Lost Tales from Middle-earth

Lothlórien and a Reunion

As they arrived at the edge of the forest, she recognized the trees. She recognized the air. She recognized the smell of the soil. Home.

As they entered, she pulled her hood on, concealing her hair, of which redness was rather conspicuous. She did not wish for her true identity to be revealed now.

She heard Merry and Pippin talking of the 'epic quest' they were on, and nearly snorted.

"There have been many before you who have fought battles much worse, young hobbits." Said Aragorn, echoing her thoughts.

"Which ones?" Asked the youngest.

"Well," answered the Ranger "there were many Great Elves of Old, who fought terrible battles, and many died."

"Who were they?"

To everyone's surprise, Sam was the one who answered, or rather sang:

"Fairetyelpë was a warrior,

Born ages ago in Valinor,

When the Trees shone and the grass was new,

Before the Light to darkness withdrew,

He was valiant and fair and wise,

Under the stars and under the skies,

From naught he arose, blade in his hand,

He was Evil's Bane, and saved his land,

To vanquish Morgoth he did rebel,

Yet when Gondolin crumbled, he fell,

And Shadow claimed his silvery helm,

To bring it to the Dark Lord's dark realm."

Rhaweth had to refrain the tears that stung her eye from falling.

"Where did you learn that song?" She asked.

Sam flushed red.

"Mister Bilbo taught it to me, among others. I've always admired the Elves, and that story was my favorite. May I ask why ma'am?"

A sad smile painted itself on her face.

"I knew Fairetyelpë, long ago, as we were of kin. And stop calling me ma'am."

Aragorn looked at her, puzzled, and she could see him trying to figure something out.

She had said too much.

When they crossed the river, she felt the presence of the , as she had known them long enough to recognize the way they breathed, yet, as the others had not yet noticed, she did not utter a word.

After a while, they were ambushed.

Among them was Haldir, one of her best friends there, who had always been nice to her.

Naturally, he recognized her, pulling her into an embrace the instant their eyes met.

"My Lady Alcariniel, you have returned to us at last! Your cousin shall be pleased to see you once more." He exclaimed when they parted. She sighed. Haldir had never accepted her change of name, and he still called her by her birth name.

Her companions looked at her oddly.

Aragorn spoke at once.

"Alcariniel? That name is not foreign to me, yet it is one of legends. Do not say that you are the daughter of Fëanor, she who was lost long ago? You were believed dead! Why did you conceal your name? More respect would have been given to you."

"And that is the reason why I forsook it long ago. It had become a burden. As Rhaweth, I am someone else. I am free to be who I truly am." She turned away from all those who were watching the exchange and ran into the woods, knowing the way already.

——

When she arrived in the city of the Lady, she climbed one of the trees and found herself in a Tree House.

For many years, this place had harbored her, and she would gaze at the Stars and the Moon.

Night fell. She laid there, and felt centuries younger. She was home, at last.

Or what was closest to what she considered as Home.

She often remembered Aman, the Undying Land, where no flower withered and all was laughter and joy, before the Darkening of Valinor and the deaths of Telperion and Laurelin.

She decided to spend the next day in the forest, far from those who she had come here with.

——

Towards noon, when the Sun was at its highest, she went to a small pond that laid in a concealed place in the woods that she had found a few hundred years ago.

She was suddenly reminded once more of Thranduil and of their secret meadow in the forest. She felt cold without his arms around her, empty without his presence by her side, alone as she was so far away from him. He was her North, guiding her when she was lost and attracting her to him more every passing day, her Moon, lighting up the darkest of nights, her soul, understanding her more than she understood herself and all of his words resonated in her as two swords clinging in a cavern.

He was her world, filling the emptiness inside of her with happiness and making her feel better even when being absent.

He was her past, her present and her future.

Realization hit her as a tremendous wave. She knew which path she had to take. She could not follow the Fellowship.

Legolas she had loved, but more, she now realized, as a younger brother, as all of hers had perished thousands of years before.

It was his father who she had to find.

She had to find Thranduil. She no longer could live without him.

Without wasting a second, she changed into a Wolf, grabbed her clothes into her jaws and ran, faster than she ever had before.

A pair of blue eyes watched her leave.

Galadriel smiled. Her cousin had finally seen what she had refused to see for a long time. She belonged with the Elvenking. Never could she truly be happy away from him, nor he, without her.

—————

Thranduil was pacing in his throne room when the door burst open. A figure stood in the entrance. His heart skipped a beat.

She ran to him, her red hair let wild, creating a beautiful frame around her perfect face.

He embraced her, so tight that he nearly choked her.

Then he spoke with a soft voice.

"You are alive! If this a dream, 'tis the cruelest, for waking up would kill me. Tell me that you are truly here with me. Tell me that you love me as much as I love you. Tell me that you shall never leave me again. Tell me that you are mine for eternity."

Her eyes glistened, as she answered.

"I have always belonged to you. You are the King of my heart and your rule there never shall end. I love you. I always have, and always will. Nothing shall ever change that."

Suddenly, his face became grave.

"Alcariniel, I must ask you something."

"Yes?" She said, with a worried look.

"Will you marry me?"