Author's Note: I hope you like this story. Please review!! In addition, I'd like to recommend the stories by Bride of Legolas. Her poems are really good too! Go read it all!
****************************************************************************************************
"Ellie!"
Elaírha sighed, looking longingly at her cup of tea. She sipped it, mentally preparing herself for what she knew was coming. She and Riesha had stayed in Rivendell, until the Elven scout parties came back reporting that the Road was clear once again. The two sisters had been reluctant to leave then, but knew it was then or never. Arahad had learned of their plans to leave, and threw his arms around Elaírha begging her not to go, and threatening that he would tie her up so she and Riesha would have to stay in Rivendell. Riesha had diplomatically begun explaining that they had to get home, to the boy, but Arahad let tears come to his eyes and whispered to them that he didn't want to lose them like he lost his mother. Elaírha was loathed to leave the boy in his most needful time, but pointed out he would have his father- but Arahad refused. Riesha was the first to crack, agreeing to stay. Elaírha noticed that her sister's decision came immediately after her sister looked back at Elladan. Picking Arahad up, Elaírha had declared that if Riesha was staying so was she, since she travelled nowhere without her sister.
Now Elaírha shook her head. It had been eight years since that day, and though she felt no older, and constantly younger in the presence of so many Elves, there were times she almost wished she had gathered the will to return to the Shire. If not wiser for the Elves' teaching, then she had gained a bit more patience than when she had arrived, constantly having to deal with the headstrong teenage Arahad.
"Ellie!" Arahad repeated walking into the Hall of Flame where Elaírha was reading a small book of poems by the light of the fire and drinking tea. "Ellie- please tell my father I should be allowed to go out; he won't let me leave Rivendell!"
Elaírha glanced up, watching Araglas, Arahad's father, whom she and Riesha had first known as simply 'Ranger', enter not far behind his son. The two had often had conflicts, arguments over petty things. Whenever that happened, father and son came to her to have the matter sorted out.
"What does your father say about this?" Elaírha queried carefully.
"The boy is overly confident in his abilities; he does not recognise his weaknesses. That would only serve to cause unneeded problems were I to take him beyond the safety of Rivendell." Araglas said firmly, making it clear to Elaírha that he wanted no resistance on the matter.
Elaírha sighed wearily. "I hate to be in this position…but I am of the opinion Arahad should be allowed to go-" Arahad beamed proudly, to which Elaírha glanced at him sharply as a warning that she had not yet finished. "-but I agree that your father is right. You are over-confident, Arahad. Therefore, Araglas and I will discuss certain rules that you are to follow- no exceptions or excuses will be acceptable. You will abide by these rules, or wait even longer until the Elf-lords would consider you ready. Understand?"
Arahad nodded solemnly. The Elf-lords of Rivendell would wait until he were nearing the end of a century of age before he'd be allowed to leave Rivendell again, if that was the way of things. There would be no crossing of the rules laid down.
"If you get sick at all- I don't care if it's a simple sniffling cold or a finger cut by a slipped knife- you will return here. Colds can become a lot worse in a matter of days, and if let to take over, they can kill you. It'd be pretty pathetic to explain to everyone that you died because you were too pig-headed to come home to get over a petty cold that turned into something nasty. Same with cuts; infections can inflict damage to the put where limbs may have to be removed…got my point?" Ellie checked to make Arahad understood completely. He seemed to. "You do exactly as your father says on the trek; if he says ride home without him, I don't care how many orcs there are- you come home. I care for your father almost as much as you do- but there will be those better equipped to help him that just you; but we need to be informed of the problem if we are to find a solution." Arahad opened his mouth to protest, but Elaírha cut him off before he could say anything. "No. As your father would agree- you are too important to risk losing again. I side with you on this matter Arahad, only because I want your first expedition with some decent training in your belt to go well, and to ensure that it will prove to your father how responsible you can be, and your obedience and submission to his leadership. Your own leadership of a team or independence will come in time, but not yet. Will you abide by these rules, Arahad?"
Arahad seemed impatient with the rules, but nodded.
