are surprised by his forwardness and openness.
As Haldir pulled himself on the small platform Aranel looked around and found herself at eye level with at least three other platforms similar to it. Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn were on another one three trees from theirs. Aranel briefly wondered if Lord Celeborn had carried Lady Galadriel in a similar manner as to Haldir with Aranel. Haldir set Aranel down gently on the platform before walking toward whom she assumed to be his two brothers. The platforms were simple, four tall walls that blocked out wind and added privacy. Looking out the window Aranel noticed three others were like the one she was in while several dozen were completely open. Haldir came up behind her and following her line of sight commented.
"This Talan and the other three are used for visitors, the injured, and sleeping. The others are used for wardens who are on watch, it is easier to see with no walls but safer to sleep with them. Come I wish for you to meet my brothers." Haldir placed an arm around Aranel's waist and led her to two tall elves. Both of them were well above six foot though neither were quite as tall as Haldir. They were both fit in stature though one of them was the leanest of the three. The other seemed to be in a stature somewhere between Haldir's and the other.
"Aranel, this is my younger brother Orophin." Haldir said mentioning to the one with a build between the two, who bowed. "And this is my youngest brother Rumil." The leanest one smiled brightly and bowed before stepping forward.
"So this is the creature whom has bewitched my eldest brother to the point he is public with his affections." The teasing tone in Rumil's light voice sent Aranel automatically at ease. Upon closer inspection Aranel could see the obvious relation, all three brothers' shared similar facial features, though Rumil's face was the most childlike and lean in appearance, which could have been due to the childlike twinkle he had in his bright blue eyes. Reaching, Rumil grabbed Aranel's hand before placing a chaste kiss on it.
"We welcome you little sister, though you are very tiny. How tall are you? You seem not much taller than a dwarf, smaller than most humans." Rumil tilted his head in confusion.
"Enough Rumil." Orophin said as he stepped forward, "Forgive our brother he is young and has much to learn." Orophin also stepped forward and placed a chaste kiss on Aranel's hand. Orophin's face though not as childlike as Rumil's was not as purely masculine as Haldir's. His eyes were also a deep blue which was different from both Rumil's bright blue and Haldir's stormy grey/blue. "It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance." The tone of Orophin's voice was formal and seemed as though he was not as happy as he said. Haldir raised a brow in Orophin's direction. Clearing his throat Orophin managed a tight smile.
"You do not like me." Aranel all but whispered out. Why not! Ri sounded furious. Oh just wait until I visit I'll show him something to dislike! Marilla added annoyed. Aranel tried to hush her sisters. Orophin noticing Aranel's sudden departure from their conversation raised a brow.
"Brother, what is she doing?" Orohpin inquired.
"That does not matter, Orophin why can you not be polite!" Rumil argued annoyed. He had tried hard to make a good impression which Orophin shattered.
"She is human! What do you expect me to be overjoyed in our brother's decisions to either live a short life or live a long life full of grief?" Orophin argued back, the love between and elf and human was doomed and he knew that.
"It matters not, we should support him in his decision whatever it may be." Rumil all but yelled to his elder brother, his annoyance hardly masked. He made it sound as if Rumil had no care to their eldest brother chosen. Blasphemy! Rumil wanted nothing more than to shake his brother and cry in grief at the future he had chosen.
"Enough!" Haldir commanded pulling Aranel from her thoughts with her sisters. "To answer your question Orophin she was talking with her two younger sisters, one is in Rivendell the heading to Greenwood." Haldir's grip on Aranel's waist perceptively tightened, he was angry, no furious.
Orophin pulled back a brow raised, "how is she talking with them? If they are indeed so far away tis not possible." Rumil looked to his elder brothers unsure of what to make of the increasing tension. "Is she not human?"
The accusing tone in Orophin's voice surprised Aranel, raising an eyebrow she answered. "Yes and no. My sisters and I are not sure what we are. We assume we are similar to our father Gandalf." With the mention of her father's name both Rumil and Orophin's faces broke out in surprise.
