Title: Enigma 

Author: Shan Lee 

Rating: PG-13 

Feedback: [email protected]

Disclaimer: The majority of this is Tolkien’s. However, the original characters belong to me. Please, no suing, just got the bill for what just my interest will be on my loans, to sum it up, I’m broke.

Chapter Sixteen: Songs of Comfort

We seek the comfort of another. Someone to share and share the life we choose. Someone to help us through the never ending attempt to understand ourselves. And in the end, someone to comfort us along the way. -- Marlin Finch Lupus

The impending evening whipped many into action, preparing for the travel to Helm’s Deep. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and now apparently Brhagdan and Rhiannon all had to be outfitted in some sort of protective gear. Even if it was in all likelihood Rhiannon would not be fighting. Apparently there were caves when in this fortresses known as Helm’s Deep; and there Rhiannon would stay there. The gear was in case anything attacked them on the way. However, the mention of the caves sent an odd shiver down her spine; she was not sure if it was her own dislike of caves that caused this, or if it was her dislike doubled by that of Legolas. More than once he had made his dislike of caves known. Odd to Rhiannon, she thought the king of Mirkwood resided in a cave. Maybe there was just a difference between elven caves and other caves. Rhiannon’s mindless rambling was stopped as she watched Gimli step out with his chain-mail shirt on. No one in the room tried to hide their amusement. The shirt fell beyond Gimli’s feet, trailing to the floor. Even Gimli’s eyes twinkled with laughter when he stated that the shirt was a tad long. He choose a helmet and a shield instead. The armor that Rhiannon wore, which was not much, was provided by Lady Eowyn, knowing which of the pieces they people of Rohan had would be most comfortable on a female.

After a ceremony in the Golden Hall, and the decision that Eowyn would stay in Edoras to rule over the people while the King and Eomer traveled to Helm’s Deep; the group set out. Rhiannon had decided to ride with her brother, forgoing her own horse. She did not trust herself to ride in the dark at the fast pace she was almost positive they would take. Few words were spoken between the group, the Riders, members of the Fellowship, able-bodied men of Rohan, and finally Brhagdan and Rhiannon. For five hours they rode until it was finally decided it was time to make camp. For fear of what was out there, fires were not lit, trust and their own senses led them to places to lay down. Scouts were sent out ahead of them. Rhiannon uncertainly made her way to the ground, finding herself near Gimli.

“I do not understand horses, Mistress Rhiannon, why would one choose to fight while riding on one of them.”

Rhiannon nodded her head, “I agree with you Master Dwarf. Walking, being on two legs, makes much more sense to me. Yet the horses allow us to go at the fast pace we require to reach Helm’s Deep in time. I just don’t truly understand why elves revere them so much.”

As if understanding them, Arod, the horse of Legolas and Gimli, gave a snort. Rhiannon raised her hands up in defeat. “I apologize, Arod. Horses are great creatures and should be revered for all they do for us.” Rhiannon swore that if the horse could, it would’ve rolled his eyes. Sudden musical laughter caused Rhiannon to whip her head around. Legolas stood above her, his bright eyes twinkling in the moonlight,

“You two are begging for the horses to throw you off. Horses are not the animals you want to anger, they can make your journey very difficult. You both should rest, the coming days will be very tiring. Sleep.”

Rhiannon and Gimli both nodded and tried to get comfortable on the ground. Legolas found his way over to where Aragorn and Brhagdan sat talking. Interested in how the two knew each other. Aragorn truly did seem to have friends everywhere. Brhagdan looked up as Legolas approached,

“Is my sister sleeping?”

“She is at least lying down.”

Brhagdan nodded, “Good. She’ll need it.” Brhagdan then continued to speak to Aragorn, in the tongue he had heard Rhiannon mutter only at certain times. He studied the brother of Rhiannon. They were very different in coloring, but their eyes were similar. Rhiannon may have spoken of her jealously of her brother’s light-green eyes, but he found her dark-green eyes much more interesting. Compared to him they were both young, and yet he knew they had seen things he had yet to experience. The siblings reminded him of Aragorn. Brhagdan for being the well-traveled person he was, and Rhiannon for being a member of many different worlds. Never truly fitting in. He was curious as to how their people came into existence, and yet knew that now was not the time to share the history of their peoples.

Legolas glanced over to Rhiannon, studying her as she slept. He was concerned, something was wrong, she was not having a peaceful slumber. Legolas quickly made his way over to Rhiannon, alerting to Brhagdan and Aragorn that something inside Rhiannon’s mind was causing her much unrest. Gimli dozed next to her, oblivious of what was warring within Rhiannon’s mind. Legolas knelt next to Rhiannon, gently taking her into his arms, trying to wake her, lightly shaking her. She would not open her eyes. Legolas muttered a soft curse, and gripped her hands within his own. Hoping to awaken the connection between them. The feeling was immediate, that familiar sensation of receiving a blow to the stomach. Unlike the other times, nothing in Rhiannon’s mind was clear, most likely due to her sleeping state. She did not sleep like elves, but not like humans, she was normally aware of her surroundings, but something within her mind was causing her to stay in that unconscious state. Since he could not understand anything within her mind, he broke the contact, quite unsure of what to do, and also not wanting to alert the whole camp that something was wrong with the female. He slightly leaned down to whisper into Rhiannon’s ear soothing phrases of Sindarin, hoping to get her to calm down. Instead, Rhiannon woke-up. The vulnerability and sadness that shone in her eyes caused his heart to clench painfully within his chest. What had caused this? Earlier in the day she had been so playful, very much like a child. Now she appeared as if she would never smile again. Legolas was going to tell Brhagdan to come over when Rhiannon spoke, her voice rough,

“No, please, do not call him. It would cause him even more concern to see me like this.”

Legolas looked down at her with concern, “What was in your mind? What caused you to react like that? You would not wake.” Legolas ran one of his fingers across her forehead, then down her nose, causing the reaction he had hoped for, a smile graced Rhiannon’s lips. The vulnerability still shone in her eyes, though. He did not know how to fix that. “Rhiannon what is wrong?”

She shook her head, “Nothing’s wrong. My mind just decided it did not want me to have a restful sleep.” Rhiannon paused, and then moved so as to get the majority of her body off Legolas’ legs. She bit her lip, remembering all those times in Lorien when she craved to have someone comfort her. As a young child her father would always sing to her to get her to sleep. When she started receiving her visions, which is what she had just had, Brhagdan would sing her to sleep with silly songs about cats that could fly. She looked over to where her brother sat, talking with Aragorn. She realized that as she had grown older, her brother could no longer provide her with the comfort she needed. She looked up at Legolas who was studying every one of her movements. She lifted her hand up and brushed her knuckles across Legolas’ right cheek. She then lightly tugged on one of his braids,

“Legolas, will you sing to me? Please?”

Legolas gave her a smile, “I will, but you will not understand the words.”

Rhiannon smiled, “It does not matter. I just need to hear your voice.” Legolas nodded and started to softly sing in that musical language, he lightly ran his hands through her hair and sang a song from his childhood over and over again until Rhiannon fell asleep. This time, no visions, no nightmares came to her. Her rest was peaceful.

A/N: Ok, once again, Book Version of Two Towers. The “ ‘’” means it comes right out of the books. If you do not want to know what happens in the story of Lord of the Rings after where Peter Jackson ended the Two Towers, then after this chapter you might not want to read anymore.

Chapter Seventeen: Stains That Will Never Wash Off  

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.-- Mahatma Gandhi

Camp was broken very early, they continued at their pace, as if demons were on their heels. Perhaps there was. Everyone’s face held a sign of determination. They would get to Helm’s Deep before it was too late. They would not go down without a fight. There was a feeling in the air, a heaviness, the smell of a storm that was brewing. Rhiannon observed those among her. At the front rode the King and Eomer. Besides Eomer was Aragorn. Legolas and Gimli rose not far ahead of Brhagdan. Gandalf for the time being rode next to Legolas but was slowly making his way to where the King rode. They had just encountered one very beaten man who said there was no hope ahead. He had been given a horse so that he could ride with them to Helm’s Deep.

