Chapter 43: Over the Mountain, Beyond the Wood

Third Age 241
(131 years later)

Caladhel woke with the first rays of dawn and the starling song heralding the morning. She stirred, stretching out her right arm as her left moved to lift Thranduil's hand from its perch on her waist. Her hopes of slipping away quickly were thwarted when he stirred, his hand defiant. The accompanying arm snaked further around her waist drawing her back toward him. He kissed her shoulder.

"I must ready to depart." Her protest was mild, but she squirmed in his grasp for emphasis.

Her protest only caused him to hold her tighter. "I wish to fare you well," he replied while trailing feather light kisses along her neck.

"You fared me well more than once last night, if memory serves."

"I am not finished." His right arm slid beneath her side to embrace, stroking her breast while his left hand wandered lower.

"You are terrible," she chided.

"Am I now?"

"You are sure to tire of me some day."

"Never."

"I will be late," she managed before a shiver of pleasure silenced her protests.

"Let them wait," he whispered. "They cannot depart without their queen."


Caladhel arrived at the front gate an hour later than she planned. The company was mostly assembled. Faentôr stood at the fore. He would lead the guard while Roewen served in her usual capacity as the Queen's protector. The remainder of those gathered milled about, anxious for their journey. Daerel was looking most anxious of all. The only elf who possibly appeared more nervous was her mother. Gwendeth had taken a long time to convince when her daughter first asked to join Caladhel on her visit to Imladris and she appeared now on the verge of revoking that permission.

Roewen was the first to greet her queen, and she did so with a smirk. "A late start?"

"Thranduil wished to fare me well."

Roewen laughed, and then quieted her voice to whisper. "I hope he left you in a fit state to ride."

"Roewen!"

Caladhel was well accustomed to Roewen's immodest jests, but she did not believe them acceptable when with in earshot of others and Daerel stood but a stone's throw away. Caladhel turned her attention to the elleth and her mother, beckoning both to approach.

"Are you ready?" she asked Daerel.

"I am, but I don't think my mother will say the same." She glanced her mother's way, with a look that told Caladhel she feared Gwendeth would change her mind.

"Parting with loved ones is never easy," said Caladhel, "even if for a short span of time." Caladhel turned then to Gwendeth and offered her what reassurance she could. "She will be well looked after. You have my word."

"Indeed," Roewen added, "you may rest assured, neither Faentôr nor I would allow Daerel to travel if we believed her skill with bow and blade to be lacking."

"And I will learn so much. Lord Istuion is the greatest healer in Middle-earth."

"So it is said," Gwendeth acknowledged, though it was not the healer's reputation or her daughter's apprenticeship that worried her now.

"We will return before the harvest," Caladhel assured Daerel's mother.

"Promise?"

"Of course. If I fail to return by then I risk Thranduil laying siege to Imladris."

"You exaggerate, I think," said Gwendeth. "An army would be too obvious. It is more likely he would order a night raid to collect you."

"Either way, we will return."

Gwendeth was not completely comforted by her queen's assurances, but then, nothing short of her daughter declaring a change of heart would accomplish that feat. She bowed to Caladhel and wished her a good journey before drawing her daughter into a tearful embrace.

Caladhel moved away to permit Gwendeth and her daughter a private farewell. She went to work greeting her fellow travelers. She had greeted nearly everyone when Thranduil arrived at the gate with his uncle, just as the company neared ready to depart.

Thranduil joined his wife and took up her hands. "I suppose you won't change your mind?"

Caladhel shook her head. "I missed the birth of Celebrían's sons. She will never forgive me for missing this one."

"She does not strike me as the kind to hold a grudge."

"In most matters, you would be right." Her gaze flitted to their joined hands. They were both painfully aware this was to be their first parting since their wedding day. It was inevitable, but felt all too soon to Caladhel's heart. "You could come with me," she said, as she had half a dozen times before.

"As delightful as a few moons in Imladris surrounded by your kin sounds, I think it best you go alone. Otherwise, they might begin to believe I hold you captive by my side. I am certain to meet the child the next time we are called to visit Lórien."

"No doubt."

Thranduil kissed her hands. A more formal farewell than Caladhel enjoyed an hour earlier. "Be safe, and remember your promise to me."

"I will." Caladhel could not forget her promise at the falls, nor would Roewen or Faentôr permit her to disobey their commands. They loved their queen, but they feared their king's wrath a mite more.

Túven came to Caladhel's side after conferring with her accompanying counselors.

"Have you any advice for me in the council, Lord Túven?"

