CONTENT WARNING: Rated M for: Strong language and violence.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything created by Tolkein and Middle-Earth. I do not own the song "The Blessing" by Celtic Woman. This is for entertainment only.

A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews everyone! They have been SSOO motivating to me. This next chapter is shorter but still just as important, I think.
Enjoy!


Chapter 9 - Breaking Points
"Do you really think that I would ever let you go?
Do you think I'd ever set you free?
If you do, I'm sad to say, it simply isn't so.
You will never get away from me."
Confrontation from Jekyll & Hyde


Lord Elrond's sword cleanly removed the Orcs head from his body; black blood splattering his robes. As the last orcs body fell to the ground, Elrond looked around to take in the chaos surrounding him; screams of terror and pain filled the night. The raiding party had been small; however the elves were so woefully caught off guard that they had suffered casualties. He looked towards the gate and saw where Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel were mounting their horses. Elrond moved towards them quickly seeing the distress in Galadriel's eyes.

"We ride to the nazgul. I fear they may be found." She called as Elrond reached her side. He looked to his side and saw Legolas approaching with two horses. After handing the reins of one to the Lord, Legolas swung into the saddle, Elrond quickly following his action.

"Boe ammen mened!" Lord Celeborn shouted as the four rode off into the direction of the forest.

As they rode out of sight Elrond caught sight of his family. "Get the wounded to the halls!" He called as he rode, "Burn the orcs!"


Haldir and Augustus were unable to reach the spot where King Thranduil and Aurora had fallen to the ground. Every move they made, the Fellbeast whipped it's head and snapped wildly at them. They had loosed all their remaining arrows into the creature and still the creature held them back.

Aurora felt dread sink into the pit of her stomach as the cloaked figure brought his face even with her. Thranduil pushed himself forward; using his body as a barrier between the Nazgul and Aurora. His left arm wrapped around the trembling girl, holding her as close behind his back as he could as they knelt on the ground. His right hand brandishing an elegant sword dripping with black blood. Thranduil glared at the black hole in the hooded cloak, his piercing eyes radiated disgust and hatred for the creature in front of him.

Dorozg ogh mat

The voice echoed inside Aurora's head and caused her to double over in pain again. He didn't understand why; but at the sound of cries the rage within Thranduil's rage boiled over and with a yell of fury he swung his sword. The blade stopped abruptly as a skeletal looking and almost translucent hand caught it. Another hand quickly grabbed Thranduil by his robes and effortlessly threw him to the side, hitting the ground with a loud thump. He was on his feet once more before Haldir and Augustus reached his side.

"Ada!"

Thranduil turned his eyes to the edge of the clearing as four horses broke through the clearing at a full gallop until skidding to a stop at the sight of the Fellbeast and Nazgul.

Aurora tried to back away from the figure as it stepped but a heavy hand pressed down on her shoulder, the hooded figure lowering his face to hers once again.

"The master waits for you," it hissed out, "Come and fulfill your destiny." Aurora's inability to move seemed to anger the figure and his skeletal fingers tightened around her throat, pulling her into the air. The tips of her toes barely touching the ground.

"Her destiny does not belong to you!" Galadriel's voice echoed around the clearing.

The figure's head snapped in the direction of Galadriel and Aurora felt his grip around her neck tighten cutting more of her air. "Ta nulgum zab-na"

"Leithio den, umara raug!" Lord Elrond shouted back, drawing his sword once more.

As the horses began their charge towards the creature; another shriek was heard on the wind. This sound was more familiar to Aurora; she lifted her eyes to the darkened sky as best she could while being strangled. When she caught sight of it, she would smile had she been able.

The massive eagle descended from the clouds with a long haired wizard on his back.

"VILISSE ULCA! EA VANWE-VA HI!" Gandalf's voice boomed across the trees and a white light shot from the staff he held above his head.

Aurora heard the figure screech as she fell to the ground. She felt the burst of wind as his monstrous creature flew off into the darkness. She heard the heavy fall of feet and hooves descending around her But she did move. She couldn't move. Terror consumed her as she lay curled up on the ground. She felt an arm wrap around her and tensed up immediately.

"It's okay Aurora," Haldir's voice floated softly to her ear, "You need to stand up now." He slowly began lifting her from the ground until she found her feet underneath her once more.

Her vision was blurry but she could make out Haldir's figure in front of her, Legolas and Lady Galadriel standing behind him, looks of deep concern on their faces. Aurora glanced around her, to her right Lord Celeborn and Gandalf were looking around the clearing, keeping an eye out for any orcs that may still appear. To her left she saw Lord Elrond place a hand on King Thranduil's shoulder, she could barely hear Elrond asking him if he required healing. The King seemed to ignore Elrond's questions, his eyes fixed on Aurora with an expression that she couldn't figure out. Over the King's shoulder, Aurora saw Augustus standing there, eyes wide as the eagle took flight into the night sky once more.

Aurora pulled away from Haldir and almost ran over to her brother. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her close. Aurora could feel his body shaking as he began to cry; which only seemed to trigger her own tears. The quiet talking slowly died around them as the twins cried.

"My dear children," It was Gandalf who spoke up first. "Perhaps we should return to Rivendell. Discuss these events"

Augustus' eyes shot over to the old wizard. "No…" He breathed, his eyes full of fear. Taking a step back from his sister he turned and began to walk away. Aurora turned and began to follow him.

