Chapter One: A Perfect Suitor
Ariella lays in her bed in a deep slumber, the morning sun just peering into her room. She stirs and realizes that morning has come too soon. Her body and mind are awake but her eyes remain shut, she lets her mind wonder to her thoughts. This is just wonderful! Now I have to get up, get ready to meet his Royal Highness Prince Perian. The entire thing makes me sick! The knock on her door forces her to open her big brown eyes.
"Ariella are you awake little one?" The voice of her handmaiden Larienel, most of the time Ariella would give a happy response but today Larienel is not so lucky.
"Yes I am awake!" Ariella's voice rudely bellowed. On the other side of the door, Larienel just rolled her eyes and forgave the young princess. Opening the door to find her still in bed.
"Sorry." Ariella said as her old nanny walked in. Smiling Larienel walked over to Ariella's bathing room to fill the tub. Over the years, Ariella has insisted that she can draw her own bath, but Larienel still insists on doing it for the young princess.
"Are you happy to be meeting the young prince today little one?" Larienel tried her hardest to sound cheerful, but in all honesty, it is hard for the old elf woman. She has seen Ariella grow before her very eyes, the thought of her marrying brings her almost to tears.
"If you must and already know, no I am not happy to be meeting another suitor. Unfortunately, for me I have heard that Prince Perian is the worst one of them all. I don't understand why Uncle Elrond wishes me to wed at such a young age." She complained while she undressed in her bathing room. Larienel outside the door.
"I think he wishes you to be happy little one. Besides I was wed around your age, and I was very happy." Her maternal voice chimed in at the perfect time as always.
"Yes but you and I are very different Nanna, besides I am happy I do not need to be married to be content with my life. I wish to travel to see the other realms of Middle-Earth, not be confined to a cage until I wish to seek Valor." Ariella said washing her hair.
The morning continued normally and as usual routine. Ariella dressed in her green gown. The gown made of satin flows down gracefully and trails behind her like a gentle stream of water. The sleeves tight on her arms, the cuffs come to a point at her fingertips. Gold netting goes around her waist. Her hair curled in ringlets, and a beautiful gold barrette clipped in the back of her raven hair holding the locks together.
Ariella finds herself wondering the library her love of books often keeps her busy. During the first few weeks of her stay she grew to love the library, it became her sanctuary. Her uncle soon declared that it was her own, no one is permitted to enter it unless by her permission. Ariella would lock herself away for hours and just read. Only coming out for a short couple of minutes to eat, and to inform her uncle of where she was.
Years have passed and she still has yet to read every single book in her library. Elven authors compose most of the books. Many of them consist of old battle tales retold repeatedly by numerous authors. Other books on the arts and history, on the elven magic and how it differs from that of the wizards. Her favorites consist of those told about the half-lings that live in the Shire. She admires the little people and often wishes to visit there, but with the recent events of choosing a husband it is difficult to travel.
Standing on the ladder she finds herself coming across on old favorite one she read hundreds of times. So many times that she could probably read it to you word for word without looking at one single page.
Here is it. I have not read this book in several years how I have missed you old friend. She pulls out the old leather book. A Hobbits Tale by Bilbo Baggins. Flipping through the pages readying herself for Bilbo's adventure, but she is cut short by the voice of her Nanna.
"Coming Nanna!" She yelled from inside the room. "Sorry old friend perhaps another time, I'm going to meet his royal highness" her voice sarcastic with the last two words. Walking out and locking the door, she gives her Nanna a fake smile.
"Come, come child you've already kept his highness waiting let's not make him wait any longer." Larienel said pushing her along.
"Wait, I need to go get someone." Ariella said running towards the opposite direction. She runs into her room, and to find her loyal elven cat Artemis sleeping on her bed.
His colors are raven black the same color fur as Ariella's hair. He was gift to her for her one thousandth birthday. His eyes are crystal blue, the tips of his ears and tails are ivory. In his present state, he appears to be an ordinary domestic cat. However, elven cats are very different then that of your ordinary run of the mill cat. Elven cats are able to change their size whenever they please. They can maintain their kitten size, but they can also use they elven magic to grow the size of a large tiger.
Artemis get up. The elven cat stirs as she contacts him through telepathy; this is how all elven cats communicate.
Good morning little princess, aren't you supposed to meet Prince Perian this afternoon? Artemis said stretching his little legs.
Yes, I am and you are coming with me. I do not understand why my uncle wishes me to meet these suitors and yet I do. I think I do it just to humor him but after the first twenty, it gets old. She explains to her feline friend.
Therefore, you wish me to come, to scare him. Is that all I am good for? Artemis asked trying to sound hurt.
Of course not! You are my most trusted and loyal friend. Who else would bite the bums of royalty for me? The laughed in unison at her comment.
All right little princess just for you though but your uncle is not going to be happy. Artemis warned. Jumping off her bed onto the floor a flaming tornado surrounds his body as the flames diminish; the giant cat stands before her. His giant saber teeth are now revealed. Sitting down he is at least four and a half feet tall.
The pair walks down the hall and into the garden to find the prince talking to Lord Elrond. Her uncle gives her an angered look. Ariella smiles at him, her poor uncle he does not have the heart to stay angry with her.
"Please accept my apology Prince Perian, and Lord Elrond for my tardiness, I found myself a deep state of mind while I was reading." She said bowing to them both.
"That is alright Lady Ariella your uncle and I were just talking about you." His voice made her skin tingle. He looks her over as if to judge her figure.
"Well then I shall leave you to alone. Ariella I trust you and Artemis will be on your best behavior." Her uncle nodded to the both of them. She smiles and nods in return.
After about ten minutes, Ariella could see that her relationship with the prince was going nowhere. Nevertheless, of course her royal duties as a princess kept her attention. I can just see Uncle Elrond now if I excuse myself. She thought to herself. Coming back into reality just to hear the prince say how beautiful she is.
"You are to kind Prince Perian. However, I think we should adjourn for brunch. My uncle," She was cut short by the prince's face inching closer to hers his lips puckered. She pushed him off. She shrieked in utter disgust.
Artemis! Ariella's voice bellowed in his head. The giant saber tooth cat came to her rescue biting the princes' butt. His deep male voice let loose the sound of a young schoolchild. Ariella laughs hysterically.
"That will teach you next time not to mess with me!" She yelled storming off Artemis following close behind. Walking into the hallway, her uncle spotting her and calling to her. "That's it that's last time I meet one of your stupid suitors! You can punish me all you want but I refuse to marry someone of your choice!" She yelled at her uncle.
"Ariella you promised you would behave! That's the third one this week!" He scolded her. "Do you not wish to wed is that it?" He asked his tone still stern but his voice in a lower volume.
"No! What I wish is to travel and see the world not be caged like a bird whose only wish is to spread her wings. But I also wish to marry for love, not someone you choose for me." Ariella explained to her uncle.
"My only wish is to see you happy." Lord Elrond explained as well.
"No you only wish to make another alliance with an elven race to add to your great army." Ariella said accusingly. "Is that all I am to you?" She asked hurtfully.
"Of course not I only wish to make you happy." Her uncle repeated his voice more calm.
"I am happy can you not just let me be?" She asked her eyes welling up with tears.