Heads up on the next chapter is going to be following Legolas, because I
want to. Thanks to anyone who reviewed!
And one more thing I have to make clear: I'm never consistent at making updates, partially because of my stupid english teacher (thank god I am switching out of her class next semester!) and having to read stupid Greek plays (like Oedipus the King) in one night. As much as I love Greek plays, and I have all the time the world to read them and fill out study guide about them. Yea, right. Okay, promise I'll stop ranting sooner or later about my english teacher (then again I don't have an art teacher or rant about, maybe I could move onto chem or something)
With love,
Arwen
*******************************************************************
"Nessa! Nessa! What happened!" Her eldest brother, Aerandir yelled at her when she showed up on his doorstep. Without a second though, he pulled her inside, and sat her down on one of the chairs in the eating area. He knew she hated traveling on the road at night, but why she was there was beyond him. She was crying and blood was still dripping from her bright red cheek.
"Altar, Altar, he, he," she stuttered between her sobs, "I can't go back there, Aerandir!" She sobbed, Narie came to her side, and started to bandage her wound carefully. Nessa winced at the sudden stinging pain, but she didn't cry out.
"It is all right, Nessa, I am sure Altar will understand, what ever you did, I'm sure he'll understand." He tried to reassure her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"You don't understand, I'm not allowed to ever return!"
"Calm down, Nessa, what do you mean?"
"Altar wanted me to marry Oropher! He had it all arranged!"
"What do you mean? Altar never arranged my marriage, why arrange yours?"
"He said it had been decided a long time ago, and he was not going to go back on his decision. I have been banned, Aerandir! Banned! I have no other option!" Nessa cried out, sobbing into her hands. Narie rubbed her back gently, trying to soothe her crying sister-in-law. She was shaking badly, she didn't even notice the stinging pain in her cheek any more.
"Nessa, you know you cannot stay here for long. Altar will come looking for you, and if he finds you," her brother paused, not wanting to finish his sentence. He loved his Altar, but he also feared him, especially when enraged his Altar didn't always think straight.
"But where can I go?" She looked up at him, her pale green eyes blood-shot from her tears.
"Anywhere, you've always wanted to travel, Ness, here's your chance. Take it." He encouraged her, "just stay as far away as you can from Rivendell. He will always be watching."
"Are you going to tell him?"
Aerandir just smiled and shook his head, "never."
"Nessa, I might have an idea of a place where you could go. Its three-days travel from Rivendell, and its an Elvish settlement, I believe you would love it." Narie spoke up for the first time. She was a soft-spoken elf, kind and warm hearted, and never spoke unless what she had to say needed to be said.
"Where?"
"Mirkwood, you can retire there after your travels. The elves there have an appreciation for nature unlike any other settlement I have seen, and a library full of books." She smiled and laughed a little, "Lady Arwen visits often!"
Nessa got wide-eyed, she thought only Lord Elrond knew her secret. Was it was obvious that she was lying? Of where she went during their frequent visits to Rivendell?
"Do not worry little one, your secret is safe with me."
"Nessa, what is she talking about?"
"Nothing, Aerandir, nothing that you need to know."
"I thought spouses were not supposed to keep secrets from each other?" He said playfully, throwing an arm around his beloved wife.
"But alas, sweetie, I have been sworn to secrecy!" She said over- dramatically, "now you wouldn't want to break the bonds of sisterhood, now would you?"
Nessa laughed lightly, forgetting but a moment of her predicament. Aerandir and Narie just smiled, Aerandir rocking his wife slowly back and forth in his arms, and Narie stoking his hair lovingly. "Then it has been decided, I shall leave for Mirkwood in the morning. Maybe then I will be able to find a companion to travel with. I do love the idea of traveling, but I'd rather not be alone."
Aerandir nodded his head, "be safe little sister."
"And write as often as you can. I want to know everything of your travels."
