Chapter 9


Ascafeniel's hurried preparations were suddenly halted by an appearance from her handmaiden. Rinvilyaiel's skin looked sickly and her eyes held more than a little fear.

"Were you going to tell me?" she asked, her voice louder and more powerful than usual.

Ascafeniel was slightly taken aback and was unsure how to answer. She knew, of course, what the woman spoke of, but how to tell her the truth?

"I do not know, my friend. I feared your reaction, and I was right to do so," was her answer and upon hearing it, her friend's face fell.

"How could you go without me? I must go with you. I will go with you." Her voice was strong with no tremor of doubt.

Still, Ascafeniel knew she could not ask her friend to risk her life for her. She meant to say as much, but Rinvilyaiel stopped her before she could.

"No Ascafeniel," she almost shouted. She never used the Princess' first name. "I am going with you. You will need me, if only because a friend is needed. I intend to speak with Lord Elrond on the matter in only a few minutes. I hope to be able to tell him that I have your permission."

Ascafeniel sighed. "I can not stop you. But, I suppose the trip will be less bleak should you be there to add your own light to the dark paths. Yes, Rinvilyaiel, you have my permission."

With that, Rinvilyaiel bowed and murmured a quiet "thank you" before leaving, heading in the direction of the garden.

As soon as she'd gone, Ascafeniel resumed packing, but slowed at the sound of approaching footsteps. She pretended as if she didn't notice, for she recognized the quiet footfalls. At the last possible second, she dropped the item she was holding and spun around, flashing out with a hand palm-out, to his stomach. He caught it easily and pulled it behind her back, pulling her to him in the process.

"Trying to sneak up on me, Prince?" she asked softly, his eyes searing her soul.

"No. But, perhaps to surprise you."

"Ah, but good sir, to surprise on Elf is close to impossible." Her voice was almost silent now, but the humor in it stood out.

"Ah, 'tis true. But, I think I have succeeded in doing so on a previous occasion."

She could feel her face heat at the mention of that, yes, surprising kiss the night before. He chuckled softly at the delicate pink her cheeks had turned and she was forced to smile in return. The grip on the arm behind her back had, by now, become a soft touch that carried up her arm to rest on her face.

"You are so beautiful, Ascafeniel," he breathed, quietly.

Before she could respond to this out-of-nowhere compliment, his lips met hers and her breath was completely taken away. She could only sigh softly, as her arms traveled, of their own accord, up his back to curl around the back of his neck, her fingers playing in his hair.

The warmth of his arms around her dimmed the cool of the room in which they stood, as he held her even more tightly to him. But, he pulled back, making her look up into his eyes in surprise.

"I spoke to your father, Ascafeniel," he said, his tone suddenly very serious.

"Why? What did you need to speak with him about?" she asked in return, her eyes still somewhat clouded.

"I am going with you, to Lothlorien."

Her heart leaped at this, for, now, the journey did not seem so dark.

"I am happy to hear it. The trip was going to be quite lonely, but now, my heart is less heavy."

When he did not comment at this, she looked into his eyes, seeing only worry there.

"What is it?" she questioned as he stepped back to sit on her bed.

"Something your father said. He said that Maegquareiel would face challenges that even you could not help her with, but I would have to. I fear it. Your sister............well, friend, I suppose, wields a great deal of power. How can I help her where you can not?"

Ascafeniel moved to sit next to him. She put her head on his shoulder. "You will know, when the time comes."

He stood from her, and took her hand. He placed a light kiss on it then said, "Now, I must prepare and tell Vanawethwen of my plans. Until later, Ascafeniel."

He bowed and walked from the room where she resumed her packing as if nothing had happened.