Hiiii All, how you keeping? Awww I am so glad the reviewers like the Thranduil/Arystor chapter...Those guys melt my heart :) Love abit of bromance.

THANKS THANKS THANKS and some more THANKS to the lovely lovely reviewers, who make my day! Celticank, Win Lockwood and the unsigned fan! Guy's your continued support is seriously awesome :) And hello to the new followers and those who have favourited (that is so not a word lol) the story, as always please enjoy and thank you for being supportive.

Fan: Yes big battles ahead...awww Thank you for liking Arystor, he is a darlin' to write and he loves Thranduil very much, probably more than the King actually deserves. He was only meant to be a supporting character, but he has kind of grown into Thranduil's crutch, like I know the King is a tough guy but even the tough guy's need help. Anyhoo there will probably be more of that duo to come. ;D You just keep falling in love with Thranduil...that is good...me too...hehe

So here is the Elrond/Ellenya chapter...with Elladan's reaction...he is not happy...yikes

As I say every time...review please it is really good for me to know what you guy's are thinking so I can improve the story :) I'm away to start chapter 18 :)


17. Lost in Our Fate

Ellenya sat on an ornate armchair, her knees pulled up to her chest, in the corner of Elrond's private study. Her long platinum locks swung over her right shoulder and created for her a curtain, she was trespassing, and she had not called for an audience with Lord Elrond. As of yet the elf lord had not returned and her presence would be a surprise. In her hands she clasped a leather bound book containing all the sketches she had made of her dreams and her Nana's necklace, and in her nervousness she clasped and unclasped her long fingers around the book.

The Princess considered that she was being rather pushy, after all Elrond had just bid farewell to his only daughter, but in her mind she could not wait any longer there was unfortunately no time left to be considerate. Ellenya felt like a timid elfling as she awaited Elrond's return, it was the same uneasiness she used to feel when she met with Galadriel regularly; even though she knew why she was here and what exactly she wanted to say, these enlightened elves had the uncanny ability to make her feel stupid. Just when she was about to give up waiting and return to her quarters in defeat the door of the study pushed open gently.

Lord Elrond wandered into his personal study with his nose in a book not really showing any interest in his surroundings. Ellenya convinced her presence had gone unnoticed decided she had better make the elder elf aware that she was intruding and opened her mouth to speak;

"Good evening Ellenya," Elrond muttered and lifted his head from his reading to smile fondly at the young elleth. "You look cold child," the elf lord crossed the room and picked up Ellenya's hand in his nodding in confirmation to his assessment.

"Hello my lord, I was hoping we could speak-" Ellenya started but stopped when Elrond turned his back to her and went to stoke the fire.

"It is just Elrond I dislike titles, how long have you been sitting there in the cold?" he asked as he filled a kettle and began adding dried herbs to the water.

"Maybe an hour or so, I was hoping I could maybe partake of some of your wisdom," Ellenya tried again but Elrond did not seem to be too concerned with the urgency of her tone.

"A hour, in this cold, my dear I will not be offended if you light the fire and I also keep blankets in that chest," Elrond continued and gestured to chest in the corner; "This is your home too, I cannot tell you how many nights I have found my twins cured up on the settle together awaiting my company, sometimes I lose track of time."

"I did not want to be intrusive," Ellenya defended and then chuckled at the image of Elladan and Elrohir curled up together, it was not the first time she had witnessed that.

"Have you met my sons? They do not believe in giving warnings nor do they waste any time making themselves comfortable! I just assumed after a few centuries in their company you would have picked up the same habits," Elrond chuckled and poured out the strange smelling tea from the kettle into two cups, lifting one he offered it too Ellenya; "It helps to soothe the worried mind."

"Thank you," Ellenya answered and gratefully took the cup, deciding it was best just to keep quiet and let the wise elf lead the conversation. Elrond smiled in return and pulled up a seat to sit by his daughter by marriage.

"Now drink that up and maybe then we can discuss what is bothering you," Elrond commanded and eyed the elleth knowingly, before returning to his own cup.

Ellenya gently sipped the sweet tea, finding its flavour and scent soothing to her senses, settling her racing mind. She watched the elf lord opposite her curiously; his countenance was sorrowful and his spirit was burdened, yet still there was a kindness in his features that made her feel like in that instant she was his main concern.

"I trust Elladan is treating you well and making you feel at ease here?" Elrond casually asked.

"Yes of course, he is so good to me Elrond I could not hope for a better husband," Ellenya praised and could not help the adoring smile from lighting her features at his name.

"That is good," Elrond laughed softly, "It honestly brings me great joy to see that you both finally came clean about your love. Honestly Ellenya I have not seen my son this happy since he returned from a trip to Lothlorien a long time ago, twittering on about some wild elleth that taught him how to dance."

