Well... This chapter is longer than normal... Hmm. Anyways. Thank you all for the reviews! I've been having so much fun with this story... I hope you have enjoyed it too!
Just to be safe, last time I checked I owned nothing but Eruanna (which is still under dispute) and her flute. Meh. If I did own LOTR, there would be no Bagginshield or Kiliel... So come to your own conclusions.
Chapter 23
Eruanna and Haldir had arrived at the borders. Asfaloth had taken a rather leisurely pace, though he made sure that they arrived before dark. The white horse slowed from his gallop to a trot as they neared the borders. Eruanna was tucked safely into Haldir's cloak, peeping out from it as she huddled into him.
They were looking on a disaster. Trees were hewn down, several of them looking as though they had been burned. Black blood stains splattered the bark of trees and the grass on the ground, mingled with some crimson. Haldir gasped. Eruanna gaped.
"There has been a battle here!?" Haldir wondered aloud, and Eruanna reached out, patting Asfaloth's neck and pointing to a tree. The faithful steed obediently trotted up to it, and Eruanna reached out, connecting with the tree.
*Mellyn nîn! Are you well? What has happened!?* She cried as it welcomed her presence. She brushed against Haldir's mind, allowing him to hear as well.
*Yrch, Díllothel. They came and the elves fought. We fought alongside them. Two attacks were made while you were gone.* Was the tree's reply. Haldir groaned.
*Are there any elves dead or injured?* Eruanna asked anxiously.
*Three are dead, and several injured. The city is safe and well.* Was the mournful answer, and both elves sighed in mingled sorrow and relief.
*Thank you, mellyn nîn, for your help.* She replied gratefully. The tree rustled in reply.
*It is good to see you safe, Díllothel. Golden Noldo worry for you.* Was the only reply, and Eruanna retreated, muttering to herself as Haldir smirked.
"Then I'm grateful I wasn't here while you were away." He chuckled. Eruanna swatted him in reply as Asfaloth took off for the city. "Apologies, my lady." He said with a smirk, and Eruanna rolled her eyes at him.
But their levity dropped once they arrived within the city. Asfaloth was taken to the stables where they were much welcomed, and Eruanna and Haldir made their way to the main talan: Haldir to give his report, and Eruanna to find Glorfindel.
When they arrived, it was to see Celeborn and Galadriel standing to welcome them as they made their greetings. In a moment, Eruanna was taken prisoner by a pair of broad, warm arms, a familiar pair of lips pressed into her cheek. She clung to Glorfindel, tears slipping down her cheeks in relief at being back by his side.
"Are you well, seler?" The golden voice asked into her ear, and she nodded gratefully. "Good."
Haldir gave his report, and Eruanna listened, eyes half-way closed as she curled up into Glorfindel. Her brother stirred in surprise when Haldir got into the part of his report where she had appeared from the woods, but she said nothing, merely sticking a thumb in her mouth as she felt gazes land on her face with various degrees of surprise.
Glorfindel laughed when Haldir relayed Eruanna's conversation with him at Helm's Deep, as did Celeborn when he heard it. Eruanna merely gave Haldir a fond, sleepy smile, causing his lips to quirk as he went on telling them about her wake-up call the next morning in a droll tone.
Then afterwards, it was Glorfindel's turn to speak. "The first attack took place the day Eruanna left. We were quite surprised when it came, and even more so when the trees began to help us. I do believe someone may have had a hand in that." He added pointedly, poking Eruanna's side as she squirmed in protest of her ribs. She stuck out her tongue in reply, making his roll his eyes.
"Yes, well. I digress. The second attack was two days later. There have been no more since then. Three elves have gone to Mandos, and fifteen have minor injuries. Thanks to the Mellyrn, there have not been any serious injury, and all of the yrch were disposed of." He finished, then sighed.
"My task here is over. Lord Elrond has called for me to come back. I must leave on the morrow." He added, stroking a finger down his sister's cheek, whose eyes flew open, surprise and intense longing in their depths. He smiled.
