Mercyside

A’mael scrambled through a group of people trying to get to the nearest place serving drinks. Her head felt like it was going to explode and she felt sick. She'd felt sick even before entering the main hall. Sighing, A’mael gulped down the wine from the glass she’d grabbed, doing her best to relax her mind. It wasn’t working though, and now, she didn’t have Glorfindel to keep her distracted either because some she-elf had stolen him away. A’mael was left to herself surrounded by people who did not welcome her. She felt as if she were being smothered by the hostility that seemed to be aimed towards her.

Turning back to the dance floor, the princess glanced around looking for someone she knew; her father, her sister, Lady Galadriel, Legolas, Tauriel, someone, anyone who could distract her. She even searched for Thranduil, at the very least, he would speak with her if not ask her to dance again. Spotting her sister, Arwen, A’mael started to walk as quickly as she could go through the throng of elves towards her. A'mael was almost there, when she was stopped by a female, blonde haired elf stepping in front her. A’mael staggered back a step, immediately realizing how close the stranger was. The blonde elf locked gazes with her and A'mael opened her mouth to excuse herself, but was sharply cut off.

"Who do you think you are?" the blonde she-elf hissed, her tone bitter. Confusion crossed the Elven princess' face.

“Excuse me?” A’mael answered, keeping her voice flat.

“Who do you think you are, dancing with king Thranduil? He has better things to do than waste his time with a wretched creature like you.” The blonde elf was seething with anger and though A’mael was taken back, she nearly laughed. The other she-elf’s jealousy was obvious, and rather than being polite as she knew she should be, she replied in a way that would most certainly be looked down upon. Feeling a sudden, strange surge of confidence, or maybe even pride, A’mael smirked.

“I suppose you think he should spend it with you instead?” A’mael replied. She knew those that heard her words would think her snide, arrogant, but at the moment, A’mael did not care.

”I am A’mael Evenstar, daughter of Lord Elrond, if anyone should be dancing with the king of the Greenwood, it’s me.” A’mael turned on her heel and started to walk away, but as she did, the other elf’s sharp voice met her ears.

“You are not Lord Elrond’s daughter by blood, you are nothing but an evil witch, same as your mother.” A’mael stopped in her tracks, keeping still as the night as her blood boiled in her veins. Turning around with a glare that made some of the other elves listening in flinch back, A’mael marched towards the blonde elf, grabbing hold of her by the arm.

“You know nothing of me or my mother, so do not act as if you do. I am the princess of Rivendell and you would do well to remember that,” A’mael hissed out, her voice low and her eyes fixed in a steeled death glare. Forcefully letting go of the other elf, A’mael stepped back, resisting the urge to hit the girl. She didn’t care about the disdain that was aimed at her; she cared about the disdain that was aimed at her mother. This obnoxious she-elf did not know her mother and she didn’t know A’mael either. She had no place to say anything at all. A’mael turned to walk away, but as she did, another thought crossed her mind.

“And for what it’s worth, King Thranduil asked me to dance.” A’mael's voice was blunt, but it held an arrogant tone. With a satisfied smirk, A’mael left the small crowd of elves to whisper among themselves. She did not care what they said, the blonde elf was the one who had opened her mouth and said something stupid.

Even still, she was still angry, hurt by the words the other elf had said. Clenching her fists, keeping her head down, A’mael pushed through the crowds, hurriedly making her way to the open archway that led to the garden. She stormed out the doorway, down the stone lined pathway that led out to the gardens. It was dark out and the stars and moon were high in the sky. The moon was nearly full tonight, and had A’mael not been so angry, she probably would’ve stopped to appreciate the beauty of it.

The younger princess of Rivendell did not stop, even when she saw the glow of the fire lit lanterns. Normally she stayed away from the lanterns as best she could, but this time, she just wanted to put as much distance between her and the party as she could. She was alone, anyway, so what did it matter?

A’mael entered the gardens, passing by two lanterns, both went out immediately, leaving darkness behind her, but she barely noticed. Stepping into the circular center of her favorite garden, one filled with roses more than anything else. She let out a sigh, sitting on the stone bench as she ran a hand through her loose, dark hair, being careful not to mess up the braid or the flowers entwined in it.

