My father is getting better. Thank you to those that have taken the time to message me and thank you to those still reading even though I have slowed somewhat. I should also have some more edits done and posted this week. Again I apologize for my slow progress.
Elrond had been there to welcome Galadriel and Celeborn to the woodland realm. He stood beside Thranduil and Elrohir. As Galadriel spoke with Elrond she would ask about the absence of her Elladan and The Queen.
Elrond shook his head. "It has been a very long night My Lady. The Queen is recovering from being given some of your march wardens wine and Elladan is sitting in a cell for it."
Galadriel blinked and her lips twitched. "Well this sounds like it will be an interesting tale." She hooked her arm with Celeborn and all of them began to walk inside. "You will be leaving soon will you not Elrond?" She asked as they passed the great stone doors.
"Indeed. I will meet up with the others just past the Rhun. I believe I will take Elladan with me. " This news made Galadriel smirk a bit.
Juniper sat up in the bed. Elthian staying near her as she spent time with Orist and Melian. She was obviously feeling better but she looked worse for wear. He smiled though because she seemed the happiest when she was with her children.
"They both grow so quickly."
Elthian and Juniper both looked to the female voice drifting from the door way. It was Galadriel and Juniper simply began to beam a wide smile. "Please forgive me Lady. I must look wretched but I assure you I feel better than I look. Thranduil nor his minion.." She eyed Elthian "Will allow me to get out of the bed right now."
Galadriel slowly moved into the room Orist was on his knees beside his mother looked to Galadriel and smiles. " You pretty." He said and Juniper wrapped an arm around him . "This is the Lady of Lorien, her name is Galadriel." Juniper explained and he nodded. "You pretty." He said again which made Elthian chuckle.
Elthian rose up and walked over to scoop his son up. "Indeed my cheeky son the Lady is pretty. Now lets allow both of the pretty ladies chat . " He tossed the elfling over his shoulder and walked out of the room while tickling him and making him laugh hard. They could hear Orist laughter all the way down the hall.
On Junipers lap lay the sleeping Melian. Galadriel sat down on the edge of the bed and smiled as she looked at the child. "You will miss them greatly I know." She said softly. "It is a pity that a mother must be taken from her children to go fight a war." Her hand reached out and caress the child's cheek.
"If I do not go and this is all for naught. Then there will not be much of a home left for them in the end. As much as it hurts. I have to give them a future." Juniper said softly. Her eyes were down cast and watching her daughter sleep.
Galadriel smiled and looked on the fae. "I wish I could tell you that there will be victory. When I look to the future all I see is clouded. Yet I sense no fear of the future in you. Why is that?"
Juniper looked up and locked eyes with Galadriel. "I believe Minol. For better or worse. Despite all the bad he has done. Deep down his intentions were in the right place. I will have the future he promised me . Even if I have to fight for it. The only thing that gives me concern is those I may loose along the way. "
'Still she wants to save everyone.' Galadriel thought. She looking deeply into the very essence of the fae. Her light had never waivered. Yet now she understood the realities of war. "I believe that we will see those we have lost again. Have heart little fae."
Elladan sat in his cell. Upon the hard stone bed. His back to the rough wall. His knees drawn up . He lay his head upon them and waited. His thoughts drifting to the folly that lead him here. They were all right. He should have known better.
"The Queen is on the mend and she is now attended by The Lady of Light."
Elladan looked to the cell door. His adar stood there looking at him. "That is wonderful news." He said with relief in his voice. His head lowered down . He felt nothing but shame and remorse for what had happened.
"What will my punishment be ada? I deserve whatever the King sees to do. I know this." He said without even looking up. Elrond had never seen his son behave like this. Usually he was defiant and somewhat mouthy.
"Thranduil has decided you will leave with me in the morning. " Elrond said trying not to smile.
"I will go to the east with you? I am supposed to lead the.." Elrond cut him off.
"You will go to the east with me. I have taken your rank away. This is my punishment for you. What you did was foolish . Even if she asked for the wine. You should have offered her something else. You are no elfling Elladan. You know even adult human men have trouble with Haldir's brew. You disappoint me. So you will go east with me and redeem yourself in my eyes at least." Elrond laid down the law to his son.
Elladan looked to him with wide eyes. Then lowered them. "Yes ada." Was all he could say.
