Hey everybody! Thank you for coming again! Here's the next chapter, I'm so glad you liked the last one. It was personally one of my favorites to write.
To my guest reviewer Cornflower: thank you so much! I'm so glad to hear that I was able to help you in some way with your insomnia. ;) I would suggest trying hot milk with honey, too. It helps. :) Thank you for saying that this is one of your favorite fics. That means a lot to me, and is one of the highest compliments. I will give little Eruanna a hug for sure. X3 Wow, you must be teased a lot! But don't worry you're perfect the way you are. ;) and I'm sure a lot of people think you very cute too. And AWWW, what a compliment that you look like an elfling! Thank you for your review, and have a great day!~
Chapter 26
March 25
It is over! It is finally over! The war is over and Sauron is defeated! It is almost incomprehensible, but Frodo and Sam both did it. It is so difficult to actually believe that this war is over and Sauron is vanquished.
My heart swells so much I can hardly breathe for the sheer joy of it. I have thanked the Valar so many times that I cannot even count how many times! I keep hugging myself and Glorfindel, exited at the thought of seeing Ciaran and Estel and Legolas and Gimli and Elladan and Elrohir again.
When I received the news, I couldn't think. Then I read it again. And again, and again! And then I screamed inside myself, dancing around and clutching the letter to myself. And to hear that those that I love are alive... You cannot comprehend my joy.
I was so exited, in fact, I forgot about my arm until Glorfindel caught me and looked at it. There is nothing left but a faint white scar in the shape of a hand. I am satisfied, even if Glorfindel is not. I am just happy that I can finally be free from the pain of it. It was burning so horribly for the three days before this that I was heaving up everything I ate. But now- now, oh, I am so happy beyond words!
Eruanna gave up trying to write about her joy and instead looked out of the window, eyes burning with the light of the Valar in her joy. And indeed, that was a sign of what was going on in Valinor...
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"Finally! Atar answered my request!" Tulkas boomed, shaking the Mahanaxàr with his gleeful laughter. The earth rumbled, and all those who heard his laugh wherever they were wondered at its import. "Get ready, Nàmo, your wish is coming true!" He roared, slapping the judge of the dead so hard that Nàmo was sure that his hroä was going to have a bruise on it in the shape of a large hand. The Valar laughed along with each other in joy for the children in Arda.
"Yes indeed. They shall all come now, and in time, even those who have lingered will come as well." Manwë said with a smile. "For now returns the long-lost King to the throne of his rightful kingdom, and all of the white city shall rejoice in the return of their lord. And so the age of the rule of men begins." He said gravely.
Varda smiled up at her beloved, who returned it with an equally loving one. Even Ulmo had deigned to come in the light of the such a joyous event.
"And what of her?" He asked, eyebrows drawn together in concern.
"Don't be a spoilsport, Ulmo." Oromë chortled, and Ulmo gave him a thin smile.
"Normally I wouldn't, Oromë, but in this I have a feeling of premonition. Her crossing of the seas shall not be easy." The lord of waters replied. Everyone sobered, looking troubled.
"How much more will she have to go through?" Nienna sobbed, weeping in her brother Irmo's arms, who wrapped them around her comfortingly.
"Only one more thing." Nàmo whispered, and the Valar were surprised to see that his eyes looked glassy with grief. "The last thing that will break her enough for Glorfindel to allow her to come to us..."
The Valar were stunned into silence, and Nienna began to weep even harder. Manwë bowed his head. "It shall be as Atar wills." And the heavy pause that followed was deafening in its silence.
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We have been traveling from Imladris to Lothlòrien to Minias Tirith, to arrive at Aragorn's coronation as a surprise for him. So far, we have arrived at Lothlòrien and are now going towards Minias Tirith with lady Galadriel and Haldir... I didn't realize how much I had missed the Marchwarden until I saw him again.
And oh, I wish I could describe the shade of red he turned when I I hugged him as soon as I saw him. I almost envy him for being able to turn such a color... Vermilion? Crimson? Red? Rust? I don't know. Burnt orange-? No, that doesn't sound right either...
