Children of Shelob

The first light of the vessel of the Sun, guided by Arien, skimmed the horizon, dimming her beloved stars, although it was always a joyous moment to witness the  return of her kin Arien, blazing across the skies.
Elbereth Elentari watches unseen as the elven rangers from the Woodland Realm trod lightly along the path towards their monumentous home. Their lightness of feet belied the weariness they must be feeling after scouting the borders of Mirkwood during the cold, misty night.

She had felt their presence touch her reverie as she mingled among the forest dwellers bordering Lothlorien and Mirkwood and she took pause from her fond observation of the nocturnal creatures readying themselves for sleep at the dawn of the new day.
Elbereth Elentari lets her voice float along with the breeze and wishes the flink foxes and rodents a peaceful slumber. "Namárie, Mellonea-amin! Quel esta ar' máriessa!" (Farewell, my friends! Rest well and in happiness!).

She follows the marching elves at a distance,  invisible to the eye and shrouded among the thick mist and fog that swamped the forest since Shelob's heirs had begun spinning their evil webs amongst the trees, their stench and poison killing many of Yvanna's dearest creations and turning Mirkwood forest into a dank, dark Shadowrealm.

Within sight of The Halls of Thranduil, the unyielding doors shining in brilliant blue through the fog, and speeding the footsteps of the ranger party, Elbereth beheld two of the brown-clad elves stray from the path, deep in conversation, their digression from the track unnoticed by themselves or the leading elves.

She smiled softly as she regarded the pair, the younger elven woman animatedly petitioning the older male to consider her viewpoint in whatever it was that concerned them at that moment. Her youth was obvious in her spirited use of her hands during her appeal and the usual sedate elvish nature was forgotten as her voice rose among the brush and branches. Her companion remained silent, his head cocked to one side as he listened attentively to her reasoning, but Elbereth perceived quickly that his countenance revealed the depth of his feelings for the elven maiden, even as he appeared unmoved.

"Ma melmë!" (It is Love!), Elbereth thought suddenly and sighed happily, the light of Eru glowing brighter within her as she continued to view the anxious speech of the elven woman, glad to note that the male elf remained unconcerned by her concerns.
"Whatever troubles her will not succeed in keeping them apart. Their fates are intertwined. She is yet young and headstrong, but he has the patience of his enlightened brethren. They shall prevail".

Elbereth Elentari did not intend to dwell longer, but only to accompany the absorbed pair until they reached the security of their home, the forest leading there having become a place filled with malevolence, when a stirring from the leaves above, the stealthy slinking of a huge arachnid, descending furtively down the tree trunk, brought her to a standstill.

Elbereth Vanishes the Spider

"A descendant of Shelob, a fell creature from the pits of Darkness!", Elbereth whispered to the trees, her gaze never leaving the bloodthirsty spider. The arachnid, immersed in its prey, failed to sense her presence.
As it crept slyly towards the elves, their focus turned away from the danger, she stepped out from beneath the tree trunk, the Blessed Light of Eru glowing strong around her and raised her hand towards the creature.
The spider immediately shrank back from its prey, the light scorching it like fire and it scuttled quickly towards obscurity among the vaporous mist and underbrush.

The Woodland Elves swivelled in unison towards the commotion, falling silent and reaching for their bow and sword in accord. The maiden let fly an arrow, quicker than the wind, as the male scrutinised their surroundings for further attackers.
Elbereth Elentari cast but a brisk glance in the direction of the fleeing spider. No creature of evil, born of the earth, could withstand the Light of Eru, the Will of Iluvatar. The Elven pair were safe for now, but she was glad to see them return to the pathway and reach their cavernous sanctuary.

Elbereth radiated joy as the male elf guided his companion through the mighty entrance to the Woodland Realm, before he reappeared, nodding to the stationed guards and attentively surveying the forest across from the bridge.

Woodland Elf Ponders the Danger

He did not see her, she remained invisible to all, unless she wished otherwise, but his folded arms and contemplative attitude were proof enough that he would double his vigilence in the face of the enemies threatening his folk, the increasing Shadows, both close to home and afar.