Elrond heard the Elven bow sing as he walked to the gardens. He saw his
youngest child, Arín, practicing her archery. Arín was tall and had dirty
blond hair and purple eyes. Purple is an unusual eye color, even for Elves.
"Hello Father," Arín said as she let another arrow fly. This one hit the center of the target.
"Very well done, Daughter," Elrond appraised. "Are you going to enter the tournament?"
"Yes, I am."
"Well, I wish you luck. I've heard that Legolas from Mirkwood is entering also."
"Really?" Arín said looking interested. She lowered her bow. "I have heard he is a extraordinary archer, but I will win."
"I hope you will."
***
Many months passed and now the tournament was coming up. Three weeks before, the participants gather in either Lothlórien or Rivendell, depending on the year. This year it was being held in Rivendell. During those three weeks there were balls, parties and feasts held in honor of the tournament. Four days before the event was held the parties and everything ended so that the participants could devote their time to practicing. Arín went down to the gardens and her secret spot where she practiced her archery. The only other person who knew about her place was her father. As she walked towards the clearing where she practiced, she heard a bow sing in the distance. It sounded like it was coming from the clearing she was going to.
I wonder who would go to my spot? she thought.
When she entered the clearing she saw an Elf standing there. He was tall and had blond hair and green eyes. Green was another usual eye color. The Elf turned around.
"Hello." His voice was like music. "Who are you?"
"A...A...A...Arín. My name is Arín," she stammered.
"Arín. I have heard that name before. Yes, now I remember, you are Elrond's youngest child, right?"
"Yes."
"I have heard much about you."
Arín nodded. "And I of you, Legolas of Mirkwood. What brings you to this spot?"
"It's very quiet and peaceful. And it is easier to concentrate. What brings you here?"
"I usually come here to practice."
"Oh well then since you found this place first, I'll leave."
"Oh no, don't leave. It's nice to have company sometimes and I need to sharpen my skills for the tournament. You seem like a good opponent," Arín said quickly.
All right then, let's get started."
Arín nodded as she took an arrow from her quiver and fitted it into her bow. "You go first."
Legolas lifted his bow and let it loose. The arrow hit the center of the target. Arín tried to hide her amazement. She felt her hand shake as she raised her bow. She let go and her arrow split Legolas' in half. They both stared at the target for a good few minutes.
"You're good."
"You are too."
They practiced until sundown. After they were done, Arín took Legolas to her favorite spot in all of Rivendell. There was a waterfall down stream away and there were three trees with three different kinds of fruit: apples, peaches and another he couldn't identify. It was a truly beautiful spot
"They are called élénberries," she said as if she could read his mind. She tossed him some. "They are very sweet, try one."
Legolas popped one of the berries into his mouth. It was very sweet indeed.
"How did you know that I didn't know what these were?" he asked as he put another in his mouth.
"Well they only grow in my grandmothers garden and that is in Lórien."
"Then how come you have a tree here?"
"When I was younger I went to visit my grandmother with my sister Arwen. While I was there I did a lot of exploring, though I wasn't allowed to go far. My favorite spot was by this one tree in the orchard. It had silver and gold leaves at the time and grew a large yellow berry. But I had never tried the fruit before because the tree had a fence around it. One day I went down to the tree and my grandmother was there.
'Hello, Arín,' she said. 'Would you like to try one?' she asked. I accepted for I had always wanted to try one. As you noticed they were very sweet. She asked if I liked them and I said yes. Before we left she gave me a large sack and said there were some lembas, élénberries, and other food for the long venture home. She also said there were some seeds from the fruit to plant. I panted one as soon as I got back." Legolas was quiet for a moment. "Who is your grandmother?"
"Oh, I am sorry I didn't tell you earlier, it just slipped my mind."
"That's all right."
"Galadriel, you have heard of the Lady of the Wood before have you not?"
"Yes I have. But I didn't know My Lady. And I have never seen her before."
"Please do not call me 'My Lady'. I can't stand it."
"I'm sorry, I did not know."
"That's ok, I get it all the time."
Legolas smiled. "Well it's getting late, let me walk you to your room." When they arrived at her door, Arín turned to Legolas.
"Thank you for today. I had a lot of fun."
"So did I."
Arín opened her door and she nearly dropped her bow in surprise. Her sister Arwen was sitting on the chair. Arwen had long dark hair and baby blue eyes.
"Arwen, what are you doing here?"
"Where have you been?"
"You answer my question first."
"Fine, I was looking for you."
"Why?"
"Because you were not at dinner."
"So."
"Father looked worried."
"He knew where I was."
"Well then where have you been?"
"I was practicing."
"Where?"
"I am not going to tell you because you'll tell everyone. And Father already knows where I practice."
"I feel a little better that I know you are not practicing alone," Arwen said pointing at Legolas.
"Do you have to meddle in my affairs all the time?"
"Yes. I just want to know that you are safe."
"You know that ever since Mother left you have never let me be out of your sight."
