Chapter 8

"The world is full enough of hurts and mischances without wars to multiply them." -JRR Tolkien

As she was lowering herself onto the bench, Elei heard a commotion by the door, and several tall figures came in. They wore grey-green hoods, and moved as if in a hurry. She watched them for a moment, as they moved to the bar to talk to her uncle. Then Caradorn sat down on the bench and scooted close to her. She nearly gasped as his thigh pressed warmly against hers. She looked up at him and their eyes locked for one moment; then Mari and Rory came over with their supper.

They set the dishes out carefully, and Rory asked if they wanted ale. He headed back to the bar as Marigold reached out to set a pitcher of water on their table. As she set it down with a thump, there was a simultaneous chirping sound and a flash of movement. A brownish green blob flew out of the pitcher and landed with a plop on Mari's chest. She squealed, batting at the frog with her hands. It jumped off across the room, to the vast amusement of the hobbits. Then one of the hooded figures by the bar stooped, and Mari heard his voice over the crowd say "Laeguan" soothingly to his cupped hands as he rose and ducked out the door. He came back in a moment, and with his companions turned toward the tavern. They pushed back their hoods as they came toward her corner. Elei gasped as she saw curly and wavy hair around their pointed ears. Caradorn sat upright, drawing slightly away from her, even as he reached his hand over to grasp hers, behind the table's edge. She felt his tension through his suede glove, and looked up at the approaching elves again.

A familiar voice drawled "Really plighting your troth this time, Lakh Hiru?" The speaker had not lowered his hood, and Caradorn frowned as he tried to discern his features. Then he pushed back his hood to reveal flame orange-red hair, sparkling blue eyes and a wide grin.

Elei felt Caradorn's hand relax before he released hers with a small squeeze and sprung to his feet, exclaiming "Luinur!" He grinned, clasping and shaking the hand of the redheaded elf Elei now remembered was his trickster friend. The group seated themselves at the table, spreading out from Caradorn. Elei found herself opposite Luinur, who winked at her as he sat.

"Well, Eryngon," he said to Caradorn, "here is your escort." The two elves looked gravely at each other. Caradorn frowned.

"My father sent you?" he asked.

"By proxy." said Luinur. "They decided you'd be safe to bring Thalion's son here alone, but the plan was always to send an escort to proceed onward with you." He handed him his red and gold brooch. "Tirlhug spoke to me." He said, as if the name was distasteful to him.

Eleirien saw Caradorn tense, as he snapped, "Do I need a keeper, now, to bring me back to Father's court like a runaway horse?"

Luinur laid his hand on Caradorn's arm, saying "Calmly, mellon, it is not to there we are to ride with you." He looked sad as he said "It is to battle. We will speak over supper."

Elei, alarmed, looked at Caradorn. He was studying the Wood Elves' faces, as Rory and Mari reappeared and set out their food and drink and a fresh pitcher of water. She laid her hand on his arm briefly. He turned to study her as she said quietly, "If 'tis news, we should bring over my uncle or cousin."

He looked over at Luinur. "Have you spoken of this to Thalidhor?"

"Yes." said Luinur. Caradorn nodded, pleased.

"Luinur, this is Eleirien, Commander Thalion's daughter." said Caradorn.

"Yes, I know." said Luinur, smirking at her.

Elei glared at him. "Was my disguise so poor?" she asked.

"Oh, no," said Luinur. He winked at her as he said "but I never forget a beautiful face." Luinur looked at the dishes and said "This looks like a proper hobbit-worthy feast." His bright blue eyes twinkled as he asked Caradorn, "Shall we eat?"

Caradorn's expression broke from a concerned frown to a mocking half-smile as he replied, "You have no need to ask me! I am not holding court here. Please, let us eat!" The rest of the elves broke out into merry chatter between mouthfuls of food, elbowing each other with jests.

