Title:Under the Innumerable Stars
Author:Earwen of Alqualonde
Rating:PG
Feedback:undomiel_evariel@hotmail.com

Chapter 2

Ariel awoke to the sound of birds chirping, no they were singing. She lay still for 
a moment, appreciating the song of birds. Feeling refreshed, she sat up and was 
surprised to find herself on a soft bed and even more surprised at the room she 
was in. It was painted a cool shade of soothing green, and the ceiling had an 
intricate design of leaves and flowers, 
Ariel wondered where she was her wounds had been tended to.
 
“ I see you are awake, my lady.” A voice startled her. Looking up, she saw the 
same elf who rescued her yesterday.

“I hope I was of not much inconvenience to you yesterday”

“Twas naught, my lady, are you feeling well?” Legolas asked, concern evident in 
his eyes. 

“Thank you for your kindness, my Lord.”

“Tis not in the nature of elves to turn away one of their kind. Especially one as 
beautiful as you.”

At this Ariel blushed deeply, and even more so when she realized she was not 
wearing anything under the thin sheet that covered her save a chemise.

“I would like to get dressed, if you don’t mind”

Amusement flickering across his face at her obvious discomfort, Legolas strode 
out of the room. 
“I will be waiting outside after you have dressed.”

Ariel saw a lovely white gown that she fitted into perfectly, and it did nothing to 
restrict her movements as most others did. When she brushed her hair, the long 
golden tresses sparkled in the sunlight. 
After filling herself with food from the table, she went out of the room to seek 
Legolas who was outside waiting patiently.

Out of the room came a maiden, who was very fair to look upon. The sunlight 
caught in her hair and glittered, her silver eyes held wisdom and innocence, and 
she looked lovely in the white gown Legolas instructed the maids to lay out for 
her. It clung to her supple curves and flowed to the feet. The sleeves were long 
and added to the gracefulness of Lady Silverstar.

The garment once belonged to his mother. And somehow the Lady Silverstar 
reminded him of his mother.  He missed her badly. But she looked more in 
appearance to the fair Lady Arwen, but lovelier. Arwen was as beautiful as the 
evening, but Ariel seemed to create a beauty of her own. Unique, intriguing, she 
was definitely unlike any she-elf he had ever seen before.

“Who is your father?” Ariel asked tentatively. 

“He is King Thranduil of Mirkwood.” Legolas answered.

“So that makes you a prince.”

“Aye.” He sounded as if he did not like reminding of that fact and Ariel could 
tell he was not happy about his position. But she did not question him further 
but took time to admire the surroundings.

Legolas led her through archways, majestic halls, and gardens in full bloom. 
Ariel was hardly amazed at the beauty of it all.
And there were elves everywhere, all had a radiance which seemed to come from 
their fair faces. Some had silver hair, some deep gold like her own, but all had 
grace and elegance. Some of them gave her curious looks, and one or two 
glanced at the newcomer suspiciously. But most carried on with their day to day 
business. She heard laughter, singing speaking and thought it was a joy just to 
hear them.

Ariel was bursting with joy though she did not show it. These elves were of her 
kindred, she was part of them. For the first time in her life she did not feel out of 
place.

“We are here.” Legolas had brought her to a hall. There was a fire cackling gaily 
at one end, and a throne raised on a dais at the side. Upon it sat the elven king. 
He resembled Legolas much in appearance, but looked wiser and his eyes 
studied Ariel solemnly. 

“I would like to know what brought you here to Mirkwood, my lady.” 

So Ariel as best as she could gave them an account of what happened.  And 
when she took out her Silverstar pendant, recognition dawned on Thranduil’s 
face.

“You, are Elrond’s daughter, twin sister to Arwen.” With that he launched onto a 
story.

It turned out that Celebrían, Ariel’s mother was on her way to visit her own 
mother with Ariel in Lothloríen when she was waylaid by orcs. In order to save 
Ariel, she put a spell on her, bringing Ariel Ages into the future. She was later 
rescued by her sons, and healed of her physical injuries by Elrond, but lost 
interest in Middle Earth, and left for the Gray Havens before anyone could ask 
her what became of Ariel. And so everyone thought Ariel perished under the 
orcs. 

It hit her then, those dreams, or nightmares would be a better-suited word made 
sense now. Her mother taken by orcs. A wave of nausea and cold fear took her 
by surprise, she felt disorientated and sick. 

“My Lady, are you feeling well?” Legolas asked her. 

“Aye, tis’ naught but a headache.” Ariel murmured. At this Legolas wondered 
greatly, for elves seldom get sick.

Thranduil, being one of great wisdom understood her predicament. He decided 
to cut the long story short “Until today, hope has come at last. I am sure Elrond 
would be delighted to know his daughter is alive. I would like you to go with my 
son, who coincidently is traveling to Imladris to the House of Elrond. He is, after 
all your real father.” Thranduil looked at Ariel kindly.

“You are welcome to make yourself at home here, in the meantime. I am sure my 
son would gladly show you around the place.”

She felt undeserving of his kindness, but nevertheless, thanked him.
Ariel was excited at the prospect of having a family again, but she feared 
rejection. Would they be able to recognize her at all? How is it she cannot 
remember a thing at all about them, except those fading memories…