The Undecided of Earendil

By: Larien

Chapter 13

HyperSquishy- Just wanted to say thank you for reading both my stories; I'm truly grateful! Yes Iagree he (Balrant)should be let go if he's innocent. But is he? Lol. Thanks agin for reviewing andbeing a great support!

Lendielstar- I'm glad you think my story is "cool!" Thanks for the review!

Legolaslover77- Thanks once again for your unending support, and I'm really glad you like the story thus far. Yes, perhaps Caniel and Legolas should get married...hmmm, there's a thought. Lol. Anyway, thanks for the reivew and I agree with the, "Come on people, review!" Thanks again!

area54kaps- Thanks for the review, and I'm gald it's enjoyable even though it is slightly different from a lot of the fanfictions. That was my goal; something new and interesting. Let me know of further thoughts and thanks again!

Elvnchic9- Yes, really. You were my only reviewer, so thanks for the continued reviews. So to answer some questions; Will Legolas and Caniel get together soon? I hope so, but they might get farther apart first. You'll understand after this chapter. Her decision, you ask? Oh I've been dropping little hints every chapter. Granted they make the decision more undecided, but there are always hints as to where she's headed. And oh yes, Legolas will greatly affect her decision. Just wait and see!

hungry hobbit- Hey! Nice of you to start reading and reviewing as well! I'm glad you enjoy and I look forward to hearng from you again! Thanks a bunch!

Loony Kay- Thanks for the review. And yes, I too can't wait until they become more then just friends. Jeez I wish they'd hurry up! Lol. Anyway, thanks again!

A/N- Thanks for the reviews…Wow, seven reviews for one chapter is an all time record. PLEASE KEEP THE REVIEWS COMING! As long as I continue getting reviews, so will the story continue. Which makes me excited. 'Cause here's where it gets good. Just as a note, though, the two poems in this chapter are original, therefore should not be used by anyone else under their names. Thank you and enjoy! Faer nîn veren; narn hen natha ann! (My spirit is joyous; this tale will be long!)

"For years I walk from tree to sea, yet never on a road, thy land is free. Under willow and cloud, rain and fog, low wind dust blow and foot find log. My eyes are peeled, thy feet are sore; ears like a fox, persistent to the core. Up hill and mountain, through valley and plain, right to thy city, from shadow I came. No robe too glittered will cloth me tonight. A sword and staff will further my plight. The journey is long, longer than fire will burn. Strange creatures and people, whose tongues I've learned. Yet never a road, will my foot touch, only pebble and grass, sand and dust. Ah! How lonely is singing, grow tired do I. But the road is deceiving, you stumble less on mine. For years I walk, from tree to sea, yet never on a road, thy land is free."

Caniel finished with a slight smile, rereading the fine words to herself then closing the book allowing the shards of collected dust to once again reenter the air, creating an illumines affect. Looking to the girl sitting across from her with a slight smile edging her lips, Caniel replaced it on the table and picked up the next book. The last book was very old, tattered and delicate with its pages on the verge of tearing and the gold lined cover chipping away at its edges. The next book, however, was more in a new state with a fine red cover and gold lined pages filled with elvish script.

Sírdhem watched quietly, her hair pulled back into a loose ponytail and a black dress that was fringed at the bottom and wrinkled to resemble a pile of crunched up parchment. Still her eyes remained large and blank and her skin pale and tight, as though stretched to the thinnest around her tiny bones. It was a ragged appearance, almost sad to look at, but Caniel pushed the disturbed image from her mind and instead focused on the book in front of her.

Upon arriving at Sírdhem's dwelling, Caniel had noticed her looking placidly through the books and had offered to read to her out loud. Only giving the slightest nod as confirmation, Caniel had settled herself in what should have been a rather plush maroon coated chair, but was instead a dusty, flat chair which after a while she began to feel a slight twinge in her back. But she continued reading, in hopes that she would receive more of a response then the pale smile that continued to cross Sírdhem's face. But to no avail. At least, she thought, she was tightening their bond by reading together. If for nothing else, Caniel thoroughly enjoyed these books, and the stories and poems were classics in her mind.

Scanning the first page briefly, she began to read again her voice calm and inviting.

