Part One, Part Two, Part Three

Part One

As fork lightning split the horizon, rolling thunder shook the ground. Over middle-Earth, the storm raged on. Worst hit was the forest of Mirkwood, largest and by far the most beautiful in Middle-Earth. To the east of the forest, lay the realm of Legolas Greenleaf, king of the elven city of Mirkwood. Aided by his loving wife, Lómadia, Lady of the Green forest. The city surrounds a small hillock, the buildings made of wood and stone. Here in this city, lives the king and queen. Along with their son, Colas and daughter, Mydia. Heir to the throne of Mirkwood, Colas prayed the day would never come when his father would give up the throne. King Legolas had also felt the same when his father, Thranduil was king. Thranduil had been a born leader, Legolas hadn’t, neither had Colas. He was shy and kept himself to himself, the best swordsman the elves had ever seen. He lived with his family in the palace, in a spacious room, with a full length window on the west wall, that looked out over the forest.

It was here, the Colas Greenleaf stood on this dark, stormy night. Watching the lightning terrorise his home. The rain pelted down, ever getting heavier. This weather was most unusual for an elven city of this kind. Especially on a summers night like this was supposed to be. The thunder rumbled closer and closer as the midnight gong sounded in the deep.

The storm had continued to rage on for several hours now, the stream that acted as a moat of Mirkwood had gradually risen until it was a fast flowing river. Prince Colas normally enjoyed being on watch, but tonight would be torture.

Colas sighed as he wrapped his cloak tightly around his shoulders and pulled up his hood. His long blonde hair was tucked away but his deep blue eyes still shone, though all was dark. Walking briskly over to the door, Colas took a deep breath and walked out into the night. Heavy rain lashed at his face as he jogged to the front gates.

When he arrived, nobody else was there. Though shortly afterwards, the other three guards arrived, all wearing cloaks and all grumpy. They set themselves up in their positions, two on the forest side of the moat, and two either side of the gate. Colas was on the forest side. He spoke to none of the others. There was no point in trying to make conversation, they were all too tired and wet.

‘This is going to be a long night.’ Colas said to himself, wrapping his cloak even tighter around his shoulders. Within a few minutes, he was soaked to the skin and very cold already. As the night wore on the storm finally began to subside. Two hours passed of light rain then it stopped completely, for which the guards were very thankful of.

Shortly after, Colas’ keen hearing picked up the sound of hooves against wet mud in the distance. The sound grew louder as the traveller approached the city.

* * * * *

‘You no longer follow the culture of your people, therefore, Lissi, Blue-Light of the North, you are banished!’ These words ran through Lissi’s mind as she ran to the stables, jumped onto her black stallion, Phira, and rode out of the city gates. Into the approaching storm. She had no idea where her path would lead her, and she really didn’t care, as long as she put as much distance between her and Isil-Garr as possible.

Mirkwood. That’s where she would head for. A city that only Lissi believed in. All the ancient tales were only that to the others, only stories. But not for her, she knew that Isil-Garr, Isp-Len and Pil-Garth weren’t the only cities in the world. If the tales were completely true, then the elven kings city in Mirkwood should be a two day journey south. There, she would be happy and safe, her heart told her she would.

As Lissi came closer to her destination, her keen elf kind hearing picked up a distant rumble. Not the sound of thunder from the brewing storm, but the sound of many feet on the march. Lissi cursed under her breath ‘Wargs’. Spurring Phira to go faster, she muttered about how unfair life was. The rumbling of the wolves of the Cenvan realm grew closer as her own kind hunted her down. For a few seconds, though, she completely forgot about the chase, for along the horizon, she saw the distant shape of trees. The forest of Mirkwood. Lissi smiled widely as rain began to fall from the storm clouds above.

* * * * *

The hooves could now be heard above the wind in the trees. All four of the guards were alert. As the horse slowed to a gentle trot, Colas saw a black shape moving towards them. Soon it became clear that this shape was a horse and their rider A dark figure sat on the horses back, shoulders hunched. All the guards raised their bows, except for Colas. He stood forward, curious to know who this person was. The black stallion stopped in front of him and raised his head proudly, the rider slowly slipped out of the saddle. Luckily, Colas was attentive, and caught the hooded figure before they hit the ground. As the hood fell back, he found himself looking into the face of a fair maiden. Her eyes were closed and blood trickled from the corners of her mouth. It was obvious that she was unconscious.

