Please review. I've recieved one review for this chapter when some 70 people have read it. If I recieve no more reviews, this story stops HERE and NOW. So please review. In case you're wondering as well, the review sighned by LARIEN is a review submitted by yours truly, just in case any readers read the reviews. So review or no more story. Thank you!

The Undecided of Earendil

By- Larien

Chapter 11

Elvnchic9- Questions! Questions that need answering! The vision will be explained in this chapter. And you'll know more about the man in Chapter 12, so keep reading! And don't get too hooked- addiction is a bad thing...lol, thanks for the review!

madrone- It means a lot to hear you've been entertained. Thank you!

Laurelin15- Thank you for the review and the compliment! When you get the chance to read further, let me know what you think. Thanks again!

A/N- Sad, only three people reviewed the last chapter and it was read by 79 people! Was it that bad? Lol. Anyway, please let me know what you all are thinking. And a thousand thanks to the people who have through out the course of the story. Oh, I'm so excited for future chapters, for I've come up with some great ideas, so the more reviews the faster I'll get out chapters. Thank you and enjoy!
Caniel awoke the next morning to the sweet scent of fresh tea being brewed. Legolas was seated in a chair opposite from her, next to the already burnt out fire, his robe tied around him and the book she had started reading the night before propped open on his lap. Taking a moment to absorb the beautiful scene that now greeted her, she shifted only slightly to better look around her. The windows were allowing streams of golden sunlight to penetrate the darkness. Soft dripping could be heard from the houses and trees as the late night storm was wearing away and leaving glimmering buildings in its wake. Inside, the flowers looked awake and bright, and the slight breeze through the curtains, which did little to deter the wind or light, was calm and inviting. Birds chirped merrily from their perches, singing sweetly of the smell of rain, which now caressed Caniel's nose.

Breathing in deeper, her nose tickled with the strong tea, the fire in the stove, as well as the fresh rain smell. This was the perfect way to wake up, she thought. For a moment, it appeared like the average way to wake up. After all, being Rivendell, there were very few mornings that were not inviting. But this was a different morning. Perhaps she was still dizzy form the high of the night before. Or perhaps it was the reassuring sight of Legolas sitting only a few feet away. Either way, she was content with the morning and would've gladly let lay there for many more minutes, freezing everything just so she cold enjoy it. But it was not to last, for Legolas' voice echoed from around the book hiding his face.

"How did you sleep?"

She smiled quietly, wiping some hair from her forehead. "Again you sensed me awake?" Was her only reply.

"Indeed," He set the book down to look at her. "So you did sleep well then?"

"You only presume. Surely you cannot tell what I am feeling."

He smiled slyly and did not answer. When he stood, she watched his expression before answering.

"I slept wonderfully. Better then I have in many nights."

"I'm glad," He said simply moving to retrieve the tea. "Would you care for some?"

"I would," she smiled, pushing herself into a sitting position and glancing over the couch as he poured them glasses.

When he handed it to her, she let it linger at her lips for a second, letting the scent sooth her, before sipping the warm drink. Legolas moved back to his chair drinking his, and sat silently for a minute. Then he looked curiously at her.

"You never told me," He began. "And perhaps it is still not time to, but I'm curious as the vision you had yesterday. The one that made you to fall off your horse."

Caniel nodded, taking a bigger sip then leaned back comfortably and looked at him.

"I'm sorry I did not tell you sooner. I was just a little shaken by the whole ordeal…but I see no harm in telling you now," She paused a moment to sip again. Letting her mind drift back to yesterday, she focused on the vision, letting all the details consume her mind once more. "It started as it did before; Sírdhem was screaming, being attacked by some man. But perhaps attacked isn't right…she was more being pulled by a man, to which she was not all too fond. He had thick, muscular arms with no sort of décor. No shirt, no bands or markings, nothing. Just two very powerful arms trying to force her somewhere. Sírdhem, as I said, was not to keen on going with him, for she was clawing, and left tree very long, deep runs on his inner forearm."

