I don't know if I should be happy school's underway... but maybe i'll have some time to write a bit more now that it is. Anyway, I'm obviously back, and I promise that--short of computer meltdown--I will have the next Among the Brambles chapter up pretty darn soon--tonight, at the latest.
Thanks to everyone for the great reviews--it was wonderful to check my e-mail and find fifty-odd reviews had gathered--and not a single flame!
radbooks: I'm really glad you like it! Sometimes I wonder if I'm not a bit too subtle about things, so when a reader mentions liking that particular part, I get perhaps overly excited about it.
RiRiana: I'm afraid her lack of memory is where most of the story comes in. There will probably be one or two chapters beyond her remembering, but that's it.
angel13: How in the world did you do that? Oh. Wait. Annonymous reviews can be repeated. Okay.
xkuroxshinobix: angel13 had reviewed three times for the eighth, I think, and about seven times for the ninth. Sorry if that lumping was confusing.
Crecy: Well, it wasn't anywhere in the range of soon, but the next chapter will be.
flaming-amber: I usually don't put it down like that, but when I reread it it sounds like he's being closer to her than he should, than a friend or uncle would... so I change it. I get complaints about that for The Worry Stone, too. What makes you think they're antagonistic? Or do you mean where Legolas forces Irithil to stand down??
The Hobbit Ivy: Yeah, it was. I had to smile when I read your review, thinking of what I'd written. Think you can do it again?
Katme: The 'Sleep well, my love,' is a very intimate moment, and one of the few things she has remembered without any hesitation about her past lover. She isn't going to share that really quickly, even with the dearest of friends. To do so would sort of lessen it, weaken it, make it seem less important than she feels it is. As for the way I write... it's just the way I write. And I do reread it, usually upwards of five times before posting... though I still miss some words from time to time. Annoying, really.
LJP: LOL. Thanks! My characters run away with me rather often. They just won't shut up! I may have something planned, but then they start talking, and it's out the window or pushed back!
The Luckiest: Thank you! The luckiest what, if you don't mind?
IvannethFuin: Well, I'm glad you enjoy him... somehow, that just sounds weird.
Animir: Yup, got flamed. I know what you mean, there are some where I almost have to keep myself nice in a review. Like: 'okay, good use of such and such, but you forgot a little thing called a plot, but the dialog is really good and engaging'... and even then I usually feel guilty for some way I worded it. I guess I'm just nice... or something.
Elven at Heart: You are definately forgiven... considering I've had almost no time on-line in the last month and a half. Obviously, no time to post. As from now on, though, unless some disaster happens, I'll be posting once a week again, probably on Thursdays or Fridays.
Lucylambchops: Yup. It just goes on and on...
Chapter 10
"Lunian? Lunian, are you listening?"
"What?"
"No."
A long sigh brought Lunian back to the room, blinking a few times to focus on it properly. "What is it, Cara?" she asked softly.
"You were not listening to me."
"I would say I'm sorry… but you'll have to excuse me for a moment." She got up quickly, following the warm tingle in her mind to a small clearing in the wood. She paused for a moment to watch him, and considered interrupting, but waited instead.
He finished the routine he was going through and turned to her, his head tilted slightly to one side. "What is it?" he asked, some concern showing in his eyes for a moment before they returned to perfectly enigmatic.
"I was always told Arwen loved Aragorn."
"She did. She died because of it."
"Then why do I see a she-elf that must be Arwen—for I have never seen her like in radiance—standing in a garden with the human Estel, rather than Aragorn? I hear them declare their love, and yet…" She shook her head in some confusion, looking up to find a pair of sparkling eyes fastened laughingly upon her. "What?"
"Estel was Aragorn's elven name while he lived in Imladris, Milady."
Her eyes widened, and she quickly sat down, crossing her legs beneath her. "Then I did know them?"
"I would think that you could answer that well enough on your own, Lunian." He sheathed the double daggers on his back.
She smiled absently, recalling every little bit of memory that had the two unusual loves in it. "He was so… I loved him."
"You were as siblings," he murmured, sitting beside her. "Have you recalled anything else?"
She frowned, focusing on her hands, watching as the fingers of her right hand played with her left thumb nail. "A voice… words… feelings…" She shook her head. "It never feels unfamiliar, and yet I cannot place it."
"And do not wish to share," he stated softly.
She shook her head again. "It's too… close." She looked up at him. "I realize we must have been quite close, but I… need to work this out alone, I think."
He nodded slightly. "You should trust what your heart tells you," he agreed. "Come to spar?"
"I would," she murmured, looking at the daggers with a raised brow. "But you have not yet let me graduate from the sword, I am in a dress, and I was rather rude leaving the room to ask you about Estel and Arwen."
"Surely your friends do not mind," he frowned. "After all, it is not something you can halt without doing yourself harm."
She offered him a faint smile. "They do not mind… but neither do they understand." She shook herself and got to her knees, leaning slightly to him to kiss his cheek. "Save me a place at the feast?"
"As you wish," he murmured, giving her a faint smile.
She felt him watch her for a while, and then sensed him begin moving once more.
"May I ask what that sweet smile is for, my lady? I would be honored to know it was my return that had something to do with it, but I must guess it unlikely, as you looked leagues away."
She frowned faintly, turning to see a tall, blond elf with bright blue eyes. She drew in a breath, and considered his words. "I was smiling with the thought of a dear friend, my lord," she murmured, bowing her head slightly, "and I must admit I do not recall you being here before."
"Lady Lunian, I am hurt," he cried, putting one hand to his chest. "You have forgotten me?"
"It would seem I have forgotten much. But this, perhaps, can be cleared up. Your name, my lord?"
"Tanthien," he bowed his head slightly to her. "It has been many years since we were first introduced. As you were quite young, it is no small wonder you have misplaced your memories of me."
She smiled slightly. "Well, it was nice to meet you again, lord Tanthien, but—"
"But you have somewhere else to be right now?" he asked dryly. "I know when I'm being brushed off," he finished.
"I was on my way to a friend's chamber when you approached me," she murmured, a bit irked that he didn't accept it graciously.
"With all respect, Lady, you approached me."
"And entirely unaware of your presence, as you said yourself. I really must go. I left somewhat abruptly and have an explanation to give, along with an apology."
"Then would you at least grace me with your presence this evening?"
"I shall be there, but my place is already held."
"And you cannot leave it for a few minutes to speak with another?"
"I have much on my mind right now, Lord Tanthien, and I am afraid it consumes much of my time."
"It sounds as if you need something to take your mind off of whatever troubles you," he mused. "Come riding with me in the morning, then. It has been a while since I have ridden through this part of the wood. Your company would make it all the more pleasant to rediscover."
Lunian hesitated for a moment, and then decided it would be the quickest way to get back to Carathwan. "Very well. We will meet at the stables at first light, then."
"Wonderful," he smiled, bowing his head slightly. "And lady? My name is Tanthien, and it is enough for me."
She inclined her head slightly and continued on her way back to Carathwan's room. "I am sorry, Cara," she murmured, feeling her friend's annoyance even before she entered the room
"What was that all about, anyway?"
"I had to speak with Legolas… find out if something I was remembering was really real."
"Oh? What was it?"
"Arwen and Aragorn," she murmured, smiling slightly as she recalled the tender looks in both light blue-grey pairs of eyes. "They were indeed deeply in love."