Disclaimer: Tolkien and Co. own it all, I just have the oc's

Loss and Hope

Chapter One: And So It Goes…

I spoke to you in cautious tones
You answered me with no pretense
And still I feel I said too much
My silence is my self defense

-Billy Joel, And So It Goes

Imladris, TA 2933

Morwen pressed a hand to her side as the itch of newly healed skin made itself known. The greatest healer in all of the Arda had mended her wound and even he was not able to cure the irritable itch. Morwen had not so much been targeted this time as her horse had. A simple ride out to one of the human settlements, even with a the guard of seven Elrond of all people had insisted she take, had still seen her injured as her horse was wounded and Morwen was thrown off, her side being pierced by a convenient branch.

Morwen was, to say the least, starting to become frustrated. It wasn't so much the threats pouring into her office, which as a councilor was a normal thing to see, or the severed cat's head found in her room (that turning out to be a more personal attack on Morwen and she was pretty certain she knew the perpetuator), or the ever increasing worry of her friends and family but the simple losses of freedom she was experience that were driving her to a state of madness. Glorfindel had taken to treating her as if she would break at any moment and even Eluialeth had become uncharacteristically cautious in regard to her. The only two who knew Morwen the best, and therefore knew how to treat her to truly comfort her, that is normal, were the twins. The twins were currently out with the Rangers, helping Arathorn as he lead the Dunedain and looking for any excuse to spend time with the young Aragorn, Arathorn's son, only two years in this world.

Typical, really.

As much as Morwen adored the Rangers and their families, having visited them many times after Arathorn's wedding ceremony, she was starting to become quite annoyed whenever the twins rode out, knowing it would be a gift if they were seen in Imladris before the year's end.

Of course, Rian was slightly more annoyed but was coping with it admirably.

So was life, even for the elves. The twins were comfortable riding with the Rangers, had developed close ties with their people and were aiding the reports on occurrences in Arda more so than any of the other patrols. The twins had certainly found their place.

Morwen reached up for another stack of notes, eager to finish this most recent entry to Celebrian.

Though as soon as she sat back down, the itch again made itself known. Again. Sighing in irritation she pushed her notes and the book into her desk and stood up, going in search of Elrond and hoping he had some salve to give her.

Pushing out her chair she jumped as it met with resistance. She turned shocked eyes around to see who or what had blocked her way. Her face broke out into a smile as she saw the amused face of the intruder. She quickly stood up, throwing her arms around the silver haired guest, receiving an equally warm embrace in return.

"There is an orc population moving closer to this settlement." Arathorn announced as he sat down next to Elladan.

Elrohir looked up from where he was attaching the fletchings to the arrow shafts. "How close?" Elrohir asked.

Arathorn shook his head, "Close, the reports say they should be here within the week."

Elladan put down the cup he was drinking from, "We should ride out."

Arathorn nodded, "At dawn. Let us have one more night of peace before we fight again."

Elrohir smiled and nodded his assent but Elladan watched him go, his face slack. Elrohir turned to his twin, watching in concern as Elladan suddenly shuddered and pressed a hand to his forehead.

"Elladan?" Elrohir asked his brother.

Elladan shook his head, "It was…it was nothing." Elladan turned to follow Arathorn as he made his way to the temporary home he had in the ever-moving settlement. "I just…" Elladan gave his twin a weak smile, "…it was just a simple feeling."

Elrohir went over to his brother, laying an arm over his shoulders, "Elladan, as an elf and the son and grandson of two who are well known for their foresight, I would not ignore this allegedly simple feeling."

"Even if it was….I do not think I will be able to do anything about it. I..just…." Elladan worked free from his brother's arm. "I just need to go for a walk. Please, Elrohir, let me go."

Elrohir studied his twin, eyes misting over and a sense of wildness about him. Only guessing what his brother had truly seen, he nodded and let him go. There were times when even a twin could not comfort his or her other's half, this was clearly such a time.

Elrohir wondered if his brother had seen what Elrohir had dreamed months ago, if Elladan knew what was bound to happen to their dear Arathorn. Elrohir had not said a word then, not wishing to share such dark thoughts. Elladan appeared to believe if it was not spoken of, it would not come to be.

Elrohir sighed as his eyes sought out the night sky, his pale face painted in the orange glow of the fire. His light eyes sought out the star of his grandfather.