Suddenly Gandalf stopped. He looked towards the sky, looking both north and west. His eyes then came back to the people in the group. The old king, the new heir, the Man who would be king, the dwarf that was now elf-friend, the prince of the Woodland realm who exhibited very un-elf like behavior, the part-elven male that would soon find himself at quite a crossroads. And then there was Rhiannon, she was much like dear Frodo. This time would change her forever, and knowing that the future held much danger, she would not turn from it. Why is it that the most pure always have to face the most darkness? Gandalf knew what he had to do, now was not his time to travel to Helm’s Deep. He had others he needed to meet.

“ ‘Ride, Theoden! Ride to Helm’s Deep! Go not to the Fords of Isen and do not tarry in the plain! I must leave you for awhile. Shadowfax must bear me now on a swift errand.’ Turning to Aragorn and Eomer and the men of the king’s household, he cried: ‘Keep well the Lord of the Mark, till I return. Await me at Helm’s Gate! Farewell!’”

With that the White Rider went off towards his errands. The others watched him leave, and then continued on their way, heeding the wizard’s words.

***

Night had fallen, Rhiannon was starting to feel tired, and knew that the night was far from over. Legolas and Aragorn were now riding next to Eomer. Brhagdan not that far behind. Rhiannon was scared, there was no moon light, no starlight in the sky. They finally reached Helm’s Dike. Rhiannon and Gimli both looking forward to the point when they would be able to get down off the horses. The sentinel at the Gate was glad to hear that the king and the Riders of the Mark had come. He informed them that within the caves, women and children resided. The riders all came off of their horses, the reality that a battle was near reigned heavy in the faces of all. Eomer quickly set about of arranging the soldiers on the Deeping Wall, the main part of the fortification that the servants of Saruman would face.

Rhiannon had never seen Gimli so happy. The stone of this fortification seemed home to him. She listened as he spoke to Legolas, very funny conversation. Gimli praising the loveliness of the stone. Rhiannon almost snorted when Legolas called dwarves “strange folk.”

“And when, Master Elf, did you decide that elves were so normal? We come back to the mismatching of the eyebrows and the hair on your head. Most unnatural.”

“That does bother you.”

“Very much so.”

Legolas gave a sigh and fingered his bow. He was obviously uncomfortable here. He had even voiced his dislike of the place but stated he was happy that Gimli was happy. Brhagdan called Rhiannon to him as Legolas and Gimli were called by Aragorn to go to the Deeping Wall. Before she left, Legolas gave her a look, almost pleading,

“I would feel more at ease if you went into the caves, for your safety.”

Rhiannon shook her head, “I do not like caves, neither do you.”

“You will be safe there.”

“You are so sure of that. Do not worry about me. I am quite good at saving myself, as much as I have trouble using weapons.”

Legolas gave a small smile, and then, quite surprising to Rhiannon, planted a soft kiss on her lips. As soon as she felt the action Legolas was hurrying off towards the Wall. The action only drove Rhiannon to reflect on the vision she had last night. One of her future, one with the elf, and it was not happy. She only remembered snatches,

*It is to tempt fate!*

*Do I not mean that much to you!*

*You can not ask this of me!*

*Why do you fear this! It is your fate, Rhiannon!*

Rhiannon was pulled out of her memories as Brhagdan called for her, more forcefully then before.

***

Brhagdan shot a glance at his sister, her fear was obvious on her face. She did not want to go down into those caves, no matter how much carnage she may have to witness above ground. “Rhiannon, I have never seen you act like this before. Why do you fear the caves?”

She shook her head lightly, a vacant expression coming over her features, her mind was no longer here. It was no longer in Helm’s Deep, in the now sudden rain, it was off somewhere else, seeing something that he could not pick up on. When she went like this, it scared him, she was there physically, but the rest of her was somewhere else. Those damn powers, when would they stop interfering with her life? There was only one way she could become in full control of them; Rhiannon feared that path too much to tread it. And yet one day… Brhagdan glanced up at the wall where Legolas stood, preparing for the battle that was about to occur, readying his bow. Next to him stood Gimli, trying desperately to see above the ridge of the wall. Would Legolas be the key? It was very possible, and considering how he and Rhiannon were already connected, it would be the most logical solution. But would Rhiannon let herself become what she was truly meant to be? Would she allow herself to become that dependent on another, that emotionally weak? He glanced at his sister, now returning to this world, she gathered her strength about her, a determined look on her face. He had seen that face many times in his life; the face of a little girl that insisted she needed to know how to climb trees, even though she was in a dress that made it very difficult. The defying expression of a young girl realizing she would live forever, while many around her would die. The face of a young woman, who, as she laid in a healing bed, would not let her powers, the gifts that she saw as a curse, destroy her. That was the face she now had, and that was the face Rhiannon got when the only acceptable way, was her way.

“I feel danger coming to those caves, I will not go down there. And in all honesty, no one else should be allowed down there. The woman and children should be as far away from the wall that faces the dike, as is possible. These people have such pride in their fortress, insisting it can not fall, can not be breached. Saying those words tempts fate, you and I both know the folly of them. I will not go down to those caves and hide with those that are helpless, and honestly no able-bodied female should be down there. Those that have the power to fight should; there should be no segregation based on sex. However, this realization shall not be for a very long time. Only elves tend to have the warrior females; and they are leaving this earth.”

Brhagdan raised a dark eyebrow, “The point of your rambling was?”

“I’m staying above ground, there is nothing you can do about it. Tell the other males to deal with it also. All of you have shielded me from the grim realities of war for far too long. I may not be of much help, but the little help I can provide may be part of a deciding factor.”

Brhagdan gave her a discerning look, “Rhiannon, do not try to use your powers, not here, not know.”

Rhiannon shook her dark hair, her green eyes flashing in the sudden lightning, giving her an ethereal appearance, “I would not even consider it. I can help deliver additional pieces of weaponry to those that may need it, help get the injured out of the way before they get killed. I will not actually fight unless I am deliberately attacked. Does that suit you my brother?”

“What would suit me is for you to not even be here. We should have had you stay at the Golden Hall with Eowyn. Or maybe you should have gone with Gandalf, wherever he traveled to on this night. Either way, I would not have you here.”

“You can not protect me forever, frater (brother). I have to face all that is in the world at some time. I promise you that I am stronger than I seem.”

“You are and you aren’t. I have faith in you, but I would rather know you are safe.”

“We are never truly safe, Brhagdan, you know that. A person can live through many trials and battles, and all the problems thrown their way. Then, while just going on a walk, they can suddenly be struck down by what ever higher power that watches over us. They could be in the prime of their youth, or in the winter of their time. Death does not care who and what you are when it comes for you. Therefore, I am as safe here then in the Golden Hall, or with Gandalf, or even at our home. If now is my time to go, or yours, then so be it. The world will go on, time will progress, and the insignificant absence of us in this world will not matter.”

“When did you become so morbid and almost sullen?”

“Since I left the realm of the nymphs. Realization has come to me.”

“You saw part of your future last night. When the rest were sleeping, when Legolas suddenly went to you, you saw part of your future last night.”

Rhiannon did not say anything but nodded her head. “You know, out of all, that the simplest action can change one’s life.” He told her.

“Not this one, it was already predicted by the Lady of the Wood. Given to Gandalf to give to Legolas.”

“And what did she tell Legolas?”

“In the simplest terms, when he hears the call of Seagulls, he will no longer be content in this land, no longer content to dwell in the forest. He will have the call of the Sea, the longing for Valinor, and that is all that will be in his heart, until he can travel there.”

As she spoke these words, the rains started to come down harder, the thunder pounding louder, almost as if to echo the raging emotions going through Rhiannon’s mind. The sounds of the Uruk-hai could be heard, pounding their weapons on the packed dirt. The whole moment seemed to be out of a nightmare. Brhagdan, knowing he did not have the time he wanted to reassure his sister, gave her a quick kiss on her now wet forehead, and ran to the top of the fortification to prepare for the battle that was ahead.

***

There are moments that occur in our lives that can not be described in pretty words. This is what is was like for those that participated in the Battle of Helm’s Deep. Although the men of Rohan were grossly out numbered by the servants of Saruman, they were able to defeat those evil beings on the night that seemed to last forever. The appearance of the White Rider, Gandalf, Mithrandir, whichever name you prefer, put such a fear into the servants of Saruman that they fled in fear. Many fell in the battle of Helm’s Deep. Many friendships were forever forged. Aragorn and Eomer forever became brothers bonded by ties stronger than that of blood. Legolas and Gimli, while having a fun game of “How many orcs did you kill?” truly found their brothers-in-arms.

