Disclaimer: I don't own anybody in this story except for Adariel and minor
character associated with her, i.e. Maids and other people like that…….. I
also made up the King and Lakewood.
Echoes of the Narbeleth
Spirit Star
Chapter 7: In which secrets are revealed
Adariel could feel the sunlight on her face, shining on her eyelids. It was warm. As her sense of smell surfaced from the dullness of the night, she could smell herbs in the air. Somewhere in her mind, something told her that she must be hurt pretty badly to be here. The scent of athela leaves was in the air. It smelt like spring.
Then she was aware of the call of the morning birds high above her in the tops of the trees. Mingled with that was the sound of her own breathing. And the breath of somebody else. Somebody else?
Her eyes snapped open, her body tense. The room was blurry, and for a moment she felt dizzy. She shook her head a little, but stopped because of the pounding in it. Squeezing her eyes shut tightly, then opening them again, she felt the room come into focus. Everything seemed to stop spinning. Adariel let out her breath in a long sigh.
The first thing she saw was the ceiling of the room she was in. And that made her realize that she was in Lothlorien again. The ceilings were decorated with intricately carved lines that made swirling patterns on the roof. Over her head was the outstretched hand of a carved maiden. She tried to turn toward the window, but found it too difficult to move because of the soreness of the bruising in both her back and front.
She then tried sitting up, but found that the change in position made her balance tip and caused her head to spin again. After finally gaining enough height to be on her elbows, her head couldn't hold out much longer and her elbows slipped, causing her to fall back on her back. As she did, her neck snapped up and her head slammed onto the pillow causing her chin to knock against her collarbone. The pain made her cry out involuntarily and her eyes water slightly. She lay still, tensed and a tear leaked out of her eye. She bit her lip and winced. The cut from her teeth on her lip from before hadn't closed up. She drew blood again.
As she lay there, breathing raggedly, she sensed a movement from her right, next to the window. Her eyes closed and she pretended to be asleep, even though her hand clutched the clovers tightly. There was a shadow that blocked the light for a second or two. She had forgotten that there was another in the room.
"All is well, Lady. I will not try to hurt you," a gentle but amused voice said. There was a smile in the voice, but also a trace of concern. Adariel opened one eye, then the other. She ran her tongue along her bottom lip and cringed at the rusty taste of blood in her mouth and wished she had something to say. For Legolas Greenleaf, Elven prince of the Woodlands was knelt next to her, his face furrowed in concern.
"You have had quite a night," he added, seeing that she now opened her eyes.
"I have?" she asked shakily, testing out her voice. It sounded a bit hoarse from disuse. She cleared her throat. "How so?"
Legolas said nothing. In truth, he had hardly slept a wink in the second half of the night leading up to dawn. At first he had woken to find this girl flushed and her hair damp, head thrashing and murmuring things like, "No! It can't be me!" and "This is not who I am!" Elderon had come in and said that she was haunted by a memory that visited her dreams. They'd put a damp cloth on her head and some more herbs were brought in. For the rest of the night, he could not go to sleep, watching her body shake with some unknown fear.
"It was a rough night for you," he answered her, and then looked out the window for a minute before resting his eyes back on her. Adariel suddenly felt self-conscious for the first time in her life that she could remember. Then she brushed that feeling away, thinking, "I am also a Princess, and I need not fear him," so she looked him straight in the eye and said, "If you don't mind, kind Sir, please help me up for I wish not to be bound to this position forever."
Legolas looked surprised. He would have thought that in her condition and with her in obvious discomfort that she would have opted to stay lying down. Still, she had asked, and he had no reason not to. The healers had said nothing against it. So he placed his arms around her back and gently pulled her up to a sitting position, then re-organized her pillows so she could lean against them. He drew back and looked at her. Her eyes looked clouded, and for a minute he was afraid that she would faint again. But she didn't. Her eyes cleared, and she blinked, turning her head slowly to look at him again.
"Thank you," she said simply, before cocking her head. He hoped that she wouldn't be like the other maidens who would smile at him and try to seduce him, or chase him. Especially at a time like this when he was alone, assigned to look after her, and on a very secret mission that only the Wise knew of. Back at home, every Elven maiden would try to talk to him, prying every little detail about him out, or they would flutter their eyes and try to show off their grace. He found it annoying.
But she was different. She leaned on her pillow looking up at him, and where all the other maidens would smile and thank him repeatedly, she just cocked her head a little and he saw the expression in her eyes soften a little. He was surprised, and glad at the same time.
"Are you hungry?" he asked, changing the subject. Strange or not, she still needed to be looked after (Elderon's orders), and he had to do it as soon as possible to rejoin the others who had probably spent the night here and were due to meet the Lady today.
"You need not be bothered by me," Adariel said, frowning, "I can look after myself. I am sure you have more important things to do,"
The way she said it made Legolas suddenly nervous, and Adariel noticed it. "Besides," she added, "I am not in need of anything anyway,"
Before Legolas could reply, Elderon came in the door and saw Adariel sitting up. He smiled. "I see, Lady, that you are indeed recovering. How fares your head?"
Adariel assured him that it was fine, and her other wounds had mostly healed. Elderon turned to Legolas and said, "I thank you for your help, and I now release you from it," Legolas nodded and walked out, trailing Elderon. Two Elves came in to help Adariel dress, and after feeling slightly unbalanced from standing, she found that she had indeed recovered most of her strength. She wasn't really surprised, when it came down to it, "After all," she said to herself, "They were minor wounds, really."
She was led out of the room and into the hall where the healers ate. They had dressed her up in a grey gown that left a slight trail behind her. It flowed like silver, and it was loose. Adariel found that it was very comfortable to move around in, and it flowed around her and whenever she stood in a slight breeze. They had also woven silver ribbons in her hair, and plaited two plaits that fell down in front of her ears.
