There wasn't even a hint of glitter in the air. I looked up to where the stars should be and saw only muddled blackness. My temples throbbed and my stomach churned. I felt horribly dizzy. There was a mass of clouds, hazy but threatening, coming ever closer, closer....

"Oooph." I tripped abruptly with a gasp. Why, what? Oh, here I am. I felt the cold clingy grass against my palms, and the scratchy warmness of a blanket. These were not clouds, but solid ground. I crawled onto the blanket and carefully lay on my back. The painful motion ceased. Slowly my head cleared. I swallowed, and saw with relief the light of the stars. They gleamed forth brilliantly in the soft air.

I was so tired; the blanket was so warm... but all of a sudden I felt really, really thirsty. Where was my pack? What was I doing over here in the first place anyway? Oh, that's right, I was looking for it. Rosriel was called away... I remember checking my things then, and it was gone. Then I went looking for it and nearly swooned. It must have fallen off during the fight... I can't lose it! It has my water-skin and flint, and everything else.

I decided to brave becoming dizzy again, and look for my pack. I got to my feet, and stood for a moment. Slowly I took a step, then hesitatingly walked towards the spur of the mountain where I had first seen the camp. Crouching in the shadows of the trees so as not to be seen and cause anyone bother, I scanned the ground for the dark lump of my pack. As I came close to the mountain, I gazed around in a wide circle. Coarse grass, pine needles, spattered blood, but no pack. I felt slightly dizzy again. I sat down carefully to rest against the roots of a tree, and breathed.

My gaze wandered again over the ground before me. Something seemed wrong. Where had the wolves gone? I knew some had been killed, there should be at least three lying there dead. I felt a shiver run through me. There to the left was the camp, yes, and there the spur of the mountain. So why? My curiosity was stronger than my nausea, and I crawled over to the spot. There was the blood and the bare places where our struggle had shoved aside the pine needles. There was the crushed grass where we had fallen. I looked again. The blood patches weren't quite right. They were smeared, as they ought to be, but they were too smeared. Hadn't the wolves died rather quickly? Or was my brain more addled than I had thought from shock and thirst?

No, the smears were at least four feet long, and they were going mostly one direction, behind me. I turned around. Now I could see the long scrapes where it looked as if something had been dragged. Of course. The people in the camp must have dragged the wolves away. I intended to go and see them, to examine them more closely, but first I must find my pack. I glanced around again. There it is, finally! I grabbed it, and, pulling out my water skin, took a drink.

When I finished, my thirst somewhat relieved, I shouldered my pack and stood up again to follow the trail. I went slowly, but soon I could see the place where the drag marks stopped. There were several pools of blood where the bodies, left piled, would have bled out. But there were no wolves. I looked around. No more marks. The ground was even all around. The blood indicated they could not have been dragged back. Where were they?

Suddenly I chilled. My hands shook. I knew now what had not felt right. These wolves, they were not ordinary wild beasts. They had disintegrated into thin air and vanished, the servants of evil that Frodo and the Fellowship had fought on the way to Moria. Wargs.

Oh, no.

I hastened back to the camp.

Awake

Grey. I saw and felt deep grey all around me. It was a haze, like dark smoke, closing me in and suffocating me. I tried to get out, the effort futile. I was sinking into the depths. Then I felt pain. The aching was sudden and severe. I moaned.

I felt an arm slipped under my neck, and a voice that seemed far away. Then my eyes opened of their own accord, and I found myself looking into the face of a young lady. Roses. Why was I thinking of roses?

"Hello? It's all right, you are among friends," she said. I tried to say something, but the ache in my back wouldn't let me yet, so I smiled and inclined my head. The girl smiled back. "I'm Rosriel," she said.

The Aftermath

I slipped back into the shadows and watched in horror as the men removed the proof of what had just occurred. Why were there still such violent creatures? Why could the world not be calm, and good? I glanced at Elena, with Samdo, and Rosriel, with the new girl. If I could but help them....

