Chapter 4

Leather. Sweet grass. The gentle sounds of her steady breathing. Then a curious nose lipped at her shoulder. Aruiniel opened an eye and peered up at her mare Huoriel. She reached up and scratched her gray cheek before pushing her away and standing.

After her episode that morning Aruiniel had taken her mare and gone for a ride to her favorite glade, hastily attempting to escape her feelings.

Now, with her thoughts collected and an immense feeling of guilt, she knew there was little time before she would be expected to report to the King. Grabbing a lock of Huoriel's black mane, she swung herself up upon the mare's bare back and urged her into a canter toward home.

It was a quick ride and as she leapt to the ground she saw Linnadhiel come to the doorway, a look of worry creasing her brow. Her aunt knew better than to embrace her and she simply touched her arm as Aruiniel passed through the door and then moved into another room.

Saeldur hooted a soft hello from amidst a ball of feathers and then continued his grooming, a small pile of feathers resting upon the floor. Aruiniel reached for the pack leaning against her wall and tossed it on the bed, running a hand through her hair as she moved to her wardrobe.

Undressing quickly, she tossed the clothes to the floor and reached for a pair of dark grey leggings and a plain navy tunic with a raised pattern of leaves and vines. Dressing in a tunic with the emblem of the crown would only draw attention to their party if they ran into anyone upon the river. She slipped her feet into her gray boots, slipped on her brown leather arm bracers, and buckled on her sword belt.

Aruiniel reached into the back of the wardrobe and withdrew a small box with an ornate pattern of two emerald snakes intertwined with each other, their ruby forked tongues extended and curling. Underneath the lid revealed a plush blue velvet interior that held two beautiful hairpieces. Shaped like a serpent, each hairpiece was gold with an emerald eye and an evil ruby grin. She reached up and gathered her hair into a low bun before tying it off and nestling both hairpieces into it. They blended in well with the color of her golden hair and would only be truly visible to the eyes of an elf from a distance.

Then she slipped a dagger into each of the leather sheaths inside her boots and strapped on her quiver. Grabbing an extra tunic, leggings, and a dark gray cloak she tossed these items into her pack and closed the flap.

"Wait." Uncle Nostalion and Aunt Linnadhiel stood in the doorway, a basket of food between them.

Aruiniel groaned inwardly at their intrusion but then chastised herself and forced a smile.

"Thank you. This will help sustain me on this grueling mission for the King." She said, embracing her Uncle Nostalion.

She buried her face into his dark blonde hair and took comfort in his strong embrace. As Aruiniel pulled away her light green eyes met his blue ones, seeking reassurance. He grasped her shoulder comfortingly and then she turned to Linnadhiel.

Soft blue eyes full of concern and worry met hers and Aruiniel embraced her Aunt, afraid to succumb to the bubble of emotion climbing up her throat.

Then the moment was over and her hard façade settled in. She turned and stuffed the food into her pack, closed the top, and tied a water skin to the outer layer strap.

Throwing it over her shoulder and picking up her bow, Aruiniel turned back to her Aunt and Uncle with a smile.

"Thank you for everything. I will return in time for the birth of Lythfain's baby if not soon after." She said, unsure of what else to say. Aruiniel had always been terrible about farewells.

"May the Valar watch over you and your party as you travel Aruiniel." Linnadhiel said as they followed their niece out of the home. Aruiniel laid her hand on Huoriel's cheek and turned to look at her relatives once more.

"I will see you sooner than you know." She said as light as she could without betraying the dread in her heart. Without a sound she turned down the path, her mare following behind her.

Nostalion wrapped an arm around his wife's waist as she watched Aruiniel disappear down the path.

Leaning into him Linnadhiel asked softly "Will we see her again melamin?" She was fearful for the fate of her niece and nephew.

Nostalion sighed and kissed her hair. "The Valar can be gracious at times. Let us hope that Aruiniel and Rhov will receive some of that grace in the trying times ahead. But for now, let me ease away your fears."

He bent down and captured her lips in a loving kiss, pushing her into the doorframe. Linnadhiel felt the passion stirring within her and allowed her husband to scoop her into his arms, closing the door shut with his foot and carrying her into their bedroom.

IIIIIIIIII

Celuduin shuddered and collapsed, his breathing heavy and his body slick with sweat. Lothelad's silvery hair stuck to his arms as he rested them on either side of her head.

Her blue eyes looked up at him, filled with love and also sadness at his coming departure. Despite the heat emanating between them, Lothelad wrapped her arms around him, holding him close to her bare chest and inhaling his scent.

"What are you doing beloved?" he asked as she took a lock of his blonde hair and inhaled deeply.

She blushed and looked away shyly. "It is dreadful when you are gone and I like to remember your scent when you leave me. I am trying to memorize all of you so I do not feel so alone in the coming days."

