On her downy elven bed, Lisaine lay quietly under a soft quilt. Her entire
body ached, as did her mind. Someone had cleaned her muddy hair and body,
although she could still see vestiges of dirt on her arms. She wore a loose
fitting elven robe, which was soft as rabbit's fur to the touch. Her other
clothes were hung over a chair in the corner. They were still wet and caked
with mud. She thought she must have fallen asleep for a time, though for
how long she did not know. She thought to rise from her bed and beg an
interview with Lord Elrond, but her grief all but prevented her from
moving. And there was nothing he could do to prevent what had already
happened. The room was empty. She turned her head to one side, and winced.
Alnein was not there. Lisaine looked up at the marvelous intricate ceiling.
This was one of the rooms she often slept in when she would visit
Rivendell. She thought to herself how her father often chided her for
visiting the elven realms.
"We have no place with the elves, daughter. They find us, even those of us royal, as crude and unrefined. We are but a fledgling race to the immortals, and they should never willingly give us our due place or respect in the world."
For this reason the king maintained no alliance with the elves, and though he discouraged his only daughter from keeping her friendship with Rivendell, he never prevented her from visiting as often as she liked. He rarely prevented her from doing whatever amusements she contrived. When Lisaine begged the king to maintain the great forest, he did not deny her. When she desired that the very trees touch her windows, he did not refuse her. A slight smile curled her lips. He was not merely the King to Lisaine, but a father who loved his daughter. Here in Rivendell, Lisaine came often as a commoner, choosing not to reveal herself, assuming that her father's discontent with the elves might dampen her own standing. Imladris was traditionally a sanctuary for wanderers, though Lisaine's acquaintance with the wood elf, Alnein, almost certainly was the reason for her welcome in Rivendell originally. Her thoughts drifted aimlessly back in time to when she was still a child, and she had found the elf walking along the banks of the Anduin. Lisaine had seen the elf approach from a distance as she hid from her nanny in the tall reeds. When Alnein came close enough, Lisaine bound out at the surprised elf, laughing and giggling. At that time, Alnein was an adult to her, but still, she did not shy away from talking to the elf. They walked a short while along the riverbank.
"What are you doing here?" Lisaine asked the elf politely, "Have you lost your way?"
"No indeed, little one," the elf answered amused, "I am bound over the Misty Mountains for the elf havens of Isodor and Imladris. Should you be here alone?"
"Oh, I come to the river all the time, although I prefer the forests! I sneak out when my father isn't watching me. I hate being stuck in a stuffy old house all the time!" The elf smiled looking down at the girl. Lisaine watched the elf's graceful walk and attempted to mimic her.
"Are you a wizard? I have never seen anyone who glows so brightly as you."
"I am not a wizard," Alnein answered, "I am an elf, and I have lately come from the great forests of the north."
The child looked at her doubtfully up and down.
"An elf!!" Lisaine said amazed, "Where are your wings? I have heard that elves can fly." The elf laughed.
"I cannot fly," she grinned, "I have only my legs to carry me."
"You can't fly? You'll not get very far over the mountains walking," the child said soberly, "Come with me. My father has many, many horses, and he'll give you one if you want." The elf shook her head.
"Thank you, no, little one. One such as I would not be welcomed in your village, and horses are hard to come by. I'm sure that your father would miss even one horse. It is better if we part company before someone sees us. You must return to your house now."
"No! No!" cried the child, "I am princess Lisaine, and my father is the King of Irwindal. Take me back to my father, and if I ask him, he will give you a horse!"
And so the young princess coaxed the elf to accompany her into the city, amidst stares and gawks from the townspeople. She led the reluctant elf to the very gates of her father's house. The guards looked at each other in wonder, but bowed low before the young princess and opened the heavy wooden doors to the king's great hall at the young girl's command. Lisaine took the elf directly to her father, pushing her way past guards and servants. Half a dozen elegantly dressed men glanced upward in surprise as Lisaine walked proudly into the vast chamber.
"Father! Father!" she grinned as she ran to the king, "I have made a new friend! She is making her way to the elf havens over the mountains and has no horse. Please say that you'll give her one!"
The king stared at his daughter, and then at the elf, who was bowing low to him. Strapped to her back was an elegantly scrolled longbow of Mirkwood. Her long brown tresses fell about her shoulders. Looking again at Lisaine, he said gently,
"I have been worried for you child! Where have you run off to now? You should not be so foolish, Lisaine. You know I do not like it when you run about the countryside. You need someone with you."
"But I was safe father!" the child implored. She broke away from her father's arms and ran to Alnein, "I was with an elf! And they are the greatest of warriors! You told me so yourself!!"
Alnein glanced sideways at Lisaine, and the child winked back at her. The king's eyes tightened on Alnein.
"Step forth. What is your name?"
The elf stood erect and approached the king, stopping halfway through the great room.
"I am Alneinwen, your highness, from the great forest of Mirkwood."
The king gazed back at his daughter, who stood frozen with anticipation on her face.
"Then, Alneinwen, elf of Mirkwood, I thank you for retrieving my daughter and bringing her back to safety. Accompany my steward, and you shall have supplies and any horse in my stable for your journey. Rest awhile in our woodlands if you wish it, before you continue on your way."
Lisaine bubbled with excitement.
"Let me go too! Can I go and help her pick out her horse?!" Lisaine cried happily. Her father smiled back.
"Only if you promise me you will return straightaway. No more running into the woods or down to the river. It is not safe for you."
