As soon as the door closed behind her, Elrohir was forgotten. Eyaenne grabbed her brother and pulled him once again into a tight embrace.
"I thought you were dead, Legolas. We all thought you were dead," Eyaenne sniffled.
Legolas did not say anything but Eyaenne felt him shiver.
"How is it you are alive?" She asked, pulling away and sitting down on one of the beds, pulling Legolas down to sit next to her.
"I have no idea," Legolas replied tiredly. He leaned his forehead against Eyaenne's arm, grasping her hand with both of his.
"We went south of the border," Legolas began after several minutes of silence. Methelion, Leathion and Roewen sat down nearby and listened carefully as Legolas sketched what happened with a few sentences. He explained how Merion had gotten injured, how he himself had gotten an arrow through his side. He talked about how his soldiers had been slaughtered and how Eriandras had saved his life. He mentioned the tree that had introduced itself as Greenwood and how he had ended up in Imladris. It took an hour until his tale had finished.
"But we found your body," Eyaenne shivered. "We found your body, Legolas. We buried you."
"You buried Merion. He lost his pack and weapons in the river. I was injured and could not make use of either. Eriandras gave Merion my spare tunic and my weapons," Legolas explained. "How is Ada? Eyaenne, how is Ada?"
"He is alive, Legolas. He will be so happy to see you again. All of us will. Your death … it nearly broke us."
"I want to go home," Legolas pronounced, his face torn into a grimace. "Please, Eyaenne, take me home."
"I will, muindor. Don't you dare think I would allow you to go anywhere else. We leave as soon as we can." Brother.
Princess Eyaenne did not let go of her brother until Lord Elrond knocked against the door, asking for Legolas to come to the healing ward. Reluctantly, the female warrior detached herself from her brother, kissing his forehead before accompanying him to the healing ward. The others followed without hesitation.
Elrond nodded in satisfaction and cleaned his hands. Penneth was sitting on one of the beds in the healing ward. On his undressed torso, the marks of his painful past were clearly visible in the form of scars and still healing wounds. Princess Eyaenne stared at the wounds with wide eyes and Roewen had had to turn away as soon as Elrond had taken the bandages off. The healer had to admit: It was not a pretty sight. The wounds had healed well enough, especially considering that Penneth had suffered under severe nightmares for so long and had therefore been sleep deprived for weeks, but they still had ways to go.
Penneth looked up, a hopeful question written clearly in his face.
"Can you help him?" Princess Eyaenne voiced said question.
"I do not know," Elrond admitted, wanting to dim the hope as to not to disappoint in the end. "There is a chance a second surgery would help but I cannot promise anything. Even if the surgery goes according to plan, it might not be enough to return full control. However, I am quite certain I can at very least improve his shoulder. The wounds have healed well enough and now that the swelling has finally retreated it was a lot easier to examine his shoulder."
"When can you operate?" Princess Eyaenne asked.
"As soon as tomorrow. However, only if Penneth wants me to." Elrond looked down at the young warrior.
Princess Eyaenne snorted and rolled her eyes.
"I believe that is not even a question," Penneth replied with an easy smile on his lips.
"You must take into consideration that it will stop you from travelling for another few weeks," Elrond reminded, his arms crossed as he looked down. Almost instantly, a shadow crossed Penneth's features.
They still did not know his name. The wood elves rarely used a name to speak to him and then they did, the two males used 'calid-amdir' and the two she-elves referred to him as either 'Tithen-las' or 'squirrel'. However, it did not even seem as if they did it on purpose. Elrond however had stopped worrying about it. What did a name matter after all? All that was important to him was that Penneth had changed since the four wood elves had arrived. He was more relaxed, more balanced and much more hopeful. He seemed happy.
Penneth looked over to his comrades.
"Fix his shoulder," Princess Eyaenne answered tensely. She seemed unsure if her decision was right.
"What about …?" Penneth left the question open but even Elrond could tell he was worried about his family back in Mirkwood and most importantly his Ada.
"He'll hold on, squirrel," Roewen replied gently and yet a frown marred her face.
"We can't cross the mountains anyway. And we have no second diamond with us to pay the dwarves for a passage back," Methelion threw in from his place at the window. He stared out, watching the snow subsiding on the already thick white blanket that covered the land. "Before spring, we cannot return home either way."
His interjection erased the traces of guilt of the others.