As she ate, Elei looked over the crowd to distract herself from worrying. There were several tables of Breelander men, brown-haired and stocky. There was one table of men with a few dressed in Ranger attire, and she recognized her cousins Aruzir and Thoron. The hobbits now appeared to be working on a second meal. Talagand was still playing music on the platform placed along the side wall. He exchanged glances with Caradorn, who gave him a slight nod. Talagand struck a loud chord, and began to strum a rousing ballad. Elei noted that it successfully diverted the attention of the few curious pairs of eyes that had been turned on the elves. Caradorn grasped the handle of his tankard as he asked Luinur "Where are we being sent to battle?"

Luinur took a swig of ale, set down his tankard, and looked at Caradorn, who nodded curtly. "Battle is gathering on Lorien." he said abruptly.

Caradorn gasped "Lorien?!" Elei lowered her shocked gaze to the table, lest any of the patrons notice it.

"Yes," said Luinur. "Isengard has been sending out orcs."

"This is old news, surely?" asked Caradorn.

"Yes, but the orcs and fell creatures coming from there are now spreading out over the land. Many are heading east and north."

"As far as Mirkwood?" asked Caradorn.

"Yes, joining those coming from Dol Guldur. Battle is again expected there, too. We were sent to ask you to head east toward home. We may be needed towards Lorien, and north from there to Mirkwood."

Caradorn shuddered slightly, saying "Ugh. Giant spiders... I am so very tired of them... AND of orcs. But we would do well to rid the land of them." He set his jaw, and a steely glint came into his eyes.

Luinur said "Aye, and foul men, too, such as the Haradrim, have been seen in the area. They are fierce worst news is, Saruman's armies of Isengard have not all been heading south to Mordor. We fear he may spread mischief in this direction, instead."

"We encountered one on our way here, I think" said Caradorn.

"Where?" asked Luinur.

"North of Combe, along the road. A man of Harad, with orcs bearing a white hand on their shields. None were left to tell tales." said Caradorn grimly.

Luinur nodded. "Saruman's minions."

"Well, then," said Caradorn, "let us prepare for war. " He looked at Elei, who sat stiffly upright, solemn and wide-eyed. He patted her hand surreptitiously under the table, and gave her a brilliant smile. Then he turned to the elves and said "We have time for a toast to our hosts." He raised his tankard to his companions and loudly proclaimed "A toast to The Three Trolls and the defenders of Combe, big and little!" The Wood Elves joined in a noisy cheer, as did most of the patrons.

Elei saw Aruzir and Thoron rise as the cheering was quieting down. They made their way to her table and sat in between Luinur and the wall, across from her. Aruzir turned to ask Caradorn "Have you news?"

He nodded grimly, saying "Yes, news of war."

Seeing Eleirien's stricken expression, Aruzir reached across the table for her tankard. He poured some ale into it and held it out to her, saying "Have some of Thalidhor's excellent ale, Cousin. We want you here, to listen with us. We have our own part to play in this war." As she took the tankard from his hand, he patted her other hand, clenched into a fist on the table, with his, meeting her eyes intently. Elei raised her brows slightly and he nodded almost imperceptibly. Caradorn watched the exchange intently.

"Drink." said Thoron, smiling at Elei, "'Twill hearten you." Eleirien gave him a slight smile. She looked over his features, marking his resemblance to her father and to Aruzir, now that he was an adult. He saw her studying him and asked "Have I changed so much you no longer know me?"

"Oh, no," she smiled, "'tis merely that you look very like Aruzir, and my father."

"Thank you, m'dear." Thoron said, "Now have some ale." Caradorn peered over her shoulder into the tankard, and nodded his approval of the dainty portion her cousin had poured. As she sipped, Elei saw Aruzir, watching, elbow his brother and wink at him knowingly.

Luinur spoke, startling Elei's thoughts back to the business at hand. "Thranduil has called for his warriors to make all speed to assist his allies in Lorien, and to defend his home in Mirkwood."

