Chapter 3 - How Do You Expect Her To Act?

The light chirp of a bird startled Thuriniel as she moved silently through the trees. As she stopped to glance around in search of the stray bird, her eyes quickly fell upon it and a small smile rested upon her fair face.

"What are you doing out here so late, little one?" she whispered as she held out her finger for the small bird to rest upon. The young bird, who did not show any fear for the elleth, gladly hopped on her finger and chirped again.

Thuriniel's smile slowly faded as she glanced up at the full moon high in the sky. It was nearly midnight and she was nearly a league away from Lindon. She would have a long way to travel before she could rest.

Once more the bird startled Thuriniel as it flew from her finger and into the tree it was just perched in. Only now, multiple chirps joined the young bird's. The bird was home, and the thought made Thuriniel warm at heart yet filled with sorrow. She still had no home.

Lindon was no longer home, not with Erenion… Her gray eyes looked ahead as she continued her pace. Her delicate hands tightened the deep blue cloak around her as a shiver ran through her, though not from the cold.

--

Several days passed after Thuriniel had fallen into a slumber and many grew worried at her sudden state. Only few remembered the time before when she had fallen into a similar state, and even they were concerned for her well being. The elves of the healing houses could do nothing for her except sing songs of peace and soothing, and the handmaidens simply kept watch with a guard or two at their side. Many favored the fair maiden Erenion had taken under his wing, for she only revealed kindness towards all, no matter their age, size, or heath. Her past in Lindon had been a bright and happy one, and often did her mood inspire others. But still she was asleep when the great host of Lindon returned, though it was greatly reduced.

But the day she awoke, it rained. It was the first rain Lindon had seen in several months, and strange it was to see it. But Thuriniel, as if expecting it, awoke promptly in the morning as she always used to, startling the two guards, the handmaiden, and the elleth from the healing house.

As her drowsy eyes adjusted to the light once more, she spotted the elves seated in awe around her bed and her eyes instantly filled with worried curiosity, as if anything else could go wrong.

"What? What has happened?"

"My lady," the handmaiden dared to speak, "You have been asleep for nearly a month. We have been greatly concerned for you."

Thuriniel looked startled as a guard, the same who had been standing watch the day that she had first fell into her slumber, continued. "You exhausted yourself, m'lady. You did something far greater than any elf."

At that Thuriniel remembered. The light. The anger. The sorrow. Erenion. Instantly tears threatened her eyes again as she threw the sheets from her and jumped out of bed, much to the elleth from the healing house's distress. She threw open the door and ran through the hall as the four stepped just beyond her door to watch. Gildor, the guard who had spoken, and who was the one Erenion entrusted to watch her, dared to follow quietly, allowing her space.

Thuriniel tore through the hall, not caring at the sight she made in her nightgown. But once she reached her destination, she slid to a stop and began to pound her fists on the door. Gildor quickly approached Erenion's study to find Thuriniel there, now on the ground, in tears, and relentlessly pounding on the door with her small and seemingly frail fists. Gildor knelt next to her and took her frail hands in his large ones just in time for Elrond to open the door. Both Gildor and Thuriniel paused to look up at the ellon, as he looked fairly startled down at them. Cirdan called from across the room, "What is all the noise about, Elrond?"

The fact that another was in Ereinion's place threw Thuriniel into hysterics. She struggled against Gildor's tightening grip as she cried out against the pain within her heart. Elrond glanced quickly at Cirdan before quickly shutting the door behind him and stepping out into the hall.

"What happened?" he snapped.

"She just woke up, m'lord," poor Gildor responded urgently as he tried to restrain her without hurting her.

"Get her back to her room. She's acting like a child."

Gildor glanced up at Elrond with fierce eyes. In all the time he had guarded and watched Thuriniel, he had grown to adore her and understand her, just as well as Erenion. "Pardon, m'lord, but she has been lost and the only one she held close is gone. How do you expect her to act?"

Elrond looked stunned at Gildor, before his face drew into a glare. "She was not the only one who lost Ereinion! Now, get her out of my sight!"

A hurt, yet angry Gildor nodded forcefully, as Elrond was still in higher rank, and stood, bringing a sobbing Thuriniel with him. As he wrapped his arms around her, he walked back down the hall without once glancing back at Elrond as he stood watching.

Elrond only shook his head once they turned the corner and let out a sigh as he ran his fingers through his hair. Sometimes he wished Erenion had not entrusted this secret with him, that he remained clueless, and that he did not have to keep tabs on the maiden who was believed to be his grandmother.

--

Dawn was close, she could feel it. The morning birds could be heard all around and the sky was beginning to lighten. She had walked all night and still was no where near another city. She had packed very little and she did regret not taking a horse, but she was no thief and none of the Lindon horses were hers.

As soon as the sun touched the horizon, she stopped, finally to rest. As she sat on a fallen log, she reached into her small pack and pulled out some lembas she had made herself. She broke off a small piece and quickly ate it as her bright eyes looked at all around her.

She was near no road. There were only endless trees and all directions and the only friendly sounds were birds. At least it was better than the night, when all the birds had quieted and only an occasional cricket kept her company.

She could have easily soothed herself, but she was in no mood to sing or dance, nor did she wish to draw attention to herself.

After only a few minutes, she decided she had stayed enough time and stood, putting the remaining lembas back into her pack. Her ears longed to hear the rushing of a stream, due to the fact she was foolish enough not to bring water nor anything to carry it in.

Continuing on with no destination in mind, the days continued as she walked on, finding small streams here and there, stopping for food and rest only when needed, and sleeping only for a few hours. Yes, she became weary, but she did not care. She just wished to be as far away from Lindon and from the world.