Hello everyone! Hope you had/have a great Saturday! I just wanted to let people know that I will not be updating for the next week, because I have first-quarter exams coming up and I'll be busy with that. Just wanted to let you know so that I don't get floods of PM's demanding to know where I am. Thank you as always for the reviews, follows, and favorites!

My apologies to the people I haven't answered personally- I was away yesterday without internet. So please let me reply to you here.

TwillinOfTheWillows: thank you! Me too. ;) that is, I'm excited to see y'all's reactions... Maybe.

Guest: thank you. I believe so too. I'm glad that you liked it. ;)

Jesus'girl4ever: even if you do, I'm sure she likes to hear it. ;)

Gwestiel: indeed, unfortunately it does. Yes, Glorfy, learn your lesson! ;) You cried? AWWW! Don't cry, it'll be okay! He's happy now. :)

The Mysterious Masked Hunter: aww. Sorry. :( I was sad when he died too. If you like Halbarad, you should read the fic 'Don't Panic' if you haven't already. ;)

Chapter 27

There was a groan. "You always know the right places, it's not fair."

"Hmmm?"

"No, wait, that's too fast!"

"Is it?"

"Go slower- I can't keep up-"

"But it's so much fun..."

"Ah! Come on, please be gentle, this is my first time at this you know!"

"Oh fine. There."

"Yes, Checkmate! Gotcha!"

Erestor sat back from the chessboard with a sigh as Lindir cheered at his victory and Eruanna tumbled off of her perch on the windowsill, laughing. Ciaran chuckled, and the other elves smiled, amused at the normally shy and quiet musician.

Elrond, Celébrian, Elladan, Elrohir, Celeborn, Galadriel, Erestor, Lindir, Haldir, Eruanna, Ciaran, Legolas, Gimli, Mithrandir, Pippin, Merry, Sam, Frodo, Faramir, and Éoywn were in the library, just relaxing and conversing in friendship. Legolas and Gimli were playing chess as well, hence why Erestor had decided to rope Lindir into a game.

Glorfindel said he had something to do, but refused to say exactly what, and everyone knew better than to ask. Of course, they also knew that Eruanna knew, but they weren't about to ask her either.

"Again." Lindir said cheerfully, resetting the board, elated at his victory. Erestor smiled indulgently, complying. Eruanna sat next to the board, trying to keep up with the game and learn how to be strategic. Of course, she had learned how to play long ago, for nearly every elf knew, but she wanted to learn how to be more effective- and Erestor, after all, hadn't been Elrond's head scout in the Last Alliance for nothing.

Legolas beat Gimli, and they were just starting another round before Glorfindel burst into the library with the normal spring in his step, a wide smile on his face and humming cheerfully. He gave them all a dramatic flourish before sitting down next to Mithrandir and dragging his sister into his lap, leaning back lazily.

"What have you been up to?" Gandalf asked the elf indulgently, smiling at him. Glorfindel smirked.

"I was off doing something for Estel," was his cheerful reply, "seeing as he is- ah- occupied- at the moment." He smirked, and Eruanna cuffed his ear as the rest either groaned or laughed. Glorfindel winced and rubbed his ear as Eruanna wrinkled her nose at him. She didn't mention the flash of pain that had gone through her stomach at his comment.

"What did I say?" He whined, and Eruanna gave him a devious grin, opening her mouth, just as Glorfindel realized what he had done. "I DON'T WHINE!" He shouted, and Eruanna collapsed laughing as Mithrandir threw back his white head and roared. Glorfindel sulked.

When they had calmed down, Glorfindel sobered. "I was told to bring this message to you- Aragorn wants to go to the Black Gates to see what has become of the land there, now. On the way he intends to stop by Ithilien as well. He welcomes you to join him if you pleased to do so." He informed them, and the elves exchanged glances.

"We shall." Elrond spoke up. "We will also go and see what has happened to the land. Then, I'm afraid, we shall have to leave." He said with a regretful smile. "For our days on Arda are coming to an end, and we shall leave." He added, taking Celébrian's hand in his as she smiled at him weakly. Faramir, Éowyn, and Ciaran looked sympathetic, and Eruanna looked down at her lap. The sigil e-hered poked her side insistently, as did the thought of it in her mind. She had to find the chest before they left.

Then Eruanna sighed, looking up with a mournful look. *Pity. And here I was looking forwards to wreaking havoc here for Estel's sake.*

The laughter at her ridiculous statement was abundant, Glorfindel's loudest of all.