Caradorn drew in a deep breath. Elei's eyes locked on his features, drinking in every detail of his expression as he replied, "Aye, then we must ride. Will you fill in my friends, while I gather my things? I will only be a moment."

Elei turned to him, asking "Must you go tonight, in the dark?"

He returned her gaze, his eyes reflecting the firelight in the tavern. They seemed almost to glow, and his hair looked aflame with deep red highlights in it, as he said "Aye, lady, we can see fairly well in the dark." He clasped her hands briefly, then tore his eyes away and lithely slipped his legs out over the bench and was gone from the tavern. Elei watched him as he headed out, then she released the breath she had been holding.

Luinur raised an eyebrow and smiled at her. "You look lonely sitting there by yourself, milady," he teased.

Elei stiffened, but gave him a brittle smile as she retorted, "Oh, no, I am fine." She looked at the elf next to her, who waggled his eyebrows at her and patted the bench between them. She laughed, and he laughed back, but she did not move. The elves all laughed, one of them elbowing the elf next to her, and she realized they were flirting with her. She tried to imagine the Grey Elves she had met flirting like that, and failed completely.

Luinur smiled and said, "Enough teasing, mellonath." He turned to her cousins. "War is coming this way. We are headed toward Lorien. There will be foul creatures and men coming from beyond Fangorn and Mirkwood. Be on the lookout for strangers."

"We have fought giant spiders, and men from Harad have been nearby." said Aruzir.

"Aye, and more will follow." Said Luinur. "Orcs are coming from Isengard, and are likely heading this way."

Aruzir nodded and Thoron said "We will be watchful." Caradorn returned then, swathed in his grey-green cloak. Elei's heart leapt as he stepped in and sat next to her. She saw that his finery was gone, replaced by his battle gear. His arm bracers winked at his wrists and straps crossed his clothing where his quiver and scabbard were strung. The mithril mail peeped out of his collar, visible to knowing eyes.

He looked intently into her eyes for a moment, and said in an undertone, "I have left you a cloak, in your room. Wear it well." Elei's eyes filled with tears, and she blinked, dashing her hand quickly over her eyes. It was not quick enough to escape Luinur's notice or Aruzir's, but neither of them said anything.

Elei decided to drink in every detail of Caradorn's appearance before he was gone. Sighing, she said "Many thanks, milord." Pulling her hood low over her face, she leaned back into the corner and commenced studying his face from under half-lowered lids. In his battle attire, he exuded an air of danger. She would certainly not want to be his opponent in combat! He and his companions drank the rest of their ale, and shook hands with her cousins. They all stood to leave, and Elei stood, trembling. Caradorn turned to her cousins, exchanging well wishes, then, finally, to her.

"Stay safe, lady. I pray your father will return safely from the war."

"And you, too!" she exclaimed.

He clasped both of her hands in his briefly, his eyes darting to her lips, and said "I will try to come back." Then he released her and turned abruptly to go. Aruzir's sharp eyes caught a glimpse of his clenched jaw and fist. The elves thanked Thalidhor on their way out. Elei sat, her hood concealing her drooping head, then suddenly she jumped up and dashed from the room. Aruzir and Thoron looked at each other and shrugged. She ran up the stairs to her room and grabbed a bundle off the washstand. She dashed back down the stairs and out into the stableyard, as Caradorn was leading his horse out.

"Caradorn!" she called. He turned, one foot in his stirrup, one hand on the reins, to look gravely at her.

"Milord?" called Luinur's voice from the gate.

"Take these," she said breathlessly, pressing the cloth-wrapped stack into his free hand, " for energy. Luithuilenn." she explained.

"My thanks!" he said sincerely, smiling his lopsided smile. He stashed the pack into his pouch and lithely sprang into his saddle. Looking down at her, he said "Elbereth keep you," His melodious voice thrilling her throughout.

"Elbereth keep you," Elei replied in a husky voice, and then he trotted out the gate. The company galloped off, horses whinnying to each other.