Disclaimer: I own nothing but the OC's and the plot, everything else belongs to Tolkien and those who currently own the rights to his work.

Chapter 23- Apologies, Part 1

Third Age 2700

Arwen reached the top of the stair and lifted her hand to knock on the closed door. Before her hand could make contact a small movement in the shadows caught her eye. Erestor stood alone on the far side of the terrace, staring absently into the darkness. Concerned, Arwen moved quietly to his side, but the counselor made no effort to acknowledge her. Arwen looked upon the silent figure with growing unease for she knew that even under the direst of circumstances; Lord Erestor never allowed his manners to falter.

Arwen lifted a delicate hand and placed it on her companion's arm. "Erestor," she whispered in a gentle attempt to break the counselor from his reverie. 'What troubles you?"

Erestor laid a hand atop the Lady's in silent acknowledgement and breathed a tired sigh before he spoke. "This is my fault. I told Rumil where he could find her. I was not thinking."

Arwen listened quietly to his words. She'd seen this coming, seen it in his eyes when she first saw Erestor guiding Eruanna home; he would blame himself. Arwen rested her head against the counselor's arm, contemplating how best to ease his mind. "Erestor, you cannot blame yourself …," she began slowly, "something like this was bound to happen sooner or later."

Arwen did not possess her father's gift of foresight, but as her grandfather said often, some things needed no magic to predict. Eruanna had grown strong under the protection and tutelage of the Lords of Imladris, but there were inner battles yet to be fought, obstacles that Eruanna needed to overcome on her own.

Erestor looked down into the Lady's face, curious of her words.

Arwen saw uncertainty in the old ellon's eyes, a sight she'd never before beheld. She did her best to explain. "Eruanna has changed much since she first came to us, and though we like to imagine that all the pain and fear she once felt is gone, some of it lives yet within her." Arwen sighed. How she wished she could have protected Eruanna from this moment but she knew it impossible. Eruanna had lived a life of security these many years in Imladris, she was a child in Elrond's house, but here…. "In Imladris, she is surrounded by ellyn who look on her as the child who came to us from Mirkwood. The only ellon who did not treat her as a child was Feredir. She did not know what to do when Rumil tried to charm her. "

Erestor harkened to Lady Arwen's wisdom. It amused the counselor that where his heart was concerned, his reason never ceased to fail him. Eruanna got on well with all of the ellyn at home, and it was a long time since she'd reacted violently to another's touch. Erestor thoughts drifted back to their arrival in the Golden Wood. He'd seen them together, Rumil and Eruanna. He should have seen disaster coming, but he didn't. "I saw young Rumil speaking with Eruanna when we first arrived at the borders. She seemed to like him."

"She does like him," Arwen whispered. The Lady had not seen the pair together but she was not blind to the pained state in which Eruanna returned to the talan. There was such a burden of guilt in those deep brown eyes. Arwen's mind drifted back to their arrival. Arwen did not see Eruanna and Rumil together that day, but she remembered full well her conversation with her brothers before they took their leave.

"I think our littlest sister has an admirer." Elladan's smile held great amusement as he moved to aid Arwen with her horse.

A similarly mischievous expression graced Elrohir's face. "He was not the only one doing the admiring. Eruanna could not take her eyes off him, even after he disappeared into the wood."

Arwen, tending to her horse, only half-listened to her siblings' commentary. She was accustomed to the cryptic conversations they held for only one another's understanding and had learned to ignore them when they tried her patience. "What are you two on about?"

"Rumil helped Eruanna with her bag." Elladan answered, as if this statement explained everything.

"And you think that means they are soul mates." Arwen rolled her eyes dismissively. Her brothers were forever spinning tall tales, but this one was incredible even for them.

"This could be a very interesting visit," Elrohir mused. "Pity we will miss it."

Elladan nodded to his twin in agreement.

