Chapter Two

Dalhier stretched out the kinks he had gained in his neck and lower back from hunching over his garden for so long that day. One lean arm came up to wipe the sweat from his slightly tanned brow. Like all elves he had a tall frame and slim build, his arms sinewy with muscles garnered from long years of hard work. His long honey blond tresses were pulled back into a small ponytail at the base of his neck to keep it out of his eyes. He wore the basic pants and tunic that most peasants and farmers wore, which readily identified him as one of the workers of Imladris instead of a warrior or noble elf.

Not that he particularly cared, or that many in Imladris gave that much thought to titles. In fact it was one of the reasons he enjoyed living in the last homely house. The elves here had more tolerance for outsiders as well as people of all walks of life. It also allowed himself to forget his past as much as possible since no one pried.

Two grey eyes gazed over the large garden he had been given control over so many centuries ago. Upon learning of his above average ability to cultivate plants and herbs Lord Elrond asked him to provide the majority of his healing herbs and other plants needed for the medicines he created to help others. Dalhier had no qualms complying as it gave him a purpose and worked well with his own natural gift. The fact that many in Imladris appreciated his efforts and his work often helped in saving lives only sweetened the deal.

Sometimes he found it hard to believe that he had lived fifteen hundred years in the East before coming here. It was like a totally different life that some one else had lived. Now the majority of his experiences were relegated to his nightmares and the occasional fond memory.

He wondered if his friends had experienced the same thing in the realms of they chose. Not that they had much of a choice. None of them wanted to go to the Grey Havens as they had spent enough time at sea in their opinion. As for staying in the East, well the blue wizards put an end to that. Pallando and Alatar had all but tossed them physically across the borders of those lands. Without a decent explanation to boot. However, despite their powers, none of the three could have defeated the Ishtar in battle, nor did they want to.

Of course Dalhier welcomed the change, tired of the constant wars and battles just to survive. In fact he bet most of the elves here would find it amazing what he had survived with his friends. Yet he hadn't told anyone here about his past. Not that he didn't trust the elves here, but he felt no need to drag such history out into the present.

Besides, he liked not having to fight. Let the warriors of the realm protect the city. If he didn't have to pick up a sword for another millennia then all the better for him. Which is one of the reasons he showed so much respect for the warriors of the realm, or any realm really. Even though he had only lived in the realm a little over a millennia, he still remembered the years he lived by the sword.

It was a shame really that Sauron had to come back. Ever since his return the goblins and orcs in Arda have increased in number, often pulling the warriors from their homes. Elrond had even sent some to aid those in Greenwood against the rise of the dark lord in Dol Guldur. Then again according to his friend Terrin the Woodland King was a bit too prideful to accept the help. More the pity.

"Dalhier! Dalhier," the repeated calling of his name alerted him to the presence of another. Turning he found Vanesse, a rather pretty elleth, coming towards him. He had found that over the years he had grown a soft spot in his heart for the female. Her perpetual smiles and loving nature whittling away at his jaded heart until she had safely ensconced herself a space within. Behind her the twin menaces of Imladris followed closely.

Not that he minded Elrohir and Elledan, both were well mannered and quite fun really, but he didn't always enjoy being the butt of their jokes.

"Good day to you my lady, my lords," he greeted them with a smile that actually reached his eyes. "What can I do for you this day."

"Oh Dalhier," Vanesse giggled merrily. "There is no reason to be so formal! We are all friends here."

"Aye," Elrohir grinned. "And as your friends we found it our duty to pull you away from you garden to come enjoy a swim with us. You spend far too much time in the dirt!"

The ellon in question didn't disagree, however it was hard not to spend time in the dirt when it was his gift to manipulate the very earth itself. Not that he told anyone, or that he had used much of his power besides what would help with his gardening since he arrived in the west. Occasionally though if he was not careful he would cause unexpected events if he allowed his power to build up.

"Yes, after that quake last week it would be best to let the earth lie, as it were," Elledan joked.

