Questions Prefered Left Unasked

Aldarion saw Rosriel look up as his return. He saw a question in her eyes, and suddenly felt uncomfortable. After she had heard him cut off Nes- Erdolliel before she mentioned his father's name, he knew she would be curious as to why. Part of him wanted to tell her the truth, who his parents, his grandparents were - but the other part of him wasn't ready yet.

Abruptly her turned and went back to where Erdolliel was lying. He bent down so she could hear, speaking in a low voice. She looked suprised at his sudden return. "Erdolliel, the members of this Fellowship that I have joined, they do not know who mine and Anarion's parents are. Or who are grandparents are."

She nodded slowly. "You wish to keep it a secret?"

"Yes," he looked her in the eye. "I would."

"Alright then." She nodded again. "I will not give your secret away."

"Le hannon.*" He stood and walked back once again towards the smoldering campfire. Again Rosriel looked up at his approach, and this time he saw even more questions in her eyes. It was strange, how he could read her thoughts so clearly in her beautiful eyes. Yet they were questions that he did not want to have to answer - or refuse to answer. So swiftly he made up his mind.

He walked past Rosriel to stand by Elladan. The elf glanced at him, still with the same unfriendliness. Aldarion inwardly sighed as he spoke. "Elladan, I was thinking that it might be best if one of us returned to the main camp and let them know that Rosriel has been found, as well as Ella. They will be worried."

Elladan nodded, as if seeming suprised that Aldarion would think to think of such a think. "I presume you are volunteering?"

"Tancave**" Aldarion nodded. "Shall I also tell them that you shall all be slower in returning, as Edrolliel is unwell?"

"Edrolliel?" Elladan looked at her with curiousity. "Is that her name? Yes, you may tell them that."

"Very well then," Aldarion turned to go. "Namarie." He walked swiftly out of the camp, not even pausing to say farewell to Rosriel.

*thank you
** yes (certainly)

Don't Tell....Please?

"Lady Rosriel?" I called softly.

"Yes?"

"Could you tell Aldarion that I wish to speak with him?"

"I will." She went to Aldarion and spoke softly to him for a moment. I saw him glance at me and nod. He came over and sat down by my side.

"Lady Nessima, Rosriel says you wish to speak with me?"

"I am running Aldarion. Mama told me to. I don't know why, but do not call me Lady or Nessima from now on. My name shall be Erdolliel."

"Erdolliel...dark one?" He questioned my choice of a name.

"Yes. Dark one." I flipped my long black hair over my shoulder.

He nodded and was gone.... Gone back to Rosriel.... She smiled at him. What wonderful things have happened to him, since he's been with them?

I'm not ready

As we all sat around the campfire under the starlit sky, chatting with each other when a dreaded question came up.

"So Turwethiel, I haven't been able to become very acquainted with you, yet. What's your background?" Rosriel asked this, and consequently the talk died down and everyone looked at me with interest.

I poked at the fire making sure that no emotion was displayed on my face, "I grew up in Greenwood, I'm a very distant cousin of Legolas, and I am now traveling with all of you." A very lame response, but I was not ready to tell the rest.

Ella said, "And what about your family?"

I shifted uncomfortably but still managed to keep any trace of emotion off my face, "Dead." With that, I grabbed my bow and arrows and walked away from the campfire as fast as I could, leaving everyone staring with puzzlement.

"Don't think badly of her," Legolas stated quietly, "she has been through much pain and suffering."

"When and how did they die?" Aldarion asked.

"It's not for me to share her past, but it was not long ago that it happened. I'll return with her shortly." With this, Legolas left the campsite to find her.

I had walked some distance when I stopped by a mighty tree and sunk to the ground at its base. I was not one for crying, but tears silently slid down my face. "Why did they have to ask that question? Will I ever get over what happened?"

Then I heard a gentle voice call out, "Turwethiel?"

I wiped my face with the back of my hand, "Over here Legolas."

He came over and sat next to me. "I know it's hard Turwethiel, but you will heal in time. It was not your fault you know."

"I know that. No one can help what orcs do,” I said this in a bitter tone, “but I can’t help wishing they were still alive. Hunting orcs in the forest with my brothers and getting into all sorts of fun adventures; being welcomed home by Father’s strong arms; and Mother…..beautiful Mother who taught me to be a true Elven lady.

“And being loved by Eruadan*?”

“Yes.”

"Sometimes it helps to talk about things we bottle up inside, and I have never heard you to tell the whole story, even though I know what happened."

