Note: For a while 'Athrana' And 'Nariel the Red' have been chapter for chapter. Until they meet up again however this will not be the case. This chapter actually corresponds with chapter 88 of Nariel

Athrana (Wandering Shadow)

Chapter 63- Ada Las

TA 3019 March 13th Early morning.

They had been travelling for three days now. Three days on foot and they were finally in a position that they wold be able to capture the fleet bound for the battle they were destined to join. Athriel looked at the lightening sky and hoped that they wouldn't be too late. Surely Minas Tirith would be under attack by now. But they had to wait for the ships. They had reached the banks of the river and couldn't go any further without dispatching the fleet. She looked at the others around her.

Elladan and Elrohir were watching the river intently, over to her right. They were as impatient to get going as she was and she knew why. Waiting gave them all time to think, gave them all time to second guess, time to doubt. Battle would release the tension that they were all feeling and they were impatient for it.

Estel was sitting near them but facing the other way. He was looking towards their destination and fiddling with something between his fingers. If she hadn't known what it was the flash of white silver and crystal as it caught the sun would have told Athriel what she needed to know. He had the Evenstar pendant in his hands. The symbol of Arwen's immortality, her decision, held carefully between his fingers. He was thinking about her no doubt, the thought giving him hope, his only reason to go on.

Legolas and Gimli were behind her and to the left. She could hear them talking. Or more accurately she could hear Gimli. He was being incredibly vocal with his complaints and his impatience, but Legolas said nothing. Probably thinking about their destination, worrying about Nariel in Minas Tirith waiting for the siege to begin, she thought. Athriel would have moved her attention to the Dunedain but then Gimli said something that caught her attention. "Are you alright Laddie?" She turned around. Legolas had one hand on his stomach as if it had pained him, but he was waving away the dwarfs concern. "I'm fine Gimli, honestly."

The Mirkwood prince knew what it was as soon as he felt it. The closer they came to Minas Tirith, the more he could feel Nariel's presence there. Every step he took away from her he had been conscious of how little time she had before the birth of their son. The slight and sudden pain he had felt proved that time was up. Nariel's contractions had started. By the time they finally made it to Minas Tirith, he would have a son. As Athriel turned towards them he waved away the dwarf's concern and huffing Gimli sat on one of the rocks nearby. The Elleth didn't say anything as she stood across from him, just looked at him questioningly. "I'm fine" Legolas said defensively making her laugh slightly. "And Nariel?" she asked knowingly. He sighed. "It is time." She nodded and smiled. "Congratulations!" Then she took his arm and manoeuvred them both to sit beside Gimli. That smile he had seen thousands of times, it had been a staple of his childhood and their friendship. It usually meant she was up to something or in a teasing mood. Strangely it didn't look as strange on her scarred face as he thought it would. "Tell me Las. With your connection do you think you will feel every one of the Bear's contractions or will she spare you the actual birth?" The shock must have registered on his face as Athriel started laughing. If he couldn't be by Nariel's side at least he had his friends around him.

Elladan laughed softly listening to the conversation going on behind them but didn't turn around. He was a little jealous of Legolas and his relationship with the wizard. The pair had gone from friends to starting a family and planning a future together in a very short space of time. Coupled with that they were among the few who could mind speak and communicate their feelings over a distance, which was unusual outside of twins like himself and his brother. But he did not envy the Prince feeling his beloved's pain during the birth, and clearly Las had not thought that far ahead.

"It is impolite to eavesdrop Dan" Elrohir interjected into his mind which only made him laugh harder. "And how would you know what I am laughing at, if you haven't been eavesdropping yourself." They grinned at one another for a moment before directing their attention back to the river again. "It's hard to imagine Las with a child." Elrohir said remembering back to when they had been children themselves and gotten into more trouble than they should have, the four of them. "It's probably still a little weird for Las as well. But he will be good at it. Remember what he was like with Arwen, or Estel." The smile returned as they remembered their sister as a child, but it slipped a little as they remembered Estel's childhood and what it had been like for them. They loved their Foster brother unconditionally but there had always been that reminder, the blade in their hearts that had twisted with every memory. "He is definitely stubborn enough" Elrohir admitted as his brothers drifting thoughts brought a long forgotten memory to mind. It had been Legolas' stubbornness that had saved them all those years ago; His insistence that he was not going to let them fade, His determination to pull them out of the rut they had built for themselves after Athriel's death. He had been the one to force them to live on, to look after Estel, to become a part of the world again. Because of him they were still here and able to help Athriel come back to herself. Because of him they had forged a relationship with their little brother, their mortal kin. They had a lot to thank him for.

Aragorn looked up from his hands as he heard Legolas and Athriel talk and held the pendant in his hands a little tighter, but he was smiling. He had been wondering himself how strong the mental bond was between Nariel and the Prince. Obviously Nariel's contractions had started and the bond they shared was more than strong enough to convey the discomfort to Legolas. Aragorn smiled. He was happy for his friend, they had atrocious timing but he was happy for them none the less. He only hoped that he would be as lucky. Everything he wanted in life would either be granted or stolen away depending on how the war went and all he could do was hope and wait.

"They are coming" Elladan said suddenly. Their wait was over. The ships were about to arrive and they could continue on towards the war that would decide their fate.