The child nodded in agreement, jumping up and down. The king sent his steward and a guard with the elf and the young princess. The small company left the hall and headed for the great stables. Lisaine skipped and jumped with delight the entire time. She could hardly be contained. As fast as Alnein would answer one question, the young princess would think of another. By evening, Alnein was equipped with a large Bay stallion and several sacks of food. Much to Lisaine's dismay, Alnein declined to delay her journey and stay within the vast Irwindal forest. She was in a hurry to arrive in Isodor. Still, Lisaine was ecstatic at meeting such a mythical being. As the elf prepared to leave, she turned to the young child.
"I shall always be in your debt for your kindness to me, little princess." she smiled, "If ever you come to the elf havens of Isodor or Imladris, I shall endeavor to show you the same kindness. From this day forth, I shall call you my friend."
"Someday," Lisaine beamed, "I'm going to be an elf too!"
Alnein laughed and shook her head. Then she hopped lightly on the large horse and placed a hand over her heart and then extended it to the young princess. Lisaine was not quite sure what that meant, but she followed suit, and extended her own hand to the elf. The elf seemed pleased, and then she bent forward and whispered to the horse, and they galloped away.
Lisaine was giddy with happiness as she watched the elf ride westward. Slowly the happy memory faded. Almost as soon as she was able to ride, she begged her father to allow her to visit Imladris to see her elven friend. Although she was always accompanied by a troop of soldiers, at her insistence, the princess only proceeded into the city limits accompanied with one warrior. Later, Alnein frequently accompanied the princess herself.
Lisaine's thoughts turned soberly to Lord Elrond. She often wondered if he knew more of her than he let on. He might have guessed that she was someone of importance, yet he never pressed her for more information than she was willing to provide to him. Lisaine never sought high standing among the elves of Rivendell. She imagined how shocked her father would have been had he ever known how she attended dinners and ceremonies not as a distinguished guest, but as a mere servant. Now her very hope and life depended on that disguise. That ambiguous station she held with the elves now shielded her from the terrors beyond. The princess looked to the small wooden table beside the bed. Weakly reaching her arm to the side, she lifted a small bit of shining white linen to reveal her golden tiara and her father's signet ring. Letting the cloth drop back onto the diadem, Lisaine groaned slightly as she moved her arm back to the bed.
"Alnein protects me even now," Lisaine thought sadly. But now she did not know how long she would remain unnoticed. For the first time in her life, she felt a deep-seated fear inside her. Fear that she would be turned away from the safety of Rivendell because of who she was; heir to the throne of Irwindal, and the only living survivor of Rakal's attack. Outside her terrace, a small bird sang merrily on the ivy-covered wall.
"Unaware of the evils of the earth," she whispered to herself, "Would that I could be that little creature and simply fly to a greener untouched place as he can." She closed her eyes again, tears streaming down the side of her face, and onto her matted hair. Once again sleep overtook her.
More time passed. Lisaine awoke to hear faint footsteps climbing the stone stairway to her chambers. She struggled to sit up in bed as Alnein, both a Mirkwood and Rivendell elf walked silently through the entrance of the room. She carried with her a small wooden tray with a cup of water and a small wooden bowl, filled with nuts and berries. Alnein quickly walked directly over to the side table, placing the tray down, pushing the diadem and ring, still cloaked in linen, farther back on the table.
"I have brought you something to eat," she said, but Lisaine could not think about eating. In truth, she had not eaten for days, and felt weakened, but she had no inclination to eat. All at once, a tall, dark elf appeared at the door, gliding into the room. His long velvet robe was richly adorned with silver and gold threads. He walked over to the foot of the bed. Alnein bowed slightly, and backed away from the bed. It was Elrond, Lord of the elves of Rivendell, come to see Lisaine for himself. Clearly he wanted something. The princess felt suddenly chilled inside, and she wondered if he had somehow discovered her identity. She blotted out the thought, mindful that the higher elves were capable of communicating without speaking. She did not want him to read her mind.
"Good. You are awake," he said with an approving smile, "You look improved since your arrival here." Lisaine bowed her head slightly in respect, but every movement was a trial for her, and she winced again.
"How long have I been here, my Lord," she asked. Lisaine looked at Alnein, as if she expected her friend to give her the answer, but Alnein would not speak in Lord Elrond's presence.
"You have been asleep for the better part of a day. Alneinwen has brought you to us from the forest beyond Isodor, where she found you." His smile eased Lisaine's reservations a bit, and she leaned back onto her pillow. Alnein moved forward and fluffed the pillow behind the princess's head, helping her to sit up, and then retreated to the corner of the room again.
"Can you tell me what happened?" Lord Elrond asked. His piercing brown eyes searched for clues in Lisaine's expression, but she gave nothing away. Sighing, Lisaine looked once more out the window terrace. Lisaine hesitated, pondering how to answer him.
"I am come from Irwindal," she began slowly, "All I know is the kingdom was attacked by minions of the Dark Lord, bearing the red shafted arrow, and I barely escaped to here." Staring back into Lord Elrond's eyes, she could detect a faint sweep of growing concern across his expression.
"Red shafted arrow," he said slowly, "Are you sure?" She nodded.
"How many others escaped?" he said finally. Lisaine blinked, tears rolled down her pale cheeks.
"Dead," she whispered, "All dead." The appearance of Lord Elrond's face now changed. It seemed to Lisaine that his concern was now alarm.
"ALL dead," he said stepping forward, "Are you sure? Was no one left? The king? Do you know what became of him?"
"The king," she said struggling to keep her composure, "The entire kingdom was devastated, my Lord. I am all that is left living." Alnein sat watching her filled with pity and horror. For a moment Lord Elrond gazed at Lisaine, and then his eyes fell upon the side table. He scrutinized the linen cloth, and then returned his gaze to Lisaine.
"Is there anything else you can tell me," he said at last.
