Disclaimer: I do not own the ideas, characters, etc that belong to the Lord of the Rings and I am not Tolkien.

A/N ~ Hiya! I got TWO chapters done in such a timely manner! Woot!

Haradaic is still ITALICS!

Haradaic

Trunreen = Little sister

Trunruun = Little brother

Reen = Sister

Ruun = Brother

Ranar ques = Thank you

Ranar ques, narm reen. = Thank you, my sister.

Elven

Mell = Beloved

Meleth = Love/My love

Le melin, Gyrig. = I love you, my Heart.

Brethil = my Princess

Pen neth = Young one

Rîn ~ Remembrance

Arienel looked over Derufin, Bergil and Eluchon. She would have to adopt one of them into her family if this alliance were to even be possible. But would any of the males be willing? After all, it was their life that was going to be decided along with Nusayya's and the future of the North and South. The elleth met a pair of light blue eyes and two pair of gray. Derufin spoke first, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "Umm...I cannot do this. I plan on asking to court a maiden when I return home." His face was tinge red, but Faramir clapped him on the back with a smile. "Thank you for telling us now, Derufin. Rest easy. You will see your maid again."

The young man seemed to relax, but now both Eluchon and Bergil looked at one another, each feeling nervous and unsure about what to do. Marrying a complete stranger would be difficult and awkward, no matter how beautiful or friendly the woman might be. They would be required to leave their home for at least a long period of time if not forever, they would be among people they didn't know and there would be no backing out of the marriage. Looking at Bergil's young face, his expression paler than it should have been...Eluchon spoke quietly, turning his eyes to Arienel and Faramir. "I will do it."

The protests and questions were instant, but through it all, the silver-haired elf and the red-haired female held each other's gaze silently and Arienel smiled slightly when the others quieted and looked between the two. "Do not think you have fooled me? I see the way you look at her."

Light blue eyes looked down as a slightly sheepish, nervous smile came to the Sindar's face. He looked up after a moment, uncertain and questioning. "Do you think I am going down the right path?" Arienel tilted her head, noting that Elrohir was watching them both with some amusement, but also concern for Eluchon, wondering if his new friend was thinking clearly. He may not have known the silver-haired elf that well, but that didn't mean he didn't care what Eluchon ended up doing. His choice would not only effect his life, but that of the future of the North and South. The dark-haired elf leaned forward, his arms on his knees. "Do you think you are?"

Eluchon blinked and looked down at his hands with a frown. "I...do not know. I feel strange when I meet her eyes, but...I do not know if this means I am doing the right thing. I just feel that this is something I should do." He looked up and shrugged slightly. "I have no love at home and my parents and sister are well taken care of. You have many guardians that watch over you, brethil. I am not needed. I can help in this way." The silver-haired elf looked around and met the eyes of all. "I will marry Nusayya if her father will approve the match."

Night had fallen and Arienel leaned back against Kamiseen's scaled hide next to Elrohir, looking up at the stars. The dark-haired elf looked down at their hands, watching in some amusement as Arienel's own slender fingers played over his larger ones. She was holding only one of his hands and he could tell by the way hers moved that she was thinking, nervous or uncertain about something. He let the elleth continue for a time before speaking.

"You are worried about Eluchon?"

A sigh. "Yes...well, no. I think that...he and Nusayya will be happy together once they can be alone, have time to talk. The attraction is there, but I think it will develop into more over time. No, I am not worried about them. Nervous for them, yes, but not worried." She looked over and up at him with a small smile. "I am worried, though. How did you know?" She watched as the male smiled and his hand tightened around one of her own. "I know you. Now what is it that troubles you, Mell?"

Arienel shook her head, looking up at the stars again. "Amr. The King's son. Kamiseen and Nusayya say that Ikrimah would be beyond grateful for his son's return, but if the Haradrim cannot find him, how are we to do so? Kamiseen seems to think I can do it, but I do not know how."

Elrohir suddenly looked both angry and uncomfortable and the elleth blinked, sitting up and looking alarmed, but also wary. "What is wrong?" Had she said something to anger him? Had Kamiseen? The dark-haired elf took a large breath and let it out slowly before he spoke, almost sounding bitter if she was hearing correctly. "Your Sight. They want you to use your Sight to try and see this prince."

