Chapter 2

Lord Elrond watched his Arwen and Emdiril with a gentle smile across his features. It had been 100 years since Elrond had welcomed Emdiril into his family. He was surprised how readily the young girl left with him. It was a tough deed at first – not a day went past when Emdiril hadn't asked for her family or when she would be returning. Over time however, her questioning had become less frequent and she truly became part of his family, who had been nothing but supportive of Elrond's decision.

Over the years Emdiril had grown to become a beautiful woman, so beautiful and elegant even, that other creatures mistook her for an elleth. Though, she was a tad shorter than the elven kind, she fitted in perfectly and everyone in Rivendell had grown fond of her. Her red wavy hair reached her lower back and her dress sported the colours of his lands – a light shade of green, which complimented her emerald eyes. He knew it sounded selfish, but part of him saw her as his and Celebrian's own. And he wished that one day she would see him as a father. He knew that although her questions had lessened, she had never forgotten her real parents. His face dropped slightly at the thought of Aaric and Abryanna. They had written many times during the first year, but then the writing came to an abrupt stop. Elrond had feared the worst, an attack on the city had occurred. His heart broke slightly at the thought of having to explain to Emdiril. Even if no attack had occurred, many years had passed and the mortals would have passed. Emdiril was an intelligent young woman and had noticed long ago that she was unlike the elves. However, due to her young age she had never known that the people in Waterfall City had been mere humans and that she was not. She did not yet understand that she was unlike the ones of her hometown as well as the elves. Eventually she would have to understand that there would only be three of her kind. And one of them had lived and passed long ago.

The elf's thoughts were abruptly interrupted as Emdiril placed a hand on his. She had finished her meal and had noticed his silence. His eyes snapped to hers and he rose an eyebrow in question.

"Are you well?" she asked softly, her eyes full of curiosity. The redhead must have noticed Elrond's thoughts were somewhere else. Arwen turned to face her father then as well, a concerned expression etched across her features.

"Yes, of course. My thoughts were with Elladan, Elrohir and your mother." The elf responded smoothly, sending a reassuring smile towards both. It was only half a lie, Celebrian and the twins had set out to travel to Lothlorien for Celebrian wished to see her mother, the Lady of the Wood, whereas Elrohir and Elladan would never miss out on travelling.

"I see. I also worry." Arwen replied to her father as Emdiril nodded. "I feel as though something bad may happen."

Emdiril took her hand off Elrond's as her lips pressed into a thin line. She did not have these senses or foresight and sometimes still struggled to understand them. She placed her head on her hand as she watched the two elves, both of them wearing expressions of worry.

"Orcs are scattering our lands. You never know where they are going to strike next." Elrond agreed.

"I am sure they will be okay. Elladan and Elrohir are good with the bow and arrow, as well as their blades." Emdiril offered, her usual positivity shining through. Elrond faced her and offered a small smile. He appreciated her reassurance.

"Of course," Arwen's voice came, a smile on her face as it was now her turn to place her hand on her father's hand, "they were taught by the best."

The three of them laughed in amusement, all worries gone banished from their minds.

"Now, now. I wouldn't go that far." Elrond said, a wide smile still tugging at his lips. "Anyway, are you looking forward to the celebration tomorrow?" Elrond asked and both the elleth and the woman knew what he meant. The next day would mark the start of spring, when flowers would bloom and trees would regain their leaves. The elves loved nature and therefore celebrated events such as these each year. The festivities would include feasts and beverages, as well as dancing and singing. It was usually the elleths who looked forward to these events the most for during spring a lot of elves would start to court. Arwen wished to find her loved one, the one her heart would sing for, but she had found no luck. She had watched her father and mother's love and wished for nothing more. Emdiril however hadn't showed a lot of interest in courtship or any of the male elves. Elrond understood that she was only young though and therefore she may not be ready.

"It shall be a grand celebration and-"

Emdiril was interrupted by screaming and gasps. The air around them seemed to turn cooler and a shiver ran down her spine. Elrond had immediately jumped out of his chair to see what the commotion was about – he wished he hadn't.

Elladan was carrying his wife towards them while Elrohir rushed in front of him, shouting and screaming for people to move aside. It was clear that his fair, beautiful elleth had been badly hurt.

"Ada!" was the last word the elf-lord took in. The world seemed to slow around him – he knew he should not have let them travel by themselves. His eyes looked to his side, Arwen seemed to sob but he could not hear. Emdiril had moved to embrace her, holding her close to her body in order to comfort her. She too wore a distressed expression, but she wanted to stay strong for her adopted family.

