So... I know that I haven't posted in awhile on this site. Sorry. I hope you all will forgive me for that. I always make it up to you all by giving long, for me, chapters… My usual chapters are about 2000 words, but this story is averaging about 5200 words per chapter. Thanks for everyone who has stuck with this story even though I haven't uploaded in a while.


Late Autumn, 3016 T.A.

Elaeanyl stood outside her brother's door. It was late now and she hadn't seen many elves in the palace as she walked through the halls. She slowly turned the knob on the door and opened it a crack. She could see the fire roaring in the hearth and the piles of blankets on the bed, a single pale foot sneaking out the side. She smiled and let the door fall closed silently.

Elaeanyl stared out of the window looking over the canopy and at the twinkling stars erupting out the black satin sky. It was still very early in the morning, or perhaps, very late at night. She hadn't slept, she didn't need to. She rested among the trees closest to the palace in the late afternoon after she had attended the final council meeting that morning and went out to the training grounds to practice her archery skills. She had started to see her muscles form more and more over the past week while she devoted herself to training. Her body wasn't trained for the amount of activity and physical exertion she did daily in her old life as a soldier in the old war, but it was slowly adjusting to her new lifestyle as she trained.

Her lungs no longer burned and screamed for air as she ran for miles, her legs no longer felt unsure and heavy either. The blades she was using were beginning to feel like extensions to her arms when she dueled with the twins and her arrows flew true and far on her bow, just like they always had.

Glorfindel was very busy and hardly had time to train with her. They had both attended the meetings with Thranduil and his council, yet Glorfindel had insisted upon reading through books and reports about the battle at Erebor, the dwarves' time in Mirkwood, and sightings of the Nine throughout the forest and its surrounding lands. None of this was new to Elaeanyl and she spent that time training or talking strategies with the Greenwood's Marchwarden and the twins.

Estel's presence still surprised her. Knowing Elrond, he wouldn't have accepted just any mortal child into his own family. He would have housed the child with a mortal family or perhaps with a willing elvish family because he was one of the Dunedain, but it wasn't normal for Elrond to take in mortals. Perhaps there was a debt Elrond owed to Estel's family or he knew something of Estel's heritage… Something to do with the line of Isildur.

Elaeanyl sighed and sat by the fire. She pulled out the small leather bound book she asked one of the servants for and read her notes and questions she had written in its pages in English so as to not be spied upon.

The third question down on the second page, 'Who is Estel? What are the twins and my brother hiding from me? Why?'

She couldn't wrap her mind around that question. Glorfindel told her everything… sometimes he told her too much, but now she could tell he was keeping secrets. It was almost like he didn't trust her. That hurt. She had just met the twins, so them not having trust, was understandable, but she had grown up with Glorfindel and fought side by side with him in many battles, by all means she was the only living elf in Middle Earth who could understand what he went through when he came back from the Halls of Mandos… yet, he was keeping something from her. Something big. Something very, very important to the outcome of this war.

Morning came across the forest quickly, its rays turning the sky from black, to deep plum, and finally to a vibrant rose that flowed across the canopy, showing a morning frost covering the trees and the roofs of the homes and shops within the city walls. Elaeanyl dressed in one of the formal dresses Thranduil's servants provided for her and slipped out of the room in the early morning hours. The Woodland Elves insisted on giving the company a farewell breakfast in the main hall. The group had decided on leaving the forest by horse with a group of woodland soldiers right after the early breakfast.

The main hall was warmed by fires that were burning in the large, decorative hearths. Large windows exposed the room the morning rays and the beautiful rolling hills covered in trees and to a large swiftly flowing river cutting through the landscape like foaming silver.

The hall was about half full when she walked in. Many heads turned to stare at her and she saw a few elves nod in greeting. She nodded back and started to walk to where she saw a certain golden-haired elf sitting next to a mortal who could only be Estel. They were talking quietly over a pile of parchment, but stopped as she grew nearer.

"Good morning, Sister. How are you?" Glorfindel greeted her as he pushed the parchment aside.

Elaeanyl sighed, "I'm happy to be going back to Imladris. I wish to greet my old friends again."

