Author's Note: Wow it's been so long since my last update. I do apologize, but once more I've become entrenched in schoolwork and haven't had much time for writing. Thank you so much for your patience and reviews, I highly appreciate it. I would also like to say a big thank you to my beta Dragonfly32 for her wonderful help. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Tolkien's work.

Chapter 19 Inquiries

Ethuil's POV

I set down the fine silver goblet with a muted clang upon the oaken table. Curving my fingers around the delicate cup, I ran them over the beautiful carvings, crafted by the hands of my kinsmen. The elleth seated opposite me gazed out over the balcony of her flet, her soft blue eyes surveying her homeland. I waited patiently for a time, knowing that she must be thinking over my query with all the seriousness I had posed it to her. My old friend Wilwarin at times had displayed a more jesting attitude than was to my liking, but certainly even she could she the gravity of this issue.

At length she mused in silence, tilting her head casually to one side when a bird alighted on a branch nearby. I sighed, my patience slipping. I did not wish to anger her, but still I wanted my answer. It was only when she began to make little chirping sounds, imitating the bird that I spoke up once more.

"Well?" I said rather loudly, jolting her out of the rather curious pastime.

"Well what, Ethuil?" she asked arching a fair brow.

"Do you know the maiden in question?" I pushed, hoping to receive my long-awaited answer.

"The maiden in question…" she trailed off as if thinking. I shook my head in annoyance, she had not been paying the least bit attention to me.

"Elenwen," I pronounced the name with some measure of contempt. "She is courting my nephew, the March Warden. I believe she too is on the guard, though why I haven't the slightest idea, for I hear she lacks much in the ways of martial skill."

"Ah, yes," Wilwarin nodded with a smile, remembering our previous conversation. "The maid, Elenwen, yes I know of her. Well, that is to say I knew her Naneth well enough. She was quite a charming, well mannered elleth, who just recently crossed the sea to join her husband."

"But what of her daughter?" I sat forward anxiously.

"I will be truthful and say that I have only met her on rare occasion. She was quiet at those times, though her Naneth mentioned that she was often brash and disobedient," my friend concluded thoughtfully.

"It's as I expected," was my reply. I leaned back in my chair, feeling flushed with victory. "Do you know anymore?"

"I am afraid not," she said, pouring more wine into my goblet. "But on another subject, how is…" I would not let her finish, I had the information I needed. Standing, I reached for my emerald cloak and arranged it carefully around my shoulders. Wilwarin looked quite bewildered, as always. "Are you leaving so soon, Ethuil?" she too stood. "Why, you just arrived."

"Forgive me, mellon nin," I said hastily, buttoning the silver clasp around my throat. "But there is much to be done. Namarie." And I left her there, one of what would be many visits, to answer my many inquiries.


Elenwen's POV

I was so happy, happier than I ever remember being. My joy was like a spring, bubbling up inside my very core, seeping into my heart and flowing into every inch of my body. But what is happiness if it is not shared? Such joyous news I could not keep to myself. So as soon as I had managed to stay my tears and kisses, my betrothed and I set out to locate his family. Oh, he was my betrothed! To think of it! Now as I gazed up at his handsome face, his sparkling eyes, I felt near faint. Could such a wondrous thing truly have happened to me, quiet and withdrawn Elenwen? Or was it some magnificent fantasy, a dream that was locked in the depths of my mind? But now, as I pressed myself closer into his embrace and heard the beating of his heart I knew that it was indeed real, which thrilled me deeply.

We came to the spot upon which we had parted company with Rumil, Orophin and Hirien though they were nowhere to be seen. The target which I had unleashed my arrows into stood just the same, shadowed in the settling twilight.

"Perhaps they have gone to meet with Aunt Ethuil," Haldir wondered aloud. I almost started upon hearing the name. That was one thing I had not considered. How would she take the news of our engagement? But I cast aside the thought, it mattered not. She had no say in the matter. Haldir and I walked arm and arm back in the direction of his flet. Like wanderers we were, content to be upon our path, ignoring any other care that might plague our minds. But as the twilight deepened, the sky becoming a vibrant mixture of indigo, gold and pink we found his wayward kin, nestled together in a small garden. Rumil was entertaining Hirien and his brother with some silly tale he had no doubt concocted, while Ethuil sat quietly off to the side, a soft smile resting on her features. She appeared to be ruminating over some matter, though I quickly turned my gaze from her. Rumil fell silent upon seeing us enter and all eyes turned towards us. I bit back a smile, enjoying the light glee that floated through my veins.

"My dear family," Haldir began, though he seemed unsure of how to relate the news. After a brief pause, he continued. "Elenwen and I have plighted our troth. We are engaged." The reaction that followed was surprisingly varied. Hirien leapt to her feet with a shriek and embraced by Haldir and I, while Orophin simply smiled. Rumil sat for a moment frozen in joy, before he laughed aloud clapping his hands together. Ethuil however, remained locked in a stony silence, her face showing no change except the smile slowly fading. When the congratulations and happy exclamations had ceased she finally rose to her feet.

"Well, Hirien," she said turning to her daughter. "It appears that we will have to extend our stay in Lorien, until the wedding that is." I cringed inwardly at the thought of her planning and being present at my wedding, but I wouldn't let that ruin my happiness now. Instead I nodded somewhat stiffly. Then, as though nothing had happened, she glanced back at Haldir. "My nephew you must make haste, for tonight, you dine with Lord Elrond and his daughter Lady Arwen."

Elleth: female elf

Mellon nin: my friend

Namarie: Farewell