Author's Note: Hello all and welcome to this bridge story of Bâhukhazâd and its sequel. I've long been planning to continue the story of Ardhoniel, but lacked the time such a venture would require. Concerning this story, I'm estimating it will be around six chapters, each of a varying length – although you may generally expect longer chapters than the present one. I will stick to an update rate of one chapter a week for this story, so you may expect regular updates.

Now all that is left to say is that I hope you enjoy this chapter, and that I hope you will remember to let me know in a review what you think!

Ethuil, 2942 T. A.

She had arrived back in Imladris on the second day of the new year. For six days, she faced the displeasure and disappointment of her father, as well as the complete and utter incomprehension of her brothers and sister, as she tried to settle back into the life that she had left behind on a summer morning half a year prior. After such a long time on the road and in the company of others, Ardhoniel had to reacquaint herself with the softness of a real bed, the peace and privacy of having her own room, and the luxury of daily baths and a fresh change of clothes.

'This is the third night that I find you here, rather than in your bed,' came the voice of Lord Elrond on the seventh morning. She pulled up in a sitting position on the stone bench that had served as her resting place that night, as her father passed into the private garden. His voice was warmer than it had been all week, and when she'd sat up, he took the empty place next to her. 'Will you not tell me what ails you, Ardhoniel?'

'I thought you were upset with me?'

'I am. But I see that you are troubled, and I care more for my daughter, than I care for reprimanding her. Tell me, why are you not in your room?'

'I enjoy watching the stars,' she said simply, and it was the truth – albeit not the whole truth. The whole truth was that she longed back to being on the road. To sleeping on roots, eating watery stew, and being so covered in dirt that she couldn't tell the tone of her own skin anymore. To falling asleep to the sound of snoring, or the comforting bickering between two loving family members. The whole truth was that ever since she had come back to Imladris, she had felt like a stranger in her own home. In her own life. She walked beneath the same trees and mountains that had been the silent observers of her childhood and much of her adult life, and yet couldn't produce even the smallest sensation of familiarity at being surrounded by them. She talked to the same people, performed the same duties, but didn't experience even a sliver of the enjoyment that she used to experience when doing so. The whole truth was that she watched the stars because it allowed her to pretend for even a moment that she was back with her friends. The whole truth was that she felt like a part of her heart was left halfway across Middle-Earth.

A tired sigh filled the silent garden, and Ardhoniel was partly surprised to find her father still seated next to her. Sometimes the ponderings of her own mind became so overwhelming that she forget about the life that happened outside of it. 'Your mother was like you. Fiery, free-spirited…. Some days I feared she would simply take wing and fly away from this place, out to see the world.'

'I am sorry. It was never my intention to hurt you,' she spoke remorsefully as they both looked out at the bushes and flowers that surrounded them. Despite spring only just dawning on the woods and grasslands of the Trollshaws, here in the valley of Imladris the flowers and plants were always in bloom. It was a safe haven untouched by time, when the world ever evolved and changed around it. For all of her life, that fact had made her feel safe – now, it was just another reminder of how separated she and her kin truly were from the world. In that sense, she supposed they were not much better than the Elvenking she had met on her travels.

Thinking of him brought her back to the Woodland realm and its dungeons, and words, so very similar to the ones that had passed her lips just then, that she had spoken to Thorin on a summer night many days ago. She had not meant to cause him or the Company harm. And despite the sentiment being genuine, she realised it did not matter. It did not matter what she had or hadn't intended. She had caused harm to befall the Company. And she had hurt her father. She opened her mouth, but found no words to express her regret with. Instead, she threw her arms around him, putting her own face against his chest like she had done many a time as a young Elfling. 'I love you, ada. And if it's any consolation,' she said, and as she pulled back her eyes were sorrowful even as she attempted a smile. 'I have had more than my share of adventures.'

'That is quite unfortunate, for your brothers informed me only just last night that they would like for you to join them on their next scouting mission.' A small smile pulled at his lips, and as it did, it was not difficult to see the likeliness with Elladan and Elrohir. Ardhoniel knew her father had had a brother once, a long time ago, but it was not something that they spoke of. She wondered if they had shared the same connection her brothers did – and how he managed the loss of someone he must have cared deeply about. 'I'm afraid they will feel quite disappointed at not getting a chance to interrogate you about your adventure.'

'Then I am sorry to disappoint them,' she acknowledged, and stood, 'As it is, however, I have little desire for venturing out again. Father,' she dipped her head in parting and turned on her heel.

'You are not the same Elleth that left home all these months ago,' Elrond observed calmly and she turned back to find him observing her with an unreadable expression, 'What changed?'

Everything. 'Nothing. It's just… Father, could I make a request?' When he inclined his head, she took a deep breath before bringing her gaze up to meet her father's eyes. 'I wish to discontinue my duties at the Guard.'

The Lord of Imladris raised one eyebrow at her in question, but she was not finished. 'I would like to recommence my studies as a Healer, if that is possible. Would you take me on as your apprentice?'

His grey eyes held hers for a long moment and she felt as if he could look straight into her soul. At last, his gaze softened, and she believed she recognised something akin to sympathy in his eyes. 'If that is what you truly want.'

'Thank you, ada.'

~ Ethuil = spring
~ Ada = father