Elrohir laughed as he thought of his family history. The perfect example of beings never able to escape their fates.

Even now, those from his uncle's line could not escape this supposed curse or blessing on their line.

The Valar would have their way, be it with new life or new death, they would have their way.

"I hear Tirnion has returned to Imladris." Erestor said as he watched Glorfindel lean over a map, making note of another known area of orc attacks.

"Hear is the correct word, indeed." Glorfindel said, placing a large mark over a pass, an area of almost constant orc attacks. "I knew of his return once I heard Morwen's delighted laughter all the way at the barracks."

"I have not seen her smile so broadly in many years." Erestor agreed, purposefully prodding his friend with his words.

Glorfindel looked up at him, a mixture of amusement and annoyance, "I know what you are searching for, it is not there. I am sure if I had not seen you for many decades I too would be greeting you with such loud and joyous sounds." Glorfindel trailed another path on the map with his finger, "Tirnion has been as worried as all of us and has not had the luxury of seeing her healed and well with his own eyes. I would not dare interrupt the reunion of such close friends. He has worried about her because of the two injuries and the threats, she has been worried about him because, well…."

"Mirkwood." Erestor said as he moved beside Glorfindel, drawing a thick red circle around Dol Guldur.

"Yes, they have both earned this respite from their duties. Thranduil has sent Tirnion here for a decade, forcing him into a position as an ambassador."

"I received such a notification from Thranduil, I just did not think it would be legitimate. Can they afford to have Tirnion absent for so long?"

Glorfindel nodded, "Tirnion has trained his second well and Berenon has earned a high rank. Thranduil could see Tirnion was being run ragged, heading the secret patrols, aiding the borders of LothLorien, often being sent to negotiate with human settlements and with his seneschal duties, he has earned this." Glorfindel smiled, "Even if he first saw it as an exile. Thranduil has seen Tirnion grow from a child to his seneschal, he could see the personality change and the general loss of spirit. No elf in such a position likes to be thought of as weak and Tirnion would certainly never ask to be relieved. Better to have your seneschal gone for a decade than gone for a very long time when he is killed from his slackening reflexes or his fading soul."

Erestor smiled, "He reminds me of many of our generals of old, far too dedicated to duty and the care of others to take note of their own being. Even Elrond often fell into such a trap."

"The fool's trap of immortality, when life is supposed to be endless why worry about performing your duties without end?"

Erestor smirked, "Oh, and you have learned to not fall into such a trap?"

Glorfindel looked up, locking eyes with Erestor, "Of course not, but I have learned to acknowledge it is there."

Glorfindel stood back as he studied the map, noting all the marks of the attacks. "Do we still have those maps with the notes of the attacks from the Second Age?"

At the silence Glorfindel looked up at Erestor. He bit back a smile at the look on Erestor's face, the chief councilor clearly thinking Glorfindel had lost his senses.

"Glorfindel, where are we currently residing?" Erestor asked.

"Imladris." Glorfindel dutifully answered.

"And who is the leader of Imladris?"

"Elrond."

"So, do you honestly think we do not have the maps of the orc attacks from the Second Age?"

Glorfindel nodded, spinning on his foot, "Right. Where are they?"

Morwen laughed as she saw Tirnion handle the latest batch of kittens Thandrog had found in the stables. The wild cats around Imladris had decided it was a perfect place to give birth and a steady stream of kittens had been found by Thandrog. Tirnion tried to hold the one kitten back, a grey one almost as light as Tirnion's hair, who was determined to climb to Tirnion's shoulder and watch over all.

Tirnion turned his head to the side as he saw Morwen grimace.

"If you are not healed, you should not be sitting there." Tirnion said.

Morwen shook her head, "I am healed, have been for some time. It is just the horrible…"

"Itch." Tirnion nodded, "I know it well." Tirnion attempted the pull the kitten down again. "Do you not have a salve?"

"Lord Elrond was making more last night. We have, unfortunately, been using it quite often. I was on my way to collect some when you decided to impede the progress of my chair."

:Tirnion laughed, "Yes, well, my abdomen is not feeling so kind to your chair back, not anymore."

"You did not make a sound."

"You learn not to." Tirnion shook his head as Morwen grimaced again, "Go collect the salve and apply it. I am sure the kittens will watch me as well as you. Go."

Morwen nodded reaching a hand out to the wall to assist in her rise. "I will be back soon."

