A/N: Hello guys, it's time for a new chappie. I am really sorry for leaving you to wait for such a long time, during these past four months I have been full-time occupied with school. I'm not even kidding you, most days I've felt more dead than alive.
and very unmotivated. Some of you may have wondered if I've quit, but I will never give up on this story. I believe that if I have started something, then I have to finish it as well. I have no idea when the coming chapters will be published, and I won't promise anything, but I'll try to make the wait lesser than four months this time! But to all of you, a huge thank you for waiting, and an even bigger thank you for supporting my story. It really means a lot to me when you review and follow this story, and it's a kick in my ass when I'm feeling unmotivated.
I would also like to give a HUGE thank you to Windsongspringheart for beta-reading this chapter, I am beyond words of gratefulness.
As a finish I would like to answer the anonymous persons who commented on the first chapter:
1. I have never, nor will I ever, delete any bad reviews I receive. Everyone has the right to express themselves.
2. Hey wonderful, I've got 26 chapters of junk actually. Sure, anyone could probably write this story, but now I am the one who writes it. This story is just a silly idea I got after watching the second Hobbit movie that just happens to be expressed online. I won't defend my character, she's probably quite a Mary, but let me inform you something: writing a good story takes experience and practice, and when you write a story for the first time ever you lack both of these. This is my first story ever that I have written in a language that isn't my native and published it online, so of course I too lack experience. But then again, I'm only writing this story for my own good - because it's a great way to relax and develop your creativity (which the square-shaped society of ours have ripped apart and stepped on). I am not writing this because I believe it's the best fanfic ever, I am not publishing it because I think it deserves to. I am simply doing this because I enjoy sharing my little piece of creativity with others who, like me, enjoy seeing things from a different point of view. I am not trying to write myself into this story, I am simply practicing on creating and developing interesting characters. Like I said, this is my first story and when I began writing this I had no idea of how to do anything, least of all how to get to know your character, but I have developed so much since then - I mean, it has almost been a year!?
So, my simple advice to you is that the next time you see something you don't like because it doesn't suit you, scroll past it because every time you hate on this level on someone's story you stomp on their creativity. You wouldn't go up to a toddler and rip apart something they made and are proud of, would you?
I really appreciate the constructive criticism I get, only there's a difference between a comment written in anger and hate and a comment written from the heart. Thank you for reviewing, have a nice evening.
To all of you who has reviewed and stayed with me so far, THANK YOU. Each of you has a little own corner of my heart.
Small raindrops began to fall from above. I looked up, only to be met by the sight of gray clouds roll over us from where we were heading toward. A shiver fled down my spine and I couldn't shake that unpleasant feeling off of me. My shoulders were tense, causing my neck to ache.
Arahael sent me a comforting thought and I gave him a gentle pat in return - only the Valar knew what I would have done if he hadn't been there with me. His strong mind encouraged me even though I could feel his concern of the shadows ahead of us. A thin, dark line could be spotted in the horizon where the sky touched the ground.
I narrowed my eyes and as we came closer I could discern the trees; dark, great, and twisted branches that grew from gnarled trunks. The foliage looked like an orange ocean over the dark trees, causing an unpleasant, tingling sensation to grow in my body.
I looked at Legolas from the corner of my eye. Unlike me, he seemed to relax as the forest came into his view - glad to return home, I assumed. His eyes always lit up when he spoke about the forest where he had grown up and mastered the skills of tracking and archery.
He turned his head to me with the most genuine smile on his lips.
"We will soon be there," he said before urging his horse into a quicker pace.
"So I can see," I muttered so low that no one possibly could have heard me. I looked about at the other elves and their facial expressions showed nothing, as always.
I get a foul feeling from these woods,I thought to Arahael and he gave an agreeing snort.
My thoughts went back to my home, like they often did these days. The high trees and the what now must be golden roof above them.
