A dark-haired being stood watching the wedding bellow commence. To say that he was disgusted would have been an understatement. The irate male flicked one of the raven strands of hair behind his ear. His gray-violet eyes flashed menacingly. He hated the whole Peredhil family…No, that wasn't true. He hated Elrond and his sons-including that horrid adan that the foolish elf-lord had taken in. He absolutely adored the Peredhil females, they were truly beautiful beyond compare. It was truly a shame that they had both fallen head over heals for others. He frowned deeper as Legolas and Gilraen kissed. The girl was a fool…she would be shown the error of her ways. The male sighed from his position on the cliff, it didn't matter. Nothing going on in that valley tonight would matter in the long run. He would see to that.
Gilraen snuggled deeper into Legolas' arms. He held her possessively to his bare chest. He bent his head down and gently kissed the top of her head. "I love you." Legolas whispered.
"Love you too." Gilraen murmured softly.
"Sleep." Legolas instructed gently. He carded through her hair and successfully lulled her to sleep. He followed not long after.
Legolas and Gilraen walked hand in hand to breakfast the next morning. They were just on time so they were the last two into the hall.
"So the love birds finally decided to make an appearance." Elrohir teased. "Were the two of you up a little bit later than the rest of us hmm?"
Gilraen and Legolas both blushed identical shades of crimson but neither made any noise of protest. There was a round of laughter in the room while the older elves shook their heads. "Shut up, Elrohir." Gilraen finally grumbled
Gilraen took her tea from the servant. She unfortunately still had the occasional memory lapse from random events and therefore she was on the special tea. She took a sip and made a made a nearly-silent noise from the back of her throat.
Legolas rested a hand on Gilraen's knee underneath the table. "Is something wrong?" He asked softly with concern evident in his voice.
"It's bitter." Gilraen said in confusion. She set the cup down. "I think that I'll just remix the tea later." She told Legolas in a whisper.
"Shouldn't we tell your father?" Legolas asked.
"No-no," Gilraen answered. "It's no big deal. I'm sure it was just incorrectly mixed this morning." She smiled reassuringly and took a bite of the oats that had been set before her.
Gilraen walked out of the house. Eldarion was standing there and was staring across the gardens. "Eldarion." She called softly.
The half-elf turned around and nervously met his aunt's gaze. "Hello, Aunt Gilraen." He said nervously. He hesitated slightly before speaking again. "Er…congratulations, by the way, the ceremony was beautiful."
"Thank you Eldarion." Gilraen said softly. "Will you walk with me?"
Eldarion shuffled his feet a bit. "Shouldn't you be with Legolas?" He asked softly.
"Legolas will not mind." Gilraen said gently. "In any event I have been meaning to catch up with you."
Gilraen led Eldarion to the pond that she took him to many times when he was a young lad. It was filled with a variety of fish that were a joy to watch. "I haven't come here in a long time." Eldarion admitted softly. "I guess that I couldn't bear to come to a place that we enjoyed together."
"How often were you here, in Imladris, with your parents?" Gilraen asked cautiously.
"I was here at least one month out of each year. I would come with Adar or Naneth when they came to help search." Eldarion's voice sounded choked.
Gilraen looked over and noticed that her eldest nephew had tears pouring down his face. "Dari…" Gilraen said softly.
Eldarion inhaled sharply. "I didn't think that I would ever see you again." He sobbed. "I'm so glad you're back…Please, don't leave again!"
"Oh, Dari…" Gilraen whispered as she wrapped the adolescent in her arms. "Hush young one, all is fine now. Don't cry little Dari." She soothed the half-elf's sobs the same way she had when he was young. Gilraen gently wiped away the tears that inched down her nephew's face.
"I'm sorry." Eldarion finally said. "You must think that I am horribly juvenile."
"No," Gilraen assured him with a soft smile. "I most certainly do not think that you are juvenile. Come…it is almost time for the noon meal. They will wonder where we have gotten to."
