Part One, Part Two, Part Three

Part Two

The next day dawned, the sun rose and cast a bright ray of light over the city of Mirkwood. Colas sat alone, in the middle of the rose garden. The ground had completely dried since the other nights storm, the grass beneath him was warm and soft. He sat in silence through lunch and into the afternoon.

After she had eaten some lunch, Lissi went in search of Colas. The rose garden was the last place she looked. Slowly, she crept up behind the prince, keeping low and trying not to make a sound. When she was behind him, she knelt down and suddenly shot out her hands and attacked his sides with her fingers. At the shock, Colas let out quite a girly scream and shot up.

‘Hell Lissi, don’t do that!’ Colas said loudly, holding a hand to his heart, breathing deeply and lowering himself back onto the ground. ‘You scared me.’

Lissi laughed, ‘Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

‘Oh, you’re evil!’ Colas looked into her deep brown eyes, that seemed to shine with a light that could not be explained.

‘Yes, Harthiens are evil, in actions, but not at heart. Well, I’m not.’

‘Harthien?’

‘Do you have an afternoon free?’ Lissi asked, sitting down on the grass. Colas nodded and explained that he had already been on watch that day. ‘My home is in the Grey Mountains, by the Withered Heath. The region is called Cenvan, it is situated at the roots of Mount Garm. It’s spilt into three different cities, so three different tribes. There’s the Haramir’s of the city, Pil-Garth, Hynduil’s of Isp-Len and Harthiens of Isil-Garr. Isil-Garr is the largest of the three and that’s where I was born.’ Colas listened intently as Lissi explained how she used to spend her days pretend fighting with the other young Peredur’s and riding Phira across the Withered Heath. ‘Phira used to always slow down when we got to the stream. I don’t know why, I think he just got bored.’

‘It sounds nice.’ Colas said after taking all this in. by this time, the sun was beginning to go down and supper up at the king’s hall would already have begun. ‘We’ve missed dinner, are you hungry?’

‘No actually. Sorry if I made you miss a meal with your family.’

‘Nah, it doesn’t matter. Anyway, I liked hearing about your home. I haven’t heard of your race before, neither has any of my friends or family.’

‘I would like to meet your sister one day, and your friends, seeing as I have none of my own.’ Lissi pulled off a blade of grass and twisted it in her fingers.

‘I’m your friend.’ Lissi raised her eyebrows questioningly at Colas. ‘Why do you think I have spent so much time with you? I did look after you, and I like your company.’

‘Thank-you, Colas, for being so nice to me. I hope you don’t mind me being here. I can always be by myself if you want to be with your friends.’

‘I can find time for them. Right now, I’m going to help you settle in here before I go off leaving you by yourself.’ Colas stood up and held out a hand to help Lissi to her feet. ‘Anyway, you said you wanted to meet my friends, so I’ll take you to them.’ He led to a different garden, one shaded by tall trees. There wasn’t much there, except for the odd bench. Sitting on these benches were a total of five elves. All talking amongst themselves. ‘Hi everyone. This is Lissi, from the Grey Mountains.’

‘Evening, Lissi.’ Said a long faced elf. ‘I’m Nathe, Colas’ best friend.’ He introduced himself. Then a tall black haired elf stood forward and smiled.

‘I’m Todia. Colas’ mothers’ friend. Pleased to meet you.’

Colas put his arm around a smaller elf with fair hair and green eyes. ‘This is my sister, Mydia.’ Mydia smiled timidly then turned away and walked off. ‘She’s very shy.’ Colas explained, ‘Oh, and that’s Aen over there with Todia, that’s fathers best friend. That elf over there, he turns up sometimes but doesn’t talk much.’ At that moment, the elf stood up and walked away.

‘So how’s the prince doing today?’ Nathe asked, smiling.

‘Fine. Hey, we haven’t been hunting in ages. How about it?’

‘Yes, sounds great. Do you want to come Lissi?’ Nathe asked picking up his bow.

‘No thank-you. I may be a Harthien warrior, but I’m a vegetarian and an animal lover.’

