Seeing Spots: yeah, gotta watch that shoe... I think it's a basketball players shoe, so you can just imagine the size of it. Gonna make quite a noise when it drops. ;)

Lady of Light: Thanks for you prayers. They will be greatly appreciated. I haven't heard anything lately, so I don't know how my friend's doing, physically and emotionally. I hope to hear soon from her parents. As for the chapter, I DO try to go over these buggers several times to make sure everything is where it should be. I have a tendency to change injuries and character names. Lets hope I can keep up with all that's going to be going on in the upcoming chapters. :D

Ellie: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you like the story and follow it so closely. I hope it turns out great and that everyone enjoys where I went with it. I think its going to be a bit of a surprise. At least, I hope so!

Naomie: I'm getting good at what? You got my strung up now! LOL I've already started on a couple other stories, so as soon as this one is finished, I'll take a bit of a break, polish off the first couple chapters of the stories and upload one at a time and get everyones feedback on them.

AN: Speaking of feedback, I need help from reviewers. Even if you don't leave a review on a regular basis, or hate leaving messages like that, please take the time to tell me what you think. Do you prefer longer chaptered stories or shorter chapters? Not everyone likes to sit and read for hours which is what I'm guilty of so I was wondering what you, the readers, would like to have. LONG or SHORT chapters to a story? I personally like the longer cause there are more details and character development but that's not always so So, give me a shout and let me know what you think! Thanks and an elf of your choice for your thoughts. :D

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Chapter Twenty: A Maze of Moments

The violet shade of dusk fell; Múrendil and Láiraen relieved Rúmil and Eremae of their sentry duty and set about picking through the remaining food that Rúmil had not managed to inhale during his shift. Several minutes after the two disappeared, Haldir quietly exited the room in which the others slept, nearly bumping into Múrendil, who was lighting lanterns around the room.

Múrendil nodded, "You look well rested, Commander."

Haldir's smile was faint, "It is difficult to rest when one is constantly being pestered by another."

The two elves exchanged confused looks and Haldir added, "Orophin snores when he is exhausted. It is hard to sleep with him making such a noise."

Láiraen and Múrendil laughed, offering a plate to their leader and shaking their heads. The idea of an elf snoring was ludicrous, but also highly amusing to the two.

Haldir waved away any idea of food and asked, "Has Amarah or any of the servants been by?"

Múrendil scowled, his face grew taunt and dark, as he shook his head no. Láiraen mirrored his comrade's actions, though he didn't scowl as his counterpart. There was something amiss in the manor, other than grief, and it was tickling the back of the Elven minds.

"Commander, when are we to leave?" Múrendil asked bluntly.

"Ready to return home, I see," Haldir chuckled, but it died when he noticed the set continence of the two staring back at him. "Something troubles your minds."

Though it was meant as an observation, it sounded like a question. Láiraen nodded slowly, his eyes meeting Múrendil's for a second before turning back to face his leader, "There is great unrest."

Haldir was taken aback but put his face in a blank mask, "I have felt nothing but the sadness of losing a young life."

Múrendil stood and closed the gap between the March Warden and himself. His voice was low but clear, "There is a great evil lurking here. We must leave as soon as possible. I fear for our kin if we do not leave these borders."

Haldir had never had any of his subordinates, other than his brothers, to behave as such. He stared intently at Múrendil, who didn't even flinch from the gaze, to Láiraen who was pale and wide-eyed.

"When Orophin awakes, we shall ask him the best course," Haldir said. "If our kin is indeed in great danger, then we shall distance ourselves from it."

"Talking about me behind my back?" came Orophin's sleepy voice.

Haldir turned to the doorway that framed Orophin and grinned at the tousled look the elf bore. Haldir grinned at his sibling, "Just speaking of you without your knowledge."

Orophin's eyes were heavy lidded with drowsiness, but perked up and glared at Haldir with mock resentment, "Is that not the same thing?"

Haldir laughed as Orophin ventured to the table and picked up a small fruit and bit into it. Orophin made a sour face and glared at the food and smirked, "I see Rúmil has been picking through the food yet again."

"He had four plates at my last count," came a raspy voice from the bed. Aravitan was sitting up, smiling at the four elves conversing around the table.