LOTRLOTRLOTR

And so we traveled to the Black Gates, passing through Ithilien as well, which is now green and lush. It is a beautiful place, I can tell, when the flowers bloom and everything is in full glory. It's a pity that Faramir didn't come with us; Estel showed us the caves, and I managed to pick out the exact place where I first saw him in my 'dream.'

When we finally arrived at the Gates, it didn't quite go exactly as I expected...

Eruanna stood close to Glorfindel, carefully tangled in his robes as she peered out from behind him to the wastes that had once been the Gates of Mordor.

It was desolate, no birds and no sentient beings roaming, for it was still too tainted with darkness for any creatures to take up habitation, or for anything to grow for that matter.

The Gate itself was not even there anymore, the only sign that anything had been there in the first place being a pair of black hinges that stuck out from the stone like two broken teeth protruding from rotten gums. Mount Oroduin, which they could see through the empty space, was smoking, although not coughing up lava like it had been before.

Eruanna swallowed, and unconsciously reached up to rub at her arm, her face pale and pinched. She could remember her pain, and it ghosted through her arm in phantom pain. The burning sensation pricked needles into her as she remembered all the pain she had gone through.

"Eruanna?" A concerned voice sounded, but she didn't hear, her pupils dilated as she lost herself in memory after memory.

"Glorfindel, no! Let her go through this, it is for her healing!" Gandalf's voice said firmly, and he picked up the elfling in his arms, her eyes closing as she breathed raggedly, limp. He placed a hand on her head as Aragorn, Glorfindel, Haldir, Elrond, Galadriel and Celeborn looked on in concern. Eruanna's breathing hitched, and then stopped.

Gandalf's mien darkened. "Come, Eruanna penneth, do not give up hope yet. It is not your time." He murmured, and after a heart-stopping moment, she let out a shuddering gasp and her eyes flew open, clutching her arm and weeping.

Glorfindel scooped her up, and she wept, clawing at her arm as though ashamed. "Seler?" Glorfindel asked, voice strained. Eruanna didn't answer at first, shaking in misery and shame.

Then: *I can't, Glorfy. I feel so dirty- It used to hurt- He wouldn't leave me alone- I feel filthy!* The last was said in a disgusted sort of tone, and she stopped weeping, instead scowling at his robe front. He raised an eyebrow at the change, as did the rest.

Gandalf chuckled, to their surprise. "As well you might, we haven't had baths in a while."

Then there was startled laughter, and Eruanna cracked a smile. But her eyes darkened as she clutched her stomach as a twinge of pain shot through it yet again. Then they snagged on something. She pointed, and Aragorn bent down to look at it.

"Look." He said, intrigued, as he caressed the small object. It was a small plant, and there was one, tiny white flower on it.

"It's so small." Haldir noted doubtfully.

"It may be small, but I recognize this." Elrond replied, also looking at it. "It is called eftwyrd by the Rohirrim." He murmured, and Aragorn smiled.

"Meaningful, don't you think? Renewal." Aragorn mused, and the rest looked on at the tiny flower with new eyes. Eruanna smiled, and remembered the flower.

She would take the flower to heart, and trust that one day she, too, would be renewed, heart and mind and soul.

LOTRLOTRLOTR

They were back in Minias Tirith, preparing to leave for the last time back to their own realms. Gimli and Legolas were going with them, planning to part at Isengard to go their own ways back home. The two, however, were planning to go together to Mirkwood, now renamed Eryn Lasgalen, and then to Erebor.

Eruanna sighed where she sat on a windowsill, cradling her stomach in her hands. She pressed her palms against it, feeling the flat surface under her fingertips. She couldn't tell why she did such a thing, only that she felt as though she should be doing it, for whatever reason. She did it almost without thinking, feeling her stomach, subconsciously expecting to feel something different about it and almost surprised when there was nothing odd.

"My lady." A familiar voice said behind her. Eruanna turned her head to see Ciaran standing behind her politely, smiling slightly. She smiled and held out an eager hand, which he took in his large one and stepped closer. Then they looked out the window, together, out at the city of white stone that gleamed in the sunlight.

Ciaran suddenly sighed, and at the unexpected sound Eruanna turned to him, a raised eyebrow asking him what was wrong. She sent a questioning, concerned pulse across their bond, and he smiled at her slightly, but it fell flat. She pursed her lips, giving him a sharp look that warned him that she would know if he answered her question untruthfully. He sighed again.

