Sorry for not updating earlier. My floppy disk kept messing up! So, at last, here is a new chapter. Thanks for all my reviews, relies are below, and enjoy chapter 12.

Faerlain

Rayame325 – Sad is good though, isn't it? Thanks for reviewing.

Elerrina – Poor Dolenmíl. Hands Elerrina tissue. You were sniffing. You seriously think I would kill my twins? Yes, they belong to me! Lol, I wish! What's-her-face is Thrálindë dear. Thanks for reviewing.

Deana – Yay! Leggy crying is always a sweet image, poor little Elfy welfy… I posted 12 as soon as I could. Thanks for reviewing.

Chapter 12: Realisations in Rivendell.

"Lord Glorfindel?"

"Yes Torfithien, how can I help you?"

Torfithien swallowed. She knew he had a lot on his plate at the moment, but he was the only one she could really trust. "There is something I need to tell you."

"What is it? Come on, sit down."

She perched nervously on the edge of a chair opposite his desk, wringing her hands in her lap. "It's about…Thrálindë."

"Oh, I'd heard she was back. What is it?"

"I think she's gone…well…round the bend."

"What on Middle-Earth do you mean?"

"She still loves Elrohir. But…it's not proper love, if you get my meaning. It's some form of lust. She jealous of Dolenmíl."

Glorfindel frowned, and leant forward. "How do you mean?"

"She's trying to think of ways to win him back. Get Dolenmíl out of the picture, if you understand my meaning. She's already talked to Elrohir, at the dance the other evening, and says she knows loads of things about Dolenmíl that no one else does. Secrets, locked away for years. She's going to use them against her. Then, once Dolenmíl and Elrohir have split up, act all comforting and loving towards him. Even if he doesn't take her back, she would have achieved what she set out to do."

"But why would she want to split them up?"

"Like I said, she jealous. I have known her for many years my Lord, and she has definitely changed. Ever since she lived in Lothlórien. When she got back, she was a different person. Colder, crueller. She used to be so warm and friendly. But now all she can think about is hurting Dolenmíl in some form or another."

"But why? I don't understand."

"Neither do I. Her mind's all twisted. Her heart is set on one goal – to cause pain to Dolenmíl through any means necessary."

"This is ridiculous. I had better go and talk to her."

"No my Lord, you are very busy right now. I just thought I had better tell you before Elrohir and Dolenmíl returned. They are my friends now. Elrohir and I have forgotten about all that happened in the past with Thrálindë. We just want to move on, away from all that. But Thrálindë knows I am against her plans now. She's working on her own, as far as I know."

"Ok, thank you Torfithien. I shall see what I can do."

"Thank you my Lord." She stood and bowed. "I just don't understand what's gotten into her. I knew she wouldn't be happy about Elrohir having a new love, but I didn't believe she would stretch to these limits."

"No, I understand."

She smiled, and left his study.

Glorfindel sat back in his chair, and looked out of the window. He was still in Elrond's' study, having taken over the leadership of Imladris with Erestor whilst Elrond was otherwise 'occupied'.

This Thrálindë…he remembered her. When she and Elrohir had been together, they had been inseparable. Then they had started having arguments, and split. She had gone to Lothlórien to stay with family, and Elrohir had gradually gotten over her. Now she had returned, and was seeking…revenge?

Something wasn't right here, yet Glorfindel could not quite place his finger upon it. For her best friend to desert her after hearing what she was planning to do…that too, was strange. She and Torfithien were childhood friends. Torfithien had always stuck by her, whatever the problem. Thrálindë must have suggested doing something really wrong for Torfithien to go against it and come to see him.

He sighed. So many problems, such a small amount of people available to sort them out.

He had managed to talk to Rédethuil for a short while. The Elf was shattered, but he had been quite willing to tell Glorfindel everything he knew.

Legolas had taken his party of Elves and was coming back to Rivendell with the twins. Celebrían and Arwen had carried on towards Lothlórien. They had rested together only one night.

