Disclaimer: Only in my dreams, only in my wildest dreams. sigh
"Elvish"
'Common'
thoughts
"You can not allow them to go! He did not answer the question correctly!" A little girl's voice cried out. Elrond and Estel stared at the child with wide eyes. How could one who seemed so sweet act like this?
Minyanna turned and looked at the child calmly. "Aye Cuivie he did answer the question correctly."
The little girl glared at the maiden. "No he did not answer it correctly in the first place! You are just favoring him because he is among the Eldar. You are just letting him leave because he chose your beloved brother's gift!"
Minyanna shook her head looking at the little child. "Nay I would never favor another and it matters not whether Elrond is among the Eldar. I will come for all in the end of the first song. Then the new song will begin."
Legolas looked at her blankly for a moment. Then his face twisted in to an expression of sadness. "You are gurth, are you not?" (death)
Minyanna nodded her head softly, giving him a small smile before turning back towards Cuivie. "If I favored him, I would not have made him come and stand before me. Do not question my sense of fairness, for I do not discriminate."
"Then why are you going allow them to leave?" The little girl, when the three travelers glanced at her, seemed to shift her form into that of a boy. Elrond, Estel and Legolas did a double take. Estel blinked a few times to clear his eyes only to find what he had seen was true.
"The question has been answered Cuivie. It does not matter whether it was answered correctly the first time. He did not even know what that question was, how could he answer it? I do not believe they have a book or class in Middle Earth that prepares a person to answer questions that they do not know." Minyanna said with a quiet voice.
"And do not shape shift in front of our guests, you have already startled them." Minyanna said with a shake of her head.
"Why should I care what they think?! None who enter here should be allowed to leave it." The little child stomped his...her... their foot and pouted sulkily.
"So you decided to take matters into your own hands and make sure they could not leave, did you not?" A voice came from behind them.
Elrond and company turned to see a very angry Luthien with her hands clenched at her side standing behind them. Accompanying her was Turin, Vardamir, Atanalcar, and a man that they assumed was Beren.
"What does it matter? They can not be allowed to leave! They are..." The little boy said with a look of terror on his small face.
"Working for Morgoth, somehow I do not think so." Turin said in a soft voice.
"But we will not allow such fear and ignorance prevent our relations return." Vardamir said with an equally soft voice. "You will return them back to the Valinor as Minyanna has commanded you to."
"She will do no such thing she loves me." The little boy said with a smirk.
"She has allowed Elrond to answer the question and he answered correctly. He is free with ion lle and the ernil (prince) to leave this place." Turin replied in Sindarin. "She is just with her judgment."
"Why does the child not want us to return back to the Valinor?" Legolas asked once he had regained his voice. The musical voice caused many a smile to appear on the faces of the dead.
"Because he fears what you are." Atanalcar said turning to the small portion of his uncle's family. "Cuivie is innocence and the awakening of all peoples. Every fear he has comes from those who are innocent. He therefore fears everything."
"Because she has no knowledge of what it is or what it can do." Elrond whispered under his breath. Minyanna nodded slowly and carefully. The child had shape shifted into a small girl of six this time and was looking distressed.
Elrond looked directly at the maiden once more. He took in every detail of the woman before him. "Then she fears you as well." She nodded once more.
"Loves and fears me." Minyanna replied softly. With a shake of her head she sighed. "I am scarier then my brother for I am of the unknown to the beginning of the story. No one knows how the story is going to end." With a steady glare the woman was keeping the shape shifter quiet.
Legolas looked at Minyanna, interrupting her train of thought. "But you will let us go home, will you not Lady Minyanna?"
Minyanna smiled tiredly at Legolas and bowed her head. "Aye of course I will. It is your reward for answering the question correctly."
"Nay you cannot allow this..." Cuivie started to say, when with a snap of Minyanna's fingers her voice died within her throat. Cuivie stared at her after trying to speak for a few moments more, before running off into the southern beech forest.
"Then you are releasing them?" Luthien asked hesitantly after seeing the display that had just happened. It was then that they all realized why death was something that needed to be respected, even if one feared or loved it.
"Really and truly letting them go back home?" Luthien continued when she was not struck out against for speaking out of turn.
Minyanna nodded and there was a collective sigh of relief from those that had gathered. Minyanna gave all the elders a grim smile and a shake of the head. "You all thought I would not release the children? Nay I am not so heartless that I will let fear of the consequences daunt me."