Eruanna and the group she was traveling with to Minias Tirith were nearing Rohan, where they would meet Elladan and Elrohir, and after staying there a day or so, would go on. In the train was Arwen, Elrond, Erestor, Glorfindel, Lindir, Galadriel, Celébrian, Celeborn, and Haldir along with his brothers, and many more elves who were mainly escorts and ladies-in-waiting. There was also Lord Thandir and his wife Eluwen, who were of similar generation of Glorfindel but still younger.
When they arrived at Rohan, Eruanna was asleep on Asfaloth, tucked into Glorfindel's cloak. Glorfindel surreptitiously nudged her, and she woke up with a start to peer out of a chink in his cloak. She stifled a yawn and watched with half-lidded eyes as they entered the city of Meduseld, making their way towards the front of the golden hall where King Éomer and his sister Lady Éowyn waited to greet them.
"Come, seler. Sit up." Glorfindel murmured, sitting his little sister up in front of him on Asfaloth and removing his cloak so that she was visible to the crowds that stood at the side of the road. Eruanna sat up obediently and yawned, stretching, and then rubbed her eyes sleepily, hair rumpled.
She heard Thandir chuckle softly from beside them, and without looking, poked him as he laughed. There were twitters and murmurs from the crowds, which only grew as they saw the elfling. Glorfindel was riding behind Arwen and Celébrian and Galadriel as guard, sword strapped to his waist.
Eruanna peeled her eyes open with difficulty, to see four blurry figures on the portico leading to the Golden Hall. She blinked, and the sight cleared, to show her the sight of a familiar-looking man, a woman dressed in white, and two identical-looking, smiling elves next to them.
Her eyes lit up and she squirmed impatiently, a whimper rising in her throat as she saw them. Glorfindel chuckled, running fingers through her hair in an intimate gesture. "Yes, sweet, be patient. I see them too." He murmured amusedly, and Thandir beside them snorted.
"I can't see how she manages to stand them." He sighed in mock-exasperation, but Eruanna only giggled as he winked at her discreetly.
They arrived at the front, dismounting the horses and allowing them to be led away by stable hands. Eruanna thanked Asfaloth with a hug to his neck, and the horse-loving people of the Rohirrim were treated to the sight of the large white stallion nudging her gently with a whicker. Eruanna waved, and he swished a tail and pranced after the stable hand in reply. Glorfindel scooped her up, somehow still managing to look like a stern, feared elf lord.
"Welcome, my lords and ladies, to Rohan. I, King Éomer, and my sister lady Éowyn greet you, and welcome you to our lands. We are honored to have you visit us, and we will do all in our power to entertain you with our very best. Please, be welcome to Meduseld and our home." Éomer concluded with a bow, and Glorfindel nodded in approval as they filed in after the King.
"Short and sweet. He knows how to make a good speech, I say, unlike some people I know." Glorfindel smirked, and was awarded with a cool smack to the back of the head by his lord as Thandir and Eruanna snickered and Celeborn chuckled.
"Ai, Elrond, I wasn't talking about you! Turúcano was terrible in the aspect of speech- he would go on and on forever!" Glorfindel whined, rubbing his head with a comical grimace. Eruanna winced.
*I was told that when I was presented to King Turúcano to be blessed, half-way through his speech I fell asleep- after just having taken a nap just an hour before.* She said sheepishly, and the humans in the hall and at the front of the parade had to wonder at the riotous laughter that erupted from the back of the line.
They arrived in the main dining hall, as it was now near evening, to see that the tables were laden with food and drink for the evening meal. Bowing to Éomer and greeting him and his sister, the elves began to take their seats, standing behind the benches as they waited for their lords to sit so that they could as well and greeting each other. The Peredhil twins immediately went to their family.
When Glorfindel and Eruanna's turn to give a greeting came, Eruanna walking next to Glorfindel, Éomer bowed. "My lord. Lady Eruanna." He said with a smile, and they bowed back.
