Once Upon An Age

Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Tolkien's work but I do own anything that isn't real, etc. Basically I own anything I thought up. Don't know if this idea has been used before but **** happens. (Evil grin).

Chapter Three: Acceptance and love.

            It took Elle a week and a half to recover from her poisoning. Strangely, Camlin had stayed by her side the whole time, caring for her with such intentness that Arwen had not seen in him for a long time. She believed that he had seen something in how much Elle meant to them in finding the way home to Valinor.

            Finally allowed to rise out of bed, the first person that came to see Elle was Arwen. When she entered, Camlin was helping the woman to stand up and walk over to the window seat. Outside of the room, they could hear Andre's angry pacing for he had not been allowed in to see her at any point for the two Elves feared that Elle might tell Andre of what they had been telling her.

            Looking up to see the woman to whom Elle owed her love, the woman who had become the mother that Elle had never really had, she smiled faintly, her hand gripping Camlin's arm tightly.

            "How are you feeling today Elle?" Arwen asked her, perching herself on the edge of the bed.

            Trembling from effort, Elle shook her head, "Tired and weak. I don't understand how this poison could have affected me so. It does not make any sense to a rational mind like mine own."

            Camlin smiled kindly, "It is because of your mixed blood. While there has not been any Elvan blood added to your line since that of Arwen herself, you are a direct throwback as is obvious. The poison targeted your Elvan blood but was fought by your human blood. You will understand it eventually."

            She laid her head against him and sighed, "What of Andre? How many questions is he asking for it was his idea to come here in the first place and I feel dreadful just leaving him out there while I recover."

            Arwen nodded, "He can come in and see you now but you must remember not to tell him anything."

"Amin rangw atara. (I understand Mother)" Elle replied, her mind thinking hard to form the words.

Clapping her hands joyfully, Arwen looked to Camlin, "You have been teaching her Elvish? Well done Elle."

She stood and walked over to the door and opened it, looking around for Andre, "Master Peterson you can come in. Elle is feeling a fair bit better today and can handle to see people now."

Andre stormed in, his eyes blazing but when he saw Elle sitting by the window in a chair but leaning against the handsome blond man, who had welcomed them to the Sanctuary, for support. He growled and went over to her, kneeling beside her and taking her hand in his.

"Elle! Why would you not let me in before now? We have been here for a week and a half and not once have I been allowed in to see to you." He spoke quickly, wondering what exactly was wrong with her.

She smiled at him faintly, "I've been sick Andre, and you know that. I had some kind of poisoning and we're not sure where from but I'll be fine now. How have you been though?"

Frowning more, Andre studied her face and noticed the strange light in her eyes and the change in her face, "Are you sure you're alright Elle? Don't you think we should better get you to a hospital where doctors can look after you?"

"You can leave if you want Andre but I like it here. Besides, I don't need to see a doctor when Cameron here is a perfectly wonderful healer. You know, I don't think I'll leave here anytime soon, I like 'The Sanctuary' to much." Elle shook her head, the long black tresses of her hair framing her face.

Camlin rested a calming hand on her shoulder, "Calm yourself sweet Ellette, you do not want to work yourself up for it could be detrimental to your health."

Agreeing, Arwen spoke up, "Andre, she is still unwell, do not get her worked up otherwise you will not be allowed in here again until she is better completely. Cameron, do you think she'll be able to handle richer food than what we have been giving her?"

"Oh god yes!" Elle laughed, "I'm dying for something along the lines of stew with dumplings. preferably chicken stew." Her expression was one of hope.

"If you've been sick then that is just what you need!" Andre exclaimed, sure that his horror at being scolded for almost getting Elle tensed up was no longer showing.

"Yes, I think she's ready to advance to real food. Macayle can you see if the kitchens can make up some chicken stew with dumplings for our poor Ellette here?" Camlin exchanged glances with Arwen as he spoke.

She nodded and rose, walking out of the room. Watching her go, Elle then looked back at Andre before sighing, "Andre, I do not think we will write that book anymore. I've lost interest in it. Perhaps you should get back to your work while I recover? There's no need for you to stay here."

Stunned, Andre directed his glare at Camlin, whose piercing blue eyes were watching him closely. "Elle, you cannot mean that! You do not honestly think that it would be better if I left you here and went back to London?"

