She climbed the rocks that led up above the falls of Imadris slowly and carefully. Gathering the skirt she wore in both hands, Fairlain tied it around her waist and continued climbing. She was almost used to wearing gowns, and Carandriel had insisted that they were far more comfortable and appropriate than the stained tunic she had worn on her arrival in Imladris. Around her neck hung an old iron key of dwarvish fashion and her brown hair was now long enough to rest upon her shoulders and fall in strands upon her face, which she would fling away with an annoyed toss of her head as she reached for her next hand-hold.
All places in Imladris were peaceful; such was the blessing upon that valley. But the hidden cleft above the falls was a place that Fairlain had found offered both peace and solitude. But not this day. As she reached the small plateau beside the rushing waters she saw the figure of a maiden sitting on the ground with her knees drawn up close to her, a long plait of dark hair reaching down to the ground. Fairlain stood and untied the skirt of her gown, letting it fall around her feet once more.
"I am sorry. I did not expect to see anyone here...', she began.
The maiden turned to Fairlain, her eyes were red and her face was covered in tears. Fairlain said again,
"I...I am sorry. I am Faerlhain. I did not mean to intrude upon you."
Slowly, the maiden stood brushing away the wetness of her face with one hand. She bowed gravely and said, "I am Finduilian." She was wearing a tunic such as the guards of Imladris wore and at her side were two graceful blades of elvish fashion. "Your pardon, I did not wish anyone to see my weakness...I will leave you now." She made as if to leave and Fairlain lifted a hand to stay her.
"Please, do not leave on my account. But...can I not be of help to you? It is rare to see such sorrow in this place and my heart weeps with you, though I do not know its cause."
Finduilian paused a moment, her green eyes clearing and becoming calm once more. She regarded Fairlain with a sad smile then began,
"My father was one of the guards of Imladris, courageous and skilled. It is his tunic that I wear before you." She ran her hand slowly over the embroidery of the fabric, then continued "He was tasked with escorting the beloved of Lord Elrond to the woodlands of Lothlorien, where her mother and father dwelt. When they had reached the passes of the Misty Mountains they were set upon by a horde of yrch. My father and the others of her guard drew their blades to defend the Lady Celebrian... They failed...." Finduilian paused a moment, drawing a ragged breath.
"The lady was taken and held in torment and abuse until her sons came and freed her. The wounds to her body were healed, but the wound to her spirit was beyond cure. So Lady Celebrian took a ship into the West, leaving her children and leaving her lord behind."
" There are times when I see such sadness in my lord Elrond's eyes..." The green eyes filled with tears once again. "If my father had fought more bravely, perhaps..." She stopped, unable to continue.
Fairlain bit her lip a moment, searching for the right words. "Your father fell in doing his duty?" Finduilian nodded.
"Then there is nothing more anyone could do. There are times when the floods of evil are just too great and any effort we make does not avail us. It does not mean that the effort is in vain. I know that Lord Elrond would never lay blame upon you or upon your father for what happened. You must not blame yourself or him. Sometimes sadness is a thing that cannot be avoided...but then how else would we come to treasure the joyous moments?"
Finduilian considered Fairlain's words in silence. Then she answered, "You speak the truth, Faerlhain. I thank you. But it is because of my father that I have learned to wield and fashion blades. I had hoped to make up for the missing leaves upon the tree and take my father's place, but my lord Elrond says I am to rest in safety."
A thought occurred to Fairlain. She said, "You have skill with a blade?"
Finduilian placed her hand upon the hilt of one of the slender sword she carried. "I do."
Fairlain regarded the warrior maiden with her steady, sapphire gaze. "Would you teach me?"
Finduilian bowed her head in assent. "If you wish."