The concern that came over the face of Legolas when both Eomer and Gimli were not to be found was almost heart-breaking. Rhiannon knew the thoughts that had come to his mind, she had watched him through the whole battle. Noting the enjoyment he took in killing the orcs, how the battle almost seemed like a game to him. And in fact, it was. Until Gimli could not be found, and then his thoughts had turned to that of Boromir, and Gandalf when he had fallen. When the orcs had entered parts of the fort, Rhiannon did have to defend herself, and she knew that when she had done that, she had pulled on both the strengths within Legolas and Brhagdan. She had fought without thinking, letting her body control her actions, and suppressing her mind so it could not register the fact that she was taking the life of something. No matter how foul that something was. She knew the orc-blood would never come out of her clothes, the stain of battle never out of her soul. Yet, she knew she needed to face this. Aragorn had found her at one time, and had literally shoved her as far into the fortress as he could, without putting her in the caves. That was a very good thing, considering the fact that the servants of Saruman carried with them a weapon that allowed for a section of the fortress to be decimated. It was quite an explosion, scattering dust, and parts of rocks everywhere. The storm above had rivaled the battle that occurred below. Through most of it Rhiannon was an observer, she had removed as much of herself as she could from the battlefield, trying not to realize all that was around her. This is what Brhagdan had once described to her. He called it primal instincts. The animal inside of us all takes over, the human part resting below the surface. Rhiannon had not felt like herself until the emergence of Gandalf, and until the sun finally made her great appearance. Now they were riding towards Isengard. From there Rhiannon and Brhagdan would go even farther, returning to the Golden Wood, and then to Mirkwood. Rhiannon was both happy and sad that she would soon be separated from those that she had become so close to in the past months. She knew that when they separated at Isengard, they would all be going on to their different fates.

A/N: While this chapter does quote directly from the books, I messed with the timeline just a tad. While the city Miletus mentioned in this chapter is a real city near the Aegean Sea, here it is used for fictional purposes.

Chapter Eighteen: A Jumble of Many Emotions

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

If ever the people of Rohan had thought the company of a wizard, an elf, and a dwarf was odd, nothing was to prepare them for the visions presented to them by some of the oldest beings on Middle Earth and some of the smallest inhabitants in Middle Earth. The elders were the Ents, tree-herders, ageless beings, very similar in looks to the trees they watched grow and took care of. Ents made the eldest of elves look as babes. It was quite entertaining, seeing Legolas, self-confessed obssessor of trees, so much so he was willing to go back into a very tense and angry forest to study them, view an Ent. The King of the Golden Hall and the Riders of Rohan seemed absolutely mystified by hearing the tale of the Ents. The Riders more surprised when they viewed what they dubbed as children, sitting on a set of rocks surrounded by empty plates, stuffed, and smoking on pipes. Little did they know they were hobbits, Merry and Pippin to be exact. Rhiannon was almost ecstatic at seeing them, and yet something seemed drastically different. Ah, well, tales for another time. All of Isengard had been decimated, flooded, burned. The place looked horrible. They were to learn that this was the work of the Ents, in reaction to Saruman’s horrid treatment of the trees of Isengard. A reaction by the Ents to the disrespect the orcs had given the forest.

There is some bittersweet justice in seeing Isengard destroyed. This should never have happened, it should not have been allowed to get this out of order. The destruction was a realization in the fact that there was no turning back, that Helm’s Deep would be child’s play compared to what was next. Rhiannon knew that to maintain a fairly balanced universe, the balance of power of good and evil had to be maintained. All beings had the capabilities to be good or evil within them; that circumstances in their lives led them to which side they would decide to fight for. If they decided to fight at all. Some were content to stay within their own worlds, ignoring the outside. This war was the first of many tests for the race of Men. These battles, their actions during this long ordeal, would decide the future of all. The time of the elves was over, it had not passed, it was as good as gone. The hobbits and dwarves already seemed forgotten among the race of men. The other races had become so far removed from that race, the Men, those that they considered inferior, they did not realize that that race would save them, save their world. All things went in cycles, in great circles. This time, the time leading up to now, was the first phase of the circle. One day, in the very far future, the race of Men would fall to a great evil, and the power of the elves would be restored. Or the power would go to the most powerful beings on the land. Rhiannon had been informed about this for years, mostly from Brhagdan’s mother. She had been the only true teacher Rhiannon had, her own mother gone before she could truly help her daughter.

Many thoughts went through Rhiannon’s mind as she subconsciously stroked her fingers through the golden-hair of Legolas as he sang softly to himself staring at the sky. At the moment Gandalf, King Theoden and his Riders were in conference with Treebeard. On a pile of rocks, proof of the destruction of Isengard, a curious group sat, smoking the finest pipe weed of the Hobbit’s Shire. Two hobbits, a dwarf, the man fated to be king, and a being that was a hybrid of mortal and immortal races of which the closest likeness was the race of Men, all sat together. There was no real talking, they were all relaxing, reflecting on their past few weeks. The hobbits had provided a more than sufficient meal to their new guests. Their tale of adventure was waiting to be told, but first the males, excluding the elf, felt the need to make use of the procured pipeweed.

Legolas glanced up at her, a small smile playing on his face, “I can hardly see the sky through their smoke.”

“Yes, well, when they are hacking and gagging as evil things chase your company, you can just hop along without a care in the world.”

“I do not hop.”

“Fine. Skip along without a care in the world.”

“Rhiannon!” Legolas tried to sound indignant but his laughter leaked out, a very musical and out-of-place sound in all the ruins that lay around them. The group on the rocks ignored them, too wrapped up in their own thoughts.

“Are you scared of what the future holds?” Rhiannon asked him softly, no longer looking at him, but out into the horizon.

“I can not control the future, why should I then fear it? What will happen, will happen. The sun will rise the next day and life will continue to go on as it has. A thousand years from now all our acts will be the basis of myths and legends that haunts the race of Men now. They will not understand what we undertook, many elves will forget the smallest acts committed in this time, and the truth will be lost in the artistic license that is often taken when stories are recorded. I will still be living, be it here on Middle Earth or in Valinor. You will still be here. Do not worry your mind about what is coming, worry only about what you mean to do in the next hour. As powerful as you may one day be, Rhiannon, you can not change what will inevitably happen to this world. The acts that are now in place have been in motion for many years, you could not and you can not change it.”

Rhiannon gave a small smile, recalling a conversation she had had with the elf when they had first met. “I told you, my dear elf, you are wise. You just do not know it.” There was still something in the back of her mind that would not let her rest. She knew the worst was yet to come, the tension in the air, in the earth, was tangible. “Legolas, what if the sun does not rise the next morning?”

“Then we shall be guided by moonlight and starlight.”

“And if that is not present?”

“Then we shall be guided by the light within us. Now, no more of these thoughts, I wish to hear the rest of the story of how our half ling friends came to be here.” He sat up, and lightly caressed her face, pleased when she leaned into his palm, “Rhiannon, do not let these doubts, these fears of yours plague your mind. Enjoy the time you have to rest.” He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and stood up, holding out a hand to assist her.

“I can get up myself you know.”

“And you can fall right back down when your feet get caught in your skirts.”

Rhiannon’s mouth fell slightly ajar, “You saw that?”

“Yes, quite clearly. I think you need to have a discussion with your horse, it does not seem to be fond of you. Of course, you are not very fond of it. Either way, you must learn to respect the beautiful creatures that horses are, you can not force yourself on them.”

“And you could not have informed me of this back in Edoras because….”

“I was positive you would have learned by now. Up with you, I wish to hear these tales.”

Rhiannon huffed and threw her best glare at Legolas, quite disappointed when it only made him smile wider. Stupid, arrogant, sarcastic, elf. Maybe she was more than a tad embarrassed that Legolas had witnessed her mishap when dismounting the horse today. She was positive that only her brother had witnessed that, she should have known that Legolas was watching. However, when one was stumbling to the ground, one did not think about the people watching and more about self-preservation. Legolas gave another small laugh, clearly reading her thoughts,

“I can teach you the basics of archery Rhiannon, maybe I can also instruct you on the basics of Elven grace.”

Rhiannon shook her head in an obvious gesture of annoyance, “I will not hesitate to smack you, elf. Do not tempt me.”

Legolas raised one of his own dark brows, his smile turned into a smirk that Rhiannon wished to wipe straight off his face.” I believe you have made that threat before, and yet have never followed through with your claim.”