"You are all going back home." Minyanna said turning to the three travelers. Her eyes shone with light and her smile was kind.
"Thank you Lady." Estel said in a reverent tone of voice. He bowed slightly down out of respect. "I did not expect you to be so generous."
"Estel." Minyanna said in a soft tone. When he did not respond, she brought her hand under his chin and lifted it.
"Elessar Elrondion you have no need to fear the gifts of Eru. Neither my brother nor I are truly terrible. But both of us have our flaws." She looked deep into his eyes. 'You made your choice a long time ago, son. Never fear what Eru has given to you.'
"That goes for you too, Elrond. Being apart of both worlds is not an evil thing, no matter what others may say. Take heart and enjoy the world. There is too much to be sorrowful over past deeds and choices you can not change."
Estel and Elrond both looked at her shocked. Legolas just looked on with amazement not expecting to get a message of his own.
"He who told to beware the sea you have done many things that you should not have done." Minyanna said a quiet but firm voice. Her eyes bore into his. "Messing around with other's gifts is dangerous, among other things."
"I had a right to..." Legolas said with indignation. His arms crossed in front of his chest and he stared defiantly at the young maiden.
"We are not talking about what you have and have not a right to do Thranduilion. Nay we are speaking of how you allowed yourself to become so cynical. Pray tell, why has it come to this?" Minyanna said as the corners of her lips twitched.
Legolas just stared at her for a moment. Finally he opened his mouth and replied, "I know neither what you say, nor what you mean."
"I mean what I say." Minyanna's answer came. Then she tilted her head inquisitively. "Why did you want Estel to leave behind a part of who he was in Middle Earth?"
"Because I wanted him to be happy, is that a crime?" Legolas replied finding he could not say anything else to the woman standing before him. She was like living truth serum. Despite his words, her words made him think. Why did he want Estel to leave Aragorn behind in Middle Earth?
"Nay, wanting another's happiness is not a crime in my book. Possibly to Cuivie though..." Minyanna looked thoughtful for a moment before refocusing on the defiant elf in front of her. "In fact it is a high complement to your friendship with the Peredhil, all five of them."
"What are you saying?" Luthien called with a creased forehead. They had stayed silent while the Lady had spoken in her quiet and peaceful way. But now the concern for their friends over ruled all of them.
"Do you mean to tell us something, Lady Amarth?" Turin asked in his grave voice. It was a known fact to many others, as well as to himself, the Lady knew more then she often said. Neither the fate of man nor the fate of elves revealed their secrets easily.
"I am saying nothing and everything. What that means is for all of you to figure out." Minyanna said with a grin and hint of mischief in her eyes. "But it is time for our friends to leave."
Luthien stepped forward first and gazed upon all of them. "I am very glad to have met all you my kindred. Hortho le huil vaer mellyn nin. (May useful winds speed you on your journey my friends.)"
Beren who had stayed quiet for the majority of the time added to his wife's words. "Harthon gerithach lend vaer. (I hope you have a good journey.)" He said in fluent Sindarin.
He moved forwards toward his beloved, taking her into his embrace. He smiled at his descendents and their friend.
Turin laughed at that and smiled at his new friends as well. "Pelo nalú i laiss en-Galadh Guil lín. (may the leaves on your life tree never wither.)"
In the ancient Sindarin of his foster father he spoke his blessing. He moved up towards them and bowed deeply. He then stood to the left of his foster sister and took up her hand within his own.
Vardamir smiled at his cousin, uncle, and friend. "Namárië mellyn nin. Tenna' ento lye omenta. (Good bye my friends. Until next we meet.)"
The Quenya took the travelers by surprise, after having most of their conversations in Sindarin. They watched him move towards their relatives.
Atanalcar smiled and joined his brother. "Tenna' telwan, namárië. Tell our siblings and Ata we miss them. Tell Tinu and Mai that we will love them until the end of time and after." (Until then goodbye.) (Father Q.)
Elrond laughed at Atanalcar's comment. He always had looked up to the twins. "I will tell all of them that the two of you love them both dearly."
"You must remind Tinu and Atar of that frequently." Vardamir said in a soft laughing tone. At his cousin's and friend's questioning looks, he explained. "They are very insecure about their relationships to their family and friends."
Estel nodded in understanding and promised to do so as soon as he saw both of them. He wondered if any of his other friends where here as well. His thoughts had often turned to the rest of the fellowship.