Túven did not answer straight away. It was only a minor council, held because so many wished to celebrate the birth of Elrond and Celebrían's youngest child. Túven, himself, had declared his presence unnecessary. He eyed her thoughtfully.

"Remember your people. Do what is best for them. That is the only wisdom a ruler need possess."

It was not an accusation, for Túven no longer doubted her loyalty to Greenwood or its king. He merely spoke what wisdom he felt obvious.

Faentôr led a deer to the Queen's side. "Are you ready, my queen?

Caladhel stroked the hind's muzzle. She turned her gaze once more to Thranduil who nodded once before setting a kiss upon her cheek. "I am."


The Great East Road was as safe as it had ever been. Even so, it was three weeks on horseback to Imladris. The journey was unremarkable, but for Caradhras. The path over the mountain was dangerous even in good weather. Caladhel bore the journey well, but she grew impatient with the horses as they wound their way slowly down into the valley. She could see her uncle standing at the far end of the bridge awaiting her company. The child in her wanted to wave to him, the Queen of Greenwood resisted the urge.

There were others gathered as well. Numerous lords and ladies of Imladris had come to greet her. Lord Elrond stood with two young ellyn, so like their father, only taller now than last she had seen them. Celebrían was nowhere to be seen, nor was Galadriel. Caladhel worried for their absence, afraid she had once again missed the birth of her cousin's child.

Elrond welcomed her company with all the pomp due the Queen of Greenwood. Caladhel suffered the ceremony for the sake of her people, but Elrond must have sensed her impatience, for his greeting was both formal and brief. Celeborn offered her his hand to help her dismount, but no sooner did she dismount than Caladhel found herself in his arms. She returned his embrace warmly.

"We are all delighted you could come," said Celeborn.

"I promised Celebrían I would."

"Promise or no," said Elrond, "Celebrían would have seen you attended this birth, even if she was forced to abduct you. She threatened to send warriors to collect you not two days before your letter arrived."

"She didn't."

Celeborn nodded. "My daughter is not always as sweet as she feigns."

"If you had been present for our births, mother would have no reason to make threats."

Elrohir nodded his agreement. He attempted to glower, but laughter crept in from the corners of his eyes. Grey eyes, like his father's. There was little of Celebrían to be seen in her sons, or so Caladhel thought. They had their father's eyes, his dark hair, and something else. Caladhel marked it in the sound of their voices and in the lines of their face. It was a quality Elrond possessed, but one time and effort served to mask. Subtle differences that marked their kinship with men.

This was not the first time the twins had chided her for missing their birth and Caladhel answered the accusation with a practiced response. "If you had not been born in the middle of winter, I would certainly have made the trip."

"Do not blame us," Elrohir countered and he glanced sidelong at his father. "We had no say in the matter."

Elrond shook his head disapprovingly, while Elladan did his level best not to laugh.

"And where is the Lady of Imladris now?" Caladhel asked.

"Resting," said Elrond. "The stairs have been a bit too much for her these last few days."

Elladan's attention strayed from the conversation, having caught sight of a new arrival hovering nervously a few feet away. "And who is this?" he asked.

Caladhel turned to spy Daerel awaiting her introduction. She felt terrible for having forgotten her companion so quickly. "Forgive me." She beckoned Daerel forward. "This is Lady Daerel, she is here to ensure I remember to dress like a proper lady. In her spare time, she will apprentice under Lord Istuion."

Daerel stepped forward and bowed her head in greeting to the assembled lords.

"You already know my uncle," Caladhel said of Celeborn. "This is Lord Elrond of Imladris and his sons Elladan and Elrohir."

"My lords."

"Lady Daerel, welcome to Imladris. Istuion has been looking forward to your visit. He is an excellent healer and teacher, both. You will learn much from him."

"I hope to prove a worthy student, Lord Elrond."

"You had better have a strong constitution," Elladan said. "Istuion is not known for tolerating the squeamish."

Daerel squared her shoulders and her chin rose in response to Elladan's challenge. "Blood and mangled limbs have thus far failed to intimidate me."

Elladan had not expected such a bold answer, and he was, momentarily, at a loss for words. He looked upon her with surprise, and something else, all the while struggling for some apt reply.

Erestor spared the young lord from answering by joining their circle to address their guests. "Queen Caladhel, rooms have been prepared for you and the Lady in the east hall. Food and drink await you and baths are being drawn now."

"Thank you, Lord Erestor."

"Will you require an escort?" He glanced briefly at Daerel, for Caladhel knew the way.

"No need, Erestor, we will escort Lady Daerel to her room," Elladan said to the surprise of all, including his brother.

"We will?" Elrohir's expression was marked by humor but the glare Elladan shot him sobered him quickly. "We will," he repeated, this time more cordially.

