Notes at the end! Enjoy!
Breigel groaned as she woke, reaching down to move the twig that was digging into her back. She flung it away angrily, sitting up and stretching. She groaned a second time as her eyes came into focus, flopping back down on her back, which earned a grunt from Saelhir, whose back had been her pillow during the night.
"What was that for?" he asked grumpily, shifting slightly beneath her head and shoulders.
"We should have hidden better," she muttered.
"You did a pretty good job, though. I commend you both." Saelhir and Breigel looked up to see Faelon standing over them, a grin on his face.
"Your mistake was lighting the fire," Tinwe said from where she sat on the other side of the clearing, lounging on a low tree branch. It had been her that Breigel had noticed as she sat up, knowing instantly that they would not be going any farther on their spontaneous journey south. "We could smell it before we reached the fork in the river."
"I told you we shouldn't have used that wood," Saelhir said, pushing himself up off his stomach, forcing Breigel to sit up too. He grunted for the second time that morning as Breigel elbowed him in the ribs.
"You forget that we all spent thousands of years tracking more elusive things than two errant elflings," Legolas said, stepping out of the forest, leading Thindam and Limtal. "While your trek through the river was clever, the water is not fast enough at this time of year to erase all evidence of your passing."
"So now what?" Breigel said, crossing her arms and glaring around at the three adults. "We aren't going back. I'm not letting you separate us."
"We don't want to dear," Tinwe said, jumping out of the tree and landing lightly beside her husband. "But there is little we can do about this. Gelfaer and Merilwen have decided to live in Idhrenodol, and Saelhir, your parents both wish to go and help them settle in. They aren't going to leave you here in someone else's care, even though Legolas and I have offered. They are your parents and want to be with you during your childhood years. You don't have that many left."
"He's got over thirty years left!" Breigel said with a scowl. "Let me go to Idhrenodol, then. We can all go. Then you don't have to be separated from your friends."
"We have responsibilities here, Breigel," Legolas said gently. "We cannot just get up and walk away right now."
"Then let Faelon take me."
"I have responsibilities here as well," Faelon answered quickly. "You know I would do anything for you within my power, but I have to stay here."
"Then let Lord Elladan take care of me. I'm sure he would be happy to take over teaching me."
"We are not just going to hand you over to Elladan," Tinwe said softly. "You have your own responsibilities here. Whether you like it or not, you are part of the royal family and need to learn what comes with that position. You can't learn that when you are in Idhrenodol. Especially if Elladan is the one responsible for you."
"I don't want to be a princess!" she said angrily, getting to her feet and glaring at her parents. "I don't want any of it! You can't separate us! I will ride off to Idhrenodol myself!" Tears started to form in her eyes as her voice increased volume with every word. As the tears started to fall, her voice cracked, and it was with desperation that she continued, choking out her words. "Why is she doing this, Naneth? Why does Lady Icaria want to tear us apart?"
"She doesn't want to tear you apart," Tinwe said, walking forward and taking her daughter into her arms. Breigel cried into her mother's shoulder, clutching at Tinwe's riding tunic in anguish. Saelhir still sat on the ground behind her, looking at the ground in quiet defeat.
"Then why is she doing this?"
"Gelfaer is very important to her, darling. He and Merilwen got married at a much younger age than she had expected. She doesn't want to lose him, just like you don't want to lose Saelhir. She loves both her children and wants to be with them both. Can you understand that? This is not because of you. She loves you, even if you do irritate her sometimes." This comment was rewarded with a soft laugh that sounded more like a hiccup. "I know it is going to hurt, but it will not be forever. And you can still write to each other and visit once in a while. Life's about change, Breigel. You're going to have to say goodbye to a lot of people as you grow. Think of all the people you have already had to say goodbye to…Aragorn, Arwen, Eldarion, Gimli...At least you know that you will see Saelhir again. And you know Elladan visits every few years. Perhaps when he does come he can bring Saelhir with him."
"You promise this won't be goodbye forever?"
"I promise. If I have to, I will go kidnap him myself and bring him back to Taurost."
"Thank you, Naneth," Breigel whispered, still holding her mother tight as she sniffed.
"Of course, dear. Saelhir, will you be alright?" The young elf looked up at the princess, forcing a smile onto his face.
"Yeah," he said softly. "I will be fine."
