Torn by: Leia Grace
Disclaimer: I would be very famous if I owned TLOTR characters, and as much as I wish I was famous, I only own Elenalyn, Lithana, Claramelia, Aeriena, and Gildron.
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CHAPTER 4
Morning in Minas Tirith was always beautiful. The levels of the city acted as mirrors, causing the rays of the sun to bounce off, reflecting across the green valleys of Gondor. Breezes flew in through Elenalyn's open balcony window, ruffling the curtains, causing the disembodied sunlight to dance through the crystal hanging from the ceiling. She stirred in bed, trying to ignore the sounds of morning. She felt another presence in the room, and reflexively tensed. She reached out further with her mind, and found her eyes opening to see the calm, smiling face of her older brother, Eldarion.
"Eldarion!" She cried, happily. They embraced tightly, not wanting to let go. He had been in Mordor for the past two years, and Elenalyn had missed him greatly.
Eldarion laughed. "Calm down, Elenalyn! I can't spend more time with you if I can't breath from your squeezing me too hard!"
She immediately let go. "Sorry, I'm just so glad to see you! Im harry merlyë nar anwa sinomë!"
'I have wished you were actually here!'
He gave a small smile. "I am dreadfully sorry, o Princess of Humankind, but you knew I had to respond to my princely duties."
"I know. I just feel as though we are never going to all be together, or the same again."
He looked at her curiously for a second. He knew she had thoughts that troubled her, but at that moment, he decided to respond to her comment.
"Speaking of never being the same again, look at you! You have grown so, and are quite possibly just as beautiful as mother!"
She gave a small smile, "Thank you, Eldarion. That doesn't excuse your long absence…"
He gave her a look.
She grinned, "But it certainly helps your cause!"
He smiled at her as he squeezed her hand. She quieted down, looking at him worriedly.
"What is it like, in Mordor?"
He took a deep breath. "After Frodo destroyed the One Ring; Minas Morgul, the Black Gates, Barad-Dur, and all buildings in Mordor collapsed. Sauron himself ceased to exist. He was, finally completely defeated. His nonexistence reached the creatures of Middle Earth before it reached some of the races, and they knew it was now safer to be in Mordor. But who would want to? Who would want to be in a land where one could not breathe with fear of dying, eat with fear of choking, drink with fear of poisoning, sleep with fear of treachery? The Dunedain and I had to clear the rubble of buildings, burn the already disintegrating bodies, try to make something livable out of a land that had not been for so long." He sighed, looking away. He had the face of a man who had seen many battles, been exposed to death and evil of the most horrifying kind. His eyes, which had moments ago been so happy, so full of life, were now deadened. He did not want to remember what he had seen. His part was fulfilled.
Elenalyn quietly squeezed his hand and shoulder, sympathetically. She knew she would never understand what he and the Fellowship had seen. She also knew that that time had passed, and that it was time to build anew. "You have seen much grief, Eldarion. But your turn has been taken, and a new day has come. Remember to keep living!"
He gave her a weak smile. She gave him a determined look. "We shall do something to celebrate your return! And, to make sure father does not send you back to Mordor to help anymore! When did you arrive back home, anyway?"
"Just this morning."
"Well," She thought for a moment, "you did not give us any time to put together a real welcome home party, but we will figure something out."
He smiled, "It better be soon. A letter arrived from Isengard. Mother, Father, Faramir, and I have been summoned by Gandalf the White for a special celebration."
She looked surprised and horrified, "No! You've only just arrived! When must you leave?"
He laughed, "Do not worry, Golden Starflower, we have 5 days to get to the Orthanc! I am very anxious to see Lithana and Claramelia, so I might stay away longer."
She sighed dramatically. He grinned, ruffled her hair, and stood up. He walked over to her balcony, over looking the valley of Osgdiach. He looked down, finding something on a lower level of interest.
A horse came bounding up a lane to the main gate of the palace, with a valiant Faramir riding it, slowing it to a halt. A carriage followed him, with Éowyn and their son Barathor and daughter Aeriena all sticking their heads out to feel the wind in the city.
Eldarion grinned at this site. He turned to Elenalyn quickly. "Come! I know of something that will bring cheer to you!" He grabbed her hand, dragging her out of bed. Elenalyn struggled behind him, gasping.
"Eldarion, don't go so fast! I am only in my nightgown!"
Eldarion stopped, turned to her, and said, "Hurry up then, dress yourself, and then come to the main room for a wonderful surprise!" Elenalyn hurried back to her room, while Eldarion went the opposite direction.
Merely moments later, she came rushing in from a corridor, and stopped, looking at the scene before her in delight.
"Faramir! Éowyn! Barathor! Aeriena!" Elenalyn gasped. The four mentioned, Aragorn, Arwen, and Eldarion looked at her happily.
"Princess Elenalyn!" Aeriena ran to her, hugging her tightly. "It is such a pleasure to see you once again!"
"You only live minutes away, so why you do not visit more is beyond my comprehension." Eldarion said.
Éowyn laughed. "Says the man who has been away in Mordor for the past 2 years!"
Faramir put a hand on his wife's shoulder, "He will unfortunately have to leave again in a few days. I doubt Gandalf would be at all pleased if we were late to such an event."
"I do not want to leave Minas Tirith any more than any of you want to go to the Land of Shadow." Eldarion stated quietly.
They all remained quiet at that statement. None could comprehend everything in the world. Aragorn looked at each of them, determined not to let the name of Mordor cast fear in their hearts anymore. "Well then, Eldarion, we will just have to spend as much time as possible with all of us together now, that we can, before the Orthanc calls us once again."
"Here, here!" Faramir said, smiling at Aragorn.
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"I believe that they women and Elboron should stay here. I do not see the need for them to travel so far." Aragorn stated this at luncheon, as they all sat in the sun and breezes, enjoying the tranquility that Gondor never believed it would see again.
"I want to come though, father!" Elboron exclaimed to Faramir. Barathor was but 12 years of age, and still young for great travel.