Rédethuil himself had been quite near the back with Prince Legolas and Dolenmíl, and had heard his orders straight away to turn around and gallop back to Celebríans' group. He had seen the Orcs pouring over the rocks like water and attacking the Elves. They had thundered on back down the Pass. By the time they had reached them however, many had already fallen.

The first he had heard of Celebrían's capture had been when Legolas had come to him. The Prince had informed him of what had happened, and instructed him to go around, calming everyone down, and helping to tend to those who were injured, and then he had been sent to Rivendell as a messenger.

Glorfindel sat, twirling a quill round his fingers. Why had there been so many Orcs in one place, all at the same time? It was strange. It was well known Orcs went around in packs, but not in hundreds.

He stood and wandered onto the balcony. There was a beautiful Summer Sun up on the sky, and it lit up Rivendell in all her glory. But the valley seemed empty, quiet. No singing, no music, no laughter. The news of the attack on the Elves had spread like wildfire, and everyone was now in a kind of mourning. It was not known exactly who had died, but like Elrond, some people could feel it.

Leaning on the balcony, he let the Suns rays warm him. Glorfindel looked down over the picturesque valley. Elves were out and about, but they were quiet. Going about their normal, daily routines, but all lost in a little world of their own as they sent their thoughts and blessings out to their friends and family in the Pass. Many had lost loved ones in that fight, and the loss was clear.

He turned and went back inside. In here, it was cool and calm. A gentle breeze blew in through the balcony doors, rustling the papers on the desk.

The door opened suddenly and a messenger stepped in. "My Lord, just to say. Rédethuil's awake and asking for you."

"Ok, on my way."

The messenger nodded and left. Glorfindel made his way out of the study and down the hallway.

He knocked on the door and went in. "You wished to see me Rédethuil?"

"Yes my Lord."

Glorfindel stepped in and closed the door behind him. "What do you wish to see me about?" He sat down in a chair beside the bed.

Rédethuil shifted a little so he was eye-level with the golden haired Elf. "I have just remembered something."

"Oh, and what is that?"

"It is not enormously important, but I thought I had better tell you."

"What?"

"It's about Prince Legolas. Well…his best friend…he got killed."

"And…?"

"I knew…and I didn't tell him. I left for Rivendell without telling him. So he was left to discover him by himself, and I have just realised. Prince Legolas…doesn't act too well when his friends die. Or almost die at least."

"Who has died?"

"Dinnu."

"Oh dear." Glorfindel sighed. "Look, don't worry about it. I am sure Legolas knows by now. Someone else would have found Dinnu and told him, or like you said, he found him himself. If indeed he has…then all we can hope is that he takes it well. I know what you mean about him not reacting well when his friends get hurt, let alone killed. I'll never forget the day Elrohir was caught by the Dagnir-o Lóre…" he shuddered. "Anyway, that's not what we're here to talk about."

"I'm telling you, so you are prepared for when he arrives here. He may very well be heartbroken."

"Are any of his other close friends with him?"

"Thilio and Heledir. Remember them?"

"Vaguely. Oh yes, yes I do. I have visited Mirkwood many times…yes; I definitely remember all of Legolas' friends. His little gang. I should think he'll be fine with those two to help him."

"You're sure?"

"Yes, now stop fretting about it. You are meant to be resting, so rest!" He stood up. "And that's an order." He smiled gently, and left again.

Rédethuil sighed and settled down under the covers. When Legolas had been instructing him on what to say when he arrived in Rivendell, the fact that Dinnu was dead had completely slipped his mind. Though he had no idea how. Then, when he had been on his way, he had remembered again. But it was too late to go back and inform the Prince. He settled down for another light snooze.

Glorfindel hurried along the hallway to Erestor's office. Going in without knocking, he made the dark haired Lord jump.

"Sweet Eru Glorfindel, I really wish you would knock! When I am concentrating this much, I am not always listening intently to footsteps approaching my door!"

