The Lost Fawn

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YAY! Someone has gotten back to my author's note about a proof-reader. Hopefully this will be my last illiterate chapter update. Hopefully this doesn't fall through because I'm pretty excited about this. Anyway, this is going to be really good. I'm thinking that this is going to be a really great thing! Again thanks for the reviews, thanks for the favorite and be story alerts. This chapter was a bit though to write, and I sort of wanted to get quick start on them leaving Edoras, and on their way to Helms Deep. It's going to get sort of good soon. Aragorn and Elain will go through some rough spots before they get close. But that's all the forbearing I'm giving. Enjoy Mellon Nin. -Ze

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Disclaimer: I don't own LOTR, but I own my characters and my plot line, so please don't touch.

†Past/Thought†

†Present†

Chapter Eight: Whispers in the Dark

Even in a room alone it was like she was never alone. Her mind was trapped in the ever baring whispers of a malice she herself didn't know. The Elf and the Dwarf did not notice. But Aragorn seemed to watch her ever so closely in moments when silence over ruled the halls. She had tried to keep her distance; she had tried to ignore his voice which penetrated every single cell in her body. No the human did something to her that even he wasn't aware of. She knew he was only trying to help the innocent human boy, but she wasn't happy with the help at all. He looked so much like the one that has paid her sister, so much like the one which plagued her sleep. She knew this was impossible, for he had been here all his life, and the elf had known him for a lot longer than anyone was letting on. She hated how she felt toward that human, soon he would be the king of Gondor, he would rule an entire kingdom while she would likely roam the woods hunting for nothing more than a piece of revenge.

Nothing good would come from her feelings, for god sakes he thought she was a boy. It was tedious, the elf knew of her gender, he had even asked Gandalf who had simply nodded and mumbled something about damning her breasts to the dark lord. Legolas had soon become rather good friends with her, though it was odd how they would simply sit in a comfortable silence for hours on end. Just watching nature and the world move around them every now and again he would ask a simple yes or no question and they would fall back into the comfortable silence that once was. The Dwarf however found Elain's bashfulness so entertaining he would do anything to make her blush, or get frustrated. He unlike the elf did not know her gender; simply found her an interesting target that was almost as short as a Dwarf.

Éowyn was always close by though, hardly ever leaving Elain's side, and only ever leaving when her uncle beckoned her to the hall. They even shared bedchambers most of the time. Éowyn had started this ritual of sneaking into Elain's bed long after the rest of the kingdom fell to slumber. They would sit and share thoughts for hours, talking about men, about beauty, but mostly about horses. Often they even rode about town ensuring the safety of Edoras. She would deny Aragorn access to taking Elain whenever he would ask, and she was completely fine with that. Elain still remained nameless to the Rohirrim, and to the fellowship. It was rather depressing simply being known as "boy", "lad", or "child" seeing that she was much past those terms back in London, or even anywhere on earth.

Dark had fallen long ago on the city of Edoras, and Elain accepted the darkness with grace. Nightfall meant that she could elude the people who bothered her so and walk to the bare training grounds of the guard. There Gandalf met her almost every night, excluding this particular night. This night she was alone, Gandalf had not shown up at that moment in time, and to be honest she couldn't lie, she was quite furious to be blown off by the Wizard. Gandalf was one of the few people she could talk to, despite the friendship she had with Éowyn, the woman didn't know she was not from that world. Elain had begged and begged Gandalf not to tell her. For all the princess knew, Elain was a pure and untouched by the world of darkness, but she was so wrong.

It also hadn't helped that only moments ago did she find that they would be leaving Edoras and making for Helms Deep. Her eyes seemed dark, long had see been thinking of the long trek to the safe haven made of stone. She was not looking forward to the crossing, and she had strangely decided she would fight, even if death was what she would accept. Her heart pounded lightly in her chest as a song crept into the back of her mind. No sounds escaped her lips, but her lips fluttered to lip sync the words. Though soon as she grew more powerful in a burst of rage the words escaped her mouth in full words.

"No,

You'll never be alone

When darkness comes I'll light the night with stars

Hear the whispers in the dark

No,

You'll never be alone

When darkness comes you know I'm never far

Hear the whispers in the dark

Whispers in the dark"

Her lips pushed together and she paused slightly, her eyes closing as she exhaled a sigh in attempt to calm her down. Why was she so angry? The fact that she was so furious was making it hard to focus. She bit her lip and slowly slipped to her knees stabbing the gnarly knife that had once been in the sheath on her hip in the ground. Her strength was failing but she knew she needed practice. She knew defense, but only once had she taken the life of another. She hadn't planned on ripping the last breath from the man that she had taken it from. But in the world of thieves and beggars it was live the life killing or be killed. Slaughtering someone wasn't unheard of in the world of Gypsies. In fact they were a violent race of creatures, though she attempted not to think of her people as much anymore. What did it matter? Never would she return to the creatures that she once knew. Nor did she want to. She stood slowly after a moment to calm herself before erupting once more.

