The Undecided of Earendil

By- Larien

Chapter 23

Elvnchic9- Wow, that was some rant, my dear friend! And I like the chainsaw...I was going to use one of the broken shards of Narzil, but I like your idea better! Lol. Don't worry, I think there might be some sun on the horizon, so hold on. We're getting to happier times. Thanks for the review!

Copperfang- As I've already assured Elvnchic9, there is some sun on the horizon. I promise. Things will hopefully be happier soon. And also like Elvnchic9; that was some spew of words! And I think your obsession with killing Thranduil has finally caught on to everyone else as well, you should see the reviews I've been getting! I'm almost feel bad for the Mr. Powerful-king! So anyway thanks again for the review and I hope I haven't borken you down permanently yet!

Loony Kay- I don't understand Thranduil's motives either...which isn't necassarily good since I'm writing the story! Whoops! We just won't tell anyone! Lol. Anyway, I'm reassuring everyone, there is some sun on the horizon so hang tight. Things will be looking up I hope. Thanks for the review as always, it means a lot!

madrone- I think you've got everyone doing a happy ending dance now! lol. But as I'e told everyone else, this is sun on the horizon and things will be looking better soon, I promise. But I still agree that Thranduil is a mean bugger and I thank you again for the review. It means a lot!

Legolaslover77- Escape his "buttheaded" father! Lol. That made me laugh. But don't worry, as I've told everyone, there is sun on the horizon so hold on. Things will be looking up I think soon. So thanks for the review and I hope this chapter didn't take too long! It was difficult.

A/N- Ugh, this was a gross chapter. Hence why is took so long. So many, many apologies in advance and I hope this doesn't kill off too many of you! But in all honesty, this was a very difficult chapter, and I can't say I'm horribly proud of it. So keep the insults to a minimum in your review. Lol. Le hannon!

P.S. I have made my new email available to readers and whatnot, so to anyone who feels like it (I know I've already told some of you) feel free to drop me a line. I'm always up to hearing from people.

The first day in Neuial was…interesting. Upon arriving at the palace after the longest parade Caniel thought she had ever experienced, the Lord Aradhel wasted no time in touring them the palace grounds. The palace itself was overly large with floors upon floors of the most elegant rooms and large marble staircases winding all over the place. With its six kitchens and nine living rooms, Caniel was sure she was going to get lost within the first few minutes. The second level was home to many meeting rooms all large with long tables and tall chairs suited for the most exquisite visitors and politicians. The third floor was where most of the bedrooms were located; Aradhel's being the first and being nothing short of a separate house. Decorated in blacks and golds, it almost reminded Aragorn of an armory he had once seen. That wasn't far from the truth anyway, for most of the furniture in the room was gold anyway.

Caniel's room, being slightly more modest, was decorated in fine silver and blue silks, to which she was most pleased to see. It had been fashioned much after the elvish homes; large marble statues stared at her from corners lined with tall candles, and draperies intermingled with vines lined the crafted walls. Tall windows and a large patio all were to her disposal as well, and a cage of exotic birds chirped at her when she approached while another large fish tank sat in the far corner next to a large marble bookcase filled with books of every size. Her heart fluttered at the sight of the books and Aradhel watched with amusement as she looked through them all.

Showing her to the large closet was another adventure in itself. Garments of the finest material filled its every inch, and shoes and headdresses lined the shelves up to the ceiling. As Caniel ran her fingers over the dresses, Aradhel opened a large chest in the back and the glimmer of jewelry caught the maiden's eye as she was soon faced with piles of the finest jewelry she had ever laid eyes on.

"This is too much." She said quietly, not daring to touch them.

Aradhel only laughed.

"They are yours to do with what you wish. All of it," He gestured to the entire closest.

Aragorn walked in at this point, after touring his own room, and stopped short upon seeing the jewels. Caniel nodded at him, sharing his shock at such exquisite treatment. Aradhel couldn't look more pleased with himself and from the little she heard from Aragorn, Caniel guessed his room to be just as fashionable.

