"Are you sure about this?"
Haerarel turned to look at her sister, Authiel, who had asked the question. They were hooded and atop their horses in a wide-open space where the sun had just set behind the mountains, creating a glow on the horizon and allowing for the first stars to appear.
"Of course not, but we don't have a choice," she said, voicing the answer both of them already knew.
They stared at each other for a long time before Haerarel sighed and eyed the walled capital city of Rohan.
"I swear to Valar, if Aragorn was wrong all this time…" Authiel muttered under her breath as she started towards the entrance.
Haerarel smiled and scoffed good-naturedly at her twin's mumblings, knowing she would keep her unspoken promise.
"My darling, please keep your temper in check when we see the king," Haerarel cried out to the wind on purpose when she caught up to the other.
"Ugh," Authiel said, rolling her eyes.
Haerarel laughed, as they rode closer and closer to their destination.
"Who goes there?" were the first words uttered to the sisters when they approached the wall in the dark.
Haerarel glanced back at Authiel and then said, "We come to see the king."
They heard nothing else until the clunking of wood and sudden exposure to fire light. Authiel's eyes adjusted to the brightness first and saw a few armoured men with spears and shields standing between them and the rest of the city.
"Our apologies for the sudden visit but we have just arrived after a long journey," Haerarel voiced, her hand still shading her eyes from the light, "May we be brought to Thengel?"
"It is late and he has come home from battle," one of the men said with hesitation in his voice, aware that the visitors were not Men. Authiel's ears perked up at the mention of a fight.
"The sun has just set," Haerarel reasoned gently, "Surely the king would not be in his private quarters so early."
"We will take the blame if things go awry," Authiel added, hoping to speed up the process.
The men seemed to silently agree with the twins' explanation and so they led them to the doors of Meduseld after situating their horses in the stables. Banners and tables with benches lined the sides of the hall as well as gilded and carved posts holding up the tall roof. Fires were lit all around the room, casting warming glows, and the king's family and servants had looked up from what they were doing to witness the commotion.
As the company neared the king surrounded by his wife and children, Thengel's son walked up to them first.
"Who are you?" he declared up at the women.
Authiel had no patience for children, so she looked away in discomfort without addressing the child, but Haerarel who enjoyed the innocence of youth smiled at the boy.
"Come Théoden, that's no way to address newcomers," Thengel then said, and the young one obeyed his father and went to go stand by him.
Although the king was slightly annoyed at the interruption, he continued, "Welcome. I was not expecting visitors, especially those of the gentler sex."
Authiel was about to tell him off when she was interrupted.
"That is no way to address a couple of ladies my dear," Morwen Steelsheen chided good-naturedly, "I'm sorry for my husband's demeanor, he is simply weary from war and travel."
"Not at all my lady," Haerarel said, bowing her head. Authiel followed suit.
"We do apologize for the intrusion," she continued, "And if you knew my sister, you would not call her gentle." She then explained, "We are friends of Ara…Thorongil. He told us you might allow us to stay in your kingdom for a time."
"Ah, Thorongil," Thengel mused, "Yes, he is quite the soldier.
"Yes, he is," Authiel confirmed with a short nod. The Rohan king waited for her to say something else, but when she said nothing, he offered them to sit and eat.
They sat and some of the servants were sent to the kitchens.
"So what brings you here?" the king's wife asked as plates of food were set down.
The two were examining their food, and then immediately exchanged looks at the question before Authiel answered curtly, "We were exiled from the Woodland Realm."
Haerarel's steadily gazed at the couple's reaction when they removed the hoods from their heads; he gasped while her eyes widened.
The two knew their guests were attractive at first glance and now realized they were elves, but that was not why they behaved as such: the long and flowing hair characteristic of the race was replaced by a closely cropped shave for their misconduct, causing their pointy ears to be all the more evident and making it almost impossible to look at them since everything about their faces was so sharp. At least, Authiel's eyes were fierce while Haerarel's expression was more sympathetic, some would say distant.
