When Lómëmir took to the apartments that Aragorn had granted to her for as long as she wished to stay in Minas Tirith, she did not know that she was followed. The stalking skill of the Elves of Taure-Forambalar surpassed even those of the Mirkwood Elves. Taking note of the location of the rooms where Lómëmir stayed, the infiltrator quickly reported back to his king.

"Well done, Neldor," Morion said. "I think it best if we leave before daybreak. Return to her chamber and give her this," he ordered, holding out a small vial to his guard. "I do not wish my queen to wake frightened before we have returned to the kingdom."

Neldor nodded and complied quickly, returning to Lómëmir where she lay asleep, innocent of the conspiracy to abduct her. The vial of dark liquid was spilt between her lips, ensuring her sleep for the next several days.

As Morion waited for word that the woman he already considered his queen was prepared for their late night departure, Vaneldur happened down the corridor where Morion was leaning against a tree-like column, looking impassive, as always. The young man stopped and gave a respect filled bow and greeting before asking if the king had seen the Lady Lómëmir.

"I have seen her but recently," he replied, disdain for the fair Mortal very nearly edging into his tone. "However, i am told that she has taken to her rest for the night and that she can not be disturbed." Those two sentences were the most Morion had spoken to a Mortal other than Aragorn in his all his many, many years. Even Faramir had received nothing more than a short greeting and several critical glances, which highly offended the Steward after so many years of receiving just the same from his own father.

Vaneldur sighed and nodded, politely excusing himself from the Elf-king's presence to head, disappointed, to his own chamber. He had wanted to find Lómëmir straight away to tell her of his good news. He had just been conferred by the King and Faramir the position of Captain of Ithilien, which included spacious quarters for him and his family at the home which Faramir was planning in Emyn Arnen.

The mention of appointments for his family renewed in Vaneldur the wish to ask Lómëmir to be his bride. Even though he was well aware that such a union might prove recklessness in the end, he knew that his heart would take no other all his days. His one real concern was that she might suffer age or death if wed to a Mortal. Vaneldur would have been content to only court her for the rest of his life rather than see any measure of pain in her ever.

That night as Vaneldur lay wide awake in his bed thinking of the lady of his dreams, he found he could keep his profession to himself no longer. He went to Lómëmir's chamber, and though it was the middle of the night, the heart may care not for propriety when it is filled to capacity. For the second time he was disappointed, though, when she did not answer either his knock or his soft call.

He guessed that she had left her bed to gaze at the sparkling heavens as she oft was wont, and he resigned himself to wait for the next few hours until daybreak to find her again and speak to her. As he sat at his own window watching the moonset over Gondor, happiness filled him as his thoughts continued to center on his future with his belovéd. At that morning's fast breaking, however, his happiness was replaced with anxiety to hear that none had seen his lady since the evening before and that he had been the last one to see the King of Taure-Forambalar.

By the time it was realized that the entire envoy of the Avari and all of their things were gone, as was Lómëmir, the missing had already reached Henneth Annûn and expected to reach Rhovanion by nightfall, such was the swiftness with which these Elves could travel.

The question of whether Lómëmir had decided to go or was abducted was raised by those who did not comprehend the circumstances, and for a moment even Vaneldur wondered if such an explanation could be. He knew of only one way to find out and he went to find the small pack that she had been found with in the wood. When he found inside a ring bearing the form of two swans, their necks forming a heart of sapphire, he knew that she had not left of her volition.

Aragorn scarcely needed that much proof, let alone Vaneldur's plea for help to find her. After all, he did knew Eöl's story all too well. Neither Legolas nor Faramir needed much convincing either, both did little to conceal their dislike and distrust of the rare race of Elves. That very morning that a company consisting of Aragorn, Legolas, Faramir, and Vaneldur, accompanied by a small but powerful and skilled unit of Ithilien Rangers set out, Legolas leading the party as he traced with Elven senses (but not without some difficulty) the captor's path. It happened as a strange coincidence it was also that morning that Gandalf had chosen to show up again after disappearing the evening of Vaneldur's trial.

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If anyone does want me to post some background info relating to the Avari Elves and Eol in particular, let me know and i will be pleased to.

Any other questions, comments, concerns - cards, calls, or money?