Chapter Two : About Last Night
Glorfindel had not slept all night. The memory of the previous day, like an open wound, had tormented him throughout the night. He could see her, calmly seat ed by the fire, the orange and blue flames reflecting in her almond-shaped eyes. He had observed her from a distance, cautiously, as one gazes at a star. Her voice rose with agility and brilliance among the others, oscillating with flexibility and gentleness. That voice had penetrated him never to leave him again. He was saturated with it to the very soul.
He dressed before the sun shone on the fresh dew of the grass and donned his hunting clothes. He needed to breathe, and he hoped that the wind would carry away the bittersweet memory of their encounter.
He was still harnessing Asfaloth when a whisper tickled his ear. He shivered and stiffened entirely.
'You seem in quite a hurry, Captain.' He first saw Ellena's delicate white hand land on his horse. He turned his head; she stood right next to him, caressing Asfaloth's white coat. 'Good morning, Asfaloth,' she continued with a honeyed voice, 'so where is your master off to so early?'
He smiled, 'what brings a lady to the stables?' he asked.
'I was strolling on the bridge when I saw you coming down.'
'So, you followed me?' Glorfindel attached the bag to Asfaloth's side. He looked up just in time to see Ellena's cheekbones turn red. He laughed and mounted his horse. 'I guess, as you, I enjoy early morning stroll, princess.'
'I'm not a princess,' she replied promptly.
He nodded with a barely perceptible smile on his face. 'It depends the point of view. Come on, Asfaloth.' He patted the stallion's shoulder, and it started moving. ' Well goodbye, Lady Ellena.'
'Goodbye, Captain.'
Ellena watched him leave the stable and ride up the path until he left the confines of Imladris. She took the same path he had just taken and stopped under the grand arch marking the Imladris' entrance. In front of her, the narrow white stone bridge crossed a deep chasm where a branch of the river flowed vehemently below. Then, the path continued, winding along the mountain's flank until it disappeared into the shadow of the green fir trees. Glorfindel had just plunged into it, his blond hair floating freely in the wind. She would have liked to accompany him and feel her hair ripple and mingle in the wind too.
Yes, war had marked the childhood and adolescence of the young elf to the point where it had left its mark on her face and character. A certain gravity curved Ellena's full and delicate mouth, and a gentle melancholy darkened her gray gaze. But she was no longer a teenager, and the war was over; nothing could harm her beyond the walls of this immense house. Perhaps Glorfindel would have taken her with him; would she dare to ask him? After all, he was a captain; he would have known how to protect her. He would have a thousand and one stories to tell her about the lands of Rhovanion and the war, but what could she tell him? Surely, he would grow tired of her presence. Yet she had felt the captain's shy and cautious looks the day before. Those eyes…
'Ellena?'
She turned suddenly, as if caught in the act. At the top of the marble staircase, Nienor was looking at her.
'What are you doing here?' she asked.
'Nothing, naneth. I was just walking.'
Nienor gestured for her to join. Ellena climbed the marble staircase until she reached Nienor. 'Naneth, what a surprise! I'm glad to see you here' Ellena said.
'Let's continue together, shall we?' Nienor asked, offering her hand.
'Yes, naneth.' She slipped her hand into Nienor's, and they continued their walk together.
They both remained silent. It was the first time that Nienor had left her chambers since they came back from Amon Sul. Ellena was pleased to see her outside, yet her mind was far away, beyond that bridge, far with him somewhere in the valleys and plains that bordered Imladris.