"Lord Elrond. How long does your offer stand for us to remain at your home?" Princess Eyaenne asked. This was one of the things so common for the wood elves. They would just openly ask questions like this without hesitation. No Noldor would dare to be so blunt.
"My home is open to you as long as you desire. I'd be happy to have you remain as my guests for as long as you want to," Elrond found himself assuring them twice.
The healer redressed all wounds and then handed the green shirt back to the elf warrior.
"I will prepare everything. Do not eat breakfast tomorrow. Instead, come here directly after you wake up," Elrond spoke.
"Thank you," Penneth spoke, struggling to put his shirt back on. Princess Eyaenne quickly helped him before indicating he should rise. Together, the wood elves left the healing ward.
Eyaenne led the group back to their room but only to grab their cloaks before heading outside. She did not feel comfortable in the house. The Noldor seemed to watch their every step and they were so obviously keen to find out who their guest was. And she did not like how close they had apparently come to Legolas, the ease with which they spoke to him. If she was honest with herself: She was scared. She had just found out her little baby brother lived. Now, she was scared these Noldor would take him away again. She would not survive it if that happened. They must not know who Legolas was! They must stay away from them, keep their distance. Legolas seemed to understand her feelings as he did not protest despite the fact he did not agree with her. Instead, he allowed her to do what she thought was right and necessary. This alone proofed how much he had suffered this last few months. Normally, he would have discussed with her, trying to reason for what he thought was the best way to handle a situation. This time he just surrendered to Eyaenne's will without so much as reluctance.
Legolas had an impossible affinity towards the trees; his connection with them unique. Alcanor was sometimes able to hear the thoughts of other people as if they were spoken words. Falin could walk through the world with his eyes closed and still sense everything around him to allow perfect footing. Daeros and Arahen seemed to share a link that allowed them to understand each other without words. Iarith had always been gifted in capturing the beauty of the forest in her art, understanding how to bring the essence of the forest into the piece and allow everyone to see her emotions through it. It seemed all of Thranduil's children had a gift, a unique gift. Eyaenne had a gift as well. Sometimes, without wanting or seeking to, she could see what had happened in the past. She would see shadowy figures moving in between the now and here, could hear whispered words, not with her ears but with her mind, and would be able to see what had happened many years in the past. Usually, this only happened if she had an emotional connection to one of the involved parties.
Stepping out of the house, Eyaenne stopped dead in her tracks, causing Legolas to stumble into her. With wide eyes, she stared at the shadowy figures on the courtyard. Two forms were especially visible. Her eyes widened upon realising just what she was seeing. Her Ada, mounting his horse, carefully lifting a limp body to sit in front of him.
"Stay with me, Alcanor," she heard his silent plea ringing loudly in her head.
He was so small. Alcanor seemed so young. Logically speaking, she knew that at the time, Alcanor had been the exact same age as Legolas was now; but he seemed so young. His shoulders had not yet broadened and his chest was slim and seemed fragile. Blood was smeared across her Ada's metal armour and Alcanor's clothes, was coating his face and neck and Thranduil's hands. Limply, Alcanor's head fell back against their Ada's chest, his eyes closed and all Eyaenne could do was watch breathlessly.
Other figures were gathered around them. Eyaenne could hear their shouts to hurry, to prepare, to flee this place. Suddenly, the figures shifted as one. Bows and Arrows were drawn and pointed towards where Eyaenne herself was standing.
"Thranduil!" Someone seemed to yell and Eyaenne twirled around, only barely realising that in the real world, her companions were watching her carefully. She did not usually allow pictures of the past to distract her to this extend. Normally, she kept herself in the real world, only noticing the shadows. Now, her entire focus lay on the proud figure of Lord Elrond running towards and finally through her, coming to a stop as the arrows pointed towards his chest.
Her Ada's head snapped towards Lord Elrond's shadow.
"What more harm do you want, Elrond, half-elf?" The king snapped bitterly, his hard voice ringing gently in Eyaenne's head.
"Please! I swear I had nothing to do with Eranion's attack. Stay for the night and find some rest. Let me tend to your son. Let us speak tomorrow when we are rested!"
"So you can murder me in my sleep? You are lucky I have not yet declared war! Do not press this luck!"
Eyaenne listened to the orders her father had given so many years ago before watching the shadowy army leave Imladris in a hurry.
She blinked several times.