Arienel blinked and sat up further turning ninety degrees to face him. Her sky blue eyes met his brown and the elleth was not sure of the emotion she saw in his gaze. "Do I even know how to do that?" Elrohir sighed and rubbed his eyes with his hand before replying. "Not yet, but I have no doubt that you could do it. You haven't used your Sight in a controlled way yet, but you could."

"This doesn't please you." Her voice was quiet and it was not a question as she reached out to tilt his chin, making the dark elf look at her. His brown eyes contained an anger and yet weary acceptance that she recognized, but did not understand the reason for. Elrohir swallowed before speaking, knowing she didn't remember and didn't understand his reaction. He would have to take care with his words. "No. It does not. I know that my father urged you to expand your Foresight and I know you are capable of doing it, but...while others see the power you possess and the potential for it...I just see you."

Arienel moved forward so that her knees - she was kneeling - touched his crossed shins and she studied his face, trying to understand what it was he was telling her. She could sense it was important and she truly wanted to know his heart in a way that almost hurt...because at one point, she had. She just didn't remember anymore. "What do you mean? Is not my gift a part of me?"

Elrohir almost growled, running a hand through his hair and leaning back against Kamiseen's side as he shook his head. "Yes, but...I do not see you as your gift. I only see you under it and I see what it does to you. I...I don't want to change you, Arienel and I accept you the way you are...I just worry for you. I see the way your gift uses you, hurts you and it scares me. I would keep his safe, but how can I protect you from what is already part of you?" He looked at her helplessly and Arienel bit her lip, unsure what to say. The dark-haired elf sighed and touched her cheek gently with his fingers, his voice even softer. "I do not want you to do this, but I know you will do what is right regardless of what I desire. I have learned by now to protect you when I can and not to hinder you."

The elleth grabbed his fingers before they slid away and though her eyes were closed, spoke. "I run your life. You are always running after me." A small chuckle made her open her eyes and Elrohir's trapped thumb caressed her cheek gently. "Not after, Mell." She gave him a confused look and he elaborated. "I would not like running after you, but I do not mind running at your side, meleth."

The red-haired elleth smiled and released his hand as she moved back to his side, leaning against him and feeling safe. Elrohir kissed her forehead. "If you feel you should use your Sight, then do so, Arienel. It is only fear for you that makes me say no." Arienel nodded and took a deep breath, relaxing. She glanced over to her left at sudden movement and smiled as Asabiarn yawned, stretching from his place between Haasin's clawed feet. The large, male sand dragon was asleep and the slave-boy looked up at him in a slightly uncertain way, but also with a puzzled expression. His light brown eyes caught sight of Arienel's sky blue and the child went white when he realized how dark it was and that he'd gone to sleep while she talked with the other Northerners - who didn't appear to be anywhere in sight not counting the elf that sat at his mistress' side.

The elleth spoke quietly when Asabiarn looked like he would scramble away from the dragon and to her. "Stay, pen neth. I have no need of you right now, but I take it you might have need of me." The slave sat back down slowly, unsure, but nodded after a moment, glancing at Elrohir - who watched the child silently - and then back to the red-haired female. His voice was almost a whisper and he subconsciously pressed closer to Haasin for comfort. "Why did the Muhamik obey me?"

Arienel smiled gently. "He did as you wanted because he is bonded to you." It took some time to explain what the Rishten between a two-leg and a dragon was, why it was suddenly active after being dormant for hundreds of years and how this would affect Asabiarn himself. The child looked positively overwhelmed as he looked at the head of the slumbering dragon next to his small body. "But..but why does he want me?"

