Chapter 22

Love, peace, and help from the West.

Over the weeks after we got married few saw Tauriel or me. We were up early and late to bed if we ever came home for the night. For we spent time showing our love for each other in every way we can. In the woods or our room. It was a fire that was lit in both of us and we could not calm it. Our love had exploded into new heights that we had not yet felt. Her simple touch and kisses were now something new to me. We slept under the stars and loved under them too.

At times we snuck back into Imladris from the hidden places in the valley and asked Ionien to make us baskets of food and we were off again. We had simply no time to be around the rest. She promised to tell Nana and Ada we were well and that we would return soon. But what we thought of as soon became four weeks of us making love, eating when need be and only caring for each other and our needs.

The start of your married life could not have been better as we on the fifth week slowly walked down from the hidden areas of Imladris hand in hand and saw Ada and Nana. They smiled and waved at us to come to them. Still dressed in simple pull-over headdresses we smiled and bowed our heads to them.

"Ada, Nana," I said with a huge smile and Tauriel added. "My lord, My lady" and did the same.

"Our dears!" Nana cried as she saw us and smiled and came to hug us.

"Elwen, Tauriel!" Ada said right after and also came to give us hugs.

"Now let us see your eyes my dears" Nana spoke but ada looked so deep into them too and it was no doubt. Tauriel and I were now married. Finally, so even.

"Ohh it eases my heart to see this, married you finally are," Nana says proudly.

"Indeed they are and they come down from the hidden places in only five weeks' time. Now that worries me" Ada said with a tease as he held onto me and Nana held onto Tauriel.

"If you say so Ada we can go back, but please let Ionien know we won't come back down for a few months if so!" I said half serious and half joking.

"Nay" Nana then cried and held onto Tauriel and reached for me too. "I have missed my elleths too much even if I am happy for you to show each other love. Let me have a few days with you before you go back." She added with a pleading smile.

"The honeymoon is not yet over I take it?" Ada asked with a smile and looked at us both.

"Nay we think not. I want some more time with my wife, but we wanted to say hello and see if all is well." I responded and put my arm around Tauriel.

"And I wish to thank my former King and Queen for standing in my family's place during the ceremony" Tauriel added. To this Nana and Ada seemed sad.

"We are sorry to let you know Tauriel, but the King and Queen left two weeks ago. They have a long journey home and summer is slowly passing. In not long August will come and the leaves will be golden."

Both of them informed us.

I looked at my wife and saw her disappointed face and I pulled her close and kissed her cheek before I spoke.

"My wife we will see them again and we can both thank them for their generosity"

To this, Tauriel turned and our noses and foreheads met and she thought for a moment.

"yes my wife, I can tell them later, I just wish I could show my gratitude now. Yet I do understand the burden of his and her" she responded. "Much it was lost during the great war and much they must rebuild" she added with a sigh.

"Yes much of all was lost at that time, but hope has returned to me in your love and the future Elwen has said to see with her sight" Ada responded.

"As do I feel" Nana added and smiled at us both "Now run back to the secret places and we will send you food and drink. You two need to bond and feel the joy of your union" she added.

"Yes Nana, Ada," I said and Tauriel added. "We will see you soon, but not too soon, my lord and lady" With a smile on her face too we ran off again to the hill, and as they said not long after food and drink were delivered to us and we lost track of time for all that mattered for us was now each other.

Time now passed and days turned into weeks weeks into months and months into years.

To tell every little thing we did in times of peace and happiness would take me as long as we lived it for elves are indeed immortal beings.

As the year 1000TA came to us at night, I had a dream of a harbor with many great folks of our kin. A tall grey-haired elf stood there along with Tauriel, me, and Glorfindel as a ship slowly made for port and off it came a man. A man I had seen before and the dream cut off and I woke up.

"Tauriel, my love," I said with a tired voice and she did not hear me at first.

"Tauriel" I repeated and poked her naked skin as we only slept in such a way now.

"Can we not sleep longer Elwen? It is still dark outside" her groggy morning voice said.