"There is nothing else, my Lord," Lisaine said closing her eyes, letting her head fall back onto the pillow. He nodded. He must content himself for now with the small bit of information Lisaine had given him, and he would question her again later.
"Rest for awhile, Nevariel," he spoke soothingly, "Alneinwen will attend your needs. Take haven in Rivendell, for you are safe in our borders. We will talk again when you are more recovered." Her thoughts drifted momentarily back when the elves first began to call her by that name. How she had always loved the sound of it! Her elven name rolled off the tongue in such a musical and eloquent manner.
Lord Elrond looked once more to the small end table beside the bed, and then turned and walked out of the room.
Lisaine lay quietly for a time. Then she felt the total silence within the chamber descend upon her, and sat bolt upright, thinking that Alnein had left also. Panicked, she surveyed the room. The shadows within the room were growing long now. She had spent the entire day sleeping, and Lisaine began to feel thirsty. A fire of apple wood was merrily burning in the small stone fireplace, warming the room's interior. At last her eyes fell upon a tall, thin figure standing in the corner, calmly watching her. Lying back, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"I thought you had left me," she murmured, half smiling.
"Not I," hissed the hideous voice as he jumped forward into the center of the dimly lit room.
Horrified, Lisaine saw the monstrous form draw closer to the bed, lifting its bow slowly, Lisaine perceived the pale red arrow fitted into the bow. Suddenly, he lunged forward, drawing the bow back as far as it could be strained. Lisaine screamed and threw the covers in the air to escape from the other side of the bed.
"Nevariel!! Nevariel!! Wake!" cried Alnein struggling to hold her. Half- crazed, Lisaine fought to free herself from her companion's grip. Then she realized that all was merely a dream, and she fell limp into Alnein's arms, sobbing.
Shielding her eyes from the bright morning light, Lisaine pulled back the covers and sat on the edge of the bed. Alnein had just walked back into the room, and was placing a long gray and brown elven dress on the edge of the bed. She had also replaced the bowl that had contained the nuts and berries, with a new one, now filled with lembas, and fruit slices. Slowly, Lisaine stood up, moving her arms to assess their stiffness. She walked over to the table and took a piece of lembas and bit into it. The flavor of it seemed plain to her, not like the fruited and honeyed breads she regularly ate at her father's dinner table. Still there was a distinct sweetness to it, and she felt better almost instantly. She had eaten lembas before, but she could not remember it tasting as good as it did at that moment.
"I have brought an urn with water for you, so you may wash," Alnein said while busily scurrying about the room. Lisaine reached out her hand, and Alnein stopped suddenly, and the two clasped hands for a moment.
"I owe you my life," Lisaine said to her. Alnein gazed at her friend's earnest expression. She no longer seemed gripped by terror, but now seemed resolved and calm, "You have saved me in all directions this past day, and I am ever in your debt." Alnein smiled back.
"We are sisters indeed," said Alnein tightening her grip a bit before letting her hand fall, "But you owe your life to your own spirit. I merely found you when you were already bent on the trail to Rivendell. You had made your escape." Lisaine stepped closer.
"But I could go no further," she replied, "I was utterly spent. I should still be lost in the woods if you had not happened upon me." Alnein smiled.
"Few beings can boast of your resolve, Nevariel, elf or mortal. Both of us are tied to that same fate. We must be stronger for being alone in the world, and you have proved your strength by living to see yet one more sunrise. It is easy to lay back and give up, but to struggle on, and never capitulate is true courage."
Lisaine walked slowly to the edge of her bed and slowly sat down.
"You are wrong," Lisaine said slowly, "It takes no bravery to turn and run. Only true valor will stand and fight in the face of utter ruin. I left my father. I left my uncle. I left my people to be annihilated. I am not so worthy of your praise, Alnein. Many with courage greater than mine are lost this day to me."
Lisaine leaned over and took her tiara and father's ring, still swathed in the strip of linen and held it in her trembling hands.
"I should have no further need for these," she said at last, "I would keep them for my father's sake, but they mean little to me now." She stopped and sighed, "Lord Elrond suspects something. He knows that I have not said all to him. To his credit he does not press me for information, but he can tell there is more."
Alnein came over and sat next to her on the bed.
"You should tell him everything you know. There is a reason why your kingdom was attacked, Lisaine. You need not tell him who your father was, but you should tell him all you know about the attack. It may help in the defense of other cities or give him some insight of which he is not already aware."
Lisaine stared at her perplexed, but Alnein's resolve showed plainly on her face. Lisaine looked away and shook her head, as if the memory were too much to bear.
"Can you not see, Alnein? To them I am dead now...and that is where I might ultimately save myself. Irwindal is gone. There is nothing left for me. No one will come looking for me here, and no one here knows who I am, save for you."
"If indeed your father was killed Nevariel, you are now a queen. And a queen does not abandon her people." Tears welled up in Lisaine's eyes again as she stared blankly at Alnein.
"Are you sure there is no one left in the blue city?" the elf asked her. Lisaine shrugged her shoulders, sighing.
"I do not know. It happened so fast. Alnein, they destroyed everything. I was sleeping in my room when the great horde approached. My handmaiden and I could hear the cries from the town. We heard the clash of steel, as the barricades of the castle were broken. She beseeched me to stay in my chambers, but I left and sought out my father, the king. I took my diadem and some of my jewelry with me, thinking the attackers came to rob, not to maim and kill. All was in panic and confusion as I ran through the hallways. I found him at last in his largest council chamber, as he prepared to repel the horde and protect his kingdom. His armor sparkled of silver and blue, and never did he appear to me nobler. I was proud to be his daughter, and begged him to let me join in the defense of the city. But he bade my uncle, Lord Hollein, to take me from the castle for safety. We left with three of his most trusted counselors, and two guards. I allowed my father to convince me to turn and run like a coward. Before we left, my father gave me his most prized possession, his royal signet ring. I took the ring and the coronet from my head and placed them into my waist satchel," Lisaine hesitated, pulling out the muddied ring from the cloth. On it was carved in gold, the royal seal of the house of Gillindon. She turned it over and over in her hands, before continuing.
