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)

31.

Elenath ran blindly from the banquet hall and past Haldir. The warrior looked first toward Elrond; then at Lady Galadriel who had a carefully neutral expression on her face. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and her gentle voice filled his mind. "Go to her, Haldir and see to her safety. You have much to teach this one."

She did not have to ask twice. He turned at once and followed the princess into the Wood, considering as he went the meaning of his queen's words. What did Galadriel mean? What did she wish for him to teach this young one? He knew not, for he had seen many things in his long life and had much to teach.

Elenath did not know to where she was running, but she found herself longing for her brother, Durion - the one who was slain by the Wargs one hundred years earlier. Durion would have known what to do. He would have made everything right with Elrond, and none of this would have happened in the first place because he had been the heir to Rivendell's throne. Besides, it was after his death that their Grandfather had become so protective. Now here she was, young Elenath. Durion's fiery little sister. She had inherited his Sword and now his political position as well, and she felt like a child trying on her mother's shoes. They were too big for her. It was all too big for her. Tears ran freely down her cheeks now as the very trees seemed to guide her through the Wood. She fancied she heard Durion's voice, singing as he used to do on long marches – as he had been doing that day when the Wargs attacked – but it was only the trees moaning and creaking in the wind. The forest seemed to darken with her mood, but still she pressed on, wishing to run herself to exhaustion so she didn't have to think anymore.

On and on the two Elves ran before Elenath finally came to a place she had not seen since her brother's body was laid to rest in its stone vault. She stopped at the sight of the huge monument and leaned against a tree, barely out of breath. Then she flung herself against the tomb, weeping. "Why don't you come back?" she cried. "Durion, we need you! Why do you not return to us? I cannot take your place, though everyone expects it of me!" She sobbed against the cold stone for many long minutes. "I miss you," she whispered at last. "I miss you more than anyone could ever know. But you cannot hear me. You have gone to Mandos, and you cannot hear me..."

"Elenath."

Haldir's voice was soft but firm, and it startled him as much as it did her. She turned and stumbled to her feet, attempting to wipe the tears from her eyes.

The sight of her nearly broke his heart, those big blue eyes gazing at him; her trembling hands clutching her long tunic, the tears streaming down her fair face. She looked every bit the child he had left behind all those years ago.

"Aier Little One," he murmured, holding a hand out to her.

She turned away in shame. "You will tell me now that this is why females are not meant to be warriors."

"Nay, Aier. I would never say such a thing." He could not help but call her by the name he had given her all those years ago, though she was not at all little anymore. She was tall for a female, and strong.

"Why did you follow me?"

"Lady Galadriel worried for your safety, Elenath."

"I can take care of myself." She turned and sniffed, still unable to stop her tears.

The warrior could not help but smile. "This I know firsthand."

"Then why did you follow?"

"I follow the orders of my queen." He paused, looking at the ground. "And I was worried about you. I do not know the last time I saw an Elf so upset. Nor can I remember the last time I heard an Elf speak such harsh words as Lord Elrond just spoke to you."

***

"Some things never change, it seems," said Galadriel to Elrond in his private audience chambers. "You drive those who love you away with your need to control everything."

The Lord of Rivendell remained silent, gazing out into the dancing Wood and listening to the rustling of leaves. It appeared that a storm was approaching, but he knew that it would not match the fury he had shown his two precious granddaughters only moments before. Why did everything he do have to fail? He tried – really tried – to do what was best for his loved ones, but to no avail. He succeeded only in angering them. It was infuriating! And what was even more maddening was that his anger lay mostly with himself. Why could he not let go? Let his children and their children live their own lives and make their own mistakes? But the thought of Elenath riding away to live in Mirkwood was too much for him to bear. He would likely never see her again. No. She would not be allowed to leave Rivendell unless it was on business of the Sword. "I am King of this realm. A king must rule, and that is what I have done this day."

"You have ruled poorly, my lord, and dealt a death sentence to your beloved Elenath. She will not live without the one who has captured her heart."

He heaved a long sigh. "If she leaves, it will be the death of me. I cannot bear the thought of not seeing her again."

Galadriel sighed and stood to leave. "You underestimate your granddaughter's love for you. She would never leave you behind completely. Surely you must know that."

"I cannot know it. How many years has it been since I bid your daughter farewell on what was supposed to be a short journey? And still she has not returned."

"And your heart still longs for her. This I know, Lord Elrond. But do not let your pain intrude upon your granddaughters' happiness. Now, I bid you good eve. I shall see you in the morning."

Elrond watched her go and then gazed up at the gathering clouds, feeling as if those same clouds were gathering within himself. He had a lot of thinking to do, and perhaps some apologies to make. Or perhaps not. He tapped his long fingers upon a table and turned to retreat to his chambers.

***