AN: I'll be short and sweet today :) Happy Sunday! Hope you enjoy the chapter! Thanks for sticking around!

Chapter 4

"Mornings are evil," Emily grumbled as she rubbed sleep from her eyes and slumped into a chair in the dinning area. "And so is Glorfindel. I don't understand why he makes me train this early! I just want to go back to bed..."

"It isn't really that early, Emily," Aewnith said reprovingly, "And you should be grateful that someone of Glorfindel's skill and importance is willing to take the time to teach you."

"Not to mention the value of learning these things." Farland added without looking up from the meal in front of him. "I would have thought [that] after past events you would be eager and determined to learn."

"Well, I am grateful!" the girl replied, annoyance slipping into her words, "And, yes, no duh, I understand the importance of learning to defend myself! I just wish it didn't have to be so early!"

Aewnith looked up at her with a calm exterior, eyes stern over her tea cup. "If you're tired, sweetheart, then perhaps you had better go to bed earlier instead of gallivanting about with your cousin all hours of the night. I seem to recall suggesting you come back before the hour that you did last night." Brown eyes rolled and the soft clatter of a fork dropping to the table echoed through the room before Aewnith even stopped speaking. The sapphire blue eyes sharpened, as did the tone. "Yes, Emily? Is there something you care to say?"

"No. It's fine. Sorry." Emily muttered, casting her eyes down and using the same strategy she had been for weeks.

There wasn't a problem. We don't talk about the problem. After all, you won't listen anyway... Dad especially won't.

"No. If you have something to say, then say it."

"Fine! Why are you always on my case!? You don't hound Joel or Clare like you do me! It isn't fair! They get to do whatever they want and I am constantly watched and monitored. Every choice or decision I make is questioned! Joel is still in bed, by the way! Do you ask where he was all night! Or where Clare goes at 3am? NO! So why only me!?"

"Enough, Emily. You're acting like a spoiled child!" Farland cut in.

"Farland." Aewnith cautioned. "I asked her-"

"No! She doesn't get to speak to us like that! She doesn't get to speak to anyone like that!"

"Oh and how was I speaking, Father? Do kindly point out what offends you!" Emily snapped, her voice raising slightly.

"For one thing, your attitude could use adjusting!" Farland snapped right back, his hard eyes finally lifting to met her own. "And for another, you are still our daughter and you still live by our rules. We have the right to know where you are and what you are doing-"

"You wouldn't know any of that at this point in time if we were still on Earth," Emily shouted. "I would be a first year university student living on my own! I would be free to come and go as I please! I could be out roaming the city and doing whatever wild crazy thing that pleased me and you wouldn't know a dang thing about it!"

"This isn't Earth, Emily," Aewnith said quietly, attempting to rein in both tempers before they got anymore out of control.

"Don't I know it." Emily crossed her arms, teeth set tightly as she glared at the table. "I had more freedom there! You and dad left me on my own for WEEKS when you were working so much or gone on trips and you never demanded to know everywhere I went and did all the time! Yes, you wanted to know vaguely what I was up to, however you never monitored me the way you are now! You left me alone at the age of fourteen, for crying out loud, and that was for nearly a month! I got myself to school, did my homework, took care of all the things on the farm, I biked into town for food AND I stayed out of trouble...and believe me I had PLENTY of opportunity to get into trouble. I've held down a job at Tim Horton's and the market garden and I had a car that I could take anywhere I wanted! Heck! That damn car was statistically more likely to kill me then anything in these halls or within the boarders! SO WHAT THE HECK IS THE PROBLEM!? I'm not an infant so stop treating me like I am!"

"Like your mother said. This isn't Earth and things have changed. You need to accept that." Farland replied, his voice slightly more controlled.

"Whatever. You aren't really listening to me anyway and I'm late." Emily shoved herself up and stormed away from the table, waking Reisa as she went and encouraging the puppy to prance after her.

"You can't just run away from conflict Emily!" Farland called. "We'll be discussing this later!

"Yeah, right!" Emily called back.

"And drop the attitude!"

"Bite me," Emily muttered as she closed the doors with a little more force than necessary, leaving the heartbroken Reisa on the other side of them.

No sooner had she done so, the sentry to the left of the door stepped forwards swiftly, grabbed her by the arm and bit her.