Elrohir's words struck Arwen hard. She spun on her heels and turned full attention on her brothers, "You are not staying?" It was more of an accusation than a question. Weeks earlier her brothers had agreed to dwell with her for a time in the Golden Wood. This was the first Arwen heard of their change of plans.

Elladan shook his head, his expression darkening. He glanced briefly in his brother's direction before answering. "We ride north on an errand for adar. He informed us the morning of our departure."

"Why did you not tell me earlier?" Arwen's hopes of spending more time with her brothers shattered. There was nothing she could do. If adar gave them an errand, they would not rest until they saw it done. Fear awoke from its brief slumber and threatened to claim Arwen's heart as is did at each parting. That fear made its way into her eyes.

Elladan saw the effect his words had on his sister's mood and pulled her into his arms. Arwen caught Elrohir's hand and drew the other twin into the embrace. The three children of Elrond held each other tightly. It was an all too brief gesture of comfort but filled with more love than mere words could pronounce. Before pulling away, Elrohir whispered promises to his sister that all would be well and he and Elladan would return to the Wood as soon as they were able.

Arwen took comfort from her brother's words. The younger twin had never uttered an oath he was not willing or prepared to keep. She pulled away then, wiping the tears from her eyes so none would see her loss of control. Arwen looked upon her brothers…they were so much alike in face and form…and yet, unique each in their own way. "Take care of each other," Arwen bid them, and she knew they would. Arwen never was able to say 'goodbye' to her siblings when they parted.

"We will."

"What did the Lord and Lady say?" The counselor's question drew Arwen back to the present moment.

Arwen was not quite certain how to respond as she had done most of the talking, though it was clear to Arwen that she merely told the Lord and Lady what they already knew. "I believe my grandmother already knew something of what transpired."

"The mirror?" Erestor did not put faith in magic, but he'd seen first hand the healing power of Vilya and knew something of the secrets that gave the Lady her power.

"Perhaps." Arwen did not know by what means her grandparents came to know of the encounter by the lake, but they were certainly not surprised to see her at their door. "They called for Rumil to give testimony. Haldir was there as well, but they had not yet spoken with him."

"What had the Marchwarden to say for himself?" Erestor's words were harsh and Arwen trembled at their intensity.

The young Lady of Imladris looked nervously upon her father's friend. Something dangerous lurked behind Lord Erestor's eyes, something Arwen had never before seen. As a child, Arwen had always been careful not to anger her tutor, for he could be quite intimidating if a dark mood took him. Her brothers were not so thoughtful and often incurred Erestor's wrath. Glorfindel would jest that the counselor was merely 'playing mad' and that she had never truly beheld Lord Erestor in a rage. Arwen always believed Glorfindel told her thus to ease her childhood fears, but now, Arwen wondered if Glorfindel had indeed spoken true.

Arwen was disappointed by Haldir's behavior but Erestor had moved far beyond mere displeasure.

The Lady answered his question carefully, not wishing to upset him further. "I saw him, but we did not speak. He seemed somewhat subdued. I would say he was fearful of my grandmother's wrath."

"He is not a complete fool after all," Erestor muttered, before turning back to the darkening sky.

Sensing their discussion had come to an end, Arwen took her leave. "I'll go check on Eruanna." She placed a kiss on Erestor's cheek, abandoning him to his thoughts.

Arwen knocked gently on Eruanna's bedroom door. "May I come in?"

The now familiar voice of Galadriel's handmaiden called from the other side of the door. "Come in."

Arwen entered the bedchamber to the sight of Eruanna lying prone on her bed, the back of her dress unlaced revealing a now darkening bruise. Marilla sat on the edge of the bed applying a healing salve to her friend's back.

"Ouch!" Eruanna cried when her companion touched a particularly sore area.

"Sorry," a pained expression appeared on Marilla's normally cheery face. She was trying to be gentle and found it ironic that the salve intended to decrease pain, hurt in its application. Marilla lifted her eyes, and seeing the Lady at the door, bowed her head, "My Lady."

