Alexa ran into a nearby garden and collapsed onto a bench. She felt weak and consumed with pain. She was so terribly confused; it felt like she was losing what little control she had left over her life. What disturbed her even further was that she was surprisingly embarrassed. She reached up and felt the heat in her cheeks. She shook her head and sighed bleakly. How long had it been since she had felt the harsh sting of embarrassment? She looked around cautiously. What would they do to her now that she had attempted to kill a high lord of Rivendell? Her own father, nonetheless? Her heart began to pound so intensely that she thought it might leap out of her chest and shatter into many tiny pieces. She was trying to calm herself, when Lord Elrond appeared before her.
“What do you want?” she asked weakly.
“To tell you of the day you were taken,” he told her as he sat beside her. She looked up at him in painful expectation. “Nenthalion sent beasts to attack your parents while they were out of the city with you. Your father was wounded and your mother killed in the attack. You were dragged off by one of the beasts. Riders were sent out to search for you, but all that was ever found was a piece of your clothing, a large amount of blood, and the other piece of your medallion.”
“Where is this Elf now?” she asked coldly.
“Your father hunted him down and killed him.” Elrond looked at her. She seemed mildly surprised. “He was so completely consumed with grief that he would not stop searching until he found Nenthalion, even though all traces of him had vanished. It took your father months to find him, and when he did, he killed him.” Elrond looked at Alexa, whose eyes were downcast. “So you see, my dear. Your father did not sell you. He loved you and the grief of losing you and your mother nearly killed him.”
She nodded and looked up at him. “Thank you for telling me this, Lord Elrond, but I need to be alone for awhile.”
He nodded and watched her as she walked away. He sighed. He hoped now this broken family could at last be mended.
* * *
Alexa walked to the stables, her emotions in turmoil. All these years, she had believed a lie! She opened the gate to Spitfire’s stall and began stroking the animal’s neck. “Can you believe it, Spitfire? All of these years. All of these years I have believed a lie. All of these years I have hated the wrong person and the wrong people. What do I do, Spitfire? What do I do now?” The horse nuzzled her hair, and she leaned against him. She sighed bleakly. ~I now know the truth about my father, yet the hate remains so deeply embedded within my heart that I do not know if I shall ever be free of it. I do not know what to feel towards him now.~
“Hello, Elyndiriel,” a soft voice said.
She spun around quickly and saw Glorfindel standing by the stall gate, uncertainty in his eyes. As she stared at him, she was overcome by a frightening shyness and nervousness that terrified her in a way that she had not thought possible. The feelings shook her down to the very core of her being and into the depths of her troubled soul.
Glorfindel studied his daughter. She looked like a wounded child. Her eyes were huge, and she hugged her arms protectively around herself. He only remembered her as a child, so at first sight she was still his little girl. He studied her eyes closely. Their blue depths were full of so much suffering and… age. It was then that he knew she was no longer his little baby, but rather, a grown elleth who possessed knowledge of things that most could not, nor would not wish to fathom. ~What has my baby been through?~ He handed her her sword, which she took and slid into her scabbard.
“We need to talk, Elyndiriel,” he implored.
“We will talk, but not now,” she said as she mounted Spitfire.
Panic spread through him. “Do not leave,” he begged. “I have just found you.”
She looked at him. “I am not leaving. I just need to go for a ride and think awhile. I need to be alone right now.”
“Very well,” he said, moving from the gate so that she could ride out. He watched her as she rode from the stable, heading for the city gates. His heart yearned to speak with her. He sighed. Hopefully, this ride would help her sort out her feelings and help her be more ready to speak with him.
* * *
Alexa rode for several hours, then dismounted and made a fire. She could not think clearly in Rivendell, not with so many watching her and expecting. She sat back and gazed at the stars. “Oh, Alora. I need you so much right now. I am so confused. My world has just fallen apart.”
She sighed. She had so many questions, and knew only one Elf had the answers. ~But can I face him? A few hours ago I tried to kill him because I thought he was the monster who sold me. Now, he is an Elf who claims to love me. What do I do?~ She looked at the sky. Dawn was coming, and with it, a new day. A day that would perhaps hold the answers that she so desperately sought. She rose and put out the fire. Mounting Spitfire, she headed back to Rivendell.
* * *
Glorfindel paced back and forth on the balcony. He was terribly worried. The sun had risen over two hours ago, and Elyndiriel had not yet returned. He wondered if all fathers suffered the torture of incessant worrying when their daughters went missing. He was about to go after her when he saw her ride in the city gates. He sighed in relief. He watched her as she dismounted and began leading her horse to the stables. He wanted to go speak with her, but decided it best to let her come to him when she was ready. He sighed. ~I hope that will be soon.~