"OW! What the hec-" She broke off mid way and her confusion and shock vanished when her eye were met with a devious grin and amber eyes. Surprise fell from her face and was replaced with exasperation. "Rusgon. I might have known."

"Good morning, Lady Emily! You command, and I obey." He said, still grinning incorrigibly at her.

Emily stared at him with a death glare for all of ten seconds before she abruptly found herself fighting back a smile, which was irritating because she was in a perfectly good bad mood and how dare anyone ruin it.

Gurador's voice came from the other side. "You are lucky it was him and not Tirnel who heard you. Tirnel bites very hard."

"I can attest to that." Rusgon said, nodding vigorously. "I have the scares to prove it! Want to see?"

The tension through Emily broke and she hid her laughter by rolling her eyes and saying with as much distaste as she could muster, "Rusgon, you are such an idiot."

"You know, I've been told that before!" The young ellon laughed as he took up his position with rigid attention once more. "Have fun this morning. I won't. I'm stuck here and then our squadron is training the next four days before we go back out on patrol. I don't know why they insisted on cutting our Off-Rotation short. I would have liked some more time to harass you and Merenith!"

"Of course you would...well, you'd better be careful with that. We might beat you at your own game." Emily snipped good-naturedly, her previous anger forgotten for the moment. "See you later."

"I do believe we've just been challenged!" Rusgon said joyously to Gurador as she walked away.

"I don't know about 'we' Rusgon..." Gurador answered patiently. "You maybe..."

"No. I'm sure it was both of us, which means she challenged all of us which means-"

"We are not getting roped into another one of your wild prank wars, Rusgon! The last one disrupted the entire kingdom and the King had to lock us all up to end it!"

"Well, it was such fantastic bonding time though, and a pleasant break from the usual routine of things..."

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Shut up, Rusgon. We are on duty."

"So you aren't sure."

Gurador remained resolutely silent.

"I knew you still had a spark of fun in there. Merenith's title for us must be starting to get to you too. It's about time. We've been putting up with it for far too long!"

The tall ellon released a long breath though his nose. It was going to be a long day.

Out of the range of their hearing, Emily finally released the sigh of frustration she had been holding in all this time and kicked idly at a loose pebble as she wandered slowly along towards the gates to meet Glorfindel.

The morning wasn't going at all the way she had wanted it to. The sun was only just awake and she'd already managed to fight with her parents.

I could always blame it on lack of sleep...Emily thought to herself. Last night's nightmare was a good one at least. No where near the calibre of the last ones, or the ones I had while I was sick. It's so dumb, why can't I just be normal again!?

As she rounded the corner she happened to see Tirnel and Sidhel stationed near the throne room. It was more of a formality that the guards were placed within the magic walls of the palace; however, it actually gave Emily a sense of comfort to see them (not that she would ever admit it). Truth be told she really was grateful to be doing lessons with Glorfindel once more. She didn't want to ever be as vulnerable and afraid as she had been so many times already. But, it was going to take a long time.

Tirnel gave her a grin as she passed by and she caught Sidhel's quiet, encouraging smile even as he still stood at attention. It was impossible not to return the smile and bid them good morning. Of all the mornings to come across all four of 'The Dull Ones' this was probably the best.

Despite their efforts and added contributions to her frustrations, they really were very difficult to stay mad at.

Tirnel so naturally took on the role of 'big brother who really isn't that much older but likes to pretend he is', same as he did with Merenith, that she felt as though he truly was more than just her second cousin. She knew him to be the bossy one, who took charge and wasn't afraid to tell people what to do. He had grand ambitions, and greatly looked up to his older brothers, one of who she had yet to meet. Nestor was his eldest brother, whom she knew a little as he was essentially one of the only elvish vet's in the community. He had taken great care of her horses when they first arrived. Laithor was apparently due to return home shortly, and other than the larger-than-life stories Tirnel had told about his brother, Emily knew very little about her last cousin.

Rusgon was yet another adopted brother. He happily bounced alongside her with a sense of equality flourishing between them. He wasn't one to put on airs about being older and wiser and had no problem being a complete twit should the need arise to ease tensions. That being said, he was also terrible with his timing some days so she doubly appreciated the ellon for his good natured way of letting people's bad reactions roll off his shoulders. She supposed it came from his having two older sisters, Laerien and Faelthel. Laerien had befriended Clare at the outset, as she was one of the artisty elves (as Emily called it), and Faelthel was a seamstress just like her mother. Both very beautiful and kind people, as far as Emily could tell.

