Another Darkness:

Chapter 8: Interrogation

A/N: Why, hello there! Just wanted to say a quick thank you to those who reviewed, it seriously made my day/s. :3 Here's the next chapter and it's dedicated to you guys and those who fav'ed and followed 3

When Ithil awoke, she was alone in her room at Mirkwood. Her memories were incredibly limited as to what happened after she touched the stone. Other than the trial itself, everything was a blur. She spotted the stone on her bedside table. She could feel it humming softly, but she felt no pull to it, nothing making her grasp it. Why on earth did that man want this? What was the point of it? What exactly is a life stone?

Ithil got up and refreshed her self, something that was much needed after being in bed for who knows how long. Once she was bathed and dressed once more in a pale blue and silver elven dress she made her way out of her room.
"My Lady," she heard someone call. She looked towards the source to find a strawberry blonde elf in golden guard armour. The closer he drew the more she could see his forrest green eyes. She frowned at the term 'lady'.

"Yes?"
"The king asked me to bring you to him if you should awake," the elf was looking at her intensely, making her uncomfortable.
"Well, then. Let's go," Ithil replied curtly. The two walked in silence to a meeting chamber. When they arrived and Ithil entered the room, she almost had a heart attack. It seems as if everyone she knew in the South were in one room, and some she didn't know.
"Ahh, hello everyone," she greeted trying to get her heart back to normal level. There was a long ornate wooden table, at the head in a regal chair was Thranduil, watching her like a hawk with his icy gaze. To his left was a brunet, he seemed somewhat less ethereal than the woodland king. On Thranduil's right was a beautiful she-elf with pale features who was looking at her softly, but with keen interest. Next to her was Gandalf. The rest: Vicor, Orma, Voron and Jorund filled the rest of the table other than the very last chair, opposite the long table to Thranduil.
"Please, take a seat Ithil Lysa," The elven woman spoke. Obligingly, Ithil sat in the remaining chair and looked uncomfortably at the rest of the people at the table.

"So, you are the woman from the North I've heard so much," said the brunet.
"Yes, I am Ithil Lysa. Now, who are you and the blonde elf?"
"I am Elrond, Elven Lord of Rivendell."
"And I am Lady Galadriel, the lady of light." Ithil nodded nervously. Ah, yes, the three elven lords in one room.
"I see..."

"We need to ask you about what happened to you," Gandalf began. Ithil looked down at her lap. She knew she was not safe yet, now that she had the stone, that man would be after her all the more.
"I cannot tell you..." she all but mumbled. She felt something pushing at her mind, not aggressively, but curiously. Her eyes flicked to the Lady Galadriel. Eyes narrowing at the source.
"Then how about we explain some things to you, that you may not know, and we go from there?" Gandalf asked. Ithil nodded.
"Do you know what you are?" Elrond asked her. Her eyes flicked to him, and she shook her head, her long black hair shifting around her frame.

"You are, we believe, an ancient race that many believe never existed, and the few who knew of their existence are sitting in this room," Elrond told her. Ithil's eyes flicked to Thranduil. How long had he known?
"What is this?" she asked.
"Ithrandur. They are a kind of companion race to the elves, slightly older even."
"An Ithrandur? Why are there not more of us?" she asked, logically. Most people in the room turned to look at the dwarf almost accusingly, yet expecting him to answer.
"The Ithrandur exist to be paired with the elves. And when elves are bonded to an Ithrandur, it's the only time they really have a weakness. I'm sorry to say, but the easiest way to kill an elf, especially the old ones, is when you kill the Ithrandur. There are simply more elves than Ithrandur, and so they died quickly."
"The elves were baffled by this phenomenon. The Ithrandur are powerful, yet, slowly, they began to disappear until they became legend."
"How did they get killed?"
"We believe it was because they were rather lazy, they generally relied on their aesthetic and immortality, which may have left them weaker than yourself, yet the method we do not know," Elrond replied. Ithil nodded, more to herself than anything. Immortal? Is that why she couldn't remember her past? Was it something to do with years being locked out, or was she still young?
"So...the elves..." Ithil was unsure how to ask this question, her eyes flickered to Thranduil who had not spoken much at all.
"Pretty much, you're like drugs to them," Vicor answered with no tact. Ithil looked to the human from Lake Town. With a start she realized he must have saved her from falling.

"Oh. Is...is it safe for me to be here?" Ithil asked, never before had she been so unsure about herself.
"We believe so. The elves won't harm you, they'll just take a liking to you," Galadriel told her with a small smile.
"But we must urge you to take caution. Without the proper training, your powers can also harm the elves," Gandalf warned. Ithil sat up straighter. This is more what she wanted to know. Her Wild Magic that she couldn't control. That was really what this was all about. Sure, she had found out the name of her race, but the true knowledge will be in the mystery that is her magic.
"What do you mean," She asked.
"Without taking the proper precautions, you can out elves into a deep sleep, or take their energy away from them, leaving them weak. It is even possible for you to drain an elf completely of their life force," Thranduil spoke finally, remembering waking from a week long sleep more tired than he has ever been in his incredibly long life.