She was seated next to Elderon, head of the healers. There was silence when she came in, and again, everybody commented on how wonderful she looked, and a few on how well she had recovered. Elderon smiled and after she was seated, proceeded to ask her about how she was feeling, and cautioning her of the side effects of the herbs they had used on her. Adariel pretended to look interested, for she knew all of this, so great was her skill in healing. But Elderon was skilled in conversation making, and soon Adariel was asking him all about how his skills in healing came to be.
By the end of the meal, Elderon had announced to the hall that Adariel was a healer in the making (and here Adariel blushed, but inwardly laughed at how little they knew her). Afterwards, she was showed to where she would spend the rest of her stay in Lothlorien, and to the her relief, it was nowhere near the healing hall. Then she was left to wander about through the city by herself for the rest of the day.
And that was how she met Arwen, daughter of Elrond, called Evenstar by her people. She was standing under a tree in a clearing with the light falling about her dark hair like a halo. Adariel saw now why she was named Evenstar by the Elves. She had blue eyes, bluer than that of an average Elf. Now, her gaze was turned to the sky through a gap in the canopy above. In her hand sat the golden bloom of Lothlorien, undisturbed by the breeze.
It was Arwen who first invited Adariel to her side with a smile and a nod. Adariel felt suddenly drawn to her and went over immediately, although her mind had warned her to be more cautious. But there turned out to be no need of caution in the face of Arwen Evenstar. The two soon became friends, and Adariel learnt that Arwen now resided in Rivendell, although she had lived with her mother Lothlorien for several years. Her father had drew her back to him finding it unsafe for her here in the South.
Adariel's liking of Arwen grew with every passing minute. She learnt that Arwen lead a life pretty much like her own, except that HER father, Elrond, did not actually go so far as to LOCK her into a room for all her life. In fact, Elrond did not really mind Arwen's comings and goings, although she was accompanied by her two brothers most of the time.
"Come for a walk around my mother's land," Arwen offered, taking a step forward and looking back at Adariel. Adariel readily followed, enjoying the company of her first friend in all her years in Middle Earth. A strange feeling was bubbling in her chest and she felt a little light headed, this time not from her head wound.
There came a point in their conversation as they were strolling through rich grass patches that Arwen said to Adariel, "I have told you all that there needs to be said about myself, but I fear that you have not said a thing about yourself. Pray tell, for a start, your name." Adariel was startled and wanted at first to give Arwen a false name, but then decided that Arwen was one to be trusted. Though she blushed, she did not falter at all when she said, "I am called Adariel, Maiden of Lakewood."
Arwen started, and looked at her. There was no disapproval in her expression; instead there was one of wonder and amazement. When Arwen spoke, her voice was not cold as Adariel might have imagined, but one that was filled with emotion, saying, "Long have I wanted to gaze upon you, Adariel."
Adariel was at first relieved, but that was replaced straight away by confusion. "What do you mean?" she asked, a frown upon her voice.
Arwen licked her lips, and opened her mouth slightly as if to speak, but then closed it. "Come, we must see Galadriel first, for I do not know what is to be done about this situation." This left Adariel even more confused than ever. "For now, please forget that our thoughts had ever strayed upon that path of thought. We will go see the Lady of the Woods tonight." Arwen added hurriedly, seeing the look on Adariel's face.
Adariel nodded in reply and the two continued on in silence. After a while, Arwen resumed the conversation and they took up their stroll once more through the golden trees of the city. Although Adariel's mind was focused on the conversation, somewhere in the back of it the words of Arwen rolled around like a fog that clouded all other thoughts. Why had Arwen wanted to meet her, the Maiden of Lakewood who was feared by many?
They stopped by a brook near sunset and gazed into the water. There were sparkles of light on the surface where the light of the sun reached through the leaves. The water was glassy, and followed the same pattern. The two sat side by side on the bank, at the foot of a small rise on the forest floor, enjoying each other's company. Adariel had lain back on the grass and closed her eyes, breathing in the smell of freshwater flowing over the rocks and listening to the whispers of the wind bringing the gossip of the grass.
Nothing interesting today. All grass ever said was that humans were too rough in their treatment, and were always stepping roughly over them, or cutting them down in their thousands. Their voices mingled together like the tinkle of bells, and although nothing useful was said, Adariel enjoyed listening to their voices. Once or twice her gaze strayed to Arwen, who was now leaning against the trunk of a tree, gazing up at the canopy with a faraway expression upon her face. Adariel thought best not to disturb her.
Then out of the tinkling grumbles of the grass, Adariel suddenly made out footsteps coming towards them from the other side of the rise. She opened her eyes and sat up quickly. Arwen snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Adariel with a question in her eyes. Adariel turned her head towards the top of the rise to see two figures looking down at them. The sun was shining behind them, and Adariel could not make out their faces although she knew one to be Elven and the other to be Man.
Then one of the two people on came briskly down towards the bank where they were sitting and Arwen gave a cry of recognition. It was none other than Aragorn Arathorn's son. Adariel heard Aragorn draw in a breath as he quickened his pace. Arwen stood up and the two embraced, each whispering hurriedly to the other. Adariel turned her head away as the two moved under the shade of a tree for more privacy.
She stared into the water for a while until Arwen and Aragorn walked towards her, out of the shade arm in arm. Adariel stood quickly.
"We've been looking for you for some time," Aragorn now said to Arwen as much as Adariel. "Lady Galadriel sent us to escort you to the feast."
"Then we beg your pardon," Arwen answered, taking his arm once again, "For we did not know. Otherwise we would have made our own way there."
They turned, and Adariel followed them until they up the bank where the other escort was waiting. With a start, Adariel realized that she had forgotten all about the other person standing on the brow of the rise. She lifted her eyes to see who it was, and immediately regretted it. Standing patiently in front of them was Legolas, clad in clothes that were a gift from the Lady while he was here.
