Chapter Two: The Introduction
Aethyrelda was supposed to be two places at once, yet when she had made the plans, her intension was not to show up.
She grinned as she headed downstairs to the kitchen. 'This should work out fabulously,' she thought to herself. 'Let us hope it works out.'
"Aethyrelda, grab that bowl and take it out to serve, now! I won't even ask where you have been or what that smug look on your face is about. I am surprised the king has not dismissed you from Mirkwood yet." Nindëe's voice came from behind her.
She headed out into the Hall and noticed Táari carrying on a conversation with the man across form her. No one else would have noticed, but Aethyrelda saw her eyes constantly drifting towards the head table. 'Just she wait for this afternoon,' she murmured under a smile.
***
Táari circled the garden'sgardens while waiting for Aethyrelda. After awhile, she stopped and took a seat on the bench near the archery fields.
Aethyrelda was late. That was nothing new. But somebody was coming. The footsteps were too quiet to be her. Táari continued to sit and mind her own business.
The footsteps headed her way. She turned to see Legolas a few feet from her. Her heart stopped in surprise, but she tried to remain calm.
"Good afternoon, Prince Legolas." She greeted him.
"Good afternoon, Milady," he said as he walked a few feet to the archery fields. "If you do not mind me asking, what brings you here alone on such a wonderful day?"
"Oh not at all. I am supposed to be meeting someone here, but if I would be a disturbance I---"
"No, please. I shall enjoy your company while it lasts." To hear those words from his mouth was shocking. She smiled at him as he readied to shoot, "Since you already seem to know me--" he continued, but paused to draw an arrow and shoot it at the speed of lightning. "What is your name?"
"Táari, and pardon me for not introducing myself."
"No harm done, Lady Táari."
~~~
Aethyrelda found Táari on her porch in her room. She walked in silently and sat beside her.
"I am sorry I couldn't make it today. Nindëe hovered over me all day."
"He knows me," Táari was smiling.
Aethyrelda tried to act confused. "He knows you?"
"Legolas. He spoke with me all afternoon."
"Really? All afternoon?" Aethyrelda thought as she didn't bother hiding her emotions. She just meant for the two to bump into each other and exchange 'hellos'. "Really. Alright start talking. I need to hear everything, word for word."
Táari laughed. "I was waiting for you and he came over to shoot some arrows. I started to leave, but he asked me to keep him company. Then, we just talked."
"About what?"
"Everything. How beautiful the day was, the Ball last night." her voice trailed off. Aethyrelda looked at her. She was daydreaming in the memories.
"That's great! I am sorry for not showing up, but it doesn't seem like you missed me. Shall we meet tomorrow?"
"Sorry, but Legolas asked me to go for a ride with him. I shall be gone all day."
'That was quick. Must have gotten to know each other pretty fast. Either that or Legolas is starting to get desperate.'
"Then I shall leave you. For the day is approaching sooner than we know. Good night, Táari. Have a pleasant tomorrow.
Táari was daydreaming again, but she nodded and said, "I shall." Aethyrelda quietly slipped out.
~~~
The plan was going more beautifully than intended. It seemed unreal. Something wasn't right. But Aethyrelda couldn't complain, it is what she wanted.
It was nice having the prince gone. More maids were free to do other things, leaving Aethyrelda with less work. 'If only Táari was here, we could have a great time.' Táari was most likely having a splendid time. She thought about her and the prince. That was going to take some getting used to. She had never seen her happier, though. She hoped it was for the best.
'Right now they are probably riding through Mirkwood.'
***
Táari loved riding. It had been far too long since she had gotten out. She loved the wind in her face, the speed she was traveling, and especially the one riding beside her.
Legolas had hopped on his trusty steed, _________, Starling, and Táari on hers, and they were off. Not a word was uttered once they were on their horses. She had no idea where they were going but soon the woods opened to a small clearing. It was a circular meadow approximately fifty meters in diameter. Plush green grass filled the open area. Legolas pulled him horse to a halt and Táari did the same.
"This looks like a nice place to rest, do you agree?"
"Yes, it shall suit out needs," she replied while dismounting. Looking over at Legolas beside her, she noticed he carried a rather large sack she did not see before. He recognized she saw the bag.
