Time Transcended

To Get an Understanding

Disclaimer: I own… a blue pillow.

Author's note: Please, just read the whole chapter and the author's note at the end. Reviewing is always nice too...

There was soft music playing and a melodic voice singing. The CD player was still on. It would be on all night because Elrohir had set it on repeat. It was a ten disk CD player with ten CD's doomed to repeat until someone bothered to turn it off. It was nearing the end of the first time through and she was in no hurry to climb out of bed and turn it off.

"Let it play," she groggily thought to herself as she buried her face deeper into her pillow. It was two in the morning and Elrohir was sound asleep, eyes wide open and all. Rebecca, however, was wide awake. The words of Arwen rang in her ears… yes, he did twitch violently in his sleep. Although, Rebecca had a hard time calling it twitching. It was more like punching. Or wrestling. In any event, it was swift, graceful, thought out, and like a reflex, as all elvish movements seemed to be. Rebecca sat up and looked over at the sleeping elf. "What to do with a twitching elf… hmm…" she whispered.

She had no idea, and sleeping with someone that smacks you in his sleep every twenty minutes is simply impossible. She climbed out of bed, put on a warm robe and her slippers, and went downstairs to the telephone.

"Hello?" came the voice on the other end.

"Elladan?" Rebecca asked hopefully.

"Yes. Is that you Rebecca?" he asked.

"Yeah. Listen, do you have any idea how to get Elrohir to stop twitching? I'm going to bruise soon."

"Well, the only way Legolas ever found was to wrap him in a blanket and then tie the blanket closed with cords. Sort of like an elven mummy."

"I am not mummifying my husband," Rebecca said.

"Other than that I'm not…" Elladan had the phone snatched away from him by Glorfindel.

"If Elrohir is hitting you in his sleep, then you must lay your hands over his ears and say the following. If you don't have paper and pen handy, I suggest you get it," Glorfindel said.

Rebecca found both in the kitchen on the counter and scribbled down the words.

"If that doesn't work, mummify him," Glorfindel said.

"Thank you Glorfindel. Do you think it will work though? I'm not an elf or anything," Rebecca reminded.

"I do not know. You must try and see," He replied.

"Okay, thanks again Glorfindel. Bye," Rebecca said. She hung up and ran back upstairs.

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"Wait a moment!" Elladan cried. "You mean to tell me you have known how to get him to stop twitching and you never told me?"

"Yes," Glorfindel replied simply as he went back towards him room.

"You mean, that I spent all those years hunting orcs and getting smacked every night and I didn't have to!"

"Yes."

"You are infuriating Glorfindel!" Elladan informed.

"Thank you!" Glorfindel replied with a bow.

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Rebecca crept carefully back onto the bed and turned on the lamp, hoping she would not wake him, and then leaned over him and tried placing both hands over his ears… it didn't work. At last she found a position in which this was easily accomplished. She set the paper down on his chest and read aloud the words. Once done she wondered if it had worked. She took the paper and set it down on her nightstand, turned off the lamp, and laid back down in bed. Sure enough, it had worked! He did not twitch!

She laid there with a grin on her face, pleased with her accomplishment, and tried to fall back asleep, but with no luck. She was now wide awake. Just her luck. A song she recognized was playing, so she sang along with it for want of anything else to do, and soon she was dancing around the room by herself, becoming quite hyper with the late hour and the sleep that would not come. Right in the middle of her third song in her midnight concert she hit a high note which woke Elrohir with a start. Not that she didn't hit it, but that it was just the right frequency to awaken him.

He looked over and saw her facing the stereo, with one hand raised in the air and the other clutching an imaginary microphone. She sang two more bars before her dancing around allowed her to see Elrohir sitting up and grinning at her concert. She stopped short and dropped the imaginary microphone with an imaginary thud.

"Oh. Did I wake you?" She asked with an overly innocent look.

Elrohir nodded.

"How much of that did you see?"

"I came in on the high note," he replied.