"Actually, I do think that. Andre, go back to your job and when I'm ready, I'll come back as well. It would be better for the both of us if you do." She turned her head to look out the window at the forest.

Standing, Andre hissed, "But what about our plans? You're going to give it all up for what? What have they said to make you back down? Why?"

Taking a deep breath, she refused to let him get to her, "I just think it would be better. While I've been sick, I've thought about it and perhaps it wasn't such a good idea. Even if it turned out to be true, the world would never believe us and I don't want to have to deal with that. I love life and I love what I do but I do not want to have to deal with people announcing me to be insane or heretic or anything like that."

"It's them isn't it?" He spoke, "They know and have threatened you. Is that what happened? I mean, Cameron here never leaves your side and Macayle is always coming in here to check up on you. What have they said? Eh. That they will harm your family if you tell their secret? Or that they will eliminate you if you do what you had thought to do? What has made you change your mind?"

She wanted to stand up but Camlin was stopping her from doing so. "I don't want to do it anymore! That is all! I changed my mind about things Andre and seen the light I have. There is more to life then making a splash."

"You cannot mean it Elle, you do realize what you are saying to me?" Andre cried out.

"Just get out Andre! I don't want you to stay here and I don't want to see you! Just leave." Elle shouted, her fragile body shaking from tension.

Camlin pointed to the door and growled, "Do what she said or I'll be forced to remove you from the room myself. Leave her now."

Staring at them, Andre bolted towards the door, not seeing Camlin holding Elle against him while she cried. Almost running into Arwen as he went out, Andre gave her a dark look before running down the hallway to his room where he proceeded to pack his things. It was with in the hour that he had gone, leaving behind Elle and his heart.

"Shhh a'mael (beloved) he has gone now." Camlin stroked her hair gently, holding her against his body while she sobbed uncontrollably.

Arwen looked into the room and shook her head sadly, "Mani marte? (What happened?) What did he do to her?"

The blond Elf growled, "He upset her and I do not think we should talk about it just now. How is the stew coming on?"

"It will be ready soon enough. Do you want it brought here or shall we try and take her to the dining hall?" The Evenstar asked.

"I think it will be better if we stay here. She is not yet ready to leave this room and Mr Peterson upset her terribly which is taxing on her physical strength. For now, she had better eat in here." He replied.

Nodding, she left the room again, cursing herself for ever letting Andre go in the room while Elle was still ill. Camlin had warned her against it but she had thought that it would keep him quite for a while. Obviously he would leave now if Elle had told him to but what he would do once he reached London, she did not know.

"Father, what would you do? Elle is still to weak to find the way though I believe that she knows it." Arwen murmured, walking quietly back to the kitchen.

Passing through the courtyard, she noticed a slight breeze picking up around her, stirring the fallen leaves on the ground. Smiling, she remembered the times when she had secretly met Aragorn in the forest or danced with him in the many courtyards in Rivendell. The place had changed too much since then, the architecture changing as the times changed. But soon they would leave for Valinor and she would lead the way with her child of time beside her.

Elle slowly stopped crying, her body shaking and her head painful. "Why was he so abrasive? It was for the best that I told him to leave but he couldn't see it could he? It hurt so much to tell him to leave but I don't love him like he does me and I never will."

"He does not deserve you a'mael, you know that. You deserve someone who is your equal and that he is not. Now, calm your tears and your heart for Arwen is bringing your stew here when it is ready." He cupped her face with one hand and smiled.

She returned the smile, "You've all be too good to me since I came. I do not deserve such a warm welcome or such acceptance as you have shown me."

"Vanimle sila tiri tuulo' yassene (Your beauty shines bright from within)." He told her, helping her to stand up and walk over to the couch beside a different window.

"Your compliment is not for me. I am not beautiful within or without. not like your beauty does. You glow from within and you are to beautiful to ever pass as a human man." She replied weakly, her body still shaking.

"Lle naa vanima (You are beautiful) Ellette-Arwen." Camlin spoke with conviction; "You would not have looked in a mirror lately but the life of the Valar has come to you. One cannot look at you and not realize that you are the child of the Evenstar for it shows in your very beauty."