"I had the maids arrange a luncheon for us. Are you hungry. Would you like some?"
"YesPlease, shall we sit and eat?" She motioned to the grass in the middle of the clearing. He nodded and followed her.
He sat down beside her and pulled out the food. Táari wondered if Aethyrelda had helped put this together.
They ate in silence. Táari gazed at him and wondered what the appropriate conversation would be.
"It is lovely here. Have you been here before?"
Legolas glanced up at her. "I have passed through long ago, but had forgotten about the place. It is a rare find in this vast forest."
"Indeed."
~~~
The sun was sinking in the evening sky. The conversation had picked up and there hadn't been an awkward silence in hours. Táari was lying in the grass watching the beautiful colors fade into the black starry night.
"I enjoy your company, Lady Táari."
"And I yours."
"I have not had a day so relaxing in a thousand years, if one at all."
She smiled. "It had been nice. I have forgotten how nice it is to get out every once in awhile."
"And not have any worries," he added.
***
"There is news of Sauron creating a vast army. The Ring of Power has awoken. It has begun it'sits journey towards Mount Doom by a hobbit and a small group led by Gandalf the Grey. It now lays in Rivendell where they will decide who will take it to Mount Doom to be destroyed," the messenger told King Thranduil.
Aethyrelda had been at the wrong place at the wrong time. She was speaking with the king when the messenger burst in and said he had urgent news. She no longer was important. She turned and was halfway out the door when she heard the messenger add to his original statement.
"The armies are growing at an incredible rate. They will try to take the Ring and all the good on Middle -eEarth. The journey will be near impossible and will most likely take the life of the one who takes it. The end is near."
Aethyrelda could not believe her ears. The last words were endlessly replaying in her mind, 'The end is near, .the end is near.' She was not yet alive when Sauron was last in power, but had heard stories of the Five Years War. It was happening again.
~~~
It was almost dawn when they finally arrived back. Aethyrelda stayed in the shadows. A messenger met them and led Legolas to the palace. Aethyrelda went to join Táari.
"What is the matter?" Táari asked her when she met her. "You have the same grave face as the messenger for Legolas had. Has something happened?"
"Come. Let us walk."
~~~
".King Thranduil is." she tried to say, when she finished telling her of the messenger. Táari was quiet. "He is sending Legolas to represent Mirkwood."
"But he is only attending the meeting. It does not mean he is taking the Ring."
"True, but it is possible."
"Aethyrelda!" Nindëe's voice called. "The king is in need of assistance. Hurry! He's been waiting for some time now."
Aethyrelda shot an apologetic glance at Táari. Táari nodded saying, "I will meet you in your quarters in an hour."
~~~
Aethyrelda slipped into the door of the throne room where the prince and the king were talking softly. Her elven hearing picked up the conversation.
".You do understand what is happening here, do you not?" The Ring must make it to Mount Doom. Leave fro Rivendell tonight to represent the elves of Mirkwood in the Council of Elrond. If need be, go with the Ring. I shall call off the arrangement. Enough of this, you must leave now to make it by dawn." The king looked up at Aethyrelda standing in the backthe back of the room. "Alas, come forward, child."
Aethyrelda came forward and knelt at the king's feet, the prince standing beside her. She bowed her head.
"Please go and get my son nine of the best guards to escort him to Rivendell. Have them come here promptly."
"Yes, Your're Majesty." She stood and curtsied before scurrying out.
Legolas followed her out. But did not head to his quarters, he went in the direction of Táari's room.
~~~
Returning to her room after her task was fulfilled; she found that Táari had not arrived yet. She went to her porch and placed her hands on the railing. The night was wonderful. To think of this world she had come know and love be lost.This was the only way she knew things to be. She could not picture them any different.
Táari joined her on the porch, her face full of sorrow.
"You were right, he may not be coming back," she whispered.
"Táari, he will come back, it just may be awhile. It will be a long hard road if he does go." Tárirai did not repondrespond, but stared off into the night. "Did he come to your room?"
She nodded.
"What did he say?"
"That he has grown to really enjoy my company. He asked for me to wait of his arrival."
"Táari," Aethyrelda really did want to tell her the truth about Legolas. "He will come back." Aethyrelda kicked herself mentally for not saying what she should have.