She blushed and went to bed like a child who has been caught playing after bedtime. She felt like she ought to say something, or at least explain why she was up singing. She felt like a grade A idiot in any case, and Elrohir could see it written all over her face.

"Don't worry Mirë nin, I thought it was cute," he said leaning over to kiss her.

She put her hand up to stop him. "Now wait, you aren't just saying that to make me feel better are you?"

"No Mirë! Of course not. I really do think it cute," he assured and continued pursuing the kiss. She let her hand fall and permitted his kisses. Suddenly the phone rang downstairs.

The kissing ceased and both looked at the door.

"You called Elladan didn't you," he said.

"Yup," she replied, nodding her head slowly. "Should we answer or just unplug the phone?"

"Answer then unplug," he replied.

They ran down stairs and picked up the phone before the answering machine picked up.

"Hello?" Rebecca answered.

"Hi Rebecca, did it work?" Elladan asked on the other end of the line.

"Yes it did."

"Tell Elro… he's right there isn't he," Elladan said.

"Yes. Do you want to talk to him?"

"Not in particularly… On second thought, hand him the phone please."

Rebecca handed Elrohir the phone. Rebecca wished she had elven ears, for she couldn't hear a word being said by Elladan and only heard Elrohir's replies.

"Yes… no… I'm not telling you… Soon enough… You're just asking all this to annoy me aren't you... Sorry brother, it isn't working, I'm far to happy right now to be truly bothered by much. Good night El… Good night! I am going to unplug the phone… Yes, I would dare… Good night!"

"So! So! What did he say?" Rebecca impatiently asked.

Elrohir laughed at her childish behavior. "You need to get some sleep Mirë, you are getting crazy again."

"Yes I am! What did he say?"

"He asked whether we were enjoying ourselves, then he asked whether I would give him details when I returned. Then he asked if there were any cute Swiss single girls about. He then asked when we were coming home, then I cut him off. Does that satiate your curiosity?" He inquired with a grin.

"Oh yes! Thank you!" she smiled. She then bounced up to bed, becoming increasingly hyper with each step she took.

Elrohir watched her and counted himself fortunate to have married a girl of such extremes. She could be extremely loving, romantic, level headed, and calm; and if enough sugar and not enough sleep was added, she could become crazy, flirtatious, spontaneous and hyper. He hadn't decided yet which side he liked more, but figured he had all the time in the world to figure that out. He followed her up to the room and by the time he got there she was draped over the bed and sound asleep.

He carefully straightened her out so her head, not her feet, were at the pillow, and then tucked her in. After a good night kiss he crawled in next to her and fell asleep himself.

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Rebecca awoke the next morning, quite forgetful of everything that had happened over the last five days or so. She lied there, with her face down in the pillow, wondering groggily where she was. Slowly she became aware of soft music, then even softer blankets and pillows, then she realized someone was rubbing her back. Her eyes cracked open just enough to see whitish light in the room.

"Uuuhh… wha… where… Oh!" she mumbled, suddenly remembering. "I remember now!" she murmured. She then snuggled down deeper into her pillow.

"What did you forget?" Came Elrohir's voice softly.

"Everything but you," she replied quietly, enjoying the massage too much to talk for long.

He stopped and let his hand rest on her back, above where her heart was. He could feel it beating even through her back. She could feel a strange warmth spreading through out her with each beat of her heart. His hand was the source of the warmth, and he was, in a way, giving her added warmth. She couldn't figure out exactly what he was doing, but she didn't want to speak. He knew her mind was trying to figure out though, so he whispered, "Do not think. Just wait and you will see."

She gave a very small shrug, in reply to which he gently rubbed his other hand over her shoulders, as if he were smoothing away the movements her muscles had just done. Soon enough, the warmth was all through her, and she would have sworn in her veins that there was a fierce golden light instead of blood. She felt light, not as if she were light headed, or being upheld, but as if she was made of less dense material than she was. She gave a peel of laughter at the feeling which seemed to make her feel lighter. Elrohir smiled, and she could feel his smile in a way she had never felt one before.

Elrohir massaged her back a few moments more then said, "Just relax. No matter what, don't tense up and don't move."

