Numerous years passed as I grew under the watchful eye of the lady. Her power kept me safe, however as the days did indeed grow darker with lingering threat and increasing numbers of the enemy, the mountains that loomed over our woods crawled with disgusting vermin such as orcs and goblins. They came down in the night and attacked our borders, screeching loudly and often I would awaken in a cold sweat to hear them. Between myself and the lady, we were able to hold back the enemy as their greed grew stronger but my strength waned with each passing moon, the shadow of darkness looming ever closer as it crawled from the underbelly of chaos and sought to wreak havoc upon our world.
The danger grew so great that her ladyship grew concerned for my welfare and somehow, I began to understand that I was no longer safe here as the stronger the enemy became, the more visions began to plague me and soon my strength was waning and I felt myself diminishing the longer the days stretched before me. Still young and unable to control my powers fully, I drew the enemy towards me almost like I were a beacon which only put those I loved in danger. Haldir spent more and more time away fighting at the borders and I would anticipate his return nervously, waiting to see what injuries he may or may not be carrying with him. In the end, after an entire year of my constant worrying, I made the decision to take the danger away from them to grant peace to this beautiful realm, at least in a small measure until I was strong enough to withstand the darkness and not fade away into nothing from its presence.
Galadriel knew that I would make this decision though Haldir argued against it from the very beginning right until the very end. He wanted me to stay where he would know that I would be safe, however Celeborn counselled that with our position being so close to the enemy, it was a greater risk for me to stay. In the house of Elrond, I would be far from any danger and he could continue my instruction as he himself had the same gift that I bore. Who better to learn from? At least, that was his argument and despite Haldir's stubbornness, he saw the wisdom in his Lord's words but maintained that it was too dangerous for me to leave, raising every objection he could think of as we discussed the matter together.
"I protest, we cannot know if it is truly Eleniel that they are drawn to. Her power is strong but it is nothing compared to your ladyship, surely you eclipse any aura that the little one emits?" He reasoned however Galadriel's wise gaze lifted, looking between us both. Even after all these years her gaze still stole away my breath and often I would become lost in the starry orbs she held, full of wisdom and devastating grace. I should loathe to ever see her in a rage, I think I would die for fear where I stood if ever such wrath were to fill those timelessly infinite eyes and find them turned upon me.
"The power that Asta Eleniel carries grows with each passing day. The more control that she learns, the safer she will be and I have nothing left that I can teach her. As of yet, our beloved child is weak to the presence of the darkness which ever grows. It poisons her spirit and will gradually drain her of all strength until she is to succumb to her own madness. Surely this is not what you wish for her, Haldir? To suffer endlessly in chaos and insanity with no end to her agony." Haldir did not dare argue with both the lord and lady especially with such a prediction of my fate should I remain, but he voiced his displeasure of me leaving these woods and so I turned towards him and, placing my hands upon his face with a loving smile, I kissed his weary features.
"We shall meet again, Haldir. Time and time again, you have my word." I said to him quietly, letting my hands drop to his shoulders as our brows touched against one another. "And each time it shall be as if nothing has changed. I carry you in my heart, now and forever, beloved friend, my brother. Know that every moment you walk under star and moon, under tree and sky, I walk alongside you." His arm brushed around my back and pulled me a little closer in an intimate farewell, lovingly embracing me like he would a sister before finally, he let me go. It was almost as painful as it was to leave Legolas for the first time as I rode away on a snow white mare, looking back over my shoulder to watch Haldir and Lady Galadriel grow smaller with each step, Lord Celeborn at my side to offer me protection with the guard that had been arranged for me. I left with very little except for keepsakes and gifts given to me by friends and loved ones, knowing that one day I would return and when I did, all my belongings would remain where I had left them, untouched in my own personal dwelling.
