Chapter One

"Danidriel!" Boomed Elrond as he searched for her throughout the palace.

She heard him, and looked around to see where he was. She noticed him out of the corner of her eye, and he was coming towards her. Running frantically away, she rushed through the garden. On a bench sat Gandalf, reading a large book, she ran to him.

"Oh! Dani my girl, how are you?" He asked merrily. "What has happened this time?" He had heard Elrond's shout and knew she would come to him eventually seeking a hiding spot.

"Nothing!" She cried. "I didn't do it this time. It was the twins, I promise! He just always thinks that I did it." She sank down next to her friend, thankful for the break in trying to escape Elrond's furry.

Ever since Arwen was born, he had spent all his time with her. Sure, he spent time with the twins, a lot, but never with Dani. It was as if he never even thought about her. And if anything went wrong, she was always somehow involved. Celebrian was the only female to ever understand her. But now she was gone, so Dani had no one. Of course she had Arwen, but they weren't close, as sisters should be. Therefore, she had no grown elf to guide her to her 'pre-teen' years, as mortals called them. She had only herself.

Dani looked like any other 11 year old girl, but really she was 37 years old. Her sapphire eyes looked exhausted right now, for she had been running away from Elrond for the past hour, and he still hadn't cooled down from his fury. The twins were shooting arrows in one of the halls, and had broken a vase, and a very beautiful one at that. And since no one was around to take the heat, it was Dani's fault. It always was.

Her dark red hair was pulled back from her face, and into a ponytail at her neck. The hair around her face was mated to her skin, from the perspiration of her forehead. Her hair was a very peculiar color, it was said that she had gotten it from her mother, and she was glad she held a part of her within herself. It was also very think and sometimes bothersome to her, but everyone thought it was beautiful. Arwen would tease her sometimes and say that she could lure a male with her hair.

"Danidriel!" Was heard once again, and close, so she hopped down and ran through the bushes near by.

"Goodbye Gandalf!" She waved behind her, as he chuckled. But soon stopped when Elrond approached him.

"Gandalf old friend, have you seen Danidriel?" He was the only one who used her full name all the time.

"No, I haven't, but when you do find her, I would like to have a talk with my friend." He said, giving no clue that he had just seen her. He had given her whereabouts the first time she had come seeking his protection, only because he didn't know how mad Elrond had been. She hadn't done whatever it was that time either, but she paid for it. She had to help wash all of the night's dinner dishes sparkling clean. Ever since then, he had let her slip past him, and go on her way. What more could a friend do?

"Alright, but if you do find her first, tell her to come to me immediately." He said sternly, and then went back to his search.

Dani ran to the stables, and fetched her horse. A snow-white mare that was her best friend. Many a time she had escaped during the day and went for long rides. Of course she wasn't allowed to leave Rivendell's boarders, but no one was ever around, so she did one day, and came across a place where she would seek solitude from the harshness of everyday life. No one, and not even the twins, or anyone in Rivendell knew of this place. It was hidden behind a great large weeping willow, so no one had thought of going through. But she had, and came across the most beautiful place she had ever seen. There was a small little waterfall on the left side that emptied into a large pool of water. There were rocks on the right side of the pond large enough to sit on and just was the crystal clear water fall from where ever it came from. Dani spent hours here, only she and her horse Ruviel knew of its whereabouts.

So this was the spot where she rode. Getting off her horse, she went to the waters edge and splashed the cool water on her face and then went to lay in the grass by the water. Ruviel had taken to grazing not far off, and Dani just lay there, away from her problems, away from Elrond, and away from the place she had called home ever since the dreadful day she had arrived. Life was not bad in Rivendell, she was treated as a royal, which she happened not to like, but she would not complain. She was told to do the most mundane things, like fetch some water for Elrond, go and get Arwen's new gown from her wardrobe, but still she did not complain.

She and Arwen were taught the things a lady should know, like how to eat properly, how to walk in the fancy gowns, how to ride side-saddle, which Dani never did. Her instructor had gone to Elrond many times telling of how she had refused to ride sidesaddle. She would put up with the gowns and finery only because she had too, but she did not see the point in riding sidesaddle.

"What would I do in a dress on a horse, riding side-saddle, and then orcs come out of nowhere? I can't gallop off to safety." She had told her instructor as she sat atop her horse one leg on each side, while Arwen would be watching, sitting side-saddle as Elrond watched and praised Arwen for accomplishing the 'oh-so-hard' task of sitting on a horse.

"You would have soldiers around you so you could ride off to safety." He had said.

"But orcs have bows; they could shoot me and kill me if they saw me leaving."

"Danidriel, I do not have time for this, will you please listen to Anomiel and do as you're told." He said sharply and then turned to leave.

Dani rolled her eyes, and whispered for Ruviel to go to their spot. She was off with great speed, and didn't listen to Elrond's shouting.

"Danidriel! Get back here this moment!" But she was already gone, and he sighed angrily and turned to go off to his study to clear his head.

That was just last month, and she smiled to herself. Her punishment was brutal, but she didn't care. To come to this spot would wipe away the thought of punishment and just fill your head with daydreams, or sleep and total freedom to do whatever you please. That is why she came here as often as everyday. To be free.

The sun was sinking below the horizon, so Dani got up and stretched.

"Ruviel, come on lets go. Dinner will be served shortly and I want to see how many dished will need cleaning tonight." She said as she got atop Ruviel and left at a trot back home. Well, her second home.

She left Ruviel at the stables, not wanting to leave, but she did. As she walked up the steps to the large front hall, she was met by Arwen.

"Father says he wants to see you right after dinner." Arwen said with a sad look at Dani. They weren't as close as sisters but they were somewhat close. Dani would share a lot with Arwen, and vice-versa. But never about her secret spot. "He said you broke the vase in the hall, is that true?"

"No. Elladan and Elrohir did it. They were shooting their arrows, and then they hurried off." Arwen nodded.

"I thought so. They were whispering about something earlier, and then got quiet when I asked them about it."

Dani only nodded, and sighed as she looked towards the dinning hall. Knowing that a quality night spent with the dishes was no doubt going to be her punishment.

"Come on let's go and get it over with" She said and looped her arm in Arwen's as they walked to the dinning hall.

Dinner went by quietly. Dani did not speak and ate her meal. After she was done, Elrond told her to stay and wait until everyone left. When they did, he sighed and looked at her.

"As punishment for breaking the vase you will clean tonight's dishes." He said and left before she could reply. She got up from the chair and started to collect the plates and silver.

"I'll help" Said a voice and she looked up. There was Arwen, picking up the dishes at the other end.

"Thanks" Dani whispered.

"You're welcome, besides, what are sisters for?" She said and the two smiled at each other.

The two stood at a large sink, Dani washing and Arwen drying.

"You know, I think I have washed these dishes at least ten times in the last four months." Dani said with a laugh. "But its better than getting yelled at"

"I don't know why he blames you for everything. The twins do almost everything you get blamed for doing. It's not fair."

"Life is not fair" Dani said. Arwen looked at her then went back to drying.

The two spent the night washing and drying the dished, talking like sisters do. In the late night they finally went to bed. Dani, wondering what tomorrow would bring.