Note: Had a Lotr marathon the other day, inspired me to start writing some projects I have in mind, despite the fact I should be up to my ears revising etc then I realised I really need to finish posting this and finish writing Forsworn beforeI begin anything new or I'll have about 50 loose ends lying around.

enjoy :)


Chapter twenty-two

Elemiriel rode her horse through the strangely quiet woodland. There would be more days of travel – and then she would be home at last, where she could forget Celeglin and start her life over. Regretting that she did not say a proper farewell to Celebrían, or even suggest she was leaving to Tinwë, Elemiriel resolved to write to them both when she was at home. She hoped they were not angered at her swift departure, she hoped her leaving had not caused much concern. Celeglin definitely would not worry it would probably cause him to leave his forges Elemiriel thought bitterly.

The passage through the mountains had been safe when they had visited Lorien at the start of the year, though Elemiriel did have a small dagger at her belt – just in case. There was no use worrying yet though – she had many days before she reached the mountains. Hearing a noise behind her, she turned in her saddle, letting her hand rest on the dagger hilt. Upon seeing who it was riding fast behind her, Elemiriel's thoughts jolted.

"Elemiriel!" she heard the call clearly this time as Celeglin approached even faster. How she wished to urge her horse on and gallop from him…yet she was unable to do so. Seeing his face again had changed all her thoughts. Turning back to look where she was going, Elemiriel let her horse walk on, she would not dumbly wait for Celeglin to reach her – he would have to catch up, what she would do when he did was a question to which she had no answer.

The hoof beats got louder and louder as Celeglin drew alongside her and slowed his horse to a walk."Elemiriel," he said gently, when she did not reply, Elemiriel's path was blocked by him stopping his horse in front of her own. Not able to bring her face to look at his, she childishly dismounted from her horse and hurriedly walked past him. Hearing him follow her, Elemiriel broke into a run…he would only hurt her more, she was sure of it. Celeglin's hand closed around her own and he stopped her running anymore, his touch seemed to jolt her being."Please listen to me," the gentle and pleading tones of his voice made Elemiriel stop trying to pull away from him "I have been a fool." There was a silence as Celeglin managed to think of what he should say, "Do not think that I do not return your feelings – my heart is yours if you still desire it," he began.

Elemiriel turned upon hearing those words and studied his face, "Yet you act as though my love was an annoyance, unwelcome…how can I know you do not jest?" she said unsurely "You have caused me nothing but pain!" she added sharply.

"I do not hold your love unwelcome-"

"Then why shun me?" Elemiriel cried her annoyance and hurt building, "I do not understand you!"

"You could never understand!" Celeglin retorted, more sharply than he intended "My father was killed! My mother died of grief from his death after she gave birth to me! How am I meant to think of love without the thought of what happened to them? How can anyone understand how I feel?" he said harshly. Taking a deep breath he calmed himself, looking up he was surprised to see Elemiriel still standing by him after his outburst. Her face was looking less angered, more sympathetic, more understanding, and for once Celeglin was thankful for the sympathy. "I did not want to cause you harm, yet thankfully I was told I did more harm to you by casting your love aside," he muttered quietly.

"Why did you not say?" Elemiriel sighed after a few moments of silence

"I do not like the sympathy, I do not wish to seem weak…" Celeglin replied, voice strained. With a great sigh, and to Celeglin's surprise, Elemiriel leaned against him and wrapped her arms about him, comfortingly stroking his hair.


A small fire burnt a short way off the main path, the two horses grazed quietly in the surrounding area. Cloaks wrapped about themselves, Elemiriel and Celeglin sat side by side, slightly leaning against each other.

"You should take some rest," Celeglin said looking to Elemiriel, "I shall keep watch," Elemiriel smiled gratefully at him, but before she could move to settle down, he took her hand.

As Celeglin drew her close, Elemiriel felt a slight hesitation as she remembered the last time they had been so close. There was no reason to feel worried as Celeglin's lips gently brushed her own. Kissing her lightly on the forehead, Celeglin murmured goodnight before going to find more kindling for the fire.