"Ah yes that would have been me as well," Ellenya grinned at the fond memories, "We have always been very close, I do not know why it took me so long to realise I loved him?"

"Recovery," Elrond answered softly catching Ellenya's attention. "Your spirit was still too damaged to bond with another. I told Elladan this many a time, I warned him to be patient and to continue to care for you even if you did not initially appear to want or need it. It appears his perseverance paid off."

Ellenya stared open mouthed for a few moments before speaking; "You knew, you have known all along that we would be bonded!"

"It was an educated guess yes," Elrond laughed, "It was actually Celebrain that was certain of it, do you want to know what she believed." Ellenya nodded suddenly intensely curious about how others viewed her and Elladan's relationship;

"My wife was fascinated by your survival she wondered how one so young could withstand such evil, do you remember she visited you a lot when you first came to live in Lorien?" Elrond questioned, his own eyes lighting up with curiosity.

"Vaguely," Ellenya admitted as she caught a flash of disappointment in the elder elf's eyes, "It was so long ago and I was still so angry, but I do remember that she used to sing me to sleep and take me for long walks in the woods to listen to the trees. I remember thinking she was so beautiful and how her hair reminded me of Naneth's, she used to let me brush it."

A warn smile spread across Elrond's features at the memories of his wife before continuing his story;

"Celebrain knew you needed to make friends, good attachments that would help heal your spiritual wounds. She tried with Arwen but you seemed more interested in climbing trees than playing with dolls, she eventually decided that a more adventurous playmate was required. However at the time you were young and our boys were not interested in babysitting a little elleth, so Celebrian bided her time and waited for the inevitable to happen. You had reached maturity and as far as I gather causing a stir with your bold behaviour in Lorien, and it was at this time we accidently on purpose introduced you to our sons. Now I will be honest and say neither I nor my wife believed anything more would come of the meeting besides firm friendships, but Elladan was completely smitten by you. Celebrian observed your growing friendship from a safe distance and reported that there was unique difference between the relationship you had with Elrohir and the one you shared with Elladan. When I asked what that was, she laughed and simply replied you loved Elladan but that you just did not know it yet."

"A wise lady, but I feel manipulated now," Ellenya joked, but secretly was a little annoyed, she and Elladan were set up and all this time she believed it was just by chance that they had met.

"No not manipulated child," Elrond soothed grasping the irritated look on Ellenya's face; "All these things are not mere chances or accidental encounters. Finding a mate is destiny, it is decided before you are even born, there was a reason for you and Elladan to come together and I fear it may have something to do with what is in that book you are holding."

Ellenya dropped her gaze to the leather bound book of sketches and then lifted her eyes back to Elrond her brows furrowing in contemplation for a moment, and then slowly she spoke; "The morning after Elladan and I were wed, I was sketching in this book and he observed what I was drawing. You see I have been plagued with dreams, visions maybe, I am not sure? Each one points me to Legolas and his connection with this," Ellenya flipped through the sketches and produced the one of the necklace, "Elladan said you might know why or even how I can get this necklace back. He said that you could interrupt the will of the Valar?"

Elrond remained expressionless as he took the sketch from Ellenya; "Interrupting the will of the Valar is not that easy Ellenya, first there must be a reason for them to intervene," Elrond answered his eyes flickering up from the paper and holding the young elleth in a contemplative gaze, "What are you saying exactly?"

"I am saying that I think they want me to do something about Naneth's missing necklace, it is important is it not? The stone is a life giving substance, it brings life to the natural world, Mirkwood needs that strength. I believe if we had it back then we could tip the scales in our favour, the forest would not be our enemy but our ally, evil would have nowhere to hide!" Ellenya animatedly expressed her theory, whilst Elrond remained impassive, his expressionless features irked the Princess and she stopped her speech and levelled him with an accusing look; "You do not believe me do you?"

"It is not that I do not believe you, it is that the stone cannot be returned to you and even if it did you are not its keeper," Elrond replied evenly.

"How do you know it cannot be returned and how do you know I am not its keeper? I may not be it could be Legolas that is why my dreams point to him!" Ellenya defended vehemently.

"I think I need to hear more of these dreams if I am to try and interrupt them?" Elrond asked softly, not wishing to offend Ellenya, "I am not saying it is not possible I just need a little more information, you are forgetting I am not privy to the inside workings of your mind."

"Oh," Ellenya blushed and dropped her eyes, "Sorry, sometimes I just expect others to know what I want."