Legolas watched intently, holding his mug to warm his hands. She explained with such detail he could picture it in his mind. Whether this was good or bad thing, he could not decide. After a pause, she continued.

"Then it changed. I was standing on the balcony of this mansion, this castle It was a beautiful castle- light brick and very large with beautiful flowers and vines draped over the iron balcony railing. The view was exquisite too- large fields stretched ahead before a lake intercepted them. A lake unlike I have seen. It was crystal blue, with a few fishing boats scattered too and fro. But it was so peaceful, so serene. The fields were carefully crafted with large trees, which were fruitful and thick unlike any of the more delicate ones grown here. And in the center of the lake, in the center of all this peaceful scenery, was a group of islands. It was a very large lake, " She added, noting the surprised look on Legolas' face.

"And then the dream changed again. I was launched into this field. It was like an arena, a playing field. I was holding a staff, one end as a small net, one end as a spear. There was another man in the center with me, whom I couldn't distinguish all that well. Then, around us, there were other people, running back and forth hitting this glowing ball with I don't know what. And from the sides of the field we were on, there were two smaller fields, separated by water, where more of those large trees grew. And there were more people there. It was really fast paced and I couldn't make out much…" She smiled quietly to herself and shook her head after taking another sip of tea. "I'm sure this sounds like a load of folly to you."

"No! Not at all!" Legolas said hastily. "Actually I find it all fascinating. Is there more?"

She shook her head. "That's where it ended."

Legolas watched the ripples bounce off the insides of his cup as he moved it around, perplexed by what he just heard. The part with Sírdhem was at least something they could distinguish. But what of this palace? And this game? In all his years of traveling, he had never heard tale of such a sport. Perhaps when he related this back to Elrond, he would know.

Legolas and Caniel passed away the rest of the morning with their tea and small talk. Once the sun had risen to noon, though, Caniel said her gracious farewell, and made her way back to her dwelling. After taking some time to bathe and change, she made her way to her brothers dwelling where she was disappointed to learn of his absence. Not that it was really all that surprising, but she really wanted to talk to him, alone. As she made her way from the house, her disappointment was soon replaced with the joy of spotting a familiar hunched over, gray figure perched on a bench, leaning on his staff in meditation. She approached him daintily, and then sat next to him. After a moment, he looked up at her with a warm smile.

"Guren linna le cened, Caniel." He said quietly. (My heart sings to see you Caniel.)

"Le suilon." She smiled. "Do you have a moment?" (I greet you.)

"Of course. Of course." He shifted in his position. "Man sa?" (What is it?)

"I just…" Caniel searched for the right words. "I've been thinking about the decision that lies ahead."

"Ah," The wizard nodded and stood. "Shall we walk?"

Handing him his staff, the two of them started down a long winding road that led them through a quieter part of Rivendell, canopied by trees and littered with flowers and statues. It was almost park like, with the benches and fountains, and Caniel found it rather relaxing and reassuring as she walked with the wizard, who stood tall though his staff aided his step. A lone elf, on a bench further inside a gazebo was playing a wooden flute quietly, which melted along with the humming of the birds. After a while of just walking in silence, Gandalf spoke.

"When I first brought you here, Caniel, I knew the decision that would someday weigh upon your shoulders. And yet I decided to keep it quiet until the time was right." He paused to smile. "I thought you would be better off hearing it on your own without prior knowledge. For fretting over something that has yet to happen only brings ones life to a halt."

"Therefore, I kept the decision quiet, and instead decided to teach you as much as I could and raise you with some grace of an Istari. For I feel that wisdom is acquired by knowledge of all things, not just that of which we are accustomed to being wise with. So I trained you from the first sailing to this very talk. I told you stories unlike any the elves could imagine. I saturated your mind with names, dwellings, and cities unlike any the humans could found. I showed you treasure, taught you skills, and accustomed you to rugged work beyond the comparison of the dwarves. Then I gave you courage; I taught you the basics of swordplay and technique. All to which you caught on very quickly I might add." He laughed, noting the keen smile on her face.

