Chapter 1, Meetings.
The sun shone brightly as Rinamarth, youngest daughter of Lord Elrond awoke. It streamed through her windows, and leaves fluttered gently down around her. She rose, got dressed, and went to see her father.
"Ah Rinamarth, how are you on this fine morning?" Elrond asked as his daughter entered his study. Rinamarth just nodded. She sat down opposite her father and looked at him.
"No sorry, no cure has been found yet," he said sadly. Rinamarth didn't do anything. They were looking for a cure for her. When she was younger, a witch had put a spell on her and stolen her voice, because Elrond was her enemy. That was over 500 years ago. The witch had never been found, but it was thought she would be dead by now anyway. Every morning, Rinamarth would go to her father and look at him, asking with her eyes. And every morning, she received the same answer.
"No, not yet."
She hated not being able to speak; it made her feel insecure and lonely. Her sister and brothers were a constant support to her, but she was still sad. She got to her feet, and left. Her father watched as she sadly left his study. He loved all his children dearly, and hated to see Rinamarth so sad. He was determined that one day, a cure would be found.
Rinamarth walked in the gardens of Rivendell, admiring the plants, and listening to the birds happily singing. She used to be a beautiful singer. She smiled as she remembered the times when she would sing for her family. She missed that. She would mime along to the music sometimes, but it was never the same. Her family missed her singing too; it had always brought cheer and happiness to their hearts. Since she had lost her voice, a happiness had left Rivendell. Hardly anyone sang any more. She had always been the one to do all the singing, and everyone else would follow. Now they had no voice to follow. Her sister Arwen was a beautiful singer too, but she didn't like to sing without Rinamarth by her side. She always followed her sister. She still followed her, but not in that way.
Rinamarth came to the river, and sat down on the bank. She liked to listen to the water bubbling along, and every now and then, a bird would come down, have a drink and maybe a little splash around. It made her happy. She couldn't even laugh. Well she could, but it was silent. Whenever she cried, they were silent tears that fell. She couldn't join in with her friends' conversations. If she wanted to make a point, she would have to tap someone's shoulder to make him or her notice her, then she'd mouth whatever she wanted to say. Or she'd write it down. She nearly always carried some paper and a pen round in case she needed it. This had improved her handwriting, and she could write fast and yet still neatly. She probably had the neatest handwriting in Rivendell.
Anyway, she was sitting quietly, listening to the water when trumpets sounded from the House. This announced that guests had arrived. She then remembered that a company from Mirkwood was staying for a while. She silently sighed, got to her feet, and ran quickly back.
As she rounded the final corner, she saw a load of white stallions come galloping in, and her father walked down the stairs, closely followed by Arwen. She ran to her sister's side, and they stood a little way behind their father. Their mother waited at the top of the stairs. Elrond welcomed the guests warmly.
"Lord Thranduil, it is a pleasure to see you again."
"Thank you Lord Elrond, for letting us stay. Here, let me introduce my son. You have not met before I believe. This is Legolas Greenleaf." A tall, golden-haired, blue-eyed Elf stepped out from behind Thranduil. He bowed to Elrond, and Elrond bowed in return. "My Lord," Legolas said, standing up straight again. For a fleeting moment, his eyes met with Rinamarths' and she got drawn into them. They were so crystal clear, such a pure blue. She too, had blue eyes, but they were not as beautiful as his. She could feel her cheeks turning red.
"This is my eldest daughter, Arwen" Elrond continued. She stepped forward and bowed. Thranduil bowed and kissed her hand. "We have met before dear Lady," he said. She smiled and nodded. Legolas also bowed and kissed her hand. "My Lady," he said, smiling at her.
"And this is my youngest, Rinamarth."
Rinamarth stepped forward and bowed. Thranduil bowed and kissed her hand.
"It is a pleasure to see you again my Lady." She nodded.
Legolas stepped forward, bowed, and kissed her hand. "My Lady," he said, smiling at her. She smiled back. Elrond and Thranduil glanced at each other. Legolas knew about Rinamarths' inability to speak. He thought she was so fair, and that it was unfair that she could no longer speak or laugh. They all headed inside. CelebrÃan greeted them at the top.
"Welcome to Rivendell, King Thranduil and Prince Legolas of Mirkwood." They all went inside.
That night, there was a feast, followed by a dance, as is the Elvish custom. Rinamarth sat in between Arwen and her mother, and Legolas sat next to his father. For a while, each just sat there, not wanting to dance. Elrond looked over to his daughter. She wasn't smiling; she never enjoyed these dances. He frowned. He looked at Thranduil who was sitting next to him. He was also looking at Rinamarth.
"What's the matter with her?" he asked.
"Since she lost her voice, she has lost all joy in music, dancing, singing. She can't ask anyone to dance, and people are too shy to ask her because she is the Princess. It's awful for her, poor child," Elrond replied.
"I'll ask Legolas if he'll dance with her."
"Good idea." Thranduil turned to his son. He was talking to his friend Veborion who was next to him.
"Legolas." He turned back round.
"Yes adar? (father)"
"Will you ask Rinamarth for a dance?" Legolas looked over to where she was seated. She was looking at the floor, not watching the dancers, or listening to the music. She looked lonely and upset. He had a desperate desire to make her happy and to smile again, like she had smiled at him earlier that very same day. But he didn't want to offend her in any way.
