***To an unknown destiny***
Galadriel explained to the girls all they needed to know. Demi had the power to manipulate any being or thing to act as she willed. It was a power given to her by her mother, Uial'niire or the twilight tear. She was one of the witches; their race long fading, mixed now with the blood of elves and lower men and was of Galadriel's kindred. Her father, an elf of Rivendell named Anmegil, a warrior that fought in the last alliance and one of the few who survived. Demi's real name is Vairarista meaning spell weaver.
As for Rhiannon, well she is really 19 years old and a threat to Sauron as the cousin of the heir of Isildur, holds the same power, over the men of Arnor, her kingdom. She can only though claim the throne after the throne of Gondor is restored, as then the lands will be safe once more and Annúminas is restored. She is also a member of the Dunedain at her will and may come and go with them as she pleases. Her real name is Aurenessa. Aragorn was not sent, as he was then old enough to protect himself from the danger.
Rhiannon found it all rather exciting and couldn't wait for the council. They were to leave the day after next, but in the meantime, enjoy what was left of Lothlorien. The elves here were most hospitable, well…except for Haldir, who seemed to have a problem with most of his kind. 'Something dark must haunt him' thought Rhia, or he had issues with his mother. That pushed full grown men over the edge most of the time, according to Sally Jessie Raphael. Rhia really did watch too much daytime TV.
It was now late at night and the girls had retired to their rooms. Demi found it hard to sleep with all this knowledge in her mind now. She tossed and turned for hours, then finally resolved to take a brisk walk. She wrapped a light blue cloak over her shoulders and climbed down the flight of stairs that led to her flet.
Beneath the trees, she could spot the silver moon in the sky. The night was dark, but the moonlight radiated through in all its glory. Demi, or Vairarista looked to the moon, as though for an answer. It all seemed too much to cope with, but somewhere, deep inside her heart, she knew that she would cope. It was all so complicated, but she knew it.
Demi sat on a rotting log and rested her head in her hands. Her dream came to mind. Know she understood. Haldir was in her dream! It was Haldir! She remembered the day he saved her. It all made sense, now that is. There may be a day where she would need to repay the favour. Demi's eyes grew heavy, and eventually she lost herself to sleep.
***
Light passed through the trees, making all on the forest floor gleam. The birds twittered through the trees playfully. A lady dressed in white walked past the birds smiling, the light emitting of her was a sight for few worthy to behold. The lady stopped by a sleeping form and bent over it, speaking soft elvish words, rousing the sleeping one. It was a young elf maiden, dressed in the oddest clothing, who was asleep on the log.
"Wake up my child, the day is young and fair. There is much for you to do here on your last day in these woods." The lady said softly.
"Oh my gosh, did I fall asleep out here? Oh no!" the elf maiden asked, suddenly ashamed.
"You find it more comforting to sleep amongst nature than in what was made Vairarista?" the lady asked.
"Well, yes, kind of. Its just so peaceful here." The young elf maiden replied.
"Ah, and so I hope they shall stay that way, but under such dark times, you can little trust to such hope. The shadow is moving my child. I am afraid that your trip must be brought forward. All your belongings are packed and ready. After breakfast you must leave with your friend. Before it is too late. The roads are far from safe." The lady Galadriel said gravely, the light on her face had sunk away to dread and remorse.
"Very well." Demi replied, standing up and finding her way back to her flet, where Haldir stood waiting.
"I am sorry I could not accompany you to the council, but my brothers shall keep you safe." The March warden apologised.
"Don't be. Some things are meant to be this way. I hope that we shall cross paths again." Demi said.
"And I. Now come, you must eat. Your food awaits you in your quarters." He said, bowing and walking off. Demi stared after him. He was so fine!
~*~
After a light meal, the girls, Rúmil, Orophin and 6 other elves were gathered at the gate leading from Caras Galadhon. The girls had changed into leggings and a tunic with brown boots reaching half way up their calves, something a little more suitable for such a journey than what they were wearing. But Demi still wore her baseball cap, a remnant of the past, and of happier times.
They said their farewells to the lord and lady, thanking them for their stay. Demi then said a special thanks to Haldir. She had a soft spot for him, especially after seeing LotR. But now she had met him in the flesh and was determined to make him smile again.
They mounted up and took off on the road, which would prove hard and dangerous since the nine were abroad. As they passed the through the gates, Demi turned her head around to catch her last glimpse of Lothlorien for what would seem like such a long time.
***
The ride itself was a week's journey in fair weather and without a small battle. Rúmil seemed confident that they would not come across the dark lords servants, but secretly was praying inside to Elbereth that they would make it to Rivendell unscathed. It would prove quite a test to the elves if they had to protect the girls, whom without weapons could do little in defence.
