Chapter Two: Journey On the forest floor wide arrays of horses were being readied with saddle bags and multi-coloured blankets. The preparations to depart by noon were going forward without delay. The Lord and Lady remained in the Great Talan, making last minute decisions and leaving instructions for their absence. In a large, open clearing, Haldir was lightly stroking the mane of a beautiful black mare, Alkarasil. He whispered softly in her ear as she nuzzled against him. A few moments later, a blonde she-elf walked up behind them, a large grey stallion in tow. �Haldir?� The elf paused, turning his head over his shoulder to see the woman who had, for all his knowledge just appeared in the glade. �Oh, hello Uruviel.� He rubbed Alkarasil�s nose once more before turning to the lovely lady behind him. �Are you ready to leave?� Uruviel smiled, walking up beside him. �Of course.� Her horse nickered softly behind her. �And so is Celesul [silver-wind].� Azure eyes sparkled in the sunlight as she surveyed both her horse, and Haldir�s. �To Rivendell� � she whispered. Haldir smiled, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer to him. �To Rivendell� and to a peaceful week or two.� He kissed her gently on the lips, silver eyes connecting with her deep blue. Golden blonde hair and blue eyes were only two features that accentuated the she-elf standing comfortably in Haldir�s embrace. At a glance, she was stunning and skilled, trained in many weapons by Haldir himself. He had been her mentor in combat, her guardian as a child, and now the elf she loved above all since she had grown out of her childhood. Telling her grandparents that, however, might have caused some difficulties. Galadriel and Celeborn, Lady and Lord of LothL�rien, had two children, both of whom left Arda far before their time. The younger was a girl, in looks exactly like her mother, whose name was Celebrian. Celebrian married a young elven lord known as Elrond, who had survived the War of the Ring at the end of the Second Age. She bore him three children, one set of twins, Elrohir and Elladan, and one girl, Arwen, whose beauty was said to be beyond the visions of all creatures. The elder child was a boy, Celebrennin, who upon reaching elfhood, travelled the world as he saw fit, returning at long last to the Golden Wood with a baby girl cradled in his arms. He named her Uruviel, and cared for her as no father had ever done inside or outside the world. Tragedy happens, however, to the best of people, and in attempts to defend his sister and daughter from orcs on a journey through the mountains, willingly gave his own life. Unfortunately for Celebrian, his sacrifice did little, as she departed by ship for the paradise of Valinor, the Elvenhome. Uruviel grew up parentless, as she never knew her mother, instead being raised by her grandparents, Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. They kept an annoyingly close watch on her for all of her life, purely out of their desire to keep her safe, but never the less, she always endeavoured to break every rule they set for her. She was no longer and elfling, and as such was free to love whomever she desired in whatever manner, which is exactly what she did. Her grandparents, however, had always been on the more strict side and she had no doubt, if they knew some of the things she had been up to, they would have been thoroughly displeased. Her cousin Arwen was, of course, far worse than she was in every aspect, but naturally, Miss Lady never got in trouble for anything. The twins were the true mischief-makers, and often were imprisoned in their rooms because of it. Obviously they knew every way out, but that never stopped their father from trying to put some sense of discipline in them. A bugle sounded in the distance, calling all riders and journeymen forth so the parade could begin the journey out of LothL�rien. Haldir and Uruviel were torn from their silent reverie, coming quickly back to the reality in which they lived. Sharing a quick smile, they mounted their horses and set off at a brisk trot for the gates of the city. Haldir�s brothers were waiting for them at the head of the column, they being the designated vanguard for the party. Haldir, as ever, would stay by Uruviel�s side, to protect her in case of disaster. (She could easily hold her own against any beast, but the Haldir was still there, just in case.) Galadriel and Celeborn appeared astride magnificent white horses, their own white robes trailing over the horses� cascading white tails. �Is everyone ready?� Celeborn questioned, directing his enquiry at Haldir. �I believe so, my lord.� Haldir answered, bowing before his lord and lady. The entire procession followed his lead, except Uruviel, who, by birth, didn�t have to. Galadriel smiled, a cheery heartfelt light that seemed to brighten the hearts of all, be they travelling or staying within the safety of the Golden Wood. �Good. Then we depart.� Looking at the two brothers at the head of the line, with a gaze that said quite plainly, �We�re watching you,� she nodded to Haldir, allowing him to send his guards forward and begin the journey to the home of Elrond Peredhil. Haldir, in turn, transferred the command to his brothers, with an additional glare of his own saying �Behave or fear my wrath.� Both Orophin and R�mil, known for their trouble-making schemes as well, quickly cantered ahead on their horses, trying to get as far from Galadriel and Haldir as possible, while remaining within sight. (For an elf, that�s pretty far away.) �So another journey begins�� Uruviel whispered, allowing her horse to fall in step behind her grandmother�s. Haldir, now in his place beside her, let his leg brush casually against hers, silently voicing his agreement. With the Lord and Lady in the lead, the group filed out of the gates of LothL�rien, bound for the Hidden Valley and the Midsummer holiday. Back |
