Gadien Elf-I must admit, I'm updating for you. No one else has read yet, so I figure I'll just keep updating so I don't lose my only reviewer. Thanks for reading.
Chapter 5
Haeorewen rose early that morning with the intention of speaking with her sister. She put on a simple deep blue gown and brushed out her hair, adding her silver circlet as a last touch. She greeted the Elves she saw in the hallway with a cheerful smile and continued her swift walk to her sister's room.
She pushed the door open with her sister's name on her lips. But the sight she was greeted with turned the "Ascafeniel" to "Ascafuh......" Her sister lay sleeping in the arms of the Elf prince who still sat, awake, holding her. Haeorewen cleared her throat. "Good morning, Prince. I trust you......slept well?"
"In truth, Lady, I slept not at all, though your sister had little trouble doing so." He laughed lightly which caused Ascafeniel to open sleep-blurred eyes.
As soon as she was where she was, she sat bolt upright, her eyes widening. She turned to her sister and smiled patiently, standing as she did so. "Haeorewen, if you seek my council, perhaps it would be best if you returned later." She turned to Legolas, who by now had stood up, "Good Sir, I would appreciate a moment to get dressed for the day."
He nodded in reply, bowed to Haeorewen, and walked from the room, expecting her to follow. Instead, she shut the door behind him, quickly. Ascafeniel sighed, "Haeorewen, now is not the time."
"On the contrary, it is the perfect time." She sat on the edge of her older sister's bed, turning to peer intently at the composed princess. "What happened?"
Ascafeniel's carefully gathered grace fell to pieces as she sank to the bed next to her sister. "I swear to you, Haeorewen, nothing happened. We talked, then sat down, and I fell asleep. That's all. I am sorry for him, for he must have stayed up all night."
She sat there in silence for a moment, quietly reliving the moments she remembered before peaceful slumber had conquered her. The bed shifted underneath her, causing her silent reverie to break, as her sister stood.
"I am glad you are happy, sister." Haeorewen left her sister where she sat on her bed, ned ol. (in dream)
Her heart was happy for the joy of her sister as she traversed the now empty halls to Maegquareiel's chambers. This news was not of the sort that one keeps in shadow. That Ascafeniel was in love with the Mirkwood prince was certain and there was little question that she'd loved him all along. But, did he return this love?
The thought stopped her in her tracks, at the threshold to Maegquareiel's chambers. If Legolas did not love Ascafeniel, she would be utterly heartbroken. But, he must, mustn't he? He would not stay awake the whole night, pillowing her sleep if he had no love for her. The need to speak with Maegquareiel became far more urgent as these thoughts swirled in her head. Unfortunately, there was no response to her furtive knocking.
Unable to wait any longer, Haeorewen pushed the door open and peered in..........at an empty room. Well, almost empty. Rinvilyaiel stood, tidying the room.
"Rinvilyaiel, do you know to where Maegquareiel has gone?"
"She did not tell me, but merely asked me to wait here for you. Apparently she knew you would come here, isn't that odd? But, the message was even more strange," she trailed off. Haeorewen stood patiently, waiting for it. But, Rinvilyaiel did not speak it.
"Yes, I'm sure it was odd, Rinvilyaiel, but it would help me greatly if you'd speak it." She struggled to keep her impatience from slipping into her voice.
"Oh, yes. She said to have hope. That's all, have hope. Now, isn't that odd?"
"Yes, Rinvilyaiel," she answered, her voice quiet, "very, very odd. I'm going to the river, Rinvilyaiel. She will probably be there." She made to leave, but paused a moment, turning back to the silent handmaiden. "I am sorry to have been short with you, Rinvilyaiel. You are a good friend to me and I wish never to risk our friendship."
"My Lady," Rinvilyaiel spoke, softly, "there will never be a time when I leave you."
Haeorewen smiled warmly at her quiet friend and guardian, then rushed from the room towards the open waterfall of Bruinen.