"I love you. " Elrond continued. "You are very lucky that Thranduil did not demand your death. He is against kin slaying. You should be grateful for that. Juniper is the Queen. Let that sink in Elladan. You effectively poisoned the Queen. I hope this lesson will wisen you ion nin." He sighed then. "You will spend the night in this cell and in the morning I will collect you. "
"Yes ada." Elladan spoke softly. His time spent in the cell that night would be spent in reflection and meditation. He had much to make up for.
Galion had noticed a change in Minol over the last few days . He was not his usual incorrigible self . He was no longer the smart aleck trickster. Now he was broody and solemn. It worried Galion. He had grown to love this demon.
He walked closer to Minol. A goblet in his hand. He offered it out to his handsome lover. "It is one of your vintages. I believe its the one from the far south." He said with a gentle smile. Minol reached out and took it, then wrapped his hand around Galion's wrist and pulled him to his lap.
"I sense worry from you. It is because of me. Why do you worry so much over me?" Minol spoke in a whisper against Galion's temple before he pressed a kiss to it.
Galion had become accustomed to Minol's often brute behavior. He sat upon his lap and leaned against his chest. "Do you really not know? I have told you before. Everything I do when I am with you is because of it. I love you. "
Minol took a sip of wine then held the goblet to Galion's lips and tilted it just enough so the elf could have a sip. "I have told you before loving me is dangerous Galion and I am afraid you will be hurt by this love. Strangely enough. I do not want you to hurt. I can not think of any other besides Juniper that I even care enough about to have concern over their pain." The goblet lowered and he sighed as his arms wrapped around Galion and he pulled him tighter against his warm body.
"You need to promise me something. I expect you to keep your word to me for if you love me so, you will do whatever it takes to keep your promise. " Minol shifted and looked into Galion's stunning eyes. "If I do not return You will not mourn thousands of years. You will not fade. You will not sail because of me. You will endure and find love again. You will live and continue to bless with world with your light."
"You will return." Galion said firmly.
"Promise me." Minol said lowly.
"You will return to me."
Minol growled. The goblet dropped to the floor and his hands began to grip painfully into Galion's flesh. "You will promise me now." His hand slides up Galion's spine and into his hair. His long slender finger glide through the silken tresses to find purchase near his scalp. He pulled roughly at it.
Galion suddenly felt his heart racing. His body tingled and his eyes locked on Minols. The purple bleeding from them . "I promise." He said with quivering lips that Minol took in a rough kiss.
Before Galion knew it he was pressed down against the couch . Crushed against Minol. His robes being shredded by Minols powerful hands. Leaving bits of his pale flesh peeking from the ripped fabric.
Minol was overwhelmed by emotion. All this talk of love . Love which he returned. Love which he had longed for and much to his surprise, needed. It was coming from this pretty ellon. Not even one of particular power or status. For the most part Galion was just simple. Yet he loved him with a furious passion and soon he would have to leave him behind.
It was cruel how this fate had worked. Very cruel. Galion was a wrench in the cogs of his plans. Something he had not seen coming. Oh he wanted to consume him completely. His body and fea. He wanted to have it all to himself . To touch this elf's essence and make it part of himself. His own spirit screamed for it.
His leggings pushed away in the chaos of the moment. His tongue delving deep between Galion's perfect lips. He would ravage him tonight. Galion wrapped his legs around Minol. His soft shapely thighs pressing against him. He trembled from his core feeling the need and desire pouring from Galion's fea.
His hands trailed along the silken flesh of those thighs. Feeling the muscles under them tense. His fingers touch something cold that lay upon the couch. The vial having fallen from one of Galion's torn pockets. He forced himself away from the kiss and pushed himself up on one arm. Leaving Galion panting and whimpering beneath him.
Galion had taken to always having some of this oil on him. Being as one never knew when the mood would strike Minol. He felt it best to be prepared. His thumb pushed the cork from the opening. The scent of mint wafts from the vial. This was going to be interesting Minol thought as he drizzled the oil down over Galion's thighs and his own erection. The vial dropped to the floor, Galion moaned as Minol's fingers smoothed the oil down his thighs then between the tightness of his backside and finding the spot that made Galion nearly come undone.
