TA Year 10
She had snuck outside of Caras Galadhon, and if her legs took her fast enough, she knew she could make it to the river. So her little feet pattered hard in the misty morning light, and she prayed she would not be missed at morning lessons. All she had to do was get high enough in a tree, that was all, then she could look out over the forest far across that sea of trees and if the day was clear enough the young elleth would be able to see home.
Her feet splashed into the tinkling waters and she crossed them in delight when she felt their spell of joy fall onto her. In the splashing and singing of that river, she could almost hear the whispers of the forest river far in the north echo down into the Nimrodel. She paused there for a moment and let the water rush over her feet. The wind rustled her hair and her limbs felt lighter in the refreshment offered by the stream.
But then she froze. Eyes were on her and she covered her mouth in surprise, and turned slowly, with a desperate hope that it was not Rumil or her mother. 'Please' she prayed in an unheard whisper. And then she saw her, crowned in amber hair that fell around her waist, and wrapped in a white mantle. She sat at the edge of the river smiled at the young elleth before her.
'Well met child.' She said quietly in the silvan tongue. The elleth gave her a nervous look, and crinkled her nose. "I heard a child had come here from the northern realms; it must be you. Come and sit by me, let us speak here together in my river."
She took a hesitant step forward, and then a few more swift ones before she came to a sit on the green moss next to the Lady who shared her tongue.
"I am Nimrodel." She said gently.
"You are King Amroths beloved." The child responded nervously and turned her eyes away from the hallowed lady.
"I am." She replied "But today I am just Nimrodel, and I am glad to be sitting here with my kin. For I have longed to speak with one who knows my tongue so well. I had heard a silent little wood elf was brought by Galadriel and her Daughter."
The girl before her giggled. "It is I." She said at last and then crossed her arms stubbornly. "My mother made me learn sindar, but I wont speak it. I am silvan." She said proudly and lifted her head a little.
The Lady laughed a silvery laugh and took the child's hand. "That you are my dear, but come now, do not be so stubborn, tell me, why will you not speak your mothers tongue. What has brought you to Lothlorien? But first tell me your name."
"I am called Itarilde. Are you the river lady?" The child looked up at the one before her.
"I am." She said again and smiled at the girl before her.
"I came here because the river bears tidings from the northern trees of Eryn Galen, and I miss them."
"I know you must, but are you not of this Kingdom or of Rivendell as your mother is?" Nimrodel asked, but already she knew the answer.
"No." She shook her golden curls stubbornly. "I hail from Eryn Galen. My father advised the King and was a Captain." She said proudly.
"If that is so then how did you come to be child of Laurebrian?"
She shrugged and yawned, bored by the ladies questions. "Grandmother and Grandfather traveled there to meet the King, and so I was begotten."
Nimrodel smiled at the girl and sensed her quiet natured and decided not to press. And so they listened to the singing waters for a while, until at last the child spoke again.
"My mother left after my father was slain. She took me to Rivendell, but we have come here for a while. They are troublesome there you know, the Noldor I mean. They are always toiling, in one way or another, and there are not nearly enough trees." She humphed and crossed her arms and splashed her feet in the water.
"No, not nearly enough."
"Grandmother thought I might be happier here with the other wood elves in Lothlorien." The child muttered.
"And are you happier?" Nimrodel asked and placed a hand on the child's back.
"I'll be happy when I can go home."
Nimrodel laughed at her words and lit the forest with her smile. "Aye, home is where you are meant to be. I am sad that a creature so fair as you has been taken away from the place that she loves."
The child leaned on Nimrodel and held her hand a little tighter in her grasp. They were quiet then for a while longer and Itarilde relished the calm nature of the wood elf beside her and for a little while at least she felt less home sick.
Then at last when they had sat for a while together and were refreshed Nimrodel took both of the elleths hands and looked at her gently and said "Do not lose hope little one, for when you come of age and reach your second cycle, then you can go home, and until then we can meet together and be friends and bring glad tidings to each other. Until then you are a creature away. And so that is what I will call you, Unede."
"I like the name, Unede. But Nimrodel please will you ask King Amroth to send me home. Surely he has the power to command my mother, then I can bear a sword and shield and fight for the mighty King Thranduil as my father did for Oropher!" Unede said excitedly.
"I can put in a good word" She winked "But heed my warning and be patient, your second cycle will come soon enough." The lady said gently and rubbed the elleths back, but her tears welled uncomforted and she longed for home, and Nimrodel's heart softened. "How about though, in the meantime, we can become friends you and I. And I can ask Rumil to teach you how to wield a sword and you can tell me stories of the great green forest in the north. What say you?" And at her words the child smiled and rose to her feet with excitement.
"Verily you have made my heart glad Nimrodel! And one day I will be mighty Captain Unede and I will do deeds that they sing of in songs and advise the King just like my father."