Eruraviel walked calmly beside her mate and Elrond as Master Nadin escorted the trio to their conference with King Durin. Bring along any more of the guards would be seen as unnecessary and a sign of mistrust. Glorfindel was calm on the outside, but she could tell that being under so much stone where a Balrog had only recently been attacking his mate and friends was deeply uncomfortable for him. However, he showed no tells to the outside world that another could notice, she could only tell because of their bond. Elrond was composed, and calmly observing the intricate carvings on the walls and pillars lining the halls as they traversed the winding corridors. Khazad-dum was a maze to anyone not in possession of the famed stone sense of the stone born.
A good defense when invaders come knocking, but it made self-orientation incredibly difficult, especially for the firstborn who lived and thrived under the sun and stars. With as sprawling as the Dwarven Kingdom was, it was no surprise that it took them nearly a quarter of an hour to arrive at King Durin's office of state. Master Nadin knocked on the mithril lined door, opening the large double doors a heartbeat later. Once open, their dwarf guide stepped aside, allow the trio to enter the office, Glorfindel entering first as was protocol. No matter the company or occasion, he was still Elrond's primary guard and wouldn't allow Elrond to enter first into an unknown. Eruraviel hid her smile at the flex of exasperation in Elrond's fae, but the Lord stepped in behind her mate and she followed a heartbeat later letting the door swing closed behind her.
King Durin looked good, Eruraviel noted. She was pleased the King had healed well from his own injuries he'd incurred during the battle.
"Welcome to Khazad-dum Herald Elrond. It has been many years since you have traveled amongst our halls, and we welcome you and yours gladly." King Durin intoned seriously, inclining his head to the Firstborn Lord before him. Elrond nodded, memories visibly sparking in the silver tones of his eyes, eerily similar to the mithril that lined the office.
"Thank you for agreeing to hosting us on such short notice. There is much we hope to discuss with you before we depart and continue east. Your realm is as fine and vast as your forefathers and the great cities of old. I am pleased to see that dark forces were unable to deal more harm to your realm and people." Elrond returned, nodding back to the Dwarf King. Eruraviel had to admit, she wasn't used to the more formal speech between leaders of power. Her interactions were always laced with respect to those who showed themselves worthy of it, but she was a warrior first and foremost, with nearly all of her connections being forged in battle. As such, such formalities and word play weren't nearly as important.
King Durin smiled, a hint of ancient memory flashing through his eyes.
"Aye, we do our best, but sometimes we all long for the great craftsmanship that has been lost to the annals of time as the ages have passed. I would also like to thank you for trusting us with the safety of your sons. It says much about your trust of the dwarven race, which I am saddened to see waning from the other realms as the years go by." King Durin stated, a low sigh slipping from him at the end of his words. Eruraviel understood, it was something the firstborn also faced, particularly whenever they had dealings with the realms of men, who seemed to often feel that the elves should have the instant fix for all of their worldly troubles.
The humans never stopped to remember the sheer scale of death the elves faced as a result of their on-going war with Sauron, particularly during the second age. The firstborn were currently facing a slow death, their population unable to recoup after the many deaths incurred during the fighting.
Eruraviel swallowed her own sad sigh, knowing it was best right now to let Elrond lead the conversation. It wasn't her place to interject at the moment.
"I've held the dwarrow as allies and friends since the early days of the second age, I've had no cause to change that. There was a reason that even when asked, I've never imparted the secrets of your people that were shared with me in trust to anyone, even my King." Elrond explained, making Eruraviel's eyes widen slightly. She hadn't known that, and it only made her respect for him grow even higher.
King Durin's blue eyes widened, before a beaming smile crossed his face.
"Aye, and you've honored my great-grandfather's trust without fail. However, while I would enjoy time to reminisce about times past, I know that wouldn't be what would drive you to visit, particularly with Lord Glorfindel so soon after the events of the last trip." King Durin said, his eyes flickering to where her mate sat calmly, though she could feel how uneasy he was being here. Not because of the dwarrow, but the threats that may still remain in the Balrog's shadow.
"Indeed. Sadly, we are traveling to visit Lord Grór in the east, to inform him of what has happened and the information we've uncovered. I also have recently learned of the nature of the enemy he currently battles in the east, and I want to know anything he is willing to tell me." Elrond said, ice creeping into his gaze at the last part of his statement. King Durin frowned, confusion clear in his eyes, making Eruraviel's own widen in shocked realization.
"Has he not informed you of what's happened?" Eruraviel blurted in shock, breaking protocol, but unable to remain silent. King Durin looked at her and shook his head, making her pale.
That wasn't good. Grór had told her when he'd sent the message, but apparently it hadn't reached it's destination… was the messenger killed? Or was something else at play? Eruraviel wondered her mind spinning.
"Fire Soul?" King Durin prompted, sitting straighter upon seeing her reaction to his words.
Eruraviel took a deep breath, glancing quickly at Elrond who just nodded for her to explain, as she was the best one to do so.
"Many years ago, when I was first claimed as Blood-Kin, Lord Grór had to ask me to lead half of his forces west against Angmar, while he led the other half against the forces of Mordor." Eruraviel began, disbelieving that she was having to recount this for the second time.
King Durin nodded.
"Aye, that much I know, but your words hinted at something darker." King Durin stated.
"When our battle with the dark had finished, and the Witch King led his forces in retreat, I was wary upon our return that Grór hadn't made it back yet. As such, I left to regroup with him, but the rest of those that had fought with me, accompanied me. We arrived to find him in heavy combat still, outnumbered three to one." Eruraviel said, laying out the scene she'd walked, or ridden, into.
King Durin frowned, unease flickering in his blue eyes, but didn't interrupt.
"The leader of the enemy forces was still there, guiding them. It was Sauron." Eruraviel gritted out. She fell silent as the anger that flashed across the king's blue eyes was fearsome indeed.
"What?" King Durin rasped; his voice deathly quiet.
"Sauron has regained a physical form though it is much weakened. However, I believe that is why dark forces are rallying right now. They see his re-embodiment as a mark of triumph, not realizing that without his ring, he's lost much of his magics and fighting capabilities." Eruraviel finished, quieting to allow Durin a chance to process her words before continuing.
"When we won, and returned, I saw him send the messenger to you. He made no effort to hide or attempt to keep the knowledge to himself of Sauron's return. Someone either killed the messenger, or something much fouler is at play here." Eruraviel theorized, folding her hands in front of her mouth as her eyes darkened in thought.
"As I see you've understood, I most definitely didn't receive that message, or I would have sent heavy reinforcements to the east." King Durin growled, his hand clenching into a tight fist.
"Have you been receiving any communications from Lord Grór?" Elrond enquired leaning forwards; his eyes sharp. Durin shook his head.
"No. As a matter of fact, we were about to send out a messenger of our own to see what was happening in the Iron Hills." Kind Durin rumbled. Eruraviel felt her sense of alarm growing.