"Along the nights edge we dance and sing, of tales of old and bells that ring. And while we sing with merry glee, there is one fair voice that touches me. A sweet maiden with hair of gold, eyes of stars and a ring on her toe. Oh how sweet she will dance, how sweet is her song, until every man has joined along. Out into the wild, out to the sea, I follow you sweat maiden, wherever you lead. And when every man has fallen astray, I will not tire 'till by your side I lay. Fate has not failed, nor is destiny bitter; our paths were meant to cross and it is here we must hither. I have your grace and you have my love, unalike we were, like a fox and a dove. Yet we have seen past the fear, differences have shed no tear. They warned me to stay; for you another. But while we were dancing, there was only each other." Caniel sighed. "That one brings much warmth to my heart."

She again shared an unspoken smile with Sírdhem, but when she moved her hand to turn the page, Sírdhem grabbed it firmly and locked eyes with the girl. Caniel didn't have time to react, only to look once into those deep blank eyes. As if sprung from her own body, Caniel felt as though she were falling backward through an abyss of darkness. Bracing herself was impossible for even though she felt free in the air, she couldn't bring about any movement to her limbs. At last there was light and the falling sensation came to a halt.

Looking around her, she was no longer in a room with Sírdhem. In fact, by the looks of the houses around her, she was not even in Rivendell any more. A surge of panic ran through her and she started to walk briskly down the dirt road along which sat many houses built of dark wood and straw roofs. The appearance suggested a northern colony, or perhaps eastern colony of man. Perhaps she was somewhere around Rohan. Though that thought settled her nerves only slightly, the reason for being anywhere near Rohan when she had just been in Rivendell caused her panic to remain mounted and finally she came upon a hill that caressed downward rather quickly into a deep valley where an entire village sat quietly. Smoke billowed from the identical one-story buildings and the street seemed alive, though, as she descended rather quickly, Caniel discerned it to be humans bustling from small street shops. Horses pulled rickety carriages, some just had children riding bareback. Shops with fish and berries, baskets and flowers were hustling shoppers through and the street sang with content simple laughter. The people there were not rich looking; on the contrary, Caniel noticed as she approached that even her ragged gray dress seemed fine compared to the rugged and practical clothing worn here.

Not one person seemed free of the dirt that accumulated around their shallow eyes, and the hair of all was brown streaked with sun-accented highlights. Rugged and worn was the appearance; brown aprons over faded white chemises, and corsets worn visibly and of dull appearance. The men wore loose, ranger clothing with swords and daggers dangling from each, and their hair blew in and out of their stricken faces. Yet despite the rugged appearance, the atmosphere reflected calm and alluring. As Caniel entered the village, she was surprised that no one seemed to notice her. At first she wondered whether this was actually a good thing or not, but decided she first needed to know where she was. So she walked to the nearest cart selling turquoise jewelry and asked the seller politely.

"Excuse me, sir?" The man ignored her and continued polishing a rather large bracelet in-between his rather large, chipped hands. She moved to face him on the other side. "Sir? I was curious as to…"

But she let her sentence hang as the man had once again completely ignored her and had gone to talking to another man who had just approached inquiring as to a turquoise laden belt. Feeling slightly discouraged and a bit angered, she made her way to a more approachable female selling a basket full of bread on the street. As Caniel approached however, the woman continued looking to passerby's, as though she could see straight through her.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to interrupt but," Caniel moved to follow the woman who was following a man, asking him to buy her bread. "I was wondering where I am? I'm a bit lost you see and…will you listen please!" Caniel made to grab the woman's arm, but to her utter horror, her hand simply passed through as though she had tried to grab a ghost.

It was then the realization hit her. No one was answering because she wasn't actually there. This was all a dream, a vision. But not one of her own; this was Sírdhem's doing. But why would Sírdhem have given Caniel a vision of these people? How was she able to generate a vision to begin with? And why to Caniel? As these thoughts swirled through her mind, her attention was diverted to a young girl prancing through the streets, giggling and twirling a lace shawl around her head. Following close behind was a mob of about ten boys, all of whom were frolicking and shoving each other out of the way. They wore cotton shirts all of which were smeared with mud, and pants rolled up to their knees revealing muddy feet and scarred legs. The girl seemed to notice the attention given by the boys, but continued her dance through the streets, smiling to the adults as she went. The adults glanced only momentarily before returning to their duties; some muttered a hello or grumbled something, which Caniel thought was an, "Again?"