Then there was Gurador. He was quiet, level headed, and gave wise counsel on many things, often providing insight into things that the others had not seen. If one could get him talking about something that he was fascinated by, though, it was a completely different story. He transformed into an energetic and exuberant individual with a get love and zeal for his hobbies and studies. Emily really rather liked him because he was one of the few she could have hypothetical conversations with about life the universe and everything. They both enjoyed discussing random theories and ideas that were fairly improbable, yet still fun to wonder about.

And finally, Sidhel. He was an interesting sort who generally kept to himself during conversations and time spent with the six of them all together. All she knew was that he was possibly the wisest out of all of them, next to Gurador, and she suspected he had become so from sheer life experience.

A memory from when she was ill the week before rose to her mind as she continued along her way, considering and contemplating her friends as she went.

In the early morning Emily was woke in the healing wards with a soft whimper. It was another nightmare that made her jolt up against the hand that was gently shaking her shoulder. Looking around wildly for her invisible foe, Emily found only Sidhel crouched calmly beside her bed with his hands held up in a peaceful gesture as her frightened eyes fell on him.

"It's alright, Em. You're safe. You were dreaming." he said in a hushed tone so as to not wake anyone else that might be in the healing wards.

Fear ebbing away to a small trickle, Emily drew a shuddering breath and mumbled, "Sorry...did I wake you up?"

The ellon shook his head with a small smile. "No. I am on duty and was not asleep. Even if I had been there is no need to apologize."

"Oh. Ok." Emily answered, feeling sleep overtaking her once more, yet still seeing the dream lingering in it's distorted, nonsensical darkness just beyond the veil of slumber. She really didn't want to go back there.

"You need rest, Emily. Go back to sleep." Sidhel suggested, seeing her fading quickly.

The wind blew harder then, howling through the night somewhere above them and whistling across the shafts in the ceiling. Emily to flinched violently when the shadows cast by the lantern moved with the breeze that floated down.

"Yeah..." Emily said quietly, still flicking her gaze around just to reassure herself that there was nothing there. Sidhel straightened up and moved quietly to retie one of the straps that kept the lantern secure. Then when he looked to be about to leave Emily stayed him with a shy and mildly embarrassed, "Wait...! Could...maybe...actually, no. Nevermind. It's not-"

Sidhel had already paused, reached an arm around the divider to grab a basket of bandages that needed rolling, brought it back with him to Emily's bedside where he wordlessly seated himself on the ground and began to roll them.

Emily felt her face go warm and she stumbled out a timid, "Th-Thank you...I'm just...I'm not..."

Hazel eyes lifted to met hers patiently while harbouring a flicker of amusement in their depths.

Dropping her eyes apologetically, Emily finally managed out, "I'm kind of a wimp."

Sidhel snorted softly, "Says the girl who mastered an accident wizard's stone, destroyed an infestation of spiders, and broke said stone in half rather than step through the portal like it seemed to be tempting you to do...and this was after being kidnapped, drugged, enchanted, attacked...and even before that nearly strangled by an orc the first time you encountered them. Then we add that to whatever else you have endured in recent years and you call yourself a wimp because of a few nightmares and not wanting to be alone?"

Emily let out a slow breath and played with an edge of the blanket. "Exactly. You would think after all that I could deal with bad dreams that aren't even real..."

Sidhel shook his head firmly. "It doesn't work that way, Em. You have much to process and it's going to take time, but, I believe...no, I know you will move past this. Just be patient with yourself. It's not going to happen in a day."

"How do you know I will..." Emily challenged curiously without looking for an argument and with an air of hopeless defeat in her tone.

Sidhel faltered in the rolling of the bandages at this question and a haunted look flashed across his face.

"Because I know what it's like, and believe it or not I have been where you are now. I know the frustration with one's self. The anger for being 'infantile' and needing someone there with me after a nightmare, the crushing fear that follows the really bad dreams, the feeling of a dream clinging in your mind even after waking...and the frequent revisiting memories of events in life that were already living nightmares to begin with. I know the pain and rage that come with wishing life had been different and I have worked hard to walk in the light rather than become drowned by the darkness..."

The ellon paused and looked up at her with a sad, almost regretful smile that told Emily he had said more than he meant to, "There are things in my life I wish I had never seen or experienced. Nevertheless, I did, and I learned to grow past it and continue to each day. You will too."