"Yes, seler, we are going home." He agreed softly, and Eruanna began to weep tears of relief, a tremulous smile on her face. She wanted to see 'Dan and 'Ro and 'Restor again. She could hardly wait. And maybe, just maybe, she would get to see Ciaran at least one more time if he stopped by Imladris. She dearly hoped so. She wanted to tell him that she knew. That she understood. To thank him for her trust in her.
Glorfindel gave her a ghost of a smile to let her know that he understood. She wished he understood everything. But she was content for the moment. She just wished- no. That was too selfish. Yes, she was happy.
And Eruanna fell asleep, exhausted and finally feeling safe in the arms of her beloved brother.
LOTRLOTRLOTRLOTR
The farewell to Lothlòrien had been brief and to-the-point. Apparently, Elrond was at his wit's end over something or another since most of the inhabitants of Imladris were gone, and had, in no uncertain terms, ordered Glorfindel back as soon as possible; therefore it behooved him to do so.
There wasn't much Eruanna had been allowed to pack. In fact, she had nothing but her journal and whatever she carried on her person. Glorfindel had taken nothing but his sword and a map that he tucked into his tunic. Asfaloth carried them swiftly and surely towards the Hidden Valley, getting closer every hour that passed. All in all, it took them a week to reach the realm of Elrond Peredhil, and that was pushing Asfaloth to his greatest extent.
By the time they reached, Eruanna was exhausted from the strain of the travel and the events of the past three weeks, and Asfaloth was faltering in his strides. Glorfindel apologized to them both, but Eruanna merely shook her head. Asfaloth nuzzled his master wearily in understanding, sensing with his equine senses that all was not normal and that there was the need for haste.
They arrived in Rivendell in the late afternoon, exhausted, grimy, miserable, and in desperate need for a hot bath and good food for a change. The stable hand immediately saw to Asfaloth's needs as Glorfindel strode into the palace with Eruanna in his arms.
He made his way towards his lord's study, giving a brief rap on the door. "Enter." The harried voice made Glorfindel raise an eyebrow. Eruanna's face was pinched in hunger and exhaustion, misery reflected in her face. Glorfindel shot her an apologetic look as he entered the room with decided steps.
Elrond looked up at them, and relief descended on his face. "You're here. Good. I need you, Glorfindel; I cannot do this alone anymore. Erestor and I cannot keep up." Their lord said, running a hand through his hair.
"I am here to serve, Elrond. Where is that elf anyway? And your sons?" Glorfindel added, sitting down in a chair wearily.
"Ah! Lord Glorfindel, lady Eruanna, it is good to see you. You look awful, to be blunt." A small, wizened being noted from a corner. Eruanna managed a smile, waving to Bilbo, who waved back. Elrond frowned, just then realizing the state his Seneschal and his sister was in.
"Erestor is in the library attempting to complete the stack of paperwork I gave him. My sons are with their sister who lies ill. You look horrible. Go take a bath and rest, and then and only then may you report for duty." He shot them a look that brooked no argument, and Glorfindel gave a grateful nod as he stood to leave.
"Greetings to you as well, Bilbo." Glorfindel nodded to the hobbit, who smiled back.
"Oh, and Glorfindel- if Eruanna would consent, I think Arwen would appreciate being allowed to... Help Eruanna." Elrond gave them a significant look. Glorfindel frowned.
"You say she lies ill? Has she- chosen?" Glorfindel asked hesitantly, as though he was afraid to ask. Elrond looked away. Glorfindel bowed, and then left. There was nothing more to be said. Eruanna heaved a sigh.
*He never accepted her fate.* She noted wearily.
"He never did." He agreed. There was an exhausted pause as Glorfindel dragged himself along the corridor. "Will you go?" He asked belatedly as they arrived at the door to Arwen's suite. She nodded and wriggled, and he set her down. She leaned up on her tiptoes, and he bent down to receive the kiss she planted on his cheek.