Nessa smiled, and wiped the last remnants of tears from her eyes. It seemed that she had finally finished the chapter to one part of her life, and was finally beginning a new chapter.
She left the next morning, even before her brother and Narie awoke. All that was left behind was a simple note stating a thank-you for their hospitality. She re-bandaged her cheek, grabbed a small amount of food, and the items for changing her bandage if need be. Silently she climbed on Anwa, and took one last look on their welcoming home, "Thank-you dear brother, may the Valor always smile upon you." She whispered to herself, and began her journey.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Within four days Nessa had reached the large city of Mirkwood, hidden deep within a lush forest. She was in no hurry, she had taken time on her ride from Rivendell. She had the rest of eternity, she saw no need to tire her horse and get there in three days. The only problem now was what she was going to do now that she was in Mirkwood. She had to find some sort of shelter, the only problem was she didn't think she would have enough money for that and food. It was obvious she needed some sort of job, she just didn't know where to look.
The main part of the city was filled with people hustling through the market place. Most on foot, so Nessa was easy to spot walking besides Anwa. She was in awe at the sight of the beautiful castle of Mirkwood, it was so much unlike Rivendell, but it had a beauty all of its own.
She loved it within a second.
The only problem was that it was getting dark, and she had no where to go. The castle looked inviting, but for sure she wasn't allowed in there, and there where many homes surrounding the small market place area, but she did not know anyone.
That was the difference between Rivendell's beauty and the beauty of Mirkwood. She had friends and family to welcome her to Rivendell, and here, she was alone.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Excuse me sir, but is there an inn I might stay at?" She asked a vender standing next to her.
"So, you are an outsider, huh? Should have known, well there really isn't any place to go, most folks stay with friends or family, either that or they are the guests of the King or his family."
"Oh."
"Do you have a place to go, kid? I mean, I'm sure the King would take you in as a servant if you are really that desperate."
"Where would I go if I was willing to become a servant for the King?"
The vender shook his head and sighed, "You are that desperate, huh?"
Nessa shook her head, "I really don't have anywhere else to go, compared to my other options it is like being Queen myself."
"Where'd you run from, kid?"
Nessa lowered her head, "I am not running from anything."
The old vender smiled and shook his head, "I've seen a lot of elves like you, kid, and they are all runaways. I've heard all sorts of reasons why, but they all agree on one thing."
"What is that, sir?"
"They'd rather be a servant, then go back from where they came from."
"Then I shall do well in a place like that."
"Just let me warn you kid, its easy getting in, but hard to get out."
Nessa lowered her head a little, "but where else would I go?"
"Look kid, you can get a job anywhere else, just don't got to the palace. I've recommended a lot of good kids like you there, and I haven't seen a one of them yet. And I've lived here many years, I'm not going to make the same mistakes."
"But sir, who else would give me a place to stay?"
The vendor looked down for a moment, "I'm sure my wife wouldn't mind feeding another mouth, and we have some spare room,"
"Sir, would you really do that for me?"
"I want to set things right before I sail over, I've seen many kids just like you go to the palace thinking they can work there 'til they can get enough to stand on their own two feet, but none of them can ever leave. It's just like I've said, getting in is the easy part, it's just getting out."
"I'll work as hard as I can, to repay you every penny!" She promised the vendor, he nodded.
"My wife, Alassea, will be here soon, we can talk things over then."
"Thank-you, sir, I don't know if I can ever repay your kindness to me."
"The name's Mablung, you?"
"Nessa, sir."
"We have three little elflings to take care of, and I am sure my wife would appreciate the help with the elflings, they can be a lot to handle at sometimes."
"Trust me, I have five younger siblings, and three nieces and nephews, this will be nothing compared to home."
The vendor laughed, "I can see why you ran!"
Nessa smiled, "they had nothing to do with it, I love them dearly, and will miss them."
"Why did you run, kid?"
Nessa sighed, "it's a long story."
"I've got time, it's not like I'm going to die anytime soon."