His fingers sliding within and Galion arches against it. His pretty lips parted with his cries. The cool tingle from the oil only adding to sensations. Minol's lips lowered to Galion's again. Taking them roughly as his fingers slide deep and almost come free. Each stroke of them making him more and more eager for Minol. Finally those fingers slip free and press over Galion erect flesh stroking it . Minol did not release that kiss. Even as Galion began to tremble and right as Galion was nearing his completion Minol entered him with a swift thrust . The kiss broken then as Galion arched once more and cried out .
He craddled Galion to him. His powerful body rocking with each thrust. He growled lowly against Galion's pointed ear. His hot breath washing over the flesh. "I do love you." He whispered several times. His spirit clawing against his flesh wanting to touch Galion's. To consume him to united with him. To be one with him.
Galion's hands cling to Minol's tunic. His legs shaking against his sides and his heels dig into Minol's back. Then it became a brutal race to a sea of pleasure. For just an instant Minol felt Galion's fea. It was glorious and beautiful. A light like no other he had ever seen. He growled as His release came hard upon him and he was able to pull his own spirit back from it. Not allowing it to mingle with Galion's.
His sweet beautiful elf lay quivering beneath him. His legs having fallen away from around him. He still cradled Galion to him. "I'm sorry." Minol began to cry . His tears falling into Galion's chestnut hair. "I can not do it ellon nin. I can not do that to you."
In the haze of the pleasure Galion began to understand. It was because of that deep love Minol had for him that he could not bond. He could not pass that darkness onto Galion for he had seen it. He could not risk Galion being sundered. "I will keep my promise." He whispered back to Minol. His arms wrapping around the demon. Holding him tightly.
The night passed and the dawn was near. Elrond and Elladan left quietly. Juniper, Celeborn, Galadriel and Thranduil saw them off. Elladan appologized profusly to Juniper and Thranduil. He thanked them for having mercy on him as well. Juniper being who she is hugged him and told him she forgave him. Thranduil seem indifferent. He was not so easy to forgive.
As they disappeared in the dim dawn she turned to cling to Thranduil. His arms wrapped around her. "We must prepare to depart as well Melamin. We leave for Lasgalen on the morrow."
Galadriel looked to Thranduil. Her mind reaching out to his. ' She must be strong. Prepare her as best you can less she falter.' He turned to regard her. His icy unblinking eyes boring deep into her. So much so she began to feel uncomfortable and pulled away. Celeborn sensing her unease wrapped and arm around her and lead her away.
'How dare she doubt Juniper.' He thought as he watched them walking away.
"Take me for a walk in the forest." Juniper spoke as she lifted her head to look up at him. "I feel better now. I just want to be in our forest . I will miss it. "
He smiled and lifted her up into his arms and kissed her firmly . His hand cradles her small head and he sighs. "I think I can do better than a mere walk." He turned them and carried her off towards the stable. "Elthian go get a warm cloak and several warm blankets and bring them to the spring. We will all spend some time there today. I am sure Galion can handle the rest of the packing."
Elthian stepped from the shadows. He was smiling as he tipped his head slightly. "Yes my lord." He responded and hurried away.
" I would love a day at the spring." She sighed and lay her head on his shoulder. Thranduil was happy to give her this time in her home. In the place she loved.
Ryu suddenly sat up in the bed. Wide awake her heart beating fast and hard. She had a dream. One that had disturbed her yet now she could not recall it. She gasped when a warm soft hand passed down her back slowly. Gone were most of her scars. A blessing given to her by her sister. She turned her head and her dark deep eyes looked to Legolas.
He pulled her back down and pressed against her . His arm around her holding her tightly. She felt safe with him and a love many times the intensity of what she had felt before. He kissed along the gentle curve of her shoulder to her neck then her ear. "What has you so troubled?" He whispered. She shook her head and turned in his embrace to face him. Her forehead against his. Her eyes closed.
"It was a dream that I can not remember now." She said softly and kissed the tip of his nose.
Legolas smiled to her. His hand moved to rest on the curve of her hip. "Perhaps it was nothing since you can not remember it." She nodded and snuggled in against him. "Perhaps." Her words whispered to him. Though for some reason she doubted that it was just a dream.
Gandalf, Jeven, Tauriel and Hannibal stayed a few days with the people of the devastated town. They had begun treating the injured and sick. They also taught the survivors how to continue the treatment on the road. The children that remained became attached to Hannibal who was like a magnet for them.
