Moving the plot along, with a little romance! Read on!

Chapter 33

Shortly after the bridge, I could see Lhanuch ahead of me. Once I got to the main gate, I was greeted with a small group of armed Uch-luth, and they did not look friendly. I opened my mouth to speak but instead one of them said, "Begone Elichthi, you have no place here!"

I raised my hands in a gesture of peace, but again was unable to speak before another man said, "Her kind are witches! She will ensnare us!" My eyes widened as they began to move towards me, weapons forward. I quickly backed my horse away from them, saying "I mean you no harm, men of the Uch-luth. I am with the other Duvodiad rangers who have arrived." I prayed they had indeed arrived; if they had not, things would perhaps go even worse for me.

They paused for a moment and looked at each other, conversing in their own language. The first man still seemed unconvinced, "You have no proof Elichthi, you could be using your words to trick us."

"I promise I do not. I assure you, anyone who knows me would say I am not a smooth speaker. I always speak plainly. Please, ask any of the rangers, they will vouch for me." I tried to keep my voice calm, but some of my frustration seeped into it.

"Well I do not trust those Duvodiad either!" the first man said stubbornly, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes. This was ridiculous.

Before things could further deteriorate, a woman came through the entrance to the village and approached our small group. She spoke to the men, seeming to try and reassure them I was not here to harm them. After a somewhat lengthy conversation, the men glowered at me as they lowered their weapons and moved aside. The woman walked confidently over to me and said, "My name is Nona, daughter of Suvulch."

Seeming to wait for a response, I replied, "Hail Nona. I am Gwinthilnel, daughter of Raefrin." After a moment where she seemed to be sizing me up, she said, "It is good to see another female warrior. Welcome to Lhanuch," and promptly turned around and walked toward the village. By this I inferred that she meant me to follow her, so I entered the gates soon after.

I was glad to see that Nona was alive and well, and wondered how the token Wadu insisted was hers ended up in the camp we had infiltrated. I would have to find time to ask her, but unfortunately there were more pressing matters.

It was a decent-sized settlement, surrounded by a sturdy wooden fence, and well-guarded. The path was marked by rows of parallel logs, and there were many huts of various sizes. In the very center of the village was a familiar face. Halbarad's shoulders seemed to sag slightly when he saw me, and I wondered if he had been worried. I scanned the surrounding area but could not see Candaith; disappointed, I determined I would find him later.

I dismounted my horse and a young boy eagerly escorted her to a stall in the stable. I was just able to grab my belongings off of her before he hurried away, and I chuckled at his enthusiasm. I turned to Halbarad with a smile and saw the very corner of his mouth turn up, which was his usual way of almost smiling. "Suilad Halbarad. I am glad you made it here safely."

He nodded, "You as well. All of us are here and unharmed. I assume you stopped at Saeradan's camp after investigating the blockade?"

"I did…but you may not like what I discovered," I replied somberly. I pulled him aside and quietly explained what happened and how I had come across Wadu's body. "I am unsure how to tell his sister and father of his death, as I do not have many details."

"It could come across as suspicious, and they may believe you or the rest of us had something to do with it," Halbarad said grimly.

I shrugged helplessly, "I do not know what to say, but I must tell them." I glanced around and saw Nona speaking with an older man that looked very similar to her. "I assume they are there. Will you come with me, in case things go ill?"

Halbarad nodded. I approached the two of them and bobbed my head slightly. "Thank you for allowing us into your village. May I speak with you both in private? I bring tidings of a delicate nature."

Suvulch frowned, "Then would you not wish to speak with the Brenin? I am not the leader of this clan."

I sighed, "It is about Wadu- "

"Wadu?" Suvulch spat. "What of my coward son? I see he is not here, likely off shirking his duties."

"Father please do not say such things," Nona rebuked quietly. Despite her words, she seemed almost in agreement with Suvulch.

"Why? They are true, are they not?" Suvulch replied angrily.

Feeling awkward, I tried again, "Something has happened to him that I must impart, and it is grim news." Nona's expression became one of concern, but Suvulch continued to look annoyed and disgusted. Pulling them aside to a quieter area I continued, "When I was scouting a blockade north of here, I came across Wadu…he was dead."

