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Tadandader HalfElvenA pounding on the door interrupted us. I moaned softly, and Elrond traced my cheek before he got up, threw a robe on, and answered the door.
"My Lord, Luitha has come back, bleeding, and says that Elrohir is injured and in dire need of reinforcements!"
I sat up. Luitha?
"Has anyone left yet?"
"Yes, my lord, Glorfindel has already led a detachment of archers. He and Elladan should have reached Elrohir by now."
"Very well. Where is Luitha?"
"In her rooms, sir."
"I shall be there to attend her right away. You are dismissed, and as soon as Glorfindel returns with Elrohir let me know. I will be with Luitha."
"Of course, my Lord." The other Elf walked away. Elrond turned to face me, already getting on the gown he had shown to me earlier.
"I'm ready when you are," I said. He looked surprised for a moment, then he seemed to remember that he was only wearing a bathrobe. Rapidly he dressed, and then we went to the room that Luitha was in.
She was in her bed when we came in, and turned her bruised head to see us.
"Luitha! How do you feel?" I rushed to her side, but let Elrond have the chair.
"Like I've been beaten up." Well, obviously she still had the fine art of irony down. Elrond placed his hands on her head, and I watched in amazement as the bruises and cuts faded away. As soon as he was done, Elladan burst in with Elrohir leaning heavily on his shoulders.
"Come," Elrond said, and helped Elladan lay his twin on the other bed. "Tadan, get Luitha a few blankets. She needs to stay warm while her body recovers from shock." I dashed down the hall, and into a small storage room I had noticed earlier. Swiftly I pulled out a large stack of blankets, and ran back up the hall.
After dropping about half of them beside Elrohir's bed, I wrapped the shivering Luitha up.
"Done." Elrond stood, wearily, and watched as Elladan covered his brother. "Elladan, will you stay with them?"
Elladan nodded. What about me? Did he not trust me enough to watch over them, especially Luitha?
"Tadan, I could use a hand back to my room." He looked serious, and then I realized that he was barely standing. Not quite sure about how much I would be able to help him, I put his arm over my shoulders and supported his weight as best I could.
"Luitha, I'll be back soon," I said.
Elladan looked at me. "It is always best if someone stays with the Healer after a healing is done."
Oh. I hadn't known that. "I'm sorry, I was unaware..." Elrond raised his hand and cut me off.
"No one told you. It is not your fault."
I felt torn. I could always send Elladan up with his father and stay with Luitha, but Elrond had asked for me. With a sigh I decided to stay with Elrond, for Luitha was already almost asleep.
We carefully and slowly climbed the stairs together to his room. I helped him lay down, and laid down next to him, studying his magnificent eyes.
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El luitha urenThe pounding in my skull was the first thing that I noticed when I woke. It was dark out, I could see the moonlight streaming down to form strange patterns on my bed. What day was it? How long had I been asleep?
Elrohir was sleeping peacefully in the bed next to me. Elladan slept in the chair beside the head of his twin, his own head resting in his curled up arms, dark hair falling thickly around them.
I was restless. The stars were calling, and the aching in my skull made sleep impossible. I threw the covers back silently and crept out of the room to the balcony, leaning my weight on the cold marble. There was Earendil, bright as always. Its light filled me with strength, and I closed my eyes, basking in its illumination, breathing deeply. Thunder rolled in the distance, warning of the approach of a fall storm.
From the disarray Elrond and Tadan seemed in when they had entered my room, I knew that I had interrupted them. Had they had a moment's peace yet? It seemed something always interfered when they were together. I felt guilty. Again.
There was a quiet scoffing on the forest floor below me. I looked down from the balcony, trying to peer through the darkness, but my eyes were unable to penetrate through the blackness under the trees. The scoffing continued, and I heard whispered voices. What was that? It did not sound like Elves.
I moved silently down the corridor, out of Rivendell, and onto the ground of the forest. Slinking from tree to tree, I crept closer to the voices.
I would realize later how stupid I had been. But blonde moments struck me occasionally, and this was the perfect opportunity for one to catch me unaware. It never occurred to me that I should go for help. But as I hid behind one tree, I saw the Men gathering in the woods, whispering to make sure they were all there. They were different from the captives Elrohir and I had ensnared earlier, their voices were smoother, their clothing in better condition. Nine of them, I counted. How ironic.
