Title

Title: Enigma

Author: Shan Lee

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: Still don’t own the rights to Lord of The Rings, dammit, that could pay my tuition off. Anyway, anything belonging to Tolkien is obviously not mine. However, Rhiannon, Brhagdan, and all the other original characters belong to me. At least I like to think so.

A/N: If you have not read The Two Towers nor seen the movie yet, you might not want to read the rest of this story until that time. I have now moved into this part of the story. Yes, I am messing with the cannon, but that’s why this is fan fiction.

Chapter Twelve: Changes

“No question is so difficult to answer as that to which the answer is obvious."

Horses, the new bane of Rhainnon’s existence. Not really all horses, just horses from Lorien that remembered when she had almost accidentally shot them with an arrow and was having fun trying to buck her off again. Beside her, the new and very shiny Gandalf the White sat on his horse, an amazing creature named Shadowfax. The eagle Gawahir had brought the body of Gandalf to the realm of Lorien. Her had been reborn as Gandalf the White, what Saruman was supposed to be and had failed at. Gandalf did not have all of his memory back yet, having been in his true intangible form as a Meia, a god-like being. Anything in mortal form can be killed, and after the battle with the Balrog, Gandalf the Grey had passed and returned. Now they traveled towards Gondor; the realm of Men that bordered the dark land of Mordor. The Gandalf next to her appeared much younger, more full of mirth. And yet there was something more grave. The power that resided within him cackled under the surface, Rhiannon could feel his power. The intensity sent a shiver down her spine. He was quite talkative and having found out who Rhiannon was, and remembering her from his past mortal existence, he had not stopped questioning her. He was like a child and Rhiannon, when not begging the horse to not buck her off, was contemplating ways to shut Gandalf up.

“So, you bonded with Thranduil’s son; why are you not with him now?”

“I am not a member of the Fellowship, I would be of little help to him.”

“The battles of the mind are sometimes more trying than the wars of the battle field. You will realize this, you have so much growing to do. Oh, how I wish I could see you when you finally come into your own, finally mature. Then again, I will always be looking out for you, little one. We all will.” Gandalf stopped that particular tangent and looked around him, listening to the whispers of nature.

Rhiannon watched him, confusion showing plainly on her pale face. What Gandalf was listening for, she herself could not hear. He raised his silver head and stared into her eyes, perceiving something about her, not visible to her sight. “We part here, young one. I have to go into the forest, you have to track the three hunters.”

“The three what?” She asked in much haste.

“Seek him out, and he will guide you. Do not take the horse, we let them go here also. They know where to go.” Rhiannon gave a nod, still confused but understanding what Gandalf was asking, what Galadriel had pushed her towards. Seek Legolas out, his presence, call to him, have him guide you to where he stands. Gandalf helped Rhiannon off her horse, they both watched as the two graceful beings rode off. Gandalf gave a reassuring squeeze on her shoulder and then turned towards the forest, leaving Rhiannon on her own. Rhiannon walked around the perimeter of the forest. She wondered which forest it was; she could feel it’s age and it’s anger. The age could not be placed by her in terms of years. She listened and heard the sounds of horses far off, however they were not the ones she had just been near. Rhiannon closed her eyes and let the warm sun shine down on her. The warmth helped to center herself in order to summon the mind of Legolas. She took many deep breaths, taking in the smell of the fresh and tangy air, so different from that of Lorien. She heard the secret conversations of nature around her, speaking of many things. Whispers of dark beings running day and night, having been destroyed. Legolas had informed her of beings like those, Orcs, she believed that was the name. Legolas. That was where she had to center her attention. Most would picture his face and try to call out to that, but Rhiannon needed to call out to his soul. She thought of many things, the playfulness and arrogance of the prince mixed together; the soft voice that explained traditions she was just learning, all in a voice full of mirth; the look of utter shock that came over his features whenever her powers came to the forefront. The little pretty-boy elf that she was apparently stuck with forever, a thought that filled her with a mixture of fear, happiness, and contentment. Suddenly it was as if a door opened within her mind, the visions playing behind her eyelids took her to where Legolas was, she once again witnessed what he was seeing. Aragorn and Gimili were also with him, the others missing. This did not weigh well with Rhiannon. There was an urgency in Legolas, a need to find something. They were on horses, Gimili riding behind the elf and complaining of the horse ride. They were not far from the forest she now stood near. She watched as they neared what seemed to be a battleground recently fought on. Rhiannon noted the area they were in and then closed the connection. She took a moment to regroup and then moved as quickly as her two feet would carry her to the area she was guessing the elf, the man, and the dwarf now searched, for what she did not know.

