The Unforgiven

I’ve been lost in the woodr dar days now and I still don’t
know where I am!’ I thought bitterly to myself, I leaned against a tree and closed my eyes rubbing the dark red whelp on my skin that would be there until the day I die. I felt so tired, I had not had proper sleep since I left that God-forsaken kingdom. I cursed everything of that place and tried so much to push all of that from my memory, too long have certain things haunted my steps, but if only it were that simple…If only I could rid myself of the pain…Life was never that le, le, you could never forget the things you wished to never remember and you forget the things you wish you could always keep in mind. I knew I wouldn’t forget one thing, trust no one, especially the ones in power, they tend to abuse it more then they use it.
The thought of that only irritated me further, I was lost and hungry and would probably die out here. I felt so helpless, because I had wasted my time trying to escape death, only to run into it by getting lost. I cursed myself and my life, silently.
“Miss, are you lost?” A female voice called from a short distance that seemed to be nearing. I slowly opened my eyes to find a female elf peering down at me, “Yes… I am lost…I have been for days.” I slowly stood up, I had never seen an elf, only Drow’s which were brought to our kingdom and either put to dear usr used as servants and ‘other’ things.
“Where do you come from…?” She asked curiously, as she eyed my gear, my sword and daggers. I held them closely, “I come from the West, from a far away kingdom.” She nodded and offered her hand to me, “I shall take you to my father, he shall help you.” I nodded and took her hand and let myself be lead to her father’s house…I kept in mind the reason why I didn’t trust anyone, elves included in this list.
I looked around me, observing my surroundings taking note of everything and how close I must have been to this place she was taking me to…I supposed if a male would of found me I wouldn’t of been so willing to be lead, but even though this was a female I was still a bit on edge, because where I come from even females can lead to your death.
She lead me through the entrance of the village and said happily, “Welcome to Rivendell!” I looked around me, there were building’s of great height and design made of gray stone, trees that barred much fruit. I closed my eyes and I could hear the crystal clear waterfalls and feel the mist that the wind carried into the city. This was paradise, a pure blissful sight, one I thought I would never see. When you’ve lived half your life in pain and hopelessness, you don’t figure much on seeing anything else but death and destruction, something I had become used to long ago…
I took note that this was an Elven village with some humans and other races. For some it looked as though they came to die here, to die in a paradise and without the worries of the outer world on their shoulders…For me it didn’t matter where I went, the weight of the worlds cruelty would always be a burden I would bare. There are some things in life you learn to let go of and there other things that can’t be let go of, it’s as if it becomes apart of you and your life…Pain had become apart of me and my life, something that couldn’t be let go of no matter how hard I tried. I had accepted many things in my years of living at the Kingdom of Hell, and one of those things were, that pain is something that never goes away, it only dulls with time and you mustn’t let it rule you…But it’s hard to not let it when you can’t forget it.
“May I ask of your name?” She looked at me at we walked through the stone halls that were decorated with murals of the forest and animals. “ My name is Nia Elen, may I ask of yours?” She smiled and said, “ I am Arwen, My father is Elrond Evenstar.” I hadn’t heard of either of them before and I merely nodded, I guess she supposed I might have, but not much news of the outside world comes to the Kingdom of the Damned. We kept to our own mostly, trading here and there with other kingdoms but it was not often.
We stopped at what looked like the entrance into the throne room and Arwen turned to me, “Wait here please.” I nodded and leaned against the wall, wondering how I let myself get lead into this placeradiradise or not, every place had it’s dirty little secrets and I wondered what secrets this place held, but nonetheless I supposed I’d rather be here where there is food then out lost in the woods. I slightly looked around a bit, peeking into some rooms, wishing I knew Elvish, but of course I didn’t. I heard someone coming and took my post at the door leaning against the wall, I didn’t want to get into trouble already, maybe later but not right now.
Arwen came through ther, “r, “My father is now waiting to see you.” I merely follow, and I walked into what I thought to be the throne room but it merely seemed like a room where council was held…I let my eyes take in all this, the chairs didn’t look too comfortable to me at all, but maybe that was the purpose, in my experience, council meetings were never that pleasant, especially the ones I’ve been too, they tended to get rather violent.
“Welcome to Rivendell.” He said warmly, though his eyes didn’t show it, they held no emotion but I thought I could detected sadness but I didn’t hold eye contact with him very long. Rulers never seemed to care to be stared at, especially if they thought you were plotting their demise.
I nodded and spoke with the greatest of respecThanThank you m’lord.” I didn’t let down my guard, it seemed like a well enough place but I have also learned nothing is as what it seems, and this place was no exception.
“What brings you to here?” He said, looking at me wearily, I supposed he noticed I did not relax, “We do not usually let strangers into Rivendell.” He said with a bit of warning in his voice. I noted this and chose my words carefully, “I do not come in terms of an ill-fated agenda, I am merely lost and have been without food and rest for many days.” His eyes softened as he nodded, “Then you are welcomed here until you find your way or as long as you wish to stay.”
I bowed slightly and stood silently, “Thank you m’lord.” Was all I could think of saying at that moment. I still didn’t trust Elrond, no matter how kind and sad he looked. Anyone can hide behind a mask, I’ve seen it done too often.
“Dinner should be ready soon.” He looked at me, “Until then you may explore as you wish.” I nodded, bowed and took my leave to go look around though I hoped I wouldn’t miss dinner since I didn’t know where and when it was. I shrugged to myself and walked through the place looking into all the rooms until I found a room which had a statue of what looked like angel holding the pieces of a sword. I frowned slightly as I neared it. Why would anyone keep a broken sword which seemed to have no purpose now?