"The Rishten does not choose by race or gender or position. It chooses according to the needs of each dragon and person. I know not how it does this. Only the Creator knows the wisdom in this plan and how it works. Haasin can no more not feel bonded to you than he can stop being a dragon. If you choose to reject him then he will die-"

"No!" The vehement reply, coupled with the child's fierce glare and his small arms around one of Haasin's clawed toes took Arienel by surprise, but Elrohir laughed, the sound deep and amused for he had watched the sudden change come over the boy as his betrothed talked, and the slave's expression was so possessive and so much like he'd seen Arienel look that he couldn't help but find mirth bubbling up in him. Asabiarn seemed to shrink into the shadow of the dragon after his outburst, suddenly fearing the consequences, but Arienel merely smiled as Haasin woke, his gold eyes slitted open and immediately looking for the boy.

"I am glad you will accept the Rishten, Asab. It would have killed Haasin had you not." Light brown eyes blinked in surprise and then looked up into gold at the sand dragon's pleased rumble. Haasin breathed hot air into the child's unruly, dirty hair and chuckled. "You need a bath." Asabiarn frowned and didn't respond, but ran his small hand through his hair and then looked at it when he was done, not noticing when Haasin stood until the wind hit his clothes. He shivered and then looked at the elleth with some worry. "You should be inside, mistress Arienel. You can catch chill out here."

Elrohir raised a brow, looking the slave-boy's tattered clothes over and then looked at his betrothed. "He is right and for his sake, I think you should agree." The dark-haired elf knew Arienel would be more likely to do as she was told if it was for someone else's benefit. Sure enough, the red-haired female stood and dusted herself off, placing a hand on Kamiseen's scales as the Kalei stirred. "I am going inside now, Muhareen. No need to wake." Kamiseen rumbled agreement before her lids closed once more and her breathing deepened. Haasin, however, was a different story as he looked beyond worried as Asabiarn started to leave his side. The male sand dragon stood and warbled low after the boy, causing the child to turn with a startled look and touch his head.

Arienel sighed and went to child's side, looking over at the sand dragon. "Haasin will be able to speak inside your head and you in his before long, but it will only seem like emotion impressions right now." She turned her attention to the Kalei and did not attempt to speak in his mind, knowing that Asabiarn had taken her place there and it would be wrong to intrude unless necessary. "I will be sure that he stays with me, Haasin. Do you not still trust me?"

She watched as the dragon's gold eyes left the boy's light brown to look at her. A small war raged for a moment before the Muhamik dipped his head. "I trust you, Kaleniya." Arienel smiled and nodded back before going inside, both Asabiarn and Elrohir following, the child staying as far away as he could from the male elf. He was starting to trust his mistress, but her companions were another story entirely. The dark-haired elf didn't try to press the boy, seeing no need and was fine with being on one side of Arienel while the child was on the other as they headed back to their rooms.

Asabiarn went ahead of Arienel as she stopped at Elrohir's door and the elleth was grateful for the boy's thoughtfulness. She bit her lip as the two of them stood before the door, their guards not far away from them, and tucked red hair behind her ear before speaking. "Elrohir, I want to thank you for...well, for being patient with me. For not being angered when I do not remember what I should." She looked up, sky blue meeting brown and saw that he was looking at her with both amusement and the same strong love she always saw, now expected to see, in his brown eyes. Her voice turned into a whisper. "I can see that you love me. Everything you do shows me and...I want you to know that...strange as it might sound, I am coming to love you again."

She was both startled and warmed to suddenly feel his arms around her waist, gentle and yet secure and the elleth blushed when the son of Elrond smiled, bringing his forehead to touch hers. His own voice was soft. "And I am enjoying rediscovering the many sides of you, meleth. You may not remember all that came before, but it has not made me love you any less. I love you now and I always will." His lips on her own, gentle, soft and quick, made her tremble and the breath catch in her throat. Arienel opened her eyes after a long moment to see Elrohir looking at her with love, amusement and faint worry. She banished the last expression by resting her head against his chest, hearing his soothing heartbeat, showing that he had not startled her too badly. She knew her own heart was pounding and she wanted to feel his lips on hers again, but she couldn't bring herself to kiss him back yet, not feeling the courage for that action. Desire was there, though, and Elrohir seemed to sense that and so the dark elf was content with her embrace and held her for a time.