Arwen moved to the other side of the bed so she could take a closer look at Eruanna's injury. "What did this?"

While the question was directed at Eruanna it was Marilla who answered. "The Marchwarden slammed her against a tree."

Arwen's eyes widened in surprise; it was the first she'd heard this tale. "You did not tell me that." She looked down upon Eruanna who closed her eyes against the Lady's questioning gaze.

"It is nothing," Eruanna replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"It is not 'nothing'," Arwen stated firmly. "Why did you not tell me he injured you?"

"It was my fault," Eruanna tried to explain. If she had not lashed out at Rumil, none of this would have happened. It was her fault and no one else's.

"How is this," she gestured to her back, "your fault?" Arwen's voice held much skepticism.

Eruanna exhaled slowly, "I hit Rumil. I should not have done that."

Arwen's faced softened and she placed a hand on Eruanna's head. "Even so," she said gently, "Haldir had not the right to do this. He will be punished."

Arwen's words were intended to comfort Eruanna, but they only served to upset her further. Eruanna did not wish to be the cause of trouble for the Marchwarden. "But if I had not struck Rumil…"

Arwen cut her off before Eruanna could again claim responsibility for Haldir's behavior. "This is not about you and Rumil, Eruanna, it is about Haldir. As a Lord of this realm his behavior reflects on all of Lothlórien. My grandparents will be furious." Arwen thought back to the anger she'd seen in her grandmother's eyes. It seemed somewhat extreme at the time, but now…. Her grandmother knew about the incident at the lake before she'd arrived. Perhaps she knew of this as well.

A question sprang to the fore of Arwen's thoughts and she voiced it urgently. "Did Lord Erestor see this?" She addressed Marilla this time, hoping she would be more forthcoming with details than Eruanna.

Marilla nodded slowly. Her voice dropped to a whisper for fear the Lord might overhear. "He was quite angry when he saw the injury." She shuddered slightly at the memory of Lord Erestor's reaction. Marilla had always seen Lord Erestor as an icon of stern decorum and prior to this evening, she was not at all certain that the Lord was capable of anger or passion. Marilla was proved wrong on both accounts. "I never thought I'd say this but…I believe if Lord Haldir knows what is good for him, he will steer clear of your father's high counselor."

These words were spoken with none of the humor Arwen had come to expect from the handmaiden, and after seeing Erestor on the terrace, Arwen was forced to agree with Marilla's assessment.

Marilla finished tending to her friend's injury and gently closed the back of her dressing gown. "Would you like some tea, my Ladies?" Marilla made to rise but was halted by the Lady.

Arwen raised a hand, bidding Marilla to remain seated. She gestured toward Eruanna. The elleth breathed unevenly, tears rolling down her cheeks. Arwen gave Eruanna's shoulder a gentle squeeze before she stood. "I shall make it, Marilla, stay with her."

Arwen slipped out quietly to prepare tea, leaving Eruanna in Marilla's care.

Marilla looked down at her friend to see her teary eyed. The sight of her friend in tears upset her greatly. "Don't cry, Eruanna." It was not much in the way of comfort but only rarely had Marilla witnessed an elleth cry. She picked up the hairbrush resting on the end table and made herself busy brushing out her friend's hair.

Eruanna took a deep breath in an attempt to gain control over her emotions. She was grateful for Marilla's calm presence. "I can't help it. I feel so stupid." She wiped her tears away angrily.

"Well, there was certainly nothing stupid about that palm strike. How did you learn to do that?" Marilla was curious as to how her gentle companion was able to land a blow on a Lórien guard for the guardians of the Golden Wood were known far and wide for their skill and cunning in battle.

"Lord Glorfindel taught me," she replied, moving awkwardly to a seated position so she could better see her friend.

Marilla's eyes widened and a familiar gleeful expression returned to her face. "You mean the Glorfindel?"

