Elrond had spent much of the previous evening filling everyone in on what all had happened since they had left and he had decided to stay for a bit longer and it was a good idea he had. Even Gandalf had grown perturbed that Elladan had basically poisoned the Queen with of all things Haldir's wine.

However, it seemed to have worked out in the end and now Elladan was trying very hard to make up for his actions. He sat alone by a small fire and drank some tea and smoked on his pipe. Deep in thought. Gandalf pondered what was ahead. He knew not what they were going so far east for. Only that they would find the boon The Valar had promised. He believed it had to be a weapon that the first evil would not be able to see.

Soon Elrond joined the wizard and poured himself a cup of tea. He sat down beside him and sighed. "Tauriel is far more feminine that I expected. He eagerness to know every little detail of the ceremony was a bit unnerving. I always had this image of her being a brutal warrior. She gave my sons a run for their money when she squared off with them and now she wants to know what kind and what color of flowers where used?"

Gandalf chuckled. "She is still an Elleth no matter what clothing she wears Elrond."

Elrond sighed and drank some more of his tea. "You still have no idea what we are looking for in Cuivienen do you."

Gandalf grumbled lowly before exhaling a large whiff of smoke. "I has to be some kind of weapon that this evil can not see. I can not think of anything else. What manner of weapon or who would wield it is beyond me at this time."

"I wonder if Glorfindel has been given a sign." Elrond mused out loud. "If anyone would wield a weapon from the Valar it would be he. After all he was trained by Tulkas when he was in valinor."

Gandalf nodded thoughtfully. The two old friends went silent then as Jeven made his approach. He looked rather unrested as she joined them around the fire.

"Did you not sleep well Jeven?" Elrond asked.

He scowled and sighed. "Now she wants a ceremony when this is all over. She wants sunflowers and daisies to adorn the hall. Oh and she wants a silver and red dress." He just slumped down.

Gandalf and Elrond began to laugh. "You best give her what she wants." Elrond said softly. "Otherwise she will never let you live it down." Gandalf added.

Jeven suddenly stood up and looked out over the tree dotted hills before them. "They are coming." He said in almost a whisper . His Light eyes looked to Gandalf and Elrond. "I feel the ancients very close."

Elrond and Gandalf both rise. Jeven lifted one of his arms and points in the direction they are coming from.

Elrond asks. "Can you tell who is with them?"

"I feel Minogos and the ancients. I am sorry. I can not tell if anyone else is with them. It will be a few hours still before they arrive." Jeven said with a smile. "Do not worry just because I can not feel him does not mean he is not there. He is the mighty Glorfindel."

Juniper and Ryu sat within the confines of the carriage. Comfortable but bored. Finnola had given them the gift of a deck of cards. Ryu knew many games to play and was currently teaching Juniper the game of runs. Needing card of the same kind to line up numerically or to have all the same number. Juniper had lost every game up until this last hand. She just needed one more card.

The wagon had stopped several minutes ago but they kept playing. When the door was opened a gust of wind billowed inside and blew the cards all around. Juniper threw up her hands and screamed in frustration. Thranduil blinking a few times looking at his angry wife then to the cringing Ryu.

"She only needed one card to win." Ryu said softly.

Juniper erupted into a tangent in the very ancient language of her people. "Ele lil' vith udtila nindol shu sha'nalt ulu uns'aa. Vith vith xuil xsa ol!"

Minol who was near by began to blush. This reaction did not go unnoticed by Thranduil. He arched a brow and eyed his wife now thankful he could not understand her.

"Juniper!" Thranduil said sharply. This made her look to him wide eyed and her words fade. "We have met up with the men of Gondor. There is someone present who wishes very much to see you."

Now Junipers shocked look turned to one of surprise as she flung herself from the carriage and into Thranduil's arms. He turned as He sat her down and up on a small rise just a few yards away stood a very pregnant Arwen along side Elessar.

"ARWEN!" Juniper cried and half ran and half flew towards her dear friend. The chill of the air forgotten as her cloak fell to the ground. With Elessar's help she lowered down to throw her arms around the pixie. Juniper buried her face against Arwen's shoulder and began to cry. Thranduil was not far behind and he and the King of Gondor exchanged humored looks.

"Oh no no my sweet friend do not cry." Arwen said softly and caressed the back of Junipers head.

"I ... I ... " Juniper tried to speak but her sobs were making it difficult. Arwen pushed her gently back so she could look on her friends face and brushed golden hair back that was clinging to her wet cheeks. "I was afraid I would never see you again." She finally blurted out.

This made Arwen smile as her hands cupped Junipers cheeks. "Even the might of the King of Gondor could not keep me from coming here to see you." She said tenderly.

Elessar rolled his eyes then helped his wife rise again. "What I get no love?" He said then felt himself embraced by the crying pixie. He just lifted her up and hugged her tightly. "There there sweet fae. I promise I did not even try and keep her from coming."