Even in anger she practiced gracefully, her body moved almost like she was dancing she swirled, and leaped almost like a stag in battle. Ever strike was poised and held a deadly kiss. She loved the feeling of her muscles burning. It was a feeling that made her feel so free, knowing that all of this would help her soon when the largest part of battle came to her. Hardly a patter echoed from her bare feet as she danced across the field, cutting at targets and fighting an invisible foe. Something startled her as she spun one last time, connecting to someone's weapon with a sharp metallic clank. She couldn't help but let out a primitive snarl. Glaring into the face of the creature that had halted her practice. The person did not falter simply shook off her blade and moved toward her to engage in combat.

Elain held nothing back, nor had she wanted to. All this pent up frustration was getting her nowhere accept a ticket to the mental health clinic. Her movements were violently harsh, and at first they seemed to shock the hooded attacker, but soon their movements picked up and matched Elain's. Her blood pressure seemed to be rising with anger, but her breathing was actually slowing. In her mind she was in the room of her death again, she was putting as much passion into this fight as she was the anger and lust to gut the humans who had ruined her. She couldn't help the rage, the sudden burst of anger that coursed through her veins like a drug. With every connection of metal another flash of her past appeared into her mind. Every touch of the blade made her wish over and over that Nadia and those filthy men were dead.

She slashed and parried every broad stroke of the blade from her opponent, that was until she saw an opening and took it with pleasure. The creature swung his arm, and Elain simply ducked and ripped the blade from her hip. Her leg swung to knock the beast to his back before straddling him with the knife to his throat. The force had caused the creature's hood to fall back and the second she saw who it was she lowered her weapon from his wind pipe.

"Well fought." Aragorn's thick yet silky voice entered her ears which gave her great pleasure.

Her head tilted in confusion for a moment before she suddenly felt her world flip, and she was now underneath Aragorn who had decided to change the tides at the last moment. He grabbed her thin wrists and pushed them over her head. A triumphant smirk crossed his face before he started to chuckle slightly. That was until he felt the girl struggle beneath him, "but, never lose focus in battle, friend can become foe much faster than one would think. Do not struggle; this is your own fault." He warned with a snide sideways grin. Clearly enjoying the situation to the fullest. Elain on the other hand was obviously not pleased at this turn of events. She struggled even more after he had told her not to. Hoping to get out from underneath the man that she had found herself respecting, and perhaps even considering a friend.

She found herself starting to panic sure she had become friends with Aragorn, but she hadn't expected him to sit on her. Her breath started to quicken wildly she was terrified she was going to relapse. Was he going to hurt her? Would she be raped? No one could find them here! What if he tried to touch her? She was trapped, and that thought alone was enough to make her start kicking her feet in attempt to dislodge the man from hovering over her like a storm cloud over the sea. His grey eyes were peering under the hood of her cloak as he finally stood stepping off of her and grasping her hand to pull her up. Though he did not let her go, he gripped her and pushed her roughly into a shadowy wall, taking cover from the moonlight. She found herself pinned to the wall, staring into the eyes of the man but a moment ago she found herself respecting.

"Who are you really?" He snapped suddenly, the question confused Elain for a moment before her eyes went wide. He had been sitting on top of her. Perhaps he had felt…something? Her breast perhaps? Though she found herself hoping to god that was not the case, "Gandalf had said you to be inexperienced with a blade of any kind," Aragorn scoffed almost venomously before continuing, "and you had me pinned. That is no inexperience if you ask me." He barked rough hands gripping tighter on her collar with one hand and reaching to remove her hood with the other. He started to, but only got so far when he was pulled from Elain. She only had enough time to hear a heavy slap from only inches away.

"How dare you." Éowyn hissed coldly to the lord before her. Éowyn had practically adopted Elain, the fact that they weren't that far in age somewhat bothered her, but Elain was simply pleased to have a mother figure to care for her, "did you not see him trembling? Shaking like a leaf on a stormy day," she questioned with a glare at the man who was now cupping his cheek in confusion.

"He's a man; if he was uncomfortable he could have sai-…" Aragorn was abruptly cut off by seemingly soundless hiss.

"But he can't, Son of Arathorn," She snarled with poison on her tongue. Standing between Aragorn and Elain now with such an expression that could kill a man, "Or did you forget such tragedy had tied his tongue?" She questioned almost sarcastically. It was amazing to think that in the movie, or in the book Éowyn had been attracted so to Aragorn. Not that it bothered her, apparently they had already had their other encounter, and Elain had witnessed it herself. Still things played orderly, and that comforted Elain that her presence was not changing too much, "Do you even know what the tragedy was? For all you know he could be afraid of men?" She suggested with more poison in her voice than before. That anger had frightened Elain almost more than the king had before.