"He was never without it," Lisaine said stifling a sob, "We ran with all possible speed down the great stairwell of the North Tower, but all was blackness within, and the going was slow. Across the courtyards we hastened, and that is when I began to see them all. Our people lay slaughtered in the streets, stricken down where they stood. I wrenched a sword from a dead soldier, determined to return to the castle, but my uncle and a guard pulled me along, telling me it was hopeless. We were almost to the stables when they descended upon us. Two of my father's advisor's fought them and kept them at bay, while the rest of us ran past the fray and managed to mount some horses before more orcs came. With all speed we rode deep into the forest, with our people running everywhere. Alnein, they set fire to the underbrush on all sides, and those without steeds could not outrun the flames. My uncle led us to falls of Kareian, saying to us that the fire could not traverse the wide and fast moving river. That's when I first saw him..." her voice trailed off.
"Saw who?" Alnein asked. Her face filled with dread.
"The right hand of the Dark Lord, Rakal," Lisaine replied with a shudder. Alnein seemed taken aback. Lisaine saw her clutch the soft coverlet tightly in her fingers, but she said nothing, "I could hear his creatures calling his name in praise as he rode into our midst as a spider leaps upon its prey. My father's friend and advisor placed himself between Rakal and my own horse, raising his sword in defiance. The evilest of creatures, he aimed his arrow at him and killed him outright, laughing at him with an ugly, croaking laugh. I raised my sword in a shaking hand and cried out,
"You must work harder than that to take me, evil one! I am princess Lisaine, daughter of King Gillindon, and these are MY lands you plunder! Prepare to meet thy doom!"
Then I saw his hideous red eyes glaring at me as my horse reared in terror. He stared at me with such hatred. There can be no description for it. Everywhere was confusion, and in the havoc my mount rode up on its hind legs and I lost all balance. I fell backwards into the torrent of water and was swept away. Downstream I managed to cling to the underside of a stone outcropping just before I was flung over the waterfalls. From beneath the rapids, I could see the dark one's underlings riding up and down the shoreline in the distance, but they could not see me. The smoke from the fires was stifling and all around us. There was little light in the sky that night, and I was well hidden. I did not leave the water, though it was so cold, I thought they could hear my body shake. The flames from the trees could be seen in all directions, leaping into the sky, lighting up the very night as though it were twilight. It seemed endless that I was trapped there, too afraid to pull myself out of the water, and my arms and legs were so numb that I wasn't sure I could. My mind was clouded. When I heard no more horses, I decided to at least make to the shoreline. I moved so slowly, so painfully slowly, as the current pulled and tugged at my clothes. I did not think I had the strength to leave the water, and I thought just to let myself go. To let the waterfalls finish what Rakal had started. But at last I emerged. And they had gone. As I looked out over the plains, I could see a great lighting of torches and cloud of dust rising into the air, and I heard the loathsome battle cries from the orc army. I did not retrace up the river, for I had no desire to see what had become of my uncle. I am sure he is dead, like my father. Instead I made my way down the perilous rock face, with the water howling all around me, and kept to the river's edge to avoid the insidious flames as it ate up the woodlands. I slept in the reeds by the river's edge that first day, to avoid being seen. That is when I first thought to come here. For six days I was on foot alone before I came by a horse that had escaped the ruins like me, and he bore me across the southern pass of Balsor, across the Misty Mountains towards the Angle, to the woods just north of Isodor. But the journey was too much for the beast, and he was injured of his shoulder from a knife wound. He gave out finally before we reached the fortress, and I began to walk again. But finally I could go no further, and collapsed. That is when you found me and brought me here."
"Were you not going to Isodor first? It is closer than Rivendell," asked Alnein. Lisaine shook her head.
"I have no personal acquaintance in Isodor, and it is said that the folk who live in those woods prefer the quiet solitude of the forest. Yet, had I reached that fair city, I might have sought help there first."
Alnein contemplated all that Lisaine had told her, and stood up.
"Come," said Alnein, "Once you have eaten and bathed you will be much improved."
Lisaine clutched the intricately carved post of the bed and pulled herself to her feet. Hobbling over to a large, wooden chest, Lisaine opened it, revealing several clean swaths of linens. Kneeling down, she placed the small diadem and signet ring in the bottom of the chest, and placed the cloth over it. Alnein quickly stepped over to help her back to the bed. Sitting back on the soft coverlet, Lisaine looked at her bruised and battered arms and legs. There was no serious wound, but Lisaine at once understood why her limbs hurt as they did. Pouring the water from the urn into a large wooden bowl, Alnein brought it over to the bed. Slowly Lisaine dipped the swath of cloth into the water, wrung it out, and dabbed a particularly long scrape on her leg. Then gathering up the clean dress that still sat on the edge of the bed, Lisaine slipped it over her head, pulling out her long, brown hair.
"I think I would rather bathe in the river," Lisaine decided.
"You've not had enough of cold river water then," Alnein said, smiling wryly. For the first time, and small smile passed Lisaine's lips, and she stopped short of the doorway.
"Of some rivers I have had my fill. But the healing waters of the Bruinen will help my wounds perhaps. The sounds of the falls are soothing to my ears. Besides, there is not enough water in ten such urns to clean all of me properly." Smiling, the elf gathered up some clean, dry clothes from the chest, and after closing the heavy lid, handed them to the princess.
