A/N:

Hello again. Nothing to say this time except...

Dark Godess Vanmoriel: Hey, Mori! Glad you like this. I luv your story too! Here's my update!

Other people who didn't read this: I know it's bad but is it THAT bad?

Chapter – 3

"There you are, Lady Ithilwen!" Said my handmaiden, Vanya as I approached my talan "I have looked for you everywhere. Come, we must get you ready for the feast." I nodded and followed her to my talan.

I saw that she had a pale blue gown laid out for me. This one was one of my favorites; it had a full bodice with silver netted sleeves and the fabric would give off different shades of blue as it was moved. I sighed and took off my riding boots, which Vanya then put away. Tired, I lay down on my bed and looked up at the ceiling. I picked out a strand of my hair and toyed with is for a while and then blew it off my face. I might have had a little nap but Vanya came into the room.

"I should have known that you would fall asleep, my lady. You didn't sleep last night, did you? Where were you last night, anyways?" she asked as I got up and changed into my bathrobe.

I smiled "The usual place, Vanya. I was on the old watchtower. I wanted to feel the wind."

"No more going up there, my lady. You must get your full rest. You mustn't tire yourself, so!" Vanya said. Vanya has been with me for a long time. She has been more of an 'advisor' than a handmaiden. Even though I seem wise and mature sometimes, there is still an immature side to me that Vanya has wanted to get rid off for quite some time now.

"Your bath is ready, my lady. Come, we must make haste. We are truly behind schedule; your hair still needs to be done! Go on now" She urged

I smiled and headed off towards the bathing area.

The whole place smelled like a garden of various fragrant flowers. I slowly stepped into the water and sighed. There was nothing like a relaxing bath after a nice long ride. All I would need after that would only be a bed. Alas, sleep was to come much later. I had a feast to attend. I washed my hair slowly while taking in the scents of the place. I stayed there a while to soak in the warm water before climbing out and slipping on my bathrobe.

I found Vanya, patiently, waiting outside for me. All right, not patiently. In fact, she was fuming! Yet she smiled one of those 'I do not want to smile at present but I know I shouldn't be angry' smiles.

"Come, we must make haste" She said as she led me back to my room. All these preparations for just one feast; I wondered what I would do all through the week. That was about to be one very long week.

Vanya had just finished fixing up my hair when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in!" I called. The door opened to reveal a smiling Haldir.

"Good evening, lady Ithilwen. I am to accompany you to the feast tonight." He said with a hint of hilarity in his voice. I could see that he could barely control his laughter. I ran to him and embraced him.

"Haldir, my friend! It has been so long. Tell me, when did you return from the borders? Tell me everything!"

He laughed, "You look amazing! But I see you haven't changed a bit, Ithilwen. I feared that you would have been changed into a proper lady by the time I returned! I was here this afternoon and I would have come to see you sooner but I did not know where you were, my friend. You still just seem to go missing all the time, don't you?" he asked

"Not missing, Haldir. I go wherever the wind takes me. How are Rumil and Orophin?"

"My brothers are well. They're still trying to find an Elleth for me, unfortunately. They miss you too, of course." He replied

"And the borders?"

"The borders fortunately are peaceful. Just an Orc attack or two; nothing that we could not handle."

"I wish Naneth would let me join the border patrols. I am trained, thanks to you, Haldir. I am weary of being here; there is nothing new. Each day passes in the same way as the previous one. I want to travel; I want to be free off this place. Sadly, Adar or Naneth would never permit it." I said

"I understand, Ithilwen. But fate is cruel and what you are destined to do is what you'll never know until you have to face it. Let us go now. Everyone is waiting." He said as he offered me his arm.

I took his arm "Are we late? Naneth will have my head if we are!"

Again, Haldir laughed "No we will be just in time"

We talked and laughed as we walked to the hall. "Now, behave!" Haldir said when we were just outside and then he led me to my seat.

Adar and Naneth were seated at the head of the table. I sat beside Naneth and Haldir sat across from me, beside Adar. Next to me was Prince Legolas and across from him was his father, King Thranduil and so the long table continued.

Dinnertime conversations went on; recent events in Mirkwood and everything from giant spiders to news of Mirkwood's royal family. I listened intently to most of it except the part about the spiders. The very thought of a giant spider scared me! Now it was time to be a nice hostess and speak to the guests

"I hope you are having a pleasant stay here, Prince Legolas," I said

"Yes, I am, Lady Ithilwen. Lothlorien is beautiful and the air is lighter here than in Mirkwood. But the Mirkwood tress are more shady and darker in color" he said, "Would you like to come to Mirkwood, my lady?"

"I would love to visit Mirkwood. My one wish is to travel around middle earth and learn about every culture, learn every language in it's own land." I answered

"I that what you really wish to do, my lady?" He asked

"Yes"

"I will tell you this, if only you would not tell my Father." Said the prince. I nodded

"I too long for adventure and to travel." He said

"Then prince Legolas, I hope that one day, we can both travel together and fulfill our wishes." I suggested

"A companion would be lovely. I wouldn't like to travel alone." He said

And so, we continued to talk about our plans for the future. What Naneth says is true; I can never act my age.

I excused myself pretty early and Haldir accompanied me to my Talan. At last, I could sleep. Finally, there would be some peace and quiet and rest. I picked all the pins out of my hair and changed into something comfortable to sleep in. For once, I thought I would sleep all night and not just a few hours. I always used to wake up every night and then not sleep till the next night. Finally, I washed my face and climbed into bed.

I awoke sometime during the night to find that I could no longer sleep. As usual, I put on a green tunic and brown leggings and proceeded to walk to the old watchtower. I just longed to feel the wind…

Once I was there, I looked at the moon. The moon, according to me, is the purest thing that we living beings can lay our eyes on. It was good to be up there alone. Most Elleths would be frightened of the place but I quite liked it. Alone…no…I wasn't alone. There was someone else.

"Ah! Ithilwen, I am not surprised to see you here tonight. But I'm glad you're here, my friend. We have much to discuss."

A/N:

Short chapter, I know...but anyways, tell me what you think. please?

Thanks

Aeariel of the Sea aka Eleniel of the Stars