"So little sister, mortal you are not?" Rumil asked his face intense instantly evaporating the childlike appearance she believed him to have.
"Nay, she is not. Had you told me of your worries brothers I could have stilled them. Aranel is well over a hundred years old." Haldir stated sighing out the tension. "Either way it should not matter, she is whom I have chosen. Had she been mortal I would have hoped you to accept her being her time limited." The scolding tone of his voice made Orophin drop his head in shame.
"I apologize brother, once I learned, thought, her to be mortal my heart was seized with such a grief for you. You who raised us when our parents sailed, to have your life cut short." Orophin cut off his voice caught in his throat. Orophin looked up to Aranel and opened his mouth as if to speak only to be silenced by the raising of Aranel's hand.
"Orophin there is little need to apologize." With a pointed look to Haldir Aranel continued. "You feared for your brother, something we can all understand. Haldir would have reacted no better had one of you picked a mortal lover. If either of my younger sisters had chosen a mortal to love, I fear my reaction may have been nothing short of hostile toward the unfortunate mortal." Haldir sighed out exasperated and Orohpin managed a small smile, Rumil all the while grinning similar to a fool's grin. "Haldir." Aranel warned.
Sighing heavily Haldir succumbed. "Very well. If you are not angry there should be no reason for me. Shall we try this greeting again?" Aranel smiled and looked to Rumil and Orophin who were openly astonished.
"Brother are you feeling well. Never before have you submitted to someone else. Orophin quick call a healer I believe he has taken ill!" Rumil stated out dramatically while shaking Orophin whose wide eyes and open mouth had transformed into a small smirk.
"Brother, what I sight many shall see. You whose stature and status strikes fear into almost everyone takes commands from such a small creature." Orophin teased out causing Aranel to blush and smile. Looking over to Haldir Aranel noticed the clench of his jaw and the twitching of his lips.
"Aye, forget not though brothers, I am the March Warden and should I chose can place you on boarder duty for another cycle with no reprieve." With that comment the smirks on both Rumil and Orophin's faces vanished causing Aranel to giggle. Well as long as they are nice we can be civil to them, Ri commented. It makes sense for them to worry for their elder brother so, Marilla added. It was true Aranel commented silently much of them seemed mortal.
"However, Orophin brother what of our little sister seemed mortal? Yes her ears and height but her face is much to fair to be that of anything other than elven." Rumil commented causing Aranel to blush. Orophin chuckled a low chuckle,
"Aye, you are quite fair, though your stature leads to thoughts other than elven. Have you ever been mistaken for a fairy or pixie?" Orophin asked.
"They do not exist Orophin now hush Aranel will be tired from the ride let her rest." Haldir commented succeeding in finishing the conversation.
Marilla:
Marilla breathed a sigh of relief once they had finally left the mountains, she did not like them. They had spent too much time there for her preference.
"Legolas, how much longer until we reach your home?"
Legolas looked thoughtful for a moment before replying. "Only a week I would say, we spend more time in the mountains the party that left for Lothlorien." Marilla nodded and looked up as a storm began to brew. Smiling she turned to Legolas.
Her sister had already told her how she forgot the quick way they had traveled and if it rained Marilla would be able to make the trip much quicker. "Thranduil, may I make a suggestion."
Thranduil looked at her curiously before motioning for her to continue. Marilla was quick to explain what her and her sisters were able to do and should it rain she would have much ease doing that. She explained quickly though the limits of her powers, she would probably only be able to go for a few hours and then she would need sleep. Telling Thranduil the conclusion Aranel had come to, stopping a few moments before nightfall.
"That sounds lovely. It should start to rain tomorrow so for now we will travel by horseback and rest once night falls.
The party continued until nightfall and quickly made camp. At the beginning of the trip Marilla was unsure about cuddling so close to the prince at night but he had assured her it was fine.