"Here then, you'll need these," she said, "Are you sure you are alright?"
"I will be alright," Lisaine said and turned once more to walk out the door. Then she stopped again, looking back at the elf, standing in the center of the room. The elf seemed to emanate a soft pale light about her head, even as the morning sun poured through the windows.
"I will not return soon, Alnein. When I am presentable, I must have a talk with Lord Elrond."
With that, Lisaine turned and limped through the doorway.
"We have no place with the elves, daughter. They find us, even those of us royal, as crude and unrefined. We are but a fledgling race to the immortals, and they should never willingly give us our due place or respect in the world."
For this reason the king maintained no alliance with the elves, and though he discouraged his only daughter from keeping her friendship with Rivendell, he never prevented her from visiting as often as she liked. He rarely prevented her from doing whatever amusements she contrived. When Lisaine begged the king to maintain the great forest, he did not deny her. When she desired that the very trees touch her windows, he did not refuse her. A slight smile curled her lips. He was not merely the King to Lisaine, but a father who loved his daughter. Here in Rivendell, Lisaine came often as a commoner, choosing not to reveal herself, assuming that her father's discontent with the elves might dampen her own standing. Imladris was traditionally a sanctuary for wanderers, though Lisaine's acquaintance with the wood elf, Alnein, almost certainly was the reason for her welcome in Rivendell originally. Her thoughts drifted aimlessly back in time to when she was still a child, and she had found the elf walking along the banks of the Anduin. Lisaine had seen the elf approach from a distance as she hid from her nanny in the tall reeds. When Alnein came close enough, Lisaine bound out at the surprised elf, laughing and giggling. At that time, Alnein was an adult to her, but still, she did not shy away from talking to the elf. They walked a short while along the riverbank.
"What are you doing here?" Lisaine asked the elf politely, "Have you lost your way?"
"No indeed, little one," the elf answered amused, "I am bound over the Misty Mountains for the elf havens of Isodor and Imladris. Should you be here alone?"
"Oh, I come to the river all the time, although I prefer the forests! I sneak out when my father isn't watching me. I hate being stuck in a stuffy old house all the time!" The elf smiled looking down at the girl. Lisaine watched the elf's graceful walk and attempted to mimic her.
"Are you a wizard? I have never seen anyone who glows so brightly as you."
"I am not a wizard," Alnein answered, "I am an elf, and I have lately come from the great forests of the north."
The child looked at her doubtfully up and down.
"An elf!!" Lisaine said amazed, "Where are your wings? I have heard that elves can fly." The elf laughed.
"I cannot fly," she grinned, "I have only my legs to carry me."
"You can't fly? You'll not get very far over the mountains walking," the child said soberly, "Come with me. My father has many, many horses, and he'll give you one if you want." The elf shook her head.
"Thank you, no, little one. One such as I would not be welcomed in your village, and horses are hard to come by. I'm sure that your father would miss even one horse. It is better if we part company before someone sees us. You must return to your house now."
"No! No!" cried the child, "I am princess Lisaine, and my father is the King of Irwindal. Take me back to my father, and if I ask him, he will give you a horse!"
And so the young princess coaxed the elf to accompany her into the city, amidst stares and gawks from the townspeople. She led the reluctant elf to the very gates of her father's house. The guards looked at each other in wonder, but bowed low before the young princess and opened the heavy wooden doors to the king's great hall at the young girl's command. Lisaine took the elf directly to her father, pushing her way past guards and servants. Half a dozen elegantly dressed men glanced upward in surprise as Lisaine walked proudly into the vast chamber.
"Father! Father!" she grinned as she ran to the king, "I have made a new friend! She is making her way to the elf havens over the mountains and has no horse. Please say that you'll give her one!"
The king stared at his daughter, and then at the elf, who was bowing low to him. Strapped to her back was an elegantly scrolled longbow of Mirkwood. Her long brown tresses fell about her shoulders. Looking again at Lisaine, he said gently,
"I have been worried for you child! Where have you run off to now? You should not be so foolish, Lisaine. You know I do not like it when you run about the countryside. You need someone with you."
"But I was safe father!" the child implored. She broke away from her father's arms and ran to Alnein, "I was with an elf! And they are the greatest of warriors! You told me so yourself!!"
Alnein glanced sideways at Lisaine, and the child winked back at her. The king's eyes tightened on Alnein.
"Step forth. What is your name?"
The elf stood erect and approached the king, stopping halfway through the great room.
"I am Alneinwen, your highness, from the great forest of Mirkwood."
The king gazed back at his daughter, who stood frozen with anticipation on her face.
"Then, Alneinwen, elf of Mirkwood, I thank you for retrieving my daughter and bringing her back to safety. Accompany my steward, and you shall have supplies and any horse in my stable for your journey. Rest awhile in our woodlands if you wish it, before you continue on your way."
Lisaine bubbled with excitement.
"Let me go too! Can I go and help her pick out her horse?!" Lisaine cried happily. Her father smiled back.
"Only if you promise me you will return straightaway. No more running into the woods or down to the river. It is not safe for you."
The child nodded in agreement, jumping up and down. The king sent his steward and a guard with the elf and the young princess. The small company left the hall and headed for the great stables. Lisaine skipped and jumped with delight the entire time. She could hardly be contained. As fast as Alnein would answer one question, the young princess would think of another. By evening, Alnein was equipped with a large Bay stallion and several sacks of food. Much to Lisaine's dismay, Alnein declined to delay her journey and stay within the vast Irwindal forest. She was in a hurry to arrive in Isodor. Still, Lisaine was ecstatic at meeting such a mythical being. As the elf prepared to leave, she turned to the young child.