The next day, Aradhel had summoned them a carriage whereon he began their tour of the city. They rode through the many houses, being pointed towards the famous cafes and bakeries as well as being introduced to many merchants who waved the carriage down. Soon after setting eyes upon the fine restaurants and many shops, the carriage was directed towards the busy port, where Aragorn remarked on the number of people gathered there.

"Lake Evendim is our greatest pride. It is large and provides us with much." Aradhel remarked as they left the carriage and began walking around the bustling port. "Food, sport, trade, jobs. All revolves around the lake."

Caniel watched as a man, his hat on crocked and his eyes a blaze danced atop a barrel, others clapping in a circle around him, as he sang loud and strong. A voice that was croaked with the drink of whiskey and joined with the yell of sea birds who scattered and dove to catch the remainders of fish from a small boat that was emptying their nets. Aragorn sidled up alongside her and gestured to another man, amidst the barrels of mead, a bottle at hand, sleeping soundly, snoring as if his very lung was drowning itself.

"This is all a bit…carefree." Aragorn said quietly, a small smile etching his lips. Aradhel had busied himself with arranging a boat ride to the near islands in the middle of the lake.

"I find it rather quaint." Caniel remarked, turning her attention to yet another group of sailors, who had embarked on fighting one another so ferociously Caniel worried one was going to get killed. With their drunken yells and raised bottles, she turned to Aradhel who didn't seem a bit fazed by it.

"Should you not stop them?" She asked as one of the louder men was silenced when a bottled was broke over his head.

"It is not my affair and this happens all the time here." Aradhel shrugged, dealing some coins to the commander of the ship. "It is a ruff place here, in this port. Men live for themselves and nothing more."

"I thought you said there was no crime here?"

"Our crime is different from your crime, my dear Caniel." Aradhel smiled. "These men are simply settling a disagreement over payment. It will die down soon enough."

"Just so long as one of them doesn't die along with it." Aragorn mumbled and Caniel nodded.

But Aradhel was right for after the first man had been knocked out, blood flowing from his forehead where he lie on the ground, the others scattered, all grumbling to themselves as they made their way down different allies or back to their ships. A woman dressed in not but a tight bodice which threatened to release her cleavage the moment she bent, and a wrap for a skirt moved to the unconscious man, a little child in her arms wearing nothing at all. Placing a damp rag on the man's head she did nothing more for him but sit and wait under the tall street lamp, and to waste time, Caniel was astonished though not surprised, that she started nursing the child right there, in front of everyone.

"Is there no modesty?" Caniel asked to no one in particular.

"I told you, they live for themselves." Aradhel again remarked, pocketing some parchment and gesturing towards their ship. "Now come. Our transportation is ready."

Following him to the ship the party passed another sailor who cheered his bottle of whiskey to every whore that passed him, throwing them coins and remarking on the goodness all gone and virtue all but lost. He even cheered Caniel, who shook her head sadly at his pathetic appearance and instead turned her attention to a group of young men courting some maidens in more tight bodices and chemises. Their laughter rose with a roar of their jokes and they continued to laugh and lust as the girls twirled their hair and batted their eyes, and the men broke into dances as the accordions busted out tuneless music.

Once on the ship, Caniel and Aragorn were greeted with more pleasant sights of rolling hills and deep shores. Aradhel remarked on a number of sea creatures they observed and soon, the white sails slowed and they beached on to one of the longest islands Caniel had seen. Tall trees, like the ones grown in the city covered almost every inch and were trimmed and lined in groups perfectly. Their branches aligned and Caniel suddenly noticed balls of turquoise high in the uppermost parts of the trees, dangling by a thick vine and glimmering in the sunlight.

"This is the terra firma." Aradhel remarked, nodding to the trees. "And those trees are grown only in these parts for this particular sport."

"Orbelo." Caniel nodded. "Balrant told me about it."