*Muindor go rest. I'll be fine.* She said with a faint smile. *I'll be here if you need me.*
He nodded and stroked her hair, and then stood and left. Eruanna watched him until he had moved beyond her sight around a corner, and then turned to the door. Her cheeks were pale, her eyes glassy, and she weaved as she took a shaky step forwards. Her palm smacked against the door as she attempted to use it to hold herself up.
Her legs were jelly as she attempted to stay on her feet, but it was no use as she sank to the floor in a boneless heap. The door opened, and she fell onto someone's feet. There was a startled exclamation.
"Who is it, Elrohir?" Arwen's soft voice asked tiredly. Hands picked her up, and she whimpered silently, exhausted. She picked her head up to see that she was being cradled in Elrohir's arms. He clutched her to himself.
"Eruanna! Oh penneth, what's wrong?" He asked, his soft voice making her start to weep as she reached up to clutch his hair in trembling fingers.
*Ro. Ro. T-tired. Came from Lothlòrien with Glorfy. Please. Please. Tired- hungry.* She pleaded helplessly, feeling miserable. The door shut as Elrohir brought her over to Arwen and Elladan's side. Arwen immediately reached out for the elfling, and Elrohir handed her over reluctantly.
"Oh you poor thing! Elrohir, will you draw a bath? Elladan, please go get something for her to eat." Arwen asked her brothers. Elrohir nodded and kissed the elfling's cheek, going off to do his sisters request. Elladan did the same before going to raid the kitchens. Arwen crooned over the elfling, who was struggling to stay awake.
"Sleep, dear. I will bathe you, and when you wake up you can eat." Arwen murmured, and Eruanna gratefully complied, falling into a much-needed sleep.
LOTRLOTRLOTR
When Eruanna woke up again, it was to the feeling of being cradled gently. She yawned widely, opening her eyes to see Elrohir's face above her, looking both concerned and relieved.
She smiled dazedly, reaching up and tracing the planes of his face with her small hand. Elrohir closed his eyes as she brushed his cheek, her fingers even ghosting across his eyelashes. His eyes fluttered open as she snuggled into him, a sigh heaving her chest.
"Come, Eruanna, penneth. You should eat. Please? You need something inside you. For me?" Elrohir's voice asked her in its alluring softness. She complied, willing to do anything just to hear that voice. It was so soft and gentle, lulling her into a sense of security. Oh how she wanted to stay in his arms for a long time and never get up.
She felt nice and clean, come to think of it, her hair still drying, and a soft blanket covered her as well as a small nightgown her size.
She felt rather than saw a spoon lifted to her mouth, and she obediently opened it, eating what was placed into her mouth. It was a thick, rich stew, and Elrohir fed her small pieces of bread along with it, tucking the small pieces of bread into her mouth tenderly. If she would have opened her eyes, Eruanna would have seen Arwen and Elladan looking at the pretty little tableau with pleased smiles and soft eyes. But she was too warm and content to do aught else but merely eat with her eyes closed.
A small hand reached out and grasped a lock of Elrohir's dark hair, and her eyes finally fluttered open, focusing on Elrohir's face. He smiled down at her, raising another piece of bread to her mouth, which she accepted gratefully. Eruanna reached out, begging to be fed with hugs too. Elrohir readily complied.
"Poor Eruanna. You must have been so tired." Arwen fussed, reaching over and stroking her hair. Eruanna nodded pitifully.
"And Glorfindel?" Elladan asked with sympathy. Eruanna waved a hand towards the door.
"Helping Ada, is he?" Elladan said with an amused tone of voice. She nodded, face buried into Elrohir's shoulder.
*I missed you, 'Ro. Didn't want to leave you and 'Dan and 'Restor and 'Wen.* Eruanna sighed. Elrohir smiled.
"We missed you too, penneth. We are glad to have you back with us. Are you feeling better?" He asked softly. She nodded.
*Ro know how to make it all better. Didn't feel good in Lothlòrien. Wanted 'Ro and 'Dan and 'Wen.* She admitted wearily. Elrohir stroked her hair.
"Shh penneth. It's alright, we are here now." He murmured.
"Aww. You have such an avid admirer 'Ro." Elladan attempted to lighten the mood.