I picked up a random book and looked through it, I would of read it but it was in Elvish, so I put it back down and started to walk out when I heard someone say, “I presume you don’t know the story of The One Ring.” I turned around and it was an Elven boy, somewhere around the age of 16, “No, I haven’t heard the story.” He drew near and took the book I sat down and he read it to me. I listened intently to the story he translated into English.
“And the ring faded into a legend, then into a myth that was forgotten…” And he shut the book and set it back down. I looked at the sword, “It seems to me that it is something that should not have been forgotten.” The boy nods and agrees, “It shouldn’t have been however it has been forgotten by many and not even heard of by more.” I knew he was pointing that statement at me since I had never heard of the story.
A maid walked in and looked to me, “Lord Elrond has wishes to join him for dinner M’lady.” Well, that surprised me a bit. “Do I have time to bathe and find something to wear?” The maid nods and smiles, “Of course m’lady, if that’s all you wish to do is eat.” I looked at her all confused, “What do you mean?” The maid answered, “Every full and new moon we have a feast and type of gatherit tht the end. A party of sorts, where most go to chat and make merry.” I nodded and inquired, “Am I expected to be there?” The maid shook her head, “Of course not but it would be a nice gesture to attend, even if only for a few moments.” I sighed, I hated big social gatherings, much to my dismay all the ones I had attended before always involved a hanging or something of that matter. “I shall attend but I have nothing to wear.” She smiled softly, “Lady Arwen has seen to it that you may wear any dress of hers you wish. Now let me show you the bath house.” I nodded and followed her a bit shocked. I was not use to people being kind to me but it still didn’t make me want to loosen my guard up any.
After the maid left I stripped down and got into the hot water and hissed, it felt very nice and I went under and started to wash my hair and body, I wasn’t used to this kind of warm water, back at home it was ICE cold, here it was nice and hot. I smiled slightly to that and closed my eyes to relax just a little before I got out. This seemed like a nice place but I knew better than to just assume, I had to know everything before I could trust anyone or anyplace. The thing is, is that the people who are after you, are the ones you thought you knew, I always wondered why that happened and the only theory I could agree with was, “It’s the perfect crime.” But that’s not always true, I don’t think there is such a thing as the perfect crime, but then again who am I to say so?
I got out and grabbed a towel and dried off and grabbed something to wear, I didn’t have to wear a dress yet, that wasn’t till the little gathering thing…Oh how I hated dresses, I’d rather wear pants than a dress. Oh well, I sighed and opened the door, the maid was waiting and showed me to Elrond’s private dining room, it looked very nice, a lot nicer than I looked…
“Thank you for joining me.” Elrond said and motioned that I be seated and I sat down, “Thank you for inviting me.” I smiled slightly and the maid went to fetch the food…Elrond offered no conversation and I was perfectly fine with that, I wasn’t much for idled chat myself, then again I wasn’t much for chatting altogether. I let my eyes wonder around the room, murals of what seemed to be some capital city of great magnitude, it was a breathtaking painting. “Lothorian” was printed at the bottom left side corner…I wondered where that was and what kind of city it was. I figured it had to have been some great Elven city but of course that could be an obvious answer…
The maid brought in meats and fruits I had never in my life seen before. I looked a bit skeptical but I supposed I’d give in and try it, the worse thing it could do was kill me. I waited for Elrond to start before I did, even if I didn’t trust him, the least I could do was respect him in his own home. As soon as he did I started as well. I took a bite of the first meat and it tasted very bitter and I twitched a bit, ok, I like spazzed out. I swallowed it and shuttered.
Elrond looked very amused and said, “You’re suppose to peel it then eat it, as well as the fruit.” That could have been useful about 5 seconds ago, “Thank you for the warning.” He chuckled and continued eating as I experimented with all the different dips and such, and dinner went on without any other mishaps, thankfully. I fell asleep and someone tried to pick me up and I drew my dagger. That was a very horrible mistake. I heard a voice that seethed with anger and rippled through me like an ocean of ice, “Drop your weapon,“ Of course I did when I felt the sword cutting into my throat. I opened my eyes to see two very dark harsh blue eyes, which sadly belonged to Elrond…
This was a very bad deed on my part and a great insult to Elrond, to have a weapon drawn on him…I felt my blood trickle down my neck, “Please forgive me m’lord.” I said with great respect and very apologetic too, and I was very sorry…
“You are quick to the draw.” His voice was dangerously calm but angry…Not that I blamed him for being angry, I’d be angry too if someone drew a dagger on me after dinner, “Please forgive me m’lord, where I come from, it’s how you survive; being the quickto dto draw your weapon.” And how true that was in many kingdoms, I had come to know that the kingdom I lived in, wasn’t the only place you had to be quick.
“No one will cause you any need for bloodshed lest you strike first.” He said, his voice not so angry now, still dangerously calm but with a bit of understanding. I did note the warning in his tone. I knew I was subject to punishment for such an insult when his hand came up, I flinched. I thought he was going to strike me but he pulled the sword away and put his hand on my wound and I thought, ‘Oh…He’s not going to strike me…He’s going to kill me instead!’ That earned me a strange look, I guess he noticed the sudden panicked look on my face.
When I felt his skin make contact with mine, my legs seemed to have forgotten how to stand. I had to will myself to stay up and not end up on the floor, although it was a nice feeling…When he drew his hand away, I felt a sudden since of loss. I could still feel his presence on my skin and placed my hand where his had been, the wound was gone and I spoke without thinking, “You’re a healer…” He nodded and simply answered, “Yes I am.” He looked rather sad, and I became aware of something I could relate to him with. He may be a healer but there were certain things that magic could not heal and that was mental scars.