RATING: PG-13

DISCLAIMER: The characters from Lord of the Rings and their wonderful world are borrowed from J.R.R. Tolkien. The plotline and all other characters are copyright 2002 Emily (emi_kins@yahoo.com)

***A/N*** Sorry guys! I would have posted this last night but I had internet problems! All worked out now :).

15.

Dimnarion watched from his chambers as Elenath returned from her late-night sojourn on her father's arm. "Almost time for breakfast, Princess," he chuckled, pouring fresh spring water into a goblet and beginning to chant over it. Before long it began to steam, and he added a tiny mesh bag of grimleaf. For over an hour he let it steep, releasing its tasteless, scentless poison into the pure water as he chanted to keep the concoction hot.

Bear the Sword she may, he thought, but after a few mornings of this, she'll not even be able to lift it. But I will. He laughed deviously. I will. And I will rid Middle Earth of both menaces – Princess Elenath and her wretched Sword.

Hearing the Elves gathering in the great hall for breakfast, he removed the grimleaf and discarded it, replacing it with a teabag and working his magic to make the water hot once more.

***

Elenath did not realize how hungry she was until she smelled the scent of food wafting up from the kitchens. Rapidly she bathed and changed into tunic and leggings and hurried down the stairway, strapping on Calmakil as she went. Entering the Hall, she was greeted at once by a dozen of her grandfather's guards who acted as if they had not seen her in fifty years.

"Will you be joining us in practice today, El?" they asked.

"Of course! Unless Grandfather objects."

Eagerly, she sat down next to her mother and father and gratefully accepted the food that the servants placed in front of her – light, fluffy cakes heaped with strawberries and cream.

"You look well this morning," said Llilwen, her mother, with a smile.

"She should," said Airedolas, "after her long and eventful night."

Her parents looked at each other and laughed like children who were keeping secrets.

Elenath blushed despite herself and said quietly. "I suppose I should be grateful that you both approve."

"Worry not, Daughter," said Llilwen, "Your secret is safe with us."

Presently, Dimnarion approached the table with two cups of steaming tea, one of which he gently placed before Elenath. "Good morning, Princess."

Returning his greeting, she looked curiously at the goblet.

"It is a special tea," he said. "We drink it in Mirkwood when the weather grows cool, as it is this morning. I thought that you might like to try it."

The princess smiled as her parents became lost in their own conversation. "Thank you, Dimnarion. That's very nice of you."

He watched her with glittering eyes as she lifted the goblet and drank slowly, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the rich flavor and let the warmth of the beverage seep through her body.

"You like it!" he smiled broadly.

Putting the cup aside, she nodded. "Indeed. I shall have to learn how it is made. Will you be joining us for training this morning?"

A look of mock humility spread across his features. "May I?"

"Of course! It would be an honor to see if you fight as well as you dance." She grinned at him and quickly downed the rest of the tea as he chuckled.

"And I should like to know the same about you, Dear Elenath!"

***

The day became warmer as the sun climbed upward over the treetops of Rivendell and Elenath took her place among the warriors of her realm. Among them stood Legolas with his bow, casting occasional glances at the princess; his young page Raion who looked about with an expression akin to incredulity; and his body guard Dimnarion, his straight-bladed sword already drawn and ready. Before long, the peaceful forest was filled with the sounds of warfare as the warriors paired off to spar.

Legolas watched Elenath with nothing short of amazement. She sparred with Dimnarion first and, though the battle was fierce, came out on top due to a minor slip-up by her opponent. Then she faced off with one of her comrades from Rivendell and beat him as well. By the end of the match, however, she was swaying on her feet and out of breath. When Raion approached her tentatively for a match, she was forced to decline as all of the color drained from her face and she sat down unsteadily upon a rock. Dimnarion was by her side in an instant.

"My Lady, are you well?"

She looked up at him and shuddered as her vision blurred slightly. "I… I'll be fine. Just… let me rest for a moment." Calmakil pulsed visibly at her side, and when she touched the Sword, she cried out in pain, for it burned her like fire.

"Elenath?"

"Leave me," she whispered desperately. "Stay away. Please, Dimnarion. Your presence hurts me." suddenly her stomach flip-flopped and she leaned over the rock, losing her breakfast into the bushes.

***

"Too much too soon," declared Elrond after examining his granddaughter. "Elenath, you need to rest. The poison has not yet worked itself out of your system."

"But Grandfather, I feel fine now!"

"I will hear no more, Elenath. To bed with you until I say otherwise."

"But-"

One stern look silenced her and she stalked away to her chambers and sunk sullenly into bed. She wasn't sick. She wasn't even tired, so she took up Calmakil and turned it over and over in her hands. "Are you trying to tell me something?" she asked it. "Why do you dislike Dimnarion so much?"

At the sound of his name, the Blade sent out a short burst of fire and Elenath gasped, dropping it onto her lap. "Is it just that you dislike me? Have you chosen wrong?"

The Sword did nothing, and she began to wonder if she was imagining things. Surely the famed Calmakil would not hurt the very bearer it chose. Still, she had to know. Tentatively, she took the Blade in hand and spoke clearly. "Merethiel." Nothing. "Elrond." A vague, comforting warmth. "Dimnarion." She gasped again as the Sword left welts this time.

Calmakil was definitely trying to tell her something. But she still did not understand. "He has been nothing but nice to me on this visit," she sighed. "How can I tell him to stay away from me?"

"Yet you must." The voice was familiar, but Elenath did not dare to hope it belonged to who she thought it did. She hardly believed her eyes when she looked up to see Gandalf the Gray standing in the doorway of her chambers.