"Someone is trying to cut Lord Grór off." Glorfindel inputted solemnly his eyes dark.
"Sauron." Elrond growled, anger flashing across his face.
"Elrond?" Eruraviel pressed. The half elven lord turned to her, his face dark.
"It is a favored tactic of his, one we haven't had to watch for as we were under the impression he was still without form and as such, his resources were limited to purely physical. He tried the same when Imladris was first founded, as we were originally an outpost. It was nearly five years of siege warfare we endured before Ereinion was able to break through. Until that point, we were unable to get any messages out, or in, along with any resources. I fear Lord Grór has been dealing with much the same." Elrond explained, his voice tight.
"Then getting a message through becomes even more important than before, particularly if the Dark Lord is becoming more active than in the past." King Durin agreed.
"The forces of evil cannot be allowed to spread unchecked. What has been done this far to safeguard against this?" King Durin asked, making Elrond pull out a map far more detailed than the one she'd first seen. On it, were information about enemy troop placements, composition, and quantity. It also included the efforts of the elves and their movements. If that fell into the wrong hands, it would catastrophic.
"We've set up the front line and sent out scouts to determine what we are facing. We know more will come from Harad, but they have only three ways to make their way north. First is trying to cross the Bay of Belfalas, which Lord Cirdan has his swan ships ready. It would be a deadly mistake on their part to attempt to send troops that way." Elrond began, both leaders standing to focus on the map, King Durin nodding his head in agreement.
"Aye. Those Swan Ships are deadly, and with warning, no forces from Harad would stand a chance." King Durin stated.
"Indeed, the second option would be to come through South Gondor and Rohan. This would be difficult to some extent as that would alert all the realms to the invasion, as they wouldn't be able to bring Minas Tirith down before messages could be sent." Elrond said, tracing the path as he spoke.
"The final one, is the most feasible, but also the most worrisome. There is the possibility that they may enter from the east, up near the Iron Hills. Normally, I wouldn't have given it much credibility, but with Sauron once more directing his forces, it would be more than probable that he would chose this route. Particularly in light of our recent realizations that he'd attempting to cut off communication between Yourself and your outposts in the east." Elrond finished, showing the trail that would lead from Haradwaith, through Khand and then the mountains of the east to the Sea of Rhun.
"Khand… they're horsemen, similar to the Rohan people, yes?" Durin mused, and Eruraviel nodded, even though he wasn't looking.
"Correct, however, Sauron has sent envoys to them years ago, and they now supply him with horses. They will not stand in his way, and would in fact, help him." Eruraviel interjected. It wasn't good news, as it meant that Lord Grór truly was their front line against Sauron's newest plan.
Durin frowned, stepping away to grab a heavy book. He placed it onto his desk, unlocking it before flipping through the pages, his eyes showing he was deep in thought. All three firstborn let him think, as they knew he was entertaining the idea of something, though they were unsure as to just what.
"I will send forces east to reinforce Grór's own, however, I am also going to send out five of our Zeoff to settle along the ley lines." Kind Durin decided, and Elrond's eyes went wide. Eruraviel felt her own follow suit as she realized he meant the dwarven mages. A dwarven mage was deadly, but as their magics took so much time to learn they were fiercely protected. It was a huge show of determination for King Durin to once more send them out, though Eruraviel had a feeling this was a task they would relish. It was after all, what they trained so intently for.
"Truly?" Elrond asked in surprise, Durin looking up his eyes hard.
"Aye. This threat is not one to be courted lightly, and I will not risk my people or the rest of the western lands by throwing pebbles. If they attempt to send an army west, they will be slaughtered by the thousands before they make it to us." Durin rumbled dangerously, ancient fire blazing in his eyes.
"With everything that's been said, is it wise for you to be travelling so close to the east?" King Durin continued, looking over at Elrond who sighed.
"I know you need intel, and I understand your hatred of our enemy. However, as your king's herald, your will is also his own. Would this be a course of action he would agree with?" King Durin asked, staring hard at Elrond who was still, and Eruraviel knew part of his hesitation came from taking on that part of his identity once more.
Eruraviel also knew what King Durin meant. Gil-Galad may have been killed by Sauron, however his orders and viewpoint on the enemy didn't vanish or become obsolete because of his death. For elves and dwarves alike, that kind of command and stature held absolute even if the individual had died. As such, Durin was asking Elrond if it was wise for the herald of the high king to be risking himself this way.
Honestly, Eruraviel didn't know. She hadn't met King Gil-Galad, but she knew from stories and accounts that he was very protective of Elrond. However, all elves knew that sometimes, the risks had to be taken. As the only one other than Cirdan who was closest to King Gil-Galad, Elrond was the only one who could say one way or the other what the king would have decided.
"Alone? Not a chance. He would have sooner locked me in his own stateroom before allowing it. However, with the escort I have with me? Risky and dangerous, but not impossible. It is a risk that must be taken. I won't cower away and hide from Sauron." Elrond finally admitted, his eyes dark with long lost memories.
Eruraviel couldn't help but snort, drawing all of their attention. Seeing their raised brow, she threw a humorous smirk at Elrond.
"Just think, if he would be angry, you'll find out when we eventually sail to Aman, and he learns of it." Eruraviel reminded him cheerfully, laughing along with the other two as Elrond's face fell, his hand coming up to pinch the bridge of his nose.
"Valar, he's going to kill me after spending a year just lecturing me." Elrond groused, sounding very much like his sons, which just drove her humor higher. Feeling her hilarity rise, Glorfindel prodded her, and she shared the comparison making him have a fresh outburst of laughter.
"Elrond, you're acting just like your son's when they've done something dangerous." Glorfindel said, voicing her thought out loud with his eyes dancing. Elrond threw the blond a glare.
"Thank you. Glorfindel. Yes, I am aware of that. Now. If. You. Don't. Mind?" Elrond gritted out, grumpy with their teasing.
Eruraviel snickered but quieted down, also pleased that the teasing had kept him from dwelling too long on times past.
"We also don't plan to remain in the east for long, as these two wouldn't allow it with my current state as it is." Eruraviel assured Durin, who looked at her in curiosity.
"Current condition? You're not still hurt from the fight are ye, lassie?" Durin asked immediately in concern. Eruraviel waved a hand, not wanting to worry the king anymore.
"No, not at all. I'm just… well, I'm pregnant." She finally admitted. Durin went still, and she braced herself for the rant she knew was coming. It was to be expected considering how hard pregnancy was on the dwarrowdams and the low birthrate.
"I'm sorry, you're pregnant? Why, in Mahal's name, would you then be travelling to the east? An area I know you've had many battles in, including against the drakes?!" Durin growled, leaning across the desk as he glowered at her. Glorfindel was just radiating smugness down their bond, making her fight the urge to smack him.