‘Oh, ok…’ Colas said slowly. ‘In that case, shall we go some other time? Anyway it’s getting dark and late.’

‘Ok, I’d better get back to the wife anyway.’ Nathe walked away slowly, whistling. Shortly after, Todia and Aen left, so Colas and Lissi were alone again. There was a long uncomfortable silence, that seemed to reverberate around the garden. A chill fell over the city as the moon crept higher and the stars began to appear. Lissi shivered.

‘Your cold. Do you want to do inside?’ Colas asked.

‘Ok, I’m quite tired anyway, I might just head home and, you know, sleep.’ Lissi yawned widely and stood up, stretching her arms above her head.

‘I’ll walk you there.’ They walked side by side to Lissi’s room in the healing houses. Where they stopped outside her room and stood in silence, looking into each others eyes. ‘So….I’ll see you tomorrow?’ Colas asked.

‘Of course, you can’t get away from me that easily.’ A puzzled look spread across Colas’ face. ‘What?’

‘I never released how dark your eyes are.’ He cupped her cheek in his hand and gently rubbed his thumb against her soft skin. After a moment’s hesitation, Lissi laid her hand over his, closed her eyes, and leaned into his touch. Suddenly, she felt Colas’ warm soft lips against her forehead. ‘Goodnight, Lirimaer .’ With that, Colas walked back down the corridor, leaving Lissi alone.

* * * * *

The next morning, Lissi was woken by a soft knock at her door. She groaned and wrapped her sheet around herself. Yawning she yanked the door open, to a fully awake and happy prince.

‘Good morn….Oh sorry, did I wake you?’ Colas apologised as he walked in the room.

‘Yes, it doesn’t matter. Its time I should get up anyway.’

‘Father wants to talk to you. He needs to know everything about your race.’ To this, Lissi groaned loudly and flopped back down on her bed. ‘I’m sorry Lissi, but we need to know if they are friend or enemy.’

‘If you knew then I wouldn’t be aloud to stay here.’

‘You will.’ Colas sat down next to her and laid a hand on her knee. ‘I’ll make sure of it.’

‘Do you promise?’ Colas nodded. ‘Alright, I’ll just get dressed then I’ll go and see the king.’

* * * * *

Outside the kings hall, Lissi stood, fear in her eyes and butterflies in her stomach.

‘Go on,’ Colas gently pushed her forward as she knocked on the wooden door. ‘I’m right behind you.’ The two then walked into the hall.

King Legolas sat cross-legged on the floor, his queen Lomadia, knelt beside him. They were having a deep conversation. ‘Father,’ Colas said brightly. ‘Lissi is ready to tell you now.’

‘Ah, yes.’ Legolas beamed.

‘It’s a long story,’ Lissi said quietly and timidly. ‘May I sit down?’

‘Of course Lissi.’ Legolas motioned for her to sit before him, which she did. ‘Now, take your time, what ever your race is like I will hold nothing against you.’

‘My region, Cenvan, is situated below Mount Garm of the Grey Mountains. We are split up into three tribes.’ As Lissi told the king what she had told Colas the day before, Legolas’s stunning blue eyes bore into her. ‘I want to make it clear, that I don’t like what I am or who I am. I follow none of their rules or beliefs. I hate them that’s why I came here.’ Lissi paused for a second and realised Colas had sat down next to her, and was looking at her curiously. ‘When I was young, I was told how my race originated. The story goes, during the time of the war of the ring, when king Elessar claimed the throne of Gondor, a group of woodelves, believed to be dead headed for the grey mountains. Here, they began a new powerful race. The Grey Mountain Elves, or Peredur’s, grew and grew, and when the time is right, they will launch an assault on Middle-Earth, in honour of the dark lord Sauron.’ To this news, Legolas’ eyes blazed with fury and deceit.

‘So that’s where Lady Galadriel’s people disappeared to.’ The king said thoughtfully. ‘Sorry, Lissi, carry on.’

