TURWAITHIEL

I paced outside the room where Mantheniel had been taken into. Lord Elrond had refused to let me in, after lecturing me on and on about my recklessness in running away.

I stopped at the door, sighed and continued pacing.

"Will she be alright?"

I turned to meet Laralen's bright emerald eyes, filled with concern and worry. I smiled at her, a half-smile for I did not know how to answer her question.

"I trust Lord Elrond," was the only safe thing I could say. Lord Elrond was the best healer. My eyes travel to Ari who stood at the far end of the rectangular room. Her expression remained blank but her eyes were calculating. I wondered what she was thinking about and why she seemed on edge since we had arrived in Calaer. Her eyes kept glancing at the other room, where Lindethiel was as Elrohir tended to her. Elladan and Andriél were at the meeting held by the current leaders of the resurrected kingdom.

Raela, who I had only met briefly in my time at Imladris, had gone off in search of something. I had no idea what it was exactly but I could not help but feel she was avoiding something. A confrontation perhaps? Perhaps she and Elrohir had a feud? I have always known her to fancy the young Lord but I have never heard of it being reciprocated. Perhaps she was avoiding him.

Laralen sighs and stands by the window, a stone tightly encased inside the palm of her hand. Bleon had been sent to bed hours ago. It has been hours... I glance back at the door, stopping on my tracks, as the door burst open and Lord Elrond comes out his eyes falling to Ari. A silent message passed between them and I saw a feeling of desperation in Lord Elrond's eyes.

"Lara," Ari calls as she steps and reaches a hand out to her. Lara looks at her open palm before placing the stone on it, doubt painting her features.

"Will you..." Lara starts but Ari's determination surfaced on her face as she followed Lord Elrond into the room.

"I have to," she states as she stepped in. This time, I was allowed to go in, along with Lara whose frown remained. My heart felt heavy at the sight of Mantheniel, laid down on the bed like she was being prepared for a burial. One would mistake her to be dead by the lack of movements and the lack of the rise and fall of her chest.

Her hair still burned a bright fire but that was the only thing that seemed bright about her. Her skin had turned too pale, her cheeks hollow. I watch as Ari walked over beside her, her silver eyes filled with so much pain. Pain I would never find the reasons as to why.

Ari placed a hand on Mantheniel's stomach and her features eased into relief for a moment. The child was still alive.

"She's been marked," Ari states gravely, her voice a soft whisper in the silence that surrounded us.

"Marked?" I asked, unsure of what to make of it. Lord Elrond simply closed his eyes like he had just been told something he dreaded to hear.

Ari turned Mantheniel's head to one side and I gasped, seeing a mark I had never noticed there before. To think she had been fine yesterday. Before that cloaked figure had appeared. It was a symbol, drawn in dark ink.

"From the look of it," Ari explained, running a finger over the mark. "It was made by a head witch."

"He-head witch?" I asked, my confusion breaking my voice. Ari turned to me and made a movement of showing the stone she carried. She took another one, hidden beneath her layers of clothing. It was hanging on a silver chain and looked much refined than the egg shaped stone in her hand.

"Each of our kind carries a stone," she says. "This is mine. This has been mine for decades- centuries." She holds up the small stone, it glowed silver. "I am not entirely connected to the royal family of our people, but Lara is."

I turned to Laralen who had her face down before turning back to Ari who lifted the egg shaped stone in the air. "This is her stone," she explained. I open my mouth to ask more questions when Mantheniel groaned, and we all turned to her to see her expression change into a frown. Her shallow breaths became evident and Ari leaned towards her.

"She's having night terrors," Ari muttered under her breath as she took Laralen's stome and placed it between her palm and Mantheniel's. "I am not going to be able to remove the mark or heal her completely but I may be able to lessen the pain and the effect of the black mark."

"You must allow me to use your stone," she asked Lara who simply nodded. From the look on her face, she was as lost as I was. I stepped closer to her and gave her a small smile in which she returned.

Ari began to chant and Mantheniel continued groaning, as if she was in some sort of pain. I watched as dark streaks of symbols spread across her skin for a brief moment before disappearing again. Ari frowned but kept chanting and somehow, streaks of her hair turned into darker shades. Lord Elrond stood quietly in a corner, watching both of them with concern. Then Mantheniel's eyes shot open and she gasped, bolting upright.

"Thranduil," was the first thing that came out of her mouth. Her eyes burned an eerie flame and my heart pounded in my chest. I have seen that glow before. Then the fires in her eyes turned dull and she clutched her chest as if she struggled to breathe. Her eyes scan the room and with each person they land on, she became sadder and sadder.

