Descending the ladder leading from his flet to the forest floor, Gil-Estel surveyed the scene around him. The air this evening was full of anticipation, elves and other beings of all kinds were buzzing around in all directions, each with his or her own task or errand, but each preparing for one thing. Tonight's feast.

Walking amongst the trees, it was hard not to become excited by the approaching festivities. All manner of beings were to attend, Elves, Men, Dwarves, Lizarians and even the odd demon. After a brisk walk around the city, Gil-Estel returned to his flet. He had some songs he wanted to read before the start of the party.

Melusine decided to go to the elven festivities today. She was once again missing Xelus, and she wondered how many elves present today would have familiars with them. She hoped she would find some friends here, and maybe some food too. She hadn't been able to eat much since Xelus died. Eating just made her remember that she rode him when she went hunting.

She noticed some elves working as she approached and wondered how many she knew. Probably not very many, as she spent most of her time in the Misty Forest. It was where she had been born and she had never really known anything else. She had even been reluctant to leave after some evil humans chased her parents and friends away, over a year ago now. Several Elven homes had been burned, and a few Elves had died, including her best friend besides Xelus, Ailindra. Ailindra had been 200 years old, that was true, but it still had not been fair.

Melusine decided to follow the working elves to see if there were any food or drinks set out yet. She hoped so.

It was no use, Gil-Estel just couldn't take his mind off of tonight's party. Perhaps Larien would be there. Perhaps he could finally work up the courage to actually say something to her which didnt end in a flustered embarassment. Walking back over to his ladder, he descended from his flet back down to the forest floor.

He began again to walk through the city heading in the general direction of the party preparation area. When he arrived there, there was many elves buzzing around preparing extravagant dishes and festive decorations. There was however one elf who didn't seem to be doing much.

Approaching her from behind, he tapped her shoulder. She turned round.

Gil-Estel gasped. She was beautiful! "Err.. e-e-excuse me m-miss? C-can I h-help you?"

"I was wondering if you could help me myself, sir. You see I haven't had food in a few days." As the myriad of wonderful smells overwhelmed her, Melusine realized that she had a horrible headache. She promised herself she would never go this long without eating again. She rubbed at her temples, not wanting to be rude, but she couldn't help it. "My name is Melusine Flarell-" A gasp cut off her words as she suddenly tripped. Not eating had made her sense of direction slightly fuzzy and she fell right over a rock and fainted in the grass. The last thing she thought of was how handsome this elf had been and how she'd just made a fool of herself.

For a moment, Gil-Estel just stared at the sprawilng elf in front of him. During that moment, two thoughts came into his head. Firstly AHA! For once I'm not the one to have made a fool of my self! and secondly I really should help the poor girl.

He sat down cross legged, and, grabbing the elf under her arms, he managed to drag her into a sitting position with her head resting on his shoulders. It wasn't the most graceful of actions or positions for that matter. But as ever, his mind was more focused on saying the right thing when she came around to properly decide how to pick her up. Calling to a young elf, he asked if some water and water could be fetched. When it had been fetched, he splashed it gently on her face, hoping that she would come around so he could offer her the food himself.

Melusine took a little time to come around, but when she did, the first thing she noticed was that there was water on her face. "How did I get so wet?" she murmured with a slight shiver. The second thing she noticed was that she was sitting up, and although she couldn't tell who, her head was against someone's shoulder. It felt nice being held... she'd almost forgotten what it felt like since her parents no longer lived, or at least not that she knew. They'd been chased away by some humans who thought elves were pests, and she didn't know if they were still alive or not. Some inhabitants who used to live in the Misty Forest by Lake Aelin had died during the rampage. Thinking of her parents made her think of Xelus, and almost before she knew why, her face was wet with more than just the water.

As the elf opened her beautiful eyes, Gil-Estel looked at the face resting on his shoulder. Suddenly he noticed tears running down her cheeks. He reached around with his right hand and brushed them off.

"Come, fair elf. If you are able to stand, we shall go to my flet, and there you may eat before tonight's party."

"Thank you sir," she sniffled. "I haven't eaten in awhile. I live in the forest near Lake Aelin, but firstly it's the beginning of winter and there is little food to be found. And secondly, a few days ago, Xelus- my Stag- he was killed by some human hunters. I couldn't eat after that. I was too upset. Xelus and I had known each other for most of our lives. I was born with unusually delicate feet and cannot walk long distances without pain, so without Xelus I'm pretty much stranded." Melusine would have blown her nose had she had anything to do so with; she just kept sniffling. She hadn't had anyone to talk to since Cinaed had helped her bury Xelus and that was a few days ago. Besides, as nice as Cinaed had been- and he had been nice- this handsome stranger seemed like he would care more.