Eruanna giggled, reaching up and hugging Elrohir tighter and turning around to stick out a tongue at Elladan, who gave her an affronted look as Arwen giggled. Then Eruanna reached forwards, halfway tumbling out of Elrohir's arms, and grabbed the bread, sticking it in her mouth in a huge bite. Elrohir caught her with an exclamation.
"Eruanna! Be careful!" He cried, but she merely chewed happily, feeling much better and more refreshed. Arwen giggled as Elrohir sighed, rolling his eyes good-naturedly.
She polished off the bread and stew, crawling beside Arwen and curling up next to her with a yawn. "Hey! What about me!? I haven't had a hug!" Elladan protested, and in response Eruanna blindly reached out her hands. With a sigh, Elladan picked her up as Elrohir snickered and Arwen giggled. Elladan hugged her tightly as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Will I ever get a kiss one day, penneth?" Elladan teased, kissing her hair. She pulled back and sniffed dubiously, making him sigh.
"Oh very well." He grumbled. Eruanna made a mental list her in her mind of people she had ever kissed in her entire life. Her parents. Ecthelion. Glorfindel. Erestor. And Aragorn. That's it. She blinked. Well, maybe one day...
LOTRLOTRLOTR
Glorfindel was busy working in lord Elrond's study. Eruanna was currently in the sewing room, trying to find a piece of ribbon to give to Erestor. She hadn't seen him yet, and she wanted to. Badly. So she wandered the room all by herself, alone, looking among the racks of ribbons for the perfect one.
And she found it. It was a deep purple color, almost bordering on the verge of being blue. That color always reminded her of Erestor. Dust, violets, deep blue, and ink. It was a simple piece of ribbon, too, broad and about the size of her hand. Perfect.
Grasping it in her hand, she moved towards the doorway, passing out into the hall and walking down the corridors of silent, white stone with nonexistent footsteps. She glided among the ornate busts and balustrades, a whisper of the wind among the tapestries on the wall. It was uncommonly quiet. There was no quiet buzz of activity, no cheerful greetings or swish of robes against smooth tiled floors.
It was almost sad, in a way, and yet it was at the same time pleasantly peaceful.
She reached a door, looking up at it with a tiny smile playing at the corners of her lips. A tentative knock.
"Enter." A familiar, almost wearied voice sighed. Eruanna took the invitation, reaching up to turn the doorknob and push the heavy door in, closing it behind her and turning to face the desk. Erestor looked up, and his face lit up marginally as they saw her.
He turned in his chair and smiled at her weakly, exhaustion on every line of his fair, pale face. Eruanna ran into the arms he stretched out in welcome, hugging him tightly as he drew her up into the chair. Erestor buried his face into her hair, breathing deeply. Eruanna clutched a lock of his dusty hair, pulling back to look into the kind, guarded eyes.
Then she smiled, handing him the customary worry string she gave him once every year. It was late, that year. The councillor took the string, tucking it into the palm of his hand, and then gave her a smile. It was not the same as the other smiles he had given her. Those had been bright ones, rare ones, making her wish to see it forever. This smile twitched. It faltered, sputtered, coughed, and attempted to exist. It died on his face, wheezing in exhaustion. Eruanna's eyes welled.
Erestor immediately frowned. "What is wrong, penneth?" He asked, tentatively reaching up to touch her hair. He was always hesitant in his caresses, as though he was afraid that he would break her. As if he ever could, with his fingers that were so soft and gentle, like the quill pens he wrote with.
*Your smile, Erestor.* Eruanna replied sadly, a tear slipping down her cheek. *Something's wrong with it. I saw it die on your lips. I liked your smile, 'Restor. I would have given you a worry string every time I saw you, just to see that smile.* She said mournfully, leaning forwards and kissing his cheek softly.
Erestor stared down at her, something akin to mingled awe and grief on his face. Then he suddenly gave her a brilliant smile, and her face lit up in reply.