"It is my job to protect you now."
"Well could you lighten up a little? I can take care of myself now." Arín lifted her bow a little.
Arwen was quiet for a moment. "All right, I guess I have been a little too over protective. It's just..."
"I know how you feel. I am just as sad."
"Well to get on to a happier subject who is your friend here?"
"Oh, this is Legolas. He is an archer from Mirkwood who has also entered the tournament."
"Well it is wonderful to meet you, Legolas."
"And you, My Lady."
Arwen smiled. "Well I am going to go to bed. See you all tomorrow."
Arwen left and Legolas turned to Arín. "Arín, may I ask you a question?"
"Yes, Legolas, you may."
"I don't know if this is the right time to ask, but what happened to your mother?"
Arín was silent for a moment then spoke. "She was traveling to Lórien to visit her mother, my grandmother, when her company was attacked by Orcs. In the confusion, my mother was captured. My brothers pursued her and found her, but not before she had been tortured and received a poisoned wound. She was brought back here and my father healed her in body, but it was to late. She had already lost all interest in Middle-earth and a year later she passed over the sea."
Legolas was silent. "Arín, I'm very sorry." She was silent. "Well, I better go to bed too. Good night."
"Good night, Legolas." After he left, Arín sat on her bed and stared out the window. The breeze was warm and the sky was clear. There was a soft knock at her door. Her father opened it.
"Hello, Father."
"Hello, Arín. Why were you not at dinner?"
"I was out."
"Doing what, may I ask?"
"I practiced for a while with Legolas, then we went for a walk to the river, and then he walked me to my room. Then I talked to Arwen and we had an argument and."
"I heard the argument and everything."
Arín looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Father. It is just."
"I know. I feel the same way, I miss your mother very much."
Arín started to cry. Elrond held her close and kissed her forehead. "You need to sleep. Go to bed."
Arín nodded. After Elrond had got up and left the room Arín sat again and stared out the window for a little while longer, silent tears streaming down her face. She got up and put her nightclothes on then took her blankets down. She walked down the hall to her father's room and knocked on the door. He opened it and bid her good night. Then she went to her room and knelt by her bed and said a prayer.
"...And my father and mother, my sister and brothers, and my new friend Legolas. Amen." She got into bed and blew out the candle.
"Good night,' she said aloud.
~*~
Yeah, really bad I know. This is actually my first fic ever (let's not mention the first to disasters...Pokémon and Star Wars *cough cough*) Anyway, plz, if you liked it continue on. I know it's not half as good as my pirates ones, but for those I've had a bunch more practice.
~~~*Anna Sparrow*~~~
"Hello Father," Arín said as she let another arrow fly. This one hit the center of the target.
"Very well done, Daughter," Elrond appraised. "Are you going to enter the tournament?"
"Yes, I am."
"Well, I wish you luck. I've heard that Legolas from Mirkwood is entering also."
"Really?" Arín said looking interested. She lowered her bow. "I have heard he is a extraordinary archer, but I will win."
"I hope you will."
***
Many months passed and now the tournament was coming up. Three weeks before, the participants gather in either Lothlórien or Rivendell, depending on the year. This year it was being held in Rivendell. During those three weeks there were balls, parties and feasts held in honor of the tournament. Four days before the event was held the parties and everything ended so that the participants could devote their time to practicing. Arín went down to the gardens and her secret spot where she practiced her archery. The only other person who knew about her place was her father. As she walked towards the clearing where she practiced, she heard a bow sing in the distance. It sounded like it was coming from the clearing she was going to.
I wonder who would go to my spot? she thought.
When she entered the clearing she saw an Elf standing there. He was tall and had blond hair and green eyes. Green was another usual eye color. The Elf turned around.
"Hello." His voice was like music. "Who are you?"
"A...A...A...Arín. My name is Arín," she stammered.
"Arín. I have heard that name before. Yes, now I remember, you are Elrond's youngest child, right?"
"Yes."
"I have heard much about you."
Arín nodded. "And I of you, Legolas of Mirkwood. What brings you to this spot?"
"It's very quiet and peaceful. And it is easier to concentrate. What brings you here?"
"I usually come here to practice."
"Oh well then since you found this place first, I'll leave."
"Oh no, don't leave. It's nice to have company sometimes and I need to sharpen my skills for the tournament. You seem like a good opponent," Arín said quickly.
All right then, let's get started."
Arín nodded as she took an arrow from her quiver and fitted it into her bow. "You go first."
Legolas lifted his bow and let it loose. The arrow hit the center of the target. Arín tried to hide her amazement. She felt her hand shake as she raised her bow. She let go and her arrow split Legolas' in half. They both stared at the target for a good few minutes.
"You're good."
"You are too."
They practiced until sundown. After they were done, Arín took Legolas to her favorite spot in all of Rivendell. There was a waterfall down stream away and there were three trees with three different kinds of fruit: apples, peaches and another he couldn't identify. It was a truly beautiful spot
"They are called élénberries," she said as if she could read his mind. She tossed him some. "They are very sweet, try one."