"A trait from your Adar no doubt," Elrond smiled wryly and gestured to Ellenya; "If you could start from the beginning and speak slowly for my benefit please."

Ellenya nodded in understanding and launched into her whole tale, from the very first dream and everything in-between that and her Ada eventually opening up to her about the amber stone. Elrond remained silent and never interrupted; occasionally he would get up to pace or to flick through some manuscripts. Ellenya could not help but think this was incredibly rude but she did not sway from her story, she believed in her theory and was beginning to think she would act on it whether or not Elrond agreed with her. When she had reached the end there was an extended time of silence, it stretched on for such a long time that Ellenya feared the elder elf had completely forgotten he was supposed to be listening to her, but common sense told her to remain patient and await his verdict.

"Well that was quite the tale," Elrond eventually spoke from his new position across the room, scanning a bookshelf, "You were right to seek me out Ellenya, I am probably one of the few that can advise you."

"Then you believe me?" Ellenya asked hopefully and with much relief.

"I believe you," Elrond confirmed and came back to his seat carrying a few manuscripts.

"Well then where do you think I should start looking, obviously Fangorn maybe the ancient wood is a good hiding place, and the Onodrim what do you think of that?" Ellenya questioned urgently, but stopped when Elrond held up a hand.

"Firstly we do not even know if we are even looking for a stone, the Valar would not leave something so well-known so unprotected especially near Isengard," Elrond answered firmly and glanced up at Ellenya who was now frowning in confusion.

"I do not understand," the elleth muttered before glaring accusingly at Elrond who simply laughed.

"Your turn to listen Ellenya," Elrond commanded and turned back to his scripts, "There is only one other interested in powerful elven relics of the Valar, and he is currently siding with the enemy. I suspect Saruman is involved in this; he was always fascinated in the amber stone, particularly curious when your Naneth passed away. He had wanted to know if a guardian had been appointed and was incredibly disappointed to hear the Valar had reclaimed it, oh I am so stupid."

Ellenya flinched at the elf lord's sudden flare in temper, "He deceived us all," was all she could manage to say.

"Indeed," Elrond muttered again, but then smiled softly for the benefit of the confused elleth; "I regret sharing so much of our race's secrets with him, though you can be assured he knows no more than that. What I ponder is did he attempt to recover it in order to conceal his decades of deception?"

"How could the stone conceal that level of deception and surely he would not be able to wield it?" Ellenya queried.

"The very presence of that jewel keeps the natural heart of a forest beating; the white council should have been alerted years ago to Saruman's betrayal the first sign would have been the withering of his natural world. Isengard should have long been a desolate place with such evil in its midst. You see Ellenya your dreams warned you of the wizard's betrayal long before even we knew, it seems someone or something is accessing the old channels of magic to get your attention," Elrond finished is theory and let Ellenya take a moment to process the information.

"Old channels of magic? And why then is Legolas a fixture in the dreams and why the Onodrim?" Ellenya understood what Elrond was saying but that did not answer all her questions.

"The Ents have not communed with the world for an age, but when they did they sent whispers through the trees. Our kind can rouse and speak with the Onodrim, I feel that is why they are in your dreams, a clue planted there by the one who seeks you. As for Legolas, I do not know, but he is so like Lairiel in nature and in mind that maybe he is, as you say, the one to claim the power?"

"Then I have to get to him and piece this together," Ellenya replied, her eyes widening with realisation of what she was asking; "Elladan spoke about needing to help the people of Rohan because of a threat from Saruman, what is going to happen?"

Elrond sighed he had already come to the same conclusion; "Saruman has bred an army, Uruk Hai, nothing like you have seen or fought before Ellenya these are deadly creatures. He sends them to destroy the people of Rohan, I suspect they will take shelter in Helm's Deep. I have decided that they need help in this battle; between the forces of Lorien and Imladris we can spare enough warriors to assist the King of that land. Elladan and Elrohir will ride out shortly with our warriors and will meet Haldir with Lorien's volunteers; they will then march under my colours from that point to Helm's Deep."

"Legolas will be there?" Ellenya quickly interjected.

"Yes, with Estel and the dwarf. Their directive was changed by an old friend," Elrond answered cryptically.

"Who?" Ellenya was growing tired of having to draw the answers from the elder elf.

"Mithrandir," he answered and before Ellenya could launch into a tirade of more questions, Elrond smiled and continued; "He has returned to us, as the white wizard, what Saruman should have been and honestly Ellenya that news should bring you comfort."

"It does," Ellenya cried, "Elrond this is wonderful we have hope again, at least enough to know all is not lost."

"Yes, I would think locating the wizard and speaking with him would be your best course of action," Elrond advised, but a warning look filled his expression, "Ellenya this is a dangerous path you are taking, I would forbid you myself if I did not think it was necessary."