The night had come and dawn was near. Rhiannon had found her friends but chose to rest far from them. They had already encountered one visitor in the night, and where not happy. There was apparently an old man, they chose to believe as Saruman, that came in the night. The horses the three had traveled on had disappeared, but were not harmed according to the elf. Legolas was on watch now, needing less rest than the others he had taken more than one chance as the look-out for the night. If he had sensed Rhiannon, he had not shown a sign, had not come to find her. Rhiannon was waiting for the dawn; it was not far away. She watched attentively as the sun rose on the horizon; bathing the morning sky in pale pink light. Moments like these showed just how insignificant men, elves, dwarves, hobbits and all the like were. All their powers used together could never create something so beautiful. Would this be less beautiful if all elves left the world? Besides the Tree herders, called Ents, as Gandalf had told her on their travels, the elves seemed the closest to the true magic that is nature. Would Aragorn represent the true balance needed for elven magic and the beauty of nature to survive in the world of Men? Her long contemplation stopped suddenly. She heard a sound around her, someone walking, very quietly. Her whole body tensed and then relaxed as she recognized the presence of the person behind her.

“Well, look what I have found on this lovely dawn.”

Rhiannon let a smile come to her face, “Hello, my friend.”

Title: Enigma Author: Shan Lee Rating: PG-13 Feedback: [email protected]

A/N: Once again, thank you for all the reviews. The parts of the chapter done like this: “ ‘’” means that it is a direct quotation from the book. Yes, I am going by the book version, while I loved the movie, the book has many scenes that cannot be passed up.

Chapter Thirteen: “It’s a Good Thing You’re Pretty…..”

“Love someone that will make you smile, even when nothing funny is said.”

Legolas stood, watching as Aragorn talked to a person settled in the space between to rocks. He knew who laid nestled in the rocky crag, had felt her enter his mind yesterday. He wondered why she was following them, and then was happy at the thought of seeing her. He wondered if her archery skills had passed into something that could be considered satisfactory. Some were made for strategy, some for fighting, some made to sit back and make comments on how elven soldiers looked like, ants? Ants, that was the word Rhiannon had used. She was quite the…, well there were not proper terms to describe. He watched as Aragorn held a hand out to help Rhiannon stand.

“Hello, friend.” Rhiannon smiled up into the face of Aragorn, the man destined to be king. He gave her an affectionate smile, as one would give to a child.

“What brings you along this path? Why are you not safe in the Golden Wood, learning the ways of the elves?”

She smiled back at him, “I traveled with a friend, who has know gone to some other place. I was told to seek out the three hunters, I am guessing that refers to you and the other two you travel with. Where is the Man of Gondor, should he not also be on this path?”

A shadow passed over the face of the man, “Boromir of Gondor has passed into the land that the fallen heroes tread. He died defending the younger of the hobbits. They were taken by a race of Orc and Goblin men, called the Uruk-hi. Frodo and Samwise have gone onto their own path to destroy the ring. We look for the younger hobbits now, believing they have gone into Fangorn Forest. I dread going in there.”

“Why?” Rhiannon inquired, happy to know the name of the wood they stood outside and yet still confused about why the Ranger dreaded to go into the forest.

“I tend to forget that you are not that familiar with the history of Middle Earth. Well, at least this part of Middle Earth. Fangorn may be one of the oldest places you will ever have the grace of being in. The power here can be felt, tasted. Many fear to travel into these woods, fear of the unknown and the ancient. Now, let me help you up. We are searching for the younger hobbits and each wasted moment of daylight is a wasted moment to find them.” Aragorn reached his hand out, helping her up. Rhiannon glanced down from where she stood, watching as Legolas and Gimli prepared for the trek into the forest. Rhiannon turned to him, “Are you sure Merry and Pippin are alive and in the forest?”

