As A Dream

Written by: Kbartlez

Disclaimer/ I do not own Tolkien's characters. I do however own this stories race of wood nymphs.

Ready for Battle

A light glow was cast over the room by newly risen sun. On your right is a small bed and on your left is the door. At first glance you would think it to be any other room, but if you were to look closer you would see that the room was made out of a solid willow tree. And if you were to look down out of the window you would see that it was in a willow. Glancing once again around the room you gaze at the female sleeping on the bed. Her appearance is rugged, but gentle. Her unruly red locks are splayed out on the down pillow, and her pale, freckled hand is laying lightly by her freckled face, the nails chewn and bitten. You can see by the clothes she is wearing that she has fallen asleep not on purpose. Her simple night shift is folded on the table beside her bed, silently waiting to be worn. As the woman stirs you sigh and slowly depart from the room, but not wanting to leave just yet you steal towards the bed. Placing a kiss on her forehead, she awakens and smiles.

"Father, Good morning!" her soft voice fills your heart with love and you smile.

"Rire, it is time." rising from your bent position you retreat from the room to let her bath and dress.

Rire stretched and yawned. Greeting the morning with a smile she steps over to the night stand, splashing her face with cool water from the basin. Pulling her worn green dress over her head and making her way to her bathing room, her thoughts returned to the previous night.

Char's hand was cool on her flushed cheek as they kissed. His other hand was tangled in her hair. She reveled in his sweet embrace as they spent their last few minutes before his departure alone on her terrace. Pulling away from his soft lips she gazed into his deep blues eyes and smiled. Turning her head so it rested on his chest she sighed.

"What thoughts run through your pretty little head my love?" Char whispered through her hair.


Like their ancestors, the elves, their pointy ears and fair skin were the nymph's most obvious traits. Char's wavy black hair set him apart from the wood nymph society, but his full blood nymph heritage was apparent in his fair skin and elvish grace.

Rire spoke a soft reply "That I want to go with you"

Char pulled her away from him and looked into her fiery green eyes.

"You know women aren't allowed in this war. Even if you could go, I wouldn't let you. If you died my soul would die too." Char placed a kiss on her forehead and returned his gaze to her green one.

"I know this. But it is still hard to see you fight for something I also feel strongly about. The only thing I take solace in, is that I may watch the battle from the trees." Rire stated rather mater-of-factly. A moment of silence passed between them as they stood locked in an embrace. Rire's face became solemn as she broke it.

"What if you die..." she spoke softly, as if it would happen.

"Hush now. Speak not of such things. I will not die. These are humans remember. Their fighting techniques aren't as strong as ours. We will over power them swiftly and conquer. Upon their retreat I will return home immediately to your side. And we will be wed in the shadow of our Victory."

Char lifted Rire's left hand to his lips and kissed the ring on her thumb. It was a beautiful piece made out of a solid piece of oak and woven with strands of gold filigree.

Rire's head was now tilted back in stoic silence. Her left hand aimlessly tracing figure eights in the water around her. The ring there, glinting in the pale light.

A knock resounded on the door to her bathing room and a voice asked "Milady? Are you almost done? The battle is to begin at dusk and you have wasted the entire waking morn turning to a prune. Your father is expecting your presence within the hour at his table. And I suggest that you arrive promptly." Retreating footsteps signaled the departure of her handmaid.

Sighing for the thousandth time, Rire rose and dressed. After placing a light sage green dress over her head and onto her shoulders she attempted to twist her tangled mess of hair. Today it just would not comply. Finally resorting to letting it loose she stood and sauntered to breakfast.

Upon her arrival her handmaid scowled at her unruly hair. A light smile placed itself on Rire's lips as she entered the banquet hall. Her father was seated to her left at the head of the table. And to her right was her mother's place. Now empty it was a sorrowful reminder of her death.

"Bon matin, Pere.good morning father. Did you wait long?" she asked glancing at his half empty plate.

"Only a while Rire. You know that the battle is to start soon. We are having a delayed meal in the first place." Although Rire's father despised this war, he was a blacksmith and would be needed at some point in the battle.

Grabbing a piece of toast and placing a dollop of razberry jam on it, she made quick work of eating it. With the food still being chewed in her mouth she said

"See you on the field!"

Before her father could say anything she was out the front door.