Eruanna forced herself not to roll her eyes at her companion. Every time Eruanna spoke to her of the ellyn she knew in Imladris, Marilla acted as if she were speaking of the Valar, themselves. "Yes, the Glorfindel."

Marilla fell back against the pillows, a dreamy look in her eyes. "You have all the fun."

A rather unladylike snort issued from Eruanna. "I would not exactly describe training with Lord Glorfindel as fun." Eruanna was grateful for all that she had learned under the Seneschal's tutelage, but there were times when her backside would rather have been set in a cushioned library chair than dumped onto the hard ground. "He taught me how to protect myself."

"Well he did a fine job, wouldn't you say? I mean, I doubt many ellith could have landed a blow on a warden now over a millennium in the field." Marilla almost immediately regretted her words as she watched Eruanna's expression darken once more.

"It was a mistake. He wanted me to walk with him. He just got too close and I…he only wished to speak with me." Eruanna shook her head, tears threatening to fall anon.

Marilla was present when Eruanna recited the tale of her encounter for Arwen as well as a more detailed version of Haldir's actions later on, but there was still one thing that she'd missed in the telling. Why was Rumil at the lake? Why was he looking for Eruanna? The answer came to her in a flash of conversation she'd had with Eruanna weeks earlier.

"Ohhhhh, there is someone, do tell."

"It's not…I don't really know him."

"You don't have to know him!"

Marilla's mouth opened slightly in shock. How could she have been so blind! "It's him… it's Rumil! The one you were all dreamy about."

Eruanna laid her head on her knees, covering her head with her arms. She did not answer Marilla, but nor was there any need. The handmaiden had come to read her young friend's body language quite well.

Marilla wrapped her arms around Eruanna, offering her what comfort she could. "I'm sorry I left you alone," she whispered. "If I'd just stayed, none of this would have happened."

Eruanna lifted her head so she could face her friend. She did not want Marilla feeling guilty for her own stupidity. "It's not your fault. I'm … I'm all wrong inside."

Marilla started to object to her friend's harsh self-criticism but her reply was put on hold by Arwen and their tea.

Rumil hurried along the tree paths toward Eruanna's talan. He ascended the last few stairs hesitantly, his courage wavering suddenly. He moved carefully toward the front door and lifted a hand to knock but his hand would not seem to move to make contact. Realizing he was holding his breath he released it in a long exhale, lowering his hand as he did.

"Are you going to knock?" Erestor, watching Rumil's nervous movements from the shadows, decided at last to make his presence known.

Rumil, unaware he was being watched nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of the Lord's voice. He silently berated himself for being so careless. A warden of the Golden Wood should not be so easily spooked.

"Lord Erestor." Rumil bowed at the shadowed figure, not needing to see his face to identify him.

"Warden," Erestor nodded in acknowledgement.

Erestor's response was noncommittal and did little to ease Rumil's nerves. He glanced at the door before turning back in the direction of the counselor; Rumil could see Ithil's rays reflecting in his eyes. The intensity of the Lord's gaze discomfited Rumil. He was trapped between a door he feared to pass and an ellon he was equally reluctant to face.

"I came to see if Eruanna was alright." Rumil nearly slapped himself at the absurdity of his words. Obviously he came to see Eruanna. Why was it he always made a fool of himself when he became nervous?

"She has been better," Erestor's replied. The counselor studied the young ellon carefully. He had a perfect view of the warden, whose face and form were lit by Ithil. Rumil's nose was bandaged, indicating he'd seen the healer. "I see you made it to the healer's."

Rumil lifted a hand to his face. The throbbing pain had subsided but it was yet uncomfortable to the touch. He lowered his hand swiftly, not wishing to make a great deal of the matter. "It is nothing. I have had much worse."

