A/N: These first 5 or so chapters will continue a few time skips between them. The date is indicated everytime so it shouldn't be too confusing.

I also wanna thank msg839 for commenting already :)

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, setting or plots of the Silmarillion or any other related works by Tolkien.

Chapter Two

372 F.A.

A knock interrupted Andreth's concentration.

'Adanel asked if you have finished yet?'

She looked up and saw Geldir standing at the door. Her exacerbated expression morphed into a tired smile. She raised her hand from their wretched task and unconsciously pushed a few stray strands of hair out of her face not realising that she left a dark smear of coal on her forehead.

'No, not yet! But tell her I'm nearly done.'

Geldir smiled sympathetically and nodded before she turned and made to close the door again.

'Sure, will do! Don't be too long and …'

As her voice trailed off, she gestured up to her forehead before the door fell shut with a thud.

Andreth's shoulders dropped back down as she stared at her unfinished thankless task. The grey stone bowl before her was filled with powdery coal… no there were still some big chunks left. Grumbling she picked the pestle back up and started fervidly to ground down on the content inside the mortar.

If Geldir had been sent to ask after her than this meant probably that Geldir was finished with her tasks for the day and was free to go home and enjoy her free time. Small seeds of envy began to grow inside her chest. The other girl was merely two years her senior and was therefore her closest friend in her uncle's household.

However, at this particular moment, she couldn't help the bitterness rising up.

Geldir didn't have to fill her entire days with thankless little tasks for her aunt Adanel. She didn't have to spend her nights reading whatever scripture Adanel deemed important. And most certainly she did not have to leave her family to do so.

No, Geldir could go home each evening like she was probably doing right now.

Andreth took a deep breath calming her harsh thoughts. No, she shouldn't be mad at Geldir, nor Adanel. Both had been nothing but kind to her since she arrived at her uncle's house over three years ago.

She dipped her fingers into the mortar, checking for any big chunks of coal left. Satisfied with the result she picked up the ladle inside of a bucket of water she had cumbersomely pulled up from the well and brought inside the small study.

After she poured some water onto the ground down coal she added some of the precious sap she had spend half the day gathering in the adjacent forest and began stirring the mixture into a dark slightly gooey fluid.

Again she dipped the tip of her fingers into the bowl checking if she got the consistency right. Perfect.

This time Adanel would have nothing to complain… beside her tardiness maybe. Next, she poured the ink into a small jar and quickly corked it before it could start to dry out again.

Hastily she dipped her darkened hands into the leftover water in the bucket scrubbing at the coal smeared up to her elbows. After that, she pulled off her dirty apron and tossed it next to the bucket. She grabbed the ink jar and hurried out of her small study into the corridor towards Adanel's rooms.

Impatiently Andreth threw open the door after a short knock and stormed into the small candlelit room. Adanel sat at a small wooden desk studying a big book in the midst of parchments and scrolls.

Her long blond hair was restrained by a loose braid. It shone nearly golden in the dim light. Along with her blue eyes, this visibly marked her as a member of the House of Marach.

Andreth still remembered clearly her awe when she first met the woman, only once before had she seen someone of that colouring and he hadn't even been human.

Calmly the older woman raised her gaze and looked at Andreth with discernable authority.

'Andreth, my dear, what are you in a hurry for?'

Andreth previously proud grin made place for a small grimace.

'I'm sorry Adanel, but I finished the ink and came to show you immediately… This time it is perfect!'

Quickly, she stepped over to the desk and put the jar in front of Adanel.

Her aunt offered her a small smile and before picking it up she gestured to her forehead. Andreth felt her cheeks heat up in embarrassment and began to furiously scrub at her forehead.

At the same time, Adanel held the ink jar up to the flickering light to evaluate the ink's consistency. During this process, Andreth anxiously gripped her hands behind her back and began to rock on the balls of her feet.

In the meantime, Adanel pulled a used parchment and a quill closer, uncorked the jar and dipped the tip of her quill inside. She made a few precise scribbles onto the parchment before looking back up at Andreth with a slightly wider smile.

'Yes, you did well! And only slightly late.'

Her last remark was softened by the humourous glint in her bright eyes.

Instead of resealing the jar again she pulled another this time unused parchment close and flipped a few pages back through the big tome in front of her. She dipped her quill back into the ink and began to copy the first passage of the page in front of her.

Andreth pulled a small stool close to her busy aunt and sat down, patiently observing her task. Curiously she leaned a little closer, considering to ask after the book. She read the elegant script on the page:

The white snakeroot has many uses. It can be used as a poultice to treat the swelling of a snake bite. The smoke from burning leaves is able to revive the unconscious…

Andreth grimaced. Herbs and plants. Her aunt's teachings were interesting and fascinated her in many ways. However, she simply could not stand the dull lectures on a hundred different plants and every single thing they were used for.

'What is the use of witch hazel?'

Startled Andreth looked up and cringed a little as she realised that Adanel intended one of her impromptu test questions.