"And if you do need someone to rescue you from your dictator-of-a-mother," Faelon said, putting a hand on Saelhir's shoulder. "Just send us a message. I will come and get you."
"Thanks," Saelhir said, though there was still sadness in his voice.
"We wish it didn't have to be like this," Legolas said, holding Limtal's bridle as Breigel mounted slowly. "But it only seems bad now. Think of all the schemes you can work on for when you get together once more."
"You're going to regret those words," Faelon said, mounting his own horse as the group finished cleaning the campsite and prepared to return north.
"I am banking on the fact that we will go to Idhrenodol first so they can destroy Lord Elrond's home, not ours," Legolas said with a smirk. This earned a soft bubble of laughter from Breigel as she wiped away the last few tears from her eyes.
"You better make that happen, then," Tinwe said, leading the group away through the trees. "If not, you can be sure I will point at you when the king asks why his home has been turned into a battleground."
"I appreciate your support, Tinwe."
"Of course, melamin."
The day of departure for Elrond and his family, now accompanied by his granddaughter's in-laws, was marred by a gloomy sky. It reflected the mood of the two youngest elves gathered to say goodbye in front of the palace. Several months earlier, the bright colors of the gardens and the clothes of the visitors had made for a cheerful atmosphere. Now, at the parting of ways, the colors seemed dimmed, the light gone from many eyes. The gray sky threatening rain was only helped by the dull colors of cloaks and travel gear, waiting to greet the rain that would soon pour down on the Forests of Orome.
"We will be back before you know it," Elladan said, giving Tinwe a hug. Even his perpetual cheer was dimmed in light of the sorrow permeating the air. Gelfaer and Merilwen, so wrapped up in their newfound bliss, were not immune either. Merilwen in particular looked sad, having confessed her own guilty conscience to Tinwe the night before, feeling responsible for the separation of the two young friends. Tinwe had assured her that it was not her doing, and that in the long run, it would be for the best. But tears were in her eyes all the same as she watched the goodbyes.
Breigel had tears in her eyes as she hugged Saelhir, refusing to let him go. The rest of the group said goodbye, trying to seem upbeat and cheerful as they did so, but the waves of sorrow from the two elves off to the side was ever-present in all their minds.
"You must come to Idhrenodol soon," Icaria said, smiling at Tinwe, though it did not reach her eyes. She was well aware she was the primary reason for the unhappy goodbyes that morning. "It will be nice to have a bit of a change, I think. Some different air for a while."
"I will do what I can. You know I cannot pass up an opportunity to travel," Tinwe said, attempting to ease her friend's guilt. "And I wish to visit our friends' graves in the next few years. I miss them all terribly."
"I promised I would stop in to see Aerlinniel as well," Legolas said, arm around his wife as his eyes went out of focus, thinking of the past. Even after almost three thousand years, he could not forgive himself. Tinwe recognized his anguish and put her arms around him, resting her head on his chest. The warmth of his wife's embrace helped bring him back to the present, but there was still regret in his eyes as he smiled at Icaria, nodding his farewell as she went to mount her horse with the help of Thorontur.
"Take care of her," Tinwe murmured softly as Thorontur said his final farewells. "I can see the turmoil in her eyes."
"I will," Thorontur said, bowing his head to the royals, still holding each other close. "I look forward to seeing you again. My lord…my lady."
"Hopefully it will not be long before that happens," Legolas said, nodding at the other elf.
The party leaving for Idhrenodol was all saddled and mounted, except for Saelhir, who had yet to move from Breigel's embrace.
"Saelhir," Thorontur said gently. "It's time to go." Saelhir looked up at his father, the distress in his eyes causing Tinwe to feel hot tears start to brew in her own.
"Alright," he said hoarsely, though he did no indication he was ready to remove his arms from around Breigel. Slowly, she slackened her grip around him, clear tracks of tears on her cheeks as she looked up at him with trembling lips.
"Come back soon, alright?" she said weakly, wiping away her tears on her sleeve.
"Of course," he said, smiling at her with difficulty. With effort, he pulled himself away from her, walking slowly towards Tinwe and Legolas. He bowed stiffly before meeting their eyes with his haunted ones.
"Thank you for everything, your majesties."
"You are most welcome, Saelhir," Tinwe said, letting go of Legolas to pull the young elf into a hug. He was surprised at this, but he awkwardly hugged her back, not sure what to do.
