The Power of Love

Disclaimer: I own nothing of J.R.R. Tolkiens and in no way mean any disrespect towards him in the process of writing this story. All characters except those created by me belong wholly and fully to J.R.R. Tolkien.

A/N: Hey everyone! This chapter was done a bit ago but there was a mix up with me sending it to my beta. Sorry it took so long! The good thing is I already have another chapter all lined up for posting! As soon as I get a review for this chapter I'm posting Chapter 16! Please review!

Chapter 14: A new journey begun

Araviniel led her horse out of the stall and slid his bridle over his head. The horse swayed impatiently and Araviniel patted him on the muzzle. "Steady boy."

The beautiful white horse obeyed her and stood still.

After she had finished with the straps on his bridle she meandered over to her supplies. She slid her pack onto her back and positioned her bow and quiver over her shoulder. Araviniel strapped her sword to her waist and swung the rest of her bags over her horse, fastening the leather buckle under her horse's girth so the bags wouldn't slip. She never used a saddle.

When she was ready she mounted him swiftly and waited until the others had finished. She felt the power of the horse beneath her. His muscles moved under his coat and skin and she could feel his urge to ride.

When Legolas and Tatharion had mounted Silvegil opened the doors and they were all blasted with the cold wind and pelting rain. Silvegil hurriedly jumped on his black horse and together they all rode out into the night.

Legolas was leading the party to Mirkwood and then Araviniel would take over. This would be a rough ride.

As they followed each other in the dark Araviniel took some comfort to the fact that Sirdail was showing no fear. He charged on through the rain and the lightning completely undaunted. She didn't know how the others were fairing but she hoped they had horses as strong as hers.

It was hours later before they had reached the edge of the forest. By that time there wasn't a part of the travelers that wasn't soaked through. Araviniel and the rest were weary from the slow pace and the weather. When they broke free from the trees it all seemed to get worse, however. The trees provided shelter but now that they were out in the open the storm worsened.

Araviniel felt a sense of dread creep up on her from behind and it wasn't long before she was on edge and constantly looking behind her. Legolas was in the front with Tatharion behind him, and then came Araviniel and Silvegil When she looked back she noticed, to her surprise, Silvegil seemed hardly dazed by the storm.

Tatharion and Legolas were riding with their heads down, cloaks wrapped tightly around them. Legolas could hardly see ahead of him because of the heavy rain. Tree branches tumbled rashly around in the air, winging leaves into the faces of the travelers. Up ahead was the River Anduin that they would need to cross. For some reason Araviniel never remembered crossing it before except on the way back from Mirkwood. She must have been knocked out when she crossed it in the arms of her captors.

The sky was a grayish-purple-black and it was uncontrolled, unpredictable, unsafe, and treacherous. They traveling party was filled with anticipation and unease as the fear flowed through the group one elf at a time.

Silvegil, however, was not feeling the trepidation and dread that the others were sharing. He was not deterred or in any way afraid. He had seen worse in his life and had come to the point in his life where little could hinder him any more. Heart break and sadness had left him in a whirl of emotion and pain. After that stage he had hardened and moved on. That was the only way to keep on living. Not much could surprise or scare him now.

As their horses trudged on through the driving rain Silvegil must have noticed the fear in the eyes of Araviniel. He must have caught the frightened looks she threw behind her and the anticipation in her manner. He must have because she found herself suddenly close to him. He had hastened his horse so they were riding side by side and some how he began to speak. She heard him not out loud but more in her head. His words were a whisper clearly heard over the howling wind and they were the essence of comfort and strength.

"Don't be afraid Araviniel. The light of your soul overbears the dark of the storm. No evil can harm us in the company of each other."

Araviniel could have laughed at that statement. As sweet as it was it was hardly true to her. She felt as if her soul was being crushed under the weight of this journey and she knew for a fact that her relationship with half the elves here was less then civil. However, she did know that Silvegil somehow was genuine and comforting. She would take what she could get.