Aradhel smiled. "So he did. I thought it might interest you to see what our arena actually looks like. See over there?" He pointed to the water where for the first time Caniel noticed tall wooden bleachers protruding from the water. They were long and tall and on both sides of the terra firma, each able to fit hundreds of people. "Those are the stands from where we watch."

"Orbelo?" Aragorn asked skeptically. "I have never heard of such a sport."

"Ah, well you wouldn't if you've never been here, for it is a game kept to Nenuial and Annúminas." Aradhel agreed walking forward.

They followed him to the main crux where a group of men were busy in the center, talking loudly, each holding different weapons and each looking gruffer then the next. Aradhel had explained the game briefly to Aragorn as they had approached and upon seeing the players, Aradhel turned to Caniel.

"This is one of Nenuial's teams. In my opinion, our finest team." He said the last part quietly then gestured to a small bridge at the edge of the islands, seeing as though the crux and terra firma were separated by water. "Shall we?"

Caniel looked to Aragorn who nodded quietly and they followed the king across the bridge and onto the soft grass that covered the whole three cruxes, which were now visible. The two on either side of the one they were standing were considerably smaller, each with a large net on them. And opposite the crux was another terra firma with more trees and orbs. As the group approached the team, the discussion silenced and they were greeted by grins of gold and chipped teeth and tanned faces.

"Greetings, greetings team Nenuial!" Aradhel praised, opening his arms wide as he sauntered forward. "I bring guests of whom I wish you to meet."

"This," he pulled Caniel forward to which many of the players exchanged raised eyebrows and cocky grins. "Is the new ambassador from Rivendell, Caniel Celin."

"A pleasure." She nodded grimly.

"And this is Aragorn son of Arathorn, who is accompanying her." Aradhel concluded. The players nodded solemnly to him, seemingly having heard his name before.

"Pleasure meeting you my lady." One of the players stepped forward and kissed Caniel's hand pleasantly. He was tall, but well built, with a bald head and dark green eyes. His face was firm and etched with a dark beard and his smile was cocky. "I'm Hirvegil. I play master, not that you would know the sport-"

"You play in the core, retrieving the orbs from the trackers." Caniel said immediately. He raised an eyebrow at her in amusement. "I've heard of it."

From that time on, the other players regarded her with more respect. They no longer looked at her as a pretty object, but a powerful leader and capable player. In fact, they almost regarded her as one of their own teammates. Introducing themselves to her she soon learned of the two raiders, Nengel who had shoulder length black hair with a trimmed beard and warm brown eyes, and Oerlin who resembled a stocky pirate with his shaggy brown hair tied back in a bandana and a trimmed brown mustache. After the raiders, the trackers were introduced as Díorn and Tathar. The first of them being a bald black man who towered well over Caniel and Aragorn and whose speed contrasted with his etched muscles. Tathar, on the other hand, though also black, was completely opposite. He was slim and very flexible, his hair being done in thick braids and his smile revealing much of his sense of humor. And lastly, the guard, Gilorn, kissed her hand. His olive skin and long black hair pulled back into a ponytail made him very attractive. And despite his average build, Caniel was soon to learn of his amazing reflexes when he stopped about ten practice shots with a wonderful twirl of his netted staff.

As the team continued to practice, Caniel found herself absolutely fascinated by the intensity of the game and was most reluctant when Aradhel informed them they had to leave. Promising the team she would return later to learn the different positions, she headed back to shore with Aradhel and Aragorn. Soon thereafter, Aradhel was leading them to the Northern most gate, which is where few houses stood and many trees instead grew. The tall wall here was accumulated with many guards, all at the ready, and all was silent. This, Caniel thought, was where the attacks had been issuing.

They made their way up the stone steps of the wall, which overlooked the vast woods of the lands behind Nenuial, and she was introduced to many captains as they strolled along the wall, moving around large piles of wood and arrows, and barrels of powder.

