Ethrin's eyes fell upon her surroundings as she continued walking. The bright stars winked in the sky, but she didn't seem to notice. All she was able to concentrate on was putting one foot in front of the other, and also watching for danger. Still she couldn't keep herself from looking down to the ground again, afraid to face the world.
Ethrin was tired. Memories clouded her mind as she continued her gruesome journey. She clearly remembered the day when she had finally had enough of the city that had been her home for so many decades, or perhaps she recalled the scenes so vividly because her mother told the story to her every rainy day when they were forced to stay inside and do the day's weaving. Her "mother" had found her on the streets one clear night, forty-five years ago.
"You were just lying there as I was walking home from the market. I thought you were just another one of the homeless, but I knew it could not be when I turned you over and saw your lovely face. I knew then you were a jewel," her "mother" had said, the soothing clicks of the loom counting the rhythm of her words. To her, her "mother's" voice was beautiful. Ethrin would smile as she recalled the warm hand on her forehead later, and the shocked gasp when her "mother" had realized that she had no fever despite the what could only have been long hours out in the dirty streets and wind. Also, she remembered how she had been especially kind to offer her a home when she realized that she had no memory of what had happened before.
"Called the butler I did, nice chap, and he was able to carry you to my house. You were so pale and thin that, despite your height, he was able to carry you with ease. He left right quick, though, and I tucked you in. You drank all your soup you did, and gulped down my fresh-baked bread. I never saw such a hungry lass," she would continue. Ethrin grinned slightly remembering her "mother's" fresh vegetable soup with hints of chicken broth. She had always loved drinking the delicious soup after a day's hard work sometimes hunting, sometimes tending the garden, and sometimes out at the market or chopping wood. The fresh-baked bread also made her stomach yearn, though she knew that as an elf she rarely needed much nourishment. These thoughts, though, turned her back to dreadful times.
Her "mother" was now dead from age. Ethrin remembered her friendly, plump face that would explode in wrinkles when she smiled, curly graying hair framing her still-rosy cheeks. Her laughter was always joyous whenever anyone told a joke, or even when the cat chased chickens and got pecked in the nose, to be sent yowling back into the tree. She knew that her "mother" used to have much company, because so many came to visit. Then word got around that she "harnessed a stranger" and soon none came to visit. Ethrin noticed that no one seemed keen to stay when she was around. Now that she had looked back on it, she realized how much her "mother" had lost when she took her in.
Ethrin always had the uncanny feeling that she didn't look a day older than she did when she had been found. Of course, when someone looked into her eyes, they could not help but notice the weariness in them, same as that of an elderly man sitting on his front porch giving wisdom to any who would receive it. But there were no wrinkles, no signs of graying in her hair. Her bones felt young as ever, and she showed no sign of stooping from age.
Therefore everybody in the whole city had hated her, because she showed obvious signs of immortality, and was extremely beautiful. At least that was how her "mother" put it. Many had said she was an elf, and soon she could only believe it after researching them. Days upon days of staying up and reading finally made her realize her true blood. It dawned upon her that the other girls' words were not only of scorn, but also of jealousy. The other girls glowered whenever she rode by in her "mother's" prize mare without saddle nor bridle. The horse seemed to not only listen to her, but was connected so well to her that she rarely needed to give a command anyway, such was the powerful bond between any elf and creature. Even the men would watch her with zealous as she took up her bow and arrows, fashioned by the best weapon smith, and go hunting for fresh meat. The butler especially would glare at her as she brought delicacies such as turkey and ptarmigan home to her "mother's" house, which would later be sold in the market or consumed at home. The butler only had the meat of the farm animals and whatever delicacies he had were usually old and imported. Ethrin also had been witnessed catching falling cups and plates, demonstrating excellent reflexes. Though Ethrin couldn't remember where she learned her skills, they nevertheless came in use. However, because of her so-called "superiority" to the others, she was ridiculed so much that she started avoiding most company except that of her "mother". Her mother always cared about her, and was always there to listen to her troubles.
But now her mother has passed away. The funeral was lonely. The carpenter formed the coffin within an hour. Despite the plainness, it was secure on the rainy day that she was buried, and the whole town came to the graveyard; not to watch the funeral, nor mourn, but to watch Ethrin as she stood there when the pallbearers lowered the coffin into the ground and the gravestone set on top. The pitiless eyes watched as Ethrin prayed to the Valar to bless her "mother", and the eyes followed her as she strolled back to the house, head up high.
