Disclaimer: See Prologue and Chapter One
Hehe...i want to warn you...every character in this story is portrayed in my special way...which (in some insane way) might be a good thing;) Oh...you dont have to take me seriously here *wink* My writing, in these first few chaps, is terrible but i promise it does get better. I started writing this last summer and i believe that my writing has improved, slightly;) I should go back and rewrite these chaps but im just too lazy...well, on with the tale!
Chapter Four: No More Running
The gates of Rivendell finally came into view. Netasa had been travelling a good week and a half hoping to come to this peaceful place soon. She had not seen Lord Elrond in so long. Since she had kept mainly to the south end of Middle Earth, she never had the luxury of crossing such beautiful territory as Rivendell.
Netasa walked leisurely, with a smile, to the gates and nodded to one of the guards. The guard let her through without any hesitation. After she walked through the gates, she was greeted by a maiden. Netasa wasn't very surprised since Lord Elrond was one to keep his guests completely comfortable.
The maiden held out a very ornate goblet filled with Evermead (a fine elvish wine). "I hope your journey was uneventful my lady" the maiden said as Netasa took the goblet.
"It was a little more eventful than I would wish but all is well" Netasa replied "I need to speak with Lord Elrond."
"Of course" the maiden said, bowing. She turned around and started walking towards Elrond's study followed closely by Netasa.
While Netasa was following the maiden, she encountered old friends. In which, the maiden awaited patiently for Netasa with every greeting. By the time the maiden and Netasa made it to Elrond's study, her presence was made known throughout Rivendell.
"Well, Netasa. It is wonderful to see you" Elrond said smiling. "Welcome back to Rivendell" he continued while hugging her.
"Thank you for the warm welcome, Lord Elrond" Netasa replied as Elrond released his hold on her.
Elrond looked at his servant and said "Thank you, Aleriel."
At his words, Aleriel bowed and walked off.
After Lord Elrond closed the doors to his study, he motioned for Netasa to sit asking "What may I do for such a fierce warrior as Menetasarëwen of Mirkwood?"
Netasa smiled and said "I hope there is nothing I ask of. Except for maybe a few nights stay."
"You are welcome as long as you will to stay, my lady" Elrond replied "You know this."
At that moment, a she-elf came stampeding into Lord Elrond's study. "Where is she!?" she exclaimed. Finding who she was looking for, she froze "Netasa? Do you remember me?"
Netasa looked at the she-elf for a moment and replied "Oh Valar! This is not the same Arwen that used to be four feet tall. It has not been that long has it?" she asked Lord Elrond.
At her words, Arwen ran right at Netasa giving her a huge hug. Netasa felt so important just being a part of Arwen's life, how ever small of an influence she had been on her when she was very little. "I cannot believe this, Elrond" Netasa said smiling "A girl I remember yet a woman standing before me."
Elrond smiled proudly at her words and noted the closeness between the two women. "Yes, she has grown even though I have told her not to. Arwen has never been one to take orders" he replied.
Netasa laughed. "Yes, well...all she-elves go through that, im sure" she relinquished. Netasa looked at Arwen at arms length and smiled widely. She was so happy to see her and it really had been too long. Out of nowhere, she noticed a difference and exclaimed "What happened to your necklace!?"
Elrond looked away as Netasa looked at him giving her the 'do not ask me...I disapprove greatly' look.
Arwen rolled her eyes. Looking back at Netasa, she smiled and said "I am to be married."
Netasa eyes lit up. "Valar! When!?" she said excitedly "and who?" she added.
Elrond interjected this time. "He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn (you owe him your allegience.....hehe, j/k), the now King of Gondor" he replied even though the question was not geered at him.
"And...." Arwen said with much enthusiasm "the wedding will be next season."
"That is wonderful news, Arwen" Netasa said smiling "I hope you will be able to tell me all about this Aragorn."
"I have no doubt she will" Elrond said with sarcasm. When both women looked at him without amusement, he regained his composure and said "I hope you will join us for a huge feast tonight. I will hold it in your honor."
Netasa shook her head. "Please, Elrond. I ask that you do not treat me any different than if a mage walked through your gates" she pleaded.
"A mage!?" Elrond repeated in disgust "You are no mage, Netasa. You are a warrior who deserves a fine feast after such a long journey." Netasa attempted to counter but Elrond held up his hand and continued "I will hear no more of that. I will have a maiden take you to your quarters to get ready for tonight."
"I will show her, father" Arwen put in.
Elrond nodded. "Fine, Arwen" he said.
Netasa sighed heavily looking at Elrond. She smiled and said "Thank you, Elrond. For everything."
Arwen grabbed Netasa by the arm and dragged her out of the study. The last thing Lord Elrond heard was Netasa laughing as Arwen pulled her down the halls.
~!*********!~
The feast was magificent. Ever since Netasa walked into the banqueting hall, she felt nothing but warmth and kindness from all who came in contact with her. All through her wandering years, she did not get such a welcome and she enjoyed every minute in Rivendell. She truly needed this experience, even though it reminded her too much of the past. She felt as if a piece of her was found and all was right when Arwen spoke to her or when her old friend Calion whispered endearments in her ear.
"How long have you been on your journey, Netasa?" Elrond asked starting a new subject for conversation. They were eating fine food and drinking the finest of Elvish wine.
"It seems like four lifetimes, my lord" Netasa responded "but you above all know how time means nothing to those with adventurous hearts."