As Gil-Estel listened to the elf's story, he became more and more horrified by the recent events of her life. How could such terrible things happen to such a beautiful young girl! Thinking quickly, he decided that due to the condition of her feet, and the fact that she hadn't eaten in days, it would be easier for him to carry her.

"I will carry you as far as my flet, fair maiden. There you must climb the ladder by yourself, but I will give as much assistance as I am able."

Sweeping her off her feet, he set off towards the bottom of the ladder towards his flet. When they got there, he set her down, hoping that she would be able to climb the ladder that reached up to the platform in the tall tree.

It took a little while, but she managed to climb the ladder. "It feels much sturdier than I thought it would be," she murmured. Once inside, she found she couldn't manage to stand up due to her weakened state and decided to sit to wait for the young man who had helped her. She didn't even know his name and she blushed and mentally scolded herself for not asking.

As Gil-Estel climbed the last rungs of the ladder, he walked over his room towards the elf maiden and sat down next to her. Taking a wafer of lembas from a box next to his bed, he handed to her. "Here, take this." he said. "If you want more, you only need ask."

"I've just realised! I haven't even introduced myself to you! My name is Gil-Estel, and Yomenïampa is my home, although I spend much of my time on missions for our King. Excuse me, I must change my clothes for the party. And then, if you like, I can show you around."

Going behind a screen in the corner, he pulled on his best robes he had lain out for the party.

She ate the lembas wafer slowly, but found she still wanted more after she ate it. While she waited for Gil-Estel to come back, she smiled as she thought that she finally knew his name. It must mean that he wanted to be friends. To have a friend would be wonderful as she was quite lonely living by herself now that all her friends had been chased away by the humans. She would tell him that, when she had the strength.

When he came back round the screen, he found her sitting there complacently. "Now m'lady, shall we go for a walk?".

He carefully helped Melusine to her feet and led her to the ladder, which they descended to the forest floor. He did not know how she was going to manage to walk around Yomenïampa on her own feet. So he thought he'd better ask.

Will you be alright to walk, fair maiden? Or shall I call for a horse to assist you?"

Banners were tossed about buildings and trees, especially by excited youth. A small boy, less than five years of age, approached a stunningly young looking elf (many guessed around her mid-twenties) with saphire hair and matching eyes. Aralishia Bandaar, the traveler of Yomeniampa and pure elf, was quite a complex, odd creature.
"Ma'am?" he spoke in the elven language, Sinadrin, his voice pure, soft, and innocent, and a memory flickered about Ara, but she couldn't recognise it. This made a smile play on her lips, a rather strange sensation that came from joy she couldn't pinpoint.
"Couldju hewlp mi, ih can't reahch it," he asked, pointing to a banner waving feebly on a low branch of a sapling.
"I would love to," she said, smiling, perching the gold banner on the sapling, which reached only her eye level, being very perfectionistic about the placement. She kneeled, her face level with the boys. Now where is your mother?" she said, glancing upward at the older women about the city.
"Muhma? See's ober deyah" she said in an infant-like voice, pointing to his right, his arm rotating when he pointed in a wind-mill-like manor.
"okay.." she said, more to herself, then with a moment's hesitation, she picked up the infant, cradling him her her arms, looking for the mother, asking each woman she passed if it was their child. The boy was astonishingly cute, smiling when she smiled and laughing when she laughed. His head was abnormally large, but then again, Ara hadn't seen many infants. His hands were small but had a firm grip, grasping her thumb, but he didn't struggle when she held him.

She passed a royal looking young man, carrying a young woman sniffling. She was interested in the pair, but she continued searching for the mother. When she found her, the woman looked frantic in her relentless search. When Ara approached, she showed mixed emotions, her panic ebbing into relief. Ara held the boy to the woman, who picked him up and cradled him, rocking him and bouncing him slightly up and down like a cradle. She gave Ara a large thanks, and wiped away tears rolling down her cheek that made smeary black marks along the their path. She insisted on paying Ara for returning the child. Ara lurched at the mention of gold, which she needed desperatly. Without missing a beat, she politely declined to the offer.
"Well, thank you so much" she said to Ara, having difficulty expressing her gratitude.
"Really, it was nothing" she replied, and, with a touch of uncertainty, placed a reassuring hand on the woman's shoulder. She smiled a broad, slightly watery smile, gave a small 'Well, goodbye' and nervously embraced the city crowds, heading, Ara assumed, to her house. She stayed in pace for a moment, watching the woman, then remembered the royal boy carrying a woman. She returned to them, and when she reached them, he had blaced her upon a boat amoung a decent sized fleet.
"Hello there. I don't mean to intrude, but why are you upset, are you injured?" she spoke to the teary-eyed woman, having uncertainties- she always did when anyone cried. She reflected upon the possibility of injury, and thought with a start of her close friend who was a healer. She imagined his furry face, always with a slight scowl, and smiled broadly.