"Maybe you're right, but not right now. Some other time.” I got up to go back, and Legolas got up as well.

Before we left he gave me a hug and said, “I’m ready when you want to talk, cousin.”

“Thank you.”

We began to walk back to camp.

~Turwethiel

*(Air-oo-ah-dahn) Elvish for Gabriel, which means Man of God

Surprise Meeting

"No, you have been here for a while," I singled for Aldarion to bring me some food. "I heard you calling, but I only found you earlier today."

The girl looked puzzled. "I was calling you? But I do not remember..."

"Well," I hesitated, "I am not very sure, but, it was as if I could hear you, in my heart. I followed your call until I found you. I really do not know how to explain it."

"Oh," she looked puzzled. "Well, now that you mention it, I did call for help in my thoughts." She glanced at me with sudden amusement. "You don't happen to be a long lost sister, do you?"

I laughed merrily. "No, I don't think so! As far as I know, I only have one long lost sister, "I pointed out Ella, who was sitting near Legolas. "That is her there, her name is Ella. She is sitting next to our cousin, Legolas."

"Legolas?" She looked curious. "I think I have met him before, in Gondor. Legolas Greenleaf, from the Greenwood?"

I nodded, "Yes. That would be him." I looked up as Aldarion approached with some food. "Thank you Aldarion!"

He smiled, handing the food to me, and bowed. "Happy to serve you, my lady." He then looked at the girl we had found, and I saw surprise register in his face. "Lady Nessima?"

She looked surprised as well. "Aldarion? Aldarion, son of..."

"Yes," he cut her off. "I am that Aldarion. What are you doing so far from Gondor?"

I looked from one to the other, feeling just a surprised as the two looked. Aldarion knew this girl, Nessima he had called her. Well, if they were both from Gondor, then that was not to startling that they should have met before. Yet I was curious. Why had Aldarion stopped her from naming his father?

~ Rosriel

New Surroundings?

Where am I? And what is going on?? I heard a multitude of soft voices around me and tried to make out the words. It was all blurry. Then I saw a soft glow to my left. I squinted at it, trying to focus my eyes. It worked. Next, I tried to sit up. That didn't go so well. I jerked my body upwards but could not make it. With a loud groan I fell back to the ground.

Rosriel heard my groan and saw me try to sit up. She came over. "Are you feeling better?"

"Do you have any food?"

"I'll see."

"Thank you. Where are we? Have you moved me?"

"No, you've been here for a while..."

I sighed. Legolas and I had not spoken since their arrival. He must hate me now. I would, if I were him. "Leggy?" I said quietly, staring at my hands.

He moved to clear a spot for me.

"Legolas I'm sorry. I handled things poorly."

"So did I, Ella. I should never have--"

"No. It is not your fault. I have no one to blame but myself. Your conduct was all that is good and proper, as it always has been. I reacted as a foolish child, and I am sorry."

"Ella, you're my closest friend. I need you around...please say you'll stay with us?"

I nodded. "I can't imagine why you still want me there, but yes, I'll stay." I winked. "I need you around too."

Love and Pain

I saw the love but pain in Legolas's eyes. I knew what he would do. He would not force his affections on her; he would watch and wait. I knew the pain of losing love, but to have the love of your life with you but not return that love......I could not imagine. I wish he was still with me.....I wish......I forced my thoughts to the present moment. What had passed was past and could not be reversed.

“Rosriel. You lied,” I stated. “You promised to come straight back.”

Rosriel hung her head. “I’m sorry. But I felt an urge to help someone...or rather that someone needed my help.”

“Is that who the girl is?”

“Yes. Her ankle is broken and she has not fully woken up yet.”

Aldarion looked about. “We will stay here tonight. It is to late to travel now.”

We all nodded in agreement.

Disapproving elves ruin everything....

I heard them talking, and knew I should try to listen, but I really couldn’t. I sat up for a moment, straining to hear, when I heard Anarion’s voice, but then I lay back, and stared blankly at nothing.

The dream I’d had last night still lingered with me, and I could not shake it off. Pieces of it wove through my conscious even as I tried to repress them.

The rustle in the bushes… the eyes… the feeling of fear… who could have followed me all this way? Someone who hates me…

I shuddered, and called quickly, “Vila?”

No answer. She was probably with the others. I sighed, wishing I had anything to distract my mind with.

I miss Ella.

The thought hurt, but it was a distraction, and a distraction was what I wanted.

Someone walked by, I could see legs passing. I shot a hand outside the tent swiftly and grabbed them.