Not thinking Elain simply brushed past both of them. Éowyn spoke so freely! Did she not realize that even if she was attempting to protect the mute woman that Elain still had a sense of pride left? Sure she was broken, sure she was disliked. But she held enough distaste to silence the entire land of Middle-Earth. Elain simply ran it was the only thing she was good at doing. She ran past all the buildings, ducking through shadows to avoid being seen. She tripped and tumbled ungracefully over tufts of tall grass and lumps of dirt that stuck from the ground. She didn't want to think, she hardly even wanted to breathe. She simply sat on the damp soil so close to the destination she had been attempting to get to.

"Dear Lord…"

Her mind had taken her again; her soul left her body for a moment and flew to the only place she understood. "Elain?" Lórien called lightly, his eyes gleaming in slight joy and surprise, "My friend so good it is to see you!" the man said helping Elain up from the pool of water that she was sitting in. There was a small quiet smile on her face as she looked at the charming Lórien, Estë was quite lucky that was for sure. Having a husband who was not only a beautiful and kind person, but also a god. Elain couldn't help but let a rigid sigh escape her lips.

"I don't know what to do." Her soft voice had even surprised herself. It caused her to jump and grip at her throat with a soft touch. Looking at Lórien as if to ask if he had heard her. He smiled brightly at the development. And gently pulled her hood back so he could ruffle her hair. The action made her, herself grin. She was excited; it meant a lot to at least be able to speak a few sentences to Lórien, if no one else.

"You can speak in the realm of the Valar! This is good, soon you will at least be able to sing before the people of middle-earth," he sounded almost as excited as Elain was, her heart hammered in her ears like a war drum as the expression of sheer joy crossed her face "Many can sing and not talk. Perhaps that is the spell that now grasps you," He paused for a moment before smiling again this expression put her at such ease she couldn't help but fallow the contagious act of smiling a long too, "perhaps you will be given your voice back sooner than we had anticipated. Tell me, who is the creature who has given you your voice? It would be a man I presume. It only makes sense." Lórien mused, continuing his rambles a few more moments. Though at the thought of it being a man it confused Elain.

Her silence continued as only one half of her brain paid attention to the Vala before her. She couldn't help but wonder what he had meant. It confused her to the point of suddenly interrupting the Elven looking folk before her, "Lórien, I do not understand, why would it be a man?" she questioned with a sound of complete interest and wonder.

"Did we not tell you? Only the man who loves you, and whom you return your feelings to can give you your voice back." He said with a thoughtful look. Clearly surprised that he and his counterpart had left that out that one important detail. His eyes glanced to Elain with a stark expression; not exactly wanting to hear the answer he would be given. Yet also looking forward to hear the truth about the creature who has been freeing her from her binds, "Tell me, who is the creature?"

Elain's heart skipped a beat as he stared off, looking at the hall of the Valar before her eyes moved to Lórien as if he was insane. She did not like that idea, though and she couldn't picture who in fact it could have been. Though she had an idea who it was. Her eyes wondered, "The only males I have spoken too that would even slightly make sense are the Heir to Gondor, and the Prince of Mirkwood." She said awkwardly looking down with a blush. Lórien smirked at how bashful she was, and couldn't hold back a laugh.

"Just as I expected child." Lórien said cryptically with a broad smile. "Fear not, all will work out in the end," he started ruffling her locks again and pulling her back toward the water and then gently pushing her into the pool of water, "but it's time for you to go back to your fate. The mortals and immortals of that world need you." He said softly before watching her go back under. "Sleep well Elain." He whispered as she vanished into the water of life once more.

She woke with the sun shining in her eyes yet her body wrapped in warmth. Her useless eye sat glazed in its socket though still moving with the other. She slowly and cautiously rolled over on the pillow of her bed only to be met by Aragorn. The ranger was propped up in a chair next to the bed, apparently sleeping and keeping watch over here at the same time. Éowyn sat in almost the same mirroring position on the opposite side of the bed. She felt, and as she had thought the hood was firmly over her face. She knew she must have looked like the miniature form of a Nazgûl. Though her cloak was a stormy grey not a jet black she still let an airy chuckle escape her lips at her own thought. Slowly and gracefully she sat up stretching with a light soundless groan. Her eyes glanced lightly at Aragorn; they dragged down his peaceful form with a slight pity. Would she let him fall to his proposed doom soon? How could she prevent it? Did she want to prevent it? Yes. She wanted to more than anything.

She would take his place in the fall from grace.

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I hope you liked this chapter! It was really fun to write, and I really wanted Elain to seem extremely close to the Valar. After all they did make her a favorite child of the Valar. Some action will be coming soon, so don't worry. Sorry if it's a bit boring, but I'm enjoying it. R&R, and don't forget to vote on the poll I'll be closing down on Sunday or Monday so get your say in before the next pole came up. I hope you enjoy it! Thank you so much for reading! Bless your face. -Ze

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