[VanimaEdhel]

"My tale," Menelduliniel replied in a resigned voice, "Begins 2921 years ago in Mirkwood. I was born to Laeron and Draugien, two servants of King Thranduil.

"My childhood was merry, I recall. I played with other children, including the children of nobles. We all got along. There was no class tension.

"When I grew old enough, I begged and begged Lord Thranduil to allow me to join the shieldmaidens. Servants generally did not join those ranks. It was mostly noble women. But, the benevolent Lord enabled me to join the ranks of those above me.

"I trained as hard as I possible could. My real talent is with daggers. I know how to work with a bow as well, but I am not too accurate."

Menelduliniel sighed and continued, "My master was Poldorawen. She was the daughter of an Elf very high in society. She was not a kind master. She worked her women hard. I suppose it was for our own good. She trained us to be fast, taught us to be the 'best'. Although I admit none of us could compete with a man in strength, we could sneak up on him and surprise him any day.

"There is something else I should tell you. All my life, I had been friendly with the Prince. Do you know of him? His name is Legolas. When I reached maturity, however, I began seeing him in a new light. He, however, saw me in a 'new light' as well. He gained more responsibility and knew that he could not associate with his father's servant.

"His eyes also wandered to Poldorawen. He never thought of me as a love, I suppose, but he thought more of her than he ever thought of me in any way. Soon, they announced their engagement.

"Around that time, a few of my friends from training disappeared. No one knows where they went. I think that Poldorawen had something to do with it, but others say that I am paranoid. They also say that I am just jealous. I may be, that is true, but I still believe she did something.

"I guess I just snapped. That was about fifty-seven years ago. I still remember it as though it was yesterday. I can feel my daggers in my hands and feel them cutting into her. I can feel her blood on my hands.

"She taught us to be the best. She really did. I used that talent for my own advantage...and for her demise.

"I knew what I had done right after I had committed the crime. I knew I had to run. So, I ran.

"I ran into the wild with Salkadome. Ah, that was a different Salkadome. He perished of old age. This," Menelduliniel said, gesturing weakly to her horse grazing nearby, "Is a different horse. Named in his honor. I have had a few horses, as they do not have the curse of eternity.

"I ran blindly," Menelduliniel said, continuing the story, "Not caring where I went. Salkadome carried me to I know not where. It seemed to be days, but it was probably merely hours. I could not see. For some reason I was blind. All I know is that soon his gallop stopped.

Menelduliniel stopped, breathing hard for a moment, her eyes fixed on the ground. She then continued, "There was Orcs. There were lots of them. They took me off of Salkadome. He was spared, I know not why. I guess fate saved him...as it saved me.

"It happens that there was an Elf in their clutches as well. Estelarion was his name. He had been wandering the land. He was the son of a fairly high-standing noble family. He got bored of his life, however, and wandered off to explore what was in the wide world. He was about one-hundred years my senior.

"They carried us for some time, I imagine. I remember absolutely nothing from those times. That is to my advantage, Estelarion says. I do not know what happened...nothing.

"I remember him carrying me. I was on his horse. I know now that horse was named Kelendrilroch. His current horse is Amanroch. We galloped far, far away. I still know not how he got me away.

"I recovered in time. Estelarion stayed with me. I told him to leave, but he would not listen.

"When I recovered my strength, we continued together, neither of us knowing where to go. I knew that I would probably not be welcomed into any civilized location.

"We wandered from town to town, staying in Inns and listening to the news of the area. We continued like that for about thirty-five or thirty-seven years.

"In that time, we found ourselves in Harad, the lands to the far South. Everything there was different...different and better. It was a whole new society and I started a whole new life. I soon learned the major language of Harad. I also picked up the singing style and the dancing...ah, the dancing...I much desire to return to Harad...Anyway, Estelarion and I found ourselves travelling with the Huin-en-Luig, the Hearts of Dragons. They were all bandits, but they were performers as well.

"Nearly all I own they gave me. They may have taken it from others, but they still clothed me.

"They were all like me. All criminals, some wrongly accused, some rightfully. We were like a family. But, all things must end...

"About twenty years ago, we got tired of our roaming and tried to return to Mirkwood. We snuck in, unnoticed. If I had remained quiet and had just returned to Laerion and Draugien, things may have been better. If I had slowly come back into society...

"But...but I had to see Legolas. I waited one night and snuck into his chamber. He soon returned. His greeting was not a warm one.

"We began to fight. He told me to leave or he would slay me himself. He claimed to still love Poldorawen. I do not believe his lies.

"I told him everything...everything. I told him my love for him. He just laughed and told me that, if I loved him, I would not rip out his heart as I had done. I fled then. I fled and I have not returned since."

Menelduliniel had begun to breath hard again, shaking a bit. She calmed herself and continued. "We have travelled since then. We visited the Huin-en-Luig every so often, but the majority of our time was spent in small Inns in Human cities and towns. That is where we met Mithrandir.

"Mithrandir...Mithrandir has been the kindest of any race I have ever met. He is one of the Istari and therefore commands respect and devotion. He, however, has been as a friend...more of a grandfather...to me, despite my history. He has allowed Estelarion and me to aid him on his important quests.

"I feel that, if I ever am allowed back into society, it will be Mithrandir's doing. I do not ask it of him, for I do not need it now. I still cry at nights, but I have friends now. Estelarion has been more of a companion than I could ever hope for. He is my best friend. I fear, however, that, one day, he will come to his senses and find a wife. Then I will, again, be alone.

"And this is where you find me," Menelduliniel concluded, wiping her eyes and unclenching her white knuckles. She laughed bitterly, "Are you not thrilled that you asked my story? Ah, well, at least it passed the time, yes?"

She looked at the Hobbit's surprised face, and laughed again, this time a little more merrily.

"I must say," she said, "That is the best look I have ever received for my history. Usually people either shun me or act fairly neutral. Thank you for that, at least...it may not be a horribly tragic history, but it felt that way to live through it..."