Faith and Fault

A/N

IMPORTANT FAMILY TREES

Couldn't find orophers fathers name so I made it up

Mirkwood family tree- Gelmir and Arania parents of sethen and Oropher grandparents to Thranduil(King) great grandparents to Norui(Crown prince), Legolas and Kai

Shayarvarn family tree- Turgon and Finduilas parents of Tarlea grandparents to Beren(king) great grandparents to Finwë(Crown prince),Awray, shayla and Linwëlin

Important-er

Any words spoken in italics are the secret language of Shayvens so only they understand what is being said.

really long chapter, its all a flash back, pretty important hope you enjoy.

Xxxx

Flashback roughly 300 years ago…

"Can't Fraya come?" Shayla asked as she cling winning to the dress of her mother, sticking her bottom lip out in a pout.

Queen Ayla looked down upon her youngest daughter and smiled at the equivalent of a 7 year old human child that she had for a daughter.

"Nay my child," She said softly her voice like silk and honey, "She has other duties." Seeing that her child's lip quiver she reassured her, "your brother, Linwelin will join us."

Shayla brightened immediately at this proposal, which made The queen laugh lightly as they walk to find him.

Linwelin was about 4 and a half human standard, and the spark to the family. The elves smiled upon him and even the cooks gave him pastry's before dinner, something that Shayla had always envied of him. He had inherited the rich black hair from the king, like all of the royal family and most Shayven elves, and his eyes sparkled the unique spark of golden-green, something that only he and Shayla had.

Laughter echoed through the hall from Awray's room and then an enraged cry of anger from a she-elf. Shayla let go of her mother's dress to run ahead and see what the commotion was.

Ayla continued her journey at a steady pace and paused in the doorway.

The laughter had escaped from Linwelin who was perched high above a dresser dangling a doll out of the reach of Ayla's second oldest child and eldest daughter, Awray (9 in human years), who was pink faced in rage and shouting at her brother to give it back.

Shayla was now sitting her sister's bed laughing away.

Behind Shayla standing by the door was Ayla's oldest child and son, Finwe (15 human years), who stood arms crossed faint amusement in his eyes.

"Now Linwelin is that anyway to treat your sister?" the queen asked, a hint of amusement in her voice that went unnoticed by her children.

Linwelin looked at his mother before he frowned "She took m'a Pas-try" he said, as if it were the only explanation needed.

"Did not!" Shouted Awray

"Di'd too!" Linwelin shouted back.

"Can you come down and give Awray her doll back?" Ayla asked softly.

Linwelin dropped down and shoved the doll into his sisters hands, "Not fair, cos im the littlest!" He shouted looking betrayed and on the verge of tears before he went to run out the door.

Queen Ayla however stopped him holding him by the shoulders before crouching to his height.

"It's not fair" he repeated quietly them loudly, "I hate her!" which in turned earned him a glare from said sister.

"You don't mean that." Awray said softly.

"Yes I do!" he shouted back, "I wish she went a'way en never came back!"

Awray thought about this for a moment before replying "Ok." Everyone looked at their mother in shook, whose face was emotionless. Shayla looked up from where she sat and Finwe leaned off the wall and stood behind his youngest sister, Linwelin just looked confused and Awray had frozen.

"Mother?" it was Finwe that broke the deafening silence.

Ayla simply rose and walked calmly to her dauger's dresser opening draws, "Come Awray help me pack your things." She said placidly.

"Where are we going?" Awray asked.

"You are going to Rivendell" she stated calmly. The room was now in I thick fog of confusion and fear, "And Finwe to Mirkwood and Shayla to lorin." She paused for a moment before ending, "So your brother may live a happy life."

All the children looked towards Linwelin who now had tears streaming silently down his cheek. Shayla too was crying being held gently by Finwe who opened his mouth several times to speak but found he could no longer form words. Awray just continued to stand were she was.

"Go pack my children." The queen said to Finwe and Shayla, who was now sobbing onto her brother. She pulled another dress out the draw.