Eldarion nodded and the pair stood to head back to the house. Eldarion paused as if he had realized something. He briefly knelt back down and splashed a bit of the water from the pond onto his face. "Alright, I'm ready now." He announced, flashing his aunt a wide smile.
Two weeks later many of the guests were preparing to leave the elven valley. Gilraen watched sadly as they began to load their bags onto their steeds' backs. Estel was the first one to approach those remaining in Imladris. He embraced Gilraen. "I apologize for leaving so soon." He whispered.
"Do not apologize." Gilraen replied softly. "I know that you are needed in Minas Tirith."
"When you and Legolas are settled in Mirkwood you must visit." Arwen said sternly, but with a smile.
"We will," Legolas said.
Gilraen nodded earnestly, "As long as you promise to do the same."
"Of course," Aragorn said as Arwen embraced Gilraen and Legolas tightly. Aragorn and Arwen had to step to the side as their children rushed up to Legolas and Gilraen. Námotur and Eveleen had responded very well to Gilraen which had made everyone involved very relieved.
"We'll see you very soon." Gilraen assured the children as they sadly said goodbye. She embraced the children and watched sadly as they mounted their horses.
Aragorn gave his best friend and foster sister a smile before turning to leave. Gilraen's head snapped up when she heard a piercing whistle. Brego reared up slightly off the ground and Aragorn let out a yell of shock and pain.
"Estel!" Arwen cried as she saw the arrow imbedded in his ankle.
"Ada!" Aragorn's four children screamed. Even little Námotur cried in shock as he realized that something was wrong.
Gilraen lifted her skirts and ran to her brother as the rest of his family dismounted. The twins, Elrond, and Legolas were right behind her. "It's not too deep." Aragorn said tightly. He said it wasn't deep and he meant it but an arrow was an arrow and it still hurt. With the help of his brothers, Aragorn was able to dismount Brego.
Many of the other guests had frozen in shock. They cast their eyes about the courtyard nervously. Who had shot the king of Gondor in such a peaceful valley? Elrond turned to look at the remainder of the guests anxiously as all of his children and grandchildren re-entered the house. He sighed. "For the time being, I would suggest that you all remain here until either we discover that this was an accident or wait until you have a full compliment of guards that can safely return you to your homes." He said. "I will have the scouts check the surrounding areas and you will all be informed of the outcome."
The guests nodded obediently and they too headed back into the house.
"Hold still." Gilraen snapped as her brother fidgeted away again. "You are going to make me cause further damage, Estel." She said sternly. She was currently in charge of getting the arrow out of her brother's leg and the human was being rather, uncooperative.
"Sorry." The dark-haired king said. He visibly braced himself and Gilraen nodded. She was glad that the children had been sent out of the room, this would not be pleasant. Gilraen pinched the skin and with one fluid movement she snapped the shaft and pushed the tip of the arrow the rest of the way through.
"Are you alright?" Gilraen asked her brother when she noticed his face pale several shades.
"Mhm." He mumbled. The man's eyes began to slip closed.
"Stop that." Gilraen demanded sharply. "I know that you know better than that." She looked up as Elrond entered the room and she stepped to the side. The twins also re-entered the room from the large supply closet. Gilraen turned to her sister. "I'm going to go check on your children and the other guests." She whispered as their father and brothers tended to the wound left in Estel's ankle.
Arwen nodded in recognition and in thanks for Gilraen checking on her children. Gilraen silently left the room. Aragorn and Arwen's children were waiting nervously. "Auntie!" Eldarion exclaimed. "Is Adar alright?"
"Your father is fine." Gilraen soothed. "Now come, I am not comfortable with the four of you waiting here alone." She said.
"I am more than capable of watching after myself and my siblings," Eldarion said to defend his fighting skills.
"Nonetheless, I would feel better if you were with the others." Gilraen said. She guided the children to the hall of fire where she knew that the other guests would have been sent.
The room fell silent as Gilraen and the four children entered the room. "I apologize for this everyone." She said.
