CHAPTER 8

Shock and disbelief are words too mild to describe what she felt the moment she looked into that elf's eyes. She blinked and tried to hide her feelings from taking over and she succeeded, for most of the people in the room kept on conversing as if nothing had happened. Yet she knew that that first glance had betrayed her somewhat.

The first guest was introduced by Bard as Gandalf the Grey, a wizard it may seem. This news Star found quite interesting since all she had been hearing about him these last couple of days had nothing to do with wizardry but everything to do with fireworks, lights and special effects. She smiled and bowed her head to the old man standing in front of her, not missing the twinkle in his kind blue eyes.

"What amuses you, my Lady?" he inquired out of curiosity.

"Excuse my lack of manners Master Gandalf, but I was thinking about the detailed lesson I had yesterday about the incredible and colourful fireworks that you can conjure. No one enlightened me that you are a wizard as well," she explained.

"Yes my Lady, I must admit that I have quite a few interesting tricks up my sleeve, which I will no doubt share with all of you later on tonight," he replied amiably.

Star was no fool. She understood immediately the underlying message hidden amidst those seemingly simple words. This man looked old and frail yet there was a strength within him which was almost palpable. An immense power which could be frightening if unleashed.

All along this short conversation Star could feel the blond elf's unwavering gaze on her. He kept looking as if he had every right to do so. He was proud. She could easily say that he was high born. The only thing that kept him from questioning her was the fact that they were guests at Bard's house. Well, she wasn't having any of that!

She turned round abruptly and looked at him squarely in the eyes. There was a slight reproach in her gaze, just enough to show him that he wasn't acting politely.

This took him by surprise. He never expected confrontation from any woman he had just met. Because, although slight and invisible to the rest, that was exactly what she was doing. He cast his eyes towards Bard who was about to introduce them, only to realize too late that he had just been subtly admonished by a total stranger!

"This is Prince Legolas, my Lady. He is King Thranduil's son and this is Tauriel, a guard in the King's army."

Ah! That explains the arrogance, she thought as she nodded her head in greeting whilst giving them a most charming smile.

Bard continued to mention how eternally grateful he was towards them both for saving his children's lives a year ago, first from an orc attack and then from Smaug the dragon. Tauriel, a red haired elf maiden with striking green eyes, smiled sweetly and graciously dismissed Bard's thanks and praise; but the others joined in, wanting to recount bits of what had happened that terrible night.

All along the Prince kept quiet, looking at Star. She had unnerved him…and she knew it. Although her expression remained gracious he could discern a triumphant sparkle in her eyes. Also she looked vaguely familiar…Who was she? Valar! Only one elf was able to make him feel that way…his father! These thoughts had distracted him from noticing that she had moved closer.

"You look confused my Lord," she said calmly.

"Have we met before? Did you take part in the Battle? Were you a resident of Lake Town?" The questions came without hesitation, easy for one who was used to interrogations.

But once again he was stopped short by her steely glare. "Perhaps this will answer some of your questions," she replied and as she spoke she let loose the gypsy like scarf she was wearing around her head to reveal two pointed elf ears.

She loved how she continued to ruffle this haughty young prince's mane. Still she reminded herself to be careful for she didn't know who she was as yet. His eyes opened wider as soon as he realised that he had been speaking to one of his kin. Silence fell in the room when the others saw this and his surprise was clearly reflected in both Gandalf and Tauriel's expressions.

"I think it would be better for all of us to have a seat and discuss what is going on here," said Bard as he ushered the group in a large adjoining room where they all gathered around a large table.

They had barely sat down when Arahad, Hamar, Tor and Odell started recounting their incredible story of how they had found Star. The others looked surprised and shocked as soon as Gundabad was mentioned. Legolas wanted to know every detail about what they had seen and observed and the four rangers were only too happy to oblige.

They fell silent once again when Arahad started describing the part when they found the hidden door leading to the mysterious underground chamber. Reporting in detail what they saw down there left both the elves and the wizard open mouthed.

"Hundreds of my kin have lost their lives at Mount Gundabad," said Legolas, and Star could detect a hint of sadness in his voice. Then he turned to address her, "but what does all this have to do with you?" he asked confused.

"Well," interrupted Hamar, "this is where the story becomes interesting. The soldier at the other end of the room was holding this in his hand, and when we read the inscription, a door appeared behind him."

With these words, Hamar handed the soldier's sword to Legolas who examined it thoroughly in amazement. "This is a distinctive weapon, forged by my people many years ago. But how did you read this? Do you read Sindarin?"

"Sindarin?" echoed Arahad visibly puzzled. "The inscription is in the common tongue!" Legolas was still holding the sword and showed it to them. It was true. The words were clearly elvish. Legolas placed it delicately in the centre of the table.

