Happy Holidays my wonderful readers. My muse has been strong with me the last few days. Well that and I actually had plenty of time to just write. I hope you enjoy this next chapter. With luck over the next few days I will have another ready for you.
Elladan and Kree were getting closer to their goal. The tracks were more fresh. They topped a hill and in the distance below they could see the dark mass of the army against the light colored terrain. Kree gasped and her jaw slackened.
"It is not the largest army ever created but it is still impressive." Elladan said to her and watched her reaction.
"Not the biggest?" She said in disbelief and looked to him. "I would have hated to see the biggest."
He just grinned at her and leaned over kissing her softly. "You're quite cute when you are surprised."
She wrinkled her nose at him and watched the mass move and the dust it kicked up blow in the wind. Elladan looked back at the army and sighed. "Well your westron is getting better the more you use it. That will make it easier for you to communicate. Most of my troops speak it. I would like it if you stayed with me. "
"You think I would wander off and join someone else?" She asked amused.
"I was hoping not." He felt himself grinning even more.
Kree went silent and stared into nothingness. Elladan had seen his father get this same look when he was having a vision. "Kree what do you see?" He asked gently.
"I see a large round stone. It is dark but inside it swirls like it is alive. In certain light it resembles a cat's eye jewel. It is in the hands of a woman. She hates this stone, but she must endure it and the evil within. There is a smaller one. It is surrounded in gold. It is like the larger one. It is a very pretty cat's eye. There is evil in these stones. She has given it to a female elf. "
Elladan feels his stomach drop and a wave of fear wash over him. "What else to do see?"
"This elf. She is in a tent surrounded by injured people and elves. She doesn't know the evil she possesses. It sneaks into her dreams it..." Kree gasps and looses the vision. Her eyes begin to fill with tears. "We must hurry."
Elladan nods and they begins to ride hard towards the army in the distance.
It was when the army had finally stopped for the day and was setting up camp when Elladan and Kree finally caught up. They were stopped by mounted guards but only long enough for them to see it was Elladan. He rode into the camp and found the banners of Imlaudris. The elves there were surprised to see him. He and Kree dismount and the horses are taken to be tended to.
He and Kree moved through the camp to Elrohir's tent. The guards outside looked wide eyed as Elladan pushed past them and drug Kree inside with him.
Elrohir was in conversation with his captains . He stood up as Elladan entered and gasped. "Gwador! Where is Ada? Why are you here?"
"I am sure Ada is fine. I do not have time to explain. Where are the healing tents?" He asked a very confused looking Elrohir.
Elladan burst from the tent . His hand holding Kree's tightly . She moved right along with him. Elrohir following them . His questions were never ending . Elladan continued to wave him off. Finally Elrohir grabbed Elladan by the shoulder and forced him to stop by pulling back hard and almost putting him on his backside.
"At least tell me who this is." He said as Elladan spun around to see his brother holding a hand out towards Kree.
Elladan rolled his eyes. " Kree , Elrohir, Elrohir Kree there introductions made. Come on Kree."
Elrohir watched his brothers back for a few seconds as he quickly moved through the camp with his elleth no wait she was peredhel. 'Peredhel!' he thought and blinked running to catch up. "Gwador! Wait !" He barked the command then said firmly "Na hen lû orchel nin. Car-le baur rîn? (I am your superior at this time. Do you need reminded?)
Elladan stopped then. Kree saw his jaw set and he turned to look at his brother. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "If you wish to take me to task later Gwador that is fine but what I am doing is far more important." He spun around then and continued with Kree towards the healing tents. Elrohir sighed and followed.
He barged into the healing tent. There were a few injured and sick within. Kree released his hand right as Elrohir entered . Radelia turned from her task to look who entered the tent. Kree charged for her. Leaping over cots and into an aisle closing the distance so quickly Elladan had little to no time to react.
Kree thrust her hand out towards Radelia's throat, her fingers gasping the dark stone she wore. As soon as she touched the stone it self she began to scream and fell back. The necklace ripped from around Radelia's neck. A shocked Radelia stumbled and fell back against a table and fell to the floor.
Kree's mind was filled with dark visions of fire and smoke. Blood and shadow. Then a voice slid into her mind. "Who are you?" It asked her and she refused to answer. "Who are you?" It demanded and the pain in her head intensified. It felt as if a hand was squeezing her brain.
Celeborn, Thranduil and Feren had been alerted to Elladan's arrival and where he had gone. They heard the screams right as they were reaching the tent. The rushed in to see an elleth screaming as she held something in her hand. Celeborn approached and pushed his grandson away. "Silk I need heavy silk." He said loudly.
