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| Neithawen's Deception |
| 1. Departure From Lothlórien |
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"You have my blessing. Go forth, and be not perilous in your journey, Maeglin. And you also, Neithawen," Galadriel, blessed Elf-queen of Lothlrien said. She kissed Maeglin on the forehead, and he bowed. As he walked to the edge of the dais, Neithawen made to follow, but Galadriel held her back, leaned close, and whispered in her ear, "I edhel aphadhe i vd o auth." Galadriel then kissed Neithawen on the forehead, just as she had done Maeglin, and together Neithawen and Maeglin bowed and left the dais. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Neithawen woke up with a start, a cold sweat drenching her body. She sat up, trying to catch her breath. She glanced over at her father, Maeglin. She saw he was still lying on his back, eyes open, lithe hands folded across his breast. He took no notice of her, however. He must be asleep, she thought to herself. For that is the fashion in which Elves sleep. Neithawen glanced at her surroundings. She saw nothing but trees for many miles. She and her father had traveled from Lothlrien the morning before last, and had reached the realm of Mirkwood that morning. I should still be able to see the border of Mirkwood, she thought, even in the dark of night. She squinted into the darkness. Hmm, there must be some force at work that shields my vision. She felt a little uneasy, but lay back down upon her back, folded her hands, and tried to sleep. But sleep did not come easily. Neithawen thought of what had awoken her. She had been dreaming. Dreaming of battle. Just thinking of it now chilled her. But one thing she remembered as clearly as if it weren't a dream. An elf, tall and elegant, with blonde hair. She suddenly remembered what Galadriel had said to her the morning before last: I edhel aphadhe i vd o auth. "The she-elf follows the war path." She wondered what this was supposed to mean. Did Galadriel foresee something? But she-elves did not go to war, and certainly not ones that were only 800 years old. As she wondered, her thoughts strayed back to the blonde elf. She thought of him as she drifted off to the place that which no man will ever know. The next morning
"Neithawen, you must arise. The sun is up, and we must get to Thranduil's place before long. I have just foreseen a mighty battle. Come, we must hurry," Maeglin said. He was moving swiftly through the crisp morning air, packing their things. "Here, have some lembas bread. It will sustain you until we arrive." He handed her a small package wrapped in a mallorn-leaf of Lothlrien. Inside there was a thick wafer-like piece of bread. This magical cake provided an amazing vigor and carried the body and spirit far. Neithawen hurriedly broke of a corner of the lembas and took a bite. She immediately felt heat spread through her body as if she had taken a drink of ale. She placed the rest of the bread into her knapsack and slung it onto her back. Maeglin was already a few strides ahead of her. "Come, Neithawen. Hurry." "Coming, ada," she said. She walked quickly to catch up with him. As she walked beside him, she thought about last night. 'Father said that he had foreseen battle. And Galadriel said something about a war path. What does all this mean? Surely they are linked.' But how? Her father startled her out of her thoughts. "What is on your mind, iell nin?" Maeglin inquired. "Nothing, ada. Just thinking ofwell, it's nothing." But Neithawen was sure that he did not believe her. He hesitated before he spoke. "Thranduil's Realm is not much further. A few more hours and we'll arrive." Neithawen shifted her knapsack and walked on. |
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