Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Warnings: Mentions of child abuse.

Chapter 24: Intervention

She does not wish to see you. Megilindir frowned as he took in the elf in front of him. If anything he swore that the March warden was worn out. His appearance was as impeccable as ever but there was tiredness in his eyes, a sadness that was taking much out of him.

It has been two weeks. Haldir sighed.

I know, she still does not wish to see you.

Or anyone it would seem. Megilindir watched as Haldir ran his hand down his face. Has she even moved from the bed?

No, she will not eat but small amounts, she will not move, she will not speak with any, if she were an elf I would say she is fading.

What does Elrond say?

It is nothing physical. She is saddened. . by. news she received. I do not know how to help her.

May I try? Haldir raised an eyebrow at the mortal. Just a few moments alone with her.

I do not.

I will not hurt her. I only wish to help.

Very well, I will give you a short time with her. Megilindir nodded and walked into the room past Haldir.

~~~~~~~

Zinnia didn't react as she heard the door open then close again. It just wasn't important anymore. Nothing was important. Her gaze stayed fixed on a point in the distance outside of the window. Tears were slowly but steadily rolling down her cheeks but she didn't notice them.

Lady Zinnia. She blinked at the unexpected voice, but otherwise didn't react. Zinnia it is time to get out of bed now. The bed dipped as another sat on it. Zinnia you have lazed about enough.

Go away. She curled around the pillow in her arms tighter and closed her eyes. The sound of a sigh reached her ears then the bed moved again. Slowly she relaxed wanting to go back to sleep. To return to the peacefulness she felt there. Just as she was about to drift off the blankets were pulled off her.

Get up. She ignored the voice and simply pressed her face into the pillow. One way or another you will be getting out of this bed.

Leave me be. As soon as she finished speaking she was lifted from the bed. Put me down!

In a moment.

Now!

As you wish. She screamed at the top of her lungs when she was dropped into the cold water he had filled the tub with.

"You irritating beast"

"Irritating beast I may be but at least you are out of the bed. You need a bath besides." This time he was able to catch both of her hands before she slapped him. "Once is enough thank you."

"Let me go!" Megilindir let go of her hands slowly ready should she try to slap him again. He wasn't prepared when she splashed him practically drenching him as well. "Why do you care?"

"I care because I can." She shivered and looked down then frowned seeing how transparent her night gown was wet.

"What do I have to survive or fight for any longer?" She pulled her knees to her chest to cover herself.

"Your friends, your family, yourself." He reached over and tilted her head so she was looking to him. "I do not know of your past, but I know you are a survivor. You are a fighter and acting like this does not suit you. You are scaring everyone who loves and cares about you." Zinnia pulled her face away from his hands and put her cheek against her knees.

"I do not wish to, it is. . just so hard to keep fighting. It is so much easier to sleep."

"It is at that." She looked up to him and he smiled slightly. "Though I have a feeling that you have never been one to take the easy path."

"No, I have not."

"Then do not start now, do not let whatever monster that haunts your steps win by giving up." He stood and looked down to her. "It is your decision, but know that it will effect more than yourself." She sighed and turned her head away from him. "I hope to see you at dinner tonight."

"And if I am not there." He paused as he was about to walk out the door.

"You are light enough for me to carry." Zinnia heard him shut the door as he left and sighed. She shivered again and stood stepping out of the cold water.

'I could use a bath.' She thought as she started draining the cold water and adding warmer.

~~~~~~~~~~

Haldir glanced to Zinnia as they strolled down the garden path. He had been surprised when Megilindir had left the room, his hair soaking wet. Even more surprised when he entered the room to find the bed empty and Zinnia in the bath. He didn't question it though, to happy to have his daughter once again responding to the world to care. She had even agreed to go to the dinner in the main hall, eating everything on her plate.

I am sorry ada. She looked up to him.

For what my sweet? She gave a small smile but broke away from him and sat on a bench.

For being selfish enough to do what I did. To scare you like I did. He sat next to her and wrapped his arm around her when she leaned into him.

You are not selfish. Though, I wish you would have told me of this.

I did not wish to bother you.

You never bother me. She looked up to him with a smile.

Never? He smiled then, pulling her a little closer.

Once or twice, but it would not have been a bother to tell me of this. Your concerns are mine, you are my daughter. She sighed and wrapped her arms around him. Have I led you to believe that I would not want to know anything that holds this much importance for you?

No, you are always there for me. Even some of the more inopportune times, but you are still there. He smiled and put his hand against her hair and kissing her forehead.

As I will always be when you need me.

I know. . I. . just wished so hard for this not to be. For Garan to be wrong, I did not prepare for any other answer. There was silence for a few moments.

I did not know you were thinking of children. She laughed and sat up looking to him.

I do not wish for one now, though I had thought. . She trailed off and sighed. I had thought maybe when I was older. She moved forward resting her elbows on her legs and her head in her hands. Now that is gone. He put his hand on her back and she moved to rest against him again.

