XXII

The maiden felt her legs go weak as her eyes took in the sight spread out before her. Smoke rose lazily from the smouldering ruins of ashes that was her home, mocking, taunting.

Her heart dropped and her eyes filled with tears of rage, rendering her incapacitated. She finally took a tentative step towards the ruins, swaying as she moved.

A long spear that stood ramrod straight amid the rubble was discerned. A gut-wrenching scream escaped the maiden's lips as her eyes fixed upon that of her father. The horror in them still inherent, even though the life had been drained out of them long before.

Legs gave way and the maiden lunged forward. Strong arms wrapped around her limp form. While still conscious, the extreme grief come to her threatened to overwhelm her completely.

She could neither find the voice nor the tears. Her body so depleted by the spectacle in front that Yuvinel could not find the strength to cry or speak. Her eyes were half-opened, staring at the canopy of trees, yet not taking in the sight. Her face was pallid, totally devoid of colour.

Soft, comforting words were spoken but not registered. Mechanically, she turned around, soundlessly pressing her face into the hard chest of the Elf.

The arms maintained their hold, neither tightening nor releasing their grip, holding her upright, wrapped tightly around her frail body, a rock-solid dependence that Yuvinel felt she could count on.

The sobs then started, a dam broken loose, the pent-up grief breaking out. Huge, racking sobs and little moans escaped her lips as she cried deep into the bosom of the Elf. Light hands stroked her hair gently, words were spoken in a tongue she did not comprehend. Delicate and sorrowful, they found their way into her heart.

A wave of energy passed into her body, emanating from the Elf, filling her stone-cold limbs with intoxicating warmness. Tense muscles started to relax. The pulses came and went, each bringing about more relief. The maiden felt her sobs soften and eyelids grow heavy. The sleep that came over her then was welcome, as she gave herself in completely to its healing power.

Esendri watched his master gently lay down the girl. His actions were slow and deliberate, afraid of awakening her. He saw tears in the eyes of his master, as it was with his own. The prince lay down his cloak on the ground, and he placed the girl upon it. He motioned for his servant, and Esendri walked over, placing his own cloak over the cold body of the maiden.

Yuvinel was in an enchanted sleep now, brought about by the Elf's magic. The two Elves stood and watched the maiden as she slept, thoughts racing through their confused heads.

Meanwhile, Glorfindel started towards the spear. He saw and recognised the magic being employed by his young friend, and was deeply impressed and concerned. His thoughts dwelt on the way the air around the prince filled with a sense of warmth and calmness. In all his years of experience, he had not seen such powerful magic except that of the Lord Elrond himself. The ability to heal was so strong in the prince that the Elflord felt very afraid. The raw potential of the rawest form was chilling.

For the ability to comfort always went in hand with the ability to destroy. It was indeed dangerous for one to have so much magic, for paradoxically, good and evil can never be separated. He wondered anew at whether anyone else had felt this way about the prince. It was clear that Thranduil himself was unaware of his son's powers.

Glorfindel shuddered as he removed the head from the stake at which it had been impaled on. He set it reverentially on the ground, wrapping it carefully in a piece of cloth.

All the while, his thoughts remained on the prince and his servant. They clearly did not realise what they were both capable of doing. Their eyes had not been opened to the potential of the magic. It was clear to Glorfindel that the servant shared the same powers as well, for he had seen the brief linking between the two souls as the magic took its effect.

This worried him greatly, for such power could easily be manipulated by evil forces. The Lord Elrond had to see to it that the two young Elves were given proper guidance.

His mind cleared, having made a decision. Taking up a fallen sword, he started to dig in the soft earth. It yielded readily.

Esendri looked at his Master meaningfully. The prince caught his look, and they moved out of earshot of the maiden.

"Master, what are we to do?" he spoke in the language of the Silvan Elves, one that few still understood.

Legolas looked up into the trees, "The blame is entirely mine. Never should I have let her set eyes upon this scene!"

"Hush! Do not reproach yourself! The fault was not yours, for it is a matter of time ere she make this discovery!" his eyes drifted to the maiden and back to his Master, a curious light in them.