Nona's eyes grew wide in disbelief, and Suvulch clenched his fists and he would not look at me. "How? When?" Nona said brokenly.

I bowed my head, "He must have followed the Uruk-hai to investigate, but he was ambushed from behind and shot with an arrow. I do not think he suffered." I did not mention that the arrow went through his neck, but I wondered if they had deduced it.

Looking heartbroken, Nona stood stoic next to her father. Instead of seeming sad, he just looked angry, "Lived as a coward and died as one." I nearly gasped at his words but held my tongue. He turned to Nona, "I have long wished Nona had been my first-born son and not my daughter, for she is strong and honorable. She is no fool like Wadu." The venom in his words was palpable, but I could sense the grief hidden underneath. Even so, it was cruel to say. Nona did not reply to these words but looked both furious and grief-stricken.

I felt Halbarad put a hand on my shoulder, and I realized I was getting visibly upset at Suvulch's reaction. Sliding my mask of calm and collected on my face with some difficulty, I said, "I buried him in a grave near the blockade, but I am sure you would like to lay him to rest in the customs of your people. I marked it with a cairn so he should be easy to find." I pulled out the Rohirric sword from my belongings. "He had this on his person, but I am unsure how he could have come across it. Is it familiar to you?"

Nona shook her head, but Suvulch looked intrigued. "Perhaps he defeated one of them and took it as a bounty." The glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes disgusted me, so I had to look away from him.

Halbarad, sensing my struggle, took over the conversation, "Whatever the case may be, it is yours now."

Suvulch took it and after a moment of consideration, turned to Nona. "My daughter, I bestow this sword onto you. May you make me proud." His words were solemn, and Nona nodded but did not reply. It was likely she was overwhelmed by all that had happened and did not know what to say. Suvulch then stalked away, leaving Nona standing next to us awkwardly. Halbarad squeezed my shoulder and said, "I will take my leave. Gwinthilnel, I will be nearby should you need me." I nodded and he walked back towards the large campfire in the middle of town.

I decided to ask Nona about the token found in the Dunlending camp. "Nona, I was with your brother only last night, and we came across a token he insisted belonged to you. He feared you had been captured. Did you have a run-in with anyone who could have taken it from you?"

At this Nona looked guiltily at the ground, "I…I knew these men had been killing members of the Uch-luth and wanted revenge, as did my brother. I snuck up to the camp three nights ago to scout, but I was spotted and had to flee. Likely it fell out of my pocket and someone picked it up." Nona sighed. "I am sorry I worried Wadu; I am afraid it may have had something to do with his death."

I shook my head, "I find it more likely he spotted something suspicious when he was on his way to rendezvous with us in Echad Dagoras this morning. Perhaps he followed some Uruks or enemy Dunlendings north towards the blockade and meant to gather information to report to your Brenin."

"Or he wanted to do something to earn himself glory in the eyes of our father," Nona replied bitterly. She sat down heavily on the ground, and I did so more slowly. Clearly Nona wanted someone to speak with. "My father Suvulch was a great warrior in the past, and gained renown among our people for slaying the great druggavar Taglourn. It was a massive creature, and after its death the group of druggavar in the northeast scattered. He was a valued member of our small army, but he was gravely injured in a battle and did not recover enough to fight again. Instead, he looked to Wadu to follow in his footsteps, but my brother was never interested in fighting. He found joy in singing and the playing of the lyre, and although being a bard is a good profession, it was not accepted by my father."

Nona started drawing aimlessly with her finger in the dirt, seeming not to notice what she was doing. "I tried to be the warrior my father always wanted, but I was not the male heir. I enjoy the thrill of fighting with the sword or spear, but I have never truly faced battle. My father became frustrated and angry at Wadu's reluctance to fight, and when Wadu stood up to him and stated he would not fight, they became estranged. I tried to keep the peace between them, but it was hopeless. When I was younger and dreamed of glory, I took my father's side, telling Wadu that playing music was for children and that he needed to grow up and be a warrior. I fear my brother believed I was not on his side, when in reality I have been." I noted tears gathering in her eyes but she stubbornly refused to let them fall. "Did he die believing I did not love him? Did he love me?"