Faramir shook his head, "You know you are too young to travel so far. You need to help your mother care for Aeriena."
Aeriena looked up angrily from her plate. "I do not need my older brother watching over my every move! I have Queen Arwen, Princess Elenalyn, mother, and hundreds of palace guards to watch over me! I am not a baby anymore!"
Éowyn sighed. "You are 8 years old, Aeriena, and still a child. You should not argue with your father about these matters."
"We know that you are not going. I'm the one who is being treated like a baby!" Elboron looked at his father angrily. "I am the future Steward of Gondor! Prince Eldarion is the future King of Gondor, and he is aloud to do his duties, to learn what it is to be a king. Why must I refrain? When am I going to be allowed to prove myself?"
Aragorn chuckled. "Elboron, it took me until the age of 88 to finally want the responsibility of kingship. I had to accept my fate, as you will soon be given yours. Do not rush what is to come. Trying to make something happen before its time, only shows how much you are not ready for that task."
Elboron looked down, guiltily and with defeat. "You are saying I am not ready to accept my destiny. That I will not be coming to Isengard."
Faramir looked at his son, and was unable to hide the obvious pride he felt for him. "No, Elboron. It means that I will finally concede to the fact that you are growing up, and perhaps have too much of either Boromir, or your mother in you. You may come to Isengard with us."
Elboron looked elated. Elenalyn smiled at this, and started to laugh. "You act as if you were going on an adventure, Elboron!"
"But I am! Tramping through the wilderness, riding through rivers, racing in the wind – !"
Éowyn laughed. "Calm down! It is not going to be like that. More like a long, tedious ride through the mountains. No galloping, racing, or, 'tramping' as you call it!" Elboron looked disappointed, but remained quiet.
"Do you know who else has been invited to this extravaganza, father?" Elenalyn questioned. Aragorn hesitated, looking at Arwen. She regarded her daughter for a moment, and the looked at Aragorn, nodding.
Aragorn sighed, "Well, Myself, Faramir, Eldarion, Elboron, your sisters, Éomer, Gimli, Legolas, and…" He glanced at Arwen again, almost waiting for approval. "And the Hobbits."
Elenalyn stopped at this. She looked at her father and mother imploringly for a moment. She then looked down, at her food. "Please excuse me." She stood up from the table, and quickly left the dining hall. The others could only stare after her in wonder.
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Sam led Bill the pony through the entrance to the gardens of the Orthanc, right behind Frodo. He and Frodo had never seen Isengard before, and Merry and Pippin had not seen it since it was flooded, crumbling, barren, and broken by Ents. They had not seen it since Saruman had been in control. Frodo looked up at the tall tower. He shook his head, wondering at the marvels that their little world possessed. He looked out over the gardens, fields, and orchards. He desperately wanted to go running through the fields with Elenalyn; and just spend the day laughing and talking as they ate the fruit and drank from the streams. They all felt as powerful, yet not overbearing presence surrounding Isengard and the Orthanc, as they looked toward the stairs and the main entrance.
"Heavy hearts, but light of mind, quick on their feet, but slow to act, rarely do you see in such people, as my dear friends, the Hobbits." All the Hobbits smiled, as they heard the voice, powerful, and almost majestic, as Gandalf descended the steps to them, smiling. "And, a day early, I might add!" He jested towards them, and they all grinned.
"It is good to see you again, Gandalf." Frodo said, smiling at one of the men who he always felt was a father to him.
They entered the tower, slowly looking around the rooms and corridors. Merry tried to push open one door, but it wouldn't budge. "Hey, Gandalf. This door is stuck!"
Gandalf looked at him wisely, "Think for a moment, Meriadoc, that there might be a reason you cannot open that door."
Merry glance at Pippin, who, like usual, looked oblivious.
Gandalf chuckled then, "I do not want you opening that door. The surprise for the my guests is concealed in there."
"Ah." Merry replied.
Sam walked over to the door, trying to peak through. "Can't we have just a little look at the surprise before the others?"
Frodo smiled at this, as Gandalf shook his head. "My dear Samwise, then it would not be a surprise now, would it?" The others shook their heads.
Gandalf turned to go through another room. "No, we must wait for everyone's arrival. Legolas, Gimli, Lithana, and Claramelia should be here soon, Éomer tomorrow morning, and the Gondorians later in the afternoon tomorrow."
"Who exactly is coming from Gondor?" Frodo questioned, trying to sound nonchalant. Gandalf looked at him, and immediately saw something deep in Frodo's eyes, hidden from others. He knew something was behind that question.
"Aragorn, Faramir, Eldarion, and, if I suspect correctly, Elboron." Frodo nodded, more than slightly disappointed. "Why, Frodo? Were you expecting someone else?"
"No, of course not." Frodo was trying to hide it, but he realized there really was no point in hiding anything from the leader of the Istari.
"Or perhaps," Gandalf continued, as he looked at the others, perhaps trying to see a hint of the secret from them, and then giving Frodo a look, "Perhaps hoping that someone else from Gondor would come?" Frodo shrugged. He almost felt like he was in front of Galadriel again. Like his soul was being invaded once more. He wondered to himself why he felt he had to hide his feelings. He closed his eyes briefly. Gandalf and the others had continued to other rooms, leaving Frodo to his own thoughts in a turmoil. Until he and Elenalyn could truly be together, he must refrain from the thoughts he had about her. For the time being, they must remain only dreams.
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The next day, Frodo walked out into the gardens of the Orthanc, to see his Hobbit friends sitting with Gandalf and smoking pipe weed. Legolas and Gimli came out of the Orthanc right behind him. Gimli hugged Frodo hello, but Legolas kept his distance. Frodo caught his eye, and saw the guilt, but steely resolve set in them. Frodo looked at him with a very determined look on his face. Legolas and Frodo both knew that neither of them would let up on how they felt, neither would give in. They were both worried that this would ruin their friendship, but Frodo felt the love of Elenalyn was worth that price.
