Silver whips of fog swirled about as Elenisil strode forward through the woodland making her way further up a shallow cliff. The moon gave everything an ethereal glow, emitting soft gentle rays across the entire landscape. Even a human's poor sense of eyesight would be able to safely traverse the terrain this night. The elves would be able to see almost as well as during the day. For Elenisil, who could see every detail even in pitch darkness, could see colors & textures during these beautifully moon lit nights that could hardly be put into word. Such a bright, clear sky during a super moon would bring out each living beings very essence, making each trace of life visible to Elenisil's immensely sensitive eyes. Ahead of her at the end of her narrow walkway was a home. It was a home created many Elven generations ago especially for her by the kin of Lord Elrond & Elrond himself. It was a beautifully crafted cavern carved out of one of the Rivendelle revene cliff faces. Beautiful & intricate carvings adorned the archways and pillars. The walls were plastered with murals and tapestries of her and the elves past. Her history ( that they knew about) recorded upon the stone for all and none to see. A few of the memories were fond happy ones and reluctantly tugged a slight smile from her marble features. Some were good quiet memories, full of fulfillment & peace. Many were neutral, more for the sake of record than a true memory. Far too many, however, were heavy and still so very full of anguish. A haunting illustration that she could not ever escape, etched into her memory even without the murals & tapestries. All here, all recorded to make sure the past, present, & future generations of Rivendelle would not forget & Elenisil's presence once again fade into lore.
Upon reaching the hearthstone, mind weary from travel Elenisil paused as she could feel the approach & gaze of an unexpected guest. Well, not so unexpected... She felt it the moment her eyes locked with the pale blue orbs of the fair-haired elf. There was the possibility of a connection, a possible bond yet to be forged. He could be her salvation if he would only accept the terms. Half lidded eyes fully fell, one hand resting lightly upon the mantle as she opened her senses further & allowed them to roam freely. She could feel him, the fair-haired prince. Feel his breath in the cool night air as if it were but a whisper away and now half a mile down the ravine. Legolas' senses, being an elf, were heightened beyond the other creatures of this world, but they were still no comparison to her own. While Legolas from that distance could see & perceive her movements from that distance it was a little different for her. Elenisil could see the elven prince as if he were in the same room with her. It was why the Elves of Rivendelle created this home for her at such a distance from the center of the kingdom. It gave her & her abilities distance & privacy while still including her in their realm, a generosity & respect for all involved. Cool night air wrapped itself around Legolas's lithe form. Strong hands clasping a nearby vine as he made his way as silently as elfishly possible towards the creature he could barely see in the darkness of the rooms above. Elenisil could feel his grasp on the vine delicate, sturdy, & sure as if it were on her arm instead. She, could, feel, his, pulse. His steady, strong pulse full of life & vitality thrumming through his body. Her eyes begun to swirl beneath their lids, if they were open that deep red shade would look almost black in the darkness of the room. Suddenly, with the flash of a warm light, a flame danced to life in the candle she was now gently holding as she forced her eyes back open. Bringing her senses back into herself and regaining control of her own power visible only by the return of the cold steel color of her eyes. 'Not now, not yet.' She thought. Unfortunately, tonight she would have to make due with the moon, the stars, & their lovely rays. Turning from the hearth, candle in hand, Elenisil tugged at the clasp around her neck removing her cloak & discarding it across one of the many banisters before making her way deathly silent over to a large railing-less open balcony.
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Legolas had every intention of returning to the heart of Rivendelle with his friends Arwen & Aragon but was still in a slight haze from earlier. Watching the creature, known as Elenisi, depart the clearing Legolas still had not moved.
"Mellon?" Aragon called out looking to his friend who still had not moved to join them. Arwens arm draped over his arm as he waited for a response.
"You two go ahead. I'll be down shortly." Legolas answered feigning a collected smile. All the while Arwen positively glowed knowingly. She had seen the interaction between Legolas & Elenisil. How their eyes locked. How the ancient one's eyes changed the longer they were connected. One can never be certain, but she hoped for the future of her two friends.
"Let's go," Arwen said, tugging at Aragon's arm, "We'll meet him after sunrise at the breakfast gathering." Arwen led Aragon away down a path & back towards Rivendelle. Legolas stood, alone, for a moment before the still fresh memory of steel blue orbs permeated by churning blood red pools re-entered his mind he pondered what he was going to do... Turning, his mind made up, Legolas began in the direction Elenisil had departed, following the same narrow stone path away from the main dwellings. Both his head & his heart needed to know.