"Nay!" Linwelin suddenly shouted. He ran up and grabbed the dress from his mother. "Nay!" he said again going over and clinging tightly to the hem of Awray's dress. "I take it back!" he cried, his words muffled from burring his face in his sister's dress. "I take it all back, pl'ease mother… don't.. let 'em go.. I love 'em"

Ayla went over to her son and crouched down. "I would never let them go." She said quietly to her son.

"Never?" He sobbed quietly.

"Never" She reassured him.

"Why did you say it then?" Asked Awray with a tear filled voice.

"Because my child you needed to understand." She replied.

"understand what?" Asked Finwe finding his voice.

"That you need each other, all of you. We will one day lose someone we love, and we will need someone to turn to when life gets hard, To find a cure that only family can provide." The queen started before Linwelin interrupted

"Like when Dadda lost grandada?" He asked.

"Yes, my child, and we were there for him, as a family should be." She paused "So we must live in each moment like it's the last, surrounded by friends and family, by those who love us, without fear of regrets." she thought about how to word her next statement. "But one day we will not have each other to turn to for guidance, but never will we find ourselves alone. We are Family, No matter what."

"Family, No matter what." Repeated a new voice. The children looked to see their father, king Beren, had been listening to the conversation, and had a rare smile on his face, unknowing that it was the last smile on his face they will see in years to come.

"No matter what" Finwe said quietly, than Shayla, Awray and even little Linwelin repeated the words as well, an unknown promise. And for a long time they sat there in silence before the room was bright again, filled with Linwelin laughter and happiness flooded the kingdom that morning.

"Mother our walk!" Shayla suddenly shouted.

"Ai my child, Linwelin would you join us?"

Linwelin nodded vigorously and looked to see if Awray would be joining them.

Awray sighed "I promised Kasil I would cook with him today" Kasil was the head cooks so and Awray best friend. After hearing this Linwelin looked to Finwe.

"Nay, father is taking me to an important council." Finwe stated rather proudly. By 'important' Finwe meant that it was about a small matter, but The king had taken to taking Finwe to matters of the kingdom saying it was 'his duty as crown prince to learn about the kingdom's affairs', But it was all too clear that Finwe's only goal was to be captain of the kings guard.

Beren nodded "I'll arrange to have an escort of guards go with you." He then kissed his wife on the cheek and whispered, "Be safe" he smiled and departed with Finwe trailing behind him. Awray had already left in search for kasil. Leaving the queen alone with her two youngest children.

"Shall we my children?" Ayla whispered taking the hand of each of her children in hers, so they were walking on opposite sides of her.

Giggling the children tried to drag their mother so they could get to the woods faster. Laughing Ayla let them drag her along.

Half the royal family reached the gate of the palace to find four guards awaiting them. Usually there would be more guards to occupancy them, but half the guards had been sent on war party's to hunt the growing shadow, or were defending the king and the palace.

The four guards were slouching around and talking and laughing with one another, when the Queen and her two youngest children approached them, the one guard stood straight up and announced, "My Queen" and bowed deeply, the other three immediately followed suit.

The queen inclined her head and address the guard that had bowed first, "Siree, how's Haylen? She must be nearly two years old now?" the Captain of the royal guards smiled at this, thinking of his young daughter.

"Ai, my lady, coming up two this winter" Siree replied with a smile. "We will be traveling by horses?"

The queen thought about this for a moment but decided a walk would be better, as Linwelin was still too small to travel upon horses. "Nay, I walk in the forest would do well."

"Very well" The captain nodded his head as the guards set up in a square formation around the royals.

Siree was in the front with another guard as two more guards trailed at the back. The captain was a good friend of king Beren and a trusted guard. Siree was loved by the all the royal family and had been with the king even before he met Ayla. And so it wasn't long before conversation soon started up, while they travelled to the surrounding forest.

"Look what Creania gave me, Siree" Shayla said proudly as she held up a carved wooden bow above her head so the captain could see. Normally an elf at the human age of 7 would never have been given weapon at such a young age. However Shayla's tutor Creania was a very good swords and bow men and has trained his pupils faster than most tutors with years of training could ever master.

Siree took the small bow from the young princess. The bow itself was a cream white colour and slightly longer than the captain's arm, it was beautifully caved with skill but would not be long until the elfling grew out of it. He noticed the child had a quiver of small narrow arrows on her back as well.