"And smelling of something sweet, I am sure."

"And grimacing as I hold my clothing away from my body. I do not know if I find that more irritable than the horrid itch."

Tirnion laughed as Morwen walked off, more than a few of the kittens running to follow her, the small paws attempting to hook into the hems of her ever elusive skirts.

"Oh, no, not again." Tirnion heard Eluialeth's voice admonish from outside the room. He grabbed up the small grey kitten and walked to the doorway, eager to see her. Tirnion glanced outside of the room, spotting the petite elven form of Eluialeth attempting to get one of the black kittens down from a shelf.

"I did not know he was a climber as well." Tirnion said, holding back his amusement as Eluialeth whirled around, dark hair flying.

"Tirnion!" she exclaimed, temporarily forgetting the kitten who looked like Eluialeth's head would be a perfect place to jump onto. Tirnion hurried over to her, quickly pulling her back with the hand holding one kitten as he reached out to catch the other attempting to fly from the shelf.

"I did not think you would want claws in your skull." Tirnion explained as Eluialeth gave him a questioning look.

"Sadly, I have become used to it. These beasts are more birds than cats. They've been wreaking havoc, but Lord Elrond finds them so amusing, they are not being forced out of the house." Eluialeth reached over to his arms, pulling the wriggling black kitten free. "Elladan claimed this one as his own, but he is gone now, leaving us to care for him." Eluialeth ran a finger down the glossy coat, "How long have you been in Imladris?" she asked.

Tirnion smiled, "Not very long. I went to Morwen before anyone else. Alas, she abandoned me to look after that den of miscreants." he said as he gestured to the room.

Eluialeth nodded, "Yes, I saw her going to the healing halls. All the kittens love her, they follow her around the house." Eluialeth smirked, "They do not, however, like Glorfindel. Whenever he leans too close to her, they all start hissing."

Tirnion's eyes lit up at the anecdote and turning to the grey bundle in his arms he said, "Oh, we will be dear friends then."

"How long are you in residence?" Eluialeth asked as she moved to the room housing the rest of the brood.

Tirnion followed her, his face displaying a look of confusion, "Your father has not informed you?"

"Of what?" Eluialeth asked as she pulled her hair up and away, much to the displeasure of the black kitten who had been batting at the strands.

Tirnion sat the kitten down and walked over to Eluialeth reaching to braid her hair, "I will be here for a decade at the least. I have been….volunteered for the position as ambassador."

Eluialeth turned her head to glance at him, "You do appear tired and that is never good for an elf."

Tirnion shrugged, "There has been lots to do, many things to take care of in the lands. It is good, though, to see the forces lead by another hand, to insure that such a thing can be done in case I am not able to lead them."

Eluialeth laughed softly, "Such a diplomatic answer. Your mother would be so proud."

"As she should, for that is what she told me, that it needs to be done this way. I just…"

"Do not wish to hand over control to another. Yes, quite common of those in charge of the forces. Glorfindel has finally acknowledged he cannot be all over Arda and has relinquished control to those he trusts the most." Eluialeth said.

"Yes, I have heard few others are allowed to run with the Rangers except for Elladan and Elrohir." Tirnion said.

Eluialeth nodded, "That is more the twins decree than anyone else's. The Rangers are a small group in constant danger, they do not need the additional worry of outsiders. Elladan and Elrohir are quite different, the Dunedain have grown-up knowing them, as did their forefathers and so on and so forth. They also know that somewhere, deep down the lines, they are kin. A blood tie, no matter how far removed, can often be a powerful thing."

"Indeed." Tirnion said as he began to coil the braid on top of Eluialeth's head, having done a similar action many times while Morwen and Eluialeth had resided in Mirkwood for that very brief time.

Eluialeth nodded her thanks as Tirnion finished and went to sit down, "How has Mirkwood been?" she asked, never one to linger over pleasantries.

"Things could always be worse." Tirnion muttered. "Dragons on one end, spiders on another, trolls from the mountains, orcs all around, talk of suspicion and Eru knows what out of Dol Guldur. But we are still having our nighttime feasts, enjoying the skies and stars while we are still able."

"Yes, while many speak of the legendary courtesy and mystery of the elves, few speak of our stubbornness." Eluialeth said.

Tirnion said, "Well, we were here first."

"Actually.." Eluialeth started.

