Chapter Four: Mar {"Home"}

Written by Telahalien

Webposter's notes: This is written from the original, creative mind of Ally (AGAIN!) Elbereth shines on you (AGAIN!)!

"M'lady, wake up!" Gentle hands shook her, as she slept soundly.

She awoke immediately and sat up, "What is it?"

Her handmaiden looked at her, "M'lady, Lord Elrond said that as your punishment you had to attend every council held from now on, and there's a small council going on as we speak. Lord Elrond sent me to wake you, you're late."

The hand maiden exited the room leaving Halien sitting on the bed. "This is torture!" she exclaimed as she hit the bed with her fists. However, she knew that if she didn't follow Elrond's orders someone was going to pay dearly. She skipped her bath, so that she wouldn't make herself any more late, and threw on a white gown. She brushed her hair nearly ripping it all off her head.

Then she ran through the halls trying to make it to the council. She slowed her pace as she reached the council. Patting down her skirt, and finger brushing her hair she stepped into the open room.

Elrond looked over and acknowledged her presence with a slight nod. She went and sat at his side. The council was more than boring, it was regular Orc news and such. Halien paid no attention, and instead looked around her. Most of her life she had spent under these trees, and sometimes she was sent with Arwen to Lothlorien to visit their grandmother. The woods of Lorien were beautiful, and if it was up to her she would stay there, but Elrond wouldn't allow it. It had been years since her last visit to them, and the leaves here in Rivendell were turning gold and would soon fall. Her ears picked up the sweet sound of the water rushing and the birds. She sighed loudly at the though of missing out on the beauty of the place. Instead she was stuck in this boring meeting.

Elrond caught her sight and gave her a stern look, "Do you have a say in this matter, Halien?"

She snapped back into reality and shook her head, "No, m'lord."

"Very well then."

The council went on a bit longer as more news from the outside world came in. Halien looked at the elves that surrounded her. Sure, elves were very fair, but in her eyes they all looked the same. None of them caught her eyes. I guess that's why I can't find 'love,' she thought to herself.

After what seemed like ages the council came to an end. Elrond stood and prepared to walk out, "Are you coming, Halien?"

Halien stood her legs numb and almost giving out on her. She smiled weekly and tried to step forward. She stumbled, but continued her walk towards Elrond. They walked out together not saying a word.

Finally Elrond spoke, "This is for your own good, Halien. All of this will help you later on in life." He continued to walk but said nothing, but then he continued, "I fear for you," he stopped and faced her now, "Your attention seems to fade, and your interest on anything grows weak. I don't know how I may aid you because you will not tell me."

She cast her glance down and walked towards a balcony that stood nearby. Her hands gripped the railing lightly and she looked out to the trees. A cool breeze made her hair whip across her face, "There is nothing wrong with me, m'lord. I assure I am perfectly fine." She feigned a smile for his sake, but she knew that she was not ok.

He gave her a long look and stood silently before he said, "Very well, you may spend the rest of your day however you wish..." She jumped and squealed in delight, but Elrond had not finished, "But... you and Arwen may not be together."

Her smiled faded and she stood still, "As you wish, m'lord."

He kissed her on the forehead and left her. Turning to a wall near her, she began to bang her head. What the heck was she supposed to do with the rest of her day? There was actually nothing to do, and she didn't want to have any of her "How to be a lady lessons." Most of her day was spent in her room or near the waterfalls.

At night she stood outside in her balcony and closed her eyes. Rivendell was even more beautiful in the night. The milky moon shone bright in the crisp night, and the stars blinked now and then with their golden light. A breeze made the trees sway to and fro, and the birds called softly to one another. She hummed lightly to herself, and tilted her head up. At last she was much too tired to admire the splendor of the night, and she fell on her bed exhausted.