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All was quiet as the three elves journeyed through the forest. They were now into the second week of their journey to Lothlorien. Lord Elrond had been of the opinion that it would be in her best interests to journey home as soon as possible.
Two weeks had passed since Tanithia had finally allowed Elrohir past the strongest of her barriers and since then she had continued to share as much as she felt she could.
Her open relationship with Elladan was perhaps the strongest bond that she shared with anyone, this Elrohir knew, but he did not contest it as he knew how much they meant to each other.
Tanithia sat stiffly on her horse. Her mind reeled with thoughts, memories and feelings, most of them unwanted and unwelcome.
She thought back to the morning after she had asked Elrohir for his help,
---
The sun streamed in through the sheer drapes, making the two elves in the bed stir. Elrohir was the first to wake, his eyes clearing to look at the maiden that lay in his arms. Her face was peaceful, a far cry from the distraught woman that she had been the eve before. He was pleased that he had had the privilege of seeing her as she was meant to be seen, without her guard up. Never before had he looked into her eyes and seen her true self, perhaps now she would allow him to.
He watched as her eyes cleared and felt her body tense as she realised that their legs were entwined and his arms wrapped around her, more surprising for her was the discovery that she was holding him just as tightly.
Blushing furiously she moved away from him although she made sure that she didn't move too far.
She was uncomfortable, he could see that. But he didn't move a muscle as she moved, allowing her the time she needed to relax.
He smiled at the blush that had stained her cheek and the tips of her ears and chuckled lightly, noting the way that her body relaxed when he did so.
"Thank you"
He nodded and smiled at her, his eyes watching every small movement for an insight into what she feeling.
She lay on the bed, her body curled up, as a child would sleep. Her eyes were soft as she looked at him.
"Do you wish to eat breakfast in the dining hall or would you like to eat with me here?"
She sat up, crossing her legs beneath her.
"If you wish my company I shall eat here with you"
The slight quiver in her voice was clear, telling him that saying those few words were a big step for her. To be alone with him was a great feat, but she had managed it nonetheless.
Her eyes held a strange mix; contentment, sadness, pleasure and regret.
He turned on his side, propped up on his elbow.
"What is it?"
She shook her head and sighed heavily,
"It is nothing"
He held her gaze, wordlessly telling her to yield her thoughts to him. Her fingers played nervously with her nightgown as she thought carefully.
"I...I wish that...I wish that I could hold you as easily as you hold me. But I cannot reach out for you without seeing them in my mind"
She blushed and closed her eyes, not wanting to see the disgust in his eyes at her confession.
In truth she knew nothing of what he felt at her words. Waves of warmth flood him as he listened to her and he was overjoyed that she felt as she did.
She felt the bed shift and strong arms slide around her, pulling her into a firm chest. She felt the feather light touch of his long hair against her neck and back and the whisper of his breath against her temple.
Her body took a little time to relax but she did. She let her mind drift and just enjoyed the feeling of being safe and having somebody to care for her, just for a little while.
"If you cannot reach out for me yourself- I will do it for you"
His voice remained strong and steady despite the tender words that he knew she needed to hear. She pulled away from him and smiled. She waited for a moment before kissing his cheek and leaving the room.
---
"Are you alright?"She shook her head and looked towards a very concerned looking Elladan.
"I am well. I was merely deep in thought"
He grinned mischievously and raised an eyebrow. He had felt the sorrowful feelings that emanated from her and he wished to lighten her mind. It would not be wise to allow her to sink into depression while they were travelling. It would be dangerous for them as a group and it would do more harm to her.
"Get up you lazy whore!"
She gasped, barely containing a scream as a voice shouted in her ear. Elrohir looked to the elleth behind him in confusion.
Her face paled and her eyes widened as if suddenly terrified by something.
"What is it?"
She shook head viciously, her eyes held a far away look, as if she was not really there.
"I heard him, did you hear that?"
Elladan, fearing the worst rode up beside her and placed his hand on her shoulder gently. She had heard something, that much was obvious. But there nothing around that they knew of. Elrohir stopped his horse and dismounted, quickly rolling out his bedroll.
While he did so Elladan focused on trying to make Tanithia respond to him. He had seen warriors act as she was. She was in shock, something had triggered a memory or a feeling and she was breaking down.
She was strong woman, even when she had cried she had always maintained her thoughts and she had always kept herself calm.
Her hands shook and her mask fell, revealing her true emotions.
Quickly Elladan dismounted and lifted her off of her horse before she could fall. Cradling her prone body in his arms he carried her over to Elrohir's bedroll and sat her down. The twins worked as one, not needing to ask one another anything. They worked in perfect unison.