"Until we arrived to now. You have learned much, pen dithen. Enough that if you applied yourself and put it all together, your wisdom would rival your brothers'." (Little one.)

"I think you stretch it there, Gandalf." Caniel shook her head with a bemused laugh.

"I do not!" Gandalf said sternly. "What you know, Caniel, is much more than you let on. I know your memory does not fail you, and I know that you have absorbed almost all of what you have been told all these years. You are wise, and powerful. That is why you are able to have such clear visions. This part of my training I overlooked. Foresight." They rounded a bend, approaching a small pond. The flute was still echoing behind them. "Many elves are capable of having foresight. And for most it is simply mistaken for a dream, and others it comes and goes without much meaning or clearness. But for those who are more trained in the ways, the higher of the elves, it proves to be a great tool when wielded carefully. But you, you have all the training necessary to receive such clear visions. You just know not how to handle them. That is why they continue to trouble you. That is why they are so vivid."

"But there is more to be told, for never before have visions been of things unremembered. Your most recent visions that I have heard tell of and that I shared in were of things your memory, though very keen, should not have been able to remember. Should not have known."

"What of the future? People do not know the future yet they see it." She asked.

"Indeed. But the future is what is to come, not what has passed. And many times visions of the future are sketchy and quick. They are just quick insights that can often even be wrong. But to have a vision of locations, directions, and one so clear of the past, that is unusual."

Caniel thought to her more recent one. Perhaps it was of the future- the mansion and game arena. It would make sense, for that part of the vision had been quick and distorted. But what of Sírdhem? Was that future? Past? Or perhaps present?

"The reason we were worried about the visions with our trip from Valanor is because it is dangerous information to be retained in ones mind. As an Istari, I am able to control what I remember, what I forget, with more ease than you. Whereas, should someone want to learn the location, they need not a map, only you, Caniel."

"But who-"

"I'm not saying someone does, but either way. It's dangerous knowledge. And why you are suddenly having such visions is a mystery to me. Never before have I shared a memory with someone. So why I should suddenly share such a valuable one with you is just obscure."

This thought trailed off into a gust of wind. After circling the pond, they continued along, crossing a long bridge from one cliff to the other. Being a rather large bridge, the amount of elves crossing it were scattered and few, and the flute was replaced by the cascading waterfalls to the back of them.

"So tell me, Gandalf. What do these visions have to do with my decision?" Caniel asked.

"Ah yes. The point I was trying to make, Caniel, is that through your teachings, your abilities instead of helping you, seem to be impairing you. I have only too late realized this mistake. You have a will to be great, a will brought up through many lessons, many teachings, and many gifts that were bestowed upon you at a young age. The trouble is, this greatness, can't entirely ever be achieved. For you still have human blood, no matter what you choose. And you have no Istari blood. Therefore, your will is to strive to the excellence of an Istar, but never will you, for your being holds you back. The decision is that much more complicated, for you are wise in what you must do, but there is something that you feel is holding you back. Something that will prevent you from acting upon the "wise" that is speaking to you. That "something" is the human in you. The non-istari."

Caniel was surprised at how true his last words were, and he could tell by the look in her eyes that he had hit something. Truly, she knew what decision should be made, but she couldn't make it. And why, she couldn't figure out. And now Caniel realized just why the decision was so difficult. At least, she sort of understood. Nothing was clear yet.

Gandalf continued. "And so, my dear child, I have given you both a gift and a curse. No matter what you should choose, the lessons and gifts you have been given will live on with you. And to the outside world, you will appear unnatural, gifted, a wizard. But an internal struggle will always reside within you. The struggle to gain more power then you can. To be greater then you can be. You are not a wizard. And the conflicts you face, you will push through as with the wisdom of an Istari, but with the mentality of a human. That's just how you are, and always will be. As for being raised in an elvish community, that only complicates matters more, for you have been raised to think like them as well. For elves think differently then humans, yet you still possess human instinct. So you have the grace of the elves- headstrong, noble, bold. And the will to be right, fair, and just in all things. And then there is the wisdom of the Istari- knowledgeable, free-spirited, driven, and skilled. And lastly, your human instinct- reckless, worrisome, busy, compassionate, and caring. All those together, my dear Caniel, are what makes your decision so difficult."

