The relief from being unburdened by armour was truly something which Liruliniel had forgotten; this was the longest time she had been in it, regardless of the most time plus actually fighting. Temporary tents had been set up and situated across a stretch of land which had been untouched by the fighting. That in itself seemed like a small miracle. In the distance Lothlórien could be spied on the horizon, the tall trees were silhouetted perfectly amongst what sunlight was now ebbing away.

She sat on a bunk, scratchy feeling canvas with the simplest of beddings on it. Not that she minded, she was tired but not tired enough to need sleep. She suspected others weren't the same, she frowned and looked awkwardly over her shoulder. She was going to pitch a guess and say she was tented next to a dwarf, mainly because she didn't honestly know who else would snore like that. At least some weren't struggling to rest, she supposed?

She looked at her armour, which she had laid out beside her. She ran a finger along a seam and frowned slowly; she could feel the slight buckle. Both metal of her mail and shoulder plates had been damaged. She wouldn't be able to recall when exactly this damage was done, but done it was. She wouldn't be able to repair it until she was home. But even then, she guessed the smith was going to have everyone else's things to sort out too.

She looked to the corner of the small tent, there was another bunk in here, but no one occupied it yet. But in the corner, there was a stand with a basin of water on it. They were near the river still, so getting cooling fresh water wasn't hard. Cooling and fresh were definitely two words she'd use to describe the clear liquid. It definitely did the job of making her gasp when she first walked in and saw it. She wasted very little time ridding herself of blood and muck. She felt cleaner than what she was, but she still felt rather dirty.

In the grand scheme of things, getting home to bathe was short on the list. Just like getting her armour fixed. First things first were resting, if she could, followed by aiding in tending to the dead. As much as it pained her to think, they needed to find Oropher. They needed to. He needed to be taken back to his realm and be buried respectfully. Not left out here in the wastes, forgotten and abandoned in the cold and dirt. She couldn't think of an end worse for such a brilliant being than that.

Pushing slightly muddied strands of hair out of her face, she stood and walked out of her tent. She wished to see who else was still up and about, instantly walking out of her tent had her nose scrunching up though. Something was on the breeze which smelt awful, holding her tunic sleeve to her nose, she looked around. Stepping forwards, she paused on the boundary of where the temporary camp ended.

They were burning bodies; she could just about spy the smoke amongst the greying blackness that was the night sky. The smoke was thick and heavy and twirling upwards into the sky above. They were doing it as far away from the camp as they could, without risking possible calamity; in either smoking everyone out, or an ambush happening away from help. But Liruliniel doubted there'd be an ambush now. Surely those within Mordor knew they were beat?

Turning away, she decided to head more into the camp. She hoped that by hiding amongst those still milling about, that she could escape the smell of burning orcs. It worked somewhat, although the smell still caught in her throat and had her choking out a cough. "Oh, aye, it isn't the best smelling of things, but it isn't that bad, I'll have you know!" A voice exclaimed somewhat heartily, Liruliniel looked to the side and blanched.

"I am so sorry! I wasn't...it isn't your cooking; it's just the fires..." Liruliniel held her hands up in defence. She really didn't want to offend the dwarf before her.

He just laughed, even that sounded hearty. He didn't seem offended at all. He found her floundering funny. It seemed like he had been given the task by someone to cook. "Calm down, lass. I know, I know. I was only joking with you." He ran a hand down his face, his hand tugging thoughtfully on his richly orangey beard before that same hand waved over to her. Liruliniel was a bit hesitant, to be honest everyone kept to themselves. And, well, who was she kidding? There wasn't exactly a friendship between elves and dwarves, was there?

Liruliniel came to sit down, his seat was a fallen tree, the log was not comfortable to sit on, but it didn't matter. She sighed and looked at the fire that was burning, over it there was a pot hanging. This was supported by a chain on the handle and posts around, keeping it upright. "What are you making?" She asked, looking away from the flickering flames to her sudden companion.

"Nothing that will capture your interest." He said, even waving the spoon at her which he had in his grasp from mixing his creation around.

Liruliniel raised an eyebrow with a tense smile. The dwarf looked the same before she quietly chuckled, his heart-warming laughter echoed out too after a moment. "That is probably true! I just thought I'd ask." Liruliniel said honestly, something that looked like a stew, let alone meat did not sound appetising in the slightest.

"Well, I have something to ask." He said, turning on the log with his hands on his knees. She nodded at him to go on. "You're the same elf that came to speak to my King, aren't you? Granted, you're a bit muddier, and you look knackered. But it is you, isn't it?"

Liruliniel smiled softly, "You're one of the dwarves which King Durin sent." Honestly, Liruliniel didn't know if any other dwarves were sent from other kingdoms. "But yes, it is me." She nodded, placing a hand to her heart and looking happily at the dwarf. "Liruliniel, my name is Liruliniel." She went on, just in case he didn't remember.

"Anvari, at your service."

"I hope that service isn't dinner." Liruliniel said quietly with a small pout tugging at her lips, Anvari burst out laughing again. She looked at him shocked really, how could he be so happy?