"It is beautiful, my princess," The captain said truthfully, "A fitting bow for yourself."

"Almost as nice as yours" She replied, Siree had promised that when he got a new bow and Shayla was big enough she could have his, which was a rich cream colour with a pattern of vined leaves climbing up the front of it.

"It won't be long until our princess takes your place, sir" the guard next to him said calmly.

"Ai, I should start looking for other Jobs." Siree replied grimly, causing all of the company to laugh even the queen.

Siree handed the bow back to Shayla but Linwelin got there first taking the bow and handing it to his sister, smiling up to Siree. Ever since the prince met Siree he had inquired the strange desire to become the captain's squire. It was true that Siree had tried to dissuade the youngest prince but to no avail, The King and Queen said that he would grow out of it one day and it would do no harm to play along.

"Thank you, my squire." Siree said making Linwelin grin widen and the Guards and Queen Smile.

They were now well into the forest and it was quite. Really quite now that Siree thought of it. Though the children were talking to his guards and the queen, no birds were singing and the leaves didn't rustle softly in the breeze, something wasn't right. Siree had slowed down and had now stopped completely causing the company to stop.

"Sir?" the Guard on his right asked questionably.

Siree continued to look around the woods and in the trees, "Something is wrong" he said softly, drawing his bow from his back and notching an arrow. The other three guards followed suit some drawing swords instead, all now looking in different directions around the surrounding trees.

"Siree?" Ayla asked quietly, picking up Linwelin.

"Orcs" Siree said in a near whisper, "TO THE CASTLE!" he yelled. The group turned to run as an arrow shot through the air towards the queen. The guard that was next to Siree jumped in front of it, the black arrow hitting him in the chest, He gasped for breath before he dropped dead to the ground, blood pooling around him, his eyes lifeless.

Shayla screamed.

"Run!" Siree yelled to the group.

The group ran towards the palace, two guards at the back shooting arrows behind them. The Queen ran carrying Linwelin in her arms next to Shayla as Siree led them through the forest.

A group of around 35 orcs burst through the trees running at full speed towards the group. The ones at the front were shot dead by the warriors at the back, but they continued there run. The two warriors had now stopped so they could shot arrows faster at the onslaught of orcs.

Siree looked behind him to see Shayla was getting tired. He turned and quickly lifted her onto his shoulders as he to shot arrows at the orcs and ran forwards after the queen.

A cry of pain went up in the air, one of the guards had been hit in the stomach. The other continued to shot arrows, standing protectively in front of his injured comrade, then drawing his sword. Siree looked back at his Warriors, the ones he had been commanded to protect, he couldn't just leave them.

Siree stopped and dropped Shayla off his shoulders.

"Listen, my princess" He said urgently as he knelt before Shayla holding her tear stricken face in his hands. "You have to protect your mother and brother, lead them to the palace, can you do that?"

Shayla bit her lip and just nodded, tears running down her face again.

Siree turned to leave but Shayla grabbed his arm, "Don't go" She pleaded, knowing this would probably be the last time she ever saw him.

Siree smiled down at the youngest princess and kissed her forehead "Go my Princess" he said "Be brave, we will met in the next life." He then turned and ran back to his comrades.

It didn't take long for Shayla to reach her mother carrying her brother, in her dress the queen struggled to run to fast, constantly tripping over herself and roots.

"Come my child" Ayla said as she took her child's hand and they ran back to the palace.

From behind them a horn bellowed through the air, it echoed and made a chill run through the wind, it bellowed again. It was the Shayven horn loud and clear, once announced an arrival, and twice was the war cry. It bellowed a third time. Three times meant death, it was to summon for help. Shayla felt ill.

"Keep running, help is on its way." Queen Ayla reassured. Linwelin was sobbing quietly in his mother's arms and Shayla was running faster than she ever had. The sound of Orcs was growing louder, they were coming.

With a burst of energy Shayla ran in front of her mother, when she was a good distant ahead of her mother and brother Shayla stopped and turned around, holding her bow and drawing an arrow from the quiver. She was shaking violently as she notched the arrow.