"Halt!" Legolas called as the forest came to our feet. He dismounted his horse and crouched, letting his fingers draw over the ground. His eyes were focused and he probably didn't even notice the tiny wrinkle that played between his eyebrows. He turned around to face us, the moment of concern over his visage had been replaced with relaxation.
"No one has entered here since we left, the forest should be safe to enter," he said while swiftly mounting his horse.
I choked on my breath a little.
"What do you mean 'It should be safe'?" I heard myself splutter anxiously.
He turned to look at me with the same wrinkle he had had as earlier. He opened his mouth slightly, but seemed to search for the right words before he spoke.
"A pack of orcs were found hiding in the woods a week before we set off to Lóthlorien," he said. "But worry not," he hurried to add, before my heart began to pound faster and a numb feeling spread across my body. "Guarding-patrols were set out and there have been no signs of creatures of darkness since."
The smile he gave me was probably meant to be reassuring, but it honestly didn't make me feel any better. It felt as if I had swallowed a dozen feathers that now tickled inside my stomach. The memories of that night in the goblin cave forced their way into my mind, the memories I had tried so hard to forget.
"If you say so," I mumbled so low that only the wind could hear it as the three elf-guards urged their horses after Legolas'. Arahael followed the others in a slow pace but his ears moved quickly with a circular movement, trying to discern every sound of the forest and where they came from. I could feel his tense musculature underneath me and hear the voice of his instincts that told him to turn around.
Four months, just four more months,I thought to him, even though it probably calmed him down just as much as Legolas' smile had calmed me - not at all.
All of a sudden, I noticed something that should have hit me way earlier. Where were all the birds? The twisted trees stood empty and no song could be heard from the treetops. Everything was in complete silence, except from the sound from the pacing horses.
I couldn't even hear any wind brushing through leaves and branches. The air somehow managed to be stinging-dry and damp-thick at the same, and it got worse the further we went. Unlike me, Legolas and the other elves, whose names I had learned was Bainon, Celegnir, and Tunnon, did not seem to be affected by the sudden change of environment. Due to the thick, damp air sweat was pouring down my neck and caused my hair to tangle itself.
I noticed some odd flowers growing up the trunk of a tree, clinging on to it like a baby holds on to its mother. They were of a deep red color, close to purple, and the petals were dented as if someone would had bent them. I had never seen such a flower, nor any such plant, before. Not even in my books. They quickly caught my interest and I suddenly found myself on the ground, standing on grass.
I crouched, dipping my right knee onto the damp ground, and tilted my head. This close up, I noticed that the flowers were covered with small dots in the colors of dark red, blue, and violet causing the flowers' odd color. Instead of normal, diamond clear dew drops there was a dark liquid lurking in the nectar.
The curious part of me took over and before I knew it, my index finger was approaching the sticky mass.
"Do not touch it!" Suddenly Legolas was at my side, holding my upper arm firmly, but not firm enough to leave a mark, to prevent me from touching the flower. His voice was calm, but the hurried tone and the flash in his eyes gave away that my action was more serious than I had thought.
As his grip softened, I pulled back my hand and stood, facing him with a soft pink color shading my cheeks and waiting for him to continue.
"Tatharmeril*, Willowrose. A single drop of the juice in one's blood is enough to kill a grown man. Even instant contact can be fatal, the poison paralyzes the body and the cure is extremely painful. The experience can haunt the mind for decades," his voice was calm and steady, but somewhat sad. As if he knew more of this experience than from what he had read.
"It's very beautiful though," I whispered as I took a step backwards and watched the climbing flowers.
"Indeed they are," he agreed.
The both of us just observed the plant for a second before he turned to me with a newfound smile.
"You will find many obscure plants here you may have never seen before," he added. "Only be sure to know them before you pick them," he added and I could feel the mental nudge, which caused the corner of my mouth to twitch a little. Perhaps this visit wouldn't be as intolerable as I had thought. It could be a great opportunity for me to explore fauna I had never seen before.
"Where are the others?" I asked after looking back and finding only Legolas' steed and Arahael looking at us with curious eyes.
