Leandra: Thank you very much for your input! I'm flattered beyond words now… and yet words continue to come (the little voices in my head nonetheless)

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Chapter 4: Whispers of the Heart

Early the next morning Anariel walked through the halls now wearing her white gown and golden girdle once more which the elven maids had taken a long time to clean. The sun reflected golden ember on the ocean and a thin mist hung in the air. The world was barely awake but Anariel wanted to be awake before anyone else knowing her brother and her father were bound to do something without her and she was fearful of missing any news of what was to happen. She hadn't spoke to Isildur since their arrival and after she returned from her walk with the golden-haired elf she had gone to sleep.

She quietly wondered how the meeting went with the elven king. She stopped in the middle of a hall realizing she was unsure where Elendil and Isildur were quartered since she hadn't bothered to check last night. Very intelligent Anariel, she scolded herself silently, Isildur was probably worried about you last night not seeing you in your room after their meeting.

"Where do you walk, oh, Lady of Fire, so early in the morn?" came a soft and familiar voice close to her ear. She nearly jumped with a start before her mind realized who it was.

"You!" she exclaimed in surprise then smiled, "I would ask you the same question." He was clad in formal robes dark blue silk and velvet embroidered with silver stars and a circlet of mithril weaved on his forehead. He smiled at her in reply, "Is there going to be another meeting this morning? You certainly are dressed for it, Meledhel." She told him.

"There is, my lady," he told her, "We are to decide our itinerary to Imladris. Though I say that you are still very early for such a meeting, it won't be for another two hours." To Imladris? Her mind struggled to remember that name then she recalled Anarion telling her that many years before Eregion had fallen and Elrond, son of Earendil, had taken the refugees to a valley west of the Misty Mountains where they still dwelt. Where Isildur's wife and four sons had also taken refuge at Isildur's bidding.

"Imladris?" she asked, "That is a long journey from here, I would guess, for I have never been there."

"It is a long journey indeed." said the one she called Meledhel, "Heralds have been sent out from Lindon and Lorien to summon the heads of all those who would fight against the coming evil to the House of Elrond. There is much to be discussed." His voice seemed laden with heaviness as he said this. There was an uncomfortable moment of silence. Anariel looked into his sky blue eyes for a moment then immediately shyed away from them turning instead to the tapestries hung upon the walls. She didn't know why but being around this elf flustered her.

"I could use some breakfast, friend!" called a voice from the end of the hall. Isildur. She turned toward her brother who had also changed into his old clothing now clean. Leather breeches and boots and a woven tunic. Anariel smiled at him.

"Is your stomach speaking to you already?" She asked amused.

"I would say so." said Isildur approaching them and then he gave a slight bow to the golden-haired elf next to her respectfully and she found the action strange. "So, my lord," Isildur said, "I would look forward to the cooking of the elves at any rate." Anariel held the other's amused gaze for a long moment and after a while she realized she was gaping. The golden-haired elf gave her a gallant bow amusement flickering in his eyes.

"Mae govanen, Atanriel, im na Gil-galad." [Well met, lady of men, I am Gil-galad.] He told her in soft-tongued Sindaren as he took her hand and kissed it. Anariel was blushing furiously now at a lack of words. Isildur looked at both of them curiously.

"I believe I missed something." Isildur said looking back and forth from Anariel's surprised expression and Gil-galad's amused one. The elven king continued to smile at the lady as he clasped Isildur's shoulder.

"Not really." He replied good naturedly, "But you were speaking of breakfast and I must agree I too would like something to eat before our journey."

He is the king of the Noldor? Was the question that kept echoing in her mind as she followed them close behind. She should have known! How foolish she had been not to see it earlier! Anariel wanted to slap herself on the forehead for being so short-sighted. Why else would he appear in my dreams?

*

Gil-galad was indeed amused by the lady's expression when he introduced himself to her and further amused by Isildur's confusion with the situation. I can almost imagine the thoughts running through Isildur's mind. It reminded him of those short peaceful times when he would be with Elrond, Glorfindel, and Erestor and find the smallest reasons to tease each other with. And yet moments of such peace are so short…

He sighed half hearing what Isildur was telling him but mostly thinking that he would once again be able to see Elrond, Cirdan, Erestor, and Glorfindel again. Long had been the years since they had last met and the time felt longer now that he knew that they would have a short time to speak before war broke out. I am weary of war, thought Gil-galad. He had been raised in it. Only a boy when his grand father Fingolfin fell against Morgoth, still too young to take the crown when his father Fingon too passed away. And terribly uncertain when Gondolin was brought down to rubble and when Turgon fell into shadow against darker forces. It seemed as if war would never cease and the evils of the world would never end and there were moments when Gil-galad wondered whether good would prevail at all.

