Dearest Readers,

Two more chapters (after this one) until this part of the story is finished. What a ride. And Persephone's journey in Middle Earth is only getting started! I hope you like her interactions with Aragorn, even if she has no clue what his actual name is.

Stay tuned for more Glorfindel. Don't worry, he will show up one of these chapters... ;)

XOXO Ally Layne

Do Not Go Gentle

Chapter 45: A Man of Many Names

The next thing I remember, I was leaning back against a large, warm body while riding a horse. Not the most usual place I would think about waking up, but I don't think that I had anything to do with this current predicament.

"Ah, so she awakes," the deep voice chuckled behind me. I felt his chest move with every breath he took, and something about it just didn't seem right.

The next thing I remembered after that, was just exactly how I winded up into this mess. The assholes trying to kill Tira. Strider showing up all rugged and Ranger-like. Tig being a dipshit who should've been killed. The bloody aftermath of my rage. So it goes.

I looked around to see were amongst a large, hilly valley with rolling green fields. There were small rock formations along the slopes of the hills, which made for interesting scenery.

The horse in a trot was jarring my aching head, but I couldn't complain. It was better than being forced to walk.

Wait, if I'm on a horse-

"Where are we?" I asked, my voice sounding like someone who had just woken up from death.

That chuckle sounded again. "We are on our way back to Imladris."

Just the two of us. No one else. Where did the others go? Where did Tira go? Is she okay? Is she still alive?

Strider seemed to pick up on my growing anxiety. "Do not worry for the others, they are being taken care of by an entire squadron of my Rangers." I felt my body relax. "They will be given a proper escort to their homes and after a long fight with the young woman named Irene, they will all be allowed to send messages to Imladris to check up on your health."

I balked. "What?"

He chuckled yet again. I wondered if I was just some sort of amusement for him, which is why he chose to stick around. "You saved their lives, Lady Persephone. They know that, and I know that. It is logical for them to want to make sure you are well."

I let out a sigh but felt slightly confused as to why the pain wasn't as bad as it should be. My ribs... I could have sworn they were broken. I immediately placed a hand along the caged bones and hissed when I pushed too hard on a few.

"Careful, I would not like it if you undid all the work I did earlier," Strider chastened, then slowed the horse to a stop in the middle of a valley. He helped me off, much to my annoyance, I am the daughter of the god of horses for crying out loud, but when my feet hit the ground I nearly fell at the weight on my legs.

"Easy," he reminded me, as he guided me over to a stray rock from the hilly fields.

The horse walked further away to go graze the fields but seemed to be relatively in-tune with its rider. I didn't need to be listening in on the horse's thoughts or emotions to know that there was a good bond between the two, proving to me that Strider must be a decent person.

There are so few of those, it was starting to bother me.

"Do you know who told the men about you?" Strider then asked as he knelt down in front of me with a familiar bag in hand. "You were not surprised to hear what Tig spoke of to you." It wasn't a question, but a statement.

I nodded anyway, before placing my hands to my temples to try and avoid the wicked backlash of my movements. "Have you ever heard of Lady Mirwen in Imladris?"

His eyebrows furrowed. "I grew up in Imladris, Lady Persephone. She was there, indeed."

"So you know how much of a bitch she is?"

Strider let out a sigh. "I would never speak of a female like that, but as I also pride myself as being an honest man, I must agree."

"She's definitely the one who put that hit out for me," I told him, watching as he dug in his back and pulled out a clean roll of bandages, some swabs of cloth, and some weird green paste that I was so hoping was not meant for me.

"How do you know?"

I gave him one of my "looks" and said, "Have you spoken with her? She also happens to have the hots for Glorfindel, and is not pleased with the thing that has been going on between us."

He looked up from where he was diligently mixing the paste. "What is going on between you and Lord Glorfindel?"

I blinked. "Uh... I think we're dating?"

"Dating?"

"You know, courting?"

His eyebrows shot up. "With the intent for marriage?"

"Who said anything about marriage?" My voice came out in a shrill squeal.

Strider smiled kindly. "No one, but that is normally what happens when two people are courting each other."

I held my hands up. "Well, it's not like anything's official, so..."

He nodded in understanding but the grin he wore made me want to smack him to the next world over.

"May I lift your shirt, Lady Persephone?"

I looked down at him mockingly. "Strider, you dog. Why don't you take me out for dinner, first? "

I swear the Ranger rolled his eyes, muttering something in elvish. "Had Lord Elrond not warned me of your language oddities, I would not have believed someone could speak like you. Especially one as popular as you seem to be."

I snorted. "Whatever. And yes, you can lift my shirt."

He nodded, and carefully rolled up the shirt so as not to pass the breast bindings I wore. They looked like they were re-done, and I so hoped it wasn't him who did it.

"I apologize if I overstepped with your bindings, but it provided support with your ribs. I had Irene assist me, however," he spoke, obviously having an affinity for reading minds. "I did not see anything more than what a healer should have."

"You're a healer?" I asked, looking down at him in my surprise.

He nodded.

"You saw my scars?"