Right after her mother's funeral, Ethrin started getting flashes of memory back into her mind. She started dreaming very wild dreams. There was always fire, and then a sudden blaze of light. She would wake up suddenly, trying to keep herself from screaming. Also, demons had begun to appear and attack the villagers. After a week of these she had finally given in. She sold the house and all within except a few clothes and her weapons, and a few other accessories. She even sold the mare. She knew she would be traveling a long ways, and she couldn't provide for the horse. When she finally left for the last time, she refused to look back at the home of the only one she could remember that had given her such love and care. What she didn't know was that beautiful flowers always bloomed on her "mother's" grave, and even in winter a few roses could be spotted among the cold dew.
Ethrin pushed those thoughts away and tried to concentrate on walking. She could feel herself almost beginning to tire. Being an elf, she could rest and walk at the same time, but she had been walking for nearly a month nonstop, except for meals and brief minutes to sit down and look at her surroundings. Otherwise, she didn't rest. The road had been wild, and she often had to walk in circles. The demons had followed her when she left, and she tried to avoid them. However, they seemed keen on keeping up with her, even though they always followed at a distance, growling. She rarely stopped to eat, always keeping a wary eye on them.
But right now she felt that she needed to sit down for a long time and rest, and also to find some food. Setting down her supplies and pulling out her long bow, Ethrin looked at her surroundings, and saw that she was in a clearing in the forest. She walked to the edge of the clearing, and soon found a path that wound into the tress. She decided to follow the path to ensure the fact that she wouldn't get lost. It was hard to see anything in the trees, for the clearing was lighted so much by the moon that the forest just looked like a great expanse of nothingness.
After searching for a while, Ethrin realized that it would be impossible to shoot anything in these woods. She was already beginning to lose sight of the path, and she couldn't risk getting lost. So she turned around and walked back towards the clearing. But she had barely walked two steps when she felt someone, or something, watching her. Ethrin stayed where she was and didn't move. Hours seemed to have passed before she felt safe enough to blink, to even breathe. Taking out an arrow, she slowly began walking again. Still, nothing seemed to move, but then she heard the soft breathing of a horse, and started to run back down the path. Ethrin was afraid to look around her, and finally reached the clearing again. She tiptoed softly to her pack and strapped it onto her back again. She felt that the clearing wouldn't be the safest place to stay, so she decided to go into the woods and try to find her way in the morning.
"Who are you and what are you doing here!" shouted a stern voice. Ethrin whirled around and saw two elves on horseback pointing their arrows at her. She kept her hood down, afraid that they would see whom she was. She didn't dare let anybody see her true self. But her eyes looked up and stared at the two elves. Her attention was focused so much on the two elves that she almost didn't hear as two other elves tried to creep up on her. Ethrin turned and drew out her sword, and knocked all the arrows flying at her from the sky. She knew that a battle of four against one was hopeless, and these elves were strong and refreshed. Running hard, she flung her sword at the arrows flying at her. But then, an arrow pierced her leg. She stumbled and fell, but still tried to block off all the arrows. Suddenly, another arrow pierced the arm that was swinging the sword, and Ethrin finally dropped, and soon lost consciousness.
Arrows trailing fire flew around the field. Smoke was thick and seemed to make everything disappear. Suddenly there was a roar, and a great army of Orcs ran down a hill. Lightning and fire surrounded her. A loud shriek of something behind the smoke, absolutely invisible, resounded in the atmosphere. Suddenly, there was a blinding light and screams were heard all around, and there was shouting, and crying…mostly crying…
Ethrin suddenly sat up and found herself in a bed. She was shivering, although the room was quite warm. Torches lit the room, and Ethrin slowly began to remember what had happened. She looked around and began to make sense of what she was seeing. Breathing hard, she looked around the room and saw that she was alone. Ethrin lay back down on the bed, and suddenly a lady elf rushed through the door. Startled, Ethrin sat back up.
"I'm sorry if I bothered you. I heard a scream in your room, and I came to check if you were alright," said the elf. Ethrin just looked at her. Hearing no reply, the lady elf began to speak again. "My name is Arlena. I am the cousin of the king that rules these forests."