"Okay," Rebecca mumbled, now acutely curious as to what he was doing. She obeyed however, and let herself go limp, which wasn't hard because she her muscles were nigh unto comatose already. This was part of what she adored about Elrohir, he would get very mysterious and ask for trust just before he did something marvelous. She had learned that in Rivendell, but she had questioned him then, not any more.

She felt a slight shift as he got off the bed for a moment, then returned to exactly how he had been. He began to sing softly in Quenya, which she knew hardly any words in, and ran his fingers through her hair. Then he let his hand rest on her head for a little while, then he began rubbing and tracing on her back, but in a very definite pattern. He was tracing some shape onto her back that she did not comprehend. The pattern itself seemed to make her sleepy, and so she shut her eyes, but instead of drifting off to sleep, she became aware of the pattern. The pattern was her; her breathing, heartbeat, thoughts, everything. Then a curious thing happened, as she realized each part individually, she saw it all as a whole, but what she saw she could never describe.

The realization of this caused her heart to beat a little faster with the excitement of discovery. Then the pattern changed and she saw how it effected the rest of the pattern he was tracing. It was all a very curious thing to her, and she wanted desperately to shower him with questions, but didn't, she simply went along with it.

Elrohir lightened his touch until he was not touching her at all, but she could still feel the pattern. She took a deep breath and felt it change on its own. She opened her eyes and tried to ask a question, but once he heard a syllable he grinned and said, "Be patient mel nin, I am not done yet."

She silenced herself and closed her eyes once more. He then began to caress her tenderly and carefully, as if he were afraid of smudging or erasing the invisible pattern. With great caution he did so then whispered in her ear, "Can you yet see it?"

"Yes," she whispered.

"Clearly?" he asked.

"Yeah," she replied.

He smiled, satisfied now with his work, and proceeded to rub her back in circular motions. As he did, the pattern grew deeper into her mind, and soon it was embedded there permanently. Elrohir then lightened his touch ever so slightly and kissed her neck softly. The thrill one gets when touched suddenly ran through her, and she saw the pattern shift accordingly. She opened her eyes and said, "kiss me again."

He happily accommodated her, and then a curious thing happened in her mind. She still saw the pattern shift, but in a different way. Now it was not so much visible as it was perceptible. Of course she had felt the thrill of his kisses before, but now it was more acute, as if this time she actually understood the kiss and not just felt it.

"Go ahead, smile. I can feel your smile with in you, show it to me. I am finished," Elrohir said.

She rolled over so she could see him and asked with a wide grin, "What did you do?"

"I taught you how to perceive yourself as an elf perceives himself. Or herself, as the case may be," Elrohir explained.

"So is that why I feel so light?"

"Yes. And that is why you see the pattern now. You have always felt it to a degree, but now you feel it more completely and see it better," he smiled.

She let out her breath in the form of a happy sigh. "And who taught you this trick? Your father?"

"No, the Manwë. They said if you should live in Valinor and have the fate of an elf, you ought to understand them better," Elrohir replied.

"I must thank him when we get there. And I must thank you now," she said, reaching over to kiss him.

"There is more, if you so wish to endure it," Elrohir said after his thank you kiss.

"More?"

"Well, how do you think I know you so well? I can feel your pattern when I touch you. They instructed me to teach you how to do the same, though not so clearly. Do understand that anything I give you is not as acute because you are mortal and were not born with the ability to do it," he said.

"I understand. I can't complain," she replied.

"Are you willing to endure it?" he asked.

"Why, is that painful?"

"No, but it is unusual. When I first experienced it I was quite taken aback by it. I can only imagine it shall be the same or more so with you," he informed. "Are you yet willing?"

"Yes," Rebecca affirmed.

"Then be still, for I must give you the gift then have you experience it," Elrohir said.

"But first, tell me what it was like for you," she said, just to make sure she wasn't getting in over her head.