Ari only stood before she fainted on the spot. Lord Elrond was quick to catch her. The stone in her hand fell and it rolled over to where I stood. I picked it up, noticing its cool and smooth surface. I handed it to Laralen who seemed to refuse to accept it back. It was then I felt the stone burning slightly in my hand. I almost drop it, if Laralen had not taken it. She did not feel the slight heat or perhaps she was used to it, seeing as she held on to the stone for a while now. I had so many questions but I guess it would have to wait. I turn back to look at Mantheniel, confusion painted her face. Lord Elrond gave me a curt nod, with Ari in his arms, before he left the room. Laralen followed, saying a simple good bye. I was aware of the fact that since she entered, she refused to look anyone in the eye. She refused to even look at Mantheniel.

I walked over to the side of her bed as her hands fumbled on her lap. I placed my hand over them to stop her fumbling and she glanced up at me, her eyes filled with worry.

"Where is Thranduil?" She asked, her voice hovering at the edge of desperation. My brows furrowed, did she not remember how we got here and where we were?

"Back in Mirkwood," I replied calmly, noticing the flicker of fear in her eyes. "Why? Did you dream about him?" I asked, hiding the concern in my voice. Her eyes fell down on her arms, the bracelet Thranduil had given her still held her wrist and the golden ring on her finger.

"Yes," she whispered as her fingers traced the bracelet. "I have to go back." Her eyes find mine again and I remained quiet. What do I do? What do I say?

"You cannot," I tell her quietly. "I want to go back too, but both of us must stay here. You must stay here and I shall stay with you." I reached out to hold her hand, they were alarmingly cold. "Please, Mantheniel. You must stay here. Stay until you get better. The forest is not safe-"

"Yes," she stated. "It is. Which is why Thranduil should have left it too. Everyone-"

"Thranduil will- cannot leave his kingdom," I explained to her as she began crying. What did she dream about?

"What kind of queen am I for leaving it, then?" She sobbed and I wrapped one arm around her shoulder.

"Mantheniel," I soothe, "please. Do not blame yourself. It was either you leave and recover or die...along with the baby." It was a difficult thing to think about and even more difficult to say. She remained quiet and cried silently for the longest time, with me holding her like she was breaking-shattering and if I did not hold her tight enough, she would fall into pieces. I had never seen her cry. Was this what love does to a person? For the briefest moment I felt fear inside me. Fear for Legolas. What if the darkness goes after him too? I glanced at Mantheniel who had stopped shaking. Will I be able to take it?

When Mantheniel had fallen asleep, I went out to look for answers. My heart could not take anymore of this threats and sadness.

I found the twins by the stables were the they seemed to be preparing for another journey.

"Where are you going?" I asked as I entered. Elladan stopped what he was doing and turned to me. He smiled softly. I remember the first time I had ever laid eyes on the two of them. It surprised me and confused me at the same time. I remember one of their favorite tricks to play on me when I was little. I always thought Elladan just moved really quickly to be able to seem like he was in two places at once. I almost screamed when I saw them both, together and wearing different expressions. I was so young, and so gullible.

"We are leaving for Mirkwood," he answered as he fastened his pack on his horses' saddle. Elrohir did the same and for a moment I was a child again, thinking Elladan was using a mirror to try and trick me into believing there were not two of them.

"Why?" I asked and he chuckled lightly, glancing at Elrohir who smiled slightly. A smile I had not seen in a long time. I raised a brow.

"Because," Elladan began, stepping away from his horse and walking towards me. "Your beloved prince asked for help and we are going to give it to him."

I blushed deep red, feeling the heat crawl up my face. I scowled and pushed him on the shoulder. "Well, go on then! Forests don't heal themselves."

"Indeed," his smile broadened and he turned to Elrohir who remained quiet behind him. He seemed to be in deep thought. Perhaps it is about Raela?

"What troubles you, Elrohir?" I asked and Elladan smirked a little before sighing. Elrohir met my gaze briefly before he averted them, like he was feeling guilty for something. I watched him with narrowed eyes before remembering what I was looking for.

"Oh, since you are here. Do you two know by any chance where Laralen is?" I asked and something passed on Elrohir's face at the mention of her name and Elladan noticed it too.

"We were on our way to them after packing," he says calmly although I notice the look Elrohir had given him. "To say our farewells." I nodded, my eyes still narrowed at the two of them.

"You are keeping something from me," I state simply and Elladan ruffles the hair on my head, I frown as he ushers me to go. Despite already being 200, they still treated me like a child.

The three of us walked the stone city, watching as the stones glittered under the setting of the sun. Me and Elladan had kept in conversation while Elrohir remained his quiet self at my left side.

We met Lord Elrond by a circular stone floor, in one of the corners of Calaer. He sat alone on a stone bench and appeared to be in deep thought. He glanced at us the moment we stepped into the stone floor.

