She had been a very young child when it had occurred. Merely 1,022. Her sister Galadriel desired to make a journey to the surrounding elven peoples of the region. It had taken many months, for the elven people would not let the sorceress or her husband leave without the proper week of feasting. This was usually always followed by another week of feasting and perhaps another. The longest time that they had stayed in one place was six weeks. This infamous place was the place called Mirkwood. Great feasting was held for the usual one week, then another as the king, Thranduil insisted on the couple's viewing of Mirkwood. Therefore there was four more weeks of feasting and viewing the beauties of Mirkwood.
Galadriel would not allow Aria to stay behind in Lothlorien alone, so she brought her along. With no companion, Aria dealt with the parties and feasting in silence. She was totally alone, for she could never speak to her sister alone. She loved the beauties of Mirkwood, but her heart throbbed with loneliness. Finally, during the third week of feasting, the King noticed the forlorn way that she sat off to the side watching Galadriel and Celeborn do as they wished. He approached her, and the young princess looked up to him, her blue eyes showing her sadness clearly. He knelt down in front of her, in order that she would not have to look up to him and whispered, "Would you like to visit with the children of these lands?" Aria was taken aback. She had not known how blatantly obvious her loneliness was. But her face lit up and she replied, "I would enjoy that immensely! I have not seen one who is my age for many, many weeks." She said. Thranduil extended his hand and the young Elf accepted it happily as he lead her to a small clearing in the woods.
There a sight spread before them. Many young Elf children, playing and laughing aloud. They saw the young princess and stopped to stare. Thranduil clapped his hands and there was total silence. He spoke to them gently, telling them of Aria's identity and to treat her as their own playmate. He gave her a little nudge and she took a step forward. Instantly, a young female Elf approached her with a welcoming smile and open arms. "Come! You can play with us! We were just about to start a new game!" This young Elf's name was Aranel and she became Aria's dearest friend for many years. They were close until Aranel was slain during the Battle of the Ring, before Sauron's return to power. Another week passed by and the Lothlorien elves took their leave of the Mirkwood elves.
Galadriel, finally able to speak to her sister alone, comforted her with the fact that the place to which they were proceeding was their final stop on their journey. It had been saved for last, being the place of their kindred, for Elrond resided there, the husband of Galadriel's daughter. They were welcomed again with pomp and joyfullness, the feasting beginning once more. During that time, a period of three weeks, Aria was content for a time. She spent the days with Elrond's children, her great-nephews and her great-niece, Arwen. But the time came when the boys left with a hunting party and Arwen was not always around. Again, the old misery settled upon Aria. She longed to return to her own home. But it was not possible.
After one of the feasts, Aria fled the city. She ran as fast as she could, her pent-up tears pouring from her eyes as she ran quickly. She looked back as she ran, not willing to be followed. She ran and ran till she was in the very heart of the forest. She stopped, panting, placing a hand over her heart. No one had dared to follow her. She was alone as she had been in these many months. Aria sat down on a large boulder in the clearing, drew her knees up to her face and sobbed quietly. During this time, she inwardly screamed at her sister for dragging her all this way, screamed at Elrond for keeping them here, screamed at herself for being so selfish.
Little did she know, the same hunting party that had collected her great-nephews a week before was returning. The laughing group, composed mainly of younger elves, walked past the place, not noticing the sobs. But one Mirkwood Elf, halted in his footsteps. He listened past the laughing and joking of his friends, then turned his head towards the small clearing in the woods. "Come on Legolas! Father will be expecting us! There'll be great feasting I can assure you!" One of Elrond's sons called out to him. "Yes, and then you can see the Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn! They are visiting! Come on now!" The other called. Legolas smiled and raised his hand. "I shall be there soon. Go on." He said, walking silently towards the clearing. The others shook their heads and laughed, walking towards Rivendell.
Legolas crept silently through the forest brush, his gentle footsteps not making a sound. He crept behind a tree, Aria's form finally becoming visible. He cocked his head and frowned. She was not one of the Rivendell Elves. He had been to the place many times and knew the young male and female Elves by sight. This one, he did not know. Her knees were drawn up to her face and her shoulders shook slightly, her hands drawn up over her face. Legolas stood still, forgetting the glory of the week he had had, the archery tournament that he had won against his friends, the fun, and the knowledge that he was becoming as accomplished as many older Elves. He began to puzzle, wondering what could be making the maiden cry, what her reason for sadness was.