As they approached the end of the bridge, Caniel applying all that he said, Gandalf stopped and leaned on the railing. Caniel followed suit, still silently figuring all that he had said. It was confusing, for what was said was numerous, but somehow, it all made sense. She could relate to being in conflicts when all those thoughts, those instincts, kicked in and made it that much more difficult.

"What am I to do then?" She asked quietly. "How is one so torn between three worlds to choose the right path?"

"You are not torn, pen dithen." Gandalf smiled reassuringly. (Little one) "All those make you who you are. They are just the many aspects that make you so powerful as one whole. Apply them all and see what you get. The right decision will be appeasing to it all. Worry not what the outside world tells you. Do what suits Caniel, and no one else. Make the decision based on what you have learned, what you feel, and what you want. No one asks for anything more. Decide what to do with the time that is given to you." He said sternly, yet his eyes continued to smile at the girl.

"Thank you, pen hael." Caniel smiled, embracing him in a hug. "Your words bring much comfort to my heart." (Wise one)

"I know the decision is not yet clearer to you," Gandalf said, as she took a step away. "But now you know what I am thinking of the whole situation."

She nodded, turning to leave.

"And Caniel!"

She turned back around.

"Should any more visions trouble you, do tell us immediately. This is a matter not taken lightly."

Caniel felt a twinge of guilt and debated telling him the vision she had had the night before on the horse. But upon deciding that the wizard had enough to deal with, and the vision was mostly of the future anyway (which he had said was a frequent occurrence anyway), it was left unsaid for the time.

"I will."

"And Caniel? " He stopped her again.

"Hmm?"

"Hold tight your friendship with Legolas."

This came as a surprise. "Why?"

"For it's not everyday one looks at another the way he looks at you…"

With a wink, the wizard turned and left Caniel standing stunned on the end of the bridge.

As dusk approached, Legolas having just finished his dinner, moved to again join companionship with Aragorn. They had spent the whole day together after Caniel had left him. The two had busied themselves with a day full of fishing and boating on the near river, and then Legolas helped Aragorn to finish chopping the firewood for his home. The day had been passed leisurely with many laughs and memories replayed. It had been a long while since the two had spent time together and Legolas was feeling more relaxed and cheery as he made his way down the path to Aragorn's house.

It was a house much like the other dwellings in Rivendell, but it was tucked back in the cliff, setting it higher. Yet the backyard was carved lower in the cliff, like a spacious cave tucked between the house and cliff. As he climbed the stairs to the front entrance, he could hear familiar laughter from the back. He moved into the house, not bothering to knock, and treaded through its rugged décor. It was furnished with dark woods and blue patterns, unlike the lighter yellows and reds of his own dwelling. It held the more traditional human feel to it, yet many traits, like the numerous candles and carefully crafter bookshelves and walls, remained apparently elf.

Upon the kitchen table were assortments of cups, a cocoa mix, and warmed water in a kettle. There was also a bowl of fruit that had been picked through and in a tub opposite the table sat, soaking in water, the dirty dishes of Aragorn's dinner. The back door to his balcony was wide-open letting wash away the muggy air inside the darkened house, and showed many lawn chairs and flowers. A dark haired elf sat with her back to Legolas, watching over the rail at the activity below. On the table next to her was a plate with the picked fruit from the bowl, and her braids blew gently in the breeze as the pink sun cascaded soothing rays around the scene.