Haldir stepped towards the twins, "Please understand-"

"NO!" Aurora spun and shouted louder than anyone had expected. Her eyes were filled with terror and rage. "We don't fucking understand. Can't you see that?" She emphasized each word as tears began to flow freely down her cheeks. "In the last three weeks we have tried to accept and understand everything about this situation for us. Living in a world that, a month ago, only belonged in fairytales." Aurora took several shaky breaths, Augustus had stopped a few feet away from her, silently staring at the others in the clearing. One look in his eyes would tell them that he agreed with all his sister was saying. "I refuse to be calm right now. I do not feel safe; I do not feel protected. I am not okay. So don't you dare attempt to comfort me with those words right now. In the last three days I have almost been killed twice. Twice! One of which was by a cloaked figure, who I'm not even sure had a face; riding a monster that flew straight out of a nightmare, and he was talking to me about my destiny?! FUCK. THAT! I don't want explanations right now. Right now, I want my anger. I want to be furious with what has happened to me and my brother. We deserve at least that. Tomorrow we can discuss everything. But tonight… Tonight I want my rage. Then I want to drink an entire bottle of wine, possibly two... and then go to bed."

With her final words hanging in the air, Aurora turned and her and Augustus went to where Odin and Egg were grazing with an Elk.


Aurora walked the abandoned halls with the last of her wine lingering on her lips. She had held to her promise and enjoyed an entire bottle. As she returned to the balcony where she had been earlier, she heard a soft sniffling. She made her way around the corner and found a small child sitting on a bench, tears filling her eyes.

Aurora's heart broke at the sight. She softly moved towards the child and crouched down in front of her, "What grieves you little one?"

The small child met Aurora's gaze with red and puffy eyes, "My Ada. He was hurt by the yrch. Naneth says he will be well, but I'm afraid..." The little girl burst into more sobs and she wrapped her arms around Aurora's neck.

Aurora was shocked at the child's action for a moment, but quickly lifted the child into her lap as she took the child's seat on the bench. "What is your name, little one?"

"Jarsalyn." The meek voice answered.

"Jarsalyn. That is such a beautiful name." Aurora breathed, "I am sure that Lord Elrond and his best healer's are watching over your Ada even as we speak."

Aurora's sweet voice lilted across the balcony and into the ears of the ellon who sat hidden in a nearby tree. He had been watching over the young child when Aurora had arrived. His piercing blue eyes shadowed by leaves.

"I'm sure, that your father is very strong. For one to be able to fight against the yrch so valiantly he must be very brave."

The little girl nodded her head to agree with Aurora's words. "I wish I was brave like him. But I'm just scared."

Thranduil's heart ached at the young elflings confession.

Aurora held the girl closer as she swung her legs onto the bench, her back leaning against a nearby pillar. "Hey now… None of that." The little girl nuzzled her head under Aurora's chin. Aurora smiled softly and rested her head on top of the child's. "It's okay to be afraid, Jarsalyn.. Sometimes," Thranduil watched Aurora as she glanced to her right shoulder, "being afraid will help us be brave. Because if we've faced our fear once; we know that we're strong enough to face it again if we ever need to."

There was a moment of silence, only the sound of the leaves rustling in the soft wind could be heard and the distant sound of soldiers patrolling the grounds.

"Will you sing me a lullaby? You sang really pretty at the party..." Jarsalyn yawned and rubbed her eyes. "I'm scared to fall asleep. What if something hurts me?"

Aurora chuckled softly, "I think I have just the song to make you feel better. It's a song that my mom used to sing to me when I was your age. She would sing it whenever I was sad or scared and it would always make me feel better. But... The song comes with rules."

"Rules?" Jarsalyn looked up at Aurora curiously.

"Yep, rules." Aurora smiled, "Rule number one is you have to take three big deep breaths before the song. The second rule, is you have to keep your eyes closed during the whole song. The last and the most important rule, in my opinion, is that you can only think happy things during the song... " Aurora glanced down at the small child, "Do you think you can do that?"

Jarsalyn yawned again and nodded her head. As she slowly taking her deep breaths Aurora began to rock her back and forth softly. As she exhaled the third breath, Aurora started to sing.

In the morning when you rise
I bless the sun, I bless the skies.
I bless your lips, I bless your eyes
My blessing goes with you.
In the night time when you sleep
Oh, I bless you while your watch I keep.
As you lie in slumber deep,
My blessing goes with you.

Thranduil leaned his head against the tree and closed his eyes. In his thousands of years, he couldn't recall ever hearing a more enrapturing and beautiful voice.

When your weary heart is tired,
If the world would leave you uninspired.
When nothing more of love's desired
My blessing goes with you.
When the storms of life are strong
When you're wounded, when you don't belong.
When you no longer hear my song
My blessing goes with you.

This is my prayer for you
There for you, ever true.
Each every day for you
In everything you do
And when you come to me
And hold me close to you
I bless you
And you bless me too.

As Aurora finished her song and glanced down seeing the small child sound asleep. Aurora placed a soft kiss on the top of her head and held her close.

Aurora whispered softly. "Sleep and dream well, little Jarsalyn. I won't let anything hurt you."

Thranduil watched as Aurora cared for the child. Such effortless compassion from someone who had endured so much was moving to witness. He shifted to get more comfortable on his branch, knowing he would be there for sometime more.

Thranduil was surprised at the next thought to fill his mind.

Posto mae, Aurora. Gi meriathon.


TRANSLATIONS:

*Black Speech*

Dorozg ogh mat - Surrender or die
Ta nulgum zab-na - He will have her

*Elvish*
Bow ammen mened - We must go!
Leithio den, umara raug - Release her, sinister creature
Ulca! Ea vanwa-va hi! - Evil spirit! Be taken away from here!
Posto mae, Aurora. Gi meriathon - Rest well, Aurora. I will protect you.