"I was… fifty. Father had kept Elladan and I rather sheltered up to that point, since we were still considered elflings. Anyway, a wounded man, one of the Dunadain, came stumbling into Imladris as Elladan and I were playing outside. I saw he was hurt, and so did Elladan. We saw him collapse on the ground from loss of blood. Elladan went running as fast as he could to Adar. I went over to him, just so he knew someone had seen him and to tell him my brother had gone to fetch our father. I knelt down beside him and he opened his eyes. I told him my message and he nodded. He closed his eyes and fainted at last. I thought he was dead, being yet an elfling, and I reached out and touched his neck to search for a pulse, and it was overwhelming. I could feel the pain he felt, but not as poignantly, and I could feel his heart and his breathing. I became dizzy and removed my hand just as Ada came up. He and two other elves carried the man into the halls of healing, and I simply sat on the ground and let my senses adjust themselves. Elladan, who had experienced it before me, knew why I had such a bewildered look upon my face and relayed his experience to me. After that he helped me up and took me to the kitchen for a bowl of porridge. He said it was the best thing for the nerves after a shock like that. After that, I told Ada about it, and he explained it all in detail to me and explained the reason why I hadn't felt the same from himself or Elladan whenever I touched them. He then taught me how to use this gift at will. I have since mastered it," he said ending the narration. "It may be similar for you. Worry not though, I think you can master it in time."

She nodded.

This whole day, only a few hours old, was shaping up in a most unusual way for Rebecca. She couldn't say she disliked the direction it was heading, but… it was too abnormal to decide like or dislike, so she didn't bother.

This time as she laid on her stomach, for Elrohir said it was easier for him if she laid that way, her eyes were open and she felt everything more intensely. Before he actually started he said, "If it becomes too piercing tell me."

"I will," she said, beginning to wonder how strange it would be. Sure, she had a clue, but experiencing and imagining are two different things all together. She instinctively braced herself and then was softly reprimanded by Elrohir.

"No Mirë, you must relax or it will be worse," he said.

She tried to force herself to calm down, but with little success. She heard him chuckle a bit as he laid his hand on her and felt the lingering tenseness. He slowly made her relax and then proceeded.

"Focus on me Mirë. Focus only my touch and what I say to you," he instructed quietly. He slid his hand under her heart, and lied on top of her so his heart was over hers. He sang again in Quenya for several minutes then grew silent and said, "Focus on my hand. What do you feel?"

"That it's there," she replied.

"Anything else? Anything at all?" he asked. "Tell me, even if it is a given."

"That it is warm and larger than mine. I … I feel the blood circulating through your hand, but not like I would if I were taking a pulse. Not so… forced. More even and subtle, like a regular heart beat."

"Now, focus on my heart. It is resting right above yours. Can you feel it?" he asked.

She thought that if perhaps he were excited or had been exercising just prior she could… maybe… and doubted that she would at all. He knew she was losing focus and so reminded her to gain it back.

"No, return your thoughts to me."

She obeyed and slowly she became aware of a dim beat, but it seemed far away and was hardly perceptible. She conveyed this to him and he told her to keep thinking on it. She did so and soon found herself feeling his heart beat and hearing it… almost like it was inside her head, but not quite. She had a hard time articulating it to him, and he told her not to worry because he understood.

Soon, she was seeing and hearing his breathing as she had heard hers at first.

"Congratulations Mirë, you now see my pattern as well. With practice you will be able to see others quickly and clearly. But that shall take time," he said.

"Is that all? That was not so traumatic," she commented.

"No, there is more, but I feel that you need a break. Your heart started beating rapidly with the strain. You need to be at rest before we go on," he said as he got off of her. He sat up and lost himself in thought, making sure he recalled everything correctly.

It took her less than a minute to calm her heart down. She suddenly found this much easier than had previously.

"That's because you understand it all better," Elrohir explained.

"Surely you didn't hear my thoughts!" she said.

"No, I saw your face," he grinned. "Some things do not need elven skill to see." She smiled and then he continued. "Now, you can see yourself as an elf does, and you can feel my heart beat and feel my breathing as I have felt yours. This is only half of the gift. I shall now help you see my emotions as I see yours. This is what made my experience with the Dunadain as it was. I could feel both his hurts and his emotions. Are you ready?" he asked.

