A New Beginning

by suzie sheelf and Magic Dreamer


 Chapter 21: Introductions

"Mae govannen, Prince Legolas. Welcome to Imladris, nae saian luume." Elrond said bowing lightly from the waist smiling kindly at the Sindarin prince.

"Mae govannen, Heru Elrond. Yes it has been a long time, too long," Legolas said as he lightly bowed in return then embraced Lord Elrond, both ignored the glare from Silinde. Elrond had been like a second father to him during his extended stay in Imladris.

"Please let me introduce my companions to you," he said looking back towards his sister and Lord Silinde. "My sister, the Princess Tamynriel of Mirkwood."

"Elen sila lumenn omentilmo," Elrond took Tamynriel's offered hand bowing lightly over it, giving the Prince a questioning look.

"And I believe you know Lord Silinde, Ambassador of Mirkwood." Elrond and Silinde bowed cordially but their eyes never left the other's. "Quel andune, Lord Silinde." He straightened and grabbed Elewen's hand. "Let me introduce my foster daughter, Lady Elewen, the Lady of Imladris."

Elewen greeted her guests cordially and invited them into the house offering refreshments. Elrond led the elves into his study for refreshments. Elewen stopped, calling to her maid, asking her to look after the princess's maids and to make sure they took some refreshment as well. Vanima curtsied and went to introduce herself to other elves from Mirkwood.

As everyone made themselves comfortable, Erestor busied himself. Turning to Elewen and Tamynriel he offered the choice; tea or wine? "Tea please, Erestor." Elewen replied, Tamynriel responded the same. Silinde after taking a sip of wine, realizing it was Dorwinion Red, asked goadingly, "Do you not like the wine sent by the King of Mirkwood?"

"I do enjoy the wine and have enjoyed in on many occasions, Lord Silinde. But today I have the desire for something less heady," she replied smoothly and smiled sweetly at the Lord.

Tamynriel sat quietly listening to the conversations around her for a while, when suddenly she leapt to her feet almost knocking Erestor off his. "My maids," she said almost in alarm. She turned when she felt a soft hand on her arm. "Your maids are being cared for by my handmaiden Vanima, sit and relax Princess." Tamynriel softly sat and thanked Elewen, embarrassed by her outburst.

After awhile Elewen noticed that the conversation was boring the Princess, and she was starting to look tired. Leaning over she spoke softly to Tamynriel, "Princess, would you like me to show you to your rooms, so you may rest before the feast tonight?"

Tamynriel just nodded and took Elewen's offered hand. "Prince Legolas, My Lords, if you will excuse the Princess and I, we will leave you to your conversation," Elewen said curtsying. "With your permission, we shall see you at the feast tonight." Elrond nodded his permission.

As they were walking down the corridor leading to the guestrooms, they were joined by Safferonia. "Quel andune, Lady Elewen, who is your young friend?"

"Quel andune, Safferonia. Please meet Princess Tamynriel of Mirkwood."

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance Princess. I must say you resemble your ada."

Tamynriel looked at Safferonia in surprise, "You know my father?"

"Well child, I know of your father, though we have met a few times. I was more friendly with your mother." Safferonia bowed lightly, "If you ladies will excuse me, I need to finish some things before the feast tonight."

"Who was that?!" Tamynriel exclaimed when the elder elf woman was gone.

"That was Safferonia, as I said; a very old friend of the family."

After seeing the princess to her room and into the care of her maidens Elewen returned to her own rooms. As she entered she saw Safferonia sitting chatting with Vanima and Celosriel.

"Ok Saffe, what was that all about? Have you actually met the princess's parents?"

"Yes, neth min, I have. You might remember your mentor Ilweran mentioning she was once friends with the Queen of Mirkwood."

"I remember, but she never mentioned the king."

"Hmm, no she wouldn't. You see Thranduil hated Gil-galad, and as his chief healer and friend, Ilweran took it quite personally. Now you know why I said, better it is Silinde and not Thranduil escorting the princess."


Elewen nodded as her eyes slid to Vanima and Celosriel. She leaned over and whispered so only Safferonia could hear, "You are horrible, look at Vanima and Celosriel; they're beside themselves with curiosity." Aloud she stated, "If Thranduil hated the High King as much as you say, I can't think he'd have much affection for his heir."

Saffe understanding replied, "No, there is no love lost there, but after Mithlond, Silinde won't be easy to be around either." The older elf woman went on to explain to the maids about Silinde's discomfiture with her brother and his wine carafe.


Elewen was relaxing in her study reading up on Gil-galad and the Last Alliance again when she was disturbed by a knock at the door. Marking her place, she got up and answered the door. "My Lady, I apologize for disturbing you, but there is a Prince Legolas here to see you," Vanima said, then she leant in closer whispering, "He's in your sitting room."

Elewen smiled and whispered back, "I can see that Vanima." Stepping past Vanima she greeted the prince. "Legolas, what a pleasant surprise, bored with the conversation of our elders already?" she jested.

"Elewen," he said smiling. "Is it really you?"

"I am afraid so Legolas. It is really me."

Legolas cleared his throat, "I was wondering if you would like to join me for a walk in the gardens?"

Elewen smiled at Legolas; did she detect a slight nervousness in the prince? "It would be a pleasure," she stated as she picked up her sword.

Legolas held out his arm to Elewen while eyeing the sword. Elewen grinned at him. They were walking down the corridor when Elewen turned to see Vanima following, "Vanima, I need not a chaperone."

Vanima blushed and made her way back to her lady's rooms, when she reached the sitting room she sighed loudly.

"What is the matter Vanima?" Celosriel asked.

"Oh, he is so beautiful," Vanima, said as she sat dreamily into a chair. "And they make such a lovely couple, I wonder if they will be betrothed?"

Celosriel laughed aloud. "No, my dear, they are just old friends; as good friends as he is with Lord Elrond's sons, that is all. I believe that Lady Elewen has her eye on a much different elf Lord."

Vanima looked at Celosriel in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"Oh Van, you need to be more observant," Celosriel said smiling, walking out the door and going to her own room.

Translations:
nae saian luume - it has been too long
Mae govannen, Heru - well met, Lord
quel andune - good afternoon
neth min - little one


Chapter 22: The Feast

Elewen looked around the room, the feast was well under way, and everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves. She made a mental note to thank the cook and her entire staff. They had outdone themselves with the food and decorations.

She was sitting between Elrond and Glorfindel with the Mirkwood elves across from them. She smiled inwardly when she saw Jarek approaching with a carafe of wine. She had been wondering where Safferonia's two brothers had been while Safferonia had been busy with her and it seemed that at least one was getting to know the routines of the kitchen, as he had in Mithlond. She lightly nudged Glorfindel, barely moving her head towards Jarek. Glorfindel quickly brought his napkin up to his lips to cover the smile he could not contain.

Elrond looked up and saw Jarek, he smiled at the approaching elf as he would to any of his regular staff. "Ah, perfect. My Lords, Princess, would you care for more wine?"

Legolas and Tamynriel thanked the wine steward as he filled their goblets. When he reached Lord Silinde, though, he looked over at Elewen and lightly winked; it took all of her self-control not to laugh out loud.

"My Lord, would you like more of the Imladris White?" Jarek asked as politely as if he had never seen the visiting dignitary before.

Silinde looked up, almost choking on a mouthful of food. He held his glass further away from himself than was necessary and looked searchingly at the elves sitting across from him. Lords Elrond and Glorfindel and Elewen were looking at him with expressions as if nothing were amiss.

Elewen, seeing the look on Silinde's face and needing to do something or laugh, asked anxiously, "Is there something wrong, my Lord? Do you not like the wine? We could send for something else, if you like."

The ambassador said nothing, but motioned for the server to refill his goblet. 'Blast these Noldo's' he thought to himself.

Jarek quickly finished serving the rest of the table as politely and properly as his duties required. As he left the dinning hall, after handing the carafe and cloth to the head wine steward, he turned and looked back through the doorway towards the head table. Some of the kitchen staff looked at him strangely as Jarek walked into the outer hall laughing.

Glorfindel tried to dispel the ensuing silence by asking Legolas if he had enjoyed his walk in the gardens. Elewen looked at Glorfindel when she felt him tense upon hearing that Legolas had enjoyed his stroll immensely, and that the company of Lady Elewen made it all the more enjoyable.

Legolas, not liking the look the elf Lord had given him, decided to change the subject. He turned to Elrond, "Lord Elrond, I hear your sons are patrolling with the Dunedain, do you know when they will be returning?"