I sighed. My skills didn't lie in healing. That is, if I had any skills to call my own. I shivered.

A blanket was placed over my shoulders. I looked up in alarm.

"Think you can get back to sleep, Ellarian?" Legolas asked softly. His hands and face were streaked with blood. His own? Please no.

I was staring. I blinked and looked away. Words wouldn't come.

Legolas gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze and left my side.

I could never get used to battle. It was too horrific...too painful...too..... I shivered again, the blanket not helping. Why am I so cold? Why do I feel so weak? I hugged myself...and felt something warm, and wet.

A New Companion

I lept forward to catch the girl as she fell to the ground.  Her sword slipped from her hand and her head rolled back.  She looked young, very young.  Elrohir bent over us.  "Is she alright?"

I looked over her briefly.  "I do not think that she is hurt."  I glanced to her sword and at the direction she had come from and could make out the fallen shape of a wolf.  "She killed one of the wolves though."

Elenatintil came over and knelt down beside me.  She looked the girl over closely.  "No, she is not injured. Anarion, carry her over to the fire."

Anarion gently took the girl from me and brought her over to the fire where Elenatintil began to examine her.  I looked out into the darkness.  It seemed as if the wolves were gone, but they had gone so quickly... and why had they attacked us in the first place?  I spoke to Aldarion in a low voice.  "Do you think they have left?"

He too glanced into the night.  "I hope so.  We will have to keep a guard for the rest of the night."  He touched my arm briefly.  "Are you alright?"

Try as I might, I still could not help trembling at his touch.  "Yes, I am fine.  And you?"

He nodded.  "The same."  He walked away from me.  "Elladan, Legolas, Elrohir, help me to dispose of the carcasses."

I looked over the rest of the company.  They all seemed to be fine.  But wait... where was Samdo?  I looked about again, thinking that I had missed him in the low light.  I could not find him.  I turned around as I heard a shout from Legolas.

"I've found Samdo!"

Elanor gave a cry and ran towards Legolas.  Picking up my skirts, I followed her and we met Legolas at the edge of the firelight.  "Is he alright?" I asked anxiously.

"He is alive," Legolas reassured us, "but he will need Elenatintil's healing."  We followed Legolas as he carried the hobbit and laid him down gently near the fire.  Elenatintil hurried over to us and bent over Samdo.  Her face was grave.  "Rosriel, would you tend to the girl while I care for Samdo?  I think she will wake soon."


I nodded, biting my lip and hoping that Samdo was alright.  I made my way to the other side of the campfire and knelt down beside the girl as she started to stir.




~ Rosriel

A Fight....

It was dark now. I had made my way down from the mountain side and followed the mountain's feet. Turmegil had told me that this was the way to the Redhorn Pass, by which we would cross the mountains.
Wha- what? I saw firelight, a campfire, burning just ahead. I shrank back against the rocks. The orc encampment? Turmegil, was he still alive? Maybe this was fate pushing me along to rescue him?
I dared to peek around the corner, and what I saw was the last thing I expected. There, sitting by a small campfire was an elf, tall and fair, wrapped in contemplation. Around him I could see, partially illuminated by the flickering firelight, the forms of sleeping people, elves..., and one, no, two men, and tents. And at the far reach of the camp I saw two dark-haired girls, sitting on their blankets and whispering. I stared in confusion. Suddenly I heard a strange and fearful noise.
"Ahwooooooh!"
The two girls sat upright with a start, and the elf by the fire leapt to his feet. I watched, frozen in place, while the camp stirred into action. The elves, one dark, and another fair one, readied their bows. Inside me I could feel my heart thumping, whether from hunger, sorrow, or fear I did not know. Soon all in the camp were up and armed, banded together. Then too quickly, the wolves came. They were upon the company in a pack and I knew I had made a mistake in waiting in the shadows. Seven of them, snarling and growling approached the company, and two ran towards me.
I drew my thin sword in readiness and held it out before me. Even now I could hear the shouts of the group on the other side. The wolves were upon me, and I flashed my blade. Not for naught were the hours Turmegil had stolen away from the Slave-masters to train me. They saved my life now. My first slash hit one in the neck, and he fell, whimpering and writhing on the grass, leaving the other to leap upon me. I ducked my head under his smelly neck, and drove my sword into his stomach. Suddenly I felt horribly sick. I crawled out from under the wolf and staggered to my feet, who bore me, stumbling, towards the company. Dimly I could see the battle ending. Somehow many more people had appeared. Why? What was going on? The figures blurred, were there three girls, or six? I was right next to them, why didn't they see me? I swallowed and shook my head. Then the younger of the two men whirled about and swung his sword at my head. I fell to my knees, bringing my sword up in one desperate parry....

