A/N: I really loved writing this one. Hope you enjoy!

LadyForlong - Yeah sorry about that haha. Maybe someday...maybe. sure. totalllly ;) I did make a Lord of the Rings Online version of Rinior though so like, at least there he can be a hero instead LOL.

Chapter Twenty-Six - Maedeth

She turned back at the base of the cascading waterfalls. Summer melted the snows far above and fed the glistening Mirrormere before them. But they did not have time to linger at the Dimrill Stair. Maedeth spared a single glance at the dwarven guards far above them on the path into the Redhorn Pass. Armed, armored, and unwavering, they stood like silent stoic sentinels.

Maedeth remembered the pit in her stomach the last time they entered Lórinand. Lórien, as the dwarves had called it when questioning them on their destination East of the mountains. Doom had found them. She turned back as her horse sped on. She prayed doom would pass them this time.

Elladan took point. They anticipated no danger between the Dimrill Dale and the golden boughs of Lórien but he refused to relax his guard until they reached the elven kingdom. She did not object.

The sun began to set as they reached the treeline. No guards met them. This time there was no greeting party, only the gentle flow of the River Nimrodel and the songs of birds and insects at twilight. Maedeth took a deep breath. Somehow it smelled of peace.

She dismounted. Elladan hesitated, still staring into the trees. But she had spent so many days in the saddle and wished for leaf litter beneath her feet.

"I do not like this," Elladan said. But he joined her on the ground, placing a hand on the pommel of his sword. They stood side by side at the edge of the river, under the trees. "Where are the wardens? Do they leave their land unguarded?"

Branches rustled to their right. Maedeth startled, stepping back into her horse. The steed threw his head back. Elladan drew his sword, standing in front of her.

"Declare yourself!" Elladan said. "Are you friend or foe?"

Maedeth peered past him in the silence. The tree branches tossed in a gentle wind but no one spoke in return. She looked elsewhere. Perhaps it was a beast of some sort? A wild animal? But the ground was empty too. In the fading light, tree shadows confused her.

Elladan lowered his sword in surprise just as a woman peeked out from behind a Mallorn truck. She stepped before them. Her blonde hair cascaded about her waist, free from tie or hairpiece. Her grey-blue eyes narrowed in anger. But she wore no armor, only a flowing green and white dress that danced in the wind.

"You dare ask if I be friend or foe?" she said, in halting Sindarin. A thick, Silvan accent made it difficult to understand. "These woods are Silvan. You are not Silvan."

"My lady-" Elladan began.

But she cut him off, striding forward with a finger pointed at his chest. She reached only to their chins in height. "I have lived here. This stream, my home. These trees, free to bloom and grow without the interference of you Noldor."

She added something that Maedeth did not understand. A Silvan word, and one that certainly was not a compliment. She took a deep breath.

"Please, forgive us my lady. I am Lady Maedeth, of the Kingdom of Arthedain in the North. This is Lord Elladan, grandson of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn and brother of Lady Arwen. They have dwelt here for many years with your king." She curtsied, keeping her eyes low. "May I ask your name."

"Nimrodel."

Her voice had softened. But as Maedeth followed her gaze, she noticed Nimrodel still glaring at the sword Elladan had yet to sheath, laying down at his side. She nudged him. A moment later it was put away.

"We came over the mountains long ago," Nimrodel said, "to rid ourselves of the anguish of the Noldor. And now they come here yet again." She shook her head. "Amroth… King Amroth may welcome your kind. I do not."

"Is King Amroth not Sindar? He is not Silvan either," Elladan pointed out. "But you trust him."

Maedeth closed her eyes. He was an infinitely better talker than Rinior was but even he did not know diplomacy quite like her. Nimrodel's voice hardened again.

"You think I do not know this? Because I prefer to spend my days with the trees and the rivers?" Nimrodel pointed at his sheathed sword. "You think only Silvan folk were harmed by Noldor? You are wrong. Amroth has decided to mend bridges with you outsiders," Nimrodel said, "because he believes Noldor can be good. I do not. Others will bring ruin to Lindórinand."

"We must cross, Lady Nimrodel," Maedeth said. "I bear you no ill will. But it is the King we must speak to."

Nimrodel said nothing. She still stood in their way, refusing to budge from the bank of the river. Beyond her were many smooth stones used for river-crossings but they would have to go through her. And Maedeth knew they would make no such move without the interference of other of her kin.

"Noldor and Dwarves are too much alike," she said. "You think little of the wishes of plants or stones or waters. You think of swords and axes, treasure and wealth, war and ruin and doom."

