Aerlinniel (Maralyn_Imladiel)
Aerlinniel was born in Harlindon, the middle child of three children. When she was very young–the human equivalent of 15–she met Rafnin, a dashing young ellon who quickly won her over with his carefree personality and exaggerated tales of adventures in faraway lands. Against her family’s good judgement, she promptly fell for him and gave him her complete trust. He then used it to his advantage and persuaded her to run away with him, filling her head with visions of an exciting life without boundaries. The pair took their leave of Harlindon overnight, leaving behind Aerlinniel’s extremely distraught family. They had not been long gone when Aerlinniel realized that she had been deceived by Rafnin, and that his intentions were not as noble as he made them first appear. Feeling hurt and degraded, she left Rafnin and began travelling eastward, too ashamed to return to her family. For many years she led the life of a wanderer, living off the land with her lute as her sole companion. However, the solitary life soon proved too much for Aerlinniel, who yearned for real companionship. She eventually wound up in Mirkwood, where she was befriended by Lossilwen, an elleth about her own age. The two remained bosom friends over the years, even after Lossilwen wed. She and her new husband kindly invited Aerlinniel to live with them, for they loved her like a sister and would have it no other way. Aerlinniel gladly took them up on their offer, and when Lossilwen gave birth to twins several years later, she helped care for them and often lulled them to sleep with songs from her lute.
Though her present life is one of bliss, Aerlinniel often wonders about her family, and what they must think of her. She has convinced herself that if she did return to Harlindon, they would drive her away; therefore she is determined not to dwell on the past. She has told no one of her life before Mirkwood, not even Lossilwen.