"The camp for the night is not far from here. They were to ride ahead and inform the guards of our approach," he explained and turned to walk back to his horse while I followed a few steps behind. "And the guards will send word to the king."
Right, the king. I hadn't really paid any thoughts on him, to be honest. It was more the thought of being far away from everything I knew that was what I disliked. But the king Thranduil Oropherion, ruler of Greenwood the Great, now occupied my mind.
I remembered him clear as day from the time I had run into him back in Rivendell. His eyes that were such a piercing silver blue and his hair that shimmered like starlight. His proud posture that immediately told he was of a noble kin. But there was something else as well. A certain coolness, or even aloofness, about him. Perhaps this opinion would change when I met him now - but when would I meet him?
"I thought we were close to the city?" I asked as I lightly mounted Arahael who had already begun to follow Legolas' horse.
"Nay, the city Iays deeper into the forest. We won't reach it until tomorrow evening I'm afraid."
The bell-like sound of pouring water sang in my ears and the soft grass tickled my bare feet. It smelled of morning; the coolness of the night was still holding on to the moist air and the smell of damp dirt hit me.
I was home. I was finally home.
A huge leap later, I found myself running and jumping between the branches, embracing the familiarness. I stopped first when I almost collided with a bird. Startled, it flew up to a higher branch where it settled, not letting its eyes off of me.
I climbed a little higher, holding onto a branch as I reached out my other hand towards the little bird.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt you," I said.
It tweeted a few times before flying off just as I was about to touch it.
"That was odd," I muttered to myself with a frown as I began to climb down again. A moment later, I let go of the branch I was holding onto and let myself fall the last couple of feet. The tree I used to live in wasn't too far away now.
As my feet lead me towards my home, I couldn't help but acknowledge the feeling of something being wrong that grew in my stomach. Everything looked the same as when I had left, but it looked so different too. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, so instead of trying to find what was wrong, I put it aside.
I looked around me, searching for the white owl I had missed so much, as well as Arahael. I whistled, called, and sang but there was no response from either of them.
As I entered the glade of my tree, my breath caught in my throat and it felt like a knife twisted inside my gut.
It was rotten.
The whole tree was dark gray and covered with white moss. The odour of mold hit me. There was no doubt that it was sick.
'For how long have I been gone?' I thought as I tried to gather the thousands of thoughts that screamed inside my mind. This did not happen withinjust a couple of months. It would take years, many years, before a tree would become this ruined. I had never seen anything like this in all of the years I had been around.
Now thatI realised what was happening, my search for Arahael and the white owl became desperate - I called and yelled until my throat couldn't handle it any longer. My own knees failed me, dropping my body to the wet ground. The whole world was spinning and the nausea spread across my body like a wave. I buried my face in my palms, trying to shut out the world.
"Do not weep, this is not your fault," a sudden voice said.
Even though my hands covered my ears, I could hear the voice just as clear as if I didn't.
My head jerked up, only to find the sight of a woman sitting on a mossy stone a few yards away. She was looking at me with sympathetic eyes, green as the moss she sat upon, and a weak wrinkle played between her brows. Her hair was like a golden waterfall, flowing down from her head and over her shoulders, only to end at the bottom of her waist. A thin, green garment that complimented her pale skin dressed her.
I scrambled to my feet, startled and confused. I swore I had never met her before, yet there was a certain familiarity about her. Her face and posture.
"Do not be frightened, I am not here to hurt you," she continued and made gesture for me to sit down beside her. Her voice was soft, even though it carried the weight of years.
"Who are you?" I asked as I slowly approached her, tilting my head as I observed her closer.
There was a kind and bright spark in her eyes, which I now noticed were not mossy green but actually a lighter green spotted with a golden color. A couple of tiny freckles hid on her cheeks and though she wasn't smiling I could still see clear marks from where her dimples would appear.
