Hello to all my readers, as well as to those of you who are imensely pissed off because I have failed to finish off what I have started. I'm getting there- but laetly I've been working on a final project for two classes, which just happens to be what you are about to read.

I do not own, JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings- nor any of the movies or have any property claims over plot, storyline, characters. etc- save for Laiste and her story.

I hope you all enjoy, comment please!

Elvish translations:

Namárië, Brand, ná Elbereth veria le, ná elenath dín síla erin rád o chuil lín- Farewell, Brand, may Elbereth protect you, may her stars shine on the path of your life.

Belain na le- The Valar be with you

Ada- father

Namárië, mellon- Farewell friend

Hannon le- Thank you

Im gelir ceni ad lín, mellon-

Manen nalyë? - How are you?

Im maer- I'm well

Gen hannon- I thank you

Elleth- female elf

Eldar- the word used for elves who left the shores of Aman and took the Great Journey

Secret Souls

Chapter Nine- Laiste

The next morning the sun rose to discover the entirety of the House standing outside the main House, awaiting the arrival of the elvish delegation from Lothlórien. My Lord and his family stood at the front with the heads of his household standing behind him, Gildor and Lindir being the most prominent of those that I knew. Arranged near the Peredhel family; stood my knight master, Ecthelion, and I. The second lord of our group wore grey trousers and a pale blue tunic over which a dark blue robe trimmed with silver, rested on his shoulders. Ecthelion had pulled back his hair in a mixture of braids and a complex silver circlet. The colors, I was duly informed, reflected the colors of the waters for which the House of Fountain were named.

My knight master also wore colors that depicted his once great House, with a light brown grey tunic and slightly darker brown trousers over which he had donned a long pale green robe that had leaves and small pale golden flowers embroidered upon the fine fabric. His long hair had been laboriously tended to and flowed to his waist in strands of liquid gold. Braided into his strands was a pale gold circlet that glimmered on his pale brow. To me both of my friend and master seemed to truly be the legendary elves that many claimed them to be- elves who had given their lives to defend their home from the darkness of Morgoth's creatures.

In contrast I felt rather stiff and different. Glorfindel had given me a formal squire's outfit many years previously, however when he had seen me wearing it earlier this morning he had demanded that I change into something else, which he claimed was a gift from both he and Ecthelion as a belated begetting day gift. Said gift was what I had donned, having little time to spare to argue against such a fine ensemble. I now stood in a pair of pale brown trousers and an ivory tunic that held along its edges intertwining threads of green, golden, blue, and silver. Over the tunic that stopped just above my knees I wore a pale green robe that skimmed the floor and seemed to whisper all the promises of the elvish world. My new boots shone slightly in the dim light. It was an outfit made for one of great status and skill, thus I stood half frightened that even the slightest movement would tear the threads that bound the fine cloth together.

The distant sound of hooves clopping upon the ground drew me away from the examination of my fellows and I turned my gaze towards the entryway. Together the members of the Last Homely House waited, joined together by their common desire to see the visiting elves as well as to determine what the coming weeks would bring. Even the head cook had fled his kitchen for this moment. Almost imperceptibly as the sun rose a bright light appeared in the forest, becoming brighter and brighter. It was a light like non other I had before seen on these shores and I could feel my eyes widen as the beautiful white star-like light faded only slightly in brightness as a company of elves passed through the entryway.

They were like the light, utterly new to my eyes, and though I schooled my expression I could not help but gaze at the elves that had entered into sight. They moved with slow grace, the first ones being dressed in the uniforms, my knight master had told me that depicted them as wardens- the protectors of the nearest elven land beyond the Misty Mountains. Upon seeing the Lord Elrond the four wardens parted, revealing behind them two of the most magnificent elves I had ever seen.

Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel shone with an inner light that told me many things- but the most important being that they had seen the Light of the Trees. Magic seemed to embody their very essences and the two moved together with such fluidity and oneness that it was almost difficult to tell where one of their fëar ended and another began. The Lord had hair the just graced his shoulders and wore pale formal robes with an over robe of pale blue. The Lady had long golden hair which seemed to me not entirely unlike the waves I had seen on ocean. She wore a simply cut, long white gown with elaborate twisting white flowers sewn into the gossamer top layer. Lord Celeborn and his Lady carried themselves with pride and dignity, their matching silver circlets indicating their rank and age.

So that is where Lady Celebrian received her knowledge and appearance from, I thought gazing at the leaders of Lothlórien. Tearing my gaze away I could do little but marvel at the similarities between these elves and myself, though it seemed to me that the similarities ended at hair color. The evident mix of Sindar and Silvan blood was interesting, at least for me, for there were few not of Noldor lineage that resided within the House. Almost absently I wondered if I could be related to any of these elves though that seemed unlikely as I had never met my true birth parents, even in my past

"I welcome you Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel to Imladris." Lord Elrond said, his low voice sliding away any other thoughts I might have had about the newly arrived guests.

Lady Galadriel smiled, "Thank you Lord Elrond, though I believe your greeting to be too formal. Have not our two houses merged under the protective arms of the mountains?"