Thranduil felt his heart flutter and his hand instinctively went over it. In her short time in Gondor she had made tight bonds of friendship with them both. He had gathered up her cloak and was stepping closer. "If you do not put this back on we will spend all night trying to defrost you. " Elessar set her back upon her feet and Thranduil wrapped her back within her warm cloak.

She stood there wiping tears from her eyes. "I am just so happy." Juniper said and that set off more tears.

Arwen took her cue and reached out and took Junipers hand. "I see a rather pretty dark haired girl with Legolas. That must be Lady Ryu. Come along and make the introductions." Juniper nodded and continues to wipe at her eyes with the back of her hand.

Elessar stood beside Thranduil. He watches as Juniper tried to introduce everyone. "She is still so delicate Thranduil. Are you sure she is ready for this?"

Thranduil smirked. "She appears that way doesn't she. Delicate and fragile. Yet on the way to Lasgalen we were set upon by evil creatures called Chimera. One was about a half of the size of Smaug. She killed it herself. "

Elessar turned to look at the smirking Thranduil. "I think looks are very deceiving when it comes to my wife." He said then and the smirk turned into a warm smile. "I think we better join them otherwise they will come up with some terrible fate for us later tonight."

"I need to hear about these creatures." Elessar said as they began to walk.

"Minol will fill everyone in."

Elessar looked to the demon who respectfully kept his distance. He nodded towards them making Elessar grumble. "I have a hard time trusting him."

Thranduil grinned. "Unfortunately He is thick in all of this fortunately he seems to truly be on her side. " Thranduil looked to both the Queens along with Ryu and his son.

That night the kings gathered along with the generals and Minol. Celeborn, Thranduil, Eomer, Ellesar along with the commanders of the men and orc of Lasgalen looked to Minol. With a large sigh Minol began to tell them all what he could about the Chimera.

Legolas and Elthian joined the fae and Arwen in a nice warm tent. While the relationship between Elthian, Juniper and Thranduil was rather strange to her she accepted it. Fae after all were not elves. Ryu was intrigued by the story of the Peredhil.

"So Elrond chose to remain immortal and Elros chose to be mortal?" Ryu asked.

"Yes, it is something that haunts my ada to this day. I think he never fully got over his brothers choice. Which made mine even harder on him. " Arwen said gently.

Ryu looked horrified. "You.. you chose a mortal life? Why?"

"Because I love a mortal. He will live a long life because he is a descendant of Elros but he is mortal. I do not want to live forever in valinor to never be reunited with him. " She explained.

That made Ryu gasp softly. It was both beautiful and tragic to hear such a thing. She pressed herself back against Legolas a bit harder.

"Oh my." Arwen gasped softly and rested a hand on the swell of her belly.

Juniper pulled away from Elthian and scoot herself closer to Arwen who lay on a low couch while the others had made themselves comfortable on a sea of cushions . "May I?" Juniper asked and lifted her hand towards Arwen's belly. She nodded and smiled.

Juniper had never touched another belly filled with child. Only her own. Her hand gently pressed against it. She could feel the baby moving within. While she had experienced this herself she had never felt it from this side. Besides that the miracle of life was special. "Calm down little one. I know you are eager but it is not time yet. " She said softly then her eyes widened as she felt something pressing back against her hand then withdraw and the child within calmed.

Arwen smiled. "I think he heard you."

Elrohir was entering the tent as they were leaving. He paused as they all passed and Juniper stopped to look up at him. She gave him a wink before scampering to catch up with the others. She could hear Arwens squeal of happiness at seeing her brother.

It was rather late as Elthian, Juniper, Ryu and Legolas walked through the camp of the men of Gondor. She tried to not noticed how they stared at her. Not in a hateful nor lustful way. More as if they were in awe of the small winged creature that had the glow of silver about her in the night.

They passed many small fires with men sitting around them. So many mortal lives and she knew many of them would not return. This idea hurt her heart. The scope of the loss of life was just unfathomable. She was very quiet as they finally began to enter the elvish camp. Ryu and Legolas bidding she and Elthian a good night. She smiled and waved to them. Pausing even to watch them fade into their own tent.

"What troubles you Melamin?" Elthian asked having stopped a few feet away.

"The scope of how many will die is very hard for me to accept Elthian." She turned to look back towards the camp of men. "They are mortal. It is unknown where they go when their bodies die. Do they just cease to exist all together? Is there a valinor for them?"

Elthian walked back towards her and crouched down behind her. His arms wrapped around her slight frame and he pulled her gently back against him. His voice was soft against the curve of her pointed ear. "I do not know. It is called a gift. The gift Eru gave to the men. That when they die they do not have to worry about returning to the pain the arda often brings."

She shook her head and lay her small hands against his arms. "It sounds more like cruelty. I do not understand Eru. "

Elthian rose lifting her along with him. He carried her off towards the warmth of the Royal Tent. "You should not worry yourself with these things Melamin. One thing I am sure of is that Eru is not cruel. "

They entered the warm tent and Thranduil sat waiting for them. The message he had been reading was placed on the small desk. He watched as Elthian put her down and took her cloak. The watched as she moved off toward the bed without a word. Her brows creased as he looked to Elthian. "What is wrong?"