‘You see to her horse.’ Colas said to the others as he picked up the girl and carried her across the wooden bridge and into the city. Past the houses, the palace and the garden, until he came to the city’s healing houses. The sky had begun to brighten as he gently laid the girl on the nearest bed. No one was around so he pulled off his sodden cloak and poured some fresh water into a small bowl. He laid a damp cloth across the strangers fore head then began to gently wipe away the blood.

Obviously, this girl had been caught in the storm and, with great difficulty, Colas managed to change her into a clean, dry white silk gown. He noticed that around her neck, she bore a necklace. It was a small dried and hardened leaf, with the inscription of ‘L.B.L.N’ and underneath that, ‘H.O.L’. this confused Colas, he had never seen anything like this before. He would have to tell his father.

Though he didn’t want to leave the girl in case she woke up, Colas left the healing houses and made his way to his parents’ room. He didn’t bother to knock on the wooden door, he just walked in.

‘Father?’ Colas whispered softly. ‘Mother, Father, I want to talk to you.’ His parents stirred in their sleep, opened their eyes and sat up, yawning.

‘What is it, Colas?’ Lómadia asked sleepily.

‘I was on watch, and a girl turned up on a black stallion. She is unconscious.’

‘Did you sense evil?’ This was first thing king Legolas always asked when some one turned up unexpectedly.

‘No, quite the opposite. However, she wears a strange pendant about her neck. It is a dried leaf, with the letters of L.B.L.N H.O.L imprinted on it.’ Cols resisted looking at the ceiling. ‘I know nothing about her. She doesn’t seem to be an elf.’

‘Ok, son.’ Colas’ father said, wrapping his arms around Lómadia’s waist. ‘Look after her. When she awakes and regains her strength, bring her to us.’ Colas nodded and left the room, returning to the healing houses.

* * * * *

Colas watched as the girl slept peacefully. The sun rose higher and higher as the city began to come alive. The only trace left of last nights storm was the puddles dotted around the city. Colas had already asked the healers to leave him alone with the girl, he wanted to be there when she woke up.

Although he didn’t know who she was, he felt it his duty to look after her. As the day drew on, the girl began to stir, Colas jumped to his feet and laid a hand on her forehead. Her breathing grew rapider and her eyes fluttered open, to reveal the dark brown of her race.

‘Good morning.’ Colas smiled. Though this soon disappeared as the girl scrambled backwards, fear in her eyes. ‘Hey, it’s ok. There’s no need to be scared. What’s your name?’

‘Who…who are you?’ she stammered, hugging her knees to her chin. ‘Where am I?’

‘My name is Colas, and you are in Mirkwood, or maybe you know it as Green Wood?’

‘Mirkwood? You’re a wood elf?’

‘Yes’ Colas was confused, surely she had heard of wood elves? ‘And who are you?’

‘Wood elf? Elves of the forest?’ The stranger ignored Colas’ question for the second time.

‘Yes, that is correct, I ask again, what is your name?’

‘Lissi, sir.’

‘Lissi. That’s a very pretty name.’ Colas slowly lowered himself onto the edge of her bed. ‘Be not afraid. I am here to help you.’

‘You? Help me? You’re a friend of my race?’ Colas was even more confused by this.

‘I am a friend of all. My mother and father taught me not to judge before I know some one.’

‘Even to the Peredur's? Grey Mountain Tribe?’ Colas thought this girl must have been hit on the head, he had never heard of that race before. ‘I know not of whom you speak.’ Lissi seemed not to hear him, instead she tried to stand, but her head spun, causing her to wince. ‘Please, Lissi, regain your strength before trying to walk.’

‘How did I get here?’ Lissi avoided Colas’ eyes and stared at her knees.

‘Your horse brought you. That is all I know.’ Colas watched Lissi carefully, as her head shot up and a look of concentration spread across her face. ‘Where have you come from?’

‘There.’ Lissi vaguely waved a hand in a northward direction. ‘The city of Isle-Garr, realm of the Lord Crane. I remember…’ Her voice drifted off as memories of last nights chase flooded into her mind.

‘What do you remember?’

‘Wargs…no, nothing else.’ Lissi shook her head violently. ‘Please, sir. I don’t want to go back, I hate it, I hate them. Please don’t make me go back there.’ For the first time, Lissi gazed straight into Colas’ eyes, a pleading look shone on her face.