"I will not keep you up here for long, for it is upon this wall that many of the attacks have been issuing." Aradhel said quietly. "Fortunately, I have many men down amidst the trees outside the wall, to hopefully discourage the actual fighting from ever reaching here. Every so often, though, some orcs creep through unexpected."

Caniel nodded and Aragorn kept glancing at the trees, almost paranoid that an orc blade would pierce the eerie silence that was following them. Nearing the end of the wall, where a large tower stood, they climbed it and looked back over the city. Along the stair well they passed many warriors, each with a bow drawn and aiming out small slits in the brick at the trees, which still stood empty. From the top of the tower, the entire city could be seen and it was breath taking. Admiring it for a few moments, Caniel looked to Aradhel who admired it with a look of great satisfaction. Noticing her stare, he turned to her.

"It is a city to be proud of." He smiled. "It is not like the elves, I know. But it is home in its own way."

Caniel nodded. "I enjoyed it."

Aragorn couldn't agree quite as much, but could admit that the city had a strange way of feeling homely. A rather quaint, simple way about it that he remembered feeling once before while passing through the hobbits town.

"It amazes me, "Aragorn said at length. "How accepting everyone is here. Nothing seems to bother anyone, even things I consider abnormal are just viewed as all right."

Aradhel nodded. "The people here care not what others do or think. They live for themselves, which makes it that much easier to live. They do not care of the concerns of others, so long as they're taken care of. While friendships and alliances are still formed, in the end, it comes down to you being you and getting along in this world."

Caniel thought this sounded vaguely arrogant, yet at the same time, simple and true. Wouldn't everyone be better off if they stopped worrying so much about what others thought and just carried on with their own lives? Wouldn't she be better off if the elves did not put so much effort into what she was to be, elf or mortal? Perhaps, she thought, these men had figured some things out better then the elves after all.

"Come, I have kept you here long enough." Aradhel said suddenly, ushering them back down the stairwell and back to the wall where Caniel noticed many guards had shuffled themselves to aim bows down the wall into the trees.

Hurrying her step, they made to get back to the safer part of the wall, but with a yell, the sky was soon filled with shouts and arrows. Caniel glimpsed only momentarily a scout of orcs running from the trees towards the wall with what looked like small balls that were on fire. Some of the hideous creatures carried the corpses of the guards they had killed already in the forest, their bodies being a tangle of bloody limbs and arrows. As one of the fiery balls landed next to Caniel, she looked at it curiously before feeling herself being launched away from it. Aragorn shielded her as the ball exploded, sending shards of stone flying around them, a couple chipping the side of Aragorn's face. After a moment, there were numerous "thumps" as ladders were laid against the wall and more orcs ran up them to greet the fire of many arrows. Aradhel was off in a corner, shielding himself from the arrow fire and yelling out orders to the guard nearest him who had drawn his sword to protect the king.

Standing quickly, Aragorn beckoned Caniel to help him push over one of the ladders, which proved difficult with the weight of the orcs weighing it down. But after a moment, the ladder fell backward and they moved onto the next one. Their tactic worked for a while, until the old ladders were raised again and a group of orcs breached the wall where swords replaced the bows of the guards and a fight ensued. Aragorn was quick to join, already having his sword on him, whereas Caniel was weaponless and moved to join Aradhel in the corner. In a moment's time, though, she picked up the fallen sword of a guard and dug it into the back of the orc nearest to her. The orc screamed and fell before her, but not before turning some attention her way. Two orcs leapt over their comrade and advanced on her quickly. She backed away, parrying their hard attacks and feeling very weak by the simple fighting.

As she struggled to hold onto the sword, she spun around one of the orcs and brushed his side with the blade, causing him to fall in pain. But the other orc was in full fighting mode and advanced on her fast, hitting her sword hard until she could no longer keep a firm grip on it. Why was this so difficult?

