I would like to thank my reviewers Lady Minuialwen, ccgnme, Glory Bee, Safa56bmc, QueenSword and AnnaComnena for their comments on my latest chapters. Paperlantern86, I am sorry if my story kept you up until 2:18 in the morning! I guess it means you were enjoying it! Many thanks also to Ceres Maria who picked up a mistake in the first chapter.
I hope you will enjoy the next chapter!
Chapter 24 ended with:
"Now that the prophecy is accomplished and peace reestablished in Middle Earth, do you have an idea of what you wish to do?" asked Galadriel.
"Haldir and I will remain at your service, my Lady."
"We have thought that now might be the time..." hesitated Lord Elrond, "for you to go back home."
Chapter 25 – Back Home
Valerie suddenly felt nauseous. "Home?" she whimpered. Haldir protectively enfolded her in his arms.
"My mate is staying here, in Middle Earth!" Haldir said in an ice-cold tone. He was making it clear that he would not let anyone separate them.
"But Haldir..." started Lord Elrond.
"Have you all gone mad?" Haldir asked, earning glares from the ellyn facing him. "Anyone trying to send my wife back will have to fight with me first!"
"Sweet Eru, Valarie! How could you think...?" Galadriel cried, kneeling before them.
Haldir pulled Valerie away from his Lady. Lady Galadriel held his gaze, and he seemed to freeze on the spot. She then got closer and removed Haldir's arms around Valerie and enfolded her in her own embrace. "Valarie, look at me!" she said, trying to catch her eyes. "Do you know me so little that you can imagine I would send you back home? After all we have shared?"
"Lord Elrond wants to send me back," Valerie replied, hearth broken.
"Yes, he wants to send you back, we all want to send you back, but not permanently, my child. We merely sought to reward you for all you have done, before it is no longer possible..."
"Valarie, you are usually a very confident elleth," Lord Elrond continued. "How could you think, even for a second, that we would send you back home for good?"
"And you, Haldir?" inquired Lord Celeborn. "Stop looking at us like we are about to take your mate away from you. We are not! And do not threaten us ever again," he glared until Haldir finally relaxed.
"I am... sorry, my Lords and Lady. I... I cannot imagine my life without Valerie. Pardon my hasty words, I did not mean them."
"Oh yes, you did, Haldir, you did! You were quite prepared to draw your sword!" chuckled Mithrandir. "But you are forgiven. The young lords here have said and done worse when they felt their mates were in danger." He held the dual glares of Celeborn and Elrond, but in the end, they both looked down, knowing full well that Mithrandir knew of their past weaknesses.
"The power of our rings is decreasing now, and soon, we will not be able to offer you what we are offering now. Once we are in Valinor, it will be too late. We only seek to give you the opportunity to see your family one last time before we sail. Would you like that, Valarie?" declared Lady Galadriel.
"My family?"
"Yes, your parents, your sister..."
"Are they well?"
"I know not, my child. I have not looked for them in my mirror since your arrival in Middle Earth. Do you miss them?"
A painful longing took her heart. Yes! Yes, she missed them. She could not believe she was offered the possibility of seeing them one last time. But was it really a good idea?
"They think us dead," she whispered. "They will have gone on with their lives..."
"Would they not feel better knowing you are alive?"
"They will never believe that I spent all these years in another world. They will be distressed to hear what we have to say. It might be better to let them think that we are dead."
"I disagree," Lord Celeborn said. "If it was my child who had disappeared, and her body never found, I would prefer to know that she is alive, even if it is in another world."
"They will never believe me!"
"It is up to you to come up with a story to explain what happened to you. Lie if you need to. It would be acceptable in this situation."
Valerie grabbed Haldir's hand. "Can Haldir and the children come with me?"
"You are not going back without me, that is for sure!" her mate answered.
"Yes, Valarie, they can go with you," agreed Lady Galadriel.
"I meant... all my children," Valerie specified.
"This is what I meant too," the Lady replied.
"Haldir and I will think about it and let you know our decision tomorrow. If you will excuse me, I think this was too much emotion for me in one day."
Valerie and Haldir bowed to the Lady and Lords, and left the hall to go back to their apartment for a sleepless night of hopes and doubts.
"She really does not realize how people are attached to her, does she?" asked Lord Elrond.
"Give her time, Elrond," replied Mithrandir. "She only has been here for 8 years. This is not a lot to get used to this world."
"Only when she reaches the shores of Valinor will she realize that she is here for good, and that she will live forever with us," predicted Galadriel.
A private breakfast was held in Lord Elrond's suite, and the newlyweds had made their entrance under the banters of their family and friends. Once everyone was seated and ready to start, Lady Galadriel stood to speak to the joyful assembly.
"Last night, after the feast, we have offered Valarie the possibility of going back in her world to see her family one last time before the fading power of our rings does not allow it anymore. Mithrandir is ready to cast the necessary spell to open a portal here in Minas Tirith. Valarie, will you accept our offer?"
"Yes, my Lady," Valerie replied, holding Haldir's hand. "Haldir and I will be going back for a few days, and we will bring our children with us so my family can meet them."
"I am allowed to go back too?" cried Emily, amazed and excited. She was silenced by a hand on her forearm.
"Emily is not going anywhere without me, Valarie," clarified Erestor.
"Of course, Erestor, that is perfectly normal. We knew you would want to join us," Valerie replied.
The two scholars then started to whisper to each other, no doubt preparing their journey and deciding what kind of books they would be bringing back to Middle Earth this time around.
"If Erestor is allowed to go..." started Elladan.
"Of course, both of you can join us too," Haldir replied to Elrond's son. Valerie and him had fully expected that.
"I am not sure this is a good idea," started Elrond, already hurt by his daughter's choice to become mortal. Sending his sons to a different and probably dangerous world was more than he could accept at that point in his life.
"Worry not, Ada," Elrohir replied. "I am sure we will be safe. And if not, Haldir's children will need us to protect them."
"There is one more person that I think should come with us," Valerie continued to the surprise of all around them. "Glorfindel?"
The ellon looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Yes, Valarie?"
"I think you should join us."
"With all due respect, I do not see why you would need more protection. Haldir, Adam, Erestor and the twins should manage. And quite frankly, I am no longer the warrior that I was."
"This is why I want you to come, Glorfindel. In my world... the doctors have developed surgery techniques that would allow them to fix your leg. My own sister is a surgeon! She can help you. Please... accept our offer."
Glorfindel looked at her with both dismay and hope. "I will think about it," he mumbled. Haldir stood and went to sit beside his friend and both of them started whispering, Haldir obviously trying to convince the Gondolin Lord to join them.
"Do you have your emerald pendant with you?" Mithrandir asked Valerie.
"Yes. I wear it most of the times."
"Good. Then I will open the portal this evening. Please make sure to come back within two weeks, Valarie. The rings..."