Silence.
The blow did not hit.
"Elrohir!" a girl's voice exclaimed. And as the world went black I saw the surprised faces of half a dozen people staring anxiously at me......

The day was bitter. So this was why mother had complained about the heat in the South. She was from Rohan, where days in the summer are only as warm as the nights are in Harad. Father was from the Dunedain, who lived even farther North. Here, near where he used to live, icy rain dripped from the bare branches of the trees, and the sky was an even gray. Yet Turmegil was saying how beautiful the day was, and I agreed with him. My wet scarf clung to my neck and drenched hair, but the silent chilly gray beauty of the wood was far and away preferable to the oppressive heat and torture of the Haradrim slave camp.
"You have probably noticed this already, but I just thought I would bring it up. What is that black thing up ahead?" I questioned Turmegil. Being an elf, he had probably noticed the dark mass through the trees ages before. I, a human girl and prone to daydreaming, considered myself lucky not to trip over it.
"That is where the forest ends, and the mountain begins."
"Another one!"
He laughed, and I smiled.
"The mountains of Hithaeglir are the longest range in this part of Middle Earth, Elsayenle. You are lucky I did not decide to take the mountain route instead of cutting through Fangorn."

"Elsie," I rebuked him absently; Turmegil always refused to call me by my nickname.

Captured like my parents during the War of the Ring, he knew these lands, but to me they were wholly new. I shivered, remembering. Trees were a new thing to me, amazing enough on their own. Talking trees bordered on terrifying, beautiful as they were.
We came to the edge of the wood. Looking up, a sheet of rock stretched up to the sky, craggy and huge. This was the mountain.
"Rest now. We will be climbing for a long time," Turmegil said. " I will get wood for a fire."
I settled myself against a rock crag, my back to the forest. Turmegil unsheathed his woodcutting blade and headed off. Sleep slipped over me like a blanket.
***
"Ai! Goth!" The cries rang in my ears startling me from sleep. I started and straightened. Enemies. "No dhinen! Drego! Ave acheno!" I heard Turmegil's voice. Flee.
No. I can fight. I can't let him go! He would not say this unless he meant it. He would just tell me to stay hidden. I must. I can't! I must. The thoughts flashed through my mind as I unsheathed my sword. Deep breath. Go.
I knew how to use cover to an advantage, but in this barren place, there was little hope that I could escape unnoticed. I ducked among the rocks, crawling and zig zagging. The yelling was still behind me. My heart leapt in my throat and I could barely breathe. I was close to having to choke back tears. The climb seemed endless but I managed it somehow.
From about a hundred yards up I looked down to see bloodied bodies of the orc carcasses, some laying where I had been sleeping. The remaining score were carrying Turmegil far away. The last I saw of him was his cropped dark hair, then he was gone. The tears overflowed as I gazed and I buried my face in my arms. Was this escape all for naught? I might as well still be in the camp, awful as it was. At least I'd have a friend. Ai! I sobbed. There was nothing to be done. I was only sixteen, with no plan. No one knew us or where we were. I was not yet skilled enough to evade or take on an orc company alone. I would go to Lorien, though I did not know the way.

