Chapter Seven
"That is the last of it, Cabel!" The voice carried through the house and out to the wagon in front.
"I have it, Ela," was the reply. Cabel rounded the door and almost ran into his cousin. He took the bag she carried and looked once more at the home he had built. "I hate leaving," he said. "There are so many memories."
"You will be returning. It is not as if I am giving you a house. You are borrowing it. And it is much too big for me."
"But what of when you are wedded? Will you not need it then?" He still felt awkward, taking her home.
"I told you not to think on that. My home is not on this side of the mountains, and has not been for many years. No, I will be returning to Lórien. That is where I am most at home. Besides, Haldir's life is there. I could not ask him to give it up."
"Are you sure your father does not mind you moving back with him? He just seems such an important man, surely he will be inconvenienced."
"Cabel, if you do not stop, I will take back my offer. Now cease. You are wearing me out."
"Cabel, hush." The soft admonition came from behind him. He turned to see his wife. He smiled as he looked into her eyes. Such beautiful eyes. He gaze lowered to the slight bulge at her abdomen. At five months, there was little to see, but his imagination was vivid. His hand reached out to caress her cheek. He was still amazed that this woman could love him.
Lutheliel was a vision. Her dark brown hair hung straight to her waist. The grey in her eyes could turn dark as night when she was upset. Right now, they were the colour of the sea on a cloudless day: light and playful. With her hair pulled back, he could see the delicate points of her ears that had attracted him from the start. So like the companions of his father's people, the occasional Elf that had joined the Rangers from time to time.
He found himself comparing his wife to his cousin. Ela took her height and colouring from her mother's people, and even some of her abilities, but her ears were still elven. He did not wonder that her grandfather had hated her and her mother. The Indrel were a closed and suspicious people. It had not always been so, his mother had told him. Only since being driven from their lands had they turned so unto themselves. The older folk were afraid of this new land, even after two hundred years. They younger folk were chafing at the reins controlled by Muc, the self-styled duke of Holm's Hold. It seemed he claimed the title and the heir ship through his sister, the actual heir. Cabel did not know all the details, his mother's account had been sketchy, but he knew that the heir had been left to die, along with her tainted daughter. His mother had returned to her birthplace with her son, seeking sanctuary among her people. It did not take her long to learn that there was none to be offered. She always believed she had narrowly escaped the fate of Ceria and her daughter. The Indrel did not tolerate outsiders. Still, she talked of a cousin who had been kind, one who had come from the ships. He did not know much about her, only that she urged his mother to flee.
"If we hurry, we can get down to the mid-level forest. There is a protected place to spend the night." Ela looked up at the sun. It was still early enough in the season to be cool before noon, but the mid-day would bring an uncomfortable heat.
"How far until we reach it?" asked Lutheliel. She had placed Arnor on the bench seat of the wagon. He sat there quietly observing the adults.
"It is about two leagues. We can make that easily with the wagon. But, we had best hurry." Ela turned to her horse, as Cabel handed Lutheliel up into the wagon. It always amused her that the elleth pretended to such needs. However, it made Cabel happy. Mounting, she turned to lead the way, her cousin following the wagon. She could hear his sigh as they moved forward. Well acquainted with leaving home, Ela knew just how he felt. However, it would not be forever, only until the land healed itself.
The small party reached the stopping place with no trouble. The night was spent in relative quiet. Ela lay awake long after the fire had burned down. Although she felt she had made the right decision, there were still doubts. Bits and pieces of something swirled around in her head; but as she tried to grasp them, they danced from her understanding. Sighing, she rolled over on her pad and listened to the night sounds. There was one bit that disturbed her greatly: the thought of Haldir holding a child. A dead child. Was it his, or had it been left in the debris of some battle? Ela turned back over in frustration.
Over the years, she had gained control of most of her life. Once the initial sporadic beginnings of her abilities had been weathered, she had found that one of her gifts lay in healing. The training Glordinel and Melkin had provided her had taken hold and allowed her natural talents to develop. With that had grown her empathy with animals. However, there were gaps in her memories that only one person could help her overcome, and she dreaded her return to Lórien for that reason only. If she could regain the memories, would she really want to? Ela had a feeling there was a reason she had blocked them in the first place.
Finally drifting off to sleep, she wondered, again, what would have been her life had her parents lived.