"Nay," Eomer said. "It gives all of us more time to spend in your beautiful valley." The other guests made sounds of agreement. He stepped closer to Gilraen. "Though, I would know how Aragorn fairs."
"He will live." Gilraen said blandly. At Eomer's strange look she chuckled slightly. "Nay, he is fine." She answered. She turned to the rest of the guests. "Thank you all for understanding." Gilraen said. She gave a small bow and left the hall. She hurried to her room and strapped her weapons on. On the outside Gilraen may be calm and collected, but on the inside she was fuming. How dare someone attack her brother? She had just made her way back to her family, there was no way that someone was going to mess that up for her again. Gilraen snuck out the door and looked around the empty courtyard.
Everything was silent. All Gilraen could hear was the breeze flowing through the trees and making the leaves rustle. She strained her ears to hear the chirping of birds or a movement of one of the many deer that populated the valley but there was nothing. It was far to quiet for their home. Gilraen looked around once more before reaching up a hand to grab onto a low branch on a nearby tree. She moved to swing up into the tree but a voice stopped her.
"Gilraen!' Legolas called across the courtyard. Gilraen didn't turn around but Legolas knew that she had heard him. Legolas noticed that Gilraen had strapped her weapons onto herself. "Gilraen, were you…going somewhere?" He asked softly as he approached her,
"I guess not." Gilraen said softly, mostly to herself.
Legolas looked at Gilraen with shock and a fair amount of concern. "Were you planning to go after whoever shot Estel?" He asked in disbelief.
"What if I was?" Gilraen questioned softly turning to her husband. "I won't let anyone destroy our family ever again." She told him firmly.
"So you were going to hand yourself over to whoever's out there?" Legolas demanded with very obvious anger. "What do you think would have happened if you would have disappeared again?"
Gilraen appeared for a moment as though she had been slapped but then she got angry that her husband had reprimanded her like an elfling. "I am not a child, Legolas!" she snapped. "I can take care of myself."
Legolas was incensed. How could she possibly be angry with him for wanting to keep her safe? He took a deep breath, knowing that getting in a serious argument with Gilraen would get him nowhere. "I know that you are not a child, love." He said gently. He reached up and cupped Gilraen's cheek with his hand. "I just worry about you. When you disappeared I was hurt terribly but I was also frightened. For years, I didn't know what had happened to you. I didn't know if you had been hurt, if you were dead, or if you were still at the nonexistent mercy of some evildoer. Is it so wrong of me to want to keep you safe forever?"
Gilraen looked up into Legolas' concerned eyes. She looked down at her feet. "I'm sorry." She told him.
Legolas sighed slightly. "Let's go back inside." He said softly. "There's something that you need to see."
"What is it Legolas?" Gilraen asked.
"The arrow had a note on it." Legolas said as he gave Gilraen a push into the door. He cast his eyes around warily before shutting the door behind him.
"What was on the note?" Gilraen asked. Her voice betrayed her nervousness.
"It was a threat." Legolas said softly. "It was towards your family, but predominately you. Your father sent me to get you." Legolas paused as if he was unsure of how to say what he wanted to. "You should not have gone outside alone." He said gently.
Gilraen did not respond as she and Legolas walked back to where her father was tending to Aragorn. When the pair entered the whole family turned worried eyes onto Gilraen. She noticed that there was also a considerable amount of anger in her siblings' eyes as well. Gilraen saw a slip of paper in Elladan's hand. "May I see the note please?" She requested. Elladan hesitated but handed the note to his youngest sister. Gilraen furrowed her brow as she read the note.
Take heed,
Your days left as a family are numbered. I would cherish the time that you have while it is still left. I will have the girl who slipped through my fingers before, mark my words. Her mind, body, and soul will all belong to me. She will not find her way home so easily next time.
P.S. Next time one of my arrows fly it will find its mark in a place far more serious than a leg.
Gilraen looked up at her father. "So what happens now?" She asked, trying not to show her fear.
Legolas looked up at Gilraen. She stood at the balcony with a sad smile adorning her face. "Gilraen," He called gently, "Come away from there."