"We are ready to depart, Ada," Elladan firmly stated with a small bow. Lord Elrond gave his sons a soft bow of his own before Laralen came, stopping short when she saw the three of us. Her eyes flickered briefly at Elrohir and I saw them meet each others gaze before she looked away. I hid my frown. Lord Elrond stood as Laralen walked towards him, giving him something from her hands. He looked at it and I peered, seeing two identical leather bracelets.

"Will this work?" He asked and Laralen gave a small nod before saying," yes. Ari had told me it would. It had worked on her," she gestured to me. "She was protected from the effects of the dark magic."

"What are you talking about?" I asked before I could stop myself. She looks at me but Lord Elrond answers first, "the bracelet you wear, it has been protecting you." I look down on the leather bracelet that Laralen had given me. Protected me? From what?

Lord Elrond approached his sons, handing them each the leather bracelets. Each held a small emerald stone.

"May these protect you as well," he stated as both the twins took it without question and strapped it on their wrists.

"A protection spell is over them?" Elladan inquired, inspecting the thing. This time, Laralen answered.

"Yes," she says. "It is the only thing I can manage to do at the moment. Make protecting spells and charms. Although, it took me a while to realize it."

Elladan merely nodded, fascination in his face.

"You must leave now," Lord Elrond reminded them and offered to walk them to the stables. Elladan gave me a brief hug before walking off, saying something like he should go talk to Andriél first. Elrohir on the other hand remained standing on the same spot. I turned to him, catching his gaze.

"Are you not going to say goodbye to someone , too?" I asked, hoping it would let him know Raela deserves a farewell too. Despite the fight they are probably in. To my surprise his eyes moved to someone behind me and I felt realization slap me across the face. The two of them? My jaw almost drops but I press my lips together in an attempt to not look so surprised. More questions ran in my head. He stepped forward and I stepped to the side, thinking about what I should say to excuse myself. I kept stepping backwards until I hit a stone statue in shape of a bird. I walked around it, pretending to be fascinated by it and made a show of touching it, just to make them believe I was so engrossed in it that I was not even there anymore. Although my mind and ears remained vigilant and waited for any of them to speak first.

"Lara," Elrohir began as he stepped closer to her and I leaned towards the statue, feeling bad for being here. I bite my lip. She does not move nor looks at him. My eyes glance up at them and I see him take her hands in his. My palms pressed against the statues base.

"Why have you been avoiding me?" He asked and I looked at Lara whose eyes snapped up at him, a furrow in her brow.

"I-" she began and I felt like she could not say it because I was here. Curse it all. I turned to walk away, pretending to examine the statues far off but the curious side of me made sure I was not that far away not to hear them. Oh, Valar. Please forgive me.

"I have not been avoiding you," she answered him quietly.

"But you have," he argued. "Was it because of what I had done the other night?" I peered at them from behind the third statue.

"I am sorry," he continued. "I am sorry if I had been horribly straightforward or aggressive. I did not mean to-" he stopped short when Laralen leaned forward to place her head on his chest. Her expression was of pain. I fought the urge to groan. I had no idea what was going on!

"Please go," she practically whispered. "I do not regret it and I am not angry or afraid of you but right now, you must go."

I felt something constrict inside me because of her voice and how she had said it. Elrohir took off without another word after holding her close to him like he was afraid of holding her too tightly.

I stepped out of the third statue and walked over to her just in time to see her crying.

"Lara?" I call as she turned to me with sad eyes.

"I tried," she began. "I tried not to but- oh Turwaithiel, I do not want to feel this way."

I walked up to her, placing an arm on her shoulder, "do you wish to talk about it?" I asked and a flicker of fear passed on her face. She shook her head before walking to the bench and sitting down. She patted the space next to her. I sat beside her and we were quiet for a moment.

"Ari is still asleep," she began after some length. "I know you have many questions, as have I. I will tell you what I know if you wish it."

I give her a small nod, although I wanted nothing more but to talk about anything else but magic and witches. I felt a cold chill wrapping itself around me as Laralen explained about the golden ones. As she explained, I could not help but feel someone was watching us. Many thoughts ran in my head but one thought beat all the rest.

"Turwaithiel," Laralen said my name like she was going to say something she was not sure she should tell me as the feeling of being watched grew. Could it be her? The same person I thought who has left for Valinor. "I believe that your mother was one of us."

I turned to her, shock registered on my face and not because I could not believe her but because I knew, deep in my heart my mother was one of the old witches of middle-earth.

I also knew that it was her watching us right now. I felt the feeling disappear, like she was just there to make sure I found out the truth. I wrapped my arms tightly around me.

"She was," is.

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Authors note: yep! Another chapter!! Next chap we will check in with the ellyn of this story. Haha

Just... Prepare yourselves.

This, of course, is dedicated tooo  Sapphire36 for being so kind and supportive andddd to princesswithashotgun because you are just awesome.