"King Éomer. I have heard of you from Aragorn and my sister, Eruanna. It is a pleasure to finally meet you." Glorfindel greeted with a smile, reaching out to clasp the man's arm in a warrior's grip.
"I have also heard much of you, lord Glorfindel. I was not aware that lady Eruanna of the forest was your sister." Almost immediately, Éomer turned a slight shade of red, as though just realizing what he had said. Glorfindel looked down at Eruanna suspiciously, but she merely clasped her hands behind her back, rocking innocently on her toes with the 'who, me?' look on her face.
Lady Éowyn giggled, and Éomer coughed a bit awkwardly. "Yes. Forgive me- I am honestly surprised that she has not told you." He said bluntly, and Glorfindel gave an exasperated sigh, rolling his eyes.
"She insists that she wants Legolas and Aragorn or someone else to tell, not herself." He groused, and Eruanna merely smiled mysteriously, winking at Éomer and Éowyn, who stifled smiles.
"I would be more than glad to tell you the story if you wish, lord Glorfindel." Éomer offered, and Eruanna feigned horror, to their amusement. She made as though to gesture, but then suddenly yelped silently as she was scooped up by a certain elf who buried his face into her hair, sighing in seeming relief, frame relaxing.
Eruanna blinked, and then pulled back, reaching up to touch the face that smiled down at her. Then she smiled brightly. *'Ro!* She squealed, and he chuckled.
"Yes, penneth, it is your 'Ro." Elrohir answered, and Éomer smiled slightly.
"I am impressed that you are able to tell the difference, lady Eruanna." He said with a straight face, and Glorfindel and Eruanna threw back their heads and laughed at Elrohir's smug smile.
Then Glorfindel sat down next to Éomer and Éowyn, while Eruanna was dragged off by Elrohir to the table where the lords of Imladris sat. Elladan took her captive as she squirmed in protest, and chuckled.
"So penneth, you haven't given me an answer yet." He teased in her ear, and she sighed resignedly, turning back to him and crossing her arms.
*What would you do if I gave it you?* She demanded, and everyone watched on in interest as they ate.
"Cherish it, forever and ever." Was Elladan's sober answer.
*And why do you want one?* She asked.
"Because of what it means." Was Elladan's quiet reply. After a moment, a small smile crossed her face.
*Your answer satisfies me.* Then she took his face in her hands, and leaned forwards, pressing her lips sweetly against his cheek. She made a mental note. That was eight people. Elladan closed his eyes, and then smiled when she pulled back.
"Thank you, penneth." He sighed, then set her down next to him, beside Erestor. Eruanna smiled back and then crawled into the councillor's lap, reaching up to beg him for bread. Erestor looked down at her, a look of surprise on his face, before he smiled and handed her a piece of bread, allowing her to share his bowl of soup as they ate.
That evening as they settled for bed, Glorfindel gathered her up into a hug and whispered in her ear. "I heard what you did, Eruanna, and Muindor is proud of you." He said tenderly, and she smiled up at him happily. "But I still want to hear it from you." He said with a raised eyebrow, but she only gave him a maddening smile.
*After you have heard it from Estel and Legolas and Olòrin.* She answered smugly, and he sighed.
"As you wish. I will wait." He grumbled, but she just yawned widely, making him snort. "Close your mouth, seler, you wouldn't want anything to go in there that shouldn't." He scolded, and she sniffed in reply. He glared.
"I do NOT snore." He hissed, and she collapsed laughing. Which quickly escalated to shrieks as Glorfindel began to poked her sides with mock-enraged roars.
It was a while before they fell asleep, tangled in a heap of hair and limbs.
LOTRLOTRLOTR
They had arrived at the city just in time for the coronation, camping out of the city gates, unnoticed, with the help of Mithrandir. The guards ignored them in accordance with orders, although they did often glance down with awed looks that amused the elves to no end. They would often wave at the peeking guards, and then laugh as the men started and then bow awkwardly from embarrassment and surprise.