Elle shook her head, not believing him. Sitting down, she curled herself up to stay warm and laid her head against the armrest of the couch. Looking down at his charge, Camlin shrugged and walked over to the bed to retrieve a beautiful quilt to place over her. If she were feeling cold, the he would have to make sure she stayed warm. It was important that they got her feeling better soon other wise Andre might come back for her.

They didn't speak again for a while but Camlin knew that Elle was thinking about the future. When Arwen entered the room, along with a maid carrying a covered tray, Elle stirred, looking at them with her sad eyes. The maid put the tray down and uncovered it, showing her the bowl of stew with dumplings and chunks of chicken. While Elle ate, Arwen and Camlin sat close by and talked to her about Valinor.

"It's in Annwn, I'm sure of it. But what I cannot work out is if it is Annwn or just a part of Annwn like Avalon is. Tell me, is Valinor an island?" She looked at them, her expression solemn.

Arwen told her what she knew, "I think it is an island but I cannot remember if I was ever told otherwise. Camlin wouldn't know because he is one of the few who was born after the Last Exile."

"Well my theory is that Valinor was once a part of this world but when the world began to change, it was pulled into Annwn because no longer did it belong here. like Avalon was. Now, I think I might be able to open a gateway into Annwn if I can find the right place. How long until the Beltane equinox? What is apparently one of the best times to attempt something like this."

            Camlin thought for a moment, "I believe that it is in a few days. Do you mean to say that we should be ready to leave?"

            Her face paled visibly, "No. No. I will try what I think might work and if it does, I will come back for you all. If as you say, I am an Elf and a child of the Evenstar, then Arawn, King of Annwn will have to grant me a boon. My boon shall be that those Elves still here can return to Valinor."

            "But what if it does not work? You say that this Arawn will have to grant you a boon, but what if he does not? Or won't even let you come to him?" Arwen asked.

            "He will because if I make it to Annwn, I would know a way to open the way between. It is not something that people can do but I studied witchcraft as a teen and still have an interest in it. My knowledge will be the reason he grants my boon. But as it stands, are not the Faery friends with the Elves?" Elle smiled at them, enjoying her stew.

            "The Faery. do you mean to say that they are the ones who exist in Annwn? I never believed that they existed." The she-Elf said.

            Not liking the whole idea, Camlin felt it was up to him to object to Elle going ahead with her plan, "You will not be well enough, I think, to do as you plan. Perhaps you should think of another way to do it."

            Remaining silent, Elle finished her meal and settled back into the couch to stare at Camlin. He shifted in his place before glancing at Arwen who appeared to be in deep thought.

            "I will go Camlin and one shall hope that I will be well enough to make it. If I do not, then I shall look for another way." She shrugged dismissively.

            His eyes met hers, "And what if you are never allowed to return to us? Will all hope be lost?"

            "No because you and Arwen will see how I do it and if I do not return, you will all wait for the next equinox before trying again and that time you will take everyone through."

            Their eyes remained locked for a few moments before Arwen spoke again, coming out of her trance. "Let us hope it works the way you think it will Elle because I fear that Andre might cause trouble for us and if he does, the sooner we leave, the better."

            "The world does not need to know of its past. People will not believe for fear that it will be true. Andre knows that I hope and will not act so rash.. I hope."

            Camlin felt a tug at his heart, a warning that they should not dismiss Andre Peterson so easily. "I fear that he may come back to get you Elle and that his anger will be aimed at me."

            She smiled wisely at him, "Do not fear him Camlin for he has not the strength to harm us or anyone for that matter. He will reach London and realize that I am not the one for him and he will decide that he is better off as he is."

            Walking over to her, the blond Elf looked at her, "I hope you are right a'maelami (my beloved) because if you are not, we are doomed as such."

"Gorga il (fear not) I shall be your melar (lover). Our time will come a'maelami. You will have your melisse (lover, female) and she shall love you with all her heart." Elle looked up at him, her dark hair falling away from her face in waves.

Wanting to kiss her, Camlin smiled, "I just have to wait for you. That is all. Well I will wait and I will pray for you to survive."

Arwen smiled at them sadly, wondering if they would ever have their time. She had known that Camlin had fallen in love with Elle when he had first seen her but she had not realized that Elle loved him back. Well, their time would come if all went well and if all did not, then only the gods knew.