So preoccupied was he, that when he shifted his foot slightly, a twig snapped under his foot. The girl's head snapped erect, her red and swollen eyes peering through the trees. She saw his form, his attire of brown blending into the scenery around him. His blonde hair fell down his back, his bow and arrows tied securely behind him, his eyes fluid and moving. He took a step forward as she furiously wiped her eyes, trying to rid herself of this weakness. Legolas stopped a few feet away as Aria slid from the rock, her eyes still red, but her head held high. The two stared at each other, Aria in calm defiance, Legolas in sympathy and curiosity.
Legolas took another step forward, but Aria took a step backward. Legolas stopped and frowned. "I would not harm you lady. I simply heard your cries and desired to know if you were well." He said kindly. "Thank you for your concern, but believe me when I say that it is not necessary. I am quite well." Aria said smoothly. "If that is true then why do you shed so many tears?" Legolas asked knowingly. Aria was struck into silence. When she did not make a move to speak, Legolas bowed slightly. "I am Legolas Greenleaf, son of King Thranduil of Mirkwood." He said. Aria started and took a step forward. "Mirkwood? I met your father. He was very kind to me. Where were you?" Aria asked. "I'm afraid that I was unable to be present at the time of the Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn's welcoming feast. I was with friends, preparing for a hunting trip. I was sorry to have missed it. Are you a servant of the Lady Galadriel's?" Legolas asked.
Aria shook her head and laughed at the idea, causing distress to appear on Legolas' face. "Forgive me, but it was a plausible assumption, my Lady." He said, blushing as she laughed. "Forgive me my laughter." Aria chuckled, trying to draw a breath. Legolas crossed his arms and waited for her laughter to die down. "Are you quite finished?" He asked, his eyes narrowed, the blush still evident on his cheeks. Aria took a deep breath and nodded. "Again, forgive me. You would understand if you were in my position." She explained. "No doubt I would. But forgive me for pointing out, my Lady, but your tears have ceased." Legolas said. Aria frowned in the realization that she had forgotton about her tears and the loneliness that had been biting at her heart had disappeared.
"Why they have haven't they? Goodness." She said in surprise. Then she started and placed her hands over her mouth. "You must forgive me! I have forgotten my duties. You have introduced yourself to me, and I, I have forgotten my duty in return. I am the Lady Aria, sister of the Lady Galadriel and a visitor to this place. Forgive me my impertinence." Aria said, dropping nodding her head in respect. Legolas stared hard at her. "The Lady Aria. There is rumor that she does not even exist, but is merely myth, but here stands before me one who says she is that personage." Legolas murmured, gazing hard into her face. "Friend, I am truly who I say I am! And I can assure you that I am NOT a legend." Aria said in surprise.
"Forgive me my lady. It was a subject that myself and my companions were discussing during the weeks that the Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn resided in Mirkwood. Completely unfounded and irrational." Legolas stammered. Finally he straightened and extended his hand. "Would you not proceed to the city of Rivendell with me Lady Aria? Your sister will be wondering where you are I'm sure." Legolas said generously. Aria accepted his arm and they walked through the forest towards the city. "I'm not so sure of that. She doesn't seem to notice me much anymore during such feasts." Aria said disdainfully. "I often have the same feelings when my father has guests. But truly, every time I think such things, he tells me afterwards that his eye was always on me during the entire time. Most likely the Lady Galadriel has done the same." Legolas said. "Even if she had, she could have seen to it that I had a companion." Aria murmured.
Legolas looked at her knowingly. "Ah, loneliness is the reason for your tears." He said quietly. Aria looked at him sharply. "You are far too intuitive for your own good Legolas." She commented. Legolas chuckled and smiled. "I will take that as a compliment, my Lady." He said with a smile. "You are right. It was loneliness that saw to my tears. I have been very lonely. I have had no companion or friend for many months. Truly, I really have never had a friend." She murmured reflectively. "I cannot believe such a thing." Legolas said. Aria scoffed and shook her head. "Believe it. No one wants to be friends with a," Aria suddenly stopped. Legolas stopped walking and looked to her face. "What? No one wants to be friends with a what?" He asked. Aria gave a dismal sigh. "I may as well tell you, then you can leave me while we are close to the city. I am a sorceress. Well I am learning to be. There now. Don't you want to leave me?" Aria demanded. Legolas stood still, his arms crossed over his chest. "No. Why would I?" He asked.
Aria stared at him in surprise. "You don't? But you know who I am and," She stuttered. "The Lady Galadriel is a sorceress and I am not afraid to see her or be among her company. Surely I am in awe of her power, but I would never run if she gave me a task to fulfill." Legolas said firmly. Aria's hard eyes softened and she took his hand once more. "I would like to ask you, if I may call you my friend Legolas Greenleaf?" She asked shyly. Legolas smiled broadly and accepted her hand. "I would be honored to be a friend of yours, my Lady." He said generously, leading her back to the city of Rivendell.
