A/N: First of all, I would like to apologise for such a long delay of this chapter. Initially I was on a holiday in Minnesota, in which I enjoyed, secondly, I injured my toe and was not in the mood to write and thirdly, my original beta is on vacation * I think *. So finally, my dear friend Cheysuli, agreed to beta this chapter and it's finally done. * Thanks Cheysuli for doing this for me *.

Another thing, I was ready to reply to all those that reviewed in the last chapter but FF.net is kicking fuss and I have no access to the reviews. I will try to do them in the next chapter. Chapter 12 might be a little slow in coming because I am trying to finish reading Harry Potter's 5th book. Anyway, enough of blabbing and on with the chapter. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did writing them.

A/N: 'self thoughts'

Chapter 11

"Nana?" I asked in a soft whisper.

The figure nodded. "For centuries I have hoped to see you again. Your father named you Morelen, for you were born during the dark time. Forgive us, my daughter, as we had to leave you." Tears were streaming down her cheeks. " You are the light of our family now."

"Nana, please do not cry," I said as I reached for her. "I have never blame you nor father for leaving me, I blamed the Orcs," I said, looking down in anger. A second later, I gazed back up, eyes searching around the room. "Where is father?" I asked softly.

"Mandos allowed only me to greet you," she answered. As her soft hands stroked my cheek, she continued, "You have your father's eyes. You must know that we are very proud of your achievements. I am also here for a reason," she said as she reached for my hands and held them. "It is not your time, my daughter. You must return to the land of the living. The Valar have plans for you. Go back, my dear child," she said as she placed a kiss on my head before letting go. As she drifted away, she continued, "Remember this though, we will always be part of you, in mind and soul, my dear Morelen."

"Nana, wait. Come back, please," I cried as she disappeared. "Come back, I have so much more to ask," I said softly. At the same time, I felt warm breath on my face. As I opened my eyes, I was surprised to see Andune's snout in front of me, nudging and licking. Weak and disorientated, I did nothing but lay there still. Andune nudged harder. Mastering whatever strength that was left in me, I pushed myself up to a sitting position. Pain shot through my whole body and I could not help but scream.

By then, Andune knelt on the forest floor. Fighting the pain, I held on to the reins and placed my hand on the saddle. With deep breaths, I hoisted myself up onto his back. Andune got back up after I placed myself properly on the saddle and soon after we were on our way back to Lorien as I drifted back to unconsciousness.

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"Adar!" exclaimed Elrohir as he saw Elrond stepped out from the room. "How is Elladan?"

"He is resting, my son. None of the arrows were poisoned," answered Elrond. As he glanced over, he saw Haldir and Legolas, both carried a solemn look. Regretfully, he asked. "What about Aurwen?"

Not able to hear his daughter's name, Haldir turned away. Legolas caught his friend on the shoulder and with a firm grip as a form of support, he answered, "We could not locate her. Night was upon us and we could not risk anymore lives. We will, however, continue to search first thing tomorrow morning." Legolas felt the anger in Haldir but the Marchwarden was capable to keep it at bay.

In a soft voice, Haldir spoke, "I am thankful that Elladan is doing well. Now, will you all please excuse me, as I am retiring for the night." Turning to the guard, he continued, "If anything at all, regarding my daughter, alert me," he demanded and left the group.

"Haldir," Legolas called to his friend and was about to chase after him when Elrond refrained him from doing so. Puzzled, he stared at Elrond, blank in his eyes.

"Let him go, Legolas. I know what he is going through," said Elrond before he turned and faced the guard. "Do inform all of us if there is news of Aurwen."

"Yes, my lord," the guard bowed and headed down the hallway.

Elrond than turned to his youngest son. "Elrohir, get some rest. Erestor and I will be here with Elladan," urged Elrond. "Same goes for you, Legolas. There is nothing either of you can do, for now," said Elrond as he placed his hand on Legolas's shoulder.

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On the way to his chamber, Rumil spotted Haldir walking down the hallway. He called to his brother but not once did Haldir acknowledge him. He quickened his pace and caught up to Haldir, and gave him a gentle tap on the shoulder. Startled, Haldir turned, facing a very concern Rumil.

"Rumil, I have failed her as her father. I can not even protect her," said Haldir, fighting back tears. "She is now alone out in the dark woods infested with hungry Orcs. Elladan mentioned that she sustained injuries, Rumil," continued Haldir, gripping Rumil hard on the arms.

Rumil tore himself gently away from Haldir's grip. "Nay, Haldir. You have trained her well and I am sure she will come back to us safely. Besides, Andune is missing too. We know that those two are inseparable and I am sure that he is with her, keeping her company," said Rumil as he comforted his brother. "Now promise me that you will get some rest. We will find her tomorrow."

