Hello to all my readers, as well as to those of you who are imensely pissed off because I have failed to finish off what I have started. I'm getting there.

I do not own, JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings- nor any of the movies or have any property claims over plot, storyline, characters. etc- save for Laiste and her story.

I hope you all enjoy, comment please!

Elvish translations:

Namárië, Brand, ná Elbereth veria le, ná elenath dín síla erin rád o chuil lín- Farewell, Brand, may Elbereth protect you, may her stars shine on the path of your life.

Belain na le- The Valar be with you

Ada- father

Namárië, mellon- Farewell friend

Hannon le- Thank you

Im gelir ceni ad lín, mellon-

Manen nalyë? - How are you?

Im maer- I'm well

Gen hannon- I thank you

Elleth- female elf

Eldar- the word used for elves who left the shores of Aman and took the Great Journey

Secret Souls

Chapter Thirteen- Ecthelion

When I returned to our joint chambers I found Erestor hard at work in trying to do something fancy with Glorfindel's long golden hair. Standing there I gazed at the two lovers, smiling slightly at the peaceful scene before me. Hating to take away their time alone, for they had had very little in the past week and would have even less with all the warriors and dignitaries, I raised a loose fist and rapped lightly on the wooden frame of the doorway.

The softness and ease that rested between the two ellon was eliminated in seconds as the two stopped their doings and turned towards me. Forcing a smile I walked in trying to ease, at least some, of their worries. "It would seem our friend was right Glorfindel, Laiste is awake."

Glorfindel tensed openly and Erestor rested an elegant hand on his shoulder in silent support. "Does she wish to speak of Gondolin?"

I shook my head, "She handed me quite neatly out the door insisting that this day was not the day- yet another point that Mithrandir was correct on."

"He is one of the Istari, Lord of the Fountain" Erestor reminded him softly, "it is likely he is aware of what may come with regards to Laiste. Perhaps we ought to let it run its course, whatever that may be."

For many long moments I looked at the dark eyed Counselor. He words were wise, no matter how much I disliked what had been uttered. I was a soldier; I had never known anything more than fighting and the neatly ordered chaos that that life brought within its folds. Laiste was not the same as she had been, and it was very likely that she would never be. She had grown on Arda in a time of peace, whereas in the past she had grown in a time of great fear and war. Whatever was to come, neither I nor any other Eldar had control over what happened to her- at least, within the mind. She would change.

"Your words are, as ever, wise Erestor, but she doesn't have to go through it on her own. I will not leave her alone in uncertainty."

"No one would expect you to Ecthelion." His reply was warm.

For a moment the three of us simply stood contemplating and organizing our thoughts. At last Erestor turned Glorfindel back to face the mirror and once more entered into war with the silken gold strands. Mirth flowed onto Glorfindel's face as he watched his lover wrestle and battle with his hair.

Sparing one more glance at the two, I wandered to my closet and pulled on black trousers and a black under tunic, before reaching in and pulling out the robes I had had not worn since the first age. First the pale shifting greys of another tunic, this one meant to disguise the black I wore underneath. It took a moment to adjust the tight sleeves that ended at my wrist but with a few well practiced tugs the sleeves were willing to be placed properly. A pale blue tunic with sleeves that ended just above the elbow slid over the first tunic. Smoothing a hand over the fine fabric, patterned to look like the rippling waters of a now destroyed fountain, I was force to pause and my mind wandered back to the last time I had worn these clothes.

Warm blue eyes danced as a bright laugh filled the air and gentle hands adjusted the uncomfortable clothes.

"Must I wear this?" I asked once again, just to try a hearing that laugh once more.

Bright eyes, the color of the waters that my House was named for, met mine sparkling as a beautiful smile softened Laiste's face- the face I was to awaken to each morning and the face I was last to see before sleep. Eternity was a blessing with her at my side.

"Yes. It was a gift and besides, my husband, we must at least attempt to look presentable for at least a portion of the evening!" She was smiling, even as she reminded me of my- of our duty- to Lord Turgon and the people of Gondolin. "Besides it could be far worse than this. You could have to wear all your armor and-"

Raising a hand I quickly I pressed it against her mouth silencing the coming words. "You have been listening to far too many of Glorfindel's tales." I said trying to sound stern though the smile tugging at the edges of my lips eased much of what I was trying to create.

Soft lips pressed against my palm before she pulled away and turned, heading for the door. "My love, you seem to have forgotten that I was there!" Her bright laughter trailed after her even as I hurried to follow.