"I might need some help. I've never ridden on anything but Xelus though." Horses were so much bigger than a little thing like Melusine! She was only five feet six inches at full height. She knew she couldn't walk though, so she tried not to look scared. "Will you show me how to ride a horse?" Gods knew Melusine had never even seen one except when her friends were being chased away by the humans. The humans had handled them well enough though.

She noticed Aralisha

Gil-Estel looked up in shock at the sound of the young woman's voice. "No... I'm fi...", he started. Stopping himself when he realised that she was directing the question at Melusine. "I mean, she's fine. Thank you. Do i know you? Only, I can't help but feel that I've seen you before..". And it was true. As he looked at the young woman, a faint feeling of recognition played on the back of his mind. Not that it really bothered him all that much, he had much to show Melusine and a horse to show her how to ride, and he had the party to attend. But nevertheless, he could spare a few moments to talk.

OOC: Don't worry about the length! I try to do ones like that, but i always run out of things to say!

Melusine blushed a bit at the other young woman. "I'm sorry I scared you, I just hadn't eaten in a few days. My Stag was killed a few days ago by human hunters and without him I'm pretty much stranded as I can't walk very far without pain, so I've been quite upset as well. I'm Melusine Flarell by the way. What's your name? I don't believe we've met. I'm from the forest near Lake Aelin. Do you live in Yomeniampa?


(OOC: sorry, my computer won't let me use accent keys on boards like this)

Content to leave the two young women talking, Gil-Estel excused himself and went off in search of a horse for Melusine. He hoped that the new women didn't pose a threat to Melusine.

Hmm.. he thought, I think I really like this girl...

Melusine tensed just a bit when she saw Gil-Estel leave. She hoped he wouldn't be gone long. He was the only one she really knew here. While she waited for Aralishia to answer her questions, she concentrated on how good the decorations looked and what kinds of foods she could smell cooking. She wondered when the party would start.

Stella smiled at all the decorations in awe. They where wonderful! Her eyes flickered around the many tree-top houses and she gasped in delight. She was yet new to this earth, but this would definitely go down as one of her favorite places of all.

Spying some people Stella shuffled over and smiled warmly. However, she understood not one word they said and this troubled her deeply. What if no one could understand HER?

Making her way to a chair in the corner she sat, the air thick with the smell of different foods that smelt simply Devinne. She was so looking forward to this party, but never the less was worried about her speech problem.

Would they not let her stay? She made an oath to only nod tonight. She would not speak and ruin her facade she was about to put on. She fit in perfectly. Stella had the out body of a young elf, around 16-17. Her hair was a shimmery silvery blond, and her skin a rich creamy colour. Her eyes sparkled like emeralds, and her skin emitted a soft inviting glow.

Many where confused about her glow, and so avoided her. She was in fact a fallen star, and the glow was her remains, she was very proud of it. Even now the elves and other guest eyed her strangely, as though she had a 3rd head or something.

She ignored them however, and sat and listened to the peaceful music. It was lovely.

(Sorry im posting a little late in. If its not ile just leave it at this and not post again ^^ )

OOC: Feel free :D I was wondering if anyone was going to revive this.

IC: As Gil-Estel walked towards the stables he noticed a small girl sitting alone on a chair. She seemed to be staring in awe at the decorations. Gil-Estel walked towards her. "Le suilon! Pedich Edhellen?" The girl didn't quite seem to understand his words, "Heniach nin?" he realised that the girl probably didn't understand Sindarin and smiled at her. "Hello," he said switching effortlessly into the common tongue, "Do you understand me now?"

Stella sighed in relief and resisted the urge to hug him.

"Oh! I thought i was the only one!!" She gushed then laughed. "Yes i understand, thank you!" She smiled, then looked around. "Don't you just LOVE this place? I bet Kieraline is shining down on this place! And don't forget Vaul!" She chipped in.

"Hmm people are still staring." She sighed then stood up, causing some around her to murmer. She was used to people staring at her glow, so it didn't really bother her. What bothered her is what they THOUGHT. Who knew what conclusions they thought up!

