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Chapter 11

Lothlòrien was as calm as she remembered it to be. Which, admittedly, wasn't saying too much, since there really couldn't be complete peace with Rumil and Orophin in the city. They were the 'twin troublemakers' of Lothlòrien.

Haldir was as impeccable and cold as ever. Which meant as cool as the stiff winter breezes and as outwardly unreadable as a blank sheet of parchment. Eruanna had said nothing to him when he had escorted their party, merely flashing him a quick smile.

He had returned it with a polite bow, but she had seen the strange look in his eyes that he had whenever he was around her. An awed, hesitant sort of look. But she had only smiled to herself. It was difficult to think that she was eight-thousand years old. It had taken her by surprise as well, not to mention how long it had taken her to get used to the thought.

Inside their talan, she stretched out on her stomach on the rug that lay on the floor of their room. As always, she was playing with her dolls given her by Bofur and Bifur, a sheet of parchment nearby in case she needed to write something down.

Often thoughts would come to her, randomly and at the strangest moments. So a piece of wax and parchment always went with her, tucked into her tunic. And now they were accompanied by the sigil e-hered.

She had looked over it again carefully in private, wanting to study it now that she knew who it was made by. Imagine, it was made by her Gwador! The sheath was thick leather, studded with jewels and lined with silver thread.

When she pulled out the blade hesitantly, she was rather surprised at the design of it. It was small, about half the size of her forearm; a mere dagger. The hilt was made of ivory, something she noted interestedly as she ran her hands over it. It, also, was set with jewels- in fact, it was set with a single ruby at the top, and on one side was an onyx while on the other was an obsidian.

The blade itself was made of silver, and she carefully noted the ridges cut in it to produce the key effect. All in all, as she sheathed it and tucked it away again, she had been rather curious as to what exactly it unlocked. And why should she be the one to have it, when it had been kept even from the First Age?

But then, as she admitted, mysteries were mysteries, and if anything it at least provided her with some amusement when she was thoroughly bored. In the meantime, though, she was content to keep it safe and keep an eye out for anything that it might unlock. If she was truly meant to have it, she supposed, it would come to her in due time.

"Seler?" Glorfindel's voice startled her out of her thoughts and her mouth opened in a silent yelp, jerking up and nearly toppling over. Immediately she was drawn into her brother's arms as he chuckled slightly.

"My apologies, Eruanna, I didn't mean to startle you." He said, and she nestled into him by way of forgiveness. She clutched a lock of his hair, smiling contentedly. He patted her hair gently.

"Ah, speaking of which, I was going to tell you that we are expected to meet Lady Galadriel tonight." He added. Eruanna nodded absently, twirling his hair in her small fingers. He sat back down in his chair at the desk, leaning back comfortably and watching his little sister as lovingly as though she were his own child.

"What are you thinking about, penneth?" He asked, stroking her cheek with his fingers. Her eyes cleared and focused on him, a sad smile appearing on her face.

*I miss them.* She replied wistfully.

"Who, sweetling?" He queried, partially guessing the answer.

She sighed. *Shall I give you a list?* She asked wryly, causing him to bark a laugh.

"Well, I have nothing else to do." He winked. She rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue, making a rude noise that had him laughing at her cheek.

*Okay, there's Estel, Ciaran, Legolas, 'Dan, 'Ro, Ada Thranduil, and Erestor.* She ticked them off on her fingers. He smiled.

"I'm sure they miss you too, Eruanna." He said gently, gathering her up to himself.

There was a pause as he peppered her face with kisses, caressing the smooth hair and combing it with his fingers. Eruanna shrieked in protest, giggling and trying to shove his face away as he grinned and pressed on relentlessly.

*Nooo Glorfy, stoooop!* She squealed, squirming. He burst into laughter that floated through the window and rang through the area, causing every elf in the vicinity to smile at the joyful sound. His laughter was rich and full, a sound that lifted hearts.

"Stop? What if I don't want to?" He teased, digging a finger into her side. She glared at him and squirmed out of his grasp, rolling away on the floor and skipping to get dressed properly.

*I'll go see Haldir then.* She sniffed, and he snickered.

"Oh? What if he's on duty?" He asked.

*I'll tell Lord Celeborn that you were the one who poured the sleeping draught into his drink and have you take his place in border duty.* She retorted smartly. He groaned.

"You blackmailing little-" he shook a finger at her that she ignored, shaking out the folds of the dress that she had donned for the evening. It was a dress of grey-blue, speckled with silver knots that made it look as though she was dressed in a fabric swatch from the night sky. Or more accurately, like folds of flowing water and diamonds.