"That is because war and ruin and doom have seen fit to nip at our heels," Elladan said.

Nimrodel rolled her eyes. Before she could respond, a voice called out from the beyond the stream. Silvan, but much more confident in the Sindarin tongue.

"Lady Nimrodel, allow them to pass."

Three men stood clothed in the greens and browns of Lórinand. The one who had spoken had brown hair, the same warm shade as their horses. At his voice, Nimrodel stiffened but did not turn around.

"Nimrodel. It is not your place to withhold entry," he said. "Lady Galadriel sent word to expect them."

She stood aside, allowing them a way forward. But she still glared as they walked by. "Amroth shall decide your course. Not Galadriel. Not Celeborn. King Amroth."

Maedeth nodded. She bowed low to Nimrodel. Elladan did the same, keeping his hands away from his weapon in a show of good faith. They took the river stones carefully. By the time Maedeth turned back from the other bank, Nimrodel had disappeared.

"I apologise for Lady Nimrodel's tone," said the leader of the wardens. "I am Amarthon, one of the captains of Lórinand. Welcome."

Maedeth bowed her introduced herself and Elladan. "We did not mean to cause trouble on your borders, Amarthon."

He waved them off. "Nimrodel has her reasons for speaking such a way. I am accustomed to her rhetoric."

"She is not alone in thinking such a way," muttered one of the others.

Amarthon turned, glaring. He spoke under his breath in Silvan and the young warden who had spoken straightened up.

"I do not understand," Maedeth said. "Though Lady Galadriel is of the Noldor, she also shares kinship with the Sindar. Did she not learn under Queen Melian of Doriath herself?"

Amarthon nodded. "Indeed. And for this reason, and the aid she has given us, she is beloved by most here. But not all so easily forget the harms perpetrated by her father's kin. Unlike King Amroth, King Thranduil across the Anduin has not seen fit to treat with the Noldor same as Amroth's father King Amdir, and Thranduil's father King Oropher. But come." He gestured for them to follow, ending the conversation.

"We appreciate your assistance and hospitality," Elladan said.

They marched through the night. Maedeth tried to ignore the growing panic in her chest. She saw flashes of Rinior's face in every moment of rest they took. She remembered the reflections in the water of Galadriel's mirror a decade before. Maedeth did not want that to happen again. She did not know what she would do if it did.

When they finally reached Cerin Amroth, Maedeth felt her body shaking. Elladan walked beside her, keeping close. They found the King's Talan alight in the darkness with many torches and candles. Amarthon gestured for them to head up the guarded ladder.

"Haldir, find your brothers and see to their horses," he said, gesturing for a young elf boy with blond hair who stood peeking at them from behind a bush. "Then get home."

Maedeth handed off her lead rope and started up the ladder. At the top, supported by the many mellyrn trees that crowned the hill, was the King's Talan. Open aired except for the flowerin branches that formed a bit of a wall, a beautiful view of the night sky shined down upon a carved, white wood throne. On it sat King Amroth of the Golden Wood. Beside it sat two smaller chairs also carved of white wood. These were empty. Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn stood before the throne, talking quietly with the king.

There were few guards. Two stood to either side of the ladder entrance, a large hole in the wooden floors. Two more stood to either side of the king's throne. Each bore a simple spear.

On the other side of the throne, opposite of Galadriel and Celeborn, stood a tall old man with a well groomed white beard that hung down over neat grey robes. He leaned on a staff of brown wood. At the top hung a pointy blue hat.

"That is Mithrandir," Elladan whispered, voice full of wonder. "I have not seen him since I was much younger. He is wise beyond-"

Maedeth nearly laughed as Elladan was smothered by a hug. Lady Arwen must have been waiting for them. She wrapped her arms around her older brother and refused to let go until he sputtered out an unintelligible string of words through his sister's hair.

"You're safe!" she said, pulling back. Arwen smoothed her dress and tried to suppress her smile as she turned. "Lady Maedeth. I am glad to see you are well." She bowed.

Maedeth returned the gesture. "And I am glad to see you are too. Though we meet in no less grim times, I am glad to see you happy."

"Thank you. I hope you can find some happiness as well," Arwen said.

Maedeth forced a smile. She felt Elladan's gaze on her and could not resist sparing a glance left. He smiled at her. A real smile. One that she had not seen in a long time. Perhaps the Golden Wood would be more generous this time around.

She turned back to Arwen in time to see a raised eyebrow and a growing smirk at her and her brother. But before any words could be spoken, they were interrupted by a gruff but not unkind voice.