"Nona, I think he loved you very much. His anger and terror when he saw your token in the camp was real, and I believe he would have gone to the ends of the earth to keep you safe. He wanted to protect you, and that's what siblings do. You look out for each other, no matter what," I replied softly.

"I did not look out for him when he needed me most!" she said angrily, hitting her fist on the ground.

"He would not wish for you to blame yourself," I said, feeling sorry for her. "I believe he would want you to grieve for him but also pick yourself back up and live your life to the fullest."

Nona looked at me, and I saw her eyes harden in determination. "This I shall do."

Before I could ask her some questions about the sword and how she thought her brother may have come across it, I saw Nona look at something behind my shoulder. Her lips quirked up. "Gwinthilnel, I believe someone wants to speak with you. Perhaps your husband?"

My eyes widened and I whipped my head around. Candaith was standing there smiling at me, but looked a little unsure once he saw what was likely my bewildered expression. Nona put her hand on my shoulder and said, "Thank you for listening," and walked away. I noted I was still sitting on the ground and Candaith held his hand out to me, pulling me to my feet. He smirked as I dusted myself off; I hadn't realized how dirty I was after traveling and sitting in the dirt.

When I was finished, I felt warm at the look of tenderness on Candaith's face. I couldn't help but smile, and he grinned back, his eyes twinkling. "Did you miss me?" I murmured.

"Always," he replied softly, taking one of my hands in his. "Did I overhear Nona say I was perhaps your husband?" A roguish grin was on his face.

I blushed, "She suggested that you might be." I certainly dreamed of it being true someday, but I did not tell him this. Perhaps I would get the courage I needed over time.

He moved closer to me, and tugged us behind a hut some distance from the others. He embraced me tightly. Our bodies fit so well together and I felt safe in his arms. I took a deep breath, inhaling the familiar woodsy scent mixed with a trace of pipe weed. "Gwin," he began, and I felt his voice rumble through his chest, "Although part of me wishes you had stayed behind in Imladris…I am glad you are here with me."

I pulled back a little so I could see his face, which held a serious expression. "I am also glad Candaith. I could not have remained in Imladris, and not just because of the important mission." I put my gloved hand on his cheek, and he leaned into it. "If I had stayed, knowing I may never see you again and being unable to protect you…that I could not bear."

Candaith smiled, "Am I not the one who should be protecting you, fair maiden?" I lightly whapped him on the shoulder and he laughed, taking my hand in his. "I will always wish to protect you, even if you claim not to need me."

"I will always need you," I said quietly, looking into his eyes, which were a striking blue. Before I could tell myself this was a bad thing to do in a place where anyone might see, I pulled his mouth down to mine and kissed him hard. My hands were entangled in his hair and he seemed surprised. I pouted when he pulled away slightly, but he was merely guiding me to a more private place.

There was a back entrance to Lhanuch, which led out to the farmlands of the villagers and was not as secure. Candaith smirked as he noted the guard was sleeping, and we carefully made our way past him and into a copse of dense trees. Always attuned to my surroundings, I quickly did a sweep of the area, making sure no enemies were nearby. Finding none, I turned to Candaith once more and he pulled me tightly into his arms, kissing me deeply. I felt like there had been something dormant inside of me that had been waiting for just the right moment to wake up, and I let myself sink into it. I distantly noted I had been lowered to the ground, in a grassy area, and Candaith laid beside me. He was gazing at me intensely, and his eyes were filled with desire. I wondered if mine looked the same, for I could feel that desire in myself.

Unsure which of us moved first, our lips crashed together and our legs intertwined. His hands were undoing the plat in my hair and mine were scraping the skin of his lower back, where his shirt had ridden up. I rolled myself on top of him and ground my hips into his, and I swallowed his moan with my lips. I placed small, hot kisses down his neck, and his hands were buried in my hair. When I reached the collar of his shirt, I pulled it off of one shoulder and moved my lips across his collar bone, sucking gently. I could tell it was taking all of his effort to remain quiet, and he was breathing fast. As I moved my mouth up again towards his neck, I could feel his pulse fluttering quickly and I smiled.