Táari smiled. "Thanks."
Aethyrelda was supposed to be two places at once, yet when she had made the plans, her intension was not to show up.
She grinned as she headed downstairs to the kitchen. 'This should work out fabulously,' she thought to herself. 'Let us hope it works out.'
"Aethyrelda, grab that bowl and take it out to serve, now! I won't even ask where you have been or what that smug look on your face is about. I am surprised the king has not dismissed you from Mirkwood yet." Nindëe's voice came from behind her.
She headed out into the Hall and noticed Táari carrying on a conversation with the man across form her. No one else would have noticed, but Aethyrelda saw her eyes constantly drifting towards the head table. 'Just she wait for this afternoon,' she murmured under a smile.
***
Táari circled the garden'sgardens while waiting for Aethyrelda. After awhile, she stopped and took a seat on the bench near the archery fields.
Aethyrelda was late. That was nothing new. But somebody was coming. The footsteps were too quiet to be her. Táari continued to sit and mind her own business.
The footsteps headed her way. She turned to see Legolas a few feet from her. Her heart stopped in surprise, but she tried to remain calm.
"Good afternoon, Prince Legolas." She greeted him.
"Good afternoon, Milady," he said as he walked a few feet to the archery fields. "If you do not mind me asking, what brings you here alone on such a wonderful day?"
"Oh not at all. I am supposed to be meeting someone here, but if I would be a disturbance I---"
"No, please. I shall enjoy your company while it lasts." To hear those words from his mouth was shocking. She smiled at him as he readied to shoot, "Since you already seem to know me--" he continued, but paused to draw an arrow and shoot it at the speed of lightning. "What is your name?"
"Táari, and pardon me for not introducing myself."
"No harm done, Lady Táari."
~~~
Aethyrelda found Táari on her porch in her room. She walked in silently and sat beside her.
"I am sorry I couldn't make it today. Nindëe hovered over me all day."
"He knows me," Táari was smiling.
Aethyrelda tried to act confused. "He knows you?"
"Legolas. He spoke with me all afternoon."
"Really? All afternoon?" Aethyrelda thought as she didn't bother hiding her emotions. She just meant for the two to bump into each other and exchange 'hellos'. "Really. Alright start talking. I need to hear everything, word for word."
Táari laughed. "I was waiting for you and he came over to shoot some arrows. I started to leave, but he asked me to keep him company. Then, we just talked."
"About what?"
"Everything. How beautiful the day was, the Ball last night." her voice trailed off. Aethyrelda looked at her. She was daydreaming in the memories.
"That's great! I am sorry for not showing up, but it doesn't seem like you missed me. Shall we meet tomorrow?"
"Sorry, but Legolas asked me to go for a ride with him. I shall be gone all day."
'That was quick. Must have gotten to know each other pretty fast. Either that or Legolas is starting to get desperate.'
"Then I shall leave you. For the day is approaching sooner than we know. Good night, Táari. Have a pleasant tomorrow.
Táari was daydreaming again, but she nodded and said, "I shall." Aethyrelda quietly slipped out.
~~~
The plan was going more beautifully than intended. It seemed unreal. Something wasn't right. But Aethyrelda couldn't complain, it is what she wanted.
It was nice having the prince gone. More maids were free to do other things, leaving Aethyrelda with less work. 'If only Táari was here, we could have a great time.' Táari was most likely having a splendid time. She thought about her and the prince. That was going to take some getting used to. She had never seen her happier, though. She hoped it was for the best.
'Right now they are probably riding through Mirkwood.'
***
Táari loved riding. It had been far too long since she had gotten out. She loved the wind in her face, the speed she was traveling, and especially the one riding beside her.
Legolas had hopped on his trusty steed, _________, Starling, and Táari on hers, and they were off. Not a word was uttered once they were on their horses. She had no idea where they were going but soon the woods opened to a small clearing. It was a circular meadow approximately fifty meters in diameter. Plush green grass filled the open area. Legolas pulled him horse to a halt and Táari did the same.
"This looks like a nice place to rest, do you agree?"
"Yes, it shall suit out needs," she replied while dismounting. Looking over at Legolas beside her, she noticed he carried a rather large sack she did not see before. He recognized she saw the bag.
