Disclaimer: I only own those I have created
Gil-Galad bid me farewell kindly and left quickly, and even with his words, I was still fearful. I
stood dumbly and stared at the ground, until the other elf dismounted and approached me. He
stopped near me and I finally summoned the courage to look up at him. He regarded me
thoughtfully and after a bit, he came near and touched my hair. He told me he had not ever seen
hair of my color and told me to look up. I did and he smiled slightly. 'Green eyes' was all he said
before he stepped away from me. I remember Lord Elrond dismounting then and coming over to
me. I became scared then, for I am obviously quite shorter than most elves, and though I had
become comfortable with Gil-Gilad, my fear and discomfort in myself was what was foremost right
then. I feared that Gil-Galad had made an error and that harm was about to befall me. Lord
Elrond scowled at the other and motioned toward me. 'You will make her needlessly fearful, and
she has been through enough….and we've still quite a ride to go yet,' he said. He turned to me
fully and leaned over, that he could look in my eyes. I remember his voice being quite soft, and
filled with kindness. 'He is Glorfindel, and he does not mean to cause you unrest. You will be safe
and well where we will take you.' There was something in the fact that he met my eyes with his
own with such reassurance that I instantly trusted him. He took my hand in his, lifting me to his
horse, and took me to my new home.' Some time during that ride, I asked him quietly where he
was taking me, and he answered only, 'Rivendell' of which he had founded with the help of Gil-
Galad and the ring of power, Vilya."
She paused and looked up. The four little ones seemed intent upon hanging on every word, as
did Gimli, startled she had stopped. Boromir seemed less wary now, thoughtfully staring at her.
After a few moments of silence, Pippin waved a hand. "Well, don't stop! The story can't possibly
stop there…!" She smiled sadly at them and nodded. "While I had thought Gil- Galad would come
for me in a short while, he did not. The War of the Last Alliance took seven years to pan out; to.
Rivendell became my haven. Many others resided there, but I paid them little heed, as they did to
me. I was not very noticeable for a time or so, as I was still considered mostly a child and never
really stayed near the buildings. Glorfindel had quite a stable of horses; and I had become quite
fond of them. I spent much time riding the lands within the boundaries of Rivendell. There were
many havens where the waterfalls flowed into riverlets. They brought me much peace and I spent
many days walking amongst them. It was in this time that I came to know what power I
possessed. I found I had much power over the elements, and I worked to master what I knew. But
it was also in this time that I came to know Lord Elrond well. He was gone some of the time with
the war, for he was the steward of Gil-Galad, and a great warrior. The time he spent in Rivendell
he always spent with me. He taught me much that I might have known had I grown up with love
and friendship. He rode with me often, telling me Elvish stories of old, or telling me of the plants
or flowers that I would point out in the forests. When he would leave again, there were some
maidens who would tease me of the time we spent together, and I would never understand why.
They never would mean any harm by it, for they saw what I did not when he looked at me. I knew
nothing of that kind of love, I knew only the kindness and compassion a father shows a beloved
child. He returned again during the sixth year to see me, for he stated that when he arrived. We
had dinner that evening, alone, and after, he drew me out onto the balcony. He told me of how
the war fared, and I became angry, for word of my father's overbearing power always drew forth a
buried rage from me. I cursed Sauron and my mother, in the language of Mordor, and Elrond had
studied me then, for there were few in Rivendell who knew the black speech, and none who
would dare use it. I had asked him why he looked at me, and he answered me in the black
speech, saying that he never wanted that language uttered in Rivendell. I became frightened, for
none who had ever cared for me had ever chastised me, but then, I had never given them cause
to. I fell to my knees before him, and sobbed. I begged him for his forgiveness. He pulled me to
my feet then and embraced me, telling me he was not angry at all, but that words in that speech
made many uncomfortable. He had cupped my face in his hands and smiled down at me, to
reassure me, and I suddenly found myself staring into his eyes….so close to him. For many
moments, we stood that way, and I became enraptured with the way he was staring at
me….there was such love and adoration there. The warmth of his breath upon my face had
started to create a most unfamiliar feeling, and I became increasingly understanding of why the
maidens had teased me so. I felt undone before his stare, and I found myself suddenly
whispering of what the maidens told me……as I rambled on, he placed a finger upon my lips to
stop me and asked me if I believed them. I did not know how to answer him and he brushed his
lips across my forehead. 'They are very observant, the ones who tell you such things, my dear
Sycha' he whispered to me.
