Disclaimer: Not mine.

James is beta-ing for me, anything wrong, blame her. Also to those reviewing me, thank you so much. I love seeing what people think of my stories, but be nice. I have over four hundred hits on this story and so few reviews. So those that do review, you mean more than the others because I want your opinions. I love you guys!

Thoughts in italics.

"Speaking"

Chapter 7

Elegain lay in the high grass next to where her horse, Eclipsian, munched at the blades. She had ridden out to her hideaway to think about what had happened between Pharaohirrim and Haldir and then between her and Haldir.

I have never felt anything like that. Everything appeared so clear. I swear I could hear what the animals around me were thinking; the birds, the other horses… so why did I have trouble hearing Pharaohirrim? Or Haldir? Elle's thoughts strayed to the elf. When he looked at me I know I saw movement around me. I wonder what it was?

Elle continued to dwell on the matter. She came out of her reverie some time later to realize it was well into evening. The sun was close to setting and she had to return home before it became too dark to ride. She quickly caught Eclipsian and put his bridle on.

"Daddy is going to be unhappy with us." Eclipsian just looked at her. "And don't give me that look. I know it's my fault." She leaped onto his back, pulled at the reins and headed them in the direction of home. They picked up a steady trot and headed into the surrounding woods.

Night descended more quickly in the woods. Elle had had to slow down after only twenty minutes and there were still several miles to cover. To keep the darkness away, Elle had continued to talk to Eclipsian.

"I am going to say Daddy is going to be very unhappy with me." Elle knew it was going to be too dark to ride in a few minutes. She altered their course slightly to head in the direction of a cave in the woods not more than a five-minute walk from where she was at now. Her father had shown it to her when they had been caught in a rainstorm. She was almost there when she saw a glimmer in the woods. Elle pulled her horse to a stop watching the movement flitter in the darkness. Eclipsian neighed loudly and the movement changed direction towards them. Uh-oh.

Haldir pulled Nimrohspell to a halt in front of Elle. "Lady Elegain, your father and mother were getting worried."

Elle shifted nervously on Eclipsian, "I lost track of time."

"Obviously."

Haldir continued to look at her and Elle felt her cheeks grow warm. "Do you think we should head back?"

Haldir turned Nimrohspell in the direction of the cave. "In the morning. I told Lord and Lady Gaealis we would stay in the cave this night."

"Wh…" Elle's question was answered before it had really left her mouth. BOOM!

Haldir looked over his shoulder at the girl and raised an eyebrow, "It is supposed to storm."

Eclipsian walked close to Nimrohspell as they moved in the direction of the cave. Elle realized he was using the light glow from the elven horse to see his footing. When she looked up she found herself sitting side by side with Haldir.

"How did you know you would find me?"

"Your trail was easy enough to follow. I offered because it is easier for Nimrohspell and me to see in the dark. Your father told me of this cave, he knew we would not beat the storm."

Lightening lit up the sky blinding Elle for a moment. Eclipsian startled and lunged to one side almost unseating Elle. She pulled at the reins trying to regain some control but felt herself slipping to the side. A firm grip caught Elle about her arm and helped to right her. Haldir then put his hand on Eclipsian's neck and began to speak quietly in elvish. For all the noise going on around them in the woods, Elle could hear him as though they were sitting in a quiet room. Eclipsian quieted. Elle looked from her horse to the elf with shock as they walked to the mouth of the cave.

"We should make the horses comfortable and then set up for the night." Haldir dismounted with ease. Elle slid down from Eclipsian. Haldir took the reins from her and led the horses to the back of the cave.

Elle gathered some dry wood from a pile left in the cave from other visits. She piled the wood to make a small fire and pulled two stones from her carrying bag. A fire was started in no time. Elle went to check on Eclipsian and found him staying close to Nimrohspell.

"Nimrohspell will comfort him tonight. Elven horses calm other animals, he will be okay for the night." Haldir walked back to the fire and settled himself down. Elle finding nothing else to do followed setting herself across from Haldir. Outside the wind howled as the storm grew in intensity.

"My lord?" Haldir gazed across the fire at Elle. "Would you have anything to eat with you?"

Haldir nodded and opened a small pouch on his belt. He held a small wafer out to her. Elle accepted it trying her best not to graze Haldir. She missed the smile which formed on his face as she studied the small wafer.

When she looked up he answered her question, "Lembas, elven whey bread."