Erestor smiled inwardly. He'd seen the ellon's face clearly earlier in the day and had taken note of the great accuracy of Eruanna's blow. Glorfindel would be proud, Erestor mused. It was unfortunate that Eruanna's first true testament to her skill should have come under such circumstances. He remembered another time, a time when Eruanna was not so skilled and he found anger rising within him again. Realizing he'd forgotten his young companion, Erestor returned his attention to the young warden.

"I did not mean to frighten her, Lord," Rumil wished to reassure the Lord of his honorable intentions. He'd not been this nervous earlier this morning when he'd asked the Lord for Eruanna's whereabouts. Only now, after seeing them together, did he understand the nature of their relationship and he felt the counselor deserved an explanation. "I merely…I had a question to ask her…I merely wished to talk." Rumil stumbled over the confession, stopping himself before he made a greater fool of himself.

"I know," the Lord replied.

Rumil looked up in surprise. He'd been expecting an interrogation. Surely Lady Eruanna had not come to his defense. As if he'd been listening to Rumil's secret thoughts, Erestor told him just that.

"Eruanna told me you asked to walk with her." Erestor could feel the tension pouring off the younger ellon and wished him to know that, angry though he was; he knew Rumil was not to blame. Even Erestor, with all his many ages of wisdom had not understood Eruanna's strange behavior when he first began working with her. He could not expect this young warden to see in a moment what took the ancient ellon years to decipher.

Sensing that perhaps Lord Erestor might offer him assistance, Rumil dredged up all of the courage he possessed and asked the question that had prevented him from knocking on the door. "Do you think it wise if I tried to see her again?"

Erestor's eyes widened with surprise. It was not a question he thought the warden would ask. "Why do you ask me?"

Rumil shifted his weight from one leg to the other, unable to meet the old one's eyes without releasing this nervous energy. "Forgive me, my Lord, but…the two of you appear to be quite close." He left it at that, hoping the counselor would not find him too presumptuous.

The young one can be observant, Erestor mused. "She is as dear to me as a daughter." He'd not intended the comment to be taken as a threat but Rumil's shoulders stiffened at his words.

Rumil nodded, "That much was clear to me when you came to her aid." The warden took a deep breath before going forward with his original query. "I want to be sure…that is, if you think she would not wish to see me, I will send my apology through you so as not to cause any further harm."

Erestor felt his anger at Haldir turn to pity for his younger brother. Poor Rumil was not to blame for what happened. Erestor had spent the greater part of his life learning to read people's intentions. It was quite useful in council rooms. He knew he'd read this ellon correctly. The young warden's intentions were noble and what's more, Erestor knew how terrible Eruanna felt for injuring him. Erestor would see that the two young edhil made their peace with each other. "Eruanna feels quite terrible for injuring you," he told the warden quietly. He glided silently to the warden's side and reached for the door handle. "Wait here. I'll ask if she is willing to speak with you."

Eruanna sat with Arwen and Marilla. Both ladies attempted to raise her spirits. Their light conversation was interrupted by a gentle knock at the door; a voice called from the other side. "May I come in?"

"Yes," Eruanna called.

Erestor entered the room to find Lady Arwen and Marilla attending Eruanna. The two ladies seemed hard at work, attempting to lighten Eruanna's mood. Erestor only hoped his announcement would not undermine what the ladies had accomplished. "Rumil is here. He's asked to see you."

"He's here?" Eruanna's smile vanished immediately.

"Do you wish me to send him away?" Erestor's voice was soft. He would order the ellon out of the city if she asked him to.

"I don't know." Eruanna wrung her hands nervously. She looked to Erestor, seeking his wisdom. "What should I do?"

Erestor was surprised she asked him and not the Ladies at her side. "I think you will feel better if you speak with him, Eruanna. Waiting will only make it more difficult."

Eruanna nodded, conceding the truthfulness of his words. "Alright. I will speak with him." Her words sounded surer than she felt.

Erestor nodded, "I will escort him to the sitting room. Come out when you're ready." The Lord turned and was gone, leaving Eruanna to Arwen and Marilla's council.