Arienel had changed into night-wear and let her hair loose when there was a knock on the door. Asabiarn got to it before she did and Arienel saw him freeze before bowing deeply and backing away. The elleth moved to the entrance and saw Nusayya's smiling face. She also saw the slave-boy trying to slip out the door and ignoring the princess for the moment, grabbed the back of the child's shirt, giving him a raised brow when he blinked, looking up at her in a startled way. "I told Haasin you were staying with me tonight and you are, now go sit, pen neth." She ruffled his hair as he ducked past her back into the room and shook her head before looking at Nusayya once more. The dark peredhil didn't seem to be bothered in the slightest.

"Are you too tired to talk, trunreen?"

The elleth shook her head and beckoned the other female in. They both settled on the large bed, facing each other and Arienel spoke first. "Why do you call me 'trunreen'?" She wasn't related to Nusayya, she knew that much and from what Arienel could tell, they were not similar in enough ways to be considered sisters...and she was coming to believe that she hadn't even known about Nusayya before her memory loss. Sky blue eyes watched black, feeling a peace as the dark female smiled. "I call you what I call all the bearers of Eru's Crosses. There was a trunruun before you and there will be more reen and ruun after you."

Arienel's eyes narrowed and her hand came up to grasp the crosses under her sleep-gown protectively. "A trunruun? Alagos?" Well, that was something that would take some getting used to...Alagos as a little brother... Nusayya chuckled at the expression on her face and grinned. "Yes, he had the same reaction when I called him such, but he endured it well enough."

"You gave him this?" The wind-cross, on its leather thong was pulled out slowly and the Haradrim princess only nodded, not even reaching out to touch the green-metal. "Yes. Just as I gave you the Gift of Eru."

Arienel frowned, pulling the fire cross out as well as she shook her head. "No...Elrohir and Eluchon said I acquired it in Isengard. It was given to an Ent by a winged-Maia." Nusayya merely nodded calmly, unfazed. "And Gabriel acquired the cross from me to give it to the Ent who gave it to you."

"Gabriel?"

"It is what he is called to a very distant people. To them he is an archangel, but I believe we use different names to describe the same being. I do not think you will have the task of meeting these people from across the sea, though, your offspring might." The princess's eyes had clouded slightly and Arienel was suddenly reminded of Cara, of the vision she had - and could remember - about the strange buildings and carriages without horses. Could those be the people Nusayya spoke of? The Haradrim-halfbreed didn't give her a chance to ponder the idea as she spoke again. "Gabriel also delivered a message to Alagos to give the Joy of Eru to you and I am glad to see the shape-shifter did so. It was time for the cross to have a new bearer."

"How do you know all this?"

"I am Eru's Guardian like my mother was before me and her father before her. We are given the task of passing on the crosses to those who will need them most and when no bearer is present for a certain cross, we keep it with us. The crosses always come back into our possession no matter what happens to their bearer. I passed on the Gift of Eru to you and Alagos the Joy of Eru." Nusayya smiled and reached behind her neck to unclasp the glass-like chain that bore yet another cross. She lifted it carefully, the water sloshing about in the glass-metal like a fluid jewel of light.

"This is the Blessing of Eru. It gives its bearer peace and understanding. I now give it to you."

Arienel opened her mouth to protest. She already had two! Why did she need the third? But the Haradrim princess had already slipped the chain about her neck and Arienel's words were cut off in a surge of overwhelming knowledge. Understanding. How could she understand others if she didn't even understand her own past? The thought ran through her mind before it was swarmed with images, voice, time, actions, places that made clench her teeth against screaming with the suddenness of it. Arienel squeezed her eyes shut, but she couldn't stop the tide of memories and deep down, she didn't want to. She wasn't sure how long she sat there, shaking, feeling like she might explode, but it passed and a feeling of soothing peace came over her, the calm after the storm and sky blue eyes opened.

She remembered. She remembered everything! Her life, her friends, her family, sorrows, joys, fears, her power...everything. The elleth gave a shuddering breath and smiled, tears of relief trailing down her face as her hand clutched the water-cross around her neck.