“Lira?” It was Anarion, and he sounded surprised. He sat down next to me, and raised an eyebrow. I let go of his leg.

“I’m bored,” I informed him. “Tell me what is going on.”

He obliged. “Rosriel seems to have wandered off.”

Her, too? Who next? Vila? No, Vila wouldn’t leave me.

He saw my face, and added quickly, “She said she would return to the camp, but she has not as of yet, and we are rather worried for her. Legolas and Aldarion set off to look for her.”

“Oh,” I said.

He took this as an encouragement, and went on. “And Turwetheil seems to have gone followed them.” Something about this last statement seemed to amuse him, for his eyes were merry. But I was confused.

“Turwetheil?” I asked, puzzled. I could not put a face to the name.

“One of the new elves,” he explained, and I nodded.

There was a brief silence, and I said, finally, to fill it, “I am hungry.”

He smiled. “I am too. Samdo was making a stew, shall I see if it is ready, and if so, fetch you some?”

Now I was the one who smiled. “Certainly!” I said. “But do you know what would be even more appreciated?”

He looked a little wary at the mischievous look in my eyes.

“What would that be?” he asked anyway.

I reached under my pillow, fumbled around a little, and then pulled out a small packet, and held it out to him.

“Just empty the contents of this into the stew when no one’s looking.” I smiled imploringly at him, but he did not take it.

“What is in it?” His voice still sounded wary, actually, even more now.

“It won’t poison anyone, if that’s what you’re asking.” I smiled sweetly, and added thoughtfully, “And it’ll be more fun for you if you don’t know what it’s going to do ahead of time.”

He did not look very compliant, however, so I leaned toward him, put on hand on his arm, gazed pleadingly into his eyes, slipped the packet into his hand, and said softly, “Oh, please, Anarion! I promise it won’t ruin the stew! It would entertain me so much, and you can’t know how bored I have been! I would be forever grateful to you!”

He blinked at my rather obvious flirting, but his hand closed around the packet.

Vila is so much better at this than me....

Just then, Ellohir poked his head into the tent. “Anarion, would you—“ he began, and then broke off, staring at us. He looked slightly shocked.

And considering that mask-like elvish face, he’s probably a lot more than slightly shocked!

Anarion and I sat back away from each other quickly.

“Yes, Ellohir?” Anarion inquired.

Ellohir glanced at me, then said quickly, “We can talk outside.”

They left, but Anarion glanced back at me, saw my eyes fixed first on the packet hidden in his hand, than on his face, and winked. Unfortunately, Ellohir saw that too, and frowned at Anarion, pulling him quickly away.

I sighed.

Moral of the story—don’t flirt with Rangers when there are sharp-eyed, paranoid elves around.

I got up after a bit and made my way slowly and rather painfully to the campfire. It hurt, but I just had to see everyone’s faces when they saw the stew.

(Ooc--Please, NOBODY post anything about the stew until I post!!!!! ;))

Ella:

"I'll...I'll admit to him my feelings, when he expresses his own once more." I finally said. I looked up. "Oh...oh...oh..." Legolas and a couple others were walking towards us.

"What is it Ella?"

I pointed. "I don't believe I'm ready for this yet."

Rosriel squeezed my hand. "Shhh it will be all right."

I nodded, but was unconvinced.

~~~

Legolas:

My heart soared as I saw who we were approaching. It was her. "Ella!" I called. Ella, my love. Please never run from me again.

Ella did not look up. Was I wrong to want her friendship? Seeing her again made me want it now more than ever. So she could not love me; that did not matter. I would not make her uncomfortable with expressions of my own feelings again. I would live as I always had, never revealing the pain my own heart felt, whenever I saw her lovely curls bouncing toward me, whenever her gorgeous mouth turned up in a smile, or emitted a melodic laugh...I shook my thoughts away and focused on the present moment.

Found

"Turwethiel, what do you see?" Legolas called up into the tree where I was scanning the horizon.

"No sign of them.....wait! I see smoke of a camp fire in the north maybe three miles," I replied as a hurried down the tree.

"Let us fly like the wind then," Aldarion said as I lightly landed on the ground.

I ran in the direction I saw the smoke, leading the others who were close behind me. We soon came to the location and crouched to the ground.

Elladan observed, "There are three figures. Two sitting, one lying as if hurt."

"It's Ella," Legolas whispered to me.

I looked at him. He seemed to have a strange glimmer of.....could it be hope in eyes? I turned my attention back to the figures and finally recognized the other person, "And Rosriel."

Now knowing who they were we approached.