They all turned when the heard hoof beats, and the cranking of carriage wheels coming toward them. Gandalf, Sam, Merry, Pippin, and Gimli all stood to see who had arrived, and walked over to Legolas and Frodo. The door to the carriage opened, and Claramelia stepped out. She had a big smile on her face, as she gathered her pale blue robes, pushed her curly blonde hair out of her face, and stepped to the ground.
"Hello, everyone!" The others all smiled at the jubilant girl in front of them. Frodo saw dark hair peaking out of the carriage, and felt his heart beat quicken. The head turned, and both he and Legolas sighed, as Lithana's face looked out of the carriage, her eyes squinting from the sun. She stepped out after her sister, and let her green shawl fall from her shoulders.
"Hello, everyone. I'm glad it is not as cold here, as it was in the Misty Mountains from which we have come."
Gandalf strode forward, smiling at their pretty faces.
"My dear Lithana and Claramelia! How wonderful it is to see you once again."
Claramelia grinned, hugging Gandalf tightly. "It's wonderful to see you too, Gandalf!" Frodo smiled to himself at this display. He wished he were still that carefree and young. Gandalf then kissed Lithana's hand, as it was the proper way to greet a princess.
"I have noticed that you both are a day late. You were supposed to arrive not much after Legolas and Gimli, and they came yesterday evening." Gandalf tried to sound stern, but it was hard to when he looked at the faces of two girls whom he thought of as grandchildren.
Lithana nodded. "Claramelia failed to tell me that we were supposed to arrive last night. She was intent upon riding all night two nights ago, to arrive on time. I had to convince her that it was not proper for princess, or any young lady, to ride all night in a carriage. We stopped and set up camp to sleep for one night." Lithana nodded at the others, regarding their presence. When she saw Legolas, she seemed to freeze. She took a deep breath, and gave him a little smile. He forced an unenthusiastic smile, and looked away. Frodo just raised his eyebrows at this sight.
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Everyone who was to arrive, had finally, by early evening. Gandalf had been right in assuming that Elboron would be with the group traveling from Gondor. They all greeted each other happily, and the Fellowship felt that it was somewhat of a reunion. They all gathered for a hearty feast in the dining hall of the Orthanc, before Gandalf would tell them why they were all there.
They had nearly finished eating, when Gandalf tapped his goblet, signaling to the others that he was going to talk.
"Welcome, everyone. I'm very glad you could all come in such haste, and on such short notice. As you have all probably realized, I have gathered the leaders or rulers of each settlement. We have the Shire, Rivendell, Lothlórien, Mirkwood, the Lonely Mountain, Gondor, Rohan, and Isengard are represented and present. I have for you all, a gift of great specialty and magnificence. These gifts were created and sought after with great care and pain. We will hopefully use them well, and to their fullest extent." Gandalf paused, and looked around the table. Each and every pair of eyes was glued to him, and waiting anxiously. Merry, Pippin, Elboron, and Claramelia looked as though they were going to explode with anticipation. Gandalf stood up, and gestured for the rest to do so. As they all stood, rather hesitantly. They honestly did not know what to think of Gandalf and his 'gifts' for them, at that moment. They followed Gandalf down the hall, to the door that Merry could not open earlier. Two guards opened the doors, and the guests walked into a large throne room, with many pedestals, each covered with a cloth.
"Now, I would have the Hobbits stand with this pedestal, the Gondorians at that one, Rohirrim at this one, and so on and so forth." Gandalf directed them, as he watched them all with a slightly amused look.
"One of each group, put their hand on the top of the cloth, and when I give the command, pull it away, to see what is underneath. You may pull that cloth away."
A sudden breeze went swiftly through the room, as the cloths were pulled away with a whoosh! Each looked at the pedestals in surprise, for resting proudly on top of each one, was a shiny, polished palantír.
Gandalf looked at all of them proudly. "Seven palantíri, for the seven different settlements."
Legolas looked at his palantír quizzically. "Eight."
"Pardon?" Gandalf asked. The others looked at Legolas in confusion.
"Eight. Gandalf, you said seven palantíri for the seven different settlements."
"Correct."
"But that's wrong. There are eight settlements, but only seven palantíri."
Gandalf smiled broadly at him. "That is correct, Prince Legolas. I actually did that purposefully."
There was a murmur of confusion through the room.
"But," Faramir spoke up, "How are you supposed to contact us, Gandalf? The eagles again?"
Gandalf, still smiling broadly, and rather disarmingly, shook his head. "No, my dear Steward. I shall tell you my purpose in this seeming mistake. You all recall how I was offered to go to Undying Lands, as Ringbearer, as was Frodo?"
They all nodded.
"That was what seemed so strange to all of us, Gandalf, for we all thought you left." Sam spoke up.
Gandalf nodded. "Ah, Sam, so you remember me leaving."
"So you did leave." Eldarion claimed.
"Yes, I did." Gandalf nodded.
They all looked at each other in confusion.
"Well, why did you come back, Gandalf?" Aragorn questioned.
"For a very simple reason. As simple as the reason I left in the first place." Gandalf walked up to the throne, and sat down. "I was contacted by the Valar through your palantír, Aragorn, and they requested that I come to the West for a short while, to then return back to Middle Earth. They had a surprise for me, they said, much as I had this surprise for you."
"The palantíri." Frodo commented.
Gandalf nodded. "You do not know how right you are, Frodo. Their gift to me was a palantír."
"But only seven had been made originally." Legolas spoke up.
"You are right as well, Legolas. Basically, they gave me a new palantír!" Gandalf reached out his hand, to a small table to his left, that they others hadn't realized was there. With a flourish, he wiped the cloth off, to reveal a shiny, silvery palantír. It was slightly larger than the rest, and obviously a different color.
Everyone gasped at its beauty and uniqueness.
"I've never seen it's equal." Gimli stated, mesmerized by the whirling silver clouds inside the orb.
Gandalf looked at the others, proudly. "These palantír are gifts to every leader, to communicate with each other. I am not letting years go by without any of us talking to each other again! You are to take these home with you, and put them in a very safe place. They were used by evil before, and they can be used as such again, for they are inanimate objects, and do not know the difference between good and evil."
