Hi everyone! Sorry it's been ages since my last update. I've been real busy lately. Hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Elfwine's Awakening

"I am so happy you are here," Gilraen smiled at Elfwine and her brother. "Come and sit with me."

They had entered her beautiful home and both boys gazed around in awe at the natural and elegant surroundings of this elven realm. It was different from the elf haven of Rivendell which was open and bright. Lorien seemed shrouded in deep mysteries and magic. Ancient elven runes were placed carefully in hidden nooks and passageways, ensuring the safety of those who entered.

Elfwine and Eldarion felt the need to be quiet in this place as if they were approaching a sacred shrine. Eldarion was struck with the thought that this was where Gilraen belonged. Lorien befitted his sister as no other place he had known. She had always been considered a bit of an odd child in Minas Tirith, beautiful to be sure and sweet of song, but somehow foreign.

Now Eldarion understood completely. He was now the foreign one in this elven paradise and Gilraen was completely at home. He glanced at Elfwine and wondered if Elfwine felt it too. Could he not see that Gilraen belong with the elves?

She led them to the beautiful alcove on which she had first greeted Celeborn long ago. A servant of her household brought refreshing drinks, a mixture of honey and a fruit which the boys could not identify.

She sat directly across from Eldarion and took his hands in hers, gazing in his eyes. Eldarion allowed her to see his memories. He wasn't always comfortable doing this and he used to dislike it when his mother would learn of his deeds this way. He knew that Gilraen wanted to see what he had been doing during their time apart and he filled her mind with images of Rohan and the adventures he was having with Elfwine.

Then Gilraen opened her mind to him and he was surprised at how easy it was for him see all that had occurred in Lorien since her arrival. When the images of Legolas came forward and their vows of betrothal, Eldarion squeezed her hands and his smile grew wide as he continued to gaze at her. He could see her complete happiness and he knew that she had finally got everything she had ever wanted.

Elfwine cleared his throat as the minutes wore on. He knew they were sharing information but he really didn't enjoy being left out.

Eldarion and Gilraen broke eye contact and looked at him. "Forgive us, Elfwine," Gilraen said. "There is news I wished to share with my brother."

"Of course," Elfwine smiled. "Lorien is beautiful, Gilraen, almost as beautiful as its Lady."

Gilraen smiled at him. "It is good that you have come. There are many visitors of late and I've been busy with the formalities of greeting them. It is a relief to have visitors who already know me."

"Yes, no need to be formal with us," Eldarion said. "Throw off your mantle of responsibilities and come play."

"Play?" she smiled. "Even you are getting too old for such childish things, Eldarion, but I suppose those facing great responsibilities do need to find amusement when they can."

"You know me too well, dear sister," Eldarion projected to her privately with a sad smile. She was right. He was avoiding his return to Minas Tirith and his responsibilities as crown prince. Time had taken an urgent feel lately, as if it was running out and his life would no longer be his own.

"Father will live a long time, yet. Do not place more worry on yourself than you must. When the time comes, you will be ready," Gilraen reassured.

Eldarion squeezed her hands again and nodded. He knew Gilraen was speaking true and he was grateful for her abilities to see the future.

"Will you tell Elfwine of Legolas?" Eldarion asked privately.

"I suppose I must. It will not be easy."

"Gilraen, seeing you here today I have come to realize that this is where you belong. You are an elf. I can no longer imagine you in the world of men. Elfwine does not want to see this because he loves you. Be gentle with him."

Gilraen nodded with a sad smile.

"Well, I find that I am a bit exhausted," Eldarion stated aloud. "Are your guest rooms all filled, dear sister?"

Gilraen turned to Fireal who was sitting nearby and said, "Fireal, can you find suitable quarters for my brother and the prince of Rohan?" Fireal nodded and stood, waiting for Eldarion to follow her. Elfwine stood as well and Gilraen rose and put her hand on his arm. "Elfwine, will you walk with me?"

Elfwine smiled in happiness at her request and bowed his head in assent.

"Rest well, dear brother," Gilraen said to Eldarion. "I shall see you at evening meal. King Thranduil will be interested in speaking with you."

Eldarion lifted his eyebrows in surprise. "Thranduil is here?"