Elrond shook his head sadly. "No Prince Legolas, I do not. The last message I received was that they would be away another month, maybe longer."

"Dunedain!" spat Silinde, "We have the filthy mortals pass through Mirkwood at times. Lord Elrond, how can you allow your sons to associate with such creatures?"


Legolas glared at Silinde. "The Dunedain are a noble race of men Silinde, and my father allows and welcomes them into Mirkwood as they bring news of the outside, as you well know."

Tamynriel could see the old argument about to begin between her brother and Silinde, she turned to Elrond. "Lord Elrond, I hear that you have daughter, she would be about my age, yes?"

This time Elrond smiled as he answered, "Yes, Princess. My daughter Arwen, though she is a little older than you."

"If I may ask, where is she? Did she sail with your wife?"

"No, she is in Lothlorien staying with Celebrian's parents. Arwen spends more time there since her mother sailed," he sighed.

Elewen gently squeezed Elrond's hand then turned to Tamynriel as her next question was for her. "Lady Elewen, you have spent some time in Lothlorien haven't you?"

"Yes, Princess Tamynriel, I have."

"What is it like?"

"Beautiful. Leaves of gold in autumn that do not begin to fall until the beginning of spring; the air is warm all year round." Elewen paused remembering the ancient trees, the swards of green with the Elanor upon them, the lights in the branches at night.

"You miss it don't you."

"Not really. I prefer living in Imladris, those I love most live here. What I miss most is my best friend who is currently in that lovely wood."

"Haldir's sister, correct?" enquired Legolas.

"That is right, Samrendiel is her name."

"Haldir. Now why does that name sound so familiar?" Tamynriel asked.

"Because it was his watch-patrol that found you when you got lost during your last visit to Lothlorien. You then found sport in annoying him and his warriors, when they escorted us on the trip back home."

Tamynriel blushed, "Ah yes, I remember now; tall, good archer, Sindarin, silver-blonde hair, a patrol-captain."

"Yes, that's Haldir, though now he slightly higher in rank, than when you saw him last," Elewen said smiling. "You sound rather fond of him, Princess."

"Like you are of my brother?" Tamynriel retorted back.

Legolas's face flushed at his sister's words.

Elewen smiled at Legolas. "Yes, I am fond of your brother. We are good friends after all."

Glorfindel's eyes darkened slightly then returned to their crystal blue colour. Elrond noticed the slight scowl that remained on his face and was wondering what was upsetting his friend. Now was not the time to ask, but ask he would, later.

"You are rather quiet tonight Lord Glorfindel, are you well?"

"Thank you for your concern Prince Legolas, I am well."

Elrond, seeing that most of the diners were finished with the excellent meal, asked, "Shall we adjourn to the Hall of Fire, for singing and story telling? We are all looking forward to hearing songs and tales from your woodland realm."

The night was wearing on; the stars were out and shining brightly. Glorfindel stood on the balcony of the Hall of Fire staring up at the night sky, sighing to himself.

"Why do you sound so sad, nin mellon?"

Glorfindel turned to see Erestor standing in the balcony doorway. "Elrond was wondering where you went."

"I'm sorry my friend. Please tell Elrond I have retired for the night. Thank you."

Erestor looked on in surprise as Glorfindel leapt nimbly from the balcony into the garden below. He slowly shook his head wondering what was bothering the Elf Lord and re-entered The Hall of Fire. Following the walls, until he reached Lord Elrond, he whispered in his Lord's ear what Glorfindel had said. Elrond  nodded as he thanked his seneschal.

Elrond stood as one of the Mirkwood elves finished telling a tale from his home. He looked out across the room and bade everybody goodnight. As Elrond left the hall the night's festivities officially came to an end. Some elves remained for further singing or quiet conversation, but Elewen took off after her father, wanting to known if anything was amiss.

"Ada?" Elrond turned and looked at his approaching daughter.

"Yes, nin sell?"

"Ada, are you well? The night ends early."

"Yes, I am well. I am going to see Glorfindel then go to bed. I suggest you do the same, we have a long day in front of us tomorrow." He turned to go, then turned back, "I am sorry to ask you this, Elewen; but please, no training till Silinde leaves."

Elewen opened her mouth to ask why, but the look in Elrond's eyes as he walked away gave her all the answer she would get.