"What do I say to him?" Eruanna whispered to no one. She drew a hand to her face and bit nervously at her fingernails.

Arwen pulled Eruanna's hands away from her lips before she could do too much damage. "Eruanna, look at me." The Lady waited for the elleth to meet her eyes before she next spoke. "You need only say what is in your heart and all will be well."

Eruanna nodded slowly and Marilla offered her a broad, reassuring smile.

"I'll wait here until you get back." Marilla nearly pushed Eruanna off of the bed and out the door. Arwen hurried behind them and taking Eruanna's arm, led her to the sitting room.

When they reached the doorway, Arwen had to quite nearly pull Eruanna through it.

Rumil stood hastily from his seat at the Ladies' arrival. He studied Eruanna carefully; checking her for any sign of injury, and in doing so, nearly forgot his manners. Upon realizing who it was that escorted Eruanna, he bowed awkwardly. "Lady Arwen."

Rising, he saw the Lady offer him a nod of acknowledgement, but Eruanna looked away when he tried to catch her eye.

"I retire now," Arwen announced to all, and turning to Eruanna, gave her arm a brief squeeze. "I shall see you in the morning." With that, Arwen swept out of the talan, sharing a secret look with Erestor before departing.

Erestor could see Eruanna's nervousness clearly from across the room. It was rivaled only by the unease which the warden displayed. Part of him wished to remain and keep a watchful eye on their encounter but the more sensible part of his nature knew it was time he withdrew. "I will be on the terrace should you need me."

Rumil and Eruanna both followed Erestor as he exited the room and upon his departure they were once again alone. Rumil waited patiently for Eruanna to meet his gaze. She looked as apprehensive as he felt. There was only one way to begin and Rumil took a deep breath before beginning.

"I'm sorry." Rumil nearly jumped at his own words, spoken in Eruanna's sweet voice. She'd offered his apology a moment before he'd had the chance.

"No, it is I who must apologize," Rumil countered.

Eruanna shook her head and Rumil thought he saw unshed tears threatening to break free. She spoke again, the strength in her voice at odds with her fragile outward appearance. "Your face. I struck you and for that I owe you an apology."

"It is nothing," Rumil replied. He raised his hand swiftly to his face and in so doing caused himself the slightest flicker of pain.

Eruanna saw the warden flinch when his hand touched his nose and she moved swiftly to his side.

Rumil was surprised by how close the Lady came to him. Her eyes studied his face.

"May I see it?" she asked him.

Her request surprised him but Rumil could hardly refuse her and taking a seat, he removed the edge of the bandaging so she did not have to stand on tip-toe to see his nose. Rumil held his breath while she examined the injury. She stood so close he could smell the lavender soap still clinging to her skin. It was her laughter that brought him out of his reverie.

Eruanna covered her mouth in shock at her thoughtless behavior. She should not be laughing at a moment like this. What would Rumil think of her? She turned wide eyes down upon Rumil's face and saw confusion in his eyes, but no anger.

"Has my face become so very comical?" he asked carefully. The last time he'd been this close to Eruanna, she struck him, and now, she was laughing. To say Rumil was confused would be an understatement of some immensity.

Eruanna straightened swiftly. She did not wish Rumil to believe she laughed at him. "It is not you. I only…" Eruanna sighed. She ran her hands through her hair trying to find the words to explain her odd behavior. "Lord Glorfindel had me practice that blow for years…on practice dummies of course. I asked him how I would know, if ever I had chance to use it, that I'd executed the blow properly since I'd only ever practiced on a wooden mannequin."

Rumil found himself smiling even though the expression was a bit uncomfortable. He'd met Lord Glorfindel only a handful of times during his service as a warden of the Golden Wood. He'd also attended one training session led by the great Balrog Slayer and one training session had been quite enough for Rumil. He'd returned home that day in more pain than he thought was possible without being followed by a journey to Mandos.

"Lord Glorfindel taught you that move?" Rumil asked her, wishing to be sure he'd heard right.

