Anarwe smiled. "For sucha young elf as you say, you show the wisdom of the eldest of the Noldor."
Faorie smiles notably wider.
"Our people took the long journey under the leadership of our king, Finwe," he began, "We were to reach a land the Eldar could call home. All the clans did so, so many years ago. Alas, some were afraid to brave the frozen lands of Helcaraxe and decided to return... they are the silvan elves of Mirkwood. Cousins of your kin.
"Those that did continue to brave the ice. Soon, they reached the lands of Valinor, the place all Eldar hold close to their hearts, even after many long years.
"The entire realm was lit by the two trees of life. Their beauty cannot be described into words."
Faorie faces the water knowingly. "I have read on the subject many years ago," she whispers to herself.
"The eldest son of our great king and master of his craft created magical gems that had the same glow as Telperion and Laurelin.
"All was peaceful and calm for all our people and the rest of the elven clans that called Valinor their home." Anarwe sighed slowly. "Alas," he said quietly, "as all good things come to an end, so did our peaceful time in those lands."
Faorie glanced towards Anarwe for a moment. She then turned her gaze to the ground solemnly, and faced the waters again.
"Do you recall the name Melkor?" he asked. "You must have read about it in the tomes and scrolls found within this kingdom."
Faorie nodded once. "Of course, for were it not for his malevolent nature, he would not have brought the Two Trees of Valinor to their end."
"The Lady of the Golden Wood would know much about it." He nodded to Faorie, "Indeed."
"I am aware of Ungoliant, the spirit that took the same form as a spider... the one who was sent out to do the bidding of his master, Melkor.
"Though I, having not lived the many years as you, cannot comprehend how tremendous this period of time truly was."
Anarwe smiled. "You must be a lorekeeper of Lothlorien, as few would know such tales of ages long gone."
"Losing the history of Arda and the events that take place on and beyond it would sadden even the youngest of elves. This is not something that should come to be. Fortunately, the library found in Imladris has given me plenty of material to study regarding the subject."
Anarwe grinned. "Ah, yes the tomes and scrolls of Lord Elrond saved from the ruins of Eregion. Only through his effort may we read about such things nowadays."
Faorie nodded once. She then gestured for Anarwe to continue his story. "Please, go on."
"Indeed, the dark spirit took the light of the two trees from us. Alas, it is as you say, Melkor killed the two trees - and my king. He took the craft of Feanaro for his own.
"You see, the dark lord has no love for the Eldar. Nor for any life in Arda. He did what he did only out of envy for the work of the One." Anarwe's expressions relaxed enough to reveal sorrow. "Even his greatest work, the orc bloodline, it is nothing more than a mockery..."
Simply speaking of orcs caused Faorie to react. She clenched her fists and spoke. "Foul beings... roaming these lands as if they deem it their own."
"The are evil and corrupt," Anarwe said calmly, "the exact opposit to what the Eldar represent."
"They are to be slain, all of them. For they bare the essence of evil and malevolence."
"Though I cannot hold ill will against them, and I will bring swift death to them out of mercy for their fate." A moment of silence followed, which Anarwe broke. "They were once elves you know... elves that listenedto the lies of that monster."
Faorie relaxed significantly. "The life of an elf can no longer be found within them, for they no longer hold link to our ways."
"It is as you say, but I still wonder if their hate for the eldar is nothing more but a call of rage due to their misfortune."
"Perhaps it is my years of facing battle that has left me without empathy towards them, but the amount of lives they have taken from not only myself but from my kin..." Faorie sighed low. "Misfortune is instilled in us all." She looked down, her eyes half closed.
"That monster killed Finwe, so many years ago."
Faorie turned to Anarwe, realizing that he had not yet completed his tale. She politely nodded to him to assure him she was listening.
"Morgoth, Bauglir... may his soul find no rest in the Void." Anarwe's brow furrowed and his tone grew notably in frustration. "His hands broght nothing but pain to my people."
"And after all these centuries the pain of his actions still echo loudly," Faorie said gently.
"That day, Curufinwe, the king's son was filled with rage. And so were we." He clenched his fists and raised his chin high. "He called for vengeance and we took an oath to follow and bring an end to this lord of darkness.
"Even at the ends of the world and as we took the oath, or fate was decided." He peered into the clear waters of the pond. "I wonder..."
Faorie glanced towards Anarwe, listening intently.
"Do you know the tale of the kinslaying at Alqualonde?"
Faorie curled her lips slightly. "Of course... for history speaks both ill and well of Hiril Galadriel in this tale. Most see it as ill, although the true tale of the event has yet to be clarified." She lowered her voice as she spoke.
"Indeed," Anarwe said, "I still think of what could have been if that battle was avoided."
"It was the first event in history where elves battled violently against elves," Faorie said, with a hint of concern aimed towards Anarwe.
"The Feanorean oath takers did battle against the Teleri," he began, "They would not grant their ships to us to leave the realm. Rage and pride were enough for all the things that followed.
"Many died that day and we were all cursed with the Doom of Mandos."
"The unnecessary blood spilled," Faorie whispered, shaking her head almost unnoticeably, "The Noldor I had come to know had shown great regret for that battle, as do all Noldor."
"Alas, the deed was done and there is no turning back."
"Yes..." She nodded slowly, staring at the fountain waters move about. Several seconds of silence passed while Faorie appeared to turn further and further into thought.
Anarwe broke the silence again, continuing on. "As we did cross the great sea, many ships sank under the waves.
"The first signs of the curse were all too visible, and yet again this curse killed our king after we reached shore.
"Feanaro Curufinwe was attacked by an army of Balrogs spawned by Morgoth... and there was nothing to be done to save his life." Again, Anarwe's expression weakened to one of faint sorrow. "And all our effort to bring justice for our clan ended in ruin and despair, time and time again." He inhaled slowly, staring out. "I have spent some time in Gondolin, then later made my way to Eregion only to lose that home once more at the hands of another dark lord.
"And so after many long years of ill fate and misfortune, I was granted a refuge in the hidden valley in the house of our wise Lord."
Faorie licked her lips anxiously. "And that is how you came to live in the valley?"
"Indeed," Anarwe responded simply.
