A/N: Hey guys!  I'm really sorry this took so long, but with the Christmas holidays and exams and everything, I didn't have as much time to write as I would have wished.  And now it's finally here, and it's rather shorter than the others!  Sincerest apologies…however, the next chapter shouldn't be nearly as long in coming.  (I hope.)  And, it should be pretty exciting!  If you're looking for romance, you should only have a couple of chapters to go, so never fear!  *hugs D*

Dedicated, as always, to Andy, who put up with my little emotional breakdown about this chapter.  g  And to Andrew Philpot, again, for bringing D to life on screen.

Falling Into Grace

Chapter 3

"The day reminds me of you.

The night hides your truth.

The Earth is a voice

Speaking to you."

-Creed

"All I'm saying is that it has been three weeks, and there has been no sign of this vampire creature.  How can we be certain that this hunter is telling the truth?"

Legolas regarded his eldest son gravely.  "We cannot, Gryphondal.  That is the simple truth.  All I know is that your mother and your sister trusted him.  Aéllanwen does still."

"But what of Aéllanwen?" Gryphondal continued.  "She cannot continue like this indefinately, never a moment's peace, never alone, always being watched, restricted in where she can go and who she can see…she'll be driven to distraction."

"That," Legolas replied firmly, "is not truly your concern.  Aéllanwen is young, I know, but she is grown.  She is old enough to know her own mind, and her own feelings.  Truly, she understands elven nature better than anyone, save perhaps Andrenel."  He sighed.  "But if it will make you feel better, Gryphondal, I will speak to the hunter, and indeed, to Aéllanwen."  He placed an arm around his son's shoulders and led him from the room.  "To tell you the truth, I had been thinking the same thing.  I do not believe that we were lied to, but…perhaps we were merely mistaken."

Gryphondal continued to look unconvinced.  "How is it that you are so certain we are not being deceived?"

Legolas smiled vaguely.  "Simply because, my son, we are not paying him."

"And what difference does that make?" the younger elf shot back.  "Perhaps he wants nothing more than a place to sleep and free food to eat.  Perhaps he is planning to rob us when our backs are turned.  You leave him alone with Aéllanwen all night.  Suppose his intentions for her are less than honourable?"

"If he slept, and if he ate more than once every two days or so," Legolas replied dryly, "I might in fact consider the first possibility.  As for the others, I have said before that Andrenel trusted him.  Have you so little faith in the abilities of your mother?"

"No."  Gryphondal bowed his head.  "But I would still feel better, Atar, if you would speak to him."

"I have said that I would," Legolas assured him.  "I will speak with him after the meal tonight."

*************************

At dinner, the hunter did not eat, but stood silently in the corner, his eyes glittering in the shadows cast by his hat.  He never stopped watching Aéllanwen.  For her part, his young daughter looked completely at ease with his heavy gaze upon her.  She did not seem to feel threatened, and in fact, as time had worn on, she had relaxed more and more even in the midst of perceived danger.

Legolas wondered how much of that had to do with the talk she had had with Andrenel, and how much could be attributed to the intimidating presence of the hunter D, who, in truth, seemed to be much less imtimidating to Aéllanwen than to any of the others.  He raised an eyebrow when he saw her turn and bestow the dark figure with a radiant smile, before she spoke gently to him.  D shook his head, and Aéllanwen, looking rather disappointed, turned back to her food.

The meal was drawing to a close, and the elven king made his way to where his daughter was seated as she rose to go up to her chambers.

"Aéllanwen," he called.  She turned to look at him questioningly.  "Gryphondal will escort you to your room this evening.  I need to speak briefly with D."

The girl looked puzzled, but nodded her assent, glancing back furtively at D as she was led out.

Legolas turned to the hunter whose expression, as always, betrayed nothing.

***************************

"Gryphondal," Aéllanwen said, sounding rather imperious.  "What does Atar want to speak to D about?"

Gryphondal pursed his lips.  "Don't worry about it, 'Wen."

"Oh, I will have none of that," she replied, stepping in front of him and placing her hands on her hips.  "What's going on?  Tell me!  You're embarassed.  And you're afraid to tell me.  Why are you afraid to tell me?"

It didn't take telepathy to discern that he was nervous now.  He began to squirm.  Aéllanwen narrowed her eyes and glared at her brother until, finally, he relented.

"All right, 'Wen," he sighed.  "I wish to know if this threat that the hunter has brought word of is real.  It's been three weeks, Aéllanwen, and we have seen neither hide nor hair of this… 'vampire.'  Ada was reluctant to ask him, but I managed to convince him.  'Wen, only think on it a little," he added when he saw murder growing in his sister's eyes.  "What if this so called hunter has taken us in?"