"...said they were taken here."
"They were, I told you! Why'd you have to knock that guard out- we could have used him to get around this place."
"Better safe than sorry."
"We will be sorry if we stay here much longer."
I was concentrating so hard on their conversation that I didn't hear the approach from behind. A hand fastened over my mouth at the same time my arms were pinned behind my back. I did not try to shriek. I just stood helplessly as my captor hissed to his fellows, "Over here! I caught one!" I glared angrily as the men gathered around me, my heart pounding once more. One of them laughed,
"This is the same one we almost had before! Pretty Elf, she is." He reached out to caress my chin, and I jerked my head away. The look in my eyes caused him to hesitate, and he pulled away with a suspicious look of his own. "Careful, she's a nasty bite."
"Should we use her to get around? She'll know where the others are being held."
The man who had just backed away from me shook his head. "No, she's a dangerous one. I wouldn't trust her. Send an escort with her and get her out of her." He grinned evilly. "We can use her for other purposes."
My blood ran cold. The man still holding me shoved me forward. I stumbled, and he lost his grip. I used that opportunity without thinking. I swung around and knocked him to the ground with a nice kick to the head. Screaming Elbereth's name just as thunder boomed and the sky opened up, I turned to face another when hands grabbed me from behind and once more pinned my arms. I kicked and fought, felt a sharp stabbing pain in the back of my skull, and the world went blank once more.
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Tadandader HalfElvenFor a while I watched him almost nervously, because I had no idea what to do if something happened to him. His hand stroked my cheek as we rested there, peacefully. After the stars had begun to show in the sky, I began to feel tired. I drifted off to the soft sounds of his breathing, only to be wakened moments later by his hands.
"Mm?" I asked, still half asleep.
"I fear we were interrupted earlier." I felt his mouth on the side of my neck.
"Aren't you still weak?" I hadn't opened my eyes yet, because I had just gotten comfortable.
"I am a healer. We recover fast." Now I felt his hands along my back.
"Wouldn't this be the cue for Glorfindel and all of Rivendell to come walking in?" I very obviously was tired.
"No." His finger tips lightly brushed the tip of my pointy ear before he kissed it.
I ran my hand through his soft hair. It was constantly amazing me at how long and smooth it was. His sharp intake of breath caused me to open my eyes and look at him. He seemed fine, and I was a bit confused until he pulled me to him, hard, and locked his lips with mine. Oh, that's why, was my last thought that night.
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El luitha urenI could feel the raindrops splattering on my back. The quiet forest was filled with the patter of water on leaves. Water ran down my nose. It tickled, and I could not brush it away as my hands were tied. I was on a horse. Its rough gait jarred me up and down, the saddle horn thrusting painfully into my ribs. I was tied in, couldn't move my legs they were bound so tightly to the stirrups. I did not know how long I had been in that position, only that my legs were numb from the cold and loss of circulation.
The cloak I was wearing was not my own. It was well-worn and rain leaked through the patches and even the fabric itself. It hadn't been washed in years. The smell, the jarring of the horse, the saddle horn in my abdomen, and my raw nerves filled me with nausea.
All that I could tell of where I was came from the sounds and smells around me. The cloak's hood was over my eyes, and I was too weak to lift my head from its position over the horse's neck. I drifted in and out of consciousness, bits and pieces of conversation entering my mind.
"We need a break! We can't keep up at this pace! It'll be dark soon and we'll loose our way!"
"By nightfall these woods will be swarming with Elves. We must keep moving!"
"They 'aven't come yet. If they were intent on rescuin' 'er, they'd be 'ere by now."
"We keep moving!"
And the jarring motion of the horse continued.
I was on my own. I'd never had any other illusions. There was no way for anyone in Rivendell to know of what had happened until I was discovered missing in a day or two. Or until the guard was found. My scream of Elbereth's name had been lost in the thunder that boomed that moment.