But as she watched the girl, a predominant feature stuck out and made Caniel follow her some distance, watching intently. Her eyes were a brilliant blue, unlike the sullen brown eyes of all the others. And her hair, though also brown, held more blonde in it then the girls she passed. And it was when the girl gave a twirl, seemingly locking eyes with Caniel for only a brief moment, that she realized it was a younger Sírdhem. This was indeed no vision or dream. It was a memory.

Quickening her pace to catch up, Caniel followed the dancing mob out of the town and into an open field. It was here that some of the boys struggled and turned around, casting one hopeful glance back at the girl they had followed, and then trudging along. This continued for minutes on end; twirling, dancing and giggling through woods and fields, until at last Sírdhem paused at a lake shore to look back and find one lone boy still dancing along, flailing his arms wildly and grinning all the more. He was handsome, with thick sandy hair that he had tied back and tan skin that etched nicely under his white shirt. Stopping to breathe, but still smiling at the girl, Caniel noticed that his grin was much like one she had experience before as well. It reminded her much of Legolas', whose smile always gave him the appearance of being up to something. This boy indeed was up to something, for when he straightened, he ran to the girl who was sharing his grin and spun her around. Laughter filled the calm lake, and Caniel watched longingly as they embraced in a kiss, wrapped around each other as though there was only one of them. But this sweet moment was shattered suddenly when the earth started to tremble and though the embraced couple seemed not to have noticed, Caniel was loosing her footing. As she trembled more and more, falling onto the ground, she started to yell for the couple, who still appeared unmoved.

Her yelling continued frantically wondering why they would not part even though the ground was splitting beneath her and the sky was turning a foreboding shade of black. Not to mention the couple was no longer there and the lake swarmed up like a tidal wave and washed over her, causing her to shut her eyes with one final yell. As the coolness of the water engulfed her, the water, though loud in her ear, seemed to be echoing her name.

"Caniel? Caniel?" It said over and over again as she was being rattled.

Her eyes snapped open suddenly, and feeling very cold and weak, Caniel found herself gazing not into the blue water that was supposed to be engulfing her, but the blue eyes of a familiar elf.

"Legolas?" She asked.

It was then she noticed she was back in the room, no longer on the chair though, but on the floor, propped up into Legolas' lap. Sírdhem still sat in her chair, the book closed on her lap that Caniel had had possession of earlier. Her gaze was still blank, but her smile remained unmoved as she studied the girl on the floor. Puzzled, Caniel watched her, forgetting that Legolas was even present. Her limbs felt weak and the sweat that had engulfed her dripped off her forehead.

"Was that…" But she didn't have to say any more, for Sírdhem nodded vaguely, setting the book down.

"Was that what?" Legolas asked in a concerned voice. "Caniel what happened? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." She said, suddenly realizing she was wrapped in his arms, her head in his lap. In her hurry to get up, dizziness washed over her and she teetered slightly, to which Legolas only held her firmer, watching with concerned interest.

"I think it's time I go." She said at last, looking once more at Sírdhem. "Thank you for the visit."

With that, she left the silent girl, and breathing in the fresh outside air Caniel felt a bit more acute and functional then she had a second ago. Legolas followed close, waiting for an explanation. But when they had nearly walked ten minutes in silence, his curiosity got the better of him and he asked out loud,

"Are you going to tell me what happened in there or not?"

To his surprise, Caniel only laughed quietly. "You sound like my brother."

"Well?" He persisted.

"I was just reading to her, that's all." Caniel said airily, waving her hand. For some reason, she felt this vision was best kept between her and Sírdhem.

"And what happened when you stopped reading?" Legolas asked, an edge to his concern.

"What all did you witness?"

"I was sent to find you and when I talked to Arwen, she said to check there. And when I arrived you were laying on the floor, from the looks of it, unconscious. Of course, Sírdhem was just sitting there watching you and when I started shaking you, you started screaming." He paused, watching the unmoved expression from her face. "Was it another vision?"