Glorfindel frowned, "Elaeanyl, if there is something that bothers you, please, tell me. I will do anything in my power to fix it."

"Even if it is your own actions that are the problem?" Elaeanyl asked, her face cold. She raised her eyebrow and waited for his response. Glorfindel sighed and Estel got up from the table.

"I'll let you two work this out in privacy."

Glorfindel looked back at her, his eyes stern. He was warning her not to make a scene.

"Elaeanyl, I have done many things I am not proud of, yet I cannot remember performing any action that would make you angry with me."

"Perhaps you shouldn't keep those closest to you in the dark, brother dearest. I have been sent by the Valar to make a difference in this war. I can't fulfill my duty without full knowledge of the people who will be fighting next to me. If Estel is the son of Elrond, you can't tell me he isn't important and that he isn't going to be leading an army. He is going to find Gollum, I need to know who he really is and why he is this important. Elrond wouldn't just adopt any mortal, that I know! You're keeping secrets from me!" She accused, poking him in the chest.

Her brother glared at her and grabbed her hand firmly, "Stop. You're drawing unwanted attention to us, little sister." He hissed. "It's not my duty, nor is it my right, to tell you some things. You must ask him about his past if you want to know it. It is Estel's past, and his alone, to speak of," Glorfindel whispered again, quietly so that the other elves in the hall wouldn't be able to overhear them.

Elaeanyl glared at her brother and turned about on her heel and stalked away from that table. Her brother sighed and turned his attention to the parchment that was in front of him. Some of the younger elves were staring at the siblings, yet most were polite enough to listen to their feud without any obvious sign that they were, in fact, listening.

She had almost reached the archway that lead back to her rooms as a strong, regal voice rang out in the main hall, "Lady Elaeanyl, will you join me at my table for this meal?"

She stopped abruptly and looked over to the head table to see King Thranduil smiling at her his hand outstretched in welcoming. He was sitting with a few advisors and what looked like some leaders of his army based on their choice in garments. The seat to his left was empty, as if he had planned to speak with her.

Most of the hall was staring at her now awaiting her response.

She nodded her head and sent one last glare at her brother who was also watching for her reply. She walked quickly to the head table and took the seat next to the Elvenking.

"Elaeanyl, I have a favor to ask of you." Thranduil began, turning to her.

"I will do all in my power to help an old friend, you know this Thranduil. What is it that you need of me?" She asked quietly so that the elves closest to them wouldn't overhear.

"It is my son. He is rash and adventurous, just as I was a long time ago. He has yet to learn much about what it is like to part of a war of this size. He is commanding a group of soldiers along the southern section of the forest, but I fear the call of war will have him leaving to join the great armies of men and elves. If you meet him, keep him safe." Thranduil asked quietly. His eyes shone with the concern only fathers could have.

"Of course, you needn't ask of me this. I would always look after any elf,especially one that is the son of a friend." She said.

Thranduil nodded, "Thank you, Elaeanyl."

A long silence fell between them as they ate the rest of their meal. Elaeanyl noticed that the hall had filled as more elves began their day. The group of Imladris elves sat at the table and were chatting quietly amongst themselves. As the meal drew to a close, Thranduil wished the group farewell and a safe journey back through the forest and each elf taking the journey received a pack filled with the essentials, food, water, healing herbs, and even a small block of soap.

The group accepted the gifts with gratitude and turned to speak with the king who was awaiting them in a small room off the main hall.

"As you leave the Greenwood, I wish you the best of travels. I will be awaiting word from the other realms about the war. I will also be awaiting the return of Estel with the creature Gollum. I will have our dungeon's cells outfitted for the creature."

"Thank you, King Thranduil. Your help is greatly appreciated." Erestor said.

The group made their way down to the stables where the rest of their group was and readied their horses. Elaeanyl was given the reins of a sorrel coated stallion named Akela. The ellon that handed her the reins said that he was hers to keep, a gift from the people of the Greenwood.

She rested her hand on the stallion's flank and greeted the horse. He was calm and well trained. She checked her pack and attached it the the pack horse with the rest of the group's belongings. She kept her weapons on her though. She had been warned of the dangerous creatures that lurked within the shadows of the forest. Her small blade was tucked into her boot and her bow and quiver were strapped to her back with her blades. She had tucked her waterskin and a few small pieces of lembas bread into her belt.