"Eluialeth, I am very tired, let me pout. There is no room for logic when one is whining, it completely undermines the purpose of a whine."

"I will remember that." Eluialeth said.

"As you should." Tirnion answered. He looked out of the window, "So, Eluialeth, tell me how the squirrel population in Imladris is faring."

Elrond tried not to laugh at the clearly uncomfortable she-elf in front of him.

"Morwen, I was there at your birth, I bathed you as a child, and I was the one to repair the damage from this most recent injury. I am a healer, it is acceptable for you to lift the hem of your shift in my presence and let me apply this to your healing scar."

Morwen swallowed, "Yes, well, two out of three incidents you mentioned I was not exactly in a proper state of mind and as for the third, I was hardly allowed to bathe myself at that age. It is possible for me to apply the salve myself."

"As your healer, I desire to check the progress of said healing."

"It is itching, it has healed." Morwen said.

"It could be an infection of some sort." Elrond said.

Morwen sighed and moved to lift up the hem, "I do not like you at this moment."

Elrond smiled, "None ever do. Healers are praised during the healing but cursed during the after care."

Morwen shrugged, "Few are ever truly content…" Morwen stopped as Elrond spread the soothing concoction on Morwen's healing scar, "…that however does wonders for my level of contentment."

Elrond laughed at Morwen, finding amusement in her blunt responses. "I have always been a firm believer that the discomfort of the healing is to remind us not to be so foolish as to be hurt again."

Morwen gave Elrond a dark look, "Oh, I am certain that is what you have told yourself with all of your own healing wounds. As a healer, should you not welcome the chance to bring comfort to others?"

"Not when they encroach on my time set-aside for lore studies."

"You are lore, why study it?" Morwen asked.

"Morwen!" Elrond protested, laughing.

"Yes?" Morwen asked.

Elrond shook his head at her cheek, "The more injured you get, the less reserved you become."

"Blame it on the itch, it causes me to lose all sense of propriety." Morwen said.

"I think it is more you are becoming tired, being held within these borders. Though, Tirnion's presence should aid that problem." Elrond said.

Morwen raised a brow, "You requested him, did you not?"

"I did no such thing. Thranduil merely expressed concern for the health of his seneschal's soul and I may have mentioned how soothing Imladris often is to a weary soul and how, in Imladris, Tirnion's spirit would surely feel lighter surrounded by so many he cares for and a distinct lack of duty he will be feeling."

"You are aware after a week without leading a patrol, he will become irritable."

"Glorfindel has already set aside a few for Tirnion to lead." Elrond said.

"Glorfindel knew Tirnion was coming?" Morwen asked.

Elrond looked up, his eyes wide. "No?"

Morwen narrowed her eyes as Elrond pulled down her shift, settling it carefully over her side. "Is that so." she stated.

Morwen stood up and turned to Elrond,. "I fear Glorfindel will find himself preoccupied for the next few moments. He will be having a talk with one of the councilors about withholding information."

"Are you certain you want to discuss that matter again?" Elrond asked, remembering some of the near on explosive discussions of the past.

"Yes, well, we have reached a sort of understanding as to what qualifies as information which must be shared at once and that which must be withheld. Visiting friends fall under the category of must be shared, seeing as how both of us tend to look down on sudden surprises and can, at times, leave suddenly rendering a surprise visit pointless."

"Such a system you have." Elrond said.

Morwen went to reply but was interrupted as Rian came into the room, a haunting look on her face.

Elrond turned to her, "Rian?" he asked, voice full of concern.

Rian, her face paler than its natural light color shook her head, "I do not know what it was, I do not know. I..just..I felt it Elrond, just now, I felt it."

"Felt what?" Elrond asked, his voice taking on the demanding tone of the Imladris Lord as opposed to the calm voice of the father and healer.

"Sadness, a great overwhelming sadness, from who I do not know…" Rian started.

"Elladan…." Morwen breathed, closing her eyes as she searched out across the connections and the threads which tied all of their souls so tightly together, "….and Elrohir."

Elrond's face went still as he dug for the strong, yet buried so deep within,, tie to his children, his twins, "……yes." Elrond agree, the weight of mourning in his tone. "It is Arathorn."

Elladan watched in an almost frozen fascination as his brother, tears streaming down his face, did all he could to bring life back to Arathorn. Elrohir was murmuring every elvish healing spell Elladan had ever heard, and some he had not.