Remembering something I quickly returned to our room- how well that sounded!- I opened a long and slim chest that held within the gift given to me by Laiste on our wedding night.

Kneeling down I opened that same chest- somehow Idril had managed to save it- and pulled out a mithril flute. It was the second most beautiful thing I had ever held within my grasp and almost absently I lightly trailed a finger over the wave designs that rippled across the bright, rounded metal. Keeping the flute in hand I closed the small chest and placed it back in its place within the closet. Taking one last clothing item from the closet I treaded silently out of the room, not wanting to disrupt the small and somewhat heated discourse going on between Erestor and Glorfindel.

Down familiar hallways I wandered, smiling softly on hearing the laughter and joys already taking place within the gardens. The sun was almost at its zenith, indicating that noon soon approached. Quickening my pace I reached to door to Laiste's room and was just about to knock when a servant bustled out, smiling and giggling. Blinking in surprise I stepped back to let her through before entering into Laiste's chambers, only to stop once more.

Only once had I had the pleasure of seeing her look more beautiful and that was but a memory- one that I had long hoped over the past years to see repeated one day.

"Well?" She asked biting her lower lip. Pale hands toyed with the skirt of her pale blue dress. Dozens of small embroidered flowers gleamed in the light, barely noticeable as they were only a shade lighter than the dress. Though no belt was need, for elven dresses are made to fit the body, she wore one of braided silver and dark blues.

"You look beautiful." I murmured walking closer. Familiar eyes turned upwards and locked onto mine, as I dared to reach out and place my hand on the right side of her face. "By Elbereth, you outshine even the greatest of the stars."

"So you once said, as I recall, many times." Her voice was low and barely discernible.

My expression shifted to shock and as I gazed into blue eyes I saw within a deep innocence and vulnerability. My heart could barely take the joy that soared through my lifeblood and before I could quite maintain control over my actions I leaned down and kissed the woman who meant so much more than very lands I stood upon. As though she had never done so before she returned the kiss, her soft lips hesitant against my own.

Upon pulling away I could do naught but hold her in my arms, taking it all in. How long I had waited for this day, and yet how I had feared it because somewhere in my heart I knew her fëa was not ready to handle the sorrows and pains of an Age long passed. I wondered what would happen after the Midsummer festival but I had not the power to stop time, nor perhaps did I wish for it unless it would save my love from the pain and sorrow that was to come once there was no longer a reason to be distracted.

Recalling the return of my own memories and my fëa's return to my current hröa… Even now I yet shudder at remembering anew what it was that I had lost and failed to protect; even when there were others in Aman that could share my grief it was a long struggle to retain the will to live- to survive and not Fade.

As though sensing my ripped emotions, Laiste pulled away from my arms and her hand reached upwards and lightly lay against my cheek. Moving away from my thoughts I looked down and met the warm yet deeply tired eyes of twilight blue. A small smile softened her weary visage and her low voice met my ears, "Worry not- all will be well before it is done."

Once more I could do little else save hold her in my arms, as she laughed softly. "Hannon le."

"Whatever for?" She asked, blue eyes sparkling as she pulled away, "Now let us go and join the rest of our kindred." Taking my larger hand in hers, Laiste pulled me away and soon we joined all of the gathered Eldar, who were already dancing to lively tunes, telling one another old tales, and laughing brightly as the solstice drew on.

As the sun set I looked around for Glorfindel and treaded through the gatherings of the Eldar until I reached his side. His eyes were locked on Laiste, who was dancing merrily with Haldir. "Is she well?"

"No, but neither were we." I replied watching the young woman who had seen soon much, and yet so little of the world. "She wishes that we do not bring it up this day and I was willing to give way to her wish for a last bit of peace before the sorrow become strong once more."

Glorfindel sighed and finally looked away from the dancers to gaze at me, "And how do you fare old friend?"

"Ill- my friend. I fell very ill at the thought for what is to come. The darkness grows outside the fair city of Imladris and I know in my heart that Laiste's own memories, coupled with the returning shadows, might be too much. I fear I may have to make preparations for a journey I will not come back from."

Blue eyes sharpened, "You believe that it will be too much?"

Meeting his gaze I let my true feeling show, for a brief moment in time. "I fear so- and should that be the case I will take her to the Grey Havens and sail away from these lands forever."

I knew that the truth would be biting and hard, but I would not leave Laiste to battle oceans and tides, while such memories drove her into sorrow. I would not remain only to return to Aman to find that she had Faded and she would never return. However, my old friend seemed to understand for he rested a hand upon my shoulder and squeezed lightly. "I understand my friend, though I hope that our story ends in a far better way."