Eruanna had been immediately enlisted to help Arwen with her preparations, to her bewilderment. Eruanna, Galadriel, and Celébrian had been ushered into the tent where Arwen was, all of them supposed to spend the day preparing for the coronation that afternoon. So Eruanna had been subjected to the mothering and pampering of three ellith, which had all in all utterly baffled and confused the poor child.
When they were finally ready, Eruanna had been given the coronet to settle on Arwen's head, which she did with careful, delicate fingers. Galadriel was dressed in white edged with silver and gold, a fillet of gold settled on her hair that was let loose and flowing in all of its splendor. Celébrian was dressed in the colors of dark blue hemmed with silver, a circlet of silver in her light hair. Arwen was dressed in pale green hemmed and beaded with silver, a silver coronet crowning her dark hair like a halo.
Eruanna was dressed in a white dress that was hemmed with golden celandine specially made for the occasion. It had pale green accents on the wide, flowing sleeves, and the white gown was edged at the bottom with blue, golden vines and flowers climbing everywhere over the dress from lower hem to sleeves and collar. Her Dwarvish chain graced her neck, and a simple circlet of Mithril was twined in her hair.
Arwen had smiled when she saw Eruanna finally dressed, eyes soft. "You look adorable, Eruanna." She had said, and Eruanna had blushed crimson, looking away uncomfortably. She wasn't really used to such a dress, and was in all honesty nervous of tripping with very un-elvish clumsiness.
Then they had made their way into the city, Eruanna's heart doing flips. What would it be like? Would Ciaran be there, and- and maybe would she actually meet Faramir? Lady Éowyn had come with them as well, for it had been made known that she was betrothed to lord Faramir, steward of the city. Would she see Legolas and Gimli right away?
When they had come out of the tent, it was to see the procession waiting for them. In the front were two elves bearing banners with the white tree emblem stitched on them, and then Elladan and Elrohir, who escorted their sister with a bow. After was lord Elrond, who bowed to his wife, taking her hand to escort her. Then came lord Celeborn, who took his wife's hand with a bow and led her next. Glorfindel was next, coming forwards to offer his hand to his sister, who took it with a bright smile. Erestor, dressed in deep purple and blue robes hemmed with silver, smiled at her. Thandir and Eluwen also nodded, dressed in their finest. Éowyn also was with them, dressed in a buttercup yellow dress with a simple golden chain around her temples.
They made their way towards the city gates, and once there, they were met by someone who greeted them with a wide smile, dressed in a long silver robe, blonde hair tied up behind his head and silver circlet on his forehead. He greeted them cheerfully with much laughter and hugs, and Eruanna smiled so widely she was sure her cheeks were going to split.
Legolas laughed, bending down to pick her up and then swing her around in happy circles as she squealed in his mind and hugged him tightly. He kissed her brow, and then they proceeded on with the procession, Legolas in the very front this time to lead them to the top circle of the citadel.
They finally arrived, and they took their place behind the crowd just as Aragorn knelt before Gandalf to receive the crown. Eruanna's breath caught as Mithrandir lifted it up to let it shine in the sun.
"Now comes the days of the King!" He declared, and his eyes met the group. He gave them a small smile, and lowered the crown slowly. "May they be blessed." He added, as Aragorn looked up at him and he smiled back. Eruanna's breath whooshed out of her mouth, and she smiled as Aragorn shifted slightly as though taking a deep breath before standing and turning to face the cheering crowd.
She exchanged a knowing smile with Glorfindel. Aragorn had always been so unsure of himself, but it was for that very reason that Eruanna knew that he would make one of the greatest kings of men that there had ever been. She had complete faith in him. No matter what mistakes he made, Eruanna knew that he would be better and wiser for it.
"This day does not belong to one man only, but to all." Aragorn's voice rippled powerfully through the crowd. Éowyn had taken her place among the crowd as well. Eruanna looked at the white tree full of blossoms, and felt her heart skip a beat and her breath hitch in anticipation at the thought of speaking to it. Petals began to fall as Aragorn walked down the steps, beginning a song. Eruanna sang along in her heart.
