Chapter Two: Bein Ahka {"Beautiful Waterfall"}

Written by Telahalien

Webposter's notes: This is written from the original, creative mind of Telahalien. Elbereth shines on you!

The roar of the water was whimsical; it refreshed her soul like no other sound ever could. A loose strand of hair flew across her face as she stared out into the waterfall. She closed her eyes as the mist of the water slowly kissed her face. The roars of the waterfall filled her ears and awoke her heart making it beat faster. She could smell the wet earth and sense the flowers that would soon grow from it. No one could deny the beauty of such a place; Rivendell.

She could hear small steps coming towards her, but she pretended not to notice. She knew it was Arwen creeping up on her. Just when Arwen was going to push her into the water she moved out of the way, making her fall into the water instead. Once Arwen swam up to the surface she squirted a mouth full of water at her.

"Arwen, don't start something you can't finish," she threatened.

"Oh, what are u going to do about it Telahalien?"

"I'm going to hurt you... badly... m'lady."

"Oh, really?" Arwen asked and prepared to squirt more water at her. Just at that moment their father, Lord Elrond, came up behind Telahalien and was squirted with water.

Arwen crawled out of the water and rushed to her father, "Father, I am so sorry! That was aimed for Halien. I'm sorry.. I'm-"

Her words were cut short by Halien's laughter. She stood there gripping her sides, and laughing.

"And just what is so amusing Halien," Lord Elrond asked wiping the water from his face.

She stifled her laughter and managed an answer, "If you ask me m'lord I think she meant to do it!"

"Yes, Halien I do agree, but I also think you had something to do with it." Lord Elrond said feigning suspicion and then anger. It was Arwen's turn to laugh as she saw the look of incredibility in Halien's face.

Her laughter quieted down and Lord Elrond spoke again, "I have something to discuss with both of you. Go now and rest and we will speak after you are rested." With that he left both of the elven girls there.

"I'll race you," Arwen said getting ready to take off.

"Okay," Halien agreed as she pushed Arwen back into the water. She ran of and heard when Arwen resurfaced to protest, "No fair!"

She ran into her room laughing, and threw herself on the bed. Her red hair matted on her forehead from the beads of sweat that started to form there. She stood out among all other elves, not only because of her beauty, but also because of her red hair, which she had inherited from her mother. Halien had never actually met her real parents, she was found not far from Rivendell. Lord Elrond and his wife Celebrian had raised her as their second daughter. Her green eyes also set her apart since they were rare among elves. She was tall and was never the lady like daughter Celebrian would have wanted. Even though Celebrian tried to teach her the same as Arwen, Halien didn't much care for manners and etiquette. She would wrestle in the mud with her half brothers Elladan and Elrohir, and run wild all around Rivendell. Sometime she had archery contests with the boys, and would play swordfight until she beat them. She was really good at wielding a sword, and at hand to hand battle. Lord Elrond knew nothing of her training that would take place early in the morning before any awoke.

She owed everything to Lord Elrond for taking her in even though she was not of his blood. All of her life she had been treated likes a princess, but now she tired of it and only wished to be out in an adventure. Her adoptive parents were very overprotective and would not let her set foot out of Rivendell unless several guards accompanied her. When she was little she appreciated all of this, but now that she was 2,943 years old she was tired of it.

She stood up slowly from her bed and called for her lady in waiting to prepare a bath for her. Once she had taken a bath, she put on a dress, which she knew would please the Lady Celebrian, and meet the expectations of Lord Elrond. She was not allowed to wear leggings as she had requested more than once. Instead she was forced into dresses that hugged her body tightly and didn't allow her to move as much.

After she was done dressing she headed out into the hall and made straight for Lord Elrond's chamber. She knocked slightly and then opened the door. "My lord, I am here at your request."

"Come in Halien," Elrond gestured with his hand pointing to a chair. Arwen already sat there looking tall with a humorless face. She was always like that in front of her father, but she was more than wild when he wasn't around. Halien walked slowly and sat down gracefully in a chair next to her. She smiled and received a quick smile from Arwen.

"As you both know, the time of the Elves is ending and we must leave these lands," Lord Elrond said pacing back and forth in front of them. Halien's thoughts digressed, and she began thinking of how this dress was suffocating her. She tried to pay attention, she seriously did, but everything was distracting. Her glance fell on Arwen who sat there facing their father. Arwen, the Evenstar. Her beauty was astonishing, all knew it, but everyone also knew that she belonged to Elessar. Their love was great and no one could come in between them. Except for the simple fact that he was mortal and she was not. Unlike Arwen, Halien had never known what it felt like to be in love, or be loved. She had never really thought of it because to be truthful the thought scared her.

"Halien, are you listening to me?" Lord Elrond said facing her.

Halien quickly looked back at Elrond, and smiled, "Yes, milord."

"Well then, you'll have no trouble repeating what I have just said."

Halien felt her stomach turn; she was in for it now. "You... uh...well we...."

Elrond sighed loudly and turned his back on her, "Go to your room Halien. You are not to speak with Arwen at all, and you will have no dinner tonight."

"But I..." Halien stopped short, she knew there was no use in fighting. When Elrond ordered something he wanted it done. She put her head down and walked past him, "As you wish, my lord."

Once she had left the room she went to her own, and undressed. She put on her night gown and laid down on her bed. The moon shone brightly from her balcony, and the sound of the waterfalls in the distance were like a lullaby to her. She fell asleep fast, and had a dream filled sleep.