I was confused as to what I felt then, and I suddenly asked him if I loved him. It sounds silly as I
say it now, but it made perfect sense then. I did not technically know what love was, and in the
confusion of my life, I was still a bit left out, even with the patience and the wisdom of the elves. I
remember his lips brushing my forehead again as he said he did not know the answer to
that….that only I could know that. I had not known what to say back to him then, and he finally
leaned down and kissed me full on the lips. It did not take more than a moment for me to fall
eagerly into his arms, and he soon drew me back within to his chambers." She stopped for a
moment, and when it seemed she would not continue, Gimli grunted. "Come, girl, continue. You
tell a good tale and I've energy to hear the rest of it." She smiled quietly and shifted, bringing her
legs from beneath her and crossing them out. "Then I will….I shan't tell tale of that night, but upon
the next morning, as my head lay cradled against his chest and we lay beneath the blankets of
his bed, I heard him ask me softly if I should know the answer to my question. I needed no time to
think before I whispered 'yes' and told him for that first time that I loved him. He murmured softly
to me then, for some time, of his love for me, and of my beauty, of which I had not ever noticed of
myself. Elrond remained in Rivendell for eight months after that, and so very rarely did he leave
my side. But word was wafting in of my father's power again, and I grew increasingly restless with
that fact. That my father was causing such discontent within those I had come to treasure and
love angered me greatly. Gil-Gilad was returning and we traveled then, to meet with him. He was
greatly interested in how I had fared and upon my appearance, he appeared no less than
stunned. I had changed from the timid and fearful young girl to a now angered and strong woman.
Elrond's guidance and love had influenced me and shaped me, and knowledge of my father's
still-cruel reign fired my veangeful stance. I wanted no more than to join that march, that I would
be able to face him and my mother. This was frowned upon by nearly everyone, but I would not
give in to any reason and as the day drew near that Elrond was to leave again, Gil-Gilad threw up
his hands as Lord Elrond stood beside him as we had finished a morning meal, regarding me with
sorrow, and gave me what I wanted. I had turned on my heel, without even a thank you and left
quickly, to go to Glorfindel and find a horse I might rely upon to carry me. Elrond caught my arm
as I walked quickly from the building and stopped me. For a moment, the bitter anger that had
since filled me upon hearing of my parent's atrocities again fled me and left me with a numbing
emptiness and a need for consolement. I flung myself into his arms and he held me for a time,
until I was able to pull myself together. When I looked up to him finally, he smiled a most kind
smile and kissed me, telling me that it would be over soon, and that we would return when it was
over, and I would not need to fret so ever again. I know he did not believe what he said, but it
calmed me. He had then threaded this into my hair," Sycha looked down upon the silver circlet
she held. "and said that upon our return, we would be wed; that for the rest of the immortal years,
he would never let harm befall me, that he would never leave my side. He spoke for some time,
and I cried, for I did not know what was to come, and I was fearful. We kissed again, before I left
to see Glorfindel, and I murmured of my love to him. That was the last time I felt his arms around
me and the warmth of his breath upon my face as he whispered to me."
Gil-Galad bid me farewell kindly and left quickly, and even with his words, I was still fearful. I
stood dumbly and stared at the ground, until the other elf dismounted and approached me. He
stopped near me and I finally summoned the courage to look up at him. He regarded me
thoughtfully and after a bit, he came near and touched my hair. He told me he had not ever seen
hair of my color and told me to look up. I did and he smiled slightly. 'Green eyes' was all he said
before he stepped away from me. I remember Lord Elrond dismounting then and coming over to
me. I became scared then, for I am obviously quite shorter than most elves, and though I had
become comfortable with Gil-Gilad, my fear and discomfort in myself was what was foremost right
then. I feared that Gil-Galad had made an error and that harm was about to befall me. Lord
Elrond scowled at the other and motioned toward me. 'You will make her needlessly fearful, and
she has been through enough….and we've still quite a ride to go yet,' he said. He turned to me
fully and leaned over, that he could look in my eyes. I remember his voice being quite soft, and
filled with kindness. 'He is Glorfindel, and he does not mean to cause you unrest. You will be safe
and well where we will take you.' There was something in the fact that he met my eyes with his
own with such reassurance that I instantly trusted him. He took my hand in his, lifting me to his
horse, and took me to my new home.' Some time during that ride, I asked him quietly where he
was taking me, and he answered only, 'Rivendell' of which he had founded with the help of Gil-
Galad and the ring of power, Vilya."
She paused and looked up. The four little ones seemed intent upon hanging on every word, as
did Gimli, startled she had stopped. Boromir seemed less wary now, thoughtfully staring at her.
After a few moments of silence, Pippin waved a hand. "Well, don't stop! The story can't possibly
stop there…!" She smiled sadly at them and nodded. "While I had thought Gil- Galad would come
for me in a short while, he did not. The War of the Last Alliance took seven years to pan out; to.
Rivendell became my haven. Many others resided there, but I paid them little heed, as they did to
me. I was not very noticeable for a time or so, as I was still considered mostly a child and never
really stayed near the buildings. Glorfindel had quite a stable of horses; and I had become quite
fond of them. I spent much time riding the lands within the boundaries of Rivendell. There were
many havens where the waterfalls flowed into riverlets. They brought me much peace and I spent
many days walking amongst them. It was in this time that I came to know what power I
possessed. I found I had much power over the elements, and I worked to master what I knew. But
it was also in this time that I came to know Lord Elrond well. He was gone some of the time with
the war, for he was the steward of Gil-Galad, and a great warrior. The time he spent in Rivendell
he always spent with me. He taught me much that I might have known had I grown up with love
and friendship. He rode with me often, telling me Elvish stories of old, or telling me of the plants
or flowers that I would point out in the forests. When he would leave again, there were some
maidens who would tease me of the time we spent together, and I would never understand why.