This pendant,’ Lissi took out her necklace and showed it to the king sitting before her. ‘ Is the only thing still binding me to them. Believe me, I would rip this thing from my neck, only, the chain creates a red mark on my neck. If I took it off, the Peredur’s will know, and the red mark will quickly get deep and deeper. Until my throat is cut.’ Everyone in the hall gasped and stared at Lissi. ‘Please, sir.’ Lissi’s eyes slowly filled with tears. ‘I don’t want to die, I don’t want to be part of them.’ Silent beads of water ran down her cheeks, which she quickly brushed away. She saw a look of shock on the king’s face and chocked back her tears. ‘I’m sorry, don’t send me to the chamber, I cant help the way I feel.’

‘Chamber? Why?’ A confused look flickered across Legolas’ face.

‘The punishment for tears. A week in the chamber.’

‘Well, maybe it is for you back home, but here it’s not.’ Legolas gently laid a hand on Lissi’s knee, smiling at her kindly. ‘I’m afraid I’m going to have to write down everything you have told me, and once the other regions and races have been informed, we will have to take action.’ Lissi nodded and let her tears come forward. ‘Don’t worry, I can tell that you don’t follow your race and you disapprove of them. I want you to stay here, if anything, we will need your help in this.’

‘I’ll do anything.’ Lissi chocked through tears. Colas wrapped a comforting arm around her. ‘Thank-you sir. I can’t say how grateful I am to you and your people.’

‘You don’t have to Lissi. Lomadia,’ the king turned to his wife. ‘Will you send a messenger to Rivendell, Hobbiton, Minas Tirith and Lothlorien? Colas, look after Lissi, and I want to see both of you at the feast tonight.’ Colas nodded and led Lissi out of the room. He took her to his room, and there, he comforted her.

‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ Holding her tightly, Colas gently rubbed her back.

‘Nobody is supposed to know.’

‘What do the letters H.O.L stand for on your necklace?’ Colas asked the question he had been dying to ask, ever since she had woken up after her arrival.

‘It’s the name of the necklace, the…erm…Hold Of Life. I don’t know what it means. I guess it’s called that because it’s what keeps us alive.’ Lissi fingered the leaf as she spoke. ‘I’m so tempted to just rip it off.’ Her voice was full of disgust and hatred. ‘I know it will kill me. You know I said that it doesn’t hurt?’

‘Yes?’ Colas gently ran a finger along the red mark of her neck.

‘Well, it does. But I’m so used to it that I don’t realise it hurts.’ Lissi pulled away from Colas’ arms and wiped her eyes.

‘There’s something you didn’t mention earlier. Is your race immortal?’

‘No, but the average life span is 1400 years. I’ve got a long way to go, I’m only 356. how old are you?’

‘1’401. I think, I don’t really keep count. Do you want some lunch?’ Colas asked, suddenly realising that it was afternoon and he was quite hungry.

‘No thanks, I’m not hungry.’

‘Are you ok? You’ve hardly eaten a thing.’

‘I don’t eat much.’ Lissi said, turning to look out of the window over the trees of Mirkwood. ‘But you go and get something if you want.’

‘Nah, I’ve got some snacks in my wardrobe.’ Colas walked to the full-length cupboard and pulled out an apple and some fresh bread. Then he walked back to his bed, sat down and crossed his legs. ‘So, will you come to the feast with me tonight?’

‘Yeah, ok. And I’ll wear a dress specially for you, prince Colas.’ Lissi teased.

‘I don’t see why you don’t wear a dress more often, you look amazing in them.’ Colas looked Lissi up and down in her green leggings and tunic.

‘There’s nowhere to keep my knife, I prefer having it with me at all times.’ She could feel Colas’ bright blue eyes watching her as she twisted her fingers in her long black hair. She hesitated for a moment, then returned his gaze and smiled. This smile made Colas’ legs feel weak and his heart race. He’d never felt this before, just by looking at someone.