"Yes." Eruanna saw surprise light Rumil's eyes. It seemed most edhil were amazed by her closeness with the Lords of Imladris and Rumil seemed to be no exception. "Lord Elrond asked him to train me as he did Arwen and his sons."

"That explains your precision." Rumil affixed the bandage back in place before returning his attention to Eruanna.

Eruanna blinked in surprise. There was no malice in Rumil's statement. On the contrary, he appeared…impressed. Rumil's features darkened suddenly and Eruanna held her breath.

Rumil looked down at his hands, the confusion he felt over the last several hours finally reaching the surface. "I don't understand what happened." He looked up at Eruanna, hoping to find an explanation in her eyes but all he saw there was an expression that mirrored his own confusion.

Eruanna took a few steps backward and seated herself on the divan across from Rumil. She wrung her hands idly, "It's only…" Eruanna did not know what to say. She wanted to tell him the truth but the story was long, too long, and she was not yet ready to share all of it. She settled on what she hoped would be a believable explanation for her reaction. "The last time I met an ellon alone…he hurt me. I'm afraid that when you came too close I overreacted."

Rumil was speechless. There was a part of him that found such a proclamation difficult to believe, but that feeling was stopped short by the memory of his brother's rage. If Haldir could treat an elleth in such a way there was no telling what a less honorable ellon might do.

Eruanna watched a myriad of thoughts and emotions pass over Rumil's face. They sat together in silence for a time before Eruanna found the courage to speak. "Why did you come here?"

Rumil answered immediately. "I wished to see you, to make sure my brother had not hurt you and I…," he halted suddenly, unsure of whether he wished to finish that last thought.

Eruanna was reassured by his prompt reply. She'd feared he would hate her for her assault on him but when he stopped mid-sentence, she grew nervous. "What?"

Rumil smiled then, the same smile he wore when he first met her by the lake. "I sought you out today because I wished to ask you to attend the midsummer festival with me."

"The festival?" Eruanna yelped in surprise.

"Aye." Rumil smiled sheepishly. He could not help but laugh at the stunned expression on Eruanna's face. "What do you say, my Lady, will you accompany me?"

"Why do you wish to go with me?" Eruanna was now very confused. She'd done nothing to attract his attentions prior to today and certainly did not deserve them now.

Rumil shrugged awkwardly. "I…I'm not sure really." He tried to find an answer for her that was both true and still proper to be spoken between strangers. "I suppose I find you…intriguing." It was the only word that fit.

Intriguing, Eruanna pondered the many possible meanings of that word. It seemed he'd meant it in only a positive light. "Why would you want to go with me now, after what I did?"

Rumil smiled slyly, and raised a conspiratorial brow. "Any elleth who can perform such a brilliant palm strike is well worth the risk."

"What will everyone say?" Eruanna shook her head. By now at least half of the city would know what she'd done.

Rumil was not one to worry about the idle gossip of the people but he could understand how such might be upsetting to a newcomer in Lórien. "We could tell them we were sparring and I missed a block," Rumil suggested.

"You would lie for me?" Eruanna did not expect such a thing from Rumil and nor would she ask it of him.

"It will not be a lie if we were to be seen at the training fields together," Rumil offered.

"If we…what?" Eruanna was not sure where this was going. Now he wished to spar with her?

Rumil shrugged, "You have shown me today that I am in need of some practice and who better to train with me than the apprentice of the great Balrog Slayer."

"You jest." Eruanna knew not what else to say. The ellon was mad!

"Do I?" Rumil gave her a quizzical look before allowing the humor he felt to reach his eyes. When he realized the Lady was speechless he pressed her again, pouring into this final plea all of the hope he'd felt when he first saw her sitting by the waterfall, haloed by the sun. "Please, say you'll accompany me."

Eruanna heard the plea in Rumil's voice, she saw the hope in his eyes and she answed. "I will."