Annie789: I hate using the word "offended" because no matter how you use it, its normally misunderstood. I am not offended at all, I understood what you were saying I just wanted to clarify for everyone else's sake.

About Maedhros, I personally would feel horrible if my beast friend told me he was marrying an Edain, I don't want to lose them! And Fingolfin was known as the wisest son of Finwe, so he wouldn't be so foolish as to do the one thing that would drive his son away. Thanks for another in-depth review I love them!

Annamariah: I know that Fingolfin had dark hair or at least I guessed he did, however if you do a goggle search and look up pictures of Fingolfin you can find this wonderful picture of him as a blond and I fell in love with it. You must see it before writing him off as a bad blond. All I can say is "WOW!"

SirielleOh review! please review! Yes, I am begging for reviews! I mean after you've had enough sleep for the story to make sense. But I love a blond Fingolfin! We wants him that way, don't we precious? Yes, we do! Gollum, Gollum. Oh my gosh I just wrote a Gollum joke (spits out the taste of the words Gollum, yucky!) never again I promise!

Cirdan stepped out into the crisp damp air and inhaled a huge lungful of it as he finished tying his hair back in its silken band. This morning he worn the simple short tunic of dove grey that he wore while building. He was not a fussy elf in that he almost never bother with fancy dress. He was normally too busy with building and governing to worry about how he looked, if he did he would certain have taken time to shave regularly.

He brushed his hand along his jaw feeling the prickly white hair, maybe…? No, there was no point as he would be returning to the Havens in a few weeks time and again he would have time to shave again. Not that many elves went to Valinor now, since the advent of the sun and moon attacks from Morgoth were almost none existent since they appeared in the sky.

Those elves who did return did so with a longing in their eyes that Cirdan could not totally understand having never seen the Blessed Realm himself. What could the Blessed Realm be compared to the sea? Could the mountains of Taniquetil equal that of the surging restless ocean?

Cirdan sighed, even now he was longing to return to his familiar shores of golden sand. Nightingales of this forest were lovely there was no doubt, but the lonely call of the gulls was a sound that fall on his ears like a caress. The salt spray like a gentle affectionate kiss.

"Come now Cirdan, you should be able to enjoy a morning in Irvin without ruining it for yourself by thinking about the sea." Cirdan told himself as he walked along the sandy beach of the largest pool, his hands buried deep in his pockets. His long legs covered the distance around the pool quickly, and he was making his second round when a light girlish voice broke his reverie.

"Suilad hîr nín!"

Cirdan smiled at the polite greeting from the Edain girl, she struggled over the unfamiliar Sindarin words. He held back a laugh as the words "Greetings my Lord" came out in a lisping baby accent. He took her offered hand and said "Vandë omentaina herinya. Your are an earlier riser."

Aeroniel was relived to hear his greeting in Quendi, she knew that her Sindarin was poor and was afraid that her words would come out as something unintentionally rude. And she was glad he thought it good to see her, many of the elves had been giving her curious glances to the point she was getting uncomfortable about it. "Well met." the shipwright had said, that had to be a good sign.

"Will you join me in my morning walk?' he said offering his arm. She looped her arm through his and thanked him. He looked down and noted the silver band and said "Aha! I see that someone has claimed you for his own?"

She blushed in way he found absolutely charming. She so was sweet and he had always been partial to dark haired girls. "Yes, my Lord Cirdan, Prince Fingon has….has asked me to become his wife, and I have consented."

"That's wonderful dear! I am so happy for you!" said Cirdan kissing her still blushing cheek.

"Thank you for your good wishes my Lord, I will tell Fingon what you have said." said the young woman smiling up at him. Her big brown eyes were accented by the rich blue gown she wore, scattered all over with tiny white edelweiss.

" I know he respects you highly, I hope we will can be good friends." she said

"As do I." agreed the Shipwright, but catching sight of an approaching figure he said "I think I will have to give you up now, for here is your beloved."

It was Fingon, and he had eyes only for Aeroniel. Coming up he bowed to the Shipwright and addressed all of his greetings to him, but his gaze wandered to the girl. She did not smile, but a shy, hesitant expectancy grace every feature as she watched him. Clearly the Shipwright was in the way and it was time to make a quick exit.

