Imaldris
TA 2523
Arinalce lay down her quill and picked up the parchments she had been writing on from her desk and softly blew on it to dry the ink. With pride she stood and walked over to Erestor to handed him the parchments. She anxiously stood there while he looked over her finished work. a short time later Erestor laid her work down on the table and looked at the little elleth standing in front of him.
"Pen tithen your story is wonderful and very inspiring. I am very proud of you. What made you decide to write about the life of a bird?" Erestor asked her. A look of joy swept across her face at his words. "Hannon le Erestor, The birds are my friends and sometimes they talk to me and tell me stories about their days. Sometimes I dream about them."
Erestor smiled at the small child standing in front of him. "I am glad that you find joy in them Ari. We can learn many things from the birds and animals that we share this land with. You may go and find your guardians to let them know that you are done for today." Arinalce stepped forward and threw her arms around the dark haired elf and gave him a big hug.
She whispered, "I am glad you are my teacher Erestor. You have taught me much and you make the things I learn fun." Erestor blushed as he returned her hug. "Ai! pen tithen if I had more students like you I would never leave this room. I am happy that you enjoy my teachings. Now go and find your guardians." He watched as Arinalce hurried out of the library.
He looked down at the parchment sitting on his desk and shook his head. The story she had written showed a wisdom that was way beyond her age. Erestor swore in that moment that he would not let her words of wisdom disappear. He turned and went into his supply room and to find the supplies he would need to bind her work so there would be a permanent record of her story. After he was done he picked up the book and headed for Elrond's study to show him the story Arinalce had written.
Arinalce ran down the hallway as fast as her little legs could go to get to her guardians sitting room. One of her favorite times of the day was when she spent time with her Guardians. They always had time for her.
Everyday she had lunch with her guardians then after their midday meal they would take her on outings. During this time they would teach her things about the forests, animals and birds. All of them would tell her stories of the realms that they were from. Each of them would make sure that what they had to teach her was also fun. The only exception to that was Haldir. He took his duty to her and the realm very seriously. Especially when it came to her security. Arinalce wished he would unbend just little and have fun with the rest of them.
Haldir, Orophin and Toron were what they called wood elves most of their stories were about the Golden Wood and Mirkwood. Annúnor was raised next to the sea, his stories made her think of ships, high seas and the creatures that lived within the waters. She had to admit that his stories made her long to see the things that he described one day. Sidhon was what the others called Noldorian. His adar and naneth had made the crossing from the undying lands before he was born.
They told her that someday she would visit each of those realms. She couldn't wait the one she most wanted to see was Lothlorien. This was the realm her Nana had come from and her grandparents ruled there. It was also where Haldir and Orophin had lived before they had become her guardians.
Orophin and Toron looked up as Arinalce entered the sitting room. Orophin and Toron smiled at the excitement and eagerness in her face. Sidhon was just coming out of his room when he seen Arinalce come charging into the room. Since he was the closest she went running towards him with her arms out. "Suilad Sid" Arinalce said as she reached him. "Glass nín le cened" Sidhon answered as he knelt down and enclosed her in a warm hug.
Orophin and Toron laughed as Arinalce passed her hugs and greetings out to each of them. "So how did your studies with Erestor go this morning Ari" Orophin asked as he picked her up and sat her down between him and Toron. "I finished my story and Erestor said he really liked it." Arinalce said excitedly.
Sidhon sat down across from the trio, "That is good pen tithen. We knew you would do well." Arinalce"s smile brightened at Sidhon's words. Orophin looked down at the elfling sitting next to him. "Ari today we are going to go the great falls. We will have our midday meal there so why don't you go change into your tunic and leggings. Sidhon and I spoke with your Adar and Haldir they have agreed to this outing. By the time you get back we can depart."
At his words Arinalce jumped up with excitement and raced to the door to her sitting room. "I will be back soon!" she called as she disappeared through the door. The elves left sitting in the room burst into laughter at her eagerness.
Erestor knocked upon the door to Elrond's study. "Enter" Elrond called out. Erestor entered the study he bowed to Elrond and seen Haldir sitting across from him. "My apologies I didn't know that you were meeting with the Marchwarden." Erestor stated.
"Thats quite alright Erestor we were just discussing Arinalce." Elrond informed him. "Yes she just finished her studies for the day. I thought you would be interested in the story she wrote." Erestor said as he handed the book to Elrond. Elrond opened the book and proceeded to read the story that his daughter had written.