Thranduil pulled his thick robe away and handed it to Celeborn. He used it to pull the necklace from the hand of Kree. As soon as the stone left her touch she collapsed and was silent.
Feren had rushed to Radelia's side and was kneeling down to help her up. An angry bruise was forming around the back and sides of her neck. He looked to the scene behind him then to his King. His eyes then fell on Elladan. "What in the accursed pits of Angband is happening here?"
Elthian and Legolas entered the meeting tent with Juniper and Minol. Ellesar and Eomer were present as well as the orcish general Yarth and the human liaison. Juniper looked around the tent. The sight of Elladan was confusing she was about to ask where Elrond was when Thranduil approached her. He lowered into a crouch and held her hands. "We need your eyes Melamin. The woman who is with Elladan had a vision as they neared the army. She saw the palantir. Well more specific she saw it and a smaller one. She touched it when she was ripping it from Radeilia's neck." Juniper nodded understanding what he wanted from her. He rose and stood beside Juniper with her hand in his.
Juniper looked to a frightened Radelia who was flanked by Feren and Elrohir. "Radelia, I will see the truth or the lie in your words. Who gave you the necklace and were you aware of what it is?"
"It was a gift from a woman named Claressa. She is a human healer and I have been teaching her what I know of healing so she could better treat her patients. She gave me the necklace as a thank you for saving her daughter back in Lasgalen. She had fluid in her lungs and everything Claressa did was not working. I had no idea what it was. I swear to you my Queen. If I had known I would have told Feren." Radelia spoke with a quaver in her voice.
"She speaks the truth." Juniper said and let go of Thranduil's hand. Radelia was in tears as Juniper quickly walked to her and wrapped her slender arms around the elleth.
Radelia returned the embrace and began to sob on Junipers shoulder. "I am so sorry my Lady, So very sorry."
"You have no need to apologize Radelia. None at all." Juniper comforted her.
Thranduil looked to the human liaison. "Now do we have your permission to search Claressa's possessions and dwelling?"
The liaison looked shocked. The King's question shook him from his thoughts and his eyes lifted to meet the cold gaze of the King. He nodded and stammered. "Yes my King of course."
Elthian and Legolas left the tent in search of Claressa.
Elthian and Legolas arrived in the human camp with several elvish guards. Soon they were pointed in the direction of the healer Claressa. She was outside the tent she shared with several other healers. She was tended to a sick man. He was being given a tea when they approached.
"Claressa?" Legolas asked.
She looked to the two elves before her. "Yes what can I help you with?"
"We need you to come with us." Legolas said firmly.
Her eyes went wide as the elven guards just seemed to appear and entered the tent. The people inside tried to leave quickly but were detained outside.
"What is going on?" Claressa asked as she began to look nervous. Her eyes darting from Legolas to Elthian. Her body tenses and she was about to turn and try to run but two elves came up behind her . Each took an arm into their grasp. She began to struggle and demand to be let loose. Then the guards left the tent with a very heavy silken bag in one of their hands. Claressa just slumped in their grip then and began to sob.
"Please, please do not do this. Please, they will kill her." She begged and sobbed harder.
"You will explain it all to the King and the Queen." Elthian said as he was handed the heavy bag. The elves turned and began to leave the human camp with their prisoner. The Humans watching in shock and the elves could hear the whispered questions and comments as they passed. 'What has she done? Where are they taking her? This must be a mistake. Why aren't the human guards helping her? The liaison was summoned earlier. She must have done something terrible.' The comments flowed one after the other.
Claressa was lead into the meeting tent. Radelia and Kree were now gone and now all that remained were those in leadership positions. She was having a hard time standing and was placed in a chair in the center of the tent. The heavy silk bag was placed next to a small silk bag. Ellesar took over the questioning. It had been decided to have a human speak to her.
"Claressa," He began in his usual gentle tone. "Look at your Queen." He said softly and the trembling woman looked over the Juniper. "She can see lies in your words. So telling the truth is most important here. Your life depends on it."
Now her gaze shot to Ellesar's. Wide eyed and filled with fear. She nodded as tears spilled down her cheeks.
"Who gave you the seeing stones?"
Claressa's shoulders shook and she looked at her hands that gripped together and lay shaking on her lap. "My father in law. After my husband died on the road to Lasgalen he took care of us. He gave me the stones. He said I was to keep the large one hidden in my things and to give the smaller one to one of the elves. To one that would be able to hear important things. To one close to a leader." She cried more and struggled to continue.
Ellesar needed her to speak more. He crouched down and lay his hand upon hers. She looked into his eyes then and he spoke calmly. "Go on you have more to tell."