Even now he wondered and the endless doubts kept knawing in his heart.

Then another thing troubled him and sometimes his own actions surprised him toward another. He glanced at Anariel who had taken the arm of her brother as he talked her gaze avoiding his purposely. Gil-galad did not know why but he found himself trying to charm her as if he was a young elf again and he knew better than to do that. Her presence is intoxicating, Gil-galad though quietly. The mortal lady of firey red hair and eyes of elven beryls, he found himself attracted to her without recognizing it until now. I had better stop this, he decided, no good shall come of it.

"Horses have been readied for us, as well as heralds and guards." Gil-galad said absentmindedly managing to reply to the Isildur's question which he barely heard, "We will leave after breakfast and ride hard for others too are readying to leave to Imladris this day." Gil-galad told him. He silently wondered who else had been invited. Isildur nodded as they walked to the open courtyard where a table had been set, Elendil and a few other elven counselors already seated there.

"Good morning." said Elendil rising with a smile looking fondly at his daughter. Gil-galad smiled and pulled a chair for her which she took gratefully holding his eyes for a moment and Gil-galad also held her emerald gaze. I had better not hold her eyes for too long… He thought with a soft smile toward her.

He scolded himself for his own thoughts: This lady was a mortal. He could not have affection for her further than that of a friend.

"I say, we missed you last night, Anariel." said Elendil, "Where were you?" Isildur looked at the food quite hungry as Gil-galad greeted his counselors although his eyes were one her gauging her reaction to the question. She seemed all of a sudden uncomfortable and Gil-galad wondered if she thought that she had done something wrong although he saw no wrong in walking and talking.

"I was with Lord Gil-galad," She managed to reply as a servant poured orange juice into her glass goblet. She turned to him for help and Gil-galad smiled.

"I was showing your daughter some of the sights of Lindon, she was glad to see them."  Anariel smiled in relief. If Elendil caught anything he didn't show it but instead seemed satisfied with the answer although Isildur himself curious with the whole situation between them.

And why should they be? wondered Gil-galad, It's not as if anything happened.

Nothing did happen. Why were they all acting like this? Why am I acting this way? Gil-galad did realize that although his expression remained placid his heart was beating in nervousness. He felt as if he had done something terribly wrong although nothing wrong had been done.

"Lindon is indeed beautiful," said Elendil quietly, "It will be a pity that we must leave it soon."

"Do not fret, friend," said Gil-galad, "Imladris is just as beautiful for Elrond himself has put work into it."

"Elrond as a carpenter?" Isildur asked somewhat amused. Gil-galad smiled at his friend.

"Elves do many other things besides singing and fighting in battle, friend." Gil-galad told him. At this everyone at the table laughed.

"And what of you, my lord?" asked Elendil, "Do you plan to build yourself a house of your own someday, when the war is over?" When the war is over… the thought echoes grimly in Gil-galad's mind because he wondered if there ver would be an end to this war. But he smiled nonetheless as they ate together.

"Nay, I plan to move in with Elrond, but don't tell him that he'll be up to his head with that." His elven counselors exchanged amused glances knowingly and Elendil seemed to be the only one into the joke as well.

"I suppose Elrond would be up to his head with that," said Elendil with a grin, "But then again I think he would be happy for your company nonetheless." Gil-galad stood up from the table.

"Indeed, my friend!" exclaimed the elven king, "And yours as well!" He then looked to Isildur knowingly, "And I am sure, Isildur, that your wife and your young sons miss you greatly as well."

"Are they well?" asked Isildur looking up suddenly. Gil-galad smiled at him.

"In the last letter Elrond sent to me from Imladris speaks very well of them although two of your eldest sons, Elendur and Aratan, are becoming restless waiting for news of you." Isildur managed a sad smile.

"They long to fight by me side." Elendil smiled.

"Isn't that in your blood already?" Isildur then looked at his sister.

"Indeed!" He exclaimed. "I did not finish telling you the full tale of what happened before Osgilliath?" Elendil raised his eyebrows and Anariel nudged him.

"Isildur!" She hissed shooting him a warning look. Gil-galad watched their exchange with interest. Isildur leaned back with a smile.

"Oh, but he must hear this," He told her as Elendil and Gil-galad listened, "Father, let it be known that not only your sons walk into battle bravely but your daughter as well. When Anarion and I told her we would be going to aid Osgilliath she insisted to come with us as much as I argued against her." Elendil looked at her surprised.

"You were at Osgilliath?" Anariel raised her chin and stared at her father squarely.