Rhiannon’s expression was blank, making Legolas think she was about to raise her hand to him, and yet in her eyes something else twinkled. Was that….merriment? Not possible, had she gone back to her playful self already?

“I can make good on my claim at this moment, if you wish. However, the day is passing, we do not have much time left, and I wish to hear the tale of the hobbits.”

Legolas was confused by Rhiannon’s statement, and her apparent need to hide her true feelings. There was mirth in her eyes, and yet so much more. The merriment was being concealed to hide what she truly felt. “What do you mean that we do not have much time left, Rhiannon? Where do you think you are going? Surely you would not return to your homeland, now, before the task is even completed.”

“Of course I am not going home now Legolas, it would be too dangerous. I only meant that we are coming at a parting of ways at the next dawn. You are traveling with Aragorn, wherever he goes, as far as her travels. Gandalf has requested that Brhagdan and I go in an opposite direction at the moment. We are to head back towards Lorien and then towards your own homeland. Gandalf feels that we will be needed there, and so that is where we go. My brother and I would not be assets on your battlefields. If we were to be found by the Race of Men, it would not be taken well. Here, they are not aware of us. We would truly frighten those that live in suspicion of everything, the inhabitants of Minas Tirith; my brother has informed me of such. We make little sense to them, we have the features of Man with the life, the magic, of Elves. We are not easily defined. Most of the inhabitants of Middle Earth, of all the races, are not aware of our world. We are the past, present, and future of all that live on Middle Earth now. We have always known this, we always will. That is why all the races of Middle Earth are represented in my realm, for the reason that they must be carried on somehow, someway. We would cause a great hold up on your travels into the city, and if my brother and I are killed on your battle fields. Well, you would not wish to know the price that must be paid. My family may not be royalty, but when Nature gives her gifts, her magic, she does not care if you are royalty or not. She will giver her power to those she feels are most worthy. My brother’s mother is a powerful Priestess, she has been my only teacher my whole life, and she is not a female to anger.” Rhiannon paused for a moment and shook her head, obviously not wanting to talk anymore about her homeland.

“If this is true, why did you fight at Helm’s Deep?” Legolas asked, his curiosity suddenly hunger for more information about her lands, her realm, her people.

“We owed all of you, we have paid our debt. If we die in favor to the people of Middle Earth, there is no reason to be anger. If we, as guests of the realm, are killed after already repaying our debt, anger is provoked. A demand for justice. I do not understand it, I never will. As I have said many times before, now is not the time for such discussion, maybe one day when so many spies do not lurk in the land.”

Legolas nodded, their playful mood of moments ago already gone so quickly, he then turned to the group on the rocks, asking to hear the finished tale of the younger hobbits.

***

Rhiannon had to admit the young hobbits had experienced quite an adventure. Escaping orcs, meeting Ents, drinking Ent Draughts, seeing the destruction of Isengard. With all they had experienced, they still maintained their innocence. Of course, this seemed their way of life. Roof over the head, food in the belly, stories around the fireside, that was all that was needed for a good life. She envied them. In truth, she envied all her friends gathered on the rocks that listened to the tale of Merry and Pippin. She still felt this coldness within her, this unrest from Helm’s Deep. She still felt fear from the vision that had bothered her nights ago. She wished she could so easily relax. Soon they had decided to go into the actually city of Isengard, toward Orthanc, the now dark wizard Saruman’s tower. Gandalf, Theoden, and the Riders were already starting to gather at what one could assume was the base.

There was a power that radiated from the destroyed tower, Rhiannon could feel it tingle along her skin, causing the small hairs on her body to stand on end. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that Saruman was a powerful wizard that had just turned down a dark path. However, the Gandalf that last saw Saruman was not the one that returned, now it was a true battle of wills, of power. The magic in the air made Rhiannon heady, and she could tell the same reaction was occurring in Brhagdan as well. They both took subconscious steps back, being taught long ago to be as far away from your temptation as you could. The feeling in the air hinted that something large was about to happen. It scared Rhiannon, badly. Terrified truly; she glanced at her brother, fear also written in the lines of his golden face.

“I have a bad feeling, Rhiannon.” He whispered to her. She nodded in agreement,

“And yet, my brother, I do not feel as if it will be that horrible.”

“True, you haven’t passed out from a vision, always a good sign that something is not beyond horrible. And yet, when all of Miletus was buried by ash from the red-flowing river of lava from a very angry mountain, you saw nothing of it’s coming.”

Rhiannon graced her brother with a lovely glare, “No one can predict what Mother Nature chooses to happen; least of all me.”

Rhiannon and Brhagdan were silenced by the voice of Gandalf, apparently speaking to all now as his voiced was raised, “ ‘And Saruman has powers you do not guess! Beware his voice!’”

The group moved closer, to the foot of the stairs of the tower of the now dark wizard Saruman. Gandalf was wanting to go up to speak with his once Superior; Theoden was also to accompany him along with Eomer, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. Rhiannon and Brhagdan could not be paid any ransom to ascend those stairs, to see Saruman. They knew better. Gandalf was at the moment banging with his staff on the door. This was until the voice of Wormtongue, the king’s former advisor, spoke out, requesting to know what Gandalf wished.

“ ‘Go and fetch Saruman, since you have become his footman, Grima Wormtongue! And do not waste our time!’”

Gandalf’s normally tactic of eloquent language to get what he wished had long since vanished before the company had even set foot within Isengard. She watched her brother in her periphery as he made a movement to cover his ears. Rhiannon understood why as the voice emanated from the tower, one that with the tones presented in it could convince many to do whatever he wished. Rhiannon copied her brother’s movement quickly, cupping her ears as tightly as she could. Rhiannon glanced around her, most of King Theoden’s men had fallen under the spell of Saruman’s voice, his most powerful weapon. A sword may cause a deadly wound, but it can always heal. Words have power that no tangible weapon could every match. However, many soldiers did not realize the power of a voice; a voice backed by thousands of years of living, and knowledge that Men could not even imagine. However, the destruction by the Ents proved that no one with as much power as Saruman, with the ability to persuade, was indestructible. In fact, a mind not captured by the power of Saruman’s voice, could clearly judge that being within the company of Gandalf the White was a much more desirable place to stand. The men were entranced and a silence fell among all. Gimli, in his own infinite wisdom, broke the silence and spoke the truest words Rhiannon had heard that day, she lowered her hands to hear him clearly,

“ ‘In the language of Orthanc help means ruin, and saving means slaying, that is plain.’”

The words of the dwarf seemed to shake Saruman as his voice contained a sort of quiver as he resumed his spell. Rhiannon quickly covered her ears again. Rhiannon could make out the words said by the Chimera in mortal form before her, and yet they were muffled. He truly spoke poison, insulting all and yet doing it in a way that few could pick up on. Rhiannon was disgusted, she knew her opinion would have been different if she could not truly feel the destruction he had caused, if she had not glimpsed him already once in her young life, when he was still on a brighter side. This nonsense went on for sometime, Saruman’s spell even managing to make the men of Rohan feel doubt against their king. It wasn’t until Saruman insulted Gandalf, not realizing the change that had occurred in his old, and former friend. It was the truest battle of wills that Rhiannon had ever had the chance to witness, knowing she would never see anything like this again. Everyone was silent as Gandalf the White and Saruman, the now fallen wizard, verbally battled, and in the end, Gandalf came out more victorious than Saruman. Saruman was quite surprised that the one that used to seek him out for advice now had more power than he did, had the power to force him out. With that Saruman disappeared crawling back into his sanctuary, defeated with his staff broken.

Rhiannon and Brhagdan locked eyes and both nodded while lowering their hands from their eyes. Something just didn’t seem right, at all. Apparently, her uneasiness finally made it’s way into the mind of her so-called Soul Mate, whom, throughout this whole ordeal did not seem to realize her fear until now, while he subtly walked over to her.

“What is wrong? You seem ill at ease.”

Rhiannon’s mantra of “Must not roll eyes, must not roll eyes” continued in her head. ”It’s just, this can not be all. Saruman could just not turn his back and not take further action. No one has their plans foiled and then takes the insult of one that used to be below him without taking further action. Especially a wizard as prideful as Saruman. It is just not possible.”