Dodging his blade and pulling a dagger from the ground, Caniel began to yell for Aragorn. But her voice was weaker then her body and was already being drowned by the other battle cries. Digging the blade into the orcs arm, she hurried over to the other side of the wall, hoping that Aradhel would be there to help. But he had gone and she was cornered and weak with a furious orc in close pursuit. Thinking hard and noticing the banner flying above her head from an adjacent wall of the tower, she climbed onto the walls ledge and watched as the orc raised his sword above his head and charged. Just when he was about to crash into her, she leapt up and grabbed the banner, pulling herself up and causing the orc to tumble over the wall with a muffled cry. But the banner would not hold and soon she tumbled hard onto the ground.

Groaning in pain and frustration, Caniel watched as the last of the orcs on the wall were killed while the rest on the ground retreated to the shade of the trees. Aragorn was soon rushing to her side, helping her up and hurrying her to the end of the wall where Aradhel was waiting.

"Quickly, she needs water." He said and Aradhel summoned their carriage to rush them back to the palace.

Picking up her frail body, which was shaking from exhaustion, Aragorn brought her into the main hall where he placed her on a couch and emptied some of the warm water from his flask into her mouth.

"That's disgusting." She mumbled, with a wry smile.

Aragorn smiled as well. "Until they can get you a glass of good water…are you all right?"

"I'm fine."

"You say that but you don't look it." Aragorn said, noting the sweat formed on the pale forehead of the girl. "You have no strength left."

"I'm just tired is all." Caniel continued to grunt as water was brought to her.

Aragorn knew she was lying, but helped her sit without any further arguing and watched as she drank the water greedily, her hands trembling as they held the glass.

"You're not hurt?" Aradhel asked, sitting also next to her.

"Will everyone relax?" She asked. "I'm fine."

"That was some fighting out there." Aradhel mused, smiling slyly at her. "I had heard tales of your earlier fight, but to see it is an entirely different matter."

Caniel shrugged, too engrossed in her water to take any great interest in his compliments.

"When you are well again, I would very much like a demonstration." He continued.

Aragorn eyed him. "One does not fight for valor and splendor. It is a necessity that should not be shown off nor bragged about."

Aradhel smiled slyly. "Humble, really, to come from a ranger who spends a lot of time fighting."

"Only when I must." Aragorn remarked.

"I merely mean to see what she is fully capable of." Aradhel pressed. "After all, how will she ever know what she can do if she doesn't try?"
"You practice." Caniel replied quietly.

"Indeed, but you do not push yourself to become a feared killer." Aragorn corrected before Aradhel could remark.

"She does not have to be a feared killer, but a mighty warrior." Aradhel corrected. "She has the potential to be great."

"There are other ways of becoming great without a sword, Aradhel." Aragorn miffed. "Now if you please, she needs more water."

Aradhel studied the ranger, before taking Caniel's empty glass, winking to her and waltzing off down the hall to find a maid. Turning to Aragorn, Caniel studied his fierce eyes who watched as the king left them in silence then nodded towards the side of his face where cuts and bruises abound.

"You should really clean those." She noted.

He shrugged, rubbing one lightly. "It's nothing more then a scrape."
"You're as stubborn as I am," She laughed. "Now come, let us find something to clean it."

Helping her up, Aragorn walked tenderly beside Caniel who made her way slowly across the room and towards a long corridor lined with doors, which in between sat large paintings and expensive sculptures. Arriving at the end, after finding many of the doors locked, they took a left and started down some stairs. Caniel grasped the railing tightly and as they descended they could here the faint sound of voices echoing through the marble palace.

When they arrived at the bottom, Aragorn led them in the direction of the voices, which it turned out to be far at the end of yet another corridor. Inside, though, they were amazed to see a large room, beds littering every inch, filled with wounded soldiers who were moaning and yelling in pain as different medical procedures were being preformed. Nurses and doctors, who were few in number, hurried back and forth between the men, wrapping arms and soaking wounds in ointments and gels, while others gave drinks of medicine or took temperatures.