Nusayya smiled, somewhat sadly, to see the innocence leave the red-haired female's eyes to be replaced by experience, wisdom, fears, sadness, love, dislike... They had been sitting here for over an hour and Asabiarn - after his initial concern and getting reassurance from Nusayya - was asleep near the fireplace. Sky blue eyes flickered over to the boy and then to the dark-skinned, golden-haired princess. Arienel took a deep breath and released it slowly, letting the cross about her neck go. "Ranar ques."

"You are welcome, trunreen, but I am afraid now that you remember...now your task shall be harder. You do not have the innocence you possessed when you remembered nothing and you will have to put your distrust aside to see the people behind the masks they wear. My father will not be easy on you or your friends, though, he has decided to not question you until tomorrow afternoon. He is impressed by your willingness to heed his warning and your manners about the process."

Arienel nodded, swallowing and wiping the tears from her face, steadying herself. "Nusayya, I hear what you say, but I do not think it is the issue right now. I have seen many children taken over the last few months. Elven children, dragon children...Harad is not the only land that has been robbed of young ones. Will not your father see the sense in this? That if the North is being plagued as well then our people need to work together?" She was more than happy to have her mind back, harder task or not. To have all the knowledge she had gained over the past several months, to remember Gandalf and Gimli, the hobbits, Legolas, her heart-family, her elven father...to remember Elrohir! It was all she could do to sit calmly and not rush from the room to tell him, especially knowing how patient he'd been with her...

Nusayya was nodding her head, but her expression spoke frustration. She still seemed to carry a light about her, but without the cross, the constant stream of happiness seemed to be gone and as a bearer, it was not as present in Arienel, though, she could feel the flow of peace in her mind, ready to be used when she needed it along with love, determination, trust, hope and understanding. "My father is usually a reasonable King, but Amr...Amr was his joy, his light and without my half-brother, my father is struggling. Your Muhamik friend was right. He would do anything to have his son back."

Arienel nodded, looking thoughtful. She now recalled why it was so difficult for her to use her gift freely and that old fear wanted to creep back in...if she let it. The elleth closed her eyes and found the flow of peace and the current of hope, of trust and determination. She had done more with her power since losing her memory than she had in some time and nothing bad had resulted. Perhaps it was time to lay extreme caution to rest and trust in the strength Eru gave her to handle what He gifted her with. Just like Kanitia had said. Sky blue eyes opened to look into black, hard and determined. "Tell your father that the Gondorians brought with them a seer who might be able to tell him where his son is. Do not put any price on this for I will do it with or without Harad's peace with Gondor."

Nusayya smiled for the first time since giving the water-cross away and hugged the elleth. "Ranar ques, narm reen. Eru truly chose His bearer well." She sat back and and then stood from the bed on quiet feet. "You should sleep. My father will speak with you tomorrow and I know you will be awake early to talk with the other Northerners. Goodnight, Arienel." Nusayya slipped out the door and Arienel sighed, laying back on the pillows behind her, eyes closed. She couldn't stop trembling, but the elleth didn't mind. It was only from intense relief and memory-overload and it would pass.

She smiled to herself. She couldn't wait to see the look on Elrohir's face...

"You seem different today, mistress Arienel." Asabiarn stood quietly with his hands behind his back, watching the elleth move about the room. The child's light brown eyes took in Arienel's movements with a calculating gaze uncommon to children of his age. There seemed to be more purpose, more sureness in his mistress this morning. There was also a different look to her eyes, less like a child herself and more like the adults he was used to. And yet...he still felt her could trust her for Asabiarn could sense she was still the same person she had been...just wider or older in a way. It was strange.

Arienel looked up from the water basin and smiled, eyes glittering in mirth. "I am different and yet, I am the same. Does that bother you?" The slave-boy shook his head, but it wasn't in the fearful way he usually did and the elleth gave a curt nod, drying her face and moving toward the door. She was dressed in flared pants and a high-rise shirt that clung to her body in a strange way. A sheer fabric floated over her arms and covered the part of her stomach exposed by the shirt. The outfit had come with a headdress and veil, but Arienel ignored it, preferring to keep her red hair loose and sweeping down her back. She now exited the room with some feeling of awkwardness, but tried to ignore it, looking back at Asabiarn. "I will be meeting with the King later and I must talk to my friend before then, so I want you to stay with Haasin. Do you understand?"

