~From Gratitude to Grief~
After I had cleaned up and changed into another dress, I stepped outside onto the overhang and took a deep, very deep breath of Rivendell air. Fresh, bittersweet memories overwhelmed me. It wasn't so long ago that my mother had brought me here. She was still alive then, and would be still if it wasn't for me. I still remember Elrond's face when Mum died, so filled with acute agony he could not speak.
She died for me. Forsaking her life for mine...I dared not dwell more on past incidents.
From the corner of my eye, I caught movement and then turned to see the Prince swiftly cutting across the green grass. I still hadn't yet thanked him for his help during the tournament and decided to.
Grabbing a cloak, I ran downstairs and cut across the lawn, as I had seen him do. I followed his path into the crack in between the trees. This way headed to the ancient Silver Pond. My best memories lay hidden there... I thought about what I would say to Legolas, how I would thank him, what I would do.
Unfortunately, my gratitude would not be given to him this afternoon.
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~Hidden Knowledge Exposed~
Right before I reached the clearing, I lightened my steps although I didn't know why, but for whatever reason, it proved useful. I heard lowered voices and, dropping down, I peered over the low bush. I was not prepared to see what I did.
Legolas held an Elvan lady in his arms. They stood next to the Silver Pond, taken in a lover's embrace. Although he was not much taller than she, he still looked down at her...with gentle, loving eyes that caressed her face.
I saw him whisper into her ear, although what he said I could not hear. She smiled, her near white blonde hair swaying as she lifted her head for a kiss.
I slowly stood and turned, running back through the pathway and breaking through onto the dewy grass.
My foot slipped and I heard myself fall, but I did not heed. I got up and ran back into my room. Glancing behind me, I saw no one. I heard no one.
Legolas had never said anything about a ladylove.
Foolishly, I held a fist to my beating heart. I had already lost it to him, yet he did not know. He had someone for himself. He had someone else to love him.
I fell to my knees, placed my arms on my unmade bed, and buried my face into my hands.
I stood there for a while, neither crying nor thinking. Just stood motionless, lost for a long moment in time.
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~Caught In Lies~
"Lilana?"
My head snapped up and I looked over to my door.
To my mind's relief, it was not Legolas. It was Master Elrond.
"Good morning, Lilana." He looked at me with questions in his eyes.
I sighed and moved my head, surprised at the stiffness of it. I must have fallen asleep after a few moments of much needed heart rest.
"I'm sorry, Elrond. I did not know I had fallen asleep. Good morning, dear sir." My voice was rickety, like an old woman's. Had I been crying? I did not know.
"Miralda told me she saw you running back into your room last evening. She said you looked distressed."
"Oh?" I feigned ignorance. I did not think anyone had actually seen.
"Are you alright, my dear? You look...disastrous," he commented that with much thought.
"You don't mince words, now do you?" I pasted a smile to my lips, but I knew it did not reach my eyes. Pain hit me at every joint and muscle as I stood up, but I still forced myself to sit calmly and gracefully on the bed. I did not wince. "Step inside, sir, and closed the door. I do not wish any onlookers to see my `disastrous' self."
He did as I asked and stepped up toward the other side of my bed. "What were you doing outside then?"
"What?" Again I feigned ignorance, "Mayhap taking a walk? I do not remember." I lowered and then shook my head. For one like me, it was not easy. I knew if he looked into my eyes he would see the lie, underlined and emphasized to every detail.
"You do not remember, yet I see you were here kneeling all night, your tear stained cheeks are very close to obvious, my dear lady."
I lifted my head and gave him a very deep, very irritated look. "Can I not suffer in private? My stomach was hurting, sir, I-"
He stopped me with an angered look, "Do not lie to me, Lilana. Your woman's pain does not come in another week, unless you have done something...inappropriate."
My mouth dropped open in shock. "I can not believe you would even suggest such a thing! All right, so I have been lying, but I do not remember why I was outside. Do forgive me, for mayhap I will remember after I get myself cleaned up."
