I don't think there is anything I need to explain in this one.

Enjoy
Reona


Chapter 4



The firelight lit the small clearing with dancing colors of red and orange, throwing the beings sitting around it into shadows. A pot hung over the flame on a hook, water heating inside. The beings sat in clothes of blue and silver and of grey and silver, Elves from both Imladris and Lothlórien. A group of horses was staked near the edge of the clearing, munching on grass. An Elf in Imladris livery stepped from the animals with a bag and walked to the fire. "My lord," he said softly to one of the dark haired Elves.

Elladan looked up and took the offered bag with a strained smile. "Hennad," he said to the other Elf. The twin opened the bag and drew out some pieces of lembas, handing one to his mirror sitting next to him. Elrohir automatically raised the bread to his lips and nibbled on the food. Elladan handed a piece to the blond Elf on his other side but was refused. "You have to eat, Glorfindel," he scolded.

The elder Elf scowled into the fire before taking the waybread and chewing it quickly, swallowing it rapidly least it come out again. Glorfindel's stomach was twisted into knots and he could feel his muscles seize and shift. They had ridden hard and for long that day, searching all the areas they could reach for Lord Elrond. Not a sign could be found of the Imladris lord and the campsite was broodingly quiet. Normally when the allies and friends of Imladris and Lothlórien came together there was much laughing and joy, but not tonight.

The entire camp jumped as a howl sounded in the night, followed by another. "Wolves," muttered one silver haired Lothlórien Elf. A few of the other Elves sighed softly.

Elrohir pulled up his knees and wrapped his arms around his legs, resting his head on top. Elladan leaned his head on his twin's shoulder for comfort. "The wolves won't come near the fire," the elder twin muttered. No one made a comment, none cared about the animals. Elrohir mumbled something and then went quiet. Glorfindel shifted around on his seat before standing and walking away. Elladan sighed as he watched the blond haired Elf trudge around the edges of the firelight, looking like a wild animal that wanted desperately to disappear into the night.

Glorfindel stormed over toward the horses, calming his steps as he neared them. Asfaloth raised his head and stuck his nose out in greeting. The Elf came to the white horse and stroked his head, rubbing under the stallion's forelock. He muttered to him in Elvish for a moment before falling silent. Glorfindel looked over his shoulder, blue eyes searching the dark forest. Elrond was out there, either in Arda or not, and he was probably injured. He may or may not have any help, had not for two days if the latter case. Glorfindel looked unseeing, his eyes becoming glazed. It couldn't have been just the morning before that they had joked by a steam as they washed before breaking their fast, not so little a time ago with his heart feeling like it had bled for months already. Tears gathered in his eyes and Glorfindel turned his head to bury his face in Asfaloth's mane.

Haldir watched with shuttered eyes as Glorfindel stood by the horses, watching the other blond Elf's heart bleed onto the grass. The March Warden closed his eyes as he saw Glorfindel's shoulders shake, hiding his face in his horse's mane. He turned his head away and pulled his cloak up around his shoulders as he lay on his bedroll. Haldir wondered if anyone would sleep tonight.



Silivren sat in the meadow, calmly watching the moon glide across the night sky and the east begin to lighten as dawn came near. To her side Elrond lay in the tree's embrace, tucked in the cradle and covered with a blanket. The night was cooler than the day without the warm sun but not cold. Gailuin lay close by, star silver eyes half lidded as he dozed. The white woman did not sleep; she did not require sleep. Instead, she watched the night pass into day and listened to the first morning bird's song.

The pool turned from deep black to bright blue as the sun peeked over the tops of the trees. Gailuin rose from his rest and drank before walking into the meadow. A deer appeared at the meadow's edge, foraging in the early dawn, but did not enter the meadow. Colorful birds fluttered around the birch trees but none crossed the air between. The only creatures in the meadow were Silivren, Gailuin, and Elrond.

The half-Elf stirred after a bit, turning in the cradle and opening his eyes. Elrond rubbed at his eyes as he sat up, the blanket pooling around his waist. "Silivren?" he asked.

The white lady turned her head to him. "There is tea and food for you," she informed him.

Elrond looked down and found that the disk had a small fire going in it, keeping the pot hung above it warm. A bowl held pieces of fruit and waybread. He picked up the lembas and bit into it, noticing that is was fresh. "Where did you get the lembas?" he asked. Only Elves knew the recipe for lembas.

Predictably, Silivren waved her hand toward the trees. "Outside the meadow."

Elrond sighed and picked up a cup of tea. His grey eyes drifted around as he ate, glancing over Gailuin in the meadow and falling on a stack of clothes with a familiar silver buckle and circlet on top. "My clothing!" he exclaimed. Next to the stack was a basket with a fluffy towel, soap, and a comb.

