I own nothing save this plot line and my own personal character. Yes, it is the same story as the one in my LOTR strain, however I am trying to get it out a little more. Please read and review. I hope you enjoy.

-SighingWinter

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

Fëar and hröar- Quenya words that mean 'spirits' and 'bodies', remove the r at the end and that would be the singular versions of the above words.

Secret Souls

Chapter four- Laiste

The winter was calm and nearly silent, so I was informed. The waters had frozen, which meant most of the waterfalls had turned into giant cliffs until warm spring winds and sun brought heat back into the world and melted the waters. I spent much of the early winter in Elrond's study either with the Lord or Lady, both of whom were kind enough to help me get used to my people and my new home. I learned much from them, though more than once I found myself confused at their ways and the doings if Imladris. Though I struggled to remember my past with the lord's aid nothing came back save for a single face, that of a woman with dark tired eyes that held infinite sadness and anger with wild brown/red hair. I could not recall exactly who she was, just that she was important. Many times I wondered if that was the face of my mother.

Mid-winter came and the celebration for that was nothing like I had ever seen. Bright music and decorations filled the halls, while sweet scent fluttered from the busy kitchens. Everywhere elves seemed to get busier and busier, always having something to do. During that week of preparation for the actual Mid-winter day, I discovered the library and part time residence of Erestor. After the third time I sought refuge from all the business that went on, he put me to work and what began as idle conversations turned into dense history, writing, and language lessons.

Tonight was one such evening. Erestor was currently telling me about the Third Age and the rising of Sauron as he came into the power his former master had left behind. How he had disguised himself as one of the faire-folk under the appearance of Annatar and how he had deceived the elves of Eregion as he taught them how to utilize both crafting and magic at the same time.

"Why would Sauron desire to deceive the elves? How is it that we could not see through his deception?" I asked curiously, sitting across from him.

Erestor frowned to himself for a moment before answering slowly, clearly thinking about each word as he struggled to answer my question, "According to most views it would seem that Sauron wanted to bring elves under his power so that with our knowledge and power his power would be absolute."

The image that Erestor created was almost terrifying and I shuddered away from my over active imagination.

"As for why, according to Lord Elrond our kind struggled because of who we are. He offered a great many things, with little in return; at least openly. Some could sense something was off, my Lord being one of such elves, however it is a thought of mine that because of the way we are, beings who are unable to lie and consider ourselves wise and-at some point after a great many years- infallible, we were so secure that the idea that another who bore our appearance was equally as truthful as he appeared to be."

I nodded, trying to understand, though yet struggling. "And we did not fall into his plans why?"

Erestor calmly pulled out a book from a large stack that sat on the floor to the right of his desk. He easily flipped open to a page somewhere in the middle of the book and held it out for my eyes to view. There, drawn in beautiful recollection were three rings.

"The rings of the elves- Celebrimbor forged these three rings without the influence of Sauron, then known as Annatar. When Sauron revealed himself upon placing the One Ring onto his finger, those whom he had deceived immediately knew of their betrayal and Celebrimbor was quick to act. He took the three rings of the elves and Narya, Nenya, and Vilya were hidden- kept secret and safe while being little used."

"Where have the Three gone now? Are they still on Arda?" I asked, curiously, after gently closing the book and placing it back in its proper pile. Erestor admitted that while there were rumors, none had ever been proven so it was hard to say whether or not the Three still remained on these shores. The answer was vague and not the entirety of the truth; at least I was pretty certain that was the case. After all the trouble that had come from Fëanor and his Silmarils, which led to the terrible oath and the kinslayings that followed. As such thoughts swirled through my mind, faint traces flashed through my mind's eye and I blindly followed.

The memories were dim, and I knew somehow that I was very young when I glimpsed tired eyes, their inner light almost gone. I was swept away and the memory blurred shifting over strange lands until the warm embrace filled my mind. Looking down at me were two faces, the first was distinctly male with shoulder length black hair and warm brown eyes, and the second was female with bright grey eyes and a soft smile. "Naneth…."

"ste… Laiste… Laiste!"

"What happened, Erestor?"

"I know not! One moment she was perfectly well and the next thing I knew she collapsed!"

Someone was panicking above me, calling out my name, though I could not answer. Where was I? I struggled through fuzzy images before recalling my location, although not the reason why I was currently on something very hard.

"Glorfindel, move him." A commanding voice ordered, before coming closer until it was not far above me. Hands cupped my face and a cool wave went through my body at the contact. Magic. This one had magic and it felt good. The commanding voice called out to me and I groaned, frowning before slowly opening my eyes to blink up at the concerned faces of very familiar people even as it hurt to do so.

"My Lord?" My voice was little more than a croak. The face right above me relaxed and the slightly deepened lines eased on his noble brow, however his keen dark eyes were knowing and it was with care that they looked over me.

"What happened?" I asked, confused as to why I was on the floor of the library.

"We were hoping you would be able to tell us?" Gentle hands grasped my shoulders, helping me sit up and I let out a yet another groan of pain, my head throbbing worse than ever before. Lord Elrond frowned and reached out once more, trying to determine what was wrong.

"Erestor did her-"

"No, my Lord, her head hit nothing. She just crumpled to the ground."

"Laiste," I looked towards Lord Elrond trying to keep him in focus through the stabs of pain "what happened?"

"Memories… I think…" I said lowly, loud voices made my brain throb even more.

"Has this happened before?" His voice was thoughtful.

"The headaches?" I asked slowly, leaning back against whoever was supporting my body.

"Yes."

"Yes. When I used to try too hard to remember my past during my travels, my head always started to hurt."

"Has it always become this bad?"

I shook my head and then closed my eyes at the pain, "Not like this."

Lord Elrond looked beyond me to the person who supported my upper body and with words that were little more than whispers he asked the person to carry me back to my room, I think I tried to protest-I could walk- though I was probably ignored if I did indeed manage to say anything at all. He murmured something more, which I didn't catch completely though it sounded like he'd go get something to help me.

I bit back a groan and wondered if someone would please chop off my head, for surely that would hurt far less than this. Hands wrapped around legs and body before easily picking me up as though I were no more than a doll. I looked up to see the side of a defined face with a single stormy eye looking straight ahead. Ecthelion. I rested my head against his shoulder and closed my eyes, trusting the seneschal to take me back to my chamber. His strides were quick and soon he had reached my chamber. Not long after he had placed me on my bed, Lord Elrond entered and forced something awful down my throat, but at last I slept and the pain numbed and faded and I floated away into the soft river of dreams where laughter and warmth filled the rippling worlds.