She settled her necklace on her throat and let Glorfindel pin up her hair and tie it at the back with a single sapphire. He smiled as she looked in the mirror with a wistful look.

"What's wrong, seler? Not pretty enough?" He teased. She rolled her eyes at him and then sighed, holding out her arms towards the mirror as though asking for it to pick her up. Her eyes blanked as though looking at someone that wasn't there.

*I always love you, otorno.* She whispered softly, almost to herself. Glorfindel's eyes softened as his face also creased with a sad smile. Then she stirred and turned back to him, a bright smile on her face, running to him and climbing into his lap.

*Muindor know that he promised to always remember me and Glorfy? Even in Mandos?* She asked cheerfully. His smile faded somewhat.

"But in Mandos..." He trailed off. "In Mandos no one remembers anything." He whispered to himself. Eruanna shrugged.

*He promised. I know he remembers me.* Was her only reply, and it was said in such a matter-of-fact way that Glorfindel wondered if it could be possible. He smiled.

"Perhaps he does." He conceded, brushing her hair with his fingers.

And so she took a quick nap as Glorfindel fell into another memory of his time in the halls of Mandos...

He and Findárato were walking about in the halls, just taking a stroll and looking about interestedly. Just then, they came upon a spot in the halls that he had never seen before.

There were tapestries hanging on the wall, depicting different scenes of life in Arda. Glorfindel suddenly caught sight of one in a shadowed corner. He walked over to it, feeling a strange spark of something in his feä.

It showed an elf dressed in silver armor with a blue cloak dotted with diamonds drowning in a body of water. His hair was inky blue, a strange, almost ironical or resigned smile on his face and eyes closed. It was a disturbing smile, really. His hair swirled about in the water and a helmet floated away at the edge of the tapestry. It had a sharp point at the tip, studded with diamonds.

A pang of something coursed through his feä as he crumbled, sobbing for a reason he couldn't place. In a moment, a Maia was there and leading him away gently, bundling him into bed and sending him into sleep.

When he woke up again, he couldn't quite remember how he had gotten to his bed in the first place. But oh well, he didn't really care. He skipped off happily to find his Gwador and resume their playing session of hide-and-seek among the different rooms in the halls of Mandos.

But even when he was Reborn, it was one of the first things he had remembered. And of course, lord Nàmo himself had to come and calm him down from his tantrum that Ecthelion wasn't there.

By the time he came to with a mingled amused and chagrined smile at the memory, he realized that it was time to go meet Lady Galadriel. Looking down, he saw that Eruanna was lost in her own reminisces, playing with his hair as was her wont.

"Come, seler. Time to go." He stood, setting her down as she grasped his robe and drifted by his side to the main talan in the center of the forest. She was silent, looking around and hiding herself in Glorfindel's robes.

They made it to the talan, climbing the too-many stairs and arriving at the top. Lady Galadriel and lord Celeborn were waiting, smiling as they saw the two come up.

"Welcome, hanno, Eruanna." Lady Galadriel said with a small smile, greeting them with a nod and kinsman's kiss. Eruanna was swept into the Lady's arms as Celeborn greeted Glorfindel and winked at Eruanna, who giggled silently.

They moved deeper into the talan to the large room where lady Celébrian, Orophin, Rumil, and Haldir were also, dinner set out for them all.

Eruanna's eyes lit up as she was set down and scrabbled to Haldir's side, climbing up into Orophin's lap where he sat next to Haldir. Then she wedged her way in between them, smiling happily and tugging on Haldir's sleeve.

Glorfindel smirked and sat next to Celeborn. Rumil was blabbing away to Orophin, and Galadriel was talking with her daughter, leaving Haldir no one to talk with but the elfling next to him. He gave her a small smile, feeling uncomfortable.

Eruanna felt a little sad. Despite that they had a small friendship, it was strained and fragile, Eruanna being afraid of reaching out to Haldir and Haldir just not knowing how to act around her. So it was a stalemate, Haldir not knowing how to ask her anything and too skittish to try to get too close to her, while Eruanna couldn't offer anything for fear that he would feel uncomfortable or angry. His aura was tinged with a sickly green shade, showing discomfort or unease.

As Eruanna looked away to see something else, Haldir felt slightly guilty, wondering if he had somehow hurt the elfling. He hesitated, wondering if he should do something, and then scowled to himself. WHY was it that every time it came to HER he could never maintain any semblance of composure?