Though she was away from all the people, she still felt sick; sick with anger, sick with hurt… sick of everything. What had she done to deserve this? A’mael, ever since she was young, had always tried her best to be polite to everyone she came across, she tried to be sweet, charming, hoping somehow that people would forget the darkness that clung to her, hoping that people would realize that she was not evil but nothing she did seemed to work. Most people she encountered that knew of her ‘strangeness’ held it over her head, making her feel terrible, though she’d done nothing to deserve it… then again, maybe, somehow, someway, she did. She didn’t know what she’d done, if she had done something, and she would probably never know, but she did know that being treated horribly for no reason made her feel so… hollow, so hated. It made her feel like she was some monster from the darkest depths of the world. She wasn’t though… was she? That would explain the shadows that clung to her…

A’mael looked up stiffly, glancing at the stars. They were so bright, so far away, so distant, everything she wanted to be, because maybe then, when she was alone, she would feel better. All she wanted was solitude. She would never truly be alone, though.

The flicker of the lanterns that were not close enough for her very presence to put out brought her attention back to the world at hand. She would have to go back to the party eventually, but for the time being, she would hide away within the gardens. Standing slowly, A’mael crept towards each of the lanterns, and as she did so, each one went. Sometimes she would get near the flame of one, and it would wane, and then she’d move back, watching the fire spark alive again. When all lanterns were out, A’mael couldn’t help but revel in the darkness, in the moonlight, gazing at the stars, even brighter now that there was only astral light.

“That’s an unusual trick.” A’mael spun around in shock, hearing a male’s voice. She’d thought she was alone!

Seeing no one there, A’mael started to panic slightly, backing away from where the voice had come from.

“Do not be afraid, my lady, I mean you no harm.” The owner of the voice stepped out of the shadows cast by a large stone pillar. Bathed in the moonlight, A’mael could see he was a blonde haired elf, though she could not see his features very well. He wore a warrior’s uniform as well, and A’mael instantly recognized it as a uniform for one of Lady Gladriel’s guardsmen. Which guard it was though, A’mael had know clue. Even still, she felt herself relax slightly.

“Yes,” A’mael spoke, unable to hide the bitterness in her voice. She had, had enough of people condemning her for one night. “It is.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that, my lady.” He must have noticed the tone of her voice. He probably wondered if it was directed at him.

“Please,” she whispered out. “Call me A’mael.”

“A’mael?” the elf asked.

“You are Lord Elrond’s daughter. My apologies, I did not realize it was you.”

“It’s okay.” A’mael managed a small smile, forcing the anger she felt out of her voice. This elf had done nothing to deserve her wrath. Yet.

“I am Haldir of Lorien,” he replied quietly. That caught A’mael’s attention. Not only was he a guard to Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn, he was the marchwarden of Lorien, and a warrior not to be trifled with.

“It’s nice to meet you, Haldir.” A’mael smiled again, and this time, it was actually sincere. Lady Galadriel had always spoken very highly of Haldir. Her father had said nice things about him as well, and so she had no reason to believe the things she’d heard were anything but true.

”Likewise, lady A’mael,” Haldir replied, smiling with a slight nod.

“So,” the blonde elf spoke again. “Are you enjoying the ball?”

“To be honest, not really,” A’mael answered truthfully. Why should she pretend to be enjoying herself? It was probably more than obvious that she was not. “I do not care for social gatherings.”

“You and I both,” Haldir laughed. The sound made A’mael’s smile grow. Haldir was so calm. Slowly, but surely, the sickness A’mael felt was fading. “But, perhaps, you would like to dance?” Her mood fell again. She did not want to go back to the party. She did not want to face the people again.

“I’m not much of a dancer,” A’mael replied quickly.

“Now, isn’t that truly strange? Lord Elrond said that you were an excellent dancer.” Haldir sent another smile her way.

“Did he now? Well, I suppose I am, just not when I am in front of people,” A’mael replied.

“That’s understandable.” Haldir shrugged slightly as he agreed with her. Silence fell for a moment, but Haldir was quick to break it. “I assure you though, that I will not allow you to fall. If the music could be heard out here within the gardens, I would not make you go back inside. It is your choice.” A’mael stayed silent, not sure how to reply. She didn’t want to go back inside, but she found herself wanting to dance with Haldir. She wanted to get to know him. He was interesting enough and he had a friendly atmosphere to him, something A’mael liked because she knew so few people like that. Hearing no reply, Haldir took A’mael’s silence as a no, and with his hands behind his back, he turned to go back inside with a bowed head.

“Wait!” A’mael called, walking quickly towards the elf from Lorien. Going against her conscience and the unsettling feeling that was growing worse by the second, she was going to accept his offer.

“I’d love to dance.” And at that, the Elven princess sent a smile to Haldir, who returned it. Entwining her arm with Haldir’s, the two made their way back to the main hall for a dance.