Elrond smiled "Yes, it does."
Right at that moment, a servant came running silently through the door interrupting Elrond's fine meal. He told the Lord Elrond he had a visitor waiting to give him a message. "He is from Mirkwood, my lord" the servant whispered.
Elrond's eyebrows furrowed and nodded to the servant. He looked at Netasa who was deep in conversation with his daughter Arwen. 'If there was a message from Mirkwood, why did Netasa not bring it?' he thought.
The visitor walked into the banquet hall. He bowed to Lord Elrond and gave him the letter he was entrusted with.
Netasa saw the messenger and froze immediately. She knew the elf was from Mirkwood, there was no doubt about it. His attire spoke volumes of the heritage.
Arwen stopped talking also when the visitor entered the hall. It was most unusual to have visitors interrupt meals with messages to Lord Elrond.
Elrond opened the letter, not noticing the way Netasa was looking at it, and read it quietly to himself. It read...
Lord Elrond of Rivendell,
I must ask a favor of you. We have been friends all these long years and hope you may be able to assist me. My quest for my right hand archer has not stopped. I was told Menetasarëwen had been seen in the forests of Mirkwood but I was unable to apprehend her. Could you please send out a group of your finest scouts in search of her? I am afraid she has lost herself.
Diola lle mellonamin [Thank you my friend],
Lord Thranduil of Mirkwood
After Elrond finished the letter, he was beside himself. He didn't know what to think. The messenger waited a second and asked the Lord Elrond for a reply. Elrond held up his hand to the visitor and said "May I finish my meal before responding?" Lord Elrond said, quite upset.
The messenger bowed and backed away slowly "I apologize, my lord." The servant showed him to a small table at the far end to give him food and drink after his journey.
Netasa looked at Elrond curiously asking "What was that all about?"
Elrond didn't respond. He just looked at the letter and returned his gaze back to Netasa, speechless. After a minute or so, he decided he was quite done with his meal and needed fresh air. "Excuse me, everyone" he said standing "I am afraid I need to take a walk. Netasa, will you join me?"
"Of course, Lord Elrond" she said standing also. She followed Elrond out of the banquet hall and into a beautiful garden. The waterfalls all around them echoed in a peaceful manner giving the garden a harmony unlike any Mirkwood ever posessed. Netasa walked silently behind Elrond. She didn't know if she should speak first. She wanted to know what was in the letter but feared it. 'This was not of Legolas' doing' she thought trying to calm herself.
Elrond finally spoke "Netasa, I do not enjoy being lied to."
Netasa found herself facing that fear and didn't know how to handle it. "My Lord, I never lied to you" she responded.
"Ohh?" Elrond started "Then why is it that a warrior of Mirkwood is being searched for by Mirkwood itself?"
Netasa looked down at the ground. 'My time is gone here, in the warmth of Rivendell' she thought. "I am sorry for your worry. I will leave at once" she replied starting to walk away.
"I have not dismissed you, Netasa" Elrond said forcefully. Netasa reluctantly turned around but didn't meet Elrond's gaze. He continued "Why is it that you have run from yourself? It has been millenias since I heard last of such an action. Does this mean it was never resolved?"
Netasa remembered what a wonderful friendship she had with Lord Elrond. He was a strength to her, in many respects. Almost like a second father. He deserved to know the truth. "No, my lord. I never went home" Netasa resolved sadly.
Elrond walked closer to her and put his hands on her shoulders. He worriedly asked "Why?"
He listened closely as Netasa told him all about the events that lead her to disappear. As they walked through the gardens, she let everything out in the open. She even told Lord Elrond her experience with meeting Legolas and how it affected her.
"I see" Lord Elrond said in deep thought "you are in a bit of trouble but Netasa," he leaned in closer to her so she would understand him completely "you cannot run forever. The only way to resolve this, is by confronting it."
Netasa nodded in agreement, tears streaking down her face "I know, but I fear to."
Elrond put his arms around a very broken Netasa to comfort her. "This will all soon pass and I foresee a bright future" he said stroking her hair . After a couple of minutes, Netasa calmed a bit and he continued "We must fix this now. We cannot let another day pass."
Netasa nodded again this time, against his shoulder. "I do not wish to go back to Mirkwood, though. I fear that would be too much. Please do not send me there, my lord" she pleaded.
"I will allow nothing to harm you, Netasa" Elrond responded "If Thranduil or Legolas wants you, then they will have to come here and prove their worth to me."
Netasa hugged Elrond hard. She couldn't believe how incredible he was being. She pulled away, looked at him with thankful eyes, and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, Lord Elrond. I do not know where I would be now without you" she admitted, new tears forming in her eyes.
"Then I can tell our visitor you are here?" Lord Elrond asked carefully.
Netasa was dumbstruck. "You ask my permission?" she asked.
"Of course" Elrond replied "and what is your answer?"
She smiled and said "Tell Thranduil and Legolas I will be here...and if they want my council then they will have to beg."
"It shall be done, my Lady Netasa" he said slightly bowing with a smirk on his face "Would you like to rejoin your banquet or retire?"
"I think it would be best to retire" she laughed lightly "I doubt my appearance would favor Calion's endearments anymore."
Elrond smiled "You look lovely, Netasa. As always." He held out his arm and Netasa took it. As they walked to Netasa's quarters, they whispered softly about plans that would take effect as soon as Thranduil or Legolas arrived.