Anvari caught her look and sighed slowly. He looked back at the fire and seemed to get lost in the flames, his stew was bubbling away in the pot. Every now and then he'd lean forwards and stir it. "Do not get me wrong, lass. I laugh for those who cannot. If we can't show joy, or humour in the darkest of times, then I feel like we'd have lost. Truly, I do. We survived to continue on the stories of those that didn't make it. They lost their voices, so we speak for them, we laugh for them too." Anvari said, Liruliniel just stared at him, her eyes widened slightly as she quietly hummed and nodded. That was an incredibly poetic way of looking at it.

"I think I may use your outlook too, Anvari." Liruliniel said, wrapping her arms around herself and looking up when she heard heavy booted feet. More dwarves, probably lured by the smell of food and a conversation. They looked at her oddly, yet seems Anvari just shrugged they seemed totally fine with that as confirmation for her being no trouble and sat down too. "May I ask, did you lose many?"

"Aye, we took a fair battering. You?" Anvari asked, his face turning to look at her again. She looked saddened, he said, "Say no more."

Shaking her head, Liruliniel held her hands out to the fire. "I do not think we will have as many as we did when we set out. But then, I guess that is the same for everyone. We too have lost one ruler and gained another." Twiddling her fingers, she looked around. There was a small cluster of dwarves sitting around now, listening. "Hello, are you all from Khazad-dûm?" She thought she'd just ask.

"Aye, I remember seeing you standing in the great hall asking King Durin for aid. Thought you were a little gutsy, but clearly you are to have survived this hell." One answered, bowing his head slightly as he introduced himself as Harfur.

"I do not think I want to repeat this action, ever," Liruliniel said while watching Anvari dish up his meal. He passed her a bowl and nodded. She got the message and passed it on; she did this a few more times before all the dwarves had a bowl of steaming stew in their hands.

Anvari placed a hand on her shoulder, Liruliniel looked at him. His hand seemed so large on her slender shoulder, it seemed very strange to her to also be this familiar with dwarves she didn't know. Maybe it was because she just acted normally, they didn't deter her? "I do hope that within our long lives, we do not either." He agreed, he strangely toasted his bowl to her before picking up the spoon within it and commenced eating.

She smiled, "You don't need to hold back on my account. You are all very hungry, eat!" Liruliniel laughed. She caught their suspicious and hesitant looks from one to another. Their eyes widened upon hearing her speak and within moments, their gentle slow eating had changed to full on devouring. Liruliniel just smiled, dwarves weren't totally uncouth, despite what others may try and speak. They were respectful towards her, a stranger.

She didn't mind being the only person here not eating. To be honest, she wasn't all too hungry, just like she still wasn't tired. She guessed these things would return back to her, but for the moment she actually found herself enjoying her current company. They had a way of looking at things in a light-hearted manner. It was lightening her up really, getting her mind off of worse and sad thoughts. Somewhere else in camp, she could hear other voices probably around a fire such as this, doing the same thing.

She had thought everyone was so separate, but maybe they weren't. Maybe everyone was seeking comfort and solace in those around them. After all, it was what she was doing, wasn't it? She didn't need to see a healer, so she'd avoided it. She'd aided putting tents up, and the one she was housed in was one of the last she put up. She hadn't really seen any other elves. But she could guess they probably weren't seeking out mortals and dwarves to recover with, to talk with and share grief with. This was something they could all share in, no one was singular. Why go through the pain of trying to be solitary in grief and suffering? Liruliniel didn't like the thought of that.

She had said to Thranduil she'd grieve for Gil-galad in her own way and time, but maybe that time was now too? The dwarves around her may not have known him, but they didn't need to, to share the grief of losing a friend.

"Oh, lass," Anvari had heard her sniffle before she probably even realised, she was crying. She looked up, her eyes very watery and her expression mirroring that well. He placed a hand on her shoulder, "It does lessen, over time."

"I've never lost someone before." Liruliniel said, which was true. The dwarves around her looked sympathetic, they were all older than her. Despite of the ageing differences between their races, she got this sense they were a lot older than her. So surely, they'd have lost loved ones? They'd know about this hollow feeling in her.

"They may be gone, but they're not really. A way in which they stay alive, is within memory." Anvari said, gripping her shoulder and giving her a little reassuring shake. Liruliniel just swayed slightly and nodded, he had a point.

Hearing light footsteps, Liruliniel looked to the side. So did the dwarves around her, upon seeing an elf from Imladris, their expressions went a bit stormy. Guarded, and hesitant, the happiness and freedom they showed her was gone in seconds. "Lord Elrond wishes to speak with you, please follow me." He spoke softly, though his tone was one of no nonsense.

Liruliniel nodded, she stood up and looked at those around the fire. "Enjoy the rest of your meal, and I hope we shall see each other again before we travel home." She smiled and gestured a hand at the elf beside her. It was clear she couldn't get out of this, and how could she anyway seem it was Elrond who was asking for her?

She followed the elf through the camp, many small fires were burning throughout, people were gathered around them looking exhausted. She was surprised the mortals were still awake to be honest. Elves were seemingly secluded to one end of the camp, all very together. She couldn't help but roll her eyes slightly, she wasn't surprised. Yet she entered one tent with guards at the doors, the elf accompanying her stepped to the side and she watched him leave.

