I grabbed hold of Asfaloth's mane and pulled myself up. I had never ridden bareback before, but something urged me on despite the warning I gave myself. Asfaloth whinnied and flew forward. Despite my worries, I had no trouble staying on his unsaddled back. The wind in my face was exhilarating, I felt like I was flying.
We came to a stop near the foot of the walkway to our room. I was panting, and my hands were shakily clutching Asfaloth's mane. I slid off his back and watched as he galloped off. With a sigh, I slowly walked back up the stairs, turned a corner, and ran quite literally into Glorfindel.
"No, no, do not apologize," he smiled at me. What a change from not so long ago. "It was my fault." He continued walking past me, stopped, and called my name.
"Luitha, may I have a word with you?"
I too stopped, puzzled. "Of course. What about?"
He hesitated. "Your friend Tadan. How does she feel about Lord Elrond?"
I had to admit, as surprised by the question as I was, I was not utterly shocked either. "The same as I feel. We are very thankful for his healing skills and indebted to him for his service."
He nodded, as though he expected the answer. "Yes. Is that all?"
"What more do you expect to hear?" I did not like the direction this was going.
"Never mind. Thank you." Glorfindel turned on his heel and strode around the corner. I watched him leave, took a deep breath of air, and continued down the hall.
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Tadandader HalfElvenI placed a pillow under my feet and relaxed, humming softly while I considered what I had heard. I was so lost in my thoughts, and my inspection of the floor, that I didn't hear the door creak open. A hand on my shoulder made me jump, startled, and I slipped off the bed with the blankets in a heap.
"I am so sorry..." Elrond said, but he was fighting a smile as he helped untangle me. I was getting a little frustrated by the fact that he always was helping me. He suddenly stopped when the last blanket was off. "You changed!"
"I was bored, and I wanted to try a little walking. I thought the room would be a safe place to start."
"Yes, that was a smart choice." He careful set the blankets to the side, and wrapped his arms around me to help me up. I stubbornly tried to get up by myself, and slipped, knocking the both of us over, with him on top. I was suddenly very aware of his intense eyes. My mind froze. What does one say when they are on the ground with the most gorgeous Elf they have ever seen on top? Certainly not any of the things that were coming to mind. His lips came very close to mine, and then a throat cleared from the doorway.
"Lord Elrond?" Glorfindel stood there. Of all the Elves, the one that obviously didn't like me had just walked in to see his Lord on top of me. That would help Glorfindel and I get along, I thought sarcastically. Elrond climbed off, though not without some effort, for our feet were tangled in the blankets. I almost laughed until I saw the look of evident disapproval on Glorfindel's face.
Elrond's hand rested on my cheek for a moment before he left the room. I picked up the blankets, and climbed back into bed. I was exhausted. Then Luitha came in, from where ever Elrohir had taken her. How much should I tell her? I wondered.
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El luitha urenTadan gave me the strangest look as I walked in the room. Was she looking at me? I checked to see if anyone was behind me. Nope, that odd stare was definitely intended for me.
"What's wrong?" I knew I looked flushed from riding still, and my hair probably wasn't... oh, wait. I was an Elf. My hair was probably fine. Well, anyway...
She shook her head. "Nothing, sorry. Thinking about something."
I grinned. "Something happen with your Elf Lord you wanna tell me about?" It was amazing how quickly her face turned red. I laughed. "I'm sorry! I won't tease you about that anymore." She relaxed, but it took awhile for the burn to fade away.
I hopped on the bed beside her, still grinning. "I got a horse! Asfaloth! Elrohir took me out, and I whistled, and he just came running over!"
Tadan grinned too, but her smile faded. "Isn't Asfaloth Glorfindel's horse?"
"Sort of, but not really. Don't worry about it." The look on her face was obvious. She worried about it. It seemed she too had had another strange run-in with Glorfindel.
"Luitha, do you get the impression he doesn't like me?" Ah, there it was. No need to explain who 'he' was. I hesitated before answering. How much should I tell her about what I'd noticed between her and Elrond?
"I do. But I think he's just hesitant and unsure of accepting you right away." She was silent and lost in thought for a moment. Then she gave me that strange look again and opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something.
"What?" Okay, this was irritating. "Tadan, what?" She closed her mouth and shook her head again. I sighed and rolled over to lay down next to her on the bed.
