Taelen wasn't sure what to do once Lord Elrond dismissed him from the healing ward. He searched for Hanna with no success, which was a disappointment. He had hoped to spend time with her when they weren't scared for their lives - he was anxious to see if the connection he felt with her would continue. Nonetheless, he greeted everyone he met with a smile while he worked his way to the stables to check on his horse, Felarof.

The stables were more substantial than the ones in Lothlorien, but not by much. Its stalls were well kept, with mahogany posts and doors and plenty of straw on the ground. Taelen immediately felt at home, taking comfort in the familiar smell of horses and leather. A kind stablehand introduced himself as Baron after Taelen had been standing around for a few minutes, and promptly directed the later to his stallion and brought him a bucket of sudsy water and a set of brushes.

"He's a beautiful creature," Baron said, gesturing to Felarof.

"Thank you," Taelen laughed, used to the love his chestnut companion always received. "He has been through a lot in the last few weeks."

"I heard you journeyed here from Lothlorien, that's not an easy thing to do in such a short time."

"It is easier when you are driven by the darkness that followed us," Taelen murmured, beginning to lather up Felarof's coat.

Baron opened his mouth but stopped short of asking his question when another Elf rode into the enclosure. He left Taelen to his washing and brushing for a few minutes before bringing the newcomer over.

"Mára rë," the Elf greeted him. He was tall, with a fair face and pale braided hair.

"Mára rë," Taelen answered with a wave..

"Do you mind if I share your paddock while I rub my horse down?"

"Not at all."

Baron left the two, who took care of their horses in silence, till the Elf struck up a bit of conversation.

"My name is Legolas, son of Thranduil; I hail from Mirkwood. The stablehand told me you came from Lothlorien, have you been summoned to Lord Elrond's council as well?"

Taelen shook his head, "I have come here to council with Lord Elrond, but my business does not concern more than me and my kin." He was not sure how much he should be telling of his purpose in Rivendell, as well-intentioned as this Elf, Legolas, might be.

"I wish I could say the same," Legolas said as he gave his horse one last sweep with his brush. "But perhaps my fear is in vain."

Taelen set his brush down as well and gave Felarof a scratch under the chin before turning to leave.

"Are you going back to the main house?" he asked Legolas, pausing in the doorframe of the stall.

"Yes, if you don't mind the company I will join you if you are headed there as well."

"Extra company is always welcome," Taelen smiled. He led the way out, asking Legolas how his journey had been, curious about the path he took from Mirkwood.

"My friend I came here with is from Mirkwood," he mentioned after Legolas recounted his uneventful, albeit tiring, travels. Hanna had told Taelen many stories of the dark forest, most of which convinced him to not to visit if he had the choice.

"I had not known of any other Elves from my father's realm traveling this way."

"Oh, she's not an Elf –" Taelen stopped and blinked a few times, trying to think of a way to retract his statement. Could he trust this Elf? He was so used to speaking to everyone in Lothlorien openly, but was that to be the norm here?

"I don't know of any humans living in Mirkwood." Legolas furrowed his brow.

"I, well – "

Arien came around the corner at that moment; the setting sun reflected on the silver circlet she wore. She smiled when she saw Taelen, hurrying down the path to greet him. Taelen couldn't help but notice the subtle double-take Legolas did when he saw her, though seeing Arien smile with the radiance of her Valar heritage for the first time, Taelen couldn't blame him. But she was not Hanna.

"Taelen! Hanna is looking for you," she said. "She doesn't want you to miss dinner."

Taelen's heart swelled at the mention of Hanna looking for him. "Not to worry, I was coming back to change in time."

"You should have a clean change of clothes set out in your room, but if you don't want to change I doubt Ada would stop you from joining the festivities."

It was nice for Taelen to see Arien smiling and joking after the events of last night. Her face had been solemn and pale when recounting her vision of Melkor, an understandable reaction in his opinion. He had wanted to reach out to her, help her in any way, but felt like the help was out-of-place when Lord Elrond had been so adamant that he be the one to care for her. He was curious, though, what was the truth behind her outer appearance?

"Arien, forgive the late introduction, this is Legolas of Mirkwood," Taelen said, grabbing her hand and pulling her to stand next to Legolas. He didn't let go of her hand quickly, taking a moment to tap into her vein of emotions. His vision was colored with grey. Uncertainty and fear - he recognized the meaning of the color - a direct contrast to her happy smiling face, but the truth he had suspected.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Arien smiled and nodded her head.

"The pleasure is mine, my lady," Legolas bowed.

"I am expected in Ada's study, but I hope to meet you again, Legolas – and Taelen, make sure you are not late for dinner."

She winked and gave Legolas a close-lipped smile before hurrying back toward the house. Taelen made a mental note to find her later this evening and see if he could help with her uncertainty and fear.