* * * * *

When Lissi returned to her room, she found a lovely, violet satin dress laid out for her. After a moments pause, she quickly changed into it. It was, once again, a perfect fit. It had no straps and was tight around her chest and stomach then it fell lightly to the floor, in waves of elven satin. This was the only dress Lissi had ever worn that she actually liked. She spent along time deciding what to do with her hair, in the end, she kept it down. After a while, there came a soft knock at her door, she opened it cautiously.

‘Good evening, Lissi.’ Colas stood in a silver tunic and leggings, holding out a single red rose.

‘Thank-you Colas.’ The smile on Lissi’s face stretched from ear to ear, well, nearly. She took the rose and balanced it behind her ear. ‘It’s beautiful.’

‘Not nearly as beautiful as you.’ Lissi’s smiled faded slightly and her cheeks burned. ‘Come, on.’ Colas led her to the king’s hall, where many elves sat at a long table, King Legolas and queen Lomadia at the head. There were only two seats left, next to each other, by the king. Colas sat next to his father, opposite his sister, Mydia. Lissi sat on his other side, next to Todia. On the table, the food had already been set out, plenty of meat, fruit and bread for everyone.

After the meal, the music and dancing began outside in the courtyard. By that time, the sun had gone down and the moon and stars had appeared. Couples danced by the moonlight, even Colas and Lissi danced together. While they did, Colas held her tight, and she did the same. He lost himself in Lissi’s dark brown eyes as they moved to the music. Using his elven power, he searched her soul, and found a sadness there. A sadness that Colas wanted to heal her of, he just wanted her to be happy.

‘Are you ok?’ Colas asked when the light in Lissi’s eyes disappeared.

‘Yes. My neck just started hurting, it’s never done that before.’ A puzzled look spread across her face. Colas hugged her tightly, then gently pressed his lips to the red mark on her neck. His soft lips barely touched her skin, and the contact sent a chill down Lissi’s spine. She closed her eyes and rubbed his back while he rained kisses across her neck.

Legolas watched his son closely from the side of the courtyard, fury flickered in his eyes. He knew that Colas was falling for this girl, but he sensed that something terrible would happen if these two got together. He didn’t fully trust Lissi and he was cautious about letting her stay. Even though he didn’t know whether her story was true or not, he had to investigate it, and he had to warn his son.

‘Hey, princey guy!’ Nathe walked over to Colas and Lissi.

‘Shut up, Nathe.’ Colas said realising Lissi.

‘The king wants to see you.’ Colas sighed and turned to Lissi.

‘I won’t be long.’ He then walked away through the dancing partners. Lissi and Nathe fell into a deep conversation.

* * * * *

‘Will this take long, father?’ Colas asked drawing level with the King.

‘I know you want to get back to Lissi. I feel this is very important. Son,’ Legolas laid a hand on Colas’ shoulder and looked into his eyes. ‘I know your falling for the Peredur girl.’

‘This isn’t important.’

‘Yes, it is. There’s a strangeness around her, something’s not right, I can sense it.’

‘I sense nothing.’ Colas admitted.

‘I have picked up different senses from your mother. I have to ask you, for your protection, and for ours, don’t fall in love with Lissi. Not until we know the danger that may face us.’

‘I’ll try father.’ Colas walked away from his father, a fury building up inside him. ‘how dare he tell me what to do.’ He thought to himself as he returned to Lissi.

‘Everything ok?’ She asked, taking his hand in hers.

‘Yes fine. He was just reminding me that I have to search the borders of the forest tomorrow.’ They began to dance again. ‘Fancy coming with me?’

‘Erm…. I don’t know.’ Lissi looked around suspiciously.

‘Oh, come on. It’ll be great.’

‘Ok, but only if I can take Phira.’

‘Of course.’ Again, Colas hugged her to him, a broad smile on his lips. ‘Follow me, we’ll find somewhere quiet to go.’ He led her away from the courtyard and up the hill that the city surrounded. At the top, they sat together, looking out over the trees, and the distant city of Esgaroth and Lake-Town. ‘Does everyone in your race have those gorgeous brown eyes?’ He asked after a moments pause.