"I know. Their powers are fading."
"Valarie? I took the liberty of writing down a list of items I would like you to bring back with you," Lord Elrond said, giving her a small parchment. She saw a list of medical supplies and drugs that he had read about in the medical book she had brought from her world.
"I have a list also," Lord Celeborn said, handing her another list.
Valerie smiled. "Why do I feel like your desire to send me back had a dual purpose?"
"Can you blame us for trying to kill two birds with one stone?" the Lord replied with a smile.
"Where are we?" Haldir asked. They had entered the portal, only to find themselves in the dark in the middle of a wood, nearby a lake. And it was winter.
"Erestor, Elladan and Glorfindel, please give your cloaks to Emily, Thomas and Adam," asked Valerie, knowing her older half-elven children would soon complain about the cold wind. Haldir gave her is own cloak.
"Where are we, Meleth?" Haldir insisted.
"I have no idea, I thought we would end up near my house!" she replied, worried that they had been sent to the wrong place. At that moment, the moon appeared between the clouds, and its light helped them see their surroundings better.
"Mom, this place looks familiar," said Emily. "It looks like... your parents' chalet at the lake. Is it possible?"
"I think you are right. Why would we have appeared here? How are we supposed to get back to my house from here without any means of transportation?"
"Someone is coming!" whispered Glorfindel. All warriors had now their bows ready while Valerie and Emily hushed the frightened children.
Soon, they heard the sounds of two persons walking in the snow. They were barely making any noise, but their elven ears could hear them nevertheless.
They soon heard the sound of two guns cocking. Only Valerie recognized the sound. She gestured to the warriors around her that the newcomers were dangerous.
"Who is there?" a male voice screamed. "You are trespassing on private land, and we will not hesitate to shoot!"
"Shoot at my command," Haldir whispered, too low for human ears to hear.
But Valerie had recognized the man's voice. "Dad? Dad, it's me! Valerie! Do not shoot!"
"Valerie is dead!" screamed a female voice.
"Allison? Allison, please do not shoot! I am here with the kids. Haldir! Do not shoot!" she yelled at her mate when he made a move.
"Haldir?" asked the female voice. "Show yourself, now!"
They were soon blinded by a flashlight, illuminating their group. Valerie gave Narwen to Thomas, and slowly walked to the front of their group, her hands up, showing she was not armed.
"Allison!" she whispered. "It is really me."
Allison, her gun still pointed in her direction, observed her with attention, noticing the red hair and the medieval cloak she was wearing. She also saw a young red-haired woman holding a child, and two teenage boys with the same hair color. There were also many other children around them, and beautiful men with their bows ready to release their arrows. Her face turned back to the one who claimed being her deceased sister.
"Allison, don't!" screamed her father when she started walking towards the woman. As she got closer and closer, she realized this woman was the perfect image of her sister when she had disappeared 8 years ago. She had not aged a minute, if anything, she looked even younger than before. Not normal. Using her flashlight, she illuminated the woman's face.
"Fuck, Allison! Put that down, you are hurting my eyes," the woman chided. Ignoring her demand, Allison put her gun under her arm and took the woman's face in her hand and looked at her more closely.
In the group behind Valerie, everyone understood that the man and woman were not believing them, and that Valerie could get hurt if she was not careful.
"You do look like her," Allison mumbled. "What was the name of my sister's last lover?"
"Haldir."
"Haldir who? What was his last name?"
"Haldir has no last name."
"Wrong answer!"
"He has no last name! You gave him one!"
"What was the name I gave him?"
Valerie searched in her memory. It was something Finnish, the name of a hockey player.
"I don't remember!" she replied, panicking. "Allison, you have to believe me! You said it once, a long time ago! You gave it to Mark so he would leave Haldir alone while he was in jail!"
"Oh my God, I cannot believe it. It is you!" Allison threw her gun and flashlight on the ground, and enclosed her sister in a violent embrace while she cried helplessly. She was weeping Valerie's name ceaselessly. The elven group relaxed visibly, until the armed man started moving towards his two daughters, his gun still aimed at Valerie.
"Allison! Valerie is dead," he reasoned with his older daughter.
"No, it is her, I recognize her." She cupped Valerie's face in her hands again. "She is not dead. Not dead." She looked at Valerie with strange eyes for a second. The next one, she smacked Valerie hard on the face. Valerie, caught by surprise, fell to the ground.
Haldir moved to come to her aid, but Valerie's father aimed his gun at him.
"How could you do this to us? Fake your deaths?" screamed Allison, towering over her sister still sitting in the snow. "Do you have any idea what you made us go through?"
Valerie slowly stood up to face her sister and father. "Dad, stop aiming your gun at my husband. And you, Allison, don't you dare ever touching me again, is that clear?" she asked with her coolest voice.
She stopped Allison's hand as she was going to hit her face again. Valerie pushed her sister away, but Allison grabbed her cloak and they both fell in the snow. As they fought, all everyone could hear and see in the dark were screams of rage and a blend of limbs trying to hit the other.
"Nana!" Finalfin started screaming before he was hushed by Glorfindel.
"Girls!" thundered the father's voice above the women. He threw his gun on the ground, and with a speed that spoke of a long habit, he was able to separate the thrashing women. "Valerie! Stop this right now! Leave your sister alone!"
"If this is the kind of welcome I will get, I will bring my family back!" Valerie yelled at her father and sister. "I was coming with the hope of spending a few days with you, but I see I no longer have my place here."
She turned to Haldir, who dropped his bow, took her hand and dragged her back in their group. Valerie was furiously wiping her tears.
"I am sorry, children, but we will have to go back." She picked up Finalfin in her arms.
"Valerie! Wait!" Her father called back. "Don't go! It is the shock of seeing you alive!"
Her father walked slowly towards their group with his flashlight.
"Oh my God! Is this Emily? Where are Thomas and Adam?"
"Here, Granddaddy," replied Thomas with caution. Neither of his three grandchildren went to him, they just watched him awkwardly.
Allison knelt on the ground. "Adam? Come here, Adam." Adam slowly walked to his aunt. "Do you remember me?"
"No," the teenager replied.
"I remember you," Thomas whispered. He walked to his aunt and touched her face and her hair. "You are Aunt Allison."
"And you, Emily, do you remember us?" asked Valerie's father.
"I will recognize you when you stop threatening us with your guns and stop hurting my mother!" the elleth replied harshly. She was insulted by the kind of welcome her mother had received.
"Valerie, who are all these people?" asked Allison. "I recognize your Haldir..."
"These are my children, my son-in-law and some friends."
"All these children are yours?" they both asked in disbelief.
"Yes."
"Do you wish to come inside? Your mother will never forgive me if her grandchildren catch a cold."
Valerie saw the ellyn exchanging glances and agreeing to follow her father.