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Tadandader HalfElvenEvery time I tried to tell Luitha what happened, the words just flew out of my head. My thoughts were significantly muddled, but I could tell she was getting frustrated.
"Tadan, what?" I shook my head, and she sighed and laid down. Obviously she was planning on staying there until I told her. Finally, I got my thoughts together and was opening my mouth to tell her when Elrohir walked in. But this Elrohir had a sleeve missing from his shirt.
"Luitha, what did you do to Elrohir?" I asked. Her eyes went wide and she shook her head as if to deny any wrongdoing.
The Elf grinned. "I am not Elrohir. I am Elladan." Oh, that kind of explained it, but what happened to his sleeve? He followed our glances at his arm and laughed, a soft melodic sound. "Every now and then my brother and I have a minor tussle, and the loser must bear the marks upon his clothing for a day. It's father's way of punishing us for 'disturbing the peace'." I didn't question this. I was too busy wondering what Elrond's laughter sounded like.
It hit me all of a sudden. I was no longer just feeling friendly toward our host. When had that changed? Could it have been so subtle that I didn't even notice it? Did he return my feelings? I was snapped out of my reverie by sudden silence.
"Tadan?" Luitha looked concerned again.
"I'm sorry, I'm fine. I was just lost in my thoughts." Neither of them looked as if they believed me. Elladan placed his hand upon my forehead, and paused for a moment.
"You are doing better than even this morning. It could have been a momentary lapse of health. Perhaps I should find my father. He knows more of this than I."
"I'll be fine!" I hadn't meant to say it that quickly. "I mean, don't trouble yourself. I'm sure he had urgent matters to discuss with Glorfindel." Now they were both staring at me.
"With Glorfindel? I shall go see. If he is not occupied, I shall send him." Elladan turned and gracefully left the room. Luitha was still staring at me. I didn't want to see him when I was so uncertain of my thoughts and feelings.
"He..." Agh! How do I tell Luitha? "I...um....Elrond, well.." I trailed off, and then noticed the grin that was spreading over her face.
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El luitha urenI just about cheered for joy! I tired to hide the excitement I felt, but couldn't stop the grin from spreading across my face. But did Elrond feel the same way Tadan did? I had caught his eyes on her, but was I just romanticizing about the two of them?
Poor Tadan, she seemed so confused and bewildered. She struggled to get words out and seemed torn in her decision of what to tell me. Finally, I reached out and pulled her into a tight hug. "I know Tadan."
She sighed. "What do I do? If he walks in the room, I'll probably fall apart! That's what I always do!" she wailed. "I always manage to make a complete klutz of myself whenever he's around."
I smiled sympathetically at her. "You're still recovering. You're allowed to be weak and accident-prone. He probably likes it when you fall into his arms every three minutes!"
She smiled shyly. "You think so?" I was just about to open my mouth and reply that I knew so, but was interrupted by a knock on the door. Very quietly, it opened and Elrond stepped into the room.
Tadan froze.
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Tadandader HalfElvenElrond walked in. I couldn't breathe. How did he manage to look so... No. Don't go there. Concentrate, Tadan, I told myself. Get a grip. He's just here to make sure you don't die. After all, it would probably stain his reputation if one of his patients died that day after he had declared her healed. I met his eyes, and realized I wasn't able to move. Then Luitha went back to her bed. Was she smiling? Oh no, now I was alone! I blinked, and he was beside my bed. How did he get here so fast? My thoughts were so tumbled about.
"Elladan said you suffered another spell of dizziness," he murmured, and placed his hand on my cheek. Wait a sec, why was it on my cheek? "You aren't breathing well. What is wrong?"
If I opened my mouth, I probably would scream. That wasn't a very good idea, so I shook my head 'no'.
His eyes grew more concerned as they searched mine. "Tadan?" Oh my, if he said my name like that again I would probably pass out. I felt like an idiot. He probably felt nothing for me but concern. Breathe, I thought, trying to will myself out of this trance. His other hand went right above my heart. "Relax, I fear your heart is beating too fast for your health right now." As if I didn't know? From the hand on my chest I felt heat radiating out. My heart slowed, and my breathing became a little easier.
