Disclaimer: I don't own anything in this story apart from the plot and Galwyn. All the rest is Tolkien's of course.
A/N: Thanks to Midnight for her continued reviews! This chapter is especially for you!
Please inform me of any mistakes in my elvish, but I only have very primitive resources, so it's quite likely to have mistakes in it!
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Elrohir's senses were more alert than they had ever been as the group made their way towards Lòrien. Not even the slightest rustle of vegetation or twig snapping went without investigation, and the escort of Imladris guardians, unaware of what had befallen their Lord, were beginning to grow weary of their young leader's rather extreme vigilance. Elrohir knew the route from his home to the Golden wood like the back of his hand, for it was one he had made many times in his life, but he knew that in times such as these, one's life could rest on their level of vigilance. He wished sadly that he had more time to bask in the beauty and gloriousness of Lòrien for it had been many decades since he had wandered, free in spirit, under the trees there. He was riding unconsciously, his body moving in tandem with the animal beneath him, so perfectly synchronised that he barely felt the movement. Indeed, it was a good thing, for he was unable to use both hands to hold onto the horse's mane, for one arm was presently wrapped around the body of his sister, who sat in front of him, leaning back against him in gentle slumber. She had requested that she share his horse with him, for she needed to be close enough to him to speak without the others hearing. He looked down at the sleeping features of his younger sibling; at her pale, flawless skin, luminous blue eyes that was so reminiscent of their mother, currently glazed and blank as she wandered the paths of elven dreams, and the river of wavy, dark hair. It was not for no reason that people compared her with Lùthien, who had been, as legend said, the most beautiful woman ever to have walked Middle earth. His arm tightened round her protectively as he remembered the distress she was feeling at their father's predicament. He and his twin were able to be more composed about the situation, but Arwen had been hit a lot harder by the departure of their mother, whom she had shared the closest of bonds.
As he reflected, the body of his sister suddenly tensed and she jolted awake with a scream that pierced his ears and made his heart turn cold. He pulled his horse Celebmir (Silver jewel) to an abrupt stop and heard the rest of the escort do likewise as he attempted in vain to calm the shaking figure before him. Tears were coursing down the beautiful face of his sister and she buried her face in his shoulder as she sobbed: Father! No! No! Please no…
"Peace, Arwen. Peace. It was just a dream."
"It was so horrible, Elrohir. I saw it all like I was there. They took him, and they…they…tortured him. Oh, father! Father…" Her voice tailed off as the sobs wracked her body. Elrohir pulled her closer to him and gently rocked her, stroking her hair until the crying subsided and she grew more still. He could feel the wetness of her tears on his skin as it had soaked through his tunic and shirt, and he felt a bolt of sadness and fear pierce his heart for his family, and especially his father. Oh, Elbereth! Let him live! Let him remain! Let him be alright…He looked round at the guardians who were trying their best not to look shocked and curious at the weeping form of their Evenstar. Elrohir briefly removed his hand from his sister's head to make a gesture that indicated they would be moving on in a minute, and to just rest for a moment.
"Arwen?" He said gently, pulling her away from him so he could look into her face. She was pale and drawn and her eyes were filled with fear. "Arwen, listen to me. Father will not leave us. He will be fine. He is strong." She shook her head sadly at his words.
"Mother was strong. And she still left us."
"It is not the same, Arwen. Father will not leave us."
"Do you promise? Can you give me your word he will not leave?"
"I give you my word." Do not fail me, father…
Arwen looked at Elrohir as though the intensity of her gaze would discern whether or not he was telling the truth. She looked into the bright silver-grey eyes set in the beautiful, familiar face of her brother, identical to that of his twin, that was framed with long, straight hair even darker than her own. She could not see anything but honesty and sincerity written there, and she sighed heavily.
"Thank you, Elrohir. I don't know what I would do without you and Elladan. I am just so afraid, that is all."
"I know. You do not have to explain to me. Now, try to rest. It will not be that long now." He waited while she turned round and settled herself more comfortably before giving the signal to move off. He hugged her gently and felt her rest her slender hand over his own.
"I love you." She whispered almost inaudibly as sleep overtook her exhausted body once more.
"I love you too, dear sister." He replied, suddenly becoming aware of just how much he cherished his family. He hastily pushed the thought away, knowing that if he let the realisation surface, he would feel exactly as Arwen did, and would not be able to comfort her. He settled back into the rhythm of riding, and scanned his surroundings as they came ever closer to their destination.