"You speak the truth, Esendri, I can not dispute that. Yet, my heart weeps for the maiden!"

"Master, a warning about the maiden. She is of the race of Man. They form attachments easily, their emotions easily swayed. You treat her too much like one of our kindred. Your gestures would surely have undesirable effects!"

Legolas looked up sharply and grimaced. He had not given much thought to the matter. He had treated Yuvinel as he would have an Elf maiden. Which was clearly, on hindsight, a mistake.

"Your magic has been employed on her. That, we have never done before, and unaware of its effects, we are. Surely this would have crossed your mind!" the servant continued his rebuke.

The slight look of panic that crept into his master's face answered the question he had. Esendri sighed. Yet he could feel the corners of his mouth twitching, however, as he viewed the slightly frantic Elf standing before him.

"Ai, Master! How many times have I warned you? For we are not used to dealings with Man! We cannot pretend to comprehend their thoughts, and the magic is, well, unpredictable!" his tone was resigned now, to the fact that past deeds could not be undone.

Legolas took on a pitiful look, all the while knowing that his servant spoke the truth. He winced as he contemplated the points being laid before him.

"Warned me about this, you should have!" a pathetic attempt was made to dismiss some of the attention upon himself.

"Had I the chance? Master, your impetuous nature must be checked! You mean well, that is true, but do try to give matters more thought! Do not assume you would always have me by your side. The day will come when you will be on your own!" seriousness escaped the mouth of one accustomed to coltish play, and it had an effect on the prince. Esendri clearly was not amused by matters, and he did not hesitate to let his master know of his reservations.

Glorfindel approached the two cautiously. They were having a debate, Esendri frowning as he rebuked his friend, Legolas looking every bit like the little child being reproached. He got the general idea of the argument, even if he did not understand the words that were being spoken.

The Elven prince looked up, glad for the distraction. He gave a small smile, one that had a hint of embarrassment.

"How now, my two young friends? Are we to stay and help the maiden?" Glorfindel enquired, acting as if he did not notice anything amiss.

Esendri did not speak, and instead awaited his master's reply respectfully.

"We should stay behind till the Lady Yuvinel has recovered from her grief and found a sanctuary," Legolas replied feelingly. He glanced at Esendri, waiting for an approval or debate.

"Do not view me such, Legolas, for you are the Master and the decision you make is the one I follow!" Esendri laughed, upon seeing his face.

Legolas let out a weak laugh himself, and turned towards Glorfindel. His faced cleared a little. "What do you think then, Glorfindel, for much wiser than the both of us put together, you are!"

"Do not overestimate my judgmental abilities!" the Elflord laughed. His face turned serious as he continued, " I fear we would encounter something evil on our way to the High Pass. I know not what it is, but it seems imperative that we not linger! I have made my reservations about helping the girl, and this would be the last time, for I respect your decision."

The fair face of the prince took on a determined slant as he studied the ashes that stood before them. His eyes shifted to the freshly dug pile of earth that was the final resting ground of the woodsman.

"It is not in my nature to abandon one in such need. My heart does not allow me to. Hurry we must, but not at her expense. We are ready to take on anything, Esendri and I. Take on full responsibility, I will, of what is to come of this!"

His tone was so polite yet final that Glorfindel did not pursue the matter further. He noted the stoic face of the servant, and saw that he was not alone in feeling uneasy about their involvement. Elves usually kept their dealings with other races to a minimum.

The conversation was finished then, a decision made.

The prince was the first to move, and he wandered off into the forest surrounding them, to give himself time to ponder the events, and to seek solace from the trees that he loved so much.

Esendri twitched a corner of his mouth at Glorfindel.

"Good job of the burial, by the way!" he chimed, irony heavy in his tone.

"Loads of practice, have I!" Glorfindel replied, his voice melancholic, eyes cast upon the ground.

A/N: Well, as promised, I've finally returned to our favourite Elven prince! Hope you like it, and please let me know how you find it!! I've just returned to college, and so might be slightly absent for a while, but since I was bored with unpacking, decided to upload the next chapter!

Gwyn - Your wish is fufilled..;)