Disclaimer: I don't own LotR. Only my characters and my plot.

Author's Note:

If you haven't already found out, I've had MAJOR computer problems. Yes, my hard drive crashed. I'm very sad. I lost about 50 of my work, but thankfully the only bit of my fanfiction was missing. Actually, I only lost one chapter. Hopefully I'll be able to remember most of it.

Chapter Six

Winter

Winter in Mirkwood is dreary as well as dangerous. It was a little before Christmas time and I found myself sorely missing the Christmas tree and decorations. I didn't quite know how to explain this holiday of mine to Mirlaic, so I didn't bother. It snows hard in Mirkwood and you can never stray far from the village for fear of getting lost or being attacked by the huge spiders that live in the forest. The spiders had seemed to become only more violent of late and were a reason of constant worry on everyone's mind. Including my own, I don't know how many nights I woke up in a cold sweat do to nightmares. Besides that, the orcs had started to invade the woods.

The young, male Elves from the surrounding villages were called to serve in the Mirkwood Army. Gilloth said farewell to at least twenty such Elves, and Faerlain was one of them. I couldn't go outside, unlike the Elves, I couldn't walk on the snow and it was already knee high and still coming down in a torrent of frenzy flakes. I gazed longingly out the window of Mirlaic's flet that faced the street. He was the highest ranking soldier, mostly because he had the most experience. I could say good-bye, only watch him leave. But before they disappeared from my sight, I saw him turn and look right at me. And he waved, smiling sadly. I waved back and wished to run out into the snow if only just to speak with him. But he was gone, and I never even knew if he had seen me wave back.

The snows stopped a week later and I trudged over to Alphril's flet with snow up to my knees. Mirlaic would need more bandages, frost bite continued to plague the Elves of the village. Mirlaic told me that though they did not fall ill often, they didn't seem to be able to escape frostbite that year. Mirlaic said it was the worst they had seen in nearly five hundred years! I had forgotten to wrap my lower legs and the snow clung to them, biting the warmth from my skin. By the time I reached Alphril's, I was shivering uncontrollably.

"Victoria! You poor thing. Trudging over here without any leg wrappings? Now you come right in and sit by the fire."

I sank wearily into a large chair and she pulled off my wet cloak and draped a blanket over my shoulders.

"You can't be in your right mind child to come trancing about in the snow like this."

"MMMirliac nnneeds sssome bbbbandages." My teeth were chattering.

"Varda is that all? I'll get them right away." Alphril rushed off to meet my request while I gazed around her flet. I hadn't been there since Mirlaic had sent me off for fabric. My teeth continued to chatter until I finally started to warm up. It was then I saw a little girl hiding behind the chair opposite of me. She dashed behind it once more when she saw me looking.

I had never been particularly fond of kids, it hadn't been my specialty. But this little thing made me want to laugh as she darted and snuck peeks at me like a little mouse. "Hello." I said politely. I saw two bright green orbs peek back at me. Hidden in locks of long, blonde hair. She ducked behind the chair again, not answering so I spoke again, this time in Sindarin. -You're a pretty thing aren't you?-

The two eyes appeared, this time I saw also the tips of her pointed ears. -What's your name?- I felt much warmer now, but she still didn't answer, disappearing behind the chair again. -Well, if you won't tell me then I shall call you Mouse.- Still no reply. -My name is Victoria. Would you like to hear a story Mouse?- Her large eyes stared back at me in wonder and then she finally nodded. I racked my brain, it was my challenge. I wanted to get Mouse to speak. So I searched for a really good story, one I had always liked till finally I decided upon Cinderella. -Once upon a time...- By the time I got to the part with the fairy godmother, her face had changed completely. And when Cinderella danced with the prince she was sitting on the chair itself.

She was dressed plainly, a dark brown smock with black leg wrappings and a tan scarf around her neck. Her eyes were wide, the fire shining brightly in them as I told her the story. -And she and the prince lived happily ever after.-

I stopped, waiting for her reaction, when I received none added, "The end." slipping back into English, or the common tongue as it's called around here. And for a moment I wondered if I had gotten my Sindarin accent right when suddenly she blurted out.

"Does happily ever after mean they got married and lived together forever?" she also spoke in the common tongue which surprised me greatly.

"Yes."

"And they were very happy?"

I nodded.

She relaxed into the chair and sighed, "It was a good story."

I smiled. "I'm glad you like it mouse. By the way, that's not your name is it?"

A shadow of a smile passed quickly over her face. "My name is Ana." She replied.

"That's a lovely name, one of my favorites."

"Your human aren't you?" She was staring at me again.

I nodded.

"Your only the second I've seen before."

"Oh? Who was the first?"

"Strider."

The name came again to my mind, the man who had saved me and brought me here. "Really?"

"Yes." her eyes were bright and her voice eager. "He came with Prince Legolas for the Star Flower, and they visited Alphril. I liked them."

"Do you like me?"

She paused, thinking. Geez, I hope the wait didn't mean something bad. "I think so. I liked your story."

