A/N Wow, past me was really optimistic. I was out here talking about "regular updates" like I didn't know myself or something. Anyway...I finally got the next chapter finished! So yay!

For the next update I'll only say that there WILL be one, I just can't tell you when :)

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Celeborn watched Thranduil leave, their goodbye had held little words-simply a promise to see eachother again. Yet Celeborn felt no joy in watching Thranduil leave, only a niggling of impending danger. He spent the rest of the day on the east tower trying to pinpoint what he was feeling. He held no foresight like his wife (or Elrond for that matter); instead, what Celeborn had was instinct. He had instincts that had seen him through countless battles and multiple ends. And his instincts were telling him that there was a hunter stalking. Someone who shifted in shadows and watched from dark corners. And if there was one thing that made Celeborn's insides itch, it was being prey–Celeborn was never prey. He was the hunter that walked on silent feet. Celeborn knew himself intimately. He was familiar with the dark parts of himself–the parts covered in the shining badge of elven lord. Celeborn was also intimately aware of how others saw him: poised, powerful, wise. But that didn't make him any less aware that there was savagery in him–a savagery that kept him alive as kingdoms crumbled beneath him. He would do what was necessary...and he was never prey.

"What haunts your thoughts, dear Celeborn?"

Celeborn drew his gaze from the view out the window, "Queen Susan, I did not hear you arrive."

"Why do I doubt that?" she said with a hint of humor.

In truth, Celeborn had heard her arrive, but having dismissed her as a threat. He had left beginning the conversation to her.

"Anyone would be a fool to not be aware of such a lovely presence," he returned with the same humor.

"And you, dear Celeborn, are no fool."

"I like to think that I am not."

"So tell me, Celeborn who is not a fool, what is it that haunts your thoughts?"

"It is merely a feeling, dear Queen."

"Your feelings have proved to hold weight."

Celeborn softly bowed his head in acquiescence, "I suppose that you are correct. Alright, dear Queen, I shall answer your question," He paused to gather his thoughts, "I feel stalked. I feel that there is a hunter just out of my view. I cannot see him, but I feel his eyes upon me. I hold no foresight, not like...like some I love...but there is an enemy closer than the western wood–I can feel it."

Queen Susan stood silently after he finished speaking, Celeborn could tell that she was weighing his words. Until at last she spoke, "We should then prepare ourselves for this enemy. It would not do to be caught unawares." She turned to leave but stopped and looked at him, "Thank you for sharing with me what haunts you." Then she left.

Celeborn sighed and went back to watching the sky.

o0o

"A different enemy?"

"He did not say. He merely shared what he was feeling."

Peter and Susan sat in the Royals private parlor as the day drew to a close.

"Drink your tea Peter, it's getting cold."

Peter absently took a sip. "And he said that it was closer than the Western Wood?"

"He said that is what he felt," Susan said as she handed Peter a cookie.

Peter took a bite, "Wuff I don't…"

"Don't talk with your mouth full."

Peter rolled his eyes and swallowed. "What I don't understand is what are we supposed to do for an enemy that only someone else feels."

"I cannot tell you that. Perhaps you should talk to Celeborn and get his advice. I feel that he has great experience in such matters."

Peter nearly scoffed, in fact, if he did not know that Susan would scold him for being so undignified, he would have. "I am sure that General Oreius would find great comfort in the fact that I am asking Celeborn for advice on the Kingdom's protection."

"I am sure General Oreius would find great comfort in the Kingdom's protection, no matter where it came from."

Peter sighed, "I suppose you are correct."

"I usually am," Susan said straight faced.

o0o

Peter wished for the time when he had only one problem to worry about at a time. He also wished for the ignorance to discount Celeborn's feelings as merely that-feelings. But Peter did not have such luxuries. Ignorance and solitary problems were for those that only held their own life in their hands. Peter held a kingdom. It could be really annoying at times. It was also annoying not being able to find one silver haired elf. It wasn't like Celeborn blended right in, except for how, in a way, he did.