Her ladyship had blessed me with safe travels and given me a silver comb decorated ornately with my favourite Elanor flowers. She had personally arranged my hair and placed it upon the back of my head, sliding the teeth into my dark tresses where the flowers seemingly gleamed with life as they perched neatly upon my hair. Haldir had given me my own bow and quiver of arrows to carry from the Galadhrim and he had told me that the string was woven with the Lady Galadriel's, Lord Celeborn's and his own hair, so that he may always be with me and take part in keeping me safe. They were beautiful gifts and I immediately cherished them, carrying them with me wherever I went until it was time for me to leave. Celeborn was to escort me all the way to Imladris where I was to meet Lord Elrond for the first time. It was a sorrowful parting but I did not weep, for there was no need to think of this as a final goodbye since I knew that there would be many more greetings to come in the future. Time was omnipotent to our kind, therefore a few years, even decades spent apart would pass in a blur and soon enough, I would see them again. What worried me most was how I was to be received by Lord Elrond, whom I had heard to be severe and strict looking in his countenance.
I knew many things about his house, including his children, its history and his ancestors. Celeborn had indeed taught me well and over the years, my education solidified in my mind into unforgettable knowledge. The journey was passed in song, gentle laments and epic poems surrounding us as we rode slowly across the land, not needing rest except briefly before crossing through the mountains upon a safer rode, our hoods lifted over our heads to keep us from the rain and wind though I never felt the cold. My heart was weary for leaving my loving home in Lothlorien behind as well as the people whom I cherished, however as I looked ahead I strove to keep smiling, for there were still many things to be glad about. For one I was seeing more of the world before me.
The first time I saw snow I was completely enthralled, leaping down from my horse to experience it myself. It was soft and slightly chilling, powdery in my fingers before I stretched up my hands and allowed the tiny flakes to fall into my palm. It was a wondrous sight and I could not help but feel full of awe as I gazed across the land from the mountain's peak having climbed up there whilst the others rested the horses. It was so beautiful and great, I could scarce describe it efficiently. As my eyes took in all there was to see everything seemed to fall away before my feet as I reached up towards the sky and welcomed the first blush of dawn as it rose above the horizon to greet me. I allowed my carefully constructed map inside my head pinpoint exactly where I stood upon which mountain, easily finding north and searched for more landmarks that I knew of. If there was one thing I was good at, it was reading and remembering maps. I had studied them so often that I was certain that I would never become lost no matter where I was in Middle Earth.
Our company travelled safely over the mountains with no confrontation, allowing us to continue down towards the last homely house of the elven kingdoms. Imladris was exactly as I had pictured it, though of course I had received visions of its splendour before. To see it with my own eyes gave it a greater tangibility, the golden light that shone off the rooftops and spires gleaming brilliantly over a tumbling waterfall which swelled upon the mountainside and descended into the vast river below. The moment we stepped foot over the border I could hear voices singing in welcome, greeting us to their home and as we passed over the river more elves came to join us, walking with their spears and banners in hand and I glanced around with slight unease, drifting closer to Celeborn who glanced my way before he placed his hand over mine.
"Be strong, dear one." He encouraged with voice unwavering so I took a calming breath before fixing my eyes ahead of me. As we rode forwards across the long bridge towards the front gatehouse of the city our horses went two by two, placing me at Celeborn's side though I glanced over the edge to see a long drop below. Did they have no fear of falling? Perhaps the magic that surrounds this place keeps guests and travellers from danger. Ahead I could see the noble figures of the darker haired elves before me and I straightened slightly, unused to seeing kin with hair similar to my own.
It was easy to identify Elrond as he stood before the host with a circlet of woven design upon his brow, signalling his lordship as he bowed his head and touched a hand over his heart, speaking a warm greeting to which Celeborn answered as he dismounted before coming to my own horse where I remained looking carefully from face to face. The fair features of an elf maiden caught my own and she smiled, bowing her head slightly and I felt a little more relaxed as Celeborn then assisted me down, his strong hands holding my waist until my feet were back upon the ground and my horse was led away. Lifting my hand lightly Lord Celeborn personally escorted me forwards and presented me to Lord Elrond, who looked as severe as I had heard with a deep brow that furrowed thoughtfully at my appearance. I had taken great care to prepare before arrival, ensuring that there was not a single speck of mud or dust to be found and that my hair remained as neatly arranged as Lady Galadriel had designed. It was important to me that I made a good impression as I dropped gracefully down into a curtsey with a formal greeting, though my legs trembled shakily under his gaze. "So this is the child." Elrond noted curiously yet with no emotion, watching as Celeborn maintained supporting my hand within his and assisted me to rise up to my feet once more.