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They arrived at Lòrien the next evening, and began to pass under the first trees of the forest as the stars started to become visible. The party was weary for they had stopped only to give the horses a rest, and the rest of the time they had been riding. Elrohir, the only highly experienced rider out of the group, was the only one whose muscles were not screaming for relief, and even Arwen, who was a competent rider, was complaining about her fatigue. They were met by one of the Lòrien guardians named Haldir, an elf whom Elrohir knew well, with a pale, handsome face with bright blue eyes and long, golden blonde hair. The youngest twin managed to pull his expression of concern into a smile when he saw his friend.
"Mae govannen, iantmellon. Sut naa lle umien?" Well met, old friend. How are you doing?
"Amin naa quel, nan'nae saian luume." I am well, but it has been too long.
"Aiya, amin sinta. Amin tulaya ner, nan'amin caela sai'um." Alas, I know. I would come more, but I have much to do.
"Elrohir, i'tari naa feithien yuuyo lle. Re merna lle tul ale'lye tela sinome." Elrohir, the queen is waiting for you. She wants you to come as soon as we finish here.
"Diola lle, Haldir. Llie tuluva rato." Thank you, Haldir. We will come soon. Elrohir replied, turning to address some of the Imladris guardians. "Sylbryn, lle gara san i'rokko yassen Gilendil ar'Felandon?" Sylbryn, can you take the horses with Gilendil and Felandon?
"Uma, Heruamin." Yes, my lord. Elrohir dismounted his horse and helped his sister down. He stroked Celebmir's nose and gave him a carrot he had been saving in his pocket. The horse tossed his head in appreciation and began to happily munch the treat. Another Lòrien guardian appeared from the undergrowth and led the escort and horses away, leaving Haldir with Arwen and Elrohir. Watching his sister conversing with Haldir as they made their way deeper into the forest, Elrohir was pleased to see that Arwen had lost her drawn expression, and was looking more like she did normally: bright and luminously beautiful. But as he examined her expression, he was worried to see that the fear was still present in her eyes for anyone who was looking for it. He knew that their grandmother, Galadriel, would notice it immediately, and he hoped that she had received some news from Gandalf that would lift their spirits. Telling himself that all would be well, he resigned his concerns to the background and concentrated on enjoying the company of his friend and sister. What he did not notice was the snowy owl that was flying from tree to tree, following their progress.
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Galwyn had been aware of the approach of the two children of Elrond from when Galadriel and Celeborn had told her in their talk two nights ago. Since then, the Lord and Lady of Lòrien had been occupied with their own preparations, and Galwyn had been able to spend some time on her own to practice her skills. She had been flying around the borders of the Golden wood, which was beautiful from the air, in her favourite bird form: the snowy owl, when she had seen the party approaching. Swooping down, she had seen her good friend Arwen seated on a beautiful silver horse, held tightly in the arms of someone she did not recognise, but who had to be, judging by the similarity in their features, one of the twin sons of Elrond. Eager to look closer, she had waited patiently in a tree until the party passed beneath her. She had watched as Haldir, an elf that she knew exceedingly well as he was to be married shortly to her friend Ralia, had welcomed the party and sure enough, had addressed the elf with Arwen as Elrohir, a name she knew belonged to the younger of the twin sons of Elrond, although they had never met before. She had looked upon him and in that split second moment, realised that he was the elf from her vision in the mirror. Of course, she knew that it could well have been his identical twin Elladan who had been in her vision, but something told her that it was this brother, the younger, who she had seen. In her surprise, she had examined his face more carefully and noted with pleasure the beauty of his face and the great depths of his shining silvery eyes behind the curtain of dark hair. When he dismounted his horse and helped his sister down, she took in his tall, lean, yet muscular form, the long, athletic legs, broad shoulders and narrow hips. For a few moments, she was unable to tear her eyes away, but then her sense returned and she chastised herself. She had seen many a beautiful elf in Lòrien; Haldir, for example, was immensely fair, as was his prospective bride, and she knew that she would never be with this particular elf, for he was a Noldor elf lord, in a position of great importance, and she…she was a mere mortal of no standing. She turned her thoughts back to more productive issues and began to make her way to the Lord and Lady, following in the wake of the three elves.
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A/N: Please review if you like it, and if you don't, well then please give me some constructive criticism as to how to make it better!