Ayla noticed this, "Focus on my voice honey, be calm, take a deep breath I am with you."

Shayla did as her mother said and closed her eyes taking a deep breath she opened them again and shot the arrow.

It was the first time that Shayla had shot something that was living, and it went in slow motion. She saw the arrow fly, piercing the air and drifting past her mother and the trees, she watched as the shaft twisted and the purple fletching's dace in the wind. And then it hit its mark, going straight through the heart of an orc who looked at her stunned and then dropped to the ground.

Shayla wasted no time in shooting another arrow, one after another. It wasn't long before she ran out arrows. She had only taken ten with, her seven of them killing the orcs with just one shot. The only reason that she really brought her bow was that she could show Siree. Siree, Shayla's heart lurched at the thought of the captain.

Shayla stood watching the Orcs run towards them, there were only 14 orcs left now, killed by either the warriors or Shayla. But they came running towards her, ugly and mutated deadly and scary. And she just stood there. Shayla was broken out of her stupor when her mother grabbed her arm and they ran towards the forest edge.

The palace was now in sight and it wasn't long before they would be out of the woods. But the orcs were gaining fast, arrows flying past them; they wouldn't make it in time.

"Mama!" Linwelin cried, frighten half to death.

The queen pulled her children around a tree in the hopes of hiding from the Orcs.

"Shhhhh" Ayla soothed her son, trying to keep him quite. She put him on the ground and pulled a dagger from her boot.

"Shay, take your brother to the palace, I'll be right behind you." She whispered.

Shayla was young but she wasn't stupid, she knew that her mother was going to be a distraction. "Nay mother, come with us" Shayla argued.

They could hear the orcs on the other side of the tree "Find them!" One shouted.

"Please my child." Ayla begged quietly

"Don't leave us mother." She cried silently.

The queen smiled solemnly and kissed her child on the cheek. "I would never leave you." She said before kissing Linwelin, "Be good to your siblings" she said to her son.

She stood and looked at her daughter, "Goodbye my brave little warrior" she ran from behind the tree, back into the forests.

Shayla heard the orcs shout out as they ran after her mother; she took her brothers hand and ran towards to palace, too fast. Shayla hadn't waited long enough and half the orcs noticed her and chased them instead.

"My legs hurt" Linwelin wined

"I know, Faster Lin" Shayla urged. They were almost out of the forest only a few meters left to go. Suddenly Linwelin stopped.

"We have to ke-" Shayla broke off. Next to her, her brother stood the head of an arrow producing from his stomach. He had been shot with an in the back.

Linwelin looked up at his sister "Shay?" He said weakly. His knees wobbled and he fell to the ground.

"No! Linwelin, no no no no!" Shayla cried, "We are almost there." Her brother lay on the leaves of the forest floor blood pooling around him, the orcs were coming close. They had got so far they were almost safe "No!" Shayla cried out as she scooped her brother into her arms and began running again, her legs burning from the pain and extra weight, stumbling over roots.

"Shay, It Hurts Shay." Linwelin gasped softly in his sisters arms.

"I know Lin, just hold on." Shayla sobbed loudly.

They were almost out of the forest, just a few more steps.

"Shay" Linwelin whispered. Blood was slowly dripping from his mouth as he lay dying in hi sisters arms.

"I'm so sorry Lin" Shayla cried the words muffled from her sobs. "I'm so sorry."

"It….ok….i….i'll be… with mother." He chocked quietly.

"Yes, yes, and father and Awray and Finwe well get back to the palace, and everything will be like it was." Shayla reassured. Her brother looked up at her, the light fading from his eyes.

Shayla tripped on a root and cried out. She couldn't get up again she was too tired and her ankle was sore, so sore. She kneeled and brought Linwelin into her arms holding him gently. Her brother's golden-green eyes reflected Shayla's, but his were cold and dull, no longer was the spark in his eyes or the laughter on his tongue.

He was dead, deep down Shayla knew that, but not after everything they had goon through, not her innocent little pastry eating brother, not Linwelin.

Shayla cried loudly as orcs approached them, she held her brother protectively to her chest, waiting for the orcs to surround her. To take her life.