"Et earello." His baritone voice carried through the crowds as he walked through the crowd, bowing his head to various people. "Endòrë na utulien." Petals fluttered everywhere, Eruanna's hair catching them as she smiled. She caught sight of Éowyn, but before she could see the figure next to her, the crowd had closed once more.
"Sinome maruvan," Aragorn's voice went on, and the sound of it rang through her very core, the sound of the sea and gulls in her ears and the smell of salt in her nose. A twinge of pain went through her stomach briefly. "Ar Hildinyar," He neared, and Eruanna saw the crowd part for Legolas to start to make his way through. Eruanna followed slowly.
"Tenn ambar metta." Tears nearly sprang to her eyes at the words, knowing that she would most likely never see either him or Arwen again when she left these shores to the green ones beyond under a swift sunrise. Legolas reached the front and Aragorn smiled, clasping his friend's shoulder as they stood there in brotherly companionship.
"Hannon lle." Aragorn murmured, and Legolas merely smiled, glancing over his shoulder. Aragorn's eyes drifted behind his friend, widening as he saw the banners that were held by the elves. Legolas discreetly melted away, and Eruanna noted that he joined Gimli and Mithrandir and Pippin at the front before her attention was caught by Arwen and Aragorn.
The banners parted, and Elladan and Elrohir let go of their sister's hands as she looked up, meeting Aragorn's incredulous, hopeful gaze, her own eyes hopeful. Aragorn reached out, tipping her chin up with his fingers. Arwen gave him a tremulous smile. Then he reached forwards, drawing her into his arms and kissing her with joy. The crowd burst into clapping and cheers for their new queen and King, and Arwen laughed, the sound beautiful and captivating, filled with joy.
Eruanna smiled, although her eyes were strained as a stronger, more insistent pain than before shot through her stomach. She reached up to press her stomach slightly, and a flash of panic went through her heart. For a moment she had a fleeting, brief feeling of wrongness, of something being missing. There should have been something under her fingers, but she couldn't figure out what before it disappeared completely, the pain entirely gone. She blinked, then shook her head slightly, realizing that Aragorn was greeting the elves.
He hugged his foster father and mother and brothers, then he bowed lowly to Celeborn and Galadriel, who inclined their heads with smiled. Erestor bowed as Aragorn approached, and the man smiled and bowed in return. Then he looked to Glorfindel and Eruanna. He bowed low to Glorfindel, who inclined his head and then gathered Aragorn into a hug that was returned.
Then Aragorn knelt as Eruanna curtsied to both Arwen and him, reaching out and holding her hands reverently in his. She smiled, reaching up to kiss his cheek, and he received it with a smile and a returning kiss. Then he suddenly winked at her, and spoke for all to hear.
"I thank you, lady Eruanna, for safely bringing lady Arwen to me." He said, and Eruanna stared at him in slight confusion before suddenly understanding the glint in his eye. She smiled wickedly and curtsied, just as Glorfindel let out a noise of protest.
"What, Eruanna!? What about me, who guarded the camp night after night!?" He said in mock-offense, though the twinkle in his eye betrayed his glare.
Aragorn stood and raised an eyebrow. "Ah, so that is why you look so terrible, my ancient lord Glorfindel. It must have been very difficult for your old bones to handle such a long travel." He answered sympathetically, and gentle laughter rose from the elves as the humans gaped.
The look on Glorfindel's face was so comical it caused even the humans to laugh at the poor elf lord. "What!?" He spluttered as Eruanna laughed at him.
Aragorn turned with a fond smile at Arwen, who smiled back amusedly. "I'm only returning the favor, lord Glorfindel. After all, you did call me a 'scruffy little mutt.'" He answered scathingly before walking away. The elves roared, even more so when they noticed that Eruanna had hid behind Thandir, who was snickering.