“No, last night when camp was made, it was too dark to find any signs they may have been near. Now with the dawn, I shall search for signs.”

“Oh, you shall? So, on a hunch you lead your two companions, and now me, into a forest you fear to tread into on the basis that you ‘shall’ find evidence of the hobbits. Well, when we get lost and go into the forest in vain, it will all be your fault.”

“Rhiannon, you are not good for my self-confidence. I am a Ranger of the North, I know what I am doing.”

“Of course you do, it’s just your doubt that lies in the forefront of your mind that worries me.”

“Well, you are not helping my self-doubt, in fact you are increasing it.”

“Well, I…”

Rhiannon’s retort was cut off by the yell of a dwarf, apparently having heard the basis of the current argument through an elf that was putting his perfectly-pointed ears in places they should not be.

“When you two decided whether or not Aragorn is full of self-doubt or overly self-confident; I would like to remind you in the meantime that we are tracking two small hobbits last seen in the hands of the almost foulest of beings. So, please, put things into perspective!”

Rhiannon and Aragorn both held their laughs back as the Dwarf scolded both a noble Man and a being of elven heritage.

******

Rhiannon was trying everything to keep herself from calling the three males in front of her idiots. There had been found remnants of Lembas bread, elvish waybread, complete with Lorien Mallorn leaf; pieces of cut cord, and a knife, obviously of that foul race of beings, the Uruk-hi. Obviously the hobbits had cut the rope, had a snack, and got away. But, no, the elf had to bring in his extra-perceptive opinion:

“ ‘Well, here is the strangest riddle that we have yet found!’ exclaimed Legolas. ‘A bound prisoner escapes both from the Orcs and the surrounding horsemen. He then stops, while still in the open, and cuts his bonds with an orc-knife. But how and why? For if his legs were tied, how did he walk? And if his arms were tied, how did he use the knife? And if neither were tied, why did he cut the cords at all? Being pleased with his skill, he then sat down and quickly ate some waybread! That at least is enough to show that he was a hobbit, without the mallorn-leaf. After that, I suppose, he turned his arms into wings and flew away singing into the trees. It should be easy to find him: we only need wings ourselves!’”

Rhiannon shook her head. This was who the gods choose for her to spend eternity bound to. Whoever did she anger in the past? She raised an eyebrow at the elf, “Legolas, it’s a good thing you are pretty.”

“Whatever do you mean?” He asked, with true confusion in his voice. Rhiannon was almost speechless.

She turned to Aragorn, “Please tell me, I beg of you, you have a better theory on what happened to the hobbits.”

Aragorn smiled, trying to hide his laughter. He did have his own theory and it was very similar to the one she had just figured out in her own head. Note to self, the logic of the elf, is far from common sense. Do not ask him to judge a scene of mystery, he will take the route of fancy.

Gimli was not to keen to go into the forest; no one was really. Rhiannon did have a feeling that a very special friend did await them. She forgot that the three did not know Gandalf had returned in some form, she had this feeling that they were not to know yet, and so kept it a secret. Gimli spoke of his feeling that the forest was malevolent. Legolas remarked that it was not evil, it was just old and had witnessed many things. There was some anger in the air. Legolas studied the forest in amazement, stating that being in the ancient forest was the first time on the trip he felt young among the others; children he had chose to call him. Rhiannon had remarked that while they may seem like children to him; at least all their eyebrows matched their hair color. A laugh was shared among all, a lighter mood needed to continue on. Legolas looked around wistfully, obviously in love with the forest. Eh, wood-elves, only kind that would be comfortable in a place full of this much intensity. They walked into the forest, getting deeper into the dense foliage. As they walked, Legolas came to stand beside her.