Swinging my legs over to the other side of the bed, I had every intention of standing up next to him and opening the door.
It was yet unfortunate once again because when I stood up my left knee collapsed under me. I would have fallen down hard if my godfather had not caught me.
"I-I'm sorry," I stuttered, "The fall I took yesterday..." Too late. It had already slipped out. My head snapped back and I looked into beyond angry eyes.
He not ungently set me back on the bed and stepped back. "You do not remember where you went, or what you were doing outside, but you remember taking a fall?" Now I winced. Elrond rarely got this angry. Although I knew it was part caring and parental panic, but I also knew it was part that I had lied to him, and continued to do so. He did not tolerate lies.
I pulled my knees to my chest and dropped my chin on them. Looking up at him, I sent him pathetic, wounded animal eyes. He frowned and I knew they made an impact on him. "Speak," he commanded.
I knew my lying moments this day would be over, so I told him a rather watered down idea of what happened.
"I was walking to the Silver Pond and broke through into a meeting of lovers, so I ran back, but I slipped on the damp grass. It was painful, but I managed to get back up and run upstairs again, looking back once or twice to make sure I had not provoked any upset lover to chase me down." I cleared me throat as I finished.
Elrond snorted and scowled. "Do you know who they were?"
I shrugged and told another half-truth. "I did not see them all that clearly. I was in panic."
He nodded. "Well, Lilana, get yourself dressed. It's almost noon and I would like another luncheon together. We should speak about your new dresses. Now hurry. I am rather famished."
Turning, he opened the door and was about to step through before adding, "Lighten up on your knee. It took a while for it to heal last time and I don't think it would be much easier this time."
As he closed the door behind him, I cursed that time when I had slipped and injured my knee. Curse and blast, I thought, will things ever get better again? Highly doubtful.
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~Beloved Memories~
It didn't long to get myself cleaned up and dressed. I scrubbed the grass stains off my knees as best I could, but there were still a bit of a shade of green to it.
Wanting to feel a bit brighter in both mind and body, I donned a light green Elvish dress and brushed my hair back. I started braiding my hair, but decided not to. It would take too long.
So I tossed it behind my neck and picked up three matching bracelets: a white one, a green one, and a yellow one. I put them on my right wrist and took out my mother's special jewelry box.
It was decorated by the elves, made of silver and white gold. On it was an Elvan prince on a horse, his hand extended to a beautiful Elvan lady. That brought back the bleak memories of last evening. I opened the lid and took out my most treasured bracelet.
There were multi-colored gems and crystals, all embedded into the shimmery silver. It was very light, almost as light as mithril, but not quite. I clipped it onto my left wrist. Elrond would be joyful to see me finally wear it. My mother had given it to me the day before she had died. It always made the dark memories return.
I laced up the light Elvan shoes and then stepped over to the door. Opening it, the early sunlight poured in and I felt my spirit lift.
Oddly enough, it felt as if my mother had returned and I had real joy returned to me. I felt light and happy once again.
Shaking my head, I forced the dreams out of my head and brought myself back down to reality. I could not afford to dream and keep false hopes, not now, not anymore.
I walked down the stairs as gracefully as possible and as I reached the end, I leaned on the marble pole. My knee had become painfully numb. I could not afford the grace. It would cause too much pain, and not to mention considerable damage. Bending and unbending my knee for just a few seconds, I applied pressure to it again.
It didn't kill me to walk. So, then, I did walk, and headed to join Elrond in the dining room.
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~The Joys~
Luncheon progressed slowly. Elrond seemed distracted, so I left him with his own thoughts through throughout the meal. Once or twice he asked me questions regarding what I did last night, but when he followed that he would not get anymore out of me, he turned to asking what I was going to do today.