"Someone you can trust," she replied calmly and let her hands rest in her lap. Her gaze was on me the whole time as I walked forth and sat down on a stone just a couple yards away from her. Once again I looked about us and felt my gut twist as the landscape still looked like a nightmare.
"What is happening?" a whisper escaped over my lips. "What is this, how can this be? I just left, the forest can't be dead, I-" the words just kept falling out my mouth until the lady raised a hand to silence me.
"Hush. Your questions will be answered. Have patience," she said kindly, tilting her head. If her voice hadn't been soothing enough, then her smile was.
"Please," I begged with a whisper. "What's happening?"
Her eyes lingered on me for a brief moment before gazing out over the surroundings.
"This is life," she simply said.
"This isn't life, it's death!" I exclaimed, upset. She gave me another look, containing a hidden smile.
"Oh, but death is only a part of life. Without death, what would life be?" she asked rhetorically. I opened my mouth to protest, but I couldn't find a sensible response. Slightly stunned, I sat there with a deep frown on my face. Eventually I shook my head and abandoned my first question.
"But why is this happening?" I demanded, impatient as always. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, breathing in the forest.
"This is what will come to be," she said. She sensed I would splutter out another question and raised her hand once again, stopping me in the middle of my intake of breath. "Patience, child."
After a moment of silence, she continued.
"Everything must come to an end, that you must understand?" I gave a nod, even though it was more of a statement rather than a question. "This forest is ancient, but also it must come to an end. As well as the creatures consuming it."
My mind left me for a good couple of minutes before I could think normally again. I had never thought of it that way before, that eventually I would be alone. Not only would the creatures leave, but eventually the whole forest would fade. And I would be completely alone.
"Wha-what can I do?" I stuttered.
All of a sudden, I felt her cold hand hugging mine tightly, causing me to look up. She was leaning closer to me, looking deeply into my eyes with a reassuring smile.
"That only you can decide. But whatever choice you may choose, choose wisely. These woods will not last forever, but some things will."
My heart began to beat harder than ever and I stood, pulling away from her as I did. My head pounded along with my heart, once again making it hard to think clearly.
What choice? What was she talking about?
I turned around to confront her, but found the stone to be as empty as it had been when I first arrived.
"Wait, come back!" I called, spinning around to see if she was anywhere in sight, but she was completely gone. "You didn't even tell me who you are," I mumbled.
The stars above shone like diamonds through a looking glass. They seemed to shine brighter out here in the middle of nowhere. I extended my arm towards the dark sky as if I could reach the Valacirca** with my mere hand, but all I could touch was the cool air of the night.
My eyes left the soothing stars for a moment to look about myself. The other elves of my company were resting deeply, hazily staring up into the sparkling sky.
I sat up, feeling a cool breeze brush through my hair as I did, and saw the most breathtaking of sights; when the moon- and starlight shone upon the amber leaves, the darkness around caused them to look as if they were made of golden stardust.
As the day had turned to evening, Legolas and I had caught up with Bainon, Celegnir, and Tunnon, and together we had reached the huge tree they said was one of the guards' stations. The tree was incredibly strong and tall, with great branches twisting upwards toward the sky, as well as down until they met the ground. The roots grew over a boulder, almost consuming it, and somehow created a staircase up into the canopy of leaves. At the top of the stairs, the inside of the tree created a room, from which a smaller case of stairs lead up onto the platform we now rested on.
My crossed arms rested on the low branch, which acted like a fence, and I placed my chin upon them. The dawn was not too far away, but I knew that I wouldn't be able to fall asleep again. Not after that odd dream.
That woman, who was she? Her face was familiar, but I could swear I had never actually met her before. She just didn't fit in, not in Rivendell nor in Lóthlorien. But if I hadn't seen her there, then where? I knew I hadn't spoken to her because her voice was unfamiliar to me.
But then it was what she had said:
"This is what will come to be. This forest is ancient, but also it must come to an end. As well as the creatures consuming it."
The thought had never struck my mind before she said it. That eventually, everything would suffer demise. Everything except for me. For the immortality would always be my burden, it would always part me from the ones I loved.