Waking in the false dawn of a new day, Ela stretched limbs no longer used to sleeping on the hard ground. She sat up and looked around the small cave they had sheltered in for the night. Cabel was starting to stir. Arnor was wrapped up in Lutheliel's arms, both still asleep. Ela made her way out of the cave and went back behind the small hillock. As she was coming around to the tree to the side of the entrance, she caught a faint sound. Peering around the tree, she saw Glorfindel sitting on a rock across from the cave entrance. He was soon joined by Delandor. Ela relaxed and came into the clearing.
"I wondered where you two had gone. Hunting?" She glanced around for game.
"Well, we found prey, but not the eating kind. They left a bad taste." Delandor sat down next to Glorfindel. Shaking out his hunting gloves, he looked up at Ela.
"Your mother did you no favours with her parentage. They are a most persistent people."
"What? They are here?" Both men smiled at a mild expletive from her.
"They were. We sent them packing. We would do well to get going, though. Determination is a hard driver."
Ela nodded and returned to the cave. Cabel was up and gathering bedclothes. Lutheliel was dressing Arnor. Ela picked up her few things. Within minutes, they were packed and had everything stowed on horses or the wagon. Ela and Cabel mounted up as the other Elves melted into the woods, one to the east and the other to the west. Lutheliel clucked to the draft horses and they started on their way.
"All went well?" Ela glanced up from her book. She was reading while waiting for Melkin to return.
"Yes, Ada. All is well. Thank you for asking Glorfindel and Delandor to accompany me. It seems they were needed. Cabel is well ensconced with his family. Grandmother is quite taken with Arnor. I may have to pry her out of the house. However, Cabel is willing for her to stay. I have all my things out and I have packed what I am taking with me. One month to go; it will seem like years."
Elrond chuckled. "It will be gone before you know it. I have heard from your brothers. They are mixed on the news. Elladan is happy, I am not so sure Elrohir is as pleased. They both promise to be here for the wedding."
"Was there any doubt?" Ela laughed. "I have a few things yet to finish here in the village. Melkin, of course, is mixed on his feelings, also. He is getting up in years and is worried about a replacement. He expressed a wish that I was staying. He said then he would never worry about his patients. However, he has found a promising lad. Benerd's grandson is showing some gift for healing. So, I do not feel as guilty leaving."
Elrond walked to the door and looked out upon the small realm of men. He stood so for several moments.
"What is it?" Ela asked. Coming up behind him, she put her arms around him and laid a cheek on his back.
"I worry for you. I have heard from your uncle, again. He is no longer asking you to return; he is demanding. He is making threats against Cabel, if you do not return. Crelden was asking questions last month and knows he is your cousin." Elrond turned and looked at his adopted daughter. "You must tell Cabel who you are. Otherwise, he will not know to watch out for himself." At her look of protest, Elrond laid a finger on her lips. "No, you cannot hide. Your reticence may cause him great harm. Could you live with that?"
Ela was silent. Bowing her head, she slowly nodded. It would cause her to acknowledge something she vehemently denied, but she would do it, for Cabel and his family's sake.
Elrond hugged her close. Again, he was losing a child, and once again, he would be left wondering which one would return home next, and when.
The next month passed quickly, as Elrond had predicted. Cabel and Lutheliel settled into their new home, and Elestra reluctantly moved to Elrond's. But, she could be found playing with Arnor most times. Lutheliel was grateful for the elder's advice and help. Moreover, Arnor adored Ela's grandmother.
Ela spent her time drawing plans for the new house, when she was not busy delivering babies and treating the minor injuries that seemed to occur with too much regularity. She admonished the tavern keeper's son yet again about climbing the outside of the building. At ten, he was inquisitive and let the older boys dare him into much too dangerous situations. Petro, Benerd's grandson was fitting into the small infirmary very nicely, and it got him away from three sisters. He was quite content.
Two weeks before Ela was to leave, Benerd quietly went to sleep and did not wake. It was her first brush with the death of someone close to her since her father's murder. Elrond was filled with apprehension. Ela had closed off her father's death; how would she handle this?
It was soon apparent that she would handle it very well. She even spoke of her gratitude for what he and his family had done for her the last few years. In her speech, she spoke of the reward of a long life that promised rest. He had earned it, and no one should wish otherwise. Comforting Mares seemed to do more than anything else to aid her own grief.
After the funeral ceremony, Elrond found Ela in the tree house. He knew then that things were not as easy as they seemed. Coaxing her down, he took her arm and led her to the terrace. Sitting across from her, he tried to look into her eyes, but she looked away from him.
"What is it, sell? You do not go to the tree house unless you are truly disturbed."