"Aside from myself, none of the other's know how to find Lord Grór's Mountain Dwelling. Not only that, but I know how suspicious everyone is right now. Sending an outsider, even one proclaimed as Blood-kin by yourself, wouldn't be given the same gravity as me telling them." Eruraviel explained, making the king scowl.
"Lassie, no pregnant dam should be making such a journey. Particularly when fighting is almost guaranteed. Will you even be able to return to Rivendell before you're due?" Durin reminded her.
"Oh we've argued about it, but she's stubborn and determined to see this through." Glorfindel groused, his displeasure at the situation clear in his eyes and body language. Durin turned to the elda, an understanding look in his own visage.
"Best get used to that laddie, she was a stubborn one even before you managed to catch her as your mate. Mahal the number of times I tried to convince her to at least visit one of your settlements…" Durin trailed off, through his hands up in exasperation making her eye twitch at the dig, especially when Glorfindel nodded in agreement.
"She fought us to. We're just matching her stubbornness with our own. She wants to make this journey? She gets to do it with a full escort, plus Elrond coming along both as dignitary and healer." Glorfindel told the dwarf king who beamed.
"Exactly, females are always stubborn about what they can do, not that they're wrong, but it can drive a dwarf to drink I tell you. My mate is just the same." Durin said, and Eruraviel's entire face twitched. Was it a crime if she murdered the dwarf king and her husband while pregnant, Eruraviel wondered to herself, her irritation growing the longer the two continued to talk about the stubbornness of their wives.
Taking a deep breath, Eruraviel stood slowly before walking to the door unnoticed by all but Elrond who merely looked over at her in curiosity. She waved her hand and stepped out, flagging down Master Nadin, who trotted up with curiosity in his eyes.
"Yes Fire Soul?" Master Nadin enquired.
"Would it be possible for King Durin's mate to join us?" Eruraviel asked in a cheerfulness she wasn't quite feeling, more along the lines of vindictiveness she acknowledged. Master Nadin nodded.
"Of course, she'd close by so I should have her here in a moment, please excuse me." Master Nadin said before rushing away down the ornate hall. Looking around the area, her eyes landed on a vase, which held wooden carvings and ornate staves, making her eyes light up inn sadistic glee she smothered to avoid tipping off Glorfindel that anything was amiss. As she looked through them, she had finally decided on one when someone cleared their throat causing her head to jerk up, beaming when she saw Durin's wife, Disa. (A/N: I know in Cannon, his wife was never named, but I didn't hate the name so that's what I'm going to use.)
"It's been some time Eruraviel since I was able to spend time with you. What made you send Master Nadin for me?" Disa enquired, eyeing her grip on the stave and the sadistic glee lining her face, somewhat amused.
"Ah, right, well I'm pregnant." Eruraviel began, making the other woman beam.
"Dearie that's fantastic, so what's wrong?" Disa asked, coming to stand next to her.
"So we're travelling to visit Lord Grór, as vital information needs to be discussed, but among the elves I'm the only one who knows how to find it." Eruraviel stated, making Disa nod in understanding.
"Exactly, best for you to go and cut down any chance of problems cropping up." Disa agreed, making Eruraviel smile back with relief.
"I knew you'd get it. Sadly, my mate and family are a bit… unhappy with this decision." Eruraviel said making Disa roll her eyes.
"Males." Disa groused with a groan.
"I know. The reason I decided to call you, however, was a conversation occurring as we speak that I think you deserved to have input on." Eruraviel explained, before filling her in on what had been said by both Eruraviel's mate, and her own. Disa went still, before turning to eye the same vase as Eruraviel.
"There another one like that in there?" Disa demanded, Eruraviel nodded, shifting through till she found another like her own. Only three or so feet long and about an inch in diameter, it was relatively straight as well.
Disa swung it about a time or two before nodding to her.
"Right, let's have a chat with our mates about how defenseless females are shall we?" Disa said with a cheer that was backed with the same sadistic glee as her own. As she silently opened the door, Elrond looked over his face paling before he moved back against the wall as the duo entered the office once more. Glorfindel and Durin never registered their arrival, continuing to complain about the stresses a mate could bring and the worry over seeing to their protection. Eruraviel would have been angry if she'd felt anger, shame, or irritation from Glorfindel. Instead, his words were backed with exasperation and love, so she wouldn't break his skull open, merely crack it a bit.
She'd hit Durin as well, but that would be a bit not good for foreign relations, so she'd leave that up to Disa.
Eruraviel waited until Disa was in a better spot, a bit amused a Elrond's cowering so she vowed to share this memory with Celebrian when they returned.
Once ready, Eruraviel pulled back, and took aim before letting the stave crack against Glorfindel's backside. The elda let out a high-pitched yelp, leaping forwards as he grabbed the now throbbing area, spinning to face her before his face went ashen.
Eruraviel stood there calmly, a deathly polite grin pulling on her lips as she stared at her mate with death in her eyes.
From across the desk, Durin let out a similar cry before yelping as well seeing as Disa not only hit him on the backside as well, but also cracked it against the King's skull.
"I'm so sorry being pregnant is such an imposition to your preferred traveling methods. I know as I am only a helpless female that I must ask for protection and guidance to survive on my own in this unforgiving world." Eruraviel stated, the tone of her voice and words not matching her expression and making every male in the room go white.
"Eruraviel, I'm not – that's not what I … Please don't hit me again?" Glorfindel stuttered out, backing towards the wall as he waved his hands in front of his face.
"But Glorfindel, I'm not sure I understand, surely, I must be a problem for you. After all, I have got to be driving you to drink with my stubbornness." Eruraviel said before gritting out the last part of her words as she took another step forwards towards her mate. She distantly registered Disa ranting at Durin in Khuzdul, and from how pale the king was she guessed it was inline with her own. A large hand grabbed her fist, stopping the threatening waving of the stave. She jerked her head around glowering at Elrond who smiled nervously but pulled it from her hands.
"You can't kill him, Eruraviel. He spoke without thinking, agreed. Was he wrong to say that? Absolutely. But if you kill him now, we're down one more member of our company." Elrond stated, making Glorfindel yelp in outrage.
"Elrond! Don't say it like that!" Glorfindel protested, his jaw snapping shut as she glared at him again.
"I'm so sorry being pregnant is such an inconvenience. Please forgive me for my presumptions that half of this child is YOURS." Eruraviel growled. Glorfindel winced before his shoulders slumped and he stepped towards her, pulling her into a firm hug as he rested his chin on top of her head.
"I'm sorry for my words Meleth-nin. I neglected to consider your own feelings and hurt you unintentionally and for that I apologize. I never meant that you or our child are in anyway an inconvenience. I will endeavor to not speak that way again." Glorfindel apologized, swaying side to side as he spoke. Eruraviel grumbled against her mate's chest, but finally just slumped into him, the mood swing fading and leaving her just tired.
