This chapter took A LOT of work to finish, and I'm actually proud of it.

I noticed I haven't mentioned this before, and maybe I had no intentions of making it one, but this story is getting a little AU. Not that I care much, but it might be a good idea if I told you know (like no one noticed before).

Now, when you have read thru this Authors Ramble (I think I'll rename it that) I hope you read thru my story (it is deliciously free of A/N:s this time, thank you) and be a real angel and review it.

Enjoy!

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CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

After his conversation with Legolas, Haldir had spent the past days thinking about many things. Mainly, what he should do now. His mind and heart was in an uproar, old ideals and new fighting for space and outlet, giving him terrible headaches and trouble sleeping. Going back to Lothlórien was out of the question, even Elrohir had figured that. Staying in Minas Tirith was just a very bad idea, not only because of Celeborn, even if Haldirs sense of service to the Lord of the Golden Woods was still overwhelmingly strong, but also due to Minas Tiriths emotions towards him. Most didn't know who he was, they simply disliked him because he was an Elf, but some - those who had participated in the battle at the outskirts of Pelannors fields and gotten a good look at the Elven Captain - knew and they promised him a slow and torturous death with their stares of pure hatred. He did not blame them, and it did not affect him much, although it caused an aura of instability and rising anger to spread over the city in his footsteps.

" You seem to walk grounds far distant from here, Elf."

Standing so still at the inner city wall that Haldir had walked past him without noticing, Éomer gave him a mischievous smile and took a few cautious steps towards him. Haldir remembered Éomer from Helm's Deep, remembered his courageous participation in the battle that stood there and helped - yes, helped - in saving many lives of his precious army of Galadhrim. Although he could not be sure, he thought that if Legolas had not intervened at that crucial moment in the battle and his plans had become reality and all Men were dead, he would have spared Éomers life. He did not smile back, although he tried not to act hostile towards the Rohan lord.

" I do wish I did, but I am not completely unsatisfied about where my feet leaves their mark."

Éomers smile broadened as he pointedly squinted at the ground behind Haldir.

" You leave no mark, Elf."

A strike of seriousness came over Haldir, and he the smile he produced was a pale copy in comparison to Éomers.

" It is my curse, to go unnoticed everywhere."

Getting more confident around him, Éomer walked up closer and frowned slightly up the way Haldir had come from.

" I do not think you go unnoticed here, Elf. The entity of Minas Tirith knows who you are, as well as your friend. May it be that we are not often blessed with the company of the Fair Ones, but the eyes that follow your way is not - how should I put it? - uncaring?"

Haldir glances back over his shoulder at the people that passed behind. A majority of them showed their feelings and thoughts clearly, by looking in another direction. A small minority openly stared at him, eyes narrowed and their stares piercing like arrows. When they saw Éomer standing slightly behind him, they quickly looked away, although they stole glances at him when they thought neither of them noticed. The rest simply walked past, either they did not see or did not care.

" I fear you have a sharp point there, Man. Indeed, they are far from uncaring."

Éomer boldly placed a broad and calloused hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently, like he feared that Haldir would break if he pressed too hard.

" At times like these, you should not easily trust someone. Though, if Aragorn does not disapprove of you being here, I see no reason why I should. You have not given me cause to dislike you, Elf. Why not put race aside and introduce ourselves? I am Éomer of Riddermark, Captain of the Rohirrim."

" Haldir of Lothlórien, Marchwarden and General of the Galadhrim."

" I thought you were referred to as Captain?"

A hint of a smile appeared on Haldirs lips as he enjoyed Éomers carefree questions. They seemed a rare gift when one was used to war related issues.

" When the army of the Galadhrim marches, the leader is the Captain. When at peace, there is no leader, and then I am simply a General."
" I would hardly call General a simple title, Haldir of Lórien. You must stand very high among you people. Alas, you stand very high among my people."

Éomer laughed and slammed his hand palm side into Haldirs back, the Marchwarden not moving an inch from the impact.

" Do you have a special errand out here, or are you just wasting time thinking?"

This time Haldirs smile was genuine.

" I am wasting time, mine and others."

" Oh, you are not wasting my time. I meant to ask if you are hungry. It is soon midday, and dinners will be served. Elves do eat?"
" No, we eat nothing, that is why we live so long."

Éomer attempted to slap him again, but Haldir swiftly moved away from the hand and took lead back to the castle. No one should take more beating that was absolutely necessary, and Haldir figured he would be beaten quite adequately and more before he died.

On their way back, Haldir noticed that Éomer walked fairly close to him, looking everywhere at once. A warriors instinct never ceases, he mused realizing he was watching his surroundings just as closely.

" Is it just me, or is it getting colder?" Éomer asked and forgot one very important thing that Haldir soon reminded him of.