Haldir only nodded. After Rumil left, Haldir stood in the middle of the hallway, to his right was his chamber while to his left was Aurwen's chamber. With a heavy heart, he turned to his left. Reaching for the handle, he pushed the door open. The room was bare, with drapes drawn apart just the way Aurwen always preferred. The moon's light gave a warm feeling to the room's ambience. Haldir stood by the drapes before kneeling on the chamber's floor. He then gazed up to the clear, starry sky and prayed to Elbereth for his daughter's safe return. 'I am not ready to loose her. She has just found her gift and also her love. Please return her to me and to those who love her. She is too young to be in Mandos. Please take heed of my pleas.' He cried as he prayed. Reluctant to leave the room, he decided to spend the night there.

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"Open the gates," shouted the guard as he recognised the stallion that was racing into Lorien. At the same time, he sounded the healer's call.

Andune never once slowed down. He felt his master slipping off from his back as he ran harder. In order to prevent her from falling, he neighed and swayed his head from side to side, hoping to rouse her.

The familiar sound of the horn roused me from my slumber. In a groggy state of mind, I opened my eyes and a familiar place greeted me. 'Caras Galadhon. I am finally home.'

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Upon hearing the call, Elrond rushed out to the archway, and waited for the arrival. He was not the only one who heard the call; Legolas, Haldir and Elrohir were making their way there also. Erestor stayed behind to care for Elladan. From the balcony above, Haldir caught a sight of a stallion galloping towards the archway with a figure slumped on his back. 'Aurwen!'

What greeted Elrond was not a pretty sight. The stallion was drenched in blood. He recognised the pale figure. As the guards helped him lift the figure off from the horse, Aurwen made a soft whimper. "You are home and safe my child," whispered Elrond. "You did a great job, my friend. Your master is within safe hands now," said Elrond as he patted Andune on his snout. He then ordered the guard to clean the stallion. As Elrond was about to lift Aurwen up, Haldir stepped in.

"Let me carry her," offered Haldir. "Be strong, my daughter, you are home now and you will heal," said Haldir in a soft soothing voice.

A distant voice, which I recognised as my father's, soothed me. Like a frightened child, I nestled my head against his chest as he carried my battered body to the healer's room. No one knew how bad my injuries were. As Adar placed me onto the bed, I grimaced in pain. However he was quick to react and lifted me into a seated position. He cursed when he saw the cause of the pain, the broken tip of an arrow was barely visible as it was embedded deeply in my shoulder.

"Too much blood. Her tunic is soaking with blood," commented Elrond with a big sigh. "I cannot access her injuries. Glebil," said Elrond to other healer as he placed the required herbs and phials on the table. "Help me remove her tunic, cut it off if you must. We must hurry my friend, she has lost too much blood." Looking at Haldir, Elrond continued, "It is best for you to leave her with us for now."

"Nay, Lord Elrond. This is the one time you can never make me leave. I beg of you, let me help. She sensed my presence and I felt it when I held her just a moment ago," pleaded Haldir before switching his gaze to the pale naked figure of his daughter, lying there, lifeless.

A moment too soon, my body began to convulse. Elrond and Haldir were quick to react and pinned me down to the bed. "We need to set her dislocated shoulder before sedating her. There is much to do, she has wounds everywhere." Haldir propped himself up behind Aurwen as Elrond lifted her and on the count of three, Elrond set back the shoulder to its original place as I screamed in pain. He then accepted the red phial from Glebil. "Haldir, I need you to pour this content onto the cloth in which you will place over her nose and mouth. However, do not over administer but before that, make her drink this as it will help to slow down the bleeding," stated Elrond. Slowly, they poured the concoction into her mouth. She gurgled at first before swallowing the drink. Satisfied at the amount taken, Elrond lowered her back onto the bed as Haldir began his administration. With Glebil's help, Elrond began to work his magic.

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"It is my fault," bellowed Legolas after hearing Aurwen's scream. "I was the one that suggested to let her come along. If it were not for me, she would not be lying in there right now," continued Legolas, as he sent his fist into the wall.

Elrohir stopped Legolas before he could repeat himself. "Hitting the wall will not make any difference. No one is to be blame, not you, not Haldir," Elrohir said in a firm tone before repeating himself, "No one is the be blame. She will be fine and her wounds will heal. She has the best healer in Middle Earth treating her at this instance," added Elrohir.

They were greeted by Erestor as he made his way out from Elladan's room. "Any news on Aurwen's condition?" asked the older elf.

Both of them shook their heads. Breaking the silence Legolas enquired. "How is Elladan?"

"He is recovering. Do you want to see him?" asked Erestor. It was a good decision as it will help divert their attention away from Aurwen.

The three of them entered Elladan's room, dark and yet warm, with a gentle flicker of light from the candle that was placed on the side table. As they approached the bed, they could see colour returning to Elladan's face. They could tell that he was in a healing sleep. Elrohir sat himself next to his brother on the bed, gently stroking his brother's unkempt hair.