Silivren nodded. "I think you will be able to bathe by yourself this morning. I will help you with your hair so not to irritate your shoulder," she said. "Then, you can return to your family."

"My family," echoed Elrond. "Where are they?"

"Beyond the meadow," replied Silivren, giving the same response she always had. After a moment she added, "They are searching for you." Her white gaze turned to him and Silivren blinked as if noticing him for the first time that morning. "Eat," she ordered. Silivren turned back to the pool and Elrond slowly continued to eat, watching the white woman stare into the water. As he finished the last piece of fruit and drank the last of the tea, Silivren stood swiftly. "Gailuin," she called. The unicorn lifted his head and then walked over to them, greeting Elrond by putting his soft nose to the half-Elf's cheek. "Gailuin will help you to stand," said Silivren. She pushed on the unicorn's flanks until he was standing parallel to Elrond, his head hanging over Elrond's chest. "Elrond, wrap your arms around Gailuin's neck and he will lift you up until you can get your feet under yourself."

"Alright," agreed Elrond, reaching up. The unicorn stood patiently as Elrond wrapped his arms around his neck, waiting for the half-Elf to get a good grip. Gailuin then stared to lift his head, raising Elrond up from the ground. Elrond made a pain filled noise as his blood was suddenly forced to travel against gravity and tightened his arms around Gailuin. The unicorn paused at the squeeze, waiting for Elrond's body to adjust. Silivren was muttering soothingly to them, her white gaze carefully on Elrond. A slow breathe left Elrond's body and Gailuin continued to lift him up until the half-Elf was able to move his feet under himself with the unicorn's support.

Gailuin stood calmly as Elrond leaned most of his weight against his neck. Elrond buried his face into the unicorn's mane as his body complained, loudly. Dizziness attacked and his stomach twisted. Elrond groaned and felt Silivren lay her hand on top of his head. Warmth traveled down from the touch, his blood slowing to normal and stressed muscles easing. His chest and stomach unknotted and his breathing became calmer as the pain left. He lifted his face away from Gailuin and tried to take a little more of his weight onto his feet. His body now seemed able to accept that and Elrond unwound his arms, but kept his palms against Gailuin's shoulder for balance.

"Better?" asked Silivren.

"Yes. The lightheadedness is not as bad now," Elrond answered. He slowly dropped his hands from Gailuin and stepped back. He was weak and a little wobbly, but remained on his feet.

"Still feel like a bath?" asked Silivren.

Elrond nodded carefully. "Yes."

"Gailuin, stay close," ordered Silivren. "If you feel faint or anything then grab onto Gailuin," she said to Elrond.

"I understand," said Elrond. Silivren turned away from him and Elrond reached for the ties of his leggings. He slipped them off, laying one hand on Gailuin's shoulder for support. The tunic was an easier ordeal and then Elrond moved toward the pool. Gailuin walked with him, lowering his head as Elrond sat on the edge of the pool and slipped carefully in. The water came up to his waist and was a pleasant temperature. The sunlight reflected off the water's surface and Elrond felt a soft current in the pool; a drain must be somewhere in the bottom.

"There should be a ledge for you to sit on," announced Silivren. Elrond felt around the edge of the water line and found the ledge, sitting on it so that the water now came up to his chest. He splashed some water up into his face and sighed. "Are you in?" asked the white lady, still facing away.

"Yes," Elrond answered. Silivren turned back and picked up the basket. "It is quite pleasant," said the half-Elf as she settled behind him.

"Indeed," replied Silivren. A cloth and a soap cake appeared over his shoulder and Elrond took them. "I will work upon your hair while you wash." Elrond nodded and dipped the cloth and soap into the water, creating a white lather. Behind him, Silivren took a green stock out of the basket and snapped it in half. A pale cream came out of the break and Silivren applied that to Elrond's dirty and slightly matted hair. A light scent filled the air as Silivren worked the cream into the dark strands, sometimes taking a bowl of water to wash some out and then reapplying some more cream. Finally, she picked up the wide toothed comb from the basket and began to run it through his hair, careful not to pull harshly as she worked on the tangles.

Elrond ran the soapy cloth across his body, surprised to find that the areas of his wounds were not overly sensitive. His skin glowed now that it was clean, the dust and dirt washing off in the water. He splashed some water over his shoulders, getting rid of the last of the soap. He giggled quietly as Silivren muttered something he didn't understand at a particularly difficult knot in his hair. The white lady scooped some water onto the tangle and put some more cream on. Finally, Silivren was able to run the comb through his hair without it catching. She switched it for a finer toothed comb and Elrond relaxed as she ran it through his hair.

