Chapter 9

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.-JRR Tolkien

Eleirien sagged against the hitching post, blinking away tears, then straightened resolutely and headed back into the tavern. Aruzir and Thoron awaited her, and Talagand had joined them. The other patrons were beginning to disperse, most mellow with ale. Her cousins turned as one with raised eyebrows, as she approached them, head downcast under her hood. She lifted her chin and smiled bravely at them.

"Did you catch him?" asked Talagand, as she climbed onto the bench across from him.

"Why, yes." she replied with steely calm, her chin up. Tal and Aruzir exchanged a look over her head.

"Elei," said Tal, "we could use your help." He folded his hands, studying them as if thinking what to say next, and looked at Aruzir.

"Alagos is abed." began Aruzir.

Elei broke in. "I can help to nurse him."

Her cousins looked at each other again. "No," stuttered Tal, "Well, yes, that will help, but what we really want is..." he stopped, at a loss for words.

Aruzir again picked up the thread. "We want you to take his place." Elei looked at them, wide-eyed. No one offered further explanation.

"His place in what?" she prompted.

"Well, it's our..." Tal hesitated, "guard duties."

"Our patrols and watches." clarified Thoron. Elei sat back, arms folded across her chest, and raised her eyebrows.

Tal continued, "We have been patrolling, guarding the Breeland and beyond. Sometimes there are skirmishes with renegades."

"'Tis dangerous, but we believe you are strong enough." said Aruzir. "A lot of it is reconnaissance."

"Well," said Eleirien, "it sounds interesting. Far more so than chores here at the inn, but I know Aunt Meril will be expecting me to help somehow with her domestic duties, too."

"That's the problem," said Aruzir, "Mother."

"She'll not approve of us making you a member of the patrol." said Tal.

"But she needn't know." said Thoron, his eyes sparkling mischievously.

"As long as Elei stays safe!" scolded Aruzir.

Elei looked confused. "How do you expect to hide this from your mother?" she asked incredulously.

"Well," said Thoron, "we do patrol at night."

"Yes," said Tal, "she doesn't really know how late we are out, most nights."

"So, you can join us after your other duties!" said Thoron.

Elei rolled her eyes. "Oh, right. That sounds great. Work all day, then ride out on patrol after dark? I suppose you think Meril's work is light? It can be exhausting, you know, washing, mopping, making beds..." She trailed off as she saw Aruzir laughing silently at her. She glared at him.

"There goes that temper." he teased. "Did your elf see that before he left?"

"You sound like Mother!" Tal joined in, laughing.

Elei sputtered indignantly, as Thoron laughed with them. Then Aruzir said, seriously, "No, Cousin, we do not mock what some men call women's work. Mother and Father have us all helping here. We are not above assisting with laundry and dishwashing."

"Or mucking out the stables." declared Thoron, rolling his eyes in distaste.

"But," said Talagand, "we will let you think on it, and see how things work out."

"I will." said Elei, her chin thrust stubbornly out, "And I would like to try. 'Tis a far cry better than embroidery, which was about all Brethil allowed me to do, back home." All three stared at her, amazed.

Thoron sputtered "She expected you to embroider?"

"Aye," said Elei, "and simper, and sit at tea with an endless procession of idle or fat or boring young men..."

Aruzir looked at her archly. "Ah, now I see why you chose to come to us." She nodded.

"Then let us toddle off to bed, like our neighbors." said Tal, indicating the hobbits, who were most definitely toddling off their benches, and wobbling merrily out of the tavern one by one.

Elei smiled. "Not quite like that." she said, as she stood. "I've no head for that much drink." She smiled ruefully as she excused herself and headed for the stairs.

Aruzir thought back to the intent look on Caradorn's face as he peered into Elei's tankard. "Hmm" he smiled.

"What?" asked Tal.

"I think her elf may indeed have seen that temper." he said. When he did not elaborate, Tal nodded his head and clapped him on the shoulder.

Thoron bid them a carefree "Goodnight" and went on ahead.

Tal said "Caradorn has a bit of a temper himself, but impressive self control. I think they are well matched."

Aruzir nodded. "Now, for the fortunes of war." he said, shaking his head sadly.

"Alas." said Tal, and they walked together to their father at the bar, to consult over the day's news as they helped him tidy up.

