I tried to post this yesterday, but the website was broken and didn't allow me to post or even access my profile. Sorry about that!

Time to help Dagoras with his wolf problem, among other things! Enjoy!

Chapter 28

It was decided that, the next morning, a few of us would approach the shadow wolf den carefully, avoiding as many wolves as we could. We hoped Amarion would be alive and well, but I felt it was likely he would be in a cave or something…hopefully hiding.

After finalizing the details, Halbarad bade us sleep if we could, and set up the watches. I volunteered to take first watch, as I still felt wide awake despite all that had happened today. Saeradan furrowed his brow in concern, and I realized we had not spoken much since Rivendell. I will make some time to chat with him in the coming days. I had missed his soft-spoken voice; he seemed serious at first but really had a sense of quiet humor. I waved him off with a somewhat forced smile and he nodded, moving toward his tent.

I settled myself in the same place I had been earlier that day, on the eastern edge of the camp. After about an hour of solitude, Candaith sat down next to me. I glanced around and noticed everyone was in their tents. "Unable to sleep?" I asked.

Instead of answering, I felt him intertwine his fingers in mine. I smiled and leaned my head against his shoulder, already feeling much better than I had before. "Perhaps I missed you," he said softly.

"We have not had time alone together since Rivendell," I replied, and the memory of it made my face flush. He must have noticed because he chuckled and squeezed my hand.

After a beat, he whispered, "How could I forget?" and his lips were right next to my ear. I shivered, feeling heat race down my body.

"Candaith, I am supposed to be keeping watch," I whispered breathily. "You are distracting me."

"Hmm," he murmured huskily, "Is it a good distraction?"

I felt my breath quicken as his lips lightly touched my ear, holding in a moan with great difficulty as his tongue brushed the sensitive tip. Summoning all my strength and resolve, I pulled away slightly to look into his eyes. They were dark with desire, and all I wanted to do was pull his face down to mine and kiss him fiercely…

…but I had a job to do. Sighing, I broke eye contact, moving away slightly but keeping our fingers intertwined. He grumbled but I knew he understood. "Perhaps I should return to my tent; I fear it would be too hard to be so near and be unable to touch you like I wish," he whispered, the desire still present.

I nodded quickly, unable to speak for fear of what I would say. With one last squeeze of my hand, he rose and went to his tent. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and tried to quench the flames that had been sparked inside of me. I turned forward and focused my attention back to my watch, thankfully noting nothing was out of place…except an Elf that was perched on a pillar not too far away. My eyes widened; it was Elrohir, and although he was not looking at me, I could see him smirking.

"Elrohir," I whispered harshly, "What are you doing awake? Were you watching us?"

He turned to look at me and I could see laughter dancing in his eyes. "I was resting but noticed that perhaps someone was too distracted to adequately keep watch. And no, I moved further away to give you some privacy, which clearly you needed."

My face flushed, "I do not know what you could possibly mean," I replied, but even I could tell it was not convincing.

"Hmm, if you say so. I think I will take over; you seem weary mellon nin."

My jaw dropped, "Weary? I am perfectly fine, thank you. Your watch does not start for another hour."

Instead of listening, he lightly leapt off the pillar and sat next to me. "You know, you should be more careful if you do not wish others to notice," he murmured teasingly.

I looked at him and shrugged sadly, "We have spent almost no time together since we left. It has been hard."

Elrohir's smile faded and compassion was in his eyes. "I will not pretend to understand matters of the heart, having no experience in that area, but I am sorry you are not able to express yourself as you wish." He squeezed my hand, "Perhaps when this is all over, you will be able to be together. I would be the first to wish you joy and happiness."

I contemplated his words. He had some experience with knowledge of a relationship between an Elf and a mortal. Perhaps he was one of a few who were uniquely qualified to understand. Almost as if he could read my thoughts, he said, "I have seen a great love between Arwen and Aragorn, and even though I know I will likely be separated from them by death, I would not wish for them to part so Arwen could spend forever without him." I realized he was speaking indirectly of his own choice to live as an Elf or a mortal, and he clearly still needed to decide which he would choose.

Elrond, his father, also had a twin brother, and his name was Elros. Elrond decided to stay as an Elf, but Elros chose a mortal life. I hoped that both Elladan and Elrohir made the same choice, in order to spare them such heartache, as well as that of their father.

"Candaith and I…we have known each other such a short time. It is barely the blink of an eye for an Elf, but I feel as if I have known him forever." I looked forward, my chin in my hand. "My father used to say that the moment he saw my mother smile, he knew she was the one he wanted as his wife. I always scoffed at this; how could you be in love with someone you just met? They hadn't even had a conversation. And yet…when Candaith smiled at me, near the end of our first meeting, I felt a spark of something."

Elrohir looked thoughtful. "What do you think that something was?"

I replied, "At the time I could not tell, but looking back, I think…" I blushed, "I think it might have been love." I chuckled ruefully, "Or maybe it is all in my mind and I am being foolish."

Elrohir laughed softly, "Perhaps, but does love not make fools of us all? At least, that is what they say."

I shrugged, "Who knows?" My countenance darkened slightly. "Is it worth it?" When Elrohir furrowed a brow, I continued, "Is loving him worth it? Whether he lives one more day or 100 years, he will still die, and I do not know if I could bear it." Or if I would survive it. Those words were unspoken, but I could sense Elrohir knew what I could not say out loud. "Perhaps if I let him go now, it would be easier; maybe it would not hurt so much when we parted." Despite my words, the thought of it made my chest ache terribly, and I unconsciously rubbed it.

