I am sooo sorry! I know I said this chapter would be posted before x-mas but my rents sprung a surprise x-mas trip, meaning we treck down to cornwall and go see relatives we haven't spoken to for months, because it's x-mas. Don't get me wrong it was fun but it was also bloody freezing and I didn't have my laptop! but anyway i hope you guys had a great christmas and heres to a great new year.

My new years resolution: update more often!

Many weeks had passed and slowly Elanor had learnt many news things about her newly extended family. Arwen had taken to her new role as aunt with great enthusiasm and set about teaching Elanor the history and language of the elves, something that took up most of her time. The more time Elanor spent in the elvish sanctum, the more her aversion of the elves lessened. Often she found herself enjoying their company and their songs. Even Glorfindel had taken to teaching her the use of elven bows. Her relationship with lord Elrond, however, still remained only a few respectful words when avoidance was impossible. Even though she understood and accepted the reasons behind his actions, she still could not bring herself to forget what he did.

But even with all these new distractions, Elanor could not stop her thoughts from dwelling on the fate of her friends. She had heard very little about Aragorn and the others. Lord Elrond would tell her all that his messengers had told him but that was often of little value. The last they had heard the fellowship was heading to some dwarvish mines. That was over a week ago.

Elanor stood from her seat in the gardens and walked down into the courtyard where raised voices caught her attention. She looked across the yard and saw an elf dismount from his horse. He wore a tunic of sliver and had long golden hair. For a brief moment she thought it was Legolas and she almost cried out but stopped when she saw his face. He was young and handsome, as most elves but his eyes were a deep brown. From the main building lord Elrond appeared, closely followed by Arwen. The pair met the stranger with smiles and a warm embrace. Lord Elrond led the elf away and Arwen looked up, searching. Her eye caught with hers and she waved Elanor over. The ranger followed her though the corridors into Elronds library. Inside the elf and lord Elrond were talking quietly, they stopped as the two females entered the room.

"Hiril nin" the elf said, bowing low. Arwen smiled, "Suilad, Haldir."

The elf Arwen had called Haldir smiled and turned his attention to Elanor,

"You must be the lady ranger I have heard so much of, Gîl síla erin lû e-govaded vín."

"Mae govannen, hîr nín" Elanor replied, inclining her head.

"Pedich i lam edhellen?" Haldir asked, surprised.

Elanor nodded and smiled, "I speak some. Arwen has taught me much."

Haldir smiled at the pair and nodded. He turned to lord Elrond, "I bring news from the golden woods; the fellowship has arrived in our realm."

Elanor sighed in relief and smiled happily. Arwen stood beside her, in visible relief. But the happiness did not last long as they caught the apprehension on Haldirs face.

"What is it?" Elanor asked quietly, dreading his answer.

"One of the fellowship was lost."

"No." Elanor gasped, her voice barely a whisper, "who?"

"Gandalf."

Elanor clasped a hand to her mouth, trying to smother her cries.

"One of Saurons demons," Haldir explained, "A balrog, caught them on the bridge of Kaza-dum. Gandalf stayed behind to stop it."

Beside her, Elanor felt Arwen reach over and take her hand, squeezing it gently. He couldn't be gone. It was impossible. Gandalf never showed weakness, her friend and mentor. He was the wisest and cleverest of any wizard. How could he fall? Elanors head spun and she felt the floor give way beneath her feet. With the grace of elves, Haldir had leapt forward just as she dropped, grasping her firmly before lifting her to a chair. Elanor drew in a shuddering breathe and looked up surprised when Elrond knelt down into front of her,

"Do not dwell on your grief." He said softly. His deep voice and dark eyes penetrated her very core. "Each of us has our own part to play, and I do not feel Gandalfs is done yet."