But they never came instead the sound of orc cries filled the air. Shayla looked up to see purple blurs flying above her head, arrows. The purple cloak of a Shayven warrior came around her shoulders, and strong arms lifted her from the ground, she cried out for her brother as he was lifted by another warrior. As the two were carried out of the forest and to the palace, Shayla was vaguely aware of guards killing the orcs and running after the ones that were left, but she had eyes only for her brother, whose eyes had been closed so it looked like he was in an unnatural sleep.

When they reached the palace the king ran out the front gates to the palace and stopped dead in his tracks, Finwe was behind him and Awray gasped as the scene reached their eyes. Shayla struggle out of the warriors arms and ran limping towards Linwelin who had been laid gently on the ground.

All around Warriors were crying their own silent tears, civilians had come out of their homes and stood grief stricken. The only sound was Shayla crying softly beside her brother. Beren regained himself and walked to his son and daughter followed by Finwe and Awray after a moment. The king was emotionless as he knelt next to his son gently stroking his hair. Awray and Finwe were crying silently and their sister held their brother's cold body.

A group of soldiers came running towards them; the king looked up at the one in lead.

"The Queen?" He asked quietly

The warrior looked down at the group his eyes brimmed red, "Forgive me my King." He moved aside and a group of warriors came into view carrying a elf in a white cloth.

The king knelt down and removed the top of the cloth, revealing the calm face of the queen. Silent tears trickled down his face as he softly stoked his wife's cheek. Two, he had lost two that he held so closely today.

Seeing their king on the ground, All Shayven elves dropped to the ground and bowed their heads in silent respect. For a long time no one spook, minutes turned to hours and they just knelt there tears in the eyes of all, sharing this terrible grief.

Like usual, It was Finwe who finally broke the silence. "Safe and sound" He sung quietly, his voice like velvet, "Can you see the lights, can you hear the song?" His song of grief was met by others as they began to join him.

"Eventually even the birds must land,

To the Halls of Mandos

in Valinor.

As we grow old

As we grow cold

You'll see the lights

Your hear the hum, of our song.

And we'll remember you

As the seasons grow and change anew

We'll be thinking of you

As we grow old

As we grow cold

You'll see the lights

Your hear the hum, of our song

Safe and sound."

The song of grief was met by the trees own cries of sorrow and the birds had returned but they did not chirp happily as they once did not even a couple of hours ago. The queen's body and the young prince's had been sent to the halls of great royals, were they would rest until the funeral was ready.

A Seven year old (human age) Fraya had run up to Shayla and was holding her as she sobbed quietly. Finwe was nearby holding Awray and the king was still with the queen and his youngest child.

"It's alright Shay, you'll get through this" Fraya soothed softly.

"No" Shayla said coldly but quietly, "It ends bloody or sad. That's just war."

Fraya was stunned speechless at hearing her friend so morbid.

"Tis not true" She said softly. "Keep the faith shay, forget the fault."

These words echoing in her head Shayla thought of her Family.

Finwe had reacted the best at first sight , he was grieving and had pain in his eyes but something else as well, he looked at Shayla with trouble in his eyes, he felt sorrow that his little sister had to go through something like that and felt terrible for her.

Her father, King Beren, had shocked her. At first it was that he showed no emotion that had stunned her, and then it was when he cried, he had so much sorrow in him she was afraid he would die of grief there and then. But she knew that he couldn't, not with a kingdom and children still alive. But he changed that day, his eyes grew hard and his face impassive.

It was Awray that had frightened Shayla the most. Her normal bubbly self-dissolved into ice-cold anger. When she looked at her sister, Awray showed nothing but hatred and blame, blame at what happened to her little brother and mother. Although Awray often fought with her brother, they were close to each other. Shayla knew that her bond with her sister would never again be the same.

And never would she forget the revulsion in her sister's eyes.

'Family, no matter what.' Shayla thought. But as Fraya held her it seemed that no matter what 'family' could never be the same.

Xxxx end flashback.

A/N the next chapter is pretty short so I'm going to upload it as well- chapter 7 'a letter home' enjoy