"I've been having a dream." He admitted, turning back out to the window, clasping his hands behind his back, face turning unreadable and blank, though his eyes were far away. "It starts out with me at my King's side as his bodyguard and companion, and leaving somewhere, though where I cannot tell. Just as we turn to leave, I feel something on my chest burn, and I clap my hand to my chest. Then a feeling of foreboding comes on me- and then it all stops. The dream goes blank. But then it comes back, and I can feel..." His expression became even more unreadable than before, if that was even possible.

Eruanna placed a hand on his arm, concern in her eyes. Sometimes the Dunedaìn had visions, being granted the gift of foresight because of their heritage; however, it was unusual for them to have them, save for the heir of Isildur. He turned and gave her a wintery smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"I can feel life deserting me." He said flatly, and then turned back to the window, fists clenching. Eruanna felt the blood drain from her face. If he had foreseen his own death... She wasn't sure she could live with seeing him die like that. If he died of old age, or even if she left before he did pass on, she would be able to bear it better. But to watch him die? Or to even know that he was killed? What it would do to her... No. She could not even fathom- she could not think of it.

Ciaran glanced at her, and then turned, frowning, at the sight of her rocking unsteadily on her seat, colorless down to her very lips. He caught her gently, gathering her to himself. She reached up and clutched his honey blonde hair in her fingers, trembling.

"I'm sorry, dearest." He whispered in her ear. "I should not have burdened you with this. I promised to try to safe as I could without compromising my duties, remember? I intend to keep that as well as I can." He said softly, and she nodded jerkily, although she still wasn't quite satisfied at the moment.

He looked out the window again, and his hands tightened on Eruanna's small frame ever so slightly. He could feel it in his heart- this elfling was going to be his legacy, and the master of their guild. But he could also feel that it would not be for a long time as well.

*Master?* Eruanna's tremulous voice sounded in his head.

He nearly started, then composed himself. "Yes?" He asked in reply.

*If we ever find the chest... Please say that it's yours.* She sounded weary, and despite the non sequitur, he understood and nodded slightly.

"Of course." He said simply, and they stood there in silent camaraderie watching the sun slowly go down. They would leave the next day, heading for Helm's Deep. When they arrived, they would stay there for a day or two before moving on to Isengard.

Eruanna could only hope that the journey would go well without a hitch.

LOTRLOTRLOTR

The journey has been calm so far. I almost feel as though it has been too good, but I'm sure that it's just my jumpiness from the last years of danger and caution.

I'm still worried about Ciaran's vision, but he keeps assuring me he will try his best to take care of himself. I know I shouldn't, but I just can't stop being worried... He's Aragorn's bodyguard too, and that doesn't help any...

They had arrived at Helm's Deep and set up camp, and Eruanna was looking up at the Deeping Coomb wall. She could remember seeing the fortress from the valley, and even as she stared she vaguely registered that she was walking towards the wall.

Glorfindel fell into step beside her, and in silence they walked to the wall, clasping their hands together. Eruanna stopped before the stairway, where she knew from the stories that Legolas had surfed down on a shield. Then she climbed. Glorfindel followed.

She reached the top, and then turned, looking back over the Deeping Coomb. She could remember the battle, and suddenly pointed to the causeway.

*There. Aragorn stood there and tried to parlay with the orcs.* She said, almost in a dream-like state, and Glorfindel listened to her, following her pointing.

Then she pointed over to the right of the wall. *There, is where the Huorns were.* She added softly, and Glorfindel saw.

The right of the wall was her next line of sight. *There, is where Olòrin came with the Rohirrim and charged down. Then they drove them into the forest.* She murmured, sweeping a hand slowly along the riverbed and to the empty plain that was once choked with trees. *I remember seeing the orcs come through, all of them passing underneath me. Then the sound of the trees breaking them, screams, the smell of blood...*

Abruptly, she turned, gliding down the other set of stairs and to the entrances to the caves. Glorfindel followed, face unreadable. She stopped in front of the cave mouth for a moment and then plunged in, Glorfindel following behind her. They did not need torches, for Glorfindel's glow was sufficient. Eruanna could see Gimli's torch faintly in front of her as he and Legolas explored together. So she caught up with them as they welcomed her.

She gave them a slightly absent smile, instead turning to look at the myriads of rock formations and gems and veins of gold that sparkled in splendorous colors and flashes of colored fire. Her eyes grew dreamy as she smiled wistfully, a hand running over a section of the smooth stone wall.