"My apologies Erestor, but Rédethuil had just told me something I think you should know."

"Oh yes? And what exactly did he tell you?"

"Legolas might be suffering from a broken heart when he gets here."

Erestor groaned. "No…you're joking?"

"No. His best friend was killed in battle. Rédethuil knew, but did not have time to tell the Prince. This means he would have found Dinnu himself, or someone else found him, and informed him of his death. Whatever happened, he will be hurting when he gets here. Not necessarily physically, but certainly in his heart and mind."

"This is not good. This week is just getting worse and worse."

"Tell me about it." He slumped down into the nearest chair. "How does Elrond fare?"

"He is ok," Erestor replied. "Still badly shaken. He will be up by tomorrow."

"We cannot let him…"

"Glorfindel, we cannot stop our own Lord from going about his own business. If he wishes to get up and continue his duties as Lord of this realm, then we shall just have to let him get on with it."

"Have you told him Celebrían has definitely been captured?"

"No, I'm leaving that to you."

"Oh, thank you so much!"

"No problem. You know him a lot more than I do." He leant forward on the desk on his elbows. "Just be gentle with him. He's in rather a fragile state at the moment."

"Erestor, I know how to handle people in fragile states."

"Just warning you." He sat back in his chair again. "I think he's awake now in fact. Go and get it over with."

Glorfindel sighed and got to his feet. "Very well. But anything that happens to me, e.g. a bookcase being thrown at my head, is down to you. Any injuries I suffer will rest upon your head!"

"Of course, of course. If he gets angry, chuck a pitcher of water over him. Works every time."

"Oh yes, then I will be reprimanded for getting my Lord soaking wet! I think I'll handle things my way, if you don't mind."

"Go ahead, be my guest." Erestor smiled sweetly at him as he left. "Good luck," he called as the door shut.

Glorfindel muttered to himself as he walked back towards Elrond's room. Why were these things always left down to him? It really wasn't fair…

He reached Elrond's' door and peered in. "Elrond?" he called softly, seeing the bed was empty.

"Yes?" He walked in from off the balcony.

Glorfindel smiled at his old friend. "How are you feeling melonin?"

"Better, thank you. How are things?"

"Everything is fine, don't you worry about a thing. Sit down; there is something I need to tell you."

"If it's about Celebrían, I know. I know she is hurt."

"No, I'm afraid there's a bit more to it than that. Sit down."

Elrond sat down on the end of the bed. "What is it Glorfindel? What has happened to my wife?"

Glorfindel sighed and sat beside him. "You felt that something had happened to her, that she had gotten hurt?"

"Yes, carry on."

"Well, that is true. In a sense. Elrond, she's been captured."

Elrond's' face paled, but he showed no other emotions. "By whom, exactly?"

"Orcs."

Elrond nodded. "And…is there any news?"

"No, I am sorry. Rédethuil, you remember him?" He carried on when Elrond nodded. "Well, Legolas sent him here as a messenger after the party was ambushed in the Pass. Your sons have gone after the Orcs that took Celebrían. Arwen is perfectly safe; Legolas is looking after her, as is Dolenmíl."

Elrond sighed in relief. "Well, that's something at least. And the twins…no news of them?"

Glorfindel shook his head. "No. They took a few friends with them; I have no idea whom exactly. Rédethuil told me Legolas had said they just galloped straight off once the fight was over."

"Has there been a great loss of life?"

"Quite a few fell, as I understand it. Legolas' best friend was killed."

"Who?"

"Dinnu."

"He must be heartbroken."

"Rédethuil didn't know. Legolas didn't know Dinnu was dead until after Rédethuil was on his way here."

"Then, Rédethuil knew he was dead, yet didn't tell Legolas?"

"He couldn't. He knew how Legolas would have reacted. Not well. By the time he had realised Legolas didn't actually know, he was half-way here, and couldn't turn back."