It is not gone, perhaps the Valar have decided that you will not have a child of your body, but that does not mean you will never know the joy of a child in your life. I never once imagined being a father. An uncle to one of Rúmil's, yes, but not caring for one of my own. He moved and tilted her head up. I could love you no more even if you were of my body. You are of my heart, you are my daughter. She smiled as a few tears fell from her eyes.

And you are my father. She wrapped her arms around him again and put her ear over his heart. Why did you decide to raise me? There was no answer for a moment and she pulled back looking at him. When you first found me I could not have appealed to you immediately. My race, my appearance, my manor. He smiled though there was a touch of sadness in it.

You were filthy, and skittish, but you were just a child. The first time you wrapped your arms around me and trusted me to comfort you, to hold you and chase away your sadness and fear, it was the last time I knew I could let you go. I have always been one to hold others away.

I would never have guessed. He smiled at her comment as she smiled at him.

It took you to show me that was wrong. How you were ever able to affect me as you did, I will never be able to fully understand. I only know that my life would be darker and poorer had I denied what I felt. Had I let another care for you and carried on how I had been. The joy you bring me is never ending, though it is sometimes tempered with a test of patience. She laughed and put her head back against him.

Like when I decided that your hair was too long.

Yes.

Or when I baked you a pie of mud.

A warning would have been nice.

Or when I decided to paint your bow.

It did look better blue. He laughed and hugged her. There are many more examples of things I would never have been able to experience had you not stayed with me. Things I would never know how much I would have missed.

And I believe I was able to do many things I would have never thought of had I not been with you. She sighed happily and closed her eyes focusing on his strong heartbeat. A sound she had always cherished through the years. I love you ada.

As I love you tinuamin.

~~~~~~~~~

Where are you two heading in such a rush? Megilindir smiled as the twins practically ran by him.

We are. . going to the stable. Elladan nodded at his brother's answer.

The stable is the opposite way.

What my brother meant to say was we are going to the archery range. Megilindir only raised an eyebrow at the twin's behavior.

Yes and we must not tarry. Elrohir pushed his brother so they could continue on their way.

Should you not wish to take your bows and quivers? The lack of them makes the archery range very dull.

We were going for a stroll. What is it with nosey humans?

Elrohir! Elladan! I can see you, I may have human eyesight but I can see you! All three turned to see a very angry Zinnia glaring at them as she stomped towards them. Of course the effect was ruined by the fact that she was wearing a dress and lacking any weapons of any sort. The twins turned to run. Do not even think about it. Both sighed and turned to the girl. The only thing I hate worse than wearing a dress is wearing a dress as I track down elves.

Lady Zinnia how is your day? Her glare moved to Megilindir at his words and he quickly quieted.

Where are my clothes? The questions was nothing but a thinly veiled threat to the twins.

Did you not check your closet? She growled at Elladan.

I did though all I found were dresses. It seems unless my leggings and tunics walked off by them selves to make room for the dresses, another had to help them. Or perhaps two others. Both twins smiled.

Ah, now lady Zinnia you look very lovely in a dress. This time Elrohir received the glare.

I will say this slowly so that the both of you have a chance to comprehend my words. I. Want. My. Clothes. Returned. She shifted her gaze from each of the twins with each word.

You wound me by thinking that I or my brother would have had anything to do with a trick so cruel.

Elladan, you and your brother are the only elves I know that are foolhardy enough to do such a thing. Both of the twins grinned with pride. I know where your rooms are as well. Do not doubt my word that I will retaliate in kind with the both of you.

Another drawing?

Something much worse. Despite herself she chuckled slightly at the hopefulness that had been in Elrohir's tone. I am going to the library to meet Erestor. Most likely I will then go to lunch. If my leggings and tunics are not returned to me before dinner, even I shudder to think what should happen to the two of you.

Then we shall make all efforts to find the culprit, or culprits as you suspect, and have them return your clothes. I swear to you my lady. Elladan bowed deeply and Elrohir rolled his eyes.

They are right on one thing, you do look lovely. Zinnia looked to Megilindir surprised as a small blush crept up her neck. Allow me to escort you to the library.

I would be delighted. She took his arm and they started to walk towards the library.

I will be delighted as well should you refrain from trying to slap me this time. She smiled and looked to him.

Endeavor not to anger me. Megilindir laughed and her smile grew.

I shall try my best. The twins watched them walk away identical expressions of surprise on their face.

Did you see?

I did. Do you think?

I do. Should we?

Aye, we should.

~~~~~~~~~

Megilindir = bladesinger

Ada = father

Tinuamin = my daughter

A/N: I have the next chapters outlined now it is just a matter of writing them. I'm still working on it so don't worry! Also, it was my birthday yesterday! I may be hung over but I have a smoothie machine now! My Haldir muse really likes the strawberry banana one.