"Nothing," I replied, "Just merely walk around again and maybe go visit Atlantis and Artemis. They're coming up to be extraordinarily beautiful." I spoke of my two horses. They are now my only pride and joy. My babies. I raised them from when they were just foals, newborns really.
Elrond had sent for me when the birthings were about to take place. They are brother and sister, magnificent from the tip of their lovely ears to the bottom of their sharp hooves. Master Elrond gave them to me, always knowledgeful of what would bring me utter joy.
Atlantis is a beautiful female, ebony in color and always knowing her own worth. She's very graceful and elegant, always holding her head high as if carrying a princess, which I am not. Always up for competitions and races, which is something she always won. The motto I've given her: "Her beauty and elegance does not let her win the race, but it is rather the hope, speed, and total grace."
Artemis is a pure white stallion with a silver mane and tail. He's older than Atlantis by a year, larger and more sleekly muscled. Bound to always be the alpha male, his unrestrained energy gets him into fights with many of the other males. His motto: "He's fierce, loyal, and strong because deceit, treachery, and dishonor are wrong."
I love my horses with all my heart. They're the ones that still keep me going, still give me the will to live when I hear the dark rumors surrounding my name and when I see the hateful looks on my fellow Elvan friends' faces.
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~Forgivings~
After luncheon was finished, I walked over to a still sitting Elrond and dropped a kiss on his cheek.
"I'm sorry for my lies and my unthoughtfulness," I said to him, "But the pressure has been building inside me lately and it's starting to penetrate my mind and actions." I gave him a weak smile and hugged him. "Please forgive me," I whispered.
I stood still for a couple of seconds and then felt his chin drop onto my shoulder, his arms coming to hug me back. "I forgive you, my little princess."
I held back tears and then gave him an extra squeeze, for my benefit and just out of habit. I pulled away and wiped off the tears that had escaped.
He took my hand and held it for a while. "Lilana, I will never get angry at you for telling me the truth. Just remember that, all right?" I nodded and strained to keep more tears back.
Leaning forward, he continued, "Your mother loved you, little one, and so did your father. You may not remember him, but he was a worthy and honorable human. Their love for you is beyond limitless, as is mine. I'll always be your protector, even if you don't need it, and I will forever be there when you need me, and even if it's not needed, I'll still be there for you."
I smiled, "You promise?" He nodded, "Forever and ever?" I asked him, the one line I always used after a promise.
He nodded once again and I suddenly hugged him again. He obligingly grunted as I gave him an extra tight squeeze. "And in return, I need a promise from you."
I tilted my head and gave him a questioning look. "Promise me you'll never lie to me again, and," he added, "will you cause me needless worry."
Giving him I sideways grin, I replied to him, "I promise you I'll never lie to you ever again and never will I cause you needless worry, in hopes of preserving your health!" I added with a giggle.
He chuckled and hugged me once again. "Take care of yourself while you're out there, and give the double A's a few of my special garden apples, will you?"
I gave him a sweet smile and nodded, walking away. Turning around, I walked backwards and raised a hand in salute and then blew him a kiss. He smiled and dipped his head in return.
I left the dining room and started walking towards the stables.
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~Discovering A Gift~
Sometime during the course to the stables I changed directions and headed toward the Silver Pond. I didn't know what I was doing there, it was as if some strange aura was luring me to it. So, not thinking much about it, I followed my feelings and then there I was, standing before the small, but beautiful waterfall that felled silver water into the pond.
I sat down at the edge and tucked my dress around my ankles. Then I set a hand into the water right in front of me. Emotions overwhelmed me.
Ten years ago my mother had brought me here, to Rivendell, for a safe haven. She was something of a loved human here, a specimen of mankind whose intrusion into the Elvish world made great difference, and yet a very good one.
Father had died two years before in some sort of fight. What fight? I didn't know. I suppose my mother had either grown up in Rivendell or lived here for a brief while and found comfort here. Either way, she brought me here.