His heart swelled with love for her and he bent to capture her lips with his in a passionate kiss.

He pulled away and looked deep into her big eyes. "Beloved, you are the most precious jewel to me in all of Middle Earth. Your sweet nature has left me undone."

Lothelad blushed again and smiled timidly, tracing Celuduin's pointed ear with her finger.

"Please feel free to take any of my tunics and keep them with you. If it would comfort you then it would comfort me." He whispered against her neck as he rained soft kisses down it.

Lothelad closed her eyes and hummed at the ministrations as his mouth toyed with her collarbone.

"I must go soon. The others will be expecting me." He said gently before taking the tip of her breast into his mouth.

"Oh!" she gasped, arching her back slightly in pleasure. He smiled as he sucked at the nipple and then moved to the other when it peaked. His passion was growing quickly.

"Once more?" came her breathy question as his hands settled upon her hips and he nuzzled her stomach.

Celuduin nudged her legs apart in response and bent his head lower to lap at her delicate folds. Lothelad moaned and twisted her hands in the sheets at the feel of his velvety tongue sweeping across her clit.

"Please my love." She begged desperately, her voice going higher as he continued his ministrations.

Celuduin shifted upward and covered her body with his own, guiding himself into her warm depths with a groan.

"Just for you my beloved." Came his reply as he began to thrust into her with swift and sure strokes.

Their bodies intertwined and their voices rose together, easing Celuduin's pain at leaving his jewel behind.

IIIIIIIIIIIIII

Celon clapped him on the shoulder as he walked into the cellar. Celuduin grinned and Celon gave him a knowing glance.

"You are late." He said with a raised eyebrow.

"I had farewells to bid." Celuduin said simply, trying to hide the blood creeping into his cheeks.

"Yes and apparently they were freshly given for I can smell the sex on you friend." Celon winked at him and moved to readjust a strap on his pack.

Celuduin turned the color of crimson and dropped his pack next to Celon's. Then his jesting nature came forth.

"Surely you cannot be implying that you have gone without these past two days?" Celuduin asked.

Celon leaned against the wall and gave a lazy grin, the torchlight flickering in his gray eyes. "I may have stayed in several talons, none of them being my own."

"Someday my friend, some elleth will capture your heart and you will find yourself occupying only one bed and dreaming of always being with her when you are away." Came Rhov's voice as he came down the steps.

Celon scoffed and Celuduin chuckled as he moved to grab the coils of rope they would need to take with them.

"Has anyone seen Aruiniel?" Rhov asked as he dropped his pack and lit another torch.

"I am here." Came her voice through the hole that led down to the river below.

"The rafts are ready and waiting in the inlet. We only need the word of the King and we are ready to depart." She said as she climbed off the ladder and brushed the dust from her leggings.

"Take the ropes and packs down and ensure we have enough provisions and weapons." Rhov said as he firmly grabbed his sister's wrist and dragged her into the adjoining room.

Shutting the door behind him he turned to look at his sister, her eyes wary and apprehensive. Rhov settled the torch in the bracket on the wall and leaned against it.

"I do not even know where to begin Aruiniel. You confronted our King, embarrassed me, and stormed off like an unhappy child." He said frustratingly, his arms crossed over his chest and his golden-green eyes hard.

Aruiniel stared straight back but it was only seconds before her resolve crumbled and she could feel the first tremor run up her spine. She turned away, embarrassed to break down in front of her older brother.

Crying was weakness. Aruiniel could not hide her past when she let her emotions run rampant in front of others.

Rhov watched his sister as she seemed to slump forward. She hated to cry in front of him and he hated to see her upset. Aruiniel had a hard time keeping her anger in check and sometimes she reminded Rhov of a child. But nevertheless he loved her and he could not let this come between them before such a big trip.

Aruiniel felt his hand and without looking she turned into his waiting embrace, letting her tears fall freely. Rhov enclosed her in his arms and rested his cheek against her head. His pain at leaving was ten-fold that of his sister's.

"Rhov, you must do what the king bids." Lythfain had said that morning, her face struggling to hide her emotions.

He paced back and forth like a caged animal in their living room, unsettled and frustrated. "The compensation will be generous. I can certainly pay for the baby's goods as well as a few new dresses and paints for yourself."

Lythfain stepped in front of him and framed his face with her hands. "We both know you do not care about the coin. Rhov, I love you. I knew this would be difficult when I committed to living a life of eternity with you. It is hard to see you leave and return so many times throughout the season, especially when I carry our child. But this is for the good of the Kingdom. Our King has need of your great services and you should do it for love and for honor. For the love you bear for me and our unborn child and for the honor of yourself and your good name.

She had kissed him then. Long and hard. Rhov had been concerned he would cause the baby to come early with that sort of passion but Lythfain had only laughed at him.

Now he turned his attention back to Aruiniel. She had quieted and it was time they joined the others.

