Disclaimer- LOTR doesn't belong to me but to Tolkien. All my characters do. Yada yada..
Chapter Two
Darwencylas was ecstatic as she and Elmarwen rode through the countryside. She had not felt this happy since she was eight years just before her father passed away. She urged Fiera on to a gallop and she could feel the wind blowing her rich brown hair with its silver steaks behind her. She let it flowed freely down her back instead tying it into the usual elegant but severe looking braids twisted around her head into a chignon.
Elmarwen smiled to herself as she watched her young friend riding delightfully. They had been friends for many years dated back when Darwencylas was just a young girl of ten. Their friendship had formed the moment the young queen first rescued her from a band of orcs armed with nothing but a silver flute.
Elmarwen had been traveling hard from Imladris to Mirkwood on an urgent errand from Lord Elrond to King Thranduil. She had been crossing the countryside of Nelron and was attacked by a lone warg and was in danger of becoming its meal when suddenly a sweet hypnotic melody sounded from the air. Much to her astonishment, the hypnotized warg obediently followed the melody and jumped off a nearby cliff to its deaths.
"Are you alright, lady Elf? Should I get you a healer?" A little girl who looked no more than six years asked in a soft childish voice. She had light brown hair and large innocent amber eyes. She smiled and held out her hand to the wounded Elmarwen who tentatively took it.
"Come, follow me." The child smiled and led her into of what appeared to be a large manor. There she was greeted with bows and solemn nods by all those who saw her.
"I want Healer Barra to come to my rooms immediately. Find some decent clothing for the lady Elf and prepare a warm bath and meal for her too." The child ordered her man-servant in an imperious manner, causing Elmarwen to look at her with a surprised expression on her face. However, the girl merely smiled at her and asked her to seat herself on a comfortable cushion chair.
"What is your name, lady Elf? What is your business here in Nelron?" Asked the child in a very serious grown-up manner.
"I am Elmarwen from Imladris. My Lord Elrond has sent me on an errand to Mirkwood. I was passing by Nelron and meant no harm." Elmarwen answered in an equally serious manner though she tried to hide her mirth. The child was absolutely precocious.
"I am please to meet you, Lady Elmarwen. I am Queen Darwencylas of Nelron. Please accept my humble hospitality here in Hurad Manor and rest yourself until you are well enough to continue your journey." Darwencylas smiled before walking out of the room.
Elmarwen was astonished to find that the queen of Nelron was actually a child. Two years ago, she heard news that King Morwinlon of Nelron had passed away from a heart attack, leaving his only daughter to succeed the throne. She did not know that the heir was a mere child.
For the next two weeks, Elmarwen stayed at Hurad Manor to rest her wounds. At first, Elmarwen was shocked when she learnt that Darwencylas was older than she looked. Darwencylas actually laughed and told her that it was a family trait. Her father too had looked small for his age when he was her age. However, she did not mention her mother except to say that she died at childbirth.
Elmarwen too had privately wondered the reason Darwencylas did not reside in Sundar, the capital of Nelron, but instead stayed at the countryside manor. She soon learnt from servants' gossip that Darwencylas' step-mother, Dowager Silvia was the acting Regent as the queen was too young and unfit to rule. Darwencylas had been sent to Hurad Manor with tutors to teach her court manners and things she should know as the future ruler of Nelron. Yet, they were employed by the Dowager to ensure that Darwencylas was slow in her progress to gain back her throne. Nevertheless, unlike Elmarwen, they did not realize that Darwencylas was far too intelligent and had seen through their plans. Instead she used her sleeping time to pour over various books on topics such as politics and military strategies. Only the night servants who had secretly spied on her in the study room knew.
Elmarwen was horrified and felt compassion for Darwencylas' plight. To repay Darwencylas for her kind hospitality, she taught the young queen songs and music of the Elves for Darwencylas was a truly gifted child. She could melt even the hardest hearts with the tunes she played with her flute. Not only that, Elmarwen taught her self defense with a sword and also hand-to-hand combat. Darwencylas was an apt pupil but she lacked physical strength because of her small size.
At first, her lessons in combat were frowned upon by her tutors, especially her nurse, Rita (employed by her step-mother) for only men in the army learnt martial skills. But Darwencylas was a stubborn girl and ignored their protests. She simply pointed out that she was the queen; therefore she required practice combat in order to defend herself from assassination attempts.
When it was time for Elmarwen to go, she left with a heavy heart. She bade goodbye to Darwencylas, whom she affectionately called Darwin. Darwencylas' amber eyes had glistened with unshed tears but kept up a strong face for the queen of Nelron must never show her weakness in public.
After that, Elmarwen kept track of Darwencylas' development and was impressed with Darwencylas' foresight and wisdom for all her young age. Darwencylas had abolished several old rules of past kings and created new ones to suit the common people. She had two Prime Councilors elected from the current Council to serve her. They would have equal standing and power in court to avoid a fight for power. One was elected by votes from the Council and by her final choice; the other was voted by the common people to serve on their behalf. As a result, Perneth was chosen from the Council and Meroth of the commoners. Surprisingly, they got on rather well except when they disagreed in certain matters.
Elmarwen had only appeared twice in Sundar where Darwencylas resided after she had overthrown Dowager Silvia and regained power at the tender age of fourteen. She never stayed long and would disappear quickly. The last time she stayed was two years ago.
"Elmarwen! Are you listening to me?" Elmarwen snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Darwencylas' annoyed face.
"Sorry. I was thinking about something. What is it you say?"
"I want to go to Gondor. Can you take me there?"
"Gondor? Why would you want to go there?" Elmarwen was surprised at Darwencylas' interest in the Western Country.
"I've always longed to see the White City and perhaps meet the legendary King Elessar. That is one of the main reasons why I established a trading deal with Gondor in the first place." Darwencylas smirked. Nelron was rich in timber and other minerals that were useful to any growing city. King Elessar had claimed his throne not long after Darwencylas regained hers. She had quietly monitored Gondor's progress for the next few years to determine if Gondor will be a potential ally or threat to Nelron. Once she confirmed that Gondor will be of no threat to Nelron, she had sent a messenger there to establish a trading partnership. The offer happened just three years ago.
"Very well then, I would love to see my friends again too." Elmarwen smiled and urged her horse towards southwest where the kingdom of Gondor lies.
Darwencylas chuckled and urged Fiera to gallop off, following the Elf. She had a feeling that she was going to enjoy her sabbatical.