Elladan had moved to the medical ward quickly and Elrohir stood in front of his father now, shaking him. "Boe de nestad!" With that, Elrond snapped out of his trance. He moved quickly to the medical ward, Elrohir by his side.

"Man cennich?" Elrond said, his voice full of sadness.

"There were orcs, we, we couldn't get to her in time. She has been badly hurt, father." He shook his head, wanting the horrible memories to leave him.

Elrond stood by his wife's side now. She was pale and unconscious and he put his hand on her cheek. His eyes quickly examined her, there was one distinct wound on her abdomen.

"She was struck by the blade of an orc." Elladan stated, wanting to explain to his father. He seemed to be in control over his emotions, though his eyes were full of guilt.

"We think she was p-poisoned." Elrohir finished, his cheeks wet with tears.

"Ego!" Elrond almost shouted at his sons. He hadn't meant to be harsh on them for they had been through a lot the last few hours, but it was hard to control his emotions. Both elves let their heads hang low and left the medical ward. Arwen and Emdiril had approached but Elladan held his hand up to stop them. "Daro. I believe he wants no one there." While he said that, Elrohir had left their company and took off to his chambers. He felt great guilt and blamed himself for what had become of his mother.

"What… What happened?" Arwen forced herself to ask. She didn't mean for her voice to tremble. Emdiril's arm around her shoulder immediately tightened, wanting to be strong for the elleth. And so Elladan started to explain their journey and what had happened near the misty mountains.

It had been many days since anyone had entered the medical ward. The festivities of spring hadn't taken place and instead Elrond had heard songs of prayer and sadness. Elrond had been able to heal his wives wounds, though her form was still sleeping. He sat over her, a pained expression adorning his features. Why did this have to happen? They had been so happy.

His eyes flickered upwards as he felt someone stepping inside. The elf did not have to turn around to know who it was.

"You carry a great burden." The lady said, her voice was soothing, yet her was filled with sorrow. She stepped behind the lord of Rivendell and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hiril nin…" Elrond's voice came, but he soon drifted off. His eyes scanned Celebrian's features. She looked so peaceful, but she was paler than usual and he knew she was still ill.

"As do your children." Galadriel started. Her tone held no accusation, she understood the pain the elf lord was going through.

"I have done them wrong." Elrond sighed. He wished to apologise to them, especially his sons, but he could not bring himself to leave the side of his beloved.

"No, you have not. Your children – all four of them, understand more than you think." Galadriel said in a comforting manner. She now moved to the other side of her daughter, brushing a strand of hair behind Celebrian's ear.

"Thranduil has offered shelter to the young ones. He knows the struggle of losing someone –"

"She is not yet lost." Elrond interrupted and his eyes widened in shock. He hadn't meant to disrespect his mother in law. "Forgive me."

Galadriel nodded once. She had lived many years, more than most and she knew grief well.

Elrond closed his eyes and released a deep breath of air. "I do not believe that this is the real reason Thranduil offers his help. He knows of Emdiril and her potential." Concern etched across the elf's face. He remembered when she first started to use her power. It all seemed to come natural to her. She had first started by lighting candles with her mind. During autumn she had liked to make the leaves around her float. Flowers that had died would be brought back to life. And those were only few of her talents. Elrond presumed she could play mind tricks as well, reach into other's minds if she wanted to. If he hadn't seen her as his own, he might have asked her to use her powers on orcs and other wretched creatures to gain information he could not get. However, he did not want to endanger her or take advantage of the beautiful redhead.

"This may be true for Thranduil is a curious elf. Though I believe this is best for everyone. My daughter is yet to get better. She will need you when she awakes. Av-'osto" Galadriel spoke in a cool manner, authority taking over. "I will take them to Mirkwood. Tomorrow we shall depart."

Elrond opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Instead he looked between the Lady of the Wood and his love. He thought of his children and Emdiril. Perhaps the travel could be a distraction. By the time they came back, Celebrian could have regained her strength and health. Galadriel was a wise elf, the wisest elf he had encountered. If she believed this would be for the best, so it would be.

"Aye. Tomorrow you shall depart." The elf agreed and Galadriel offered a small smile.

Translations (I have used several websites for translations. Please don't be mad if any are wrong):

Ada - "Father"

Boe de nestad - "She needs healing"

Man cennich - "What did you see?"

Ego - "Leave"/ "Be gone"

Daro - "Halt"/ "Stop"

Hiril nin - "My lady"

Av-'osto - "Don't fear."