"So you've arrived at last. Very good," said Mithrandir. He wandered over to them, sparing a few moments to look over Elladan but much longer for Maedeth.

She felt that somehow he could see her very fëa. His grey eyes were sharp, full of wells of memory. Maedeth barely stood her ground. But she did. She curtsied.

"You are Lady Maedeth, are you not?" He nodded. "I am Mithrandir."

Elladan bowed as well. "It is good to see you again, Mithrandir."

"Is it?" He smirked. "I am surprised. Last time I saw you I do believe both you and your brother foolishly tried to steal my hat."

Maedeth couldn't keep her half laugh, half gasp as she turned to Elladan and saw him blush. Guilty as charged, then? He sputtered out an apology, one he had likely parroted from his father soon after the event in question.

"Come. There is much to discuss and little time for pleasantries."

Mithrandir turned from them and walked back to the throne. They followed. Though there was little time for pleasantries, they still had to exchange them. Maedeth and Elladan both bowed and greeted first the King and then the Lord and Lady.

Amroth sank back into his throne. He rubbed his forehead and Maedeth wondered just how long this discussion had been going on before they'd even arrived. Time was of the essence. But perhaps it would do them good to wait for morning.

"King Amroth, thank you for seeing us," Maedeth began. "There is much to say-"

"No, there isn't." he snapped.

Maedeth paused. She was no stranger to the anger of kings. She glanced right and saw Galadriel struggling to maintain her composure and Celeborn released a deep sigh. But Mithrandir had no such concerns.

"If you are tired, King, go rest. But whether you like it or not, there is indeed much to be said here." Mithrandir gestured to her. "Lady Maedeth brings tidings from the North. Tidings which are relevant even if you cannot see why."

King Amroth sat straighter and glared at him. "There are many relevant tidings, and many things which concern me. It is my job as king to decide in what order I consider them. And the North is farthest from my thought." He turned back to Maedeth. "Lady Maedeth, forgive my harsh words. But I have no aid to give you. I will not send soldiers north. I fear others closer at hand than Angmar."

Mithrandir scoffed. But Celeborn did not seem nearly as put out. Maedeth saw him almost nod in agreement.

"I speak of the dwarves," he clarified for her. "They dig ever deeper, and that mountain is of an ill sort. It always has been."

"Dwarves delve," Mithrandir said, "It is what they do. And elves delay."

Amroth rolled his eyes. "You speak boldly, Mithrandir."

"I am an advisor, not a diplomat, King Amdir. It is my job to advise," he said. But he softened his voice a touch. "There are many evils around. And the distrust between elves and dwarves goes so far back that few can even remember why it began."

Galadriel nodded. She placed a hand on her husband's arm. "Mithrandir is correct. What Maedeth and Elladan are here to do is larger than any feud between free peoples. There must be some aid, even if small, you can give them King Amroth."

"You seek Gondor, yes?" he asked. At her nod, he sighed. "What would you ask of me, knowing I cannot provide arms or men?"

"Perhaps a boat?" Mithrandir said.

Maedeth nodded. "Indeed. The road south is rocky, and difficult to traverse. The river would be easier. A boat, and a place to house our steeds while we carry on would be deeply appreciated."

"Very well." King Amroth stood from the throne. "Consider it yours. Now, I must rest. I suggest you all do the same. Best of luck, Lady Maedeth."

She thanked him. All bowed as he left the talan. The guards followed him, leaving the visitors behind. Maedeth felt a weight lift off her, even as another settled. They had a faster way south. But that meant the final leg of their journey was soon to begin.

"King Amroth is right, Maedeth. You and Elladan need to rest, but only for a night," Mithrandir said. He leaned on his staff again, brow furrowed. "I sense that time is of the essence. Reach Amon Hen. There you may seek aid from the Gondorians."

Maedeth nodded. This had been a whirlwind. And even as he bid her and Elladan good night, leaving her with just the elves in the King's Talan, she wondered who he was.

Galadriel must have sensed her wonder. She leaned in, whispering, "He is a friend. I trust few like I trust Mithrandir. Whatever he says, I say also."

"Thank you, my lady."

"Arwen, show them where they can rest," Celeborn said.

Arwen nodded with a small smile. They did not have to go far to find a flet to rest in, high in the trees where they could smell sweet flowers on the gentle wind. Maedeth cleared her mind as she laid down for sleep. She could hear Arwen and Elladan whispering softly in the dark, on the other side of the platform. And though she couldn't hear the words they spoke, it gladdened her heart to know they sounded happy.