"Are they not beautiful?" Gimli was exclaiming happily, and Legolas was agreeing.

But finally, they came to the end of that particular passage and decided that they had seen enough. When they finally arrived into open air, Gimli sighed.

"I shall miss these wondrous caves, for their beauty is great." He said.

*Indeed.* Eruanna agreed vaguely, her eyes turning to the plains once more where they stood on the wall. Legolas and Glorfindel looked to her, puzzled at her mood.

"What's wrong, Eruanna?" Legolas asked softly, and she sighed.

*I remember.* She answered slowly. *The Huorns- Treebeard- the trees- my struggle...* She said, and then began to tell them the story from her point of view, to which they listened with rapt attention, Legolas speaking aloud for Gimli's sake, who also listened with interest.

When she had finished, her face became wistful, and Glorfindel and Legolas suddenly noticed a paleness and slight transparency to her skin. Glorfindel sighed, but Legolas looked away. Eruanna's hand landed on his, and he grasped her hand in understanding. Glorfindel looked at the both of them, his face troubled.

"What's wrong laddie?" Gimli asked gruffly, not showing how concerned he was.

It was Glorfindel who answered. "Both of them suffer from sea longing, Gimli. Perhaps your eyes cannot see it, for it is extremely faint, but Eruanna's skin is slightly transparent. Legolas, also, looks abnormally pale to elven eyes, as does my sister." He answered baldly, and Gimli looked to them with worry in his eyes.

Legolas looked at Eruanna, who looked back. Then he gathered her into his arms and she snuggled into him comfortingly as he stroked her hair. They understood each other, and derived comfort from the knowledge that they were not alone in their struggle to resist the call of the sea.

A flash of discomfort rippled through Eruanna's stomach, but she ignored it.

She would be relieved when they finally left, for there were many ghosts here, for all of them.

LOTRLOTRLOTR

We have finally arrived at Isengard, the place where we shall say our final farewells and part, to see each other no more. But to do so we will take three days, for which I am relieved. I feel like weeping, for I have so many to say farewell to- or rather, that is how it seems...

Arriving at Isengard was rather interesting, to say the least...

"Back again, young master Gandalf? Ah, and with many others, I see! It is good to see you." Treebeard's rumbling voice greeted the caravan as they set up camp.

Mithrandir smiled and nodded back in reply. "Indeed, my friend, we have come back. Where is your charge?" The wizard asked, getting straight to the point.

"Hoom, but he has left. I let him go, seeing that there was no more damage he could possibly do- baroom! He was a pitiful thing indeed when he left with the black worm." Treebeard answered, and Eruanna shuddered.

She zoned out of the conversation, instead looking towards the tower itself. It rose black and ominous against the blue skyline, making her shiver at the sight of it. It reminded her of some kind of single weed sprouting up out of the ground, leeching life out of everything around it and growing taller and stronger off of its parasitic feeding.

"...Daughter of Kementári!" She snapped back to reality just in time to see Treebeard giving her a nod of the head. She blushed and waved back, bolting behind Aragorn who just so happened to be nearest. Aragorn chuckled, having heard her story before. Arwen smiled at her as she peered out from behind the both of them, cheeks dusted pink. Treebeard seemed not to notice, and Aragorn scooped her up without any reservations, smiling.

She buried her face into his shoulder shyly, lifting her eyes to see Ciaran grinning at her from behind his lord. She stuck out her tongue at him as he vainly tried to suppress his snickers. Aragorn glanced back and saw what was going on, and in reply he winked and then pinched Eruanna, who squirmed in protest as he chuckled.

"Well. This is amusing." Celeborn's voice said from beside them, and Arwen greeted her Daerada with a smile and hug as Aragorn bowed and Eruanna smiled, inclining her head politely. Celeborn winked at her as she giggled silently.

"Shall we go to the evening meal?" Celeborn suggested, and they followed him to the campsite, Eruanna being transferred to Ciaran's grasp. When they arrived it was to see that a fire had been made with a tripod settled over it and Glorfindel stirring whatever was in the pot. He smiled up at them as they sat.

"Here." He handed them bowls which they took gratefully, accepting the thick stew and bread. Eruanna took a careful sip, dipping her bread into the stew and munching on it with a thoughtful look on her face as she gazed at the tower of Orthanc.