"Bows and guns down, please," Valerie asked. "All of you," she said when she saw Glorfindel and Elrohir were still ready to shoot.
The group walked to the chalet. They could see the shape of a woman pacing on the balcony. Valerie's mother.
Valerie and Emily were putting the children in bed while Valerie's mother was watching them in awe. She had been overjoyed to see Valerie, and even had said she had always felt her daughter was still alive somewhere, somehow. But the six new children had been a surprise, a welcomed one, but a surprise nevertheless.
"I am afraid we do not have enough beds," her mother whispered as she looked at Finalfin and Elros who would be sharing a twin bed. The two elflings were thrilled to spend the night together. They would probably get very little sleep...
"Do not worry, Grandma, they do not sleep much," replied Emily. "And the adults will just rotate and share the beds amongst themselves."
"Let's go in the kitchen, the tension is palpable," said Valerie once the lights were closed and all the children ready to sleep.
When they reached the dining room, all the adults were sitting in silence but Thomas who was trying to hold a conversation with his suspicious grandfather. Emily went to sit beside Erestor while Valerie did the same with Haldir. The ellyn kept staring at everything around them, curious to explore and touch everything they saw around them.
Everyone had been introduced, although it was obvious that Valerie's parents were overwhelmed by the number of people they had met in one evening. Since most elves did not speak English, and that her parents obviously wanted to speak to Valerie in private, she asked Emily and Haldir to bring the others in the living room. The television would keep them all busy for a while!
Valerie's interrogation started. She tried to give her father realistic explanations, but he was not fooled. Michael had a very acute sens of observation. He had seen the elves' singular features, their weapons and clothing, even how they had walked on snow, and how Valerie and Haldir had not aged at all in 8 years. In the end, Valerie told him much more than she had first expected, and he looked half convinced.
In the living room, they could see the lights flashing. Probably Elladan or Elrohir trying the incredible invention that was electricity. That brought their attention back to the people Valerie had brought with her.
"Am I hearing wrong, or maybe it's their accent, but are they actually calling you Valarie instead of Valerie?" asked her father.
"You heard properly. Only Haldir and his brothers are calling me Valerie. Valarie is a name that has some sacred significance. They all fell in love with that name and everyone calls me like that now."
"Well, I sure as hell will not start calling you anything else than the name I gave you when you were born!" her father grumpily replied.
"Emily's husband... He looks older than her," her mother Julia said to change the subject. She did not know she was opening another can of worms!
"Yes, he is older," confirmed Valerie.
"How many years older?" suspiciously asked Michael.
"A few," she simply replied. She had told him of a different world in its Middle Age. She had told him about humans being slightly different there. She was not going to tell him elves were a different species altogether, and an eternal one at that.
"I cannot believe how many children you had in just 8 years," commented Allison. "I cannot even remember their names! Speaking of names, remind me the name of that guy, the blond one that limps?"
"Glorfindel."
"What is wrong with him?" asked Allison in doctor mode.
"There was a battle, a few months ago. His leg was almost severed by a blade. Our healers did what they could... but they simply do not have modern expertise. Allison, do you think you can help him?"
"How?"
"You are a surgeon, you could repair the internal damage that our healers could not."
"Does he have medical insurance?"
Valerie rolled her eyes. "No. No, he doesn't."
"Oh God, how am I supposed to do this?" Allison mumbled to herself. "Dr. Lambert owes me big time, he could be the anesthesiologist... I could ask a few nurses to attend. How would I get an operating room?" she continued.
"Allison, we have money to pay."
"What kind of money? Money from where you are coming from?"
"We have gold."
"Gold? Am I supposed to show up at the hospital with gold ingots?"
"We have... nothing else, Allison," Valerie admitted in defeat.
"Forget it. When you were declared dead in absentia, I... inherited from you. Your house, all your money... I owe you big time. Don't worry, it will be on me."
"Allison, if you do this... I suggest that you skip the blood tests altogether."
"Why?" asked her father.
"Daddy, please don't make things more difficult," Valerie requested.
"Actually Allison, make the damned blood test. I want to see if Valerie is telling the truth."
Valerie could not blame him. If Emily had disappeared for 8 years and came back with people that looked absolutely alien to her, she would probably ask the same. "Just do the tests yourself, Allison," she said, challenging her father. "I do not want some special agency showing up here to study him before we can go back."
"How long will you stay?" asked her mother Julia.
"A few days. Whatever it takes for Glorfindel to be well enough to go back with us."
"Will you be coming back here to visit?"
"No, Mom. We will not. I am sorry!" she exclaimed when she saw her mother's distress. "Mom, please! I really wanted to see you guys only last time, introduce you to your grandchildren! But... we will soon sail to another land, and we will not be able to come back."
She engulfed her mother in a hug, and they both cried for a while. Her father was tense, trying to hold his tears, while Allison just sat there, shocked. Sensing his mate's sadness, Haldir came in the dining room and put a hand on Valerie's shoulder.
"Are you taking good care of her?" asked her father.
"Of course, Michael," Haldir replied with his accent. "Valerie is my mate, my beloved, her happiness is of the utmost importance to me."
"Feels to me that you turned a sharp business woman into a broodmare," her father challenged.
"Dad!"
"Your daughter has been involved in negotiations with new and old allies!" Haldir replied icily. "She is an important lady in Lothlorien, a warrior also, who helped defend our realm against our foes. She was deemed worthy by the Valar to raise kings..." Valerie stopped him with a hand on his arm.
"Raise kings? Are you a king, Haldir?" her father asked sarcastically.
"Dad, please! Stop being so suspicious! It is just a matter of talking," she replied, glaring at Haldir.
Haldir clenched his teeth and took a deep breath. He did not want to start a fight with Valerie's father.
"While we are here," Valerie continued, "there are a few things I would need to buy. Mom, will you please drive Emily and Erestor to a few bookstores this week?"
"Of course!"
"Allison, I would also need some medical supplies and equipment. Our best healer gave me a list."
"And you are not asking me for my help?" asked Michael.
"No, Dad. Not until you are able to be nice and polite with my family."
"We are your family."
"Yes, you are. But my family also includes all the people in the living room and in the bedrooms. And they are very important to me. Until you can be decently nice with them, I will not... I will not let you interact with them."
"This is my house!" he claimed.
"This is my house too!" replied Julia. "And Valerie's family is welcome here, Michael."
"I am going for a walk!" he declared, taking his coat and leaving the house to go in the woods surrounding the house.
"Well, that is promising!" chuckled Allison. "Don't you just love a good confrontation once in a while! Worry not, Dad has mollified since your disappearance. He will be back in an hour, ready to do as you bid. Now, I would like to examine that Glorfindel before going to bed."