No sooner had he removed his hands from it then the engraved words faded leaving no sign on the shiny weapon. "Ancient elvish magic and incantations," whispered Gandalf. Then he turned towards Arahad, standing next to him. "Why don't you try to touch it again?" he prompted.

Arahad nodded and to everyone's bewilderment the inscription appeared again, now in the common tongue. "It all depends on who is touching the blade," explained Gandalf, "what was important was for it to be read by a noble heart."

"So tell us," continued the wizard, "what did this door lead to?"

With this question Arahad's eyes left the blade and turned towards Star, saying nothing. Hamar took over recounting the story from here, increasing the amazement of the other three as he described how they had found her.

"The deep sleep…" Gandalf's voice was barely audible now. "We are dealing with great magic brought over from Valinor here. Only a few elves know how to use it…one of them is probably my Lady Galadriel of Lorien." By now Gandalf was almost mumbling to himself, while Tauriel and Legolas were looking at Star incredulously.

She felt unusually strange, as if they weren't talking about her at all; and the elf maiden found in Angmar was just a character in a story. Perhaps this was the only way how her mind was able to react to the situation she was in, thus helping her remain as calm as possible.

She suddenly stood up. Addressing Legolas she continued, "I also had this, lying on the floor next to me…which I believe is mine." And with these words she drew her sword out from its sheath and handed it over to the Prince.

If Legolas had been amazed by the first sword, the second one left him completely speechless. (A condition which was unquestionably foreign to him). He sat back down holding the sword as if it was made of glass.

Tauriel's voice broke the silence in the room. "It…it looks almost like…" but she couldn't finish the sentence. Wide eyed, she looked at Legolas who was deep in thought.

"Like what?" finished off Bard, now impatiently asking what everybody wanted to know. "Tell us Legolas, if you know anything about it!"

Legolas looked puzzled and slightly shaken. Gandalf and Bard looked at each other for they had not seen the Prince like this before.

"Well?" urged on Bard.

"It is very similar to my father's sword." The words came out slowly, almost as if he was finding it difficult to articulate them. It was a shock for him and the impact his words left was felt among all in the room.

"Are you sure?" blurted out Hamar.

Legolas shot him an ice cold glare before continuing, "The design…the hollow parts…unique. It is slightly smaller, but I have seen only one other blade such as this one…my father's!" He finally tore away his eyes from the weapon and turned to Star once again, his brow now furrowed in bewilderment, "Who are you?"

"I'm sorry but I do not recall anything before I went to sleep." Star said this with such sadness and sincerity that Legolas felt pity for her, only now truly understanding the horrible nature of her predicament. He couldn't imagine what one must feel like when all memory of one's past has been erased.

"We will help you," he offered, "when the celebrations here are over, you will come back to the Palace with us and we will ask my father about the blade and tell him what has happened to you."

A shadow darkened her eyes at hearing these words. Legolas perceived this. "Why? What is the matter? Is there anything troubling you with regards to what I have just said?"

"Fear, my Lord. I am afraid that I was there because I had been banished from the kingdom for something that I had done."

Tauriel, who had been listening silently until now, slowly put her hands on hers. Star looked into a pair of green eyes brimming with sincere warmth and understanding. "You have nothing to be afraid of. Our king is generous and compassionate. He will help you find your way. The sword especially…I feel that he would know something about it, so similar it is to his own! And if it's not him, there are also his advisers whom we can turn to. Even a small, seemingly insignificant detail could be important for you. As for stories about banishment…I would not dwell on such dark thoughts. I know others who did worse things and were forgiven!" The last sentence came out in a whisper, only Gandalf and Legolas understanding the full meaning behind it.

Star felt relieved, as if a heavy burden had just been lifted off her shoulders. The kind words spoken by Legolas and Tauriel gave her a glimmer of hope and also courage to face the truth.

Arahad was the one to intervene now. "We're coming with you," he announced determinedly, "we can fill in with some more details about the fortress as well!"

Star looked at all of them and the immense gratitude she felt was evident in her eyes. Legolas agreed to this, although he was slightly irked at Arahad's self-invitation.

Suddenly Star remembered the necklace around her neck. "I was also wearing this when they found me," Star took it off and placed it on the table.

"That, my Lady, is a very beautiful and delicate piece of jewellery," remarked Gandalf excitedly, examining the necklace. "Although I am certain that I have never set eyes on it before, I am convinced that we can get help in this matter from our neighbours…King Dain and the dwarves in Erebor. If there's someone who knows everything about gold, silver and gems, it's a dwarf!"

And this was a statement to which they all unanimously agreed.