"Whatever choice you may choose, choose wisely. These woods will not last forever, but some things will."
"Open the gates!" someone called in the distance.
I straightened myself, attempting to see what was happening ahead. We reached the top of the hill and the path continued slightly downhill, before debouching onto a narrow stone bridge. At the end of the bridge, where the roots of the mountain grew into the ground, great pillars looking like grown trees, grew up towards the ceiling.
It was astounding, and as the two doors opened to greet us I heard the ticking of working cogwheels. The sound of wild water echoed in my ears and as we passed over the bridge I looked down, only to find a great river flowing right beneath us.
"Are you well?" Legolas asked. He did not seem worried, but rather amused at my amazement. I replied with a short "Yes," and a wry smile before continuing my observations. I heard the deep chuckle in his chest, just like a kettle puttering over a fire.
As we entered the mountain, the world suddenly became dark and it took a while before my eyes could discern the figures. Everything smelled of earth, not cold, wet, and dirty, but rather warm and homey. On the walls there hung torches and different models of carved lanterns.
Pairs of guards were placed out symmetrically along the paths and doors we passed, still riding the horses slightly downhill on a curved path. I felt Arahael's unease towards the dark and new environment. I gave him a pat, reminding him that we were in this together, and shook off the odd feeling.
We arrived in what I assumed to be the lowest level of the palace. There was light from the outside shining in through a thick wooden door as well as through tiny holes in the top of the walls. The familiar scent of a stable hit me and I understood that this was where I and Arahael would have to part.
I will be back,I thought to him as I dismounted him, leaving him in the care of the stablemen. Though he let himself be lead away, he did not look satisfied.
"He is in good care," Legolas assured me, to which I replied with a weak smile. But the truth was, I probably needed Arahael more than he needed me.
I looked to Legolas, wondering what we were to do next. He was speaking to one of the guards and I overheard them discussing the matters of the safety along the borders of the kingdom. Standing there all by myself, I felt completely out of place. Everyone around me knew exactly what to do, smoothly handing weapons over to each other and laughing.
After what felt like half an hour, but was more like ten minutes, Legolas finally ended his conversation with the guard and approached me.
"I will show you to the hall of the king," he informed me kindly with a nod of his head and began walking towards a grand spiral staircase that was entirely made out of wood. How they had managed to make it I did not understand, but I let go of the thought and hurried after him.
"Legolas," I began as I caught up with his strides. Without stopping, he turned and tilted his head towards me. "Does he want to see me right now?"
I quietly swallowed a lump in my throat, not wanting to show how nervous I actually was.
"Yes, he was very clear with that," Legolas replied, now thoughtfully looking ahead of us. I noticed a slight tension in his jaw, which caused me to wonder what he was thinking about.
I decided to leave him be, which wasn't quite that hard since my own thoughts kept me occupied along with the tingling feeling in my stomach. I didn't know why I was so nervous, yet a numb feeling struck my knees.
The staircase led us upwards towards the ceiling. Eventually we reached a small bridge connecting the giant stairs to a path also made entirely out of wood. Legolas guided me along and onto the many paths that formed a labyrinth in the air. Finally, we stepped onto a new, wider path that led upwards. It was as if we had entered a new room: beneath us, green grass was covering the rocky and uneven hills and rivers were pouring about them; great pillars, wider than some of the biggest trees I had ever seen, raised from the ground and clung to the ceiling like roots to the ground.
"We will soon be there," Legolas said, and raised a pointed finger to something that looked like a platform surrounded by smaller pillars. All of a sudden I felt very tiny.
As we approached the platform, the invisible knife in my stomach twisted deeper. Two guards stood on each side of the final couple of stairs. They were fully dressed in dark green armor, holding tall and threatening spears. As we passed them, I subconsciously took a step in behind Legolas, and in that action hiding my face from them. Well up on the platform I began walking slower, observing the new environment.