Legolas popped one of the berries into his mouth. It was very sweet indeed.
"How did you know that I didn't know what these were?" he asked as he put another in his mouth.
"Well they only grow in my grandmothers garden and that is in Lórien."
"Then how come you have a tree here?"
"When I was younger I went to visit my grandmother with my sister Arwen. While I was there I did a lot of exploring, though I wasn't allowed to go far. My favorite spot was by this one tree in the orchard. It had silver and gold leaves at the time and grew a large yellow berry. But I had never tried the fruit before because the tree had a fence around it. One day I went down to the tree and my grandmother was there.
'Hello, Arín,' she said. 'Would you like to try one?' she asked. I accepted for I had always wanted to try one. As you noticed they were very sweet. She asked if I liked them and I said yes. Before we left she gave me a large sack and said there were some lembas, élénberries, and other food for the long venture home. She also said there were some seeds from the fruit to plant. I panted one as soon as I got back." Legolas was quiet for a moment. "Who is your grandmother?"
"Oh, I am sorry I didn't tell you earlier, it just slipped my mind."
"That's all right."
"Galadriel, you have heard of the Lady of the Wood before have you not?"
"Yes I have. But I didn't know My Lady. And I have never seen her before."
"Please do not call me 'My Lady'. I can't stand it."
"I'm sorry, I did not know."
"That's ok, I get it all the time."
Legolas smiled. "Well it's getting late, let me walk you to your room." When they arrived at her door, Arín turned to Legolas.
"Thank you for today. I had a lot of fun."
"So did I."
Arín opened her door and she nearly dropped her bow in surprise. Her sister Arwen was sitting on the chair. Arwen had long dark hair and baby blue eyes.
"Arwen, what are you doing here?"
"Where have you been?"
"You answer my question first."
"Fine, I was looking for you."
"Why?"
"Because you were not at dinner."
"So."
"Father looked worried."
"He knew where I was."
"Well then where have you been?"
"I was practicing."
"Where?"
"I am not going to tell you because you'll tell everyone. And Father already knows where I practice."
"I feel a little better that I know you are not practicing alone," Arwen said pointing at Legolas.
"Do you have to meddle in my affairs all the time?"
"Yes. I just want to know that you are safe."
"You know that ever since Mother left you have never let me be out of your sight."
"It is my job to protect you now."
"Well could you lighten up a little? I can take care of myself now." Arín lifted her bow a little.
Arwen was quiet for a moment. "All right, I guess I have been a little too over protective. It's just..."
"I know how you feel. I am just as sad."
"Well to get on to a happier subject who is your friend here?"
"Oh, this is Legolas. He is an archer from Mirkwood who has also entered the tournament."
"Well it is wonderful to meet you, Legolas."
"And you, My Lady."
Arwen smiled. "Well I am going to go to bed. See you all tomorrow."
Arwen left and Legolas turned to Arín. "Arín, may I ask you a question?"
"Yes, Legolas, you may."
"I don't know if this is the right time to ask, but what happened to your mother?"
Arín was silent for a moment then spoke. "She was traveling to Lórien to visit her mother, my grandmother, when her company was attacked by Orcs. In the confusion, my mother was captured. My brothers pursued her and found her, but not before she had been tortured and received a poisoned wound. She was brought back here and my father healed her in body, but it was to late. She had already lost all interest in Middle-earth and a year later she passed over the sea."
Legolas was silent. "Arín, I'm very sorry." She was silent. "Well, I better go to bed too. Good night."
"Good night, Legolas." After he left, Arín sat on her bed and stared out the window. The breeze was warm and the sky was clear. There was a soft knock at her door. Her father opened it.
"Hello, Father."
"Hello, Arín. Why were you not at dinner?"
"I was out."
"Doing what, may I ask?"
"I practiced for a while with Legolas, then we went for a walk to the river, and then he walked me to my room. Then I talked to Arwen and we had an argument and."
"I heard the argument and everything."
Arín looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Father. It is just."
"I know. I feel the same way, I miss your mother very much."
Arín started to cry. Elrond held her close and kissed her forehead. "You need to sleep. Go to bed."
Arín nodded. After Elrond had got up and left the room Arín sat again and stared out the window for a little while longer, silent tears streaming down her face. She got up and put her nightclothes on then took her blankets down. She walked down the hall to her father's room and knocked on the door. He opened it and bid her good night. Then she went to her room and knelt by her bed and said a prayer.
"...And my father and mother, my sister and brothers, and my new friend Legolas. Amen." She got into bed and blew out the candle.
"Good night,' she said aloud.
~*~
Yeah, really bad I know. This is actually my first fic ever (let's not mention the first to disasters...Pokémon and Star Wars *cough cough*) Anyway, plz, if you liked it continue on. I know it's not half as good as my pirates ones, but for those I've had a bunch more practice.
~~~*Anna Sparrow*~~~