A/N: Hello, everyone! Thank you for all the reviews, they are much appreciated and very helpful. A couple of notes: SaphiralovesTolkien, Elrond and Elros aren't going to the city in this chapter, *frowny face*, but they will more likely than not be in the next chapter. There is a 95% chance of it happening. Also, I know that I am mixing up dates and times, and I apologize. I am writing this the way I want to, so the story doesn't stick to movie or book verse. It also doesn't stick to anything that Tolkien wrote, and I apologize to all readers and the great Professor himself. I still think you will like it, though, once I get it out of my head and written down. I am also working on Exhaustion Down to the Soul (which will most likely be finished after this story), a story involving Elladan and Elrohir's births with a little bit of time before when we can see Celebrían in a bad mood because of the pregnancy, and a story involving King Thranduil and his burns. I may feature Legolas' birth in that as well. I don't know. I will most likely also do Elrond's arrival in Valinor. And in the first chapter, I mentioned Gil-galad getting tortured and Faneth saving him. I may do some back story on that as well. All in all, all these stories will most likely happen, but not for a while. I thank you all for your loyal support and reviews. Keep them coming!

And now, without further ado, here is chapter 7:

Gil-galad found the two Lords and the Lady in the same garden that Lord Círdan had gone to to find solace after the meeting. The Lady was, for the first time in the Kings recollection, slightly nervous about something. Lord Celeborn was aware of this because of their bond, but did not know the reason why. Her thoughts were guarded from him right now. She was not allowing him to know what was wrong. That in turn was making him anxious, an emotion rarely felt by the silver-haired Lord.

All in all, they looked like a new couple still being chaperoned. Gil-galad, however noticed something that Celeborn had obviously not. However, he would not say anything yet. He had a feeling that this was the Lady's secret to keep and tell when she was ready.

"Vedui', my Lords, my Lady." Gil-galad said respectfully, bowing his head in respect and greetings.

"Mae govannen, mellon iaur." Lord Celeborn returned. "How was the journey?"

"Almost boring, since there were no orcs that attacked us. One of the patrol had a broken arm, so he came back with us. He was not happy about being sent back. The fact he had a difficult horse made for an interesting two and a half days. Other than that, uneventful." Gil-galad said with an amused grin.

"I hope it stays safe for a time more," the Lady said. "We plan to go back to Ost-in-Edhil sooner than expected."

"I do not see why, meleth." Celeborn said, frowning deeply at her sudden desire to return to the city.

"I do not feel as though leaving it for an extended period of time is a good thing. I would feel better if we were back in Eregion soon." the Lady said, answering and at the same time not answering his question.

Celeborn frowned even more deeply but nodded. "Very well, but can we wait until we see what happens with the Watchers? Perhaps Ereinion has learned something."

Galadriel sighed and nodded. She then turned her attention to Lord Círdan, who was asking the king, "What did you learn at the patrol's camp?"

Gil-galad spent the next half hour explaining what he had seen, ending with showing them the sketches he had made of the two horses.

"Both were a silvery dapple gray and had blue eyes. The ears were a good way to tell them apart. They had the same confirmations. Even the dapples seemed to be in the same places on each horse."

Círdan nodded thoughtfully. Celeborn looked confused. "Why were the ears a good way to tell them apart?" he questioned.

"The one horse that the patrol named Rhawel always had her ears pulled back the entire time. She was not interested in attention and avoided it whenever possible. The other, Faerveren, could not contain her excitement when another person came who could pet her. She started out licking my hand, and when we were done for the night she was nuzzling my neck."

All laughed lightly as they pictured the mare nuzzling the king's neck.

Lord Celeborn sobered suddenly. "But did you find anything that could tell us more about the Watchers?"

Gil-galad shook his head. "Unfortunately, no. We could sense we were being watched while the horses were there, but we were not being watched after the horses left. Other than that, I could find no clue. These Watchers are too skilled in woodcraft, and friends enough with the trees that the trees would not reveal who, what, or where they were. We all knew, though, that the horses were going back to someone. Rhawel had a sore on her back, and Nestor had tended it, but then they disappeared for two days. They came back the day I came, and the sore had fresh paste on it."

Círdan's eyes widened in surprise, but they went back to their normal size soon enough. "So we know more than before, but at the same time we know nothing."

"Basically," the king said with a sigh. "Perhaps the patrol will learn more before it returns in three days time."

The others nodded, but all looked doubtful. They all knew that there was a very good chance the patrol would learn nothing new.

Three days later...

Heledhon breathed a sigh of relief as they passed through one of the gates in the wall surrounding Lindon. 'It is good to be home,' he thought. 'And away from Belegon and Idhrenor for a few days.'