"Yeswell,I'msureyoubothhavethingstotalkaboutandI'llbeonmyway." said Cirdan quickly and strode away struggling not to burst into uncontrollable laughter at the sight of joy on their faces when he said he was leaving. As the gravel crunched under his feet Cirdan breathed a sigh of delight, as an incurable romantic he loved a good love story.

"Cirdan your just an old fool, image you at this age feeling giddy over a new couple, really!" he told himself. He shook his head again the pearly waves reflecting the white sunlight. "They make a beautiful couple really, and I am just an incurable romantic."

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Fingon looked after the Shipwright a moment before he turned to Aeroniel. She stood her hands clasped before her, her hair was free of ornament and blew around her shoulders in long soft waves. Her look so trusting, so full of love. They moved toward each other slowly, careful and still shy of the other. But they allowed only their hands to join.

Aeroniel felt the rough skin of his hand in hers, the odd cool feeling of his elven skin against her own. How comforting was the feeling of his fingers closing around her palm, she marveled that such a simple gesture could be so precious.

"Your hands are always so warm Meldanya." he looked deep into her eyes, "But your trembling, are you too cold?"

"No, I just can't help, but be amazed by you. You're so perfect in everyway and yet you love me? Yesterday I had to pinch myself to be sure I wasn't dreaming. I…"

Fingon laid a finger on her lips and shook his head. "No, do not question it Aeroniel. Be sure that it is reality and if we were more then betrothed I would try to show you had much I love you. But as it is we have only a year to wait."

"Only a year for you, but an eternity for me.." she gasped and said "Forgive me I didn't mean to sound so callus Fingon, I should have mentioned it at all…I shouldn't have brought it u…"

Her words were smothered in a crushing kiss, Fingon holding her tightly to him. She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders and felt the hard muscles of his arms tighten around her as she responded to the caress. Breaking free for air Aeroniel laid her head against his shoulder in the curve of his arm; she breathed deeply of the thyme that scented his clothes.

"I think I'll just stay here for a good long while." she whispered into his sleeve.

"I intend to keep you here a good long while too. I am glad to hear you will be content to remain of yourself." laughed Fingon entwining his fingers in her long hair. They found a bench and seated themselves so she leaned into his arms, her head near his heart.

"What did your father say when you told him?" asked Aeroniel. Still stroking her hair Fingon grew serious. "He gave his consent as the choice is mine but he does not really approve. I am sorry it should be like this for you, Meldanya."

"I see." she said quietly. He rested his chin on her head wrapping his arms around her shoulders. "Does that worry you, my love?" she asked.

"I am sorry for it. Sorry that he cannot understand why I love you."

Twisting in his arms Aeroniel said "And why do you? I am just a girl. I have no special talent or gift above that of any other individual. What makes you care for me?"

He furrowed his brow as if in thought and said "Well I would say the first thing that endeared you to me was the fact that you could not ride a horse well for a least a year."

"What!" said Aeroniel.

"And your freckles was definitely another factor, I have become overly fond of those little blemishes."

"Indeed sir! You are strange."

"And of course the fact that you love all of my family and friends regardless of their past." Fingon said seriously.

She nodded, "I decided long ago that I would not judge a person by race or hearsay, but rather base my opinion on who they really are. I suppose it was born of Bethriel's intolerance for any Edain that crossed her path."

"Especially you?"

"Especially me." she said relaxing into his arms again.

"I think that's the other thing that made me love you." he said after a minute.

"What do you mean?"

"The very fact that she hated you for your humanity, and sought to make any such traits annoying to me. I found myself continually defending you to her and over time I discovered that I was felling in love with your ways. Like the way you cock your head when your listening to music, and the way you hair changes color with the light."

"And to think I never knew." I was afraid when you went away to Dor-Lomin that you had quite forgotten me. You never wrote and ….and you were gone for three years! I was sure you were never coming back!" said Aeroniel poking a finger into Fingon's chest.

He caught her hand and said "But I did come back, and here we are. Now I want to tell you the main reason I learned to love you."