She unbalanced him as no one else could. He was a Marchwarden, for the Valar's sake, he should be more than capable of remaining calm and collected- or as Orophin and Rumil put it, 'cold and haughty.' He snorted quietly. As if. They just weren't responsible enough yet to appreciate having such a demeanor.

*Even though they are already far past their majorities?* His lady's voice was amused as she spoke in his mind. He tried not to squirm.

*They have never grown up, my lady.* Was his only somewhat embittered reply.

*Then perhaps you should take some of their example.* She replied enigmatically, withdrawing even as she laughed at her daughter's remark, leaving him to ponder on the possible meaning behind the words.

"Eruanna, I would appreciate it if you would stop pestering me about it! No, I am not going to tell you about it!" Glorfindel sounded petulantly annoyed as Eruanna killed herself laughing on the floor where she had decided to play with lady Celébrian's ball of yarn.

"About what?" Celeborn asked noncommittally, though there was a gleam of amusement in his eyes.

"Nothing." Glorfindel said a little too hastily, sending his sister a warning glare. She ignored him, wiping her eyes and giggling. She opened her mouth and Glorfindel leaped onto the floor, clapping a hand over her mouth.

"Shhh!" He hissed. "When we get back she'll probably kill me if you tell anyone!"

Eruanna smirked under his hand, snickering. "She has a point, Glorfindel. How is she supposed to say anything?" Celébrian pointed out with a raised eyebrow. They were treated to the sight of the elf lord slowly turning an interesting shade of red.

They roared as Eruanna 'blabbed' about something they couldn't hear, waving her arms about gleefully and sending them into fits of laughter as Glorfindel grumbled under his breath and crossed his arms, sulking. He sat cross-legged on the floor, sighing as everyone finally got themselves under control.

"I'm just so used to her using ósanwe I forget." He grumbled in personal defense. Eruanna smiled at him cheekily as he rolled his eyes at her good-naturedly.

"Shall I have to punish you for that?" He asked gravely, raising an eyebrow at her.

She stuck out her tongue and made a rude noise, making the amused spectators snicker at his affronted look. "Seler!" He gasped. "Don't be so rude!"

She gave him a withering glare. He stuttered at her obvious sniff. "I'm an elf lord! I can do it whenever I wish and no one can say anything!" He whined, making Celeborn and Haldir choke. Galadriel was smiling amusedly as Celébrian laughed.

*Don't whine.* Eruanna said in mock-severity, although a devious grin wreathed her face.

"I DON'T WHINE!" He shouted, sending them all into hysterics, Eruanna rolling around on the floor and kicking her legs. He sulked at the indignancy of it all, glaring at everyone.

Eruanna crawled into his lap placatingly, smiling sweetly and patting his cheeks, kissing them. She grasped the customary lock of hair, batting her eyelashes and opening her mouth adorably. Glorfindel sighed, trying and miserably failing to look away.

*Glorfy!* She begged, holding out her arms with a sniffle and pleading look. Glorfindel crumbled. He gathered her up as though she were glass, cradling her in his arms and humming softly. Eruanna squealed in delight and waved her arms, happily cooing as the rest looked on with fond indulgence.

"She always gets her way." Celébrian whispered conspiratorially, causing them to laugh quietly as Glorfindel raised an eyebrow.

"Not always." He sniffed, and Eruanna ignored them all.

Dinner was a happy affair, with Eruanna being fed by Glorfindel as she progressively tangled herself up farther and farther in the ball of yarn until when dinner was done Glorfindel had to sigh and extricate her with difficulty.

That night, she crawled into bed wondering what the next days would bring. Glorfindel climbed in between the sheets, sighing in comfort as he pulled the covers up. Eruanna turned, scooting herself into his embrace and snuggling in with a contented sigh. He drew her into his arms protectively, swathing them both in the blankets like a cocoon.

*Muindor?* She asked quietly.

"Yes, my sweet?" He murmured, kissing her hair.

*What do you think will happen?* She asked in a small voice, sounding very lost and uncertain. He paused, and then shifted slightly until he was completely circling her.

"I do not know, seler." He admitted quietly. "But I trust that the Valar will help us somehow." He said softly. "I know that Eru will not allow his children to forever be under the darkness." He comforted.

Eruanna pondered his words, nodding slightly. *Muindor? Tell me about your time at Aman.* She begged him. He chuckled slightly.

"Now that I can do." He paused. "What do you want to know?" He asked, giving her an opening. She mused for a moment.

"What do you think Eru looks like?" She asked wistfully. He suddenly froze, then relaxed.

"Well. I can tell you that." He said slowly. She turned wide eyes on him, the light of the Valar shining brightly in response to his words. He smiled slightly.