He knelt upon the bed silently, his hand still on my cheek, but the other one on the bed. "Describe how you feel."
Right. How does, 'I feel like kissing you right now' sound? There was no way I was going to say that, not in a million lifetimes. Which I probably now had, I realized. "I don't know." Now that was brilliant, I told myself. I sound like a confused kindergarten student!
Suddenly his eyebrow flickered up, and his eyes changed. I had no idea what that meant. "I see," he said. What did he see? Then his lips brushed mine, and his other hand wrapped around me.
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El luitha urenI left the room the minute Elrond walked in. If he saw the grin that split my face, poor Tadan would never live it down.
So I left the room, but that didn't mean I didn't stay right by the door, one eye pressed against the open crack.
They spoke in murmuring voices, and Elrond moved to block my view with his back. Darn it you silly Elf Lord! MOVE! Then the murmuring stopped and Elrond, by some miracle, moved and...
He kissed her! Oh Tadan! I had to use every strain of willpower I possessed to keep from shrieking and leaping in the air. I felt filled with such energy and laughter. I closed the door quietly and pelted down the hall as fast as my legs would carry me, lifting up my skirt as I ran. I was still in a dress, but with breeches underneath, that was bearable at least. Shoot, why did even the men have to wear skirts around here?
I flew down the corridor and leaped off the steps into the grass. With a shrill whistle, Asfaloth came racing through the trees, answering with a ringing trumpet call of his own. I grabbed hold of his mane, flung myself on his back, and he took off racing into the trees again.
His mane whipped against my face. My own curls flew streaming behind me. Fabric and parts of my clothing fluttered in the wind. How alive I felt! I laughed, and Asfaloth dipped his head and laughed along with me as his hooves pounded into the dirt and he weaved among the trees.
We were coming to a clearing, I could see it ahead of me. The moment we reached the edge of the trees and broke into the sunlight, a shape appeared from nowhere on my right. I looked over to see Estel and Roheryn flying beside me, joy as I had never see before in him written on the man's face. Roheryn curved his neck and sped up to fly race alongside Asfaloth.
I laughed again and cried "Noro lim Asfaloth!" The horse trumpeted and I felt the power in his legs as he soared on. Roheryn picked his pace up as well, and Estel's face was full of laughter and mirth as he rode beside me.
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Tadandader HalfElvenHe pulled away after the kiss, his eyes questioning me. There was only one answer I felt like giving him. I grasped the collar of his robe and kissed him back. Perhaps I pulled him back to me too hard, or perhaps it was on purpose that he fell on top of me again. The second kiss was long, and absolutely magnificent. He knew what he was doing.
One of his hands stroked through my short hair. This was the only time I could think of where I regretted it's shortness. I had enough time to gather my breath before his hand wrapped around my head and brought my mouth back up to his. I was probably enjoying this a little too much, but I didn't care. His other hand stroked my neck softly.
Meanwhile, my hand was in his magnificent hair. It was soft and cool, and very long. I closed my eyes to enjoy his mouth upon my face. And then I couldn't breathe. I choked. Both of his hands were on my forehead in a flash. "Tadan? Breathe!" His voice was urgent, but I couldn't. It wasn't like earlier, when he had entered the room. Now it felt like a vise had gripped my heart and lungs. I opened my eyes. That was a big mistake. The room started spinning, and I closed my eyes again to try to save some of my strength.
"Elrohir!" Elrond called. Something was wrong, very wrong. Footsteps sounded. "Find Glorfindel, now! Send him here!" His hands moved to my chest, but there was nothing romantic to it now. "No," he whispered. "No." It felt as if he was forcing my lungs to breathe.
The door burst open, and two more hands landed on my face. "What happened?" Glorfindel sounded accusing.
"Her heart seized."
"Obviously, but why? We healed it. Something had to have happened for this to occur!"
"I kissed her." The room was silent except for my gasping breaths and the deep breathing of the Elves.
"A simple kiss would not have..."
"There was nothing simple about it."
"I see." What was it with Elves and seeing everything? Ah, good, it looked like my sense of humor was still alive and kicking. "Her body responded and her heart could not take the strain."
"Evidently." The tightness was fading. I was starting to breathe on my own again.
"She must rest. I hear she was walking today as well. No doubt that added to the strain." One hand came off my chest, as my breathing returned to normal.