"Nay I fear not" I simply responded and my beautiful elven wife opened her eyes and I could now see her full beauty as she rose up and lay beside me supporting her head with her hand.

"What have you dreamt now my love?" she asked still tired, but she was used to me having dreams and we had written it all down in a book so we would never forget any of it.

"A ship will come to havens soon and I saw us there greeting the one arriving," I said excitedly to her.

"Who are we to greet? None we know has traveled to the lands beyond the sea or…" she tried to respond to me, but I got her off.

"Mithrandir," I said simply. For nay, this was not the first of times I had seen him. Back in the world, I was I had read about him and his importance or seen images of him in my mind. I heard his voice. He would be a key to what we would have to aid in and thus I think my foresight was right to lead me and my wife to his path.

"The one you told me of before? The one that will travel the land and aid all who he is need? The one that will be instrumental for a new age of this world?" she asked both curiously and worried.

"Yes my wife, that is him," I said and looked at her. "Why are you so sad at this? You are not one for not wanting to help as well? Why is his coming worrying to you?" I bombarded her with questions.

"Do you not see my wife?" She responded. "You have told me off a small creature he will find and the trinket of all trinkets will be found and if you see right the world will be new. We will leave these shores and yet never return…" and then it dawned on me.

For in my sight, I had seen my little sister, yet not so little anymore. Fall in love with an Edain… a mortal man… and thus we would leave her forever as a half-elf she would make the choice Uncle Elros did… and as she reminded me of it I too was sad and she hugged me hard and we laid there in bed not wanting to leave it after all.

At breakfast that day both Tauriel and I were quiet. We did not want to say much, but Nana and Ada knew in their hearts I had seen something for so had Ada and he had not spoken of it either.

Then we heard it.

"The quietness of this table is unnerving to me. Why are there no jokes or smiles? No laughter or storytelling. Why are my brothers so quiet? Why is my sister and sister's wife so quiet?" Arwen spoke up. For she was clearly unnerved by the silence we had today for it was very rare it was so.

"Maybe it was a long night on them dear daughter" Ada spoke and the twins looked at Arwen and us. Yet not saying anything.

"We just woke early Arwen…" I tried to say and she gave me a stare as if she saw right through me.

"And why so? Never before have you and Tauriel had problems sleeping. Nor have the two of you been this quiet at the table or shown so little affection. Tell me sister what is wrong" she almost demanded and to this, I gave her a stare.

"I had a deep foresight sister, if you must know and it did disturb me greatly, and I have not had a chance to process it in any way, but to tell Tauriel…"

"And I also have not processed it well as she woke me so early today to tell me and I could not fall asleep again." She responded also looking at my sister.

Arwen is clearly curious about this for it had not happened before that we said nothing even after a foresighting.

"So tell us all sister, maybe we can help?" I knew her curiosity took over and at this, Ada stepped in.

"Do not push her to tell it my youngest daughter, such things must be thought out and the meaning understood. If she is to tell us all now and so soon what she saw might have a whole other meaning." Ada continued his ever-philosophical way of saying so. Yet I was happy he took Arwen's attention off me for yes much had I see and as Tauriel said. The ending would not be happy for us if this came to pass. The twins and Nana stayed out of it as they had no foresight as Ada or I had. For that, I was happy so they would not know what could or could not come to pass.

Over the next several nights I was shown several situations that could happen. If the trinket is returned. Of a faltering people in the north and south. Of elves slaughtered and dwarves burnt alive. Dark my mind became and at last I saw a city as if carved out of the mountain itself. White was its buildings and inner walls yet the main wall towards a great field covered in farms was black as the dark mountains itself. Strong beyond any other thing made by the hands of Edain, Eldar, or Dwarf. Several images jumped and I saw a tall figure in black stand over an Edain male with a sword broken in his hand…. Wait I had seen that sword before…. Narsil…. And it felt as if my breath was stabbed out of me by swords in my back as at the male's feet was an elleth… an elleth I knew so well… Arwen…. Ohh Arwen….