Caniel decided this was about as good as any lie, so she nodded. "I guess."

But Legolas didn't buy it. "What do you mean? If it wasn't a vision, what was it? And what happened during it?"

"Why do you suddenly care so much about my visions?" Caniel snapped. It came out harder then she meant it too.

"Since the first day you had one. And seeing as though I've been there for almost every time it happened, I figured I might have the right to keep up to date with them." He replied, with a blatant forced calm.

Stopping so abruptly that Legolas almost collided with her, Caniel turned to face him.

"It was just another vision, okay?" She said. "It's not that important."

"It is important! You're brother-"
"Has enough to worry about, without listening to crazy dreams." Caniel finished.

"These aren't crazy and obviously mean something." Legolas said grimly.

"I don't see why you care so much, suddenly." Caniel said.

Legolas looked long and hard at her, wondering what to say. He couldn't exactly say, "I think I like you a little more then a friend, so I worry myself to death when I find you lying unmoving upon someone's floor." But it sounded lame saying, "I've been there with you for the others, and I want to be your friend." So instead he replied coolly,

"Fine. You don't want to tell me? Don't. But then don't expect sympathy when you keep having them interrupt your daily life."

Caniel took this as a slap in the face, taking a few steps back she only continued to stare at him. Truthfully, she was expecting something really sweet. Something along the lines that he cared about her or something. But instead, she discerned, he was simply curious.

"Well if you didn't find me to give sympathy, you seemed to have come a long way for nothing. " She said after a moment, turning her back on him.

"You're brother wants to see you immediately. He said it's an important meeting that you can't miss." Legolas shouted after her as she marched away, following close behind her. "And it's starting soon!"

Without a word to the elf even though he followed, she made her way up some stairs and across a bridge, thinking she'd much rather sit in her room and think then be with an overbearing brother right now. Why she had snapped at Legolas was beyond her, and yet, she felt even more frustration that he snapped back. Wasn't he the one who liked her in that way? Or at least, so she had thought ever since the last advance. So who was he to bring her from a vision only to prod and get information that she didn't want to give? And then get snappish about it?

A pit in her stomach told her she had not been all that pleasant either, snapping at him after he had been so quick to help her. And what would he have done if she had told him? It wasn't that big of a deal anyway. Just a memory of Sírdhem's.

But then why did she share it with Caniel, if it was indeed just a memory? Was there something significant to it? Something more that Caniel didn't get to see? Dwelling so deeply on these thoughts, Caniel didn't even realize she had arrived at Elrond's until she was facing his doorway, knocking quietly.

The door opened, revealing Gandalf smiling and gesturing her and Legolas inwards. Inside a wild sight greeted her; sitting on the couch was a man in gold and black robes with thick brown hair that lay curly around his shoulders. Sitting next to him was a young woman who also had the curly brown hair, but it was longer and done in an exotic up-do, decorated with fine silver jewels that matched her glimmering dress and cape. Behind them stood two very firm, rather mean guards rigged with knifes, swords, bows, and whips. Opposite this bizarre scene stood Elrond, in a royal maroon and gold outfit, looking stern and regal all at the same time. Realizing her appearance must appear peasant to this extravagant party, Caniel nodded to her brother, who smiled slightly, looking pained and focused while doing so.

Gandalf nudged Caniel inward, to greet the man in gold and black, who had stood and bowed slightly before her. His smile was intoxicating and his deep brown eyes sinister and cocky. She didn't miss the quick travel his eyes made, sweeping her up and down, lingering a moment on her more-than-usual exposed upper torso. Then he took her hand and keeping his eyes now upon hers, he kissed it smoothly, letting his lips linger a moment above her skin, just so that she could feel the warm breath on her hand. Shivers racked her body, but she remained stern and emotionless, determined not to let the man see her melting.

"Caniel I would like to introduce you to Lord Aradhel. He has traveled long distances from the north seeking an alliance with the elves of Rivendell. m'lord, this is my sister Caniel."

"I have set eyes upon many beautiful woman, Caniel. But their beauty now pales in comparison to the likes of you."

Caniel thought she heard Gandalf conceal an amused chortle and Legolas grimaced from his position in the doorway, but she ignored it and smiled politely. "I'm flatter, m'lord."