"No doubt." What, was this the 'see how much we can avoid the topic that's staring us in the face' competition? Elrond was waiting for Glorfindel to say something else, and Glorfindel was waiting for Elrond to say it. Both hands left my forehead.
"It is taken care of." And it was. I no longer felt any of the tightness. But one hand still rested on me. "Elrond?" Ah, here it came.
"I care for her, Glorfindel. She strikes me to the soul with her eyes," how did one do that? "and her mind is clever and enticing." Oh, my mind is enticing? Is that all? I felt a little bit annoyed. Then I realized this was probably as mushy as Elrond ever got.
"After only a few short days, you already know enough about her to do this?"
"It feels as though I have known her my whole life." It sounded so honest, I would have kissed him had I been able.
A heavy sigh came from Glorfindel. "If that is how you feel, only you would truly know. But, be careful. Not only is she too weak for anything, well, strenuous, at the moment, you do not know all that much about her."
"I shall be careful." Footsteps told me that one had left the room. By the hand still on my chest I knew that Glorfindel had exited. I felt the bed move, and then his hand came off me. Was he getting up? Then his arm wrapped around me softly, and he pulled me to him. "Ah, Tadan. When you wake, I shall be here."
I fell into a deep sleep, full of dreams of Elrond Peredhil.
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El luitha urenThe sun was high when we reached the other side of the meadow and shot into the trees, our pace never slackening. The world seemed bright and new and fully of joy. We weaved in and out of the trees, flying so swiftly that I no longer could clearly see the path in front of me. Indeed, I could no longer even see the world around me. I was conscious only of Asfaloth's pounding hooves and streaming mane, and of Estel riding beside me.
At last, when we had traveled in a complete circle and come back to Rivendell, our headlong rush slowed into a steady trot. Asfaloth and Roheryn halted in the shade of the trees, their voices whinnying with laughter. I slid off the white back to land smoothly on the ground. Strange, I had never been able to do that before without a jolt at the landing. I kept one hand on Asfaloth's neck and looked up to see Estel moving toward me, eyes sparkling with laughter.
"I've never seen you like this before, my lord." I told him as I smiled up at him.
"Nor I you," he replied. "But I saw you race out of your room and followed. Tell me, my lady, what has put such joy into your heart?"
I never doubted that I could tell him. "Lord Elrond and Tadan! I saw them together in her room and ran off before they heard me laughing in joy in the hallway!"
"Truly?" This news seemed to gladden him even more. "It is about time! Ah El luitha, the world is young and fair, let us show it how happy we are!" He picked me up and swung me in a circle, laughing merrily.
"Luitha!" Elrohir came charging toward us on his own steed. "I have searched everywhere for you! Tadan was ill again!"
The smile immediately faded from my face. Estel set me down, solemn now as well.
"She had trouble breathing and her heart stopped for a moment. Father was concerned the same would happen to you and sent me to find you."
"I am fine," I assured him, urgently remounting Asfaloth. "Take me to her!"
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Tadandader HalfElvenI opened my eyes to see his staring into mine. "Tadan," he whispered softly. He was wrapped around me, holding me as if he was afraid to let go.
"I'm so sorry."
"No, you have nothing to be sorry about!" He stroked my lips gently. "I had let myself forget of your condition, and now you have paid the price. It is I who should be sorry." I laid my head against his broad chest, too weak to do much else.
A thought struck me. "Why am I so weak?"
"Neither Glorfindel nor myself had the strength to heal you and restore your strength. Therefore, you are healed, and need to rest quite a bit." His voice rumbled through his body, and I smiled.
"I do not mind resting when you are here." Oops, maybe that was a bit too forward. And then again, he was holding me.
"Thank you. I do not mind being here." I looked up to meet his eyes again. They were sincere and warm. He began stroking my head softly, and I closed my eyes. I intended to go to sleep, but was startled when the door banged open. I was wide awake in a flash.
"Tadan! Are you....." Luitha trailed off. Maybe she was startled to see Elrond there? I didn't think so. After all, she left the room when he came in last time.
"Luitha. She will be all right. She just needs to rest."
"What happened?" Estel came striding in.
"She was not up to strenuous activity. I should not have pushed her."