Elle smiled, "One bite is enough to fill a person. Daddy told me." Silenced settled for a few moments. Haldir heard a giggle from across the fire and looked up. Elle grinned, "Daddy also said there was very little taste. I guess he was right."

Haldir raised an eyebrow; "He should try eating it for more than just a couple of days in a row." They shared a laugh and then silenced filled the cave once more.

Elle took the time to steal glimpses of Haldir. The silence was comfortable yet there was still a nagging feeling at Elle. The elf across from Elle was lost in thought, but Elle wanted to talk. She wanted to know more about what had happened. She just wasn't sure of the best way to ask.

"Lord Haldir?"

The elf looked up from the fire, his eyes pierced hers. He is looking into me again. I wonder if he reads my thoughts.

Elle fidgeted pulling at her long hair and running her hands through it to remove any tangles. "What happened today?"

Haldir regarded the girl and choose his answer carefully, "It is a custom among the elves to choose a companion among horses when we reach a certain year. It's a right of passage. There is a connection made between horse and elf when there is a choosing." Haldir leaned back on his elbow looking out into the night and rain. "What happened today, though I did not mean for it to, was a small feeling of what happens. Pharaohirrim has elvish blood in his veins; he could not understand why you did not feel that connection with him yet. I simply assisted in his choosing."

Elle blinked, "So what I felt was a link to his mind?"

"And mine really."

"So why could I not read Pharaohirrim better? Or your mind?" Elle felt as though she was staring at the Lorien elf. There is so much I want to know about you.

"That is difficult my lady. You are human and need help to connect to him, for now. One day soon, it will happen especially if you continue to care for him as you have." The elf picked up another piece of dried wood and added it to their fire.

"Why could I not read your mind if you were the one connecting us then?" Elle blushed when Haldir meet her eyes again, That might have been going to far.

"You saw nothing at all?" Haldir raised an eyebrow and did not divert his gaze when Elle looked away.

"I am sorry my lord, I should not be so brazen." Elle felt the blush deepen and hoped Haldir's keen eyes would not notice.

"There is no harm in your questions. I would want to know." Haldir answered her simply. Elle glanced up and met his eyes once again.

"I saw something…" She was not sure how to describe it, "It was like I was watching actions in dark shadow. It was all around me, but I could only see you standing by the fence." Elle felt she was rushing her words, but she wanted to tell him. "I could see horses, lots of them. There was a boy; he looked to be about thirteen years old. He was walking into the field where the horses were. He waited almost the entire day, and then a great black horse came from the herd. They walked away together. I did not see anything after that, but I felt everything. The boy's feelings, smells, sounds, everything! And when I came back from wherever I was, I could still feel everything." Elle rushed to a halt surprised at her own directness.

Haldir looked intently at her as though what she had said did not surprise him. He grinned, "What you glimpsed was my passage. In human years I would have been thirteen. That is only a small feeling of what elves sense everyday."

"I thought I was going to faint." Elle braided her hair without really knowing what she was doing.

"Elven magic is strong, but it will not hurt you." Haldir laid down resting his head on his arm. "I would not hurt you."

"It was wonderful." Elle whispered to herself. Across the fire Haldir smiled. Elle watched the storm outside and was eventually lulled into a light sleep.

XxXxX

A loud crack of lightening and boom of thunder brought Elle out of her nightmare. She jerked violently as she sat up with a cry. Haldir was beside her in a moment.

"It is alright my lady. It is just the storm."

"I…I'm sorry my lord, it is nothing." Elle shivered under the cloak. "Thank you though."

"Sleep sweet, Lady." Haldir smiled at her as she lay back down.

Elle gave him a sleepy smile. I'm so comfortable, even if I am sleeping on the floor of a cave. Elle breathed deeply, relaxing more. The smell of green woods and something else she couldn't place reached her nose. She had almost drifted off when her eyes opened again. She was curled up in Haldir's cloak.

XxXxX

"Wake Lady."

Elle mumbled incoherently and pulled Haldir's cloak tighter around her form fighting off the chill of the morning.

"Lady Elegain, you must wake." Haldir gently shook the girl's sleeping form. "We must leave at once."

Elle felt her dreams slip away from her at the sound of Haldir's voice. It was not the usual tone he used, it sounded strained. She immediately opened her eyes. Haldir had moved away from her to put out the last of the glowing embers. He diminished the fire and moved to the back of the cave to ready the horses. Elle stood up and stretched, watching him the whole time. He led the horses to where she stood.