Elrond was out of his armour, dirt streaks were still on his skin, but he seemed to be in one piece. Which was a relief for her, she wiped her sleeve over her face and her eyes and hoped she looked as respectful as she could. He looked her over as well, a relieved expression soon appearing on his face as he walked to her. His tent was much like hers, simply furnished and nothing really much to it. They weren't here to stay, after all.

He placed his hands on her shoulders when he was close. "It is good to see you."

Liruliniel smiled slowly, "I think I am more relieved to see you though. Losing the last High King is enough, but you too...no..." Liruliniel trailed off, watching him nod sadly. "Was it Sauron that killed him?"

"Unfortunately, yes. He lost the upper hand, and Sauron didn't hesitate. Elendil was with him, but he too failed. With this sadness came good though, Isildur delivered a killing blow."

"But?"

Elrond raised an eyebrow, Liruliniel just looked at him plainly. He rolled his eyes and turned away; he paced a few steps before just looking at the canvas wall before him. "But he didn't destroy the Ring."

Liruliniel had learned all about the Rings of Power, and especially about the one Sauron wore and used. She inhaled sharply; it had Elrond turning to her and looking worried. It was the one link which still remained to Sauron. With it still being around, it meant he could still return some day. "Why?"

Elrond looked disappointed by his answer, but he spoke it anyway, "Greed." He watched her nod and look at her boots. "Perhaps the foolish belief that it would be different with him?"

"Can't we just steal it and destroy it?"

Elrond shook his head, "And start another battle? We are all exhausted. It will do us no good." Liruliniel looked begrudging, yet she couldn't exactly disagree. What use would any of them be at the moment? Elrond shifted back to her; she flicked her eyes up to his and looked a bit confused. There was something about his expression that didn't sit well with her.

"What is it? Is there more?" Liruliniel asked, taking a step forward as she looked at him worriedly. She had a bad feeling brewing within her. What hollow feeling which went with the dwarves was slowly rising now.

"I sent scouts to Gundabad, they have returned."

Liruliniel's eyes widened, "And the others are with them? My father, my brother? They have come here too, or have they gone straight back home? Are they hurt?" She couldn't quite believe what she had heard. She should've expected something like this from Elrond though. But she'd rather he had called for her earlier, especially if her family was near. Liruliniel's optimistic expression slowly dwindled, and Elrond could physically see her eyes darken with realisation when he didn't readily answer her and remained stoic. She took a step back shaking her head, "No..." She could feel her eyes burning, "No...no, no, no!" Liruliniel's voice pitched in volume with each two-letter word said.

"Liruliniel-" Elrond took a step forwards; his hands raised in a calming gesture.

Not that she was having any of it, and he watched her pace to and from, raking a hand through freed locks of hair as her bottom lip trembled and her eyes continued to fill with tears. "No! No...they can't be dead! My father is one of the strongest elves I know, he'd never...they couldn't be...they are all the family I have in this world..." Liruliniel said while her eyes looked at him blankly, her expression utterly distraught as her eyes blinked slowly. Tears escaped then and trailed down her cheeks, whatever tears which were gathered were free now.

Elrond tried to reassure again, only to watch her shake her head and dart out of the tent. The space was suddenly too close, too hot and too cramped. She felt the air grow heavy and she was struggling to breathe. Her head was swimming, and she could hear her pulse pumping away in her ears. Her eyes burned, her muscles ached, and her lungs were screaming out for air as she ran as fast as she could through the camp. She didn't know where she was going, she just needed to go somewhere.

Liruliniel wanted one thing, and that was to see them again, so maybe she was running all the way to Gundabad? She didn't know. She did know that while she was running, she was crying and letting out rather heart wrenching sobs. She didn't bother hiding them or disguising them. She couldn't now. This was mainly over her father and brother, but it was over everyone else too. Even those she wasn't close to or knew. There had been too much death, and this whole war had taken everything away from her.

Liruliniel let out a scream though when she was suddenly clutched onto from behind and pulled back. She squirmed, kicking and screaming against the mud below her. Whoever was holding her was keeping her arms pinned to her sides, yet she could still reach up and claw at the sleeve and arm around her. She could feel what little energy she had slowly leave her. Soon she was just lying there in the mud, utterly spent and sobbing away quietly. A breeze blew from behind and even through watery eyes she could see from the corner of them that it wasn't just her hair which flew in the wind.

The silvery blonde locks of straight hair had her awkwardly turning and looking behind herself. Of course, the only one who had half the chance of catching her was Thranduil. He'd always been almost able to but succeeded here. She looked over his face with an upset but confused frown, what was burned was better now. But surely the healers weren't that good? No offence to them, but the damage was horrendous. Magic, perhaps? Elves were all very able of it; an enchantment may have been put in place.

"Please let go of me."

"If I do, will you run?" Thranduil's voice was low as he kept a hold of her. From the lack of an answer, he actually got one. "Where would you go? Gundabad? Home? Some far-off place where no one knows your name, or what hardships you've been through? Find somewhere unknown where you can pretend to be someone else, fool those around you and not look back. So, where would you go if I let you go, Liruliniel?" He was curious. She had gone charging past his tent with such speed, he could only gather she'd had the news broken to her about those that went too Gundabad. He felt numb, in shock and numb. Liruliniel's emotions were a bit more visibly distressing to witness and watch than his own.