"You will see them again, young one." Amarth said in a soft voice. "No goodbye is forever. They wait for you elsewhere. One day you will see them again."
Estel nodded and felt his father come up next to him. The elven lord took Aragorn's hand into his own and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Then he turned to Legolas and nodded. Estel caught the nod and smiled.
"Namárië mellyn nin" The three travelers said in unison with a bow. They were going home. Then Minyanna raised her hands and clapped. There was a light and then the three knew no more.
Elrond was the first one to awake. His arms and legs were stiff as if he had been sleeping for a long time. He glanced around the room around him. The elven lord was in his youngest bedroom in the Valinor.
We are home! We have finally made it through the dark into the light. He turned to the side to look where his son and the prince lay sleeping.
Neither had stirred yet, both of their eyes where closed. Elrond felt a surge of panic grip his heart. Please Valar, please do not let them be dead. Not after everything we went through...
Slowly though the panic faded as he watched Legolas open his eyes and look around carefully. Elrond had to suppress the chuckle that threatened to pass his lips at the elfling's cautiousness.
Estel still had not awoken yet though and Elrond could not help but worry. The minutes felt like hours. Estel did not move and Elrond felt his fear rise once more within his chest.
Elros stirred from where he had been sleeping by Elrond's side. "Elrond? Gwanunig-nin?"
Elros blinked a few times but the image of his brother awake did not disappear. "Ai, muindor I thought I had lost you to the bad lands."
Elrond did not say anything, looking only at his human son still lying on the bed as his best friend regained consciousness. Elros glanced down and saw his nephew in this state.
"Muindor-ion." (Brother-son.) Elros said with a sharp intake of breath. "It did not work as planned."
"My life is forfeit Elros. I could not save ion-nin. I have risked everything only to gain nothing."
"Have hope Elrond." His wife's voice came from the other side of the bed. Rising from the floor where she had been sleeping, Celebrian helped Legolas to sit up. "He will awake, ion-lye (our son) will awaken."
"Do not doubt what Minyanna told us Elrond." Legolas said softly. "She told us that Estel would be allowed passage out of the Dead Lands."
Elros nodded slowly at what he was hearing, although his twin looked doubtful. He reassuringly smiled at his brother. "Minyanna always keeps her promises."
Elrond looked over at his brother. "But Cuivie did not want us to leave. What if she took Estel hostage?"
Elros rolled his eyes at the elf lord's words. "Cuivie will not raise a hand against Minyanna. She knows enough not to mess with the second gift."
"I think Elros is right, Elrond. I do not believe that Cuivie would be able to overcome her terror of Minyanna to even try."
'Then why has he not awoken yet? Why does my youngest son still sleep?' Elrond said as a frown creased his forehead. Once again he lowered his head down to the soft coverlet that was laid over his son.
"I believe that is where I come in." A female voice said softy. Elrond turned around to see Minyanna standing in front of him. Her jade green eyes looked into his silver ones.
Seeing no comprehension in his eyes, she continued. "Or where you come in Peredhel, it is time for you to act. His soul is here waiting to return but you must fix his body first."
"What could I possibly do to rectify this? I know not what is wrong with him." Elrond said in frustration, only to see that the apparition had vanished. Everyone in the room looked at him strangely, not knowing who he was talking to. "Other then the whip marks he has no other physical ailments."
Legolas was looking down at his friend, when his head shot up suddenly. "The spell!"
"What spell?" Celebrian asked in a sharp tone of voice. What were these elfings doing playing around with spells?
"What about the spell?" Elrond asked Legolas in a tired voice. His words where muffled by the cover.
"Well the glowing, among other things. That could be considered an ailment, correct?" At Elrond's nod, Legolas charged on, speaking rapidly. "What if the spell has not been completed yet?"
Elrond's head rose up at the speed of one of Legolas' arrows. He turned to Legolas. "What did the spell exactly say?"
"'To one we claim as family on this earth, we bind thee with our blood to us. Blood of our ancestors make as family of blood and heart.'" Legolas said softly. "'Let the family we had on this earth be bond afterwards as well.'"
Celebrian looked over at her husband and Elrond caught her gaze. "That means..." Celebrian started to say then the light came back into her eyes. Elrond lifted an eyebrow, then he read the message in her eyes. Slowly he nodded, grinning slightly.
She was up off the bed next to Legolas in a flash, disappearing out of the room. The Lady of Rivendell returned just as quickly carrying a ritual knife with her.