She turned to the elf. "I'm sorry, how rude. My names Stella, and I'm a fallen Star, who is now a light elemental." She stuck out her hand in greeting, smiling, her glow brightening in happiness.

"Yes it is a lovely place." he agreed. "No matter how often or how far I travel, I always return here. And don't worry about the elves staring, they're not trying to be rude they're just naturally inquisitive and they don't feel he need to cover it up. And as for me my name is Gil-Estel and I am a prince here. You said you are a fallen star? Does that mean that you actually used to live up there," he gestured upwards, indicating the stars above, "we elves love the stars, but we only hold what knowledge the Valar chose to disclose."

Stella nodded. "Yes i used to live up there" She too pointed, "But Vaul, the great Guardian of the Gods gave me the form of a 16 year old girl, and so here i am." She laughed a little dryly, then sighed. "Though why such a young form i do no."

The fact that her form was indeed young had raised many question from others. Why was a girl so young travelling alone? And why did she no so much? Stella was more intelligent then other humans her age, but certainly not the Elves. Some where most likely older even then she!

Smiling Stella still stared at the stars, the only real glimpse she now had of her past life. Looking back to Gil-Estel, sh cocked her head to one side. "Prince you say? So does that mean you run this place or..." She asked. She wasn't quite used to the understanding of royalty. Much changed too quickly for her liking.

"No, the King and Queen are the true rulers. I'm just a member of the Royal Family." He stopped a moment and looked up at the stars above. As an elf, Gil-Estel had always loved the stars. Their power, their beauty, their mystery. He began to slowly sing to the stars, his voice beautiful and sad.

Ai! Elen! Heniach nin?
Man eneth lín?
Ai! Elen! Heniach nin?
Man eneth lín?

Ai! Elen! Edro gûr lín
Melin ceni hin lîn.
Ai! Elen! Edro gûr lín
Melin ceni hin lîn.

Ai! Elen! Nan hâd gîn!
Elen, le no an-uir nîn?
Ai! Elen! Nan hâd gîn!
Elen, le no an-uir nîn?

"What was it like? Up there with the stars I mean."

Stella smiled when he began to sing, his voice soft like an angel. It was a song she recognized, as though it had been sang to her before. His question snapped her out of the spell the song seemed to have on her, and she shook her head slightly.

"Lonely." That was the first word that popped into Stella's mind. Her eyes brightened, then she laughed. "No, its not all bad. It is lonely, and dark, you are really the only source of light.. of... light. But to see everything happening in the universe is an amazing experience, yet you don't realise how lucky you have it here." She shook her head apologetically.

"I'm sorry, i know that not what you wanted to here. Everyone wants to hear how nice it was and how its such a great thing to be a star..." She smiled slightly. Azulu caught her attention and Stella raised her arm. The great white dove flew over to her, and landed on her shoulder, where Stella stroked her affectionately. The dove also gave off a brilliant glow, and together they made one.

A saying came to her mind, and Stella recited it slowly and remotely.

""Udos Slyannen kyorl jal, lueth vel'bol udos xuat kyorl, udos orn." - We Stars see all, and what we don't see, we will

As the girl described her experiences as a star, Gil-Estel still couldn't believe his luck. "I have two questions," he said. "Firstly, what did those words mean? They sounded familiar.. yet they were not in any tongue I am familiar with. And my second question is this. Would you mind if I recorded some of your experiences? After the party has ended I mean."

Stella listened, his voice seeming soothing. Probably an elven trait she thought dissmissively then answered him brightly.

"The answer to your first question, the language is that of the Drow. Such a wonderful one do you no think?" She asked, then pondered his second question. "And as to your other question, I'm afraid i don't no what you mean. Record me?" She asked. Did he mean wright it down? If so she held no objections.

Looking around she found that people where now staring at Gil-Estel, most likely because he is royalty. Its a night change. Stella thought, smiling to herself.

"I simply mean that if you tell me your experiences I can note them down. As I said, we elves love the stars and wish to know as much as possible about them. And as for the language of the Drow, it is certainly an intriguing one. Not as beautiful as Sindarin or Quenya, yet not nearly as coarse as the language of orcs. Perhaps you could tell me a few words. In return I could teach you enough Sindarin to get by. First however, I have some business to attend to at the stables. Would you accompany me?"

Stella looked around. Others where enjoying themselves, having a good time. People no longer stared at her and the elven prince, and so she guessed they had been officially observed by everyone. Surely the absence of one Elf and a Fallen star would not be missed? Nodding, she rose and prepared herself to follow Gil-Estel.

"What business had you in the stables?" She asked, as they walked, his pace faster then hers. She had to jog lightly just to keep up.