Both sisters went to the living room, where all elves present were watching the television with amazement. Emily was skillfully changing the channels, earning the moans and groans of the others when she went too quickly on images they thought interesting. Right now, they had stopped on a rather violent cop movie, and Valerie could see the interest in the eyes of the warriors. What were these noisy weapons being used by the men?
"Glorfindel?" Valerie called. The Gondolin warrior did not even looked at her. His eyes remained locked on the TV screen. "Glorfindel? My sister would like to examine you."
Glorfindel stood and limped to Allison, towering over her as she took into his height and muscled chest and arms.
"Do you need me in the room to translate your instructions?" Valerie offered.
"No, I think I can manage." Allison went to her bedroom, and Glorfindel followed her there.
When they came out ten minutes later, Allison face's was reddish.
"What happened? You don't think you can fix his leg?" Valerie whispered.
"Are they all such impressive specimens?" Allison asked her.
"I prepared a list of key words in both languages, for when you try to communicate together," Emily said in both English and Sindarin, handing a sheet to Glorfindel and another one to Allison. "Words like... pain, leg, blood, medical stuff."
"You should be back here in four days," Valerie told the warrior. "Do not be afraid by what you will see. There will be many objects you have never seen, and a lot of healers and patients speaking in English only. You have to trust Allison, Glorfindel. She is a good healer. She will fix your leg in no time, I promise."
Glorfindel would never have admitted it publicly, but he was scared like a child. He did not want to be alone in this strange world. He would have much preferred if Allison could have operated him at the house, like Lord Elrond would have done. But Valerie had explained that such operations were never taking places outside of these healing centers called hospitals.
"Mellon," Haldir added, "this cannot be worse than fighting a Balrog!"
Understanding the blond warrior was scared, Allison put a comforting hand on Glorfindel's forearm.
"I will take good care of you," she said. "I will be there whenever you need me."
Although Glorfindel did not understand her words, he guessed she was telling him not to worry.
"She said she will take good care of..." Haldir started translating.
"I know what she said," Glorfindel interrupted. "I am ready to go," he told Allison in Sindarin.
"Allison? You will have to drive slowly," Valerie told her sister. "The car ride will be scary to him."
Glorfindel woke up in the hospital room he had seen before his operation. The whiteness and nakedness of the room caused him distress all over again. There were unknown objects all aroung him, some producing constant and quite annoying beeping sounds. He had tubes attached to his arms, and although they did not hurt, he removed the sticky bandages that held them in place and tried to pull them out.
The movement woke the woman who was sleeping in a chair near his metal bed.
"No!" The English word was similar enough to its Sindarin version for Glorfindel to immediately stop trying to pull the tubes out. Allison took in the warrior's uncomfortable gaze. She put a hand on his cheek to show him all was well, and started checking his vital signs. Once she was satisfied that Glorfindel's body had properly recovered from the general anesthesia, she lifted the sheet and removed the bandage on his leg. The internal damage had been more important than the X-rays had shown, and the surgery had lasted many hours. But Allison was convinced that Valerie's friend would walk almost normally after a few weeks of exercises.
"Sleep!" she told him. He needed more rest to recover from the anesthesia. Seeing the question in his face, she pulled Emily's translation table from her pocket, and tentatively pronounced the Sindarin equivalent. She repeated it three times, using various accents before he caught her meaning.
"Oh yes, you will sleep!" she said when he moved his head in disagreement. She went to the nurses' office and asked for the necessary drug to knock him out for a few hours. When she came back to his room, she simply injected the drug in his tube since he would never had accepted to swallow any pills.
"Good night!" she waived goodbye when his eyelids started closing. Somehow, she knew he knew she had given him some drugs, and he was unhappy that she had not respected his wish. "Can't make them all happy," she chuckled. Her pager started buzzing at that moment. When she called the emergency room, the nurse announced that two victims of a car accident had just arrived, grievously injured. The head of the emergency room was asking her to get ready for a long night of surgery. Allison looked at Glorfindel. I hope he will not wake before I am done!
When Glorfindel opened his eyes, he found himself alone in his room. Allison was nowhere to be found. It was the middle of the night as far as he could tell, but the bright and unnatural lights in the hallway would not allow him to sleep anymore. He could hear the nurses talking at their desk, the other patients as they moaned in pain, and closer to him, the still annoying beeping noises in his room.
Allison was not in his room. She had promised she would remain near him. Where could she be? A siren noise right under his window made him jolt in fright. He pulled the tubes out of his arms, ready to go look for her, wherever she was in that unsettling building.
As soon as had pulled the tubes, a siren was heard in his room, and a nurse soon appeared to see what was going on. When she saw Dr. Thompson's private patient sitting on his bed, ready to start walking on his recently operated leg, she yelled to him to stop and called the other nurses to her aid. How was she supposed to communicate with him? Dr. Thompson had told them the man only spoke Finnish!
An intern entered in the operating room. "Dr. Thompson? A nurse just called me – security officers are in room 452, the room of your patient? He has lost control, and screams for you constantly. She is asking if she should sedate him."
Allison looked at her patient's open wound. She simply could not leave in the middle of the surgery. Should Glorfindel be sedated again? She knew his body was different. The anesthesiologist had wondered how come such an important dosage had been necessary for Glorfindel's surgery: the warrior simply did not fall asleep! And even as she had injected the drug in his tube earlier in his room, she had had to give him the dosage of a horse. First, she could not take the chance to give him an additional dose in such a short period of time, and secondly, the nurses would be suspicious should they try to sedate him. Allison took the only decision that was reasonable, knowing the head surgeon would give her a warning for this. But she had no choice.
"Have them bring him over here," she requested.
"I beg your pardon?" the anesthesiologist asked.
"You heard me well," she replied with more confidence than she really felt. Man, she would be in deep deep shit!
She continued operating while the team watched her in stunned silence. They soon heard a commotion near the door of the operating room. She lifted her head to watch Glorfindel's arrival. Behind the glass walls, she could see him stuck between two security guards and a distraught nurse. How could he be standing on his leg just six hours after his surgery? What kind of man was that?
Allison lifted her bloodied gloved hands in the air, to ensure she was not touching anything. She came to stand on the other side of the glass wall. She caught Glorfindel's gaze. Would he recognize her underneath the surgical mask and hat? A nurse, understanding her dilemma, came behind her and untied her mask.
Glorfindel immediately recognized Valerie's sister. She was wearing green clothes, bloodied, but nothing compared to the blood on her hands. She spoke to him from behind the glass. He could hear her voice, but did not understand her words. Somehow he knew she was asking him to wait for her, that she would be back in his room soon. When she pointed the table where a body lay, he understood she was in the middle of a surgery, and that her patient needed her to finish it.
She was like Lord Elrond. A healer. More than a Middle Earth healer – she could perform complicated and dangerous surgeries, even one the Imladris Lord had not even wanted to try. She had fixed his leg, he could feel it, it was still painful but it felt right. He could trust her. She would come back to him as soon as she was done.