She spoke directly to him then. "I did not want to. I knew something was wrong in it. He, he was once a good man but he started to listen to the dissenters among our people. Those that did not want to give up their slaves. Those you wanted to possess the Queen and not be ruled by her. He told me that if I did not do this he would sell my daughter. He would sell her and she would go back to our home in chains. She is just 8 years old. Then he said he would kill me and none would ever know."
The Liaison spoke then. "In our culture when a woman loses her husband either the husbands father or his brothers would take the widow as one of their own wives. Unless they find a man that would be willing to pay a dowry for her and marry her. Did he take you as his wife Claressa?"
Claressa shook her head. "No he said he would find me a husband. So he just took guardianship of us. He was more interested in the dowry than having another wife. He used us more like slaves. To cook and clean. He only half heartedly looked for a husband for me."
Juniper was frowning deeply as she listened to all of this. "She tells the truth."
With that Juniper released Thranduil's hand and turned running from the tent. Thranduil looked to Elthian. "Go with her."
"I turn her over to you my King. She is yours to pass judgement on. My superior has already told me that my judgement on this matter would be fully supported by him. Now I must be excused . I am sure my people are confused and upset. They will need an explanation. When you decide her punishment if any please let me know." The Liaison said and the King excused him.
"Put her in chains and lock her in the most secure wagon we have." Thranduil said without emotion. "Until we decide what to do with her."
Ellesar nodded and rose before giving her a reassuring squeeze to her hands. She began to sob as manacles were placed around her small wrists and she was lead from the tent. He watched her go and looked to Eomer who appeared to have his foundations shaken.
"Well what do we do with her? While she committed an act most treasonous. I have to ask myself what would I do if I were in her position? In a position where every aspect of my life is dictated by another and my child is leveraged against me." Eomer said disgusted.
Minol was by the table looking at the two silk sacks that were set upon it. None really took notice of the demon while they were distracted with their discussion.
Ellesar spoke then. "I can only echo Eomer's sentiments."
Thranduil was struggling with this. Trying to put himself into the shoes of a mortal female. One with no rights or choices and one with a child to think of. The act she was guilty of would be a cause for death under any circumstances. Even with his distaste for kinslaying. This was no elf he was dealing with.
Minol was now staring most intently at the sacks. His hand reaching out to feel the hardness under the cloth of the larger one.
The orcish General spoke up with his take on it all and a proposal. "She is guilty yes. She is guilty of doing everything she could to protect her child. If we punish those who love their children so deeply then are we not evil?"
His words made those gathered looked to him in surprise. This orc spoke with wisdom and then kindness as he continued.
"Send word using a bird back to Lasgalen my King. Have the child taken and cared for. Have this man imprisoned and tried. You send the woman back to Lasgalen to care for her child. She is a healer, give her a home of her own. Give her a way to make her own way without a man lording over her."
All of those gathered looked to each other then to the Orcish General. Celeborn smiled to him. "You are far more wise than we thought Yarth. I am in agreement with your proposal."
As they all came into agreement on what to do with Claressa, Feren noticed Minol by the table his hand feeling the large stone through the silk bag. "What are you doing?" He said quickly and began to rush towards Minol who looked up and with a wave of his hand made Feren stop in his tracks and become unable to move.
"I am no traitor nor would I ever endanger the Queen so peace all of you." He released Feren then who just looked wide eyed at Minol. "I have figured out what has happened here with these stones are you not curious?"
Now he had their attention in a different way. "This smaller stone is a piece of the larger stone. You can feel where the stone was broken. " He ran his hand over the spot under the bag. "This is the reason all Claressa had to do was keep the larger one hidden away. The smaller stone Radelia wore was doing all the work. All that she saw and heard was sent to the large stone and it sent that news to his palantir. This is just one and not two that we have here."
"How did he manage to break a palantir?" Celeborn questioned and looked confused by this.
"The only one that could even dream to break a palantir would be its creator." Thranduil said as his eyes narrowed.
Minol lifted his hand and shook his head. " Peace my King. I do not believe Feanor would return from Mandos and join the thing he hates the most so he could knock just a chip off of a palantir. He who should not be named still wields Grond. I am guessing he used it to knock a chip off the stone. Even with all Grond's might it could but chip it. That is so fascinating."
Elthian had followed her outside then walked with her back to the Royal tent. She did not wish to talk about it. Instead when Elthian took a seat she crawled into his lap and just desired to be held. The curve of her pointed ear pressed to his chest and she took comfort in the familiar beat of his head and the warmth of his arms around her. He was quite happy to just hold her like this and rested his head down on the top of hers.