He nodded again. "And I will not ask about them if you do not want me to."

I shot him a look of thanks, but remained silent.

He quickly started unwrapping a small portion that was separate from the breast binding, and then prodded the wound on my side that looked to already be nearly healed. "It is interesting how quickly your body is able to heal when in contact with a water source," he told me. "Especially considering how long you were unconscious for."

"And just how long was I unconscious?"

Strider placed the gross-looking cream on the wound and re-wrapped it firmly before answering. "Five days, though I deemed you healed enough for travel as of two days."

I nodded, thinking about where we might be. "You've been lugging me around for two days?"

He grinned. "Lord Elrond urged for us to make haste. It would be far safer for you to remain within his borders, and we should make it back to Imladris before Lord Glorfindel." Strider then reached in his bag to grab more wrap. "Luckily for me, you seem to be a natural rider as you can stay astride a horse with little help even in your sleep. Although, I would expect as much from the daughter of the god of horses."

I blinked. "How do you know that?"

He smiled. "It was luck that the day you went missing was the day I went to Imladris to meet with Lord Elrond about recent occurrences in the case regarding Trafficking Peoples. However, when I came upon Lord Elrohir who was bleeding out, I rushed him to the healing halls myself."

I thought about my dear friend who may very well be dead and immediately felt horrified that I hadn't thought about it before. "Is... Is Elrohir-"

"His father healed him as soon as we reached the healing halls. He is fine," He placated my worry. "You should be happy to know that by the time I left Imladris, he was already worried about you. Many of those you have become friends with are worried, as well."

I pursed my lips. "I shouldn't have gotten caught," I told him. "I don't get how something so... mortal could happen to me."

Strider's head tilted. "Are you immortal?"

"No," I admitted, "But that does not change that I have a god for a father and godly blood runs in my veins. I've successfully dealt with more than what those humans were able to do."

He started to unwrap my ribs, just underneath where my breast bindings were placed. "Do you feel any pain?" He asked. I shook my head, taking a deep breath and then feeling a slight tinge of strain. "No? Then what did you just feel?"

"Nothing," I muttered. He looked up at me knowingly. "Okay, fine. Just a little bit of pain but nothing bad, just like a little cramp in my ribs."

He started to re-wrap my ribs with quick and efficient movements. What kind of healer could shoot a bow like he did? What kind of Ranger was a well-practiced healer? Especially at his age?

The more time I spent with this Strider, the more questions come to mind.

He let out a sigh. "I will wrap this just for the ride back to Imladris, but I would like Lord Elrond to check you when we get there."

"I bet he'd drug me just to make sure I was okay if I didn't," I grumpily told him, crossing my arms when he finished and I tugged my tunic back down heatedly.

"If I doubted before that you are a ward of Lord Elrond, then now I know the truth."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"He is very protective over those he cares about," Strider said with a twinkle in his mind. "I would know."

I let out a sigh. "One of these days I'm going to get a straight answer out of you," I told him. "But to be fair, if I doubted you've spent time in Imladris before, I would know the truth after how vaguely you talk about everything."

He stood up and held out his arm for me to take. "Understood. You would be correct, to that reference as I was once a ward of Elrond myself."

I grabbed his arm. "Wait, what? But you are basically the same age as me! How would I have not seen you before?"

He let out a hum. "A few years separate us in both respects, Lady Persephone." We reached his horse, which had happily trotted it's way back to us after Strider sounded a clicking noise with his tongue. "Now, do I need to help you back on the horse, or can you-"

I took my hand off his arm and immediately moved from his side to hop on the back of the dark grey horse that was obviously built more like the horses the elves use for long distance.

"Understood again, my Lady. We should reach Imladris by nightfall if we continue to make good time."

I grinned as he hoisted himself up behind me. "Perfect. I've never been a fan of camping out anyway."

A laugh huffed out from his chest, which placed a smile on my face. I was almost home.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Darkness was starting to crawl along the skies when Strider and I were close enough to hear the waterfalls off the cliffs of Imladris, and I felt a knot form in my chest. I really hoped they didn't blame me for going and getting captured.

Well, I knew Arwen wouldn't, and the boys would be worried out of their minds- but I knew Varis would be mad and Alma probably would quickly follow. Gerda, on the other hand, would most likely be the one to slap me silly for worrying her. It's the quiet ones you've gotta look out for.

"You seem nervous," Strider's voice cut through my thoughts. "You should not be. They will be thankful to see you returned."

I swallowed before nodding to myself. He was right, it was all going to be fine. They were my friends, so even if they might be a little angry, they care about me so it will be okay.

Strider's horse, who was relatively silent to me during the trip, brought us along the cobblestone path, where we were led to the outsides of my home that were entirely lit up with torches. They knew we were coming.

"Persie!"

There were a bunch of blurs heading my way, and before Strider could call out a warning I was yanked from the saddle and taken into my friend's arms.

I saw Alma's blonde curls, Arwen's dark locks, Varis's fiery red hair, and I smiled when I saw Gerda standing in her position off to the side. So, not to make her feel uninvited to this lovefest, I opened my arm out for her to join the group hug.