The explosion that followed that simple question was surely heard throughout all the realms of Middle Earth.

******************************

"Please," said Legolas gently.  "Have a seat."  He gestured to a comfortable chair across from his, near the fire place.  They were in his study, his favourite room in the castle.

D hesitated for a long moment, but finally complied, unsheathing his sword and laying it on the floor next to the chair.  He sat, Legolas thought, looking a little unsure of himself.  He wished suddenly that his wife was with him, for she could have confirmed or denied his suspicion.  He sighed as he sat in his own seat.  He had grown so accustomed to her at his side whenever he spoke with strangers!  She had been everything to him before they were married, almost from the moment they met.  After their joining, she had become more than everything.  She had become a trusted advisor as well.  With her help, he had grown from a young elf, unsure and afraid of his new responsabilities as king, into a shrewed leader, and a wonderful diplomat.

He shook himself of his thoughts.  D was waiting, silent and still as ever, for an explanation.

He leaned forward, intending to appear friendly, rather than accusing.

"I must ask you first please not to be offended," he began.  "My son is young, and has not yet the wisdom that the years must impart…"

*****************************

"Ed' i'ear ar' elenea!"  Passing elves stopped to watch with great interest as Aéllanwen threw her hands in the air and advanced upon her much taller brother, who cowered from her rage in a way that was almost comical.  "Mankoi lle uma tanya?  Dolle naa lost!  Amin feuya ten' lle!"  She took a deep, soothing breath, and continued in a much calmer voice, though still it trembled with her exasperation.  "Gryphondal, I have sat with him every night for these three weeks, and I have listened to his heart.  Believe me when I say this is a creature not capable of deceit.  He has been hurt too gravely in the past to ever hurt another.  Where did they go?  No, nevermind," she continued, before Gryphondal had a chance to even open his mouth, "I will find them myself."  And she stalked past him, back the way she had come.  D shouldn't be too hard to find, she thought to herself.   Just follow the sound of his pain.

Gryphondal followed her meekly, his face red almost to the tips of his pointed ears.

******************************

There was, as Legolas had come to expect, a long silence after he had finished his little speech.  D was still as always.  But if the Elf Lord had learned anything in the past weeks, it was that if one was patient, one could always get an answer from the hunter.

So he waited.  D's expression had not changed since he had entered the room, but Legolas thought he could see the thoughts churning behind steely eyes.

"I do not have much proof to offer you," D said, finally, slowly.  "I have only my word, and the knowledge that the vampire came to your daughter in a dream, the first night I was here.  I imagine she will tell you this is true."

Legolas's brow furrowed.  "Why did you not tell us this before?"

The hunter shrugged.  "It was not my place.  She did not wish even me to know.  I only guessed it from her actions.  You and your family did not need the extra worry, and I had hoped, I still hope, that the vampire had given up.  I do not believe there have been any more incidents."

The elf was stopped from any reply by the sudden entrance of his daughter.

"Amin hiraetha, Atar," she said quickly.  "I just…well, Gryphondal confessed to me what was going on…" here she glared at her brother again.  "And I felt…I felt I had to come and put a stop to it.  Atar, I know I'm young, but I do believe that D is telling the truth!  Please, do not make him feel as if he is unwelcome…I…I should have told you before…I had a dream, that first night…the creature was there.  He spoke to me, called me to come to him.  I nearly gave in, Atar, if it hadn't been…"  She trailed off.  "Well…I woke up, before he could truly take me.  So you see, D is telling the truth!"

Legolas looked grim.  "Yes, Aéllanwen, I know of your dream.  The hunter told me already.  But, melamin, I'm afraid that does not solve the real problem here.  The vampire was here, but is he still?  My daughter, that was many nights ago, and if you have not had any more dreams?"

She shook her head slowly.

"Then it still may be that the creature has simply left.  The hunter D agrees that this might be the case…"

He was interrupted again by one of his soldiers.  "Heru an amin," said the elf breathlessly.  "We cannot find Dynariel.  She has disappeared."

Translations:

Heru an amin- My Lord (unfamiliar)

Melamin- my love

Atar- father

Amin hiraetha- I'm sorry

Ada- like Papa, or Dad

Aéllanwen's rant ; ) - "By the sea and stars!  What are you doing?  Your mind is empty!  You disgust me!  (Poor Gryphondal)