Chapter 5
*No one's POV*
"Over The Rainbow"
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true
She finished the song and opened her eyes. Right in front of her he stood proud and tall. She smiled at him gently. "I knew you would come back, I sensed your feä." He smiled back at her and said "I could not let you leave me, nor could I let myself leave you. I sensed your feä and it guided me here." Then they both looked at eachother for a while until the whinny from Othar broke the silence. "We should head back to the camp now. Come everyone will be happy to see you again." She sang a sweet tune and the harp grew small once again. She then grabbed it and Maedhros hand, then they went back to the camp.
When they entered the camp they were met with surprised but happy greetings. Tulcaner made his way over. "Ah I see, this is the reason you went into the forest huh. Like I said before, everytime you walk into the forest you always manage to ensnare some poor soul out there." Then he laughed and left them. "Everyone seems happy, did we leave such an impact on you?" Maedhros said a little curious. "Ah yes you did, especially Elrond and Elros." She smiled at him and they then went to have some supper.
2 ½ weeks later
The company of elves were moving fast, they had finally reached their destination. Hopefully they would enter the forest and pass through the walls before dark. Maedhros had suddenly gone nervous. Lindaliel noticed it and looked at him concerned. "Maedhros is something wrong?" He looked at her. "No it's just….yeah…what if everyone get angry for me coming here. I mean, I am a kinslayer and I am…WAS one of those who hates your kind." She smiled at him. "If we hated everyone that had wronged us we would not have gone through these travels to help others. By the way, we are a very forgiving people so there is no need to worry. If you have done something bad and regret it and do something to make up to it, then you will receive the forgivness you have asked for." He looked at her shocked. "H-how can all of you be so forgiving. I mean, the others didn't even consider it a kinslaying if they killed a Laerquendi." She thought for a minute. "I guess we are just tired of hating and living in fear. It's better to have many friends than many enemies." He nodded agreeing with her. They suddenly heard a shout from the front of the group and they looked ahead. A forest stood tall in front of them. "Oh if we hurry we will reach the city in just a few hours!" Maedhros smiled at her excitement. "What is your city like?" "Oh it's wonderful. It is placed in the very heart of the forest. The walls are made out of the forest itself and nothing can break through it. You will feel it when we pass it. It's a beautiful place and very peaceful. We do not engage in battle if we do not have to but we have guards protecting both the forest and the kingdom. Since the forest protects us it's no more than right that we do the same." He nodded understandingly. It sounded like a logic thing to do. They rode in silence for a while until a horn sounded in the front of the party. In the distance, another horn answered the first and all horses started to move faster eager to get home. "Looks like the horses s eager to get home." Maedhros said and chuckled. "Yes we have been away for many weeks after all." Lindaliel smiled at him and along with everyone else, urged her horse into a canter. Soon in the distance, a white tower was seen. Soon they left the forest and went out on a hill. In front of them was a valley. A river cut through it and in the curve of it rose a magnificent white castle on a hill. Under it a city stretched out between the river and the mountains which rose high on the right side of the city. Maedhros saw a little village spread out on their side of the river and a white bridge made it able to cross over to the main part of the small kingdom. All he could do was gape in astonishment at the sight before him. Lindaliel smiled at him. "How do you like Lindalenor?" He turned to her. "I have to admit that I thought of something that would look more like Gondolin but this is so much closer to the nature and more carefree, the houses are spread out and simple yet beautiful. I love it!" She laughed at his enthusiasm. "Good for you will now see the inside of it." And with that they made for the bridge. As they came closer they met elves who were herding sheep, cows or looked after horses that were running free. Everyone they met started waving and greet the long missed company who had finally decided to come home. As they went through the village, many elves came out to look at the returning host. Everywhere they could hear elves calling for their loved ones welcoming them home. Small elflings were running around and looking at the horses. Lindaliel halted the company. "Those who lives in the village are now released from their duty. Return to your loved ones. Those who lives in the city will continue to the castle where you will then be released." Then she urged her horse forwards again and those who lived in the city followed her. Those who lived in the village left the host and embraced their loved ones who had awaited their return patiently. Everywhere there were joyful sounds of laughter and greetings. Maedhros could not help but smile at this. What a wonderful place to live in. When they finally came to the bridge they guards wearing simple yet strong leather armor. They stood tall and proud on either side of the bridge. Once again they stopped. "My princess you have finally returned home!" At the guard's exclamation Maedhros stiffened. Lindaliel was a princess, their princess!? "Yes, I am most delighted to finally be home again." She shot him an apologetic glance with a promise that she would talk to him about it soon. "And who is this your grace? He is not one of us." Maedhros could feel stares being shot his way. He hoped no one would recognize him. "This is Nelyofinwe Feanorion from the house of Finwe." At Lindaliel's words everyone quietened and looked at him with wide eyes. Some elves pulled their elflings to them and looked at him in fear. "Do not worry for he is an ally. He has listened to our story and accepted them. He is a friend." At this all the tension left as if it was never there and something shocking happened. "Well met prince Nelyofinwe, it is an honor to have you here." The guards bowed and made way for the host. Everywhere elves soon started shout out greetings to him as they crossed the bridge where the same thing happened. As they walked through the city he rode up to Lindaliel. "Why do they act so nice towards me, first they feared me then they greeted me as an old friend and as a prince." She looked at him. "Well you are a prince of the Noldor and the reason for their hospitality is that you believe in us. A Noldorin prince believes in the people his people despises. They believe there is still hope that one day they will not be hunted anymore since someone has finally started to believe us." At this Maedhros was speechless. "And just like that they accept me? They just take me into their open arms?" She grinned at him. "Yes." Then he remembered something. "Why did they call you princess?" She looked sheepishly at him. "My mother was to be the next queen after my grandfather stepped down but she died and my uncle do not want the throne nor can he have it since my mother was older and that makes her firstborn the heir of the throne and then him as the other heir if her firstborn do not have a child. I am her firstborn and only child which makes me the heir to the throne of Lindalenor and when my haru deems that his time has come he will step down and I will be crowned queen." Maedhros was at loss of words after this. "But why did you not tell me when we met at the first time?" She looked at him. "You must be jesting. We are Laerquendi the most hated of all people in Arda. Who wouldn't want to kill the future queen? We could not say our titles in case something like that happened." Maedhros nodded understandingly. Soon they were outside the castle. They rode through the gates and into the courtyard where they finally stopped. They were home. On top of the great stairs that lead into the castle stood a couple in white. The ellon had soft blonde hair like Lindaliel and white robes that made him shine. By his side stood an elleth of great beauty. Her hair was black as night with silver sparkles in it so it seemed as if her hair was garlanded with stars. Maedhros felt a bit nervous when he felt their stares directed towards him. Lindaliel sensed his discomfort and went over to him. "That is my haru and haruni. King Aranlaer and queen Tinweriel."