After a short time he looked up at Erestor. "She wrote this?" Erestor nodded in confirmation. Haldir looked at Lord Elrond, "What is amiss my lord?" Elrond continued to look at the book in surprise. Then he handed the book to Haldir.
Haldir took the book and proceeded to read what Arinalce had written. As he read a look of pride swept across his face. He smiled as he closed the book and handed it back to Elrond. "I told you that she was a very intuitive" Haldir stated.
Elrond sighed, "Yes I know. She looks like her mother but she has Lord Celeborn's temperment." Elrond looked down at the book in his hand he then glanced at Erestor with a gleam of mirth in his eye. "Erestor, did Arinalce ask you to bind her story?"
Erestor looked at Elrond with disdain "No she did not. Her words were creative and intense she brought that story to life. I felt that her story should not be forgotten and should be shared with others."
Lord Elrond chuckled at Erestor's explanation. Erestor glared at Elrond, "What do you find so amusing my lord?" Trying to hold back his laughter Elrond glanced towards Haldir's stony face hoping it would help.
But one glance at Haldir with one eye cocked up and giving him a questioning glance did him in. He collapsed back into his chair and laughter started rolling out of him. Lord Elrond looked back towards Erestor and the look of astonishment on his face made him laugh harder.
He was laughing so hard that he doubled over and almost fell out of his chair. At this both of Haldir's eyebrows shot up in surprise at the spectacle that Lord Elrond was making of himself.
Haldir looked at Erestor and seen a look off embarrassment on the elf's face. Suddenly Haldir realized why Elrond found Erestor's actions so funny. He to started to smirk at Erestor's discomfort.
He watched as a look of indignation spread over the scholar's face. Erestor pulled his dignity around himself like a cloak. With out a word he then bowed to Elrond and proceeded to walk out of the study with a great deal of stoicism.
Haldir glanced towards Elrond and noticed that he was doing his best to get himself under control finally stopped laughing. Elrond glanced towards Haldir, "My apologies Haldir but that is the first time I've ever heard Erestor give praise to one of my children. I thought I would never see the day when he did."
Haldir smirked once more as he stood. "Lord Elrond I am happy to say that it was a pleasure seeing it happen. I don't believe Erestor appreciated it. But I found it very entertaining.
I must take my leave and rejoin the rest of the guardians." Elrond stood and looked to Haldir, "Yes, Today is the day of the big picnic is it not?" "Yes my lord I imagine Orophin and the others have already told her of the trip." "I am sure she will have fun. I would like all of you to take the time to relax and enjoy your selves today. By the way Haldir that is not just a request but an order." Elrond told Haldir. Haldir bowed to Elrond before departing.
Arinalce rushed into her room to change into the leggings, tunic and boots that had been placed on the bench next to her bed. Her Adar had insisted that she wear dresses for her schooling and for the evening meal. He had also approved her wearing the leggings and tunic for the time she spent with her guardians. Especially since most of their time together was spent in the forests and the hills that surrounded Imaldris.
Quickly she changed into her tunic and leggings. She had just sat down to put on her boots when a knock sounded on her door. She paused from putting on her boots and closed her eyes briefly in concentration.
Excitedly Arinalce jumped up and raced over to the door to open it. "Haldir we are going to the great falls today" she told him as she leaped into his arms. Haldir wrapped his arms securely around the excited elfing so she wouldn't fall. "I see this pleases you little one" Haldir said as he smiled softly down at the elfling in his arms.
Arinalce reached up and placed both of her small hands on each side of Haldir's face. Looking deeply into Haldir's eyes Arinalce whispered hesitantly, "Very much so my guardian. But I must ask one thing of you?" Haldir looked down at the elfling questioningly and asked, "What would you ask of me Ari? If it is within my power I will see it done."
Arinalce lowered her eyes and slid her arms around his neck and leaned forward until her mouth was next to his ear and whispered. "You must promise me that you will have fun on our outing today."
Suilad - greetings
Glass nín gen cened - It is my joy to see you
Just want to thank everyone who has read and reviewed my story. The last few months have been hard for my family and I. My father in law had been in and out of the hospital last year. My husband and I did a lot of traveling between our home and his parents home in order to see him. He passed away in October. We continued traveling between the two homes in order to get his mother situated. Then I was rushed to the hospital and had to have surgery. It has been a long road for us. Reading others stories has helped me to cope that last few months but I just couldn't bring myself to write. But things are slowly getting back to normal. I hope you enjoy this update.