Elrond continued, indicating the woman in silver. "And this is his sister, Lady Rodwen of the North."

"Greetings Caniel. It is a pleasure to meet you." The woman named Rodwen nodded curtly from her spot on the couch, and Caniel returned the nod.

"The pleasure is mine."

Elrond nodded to Legolas, whose arms were folded and eyes bore sternly upon Aradhel with great loathing. "M'lord, m'lady, this is Legolas of the Mirkwood realm. Son of King Thranduil and prince of his lands."

Aradhel either did not notice the look he was receiving from Legolas, or just chose to ignore it, for he nodded pleasantly to him, a warm smile across his face. Legolas returned the nod, but with a forced smile. And when he had turned to Rodwen, who had stood up to greet him, unlike she had done for Caniel, his eyes softened slightly and he kissed her outstretched hand. Rodwen, Caniel noticed, suddenly brightened as well, smiling and batting her dark lashes at him as she watched his every move carefully.

Elrond, oblivious to the ongoing looks being passed around started pacing in front of them, cueing them all to sit.

"Caniel, you may be wondering as to why I bring you here." Caniel did not answer her brother but continued to watch him pace. "The fact is I felt this would be a good chance for you to see what goes on with alliances and outside agreements; seeing as though you've always taken a great interest in the politics of Rivendell." He added, smiling slightly to her.

She returned his smile and nodded.

"Therefore, I will not let your presence be of hindrance, so let us commence with the dealings you bring forth Aradhel." Elrond stopped moving and faced the man sitting upright on the couch. "What brings you seeking alliance with Rivendell?"

The man seemed to hide the flash of a smile with a sigh, closing his eyes momentarily as if trying to remember, and then speaking clearly.

"The truth is, my lord Elrond, that my city and surrounding areas are being attacked on a regular basis nowadays." He said firmly. "Our defenses were fine for the first few attacks but as this has been going on for many months, I have lost many men and we are in dire need of assistance."

"And what are you being attacked by? And what is their reason for the attack?"

"Orcs, goblins, trolls. All the like." He said with a flourish of his hand as though it were nothing. "They came from Car Dûn where they have set up new quarters. My guess is however, more have taken refuge farther South in the Misty Mountains. Even into Dunland and Isengard."

"Nonsense." Gandalf said stiffly, billowing smoke from his pipe. Caniel leapt at the sound of his voice, forgetting he was standing silently in the back corner of the room. "Saruman dwells in the fortress of Isengard. No orc would dwell there without his knowledge."

"Perhaps." Aradhel replied coolly, eyeing the wizard. "Or perhaps they are in league with each other and you are just blind to it."

Gandalf gave a great harrumph, choking on his pipe. "Your prejudice against other folk more powerful then yourself blinds you to reality, my dear Aradhel."

Aradhel only nodded. "Very well. Either way they come from the South, passing through lands to the East of the Misty Mountains. I also presume that they have made dwellings around Moria."

"The dwarves would never have it." Elrond said sternly. "And what leads you to believe this?"

"Insides sources, my lord." He replied, lounging back coolly in his spot. Caniel thought he seemed right bold giving all this information to them when it indeed seemed farfetched that orcs would be dwelling with wizards and dwarves. "But the point of the matter is, they are now residing in the Mountains of Angmar, more precisely Carn Dûn, in mass numbers. And they've been snooping around our boarders for many months, and have recently started attacking my city of Nenuial and our neighbor Annúminas."

"Isn't that in the lost realm of Arnor?" Caniel asked. He nodded.

"Indeed. Our cities sit on the bank of Lake Evendim, bordering Emyn Uial and the Hills of Evendium to our West. We are also west of the North Downs." He finished.

Caniel heard Legolas shuffle uneasily behind where she sat, and decided to question him about it later. As for now, her brother once again resumed speaking.

"And why are these orcs suddenly launching attacks upon you?"

Aradhel shrugged, looking to the ground. "On this we are not sure, for they do not offer an explanation while firing arrows into my men." His sister laughed at his attempted humor, though no one else seemed to find it amusing. "My guess is they are massing around the Western portions of Middle Earth because there is much unused land, especially in the north, and if they are indeed taking orders from someone in the south, southeast, then the lands here are opportune for cornering and striking all the cities in the west."

