Moving right along and on our way to Rivendell. After a suggestion from one of my reviewers, I wrote this little section that contains Candaith's POV during Gwin and Barachen's chat in the previous chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 16

Chapter 15: Candaith's POV

I had been tossing and turning for a couple of hours, unable to find rest. I was worrying about our quest and what would come next. Would we face yet more troubles on the road? We had finally made it into the Trollshaws; if we stayed on the road, likely we would remain safe. Right? I sighed, and sat up, leaning on my elbows and considering lighting my pipe, when I heard soft voices up on the rock where Gwin was keeping watch.

Moving closer to the entrance of my tent, I could barely make out what they were saying, but it was audible enough. Quietly I sat near the slightly open flap, listening closely.

I could hear Barachen's musical voice saying, "Ah, did I say anything of love? I think the lady doth protest too much." I frowned. Love?

Gwin hissed, "What would make you jump to that conclusion?"

Barachen's voice grew softer, and I could only make out a handful of words. "Blushing…eyes did stray…realize it!" My frown grew even deeper? Gwin was blushing? Why? I felt a flicker of jealousy in my chest, wondering if he was referring to Gwin looking at Barachen. I risked moving the flap open a little more, and moved a little closer.

"Honestly Barachen, I haven't the slightest notion what I am feeling. There is so much going on in my life right now that any thoughts of love or relationships have been shuffled to the background," Gwin murmured. "Much would need to be done before I could even consider romance with someone."

Romance?

"But you would consider it?" Barachen responded, and he sounded almost…hopeful? The jealousy grew a little hotter. Did he have romantic feelings for her?

Were they returned?

The thought of it made my chest ache strangely.

I barely heard the words, "I do not know," come from Gwin, and it gave me a bit of hope. Perhaps she did not feel the same as Barachen?

Their voices lowered again, but I could hear some sadness in Gwin's tone of voice, and I wanted to be the one to comfort her, not Barachen, as petty as it sounded.

The last thing I heard before I noted Barachen looking my direction was, "I have always wished you joy Gwin, and I urge you to grasp whatever happiness you can find with both hands." My eyes widened as he clearly saw me, but he did not reveal that I was listening, instead finishing with, "Do not wait until it is too late."

Noticing Gwin beginning to move towards the edge to climb down, I hurriedly retreated into my tent, but in my haste, I did not close the flap of my tent. Realizing it was too risky to try and put it back, I got under my blankets and feigned sleep. I could feel Gwin's eyes on me, but I do not think she noticed I was awake. Could she hear the pounding of my heart?

After I noted she had settled down and heard the even sounds of her breathing, I turned on my back and looked at the tarp above my head. What should I make of their conversation? It seemed like perhaps Barachen had romantic intentions towards her, and that she might be feeling the same, but was unsure if now was the right time to pursue such a thing. It made my chest ache with sadness, but I also felt jealousy at the thought, which was confusing.

I could not make sense of my own feelings. I knew I cared about her and wanted to protect her, and that our friendship was very valuable to me. Yet, when she would smile at me, I could not help but return it. Her eyes would sparkle and her face would light up. I loved the warm brown color of her hair, and surprised myself when I noticed one day that I wanted to run my fingers through it. Would it be as soft as it looked?

I sighed softly, knowing that I needed to try and sleep if I were to be of use tomorrow. I only hoped I could sort out my own thoughts and, if Gwin harbored feelings for Barachen, that I could find a way to accept it.

Which seemed impossible.

Chapter 16: Back to Gwin's POV

The next morning dawned bright and cool, and the sunshine lightened my mood. I felt the melancholic thoughts of the previous night fade away like cobwebs, and smiled as I heard the birds chattering and the fresh air caress my face.

"Sleep well?" said a quiet voice nearby. I turned and saw Candaith, who was smoking his pipe and sitting cross-legged next to his pack. I nodded with a small smile, but almost frowned when I noticed the serious expression on his face. Suddenly feeling a little self-conscious, I picked up my hairbrush and tried to work out the tangles, wincing as the bristles snagged.

"You know mellon nin, you should be gentler on your beautiful hair; what did it ever do to earn your ire?" said Barachen, laughing and settling down next to me. I gave him a small glare, but my eyes widened as a mischievous smirk flashed across his face. He took the brush out of my hand and said, "Allow me to assist you."