"So what does that mean? That you liked me or my story?"

She thought again. "I like you." Then she looked down and blushed. "Your very pretty."

"Thanks, not many people do. But I think your much prettier." I said smiling.

She didn't seem to comprehend my last comment. She shook her head vigorously. "I think a lot of them do, especially Faerlain."

Now I was the one blushing. "How do you know him?"

She shrugged, "My brother and him are soldiers together." Then she smiled, it was small but it likewise illuminated her small face. "He likes you."

"Well, well, well." Both of us turned to look at who had spoke and saw Alphril standing in the doorway. "Victoria I never would have dreamed that you could get little Ana to talk with you. She's as quiet as a mouse."

I grinned as she walked towards us. Alphril walked over to use and rubbed Ana's back. The little Elfling smiled and glanced shyly at me. "Victoria tells good stories."

"She does now does she?"

Alphril looked at me in an amused way. "Go fetch a box for Victoria will you iell?" (Little one or daughter)

The Elfling nodded and dashed off as I rose to my feet. "You have amazed me Victoria."

"Why?"

"Ana has not spoken since her brother went away. Her parents died in an orc attack long years ago and he takes care of her when she's home. She was heartbroken when he left and refused to speak with anyone. She'd come here once in a while to help me with the store. But that was about it."

"I guess Cinderella cheered her up a bit."

"Who?"

"It was the story I told her."

Alphril chuckled as Ana came back.

"If it cheers this little one up, I think I should like to hear that story as well."

Ana came scurrying back into the room. "Here Alphril."

"Thank you Ana. I was just telling Victoria how you like to help me while your brother is gone." She nodded and then looked up at me.

"Will you tell me another story Victoria?"

"Maybe another time Ana, Mirlaic is waiting for me. But you can visit me any time and I shall tell you a story."

She smiled, "Thank you."

I took the package of bandages Alphril handed me and pulled on my cloak, now much drier. "See you later Alphril."

"Namarie Victoria, and please, next time wrap your legs!"

"Cinderella aye?" Mirlaic was smiling as I told her about what had happened at Alphril's flet. "I know Ana and her brother. I should, I helped to bring both of them into this world. Their mother was such a young, sweet thing."

"Wow, that's great Mirlaic, make me feel even younger then I already do."

"Well, Ana is nearly twenty times your age." She threw back her head and laughed. "If it makes you feel any better iell, I was only about 14 in mortal years."

Mirlaic was attending to an injured arm the next morning while I prepared for out noon time meal. I had just started to cook some meat when I heard a small tap at the front door. I walked over, wiping my hands on my apron.And was met at the door by two small figures, I shivered at the bout of cold that flew at me through the open door...the two figures only smiled.

"Victoria?"

"Ana? What on earth are you doing here? And in this storm...who's your friend?"

"We're not cold Victoria."

"No." I grumbled, "Of course not."

Ana didn't catch my grumble, she smiled up at me and said,"This is Linda, I told her about Cinderella and we wanted to know if maybe you'd tell us another story?"

I looked at her, then at Linda and slowly smiled. "I'd love too.But lets come inside first. You may not be cold, but I sure am!What kind of story do you want?" I asked them as I ushered them before our fire.

"Are there anymore with handsome princes?" asked Linda, she had a high voice and it sort of squeaked when she talked, her eyes were bright and starry-eyed.

"Yes...I think I know another one that you might enjoy."

That afternoon, they weaseled all of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty out of me too.

Over the long winter months, many Elf children appeared at my door. Shivering slightly with cold and begging for a story. By January, I had used up every single fairy tale I knew, and had to rely on movies. When I wasn't telling stories, Mirlaic was training me how to heal and helping me refine my Elvish. With January came the new year, (Not that it mattered, for time itself mattered little to these people.) and most days I had a number of Elflings sitting at my feet while Mirlaic visited with their mothers or healing an ailment of some kind. Elves rarely become sick, but once in a while something would come up.

To my surprise, I made another friend, Elenowen. She was Ana's brother's, Cudir's, wife. Elenowen had become pregnant heavily since Cudir had been away, and her time was close. It would be in the first baby to be born in over one thousand years. And in being so, the day was awaited by the whole village with great anticipation. I made a point of visiting her nearly every day, and when I did not come she was at our flet. Talking to Mirlaic about childbirth. It would be her first child, and she was nervous. Elenowen was a dark haired Elf, like Ana, except her eyes were clear grey.

I was trudging through the snow to Alphril's flet one morning over the next weeks. The snow was clear, and if the sun had been out, it would have blinded me. A cold wind was blowing through the trees, and I pulled my winter cloak tighter about my shoulders as I crossed the bare streets. The storm seemed not only to kill the plants and trees, but also much if not all of the social gatherings in the village. I was almost at Alphril's when I heard light footsteps coming up behind me. It was Ana, and she was running.