Elladan offered Daerel his arm and she blushed prettily at the unexpected gesture. She looked to Caladhel who nodded, granting her leave to go. Elladan led her from the courtyard, up the stair, Elrohir trailing a few steps behind.

"That was unexpected," Celeborn said.

"It was very kind of him to make her feel welcome," said Caladhel.

"Yes. Yes, it was," said Elrond, though clearly he, too, was surprised by his son's behavior. His gaze followed the trio up the stairs.

"Shall I go see Celebrían before I settle in?" Caladhel asked.

"You best not," Celeborn replied. "She has developed quite an aversion to the smell of horse these last few weeks."

"Very well, tell Celebrían I will come see her as soon as I am settled."


In the hour it took Caladhel to bath and dress, Roewen had done so too, and more. She saw Greenwood's lords and warriors settled, made a quick sweep of the grounds surrounding Caladhel's quarters, settled her own belongings, ate, bathed, dressed and returned to Caladhel's door. It was Roewen's first visit to Imladris and in that short span of time the Silvan warrior had decided she did not like the realm at all. Roewen did not say this to Caladhel directly, of course, but the Queen sensed it in her hard and watchful gaze as her eyes swept over the terrace and the stair leading down into the garden.

"Anyone could enter this room from the terrace. We will have to set a guard at the bottom of the stair."

"There is no need," said Caladhel. "I am in no danger here."

"Forgive me, my Queen. I know these are your kin, but our king would not accept that excuse for being lax in our duties."

Caladhel knew there to be no winning the argument, so she allowed her frustration to pass. Roewen was only doing what she thought best, despite the lack of danger.

"Shall we call upon Daerel before visiting my cousin? I wish to be sure she is settled in."

"That won't be necessary. Lord Elrond's sons were awaiting her in the hall when I passed her door. They intend to give her a tour of the house before dinner."

"They are good lads."

"As you say."

"You disagree?"

"I did not say that."

"No. Not quite." Caladhel held Roewen's gaze, awaiting some explanation of the warden's concerns.

Roewen struggled with an answer that would not be deemed utterly disrespectful toward Lord Elrond and his sons. "Forgive me, my queen, but I do not think Daerel's parents would approve."

"Of a tour?"

"You know what I mean."

Caladhel understood only too well. Celeborn's approval of Elrond had taken thousands of years. Caladhel found herself in the uncomfortable situation of hoping Daerel would feel no more for Elladan than she would a friend. "Let us be off, then. Celebrían will not abide much more waiting."

Caladhel led Roewen to Celebrían's apartment in the main wing of the house. Caladhel's gaze wandered all the while to the bridges and sculptures and the many smaller houses and waterfalls. Roewen's gaze wandered as well, only her eyes watched for danger, surveying the shadows behind each statue and pillar. Caladhel wished to tell the warden to relax but thought such an admonishment unlikely to have any effect.

They arrived at Celebrían's chambers shortly and were welcomed by Galadriel at the door. Galadriel greeted the Queen of Greenwood with a bow, and her niece with a peck on the cheek. Caladhel had long ago grown quite accustomed to the formalities due her station, but it always made her uncomfortable when Galadriel bowed. The Lady of Lórien, however, was always quick to remind her that displays of respect were important to Caladhel's people, if not to her.

Caladhel found her cousin reclining on a low divan and she could hardly imagine Celebrían rising to greet her without aid. Indeed, Celebrían did not attempt to do so, but waved her cousin to her side.

Caladhel took a seat beside her and embraced the elleth as best she could. "You look radiant!"

Celebrían laughed lightly and set a hand upon her swollen belly. "I am ready to burst."

"May I?"

Celebrían took her cousin's hand and brought it to rest on her stomach. Caladhel felt a kick beneath her palm.

"She is eager to join us," said Celebrían. "It will not be more than a few days."

"She? How do you know it to be a girl? Did your mother tell you?" Caladhel looked to Galadriel questioningly, but the Lady shook her head.

"Mother tells me nothing," Celebrían declared. "I only suspect. This one feels different than the boys. Then again, there were two of them."

Celebrían's gaze wandered from her cousin to her cousin's bodyguard. Roewen was circling the edge of her room gazing out the terrace windows, mostly ignoring their conversation.

"Is there something wrong, warden? You look uneasy."

Roewen's gaze flew to the Lady's face and her expression was, indeed, terribly uneasy. But whether that was due to her prior mood or Celebrían's question, Caladhel could not say.

"Forgive me, Lady Celebrían. There is nothing wrong."

"You look as though you expect an assault from the trees."