Rebecca took a deep breath. "As I'll ever be." And as she said that, she could feel her resolve hardening and doubt fading away.

"Admittedly, the only emotion I think I can easily produce right now is love and joy, but that is a fine starting point anyway," he said as he lay down. Before he was lying flat he propped himself up on one elbow and said, "Right now, the whole point of this is to see things from my perspective so that you understand me better. Understood?"

She nodded, wondering just what was coming next. He reached over and grabbed her hand. She tried to figure out what he was thinking or feeling, but his face was unreadable and she couldn't find anything but his heartbeat. He encouraged her to keep at it and be patient. Slowly she realized that he was feeling at rest. Suddenly she felt something different and realized it was a desire, but she didn't know for what. A few minutes more and it increased, and something else was added. Suddenly she let go and declared, "You are at rest, you desire food, and you really want to laugh at me for being so slow!"

"No, I don't want to laugh at you for being slow, I want to laugh because I'm happy," he corrected. "Very good though."

"You eased me into that didn't you," she guessed.

"Guilty."

"Before we go eat something, just strongly feel something, suddenly. Just so I can see what kind of shock it is."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

He reached over and touched her and she was stunned. It had come the moment he touched her and at full force. She lost everything for a second but then her wits slowly returned to her and she said, "love."

"Good job. Now let's go get something to eat so you can get over the shock," he said. He leaned over and kissed her and then the got out of bed.

The moment her feet hit the ground, she felt almost like she was planted there, but walking was no chore. She felt like she practically floated down the top half of the stairs.

"This is just weird," she said taking another step.

"Jump over the side of the stair case, from right there. You feel like you're flying," Elrohir said.

"You first," she said. "So you can catch me if I trip on the banister."

He simply hopped over the banister and landed with as much ease as if he had jumped off the bottom step. She followed and found it really did feel like flying. She comprehended more as she fell than she ever had before, and she landed with out so much as a falter.

"Do you figure I can walk on snow?" she asked.

"You could try," Elrohir said. She rushed out the door with out so much as grabbing a scarf, and found she could walk on the new snow that had fallen the night before. At times she stepped down too hard and would fall through, but all in all, it was easy.

"I'm still cold though!" she said as she rushed back in. Her bare feet were bright red with cold and she was shivering. "So, I get to feel like an elf, but I still get cold."

"And you still have the potential to grow old, get sick, and so forth. You can't be turned into an elf, but you can be given some attributes of them… because you're going to live with them forever and need to understand them."

Rebecca nodded. "I still can't complain about any of it."

After starting a fire and letting her thaw her feet in front of it, Elrohir came into the living room with a large bowl of porridge.

"There is nothing like Ivanneth's porridge to calm your nerves after a shock of any sort," Elrohir said as he handed her a bowl. "And, you have gone through several shocks this morning."

Once she cleaned her bowl, Elrohir took it into the kitchen and washed out the dishes. He came back and found her sound asleep on the floor. He smiled. She looked so peaceful and so tired that he didn't have the heart to move her, nor the heart to leave her on the floor. To compromise, he took the comforter from the bed and laid it on the floor, then carefully laid her on it. Then he got her pillow and a couple other blankets, and made a bed for her on the floor.

He sat next to her and watched her sleep. He thought she looked like an elf as she lay there. All she needed was the pointed ears, but he liked her rounded ears. He liked everything about her. He admired her as she slept under the three blankets he had brought down for her. He wondered if she was cold, so he laid his hand upon her brow and learned she was not, so he relaxed and watched his Mirë, his Jewel, sleep.

Authors note: Yeah, this chapter is a little psycho I think… I hope I didn't scare you all… but it is relevant for the story that she got these gifts. Besides, whenever Elro does something and I don't explain it, y'all want to know, so this time I told you. Just remember, you asked for it! LOL! Anyway, review, tell me I'm crazy, praise me, critique me, just don't flame me! But tell me the truth!