Ethrin looked into her eyes, wondering if she could trust her. Finally, she asked, "Where am I?"
"You are in Northern Mirkwood," came the reply.
Ethrin slowly lay back down again. Mirkwood forest….the people of her city had described this place as a fearful place. Spiders spun webs across the dense trees, and the elves of this land were eager to get travelers lost. At least, according to the people, but she couldn't be sure. The people had a natural dislike, maybe even hate, for elves, so why would they bother to say anything good about elves?
Ethrin looked around again and saw that her cloak and hood, along with her pack and weapons were placed on a table. Next to those lay beautiful pieces of parchment and raven-colored quills with the blackest ink she'd ever seen. The table itself was a work of art, a deep reddish-brown pigment that looked soft to touch, but sturdy and stout. Next to it was an elegant chair of the same mahogany coloring. On it rested a forest green velvet cushion. On the walls hung gorgeous paintings of the forest and what she deemed to be the city in which she was currently residing. The bed in which she rested upon felt soft, with white sheets and velvet red comforters. The pillows were so soft she could easily sink into them and be guaranteed beautiful dreams. She finally looked down to see that her arm and leg were bandaged up, and suddenly felt pain in both places. She had forgotten about her wounds, and the sudden sight of them brought much pain.
"A tub of hot water was brought earlier so you can have a bath, and I have brought some clean clothes for you. Dinner will be soon, so get ready quickly. Someone will be outside waiting to guide you to the dining hall."
Arlena's voice startled Ethrin. Being so into her surroundings and thinking so much about what happened, Ethrin had forgotten that there was another being in the room. She took a bath and put on the clothes that were set for her. Then she put on her cloak and hood, and opened the door quietly, and walked into the hallway. The forest could be seen, and here, the moonlight shone through the leaves. She turned around and saw another lady elf waiting for her.
"I see you also enjoy the wonders of Mirkwood. I'm Laphaela, daughter of Thranduil, and sister to Legolas, who is the heir to the throne."
Nodding, Ethrin said, "I am Ethrin."
Laphaela led Ethrin into a great room, a hall, and then left to join her friends. Ethrin was nervous and felt out of place, so she put on her hood and walked around. Many people seemed to look at her strangely, or glare at her. It seemed that everybody had heard of the strange being found in the forest all alone, although probably most of them didn't know much about her, and probably all of them didn't even know she was a woman, a lady. Ethrin walked along for a while and endured the whispering, until she finally couldn't take it anymore. She slipped quietly out of the hall and went outside.
Near the caves, there was a small stream, and she walked towards it. The moonlight reflected off of the water, making it sparkle and glitter. The water was so clear, and so pure. Ethrin took off her hood and looked at her reflection. Her glittering eyes shone, blue green at the moment, and her streaked brown and black hair flew all around her whenever a breeze blew. She groaned in pain as her leg began to weaken, and sat down. Ethrin pulled her hood back on and leaned against a tree, letting all of her thoughts from before come back to her.
"Can I help you?"
Ethrin jumped and turned around. She saw a figure walking towards her, and pulled her hood down a little more, but kept her eyes on him from under the hood. The elf was tall, and his blond hair glowed in the moonlight. His blue eyes seemed to see through her hood and look straight into her face, although Ethrin knew that it was not possible, since she had her back to the moonlight and the hood covered most of her face.
"No, I'll be fine," Ethrin replied.
"I am Legolas. My father, Thranduil, wants to talk to you tomorrow. I think he wants to learn a bit more about you…" Legolas's voice trailed off. He saw that this creature in front of him wasn't replying, but only nodded its head. He could tell that she was a lady elf from her height and her voice. But he didn't know what to say afterward, so he just walked back into the hall.
Ethrin watched him go. Legolas…where had she heard that name? She couldn't figure it out. But so far, she didn't want anything to do with the elves here that had captured her against her will. She decided to go see the king, but decided to hide her face all the time, and answer the questions with the vaguest answers. Ethrin didn't know if she could trust any of them, so she decided to leave everything at that, and walked back inside. She found her way back into her room, and decided to just go to sleep. Maybe there was going to be some more answers the next day.