"This is horrible." Caniel breathed to Aragorn, who looked exceedingly grim. "There isn't nearly enough help here!"

"Excuse me!" Aragorn had up and walked away from her before she could blink. Grabbing a nearby doctor, they exchanged quick words before Aragorn turned back to Caniel, beckoning her in.

"I've volunteered to help." He said quickly. "You are free to stay or leave, whatever you wish. But if you stay, things get pretty gruesome around here…"

"I'm sure I can handle it." Caniel cut him off.

Rolling up their sleeves, they set about aiding the doctors. Aragorn was given the more bloody jobs, mopping up large open wounds and holding down patients whose limbs needed to be amputated. Caniel, on the other hand, busied herself with laying soothing rags onto the foreheads of the soldiers, who greatly appreciated her calming words. After many hours of helping, both the girl and the ranger loosing track of time with each new soldier being brought in, the room finally quieted as the men started to sleep, some still moaning in pain.

Caniel was seated next to a younger solider whose eye had been badly cut down to his jaw, and his left arm broken in many places. She was nursing the cut on his face, exchanging small talk with him when he suddenly said,

"You're the most beautiful maiden I've ever seen."

Caniel smiled sheepishly, dabbing at the blood. "I'm most flattered."

"I mean it." He said, smiling sincerely. "There are none like you around here."

"Perhaps it is that I'm a half blood."

"A lot of people are half bloods here."

"Ah yes. I forgot."

The boy studied her, cringing at the gel she had rubbed on his forehead. "You are the new ambassador then? From Rivendell?"

"Indeed."

He tossed some of his shaggy brown hair out of his face. "Then why are you down here? With us?"

Caniel thought it over a moment before replying, "The doctors needed help. So I help where I can."

"But you are of importance!" He exclaimed, his eyes gazing with wonder. "Not so much as the palace servants even to bother to come down here! You should be dealing with the politicians of the palace!"

"I'm no more important then any of you here. Some would remark less so even." She said quietly, as she began wrapping his head.

"Nonsense. You are kind and humble. What's more important then that?"

Caniel laughed sadly, thinking to Thranduil who was convinced she was about as worthy as a servant with her mixed blood. If only he thought her character to be more important then her blood. If only he saw past lineage and past glory and fame, she would be with his son. Perhaps not living a carefree live, but with him just the same. Again her mind soon wandered to distant thoughts of what life would've been like had she been allowed to stay with Legolas. If they had ever married and had the children her womb ached for. Instead of giving life, though, she was instead nursing it and watching it fade with many of the critically injured soldiers.

"My lady, why do you cry?" The boy asked, startling Caniel out of her thoughts.

It was then she noticed the tears welling in her eyes, one escaping and leaking onto the floor.

"It's nothing."

As if to torture her further, even though he was merely changing the subject, the boy asked, "Are you married?"

"No I am not." Her voice cracked despite the effort to remain calm.

"But you would like to be." The boy had indeed noticed her ruffled state and looked at her empathetically. "Whomever he is, is a very lucky man."

"He's an elf." The words had escaped before she could stop them.

She did not miss the way his eyes widened, but he did not reply. She smiled sadly, setting aside the wrappings and moving the tray aside. He watched intently, letting the subject drop and she stood when she saw that Aragorn too was preparing to leave.

"You'll come back?" The boy asked, looking at her with wide hazel eyes of pure innocence.

Innocence stained by a sword, Caniel thought. How many had he slain? Why had such a young man been fighting anyway? And how many more would he have to face? How many of his own people would he see killed ruthlessly before him?

"I promise." She smiled, pulling the blanket over him and walking away to the ranger who awaited her at the door.

"Ready?" Aragorn asked, and with a nod they started back up to their rooms.

That night Caniel wrote a letter to Elrond, addressing the issue carefully incase it should be intercepted and retelling of all the events. She paid particular attention to the details of the attack on the wall and told him with great disgust of the under-cared for soldiers in the lower levels of the palace. Caniel also mentioned eagerly awaiting a meeting with the Orbelo team, retelling of the huge islands and trees that Elrond had failed to mention in his studies. Overall, her letter was pleasant and reassuring.