"Let go of me!"

"Not until you answer me! Why would I let you go? You clearly wish to run, no doubt into more danger. Look about you, Liruliniel, you with all your sense and sight; can you not see that everyone is suffering around you? You are not alone, so do not be a fool and rush off alone." Thranduil tried reason, she squirmed in his grasp again and he tightened his hold.

"I want to see them!" Liruliniel let out a low growl, pulling forwards as hard as she could but to no avail. Thranduil was aware that there were probably some watching them from the distance, they were a little out of the borders of where the camp finished. The dark plains of fields surrounded them, and they were deathly silent.

"You can't. Do you hear me? I take it you did not listen to the full explanation. There is no way in which we can recover them, do you understand what I am saying to you? They are lost to us, Liruliniel. They are lost to us, and you running off on your own will not solve anything. Because if you do, you will surely die. Do you want that? Are you in that much of a hurry to meet them again?"

"They were all I had!" Liruliniel practically screamed while her feet dug into the ground as she tried kicking and attempting to free herself, still no avail.

"And they were all I had too! But I do not have the privilege like you to behave like this. You are not the only one who has lost their family, Liruliniel. So do not dare behave like you are." Thranduil frowned down at her, she stilled. She practically collapsed back against him, her legs stretching out in the mud before her as she looked up at the moon.

It seemed cruel in a way; how brilliant and perfect the moon appeared. It seemed untouched and unfazed by everything that had transpired. "I won't run, I promise. You can let me go, Thranduil." Liruliniel sounded exhausted and honest, hesitantly though his arms loosened from around her. He did watch with equal hesitance as she moved away from him, only to go onto her haunches and sit sidelong. Her hands on her knees before she turned her face to look at him. "I am sorry." She apologised, Thranduil shook his head. Honestly, she had nothing to apologise for. He pushed himself up though, he was out of his armour as well and both just sort of sat there in the mud together. "Thranduil, I am so sorry." His loss was as mighty as hers, he had lost his father, and now his wife. Liruliniel could only imagine that pain rivalled hers or was equal to it. Looking up at the night sky, Liruliniel shut her eyes slowly. "I am feeling very tired."

"Then we should get you somewhere to rest." Thranduil said simply, Liruliniel looked sidelong at him. He stood up, ignoring the mud which was caking him now from the skidding in mud of capturing her. Liruliniel did the same, he couldn't help but sigh. Standing there looking disheartened, saddened and suddenly very small and muddy, he couldn't help but be reminded of when she was a child and came trawling in leaving dirty footprints as she did so. No matter the time, or the changes between them, there were still little glimpses of that elf-child in there.

And like most times back then there was one thing which reassured her, Thranduil lifted up his arm. Liruliniel smiled, she let out a broken laugh. Wiping her eyes on her tunic sleeve, her other hand slipped into his. Thranduil nodded backwards, he turned and freed his hand, only to place it on her shoulder and lead her back into camp. Liruliniel played with her sleeves, avoiding looking around at those she clearly ran past previously.

"We're not alone." Liruliniel said quietly, having a look sent down at her. She swallowed and pushed a wisp of hair behind her ear, "You and I, we're not alone. I know none of us are truly. And someone told me that those that are lost, are only truly lost if we don't remember them. Or something like that. We live to carry on their stories, but we owe it to them to continue living and not stray. Because that is what they would want from us." Liruliniel said, quoting dwarves wasn't going to become a new habit. But the words were true. Sniffing quietly, she looked up at Thranduil. "I don't plan on going anywhere, sire."

"Neither do I."

"Other than to sleep, and then home."

Thranduil rolled his eyes and nodded slowly, "Yes, well, that is a given." He said, he couldn't disagree.

They soon stopped, Liruliniel turned and looked up at him. "Thank you for stopping me."

"You don't need to thank me." Which she didn't, he nodded towards the tent doors. "Go and rest. We'll talk more tomorrow." Thranduil watched as she opened the doors and stepped inside. He didn't think she'd go wandering anymore, although as he turned, he double took when her head peeked back around the flap.

"You know what I just said?"

"You're going to have to be more specific." Thranduil despaired, what words was she gesturing towards? He wasn't a mind reader, nor was he particularly good at guessing.

Liruliniel's fingers gripped onto the flap as she tilted her head. "The not going anywhere." She thought it was the more obvious words she could further on. Thranduil turned back to look at her fully, an interested expression on his face as he looked down at her. "We may have lost nearly everyone, but you haven't lost me. I will always be here, Thranduil. When you feel like you don't have anyone, you do. Because I am here, and I always will be." Liruliniel smiled softly, his expression went a little blank but really, she could see that her words had meant something.

The stern appearance seemed to waver a little as he looked downwards nodding slowly, Liruliniel backed away bidding him farewell. Although she doubted really that her rest would be simple and easy; she could only guess his, and everyone else's was likely to be the same. There was no peace that came from sleep; no light dreaming filled with joy or ease. Everything was just dark, heavy and suffocating, and Liruliniel found herself waking more times in the night than she had at any other time before. She found her mind was unable to switch off, there wasn't one thought in particular which was reoccurring, and really as soon as she tried to pin one thought down it would evade her.