"Eyaenne?" Someone was shaking her, sounding deeply worried. She looked up and met Methelion's eyes. Shortly, she nodded, before taking a deep breath, blinking away the tears. The weight of Methelion's hands on her shoulder's steadied her. Turning around, Eyaenne grabbed Legolas' arm. Her lips thinned upon realising just what she had witnessed.
"I am fine, Methelion," she answered the worried glance. Her lips pressed together tightly. She would not trust the Noldor! She would not make the same mistake her father had made so many years back. She would not allow Legolas' to be the next one who got his throat slit through. And she would not allow for herself to be harmed again, like she had been by Elrohir when the elf had kissed her. She would not allow it. She would get them all to return safely to Mirkwood. Silently, she swore an oath to herself. She would not force her father to see his children at death's door. Not this time. Not for all the trust in the world.
"No-one wanders alone," she ordered sharply.
"What did you see?" Legolas asked her, his blue eyes hooded.
"I have seen what these people are able to," Eyaenne simply answered.
Slowly only, Methelion took his hands away, stepping back reluctantly despite the worry she could still see in his face.
The elves bowed their heads to Eyaenne's intense glare, not daring to say anything against her.
"What did you see?" Legolas repeated.
Eyaenne did not answer. How would she ever tell Legolas that Alcanor was gone? That Iarith had died? How should she tell him?
Lost in thought, the Princess let go of Legolas' arm, aware of what pain the revelation would cost him. She did not know if she could do it. Slowly, she stepped out into the courtyard, leading her group towards one of the snow covered training fields. She drew her weapons. Softly, she danced over the sheet of snow. Leathion and Roewen followed while Methelion stayed back with Legolas.
Eyaenne sighed deeply. Legolas was alive. Her heart still seemed to burst her chest every time she thought about it. She smiled. She was full of joy.
She heard footsteps and as she turned she saw Lord Elrond coming closer. Eyaenne eyed the healer, tensing visibly. Leathion, who was standing next to her, reacted similarly, but remained quiet.
"Good day," Lord Elrond greeted politely. "Does he have something interesting to say?" The Lord of Imladris nodded towards the tree.
"No," Eyaenne answered, lowering her hand from where it had rested against the rough bark. "It is deep winter. Most trees prefer to sleep during this time, only rousing if we call them. I had no desire or need to disrupt his well-earned rest. It only puts us more at ease to simply feel their presence."
It was always hard to explain the connection to the trees to elves who did not share this gift. Eyaenne felt sorry for them.
"I have everything prepared for Penneth's operation tomorrow," Lord Elrond explained.
"Thank you for performing the surgery," Princess Eyaenne nodded her head in thanks. "And thank you for taking such good care of him. He would have died without your aid."
"No one deserves to suffer the way he has," Elrond answered quietly after a few moments. "Only because Mirkwood and Imladris don't get along overly well does not mean I will allow an innocent elfling to die if I am able help him."
"Your words and your behaviour honour you, Lord Elrond."
"I was surprised he seemed to trust Glorfindel fairly quickly," Lord Elrond mused. The Princess snorted.
"I think you may be underestimating just who Lord Glorfindel is, Lord Elrond," she replied amused.
"And who is he?"
"He is the almighty balrog slayer, hero of a thousand tales, an invincible warrior who can even conquer death!" Eyaenne explained with theatrical voice, an amused smile and a roll of her eyes. "Tithen-las loved him ever since he first heard about him. He was running around the palace slaying imaginary balrogs all the time. Got him into quite a bit of trouble with the king."
She grinned and then attempted to copy the king's cold and rich voice: "This is a palace, tithen-las, no playground. If you wish to play, refrain of doing so inside and instead get out of my palace!"
She sighed and for one moment her eyes became distant. Meanwhile, Leathion did not give up on his protective stance. Thranduil had chosen him for a reason to accompany his daughter.
"He always spoke about how he would one day accomplish great deeds and meet the almighty Lord Glorfindel of Gondolin. As I know him, he would have tried his hardest to not trust Lord Glorfindel only to fail terribly at it. Tithen-las trusted Glorfindel because he wanted to trust him. Sometimes he is surprisingly naive, even though he has seen so many things he should never have had to witness."
"You seem to know him very well."
"I am … fond of him," Eyaenne agreed carefully, still willing to keep her baby brother out of any plays of power which might occur.
"I am glad he finally did trust Glorfindel. For all you call him naïve, he seemed overly distrustful."
"Nothing to do with him, more with what happened in the past," Eyaenne said lightly and yet her eyes had a hard look on them.