"You owe her an apology as well, Durin." Disa hissed at her own mate. Eruraviel turned her head slightly to see Durin blushing as he bowed to her, quite a show of apology coming from a king.
"My mouth was moving before my brain lassie and I spoke without considering your feelings. Will you forgive me?" Durin asked humbly. Eruraviel smiled tiredly and nodded.
"Of course. I know you weren't speaking out of malice or ill will." Eruraviel returned, making the dwarf king smile in relief.
"I'm glad. However, I will be sending firm letter for Lord Grór. In in it I will make sure to include what we've learned here, as well our plans for what is to come. I will also ensure he knows that he is not to allow your stay to be extended by any dignitaries trying to make trouble where there isn't any. I don't want you remaining in the east for any length of time in your condition." Durin informed her, making Eruraviel slump a little more into Glorfindel's hold, knowing that the king wouldn't be budging on this, and that this decision was doubtlessly agreed with him completely. She did remember the fast talking she'd had to do in order for them to allow this trip to happen.
"Thank you, it is much appreciated." Elrond said, thanking the king for sending the letter with them. As it would help expedite the planning process for their eastern strongholds.
"Do we know how much of Sauron's magic has been regained even with the loss of his ring?" Durin asked after a long moment of silence. Elrond just shook his head.
"I will need to speak more with Lord Grór about the battles that he's engaged in with Sauron in order to determine how weakened his magic is. Eruraviel was able to inform us that his physical form is weaker, meaning any of our strong combatants should theoretically be able to hold their own against him, and possibly kill his current form if they get lucky. However, with out more detailed knowledge, I cannot and would not hazard a guess as to how much of his magic he's lost." Elrond explained, making the dwarf king groan tiredly.
"This is going to be an exhausting battle of attrition isn't it." Durin exhaled.
Elrond grimaced and nodded.
"Yes, much like the stalemate during the last half of the second age. We will need to keep a close eye on our borders and the going-on's in the other realms, particularly the world of men. They no longer have the united front as they did during that time, and will be our biggest weak point for this coming conflict." Elrond said, a sense of tired resignation flashing across his face. Even Eruraviel felt tired as she contemplated how this coming fighting would go. She withheld one thought from Glorfindel for now, knowing that bringing it up now would only stress him even further.
Her abilities would be needed on the battlefield, and knew that Elrond wouldn't be leading the charge as he did when he was active as Gil-Galad's herald. As such, Glorfindel would be remaining with him. That meant that when the time came, it would be Eruraviel that would be sent out. Somehow, she didn't imagine Glorfindel would take that revelation well.
"I will let you return to your rooms for now, dinner should be ready in about two hour's time. Would you like me to have Master Nadin escort you or would you like to make your way there on your own?" Durin questioned, turning to Eruraviel at the end of his question.
Eruraviel raised a brow to Elrond who just nodded to her, indicating it was her choice.
"I can get us there without getting us lost… I hope." Eruraviel told Durin who chuckled but nodded to her.
"Thank you again for your time. I know our visit didn't bring good tidings." Elrond said as he stood from his chair. Durin waved a hand, brushing away Elrond's apology.
"War, no matter what stage, is unpleasant. Best to get it out of the way now, rather than letting it turn into a writhing mess of problems and complications. Time will bring enough of those on its own, best not to borrow trouble." Durin mused, making Eruraviel sigh but nod in agreement. Best to settle problems before they became a full-blown issue.
As they left Durin's office, Eruraviel smiled slightly upon hearing Disa lay into her mate once again.
Master Nadin was waiting outside the door, as they left, flushing upon hearing his King being scolded by his wife.
"Shall I escort you back to your rooms?" Master Nadin enquired.
"Please, it would be much appreciated." Elrond said, getting a nod from the guard.
"Of course, right this way." Master Nadin said before walking away.
They made their return to the rooms in silence, none of them really interested in talking much at the moment. Once back inside their assigned rooms, some of the tension lining each of their shoulders eased off. Even though they were among allies and friends, they still needed to carry themselves in the right manner.
Eruraviel fell onto the bed that she would share with Glorfindel, already feeling exhausted.
"We have some time before we need to leave, why don't you take a nap Eruraviel." Elrond coaxed gently, startling her slightly as she hadn't realized he'd come up beside her.
Blinking Eruraviel sighed.
"Are you sure we have enough time for that?" Eruraviel asked, making the healer cluck at her as he pushed at her shoulder until she was laying horizontally on the bed before pulling the covers over her.
"We have plenty of time. If you insist on making this trek, you must take better care of yourself and your health. That is why I insisted that a healer accompany you. Now, sleep. When you wake I will have your tea ready for you to drink before we go." Elrond ordered, resting the tips of his fingers against her forehead. She blinked at him in slight confusion before he brushed his own fae against her own, and her mind immediately lost focus as she sank into sleep.
Dammit Elrond, that was cheating, was her last thought before falling into reverie.
Waking felt slow and languid, a hand carding soothingly through her hair as she slowly cleared the haze from her eyes to see Glorfindel smiling down at her.
"There you are Meleth-nin. It is almost time to get ready, and Elrond had your tea ready as well." Glorfindel told her, lifting her shoulders so that she was sitting upright on the bed. As she was pulled up, she groaned, but started to try and force her mind to wake itself up properly. She hadn't intended to sleep that hard, but Elrond's sneaky trick had outmaneuvered her.
She scrubbed her hands against her face, before standing and rolling her joints to help force her body to feel a bit more awake as Elrond stepped into the room holding a cup of steaming tea. She was ever so thankful that this brew tasted no where near as foul as the one she had been forced to drink before.
"Feeling better?" Elrond enquired, handing her the cup. Eruraviel gave the elf a dull look of exasperation.
"Oh yes, even if it was a much deeper sleep than I intended." Eruraviel stated drily, making the elf just smirk at her.
"I came along for a reason. I know how stubborn all warriors are, as such, I knew you'd only rest your body when your mind needed it just as much." Elrond reminded her, watching carefully to ensure she drank all of the tea. Eruraviel groaned at his reply, knowing that she could only expect more of the same from him during their trip as she swallowed the last of the tea.
"Still underhanded." She groused, Elrond laughing but taking the cup from her.
"Still going to happen." He tossed at her, walking to his own gear to get ready for the coming dinner only to pause when she raised a hand to stop him a slight smirk on her face.
"What?" Elrond asked, somewhat wary of her expression.
"Did you check the waiting area for a package?" She asked humorously. Elrond frowned but stepped out of the room, coming back a minute later with a large wrapped package in his hands and a confused look on his face.
"What is this for?" Elrond asked, setting it down onto the bed. Eruraviel laughed but pulled the binding cord loose allowing it to roll open to reveal three intricately designed robes.
Elrond's eyes went wide, especially as he noted the military cut to the state robes. It was the exact same cut he wore when Gil-Galad was still alive.