The child nodded, but looked nervous as they walked. "Mistress, what if I am summoned by a master or mistress?" He watched as Arienel's sky blue eyes flashed with anger, but her voice was calm. "Ignore them. Haasin will let no one hurt you or come near you. Do not leave the dragon until I return." The slave nodded, feeling anxious about the whole thing, but knowing that if he obeyed his new mistress then at least he was doing something right...

Arienel had left Asabiarn in the courtyard with Haasin and Kamiseen and was now making her way back down the wide corridor, toward Elrohir's room - her guards trailing close behind - when her gift flared with such intensity that she gave a choked cry and reached out instinctively for the fur of a canine that wasn't there, instead finding a pillar. It was enough and the elleth stared, wide-eyed at someone she could not clearly see with cloudy gray eyes.

(vision) Arienel felt she was flying as she soared over a land of grassland and lush forests. Red mountains could be see in the distance, blood against the blue sky and a large sea with a smaller mountain range on its western side and a forest on its north-eastern side was to the west of these giant blood-stained peaks. Stone villages and towns dotted the plains and near the mountains themselves, great cities, populations built into the natural defense of the slopes were numerous. Gold gates and stone mixed with silver stood out in the morning sun of the largest city. Men and women milled below, dressed in fine clothes and sparkling armor.

The elleth blinked in astonishment, but it turned to confusion and then startled horror as her Sight drew her closer to the cities, to the inhabitants. Men of dark eyes and hair, and even darker hearts fought one another, stole, struck down children and slaves, pulled women into allies where screams could be heard. Women, most brightly but scantily clad, roamed the streets, silent but alluring. Or they cowered in the shadows their husbands and fathers, quiet, subdued and unseen. Children were thin, dirty and they stole without pause, hurting one another and running wild.

The city was beautiful from the outside, but inside it was corrupt. Arienel let her gift pull her even closer, to a destination at the height of the city, into a richly-adorned palace with pillars of alabaster and floors of smooth stone. Gold glittered everywhere, bright cloth hanging from pillars and windows. It was a throne room and a dark-haired, dark-eyed man sat on the highest seat, watching below as three men, one younger than the other two - all of them looked alike and like the King, obviously his sons - fought with one another, their voices raised and eyes sparking with hatred and greed. Four females stood in the background, richly dressed, but silent and fearful. Two of them looked to be around the King's age and one a young woman of great beauty. The other was only a small child of about eight and she clutched something stuffed to her chest, looking between her brothers with worried, sad eyes.

Arienel's eyes were drawn to another youth that had entered the throne room, his stride both angry and confident. His black hair hung almost to his shoulders and fell into his eyes where he paid it little mind. His eyes themselves were strange, though, being of the brightest green in a sea of dark-eyed people. He looked no more than nineteen. The others in the room turned at his approach and they seemed almost shocked to see him. Only the little girl, the smallest child, her face lit up in delight. The father looked thoughtful, the women still silent, but the brothers started yelling again, their faces angry.

The youth ignored them, heading for the little girl, saying something Arienel didn't catch to the other males as he went past. Whatever had left his mouth caused a surge of rage in the other males and something was barked out in a language Arienel didn't understand. The green-eyed youth stopped, his face becoming more of a snarl than anything as he replied. Arienel wasn't sure what happened next for it almost seemed as if her Sight skipped through time, but one of the brothers now had the little girl in his grasp, a knife to her throat, as he spoke to the youth who had gone pale, green eyes glittering in fury.