Gilraen gave the gardens below a last longing look before obeying her husband and walking over to sit on the bed. "Is this how I am to live?" Gilraen asked. "Am I to be a prisoner in my own home?"
Legolas placed a comforting hand on Gilraen's shoulder. "We will figure this out soon, love, I promise."
"Please, Legolas," Gilraen said softly. "Do not make promises that you cannot keep."
Legolas wrapped Gilraen into his warm embrace. "I am so sorry, Gilraen," he said, "None of this should be happening to you."
"None of this should be happening to us." Gilraen corrected. "It shouldn't happen to me, you, or any of my family, but it has happened and there is nothing we can do about it now."
"We should go," Legolas said, "The cooks will be serving lunch soon and we should make an appearance since everyone is here on our account."
"You're right." Gilraen said. All of the guests had been forced to remain in Imladris when it was discovered that the shot to Aragorn's leg was no accident. However, two full compliments of guards were on their way from Gondor and Rohan to escort Eomer, Faramir, Eowyn and their son to their respective countries. They were painfully aware that the two countries could not go on without their leaders any longer. Aragorn had originally wanted to go to Gondor himself but his family had convinced him to stay. By all rights, the other guests should be able to go home. It seemed that it was only Elrond, his children and their families that were being targeted.
Gilraen and Legolas went to the main dinning hall. It was still fairly empty. The only people already there were those who had been placed under house arrest. Elladan and Elrohir had apparently gotten very bored and had begun to fling food at each other. It amused the children at least.
Gilraen sat directly beside Elrohir. Sitting close to the twins was the best way to not get hit by food that missed its target. There was no noise besides the twins' food fight and the children's laugher. Elrond shot his sons a stern look as Faramir, Eowyn, and little Boromir entered the dining hall.
The twins obediently stopped flinging food and had the decency to look appropriately ashamed of themselves. The children groaned in disappointment but their grandfather sent them a look that caused the twins, Arwen, Estel, Legolas, and Gilraen to chuckle lightly. Many times had that look been sent at the group. Gilraen smiled at Eowyn and Faramir as they looked confusedly at the family sitting at the table.
After breakfast Gilraen headed to her old room. It was still hers but when she was in Imladris with Legolas they would share a different room. She crept over to the picture window and cautiously looked at the closed door behind her. This had to stop. Gilraen refused to live in fear.
She looked around hesitantly. Gilraen approached the picture window and observed the silent woods. She had the feeling that she would be jumped any minute. She tensed and crouched down as she heard a rustling out in the trees. She was incredibly shocked when she saw Glorfindel step into her room.
Gilraen stood up as she realized what was going on. She was furious. "Would you mind telling me what exactly it is that you were doing outside of my window?" She demanded with a quaking voice.
"We were…"
Gilraen may have respected Glorfindel more than many other people in all of Middle Earth, but right now she was furious and had no intention of acting like a docile little lamb upon discovering her house arrest. "You were simply insuring that I remain a captive in my own home." She said in disgust.
"My Lady…Gilraen…" Gilraen knew that Glorfindel was trying to reason with her but at this point she didn't care.
"Get out." Gilraen spat. She pointed to the door. "Inform my family that you and the scouts were successful in keeping me contained in my room."
Glorfindel hesitated. Gilraen was Lord Elrond's son and now she was married to the prince and ruler of Mirkwood. If she had been younger he would have marched her to her father and she would have been dealt a fair punishment for her insolence. Glorfindel knew that he couldn't do that now. He grudgingly obeyed and bowed before leaving the room.
Gilraen quickly latched her door before throwing herself onto the bed with a scream of frustration. She hated being trapped and supposed that she always had in one way or another. It truly was a horrible feeling, knowing that you had nowhere to go. The blonde elf rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. She knew that she was being childish, but right now she didn't care.
Gilraen was startled when there was a soft knock on her door. She sat up slightly. "Who is it?" She demanded.
"It's your father." Gilraen heard Elrond's gentle voice call.
She sighed in agitation. "Is there something that I can help you with?" She asked with irritation.