The men didn't say much, mostly grumbled warning comments and grunted as they walked. But when they did speak, I discovered that it was worthwhile to listen. They were all outlaws from the western lands near Bree, not affiliated with each other but forced into one company. The Rangers in the area had started clearing out the backwoods, and the outlaws had been forced to look for new homes.
Rangers. I wondered if Aragorn was one of them.
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Water dribbled down my face, dripping onto my hands. I had been hearing sounds in the bushes beside us for a long time now. Someone was following us. A group of someones. Not Elves, judging by the noise they made. Most likely another group of bandits. My hearing was better than that of my captors, and they never would never see it coming. I did not care. I would most likely remain a captive, no matter who won in the fight that would eventually come. But I remained alert, ready for the chance to break loose and flee. I was not beaten yet.
I waited.
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Tadandader HalfElvenI woke to the sounds of birdsong in the air, and rolled over to check on Elrond. He was breathing deeply, fast asleep. I felt a little guilty. Luitha had been hurt, and here I was, enjoying my time with my Elf.
Quietly I rose and put on a dress-and-pants outfit. Why didn't the Elves have capris? I checked on Elrond once more before I left to see Luitha. He was still asleep.
Hmm, I thought, his hair is messed up. I didn't think that happened. I suppose I'll have to brush it out. With that cheerful thought I slipped through the door and set it to before walking down the hall.
I softly rapped on the door before entering, but I heard nothing in reply. The first thing I saw was Elladan, fast asleep in the chair, and it looked like he was drooling. Now that was an image to destroy the graceful reputation of that twin. Elrohir looked well, and I went past that bed and thought the curtains separating the beds.
Luitha's bed was empty. Where could she be? I looked out the window, but saw nothing. Puzzled, I walked back to the hall, only to run into Glorfindel.
"Checking on your friend?" He asked. His eyes looked, well, knowing. The 'I know what you did last' series came to mind, and I mentally replaced 'summer' with 'night'.
Oh, but there was a way to distract him. "She isn't there. Do you know where she might be?"
His brow furrowed. "Isn't there? She did not leave the room, Erestor watched the door all night, and in fact informed me of your entry. He did not fall asleep or walk away."
"Then I guess she jumped from the window." He didn't believe me. That was my biggest pet peeve in the world, when people didn't believe what you were telling them. I was pretty sure he didn't trust what I was saying for the same reasons most didn't, I was young, and I was a blonde. "Why don't you go check if you're so sure of yourself, Glorfindel."
"I shall do that." With that he went into the room. I followed him because I felt I would enjoy gloating over him. "She is not here!"
"Ya think?" I gave him my most sarcastic look, and turned to walk away. I had no desire to jump from the window, rather, I was going to use the stairs so I could search the grounds.
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El luitha urenI did not have to wait long. As consciousness came floating back, the sounds of following feet came closer and more urgent. I did not realize the outlaws were being rushed until the sounds of shocked shouts and clashing swords came to my ears.
With an effort I did not know I had in me, I lifted my head. It took a moment for my eyes to orient in the light, dim as it was, and see through the drizzle. Fleeting shapes were everywhere, and the attackers seemed dressed the exact same way as my captors. More bandits, I thought in disgust.
Adrenaline flowed through my veins and I immediately took action. I slapped the rear of the horse I was strapped to and rode down the nearest man I could see. He was knocked off his feet as I charged by, and I grabbed the sword from the sheath on his belt. He himself had not even had the time to draw it yet. I swung, facing the chaos in front of me again, and cut the bonds on my wrists and legs with the sword.
Now, to get out of there. I swung the horses' head toward the trail and prepared for take off.
Strange that at that moment, the barriers that had been shielding my mind came down. But perhaps it wasn't strange- I was weak and unable to hold them any longer. Many confusing thoughts invaded my head and I hesitated. One specific thought was foremost in the tendrils that reached me.
Rangers?
I whirled the horse's head around and headed back to the melee. Nearly all of my captors were down now, and I could see that the attackers- Rangers- were standing over them and making sure that they were all taken care of.
I heard a sword drawn behind me and instantly reacted. "Hold! I am not your enemy!" I commanded
The Ranger hesitated at my flank and spoke in just as commanding a voice. "Then who are you?"