The man with the knife said something and Arienel blinked, not sure her mental eyes were working as the place where the youth had been standing was no longer inhabited by a human, but by a large cat with gleaming claws and teeth. It was orange-ish in color and had black stripes, its eyes were a tawny gold. A roar was heard, deafening in the great hall and Arienel caught the look of fear and shock on the others faces as the great cat leaped... (end vision)

Arienel gasped, feeling almost sick as the vision faded. There was a great pressure, almost painful behind her eyes and it was with a great surge of shock that she realized someone was in her head. The elleth's sky blue eyes snapped up to meet ones of the darkest black, like the greatest expanse of sky without stars. It took her a good long moment to recognize the face the eyes sat in and when she did, her body went cold, shivers going down her arms. It was the youth. The green-eyed youth and his complexion was even paler than it had been in her vision as he stared at her, seeming to not see her as she was, but something else, something deeper. The elleth met his eyes again and it was with panic that she suddenly knew who was in her mind.

Her gift flared violently, shoving him back, but it was a struggle and it was only as his eyes faded to their bright green that he left her head. Arienel didn't think it was because of anything she'd done either and the thought made her take a step back at the sheer power she'd felt. The youth seemed not to notice her for a moment, but his eyes hardened instantly when he did and the color came back to his face, tanned. Arienel wasn't sure what he'd seen or heard or done, but it seemed not to faze him in the slightest and a smirk came to his lips. "Your mind is rather...interesting."

Arienel stood her ground as he walked forward slowly, but with all the grace of a feline. A very dangerous feline, much like the one she'd seen in her vision. The elleth swallowed as they came face to face and she felt vulnerable, a feeling she was not used to and did not like in the least. The smirk seemed to grow on his face, his eyes tinged black at the edges and Arienel felt anger come into her at last. Her sky blue eyes sparked with indignation and irritation. "Stay out of my mind."

He grinned, an expression she wanted to smack off his face. "Why?" Arienel stared at him, ignoring the throb of the Blessing of Eru as it tried to give her understanding, ignoring the the Joy of Eur and its love. She even ignored the Gift of Eru as it tried to prompt her to trust. She didn't trust him and she didn't want to at this point. The elleth answered through gritted teeth. "It is not your mind to explore." She moved to sweep by him, more than done, but his hand snapped out and grabbed her wrist, taking her by surprise. She pulled back slightly, but his grip was strong and he would not let go.

Arienel felt a trickle of real fear as his almost feral, hard green eyes looked into her sky blue. He leaned close to her face, his voice as low whisper, almost as hiss. "Do you think I care?" The elleth didn't know why she didn't strike out, why her power didn't flare, she didn't even know why it didn't occur to her to use her power, but she was beyond relieved when a sharp, whip-like voice cut through the crackling silence.

"Kahilnar! Release her!"

Arienel felt her wrist come free of his grip and backed up hastily as the youth named Kahilnar looked over with irritation and yet reluctant respect at Nusayya. The princess was approaching swiftly, storm clouds in her dark eyes and she stood almost nose to nose with the green-eyed male, her voice low, filled with warning. "Women might be treated like dogs in Rhûn, Easterling, but that is not so here and you know it. My father welcomes you into his house for the peace between our countries, but do not think I will let you harass the Northerners. They are under MY care."

Black eyes glared into green and neither looked they like would back down. Kahilnar finally broke Nusayya's gaze as she whispered again, though, her voice softer, gentler. "This is not what your mother taught you. This is not what your sister would see you do. They-"

"Be silent, Nusayya!" The princess didn't get a chance to respond as he left, slipping past her and disappearing down the hall on silent feet, every movement filled with lethal grace. Arienel breathed as sigh of relief when he was out of sight and Nusayya came to her side, shaking her golden head. "He is as graceful and deadly as a jungle Twanres, but as lost as if he sails through a night without stars."

"Who is he?" The elleth was jittery. She'd never had the kind of encounter with anyone before. Gandalf had spoken with her mind-to-mind, Galadriel had attempted to read her mind and even Haasin and Kamiseen had talked with her in their minds. Why had she reacted so badly to this male? What had he done? Or was it just because she was so afraid of the possibility that she might lose her memory again or that something else could happen? She'd frozen. Why had she not done something? Call out? Shove him away like she had Erestor when he'd startled her so long ago? Why had she done nothing? Arienel wasn't sure about any of it and she hated the fact. She moved toward Elrohir's room on shaky legs and Nusayya stayed by her side, explaining.