"I just wanted to talk to you." Came her father's slightly condescending voice.
"In case you hadn't noticed, I'm not really in the mood to talk to any of you right now." Gilraen snapped.
"Gilraen," Elrond called gently, "please open the door. I only wish to speak with you and you should not behave this way while your guests are here."
Gilraen sighed, she knew that her father was right and that she was acting like a spoilt elfling that didn't get her way but…she was just so angry! "Gilraen?" Came her father's questioning voice again.
The frustrated elf stood and walked to her door. She hesitated before unlocking it and swiftly turning around. She walked back to her bed and sat down before she heard the smooth click of her door being opened.
Elrond shut the door softly behind him. He walked slowly to the bed and sat beside his daughter who had her back facing him. He gently laid a hand on Gilraen's shoulder and she flinched away. Elrond looked at his daughter strangely. "I know that you are frustrated." He finally said.
"Really?" Gilraen asked sarcastically. "How ever did you come to that conclusion?"
"Gilraen," Elrond reprimanded gently, "there is no reason for you to speak to me like that."
Gilraen rose from her bed and wrapped her arms around herself. She knew that she shouldn't be so horrible to her father, but she was so frustrated…and scared. She hated making her family unhappy. She knew what her life had been like before meeting her brothers, father, and sister and it had been horrible. She thanked the Valar every day that she had her family now. "I'm sorry." She whispered finally. "I'm sorry for snapping at you, I'm sorry for going against your wishes and trying to leave, and I'm sorry for disappearing." Gilraen was steadily getting hysterical. She grabbed onto her window sill as tears began to well up in her eyes. She and her family were always being targeted. She just wanted all of them to be happy and safe.
Elrond was quickly at his daughter's side and was wrapping her up in his strong embrace. "Shhhh." He whispered as Gilraen's steady tears became gut-wrenching sobs. "I do not blame you for any of those things tithen pen." He whispered. "Do not cry, we will resolve this."
Gilraen leaned into her father's chest and greedily gulped air when she gained control of her sobbing. Elrond walked Gilraen over to her bed and sat her back down. It was like she was the small child that had been brought back with his dear wife all over again. Gilraen looked at him with inquisitive eyes. He obviously had something else to say.
"Do you understand why you can't leave the house?" Elrond asked when he saw that Gilraen had calmed down.
Gilraen nodded. "It's dangerous." She said softly. "But that's just the problem…Until we take care of this mess none of us will ever be able to leave because it is too dangerous." She pointed out. "What about Legolas, Ada? He has to return to Mirkwood. He has been gone for ages. I do not want him to go alone."
Elrond sighed. In truth, he had not wanted to think about his youngest daughter leaving the valley that she had been raised in. It was not that he did not trust Legolas to keep Gilraen safe…it was just that he had a parental desire to be needed and the twins rarely needed him any more. "You are right." Elrond said. "You and Legolas will have to go to Mirkwood. However, I only ask that you wait until I can get a double or possibly triple compliment of guards together."
"That's all well and good." Gilraen said, "But I just want to be able to go outside and not have to be afraid of being attacked. I want to be able to feel the wind in my hair and the sun on my face! I want to go outside to see Earendil come to life in the sky."
"I understand." Elrond said. "I truly do. I feel the same way you do. Our people are not a people that can be content to stay inside all of the time."
Gilraen nodded. It was true. Elves drew all of their strength and endurance from the natural world. If they were trapped inside for much longer they would start to grow weak and tired.
"Are you planning on going to see your guests off?" Elrond asked.
Gilraen nodded and father and daughter headed out of the bedroom. The four people were gathered just inside the door. "Thank you for coming." Gilraen said with a soft smile. "I apologize for the trouble."
"It was not trouble," Eowyn said.
"Well, have a safe journey." Gilraen wished them. They all nodded and Gilraen took a step back so everyone else could say their farewells.
The group left the house and Gilraen waited nervously. She was afraid that she would hear the screams of her friends being attacked. Luckily it appeared as though they had passed out of the area safely.