Eleirien closed her door, suddenly feeling terribly weary. She sank onto the bed, and was annoyed to find tears starting in her eyes. She stood and walked to the washstand to grab the fluffy towel. She sank back onto the bed and cried her eyes out on the soft towel. Exhausted, she sat up and sniffed, feeling better. She wearily undressed down to her shift, blew out the candles, and climbed into the bed. Her feet stuck, halfway down. She wiggled her legs experimentally, thinking the linens must be tightly tucked, but to no avail. Cursing mildly, she rose and peeled back the coverlet. The top sheet had been tightly tucked in half, above the bottom sheet. Laughing, she said "Touché, Cousins!" The faces of Galen, Coll and Ross smiling impishly came to mind, cheering her. She sighed, relit a candle for long enough to retuck the top sheet, and tumbled into bed. Her sleep was filled with dreams of laughing Wood Elves who turned into bloodthirsty warriors.

Next morning, she woke to the clatter of dishes in her parlor. She peeped around the door to find Galen and Ross setting her table for breakfast. She waited quietly until they left, and then rose and splashed her face. She peeked into the room as she dried off, and saw something green and grey on the divan. She dressed hastily in her plainest gown, and went into the parlor. An elven cloak awaited her. Elei lifted it to look, and gasped as she saw a red and gold brooch pinned on it at the neck. She held it up and saw that it was exactly like the brooch Caradorn wore. The cloak was green on one side, and reversed to the soft grey on the other. She gathered it to her chest, hugging it fiercely and burying her face in the soft folds as unbidden tears came to her eyes. "Thank you, Caradorn." she whispered. There was a tap at the door. She dashed the tears from her eyes and called "Enter."

Talagand stepped in, and came over beaming when he saw the cloak. Elei smiled at him. "'Tis a gift from Caradorn." she said in a choked voice.

"And a wondrous one!" he exclaimed. "This is perfect!" He took it with her permission, holding it up and turning the grey side out.

"Perfect for what?" asked Elei.

"Have you noticed how elves seem to disappear quite easily?" he asked. "'Tis partly their cloaks. You turn this side out and it will be perfect for patrol. Oh, and I have a message from Caradorn. He says the brooch is safe passage in Thranduil's domain."

Eleirien looked at it, wide-eyed. "That's why it looks just like his, and I saw them worn by messengers, too."

Tal said, "Keep it safe, we may need it. May I join you for your breakfast?"

"Yes," said Eleirien weakly, steadying herself with one hand on the table, "I will be glad for the company." She picked up the cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders. Instantly the morning chill dissipated, and she felt warm. Thinking of the cold nights out in the hills around town, she said, "Tal, this will do nicely! 'Tis very warm."

"And cool in summer, I hear." Smiling, he shook his head. "A princely gift. Caradorn must think highly of you."

"But we only met three days past!" protested Elei.

Tal, smiling broadly, said "Father claims he loved Mother the first time he saw her."

Elei laughed, shaking her head. "At first sight?"

Tal looked at her searchingly. "So skeptical, and you are so young? Tell me, Cousin, honestly, did your first sight of Caradorn affect you differently than all those suitors you mentioned?"

"Hardly a fair comparison, Tal, he was the first Wood Elf I really met." dodged Elei, lowering her gaze.

Tal said "In truth, Elei, I would like to hear about your meeting, however simple. I am curious, as I have yet to meet any special lady for myself."

"Oh, that's a whole story in itself." said Elei, blushing. "It wasn't exactly a face-to-face meeting."

Tal took in her flaming cheeks with a gleeful smile. "This gets better and better..." he teased.

"Oh, tax me not, Tal!" Elei sighed, suddenly morose. "He has gone, now." She hugged the cloak tightly across her chest.

"He did say he would come back, I heard him." said Tal, patting her on the shoulder. "Now, how about some breakfast?" As if on cue, Marigold brought in a generous breakfast. As they ate, Elei revived. She smiled at Tal.

"Do I go on patrol today?" she asked.

"We shall see what the day's news brings," said Tal, "How many need to go, and where, varies from day to day. Mother has already told me that you are not expected to work today, unless you want to. She wants you to rest." Elei rolled her eyes. "At least she doesn't want you to embroider." he teased.

Elei smiled. "All the same, I'd like to keep busy." She smiled mischievously. "Perhaps today I can help make beds."

Tal's mouth twisted in a half smile. "Ah, yes," he said, "Perhaps you can help with Galen's, especially, in return for his helping do them all yesterday." He rose and said "Aruzir will be gone for a day or two. He has gone to Weathertop. We should have a report soon, and then we can plan." He bowed and stepped out. Elei removed the elven cloak and folded it carefully, setting it in the chest on top of her clothes, with the hood turned over the top, concealing the brooch. Then she went to find her aunt.