“When I felt your presence with me yesterday, I was very intrigued. Why would you be trying to contact me if you were still nestled in the safety of Lorien, like I hoped you would be. Why bring yourself willingly into war, a place you have no wish to be involved with. You are not a fighter Rhiannon, you should not be here.”

She turned to study him, while still managing to walk, she studied his face. His expression impassive, his eyes full of worry and some anger. Frustration at her really. She was starting to see the change that was occurring in him. While being an elf of Mirkwood, witnessing the orcs and large spiders hurting and possibly killing elves he had know; the loss of the human Boromir seemed to have effected him greatly. It must have been like seeing a child die to Legolas. It must have been rare to see one so young go. He had seen death, this was true, but those were beings that had lived for at the very least, a hundred years. He did not want to see her feel the confusion, the pain, he was now dealing with. He did not want her to get harmed from the battle, this was all obvious. She was truly starting to realize how little they knew about each other.

“Legolas, I must get to my brother, or at least have a summons sent for him to meet me somewhere. It is imperative that we are together. Once I get him, I will return to this area, I do not plan to be outside the realm of Lorien for long. A summons may have already been sent to him and he may be coming this way to join me. You should not worry about me, I will be fine. Keep your focus on the task ahead, keep your eyes wide open and your ears attentive to all that speaks. If I need you, trust me, you will know. When this is over, as I have told you before, we shall have a very long talk. Although, I fear we will not have much time together.”

Legolas gave a small laugh, “Why would you say that, I am not going anywhere, and I do not plan on dying anytime soon.”

“I said nothing about dying.”

Legolas gave a nod, not wanting to ponder the words Rhiannon had spoken. Why was it that whenever the future was revealed, in all it’s mysterious rhymes, it was always of a grave nature. There never seemed to be happy predictions. Or maybe darkness was only revealed so that the light could be more cherished and enjoyed. The group had decided to climb up a rocky stone-stair. Legolas had the need to breathe more fresh air that could only be reached above the brush of the forest. Rhiannon and Gimli both mumbled about the stairs, not enjoying the climb. They all stood on the hill, looking at the ground below, surveying all they had traveled. Aragorn noticed the markings of the hobbits. There was a very fair chance that the youngest of their hobbits companions were alive. Legolas gazed out into the forest, suddenly excited at the sight of an old man moving among the undergrowth.

“ ‘Look!’

‘Look at what?’ said Gimli.

‘There in the trees.’

‘Where? I have not elf-eyes.’

‘Hush! Speak more softly! Look!’ said Legolas pointing. ‘Down in the wood, back in the way that we have just come. It is he. Cannot you see him, passing from tree to tree?’

‘I see, I see now!’ hissed Gimli. ‘Look, Aragorn! Did I not warn you? There is the old man. All in dirty grey rags: that is why I could not see him at first.’”

Aragorn seemed to agree with the other two that this was the evil wizard Saruman. Rhiannon tried desperately not to roll her eyes but she was not successful. “Please, do not let them be that stupid. Please, let one of them have the sense to see who that really is.” No such luck. The figure came upon them as the “hunters” prepared to attack the old “man.” Rhiannon stood back, prepared to watch the astonishment that would grace her three companions’ faces. Legolas seemed to sense that it was not Saruman as there was hesitation in his timing to release his arrow. Rhiannon blinked at the sudden bright light as she heard Aragorn mutter,

“It cannot be.”

Chapter 14: Memories of Childhood

<i>Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts.—William Shakespeare, King Henry the Sixth</i>

It had seemed months since Gandalf has appeared to the three hunters and Rhiannon in the forest of Fangorn. Months since they had mounted the horses that had returned on Gandalf’s call and headed to the kingdom of Edoras. Long days since they had entered the hall of Meduseld and Gandalf the White made his appearance to all, and had forced the poisonous spirit of Saruman out of King Theoden, Master of Rohan. In all honesty it had been a day. The sun had set on one, and rose this morning as they arrived in Edoras. Never had a day seemed so long to Rhiannon, and yet she knew that there would come a time where she would wish for a day like this. They had spent the better part of the past two days riding at a break-neck pace on the horses. When they had stopped the night before, even Legolas found himself in need of sleep. They were to set out again on the horses in only a few hours, the realization that time was truly running out.