‘No, I wont make you go back, not if you don’t want to. As long as my father agrees, then you can stay for however long you want.’

‘Yes!’ Lissi smiled widely and flung her arms around Colas. Which surprised him, he wasn’t used to being hugged by strangers. ‘Thank-you so much. I knew this place existed.’

‘My father wishes to see you, do you want me to go and get him, or do you think you are fit enough to walk?’ again, Lissi tried to stand up, but her legs were too weak, so Colas fetched his parents from their room, and took them to Lissi’s room in the healing houses. ‘Mother, father, this is Lissi.’

‘Welcome to Mirkwood.’ Legolas and Lómadia said in unison. ‘Lissi’ Legolas continued ‘I understand you may be tired, but we have to know, where are you from?’

‘I am from the grey mountains, the region of Cenvan. I am a Peredur.’

‘There is no such race.’ The king said quietly. ‘I think you must have banged your head.’

‘No. there is. They are not nice people. But, please sir, I’m not like them, I don’t like them. I was the only one who believed in Mirkwood, everyone said it was just a make believe place, and that it was awful and the people were unkind. But I knew differently. From what I have seen through the window, this city is a paradise that people only see in their dreams. My home is hell compared to this.’

‘King Legolas listened intently, ‘You come from a place with evil people. My wife, son and I normally sense if someone is our enemy. But we feel nothing from you. You may stay, and when you feel better, I would like you to tell me everything about your home.’ Lissi nodded as Legolas and Lómadia left the room, leaving Colas and Lissi alone.

‘What do the letters mean on your necklace?’ Colas asked after a moment of silence.

‘Erm……L.B.L.N stand for, Lissi, Blue Light of the North. It’s a long story, and my own secret.’ Lissi gave Colas a long hard look, which stopped him from asking what the H.O.L stood.

‘Right. Oh, before I forget, your horse is being looked after at the stables. He’s a lovely colour.’

‘Phira? Yes he is and thank-you sir. For everything you have done.’ Lissi smiled and took the medicine the healers had brought for her.

‘It’s part of my job, and please, call me Colas. When you are feeling better, shall I take you to the stables? And show around the city?’

‘Yes. Erm……’ Lissi looked around her. ‘Do you have any spare clothes?’

‘Oh, yes.’ Colas smiled widely, showing sparkling white teeth. ‘There should be some….ah, here you are.’ He found a long sky blue dress in the cupboard, and then laid it on the bed for Lissi. ‘I’ll just wait outside.’

‘Great, thanks.’ Lissi quickly changed into the dress, desperate to see Phira. It was a perfect fit; tight around her shoulders, chest and waist, then it fell lightly to the floor in waves for blue silk. There were shoes, but Lissi only wore shoes when she was taking long journeys. She stood in front of the mirror and gently eased out the knots in her long, pure black hair. After that she went to see Colas outside. ‘What do you think?’ She asked, soothing out the dress.

‘Wow….’ Colas felt his heart skip a beat as he looked the female before him up and down. ‘You look incredible.’

‘I look like an actual Peredur maiden. I normally wear leggings and a tunic.’ Lissi explained looking at her feet.

‘Didn’t the shoes fit?’ Colas noticed her bear feet under the hem of her dress.

‘That’s another thing about me; I only wear shoes if I’m travelling a long way.’

‘Right.’ Colas then led her down to the stables, where the stable hands were grooming his sister’s, Mydia’s, horse Hecate. ‘We have many horses here. Mydia’s, that’s my sister, is the head mare. That chestnut one.’ Colas pointed a long finger to the horse being groomed. She had long sturdy legs and a strong back.

‘She’s lovely. Where is Phira? My stallion?’ Lissi asked, looking around her hopefully.

‘He should be down here…’ He walked forward to the end of the row of stables. ‘Yes, there he is, next to mine.’

Lissi walked over to Phira, who immediately stretched his neck forward, begging to be ridden. She gently rubbed his nose and kissed it. Colas stood by the next stable, watching her intently, while his horse knocked him on the shoulder, not wanting to be ignored.

‘Shall we go for a ride?’ Colas asked unbolting Phira’s door.

‘Yes. You can show me around.’ Lissi beamed and led Phira out into the aisle. Colas did the same with his grey stallion, Vesur. After taking Phira’s saddle off, Lissi took hold of his mane and pulled herself onto his back. She dug her toes into his warm thick fur.