"Elaeanyl, we are going to be leaving soon. Do you have everything you need on the pack horse?" Erestor asked her as he added his own small pack to the horse.

"Yes," She said. "I made sure I had everything I will need."

She gracefully mounted Akela and joined her brother who was circling the prairie in front of the stables.

"Are you sure you are well enough to make this journey?" She asked him, concerned.

He looked over at her and smiled, "I will be fine, El. My shoulder is still a little sore, but I can fight with it if I need to." He said honestly.

They waited for a moment in silence for the other riders to join them and Elaeanyl spoke again, "I have heard the beginnings of many stories about you over the past week. I am anxious to hear how they all ended. I have many years to make up for." She said mischievously.

Glorfindel groaned. "I am sure the twins would be happy to finish their tales during our ride back to Rivendell, although I must protest that they are outrageously exaggerated." He said, throwing an unconvincing glare back at the twins.

The twins and Erestor soon joined them, as did the rest of their small group. A small company of wood elves joined them under Thranduil's instruction. They were to escort the group safely to the outer canopy of the forest via the old and then join another company of elves that were on patrol in the North.

The forest had changed since she had first entered the halls of Thranduil. There were distinct signs that winter was fast approaching. The wind blew coldly through the trees as they walked down the old, leaf covered path. Light snuck through the bare branches of the previously thick, green canopy, yet the forest further from the path was still dark and thick, a place where creatures of many kinds lurk waiting to attack an unsuspecting traveller.

The group rode for many hours until the sun was overhead before they stopped along a small stream for the horses to rest and drink before continuing for the rest of the day. The group finally stopped for the night under the canopy of a great willow tree next to the path. They scouted the area and deemed it safe before starting a small fire and setting out their cloaks on the ground. Thranduil's men insisted on keeping watch while the Imladris group slept for a few hours.

The next few days were about the same. They set out right after the first streaks of sun made their way through the canopy and rode until midday where they would let the horses rest for a while. They would continue riding until dusk and find a suitable place to rest for the night. The groups took turns keeping watch and caring for the horses and making meals, but Thranduil's men insisted on doing most of the work, claiming it was the king's wish.

It still felt strange to Elaeanyl to be back in Arda. She still was catching up on everything that had happened since she died. She asked the twins about Arwen and their grandparents. She was surprised to learn that Arwen had professed her love to Estel a decade ago. It was rare, but not unheard of for Peredhel to fall in love with a mortal. The twins also told her many stories about the elleth their adar had tried to get Glorfindel to marry. The group laughed at these stories, even Glorfindel let out a few chuckles at the stories. Elrond really had gone out of his way to find Glorfindel an elleth that he would marry.

Estel was quiet, always observing the thick forest on either side of the path, preferring to ride alongside the elves of the Greenwood than talk with the rest of the group. Occasionally he would talk to the rest of them while they were resting or keeping watch, but he was constantly observing their surroundings.

The twins, Glorfindel, and Erestor found this behaviour strange, but accepted it. On the fourth day of riding Elladan rode beside her and said, "He isn't usually this quiet."

"Huh?" She asked.

"Estel. He usually isn't this quiet. It is strange that he won't join us in conversation. I think he is worried about this forest. I fear he is right to be too. I spoke to the woodelves and with your brother and they all agree that the next section of the forest has been rather dangerous in the past few years. Mostly spiders and the occasional pack of wargs, but they said we should all be on the lookout for anything strange in the shadows."

"I'll keep an eye on the forest." She promised. "How does your adar feel about Estel and Arwen?"

Elladan sighed, "he isn't fond of the idea, but he wouldn't be able to bear seeing Arwen unhappy if he forbid them from loving one another. I think he understands, after all his own brother chose the mortal life."

"Why did Mithrandir chose Estel to hunt Gollum?" Elaeanyl asked curiously.

"You don't know him yet, but he has many skills of the elves, but an uncanny ability to blend into any environment he finds himself in. Many elves cannot do that."

"Skills of the elves?"