***
Goth = Enemy
No dhinen = Be silent
Drego = Flee
Avo acheno = Don't look back

A Sisterly Talk - Part 2

Ella started making designs in the snow as she tried to form words. "It's just...things have been awkward ever since Leggy told me......you know. And I don't know how to fix it. I want him to....." Ella shook her head, dismissing the thought. "I want our friendship to go back to normal."

Rosriel nodded silently, "You are sure of that?"

Ella looked at her hands again.  "Yes, I am sure."

Rosriel paused.  "Then I think you need to tell him so."

"I don't believe telling him will accomplish anything. I'm sure he knows. I'm sure it's what he wants as well. It's just...not possible. Things are too awkward now. We've both said and done things...I don't think we can go back to how things were. At least, I don't know how we could."

"It would be difficult," Rosriel agreed thoughtfully.  "Well then, if what you really want is to go back to being just friends, then I honestly think that you should talk to him about it, just so that you both know what you are both thinking and there aren't any misunderstandings.  It will be awkward, but if you don't want more than friendship then talking it over will be the best for both parties.  Don't you think?"

Ella was silent again, thinking. Suddenly her face contorted and tears sprang to her eyes.

"Ella, what is it?" Rosriel's face grew concerned and she put her arms around Ella.  Ella continued to cry.  "Ella, what is wrong?"

Ella tried to stop the tears. When she regained her composure enough she whispered, "That isn't what I want. But I don't think it's possible to get what I want anymore. I blew my chance."

"Ella, what on earth do you mean?"

"I love him. I don't want just friendship with him. But when he told me he loved me, I flatly denied him. I...I just can't be the one to tell him....and I know he'll never tell me again." Ella sighed. "He's probably found someone new, anyway. I wouldn't blame him."

Rosriel couldn't help but laugh, "Ella, where would he find someone new?  He has been with the company this whole time!"

"There are other girls in this company," Ella replied wistfully.

Rosriel hugged her sister, "The only way you will ever know is to tell him you love him.  If he has in fact moved on, then you can deal with the hurt and get over it.  If he still loves you, then so much the better!  But if you remain silent, then you are forcing both yourself and him to continue on in this endless wheel of akwardness around each other and pain."

Ella shook her head. "I can't."

Roseriel opened her mouth to say something, then shut it.  She could tell that Ella couldn't be pushed any further.  "All right," she said quietly.  "You don't need to do anything before you are ready to."

Suddenly their conversation was cut short by a foreboding howl.

Rosriel and Ella

A Sisterly Talk

First, I must apologize dear readers, for tormenting you so cruelly with our last post.  I will confess, when I was writing it with Ella, I came up with the wonderfully evil idea.  But if you must kill anyone, kill Ella, for it was she who pulled out the knife and forced me to kill myself... er, forced me to have the idea for Ella to kill myself.
Anyhow, here is what really happened.


The snow had started to fall fast and thick by the time the company had made it halfway up the mountain and camped for the night.  Rosriel had watched her sister closely the whole day.  She could sense that something was bothering Ella, but she couldn't tell what.  I must talk to her about it, tonight after everyone else is asleep.

After dinner, Rosriel waited impatiently as slowly, one by one, the rest of the company wrapped themselves in blankets and lay down.  Carefully, Rosriel eased herself up and crept over to where her sister lay.

Rosriel gently touched Ella's shoulder and whispered her name. Ella did not move. She started shaking her a little. Still, no response.

Rosriel grunted and looked around, trying to think of a new tactic. Snow! Of course! She grabbed a handful and dropped it onto Ella.

Ella woke up with a gasp, sat straight up and pulled out her knife.  "Who is there?"

Rosriel jumped back, hissing, "Ella!  Be careful with that thing."

Ella relaxed, recognizing her Rosriel's voice.  "Rosriel, it is only you.  You startled me!"

Rosriel moved closer, "I am sorry for startling you," she said apologetically.  "But you would not wake up."

Ella laughed quietly, "Well, I am certainly awake now."  Her face took on an alarmed expression.  "Is something wrong?"

"No," Rosriel shook her head, "nothing wrong in general.  But I sense that something is wrong with you, and I wanted to talk to you about it.  I did not realize that you were asleep already."