Our favorite spot was the Silver Pond, a place where my mother went to seek solitude, a place where she drew comfort and strength. We played there a lot, it was a place we could play in. There I had taught by my mother how to speak to the animals. She always had a deep connection to them and, although I never thought it would happen, I had inherited her love and speech of wild creatures.
I hadn't been here for almost five years now, ever since her death. It brought back too much pain and grief.
My breath shuddered, but I held the tears in. I looked at my reflection in the water and managed a brief smile. I look nothing like Mom, I thought, I never did and never will.
Looking deeper, a shimmer caught my eye. I moved and it disappeared. Was there something down there? Reaching in, I felt the bottom of the pond and it wasn't very deep. It was shallower than I remember. That, or I had grown. I gently dug my fingers through the soft sand, hoping not to disturb any living creature and then my fingers wrapped around something hard. I pulled it out.
Just looking at it hurt my eyes, it was terribly shiny and bright. I winced at the light, but then ignored it. Holding it closer, I saw that it wasn't just a gem or jewel, but a ring.
It was a silver ring, I think because the Elves were into more silvery and golden colors. Obviously it was made by Elves, the intricate details and carvings were astonishing. Within entwined vines there featured a heart with three shimmering stars around it.
The beauty of the ring made me speechless, but that wasn't all. What attracted my attention the most was the heart itself. In every angle of the light it would shine a different color. At first I thought it was red, but then it turned blue, and then gold...I found that quite an oddity. It wasn't like any sort of stone I've ever seen before. I put it on and it fit perfectly on my ring finger. The stoned turned a shade of bright green, matching my dress.
I waved my hand around, but the ring did not fall off. It wasn't tight and neither was it loose. Although it felt like nothing was there, it fit like it was especially made for me. It was weightless. Slowly standing up, I heard a rustle behind me and I froze. I glanced around and saw nothing.
Oddly hurried, I walked over to the pathway that led out of the Silver Pond area and glanced around one last time. I thought I saw a flash of green to the side, but when I looked, there was nothing still but leaves and trees.
I left.
After I had cleaned up and changed into another dress, I stepped outside onto the overhang and took a deep, very deep breath of Rivendell air. Fresh, bittersweet memories overwhelmed me. It wasn't so long ago that my mother had brought me here. She was still alive then, and would be still if it wasn't for me. I still remember Elrond's face when Mum died, so filled with acute agony he could not speak.
She died for me. Forsaking her life for mine...I dared not dwell more on past incidents.
From the corner of my eye, I caught movement and then turned to see the Prince swiftly cutting across the green grass. I still hadn't yet thanked him for his help during the tournament and decided to.
Grabbing a cloak, I ran downstairs and cut across the lawn, as I had seen him do. I followed his path into the crack in between the trees. This way headed to the ancient Silver Pond. My best memories lay hidden there... I thought about what I would say to Legolas, how I would thank him, what I would do.
Unfortunately, my gratitude would not be given to him this afternoon.
0x01 graphic
~Hidden Knowledge Exposed~
Right before I reached the clearing, I lightened my steps although I didn't know why, but for whatever reason, it proved useful. I heard lowered voices and, dropping down, I peered over the low bush. I was not prepared to see what I did.
Legolas held an Elvan lady in his arms. They stood next to the Silver Pond, taken in a lover's embrace. Although he was not much taller than she, he still looked down at her...with gentle, loving eyes that caressed her face.
I saw him whisper into her ear, although what he said I could not hear. She smiled, her near white blonde hair swaying as she lifted her head for a kiss.
I slowly stood and turned, running back through the pathway and breaking through onto the dewy grass.
My foot slipped and I heard myself fall, but I did not heed. I got up and ran back into my room. Glancing behind me, I saw no one. I heard no one.
Legolas had never said anything about a ladylove.
Foolishly, I held a fist to my beating heart. I had already lost it to him, yet he did not know. He had someone for himself. He had someone else to love him.
I fell to my knees, placed my arms on my unmade bed, and buried my face into my hands.
