Disclaimer: I do not own any of Tolkien's characters, his languages, or his world. I only lay claim to my plot and the random elves which I created.

Chapter Twenty-One

No Lies

She did not speak right away. We sat down at the oak table like we used to, to talk. Like we used to before Faerlain had left and Caden had come. Before the rift had grown between us. I jumped at every sound, blood pounding hotly through my veins.

"Victoria." She said slowly, brushing a stray lock of her dark hair away from her pale, drawn face. "I...I cannot leave Gilloth."

I stared in disbelief. "But Mirlaic...you cannot...stay. I told you what Caden said, we need to leave Gilloth or we will be murdered!"

She could not stay, it was not even an option...she knew better...she knew Caden would not lie. She knew he spoke the truth. She could not desert me like this, this place with her was all the home I had known for almost three years now. She could not abandon me now, she could not throw her life away so foolishly. She could not be condemning herself to this.

"If there is an attack, my people will need a healer. I cannot abandon them in their time of need."

"So you will abandon me? Condemn us to this death? This horror that you know awaits us if we remain here?" I asked angrily.

"No." She said. "I am not asking you to stay."

Her words hit me coldly, numbing me with the reality of the situation. She was not asking me to stay...she did not want me to stay. I was standing now...when had I risen? I didn't know...everything was blurred to me now. "You cannot do this Mirlaic! Think of what Caden said! Think of Tatharion! You will never see him again if you stay."

"I know what Caden said." Her voice broke. "Tatharion would understand that I must do this. I will be ready for what is to come." She looked deeply into my eyes, standing and placing her hands on my shoulders. I knew she could read the fear and pain that I held tightly in check. I knew she could see my anger. "This is not your fight. This is not your home. You know you will never be content here. You have come from another place Victoria, one quite unlike this. You should not die here, in a place that is not your home. For people who are not your own."

Hot, angry tears were flowing down my cheeks. "Mirlaic no..."

"If it is my time, then perhaps I will see Tatharion again. Who knows? Iluvatar is merciful, he will take care of us."

"Your God? Ha. What good will he do you, he is going to let you die."

Mirlaic shook her head wearily, "You do not understand. But I am no longer afraid." She looked back at me, "You are young, you do not care the burden of loyalty and love for my race. You must go."

I was crying, my anger burning a hole in my chest. "I love you Mirlaic." I said hoarsely, sniffling.

Mirlaic did not meet my gaze but I could still see the tears in her eyes.

"Please, do not abandon me now, do not condemn yourself to this."

"Victoria, you have felt loss and pain that I do not know and cannot imagine. You still have mysteries to uncover, new lands to explore. This fate is not one that belongs to you."

"Nor you! I cannot leave you!" I shouted, backing away from her and stumbling over my chair.

"You can do anything you set your mind to." She said softly, "You always have."

"Do not do this to me! Please, come with me?" I sobbed, my tears forming rivers down my cheeks. I turned away from her and in all of a moment I longed for her arms around me once more. I felt her touch, but it held no warmth, it only angered me more.

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" I screamed, tearing myself away from her, I whirled, facing her with my eyes flashing. "You will die if you stay here! And I will be damned if I stay here to watch!"

"I will be able to help those I love." She said soothingly, trying to calm me.

"Do you not love me?"

"Of course Victoria-"

"No! You can't say that! You have no right!"

"I stay because I belong here." She shouted at me, her own anger rising.

"And what about me? Should I not also be complete? Where do I belong?"

"Victoria-"

I shoved passed past her, not uttering a word. I grabbed my bag which hung by my cloak on the wall. I threw the cloak over my shoulders as I ran out to where Talorta stood waiting. I saddled and bridled Talorta...something I had not done in years. I tied the bag to the saddle, then leaped astride him.

"I HATE YOU!" I screamed. "I HOPE THEY CUT YOU TO RIBBONS!" I screamed at Mirlaic. She did not want to come, she was no longer my affair. I galloped out of Gilloth towards the forest, ignoring Mirlaic's cries to stop, to come back. No, this was no longer my home. She was no longer my mother. She never was. She never had been. I did not care where I went, as long as it was far from her, far from that place. I rode all day and into the night. There was no moon underneath the black canopy of trees.

I had not expected to feel lonely or frightened, but I was. I could only hear Talorta's hooves thudding dully in my mind. I had not expected to feel cold or numb. I had not expected anything. But suddenly, there were cries all around me, screams of men and horses, shrieks from beasts I had never known.

I felt a sharp blow to my left side which knocked all the air from my lungs, I flipped off of Talorta's back...flying into something that tore and bit at my skin like thousands of needles. My world faded into night as the screams enfolded about me, the blackness took me...

...and I knew nothing more.

Has anyone started screaming yet? The main plot and violence is yet to come...none of you will even be able to imagine what is going to happen.

(Sigh) Right now I'm terribly depressed because I lost a ton of my reviewers. Anyone feel like making me feel better? I promise to give you all a free 'gílorn' (star-tree)! It would certainly raise my spirits...

Reviewer Corner:

Nethien: Glad you are enjoying my story. :) Thanks for reviewing!

Mystical Full Moon Maiden: A band name huh? That is strange...I got it from a horse at the barn where I work. It's from the bible, but sounded slightly Istari-ish to me. Thanks for reviewing!

For all those who are reading (hopefully there are more) and have decided not to review, (sigh) thanks anyway!

TO BE CONTINUED...