I moaned in protest. It wasn't his fault. Well, maybe it was just a little. If he wasn't so darned exciting, this wouldn't of happened. His breath caught as I moaned, and his hand that had been underneath me came to my cheek tenderly. "Rest, Tadan." I drifted off, not wanting to.
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El luitha urenTadan! Oh my friend! What had happened to her since we'd first arrived at Rivendell? She seemed so weak and tired lying in Elrond's arms. I felt the urge to cry and bit my lip to keep from doing so. The joy and happiness that had filled my heart had disappeared now, and I wondered yet again at the changes that had come over us in the past few days.
I stood under the trees now, walking next to Asfaloth and watching the sun dip below the horizon. How quickly the day had gone. My thoughts constantly returned to Tadan, as much as I tried to keep from worrying.
"She is with Elrond," came the low voice behind me. I turned to see Estel step out of the shadows. "That is the best thing for her now."
"Will she ever be the same?" I tried not to blink in an attempt to keep the tears at bay.
"Yes. But it will take time." He frowned and took my shoulders in his hands. "Why do you keep torturing yourself, El luitha?" he asked quietly. "What happened was not your fault."
"You don't know that!" I cried. "If I hadn't left her to get that stupid coke she wouldn't be in this mess!"
"I do not know what this 'coke' is that you speak of, but you are not responsible El luitha. You could not be. You love her too much."
"Then why do I feel like it's my fault?" I asked miserably, looking at my feet.
Estel did not answer for a long time. Finally, "Come with me," he commanded, taking my hand and leading me away from the trees.
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Tadandader HalfElvenOnce more I awoke to his eyes on me. "Aren't you going to sleep?" I asked quietly.
"Probably not for a while yet. Someone must make sure that your heart does not stop again. Are you so eager to get rid of me?"
"Never. But my health has wearied you, and I don't want you to have to refrain from rest while you watch me."
His lips brushed my forehead softly. "As I said earlier, I do not mind." His arms were so warm. I felt so safe with him right there. My hand went back to his soft hair. I liked how it felt, sliding through my fingers. His breathing changed, but I didn't notice it until one of his hands began to softly stroke my back. Our eyes met.
"You should not do anything strenuous." His voice was serious, but his eyes... now there was a different story.
"How is this strenuous?" I asked with my most innocent voice.
His lips curled into a smile, and then he slowly kissed me.
I moved to kiss him back, but he drew out of my reach. I looked at him questioningly. "Lay back." I did, confused. Surely this was what he wanted? Then he kissed me again, and I realized what he meant. I softly continued the kiss.
Suddenly I stopped. His eyes looked intensely concerned and his hand moved until I said, "Luitha! She.."
"Do not worry about your friend. Estel is with her." His eyes gave double meaning to what he was saying, and then his next kiss wiped all thoughts from my head.
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El luitha urenWe walked silently for what seemed like ages. The last rays of the dying sun dipped below the horizon, and Rivendell and the surrounding woods were immersed in the darkness. At last Estel came to a sudden stop. I lifted my eyes from the path and looked up to see Earendil shining directly in front of me. It's light cut through the surrounding darkness and gave light to even the deepest places in the trees.
My eyes moved to Estel, still standing quietly beside me, his face was lifted up to the Star and his eyes were closed in concentration. Weariness and care once more lined his face. How young and old he seemed at the same time.
"What troubles you Estel?" I asked quietly. The water of the Bruinen chimed and trickled in the distance, and the wind fluttered and rustled the leaves above us. They were the only sounds other than my voice and our quiet breathing.
Estel smiled sadly. "It is no matter." He did not look at me.
Why was everyone refusing to talk to me? I grew hurt and angry. Was I so ignorant? I turned and began to walk away, but Estel caught my arm.
"El luitha," he said urgently, I turned back to see the pain in his eyes. "I did not mean to hurt you, nor turn you away," he told me softly. "But I do not want to burden you..."
"I am your friend," I interrupted. "Let me share your burden." The relief was plain in his eyes. "Talk to me, please Estel."
He let go of my arm and turned back to face Earendil. "My name is not Estel," he began. I caught my breath, knowing what was coming.
"Then who are you?"
He swallowed and spoke the name slowly, as though saying for the first time. "Aragorn. Son of Arathorn." I closed my eyes and concentrated on breathing.
