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As always Blessed Be
Beltane Fires - Chapter 8
Elrond escorted Shannon to a beautiful room on the top floor. It opened on three sides out on to a wrap around balcony. It was the most beautiful place she had ever seen. Rose covered vines were entwined all through the railings and the sheer curtains hanging on the archways were a white gauze. The bed was a huge queen size and the carvings on the head board was a scene depicting Luthien and Beren embraced on the floor of the forest under a full moon. He stood there off to the side watching her reaction to the room. He was proud of his home, it made him feel sick to think he would be walking away from it soon. Never to return. It was still unclear who would take care of it once he sailed. Shannon walked softly out onto the balcony and looked out over Rivendell. It was breath taking. Off in the distance you could see a waterfall cascading through the green foliage of the Misty Mountains. She could just stand here forever and never see the same thing twice. He stood there looking at this woman who had come suddenly into his life. How serene she looked standing there. Her pale face, with those deep green eyes. It was hard him to think that she would soon be made to suffer through a battle that she could not win. Luthien had as much as told them she was to die. He could not interfere she said. If he had his way he would keep her here in Imladris and the rest of the world could forget about them. He smiled thinking of just the two of them alone here in this haven of beauty with no one to bother them. Spending the rest of eternity getting to know each other, sharing everyday to the fullest .He would introduce her to Arwen and Aragorn. Together they would watch his grandchildren grow into young men and women.
Then reality hit him, he must sail with his people. Their time on earth was over. The battles for Middle Earth had happened long ago and many had died each time the evil threatened to take over. Now Sauron was destroyed and it was up to man to be the guardian of what was left. The elves would sail into Aman never to walk in Middle Earth again. They would be but a memory to those they left behind. He looked at Shannon, even this vision standing here would cease to exist. There was nothing he could do to change it. Shannon turned and looked into the eyes of the only man she had let get close to her. He had that sad look on his face again. She came back into the room and placed her hand against his cheek. "What are you thinking of to make you so sad?" He looked at the green eyes with the deep lashes, "You! , I would like nothing better than to stay here for the rest of eternity with you alone."
Shannon blushed at his words and then smiled sadly and asked, "What will you do when you get to Aman? "
He sighed heavily, "I do not know yet, I have been many things here in this realm. I have been a soldier to the king, I have been a scholar and teacher. A father and husband. And I have been a leader to the people who came to this haven seeking refuge. I have thought that I would be a historian. Our people will need someone to pass on our history, so we will not be forgotten." he smiled suddenly thinking of Glorifindel. "I had wanted to take my library with me, but my tall friend thinks this will be impossible." Shannon smiled and said "Why do you not write new books when you get there? You above all know what should be in them. You were there, you lived it! "Elrond thought about this, "Maybe, I had not thought to do that." She walked over to the bed and sat on the edge. "Are you tired ?"he asked. "A little " she said, "but I need to talk to you. Lord Elrond I can not stay here. I left Rhea back in my time thinking that I had only gone but a short distance away. I can't stay here without talking to her. Then there are my relatives in Ireland, they are expecting me to go to them after we leave England. I have to get home, I have my shop back at home. I have to make arrangements for that to be sold when I'm gone. I thought I had more time. Time enough to finalize everything. I realize that Dana had the best of intentions trying to help me get to my ancestors. But I have to go! I can't just walk away."
This disturbed Elrond to no end. "Lady , do you realize that soon you will be gone? Do these things mean more to you than going to be with the druids to whom you worshipped openly? I am sure your friends would want you to be where you are the happiest, when that time comes." He had been screaming at her and his face was one of rage. "Are you insane?" Shannon not being used to getting screamed at lost her temper. She screamed back "Now you just hold on there mister. I didn't ask for your help. I was doing perfectly fine without you! Who do you think you are? My father died long ago and I don't need another to take his place !"Elrond just stood gaping at her. Never had anyone openly defied him so well. "But?" he managed to get out before she took another deep breath intending to continue her tirade against him. "Don't you but..." and she started coughing. She coughed and coughed trying to catch her breath. She couldn't breathe, she started gasping for air and she was turning an ugly gray color. Elrond grabbed her and started hitting her on the back. He bent her body over until her head was against her knees. She collapsed on the floor in a dead faint. He was in a terrible panic and scooped her up into his arms then he placed her on the bed gently pulling the long robe down to her feet. He opened the door and screamed for Glorifindel.
