.........

A smile graces my face as I watch people dance to the fast paced music. The loud chatter echoing off the walls of the ballroom, as highborns and lowborns alike enjoy themselves.

"I beg your pardon, Princess." An unfamiliar voice caught my attention, causing me to turn to the young man who had spoken.

He appeared to be highborn, with light brown curls and kind brown eyes. His posture was straight, but not stiff, as his lips stretched into a polite smile.

"I'm Prince Ergon of Rohan, I was wondering if you would do me the honor of a dance?" The name was familiar, my father had mentioned that the second son of Rohan would be attending.

"It would be my pleasure." I responded with a kind smile, taking the young man's outstretched hand.

As I was led to the center of the room, where everyone had gathered for the dance, an upbeat song was played by the band.

"How is your family faring? It feels as though an age has passed since I have heard from your sister." I asked, curious as to the wellbeing of my childhood friend.

"Meharine is well, I don't believe a day has passed that she hasn't been seen in the stables." He laughed, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.

"She's still yearns to be a legendary rider of Rohan?" I inquire, remembering the blonde's love for the stories her uncle had told us as children.

"Indeed, she's faring quite well in that regard."

"I'm glad." I stated with a fond smile, as the music ended. "It was wonderful to speak with you, Ergon. Please come and speak to me, before you leave."

"Of course, Princess." Ergon agreed with a smile, before bowing and bidding a brief farewell.

"Goodness, is that Princess Alyra!" A familiar voice chimed from my left. A familiar copper haired woman eagerly approached me with a bright smile.

"Eleasif! Oh, how I've missed you!" I cheered, nearly tackling her in a hug. "How are you, my dearest friend?"

"I am well, Alyra. How are you enjoying your seventeenth birthday?" Elea asked, as we walked arm-in-arm towards the refreshments.

"Very well, indeed! My uncles are visiting and Galvi is pregnant! She and Henrik have named me the child's godmother!" I informed her, as  we lingered by the refreshments and watched people dance merrily.

"That's wonderful news! How excited they must be!"

We chatted for several minutes, before I was called to my mother's side. After bidding Eleasif farewell, I approached the queen of Gondor.

"You wished to see me, mother?"

"Yes, I see you are socializing with your guests. How do they fare?" She asked, testing my observations.

"The guests are enjoying themselves, some a little more than others." I laughed, my gaze turning to a very drunk Uncle Gimli. "I fear the wine and ale might be running low, however. Shall I ask Tyra to bring out more?"

"I shall handle it, my light. You stay and enjoy your celebration." Mother told me with a fond smile. Just as she was about to say something else, a guard burst through the doors and headed straight for Father.

"My king, there's been signs of intruders entering Rivendell. The guards keeping watch over the city have been killed." He rushed, an urgency to his tone. "The staff has been taken."

My father's expression turned grave, a sense of dread sinking into his eyes. "Any sign of the thieves?"

"None, my king, and the tracks lead to a dead end." The guard shook his head, furthering my confusion.

"I have failed in my duties." I muttered with dread lacing my voice. "I have been away for too long and now it stands plundered."

"My light, you have not failed. I insisted that you stay in Gondor and finish your studies. If you had stayed in Rivendell, you would be dead as well." Mother argued in elvish, grasping my hands in a form of comfort.

"You do not know that, amil." I sighed, sending a pointed glance to my mother.

"Those guards were specifically trained to protect Rivendell and now they are dead. I shudder to think what would have happened if you had been there."

"I still have a duty to Rivendell, adar, amil." I stated, looking at both of my parents. "I will take a small party with me to search for the thieves."

"It is too dangerous, little star." My father argued, shaking his head.

"Adar, I am trained specifically for a situation such as this one. Trained personally by you, Adar." I countered, knowing that this was the most logical course of action.

"I will choose the hunting party and prepare for the journey at first light." I stated with finality, knowing that if I left any room for doubt or argument, I would be easily dissuaded from the journey.

"Oh, my stubborn girl, it is quite obvious where you learned your headstrong personality from." Mother laughed, sharing a look with my father.

"You almost died, because you refused to leave Adar behind and had given him your Evenstar." I teased, with a small smile. "Very reckless of you, Amil."

"Who told you of such things?" Mother asked with a surprised smile.

"Uncle Legolas used to tell me stories about you and father during the War of the Ring." I admitted with a grin, knowing how reckless they both were.

"That does explain quite a bit about how you know so much about the war." Father muttered, before sighing. "You will be more than careful?"

"Like a bear on an icy lake." I assured, with a nod.

"So be it." My father sighed, worry still lingering in his eyes. "You shall leave on the hereafter."

•••••••••••••••••~*~••••••••••••••••

Amil-mother
Adar-father