"Is her father one of the Eldar?" Legolas asked as soon Arien disappeared from view.

Taelen hemmed and hawed for a moment. "Not exactly, but she was referring to Lord Elrond as Ada, if that is why you are asking."

"I did not know Lord Elrond had more than one daughter–"

"She's an adopted daughter."

"Ah, I see," Legolas furrowed his brow, "She has a light about her I have not met before."

"She is unique." Taelen breathed a sigh of relief as they crossed the threshold into the open hallways of the main house. "But I must excuse myself if I am to follow her instructions to be on time to dinner."

"Of course! Thank you for the company. I am sure we will meet again."

They parted ways, and Taelen found his way to his room. The tunic and leggings laid out for him were of fine cloth and ran over his hands like water when he touched them. Fitting, he thought, but the thought did make his heart race. It had been a few weeks since he had used his powers, and he was anxious to find somewhere in Rivendell to practice on his own.

There was a time when he was supposed to come to Rivendell to practice something else. The memory ran through his mind, remembering the small enclosure he had so often sat in with Galadriel.

"Do you remember when you first realized you have the ability to heal and grieve with others?" she had asked him as they sat in a grove lit by starlight.

"It gave clarity to my parentage, somewhat," Taelen answered.

"We knew the power of the Vala Nienna flowed through you. You could weep with the broken and mend their hearts with your words, and with it came great healing of wounds with your hands. You are the most gifted healer Lothlorien has seen since the first age."

"Thank you, my Lady." Taelen dipped his head, pleased at the compliment despite having heard it many times before.

"You are burdened with the mystery of your father." Her voice was soft. "Nienna does not have a known spouse."

"I have tried not to let it affect me –"

"I know: you have grown wonderfully, nostaler."

They sat watching a breeze stir the grass and leaves for a moment before she spoke again.

"I had hoped I would be able to discern who your father might be. You must know what powers you might have inherited from him, but despite all my searching, that part of you remains hidden from me."

"I've tried to help," he said quickly, I've wanted to connect with him like I have my Mother, I –"

"It is no fault of your own, but I fear I have helped you as much as I can."

Taelen turned his head in surprise. "What are you saying?"

"Lord Elrond of Rivendell has offered his help in furthering your training as a Healer, he is more skilled than any Elf here and can –"

"But leave Lothlorien? I thought I wouldn't until I was ready!" He stood, his eyes wide. He felt ashamed reacting as one less than his age, but leaving Lothlorien was not something he had considered as a solution.

"I will not make you leave, this is the only home you can remember, and I would not take it from you," Galadriel said. "But I would encourage you to search for answers in Rivendell. I would think connecting with your kin might help."

Taelen knew Galadriel was referencing Lord Elrond's charge, another Valar child. He had heard whispers of her great beauty and power, and rumors of her lineage. Elves on patrol said they'd met with messengers from Rivendell who told them she was the daughter of the Vala Manwe and his Queen, Varda – the joint leaders of the Valar. He had felt envy at first. It sounded easy, knowing your full lineage, confident in your role in events to come. But he was coaxed to sympathy by Rumil who said it must be hard knowing your parents are the two most powerful beings on Arda.

He knew in his heart what Galadriel was saying was a well-meant idea, and if she felt confident in being able to help him further, she would. But she was as close to a mother he had ever known, and his heart dropped at the thought of leaving her side.

"You have never led me wrong." Taelen took a deep breath. "I will follow your instruction and go to Rivendell."

Galadriel placed a hand on his shoulder, smiling, though he could see the sadness in her eyes.

"We must find hope and joy in this next chapter, nostaler, for too much sadness, will weigh you down. Home will always be where you find joy, whether in Lothlorien or Rivendell."

The memory stayed with him as he made his way to the dining hall. Hanna already sat at a head table with Rian and Arien on her left. She beamed and waved when she saw him, motioning at the empty spot beside her. He wondered why they were sitting at a table with Lord Elrond and his sons, but forgot all about that as Hanna started to explain how she had slept most of the day away, and by the time she had woken up he was headed to the stables.

"The wizard – Gandalf – found myself and Rian before dinner, passing along a message from Lord Elrond that there would be a feast in our honor tonight," she explained. "Hence I sent Arien out looking for you. I was worried I would get lost trying to find you, and she was very willing–"

The food came out just then, loaves of bread and cheese, honey and fruit, and numerous savory dishes Taelen had not tried before. He grinned, piling his plate high before turning back to Hanna.

"Forgive me; I'm starving. You were saying?"

"Oh, I sent Arien to look for you. I was afraid I would get lost if I tried to look for you, and Arien was more than willing. I think she was glad to have something to do."