Frodo and the Hobbits stared at their palantír, and Frodo wondered if they would ever have full control over their lives again
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The next day, Elenalyn awoke, remembering watching her father, Faramir, Eldarion, and Elboron leave on their horses to Isengard, from her balcony. She had watched them go sadly. She couldn't help but feel awful that she was more upset about not being able to go and see Frodo, then her brother leaving after only spending three days with her after being gone for two years. There was a knock on the door, and Elenalyn turned to see Éowyn standing there.
"Éowyn, good morning."
"Good morning, Elenalyn." Éowyn walked over to her, putting a hand on her shoulder. "I know something is troubling you. Why don't you tell me, so you will not have to carry the burden as much?"
Elenalyn looked at her sadly. "I've already felt the burden lifted, but it has once again fallen to my shoulders."
Éowyn smiled at her encouragingly.
"I have fallen in love, only to realize that the I can never be with him." Elenalyn sighed.
"Who is he?"
A small smile spread across her face. "Frodo Baggins." Éowyn looked surprised. Before she could say anything, Elenalyn cut her off.
"I know, he is a Hobbit, and I'm Half-Elven, but do you think love knows these boundaries? I think not. I think love is too precious to care for the conventional. Love is its own belief, its own meaning, its own religion. Frodo and I have found it together, but we are not allowed to share in its joy."
Éowyn nodded, understanding a little of what Elenalyn was feeling. "Other than the obvious difference in height, what is keeping you two from being together?"
Elenalyn sighed. "Legolas."
"I do not understand."
"I have been betrothed to Legolas, by the will of my parents, after he asked for my hand in marriage on my 20th birthday."
Éowyn nodded, contemplating the situation. "Let me ask you this, Elenalyn. If Frodo knew of what Legolas's intentions were from the beginning, and had been quick enough to ask for your hand before Legolas; what do you think your fathers answer would have been?"
Elenalyn stopped. She knew her father wanted her to be happy, and that he and her mother knew she should be with Frodo because she loved him. But, she did not know if her father would have said yes. "I do not know."
Éowyn smiled slyly, "Do you really want to just sit around Minas Tirith, contemplating this, when you can go after what you want? You can find out if you and Frodo are meant to be. You can go to him."
Elenalyn jumped up from her chair. "Why do I never think as quickly as those around me?"
Éowyn just smiled at her. Aeriena came walking in from the hallway, with Arwen following her.
"I want to leave, I want to find out what could happen between us. There is so much that we are wasting…" Elenalyn looked around, exasperated. Aeriena looked confused, while her mother nodded her head.
"Do not spend your life wasting away on those thoughts. You will never know what can happen unless you make it happen. Don't you agree, Arwen?" Éowyn looked at Arwen to back her up.
Arwen looked at her daughter for a moment. "I waited thousands of years to finally meet the man that I fell in love with. You have been lucky enough to meet him when you were born, and to realize your feelings at 18 years old. I do not see why you should waste more time. Your father and I have already agreed that we made that mistake with each other."
Aeriena sighed. "I hope I fall in love like that, someday."
Éowyn smiled at her daughter, as she drew her into her lap. "You will, my dear Aeriena. But, do not go looking for it. None of us tried to find it…it just happened."
"Realizing I love Frodo hit me like lightning." Elenalyn confided to Aeriena. "I feel like I've been in a storm ever since…but it's a good storm. A storm that will till the earth, bring seed from other lands, water the ground, and bring a stream of sun more brilliant than a rainbow in its wake." She looked at her mother, and with an open heart and honest eyes, told her, "I only find safe harbor in the storm, when I'm with him."
Arwen walked over to her daughter, hugging her tightly, and kissing her on the forehead, whispered, "Then go to him."
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The wind rushed through Elenalyn's hair as her horse galloped through the White Mountains. She worried she would arrive to Isengard too late, but she knew she might also meet them on their way home. She finally crossed the Isen River, seeing the Orthanc in the distance. She smiled and urged her horse to go faster. She started through the forest, having not reached the wall around the Orthanc. She stopped her horse, leaping to the ground gently. She walked through the forest, leading her horse, looking around, listening for any sign of people. She sensed something, and turned to the right, walking quietly. She could see a slight clearing, and the dark curly hair of a Hobbit peaking through the tall grass. She smiled, and quietly walked up behind him. Frodo was sitting there quietly, writing in a journal.
"Lyaa en valina sinome, mi Isengard." Elenalyn commented.
You look happy here, in Isengard.
Frodo leaped up, turning quickly. He looked surprised for a second, and then extremely happy.
"You surprised me!"
She laughed, 'Well, you surprised me in Mirkwood!"
He smiled, as he picked up the journal he had dropped. "We have to stop sneaking up on each other…it's getting to be a bad habit!"
She walked to him, but he put his hand up, signaling her to stop.
She looked confused. He shook his head. "Nothing can happen yet, Elenalyn. Too many of the others are here. If Legolas were to see us, or your father found out – "
"He already knows."
Frodo stopped. "He knows…?"
She nodded, determinedly. "I don't particularly care if anyone was to find out. Why should I hide how I feel?"
He smiled. "I did not say I want us to hide how we feel. We just have to be careful. Besides, we still have a problem in the way of us being together."
She nodded, knowing what he said was true. "There must be something we can do, Frodo. I would do anything, even the darkest magic, to be with you – "
Frodo suddenly shouted, looking shocked, "No, Elenalyn! You must never say that!" He said this with such anger and conviction, that Elenalyn was quite scared. He calmed down a bit, looking away. "You do not know what kind of forces are in this world, Elenalyn. Never sell yourself to a darker magic." He looked up at her, "Especially not for love."
She looked away, feeling naïve and ashamed.
"There might be another magic, though…" She looked at Frodo curiously. He was looking towards the Orthanc, with a little smile on his face. Realization dawned on her face. She smiled at him.