Colas led her out of the stables and into the forest. The only sound came from the wind in the trees and the horse’s hooves against the wet ground from last nights storm. They didn’t do too far away from the city as the forest can be very dangerous. Colas could feel strangeness around Lissi that he had never felt before, he longing to know more about her. Where she came from, why she spoke of a race that didn’t exist and why she wore that hideous leaf around her neck. By the time they were heading back to the city, he had gathered together all his courage.

‘Lissi, where do you come from?’ Phira stopped dead; she shot her head round and looked into Colas’s bright blue eyes.

‘Travel two days north, prince Colas and you will find out.’ A cheeky grin spread across Lissi’s face and she laughed.

That sound, Colas thought, was like music to his ears. Already he began to feel things for this other being. ‘You can at least tell me what you are. If you’re an elf, surely you would have the natural pointed ears?’ he gazed at Lissi’s perfect round ears. Not a single point in sight.

‘All I’ll tell you is that I’m a fully trained warrior.’ Lissi whipped out a long knife that was concealed underneath Phira’s long mane, and spun it between her fingers. ‘So don’t mess with me or upset me, PRINCE Colas.’

‘Well, warrior Lissi, I just happen to be the best swordsman that has ever lived in this forest.’ Colas teased playfully. Lissi said nothing to this, just gave him an impressed smile.

The sun shone brightly over the forest of Mirkwood as the elven prince and female warrior re-entered the city. After seeing to the horses, Lissi returned to the healing houses to find her clothes laid out on her bed. Washed, dry and mended. She quickly changed into these, and then went to meet Colas, for a very late lunch.

While they ate fruit and bread, the two sat on a bench in the kings rose garden. Lissi could feel Colas’ eyes on her as she bit into a ripe, red juicy apple. Normally, she felt uncomfortable and self conscious, but around this elf, that feeling wasn’t there. She had only known him for a few hours and already, she began to feel at home, and she wasn’t scared anymore. The voice of Colas jolted her from her thoughts of home.

‘I hardly know you Lissi, but I want to show you something. My special place. Can I take you there after lunch?’

‘I would like that.’ Lissi smiled and quickly finished eating. Colas lead her out of the city again, through the trees, until they cam to a clearing, thickly surrounded by oak trees. A small stream passed through the far side of the clearing. There were a few rocks around, Lissi sat on one of them and hunched her shoulders, wincing in pain.

‘Do you shoulders hurt?’ Colas said, a concerned look on his face. He saw Lissi nod her head and walked over to her. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he began to massage them gently. He felt Lissi’s muscles relax underneath his fingers. She sighed and rolled her head, so her right ear was lightly leaning against Colas’ hand. He smiled to himself and looked down at the tanned skin of her neck. Immediately, he released her and stood backed, and gasped.

‘What is it?’ Lissi asked, turning to look at him, a puzzled look on her face.

‘Your neck.’ Colas said quietly. He stepped forward and placed a finger on her neck, just above the chain of her necklace. The skin around the chain was bright red, like blood. It looked so sore to his eyes. ‘Doesn’t that hurt?’

‘No’ Lissi said simply, watching Colas’ eyes flicker across her neck.

‘But, it looks so sore and tender.’

‘All Peredur's have it. We’re born with it.’

‘Peredur’s?’ Colas questioned, stepping back once again.

‘Yes, my race. We were once elve’s you know.’ Lissi explained, pulling Colas to sit next to her, which he did. ‘Some of the older generation call us Grey Mountain elves.’

‘Tell me more. I want to know everything about you. Why do you wear that necklace?’

‘My necklace identifies me from everyone else. We all have one. These letters,’ Lissi pulled out the leaf and pointed to the L.B.L.N. ‘They stand for, Lissi Blue Light of the North, as you know. They say I was born on a blue moon, to the north of my city. That’s why I was given that title. Anyway, you see this symbol?’ Lissi then pointed to the tip of the leaf. There was a small symbol that Colas hadn’t seen before. One vertical line, with two horizontal lines passing through it:

Colas nodded, taking the leaf in his hand. He looked closely at it, Lissi could feel his warm steady breath against her neck, which made her spine tingle. ‘That’s the symbol for my tribe. My race is complicated, and it will take a long to explain in detail. But I will tell you one day, when neither of us has anything better to do.’