" Elves cannot feel the temperatures of the weather. Well, we can, when our defences are down. Bring Legolas out here and he could tell you."

" Aragorn would kill me if I tried. I think I will find someone else to ask."

***

Elladan was all packed and ready to go. In fact, he had been up every night, making sure that they did not leave without him. He had even set some traps that would instantly alert him if there was some abnormal activity in he courtyard. For example, he had stretched a cord threaded with tiny bells across the road by the archway out of Rivendell. One horse might miss to tear it down, but hundreds would certainly not. And the low chime they made was rare enough to wake him up. And that was only one alarm of many.

Sitting in a pavilion that was built around the stem of a large and very old oak, now crowned with very few faded leaves that would soon join others on the ground, Elladan smiled to himself. It was a weak, dispirited smile, but none the less a smile. He would no longer sit passive and worry himself to pieces over his brother. The incompletion he felt when away from Elrohir almost made him go insane. At least you know he is still alive, he comforted himself, feeling a small knot in the back of his head that he knew was his connection to Elrohir.

At first he ignored the three figures coming through the archway and into the courtyard, thinking nothing more than that they were servants coming back from errands. But at the second glance, small details persuaded him to go take a closer look. The long, golden hair hanging loose off the females head was not customary around Rivendell. And the two with her wore something that looked suspiciously much like the garb of the Marchwardens. The two finely crafted bows slung over their shoulders confirmed it to Elladan.

' Orophin? Rúmil? Lady Galadriel! What are you doing here?'

Galadriel, dirty all over, gave him a pale smile and grabbed his hand in a grasp that was tighter than anticipated.

' Elladan, I desperately need to speak to your father. Is Lord Elrond here?'

Elladan nodded and was about to tell her that Elrond was in his study, when she tore away from his hand and hurried up the stairs. Standing dumbfounded and staring after her, Elladan temporarily forgot about the other two elves.

' Everything seems to be normal here', Rúmil said, unstringing his bow. Orophin nodded slowly as Elladan turned to look at them.

' But nothing seemed wrong in Lothlórien either', he said, leaving his bow ready to use.

' Why are you here?' Elladan asked again, concerned by their untidy appearance. ' What has happened?'

Rúmil looked for confirmation from his older brother before he took Elladan by the shoulders and led him back to the pavilion.

' How much do you know about the situation in Lothlórien, prince?'

' Not much, father is very secretive about it. But something has gone awfully awry, has it not?'

Orophin sat down next to him with a heavy sigh.

' I wish awry was the appropriate word. No, what has infected Lothlórien requires a harder word. Lord Celeborn has been processed by Nenya, the Ring wants him to rule not only Lothlórien, and all the Elven Havens and realms, but the entire Middle Earth. Your brother was infected with the same ideals and so was ours. Their minds was poisoned and twisted, leading them into a meaningless war and an equally meaningless death!'

Elladan winced at Orophin's choice of words, but knew that they only spoke what they felt. He too had thought he would never see Elrohir again.

' But why are you here?'

' To put and end to this! Lord Celeborn kept Lady Galadriel imprisoned, blocking her connection with Lord Elrond. We had to escape like some measly prisoners through the very land we guard and protect!'

Placing a calming hand on his brothers shoulder, Rúmil turned to Elladan with a look of despair.

' There is nothing to be done from inside, Elladan. We need your fathers help.'

' We are to ride out to the Reihas clan at winter's first day. We cannot ride to Lothlórien.'

' We are not going to either', a voice said from behind them. Elrond and Lady Galadriel stepped into the pavilion and sat opposite of the three young elves. ' Galadriel and I made these plans when I visited Lothlórien. All we can do now is to collect all the Rings together.'

' And then what? Gathering all Rings will not rob Celeborn of his.'

Galadriel raised her hand as a sign that she would answer.

' No, but once we have them, we can destroy them. Giving all the power to Nenya. Hopefully she will self-destruct, she was not made to lead, only to guide.'

' What if that does not happen? What if she gives Celeborn the same power that Sauron had? What if her seductive advice and alluring guidance take over all of us. Her power is exclusively meant for the Elves, and will most surly only affect those of our kin.' Elrond shook his head. Apparently they still had disagreements on that part of the plan. ' I say', he continued after a harsh look from Galadriel that he met with equal conviction. ' that we gather the Rings where they are safe and then find a solution. Foretelling is difficult when so many is involved and my own intervention keeps me from seeing anything clearly, only bit's and fragments. Much can have changed once we have the Rings together. We alone cannot make that decision.'

' Also, time is of importance. We are most certainly being followed', Galadriel nodded towards Orophin and Rúmil. ' If we are found here, things may happen that we could have done without. I say we leave for Rehindharas now, not to wait for anything.'