I tried to keep my expression neutral, but inside I was mortified. "I know what you're trying to do, and it isn't going to work," I muttered out of the side of my mouth, turned slightly away from Candaith. Barachen just winked at me, settled behind me, and began to run the brush through my hair.

In Elvish culture, the act of an Elf brushing and styling an Elleth's hair was usually something only done between family members and lovers unless it was related to a chosen profession. It was unlikely Candaith would know this, but it was certainly possible. I tried not to look at Candaith, but he was in my field of vision. He had frozen briefly, a strange expression on his face, before he noticed me looking and turned his face away to dig into his pack. He seemed a little tense, but that could be from any number of things.

Barachen finished getting the tangles out, and ran his fingers through it, gathering pieces together and braiding it. Candaith had occasionally glanced up at the two of us but did not comment. I felt awkward and did not know what to say or how to strike up a conversation, so we all sat in silence.

Heithur came stomping over to us. "What in Durin's beard are you doing lad?! Braiding a lass's hair…how inappropriate! In dwarven culture, this behavior is almost equal to that of asking her to marry you!"

Candaith's eyes widened and his jaw dropped open, and I was barely able to stifle a laugh as I felt Barachen's hands immediately still in hesitation, before quickly finishing up and tying it off.

"Barachen was just being a friend and helping me, isn't that right?" I said, giving him a significant look over my shoulder.

"Ah yes, of course, I simply wanted to help. She was going to pull her hair out with how aggressively she was brushing it. I apologize if it caused any offense," he replied, looking entirely unapologetic. He gave me another wink before heading off to get some clean water from the river.

I chanced another look at Candaith and gave him a somewhat forced smile, "How about some breakfast?" The expression froze on my face as he was not looking at me but rather at Barachen's retreating form, frustration on his face. "Candaith?"

This seemed to rouse him. "Of course," he said stiffly, and I handed him some dried fruit and waybread. Saeradan was making some tea over the fire, and after a few minutes handed Candaith and I a cup, settling down nearby. I tried to engage Candaith in conversation with Saeradan and I, but he was quiet and seemed lost in his thoughts. I worried that Barachen's attempts to help (however misguided) had backfired.

Barachen had returned with three full waterskins. "I took the liberty of refilling these for you. Have you chosen the next steps of your route?" I handed him the map we had been on which we had been plotting our journey, and he studied it intently. "Thorenhad is your next stop? That should be doable in a day, especially on horseback. The route is fairly safe; there is a small chance trolls will roam south from Nan Tornaeth, but not during the day of course as they turn to stone in the sunlight. There is no significant gathering of enemies along this route, but it is always prudent to be cautious." He pointed at a location on the map. "This is the Thorenhad outpost. The Lords Elladan and Elrohir spend time here often and have it well-protected. Please give them my greetings should you encounter them!"

I knew they were unlikely to be there, as they were likely still abroad tracking down their respective Dunedain, but chose to keep this to myself. I knew I could trust Barachen, but Lord Elrond was very clear about keeping this errand as secretive as possible, and I wanted to prevent slip ups as much as I could.

We gathered our things and readied ourselves to depart. I was feeling a little emotional about leaving Barachen; he had been a good friend to me over the centuries, and I knew how dangerous the world was at the moment; would he still be alive after all of this was over…if we won? I knew the possibility of losing to Sauron was high, and we were relying on hope that a small hobbit would somehow make it to Mordor alive and destroy the Ring. Thinking of it made me anxious, and Barachen could likely read some of this on my face.

He placed a hand on my shoulder and gave me a kind smile, "Do not fear the future Gwin; you can only do your very best, and I have faith in you. I believe you will succeed in whatever you do, and I will pray to Elbereth for your safety." After a moment's hesitation, he pulled me into a tight embrace and whispered, "I can take care of myself, do not worry for me." He moved away slightly, gave me a mischievous smile, and whispered, "Think on what I said about love; if you have a chance to experience it, do not let it slip out of your fingers. Cherish it." He turned to the rest of the group. "Farewell friends. May Elbereth guide you on your journey. If I can aid you in any way, please send word." He bowed slightly with a smile and waved as we departed.