He moved to his brother's side, passing a disdainful glare at the orcish arrow which had pierced the eye and brain of Arathorn, taking him from this world.

"Elrohir," he said to his brother in his most soothing tone, "he is gone."

Elrohir shook his head, undone braids falling about his face. "No, no, Elladan he is only sixty. He has a wife and a small child, I must…"

Elladan crouched down beside his brother, unmindful of the stunned troops gathered around them, unable to comprehend of the loss of their so newly appointed leader. Elladan pulled his twin into an embrace, murmuring soothing words to the distraught elf.

"He is gone, Elrohir, let him go. Let the dead rest, Elrohir, we must honor Arathorn. We must watch after the living."

Elrohir looked up at his twin, "He is…..was..so young." Elrohir let out a humorless laugh, "Arador always feared…"

"Do not dwell, Elrohir. But we must get away from here, it is not safe." Elladan glanced up at the Rangers, giving them a nod, allowing them to collect the body of the chieftain and prepare him for the funeral.

Back at the settlement the Rangers were at odds for how to proceed.

"Aragorn is only two years in this world, he cannot assume the role." Arathorn's former second stated.

"It is clear the evil forces are doing their best to destroy us, decimate our line. Arathorn could not beat them and Aragorn is certainly no match. What are we to do?" Another of the Dunedain stated.

Elladan stood up, his bearing similar to that of his father, a sense of authority around him. "We will hide Aragorn in Imladris, and Gilraen. It is the only way to secure the lives of both."

"And what of us? What are we to do? Who is to lead us if not our royal line?"

Elladan turned to the former second, "You will lead, as the second, and you will continue to lead, until Aragorn is ready to assume his role. However long that may be."

"And if I die?"

"Then your second." Elrohir answered. "We will still be here to help guide you, as will our father, and all in our realm. You know it is no longer secure for the families to travel. Whosoever wishes to seek a home in Imladris will be allowed."

"You are certain your father will allow this?"

Elrohir nodded, "He knows well what it is like to have a home destroyed and to be torn asunder from a family. Imladris is a refuge, that will not change." Elrohir turned to Elladan, "I will find Gilraen and set out. We need to leave soonest, so as not to bring more danger."

Elladan nodded, "I will stay here and help them. Be safe, Elrohir and ride quickly."

Elrohir nodded, leaving his brother to be the leader alone this one time. He made his way to the tent housing Gilraen, already silent in her grief as she went through Arathorn's possession.

"My lady?" he asked quietly, bowing as Gilraen's dry eyes turned to him, her face already lined with worry.

"Yes?" she asked, her voice only slightly trembling as her fingers caressed one of Arathorn's shirts.

"My lady, I express my most sincere condolences."

"Elrohir, you did all you could from what I have been told. Your condolences are not needed, for I know you grieve as much as I do." Gilraen rose and rested a cool hand on his face, "I have lost a husband, but you, Elrohir, you have lost a brother…perhaps a son."

Elrohir lowered his face, not wishing for Gilraen to see his tears. "He was a great man, even if so short lived."

Gilraen nodded. "What is to be done next?" she asked.

Elrohir took a deep breath, "We must take you to Imladris for your safety and that of Aragorn's."

Gilraen nodded, "And when must we leave?"

"My lady, forgive me, but now would be best." Elrohir said.

Gilraen took a step back, "We have just buried Arathorn this morning, I have to…"

"I can leave orders for my brother to sort through this, or for some of your ladies to do the same. I will even help you pack the most essential things now, but my lady, we must leave for Imladris, I urge you to hurry."

Gilraen nodded, "I concede to your wisdom. Please, help me pack some of Aragorn's things."

Elrohir followed her deeper inside, moving with elven swiftness to hurry the insufferable task of sorting through the remnants of a life so recently passed. He fought back his own tears as he packed things he knew Aragorn should have, to know how great a man his father was. Elrohir stopped for a moment, just one moment, and let his grief consume him before he moved on. They had much ground to cover tonight.

"Bells?" Glorfindel asked as he stared at the reins and bridle on his horse, prancing around letting the bells ring.

The stable master seemed to flinch at the tone in Glorfindel's voice.

"Sir…."