It was three days before the rain had stopped and they were safely across the river. They had only stopped briefly to rest their horses under the occasional stand of trees. Now that the sun was bright and hot they had halted their horses under a small grove of trees and sorely stretched their legs.

The talk amongst the travelers was few and scarce. Under the excuse that the storm was too loud to talk over they were at ease. Now that the weather had calmed talk became inevitable.

Legolas jumped off his grey horse and said simply, "We shall camp here. I shall take the first watch." He staggered of into the trees, climbing the nearest one and began to scan the horizon.

Down below Legolas, the rest of the group was changing into dry clothes. Araviniel stripped herself of her wet things, while standing on the other side of her horse, and changed into a simple brown tunic and light green leggings. When she emerged from behind her horse she found that the others were already changed. Tatharion was in a light green tunic and dark brown leggings and Silvegil was in a light blue tunic with pale cream leggings. All of them were wearing brown travel boots that were caked with dry mud.

Araviniel went off and began to gather firewood while Tatharion and Silvegil set up the rest of the camp. As she walked through the small grove she was pleased to find that the storm had knocked down a great deal of branches that were now dry. As she gathered them she tried to think of different excuses to stay away from the group. None came to mind.

When she returned she found, to her surprise, that most everything was set up and the horses were fed. She placed the firewood in the center of their camp ring and lit it with some flint. They all placed their wet clothes by the fire, hoping they would dry in time. There was nothing left to do but wait; wait and rest while they had the chance.

Araviniel pulled her bed role from over where her horse was to where she was sitting. She had wrapped it in a water repellent clothe and it was surprisingly dry even though they had been through so much water.

She laid it out and slid off her boots. Laying her head down, she tried to think of better times as she drifted off to the unknown land of sleep.

Legolas was sick. He wasn't sick physically, he was sick inside. There had never been a time in his life where he felt this lonely amongst friends. Then again, most of the elves here were less then friendly.

He looked down to where Araviniel was sleeping. Her chest rose up and down with soft sleepy breaths and her fists were clenched in some dreamy horror. Nothing about her was right. She wasn't like any other elf he had ever met. She was a tortured soul crying out for help yet too proud to receive it.

A soft moan escaped her lips and he noticed how Tatharion looked at her longingly. He saw how he wanted her and he hated it. Legolas also saw how Silvegil acted around Araviniel. He played the perfect role of an overprotective brother. Both of the elves down there had a role in her life while Legolas was left out completely from the one he cared so much for.

Araviniel rolled over so her face was in his direction. Sorrow was written in her features. She was in another world of nightmares where not even her lover could save her. That sent comfort into Legolas; demented comfort. He loved the fact that Tatharion couldn't help her. That emotion scared him. Those thoughts were evil. He should be happy for her. But she wasn't happy so why should he be?

Silvegil and Tatharion were sitting opposite from each other. The animosity on their faces was all too clear. Legolas himself still didn't know what to make of Silvegil. All he knew was that Araviniel liked him.

His watch was over.

Legolas climbed down to the ground and tapped Tatharion on the shoulder.

Tatharion got up reluctantly and began his ascend a tree, farther away, so he couldn't see what was happening at the camp site.

Silvegil's eyes pierced through Legolas like a sword. Legolas wondered if his tears might be silver as well. The sun was setting, they would leave in a few hours. Legolas thought it better to travel unseen in the night. He sat down next to Silvegil, facing Araviniel, and stared into the fire.

"You suffer much." said Silvegil.

Legolas was about to respond to the comment but a small, almost quiet, scream broke his thoughts and sent his eyes to Araviniel. She was sitting up now, hands clenching the blanket, with fear and tears in her eyes. She looked around quickly until her gaze fell on Legolas. His face was a full of concern.

Araviniel got up quickly, hand over her mouth, and walked away into the trees. Legolas got up to go after her but Silvegil stopped him, catching a hold of his arm.

"Let her be. She cannot find comfort in your arms Legolas. She must find her own strength. There will come a time when she must stand alone."