' I agree', Elrond said. ' We leave tomorrow. I have dinner being served for you and we can discuss our departure.'

Elladan suddenly felt nervous. He did not have to wait any longer, his quest to help his brother would start tomorrow. He glanced at Orophin and then at Rúmil, noticing with an amount of satisfaction that they seemed slightly anxious themselves.

***

Galadriel and Elrond quickly stepped through the hallways, speaking very little and of nothing of importance.

' Once you are finished eating, we meet in my rooms.'

' No, I can eat afterwards.' Not disagreeing, simply nodding, Elrond turned right and opened a heavy oak door, carved with vines and leaves with a small silver key. Galadriel stepped inside and Elrond closed the door behind him.

' No one but me has access to this room. We can speak freely.'

Galadriel looked around, noticing that she was indeed in Elronds bedroom. It made sense that he was the only one with access and she relaxed some, but still cautious of everything around her.

' What happened?'

' Orophin and Rúmil came and got me, we escaped during the watch shift and I had to cast a spell. I know Celeborn noticed it and that he immediately sent out guards. We reached Moria yesterday and they let us pass. When we got out on the other side, we heard the alarm bell ring. I think Celeborn Wardens tried to go through by force. I fear the Dwarfs suspicion against the elves will gain new life.'

' There is nothing to be done about that now. I just hope Gandalf has found someone willing to help him.'

' You have already forgotten about Gimli, son of Glóin? I find him rather memorable myself. I am sure he holds no grudge against the elves and that he would not deny Gandalf his aid.'

' I hope you are right.'

Galadriel sat down in chair, folding her hands neatly in her lap.

' I do now know how much I can assist with in this, Elrond. My powers are useless now outside of Lothlórien, I cannot help with much.'

' You cannot stay here either', Elrond thought aloud, pacing in front of her. ' we have no other choice but to bring you.'

' You make it sound like such a burden, Elrond', Galadriel chided and looked at him with amusement. Elrond however, was not in a mood for humour.

' I need to send Arwen away as well. I will not have her staying here with Celeborn right on your heels. Can you think of a place safe enough for the both of you, at least for a while?'

Galadriel pondered for a moment before she smiled widely.

' Long back you offered some inexperienced travellers your hospitality and they greatly accepted it. I think it is time they started to repay you.'

The confused frown on Elrond made Galadriel giggle and she stood, her hair sprayed over her shoulders. ' You have four hobbits under your care, Lord Elrond. I think the Shire is the safest place for your daughter and me, at least for now. Hobbits are easily forgotten, as you just proved, and I do not think Celeborn took a lot of notice of either of them during their short, yet intense, visit to our lands.'

' I will have a word with Frodo about it. I do not think he is very eager to leave is uncle, but the other two… Well, it might be for the best that they return to their homes. We need to ration our food.'

They both smiled and Galadriel realized that you could think of Hobbits even at the darkest of times and still smile.

' You and Arwen leave tomorrow as well. I have some things packed for you. Now I suggest to eat something, and perhaps even take a bath. Actually, I strongly suggest it.'

***

If Ithiel had know how much climbing that was involved in reaching the Rehindharas pass, she might have though it thru a little more carefully before following. She had small cuts and bruises on both arms and legs, and she found her riding dress highly inappropriate for climbing in gusty wind. For her own decency's sake, she had made Keyn climb above her, excusing herself with not knowing the way, although there only seemed one place to go.

' Are we there yet?' she asked for the uncountable time and Keyn gave her now other answer but a small nod that might have been a headshake and she sighed heavily. A particularly strong wind caused her to elevate slightly of the mountain, and she grabbed a tighter hold with a terrified yelp. Above her, she heard Keyn snicker and if she had not been holding on for dear life, she might have reached up and grabbed his ankle.

' If we are not there yet, I am staying here.'

' Stopping halfway up a mountain? Are you insane?'

' I might become', she threatened and carefully looked down. She wasn't very scared of heights, but falling that far was hardly anything she wanted to do. In fact, she was reluctant to climb down that height. ' If I do not die first', she added with a bit a serious sarcasm.

' If you can keep going up to that red stone that points out', he nodded towards the aforementioned stone barely half his height above him and Ithiel made a face. ' we are there.'

She mumbled some curses under her breath and followed him, jealously watching Keyn take a hold with one hand and push himself up as easily as mounting a horse. He turned and reached down to offer his hand. She was about to decline, when she realized she had no idea how she was supposed to get up there, and hesitantly accepted.

' You should not always be so proud, Ithiel', Keyn said and dusted his grey tunic off and cocked his head. ' One day your stubbornness might make you fall down a mountain.'

' And one day maybe that sharp tongue of yours might cause you a head.' She stepped around him, feeling a strong urge to fire a multitude of arrows at something, preferably at her inconsiderate guide.