By the time the first light of day was seen cracking through the canvas of her tent, Liruliniel pushed herself up off the bunk and took to sorting her things out. Her mail was easily rolled up; her armour was trickier to sort out, but she managed to pack it. She used the blanket as a knapsack and tied it tightly before leaving it on the bunk. She looked at it while attaching her belts around herself. She slid her swords and knives in place before turning and walking out. The light of day was harsh, making her eyes squint as she looked about herself.

Everyone was dissembling the camp. Tents were coming down; fires were being put out and horses which survived the battle were either being mounted or were having roughly fashioned wagons attached to harnesses. Some of these wagons had injured bodies lying within, Liruliniel passed one and worriedly looked in when she heard wet sounding coughs. The man she spied had coughed up blood before someone else aided him in settling. She turned away and continued walking, she didn't need foresight or in fact such brilliant eyesight to see that he wasn't likely to make the journey home.

That was something which she bitterly thought over; how many of the injured would actually survive going home? Men were so fragile, so easily hurt, and they seemed to take up the majority of the injured. Liruliniel shook her head sadly, it was all very sad. Side eyeing the fields to her right, Liruliniel could see people walking amongst the dead, clearly looking for someone. Or a great many of people.

She paused; she stood there with the ambient sounds of camp life behind her and her eyes just staring outwards. Inhaling deeply, she looked to the side, clicking her tongue had the horse nearby looking up at her with its ears pricked. "I need your help," she whispered while walking up to it and reaching for the reins. The horse snorted and shook its head, Liruliniel smiled softly while walking around the side and pulling herself up into the saddle.

Nudging the horse into motion, she trotted onto the field. She could spy the rocky outcrop from here; she felt a shiver go through her. The memory of being up there frantically looking for Oropher was never going to leave her. She knew that. And despite of what Thranduil said, she still felt like she failed his father.

There were still many orcs and uruks around which had yet to be dealt with, but likewise there were so many dead where would one even start? She knew some had, but maybe the enormity of the task was too much? Liruliniel swallowed thickly, the thought of leaving the dead to the carrion made her feel sick. She knew this field would return back to nature, not for a while but it would. Liruliniel knew that nature would reclaim everything within time. It was just the way things were. But to leave all these people here had her dismounting and leaving the horse with a sad look on her face.

She scrambled up the rocks and pushed wayward locks of hair out of her face. It seemed throughout the night more hair had escaped what braids remained. Shielding her eyes and turning slowly, she scanned the area. She eyed the horse when she heard it had started to walk about, she expected it was looking downwards thinking what exactly was this all around it? But then again, it was likely to have taken part in the fighting. Liruliniel wondered what happened to the rider. Was it still alive? Or was it one of the injured or countless dead around them? She didn't know. To be honest, there was probably a lot of questions which wouldn't have answers.

Tilting her head, she double took and jumped downwards. Running forwards, she hastily collapsed to her knees and pushed a few bodies out of the way. She grimaced at the black blood which transferred over to her, by now most of it was dry but also still a bit damp. She merely ignored the gross feeling as much as she could before she paused, placing her hands in her lap she looked downwards. Oropher. She had found him, a weight which had been building up suddenly didn't feel so heavy. Relief, she felt relief as she looked down at him. It was bittersweet of course, if she had managed to find him during the battle he probably wouldn't be laying here dead.

But that was one thing Liruliniel would have to live with, unfortunately. Nodding slowly, she looked about herself, whistling lowly she waited for a few moments. She could hear hoofbeats plodding towards her, and she looked over her shoulder to see the horse come her way. Looking back at Oropher, she frowned. How was she going to do this? Standing, she pulled the horse closer, with gentle persuasion she managed to get it to kneel down.

The next step was to get Oropher onto the horse so she could get him back to camp, and from there; home. Placing one of his arms over her shoulders, she pulled him up. His weight was so heavy, and she was trying so hard to not let her mind dwell on the fact that of course it would be, it's literally dead weight. Even as she managed to sort of carry and drag him over to the horse, she could spy the numerous injuries to his torso.

Liruliniel whimpered sadly, bowing her head before she looked up at the sky. The sun had made the sky turn a pale pink and blue, the white clouds looked light and fluffy. It was completely different than yesterday. Blinking away tears, she shook her head and focussed back on her task. She was surprised no one else had come out here to do this yet. She didn't mind being the one to do it. In some ways she was sort of glad to. Inwardly she had lots of things to say, just as a way to say farewell to the elf that had been so utterly important in her life.

Getting him onto the horse was not easy, and the horse looked startled by the heavy weight which was suddenly on its back. Liruliniel managed to balance Oropher in a way that he was seated like a normal rider. The horse was coaxed back up and together they made their way back towards camp.

Liruliniel looked upwards. He still looked impressive, as bizarre as that was to say; Liruliniel did not think there'd ever be a time where Oropher wasn't impressive. He was as so in life, so it made sense he still would be in death. His armour was caked in dirt and blood, some his, some of his enemies. His long silvery blonde hair wasn't much better, but it still was somehow perfectly pin straight. His expression wasn't one of pain, he looked at peace.

This made her think that either his end was quick, or the alternative that turned her stomach; it wasn't quick, and he laid in the mud waiting for the end and was acceptant of it. She was presuming he didn't suffer, if he did surely, he wouldn't look like he was just sleeping? Liruliniel didn't know, yet again.

