Ariza (27 years old *about 10 in human years.*)
"Ada, Ada, Ada wake up, wake up!" The young elfling whispered, poking her Ada's cheek. He let out a snore. She started giggling.
"Ada! You promised!" She said quietly, he still did not awake.
"You have left me no choice!" Ariza mumbled, and left to go get a pitcher of water. She walked back into her Ada's room, expecting to find him still napping. But no, he was standing, looking through one of his books. Ariza quickly hid the water pitcher behind her back, and crept up to him hiding behind his back, and squeaked,
"Did you have a good nap Ada?" He turned around, and looked behind her, seeing the water pitcher. She flushed, and looked down at her feet.
"Would you like something to drink?" She asked, while swirling the pitcher around. He raised one eyebrow, questioning her true motive.
"What do you want my little Meril?" He asked, already knowing the answer.
"You promised to tell me where we are going tomorrow, Is it Lothlorien, to visit grandmother?" She babbled, guessing the places they may be going. She twirled a piece of her curly blonde hair, awaiting his answer. Elrond sighed, snapped the book shut, and began pinching the bridge of his nose. 'Something is wrong, never acts like this except when...'
" Are we going to Greenwood?" The elfling cried, her father sighed a 'yes'. Elrond strode out of the room, probably to go find the mother of his children.
Ariza giggled and ran out of the room to find Arwen. Ariza found Arwen in her room, brushing her hair, while humming to herself.
" Arwen! Arwen! We are going to Greenwood!" The young elleth shouted while bouncing up and down. Her big sister turned to her, and a huge smile decorated Ariza's face. Arwen leaned down ruffling Ariza's hair, to which she frowned, and swatted her sisters' hands away.
" I know, that's why I packed this for you." Arwen said while handing Ariza a pack. She eagerly took it, and peered inside. Inside were three tunics, three pairs of leggings, boots, and worst of all three dresses! Ariza groaned and fished them out, then threw them at Arwen, pouting.
" Ariza, there will be a ball, and you have to look like a respectable young elleth." She chuckled, and put the dresses back in the bag.
" I'm only 27 years old! I am not supposed to be going to dances!" She retorted, stating her point.
" Ariza, wether you like it or not, those dresses will be needed." Arwen chided, sounding much like her own mother.
"But..." Arwen raised an eyebrow.
"Fine." They young elfling muttered darkly, pouting. Arwen merely chuckled as she fled to her adjoining room.
" Ariza, we will be leaving in a hour, be ready Ada says you will be riding with me." Arwen called from her room. Ariza simply placed her bag on her bed and wandered out of her room. Lost in her thoughts Ariza found herself in the garden, surprisingly under her favorite tree. The tree was old, and had many bright red, fragrant flowers, and bright green leaves.
The warmth of the morning sun overtook her, as she slowly fell into a trance like sleep.
xXx
Ariza awoke to the sound of someone calling her name. As she lost the grogginess of sleep, she heard what her elder sister was saying.
" Ariza, we must leave! Where on Arda are you?" the voice of Arwen called, Ariza's eyes widened as she quickly scrambled from her spot, not wanting to be left behind for the trip to Greenwood. She ran as fast as her legs could take her, without tripping to where Arwen stood at the stables, tapping her foot with an eyebrow raised.
" I-I-I fell asleep." Ariza puffed as Arwen boosted her onto Nenloth, a gray mare that Ada had given to Arwen for her 178th birthday. She climbed in front of her, and took hold of Nenloth, before gently telling her to move.
As the afternoon faded into the night, Ariza's eyes drooped, and she slumped against Arwen letting sleep over take her. She awoke early in the morning, and rubbed her eyes. She saw the ground moving under her, and was surprised to find that we were still moving. 'Had the others not slept?' She thought as she looked into her family's tired, and restless eyes. Even Elladan, who rarely ever grew tired, was slumping on his horse, an empty expression on his face.
" Arwen, have we not stopped?" Ariza questioned , rubbing her forehead.