Thranduil watched as Ithil's eyes flung to him. The force behind those eyes were powerful, but she seemed more concerned than ever.
"I..." she began, unable to word her thoughts. Thranduil thought she looked more beautiful than ever, but he knew it was because of her powers were growing stronger around the elves. He knew he would have to watch himself around her. Avoid showing her kindness as he did that night he found her sleep walking. Under no circumstances could he allow a kiss or anything beyond that. She was so untrained and the thought that this girl could kill him accidentally made him sick.

He paused in his thoughts. Why was he thinking so intently on the prospect of kissing her. She gave him one, chaste kiss for helping her. She was alluring, but really? Nothing truly transpired between them other than in that small moment where she commanded him to sleep. Bringing his thoughts back to the woman in question, he saw that she was no longer looking at him, but rather, she was inspecting the desk adamantly.

"We can help train you in you magic. We know you have learned to wield some of it as a weapon, but an Ithrandur's magic does not end there. If it is left for too much longer out of control, it could be a danger to yourself, the elves and even all other dwellers of middle earth," Galadriel spoke as she stood from her seat and slowly made her way to the black haired woman.
"I...I can't stay," Ithil spoke in a quiet voice. Galadriel's soft hand touched the blue and silver fabric of her dress as she lowered herself to be eye level with the sunset eyes.

"We know you are frightened. We know something dark is after you, but you are in the safest place you can be." Ithil looked to the she-elf who was so close to her. As the lady of light looked onto her, she seemed to freeze. A moment stood still between them. The room was dead silent as they looked upon the two women in shock. Unsure what to expect. Suddenly, another pair of hands found Ithil's shoulders. The presence of Lord Elrond at her back was unmistakable. Ithil was unsure what was happening. Is this part of the magic she had? Yet, she seemed unable to move, unable to breath. The feeling of both the Elves so close was filling her with vibrant energy, she knew she should stop whatever was happening but she didn't know how.
"Yes, we will take care of you, however, I must insist that you come back with me to Rivendell. It is farthest from the dark realms around here and it is difficult to get to. I believe it would be the safest there," Elrond said, slowly massaging her shoulders. What. Was. Going. on?
"We will make you feel safe," Galadriel leant forward and Ithil panicked. What on middle earth was going on? Suddenly, she was yanked side-ways and into someone else's arms. The feeling of power slipped away and she just felt warm. The human build and the dark clothes told her it was Vicor.
"Okay, Elves. I understand she's a charmer, but really, you are the oldest and most powerful elves in this realm. Can you get a grip before you frighten the girl to death," Vicor asked with a lazy smile. The two elves that had been advancing on Ithil before looked shocked, as if they had just woken up from a trance. Apologies were said and they sat back down. The room was silent once again. Ithil was just glad to had friendly arms around her.

"There you go, girlie. Try not to be left alone with too many elves," Vicor smiled, releasing her from his embrace.
"This," Gandalf began, "Could be a big problem until we get her powers in check. However, I believe the presents of Vicor Bard may help her. And her other companions. The humans and the Dwarf must stay, I believe, until her training is complete." Ithil looked to the others with a smile. What an odd group, she thought to herself.
"So why didn't the other elf join in with feeling up poor Ithil here?" Voron asked after a moment of contemplative silence. Eyes turned to the blonde elven king. His eyes were icy cool and calculating.
"That is an excellent question, Voron Bane," Gandalf murmured, with a questioning glance towards the elf in question.
"I have already been around Ithil longer than everyone other than Gandalf and the two humans. I am used to her presence," Thranduil replied coolly.
"I see," Gandalf nodded, eyes narrowed in thought.
"Then, I am afraid, this is the best place for you, dear," he said to Ithil.
"Can't I go somewhere else to train?"
"The only way we can truly get you to control your powers is if you are around elves."
"I see." Ithil took a deep breath and smiled. "I agree then."

"Now, can you tell us about what happened in your trial?" Galadriel asked softly.
"Not really, not much happened," she flinched at the memory of the first task, "I don't have a significant portion of my memories, so the trial could not be competed. I am to complete it if I gain my memories back," Ithil sighed. She wasn't even sure she wanted to do that at all. What was so important about this rock anyway?
"Well, we shall come to that when it happens. For now, Galadriel and I shall return to our homes and start strategizing for whatever darkness is coming," Elrond said, standing up.
"I have a feeling that this force does not want you until you are ripe, Ithil. But we must progress. We can only hope we prepare you more than this person expects. Let us hope that he does not know of your reputation in the North, and your fighting ability uncommon to the Ithrandur," Galadriel warned.
"We should commence your training tomorrow, Ithil," Thranduil said, before leaving. The scratch marks in the arms of his chair left unnoticed.