Aragorn on the other hand, who was also writing a letter without Caniel's knowledge, talked grimly of the attack, being very skeptical on its suddenness and Aradhel's attention towards Caniel's fighting abilities. In one part of his letter he wrote also-

Caniel remains in weak condition. While she did put up an impressive fight with the orcs, her strength waned thereafter and I was afraid of a near faint for a while. I do not think this visit should last long. I will see to it that strong evidence is collected soon, for I fear for her well-being. Walking has become difficult for her, though she will not admit to it. If more time is needed, I suggest something drastic be done, even if it means finding a new ambassador. For while I admit Caniel has been doing a splendid job, I fear she will not last the month…

Both letters were mailed soon after that night and Elrond and Gandalf read both many times through, being both confused and troubled by the news. Almost a week after the two had departed, Aragorn's letters continuing to be grim while Caniel's were always optimistic, Elrond had called for the wizard again to meet in his study. When Gandalf arrived this time, Elrond was scratching on a piece of parchment, his brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed into angry slits.

"What is it my friend? Why do you call for me?"

"More letters." Elrond said sharply, thrusting two pieces of parchment towards the old wizard. "Caniel said council meetings are to begin tomorrow, whereon she will be meeting with the highest officials of the city to hear their stand on what action is being taken with the orcs."

"Well that's all well." Gandalf said.

"Yes it is. The past few days she has been touring more of the city, getting to know the citizens and watching much of the sport, Orbelo I think it's called. She says the people there are very kind, which is nothing short of what I have heard. She also claims that Aradhel is spoiling his company rotten, and is being much more pleasant then when he was here."

"He was never unpleasant." Gandalf chuckled. "Just sly is all."

"Either way." Elrond moaned. "If that isn't worrisome, Aragorn's letter states that it's becoming more and more difficult to keep up with Aradhel for he is constantly out and about with Caniel. He assumes it is nothing of concern, but it becomes troublesome when Caniel is still dying. Aragorn said that last night she again tumbled down a stairwell, getting a fairly decent bump on her head. He also says she's not eating as much. Claims not to be hungry."

"Does she indeed?" Gandalf huffed, his nose dug into the letters as he read along while Elrond commentated.

"Aragorn is also having troubling spotting evidence of any kind. For whenever he is around the wall or with the guards, nothing appears to happen. But when he is at the palace with the wounded soldiers, there is constantly more coming in. And all claim to have been stationed around the wall. So either the orcs are very good about attacking whenever Aragorn isn't around, or it's become made coincidence that he hasn't been able to prove that the attacks are worrisome or not, because he cannot face any evidence."

Elrond finished with a flourish of his quill, splattering some ink onto the ground. "In conclusion, things are a mess."

"Not entirely." Gandalf replaced the letters on the desk and sat back on a chair, thinking it over as he chewed on his lip. "At least we have Aragorn able to search for evidence while Aradhel is hording Caniel. And Caniel is still getting inside information from him and higher authorities there." He nodded vaguely. "We could be doing worse."

"Yes that's all fine except that Caniel can hardly walk, Gandalf!" Elrond stood abruptly, rattling the desk. As he paced, the wizard watched intently at the mixed fury and hesitation the elf exhibited.

"What am I to do?" Elrond asked sadly after a few moments of pacing. "I could pull Caniel back now, except I know she would not come. And if she stays, she will not be of use much longer as long as her health continues to digress!"

"Caniel is strong, Elrond. And I do not think bringing her back here would do anyone any good. For one we would cease to get her inside information and two, she'd still be suffering." Gandalf shook his head sadly. "No, she will remain there leaving us only one option then."

"And what is that?"

Gandalf smiled slightly. "I think it's time we visit our old friend in Mirkwood."