"Victoria! Victoria!" she stopped in front of me and glanced down at my feet. "You can't walk on snow?" She shook her head, "I guess not." Ana's eyes widened with fear and she looked back up into my face. Her ears were red from the cold and snow flakes whirled from her dark locks as she shook her head again. "Elenowen says her time is near, you must come quickly!"

Now my eyes widened, "I don't know anything about babies Ana!"

"Surely Mirlac has taught you something?"

"A little but..."

"I little is enough! I will get Mirlaic, but please go to her!" Ana's large eyes were gazing intently into mine, I could see her fear, her nervousness. I lock my jaw, my resolve hardening into determination.

"All right, but go. Quickly!" she darted off into the hazy streets, her footsteps didn't even make the faintest tracks on the snow. I whirled and bounded towards Elenowen's house. My heart was pounding fiercely against my chest, and I as neared I began to feel light-headed. Even if I got there in time, would I be able to do anything? The snow was up to my knees and I had to lift my legs high in order to run. I leaped, my muscles straining with the effort. By the time I reached her door, my lungs were heaving for air and my legs were shaking, threatening to collapse. I opened the door to her flet, and stumbled inside. I leaned against the wall to catch my breath and then slowly walked inside. I couldn't hear anything at first as I pealed off my soaked cloak and closed the door behind me.

"Elenowen?" No one answered, I called again. Finally I heard moaning, coming from a room in the back of the flet. I ran and found Elenowen laying on her bed. Her face was twisted in pain, her hands clutching the bed tightly as I knelt at her side. "Elenowen!"

"Victoria! Is that you?" she whispered weakly.

"Yes, it's me." I took her hand and squeezed it.

"I'm so frightened Victoria...I'm afraid I'll die."

"You'll do no such thing. You'll be fine."

"Where're Mirlaic?"

"On her way. Don't worry. I know exactly what to do." It was my biggest lie, and I could only pray everything would be all right.

I can hardly remember what happened all day. I felt light-headed and so nervous that I felt like I might die. But after it all, and this part I remember very well, was cradling a small baby girl in my arms. Just as Mirlaic rushed in the door.

News of the baby's birth spread like wildfire. And so had the fact that Elenowen had named her Turwethiel, which is the Elvish version of my name. The little thing had dark hair, just like her mother's, and the clearest blue eyes I had ever seen. Elenowen said they were from Cudir, her father. Slowly as the snows lessened, news of my part in Turwethiel's birth spread as well as the Elves started to socialize again in the streets. As first they weren't quite sure what to think of me. To praise my bravery, or to be appalled that one of their own had been delivered by a mortal. I hardly listened to the gossip, and nearly every day went to see Elenowen. I held baby Turwethiel in my arms, whispering her English name to her when no one was looking. I loved the way her tiny hands would grasp around my large, rough fingers. I loved to caress her dark locks, which unlike her mother's, were slightly curly.

"If it weren't for you, you know, I don't think I would have made it." Elenowen said a week later as I kissed Turwethiel's hand while Elenowen sat down to rest. I blushed,

"Don't be silly, you did all the work."

She was still weak, the birth had been difficult for her, and she was sitting in a large, cushioned chair. "No, I was close to giving up. If you hadn't been there...I don't know what would have happened."

I didn't answer. Some things just don't have answers. Besides, sometimes I didn't know what to think at all. Because if I thought to hard... all my thoughts eventually led to Faerlain one way or another.

"How's Talorta?"

"He's a little stir crazy because of the snow. But he's made some friends, and doesn't seem to mind TOO much."

Elenowen nodded, "He is a beautiful animal Victoria. I think he is one of your greatest friends... no?"

I smiled as I laid Turwethiel in her bed. That was a fact known without words. Talorta was why I was here, I had given everything for him. And he had given everything for me. We were bonded forever now. "Yes. He is."

I stretched my back as I straightened up again and glanced outside the windows. It was snowing harder now. Much harder then it had before. Strange. "It's getting worse out there." I said, voicing my thoughts.

Yes, our winters are always hard.- She replied, conversing now in Sindarin.

I reached for my cloak and threw it over my shoulders. -I should go.-

Will you be able to find your way?-

I nodded and she took my hand, "Thank you Victoria, you are a true friend." lapsing back into the Common tongue.

I smiled, -So are you.- I answered in her own language.

"Will you come again soon?"

I paused to think, "Yes. Tomorrow morning. Early, and then you can help me with my letters." I was learning Tenquar script now.

"I'm no scholar, but I'll do what I can." She smiled at me and squeezed my hand before releasing it. I braced myself for the cold and threw the door open, trudging into the rapidly filling streets.

That's it. Don't you just love that name? Turwethiel? For anyone who cares I got it from the Elvish section on: w w w . a r w e n - u n d o m i e l . c o m:Great LotR website, one of my favorites. And for all you LotR junkies, it has a number of EE trailers. Anyway, on to the next chapter!

5505 NOTE, thanks to Leo Cole forpointing out to me that Elves are not affected at all (or easily for that matter)by the cold.

Namarie,

Luthien Anaclime

TO BE CONTINUED...