It was infuriating, not knowing. It was an unsolved mystery which was just going to haunt her forever, she knew it. She just knew it. Regardless she saw the camp come into sight again, she hadn't gone out too far really, which made it worse. Seeing that Oropher was close to where she was trying to find him amidst the fighting, made it worse. So close yet so far.

Of course, her leading the horse into camp with Oropher in the saddle had people looking her way. She just walked to where there was a spare wagon, lifting her arms up and pulling underneath his arms, Liruliniel braced herself and walked awkwardly to the back of the wagon.

Hearing rushed footsteps, she looked upwards when she managed to climb into the wooden transport and lay Oropher down. Thranduil honestly didn't look like he had got any rest either. Yet he wasted very little time climbing into the wagon and kneeling beside his father. Liruliniel sat on the edge of the wagon, she placed her hands in her lap and looked at the dirt and blood there. She felt her stomach turn again, yet she looked to the side when he crossed over his father's body and sat down beside her.

"You didn't have to go alone." Thranduil said softly, his eyes still trained on the pale face of his father.

Liruliniel straightened up and Thranduil's eyes slowly shifted to look sidelong at her. She smiled gently, "This is bad enough for you. I did not want you to see him out there." Liruliniel explained. The fact Oropher was surrounded by dead orcs had her surmising that he went down fighting, of course he did. They were all either beheaded or missing limbs, he may have gone down, but he was taking those which were killing him with him.

She had arranged him laying so that what remained of his cloak was covering the wounds on his torso, she knew Thranduil would come upon them eventually, but she wasn't in a rush for him to see exactly what had happened to his father. "I may not be able to get my father back to bury him. But that does not mean you can't, and we will. We will all come to mourn and grieve his passing, but we will also put to rest a being that had the courage to lead us halfway across the lands to an unknown land; a new home, because that is what he believed Greenwood would be within time. Even perhaps long after he had passed, a place for you and your son to live in peace. He never wanted this, none of us did, but I think he hoped that he had done enough fighting for the lot of us already, that we wouldn't need to do it. Your father was brilliant, Thranduil. I feel like you need to hear this, and also, I hope it rids any guilt you may be carrying; that you too feel like I do. We are not failures, we may feel like it; but to him, we weren't, and we never will be. We have fulfilled all which he had hoped of us, you have yet to fulfil more now that you are to be our ruler, but you will."

Thranduil looked away from his father to her and just listened to her speak. She smiled gently, it was a slightly pained thing, but she was trying to reassure him. Her words settled warmly within him, the cold creeping feeling which had been growing within him with each hour that passed, was suddenly lessening. Her words were reassuring, her attempt at trying to look brave wasn't. He knew his father's death affected her hugely. But she seemed to have got some closure, if only that was from managing to find him.

Liruliniel sighed and picked at the muck on her hands. "He went down fighting, by the way. Thought you should also know this, he took down those which were around him." She raised an eyebrow and brushed her hand against her trouser leg. "We should probably start leaving, if we want to be back home by early evening." Liruliniel thought to divert the topic, talking more about Oropher was making her sad.

"I know there is nothing to bury, but your father will have a ceremony too." Thranduil watched her head snap to him with wide eyes. "Thalion too."

"And Vanadessë." Liruliniel said, watching his eyes grow distant. Reaching up and placing her hand on his shoulder, she squeezed it gently.

He hadn't openly really spoken about his father, or family in general in depth. Not like she just did, which meant that he hadn't come to terms with the loss. And really, Liruliniel didn't blame him. Who could?

"Do you remember that time when we were celebrating Nost-na-Lothion back in Ered Luin? Everyone was so excited for the spring festival, and everything was decorated with garlands and there was so much light. We'd been so used to the winter, and then there was light, fresh and clean. The sun seemed so bright, so bright because it had been missing for all that time in the darkness of winter." Liruliniel said quietly, leaning her forearms against her knees and tilting her head to the side to look at Thranduil. He sat straight backed and looking at her plainly, wondering where she was going. "I was with Bodur, he was trying to teach me why dwarfish steel was far superior to our own; I remember it well because it was the same day he gave me a training sword. I thought it was the best thing ever; I hadn't ever got a present for spring festival before. And I remember him laughing and being very confused asking why it was so important.

The festival, not the present, and even though I was very young, I distinctly remember telling him that celebrating the coming of new life and light was important; the lands rebirth is what keeps us going, without it we'd all be lost in the dark." Liruliniel leaned her cheek against her palm and smiled lightly, she wondered what the dwarf smith was doing now, and if he was still alive. "Thalion loved spring, he was born within the spring months and always enjoyed the changing in the world around him when it came. He wasn't very happy when he had to come get me from Bodur because he was missing out on the festival. I appreciate the offer of a ceremony for them both, but they are just two more amongst others that were lost. If you single them out, you'll have to do the same for everyone else, and you can't do that, Thranduil. You can't pick and choose favourites." Liruliniel frowned softly, she did appreciate what he was trying to do. But they were just going to be tallied up with everyone else that perished in the fighting.

"I can't help but think your story has a second meaning. You weren't just trying to divert the topic or even reminisce over your brother. What else was it?"

