The usual disclaimers apply… enjoy!
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Later that night Laera wandered the palace, too restless to sleep. She walked around aimlessly, gently fingering the tea cup. That's where it had gone too, she remembered. Laera had no idea where she was going… it didn't seem important. She stopped abruptly when she heard voices from around the corner. Laera prided herself in not being the nosy type, but something seemed to beckon her to listen in.
"So where am I to go?" she recognized Legolas's voice.
"Once past the borders of Rivendell, head east for Elhite Vale." Aragorn's voice… "Watch out for the Nimhorns. Continue eastward and when you are clear of Elhite you should be on the Tirian Plaines. The Fehn mountains should be visible by then. Head in that direction. You know how to find the stone? Good."
Elhite Vale? She had been warned many times to never stray far from the birches for the woods beyond held Nimhorn territory. She shuddered, remembering the time she had caught sight of one. A small, pale, ghoulish-looking monster who would kill anybody who dared trespass -provoked or not. Despite the creatures, Elhite Vale was said to be beautiful.
"Are you sure about this?" Aragorn said. "Do you not have a maiden waiting for you?"
"No," replied Legolas, his voice a little hard. "I can do this, Aragorn. Gandalf will get better."
"Then I wish you luck, my friend." The voices drifted off as they walked down the hall.
It was at that moment, inspiration struck our heroine. The quest for the stone had adventure written all over it. Why should Legolas have all the fun? But was it quite as dangerous as her father had said? Of course she did not want to embark on a 'suicide mission'. She was somewhat skilled with a bow (she had a young elven man give her a lesson or two without her father's knowing). Surely that would be enough?
Suddenly, she realized the absurdness of even thinking of fleeing Rivendell. Why… she could be killed! She struggled with her conflicted mind until she remembered the small object in her hand. She clutched the cup until her knuckles became white. She would go. If not for herself, then for Legolas. She could always turn back if the danger proved to be as grave as was said. Besides, if anybody were to die, it should never be alone... she thought, her heart thrilling to the self sacrifice.
Hastily, she made her way to her brother's room. Thankfully, the twins had gone out… probably to talk with the other visiting elves. She picked through his closet before selecting a tunic, tights, and shoes. As an afterthought, she went back to her room to fetch the bow and arrows she had hidden under her bed. She would need some sort of weapon after all.
"I don't want you to go." Laera gasped as she turned to face her sister who sat on her bed.
"Go where?" she replied nervously. Laera always believed that if there were a competition in lying, she'd win first prize but when faced with Arwen… the truth seemed to tell itself. She rushed to her sister, and fell to her knees at Arwen's feet.
"Dearest," she cried crushing her face against Arwen's knees. "You know how I have longed for adventure… a chance to see the world beyond Rivendell." She felt a loving hand gently caressing her long dark locks.
"This is not a simple errand, Laera. Prince Legolas may very well be killed."
"That is another reason why I choose to go. What has Legolas done to deserve such a dreary demise? Alone? It isn't right…" Laera had risen and begun to pace the room feverishly.
"Do you care so little for me? For father and mother?" Arwen asked simply. At this Laera fell to her knees once more. She had begun sobbing tears of frustration and sorrow.
"Never ask me that! I almost hate you for saying such a thing!" Her face softened at Arwen's injured expression. "Sorry, dearest… you know you and father, mother, and even the twins mean the world and more to me. It's just… it's just…" Laera was at a loss for words. She saw that Arwen couldn't and would never understand.
"You are going to leave, aren't you?"
"Yes," Laera replied determinedly.
"You know I will tell father."
"Of course, you will. But please, Arwen, wait until morning. Let me at least get a glimpse of some foreign terrain. Besides, once father knows he will probably get Legolas to fetch me back."
Arwen looked at her sister sadly. Surely this child was not thinking of risking her life just for a mere thrill? But Arwen could see the spark, the longing deep within Laera's dark eyes and she was reminded of a little girl, long ago, who also wished to escape the dull life of a princess. "Wait here," she whispered and left the room.
She returned shortly with a small silken bag and emptied its contents onto Laera's outstretched palm. "Take this," she said. In Laera's hand was a small necklace with a dark blue stone. Laera looked at her sister questioningly. "It is a piece of heiwir rock. It was given to me… by a friend." From the blush that suddenly stained Arwen's cheek, Laera knew that it the necklace had been a gift from a certain ranger. "Although undetected by elves and mostly any other creature, it gives off a scent that the Nimhorns cannot stand. It will protect you when you reach Elhite Vale… if you reach Elhite Vale."
"If?"
"I trust Legolas would have found you before then." She took her sister's face in her hands and wiped the tears from the eyes that were still so young. "Take care, sister." She kissed Laera softly on each cheek before leaving to her own quarters. Laera slipped the necklace over her head and made last minute preparations.
She waited until she felt quite confident that not a soul stirred in Rivendell before leaving her room. She dressed in her brother's clothes and despite the fact that they were a bit big and the shoes were two sizes too large, she did not mind. She tiptoed to Arwen's room where she gently kissed her sister on her pale cheek and headed to the palace's entrance.
Tears fell from Arwen's eyes when she heard her sister carefully closing her door. She could not sleep nor could she think of nothing else until the first light of dawn crept in from her window.
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