Energy and persistence conquer all things.
-Benjamin Franklin
Thank you to the reviewers of Chapter 22:
ladyiceangel, luvthefluf, lovelyLash, BsG-Blondy, alibi girl, Nelarun, lovenhope, A Vermillion Memory, walkure13Brynhild, Heather Allen (thank you for the kind comments!), Lady Anck-su-namun, alison, tyger cub, PurpleCherrysodaPop, and Elwen of Lorien
I am in the process of editing the first five chapters or so, and I've already completed chapter one. I realized that over the course of a year my writing skills and style of writing have changed. I would also like to thank somekindasuperstar for the helpful comments which I will DEFINITELY be heeding, hence my recent editing. I just finished a Latin quarter project so I should have enough time for maybe three chapters before finals start up again, so you can expect a little delay there.
-Chapter Twenty Three-
Waking to an empty talan was not unusual, but the fact that Anira knew the talan would remain that way for much longer than it had in the past was slightly depressing. She realized now that whenever he was away, her feelings toward him grew stronger. Did he feel the same way?
Pulling on a plain dress and simply plaiting her long, golden hair, Anira prepared for the day. After eating a quick morning meal consisting of fruit and wine, she hurried off... to do nothing.
She stopped instantly. There was nothing to do. She had gotten up early and eaten quickly to do nothing. Her mind was so heavily weighed down with thoughts of her relationship with Haldir that she had forgotten there was no work to do since he had left. She collapsed into a nearby chair and sank into the cushions, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Suddenly it seemed she was very tired, though, with her mind racing, she would find no rest.
Feredir listened as Minaethiel explained the conflict between Anira and Arasinya. He observed her angry state with thoughtful eyes, leaning back into his chair and taking a sip from his glass of wine occasionally.
"What should we do?" She ended, her bright eyes questioned from across the table. He remained silent for a moment, cocking his head slightly in thought.
"Nothing," he said after a pause. "We should do nothing."
"What? You are not serious?" Minaethiel's eyes widened in indignation.
"It is their affair, Minaethiel. It would do no good for us to meddle in it. I believe we should let them work it out on their own."
"Have you even met Arasinya?"
"I have. She was once the love interest of my greatest friend, so, on occasion, we did meet," he said.
"So you know what she is like and how she behaves?"
"It is only her nature, love. She knows of nothing but what she wants. She may be around our age, but inside she is nothing more than a greedy elfling," Feredir said in a soothing tone.
Minaethiel lowered her eyes in defeat, knowing he was right. He placed his hand on hers and she met his eyes with her sorrowful ones.
"I just wish I could help," she whispered. He leaned in close to her.
"Then you are a good friend," he whispered back to her, then captured her lips in a kiss.
Deciding that idleness would do her no good, Anira set off for the stables. Riding had always brought her great pleasure, that was one thing she and her father had had in common. As she collected her tack, she noticed Merilwen walking slowly to her. Anira furrowed her brows in confusion, wondering what Orophin's shy maiden would want with her.
"My Lady wishes to speak to you," she said in a soft voice, barely audible. Setting down the things in her arms, Anira followed her to where Lady Galadriel waited. While they walked, Anira worked to keep a steady conversation going.
"Did she tell you what she wanted to speak to me about?" Anira asked warmly, hoping to encourage her. Merilwen shook her head, keeping her eyes fixated in front of her. Anira sighed, knowing it was useless to even try to get one word out of her. She really was pretty, Anira watched as her waist-length silver hair swung back and forth as she moved. Her slight features were pale, but complimented her oval-shaped face and blazing eyes.
She stopped abruptly in front of a small garden, pointing to a worn path that most likely led to where Galadriel was. Anira thanked her and started off on the path.
She passed small stone benches intricately detailed with flowers and flowing patterns. Colorful flowers lined the path and basked in the mid-morning sun. Anira came upon the shadow of someone sitting in the center of the garden, a faint light radiating from the elf. Lustrous golden hair, alike yet so different from her own, flowed down her back. She turned her kind face to Anira and smiled pleasantly, patting the space next to her on the bench.
Anira sat down stiffly, still aware that this was Lady Galadriel, one of the most powerful elves in Arda. Galadriel sensed her apprehension and smiled knowingly.
"You have come a long way and changed greatly during your stay in Lorien. Do not be afraid, child," her voice was calming but firm at the same time.
"I am trying not to be, my Lady," Anira answered, trying to hide the small tremor in her voice. Galadriel smiled yet again, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. They sat in silence.