Elthian sighed and hung her cloak up. "She is fully realizing how many lives will be lost and she is troubled by the fact that we do not know what happens to mortals when their bodies die."

Thranduil sighed the nodded to Elthian. He stepped closer to him and pressed his lips against Elthian's. Tenderly kissing him. " I will see you in the morning Melamin. I believe tonight she and I should talk. "

Elthian smiled . "Good luck with that." Before he turned and left the tent.

Thranduil stood there for for a moment before turning his attention back towards the screened off part of the tent. He made his way slowly towards it . Stepping around to see her curled up with her back to him. His robe discarded over the back of a chair. She felt the shift of the bed as he crawled beside her and the heat of his body as it settled in behind her.

A powerful arm slides over her side and His pressed a kiss to her shoulder. "I know you do not want anyone to die. I know deep within you is this instinct to save everyone."

She did not move. She was completely still but for each deep breath she took.

"The truth is that we do not know what happens to men. Even the men do not know. I do not for a second believe that they are just simply cast into nothing. They are children of Eru. His plan for them is his to know. That being said I am sure whatever ultimate fate they have must be wonderful Juniper. Otherwise Eru would not have created them."

She finally wiggled around and looked up to him. Her lavender eyes were wet with her tears. "It all makes me feel helpless Thranduil. I know I can not save them all. Nor can I save all of our own . Elf, man or orc. I can give them all hope for their children." She said softly. "It just saddens me to think of their fea just being lost. They not having a second chance."

He chuckled. "Who says they don't? We just do not know. Where they go. " He leaned down and kissed her tenderly. Then whispered against her lips. "You are beautiful Juniper. Inside and out. I have never met a spirit so truly pure. We will fight. All of us together for the future you want for them all."

She nodded gently. Thranduil kissed her once more. "Now lets try and rest. We must be up and ready before the first light. "

They stood along the rise. Elrond, Gandalf, Jeven and Tauriel. They watched as the others approached. The ancients riding in first . Followed by Glorfindel and finally Minogos and Bynsarda.

The ancient elf was expecting to see this female battered and sickly yet she looked perfectly healthy. Glorfindel hurried to Elrond and grinned to his Lord. "I am glad to see you made it." Elrond said to him.

Glorfindel rolled his eyes and hugged Elrond. "Surely you jest me Lord." He released the shocked looking Elrond and held his shoulders. "I am Glorfindel after all." Now Glorfindel's grin widened.

Now the attention was placed on Minogos and Bynsarda. He lead his busty redhead towards everyone else. Tauriel was the first to realize that she was not human. She spoke to Jeven in a hushed tone. "She is half elven."

Minogos now made the introductions. "This is Elrond Lord of Imlaudris."

Elrond reached out and took her hand. He now new she was indeed half elven like himself. "Must say I am surprised to be meeting a Peredhel. However, it is a pleasant surprise." He nodded to her then smiled.

"You mean like yourself Lord Elrond?" She said with a smile.

Minogos now turned towards Gandalf. "This is the wizard Gandalf."

"It is lovely to meet you my dear." Gandalf said as he laid on as much charm as he could.

"A wizard? Well this is a pleasure." She said back echoing his charm.

When she laid eyes on the Avantai It was Bynsarda who spoke first. "Ol zhah bwael ulu thalra dos Avanati f'sarn Bynsarda."

Everyone looked surprised including Jeven and Minogos.

Jeven just grinned. "Al tha Bynsarda. Nindol zhah ussta ranndi Tauriel."

Now Tauriel had been learning her husbands language for sometime. She was not comfortable enough to speak it but she understood she was being introduced.

She reached out and grasped Bynsarda's forearm. "It is very nice to meet you."

Glorfindel grumbled and clapped his hands together. " Well that's great we all know each other now. What's to eat? I am starving." He turned and walked towards the fire to see the 2 ancients already eating.

"Rabbit." Hiroc answered.

"Hey that's for everyone." Tauriel protested as she quickly spun around Jeven following her towards the fires.

Minogos stayed behind with Bynsarda and spoke with Elrond and Gandalf. "She has important information. It must be relayed to Thranduil. "

Gandalf smiled. " I will be happy to hear it . For I know the way to get it to him."

Elrond arched a brow and looked to the wizard.

She shrugged. "Well I guess telling a Wizard will be alright."

Melkor stared into his palantir. What he saw made him smirk. "So the Elven King makes his move. He has joined with the men of Gondor and the Men of Rohan." He turned to his mightiest general. The most powerful orc he ever created. "Send the first wave to meet them on the road Grish Kragor and have my sword summoned to me."

"Akh izub Goth." Grish Kragor responded before leaving his Lords chambers. His calls echoing in the halls. "Rum koh u azat ukh azat ha shara ha golog aaps (Move it's time to kill go kill eat men eat elf meat)"