He nodded in agreement. She gestured for him to follow the guards and the nurse that had brought him there. Before he followed them, he saw that the nurse was putting a new mask on her face, and that she was getting back to the operating table.
"I will report you for this," said the disapproving anesthesiologist.
"I know, I know," Allison simply replied. Somehow, as she was talking to Glorfindel through the glass wall, she had known he was worth it.
Valerie angrily entered the bathroom, and opening the shower door, surprised Elrohir who was taking a very hot and steamy shower.
"It has been at least 30 minutes that you are under the shower! Do not tell me that you are not clean yet!"
"You cannot believe how much I enjoy taking one of these hot showers!" the elf replied, not ashamed of his nudity in front of his future mother-in-law.
"Well... Believe it or not, some other people in this house enjoy a hot shower once in a while. But it is not possible for them to take one, because every single day, you empty the water heater!"
She pulled him out of the shower, and he only had time to wrap a towel around his hips before he was dragged to the basement. His brother and Erestor followed, always curious to learn more about the technological advancements surrounding them.
"This is the water heater. You see its size? It is full of hot water, and each time we use hot water in the sinks or in the shower, the hot water level goes down, and it is replaced with cold water. Cold water, Elrohir! Cold like the temperature of every shower I have taken since we arrived here because you keep emptying the water heater!"
"Wait a second," Erestor interrupted. "The water in the shower can be hot?"
"See?" Valerie pointed out to Elrohir. "I am not the only one complaining here. From now on, you have a maximum of ten minutes to wash, am I understood?"
During these days, Emily and Erestor had been shopping very actively. They had visited many book stores with her grandmother and had purchased thousands of dollars of reference books, preferably with colorful pictures. The rest of the times, Emily was showing her mate how to use a computer and find information on various subjects on the Internet. Erestor was writing notes about everything he was seeing to ensure he would not forget anything. He was planning to write a book about Valerie's world.
Thomas had been active too, buying various musical instruments and partitions. He asked his parents if bringing back a piano was possible, and when they refused, he sulked for days. He even brought Emily and Erestor with him to the store, hoping they would support him, but they agreed with Valerie and Haldir – there was no way they could bring back a piano to Lothlorien!
Julia had fallen in love with her new grandchildren, and had bought many non-electrical and non-battery operated toys for them. Michael had been overwhelmed in the first two days, and had spent most of his time bonding with Emily, Thomas and Adam. Adam had very little memories of his family, but Emily and Thomas had immediately picked up their relationship with their grandparents where they had left it 8 years before.
One afternoon, Valerie and Julia were inside the chalet taking care of the young twins while watching the older children and the adults play outside in the snow. Elladan and Elrohir were doing multiple snowmen with Elros and Finalfin. Haldir was giving archery lessons to Oropher and Gil-galad under the interested gaze of their grandfather, as he had done twice a day since their arrival.
"You know, I am a hunter, Haldir. At the hunting and fishing store that I usually go to, there are some very impressive modern bows and crossbows. Maybe I should bring you there. You could do like Emily and bring back some items in your world."
The twins subtly came closer, understanding that Michael was proposing to get modern bows as he was studying theirs.
"These bows are Galadhrim bows. They are unparalleled in Middle Earth. Do you think your modern bows would be better?" asked Haldir.
"Absolutely! Julia wanted to bring Valerie to the store to buy diapers this afternoon, but I will tell her we will do the shopping, and then I will bring you to the hunting store."
"Can my friends join?" Haldir asked, pointing the twins.
"Of course."
As the males were talking amongst themselves, Julia decided to express her discomfort to Valerie about the Imladris twins.
"I have never seen grown, childless men so taken by young infants. They play with Finalfin and Elros, but the relationship is different than with Narwen and Norin."
Explaining the mating thing was something that would definitely spook her mother out.
"They helped me while I gave birth, Mom. Of course they are attached to my daughters!"
Her father came in the chalet at that moment. "I will bring the men to do some shopping. I will buy the diapers at the same time. Will you watch the kids? Maybe they should come in, they will get cold. We have been outside for more than an hour, and only Adam and Thomas are wearing winter coats!"
"They don't... feel the cold as much as we do, Dad."
"So... They walk on snow AND don't feel the cold?"
"Yes."
"Maybe I should stop asking questions," he replied.
Valerie did not reply, but agreed with him. She caught the twins' gaze on her father's truck.
"Dad? The twins do like a thrill. Maybe you could give them the ride of their lives?" she smiled wickedly.
They came back hours later,when everyone else was having dinner. They discreetly emptied the truck and moved many boxes in the shed, only bringing two in the house. After dinner, they proudly opened the two boxes and showed the others a bow and a crossbow that they would bring back with them in Middle Earth.
Glorfindel came back home after 4 days. He was still limping greatly, but Allison was confident that he would completely recover from his Helm's Deep injury. She took a few days off to spend time with Valerie and her family, and to take care of Glorfindel, showing him the multiple rehabilitation exercises he had to do three hours a day.
Glorfindel was sitting on the bed and Allison on the floor in front of him, as she was removing his bandages for good.
"It healed very quickly," she commented, watching the scar that was closed by then. "I have to remove the stitches, even if they are supposed to melt. They will turn itchy and are useless by now."
Valerie translated her words to Glorfindel. He nodded his agreement, and Allison started removing the stitches.
"I will come back," Valerie said, closing the door behind her. She had heard the beginning of a fight between Oropher and Elros, apparently about the ownership of the TV remote control. Her sons had adopted this particular technology very quickly.
Glorfindel watched Allison as she was concentrating on her work. Valerie's sister had similar facial features, but she had straight chestnut brown hair, with a touch of gray hair on her temples. All caused by Valerie's disappearance, he knew that much. Emily had abruptly asked the question, and had later on translated this particular discussion to him. When they were traveling together to Minas Tirith, Valerie had told him memories of her family, and particularly how selfish and vain her sister had been. He had spent four days in her hospital, he had seen how Allison was caring for her patients, how her colleagues trusted her judgment, and just how much more knowledge in healing she possessed as compared to the Middle Earth healers. She was rarely laughing despite the beauty of her smile.
Even if he did not speak her language, he could understand her. Because he had so much in common with her. Just like him, she was dedicated to her profession, her loneliness and lack of family pushing her to excel in this only field where she was successful. He thought this important change, from a selfish brat to a serious and dedicated healer, had been caused by the loss of her sister, niece and nephews years before. The greatest shock of her life. An immense heartbreak. Had she been an elf, she would have surely faded. He had seen her take pills to fall asleep at night. Even after 8 years, she still lived with the impact of their disappearance in her life. And their temporary return had not cured her. For she knew they were about to leave again. And when they did, her loneliness would start all over again.