"Gandalf."
Disclaimer: I would be very famous if I owned TLOTR characters, and as much as I wish I was famous, I only own Elenalyn, Lithana, Claramelia, Aeriena, and Gildron.
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CHAPTER 4
Morning in Minas Tirith was always beautiful. The levels of the city acted as mirrors, causing the rays of the sun to bounce off, reflecting across the green valleys of Gondor. Breezes flew in through Elenalyn's open balcony window, ruffling the curtains, causing the disembodied sunlight to dance through the crystal hanging from the ceiling. She stirred in bed, trying to ignore the sounds of morning. She felt another presence in the room, and reflexively tensed. She reached out further with her mind, and found her eyes opening to see the calm, smiling face of her older brother, Eldarion.
"Eldarion!" She cried, happily. They embraced tightly, not wanting to let go. He had been in Mordor for the past two years, and Elenalyn had missed him greatly.
Eldarion laughed. "Calm down, Elenalyn! I can't spend more time with you if I can't breath from your squeezing me too hard!"
She immediately let go. "Sorry, I'm just so glad to see you! Im harry merlyë nar anwa sinomë!"
'I have wished you were actually here!'
He gave a small smile. "I am dreadfully sorry, o Princess of Humankind, but you knew I had to respond to my princely duties."
"I know. I just feel as though we are never going to all be together, or the same again."
He looked at her curiously for a second. He knew she had thoughts that troubled her, but at that moment, he decided to respond to her comment.
"Speaking of never being the same again, look at you! You have grown so, and are quite possibly just as beautiful as mother!"
She gave a small smile, "Thank you, Eldarion. That doesn't excuse your long absence…"
He gave her a look.
She grinned, "But it certainly helps your cause!"
He smiled at her as he squeezed her hand. She quieted down, looking at him worriedly.
"What is it like, in Mordor?"
He took a deep breath. "After Frodo destroyed the One Ring; Minas Morgul, the Black Gates, Barad-Dur, and all buildings in Mordor collapsed. Sauron himself ceased to exist. He was, finally completely defeated. His nonexistence reached the creatures of Middle Earth before it reached some of the races, and they knew it was now safer to be in Mordor. But who would want to? Who would want to be in a land where one could not breathe with fear of dying, eat with fear of choking, drink with fear of poisoning, sleep with fear of treachery? The Dunedain and I had to clear the rubble of buildings, burn the already disintegrating bodies, try to make something livable out of a land that had not been for so long." He sighed, looking away. He had the face of a man who had seen many battles, been exposed to death and evil of the most horrifying kind. His eyes, which had moments ago been so happy, so full of life, were now deadened. He did not want to remember what he had seen. His part was fulfilled.
Elenalyn quietly squeezed his hand and shoulder, sympathetically. She knew she would never understand what he and the Fellowship had seen. She also knew that that time had passed, and that it was time to build anew. "You have seen much grief, Eldarion. But your turn has been taken, and a new day has come. Remember to keep living!"
He gave her a weak smile. She gave him a determined look. "We shall do something to celebrate your return! And, to make sure father does not send you back to Mordor to help anymore! When did you arrive back home, anyway?"
"Just this morning."
"Well," She thought for a moment, "you did not give us any time to put together a real welcome home party, but we will figure something out."
He smiled, "It better be soon. A letter arrived from Isengard. Mother, Father, Faramir, and I have been summoned by Gandalf the White for a special celebration."
She looked surprised and horrified, "No! You've only just arrived! When must you leave?"
He laughed, "Do not worry, Golden Starflower, we have 5 days to get to the Orthanc! I am very anxious to see Lithana and Claramelia, so I might stay away longer."
She sighed dramatically. He grinned, ruffled her hair, and stood up. He walked over to her balcony, over looking the valley of Osgdiach. He looked down, finding something on a lower level of interest.
A horse came bounding up a lane to the main gate of the palace, with a valiant Faramir riding it, slowing it to a halt. A carriage followed him, with Éowyn and their son Barathor and daughter Aeriena all sticking their heads out to feel the wind in the city.
Eldarion grinned at this site. He turned to Elenalyn quickly. "Come! I know of something that will bring cheer to you!" He grabbed her hand, dragging her out of bed. Elenalyn struggled behind him, gasping.
"Eldarion, don't go so fast! I am only in my nightgown!"
Eldarion stopped, turned to her, and said, "Hurry up then, dress yourself, and then come to the main room for a wonderful surprise!" Elenalyn hurried back to her room, while Eldarion went the opposite direction.
Merely moments later, she came rushing in from a corridor, and stopped, looking at the scene before her in delight.
"Faramir! Éowyn! Barathor! Aeriena!" Elenalyn gasped. The four mentioned, Aragorn, Arwen, and Eldarion looked at her happily.
"Princess Elenalyn!" Aeriena ran to her, hugging her tightly. "It is such a pleasure to see you once again!"
"You only live minutes away, so why you do not visit more is beyond my comprehension." Eldarion said.
Éowyn laughed. "Says the man who has been away in Mordor for the past 2 years!"
Faramir put a hand on his wife's shoulder, "He will unfortunately have to leave again in a few days. I doubt Gandalf would be at all pleased if we were late to such an event."
"I do not want to leave Minas Tirith any more than any of you want to go to the Land of Shadow." Eldarion stated quietly.
They all remained quiet at that statement. None could comprehend everything in the world. Aragorn looked at each of them, determined not to let the name of Mordor cast fear in their hearts anymore. "Well then, Eldarion, we will just have to spend as much time as possible with all of us together now, that we can, before the Orthanc calls us once again."
"Here, here!" Faramir said, smiling at Aragorn.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I believe that they women and Elboron should stay here. I do not see the need for them to travel so far." Aragorn stated this at luncheon, as they all sat in the sun and breezes, enjoying the tranquility that Gondor never believed it would see again.
"I want to come though, father!" Elboron exclaimed to Faramir. Barathor was but 12 years of age, and still young for great travel.