"This is… why is it…" Elrond trailed off; his eyes filled with emotion.
Eruraviel sighed, coming over to squeeze his shoulder to try and ground him some.
"I mentioned it before, but to the dwarrow, your proper rank and title is Herald. It doesn't matter to them that King Gil-Galad is no longer on this side of the sea's. His voice is carried by you, you are his representative now just as much as you were then." Eruraviel reminded him, giving him a moment to collect himself.
"I see." Elrond whispered. Trailing a soft touch down the fabric of the robes.
"Shall we get ready?" Eruraviel asked them both, grabbing the robes designed with her in mind.
Elrond shook himself before nodding.
"Of course. The wonder of dwarrow to have these prepared so quickly in so little time. Without loosing any of the quality." Elrond murmured, picking up his own robes.
They quickly changed, Eruraviel in robes almost identical to the ones she'd been given previously, only this time instead of ivy it was tiny golden flowers and lilies which made her cheeks flush. It was another subtle sign that she was Glorfindel's bonded mate.
"Eruraviel?" Glorfindel asked after her, seeing her blush. She gestured to her robes, and his eyes flashed with a heat that only made her blush darken.
"Perfection." The elda breathed, looking stunning in his own robes of azure and gold. On the back, was a symbol similar to her own only it was a whip and blade laying broken under his personal emblem. Glorfindel came up behind her and combed his fingers through her hair as he began braiding it, a low purr rumbling from her chest as he did so. When her eyes reopened, scowled at Elrond who was watching in clear amusement.
"Here, let me do your hair." Eruraviel told Elrond who eyed her warily but let her work on his hair. Eruraviel hummed lowly in her throat, thinking over the many patterns Elrond was eligible to wear before deciding on the pattern from King Turgon's line, melded with his status as Herald to Gil-Galad. It was a complicated pattern but she worked diligently, ignoring the rampant curiosity from the seated elf. Glorfindel just watched on with appreciation, understanding and gratitude as he recognized both patterns almost immediately.
"There." Eruraviel finally acquiesced, stepping back and allowing Elrond to look at his reflection. Elrond froze, his silver eyes wide as he took in the pattern and status shown through his braids.
"Eruraviel… is this… are you sure?" Elrond stuttered, and she eyed his shaking hands warily, but thankfully Glorfindel came over to his side.
"You have the right to display those braids, El. You've done all the lines you descend from proud, and it also shows your relation to Gil-Galad both as his herald, and from his status as Turgon's nephew." Glorfindel reminded him. Elrond took a deep breath, still seeming a tad hesitant.
"You also need to remembered the importance of braids to the dwarrow. No matter how much you may want for people to forget you're royalty, you are royalty. The dwarrow have memories as long as the firstborn do." Eruraviel reminded him, knowing that Elrond didn't like to draw attention to the many royal and noble lines he was descended from. However, in this situation, it truly wasn't something that should be ignored or pushed to the side. Elrond swallowed, but his eyes went distant for a moment and she realized he was communicating with Celebrian. Whatever his mate said to him, it caused the last of his hesitancy to leave his expression and his shoulder's firmed.
"Thank you." Elrond whispered, making Eruraviel give him a gentle smile, knowing that this wasn't easy for him.
Shaking away her deeper thoughts she smiled.
"Shall we?" Eruraviel questioned, gesturing to the door. The two ellon nodded at her and the left their room to find the rest of their company waiting for them also dressed impeccably. Upon seeing the three of them, all of their eyes widened.
"Valar." Eruraviel heard one of them rasp, though it was low enough she wasn't sure who'd said it. She swallowed a grin at seeing the red tint the top of Elrond's ears.
"Come, it's about a fifteen minute walk to the hall." Eruraviel said, leading the way out of the room. Elrond and Glorfindel flanked her, the others following calmly behind them.
"Not a word." Elrond whispered threateningly to her and Glorfindel. Eruraviel choked on a snort, seeing Glorfindel's shoulder's shake under his own amusement.
"About what?" Eruraviel teased, unfortunately, Elrond was close enough that no one saw him reach out and jab the small of her back right on the spine. She jerked, swallowing a yelp. Valar, had he hit a pressure point?! Eruraviel wondered wildly.
"Care to repeat that?" Elrond repeated.
"I'm good." She squeaked, walking just a bit faster.
The sooner this visit was done with the better, Eruraviel thought.
It was a relief to be out from under the heavy stone, Eruraviel mused to herself. She liked her visits with Durin's folk, but being sundered from the sky like that was draining and uncomfortable. It didn't help things that her battle with the Balrog was so recent. Glorfindel had nearly been climbing the walls in his eagerness to escape.
Still, she had missed the calmness of travelling. She closed her eyes, taking in a slow breath of the cool morning air that held only the slightest bite as a forewarning of the coming winter. They had been riding hard, following the Misty Mountain's north, and had already crossed the Anduin River well over a week ago. At their current pace, they could reach the northern point of the Forest River. She just disliked having to ride close to the Withered Heath, but it was the fastest route to reach the Iron Hills without being delayed excessively in Mirkwood.
"Enjoying yourself?" Elrond asked, pulling back to bring Arbellason even with Amara. Eruraviel opened her eyes and smiled.
"Aye. I've missed the open air." She said, knowing he'd understand. Sure enough, Elrond nodded, his own eyes taking in the trees and brush around them as they neared the end of the mountain pass they'd taken. It bypassed Lothlorien carrying them much farther north than Redhorn Pass or Caradhras would allowing them a near straight shot through Mirkwood and on passed Erebor and towards the Iron Hills. They'd debated keeping further south, but that would greatly extend the length of the journey rather than taking advantaged of the dwarven tunnels and moving farther north in safety.
"It never fails to amaze me how intricate and wrought the dwarven realms are." Elrond murmured, getting a nod from both her and Glorfindel.
"True. Only their stone sense allows their homes to be so woven into the stone. It's a brilliant system that would stall any invaders as well." Glorfindel added on.
Eruraviel smiled.
"Much like their cousins." Eruraviel said, bringing their gazes to her in curiosity.
"Hobbits do much the same with their homes and towns. Tying to orient oneself in the Shire or the surrounding lands is an exercise in frustration without a guard. Their green magic is a subtle defense, but a strong one." Eruraviel reminded them, making both of them nod slowly.
"I'd forgotten that the Hobbits and Dwarrow are cousins through their creators." Glorfindel mused.
"Indeed. Don't let the kind nature and small stature fool you. They can be downright vicious and cunning in a split moment. They just mask it well from the casual unaware observer." Eruraviel said.
They went silent for a while longer, and Eruraviel grew more and more uncomfortable the closer they grew to where her battle against the Witch King had occurred. Feeling her unease, Glorfindel eyed her carefully.
"What is unsettling you?" Glorfindel enquired, causing Elrond to focus on her as well.