The great columns surrounding the platform caused it to feel as if we had stepped into a room. The platform itself was made of a light, rough stone and I could almost feel the coolness through the soles of my shoes. The carved pillars caught my attention and I studied them from the bottom to the top where they met the ceiling.
"I see my kingdom fascinates you, elfling?" the voice was sharp and cool, like a morning's breeze, though it contained both strength and pride.
My head jerked to the side and my eyes looked up. I had focused on looking at the decoration so much that I had missed the great spiral throne that rose several feet above the floor. The elven king I had met months ago was looking at me with curious eyes and I noticed the beginning of a smirk upon his lips. He sat casually, not like you would expect a king to sit, for his feet rested over one of the armrests of the throne, while his body leaned onto the other one, and his straight silver hair hung over his shoulders.
Legolas stopped in front of the throne and bowed quickly before turning to look at me. I hurried my steps forward and copied Legolas' move before once again looking up to the king. His eyes were just as his voice - cold, but playful. Without saying a word, he just looked at me.
As the silence approached the state of uncomfortable, Legolas took a step forward and exposed a small envelope from where he had kept it in the inner pocket of his shirt.
"Lady Galadriel asked me to give this to you," he said. Thranduil shifted his head slightly and looked to his son with a nod. As he rose, the green fabric of his clothes moved about him like the softest of silk, causing it to look like a dark river as he went down the stairs. Unlike the previous minute, he now wouldn't look at me at all.
"Your journey had no complications, I was told," he said as he took the white envelope from Legolas' hands. He then turned around and slowly began to walk back towards his throne as he opened the letter and began to read.
"Yes, there was no sign of orcs," Legolas affirmed. He stood tall and proud, knowing his father's way.
I noticed the king's eyes linger at the end of the letter, as if he kept reading the last sentence over and over again, and then, as if it had been nothing at all, he lowered his hand and placed the letter and the envelope on a round wooden table.
"I wish to speak to our new guest in privacy," Thranduil said as he met his son's eyes. The knot inside my stomach tightened and I noticed the change in Legolas' face; his mouth opened slightly and his eyebrows pinched together.
"But-" Legolas began.
"I understand you have your duties to catch up on, since you have been away," the king interrupted with a sharp voice. "Or has the journey wearied you, my son? Then perhaps you should take a hot bath."
I didn't know if either he was being sarcastic or serious, which only caused him to appear more aloof than he already was.
"I will speak to the guards," Legolas said defeated through a slightly clenched jaw and sent me a quick look before turning around and disappearing down the road from whence we had come.
The king turned again and now approached the table with the envelope. My fingers were almost twitching by curiosity, for the entire road I had wondered about this mysterious letter that Legolas wouldn't have let anyone, including himself, read. But instead of picking up the letter, he filled a crystal glass with a dark red wine.
"Now tell me, elfling, what have you learned during these past months?" he asked without looking at me. A wrinkle appeared between my pinched eyebrows - what did he mean? With a deep breath I found courage.
"My name is Edengwen," I began. He stopped in his step, turning his head only slightly in my direction before he returned to sip on his drink. I understood that he took notice of the dislike of my new nickname. "And I have learned of the elven history, traditions and-"
I was interrupted by a slow chuckle. My frown grew and I took a step backwards as the king followed the stairs back up to his throne.
"Not as sharp as they say," I thought I heard him mumble. "What new have you learned of yourself, of who you were born to be? You truly are a mystery to us," he continued. His voice was now calm, and softer than before.
"Um, nothing, my lord," I answered. "I have found no answers," my voice fell slightly towards the end of the sentence by my own disappointment. Even though I didn't really want anything to do with my real parents, it was still something that bothered me. Not knowing who they were almost seemed worse than knowing.
"Nothing?" he asked gingerly, tilting his head, and I shook my head in reply. "What a pity," he replied shortly, watching me thoughtfully, as if he could figure out my background only by observing me. I noticed how he was vaguely biting his bottom lip as he thought hard.