They made camp on the first night, spreading out their sleeping mats and blankets. A campfire was made, but not nearly large enough to keep all of them warm from the cool night. It was made as a means of defence, but not large enough to give away their position. Rhia sat down, huddled in her blankets as close to the fire as possible, still shivering. She was not elvan, unlike all her companions, and she felt the cold. Demi sat down beside her friend and wrapped one arm around her shoulders in warmth and comfort.
"You alright Rhia?" Demi asked.
"Yeah, a little cold, but nothing worse for wear, unlike my butt. I don't think I have ever felt so numb in that region until now! I had a hard enough time trying to ride without knowing how to and now! Ah, remind me to try and make some blueprints for a car proto type while I'm here alright." Rhia said, shifting on the ground.
"I don't think that introducing a car here would go down well, I mean, look what it did to earth, we would have been better off without them." Said Demi.
"Well a carriage wouldn't hurt!" exclaimed Rhia, frustrated and in serious butt pain. A dire emergency if I do say so.
Demi just chuckled at her friends remark as Orophin offered them their evening meal. The girls recognised it to be lembas bread, made by the elves for journeys, in fact, the word lemba meant journey, thus the name.
Rhia took a bite and felt its goodness flow through her. "Not bad, not bad at all, but a splash of ketchup wouldn't go astray."
After dinner, or what could be called dinner, minas the fact that they did not eat much at all, they climbed under their blankets and stared at the stars until they drifted off into sleep.
***
The girls kept to themselves through the trip, owing to the fact that they did not know any of the elves with them, but Orophin and Rúmil, and then they had only known them for a few days, so they could not surrender and say that they trusted the brothers completely. Demi and Rhia rode side by side towards the back of the group. The sky was so clear here. It was a true sky blue colour as apposed to the dusty blue colour that they found at home. The grass was green, though a little trodden by the horse's hooves. Something weighed on the back of Demi's mind, that something, though she couldn't tell what, was going to happen. Something big. She also knew that her assistance would be called on, and Rhia's. But what, only fair time should tell.
***
As perceived and at the weeks end, the company had made it to Rivendell. The movies truly did it no justice and though the books were well descriptive, Demi could not have imagined it in all its majesty until now. Every thing about it seemed so fair, so graceful, yet aged over time. Though such a large grand place, it did feel like home. The last homely house and refuge for the elves. It was glorious.
Their horses were taken from them to be set into stables, though the stable hand did say it would be hard, as so many have travelled here of late.
"They say there is a council to be held, concerning the new rise of evil. The nine have left Dol Guldur it has been told through many voices. They leave in search of the one. Oh by Elbereth Gilthoniel, let them never find it!" The stable hand said, fear in his eyes, rushing off to see to the company's horses.
"Try to draw as little attention as possible, for many will not be as welcoming to you as the lord, lady and my brothers. They fear that you will do terrible things and side with the dark lord. I pray that shalt not happen." Orophin said to Demi quietly. Then he led them inside. Demi made a note to keep close to one of the brothers and Rhia at all times. He was right; it was not as safe for her here as the others.
The group entered a large hall, where many busy elves were rushing around, making last minute preparations for what seemed like a feast. Demi looked around. She suddenly felt a pair of eyes upon her group. An elf, of whom she guessed to be Elrond, owing to the fact that he looked just like Hugo Weaving in LotR. The elf lord walked up to them and greeted them.
"Mae govannon." He said to the male elves. "Welcome once again to the house of Elrond my ladies, though you may not remember it. Alas! I am sorry but I cannot stay and here talk of your journey, for I have much to see to. I will have servants show you to your quarters. I hope I shall see you all at the feast tonight." He said with a swift smile to the girls and walked off at a brisk pace. 'A feast did he say?' Rhia asked herself. 'Well, time to get my grove on!' she added with a smile and mirth in her eyes.
***
Authors note:
Well they made it to Rivendell with no problems. I think I'm getting this olde English speech down. Wahoo! Wahoo? Anyhoobies;
The stern mystic: You are not bad at reviewing! You rock! Yes, I know we need drama; I'm getting there. I have written ahead but I won't post them all at one time. Not enough suspense happening.
Andreah: Thank you! Um, nothing really major happened, and it won't for a little bit. Sorry. Mostly just filler chapters.
Sorry I haven't updated since like foreva, but I have been grounded for playing pranks at my family Christmas party. I do it every year but my cousin dobbed me in. Well, she payed for it with a little Tabasco sauce in her spaghetti!
