Note: This chapter includes the appearance of Nariel, daughter of Radagast the Brown and granddaughter of Beorn the Bear man. Her story is told in 'Nariel the Red'

Again, not a very long chapter. This hasn't actually got anything to do with my health this time (although it still isn't good) and more to do with the way the way the chapter plan has worked out.

Athrana (Wandering Shadow)

Chapter 10- Plans

TA3018, October

Aragorn walked with Legolas to his rooms before going out into the gardens. He couldn't believe that his friend was so blind. After only a few minutes in Mirkwood with the two of them, Legolas and Nariel, he had known there was something between them. If only he could think of a way to prove this to the elf.

"Estel?" Aragorn turned to see Glorfindel behind him. "I need to talk to you" The Balrog slayer did not wait for an answer however, just indicated for Aragorn to follow him into one of the empty rooms. Once the door was shut behind them Glorfindel leant heavily against the wall. "When?" For once in his long life the golden lord looked exhausted, defeated. "Since Bree" Aragorn answered knowing exactly what he meant. Since that moment he had worried about what to tell the twins, or Erestor, somehow he had forgotten about Glorfindel. The lord had always been the strong one. Now the man could see that it was all an act, He had been strong for his mate, letting Erestor break down.

Glorfindel ran his hands over his face. When he looked up again Aragorn could see the conflicting emotions on his face. "What will you do?" the eldar asked. "I promised I wouldn't say anything." The elf nodded. "As did I. She isn't ready to come home yet." Glorfindel couldn't keep up with his own thoughts. He had been ecstatically happy to see Athriel alive, but that had been followed swiftly by the realisation of what had happened to her. He had agreed to keep her secret only to realise how hard that would actually be in practice. He should be upset that Estel had known before him but he was just glad to have someone to talk to. "To be honest Estel, I don't know what to do."

Aragorn sighed. This was a new experience, him giving Glorfindel advice. "I don't think there is anything you can do. She won't come home until she is ready, and until she does I doubt they will believe that she is alive. All we can do is try to make her see that she wants to come back." Glorfindel nodded. "When did you get so wise Estel?" he asked grinning. The man shrugged. "You've been giving me advice for years; it's about time some of it wore off on me."

After leaving Glorfindel to take out some of his anxiety on the training field, Aragorn sat out on the steps to the courtyard. He needed to think. First of all there was the problem of convincing Athriel to come back, but there was also Legolas and his self denial to deal with. Aragorn looked up when he heard hoof beats and grinned. He might just be able to kill two birds with one stone.

""Estel!"" The twins greeted in unison. "What are you doing out here on the front steps?" Elrohir laughed before Elladan continued their thoughts. "Surely you aren't here to greet us, we aren't expected back until tomorrow" Aragorn grinned. "No you are not expected, but I am pleased to see you none the less. I have a favour to ask."

Meanwhile Glorfindel was taking out his frustrations on a straw filled orc. Despite the now late hour and the darkness he felt he needed to get rid of his anger and anxiety before he could go back to the rooms and faced Erestor "Do I really make you that angry?" A voice asked from the trees. He looked up but couldn't see anything amongst the leaves. "Where are you?" he asked, barely believing that Athriel could hide so well. "I'm here" she said pulling her hood back and moving slightly out of the shadows, but she didn't leave the tree. Somehow it would have been better if she had stayed hidden. Talking to her disembodied voice was a lot easier than looking at her face. It wasn't just the scars; it was the look in her eyes. She looked so worried, so scared and so quiet. It was difficult to reconcile this broken creature with the child he had helped raise. In his memories she was always smiling, no matter what happened she was the positive one making jokes and laughing.

"You didn't answer my question" she accused watching him pack up his weapons. "Yes!" he shouted. "I mean no. I mean I don't know." He slumped down at the base of the tree. "I'm still in shock" he conceded. She dropped down next to him. "I'm sorry Glorfindel." He pulled her to rest her head on his shoulder. "It's alright Athriel. I just wish you had come back to us when you escaped. Or..." She pulled back. "Or that I'd tell him now." He nodded. "I can't, not yet"