Nessa laughed, "true, very true. All right, you have made your point, I will tell you. My parents had arranged a marriage for me, and I refused to marry someone I did not love."
"I can see, my parents probably would have done the same thing years ago if I hadn't found my wife. They didn't like the idea of me waiting forever for that perfect someone to come along."
"I do not mind, and I would wait forever for that perfect someone. It means that much to me."
"I'm glad there are still elves in the world like that."
Nessa smiled, "one can live without marriage, but they cannot live without love."
"Mablung! Trying to make a sale off this pretty young maiden, are we?" Alassea, Nessa assumed, walked up to the counter where Mablung was selling an assortment of items.
"Ah, Alassea! Just the she-elf I wanted to see!"
"Oh no, what have you done this time?" She glared at her husband, Nessa tired hard to hide her sudden onset of giggles.
"Nothing, nothing, nothing, just offering a struggling she-elf a job and maybe a home for a little while?" Mablung looked sheepishly at his wife, who smiled and just shook her head.
"Couldn't send another one off to the castle, could we? Come deary, you're about the tenth runaway elf to stay at our household. This is no surprise to me."
"Thank-you, both of you, for your kindness. I promise I will pay back every cent I owe you!"
"It's alright, deary, my name is Alassea, you've already met my husband, and these our are three little monsters, also called elflings by those who have yet to experience their wrath."
Nessa laughed, "you certainly should come by my old home sometime if you think three elflings are complete chaos!"
"Why, how many brothers and sisters do you have?"
"Five younger siblings, plus three nieces and nephews when my older brother visits with his family."
Alassea laughed, "how do your parents manage!"
"I have no idea," she smiled, "by the way my name is Nessa." She held out her hand and Alassea shook it firmly.
"Come now, lets get you settled in! We can keep your horse right on our property, and we have an extra bedroom for when Mablung invites some runaway elf to stay with us." Alassea smiled sweetly at Nessa,
"Again, I will try to repay you as well as I can for your hospitably!"
"Don't worry about a thing, deary."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
And one more thing I have to make clear: I'm never consistent at making updates, partially because of my stupid english teacher (thank god I am switching out of her class next semester!) and having to read stupid Greek plays (like Oedipus the King) in one night. As much as I love Greek plays, and I have all the time the world to read them and fill out study guide about them. Yea, right. Okay, promise I'll stop ranting sooner or later about my english teacher (then again I don't have an art teacher or rant about, maybe I could move onto chem or something)
With love,
Arwen
*******************************************************************
"Nessa! Nessa! What happened!" Her eldest brother, Aerandir yelled at her when she showed up on his doorstep. Without a second though, he pulled her inside, and sat her down on one of the chairs in the eating area. He knew she hated traveling on the road at night, but why she was there was beyond him. She was crying and blood was still dripping from her bright red cheek.
"Altar, Altar, he, he," she stuttered between her sobs, "I can't go back there, Aerandir!" She sobbed, Narie came to her side, and started to bandage her wound carefully. Nessa winced at the sudden stinging pain, but she didn't cry out.
"It is all right, Nessa, I am sure Altar will understand, what ever you did, I'm sure he'll understand." He tried to reassure her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"You don't understand, I'm not allowed to ever return!"
"Calm down, Nessa, what do you mean?"
"Altar wanted me to marry Oropher! He had it all arranged!"
"What do you mean? Altar never arranged my marriage, why arrange yours?"
"He said it had been decided a long time ago, and he was not going to go back on his decision. I have been banned, Aerandir! Banned! I have no other option!" Nessa cried out, sobbing into her hands. Narie rubbed her back gently, trying to soothe her crying sister-in-law. She was shaking badly, she didn't even notice the stinging pain in her cheek any more.
"Nessa, you know you cannot stay here for long. Altar will come looking for you, and if he finds you," her brother paused, not wanting to finish his sentence. He loved his Altar, but he also feared him, especially when enraged his Altar didn't always think straight.