Legolas tore away from Silvegil's grip and said sharply, "She is only a girl. Even the strongest need comfort." Silvegil shook his head and stood, putting a hand on Legolas's shoulder.

"Just give her some time. I have a feeling she needs some time alone..."

He motioned off to where Tatharion had been keeping guard. The tree was empty. Legolas felt a chill sweep through him. Where they together? Was this the part where all went well with the two of them and he was pushed out forever? Was he ever there to begin with or was it always a struggle not of his own? Was he just a pawn here, or did she really need him?

Araviniel walked until she found a small clearing. She sat down in the middle of it and tried to erase the vision of Cúdir she had just had. Did he really escape like in her dream or was it just a dream full of fear? Something inside of her warned that it was real. But how could he escape? Lady Galadriel herself had put a watch over him. How could he possibly get out?

A small crunch of leaves under foot made her look up from her shaking hands. She turned to find Tatharion walk slowly into the clearing. He seemed nervous and fidgety. He walked slowly over to her and sat down next to her. He crossed his legs and turned to look at her.

"I'm sorry Araviniel."

His words were so heartfelt and pleading she had to smile. He turned completely around and put a hand on her cheek.

"Please forgive me. I can't bear this any longer. I can't live with this pain. Please forgive me. I was wrong."

She looked ahead, silent. To tell the truth she was still mad at him. After what Cúdir had done to her she didn't want to be considered 'property'. Also the truth, however, was that she herself was also sorry. How had a perfect engagement gone so wrong in one day? It was her temper that made things this way.

Araviniel turned to Tatharion and found that he had lowered his head and was staring coldly at the ground. She shook her head and lifted his chin with her forefinger. He stared into her eyes; ashamed and hurt.

"I love you Son of Willow. You have always been there for me and kept me safe. I trust you with all my heart and would gladly place my life in your hands. I, however, have not been honest with you. I have a gift of seeing into the future. It was given to me through my grandmother. Through this gift I have been plagued with the sight of your death. When you told me you were leaving for war I couldn't help but despair."

Tatharion looked at her with amazement. He shook his head and leaned back onto his elbows. He was taking it easier then she had expected.

"You should have told me."

She nodded. "I know. I'm sorry."

Tatharion sat up again and turned to her, folding his legs underneath him. He placed his hand on her cheek and pulled her face into his, their lips meeting in a brushing kiss. When Araviniel pulled away he grinned at her.

Araviniel shook her head and rolled her eyes. He chuckled and said softly,

"You see, I still have a hold on you Gwenn" (maiden)

She sighed and her smiled lessened. Her hands fell to her lap and she looked deeply into his eyes. How could this be this way? How could she love some one and yet her mind keep drifting to another? How could she have the elf of her dreams right next to her and still feel wanting? Were those days spent with Legolas worth more then the years spent with Tatharion?

Somehow Tatharion must have known what she was thinking because his face fell and his lips drew into a thin line, all joy and laughter gone from his face. She looked down at her trembling hands and wondered if giving him back the ring had more to do with Legolas then their argument. Who was she meant to be with? Who was she destined to change?

Her thoughts were broken by a hand covering hers. She looked up and found him looking at her softly. Pain was evident in his eyes and she could see the hurt in his soul. His eyes were grey.

"I love you more then anything. I have no doubts who I was destined to love. You, however, need to find this for yourself. I cannot give you what the prince can my love. Love and protection is all I have to give, but I assure you my loyalties will never fade. You must choose. No matter what I will still love you. Choose wisely."

He got up then and walked off into the trees. He had given her the freedom to choose between himself and Legolas. Also he had assured her he would still love her no matter what she decided. Right now Araviniel yearned for a neutral person; some one that had nothing to do with this decision... Silvegil. Yes, she would talk to Silvegil.

As she rose from her spot she smiled. All she had to do now was get to Mirkwood in time and save the elven race, along with choosing her life mate.

With a sarcastic smile she added,

"Well that shouldn't be too much to handle!"

AN: Hey PPL! It was so good to hear from you guys! Pease keep reviewing!