Disclaimer: Me no own Tolkien's work.

Author's Note:

IT SNOWED! For a good hour it snowed today in New York, USA in the area where I live. It wasn't enough to make a thick covering, but it's not melting right away. That probably means we're going to have like a foot by Thanksgiving. I don't mind. I got a job and my boss (who lives next door) is letting me use his indoor arena all winter long so I can ride. :) YEAH!!! I don't hate winter anymore. :)

Chapter Nine

Acceptance

During the long weeks after my recovery, the snow and cold weather did not stop visitors from coming. Most to wish me well, others to congratulate me on helping Elenowen with Turwethiel's birth. And I saw something new in their ageless eyes, a kind of acceptance. I guess they were finally figuring out that perhaps mortals weren't so bad after all. ( It took them long enough. ) I learned something new as well, that Elves were not as perfect as they seemed by out-side appearances. In that respect, they weren't so different from me after all. The only true boundaries that remained were with the Elf boy who had pushed me into the snow all those weeks ago. Who's name I found out to be Celebas. But now only he ignored me, and most of the villagers were kind. At first it took everything in me just to sit up and do simple tasks like eating or writing. But as the days wore on, my strength returned. And I could start to stand up, with support of course. Araviniel was at Mirlaic's flet nearly every day. Her studies had begun shortly after I had fallen ill, and I was now sort of a lab rat.

Mirlaic had her help me do things like walking, or dishing out medicine as I grew stronger so Araviniel could help and learn through a hands on experience. I didn't mind, Araviniel's company was refreshing and full of laughter. During this time, Araviniel became my closest friend. And by the time I could walk on my own again, we were always laughing and exchanging secrets. One particular day, it was snowing again, and she was sitting on my bed while I brushed my hair. It would be the first time I had really done things on my own for nearly a month.

"Tell me something about Faerlain, Araviniel." I said as I stroked my hair.

She smiled as she looked up at me. "You like him." It was not a question, but a fact she was merely stating.

I blushed and answered "Yes." anyway. "Very much so."

She laughed a crystal clear laugh and then sat down on the edge of the bed and gestured for me to sit next to her. "There is so much I could tell you. Let me think for a moment...Ah... there was this one time when I was young, only seven or eight by mortal years. We went exploring in the forest and he was telling me about the great battles in the east during the Elder days."

"How old was he?"

"Twelve I think, mortal years of course. And we fancied ourselves great warriors fighting alongside Gil-Galad, the leader of the Elven armies. Faerlain looked at me suddenly and said, 'Do you want to fight the Dark Lord?' I said no and that he should do it. That seemed to be exactly the answer he hoped for, he looked so happy." Araviniel chuckled softly, "What struck me as funny is that he asked me at all." She looked at me, smiling. "He was always like that. Asking just to be polite and hoping he'd get what he wanted in the end."

I grinned in return, "What about you Araviniel, whom do you fancy?"

"Promise you won't laugh?" The mirth had disappeared replaced by a serious expression.

"Pinky swear." The satisfaction that she was picking up my customs well passed through my mind as we hooked fingers.

"All right, it's the Prince."

My eyes widened, "Prince Legolas?" The last I had heard of him was in Mirlaic's story, then he had only been a baby.

"I met him when I was a lady-in-waiting to the queen. He is wonderful Victoria."

I elbowed her playfully, "Your head is in the clouds. He's probably some stuck-up pretty boy."

She glared at me, her lips curling into a pout. "Is not!" Now I laughed.

"Just kidding Araviniel. But you are rather ridiculous you know."

She grinned, "I know."

"I mean... a prince?"

She pushed me back and I slid onto the floor in a fit of giggles as we laughed together. Both of us dreaming of our knights in shining armor.

A week or so passed, I was myself once more. Up and about and tramping about the village. There were no footsteps besides mine, unless you counted the horses'. And the soft imprints in the snow of the Elves. Elenowen had recovered and was doing well. I visited her and baby Turwethiel often. The happiness in the village however, did not reflect upon the forest. Dark and gloomy as ever, Faerlain didn't come home again all the winter. The spiders retreated to their lairs, and no one dared to enter the forest with the knowledge that they were within somewhere, lurking. I started to take Talorta out for rides in the thick snow, stretching his legs which always pained him after his accident with Zach. The big horse was a sort of celebrity with the village children and we were met heartily wherever we went.

Talorta snorted with pleasure as we marched, (we meaning he) through the snow which was nearly past his knees. He tossed his mane and picked up a laborious trot. I saw no need to stop him, for he already knew to stay clear of the forest. He trotted to the center of the town where Ana and a few of her friends were playing. They looked up as we stopped and ran over in a flurry of flapping capes and flying feet.

"Hello Victoria!" shouted Ana, the little girl had brightened up considerably since Turwethiel's birth.

"Hello Ana. Hello everyone."

The Elflings, about five all together, waved shyly. "How's Talorta?" asked Ana.

"Happy. He's excited to be out after been cooped up inside for so long."

One of the other girls giggled as he pawed the snow, "He likes the snow." He showered it upon the Elflings and they laughed as they wiped it from their faces and clothes. I couldn't help myself, I mean, how can you resist a bunch of kids? "You guys want a ride?"

True to my expectations, they said yes. I gave rides for the better part of the day. It was tiring work, but exhilarating at the same time. Talorta whinned with pleasure as he tramped through the snow, carrying the light bodies of the Elf children around the village. And I saw a whole new look in their faces and in their eyes as well. Similar to the looks I had seen in the older Elves. And never once, not even once, did fear enter their bright eyes when they saw me.

Happy Chapter. Yes I do know how to write them. :)

Namarie,

Luthien Anaclime

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