Ella raised a disbelieving eyebrow at Rosriel. "Do I usually need snow pelted on me just to get my attention? I think not."

"Ella...tell me what's bothering you."

Ella was silent for a moment, seeming to ponder. Finally she said, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Rosriel sighed impatiently.  "Ella, there is something that is bothering, I can see it in your face.  Why won't you talk to me about it?"

"There is nothing wrong with me."

"Yes, there is!  I know there is!"  Rosriel took Ella's hand.  "I only want to help you.  Can't you trust me?"

"Of course I trust you," Ella hesitated.

Rosriel paused, then said softly.  "Is it about Legolas?"

Ella stared at Rosriel, glanced at Legolas to be certain he was still asleep, and nodded slightly. She stared at her hands. "Is it that obvious?" she whispered.

I knew it.  Rosriel shook her head, "No, I don't think that anyone else has noticed," she paused and Ella looked relieved.  "Except for perhaps Legolas."

Ella looked up, slightly pale.  "Do you really think so?"

"I'm not entirely sure," Rosriel said thoughtfully.  "At least, I don't think he knows that you are troubled about him, exactly.  But why don't you tell me just exactly what trouble you are having."

Ella started making designs in the snow as she tried to form words. "It's just...things have been awkward ever since Leggy told me......you know. And I don't know how to fix it. I want him to....." Ella shook her head, dismissing the thought. "I want our friendship to go back to normal." 

 

 

Rosriel and Ella

What Have I DONE?

The snow had started to fall fast and thick by the time the company had made it halfway up the mountain and camped for the night.  Rosriel had watched her sister closely the whole day.  She could sense that something was bothering Ella, but she couldn't tell what.  I must talk to her about it, tonight after everyone else is asleep.

After dinner, Rosriel waited impatiently as slowly, one by one, the rest of the company wrapped themselves in blankets and lay down.  Carefully, Rosriel eased herself up and crept over to where her sister lay.

Rosriel gently touched Ella's shoulder and whispered her name. Ella did not move. She started shaking her a little. Still, no response.

Rosriel grunted and looked around, trying to think of a new tactic. Snow! Of course! She grabbed a handful and dropped it onto Ella.

Ella woke up with a gasp, sat straight up and pulled out her knife. Without giving heed to what she was doing, she plunged it into the figure in front of her.  She heard a cry of pain and realized to late that she had slain her sister!

"Rosriel!" She cried "What have I done?"  Ella succumbed to despair and then slew herself, ending her grief once and for all....

They were so beautiful and kind, these people. I wanted to let myself be free...to get to know them and let them know me. But I was afraid...afraid of all that I'd been running from...afraid that if I let myself love them that I would get hurt or something worse...that they would get hurt loving me.

We finished packing our bags and waved farewell to Dior as he set off for the Mines of Moria.  I shivered in the chill wind that had started blowing and felt my face flush slightly.  If it hadn't been for my running off, we could have been to the mines by now.  I shrugged.  Good had come of it, after all, I'd found Edroliel and helped her.

As we began walking, I made my way over to Ella.  She looked up at me briefly as I came up beside me and I caught side of her expression.  "Ella, is something wrong?"

She sighed, "No... not really."

"Ella," I pressed, "Something is wrong.  Please, you can talk to me about it."

Ella opened her moth to speak, then shut it again.  "I - I guess I will talk to you tonight."

I nodded and changed the topic of conversation as Legolas walked up beside us.  I saw Ella glance towards him and guessed why she had chosen to remain silent.  My heart ached for her.  Oh Ella, can't you tell that he loves you?  Why won't you talk to each other?

~ Rosriel

Ella:

I gathered my belongings, glad for something to keep my mind and hands occupied. We would move on, as planned.

"Can I help?"

I didn't look up; I'd recognize the voice anywhere. "You have your own things to pack," I muttered.

"I finished." Without waiting for an acceptance, Legolas began collecting my scattered items.