Eruraviel just smiled in reassurance.
"Tis nothing to worry over." She said, not really happy with the idea of relieving that battle more than she already had.
"If it's nothing to worry over, then you wouldn't be worried. As you are worried, we feel there is more to it than you wish to say." Elrond stated, raising his eyebrow at her. Turning her words against her made her scowl lightly, but her head dropped a bit in resignation seeing the stubbornness on their faces.
"Tis nothing bad, truly. We just are drawing close to where my battle with the Witch King's army occurred." Eruraviel explained. Glorfindel's grip on his stallion's reins went white.
Through the bond, she felt the surge of protective fury that had lashed through her mate simultaneously.
"How close?" Elrond asked seriously. Returning to an old battlefield is a risk, particularly when both enemies remained alive. It always carried the risk of a trap if one side made the mistake to return.
From the corner of her eyes, she saw the rest of their company become more alert, their eyes darting across their surroundings in wary caution.
"A few miles. We won't actually cross the field, but we'll be able to see it. The trail we're on is atop a cliffside that overlooks it." Eruraviel told Elrond, who nodded his eyes darker than normal in thought. However, she was uneasy about something else, and the look Elrond gave her made her sigh before continuing.
"There is something in the air, something is wrong, but I don't know what. It's making me uneasy, however, it could simply be the memories associated with this place." Eruraviel finally admitted.
"Then we will be watchful." Elrond promised, as everyone moved their weapons within easy reach. Part of her was uncomfortable with how none of them doubted her, but the other was grateful that they were trusting her instincts, somehow more than she herself was. As they came around a bend in the trail, one side of the high cliff walls they traveled between was no longer blocking their view. Everyone's breath caught as they took in the destruction still clearly visible in the landscape from the battle. Large swaths of land were completely destroyed, cracked and shattered with jagged edges of stone and bedrock jutting into the sky while covered in ash and dried blood.
Weapons and armor lay discarded and crushed into the ground, many burned or corroded.
However, what drew the most attention was the large white carcasses of the two Ice Drakes.
"Elbereth." Eruraviel heard one of them whisper.
"Which one did you kill?" Elrond asked grimly, taking in the dismal view. Eruraviel lifted her hand, pointing at the larger of the two nearest to them.
"That one there. You can actually still see the slide marks from where I rolled clear after impact." Eruraviel said, eyes following the rut marks in the soil as she'd fought to avoid tumbling out of control.
"It was a hard battle." Eruraviel admitted, remembering the haze of exhaustion, pain and adrenaline that hadn't seemed near enough to keep her on her feet the longer the fighting had dragged on.
"One you won't be repeating." Glorfindel rumbled lowly, making her smile slightly at his protective nature. Their group moved forwards, still watchful until Eruraviel brought Amara to a halt, flinging a hand back causing the others to freeze as well.
"Eruraviel?" Elrond demanded softly, his blade sliding free of his sheath. Eruraviel's gaze was locked onto the stone under the horse's feet, her gut sinking as her alarm rose.
"Back up. Back up now." Eruraviel ordered, resignation warring with the determination. As the other's did so, Glorfindel growled as she didn't follow.
"What are you doing?" Glorfindel demanded as Eruraviel slid her own blade free, pulling another dagger into the hand that held Amara's reins. She took a deep breath before looking back.
"Trap. As soon as Amara's weight shifts, this entire section is going to collapse." Eruraviel explained, her walls and magic rising as she readied herself for the fighting she knew was about to come. Fury lashed down the bond from Glorfindel, though muted as her focus shifted.
Unlike when she'd faced the Balrog, this time, she'd be fighting alone. Her focus would need to return to that razor edge she could soften when others were fighting at her side. In a sense, it was easier for her to do this comparative to someone used to only fighting in a group. They got used to someone being there to cover their back, so when that wasn't there, it led to a whole host of problems.
She was already well trained in both, but obviously had more experience fighting on her own rather than in a company. The only problem she faced right now was that she didn't know what she'd be facing.
"Can you jump?" Elrond pressed, his own eyes following the pattern in the stone and seeing what she had. Thankfully, Eruraviel had seen in before the others had gone as far forwards as her, as she was leading them through the pass.
"No. The stone is already starting to crumble. Three miles from here, there is a small pass that will remerge with this trail from the plain. I will meet you there. Be cautious as there is every chance there will be a secondary ambush waiting there. As it is, I may be leading some of them there depending on how many I'm facing – or what I'm facing." Eruraviel informed them. Elrond nodded, his eyes going cold as Mithril as he glared at the stone.
"Meleth-nin." Glorfindel hissed, his eyes like chips of ice. He couldn't mesh with her as he'd done before as all of his own focus needed to be on the here and now and seeing to Elrond's safety as well as his own.
Eruraviel smiled in reassurance at her mate.
"I will meet you there." She promised, her eyes showing her sincerity. Glorfindel's face made his opinion on her current predicament clear, but like her, he also had to realize there wasn't anything he could do right at this moment.
"You better make it there in one piece." Glorfindel ordered her, Eruraviel nodding slowly. She took a deep breath and rolled her shoulders.
"See you there."
Her words hung in the air for only a split second before the ground under Amara's feet crumbled away. Eruraviel, having expected it, didn't swear or calling out in a panic. Instead, her eyes were locked onto the path they were falling on and guiding Amara's panicked motions to keep the mare from being critically hurt or killed in the fall. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and then she saw several dozen orc's lying in wait.
"It's her!" One barked out in manic glee, making a snarl slide over her face. So this had been a trap for her.
Amara, thankfully unhurt aside from some scrapes due to the slide, kept her feet and charged at the line of Orc's. Eruraviel's blade sand as she cut the head off one, plunging her dagger into another's eye as she let go of the reins, guiding Amara with her knees.
"Stop her!" Several cried, as Eruraviel leaned back dodging one as it lunged at her head. As it flew over her, she brought her blade up and cut clean through its neck, the head flying off to the side.
Amara kept moving, her training holding strong.
If the mare froze or was trapped, they were done for. Their only hope was to keep moving to avoid being surrounded on all sides. Eruraviel nudged the mare to the left, swearing inwardly as three warg riders leapt after them.
As one came up on the rear, she smirked.
"Clear!" Eruraviel barked, the mare instantly launching a bone breaking kick with her back feet. They made contact with the wargs head, shattering it in a spray of gore.
Amara landed, and continued her run, tossing her head. Eruraviel didn't begrudge the mare her pride. Eruraviel kept them close to the cliff, as it kept something solid to one side, her blades a constantly blur of motion as they ran. However, it seemed almost never ending, making her panic a bit as she wondered just how many were around her. She saw a small gap between the cliffs with relief, it was the first step to getting to the rendezvous point, as well as a spot she could use to slow down her pursuers. Eruraviel dug into her pack until she pulled the razor wire free. She attached two heavy weights, rushing as she tried to avoid losing her head in the process.
