Chapter Six:

2019 Third Age, Narbeleth (October). Lasgalen: Greenwood the Great

"Promise you will write. I promise to write back."

"Of course I will write."

Arwen glanced up from her packing. Anaríel sounded a thousand leagues away. "Are you well, mellon nín?"

Anaríel sat by the fire gazing into the flames, her eyes wide, unseeing. Arwen dropped the brush into her trunk and hurried over kneeling at her friend's side.

"Anaríel, Aní; what is it?" Arwen bit her lip wandering what to do. This was not the first time the elleth had drifted asleep staring into the fire. In fact, it was becoming and all too frequent occurrence. Ever since a month ago, when the elleth had her accident on the target range. Arwen's father had declared the injury minor, nothing cold compresses and a tisane had not cured but now she was not so sure.

"Arwen, are you almost ready? We ride in less than one hour." Celebrían stood in the doorway, the Queen beside her.

"What goes on here?" Líawen asked stepping into the room eying Anaríel.

"Nothing Híril--." The Queen raised a hand cutting Arwen off. Anaríel's lips were moving although no words were audible. Her pupils so dilated all the green was lost in black. Celebrían came into the room and took Arwen's hand, "How long has she been like this?" she whispered.

"I am not sure, perhaps a quarter hour."

The Queen knelt by her ward and took her hands into her own. They were cold to the touch.

"Beware, beware Caradhras. Head north; use the hidden stair, it will not be watched."

Arwen and Celebrían exchanged stunned glances. Líawen looked over her shoulder, her face draining of all colour.

"Should I call for Elrond, mellon nín?" Celebrían asked gently. Líawen shook her head, instead beckoning the two closer. Anaríel was speaking again, her words barely audible above the whispering flames.

"Orcs, orcs holding Redhorn Gate; you must not attempt the pass. You must—do not go south! All is shadow to the south. Follow the Forest Road east. Take the northern pass, the hidden path; snow is better than orcs."

Líawen sat back hard on her heels. "I have suspected, all this past month; suspected and feared"

"Feared what?" Arwen whispered. "What ails Anaríel? Why does she keep falling asleep like this? Is there more to that fall she took than a bump on the head?"

The Queen turned back to her foster daughter. The elleth still stared into the

flames, repeating the warning over and over. "She does not sleep pen neth. I

feared this would come to pass although I cannot say I am surprised. My

tithen Lalaith is on the cusp of maturity. As it was with the mother, so it is with

the daughter."

"Nimrodel" Celebrían breathed, "Are you saying--?"

"Aye, it would seem Nimrodel's daughter is gifted with Sight."

"Or cursed?"

The three ellyth jumped. Thranduil and Elrond stood in the doorway.

"How long have you been there herven nín?"

"We were a step behind you and were concerned. Lalaith has not been herself

of late." Thranduil sighed, coming into the room. Elrond hurried forward laying

a hand on the elleth's brow.

"Her skin is cool and clammy to the touch. Has she ever—drifted this long

before?"

The three ellyth glanced at one another. "I do not think so." Arwen replied, "I

have been with her the most, I think I would have noticed. Híril nín, what do you

mean; 'so it was with the mother, so it is with the daughter'? Are you saying

Anaríel has visions as Nimrodel did. Mean you to say her words are true

warning and not a dream?"

Líawen bit her lip. "Nimrodel's Sight was true. If her daughter sees orcs in

mountain passes, then there are orcs. Elrond, you would do well to heed the

warning. I beg you; take the Forest Road and travel north after crossing the

Anduin."

Elrond nodded, checking Anaríel's pulse again. "Fear not Líawen, we will not risk Caradhras."

Thranduil peered over his wife's shoulder. "She is all right is she not? That bump on her head was not more serious than it seemed?"

Elrond shook his head. "She is fine, but it would seem she is unaware of the visions as of yet. I would say nothing of them for now. I see no sense in alarming the elleth."

"Yes," Thranduil agreed. "Perhaps that would be best for now. Perhaps she will grow out of them."

"As Nimrodel grew out of her visions?" Líawen asked bitterly. "No, she must be taught to control them lest they drive her to despair and madness as they did her mother."

"How will you do that meleth nín?" asked Thranduil.

"I do not know." Líawen whispered, tears gathering in her eyes. "Perhaps this is what Galadriel meant. Perhaps this is why she advised against taking Anaríel from Lórien."

"Naneth would know." Celebrían offered gently. "Mayhap she knows a way to control the visions so Anaríel will not be lost to them."

"I do not believe there is any immediate danger." Elrond said. "For now I would council watching and waiting. Keep an eye on her. If the episodes become frequent or overly disturbing, then I would take her to Galadriel; but I feel that day is long off. Now, let us bring her back to us shall we."

The Lord of Imladris cradled the elleth's face between his hands, turning her from the fire. Summoning his unique power for healing he focused his gaze upon the leaf green eyes before him. "Tól hi rinno." he commanded. "Na rinno ammen tithen pen."

Slowly Anaríel blinked. Elrond released her and rose to feet as the elleth's pupils contracted back to normal.

"What?" Anaríel murmured, glancing about in confusion.

Elrond smiled. "We came to see if Arwen was ready tithen pen. The twins are in the courtyard with the Prince and I fear if we do not hasten they may find some mischief to get into."

"Did—did I fall asleep? I was not feeling tired."

"Think nothing of it mellon nín." Arwen laughed squeezing her friend's hand. "I'll forgive you this one time for finding me such dull company. Come, help me close this trunk." She glanced at the adults. "Tell the ellyn to stay put, we will join them in a moment." Deftly Arwen ushered the elders to the door.

"I do believe we have been dismissed." Thranduil laughed shaking his proud head as they filed into the passage.

"Get used to it mellon nín." Elrond chuckled laying a hand in comradeship for a fellow father, on the King's shoulder. "Ellyth their age are surprisingly adept at managing their elders. Arwen has shown particular talent for some time now. I suspect Anaríel is ready to test her skill."

elleth/ellyn (pl.): female elf

Híril nín: my Lady

mellon nín: my friend

pen neth:young one

tithen: little

herven nín: my husband

meleth nín: my love

"Tól hi rinno. Na rinno ammen tithin pen": "Come back now. Come back to us little one."