He was wearing silvery-white clothes that flowed together to make it look like it was glittering with hidden stars. Not looking where she was going, she nearly bumped into Arwen, who had stopped with Aragorn to face Legolas. Embarrassed, Adariel took a slight step back and stood just behind her and bowed a little after Arwen.
"Come then, Legolas," said Aragorn, "We shall escort these Ladies to the feast as was asked of us, although I take it more as a privilege than a task,"
Legolas smiled in reply and offered his arm to Adariel, who hesitated before taking it. Aragorn and Arwen were already far ahead of them. Legolas turned his head had gazed down at Adariel, whispering, "It is nice to see that you have recovered so well, Lady,"
Adariel nodded, but did not return the look. They walked in silence following the couple in front of them, each lost in their own thoughts. Legolas was busy thinking about their journey, although every few minutes his thoughts would jump back to the maiden on his arm. Adariel, meanwhile, was extremely disturbed by the sudden flood of images from the mirror. They came so often that she was sure that there was a connection somewhere to her surroundings now. And she still hadn't figured out who that Elf was, lying on the altar.
'Blonde hair' she mused, about to bite her lip but then remembering the cut. 'Too bad that blonde hair is common amongst Elven kind. It must have been someone I knew, for otherwise, why would the mirror show me a stranger. The person must be of importance to me. And I had said that I love him. Could it be Father?' She thought along this line for a while, until she found that they had come to a halt.
Looking up, she had found that they had arrived into the hall where the feast was to be held. There was a polite clearing of a throat next to her, and she turned her head up to see Legolas patiently gazing down at her. With a start, she realized that she was still on his arm. Arwen and Aragorn had separated each bidding farewell to the other as they went to dress for the feast. Adariel blushed, swiftly jerking her hand away from his arm. Legolas's smile widened. He bowed in return to hers, and left with Aragorn, who was watching nearby, amused.
Adariel turned to find Arwen waiting for her. When the men had left, Arwen smiled at Adariel saying, "You have met Legolas before?" The two waked to where the maids were waiting, and Adariel replied, "Yes, this morning" but would say no more. They went their separate ways to change.
When Adariel came out again, she was clad in dark forest green, embroidered with leaves that hissed up her hem of the dress. A light green sash was loosely arranged around her waist, and her hair was left out to flow behind her. They hung a sparkling pendent around her neck that resembled the leaves that hung high above the city. Arwen was again, waiting for her.
"We shall go down now," Arwen said, holding out her hand to Adariel who was surprised. "I fear that I cannot take your hand," she said, "For that is a sign of sisterhood."
Arwen said nothing, and her hand was still held out to her. Slowly, Adariel placed her hand on hers, and satisfied, Arwen led her down to the hall. All the guests and Elves were already seated. Galadriel sat with Celeborn at the head of the table, and closest to her sat the members of the Fellowship, with Legolas, Gimli and two of the hobbits to one side, and Aragorn, Boromir and the other two hobbits on the other.
As they came down, there was silence. Everybody had turned their gaze towards them in awe. There had been a flurry of whispers when they had first entered that Evenstar and the beautiful stranger had arrived. Adariel felt extremely uncomfortable under their gazes, and although many looked upon her in this way in Lakewood, she was not used to receiving so much attention from strangers. They usually avoided her.
Galadriel stood gracefully, her eyes smiling. "Welcome, Arwen and Adariel, Elrond's daughters," she gestured to two seats closest on either side of her husband and herself, inviting them to sit down. "Please, Lothlorien is home to you both."
Arwen turned to smile at Adariel, half dragging her to where they were invited to sit. Adariel didn't notice, for she was many miles away from the happenings in the hall. Everybody had started whispering and talking, for nobody had heard of How could it be that Arwen was her blood sister? Where as Arwen resided in Rivendell and Lothlorien, Adariel was from faraway Lakewood, and she already had a father whom she loved dearly. Didn't she? Or maybe what she felt for him was that of forced liking. Hadn't her father shut her away for most of her immortal life? And why didn't he defend her name when the rumors had started out?
Dimly out of the muddle of her thoughts, she heard the Lady announce that the Fellowship and the Ringbearer were leaving the woods of Lothlorien to- morrow at the dawn of daylight.
It was all too confusing, and her head started to throb once more. In the midst of her wild thoughts, she heard the voice of Galadriel in her head. "Fear not, Adariel Elrond's daughter, for all shall be revealed to you soon." Adariel turned to find Galadriel smiling soothingly down at her. Adariel forced a smile in return, and tried to calm herself down. But her mind refused to be calm down, and as a result, she ended up pale and agitated. She hardly ate anything at all.
Watching Adariel, Aragorn leaned in and whispered to Arwen, who was sitting next to him, "Why did you not tell me that you had a sister? And why had I not seen her before?" Arwen shook her head and put a finger on his lip. "I had not met her myself until to-day". Aragorn shook his head, puzzled. "Elrond spoke nothing of it, and your brothers talk naught on this subject."
"She is not talked of amongst my family, and less so amongst my people," Arwen replied lightly, but from her expression, Aragorn could tell she wished not to speak anymore about it. He looked across at Legolas, who had an expression of surprise bordering shock on his face, and then turned his gaze once more at the maiden sitting next to Legolas, who looked as if in distress. All the creatures in the hall were now gazing curiously at the Lady Adariel, talking in flushed whispers when they thought Galadriel wasn't listening. But as Aragorn had found out many years before, Galadriel was always listening. Aragorn shook his head, and tarried no more on that line of thought; Some things were best left unsaid.
Finally, the Lady of the Woods stood up, her hand upon Celeborn's, and the guests stood also. They bowed to each other, and then went upon their own ways. Adariel saw Arwen bid Aragorn farewell, and then head towards her. Taking Adariel's hand, Arwen lead her toward where the Lady Galadriel was waiting, under the tree that grew in the middle of Lothlorien. Arwen came to stand next to the Lady of the Woods, and both faced Adariel. Finally, Galadriel spoke. "You are confused, Child. Do not be, for now is the time for understanding."