' Do you know where you are going?' The arrogant mountain elf walked a few steps behind her, amusingly watched her confusion among all the boulders placed to delusion anyone who managed to climb to the ledge.

' If you can stop distracting me, I might find out', she said, realizing she sounded more confident than she felt. I should learn to hold my tongue and not fear to ask for help, she scolded herself but she knew that she could not immediately discard herself of old habits. Too stubborn.

Keyn stopped her with a firm grip on her arm and smiled reassuringly.

' Just follow me.'

She followed without a word, grunting only when needing help, but wilfully excepting it nonetheless. They walked on for a almost half an hour before Keyn stopped and turned towards her.

' I will bring you to my father, but I must warn you that he is not very keen on me bringing strangers here. There might have been a few visitors here that he has not approved of before, so do not take it personally if he ignores you.'

' I am quite used to being ignored', Ithiel sighed but nodded. ' Take me to your father. I have not risked my life climbing this mountain not to argue with the resident clans chief.'

The smiled that Keyn gave her might have been the most sincere she had ever gotten from him, or anyone for that matter and he took her hand and led her on. They only needed to round another gigantic boulder before they stood before a entrance to a airy cave. Apparently mountain elves had no restrictions of living inside caves.

Two guards stood posted outside and the only acknowledgement they got was a slight bend on their heads and a change of angle on the bows they used. They did not look much different from Keyn, stonegrey hair and hard blue eyes that made Ithiel look away.

They entered the cave and instinct told Ithiel to guard her head and feet. Keyns carefree walk beside her showed of confidence and experience, while her staggering was as obvious as daylight that she did not often walk in caves. It wasn't dark, with regular intervals there was torches lit that cast a bright light all around, making it easy to see, although Ihtiels elven senses did not trust surroundings like this.

As they reached the bottom, she realized that this place must have been inhabited by dwarfs long before the elves moved in. Many tunnels spread in every direction, making navigation difficult but Keyn chose the first to their left without hesitation and Ithiel made a mental note to remember to walk right when they got back.

The tunnel tilted upwards and they soon came to a big round hall with torches along the walls, displaying a sight Ithiel would never forget. The ceiling and walls glimmered like in silver, a mystic light that added to her amazement. Her wide-eyed exploring of the magnificent hall made her miss the throne placed in the middle, and did not see it until she heard an indignant cough and realized she was not alone.

She did not have to ask if it was Keyns father - and not because he had told her that he would take her to him - the man sitting on the throne was only an older version of her guide. His head was tilted to the side and he observed her closely.

' I should not be surprised that you have brought another guest, but this one is different from the others.'

Ithiel frowned and side-glanced at Keyn who seemed very interested in the polished ground like he had never seen it before. Slowly he raised his head and met his fathers steady gaze.

' I found her lost a few days ride from here. I was only courteous when I offered her a place to rest up.'

Her shocked look must have been as telling as Keyns nervous fiddle with the belt around his waist, and his father coughed in what could have been an amused laughter.

' You make the poor girl climb a steep wall to give her a place to rest? You have a funny way to be courteous.' Standing from his seat, Keyns father walked closer, inspecting her and giving her a thoughtful frown. ' You are of elf-kind and man-kind alike. Fascinating.'

Under his scrutiny, Ithiel squirmed and hoped she did not have to linger much longer.

' What is your name?'

' Ithiel', she said, her voice weak even in the spacious room. ' My mother was half-elf herself, although she did not possess many of her elven qualities.' She cursed her outspokenness and averted her eyes from the charismatic elf before her. ' My father was elf-kind, though his origin is unknown to me.'

' Ithiel', he said, tasting her name. ' It suits you. I am High Lord Beleg, father of the irresponsible elf you accompanied.' His eyes reflected nothing of the smile he gave her, yet she felt strangely at ease.

' It is an honour to meet you', she curtsied with her head bent, hoping she would not seem impolite since she had no clue of these elves customs.

' Ah! I might have greeted your "findings" with more dignity than I did if they had all been as well-mannered, Keyn.' Beleg gave his son a smirk but Keyn did not seem to find it amusing. He glared at his father but said nothing. ' I think she needs her rest now, Keyn. Take her to one of our guestrooms and see to her needs.'

He dismissed them with a wave of his hands and Keyn practically dragged her with him in his hurry to leave.

' You must have inherited your manners from your mother then', Ithiel murmured to his back as she tried not to fall on her own feet.

Please review!

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Oh, I'm really sorry about this! Too much Ithiel, yet again. But with this method I don't have to get back to her any time soon.

And it's official now, I'm writing this completely on my own now. Rain has too much with school and work and family, so he has taken a permanent leave. Well, I don't know about permanent, but it's at least indefinite.

// Zierra