Faorie had been lost in thought, standing bare foot in the pond of the swan fountain in Caras Galadhon. The evening stars had become visible and the gentle crackle of leaves rolling along the roads almost left Faorie unaware that an elf had come and stood behind her.
She turned to find an ellon wearing golden armour from head to toe. His body faced Faorie's, which didn't seem to noticeably move.
Faorie turned around to face him and she lightly smiled, bowing her head in a polite greeting to the elf.
"Suilad," she says, "I have seen you about the woods of the hidden valley, and now of the Golden Wood."
The elf spoke calmly. "Elen sila lumenn omentilevo. Greeting, and yes I have been on a long journey." His voice was notably deep. "Lord Elrond sends all his warriors to bring aid to the valley of Imladris."
"From what I see of your armour, you appear well prepared for such a journey."
The elf removed his helm, exposing his dark braided hair. He placed it down beside his feet and stood up straight. "Indeed."
Faorie took her first steps out of the pond and made her way to a small stone ledge where she had placed her boots. She slipped one boot on, ankles dripping, followed by the next. After adjusting her feet, she turned back to face the elf.
"It is the same armour I used in the last war against the Dark Lord," the elf said.
While adjusting her boot straps around her legs, Faorie replied, "Your arms and protection are well recognised, no doubt."
The elf watched her. "It has seen much use, but the craft still keeps the mail links in its place."
Faorie smiled at his words.
Then the elf said to Faorie's surprise, "You have the look of a Noldor."
Faorie pulled on the last strap of her boot as she looked up quickly. A long second past before she smiled and stood up. "Ah, do I now? You are mistaken, for I am no more than a few hundred years." She couldn't help but to chuckle.
The elf's expression was calm as he spoke. "That may be, but your hair is dark."
"As is yours," Faorie responded after a silent moment. She relaxed herself, forgetting about her wet ankles.
"You cannot be a Sindar."
Assuming he was studying her, Faorie began to study the elf curiously.
He continued, "Where do you hail from, if I may ask?"
"The grounds you walk on at this moment hold the memories of my youth, randir. I hail from here, in Caras Galadhon. And if I may ask in return, from where do you hail?"
"Indeed? It is strange for one of the Teleri clan to have dark hair. You must be of Noldor descent even if you don't remember."
Faorie blinked.
"I am Anarwe Herumacil of Rivendell."
"A pleasure to meet you Anarwe. I am Faorie Liamna, it pleases me to finally meet you formally." Faorie bowed her head in another polite greeting.
Anarwe kneeled before Faorie, surprising her for as long as it took for his to stand back up on his feet. "The pleasure is all mine," he said in a friendly tone. "It is not often I find such a fine warrior in my journeys. I had some problems finding my way inside this kingdom of Lord Celeborn."
"Your words greatly flatter! I share the same thought. It is not often that I also meet warriors travelling through this city that do not hail from it." Faorie placed her hand to her cheek. "And you are not the first to say such a thing about the roads of Caras Galadhon." Faorie laughed to herself, knowing that it certainly wouldn't be the last. "Many seem to struggle finding their way about this city."
"Indeed, the moment I reached the elven gates a Galadhrim scout told me to go back or face his wrath." Anarwe seemed unbothered, and spoke casually. "So I spent a great deal of time with Haldir and his brothers at the camps nearby. After a while, they agreed to let me pass into the Woodland Realm."
"Surely you had to prove yourself anything but a threat to them. Many have come long distances to enter this great city only to be turned away and never return."
Anarwe nodded in agreement.
"It is a bit of a shame that. These roads are filled with beauty and wonder..."
Anarwe's face showed hint of thought. "I must agree. Though Noldorin pride would say otherwise, this kingdom is indeed without equal."
Faorie turned towards the fountain, smiling gently. "Anarwe, you say you are of Rivendell?"
"Yes," he nodded, "I hail from the hidden valley of Imladris; though it was not my home until recent years."
"You say that it was not your home?" Faorie considers this.
"Indeed, as fate would have it I had to travel a great many years before I found a refuge in the house of Lord Elrond."
Faorie reached to her backside and pulled out gauntlets that were tied to her belt. She pulled them over her arms as she continued to focus on Anarwe.
"I awakened in 1050," he began, "the years of the trees as the elder called them... near the banks of Cuivienyarna, or Cuivienenn in Sindarin. There was no sun or moon, only a night sky filled with stars."
Faorie looked over his shoulder beyond the distant hanging canopies to see proof of a slowly rising moon.
Anarwe did not follow her gaze, instead looking to his side at the gently flowing waters of the pond. "The stars had a life of their own as they shined into the great like. The great hunter called us the Eldar."
Faorie looked at Anarwe, expressing confusion though she was not.
Anarwe noticed her reaction and attempted to clarify. "Children of the stars, yes? Because we fell in love with their glow..." His voice became quieter.
"You came before the Noldor," Faorie said softly, "I had only met a single Noldor throughout my travels and he has long since left this world. I had not imagined that I would come across an Eldar, much less one who still travels far." She smiled at herself. Faorie held her palms together and bowed her head respectfully towards Anarwe. "Now I am certain that this is a pleasure to meet you."
Anarwe smiled. "The pleasure is mine."
"But forgive me, I did not mean to interrupt. Please, continue."