"Yes," she smiled. "Do not worry. He looks sterner than he is."

"I did not bring my best court garments," Eldarion worried. "And I hear he is easily offended. In the absence of my father, I represent Gondor."

Gilraen laughed at his distressed look and said. "Do not worry. Fireal can find something for you here."

"I must dress as an elf?" Eldarion asked in surprise.

"What better way to impress an elven king?" Gilraen commented. Eldarion gave her a slight bow and followed Fireal out of sight.

Gilraen led Elfwine down the long staircase and out onto the pathways of Caras Galadon. There were many elves about, visiting each other and looking at them curiously. All bowed as Gilraen passed and she nodded her greetings to all in return.

They turned and entered a pathway which led deeper into the forest where Gilraen knew they would have more privacy. Elfwine gazed up at the flets high in the trees. He could see the faces of Lorien guards watching them as they walked. He supposed that as Lady of Lorien, Gilraen really did not receive much privacy. He decided that he would just ignore any watchers. He was somewhat alone with her and he didn't want this opportunity to speak his heart to be lost.

"Gilraen," he began, "it brightens my heart to see you again. I have thought of you each day since we last parted. I have greatly missed your company. Have you…have you thought of me?"

For all her poise and serenity, Gilraen could not help but feel shaken at his words. She did feel affection for him and at one time in her life she thought she had felt something more. He was handsome and honest, honorable and courageous. She knew that any woman he loved would be loved completely and passionately. But she also knew that it would not be her.

"I do think of you, Elfwine," she said. "But perhaps not in the same way."

Again Elfwine felt the familiar pain of the wall she surrounded herself with whenever he declared his feelings for her. But he would not make this easy for her. He stopped walking and waited for her to turn and face him.

"Gilraen," he said with a serious tone. "I wish to know your feelings. I have declared my love for you many times and yet you never give me any definite words. So I cling to the hope that you will love me in return some day. So tell me, Gilraen, is there hope for me?"

She looked at him sadly for a moment. She realized that he was right and she felt guilty that she had kept him hoping for so long. But things weren't always as clear to her in the past as they were now. She sighed and took his hand, leading him to a bench on the side of the pathway.

"Elfwine…," she began, "I care greatly for you and that is why I have ever only wanted to see you happy. But it is not me that shall bring you that happiness."

He scoffed at her words in confusion. "No, Gilraen. You do make me happy. I am never happier than when I am with you. If you allow me, I shall spend my days trying to make you happy in return."

Gilraen glanced down sadly. "You do not understand, Elfwine. I do not speak idly." He looked at her and waited for more explanation, his heart filling with dread. "I have told you before of my gift? I can see the future of others but not if it involves me. When I look at your future, it is not me that I see standing by your side."

He stared at her in silence, trying to comprehend what she was telling him. That could not be! Her visions must be wrong! "I respect your abilities, Gilraen, but surely in this you must be mistaken," he said carefully.

She shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry, Elfwine." Then a thought came to her and she said, "Come with me. There may be a way for me to show you my visions. I have never tried it before, but it may prove true." She stood and began walking slowly away.

Elfwine wasn't sure he wanted to see this. He rose slowly from the bench and followed behind her at a distance. She kept looking back at him sadly as she led him into a small grotto with a glimmering basin in the center. She waited for him to step up to the basin and she said, "This is my grandmother's mirror. My grandfather said that she could share her visions with others here so that they could see what she saw. Will you look at what I wish to show you?"

Elfwine looked at her for a few silent moments. He found elven magic strange yet he was drawn to her words immensely. He nodded his assent. Gilraen turned and went to a small fountain near the immense roots of a tree and filled a pitcher with its sparkling water. Then she walked slowly back to the basin and said, "Gaze into the water."

She poured the liquid out of the pitcher and into the basin and filled her mind with images of Elfwine's future bride.

Elfwine looked down into the swirling ripples until, to his amazement, images began forming in its watery depths. It was a picture of him and he seemed older. Next to him was a dark haired woman in a bridal gown. They were smiling at each other in happiness and love. She was beautiful but she was not Gilraen and his heart broke at that very moment. He turned sharply away from the basin and stared absently off into the forest before him.