"ARWEN" I then screamed as I woke myself and Tauriel slipped off my chest as I sat up in bed. Gasping for air she woke scared of my scream and she looked for a blade and saw me finally we heard feet come rushing down the hall after a few moments I covered myself quickly and Ada ran into the room without knocking.

"Elwen, Tauriel what is wrong?" he asked and rushed in and dropped down beside our bed.

"I know not, my lord. She woke me of her scream as well." Tauriel said and reached over me holding me as she held the sheets up to cover herself too.

I on the other hand could say so little as tears ran down my cheeks and there I saw my dear sister standing in the doorway to our room in a nightgown looking worried at me and my tears were like a waterfall from the melting mountain snow during spring.

Thankfully Ada saw we were not dressed and led the others out as Tauriel helped me get a robe on and then got Ada back in as I sat in one of the chairs looking out the glass doors.

"What did you see Elwen?" he asked caringly and put his hand on my back.

"I have seen so much Ada. Both good and evil. Of victory and defeat. But this… this broke my spirit…" I said trying to calm myself some.

"Tell us Elwen" Ada said and looked at Tauriel who sat on the other side of me and snuggled onto me.

"Please tell us, my wife, I cannot see you like this anymore. I know you do not tell me everything." She said firmly.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

"The eastern sky grows dark yet again. Mountains high act as walls for the nameless one. A green lightning is shot into the air. Drums, drums in the deep. Evil men, orc, and other foul creatures will march on our lands and those of men. Little can we do to stop them for he will regain his trinket. The smallest and plainest of rings." As I spoke Ada's face got pale. "It will be as a great tide over the free lands. City and stronghold of good will fall and none can stop it. The black captain will come out from the north and the dark lord himself from the south. We are besieged on every side and outnumbered greatly. If we fail…" I added. "For in another dream, I have seen the forces of good rallying around the trinket of the nameless one, and a quest is formed to destroy it. But if that fails what I have already spoken of will come to pass. We will all fall and the utter darkness of the world will come to pass unless the one himself steps in and stops it. But by then there will be nothing left to save… only ruin."

Ada and Tauriel both looked at me shocked and neither spoke to me for a moment until Ada had collected himself.

"What of Arwen? Why did you scream her name?" He said and held me tight.

I did not want to answer him at first. But then I knew I had to for if any could help me it would be Ada.

"I saw her… in a courtyard of stone high up was it as in a city carved out of the mountain…" Now Ada interfered he could not help himself.

"Minas Arnor," he said as if the air of his breath had left him

"There I saw the nameless one… stand over an Edain man with a broken sword in his hand…. Ada, it was Narsil I am sure of it."

"Narsil?" he responded out of shock. "But that blade rests here in Imladris. How would Arwen and Narsil go to Gondor?" he questioned me.

"I know not Ada. It does not make sense to me either. I cannot understand what I saw of her laying there on the stone all still…. I saw no wound yet she did not seem to move or even breathe ohh Ada" I reached for him and Tauriel to hold them as I started to cry again. It was like everything got mixed up and none of it made sense to me.

"Sooo soooo Elwen… This is why I told Arwen not to push you, but we need to understand your sights and find out what they mean. What else have you seen?" He asked as he had collected himself.

"A ship from the west…" I said after long breaths. "Aid from the lords that reside there to aid us in our struggles against darkness." I looked up at Ada and he down again at me.

"When will the ship arrive?" he asked calmly, but I could see he was curious.

"Before summer is fully at its end and fall comes over the hills" I responded calmly.

"I see.." Ada responded and got up.

"You two need to get dressed for travel, I will go and find Glorfindel and alert your company. You will set off before the sun rises." There was no questioning him as his voice was that of a command and nothing less.

"Ada?" I asked and he shook his head.

"Nay Elwen, I have seen this helper from the west as well and I saw you, Tauriel, and Glorfindel there to meet him and so it must be. The heavens are close to two weeks of travel and I fear you have no time to waste. Now get dressed I will send for Estelwen to aid you both and take no chances. I fear the world is darkening again as you have seen" he said and hugged and kissed us both before he left.