I stood there for a while, neither crying nor thinking. Just stood motionless, lost for a long moment in time.
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~Caught In Lies~
"Lilana?"
My head snapped up and I looked over to my door.
To my mind's relief, it was not Legolas. It was Master Elrond.
"Good morning, Lilana." He looked at me with questions in his eyes.
I sighed and moved my head, surprised at the stiffness of it. I must have fallen asleep after a few moments of much needed heart rest.
"I'm sorry, Elrond. I did not know I had fallen asleep. Good morning, dear sir." My voice was rickety, like an old woman's. Had I been crying? I did not know.
"Miralda told me she saw you running back into your room last evening. She said you looked distressed."
"Oh?" I feigned ignorance. I did not think anyone had actually seen.
"Are you alright, my dear? You look...disastrous," he commented that with much thought.
"You don't mince words, now do you?" I pasted a smile to my lips, but I knew it did not reach my eyes. Pain hit me at every joint and muscle as I stood up, but I still forced myself to sit calmly and gracefully on the bed. I did not wince. "Step inside, sir, and closed the door. I do not wish any onlookers to see my `disastrous' self."
He did as I asked and stepped up toward the other side of my bed. "What were you doing outside then?"
"What?" Again I feigned ignorance, "Mayhap taking a walk? I do not remember." I lowered and then shook my head. For one like me, it was not easy. I knew if he looked into my eyes he would see the lie, underlined and emphasized to every detail.
"You do not remember, yet I see you were here kneeling all night, your tear stained cheeks are very close to obvious, my dear lady."
I lifted my head and gave him a very deep, very irritated look. "Can I not suffer in private? My stomach was hurting, sir, I-"
He stopped me with an angered look, "Do not lie to me, Lilana. Your woman's pain does not come in another week, unless you have done something...inappropriate."
My mouth dropped open in shock. "I can not believe you would even suggest such a thing! All right, so I have been lying, but I do not remember why I was outside. Do forgive me, for mayhap I will remember after I get myself cleaned up."
Swinging my legs over to the other side of the bed, I had every intention of standing up next to him and opening the door.
It was yet unfortunate once again because when I stood up my left knee collapsed under me. I would have fallen down hard if my godfather had not caught me.
"I-I'm sorry," I stuttered, "The fall I took yesterday..." Too late. It had already slipped out. My head snapped back and I looked into beyond angry eyes.
He not ungently set me back on the bed and stepped back. "You do not remember where you went, or what you were doing outside, but you remember taking a fall?" Now I winced. Elrond rarely got this angry. Although I knew it was part caring and parental panic, but I also knew it was part that I had lied to him, and continued to do so. He did not tolerate lies.
I pulled my knees to my chest and dropped my chin on them. Looking up at him, I sent him pathetic, wounded animal eyes. He frowned and I knew they made an impact on him. "Speak," he commanded.
I knew my lying moments this day would be over, so I told him a rather watered down idea of what happened.
"I was walking to the Silver Pond and broke through into a meeting of lovers, so I ran back, but I slipped on the damp grass. It was painful, but I managed to get back up and run upstairs again, looking back once or twice to make sure I had not provoked any upset lover to chase me down." I cleared me throat as I finished.
Elrond snorted and scowled. "Do you know who they were?"
I shrugged and told another half-truth. "I did not see them all that clearly. I was in panic."
He nodded. "Well, Lilana, get yourself dressed. It's almost noon and I would like another luncheon together. We should speak about your new dresses. Now hurry. I am rather famished."
Turning, he opened the door and was about to step through before adding, "Lighten up on your knee. It took a while for it to heal last time and I don't think it would be much easier this time."
As he closed the door behind him, I cursed that time when I had slipped and injured my knee. Curse and blast, I thought, will things ever get better again? Highly doubtful.
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~Beloved Memories~
It didn't long to get myself cleaned up and dressed. I scrubbed the grass stains off my knees as best I could, but there were still a bit of a shade of green to it.
