A shout-out to my wonderful readers, thanks a bunch you guys!

Morningstar: Thanks for reviewing, and here's the chapter!
lilpippin: ::shivers:: I certinaly hope Elrond isn't like this really... I just like to think that he's on some strange brainwave wrought by Galadriel on one of her phychic experiments. ::wods nicely:: :) Thanks for reviewing!

Trust in Faith Alone
The Children of Elrond

Chapter Three

(N/A)
"Look Indil! There lies the fair valley of Imladris."

Indil Olosta looked to where her father was pointing and sees in the afternoon light a beautiful valley in the distance. Their path led them toward it on a lazy meandering course. She breathed a silent sigh of relief, though a heavy weight is still on her chest. They had been traveling for many days and nights, and though Indil did not count each passing day, she had began to feel the wear of the long journey from Greenwood to Imladris, and darkness had recently begun to spread through the woods of her home. They met no misfortunes on the road, however Indil had been feeling uneasy all throughout the long days of traveling. She was glad they had at last reached their destination, though the reason they were there did not lighten her heart one bit. If anything, it cast a dark shadow over her thoughts.

"It is a fair sight, no?" her father said with a smile. "Is it not Indil?"

Indil nodded demurely. "Yes, it is."

Her mother walked up beside her. "You seem downhearted Olosta, what is troubling you?" Indil tried to hide her face, but Nenuel was a shrewd reader of minds, and now she said to her daughter, "You worries are of tonight, and you worry for the future, do you not beloved daughter?"

Indil nodded slowly, defeated by her mother.

"What have you to worry for Indil?" her father said. "Lord Elrond is a great master of lore, and renowned for his wisdom. He would not plan or do anything that he has not thought through thoroughly." Lasduin smiled upon his daughter. "Worry not, little Dream, your life will become well beyond your hopes."

Indil nodded, though at heart she was not comforted. She had never met her husband-to-be, this Elladan, son of Elrond. Her father and mother had both spoken to her, describing what he was like. All they said were words of great praise to Elladan, but it did not comfort Indil to know that she would soon be wedded to someone she did not know - and possibly did not like. But due to her upbringing, she did not voice her thoughts aloud to her parents. And they had never given her any time to object. They had planned this with Elrond for some time, and only when they were to journey to Imladris did they tell Indil. And by then it was too late to do anything, but hope.

Night after night in the darkness of the stars she hoped against hope that her parents would somehow turn back from their decision, and let her be. Now all her hope seemed in vain, for they were arriving at Imladris.

As her parents spoke together, Indil slowed her steps and fell behind them. They traveled with some other elves who were also going their way; their destination Indil knew not, but Lasduin and Nenuel seemed to be glad of their company - though their daughter did not. They all walked ahead, and Indil lagged behind at the very back where she could be alone. Imladris lay before then in clear view, but as she gazed out upon the fair valley, she felt her eyes sting. Indil hung her head and her dark hair veiled her face as a tear slid down her cheek.

She had been hoping for the impossible. Nothing was going to change, the marriage was sealed - as was her fate. Indil squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself not to cry, but to be joyful, or at least content. But she could not stop the tears from flowing.

All her years she had lived free and joyful, and thought that she would all her life. It had been a beautiful vision, a lovely dream; but only a dream. Indil Olosta. Lily Dream. Beautiful was the vision, but it remained only a beautiful dream - it was not reality.

Indil stumbled on after her parents, her legs felt leaden and all joy departed from her heart. She cried bitterly, but the tears were soon dried by the breeze blowing from the west. Soft and gentle was the caress of the zephyr, yet Indil found no comfort in its touch. A bitter hate and sorrow was gnawing at her mind, all the world seemed grey to her eyes and the beauty of Imladris was veiled to her.

The afternoon passed in a blur, Indil could not comprehend much clearly. She only remembered her parents speaking briefly with Lord Elrond, then they were shown to their quarters. While her parents discussed matters in their chamber, Indil locked her own door and stood by her window.

Imladris was beautiful, but the beauty was bitter in her eyes. She did not want to stay in the room, she felt closed in as if she would suffocate. She ran outside, careful to avoid being seen and went down to the river.

