The Red Elf

Chapter 8: Explanations (part 3)

          "It has been too long since we have seen you last. Of course you recall why we have called you here?" Celeborn asked his guest attentively. 

          "I recall very well. On the circumstances… I do believe it is so; there is no need for any introductions, I can just tell."

          "Gandalf, I do not doubt your knowledge but how can you be so certain?"

          "I know you don't and I just am."

~*~*~*~

          Azure slept soundly in her bed. She felt quite peaceful, although she had not forgotten the past… incident that had left her very confused, yet regardless she remained serene. Hours passed, and then finally Azure woke up. The sun was already high the sky, so she assumed it was nearly noon. At the thought of noon, she became hungry and her stomach grumbled loudly in response. She tried her best to suppress it by pushing her hands against her abdomen, though it did not help much. She left the comforts of her room, uncertain of her destination. 'Where do I go… food, food, food… where can I get some food?' she sang absentmindedly in her head. Standing atop the staircase in front of her room, she scanned the area for someone that might have knowledge of a kitchen or something. She noticed someone approaching in the distance and rushed down the stairs to make it there before them. However when she reached the bottom, she realised she'd overestimated the distance between her and the person. Several minutes later the person came into a civil talking distance.

          "Hello," Azure greeted the elf maiden. "I haven't been here long and I was wondering where I could get something to eat. I'm just so hungry and it's been such a long time since I've eaten anything…" she continued to ramble on for a few more seconds, until the girl interrupted her with laughter.

          "I understand," she chuckled. "Your brother and sister are eating now as well, I will take you to them." The maiden turned and motioned for Azure to follow. As they walked Azure found she was mimicking the elf's movements, she didn't even notice she was doing it until she was told.

          "Why do you copy me? I would have thought if anyone should be imitating someone, it should be me of you." It took Azure awhile to figure out her meaning, seeing as her mind had been so preoccupied with thoughts of food. She decided not to comment and did her best to walk the way she usually did. After a short distance, they came to a door in a wall; Azure hadn't really been paying attention to where they had been going so she couldn't describe it any better.

          Inside the room was a single long table with two people seated at the top. From the maiden's past evidence, she assumed it was William and Zoë. As she neared she realised it was.

"Morning." Zoë called quite cheerfully. William nodded.

"Morning." Azure mumbled sitting down beside Zoë and filling up an empty plate with food.  The family quickly ate their food in silence, and then once their meal was done, one by one they left, until only Azure remained, but she too quickly did in her meal. Azure left the room and looked about her surroundings. She had no idea where she was and, as her luck often provided, there was no one to be seen. Unable to just stand and wait for someone to come along she started walking straight, in hopes of finding a familiar place. As before when she was being led to her room, she could not help but marvel at the magnificence, which the city provided. London was indeed a beautiful city, however, nothing she had seen there could compare to the uniqueness of Lorien. She walked on for quite some time before finally she came to, what appeared to be, the centre of the city. But when still no one could be seen, she began to think it odd. Yet she walked on, that is until she came to the glade she had seen on her first day. She hadn't caught sight of it on her way over because the elf maiden had directed her in a different direction. Now that there was no one around she became very curious about what lingered below within it, for it was one thing to see it from above, but quite a different thing to see it up close. She tiptoed down the cold, stone steps until she reached the grass and there, Azure could all but suppress the gasp that escaped her at the new sight. Nothing was tampered and the radiance of the trees and flowers, blossomed into a life no one could expect a plant to possess.  Again seeing the silver basin, Azure proceeded toward it. She was about to reach out and touch the water, which lingered within it, but a voice rang out, stopping her.

"Do not touch the water," Azure looked up groggily, as if she had just awakened from a trance. Galadriel glided over to the young redheaded girl, a silver pitcher in her grasp. "I have been waiting for you," she stopped in front of Azure, searching her mind. "Will you look into the mirror, your questions will be answered."  Azure nodded as Galadriel raised her hand motioning to the mirror. Azure stepped forward cautiously, looking into the still water. When she first glanced she saw nothing but the trees and the sky above her, reflected in it's depths, but before she could speak her question, the water turned grey and then clear. She saw nine people walking in a forest. But it quickly turned to a battle, which a massive amount of people fought, slaying the most gruesome creatures she had ever laid eyes on. It then dissolved to a celebration filled with hundreds upon hundreds of people dressed in exquisite gowns and robes of every colour. It then again dissolved to a man and woman holding each other's hands, they were by far the happiest people she had ever seen. Then for a moment the mirror went black and then clear again, this time showing an old man, speaking to the couple.

"Are you sure it is she?" asked the man, to the elder.

"More certain than anything, she is the one." The woman drew a baby from its bed, and held it close to her body.

"Then the worst is yet to come." The mirror dissolved to a raining forest and three hooded children walked hand-in-hand to it's edge.

"I cannot go any longer," spoke one of the shorter children.

"Then let us stay here," said the tallest setting down a quiver and huddling with the other two children under a large tree. A man came to the children a few minutes later and took them away. After that the water swirled and then reformed showing the young couple again, yet this time they seemed sad and mournful, their heads lowered and their faces pale. Then the water swirled one last time, showing the trees and sky above reflected within it. Azure stepped away quite shocked by the many images she had just seen. She looked up at Galadriel in time to see her open her eyes.

"You still have questions, very well, ask them." Azure looked down at the ground, she felt weary from the intensity and swiftness at which the images had changed.  Yet at the same time her questions needed be answered, so forth she looked back up to the elf.

"Who were those people? The couple, the children…."

"The couple you saw were Aragorn and Arwen, Arwen was my granddaughter. The children were your brother and sister, and yourself." Azure became very confused at this.

"I don't understand."

"It is hard," she replied sympathetically. "But you must understand, the reason you did not live here was because when you were a child you convinced your siblings to leave. You led them away to the next world, where a man found you, or should I say elf."

"Elf?"

"Yes, it was Orophin, Haldir's brother, I sent him to find you when you left and watch over you. He took you to the orphanage and when you were ready, led your brother to find the items which brought you here." Azure thought about what Galadriel had just said. It all made sense, this Orophin had been the client that had suggested William go to that particular antique shop, and while asking about something behind the counter he told the owner that the man with him was William White. However the owner recognised him as Orophin who had also given the owner their weapons so many years ago. That's why the client seemed displeased; it was with the owner's accusations, (although correct) and not with the selection.

"That is correct, to the very detail." Azure looked at Galadriel questionably, but then realised she'd been reading her mind.

"But the couple, what have they to do with anything." Galadriel smiled slightly.

"Aragorn and Arwen were your parents." Azure stared. "Arwen was an elf, as are you, and Aragorn a human, as are your siblings. There is much to know about them as well. Your father was the King of Gondor, so you are a princess. However your brother will be king, for they will not have a female rule. Yet that leaves room for your presence elsewhere. My daughter has perished, as has Arwen, you are next in the line to rule Lothlorien, and I must too go west, for I tire of this life. Since you are elf, it is your duty to accept, though you may decline if you must, but it will leave me in troubled spot." Galadriel finished with a slight smile. Azure continued to stare as all that she had heard sunk in.

"Are you telling me that, my brother is the ruler of a land we have yet to see, and this, this will be mine?" Galadriel nodded. "But what about Zoë? You did not mention her."

"You do not remember, but her name was Amariel, and she has decided to reclaim it. I have seen her future, and it will be one that takes place here. Though she will not remain here forever. I cannot tell you more." Azure nodded. Azure went to leave, but Galadriel stopped her.

"You still have more to ask, do not be afraid to question all that you have seen, this may be your only chance." Azure considered this and made up her mind.

"Legolas told me of a rose, in the garden. That began to grow the day we arrived, and then I pricked my finger on its thorn and it blossomed, what does that mean?"

"Ah yes, the rose. It is part of a prophecy proclaimed many, many, years ago. The prophecy was that one-day a pure elf would be born of a human and an elf. They called this elf, the red elf, and stated that he or she would become the ruler of a land of Middle-Earth. Undoubtedly you are this elf, as you fit the description in every aspect. Not that only that, but you are adorned with red hair, which very little, if not no elves possess, and a colour that has never been apart of your family line. Do not be alarmed by this news. For there is neither death nor disease noted within it. Not for you or your siblings anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"Your parents no longer live. This was also in the prophecy. The child's bearers will cease before their child can flourish. The last part of the prophecy was that the red elf would be the first child to make any accomplishments. Their eldest son, Eldarion, was killed by the last known orc raid, a few months before you were born." Azure sighed at this news, shaking her head in disbelief.

"This is unbelievable, I have caused so much pain and all the while didn't even realise it. Even before I was born I killed my brother. I killed my parents and William and Zo-, Amariel hate me for taking them to the world, which we dwelt for so long. I thought I had it bad before, now look at my life; I'm the grim reaper, just hand me a black cloak and a scythe and I'll be on my way to ruin more people's lives." Galadriel's face did not alter.

"Worry not young one, you shall have many years to make it up to your siblings, for you are all young. As for your parents and Eldarion, they died of noble cause. You are here and you will make many accomplishments that will prove their deaths meaningful. I know you cannot believe me because your heart grieves after all I have told you, but you are immortal you must come to amends with yourself, or you will have dishonoured your family's deaths as well as your own. Do not fret over that either, for I have faith that you will forgive yourself, as will William and Amariel. They will find such happiness here they will forget about the past." Azure nodded, she could not speak. Then she turned and walked away. She went up the stairs very quickly, walking right into someone in her sudden need to disappear.

"Azure, what troubles you?" Azure looked up at her name. It was Legolas, he seemed concerned too, but she really wasn't in the mood to talk.

"I have to go," was all she managed to get out, her mind was so busy she couldn't tell left from right, let alone come up with a conversation. Then she flew past him to her room. It surprised her greatly that she was able to make it back to her room, but the thought didn't remain in her head very long. Once in her room she cut the distance between the door and her bed in record time. She curled up atop the covers and sat completely still staring out of her window. She would not leave her room until she had everything figured out! There she stayed for many a day….