Disclaimer: Not mine. So I cry.
Review Response:
Larien: Sometimes a little crazy is a good thing. You know in the movies Frodo looked in the mirror. We never saw Galadriel look. So why not Veri? Sorry for the cliffy. I wanted to see if anyone would guess who was coming to the rescue.
Karone Evertree: Oh you get a long response.
Chapter 6: Yep you're right. Confusion is the name of the game. In many ways Van is mature, but in other ways he's still a child.
Chapter 7: No but I do have a dessert in Michigan. How will that do? And who else would be a totally scrumptious elf? Yes the name was a source of confusion in Healer too. But it stuck, and since she calls them by their nicknames, she had to have one too. Heck most of my characters have shortened nicknames. Ata, Veri, Van, El, Ro. But if you remember in my stories I use Sindarin only. And Ada is Daddy in Sindarin. Probably doesn't help any though does it? Yes the visions are messed up.
Chapter 8: I should point out that the twins' mom did not die. She was badly injured but was healed by Elrond. But her grief over what happened forced her to sail to Valinor. That breaks my heart every time I think about it.
Chapter 9: Yeah that's why I used it. It stuck with me. Yes I did miss you. I'll tell you now, one of your guesses is right. But you'll have to read on to find out which one. (Evil cackling laughter)
Slayer3: I love all the something somethings. No not Elrond. Sorry thank you for playing our game. And your lovely parting gift is this Teen Titans CD, which we will relinquish to you when you pay the eighty-five dollar shipping and handling fee.
ashlyns: Your wish is my command.
An End To The Rain
"You must leave here soon. I fear for what will happen when you leave here." The elleth's apparition spoke to Atavus.
"What will happen?" Atavus' vision-self asked.
"Child every person who has suffered great torment in this cave has left a part of himself or herself behind. Some more than others. Even my sons left a small piece of themselves when they rescued me." Celebrían explained.
"The twins. But you can not tell." Atavus said in surprise.
"They were not here long, and their pain was only emotional then. I am not sure what will be the outcome this time. But you Atavus have suffered greater pain than even they have, and your connection to the spirits here worries me." The apparition said motioning to the swirling ghostlike figures surrounding them.
Atavus wasn't sure why she had been able to see the apparitions when the twins could not, but yet again a gift was turning into a curse.
"Can you help me?" Atavus asked with a small amount of hope.
"I'm sorry but no matter what they might think, none of us can leave here. This evil place holds the spirits in a vice-like grip. Once you leave that entrance whatever happens to you is out of my control." The elleth apologized.
"I know you would help me if you could. Celebrían what is this place?" Atavus wondered how a place so evil could exist.
"It was one of Melkor's creations. He designed the cave in the shape of an open mouth, and the blood of its victims feeds it." She tried to explain it. "The more blood that is shed, the more the evil grows."
The color drained from Atavus face as the twins watched her submersed in a vision. "What do you think she she's?" Elrohir asked his brother.
"Whatever it is by the looks on her face it's not good." Elladan answered. "You think we should bring her out of this?"
"No need." Atavus answered herself blinking. She looked around the cave with a new understanding. "It needs to feed." She whispered.
"What needs to feed Atavus?" Elrohir asked at her strange words.
"This place. This cave. It feeds off of the blood of those that are tortured here." She explained what she had learned. "And with that blood it collects a small part of the person's soul. The more blood that is spilled the stronger hold it has over them."
The twins still looked to each other wondering about her sanity. "Don't look at me that way. I'm sane." She said in frustration.
"Honestly considering what you are saying I hope you are insane." Elladan said realizing what her words could mean for them.
Veri followed the Lady Galadriel into Caras Galadhon the Elvin city of Lorien. She looked in amazement at the beauty that surrounded her. She had never imagined a place so beautiful. Soon she was taken into a glade that held many an elf discussing what to do about the abduction. As soon as Van saw her he ran to her jumping into her arms. "Look Veri it's Legolas and Gimli." He said in great excitement.
And there before her were the elf and dwarf she had come to know very well during their trip north. "How did you come to be here?" She asked in utter surprise.
"We stopped here after Mirkwood, on our way back to Minas Tirith." Legolas explained. "What has happened Veri. Where are they?"
She glanced at Galadriel as if to ask if she should speak what she had learned. The Lady nodded.
"They are being held in a cave in the mountains. It is the same cave that Celebrían was held in by the orcs." She explained.
There were many gasps in the glade. All elves present had loved the elleth for her beauty and kindness. "Are there those among you that know the way?" Veri finally asked as no one said anything.
"I do." Orophin answered. "It is a cursed place that we all avoid. But I know where it is."
"Who will go with me?" Legolas immediately took charge. Many of the elves volunteered, including Orophin.
"You know I will go with you Laddie." Gimli agreed.
"Yes my friend I know." Legolas smiled at the dwarf who was becoming his constant companion during his travels.
"When do we leave?" Veri asked. The others looked back and forth to each other. But the look of determination that spread across her features dared any of them to tell her she could not go.
"As soon as supplies are rounded up. I suggest you rest until then. You look overtaxed." Legolas suggested.
"Yes I will." She sighed heavily and then looked around for Van intending on telling him he would have to stay. But he was no longer in the glade. "Oh I don't have time to look for you Van." She said in frustration.
Van had listened to where they said Atavus was, but it meant nothing to him. He knew they would make him stay behind. That is why he had immediately headed off on his own. He knew not if he was going in the right direction, but a small voice inside him told him he was. Somehow even when he was younger in Minas Morgul he had never become lost. He just knew his way. It was just a feeling. And he had that feeling now as he headed out to find Ata. He would not fail her. And he would not be left behind.
Author's Note: And the winner is Karone Evertree. I bet you love me now. Yes Legolas is back and will have a larger role than originally intended. (Covers ears as hundreds of Legolas fans scream in pure delight.) Shorter chapter I know. But I wanted to stop it right before they all started out on their separate journeys.