At first light, Alexa rode out from her camp and headed for Rivendell. She was tired and glad that she was almost to her destination. Her mouth curved into a wry smile. She also did not want to ride a horse for a few days, for she was sore from the weeks of endless riding. She urged Spitfire on, for she was anxious to reach the city. Rivendell was well hidden, but Alexa managed to locate it after heeding Galadriel’s instructions.
As she neared the city, she stopped and dismounted, deciding it best to walk the rest of the way. The outskirts of Rivendell were comprised of a large forest. This forest was far different from Lothlorien though, for Lothlorien was golden with tall Mallorn trees, while the forest of Rivendell was greener and the trees more diverse. As she approached the city gates, she was stopped by several Elven sentinels.
“Good day, my lady,” one said. “Who are you and from whence do you hail?”
“I am Alexa,” she replied. “I have journeyed here from Lothlorien.”
“What brings you to our fair city, my lady?” the sentinel asked.
“Lady Galadriel has told me of the great beauty of Rivendell, and I have traveled here to see it.”
The sentinel nodded. “I do hope you enjoy your visit, my lady.”
Alexa nodded, and passed through the gates. She looked around in awe, for the city was beautiful. There were many flowering trees scattered throughout the city, as well as several crystalline streams. Marble balconies and walkways were everywhere, as were many exquisite fountains.
She walked further into Rivendell and stopped when she came upon an Elven maiden, sitting on the edge of a fountain. Alexa looked at the maiden in awe, for she had never seen anyone quite like her. The elleth was very beautiful, with long, flowing raven-colored hair and sparkling blue eyes. She was clad in a dark blue gown and an exquisite jewel hung from her neck. The very air around the elleth seemed to glow with warmth and light. The maiden approached Alexa and greeted her warmly.
“Hello. I am Arwen. Have you just arrived in Rivendell?”
Alexa smiled at her, determined to be as sweet as possible. “Yes. I am Alexa, my lady. I have journeyed here from Lothlorien.”
Arwen’s eyes brightened in recognition. “Oh, yes. Lady Galadriel told my father, Lord Elrond, of your coming.”
Alexa suddenly could not breathe. Had she been found out? Had Galadriel betrayed her? An intense anger intermingled with a disturbing unsettledness overcame her. She was angry because of the possible betrayal and the diminishing chance that she would have to kill her father, and unsettled because the Elves had prior knowledge of her and possibly of her motives.
Arwen seemed to sense her tension and smiled at her warmly. “He told me to welcome you when you arrived. How was your journey, Lady Alexa?”
Alexa let out her breath, looking at Arwen in surprise. “Uneventful,” she said carefully. She was cautious, for she did not trust these people and knew not of their true intentions.
“That is good. Come. Let me show you to your room.”
“Thank you, my lady,” Alexa replied. Arwen placed her arm around Alexa and began leading her into a large palace. Alexa stiffened slightly at the gesture, but forced herself to relax, so as not to offend Arwen. ~Why are they being so hospitable to me?~ Alexa wondered. ~I was not expecting to stay in Rivendell, and I certainly was not expecting to be treated as a guest.~ Alexa looked around the large palace in awe. It was immense and mainly composed of fine marble and stone. Lavish tapestries were hung throughout, and many exquisite murals and paintings decorated the walls of the palace. Arwen led her down a long corridor and into a lavishly furnished chamber.
“Please make yourself comfortable, Alexa.”
“Thank you, Lady Arwen.”
Arwen smiled at her and left the room, closing the door behind her. Alexa looked around the elegant room in shock. Just what had Galadriel told them?
* * *
The following morning, she received a summons from Lord Elrond. As the guard led her down the corridor, her concern grew. ~What did Galadriel tell him? That I was merely coming for a social visit? What is going on here?~ As she entered the great hall, she saw a regal, dark-haired Elf sitting on a dais, and a golden-haired Elf standing on his right. The dark-haired Elf rose as she entered. He was tall and clad in silver robes, and his brown eyes held great wisdom and power.
“Hello, Lady Alexa,” he greeted. “I am Lord Elrond. Lady Galadriel informed me of your coming.”
“Yes, my lord. Your daughter told me of this,” she replied. “Thank you for your gracious hospitality to me. I was not expecting such a welcome, for I did not know Lady Galadriel had sent word ahead.”