For a brief moment in time I thought I glimpsed Lord Elrond to appear almost sheepish, as quickly as it had come the expression was lost and a collected mask was in its place. Lady Celebrian stepped forwards at this moment, smiling warmly as she gazed at her parents and took in the sight of her kinsmen, people she had been surrounded by since her Begetting Day. "I believe what my husband meant to say was 'Welcome'." Her bright smile widened, "Welcome to my House, Nanneth and Ada."

Warm smiled crossed the faces of those present as the Lord and Lady of Lothlórien embraced their daughter, whom they had not seen for many years. Looking away from the family moment, they always feel so private, I watched as the faint tension throughout both groups drained. All too soon, my attention was being dragged back towards the Lords as Elrond presented the leaders of his House. Cook, Lindir, Gildor, Erestor, Ecthelion, and Glorfindel- I watched as they were all presented in such a way as to both establish Imladris as well as to gain the respect of those whom were first time visitors to the fair elven city.

Suddenly bright blue eyes that were far too keen for my liking were locked on me, though Lord Elrond had yet finished his introductions. Before I quite knew what was going on the Lady Galadriel stood before me, looking down at her gaze locked onto mine and though I struggled to do so, I discovered I could not look away- for within those orbs there was Knowledge, truths gained somehow of the past, present, and possibilities of the future.

"I have not seen you before, yet I believe we have met once." Her voice was low and melodious, beckoning for answer to a question that she had not voiced openly.

"This is Laiste, the newest addition to my House as well as Glorfindel's squire." Elrond said in his ever distinct tone- not that anyone of the Eldar who stood near would have missed his words.

Recognition flashed in blue eyes and their full power lay revealed before me and though the Lady smiled warmly down at me, it did not reach those eyes that regarded me with such interest and an overabundance of knowledge. I knew then that we had met before- that she knew me and who I was before I lost my memories. Somewhere in my chest hope fluttered its wings once more. I couldn't repress the thought of could she help and do what the Istari could not? The faint wisp of magic trailing through my mind followed by a voice made me tense. Eyes narrowed and I closed off my mind as I had once learned so many ages past. Blue eyes widened for a fraction of a second before Galadriel murmured lowly, "We shall speak soon." Then she was once more meeting the other leaders of the House and I could do naught but stand there and struggle to keep down that emotions that threatened to swallow me whole.

It was at noon when the other delegation walked through the entryway and almost immediately the tensions ran thick. At the head of the delegation rode and elf I had never before seen. He rode easily on his mount coming to stop at the politically correct distance. Like any other of the Eldar he dismounted with grace that belied the power of his thin frame. Dark eyes the color of a rainy sky looked around at the mixed host of Galadhrim and Imladrim that stood to welcome the delegation from Greenwood the Great. On his brow his wore a crown of bright green leaves that added at trace of natural beauty to his long mane of golden hair that twisted back and forth in a mixture of shallow waves and thin braids. He wore rich robes of brown, white and green while a sheathed golden dagger and bright jewels glimmered upon his being.

"Welcome King Thranduil of Greenwood." Lady Celebrian said stepping forward with her husband to greet the ruler of the Teleri and Sindar who had chosen to tread more natural paths of their long lives.

King Thranduil nodded and coolly voiced his formal thanks before turning to another horse that was led by a guard. An elfling sat on the large mount, looking haughty though incredibly small atop such a large horse. Thranduil reached out and the elfling launched himself into his arms, murmuring something before being placed down on the ground. Large blue eyes looked around as one hand curled tightly into his father's robes. A small smile crossed the King's expression as he looked down at the boy, who had shifted slightly closer.

"I would like to introduce, my youngest child- Legolas Greenleaf."

On hearing his name the young child seemed to straighten and move away from his father slightly in order to raise his face and gaze proudly at the powerful Lords and Ladies that stood before him. The Greenwood contingent seemed to swell slightly and I noted the varying expressions of pride and happiness of those that stood behind the two. Flicking my gaze over the Teleri elves I watched and waited as they remembered where and with whom they stood, noting that the tension was slightly lessen from before. The tension in the air rose when Ecthelion and Glorfindel stepped forwards, though whether it was out of shock or something else I was not entirely certain- yes they were Noldor, but I know that neither of them had participated in the Kinslayings, and even if they had surely their noble acts and then the return of their fëar to new hröar were signs enough of the Valar's favor.

"Lord Glorfindel, Lord Ecthelion." The woodland king seemed to hesitate before nodding and giving a small bow in acknowledgement to the two, and I struggled to retain the calm appearance that I had been holding onto for most of the day when all I desired to do was to ride away from all the tensions and politics until the summer solstice had arrived. The King and his party were soon led away without any introductions and I sighed gratefully at the one small relief.

Looking around at the others I waited, taking one step then another until the trees were hiding my presence. Turning around I darted off, easily dipping, ducking and twirling around the tall, green beings that filled the world. Over low white bridges and through the hidden paths I rushed for a moment longer until I was certain that there were none that followed. Easing into a walk I made my way to the stables and lured my horse out of his leisure and jumped upon his back. The grey dappled equine snorted and in a burst of speed we took off.

Wind and leaf tore through my hair and batted at my clothes, as Hith galloped sure footedly over dirt and rock. We acted together, as one body and mind and for a time we were both free.