Elrohir wrapped a blanket around Tanithia' s shoulders as Elladan heated up an herbal tea that was commonly used to treat warriors who were in shock and couldn't pull themselves out of it.
Her blue eyes were wide in terror; her face was so pale that it had a yellow tinge to it. Her skin was clammy and her body was shaking violently.
Carefully Elladan poured the liquid into a cup from his pack and handled it to his twin who sat cradling their charge. He shifted her body slightly so that she was lying in his arms as an infant would, but still she made no move. He carefully tipped back her head so that she could drink while Elladan massaged her throat so that she swallowed.
She awoke from her stupor with a cry, her body immediately shooting out of the arms that held her.
All she could think of was the voices, she could hear them. She could feel her skin crawl as memories assaulted her.
The brothers stood from the ground, knowing that Tanithia was not paying any attention to them.
Her eyes darted from tree to tree, looking for them; she knew they were there. They were just hiding. They were waiting until night fell, then they would have her.
She saw the twins coming towards her. But on their faces were smirks, their mouths were curled into a sneer and their eyes were black and solid. She saw demons, monsters. All of a sudden the twins manovered and caught her before she could run.
She kicked and screamed, her nails scratching Elrohir's face and her hands tearing Elladan' s tunic.
As one the twins sat down, Tanithia in their arms. Once sat they enclosed her in their embrace, not allowing her to move.
Their quick decision was one of necessity not of want, but they had done what they thought was their best and unknowingly they had saved her life.
Her body was betraying her. As the moments passed her body relaxed and a feeling of safety and warmth flooded her. In her mind the memories still played. She knew the trees, they had watched silently as she was violated. It was here that the orcs had first taken her. Even now the stench of decay and death surrounded her.
A shell of ice surrounded her heart as she remembered.
Her blood had been spilt by the large oak tree that their horses stood by and she had been violated by the fallen tree that sat by the side of the track.
Elladan looked at his brother as he watched as an exhausted Tanithia fell slowly into dreams. Her body was still tense but she had relented to the embrace. She reminded him a child who had suffered a terrible nightmare. Her face was flushed and she eyes heavy as she tried to fight them.
Elrohir looked up,
"What did you put into that tea?"
Elladan grimaced,
"A sedative. Do you remember the time that we rode through the Redhorn Pass with Meaglein?"
Elrohir nodded, his brows furrowed and his eyes guarded, he had a slight suspicion where his brother was talking the conversation.
"Do you remember the attack that was launched there only sixty years earlier? Meaglein had been among the party that had been attacked; he had been taken and tortured. After the incident he recovered and by his wishes, he rejoined his patrol. Sixty years later we journeyed trough the same area. The setting triggered a reaction that we had not anticipated. He broke down, much as Tanithia has. Afterwards he recounted what he had experienced. In his mind he had watched his torture repeatedly until he could no longer cope and his mind retreated"
Elladan watched the emotions flicker across Elrohir's face as he thought. Tanithia words drifted through his mind,
' I had been in their 'company' for fourteen days and not once had they touched me. It was only when one of the lesser ranking orcs killed the leader that they dared to touch me.
That night I was taken by no less than ten orcs.'
He closed his eyes at the realisation, appalled at himself for not taking her words into account when he had planned their journey.
"Valar Elladan. This is where she was first taken"
Elladan' s eyes widened, although a part of was not surprised as the words served to reinforce his suspicions.
"She told me that she had been in their company for fourteen days before they first raped her. We are twelve days from Lorien. We travel faster than orcs do, if we leave now we can be there within ten days"
Elladan shook his head,
"Do you think it wise to travel with her in such a condition. She may not react well to it"
Elrohir's eyes turned dark and his jaw clenched, angered at his brother, though he could see sense in the decision.
"She would not react well to waking up here either. I fear it is out only option. We must get her to Grandmother fast"
With a few words that were of no consequence the two packed away their belongings and covered their track before starting on their journey once more.
---
In Lothlorien the Lady stepped back from her mirror.
"What have you seen?"
Lord Celeborn asked as he slid his arms round his smiling wife.
"She is returning to us. She has faced one of her biggest challenges, and she has passed. She let them comfort her"
Lady Galadriel turned in her Lords arms and smiled up at him, a knowing look upon her face.
"Her next challenge shall come when they reach the boarders. Haldir will not treat her any differently. She is changed my Lord, but she is stronger now"
Celeborn smiled at his wife assurance and kissed her lightly. He hoped that Tanithia would flurish once more under her marchwarden's guidance. Haldir was a familiar figure; he was both a close friend and her instructor. He knew how far to push her and how to make her work.
It would be hard and there would be times when she would wish to give in, but she would not.
With help, the Lady was sure that Lady Tanithia Aranirielle would become who she once was.