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Chapter Two: Fortnight in Imladris

Elena

The first thing I was aware of was the air I was breathing. It smelled of the forest and wild flowers. It was cleaner though, than any air I had ever inhaled. I felt the presence of someone near me and chose to ignore it for the time being. I wanted to enjoy the soft feel of the bed. Slowly I opened my eyes to stare at the ceiling and the intricately carved beams. Slowly I turned my head to look upon the presence I felt.

"Good evening Elena." The elderly woman said. I slowly sat up in the bed. I felt a small wave of dizziness that soon passed. She was speaking in an odd language, but I understood her.

"Where am I?" I asked her already kind of having some sort of idea.

"You are in Imladris, the realm of the Lord Elrond. My name is Gilraen." she spoke softly careful not to make me feel threatened.

I instinctively pinched myself for good measure. It hurt. I looked back at her and she smiled even more. I couldn't help but smile at her. There was then a quiet knock at the door. Gilraen carefully answered it. She talked quietly with someone for a moment and then shut the door. I didn't catch any of the conversation and looked at her curiously.

"The lord Elrond wishes to speak with you before the evening meal. Let us get you dressed shall we." Gilraen said pointing to a dress that had been laid out for me. I got out of the bed and made my way to the dress.

"Lord Elrond is half-elven." I murmured and received a small smile and nod from Gilraen. "You are Aragorn's mother?" I questioned she smiled again as reply.

As I dressed I noticed that the clothing was of a simple modest design. It was gray and fit rather nicely. The fabric was heavy and no doubt for durability. Even in its simple design it was still beautiful to me. I was beginning to feel a little odd and Gilraen took notice of it. "It is nothing. I think I am just a little nervous." I said weakly. I didn't know what was wrong with me. Gilraen only frowned.

"Come child I shall escort you." Gilraen said as I finished making myself presentable.

As we walked down the corridors I did begin to feel nervous. I took no notice of anything around me as I was so lost in my thoughts. Suddenly all the things that had happened leading up to this point came back to me in full force. I stopped dead in my tracks.

"There is nothing to fear from the elves my dear. They are compassionate and wise. Come along now let us not keep them waiting." Gilraen said. I started walking again and not far stopped in front of a door. "All will be well child." Gilraen murmured as she knocked on the door. I steeled myself as a muffled response came and she opened the door and led me in.

I gasped when I saw the familiar figures within the room. They were just like figures I had seen in my dreams. The only difference being the soft glow about them and their eyes. Their eyes where unlike any I had every seen. I finally let out the breath that I was holding as Gilraen led me to a chair and I sat down. Elrond nodded to Gilraen and she left. I felt like sprinting after her but something inside me made my body freeze and I frowned slightly.

"Welcome to Imladris Elena, I am the lord Elrond and this is Glorfindel, he brought you here from the ford." Elrond spoke and I only nodded still not finding my voice. "I know that you have no doubt had quiet an experience Elena, however we would be the most help to you if you could perhaps tell us all that you remember." he finished, handing me a cup of water. I took a sip and closed my eyes.

"An elderly man. Mithrandir, appeared out of nowhere. He told me to take his hand. I did, he led me into darkness. I had to make a choice. Darkness or light. I chose the light. He grabbed both of my hands, I felt like I was spinning all over the place. There was whit everywhere. I heard voices unlike any I have ever heard before. Warmth spread through me. Then I lost my senses. I woke up here." I finished not realizing that I was starring off at nothing. I then looked to the elves and their faces where impassive.

"Mithrandir delivered you to me at the ford." Glorfindel said.

"Elena do you feel any different than you did before all of this occurred?" Elrond asked and I didn't miss the glance he gave Glorfindel.

"A little, it is odd. It is as if something else in within me. I cannot explain it." I said shaking my head clear. Elrond again glanced to Glorfindel and they apparently came to some silent agreement.

"Then let us dine together, for I am sure you are hungry. We will discuss this more tomorrow. Tonight just enjoy yourself my dear." Elrond said and I nodded.

Glorfindel then walked towards me. "Allow me to escort you." he said offering me his arm. I took it and he lead me from the study.