"Glorfindel, stop intimidating our very loyal stable master." Morwen said as she tossed Glorfindel's pack at him. "It was Tirnion's suggestion, something they sometimes do in Mirkwood. The bells, elvish bells mind you, let those who you are riding to distinguish you from friend or foe. The Dunedain must be quite on edge at the moment. Do not let your sudden appearance frighten them into shooting you. After all, we sill need to have words over…"

Glorfindel quickly mounted his horse, "I really must set out. If Elrohir had already left as Elladan told his father, then I truly do need to be on my way."

Glorfindel rode off as Morwen glared at him. She shook her head and muttered, "Out of all the elves in Arda I…."

Morwen stopped at the curious look of the stable master. She nervously smiled at him, "I shall go see if the rooms are prepared for our guests, excuse me."

Morwen walked off admonishing herself and doing her best to ignore the smile of the stable master.

Gilraen tried her best to calm Aragorn as Elrohir rode ever quicker. Their small escort, a few Rangers and some of Gilraen's closest friends had long been left behind, their horses' stamina no match for the elven steed she currently sat upon.

Gilraen turned apologetic eyes to Elrohir's face as he brought the horse down to a stop. "I am sorry, he always loves riding with Arathorn." Gilraen closed her eyes at the thought, such a thing would never happen again.

Elrohir dismounted, holding a hand out to help Gilraen down. "He may just need to eat or rest, I am certain we are riding much faster than he ever has." Elrohir placed a comforting hand on Aragorn's forehead. "Even at his young age, he can sense the lost."

Gilraen nodded, holding back her own tears, needing to be strong until she was safe enough to break.

Elrohir held out his hand, "May I?" he asked.

Gilraen, knowing it was safe to give Aragorn over to Elrohir but still cautious and not so willing to let her young son go, slowly handed him over to Elrohir.

Elrohir held him close, signing a soft lullaby. Aragorn, as if fascinated by the singing voice or by the twinkling night sky, quieted his cries.

Elrohir smiled and handed him back to Gilraen, "Let me find some food for him. I am certain there is something in my pack."

Gilraen watched as Elrohir stopped his movement, cocking his head to the side, listening to something intently.

"Elrohir?" Gilraen asked, fearing an attack.

A wide smile broke out on Elrohir's face, "Shh, listen."

Gilraen strained her ears, watching as Aragorn sat up intently, also hearing the faint sound.

"Are those…." Gilraen started.

"Bells!" Aragorn exclaimed.

Elrohir laughed, "Bells, indeed. Elvish bells."

Aragorn let out a happy laugh as he saw a white horse with a shining rider come to them.

"You have made some great progress." The golden haired elf said as he dismounted. He bowed his head to Gilraen, "My lady, I am sorry for your loss. I never had the honor to meet Arathorn, but he was much loved by Elladan and Elrohir."

Gilraen nodded, a little in awe of the elf. "Th..thank you."

The elf approached her cautiously, reaching out a graceful hand to tickle Aragorn's side.

"You must be Aragorn. Well, I am Glorfindel and I am also very honored to meet you."

Aragorn smiled shyly, but put his tiny hand in Glorfindel's outstretched one.

Elrohir smiled, "Gilraen, this is Lord Glorfindel of Imladris, seneschal to the realm and still captain of our forces, since he will not step down."

"I was leading forces before your grandfather was born." Glorfindel said as he gave Elrohir an amused look.

"Do you not then think…." Elrohir stopped as Glorfindel gave him a clearly playful glare.

Glorfindel turned to them, "I know you were resting, but we should get back to Imladris. Feed Aragorn, let me give your horse some refreshment and then we must get on our way."

Gilraen watched as Glorfindel pulled supplies from his pack, handing something to Elrohir and then moving over to Elrohir's horse, rubbing his mane and pouring out water for the horse to drink.

There was a reason why the elves were called the good folk and in her weariness and grief, Gilraen was grateful for them.

A/N 1: Updates might be slack for a bit, since it's just by the grace of a visiting friend I was able to write this. Chapter title from the Billy Joel song.

A/N 2:

Nima, thank you for the review and for the note! I fixed it as soon as I read your review. I always appreciated the help. I am glad you enjoyed it. And yes, "there is always hope" is the mantra of this whole series.

Renna, thank you! I do love to do my parallelism between the older and the younger elves. I like the warmth, even with the angst, I'm a big believer in not-so-simple reactions to situations. I am so glad you've enjoyed it all so far, and I hope you enjoy this new addition as well!