Slowly, I reached down to my hip and drew out my long knife. In one quick motion I spun and cut downwards with the hilt of it, intending to stun, not kill. As I spun, though, the speaker had managed to run halfway down the hill. I ran to the tree and yanked my arrow free, then hurried after this strange intruder.
About halfway through the forest I lost the elf. I had managed to piece together the basics of what he looked like. He had long, blue-black hair and dark eyes. He was wearing a dark brown cloak, tan pants and leather boots. He had a green shirt with a light green short tunic over it. There was a longbow slung over his shoulder and an full quiver of arrows on his hip. I suspected he had some sort of blade on his belt but couldn't see it. I hurried home to inform my father of this strange intruder.
One home I went quickly to my chambers to put on clean cloths. Once I was in a pale gold, sleeveless tunic and long, dark green skirt I pulled on soft leather slippers and hurried down the staircase to my father's office. Haldir looked up and grinned. "Halloth, what a pleasant surprise, you in a skirt." I raised my eyebrow at him and said; " you know that if I don't wear skirts around the house, mother will have my head." Haldir laughed and said, "Yes, and go find you mother, I believe she wanted to speak to you." I gave him a quizzical (A/N oh yeah, two dollar word!) look. He gazed stonily back. I sighed and left. I trudged back up the stairs and turned down one of the long halls in the plaice. I knocked on the ornately carved wooden door of my parent's chambers and entered. Seintathar was seated in front of a large mirror, combing her long red hair. "Halloth," she said warmly, "I wished to speak to you about marriage." I opened my mouth to rudely protest but she cut me off before I could do so. " I know that you aren't fond of the idea but with your sister going off to study in Minas Toroth you are the most appealing of out daughters. Most families don't like educated women. I don't see why but there you are. We would have waited, we as in your father and I, until you were 2,000 but because of your sister we shall have to set this up sooner." I gaped at her. No one had informed me of this! I wasn't aware of any plans of marriage! My mother smiled at me, "It's lovely to see you in a skirt." I was furious, first she drops the news that I have to be married on me then she makes a comment like nothing has happened. I spun on my heal and stormed out.
I thundered down the hall and up to my chambers. I grabbed a tunic, shirt and pants. Then I grudgingly grabbed a skirt. I pinned my hair up and grabbed my bow, quiver and knife. After pulling on a pair of rumpled pants and pinning a cloak on my shoulders I hurried down to the kitchens. I grabbed some lambas and, evading the cooks, scampered into the stables. I grabbed the bridle and saddle for my mare, Heleg. Once they were secure I led her out of the plaice grounds and into the forest, intending to spend the night out there to clear my head. After an hour of slow riding I came upon a small stream. I let Heleg drink as I nibbled on a corner of the lambas biscuit. The sun was in the middle of the sky when I saw him, the intruder elf. I realised I had forgotten to tell Haldir about him. I mentally kicked myself but knew I couldn't go back just yet. I continued to wander; every now and then I spotted the elf again. The last time I saw him as when the sun had just set and he had been heading towards the plaice.
It was late indeed when I found the stream again and tied Heleg to a tree near the stream. I rested fitfully; the strange elf flitted in and out of my dreams like a butterfly. (a/n on crack! .) When I awoke, I quickly checked my surroundings and changed into my clean pair of breaches and tunic. I rode swiftly to the plaice sensing trouble on the air.
The moment I arrived at the plaice I knew something was wrong; it looked as if the plaice was an anthill that had just been kicked. Elves of all ranks swarmed around the courtyards and grounds. Once I had galloped into the courtyard of the stables my sister, Dulin rushed out to greet me. Her eyes and nose were red. I dismounted swiftly and a groom took Hegel. "Dulin, what on earth is wrong?" I said breathlessly. Dulin looked at me tears in her eyes, "Ada is gone, vanished."
Haldir- Tall watcher Heleg- ice Dulin (there is suppost to be a thingie on the u)- Nightengale more later! .