Rhiannon sat on a step, staring out among the people that gathered all they needed to travel to the Hornburg and to Helm’s Deep, the fortress that had never fallen for those of Rohan. She had memories of times like these. She raised her head as Legolas approached her,

“What are you thinking about?” he inquired.

“My childhood.” Rhiannon simply replied.

“Will you tell me?” Legolas asked with slight hesitation, fear still present from the last time they shared memories. Rhiannon motioned for him to sit down next to her. She lightly held his hands in her own; quite a task considering his hands were much larger than hers. She studied his hands, hands that could bring such comfort through touch, and such violent death by use of a weapon. He had some clauses on his hands, testament to the time spent with the bow and arrow, with knives and swords. She lightly traced the lines that criss-crossed his palms. Legolas jumped at the contact. Rhiannon gave him a mischievous smile and lightly blew a path of air along the line she had just traced with her fingertip. Purposefully she played on his enhanced senses.

“Do you really wish to know what is in my mind?”

Legolas had an almost feral look on his face, sensing her little game. “Mischievous children must be punished; or pay the consequences for their curiosity.”

Rhiannon smirked, “I was never punished and I always thoroughly enjoyed the consequences of my curiosity.”

Legolas gave a huff and tried to pull his hands away but Rhiannon held them tight. “Calm down, elf. I will let you know what my memory was of, even though you shall not understand it. Ready yourself.”

Rhiannon held her palms above Legolas, resting his hands in her lap, she recalled her memory. She was a very young child, even to humans. Her village was being attacked, fires being lit by arrows shot from enemies. Chaos reigned below as she watched from the window in her father’s bedroom. She remembered being scared. Father was off on a hunting trip, her mother had just left for Rivendell to visit her people. Brhagdan had been left in charge of the house, but he had gone to the home of the young lady he was planning to court. Rhiannon did not know where to hide, who to run to. She was only nine years on this earth, she was too ignorant of the world to be as scared as she should have been. To this day she could not figure out what had guided her to the hiding place she stayed in for two days. The being had been light and warmth; two feelings she had always associated with Legolas. However she knew it was near to impossible that he was the being that had guided her through life. That warmth and light had always been there when she could not find her path, she always thanked the higher powers for blessing her with one that watched over her life. After that battle her father had always made sure a servant was ready to whisk her off to a safer place. Both her parents and her brother felt guilt that Rhiannon would feel the emotion of abandonment at such a young age. They did not know that Rhiannon had never felt abandoned in those times, she always had the presence, almost like a mother to her….Rhiannon abruptly stopped her memories, her thoughts, and forced Legolas out of her mind. She just had a moment of revelation. Legolas jumped up at the same time she did.

“What is it? What has happened? What has upset you?” Legolas reached out and softly ran hand down the side of her voice, giving his touch to offer her a comfort.

Rhiannon grasped his hand that now held her chin in it’s palm and shook her head, “It’s nothing really, just something I must speak to Gandalf about.” She stopped, and lowered his hand from her face. She will the childish glint back into her eyes, “ Is your curiosity quenched now that you have seen what is in my mind?”

Legolas gave her a playful smile, “Not hardly.” He reached a hand out again, tucking her hair beyond her ears, to view their slightly pointed shape. “You were an adorable child. Your hair has become even more of a startling contrast to your skin now.”

“I spent more time in the sun as a child, more time to climb in trees and play in rivers and meadows, less time spent contemplating the mysteries of life.”

“Was that younger man your brother?”

“One of my brothers, the one I am closest to in age, there is only fourteen years between us. His name is Brhagdan.”

“His coloring is much different from your own.”

“We have different mothers. His was a High-Priestess of one of our lands, a far off place in a desert-like land.”

“Desert?”

“Hmm, how to explain this to you. Do you know what sand is?”

“Yes, it is around the gates of Mordor I have been told.”

“Well, deserts are like that, made up of sand, more of a golden color. His mother came from these lands, she is a beautiful woman. I have always coveted my brothers golden skin, his beautiful green eyes that stand out so much.”