I hadn't explained my tears to him...he hadn't asked me to. But he had to be curious. I felt foolish now. Why hadn't I pulled away? Stop it, Ella. What's done is done. It cannot be changed. You've just got to move forward. Yes. Move forward. Literally, we would be. Figuratively, I needed to. If only I could convince my heart to, as well.

Where to Next?

The day after Miss Silmarien and all the rest joined back up with our Fellowship, we held a meeting to decide where we would be headin' to next.

"As leader of this company," Elenatintil spoke.  "I say that we follow our intention of tracing the footsteps of the original Fellowship and make the trip up to Redhorn Pass."

Vila raised her hand.  "But what about the feast in Moria, that the Dwarves are holding?  It's already been quite a while since Dior met up with us with the invitation."

Elenatintil turned to Dior.

"First of all," Dior glanced sidelong at Vila, "the invitation was for the royalty, the nobles of Rivendel, the Greenwood and Lothlorien, not annoying little elves like you."

I stiffed a chuckle as both Lira and Vila shot glares at Dior. 

"Though, of course, you are all invited," Dior continued.  "As for the matter of getting there, it was expected in advance that it would take some time to send out the invitations to the elves and allow them to travel to the Mines.  Also, as we are not all that far from the Mines, it would be perfectly fine if your company was to continue on their way before going to the mines."

Elenatintil nodded.  "Thank you, Dior."  She paused.  "Our company?  You will not be coming with us?"

Dior shook his head.  "I will travel on, and inform the others of your imminent arrival."

"Very well then."  Elenatintil looked around the group.  "Any more questions?  Objections?"

There were none and we prepared to break camp.

~  Samdo

Just so we know where we are...

Almost to the feet of the Redhorn. Camp during day of Jan. 11. Gandalf and Aragorn debate path. Wind turns NW. Black clouds form during afternoon. 284 miles. 34 mi last location.

~ Rosriel

Legolas:

I watched Ella walk to the edge of camp. Though I was too far away to see them, I knew tears had arrived. Why, Ella? Why won't you let me comfort you? I frowned. I respected Ella and wanted to honor her decisions, but...

Turwethiel had slipped away, needing time alone after our talk. I had no reason not to do what my heart told me I should. None but my pride.

I walked to her. "Ella?"

Ella:

He came. I could always count on him to come when I needed him. It's one of the many things I love about him. I turned to face him. He'd seen me cry before; I didn't care if he knew.

A look of something more comforting than sympathy crossed his face, and he wrapped me in his arms. My heart beat frantically, and my will split in two. Part wanted to stay in his arms forever; the other to pull away. Surely he could feel me shaking, could hear my heartbeat, could guess the reason......

I sighed. Oh dear, Nes, you really haven't got it bad....see? Look at all these lovesick people.... That made me giggle. If only they would tell each other! It would all turn out then!

I wonder how Mama and Papa are...

I watched Legolas and Turwethiel and sighed. I missed his friendship. And more than that...I wanted him to know my feelings. Why, oh why, did I have to pick the most unobservant man to fall in love with?

I kicked at a pebble and walked to the edge of the camp, tears finding their way down my cheeks.

Turwethiel's past

I hurriedly climbed a tree, as if trying to escape from something, or rather memories that were like wolves about to devour their prey.

I did not mean to eavesdrop, I just happened to be passing by when I heard Aldarion talking with Rosriel, and it was perfectly obvious to me that...they were in love. That was too much; those simple words broke the wall I had carefully built around my memories, and now they came pouring in like an angry ocean.

“I can’t stand it! I…I…,” I just sobbed as if my heart would break.

My sweet family, my dear Eruadan; never again would I ever see their faces, or hear their voices call my name, or walk through the forest hand in hand with Eruadan. All because of some @#$% orcs! The filth and plague of Middle Earth that destroyed people’s happiness. What wouldn’t I have given to be there, and die alongside my family?

“You couldn’t have saved them Tury,” Legolas said from the base of the tree. I had been talking out loud and not realized it.