He cupped her face and said "You were my dreams Aeroniel, in all my nightmares you were by my side. I know not how, but every time the past came to haunt me, you were there holding my hand, whispering of hope."

"But you never breathed a word of it. To think I may have never known. What made you tell me?" she asked.

Fingon laughed a rich roll of merriment, "You know what it was? A little fairy I discovered sleeping in a poppy field all alone. She was so beautiful I kissed her, and determined to marry her and hide her away from the world. And then I found out that the same little sprite was my own dear Aeroniel grown into a most beautiful woman."

"You found me in the field? You kissed me and I never knew? What a waste." she said pouting.

"If you feel that way perhaps we should make up for lost time?" said Fingon tickling her. She danced away saying "Not now, we have to make an appearance in the tent or people may get the wrong idea by us being together so early."

"You wouldn't think these people gossip, do you Aeroniel love?" He said taking her hand as they strolled back to the camp.

"Yes, indeed especially if they think there's any grain of truth to it." she nodded to the people who greeted them.

A barrel chest-ed dwarf came up to them and in a deep gruff voice boomed " Well congratulations Fingon my lad! I always thought you should find yourself a nice girl, and from what I see you have the prettiest in the bunch." He beamed at them happily. " I should have my girls come and learn all her secrets for making themselves up so prettily. I declare that I have to make some new jewelry for the both of you."

"That's not necessary Torin…" began Fingon, but Torin waved a huge dismissive paw. "No trouble at all," he leaned in and said "Besides it give me a reason to spend time in my forge. I am not one for all this dancing and frolicking."

And with that he stomped off through a crowd of children and elflings that were running races through the camp. The lovers continued on, blissfully unaware of the storm that was about to break over their lives.

-

Psalm of Yavanna

Awake thou sleeping earth and drink dawn's fresh dew. Breath deeply that which makes glad your heart, and sing to the Lord for joy!

Trees unfurl your dancing leaves and reach for the azure sky, borrow deep your roots and feel the damp of blessed water. Kiss the sun, and proclaim the beauty of Arda to every nation. In every tongue make your praises heard and sing for joy at the earth's beginning and Spring.

Sing Praises!

Truly great is the theme of Eru, and pure his thought of creation; go therefore and dance under the forest canopy of light and feel the brush of ferns and honeysuckle at your feet. Each living thing make music in your being to worship the Lord in all his perfect will.

Lift harp and flute, chime upon your wooden lute and sing for the joy of a new birthed morning and rising sun!

-

Bill hummed softly as he drove through the street toward the mental hospital. His father rode beside him, and Rona and Serena were in the tiny backseat. The folder rested in his father's lap, the portraits fresh and changed enough to keep the locations a secret.

"You know I think I have an idea where the woman is Ron, but I'll need the passkey and if she's been hurt in anyway I'll need help in case she can't walk."

"Lets not dwell on such morbid thoughts, Serena." said Ronald pinking a bit of lint off of his slacks. He tried not to show how nervous he was, but his palms were dripping sweat and icy cold to touch.

"You okay Ronny?" asked Bill shooting him a glance in the rearview mirror.

"Heck no," he replied.

"Ron, now is not the time for lying, if you think you'll need help, let dad go with you. I can help Serena if she needs it." offered Bill.

Maehsos rolled his eyes, "William honestly your being terribly insulting!"

"Atar, I'm just tired to be helpful.." Bill defended.

"….and managing to make yourself disagreeable, further more.."

"SHUT THE HELL UP!" screamed Serena thumping the two upside the head causing the car to swerve onto the median for a second. Bill yanked the wheel and they were once more on the road, Ron was too stunned to do anything, but burst out laughing. Tears streamed down his face and Serena gave her cackle.

Maehsos turned around saying " I hardly think this is the time or place to be indulging in humor."

"..you should have seen the looks on your faces…..oh god it was priceless….a Valar and his son corrected by an institutional nurse.." Ron wheezed between out bursts of laughter.