Roewen's gaze shifted to the patio below before returning to the Lady. "The grounds here are far more open than Limrond or Caras Galadhon. There are hardly any doors and the garden path reaches to the very edge of the patio."

"What Roewen is trying to say, is there is too much open space here for her to defend." At Celebrían's confused expression, she added, "She worries some ill will befall me and Thranduil will have her skinned alive."

"There is no need to worry, warden. These borders are well guarded and all within are friends."

"As you say, my lady."

"Is there some specific threat that concerns you, warden?" Galadriel asked, for it was clear to all that Roewen was not reassured.

Despite her many years fencing with Iauron, Galadriel's pointed question and weighty gaze were more than Roewen could deflect. Her eyes flitted nervously to her queen before returning to Galadriel's face.

"I saw men wandering the gardens when we first arrived."

"The Prince of Gondor arrived yesterday," Celebrían said. "He came to convey the well wishes of his people and to discuss some other matters of state with Elrond. He is a good man. Elrond fostered him here in Imladris for a time when he was a child."

"And do you vouch, too, for the Prince's companions?"

"Roewen, that is enough!"

Roewen fell silent at Caladhel's sharp rebuke. She dipped her head. "My queen."

"You may await me in the hall," said Caladhel.

For a moment Roewen appeared ready to argue, but thought better of it with Lady Galadriel and Celebrían watching. She bowed again and left Celebrían's room at her queen's command.

"There was no need to be so harsh," Celebrían said.

"Perhaps."

"Our ways are strange to the elves of Greenwood."

"She is worse than Thranduil at times."

"Her concern for you is heartfelt," said Galadriel, "born of duty, as well as love."

"That may be so, but sometimes it is too much. If I am not safe here with you, then nowhere is safe." Caladhel's gaze abandoned the door, alighting again on her cousin's face. She wore a sullen expression and Caladhel was sorry for having been its cause. "Forgive me. I have no wish to dwell on melancholy chatter. Let us speak of more pleasant matters."

"Any topic you wish."

"Tell me. Have you and Elrond decided on a name?"


"It is a beautiful name," said Daerel. "Don't you think?"

"Indeed," Roewen agreed. "It is a name fitting a lady of so great a lineage."

"But what if it happens to be a boy?"

"Artamir," said Caladhel. "But Celebrían is convinced she will have a daughter." Caladhel wondered if there was not some way to tell. "Is it possible for a healer to tell for certain?"

Daerel shook her head. "I do not believe so. Unless Lord Istuion has some secret wisdom brought with him from across the sea."

Caladhel knew of one means to know. Galadriel's mirror. Caladhel suspected that if Galadriel had seen a third son in the water's depths, she would have gently turned Celebrían away from the hope of a daughter.

"Do you have names you favor, my queen?" Daerel asked.

Caladhel had not expected the question and was made somewhat uncomfortable by it. "I have not given the matter much thought."

"Really? I chose mine by the time I was fifty. Rissien for a boy and Lostariel for a girl."

"Both are lovely," Caladhel said.

"What about you, Roewen?"

Roewen, too, was made mildly uncomfortable by the direction their conversation had taken. "Faentôr and I are not ready for children quite yet."

Daerel rolled her eyes, exasperated by both her companions. She would not dare press her queen on the question, but the warden was another matter. "But you must have thought about it at least once in all the years you have lived!"

Roewen shrugged. "I cannot say I have. But as for names, I have always been fond of my great grandmother's."

"Which one?"

"Tauriel."

"A lovely name," Caladhel said.

"Yes," Daerel agreed, "though I can not quite see a princess bearing such a name, maybe a warrior."

"I do not imagine I will bear a princess any time soon." Roewen was nothing if not matter-of-fact, and both Daerel and Caladhel laughed at Roewen's dry humor.

A knock from the hall a moment later brought all three elleth to attention. They were expecting no guests so soon before dinner. Roewen went to see who came calling, thankful again that at least the front entrance to her queen's apartment could be barred. In the hall stood two ellyn, both bearing the same face. She ushered the sons of Elrond inside.

"My ladies, we bring word."

"Is it your mother?"

"The child is on its way," Elladan said before turning to Daerel. "Istuion has asked that you join him. He means to put you to work. I will show you the way."

"Of course. Allow me to change and collect a few items first." She rushed out the door to her own chambers and Elladan followed after.

Elrohir was left to escort Caladhel. He appeared anxious and somewhat bewildered by the sudden loss of his twin. Caladhel took hold of his arm and led him back toward the hall. "You look as nervous as I feel," said Caladhel. "Come, we will both do what we can to ease your little sister's way."