Chapter 9

"What blasphemy do you dare speak to know of our once great High King?" Arandur spat, as many of the others nodded their head in agreement, eyes contracted in hatred.

Elarinya had lost her patience. Though their leaders showed appropriate thanks and manners, their people did not. She did not risk her life or her friends to continue to be treated with such malice and ignorance. She whipped her mount around, eyes narrowed dangerously, the wind picked up around her as the anger built, the air around the others stilled and grew ominous, while her group was unfazed, though gazing at her nervously, the other involuntarily stepped back.

"You speak much on what you do not know. From where do all elves come if not from the shores of Cuiviénen? Where do you think your beloved Finwë was born, one of the first awakened, if not from the shores of my people?"

As her voice faded from the air, the wind around her dissipated, light filtered through the trees once more. Galadriel and Celeborn looked to each other, to her cousin Celebrimbor, and to the elleth in front of them. She had felt the strange elf to be powerful, all of the strangers where, but she had not contemplated just how much so. There was a light around her that was not around the others. She was old, older than any of her and any of her people. It was Celeborn who spoke first.

"Arandur, another word, and you risk banishment from my rule. Had they chosen to ignore our peril, you too could be laying among our dead. Hold your tongue and help our soldier collect our fallen." He reprimanded, words harsh and spoken with a finality that the strong willed Noldor soldier simply bowed his head and obeyed without a sound. "I offer my apologies, though they do not account for the grievances done. We remain in your debt."

"Our people," Galadriel began, "longed lived and wise me may be, have our faults and pride is among them. Prejudices die hard and change does not always come easy."

The kin of Finwë stepped forward, "There is much I would like to discuss. Under normal circumstances, I would invite you to share our camp and offer the hospitality of my people, but I would not wish to subject you to more rash judgement." Elarinya nodded her agreement at his statement. Oh, the things she wished to ask him, her curiosity piqued, but she also knew that further involvement with them would delay her mission and place undue strain on her friends. "I ask that you let us tend to our fallen, then we convene a short time to speak openly with one another, by the copse there." He pointed to the small grouping of trees up the hill he had descended.

"Agreed." She replied, turning her stallion around and riding off to let them see to their dead. Riding until she found a stream, Elarinya stopped and dismounted. While part of her did not want to care of the opinion of others, she wanted to meet the kin of her friend cleaned and dressed to represent her people. She left Elladyr at the battle site to see when their task was done and to meet these leaders promptly.

Only a few hours passed when she saw the Noldor elves start making their way to the copse of tress. They had been quicker than she thought, but it had been more than enough time to clean and put on the finest dress they brought on their trip. Pulling herself from the owl's vision, she stood and made her way to Calanon. Without a word, the others followed suit.

She rode the stallion at a trot, the others in a line behind her as they approached to group of small tress. Galadriel, Celeborn, the kin of Finwë and a few others were just gathering. Elladyr flew from her perch and took her spot on Elarinya's arm. As they arrived, they dismounted and she bade the owl to stay upon her steed, she hooted in protest.

The kin of Finwë stepped forward, bowing slightly, right hand over his heart. She nodded in acknowledgement. "I am Celebrimbor, great grandson to the High King Finwë."

"I am Elarinya, daughter of Morwë, King of Dorwinion and elves that remain from Cuiviénen." She hid a smile at their widened eyes.

"You are one of the firstborn?" He asked.

"No, honor goes to Veryan," She gestured to her longtime friend, "I am …" she struggled for the correct words in common tongue, "First child born to firstborn."

"How come you to know my great grandfather?"

"I knew all ambassadors. Elwë Teleri, like me. Lived in same community. Ingwë of Vanyar, and Finwë…of Noldor. Only sixty years older. Grew up with them, always at meetings and gatherings. Closest to Finwë. All left for Valinor when I was three hundred or so." She smirked at the expressions they wore when she mentioned the groups of elves. "Yes, the Noldor existed back them, they have since first awoken. Most have taken after their leader in pride and arrogance. The groups foe those that remained after the sundering were mostly forgotten as we joined together." The leaders took her jab in silence, knowing it was justified.

"That is amazing. The skills and knowledge you must possess! The show of prowess in battle. Much we could learn from you. The make of your weapons and gear are exquisite." Celebrimbor exclaimed, excitement filling him at the thought of what he could make with their knowledge.

"We will share what we can, but we will not stay and delay our journey longer than this meeting." She replied, her heart heavy with the recent battle and weary for the peace she dreamed of by the rocky sea. He seemed crestfallen, but nodded in understanding. "What fate has befallen the Kings of elves? I sense grief and sorrow at the recall of their names."

"Your senses do not deceive you." Galadriel spoke up. "Ingwë has remained in Valinor since the sundering, though faced his own griefs in the blessed realm. Elwë, never made it the shores of the Valar, he remained in Beleriand with his wife the Maia Melian in the kingdom of Doriath, becoming known as Thingol. He perished in the War of Wrath. Finwë to, has sense passed after seeing the light of the trees of Valinor and resided in the Halls of Mandos where he has chosen to stay for the release of his first wife's fëa may be released."

"Grievous is this news, my heart is saddened deeply." She knew there was much more to Finwë's story they were not sharing. Her mind and souls were swarmed by dark clouds and pain at the thought of his life.

Galadriel continued to regard the Avarin princess before her, thinking over her words carefully before she spoke again. "There is power in you, ancient blood runs in your veins, but there is a light about you your friends do not have."

Elarinya observed her carefully. She was perceptive and strong to, she just was not sure how much so. "I could say the same of you, your aura pales those of the ones you surround." She was not sure what answers the Lady Galadriel was seeking.

"You have not seen the light of the trees, yet you hold the light of one who has. You have met the Valar." It was a statement, not a question, yet Elarinya answered none the less.

"Twice, as they swept through Cuiviénen, flooding the land as they did Beleriand, washing away the filth of Morgoth and when they came to summon those who wished to Valinor." She ignored the pointed stares of her companions, it was one story she had never told them, it was one she had kept for herself, until now. Those gathered with their leaders looked at her with new interest in their eyes, intrigued that one such as herself had be graced by the presence of the Valar. "I fear the hour grows late, I wish to find a safe place to camp for the eve, we must take our leave."

"It has been a pleasure making your acquaintance," Celebrimbor bowed again, "If ever you find yourself in Hollin again, Nargothrond will always be open to you."

"Many thanks."

"Again, I thank you for the kindness you've shown my people and the lives you have saved. We wish you well on your journey." Celeborn replied for both he and Galadriel as they both also bowed to the group before them.

"If next we meet, I hope it be under better circumstances." Elarinya stated, mounting the horse now beside her. Without looking back, she rode off into the distance with her companions.

Staring at the raging ocean that only she could see, she felt the salty spray splash upon her face, washing away the tears that fell. Only her voice filled the air tonight.

"Compelled by the pull of the song she followed her heart
Began her journey
No promises
No guarantees
No certainties.
many times, she fell
Deep cracks and crevices to engulf her
Her resolve held strong
Perhaps tossed and bruised
But never broken.
She emerged
Shedding her cocoon
More defined in ways she'd never imagined."