So Marilla found herself once again that night curled up by Legolas. "Tell me more." She pleaded.
Legolas laughed softly. "What pray tell would you like to hear? I've told you of our home, the woods, my childhood, and the spiders."
"Your mother."
"My mother—hm. Well you see my father can be very stern at times, and a short temper to boot. My mother she balances him out, forever snap of his temper is her calm soothing. For every stern word he has she has a kind one. And she is beautiful, she has warm brown hair, and the greenest eyes I've ever seen. Everything about her, her appearance, her voice, her touches, they remind me of home. They remind me of the dense forest with the starlight festivals. They remind me of the warmth of home, the security, the joy."
Marilla cuddled into him. "She sounds lovely."
"She'll love you." Legolas whispered before he bid her to sleep.
The next day true to what Thranduil said, they got half way through the day before it began to rain. The party halted and waited for Marilla to move. The first thing the elves noticed was a bubble form around them, shielding them from the pouring rain, the other was that they were not standing in earth. No they were standing on water, and then they were shooting off into the distance. Because of the constant rain, and Marilla using it to heal herself, replenishing her strength she managed to go for half a day. By time they stopped for the night Legolas told her they would reach the woods tomorrow.
Night was quickly taking over, the small party had arrived in Greenwood earlier that day and Marilla was taken. They had yet to encounter any spiders, the constant river that they seemed to travel by worked to soothe Marilla's nerves. A new place with few known faces sent her on edge. Riding between the king and prince served to pacify her nerves only slightly.
"We will be nearing a boarder." Legolas commented looking to Marilla, "they will lead us the rest of the way to the palace. We should reach it today, though it will be late." Legolas had noticed Marilla on edge, he feared she would not like the kingdom.
The Kingdom was under the ground hidden from sunlight though the river was constant in the palace, and all were open to the gardens outside. King Thranduil too had worried, this was the female that his only child had chosen. She would be the one to bear his children and if she was not comfortable in Greenwood, the King worried that meant that Legolas would go where she wanted. The King would be lying if he said that he was not found of the girl, he never believed any elf to be good enough for his son. None had the manners he liked, or the blood, or the personality. This girl though, the King would not lie, the fact that she was not elvish and he approved surprised him; however their actions served to ease his unease. She was kind, motherly to all, she would be a good queen. She may not be elvish but she was a daughter to Mithrandir, and her sisters were with two powerful elves in two other kingdoms. There was no ellith in his court he surmised that was as perfect for both his son and kingdom as Marilla was.
As they rode farther into the forest Marilla began to sense presences, small but large enough to disturb the water. Looking to the King, Marilla asked. "What is this presence? It is not elven it is-" Marilla cut off unsure how to finish. "Evil." She offered.
Immediately the elves around her tensed ready to fight. "Do you sense them? How close do you sense?" King Thranduil asked urgently, he had yet to sense them. Gandalf had mentioned to him briefly that the girls seemed more elven than human in their senses, but he had not warned that their senses could be better than the elves.
Marilla closed her eyes concentrating on the river, the water on the leaves, and the moisture in the air. "They are farther than the border guard which seems to be coming quickly." The king placed a strong hand over Marilla's small ones on the reigns.
"Then worry not. The guard that is coming will be more than enough. The spiders are still small." The King soothed before playing his hands back on his reigns.
"My father is right, they are yet to be a large threat. They are small and our people are strong." Legolas smiled gently. Marilla smiled back before she heard the approach of several elves. Before her stood a party of thirty soldiers a female at the lead. This intrigued Marilla, perhaps this female could teach her to fit other than with her water. Many of the soldiers looked curiously toward Marilla who rode between the King and Prince. The female in front especially curious.
"Welcome back my King, my Prince." The elven female was tall and lithe, her long red/brown hair that reached her waist was pulled back from her face. She had high regal cheekbones and loyal green eyes.