Glorfindel had made many friends in Imladris and other elven realms in his second life. But he had not revealed his deep sadness to anyone. He still had nightmares about his death while fighting the Balrog when Gondolin fell. He was wondering if his friend Ecthelion, who had died after fighting with two Balrogs during the same battle, had been reborn in Valinor, or if his fëa was still lingering in the Halls of Mandos. He too, knew loneliness. He was alone, even when surrounded by all of Imladris.
The woman leaning over him, taking care of his wound, knew how he felt, because she was feeling the same. Unable to stop himself, he gently stroked her hair, putting a lock behind her round ear. Allison lifted her head, surprised by his affectionate gesture. She could read pain in his eyes, but the removal of the stitches should not be causing him more than negligible pain. She understood he was feeling gloomy. Valerie had hinted that Glorfindel was a warrior that had seen and lived horrible events, and that he was still tortured by them. When his hand caressed her cheek, she put her hand on his, trying to show him some support. Without knowing anything about his life, she knew his suffering was even greater than hers.
She literally stopped breathing when he slowly bent to bring his mouth closer to hers. He hesitated for a few seconds, just an inch from her face. Was he really going to...? When he delicately put his lips on hers, she received the most chaste kiss she had ever received, apart from the one Tommy Johnson had given her. Back then, she had been five years old. There was a purity to this kiss, an innocence that erased all the kisses she had received and given from her numerous lovers before the disappearance of her sister. She had had no lovers since then, unable to give any kind of love to anyone after the deaths of those she had loved the most.
The door suddenly opened, and Valerie gasped when she saw her sister and Glorfindel kissing. "I am so sorry," she apologized, closing the door to give them some privacy.
Allison blushed furiously and went back to work, unable to meet the gaze of the warrior above her. Once done, she stood and started gathering the discarded bandages and her surgical scissors. She was about the leave the room when he caught her wrist and forced her to look at him.
"Allison," he said with his singular accent.
"I have to go!" She literally ran out of the room, leaving him to wonder if she was as troubled by their kiss as he was, or if she simply did not welcome his advance.
"What was happening out there? You still cannot keep your hands off every man that is crossing your path, can't you?" attacked Valerie.
"This is not what you think!" Allison tried to justify herself.
"You think I am blind? Or that I am an idiot? I do not want Glorfindel to become your next one-night stand! He has suffered enough in his prior life and in this one!"
"What do you mean, in his prior life?"
"Forget it!" Valerie said, biting her tongue. She had slipped on this one. "What happened exactly while you were with him for four days?"
"Nothing! Nothing happened, I swear! In the bedroom earlier, when Glorfindel kissed me, he took me by surprise!"
Valerie had dragged Allison on the balcony, hoping to have some privacy while she lectured her older sister. It only made the ellyn in the house more distressed. Only Haldir and Erestor understood, and they looked at the stunned Glorfindel with apprehension. Their looks told Glorfindel that the sisters were fighting because of the kiss he had given to Allison. Elladan and Elrohir were clueless, and were listening to the raised voices saying the name Glorfindel once in a while with curiosity.
"I have a hard time believing this! I remember years ago! You were sleeping with your colleagues left, right and center! They never lasted more than a week!"
"That phase is over," Allison replied with shame.
"Oh, is that so?" Valerie said with sarcasm.
"Yes! I have not been with anyone since you faked your death," screamed Allison. "I spent the last 8 years grieving for you, feeling guilty that I had let you down when Kyle died. How I left you to raise your children alone, giving you minimal help and respite. But I loved you!" she cried forcefully. "And while I was sinking in my guilt and misery, you were with Haldir, having more children, being all happy, never thinking about the ones you had left behind who thought you dead!"
Inside, everyone was now watching the sisters with anguish. They were all used to Valerie's character, but to see her in action with her sister who was as headstrong was something the elves could not get used to.
"Go stop them, Michael, your daughters will hurt each other again!" Julia asked.
"I will only go if they physically hurt each other. They need to get these things off their chests," he replied, knowing his daughters had years of resentment to talk about.
"Were Mommy and Aunt Allison always like that, Grandma?" asked Emily. "I do not remember them fighting at all."
"When they were young, they were like cat and dog. As adults, Valerie was keeping their relationship very superficial. It was her way her protecting herself from the hurt Allison was inflicting her without even realizing it. I have to admit, Allison has not been the best sister for Valerie. But she loves Valerie in a way she has never loved anyone else. She never realized it until she lost her..."
For Emily, the concept was hard to grasp. She loved their brothers and sisters and would never hurt them in any way.
Outside, the argument was nowhere near its end.
"Since when did you care about me? You judged me and made fun of me since our teenage years. You laughed at me when I studied in business while you were studying to save lives! You showed up drunk at my wedding, and told me in front of all the guests that I was making the biggest mistake of my life. Each time I was getting pregnant, you would make comments about how the earth was already too populated."
"I was jealous! Is that what you want to hear? Yes, I was jealous! Everything you did turned out a success. Everything came to you easily! Kyle died, and you found Haldir, and there you were again, happy and loved. Who are you to judge me? I spent years struggling to reach the same happiness, and it always escaped me!"
"Allison, I don't know what to say. I am sorry that you spent your life trying to find a happiness that would elude you. But... We are leaving in less than a week. Why Glorfindel? This will bring you nowhere!"
Hearing his name again, Glorfindel decided to join the ladies outside.
"I know it will lead nowhere," whispered Allison under Valerie's gaze. An instant later, Glorfindel was standing behind her, as if he was offering protection. Valerie noticed how her sister seemed troubled by his presence, and how she blushed when Glorfindel put a hand on her shoulder.
"If you are going to talk about me, Valarie, I would appreciate if you could use a language I can understand," he said in Sindarin.
"I would, Glorfindel, if both Allison and you had a language in common, which you do not."
"Valarie, please translate the discussion for me," Glorfindel said, changing his tone to an icy one.
"One part was absolutely none of your business. The other one... Well, I was telling Allison that I did not think it wise for you two to start relationship when we are leaving in a few days."
"And since when that part is of your business, as you said before?"
"Since I care for both of you, and I do not want you to get hurt."
"I would respectfully ask you not to get involved in this, Valarie."
"Perfectly fine with me. Good luck discussing the matter with my sister," Valerie said, leaving them on the balcony in the cold. She closed the door behind her.
"Why don't you bring a coat to your sister?" requested her mother. "She will catch a cold if she remains outside longer."
Valerie went to take a coat in the closet and reopened the door, only to see Glorfindel and Allison facing each other, obviously at a loss on how to talk about the issue at hand. Valerie just threw the coat at her sister, not desiring to get involved any more than she had already been. Glorfindel had dismissed her quite too abruptly to her taste.
She sat down with her children, fuming. She knew she had no say in what was happening between Glorfindel and her sister, whatever it was, serious or not. But could they not see their folly? Could they not understand she was just being realistic and was trying to limit the hurt they would suffer shortly after?