"How else would I arrive here?" She asked. Elendil was still absorbing the information given him. Isildur continued whole-heartedly.

"Aye, she was." Isildur said, "And she rode with us swift and tirelessly,  and she stayed with Gildor in the make shift healing houses three days and three nights with no food or sleep helping the wounded among us."

"And you let her go?" Elendil said looking at his son slight admonishing in his voice. Isildur raised his hands up in defense.

"This she told us when she argued: We are the three heirs of Elendil. If we stand together then we should die together." Isildur said quietly and shook his head, "We did not argue that." Elendil looked at his daughter aghast but Gildor cut in before any argument could ensue.

"You have named your daughter rightly, Elendil." said Gildor, "For she is indeed a Lady of Fire and the fire of your people does burn in her heart." Elendil was grateful for the compliment but worry still flickered in his eyes.

"One of my heirs, she indeed is. A flame of her people? Yes! But my daughter she still is and above all treasures I hold her dear." said Elendil, "And I would not see her harmed by any!"

"Father…" Anariel began. Elendil was suddenly angry, but only out of fear for his daughter, that much both Gil-galad and Gildor could discern. Isildur sat silent biting his tongue knowing better than to argue against his father. Gildor shot a glance to Isildur knowing he had a motive for starting this. Gil-galad in turn caught Gildor's eyes and suddenly knew his thoughts. Isildur wishes to protect her.

"I do not want you riding out with your brothers again! You could have been killed!"

"And so could they!" Anariel said standing up from her seat, "Am I to stand here and wait as our people fall under siege? I am a woman, yes, but I am no little girl and I do understand what hails in the world around me, father! You cannot tell me whether or not I can ride out with my brothers for it is my right!"

"I am your father!" Elendil said standing taller than her, "I'll not hear this talk from you!"

"Peace! Both of you!" Gil-galad ordered seeing that fire was within them both. Anariel abruptly left the table her fists balled at her side and her eyes glistening.

"Anariel!" Isildur called after her. Gil-galad placed a hand on his shoulder stopping him. Gil-galad too wanted to go after her but stopped himself looking to Gildor instead.

"Gildor, go see to the lady." Gildor bowed and complied. Elendil sighed falling back to his seat looking like a broken man for a moment.

"I am sorry for this." Elendil said quietly. Gil-galad smiled at the other comfortingly.

"Be at peace, friend." Gil-galad told him, "Were I in your position, as a father, perhaps I would do the same." Elendil managed a smile.

"Thank you." Gil-galad cocked an eyebrow at Isildur frowning.

Though you, Isildur, must find better ways of getting your will done than humiliating your sister, Isildur looked surprised hearing the elven king's mental thought his lips pursed although he gave a slight nod in apology. Gil-galad dismissed the other two elven counselors bidding them to ready their horses. Gil-galad hoped Anariel would be well though he almost had no doubt of it. For the little I know of her, she is strong of will. He thought though he suddenly wished to be with her knowing of her sensitivity as well.

"I know you both fear for her safety," Gil-galad said to them, "But if it should bring you some peace she shall come to Imladris and remain there with Isildur's wife and children until we return from our campaign."

"So it has been decided?" Isildur said of 'the campaign.' Gil-galad shook his head.

"Not yet," he told them. "But I doubt we shall not have any other choice in the end."

*

Anariel was fuming.

How dare he decide what I should or should not do? She thought furiously hiding outside the mansion of Lindon sitting on a stone bench angry tears threatning to fall from her eyes. Yet he is your father… said a small voice from the back of her mind.

"It's not fair." She whispered quietly her eyes falling on the great white sails of some of the ships docked.

"Indeed, it may not be." came another voice. Anariel sucked in her breath looking up then standing up.

"My lord," She said looking at Gil-galad. He waved her to sit back down and he sat next to her

"They fear for you, lady." Gil-galad told her softly, "They only fear for you because they love you." She wiped away some of the hot tears that burned her cheek. She was blushing and she felt utterly embarrased and yet comfortable in his presence all at once. Why do I lose breath and feeling around him? I do not know what to feel! She swallowed the ball that had formed in her throat.

"When I was younger," She began slowly, "I followed what they expected of me." Her voice had turned to a quivering whispers and she could not meet his silver blue eyes nor the sharpness of his gaze that seemed to see through her, "I became obedient daughter of my father, the charming and smiling sister of my brothers, and when I chose to wed I became the loving and loyal wife of Riordan although I bore him no son and for that I still hold resentment." She said quietly fiddling with the silver rings on her fingers.