A wind was blowing down the valley, and it brushed at the darkness in Indil's heart but did not lighten it. Walking among the rocks of the riverbank, she did not heed the time, but kept walking on. As the light in the West began to wane, Indil looked back and saw that she had gone further than she expected. She could no longer see the house of Elrond. She set herself down by the river, intending to stay there until - until...She did not know, but Indil did not want to go back.

Dusk settled, the moon rose from the east and stars began to show their bright faces. Indil stayed and watched them, for they were the same stars she knew back in Greenwood, back where her life had been joyful. But also where it had gone wrong. She willed herself not to think about depressing things, but it did not good. As she watched the stars, all the joyful memories of her time in Greenwood came flooding back and she felt a tearing longing for her home. Tears dampened her cheeks and her heart mourned.

A sudden cry not too far off startled her out of her melancholy mood. She looked about quickly, and to her horror saw a dark figure being swept away in the river - the figure of an elven maiden. Shock gripped her mind and Indil was at a loss of what to do. Suddenly, another came riding the current and apparently in search of the maiden. Indil struggled with her mind, trying to think clearly. There was nothing for it but to try and get help. Summoning all her remaining strength, Indil cried out into the night.

"Help! Help! Someone come quickly!"

As she called she ran after the elves in the river, slipping and scrambling among the rocks. The maiden was already out of sight, but the other was struggling in the current and would soon be washed under.

"Arwen!" comes a cry. The name clicked in Indil's mind. Arwen. Arwen Undomiel - the daughter of Elrond.
Indil panicked.

"Help! Help!"

---scene shift---

Lasduin suddenly stopped talking and listened intently. Nenuel also listened.

"Did you hear a cry Nenu?"

She nodded. "Yes. It sounded as one who was in need of help."

Simultaneously, they stood from their chairs and hurried outside. They found Elrond and Glorfindel also coming outside but from a different door. They all hurried toward where the cries were coming from - somewhere down the river. Glorfindel rushed out onto the bridge and peered into the darkness. Suddenly he let out a shout as he spotted two elves being swept down the river.

"Elrohir and Arwen! They have fallen into the river!"

"But who was crying for help? It was not the voice of either of my children!" Elrond cried even as he started to make his way down to them.

"Indil, it was Indil!" Glorfindel said with wonder. "She is the one crying for help. We are lucky is present."
"But we cannot reach them in time!" Lasduin said. They were a far ways down the river, and by running they would not reach them for a whiles yet.

Miraculously, it was Erestor who came to the rescue. A neigh was heard and all four turned to see Erestor running toward them with the three swiftest horses of Imladris following - Anro, Indilheni, and Asfaloth. These were also the wisest of the horses, for it was treacherous going on horseback down the riverbank, and only Anro, Indilheni, and Asfaloth were trusted enough to bear riders safely down that way.

"Praise you Erestor," Glorfindel said in thanks as he leapt upon Asfaloth and rode away swiftly. Elrond took Indilheni with a nod of thanks and went after him. Nenuel was about to take Anro, but Lasduin stopped her. "Let me go Nenu, I am the better rider." Saying so, he leapt onto the stallion and chased after Elrond and Glorfindel.

They galloped down the valley swift as the wind, and soon caught up with Indil who was still running along the bank. But now Elrond and Lasduin could no longer see Elrohir or Arwen. But the keen sight of Glorfindel saved them, for he caught a glimpse of dark hair beneath the water and abandoning his mount dove into the river. Elrond continued to ride downstream, searching desperately for Arwen. Lasduin lifted Indil up onto Anro. She was trembling.

"I'm glad you came so quickly," she said in a shaky voice.

"I am glad you called for help," was his reply.

Suddenly, Glorfindel resurfaced holding an unconscious Elrohir. With some difficulty he dragged Elrohir back to the riverbank and laid him down on a patch of moss. "Elrohir!" he said urgently. There was no response. Glorfindel checked for breathing, and was relieved to find that he was alive - though knocked senseless.