After some time, she pushed on his shoulders lightly and urged him into the water. "Let yourself float," she told him. Elrond allowed his body to go limp and float on the surface of the water. Silivren supported his shoulders and washed out the last of the cream from his hair, leaving it silky and shinning. She helped him to sit again on the ledge and backed away from the pool. "Your towel and clothing are within your reach," Silivren said as she turned away. "Gailuin will help if you have any trouble getting out of the pool."

The unicorn stayed close as Elrond climbed from the pool but he was able to do it without assistance. He dried himself with the towel and began to dress. He leaned against Gailuin to put on his soft boots and smiled as the unicorn nuzzled his cheek again. "You may turn," Elrond said as he slipped on his robe and fastened it with the buckle.

Silivren turned to look at him, a brush and the fine toothed comb in hand. "Sit and I will style your hair," she said. Elrond, a little tired from his activity, lowered himself to the ground and Silivren sat behind them again. She ran the comb through his hair quickly, smoothing out any tangles from the toweling, and then brushed it until it was dry and shone in the sunlight. She was parting the top layer of his hair for a braid when Gailuin bumped her shoulder and dropped a flower into her lap. She picked up the small white flower and braided it into Elrond's hair, continuing the process with all of the flowers Gailuin brought her. Finally, Silivren placed the mithril circlet on top of his head and stood.

Elrond opened his eyes and sighed, he had enjoyed the attentions to his hair. Silivren grabbed his hand and helped the half-Elf to stand again. "We need to get you back to your family," she said, glancing at the pool. "They are losing hope for your safe return."

Elrond bit his lip. "How do I…?"

"Gailuin will take you," answered Silivren. The unicorn came closer and then lowered himself to his forelegs, allowing Elrond to climb on easily. The white woman helped the half-Elf to sit upon Gailuin's back, steadying him as the unicorn stood. Elrond wrapped his hands around Gailuin's mane, feeling his stomach lurch at the movement. Silivren went to the tree cradle where Elrond had rested and snatched up the book that the tree hollow had given him. She returned to the unicorn and handed him the book.

Elrond took it, looking uncertain. "Are you sure?" he asked again.

Silivren nodded as she glanced again at the pool. "Yes, I am sure," she said. She cupped his cheek and gave him a small smile, much to Elrond's surprise. "Namárie," the white lady muttered. She pushed against Gailuin's shoulder and the unicorn started toward the meadow edge.

"Namárie," Elrond said over his shoulder, clutching Gailuin's mane and the book. He looked away from the white lady standing by the blue pool as they neared the tree line. He thought that as soon as he past through the trees that he would wake to find this all a dream. Some odd dream given to him from the moon itself.

Gailuin moved through a gap in the birch trees and Elrond gasped in a moment of panic as everything went dark. A cool brush of wind twisted around him in the void and then light exploded. Elrond threw up one hand to shield his eyes as the strong sunlight hit him again. Gailuin still moved under him at a walk, seemingly undisturbed by what just happened. The half-Elf slowly lowered his hand and found himself looking at a sunlit forest. The blue sky above them was broken by the green canopy and the ground was carpeted by lush grass with colorful wildflowers, the likes of that in the meadow. Elrond twisted his head to search for the birch trees that circled the meadow but found none. Confused, he looked around in every direction but could not find the white trees that marked where they had come from. It was as if the meadow had disappeared, as if it never were.



The beauty of the sunlit forest was lost on one blond Elf. Glorfindel rode with his head hung, his golden hair falling around his face. He raised his hand and pressed it to his stinging eyes. Under him, Asfaloth picked his way through the forest. Somewhere off in the distance rode other riders, some of dark hair and others of light hair. Glorfindel paid little attention as he rode alone, unhearing of the whistles and chirps that the guards used to communicate among themselves. He had separated himself from the group a while ago, letting Asfaloth choose the way.

Glorfindel rested his elbows on his thighs and let his head fall into his hands. It was the morning of the third day and they still had no sign of where Elrond was or even if the half-Elf was still alive. Tempers were short, even the twins had snapped at each other earlier. The Imladris Guard were tense faced and grim looking, the Lothlórien Elves fared no better. Galadriel's mirror remained dark and still when questioned about Elrond, placing a piece of foreboding in each Elf's heart. They were faced with the very real prospect that they would not find Elrond, or not find him alive it seemed. The more time that past the more the group lost heart.

Glorfindel almost didn't feel it when Asfaloth stopped; it took the horse's loud snort to draw his attention. "What?" he muttered sourly as he lifted his head. Asfaloth snorted again and tossed his head, unmoving from his spot. Glorfindel raised his head to look around, expecting one of the other guards, and his breathe caught in his throat.