Faramir shook his head, "You know you are too young to travel so far. You need to help your mother care for Aeriena."
Aeriena looked up angrily from her plate. "I do not need my older brother watching over my every move! I have Queen Arwen, Princess Elenalyn, mother, and hundreds of palace guards to watch over me! I am not a baby anymore!"
Éowyn sighed. "You are 8 years old, Aeriena, and still a child. You should not argue with your father about these matters."
"We know that you are not going. I'm the one who is being treated like a baby!" Elboron looked at his father angrily. "I am the future Steward of Gondor! Prince Eldarion is the future King of Gondor, and he is aloud to do his duties, to learn what it is to be a king. Why must I refrain? When am I going to be allowed to prove myself?"
Aragorn chuckled. "Elboron, it took me until the age of 88 to finally want the responsibility of kingship. I had to accept my fate, as you will soon be given yours. Do not rush what is to come. Trying to make something happen before its time, only shows how much you are not ready for that task."
Elboron looked down, guiltily and with defeat. "You are saying I am not ready to accept my destiny. That I will not be coming to Isengard."
Faramir looked at his son, and was unable to hide the obvious pride he felt for him. "No, Elboron. It means that I will finally concede to the fact that you are growing up, and perhaps have too much of either Boromir, or your mother in you. You may come to Isengard with us."
Elboron looked elated. Elenalyn smiled at this, and started to laugh. "You act as if you were going on an adventure, Elboron!"
"But I am! Tramping through the wilderness, riding through rivers, racing in the wind – !"
Éowyn laughed. "Calm down! It is not going to be like that. More like a long, tedious ride through the mountains. No galloping, racing, or, 'tramping' as you call it!" Elboron looked disappointed, but remained quiet.
"Do you know who else has been invited to this extravaganza, father?" Elenalyn questioned. Aragorn hesitated, looking at Arwen. She regarded her daughter for a moment, and the looked at Aragorn, nodding.
Aragorn sighed, "Well, Myself, Faramir, Eldarion, Elboron, your sisters, Éomer, Gimli, Legolas, and…" He glanced at Arwen again, almost waiting for approval. "And the Hobbits."
Elenalyn stopped at this. She looked at her father and mother imploringly for a moment. She then looked down, at her food. "Please excuse me." She stood up from the table, and quickly left the dining hall. The others could only stare after her in wonder.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sam led Bill the pony through the entrance to the gardens of the Orthanc, right behind Frodo. He and Frodo had never seen Isengard before, and Merry and Pippin had not seen it since it was flooded, crumbling, barren, and broken by Ents. They had not seen it since Saruman had been in control. Frodo looked up at the tall tower. He shook his head, wondering at the marvels that their little world possessed. He looked out over the gardens, fields, and orchards. He desperately wanted to go running through the fields with Elenalyn; and just spend the day laughing and talking as they ate the fruit and drank from the streams. They all felt as powerful, yet not overbearing presence surrounding Isengard and the Orthanc, as they looked toward the stairs and the main entrance.
"Heavy hearts, but light of mind, quick on their feet, but slow to act, rarely do you see in such people, as my dear friends, the Hobbits." All the Hobbits smiled, as they heard the voice, powerful, and almost majestic, as Gandalf descended the steps to them, smiling. "And, a day early, I might add!" He jested towards them, and they all grinned.
"It is good to see you again, Gandalf." Frodo said, smiling at one of the men who he always felt was a father to him.
They entered the tower, slowly looking around the rooms and corridors. Merry tried to push open one door, but it wouldn't budge. "Hey, Gandalf. This door is stuck!"
Gandalf looked at him wisely, "Think for a moment, Meriadoc, that there might be a reason you cannot open that door."
Merry glance at Pippin, who, like usual, looked oblivious.
Gandalf chuckled then, "I do not want you opening that door. The surprise for the my guests is concealed in there."
"Ah." Merry replied.
Sam walked over to the door, trying to peak through. "Can't we have just a little look at the surprise before the others?"
Frodo smiled at this, as Gandalf shook his head. "My dear Samwise, then it would not be a surprise now, would it?" The others shook their heads.
Gandalf turned to go through another room. "No, we must wait for everyone's arrival. Legolas, Gimli, Lithana, and Claramelia should be here soon, Éomer tomorrow morning, and the Gondorians later in the afternoon tomorrow."
"Who exactly is coming from Gondor?" Frodo questioned, trying to sound nonchalant. Gandalf looked at him, and immediately saw something deep in Frodo's eyes, hidden from others. He knew something was behind that question.
"Aragorn, Faramir, Eldarion, and, if I suspect correctly, Elboron." Frodo nodded, more than slightly disappointed. "Why, Frodo? Were you expecting someone else?"
"No, of course not." Frodo was trying to hide it, but he realized there really was no point in hiding anything from the leader of the Istari.
"Or perhaps," Gandalf continued, as he looked at the others, perhaps trying to see a hint of the secret from them, and then giving Frodo a look, "Perhaps hoping that someone else from Gondor would come?" Frodo shrugged. He almost felt like he was in front of Galadriel again. Like his soul was being invaded once more. He wondered to himself why he felt he had to hide his feelings. He closed his eyes briefly. Gandalf and the others had continued to other rooms, leaving Frodo to his own thoughts in a turmoil. Until he and Elenalyn could truly be together, he must refrain from the thoughts he had about her. For the time being, they must remain only dreams.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next day, Frodo walked out into the gardens of the Orthanc, to see his Hobbit friends sitting with Gandalf and smoking pipe weed. Legolas and Gimli came out of the Orthanc right behind him. Gimli hugged Frodo hello, but Legolas kept his distance. Frodo caught his eye, and saw the guilt, but steely resolve set in them. Frodo looked at him with a very determined look on his face. Legolas and Frodo both knew that neither of them would let up on how they felt, neither would give in. They were both worried that this would ruin their friendship, but Frodo felt the love of Elenalyn was worth that price.