"I have noticed that you have become quite close with our March warden. Haldir is an honorable ellon, and now that I have met you I know why you two are so perfectly matched for each other," she said. Anira looked up at this, not knowing what to say. Galadriel continued.
"I did not think the same way, however, when he was with another elleth. You have probably met her, I presume?" Anira nodded. "Yes, that is what I called you here to speak with me about. Her company is leaving within a few days, her father and Lord Celeborn still have a few loose ends to tie up in political affairs. I thought, since Haldir has been sent on a foreign mission, you and Arasinya could work out this conflict without his interfering." Anira nodded again, knowing how foolish she must look to be constantly moving her head up and down.
"Know this, daughter of Mirkwood, the key to anyone's good graces is kindness, even if it is not returned. Your anger may well up inside of you, and you might think that the only solution is to turn your back on her and never look at her again, but if you persevere in compassion, you just might get a different reaction," she finished.
"My Lady, I believe I have tried this. She seems to just brush me off and continue being rude," Anira said, somewhat hopelessly.
"Perseverance, Anira. Many brilliant things in the history of elves were not done because someone surrendered." Galadriel stood up after saying this, and with a small nod, walked off on the same path Anira arrived on. Anira sat on the stone bench pondering the wise words she had been given. A tiny bird landed on the branch of the tree above her, chirping joyfully. Anira knew what she had to do.
Arasinya sat idly humming by the river, her foot dangled in the water moving back and forth lazily. She leaned her head back against the coarse bark of the tree she sat against, eyes closed in thought. Nothing but the sounds of nature disturbed her. Suddenly, a twig snapped in the trees behind her, startling her out of her reverie. Her eyes snapped open immediately and she thrust her head around the trunk of the tree to see into the woods behind her.
"Who goes there? Show yourself!" She demanded. The figure of Anira appeared in the distance and Arasinya rolled her eyes. "I wonder what she could want," she muttered to herself, standing up and brushing leaves and dirt from her dress. She slipped her shoes back on and crossed her arms in an act of defiance, waiting for Anira to approach her.
Anira inclined her head to her in greeting, a smile gracing her features for one small moment. Arasinya ignored her and narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
"What do you want?" The words left her mouth as though she was disgusted with something. A sneer spread across her face.
"I came to talk, Arasinya. I fear in this short time you have been here, we have not had the time to get to know each other very well," Anira said slowly, choosing her words carefully.
"I have no desire to get to know you well, else I would have sought you out. Do you not know when someone wants to be alone?" Arasinya countered. Anira's patience was being tested.
"Arasinya, I know we will never be inseparable friends or even on friendly terms, but I still wish to make peace with you. I am sorry things did not work out with you and Haldir-"
"You are sorry? Sorry you say? I am sure you are, you, living in his talan, best friends with his best friend's elleth, and having him wrapped around your finger. You have everything!" Arasinya was breathing heavily, her face flushed and her chest heaving.
"I do not," Anira said.
"Really? I do not believe you. Haldir was my whole life," she choked out.
"Arasinya, you are not fooling anyone," Anira said in what she hoped was a kind tone. Arasinya looked up at her, her features marred in anger. "It is known how much you would liked to be called the March warden's wife, but for a reason other than love."
"How would you know? Do you know how much I wanted this? It would have brought me the praise of my entire family. I would be known throughout Arda as his wife," her tone was not strengthened by rage any longer, sadness instead outlined her voice.
"Your family praises you already, I am sure? You are very beautiful. I do not know how someone like you could not marry for love," Anira told her. For a moment, Anira thought she had broken though the discourteous demeanor of Arasinya. Then she lunged at her.
Arasinya's eyes raved madly, locking with Anira's own. Her hand was clutched around Anira's throat, backing her against a tree. As quickly as this violent change came on, it left, leaving a pitiful, sobbing elleth in its wake. Arasinya sunk to the ground in a heap of tears and Anira knelt down beside her, slowly trying to comfort her.
When Arasinya had stopped, she stood up shakily. Morosely, she turned to face Anira.
"I apologize, Anira, for my actions. Know now that we are not friends, but to clear your conscience, we are no longer fighting. I am leaving Lothlorien within two days. May our paths never cross again," she left the clearing. A stunned Anira stood in the center of that empty clearing, thinking about what had just happened. Shaking her head, she left as well, heading off for her own talan.
Problem... almost solved. Nice chapter? It's about to get a whole lot more interesting from here. Please review! They keep me alive! I have finished and posted the re-edited chapter one, if anyone's curious to see the revamped version. Chapter two will be out soon. Cross your fingers for a quick update!