Something about the way he said the words made Emily believe him more fully than anyone who else had ever told her she would rise above everything she had been through, and she felt a strange peace slip in past her brittle walls to settle in her heart.

"Thank you." She whispered.

His smile brightened into a warm glow and bowed his head, "I am at your service," Then he added with a teasing grin, "Lady Emily..."

The mood was lightened instantly and Emily rolled her eyes as she grumbled, "Not you too! It's bad enough Rusgon keeps calling me that!"

Sidhel snickered and then sobered quickly back into 'healer' mode.

"In all seriousness, Emily, go back to sleep...or you'll be a bear in the morning."

Emily yawned as she snuggled down into the blankets and offered no argument as she continued to watch the mundane task the other preformed. The monotonous motions of rolling bandages lulled her to sleep, and very soon her eyes had fallen shut followed closely by her breathing evening out as she drifted off.

Since that day, Emily had managed to weasel out of Merenith the mystery behind his past. It was terribly sad, and knowing of it now made Emily feel like a spoiled brat.

His only surviving family was his mother, and she had sailed to the undying lands twenty-six years ago, shortly after the Battle of the Five Armies. Emily learned that he had had a sister named Aewil who had been only a few years younger than him, and two older brothers named Pedir and Beleguron, and that they, along with his father, had perished during that battle. He had lost so much in such a short space of time, and yet he was still living happily, settled and harbouring such a solid peace within himself that it both awed and inspired Emily.

When am I going to feel right again?

Shoulders slumped slightly Emily began to stray in thought down a path of self-deprecation of how she wasn't being good enough, not being nice enough, and generally just making everyone else miserable, and how she should just be better again...that is until Sidhel's words echoed back to her once more.

"It doesn't work that way, Em. You have much to process and it's going to take time, but, I believe...no, I know you will move past this. Just be patient with yourself. It's not going to happen in a day."

"Right. Be patient with myself." Emily murmured sardonically to herself, squaring her shoulders as she neared the gates. "That'll be totally easy!"


It wasn't often that one found Clare so near the gates of the palace and lacking the company of the other free spirits of the halls. Great painters, artists, writers, poets, musicians, song writers...there were many among the elves, and a good number had taken the young woman under their wings and into their friendship.

Today was one of those odd days she was on her own and it sparked a strong amount of curiosity in Legolas when he spotted her frowning down at the page before her.

Softly, as only experience allowed, he slipped up behind her and peeked at the page before her.

"That's a very good drawing."

Clare flinched slightly as she glanced up from the page she had been puzzling over for the past hour. It really wasn't that good at all, in her opinion.

"Oh, thank you, Vede." She said with a charming smile that nearly hide the shadow in her stare and greatly diminished the flush in her cheeks. "It really isn't finished yet. I cannot seem to get it right today."

Legolas watched calmly as she set the page down with carefully contained frustration and his heart tightened as he sensed the deep pain she harboured inside.

"May I join you?" He asked, sitting even before she gave her answer.

It was a polite and cheery smile that answered him.

"Yes, please." She agreed easily, her countenance open and welcoming. It was very nearly easy for him to be fooled by her façade, however, Legolas had skills and gifts that not all his fellow elves shared, and thus he clearly felt the deep, troubled waters that raged within the girl, giving her no rest as they screamed and bellowed at her. There was more too. She was in pain. He could feel it, and looking closely he could see that her hand shook and there were tiny beads of perspiration clinging to her brow.

"You are up early this morning." He commented casually. "Are you well?"

"Yes! I wished to catch the great gates in the morning light. It's a splendid time of day, look how the light dances through the trees like that, and you can see it reflecting of all the dew outside." Clare said with a clear reverence for the beauty before them.

Legolas paused, choosing his words carefully. "Though I would agree this a pleasing picture to capture, from in here the splendour is but a shade of what it truly is. Would you not like to be out, and apart of it, to catch a piece of it out where it is forming and changing?"

A wistful look almost surfaced on Clare's face, only to be swiftly replaced with her dazzling and easy smile. "Perhaps I shall go looking for that wonderful and compelling place you suggest, however, for now I am content to sit and take it from this angle. The inside and architecture is so...breathtaking! It would take centuries to feel as though I had given it my proper attention."

