This a bit on the shorter side, but it will set up for a longer one next chapter. Some decisions are made, and Gwin is given an interesting offer. Read on!

Chapter 35

Over the next few hours, I spent time practicing my archery and swordplay with Elrohir, who needed a distraction from missing his brother. "He will be fine mellon nin," I said reassuringly. "He will return soon, likely in the next day or two, and you will be up to your mischief-making in no time."

He smiled cheekily and tugged on my braid. I swatted his hand away and he said, "I might as well cause enough trouble for the both of us until he returns!" I rolled my eyes and we continued sparring.

I didn't spend much time with Candaith that afternoon; I knew if he spoke with me, he would discern that I was hiding something. While it was true that I wasn't exactly keeping a secret, I was also not keen to mention something which would separate us, as it seemed likely Halbarad would not allow him to join me up on the mountain.

However, I knew I couldn't hide from him forever. I had just been to the indoor market to refresh my supplies when I felt him pull me behind the back of the building. Before I could blink, he was kissing me, and I gasped as he pulled me flush against him. My hands instinctively buried themselves in his hair, and he muffled my moan with his lips as he rolled his hips against mine. When I thought was about to run out of air, he slowly ended the kiss and placed his forehead on mine. "I missed you," he growled, and it made me shiver with anticipation. "Are you perhaps avoiding me?"

My mind was mush from his attentions and all I could manage was a weak, "What?" He smirked, and kissed me again, softer this time, tucking my hair behind my ear which had come undone from my plat, lightly massaging the point and sending a jolt of desire down into my stomach and making my hands grasp the front of his shirt so I wouldn't fall down. "Candaith," I gasped. "You…you cannot do that if you expect me to answer a question."

He smirked again, "What can I say, I like seeing how I affect you."

"If touching your ears made you feel like it does when you touch mine, you'd understand how torturous it is," I whispered. "I'm sure there are other places I could touch you."

"You know just what to say to me, don't you Gwin?" he whispered back, his eyes darkening with lust. His hand had slipped just under the back of my tunic and were lightly moving up and down my spine, and it was driving me mad. "Now, are you going to tell me what you have been keeping from me or will I have to make you?" The implications of that were clear, and I almost wanted to see what he would do, but before I could reply, I heard Halbarad distantly asking around for me and I sighed. Candaith looked at me, confused, and I realized he probably could not hear Halbarad's voice. "What is the matter Gwin? I hope I did not cause you distress with what I said?"

I smiled, "Oh no, I promise it was the opposite. I can hear Halbarad asking people where I am, and I doubt he would want to come upon us like this."

Candaith grinned and said, "Ah yes, you are probably right." Sadly, he stepped away from me and we both made sure we looked presentable before I made my way over to where Halbarad was; Candaith waited a minute or so before walking over to his tent.

"Hello Gwinthilnel," Halbarad began, "I have decided you are right in that we should investigate what is going on in Thror's Coomb. I asked Calenglad and Corunir to travel with you."

I nodded, "I assume you have assigned the rest of our group to various other places?"

"I have. Candaith will also travel with you for a time, but I will have him stay at the base of the mountain and establish a camp there. I want to know if anyone pursues you, and if so, Candaith can ride to Radanir and he will pass a message to me."

This made me smile a little; at least Candaith would be traveling with me for a short while. The question is whether or not he would actually listen to Halbarad and stay at the foot of the mountain. We will cross that bridge when we come to it.

"A trip up a mountain? Count me in," a musical voice added. I turned and raised an eyebrow at a grinning Elrohir.

Halbarad sighed, "I was hoping to send you west to scout the Gloomglens." He thought for a moment, and continued, "I will send Prestadir in your stead; he does seem to like spending time in dark and mysterious places." I agreed with this; I had found him in the Haunted Inn of all places, which is the only other inn besides the Forsaken Inn that I would avoid unless at great need.

"Excellent! When will we be leaving?" Elrohir asked, throwing an arm around my shoulder.

"Tomorrow if possible. I would like this taken care of quickly." Halbarad said firmly. "I feel uneasy about it, but I trust Gwinthilnel's judgement; she has never led me astray."

"Ah, thank you Halbarad for saying that," I replied, my cheeks reddening slightly. I was never very good at taking praise, even when it was due.

With that, we parted ways and Halbarad went to discuss the plan with the others who were involved. Just as I had decided to find myself some food, I was surprised to be approached by none other than the Brenin of Lhanuch. "You are Gwinthilnel the Elichthi?" he asked bluntly.

"Yes I am. How can I be of service?" Glynn Brenin had yet to speak with anyone but Halbarad, and I wondered what he wanted from me.

"Do you have magical powers to tell if one is lying?" he replied, and I barely prevented myself from raising an eyebrow in disbelief.

"I would not say I have magical powers, but I am a good judge of character. Why do you ask?" I was very curious now.

"There is an emissary from Isengard treating with the leaders of Lhanuch tonight, and I wanted to know if he is lying about what he says. I was told Elichthi can know when a person is being false by some mysterious ways, but it seems I am wrong in this?" He looked disappointed, but his eyes were hard.

I shrugged, "I have been told I have good discernment at telling truth from lies, but it is no magic. However, you have generously allowed my group of travelers to stay in your city, and if I can help you in any way, I would be interested."

"Hmm…" he murmured. "Very well. The meeting will be after sunset, in our large gathering tent in the center of town. I will be there as will the members of my council."

"Will you allow-" I began to ask, but was interrupted by the Brenin holding a hand up and saying, "No other Duvodiad."

I frowned. Halbarad would not be pleased to be left out, but we had to play by the rules of the Brenin or risk being kicked out of Lhanuch, and we certainly could not afford that. "Very well, I will be there."

With that, he turned and walked purposefully away from me, as if to show everyone that he only spoke to me out of necessity and not because he liked me.

I sat down on a log near the fire, chin in my hand and thinking about what I would say or do in this council meeting. I was so lost in thought that I did not notice Candaith sitting next to me until he said, "Gwin? Are you listening to me or is your head in the clouds?"

I smiled weakly and turned toward him, "In the clouds of course." He took my hand and squeezed it gently before releasing it, and I faced him more fully.

"What is on your mind?" he asked me. "I saw the Brenin speaking with you, and it seemed like a serious conversation."

I nodded. "It was. He wants me to attend a very important council meeting that includes an emissary of Saruman. Likely the wizard is trying to get the Ox Clan on his side."

Candaith looked unnerved but also confused, "Why does he want you to attend?"

"He has some notion that Elves can tell if someone is lying, although he assumed it was some kind of magic." I rolled my eyes. "So, he will be using me to see if the emissary speaks the truth or not, so that he will not be fooled."

"Hmm…does Halbarad know?" Candaith looked as doubtful as I felt about this meeting and my ability to be useful.

I shook my head, "Not yet, but the Brenin was firm in saying that only I could attend. It is clear he does not trust us and is only allowing my presence out of necessity." I looked down at my hands. "Despite having faced many enemies, this emissary makes me uneasy."

Candaith tipped my chin up and looked at me seriously, "We will be nearby should you need us; you only must shout and we will come to your aid." His eyes were full of intensity. "I…I mean, we will always protect you Gwin."

I smiled, feeling touched and valued, and said simply, "I know." With that, I rose and pulled Candaith up with me. "Now, let's find me some food, I'm starving!" Candaith chuckled and we left together in search of dinner.

Looks like a very important meeting is about to happen, and Candaith has yet to discover he will not be joining Gwin the entire way up to the top of Thror's Coomb. If only Candaith had a little more time to coax it out of her haha. Thanks for reading! Review/follow/favorite!