"Well, once, when I was in Aman..." And he began to tell her story of when he had traveled on Vingilot past the circles of Eä and into the Timeless Halls themselves, describing his journey.

"Eru was so beautiful- but I cannot describe Him. He was always changing. He could have white hair and blue eyes, with white robes, or He could have brown hair and eyes, with matching red robes and brown sandals- He is everything." He said thoughtfully.

Eruanna listened, enraptured, as he spun the rest of his tale. When he finally finished, she lay still, thinking. Then she sighed softly.

*I wish I could see Him.* She said, and her voice was wearied. He unconsciously clutched her tightly.

"I wish you could too... But I don't want you to leave me." He mumbled into her hair. She snuggled into him.

*I won't leave you, Muindor. Want to stay with Glorfy.* She replied. He clutched her tightly.

"Good. I want to keep you always. Always remember Muindor loves you, Eruanna." He said.

*Love... You... Glorfy.* She yawned, and they fell asleep, Eruanna clutching a lock of gold as Glorfindel held her to himself possessively.

Tilion peeped in on them, nodding in satisfaction so that moonbeams danced through the room. Eärendil looked on from Vingilot, spreading his hope from the skies as he checked on his faithful vassals and friends.

And Eruanna fell into a dream, one that was very odd...

LOTRLOTRLOTR

She was... Somewhere. This wasn't Gondolin, that much was obvious. It was a strange place, one that made her instinctively know that this was no ordinary dream. It was a strange, grey place, surrounded by grey trees, as though she was standing in the middle of a glade at twilight.

"You are." A voice answered her thoughts, deep and wise.

She turned, and saw a man standing in front of her, dressed in odd robes. He raised an eyebrow, and she saw that he was surprised, if not shocked.

"Well. I was not expecting to see a child." He murmured. She blinked. Child. Now, that was something no mortal had ever dared call her since Tuor.

The man had grey hair, obviously once nut brown but now streaked with silver. His face was brown and chiseled as though made of granite. His eyes were piercing, a deep blue-grey color that made her feel small and insignificant, almost intimidating in their intensity. His bushy eyebrows shot almost above his hairline.

"Tuor? But that was, according to your time, nigh eight thousand years ago." He said, eyeing her questioningly. Okay, so he could read her thoughts.

"Read your thoughts? Most certainly not." The man scoffed. She raised her own eyebrow.

*I am mute, I was thinking, not speaking.* She directed her thoughts towards him, and his face immediately turned into a slightly surprised expression.

"Now that is interesting." He mused.

*As for your question, yes, I am eight thousand years old- however, in the fall of my city I was taken by orcs to Angband and kept there for more than seven thousand years. As an effect of the darkness I have not grown.* She said mechanically, face blank.

His gaze became piercing, almost as though he was gauging her or searching for something. He either saw what he was looking for, or didn't, as he stirred himself back to the moment.

"Well then. I see. Now, I am assuming Ciaran gave you the sigil e-hered, am I correct?" The man asked. She nodded, confused as to how he knew and what that meant.

He gave a wry smile. "I take it that he told you nothing of it." He said, an amused tone in his voice.

*All he said that it held an ancient power, it was made by Finrod Felagund for Beör, to keep it with me at all times and never loose sight of it, that it was made to be a key, and that I was supposedly the one who was supposed to have it.* She rattled off, growing extremely nervous for a reason she couldn't place at all.

"Well he told you the basics anyway, but he certainly didn't tell you all you need to know about it. Well, we'll be here a while. Why don't we sit down?" He asked, and settled down on the ground, smiling slightly in invitation. She hesitated, but then walked forwards and sat down in front of him.

He reached forwards and patted her arm. "Now, let's start with names. My name- well, I had many names." He chuckled. "The name I carry along with these clothes is 'Caracil,' however, you may know me better as Beör." He said with a smile.

Eruanna stared, shocked. And then suddenly began to feel short of breath. And that was the last thing she knew before spots dotted her vision and then it all went black.

FandomFangirl100: hahaha. Right. So glad you like!

WoodElfJedi: *giggles* you're probably right. ;) Yes, I'm still stuck on C&F, unfortunately...

Jesus' girl 4ever: I think its funny too. ;)

Peregrin Took the Falcon: yay! I hoped it would be. And yes, she is, isn't she? But I still love my little Mairon best. I know right? That part seriously made me laugh like crazy when I wrote it.

Guest: yes sir/ma'am! ;)

Gwestiel: yes she was. :'( no, it doesn't, and yes, it is funny isn't it? Comedic relief. XD and yes, they will. *cackles ominously*