"I did not know that you noticed, penneth. No one ever notices my smiles. I suppose I just forgot to give them anymore. But for you, Eruanna, I would smile any time you asked. Do not cry. Thank you, for seeing my smile." He whispered the last sentence into her ear, and she laughed in his mind, touching the corners of his mouth with her lithe, thin fingers.
*Yes. If no one else wants your smile, I want it all for myself.* She agreed, and he chuckled softly along with her, the smile still on his face.
Eruanna tucked away the memory of it in her mind, burning it into her heart. Later on, she wrote about it in her journal. Or at least, she tried to.
I don't know why, but Erestor's smile is special to me. Maybe it's because he rarely ever smiles. I cannot explain it. I just know that it is... THE smile. There is no other smile quite like it.
It is sad- it is happy- it is... just there. It is precious to me simply because it exists. It is him.
When he couldn't smile for his weariness, my heart faltered. There is no reassurance for me if that smile ever fails. I can still see it, dying on his lips, petering out in sputters. I couldn't help but cry. If you ever see that smile, you will know what I speak of. You feel bereaved of something if the sight of it is denied you.
I love to see his dusty hair, to feel it in my fingers, soft, like warm strands of sunlight or butter. His grey eyes are so deep, filled with shelves and shelves of books- I can see them. I can read their titles. I can feel them, their leather bindings under my fingers. His eyes are so melancholy- in an oddly pleasant way, like sweetly bitter nostalgia.
His tiredly patient and patiently tired smile. It is such a fragile smile. I want to bottle it up, to preserve that delicate curve of lips in the most imperishable vessel possible.
When he smiles, it is not a wide smile. It is not a small smile. It is a perfect smile for his face and eyes. His thoughtfully sad eyes, and his pitifully lovable smile.
There is no smile in the world that I will ever find that is quite like Erestor's.
She didn't write to anyone in particular. They were just her thoughts, jot down in a randomly ordered pattern. And that was the simple beauty of it. They were written for no one. They were merely, simply, her thoughts, unvarnished and unembellished. A masterpiece of their own.
LOTRLOTRLOTR
Eruanna was exited. For the first time in months, she was exited. She ran through the halls, running for the main gates to see the visitors that had come. According to Elladan, who had brought the news, it was the Dunedaìn being sent to the aid of Aragorn.
Arwen had trembled when she heard, clutching her brother's fingers in her own slender, weak ones, giving him a pleading look. He had smiled, pressing her hand in a nod of promise. Eruanna knew what Arwen had been silently asking. She had been privy, along with Bilbo, to the standard that the Evenstar had been working on for weeks and months. It was for Aragorn, Eruanna knew.
She met Bilbo in the hallway, hobbling on his cane towards the main entrance. She paused, walking alongside him. He chuckled at her. "So annoying, to have your bones grow old. I cannot run properly any more." He grumbled, making her grin grow wider.
They reached the gates, and Eruanna's eyes scanned the courtyard, watching the milling men as they attempted to see to their horses. Elrond also stood there, greeting them courteously and welcoming them, which gesture was gratefully received and pleasantries reciprocated. Glorfindel was nowhere to be found, most likely busy at the moment. Elrohir and Elladan were helping the men as well.
Her eyes swept the thirty-odd group anxiously, her chest tightening as she searched hopefully for one man she knew well. Dark mops of hair cluttered her vision. Grey eyes filled with age and wisdom of their own mortal brand gleamed and snapped.
The Dunedaìn were never very much inclined to speak. They preferred to be quiet among others not their own, though always they were courteous when spoken to and kind to those they helped. They reminded Eruanna of stone, hard and unyielding yet steadfast and vigilant.
There- there was Halbarad. She recognized his two sons beside him, Halladan and Borongil. Halladan was the spitting image of his father, dirty blonde hair with firm, set jaw and dark stubble. But his eyes were his mother's, green and smiling. Borongil was more like his mother, with his dark hair and soft features, but he had the eyes of his father, warm and chocolaty like thick molasses.
Her gaze moved on- and snagged on a bright, honey blonde mop of hair, ever-so-slightly disheveled and yet still looking proper, somehow. She paused, barely able to breathe. Was it him? The head turned, and sizzling blue eyes smacked into her vision like the shock of seeing the sky for the first time in ages.