"I have always walked a little too close to danger; it is no stranger to me." Ellenya smirked, "besides I want to help these people, we share a common enemy now!"

"Ellenya do not make light of this, I know you are more than capable of surviving this but complacency will get you killed." Elrond scolded the younger elleth, "And you no fool well that it is not just your life you are gambling! Be careful Ellenya, if not for yourself then at least for my son."

"I know I will, I promise," Ellenya answered quietly, dropping her gaze, "he will try and stop me from going, my decision will hurt him."

Elrond sighed and leaned back on his chair, "I will relay the news to him, it will sound better coming from me and if nothing else he can direct his anger at me instead of you."

Ellenya met the elf lord's sorrowful eyes, the burden on his shoulders greatly intensified; "I do not deserve to be part of this family, but I just know it is worth it."

"It is not anything to do with whether you are worthy or not, because frankly my dear I am honoured to have such a courageous and caring elleth in my family, but this was fated and I know you will find what you are looking for." Elrond levelled Ellenya with a knowing look, before rising from his seat and placing a comforting hand on her head, "Just be aware that it might not be in the form you think, the Valar never return something in the same way twice."

xXx

"Are you insane, have you lost your mind?" Elladan roared at the top of his lungs as he stormed from the family living space, hastily followed by his Adar and a confused looking Elrohir.

"Elladan I realise asking you to accept this is pointless, but you must try," Elrond attempted to soothe his understandably furious son. Not but a few nights ago they had debated the validity of their visions of Ellenya's death and now he was informing his son his wife intended on joining the war effort.

"Where is she?" Elladan hissed menacingly as he slammed through several sets of doors, ignoring his Adar's pleas; "Ellenya I swear to Eru if you do not show your face in the next five seconds I will break this place into pieces to find you! You are not ignoring me this time!"

"Oh for heavensake brother, you will frighten her!" Elrohir interjected concerned by the level of aggression in his twin's voice.

"Frighten her!" Elladan growled, "I will do more than frighten her, I will chain her to the very pillars of this house," he stopped mind sentence and turned to roar threateningly down the empty corridors; "For I will be damned if I let you go through with this Ellenya!"

"Elladan, would you gain some composure for just a moment," Elrond warned, tiring of his son's dramatic outbursts, "She has to do this, for her people."

"STOP!" Elladan shrieked and came to stand toe to toe with his Adar, and in a low and terrifying voice he added "Just stop it! I do not care to know the reasons nothing is worth putting her life in danger, nothing, do you understand me!"

"You would do well to remember to whom you speak son!" Elrond glared back at his child with an equally terrifying look, "I do not care what age you are you will show me the respect I deserve."

"Respect? Tell me what respect did you show me when you and my wife came up with this little idea," Elladan spat, unconcerned with the threatening look his Adar levelled him with.

"Elladan please!" Elrohir pleaded quietly, Elladan never fought with their Adar they were always so close. So it frightened Elrohir to see the change in the usually solid relationship.

"Shut up Elrohir, I really do not need your whining in my ear right now!" Elladan mocked with an angry edge to his tone.

"Elladan! Enough!" Elrond roared his voice so dark and menacing that both ellyn quietened immediately.

Ellenya flinched at the raised voices from behind her hiding place of a pillar, probably the very one her husband intended on tying her too. She had heard enough, she was not going to be the cause of anymore family strife;

"Stop it Elladan!" She commanded, as she appeared from her hiding place, "You are being unreasonable."

Elladan turned to glare at his wife with betrayed eyes, in his mind this was what she had planned all along, to get to Legolas. He felt used and manipulated, though somewhere in the crevices of his mind he was reminded that Ellenya would not agree to join this effort so easily, there would have to be a good reason for her to leave her people. Still none of it seemed to concern him and he loathed how callously she disregarded his feelings, and made him appear like the unreasonable one!

"Ellenya we need to talk," he said icily through gritted teeth, "I will meet you in our room presently."

"You cannot change my mind on this Ell-" Ellenya started.

"It was not a request, GO NOW!" Elladan commanded with such venom that Ellenya physically recoiled from his tone.

"No I will not let you converse with her in this manner," Elrohir interjected and stood in front of Ellenya, "You need to calm down first!"

"How dare you!" Elladan glowered and strode up to his twin pushing him hard making him stumble. With one swift movement he caught Ellenya's forearm in a steel grasp and dragged her across the expanse of the room.

"Elladan stop you are hurting me!" Ellenya cried as she wrestled with his iron grip, a thrill of fear creeping into her voice, but he ignored her pleas. It seemed he ignored everyone as he forced marched her through the corridors and into their chambers.