Adariel lifted her eyes and saw the Lady of the Woods smiling at her. She did not return the smile. Galadriel continued, "In the Year 421 when Lady Undomiel was only 17 and 9, Celebrian bore another girl-child, and she was named Adariel by Elrond, sister to Arwen who was staying here in Lothlorien. But during that time, Eltheran who was King of the regions Lakewood had ridden to Rivendell and when he had set eyes on Adariel, he wanted her for his own. Eltheran was cunning in his ways, and had soon convinced Elrond that Rivendell was not a place for a young girl-child to grow up. Although Elrond knew this not to be true, for Arwen was already a bright eyed young Elf, he had still enough trust in Eltheran to believe his word, and Adariel was sent with Eltheran on his journey back."
"As the years went by, Elrond began to worry for he had received no word from Eltheran about Adariel, and Celebrian had passed away from Middle Earth and over the sea. Elrond soon grew tired of waiting, and sent Elladan and Elrohir to Lakewood to recover the lost child. But again, Eltheran was cunning and had said that Adariel had been poisoned by the darkness that resided in nearby Mirkwood, and that she was not fit to be taken on the journey. It was about that time that the first rumors of the Maiden of Lakewood became solid, for it was King Eltheran himself who had first whispered them, disguised as a servant of his own realm. So it was that Elrond had not seen Adariel for many years, and the children of Elrond had not beheld the beauty of their own sister until now."
Adariel could not even begin to take this all in. She stood up, and saw that the Lady's eyes were turned to hers. Adariel bowed, then said in a tired voice, "I thank you Lady for enlightening me about my own past, for I have wondered many a day why my title was of a place and not a name. Instead of Adariel daughter of Eltheran, I have always been called Adariel of Lakewood. Now I must rest for the night, for my journey is a long one and I shall depart soon from Lothlorien."
Galadriel nodded. "After I have seen the Fellowship off, then we shall meet again. Arwen shall stay with me for a while yet, for she has her own part to play in this quest yet." Beside her, Arwen nodded. Galadriel continued, "I rename thee Adariel Brightstar. Brightest star of her people, to stand with Evenstar in the times to come."
Adariel bowed again, once to Galadriel and once more to Arwen, whom she had already begun to think of as a sister and headed off toward her resting- place. So absorbed in her thoughts, she did not realize that a figure was walking towards her until it was too late. They brushed against each other, and Adariel immediately jumped away. "I beg you pardon, Lady Adariel," said the voice. Adariel recognized it immediately.
"Oh no, the apology is all mine!" said she, before the day's emotions overcame her and for the first time since anybody could remember she cried openly in the presence of somebody else, sinking suddenly to the ground. There was still an eerie light cast around her from the rising moon. Legolas watched in horror as the maiden in front of her suddenly burst into tears. He knelt down next to her and said nothing until the last of her tears were shed and then pulled her up and lead her to the stream where Arwen and herself had sat just hours before as friends.
They sat in silence until Adariel came to her senses again, jumped up and bowed, before taking leave of him and walking up the bank and toward where she had originally intended to head to. Legolas stood on the rise, watching her until even his Elven eyes could not see her anymore. Something was troubling his heart, and he wasn't sure whether he liked the feeling or not. But then he thought to himself that they were to leave in the morn and so he leant back against the nearby tree where Arwen and Aragorn had stood earlier and set his mind once more upon the paths of Dream that only the Elven walked.
That night, Adariel slept uneasily once more.
Day dawned in fair Lothlorien. There was a great farewell to the Fellowship and they started in Elven boats carrying the gift of the Lady of the Woods with them. Adariel kept a low profile, staying back amongst the others who had gathered to see the visitors off. Everybody felt mixed emotions, for whatever outcome, all knew that the Elven kind would diminish and the Fourth Age would be ruled by Men.
Not long after the Fellowship left, Adariel was summoned by Arwen to Lady Galadriel's presence. On the way, Arwen said that she was extremely happy to acknowledge Adariel as her sister, and that their Father, (Adariel found that she liked that sound, 'Their Father') had been notified. "One day you must come back with me to Rivendell," Arwen said as they drew near to where Galadriel and Celeborn were waiting. Adariel agreed readily, although she was not sure if she was really ready for it yet.
Galadriel was seated upon her golden chair with Celeborn next to her. She smiled upon Adariel arriving. "You are leaving us once more," she commented. "Do you understand what it is you are about to set yourself upon again? The magic of Lothlorien will no longer protect you; You must hold your own out in the South."
Adariel nodded determinedly. Celeborn spoke. "Then accept the gifts of our people in Lothlorien and my our most beloved star shine upon you where ever you may go,"
A bow was brought in that was larger and better made than her last one. A full quiver of arrows, each marked with the leaf of Lothlorien and a supply of lembas to last her on her journey was also added on top of the pile. Her travel clothes were brought out once more, the material softened. She thanked them and both Celeborn and Galadriel answered that Adariel was kinsfolk of themselves and therefore welcome to Lothlorien any time.
After changing, Starliss was led once more to her. Adariel hesitated. "Starliss belongs in Lothlorien," she said, remembering that she was a gift to her former father. "She should stay here amongst her kin."
Galadriel said, "Starliss was a gift to our people from the far off place of Rohan, where horses are bred to race the wind. Her home is with them that reside in Rohan. Take her so that one day she may look upon the land of her birth once more."
Starliss stamped the grass, eager to get off again. Arwen lead her to a path that lead out of the woods. "Follow it, for it will wind itself along the river that Aragorn has set off upon. May we meet again someday soon, for I can see there are dark times ahead."
Adariel nodded. With one last look behind her at the golden city of Lothlorien, she turned and sprang onto Starliss who pranced sideways a little. Then they shot off with the rising sun at their backs and when Adariel next looked back, there was nothing but trees and mounds of fallen leaves on the forest floor.