"Aravitan!" Orophin exclaimed and went to the elf's side, checking his injuries and bandages. "How long have you been awake? Why was I not told?"

Orophin's words were cut off as Aravitan batted away the fussy elf's hand, "I have been awake several times, but did not alert the others. I did not want anyone fussing over me, as you are now doing, Orophin." Aravitan shot Orophin a glare that countered the grin on his face.

Orophin rolled his eyes and prodded the elf in the ribs. Aravitan winced but laughed lightly.

"How do you feel?" Haldir asked, sitting opposite of Orophin and nudging the pushy elf away.

"Tired and hungry," Aravitan grinned. "I think I have been around Rúmil too much. I am beginning to share his appetite."

Haldir laughed and handed Aravitan a plate of some fruit and bread.

"I would not mind some food myself," came a sluggish voice from beside Aravitan.

Haldir spun and saw Wethíar smiling at him, a hand placed on his stomach as a growl was heard. Haldir smirked, shaking his head, and stood to gather Wethíar some food. Múrendil already had a plate full and handed it to the March Warden, his eyes darted to Orophin, then to the two elves now awake.

Haldir received the unspoken question loud and clear, and when he sat down on Wethíar's bedside, he looked over to Orophin, "How do their injuries fare? How long until they can travel?"

Orophin frowned, smacking Aravitan's hand as he tried to bat the elf away from his injuries again, but Orophin overpowered him and held one hand down and used the other to investigate the wounds. After a quick inspection, he rose and went to Wethíar, who relinquished any resistance and allowed Orophin to check over his injuries. When he finished with Wethíar, he ventured to Lómetar, who remained pale and deathly still on the cot beside the large bed that held the two elves.

After a minute, Orophin said, "Aravitan and Wethíar have healed enough to travel, but I do not think Lómetar will be ready for at least a week, if he's able to travel at all."

Haldir nodded and glanced at Múrendil. The elf's frown deepened, his eyes roaming around the room, watching the shadows dancing from the flickering lanterns as if they concealed a hidden monster.

The evening passed by with quiet talk, Aravitan and Wethíar dozing in and out of consciousness. Haldir noticed Múrendil venture to a corner by himself and called softly to him, "Múrendil, you need to rest. You do not need to remain, Orophin and I can watch over Aravitan, Wethíar, and Lómetar."

Múrendil opened his mouth as if to protest, then thought better of it. He nodded and followed Láiraen into the rooms where the others were sleeping.

When the sounds of twilight filled the room, Orophin turned to Haldir, his expression grim, "Something is not well, Brother."

Haldir nodded, "Múrendil and Láiraen have spoken of the same. There is unrest here, but I feel it has to do with Calorad's death."

"That is not it," Orophin said slowly, his eyes becoming distant. "There is an evil here, I can feel it. It grows stronger with each passing moment."

"Evil?" Haldir quirked a brow in amusement, "You spoke of no such thing earlier. Why speak of it now?"

"It is a growing sense," Orophin said rather hotly, feeling Haldir was mocking him. "I did not sense it before, but I do feel it now, and I know it is growing more powerful."

"If you feel it, then why do I not feel anything? Surely, if there was true evil here, it would be felt by all," Haldir said matter-of-factly.

Orophin glared at Haldir and said roughly, "We will ask Rúmil what he feels. If he feels the same, then we should move on."

Haldir looked to Lómetar with deep sympathy, "We shall move on when all are able to. I do not want to endanger any more lives."

"If we remain longer than we have to, then we all will be in danger," Orophin said curtly.

"And what are we to do?" Haldir snapped angrily at his sibling. "We can either stay here in the shelter of the manor while the others heal, or we can chance leaving and risk everyone's life."

Orophin huffed angrily, his lips forming a thin line and his brow furrowed. He fumed over the situation, knowing that Haldir spoke the truth. They had some protection in the manor while the injured had a chance to heal. If they ventured out, there was a high risk of encountering orcs, goblins, or any number of foul beasts that roamed the land looking for their next target. With their thin numbers, there was no guarantee of safety.

Haldir expected his brothers to clash with him occasionally, but when Múrendil behaved as he did, it sent a chill down the March Warden's spine. Worse yet, Orophin was suggesting they travel, when it could cost the life of one of their own. Haldir frowned to himself, wondering what had gotten into everyone. A small part of him wished that he didn't have to make these decisions, and wished he had the counsel of the Lord and Lady.

