Elves danced in the firelight, while the flames reflected the trees golden leaves. The flames sparkled in the eyes of every Elf. But one, in whose eyes the flames dove in and then was lost. For her whose eyes the flames found themselves already had golden flames resting, stirring, and dancing among the green depths of her eyes.
This girl took no place in the dance. Instead she sat in a tree and watched. Her lack of presence had gone unnoticed by most of the Elves for the entire night. She had very few friends. All of whom, she saw, were looking for her. But the one person that she wanted to be looking wasn't. The Queen Galadriel was talking to a strange Elf that Ailysa had never met before. Then again for the most part Ailysa avoided talking to people making it easy for her not to know most Elves.
She was so wrapped up in the thoughts of Galadriel that she almost fell from her tree when a soft voice whispered in her ear. "Well Lysa who would have thought, a tree. Odd place, really not typical." She turned and saw an old friend of hers, Calen.
She hadn't seen Calen for many years but she had heard from his brother, Cuthalion that he had left Lorien to visit his nephew, a young elf named Lindir whose mother had recently died. Calen and his brother-in-law had, according to reports, found refuge for themselves and Lindir in Rivendell. Then Calen's brother-in-law died of heartbreak only three months later. Meaning that it was pretty much up to Calen to take care of Lindir. Elrond, Lord of Rivendell, l had offered to raise Lindir. That is, according to reports and rumors.
"Hello Calen! I haven't seen you around lately. And what do you mean a tree is odd for me?" Calen just groaned and muttered something like 'Have you no sense of sarcasm?' That made Ailysa laugh. When she laughed so did Calen. "Rayon says that you have been avoiding all social contact what so ever." Calen said suddenly and cautiously. "Oh no, not really." Ailysa responded just as cautiously. "Who is that Elf that the Lady Galadriel is talking to?" She asked, eager to change the subject. Calen looked at him for a moment before responding. "It looks to be Haldir. One of the greatest of the Elves of Lorien." Then he looked at Ailysa searching for an answer. "Were is Cuthalion? I would like to talk to him before I retire tonight." Ailysa looked out to upon the crowd. And pointed out Calen's brother. "Thanks.' And he was gone. Ailysa sighed. Now it was back to her, her dreams, and her nightmares.
Galadriel looked up towards the tree. The tree in which her granddaughter had been sitting in a few moments ago. She was nowhere now. Galadriel sensed her husband coming up behind her. "What did Haldir say?" Celeborn asked quietly. "He reported that a band of Orcs had been seen walking north of here and they were not sure if they were headed into Lorien or away but depending on my judging we may want to prepare just in case." "And where are they headed?" Asked Celeborn, knowing that his wife would know already. "Some go back to Mordor others go somewhere that is hidden still from my view." Celeborn nodded. Then Galadriel spoke. " I fear about Ailysa. For the first ten years didn't know what to say. Then I began to feel a little surer of myself. Just at the same time as I decided that she needed to figure things out on her own. Now I'm not sure what is correct." She sighed. It was strange for her to feel unsure. She had always known exactly what to do in the exact right moment to do it. Celeborn on the other hand was feeling the opposite, for they were now in a situation were he knew what to do and she did not. "Talk to her." He said simply. "Tell her how you feel. I'm sure she will understand.' "Perhaps. You could be right.
Ailysa slipped off to her secret place. She knew that it no elf besides the Lady of the Wood was allowed in this clearing, but it enticed her. Though she knew better than to look in the mirror she wondered if it would show her something of interest. This was a place where no one could talk to her or disturb her or tell her she was different. "How many times do they think I need to hear that?" She cried aloud. "For the Valars sake I know I am different I just don't understand why!
"Indeed, as most Elves wouldn't just burst out like that." Ailysa spun at the sound of a new voice. "Grandmother, I...'m so...I...I mean M...M...My Lady, I'm so sorry I did not mean to intrude, it's just so lovely and nobody was here bef" She stopped short realizing to late that she had given herself away. To her surprise Galadriel actually smiled.
Ailysa had always seen Galadriel smile at people but it had always been hard to see because she was always watching from a tree. Ailysa couldn't remember a time when Galadriel had smiled at her. It was usually really important people like that man she had seen Galadriel talking to earlier.
"Lysa." Ailysa looked at her Grandmother startled at the use of her nickname. "You are permitted to go anywhere you please. You should know that. I'm sorry that you don't." Galadriel sighed. "I'm sorry for many things Ailysa. I am sorry for being failing as your Grandmother. I know I never talked to you. I never knew quite what I should say. Your mother disappeared, and then she came back with you. She did not tell anyone who your father was or anything. She disappeared that night again, and I never saw her again. I didn't know how to explain these things. I then thought maybe it is not my place. I hope you understand Ailysa. Ailysa didn't understand, but she decided against saying anything. She just shrugged.
Galadriel walked over to the pool and raised some water out with her basin. As she poured the water into the mirror, Ailysa realized what could be happening. She didn't want to look in the pool yet, but if her grandmother told her to, then she would.
"Lysa, would you like to look into the mirror? Do not be afraid of it. It cannot harm you physically, though you must be prepared to see something that you do not want to see, which might wound you mentally. Will you look?
I don't care whether the wounds are mental or physical, I don't want to be hurt. Lysa thought. Nonetheless, she drew near to the pool, whether it was because Galadriel had asked her to, or because her own curiosity had overcome sense, I cannot say. Whatever it was, she went to the mirror and looked in.