"I shall always be in your debt for your kindness to me, little princess." she smiled, "If ever you come to the elf havens of Isodor or Imladris, I shall endeavor to show you the same kindness. From this day forth, I shall call you my friend."
"Someday," Lisaine beamed, "I'm going to be an elf too!"
Alnein laughed and shook her head. Then she hopped lightly on the large horse and placed a hand over her heart and then extended it to the young princess. Lisaine was not quite sure what that meant, but she followed suit, and extended her own hand to the elf. The elf seemed pleased, and then she bent forward and whispered to the horse, and they galloped away.
Lisaine was giddy with happiness as she watched the elf ride westward. Slowly the happy memory faded. Almost as soon as she was able to ride, she begged her father to allow her to visit Imladris to see her elven friend. Although she was always accompanied by a troop of soldiers, at her insistence, the princess only proceeded into the city limits accompanied with one warrior. Later, Alnein frequently accompanied the princess herself.
Lisaine's thoughts turned soberly to Lord Elrond. She often wondered if he knew more of her than he let on. He might have guessed that she was someone of importance, yet he never pressed her for more information than she was willing to provide to him. Lisaine never sought high standing among the elves of Rivendell. She imagined how shocked her father would have been had he ever known how she attended dinners and ceremonies not as a distinguished guest, but as a mere servant. Now her very hope and life depended on that disguise. That ambiguous station she held with the elves now shielded her from the terrors beyond. The princess looked to the small wooden table beside the bed. Weakly reaching her arm to the side, she lifted a small bit of shining white linen to reveal her golden tiara and her father's signet ring. Letting the cloth drop back onto the diadem, Lisaine groaned slightly as she moved her arm back to the bed.
"Alnein protects me even now," Lisaine thought sadly. But now she did not know how long she would remain unnoticed. For the first time in her life, she felt a deep-seated fear inside her. Fear that she would be turned away from the safety of Rivendell because of who she was; heir to the throne of Irwindal, and the only living survivor of Rakal's attack. Outside her terrace, a small bird sang merrily on the ivy-covered wall.
"Unaware of the evils of the earth," she whispered to herself, "Would that I could be that little creature and simply fly to a greener untouched place as he can." She closed her eyes again, tears streaming down the side of her face, and onto her matted hair. Once again sleep overtook her.
More time passed. Lisaine awoke to hear faint footsteps climbing the stone stairway to her chambers. She struggled to sit up in bed as Alnein, both a Mirkwood and Rivendell elf walked silently through the entrance of the room. She carried with her a small wooden tray with a cup of water and a small wooden bowl, filled with nuts and berries. Alnein quickly walked directly over to the side table, placing the tray down, pushing the diadem and ring, still cloaked in linen, farther back on the table.
"I have brought you something to eat," she said, but Lisaine could not think about eating. In truth, she had not eaten for days, and felt weakened, but she had no inclination to eat. All at once, a tall, dark elf appeared at the door, gliding into the room. His long velvet robe was richly adorned with silver and gold threads. He walked over to the foot of the bed. Alnein bowed slightly, and backed away from the bed. It was Elrond, Lord of the elves of Rivendell, come to see Lisaine for himself. Clearly he wanted something. The princess felt suddenly chilled inside, and she wondered if he had somehow discovered her identity. She blotted out the thought, mindful that the higher elves were capable of communicating without speaking. She did not want him to read her mind.
"Good. You are awake," he said with an approving smile, "You look improved since your arrival here." Lisaine bowed her head slightly in respect, but every movement was a trial for her, and she winced again.
"How long have I been here, my Lord," she asked. Lisaine looked at Alnein, as if she expected her friend to give her the answer, but Alnein would not speak in Lord Elrond's presence.
"You have been asleep for the better part of a day. Alneinwen has brought you to us from the forest beyond Isodor, where she found you." His smile eased Lisaine's reservations a bit, and she leaned back onto her pillow. Alnein moved forward and fluffed the pillow behind the princess's head, helping her to sit up, and then retreated to the corner of the room again.
"Can you tell me what happened?" Lord Elrond asked. His piercing brown eyes searched for clues in Lisaine's expression, but she gave nothing away. Sighing, Lisaine looked once more out the window terrace. Lisaine hesitated, pondering how to answer him.
"I am come from Irwindal," she began slowly, "All I know is the kingdom was attacked by minions of the Dark Lord, bearing the red shafted arrow, and I barely escaped to here." Staring back into Lord Elrond's eyes, she could detect a faint sweep of growing concern across his expression.
"Red shafted arrow," he said slowly, "Are you sure?" She nodded.
"How many others escaped?" he said finally. Lisaine blinked, tears rolled down her pale cheeks.
"Dead," she whispered, "All dead." The appearance of Lord Elrond's face now changed. It seemed to Lisaine that his concern was now alarm.
"ALL dead," he said stepping forward, "Are you sure? Was no one left? The king? Do you know what became of him?"
"The king," she said struggling to keep her composure, "The entire kingdom was devastated, my Lord. I am all that is left living." Alnein sat watching her filled with pity and horror. For a moment Lord Elrond gazed at Lisaine, and then his eyes fell upon the side table. He scrutinized the linen cloth, and then returned his gaze to Lisaine.
"Is there anything else you can tell me," he said at last.
"There is nothing else, my Lord," Lisaine said closing her eyes, letting her head fall back onto the pillow. He nodded. He must content himself for now with the small bit of information Lisaine had given him, and he would question her again later.
"Rest for awhile, Nevariel," he spoke soothingly, "Alneinwen will attend your needs. Take haven in Rivendell, for you are safe in our borders. We will talk again when you are more recovered." Her thoughts drifted momentarily back when the elves first began to call her by that name. How she had always loved the sound of it! Her elven name rolled off the tongue in such a musical and eloquent manner.