The two of them glanced down the table at Arien, who laughed at something Elladan said. Taelen opened his mouth to comment to Hanna, but just then, a haggard Elf ran into the Hall, straight up to where Lord Elrond sat. The Elf made quiet remarks to Lord Elrond, who stood, motioning to Gandalf before following the Elf out of the room. Gandalf stood immediately and walked over to where the four Vala sat.

"We had best hurry. Something is happening at the Ford of Bruinen."

Rian and Arien stood without hesitation, following Lord Elrond's path out of the Hall, with Taelen and Hanna a few paces behind them. He led them down a few hallways before climbing a winding staircase to the top of a tower overlooking the West Gate, and beyond that the Ford.

"It's the nine, they've followed your Hobbit," Lord Elrond said to Gandalf. They could see just over the wall a group of black horses across the river. There was a single white horse on this side, its rider no larger than a child.

"We must stop them from crossing, or all hope is lost," Gandalf muttered, his face determined.

"I can flood the river, but I'm not sure if it will be fast enough to dismount them," Lord Elrond shook his head and held his hands out in front of him, readying himself to cast his spell on the waters.

"Perhaps I can help?" Taelen spoke, though he was surprised to hear his voice volunteer to help these two beings of renowned power.

Gandalf furrowed his brow. "You can help move the river? How –"

"That does not matter right now," said Lord Elrond, though his face reflected Gandalf's puzzled tone. "Whatever help you can give Taelen, I will take it."

Taelen stood next to Lord Elrond, taking a deep breath and relaxing his stance. He moved both his hands in a pulling motion, an act that was immediately followed by a roar, and within seconds a wave of water as tall as the forest trees rounded the bend, heading straight for the Black Riders. Taelen gritted his teeth and planted his feet – it was more water than he expected. A drop of perspiration slid down his brow while he concentrated and made the pulling motion again, careful to not add any extra movements. He looked to his right and saw Gandalf standing with Lord Elrond, the two of them focused on the river, speaking various spells in Elvish. The water started to take the shape of knights riding powerful horses holding sharp lances. Taelen made one last pull, exerting his will on the wave and sending it crashing into the dark figures, washing them away. He took care to make the water avoid the Hobbit who had fallen from the white horse, holding his breath as he waited for the water to settle into its river once more.

"We –" Gandalf took a labored breath- "are going to have to talk about that."

"But not now, we must aid Frodo," Lord Elrond turned to Arien. "Instruct Elrohir and Elladan to find me when they have dismissed the guests."

He and Gandalf left, the latter giving Taelen one last glance before descending the staircase.

"That was impressive," Arien said, turning to him, an eyebrow cocked. "Galadriel had not sent word that you held the powers of Ulmo."

Taelen shrugged. "I like to surprise."

"Ulmo?" Rian asked.

"The Valar who controls the waters of Arda," Arien answered, "But he has no known spouse, so no one thought to look for a child from him."

"I would like to believe we don't know everything about the lives of the Valar," said Taelen. He had thought about this many times. He thought it would bother him more, yet he felt nothing but peace when thinking of his parents.

"Of course." Hanna placed a hand on his arm and gave Arien a stern look.

"I didn't mean – I simply was trying to say why this is a shock, I'm sorry." Arien blushed and turned around, heading down the stairs. Taelen felt bad; he hadn't meant she needed to apologize. Her comment hadn't upset him.

Later that evening, everyone had retired to their rooms, and Taelen sat on the edge of his bed, looking at his hands. He had to admit to himself, what he had done on the tower was a first. He had moved water many times in the last two years, manipulated it in nearly every way imaginable, but never an amount this great. And never had he been so exhausted after. He knew that after an afternoon of practice, he would feel worn out, but he found it hard to sit up right now. He had to move, though, when there was a knock at his door.

He groaned as he stood and ambled across the room to open it. Rian was on the other side when he got there, her arms folded across her chest. She wore a dark robe, similar to the one he had found in his closet. Taelen guessed from the nervous aura around her that she had not been to sleep yet.

"Rian, are you all right?"

"May I come in for a moment? I need to talk to you."

"Of course," He moved to the side, gesturing for her to enter. She brushed past him, sitting herself down on a chair in the corner.

"Did something happen?"

"No," She answered, "But I'm hoping you can help me."

"I will try my best."

She made eye contact with him, and he noticed her eyes were the same grey he saw earlier when he'd tapped into Arien's emotions. They held nearly the same uncertainty and fear, too.

"How did you figure out you had water powers?" The question blurted out from her lips, and she grimaced.

"How did I – like, what did I do?"

"All of it. What were you doing, how did you do it, how can you do it now, any information helps."

Taelen blinked, exhaling sharply. Did Rian not know her Valar powers?