Chapter 14: A Past Remembered

Looking at herself in the mirror, Lenae scowled. Silver hair, dark blue eyes and skin so pale . . . .she did not look like any shadow elf. She was unique, as a matter of fact she is the only one to have these traits. All the other shadows has a hidden dislike to her, nobody knows who she really is , her parents or where she came from. All everyone knows was she was dark, more darker than the oldest shadow there is. She is probably the true child of darkness and probably was another creation of the Dark Lord himself. But nobody really knew. It was Saeth who found her at the gates of Valinor, a baby wrapped in the blackest of all cloths. He took her in as his niece, thought her the ways of the shadows. She learned fast, too quickly for the others, but they never did voice out their dislike for she never showed any signs of being evil. But all say that because she is of darkness itself, one day the Dark Lord will find out about her, call her and she will follow. Because she is of darkness . . . a probable creation of the Dark Lord, she cannot and will not refuse him. Lenae shook her head to drive away the memories.

' They were right, he did come for me, but I was able to refuse him ' she thought ' But how long can I hide from him? He found me once, he will surely find me again ' she added ' Do I have the strength and courage to refuse him again? ' She began to question herself when a soft knock was heard

Coming out of her reverie, Lenae immediate called out

' I am coming out aunt Corialote '

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When Legolas returned to the city that morning, everyone could see that he was very much depressed. Aragorn tried to talk to him, but Legolas only looked at him and then left. No one knew where he went the next time they saw him was their last night in Lorien.

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Ever since Lenae went back to Valinor, Saeth never left Legolas' side. He was so grief stricken that Saeth worried that he would sail for Valinor sooner than expected. Saeth wanted to tell the prince that Lenae was fine but he knew that if any word of her whereabouts, the Dark Lord would surely find her. Saeth did not want to lose the elf he now calls his niece, it just seemed like it was just yesterday when he found her.

It was another ordinary day for Saeth as he made his way to inspect the guards stationed at the Gates. Being a commander of the Shadows that protect Valinor was a tedious job. As he slowly made his way, he suddenly heard a faint cry . . . . . it was a cry of a small child . . . an infant to be exact . . . . following the sound of crying he found a baby wrapped in the blackest cloth at the secret entrance into Valinor. Gently lifting the baby, he proceeded to unwrap it from its bundle. Saeth's eyes widened, the baby was only a few days old but what shocked him was that this infant with silver locks and darkest blue eyes was an ell, a female elf. The babies cries grew louder as a cold wind blew, lifting its arms up, her hands glowed black then the black cloth wrapped itself around her once again. To his surprise, Saeth dropped her but a few centimeters from the ground she floated for a second before proceeding to softly land on it. Using his powers, Saeth tried to see if the infant was evil. . . after casting many spells at the child, he saw that it was not evil just Dark. Picking up the infant again, he looked at her closer. She had the most innocent looking face, he then proceeded to touch her hand with his finger, Automatically she grabbed hi finger, giggled and went to sleep. Saeth could not help but smile, this young infant was beautiful and something within him told him that he should take care of her. Forgetting about the inspection he has to make, Saeth proceeded to go home. He was sure his wife would be happy to accept this young gift he know holds in his arms.

The arrival of Lenae Senecar, the name Saeth gave her, came unnoticed. A council was held immediately that night. A great debate was done whether or not it was wise to keep an infant of unknown past. He was dark yet not evil . . . the council was apprehensive that because she was of unknown darkness that she will call unto evil. The Dark Lord's presence was still lingering in middle earth and if he knew about her presence he would surely call out to her. The council made a decision of eliminating the infant but Saeth protested. He told them that if he would raise her in the ways of the shadows, she would surely deny the call of the Dark Lord and probably would be their best ally to defeat him. For two days the council talked and finally they made a decision. They allowed Saeth to raise her but they warned him the moment that they think that she would take the side of the Dark Lord, they would instantly eliminate her, no questions asked. From then on, Saeth was watchful of her every move, he taught her the ways of the shadows. She learned quickly, by the mere age of 100 she already knew how to wield all kind of weapons and use most complicated of spells. At the age of 120 she was allowed to become a member of the elite guard, she was the youngest to be allowed in. Because of her great abilities, she quickly rose in rank, buy the age of 200 she already became a captain. Saeth felt proud of his niece, though he rarely showed it.

As Saeth followed Legolas back to the camp, he just cannot help feel that he would loose Lenae. He wanted so much to go to Valinor and see her. But he made a promise to her to protect the prince and he will surely keep it.

Reaching camp, Legolas started to help pack. No words were uttered, the work was done in total silence, after which they all went to sleep. The last proper sleep they would properly have. In the morning before they sail of, Galadriel had a feast ready for them after which she gave them gifts. Seeing Legolas' state Galadriel wanted to comfort him, but Saeth told her not to. The prince must overcome this by himself for him to become stronger for he has many more deaths to face. In silence the fellowship traveled the river Anduin. As they went further, the hobbits begin to ask question about their surroundings creating a lively atmosphere, but still none dared to ask Legolas the reason for his grief. Looking at Legolas while answering the hobbits questions, Aragorn wanted to talk to his friend. But now is not the time, he then made a decision. He would talk to the elf when they travel on land. Legolas grief lessened as he listened to the outrageous questions Merry and Pippin were asking Aragorn. He knew that he has to overcome his grief if he wanted to keep everyone especially Frodo safe. With determination to conquer his grief, Legolas rowed with renewed vigor. With his senses up, he felt an evil presence travelling the woods as if it was following them, giving a glance at Aragorn he knew that Aragorn felt it too. With this new evil, Legolas keep his guard up, the loss of Lenae now forgotten.

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Looking out the tower Lenae felt something was missing. Trying to find what it was, she then knew . . . . her connection with Legolas was cut. He had somehow cut their connection. As a single tear rolled down from her eye, she knew it was for the best. Facing where middle earth would be she sent out a prayer.

Ancestors
Hear my prayer
Send these gifts
I give unto them
Frodo . . . . vara tel seldarine (protection) for I am not there to protect him
Sam . . . ama poldora (strength) for him to be able to protect Frodo
Merry and Pippin . . . . yulma ten lemar en templa (mark) for if ever they get lost, so they might be found
Boromir . . . . aman tel seldarine (bless) for evil is slowly growing in him
Aragorn . . . ama tyelka (agility) . .. ama handasee (cunning) to help him lead them safely
And to Legolas
My prince
My love
ama poldora (strength) . .. . ama tyelka (agility) . . . . vara tel seldarine (protection)
God of all
Grant my plea
Give me power to send these
Across the land and sea

Giving a last look towards middle earth, Lenae went down the tower and begin her inspection of the other towers. By then the fellowship had reached the falls of Rauros, somehow they felt a little different. Unknown to them, they had just been given gifts from Lenae for the gods had answered her plea.