"If you ever do want to visit, just let us know," Legolas said as Tinwe released Saelhir, stepping back into her husband's waiting arms. "I mean it. One of us will come and get you."
"Thank you, my lord," Saelhir said, bowing again before walking heavily towards his horse. He was about to swig up onto the stallion's back when Breigel raced forward, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind, clinging to him once more.
"Naneth, Ada, can I ride with them to the border?" she asked, her sad green eyes on her parents as she refused once more to let go of her best friend.
"Of course, dear," Tinwe said softly, fighting to hold back her own tears at the heartbreaking sight. Icaria had turned away, her tears starting to fall. Saelhir quickly mounted, pulling Breigel up behind him. She wrapped her arms around his waist again, burying her face in his back as he turned to follow the rest of the elves already starting north along the path. Tinwe let her tears fall as they disappeared out of sight. She had said her fair share of goodbyes in her life. With her travels, she never knew when a goodbye might be her last. But it still broke her heart to see her daughter so distraught, wondering when she would see her best friend again. Tinwe knew that at that age, every goodbye felt like the last. She hoped that time would dull the pain, though it was doubtful the ache would ever really go away.
Breigel squeezed her eyes shut as tightly as she squeezed Saelhir's waist. She knew that with every step the horse took below her, she was getting closer to saying her last goodbye. Every moment she used to try and cling to the little things she needed to remember about Saelhir when he was gone. The sound of his heartbeat in his chest. The earthy smell of his tunic. The comforting grip of his hand over hers. She wasn't ready to give him up yet. He had been there her entire life. Now that he was leaving, it felt like her heart was being wrenched in two.
"Bree," he said softly, tightening the grip of his fingers over hers. "You have to let go now."
"I don't want to," she said, her grief muffled by his back. "I thought I had convinced myself that I could let you go, but I can't. Don't leave me, Saelhir."
"You know I don't want to, Bree," he said, his own voice choking up. "I would rather stay here and live in the forest with you than go to Idhrenodol. But I have to go."
"What will I do without you? I am going to be alone. I don't want to be alone…"
"I'll write to you every day," Saelhir said seriously. "Twice a day if you want. I don't want to be alone either, but we have to do this. For a little while."
"Promise me," Breigel said, tightening her grip on his waist. "Promise me you will come back."
"I promise," Saelhir said firmly. "And then we can torment your father for suggesting we scheme during our time apart." Breigel let out a laugh that was more like a sob, turning her head to the side, pressing her ear against his shoulder.
"You are my best friend, Saelhir," she said softly, sniffing against her tears. "I don't care how far apart we are. You will always be my best friend. Write letters. Come back to visit. And don't you dare forget about me."
"I could never forget you, Bree," he said, shifting in the saddle. Breigel loosened her grip as he slid down off Thindam, looking up into her bloodshot eyes with his earnest brown ones. "You will always be my best friend, too. Besides, all the elves in Idhrenodol are too stuffy to have any fun with. You'll need to visit so we can get them to loosen up a little."
Breigel smiled down at him, sliding from the saddle and landing beside him. Her tears started pouring down again as she looked up at him, determined to remember every feature and every emotion on his face. She would need those memories to get through the hard days ahead. She could already feel him growing more distant and the loneliness setting in.
"I'll keep an eye on the road," she said softly, wiping away another tear. The sky decided that her tears needed company, and the clouds opened up at that moment, releasing the beginnings of a heavy rainstorm on their heads. "I expect to see you riding back towards Taurost soon."
"I will do what I can," Saelhir said gently. Breigel flung her arms around his neck, releasing another wave of tears as she held him close. She didn't know when she would see him again, but it felt like the ending of an era. Whatever happened now, things would not be the same for either of them again.
"Goodbye Saelhir," she whispered in his ear, wishing one last time that it didn't have to happen this way. She stepped back, breaking contact from him. She let out a sort gasp, feeling as if something snapped in the process. Saelhir bit his lip, turning from her to mount his stallion once more. As he picked up the reins, he looked down at the crying elleth, wishing he didn't have to leave her here, lips trembling in the cold rain as she crossed her arms over her chest, her tears lost in the raindrops streaming down her pale face. He knew that if he did anything further to comfort her, he would not be able to leave.
"Goodbye Princess," he said softly, turning away from her and galloping away towards his father, who was waiting at the bend in the road. He finally felt warm tears in his own eyes as he heard the sob behind him at his words, but he didn't turn. He followed his father down the path, leaving behind his home and part of his heart.