Gilraen stood silently watching his back and waiting for his words.

"Who is she?" he rasped out.

Gilraen could hear the pain in his voice at the realization that his bride was not her. She felt her own heart breaking at being the cause of his pain. "Do you not know?" she said softly.

She saw the slight shake of his head and was startled when he turned to face her quickly, "I only know that it is not you!" he said passionately.

At that moment she hated herself for having to hurt him like this. She took a deep breath and said, "I am to marry Legolas. He rides now to Minas Tirith to inform my parents."

Elfwine looked at her in disbelief, his eyes beginning to water. He turned back around, not wanting her to see his tears. Gilraen walked around the basin and stood behind him, placing a hand on his arm. "I'm sorry, Elfwine. I did not want to hurt you like this. But surely you can see that I am not meant to be the queen of men. I have chosen to be elven. This is where I am happiest."

He pulled his arm away from her hand and turned to face her, not bothering to hide the tears on his face. "Did you not love me?" he asked. He pulled a small bundle from his tunic and unwrapped it.

Gilraen watched in confusion until she saw the pressed flower inside, the very one she had sent to him so long ago. She remembered the day she had given it to Pippin in Rivendell with instructions to bring it to Elfwine. She never realized just how much it had meant to Elfwine until this moment.

"I have carried this around with me ever since I received it," he said. His hand shook as he picked it up and held it out to her. "I believe you should take it back."

Gilraen could no longer remain strong as she had vowed to herself to do. A tear fell down her cheek and she could not bring herself to take the flower from his hand.

Elfwine watched her face for a few more moments and couldn't take anymore of this pain. He tossed the flower into the basin and they both turned their heads and watched it float on the top of the water.

Then he turned and began to walk away, not wanting to see her tears while longing to take her in his arms and comfort her. He paused and spoke without turning to face her, "I wish you much happiness, Gilraen." He strode quickly off without a backwards glance.

When he left her sight, Gilraen couldn't help the sob that rose up from within her chest. She turned and grabbed the edge of the basin, weeping in sorrow at having to hurt Elfwine so deeply.

The flower floated in front of her, reminding her of her cruelness. How could she have let him hope for all these years?

She wept in sorrow and regret, berating herself for not being more careful of Elfwine's feelings.

"Why do you weep so, child?" Celeborn's voice came to her ears. She spun about and saw her grandfather sitting on a bench to the side of the grotto. She knew he was a vision because he couldn't possibly be truly here, but she no longer questioned the magic of Lorien and was not surprised that Lord Celeborn could visit her like this.

She walked towards him and sat to the right of him. "Oh, Grandfather," she cried. "I have been careless with another's heart. I have strived to be good and kind, yet I still have managed to be the cause of another's pain."

"What seems unkind now may become a kindness later," Celeborn said. "Have faith, child, that you have made the right choices."

Gilraen was about speak again when Celeborn suddenly disappeared. She stared at the empty space on the bench and dried her eyes. "Thank you, Grandfather," she whispered.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Elfwine could no longer stay. He went straight to the sables and prepared his mount to head back to Rohan. The elven groom looked at him in question.

"Tell Prince Eldarion that I had to go back to Edoras immediately," Elfwine said. The elf nodded and helped him prepare for his journey silently. It was obvious that the prince of Rohan was upset, but no one would dare question him on such a personal matter.

The look on Elfwine's face was one of sheer determination to leave as quickly as possible. He mounted his horse and took off at a gallop down the forest path he had arrived on. The guards high on the flets looked down on him silently and watched his departure.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Sorry if this chapter seems a bit short. It was a sad one for me to write. I have grown to love the character of Elfwine and I hated to have to do this to him. But I guess it's a bit obvious who he'll eventually end up with, even if he's a bit heartbroken right now. (grin) I may write about his romance in a new fiction yet to come if any of you are interested in it. Let me know.

Well, this fiction is winding down. One more chapter to come, with the arrival of Legolas and Gilraen's family in Lorien, the grand wedding, and the conclusion. Perhaps I'll even add an epilogue of what happens to Gilraen and Legolas in the future.

I hope you've enjoyed this adventure. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks!