~DISCLAIMER~ Aside from Rae, Calime, Emeriel, and the two small characters from "The Feast," I also own Shamiel. And she will appear later. But Tolkien still owns everyone else. And currently "everyone else" is Galadriel, Celeborn, and one mention of Elrond and of the Mirkwood Elves. But more will appear.
Emeriel and I were walking west through Lórien.
"The sun's light glitters on the water,
Reflecting through clear air
Lighting the land and sea," she sang.
"But starlight glinting in the deep night
Is the light that I love—
The light from the dark," I finished my own verse. We knew it was a stupid song and it barely could be considered as having a musical rhythm, but we didn't care. So we just grinned, enjoying the sun and off-handedly looking for my necklace.
Around us, we could hear other Elves adding more verses to our song. Elves can hardly hear a song without singing along. It is one of the many parts of elven culture that puts it above others. And despite my human lineage, I am known throughout Lórien as having one of the best voices.
"Look! Here comes Calíme!" Emeriel said waving. I waved with her.
"Oh look," I said and stopped waving. "Shamiel's with her."
Shamiel is another she-elf who is Calíme's friend. She has never particularly liked me but I don't know exactly why. Every opportunity she gets, she reminds me of my human qualities that don't quite measure up to elven qualities. Usually cruelly. As long as she is around, she sees to it that I never feel completely accepted by the Elves.
I sighed and followed Emeriel over to where they were standing.
"Cali! Shamiel, hi," Emeriel said.
"Hey Em! Hi Rae!" Calíme smiled.
"Hi Emeriel. Hello," Shamiel said, pointedly leaving out my name. Calíme explained to me once that Shamiel never refers to me by "Raélowen." She usually calls me "human" when I'm not around. Apparently no other creature (and humans especially) should have the honor of bearing an elven name.
"Shamiel and I were just going down to the river," Calíme said, trying to keep peace. "Just for a walk. You two can come if you want."
"Uh…" I wanted to, for I love the river and I hadn't been able to spend much time with Calíme as of late. Shamiel had recently made it her goal to see that Calíme stopped "wasting her time" with me.
"But Calíme," Shamiel broke in. "I need to talk to you. Alone!"
Calíme sighed and gave me a sad look. "Sorry," she mouthed to me. I just smiled sadly.
"Oh Calíme, will you run and get me a leather thong? I may want to tie my hair back and I don't have one," Shamiel asked. Calíme just nodded and ran lightly up the stairs.
"Such a shame," Shamiel said to me with a sweet smile, "that you have such dark hair. It's such an obvious human trait."
I kept a straight face but could not speak I was so angry.
"Shamiel," Emeriel said slowly. "I have heard stories of dark-haired Elves. Is not the Lord Elrond of Rivendell dark-haired?"
Shamiel was quiet for a moment. "I believe you are mistaken. You have long been here in Lórien, Emeriel. Maybe your memory is fading."
I had to grab Emeriel's wrist to keep her from slapping Shamiel's smug grin from her face. Calíme got back then and she and Shamiel left us.
"I'm sorry, Rae. Really I am," Emeriel said, seeing how upset I was.
I forced a smile. "Don't worry about it. She doesn't bother me." But Em knew I was lying.
"Come on," she gestured to me. "Let's go visit the border guards." I nodded and followed her, but all urge to sing as we went along was gone.
