Chapter two
The cold winter air blew gently as the she elf made her way to the gates of Rivendell. She had the mortal child in her hands and from time to time she stole a glance at the sleeping bundle which was now her only comfort. Her mind reeled back to the moment she knew something was wrong with her village. Her imagination had, by now made countless of pictures of dead corpses in burnt houses enough to terrify even the strongest of elves. And as her tears fell for those who she did not truly know the cold air turned the warm droplets into cold ice drops which stung as they continued their way down her now rosy cheeks.
The child began to shiver, in a poor attempt to warm up the mortal child the she-elf rubbed gently at her back. As she was finally face to face with one of the palace guards. He looked at her and at the child she carried and as if understanding the despair in the she-elf's face he quickly opened the door and let them through with only one instruction to lead them to some one who will take care of them and get them settled in a warm room.
After getting the child settled in a warm bed the she-elf now had to deal with the never ending questions the maid they had assigned to her was asking.
"What is the child's name?" that simple question sent the she-elf's mind into overdrive. What was the child's name? She did not know, the child had been asleep ever since she found her.
After thinking for a long time the she-elf finally replied. "Mellawyn, her name is Mellawyn." The she-elf continued to look at the sleeping child.
It was night. The sky was covered in dark clouds and not on single star could be seen. A little west of Rivendell, deep in the forest was a group of orks. They had torches and swords and their armour was tattered bits of leather and chain mail. They shouted in a language which no mortal could understand. Their cries were loud and deafening and as the leader spoke the followers were silent.
As the end of the speech came the group erupted in a loud cry. Soon they were marching eastwards their torches high and they swords by their sides. They were getting ready for an attack...
A sound was heard in the bushes along their way and without a hesitation an ork had let an arrow fly in its direction.
A high pitched scream echoed through the walls of Rivendell's palace. Mellawyn was crying, afraid and screaming. The she-elf who had found her was soon by her side and stroking her back as gently as she could. The lord of Rivendell, Elrond stood in the doorway and watched as the she elf tried to calm to mortal child with soothing words in elvish.
"Mommy!" the girl cried "Evil monsters with torches and...and sharp knives...they....shot me with arrows..." her mumbled words were soon lost as sleep soon claimed her.
"You have a way with children, and yet you are not a mother yourself." Elrond finally spoke up startling the she-elf.
"She is easily calmed" The she-elf said stroking the child's hair gently.
"She spoke of something. Of creatures with torches and swords." He moved closer to the bed.
"Must be a nightmare" the she-elf stood and faced the lord taking a low curtsy before looking up at him.
"What is your name?"
"Meya, milord." She looked passed him to see a small boy around the same age as Mellawyn.
"Estel. You should be in bed." Elrond said without even looking behind him.
"I could not sleep father. I heard a cry." The boy walked in and looked in the bed before smiling. "It is a child. Father, there is another child in Rivendell" the boy gave an exited cry before looking up at Elrond.
"Yes, she is a child and if her carer will let her, you can play your games with her." Elrond looked at Meya before looking down to Estel.
"Of course your highness. I am sure Mellawyn would love to play with some one her own age." Meya smiled at the boy. "Now if you would excuse me, it will be a long day tomorrow and I would like to get some rest." She curtseyed before walking past Elrond to her room which was directly opposite Mellawyn's. stopping in the doorway she turned to the sleeping child and whispered "Rest well my sweet child"