"Eruanna Glorfindelithel!" Glorfindel said in a frightening voice, but the half-smile on his face ruined the effect. He tossed up his hands and Eruanna peered around Thandir, eyes twinkling at her brother, who winked back. And then he stuck out his tongue, making a rude noise at Aragorn who was heard to laugh loud and long along with the white wizard, to the bemusement of the people.
Then the crowd hushed as Aragorn reached four others who stood among them, standing on a platform. Eruanna smiled at the sight of Frodo and Sam and Merry and Pippin, clutching Glorfindel's robe. He placed a hand on her head in reply.
The hobbits began to bow, but Aragorn protested. "No, my friends. You bow to no one." He said, and then bowed low, kneeling on one knee. The hobbits rose, confused looks on their faces as everyone bowed, including the elves, in acknowledgement of what the halflings had done.
Only Eruanna noticed the somewhat pained look on Frodo's face in spite of his slight, troubled smile.
LOTRLOTRLOTR
The elves, Aragorn, his steward, lady Éowyn, Mithrandir, the hobbits, Gimli, and a few other men were gathered in the throne room, cheerfully greeting each other and filling the room with the happy buzz of voices and laughter.
Eruanna immediately looked around, looking for a certain honey-blonde head she knew very well. She spotted it among the crowd and then slipped her way through, moving around skirts and ducking through legs to reach it. She stood there for a moment, looking up at the man with a shadow in her heart, but in a moment it was gone and she was being hugged tightly by Ciaran.
She buried her head into his shoulder, feeling tears well in her eyes. Then she pulled back to look into the shockingly bright blue eyes that smiled at her. *Ciaran.* She choked, kissing his cheek. He smiled back, and she could see that he was the same Ciaran as the one that had left her in Rivendell. But she could also see something new in his eyes, a different light that appeared when he looked at her.
He noticed that she saw, and his smile faltered as insecurity took over. But she merely smiled, patting his heart and feeling the small lump that was there. He smiled brightly again and winked, then nodded to her dress questioningly. She gave him a thin smile in return and a tiny nod, and he returned it.
Then he stood, and they parted ways for the time being to greet others. Eruanna was wandering about absently, not entirely looking where she was going, when she was suddenly bumped into an out-of-the-way corner by a dress that brushed past. She stumbled over the hem of the dress, and promptly smacked into someone's leg who was also in the corner.
She hastily gathered herself up, righting, and then turned to apologize, when she sucked in a breath as she looked up. Éowyn's face vaguely registered in her mind along with the buttercup yellow dress, but she was stuck on the face that stared down at her, shock written on every line of his face.
He had blonde hair, and gentle blue eyes that had something in them that she hadn't been able to define last time she had seen them. But now, it clicked in her mind. Quality. That was what popped into her mind. And his face, though still slightly shadowed with sorrow, was lighter than it was before, and the eyes were no longer fraught with so much darkness and pain. Not to say that there wasn't any, but it wasn't as concernedly prominent now.
Then the man bent down slowly, as though he was afraid she should vanish. With trembling fingers, eyes still locked on hers as though he were drowning in them, he fumbled in his tunic and pulled out a small amethyst, holding it out to her. Eruanna slowly reached out a hand, gathering his gaze into hers, looking into his heart. He was offering himself to her. He was opening himself to her, freely. So she accepted his invitation.
Books. The color of ink and parchment. Firm and immovable. Strong and flexible. Quality of the highest. The smell of battle and the leather covers of old books. Quills mixed with arrow fletchings. Wise, bluebell eyes and poetry. Wise strength. The power of knowledge. Hair like the brown of worn leather or reeds in a stream. The color of dull gold.
The images and impressions flashed through her mind quickly, and then she pulled away, not wanting to see any further. He had opened himself far more than he realized, and she didn't want to put him into danger by going too deep. Her hand touched his, and she curled his fingers back around the amethyst in his palm.