They all turned when the heard hoof beats, and the cranking of carriage wheels coming toward them. Gandalf, Sam, Merry, Pippin, and Gimli all stood to see who had arrived, and walked over to Legolas and Frodo. The door to the carriage opened, and Claramelia stepped out. She had a big smile on her face, as she gathered her pale blue robes, pushed her curly blonde hair out of her face, and stepped to the ground.
"Hello, everyone!" The others all smiled at the jubilant girl in front of them. Frodo saw dark hair peaking out of the carriage, and felt his heart beat quicken. The head turned, and both he and Legolas sighed, as Lithana's face looked out of the carriage, her eyes squinting from the sun. She stepped out after her sister, and let her green shawl fall from her shoulders.
"Hello, everyone. I'm glad it is not as cold here, as it was in the Misty Mountains from which we have come."
Gandalf strode forward, smiling at their pretty faces.
"My dear Lithana and Claramelia! How wonderful it is to see you once again."
Claramelia grinned, hugging Gandalf tightly. "It's wonderful to see you too, Gandalf!" Frodo smiled to himself at this display. He wished he were still that carefree and young. Gandalf then kissed Lithana's hand, as it was the proper way to greet a princess.
"I have noticed that you both are a day late. You were supposed to arrive not much after Legolas and Gimli, and they came yesterday evening." Gandalf tried to sound stern, but it was hard to when he looked at the faces of two girls whom he thought of as grandchildren.
Lithana nodded. "Claramelia failed to tell me that we were supposed to arrive last night. She was intent upon riding all night two nights ago, to arrive on time. I had to convince her that it was not proper for princess, or any young lady, to ride all night in a carriage. We stopped and set up camp to sleep for one night." Lithana nodded at the others, regarding their presence. When she saw Legolas, she seemed to freeze. She took a deep breath, and gave him a little smile. He forced an unenthusiastic smile, and looked away. Frodo just raised his eyebrows at this sight.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Everyone who was to arrive, had finally, by early evening. Gandalf had been right in assuming that Elboron would be with the group traveling from Gondor. They all greeted each other happily, and the Fellowship felt that it was somewhat of a reunion. They all gathered for a hearty feast in the dining hall of the Orthanc, before Gandalf would tell them why they were all there.
They had nearly finished eating, when Gandalf tapped his goblet, signaling to the others that he was going to talk.
"Welcome, everyone. I'm very glad you could all come in such haste, and on such short notice. As you have all probably realized, I have gathered the leaders or rulers of each settlement. We have the Shire, Rivendell, Lothlórien, Mirkwood, the Lonely Mountain, Gondor, Rohan, and Isengard are represented and present. I have for you all, a gift of great specialty and magnificence. These gifts were created and sought after with great care and pain. We will hopefully use them well, and to their fullest extent." Gandalf paused, and looked around the table. Each and every pair of eyes was glued to him, and waiting anxiously. Merry, Pippin, Elboron, and Claramelia looked as though they were going to explode with anticipation. Gandalf stood up, and gestured for the rest to do so. As they all stood, rather hesitantly. They honestly did not know what to think of Gandalf and his 'gifts' for them, at that moment. They followed Gandalf down the hall, to the door that Merry could not open earlier. Two guards opened the doors, and the guests walked into a large throne room, with many pedestals, each covered with a cloth.
"Now, I would have the Hobbits stand with this pedestal, the Gondorians at that one, Rohirrim at this one, and so on and so forth." Gandalf directed them, as he watched them all with a slightly amused look.
"One of each group, put their hand on the top of the cloth, and when I give the command, pull it away, to see what is underneath. You may pull that cloth away."
A sudden breeze went swiftly through the room, as the cloths were pulled away with a whoosh! Each looked at the pedestals in surprise, for resting proudly on top of each one, was a shiny, polished palantír.
Gandalf looked at all of them proudly. "Seven palantíri, for the seven different settlements."
Legolas looked at his palantír quizzically. "Eight."
"Pardon?" Gandalf asked. The others looked at Legolas in confusion.
"Eight. Gandalf, you said seven palantíri for the seven different settlements."
"Correct."
"But that's wrong. There are eight settlements, but only seven palantíri."
Gandalf smiled broadly at him. "That is correct, Prince Legolas. I actually did that purposefully."
There was a murmur of confusion through the room.
"But," Faramir spoke up, "How are you supposed to contact us, Gandalf? The eagles again?"
Gandalf, still smiling broadly, and rather disarmingly, shook his head. "No, my dear Steward. I shall tell you my purpose in this seeming mistake. You all recall how I was offered to go to Undying Lands, as Ringbearer, as was Frodo?"
They all nodded.
"That was what seemed so strange to all of us, Gandalf, for we all thought you left." Sam spoke up.
Gandalf nodded. "Ah, Sam, so you remember me leaving."
"So you did leave." Eldarion claimed.
"Yes, I did." Gandalf nodded.
They all looked at each other in confusion.
"Well, why did you come back, Gandalf?" Aragorn questioned.
"For a very simple reason. As simple as the reason I left in the first place." Gandalf walked up to the throne, and sat down. "I was contacted by the Valar through your palantír, Aragorn, and they requested that I come to the West for a short while, to then return back to Middle Earth. They had a surprise for me, they said, much as I had this surprise for you."
"The palantíri." Frodo commented.
Gandalf nodded. "You do not know how right you are, Frodo. Their gift to me was a palantír."
"But only seven had been made originally." Legolas spoke up.
"You are right as well, Legolas. Basically, they gave me a new palantír!" Gandalf reached out his hand, to a small table to his left, that they others hadn't realized was there. With a flourish, he wiped the cloth off, to reveal a shiny, silvery palantír. It was slightly larger than the rest, and obviously a different color.
Everyone gasped at its beauty and uniqueness.
"I've never seen it's equal." Gimli stated, mesmerized by the whirling silver clouds inside the orb.
Gandalf looked at the others, proudly. "These palantír are gifts to every leader, to communicate with each other. I am not letting years go by without any of us talking to each other again! You are to take these home with you, and put them in a very safe place. They were used by evil before, and they can be used as such again, for they are inanimate objects, and do not know the difference between good and evil."