Making his way up the ridge Legolas made sure to leave what he thought was plenty of distance between himself and Elenisil. He did not want her to know that he followed her for fear that he would startle her or that she would deny his presence & send him away. As he continued to approach Legolas could feel the cool night engulf him, the moon's cool haze enveloping his whole being. It was a pleasant cooling sensation like chilly tendrils further awakening his senses. It was a completely new experience and it was enrapturing. As suddenly as the sensation began it diminished leaving a slightly hollow feeling in its absence. Ahead he could see a candle lit in the halls of the dwelling. Moving closer a large open balcony came into view, its open design placed perfectly under the gleam of the moon's light overlooking the very heart of the Rivendelle realm. In the soft glow of the lamp light Legolas could see a dark form draped over a railing and he hesitated before moving forward. The form was obviously Elenisil's cloak and Legolas did not want to proceed forward robbing the creature of her modesty in her own home, but his curiosity of seeing those wings tugged him ever further. Before he could finish his thought Legolas witnessed the dawning of a new cool glow being reflected from the walls of the cavern. Its light filled the halls with a soft cool ethereal ambiance like the light of a second moon that suddenly rose inside the dwelling.
Stepping forward & further into the iridescent glow Legolas could see Elenisil's slight form, no longer hidden beneath the billowing cloak & hood. She sat on a small pillow at the fringe of the balcony floor, so close to pitching over. Her legs were crossed, back straight, hands in her lap, fingers delicately laced, palms facing up. Her face was completely relaxed eyes shut upturned towards the glow of the moon. The most commanding feature though were the enormously large wings spread completely open reflecting, no absorbing, but still refracting the light of the night sky all around her. It was appropriate that her name in Elvish translated into Moon Star, for at this moment she was a physical embodiment of the moon & star light. Pulses of light and energy radiated & undulated across her skin...over her whole being, all of it diverging to a central location. It was a pendant in the middle of her chest that he had not seen either times earlier in the day. The pendant burned a cool moonlit light as it seemed to collect the pulses of energy. Its form became clearer & clearer between the pulses. It was a unicorn bust. A long delicate horn erupted just above wild eyes, mouth gaping, & mane flying. It represented a silver crazed looking beast. Legolas's eyes broke from the pendant as Elenisil's unusually still chest began to heave & tremble as the light that was being emitted, swirling about them both, faded. Looking up towards the sky revealed a few thick clouds lingering across the moon, blocking its cold glowing rays. Looking back to Elenisil he was met with a hollow tired looking gaze. He watched as her wings that were just spread wide slumped towards the floor around her & her back hunched slightly forward from an unspoken exhaustive weight. Her eyes stared unblinking, more through him than at him. An urge to rush forward, to help this creature, tugged lightly at the back of his mind. Just as he was about to step forward Elenisil's once again blood red eyes broke the almost physical connection. Slowly blinking she turned her face back towards the moon just as the clouds parted & the light once again cascaded down to her waiting form. A few short moments passed & as the slow undulating pulses of energy once again rippled across her figure Legolas watched as the creatures back once again straightened, wings once again rising outstretched obviously catching & harvesting the powers of the night sky.
Legolas stood there for a few more moments, more like hours, taking in the sight before him. Both were aware of the other, both content with each other's silent companionship. A couple of hours before dawn Legolas took a final look over the incredible sight spread out before him. The glowing beings wings still directing light inwards outstretched like a sunbathing dragon. Long black hair spilling to the floor & pooling around her illuminated form helped silhouette her from the haze of moonlight all about her unnaturally still form. Completely absorbed in the pulsing swirling cool light of the night Elenisil did not make eye contact or acknowledge Legolas again. He was not sure she could even if she had wanted to. Making his way back to the center of Rivendelle was much easier with the extra light being emitted from Elenisil above. Once in a while he would look back while on his return walk seeing the great wings & glowing form in the distance for all to see.
Below in a quietly sleeping Rivendelle disapproving grey eyes watched underneath untamed grey brows at the coldly glowing figure in the distance above. Gandalf had read stories & tales written of Elenisil from a few different races including the times of man & a found vile copy of black speech. Despite what Lord Elrond said and believed Gandalf knew trouble when he saw her.