Chapter Six: Below the Horizon

Even as the sun lowered its position in the sky, and edged ever closer to the horizon, it shone down upon the small band of riders with all its might. Elvish cloaks only partly reflected the blistering rays, and the group relied on the scant shade of skeletal trees to cool them further. Legolas wondered what had happened to the trees in that place, for they had been in good health last he saw them; admittedly, that was some years ago now. They saw no evidence of what had driven them to this state – no mark of fire, nor of poison. Nothing.

Paled branches creaked overhead as Herendil nudged his horse into place next to his friend. "I do not like it here. The trees are ill at ease; they're trying to warn us." He looked about warily. "There is some evil hereabouts, though we cannot see it."

Legolas nodded his head. "Yes, it is much altered." He replied softly, staring at the surroundings. He turned his head back to his friend's direction. "It is strange that Elrohir and Elladan said not a word of it."

"Then it must be a recent change."

The party slowed as it reached a pond. It was not clear, nor was it very large, but it would do for their horses. As the riders began to fiddle with their gear, reaching for their own, much clearer water, the horses sniffed the black tinted surface of the pond tentatively, dipping their heads to taste – and were not pleased with the flavour.

Herendil knelt down to the water's surface and studied it. "It is tinged with..." he skimmed his fingers over the surface, and smelt it, his expression turning to one of alarm "Orc blood!" The group looked around cautiously. "How did it get there? There is no body."

"Then perhaps he, and some others, were bathing their wounds. None-the-less, now that we know that they've been in the vicinity, we must be watchful. No doubt it is their presence which is killing the trees."

Gathering their gear together, they readied themselves for their departure. Legolas had just mounted his horse when a twang sounded and Herendil fell to the ground, blood blossoming from chest. Spinning around he spied the bowman, standing on a craggy stone peak. With a twang of his own bow, the culprit tumbled from the precipice, but he was not their only worry. The sounds of many approaching feet could be heard from all around them as Legolas hastily pulled the crude arrow from the body of his gasping friend. "Legolas!" Herendil shouted, staring at the scrubby terrain behind him, "Goblins!"

x

Rivendell's inner circle had gathered in the gardens that afternoon. The sun was setting, and the sky was flushed with pinks and violets. The gentlest of breezes blew through the trees, and the air was warm, and pleasant. Arwen took a turn about the garden with Oloriel, arms linked together, both laughing merrily.

"No! They go out, kill some orcs, and then expect the rest of us to go down on bent knee and say how magnificent and brave they are! They are the most egotistical bunch one could ever come across!" Oloriel ranted, a smile belying the harshness of her words. "They are truly contemptible!"

Arwen laughed at this. "But what else have they done to deserve such censure, mellon nin! A handful of drunken propositions, a few sly smiles? You are unfair on them!"

Oloriel shook her head. "Perhaps if they did not look at me as if to say 'See, this is what I am capable of, what about you?' I would not be so critical." She looked thoughtful for a moment. "They say there's a smattering of ellith in Lorien who are wardens...sometimes I'd like to see if...no, no matter. Listen not to me. I speak of nothing." She shook her head, as if scolding herself. "No, I think I should do best to finish my healing training. Not so much glory to be found there but, in truth, it is far more rewarding to save lives, than end them." She grinned again. "And here comes Alar – what luck!"

Arwen groaned, though secretly she had begun to enjoy his intentions – not that he would ever know. They were rather fun, a battle of wit, and both derived much amusement from their meetings.

"Undómiel, you have been hiding from me!" he declared, striding in their direction.

"Nay, it is not so. I'm sure that you were too busy with our other guests to notice."

He shook his head, "Not notice that neckline? I find that hard to believe." Arwen was used to this, and was hardly perturbed, and so pursued another topic.

"You missed my lesson this morning, I hope you remember, and I was much displeased with you. A teacher should know better."

"A teacher should. And yet I am not one." He paused. "I was, uh – busy elsewhere."

Arwen could not help but feel satisfied at getting underneath his skin – a pleasure she rarely achieved. "Busy, I gather, in bed?" she inquired, laughter building up inside her. Oloriel sniggered at her side.

"Tease him no longer, Arwen, for he would much rather prefer it if you thought him enjoying a book or a nice soak in the bath. Eh, Alar?"

Alar coughed uncomfortably. "Well, now that...that has been dealt with, I would like to ask you to dance – if, ofcourse, you find that to be agreeable?"

Rolling her eyes, Arwen let herself be taken over to the crowd of dancing elves. The tune was merry, and amongst its partakers laughter was heard frequently. Much to her chagrin, Arwen began to realise that she was enjoying being twirled about by her roguish friend. Alar grinned at her. "See, my presence is not always so tiresome." Arwen silently agreed, although she said nought in response – it would not do for him to become smug, not when he was already so forthright.

It was near the close of the dance, the sun just having disappeared below the horizon, when clopping hooves sounded near the house. "My Lord Elrond!" called a guard, jogging to his lord's side. "A dozen on horses are headed this way. They make much haste – one is injured badly. Northern kin, I think." Immediately Elrond strode to the front of the Homely House so as to meet the incoming company, Arwen and Oloriel, amongst others, joining him.

As she arrived, the elves dismounted their horses with much haste, Elrond grasped the injured elf as he was lowered into his arms by another, still mounted, companion. Arwen could see the elf grappling with consciousness, his deathly pale face resultant of blood loss and fatigue. "Goblins," his companion said, as he swung off his horse, silken blonde hair gliding through the air, "not far from here – but please, Herendil needs you." The distress in his handsome face, although half-masked underneath a battle-hardened facade, was still clear for all to see. Elrond nodded, and looked to Arwen's side.

"Oloriel, with me please." He told her, and with that they slipped inside, headed for the Halls of Healing. With this departure, the congregation began to mutter amongst themselves, both out of curiosity and fear. Celebrian did her utmost to comfort the crowd, and cheerfully managed to guide them back into the garden to continue with their merrymaking. The music struck up once more, and dancing began, but Arwen did not join them – indeed, she'd barely moved from her place at the front of the house, merely rearranging her position so that she then stood underneath a Jacaranda Tree.

As she studied the elves, Glorfindel was quickly questioning the leader of the riders, seeking out information. They talked in low voices of ill trees and the polluted pond, and then of the goblin ambush which had injured his friend, Herendil. The warrior's face looked pained at the remembrance of it. Elladan placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, and was rewarded with a wane, yet thankful smile. Arwen frowned, perplexed. Who was this ellon? Surely one whom her brothers regarded with friendship would be recognisable to herself as well. Why then, did she find herself unable to remember his name?

She stared at him curiously. There was the slightest trace of familiarity about him, though why completely eluded her. She noted the fine features of his faces, his slim but muscular frame...a handsome warrior, she thought, but that did not bring her any closer to a conclusion. Her observations came to an end when Elrohir raised his voice.

"Come now! We have stood outside for long enough. Let us go inside to the Hall where we can eat and you may rest from your journey." He told them, and so the party followed him up the steps to the entry. At the top of the stairs, the Northern elf turned his head slightly and caught sight of Arwen standing under the Jacaranda. His piercing blue eyes caught hold of her inquisitive ones, and the two continued to stare at each other until he was nudged by one of his fellow riders. He looked ahead once more, and entered the house.

xxx

A/N: Yes, I'm back! Even after my long delay in Europe due to the Icelandic Volcano, I still managed to write another chapter for you all, so yey for me :) I know I promised in the last chapter that they would meet but plans changed a little and we have to wait until next chapter to see them actually meet each other. Virtual hugs to all those who are kind enough to REVIEW!