"…sorry…heehawed…about the language….tahahaha….but you just won't….hehehe..shut up!" cackled Serena slapping the seat as she struggled to contain her laughter. Maehsos watched her for a split second before he gave in and joined in his clear laugh erupting like water from a fountain.

As the little car sped along the road sounds of laughter echoing over the land. Laughter is the best medicine sometimes, and knowing the task they faced, this was one of those times. And after the incident of last night they needed to blow off some steam.

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Bill crept out into the dark living room the thick sag carpet muffling his steps. The only light was the bulb over the stove in the tiny room known as the kitchen in Serena's apartment. She had insisted on them staying the night saying that is would be the last place anyone would look for them.

Serena had retired much earlier after directing Ron and Bill to the minute spare room that overflowed with photo albums, and hat boxes.

"And you can just sleep in here Michael; just leave a window open for air."

"Don't worry, I won't forget that." Maehsos had said firmly. He had recovered from the soup quickly and had spent the evening painting, and listening to old Dean Martin records on Serena's ancient player.

Now he lay stretched out on the couch his long legs draped over the armrests, and his head resting on his right arm. Perched rather oddly on his chest was Serena's cat, Syringe.

It purred loudly in seeming content in time to the rise and fall of the Steward's chest. The cat had appeared after dinner and spent most of the evening getting in everyone's way.

Finally Maehsos had taken it in his long hands and whispered something in its fuzzy ear, after that it sat contentedly on the couch watching every move the Steward made.

"Atar? Atar, are you awake?" Bill whispered.

"Yes, William. Is something wrong?"

"No..well not really. But I need to talk to you alone, without Ron around."

Maehsos removed the slumbering cat and set it in his lap as he straighten up. Brushing the everlasting hair out of his eyes he looked at his son. Age was leaving its mark around his eyes and mouth, a web of infinitesimal lines worked their way into his skin. Maehsos would never get used to the growing process in the mortal races.

"Okay William what's on your mind?"

"Lady Aeroniel, what are we going to tell her once she away from Sauron? Can we tell her about Fingon?"

Maehsos sighed his face taking on the tried overworked look of a college student working two jobs and trying to make A's. Rubbing the bridge of his nose he said "I haven't quite gotten used to the need for sleep, it's a trouble bother you know."

"Yeah, but don't dodge the question Dad." said Bill.

"I'm not, it's just complicated. You have no idea….. As it stands now Fingon isn't dead, and if we can get her back in time perhaps we can change things. We are running out of time though so we need too speed things up so we're in time."

"But if we're not fast enough and he dies anyway? Are you prepared to tell her?"

"You always did ask too many questions William. Yes, I have thought about it, I had to. If, and I repeat "if" we are too late then we won't need to tell her, she will know."

"What do you mean?"

"She has always had that connection to him, I never quite understood how. But she'll know it, and she will fade, that is why we must find her first! For the children's sake if nothing else." Maehsos said drumming his fingers in the wooden armrest.

They sat in the cool darkness and the clock ticked loudly filling the silence around them. Outside the windows the night bird called, and crickets sang their rhythmic song with a chorus of tree frogs for flavor. A summer fog was slowly rolling over the ground and trailing in at the window bringing the sweet smell of damp grass with it.

Serena came out than and said in a groggy voice. "What on earth are you two doing up at this hour?"

"Aha my dear Serena, we were having a conversation about how beautiful you are. Would you care to join us, Oh peerless beauty?"

She snorted and pulled out her lighter and a cigarette, seeing them, Maehsos winced and stood up hastily saying. "I think I'm in the mood for a nice long walk in the cool evening air."

Serena laughed and put the articles away much to the relief of the tall red head. Bill stood and excused himself, leaving Serena and Maehsos facing each other. They silently considered each other and Serena finally spoke.

"So you're not human?"

Seeing no reason not to be totally honest with her, he nodded. "I hope you don't mind, I promise not to do anything scary. I'm not the twisting head or human eating type of nonhuman. In fact I tend to like them quite well really, that is why I am here."

"So you not human what exactly are you? Martian?"

Chuckling Maehsos shook his head a few stubborn strands of hair falling over his forehead into his bright blue eyes. "No, not a Martian, have you ever read the Silmarillion? Are you at all familiar with the Vala?"