Elaírha smiled, her cheeky winning smile at him. "You understand, I just want to make sure everything goes well for you- and this way, your father won't disagree."
Arahad couldn't help grinning.
"Go pack then- make sure you've got extras of everything…you know my saying."
"Shit happens." Arahad snorted, hurrying off to pack before his father could argue further, or reprimand him for swearing. Ellie silently cursed the young
Araglas breathed in heavily. His expression reflected his dissatisfaction with her decision. "Given the many times Arahad and I have come to you over matters where we are opposed, I know better than to judge your solution to our problems; but I am completely baffled as to why you would agree that my son should be allowed to travel beyond the safety of Rivendell."
"I allow him to travel with his father." Ellie replied calmly. "I have also laid down the opportunity for you to command him to come home if you should feel things are going wrong or that he may be in danger. You have control of the situation when you leave here; and Arahad cannot dispute it, for fear of never leaving Rivendell until half his lifetime is gone."
Araglas thought this through. At last he snorted with amusement. "You are very good a manipulating things to arrive at a compromise which suits both purposes."
"My dear Araglas, we don't call it 'manipulating'. Compromising is the correct term. Even negotiating is a better word than 'manipulating'. I don't manipulate, I compromise the conditions of the original argument, discreetly negotiating it so the one with whom I would normally side gets the better end of the deal, while the other party feels that it has been satisfied anyway." Ellie smiled sweetly.
Araglas couldn't help laughing, the sound echoing around the hall.
"Twisting the Dúnedain around your finger again, Ellie?" Elrond remarked, strolling up behind them.
Ellie wrinkled her nose, teasingly. "It doesn't sound right, coming from you, Master Elrond…I'm so used to hearing you speak Westron all formal and the like- it's strange to here such a commonplace saying like that being spoken by you."
Elrond just returned her cheeky smile, raising an eyebrow. "We all do things that others believe is out of character at times. To many of the Elves, you seem to almost constantly."
"Then perhaps my character is being out of character," Ellie replied. Then stopped to think that over. "We'll leave that debate there, before it twists my mind around any further. Did you have a specific reason for joining us, or did you just feel the need to laugh at my silliness?"
"Charming, isn't she?" Araglas remarked mildly.
"I believe she's managed to create a charm that can only be hers alone." Elrond commented back calmly.
"Well, since we're all in a teasing mood, I'm going to take my leave before I become the aim of every cheeky remark. Would either of you happen to know where Elrohir is then?"
"And let Master Elrond's younger son have to deal with your cheekiness? Do you think we are fools?" Araglas asked mockingly.
"You, most definitely. But I'll hold off on ever calling Master Elrond a fool- for I would be the greater one for assuming that." Ellie retorted brazenly. "What makes you think I will relieve all mockery onto Elrohir?"
"Then what do you plan to do once you find my son?" Elrond enquired, his eyes sparkling with mirth.
Elaírha bit her lip, unable to keep herself from laughing. "That was a very tempting opportunity to leave you thinking all sorts of things then. But to tell the truth in all seriousness, I just wished to speak with him. He usually meets me here each night and we talk, but he has not come this evening. I wondered why."
"I believe I know the cause, though no doubt he would prefer to speak of it with you himself." Elrond answered. "You will find him in the North garden."
Elaírha nodded her thanks and left to go find Elrohir.
Elrohir was lying on a wide bench in the garden, gazing up at the stars when he heard Elaírha nearing. He knew instinctively it was her without needing to look; she had a certain aura about her that sent his heart and mind empty of all other feelings and thoughts but her. He did not look, not until she sat on the bench next to him and glanced down at him.
"Your father said there was something you would be wanting to tell me." She said quietly.
"Is that why you came?" Elrohir asked, trying unsuccessfully to hide his bitterness. "Because my father felt you would be better hearing it from me?"
"What is the matter, Elrohir? I have never known you in such a melancholy mood- I can feel it, but don't know its cause. Please tell me," she requested gently.