They never would mean any harm by it, for they saw what I did not when he looked at me. I knew
nothing of that kind of love, I knew only the kindness and compassion a father shows a beloved
child. He returned again during the sixth year to see me, for he stated that when he arrived. We
had dinner that evening, alone, and after, he drew me out onto the balcony. He told me of how
the war fared, and I became angry, for word of my father's overbearing power always drew forth a
buried rage from me. I cursed Sauron and my mother, in the language of Mordor, and Elrond had
studied me then, for there were few in Rivendell who knew the black speech, and none who
would dare use it. I had asked him why he looked at me, and he answered me in the black
speech, saying that he never wanted that language uttered in Rivendell. I became frightened, for
none who had ever cared for me had ever chastised me, but then, I had never given them cause
to. I fell to my knees before him, and sobbed. I begged him for his forgiveness. He pulled me to
my feet then and embraced me, telling me he was not angry at all, but that words in that speech
made many uncomfortable. He had cupped my face in his hands and smiled down at me, to
reassure me, and I suddenly found myself staring into his eyes….so close to him. For many
moments, we stood that way, and I became enraptured with the way he was staring at
me….there was such love and adoration there. The warmth of his breath upon my face had
started to create a most unfamiliar feeling, and I became increasingly understanding of why the
maidens had teased me so. I felt undone before his stare, and I found myself suddenly
whispering of what the maidens told me……as I rambled on, he placed a finger upon my lips to
stop me and asked me if I believed them. I did not know how to answer him and he brushed his
lips across my forehead. 'They are very observant, the ones who tell you such things, my dear
Sycha' he whispered to me.
I was confused as to what I felt then, and I suddenly asked him if I loved him. It sounds silly as I
say it now, but it made perfect sense then. I did not technically know what love was, and in the
confusion of my life, I was still a bit left out, even with the patience and the wisdom of the elves. I
remember his lips brushing my forehead again as he said he did not know the answer to
that….that only I could know that. I had not known what to say back to him then, and he finally
leaned down and kissed me full on the lips. It did not take more than a moment for me to fall
eagerly into his arms, and he soon drew me back within to his chambers." She stopped for a
moment, and when it seemed she would not continue, Gimli grunted. "Come, girl, continue. You
tell a good tale and I've energy to hear the rest of it." She smiled quietly and shifted, bringing her
legs from beneath her and crossing them out. "Then I will….I shan't tell tale of that night, but upon
the next morning, as my head lay cradled against his chest and we lay beneath the blankets of
his bed, I heard him ask me softly if I should know the answer to my question. I needed no time to
think before I whispered 'yes' and told him for that first time that I loved him. He murmured softly
to me then, for some time, of his love for me, and of my beauty, of which I had not ever noticed of
myself. Elrond remained in Rivendell for eight months after that, and so very rarely did he leave
my side. But word was wafting in of my father's power again, and I grew increasingly restless with
that fact. That my father was causing such discontent within those I had come to treasure and
love angered me greatly. Gil-Gilad was returning and we traveled then, to meet with him. He was
greatly interested in how I had fared and upon my appearance, he appeared no less than
stunned. I had changed from the timid and fearful young girl to a now angered and strong woman.
Elrond's guidance and love had influenced me and shaped me, and knowledge of my father's
still-cruel reign fired my veangeful stance. I wanted no more than to join that march, that I would
be able to face him and my mother. This was frowned upon by nearly everyone, but I would not
give in to any reason and as the day drew near that Elrond was to leave again, Gil-Gilad threw up
his hands as Lord Elrond stood beside him as we had finished a morning meal, regarding me with
sorrow, and gave me what I wanted. I had turned on my heel, without even a thank you and left
quickly, to go to Glorfindel and find a horse I might rely upon to carry me. Elrond caught my arm
as I walked quickly from the building and stopped me. For a moment, the bitter anger that had
since filled me upon hearing of my parent's atrocities again fled me and left me with a numbing
emptiness and a need for consolement. I flung myself into his arms and he held me for a time,
until I was able to pull myself together. When I looked up to him finally, he smiled a most kind
smile and kissed me, telling me that it would be over soon, and that we would return when it was
over, and I would not need to fret so ever again. I know he did not believe what he said, but it
calmed me. He had then threaded this into my hair," Sycha looked down upon the silver circlet
she held. "and said that upon our return, we would be wed; that for the rest of the immortal years,
he would never let harm befall me, that he would never leave my side. He spoke for some time,
and I cried, for I did not know what was to come, and I was fearful. We kissed again, before I left
to see Glorfindel, and I murmured of my love to him. That was the last time I felt his arms around
me and the warmth of his breath upon my face as he whispered to me."