Once he had shut the door firmly behind him, Elladan released Ellenya who staggered away from him and ensured there was a good few feet of distance between them;

"What do you think you are doing?" Ellenya shrieked, as she rubbed her forearm, "Have you lost your mind!"

"Have you?" Elladan turned angrily on his wife; "Helms Deep? Ellenya this is not a mere scuffle between orcs and the woodland guard, this is a war, with a purpose to decimate!"

"A scuffle?" Ellenya hissed, "That is what you call what is happening in my home, mere scuffles? Elves are dying Elladan, I know that means little to you in your well protected home faraway from danger, with your enlightened ways and infinite wisdom!"

"Are you insulting me?" Elladan roared anger evident more than ever in his features.

"I think you will find I am just returning the favour!" Ellenya spat and then yelped in fear when Elladan stormed the distance between stopping only a hairs breadth from her face.

"Did you plan this all along, was this your idea from the beginning?" he asked his voice shaking with anger.

"What? No!" Ellenya exclaimed, panic setting in.

"DO NOT LIE TO ME!" Elladan roared and punched the wall hard with his fist, the action causing Ellenya to stifle a cry of alarm.

"Elladan please you need to calm down," she reasoned placing her arms on his shoulders and shaking them gently, "It was not my intention to follow you to Helms Deep, that I promise, I knew nothing about it until last night. You know I have to help my Ada; I have to find aid for my people. The necklace, you remember, the sketch that you recognised? I might be able to get it back, Elrond believes it may have something to do with Saruman and-"

"Saruman?" Elladan sucked in a sharp breath, "You want to go and fight a wizard? An evil betrayer that is in league with Sauron himself, Oh this is priceless! Ellenya you are going to kill me, I swear it, you are going to get yourself murdered and I will be left to bring you back to Thranduil in a damned box!"

"Elladan," Ellenya quietened her voice, she seen real tears starting to form in his eyes and it broke her heart.

"Please, Ellenya please do not do this," Elladan now reduced to pleading locked his arms around his love and buried his face in her hair, trying to dispel the grotesque images of her death from his mind, "Please do not throw your life away."

"I have to try," Ellenya murmured, as she clutched him closer to her, "If we can defeat Saruman there might be a chance to find the amber stone, and I can protect my people."

Elladan pulled away from the embrace and stared at Ellenya for a long time, trying to gain some sort of control of the emotions that were eating him up; "It does not matter what I say you are still going ahead with this?" he eventually asked quietly.

"Yes," she replied firmly.

"Fine," Elladan sighed brokenly in defeat and took a step back from his wife, "do what you think is best, but I cannot support you in this, it is suicide."

Ellenya tried to close the gap between them and stretched out to stroke his face with her hand but he caught her and pushed her away;

"No, Ellenya, you do not understand," he sighed and met her confused stare, "I cannot even look at you right now without feeling angry or hurt, or both. You made these decisions without me, so you can follow them through without me!"

"Elladan?" Ellenya cried out in alarm and followed after him as he turned to walk away from her, "What are you saying, you are just going to not love me, I know that is a lie!"

"Ellenya you are going to send me into madness," Elladan cried and spun to look at Ellenya, not hiding the tears that now freely escaped his eyes, "I love you, so much it actually hurts, but this is insanity you are chasing a fantasy. I do not know what I am saying, other than right now you need to leave me alone."

With that Elladan left Ellenya alone in the emptiness of what was once their bed chamber, but now it was just a stark reminder of the separation between them. Ellenya crumpled to the ground and heaved loud gasping sobs, never in her adult life had he left her alone, not for a minute. The sensation was crushing and she blamed herself entirely, realistically how much more did she expect Elladan to shoulder? The one thing he wanted was for her to remain relatively safe and she could not even do that for him. All was not entirely lost though, he had not completely blocked her out and when she thought she was never going to stop crying, she felt him reach out to her through their bond, reminding her that if nothing else they still had that.

After several hours of crying and lamenting, then silently scowling at four walls, Ellenya dried her eyes and got to her feet. She had hurt Elladan and for that she was deeply sorry, but she could not dwell on it. She had a task to complete and only she could do it, her only prayer was that Elladan would see that before it was too late.

Walking over to the closet Ellenya retrieved her light armor and weapons, and dressed quickly. She would need to visit the Imladris armory and be fitted with heavier armor; after all she was marching under Lord Elrond's colours now. Twisting her sleek locks into sensible braids, and taking one last look at herself in the mirror, she nodded in approval. Fixing an impassive and determined look on her face, she left their room not knowing if she would ever see this place again.