She handed the knife to Elrond and placed her palm up across Elrond's. Elrond looked at the blade within his hand. "Ion o hûn-nin, muindor o ionnath-nin. (Son of my heart, brother of my sons.) I bind thee with my blood, so we may never be parted."
He slit his palm and then sliced Estel's right palm. He placed his bleeding hand on top of Estel's. The air felt heavy as he had said the words and the magic began its work.
Surprisingly Celebrian took the knife from her husband and slit the palm that she had had within Elrond's. "Ion not of my womb but of my heart, I take thee as son of blood with the mingling of our blood."
There was a tense silence for a few moments. Elrond then threw the knife. "It did not work..." Only to be silenced by a small sigh. Elros smiled from where he sat by his brother's left hand.
Slowly though as if waking from a deep sleep, Estel stretched his body out. Then he opened his eyes hesitantly, blinking against the onslaught of the bright light in the room. "Ada?"
His little boy was home.
TBC
Elven Kitten: I am glad to hear your writer's block is gone! That is really great!!! Now you just have to write it. laughs and grins Thank you kindly, I hope you liked this chapter was to your liking.
Amlee: I am glad to hear I am not the only one fascinated with Elrond's history! Thank you so much for the compliment! I am glad you like my story. I look forward to updating again after such a great review!
Moonfire1: I am wicked? looks innocently at the reviewer Never! laughs and grins I am sorry for causing your heart almost to stop though. It had to be done though, can't have things being too easy! I am happy to hear that you liked the section with Elrond proclaiming who he is. And I do pardon you for the use of the m word. (Though I must admit it is hard not to type man when typing about Elrond at times. Force of habit I guess... sighs) Thank you so much for the compliment! I am just happy to read your review. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well.
trustingfriendship: Wishing humbleness upon our elf friends are we? tries to look stern but can't help shaking her head and grinning. I just enjoyed writing Minyanna so I could humble those elves. As for Elros feeling what Elrond's feeling, I think you'll have to wait for another chapter to see if he did or didn't. I will take opinions though if you think he did or didn't. I don't think Elrond felt that way though because he wasn't at peace with his choice, though that might be apart of it. Possibly there is that problem because he can see both sides of the story unlike most elves or humans among other factors. But that's my opinion, I would love to hear yours. So did I get them back fast enough for you? Thanks for your review!! I hope you liked this chapter!!
KissTheRainGirl12489: Okay no more shouting, kay? lol Everything, or almost everything is handled now. Silence is golden, (and safer for ears as well!) Thanks for reviewing!!
grumpy: I am glad that you liked his answer. Inanna is someone I think we'll meet one more time at least before this story. So I won't tell you exactly who she is, I'll let you guess though. The name comes from a Sumerian goddess of heaven, war, and love. She tried to take over the Underworld. Maybe that will hint who she is. I will let you guess. You are cheating on reading the Silmarillon? You are horrible! Lol. I think I read a bunch of people where doing that on Cassia and Sio's email group. Smart idea, but I always thought the Silmarillon was easy to read. I must admit though that I am being read to as well, but in my case its the trilogy itself. But the Silmarillon is very interesting. I think of Tolkien's books the Silmarillon, the Unfinished Tales and the Lost Tales are my favorites... but I digress. I am glad you liked the chapter though! Good luck reading the Silmarillon. Thanks for reviewing!
radbooks: Oops! Sorry I didn't want to make you cry. I am sorry! Did a happy chapter help? I hope so. I am glad as well that Elrond can make peace with himself. It is very liberating feeling I think. I am glad that you like that Elrond and Estel show affection to one another. I think our world lives too much in fear about touching, or at least in America in my state we do. (It's kind of sad.... Again I digress again) Yes, Legolas really does need to slow down. I think the dead lands were finally getting to him. Although he did get better he started up again in this chapter! (I wonder if they have sedatives in middle earth? lol.) No I don't believe that I have read any stories by Nemis. But I will definitely look up her stories now. Are they on ? Well thanks again for reviewing! Hope you liked that chapter.
A/N: Okay they are finally out. All of you who have made death threats about me hurting Estel can now back down. Things will get lighter now, except maybe for one more flashback but I haven't decided yet. They are back home now. Thanks to all of you who have reviewed and all of you who have read. You are all much appreciated!
Any mistakes I made are completely my fault, please point them out. Nicely please. I typed the majority of this chapter after midnight so please be kind!
Let me know what you think! Click the review button, it helps me write.