Ever since Belegon had woken with green hair five days ago life had been almost unbearable. Nothing he had done could wash out the dye. He knew Idhrenor had done it, but the Lieutenant had wisely stayed away from him most of the time.

Belegon had been able to corner Idhrenor once, but it had not ended well. Idhrenor refused to say how to get rid of the dye, and was not the least bit intimidated when Belegon threatened him. Belegon, in turn, could not think of anyway to avenge himself yet. 'If I know Belegon, he will think of something very impressive. I hope I am not involved or caught in the middle.' Heledhon though as he gave his horse to a stable hand and went to find his green-haired friend. Belegon was glaring at everyone that could not help but stare at his head.

As Heledhon made his over; Ólerydeth, a maid who worked in the palace, approached Belegon. Ólerydeth was very surprised to say the least, but controlled herself enough to say: "The king would like to see you and Captain Heledhon immediately." She said, voice shaking slightly with laughter. "Was it Idhrenor?"

"Yes." Belegon said wearily, not really paying attention to the question. However, the statement preceding the question was finally processed in his mind, and he paled considerably. "The king wants to see us now?"

Ólerydeth nodded, mouth twitching slightly, trying not to smile.

Belegon groaned, and tried to go the other way, but Heledhon grabbed his arm and dragged him after Ólerydeth into the direction of the king's study. Heledhon was not interested in facing the king by himself; even if he had to drag his friend, literally, to the king's study, he would do it. There was some things he refused to face alone. The king was one of those things.

The king's study was on the third floor of the palace, in the northeast corner, a few doors away from his private quarters and where the rooms reserved for important guests were located as well.

It was to this room that Ólerydeth led Heledhon and Belegon to. There were guards on either side and they could not help but stare at Belegon's green hair. Belegon, in turn, scowled and glared at them as they waited for permission to enter. Ólerydeth had disappeared to return to her duties after knocking on the door and smiling at the two captains reassuringly.

"Minno," the king called from inside his study.

Heledhon and Belegon glanced at each other and went in. The first thing they noticed was that the study was large; with several couches, chairs and desks. There was a large fireplace, a decanter with wine near it, and Lord Círdan, Lord Celeborn, and Lady Galadriel were there along with the king. All were staring at Belegon's head. Belegon blushed.

The king found his voice first, "What...?" he trailed off, as though he had not quite wrapped his head around what he was seeing.

Belegon grimaced. "It is not permanent, my lord. I think."

Gil-galad still looked speechless.

Lady Galadriel then said, "Who did this, young one?"

"Idhrenor, my lady. He is my lieutenant." Heledhon answered, taking pity on his friend."Belegon had caused me to be in a bad mood, and I unfortunately focused my ire on the lieutenant. He decided he had to get back at Belegon in some way. I think this was the easiest thing he could come up with."

"Easiest?" Celeborn asked faintly, but his mouth was starting to twitch slightly.

"His mother is a weaver. She dyes her own wool and thread." Heledhon explained. "She taught him how to make dyes out of things in nature and he was apparently able to find the things needed to make something green near our camp."

There was silence for a few moments, then Lord Círdan cleared his throat and addressed the captains. "Did you find anything else about the Watchers?"

Belegon answered. "Nay, hir nín. The horses did not return after the king left and the feeling of being watched did not return at all, no matter where we went. But..." he trailed off, quietly asking Heledhon to continue. Heledhon nodded.

"The day before we headed back, we had split up; two groups of ten going in different directions. I led one group, and my green-haired friend here led the other." Belegon promptly started glaring at his friend.

"Be very careful, mellon nín, I know how to make your social life even harder than it already is." Belegon warned.

Heledhon paled considerably and gulped. He continued with his story in any case. "My group had not gone far when we came to a small clearing. It had a lived in feel to it, and was about three miles from our first camp that you visited, my lord. It was very well hidden; we stumbled on to it by accident. There was a small fire pit that was still smoldering slightly, hoof prints everywhere, and onion paste for Rhawel's sore nearby. Considering that the fire was still smoldering, I think we came into the area before they could completely extinguish the fire. They were gone so quickly they had no time to erase tracks or anything." Heledhon finished. "They do not wish to be found at this time. We followed the trail they left for a few miles, then got turned around as they back tracked, walked over their own trail, and even used our trail as a way to stay hidden. Eventually we were so confused over which path they could have taken, that we had to turn back. We were already four hours overdue at the meeting place where we were supposed to meet up with Belegon and the others."

"So they led you all over the place, and you could not find them? And they stayed far enough behind that you could not see them?" Lord Círdan asked unbelievingly. He had never heard of such skill.