"Maybe from now on we can work a bit more on the relationships between Mirkwood and Rivendell," Elrond suggested carefully, eyeing the princess while he spoke.
"You saved him." She said and again her heart seemed to glow with joy. "But I still don't trust you. Too much harm has come from this place to meet my family and my home."
"So, you and Eyaenne?" Lord Elrohir suddenly asked. Methelion turned around to the elf, surprised and slightly irritated of the way the twin attempted to begin a conversation with him.
"What about my Princess and me?" He asked, not quite sure what Elrohir was getting at.
"I love her, you know," Elrohir answered strongly.
"Good for you," Methelion replied, his irritation growing. "What is your point?"
"I will fight to win her back."
"In order to win someone back, they would have to have been at your side at one point. Which was, as far as I know, never the case. However, you may do as you please. Now, if you will excuse me," the Captain of Ravenstone Outpost replied, turning to return into the house. He really did not understand what Lord Elrohir was getting at. Was the elf attempting to provoke him to a reaction? Whatever for? It wasn't as if he was in any position to tell Eyaenne who she was allowed to see and love. Firstly, she was his Princess and secondly, it wasn't as if it was any of his business.
"So you won't even fight for her?" Elrohir stopped Methelion mockingly.
Methelion turned back around to face the Noldo. This was getting tiring. He had no idea why the twin seemed so obsessed with confronting Methelion. It wasn't as if they were an item or as … oh. Prince Falin's word came back to mind. They had used the words of his prince as a friendly tease. They must have mentioned the inside joke around the Noldor at some point. Even if it was true, and he and the Princess had been a couple, it would be none Elrohir's concern. And yes, Lord Elrohir and Princess Eyaenne had kissed, everyone knew that, however, that was many years ago and nothing had come of it. So why did Elrohir seek to confront Methelion? He could not actually love Princess Eyaenne, who he had barely spent five minutes with. He did not even know Princess Eyaenne.
"No, I would not," Methelion answered after a few thoughtful seconds. Elrohir huffed, smirking.
"I am sick of fighting," Methelion explained, yet feeling too annoyed to clarify that he was not truly supposed to marry Princess Eyaenne.
"I have been fighting all my life, Elrondion. I fight every day. I should not have to fight for my love as well. I would want for the ellith of my heart to know I love her and for her to trust me. We would be separated for many weeks to combat the Darkness. We should not ever have to fight for each other's attention. Fights are not what keep a couple together. Love is. A relationship should never be built purely on fight and adrenalin, as it will not last, can never last. You should know that. A heated kiss in the middle of a battle does not substitute countless hours spent talking or even silently being in each other's presence. I do not have the strength to constantly keep fighting for her affection, being afraid to lose her as soon as I find myself unable to continue to do so. Therefore, no, I would not fight for her. If she needs me to continuously fight for her to prove I am worthy of her attention, she is not right for me anyway."
Please review!
Thanks to my beta Jaxzan Proditur!
Megan: I do have a lot of fun writing though sometimes only my stubborn streak keeps me going. While I guess I do get more reviews than most, I always find it disappointing if I do receive less reviews for one chapter than I did for the one before. Especially this last one was frustrating as I loved the chapter (as you did as well) and I knew it was something a lot of people were waiting for and I received fewer reviews than I have for a long time. Actually less than half the reviews I got for the chapter before that and as this chapter was the awesome reveal Legolas is still alive ... well, I admit I was disappointed. All the more am I grateful for such great people as you are who keep reviewing every chapter or at least try to. So thank you! I am writing this story for you guys who keep reviewing
Guest#1: I guess Lord Glorfindel and Lord Elrond will get back into the action in the next few chaps. But right now, the relationship between the wood elves is more important. Thanks for leaving a review!
Guest1345: Being obsessed with books is not a bad thing :D I am too. Though I do not find as much time for reading as I used to, sadly enough. As for good fanfiction ... well, have you read All That Remains by Skylead Alchemist? And my favourite What Time Cannot Erase by Sadie Sil (it is finished, though it does not have the 'complete' tag on it), Coldness by HelloDenmark (as well as the sequels Aid from a friend and War of light and darkness) and the very first fanfiction I ever read A Mirkwood Winter by P.L. Wynter Just check out my favourites on my profil page as well
Guest#2: I got to give him some time to breathe before throwing the issues at him, I guess. Maybe next chapter :D