Elrohir closed his eyes for a moment, willing himself to find the strength to resist the power she held over him. It hurt. It hurt greatly in Elrohir's heart, but he could not. She was precious to him, and he did not want to lose her because of his own foolishness. "I am to accompany my mother to Lothlórien- east of the Misty Mountains, but west of the Anduin and south of Rivendell."
"I know where Lothlórien is, Elrohir. What about this journey troubles you?"
He sighed. "It is not the journey. It is not my mother, or the people in Lothlórien."
"The problem follows you then. Regardless of where you are, it is there."
"Yes."
"And your brother shall be going with you?"
"Yes."
"And Riesha will follow him, unless she is needed elsewhere…"
"Yes." Elrohir wondered how she knew all this, when she had not initially known the source of his troubles, but continued to answer, not wanting her to leave. He also mused whether or not she knew that which was central to this frustration he held.
"And you are frustrated."
It seemed she did, or was at least getting close to guessing. "Yes." He answered, turning on his side, propping his head up with his arm; watching her. She was beautiful, to his thinking at least. He wished that she would put aside her boyish habits, walk gracefully as he had long imagined she already knew how, and wear a dress not the same breeches and plain shirts that she wore so often. Like always, she wore her deep red hair back tightly in a bun.
As a boy, Arahad had recognised that Elrohir wanted to know more about her, and told him that she did wear nightgowns in summer, when it was hot. According to her adopted nephew/brother, Elaírha liked in summer, to wait until everything was quiet and then stand out on the balcony of her room, letting the cool night breezes flow over her. Elrohir wished her balcony did not face the waterfalls, for there was nowhere he might stand quietly to watch her.
She was silent a moment, before looking into his grey eyes that held depths she could not determine with words. Her face expressed her puzzlement. "I sense that I am part of this problem somehow…but I cannot feel how."
"Feel? Lady, have you decided to give up on sight?" Elrohir teased. "Please continue; you were going so well."
Elaírha smiled mysteriously, before lying down next to him.
Elrohir swallowed, trying to control his breathing, even as his heart raced. He reached out tentatively to stroke her cheek. She gazed at him, a small knowing smile appearing on her face as he touched her so gently.
"You feel that we are too distant from one another, that our relationship has not progressed any further, like that of our siblings, and you are afraid to move closer, for fear that I should move further away." Elaírha whispered softly. She looked him straight in the eye, and he saw, and yet somehow felt similar emotions coming from her as those he felt in his own heart; uncertainty, to a lesser degree frustration, but most of all there was love, as strong as the foundations of Rivendell.
"The Stars know how much I love you," he whispered in reply, kissing her tenderly on her lips. Elrohir lowered her gently to the bench again, not daring to break their first kiss. She wrapped her arms about him, running her fingers through his long dark hair. At last, he drew back for breath, her breathing as rapid as his. It left her speechless with awe. "Come with me," he urged. "Come to Lothlórien."
She kissed him in answer. Elrohir revelled in the feeling of her soft lips pressed against his own, stirring feelings within him he had not experienced since adolescence. She withdrew from the sweet kiss reluctantly. "We are going to have visitors in a moment."
"I don't care," Elrohir spoke, before drawing her in again.
They had several more precious moments before they were cut short by the amused comment, "Elrohir, I hate to interrupt you, but your father would like a few words with your brother…and whoever else you might be taking with you, about the journey for when you leave tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?!" Elaírha exclaimed. "You did not tell me it was so soon!"
"I would have come to tell you…but you sought me out first." Elrohir protested.
"Indeed," Ellie raised an eyebrow.
Elrohir rose, and gave her a hand up. Glancing sheepishly at Glorfindel, he held tight to Elaírha's hand as they walked past Elrond's friend to the stairs leading back into the halls of Rivendell. Glorfindel followed, unable to keep from grinning as he walked behind them.
"I can't imagine the scene poor Erestor will have to break in on. He and I drew straws to see which one of us would have to retrieve Elladan and Lady Riesha, believing the sight of those two together would be enough to embarrass us. Our assumption had been that you two were only talking, as is your habit. I see you've proceeded much further in your relationship than the gossiping Elves have been telling." Glorfindel remarked casually. "If you are both this far, one can only wonder how far your siblings have moved in their relationship."