"Yes thank you Tauriel. Marilla has informed us that spiders near, though I am sure we are capable of dispensing of them I would prefer to be at the palace." King Thranduil commented airily. With the mention of her name the she-elf in question, Tauriel looked to Marilla curiously.
Tauriel bowed and straightened quickly, "of course my King." With a motion of her hand the thirty elves surrounded the small party. Marilla closed her eyes once more to search for the spiders. Opening her eyes in horror she looked to the king.
"There are more." She whispered out. Suddenly the entire party of elves were tense their hands gripping their bows the other reaching for arrows.
"How many Marilla?" Legolas asked urgently his own bow notched and ready. Marilla closed her eyes in fear, searching more thoroughly counting.
"At least seventy. They are quick they sense us they are coming." Marilla gripped her reigns her knuckled white, she could hear the King curse under his breathe.
"From which direction my love?" Legolas asked everyone suddenly on total guard. Marilla swallowed shakily.
"Everywhere, they are surrounding us and moving in." Suddenly the party halted and the elves faced in every direction.
"How do you sense them before us?" Tauriel asked incredulously looking over at the female she believed to be human. Marilla looked to her suddenly, her eyes unseeing, a frown forming. Tauriel looked on unsure as the once bright clear blue eyes that looked on shy and unsure deepen slightly into anger.
Marilla herself was fuming, how dare they not love Aranel. Before another thought could appear the spiders jumped attacking the group from all sides. Marilla's anger took over, how dare they!? Aranel was sad and it was their fault! She knew that she had a temper but at this time she wanted nothing more than to hit something. Looking around her she say the elves fitting the spiders, they were the size of dogs. Flicking her wrist she formed a water whip from the moisture in the air and sent it out.
With a screech three spiders were killed by her water. The elves glanced at Marilla questioning before turning back to the spiders. Marilla saw only red, jumping down from her horse she pulled for water wisps from the air. Surging forward angrily she snapped out; one, two, five, twelve, twenty. She stopped counting, she distantly heard Legolas cry her name. Turning sharply she was met with a spider larger than the others launching itself to her. Putting her hands up she formed a water sphere around it and squeezed crushing the large spider. The last of the spiders were quickly killed off by the elves, however Marilla paid it little mind. She watched the event unfold through Aranel's mind and Marilla was instantly pacified, It makes sense for them to worry for their elder brother so. She reasoned all the anger from her body gone. She turned back toward the party and quickly mounted her horse.
"Marilla?" Legolas questioned, to saw he was not impressed would be a lie. One minute his little pearl was staring fearfully the next she was killing everything in sight. He looked over to Tauriel and the other soldiers, impressed to say the least described their faces. Tauriel could not believe what she had saw, the girl seemed like nothing more than a helpless human then she's killing spiders with wisps of water and crushing a large one completely. Who was this girl? She was not a mortal that Tauriel was now sure of.
"I apologize Legolas." Marilla whispered ducking her head embarrassed.
"What caused you to anger so?" King Thranduil asked, he had seen Marilla's face contort, he feared who was at the receiving end of her anger.
"It is nothing, I had been speaking with my sisters and was angered at Aranel's sadness." Legolas frowned perceptively, "worry not it was merely a misunderstanding."
"Who are you?" Tauriel whispered out. Speaking with her sisters? How was that possible?
"She is the middle child to Mithrandir. Her elder sister is with Haldir in Lothlorien her younger is with Elrohir in Rivendell." King Thranduil commented continuing the party forward. Marilla could hear the surprised whispers of the soldier around her, Gandalf had kept them a secret.
"I was not aware that Mithrandir had daughters." Tauriel commented walking through the forest following a practiced path.
Marilla looked to Tauriel and nodded, "my sisters and I are able to communicate telepathically with each other and father no matter the distance." Tauriel nodded indicating she had heard. Marilla looked forward sensing something large coming up, she could feel the pockets in the earth the river running through it.
"Look Marilla, we are here." Legolas stated as they crossed a large bridge with twining branches toward two large doors swung open with guards posted on either side.