Liruliniel smiled, "Our family helped chase away the darkness, Thranduil. It is not the dark of winter, but it was something that would've enveloped us all in endless shadow. But look, look upwards. The sun is rising on another day, and it will be a bright day. It's the coming of another spring, and you can feel it in the air, can't you?" She asked while her eyes flicked up to the brightening sky, the pinkish colour had slowly ebbed away now. The sun was warming the air, yet it was still crisp feeling.

"Yes." He answered honestly while looking up too. "You wish to do your own ceremony nearer to Thalion's birthday, don't you?"

"Yes, yes I do."

"May I come?"

"As if I could stop you, Thranduil. You're King now. I couldn't tell you what to do, or not to do." She scoffed lightly and shook her head with a sigh.

"Honestly, I do not think that will stop you." Thranduil mused with a light frown, Liruliniel looked over to him and smiled. "You'd still try, because you've always tried. Titles, or positions in rank mean nothing to you."

"They mean something to me. But foremostly, you are my friend. I always looked at you as a friend than a potential ruler. If I looked at you like everyone else, then you would still be alone." She pointed out quietly and obviously. "And you can't be alone, Thranduil. Because being alone is dangerous."

Thranduil merely nodded, his thoughts hadn't exactly been pleasant, that much was true. He looked down at his father for a long time before shifting forwards to rearrange the positions of his arms. Gently making his arms bend, Thranduil made his father's hands clasp onto each other. Seeing his sword beside him, Thranduil picked it up and placed the pommel underneath his cold hands and then sat back looking downwards. He didn't know what else to say, and hearing footsteps had him looking upwards. Others from around the camp had slowly come venturing near to look within the wagon and at their fallen king.

Thranduil stood up slowly, Liruliniel straightened up and looked at him. "Gather what belongings you have, we are returning home." He said strongly, everyone nodded and murmured amongst themselves before parting ways to do what he said.

Liruliniel stood up and straightened out her tunic, "May I say farewell to everyone?" Well, not everyone, but those she knew at least.

"I am surprised you're asking." He said while looking at her from the corner of his eyes. She smiled awkwardly with a loose shrug. "Go. Go on, Liruliniel." He nodded his head gently to the side, Liruliniel looked thankful. She passed him by and jumped down, though she turned and looked at him questionably. "I just want a moment," he explained, Liruliniel nodded. She could understand that, so she left him.

There was one person she wished to see firstly, if not above all others if only to apologise and that was Elrond. She felt awful for running out on him, but then again, what else was she going to do? She couldn't bear to stand there and listen to him, as bad as that was to admit. It wasn't particularly hard to find him; he was easily giving kindly spoken words to those around him. It seemed he too was packing up and preparing to return home.

He turned and caught sight of her as he did so. Though he paused and met her halfway, he just had this expression on his face like he knew, he just knew why she had sought him out. And with a languid shake of his head, he simply dismissed her need to say sorry with that one action. He looked understanding, he wasn't judging, he looked glad in fact that she appeared better than she did the last time he saw her. No words were spoken between them; he placed a hand on her shoulder and nodded downwards at her with a gentle expression. Liruliniel smiled back, though the clamour around them had their silent moment breaking, she bowed her head and turned on her heels, she doubted this would be the last time she'd ever see Elrond again.

Picking up her heels and running to her tent, she grabbed the sacking with her things in and hauled it over her shoulder. With a backwards glance she brushed a hand over her forehead and went off walking. She spotted others that were returning back to Greenwood too and she quickly darted over to them. The journey home wouldn't be as rushed as it was to get here. Although everyone was up for going home, they weren't up for the implications and the aftermath. Liruliniel knew she wouldn't be the only one returning home minus a few family members.

For the most part, she kept her eyes downcast. There was nothing to look at, the equally downtrodden faces of those around her weren't going to make this any better. The ground was still boggy underneath her boots, and honestly, she had sort of forgotten what they looked like totally clean. It seemed like such a long time ago when they were, when really it wasn't that long. She only really became aware to the fact that they neared the woodland, when great long shadows of the trees started to wrap and grow over the landscape.

She lifted her eyes upwards, the trees seemed almost welcoming, familiar even. Even though deep down Liruliniel felt this weight on her chest. Who was she kidding, or anyone for that matter? They were all not going to be the same after this. That resulting factor had her stumbling a little as she entered the tree line.

The palace itself didn't appear to have differed at all, not that she was expecting it to have. They all crossed over the sandy coloured bridge, the large doors opened and those that were behind the reinforced wood silently moved aside to let them all in. It was deathly silent, awkwardly so in some ways. What could possibly be said? It seemed upon realising that it wasn't Oropher leading them back, that the inevitable happened. That, and his body was still laid out in the wagon, although this was soon led away to prepare him for his burial.

Readjusting the hold she had on her homemade pack, she trudged through the dissipating crowds. Those which had family waiting for them here readily greeted familiars. Liruliniel stopped beside Thranduil, she looked up at him simply. He was just standing motionless and watching everything around him. He seemed to have a rather surreal look lingering in his eyes, like he didn't quite believe he was back here.