"Where did this come from, this taking orders from someone in the south?" Gandalf murmured. "You never said you knew of them moving because it was an order."

"Oh come now Gandalf! Surly you have realized like I have that orcs are not independent. They are bred for the use of someone's foul doing. They would rather rot in the dungeons of an elf then wander the lands freely. They are vulnerable and they know it. As long as they work for someone, they're at least guaranteed rewards and the chance of not being struck down as long as they're on business."

"Unless that business is attacking cities of course." Legolas grumbled.

"Of course." Aradhel replied coolly, staring at Legolas.

"So you mean to tell me that you suspect someone in the South is breeding mass amounts of orcs and sending them to take over the boarders of the west, to prepare for a full takeover?" Elrond said incredulously.

"Something like that, yes."

"And you expect me to believe this when I have not once had any news of disturbance in our eastern boarders, nor any sightings of an orc? Let alone an army of orcs?" Elrond said sounding almost amused.

"You make it sound as though I would make this all up." Aradhel said, his voice oddly colder then it had been a second ago.

"Well, due to past events it shouldn't be a surprise I have my suspicions about you're loyalties." Elrond said, equally as cold. Caniel glanced at Rodwen, who although still fixedly staring at Legolas, looked equally lost as to what the two lords were saying.

"If you do not believe my word, send out riders to the eastern boarders of Rivendell towards the Old Ford. I happen to know that a rather large battalion of orcs is residing there just now, resting from a treacherous journey from the south. If you want verification, you shall send out spies and see for yourself." He smiled sarcastically. "If your riders are daring enough, tell them to question the orcs as to where they are headed. The news you'll receive will coincide with what I've already told you."

Elrond glared at the prince, who sat looking mildly impressed with his own information. Yet Caniel also sensed something urgent in his words. A need, almost, for Elrond to believe him. At last Gandalf spoke.

"Give a reason, Aradhel, that Elrond would sacrifice any of his people to help you?" The words were grave.

Aradhel looked taken aback for a moment, but then said simply, "If we continue to dwell on the past, we would cease to live and nothing would be achieved."

"Though I do recall loosing some lives the last time an allegiance was formed." Elrond said immediately. "The past dwells in matters such as these, m'lord. And perhaps it is you who have ceased to live, if you try to deny what happened."

"What I tell you is true." Aradhel replied sitting up straight and saying it harshly. "If you refuse to believe it, then it is only a matter of time before your city will come to ruins with the same evil."

"Rivendell will not fall to orcs." Elrond said sharply, turning to pace again. "And how dare you try to guilt me when it was at your hands that city was slaughtered because of haste in decision making."

This was news to Caniel's ears, as well, it appeared, to Rodwen and Legolas. Everything the two had been discussing made no sense thus far to any of them, except for perhaps Gandalf. But now at last, it appeared the crick in the agreement was coming out.

"That city turned on us, Elrond. They were an evil race, bitter to outsiders and greedy to anything they could grasp. They cared nothing for my people or our allegiance."

"They had not done anything wrong!"

"They would not fight! They would rather see our city to runes so they could claim the riches and move in themselves!"

"You know that's a lie formed in your head to conceal the guilt of what really happened." Gandalf said, stepping forward.

Elrond nodded in agreement. "That city stayed out of your affairs in fear of being betrayed by your people and loosing its freedom. You did not offer it any course of action on its own terms. Rather by your terms, which, I might add, were the most difficult and most promising of death!"

"Somebody has to do the difficult, Elrond." Aradhel continued, looking not the least bit phased by the accusation. "It's war. And my men were already fighting their own battles. It was for the good of everyone."

"It was a rotten deal in which they had no reason to agree to." Elrond said bitterly, facing him again. "And if that's what you have in mind for the elves, I must kindly refuse the offer."

"We fight this battle together. And if not, then we die separately." Aradhel's last words struck a silence in the room. No one seemed to move as the last words were absorbed. Rodwen still gazed at Legolas, who had taken to pace lightly behind Caniel. Elrond rubbed his jaw wearily staring at the floor. Gandalf had returned to his shadowed corner, and Caniel was uncomfortably aware that Aradhel was studying her intently.