As we approached the main path, I said, "The journey to Thorenhad could be made in just over half a day if we galloped, but as we must simply reach it by nightfall, may I request we travel at a slightly slower pace?" The rangers looked quizzically at me, and I elaborated, "The Trollshaws remind me of what Mirkwood used to be when I was a child, when it was still called Greenwood the Great. The endless sea of trees, the singing of the birds, the way the wind blows and whispers through the leaves, even the crisp smell of grass and flowers…it brings me comfort."

I let out a chuckle. "If you were Elves, I would challenge you to a race through the trees; when I was younger, I would swing through the tree tops with my siblings. Wood Elves learn to travel through them as it is a safe and efficient alternative to walking on the ground. It can also save your life if you are fleeing from orcs or even spiders; we are fast and can often escape them this way. When I was in the Guard, we would stay in talans off the ground, for both safety and as a good vantage point to watch for approaching enemies. They would be unable to see us, as hidden as we were." I sighed a little wistfully. "Those times seem so long ago."

Both rangers had remained silent while I spoke, and Saeradan gave me a compassionate look, saying, "Of course Gwinthilnel. As long as things remain quiet, I believe it will be fine to move a little slower."

I smiled and turned forward on my horse, inhaling the clean air and closing my eyes as I felt the sun on my face. I listened closely, trying to determine if I could hear the voices of the trees, and was rewarded with indistinct but calm muttering. I could sense no alarm or danger in their voices, and it brought me a sense of relief. In this area of the woods, at least, we were safe for now. Out of curiosity, I approached an older-looking tree and placed my palm upon its rough bark, and mentally called out, "Suilad, can you hear me?"

At first, I heard nothing, but then an old voice rumbled in my mind, "Hello young one. It is a pleasant surprise to hear the voice of one of the First Born; not many who live here can communicate with the trees."

I grinned happily, "I am happy to do so, mellon nin. How do things fare here?"

"Hmm…in this part of the woods, all is calm, but my brothers and sisters tell me there is darkness elsewhere. I would tread carefully."

My grin faded slightly, "As I suspected. We travel to Imladris…could you tell any of the trees on this route to keep an eye on us, and alert me to any dangers they sense approaching? I would be grateful of their help."

'Of course. We are always willing to aid those who ask kindly, as you have."

"Namarie, and thank you for your help. It was lovely speaking with you."

"Likewise, and farewell."

I removed my hand from the tree reluctantly, and started as I noticed Candaith had dismounted and moved next to me. "Can you speak to the trees?" he said, wonderment and curiosity on his face.

I nodded, "Yes I can; I was unsure if I could communicate with the trees here as I can in Mirkwood, and it was a nice surprise to speak with this one." I patted the truck fondly. "He was very friendly and enjoyed hearing from an Elf. I asked him to spread the word to the trees on our route to keep watch for unfriendly eyes and alert me if they can. He said he would help."

Candaith grinned, looking surprised, "That is welcome news! We are lucky to have you with us to provide such useful skills!" I laughed and smiled back, and we locked eyes. His grin faded and a more serious expression replaced it; he said softly, "We should return to the horses, I am sure Saeradan is wondering what we are up to." Inclining his head, he walked away from me, where I stood feeling confused. Had I done something to upset him? Was he disgruntled about Barachen's earlier antics? Sighing, I followed.

I filled Saeradan in on what had happened, and he gave me one of his half smiles and expressed his own wonderment, "How interesting; I was unaware Elves could communicate with nature."

"We cannot speak to all creatures, although Prince Legolas insists he can speak to animals," I replied with a chuckle.

Saeradan looked surprised, "You are familiar with Prince Legolas?"

I nodded "Yes, somewhat. He was my captain in the Guard when I lived in Mirkwood, and we went on some adventures recently; the last time I was here, I went with him into a nest of wood trolls in the Gladden in order to discover the source of their power and control over the fen-crawlers in the area. It turned out that a…a Nazgul was ordering a powerful wood troll called Taushakh to lead a charge to overtake and destroy the Trollshaws. With difficulty, we were able to defeat him, although with the added unnatural power gifted to Taushakh from the Nazgul, it was a close call." I tried not to shudder, remembering the sheer force of dark power I had felt emanating from the wraith.