1.1 End of Chapter 7
Reviews please! NO FLAMES but constructive criticism is very welcome! –Spirit Star
Echoes of the Narbeleth
Spirit Star
Chapter 7: In which secrets are revealed
Adariel could feel the sunlight on her face, shining on her eyelids. It was warm. As her sense of smell surfaced from the dullness of the night, she could smell herbs in the air. Somewhere in her mind, something told her that she must be hurt pretty badly to be here. The scent of athela leaves was in the air. It smelt like spring.
Then she was aware of the call of the morning birds high above her in the tops of the trees. Mingled with that was the sound of her own breathing. And the breath of somebody else. Somebody else?
Her eyes snapped open, her body tense. The room was blurry, and for a moment she felt dizzy. She shook her head a little, but stopped because of the pounding in it. Squeezing her eyes shut tightly, then opening them again, she felt the room come into focus. Everything seemed to stop spinning. Adariel let out her breath in a long sigh.
The first thing she saw was the ceiling of the room she was in. And that made her realize that she was in Lothlorien again. The ceilings were decorated with intricately carved lines that made swirling patterns on the roof. Over her head was the outstretched hand of a carved maiden. She tried to turn toward the window, but found it too difficult to move because of the soreness of the bruising in both her back and front.
She then tried sitting up, but found that the change in position made her balance tip and caused her head to spin again. After finally gaining enough height to be on her elbows, her head couldn't hold out much longer and her elbows slipped, causing her to fall back on her back. As she did, her neck snapped up and her head slammed onto the pillow causing her chin to knock against her collarbone. The pain made her cry out involuntarily and her eyes water slightly. She lay still, tensed and a tear leaked out of her eye. She bit her lip and winced. The cut from her teeth on her lip from before hadn't closed up. She drew blood again.
As she lay there, breathing raggedly, she sensed a movement from her right, next to the window. Her eyes closed and she pretended to be asleep, even though her hand clutched the clovers tightly. There was a shadow that blocked the light for a second or two. She had forgotten that there was another in the room.
"All is well, Lady. I will not try to hurt you," a gentle but amused voice said. There was a smile in the voice, but also a trace of concern. Adariel opened one eye, then the other. She ran her tongue along her bottom lip and cringed at the rusty taste of blood in her mouth and wished she had something to say. For Legolas Greenleaf, Elven prince of the Woodlands was knelt next to her, his face furrowed in concern.
"You have had quite a night," he added, seeing that she now opened her eyes.
"I have?" she asked shakily, testing out her voice. It sounded a bit hoarse from disuse. She cleared her throat. "How so?"
Legolas said nothing. In truth, he had hardly slept a wink in the second half of the night leading up to dawn. At first he had woken to find this girl flushed and her hair damp, head thrashing and murmuring things like, "No! It can't be me!" and "This is not who I am!" Elderon had come in and said that she was haunted by a memory that visited her dreams. They'd put a damp cloth on her head and some more herbs were brought in. For the rest of the night, he could not go to sleep, watching her body shake with some unknown fear.
"It was a rough night for you," he answered her, and then looked out the window for a minute before resting his eyes back on her. Adariel suddenly felt self-conscious for the first time in her life that she could remember. Then she brushed that feeling away, thinking, "I am also a Princess, and I need not fear him," so she looked him straight in the eye and said, "If you don't mind, kind Sir, please help me up for I wish not to be bound to this position forever."
Legolas looked surprised. He would have thought that in her condition and with her in obvious discomfort that she would have opted to stay lying down. Still, she had asked, and he had no reason not to. The healers had said nothing against it. So he placed his arms around her back and gently pulled her up to a sitting position, then re-organized her pillows so she could lean against them. He drew back and looked at her. Her eyes looked clouded, and for a minute he was afraid that she would faint again. But she didn't. Her eyes cleared, and she blinked, turning her head slowly to look at him again.
"Thank you," she said simply, before cocking her head. He hoped that she wouldn't be like the other maidens who would smile at him and try to seduce him, or chase him. Especially at a time like this when he was alone, assigned to look after her, and on a very secret mission that only the Wise knew of. Back at home, every Elven maiden would try to talk to him, prying every little detail about him out, or they would flutter their eyes and try to show off their grace. He found it annoying.
But she was different. She leaned on her pillow looking up at him, and where all the other maidens would smile and thank him repeatedly, she just cocked her head a little and he saw the expression in her eyes soften a little. He was surprised, and glad at the same time.
"Are you hungry?" he asked, changing the subject. Strange or not, she still needed to be looked after (Elderon's orders), and he had to do it as soon as possible to rejoin the others who had probably spent the night here and were due to meet the Lady today.
"You need not be bothered by me," Adariel said, frowning, "I can look after myself. I am sure you have more important things to do,"
The way she said it made Legolas suddenly nervous, and Adariel noticed it. "Besides," she added, "I am not in need of anything anyway,"
Before Legolas could reply, Elderon came in the door and saw Adariel sitting up. He smiled. "I see, Lady, that you are indeed recovering. How fares your head?"
Adariel assured him that it was fine, and her other wounds had mostly healed. Elderon turned to Legolas and said, "I thank you for your help, and I now release you from it," Legolas nodded and walked out, trailing Elderon. Two Elves came in to help Adariel dress, and after feeling slightly unbalanced from standing, she found that she had indeed recovered most of her strength. She wasn't really surprised, when it came down to it, "After all," she said to herself, "They were minor wounds, really."
She was led out of the room and into the hall where the healers ate. They had dressed her up in a grey gown that left a slight trail behind her. It flowed like silver, and it was loose. Adariel found that it was very comfortable to move around in, and it flowed around her and whenever she stood in a slight breeze. They had also woven silver ribbons in her hair, and plaited two plaits that fell down in front of her ears.