"Mmmmm, no. What's a Vala?"

"Not what, who. A Vala is a divine being of great power and immortality, created by Eru or Illuvatar at the beginning of time."

"Oh…..that really explains it. How about you dumb it down a little for me, okay? I'm a nurse, not a priest." Serena said pulling a bottle of Dr. Pepper from the refrigerator.

Maehsos grinned and allowed himself to sink back into the faded old couch, as Serena plopped herself down on the burnt orange ottoman.

"Shall I start with a time worn cliché like" In the beginning?" asked the Steward. She smirked and said "How about starting with helping me believe your more then human. I mean sure I know your not.."

"What was your first inkling?" interrupted Maehsos flicking his bangs out of his face. Sipping the soda Serena pointed to her eyes, swallowing she said "There aren't whole lot of people in the world with eyes like that, you know with that weird light in them."

"I never thought about it, they're just blue."

"Blue, blue, blue with sparkles." snorted the woman, "And besides that there were all these funny little tricks you were pulling with the cat, and that whole mind reading thing. I am not above getting my fortunate told, but hey, none of them made me relive my whole life in a couple seconds. I mean really that's hardly human!"

Smiling sheepishly the Steward said "I guess that it was a bit of a give away."

"A dead give away, but still you said something about being a valer?"

"Valar, yes, I am a Valar created for service to Eru the creator of the world. That means I have powers for certain purposes and that I may use them for his glory and service." The cat had woken and was rubbing her head under his chin as he spoke.

"So you can only do..you know, whatever it is that you do in his service? I mean you can't do anything you want?" asked Serena disappointedly.

"No, I cannot not, it would go against my nature. Now it's not unheard of because one of us did do such a thing in turning his back on Eru, but he can never come back now. Once you turn away it's over, it changes your whole nature as a being." Maehsos said his tone flat and harsh.

"So, you don't really have a choice then do you?"

"Eru is perfect and he never created anything that was a mistake. He gave us a choice and it is not for me to question his method, you just don't question God."

"I do, everyday," said Serena setting the bottle down, " I ask him all the time why bad things happen to good people and he doesn't seem to lift a finger for them. Take Ron for instance he was madly in love with his wife and she died of cancer. I even went back to St. Mary's and heard mass, said my rosary and everything. And she still died! I'm sorry but the man up stairs does make mistakes."

Maehsos listened in silence inwardly shaking his head over her words. How could she know any better? She lived in a cynical world surrounded by faithless people. No wonder she doubted him.

"…and so I want you to do something interesting and prove it!" challenged nurse. Maehsos head snapped up "What?"

"Do something really big to prove it. I mean hey, if you are exactly who you say you are then prove it."

Maehsos frowned deeply and answered "You don't know what your asking, Serena."

"I think I do, go on."

As he listened a queer greenish light flared a moment in the Steward's blue eyes; and then he spoke slowly and with finality. "I will not, those without great power do not understand what they are doing to ask for a show of it. It is a dangerous tool, and I refuse to take it lightly."

He stood and went to the window the cat still curled in his arms while Serena sat feeling as though she had just been spanked. She felt a little thrill of fear run through her at the sight of that odd light, a moment it was seen, but there was something about it. She was suddenly wary, no afraid of this youth stranger in her living room. Getting up she made toward her bedroom door.

"Serena?" he called. She paused a moment her hand on the doorknob.

"Yeah?"

"I am sorry this had to happen. I don't want you to be afraid of me. I am here to help not to frighten everyone to death." He said the corners of his mouth quirking up.

She couldn't help herself she smiled back, image being afraid of a Valar. She nodded and said "Goodnight you ol' charmer."

Authorial Note: Boy! Everyone must have hated the last chapter! I think I got three reviews! I sure hope its not because I made Fingolfin a blond, by the way did any of you look at picture up on Google? It's called the Oath. I would encourage you all to see it.

Translations: Sindarin

Suilad hîr nín: Greetings My Lord

Translations: Quendi

Vandë omentaina herinya: Well met, my Lady

Meldanya: My Dear