Glorfindel

I escorted Elena to the evening meal. I took the time to observe her. I noticed she was like a curious child as I guided her she took in all that she saw. For brief moments I would see grief cast a shadow in her eyes. She was oblivious to my observations. There would only be a few dining tonight as most were out patrolling. I was thankful for that for I feared we would overwhelm her.

I led her to a seat and continued to observe her. She remained oblivious to all around her and I smiled softly to myself. The grief lingered and I felt as if it was the grief that could have taken any elf to the halls of Mandros. The twins were seated across from us talking to themselves quietly while observing Elena. Elladan cast me a glance telling me that he saw her grief as well. Elrond then entered with Erestor and took their seats.

"Elena allow me to introduce to you my sons, Elladan and Elrohir. This is my advisor Erestor." Elrond said. I watched as she greeted each of them with a smile. She was a quite women. She was now observing the twins no doubt trying to find the differences between them. She then turned to me.

"Is the only way to tell them apart their personalities?" she asked me quietly.

I smiled at her guessing it to be the only thing, "Yes it is, but as time wares on it will become easier for you." I told her. She nodded and turned back to her plate. She was listening to the music being played. I could tell she was concentrating on it. I smiled when the twins began to pull her into a conversation. Soon she was completely involved in it and I turned to Elrond.

"She has much grief." I told him.

"I see that, we shall have to remedy that though I fear it will not all leave her." Elrond said observing her talking to his sons.

"Does she feel them?" I asked

"Yes she feels them though she does not think it is what it is. I believe that also has to do with her grief. I think tomorrow we should tell her my friend." Elrond said.

"Do you not think we should wait until she is settled, wouldn't it alarm her a little?" I asked. I was becoming a little irritated.

"We shall see what the marrow brings. She looks tiered." Elrond said. I looked to her and saw she did indeed. When the conversation between her and the twins finished I looked to her.

"Elena you look tired would you like me to show you to your chambers?" I asked softly and she nodded. I escorted her down the hall. I saw that she was observing the corridors and smiled, "Perhaps tomorrow you would like a tour?" I asked her. She beamed.

"That would be lovely thank you!" I smiled more, just like a child. I had her to her chambers and bid her to sleep well and returned to the hall. Once sat down the conversation began on Elena.

"Adar there is much grief in her. It flashes in her eyes." Elrohir was speaking.

"I saw that. It is upon you, your brother and Glorfindel to rid her of it." Elrond said. I looked to him and he gave me the look as to challenge him. I just conceded and nodded to him.

"Does she know of the children?" Elladan then asked. Elrond shook his head.

"Mention it not, Glorfindel or I shall at the appropriate time." Elrond said. "Erestor, I wish you to teach her Sindarin in your spare moments. I want her occupied most of the time so she does not dwell on her grief." Elrond said I did not miss the twins smile at each other, neither did Elrond and hastened to say, "In a civil fashion." casting his glace on the twins and their smirks faded immediately.

"Do we know anymore of her?" Erestor then asked having been informed of her by the twins.

"I believe that she has been where few ever have. I fear to say much yet for I am not sure but I believe that she was brought here by the Valar themselves, or so it sounded to me." Elrond then looked to me for conformation and I merely nodded. That was the impression I got as well. Elrond continued, "Keep her busy and observe her. It is important she stay well as well as her children. Mithrandir shall be here soon and hopefully will be able to enlighten us.

The twins and Erestor left and I looked to Elrond, "There is something that has been plaguing my mind. If we feel the children as we do, what will it be like for her for I feel their power growing stronger."

"She is of men, therefore not as sensitive as we are, however I fear as their power grows she will notice it. I do not know what will happen to her though. Observe her carefully Glorfindel as will I." Elrond responded. I had a fear that it would be to much for her to bear. I understood his logic and at the same time it worried me even more.

"Elrond then does it not work the other way. If she is of the race of man, weaker in strength, would it not be hard for her to bear such?" I asked Elrond only looked at me with a frown. He understood my point.