Elladan smiled, "Adar taught him the basics of healing and Athelas responds rather well for him. He also was taught to fight by your brother, just as he taught us. He has learnt to hunt and track the smallest of trails for many miles."

Elaeanyl smiled, "My brother taught you how to fight?"

"Aye, he teaches many of our warriors now."

"He is a tough teacher. I learnt most of my skills from him and my father long ago and he was relentless back then. I couldn't imagine what he is like now… after all the war he has been through."

Elladan laughed. "Adar has warned him about going easy on the new trainees until they are used to the training regime. He was getting too many complaints from elves that could barely move because they were so sore and exhausted."

"Yes, but I fear that his harshness will be useful in the next few years. I knew it was helpful for me when I found myself in battle."

Elladan agreed as Erestor cantered up to them, "Elaeanyl, Estel wishes to speak with you."

"Thank you, Erestor. I will be there in a moment."

Erestor nodded and went back to looking out into the forest. Estel was riding in the back near her brother talking quietly. Elaeanyl slowed Akela until Estel and his horse were next to her.

"You wished to speak with me."

"I did. Your brother has told me that you have many questions about my past. While I do not know you, I trust your brother's judgement. When we are back in Rivendell I will explain all that you wish for it is the will of the Valar." Estel said softly.

Elaeanyl looked over at her brother who nodded at her, "Thank you, Estel. I know we do not know each other well, but I hope that we will be able to find trust within one another."

They rode in silence down the path, following the rest of their group. Suddenly one of the mirkwood elves threw up his hand in warning and they all stopped. She took out her bow as did Elrohir and Erestor, her brother, Estel, and Elladan brought out their swords. They formed a close group in the center of the path, looking out over the forest. She heard a rustle and then she saw it.

It was a large spider. Rather, a large group of large spiders. They were scuttling quickly across the winding branches of dead, leafless oak trees. Their webs were like grey nets cast across the sky poised to ensnare any unlucky creature that would wander across them.

The spiders pressed forward and Elaeanyl loosed an arrow that glanced off the thick outer skeleton of the spider's back.

"Aim for their underbelly and head, shoot at their eyes!" A Silvan elf shouted as she knocked another arrow. Elaeanyl aimed at the eyes of the closest spider, exhaled, and released her arrow. It spun quickly through the air and embedded itself in one of the eyes of the large spider, killing it instantly. It's body shook and it dropped to the ground with a thud. Dust and dried leaves floated into the air and rested around the carcass.

Next to her Glorfindel rode Asfaloth underneath the legs of one of the spiders that was climbing down to the ground, slicing it's softer underbelly open. It squealed and fell to the ground, dead. Her brother was filthy, covered in the spider's blood and innards. She drew one of her blades and stabbed another spider in the neck and it fell to the ground. She looked around for the other elves and saw only two spiders left. The mirkwood elves had corned on up a tall maple and Erestor and Elladan were slashing at the other.

She knocked her bow again and shot down the spider in the tree before turning and aiming at the other spider, but Elladan's sword pierced its body and it fell. She joined the group again and kept an eye on the forest. When she thought it safe, she lowered her bow and nudged her horse forward.

"I cannot sense anymore of them. I say we leave here quickly and get to a safer spot to rest the horses and make camp for the night." One of the Silvan elves said.

Glorfindel and Erestor nodded and the group quickly retrieved their arrows and rode down the twisted dark path until sun once again shone through the sparsely leaved trees and the birds chirped once more. They slowed to a walking pace again and traveled until dusk. They found a flet high in a sycamore tree. There was a small, clean stream running by a few meters away where they refilled their water skins and let the horses graze and drink freely. Elaeanyl and the rest of the group cleaned their blades and arrows in the cold water of the stream.

"Elaeanyl, why don't you head back up the flet and get some rest. I wish to clean up a little," Her brother said. She laughed. He was covered in spider blood and innards. It was in his hair and over his clothes. The others in the group were clean, so they all went back up the flet and left Glorfindel to wash the spider off in the cold stream.'

Erestor had a small fire going in the flet and it was warm. It had a few hammocks hanging from the branches and some thin mattresses stacked along the base of the tree. Elaeanyl pulled herself into one of the hammocks, pulled her cloak around her and quickly fell asleep swaying with the cold wind.