Candaith's jaw had dropped, "A Nazgul? In the Trollshaws?"

"Unfortunately, yes. They had been here trying to stir up trouble, while looking for any signs of the hobbits. I have been fighting against them, defeating many creatures. Even Angmarim have made the long journey here, but I was unable to infiltrate their lair due to the presence of one of the Nazgul; it may not even be the same one I encountered with Prince Legolas. I find it likely they left the area after finding no signs of their quarry, but it is good to be cautious."

"You were right to retreat in that case; it is my understanding that the Ringwraiths are very dangerous and have no mercy," Saeradan said grimly. "I heard rumors of several of them accosting the Prancing Pony in search of something; thankfully no one was injured or killed, but I was told the shrieks of the monsters were terrible."

I could not stop myself from shivering, and it was not from the cold, "It is so terror-inducing that it seems to freeze the very blood in your veins. Whenever I have encountered them, it takes all of my strength to even move when they emanate such a cry." I hesitated before continuing, as it was difficult to speak of such things even with friends, "I have faced many creatures of evil, but nothing seems to affect me as much as the Nazgul. I am unsure why, as their appearance is objectively not much larger than that of a man. Perhaps it is their direct contact with Sauron that makes their evil essence so immobilizing." I shook myself slightly, trying to remove the despair that was trying to settle upon me. "But can we not speak of such things just now?"

Candaith nodded slowly, and I rode ahead a little, trying to create some distance so I could "be alone" as much as was possible. I tried to let myself meditate in the calm atmosphere of my surroundings, but it was harder now. I started humming one of the many songs I had heard over the years, and this one was one commonly performed in the Hall of Fire. I then found myself quietly singing it:

A Bereth thar Ennui Aeair!

Calad ammen i reniar

Mi 'aladhremmin ennorath.

A Elbereth Gilthoniel

i chin a thûl lín míriel…

I distantly noticed Candaith had quietly pulled his horse alongside mine. "The song is very beautiful. Of what do you sing?"

"It is about Elbereth and how she helps light our way, even from across the Sea," I said wistfully. "It mentions tree-woven lands, and our surroundings reminded me of it."

After riding in silence for a few minutes, Candaith said, "You do not have to stop singing on my account."

I waved him off, "I do not want to bother you, as it seems you are deep in thought."

"It does not bother me…your voice is lovely."

I blushed and hoped he could not see it. "I thank you for the compliment. Let me see…" I recalled one I had heard when dignitaries from Gondor had visited Rivendell for the Council of Elrond and it was performed in Westron as a courtesy to them. "This one I believe is called, 'As I Sit Beside the Fire and Think':

I sit beside the fire and think

of all that I have seen

of meadow-flowers and butterflies

in summers that have been;

Of yellow leaves and gossamer

in autumns that there were,

with morning mist and silver sun

and wind upon my hair.

I sit beside the fire and think

of how the world will be

when winter comes without a spring

that I shall ever see.

For still there are so many things

that I have never seen:

in every wood in every spring

there is a different green.

I sit beside the fire and think

of people long ago

and people who will see a world

that I shall never know.

But all the while I sit and think

of times there were before,

I listen for returning feet

and voices at the door.

I found myself reflecting on the lyrics; they were very applicable to my own life. I had seen the passing of countless seasons, but there was also much I had yet to see, and may never see. I thought about how short the lives of men were, and how they would never have the chance to experience even a fraction of what an Elf does. I glanced sideways at Candaith and noticed him looking forward, clearly thinking.

Instead of commenting, he slowed his horse and fell back behind me and next to Saeradan. I felt confused and a little hurt. It seemed the song struck a chord in him, but he did not wish to share his thoughts with me. One moment he would be asking me questions or to hear me sing, and the next he would close himself off and leave. It was true that most of the Dunedain I had met were on the quieter side, with a few exceptions, but I had thought Candaith was more willing to open up and speak his mind. However, I had noticed him distancing himself from me. Was it something I did, or said? Males…they are more dramatic than females sometimes.

There was no use worrying about it; if he wanted to speak to me, he could do so in his own time.

Hope you enjoyed Barachan's shenanigans, I know I did! I don't have a direct translation of the song handy, as I can't seem to find the source I found it through. Thanks for reading, and if you could take some time to write a review, that would be lovely!