"Are you sure, you're not one of those gossiping Elves?" Elaírha asked cheekily. "You seem to enjoy telling us of such matters."
"I think I say it, mostly to watch Elrohir's cheeks blush…he's very fond of you. And quite shy when it comes to speaking of his Lady-friend. His fellows of arms training often ask the twins questions about the two human Ladies…but only Elladan dares to answer."
Ellie looked up at Elrohir, who was indeed blushing, unable to meet her gaze. "That's so adorable." She stuck her tongue out, to show that she too was teasing.
Elrohir eyed her, mischief twinkling in his eyes as they came to the hallway where Elrond's study was. He stopped suddenly, turning Elaírha into his arms for another kiss.
Glorfindel snorted with amusement, walking past them to open the doors to Elrond's study.
"My Lord Glorfindel…did you not find them?" Elrond asked.
"I did, my Lord Elrond…I found them similarly as to how you find them now." Glorfindel replied, inviting Elrond and his Lady to step out into the hallway.
Elrohir did not cease his affection for the woman he now called his Lady, though they were not yet engaged or married. There would be no other for him, nor would she accept any other love but his.
Araglas entered the hallway to find it blocked. "Elrohir, Lady Ellie…if I might get past?"
Arahad decided at that moment to make his appearance. "Ellie, you've got to let him breathe sometime. How else is he supposed to talk to his parents about his journey tomorrow." He grinned.
At this comment, Ellie broke the embrace to glare at her young charge. "You should be nicer- I did help you win over your father into letting you go with him whenever that should be."
"But the sooner Elrohir discusses matters, the sooner you can be back tongue-wrestling," Arahad added cheekily, ducking out of the way before Elaírha could grab him.
"Arahad!" she exclaimed, blushing embarrassedly. She reached out to grab him, but was halted by Elrohir's arms wrapped firmly around her waist.
"Don't deny it- I have eyes and can see clearly what you were doing." Arahad teased.
"Why do boys have to be such brats?" Ellie asked rhetorically.
Elrohir kissed her neck. "Worry not about him; I will chase him down for you later. Although he does have a point."
"Which one are you agreeing with?" Ellie queried.
"The sooner I talk to my parents about the details of tomorrow's journey, the sooner I can be back with you…"
Ellie couldn't help but smile.
Erestor, red-faced and distracted, hurried round the corner, a smitten Elladan and Riesha in tow. He stopped abruptly upon seeing so many people in the hallway. He saw Glorfindel. "Next time, you can find them. You have no idea what state I found them in…Elbereth help us! I had never thought to see the eldest son of Elrond in such a childish manner, since he was just a young lad!"
Elaírha gaped in astonishment. She giggled. "What exactly were they doing may I ask?"
"I dare not answer in such company…" Erestor shook his head, blinking profusely, as though trying to clear the stained image from his eyes.
Elaírha looked from Elladan to Riesha then commented quietly, "Oh." She tried very hard not to crack into a smile or laugh. She failed. "I think we should make bedrooms off limits. At least for you two, it seems."
Elrohir stared in bewilderment at his elder twin brother, who had the decency to look a little bit sheepish.
"Stars above…what Master Elrond should think of the trouble we're causing among his sons," Elaírha bit her lip, though her mirth was evident. She turned to Elrohir and kissed him on the cheek. "I had better leave before things become any worse in your parents' minds."
Elrohir nodded. "If you pack, I will wake you tomorrow morning."
"Oh? And how do we know bedrooms shouldn't be off limits for you both as well?" Riesha grinned wickedly.
Ellie flicked her sister on the back of the head. "You come with me. I'm beginning to think you need a chaperone…"
Elrond raised an eyebrow at his two sons, both of whom suddenly appeared very sheepish in light of their brazen actions before.
Arahad laughed. "So whom do we sign the bets up with to guess who gets married first?"
******************************************************************************************
A/N: Please review- the button's just below here…even a single word will do!