"I certainly hope you will set foot outside these halls much sooner than a few centuries." Laughed Legolas lightly, though his eye remained sharp and keen on the face of his niece.

Clare laughed along with him easily enough, though his attention was too quick not to notice the way here face tightened and her body tensed.

"Perhaps not that long." Clare replied. "Oh, look! There is Emily. She's up rather early as well...and doesn't look very happy about it."

"Yes, I do believe that Glorfindel announced last night that her lessons where beginning once more in the morning." Legolas smiled, remembering the grumbling and complaining that had come from his niece when she heard this.

"Thank goodness. She needs it. I'm so glad that someone is taking things seriously." Clare breathed, more to herself than to him.

"What do you mean?" Legolas asked casually, sharp eyes never leaving her face.

Her expression faltered. "Well, it's just that she seems to find trouble so easily and would really benefit from learning. Not to mention the activity will be good for her. I'm worried about her you know."

"Oh, I know very well that you are worried for her, Clare." Legolas sighed, turning to watch as his niece bravely manoeuvred herself across the bridge to where Glorfindel was waiting for her on the other side.

Clare fidgeted when Emily and the warrior disappeared.

"Is it really necessary for her to go off into the woods for her lessons? Why isn't he teaching her in here? I've seen the guards going through their sessions indoors before...why could they not use one of those spaces?"

"Glorfindel's methods are not always what one would expect. You will soon find that out yourself. I believe he is greatly looking forward to assisting in your training as well."

An airy, almost nervous laugh escaped Clare's lips. "Me? No. I will have to politely decline from such things. It's really not my thing. You didn't answer my question though, why can't she just stay in here for her lessons?"

"You think she is unsafe outside?"

Clare's jaw clenched in response to his gentle mocking.

"Yes." She replied bluntly. "She was ripped away not too long ago from those very woods from under the noses of everyone, including the magic of the King. I have good reason the think it's not safe for her out there. I don't think it's very wise to let her roam around unattended too. I understand what daerada said last night about letting her alone and trusting her to be ok, and not smothering her but, seriously we shouldn't just let her run wild like that!"

"As unconventional as Glorfindel is, I would hardly classify his lessons as 'running wild' or unsafe." Legolas answered mildly, his lips twitching in amusement at the way Clare spoke with such assurance that she was right in what she was saying.

"I don't mean right now." Clare huffed, her hidden frustration and raging storm finally beginning to surface through her very convincing act of a carefree and relaxed attitude. "I mean when she goes off with Merenith and no one has a clue where she is for hours on end! Or when she just takes off without telling anyone! Or how we are all just ignoring the fact that she still has nightmares and that she flinches if anyone raises their hand too quickly! She's doing a great job of acting fine, and of moving on, but she's going to break one of these days and you'll see I was right."

"I suppose we'll just have to wait to find out." Legolas answered placidly, serving to only anger Clare even more. She opened her mouth to speak once more, eyes sparking with annoyance, only to have Legolas cut her off with the very same question he had asked Emily all those weeks ago in the cottage. "Clare, what are you so afraid of?"

She stopped, her fair and delicate features frozen like a deer caught unawares. Then a number of emotions flooded her face, making it turn and shift like rolling waves.

Clare swallowed thickly. "I suppose I'm afraid of losing my sister again. She's nearly died multiple times since being in this world. Is that so wrong?"

"No. It is not, though I feel clearly that is only a small part of what you fear." Answered the older one, his gaze never leaving hers, steady and unnerving as they read her very emotions like a book. Fear swelled, the kind of fear that indicates one has a secret and it might be discovered.

"I have to go." She said abruptly. "Sorry."

She leapt to her feet, clutching her pages to her and moving to make her retreat. In her haste, her toe caught the edge of her dress, causing her to stumble slightly and in that moment, when her body lurched awkwardly, she gave a sharp cry of pain and doubled over.

"Penneth!" Legolas was on his feet in seconds, reaching for her as she moaned pitifully. "Perhaps we should go to the healers..."

"Perhaps we should." Clare whispered. "I thought it was nothing...just...cramps...but...I think...I think something is wrong with me...something is happening to me. I feel so strange."

"Shh...all will be well. Relax and let me take care of you."

"I can walk." She said stubbornly, even as she took a step and collapsed.

"Of course you can." Her uncle soothed patiently, scooping her into his arms and hurrying to the healing wing.