Lord Elrond looked once more to the small end table beside the bed, and then turned and walked out of the room.
Lisaine lay quietly for a time. Then she felt the total silence within the chamber descend upon her, and sat bolt upright, thinking that Alnein had left also. Panicked, she surveyed the room. The shadows within the room were growing long now. She had spent the entire day sleeping, and Lisaine began to feel thirsty. A fire of apple wood was merrily burning in the small stone fireplace, warming the room's interior. At last her eyes fell upon a tall, thin figure standing in the corner, calmly watching her. Lying back, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"I thought you had left me," she murmured, half smiling.
"Not I," hissed the hideous voice as he jumped forward into the center of the dimly lit room.
Horrified, Lisaine saw the monstrous form draw closer to the bed, lifting its bow slowly, Lisaine perceived the pale red arrow fitted into the bow. Suddenly, he lunged forward, drawing the bow back as far as it could be strained. Lisaine screamed and threw the covers in the air to escape from the other side of the bed.
"Nevariel!! Nevariel!! Wake!" cried Alnein struggling to hold her. Half- crazed, Lisaine fought to free herself from her companion's grip. Then she realized that all was merely a dream, and she fell limp into Alnein's arms, sobbing.
Shielding her eyes from the bright morning light, Lisaine pulled back the covers and sat on the edge of the bed. Alnein had just walked back into the room, and was placing a long gray and brown elven dress on the edge of the bed. She had also replaced the bowl that had contained the nuts and berries, with a new one, now filled with lembas, and fruit slices. Slowly, Lisaine stood up, moving her arms to assess their stiffness. She walked over to the table and took a piece of lembas and bit into it. The flavor of it seemed plain to her, not like the fruited and honeyed breads she regularly ate at her father's dinner table. Still there was a distinct sweetness to it, and she felt better almost instantly. She had eaten lembas before, but she could not remember it tasting as good as it did at that moment.
"I have brought an urn with water for you, so you may wash," Alnein said while busily scurrying about the room. Lisaine reached out her hand, and Alnein stopped suddenly, and the two clasped hands for a moment.
"I owe you my life," Lisaine said to her. Alnein gazed at her friend's earnest expression. She no longer seemed gripped by terror, but now seemed resolved and calm, "You have saved me in all directions this past day, and I am ever in your debt." Alnein smiled back.
"We are sisters indeed," said Alnein tightening her grip a bit before letting her hand fall, "But you owe your life to your own spirit. I merely found you when you were already bent on the trail to Rivendell. You had made your escape." Lisaine stepped closer.
"But I could go no further," she replied, "I was utterly spent. I should still be lost in the woods if you had not happened upon me." Alnein smiled.
"Few beings can boast of your resolve, Nevariel, elf or mortal. Both of us are tied to that same fate. We must be stronger for being alone in the world, and you have proved your strength by living to see yet one more sunrise. It is easy to lay back and give up, but to struggle on, and never capitulate is true courage."
Lisaine walked slowly to the edge of her bed and slowly sat down.
"You are wrong," Lisaine said slowly, "It takes no bravery to turn and run. Only true valor will stand and fight in the face of utter ruin. I left my father. I left my uncle. I left my people to be annihilated. I am not so worthy of your praise, Alnein. Many with courage greater than mine are lost this day to me."
Lisaine leaned over and took her tiara and father's ring, still swathed in the strip of linen and held it in her trembling hands.
"I should have no further need for these," she said at last, "I would keep them for my father's sake, but they mean little to me now." She stopped and sighed, "Lord Elrond suspects something. He knows that I have not said all to him. To his credit he does not press me for information, but he can tell there is more."
Alnein came over and sat next to her on the bed.
"You should tell him everything you know. There is a reason why your kingdom was attacked, Lisaine. You need not tell him who your father was, but you should tell him all you know about the attack. It may help in the defense of other cities or give him some insight of which he is not already aware."
Lisaine stared at her perplexed, but Alnein's resolve showed plainly on her face. Lisaine looked away and shook her head, as if the memory were too much to bear.
"Can you not see, Alnein? To them I am dead now...and that is where I might ultimately save myself. Irwindal is gone. There is nothing left for me. No one will come looking for me here, and no one here knows who I am, save for you."
"If indeed your father was killed Nevariel, you are now a queen. And a queen does not abandon her people." Tears welled up in Lisaine's eyes again as she stared blankly at Alnein.
"Are you sure there is no one left in the blue city?" the elf asked her. Lisaine shrugged her shoulders, sighing.
"I do not know. It happened so fast. Alnein, they destroyed everything. I was sleeping in my room when the great horde approached. My handmaiden and I could hear the cries from the town. We heard the clash of steel, as the barricades of the castle were broken. She beseeched me to stay in my chambers, but I left and sought out my father, the king. I took my diadem and some of my jewelry with me, thinking the attackers came to rob, not to maim and kill. All was in panic and confusion as I ran through the hallways. I found him at last in his largest council chamber, as he prepared to repel the horde and protect his kingdom. His armor sparkled of silver and blue, and never did he appear to me nobler. I was proud to be his daughter, and begged him to let me join in the defense of the city. But he bade my uncle, Lord Hollein, to take me from the castle for safety. We left with three of his most trusted counselors, and two guards. I allowed my father to convince me to turn and run like a coward. Before we left, my father gave me his most prized possession, his royal signet ring. I took the ring and the coronet from my head and placed them into my waist satchel," Lisaine hesitated, pulling out the muddied ring from the cloth. On it was carved in gold, the royal seal of the house of Gillindon. She turned it over and over in her hands, before continuing.