Once they reached the city, they pushed their way through the crowd attempting to reach the high table where the royalty sat, including Galadriel. Still holding Aria's hand tight, Legolas finally burst through to the very front and found himself staring up into the solemn faces of Elrond, Galadriel and Celeborn. Elrond raised his eyebrows as he saw the young son of Thranduil burst through the crowd, grasping Galadriel's young sister's hand tightly. He glanced at Galadriel and saw her eye already upon him. She looked at him for a time before looking down to her sister. She raised her hand and stood. Aria looked at her sister, then timidly stepped up to the platform to her seat. Legolas released his hold on her hand and watched her sit beside her sister. It was then that he realized that Aria's thoughts that he would not want to be her friend, were not unfounded. He felt timid, small, and weak as he gazed up into the faces above him. Celeborn's less commanding than his wife's, but Galadriel's appearence was cold and like ice.
He bowed slightly, then took a step back, his eyes unable to leave the face of Galadriel. But she held her hand up, and he stopped. She stood and motioned for him to come to the bottom of the platform. "You would eat at our table, Prince of Mirkwood. An honor it would be to have the son of Thranduil at our table." She said, motioning to a seat at the large table. Legolas stared at her in surprise before remembering himself and bowing low before her. "It would be an honor to accept my Lady." He said strongly. He waited for the sons of Elrond and Arwen to rise to the platform, then he moved to take his place beside them. But Galadriel's hand came up once more. "Please, sit with us Prince of Mirkwood." She repeated, her tone changing to contain a tinge of warmth. Legolas climbed the platform with unsteady legs, then he saw the awed faces of his friends from Mirkwood and he flashed them a smile as he sat down beside Aria. His friends in the crowd stared at him in bewilderment and groaned about it among themselves. He leaned over towards Aria to whisper in her ear, "You see, the Lady Galadriel did think of you in your loneliness."
That day and the days that followed saw Aria and Legolas together in a group of Elves. They would get together to play with the sons of Elrond and the children of Rivendell. They would often play games, but most often the male Elves showed off their archery skills while the female Elves looked on. Aria's cousin Rillia had come into Rivendell with a hunting party a few days previous and the two were hard to separate. As they watched the male Elves carefully pull back their bows simultaneously, Rillia leaned over by Aria. "I bet that your Legolas will win this contest. The others are no match for him." She whispered. Aria turned to her. "MY Legolas?" She asked, her eyes still fixed intensely on Legolas' form. "Yes, YOUR Legolas. You never go anywhere without him. What am I supposed to think?" Rillia whispered. "Don't be silly. We're only friends." Aria said, watching as the Elf to the side, raised his hand, almost ready to give the signal to shoot. "Certainly you are. But you can't stay here forever you know. I happen to know that Galadriel means to leave within two days time and take you with her to train you to rule." Aria turned to her sharply as the signal was given to shoot. The Elves all shot, but only one made it in the target. Legolas Greenleaf was pronounced the winner and an arrow of another kind struck Aria's heart.
She tried not to think of it. Galadriel had said nothing to her, perhaps it was only a rumor. But still she made the most of her time, spending it with Legolas and her new found friends. Two days later, the group of Elves were running through the halls of Rivendell, pausing only to show reverence to the broken sword of Isildur, before running once more. Elrond suddenly turned the corner, his eyes upon them. The others took off in anticipation that Elrond would catch them, but Aria did not run from his approaching figure. She stopped and stared at him as he walked. Legolas slid to a stop, unwilling to stay, but unwilling to let Aria stay and take the punishment. It was then that he noticed Elrond's countenance for the first time. His eyes were serious, not with impending punishment, but with another matter. Aria's eyes were filled with apprehension, and a knowledge of what was to come.
He stopped a few feet in front of her and gazed at her form before he spoke. "Your sister has asked me to tell you that she is leaving this night for Lothlorien. She desires you to prepare for your departure." Legolas' hands fell to his side as he looked between the two. "I know why she says this, but I cannot leave now." Elrond's eyebrows rose. "What?" He asked in disbelief. "She means to take me away to train me to rule, but I cannot. I can learn much here among your people. Learn from you of how to rule. Please do not force me to go." Aria said firmly, but a tone of pleading under her voice. "I cannot go against your sister." He said, still recovering from this surprise. "No you cannot Elrond. You are wise." A cool voice came from around the corner. Aria, Elrond and Legolas turned to see the Lady Galadriel, walking slowly towards them.