"I see." Elrond sighed, his shoulders sagging. "Well, I suppose I had better get back to work." He made to stand up, but Glorfindel stopped him.

"No Elrond, not today. Tomorrow maybe. You are not well enough."

"Glorfindel, if my family are to arrive back here well and safe, I must be prepared. I can manage. Things have to organised, arranged. Get Erestor, and meet me in my study." He stood up. "Go on."

Glorfindel sighed, but did as he was told.

Ten minutes later, the three Lords were gathered in Elrond's' study. The Elf Lord was pacing slowly, thinking things over in his head. "So, Celebríans' group was attacked, and Legolas took all his people back to help them?"

"Aye, that is correct," Glorfindel answered.

Elrond nodded. "Ok. By the time they had reached them however, the fight was already well under way. Celebrían had been taken, and many were injured or killed. Once the battle was over, my sons discovered their mother had been captured, grabbed a handful of random Elves, and took off without telling anyone. Nothing has been seen of them since, and both Thranduil and I have lost many Elves. The Pass is now effectively blocked, as they are still stranded there." He stopped pacing and looked at the other two. "I take it scouts have been sent out to them?"

"Of course," Erestor told him. "A group of roughly thirty to forty Elves."

"Is that all?"

"Elrond, we could not spare any more," Glorfindel intervened. "It is enough to suffice."

"Glorfindel, we have over 100 Elves stuck out there, with a load of dead bodies to deal with. Forty Elves is not going to be enough to help them. We must send out at least another…thirty."
"Elrond, we do not have the Elves to spare," he argued as Elrond began pacing again. "Twenty maximum I say. Any more, the guards on our own borders will be restricted."

"But they need our help Glorfindel…"

"I know. Look, I'll order another troop to go out. They'll be able to cope then. Fifty Elves to help with the hundred that are out there. That will be plenty, I assure you."

"Rédethuil told me they will probably be burying the bodies," Erestor informed them. Both Lords looked at him. "They will not be able to bring them all back here. The bodies will have to be buried before they start...decaying."

"Of course…" Elrond muttered.

"What?" both asked in unison.

"When we were travelling from Mirkwood to here during our fight with the Dagnir-o Lóre, we lost a lot of Elves during a battle. We buried them. Legolas will have remembered this. It makes sense. He's intelligent. It will be hard, but if anyone can persuade those Elves out there to do the right thing, he can." He smiled hopefully at the other two. "Legolas will tell his people, and my people, that the dead will have to be buried. Dolenmíl will certainly help him, as will Celeblaith. I expect he can convince Thilio and Heledir to go along with as well. Between the five of them, the number of people they'll have to literally carry back here will decrease."

"You are certain Legolas remembers this?" Glorfindel asked.

"How could he forget?" Elrond replied in a low voice. He smiled suddenly. "It seems to me, that whenever my sons and Legolas get together, trouble always manages to find and follow them. Or is it just me that has noticed that?"

"No, I know what you mean," Erestor agreed, nodding. "Those three always cause mischief when they're together."

"I shall never forget the mayhem they caused that summer when Legolas stayed here," Glorfindel remembered aloud. "That was one of the most eventful Summers Rivendell had ever seen."

The three of them laughed together. "Well, we had better get started with the preparations," Elrond said. "Glorfindel, you get a small patrol sorted to go into the Pass to help things along a little, and just check with the stable hands that there will be enough room for all the horses. Erestor, started getting rooms free near the Healing Ward so that the injured that don't need to actually sleep in there will have rooms, and that there are enough for the uninjured. I'll go and get the Healers prepared and rooms made available. Let's get to it."

"Well he's certainly better," Erestor muttered to Glorfindel as they followed Elrond out of his study.

Glorfindel nodded in agreement. "I see what you mean. Back to his old, bossy self."

"I heard that."

Glorfindel and Erestor grinned, then got on with their appointed duties.

Ah, another chapter done. Good-o! See y'all next time.

Faerlain