She was seated next to Elderon, head of the healers. There was silence when she came in, and again, everybody commented on how wonderful she looked, and a few on how well she had recovered. Elderon smiled and after she was seated, proceeded to ask her about how she was feeling, and cautioning her of the side effects of the herbs they had used on her. Adariel pretended to look interested, for she knew all of this, so great was her skill in healing. But Elderon was skilled in conversation making, and soon Adariel was asking him all about how his skills in healing came to be.
By the end of the meal, Elderon had announced to the hall that Adariel was a healer in the making (and here Adariel blushed, but inwardly laughed at how little they knew her). Afterwards, she was showed to where she would spend the rest of her stay in Lothlorien, and to the her relief, it was nowhere near the healing hall. Then she was left to wander about through the city by herself for the rest of the day.
And that was how she met Arwen, daughter of Elrond, called Evenstar by her people. She was standing under a tree in a clearing with the light falling about her dark hair like a halo. Adariel saw now why she was named Evenstar by the Elves. She had blue eyes, bluer than that of an average Elf. Now, her gaze was turned to the sky through a gap in the canopy above. In her hand sat the golden bloom of Lothlorien, undisturbed by the breeze.
It was Arwen who first invited Adariel to her side with a smile and a nod. Adariel felt suddenly drawn to her and went over immediately, although her mind had warned her to be more cautious. But there turned out to be no need of caution in the face of Arwen Evenstar. The two soon became friends, and Adariel learnt that Arwen now resided in Rivendell, although she had lived with her mother Lothlorien for several years. Her father had drew her back to him finding it unsafe for her here in the South.
Adariel's liking of Arwen grew with every passing minute. She learnt that Arwen lead a life pretty much like her own, except that HER father, Elrond, did not actually go so far as to LOCK her into a room for all her life. In fact, Elrond did not really mind Arwen's comings and goings, although she was accompanied by her two brothers most of the time.
"Come for a walk around my mother's land," Arwen offered, taking a step forward and looking back at Adariel. Adariel readily followed, enjoying the company of her first friend in all her years in Middle Earth. A strange feeling was bubbling in her chest and she felt a little light headed, this time not from her head wound.
There came a point in their conversation as they were strolling through rich grass patches that Arwen said to Adariel, "I have told you all that there needs to be said about myself, but I fear that you have not said a thing about yourself. Pray tell, for a start, your name." Adariel was startled and wanted at first to give Arwen a false name, but then decided that Arwen was one to be trusted. Though she blushed, she did not falter at all when she said, "I am called Adariel, Maiden of Lakewood."
Arwen started, and looked at her. There was no disapproval in her expression; instead there was one of wonder and amazement. When Arwen spoke, her voice was not cold as Adariel might have imagined, but one that was filled with emotion, saying, "Long have I wanted to gaze upon you, Adariel."
Adariel was at first relieved, but that was replaced straight away by confusion. "What do you mean?" she asked, a frown upon her voice.
Arwen licked her lips, and opened her mouth slightly as if to speak, but then closed it. "Come, we must see Galadriel first, for I do not know what is to be done about this situation." This left Adariel even more confused than ever. "For now, please forget that our thoughts had ever strayed upon that path of thought. We will go see the Lady of the Woods tonight." Arwen added hurriedly, seeing the look on Adariel's face.
Adariel nodded in reply and the two continued on in silence. After a while, Arwen resumed the conversation and they took up their stroll once more through the golden trees of the city. Although Adariel's mind was focused on the conversation, somewhere in the back of it the words of Arwen rolled around like a fog that clouded all other thoughts. Why had Arwen wanted to meet her, the Maiden of Lakewood who was feared by many?
They stopped by a brook near sunset and gazed into the water. There were sparkles of light on the surface where the light of the sun reached through the leaves. The water was glassy, and followed the same pattern. The two sat side by side on the bank, at the foot of a small rise on the forest floor, enjoying each other's company. Adariel had lain back on the grass and closed her eyes, breathing in the smell of freshwater flowing over the rocks and listening to the whispers of the wind bringing the gossip of the grass.
Nothing interesting today. All grass ever said was that humans were too rough in their treatment, and were always stepping roughly over them, or cutting them down in their thousands. Their voices mingled together like the tinkle of bells, and although nothing useful was said, Adariel enjoyed listening to their voices. Once or twice her gaze strayed to Arwen, who was now leaning against the trunk of a tree, gazing up at the canopy with a faraway expression upon her face. Adariel thought best not to disturb her.
Then out of the tinkling grumbles of the grass, Adariel suddenly made out footsteps coming towards them from the other side of the rise. She opened her eyes and sat up quickly. Arwen snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Adariel with a question in her eyes. Adariel turned her head towards the top of the rise to see two figures looking down at them. The sun was shining behind them, and Adariel could not make out their faces although she knew one to be Elven and the other to be Man.
Then one of the two people on came briskly down towards the bank where they were sitting and Arwen gave a cry of recognition. It was none other than Aragorn Arathorn's son. Adariel heard Aragorn draw in a breath as he quickened his pace. Arwen stood up and the two embraced, each whispering hurriedly to the other. Adariel turned her head away as the two moved under the shade of a tree for more privacy.
She stared into the water for a while until Arwen and Aragorn walked towards her, out of the shade arm in arm. Adariel stood quickly.
"We've been looking for you for some time," Aragorn now said to Arwen as much as Adariel. "Lady Galadriel sent us to escort you to the feast."
"Then we beg your pardon," Arwen answered, taking his arm once again, "For we did not know. Otherwise we would have made our own way there."
They turned, and Adariel followed them until they up the bank where the other escort was waiting. With a start, Adariel realized that she had forgotten all about the other person standing on the brow of the rise. She lifted her eyes to see who it was, and immediately regretted it. Standing patiently in front of them was Legolas, clad in clothes that were a gift from the Lady while he was here.
He was wearing silvery-white clothes that flowed together to make it look like it was glittering with hidden stars. Not looking where she was going, she nearly bumped into Arwen, who had stopped with Aragorn to face Legolas. Embarrassed, Adariel took a slight step back and stood just behind her and bowed a little after Arwen.