There was a silence for a moment as they concentrated on their bowls, then Aragorn broke the silence. "I plan to go into Orthanc tomorrow to see what there is inside. Perhaps there are somethings that would be of help to us, and see what Saruman has been hoarding." He said in determination, and the elves looked at each other with raised eyebrows.

"It is a wise idea." Gandalf spoke up. "I will accompany you." He said.

"And I." Legolas said.

"And I, laddie, for I would see the stonework of the tower." Gimli added gruffly.

"I will go with you, my lord." Ciaran said respectfully but firmly. Aragorn smiled at the ranger.

"Of course, Ciaran. I wouldn't dream of saying otherwise." He said dryly, and Ciaran chuckled in reply.

Eruanna raised her hand shyly, and Aragorn looked at her in surprise along with everyone else. She looked down, twisting the ring on her finger in unconscious imitation of her brother.

*I- I feel that I must go, though I don't know why and honestly don't have any interest to...* She explained, and Aragorn's eyebrows went up.

"As you wish. I would never deny your conscience, Eruanna." He answered at length, and at the words Eruanna's face suddenly closed off, disclosing no emotion when inwardly she was stifling hysterical laughter.

*What's so funny?* Her conscience asked suspiciously as Eruanna went into spasms of laughter in her mind when outwardly she was breathing deeply to keep from laughing aloud.

*Deny YOU!? Eru forbid!* And Eruanna continued to laugh herself silly as her conscience snorted.

*No comment.* And it seemingly seemed to flounce away in high dudgeon.

But I still feel so very nervous, because something tells me that something is about to happen that I will most certainly not appreciate.

Oh Valar, please, keep us safe, please do not let anything terrible happen...

Then why do I feel that my prayer, this time, won't be answered?

LOTRLOTRLOTR

It was morning, and the group who was to go into the tower were gathered before the entrance, Eruanna being held by Legolas this time. She actually sat on his shoulders, clutching a handful of his hair in her hands to balance herself but making sure that she wasn't tugging his hair painfully. The top of his bow that stuck up from where it was strapped to his back also held her against him, pressing against her back.

She swung her legs slightly, bumping them gently against Legolas's chest as they walked into the tower. He chuckled, grasping her slippered feet in his hands. "Penneth, please don't." He said amusedly, and she complied with a cheeky grin at him.

They began to wind their way up the stairway, with Gandalf in front, Aragorn next, then Ciaran, Legolas, and Gimli as the very last. When they arrived at the chamber at the top, they paused for a moment, glancing at each other, and then by mutual consent headed for the library. They entered, and after searching through papers and gathering those that seemed to be important, Aragorn suddenly let out a surprised exclamation.

"Elendilmir!" He exclaimed. "How did Saruman find it, and where did he put it?" Everyone gathered around him, reading the inventory that Aragorn had found. Gandalf hummed.

"He may have it hidden, since it was obviously a precious thing." He replied, and Aragorn shook his head.

"I would find it if I could, for it is an heirloom of my house." He said wistfully, and after glancing at each other, Gimli, Legolas, Ciaran, and Eruanna scattered to try to find it. Aragorn stared at them for a moment in confusion, and then slowly began to realize what they were doing and joined them.

They searched everywhere, crack and cranny and crevice, but could find nothing. Finally Aragorn sighed, shaking his head as he sat down. They all did, save for Gimli, discouraged at the lack of progress in finding anything.

But just then, Gimli let out a shout. "Aha! Here, Aragorn, lad, here!" He cried in triumph, tapping his ax against a section of the wall that was between a shelf and a doorway. There was nothing special about the wall, merely smooth. polished stone.

They all gathered about. "This is a door, lad, a hidden door. Listen!" And he struck the metal of his ax against it. They all looked at him, puzzled.

"I don't hear anything different, Gimli." Legolas finally said, and Gimli sighed in exasperation.

"Because you don't know what to listen for, you pointy-eared fool." He said impatiently. "There is a metallic ring behind the echo of stone." He said, and slammed his ax against it again. They could faintly hear the echo of the stone, and then the faint clang of rattling metal.

"You are a wizard, Gimli." Aragorn declared with joy, just as Gandalf snorted. Eruanna killed herself laughing as Aragorn blushed and Legolas and Ciaran roared. Gimli merely muttered something they didn't hear and began to run his hands against the stone.

They calmed down and paid attention as he began to carefully probe the wall. Then he let out an exclamation. "Ah! Here we are." He said, and then pressed. What seemed to be a smooth wall suddenly punched in, and with a rumble began to slowly slide back. They watched in awe as it opened fully, leading into a steel closet.