Isildur's heir and heir to the throne of Gondor. The words ran automatically through my mind. So his destiny had been revealed at last. I looked at his hand. The Ring of Barahir was there, on his forefinger. How had I missed it before? Was this what Elrond had so urgently needed to talk to him about?
"This troubles you?" I could not understand his sadness.
"I am not who you think I was."
"You have not changed, Estel."
"Aragorn," he mumbled.
"You will always be Estel to me," I told him, "No matter what others may call you."
He turned to me, the starlight reflecting off one side of his face and leaving the other in shadow. I caught my breath again. His eyes mirrored the light of Earendil itself, an endless blue filled with sadness that sought my own, questioning.
"You will always be Hope to me."
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Tadandader HalfElven"But wait!" I said. Elrond stopped and met my eyes. "I thought you did not approve of them together, much as I fear Glorfindel does not approve of us!"
He sighed. "He and I have spoken at some length upon it. He has many duties to fulfill, and I fear that Luitha might distract him from those." I waited patiently for him to continue. "He has a destiny. He is fated...." With a smile he stopped. "Yes, that is the word. He is fated to be the next king of Gondor. That will take much effort on his part."
I tried to pull away. As weak as I was, I couldn't move much. But I could glare. "Tadan, what is wrong?"
"You assume she would be a distraction. Would I not also be a distraction to your rule of Rivendell?"
"No. It is different. You see, he must establish his rule, while I have ruled here for a very long time. Few Elves would break the rules, while among humans it is almost a popular thing. I am not against your friend in any way at all. Rather, I do not think it would be fair to her if they were to begin a relationship."
"You think wrong."
"Tadan, you do not have all of the years that I do. Nor do I think you have the experience of ruling a people as I have. Once you have gotten to my position, you would understand." His hand gently brought my face up so he could look me in the eyes. "We shall see what happens. Perhaps I have misjudged. Now, are you still mad at me?"
"I wasn't mad, just annoyed."
"Are you still annoyed at me?" He traced my ear, almost idly.
"No."
"Good. Because you were so tense when you were annoyed."
"What, being annoyed doesn't make me more beautiful?"
"No, your smile does that." I smiled at him. Somehow he already knew just what I wanted to hear. His mouth went to my pointed ear.
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El luitha urenHe reached up to caress my cheek, but he pulled his hand away as soon as it touched my skin. I held my breath. Why was he so hesitant? What was holding him back?
"Estel?" I asked. "Aragorn?" His eyes held me, begging and pleading as I knew my own were, but for what? I took his hand, still held near my face in indecision, and kissed the palm. It was shaking. So was I, I realized in surprise.
"Luitha, I cannot, I..." His eyes grew even brighter, as though tears were about to fall from them. He swallowed. "You are Elvish, and I..."
Ah. That was the problem. He was human and I, strangely enough, was not. I silently cursed whatever fates had arranged this, stroking his fingers with my own.
"Elrond warned me, and he is right," Aragorn looked at the ground.
"Is he?" I asked softy. I was shaking so hard I thought I'd fall. Aragorn met my eyes again and seemed to sense this. He moved closer, one hand on my waist, the other reached up to stroke my hair and tuck a curl behind my ear.
My pointy ear, curse it. All my life I had desired to be an Elf. And now, I wished for nothing else other than to be human. I leaned into his hand and closed my eyes. It felt warm against my face. I hadn't realized how cold the night had become.
"Aragorn, I was not always an Elf." His head tilted, and he regarded me quietly, waiting for me to finish. I looked away, unsure of what to say or even if I should say it. "In my land, I was human. Elves did not exist. I do not know how Elvish blood got into my veins, nor how long I will remain this way." Would he believe me? "I do not care what consequences come of this. I do not care that you will one day be king and I a simple Elf maiden from Rivendell that once appeared from nowhere." Aragorn did not twitch a muscle. Had I said too much? What had I done?
"You did not come from nowhere," he whispered. "I think you fell from the stars, and that is why your heart lies with them. And I also care not for consequences, El luitha uren."
He tipped my chin up, wrapped an arm around my waist, and enclosed both of us in his cloak. My last thought, before his lips closed on mine and we became lost to the world, was of Earendil glowing a pure white in the sky above us.