"He was never without it," Lisaine said stifling a sob, "We ran with all possible speed down the great stairwell of the North Tower, but all was blackness within, and the going was slow. Across the courtyards we hastened, and that is when I began to see them all. Our people lay slaughtered in the streets, stricken down where they stood. I wrenched a sword from a dead soldier, determined to return to the castle, but my uncle and a guard pulled me along, telling me it was hopeless. We were almost to the stables when they descended upon us. Two of my father's advisor's fought them and kept them at bay, while the rest of us ran past the fray and managed to mount some horses before more orcs came. With all speed we rode deep into the forest, with our people running everywhere. Alnein, they set fire to the underbrush on all sides, and those without steeds could not outrun the flames. My uncle led us to falls of Kareian, saying to us that the fire could not traverse the wide and fast moving river. That's when I first saw him..." her voice trailed off.
"Saw who?" Alnein asked. Her face filled with dread.
"The right hand of the Dark Lord, Rakal," Lisaine replied with a shudder. Alnein seemed taken aback. Lisaine saw her clutch the soft coverlet tightly in her fingers, but she said nothing, "I could hear his creatures calling his name in praise as he rode into our midst as a spider leaps upon its prey. My father's friend and advisor placed himself between Rakal and my own horse, raising his sword in defiance. The evilest of creatures, he aimed his arrow at him and killed him outright, laughing at him with an ugly, croaking laugh. I raised my sword in a shaking hand and cried out,
"You must work harder than that to take me, evil one! I am princess Lisaine, daughter of King Gillindon, and these are MY lands you plunder! Prepare to meet thy doom!"
Then I saw his hideous red eyes glaring at me as my horse reared in terror. He stared at me with such hatred. There can be no description for it. Everywhere was confusion, and in the havoc my mount rode up on its hind legs and I lost all balance. I fell backwards into the torrent of water and was swept away. Downstream I managed to cling to the underside of a stone outcropping just before I was flung over the waterfalls. From beneath the rapids, I could see the dark one's underlings riding up and down the shoreline in the distance, but they could not see me. The smoke from the fires was stifling and all around us. There was little light in the sky that night, and I was well hidden. I did not leave the water, though it was so cold, I thought they could hear my body shake. The flames from the trees could be seen in all directions, leaping into the sky, lighting up the very night as though it were twilight. It seemed endless that I was trapped there, too afraid to pull myself out of the water, and my arms and legs were so numb that I wasn't sure I could. My mind was clouded. When I heard no more horses, I decided to at least make to the shoreline. I moved so slowly, so painfully slowly, as the current pulled and tugged at my clothes. I did not think I had the strength to leave the water, and I thought just to let myself go. To let the waterfalls finish what Rakal had started. But at last I emerged. And they had gone. As I looked out over the plains, I could see a great lighting of torches and cloud of dust rising into the air, and I heard the loathsome battle cries from the orc army. I did not retrace up the river, for I had no desire to see what had become of my uncle. I am sure he is dead, like my father. Instead I made my way down the perilous rock face, with the water howling all around me, and kept to the river's edge to avoid the insidious flames as it ate up the woodlands. I slept in the reeds by the river's edge that first day, to avoid being seen. That is when I first thought to come here. For six days I was on foot alone before I came by a horse that had escaped the ruins like me, and he bore me across the southern pass of Balsor, across the Misty Mountains towards the Angle, to the woods just north of Isodor. But the journey was too much for the beast, and he was injured of his shoulder from a knife wound. He gave out finally before we reached the fortress, and I began to walk again. But finally I could go no further, and collapsed. That is when you found me and brought me here."
"Were you not going to Isodor first? It is closer than Rivendell," asked Alnein. Lisaine shook her head.
"I have no personal acquaintance in Isodor, and it is said that the folk who live in those woods prefer the quiet solitude of the forest. Yet, had I reached that fair city, I might have sought help there first."
Alnein contemplated all that Lisaine had told her, and stood up.
"Come," said Alnein, "Once you have eaten and bathed you will be much improved."
Lisaine clutched the intricately carved post of the bed and pulled herself to her feet. Hobbling over to a large, wooden chest, Lisaine opened it, revealing several clean swaths of linens. Kneeling down, she placed the small diadem and signet ring in the bottom of the chest, and placed the cloth over it. Alnein quickly stepped over to help her back to the bed. Sitting back on the soft coverlet, Lisaine looked at her bruised and battered arms and legs. There was no serious wound, but Lisaine at once understood why her limbs hurt as they did. Pouring the water from the urn into a large wooden bowl, Alnein brought it over to the bed. Slowly Lisaine dipped the swath of cloth into the water, wrung it out, and dabbed a particularly long scrape on her leg. Then gathering up the clean dress that still sat on the edge of the bed, Lisaine slipped it over her head, pulling out her long, brown hair.
"I think I would rather bathe in the river," Lisaine decided.
"You've not had enough of cold river water then," Alnein said, smiling wryly. For the first time, and small smile passed Lisaine's lips, and she stopped short of the doorway.
"Of some rivers I have had my fill. But the healing waters of the Bruinen will help my wounds perhaps. The sounds of the falls are soothing to my ears. Besides, there is not enough water in ten such urns to clean all of me properly." Smiling, the elf gathered up some clean, dry clothes from the chest, and after closing the heavy lid, handed them to the princess.
"Here then, you'll need these," she said, "Are you sure you are alright?"
"I will be alright," Lisaine said and turned once more to walk out the door. Then she stopped again, looking back at the elf, standing in the center of the room. The elf seemed to emanate a soft pale light about her head, even as the morning sun poured through the windows.
"I will not return soon, Alnein. When I am presentable, I must have a talk with Lord Elrond."
With that, Lisaine turned and limped through the doorway.