Events like that.

The two identical elves had their dark tresses pulled back in the typical warrior braids, though today they chose far less rich clothing than normal. Vanesse wore a simple dress, her own long dark locks pulled into a loose braid that only enhanced her simple beauty.

"I would like to my friends, but I did tell Lord Elrond that I would have those herbs to him by night fall," he advised. "And I have only managed to gather a few."

"Oh come, come Dal," Elrohir huffed, pulling on the other's arm. "We will help you with your gardening if you spend but a few minutes enjoying the day with us."

"We elves may live forever, but imagine how boring that is when one does not take time to enjoy the simple parts of life," Elledan finished easily.

"Please Dal," Vanesse pouted childishly up at him, large blue eyes making the picture look that much more pathetic. "It will not be any fun without you."

The twins watched as the elleth worked her magic. For many years the twins had known the ellon, yet at the same time he remained a mystery to all in Imladris. Both loved a good mystery, especially unraveling one. However their father had wisely suggested they leave the other elf be, his advisor Glorfindel backing his decision. When asked the older two would only reply that there was something about Dalhier, something that made him dangerous. For the longest time neither of them could understand what the other two saw. Then again, neither had the experiences of their father or the Golden Lord.

Yet sometimes, like now, they could see a hint of what the others meant. A small tension in his muscles that belied the easy-going gardener and suggested at something more, something darker.

"I suppose, however these herbs are very important and must be harvested now," the blond argued. "But, if you were to help me now, we would have plenty of time for swimming after."

"Aha! And people say you have no negotiating skills," Elledan chortled. "You are as smooth as Erestor!"

"That is a compliment my lord," Dalhier bowed mockingly. "For few can match the mind of Lord Elrond's top advisor.

"And fewer still match his wit," joined Elrohir. "But fine, I suppose if it is the only way to get you out then we must gather these herbs quickly, for the day grows hot and I for one need a cool refreshing dip in the swimming hole."

"Where have you left off Dal," Vanesse asked kindly, looking to see where she should start.

Dalhier calmly directed them, though he often had to watch the twins to make sure they did not do more damage than good. While kind of heart the two tended to become overzealous in some matters, usually resulting in not so welcome results.

Still Dalhier kept his eyes mostly on the lovely elleth to his side. Never had he met a female such as her. He knew that both his friends would approve of her. And any female he even considered courting would have to meet their approval as they were family. Luckily for him she was not of a social status that he could not court her. True she spent time with the young lords of Imladris, but that was mainly because they were of an age, and Lord Elrond did not teach them to discriminate because of titles.

However he decided to take his time and remain friends with her, until both of them felt comfortable enough to try for something more.

"There! Surely this is enough," Elledan huffed as he placed another thatch of herbs into the basket.

"It should do for now," Dalhier took pity on the younger elves as he rose to gather the basket. "I'll just set this aside then join you three to go swimming."

Before anyone could say anything a strange presence settled around them causing all to freeze. Elrohir pushed Vanesse behind him one hand on his dagger. Elledan searched the area for an attack, his own dagger pulled from his belt and at the ready.

/Warrior of Earth, you are called to fulfill your destiny/ the echo around them caused the four elves to flinch slightly.

"What is going on," Vanesse asked fearfully.

"I don't know, just stay behind me."

"Dalhier, do you see anything," Elledan called to the other.

"No I…"

/Warrior of Earth, your time has come/

With a feeling of dread Dalhier knew instantly that the voice had meant him. The ground around them shook violently, however the earth under his feet opened up as pillars of rock and dirt shot out around him.

"Dalhier!"

"Stay back," the blond warned.

Not that it would help. The trembling of the earth kept either warrior from reaching the other elf. Soon the earth swallowed his body whole, sinking back down leaving no trace of their friend behind.

"Where's Dalhier! What happened," demanded Vanesse.

"I do not know," Elledan stared in disbelief at the ground his friend once stood on.

"But father might," Elrohir spoke up. "We must tell him at once!"