Meeting at the Bridge

After Elrond left, checking her bandages one last time, she lay awake in her bed, her eyes drifting to the sky visible from her open window. A slight shiver ran through her, goose bumps pebbling her skin; a light breeze drifted in, carrying a warm scent that found its way to her heart.

Bria, came the gentle whisper, soft and near impossible to hear, Bria.

As if she were dreaming, her trembling hands lifted the blankets from her body, and she placed her feet upon the floor, shivering at the biting cold of the stones. With the heat of her body rushing to warm the stone floor, she walked toward the open window, heedless of the now-distant cold, her bare feet making light padding sounds. As if in a trance, she looked outside, ignoring the breathless sky and starlit beauty of Rivendell.

There, across the garden, a figure ran amongst the flowers, a little body of color in between the darkened sky and pale moon light. A tug in her heart sent her feet moving without thought as she felt herself drawn to that little body; at the bright laugh that echoed through the trees and flowers, she found herself pushing open the terrace doors leading from her room, her heart pounding and blood singing.

Legolas was restless, and finally sat up, his temper on edge for some reason, and was in no mood for sleep. Feeling uneasy, as if he was waiting for something, he began to pace the length of his room, his booted heels nearly soundless against the stone floor. Exasperated, he threw up his hands, and stalked to a window, his fierce gaze at the stars. His nervousness melting away, the uneasiness remained despite the pleasure he normally found in his solitude.

Sighing softly, Legolas watched the lights of Elbereth dance above him, and felt as if they were smiling.

A light flicker of color caught his eye, and as he turned his head, he saw a pale blue body disappear among the trees. Intrigued, he left his place at the balustrade and went out into the garden, the fragrance of the night-blooming flowers in the air. His steps quick and silent, he hurried to draw closer to the pale figure, catching sight now and then of a flicker of pale blue.

Bria, came the whisper, carried softly on the wind, Bria.

Drawn as if by siren's song, it wasn't fear that held her heart so tightly, but anticipation; unable to look away from the bright being that laughed and played as a child, she barely recognized the grass beneath her feet instead of the stone or hardened earth of the paths. Deeper and deeper into the gardens she was led, passing under trees and around bushes, till she came at last to a bridge by a waterfall.

/Beautiful,/ she thought distantly in her mind /Just like in fairy tales./

The little being no longer ran ahead of her, and was quietly standing on the bridge. Still as if in a dream, her feet made no sound as she walked toward the glowing little body. Suddenly, as if struck, she gripped her heart and gasped. She knew that laugh, that haphazard run, the way the little body stood so somber at the bridge.

"Meredith," she whispered, hardly daring to breathe.

The little being of color turned, and she nearly wept with happiness; it was Meredith, her sister's red-gold hair shining brighter than her own and her pale skin made white by the moon. With a strangled laugh, she ran toward the bridge, bending to scoop the little body up into her arms and planting kisses all over her face. The child threw her arms around her, hugging her tightly, but making no sound as her older sister whispered how much she loved her.

Swinging her around, the pair collapsed breathless to the floor of the wooden bridge. Leaning against the wall, she held her sister tightly, afraid to let her go. Resting her chin upon Meredith's head, she closed her eyes and whispered a prayer of thanks to whatever god had given her back her life.

At the times he was able to catch a glimpse of the pale blue figure through the trees, Legolas wondered for perhaps the thousandth time, /Who in their right mind would be outside at this time of night?/ Finally, he was able to discern where the figure might've been going, and struck out in that direction. Soon, he heard the unmistakable sound of water falling against rocks, and hurried his steps.

Bursting out through the trees, his eyes were immediately caught by the pale blue figure at the bridge, paling in comparison to the bright body of light being held in their arms. Silently, and as discreetly as possible, he moved slowly backward into the forest once more, to hide his presence, and made his way without a sound as close to the pair as possible.

Catching sight of the red hair flowing past the figure's shoulders, he knew at once this was Elenia, the human daughter of Elrond. Taking a step forward to reveal himself, to question her presence on the bridge, he found that something had rooted his feet to the ground; startled, he tried to move his arm and grew alarmed when he could do nothing.

Oblivious to the golden mist encircling Meredith, she caressed her little sister's face, remembering every birthmark, every scar, its very softness. Tears falling silently, she could do nothing but hold her little one tightly.

"I thought I lost you, Meredith," she whispered, crushing the little body to her chest, "I saw you die, oh God, I thought I lost you!"

The little arms wrapped around her tightened, then fell and the glowing body stood away, and she looked up, confusion and pain in her eyes.

"Meredith?" she whispered.

The child held out a glowing hand, and as she took it, a rush of warmth heated her blood, causing her to shiver in the wind. Raising herself to her knees, they looked at each other eye to eye. At last, she asked:

"Who am I, Meredith?"

Placing a gentle hand upon her cheek, a sweet, heartrending smile lit upon the little girl's lips; bending closer, her warm, colorful lips lightly kissed her sister's brow, her little breath soft and comforting. Leaning into her little sister's body, her heart loosened slightly as she breathed in the warm mist surrounding Meredith.

Gazing at the solemn dark eyes, she was overcome with memory once again as she remembered those same eyes shining with tears as well as laughter. The wind picked up, and she heard a voice say:

Elenia Star-void. Elenia Star-void. Elenia Star-void. Elenia Star-void. Elenia Star-void.

Laying her head in her hands, she wept, harsh sobs that racked her weak body, and bitter tears brushed aside by a glowing hand. Raising her red-rimmed eyes to her sister's face, she realized the voice was coming from Meredith. Glowing brighter by the second, she saw her sister's lips move, and the wind-voice spoke again:

Briana Morgan is no more; in her place has come another. Elenia Star-void is born.

Slowly, the glow around Meredith began to diminish, and the little girl began to fade into the wind. Startled, she reached for Meredith, only to touch at smoke; crying aloud, she scrambled to her feet and stumbled through the fading wind, running lightly toward the dying wind that danced toward the dark tree line.

Rushing into the trees, calling Meredith's name, she didn't notice the second body until she collided with its solid form, crashing to the ground with the other in a pile of tangled limbs and clothing. A low groan sounded, frightening all thoughts of her sister from her mind, and she desperately tried to stand, wrenching her body free. Panting, licking sweat from her lips, she tried to run, but found her dress caught between the other person's legs. Frightened and confused, she did the only thing she could think of: swearing horribly.

"I can assure you, Lady, I have done no such thing with my mother or any being of another species," came the irritated reply, as well as the sounds of someone struggling to stand.

Recognizing the blond Elf's voice, she murmured a small squeak of surprise and tugged her dress harder, causing it to rip as she raced away through the trees to the safety of the house. Alone, Legolas stood, picking the leaves and briars from his tunic.

/Well, that was certainly…interesting./ he thought.