"There is nothing we can do now, that may be why she was left among us instead of men though. I am sure all will be answered soon." Elrond said I nodded to him and took my leave. I had the aching suspicion that tomorrow was going to be challenging. Indeed it would probably remain so until Mithrandir arrived.

Elrond

I was sitting watching as Glorfindel paced the floor of my study. The morning was cheerful so far and my sons were entertaining Elena for the time being. "Glorfindel stop your pacing and speak." I commanded of him. He looked at me then opened the door to reveal my sons. Elladan looked as if he would faint as his brother held him. "What has happened?" I commanded.

"Adar forgive the intrusion but we were walking in the gardens and Elena doubled over in pain it seemed. Elladan instinctively helped her but it took all of his energy. Elena is well now however." Elrohir stated sitting his brother down. I walked to Elladan. He was fine he just needed rest.

"What did you feel?" Glorfindel voiced my question for me. Elladan looked up.

"I knew it was the children. I placed my hands upon her and felt their power. I spoke to them calming them, telling them their mother was in pain. It took all I had to stay conscious through it. They calmed and Elena was fine. I sat down in the corridor and Elrohir took her to her chambers to rest, then retrieved me. We must tell her what is going on." Elladan finished. I looked to Glorfindel and he nodded.

"When she is rested I want her brought here, if this incident should happen again I want you to find me and I will deal with it." I finished and Elrohir helped Elladan to his chambers.

"I am going to check on Elena." Glorfindel said and left me.

I sat pondering this development for a few minutes. If they could do that to Elladan at two days what will happen before Mithrandir returned was any souls guess. Their had to be a way for Elena to handle it. I was thinking what could possibly be done about it when there was a knock. Glorfindel entered with Elena.

"How do you feel, you are well I hope." I asked her, she nodded.

"I am so sorry if I hurt Elladan, I don't know what came over me…" Elena was saying and I stopped her with a wave of my hand.

"Elena I assure you that Elladan is well. I need to know what you felt though." I told her. Glorfindel had taken his spot by the window.

"I felt this energy, there was a sudden warmth. And soon it was fallowed by a coolness, like they were battling the within me. It slowly progressed until it started to hurt." Elena said a little teary eyed. I knew she felt guilt and that was the cause of the tears, I also saw her confusion and decided to wait on telling her what was causing it till later. No doubt it would only confuse her more.

"Elena do you think you could channel that energy and direct it elsewhere?" I asked her. Glorfindel looked at me like I was alien to him. I disregarded him.

"I do not know, I guess I could try. What is it?" Elena asked me.

Without missing a beat I answered her, "I am not sure Elena but I am sure that it will be revealed in time." I felt Glorfindel glare at my back but ignored it. Elena moved to get up and stopped suddenly, her face paled. I looked to Glorfindel to stop him from going to her. "Elena close your eyes and concentrate. Find where the energy is and move it to your hands." I was telling her. Glorfindel seeing where this might lead opened the window. Elena was frowning then she smiled. "Open your eyes Elena and look to the window to release it." I told her.

She carefully opened her eyes and looked out the window. Glorfindel moved out of the way. "Now Elena do not lose your concentration and release it." I encouraged her. She did as I told her and I watched as a small burst of flame flew from her right hand soon fallowed by what looked like a bucket amount of water from her left flying out the window. "Now how do you feel?" I asked her.

"I feel much better a little tired but I think that was from concentrating so hard." Elena told me. I smiled then I heard a chuckle from Glorfindel and looked at him quizzically.

"It appears as if your advisor will need to be consoled." Glorfindel said. I approached the window to see Erestor holding a charred scroll and a soaked tunic cursing my sons. I was hard pressed not to laugh.

"Oh dear, I am so sorry, forgive me." Elena started saying I smiled at her.

"Do not fear, Erestor has had worse fall upon him." Glorfindel said.

"Indeed, I shall probably just blame it on my sons when he asks anyway, that is what he would expect." I told her and laughed a little. She finally approached and looked out the window. I watched as she tried hard not to laugh and was failing horribly.

"May the Valar help us when the twins discover your new talent my lady." Glorfindel then said. I agreed, but at least I would not have elves passing out all over Imladris.