The absurd was only absurd in normality, but trying to find the absurd in the absurd was not an easy task. Perhaps, Peter thought, he was right on the other side of the floating dryad. Or maybe, he was in conversation with centaurs and fauns, or up a tree helping a talking squirrel. The last image made Peter lightly chuckle.

"It is enjoyable seeing your majesty in good spirits," A voice came out of nowhere.

Turning around, Peter found Elrond standing behind him, "Lord Erond, how good to see you."

Elrond raised a brow as if in surprise (or disbelief), and Peter had to agree that he'd never quite shown himself to be excited by the elves' presence. Not that he had spent any considerable time with any of them.

"It is good to see you as well, your Majesty." Elrond quickly responded.

"You wouldn't by any chance know of Lord Celeborn's whereabouts?"

"I am afraid that I have not seen him since we bid farewell to Thranduil."

"Hmm, and here I thought that it was only Thranduil that liked to disappear."

Elrond let out a warm chuckle, "Those two are more alike than either likes to admit."

"Is that right?" Peter said, "Perhaps you could tell me a bit about them, and yourself, as we look for him."

"I was under the impression that we had already informed your majesty about ourselves," Elrond responded.

Peter nodded, "Yes, I know all about your situation and status. But I would enjoy learning about you. Things you enjoy and those you do not, your family and friends. Anything you would like to share. Of course, you need not say anything if you do not wish to."

Elrond was quiet for a moment, obviously weighing each word he could say. He was careful with his words and Peter admired that. Of course all the elves were careful with their words, but Elrond wasn't as blunt as Thranduil or as cryptic as Celeborn. He was balanced and more approachable–it explained why he would usually be the one that spoke.

Elrond took a deep breath and then began to speak, "There are things that I do not mind sharing. Our lives are, as you would say, complicated. We are all connected in some way, and have been for many years. Familial wise, Celeborn is the father of my wife, and he and Thranduil are…cousins I believe the word is."

"Your wife's father? I did not think he was older than you." Peter was suitably surprised. Though he felt that his surprise was justified as none of them looked that much older than him.

Elrond gave a small gentle smile, "Yes, he is quite a bit older than me. Thranduil is also older, but not by as much."

"You are all very close then?"

Instead of his smile being gentle, it turned bittersweet. "There was a time when I would have called Thranduil my brother and Celeborn was a true father greater than any through blood." His words trailed off and his eyes lost focus, as if they were lost in time–untethered.

"You do not have to tell me anything if it brings you pain." Peter said softly.

Elrond's eyes refocused on Peter, "It is in the past, and this not an unspeakable pain. I will share with you and then perhaps you will know us better." He paused a moment. "As you know, we are a long-lived race. We do not grow old as other races do. We age, we learn, we remember–and at times, wish we could forget. We, both our race and the three of us, have borne witness to the rise and fall of kingdoms, the rising of rivers and the withering of mountains. We have seen new paths be born and disappear to nothing–even the land is not as timeless as we are. We have lost much, including it seems, eachother. You see, King Peter, where once Thranduil and I could be brothers, we are now heads of our realms, and the realm must always come first. I protect my people in the ways that are available to me, and he in any and every way that he can. Responsibility is always a heavier burden than anticipated." Elrond inhaled gently, "As for Celeborn, the tie that held us together…she is gone now." He looked at Peter with another soft smile, "I am afraid that you will have to learn of the relationship between Celeborn and Thranduil from one of them, as it is not my place to speak of it."

Peter felt the words drift on him heavily. He wished he could quietly assimilate and fully understand them. Not the words themselves, but all the things that hid in between them. But he needed to respond, "Thank you for speaking with me, Lord Elrond, I appreciate it more than you can know. I know that the past is not always a kind master, and facing it again is not always easy. Perhaps in coming here, you can face each other not as leaders but as kin."

"Perhaps," Elrond said noncommitedly, "Speaking of kin, let us go find Celeborn. It should not be too hard, as just like Thranduil, he also enjoys heights." He said with a soft laugh.

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A/N oof...This definitely could have been better. If anyone has any suggestion to help with writer's block, I'd appreciate it!