‘No, the colour of my tribe is grey, and their hair is red. Mine are brown because I don’t follow the rules and I believe in other beings.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Back in Isil-Garr, people know about Mirkwood and the wood elves. About the Shire and Hobbits, Moria and Dwarves, orcs, Mordor, Gondor, Wizards, men. All these things, the Peredur's know about, but the don’t believe it. It’s just stories to them, I was the only one that really believed in you and this forest.’

‘So when you left, how did you know that we would be here?’ Colas wrapping his arm around her waist.

‘I sensed it. I sensed your peoples.’ Lissi whispered above the wind. ‘I have powers that none of my people have. I have excellent hearing and sight, I'm much more like an elf then an Peredur.’

‘Sounds like that. Except elves have blue eyes and long blonde hair. Yours is blacker then black.’

‘I know,’ Lissi sighed and took the rose from behind her ear. ‘I was completely different from the other Harthiens. Haramirs have hazel eyes and their hair is brown, Hynduils have Grey eyes but brown hair. I’m entirely different from all of them.’

‘I bet your personality and attitude is better then theirs too.’ Colas gently twisted her hair in between his fingers.

‘Yes, for a start I believed their stories, I didn’t believe in their way of life or rules. But in fighting, I’m exactly the same as them. Any excuse to fight and I’ll take it, just like the others. Many called me warrior of Garr.’

‘You must be really good, do you have a sword?’

‘I left home with nothing but my knife and Phira.’ Lissi let her head drop onto Colas’ shoulder.

‘You can borrow one of mine.’ As Colas said this, Lissi yawned massively. ‘Do you want to go home?’

‘Erm….yes.’ Colas took hold of Lissi’s hand and led her back to her room, kissed her cheek lightly and left her alone.

* * * * *

As the room of Lord Creane grew darker, a figure approached. Tall, Grey-eyed and hooded in black velvet. The room grew cold and seemed deadly. Lord Creane drew to a halt, a long knife balanced in his hand. His lips moved, but the words come out late. ‘Follow the laws, or face the punishment of death.’ A hand outstretched to her neck and wrapped around her throat. ‘Blue light of the north, obey my rules.’ She shook her head, her face full of determination. ‘Then, I have no choice, good-bye, warrior of Garr.’ The hand pulled the necklace from the neck and she struggled for air. The room faded, until the black night consumed her.

* * * * *

Lissi woke with a start, drenched in cold sweat, tears pouring down her cheeks. The deadly silence of the night beat at her like a drum. It scared her to death, being alone made it worse. Quickly, she climbed out of bed and made her way to Colas’ room. The only light came from the moon, which cast a silver light on the forest. When she reached his door, she knocked urgently. Frightened tears still poured down her face, and she began to feel the coldness around her.

After a few moments, Colas opened the door slowly, yawning. When he realised who it was, he woke up completely. He saw the tears in her eyes and felt like crying himself. Without saying anything, he pulled inside and locked the door. ‘Lissi? What’s wrong?’ He picked up his cloak and wrapped it around his body, he was only wearing shorts.

‘I’m sorry. I had a bad dream, I get so scared when I’m alone.’ Lissi chocked through tears.

‘Hey, it’s ok. Come here.’ Colas wrapped his arms around Lissi and let her cry on his shoulder. After a few minutes, he felt her shivering, she was only wearing a skimpy silk gown. He parted his cloak and wrapped it around her, so her body was pressed against his. As the heat from him passed into Lissi, her tears subsided. ‘Do you think you could sleep again?’ she shrugged, wiping her eyes. ‘Would you be able to sleep if I was with you?’

‘Probably.’ She murmured, pulling away from Colas’ cloak.

‘Come, on then. Lets get some sleep.’ Colas pulled Lissi onto her bed, covered her in the blankets, then climbed in next to her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, gently kissed her shoulder, then closed his eyes and whispered. ‘don’t be scared, I’ll keep you safe, I promise.’ With that, they both fell into a deep sleep.