"Er, adar, I'm not sure."
"Oh go on, she needs cheering up, you can see that. You have both just been sitting down all evening, doing nothing. Go on, the next dance is about to begin." Legolas took a deep breath, got to his feet, and walked over to her. As he approached, Rinamarth looked up. "Do you want to dance?" he asked, holding out his hand. A smile crossed her face. She nodded, and took his hand. They went onto the dance floor, and danced. They twirled and spun, let go of each other's hand, then took hold of them again. They would sway gently on the spot, and then the pace would quicken again, so they would turn a bit quicker. Everyone watched them in awe. They were such graceful dancers, so perfect together. The music ended, and everyone clapped. It was only then; they realised that they were the only ones left on the dance floor. Everyone had cleared it for them. Each felt their cheeks burn. Rinamarth bowed to him, and he kissed her hand. They went back to their seats. As she sat down, Arwen and her mother both started talking at the same time.
"Wow, you two were fantastic out there!" Arwen said, her eyes glittering.
"You were wonderful," added her mother. Rinamarth smiled. He was such a graceful dancer. She had never danced with anyone so beautifully before.
As he took his seat, Thranduil clapped him on the back.
"See, that wasn't too hard was it? You were both brilliant out there!"
"Thanks father. She's amazing. At dancing!" he added hastily. He looked at her. She was looking at him. She smiled, and blushed. He smiled back, but could feel his cheeks reddening again. He looked away, and talked with Veborion again, who was also congratulating him on his performance.
But he couldn't stop thinking about her. It didn't matter she couldn't speak, she was so beautiful, it made up for it. Her eyes were so clear, so sparkling. Her face was as fair as an angels'. She had a heart-warming smile that touched his heart. And her dancing was incredible. The girls at home were good, but she beat them by miles. He felt as if he could dance with her forever.
The evening passed by, but neither of them danced again. Thranduil and Elrond noticed this. Elrond went to talk to his daughter. He took her aside.
"How are you?" he asked. She smiled, and waved her hand as if to say "Ok."
"Good. Do you like Legolas?" She nodded.
"He's very nice," she mouthed. Elrond smiled.
"Why don't you dance again?" he asked. She shook her head. He nodded.
"Fair enough and they went back to their seats.
Veborion went dancing with an Elf-maiden, and Thranduil grabbed the opportunity to talk to his son.
"Why don't you dance with Rinamarth again?" he asked.
"No, once is enough."
"Well, go for a walk together. Get to know each other a bit better. Go on," he urged him. Legolas looked at her. She caught him looking and smiled. The same thought crossed her mind.
//I want to know him better.//
She got to her feet, and walked over. She held out her hand. Legolas smiled, and took it. She led him outside.
She decided to take him down to the river, away from all the noise of the dance. They walked in silence for a while, then sat on the banks of the river. Legolas looked at her. Her face was sad. She wanted so desperately to talk to him, not just be silent all the time, but she couldn't She looked back at him. His eyes were full of care for her, but also sorrow. His face was so fair, so gentle. She could see that he cared deeply for her, and didn't want her to be hurt like this. She smiled at him. He smiled back. He loved her smile. It was so warm, so friendly. He wanted to start a conversation, but he didn't know what to say. She got out her piece of paper and pen, and wrote;
"Are you enjoying it?"
He smiled.
"Yes thank you, are you?" She nodded.
"Thank you for dancing with me," she wrote next.
"No problem," he replied. She smiled.
"Do you mind me writing it all down?" she asked.
"Of course I don't. If it makes it easier, I'll write too." She laughed, silently of course. Legolas tried to imagine what her laugh would sound like. Full of joy, happiness. Her eyes glinted in the moonlight, her smile lit up her whole face. Her long dark hair fell in waves over her shoulders.
//She's so perfect. Her voice must be beautiful.//
"I wish I could talk to you properly."
She wrote slowly and sadly. Her face was looking at the ground; her hand firmly gripping the pen. She could feel tears coming, but she was determined that they would not fall in front of him. He lifted her chin up and looked at her in the eyes.
"It doesn't matter," he said quietly. He could see the tears coming, but knew she wouldn't want them to fall. He stroked her cheek. She was startled at his touch, but didn't show it. His skin was so soft, gently stroking her cheek. She felt something deep inside, a feeling that she had never felt before.
//It cannot be?// she thought. //Love? Not this soon, surely. But then again, it is said that Elven love is true and instant.//
She looked deep into his eyes. He was really handsome. And he obviously liked her, and didn't mind that she couldn't talk. He was lovely. He smiled at her. She smiled back. A single tear rolled down her cheek, shining silver in the moonlight. He wiped it away.
"Don't cry," he whispered. She nodded, and wrote;
"Thank you. You're being really kind and friendly."
She showed him, and he smiled.
"Are we definitely friends then?" She nodded.
"If you want to be." she added.
"I do want to be," he replied, and kissed her, ever so softly on her cheek. She gave one back, and took his hand. She tilted her head towards the House.
"S'pose so," Legolas said reluctantly. They got to their feet, brushed the grass off of their clothes, and walked back, hand in hand.
As she sat back down with her sister and mother, Rinamarth thought to herself;
//The next few days are going to be great.//
I hope you enjoyed it. Please review, but be careful with flames as they might burn my chickens! Thank you. ^_^
