Lady of Battle

Surprise Encounter

‘ ‘ signifies Thoughts


"Vá!"

She sat straight up in her bed. Her own scream had awakened her from the nightmare. She panted for breath and her chest heaved. Her skin was moist and her body shook from the impact the dream left on her. It was powerful. She felt the adrenaline from it and drew her knees up to rest her forehead on them. Shivers still coursed through her entire body. She took a deep breath and held it. She concentrated on releasing some tension as she let go of the deep breath.

She was not going to sleep any more this night.

She looked around the room in search for a way to move on into the new day and forget. These sleepless nights were something she had learned to deal with ages ago. And it amazed even her that she still felt the rage she had felt that day.

She lay in a large bed with four posts that reached up toward the ceiling. Hanging from them, were rich colored, sheer tapestries boasting colors of silver and gold; colors only reserved for the royal suites. The bed was layered in soft, elven quilts, hand woven by the elven tailors. Also in them they had blended golds and reds.

Even though she was not of royal blood, she had been welcomed as such by the great king, Amdir. She had resided here throughout the remainder of his reign and had loyally served the Lord and Lady since their light had shown and protected the land of the golden trees, Caras Galadhon.

Weakly, she slid off of the bed and walked slowly to the doors leading out to her private patio overlooking the gardens of this great city. She pushed back the drapes and leaned against the door, she slumped and rested her head against the frame. It had been so long since she had been tormented by these dreams. Dreams which had taken centuries to subside and filter away from thought until they had become locked in her sub-conscience. They had nearly claimed her life and were never forgotten, but controlled. It was in the last moon cycle that these dreams had been slowly reclaiming their power over her and she could feel them draining her.

She regained her balance and walked cautiously toward the edge to better gaze up at the stars. She closed her eyes as a gush of warm wind suddenly wisped through her hair and encircled her. It was a welcomed sensation. It nurtured her and she longed to feel it thoroughly. She slowly loosened the ties on her gown, let it fall off of her shoulders and opened the front slightly. The air was gusting all around caressing her body and she turned her back facing the garden. It softly repaired her emotions from the exhilarating dream.

Suddenly she felt eyes.

It startled her and she didn't understand. She was one of the ancient ones and bore powers the Lothlorien elves hardly understood. Having been surprised by any being was a feat not easily done.

She turned quickly and used her elven eyes, searching over the gardens beneath her. There were many other private areas to the rooms and hers was on the highest level. She reached out and tried to feel where this feeling was coming from.

‘How had it been possible? And why did this presence suddenly reveal itself?’

Eyes searching, she walked to the stairs as she tied on her gown. Calmly she descended the stairs down to the second level landing and glanced around. She felt it. Somewhere close; she knew. But it seemed to be hiding.

She felt it again and she turned abruptly.

Standing before her was somewhat familiar face.

" Le vae, hirilen?”( Are you well, my lady?)

A still, expressionless face looked down upon her and it took moments to place him. He stood patiently and waited for an answer. He had a demanding demeanor and she was unsure if his presence was what she had felt earlier.

" Im vae." (I am well.) She answerd after a few moments of careful consideration.

She revealed nothing; her silver glance burned through him but he showed no discomfort. She had become accustom to the elves of the wood beholding her with a certain reverence as if she were as other-worldly as the Valar and this was the first time anyone, besides the Lord and Lady, had stood firm in her presence, presenting himself as an equal.

She secretly appraised this elf. Although he would not know it, she was amused by this stern anw (male). He stood proud as he seemed to be waiting, waiting for permission to be dismissed. He was taller then the normal elf and his shoulders were broad. His hair whipped in the slight winds and she could see the braiding of silver and gold hues reflected in the moonlight. His stance was wide and it seemed he took up space, both physically and mentally. His cape, also thrashed in the air and when lifted, it revealed, in his hand, his sword glinting high in the light of the stars.

‘Powerful warrior’, she thought. ‘Respectable.’

" Suil vein." (Fair winds.) He spoke and showed no change in movement, remained emotionless.

" Nar.” (Yes.) She replied dryly.

Again he waited. She felt that he was waiting for something. Although, usually intuitive, she was unsure what this elf was waiting for.

They stood in silence for several moments and she decided to return to her room. Turning suddenly she headed toward the stairs and was halfway to her patio when his voice found her.

" Olthathach aen vae ned dú hé’." (May you dream well tonight.)

Turning, she glanced toward him and found him watching her retreat as if seeing to her safe return to her rooms. By his behavior, she assumed that he had simply been doing his job as one of the guards. But this action was personal protection and it offended her somewhat. Everyone in the realm knew she was completely capable of seeing to her own safety; having fought in nearly every war since the fall of her realm a millennia ago.

She knew this elf but simply could not place him this night. She saw many faces daily. Her order of business brought many before her and it was impossible to know or remember them all. Her personality was not one to socialize and what little free time she had, was spent in the great forest engaged in grand conversation with the ancient trees.

Her duties mostly kept her within the city and within the royal halls. Though she knew the names of the higher ranking officials, she had not necessarily met them. And when the Lord and Lady called for meetings, she did not necessarily attend. The Lady knew she did not care for meetings and therefore excused her presence, seeking out her advice and counsel later in private. But she caught glimpses of these officials or passed them in the halls. She paid them no mind.

She turned and looked sternly at this elf. Glaring at him with intensity but not revealing an expression in the slightest. He stood firm, face still numb. She was angered through her frustration but always had control of her emotions; she had always felt some satisfaction through that.

She turned snappily and completed the distance to her rooms closing the drapes behind her. She stood still considering the recent events, and she realized it wasn't the fact that he had been acting over protective that had frustrated her.
It was what he had said:

“May you dream well tonight.”

Somehow, she got the feeling that he had heard her outcry this night and she felt an intrusion had occurred. She would not have them believing she had weakness. And she wondered how many nights her cries had reached elven ears.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the garden, the elf stood staring at the patio where he had watched her retreat. Motionless, like a statue, he remained for several minutes. Then, abruptly, one corner of his mouth turned up in what would resemble a minual half-smile. Then it is gone as fast as it appeared. He turned and in wide strides, headed toward his quarters...TBC