She swore when one blade dug into her left shoulder but pulled it free and threw it back at its owner, burying it in its skull with gleeful malice. She hated orcs. As the passed the gap, she held her hilt in her teeth and threw one end on each side, letting the weights pull it taunt.
She pulled her sword back into her hand, grinning ferally when over a dozen lost their heads to it. Not only did it cut down on the number still on her tail, but it also provided a nice blockade as well.
Seeing a shadow from the corner of her eye, she hissed and leaned to the side, taking a shallow blow to the side of the head as a form clad in all black nearly took it off entirely. Her heart hit her throat as she stared at the form of the Witch King.
Fury, terror, and resolve burned brighter than ever.
"You won't leave here alive." The Witch King laughed, his own fell steed hot on Amara's tail.
Eruraviel snarled, uncaring of the blood running down the side of her neck and cheek.
"You and your master can crawl back into the void from whence you came, mongrel. In the words of humans like you once were – go fuck yourself." Eruraviel threw at the leader and strongest of the Ulari. A high screech rang through the air carrying for miles and almost making her clap her hands over her ears from the painfully high pitch.
"She Elf!" The Witch King screamed.
"Mongrel halfwit of a former king!" She insulted back, not letting Amara slow.
"You won't win!" The Undead Slave screeched, making her laugh coldly and mockingly.
Trusting Amara, she looked back sneering at him.
"Who was it that ran from our last fight weakling?!" She threw at it, laughing again as it screamed in rage. Unbeknownst to her, she was very close to the rendezvous point, allowing her companions to hear every word.
"I do not fear you, Witch King! You may be a symbol of fear to many, but to me you are nothing more than a slave and parasite unable to form any will or mind of your own!" Eruraviel yowled, the Witch King's steed speeding up and allowing him to come up beside her. She brought her blade up, blocking his first strike as her dagger cut through part of his horse's halter.
As the duo came around the bend, exchanging blows in a blur of motion, Eruraviel saw an opening. She kicked her heel, a small blade sliding from her boot that she used to cut the cinch strap around his horse. Simultaneously, she buried her blade into the Witch King's cowl, feeling the magic that created it burn up her arm and shoulder.
They crossed the causeway, and Eruraviel heard a sharp whistle that had Amara lurch to the left and away from the Witch King, who was screaming and writhing both from her strike and trying to keep ahorse as its saddle rolled and shifted with each stride of the fell steed. Eruraviel gasped from the sudden shift only to see a brightly glowing Glorfindel bring his blade down upon the Witch King.
On the other side of the Witch King, Elrond hissed, hadhafang cutting deeply into the fell steed's skull bringing it down in an instant. The two elves leapt from their horses, pursuing the Witch King as he screamed in fury trying to avoid completely destruction and disintegration.
Glorfindel was virtually pulsating with rage, his body glowing and his eyes blazing in fury and power as it rolled off of him in waves. It made Eruraviel shudder, her breath hitching in her throat as she felt his outpouring of magic for the first time since she'd felt him battling the Balrog in Gondolin ages past. Elrond was no different, his power and experience clear and he blocked strike after strike, his eyes cold and determined. Eruraviel tried to dismount and help, but even with a partially sealed bond Glorfindel's magic lashed through her.
Let us handle it from here. Glorfindel ordered, never faltering, or slowing from his calculated motions. Eruraviel grimaced but was unable to fight the command, letting the rest of the company pull her into the center of the formation. She couldn't see much between the many bodies blocking the view of the fight, but she heard the final yowl from the Witch King before the sickening taint of its magic finally faded.
Eruraviel leaned against her saddle horn, exhaustion and adrenaline making her muscles tremble. She'd never expected the Witch King to be lying in wait for her. A large hand gently lifted her chin and refocusing her eyes she saw Elrond back on Arbellason examining her head closely.
"Where else are you injured?" Elrond demanded, frowning as he took in the blood running down her face and neck. Eruraviel sighed but used her right hand to gesture to her shoulder.
"Took a blade to the shoulder, didn't hit anything vital though. We need to move and get some distance. There are still dozens of orcs behind me. They'll be hot on our tail once they clear the blockade I made." Eruraviel explained.
"Are you stable to ride alone?" Elrond asked, glancing behind them to the trail she'd come down. Eruraviel went to tilt her head in consideration but aborted the movement as it made her vision swim sickeningly.
"As long as I don't move my head?" She said somewhat sheepishly. Warm arms came around her waist before she was pulled from Amara's saddle to rest in front of Glorfindel. The movement was seamless, and she sank back against him as his left arm came around her waist protectively.
Elrond clicked his tongue, nudging Arbellason into a trot as he led them from the gorge. Eruraviel stared in surprise at the numerous orc carcasses lining the sides of the trail. It seemed there had been a secondary ambush but had been dealt with easily by the company. She examined them and was glad to see only minor injuries.
"Let down your walls." Glorfindel rumbled in her ear, his breath on her ear making a shiver slide down her spine. She hadn't realized they were even still up. Letting some of her awareness fade, she felt for the bond and slowly pulled down the wall. Glorfindel's presence sank into her mind, and she let her head rest against his arm tightened even further around her waist as the memories of this recent fight were witnessed by him.
"Meleth-nin, the next time you decide to sass your enemies you won't be riding alone for a year. Not only that, but I will not accept you blocking the bond in a fight. Particularly if you have a habit of enraging an already angry enemy." Glorfindel growled, the vibrations from in rumbling from deep in his chest against her back. Eruraviel swallowed, feeling how serious he was about what he'd just said.
Riding with him like that would be embarrassing on an extreme level, as only the most inexperienced of riders had to do so.
"That's the point. If you intend to act like a brash young fighter, I will treat you like one." Glorfindel hissed, clearly angry with her for provoking the Witch King who had already been determined to see her killed.
Eruraviel grimaced but sent him a feeling of resignation and understanding. It seemed she would need to work on some of her bad habits. They cleared the gorge, setting a fast pace towards the river. Crossing it would provide some safety from any pursuers. She watched their surroundings carefully, noting the others doing much the same. They rode hard for another hour before they crossed the large ford of the Forest River. Eruraviel was relieved, knowing they were a bit safer for it. Elrond brought them to a halt beside a large cave that two of the warriors investigated carefully for any traps both visible or through stone or magic. Elrond also checked and they were all relieved to find it clean.
"Bring her inside. I want to see to her injuries now while we still have some daylight." Elrond ordered Glorfindel who nodded, dismounting, and pulling her into his arms in a bridal carry much to her embarrassment. However, she also grudgingly acknowledged that as tired as she was, with a head wound, if she tried to walk on her own, she'd likely fall over which would be even more embarrassing than having her mate carry her.
Elrond had already pulled his healing kit from his saddle as Glorfindel knelt and kneeled behind her to allow her to rest her weight against his shins.
