Raging Fire

Chapter 2; 'Old Friends'

Altáriël was currently practicing her skill with a bow and arrow. Enelya was laying on the ground next to her, enjoying the way the trees waved in the wind above her. The brunette looked around and saw her favourite guard to mess with. "Arto, do you think I could shoot the apple out of Legolas's hand?" She knew he wouldn't mind, they were friends and she tried to do it every time the prince had got an apple. The guard smiled; "Of course you can't do it, he's like what. At the other side of the practice fiels? No way you can hit that." "Wanna bet? 3 golden coins and the loser has to report to king Thranduil Friday." Altáriël asked, she knew she could hit her mark, but wanted to make a bet out of it as always. Arto of course, agreed, he always underestimated his captain. She aimed and shot, hitting Legolas's apple just before he took a bite, pinning it to the tree behind him. She smirked at the guard and stretched out her hand for the coins. Another guard came over then, handing Altáriël a piece of parchment. "Here you go cap" She said. Altáriël took the letter from her hands before anyone else could see. "What have you got there, another love letter from your admirers?" Enelya teased while standing up. "And you better hurry opening that letter Altáriël! Legolas is coming over." "very funny, but you have one too" the guard spoke up again. Enelya snatched the letter away and together they ran into the realm. As soon as they had lost Legolas Altáriël opened the letter with Gandalf's familiar handwriting, she knew she would agree to whatever he would ask of her. Quickly scanning the paper, reading something about a quest, reclaiming a forgotten homeland. She had to make some effort to conceal her excitement, Enelya would surely ask what she was up to this time, and at the bottom of the letter clearly stood not to tell anyone of this adventure.
"What's it say? You look so excited that it must be from someone special" The young healer asked, circling around the older elf to get a better look. But Altáriël hid it from her sight, replying with one of her sarcastic answers. "Yes it is from one of my many lovers, you know him, the grey wizard. Ring any bells?" Enelya looked confused at her best friend, before realising it was a joke. She had the gift of saying the weirdest things with a most normal look on her face. "Very funny Altá, mine is from Lothlórien, I wonder what they want this time. Shall we read our own first, then exchange?" Altáriël doubted a moment before answering. "He wrote at the bottom that the content of the letter is for my eyes and mine only, so sure go ahead. He knows we cannot keep secrets from each other anyway."
Enelya read her own letter, passing it on to her friend, who read it as well. "This is weird, why would Gandalf want you in the Shire?" Enelya asked. "It is weird yes, but then again, the wizard has always been a little crazy" she got as answer. "He might be crazy, but you are even worse in most ways" Enelya said with a grin. Altáriël gave her a fake hurt look and spoke with a crazy voice; "Well enough, but what are we waiting for. We cannot let our bosses wait right? I will talk to King Tranduil, saying we must go on a mission to Rivendell. You get your stuff and cancel your shooting lessons with Legolas, Don't linger too long, I know you like my best friend and collegue." Enelya blushed. She quickly turned around to go find her crush.
She found him near the throne hall of his father, talking to some other guards. He was probably asking where Altáriël was. "Hìr nìn Legolas." [My lord Legolas] Legolas turned around and smiled when he saw her. "Enelya, you don't happen to know where Altá is right?" Enelya couldn't lie to the prince and as soon as the words left his mouth she went into panic mode. "Uhh... uhhh, I do happen to know that. But I have to cancel our shooting lessons for the next couple of weeks." She tried to cover up hastily, she hadn't been looking where she walked and tripped over a small branch. Legolas caught her just in time luckily. "Are you sure you have to go? I did like our little lessons." His lips were so close by her ear she could sometimes feel his lips touch her earlobe. He wasn't making the conversation easier for her. Enelya muttered a quick yes and excused herself, hoping the prince didn't see the blush on her face.
After they had collected their few belongings and saying that they had business in the East to Thranduil. They said out for an adventure that would be bigger than they had ever dreamed of. Enelya went as promised to Lothlórien, in the letter she read that the Lady Galadriel had more information about the assignment. With little trouble she reached her destination. Riding on the back of her horse Athea, a brown stallion she was guaranteed to have no trouble. They had been together ever since Athea was a foal. Some of the guards of Lorien noticed her, but she had been there often, so they let her through. Enelya was after all those times still amazed by the beauty of the forest. Pausing her horse to look around she admired the differences between Greenwood and Lothlórien. She dismounted and turned around. Where Lady Galadriel was making her way gracefully down the stairs. Once she had reached the bottom, Enelya kneeled. Asking herself why they would request her help in such a peaceful place. "We asked you here to keep me company on my way to Rivendell, young Enelya Lossëhelin." Enelya stood up, knowing of Galadriel's powers, never knowing until now that reading minds was one of them. "If I may ask my lady, what will we do in Rivendell?" "I will attend a meeting about the fate of Mithrandir's quest your friend Altáriël has been asked to join, once we are in Imadris you must join them as well."