Then she reached up with her other hand, brushing a lock of hair behind his ear and touching his cheek, smiling. The smile broke the gaze, and Faramir gasped, reeling. Eruanna steadied him gently, along with Éowyn who had also knelt in concern. Eruanna smiled at her reassuringly.
Faramir gazed at her in wonder. "You- you are the one. In the cave." He whispered. "You gave me- this- and I remembered your words..." He trailed off, and then reached out wonderingly and brushed her hair. Then he pulled back hastily. "My apologies- I shouldn't ha-"
He was cut off by a finger pressing against his lips. Then the pressure lifted, and she smiled at him softly. Her mind brushed his. *You are a man of great quality, Faramir, Steward of Gondor, brother of Boromir the Tall and Fair. I am glad to have finally met you face to face.* Then faint, impish laughter echoed in his mind as she smiled.
*I am glad to see that you have found happiness with the White Lady of Rohan, and I pray that both of you have a full and joyous life. The Lords of the West watch over you, Faramir.* Her voice was soft, and with a fleeting caress to his mind, she withdrew. Then with a shallow curtsy to both him and Éowyn, she smiled and slipped away, melting into the crowd until she was lost from their sight. Faramir was left behind, looking down at the amethyst in his palm.
Eruanna, however, continued to smile as she was passed around from one pair of arms to another until she finally ended up in Glorfindel's firm grip, where she fell asleep happily.
LOTRLOTRLOTR
Eruanna was visiting Halbarad's cairn along with Ciaran, Halladan, and Borongil. She was dressed in a simple wool tunic of azure and leggings of the same, only white. No ornament to signify her position or heritage adorned her hair, nor did she wear any jewelry. A small bouquet of flowers was clutched in her hands, composed of sweet pea, forget-me-nots, dark crimson and yellow roses, and iris.
She stood in front of his cairn, her white, thin slippers tied to a small belt at her waist, and head uncovered by the watered blue silk cloak that draped around her shoulders. Then she knelt, placing the flowers at the foot of the cairn. Tears gathered in her eyes as she sent a prayer to Mandos to have mercy on his soul.
She remembered Halbarad, his dirty blonde hair and eyes that were vats of molasses, and his gentle demeanor that was oft punctuated by hearty laughter. She sighed, placing a hand on one of the stones. It sang louder at her touch, recognizing her as one of the Noldo, lovers of the earth. She smiled faintly and patted it, standing up and reaching up to her neck to touch the blue ring.
Its powers were greatly diminished now, for though it had no direct connection to the One ring, it was the last of magic rings that were known, and there was no source to draw upon now since its maker was long gone either into the halls of Mandos or Aman.
That was not to say that there was no power, but that it was lessened and the greatest feat it could do was to manipulate small objects to move. Practically useless for anything save cleaning, perhaps, but she wasn't about to use it for that. It was sacrilegious in her mind. Why waste magic and effort to complete a task you could do easily?
Then she sighed, and turned back to Ciaran, slipping her hand into his while the other clutched Halladan's pants. Halladan gave her a strained but grateful smile, and Ciaran squeezed her hand gently. Borongil sat by the cairn, smiling at them sadly.
She smiled faintly in reply, and they all turned back towards the city, heading back. They were grateful that they were alive, and that they were whole. And they could take some measure of comfort in knowing that Halbarad was now in a better place, at peace and joyful.
So they clung to each other in mutual comfort, laughing softly as they walked back to the city. Ciaran swept Eruanna up under the excuse that her feet were going to bleed and he didn't want lord Glorfindel to send him to Mandos when he had worked so hard to stay out of it. Eruanna laughed, deciding not to mention that her slippers were tied to her waist. She was happy enough where she was.
After all, how could she complain at a free ride?
Flower meanings:
IRIS: Your Friendship Means So Much to Me; Faith; Hope; Wisdom and Valour; My Compliments
Dark Crimson Rose - Mourning
Yellow Rose - Joy, Friendship
SWEET PEA - Good-bye; Departure; Blissful Pleasure; Thank You for a Lovely Time
FORGET-ME-NOT- True Love; Memories