Then they glanced at each other and allowed Aragorn to go on first. They all crammed in after him, and gaped in awe.

There were jewels everywhere, heirlooms of greatness, and many things of great value and worth. Aragorn knelt and picked up a chain, letting it slide through his fingers.

"This is an heirloom of Rohan, from the time of Eorl. It should go to King Éomer." He said, and they shook their heads.

"Indeed in his decline Saruman became not a dragon, but a jackdaw." Gandalf shook his head, pointing to another item. "That was from the tomb of a great King."

They looked around in disgust, wondering what else was pilfered from the dead, and then Aragorn gasped. The turned to see him at a shelf, reverently taking she thing down from it. They gathered around him and looked on in wonder.

"It is Elendilmir." He said wonderingly, and the gem seemed to flash with fire. It was a Mithril circlet adorned with one gem that flashed with a white and red fire deep within. Eruanna felt herself swallow at the sight of it, the feeling of wrongness growing within her steadily.

"And look." Gandalf showed them a chain that held one single golden box on it. "It must have held the ring at one time." He concluded needlessly as they stared at it with mixed fascination and vague horror.

Just then, Ciaran's hand clamped on Eruanna's arm, cold and clammy and trembling. Eruanna turned to him to see that though his face was calm, his eyes were both agitated and exited. She followed his line of vision- and her stomach clenched.

It was a chest. A chest siting on the floor, made of steel and lined with silver, gleaming in the reflection of the other treasures. There was a single symbol on the top of the curved lid, made of ivory and encrusted with a single ruby, onyx, and obsidian. The symbol consisted of the single rune C that was overlapped by a W, which in turn was overlapped by a sun-in-eclipse.

She glanced at Ciaran and saw that the same excitement and yet fear was mirrored in his eyes as she was sure was in hers. Then she pretended to be concerned, tugging on his sleeve and giving him a questioning look. He played along, turning to look at her.

"Ciaran? Is something amiss?" Aragorn noticed. Ciaran swallowed.

"That- that's chest, my lord... It belongs to me." He said hesitantly, pointing. Aragorn raised an eyebrow but otherwise didn't contradict, giving the man a keen look. Then he suddenly seemed to understand, and Eruanna remembered that Aragorn knew of Ciaran's profession.

"Ah- I understand. Take it, then. It is rightfully yours. I remember you once told me of the heirloom of your house." Aragorn nodded, and Ciaran bowed.

"Thank you, my lord." He said, and went over to the chest, Eruanna trailing after as though concerned. He gave her a look and then picked it up, for it was small enough to carry in his arms. Then with a thin smile, he carried it out of the room. Eruanna lingered, waiting for the rest of them.

When Aragorn finally decided that they could be done for the time being, he left the room with only one thing: the Elendilmir.

Eruanna, however, was left to wonder about the contents of the chest, and worry about the feeling of foreboding that churned unpleasantly in her stomach.

LOTRLOTRLOTR

The Elendilmir along with the news of their findings was received in the camp with much consternation and amazement, as was to be expected. Aragorn kept the circlet in a safe place, planning to take it back with them to Minias Tirith.

They all sat about the campfire that evening, discussing where Saruman might have found the things.

"He must have found them on Isildur, for where else would they have been?" Glorfindel pointed out with a frown.

"If he did, then where did he find Isildur's body?" Erestor added practically. They all fell into troubled silence at the conundrum.

"Perhaps Isildur was not carried away by the river but instead was washed into the shallows. There are many weeds, and the cold waters would have preserved his body longer than is normal." Gandalf offered between puffs of his pipe. Everyone glanced at each other.

"Then... What happened to the body?" Elrond asked with a frown. There was a troubled silence.

"Perhaps..." Elladan winced. "Perhaps he- burned it?" He suggested with distaste, and their faces both reddened and paled in outrage against the thought of such a heinous deed.

"Perhaps. Saruman might not have... Honored Isildur." Gandalf agreed with a heavy sigh and grimace, and they gave him sympathetic looks, knowing how hard it was for the wizard to accept the fall of his fellow Istari.

Eruanna didn't offer any suggestion or say anything, instead merely staring into the fire and thinking, her thoughts troubled by the chest and its import, not to mention the feeling of premonition that was eating away at her mind like the flickers of the flames that danced in front of her vision.