Suilad

[Silmevana Iriel]

She sat in the tall, soft grass and listened to a gently babbling body of water nearby as she gathered her thoughts. She, Silmevana, had now journeyed out of all familiar territory and was in a new land and felt new life within the fresh air she filled her lungs with. The long, deep red curls that cascaded down her back caught the wind and fluttered all about her, then died with the wind and arranged themselves around her slightly rounded shoulders. Her bright blue eyes pierced through the grouping of trees ahead of her and saw nothing but more trees. To a passer-by she may have looked like the vision of a fair ghost. Her creamy white skin picked up the hint of chill in the air, though she doubted the chill would stay for any longer than that night. She thought then for a fleeting instant of her parents-but no, she rejected the thoughts. To dwell on the past is to push the dagger into one's heart further...think only of the good. And yet she was still here alone. A strong gust of wind pushed its way through the heavy material of her midnight blue cloak, which normally shielded her from everything. The long, flowing dress she wore beneath the cloak was of the same color but held silver stars in the skirt and a soft, twisted silver rope about the waist that gave off a soft glow. Her lips, now slightly more reddened by the chill (though they always gave that appearance) moved as if to speak some word to the wind but then stopped as she thought she heard some voices carried on the wind. The longing in her heart stirred her. More than anything she wished for someone who she thought must still be in her homeland, but he was not here. He meant much to her and yet she had not been able to voice it before she left. She did not want to be alone, especially in this foreign country, however breathtaking it was. Now, finally she may meet those belonging to the faint voices generously brought to her on the wind. Perhaps they were of elven kind alike to her. She could only hope as she moved towards the water, still voicing its endless opinions, where she thought the voices were coming from. In her land she was thought of as the equivalent of a princess, but wished it not known here. Again the thought of her parents entered her mind and this time accompanying it with a thought of her sister. She shut the idea out as one may close a shutter on a snowy day. Though she wanted more than anything the person she had thought of earlier at her side, she could not bear to go over it again in her own lonely mind.

[Lady Livira]

The fair Lady Livira, queen of the realm of Tirtha 'Uren, had been taking a midafternoon stroll around the more quiet parts of the forests to ponder and to think to herself, to observe nature and to see the beauty of her lands. She walked barefoot across the soft summer soil, feeling the texture of the small clumps of dirt and fallen leaves of the fern plants around. As she walked, her long chocolate hair fluttered behind her in the breeze and her dark green dress made of velvet shimmered in the broken sunlight through the trees. She came to a part of the forests where the Ngalad river rushed through. Livira felt a sense of sorrow about these parts, and was very keen to the emotions floating about the air, for she was very receptive to her people and her lands.

Livira noticed an elf sitting alone in the grass a ways off, and immediately she knew that was the source of the strange feeling. It was a she-elf that Livira had never seen before. The woman was very lovely with her long crimson locks that flew with the wind. Livira walked up to her and stood still, looking down upon her.

"Suilad, I am Livira Istari, queen of Tirtha 'Uren. I assume you are new to my lands. As it may be so, I welcome you and I hope you feel most welcome during your stay." She smiled and then offered her hand to shake. Livira sat down on a tall log across from the elf and simply looked at her with her own deep blue eyes. Though Livira's rosy lips did not move, Silmevana, as she was called, could hear a quiet voice speaking to her in her head.

"My friend, do not fear, for you have found a place of quiet and peace. Whatever it is you seek, you may find it here if you search hard enough. I can sense your distress, and I assure you, you are most welcome here."

[Silmevana Iriel]

As Silmevana drifted to sleep a feeling began to slowly fill her and it seemed to move closer. Something in the air had changed...she almost felt as if the heart of the forest was moving closer. The unseen bond she had felt earlier was resounding in her heart much stronger now. Without even opening her eyes she soundlessly lifted herself from the ground. Now it was here. But she knew not what it was.

As she opened her eyes a soft voice came into her head and she knew where it came from. Turning she looked directly at a beautiful elf clad in velvet, with shining dark hair tumbling down her back. She was very queenly to look at and inside Silmevana knew at once she was the queen of this place. Though her lips moved not, her voice still came. She was accustomed to this, as her family had long taught her the powers of her own mind. The queen finished her invitation and waited. Silmevana drew the pause out a long while.

"I thank you for your most generous offer. These woods are vast and glorious and though I know I will end up in the heart of your kingdom, I would ask permission to come there by my own means. I have come from darkness and in this place of light my eyes are yet adjusting."