Elanor frowned, not understanding but yet she felt some odd comfort in his words. She nodded slowly but didn't move from her seat. Elrond stood and placed a careful hand on her shoulder before turning back to Haldir. Haldir paused, glancing at Elanor, before reaching into a pack that hung at his side. Carefully he pulled out two envelopes,

"I was asked I bring you these." He said handing one to Arwen and the other to Lord Elrond. Arwen took the crisp letter and opened it, briefly scanning the paper,

"It is from Aragorn." She said softly. She moved away from the group and sat down in a nearby chair. Elrond opened his letter and read it silently, frowning slightly. Elanor stared at him, trying to read his expression when Haldir moved and pulled another envelope from his bag.

"This I was asked to give to you." he said, holding out the letter. Elanor took to from him, unsure as to who would be sending messages to her. Her heart thudded at the thought of Aragorn and slowly she peeled open the envelope and carefully unfolded the yellow parchment inside. Scanning the paper, her heart fell slightly when she did not recognise the flowing writing as Aragorns. She skipped to the end of the letter, where she saw a name written neatly at the bottom.

Legolas

She paused as she read his name again, just to be sure. Why would the wood elf be writing to her? Quickly her eyes moved to the beginning, to read it in full.

Dear Elanor,

Forgive me for not asking your permission to write to you but by now I am sure you are anxious for some news of our travels, and if I am honest, it has helped me greatly. If you are reading this now then Haldir has told you of what has happened. I cannot speak of it now, for me the grief is still to near, but know that the rest of us are safe and that we shall continue in our journey. Aragorn is our guide now. In a few days we shall be taking the river south towards Gondor, after that I do not know when I shall next be able to send word to you. But trust that I shall do everything I can to keep the others safe until we can return.

Legolas

Elanor carefully folded the paper in her hand. She looked up and Haldir who caught her eye and smiled. Elanor frowned in confusion, there as something strange about the way he smiled. Like there was a big secret that she wasn't privy to. She was about to ask when Arwen approached her, the letter still in her hand,

"Did he send one to you as well?" she asked her voice quiet. Elanor shook her head silently handed the letter to Arwen, not really sure herself how to explain. Arwen took the letter and read it quickly. Her eyebrow rose as she read the name signed at the bottom and looked up. Elanor watched as Arwen caught Haldirs eye and a small smile spread along her face.

"What?" Elanor asked the pair, looking to them each in turn.

"It seems the young prince is smitten." Haldir said, teasingly.

"What? Who are you talking about?"

Arwen stifled a laugh at the confused look on Elanors face. "Legolas of course."

Elanor stared at the pair in disbelief, "Don't be ridiculous." She stuttered, shaking her head, "He's not a… Is he?"

Arwen smiled and nodded, trying hard not to laugh at the look on the young rangers face.

"Why didn't he say anything?"

"Legolas has never been one to disclose his title. In fact very few outside our kin know who is truly is."

"But why hide it?"

"Legolas is the only son of King Thrandril, the last on his blood-line. This makes him a target to our enemies."

Elanor said nothing but nodded, wondering if every man she met was going to suddenly announce he was royalty. To her embarrassment, Elanor found herself remembering all the stupid things she had said or done in front of him. She shook her head and sighed.

"Is something wrong?" Haldir asked, concerned.

"It's nothing." Elanor said, giving the elf a smile, "Just feeling a little foolish."

"I'm sure that was not his intent." Arwen said and Elanor nodded, looking across the room suddenly when she heard a deep laugh. To her surprise, Lord Elrond was looking over at them, chuckling.

"Arda?" Arwen asked with a knowing smile. Lord Elrond smiled and shook his head softly. Elanor raised an eyebrow confused; unaware the lord had over-heard everything.

ooo yet another twist in Elanors complicated life.. If her love life seems confusing that because even I don't have it figured out yet! I just can't decide! New chapter soon!

Hiril Nin- My Lady

Suilad- Greetings

Gil sila erin lu e-govaded vin - A star shines upon the hour of our meeting.

Mae Govannen, hir nin- Well Met, my lord.

Pedich i lam edhellen? - You speak elvish?

All the elvish translations come from the Council of Elrond website. I know very few elvish words so all credit to these guys!