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Chapter Seven: Assaults

March 28, TA 3019

Elena

There has been three assaults on Lothlorien, the city that I now love. I stand now, watching the destruction of Dol Guldur. My beloved children are in the midst of it all. I had to make the choice of being here or traveling into the world of men. I chose to stay with my children but it is only prolonging the inevitable. Celeborn stands next to me in all of his glory, overseeing the events below. The only thing I was interested in was my children, now full grown into the beautiful women that they are.

The decision that I made was made out of fear. A fear for the White City. More than that was the fear I had if something should befall my children. I watch now as Naurwen uses her talents to set forth large balls of flame into the oncoming orcs. Standing next to her is her sister, Nenwen using her talents with water to prevent any of the fire spreading into the surrounding forest. They were beautiful to watch. Not being able to see them from the distance, I knew that their eyes were dancing. Naurwen's would have turned from the light brown to almost a gold and Nenwen's would have turned to the blue that is the depths of the ocean.

It was a carefully planned attack. Thranduil would be to the north pushing the enemies right toward us. The Galadhrim would stay here protecting their lady while she cleansed the woods. They were also protecting my children below and fighting the ever numerous amount of orc. I watched, keeping close eyes on my children, dreading what would happen if they distanced themselves from each other to much.

"They are doing well Elena, you should be proud." Celeborn then said to me with a comforting hand placed on my shoulder.

I spared him a glance and smiled, "I am my lord, I just wish it was over."

As the hours wore on I noticed my children becoming more and more separated. Celeborn was watching as well. Then I saw what I most dreaded. I watched in mounting horror as Naurwen collapsed upon the ground. She was closely fallowed by Nenwen. I looked to Celeborn who was already speaking with one of his elves. The expression on my face had to have been mirrored in his when he looked to me.

My first instinct was to run headlong into the battle and save my children, but Celeborn stopped me before I had the chance. I watched as he became distant from the situation no doubt seeking The Lady in his mind. I turned my gaze back to the battle field before me. I felt the hot tears burning down my face as the orcs surrounded my beloved children. The only thing between them and their goal where a handful of the Galadhrim.

It was then that Haldir and his wardens set upon the orcs. I did not see what direction they had come from and didn't care. I was only happy that they where there. My heart finally started beating again when Rumli and Orophin pulled my children away from the battle. I noticed right away that they had both regained their consciousness.

"I will have them rest for the remainder of the day Elena, go now and see to them." Celeborn said and released the reins of my mare that he had hold of. I did not have to be told twice and sped off to my daughters. When I arrived at the tent the wardens had placed them in, they were already sleeping peacefully. I released tears of joy over them.

I must have been there for sometime for nightfall had come. Galadriel was now sitting with me. I cursed myself for not noticing her presence. "Forgive me, my lady. I.." She stopped me by razing a hand.

"There is no need for apology Elena." Galadriel commented and then stood up to walk toward me, "Do not doubt your presence here, you have made a good decision."

"I did nothing to help them." I said releasing a strangled sob.

"You doubt yourself Elena, you were more than needed here. If not for you, this very moment would be quite different. You are on the right path Elena, I only hope you stay there." Galadriel finished and turned to leave. I nodded my head and pondered her words. It was always a hopeless venture to do so. Apparently she thought I would change my path and did not approve of it. But there was no point in dwelling on it. It would all be revealed in time.

April 6, TA 3019

Galadriel

Mirkwood is now on the path to returning to its former glory. I wait beside Celeborn for the king of this realm. Behind me stands Elena and her daughters. Meeting Thranduil was weighing heavily on all their minds. Naurwen and Nenwen where excited as children while Elena was a little reluctant to meet him. I could understand her reasoning.

I knew that Legolas had told his father long ago that he had two foster daughters. But he had told him little else. I told them all to wait for Celeborn to introduce them. There was no doubt in my mind that Thranduil would be shocked upon seeing the resemblance the children had to his son. Though I knew he would accept them, I also knew it would probably not be anytime in the near future.

I looked to my love as Thranduil approached. He smiled, no doubt looking forward to the mighty King's discomfort at the approaching situation. Once he finished his approach we exchanged the pleasantries and Celeborn smiled, "Thranduil I would now present to you the reason we succeeded. This is Naurwen and Nenwen, your son's foster daughters, and their mother, Elena." I watched as they all greeted Thranduil with the respect deserved by one of his station.

Thranduil studied them for a long moment. He took notice of his son's foster daughters resemblance to their mother. Then he began marking all the similarities they had with his son. It was then he closed his mind to me and narrowed his eyes. I could feel Elena growing more nervous as the silence lengthened.

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you all, my son has ever spoken fondly upon you. Though I say you look more to likeness of him than foster children should." He looked pointedly at Elena keeping his features neutral. Elena then looked to me. I smiled reassuringly at her.

"Forgive me my lord, but there is much I must tell you. I assure you though that all is not what it seems." Elena exhaled a breath. She still looked shaken and I smiled again at her.