Wanting to feel a bit brighter in both mind and body, I donned a light green Elvish dress and brushed my hair back. I started braiding my hair, but decided not to. It would take too long.
So I tossed it behind my neck and picked up three matching bracelets: a white one, a green one, and a yellow one. I put them on my right wrist and took out my mother's special jewelry box.
It was decorated by the elves, made of silver and white gold. On it was an Elvan prince on a horse, his hand extended to a beautiful Elvan lady. That brought back the bleak memories of last evening. I opened the lid and took out my most treasured bracelet.
There were multi-colored gems and crystals, all embedded into the shimmery silver. It was very light, almost as light as mithril, but not quite. I clipped it onto my left wrist. Elrond would be joyful to see me finally wear it. My mother had given it to me the day before she had died. It always made the dark memories return.
I laced up the light Elvan shoes and then stepped over to the door. Opening it, the early sunlight poured in and I felt my spirit lift.
Oddly enough, it felt as if my mother had returned and I had real joy returned to me. I felt light and happy once again.
Shaking my head, I forced the dreams out of my head and brought myself back down to reality. I could not afford to dream and keep false hopes, not now, not anymore.
I walked down the stairs as gracefully as possible and as I reached the end, I leaned on the marble pole. My knee had become painfully numb. I could not afford the grace. It would cause too much pain, and not to mention considerable damage. Bending and unbending my knee for just a few seconds, I applied pressure to it again.
It didn't kill me to walk. So, then, I did walk, and headed to join Elrond in the dining room.
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~The Joys~
Luncheon progressed slowly. Elrond seemed distracted, so I left him with his own thoughts through throughout the meal. Once or twice he asked me questions regarding what I did last night, but when he followed that he would not get anymore out of me, he turned to asking what I was going to do today.
"Nothing," I replied, "Just merely walk around again and maybe go visit Atlantis and Artemis. They're coming up to be extraordinarily beautiful." I spoke of my two horses. They are now my only pride and joy. My babies. I raised them from when they were just foals, newborns really.
Elrond had sent for me when the birthings were about to take place. They are brother and sister, magnificent from the tip of their lovely ears to the bottom of their sharp hooves. Master Elrond gave them to me, always knowledgeful of what would bring me utter joy.
Atlantis is a beautiful female, ebony in color and always knowing her own worth. She's very graceful and elegant, always holding her head high as if carrying a princess, which I am not. Always up for competitions and races, which is something she always won. The motto I've given her: "Her beauty and elegance does not let her win the race, but it is rather the hope, speed, and total grace."
Artemis is a pure white stallion with a silver mane and tail. He's older than Atlantis by a year, larger and more sleekly muscled. Bound to always be the alpha male, his unrestrained energy gets him into fights with many of the other males. His motto: "He's fierce, loyal, and strong because deceit, treachery, and dishonor are wrong."
I love my horses with all my heart. They're the ones that still keep me going, still give me the will to live when I hear the dark rumors surrounding my name and when I see the hateful looks on my fellow Elvan friends' faces.
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~Forgivings~
After luncheon was finished, I walked over to a still sitting Elrond and dropped a kiss on his cheek.
"I'm sorry for my lies and my unthoughtfulness," I said to him, "But the pressure has been building inside me lately and it's starting to penetrate my mind and actions." I gave him a weak smile and hugged him. "Please forgive me," I whispered.
I stood still for a couple of seconds and then felt his chin drop onto my shoulder, his arms coming to hug me back. "I forgive you, my little princess."
I held back tears and then gave him an extra squeeze, for my benefit and just out of habit. I pulled away and wiped off the tears that had escaped.
He took my hand and held it for a while. "Lilana, I will never get angry at you for telling me the truth. Just remember that, all right?" I nodded and strained to keep more tears back.