The group left late the next day to give the horses their needed time to rest. It was well past dawn when they left the flet with her brother leading the group. The group agreed that they were over halfway through the forest when they started out the day and that they should reach the Anduin by noon in two days time. That is where the mirkwood elves had agreed to leave the group and meet with their company for patrol duty.

Each hour the canopy became less dense and the gentle rays of the sun kissed the ground. The surrounding forest became less dark and the threat of spiders and wargs decreased. By the end of the day the group was telling stories and laughing again as they went down the road instead of riding in silence, observing the trees.

"Erestor, does Lord Elrond know I am coming?" She asked.

"I don't think any of us bothered to send a messenger to him because you made it quite clear you were returning with us. I doubt he knows unless Lady Galadriel sensed your presence and sent a messenger to him from Caras Galadhon." He replied.

"I understand. Do you think he will be unhappy at my unannounced arrival?" She asked, shyly.

Erestor stopped and stared at her, "Elaeanyl, do you hear yourself speak?" He asked incredulously.

"Yes, it's just… I don't know." She began.

"Listen, Lord Elrond was deeply saddened at your death. You had been old friends and he had to see on of his closest friends, your brother, grieve and nearly fade himself. I am sure Lord Elrond will be very happy to see you again." Erestor said.

"I suppose." Elaeanyl muttered.

"If he isn't I promise Glorfindel and I will talk sense into him." He started. "You chose Rivendell as your home. You belong there. We need you back, there hasn't been anyone to school Glorfindel in the training ring in eons." He joked.

Elaeanyl laughed, "Well that needs to change. I may need a few more weeks of training to get my old form back, but I will be able to beat him again. I'm sure of it." She promised.

They reached the Anduin as planned and the mirkwood elves wished them farewell as they turned back to the forest.

The Anduin was large and fast flowing, but the bridge ahead of them was sturdy and let them cross the white capped currents easily. The small group of Rivendell elves travelled west for a few more hours before they came to the foothills of the misty mountains where they found a suitable place to rest next to a mountain stream that refreshed them with fresh, although very cold, water.

That night Elaeanyl offered to keep watch with Elrohir. They sat near each other by the small fire looking out across the mountains and plains in front of them.

When their companions fell silent with their eyes glazed over in sleep, Elrohir turned to her.

"Elaeanyl, may I ask you a question?" He asked quietly, his eyes still scanning the mountains to the western side of their camp.

"Of course, what is it that you would like to know?"

"When you were in the Halls of Mandos," He began. "What was it like. Who did you see?" He asked inquisitively.

"It was strange. In many ways, it was similar to here. Elves work, have feasts, live within families and communities, but in many ways I knew it was different. I could tell that they were missing their families still here or in Valinor and wished to be reborn soon in Valinor." She began.

"My family didn't feel whole without my brother and I. I could sense that it was difficult for them to see both of us for such a short period of time before we were reborn here." She sighed, remembering the faces of her family, her parents especially, when she had to leave.

Elrohir looked over at her, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked. I was just curious of who you saw."

"I saw many old friends. My brothers who died in Gondolin, my sisters, my parents were all there to greet me. I saw many elves I fought with on the battlefields who died. Yet, there were many elves who died that must have been reborn to Valinor since the time I arrived. Many of the elves of Gondolin are not in the Halls anylonger. I suspect they are in Valinor." She said.

"So you didn't see Ecthelion?" He asked quietly.

She smiled, "No, he wasn't there from what I saw." She began. "Why, does my brother wonder what happened to him. They were very close friends. Almost like brothers."

"I suspect so. Sometimes your brother talks in his sleep. I think he still misses Ecthelion and wonders if he will ever see him again."

She frowned, "Then I shall tell him of what I noticed in the Halls of Mandos. I will tell him that Ecthelion is waiting for his gwador in Valinor."


So this is where I am going to end it. The next chapter will have them passing the mountains and arriving in Rivendell. Maybe. Thanks for reading and reviewing, favouriting, following, etc. You guys are the best. See you sometime.-R.