Tauriel watched him as he distracted a group of them with stories. A small girl fell asleep in his lap and he simply covered her and let her sleep. Gandalf approached her and stood beside her . She looked to him and smiled . "Hannibal while large and imposing has a soft spot for children. His gentle nature draws them to him. "
She nodded softly and shifted her eyes back to the scene. "I would have never guessed that children would flock to him. "
Gandalf hummed gently to her words. "Jeven is proving to be quite the healer. Elrond would be impressed. The Avanati healing techniques should be learned by him. He has saved many lives since we have been here."
Now Tauriel just beamed with pride. Then sighed and looked to the children once more. "I do worry for them Gandalf. It is a long way to Lasgalen. Yet they must go. There is no hope left here."
"Lasgalen I suspect will soon swell with people like these. People escaping the doom and destruction that will come. War is terrible. It is my hope that this war will bring a long peace. While the original evil's influence will always be present, it unfortunately woven into the fabric of the world. A long peace is what the arda needs to heal and hopefully any wars that come later will not be so devastating." Gandalf trailed off.
Tauriel soaked up every word he spoke.
The children began to laugh and clap their hands. Their sweet voices begging for another story. Hannibal laughed merrily and motioned with his hands. "Alright, one more then all of you most get some sleep." He said in his deep voice.
"The hope for the future lies with those children. All the children Gandalf. Human or otherwise. Without children being taught the ways of peace, understanding, community and love there is no hope for the future." Tauriel spoke softly. "It is so sad that all they have known is struggle and darkness. Now I have hope for them."
Gandalf grinned. Even being young for an elf. She understood what the future needed.
"I hope I am still around to see this new future. " She said with a bit of melancholy to her tone.
"I think you will be." Gandalf said softly.
They turned to see Jeven approaching. "Gandalf the leader of these people wishes to speak with you." He paused to see the sight they were looking at and a wide toothy smile formed on his lips.
"Excuse me." He dipped his head to Tauriel and turned and left. Leaving Tauriel with her husband.
Jeven wrapped his arms around her middle and rested his chin upon her shoulder. "What are you thinking?" He asked in a whisper.
"I am thinking about our future. I want children Jeven. I want many children. They don't all have to be ours. I do not care of they are human or otherwise. Look at them all with Hannibal. How could you not want that?" She answered with a dreamy smile on her lips.
He lifted his head and looked on the scene. "I do want that. " His hands drifted down and rested over her belly. "As soon as we are home lets start trying. Lets have many babies. If the need is there for someone to take care of a child lets be the ones that do it. My people do not frown upon large families."
Tauriel smiled lay her hands over his. "Then that is our plan for the future."
Gandalf's talk with the leader was important. They planned to leave the next morning as did Gandalf's party. Though their ways would part. Gandalf drew him a detailed map. Explained the distance they would travel. He also have him letters to give to the elves in Lasgalen. While he did not believe they would be turned away without them. The letters would make it much easier for them to get settled.
"Stay to the path I have shown you. You should not encounter strife." He told the leader.
The grizzled looking man nodded. "We will do as you say Wizard. I can not thank you enough for what you have all done for us. Now there is hope where there was none. "
That night Elladan and Elrond lay looking up at the stars. The elves had a special connection with the stars. They had a calming effect upon them. Elladan spoke softly. " Ada what will we find in the east? What are we looking for?"
Elrond smiled a bit. "The boon the Valar promised. Though I am unsure of what that is. We are going to Cuivienen. The first city of the elves. Long abandoned. It was a port on a sea that no longer exists."
"That's right. I remember the stories now. The elves were called to the west. The long journey. How is it the Helcar sea no longer exists?" Elladan asked.
Elrond shrugged gently. "I do not know. What I do know is that the world has changed over the course of time. There are mountains now where there were none. Rivers that have changed course or dried up altogether. Things change over time. Much has changed since I was a child. Even myself over the course of my long years. Personal change is good Elladan. Growing and learning. Always strive to be better ion nin. Otherwise your life means little."
Elladan looked to his father. Letting what he said sink in. His eyes shifted back to the stars. The events of the last few days had cast a bad light upon himself. Showing his flaws and weaknesses. "I will strive to be better Ada. I do not wish to be the elf I appear to be. "
"It is easy to say that ion nin. It is even harder to life up to those words. " Elrond said softly.