I was distracted by a hostile hand on my stirrup. I had not seen it coming on my other flank, and my weak legs gave no resistance as I was pulled of the saddle. Angry, I rolled down and on top of my own attacker. He threw me off and I hit the ground with a gut-wrenching gasp. He was nearly on top of me again when several Rangers lunged at once from behind and pinned him to the ground. But in doing this they relaxed their vigilance on their current prisoners, and for a moment, I thought the fight would resume all over again.
That's when I saw the bow laying on the ground beside me. I knelt, snatched a few arrows that lay scattered on the ground, and fired from where I was. The remaining bandits dropped to the ground, moaning and clutching their legs.
One of the Rangers got up and came over, holding out his hand. He was cloaked, like the rest, and I realized this was why I had not been able to distinguish them from my captors. He pulled me to my feet. He watched long enough to make sure that I could stand on my own. "My thanks for your help, friend. But I am curious to discover how you got into the company of such as they."
That voice... I looked up to see his face, but it was hidden by the shadows of his hood. All I could see were two blue lights piercing through the shade.
At that same moment, another Ranger called over "Strider, we are missing six."
Strider...
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Tadandader HalfElvenCarefully I combed the ground until I found the spot Luitha had landed. From there it was easy to find her trail. My only problem weighed about two hundred pounds and kept following me.
"Glorfindel, are you stalking me?"
"No, I am as curious as you as to what happened to your friend."
"Well, the least you could do is stay about a foot away from me. It's hard to concentrate when someone is peering over your shoulder!" He backed off, but then I tripped over something. Glorfindel held out a hand to help me up. After a moment's thought I took it, only to have him suddenly let go when he saw what I had tripped over.
"Ow! Glorfindel..." I stopped as he dragged a man out of the bushes, in the same garb as the prisoners. "Oh dear."
"And her tracks end here. We seem to have a problem on our hands."
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El luitha urenThe Ranger in front of me glanced over to his companion, finally removing the hood from his head as he turned. "They are not here?" It was Aragorn.
My heart pounded within my chest. My lungs tightened. I couldn't breathe. For a moment I thought I would pass out.
Aragorn turned his attention back to me. "What is your name? Who are you?" he asked in a low voice.
"Estel?" I asked softly. Aragorn froze. He reached up and gently pushed back the hood from my own head. As it fell, his eyes widened and his head tilted to the side, as though he could not believe what he saw.
"El luitha?" He let out his breath in one gasp along with my name.
One of his companions came striding over, staring at me. "An Elf? What is she doing here?"
Aragorn shook his head as though to clear it, but did not move his eyes from mine. "She is from Rivendell... What happened El?" he asked softly.
I quickly explained what had happened to Elrohir and I. "That would explain your missing bandits, at any rate." I finished.
"Good," Aragorn said. "Then let us take these to Rivendell and let Lord Elrond decide what is to be done with them. They invaded his land, he should have a say in their punishment." The other Ranger walked off.
"You are hurt." I touched the long red wound on his arm.
"It is no matter." He swallowed. suddenly the world spun, and I leaned against the nearest tree for support, closing my eyes to keep the dizziness at bay. Aragorn arms immediately wrapped around me. He picked me up and I felt the hard leather of a saddle slide beneath me. Aragorn whispered in my ear,
"I am here El. I will not leave you this time."
The next thing I heard was Tadan's cry of joy, and I looked up with a weak smile.
"I guess it's my turn to rest up, huh?"
She only smiled back.
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Tadandader HalfElvenGlorfindel and I both turned to run back to Rivendell, but then we saw a party of men on horses.
I picked out Luitha easily. "There she is!" I dashed toward the party, and was not too surprised to see that the man holding her was Aragorn.
"Did you rescue her, Aragorn?" I asked, mischief sparkling in my eyes.
"Why yes, we did, my Lady," he answered. Luitha looked up with a weak smile.
"I guess it's my turn to rest up, huh?" she said.
"What, were you getting jealous over the treatment Elrond was giving me?" I teased Luitha, but inside I was a bit afraid. She looked pretty awful, and Elrond was still tired. What if he couldn't complete her healing? Then I remembered my hovering Elf, Glorfindel.
