Chapter 5
Author: Tith
Araréiel's eyes darted back and forth. She could see no one watching her. Who had seen her? She began to wonder if Legolas had played a trick on her. She knew he must suspect her of eavesdropping. But still... It was unlike Legolas to tease her. Araréiel frowned in frustration. Who had the message been from? She pouted for a few moments, then decided she had better pay attention to the council.
"War may be the only option we have," she heard her father announce.
Araréiel's eyes widened. She peeked her head out from the shrubbery, and for a brief second, he father's eyes flashed up to the balcony. Araréiel gasped and retreated back. She swallowed hard. He couldn't have seen her! She watched cautiously and crouched back as far as she could. She saw her father motion to someone. Another elf? She squinted as the person came into view, and Araréiel couldn't believe what she saw. It was one of Men, and a female at that. She was small and slender with dark, cascading curls down her back. Araréiel's father grasped the girl's hand and drew her close. He whispered something to her. The girl nodded, then bowed her head slightly. The girl quickly disappeared around a corner.
Lorin hurried from the council, her petite hands wrapped around the fabric of her skirt, pulling her dress from the ground. She had been embarrassed to attend the council, per her brother's request, and was relieved to be sent off with a message. Lorin shuffled down the path, lost in thought. She hoped she could find her way around such a large house. The Elf at the council had told her to circle the courtyard, then enter through a side gate. There, she would find a large staircase. As she turned the corner and walked under the archway, she found the directions to be accurate. She climbed the stairs until she reached the second floor.
Lorin glanced around for a moment, pausing to take in the beauty of her surroundings. She could only dream to ever live in such a place. It was her privilege to even set foot here. She was old enough to tend to herself, but her brother had asked her to join him on his journey to Mirkwood for a Council. She couldn't imagine that the Elves had asked for her to be there, so her only thought was that her brother took pity on her loneliness at home and brought her along for the pleasure a trip. That appeased her well enough, but the thought of attending a meeting she was uninvited to made her cheeks flush scarlet. But why had the Elves seemed to tolerate, and even...expect...her presence? Was her brother so influential? In the end, it was the only answer that made any sense to her.
Lorin shook her head, remembering her current purpose. She had a message to deliver. She turned at the top of the staircase and walked to her left. She entered the first bedroom quietly, afraid to intrude. She saw no one and continued to the balcony. She peered around the door, and there, huddled in a corner, peeking through a hedge of plants, was the fairest person she had ever laid eyes on. Lorin immediately began to blush. She had no right to be here, delivering message to such people.
The elf jumped, stifling a small scream. "What are you...? Who are...? Get out!" The elf's eyes flashed with emotion, her embarrassment apparent.
Lorin took a step back.
"Now!" the elf said again.
Lorin's eyes widened. What was she suppose to do? She took another step back, prepared to bolt through the door and run down the stairs. "I am sorry, my Lady! If...if you are Araréiel, then your father...sent me to you. Are you...Araréiel?"
A calmness flashed over the elf's face. "Yes, I am Araréiel," she replied. "What does my father want?"
Lorin sighed with relief. Araréiel didn't seem to be angry any longer. "He wants to speak with you. Again, I am sorry. I did not mean to scare you."
Araréiel shook her head and smiled at Lorin. "No, it is I who am sorry. I should not have lashed out at you." The elf walked forward, her grace evident in every footstep, and wrapped her arm around Lorin's. Lorin smiled, comforted by the small gesture. Araréiel continued to speak. "I did not want my father to see me," she explained. "It is not your fault that I am guilty. Come on, then. Let's see what my father has to say to me."
Lorin nodded, casting her eyes down. She allowed the elf to lead her back down the stairs and to the council, chatting with her quietly on the way. Lorin wondered what Araréiel's father was going to do.
The next chapter Fimriel, another author, gives a big twist no one had seen coming.