It was later that evening that Elrond was sitting in the chair at the foot of Shannon's bed. She had not woken up yet and he was getting really worried. The fever had started almost an hour ago and her breathing was getting shallow. Erestor had brought a tray for Elrond earlier; it still sat on the small table untouched. What was so important that she would take the chance of returning to her own time? Why did she not stay here and let him take her to the druids? It would be so much better for her that way. Truth be told he needed to take care of her. It scared him to think what he would feel like if she left. He had come to care for her deeply in the short time she had been here. He would be back to the same lonely existence he was in before she came. There was a soft knock at the door and Glorifindel poked his head in slowly. Seeing that Shannon was still a sleep he quietly came into the room. He noticed her shallow breathing and the beads of sweat on her forehead. "She worsens?" he asked quietly. Elrond looked up at him from the chair and nodded his head. Seeing how much this grieved the dark haired elf he pulled up the other chair and sat with his friend. "Why was she sent here to die? I do not understand this." Elrond looked at Glorifindel and tried to find the words to explain." Back in the time from where she came she worshipped the ancient druids daily. She is one of their descendents, one of their great grand daughters. To her it was important to keep their faith alive. Their world had changed just like this one will when we are gone. Because she was loyal to their faith, they wanted to help her in her darkest hour. They had Luthien come to show her the easier way to Aman. But she is stubborn and does not want to take the easier way. She cares for her friends and does not want them to think she has disappeared with out an explanation. So rather then stay here she was going back to be with them. We argued and this is the result." He looked back at Shannon and you could see the regret on his face. Why had he pushed to the point where she had collapsed on the floor? Glorifindel turned to look at the woman in the bed. "She must be very brave indeed. She was right you know? She should have gone back, I would have. Friendship is everything thing when you have no family. Did you want her to stay because it was easier for her, or because you were lonely and she filled that void I have watched you sink into?" He did not want to hurt his lord, but he had to ask. Elrond was like a brother to him .He only wanted his friend to survive the guilt he was facing. "Let her go Elrond. It is what she wants!" Elrond looked at his best friend "It may already be too late, my friend." He looked back at Shannon and promised if she would wake up, he would not try to stop her.
Elrond went to the library later that evening. He went there looking for a book to read while he sat with Shannon. He was still contemplating what Glorifindel had said. Yes, friendship was important. He thought of the friends that had come and gone. Gil-Galad, Celeborn, Celebrimbor and others, they were all gone now. Only Erestor and Glorifindel remained close to him. He would not know what to do if he did not have them. He could not find the book he had been looking for, and started looking in the bundles on the floor.
Shannon woke up slowly, her head was killing her. God what she wouldn't do for an aspirin right now? The last thing she remembered was screaming at Elrond and then everything went black. She sat up slowly and looked around the room. She was alone. She scooted over to the edge of the bed and put her feet on the floor. She was a little dizzy but everything seemed to still be working. She stood up slowly and supported herself on the bedpost. She reached for the closest wall and walked slowly toward it. Trying desperately to keep her balance. What the hell had happened? Did she bust a blood vessel screaming at him or what? She only had a small chance of getting out of here without anyone catching her. She would have to hurry or she would be caught. She slowly opened the door and peaked out into the hallway. It was empty! Her luck was holding. She started down the passageway remembering the way Elrond had brought her. Please God, don't let her get lost. She had to make it all the way to the bridge. She got to the main entryway and thought her luck had run out. Glorifindel was coming out of the great hall. He stopped when he saw Shannon, for a minute they just stood there staring at each other .The elf realizing that she was making a run for it hesitated and then smiled at her and bowed his head. He turned and walked away, not trying to stop her. She peaked out the archway and seeing no one else she crept to the path leading out of the courtyard.
Elrond walked out of the library and back up the stairs leafing through the book in his hand. It wasn't the one he had wanted but it would do. He reached Shannon's room and opened the door quietly trying not to wake her. When he saw the bed was empty he threw the door open the rest of the way and screamed "Glorifindel !" He started running down the hall, searching for her as he ran. Glorifindel was standing in the entryway when Elrond got there. "Where is she? Did you take her to the bridge?" He screamed grabbing the front of his friend's tunic. The tall blonde elf looked at him with a hurt expression on his handsome face. "I did not take her anywhere. She went on her own. Let her go Elrond, she wants to go home." Elrond did not wait to hear anymore, he starting running as fast as he could dark hair flying behind him. He ran jumping over the rose bushes and turned the corner of the path leading to the bridge. He saw her there halfway across the bridge still wearing the burgundy robe he had dressed her in at the pool. Her long red hair flowing down her back. She was walking slowly and holding on to the railing of the bridge. Forgetting the promise he had made at her bedside he screamed just then "No!" as loud as he could still running trying to reach her before she got to the other side. She turned and looked at him, she had to hurry at this rate he would catch up. She got just to the other side, slowly she turned and looked at him. " I'm sorry "she said with tears running down her face. Sobbing as if her heart were broken she stepped off of the bridge and disappeared. He kept running until he saw her body disappear and he fell to the ground on his knees begging her "Shannon ! Please don't leave me!" No one answered him. He stayed that way until it got dark, slowly he got up from the ground and made his way home alone as usual.