“Your people are very…different in your looks.”

“We are diverse, we see many different things as beautiful in others. All are allowed to decide what they find beautiful, and to try to attain that. It is both a good and bad thing.”

“Your land sounds very interesting.”

“All things that we are not familiar with are seen as interesting, because they are different.” Rhiannon paused. “You should go prepare for the travel, check that we have everything, I must speak with Gandalf.” Legolas gave her a small nod and slowly turned around, glancing back at her once as he made his way to the stables.

***

Rhiannon found Gandalf speaking with Aragorn, he gave her a look and simply said, “What you think is true. His mother was assigned to watch over you. Now is not the time for such questions. The Lady sent a summons for your brother before we left, he is on his way and shall arrive before nightfall tomorrow. Go and enjoy the small space of peace with Legolas, you will be separated soon from us all, you know why.” Rhiannon gave Gandalf a nod, not the least surprised that he knew what was forefront in her mind. She dreaded what the near future held but was quite ecstatic to know she would soon be with her brother.

Rhiannon ran down the stairs and almost collided with King Theoden’s niece, Eowyn. The young woman had the heart of a warrior, and yet lived in the land where she would never have the chance to show it. She was a beautiful caged bird, who fancied herself in love with Aragorn. Rhiannon smiled at the woman who looked up at her with frightened eyes, like a small child. She would get happiness, just not in the ways she so thought. So young and yet so cynical about life. Wait, where had she heard that before? This must be how Gandalf, Elrond, Celeborn and Lady Galadriel, even Aragorn and Legolas must feel when they viewed those younger and more innocent then themselves. It was like looking at a child. Eowyn’s eyes traveled over Rhiannon,

“You are not an elf-maiden, are you?”

Rhiannon bowed her dark head, “No, I am not. I am something….else.”

“Then why are you traveling with the others. I believed you the wife of the elf, but why would he marry one that is not an elf?”

“I am traveling with the others only until my brother comes into contact with me. Elves do, and can wed, outside of their race, even though I am not the wife of the elf. I am more his…well, I am one that will always know him. Nothing for you to worry about, you should prepare for the travel ahead. Do not get that expression, I am not scolding you or saying you are not fit to wait until the last minute like those foul males. I simply believe in being prepared.”

The young woman seemed a bit taken aback that her thoughts were read. Rhiannon had to remember that the race of Men in this part of the world was not comfortable with the mysterious. She watched Eowyn continue up the steps into the Golden Hall. Rhiannon went in the opposite direction, into the dark stables.

Chapter Fifteen: Brotherly Love

“ Even though we appear to be sewn in a different pattern, we have a common thread that won’t be broken-by people or years or distance.”

Rhiannon walked as quietly down to the stables as she could, hoping to surprise the elf. For some odd reason, as long as this day had been, she was in a very playful mood and felt the need to tease Legolas more than she normally did. She willed her footsteps to a sound almost like silence, she pulled the hood of her cloak over her head, so as to not be shown to the men in the stables. She did not feel the need to answer anymore question on what exactly she was today. It was hard to explain, half-elven they got, ¾ they did not.. How hard was that to grasp, her mother was a full elf, her father’s mother was an elf, not that difficult. She stopped her pondering as she realized someone was following her. The stairways of the stables were dark, torches not being lit at the moment, just enough sunlight filtering in through the long thatched roof to see the step in front of you. She stopped and turned, staring into the darkness, trying to sense the presence of the being she knew was there. She felt a sudden rush of wind past her face and knew that the being had moved past her. By the scent she knew it was male, he smelled of forest, of ashen wood, and she knew it was not Legolas. She prepared herself, ready to run if this person came forward. She quickly moved her hand into the pocket hidden in her dress, she grasped the small dagger, the precious gift her brother had given her, the only weapon she knew how to fight with. She concentrated on the thought of light, of warmth, praying that it would allow her to see more into the darkness, willing for more sunlight to filter through. Trying to at least see the face of the person that now occupied the stairway, now right below her. A quick arm swiftly disarmed her, a rough voice stated,

“Potes currere sed te occulere non potes, avicula” (You can run but you can’t hide, little bird).