Legolas picked a grape from the bowl before walking up to Arwen to see what she was so adamantly watching. Below on the grass, Aragorn in a loose red shirt tied with a black belt and his hair pulled back, was battling sword to elven blades with Caniel. He laughed heartedly at her threats as they swung back and forth in a quick, paced fight. Caniel was in loose tan pants with slits running up past her knee allowing for free movement, and a white peasant shirt that blew loosely around her torso and gave the illusion of a petal being blown from the flower. Her hair was braided and pinned around her head, and her smile was etched across her flawless face as Aragorn threw some difficult moves at her, which she parried effortlessly.

"Legolas! Come, join us!" Arwen exclaimed, looking up to him and gesturing to the chair on the other side of the table.

"Thank you." He smiled, taking a seat and chewing the sweet grape. "What is going on?"

"One of Aragorn's lessons." She laughed. "He offered to teach Caniel a new move he recently discovered, and that turned into a duel to see who was the better blade handler."

"Of course." Legolas smiled, looking down to the two again. "Who's winning?"

"Neither." Arwen rolled her eyes. "Caniel is better at attacking, but Aragorn's better at parrying. So they're matched."

"Interesting; that she should battle with blades instead of a sword." Legolas commented, watching as Caniel pulled a brilliant string of attacks.

"She fights with nothing else. A sword, she claims, restrains ones freedom of movement. Aragorn, though, argues that it has a more powerful attack."

"I use both, but my bow is my true companion." Legolas thought out loud.

"I use none. " Arwen laughed. "If I can help it."

They watched as Aragorn was forced to bend backward, in a limbo like position, making his torso parallel to the ground as Caniel swirled the blades above her head in an aggressive attack. Then using his hands to launch himself upwards, Aragorn soon threw a couple thrusts, to which Caniel avoided by gracefully maneuvering her body into twists and tucks, unlike any Legolas had seen.

"She has her own fighting style." He said to Arwen who nodded passively.

"She takes lessons and makes them her own. She knows her strengths and plays on them. It seems to work." She added.

Suddenly, Aragorn swung hard, and Caniel used her blades to catch his sword and guide it to the trunk of the tree she stood by. The move dug the blade deep into the trunk, and Aragorn laughed aloud.

"You have a partner? I was not informed!" Aragorn raised his hands to her blades in defeat, his sword sticking out of the tree.

"I thought you'd like that one." Caniel said, her breath erratic.

"Indeed. Your attacks are beyond comparison. But you have much to learn of parrying." Aragorn jested.

"Oh?" She breathed. "How so?"

"For example, Legolas up there might just do something to distract you-"

Caniel had turned on these words to look up at the balcony. "Legolas, hello! When did you arrive?"

"Not too long ago-"

Aragorn had suddenly pulled his sword from the tree and held it to Caniel's throat. She gave an exasperated sigh, realizing her foolish mistake, and dropped her blades.

"Very well. I understand." She said.

Aragorn laughed again and stepped back, allowing her to retrieve the weapons. Legolas and Arwen laughed at the situation, and Arwen even applauded the moment quietly.

"This is fun." She said to Legolas quietly. "They do this every so often."

"I imagine it goes on for quite a while. After all, they both have that competitive edge to them."

"You guess right. But it always is in good fun."

Legolas turned back to the couple on the ground, who had engaged in a friendly demonstration. Aragorn was positioning Caniel for a parry and she cooperated most willingly, eager to learn all she could. After he had shown her the stance, they maneuvered it many times slowly before they resumed the fight. Legolas watched intently as Caniel demonstrated a more focused fight, careful to throw in new parries and working on the blocking more so then the attacking. Through out the fight, many more mishaps occurred, sending the group into fits of laughter, such as when Aragorn had gotten too cocky and swung too hard tripping himself, causing Caniel to get a good pin on him. And then Caniel had pulled off an amazing stunt when she had used the tree to launch herself over Aragorn when he had forced her to back up. Legolas laughed harder then ever at the look that came over the rangers face as he realized Caniel had just flipped over him. As the dawn passed and darkness overcame the dwelling, the group found themselves rejoined on the balcony. Aragorn had started a cozy fire in the yard, and filling four mugs with a chocolate drink, they sat back to laugh the night away.