The first few steps out of the cover of Mirkwood's forests and into the plains before it was difficult. The spiders before only gave Merethyl a little bit of trouble. The step out signified a return to a world of judgment and hate. She hated this. But Olorin asked this of her, and she would not disappoint.
The next portion of her journey was smooth and uneventful. She crept unseen and made it around the mountains, of which goblins called their home. Once she was far enough from the danger of the mountain, she lowered her guard a bit. She had quickly enough made it to the outskirts of Rivendell. The hard part was going to be getting inside. The paths twisted and split. Only those familiar with the wood could discern which way to take. Merethyl couldn't use her nose either. Some protective enchantment laid upon this place. After a few hours of wandering, she huffed and sat down on the ground. Who could blame her for not remembering the way after 1000 years?
A few minutes later she picked up a slight sound behind her. She sprung to her feet and spun around pulling a small blade from her waist. Three arrows pointed directly at her. The Rivendell Guard had found her. She slowly sheathed her sword.
"Le suilon." Merethyl greeted them stiffly. Their arrows did not lower. She frowned. "Lle omenta yassen pilin'?" She asked them.
"Lye uma il creosa lle, NaurSuula!" The one on the left edge spat. Merethyl felt a spark of anger at the elf. They always believed themselves to be above all else. They hated her, and for the reason that she didn't have control over.
"I am here on behalf of Mithrandir, to attend the council of Elrond." She spoke out in common tongue. The one in the middle lowered his bow just slightly.
"Mithrandir, would dare invite your kind to our sanctuary?" He frowned.
"Apparently, the need is great. Or else I would still be at home." She snapped. Her patience was wearing thin with these elves. His bow straightened at her before he lowered it completely.
"I will show you the way." He told her while eyeing her suspiciously. Merethyl nodded in thanks. The other archer put away his bow, but the angry one refused.
"Aralon, put away your weapon!" The middle elf scolded. Aralon hesitated before complying.
"En'rant, Nikerym." He said through clenched teeth. Merethyl resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Elves.
"This way, NaurSuula." The captain ordered. Merethyl clenched her teeth but made to follow him, the two elves flanking her. They led her through curved paths and deeper into the wood. For a moment she thought they would try to ambush her while deeper within the land. With each step, she became tenser. She could feel her teeth pressing into her lip. She was growing nervous. And suddenly they came to an opening in the trees. Rivendell lay before them. Merethyl had forgotten how beautiful it was. The waterfalls cascaded over the sides of the valley, and the mist created a light shimmer over the city. A breathtaking sight. The earlier tension in her muscles eased a bit. But a slight nudge at her back reminded her that her hosts were not fond of her standing around. She begrudgingly continued walking forward.
As they made their way up the stone path, elves would stare. Some would cast out an insult or pray loudly to their Valar. They prayed for protection. They feared and hated the sight of Merethyl. They could tell from a glance what she was. Her bright amber eyes, the long red hair, and lastly the ears gave her away. They were longer than the pointed ears of the elves. They knew what she was, what she could become, and they feared it. Merethyl ignored them to the best of her ability. At one point during the journey, a rock found its way to her temple. She spun towards the direction it came from and let out a hiss. The elves nearby fled and the guards unsheathed their weapons. Merethyl was getting tired of this. She wanted to be in the woods. She wanted to be safe and in her home.
"Mana na sina?" A stern voice called from above. Merethyl's head snapped to the front. At the top of the stairs strode Lord Elrond, Lord of Rivendell. The leader out of the three bowed to him.
"Emme tulime sina ulundo, Mime heru." The elf said to him. Merethyl tensed further.
"We do not treat our guests in such a poor manner." He scolded. The guard looked away, but Aralon stood fast.
"We now welcome beasts and monsters into our home?!" He spat. Lord Elrond narrowed his eyes.
"She is not a beast or a monster. Aralon, you need to learn your manners." He said continuing down the stairs. He reached Merethyl and pulled her into a warm hug. "Alatulle, titta er." Merethyl wrapped her arms around him and smiled.
"I am not so little anymore, My Lord." She said stepping away from him. Lord Elrond was always a gracious host. Merethyl chanced a glance at Alaron, and his mouth was agape. She smiled at him, then stuck out her tongue.
"Physically, yes. But apparently, 1000 years hasn't made you any less childish." He said fondly. Merethyl hmpfed in good humor. Lord Elrond dismissed the guards and began leading Merethyl towards the grander hall. The elves she passed here avoided her like the plague, but at least in the presence of Lord Elrond, they kept their comments to themselves. After passing through a few more hallways, they came upon a door. Lord Elrond opened it and moved inside.
"This is your room. I have kept it the same as you have left it." He told her. She looked around, and it was true. Arrows littered the floor by an old desk where she used to make them. Feathers stashed in a mug on the desk were strewn around. Three large bookshelves lined the far wall. But her favorite part was straight ahead. She pushed forward and opened up the double doors that laid before her. They revealed a large balcony that looked over most of Rivendell. It was a beautiful sight. She turned to Lord Elrond and bowed in thanks. He smiled lightly at her before turning towards the door. Before he closed it behind him, he flashed her a grin.
"Welcome to Rivendell."
le suilon-I greet you
Lle omenta yassen pilin'-You would greet with arrows?
Lye uma il creosa lle, Naur Suula!-We do not welcome you, Fire breath!
Mana la sina-What is this?
Emme tulime sina ulundo, Mime heru-We found the monster, my lord.
Alatulle, titta er-Welcome, little one.