Old woes began to fill her mind and the wounds of her heart began to open again. "For many months I waited in the tower of Minas Anor when my husband was away," She told him finally forcing herself to raise her eyes and face him, "I stood at the highest window facing the East, to Minas Ithil, where he was stationed under the command of Isildur." Her voice quivered as she forced herself to speak more slowly anger and sadness taking their toll, almost eating away at her voice and her heart, "When he returned, I rejoiced in seeing him again and there were feasts and the men would say 'Hail to the Lords of Gondor and the noble Lady of Riordan!' and there would be happiness even as the fires of Orodruin churned and roared past the borders of Mordor silently waiting for us to sleep before they unleashed a nightmare."

She closed her eyes looking down at her hands again and she shook her head, "Then one day he did not return and I had thought that I had lost Isildur as well." She whispered, "And I grew ill with grief fearing all was lost." She turned up her voice becoming hard and unwavering, "When Isildur returned I awoke from my grief and a flame of vengeance awoke in my heart for my husband's death. At that moment I swore I would not stand idle as the people of Gondor died and were under siege. I insisted to go to Osgilliath, and even now I vow to myself that I will not stand waiting as the enemy decides to take what it wills. If my brothers march into battle I shall march with them."

Gil-galad reached over and clasped on her hands which were quivering and she met his eyes surprised.

"Lady, I see the fire that lies within you but you must hold true to your father and his will." Gil-galad told her and her eyes darkened with his proposal, "You are no child among men. You have been a maid and have known the joys of peace, and a wife and have known love and war, and now a widow and you understand sorrow and loss. But you must not let your own desire for vengeance consume you lest you fall yourself to a doom undeserved." Anariel closed her eyes listening to the softness of his voice, sweet, and untouched by any rage or judgement but filled only with understanding and his hand clasping her own.

"I cannot bear this." She whispered weeping openly now feeling light headed with anger and sadness and feeling as if she was about to fall. But he held her coming closer and she was suddenly frightened by his closeness and pulled away. "We are to ride to Imladris?" She asked quietly forcing herself to stand feeling her heart beat furiously. Gil-galad gave a slight nod.

"Aye, my lady." He told her standing up slowly after her. "Will you be well to ride alone upon your own horse?" She nodded quickly.

"Yes, thank you, my lord." She said not able to meet his eyes again. Gil-galad began to walk passed her deciding he had best ready himself to ride as well.

Anariel took in a deep breath feeling relieved that he left though unsure why.

*

What had happened there? Wondered Gil-galad as he swiftly made his way to his quarters and began to shed his robe and change into his riding gear. He felt disappointed without fully knowing why. Varda! Was I expecting something to come out of this? He had been so close to her and he felt as if for a moment he flew when her emerald eyes turned to meet his. He hesitated before throwing on his cloak and instead sat on his bed holding his head feeling a throbbing pain from within.

"My lord, are you well?" that voice was Gildor's. Gil-galad looked up at the elven representative from Imladris.

"I… I am fine, Gildor." He told him quickly. Gildor looked at him skeptically.

"Do you feel for her?"

Gil-galad was taken aback by his question.

"What?" Gildor bowed.

"Forgive my brash question. But I have a feeling it is something Elrond would have asked you were he here and as a representative of my lord in Imladris I…"

Gil-galad laughed suddenly and shook his head at the serious look Gildor gave him.

"You are right, Gildor, Elrond would perhaps shoot that question at me, but when he does I shall answer him. As for you, she is naught but the daughter of my ally and I feel for her the affection of a friend." Gil-galad told him as he flung his blue cloak over his shoulders.

"And this is for me not for Elrond?"

"Precisely." said Gil-galad putting on a humorous smile. Gildor cocked and eyebrow.

"I see."

"Are the horses ready?"

"Your heralds, guards, Elendil and Isildur await you at the eastern gate. All that is left is you and I as well as Anariel." Gildor told him. Gil-galad nodded.

"Go and find Anariel and escort her to the gate, I have one more thing to take care of before I leave." Gildor bowed and hurried to comply his steps but a whisper that only elven ears could hear. Gil-galad sighed deeply and as soon as he was sure he was gone he reached over to his dressed where there was a locked box. He walked toward it slowly taking the key from the chain around his neck and he opened it.

Three rings glittered and glowed faintly from within. Nenya. Narya. Vilya.

Gil-galad sighed deeply and placed the rings within a small velvet bag and tucked it safely within the purse at his belt.  

It was time to head for the council but a deep foreboding filled Gil-galad. Not only for himself but for Anariel and for the fate of Middle Earth and the silent whispers of his heart.

*

Author's Note: Council at Imladris coming up! Gil-galad and Anariel overcome their feelings… PLEASE REVIEW!