If his suspicions were correct, the poor girl would be in for a long few days as the next member of the family completed their shift and awakening of the elvish blood in their veins.


"Do not step back, step forwards, and then pivot. No, Emily! To NOT try to pull away, use his weight as leverage against him." Glorfindel instructed with cheer, not at all dampened by the fact that Emily hadn't managed to get it right yet.

A grumbling growl came from her throat as she stared up at Elladan. "I thought this wasn't going to be a long lesson. And I'm hungry. Can we stop yet?"

"My my, someone is grumpy. Did you not eat breakfast? I have told you not to skip that meal." Elrohir chuckled from the side lines. "You still have more lessons this morning, penneth. Estel is terribly bored and wants something to do, so we told him he could teach you elvish. Do be a good friend and spend some time with him? He's been about as irritable as you these days, which is not at all like him."

"No, he's always grumpy after he's had to have that brew of Elrond's for a long period of time. The withdrawal makes him a monster. It makes me a wild bear myself, now that I think about it." said Glorfindel.

"He's going to teach me what?" Emily looked away from Elladan, only to have him full body tackle her onto the grass, albeit gently. Emily didn't even seem to notice. "Seriously though, you want him to teach me elvish?"

"Yes, elvish, Emily." Glorfindel said breezily as he tilted his head to the side. "Surely you would like to know what everyone is saying so you might better eavesdrop?"

"Hey!" Emily craned her neck to mock glare at him. "I don't mean to and besides...it's a learned skill that comes from being the youngest. No one ever tells you anything so you have to listen in to find out things."

"Is that the excuse you are using?" Elladan exclaimed as he helped her up and brushed some of the dirt from her back. "It could use some work."

"What other 'lessons' hasn't anyone told me about..." Emily asked, somewhat dreading the answer. " Because...it's still summer here and I don't do school in the summer."

The others laughed at her cheek.

"The summer is nearly spent, penneth. Harvest has already begun!" Elladan informed her as he helped her up.

"Be thankful it is only a few lessons and you have the entire afternoon and evening to do as you please." Elrohir smirked. "Because a time may come when your training and lessons take up more than half the day for weeks at a time."

"Indeed! The King could draft you into his guard!" Elladan said seriously, though his eyes sparked with mirth.

"No." Said Emily flatly. "I'll run away."

"Very mature."

"I know, right?"

"Can we come? Glorfindel is making us train along with the guard this week." Elrohir stage whispered to her. Perfection, Pegs. Utter perfection

"Well, I haven't actually been drafted so, no...not really." Emily laughed, her smile reaching her eyes fully and making them bright and alive, something that had not been seen in some time.

Glorfindel cleared his throat loudly, "That is wise, or I would have turned the whole thing into a glorified 'Emily hunt'. Your Grandfather would have joined in it along with the entire host of wood elves and truly I feel we have done that enough from one year."

Nodding seriously, Emily looked exhausted at the idea. "That's the other reason, but please, Glorfindel, can I go now? Please?! Pretty pretty please? Merenith was going to be done by now and we were going to go riding and-"

"Heavens! Do not tell me what you and that little warg have planned." Glorfindel laughed merrily. "It would ruin the utter shock when we all find out later what mayhem has occurred!"

"Is that a 'yes'? I can leave'?"

Glorfindel paused, regarding her thoughtfully, then he nodded. "You may leave, penneth. We will begin again tomorrow morning, bright and early...maybe even a little earlier? No? Alright. Off you go."

"Thank you!" She went bounding off with a grin, certain the rest of the day held great promise and would be perfectly stress free!


Sometime later...

"Merenith, all I'm saying is I need you to stop acting like I'm going to fall apart at anything you say, or feel like you have to tiptoe around me all the time. Just...I need you to treat me like nothing happened...like we were before...please, come down?...I'm sorry I got so mad at you, and I didn't mean what I said...Mer?"

Squinting, Emily peered up through the leaves from her lower perch in the branches of the great oak tree. It wasn't even twenty-four hours since her conversation with her grandfather and already she had managed to snap at both her parents and yell at Merenith.

They'd had a dreadful argument, ending with her cousin in tears and disappearing into the high branches of the tree where she knew Emily wouldn't follow. At the moment Emily wasn't even really sure if she was talking to thin air or if her cousin was actually still listening to her.

The limbs of the higher branches rustled as the elleth slipped softly down to perch across from her while discretely wiping her eyes.