Turning her eyes towards him, finally, he could see the pain. "It is hard to lose a friend. And, much harder to lose a parent. How much more difficult can it be to lose a child?"
Astonished, he exclaimed, "What do you mean? Who has lost a child?" Once more, he was left feeling a hole in her mind was filling in.
"The Lady…" she hesitated.
"The Lady what?" he prompted.
"She saw things. Things that I should know, that have happened; things that will happen." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I know some of those things. I am not sure now that I have made a wise decision."
Elrond sat back. She almost laughed at what she had always secretly thought of as his 'thinking pose'. However, her thoughts were too serious for jesting. She wanted to tell him, but hesitated.
"In what way?" he asked, gently. "You said you loved him. He admitted he cared very much for you. How can this be wrong?"
"I know that his son will die. My son. I saw him holding our child. How can I do that to him?"
"Ela, how can you be sure that it will happen? You yourself said that you have no gift for foretelling. And even mine are not always correct." He took her hands in his. "I know that you are upset concerning Muc and Crelden. You are also feeling the loss of your home here; and now, Benerd's passing. Could it not be that you are just feeling overwhelmed?"
She looked doubtful and slightly confused. "But, what if it is true. What if our child is to die? I must tell him of my fears. And if he agrees with you, then I will just trust that all will be well."
"What if I talk to him?"
"No, it is my place. I cannot imagine what I will do if he breaks the betrothal. I have never loved anyone as much."
He came and knelt beside her. "He will not. You will see. Just have faith."
She nodded, still unconvinced. What man wedded with the knowledge that his children might die? She determined that she would not continue with the betrothal unless she told Haldir of her fears. It was only right.
There was screaming, the sound of men dying during battle. Fighting the brush that would not allow him access to the clearing, he watched as the wardens of Lórien engaged wild men in battle. Within moments, all the men were dead. Among the Elves, there were three gravely wounded. Glancing around at the bodies, he caught sight of Ela, rushing into the glade. Dropping at the side of a fallen ellon, she reached to touch him. Turning swiftly, she jumped up and picking up the first sword she came to, she began hacking at the body of one of the dead men. She had severed the head and an arm from the remains before Orophin, who had run after her, could stop her. He grabbed her and handed her to an unknown ellon. The younger one held her tenderly in his arms and then dropped to the ground with her. Ela pulled from his grasp and gently picked up the fallen Elf. Tears coursing down her face spoke of caring for the ellon. As he neared them, silent words from her mouth took substance. He did not know the language, but the look on her face was of grief and hatred. As he reached for her, she faded, along with everything else.
Haldir sat up with a start. There was sweat on his body, and his heart was racing. It had seemed so real. He could still hear the echoes of battle ringing in his ears. A dream, but more vivid than any before. He found himself looking about for bodies; the clearing held only himself and a horse. Shaking, he tried to rise. Taking a moment, he managed to do so only with effort. How could a dream be so real? What did it mean?
Still upset, he saddled the horse and loaded on the bundles he was carrying to Imladris. The three months had passed quickly, but Haldir had found enough to keep himself busy. Erasing any signs of a camp, he mounted and rode towards the west. He would arrive in another hour, stopping only out of consideration for the horse and the late hour. It would not have done to rouse everyone from sleep so late. Besides, the ground had always seemed more home than did a soft bed.
Riding through the last of the heights, he glanced down at the valley below. There was nothing to see. The enchantments weaved by Vilya hid what lay below. Guiding the horse down the hill, he thought back on the dream. Lady Galadriel had hinted there were things about Ela that were hidden; things that even Ela did not know. Her future was both full of light and hidden in darkness. Haldir would be risking much by loving her, but the Lady assured him that the risk would be worth it. Although confused, Haldir trusted the Lady. The dream would have to wait.
The last month was filled with packing and planning. It seemed that everyone wanted to give a gift for something she had done for him or her. It was not enough that they had already paid her, in one form or another. Never mind that she would be back in less than a year. People acted as if she would never return.
Ela was tired. All of her childhood things were put away in storage. The few things she planned to take with her were ready and a packhorse provided. Her house was well tended by her cousin and his family.
Her grandmother had professed a desire to return to her own home for a time. Elrond suspected that Elestra was doing as Ela was- preparing to move to a new life. He was not sure whether the former queen would settle in Imladris among the luxury she was used to, or in Lórien, where she would be close to her granddaughter. Elestra's attempts to coax Ela into returning to the Hidden Havens with her had failed. The girl was anxious to get home.