"Aurwen," Elladan called out in a soft whisper.

"Ssshhh, my brother. Aurwen is safe. She is back in Lorien and father is attending to her," replied Elrohir to his semi-conscious brother.

Upon hearing those words, Elladan fell back into a deep sleep. A soft rap on the chamber door diverted their attention. Erestor answered the door and accepted a parchment before shutting door. He made his way back to the bed and handed the parchment to Legolas.

"What is it, my friend," asked Elrohir.

"It a letter from my father. He wants me back in Mirkwood. He did not say why," answered Legolas.

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"This is the best that I could do," said Elrond as he wrapped the last wound on Aurwen's arm. "She has a lot of wounds to heal. One of her injuries could be severe and she could end up barren, although I am not that certain myself. Something did puncture her lower abdomen and she was bleeding in a way she should not have. Other than that, she will pull through. It is up to you to inform her about it," Elrond consoled the Galadrim.

"I am grateful and in debt to you, Lord Elrond," said Haldir, fighting back tears.

"Nay, Haldir. I am doing what I know best," answered Elrond as he lifted the sheet to cover Aurwen, who had nothing but white bandages wrapped all over her body. "Haldir, it is best for you to get some rest. She will not wake for days as her body is in deep healing."

"I do not have the heart to leave her here all alone. I will get my much needed rest here, by her side," answered Haldir in a firm tone.

"Very well, my friend," said Elrond before making his way out of the chamber. It has been a long day and he could not wait to get back to Erestor and his son, Elladan.

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A click from the door attracted Legolas's attention. Recognising the figure, he got up and approached him. "Lord Elrond, how is Aurwen faring?" asked Legolas, concern showing in his blue sapphire eyes.

"She was in a bad shape, however I have mended all her wounds and like Elladan, she will recover," answered the older elf.

"Lord Elrond, I have a request though. May I see her?" asked Legolas in a pleading voice.

"I am not so sure. Haldir is with her right now. She is resting anyway," answered Elrond.

"Melamin," a familiar voice called from the dark room. "Let him see her, please, for he has to leave immediately. King Thranduil sought for his return."

Turning his gaze back to Legolas, Elrond asked, "Is this true? When did this message arrive?"

"A moment ago when you were the other room, saving Aurwen's life," Legolas answered.

"All right then, I will allow you to see her if Haldir does not object," said Elrond. The two left Elladan's chamber and made their way to Aurwen's.

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Haldir was almost asleep when the sound of the door opening woke him up. Seeing it was Legolas, he gestured for him to come in. As Legolas entered, Elrond made his way back to Elladan's chamber.

What Legolas saw was not a pleasant sight, Aurwen lay on the bed, motionless; her once lithe body, heavily wrapped in bandages, traces of blood visible to his eyes. Her normally rosy face was now deathly pale. Her beautiful raven tresses were caked with dried blood. Legolas choked on his own sobs when he placed his hand on her pale, cold, forehead and caressed it.

"Forgive me, Haldir," Legolas muttered with a heavy sigh.

"Nay, Legolas. It is no ones fault," answered Haldir as he got up from his chair. "At least she is home now and Lord Elrond has done his best to mend her wounds," continued Haldir as he looked at Aurwen. "Dear Elbereth, how much more must my daughter endure, to prove her worth to you? Ever since she discovered her gift, you have given her nothing but pain and her life had always been a challenge, even as a babe. How much more and why her?" Haldir questioned in anger.

"She is so peaceful, in this healing trance," commented Legolas at his new found love. "Do you know when she will wake?"

"I wished I knew the answer. Even Lord Elrond could not determine the day. She is gravely wounded. If you want, you have my permission to spend the night here. Your presence could help aid her recovery," offered Haldir. "My daughter does love you, Legolas. I saw it in her eyes."

"Thank you, old friend, for the gracious offer but I have to decline. My father wants me back in Mirkwood and I am leaving immediately," answered Legolas. "I love her too," continued Legolas as he stroked Aurwen's face. In a soft whisper, he said, "Please wake soon, my love. We have so much to talk about. I long to hear your voice and to hold you again. Come back to us soon." Legolas leaned forward and kissed Aurwen on her lips. "Here is something of mine for you to hold on to, at least 'til I return," said Legolas as he placed his mithril necklace into her hand. He then turned to Haldir and said, "Thank you, old friend, for giving me the opportunity to see her. I hope to return shortly. Give her this, if she wakes before my return," continued Legolas as he gave the letter to Haldir.

"I will do as per your request. Ride back safely as it is not safe in the night. May the Valar be with you and your company," said Haldir as he gave Legolas a warm embrace.

tbc………………

A/N: Morelen means DarkStar. Thanks to Aithilin for that name.