"Mer..." Emily's voice broke as shame flooded her expression. "I'm so sorry. I-"

Black curls bobbed vigorously as her cousin shook her head. "No. Don't." Merenith drew a deep breath. "It's not your fault, and you're right. I am hovering and I am scared. But, I should trust you more, and give you more credit, and I should have thought of how maddening all of this must be for you."

"But, I shouldn't have-"

"Look. I won't lie to you. It hurt a lot, what you said, and it hurts when you push me away, however, that's ok. I understand better than you think, or at least I think I might." She made a somewhat forced smile. "I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have said the things I did, and I should have acted better."

Sighing, Emily returned the smile helplessly, "Can't we just go back to how we were before everything happened?"

"I don't think we can, Emily." Merenith replied sadly. "The things that have happened...they changed us."

A flash of annoyance crossed Emily's face as she set her jaw. "Fine. Then let's take our lives back despite all of what happened with the blasted witch and everything else! I'm so SICK of being a victim of my circumstance! And I've had enough of letting it control my life! I want to LIVE not just SURVIVE what I've been through. So dang it, lets go do something fun for a change...like, actually fun and wild. For goodness sake don't give me that look. Just please say yes and that you'll come with me because I need a partner in crime rather desperately!"

With that passionate exclamation, Emily swung down to the forest floor with ease and stood, hands on her hips. "Well? Are you coming or what?"

Merenith paused, "What did you have in mind?"

A wild grin spread across Emily's face and she just ran off without a word.

"Emily! Wait!"

"Hurry up! I've got a great idea! It came to me in my sleep!" Emily called over her shoulder.

"Why does the worry me..." Merenith muttered, unable to stop the genuine smile and spark of exuberance from returning to her eyes.

A short time later found them in the storage rooms for the old barrels. Merenith looked sceptical as she stared at the modified contraption in front of them.

"You're serious about this."

"I'm just saying that I tried it once with my friend Rory down one of the small creeks, and it was very amusing, not to mention incredibly challenging." Said Emily, casually examining her finger nails. "Could be dangerous...and fun..."

Merenith looked at her with minor disconcertment. "Who are you...and what have you done with my cousin?"

Emily burst out laughing. "Oh, come on...it's not like I haven't done it before with great results! Well, maybe not this specifically...besides, usually we wakeboard or water-ski behind a motor boat, not a horse so realistically we'll be much safer. I mean, seriously, it's not like I've suggested we climb in the empty barrels and go white water rafting! That would be insane...although...maybe sommmmeeeday...although...no. Nevermind. I stray from the mater at hand. This will be fine and fun! I promise!"

"How can you be sure that the barrel lid is going to work the same way as a 'wakeboard'?" Merenith asked, folding her arms.

"I don't, silly. That's part of the fun. Really, Mer. You're kind of off your game today! Stop being a worry wart! It'll be great!"

"And I suppose this is all in the name of 'reclaiming our sense of adventure and fun'? And that it's all for your good health?"

"Ohhh, that's a good one! Exactly! I need make sure I don't succumb to the clutches of dank dark depression like my sister so fears, so it would be better to get out and be in the great outdoors enjoying the world around me instead of jumping at shadows inside." She paused to causally clear her throat. "And more specifically, get away from certain members of my family." Emily coughed discreetly, "It'll be easier to sell it to Medlinor spinning it that way if we get caught or someone tries to stop us...what do you think?" She finished by chewing her lip, her puppy eyes growing big as she pleaded silently with the other girl.

"You are ridiculous." Merenith laughed. "Fine. Let's do it. You had me at 'I have a great idea...' so there really wasn't any need to convince me. I was just being a turd so you would know what it's like to be me!"

Making a face at her cousin, Emily took off stealthily down the path with the modified barrel lid, closely followed by Merenith.

"Get your pony and meet me at that spot I told you to make note of when we came running by up the river path." Ordered Emily quietly as she slipped out into the hallways. "And don't forget the rope. Annnnddd...maybe grab a helmet too. We should take some precautions. Wouldn't want to be accused of being totally reckless."

When reached the place in the river that Emily had decided was perfect for trying out her grand scheme both were out of breath and terribly excited.

"How did you get that past the guards?" Merenith wanted to know as she came trotting up.