Tauriel and I sat still for a moment and she kissed my cheek and pulled me in for a hug.

"We will stop this, my wife. We will make it and what you saw with Arwen will not come to pass as long as we are here to stop it" She said as comforting as she could.

"I know not my wife" I responded and looked at her. "I feel as if only a few sights have shown me a future where we will win and so many where we will all fall or flee into the west…" at this Tauriel looked me in the eyes and said firmly.

"We have you, Lord Elrond, and the twins. We will win and we will fight evil wherever and however we can. Even if It leaves the next age of the world an age of Edain" she said firmly.

"And you my love, you have also grown much in the years you have been with us and are still growing as is my love for you my redhead wife," I said and kissed her as she kissed me back. We tried to comfort each other as best we could and then knocked on our door and Estelwen came into the room in her arms she had clocks we had not seen before and she was rushed.

"My ladies we must hurry, I have sent for food to be delivered here soon, not hurry with me," she said.

"No good morning Estelwen?" I said even though my eyes were red after crying.

"It is not my ladies. It never is when someone needs to leave in such a rush" she huffed and put the clocks down. "Now hurry, undress, and bath my ladies." She said firmly pushing us in and filling it. We tried to speak up, but she ripped our robes off and got us in. She was clearly stressed and rushed out again.

Neither Tauriel nor I could say anything but shake our heads and wash each other off even if we had a little cuddle time too it did not last as Estelwen rushed back in.

"I am sorry, my ladies. Lord Elrond was just very clear that you two need to leave before the sun rises." At this, she was very apologetic and looked at us barely as her head was bowed.

"Think not of it Estelwen. We are in a hurry and we did not know ourselves until just before Lord Elrond sent for you" Tauriel said and smiled at her as we got out of the tub and started to dry each other.

"You have nothing to ever say sorry for to us my dear friend" I added and smiled at her as she came over with underclothes for our plate armor. At this, I wondered and looked at her and she said very simply.

"By the order of your Ada. My lady"

I looked at Tauriel and she looked back at me. It was clear to us both he wanted us safe. But the world was also darkening.

We got them on and hurried out into our room where food was prepared for us and we ate it quickly. The sun was not far from rising and we had to leave.

Estelwen was at the peak of efficiency as always. She dressed us with what she could while we ate and the rest after. Our Noldor armor still fit us thankfully as it was long since we had traveled or used them. The last thing she put on us was swords we had been given so long ago and our circlets. I truly hoped this Mithrandir would be the hope and aid the free people would need.

"Be careful my ladies. I do expect to see you both safe in a month's time" Estelwen said and gave us both a hug. Something she had not done like this before and kissed our cheeks. "And the clocks. They will help shield you on your travels from those you do not wish to see you. The lady handed them to me and the same has been given to your company. They should be ready at the main gate by now" she said with a smile even though she was sad.

"Thank you our friend." We both said and hugged and kissed her back. "We will return and still irritate you," we both said and smiled. All Estelwen could reply was "I hope so my ladies. I hope so" and then we left our room and rushed down the hall and into the main room out the door. There our company was gathered. Our banner was flown strange as it was and Glorfindel sat there waiting on us.

"Elwen, Tauriel! We must leave soon" he cried and we rushed down. Two of the stable elves came with our horses. Beril and Cobas were they and how long had we known and bonded with them? No saddle or bridle were on them for none were needed and they only let me and Tauriel ride them. Some protection they wore and decorations, but that was all.

"Yes lord of haste" I teased and Tauriel added. "Some need sleep unlike you, my lord."

"Poor excuse is that for a former ranger of the woodland realm Tauriel and no more lord calling my lady!" he added with a smile and we jumped up on our horses as Idril rode up beside us.