“Don’t call me that! That’s his name for me,” I sobbed.

Legolas climbed up beside me and put his arm around me. “Ready to talk about it?”

I nodded my head. “I…I was out on a ride with a friend. It was such a glorious day, but my four brothers could not come with me because they had chores to help Father with. We were gone all day. We came home right before sunset, and saw. I saw my brothers and father slain and my sweet mother shot with a foul, ocr arrow. Everything was destroyed, and the house on fire.” I shuddered, “I ran to them, and was there the whole night, just looking in agony and shock.”

“What about Eruadan?”

“We never found his body, but his sword, shirt, and dagger were found among the ruins. I feel in my heart that he is dead.” I took a deep breath and leaned back against the tree.

Legolas was silent for a while, just letting me think. “I think you are a brave woman, Turwethiel.”

I gave a short laugh, “More like a weak, pathetic, and emotional she-elf.”

“No, you have bourn this burden for almost a year, and yet you did not pull into yourself. You have been grieving, but you gave yourself to helping others. You are strong.”

“Hannon le, Legolas. I feel a little relieved, but still sad. I suppose that will never go away.” With that, I leaned my head against his shoulder, glad that I had some family by me, even though we were only distantly related.

~Turwethiel

(This is most likely my last post, keep me in if you can. Thanks.)

Friends... and Maybe More

The return trip to the rest of the fellowship was quiet, or so it seemed to me. As the camp came in sight, I found my feet moving slower and slower. It had been a few days, but I still did not want to see Aldarion and feel the hurt again.

We drew near and were spotted by our friends. Elanor, Vila and Raewyn ran to meet us and escorted us the rest of the way. They were chattering on about a prank of Lira's and some soup when I saw Aldarion waiting. I tried to ignore him and focus my attention on the story.

"And then we looked at the soup and it was just glowing!" Raewyn giggled. "You should have seen Samdo's face when he went to stir the soup!"

Elenatintil approached us with a smile, "Why don't you girls let them sit down a bit and then continue your story?" She turned to Ella. "Ella, I am so glad you are back. And you, Edroliel," she turned to where the girl was sitting in the hastily constructed wheel chair. "Aldarion has told us about you. I hope you will be better soon."

Edroliel smiled and we moved around the campfire. I said little, doing my best to stay away from Aldarion. My efforts were in vain, and I turned to find him standing close beside me. I looked away.

"Lady Rosriel," he spoke softly. "May I please speak with you for a moment?"

I wanted to turn away, give him a cold shoulder as he had done to me, but I could not. Only when I was very angry could I deliberatly hurt someone. Slowly I met his eyes.

"It will only be for a moment," he looked so pleadingly at me that I could not refuse. I nodded and followed him towards the tents, out of the ear shot of the others. He stopped and took my hand.

"First I wish to make an apology to you. I left without saying good-bye - no, I did worse than that. I deliberatly ignored you, one whom I consider to be a good friend." He sighed. "I would not be surprised if you did not consider me your friend any more."

I looked away. "I was not angry, just... hurt."

Aldarion nodded. "You had every right to be. I wish to ask for your forgiveness, and to give you an explanation as to why I did not want you to question me," he paused, "as well as to answer those questions, if you still want to know."

I drew my hand back and looked at him. "I do wish to know." I tried to laugh. "Curiousity has always been one of my weaknesses. But you do not have to tell me, if you do not..."

"I do wish to tell you." He stopped, as if thinking how to begin. "As I think you guessed Ne- Edroliel and I have met before, in Gondor as we said when we first saw each other back where you found her. My father is Elboron, the son of Faramir, Prince of Ithilian and Eowyn the White Lady of Rohan." He looked at me, as if to gauge my reaction. "All my life, my brothers and I have been judged not by who we are, but who our grandparents are." He gave a short laugh. "'You can do better than that! You are the grandson of Faramir!' 'Master Aldarion, would your grandfather daydream during his history studies? No! Of course not!'"

He paused, and I waited patiently for him to continue.