"But where can I go?" She looked up at him, her pale green eyes blood-shot from her tears.
"Anywhere, you've always wanted to travel, Ness, here's your chance. Take it." He encouraged her, "just stay as far away as you can from Rivendell. He will always be watching."
"Are you going to tell him?"
Aerandir just smiled and shook his head, "never."
"Nessa, I might have an idea of a place where you could go. Its three-days travel from Rivendell, and its an Elvish settlement, I believe you would love it." Narie spoke up for the first time. She was a soft-spoken elf, kind and warm hearted, and never spoke unless what she had to say needed to be said.
"Where?"
"Mirkwood, you can retire there after your travels. The elves there have an appreciation for nature unlike any other settlement I have seen, and a library full of books." She smiled and laughed a little, "Lady Arwen visits often!"
Nessa got wide-eyed, she thought only Lord Elrond knew her secret. Was it was obvious that she was lying? Of where she went during their frequent visits to Rivendell?
"Do not worry little one, your secret is safe with me."
"Nessa, what is she talking about?"
"Nothing, Aerandir, nothing that you need to know."
"I thought spouses were not supposed to keep secrets from each other?" He said playfully, throwing an arm around his beloved wife.
"But alas, sweetie, I have been sworn to secrecy!" She said over- dramatically, "now you wouldn't want to break the bonds of sisterhood, now would you?"
Nessa laughed lightly, forgetting but a moment of her predicament. Aerandir and Narie just smiled, Aerandir rocking his wife slowly back and forth in his arms, and Narie stoking his hair lovingly. "Then it has been decided, I shall leave for Mirkwood in the morning. Maybe then I will be able to find a companion to travel with. I do love the idea of traveling, but I'd rather not be alone."
Aerandir nodded his head, "be safe little sister."
"And write as often as you can. I want to know everything of your travels."
Nessa smiled, and wiped the last remnants of tears from her eyes. It seemed that she had finally finished the chapter to one part of her life, and was finally beginning a new chapter.
She left the next morning, even before her brother and Narie awoke. All that was left behind was a simple note stating a thank-you for their hospitality. She re-bandaged her cheek, grabbed a small amount of food, and the items for changing her bandage if need be. Silently she climbed on Anwa, and took one last look on their welcoming home, "Thank-you dear brother, may the Valor always smile upon you." She whispered to herself, and began her journey.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Within four days Nessa had reached the large city of Mirkwood, hidden deep within a lush forest. She was in no hurry, she had taken time on her ride from Rivendell. She had the rest of eternity, she saw no need to tire her horse and get there in three days. The only problem now was what she was going to do now that she was in Mirkwood. She had to find some sort of shelter, the only problem was she didn't think she would have enough money for that and food. It was obvious she needed some sort of job, she just didn't know where to look.
The main part of the city was filled with people hustling through the market place. Most on foot, so Nessa was easy to spot walking besides Anwa. She was in awe at the sight of the beautiful castle of Mirkwood, it was so much unlike Rivendell, but it had a beauty all of its own.
She loved it within a second.
The only problem was that it was getting dark, and she had no where to go. The castle looked inviting, but for sure she wasn't allowed in there, and there where many homes surrounding the small market place area, but she did not know anyone.
That was the difference between Rivendell's beauty and the beauty of Mirkwood. She had friends and family to welcome her to Rivendell, and here, she was alone.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Excuse me sir, but is there an inn I might stay at?" She asked a vender standing next to her.
"So, you are an outsider, huh? Should have known, well there really isn't any place to go, most folks stay with friends or family, either that or they are the guests of the King or his family."
"Oh."
"Do you have a place to go, kid? I mean, I'm sure the King would take you in as a servant if you are really that desperate."
"Where would I go if I was willing to become a servant for the King?"
The vender shook his head and sighed, "You are that desperate, huh?"
Nessa shook her head, "I really don't have anywhere else to go, compared to my other options it is like being Queen myself."