Heledhon nodded. "We followed the trail where it left the clearing, and then noticed that it circled back half an hour later. We then lost it completely amongst our own tracks. These Watchers are too skilled for us. I apologize, my lord, for not being able to find any other clue. We could not continue to look, even if we had wanted to. Belegon was getting worried, and it was getting dark."

"No apologies are necessary young one. You did your best." Lord Celeborn said.

The two captains nodded, still slightly upset. They were not used to being bested in such a way. It would not be easy for them to forget this little bruise on their prides.

"Thank you, Captains. That will be all." the king said.

The two captains bowed and turned toward the door. As they were about to leave, Celeborn called, "Captain Belegon, one question."

The elf turned to him with a curious expression.

"How do you plan to get the dye out?"

Belegon winced slightly. "I think I will start with a weaver friend of mine, then my mother if need be. She still seems to know everything and may have some ideas."

"Why not ask Lieutenant Idhrenor?" the lady asked.

Belegon's expression darkened. "I did. He was less than forthcoming. I then ordered him, and he refused."

"Belegon then threatened to leave Idhrenor in the city the next time we set out and make him tend armor for the next five years. He was not the least bit afraid. He knows he is my lieutenant and only I can order him to do such things." Heledhon piped up from the door.

"Why don't you punish him?" Belegon asked.

"Because you deserved this, mellon nín. If you had not gotten me into a bad mood, your hair would the color that elven maids cannot help but swoon over." Heledhon said bluntly.

Belegon growled, but the king cut in. "Thank you, Captains. The best of luck to you Belegon with your hair. Best of luck to you, Heledhon, with Lady Faneth. You may go."

Heledhon blushed, and Belegon smiled slightly at his expression. Both elves again bowed, and as they passed through the door Belegon said, "Now all I need to do once my hair is normal is get back at Idhrenor."

"Do not plan that with me around. I want to be able to claim innocence." Heledhon warned, voice fading as they walked away.

Gil-galad turned towards the others with raised eyebrows. "If Idhrenor is seen with bodily harmed caused by Belegon, do you think it will be possible to avoid a conflict of interest by claiming ignorance, since Belegon has just basically threatened to avenge himself against Idhrenor in our hearing?"

The others looked perplexed. "I think we need to think on that one, Ereinion." Círdan said.

Gil-galad smiled and nodded. The smile soon faded though as he thought about what the Captain's had said. He sighed.

"So now what do we do? I do not understand the behavior of the two horses or their riders. How do we send the message they will not be harmed when, or if, they come here? I almost feel like a chicken walking around with no head. These Watchers are playing us in some way."

Everyone was silent and pensive, then Celeborn broke the silence. "Perhaps your appearing and meeting their horses is all that was needed to be done. Maybe they have decided that since you and the patrol could be trusted not to harm their horses, then it could be possible that they will not be harmed by meeting us and that it is okay to come out of the shadows."

The Shipwright nodded. "Most likely, all will be decided soon."

Lady Galadriel broke in just then, sensing now was the best time to say what she needed to say. "I agree, Mariner. And now I have an announcement to make."

Lord Celeborn looked confused, as did the Shipwright. Gil-galad smiled, guessing what was going to come next.

Galadriel took in a deep breath, then said quietly, "I am going to have a child."

Celeborn looked shocked, and if it were not for the fact he wasn't already he seated, he may have collapsed. He then looked extremely pleased. He smiled widely and went to give her a hug and kiss.

Círdan and Gil-galad also came to give their congratulations.

The rest of the day may be able to pass a bit more easily now without the tension between the Lord and the Lady.

The shadow moved away, silently fuming. 'So Eärendil's brats may return after all. I bet they will not stay for long.' He thought with a cruel smile, as sunlight streamed in from a nearby window.

Miles away, two hooded and cloaked beings settled into their new campsite a quarter mile away from a cliff. This place was out of the way, protected, and there was a source of water nearby. They would not stay for long. The sore was almost gone; now only a two inch by two inch mark that just needed fresh skin and hair to grow. When that was done they would make for the city. They could no longer be afraid of the unknown.

They had spent a good part of their lives being afraid, even when they knew they were safe. They no longer wanted to feel that fear. It was time to face what they feared most: any of their elven kin that remained and their people.

As soon as the horses could be ridden they would go. Once their mind's were made up, nothing could convince them of a different path.

The mare's sore should be gone completely in two weeks time, and then they would go to the city near the sea.

Translations:
Vedui' - Greetings
Mae govannen, mellon iaur – Well met, old friend
Meleth – love
Minno – enter
Hir nín – my lord
Mellon nín – my friend