A smile that turned into an expression of surprise as he deftly flipped us around so he was hovering above me. "My turn," he whispered huskily, and I shivered in anticipation. He kissed me deeply before saying, "Do you remember what I said the other night? About what I would do if we were alone?" I nodded, my face flushing when I recalled his words. Instead of replying, he sat up and pulled me into his lap, my legs automatically wrapping around his hips. He ran his warm fingers through my hair, whispering, "You are beautiful," in a way that made my body tingle.

After kissing me to the point where we were both in need of air, he moved his lips to my right ear, grazing and then sucking on its point. It was like a bolt of intense pleasure right to my core, and I bit my lip to keep from crying out. "H-how?" I was trying to ask him how he knew the tips of the ears of Elves were so sensitive, but could not get the words out. He chuckled and said, "Lucky guess." His breath was hot on my neck, and he kissed his way down it to my shoulder, and then across to the other before taking the tip of my left ear into his lips. I was squirming now, the flame of desire building fiercely. "Patience," is all he whispered. I heard myself moan pitifully and felt him smile against my neck.

Candaith started unlacing the front of my tunic, his calloused fingers rough on my skin. In that moment I felt a flicker of fear, but tried to push it aside. It is just Candaith I told myself. Closing my eyes, I noticed my breathing growing faster, but not in a good way. Bad memories were filling my mind despite how much I tried to ignore them. Why was this happening now? I am safe…right? I felt like my mind was clouded, and doubt was replacing my security. I was shaking, and suddenly all I could see was the Uruk's cruel face. Was it really the Uruk? Was Candaith just a figment of my imagination? I started to back away, and there was a ringing in my ears. "N-no, please get away from me!" I said in a panic, and I felt like I was caught in a nightmare. Something put a hand on my arm and I grabbed them, bodily pushing them on the ground without even looking to see who or what it was. It had to be the Uruk, right? I heard an "Oomph!" and then nothing. I turned away and ran, hiding myself behind a boulder, afraid and breathing much too fast. My surroundings were blurred and all I could hear was the cruel laughter of my tormentors. I put my hands on my ears, but could not block it out.

Suddenly I heard something out of place. Someone was singing, and the tune was familiar. I slowly removed my hands from my ears and focused on the music, trying to determine what it was. The voice was deep, warm and comforting. I started to hum along, realizing I knew it too. My breathing started to slow, and the wooded landscape came into clearer focus.

Carefully, I crawled over to the edge of the boulder and peeked around to see who it was that was singing, and found Candaith sitting on the ground looking disheveled but not too worse for wear. He had a guarded expression on his face but continued to sing, or rather hum. A sense of relief crashed down upon me suddenly, and I started crying as I crawled over to him. He met me halfway and encircled me with his arms, whispering "It is Candaith, Gwin. You are safe with me, always." Clearly, I had not fully recovered from my sexual assault from months ago.

"I am ashamed," I whispered. "How could I mistake you for someone else, especially such a vile creature?"

"You went through something terrible; I do not blame you and I would not have you blame yourself," Candaith said firmly.

"It was like I was really there, back in the camp next to that tree. I thought you were a figment of my imagination, some sort of trick the Uruk was using to hurt me," I said, my voice cracking. "Did I injure you?" I did a quick scan of his body to see if I had hurt him when I pushed him to the ground, but he took my chin in his hand and turned my face to his. "I am well. It is you I worry for Gwin. If we were in Imladris, I would tell you to speak to Lord Elrond or another healer to see if they could help, but that is not the case."

"No, it is not," I murmured back, burying my face in his chest. I felt safe in his arms, and he hugged me closer. "I will have to find a way to move past this, not only for me, but for us." I look up at him again, feeling defeated. "I cannot fly into a panic every time we are intimate." My cheeks were burning.

"Then we will take things slowly. I do not plan on going anywhere, do you?" Candaith asked with a smile. I shook my head and smiled in return.

After sitting with Candaith for a moment longer, I collected myself and he helped me to my feet. "We must return, we are likely missed," I muttered, hoping Halbarad and the others weren't worried. Nodding, Candaith led the way.

Nona and Suvulch got the unhappy news, and we got some more insight into Nona's character. The romance didn't quite go as Gwin and Candaith had hoped, but PTSD is a complicated thing to deal with. Hope you enjoyed reading, and leave a review if you have a moment, as it is very encouraging and lifts my spirits!