Haldir had heard the discussion, and was in complete agreement with his mate. He gave her an approval smile to let her know of his support. Valerie relaxed slightly and started a game of chess with Thomas, while Emily was reading story books to her little brothers. They thought it was hilarious that these stories involved talking animals dressed like mortals. So absorbed were they by the illustrations, that they were completely missing the morals of these tales.
After ten minutes, Glorfindel came back in, and standing in the living room, looked for a translator. His choices were few. He would certainly not ask Haldir! His male pride was against it. Thomas and Adam were to young, and actually, Adam's English was very poor due to the lack of practice. So was Erestor's. That only left Emily... or Valarie. He hesitated. Emily would certainly help, but he did not feel comfortable asking her. She had no history with either him or Allison. That only left... the smirking Valarie.
"Can I help you with something, Glorfindel?" she asked innocently.
"Please... do not make me beg," he replied.
"You know me very little if you think I would do that," she said, standing to go back outside with Glorfindel and Allison.
"What did they have to say to each other?" Haldir asked her later that evening, as they were lying in bed.
"Allison did not say much. Glorfindel did most of the talking. Telling her he knew of her pain, and how much they had shared this week, while she was taking care of him."
"Did he offer her to stay here?" he asked, worried that his friend would not go back to Middle Earth with them.
"No, he did not. They seem to know that whatever is developing between them is doomed..."
"How sad. I did not expect that bringing Glorfindel with us would change his pain from a leg wound to a heartbreak..."
In the room next to theirs, Glorfindel held Allison in his arms. She had taken her sleeping pills, and had fallen asleep against him. They had kissed chastely again before her eyes had closed.
They were ready to leave. The ellyn had dragged the various boxes and cases near the lake, where the portal would soon be reopened. The elflings were excited to go back home, but the adults were deeply saddened.
"I cannot believe I will lose you again," cried Julia one evening. "And I have so much more to lose now," she said, holding Finalfin against her. Michael did the same with Norin and Narwen. Valerie's father was not talking, but they all could see he shared the same emotions.
"Mom, Dad, this time around, you know that we are alive. We will soon move to a different country, one that is very peaceful, and where your grandchildren will be blissfully happy," Valerie told them.
"Yes, it will be easier this time around," Julia admitted. "But the pain will be very real."
"I know. I will miss you too," Valerie said, giving her parents a long hug.
She heard a commotion outside, and saw the five ellyn as they were transporting additional metal cases to the lake.
"I thought they had brought everything to the lake already," she mumbled. Her father became uncomfortable. "Dad? Would you happen to know what is in these cases?" She jumped to her feet when he refused to answer.
"Stop!" she yelled to the ellyn. They dropped the cases on the ground, their expressions similar to her father's. She walked to them, quickly followed by Emily.
"Haldir? I would like to know what you have in these cases," she asked. They looked at each other for a long time before he opened the lock on the first metal case. Valerie glared at him when she saw a gun inside. And not a little one. No! It was a sniper rifle.
"Would you care to open the other cases?" she asked. Knowing the storm would hit them sooner if they did not comply, the cases were opened one by one in front of her. There were 12 guns of various calibers, with a vast quantity of the required ammunition.
"Did you really think I would let you bring these weapons from my world? Can you imagine if these fell in the wrong hands? Men will invent these weapons soon enough, why give them the idea and the means earlier?" she scowled. Beside her, Emily was glaring at Erestor, who was an accomplice even if he had not purchased them with Haldir, Elladan and Elrohir.
"This is for the protection of our people," Haldir explained with calm. "With these, we will be able to protect our Lords and Ladies more effectively."
"I am sure Lord Elrond will not let you bring those to Middle Earth."
Elladan took out a letter he had been keeping in a pocket of his tunic. He gave it to her without a word. Her name was written on the letter. She opened it suspiciously while the ellyn were watching her with confidence.
My dear Valarie,
Celeborn, Galadriel and I have discussed the items that we wished to be brought back to Middle Earth, and asked you to bring back many items that will seem inoffensive to you. But we also gave our captains the instructions to bring back home some of the weapons that Celeborn has seen in your book on the history of war. We feel the protection of our realms requires means that only your world can bring us. Sauron might be defeated, but orcs, wargs and men of the West are still lingering and threatening our very security. Celeborn and I guarantee that these weapons will be extremely controlled and will only be used by our best and most responsible warriors, and only in the utmost dire situations. We will give you all the necessary guarantees that you will require, and will welcome your suggestions for the safekeeping of these weapons.
With affection,
Elrond
The second part was from a feminine hand.
My dear child,
As a trained warrior, you will understand the concerns expressed by Elrond. You might think, like I do, that we have successfully protected our realms without these weapons for ages. But only concerns for the safety of their mates has brought them to this decision. Without their fear for the ellith they love, they would never have felt the need for these weapons. In light of these facts, I have decided not to stop them, but to ensure the safety of our people when our dear captains will use the weapons, if they ever do. Trust me as you always have, and all will be well.
Come back home as soon as you can,
Galadriel
Valerie crushed the letter in her hand, breathing heavily. The Lords and Lady were asking her to let their captains bring back these weapons to their world. Could she disobey? And if she could, should she?
The ellyn were watching her carefully, reading various emotions on her features.
Valerie wanted to be alone, she needed to think about this. Out of frustration, she angrily said the first sentence that came to mind, and left the lake in a hurry, leaving all the elves thunderstruck. She rushed to the house, and asked Allison to lend her her car. Five minutes later, the elves, still near the lake, saw Allison's sport car rush out of the driveway, with Valerie behind the wheel.
An hour later, Valerie was not back yet, and Julia fed her twins with a bottle of milk. Haldir was getting worried, and Allison decided to help her brother-in-law.
"I think I know where she went, Haldir," she told him. "She is probably at my house. It used to be hers, you remember it?"
"Yes."
"Do you want me to bring you there? We could take my father's truck."
"Yes. We need to talk." The threat Valerie had dropped right before leaving was being replayed over and over again in his head.
When he saw Haldir and Allison getting ready to leave, Glorfindel decided to join them. After all, he was as responsible of the situation as Haldir was. He was Lord Elrond's captain, and would be the one trained to use these weapons.
The three of them reached Allison's house an hour after, and they all sighed in relief when they saw her sport car parked in front of the house.
Valerie heard them as they entered the house. Her house. Literally, Allison had not made any changes since her disappearance. The kids' bedrooms were like she had left them, the old toys, posters and clothes still in perfect order. Only the kitchen appliances were new. This more than anything had told her how Allison had never turned the page after her disappearance.
