Chapter 1

Dawn had risen on the valley of Imladris and with it, a veiled woman rose to begin her day. Washing up with the water from a nearby stream, Rina rubbed the mixture of herbs and oils through her hair. She had to get through her morning tasks quickly since today being the start of a new month meaning new batches of fabric to work on.

She rinsed her hair thoroughly and got her basket of jars, lifting them and covering her hair as she wrapped her hair in a veil, disappearing into her small cottage before emerging once more in cleaner clothes.

The young woman dashed through the woods crossing the bridge over the waterfall on the mountain side before reaching the cluster of hallways and houses that was the heart of Imladris.

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It had been about a year since she arrived at Imladris, rather since she was caught crossing the Bruinen into the enclosed valley. Since her fated meeting with the famed Lord of Imladris Elrond, she had been given reception as a resident of the elven settlement and a purpose she found great comfort in.

Entering the fabric stores which catered to the great many residents of the valley, she gave her greetings to the seamstresses already at work with their needles and looms. She picked up the fabrics that had gone through the sewing process and examined the areas needing embroidery.

It would be her service to Elrond for his kindness towards her, giving back to Imladris a skill so rarely practiced even amongst elven kind. Gold work was a technique passed down secretly from her mother to her, however with her mother's passing, Rina decided it would serve her best to make a living out of her skills.

The jewelers would supply her golden bars which she melted into liquid pools and strained them into long tiny woven threads which she then hooked into a flatlike needle with a small hole on its end.

With delicate care, the harad woman formed the patterns in her imagination and proceeded to guide the needle carefully through the fabric with her finger and forgot the world around her as she drowned herself in the process.

Her evenings were mostly a quiet affair, such she had within the comfort of her little home. Though tonight would different as she had been forced into attendance with the rest of Imladris by none other than The Lady Arwen herself.

Rina sighed, cleaning herself once more before applying the scented ointments to her hair, she watched her strands curl tightly in their lengths and when satisfied with the results, Rina wore a dress which had been gifted by Lady Arwen and placed a red silk veil over her hair before heading out.

She approached the hall of Fire with some apprehension, it would be a second time she would set foot into this place, the first being the day Lord Elrond had chosen to reveal her to the many people of Imladris in a bid to make her feel welcome.

Why go through such troubles? She would never understand however, she was grateful for his kindness, she did not expect to see such acts directed towards her person.

She was well aware her leaving Harad would come with it's own challenges, the Haradhrim sided with The Dark Lord at a time when evil ruled over the south. As such, many viewed her people with unfettered disdain and condemnation.

She stood by the doorway, deciding her position was as close enough as she was comfortable getting. In the centre of the great hall was a ellon, Elrond's advisor she recalled. The ellon stood with his voice reaching the ends of the room in room filled with stories, wine and wonder.

Not just elven kin sat to listen but others from different lands as well, the thought that all were truly welcome in the house of Elrond was an endearing thought, one that gave her courage. It would not be enough, she stood out too much and did not wish draw any attention.

But Rina watched with rapt attention, her eyes widening in curiosity and joy. The only stories she had known of the outside world were the ones her mother had scraped together. Granted, she made certain she could read and write but it was not nearly enough since the people of Far Harad had no writing materials nor found the urgent need for them.

Tonight's tale as she listened by from the shadows, was a tale of Valor, of the voyage of The Mariner, Earendil. So enraptured by the tale that she failed to notice a figure approach her from behind.

"The story would be much better heard inside my lady" Rina startled and quickly shielded her face partly with her veil before turning to the culprit who stood behind her.

"Have no fear my lady, I only offer you a place inside" The ellon spoke and Rina looked in surprise before bowing.

"My Lord Glorfindel... Mae Govannen" Rina said gently, still keeping her covering in place. It was a practice Glorfindel found strange as no one here concealed their faces for whatever reason.

All one could see clearly underneath her red veil were honeyed brown eyes lined with thick dark lashes.

"Why do you stay out here?" He questioned in concern. Surely no one could deny her entrance given Elrond's instruction that she be treated as a guest and no less.

"Forgive me My Lord, I-I..." What was her excuse? She looked away before sighing.

"I did not wish to encroach any further on my host's good graces" She said. Hopefully with this he would leave her be.

"Rather I think he would find displeasure in your decision to exclude yourself willingly from festivities he desires to celebrate with everyone" Glorfindel offered in response. At this Rina jolted her head up to look at the elf Lord in alarm.