Frodo and the Hobbits stared at their palantír, and Frodo wondered if they would ever have full control over their lives again
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next day, Elenalyn awoke, remembering watching her father, Faramir, Eldarion, and Elboron leave on their horses to Isengard, from her balcony. She had watched them go sadly. She couldn't help but feel awful that she was more upset about not being able to go and see Frodo, then her brother leaving after only spending three days with her after being gone for two years. There was a knock on the door, and Elenalyn turned to see Éowyn standing there.
"Éowyn, good morning."
"Good morning, Elenalyn." Éowyn walked over to her, putting a hand on her shoulder. "I know something is troubling you. Why don't you tell me, so you will not have to carry the burden as much?"
Elenalyn looked at her sadly. "I've already felt the burden lifted, but it has once again fallen to my shoulders."
Éowyn smiled at her encouragingly.
"I have fallen in love, only to realize that the I can never be with him." Elenalyn sighed.
"Who is he?"
A small smile spread across her face. "Frodo Baggins." Éowyn looked surprised. Before she could say anything, Elenalyn cut her off.
"I know, he is a Hobbit, and I'm Half-Elven, but do you think love knows these boundaries? I think not. I think love is too precious to care for the conventional. Love is its own belief, its own meaning, its own religion. Frodo and I have found it together, but we are not allowed to share in its joy."
Éowyn nodded, understanding a little of what Elenalyn was feeling. "Other than the obvious difference in height, what is keeping you two from being together?"
Elenalyn sighed. "Legolas."
"I do not understand."
"I have been betrothed to Legolas, by the will of my parents, after he asked for my hand in marriage on my 20th birthday."
Éowyn nodded, contemplating the situation. "Let me ask you this, Elenalyn. If Frodo knew of what Legolas's intentions were from the beginning, and had been quick enough to ask for your hand before Legolas; what do you think your fathers answer would have been?"
Elenalyn stopped. She knew her father wanted her to be happy, and that he and her mother knew she should be with Frodo because she loved him. But, she did not know if her father would have said yes. "I do not know."
Éowyn smiled slyly, "Do you really want to just sit around Minas Tirith, contemplating this, when you can go after what you want? You can find out if you and Frodo are meant to be. You can go to him."
Elenalyn jumped up from her chair. "Why do I never think as quickly as those around me?"
Éowyn just smiled at her. Aeriena came walking in from the hallway, with Arwen following her.
"I want to leave, I want to find out what could happen between us. There is so much that we are wasting…" Elenalyn looked around, exasperated. Aeriena looked confused, while her mother nodded her head.
"Do not spend your life wasting away on those thoughts. You will never know what can happen unless you make it happen. Don't you agree, Arwen?" Éowyn looked at Arwen to back her up.
Arwen looked at her daughter for a moment. "I waited thousands of years to finally meet the man that I fell in love with. You have been lucky enough to meet him when you were born, and to realize your feelings at 18 years old. I do not see why you should waste more time. Your father and I have already agreed that we made that mistake with each other."
Aeriena sighed. "I hope I fall in love like that, someday."
Éowyn smiled at her daughter, as she drew her into her lap. "You will, my dear Aeriena. But, do not go looking for it. None of us tried to find it…it just happened."
"Realizing I love Frodo hit me like lightning." Elenalyn confided to Aeriena. "I feel like I've been in a storm ever since…but it's a good storm. A storm that will till the earth, bring seed from other lands, water the ground, and bring a stream of sun more brilliant than a rainbow in its wake." She looked at her mother, and with an open heart and honest eyes, told her, "I only find safe harbor in the storm, when I'm with him."
Arwen walked over to her daughter, hugging her tightly, and kissing her on the forehead, whispered, "Then go to him."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The wind rushed through Elenalyn's hair as her horse galloped through the White Mountains. She worried she would arrive to Isengard too late, but she knew she might also meet them on their way home. She finally crossed the Isen River, seeing the Orthanc in the distance. She smiled and urged her horse to go faster. She started through the forest, having not reached the wall around the Orthanc. She stopped her horse, leaping to the ground gently. She walked through the forest, leading her horse, looking around, listening for any sign of people. She sensed something, and turned to the right, walking quietly. She could see a slight clearing, and the dark curly hair of a Hobbit peaking through the tall grass. She smiled, and quietly walked up behind him. Frodo was sitting there quietly, writing in a journal.
"Lyaa en valina sinome, mi Isengard." Elenalyn commented.
You look happy here, in Isengard.
Frodo leaped up, turning quickly. He looked surprised for a second, and then extremely happy.
"You surprised me!"
She laughed, 'Well, you surprised me in Mirkwood!"
He smiled, as he picked up the journal he had dropped. "We have to stop sneaking up on each other…it's getting to be a bad habit!"
She walked to him, but he put his hand up, signaling her to stop.
She looked confused. He shook his head. "Nothing can happen yet, Elenalyn. Too many of the others are here. If Legolas were to see us, or your father found out – "
"He already knows."
Frodo stopped. "He knows…?"
She nodded, determinedly. "I don't particularly care if anyone was to find out. Why should I hide how I feel?"
He smiled. "I did not say I want us to hide how we feel. We just have to be careful. Besides, we still have a problem in the way of us being together."
She nodded, knowing what he said was true. "There must be something we can do, Frodo. I would do anything, even the darkest magic, to be with you – "
Frodo suddenly shouted, looking shocked, "No, Elenalyn! You must never say that!" He said this with such anger and conviction, that Elenalyn was quite scared. He calmed down a bit, looking away. "You do not know what kind of forces are in this world, Elenalyn. Never sell yourself to a darker magic." He looked up at her, "Especially not for love."
She looked away, feeling naïve and ashamed.
"There might be another magic, though…" She looked at Frodo curiously. He was looking towards the Orthanc, with a little smile on his face. Realization dawned on her face. She smiled at him.
"Gandalf."