"Asta Eleniel, ward of King Thranduil, ward of Lady Galadriel and myself, Lord Celeborn." He introduced so I lifted my head, meeting the strict scrutiny of Lord Elrond with what I hoped to be a calm exterior which hid the frantic fluttering within. "You have our deepest gratitude in accepting her into your household." Wordlessly Elrond held up his hand, inviting me forwards so I took a step and touched my fingers to his palm, however the moment our skin made contact I breathed, eyes growing milky and Elrond's brow furrowed further, unfamiliar with this type of foresight.
I could see his past, the love that burned brightly for her ladyship's daughter, his pain upon her departing over the ocean. I saw a great many things however as the visions faded, I could read in Elrond's expression that he was not truly so frightening after all, there was much love and wisdom in his heart and it made him beautiful to me. Through the love he bore for his wife, I was able to envision her standing upon a white shore where the breeze cascaded around her, a vision of beauty and peace as her gaze remained fixed upon the horizon to the east, hoping and waiting patiently for the one she loved to join her. "She is waiting for you." I murmured without thinking, making his eyebrow quirk swiftly. "And she is no longer in pain." Silence surrounded me.
Around me I could see that near everyone had tensed, awaiting the reaction of their lord as he stared at me for a while longer, Celeborn looking between us and made to speak however when Elrond slowly smiled, he stepped closer to me so that his hand could rest upon my back and invite me forwards. "Your journey is at its end, come and be at peace within my halls where you shall always be welcome." Relaxing at his kind words I was brought to his table where Celeborn and I sat close to Elrond, both my sides being taken by other elves though the same maiden that I had noticed from before came to sit beside me, introducing herself as Lady Arwen, daughter of Lord Elrond.
Immediately I engaged in conversation, knowing her to be the granddaughter of Lady Galadriel and I found her to be the most charming, gentle and sweet tempered maiden that I had ever met. Very swiftly I found my place among the house of Elrond who saw that I received a comfortable and spacious room and ordered that someone were to always watch over me as Celeborn warned that there was still the danger of me losing control over my prophetic powers. The Lord remained with me for some time in order to observe my transition to this new place, which was very different from the forests which I had been raised in, but once he was certain of my safety and satisfied that I would be happy and cared for, he made his return journey to the silver and golden trees that I missed deeply, but the excitement of somewhere new and so different dulled the feeling for the most part. I saw him off with love and gratitude, giving him words and letters to carry back to those I wished to commune with back in Lothlorien before eventually he was gone and I was left standing alone facing the long bridge that led out of the city.
For a time everything was blissful, the warmth of the city constantly keeping me at ease even as I walked through the unfamiliar streets and learned them by heart. I took care to mind my manners and contain my energies, not wishing to disappoint Lady Galadriel who had gone to great lengths to teach me proper etiquette, however the longer I remained the more at ease I felt and gradually, little by little, I allowed myself to reveal more of my true personality. The maidens here were more open to fun and play, often racing with me through the glades and sharing in laughter as I found my place amongst them. Soon enough it were as if I had always belonged as one of them, feeling completely at home in the comfortable halls of Lord Elrond, though it was strange at first to sleep with a real roof over my head rather than simply having the canopy of trees or a room high above the ground built into the forestry.
My time became occupied with learning music and the arts from Arwen, continuing where her grandmother had left off whilst the older twins of Lord Elrond instructed me in combat. Elrohir and Elladan swiftly became good friends, their cheer matching my own though when it came to teaching the art of the sword, they were always deadly serious. Due to Haldir's impressive instruction, I was able to hold my own against both of the twins for a time and slowly, my skills began to improve enough so that I could even take them both on at once. The sword seemed to be my excelling weapon for a time until I too increased my prestige with the bow, always taking the greatest of care with the weapon as my fingers ran over the bowstring, knowing that Haldir's hair had been used to help create it. Though Elrond expressed his hope that I should never have to use any weapons for self defence, I could see in his eyes that his wish would not be one that could be kept. Of everyone, it was Elrond that I took longest to warm up to, the slight distance that he created around himself reminding me of the latter days between myself and Thranduil.