'It is used for… skin rashes and… ah infections?'

Her aunt's raised a serene eyebrow never looking up from her task.

'Is that a question?'

'No?'

'How would you prepare it for this particular use?'

Andreth cringed again. Great, that meant she probably forgot one of its applications.

'You grind down the bark into a paste and put it on the affected area...also the leaves, I think?'

'Another question?'

'...No.'

This time Adanel looked up and gave her a stern look. After a small sigh, she put her quill down and closed the ink jar before giving Andreth her full attention.

'Andreth, you are very clever. I know you are capable of learning this lore if only you applied yourself more. You can't be so unsure of yourself, especially as a wise woman. People will look up to you.'

Andreth let out a frustrated breath.

'I know. I know. But it is just a lot and sometimes I can get things a little confused. But I knew the answers!'

At the look that Adanel gave her her insides cramped together. Quickly in order to show her interest in Adanel's lessons, she continued:

'But I like the lore of our people. Yesterday you said it was impressive that I could list the entire tale of Baran the Second! And if you wouldn't mind I would love if you could continue the tale of Beör the Old.'

Adanel's stern expression made way for a small smile. Andreth couldn't help but mirror her aunt and showed a smile of her own, knowing that she managed to get her way.

'Alright. You already know how the House of Beör was established?'

'Yes! Afterwards Beör the Old left his son as the chieftain and went with the elves… eh I mean with the Eldar. But what happened after that? Where did he go?'

Amusement played on Adanel's face at her eagerness.

'He went with Nòm for he had become a dear friend of the elvish lord. He lived with them for forty-four years before he died. The elves sent messengers to your great grandfather telling him that his passing was peaceful.'

Slightly disappointed by the lack of great adventures Andreth continued her questions:

'What about Marach? He is your ancestor, isn't he? Did he also join the Eldar?'

'No, my people came into Beleriand sometime after yours. While Beör and his people were given these lands by the King of Nargothrond, our liege is High King Fingolfin and we were taken into his lands in Hithlum. But the House of Marach never managed to create that close of ties with the Eldar than Beör's did.'

'What do you mean do they not get along?'

'No, they get along fine… However, they don't have much contact at all. The elvish Lords of Hithlum like to keep a certain distance with us humans.'

'Ah…', Andreth's face cleared up,' but that isn't so different than us!'

'I suppose so, but the Lords of Dorthonion tend to be much more forthcoming with our people. Look!'

Adanel pointed at the large book lying still open on the desk.

'This manuscript was sent to me by your father. It was gifted to him by the Eldar among many other things.'

Surprised Andreth starred in the book. No wonder the script looked so elegant.

'But aren't they still very distant? If they can give us such books why do they not meet more often with humans?'

Adanel's face took on a thoughtful expression as she nodded slowly.

'I can see how you could think that. But you have to keep in mind that the Eldar are not like us. They live a long time. Remember that Nòm the Wise, who first met your great-great-grandfather, still rules in Nargothrond.'

'I... haven't thought about that. But they could still…' She hesitated unsure of herself before slowly realising.

'Do you mean they don't want to see us die?'

Adanel nodded proudly at her realisation.

'Exactly! Think about it, you spend your whole life ageing and they will forever remain the same. You might envy them for that and that certainly is enviable. But, every human friend they ever make will slowly die as time goes on and that is why they cannot bear to close the distance between our people... At least that is what I believe.'

The insecurity in that final statement surprised Andreth. She paused thoughtfully before asking her next question.

'Do you know a lot about them? The Eldar, I mean.'

Her aunt grimaced a little.

'No, I'm afraid I can't tell you much more about them. I think that is one of the topics that your father would know the most off. As the chieftain of House Beör he meets them quite frequently I reckon.'

'Oh!', her disappointment made quickly way for excitement, as an old memory resurfaced in her mind.

'I think I met one once! I was still young, but I remember seeing one! I even talked with him!'

This time Adanel's face was filled with surprise.

'You did it! Then I should be the one pestering you with questions.'

Andreth let out a laugh at that statement. Her aunt's gaze fell upon the candles flickering on her desk, growing dimmer.

'Oh, my! We've been idly chatting for a while. I think it is time you go to bed, Andreth.'

'Alright, Aunt Adanel.'

Andreth stood up and put the stool back into the corner next to the door.

'Here, Andreth, this is for you.'

She looked at the small scroll her aunt was holding out for her. She stared at the unbroken seal. The seal of the chieftain of the House of Beör. Her fathers.

'Here', Adanel gently pushed the letter into her suddenly clammy hands.

'If you want you can take the ink and some parchment to write a response.'

Andreth only nodded quickly grabbing the ink jar and the quill and sheet of parchment Adanel offered her. After a subdued 'Good night' she hurried out of the room.

At this point, Andreth should be around 11 years old. Geldir is an Oc. I did research the ink-making process and the two herbs, however, I do not vouch for their accuracy. Concerning the vocabulary, there shouldn't be anything major this time around.