Chapter IX: Eyes in the Darkness

The mist shrouded everything surrounding Elerrina. She could see nothing. No trees, no creatures, not even the sky nor the ground upon which she tread. All she knew was the mist. A strange sound began to drift through the air around her. It was so gentle and ethereal, like a whisper on the wind. The noise surrounded her, and as she continued forward, it became clearer and more distinct. It became a voice. Elerrina cried out, begging the owner of the voice to come forth. Yet, no one came.

She pressed on, and soon the shape of a lone figure appeared before her in the mist. As she neared, the mist faded, and she was soon facing the being. She studied the figure in a mixture of confusion and wonder. It was a beautiful, young elleth with long golden hair and intense blue eyes. She was clad in the attire of a male, yet that was not what struck Elerrina the most. The maiden's eyes were hard and empty, and her fair face was troubled. And there was something else. This maiden somehow felt so familiar to Elerrina. But how was that possible, for she had never seen her before this day. The elleth continued to stare at her, and Elerrina gasped, for she could now feel the weight of the maiden's pain. It was so great that she wanted to weep, yet she could not.

"I am lost," the elleth said. "Help me. Please."

"I am here," Elerrina said, holding out her hand to the maiden. "I will not leave you. Please take my hand."

The elleth reached out, but just before their hands touched, Elerrina felt herself being torn away from the maiden. She cried out as the mist shrouded the elleth again. She fought the power that was pulling her away, but it was too strong. Soon a blinding light surrounded her… and then there was nothing.


Elerrina woke quickly, and was surprised as she realized that she had fallen asleep. Her heart was pounding, and she was breathing heavily. What a strange dream. Last night, she had felt so odd, like someone was calling to her, begging her to come to them. Then the dream had overtaken her. Yet, it had not felt like a dream. It had been so real, so intriguing. She knew that she would never forget it, for it was forever etched into her mind.

Elerrina rose and went to the window. Dawn had arrived, and she basked in the warmth of the morning sun. She lingered at the window for several moments before she dressed and began to rummage through the house for something to eat. A knock at the door interrupted her search. She frowned. Who would be calling on me at this early hour? She went to the door and was surprised to find an unfamiliar ellon on her doorstep.

"May I help you?" Elerrina asked.

"Are you the lady Elerrina?"

"Yes, I am. How can I be of service?"

The ellon reached into his satchel and removed a letter. "I have a message for you from Mirkwood, my lady."

"Thank you, my lord."

The messenger bowed to her and left. Elerrina closed the door and sat at her table. She broke the seal on the letter, and smiled as she recognized Silaerwen's familiar hand.

My darling Elerrina,

I hope all is well with you, my dear. Maldathar and I miss you terribly, and we wish that we could be with you. Yet we cannot. Elerrina, I am writing to tell you that Maldathar and I are departing for the Grey Havens, and will be sailing on to Valinor. I am sorry, dearest, but we must leave. The call of the sea has become so great that we long for it and for Valinor. We will think of you always, my sweet Elerrina, and remember that we will always love you. No matter how far apart we may be, we will always be together. I love you, daughter of my heart. Farewell.

Elerrina clenched the letter in her hand and fought her tears. She felt as though her heart would break as she thought of her beloved family leaving these shores. Why must they leave? Can they not linger? She sighed heavily and rose. She felt the strangest urge to paint, to somehow express all of her emotions into this one piece of art. She gathered her supplies and headed for the waterfalls. She knew what she had to paint.


Elerrina stepped back and looked at her painting. The elleth from her dream was appearing beautifully on the canvas; all that was left to paint was the mist and the land around her. She began to paint again, but a strong gust of wind knocked the painting from her easel. She struggled to catch it, but as she did her arm brushed against a jar of paint, sending it falling to the ground. Elerrina gasped in horror as the paint spilled all over her canvas.

"No," she whispered.

She bent down, hoping that she would be able to save the painting, but it was already destroyed. She glared at the sky angrily, but her anger soon dissipated as the tears that she had fought earlier suddenly overcame her. She began to weep bitterly, but started as she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. She spun around and gasped as she met Glorfindel's concerned gaze.

"Elerrina, what is wrong?"

"Nothing," she whispered and walked over to a fallen log. She sat down, and Glorfindel sat beside her.

Glorfindel studied her in concern. She began to cry again, and he placed his arm around her shoulders. He could feel her tension, but he pulled her close to him and tried to comfort her. He froze as she suddenly buried her face in his chest. He began to stroke her hair, and sighed as he saw her destroyed painting. Could this be what had upset her so greatly?

"Elerrina, it will be all right. You can paint again."

"It is not the painting. I received a message this morning from my family in Mirkwood. They are leaving for Valinor, just like my father did. I have no one now."

His heart ached for her. "That is not true, Elerrina. You have your friends. You have me."

She looked up at him, and he gently wiped the tears from her face. He gazed into her beautiful green eyes and lightly brushed his lips against hers. He heard her gasp, and he kissed her again with all of the love and passion that he felt for her. She did not resist him, nor did she respond.


A dark figure stood in the shadow of the trees and watched Elerrina and Glorfindel's kiss through narrowed eyes. Jealousy and hatred ran through Nenthalion as he watched them. How dare he kiss her! He would not accept this. Glorfindel would not have Elerrina. She belongs to me! I will not lose her!