"I smiled." Emily stated offhandedly while she fussed with one of the straps. "They seemed mildly alarmed and curious, however they didn't stop me. I did however feel daerada glance at the bonds not long ago. I think he's suspicious. I'm guessing we have only a short time before someone comes to see what we are doing so hurry up!"

"I've taught you well!" giggled Merenith. "I'm so proud of you!"

Rigging a rope to the saddle and making a looped handle at the other end for Emily to hang on to, Merenith took up her position on the trail that ran along the edge of the river while Emily swam into the water and get her feet into the harness they had built for them.

"Emily...I still don't think this is going to work..."

"Shhh...you're being too much of a spoil sport. Now, lets go!"

At Emily's signal, Merenith took off racing down the path with the pony and dragging Emily through the water.

It was an epic fail.

Emily somersaulted through the water and was then dragged along with her face until she let go. Merenith, of course, laughed long and hard about this and then they tried again.

And again. And again. And again...

They tried all kinds of things and different strategies for trying to stay up, and then by sheer luck, Emily managed to get on top of the water and stayed there for about ten seconds before she discovered that there wasn't really any way to steer a round object beneath her feet and thus she spun round in a semi circle and crashed back into the water.

"Ok! It's my turn now!" Merenith announced while trotting the patient pony, Islwyn, back to were Emily had started, dragging the other back up the river as she did so.

And so they switched, and Merenith had just about as much success as Emily had.

By the end, both girls were so wet and had so much water in their ears that everything was dull and muted for them as they rode double back the palace halls. Though their appearance would have suggested otherwise, the joyous spirits of the girls were not the least bit dampened by this subsequent defeat. If anything, they laughed all the more over how funny it all was.

"I can't believe you managed to not hit that huge rock, Em!" Merenith was giggling, "You should have seen your face!"

Both burst into fits of giggling at Merenith's re-enactment of the scene, nearly causing them to tumble off the pony, which of course made them laugh all the more. Emily only sobered as they approached the bridge that lead to the gates, clinging to her cousin a little tighter and closing her eyes as they crossed.

"You're getting better with this, by the way!" Merenith commented. "Give it some more time and you'll hardly even notice heights anymore!

"I hope so. It's so darn inconvenient." Emil creaked her eyes open to see how far they were across the bridge. "Oh dear, people seem to be waiting for us...I wonder if we accidentally ditched the guards who were supposed to be watching over us 'without us knowing'."

Glorfindel and Faervel stood waiting at the gates as they appeared. The Balrog slayer looked rather curious and amused, however Faervel was as stern as ever.

"No. I don't think there was anyone with us, which is likely why Faervel looks so stern. He doesn't like not know what's going on or what I'm up to. It makes him nervous."

"Nervous! I have yet to hear of the Crown Prince to be described as nervous." Glorfindel laughed as they approached.

"No. Not nervous. Wary, yes, though one is wise if they are wary with these two." Faervel answered mildly. "And what have we been up to?"

"Mayhem and mischief!" Merenith replied. "Don't worry. It wasn't anything bad."

"That is pleasing to hear." Faervel nodded as he pivoted to walk along side them through the gates. "I hope that it will last you for a time. You will not be leaving these halls without permission for the next while, and by no means are you to go off on your own into the woods past the inner circle boundaries. I expect you to follow this order to the letter, both of you."

"Why?" Emily asked, ignoring Merenith's nudge to remain silent.

"Because it is necessary that you remain within the confines of these rules. Now if you will excuse me, there are matters I must attend to."

He turned and walked away briskly without another word.

"You had best listen to him, Emily." Glorfindel cautioned, his face betraying no hint of a joke. "He would not ask this of you without good reason."

"Fine." Emily sighed, still staring after her uncle with a mixture of annoyance and curiosity. "If I must. Come on, Mer, let's go. I need to go see Estel today too."

Meanwhile, deep in the depths of the Greenwood Great, a powerful danger stalked with such stealth, its passing was nearly entirely invisible, even to elves and their magical barriers.

AN: There you go! Hope it wasn't too awful. I'm so out of practice that it's been like trying to go for a 5km run after sitting all winter eating chips and expecting to have fantastic times! I need to work this brain muscle of mine. Hopefully my new schedule will help with that!

Take care everyone, I hope you are all doing well. Know that regardless of who you are, or if I actually know you personally or not, I pray for you often, I care a lot about you and I'm in your corner no matter what life may be throwing at you right now!