Then Elrond rode up. His face was wrought with worry and despair. "Elrohir!" he cried. He jumped down from Indilheni.

"We must get him back, and quickly," said Glorfindel. Elrond nodded. "Elrond, where is Arwen?"

"I do not know, I searched downstream but there is no sign of her."

"I will go search." Glorfindel mounted Asfaloth again.

"I will come with you," said Lasduin.

"No, go with Elrond. I will not be long. It will be swifter if only I go."

Asfaloth turned and shot off into the gathering darkness with Glorfindel. The elven lord strained his eyes, trying to find some hint that would help him find Arwen. The river was a ribbon of silver in the starlit night, but nothing broke the surface of the running silver. Dusk faded to night as Glorfindel rode far, far down the river, but there was no sign of the Evenstar.

Just as he gave up hope, Asfaloth neighed shrilly and bolted toward the water. There, at the very edge of the river where the waters lapped the rocks was a faint trail of wet footprints leading away. Arwen!

Glorfindel's spirits rose and he urged Asfaloth to follow where the footprints led. There was an old path a little ways up the valley, and the trail seemed to be leading them there. As they passed through the first lines of beeches cloaking the sides of the valley, Glorfindel got down from Asfaloth to make sure he did not miss the trail. Asfaloth followed dutifully behind, making no sound. The marks had grown faint, but enough for the elven lord to read. They climbed steadily up the steep slope in this manner.

Glorfindel's sharp ears picked up the sound of paws padding silently over the ground near them. He froze and stilled Asfaloth. Up until then he had not realized that the woods were unnaturally quiet, but now the eerie silence pressed in on all sides. Asfaloth shook his white head anxiously as Glorfindel listened for any other sounds. Silence stretched on.

A sudden snarl rent the night as Glorfindel felt something large and heavy bowled into him from behind. The force knocked him over onto his face. Twisting about, he sees with shock that it was a warg. Asfaloth let out a shrill neigh of anger and kicked at the offending beast. The warg growled savagely and snapped at the horse's legs. Glorfindel quickly picked himself up. A dagger was always at his side, and now he drew the small but sharp blade.

"Asfaloth!" Asfaloth responded immediately and got out of the way as Glorfindel let the dagger fly. The warg emits strangled howl as the blade embeds itself in its neck. It slumped to the ground, dead. Asfaloth snorted as he nudged his master, checking to see that he was still in one piece. Glorfindel calmed his steed as he went to examine the dead beast. Wargs had not been seen on this side of the mountains for long as he could remember, and the sudden appearance of one so near Imladris was a disturbing thought. He retrieved his dagger, and as he did so he saw that there was blood and something else matting the warg's thick prickly fur. He examined the 'something else' carefully, and saw that it was ragged locks of black hair. Elven hair.

Glorfindel's blood ran cold as he stared at the dark hair in his hands. Arwen.

Suddenly, howling of wargs reached his ears. They were farther downstream, and fearing for the life of Arwen Undomiel Glorfindel quickly gets onto Asfaloth and swiftly sought after where the sounds came from. But even as he chased, the sounds grew faint, and then stopped altogether. There was little hope he would find them now, and Glorfindel bitterly cursed his fate.

Even as he did so, a flash of blue caught his attention. He checked Asfaloth and dismounted. A pace to where Asfaloth was there was a snatch of blue silk caught on a tree branch. A few paces further, he came upon a sudden clearing in the thick beeches. Blood splattered the ground, elven blood, and a chaos of warg footprints filled the space. What he then saw sent ice running down his spine. In the midst of the confusion there were many torn locks of hair and shreds of blue silken cloth stained with blood. With trembling hands Glorfindel gathered the tokens. He did not recognize the cloth, but though the hair was ragged and torn, it was unmistakably the raven hair of Arwen.

A last glimmer of hope still remained in his heart, and he searched in a circle about the clearing, hoping to find some sign that told him Arwen had escaped. But there was none. Only more warg footprints leading south and east.

All hope departed, and with a heavy heart Glorfindel wrapped the hair and cloth in his cloak. With a whispered word to Asfaloth they rode slowly back to Imladris.