Beta by Wendwriter - thanks.

The first day of their journey to Mirkwood was a very pleasant one, for it was the height of summer the weather was exceedingly fair. Faelwen delighted in the new sights around her and her joy was infectious. Despite the twins' original misgivings and deep distrust of the Calanonion brothers, their party was a cheerful one and there were not too many clashes between the travellers.

They rode swiftly and camped at the foot of the Misty Mountains on the first night. It meant stopping early for they could have easily travelled farther while the daylight lasted, but Elladan remembered the stories told to them by Mithrandir when he had returned from his travels with the dwarves a decade ago. If those vile goblins were capable of surprising a Maia, then the son of Elrond was not going to let either his sister or his twin go within ten feet of any caves! They would encamp at a safe distance from the feet of the mountains and cross the most manageable pass tomorrow.

The true test of the twins' forbearance, however, was when the horses were seen to, the firewood was gathered, the rations shared round and all other conceivable tasks had been tended to. For then they were required to make conversation and speak with civility, despite the fiery anger that still flickered in the depths of their eyes whenever they thought of what the eldest brothers had done to Faelwen.

Despite all this, their behaviour was impeccable and Elrond would truly have been proud of their self-control. They listened to the speeches and tales of the sons of Calanon, replied to them with perfect politeness and addressed them with the utmost civility. And if Elladan glared at Alyan, it was not until their backs were turned…

As a result of this fortitude on the part of the twins, Feredir remained happily ignorant of this underlying tension amongst the group; so well was it hidden. For the entirety of the day, he had talked to Faelwen almost incessantly, asking any and every question he could think of: what was her favourite colour, did she like to read, had training as a healer been difficult and how long had she been courting Haldir? The questions flowed as rapid as a river and he eagerly drank in every detail that Faelwen gave in reply; desperate to make up for so many centuries of not knowing her. She in turn asked questions about Mirkwood, and he was happy to satisfy her with light-hearted tales of the various exploits he and his brothers had experienced while growing up. Their conversation had been slightly awkward at first, but it soon became smooth, open and easy and served to make the rest of the company similarly high of spirits.

Now though, as they settled round the small fire to eat, Feredir's tongue stilled at last; possibly, as Nithron said jokingly, from sheer exhaustion. Faelwen and the twins were then called upon to relate an anecdote of their own. Voices weaving in and out of each other in a manner that had almost become second nature – due to the many times they had told them to Estel – the three siblings provided several narrations about life in Imladris: the first winter solstice Faelwen had spent with them, the occasion when Elladan and Elrohir had challenged Glorfindel and Erestor to a complicated race through the woods and lost and, more recently, the time when Mithrandir had paid a visit, accompanied by thirteen dwarves and a perenniath!

"Faelwen was absolutely fascinated with our visitors," Elrohir concluded with a merry laugh. "Erestor put it down to her welcoming and kindly heart, though my brother and I are well aware that she was simply delighted to find that there were beings on Arda who are actually shorter than she is!" As the small circle dissolved into laughter, Faelwen, pretending to be offended, cuffed Elrohir affectionately around his head.

Elladan suddenly raised his head and looked up at the full moon. Twilight had slowly turned to night as they had been talking and Earendil was now travelling across the sky. It must be swiftly approaching midnight.

"Mayhap it would be best if we all tried to sleep now," he said quietly, resuming his unspoken place as leader of the group. "If we intend to make good progress through the pass of the Misty Mountains tomorrow, then we shall need to start around daybreak. Rest will do us all good, though we must take it in turns to keep watch. We may be a safe distance away from the feet of the mountains, but I would not put it past those Goblins to raid our camp in the dead of night."

Everyone immediately complied. Elladan had taken the lead from the beginning; without arrogance, haughtiness or any sign of being domineering. His tall form radiated a natural authority which, as both the eldest twin and the older brother, had become an integral part of him. Faelwen had half-expected Alyan or Raunien to challenge him for the leadership of the company but, to her surprise, they both accepted him without a word of protest. Things really had changed in the time she had been apart from them!

They drew lots for the watch and Feredir was first. The others then busied themselves for several minutes with setting out bedrolls and unrolling blankets. Faelwen could not help but smile to herself when she saw how, as soon as she spread out her own bedroll, the twins immediately set theirs up on either side. They did not go so far as to put their feelings into words, but it was clear that her brothers by blood had yet to win their trust. It warmed her heart to see how deeply these two identical Elves cared
for her. And, of course, the feeling was very much reciprocated!

She was also observant enough to notice that something very much like distress and jealousy flashed quickly across Feredir's face when he saw that Elladan and Elrohir had again immediately taken up residence on either side of her. They had been doing so all day; when they rode and whenever the stopped to eat or rest. Feredir, in his heart of hearts, was glad of such tangible evidence to prove how much his sister was loved by her foster family, but he wished that they might let him have her to himself for just a little while! He was her twin brother after all!

"Do you think Estel will be all right?" she asked Elrohir anxiously, as she burrowed down into the comforting warmth of her blankets. Both twins laughed.

"Faelwen, if you ask me that one more time, then I shall be forced to gag you!" Elrohir said teasingly. "You have said that at least fifteen times since we left Imladris and my answer remains the same; yes! He will be perfectly fine – he has Ada, Glorfindel and Erestor there to keep an eye of him and I am sure he will enjoy being the sole focus of their attention for a change. He will be well, I promise. Go to sleep."

"Yes brother," answered Faelwen meekly, a bright smile adorning her face. "Goodnight, everyone."

A chorus of 'Goodnight' sounded in reply and Faelwen drew her blanket up around her ears, lying back and watching the stars while her eyes glazed over. It had been a truly wonderful day. She had seen so much natural beauty, felt so much freedom…who would have thought that facing her brothers at last could lead to this complete relief from the worry that had plagued her for so long!

Her sleep was serene and peaceful that night and she only woke a few times as the result of an owl or mouse passing them by. Each time she woke however, she found that, no matter who was on watch, either Elladan or Elrohir was lying awake at her side; alert and ready.