"That is not my intent! I find comfort from the shadows where I wish to remain unseen" Rina did not understand it, had he not felt satisfied with her response? Why bother a lonesome creature such as her?

"Indeed, a sympathy I share with you, for I also wish to remain undetected"

"An impossible task my lord, no darkness can could conceal your grace and I inturn also fail to hide from unwanted eyes" she pleaded silently from underneath her veil, praying he would tire of her presence.

"Am I to then believe it is my presence that offends you?" Glorfindel asked as he examined the woman beside him. She seemed quite determined to chase him away and yet he found himself determined not to let her have her way.

"No my lord, I would not dare take offence if you so choose to stay here" she quietened down in defeat.

"Then you do not mind it? If I remain here for the meantime?" He asked amused by her distressed glances. She sighed and shook her head.

"You are welcome to find a comfortable spot and remain if it is your desire" Rina accepted and decided to watch the ellon continue his story for the night well aware of the elf standing next to her.

She kept her veil over her nose hiding the rest of her face in a tense silence.

Glorfindel observed the woman next to him, he had seen her around a handful of times in the market place. Her face would remain concealed all through the time she spent there.

Currently it appeared she was completely entranced by the tales she heard and paid him as little mind as she would allow herself to afford.

The evening ended with song and dance but for Rina, it meant it was time to retire for the night. She bowed in final greeting with the intention to leave before anyone would notice her.

"It is time for me to leave, I bid you a good evening my lord" she said bowing and turning around to walk the path she came.

She had not waited to hear a response, it was rude and improper yes, but she needed to be free of the turmoil in her chest, a feeling he caused with his constant stares and glances.

She heard a twig snap behind and she turned to find the very elf occupying her thoughts trodding behind her. In confusion she stilled, waiting to hear his reason for following her.

"I find it inappropriate to leave a maiden by herself at this hour" Glorfindel said as he stopped a feet away from her.

"There is no danger to fend off my lord, you need not worry for my sake" she looked at him with mild irritation.

"Yes it is true, Imladris is guarded well however it would set my mind at ease if I made sure you reached home safely" he gestured to the bridge Infront of them, beckoning her to lead the way.

Rina sighed, it seemed she would be subject to this ellons company much longer than she deemed necessary and went about her way.

"Lord Elrond tells me you come from Harad" Glorfindel proceeded to start a conversation and Rina who would rather be content with the silence responded either way.

"Yes My Lord I do, from Far Harad" they crossed the bridge and made their way on the path ahead.

"I cannot imagine what could've forced you to leave your home and travel so far up north"

"The reasons are common for anyone seeking safer plains and peaceful nights" Glorfindel sensed that that was all he would get from her this evening and left the conversation at that.

"I am quite surprised however-" Rina turned to the ellon who imposed his company on her and waited for him to finish. "-as to how well a woman of the south can speak the noldorin dialect of Quenya so easily" He had the most intrigued expression on his face, almost as though he made to pull down her veil. She looked away and answered.

"My mother taught me" Rina said soberly. She felt her chest lighten with relief once her house came into view.

"She must have been a good teacher" Glorfindel said as they reached the doorstep of her home.

"Yes she was" She turned around and thought of what she might say to the elf without coming off as rude.

The moon had come forth from the shroud of foliage and Rina noted how much of its glow was caught on the shadows and face of the elf Lord standing before her.

He was beautiful, as were many of the elves in Imladris but he was clearly different. She caught herself in unseemly thoughts and decided she ought to send him off for good.

"I thank you for giving me your care this evening, I am most grateful" she bowed as she spoke.

"The pleasure was certainly mine" Glorfindel responded in the same vein.

"Have a good evening my Lord" Rina said as she opened her door, hoping he would take her actions as a cue to leave.

"And a goodnight to you my lady" Glorfindel smiled and turned to leave.

The conversation had been nothing of consequence, it was barely a smooth and friendly correspondence between two acquaintances, instead it was guarded and terse, almost as though she wished to flee from him in earnest.

He wondered what secrets she kept in the dark of the night as he walked back to his quarters. Her eyes flashed in his mind and for a brief moment, he paused remembering the moment he felt his curiosity to pull her veil away push against his restraint.

He continued on in disbelief, reminding himself that whilst his coming into the new age presented a vast amount of opportunities, one ought to be cautious of the encounters they came across and he was yet to determine what kind lay with the mysterious haradhrim woman that had taken refuge in their realm.