"Come then, Legolas," said Aragorn, "We shall escort these Ladies to the feast as was asked of us, although I take it more as a privilege than a task,"
Legolas smiled in reply and offered his arm to Adariel, who hesitated before taking it. Aragorn and Arwen were already far ahead of them. Legolas turned his head had gazed down at Adariel, whispering, "It is nice to see that you have recovered so well, Lady,"
Adariel nodded, but did not return the look. They walked in silence following the couple in front of them, each lost in their own thoughts. Legolas was busy thinking about their journey, although every few minutes his thoughts would jump back to the maiden on his arm. Adariel, meanwhile, was extremely disturbed by the sudden flood of images from the mirror. They came so often that she was sure that there was a connection somewhere to her surroundings now. And she still hadn't figured out who that Elf was, lying on the altar.
'Blonde hair' she mused, about to bite her lip but then remembering the cut. 'Too bad that blonde hair is common amongst Elven kind. It must have been someone I knew, for otherwise, why would the mirror show me a stranger. The person must be of importance to me. And I had said that I love him. Could it be Father?' She thought along this line for a while, until she found that they had come to a halt.
Looking up, she had found that they had arrived into the hall where the feast was to be held. There was a polite clearing of a throat next to her, and she turned her head up to see Legolas patiently gazing down at her. With a start, she realized that she was still on his arm. Arwen and Aragorn had separated each bidding farewell to the other as they went to dress for the feast. Adariel blushed, swiftly jerking her hand away from his arm. Legolas's smile widened. He bowed in return to hers, and left with Aragorn, who was watching nearby, amused.
Adariel turned to find Arwen waiting for her. When the men had left, Arwen smiled at Adariel saying, "You have met Legolas before?" The two waked to where the maids were waiting, and Adariel replied, "Yes, this morning" but would say no more. They went their separate ways to change.
When Adariel came out again, she was clad in dark forest green, embroidered with leaves that hissed up her hem of the dress. A light green sash was loosely arranged around her waist, and her hair was left out to flow behind her. They hung a sparkling pendent around her neck that resembled the leaves that hung high above the city. Arwen was again, waiting for her.
"We shall go down now," Arwen said, holding out her hand to Adariel who was surprised. "I fear that I cannot take your hand," she said, "For that is a sign of sisterhood."
Arwen said nothing, and her hand was still held out to her. Slowly, Adariel placed her hand on hers, and satisfied, Arwen led her down to the hall. All the guests and Elves were already seated. Galadriel sat with Celeborn at the head of the table, and closest to her sat the members of the Fellowship, with Legolas, Gimli and two of the hobbits to one side, and Aragorn, Boromir and the other two hobbits on the other.
As they came down, there was silence. Everybody had turned their gaze towards them in awe. There had been a flurry of whispers when they had first entered that Evenstar and the beautiful stranger had arrived. Adariel felt extremely uncomfortable under their gazes, and although many looked upon her in this way in Lakewood, she was not used to receiving so much attention from strangers. They usually avoided her.
Galadriel stood gracefully, her eyes smiling. "Welcome, Arwen and Adariel, Elrond's daughters," she gestured to two seats closest on either side of her husband and herself, inviting them to sit down. "Please, Lothlorien is home to you both."
Arwen turned to smile at Adariel, half dragging her to where they were invited to sit. Adariel didn't notice, for she was many miles away from the happenings in the hall. Everybody had started whispering and talking, for nobody had heard of How could it be that Arwen was her blood sister? Where as Arwen resided in Rivendell and Lothlorien, Adariel was from faraway Lakewood, and she already had a father whom she loved dearly. Didn't she? Or maybe what she felt for him was that of forced liking. Hadn't her father shut her away for most of her immortal life? And why didn't he defend her name when the rumors had started out?
Dimly out of the muddle of her thoughts, she heard the Lady announce that the Fellowship and the Ringbearer were leaving the woods of Lothlorien to- morrow at the dawn of daylight.
It was all too confusing, and her head started to throb once more. In the midst of her wild thoughts, she heard the voice of Galadriel in her head. "Fear not, Adariel Elrond's daughter, for all shall be revealed to you soon." Adariel turned to find Galadriel smiling soothingly down at her. Adariel forced a smile in return, and tried to calm herself down. But her mind refused to be calm down, and as a result, she ended up pale and agitated. She hardly ate anything at all.
Watching Adariel, Aragorn leaned in and whispered to Arwen, who was sitting next to him, "Why did you not tell me that you had a sister? And why had I not seen her before?" Arwen shook her head and put a finger on his lip. "I had not met her myself until to-day". Aragorn shook his head, puzzled. "Elrond spoke nothing of it, and your brothers talk naught on this subject."
"She is not talked of amongst my family, and less so amongst my people," Arwen replied lightly, but from her expression, Aragorn could tell she wished not to speak anymore about it. He looked across at Legolas, who had an expression of surprise bordering shock on his face, and then turned his gaze once more at the maiden sitting next to Legolas, who looked as if in distress. All the creatures in the hall were now gazing curiously at the Lady Adariel, talking in flushed whispers when they thought Galadriel wasn't listening. But as Aragorn had found out many years before, Galadriel was always listening. Aragorn shook his head, and tarried no more on that line of thought; Some things were best left unsaid.
Finally, the Lady of the Woods stood up, her hand upon Celeborn's, and the guests stood also. They bowed to each other, and then went upon their own ways. Adariel saw Arwen bid Aragorn farewell, and then head towards her. Taking Adariel's hand, Arwen lead her toward where the Lady Galadriel was waiting, under the tree that grew in the middle of Lothlorien. Arwen came to stand next to the Lady of the Woods, and both faced Adariel. Finally, Galadriel spoke. "You are confused, Child. Do not be, for now is the time for understanding."