"We are ready my ladies. All are accounted for"

"Very well, good job my friend. I responded with a smile and she bowed to me and Tauriel as the banner carriers blew the horns of Imladris hard and we set off out of the valley and over the bridge. None stood to see us off now but Ada and he was worried I could see it and feel it. But I could not do anything about it now.

Over the next two weeks, we rode hard west. Passing the bruninen, the last bridge, Amon Sûl, Bree, the shire or what would become the shire and tower hill down towards Mithlond. We met many Edain on our trip and most just got out of our way and bowed their heads. We returned the gesture and had short talks with Arnorian patrols when need be, but that was it. We rested little and had our goal set in mind.

"Lord Glorfindel and the ladies Elwen and Tauriel. Welcome, welcome." Ciridan said with open arms at the main gate as we slowly rode in and dismounted our horses.

"Thank you, my friend," Glorfindel said and moved in for a hug and then Ciridan looked at us.

"Welcome my ladies. You arrived a day early as the ship will not enter the harbor until tomorrow morning." He said as a statement rather than anything else.

"Have you seen it too? Lord Ciridan?" I asked confused.

"Nay, my lady. I have not, but the sea and the gulls speak to me…" he said cutting himself off and looking to the sky.

"Then we are not too late," Tauriel said with a smile and greeted him too. Long had it been since we met Ciridan last.

"Nay my lady, you are not. Come where are my manners, let is have some food and rest for you have all ridden far and long" He said with a welcoming smile and so we did. Our horses and elves were taken care of and Idril came with us. As our captain, she had some privileges after all.

The chefs of Mithlond did not disappoint as we were led into the hall and every meal you can imagine from fresh fish to deer with sauces, potatoes, berries yes you name it. He bid us sit and so we did and wine was poured for us.

"Now tell me my friends what news from Imladris," Ciridan said curious as he was.

"Not much has been heard or seen of late…" Glorfindel started to say and he was quickly cut off.

"Let us no start so we are all friends here and I know Lord Elrond. He would not have sent his first child and mate with the lord of the house of the golden flower to just meet a traveler from the west. Speak plainly now" our host asked again and I took a deep breath before responding as Glorfindel looked at me.

"It is not out of lack of trust we do not say much friend. But out of uncertainty. The world is darkening and both my Ada and I have seen several events that might come to pass. Many dark and grim and few with hope… The one that comes tomorrow is one of those hopes and we want to escort him back to Ada as soon as we can." I sad and looked at Glorfindel and Tauriel to confirm it and they did.

"We bring the world from Lord Elrond and he asks of what refugees you might harbor in your lands if war again comes to Eriador" Glorfindel added with Tauriel waiting her turn before speaking.

"And what might at arms you might summon to our defenses." She added at her turn.

"Arms to summon for our defenses…." He said before cutting himself off. "The last war is over peace has come to the land…" and then it was my turn to stop him.

"Yes friend. The great war was fought and the valor of Eldar, Edain, and Dwarf was put to the test. But here we are yet again. For war is again stirring in the south and in the north" I said simply and he gave me a stare.

"Of what are you talking daughter of Elrond" he responded simply.

"My Ada and I have had sight of wars to come on the free people from both south and north. I fear my wife and I met one of the nine many years ago making its way north during the cover of night. Yet we knew too little and did too little at that time. Now I am sure of it and a foul kingdom is getting built in the north. In the south Gondor will be assaulted from the south and east, but we cannot aid them as such. Only send them word of what is to come. But I ask that we have a meeting of all those who are set to leave Middle Earth to not do so. They are needed my friend sorely needed."

He took a deep breath and a sip of wine before he responded.

"Few have left so far and few are set to leave. But of war everyone is tired, my lady. Many are weary of Middle Earth and feel the call of home. Of Valinor." Silence came for a moment before he spoke again.

"But we cannot leave Middle Earth it its fate when we fought so hard for the peace we know how. When did your Ada and you see this war come?" he asked straight forward.

"No later than 300 years… long in the eyes of Edain, yet sort in the eyes of Eldar" I responded.