Brhagdan and Legolas both nodded their agreement. Rhiannon was soon proved correct as what looked like a dark, stormy ball was hurled out of a window in the tower Saruman had spoken from. Gandalf noted to all that the object was thrown by Wormtongue in revenge, not by Saruman who, while crawling back into his tower could not have thrown it. Pippin, curious and helpful hobbit he was, walked over to retrieve the object, while Brhagdan turned to her,

“What is that?”

“I do not know.”

“You should.”

“Why do you say that?”

“You are the one with ‘magical’ abilities.”

“You are the son of a Priestess, why do you not know?”

A third voice came into their argument, “I now know why I am grateful I never had children.”

“Be quiet, elf. You have lived over a thousand years, why do you not have an answer for us?” Brhagdan asked.

To that the elf did not have an answer.

A/N: Right off the bat, I will not claim that I know anything about proper conjugation and grammar in Latin or Elvish; so if the phrases you find below are incorrect, I apologize. Thanks go to Matt and Jenny for semi-kicking me in the ass to get to writing.

Chapter 19: An End of a Journey, The Start of Many Others

"Time is the fire in which we burn."

Many events took place before nightfall, and not all were pleasant. There was a meeting with the ancient Treebeard after the incident in the Tower. Legolas and Gimli had been granted access into Fangorn Forest to explore, whenever the opportunity came up. The elf and the dwarf had become very close friends, to the surprise of all. They now had a deal, that once the Ring was destroyed, and this mission was truly over, they would visit the caves at Helm’s Deep that Gimli had fallen in love with and then they would travel Fangorn, the forest Legolas was now in love with. Rhiannon and Brhagdan had chosen to ride with Gandalf and company, to be in a large group for camping through the night. Even though this decision would cause Rhiannon and Brhagdan to go out of their way, costing a least another day of riding, they would not ready to leave their friends and advisers yet. Brhagdan may have been ready to travel to Lorien and then to Mirkwood as Gandalf had told them to, but he was aware of his sister’s reluctance to live the group she had known for some time now. After a spot was picked for the camp, and the night had fallen, Legolas pulled Rhiannon off to the side, to have their final talk before their long separation.

**

Rhiannon grasped Legolas’ hands as he pulled her farther into the dark night, not so far that help could not reach them, but far enough so the Men of Rohan could not overhear their conversation. Legolas came to an abrupt stop, causing Rhiannon to tumble into him, while being almost full-elf, she did have many moments of human grace. Luckily for Rhiannon, the darkness hid most of her embarrassment; and as was customary for her, she used humor to hide her true feelings.

“Legolas, you are aware that my brother, and mostly everyone else will get quite the wrong impression about this.”

“And what impression would that be? Do you think I truly brought you all the way out here to talk?”

Rhiannon’s jaw dropped in a very comical gesture, “Why, you conniving little, oh my, you are just so, ugh!”

Legolas laughed, it was fun being bound to her, she provided so much humorous entertainment. “I assure you, Rhiannon, I bring you out here in the noblest of intentions. Odd that you can dole out humor and insinuating remarks to others, but can not handle them when they come to you. Truly, it surprises me that one who has lived for nine-hundred years is still so….innocent when it comes to those ways.”

“I am from a different culture, elf. You seem to forget that. And for most of my life, particularly before and after my engagement to Elrond’s son, Elladan, I thought to take a position in the temple that Cerethena helps to run. To be blessed with being far-removed from males of your kind.”

“If I was not able to see your true thoughts, I would be insulted by that remark. Although I wonder, who is Cerethena?”

“Brhagdan’s mother, the Priestess.”

“Your teacher?” He asked

“That and much more.” Rhiannon affirmatively replied.

His questions continued, his curiosity raised, “What of your own mother?”

“She left when I was still a child. It was very difficult for her to be separated from her homeland, so she returned to Middle Earth and then passed over the Sea.”

“My mother was said to do the same, although no one truly knows. She seems to have just disappeared according to my father, there is no real mention of her at my home.” Rhiannon was silent, Legolas had never truly spoken of his mother, the mother she knew he so resembled, even if he did not realize it.

“Perhaps she had a duty that needed to be fulfilled.”

“She did, it was called being a mother.” There was an obvious sign of bitterness in his voice.

“Legolas, me amicus, trust the words I am about to say to you. Sometimes, often, people are forced to leave those they love. They do not have a choice in the matter. Many occurrences can pull people apart; duty being one of the most important. I am sure your mother did not leave her son, her husband, her people willingly.”

“Your mother did.”

“My mother would have died of grief if she stayed in my homeland much longer. Your mother had a greater duty to fulfill.”

“And how do you know this? You have never been to my homeland, I have never told you these things.”

Rhiannon placed a small hand on his shoulder, “Legolas, you must trust me on this. We are bonded, entwined, whichever term you choose to define it. I have seen parts of your past, your memories that lie long forgotten in your mind. You, being an elf, are denied a time to dream, to truly rest your mind and let things long passed and forgotten make themselves known. However, memories do not die. They may be forgotten, they may never be uncovered by the holder of the memory again, but they do not die. I saw, through you, the day your mother left. That was not a person willingly leaving all she loved beyond, that was a person going to do her duty to this world. No matter how we like to believe it does not, duty conquers love more often than not. It is a sad reality, but when the livelihood of a whole people rests on your shoulders, on your tasks, then you can not, in good faith, ignore your duty for love, for family. It is not fair, but I have learned, especially in my months in this world, that life is often not fair. It is not fair to us, to be chosen for each other without having any say in the matter. What is between us is not a betrothal, it can not be broken, barring death. It is not fair that we had no say in the matter, but it is over. Were you not, just this very day, informing me that we cannot control our futures, nor our pasts, so why worry about it? Why hold this grudge you have in your heart towards your mother, and that you still carry towards me for seeing the things you do not wish for me to know or for you to remember?”

Legolas nodded his golden head, knowing Rhiannon was correct, and marveling at the change that came over her as she spoke. He was now looking into the creature he had first met. A creature that he could not help but be intrigued by. A creature that knew more about life, about living, then he would ever come to realize. There was still so much he did not know, and so much he needed to. He would not spend this last night with silly questions about her homeland, he would spend it deciding on what they would do during the coming separation. But first….

***

Rhiannon’s mind had wandered off to that place where she was not aware of her surroundings, where all her thoughts seemed to come together. This was until she felt the soft pressure of Legolas’ lips against her own. She was startled at first, not expecting that action and yet knowing she should. The light fingers that traced the lines of her face, as if to memorize them caused a small gasp to come from her throat, not expecting such a gentle action. Legolas took advantage of her sudden action and lightly nibbled on her now accessible bottom lip, lightly taking it between his teeth as he pulled back for one final kiss. A devilish smile lighting up his face as he saw his innocent part-elven’s reaction.

Rhiannon was repeating another mantra within her head, starting to realize that insanity must have plagued someone in her family at one time and was now being passed to her. “Breathe, Rhiannon, just breathe. There you go, air into lungs, elf is done using you for a snack. Do not smack him, that was not meant to be insulting. Probably meant to be seductive or romantic. Might have helped if you reacted. You may want to open your eyes now; can’t have the elf thinking he had that much of an effect on you.” Rhiannon, after her small moment of personal counseling, opened her eyes. “That was a bit forward.”

Legolas shook his head, “Not in the least. I could show you…”

Rhiannon raised a hand, “I do not even want to know. Do not go back to camp with what just happened on your mind. My soul mate or not, Brhagdan will snap your neck.”

A haughty look came over the elf’s face, “You think he is fast enough for that.”

Rhiannon performed her familiar action of tilting her head and arching a brow, “I know he is. Brhagdan did not just impress the elves of Lorien because of his different coloring. He has many skills, and just because you were once in the position of attacker towards him, does not mean you have any idea of my brothers abilities.”

A question that had been plaguing Legolas’ mind since meeting Brhagdan was answered by Rhiannon before he even had the chance to voice it.

She nodded her head, “Yes, my brother is immortal. It comes from both our father and his mother. No, she is not of elven-blood, and does not have any in her line. One day, elf, I will open your eyes to all that is out there, all that lies beyond the Elven Realms.”

“I am starting to doubt who is the innocent and who is the experienced one here.”

“That, my dear elf, is the sign of a wise mind.”

Their discussion continued for some time, finishing with Rhiannon noting that she should get some rest, and Legolas asking her to deliver a message of greeting to his father.