"This is serious, Legolas. She is starting to look like she's fading."
"She's too strong willed for that," Legolas told his wife, hoping he was right, though his voice betrayed his uncertainty. "She just lost the only real friend she had. She is bound to go through a bout of depression."
"It has been almost a month!" Tinwe said, her anxiety causing her to pace their sitting room fervently. "I knew she would be upset, but this is starting to scare me. Maybe we should go to Idhrenodol."
"That will only make it worse," Thranduil said softly, watching his daughter-in-law cross the room once more. "She is too weak to see him and then be wrenched away again."
Ellissiel was standing at the king's side, looking like she wanted to join Tinwe in pacing. The royal family was beside themselves with worry. Breigel had refused to leave her room since Saelhir left, and was eating very little of the food that was brought to her. She had been rather thin and scrawny before, but she was starting to waste away before their eyes. She rarely cried anymore, having shed all her tears in the first week. But late at night, Tinwe could hear her muffled cries and laments at her loss.
"What should we do? We have tried everything short of kidnapping Saelhir and bringing him back."
"I might have something that will help," Faelon said, entering the sitting room abruptly. Tinwe paused in her pacing, looking around at him.
"What is it?" she demanded, staring him down.
"A letter just arrived from Idhrenodol. Several, actually, but I think this one for Breigel is the most important right now." He held up a sealed letter with Breigel's name scratched on the front of it. Tinwe eagerly walked towards Faelon, but instead of taking the letter like he expected, she took his arm and steered him in the direction of Breigel's room.
"You should be the one to deliver it. She has already thrown the rest of us out of her room. Maybe you can convince her to leave."
"I'll give it a shot," Faelon said warily, but he knocked on her door, entering slowly as he heard a soft "come in" from the other side.
"El," he said softly, walking towards her as she sat on her window ledge, knees pulled to her chest as she stared out across the trees, her gaunt features looking more sickly than usual in the shadows of the moonlight. "I have a letter for you that I think you will want to read."
She turned her head to look at him, eyes haunted as she held out a thin hand for the letter. It broke Faelon's heart to watch her hands tremble, struggling to break the wax seal. He briefly considered leaving her to read, but he was afraid to leave her alone in case the letter just increased her depression.
"They've settled in their new house," she said with a crackling voice, eyes still on the parchment. "It's a big place, not far from the palace. They have their own private gardens."
"That sounds lovely," Faelon said, still watching her carefully as he took a seat on the edge of her bed.
"Saelhir met some young elves his own age already," Breigel continued. "He says that it isn't home, but it is nice enough for now."
"That is good. You should be happy for him. He's already found some elves to be friends with and he seems rather content, all things considered."
"I guess," Breigel said, looking out over the forest again, the paper hanging loosely from her fingers. "He should be content here, though."
"I know, El. But see, he is trying to make a life with what he has. He is adapting to his situation, as unfortunate as it is. He wouldn't want to see you like this, to waste away because of his absence. You know he didn't want to leave you. Please, come out of your room. Keep living your life. Have some adventures that you can write back to him about. Make him jealous so he has to come back even sooner."
Breigel sniffed, turning back to Faelon with bloodshot eyes. "Do you think he will come back?"
"Of course he will," Faelon said confidently, smiling gently at the sad elleth. "I am sure he misses you as much as you miss him."
"I know," Breigel said, finally letting the tears fall. Faelon was surprised when she slid off the windowsill and launched herself at him, hugging him tightly as she cried. "I just feel so alone without him. What do I do, Faelon?"
"You keep living, El," Faelon said softly, stroking her hair to sooth her. "You owe it to yourself. Keep training and keep loving life the way you always did. That's the Breigel that Saelhir will remember, and you don't want him to be disappointed when he returns, do you?"
"No," Breigel whispered, sniffing again. "Thank you, Faelon."
"Of course, El. As I've said before, I will always be there for you."
This is a good place to stop for a while, as I have another time break before the next chapter. And it might be a while since I am leaving tomorrow to start a new semester of school. I'm not sure what to expect, so I am not sure when I will be able to post again. Anyway, did I make anyone cry? I hope so. That was my goal. I wrote a couple emotional chapters for my stories all at once and I hope I was able to put something meaningful into them. Would love to hear from you guys, so send me some reviews! Oh, and happy New Year!