"Then we must prepare, I am sure you have plans made?" he said as he knew my Ada well and we did indeed have plans for what was to come and how to counter it or save as many as we could.

It was clear to Ciridan and Glorfindel that Ada, Tauriel, and I had been making plans for a long time, and even more so now that both our sights had become more frequent, yet we told few of them.

"And so we need Lindon as well as Imladris to take refugees from Arnor when the war starts," I said as a finishing line.

"Yes you do and to the enemy kingdom that will be, we must all seem weak and not worth a confrontation yet, but not weak so we would be easy to overrun. I fine balance all this will be" he said in a deep thought.

"But now I think it is a good night for me, the ship will arrive not long after sunrise tomorrow and I have much to think of. I bid you all good night" he said and left us as we bid him good night too.

"What do you think Glorfindel? Will the plan work?" I asked curiously.

"I think so" he responded after a moment of thought. "But I think many will see this as the enemy returning even after the great war as a bad sign." He sighed.

"Indeed they will. But we need to protect the weak and those that cannot protect themselves." Tauriel spoke up and looked at us both.

I smiled and looked at her for a moment and she looked question at me.

"You sounded like Ada," I said and smiled. Glorfindel laughed and said "You did Tauriel I think we all should go to bed now as it has been a long travel and I for one am tired," he said and bid us night as we left as well to our quarters and out of armor and into bed were we listened to the sea as we held another. Tauriel was always holding me and resting her head on my bosom and loving it as we talked a little and drifted to sleep.

As I woke the morning after I saw a servant elleth coming in with food for us and taking our dresses out of our travel bags. She reminded me of Estelwen, but it was not her and I smiled the moment she saw me awake.

"I am sorry my lady Elwen I did not mean to wake thee," the elleth said and bowed her head.

"Ney you did not…?" I responded and with a questioning look for her name.

"Calandur, my lady" she responded with a bow.

"It is nice to meet you Calandur. This snoring elleth is my wife, lady Tauriel" I said with a smile and so smiled the servant.

"Yes, I know my lady, you and the lady Tauriel are well known in elven-dom." She responded and waited for me to command her.

"We are?" I responded to the servant's confirmation.

"Yes, my lady. You are both known as kind and loving elleths that help those you can, lady Tauriel stood up to Ruineth who once came from this land and was a plague to us all. That alone, but for your titles is more than most would have done, my lady" she said and smiled wide.

I smiled and laughed some and Tauriel woke from it and smiled and the servant introduced herself to my wife and our bellies rumbled hard as we got out of bed and were helped into robes by Calandur and the food was as from all elven chefs. We ate too much yet again and gasped after. Calandur was happy to tell the chef our most graceful compliments.

We then had a simple was and got into our underclothes and dresses before we walked slowly down to the harbor to see the ship come and there stood Ciridan and Glorfindel already and waiting. Both sternly looking west

"Good morning Lords," we said and we got a simple good morning back as far in the west sails could be seen and a ship started to come towards the heavens.

"Good morning my ladies, both said after the ship was now clearly seen and they took their time to face us properly.

It clearly did not seem like a ship out of this world and it was not indeed. For it was made in Valinor. It was majestic beyond words, yet also simple and humble. We spoke not, just enjoyed the ship's arrival, and as soon as it moored at the doc we all walked over to it. A man we there saw all clothed in grey, long grey beard and a brown wooden staff in his hand. Glorfindel and Ciridan greeted him well and when his eyes came to me and Tauriel he smiled.

"You two I have only heard of from the messengers far above." He said and smiled.

"You must be Elwen and you Must be Tauriel." He spoke with a smile.

"That is correct, Mithrandir," I said and smiled at him. Ciridan and Glorfindel looked curiously at me and the man did too.

"And why do you call me such my lady?" he asked genuinely curious.

"For your task in Middle Earth will lead you from the north to the south. From the west, but not that far east." I said and smiled.

"Indeed it will?" He responded and smiled. "You have your mother's looks and smarts, my lady. Very beautiful" He added quickly.