Elrond nodded. “You are welcome, my dear. We are always pleased to host our kindred from Lothlorien.” He motioned to the Elf beside him. “This is Glorfindel, a lord of my house. I have asked him to escort you and to show you our fair city.”
She looked at Glorfindel, who smiled at her. He was clad in dark blue robes and was tall and powerfully built. His blue eyes resembled Lord Elrond’s, in that they possessed a similar wisdom and power, but there was something else in Glorfindel’s eyes that Elrond’s did not possess: a deep sadness. Alexa returned her attention to Lord Elrond. “Thank you, my lord. I have greatly desired to see the sights of Rivendell.” ~And to find my father,~ she added silently. Glorfindel looked at her.
“Shall we go, my lady?” he asked, motioning towards the door.
“Yes, of course. Thank you again, Lord Elrond. Farewell.” She turned and followed Glorfindel from the room.
Elrond watched them as they left. ~She is a troubled young elleth. So full of pain, though she tries to conceal it behind a mask of propriety.~ He sighed. He hoped Galadriel was right. He hoped everything could be made right.
* * *
Alexa followed Glorfindel as he showed her the various sights of Rivendell. It was unlike anything she had ever seen before. The city was wondrous and the waterfalls were breathtakingly beautiful. The homes of Rivendell were stunning, all composed of fine white marble and stone. Many lush gardens surrounded the homes, and several Elven children were playing about. Alexa sat on a bench near a lovely fountain. “This is a beautiful city,” she told him.
“I am glad you are enjoying it, my lady,” he replied, sitting beside her.
Alexa studied Lord Glorfindel. He was kind and welcoming, and was graciously willing to answer her many questions about the city. She felt herself begin to relax as she listened to him speak of the many splendid horses of Rivendell. ~I wonder why I feel so at ease around this Elf?~ she mused.
A sudden breeze came upon them, blowing Alexa’s hair around her. She glanced at Glorfindel as the breeze blew his shirt slightly open, revealing a silver medallion. Her heart stopped when she saw it. She blinked. ~No, it cannot be! It is just not possible!~ But there it was, the other piece of her medallion, hanging around Lord Glorfindel’s neck!
“Your medallion,” she asked with a calm she far from felt. “What does that symbol represent?”
“It is the symbol of my house, my lady.”
Her pulse quickened and a powerful excitement began to course through her. “Are there many like it?” she asked evenly.
“No. This one belonged to my daughter, but she is gone from me. I would prefer not to discuss it further.”
Alexa studied him as he answered her. His face was completely devoid of emotion as he spoke of his daughter! ~How dare he speak of me as if I mattered not!~ She began to seethe with anger, but she quickly calmed herself. Now was not the time for her revenge. “Of course. My apologies,” she told him.
Glorfindel nodded. He hoped he had not offended her, but it hurt to speak of his daughter. He studied the elleth. Her face was youthful, as was the normal for Elves, but her eyes spoke of an age he could not believe she had reached. He imagined her to be around the age his daughter would have been. She even had eyes like his daughter had had: intense, fiery blue, and beautiful. He looked at her and frowned. Something was different. Her manner towards him had changed dramatically. She had been relaxed, but now she sat stiffly, back rigid, eyes staring at nothing. He did not understand her sudden change in manner. Had he offended her? She rose suddenly.
“I must go. Thank you for escorting me around the city,” she said, her voice a little too sweet.
“You are welcome, Lady Alexa.”
She turned and walked away quickly. He stared after her. Something was definitely wrong.
* * *
Alexa walked away quickly, heading straight for her room. Glorfindel had to be her father! He had to be the man who sold her into slavery! His appearance was different, but it had to be him. Who else would have the other piece of her medallion? By the time she reached her room, she was shaking uncontrollably. She paced the floor, trying to rein in her emotions. Oh, how she hated him. She hated him so much, she could taste it. It was like ash in her mouth. She could feel the rage coursing through her veins like wildfire. She was going to make him pay for all the pain he had caused her. She needed to watch him first, though. She needed to learn his movements and find her best opportunity to strike. But soon, she would kill him. She fingered her dagger. ~Very soon.~