The next morning Legolas woke up and rolled over to kiss his wife but he saw that she was lying on her back, which she never did, and sweat coated her sheet-white face. The most troublesome bit, however, were her shut eyes. Legolas shook Gilraen gently. "Gilraen…its morning, time to get up." Gilraen's eyelids fluttered open to reveal silver, bloodshot orbs. "Are you feeling alright?" Legolas asked in concern.
"Fine." Gilraen breathed. It came out as a painful rasp.
Legolas stood and slipped into a robe. "Wait here." He said. "I'm going to fetch your father."
When Legolas thought about it he was feeling a bit heavy this morning but not overly so. He found Elrond and his sons in the breakfast nook. The twins were both slumped over their porridge and Elrond's eyes were blood-shot like his daughters. "What's happening?" He asked softly.
Elrond smiled at the wood-elf. "I trust that you have noticed that your home is built different than ours." He said. Legolas nodded. "That is because, we can simply not stand being trapped. Because of the recent attack we have all been forced to remain inside and away from the windows and balconies. Needless to say, it is very difficult for us. When kept away from living things we tend to become…" Elrond paused to consider his words. "…we become fatigued and our immune systems will temporarily fail." He looked at Legolas critically. "How is Gilraen faring?" He asked. This got the attention of the twins.
"That is why I came down." Legolas said. "I don't think that she is feeling very well."
Elrond nodded and stood. "I'll go and check on her." He said with a sigh. "It really shouldn't surprise me that she caught something so soon."
"Will living in Mirkwood be a problem for her?" Legolas asked Elrond with a good amount of concern.
Elrond smiled again. "I am thankful that you are concerned," He said. "But no, as long as she is not required to be inside for any ridiculously long amount of time she'll be fine there."
"That's good." Legolas said as they arrived at the door. Legolas pushed it open to see Gilraen fast asleep.
Elrond walked over and laid a hand on Gilraen's forehead. His brow furrowed and he moved his hand so he could feel her pulse. "Gilraen iel nin." He called softly. "Time to wake up now." He said.
Gilraen opened her eyes when she heard her father's voice. "Ada…what time is it?" She asked.
Elrond looked concerned to hear his daughter's rasping voice. "The sun rose not quite an hour ago." He answered. "How are you feeling?"
"Not so great." Gilraen admitted. "My throat is burning."
"Alright," Elrond said. "I will bring you a tea and then I think you should just relax for today."
"It's not that bad." Gilraen muttered.
Elrond chuckled. "You are far worse than your brothers." He said.
"I am not that bad." Gilraen argued with a quiet laugh.
"I'm not so sure." Elrond said. He patted his daughter's knee. "I will be right back with that tea."
Gilraen nodded and fell back into a light slumber. Legolas sat down at the small desk in their room. He was shocked to see the door creek open not two moments later. It was Eveleen. "I saw grandfather walking out of here." She said softly. "What is wrong with auntie?"
"You would understand far better than I do, Evie." Legolas admitted. "You should probably go to your adar if you want an explanation."
"That's alright." The girl said. "Will auntie be alright?"
"She'll be just fine." Legolas answered.
"I want to be a healer like Ada." Eveleen revealed with a soft giggle. "So I have to watch when he does stuff…Hey! I thought that elves didn't get sick!" Eveleen exclaimed confusion.
"I'm sorry, Eveleen." Legolas said with a sigh. "I just can't explain it." He sighed. "How about you head out and get yourself some breakfast?"
After taking the tea Gilraen slept until it was time for dinner.
"You should bathe." Elrond suggested. "It will make you feel much better."
Gilraen agreed and soon had made herself comfortable in the tub that was located in her bathing chambers. She submerged herself in the warm water and sighed. It felt wonderful. Gilraen let the scents of the bath salts to envelope her mind and relax her. She was brought back to the present as she was ripped out of the water.
Dun Dun Duun yes…I just did it…what now. Sorry about the wait but the chapter is looooong. Hope you enjoyed it.