She went downstairs to welcome them. She had regretted her hasty departure, and had been about to come back to the chalet when they had shown up. Haldir crushed her against his chest. "Are you really asking me to choose between bringing my wife back, or bringing these weapons to Middle Earth? You would stay here?" he asked, unable to make a choice between direct orders from Lord Celeborn and his love for his mate.
"You know we would both fade," she whispered in his ear. "I would never endanger your life. I love you more than anything."
"Then you are not angry anymore?"
"Of course I am still angry!" she said, freeing herself from his embrace. "How could you do this in my back? If you had involved me from the beginning, the shock would have been easier to take!"
"Valarie," Glorfindel said to help Haldir, "we did not know how you would take it. We preferred to wait until we were safely back in Middle Earth to tell you."
"Do not try to take the blame, Glorfindel. You were in the hospital when Haldir bought this with my own father and Elrond's sons!"
"Actually... Haldir called me on this thing... Allison's cellphone... He described the weapons to me, and I picked the ones that will go to Lord Elrond. I also helped choosing the ones for King Thranduil..."
"Then you are declared guilty too, Glorfindel! I will make you both pay dearly for keeping me out of the loop. I have an eternity to plan and execute my vengeance."
"Are you still angry about the guns?" Allison asked, not understanding what they had said. She had been hunting with her father for years, and did not see why Valerie was being fussy.
"Not anymore, really. I had time to think while I was alone," she whispered in her sister's ear. "But don't tell them that."
When they came back, Valerie drove with Haldir while Glorfindel went with Allison. What they had managed to tell each other during the one hour drive, Valerie did not know. But Allison had obviously cried, and went to her room directly upon their arrival. Glorfindel joined her later for their chaste last night together. Valerie knew nothing more than a few kisses had taken place between them. With the number of elves in the house, someone would have heard them!
It was time. Valerie removed the emerald from the chain around her neck, and holding it in her hand, she started chanting the words she had never forgotten since the first time around. A minute later, the portal appeared. The ellyn started pushing the various boxes and metal cases inside, knowing there were elves waiting for them on the other side.
Julia and Michael said their goodbyes to their grandchildren, who did not understand why their grandparents were crying. They did not understand they would not see them ever again. Elladan and Elrohir bowed respectfully to Valerie's family, and thanked them for their generous hospitality. Each of them then took one of Valerie's babies, and entered the portal.
Emily, Erestor and Thomas were next to say goodbye, and they dragged the younger children with them. Only Valerie, Haldir and Glorfindel remained behind.
Haldir thanked Michael for his help, and hugged Julia and Allison. He then respectfully stood beside the portal, waiting for his mate to be ready to cross between the worlds. Never would he leave her alone in her world without him.
Glorfindel bowed to Valerie's parents, and then stood in front of Allison while Valerie was crying in her parents' arms.
"I will miss you!" Valerie whimpered. "I love you so much!"
"Go, Valerie. And be happy with Haldir and the children! Know that we will think about you every day," her mother replied.
Glorfindel gave one last kiss to Allison, who was blinded by her tears.
"I wish life could be different for us, Allison," Glorfindel told her. When she looked at Haldir for help, he came closer and translated Glorfindel's sentence.
"Life is cruel joke, Glorfindel," she replied. "I will never forget you. Never."
They hugged for a long time. Then Glorfindel shook himself, and released her from his embrace. He limped slightly as he walked to the portal. He waved one last time, his eyes never leaving hers, and he finally disappeared in the portal.
Once he was gone, Allison fell to the ground and started crying much louder than before. She had tried to control her emotions not to make his departure harder than it really was, but now that he could not hear her anymore, she broke down. Valerie knelt on the ground beside her, giving her the little comfort that she could.
"I am sorry about our past, Allison. I wish you and I had been closer. But know that I always loved you despite everything. You were the big sister I was looking up to." Valerie's voice broke on the last words.
"I love you too! Valerie, please take care of him for me, will you?"
"Yes, I will. I swear."
"We need to go, Val," Haldir reminded her. "The portal will not remain open much longer..."
The sisters hugged each other, and Valerie stood. She gave one last hug to her parents, and started walking towards the portal, Haldir supporting her as her legs were weak.
"Valerie!" cried Allison. She ran to them and hugged her sister again. "I can't! I can't!" she panicked, hyperventilating. "Do not leave me again! Everyone is leaving! Please do not leave me!"
Julia and Michael walked to their older daughter, trying to calm her to allow Valarie to leave with her husband. Julia understood what was going on. She couldn't let that happen. She could not let her daughter become even more heartbroken than before.
"The you must go, my Allison. This is where your future lies. Not with your old parents..."
Michael looked at her with dismay. "What? No! We lost them all, and you want to lose the last one that we have?"
"We already have lost her to Glorfindel, Michael. She will never be the same. You want her unhappy? In deep depression? And what will happen to her once we are not there anymore? Think of what is best for her, darling, not what is best for us. She needs to go. Can she go?" she asked Haldir.
"She can come, but I do not know if our Lords will allow her to remain with us."
"What if they don't?" asked Michael.
"He will never leave her alone, Dad. If she cannot follow us to Valinor, then... Glorfindel will stay until... the end."
He could stay in Middle Earth until Allison died, and then sail. Unless Allison became half-elven, but that would require the intervention of the Valar. Since she was not part of the prophecy, that was not likely to happen. But Allison and Glorfindel would have what? 40 years together? Was it not better than nothing for the Balrog Slayer?
"Do not worry for us, Allison," Julia said as she kissed her oldest daughter. "We will take care of everything. Go with your love, go with your sister and your nieces and nephews... Be happy for once..."
"May you find peace, Allison," her father continued.
They hugged their daughters. And then, Haldir lifted both sisters, holding their waists to support them. He bowed respectfully to these parents who loved their daughters enough to let them leave, and dragged the sisters in the portal.
On the other side, a grim Glorfindel could not believe his eyes when he saw Haldir coming out of the portal, holding the two crying sisters. The portal disappeared suddenly. Haldir was caught by surprise when Allison lost consciousness and almost fell to the ground.
Glorfindel ran to his help and picked up Allison while Haldir still held Valerie. All the children rushed to them, worried for their mother and aunt but happy to see Allison had joined them in Middle Earth.
"Who is this?" asked Prince Legolas to Lady Galadriel who was standing beside him.
"This is Allison, Valarie's sister and... Glorfindel's fëa-mate."
"Is she sick?"
"No, she is merely beginning her transformation to become half-elven."
"Half-elven? The Valar is willing to accept her to Valinor?"
"It was meant to be this way, Legolas. It was their destiny. Why do you think we sent Valarie back?"
"Is there any other secret that you are keeping from us?" he asked with a grin.
"'Many, young prince, many. Just enjoy your obliviousness while it lasts..." On these last words, Galadriel walked to Valerie to welcome her back.
A/N: *sigh* This story is getting closer to its end... My mind is full of ideas for a sequel... Please review as usual!