Legolas placed his hand on his forehead as she approached and took a step backward. Galadriel's gaze fell upon him and remained fixed on him for a short while. Then she averted her gaze to her sister's defiant face. "I see your hurt and your anger sister. But you must learn to rule so that you may govern with wisdom." Galadriel's voice remained cool and calm. "I can learn to rule here as well. Lord Elrond can teach me. He is also a wise ruler and it you cannot disagree when I say that it is wise to have more than one teacher." Aria said with determination. Galadriel's gaze flickered from her sister to Elrond. "Would you learn? Or would you spend your days idlely?" She asked. Aria did not hesitate. "I would not. There is a time to learn and a time for friends. Learning comes first. That is what you have taught me." Aria said quietly. Galadriel's gaze again flickered. "I am leaving this night. I will return for you and then, then you must return." She said quietly, planting a kiss on her sister's forehead before she walked away.
Aria held her breath and released it in amazement. Her sister was allowing her to stay. Elrond nodded with affirmation and walked away. Aria turned to Legolas, who still stood alone in the hallway. "Did you really mean what you said?" He asked. "Of course I did. I mean to learn as well. I can learn from Elrond. He is also a wise and kind ruler. I must learn." A short time later found Legolas and Aria walking about the gardens of Elrond. The moonlight found its way to their faces and lit their paths as they walked through the garden. "What is the name of the place you shall rule?" Legolas asked. "Nethrana. It is supposedly a beautiful place, but I have never seen it." Aria answered. "Shall you like to be a queen?" He asked. "Yes I suppose. As long as things go well. I mean to be the best and most wise ruler there ever was." Aria said proudly. "Moreso than Lady Galadriel?" Legolas asked in surprise. Suddenly the two looked down into the valley below and saw the procession of the Lady of the Wood proceeding into the woods beyond. Aria watched them a time before she began walking away. "No one can be more wise than my sister. Not even I."
The years passed as Aria spent time in the house of Elrond. Ten years, fifty, one hundred passed. Aria grew in this time to a woman of grace and dignity. Her wisdom was rumored to be greater than even Galadriel, but she denied it constantly. She walked with grace, her figure and beauty bloomed like the roses in the wilderness, wild and free, unhindered by the gardener's sheers. But eventually, a rose must be cut by a wandering minstrel or a young farm child, or trampled under the horse's hoof. As it was with Aria. Four hundred years had she passed in the house of Elrond, and at the end of the four hundredth year came the messenger from Lothlorien. Aria received him and his message silently before telling him that she would leave that night. Legolas was not present for the message, being in Mirkwood with his father, but Aria, unwilling to leave without her friend's knowledge, sent a message to him.
He did not come till very late in the evening, just as Aria was about to set out. She had already bid her friend's in Rivendell farewell, her great-nephews and great-niece and their father, only he remained. She waited by a tall tree that guarded the pass to Rivendell, awaiting his arrival. He ran up out of breath as the moon burst through the clouds. He saw her there and rushed to her, his eyes filled with surprise. "You really are leaving then?" He asked, out of breath. "Galadriel wishes me to. I wish I could stay, but she has been more than generous with me. I must go." Aria murmured. Legolas leaned against the tree, unsure as of what to say. "Will you allow me to accompany you to Mirkwood then? Just that far, then I will leave you." He asked. "I cannot allow you to do that Legolas. You are already spent from running this far. Stay." She said gently.
"But I feel that this good-bye is hurried and rushed, barely significant for such good friends as we are." Legolas insisted. "We will see each other again. I know it. We are good friends and I shall not abandon you, nor you, I." She said with a smile. "Yes, you are right. There will be hunting parties. I shall try to journey to Lothlorien during one of those times. I will." Legolas said with determination. Aria smiled sadly and dropped her head. "Legolas you know as well as I that hunting parties don't go through Lothlorien." She said gently. "I will make them. Force them if I have to." Legolas insisted. "You will stay in Mirkwood friend. Be happy and be safe. May your journeys always see you safe and well, and your arrows fly true." She said quietly, a small smile upon her face. Gently, she reached up and kissed his cheek, her hand lingering there for a moment before she joined the messenger that waited for her. "Aria!" Aria turned as Legolas called her name. The pangs in her heart were already great, but they grew greater as she saw the sadness on her friend's face. He managed a smile and called out to her,
Auta i lómë! (The night is passing!)
Aria smiled and softly and gently spoke the rest of the phrase.
Aurë entuluva! (The day shall come again!)
Then she took her leave of him and saw him no more.