***

Rhiannon lay sleeping between her brother and Legolas. She had not been sleeping peacefully, in fact for the last few moments she had been tossing and turning. Legolas reached to wake her, but Brhagdan motioned him to stop.

“She is probably getting a vision, let it finish.” There was a commotion then, Gandalf yelling, an argument.

“What is it?” Brhagdan asked as Legolas jumped up, pulling his riding tunic on.

“Someone stole that ball, a seeing stone, a palantir, it appears to be young Pippin. Wake Rhiannon now, and then follow me.”

**

Rhiannon’s vision, a dark one filled with Orcs in a forest she had not seen, a blood-stained brownish-green tunic, a palace in a cave and many other things that made little sense, was interrupted by her brother shaking her. There was commotion all throughout the camp. Gandalf was yelling something about the Enemy knowing where they were, that they all must pack-up and ride away.

“Frater (brother), what happened?”

“Pippin picked up that stone, a seeing stone, something that starts with a “P,” I’m not sure what. However, the enemy is able to witness where we are. We must go, get your pack and into more suitable riding clothes, I believe we are leaving for Lorien before the dawn.”

Rhiannon nodded and quickly did as her brother stated. Hurrying after him as she tried to tie her hair behind her head, finally revealing to all there what she truly looked like when her cloaked-hood and hair did not hide her face. Those that perceived her semi-ethereal qualities did not seem that surprised, however most were too startled to notice. She reached the group of advisers, Aragorn, Theoden, and Gandalf just as they stated their different routes. Gandalf would be riding off with Pippin, Theoden would be taking Eomer and ten riders with him to Helm’s Deep. The rest were to follow Aragorn. Suddenly, a darkness fell over the camp, blocking both moonlight and starlight. There was a screeching, the most terrible sound Rhiannon had ever heard. It caused her insides to freeze, she could taste her fear in her mouth. This was darkness and this was evil that lived on, and it could be felt by all. She was to find out, from the word “Nazgul” that Gandalf yelled, that this winged darkness was a messenger of Mordor. There was an immediate call to ride, to get away from the camp as fast as possible. Gandalf’s last order to her and Brhagdan was to get to Lorien as fast as possible. She exchanged a very quick farewell with Aragorn, and when she felt their small connection as they held hands, she smiled. When she saw him again…well, that was a thought for another time. Now Aragorn was to be the leader that he truly was, but had too much fear to be. Now, he did not have a choice. Rhiannon raced through the camp as Brhagdan went to prepare their horses, she found Gimli and gave him a quick kiss on the forehead, knowing she would miss her partner in sarcastic and off-side comments. He yelled after her to be careful with the horse as she ran, once again, trying to find Legolas, to say farewell. Being the stubborn one he was, he found her.

“All your running around has made it very difficult to get to you.”

“I needed to say goodbye.”

“You are leaving at this very moment?”

“Yes, Brhagdan most likely has the horses ready by now.”

Legolas nodded. He leaned forward, placing soft kisses on her forehead, and then her left and right cheek as if blessing her, anointing her. Another soft kiss was placed on her lips, and then for laughter’s sake, on her nose.

“Be safe. It is a long road to Lorien, and the forests of Mirkwood hold many dark and evil things. My father is also very temperamental. Please, do not anger him. I do not want to come back to Mirkwood and find you locked in a dungeon.”

Rhiannon laughed. “Thank you, I needed that.”

“You will contact me?”

“I do not think I have much of a choice.”

Legolas nodded, “Then I bid thee farewell. Be careful.”

“And the same to you. Venienti occurrite morbo. Vade in pace.”

“What did you say?”

“That is awfully sad.”

“It is awfully true.”

Both turned their heads as Brhagdan yelled for his younger sister.

“There is never enough time to say all I wish to you, Rhiannon. I am always rushed. However, Tenna' ento lye omenta, a'maelamin, quel marth.” (Until next we meet, my beloved, good luck).

“And that means?”

“Ask the Lady, she will know. It is just a farewell. You need to learn Elvish.”

“Your last parting shot, my friend?”

“I will not see you for some time, it was needed.”

Rhiannon gave another laugh, and then mounted the horse Brhagdan now held the reins to in front of her. Amazingly, she did this without hurting herself. Rhiannon knew that the Elvish words Legolas whispered to the horse was the reason why this was such. Brhagdan than said a final good-bye to all and brother and sister rode at an rapid pace towards the Golden Wood.

**

Rhiannon and Brhagdan took rest, not being able to see in the thick darkness that blanketed the world. Brhagdan was muttering softly, an ancient spell his mother had taught him, how to create fire that illuminates but does not burn. She watched in fascination as Brhagdan placed what looked like a handful of flames onto a group of rocks. She fondly remembered trying to learn that spell, unfortunately it was not that long after her own powers first started to take hold of her. She had almost burned the temple down; her first archery lesson was perfection compared to that. Rhiannon took in a deep breath, trying to let the fresh night air cure some of the weariness that rested within her soul; weariness she feared would never disappear. She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the closest patch of rocks. They were no where near their intended destination after a full day of riding. Lorien was very far off, and after they reached that realm, they were to somehow cross the Anduin and go to Mirkwood. Gandalf had felt they were needed there, knowing that Mirkwood and the northern borders of Lorien were soon to come under attack as the darkness in Mordor increased in strength. Rhiannon was both excited and terrified to set foot in the dark woods of Mirkwood. It would be good to see Lostladion again. Shame came over her as she forget her first ally when she was on her way to Rivendell. She realized that many things in her life had been put out of priority in these past few weeks. She had not spared many thoughts for those that she had met along this journey, those that she knew and had left in Rivendell. She could not even recalled the last time she had spared a thought and a prayer for dear Frodo and loveable Sam; the two that had the toughest burden out of them all. “Have I really been that self-involved?” She asked to no one in particular.

“Yes.” Her brother playfully answered, “You have been a horrible person, Rhiannon. You have not spared thoughts for those that you are not in immediate contact with. You have been living in your present, focusing solely on each task ahead of you so as not to lose your sanity. I am truly disgusted to know you.”

“Thank you for the brotherly love, I feel much better now.” Rhiannon sniffled, marveling at the fact that she was crying again, for the second time in two days. It was as if she was becoming fully human.

Brhagdan read her thoughts again, “You are not, you stupid cow. You just feel everybody’s emotions, their pain. I’m surprised you did not faint at Helm’s Deep with all the emotions there. The desperation, the fear, how did you stay standing and focused to fight back?”

“I blocked every thing out.”

“And when did you learn to do that?”

Rhiannon thought for a moment, “I do not remember every learning that. I have always been taught by Cerethena to feel the emotions of others to help them, not to fight them.”

“Ah, then it was the elf’s doing.”

“He does have a name, Brhagdan.”

“Yes, he does. I just do not like him.”

“And why is this?”

“He is another warrior prince. Did you not learn your lesson the first time?” Brhagdan’s voice was harsher then he meant for it to be. However, Elladan had caused a large blow to be suffered by his sister’s pride and heart. She had never truly loved Elladan, that was clear, if she had she would not be in front of him right now. However she had been hurt, badly. She had been rejected, for whatever reason Elladan had seen fit. And yet, it was bound to happen. She was not meant for that elf, it had been clear from the beginning. Rhiannon was just so happy to be around males that were not scared off by her magical capabilities. It was a scary thing to know that if your wife tried hard enough, she could turn you to ashes in the blink of an eye. Rhiannon would never do such a thing, she did not believe that any power should be used for destruction. She was very peace loving, and yet she had one of the harshest anger streaks he had ever seen in a person. You did not hurt Rhiannon’s family, those she loved, the payment she extracted was higher than most anyone could afford to pay. He knew something was not right with his sister, something had been wrong since that horrible vision from a few nights ago, one she would not share with him. Brhagdan realized his sister was starting to come into her own, and with that came more power than most would know how to deal with. It was tragic really, to be a vessel of magic in a world where magic was starting to fade. Brhagdan watched his younger sister until she fell asleep; this time it was restful, the fresh air, so far removed from the destruction of Isengard, aiding her in the peaceful sleep she sought. In three days they should be in Lorien. More answers may lie there, of course, more puzzles were sure to occur.

A/N: And as it always tend to be in my chapters, the “ ‘’” means the passages were taken directly from the book.