Still no real words had been spoken. She wondered if she had been too forward. But the queen responded ...

[Lady Livira]

Livira smiled warmly as the elf spoke to her. Then, she remembered that she had not formally asked her name. She was curious to know more of this elf, for she seemed quite amiable and apparently was very educated and gifted in the ways of the elves. "So, tell me, what is your name and where is it you come from? I wish to know more about you."

Livira sat and waited for the lady to reply. She hoped that the lady would feel welcome and perhaps would gain a friend in the queen. It was truly in Livira's nature to be like that- for she was friends with all of the people in her forests.

[Silmevana Iriel]

Suddenly unsure of herself (almost a new feeling to her) she shifted her weight uneasily.

"I am called Silmevana Iriel. I have come alone to these, your lands, with the only purpose of starting anew. The darkness of my past is yet strong in my memory and too painful for me to speak of at this time..."

Silmevana met the queen's gaze. She turned away as a tear dropped like dew from her cheek to the ground, ashamed to be so weak in the presence of the Lady.

"Must you know more details at this time, I will tell you. But I beg of you-"

She knelt before the Lady.

"Extend further your already unexpected and much too thoughtful generosity, and spare me the piercing arrow of speaking more on these matters at this time. Allow me to come through these woods on my own as part of my healing journey."

[Lady Livira]

Livira nodded. "Very well, Silmevana, I will not ask about your past, for I know that it troubles you so. Forgive me for my rude behavior, I should have been more sensitive to your feelings. But I shall not trouble you again. Come, I will show you around the forests, I will bring light back into your eyes and bring a smile upon your face. There is much awaiting to see you, Silmevana."

Livira continued, helping her up and began walking with her through the forests. "Come, I have many things to show you."

[Silmevana Iriel]

Moving silently through the forests, Silmevana walked along side Lady Livira, slightly behind so she could take in all the sights of the forest as the queen spoke on many things. The air was different in this place. Again the want for a companion arose in her. They were slowly winding through the tall, beautiful trees, heading towards some sort of developed area from what she could tell. There would most likely be many of her and the Lady's race there as well as others. Was she ready to become part of this again? She did not know.

Sounds had been floating through the air towards her for some 5 or so minutes now. They were the sounds of hustle and bustle, of old friends talking, of life carrying on and elvish music filtering through. Silmevana felt a sort of exhaustion come over her. She knew that once they arrived she would need. It had been some days since she had slept. Listening attentively to the queen she began to feel her burden lift a bit. The Lady slowed and then came to a stop. Extending her arm, she turned towards Silmevana

"Here we are"

[Lady Livira]

Livira began to show Silmevana the way around the forests, pointing ou the correct paths to take and the roads leading the quickest way. She first brought the lady to the main city, Caras Eithel, where there were many shops, markets, and inns for overnight travellers. It was a peaceful but bustling town where many elves, men, and people of all other races went around trading and meeting new people. The buildings were crafted of the finest woods and metals, showing off their ornate window frames, roofs, and doors carved in knotted elvish designs. Flowers and trees and ferns were planted all around the shops, giving a very warm and inviting feeling to the town.

Livira turned to Silmevana and spoke. "Ah, Caras Eithel, the main business center of Tirtha 'Uren. This is where many people interact with one another and carry out their shopping needs. There are all sorts of stores here--art galleries, flower shops, magical supply stores, anything you can imagine. Come, let me know what you wish to see, and I shall take you there. But first, I should introduce you to some of the residents here."

Livira walked over to a few elves sitting on a bench in the shade from a tree. "Silmevana, this is Elwood Lover, Teaguer Lourfsen, and Firaniae Genovium. They are three of my closet friends. Ladies, this is Silmevana, she is new to these lands."

[Silmevana Iriel]

Silmevana bowed before the three maidens. She listened as everyone spoke of the town and told a bit of who they are. Smiling, she tried her best to explain a few things about herself.

"I have come from a place where I no longer felt welcome...my family had made decisions that I did not agree with, and I came to the edges of this forest and met the very kind and hospitable Lady Livira."

[Silmevana Iriel]

After speaking with them for a few minutes, Silmevana turned to Lady Livira and requested leave.

"I thank you again for your kindness and for introducing me to a few residents of these woods. Would it be alright if I began to seek out a place to sleep for the night and somewhere I could get a meal?"