Leaning forward, he continued, "Your mother loved you, little one, and so did your father. You may not remember him, but he was a worthy and honorable human. Their love for you is beyond limitless, as is mine. I'll always be your protector, even if you don't need it, and I will forever be there when you need me, and even if it's not needed, I'll still be there for you."
I smiled, "You promise?" He nodded, "Forever and ever?" I asked him, the one line I always used after a promise.
He nodded once again and I suddenly hugged him again. He obligingly grunted as I gave him an extra tight squeeze. "And in return, I need a promise from you."
I tilted my head and gave him a questioning look. "Promise me you'll never lie to me again, and," he added, "will you cause me needless worry."
Giving him I sideways grin, I replied to him, "I promise you I'll never lie to you ever again and never will I cause you needless worry, in hopes of preserving your health!" I added with a giggle.
He chuckled and hugged me once again. "Take care of yourself while you're out there, and give the double A's a few of my special garden apples, will you?"
I gave him a sweet smile and nodded, walking away. Turning around, I walked backwards and raised a hand in salute and then blew him a kiss. He smiled and dipped his head in return.
I left the dining room and started walking towards the stables.
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~Discovering A Gift~
Sometime during the course to the stables I changed directions and headed toward the Silver Pond. I didn't know what I was doing there, it was as if some strange aura was luring me to it. So, not thinking much about it, I followed my feelings and then there I was, standing before the small, but beautiful waterfall that felled silver water into the pond.
I sat down at the edge and tucked my dress around my ankles. Then I set a hand into the water right in front of me. Emotions overwhelmed me.
Ten years ago my mother had brought me here, to Rivendell, for a safe haven. She was something of a loved human here, a specimen of mankind whose intrusion into the Elvish world made great difference, and yet a very good one.
Father had died two years before in some sort of fight. What fight? I didn't know. I suppose my mother had either grown up in Rivendell or lived here for a brief while and found comfort here. Either way, she brought me here.
Our favorite spot was the Silver Pond, a place where my mother went to seek solitude, a place where she drew comfort and strength. We played there a lot, it was a place we could play in. There I had taught by my mother how to speak to the animals. She always had a deep connection to them and, although I never thought it would happen, I had inherited her love and speech of wild creatures.
I hadn't been here for almost five years now, ever since her death. It brought back too much pain and grief.
My breath shuddered, but I held the tears in. I looked at my reflection in the water and managed a brief smile. I look nothing like Mom, I thought, I never did and never will.
Looking deeper, a shimmer caught my eye. I moved and it disappeared. Was there something down there? Reaching in, I felt the bottom of the pond and it wasn't very deep. It was shallower than I remember. That, or I had grown. I gently dug my fingers through the soft sand, hoping not to disturb any living creature and then my fingers wrapped around something hard. I pulled it out.
Just looking at it hurt my eyes, it was terribly shiny and bright. I winced at the light, but then ignored it. Holding it closer, I saw that it wasn't just a gem or jewel, but a ring.
It was a silver ring, I think because the Elves were into more silvery and golden colors. Obviously it was made by Elves, the intricate details and carvings were astonishing. Within entwined vines there featured a heart with three shimmering stars around it.
The beauty of the ring made me speechless, but that wasn't all. What attracted my attention the most was the heart itself. In every angle of the light it would shine a different color. At first I thought it was red, but then it turned blue, and then gold...I found that quite an oddity. It wasn't like any sort of stone I've ever seen before. I put it on and it fit perfectly on my ring finger. The stoned turned a shade of bright green, matching my dress.
I waved my hand around, but the ring did not fall off. It wasn't tight and neither was it loose. Although it felt like nothing was there, it fit like it was especially made for me. It was weightless. Slowly standing up, I heard a rustle behind me and I froze. I glanced around and saw nothing.
Oddly hurried, I walked over to the pathway that led out of the Silver Pond area and glanced around one last time. I thought I saw a flash of green to the side, but when I looked, there was nothing still but leaves and trees.
I left.