Chapter 20: Darkness Descending

"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be." -Douglas Adams

Across the seas that separated the land of Middle Earth from the lands that laid beyond it, separated by barriers that could not be seen, by boundaries bound with the strongest form of magic, based on lines that separated one world from another, a woman sat staring into the night sky. Her heart and prayers went out to those that laid resting under a similar night sky in that land known as Middle Earth. In that land, two of the most beloved to her soul slept under those stars. Her children, one bound by blood, the other by ties that could not be measured. A head full of long black hair kneeled in front of an altar, candle light reflected in dark eyes, brown skin glowed illuminated by the light of the altar and the moonlight shining in through the window. Cerethena, one of the eldest beings in all of the realm, prayed for her children, Brhagdan and Rhiannon. In her mind’s eye she observed her children, as they slept on the ground, resting for the hard ride they had at dawn. Brhagdan’s golden skin was darker, testament to the time he spent outside. In his sleep his anxiety was revealed in the lines set in between his brows. Her gaze then traveled to that of her step-daughter, her student of many years. Her face was hidden by her unbound hair, falling in ever direction and sure to be full of many twigs and leaves in the morn. Rhiannon still slept as a human child, curled up into a little ball, her hands crushed to her chest. A smile came to her face, no matter how many years that girl spent on this earth, part if her would always be a child.

Cerethena then turned her eyes towards the new male in the lives of her children. This may have been fated, some would argue that. Cerethena found that it was a large coincidence. The son of the guardian of Rhiannon was destined to be her soul mate? Not necessarily fate, but she had realized long ago that anything was possible. Rhiannon’s guardian had not been determined until after she was born, this occurrence oddly out of the tradition of the people, and the guardian was from another realm, another oddity. The reason for this being that Rhiannon’s mother felt that an elf would be more suitable for guarding her mostly elf daughter. Cerethena had always felt that a person that had similar powers as Rhiannon would be the best guardian in her life, however, the mother of Legolas had done a superb job in guiding Rhiannon in life. Cerethena let herself study the elf, he was young by elven standards. He was not one of the high elves, a wood elf, a rustic cousin. He enjoyed the simpler things, appreciated the incomprehensible beauty of nature around him. He did not hold his title in front of all, but then again, being a wood elf, his title would not hold much sway. Still, she understood why Rhiannon was attracted to him even before the connection. He was a person full of light and laughter, even in the dark times that had come. There was a certain priceless asset in a person that can have laughter in dark days. Cerethena smiled as the blonde elf raised his head, aware that someone was watching him.

Legolas had a sudden disconcerting feeling, that someone was watching him. He turned his eyes to all the areas around him, and could find no one studying him in the distance. Much had happened since the departure of Gandalf and Pippin, of Brhagdan and Rhiannon. A group of the Dunedain, Aragorn’s kinsman had shown up, along with the sons of Elrond, Elladan and Elrohior. He did not know how to respond to the sons of Elrond the Wise, how Elladan would react to Rhiannon now being bound to him. It caused uneasiness within him, but since there was nothing he could do about it, he had no real reason to worry. Aragorn was taking council with himself, trying to figure out what would be their next step. Now the Company was at the Hornburg; resting in the area where a battle had been fought not long ago. Merry lay sleeping not far from him. Gimli was gazing at all the strangers around them, Legolas continued to stare into the distance, to the North and the East. Legolas’ gaze settled on the young hobbit, and decided it was finally time to rouse him.

“ ‘The sun is high, all others are up and doing. Come, Master Sluggard, and look at this place while you may.’”

A groan came from the young hobbit, unhappy about not getting his usual amount of sleep, being unsettled from having been separated from his closest of friends, Merry had no true desire to wake yet. While Legolas fully expected for an inquiry about food to come out of the hobbit’s mouth, it was a question of another kind,

“ ‘Where is Aragorn?’

‘In a high chamber of the Burg,’ said Legolas. ‘He has neither rested nor slept, I think. He went hither some hours ago, saying that he must take thought, and only his kinsman, Halbarad, went with him; but some dark doubt or care sits on him.’”

Merry nodded his understanding at Legolas’ explanation, then turned his curly head towards the dwarf as he remarked on the Dunedain, the Rangers of the North, the kinsman of Aragorn.

“ ‘They are a strange company, these newcomers,’ said Gimli. ‘Stout men and lordly they are, and the Riders of Rohan look almost as boys beside them; for they are grim men of face, worn like weathered rocks for the most part, even as Aragorn himself; and they are silent.’

‘But even as Aragorn they are courteous, if they break their silence,’ said Legolas. ‘And have you marked the brethren Elladan and Elrohir? Less somber is their gear than the others’, and they are fair and gallant as Elven-lords; and that is not to be wondered at in the sons of Elrond of Rivendell.’”

Gimli raised his head, “Elladan, was he not the elf betrothed to Rhiannon?”

Legolas nodded, “Yes, her mother was a daughter of Imladris. Elladan and Rhiannon made a sensible match.”

“Then why did they not wed?” Merry asked.

Legolas shook his head, “I do not know the full reasons. You can not force love on two people, she was young, he was and still is a wandering warrior. It was not right for them. Rhiannon fancied herself in love with him, infatuated by this creature that so differed from what she knew, this I know. She felt much turmoil when their marriage was called off, as if she was not good enough, as if she was tainted, as if she would never truly be accepted among elves. She knows she is not an elf, her closest connection seems to be with the Numenoreans, she is most like them. I do not know how Elladan feels about the end of their betrothal, but he has not shown any malice towards me, so therefore I believe he was content with their parting.”

“Or he is not aware of what has passed between you and our half-elven friend.” Gimli remarked.

“She is not half-elven.” Merry stated. “She is ¾ elf.”

Sometime later Merry spoke his wonderings out loud, for instance, why the Dunedain were here. The three walked towards the Burg as Gimli answered him,

“ ‘They answered a summons as you heard. Word came to Rivendell, they say: ‘Aragorn has need of his kindred. Let the Dunedain ride to him in Rohan!’ But whence this message came they are now in doubt. Gandalf sent it, I guess.’

‘Nay, Galadriel,’ said Legolas. ‘Did she not speak through Gandalf of the ride of the Grey Company from the North?’

‘Yes, you have it,’ said Gimli. ‘The Lady of the Wood! She read many hearts and desires. Now why did not we wish for some of our own kinsfolk, Legolas?’

Legolas stood before the gate and turned his bright eyes away north and east, and his fair face was troubled. ‘I do not think that any would come,’ he answered. ‘They have no need to ride to war; war already marches on their own lands.’”

Later in the day Aragorn would come down from the Burg and reveal to all that he did not travel the same path as King Theoden and Eomer for any longer, his path was towards the Paths of the Dead. A sure to be trying and dangerous journey that only his kinsman and Legolas and Gimli would make. Merry was to go with Theoden to Edoras, to serve him in the Golden Hall of Medusled. Aragorn had pulled Gimli and Legolas to the side, explaining that he had glimpsed into the Seeing Stone, had let Sauron know that the heir of Isildur did walk the earth. The darkest times were ahead for them all, they were aware of this. All roads of the remaining members of the Fellowship seemed to lead towards Gondor, and then to the land that laid north of it, Mordor.

Brhagdan and Rhiannon had rode for a time that felt like many days, when only being one and a half. A silence had settled between them. Both had many things on their minds, many ponderings caused by Rhiannon’s last vision. They had planned to enter Lorien from the South, until the Lady sent both warnings. It was not time for them to enter the woods of Lorien yet. They were to head towards Mirkwood as soon as possible. Their assistance was needed. What assistance they could offer, Rhiannon did not know. They were coming upon the Northern borders of Lothlorien when Rhiannon stopped her horse, sensing that they were being watched, and knowing who it was that watched them.

“Why do you stop?” Brhagdan asked his sister. “Are you ill, do you need to rest? Is your horse weary?”

“You worry far too much, Brhagdan. And your worries is causing your senses to be dulled, we are being watched, frater.”

Brhagdan closed his eyes for a few moments, taking in the peace of the forest, and then, breathing in the seemingly magical air of Lothlorien into his weary lungs, he sensed the eyes that scrutinized him from afar.

“It is just the guardians of Lothlorien. What, do you have a soul mate here also?”

“I do not find you funny.” Rhiannon remarked with a very cold expression on her face.

Brhagdan shrugged his broad shoulders, “Gimli would have laughed at my sentiment, as would Legolas.”

“Legolas would laugh at anything. He finds many things entertaining.”