Thranduil would find her there. He entering the tent quietly, Elthian lifted his head to look towards Thranduil and he gave him a weak smile. Thranduil had felt her sadness but could not react to it during the meeting. He approached them slowly and watched as she cuddled against Elthian. Her eyes closed and her ear pressed to his chest. He knew what she was doing and at the moment she was lost in the calming beat.
Thranduil sighed softly as he lowered down and finally reached out to gently run the tips of his fingers along her soft cheek. Her eyes opened slowly and now she looked to him. He could see the weariness in her eyes. "Melamin, we have decided what to do with the human. Yarth was the one to come up with a plan. I have sent word using one of the hawks to Galion. Her child will be taken from her grandfather and placed with an elvish family. The grandfather will be arrested and tried. I am sending Claressa back to Lasgalen in the morning so she may take care of her child." Juniper sat up a bit and looked him deeply in the eyes.
"Yarth was right. He said if we punish her for doing everything she could to protect her child in a hopeless situation, then we are evil. I would have never thought I would learn a valuable lesson from an orc." He smiled and she pressed her cheek into the palm of his hand.
"There is comfort in your choice Melamin." She said softly but the news did little to change her mood.
"Melamin what has you so troubled?" Thranduil asked and she lay her head back against Elthian's chest.
"The weight." she said in a whisper. "The weight that I am feeling is crushing. There is such cruelty and wickedness among people who say they are mine. Ones that would threaten a child Thranduil. A child so they may get what they desire and that is to see me fall. The one that loves them and their children."
Thranduil's gaze softened and Elthian had to look off less he begin to cry. Elthian held her tighter and Thranduil leaned in to rest his head against her thighs. His arms wrapping around Elthian and her and for several moments he just held them both until he felt soft little fingers lightly comb through the hair at his temple.
Thranduil looked up into her sad eyes. "Juniper being a ruler is often very hard. I am finding it is most difficult when it comes to our human subjects. What I have learned is that for every wicked heart there are 10 loving ones. These humans are dynamic and full of the ability to learn to be better. They love almost recklessly and it's beautiful. When their hearts go dark they can be cruel and unyielding. They are flawed wonderful creatures. Separate the good from the bad. We will deal with the bad and make a good home for those that are good in their hearts. The three of us. We have each other to count on Melamin. Do not loose hope or let your spirit be weighted down."
She shifted and leaned towards him. Elthian's embrace loosened and she fall into Thranduil's arms. She finally began to sob against his shoulders and he held her with a hand pressed to the back of her small head. He rocked her gently and whispered to her softly. A King kneeling on the floor holding his small but mighty Queen as she released the turmoil from within. He looked up to Elthian who had pressed a hand over his lips. There were tears streaming down his cheeks.
Kree slept unlike Elladan had ever seen her sleep. He had offered her the blessing of a dreamless sleep and she had taken that offer. They had not spoken of what she had seen when she held the piece of the palantir. He sat beside her and just watched her breathing. Elrohir poked his head inside and silently motioned for him to come outside.
Elladan rose and left the tent. Just outside he found his brother standing by a warm fire. As he stopped beside him, he was handed a bottle. "It Haldir's good stuff." Elrohir said and Elladan took it and turned the bottle up. Taking several large swallows.
"Just kept this away from the Queen." He said and handed the bottle back to his brother who chuckled softly.
"So tell me about the elleth. I already know she is peredhel but where did she come from?" Elrohir asked.
Elladan took a deep breath and began to fill his brother in on everything that happened. How they had run into the caravan. How their father had helped deliver the baby. How Kree had been the translator. Elrond continuing on and Elladan leading the caravan . The raid and how Kree had helped in that fight. Her refusal to stay behind. Her story about where she came from and the fact there were elves in the east not just Avari but others and when he was done telling Elrohir all this he lowered into a crouch and took several drinks off the bottle.
Elrohir clicked his tongue and looked up to his brother as he passed him the bottle again. "That is not what I was expecting to hear. Not at all." Elrohir said dazed. "More elves in the east? How?"
Elladan shrugged and drank. " I do not know Gwador but Ada will find out I reckon."
Elrohir looked back to the tent and then to his brother. "You are in love. I can see it all over you."
"I have never met an elleth like her. She is so exotic to us even, to us peredhil. Am I in love with her? I suppose I am Gwador." Elladan said and trailed off.
"I am happy for you." Elrohir said as he rose up. "Maybe there is an exotic peredhel elleth or ellon for me amongst them."
Elladan snorted and began to laugh. "They would have to be very special to put up with you."
Elrohir looked at first, offended then sighed and shrugged. "You're right." He finally said and laughed as well.