Rhiannon shook her head, and was about to curse the man in front of her when he was suddenly lifted off of her, thrown against the hard stone wall. She knew it had to be Legolas,

“Legolas, No! Stop! That is Brhagdan, my brother, let him go!”

“He tried to attack you!”

“He was testing me, you idiot! Believe me, if he meant to cause true harm, I would be close to death now.”

“I do not want you here in the dark,” Legolas spat out, as if punishing a child, “Go to the stables, get into the light.”

His cold tone surprised her. The elf chose anger over fear interesting. “Stop being an ass, Legolas, my brother would have you flat on your back if he meant to cause harm. Let him go, now.” Legolas removed his hand from Brhagdan’s throat slowly, his eyes flashing like that of her cat’s in the dark. Rhiannon reached for Brhagdan before he could return the “favor” Legolas had just bestowed upon him. Men, honestly. You live 900 years, they still treat you like a child. Rhiannon gave Brhagdan the hardest squeeze on the hand she could, warning him to stay back. She nudged Legolas forward, pushing him towards the stables. The first meeting between her brother, and the elf, had not gone as she had planned. Not at all.

As they walked into the stables, Rhiannon shoved her brother off to a place to sit. She did not want him to say anything rash at the moment. Legolas was not in the best of states at this time. There was a slight quiver to his hands, his eyes still held fear. Rhiannon took one of his hands within her own. Lightly rubbing a circle into his palm with her thumb. “Legolas, what is wrong? Why are you so frightened?”

Legolas took a small, shuddering breath, “I felt your fear. I had felt you in the stairway, knowing you were trying to sneak up on me. I’d thought to play along. Then you stopped, and I felt this tense feeling in the air. As if someone was about to attack something, I could not breathe freely, and that rarely happens to me. I felt your fear, and apparently I overreacted.”

Rhiannon gave him a small smile, dropping his hand and running a finger lightly down his face. Trying to get him to laugh at the sensitive contact.

“Silly elf, if I was truly being attacked you would have reacted in the correct way. Unfortunately, I did not recognize my brother until he spoke. That is how we greet each other, by testing our reflexes. He clearly showed that I am failing miserably when it comes to my self-defense.”

“That is an odd greeting for siblings.”

“Well, we are not normal.” Rhiannon replied with another smile as she reached up to tug on one of his braids. “Now, calm yourself while I handle my brother. Why don’t you go see Gimli and make sure he does not anger the horses. Believe me when I say they do not forget insults.” Legolas gave a small laugh and then moved off into the direction she had just gestured to.

***

Brhagdan surveyed the scene before him. His baby sister, his little bird, was consoling an elf. An elf that had just attacked him no less. This was not normal. Ever since Elladan, Rhiannon had stayed as far away from male elves as she could, even the male half-elvens in their land. Now, she was being very pacifying to him; running a finger lightly down his face to get him to smile, tugging on one of his blonde braids. What in the name of Hades had happened? This was not the female he left. Damn nymphs, he had told father not to let her hide with them, they probably taught her their nymphly ways. Such was not the behavior for his sister. Oh, they would be having a talk. He strained to hear the conversation between the two, knowing it was futile, the elf could hear better than he could, Rhiannon was most likely speaking as softly as she could. He studied his sister. Some time while walking down the stairs, her hood had fallen. Her hair was it’s usually messy disarray, never enjoying the feeling of being held back. Like Rhiannon herself. One ear was covered, the other not, and as a mortal man walked past them, Legolas swiftly covered the slight point that peaked out. Ahh, so the elf wasn’t all that stupid. As if sensing the insult that played in his mind, Rhiannon turned to give him a censuring gaze. She muttered something to the elf, and then pointed him in a direction, most likely telling him to go off somewhere. She turned and walked towards her brother, amusement playing in her eyes.

“He is not stupid; granted he has his moments; but he’s a wood elf.” Rhiannon declared to her brother, watching as he tried to hold in his own amusement.