Elrond crouched, lifting her head as he stared into her eyes.
"Follow my finger please." Elrond asked, but she knew it wasn't a question. She traced it path with her eyes, relieved when the motion was smooth, if a bit nauseating.
He tilted her head, allowing the slowly fading sunlight to shine into her eyes, making her flinch as her eyes watered.
"Even. That's good." Elrond murmured, releasing her chin.
"No concussion?" Glorfindel enquired.
"I don't think so. Disorientation and some equilibrium problems are common after a head wound, but her eyes track normally, and they are abnormally dilated and react to the light." Elrond informed them both, through speaking mostly to Glorfindel which she honestly didn't care about.
"Lean forwards." Elrond told her, coming to her left side to inspect her shoulder. Eruraviel grimaced but allowed him to untie her armor and the others turned their backs as he pulled her bloody tunic off to better see the wound.
"What kind of blade was it?" Elrond asked, wetting a cloth with water from his canteen and beginning to wipe away some of the blood.
"Crude orc dagger." She informed him, feeling tension ease out of Glorfindel making her turn to him in slight confusion at the reaction. He stared at her, wary relief in his eyes.
"We worried that it may be from one of the Witch King's morgul blades." Glorfindel explained, making her eyes widen, and her gut sink. Seeing and feeling her reaction, his eyes narrowed.
"What?" Glorfindel demanded, making Elrond's head jerk up to stare at her.
"Right, so no, it wasn't. However, his horse landed behind me after I'd made the blockade. His blade was what cut my head." She admitted, causing Elrond to suck in a sharp breath. He abandoned her shoulder, riffling through his pack to pull out a bundle of dried herbs she recognized as Athelas.
"Glorfindel, pull her across your lap and hold her arms down." Elrond barked, grabbing a roll of bandages and Glorfindel immediately shifted her. Feeling restrained was deeply uncomfortable, but she breathed through it, feeling Glorfindel's fearful appreciation through their bond. Elrond knelt pulling her forehead to rest on his knees so he could access the back of her head.
"Brace yourself." He warned seriously, making her swallow and take a deep breath, sending her readiness to Glorfindel who nodded to Elrond. One of Elrond's hands held the back of her neck, preventing her from moving her head only second's before it felt like lava was being poured across her skull. She swallowed a scream, her body arcing against their grasps, a cold sweat breaking out all over as it felt like an ice pick was slowly being pulled from her bones leaving fire in its wake.
She panted harshly, shaking, and writhing but their grips never faltered. Glorfindel poured his strength and love into her, her mind and fae clinging to him through their bond. Finally, after what could have been seconds or years, the pain flickered before vanishing, taking her consciousness with it.
As her mind slowly began to surface, sound came in first taking on odd textures in her mind at first. The sound of a crackling fire, the even breaths of both people and the slow breathing of horses. A low song was being hummed nearby, wordless but soothing in nature.
Her sensation of touch came next, feeling herself resting on her stomach and right side, her head resting on someone's thigh as a hand was gently petting her hair, which was bound slightly by something she eventually realized was a bandage. She was covered with a warm blanket, resting on a saddle pad rather than the hard stone.
Lastly, her haze vision began to clear, and she found her eyes staring into flickering flames that danced and bounced almost hypnotically.
Across the flames, she could see the darkness of night had long since fallen, the moon's glow illuminating their horses sleeping calmly.
"Is she awake?" A soft voice asked. Elrond, Eruraviel recognized.
"Slowly. Her mind's almost there." Glorfindel. Was that what… She finally blinked away the last of the haze and realized her head was resting on Glorfindel's left thigh, his hand being the one petting her hair.
"What happened?" Eruraviel rasped, unable to muster any sense of physical strength to try to move about. Her limbs felt like wet, water-logged cloth trying to tear under the strain.
Apparently, she wasn't as close to the fire as she'd thought as Elrond crouched in front of her, on Glorfindel's other side. His eyes were relieved, though she could see the stress that was still laying in his spine and shoulders.
"We had to force out the Morgul Poison in your head wound. It was highly painful, and you blacked out shortly after it's removal. We're resting here for another day before we continue onwards, as you'll be more stable by then." Elrond explained. Eruraviel shuddered, before her eyes flared wide.
"Is the baby?" Eruraviel trailed off fearfully. Elrond smiled in reassurance.
"The baby is fine. You're both going to heal just fine, though you may suffer from headaches a bit more because of the poison's location." Elrond reassured her, making her body relax back into Glorfindel.
"How long have they been planning this…" Eruraviel wondered softly, her eyes a bit darker from emotion. Elrond sighed, moving to sit beside Glorfindel though still within her line of sight as he'd sat on Glorfindel's right.
"It's hard to tell. He may have been planning this since your last encounter with him during that battle. Or he could even have been recently directed to it by Sauron. It's impossible to tell at this point. What I can say, is that we won't be coming back this way. We will have to risk the forest road and Mirkwood. I won't risk your safety or our own by coming back this way. Glorfindel and I were able to disincorporate the Witch King's current form – but I don't know how long that will give us until Sauron has enough power to reform him." Elrond mused quietly, his voice firm when talking about their journey back to Imladris.
"Are you alright?" Eruraviel questioned, eyeing him with concern. Elrond froze, before turning to her with exasperation blatant in his face and eyes. Glorfindel was mirroring him exactly through their bond.
"Yes, Eruraviel, we're alright. After all, it's not like we were the one's that fell off a cliff, fought a battalion of orcs alone before then facing off with the Witch King." Elrond said sarcastically. Eruraviel blushed but didn't care about the slight chastisement as she was just glad no one else had been hurt during all of this.
"How long from here to the Iron Hills?" Glorfindel asked her, his voice weary, making her heart hurt for him. She knew this trip had been unpleasant to say the least. Eruraviel hummed, pausing for a moment in consideration of their current location and status.
"As we are now? Three days if we cover a good amount of distance each time. If we are waylaid by Erebor? It will add at least another week. More if Dale tries to talk with us as well." Eruraviel said in exhaustion. She really hoped they could pass by without having to stop.
Glorfindel groaned.
"Valar, I hope not."
A/N: I know some of you probably noted the slight change in character development. I'm trying to make the relationship between Eruraviel and Glorfindel a bit more realistic (yes I know they're imaginary characters leave me alone). As such, no relationship is pure sunshine and roses, and fights will crop up – especially when one is pregnant.
That said, I still wanted to keep the plot moving and everything tied together.
I know it's been a while, all I can say is sorry – but even if it takes a year, another chapter will come. I've got a third of the next written, and I made this one a lot longer than originally planned as it has been a while since I last posted.
Enjoy, thank you so much for reading and let me know what you think! I love hearing from all of you!
Also I will be editing the other chapters, putting some more stuff in as I go. The Updated version will be posted on AO3 under the same user name.