" No Ariza, we have not stopped, the elves of Lothlorien are already there for the festival. We are running dreadfully late, and have to be there in three days time, before the festival of starlight begins." Arwen answered, mildly stressed with her eyes trained on the terrain ahead of her.
" Is Grandmother going to be there?" She asked innocently, while glancing at her beloved sister.
Arwen sighed a 'Yes' tiredly. Ariza nodded her head, and settled in for the long ride ahead of her.
Time Skip*
The ride was long and hard, as the group neared Greenwood's boarders. Numerous times Ariza had to hide, as small bands of orcs attacked, and one of the eleven guards had passed onto the Halls of Mandos. Only when we reached the enterance to Greenwood did they stop longer than five minutes. The family stopped at the edge of the Elven Road, and had a breakfast of Lembas, berries, and water. They quietly trotted into Greenwood. Inside Greenwood was more beautiful than Ariza could have ever dreamed. With rolling hills of tall green grass, which was booming with various flowers all with different vibrant colors, to which she had to wander off, and admire them only to be chided by Arwen. The sweet nectar of those flowers hung heavy in the air, causing her to take deep breaths of the heavenly scent. On the path, they crossed several small streams, all flowing with crystal clear water. The trees near the path seemed to hum with life, as fruits hung heavy on the branches, and birds sang through the canopy.
Then she saw it the palace of Greenwood itself. Tall pillars of stone stood heavy at the entrance, as if protecting something inside. A stone staircase led to a huge oak door. Elrond hopped off his black mare, along with Celebrían, as they both stated who they were, the guards automatically dipped into a low bow, and let them pass.
The lord of Imladris turned back, and motioned for his children to follow him. Inside the palace, winding paths made from what looked to be branches of huge trees, that all led up to a winding staircase. Ariza could here the roar of water, and saw the shadows of elves dancing in the lights of the torches, and lanterns that hung on the walls.
Elrond led them to the staircase, that led to the throne room suddenly Ariza became anxious, and the shy side that people rarely saw kicked in, as she ran and hid behind her mother .
" Ah, Lord Elrond, Lady Celebrían, we have been expecting you." an unfamiliar, and powerful voice boomed. Ariza edged closer to her mother, holding onto her dress tightly.
As we reached the top, Ada bowed " King Thranduil." He greeted, clearly trying to conceal his distaste of the ellon. She peeked out from behind Celebrían's dress, to see an ellon with flaxen blonde hair, and merry frosty blue eyes. The ellon had a crown of twigs and berries on his head, and a tall, lanky yet powerful build. He was taller than her father... Seeing how powerful he truly was she slunk back to her place behind her mother.
" Elladan, Elrohir, Arwen... Where is your youngest Elrond?" The King asked, making Ariza's heart thump faster, and blood rush to her ears, as Celebrían ushered her out from behind her.
Ariza stood shyly with her head down, looking intently at her boots as the ellon approached her.
" Ah, there you are little one! The last time I saw you, you couldn't even crawl." the ellon said while looking down fondly upon her. She mumbled a 'Hello' and tried to rush behind her father. But he shook his head at her, smiling.
" She sure is a shy elfling, is she not Elrond?" the elf chuckled which caused Elrond to laugh in response.
" You should see her at home Thranduil, she is quite the little terror." Thranduil's eyebrows raised in surprise.
" This quiet little one...No!" He said in mock disbelief. Ariza felt the tips of her ears turn red in embarrassment.
" You know Ariza," She flinched as he used her name, used to only hearing her family say it. " I have a son around your age, in fact he is only three years younger than you." the King finished, while bending down and tucking something behind her ear. She stood frozen to the spot, not sure what to do.
He straightened up again, and said " Esteleth will lead you all to your chambers."
" Farewell until tomorrow."
They all finished our mumbled and tired goodbyes, and followed the servant.
As soon as Arwen and Ariza entered their chamber with two beds, she collapsed on the nearest one, eagle spread.
A\N
And another chapter done. Let me know what you think with a review, or a favorite, or both. And a huge thank you to my first reviewer angel897!
And one last thing...HAPPY NEW YEAR!