BONUS Scene: Maethor and Haedirn's POV in Chapter 22

"I'm telling you," Haedirn said as he jumped onto the branch beside Maethor, "they're probably resting for the night."

Maethor raised a brow at his companion, who sighed and dropped his chin.

"You're having one of your feelings again, aren't you?"

The stern elf was silent, his eyes scanning the trees and the river below. "Did any of the eastern patrols see them?"

"If they did, they didn't mention it to me."

Maethor shifted his feet on the branch of the towering beech. He'd felt the twinge in his fëa over an hour before and immediately abandoned his search, diving through the forest in search of his king and his charge. Haedirn happened to be returning from the east, and they'd intersected in the tree canopy.

There was a soft whinny beneath them, and the ellyn exchanged worried glances as Belegroch trotted into view. His saddle was empty, and the king's pack was still attached. Belegroch wasn't the type to shy away easily. The ellyn dropped from the trees, their feet making soft thuds as they landed.

Haedirn grabbed the reins, but Belegroch turned, trying to tug the ellon toward the river. "I hate your feelings," Haedirn grumbled to his partner before he let out a long piercing whistle. They waited, only the sounds of crickets echoing through the woods until finally there was a steady thudding, like a staggering heartbeat, and from the underbrush, two chestnut stallions emerged: Laihroch, with the white smudge upon his brow, and Deroch, whose coat was so luxurious, it rippled in the moonlight.

Maethor pressed his forehead to Deroch's and gently stroked the horse's neck. "Will you carry me once more, mellon nin?"

He always asked, even though the answer was forever the same. He would continue to ask until he finally followed the gulls and the crashing waves whispering in his ears. As all the times before, Deroch turned to expose his saddle, and Maethor mounted quickly and ran his hand down Deroch's withers, uttering, "I ant lîn vîr vin faer nîn,"

Haedirn was already astride Laihroch, and he turned to Maethor and said, "We'll search until daybreak. If they're not found before, you continue the hunt, and I'll return to the settlement for more guards."

Maethor wasn't concerned about finding them. He had never failed to track what he sought and wasn't about to tarnish such a record with the most important elves he'd ever trailed. The Elvenking and Annuiel would not remain missing for long. He was more concerned about how they would be found.

He nudged Deroch into a trot and said to Belegroch, "Lead the way, mellon nin."

The two elves and their horses followed the dappled stallion through the forest, gazing wearily over their shoulders as the morning sun trudged higher into the blueing sky until, at last, it peaked over the trees. The river rumbled ahead, and he could see the light glittering off the water through the barren branches.

And then his world went white. A flash of light slammed through him, expanding outward in a brilliant explosion, the likes of which he hadn't seen since the destruction of Gondolin and the fierce battle between Lord Glorfindel and the balrog. Where that power held heat and darkness and corruption, this was compassion and strength, and… love.

It caressed his fëa, the warmth coaxing, and the light delved through every crack and crevice of his wearied soul. The sound of the sea faded in his ears.

It was over almost as soon as it had begun, and he was left feeling as if he'd dropped something substantial, a weight he'd unknowingly been carrying. He looked to Haedirn, who was equally stunned.

Neither asked nor guessed at the cause; they could feel it, feel her, just as surely as if she were there. Maethor coaxed Deroch into a gallop, all the more frantic to find his charge.

Belegroch led them further north. The banks were smooth and rolled down to the water, and Maethor knew they were only a short hard ride from the forest bridge. The ground stretched down to the river, empty, no Elvenking or Annuiel. He wondered if Belegroch had led them astray, and his eyes searched for prints before he caught the flash of brown across the water.

Berior.

The elk stumbled drunkenly from the underbrush, and Maethor held his breath as he waited, praying to all the Valar that his charge would follow. He heard the echoing sigh of relief from Haedirn as she tumbled from the bushes, her thick curls tousled and decorated with leaves. Even from across the water, he could see her body quivering, her skin growing pale.

Haedirn was the first to call out, "Lady Charlotte!"

Her eyes were relieved when she spotted them, and Maethor couldn't help the warm swell of pride in his chest that his charge trusted him so thoroughly. Belegroch nickered behind him, and he imagined the horse was equally smug about his efforts.

Maethor dismounted and walked side-by-side with Haedirn toward the water, determined to swim the river if it meant reaching her side, when her panicked voice made him pause, one boot hovering above the current.

"Don't go in the water!" Charlotte yelled, her hands held out as if to stop him.

Maethor took a cautious step back, eyes scanning the serene current and only seeing the celeblim twirling around the rocks.

"Something in there is causing the illness," she called. "Don't touch it."

Maethor eyed the branches extending over the river and calculated the risk. They thinned at the ends and were still several feet apart; the likelihood of successfully jumping across the river was slim. It would end with him dropping like a stone into the water. He spun on his heel and stalked up the bank. If he couldn't swim the river, he would ride to the bridge and cross there. Either way, he would not stop until he was at his lady's side.

Haedirn watched him mount Deroch and called to Annuiel, "Wait there. We'll ride up to the crossing and come find you."

"Any chance you could bring more horses?"

Maethor jerked his head in time to see the Elvenking clamber out of the bushes, and behind him came the missing six elves, many rubbing their eyes as if they'd just awoken from a long slumber.

Shock filled him. This elleth was full of surprises. Ellavorn had told him about the orc she'd escaped and killed, and he'd seen the spider carcass himself on his journey to the settlement from the northern borders. Now, this? He wasn't leaving her side again. She'd have to scrape him off with a sword. Mischief followed her at every turn, and though she handled it well, he firmly decided that she would never face such trials alone again. He'd talk to the king later and confirm his place.

Maethor turned to Haedirn and said, "Return to the settlement for horses. I'll meet you at the opposite bank. Warn the elves to stay out of the Tithenduin."

Haedirn raised a brow, and his lips twitched at the order. "And what if I were to order you to the settlement, mellon nin?"

"I would dump you in the river this second, and Meluieth can scoop you out where it meets the palisade. Either way, I'm going north to the crossing."

"Ah, but then Lady Charlotte would be without her requested horses."

"Then I suggest you get moving before I toss you in," Maethor said with a straight face.

Haedirn had been his gwador for long enough that he was able to guess his thoughts. It was one of the qualities that made him such a reliable partner for Maethor. "Millennia," Haedirn said softly, respect evident in his tone, "and this is the elleth you choose? I can hardly suggest a more deserving elf. Very well, I'd considered it myself, in truth, and this only confirms my own desires. We'll speak to the king this evening then?"

Maethor nodded once, anxious to reach the elleth waiting for him across the river. His hands were forcefully still on Deroch's reins, cautious about frightening his own steed.

"Go then," Haedirn said, "I'll round up the horses and supplies. Go get our elleth." Maethor was riding north before he could finish, and he heard the ellon call to Annuiel, "Maethor will be there soon. I'll join you with horses as soon as I can."


Translations:

gwador — sworn brother

Celeblim — silver fish

AN: Currently buried in work, but the goals for this work still include another final edit (no major changes) and the posting of some one-shots. :) This one was written back when I wrote chapter twenty-two and has been long overdue for editing and posting. Thanks for your patience and for reading!