Brhagdan raised one of his dark eyebrows and gave his sister a look, “I am sure he does.”

Rhiannon shook her head, the movement displacing her hood. She made a tsking sound at her brother as she attempted to replace her hood and hold onto the reins of the horse, “What am I to do with you? May I remind you that I do not participate in such affairs in the middle of flat, open land, when a whole camp of men lies not ten yards away, and further more, even if I did, I am an adult.”

“It is very easy to forget that about you. You are so childish.”

“And you are saying you are so mature?”

“You both are bickering children.” An amused and familiar voice spoke to them.

Rhiannon and Brhagdan turned to glance at Haldir, a marchwarden of Lorien, as he made his presence truly known.

“Why are you two stopping here? You still have a very long journey ahead of you.”

“Don’t you just know everything. You made us stop, your scrutinizing gaze could be felt by anyone.” Rhiannon remarked.

“Only one that can sense such things. In fairer times I would welcome you to join us for a quick meal. However, you need to be on your way, as the Lord and Lady have informed me. We hope to have you return to us soon. Your assistance will also be needed here. There are already rumors that an attack is to be mounted on our northern borders.”

Rhiannon slightly dropped her head, she stared at the peaceful forest around her and asked, “Is nowhere in Middle Earth safe?”

“Not anymore.” Haldir replied, not even bothering to lie to make her feel comfort.

“And there is the lesson that now we all must learn. Peace may never come to these lands again.” Brhagdan softly noted.

Rhiannon shook her head and turned towards her brother, “As if my anxiety was not at an already heightened level, you have successful just raised it, brother, congratulations.”

Haldir turned to Brhagdan, “How have you put up with her for nine-hundred years. I have only spoken with your sister briefly over a few-months span and many times felt the need to gag her or push her off a talan.”

Rhiannon’s mouth dropped open in outrage. Brhagdan quickly covered Rhiannon’s mouth before the obscenities he was positive were on the tip of her tongue, came flying out. After all these years, she was still not accustomed to elvish humor.

The two bid farewell to the guardians of Lothlorien, belatedly realizing that they would need to camp soon, Rhiannon could take no more of the night-riding. It took extreme amounts of concentration to try to see light in the darkness. They would come to the river soon, within the next day possibly, and then they would have to cross over towards Mirkwood. Rhiannon’s stomach turned at the thought of entering the realm, and she did not know why. She studied her brother as he scoped out a safe area for them to rest, and a watering place for the horses. Times like these, she was reminded of a Ranger, her brother having very similar skills to their own. When he was younger, before Rhiannon had been born, her brother had spent years among the Dunedain, learning their ways of protection and survival. Brhagdan, however, was very different when it came to Rangers, he had powers of his own, gifted to him through his mother, the ability to see somewhat in the darkness being one of them. Rhiannon turned her dark head up to the night sky, glowing with stars, and knew that at this time, Cerethena looked at the same stars, that Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli gazed at the same night sky, that the hobbits, and Gandalf all slept under the same vast covering as she did. The thought brought some comfort to the very weary girl. Although one thought did cross her mind as she slowly drifted off to sleep. Haldir did not sleep under the same sky, time flowing differently in his realm. The haughty elf was behind everyone else. Oh, he would pay for that talan comment, just not until everything had settled down.

***

A few days passed, and the two siblings approached the hall of the Elven-king of Mirkwood. It had not be an easy journey in the least, they were able to cross the river by a very rickety bridge that Rhiannon was sure would collapse if they had dwelt on it one second longer. Then there had been the visions assailing her, both ones of what she guessed was the future, and those of which Legolas’ was experiencing. He was on a journey through the Paths of the Dead, and while the elf did not seem bothered by it, just wanting to show Rhiannon what she saw, seeing all the ghosts of men had put a form of fear in her. Brhagdan had woken her in the middle of the night, to continue their arduous journey, but morning had still not shown it’s golden head.

Rhiannon turned on her horse, glancing at the sky once again.

“What is wrong, sister?”

“The dawn has not come.”

“Maybe it is not time.”

“No, I felt it, when dawn should have come, my body prepared for it, and the sun has not risen.”

“This is not a good sign at all, not in the least. And we will be descending into even more darkness. There is a reason why the forest is called Mirkwood.”

Rhiannon looked thoughtful, “I suddenly wish for the warmth of Lothlorien. I know understand Legolas’ love of the Golden Wood.”

Brhagdan nodded his dark head, “I believe all that travel there fall in love with it. Then again, Legolas could not stop talking about Fangorn.”

“He is a wood elf.”

“You say that as if it is a bad thing.”

“It is not. I am merely stating a fact.”

“You are his soul mate, you should not taunt him. Especially not when he is not here to defend himself.”

“Now you are his sworn protector?” Rhiannon asked disbelieving.

Brhagdan raised his head as a true nobleman, nose in air and all, “I am merely standing-up for my brother in arms.”

Rhiannon threw a cynical glance at her brother, when suddenly a rush came to her head. Stupid visions. This one confused her, the cave she had seen earlier, this time, the inside, there was a female, she was running towards a window, yelling something, suddenly the picture changed, a battlefield, trees everywhere. Rhiannon had seen this before. A blood stained tunic and blonde hair, long blonde hair, blood-stained. A male hand grasping a female one, her hand, she recognized her ring, and there were markings on her hands, markings she only drew on her hands in a time of mourning. Why were the markings there? Whose hand was she holding? Rhiannon took a deep breath and clenched her eyes shut tightly, trying to clear her head.

Brhagdan shook her, “Rhiannon?”

“I had visions, and they make no sense to me. At all.”

“What were they of?”

“I can not tell you, I can not explain it.”

“Maybe it is time to rest.”

Rhiannon took a deep breath and shook her head, “No, I feel we need to get to Mirkwood as fast as possible.”

Brhagdan looked at his sister, concern filling his golden face, “It will do no good if both you and the horses are exhausted. We have crossed the River, that was our largest barrier. Now it is time to rest. Stay here, I will go find a place to rest.”

Rhiannon nodded and looked up into the sky, no light, none at all, stars and moon were not shown. She remembered the words of Legolas, if no light was to guide them, then use the inner-light that they possessed. She took a deep breath and drew on her strength, stifling her fear of the chocking darkness that surrounded them.

***

Rhiannon tried to remember what day it was, the constant darkness of the last day had made her very disoriented. Dawn had come this morning, and from the distance she could see the outline of a fortress of some kind. As Rhiannon pondered these very pointless thoughts, Brhagdan tapped her shoulder and pointed ahead. Ahead to the dwelling of King Thranduil. Rhiannon tried hard not to let out a gasp at seeing the “palace” of Mirkwood. The cave, stone palace she had seen in her visions. An extreme sense of foreboding came over her, but considering the time, this did not surprise her. Apparently the king had received notice of their entry to his realm, no one had stopped them, or approached them in their journey towards the hall of the Elven-king. They approached the doors and Brhagdan held up a hand.

“Wait, I remember once hearing a tale about these doors. They are well, enchanted. Only opening and closing at command.”

“They may be waiting for us.” Rhiannon pointed out.

“And if they are not?”

“We have a long wait in front of us.”

“We shall find our answers soon enough.” Brhagdan surmised. Rhiannon nodded. They came to the doors. Solid rock, closed.

Rhiannon turned to her older brother, “Should we knock?”

“I am almost scared to.” He confessed, his green eyes inspecting the impenetrable doors in front of them. Rhiannon made a gesture of agreement, a power did radiate behind those doors. Brhagdan made a suggestion, “Should we say something, maybe that will cause the doors to open.”

Rhiannon tried not to roll her eyes at her older brother, realizing how annoying that habit truly was, “Yes, that is the picture we want to present to already suspicious elves. Crazy beings that talk to doors. They are elves, you idiot, they know we are here.”

Brhagdan raised one of his aristocratic brows, not even attempting to hide his smirk,” Nervous, little sister, about meeting the father of Legolas?”

“Of course not!” Her horse snorted in disbelief to that comment, “Shush you, you traitor. I didn’t mean that. You are a nice, wise, calm, beautiful horse who has proven that you are more than worthy. I just have this anxious feeling.”

Rhiannon raised her head to see a very amused look on her brother’s face,

“Are you quite finished?” He asked.

“One day, dear brother, you are going to make a continually ass of yourself, and I will be right there, by your side, laughing the whole way.”