I continued to write to both he and Legolas and every time I received a reply from my beloved friend, I would cherish each word. Often he did not have much to say, yet even then he spoke of how he missed my companionship and I would keep his letters close to me, even though they were few and far between and some had faded over the years. At night when I was alone, I would sometimes allow myself to slip into a vision, focusing it around Legolas and the truth of his future brought me great comfort. Of course, these futures may change, however when I saw us together once more, I could not help but anticipate the day where we would be able to embrace one another.
Of all the people I loved, Legolas hold the majority of my heart. I knew what the future held for us and it did not sway me from my resolve, so I remained patient and awaited each sunrise and sunset with calmness, drifting my way through the city as the full moon gleamed overhead. When I came to a pavilion that grew fair white roses, I stopped to admire them, a hand resting upon the stone archway that opened to another set of steps that led down to another bridge which crossed over the waterfall, though with little care you risked falling over the edge so I kept well back from it. "You are out late tonight, Asta Eleniel." Elrond spoke as he approached, causing my head to turn towards him as his noble robes drifted over the ground in a slight trail. "Where is your companion?"
"I wished to be alone for a while." I murmured truthfully before gesturing. "But they are not far. My thoughts were becoming too loud in my head so I sought the clarity of silence, but your company is not unwelcome, my lord. Will you join me?" I offered and his head dipped slightly, coming to my side where he reached up and touched one of the roses, lifting it up so that the face of the statue it covered could be seen.
"You are growing more restless of late, do not think it has escaped my notice." He told me, giving me a stern look but I had learned to read the glint in his eyes and ignore the severity of his brow. "Your visions are once more taking control and they cause you fear. Are they growing any clearer?"
"No, Lord Elrond. When I wake from them all I feel is the fear and sensation of burning." I responded quietly, turning so that I was facing him. "I do not know what to do or what it is that my visions are trying to tell me."
"Perhaps it is not yet the time for you to see, or even you are forcibly pushing them away because you know that they will bring you pain." Elrond suggested wisely as he walked with me around the pavilion before we went back up into his home, walking the quiet paths side by side. "The more you fear, the less control you shall have over your visions. Do not push them away when they are trying to warn you of dangers perhaps not yet come to be." Elrond continued to guide me in how he had learned to control his own powers, assuring me that it took time to fully understand them. As we crossed into one of the halls I glanced towards the stone statue that held broken shards of a sword, my eyes drawn towards the presence of its history however the moment we came level with the broken metal, my eyes clouded over once more as the vision of the future took my mind.
I saw a small boy, carefree and happy with soft slightly curling hair of deep brown, running through Elrond's halls as someone chased after him, laughter ringing out and with surprise, I blinked when I realised it was I who chased the mortal child. I caught him in my arms and swung him high, smiling broadly to him before embracing him close to my heart, carrying him away and we passed by the broken shards of Narsil, ending the vision yet my eyes remained washed in white. "Eleniel?" Elrond prompted gently, touching a hand to my shoulder so I slowly took a breath, allowing myself to relax.
"This sword has a great and noble history, a sword of kings." I mused quietly, reaching out to run my fingertips over the blade hilt. "And so shall it be again. One day, it shall become the blade that once was broken, forged once more into a sword that will be held by a king among kings." Confused by my prophecy my voice began to lilt, speaking in elvish as I spoke, the echoing sound of my words reverberating around us. "From the ashes a fire shall be woken. A light from the shadow shall spring. Renewed shall be the blade that was broken. The crownless again shall be king."
Exhaling deeply as my mind rose back to the surface I gripped onto Elrond for support, feeling weakened in my legs and his hand immediately gripped my own, a hand going to my back to support me as my body leaned into his. "Eleniel? Do you need to rest?"
"Yes, I need rest." I agreed, feeling drained and rather weak. It was strange, I had spoken truths of my visions in slight prophetic tense before, but never had I given a full prophecy of what was yet to come. So many new and strange things were happening to me but I accepted them all, taking them into my stride as Elrond considerately led me back to my chambers where I could rest a while though he remained in my company, watching over me to ensure that I did not become too weak or receive any consequences to my prophecy whilst I lay perfectly still long after the sun rose the next morning.