"Where'd you run from, kid?"
Nessa lowered her head, "I am not running from anything."
The old vender smiled and shook his head, "I've seen a lot of elves like you, kid, and they are all runaways. I've heard all sorts of reasons why, but they all agree on one thing."
"What is that, sir?"
"They'd rather be a servant, then go back from where they came from."
"Then I shall do well in a place like that."
"Just let me warn you kid, its easy getting in, but hard to get out."
Nessa lowered her head a little, "but where else would I go?"
"Look kid, you can get a job anywhere else, just don't got to the palace. I've recommended a lot of good kids like you there, and I haven't seen a one of them yet. And I've lived here many years, I'm not going to make the same mistakes."
"But sir, who else would give me a place to stay?"
The vendor looked down for a moment, "I'm sure my wife wouldn't mind feeding another mouth, and we have some spare room,"
"Sir, would you really do that for me?"
"I want to set things right before I sail over, I've seen many kids just like you go to the palace thinking they can work there 'til they can get enough to stand on their own two feet, but none of them can ever leave. It's just like I've said, getting in is the easy part, it's just getting out."
"I'll work as hard as I can, to repay you every penny!" She promised the vendor, he nodded.
"My wife, Alassea, will be here soon, we can talk things over then."
"Thank-you, sir, I don't know if I can ever repay your kindness to me."
"The name's Mablung, you?"
"Nessa, sir."
"We have three little elflings to take care of, and I am sure my wife would appreciate the help with the elflings, they can be a lot to handle at sometimes."
"Trust me, I have five younger siblings, and three nieces and nephews, this will be nothing compared to home."
The vendor laughed, "I can see why you ran!"
Nessa smiled, "they had nothing to do with it, I love them dearly, and will miss them."
"Why did you run, kid?"
Nessa sighed, "it's a long story."
"I've got time, it's not like I'm going to die anytime soon."
Nessa laughed, "true, very true. All right, you have made your point, I will tell you. My parents had arranged a marriage for me, and I refused to marry someone I did not love."
"I can see, my parents probably would have done the same thing years ago if I hadn't found my wife. They didn't like the idea of me waiting forever for that perfect someone to come along."
"I do not mind, and I would wait forever for that perfect someone. It means that much to me."
"I'm glad there are still elves in the world like that."
Nessa smiled, "one can live without marriage, but they cannot live without love."
"Mablung! Trying to make a sale off this pretty young maiden, are we?" Alassea, Nessa assumed, walked up to the counter where Mablung was selling an assortment of items.
"Ah, Alassea! Just the she-elf I wanted to see!"
"Oh no, what have you done this time?" She glared at her husband, Nessa tired hard to hide her sudden onset of giggles.
"Nothing, nothing, nothing, just offering a struggling she-elf a job and maybe a home for a little while?" Mablung looked sheepishly at his wife, who smiled and just shook her head.
"Couldn't send another one off to the castle, could we? Come deary, you're about the tenth runaway elf to stay at our household. This is no surprise to me."
"Thank-you, both of you, for your kindness. I promise I will pay back every cent I owe you!"
"It's alright, deary, my name is Alassea, you've already met my husband, and these our are three little monsters, also called elflings by those who have yet to experience their wrath."
Nessa laughed, "you certainly should come by my old home sometime if you think three elflings are complete chaos!"
"Why, how many brothers and sisters do you have?"
"Five younger siblings, plus three nieces and nephews when my older brother visits with his family."
Alassea laughed, "how do your parents manage!"
"I have no idea," she smiled, "by the way my name is Nessa." She held out her hand and Alassea shook it firmly.
"Come now, lets get you settled in! We can keep your horse right on our property, and we have an extra bedroom for when Mablung invites some runaway elf to stay with us." Alassea smiled sweetly at Nessa,
"Again, I will try to repay you as well as I can for your hospitably!"
"Don't worry about a thing, deary."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*