“Since when are you associating with elves again? Last I checked, you were hoping to castrate the lot of them.”

“Well, times change. And I didn’t say all elves, just a few twin males of Rivendell.”

“Ahh, Rivendell. How is Lord Elrond?”

“Trying to control my love life, as always.”

“He loves you, you are like a daughter to him. A difficult, misbegotten, pain in the-“

“Brhagdan!”

“…daughter, nonetheless. So, explain the elf.”

“You should ask Gandalf, and how did you get here so quickly?”

“My summons was sent as soon as you left Rivendell, maybe a day earlier. I was to meet you in Lorien. You do not need to be in Gondor at this time. You would not enjoy being surrounded by all that human sadness.”

“There were many questions about you in Lorien.”

“Well, I am quite striking.”

“Only because your mother prayed to a god for you to not turn out like a monster.”

Brhagdan cockily raised his face, “It worked, did it not?”

Rhiannon did not even attempt to hold back her snort of disbelief, “Not when it came to your personality.”

“Well, the same could be said for you. Don’t roll your eyes at me, because I know you want to.”

“Where are we going from here?” Rhiannon asked, trying to change the subject.

Brhagdan looked at his younger sister, knowing she would soon be involved in war, see it right in front of her face. He had tried to keep her from the battlefield, the true ugliness of war for the longest time. She was not an innocent, and yet she was still very inexperienced in this life. “We will accompany this whole group to the Helm’s Deep. After that, if we shall live, we will head back to Lorien and then possibly Mirkwood. Gandalf believes both will be under attack in the coming days.” Brhagdan wondered at Rhiannon’s sharp intake of breath when he said “Mirkwood.”

“Why do you do that, sister? You have never been to the woodland realm of Mirkwood.”

“I know two elves from there, they guided me to and from Rivendell. Legolas, the elf you met today, he is also a prince of Mirkwood..”

Brhagdan could not stop the slight drop of his jaw, “He, that male elf that just tried to kill me, in your defense, is a prince of Mirkwood! What, how do you know him, why is he defending you? What has happened since I saw you last!”

Rhiannon turned to her brother, “Well, it all started when my powers decided it was time for me to connect with my soul mate, or something along those lines. This connection happened when Legolas touched me, I went into his mind…why are you looking at me like that?”

“Father is going to kill you. You bonded with the prince of Mirkwood! Ugh, how could you? I mean, you have just met him!”

“Brhagdan! I did not bond with him like that, no ceremony, nothing like that, all about the mind.”

“I’m sure it was all about the mind, do you take me for a fool? No one can have a bond like that, it is too rare, and while I admit you have power Rhiannon, that is a thing beyond you. Plus, you are not even of the same race. He is full elf, you are not, why would the gods choose to bond you to eternity with someone you can not truly be with. You can not go to their version of paradise, Nirvana as my mother calls it.”

“Well then, Oh All-Knowing Brhagdan, explain to me what this is: Through a simple touch, a great power came over the two of us causing us to connect, accessing each other’s minds and visions. Since that has happened, we are able to see what the other sees, feel what the other feels. We are able to sense each other, know each other’s presence. Just now, Legolas felt my fear, and it scared him. Hence the reason he reacted as he did. So, if that is not finding a soul mate, bonding with that person. Please explain to me what is?”

Brhagdan was silent, then shook his head and spoke, “Ok, I admit, I was wrong. You bonded. I bow to you, All-Knowing Rhiannon.” Brhagdan paused for a second, almost fearing to ask his next question, fearing the possible repercussions of the answer, “Do you love him?”

Brhagdan watched with bated breath as his sister let out a soft curse, and then looked every where around the stables, but at him. Her eyes finally resting on one spot. He turned to look, the elf was jesting with a, dwarf? Well, that was something he never believed he would ever see.

“I don’t know yet. I do not know much about him. I think I could, I think if I have the strength, I will.” She glanced back at the elf, smiling as he said something to the dwarf.

Brhagdan shook his head, “Ahh, my little one, I think you already do.”

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