Eruanna ran. She didn't care about the other men who started as she squeezed passed them, didn't care about the horses that she dodged. She only saw that one face, relief blooming in her heart and aching in its intensity. He saw her before she reached him, and in a moment, he had bent down swiftly to catch her as she ran into his arms at full-tilt.
Ciaran laughed. Loud and long and clear, he laughed. It was a wonderful laugh, Eruanna decided. Possibly one of the best laughs she had ever heard. Their master/apprentice bond flared to life, and they both knew that it was far more than just that anymore. It was a bond between family.
Several of the Dunedaìn looked startled, turning to watch Ciaran laugh with surprise on their faces. Ciaran almost never laughed. He grinned, he chuckled, he smiled. Ciaran did not laugh. Not until now. Elladan and Elrohir seemed mildly surprised as well, as did Elrond, though he didn't show it.
Eruanna reveled in the feeling of that laugh, drowning in it, relishing the circle of arms that held her firmly and crushed her lungs against her ribs in its strength. She didn't care. She squished her nose farther into his chest, smiling as she memorized that laugh.
If silence was golden, she thought, then Ciaran's laugh was surely polished Mithril. Precious and strong and indestructible. She cherished it, as much as she did Erestor's smile. Eruanna pulled back, smiling happily and clapping her hands in delight.
"I am glad to see you too, Eruanna." Ciaran smiled, the Dúnadan's eyes crinkling at the corners in happy lines. She reached up, pressing her pudgy, infant lips to his care-worn cheek. Ciaran never seemed to get old. He had more wrinkles than before, perhaps, but they were small and seemed to be from smiles, not age. She made a mental note. Now she had kissed seven people in her entire life. Ciaran bowed his head, acknowledging the rare gift.
"I'm jealous! She never gave me one." Elladan called over the courtyard, his face straight but his eyes sparkling in jest as Eruanna retorted by sticking out her tongue at him. The men gave startled laughs, their tense muscles relaxing at the lightheartedness. Eruanna waved at Halbarad, who smiled and nodded in reply. His sons looked intrigued.
Ciaran picked her up, rising to his feet once more. He smiled and winked at her, his shockingly blue eyes sparkling wickedly as he poked her nose. "I kept it with me, always. It was always here." He whispered in her ear, holding her hand to his chest over his heart. She felt the small lump there the size of a stone and smiled happily into the soft, caring eyes.
*I kept it with me, master, always. It was always here.* She repeated, patting her waist with his hand. He smiled.
"Good. Very good. You know." He said, his eyes now shrouded with mystery. She gave him a thin smile.
*Yes. And I'm not very happy with you, master.* She replied softly, a dangerous glitter in her eyes. He looked away with a guilty air.
"Apologies... I was afraid..." He didn't finish as she sighed and smacked the back of his head.
*I'll forgive you, since you came back safely.* She mock-growled, and he sighed in relief.
"Thank the Valar." He said fervently. Eruanna giggled as he took broad steps towards the front gate, just as Glorfindel appeared around the corner.
"Ah! Greetings, men of the Dunedaìn!" He hailed them with customary cheerfulness, which greeting was returned by the men. Glorfindel turned to Eruanna and smiled, clapping a hand on Ciaran's shoulder.
"And it is always good to see you as well, Ciaran." He winked at the man, who quirked a smile back.
"Always a pleasure to be back, lord Glorfindel." Was his smooth reply, and Glorfindel laughed.
"For many reasons I'm sure, hmmm? Well come on, then, and tell us all about your escapades. What trouble have you been getting into now, my young friend?" Glorfindel asked cheerily, dragging them off down the hallway.
Ciaran sighed. Halbarad was doubled over. Eruanna nearly killed herself laughing at the looks on the faces of Halbarad's two sons. The twins snickered.
"Would it be too much to ask not to ruin my reputation among my fellow men, oh so ancient lord Glorfindel?"
Eruanna veritably screamed at the scathing glare Glorfindel sent the smirking man.