I was home. I was home.

As soon as they eased up, Alma pulled away from me to look into my eyes angrily. "You will never do that to us again!"

I felt a short punch to the side, and winced when it made the slight pain in my ribs flare up. "If you do that again, I will cut off your hair!" Varis warned me as she crossed her arms fiercely.

I held my arms up in surrender. "I will do my best to not get taken hostage and nearly sold into a slave market ever again."

Arwen winced. "Estel told Ada about the trafficking, and I had hoped he was wrong," the Evenstar admitted, before pulling me into another embrace. "I am so joyous now you have returned."

She might not have been bouncing off the walls in glee, but she wasn't some human woman. She was an elven Lady, and having her show this kind of affection in public was not to take lightly. Her eyes twinkled like the stars in the skies, and I knew she was just as happy as she claimed.

"Who's Estel?" I asked, not having recognized the name.

Arwen's eyes widened.

"You do not know who Estel is?" A voice coming from in front of us asked, and I looked up to see Elladan and Elrohir looking both healthy and happy. I ran around Arwen and Gerda to jump into their waiting arms, ignoring the twinge of pain it caused.

"I am so happy to see you guys are okay!" I exclaimed, pulling a part to get a good look at them. There weren't any visible ailments, and they were okay enough to take me running into their arms well enough so I had hope.

"We are so grateful to see you both happy and alive, Neneth," Aldarian spoke as he waltzed up from behind the two elves. I immediately moved from the twins to Aldarian, hopping into an embrace of our own.

"Thank you for bringing her back to us, Estel," Lord Elrond's voice broke through my haze of excitement. "Once again, you prove to be a true gift to our house."

I looked up to see Lord Elrond with his hand clasped on Strider's shoulder. Talking to Strider- who is also Estel?

"Just how many names do you have, Estel?" I asked, looking to my new friend with what I hoped was an intimidating gaze. "And why didn't you tell me you knew them all so well?"

Strid-well, Estel's lips tugged upward. "You never asked."

I rolled my eyes. "You're basically another elf. You really grew up here?"

He nodded with a wide grin. "I was also a ward of Lord Elrond."

I walked up to him with a quirky smile. "So we're ward buddies, huh?"

Estel turned over to Lord Elrond with a begging look. "You will get familiar to her... eccentric speech patterns."

I rolled my eyes again, this time directed to the Lord of Imladris himself. "You definitely missed me, Elrond. Admit it."

Before I could register it, Elrond moved over and took me into his arms in a fatherly embrace. I smothered my head into his chest as I felt tears come to my eyes.

"I am very grateful to have you back here, Persephone," he spoke over my head. "I missed your lively presence in my halls very much."

I pulled away to look up at him, sniffling and wiping the tears that escaped my eyes as I did so. "I missed it here, too. I missed my home." Elrond nodded, and grasped my shoulder strongly. "Lord Glorfindel should arrive on the morrow."

I felt my spirit immediately ignite full of happiness. I was going to see him again.

Estel smiled kindly at my side. "He was quite worried about your disappearance, Lady Persephone."

I waved a hand. "Estel, please, you've seen my boobs so I think you can call me Persie."

Arwen's eyes snapped to Estel's, which widened dramatically.

I let out a little snicker.

"I-I, Lady Persephone, I am a healer, and I had to heal you."

I grinned with a light smack to his shoulder, and leaned closer to him to whisper into his ear. "Seems like our friend Arwen didn't know that."

My new friend, who was rather stoic for a mortal, started to blush. "We-"

I shook my head. "Time and place, Estel. Time and place."

"Are none of us going to tell her we thought she was dead?" Varis's voice cut through the jubilant mood.

I paused. "What?"

Varis crossed her arms again. "We thought you were killed, Persie. There was a burnt woman with your mother's ring and partially burnt cloak and your hair color that was sent to the front steps of Imladris late at night."

A frown fell onto my lips. "Those bastards." Another pause. "That bitch!"

Before I could storm over and find that little scheming bitch for myself, I was immediately held back by Estel, who quickly let go due to receiving a jet of water to his face. I danced around Elladan and Elrohir and avoided Aldarian trying to wrap his arms around me in a tackle.

"Persephone, halt!"

I whirled around at the sound of Elrond's order.

He narrowed his eyes. "You will go to the Healer's Halls and we will make sure you are adequately healed before you attempt to go on another 'adventure' of yours."

I glared at the elf who had just held me in his fatherly arms. "Elrond-"

"Guards, I need you to fetch someone for me." Elrond blatantly ignored my glare and then moved to go speak quietly with the guards, not to cause immediate panic.

My friends quickly made it to my side.

"You know who did this?" Varis was out for blood. And by the looks of it, Alma was following soon after.

I grit my teeth together as Elladan and Elrohir grabbed each of my arms in calm and soothing hands, and started to bring me to the Healing Halls. I was too tired, my head was hurting too much, and it felt like my ribs were throwing too much of a fit for me to care.

"It was Mirwen," I seethed to my friends who now had me surrounded. "She did this."