"I had the maids arrange a luncheon for us. Are you hungry. Would you like some?"
"YesPlease, shall we sit and eat?" She motioned to the grass in the middle of the clearing. He nodded and followed her.
He sat down beside her and pulled out the food. Táari wondered if Aethyrelda had helped put this together.
They ate in silence. Táari gazed at him and wondered what the appropriate conversation would be.
"It is lovely here. Have you been here before?"
Legolas glanced up at her. "I have passed through long ago, but had forgotten about the place. It is a rare find in this vast forest."
"Indeed."
~~~
The sun was sinking in the evening sky. The conversation had picked up and there hadn't been an awkward silence in hours. Táari was lying in the grass watching the beautiful colors fade into the black starry night.
"I enjoy your company, Lady Táari."
"And I yours."
"I have not had a day so relaxing in a thousand years, if one at all."
She smiled. "It had been nice. I have forgotten how nice it is to get out every once in awhile."
"And not have any worries," he added.
***
"There is news of Sauron creating a vast army. The Ring of Power has awoken. It has begun it'sits journey towards Mount Doom by a hobbit and a small group led by Gandalf the Grey. It now lays in Rivendell where they will decide who will take it to Mount Doom to be destroyed," the messenger told King Thranduil.
Aethyrelda had been at the wrong place at the wrong time. She was speaking with the king when the messenger burst in and said he had urgent news. She no longer was important. She turned and was halfway out the door when she heard the messenger add to his original statement.
"The armies are growing at an incredible rate. They will try to take the Ring and all the good on Middle -eEarth. The journey will be near impossible and will most likely take the life of the one who takes it. The end is near."
Aethyrelda could not believe her ears. The last words were endlessly replaying in her mind, 'The end is near, .the end is near.' She was not yet alive when Sauron was last in power, but had heard stories of the Five Years War. It was happening again.
~~~
It was almost dawn when they finally arrived back. Aethyrelda stayed in the shadows. A messenger met them and led Legolas to the palace. Aethyrelda went to join Táari.
"What is the matter?" Táari asked her when she met her. "You have the same grave face as the messenger for Legolas had. Has something happened?"
"Come. Let us walk."
~~~
".King Thranduil is." she tried to say, when she finished telling her of the messenger. Táari was quiet. "He is sending Legolas to represent Mirkwood."
"But he is only attending the meeting. It does not mean he is taking the Ring."
"True, but it is possible."
"Aethyrelda!" Nindëe's voice called. "The king is in need of assistance. Hurry! He's been waiting for some time now."
Aethyrelda shot an apologetic glance at Táari. Táari nodded saying, "I will meet you in your quarters in an hour."
~~~
Aethyrelda slipped into the door of the throne room where the prince and the king were talking softly. Her elven hearing picked up the conversation.
".You do understand what is happening here, do you not?" The Ring must make it to Mount Doom. Leave fro Rivendell tonight to represent the elves of Mirkwood in the Council of Elrond. If need be, go with the Ring. I shall call off the arrangement. Enough of this, you must leave now to make it by dawn." The king looked up at Aethyrelda standing in the backthe back of the room. "Alas, come forward, child."
Aethyrelda came forward and knelt at the king's feet, the prince standing beside her. She bowed her head.
"Please go and get my son nine of the best guards to escort him to Rivendell. Have them come here promptly."
"Yes, Your're Majesty." She stood and curtsied before scurrying out.
Legolas followed her out. But did not head to his quarters, he went in the direction of Táari's room.
~~~
Returning to her room after her task was fulfilled; she found that Táari had not arrived yet. She went to her porch and placed her hands on the railing. The night was wonderful. To think of this world she had come know and love be lost.This was the only way she knew things to be. She could not picture them any different.
Táari joined her on the porch, her face full of sorrow.
"You were right, he may not be coming back," she whispered.
"Táari, he will come back, it just may be awhile. It will be a long hard road if he does go." Tárirai did not repondrespond, but stared off into the night. "Did he come to your room?"
She nodded.
"What did he say?"
"That he has grown to really enjoy my company. He asked for me to wait of his arrival."
"Táari," Aethyrelda really did want to tell her the truth about Legolas. "He will come back." Aethyrelda kicked herself mentally for not saying what she should have.
Táari smiled. "Thanks."