Rivendell was indeed homey. As soon as they arrived, Glorfindel knew Mistril will enjoy herself in this new environment. And she did, she looked at everything with bright eyes and smiled every time they'd pass by an elf. Watching her from the side as they walked up the stairs to their rooms, he couldn’t help but see the old glow of his city in her. It was consoling to know that she was alive and well and he was going to make sure she will never be taken ever again.
From her personal point of view, it was slightly different. It reminded her of Gondolin as well but it wasn't making her feel homesick. It was itself a place of warmth, of good will and joy. It was this little haven that once entered it was hard to leave.
"We have prepared your room, Mistril. Lindir will show you the way as I have still more to discuss with Glorfindel." Lord Elrond said signing for an elf to come to her before he waited for the two to leave up another pair of stairs.
"My name is Lindir. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Mistril." He said as soon as they stepped away.
The way was full of wonder from her part. Elves were singing about a guest, one from the fallen city and she knew it was a welcoming gift in a way. It was embarrassing yet she couldn’t help but gleam at the honor.
"You don't have to call me lady. Even back home I was just the daughter of a blacksmith."
"But Valdaglerion was not an ordinary blacksmith, if I recall Glorfindel's stories correctly. His skills could easily surpass what came afterwards. His swords were like none we had seen in other cities." Lindir replied, leading her to a room somewhere near a waterfall.
Mistril raised an intrigued eyebrow at the elf. He was talking with admiration about a man he hadn't met.
"Do not praise him too much. Glorfindel could have overestimated my father."
Lindir glanced at her with an air of offence, one might say. Clearly, he liked the golden haired warrior and had him in high esteem. Everything Glorfindel said was more or less real and that was fine with them.
And yet the disappointment in Mistril's heart would not let her trust Glorfindel like the rest. A shadow was covering her heart and it was almost impossible to break through it. She did not even realize when Lindir stopped in front of a door and turned to her.
"Lord Elrond will want to speak to you later but until then you can familiarize with your new home. If you need anything, you can ask me anytime." He said and smiled softly at her before he left.
Her new room was far better than the one in Greenwood, with a fluffy bed and a lot more toiletries. It looked like it has been slightly redecorated for a woman which meant Elrond really put thought into it.
"This is nice," she said falling back on the bed and closing her eyes. Opening them a few minutes later, she took a long look at everything, especially at the light beaming through her window while the waterfall outside was making light noise. Mistril smiled and sighed in joy, her mind wandering everywhere but her past.
When dinner came around, she expected Lindir to come and lead her to the halls but nobody arrived. She ventured by herself and she quite enjoyed the sights. Corridors were slim but well enlightened, decorations were not too eye catching and everything made her feel like she was walking in a dream. One spot she discovered was a balcony that had a great view over the city. It made her smile as she watched the sun going down, the rays of red and yellow growing faintly into the distance.
"You must be Mistril." A voice interrupted her moment and she spun around, her short hair swirling in the light breeze. Her green eyes were such an impressive contrast to her hair and the colors in the sky that the elf felt like he was looking at a painting. "I'm Elrohir. I suppose you were searching for the dinner hall?" He asked seeing how she might have gotten lost.
"I intended to, yes. Thank you." She said smiling at the young elf. He looked to be around the same age as Legolas, maybe a bit older. "Have I seen you before? You seem vaguely familiar."
"I have a twin, Elladan. Maybe you saw him around?" Elrohir asked once they started to walk.
"No, not here. It was long ago, in Greenwood."
Elrohir suddenly started to laugh and nodded fervently.
"Right, I remember. That was indeed Elladan who went as an ambassador of Rivendell to the prince's birthday. He did say something about it back then but I'm afraid other things interfered." He said as he decided to walk her to the hall. "What a coincidence that you ended up here!"
"I only followed Glorfindel." She said, pulling her hair behind her ear. Elrohir noticed the softness in her voice while speaking of the noble elf and smiled.
"You two must be really close. You haven't seen each other in a long time and then suddenly met. It must have been overwhelming."
"It does seem very suspicious, doesn't it?" She asked only partially joking.
"The Valar has plans that cannot be perturbed by anyone, not even someone as mighty as King Thranduil." He joked as well, mimicking Thranduil's usual sassy expression. She laughed loudly surprising every elf passing them by. It sounded joyous and it resonated in the corridor.
Dinner was fun. Mistril met Elladan as well as many others and she enjoyed the brothers more than she expected. Glorfindel was sitting next to Elrond while the other side was occupied by someone else, just as high in grade, named Erestor. Mistril was next to Glorfindel and both brothers decided to stay next to her. She laughed that night with more joy than in any other and all the bad thoughts were pushed in the back of her mind…until she went to sleep.
"Feel the power run through you and embrace it. Embrace pain and fear as they are also sources for power." The same low intimidating voice almost whispered to her.
From what she could see he was holding tightly onto her wrists. He chuckled as a surge of pain ran up her body and she screamed. It was worse than being wounded physically or emotionally. It was a different kind of pain, one that didn't leave scars but felt like fire in her veins.
"Rise, Daewen and do not fear me for I am the source of both your life and death." He hissed.
Her green eyes opened and she looked down at her hands. Her hair was messy and all comfort was gone. It was as if she was in a cold cell and she shuddered, bringing her legs up to her chest.
"Daewen," she whispered feeling sick in the stomach just thinking about it. He called her Daewen as he bound her. She was just a pawn, she knew that from the beginning yet she accepted it. Just how mad was she when it happened?
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