The Prince's Visions

Chapter Thirty six

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Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. -Psalm 119:105

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Eilonwy

"Eilonwy," Lord Elrond states as I enter his study, "Thank you for coming. I hope I did not interrupt something important?"

I will away the blush that tries to form on my cheeks. "Oh, not at all, my lord," I reply, trying to not sound suspicious.

He stands looking out of the window, his hands clasped behind his back. His long, silken red robes sweep down to the floor, only adding to his intimidating aura. Lord Elrond is very kind, but he has a natural way of seeming intimidating. Coming here for magic lessons is always nerve wracking, but I become comfortable with him after a while of being in his presence.

"Are we to practice magic today?" I question when he does not turn to look at me or speak. I rub my arms at the slight chill of the study, glancing at the fireplace where a tiny flame is currently dying.

"On the contrary, I called you here to speak of something I saw this morning," he says, turning slightly to meet my gaze.

"Saw? Oh, you mean your foresight."

He nods, analyzing me carefully with his all-knowing blue eyes. "I saw the woman who tried to kill Estrith," he states, getting straight to the point. His statement is solemn, and his eyes are sad, watching carefully for my reaction.

My mind whirls like a hurricane at this new information, and anger pulses through my veins just thinking of the vile creature that tried to harm sweet Estrith. "Please, tell me what you know," I say, trying to keep my voice even as I step forward anxiously.

Lord Elrond sighs tiredly, sitting down in his chair behind the desk, and he gestures for me to sit down in the chair in front of it. "She has curly black hair, fair skin, but what sets her apart is her bright colored eyes. They are strange, almost like they are glowing silver, and that is how I know she possesses magic and a great deal of it, too. I saw no others with her. She appears to be working alone."

I nod. "I know what you are talking about. Estrith's eyes turned that exact color when she was in the trance about to eat the poisoned apple."

Lord Elrond nods softly and continues, "As Galadriel and I assumed, the woman is after you," he states, and I stay silent, not surprised at his words, "I am not sure what her motive is yet, but I do know that she has been waiting for you to come back to Middle Earth."

I ponder this information for a moment before I realize something that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. "If she knew of me when I was a baby and knew that I left Middle Earth, then she must have been close to my family," I say slowly, trying to piece together what little information we possess.

"You are correct," Lord Elrond says seriously, "She was one of your mother's best friends."

"Then why is she trying to hurt me?" I question confusedly, "It makes no sense that a family friend would be out to kill me unless I yanked on her hair too hard as a baby and she is wanting some serious revenge." I smirk slightly at the stupid joke but quickly become serious again.

"She has a reason, of course. All people have a reason for the things that they do," he says, staring at me seriously, "We just need to find out what it is."

"And how are we to do that, my lord?" I ask him, seeking his advice.

He folds his hands on the desk in front of him. "Well, our top priority is your safety. From now on, anywhere you go, you must have either Legolas, my sons, or Gwilithon with you for your protection. She will find out that you are here eventually, and she will come for you. Until then, I will continue to try and see her with my foresight and figure out what she is planning and why. You will be perfectly fine, Eilonwy. I promise you that. None of us will allow anyone to hurt you."