Hey. Sorry this is a bit late. Every time I had a spare moment to get online all of the computers were taken with people scrambling to finish their papers.

That said, I'm extremely tired, so I'm only responded to direct and non-rhetorical questions right now, though I appreciated all of you guys leaving behind a comment.

Elven at Heart: Um, yes and no. No, the entire chapter is there as it should be, but yes, I guess you missed the subtle hint that their going to have jumped into bed to do more than sleep beterrn the last chapter and this one. I think this fic is considered pg-13, so I leave it to your imagination.

Faith Destroyer: Right now I'm reading HPs. :-) If I should come across one, I'll let you know.

Final little note: I have decided on a name for the sequel/side story about Carathwan & Glorfindel. It will be up either in two or three weeks, I think, and it will be called Trial by Fire.


Chapter 32

Elrond held up a weary hand. "Carathwan, please, child."

"But there must be something that can be done," she insisted, glaring at the lord.

"Carathwan, I have explained this to you," Glorfindel sighed, feeling like mimicking Elrond to rub his temples.

"But you didn't see her when she came back. She looked positively wretched!"

Elrohir spoke next, more used to dealing with young tempers. "She's here?"

"Yes. She returned annoyingly early yesterday."

"Why?"

"I don't know," she spoke slowly, glaring at him, "I was trying to rest."

"So you took one look at her and went back to sleep when she looked 'wretched'?" Glorfindel asked in astonishment.

She glared at him, now. "She wanted to be alone. Surely you can understand there are times when one wishes comfort, and times where only solitude can help?"

He sighed again, feeling ancient as he watched this fiery young elf. Wait, he was… Anger flared up within him. "And what are we to do?" he snapped, on his feet, ignoring the shocked looks he was getting from the young beings around him… young compared to what he could remember, at least. "If we interfere, they may do more than they are ready for and mess something important up!"

"What is all the shouting about?" Lenaith asked, coming in quietly.

Glorfindel snorted and turned away.

Elladan was grinning at him.

For some reason, he felt like kicking the son of Elrond.

"Carathwan is worried about Lunian," Elrohir sighed.

Lenaith frowned. "That doesn't explain why anyone is yelling. I worry about her, too."

"There is nothing we can do about it, and we're trying to keep her from doing something that they'll regret for all eternity."

The door opened again. "Wow. A lot of energy is being spent on negative emotions in here. Calm down, Glorfindel, whatever it is can't be that bad. Cara, what could possibly have you so upset?"

Carathwan stared at the elf before her. "Lunian?"

"Who else?" she laughed in confusion.

"But… I saw you yesterday… you…"

"Oh," Lunian grimaced. "Looked on the edge of a total breakdown, I suspect. I'm perfectly fine now, Cara. Now… what's got everyone so upset?"

"Lunian?"

"What, Father?"

He stared at her silver-blue, green-flecked eyes, and frowned. "You… seem somewhat different."

"I don't know how," she murmured softly, before shrugging. "Good evening, Grandfather," she murmured, moving to kiss his cheek. She straightened, looking over his shoulder at some of the books behind him. "Could I borrow a few books? I never got to finish a couple of them. Drove me crazy for years that I hadn't had a chance."

"Of course… Elrohir is quite right, young one. There is something… different about you."

She lifted a brow, her eyes sparkling curiously. "What?"

"It's hard to explain… you seem more… vital." He frowned, getting up to tilt her chin up. "There is no turmoil within you," he murmured, letting go.

She laughed softly. "I would hardly say that. To be without turmoil is to be without reason for life," she murmured, ducking behind his annoyingly large chair to reach for the books.

The elves shared a collective look of astonished confusion, but before anyone could find something intelligent… or at least passably intelligent to say, the door opened once more.

Elrond sighed, reaching up to rub his temples again. He really needed to remember to lock that door when in the midst of things. "What is it?" he sighed, not looking up.

"Sorry to intrude, Lord Elrond," a familiar voice murmured softly, bringing his head up. Legolas lifted his head from the slight bow, stunning all present. His eyes…

Elrond laughed, startling most of the elves around him as he sank back into his chair. "So you have finally reclaimed your princess," he chuckled.

Legolas inclined his head slightly, one brow lifted for the elder's humor. "That I have. Love?"

Lunian came around Elrond's chair with a few books, before frowning at those around them. "What is wrong with all of you?" she asked in confusion laced exasperation. When there was no answer, she rolled her eyes and moved to Legolas's side. "I was reading these when everyone went west, so I never got to finish them."

The prince smiled tenderly at her, cupping her cheek in his hand before lifting it to tuck her hair behind her ear, which tinged red as he continued to watch her. He chuckled softly, making the color darken even and sweep down her cheeks as she was drawn forward. He rested his forehead against hers for a long moment before kissing her gently. His bright eyes were lit with such life it was stunning for those around the couple to see, showing them how little he had been living without her. "Come, my love. You haven't eaten in a few days."

"You are insatiable," she murmured, before smiling, a small, secretive smile that was instantly echoed on the lips not far from her own. She tilted, catching one more kiss before heading to the door, one hand holding the books to her side, the other slipping around his waist as his followed, slipping the books from her to carry himself before pulling her tighter to his side.

Once the doors closed behind them, the others stared for a long moment, before glancing at each other. Elrohir ran his hands through his hair. "He told me, and I didn't listen," he finally murmured.

"Told you?" Lenaith asked quietly.

"That she was already his. When he first saw her here, he told me that he would let her have her childhood… but she was his."

"He was quite right," Elrond murmured. "They are unusually demonstrative in their affection," he mused.

Elladan shrugged. "She was mortal. They had to get in what they could before she died."

Carathwan looked between them for a long moment. "Why were his eyes so different?"

"That's how they were before he came west," Elrohir explained quietly. "They darkened fractionally once he realized he loved her. I expect they brightened once she turned to him in love."

"They did indeed," a solemn voice murmured.

Elrond mentally rolled his eyes. Anyone else want to join in? Galadriel? Celebrian? Celeborn? Lunian's other grandfather or great-grandparents? Some wandering servant? He sighed, then forced a congenial look onto his face. After all… he was now family to the King of Mirkwood. "Thranduil," he murmured cordially. "What brings you here?"

"My son's abrupt return here, of course. I assumed it meant what it appears to have meant. She has remembered him."

Elrond smiled ever so slightly. "That she has. And their souls are finally at peace, complete with one another. If that will be all?" he asked, looking around the group who had come in at various stages of Carathwan's argument… which had come in the midst of a calming discussion that had been going on between his sons and Glorfindel. And orcs could fly, he muttered mentally, even as he lifted a hand to his temple once more.

"Not entirely," Thranduil murmured. "There is the small matter of introducing Lady Lunian as the princess of Eryn Lasgalen."

Elrond nearly growled in frustration. As the head of her household, it was up to him to prepare it. He did sigh, and nodded. "With those two already so used to each other, things will become apparent soon enough… so let's plan for tomorrow," he sighed once more.

Thranduil's amusement was nearly tangible. "One look at their eyes should be enough," he murmured, inclining his head ever so slightly before taking his leave.

Elrond sighed once more.