Estel dismounted and handed Luitha to Glorfindel, who looked serious for a moment as he mentally examined her injuries. Then he looked at Estel and I. "She is not too badly hurt. I shall carry her back to her room, and then heal her. Do not worry, she will be fine."
Now it was my turn to hover. I followed him to the room, where Elladan and Elrohir had recently awoken, and Elrond was checking on them.
Elrond glanced at us as we entered, but his eyes widened at the sight of Luitha's injuries. "Here, I can.." Glorfindel waved him off.
"I can. Attend your son, my Lord." Elrond looked me over first, as if to make sure I was unhurt as well.
I grinned. "No, this adventure was exclusively Luitha's."
He nodded, and went back to Elrohir, while I watched Glorfindel heal the now sleeping Luitha. After probably about an hour, he was done. It was kind of hard to tell the time without watches, but I was getting there.
"She shall wake soon. Do not let her get up, but you can speak with her." I nodded thanks, and then realized he was speaking to someone behind me. Oh, I'd kind of forgotten him. Luckily there were more than one chair, so we each pulled one up and waited for Luitha to wake.
During the wait, Elrond pulled a third chair over to her bed, and sat down. His eyes constantly flickered between all three of us. I wondered what he was thinking, but before I got up the nerve to ask him, Luitha woke.
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El luitha urenWhen I finally woke, I began to wonder if I had become the main attraction at Rivendell. I opened my eyes to see Tadan, Aragorn, and Elrond peering down at me. Elrohir and Elladan were watching me from across the room. And Glorfindel chose that moment to walk in with dinner.
"What?" escaped from my lips before I could check it. "I'm not dead yet!" Tadan and Aragorn seemed to understand. They let their breath out in a chuckle and visibly relaxed. Glorfindel smiled and put down his tray.
"Elrohir, Elladan? Would you mind moving to another room? It seems Luitha has quite the crowd." With a grin, the twins picked up and moved out of the room right then. Glorfindel gave a final glance over us, his gaze resting on Elrond. The two locked eyes for a moment before Glorfindel nodded and left the room.
I explained all that had happened to me over dinner. Tadan and Elrond were full of questions while Aragorn was oddly silent. He seemed to refuse to even look at me. I knew it was because of Elrond's presence, and I wondered just what was going through his mind at that moment. Aragorn kept his head down, sitting quietly in the background. I loved Tadan dearly, but I desired nothing more in that moment than to be alone with him.
But I noticed several things while Tadan and Elrond were there. Like the way he casually rested a hand on her arm, always sought her eyes when speaking. The admiration was obvious in his eyes now. They had grown closer while I had been gone. And he had somehow connived Tadan into a beautiful green dress. Oh I was going to get her later for that one...
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Tadandader HalfElvenAs we talked, I noticed Aragorn's silence. I figured he was probably still thinking of his talk with Elrond. Luitha seemed to notice too. I was partially grateful when Elladan poked his head into the room and said that Erestor wanted to speak with Elrond. Only partially, though, because he was no longer holding my hand.
When Elrond left, Estel finally looked up and at Luitha.
"You've been rather quiet," she said.
"It's just that.." he trailed off, glancing at me. I decided it was time to leave the room.
"If you will excuse me, I have something I must say to Elrond."
I rose and was almost out the door when Luitha called out, "Say? Are you sure you are just going to talk?"
I turned around as gracefully as possible, and asked, "What do you mean by that?"
She grinned. Honestly, at times she reminded me of the Cheshire Cat. "I saw his hand on yours. And on your arm. And in your hair. Are you just going to talk to him?
I felt my face turn red. She knew me too well. I would have been fine if the two of us had been alone, but now Aragorn was grinning.
"Talking is what civilized people do. We shall talk." I opened the door, but neither of us enjoyed letting the other have the last word.
"So you were talking last night? Is that how his hair got a little messed up?"
I was crimson, but I did not turn to face her. Instead I opened the door and just as I walked out replied, "I was only doing what you want to do with the Ranger!" There. That should do it. I dashed out the door quickly enough that I didn't hear a reply. My grin was almost as big as hers, because if that hadn't made him realize what she felt for him, nothing would. Have fun, Luitha! I thought.