"Kahilnar is an Easterling from Rhûn, though, I do not think he is of pure-blood. He says he is here to check on the Haradrim, his people's ally, but he will not tell us his family name nor which Easterling King has sent him. I do not know who he is, but I do know that his gift is something even he has little control over. He hides it well but he has been here for two weeks now and I can see that when his power flares it surprises him. I think he can read minds, but I am not sure if that is the full extent of his gift."

"Why...why did he let me go...when you came?"

Nusayya paused and seemed to think for a moment as she looked down the hall. "I think...I remind him of someone. Kahilnar was...gentler with me from the beginning. If you can call anything he does gentle."

"You said something about his mother and sister?"

The princess looked almost uncomfortable, but answered. "He fell asleep in the Courtyard of Horses one night and...I went out to wake him. None of the servants will approach him. I did not realize he was dreaming until he started to speak. I should have woken him, but curiosity kept me quiet and I heard him call out for both his mother and someone named Mahayre. It was only days later that I learned, after asking, that Mahayre was his youngest sister and that his mother was very different from most woman in the East. I do not know why he answered me when I asked about them, but I do not think he was lying."

Arienel nodded, looking thoughtful. The vision she had seen...it had looked like he might be part of a noble family if not a royal one. If she was understanding everything correctly, he had three brothers, two sisters, a father and two mothers. A large family that did not seem to get along, but he seemed to fit right in with if his current behavior was anything to go by. So then why was he here, in Harad, refusing to say who his family and King were? It was a mystery that Arienel didn't think she was up to solving. In fact...it almost felt like it was not her place to solve and the elleth felt her body relax at the quiet revelation. It was only when she started paying attention that she realized the water-cross was cold, the liquid inside sloshing about. Understanding. It was giving her a wisp of knowledge and the female was grateful for it.

She suddenly wished she'd listened to each cross before, but it was too late now. The elleth gave Nusayya a small smile as they reached Elrohir's door. "Thank you for...stopping him." She wasn't sure what Kahilnar would have done and she didn't want to find out. He seemed to be full of the same darkness of other Easterlings, but...the elleth couldn't help but feel that he was more lost than evil. She wasn't sure why this thought came only after he left, but it was there. Nusayya smiled a bit and nodded, touching her arm. "Are you-"

"He didn't hurt me. He just...startled me." The princess nodded and bid Arienel goodbye as the elleth knocked on her betrothed's door, suddenly excited once more, the confusion and jittery feeling fading into the background. She was already smiling widely when the dark-haired elf answered, blinking in surprise to see her, to see what she was wearing. The elleth's grin grew wider and she surged forward to wrap her arms about his neck and kiss him soundly. It was a startled moment before she felt him respond, wrapping his arms about her waist and kissing her back. They finally pulled apart, both breathless and the son of Elrond gave her a confused look that made her laugh.

One of her hands came to touch his cheek, fingers trailing and her voice was soft. "Le melin, Gyrig." She watched in the greatest amusement as the confusion cleared from his brown eyes to be replaced with overwhelming hope. Arienel felt his knees almost buckle and giggled, stepping back and leading him to the small couch in the room. The son of Elrond reached out to stroke her cheek once they were seated and his voice was almost hoarse. "Arienel?" Was she telling him what he thought she was telling him?

The elleth smiled gently and laid her hand over his, her voice quiet."Yes. It is me. All of me. I remember." The red-haired female leaned forward and kissed him gently, relaxing into his hold as he pulled her closer. "I remember you. I remember Gandalf and my fathers. I remember all of my brothers and your father. I remember Gondor and Aragorn, Arwen." Elrohir smiled, but silenced her with another kiss and Arienel found that she didn't mind in the least. He pulled her even closer and she felt safe, loved. She never wanted to leave.

Review! Please? *puppy-dog eyes* I worked hard at this chapter just for all of you... *grins* Oh! And about Kahilnar - I thank Archeress of Silverbow for the meaning behind his name: "Friend of Fire". Thanks, Archeress! And I thank Archeress of Silverbow, Stabbythings and AriannaCelestine for the very ideas that brought Kahilnar into being!