"I suppose," I muttered, fiddling with the end of the arm of the tunic I was wearing.
"And your…ability?" he continued.
"What of it?"
"Any further progress?"
I frowned deeply.
"I do not understand what you mean." My answer was met by an annoyed sigh.
"I take that as a no," he said and rose, hands clasped behind his back. "Very well. If there is no more important information you have that would interest me," he made a pause, waiting for me to fill in, but I had no further information. "Then I shall send you on your way." He nodded towards the path leading away from the throne room, or what he now called it, as he sat down on his throne in a comfortable position. "Take your leave, a guard awaits down the hall. He will show you to your room and he will be your custodian during your stay here." His voice grew deeper as he straightened his back. "Tomorrow your lessons will begin at dawn. You will learn how to defend yourself, with and without weapon."
I gulped down the lump in my throat that had begun to grow. Perhaps these four months would be harder than I expected.
As I turned around to head down the path and leave this center, the thought hit me and I slowly turned around to face him again.
"The letter, what did it say?" I asked. His facial expression was empty as his eyes went from my face to the letter that still laid upon the wooden table.
"It carried no new information," he said simply, still not looking at me. Exhausted by his manners I decided to let go of it for now and carry on down the path, leaving the throne room behind. It was impossible to know what time of the day it was, due to the lack of windows and natural light, but I assumed that the day had turned into evening.
Just as the king had explained, a guard awaited by the end of the path. He quickly introduced himself as Thondir and told me to follow him through the halls. His strides were fast and his face remained expressionless, but the green armor he wore sparkled every time we passed a lantern.
We went on for a good fifteen minutes or so, the halls seemed to be like a labyrinth with stairs and new paths every time we passed a corner. I really hoped I would learn to find my way through the halls sooner than I expected.
Finally, we reached a wide corridor with great wooden doors on each side. We didn't stop until the end of the corridor, where my custodian handed me a key of silver. It weighed surprisingly heavy in my hands for being so small that it fit in my palm. He looked first to me and then to the door with a nod before excusing himself, adding that he would be here to escort me to supper later that evening and that I was not supposed to leave the room.
A loud 'click' came from the door as I turned the key in the lock and it squeaked as I opened it, drowning the sound of Thondir's fading steps. Carefully, I stepped into the room, taking in the view.
It was quite large, larger than my room in Lóthlorien had been, and the walls looked to be made out of some flat, grey stone. The floor was made of stone as well, though it was completely smooth and so cool that I could feel it through the soles of my shoes. With joy, I saw the reason we had walked so far - two medium-sized windows, one on each side of the bed, faced the dark outside. The room was lit up by a couple of lanterns hanging on the wall and I noticed how a candle flickered on the bureau. I walked further into my new bedchamber and let my fingers draw on the green covers of the large bed.
A sudden noise startled me and I spun around. But there was nothing there. As the noise came again I understood it came from the closest window. Looking closer I found that it had only been a smaller twig from the ivy outside that had moved against the window in the wind. Pressing my palm against cold glass I absorbed the dark night, it was clearly later than I had thought. Only the faraway stars could be seen, but the sound from a nearby river reached my ears.
Exhaling the day, along with the journey to get here, I sat down on the bed. The room was quite homey and I thought to myself that I actually would like it here, despite the labyrinth of pathways.
I felt how my eyelids grew heavy and with a yawn I laid down to rest for a moment. But before I knew it, I had fallen asleep.
* Another original flower, meaning: Willowrose
** "'Sickle of the Valar', it's the most important constellation of Middle-Earth. It was created through the joint efforts of Aulë and Varda, who set it in the northern sky as a challenge and a warning to Morgoth of his eventual downfall." - askmiddleearth (tumblr blog)
For you guys who have tumblr I have started a blog, thesonicsmiley, where I publish teasers from coming chapters and a little bit of everything. You can find it right here. (Link is also in my bio).
Merry christmas and happy new year to you all, and don't forget to answer the poll on my profile :)