"Indeed." Thranduil then said crossing his arms over his chest.

"Perhaps we should seek more pleasant surroundings than that of a battle field to discuss this further?" I then questioned. Thranduil smiled at me and we fallowed him to his encampment.

Once we were all seated, and enjoying a meal the discussion began. "So who cares to explain all of this to me, for surely my son would not have been seduced by a mere mortal." Thranduil stated casting a glare in Elena's direction. The twins made to speak on their mother's behalf but I silenced them.

Elena was casting a glare of her own, "Perhaps I would be more willing to discuss this my lord if I was not being asked a question and being insulted in the same sentence. But since I doubt that will be happening in a conversation with you perhaps I shall leave it to my lady."

Celeborn was holding his mirth in and I hastened to speak before a fight broke, "What she means to say Thranduil is that she has been blessed with immortality by the Valar. Now I will address each of your questions."

"Then why is it she has been blessed such, surely it is not her manners?" Thranduil said. Elena was about to speak and I silenced her with a look.

"She was chosen by them to bear two children, Naurwen and Nenwen, and as part of their plan was blessed such as well as her children."

"I see and they look like my son because?" Thranduil said with his eyes still narrowed.

"Because before the children were born, and because they were fatherless, they had to chose a father. As a result of choosing your son they took on some of his appearances." I told him. He was still keeping his mind closed to me, however his looked softened.

"And the purpose of all of this?"

"It is not clear, the children where to learn all they could from the Eldar before they all leave these shores, more than that is unknown to me." I told him, thought there was indeed more I did not feel like disclosing all of this information to him.

Thranduil then looked to the twins, "You are both welcome here, I trust my son's judgment in the matter." The twins both raised an eyebrow to him.

"And our mother is not?" Naurwen said. I decided to keep silent in this discussion.

Thranduil smirked at Elena, "If she learns to hold her tongue than yes she is welcome."

It was then Nenwen spoke, "I see no reason why she should hold her tongue when provoked, I would not, nor anyone here." Celeborn was still holding his mirth as was I now.

"In that I would agree, but would you not also agree that people should act to their station accordingly?" Thranduil asked of her narrowing his eyes.

"That they should, and I believe my mother has done so my lord, she may not be monarch over a kingdom, but she deserves the same respect." Nenwen said with the charming smile she used when she wanted something.

"Indeed, I agree with my sister. One thing is curious to me however. Our father has ever spoken highly of you, yet I have not seen any of the things he spoke of." Naurwen then said. I could see her temper was fixing to break and it was then Celeborn let his mirth slip. Thranduil glared at him. Elena was smiling as well by that point.

"Has he, well what would you have me do hand over my kingdom to her?" Thranduil was then fuming.

"I would not want it my lord." Elena said still smiling

"And why not? Is it not good enough for you Elena? Tell me why is it my son has never spoken to me of you? Could it be because you were not even worth the breath to speak your name?" Thranduil said. It was then I knew things where fixing to get out of control. I looked to Celeborn and his mirth was lost in that moment. Both of us knew the feelings that dwelled between the two. The feelings that both denied each other.

Elena was the perfect mask of calm, though I knew that she was breaking inside. "I would not want your kingdom for the simple reason it was yours. As for your son not speaking of me, I could careless his reasoning. As for a waste of breath, that is every word that comes from your mouth directed at me. Everything you say to me means nothing, I care not your opinion of me, for to me it is dust in the wind. Now I will take my leave." She made her respectful goodnights and left the rest of us.

I looked to the twins and saw the faintest beginnings of their control slipping. Celeborn felt my warning. I spoke to Haldir in his mind and told him to look in on Elena. I turned to the twins and saw they were both glaring at Thranduil.

"My lord you have upset our mother, that is not a wise thing." Naurwen said.

"I will not tolerate such displays in my realm." Thranduil then said.

"Nor should you my lord, however I would be grateful, if I were you, she did not speak her mind." Nenwen then said

"I have no care what she thinks of me." Thranduil muttered. It was then his blocks opened to me and I saw that he actually rather liked Elena. I smiled at him and the block immediately was placed back up.

"Well you should for your son cares deeply for her." I then said. It came as a shock to Thranduil but no one else.

"I can see why, she has a fiery spirit." Thranduil stated. It was then that the twins began to calm their tempers.

"And mother cares just as deeply for him though neither of them will admit it." Naurwen then mumbled while taking a sip of her wine.

It was then that Thranduil smiled at the twins, "Come now, enjoy your meal, I mean your mother no ill will, I go now to offer an apology. I will not have your visit to your father's home be an uncomfortable one." With that said Thranduil went in search of Elena with an open mind. The twins then looked to me for an explanation.

"It appears that Legolas did speak of her. Thranduil wished to see what it was about her that drew his son's affection." I told them and they both smiled.

"Oh this should be fun then." Naurwen said exchanging a glance with her sister.

"May the Valar help us." My mate muttered under his breath. Both of us knew full well that the twins would put forth some amusing antics.