"It was especially that way with friends. Not so much when we were younger, boys do not care about rank and all that, but as we got older it grew worse. My father is a valiant man in his own right, as well as second in command of the Rangers of Ithilian. All the boys our age wanted to be our friends and then expect us to somehow get them a good position with the Rangers. If we did not or could not, that was it. Friends no longer." He scowled. "Needless to say, we got quite tired of that. It is frustrating... wanting to make a friend, but not knowing if that friend is a true friend or only out for your "influence". Anarion and I finally decided we had had enough and left. Our younger brother, Barahir, stayed behing. Said he would just make friends with the scrolls in the archives." Aldarion looked at me. "That is why Anarion kept our background a secret, when we met up with you. For once we wanted to have friends who liked us for who we are. Anarion was able to convince me that it is alright if we tell you now, that you shall still be our true friends."

I touched his shoulder hesitantly. "I at least, will always be a friend, Aldarion. I forgive you. Thank you... for telling me."

His eyes lit up, "Le hannon, Rosriel." He raised my hand to his lips, and kissed it. "I am honored to be counted amoung your friends." He smiled. "Shall we return to the others?"

My heart was fluttering wildly. "Y- you can." I stammered. "I am going to freshen up, in my tent first."

"Of course." Aldarion bowed, then walked away.

In a daze, I stumbled to the nearest tent, pulled aside the flap and stepped in. I looked down at my hand and touched the spot where Aldarion had kissed me. Finally my head understood what my heart had been trying to tell me for weeks.

I loved him.

~ Rosriel

A Talk

Aldarion stood in front of Anarion, a thin crease between his eyebrows revealing what lay behind his carefully smooth expression.

Anarion half grinned, obviously trying to hide his discomfort. "Of course, Aldarion."

Aldarion led the way, stopping behind one of the tents. He turned and faced his younger brother. "So would you care to explain how the stew ended up to be glowing? Do not deny it, I know you were involved."

"Does it really matter?" Anarion protested. "It's not like it was something harmful! Just a bit of fun!"

"A bit of fun?" Aldarion could feel his temper rising. "Yes, but you did not come up with it. You were put up to it by that Lira."

Anarion flushed. "She happens to be a very nice girl."

"Oh yes, and very nice girls go around dying peoples hair, kidnapping them and making stew glow! You know as well as I do the tales they tell back home of the pranks those two play." Aldarion said sarcastically. "Already she is having a bad influence on you, dragging you into her plots. Who knows what she will come up with next to disgrace our family?"

"If you care so much about are family then why do you keep them a secret from everyone?" Anarion snapped back. "I am sick of all this hiding and secrecy, we have nothing to be ashamed of. And as for Lira, I see no harm in befriending her. She has very few friends!"

Aldarion scowled. "You know why I do not wish to speak of them, and you agreed with me. If Lira has no friends then that is quite clearly her own fault!"

"You may be my older brother Aldarion, but you are not my father. You cannot tell me who I can and whom I cannot befriend! I will make friends with whom I will and thereby honor my family by heeding the teachings of our parents."

"And those would be?"

"By making friends with anyone we come across, especially those who need ones." Anarion looked his brother in the eye. "Can't you see that those girls need a friend? Maybe a friend who did not give them up would help tame them!" He lowered his voice. "I want to help Lira, to be her friend."

Aldarion did not answer. "Very well," he said at last. "I can see that you are right."

Anarion smiled. "Thank you, brother." He hesitated, then went on. "As long as we are on the subject of friends...."

"Yes?" Aldarion looked at him warily.

"Why can we not tell our friends who are parents are? We have been with them long enough, they like us for who we are. Do we really need to hide any longer?"

Uncertain, Aldarion studied his brother's face. "That is so..." he said slowly. "You are right, again." He gave a look of mock resignation, before he grew serious again. "But there is someone who I wish to tell first, before we tell the rest of the company."

Anarion looked curious. "Who?"

Aldarion looked off towards the distant tree line. "Someone who deserves an explanation."