Finally Elrond spoke. "It is not for you Aradhel, that I speak this. But for your people who I know are a fine race of men. I will send out riders to inspect this claim of yours. Should there be a battalion of orcs, as you said, I will consider your allegiance. If not, I will go to any means to ensure that you are escorted off my land and never allowed entrance again."

Aradhel nodded satisfied, not looking the least bit concerned. Caniel assumed this meant he was in fact telling the truth.

"You are most generous." He said, standing. "Oh! And one more thing I came to discuss. I have been informed that you are holding one of my citizens captive, and I have come to secure his release."

This bit of news seemed to shock everyone in the room, as it was followed by another long silence in which Gandalf and Elrond exchanged stern looks.

"The elves are not holding anyone captive, as it were." Elrond said, with stiffness to his voice. "But we are in the process of questioning a man who trespassed on our grounds under suspicious circumstances."

Aradhel smiled. "Be that as it may, this man is a loyal citizen of Nenuial and was on business to the town of Bree. But as conditions permitted he fell astray and is just a lost traveler. I can vouch that he is of no threat and I can secure a release for him…should my lord permit, that is." He added hastily at the unmoving glare issuing from Elrond.

Being angered beyond speaking and still bothered over the trust issue, Elrond turned to Gandalf to speak for him.

Stepping once again from the shadows, the wizard spoke slowly. "We are aware that this man may have been an innocent traveler. And under the certain conditions, Aradhel, we are more apt to believe his word then yours, as trust is still being forged with the royalty of your city." These words seemed to cross Aradhel's face with a wicked grimace. Gandalf proceeded without notice. "Therefore, if we find your word trustworthy, the man will be released. If all has been nothing but a tall tale, then we will do with him what we feel necessary to assure his innocence."

This time, Aradhel did not nod kindly. Instead he cast the same hard glare at Gandalf that Elrond had just issued at him. This silence though, was soon broken by a voice that had to this point remained silent.

"I volunteer to ride out and scout out the orcs, my lord." Legolas said, again causing Caniel to jump and turn around.

Elrond nodded vaguely. "Take with you a scout of ten to fifteen armed elves. Find out where they are and discover where they are headed." He noticed the shift in Aradhel's eyes and added. "You don't need to talk to them if the situation seems grave. Just watch for their departure and report back once you've learned all you can."

Legolas nodded.

"I will accompany him." Caniel said at length, getting the expected reaction from her brother.

"Caniel, you are not a-"

"Warrior, yes I'm aware." She cut him off. "But you did not say warriors needed to be taken. Only armed elves. And at any length, I'm just as good as a trained warrior, and I am here to learn how politics are run, am I not?"

Elrond could not counter these words and feeling the pressure of the eyes that had all now reverted to him, he could not deny her.

"Very well. Legolas, you are in charge of recruiting the rest. I'm sure Glorfindel would be happy to assist, should you need it."

Just as the last words were spoken, a hasty knock issued at his front door and an elf emerged, looking rather hurried as if he had just run a long way.

"I'm sorry to interrupt my lord." The elf said as Elrond made his way to face him. "But you have a visitor who demands to see you."

"Tell this visitor it will have to wait. I already have-"

"I don't think you'd want to miss this visitor, my lord." The elf cut him off. "He actually wanted to speak to Legolas as well, and he's in a dreadful right state."

Legolas looked confused at Elrond who shared his remarkable glance.

"Well then let him in, if it is so important. But my time is limited."

The elf nodded and scurried back out the door. No sooner had he disappeared that a rather stern figure walked into the room. His robes were a glimmering green that draped lazily around his muscular build. His face was pale and his eyes were a piercing blue. Around his head was a band of sliver vines that wove around long hair of white-blonde. The features on his handsome face were etched and worn, so he took on the appearance of an older elf. And his stride was long and brooding. His mannerism reminded Caniel vaguely of the elf standing next to her, who had his eyes wide at the sight of the arrival.

And it was when Legolas spoke in a surprised whisper that Caniel figured out why there was a likeness in the two elves.

"Father?"