Liruliniel was about to say something, only to hear a child's exclaim. Her eyes widened as she turned and looked towards where Legolas had seemingly escaped Anameleth. The brunette made an attempt to grasp onto the small blonde's shoulders, but to no avail. As soon as Legolas's eyes landed on his father, he was gone. Although Legolas seemed utterly enthralled to have his father back, Thranduil's reactions were a little colder, he seemed a bit out of place and even took a tentative step back.

He had the task of telling his son, that his mother wasn't going to come home. But the enormity of that had him reeling, he watched Liruliniel kneel down and place her hands on the child's shoulders. Legolas looked a bit confused, yet she smiled softly at him. "We are all tired, will you give us all a moment to recover first?" She asked, although her words weren't exactly a question, she was stating the obvious and making it a question for him to understand. "I am sure your father will come find you when he has rested and changed. Go back to Anameleth, go." She nudged him gently; Legolas lingered for a moment before looking back to Anameleth. He didn't seem to want to go, but he did after a few more moments.

Liruliniel stood back up and hauled her pack over her shoulder again. "How do I tell him?" She looked to the side, Thranduil was watching Anameleth lead Legolas away, he seemed to be chattering on about something to her. Anameleth seemed to do her best with humouring, yet with a look sent back at them it was clear she understood the situation.

"I can't tell you." Liruliniel frowned slowly, she ran a hand tiredly down her face with a sigh. "I was younger than him when my mother passed. Whenever I asked about her, my father was never forthcoming. I see his pain in you, Thranduil. You are heart broken, and telling this to your son will destroy you even more. But not telling Legolas anything, keeping him in the dark will do damage. Take it from me, not knowing never leaves. So many questions that will never get answered, if the one holding the answers doesn't wish to speak. I will never find out anything about her, but that doesn't mean Legolas won't know that his mother fought valiantly to defeat a separate force which could've turned the tide of battle in their favour. The same goes for his grandfather. How do you tell him? I don't know, but I reckon the only way to do it is to be honest with him. He's young, he may or may not fully understand. But you won't know until you talk to him." Liruliniel said while looking around the foyer, they were basically the lone two still lingering here, other than the guards on the doors.

She looked somewhat expectedly up at Thranduil, she saw he was thinking over what she said, and she was glad of that. Only Thranduil knew really how to deal with this situation, and she had to have faith that he would hopefully take her words to heart. He quietly hummed, a musing sound which went as quickly as it came. He looked at her and with a swift nod sent down at her, he started walking past.

Liruliniel just watched him go, taking the same path as Anameleth and Legolas did previously. Maybe no time like the present was a good idea? Liruliniel thought that maybe dragging out telling the child would be worse, but right now? The pain and sadness were still very raw for Thranduil, she could see it, she didn't know if others could but if he went to his son to explain what happened while like that, then she sort of worried really what would happen.

Liruliniel shifted from foot to foot before moving onwards, she was heading towards her quarters, yet she soon paused hearing her name being called quietly. She turned, her eyes widening slowly as she dropped the pack and met the figure halfway. Caladhiel. Her tutor turned friend instantly embraced her, a hand fixing itself into the tangled auburn locks as she held her close. Liruliniel shut her eyes tightly and buried her face against her shoulder, Caladhiel didn't seem to care about the transfer of mud and dirt, she just held onto her tightly.

Eventually she put Liruliniel at arm's length, her eyes looked her up and down tearily. Caladhiel nodded to herself slowly, seemingly pleased to see she was reasonably in shape, and unharmed. Surely, she had heard about what happened to the others? By the look in her eyes, it was clear she knew. Which was a relief to Liruliniel, but at the same time her family being dead was now an unspoken thing. She didn't know which was worse, the awkwardness she felt over Caladhiel opting to not talk about them passing, or the fact that both knew this information and remained silent over it.

"Come on, let's get you inside." Caladhiel turned, she kept an arm over her shoulders and led her to her quarters. It was sweet of her, Liruliniel sent her a thankful look. But Caladhiel had her own place, her own quarters, she wouldn't be here with her forever. Once she'd go, Liruliniel would be in a very empty living space knowing full well that Thalion wasn't going to come barging in suddenly. Or get up for the day and see her father by the fire looking thoughtful.

Shakily inhaling, the door came into sight and hesitantly she opened it and walked in. Nothing was different. It was all the same, not that she was expecting change. Caladhiel was already going to the fire to commence lighting it, Liruliniel dumped her pack on the dining table and looked around. It was odd, it all seemed so big now. Maybe because she now knew she was truly going to be living here alone?

Caladhiel was talking about something, but she wasn't listening as she moved down the corridor. Liruliniel didn't know if Caladhiel knew she'd walked away, but she soon found herself walking into her brother's room. Walking over to the bed, she simply sat down before laying down fully. She buried her head against the pillow and inhaled quietly, the homely scent that was in the space but what also made up Thalion was comforting to her.

So, comforting in fact that her eyes soon slid shut, and that was how Caladhiel found her; curled up on her brother's bed, embracing the pillow underneath her head and totally out for the count, sleeping soundly and looking probably for the first time in a while, content. Content to be back within familiar surroundings, with familiar things which belonged to her family. They might not be here, but all of their belongings were, and that was comforting enough apparently for Liruliniel as she passed out into a dreamless sleep.

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Edited: 26/June/25