Even though they were twins, their appearances could not be more opposing: Haerarel had blue eyes like the midday sky and brown hair like the coat of the strongest stallion; Authiel had eyes as black as shadow and hair as white as blinding light.
"You may not know of Thranduil's wrath when he is wronged but it is vicious," Haerarel voiced quietly, "More so of late it seems."
"Which is why we sought refuge here," Authiel ended with strength, "It would be very unlike the Elvenking to venture into realms of Men."
"The ruler of Mirkwood thought to banish you from his kingdom for something you did so why should I accept you in mine?" Thengel asked, narrowing his eyes.
"We did nothing wrong," Authiel seethed.
Haerarel put a hand on the younger's arm, her expression calm.
"As I said, King Thranduil's anger is without remorse and in turn can be senseless," the elder elf said, "If you would like me to tell you the tale from beginning to end, I would be glad to, but at a time that is more convenient. Right now, I hoped my sister and I would receive your blessing to stay and for us to rest. I heard you have come from battle a few times now, so I believe you would also like to spend time with your family and regain your strength."
At her words, Thengel studied her carefully while Morwen looked on with a smile. There was something about them that captivated the woman and she hoped her husband would allow their stay.
As soon as she thought that to herself, the king said, "I would be happy to host you and your sister. As soon as you finish eating, someone will show you to where you will be staying."
"Thank you my lord," Haerarel replied, bowing her head. Authiel did the same, still brooding a bit.
He nodded to acknowledge their thanks and stood up. "Have a good night."
Théoden mirrored his father and followed him out of the hall. The two elves also bade their farewells for the evening and went to get ready for bed, when Morwen garnered their attention once more. "He is tired," she confirmed, "I was surprised when he decided to spend time with the children. I think they were surprised as well."
"I gather he's a good man, I supposed he was just not up to entertain us right now," Haerarel smiled.
"Would we be able to join in this war?" Authiel finally decided to pipe up, her eyes shining at the prospect of blood shed.
"Authiel," Haerarel scolded under her breath.
"I don't think my husband would mind," Morwen laughed, "Although he doesn't know your skill."
"It is good, I promise you that," Authiel replied, her eyes narrowing in a mischievous grin.
Haerarel rolled her eyes but nodded to the queen. "She is no match amongst the Elvin women," she confirmed, "And humble about it," she added quickly and sarcastically.
"Sister, if I am the best, how could I deny it?" Authiel smirked.
The elder sister sighed, unable to continue the banter as Morwen happily sat as a witness. They wouldn't appreciate being called adorable, but that's what the lady thought.
Then she realized something.
"Will you not eat?" she queried, noticing their plates were untouched.
"Ah," Haerarel exclaimed, "If elves ever eat, meat is not part of the meal."
"You may have a hard time finding anything without meat here," Morwen said sheepishly.
"Yes, we gathered," Authiel replied dryly, "Bread and whatever vegetable grows around here is fine."
Haerarel smiled apologetically for her sister's tone but Morwen didn't mind.
"I will make sure the servants know then," the queen noted.
"Thank you my lady," Haerarel said before they stood up simultaneously without eating, "I think we'll retire to our quarters now."
"Lea will show you the way then," Morwen said as she motioned for one of the young ladies standing to the side, who curtsied when she was called.
"Good night then," Haerarel said, the two of them bowing their heads to the woman.
"Good night," Morwen smiled softly, watching them leave the warmth of the hall.
Author's Note: Hello! I don't know if the lore coincides with the world of Tolkien so please excuse my ignorance; I tried to do as much research as I could. I also wrote this story a few years ago and forgot where I was going with it. Instead of having it sit and wait me to remember the plot, I'm publishing it because I don't think I'll ever remember. Hope you enjoy (:
Authiel means battle maiden, and Haerarel means distant star female.