((OOC: Wow. Sorry about the shortness))

OOC: no worries, most of my posts are really short :S

IC: "I must fetch a horse for someone who has trouble walking. I am going to the stables to get my horse to bring to her." He slowed his place a little so as to let the fallen star catch up with him. "Have I asked you for your name fair star?" he asked. "And may I also ask how it is that a star comes to learn the tongue of the," he scowled slightly, "drow, but not the noble tongue of the elves?"

"Stella" She answered, as to his first question. "My name is Stella, and as to the language..." She went on, then smiled at the memory. "I went on a quest with a drow, and so i picked up a few phrases. I decided it might be a good idea to learn the language as well." She remembered the party and shivered.

"I think id like to learn Elven," She went on, "It would be nice to learn ALL the languages. Id like that, its not like i don't have enough time. I'm immortal." She told him.

Touching a nearby tree she smiled. She was beginning to love the tree's most in Arda.

"I shall teach you." he said. He laughed softly, "Immortality, the "Great Gift of Eru". What it must be like to know that you don't have to face the endless cycle of the Earth, watching as civilizations rise and fall and the other races are born and die. What it would be like to know that after many years you would pass onto a new world, a new plane, rather than lingering here until the time came to pass into the West and live forever more in the Land of the Valar."

Stella shook her head sadly. "Its strange but i wouldn't like to live forever. I'm scare to make blonds, make friends." She went on, then referred to a lighter subject.

"But i would love to learn Elven. It's a language everyone of interest seems to speak heh?" She commented, then sighed. The woods where lovely, and she wished she could say in them forever. She had not a home of her in Arda, and so she was travelling around. So far she had seen some pretty amazing places, and met people who she trusted with her life. Yet there where some that she could not stand to be walking the same land with.

"It is a lovely language yes." smiled Gil-Estel. "Quenya, the most ancient elvish language, is spoken even by the Valar. Most people in this mortal land speak Sindarin though."

As they arrived at the stable, Gil-Estel found his horse, Rilgilad. He turned to the fallen star. "Will you accompany me further? Or do you desire to follow your own path?"

Stella glanced at the white horse and took an involuntary step back. She opened her mouth but no sound came out. How strange.. the creature, i have never seen one before she thought, then found her voice.

"I... Ive never ridden before. But I'd like too, since i have no where in particular to go." She went on, then looked closer at the creature. Its colour was like a pure white, and the sight made Stella smile. It was almost a shade away from being the color of Stella's hair, and nothing had ever come close.

Celena walked by the pair and eyed the wearily. She had only just arrived and these were the first beings she had come across. She pulled her cloak closer and tighten the grip on her sword. This land was so different from what she was used to. Celena closed her eyes and let out the breath she was holding. She glanced around at her surroundings and settled beneath a nearby tree with her head on her knees but her elvish ears were ever alert.


edit:ooc: i am sorry... i just jumped in... i could not really find a rp that had not been going on for a while.... i like to read some of the back story... and this was one of the shorter ones... and i was just trying to get started...

OOC: don't worry countess. Everyone's welcome here (particularly elven nobles :p)

IC: Gil-Estel smiled at the fallen stars unfamiliarity with horses. "Why don't you ride her? Just until we get to the person I am collecting her for of course!" Without waiting for an answer he helped her onto the horse and instructed him to follow Gil-Estel. "I never told you my name did I? My real name I mean, the one that only my close friends may call me. It's Elmelethron. It means Star Lover in Sindarin."

Stella was lifted on top on the horse, and she gasped as it set off moving. She had never been on a horse before.. she laughed holding her arms in the air. She would DEFINATELY have to get herself a horse. Doves and Phoenix's where great, but only if you wanted to fly. These where great for traveling great distances by foot.

"I never told you my name did I? My real name I mean, the one that only my close friends may call me. It's Elmelethron. It means Star Lover in Sindarin." Gil went on and Stella smiled. "Really?! My name means star also in elven translations." She smiled. "Guess we have a thing in common. Do you like the stars?" She asked, indicating with her hand to the great skies above them.

(WOO welcome back Gil!!)

Gil-Estel smiled at the girl's question. "In my eyes, there are few things fairer than the stars. They shine as if they were the most glorious treasure of the Valar and yet they are humble and never seek to interfere with the dealings of Elves or Men." He glanced upwards. Searching. Suddenly, he spotted what he was looking for. He pointed upwards, indicating a bright star almost directly above their heads. "That star there, that is my favourite. It is named Elbereth, that means "She who ingnited the stars". She is the brightest and most beautiful of all lights in the night sky save the moon herself!"