In a shaft of sunlight before them was a being of white that bore upon its back a familiar figure. A unicorn, coat white and a long spiral horn standing from its forehead, walked serenely through the forest. Upon its back was a slim Elf in burgundy robes, a shinning silver circlet upon his head and tiny white flowers in his dark hair. "Elrond?" muttered Glorfindel, thinking himself to be in a dream. The Elf's head was turned to look over his shoulder, silver grey eyes searching for something behind him, and his hands were wrapped around the unicorn's mane. The Elf faced forward then and Glorfindel was able to see his face clearly. "Elrond!" he cried, leaping from Asfaloth and running toward him.

Elrond gasped as he heard his name called and looked up to find Glorfindel running toward them. Gailuin tensed as the blond Elf came near, uncertain of the other being. "No, Gailuin," said Elrond. "He's a friend." The unicorn relaxed, allowing the blond Elf near. Glorfindel skidded on the leaf litter as he stopped next to Elrond and reached up to grasp his hands. "Glorfindel!" greeted Elrond brightly.

Glorfindel looked up at him with swimming eyes, his breath coming fast in his chest. Gailuin started to lower himself to the ground and the blond Elf pulled Elrond into an embrace, wrapping his arms around the half-Elf. Glorfindel stroked Elrond's hair as he started to mutter. "I was so worried about you. I love you so much." Elrond felt some wet tears from the blond fall on his cheek. "Love you. Love you. Love you." Glorfindel turned his head and began to kiss Elrond, moving up his cheek, across his eyelids, and down his other cheek to his lips.

Elrond made a small noise in his throat as his body protested the quick movement and handling. Glorfindel pulled back and cupped his cheek, emotion swirling in his frantic eyes. "Where are you hurt? We need to get you back to Lothlórien," he said.

"No, Glorfindel," said Elrond. "My wounds have been treated and are no more. I'm just a little dizzy and weak." Glorfindel's eyes roamed over Elrond's face before pulling him into his arms again. Gailuin stood patiently as the two Elves greeted each other. The unicorn raised his head as horse hooves sounded on the forest floor and flicked his ears as more riders came near.

"Ada!" cried two voices and Elrond and Glorfindel broke apart.

Elrond's face lit up as two identical Elves rushed toward him and held out his arms. "Elladan! Elrohir!" The twins grabbed a hold of him at the same time and under the weight all three fell to the forest floor. The family laughed as they hugged.

"Ada! We're so glad to see you!" cried Elladan.

Elrond stroked their hair as he smiled. "I am glad to see you as well, my sons."

"Where have you been?" asked Elrohir.

Elrond's eyes clouded and he frowned a little. "I…don't know. I suppose I was…in a meadow," he replied.

"Ai Elbereth!" Everyone looked up to find Haldir wide eyed, staring at something just behind them.

The twins turned and froze. "Whoa…" muttered Elrohir.

"A unicorn," said Elladan softly.

Gailuin lowered his nose and Elrond laid his hand upon the unicorn's head, stroking under his eyes. "This is Gailuin," the half-Elf said. "He brought me here, out of the meadow." Gailuin raised his head and sniffed across the twins and then up to Glorfindel. The unicorn snorted delicately at them and then lowered his nose to press against Elrond's cheek. Elrond rubbed against the velvet coat and nodded. "I understand, Gailuin," he muttered softly. "Namárie." Gailuin lifted his head and turned away, quickly making his way into the forest and disappearing.

"Ada, you had a unicorn with you," whispered Elladan. Elrond stroked across the elder twin's forehead and smiled. A yawn broke through whatever he was going to say and the twin's amazed looks turned into concerned ones.

Glorfindel reached down and lifted the dark haired half-Elf. "I suggest that we make our way back to Lothlórien," he said, turning toward Asfaloth with his precious burden. "You need rest and care." Glorfindel kissed the top of Elrond's head and smelt the small flowers in his hair. "Mmmm, those smell lovely. I don't think I've ever seen a flower like that before," he said. Elrond smiled against his shoulder and sighed as Glorfindel seated him on Asfaloth and mounted behind him. The blond Elf wrapped one arm around Elrond's waist and pulled him back to rest against his chest. "Rest," Glorfindel ordered. "Sleep if you can." Elrond leaned against him and nodded his compliance. Another kiss landed on his head as Asfaloth began the journey back to Lothlórien and Elrond was lulled to sleep.

Namárie = Farewell

Firefall: It seems that I have attracted a faithful reader. I'm so happy that you review each chapter and all my other stories too. It makes me feel so good inside. The white woman is playing a pivotal role here. We can't have Elrond dying can we? It would mess everything up. As for the unicorn, that actually has nothing to do with LotR. My Grandmother used to tell me a story as a child that involved the 'bringer of dreams' riding a white unicorn. So, that's where that really came from. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! And I'm not done!