The morning passed in the blink of an eye. Rúmil emerged from the other room, wiping his eyes in a child-like fashion and yawning as he sat down heavily.

"Morning, Brother," Haldir smirked, knowing Rúmil was not a morning elf.

"No food?" Rúmil asked, his weary eyes sweeping the almost barren table.

Haldir chuckled, "There is nothing left but a few pieces of fruit."

"You made a human of yourself I see," Orophin giggled.

Rúmil narrowed his eyes at his sibling and asked, "Why do you say that?"

"You ate almost everything!" Orophin said playfully. "You eat more than a growing elfling!"

"I am still growing," Rúmil pointed out, picking up a piece of fruit and biting into it.

"Rúmil, I do hate to be the one to tell you this, but you stopped growing a millennia ago," Haldir laughed.

Rúmil frowned and opened his mouth to answer back, but a knock on the door stopped all conversations. A timid voice on the other side asked, "Master Elves? Master Elves, are you awake?"

Haldir opened the door to find several servants standing there, holding dishes of delicious smelling food.

Rúmil's nose twitched as he caught the scent of roasted meat and fried vegetables. With an ecstatic voice he called to Haldir in Elvish, "Do not just stand there, Brother. Invite them in with the food!"

Haldir smiled and opened the door wider, motioning for them to come inside, "Please, do come in."

The servant in the lead, the tall elderly female from the day before, bowed her head and carried in a large pot that smelled sweetly of honey. She ordered for the others to place their burdens on the table and remove the dishes that were now empty. The other servants did her bidding and exited in a hurry.

As she was turning to leave, the elderly woman added, "Your clothing is now clean and dry."

A small, mousy, human girl, approximately nine years old, entered the room, her arms full with the Elven clothing. Haldir took the offered clothing and smiled sweetly at the girl. He had of course seen many humans over his years, but none seemed to match what he saw in the little girl. Her hair was a wildcat burgundy, intense red woven with rich deep mahogany and braided in a thick knot at her shoulders. Her eyes were bright and shining like a calm sea.

She smiled nervously at the elves, then cast her eyes down to the floor.

"Thank you, little one," Haldir's voice was soft. "What is your name?"

The girl raised her eyes to him and nodded once, a brief smile flitted across her face before she turned heel and ran from the room as fast as she could.

"Do forgive her manners Master Elf. Avayae is young. She does not know her place," the lady stammered.

Haldir's eyes remained fixed on the place the girl disappeared to. With a start, he returned his attention back to the servant, "Avayae?"

The servant wrung her hands in a nervous manner and explained, "She was found a year ago by the master on one of his many journeys. She was injured and alone. A passing stranger called her Avayae. When the master asked the townsfolk of her, no one knew who she was. He brought her here and has cared for her."

"Honorable thing to do," Haldir said absent-mindedly. "She did not speak of her parents?"

The servant looked around and shook her head, "No, Master Elf. She has never spoken. The master believes her to be a mute, unable to make any sound."

"That is horrible," Haldir said, a frown etching his face.

The servant nodded and continued to wring her hands. After a few seconds, she asked with a timid voice, "There is anything else, Master Elf?"

Haldir snapped himself out of whatever had fallen over him and smiled at the servant, "I would like to know how the Lady Amarah fares."

The servant nodded, "She is in mourning and has remained in her room. If I see her, I shall tell her of your concern."

"Thank you," Haldir smiled and closed the door after the woman turning to the others that sat watching him. Thankfully, no one pursued their train of thought, for if they had, there would have been ill feelings, if not physical injuries, especially on two sniggering brothers.

As Rúmil dove into the food, plundering as much as possible as the smell wafted into the adjacent room and roused the others. Haldir ate very little, his mind not on the conversation buzzing around the room. After breakfast, the elves began to become restless, Múrendil glared from a corner and Láiraen paced back and forth.

Aravitan and Wethíar woke at the smell of food and spent the good part of the morning talking and eating. Their strength was returning quickly, their injuries healing at an accelerated pace, despite the lack of healing herbs. Orophin remained by Lómetar's side, watching the shallow breathing and pale face closely. He administered his herbal treatments, wary of the quickly disappearing concoction.

