Chapter Three
Across the sea
Waves thrashing and wind howling, a small ship could just be made out on the dull horizon that was the sea of Alatáriël. Wrecked ships and even aeroplanes could be seen through the unusually clear yet choppy waters. It was a protection that had been placed on Alatáriël and its surrounding land, so that anyone from the outside world who came within viewing distance would suffer a dire fate.
The Bermuda triangle was home to more than just some strange circumstances. It was in actual fact a large fortress which, although its size would suggest otherwise, was in fact home to 7 tribes of elves and housed 5 fairly sized islands. Alatáriël was an island on it's own, separated from the other 4 by a vast stretch of sea. The 7 tribes went to war with one another over many things but at that moment in time they were at peace.
Calls could be heard from the many men on board as they tried to steer the ship in the right direction. They adjusted the sails to catch the wind properly and with a sudden jerk the ship leapt forward continuing its rocky journey to the extreme borders of their land.
Below deck, everything was silent with the exception of the crashing of the waves on the side of the ship. It was dark and damp down here, the ship having very rarely been used and therefore slightly neglected. Flames flickered around the cabins creating eery shapes on the dark walls. In one corner of one of the cabins the dark outline of a woman could be seen. White blonde hair pulled back into a tight braid.
She looked as though she was asleep, or possibly even dead as nothing around her seemed to snap her from her trance. She sat staring into a mirror. Her hands were clasped in front of her as though they were bound although nothing held them together but her own concentration. Tears streamed from her ice blue eyes forming a line down her ghost like cheeks and falling onto her silky blue robes. She never once bothered to wipe them as she stared at the mirror.
The mirror was magnificent within itself. The pane of mirrored glass was held in it's place by a beautifully carved gold frame. It stood upright on two huge clawed feet. It looked like it was new and possibly even something magical. There was a strange writing at the top of the frame, well strange to anyone who hadn't grown up in Alatáriël.
'Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi' was carved deeply into the mirrors frame which in English means 'I show not your face but your hearts desire'. For some this would mean it would show them with all the riches in the world, for others it would show a family they never knew but for those very few who knew how to use it properly it could be a very useful tool.
Lúthien was one of the few who knew how to use it an although what it was showing her was exactly what she wanted to see it still upset her. Her hearts deepest desire was for it to show her what was going on back where her Father was and what she saw was exactly that.
They had set sail three days ago now and still her Father was in the same state. He had neither left his chambers nor had he permitted anyone to enter. He lay on his silk bed sheets staining them with his fallen tears like Lúthien was doing to her beautiful dress.
Neither Lúthien or Valandil had eaten since her departure from Alatáriël, neither had they slept or uttered a word to any other living soul. It seemed that they both felt the same way about Lúthien leaving.
Lúthien felt she had betrayed her Father by leaving him, she felt guilty for not relieving him of his duties no matter how much she knew this was the right decision for everyone. She had thought of nothing else for months and in the end she knew her reasons for leaving outnumbered those she had for staying.
Valandil was pretty much the same although his guilt stemmed from the fact his daughter had felt she couldn't tell him her plans to leave. He had pressed upon her since he received his injury just how relieved he would be when she took over the Kingdom. He knew now what a burden that must have placed on Lúthien. She loved her Kingdom and her Father above all else, disappointing him would be the last thing she'd want to do. Although he understood her reasons for going and in no way resented her actions he knew he would miss her terribly.
She had been his rock after his wife died. She had helped him with some matters of state which he just couldn't seem to resolve on his own and he doubted he'd have been able to survive the dreadful pain he was in had he not needed to look after Lúthien. Or at least he thought he had to look after Lúthien. Now there was nothing left in this land for him to hang onto and right now he felt like giving up. He wouldn't dare though. He swore to himself the day she was born he would live at least until he seen her coronation. This is what kept him strong through battles no matter how badly he was injured he thought of Lúthien and found a strange power to fight on.
The ship hit a harsh wave and shouts could be heard overhead. Lúthien finally broke her gaze away from the mirror and looked overhead to where she knew the men that had been sent with her were having a hard time trying to steer them to their destination.
Footsteps were heard rushing to the cabin door and then running down the steps. The door to her cabin burst open. "Your highness. We need you on deck. The borders coming and you are the only one that can open the gate for us."
This was sadly true. Only a Royal could open the gates to allow people in or out of the land safely. This was one of the main reasons all those ships and planes had found their end in that place. They had crashed through the invisible gate and everything else from there was horrific.
Lúthien stepped slowly from her seat in front of the mirror, taking one last glance before she exited the cabin. Her footsteps were light and well placed as she tried to make sure she didn't fall over on her way up the stairs. As she emerged through the small wooden door, bowing her head slightly to get through she noticed the sky was a cloudy grey colour, something she had never seen before as she had never drifted this far away from home.
The bright sun could just be seen through a tiny parting in the clouds and although only a few rays were spared they seemed to fall immediately on Lúthien as she moved towards the head of the ship. She now admired the wonderful craftsmanship of the boat. There were elegantly carved railings all showing the deities of Alatáriël.
It wasn't long before she saw the gate that stood between her and her future. She took one deep breath before closing her eyes and calling upon her inner powers. As the gate grew closer the men began to panic, Lúthien had yet to say the ancient words which were only revealed to royalty and the wind had picked up behind them pushing them forward much faster than they felt comfortable with.
Suddenly the gate was only a mere 50 feet away. The men had ran to the back of the ship, preparing for the sudden crash that was inevitable if Lúthien didn't speak soon.
"Ssec nir pru oyma irof ne po, sred ro beht foe tag!"
An unearthly voice rang out around them all and Lúthiens eyes were now open, a light shining from them that seemed so unnatural yet very comforting for those around her. Within seconds she returned to normal and just in time to watch as the ship passed through the gate.
The seas calmed and the sky grew bright, taking the eerie light from Lúthien. She turned to look at her crew as they stared around in wonderment. She took a deep breath. Knowing it would be her first of many in this world before returning to her quarters below deck and the mirror she had longed to see since the moment she'd left it.