"There is a cup of hot tea, I suggest you drink it. It will help keep away the cold as we ride."

His tone had not changed and Elle suddenly felt a sense of urgency. "What is wrong?" She picked up the tea and began to drink it quickly.

"We must return to the manor. Something is not right." Haldir told her in a matter of fact tone.

Elle took one last drink and dumped the cup of tea. "What? What is wrong?" She shook the cloak of any debris and handed it back to Haldir.

"Wear it, it is still raining." Haldir led the horses outside. Elle followed him out of the cave clipping the cloak in place. Haldir handed Eclipsian's reins to her and then pulled the hood up on the cloak. "We must make haste lady."

They leaped onto the horses' backs and with Haldir in the lead, headed towards the manor at a swift pace. As they rode, Elle noticed it was still very early morning. The storm had quieted even though there was still a steady drizzle. The air was heavy and the feeling of foreboding from the morning grew heavier with every stride the horses carried them. Elle followed Haldir closely through the wooded area. They would reach the manor shortly.

XxXxX

Haldir and Elle pushed into the clearing half a mile from the manor. There was smoke rising from the direction of the barn and manor. Elle's eyes widen in shock. She gave a strangled cry and spurred Eclipsian onward ignoring Haldir's objection. She pushed him into a gallop following the trail across the large field. She heard Nimrohspell behind her but she refused to slow down. Haldir pulled even with her and he grabbed the reins forcing her to slow. Before she could protest, Haldir pulled them to a halt next to the tree line.

"We don't want to go charging up there. It could be dangerous." Haldir made a low call from where they were. Silence rang and then the call was answered. "Come lady, but we must go slowly." He led the way into the square and was met by another elf.

"Orophin." Haldir dismounted and hugged his brother. "What happened?"

"There was a fire in the barn. We thought it was the storm, but when we went to put it out we could see it had been deliberately set. A group of men rode out of the storm, by the forest, they attacked. There were several wounded…"

"Who, who is wounded?" Elle jumped off Eclipsian.

Orophin looked at the girl, very rarely had anyone every interrupted a report being given to Haldir.

"This is Lord and Lady Gaealis's daughter, Lady Elegain." Haldir gave a quick introduction.

"Who is hurt?"

Haldir nodded at Orophin.

"A couple of the grooms stayed to help with the horses last night. One is fine, two have minor injuries and one has died." Orophin divided his attention between the two. He hesitated, "Also, some of the house servants were killed."

"My parents?"

Orophin looked at Haldir hesitating to answer. It was not the response Elle had been expecting. She ran towards the manor steps.

"Mom? Dad?" Elle knew she was screaming, but she did not care what anyone thought at this time. Haldir caught her at the doorway. She struggled against him still screaming for her parents.

"Lady Elegain." Haldir held her tightly against him trying to soothe the girl.

"Where are my parents? Mom! Dad!" Elle felt the first tears roll down her cheeks. She pulled against Haldir, "Let me go!" She struggled harder.

"Lady Elegain, stop!" Haldir's commanding voice rang out stopping her struggles.

Elle sat crying silently and shaking violently in his arms. Rumil, Haldir's other brother, brought a cup of strong tea up the manor stairs. He wordlessly handed the cup to his brother. Haldir nodded his thanks and forced Elle to drink the brew. He held her tightly whispering Elvish songs to her until her breathing grew deep and regular. Haldir gently lifted her in his arms and carried her to her room. Rumil followed to help remove the wet cloak and boots before Haldir placed her sleeping form on the bed. Haldir pulled a blanket over Elle and closed the door behind him. They stood outside the door a moment before either said anything or moved.

"Her grief is overpowering." Haldir ran a hand through his hair. Rumil placed a hand on his brother's shoulder offering some solace from the recent events. "How long do you think she will sleep?"

"She will fight the drink, late afternoon." Rumil waited a moment, "She needs to know."

"Yes, but we need to be prepared for her reaction. Make more tea, stronger though. She will not sleep tonight otherwise. Also, send Elensar to me. I will ask the Lady's advice on this matter."

Rumil headed down the hall to accomplish his tasks.

"Rumil."

The healer turned.

"Bring the head of the stables and household to me, I want to speak to them. I need to know what happened here, could you and Orophin meet me in the study as well." Haldir thought quickly, "Also ask one of the servant girls to stay in Lady Elegain's room. I want to know the minute she wakes."

Rumil nodded and descended to the first floor to carry out his orders.

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