Haldir settled himself by Orophin's side and looked at his brother, "Orophin, you looked exhausted."

Orophin turned to his brother and scoffed, "I rested well."

"I know, I heard you," Haldir grinned good-naturedly.

Orophin rolled his eyes, "I do think you lie, dear Brother. I have never snored in my life. I think you say such things to irritate me."

Haldir put his hand over his heart as if the statement had hurt him, "Brother, how dare you state such falsehoods! I only speak the truth!"

"Sure you do," Orophin grunted, returning his attention back to Lómetar.

"Orophin, you really do not look so well," Haldir repeated, then grinned. "You are looking like a human."

Orophin shot his oldest kin a nasty look and stretched in his chair, his muscles atrophied from lack of movement. With a deep sigh, he said, "Perhaps I could just stretch my legs for a time." When Haldir smirked, he added hastily, "But it does not mean that I am a human!"

Orophin rose and felt his joints seize from the stiffness. He groaned out loud, rising to his full height and swatting Haldir's shoulder when he started to laugh, loud and musical. Orophin walked around the room, realizing he never truly inspected the place in-depth. He picked up several items decorating the small table in the corner, and strode over to the opposite side, where a closet nestled in the shadows.

Wondering what hid behind the door, Orophin turned the knob and opened the door. With a loud yelp of surprise, and a thud later, the elves in the room were at Orophin's side, pulling the clutter of artifacts off the fallen elf.

Haldir rushed to his brother's side and helped the others remove the debris that had rained down on him. After a minute, Orophin's body came into view. Haldir felt a lump rise in his throat and lodge itself painfully.

Orophin's eyes were closed. His body lay motionless under the rubble. His shallow breathing was the only indication that he was alive.

"Orophin?" Rúmil asked, wiping hair away from his brother's face.

Orophin remained still and motionless, his head lulled against Haldir as he tried to pull him free from the mess. Haldir caught Rúmil's hand, his eyes staring horrified down at his younger brother. Rúmil shot a questioning glare over at Haldir, but softened it as he watched Haldir withdraw his other hand from the back of Orophin's head. Bright crimson stained the pale fingers.

Haldir felt his heart dissolve in his chest. He watched helplessly as Múrendil and Láiraen picked Orophin up with care and placed him next to Aravitan, who was awake and resting against a mountain of pillows. Aravitan scooted over, his eyes wide and fearful.

"What happened?"

Haldir had positioned himself next to Rúmil, who had gone slack and unresponsive. He wrapped his arm around Rúmil's shoulders and looked up to the others, "Orophin hit his head."

"Will he be alright?" Aravitan asked, standing and giving his side of the bed to the unconscious elf.

"Orophin has the healer's mind, not I," Haldir said, pulling Rúmil against him as he felt his brother beginning to tremble. "I think he has only been knocked out. He should wake up soon."

Múrendil seated himself next to Orophin, his brow furrowed as he watched Orophin's breathing. After a minute of observing the fallen elf, he turned to the March Warden, his eyes saddened, "Orophin sleeps deeply, but not on Elven plains. His sleep is strange."

Haldir opened his mouth to speak but a sudden jerk from Rúmil prevented any more conversation. Rúmil's body became rigid, his eyes wide and watery as he panted, desperate for breath. Haldir slackened his grip to allow his brother room so he wouldn't hurt himself during his attack.

After a minute, Rúmil slumped forward. Haldir caught him and cradled him near, waiting for a response as to what was seen. Rúmil gasped a few times, then melted against Haldir, his body and energy completely spent from the vision he just endured.

Haldir hoisted Rúmil in his arms, placed him beside Orophin, and sat down unceremoniously on the chair. He gazed at his brothers lying side by side, memories flooding into his mind. He could recall this scene many times as they grew up, each becoming frightened of something and seeking shelter with one another. Haldir closed his eyes and shook his head sadly.

"What is happening? Why are we plagued so?" Haldir asked no one in particular, his voice and temper rising. "Why did this have to happen? Do the Vala think we do not endure enough? Is this a game or a joke they have played on us to see how we will react? How much more pain and injuries must we endure before they tire of us and leave us in peace?"

The elves in the room remained silent, not daring to break the tension lest something drastic happen. They exchanged looks, their own minds warring over the same questions and wondering if they were going to make it out of this adventure alive.