"I understand Nenaew that you are upset and so am I. But we must do this for our King and for ourselves. If we can accomplish this then we will be generously rewarded in both rest and coin. However I need you to keep your place. This is not a mission we can take lightly." He said sternly, pulling her back to look at her.

Aruiniel's watery green eyes met his golden-green ones and she nodded her understanding. "I apologize. I have acted brashly and shown a lack of maturity today. But I will make it up to you. We will succeed in this Rhov. I want to play with my niece or nephew when we return."

Rhov smiled and wiped the tears from her face. It would do no good for the others to see her in such a state.

When she was under control they emerged from the room to find the King without. He looked weary. Lines creased his brow and around his mouth, showing his age. His hair had still not been bound and he wore only simple leggings and an embroidered tunic unlike the standard robes of state.

Aruiniel and Rhov crossed their right arms across their chests and inclined their heads. There was the sound of scuffling and then Celon and Celuduin emerged as well.

"Rafters. Thank you for your allegiance to your Kingdom and thank you for listening to me. I know this would not be your first choice for spending your first day of the off-season. You have my gratitude and my blessings. May the Valar watch over you and return you safely to our realm." Thranduil said, the lines on his face only growing with every word.

He reached then into his tunic and pulled out a leather pouch containing the letter to be delivered. "Your instructions are inside. As soon as you have delivered it send for an owl and bring word back to me. I will give you as much aid as I can along the riverbanks in terms of scouts."

Rhov took the leather pouch and tucked it into a hidden pocket in his black outer tunic. "Thank you My Lord. We will do what you ask to the best of our abilities." He said and then turned to descend the ladder.

Celuduin and Celon followed him quickly, preparing to launch the rafts.

Aruiniel paused, her eyes meeting the King's tired ones. "I am sorry. I reacted in a manner that was not befitting this morning." She said sheepishly.

Thranduil rested a hand on her shoulder and smiled. "My dear, I understand your feelings. Truly I do. I hope that you can all come out of this unscathed."

She nodded and then descended the ladder as well to the cavern floor, surprised and touched by the King's kind words.

When the incident of the dwarves escaping their cells had occurred, Aruiniel had found the King to be angry and hostile. Personally she did not deal much with the royal family and she preferred to keep it that way. However she was comforted to see that he did have a more gentle side.

Now she stood upon the floor of the cave, the two rafts tethered to stone posts and the rapid moving water waiting beyond. Their take-off point was located at the exit of the caverns. A small inlet came off of the raging water beside them, making it a perfect place to moor their rafts. Except for the torches that glimmered around them and along the path of the water there was only the small ball of light that indicated the cave's exit.

Instead of floating barrels they would be using lightweight rafts of pinewood. They would be lighter and faster, making their journey less challenging in terms of navigation. The long poles they used to steer laid across the stone in waiting.

Their packs and ropes had been placed in two small crates that had been built into the rafts and their lids had been secured shut with straps. The beginning part of their journey was the hardest and they did not want to lose their provisions.

Picking up her pole she moved onto the raft, pushing the anticipation and fear out of her and gaining a hard resolve. Aruiniel needed to be serious. One mistake in this part of the river and they would all be dead.

Celon and Celuduin jumped onto the second raft and took their positions as Rhov extinguished the torches at the take-off point. Grabbing his own he smiled in the dimming light.

"Ready friends?" His voice was sure as always but this time the stakes were higher. Pulling out a dagger he cut the rope and pushed them out of the inlet and into the fray.

Aruiniel bent her knees and kept her pole toward the surface as they were swept into the current. The rocks were numerous and she could not risk snapping her pole. Water sprayed on her face and she smiled as they tilted back and forth through the rapids. Behind them Celon gave a loud whoop of excitement.

Then they hit the sunlight and they were thrown into a world of green. The current continued to rage about them and Aruiniel and Rhov laughed as they pushed around the familiar boulders, avoided floating logs, and dodged the whirlpools.

Celon grinned behind them. This was his favorite part of every journey. The thrills and excitement of the rapids were exhilarating. He threw his head back and gave another whoop of joy.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

He could hear their laughter from the branch he was crouching on. They were coming close and there was not much time left. It had taken him a better part of an hour to find the right tree. This one had unanimously won. It hung out over the river and had several low branches that were thick and sturdy with plenty of foliage to conceal him.

Looking down he could see the brown water churning away toward Esgaroth and if he was not careful he would be carried away with it. There was no room for a mistake.

Then he saw the first raft come around the bend. Wrapping his legs around the branch he carefully turned himself around the branch so that his back faced the water and he could see the sky above him. He had to have perfect timing.

His quiver rested on his stomach and his bow was in his left hand. It would do him no good if he landed on his back and smashed all of his arrows and quiver. Then it was time. Taking a deep breath he loosed his grip and let go.