Adariel lifted her eyes and saw the Lady of the Woods smiling at her. She did not return the smile. Galadriel continued, "In the Year 421 when Lady Undomiel was only 17 and 9, Celebrian bore another girl-child, and she was named Adariel by Elrond, sister to Arwen who was staying here in Lothlorien. But during that time, Eltheran who was King of the regions Lakewood had ridden to Rivendell and when he had set eyes on Adariel, he wanted her for his own. Eltheran was cunning in his ways, and had soon convinced Elrond that Rivendell was not a place for a young girl-child to grow up. Although Elrond knew this not to be true, for Arwen was already a bright eyed young Elf, he had still enough trust in Eltheran to believe his word, and Adariel was sent with Eltheran on his journey back."
"As the years went by, Elrond began to worry for he had received no word from Eltheran about Adariel, and Celebrian had passed away from Middle Earth and over the sea. Elrond soon grew tired of waiting, and sent Elladan and Elrohir to Lakewood to recover the lost child. But again, Eltheran was cunning and had said that Adariel had been poisoned by the darkness that resided in nearby Mirkwood, and that she was not fit to be taken on the journey. It was about that time that the first rumors of the Maiden of Lakewood became solid, for it was King Eltheran himself who had first whispered them, disguised as a servant of his own realm. So it was that Elrond had not seen Adariel for many years, and the children of Elrond had not beheld the beauty of their own sister until now."
Adariel could not even begin to take this all in. She stood up, and saw that the Lady's eyes were turned to hers. Adariel bowed, then said in a tired voice, "I thank you Lady for enlightening me about my own past, for I have wondered many a day why my title was of a place and not a name. Instead of Adariel daughter of Eltheran, I have always been called Adariel of Lakewood. Now I must rest for the night, for my journey is a long one and I shall depart soon from Lothlorien."
Galadriel nodded. "After I have seen the Fellowship off, then we shall meet again. Arwen shall stay with me for a while yet, for she has her own part to play in this quest yet." Beside her, Arwen nodded. Galadriel continued, "I rename thee Adariel Brightstar. Brightest star of her people, to stand with Evenstar in the times to come."
Adariel bowed again, once to Galadriel and once more to Arwen, whom she had already begun to think of as a sister and headed off toward her resting- place. So absorbed in her thoughts, she did not realize that a figure was walking towards her until it was too late. They brushed against each other, and Adariel immediately jumped away. "I beg you pardon, Lady Adariel," said the voice. Adariel recognized it immediately.
"Oh no, the apology is all mine!" said she, before the day's emotions overcame her and for the first time since anybody could remember she cried openly in the presence of somebody else, sinking suddenly to the ground. There was still an eerie light cast around her from the rising moon. Legolas watched in horror as the maiden in front of her suddenly burst into tears. He knelt down next to her and said nothing until the last of her tears were shed and then pulled her up and lead her to the stream where Arwen and herself had sat just hours before as friends.
They sat in silence until Adariel came to her senses again, jumped up and bowed, before taking leave of him and walking up the bank and toward where she had originally intended to head to. Legolas stood on the rise, watching her until even his Elven eyes could not see her anymore. Something was troubling his heart, and he wasn't sure whether he liked the feeling or not. But then he thought to himself that they were to leave in the morn and so he leant back against the nearby tree where Arwen and Aragorn had stood earlier and set his mind once more upon the paths of Dream that only the Elven walked.
That night, Adariel slept uneasily once more.
Day dawned in fair Lothlorien. There was a great farewell to the Fellowship and they started in Elven boats carrying the gift of the Lady of the Woods with them. Adariel kept a low profile, staying back amongst the others who had gathered to see the visitors off. Everybody felt mixed emotions, for whatever outcome, all knew that the Elven kind would diminish and the Fourth Age would be ruled by Men.
Not long after the Fellowship left, Adariel was summoned by Arwen to Lady Galadriel's presence. On the way, Arwen said that she was extremely happy to acknowledge Adariel as her sister, and that their Father, (Adariel found that she liked that sound, 'Their Father') had been notified. "One day you must come back with me to Rivendell," Arwen said as they drew near to where Galadriel and Celeborn were waiting. Adariel agreed readily, although she was not sure if she was really ready for it yet.
Galadriel was seated upon her golden chair with Celeborn next to her. She smiled upon Adariel arriving. "You are leaving us once more," she commented. "Do you understand what it is you are about to set yourself upon again? The magic of Lothlorien will no longer protect you; You must hold your own out in the South."
Adariel nodded determinedly. Celeborn spoke. "Then accept the gifts of our people in Lothlorien and my our most beloved star shine upon you where ever you may go,"
A bow was brought in that was larger and better made than her last one. A full quiver of arrows, each marked with the leaf of Lothlorien and a supply of lembas to last her on her journey was also added on top of the pile. Her travel clothes were brought out once more, the material softened. She thanked them and both Celeborn and Galadriel answered that Adariel was kinsfolk of themselves and therefore welcome to Lothlorien any time.
After changing, Starliss was led once more to her. Adariel hesitated. "Starliss belongs in Lothlorien," she said, remembering that she was a gift to her former father. "She should stay here amongst her kin."
Galadriel said, "Starliss was a gift to our people from the far off place of Rohan, where horses are bred to race the wind. Her home is with them that reside in Rohan. Take her so that one day she may look upon the land of her birth once more."
Starliss stamped the grass, eager to get off again. Arwen lead her to a path that lead out of the woods. "Follow it, for it will wind itself along the river that Aragorn has set off upon. May we meet again someday soon, for I can see there are dark times ahead."
Adariel nodded. With one last look behind her at the golden city of Lothlorien, she turned and sprang onto Starliss who pranced sideways a little. Then they shot off with the rising sun at their backs and when Adariel next looked back, there was nothing but trees and mounds of fallen leaves on the forest floor.
1.1 End of Chapter 7
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