------------------------------------------------------ El luitha urenI had to say, I was very proud of myself for still managing to keep a rather calm face despite Tadan's last words. The blush certainly didn't feel as though it got all the way to my ear tips... but close. Aragorn smiled and cocked an eyebrow, but thankfully said nothing. I didn't know what to say. But I didn't have to worry long. Aragorn stood up and walked toward a side-door.
"Get some rest. I will be back shortly." I was confused. Had I done something wrong? But Aragorn left, and my eyelids were heavy. I watched the stars, became fascinated by the patterns their light played on the bed. Sleep caught me unaware even before I had realized it.
I woke to a sudden pressure on the bed on either side of me. Soft lips brushed my own, and I responded without hesitation, lifting a finger to trace the rough curves of his chin.
He pulled back, and I opened my eyes to meet two blue lights that shone with the brightness of Earendil. He was nearly laying on top of me, holding himself up on either side of me with his arms. My other hand rose to follow the curves of his shoulder down his biceps, and I discovered with some surprise that he was clad only in a pair of pants. I moved my hand up along his back, lightly tracing his spine, smiling as he closed his eyes and shivered.
"It has been so long since I last saw you," He murmured, watching my eyes.
"Do you still care not for consequences?" I asked softly. In response, he lowered himself completely, covering my mouth with his own. I responded willingly, running my hands down his back and through his hair. How long I had yearned for this moment! His hands slid down my back, under the cotton shirt that I had been wearing. His mouth was sweet and tender on my own, and my heart raced with passion.
Those days (months? years?) I had spent without him had proved nothing that Elrond had wanted them to prove. I knew now with certainty how I felt.
"I love you," I mumbled as his kisses moved down along my neck. He stopped and met my eyes once more, studying them. He swallowed.
"And I love you, El luitha 'uren," he whispered softly back, almost in wonder, as he caressed my cheek. He bent to touch his lips to my own again, and I became lost in his blue eyes.
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Tadandader HalfElvenI tried to keep from laughing as I strolled through the halls, but I couldn't help but feel a little guilty. I hadn't told Luitha that if one was weak, they broadcasted. Estel certainly didn't know. Ah well, perhaps Elrond wouldn't mind distracting me. Then the broadcast stopped. Ah, she had remembered. That was so much better for the both of them, and any poor Elves who were stuck hearing, like me.
I turned a corner and found Glorfindel with my nose. Literally, as my nose went into his chest. Which kind of hurt my poor nose.
"I'm sorry, sir, I didn't see you..." Well that was weak. Of course I didn't see him. He just looked at me.
"What are your intentions toward Elrond?" Now that was straight to the point.
I had three options. First, I could hit Glorfindel over the head and run away. I didn't think that would work. Second, I could point and say, "Oh, look! It's a Balrog!" and run away. That probably wouldn't work either. So I was left with option three, which was to answer.
However, I didn't feel like making it easy, so I answered with a question. "Right now?"
"What are all of your intentions toward the Lord of Imladris?" Oo, now he was sticking a title on. Was that supposed to impress me or scare me?
"At the moment, I want to find him so I can kiss him again. However, I seem to have fallen in love with him, and intend to marry him if he'll have me, which I hope he will. I want to be by his side for anything and everything."
"And should you return to the world from whence you came?"
"I would do anything in my power to return. While I do find myself homesick from time to time, I have realized that I probably will not find another who means as much to me as Elrond does." I met his eyes squarely. I was telling the complete truth, and if he didn't like it, he would still end up living with it.
He gazed into my eyes, and we stood there for a minute. Finally he nodded. "I will stay out of your way. But if you do anything that could possibly cause harm to Rivendell, you will be removed." He walked off. I stood there shaking. No wonder why the Elf had been reborn. He had probably scared Mandos' boots off!
Elrond walked around the corner to see me standing there. "Tadan, I was just looking for you."
"You were?" I smiled at him, and his beautiful eyes smiled back at me as he kissed me softly.
"Shall we go upstairs, my Lady?" I grinned and kissed him back.