Elrohir sighed and took my hand, "I think it is too late for that, Gwin." When I nodded, feeling helpless, he turned towards me more fully, "It is ultimately yours and Candaith's decision to make, but if I may offer my opinion?" I nodded. "I would say it is better to spend even one more day loving him than all the ages without him." I felt tears on my cheeks, but instead of trying to wipe them away I just let them come. Elrohir sat quietly next to me, and his presence was a comfort.

After some time, I said, "I am glad you are here on watch, because clearly I am useless tonight," I tried to laugh but it sounded somewhat strangled.

"Ai, muinthel (sister), it is no worry. I have been ever vigilant in your stead. Now, go and seek some rest. Things will be better in the morning; I am sure of it."

With one last smile at his endearment, I stood up and quietly entered my tent, and curled up on my palette under the blankets. It had been a very draining evening and night. Despite the difficulty, my talks with Golodir and Elrohir had helped. While I was by no means fully healed, I felt I could handle things a little better. I fell into a peaceful reverie and had no unpleasant dreams.

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The next morning, it was decided that Elladan, Lothrandir, Radanir, and Candaith would go in search of Amarion. I had initially volunteered, but Halbarad declined, stating it was important to "share the load", so to speak, when it came to these "detours". Part of me wanted to argue; I was used to doing this type of work, but I had to keep reminding myself that it was not just about me. I was not a solo traveler this time.

Candaith wandered over to me with a smile, "I guess it is my turn to make you worry," I tried to smile back, but felt nervous. He held out his hand, which had a leather cord tied into a bracelet. "I held onto your mother's ring, so now it is your job to hold onto something of mine. It has been handed down through the ages, from father to son."

I took it and examined its make. The leather looked brand new. I eyed him suspiciously, "Did you just make this?"

He winked, only saying, "I will see you soon!"

"Wait!" I blurted out, as he began to walk away. He turned back towards me with a questioning expression. "I…well, be careful. May Elbereth guide your steps." I had almost stated for everyone to hear that I loved him; thankfully I was able to catch myself!

Candaith grinned; could he know what I had meant to say? "I will not say I will be careful, but I will be as stealthy as I may." I rolled my eyes and he waved once more before leading his horse down the path with the others.

Sighing, I turned toward my tent. I needed to tend to my knives and make sure they were sharp.

Well, that's what I told myself. I knew they were just as sharp as they were yesterday.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Saeradan there. "I see you are waiting for me?" I asked.

He gave one of his half smiles and said, "We have not had a chance to speak much lately, and I assume the distraction would be welcome?" I nodded, sitting down beside him. "How are you faring so far?"

"Well enough," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

"I sense you wished to go with Candaith today?" Saeradan asked.

"Ah, well…" I mumbled. "I just felt I could be of use on the mission."

Saeradan gave me a knowing look. "Is that the only reason?" he replied with a small smirk.

I felt my cheeks redden, and said, "Of course it is." However, even I could tell it was not very convincing.

He rolled his eyes, "Very well, keep your secrets. I will not pry further, but should you wish to talk, I am always available, mellon nin."

"Thank you," I replied softly, with a smile. I squared my shoulders and tried to change the subject. "I suppose I have you to thank for keeping Candaith calm while I've been off having adventures?"

Saeradan sighed, but smiled, "I would not say calm, but rather I kept him from running off and doing something foolish."

Curious, I wanted to ask more about this, but before we could talk further, Halbarad walked over to us. "Would you both be willing to do me a favor?" Both of us nodded in the affirmative, so he continued, "Dagoras tells me there are hidden Dunedain caches of weapons, food, and medicine. He thinks they will be of use to us on our journey."

"If they are hidden well, they will be difficult to find," I mused.

Halbarad passed me some parchment, on which a map was drawn. "This has the rough locations of the caches. There will be little runes on rocks or trees that will lead you to the correct spots. Take some horses with you; the saddlebags should be sufficient. I will be sending Golodir and Corunir out to another area, and leave the rest of us here." He leaned closer to us and murmured, "As you know, this land is not without danger. Your lives are worth more than some weapons or foodstuffs; if the danger outweighs the risk, I urge you to return. I have not had the chance to scout these locations."

Saeradan nodded seriously, "We shall be careful. Gwinthilnel, after you." He motioned me forward towards where the horses were tethered.

Before we could head out, I felt a tap on my shoulder, and turned to see the contrite face of Golodir. "Gwinthilnel, may we speak a moment?" I nodded, and we moved a short distance from Saeradan for some privacy. He paused a moment to gather his thoughts, before continuing in his gravely voice of his, "I want to apologize for my behavior last night. I should not have been speaking of you to Corunir without your knowledge, and I am sorry if I hurt you with my words."

I suppressed a sigh and put a hand on his shoulder, "There is no need to apologize…I took things too personally. I admit my temper was short and I did not feel myself, and I reacted poorly." I gave him a friendly squeeze. "I know you are just concerned for me and care for my well-being."

He nodded in response, and replied, "Corunir and I…we care for you as a sister." He shifted a little, clearly uncomfortable speaking of his feelings. "If we can help in any way to alleviate your fears or pain, we would do it." He raised his concerned eyes to mine. "I know you would do the same for us."

I managed a smile, touched by his words. "You would be right, mellon nin. We need to look out for each other, especially during these difficult times." We had been to the brink and survived against all odds against Mordirith; I refused to falter now. The darkness would not hold sway over us if I could do anything about it. I straightened up and said, "We should all get going on our task to retrieve those caches." Golodir nodded and gave me a slight quirk of a smile, and we went our separate ways.

Saeradan and I emptied our saddlebags of unnecessary items, in order to make room for what was in the caches, and headed out. I hoped we would come across useful things; we could use all the help we could get.

A little on the shorter side, but it sets up for an exciting next chapter! Review/follow/favorite if you have a chance!