The Red Elf

Chapter 6: Explanations (Part 1)

            Zoë tossed and turned in her bed. She could see her mother crying in her mind, why was she so sad? Zoë saw herself in the room; she was so close, yet unable to reach. She tried to comfort her, to help her, to do anything. But she couldn't, she was almost trapped, she could only watch.  Zoë lifted her head with a start, gasping for breath. It hadn't been a true nightmare, but she was afraid. She felt like she wasn't in control; that someone else had been holding her back, and might even still be.

~*~*~*~*~

            Galadriel walked quietly down the cold stone steps to her mirror. Her dress trailed behind her, ruffling the grass and leaves as she moved. When she reached the bottom she went to the pond and filled a silver pitcher with water. She poured the water into her mirror and peered into it… When she looked away she knew exactly what she had to do, for she had seen the past. She summoned the youngest mind.

~*~*~*~*~

            A familiar melodic voice sounded in Zoë's mind. She closed her eyes, as if by doing so she would be able to hear more clearly.

            "Come young one, you shall be the first to learn something of your past." The voice belonged to none other than Galadriel. On command Zoë stood and left the room. She headed towards the voice, even though she didn't know where it was coming from. She did however find her way and before long stood before the Lady herself.

            "There is nothing for you to see in my mirror, that will be saved for others. You have already seen much, your mother has spoken to you and you have seen her weep. It was a sad fate she suffered, as was yours. But ask something of me and I will do my best to find you an answer."

            "Did my parents send me- I mean, us away?" Zoë came right out and asked it, after all that is what she wanted to know.

            "That would be a simple answer and perhaps because you do not remember them, yet, it is the one you would like to hear. But I fear the answer is no."

            "Then how did I end up on earth, I couldn't have wanted to leave such a marvellous place." Asked Zoë in bewilderment, that had not been the answer she'd expected.

            "I am not an appropriate person to answer this question, but since there is no one else, I shall. It was you sister and the answer is as simple as that."

            "Azure, no it… but why?"

            "When you were young, your sister was somewhat left out from the attention of your parents. They were ecstatic at the birth of your brother and you, since twins are not common things. Your brother, mostly because the family needed an heir and their firstborn had died not long after his birth. Azure was a different child; she's pure elf with flaming red hair. Again, that is not a very common thing. But when all their 'interest' was diverted from her to you and your brother, she became very jealous. Jealousy is not a very ordinary emotion among the elves, so she let it get out of hand. When you and William were 7 years old she led you unsuspectingly to the undying land and then to earth. I remember watching you through my mirror that day, on earth. You were in a forest on earth wondering; none of you knew where you were going. Until a man found you, he noted the weapons you carried and took them from you. He took you to an orphanage and named you Azure, William and Zoë. Your hair and appearance changed, from when you were here, I am uncertain of why this occurred, it is a peculiar thing.  But of course now that I've told you that that man named you, you probably speculated that Zoë is not your real name. It is Amariel and William's is Ateragon."

            "What about Azure, what was her name?"

            "Azure was and will always be her name. Her eyes sing her name to the beholder. The man I suppose, like some before him, saw this too." Zoë didn't quite know what to make of all this, but she knew Galadriel hadn't made it up. It surprised her to hear that Azure had been jealous and it angered her to think that her 'best' friend and sister was the cause of her leaving such a magnificent place. She of course knew she would have to forgive Azure, she was young and her emotions had gotten the better of her.

            "Amariel," Galadriel started after a few minutes of silence. She had noticed the girl's state and had to respond to it. "You cannot tell Azure, or Ateragon of what you've heard, until they have had their turn. For now, this was for your ears only." Zoë smiled she liked her new (old) name. It sounded more graceful and important. She told herself that from here on in she wished to be addressed as Amariel. Again silence lingered and again Galadriel broke it.

            "Is there anything else you wish to know?" Amariel didn't respond she just shook her head. "Very well then, return to your bed and hopefully better dreams will fill your mind. Sleep well young Amariel." With that the somewhat happy girl left the Lady and returned to her room. As she walked toward her room she thought of all that the Lady had said. Then it occurred to her she hadn't asked about her parents, well she was too tired to now. She would ask in the morning.

~*~*~*~*~

            Galadriel stood steadfast until she felt Amariel enter her room. She turned back to her mirror, which was still filled with water, and spoke softly to herself.

      "Now what truth does the boy require of me…" The mirror clouded over before revealing the questions that shrouded his memory.