Hands

For disclaimer and stuff see chapter one

Status: WIP

Time: BtVS: After season 7 LoTR: The Third Age roughly 200 years after the capture of Celebrian making it about 300 years before The Ring War

Chapter Two

Hands Upon the Bowstring

"Suilad, hir nin.", Haldir greeted Elrond. "I trust your journey was uneventful."

"Suilad, Marchwarden", replied the Lord of Rivendell. "Our travels were not as peaceful as to be hoped or looked for. Agents of the Dark Lord followed our steps thru the Misty Mountains."

"Yrch", answered the gray clad Marchwarden. "The rivers have long defended us, but they are a sure guard no more; for the Shadow has crept northward all about us.1 Each season the Orcs grow bolder."

"Indeed, it seems our hands are more often upon the bowstring then the harp."2, was Elronds answer. Glancing at his sons and Haldir's brothers conversing, "My own children suffer from a rage that is long lived. They go reckless and uncaring into battle with any Orc that cross their path, all the while seeking revenge for their mother. I have hoped this visit with their grandparents will help to ease their hearts." Celebrian, wife of Elrond and daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn, was captured over two hundred years ago by Orcs while traveling to Lothlorien. Before her rescue by Elladan and Elrohir she was tortured and tormented by the evil creatures. Elrond, able to only heal her abused body could do nothing for her wounded and tired soul. After a year of living with the dark stain upon her soul, Celebrian departed into the West, crossing over the sea to Valinor. The leaving of his wife was felt by all at Rivendell but his sons were the worst, unable to deal with what they had found upon their mother's rescue.

Squinting at the darkening skies Haldir asked, "How does the Lady Arwen fare?"

"My daughter is saddened by the loss of her mother but unlike her brothers she does not ride out against the foul creatures of Sauron." Pausing to listen to the thunder Elrond continued, "Arwen has come to terms with the only hope of healing for her mother lies in Valinor."

"Estle. Hope. That is all you can have hir nin." At the start of a gentle rain falling Haldir suggested, "Lord Elrond shall we continue onto the city? Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn await your arrival."

"Yes," replied the dark haired lord. "It would not do to keep Galadriel waiting," speaking of his formidable mother-in-law, "especially since she mentioned something about a reception."

"Mmm, I thinkshewantstointroducemywifetoyou."

"What was that?"

"I said I think she wants to introduce my wife to you."

"Wife?" asked Elrond as one eyebrow arched towards his hairline.

"Wife?", mouthed Elladan to his twin. His brother raised his eyebrow in a remarkable impression of his father and asked Rumil, "Haldir finally found someone to bind with? How did that happen?"

Rumil unable to help himself snorted before answering, "She is a witch and a stranger to these lands. She probably did not know any better."

"Oh, brother do not forget to mention she is human." came from a smirking Orophin

Elrohir unable to believe what he heard, Haldir bonded, to a human, had to ask Rumil to repeat what he said.

"I said our surly brother of a Marchwarden is bonded to a human witch who is a stranger to these lands.

"I thought that is what you said. Just making sure.", came the reply from the still unbelieving Peredhil.

"Wait till you meet her.", came from Orophin. "She can say very many words at one time without pausing for a breath. She causes Haldir to roll his eyes at an alarming rate."

"Orophin. Rumil. Time to move.", called out Haldir as he and Elrond passed the two of them.

"The Lady is holding a reception upon your arrival to the city. There you will be able to meet with Haldir's wife.", Rumil informed the Imladris twins as the group made its way to the gates of the city.

Several Hours Later

"I can not wait to see what type of woman who would be willing to bind herself to your brother.", came from one of the dark haired brothers.

"You would be surprised.", was the answer as the group entered the city of Caras Gladhon.

A/N: Thank you to my reviewers it is nice to know that someone other then my friends are reading this.

According to Appendix B of The Lord of the Rings: "2509 Celebrian, journeying to Lorien, is waylaid in the Redhorn Pass, and receives a poisoned wound."

The major battles of the Ring War occurred in the year of 3019 of the Third Age

Suilad-Greetings

hir nin-my lord

Yrch-Orcs

Peredhil-the Half-elven

Any translations were taken from the Council of Elrond site

1 & 2-Taken directly from chapter VI of The Fellowship of the Ring