The Mystery Of Love

Chapter One

And your name my friend?

Point Of View – Lorei's Brother

            I woke to the rich smell of food I would never taste, and wine I would never drink. I stepped into my brown leggings and a green tunic. I walked down the hall to see the room that belonged to Mirkwood's new arrival. Walking inside, I saw Lorei fingering the woman's slightly rounded ears; as if it wasn't already obvious she was not elvish. I tried not to say anything; though it angered me that he would touch a woman in such a tender area. Anyone who had a speck of elven blood in them was extremely sensitive in that region. She was not fully elven though. The maiden had dark chocolate hair, and skin that resembled honey that had roasted in the sun, to prove her non-elvish descent but her ears almost could pass as those of Elrond's house. Her deeply tanned skin also ruled out dwarven decent, for they remained it their sunless mines. She wasn't human; there was something too unusual about her for her to be human. She radiated a soft glow that was not of the humans. I sighed; Gandalf and my dear friend Aragorn would be helpful at the moment but Aragorn was too near passing to rush here. I sighed and wistfully hoped to see him before the river took him. He and Gandalf have a grand knowledge of Middle Earth races while I know all there is to about elves. As I turned to slip out of the room soundlessly, Lorei called; "Brother, fetch Gandalf and tell him that his knowledge is required. Take whatever measures are needed to get him here in two days."

            I bowed to him respectively, "Yes Prince Lorei." Walking down the hall I passed the Court Dining Room and walked in to the kitchen. I was not permitted in the Court Dining Hall, for I was not a member of the court. I nodded to the chef, who was very accustom to my morning visits. I grabbed a piece of fruit and set out to find my friends. As I mounted Arod, my father walked out on to a balcony and watched me.

            He seemed to smile, "My son, do not let Lorei discourage you. His arrogance will be his very downfall. He has forgotten what a great thing it is to be an elf. He is under the impression that age matters and that he is better than thou art. He realizes not that age is worthless and heart is the key to ruling."

            I held back the tears that stung at my eyes and bowed my head fiercely before taking off through the woods to find my dear friend. Those were words I had waited thousands of years to hear pass from my father's lips. After a day's ride I, by chance, met up with Gandalf in a meadow. He was riding towards Mirkwood, as it were, and smiled. "Greetings old friend." I saw behind him that Arwen and Aragorn were in close pursuit. I dismounted and ran to embraced Gandalf and Aragorn. I then bowed slightly to my cousin and she bowed in turn.

            I smiled and kissed her cheek, "Your Uncle Thranduil will be pleased to see you."          She smiled. Her stomach was swollen with child and I gave Aragorn a mischievous look before mounting once more and leading them to Mirkwood. As we arrived three or four dozen orcs ambushed us. I smacked the rear of Aragorn's horse so that he would ride hard and get them out of danger. Aragorn's age caused me to treat him tenderly and I prayed he did not notice this. Gandalf, Arwen and I fought hard. Arwen stood behind Gandalf and swiftly shot three down as I unsheathed my sword and let out my rage. The hidden rage caused by my kin was released. I killed twelve of them and I spun my elven blade in a circle and killed four more. Gandalf killed another and of course, Lorei came and slain the last one claiming victory for himself.

            As I met up with my friends once more, I escorted Arwen to a suite to rest from the battle and her pregnant state. I exited and nodded as Aragorn and Gandalf followed me. I showed them to the room where Lorei's visitor was being kept. "What was the reason for your journey here, Lord Aragorn?"

            He smiled. "To bring news of Arwen's pregnancy. It has been too long since we've seen one another. Arwen insisted upon coming and we have since visited Imladris before coming here."

As Gandalf laid eyes on the girl in front of him and drew in her form he gasped, "It cannot be!" He ran up to her and examined her closely, "Reyna?" Aragorn's eyes perked up curiously at this name. Gandalf looked as if he had seen a ghost, the ghost of someone dear to him.

            The young woman's eyes fluttered open and she began to rise, "Gandalf?" Her voice was slightly husky from her sleep. She sat up and embraced the elderly man, "Gandalf!!" Aragorn and I shifted uncomfortably and Gandalf turned. His eyes were lit up in merriment; the girl's eyes were twinkling with excitement as she looked around her to see where she was.

            He smiled, "Allow me to introduce you to a good friend of mine, Reyna. She is of an ancient race called the Wicca Fae to answer your question Lorei. She is a woman of the Mother. Her people are magical like the Istari, but only consist of females. They're immortal, wise, and known for their bravery in battle." Lorei smiled and approached her from the doorway.

            My brother took her hand and kissed it lightly on bended knee, "I am called Lorei, Prince of Mirkwood, a Silvan Elf."

            She swiftly withdrew her hand. Her voice bellowed dark and cold, "If your hand doth touch mine again you shall never produce an heir."

            I found myself hiding a chuckle as Lorei stormed out and Aragorn broke out into a fit of laughter. Gandalf laughed loudly and I released the giddy urge to laugh as Reyna blinked a few times, confused.

            I stood and walked over to her, "Miss, I advise you not to speak to an Elven Prince in such a manner ever again." I bowed low to her and she giggled lightly.

            I smiled and turned to see she was smiling at Arwen, who was preparing to smack me in the rear as I bent over to bow. I turned quickly and her eyes laughed with merriment. I gave her a falsely reproving glare and stepped away from her.

            Arwen walked up to her and extended her pale hand. She smiled and nodded, "I am Arwen, daughter of Elrond, who is Lord of Rivendell but I am sure you already are familiar with that." Aragorn put a hand on her shoulder, trying to convince her to rest more. Reyna greeted her less formally, which led me to believe that they knew one another from a previous time.

            Reyna looked at the floor when she addressed us, "I am Reyna, granddaughter of Queen Lerama. My mother ruled the territory of Glacia. It is far past the Grey Havens." No one asked of her parents because her eyes seemed to be drowning in deep pain and hatred as we announced our descents. The fact that she only named her Grandmother as a antecedent was clue enough to drop the subject.

            Aragorn bowed, "Lady Reyna. It is good to see you again. I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn, the King of Gondor and Isildur's heir." She smiled and her mocha eyes reflected understanding as he hesitated to name himself as Isildur's heir. She seemed to tell him that she knew how he felt, though she spoke no words. Arwen looked puzzled that the two were previously introduced.

            She turned to me, "And you, young elf? What of your heritage and your name?"

            I bowed my head, "I am an Elf of Mirkwood. I am but a bastard." Aragorn started to object but a sharp look from Gandalf silenced him. Arwen let out a sigh of frustration and walked out of the room with Aragorn. I looked up at her, "Call me Ari."

            End

A/N: I realize that Legolas is not a bastard but just bear with me.