Hello again! (assuming people are still read this mammoth of a story, if so thank you so much!) Sorry for the wait between postings, been so busy with x-mas and all!

right enough excuses, read on and enjoy!

Elanor watched, from her place beside Arwen, as the group of nine walked from the safety of the elvish haven. The man she loved, a good friend, and those she had only just met. All of them had chosen a path which none of them knows will end. Inside her heart Elanor doubted she would have the courage to do what they have done.

The ranger sat in a quiet garden, away from the lights and music of the court. In honour of the fellowship a simple meal and silent prayers had been had and now the soft, haunting music of the elves floated through the air. She pulled her rangers cloak tight about her. A light voice caught Elanors ears, and even though she could not understand the words, she knew the song was of longing and full of some underlying sadness. It was then she realised who the voice belonged to. Elanor turned to see Arwen standing a few metres from her, beneath a pair of stone arches. She sang so softly it was as if she was singing from afar. Elanor stood and waited for Arwen to finish her lament before she carefully approached the maiden.

"Your song is full of sadness." the woman said gently,

"It reflects only what my heart feels."

Elanor looked away, unable to meet Arwens eye. "I did not know. Of you and Aragorn, I mean. If I had I would never had…"

"It is alright. I do not blame you for your actions."

Elanor nodded, accepting the others forgiveness. The ranger looked up to see Arwen staring at her,

"You have changed."

Elanor looked down at her clothes, "Yes, Talin returns to Fornost before nightfall. I shall be leaving with him."

Arwen shook her head, "That is not what I meant. You, yourself, have changed. You have grown much in the short time you have been here."

Elanor paused unable to form a reply,

"But you still intend to leave us?" Arwen continued, "You know the truth of your past. What you do with that knowledge is now up to you."

Elanor looked at the elf, "Did you know about my mother and me?"

Arwen shook her head, "I did not know until after your arrival. But I had suspected that my brother had a lover. He was never good at hiding things from me." She smiled at the ranger. "Grandmother will be pleased to have yet another grandchild."

Elanor stared at Arwen, "Grandmother?"

Arwen nodded, "My mothers' mother. Lady Galadriel, lady of light. She dwells in Lothlorien, the other side of the mountains."

Elanor sank to a stone bench beside them, staring blankly ahead. She had not even thought about that fact that she had family now and quite a large one. She shook her head vigorously. What did that matter? The dunedain were her family.

"I am sorry Arwen. I have grown fond of you, but my place is with Talin and the others."

"If you leave you will be placing many others in danger. Here you are well hidden."

"I know this. Yet I cannot stay here." She looked up at Arwen, "I cannot forget what your father has done."

"My father did what he thought was best."

"Best? He gave no thought to what hurt he would cause my mother. Nor me"

"He did not know of you. None of us did. And if he had I am certain he would have found another way."

Elanor stood and turned to walk away, "I am sorry Arwen."

"If it was your child would you not do anything to save them?" Elanor stopped as Arwens spoke again,

"If your child was to die, would you not risk everything?"

Elanor turned and looked at the elf.

"My brother was to give his immortality to your mother." The elleth continued, "Which would mean his death. Being immortal, elves do not deal with death as often at men and so when it happens it more unbearable than most tortures. My father did not want his child to die."

Elanor sat back down next to the elf, listening carefully to her words,

"Please Elanor; do not judge my father too harshly. He truly regrets his actions, but what he did was out of love for his son. He will already lose one child; he did not wish to lose another."

Elanor looked at her confused, "Will lose?"

"Aragorn and I met some years ago, when he was only a young man. I knew I loved him instantly and that there would be no other. The night I told my father of my love for Aragorn he pleaded with me to refuse him. He sent Aragorn away for many months at a time, hoping that I would forget him. But it only served to strengthen our love. I told my father that I would give up everything for him. And I did."

Arwen sighed softly. "My father told you of our blood, that we can choose a mortal life?"

Elanor nodded.

"That is was I did." Arwen said with a soft smiled, "I chose a mortal life so that I may be with the man I love."

"So you will die?"

"Yes, but not for many years to come."

Elanor looked at the ground, full of a sudden sadness.

"Do not weep for me Elanor. I do not and never will regret my decision. But the sadness that you feel now is nothing compared to the loss my father felt when I told him my decision. And the same is true when my brother went to him about your mother. Yes my fathers choice my have been selfish, but losing another child would have ended him."

Elanor sat slightly, thinking over what Arwen had said. She had blamed lord Elrond for his selfishness, yet she had only thought about herself. Arwen was right, if it had been her child, of course she would have done anything to save it. No matter who got hurt. Elanor could not believe how foolish she had been. Glorfindel, Lord Elrond and even Legolas, she had shown them all contempt because of her own short-sightedness to see past her anger and realise that she was not the only one hurting. Slowly Elanor stood, turning to her companion,

"Thank you Arwen" she smiled, "For helping me understand."

Arwen smiled and nodded, watching as Elanor walked away out of the garden.

Elanor walked down into the courtyard where she found Talin, talking with Lord Elrond and Glorfindel. Beside them stood their horses, their gear carefully stowed away in bags. Talin looked over as he heard her approach,

"We've been waiting for you." he said cheerfully, "what took you so long?"

Elanor stopped in front of him and smiled sadly. Talin stared down at her and paused,

"You're not coming, are you?" he said softly. Elanor dropped her eyes and shook her head. Talin sighed and placed a gentle hand under Elanors chin, raising her eyes to his. "It's alright." He said, "I thought you might change your mind."

Elanor looked at him, watery eyes full of confusion. Talin smiled, "I know you Elanor. Your rude and emotional, hot tempered and selfish" Elanor frowned and opened her mouth to protest, "But," Talin continued, "You're passionate about those you love, you are strong and stubborn and you always finish what you start."

Elanor smiled and flung her arms around her fellow ranger. Talin stumbled back slightly but wrapped his own arms around her and pulled her close.

"If you need me at anytime..." he whispered.

"I know."

The pair pulled away, Elanor hastily wiping away her tears. "Take care of yourself" she said, "Tell father I love him."

Talin nodded and smiled. He turned from Elanor to bow to lord Elrond before mounting his horse. With a final smile at Elanor, Talin nudged his horse and jolted forward, racing out of the courtyard and away to the west. Elanor held back a sob as she watched the man she called her brother leave her alone in her strange new world.

And so another chapter ends! I've almost finished the next chapter so I should have that up before christmas! Thanks again to all those who reviewed! Big hugs to you all!