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Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. -Psalm 119:105

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Eilonwy

"Eilonwy," Lord Elrond states as I enter his study, "Thank you for coming. I hope I did not interrupt something important?"

I will away the blush that tries to form on my cheeks. "Oh, not at all, my lord," I reply, trying to not sound suspicious.

He stands looking out of the window, his hands clasped behind his back. His long, silken red robes sweep down to the floor, only adding to his intimidating aura. Lord Elrond is very kind, but he has a natural way of seeming intimidating. Coming here for magic lessons is always nerve wracking, but I become comfortable with him after a while of being in his presence.

"Are we to practice magic today?" I question when he does not turn to look at me or speak. I rub my arms at the slight chill of the study, glancing at the fireplace where a tiny flame is currently dying.

"On the contrary, I called you here to speak of something I saw this morning," he says, turning slightly to meet my gaze.

"Saw? Oh, you mean your foresight."

He nods, analyzing me carefully with his all-knowing blue eyes. "I saw the woman who tried to kill Estrith," he states, getting straight to the point. His statement is solemn, and his eyes are sad, watching carefully for my reaction.

My mind whirls like a hurricane at this new information, and anger pulses through my veins just thinking of the vile creature that tried to harm sweet Estrith. "Please, tell me what you know," I say, trying to keep my voice even as I step forward anxiously.

Lord Elrond sighs tiredly, sitting down in his chair behind the desk, and he gestures for me to sit down in the chair in front of it. "She has curly black hair, fair skin, but what sets her apart is her bright colored eyes. They are strange, almost like they are glowing silver, and that is how I know she possesses magic and a great deal of it, too. I saw no others with her. She appears to be working alone."

I nod. "I know what you are talking about. Estrith's eyes turned that exact color when she was in the trance about to eat the poisoned apple."

Lord Elrond nods softly and continues, "As Galadriel and I assumed, the woman is after you," he states, and I stay silent, not surprised at his words, "I am not sure what her motive is yet, but I do know that she has been waiting for you to come back to Middle Earth."

I ponder this information for a moment before I realize something that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. "If she knew of me when I was a baby and knew that I left Middle Earth, then she must have been close to my family," I say slowly, trying to piece together what little information we possess.

"You are correct," Lord Elrond says seriously, "She was one of your mother's best friends."

"Then why is she trying to hurt me?" I question confusedly, "It makes no sense that a family friend would be out to kill me unless I yanked on her hair too hard as a baby and she is wanting some serious revenge." I smirk slightly at the stupid joke but quickly become serious again.

"She has a reason, of course. All people have a reason for the things that they do," he says, staring at me seriously, "We just need to find out what it is."

"And how are we to do that, my lord?" I ask him, seeking his advice.

He folds his hands on the desk in front of him. "Well, our top priority is your safety. From now on, anywhere you go, you must have either Legolas, my sons, or Gwilithon with you for your protection. She will find out that you are here eventually, and she will come for you. Until then, I will continue to try and see her with my foresight and figure out what she is planning and why. You will be perfectly fine, Eilonwy. I promise you that. None of us will allow anyone to hurt you."

"I worry for Rivendell. If we do not know much about her, then we do not know whether she will hurt others or not. She already hurt Estrith. I cannot bare for anyone else to be hurt," I say worriedly.

He shakes his head, smiling sadly at me. "You do not need to worry about anything, Eilonwy. Just continue to work on the exercises I taught you. I have taught you all that I can about magic. Now you must practice and tap into your abilities."

I attempt a smile. "Thank you, Lord Elrond. I will heed your advice," I say, standing from the stiff chair.

"Wait just a moment," he says as he also stands. He takes his place by the window again, his hands clasped behind his back, "I saw something else."

"Yes, my lord?" I ask softly.

The light from the window washes over his profile, making him appear to just be a shadow of the great elf lord. He stands completely still and stays silent for several long moments, and I fidget, nervous about what he has to say. Whatever it is, it seems to bother him greatly, so I wait patiently for him to speak.

"My son," he says, his voice barely a whisper of grief, "I saw him in pain once again."

"Again?" I ask curiously before realizing that he is in need of words of comfort, not stupid questions, "I mean, you should not worry. You have told me several times that the future is not certain. Things change by decisions and actions. You need not worry for your son."

He is silent again for a long, deafening moment before he speaks lowly. "Elladan has been hurt before, Eilonwy. Do you know the pain a father feels watching his child suffer when he can do nothing to help?" I hear him sigh after the words have left his lips, "Elladan deserves happiness more than anyone. Can you give him that happiness?"

My mouth falls open in surprise as I stare at him, his back still facing me. The way he asked me bluntly, defeatedly, I know that he already understands. Lord Elrond knows that I love Legolas, but I understand that he hopes I will change my mind. He wishes for me to make his son happy, but I cannot do that.

"I-I barely know Elladan," I say weakly, my voice a mere whisper. I clear my throat, determined to give a good answer, and I straighten up. "From what I do know, he is a very brave ellon with a warm heart that he opens up to many. He has been nothing but kind to me in the few conversations we have had. His eyes hold the same wisdom that yours do. I know that he loved my mother, and I feel horrible that it ended the way it did. But my mother's decisions are not my own. She and my father have passed on. They are gone from this world, yet I am left to pick up the pieces that they have left behind. Whatever affection Elladan has for me is simply what is left of what he felt for my mother because I am like her in many ways. Elladan deserves an elleth who will love him completely and wholly, and I am not that elleth. I desire his happiness, too, my lord, but I am not it, whether he realizes that or not."

Silence rains down upon us, and my heart beats violently in my chest. I swallow thickly, hoping that I have not offended him. But I told the truth, and that is all I can do.

Lord Elrond nods softly. "I understand. You are dismissed," he says, and I walk to the door, wanting nothing else than to flee from this room. He calls out to me as my hand touches the doorknob. "Please, do not hurt him. He has almost faded once before, and I will not lose my son."

"I will not lose him, either."

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I dash down the twisting hallways of Rivendell and out into the bright green grass. I breathe in deeply as I run, trying to clear my head. I need to calm down before going to see Legolas. I will only make him upset right now if I storm into my room.

I swipe at the angry tears in my eyes, feeling stupid for crying. Elladan is not my responsibility, but Lord Elrond continues to make me feel bad. I cannot help that I love Legolas! I cannot help that my mother loved my father unconditionally! I care deeply for Elladan's feelings, but in the end, only Elladan can help himself.

I run into the garden, my dress dragging behind me across the grass. I halt abruptly upon entering the garden, freezing in anxiety. Sitting on one of the stone benches in the gazebo type building in front of me, is Elladan. He holds a leather bound book in his hands. His white tunic is untied at the top, and he wear brown pants with brown leather boots. His hair falls unbound down his shoulders, and his silver eyes are trained on me. His eyes swim with worry and concern, and he stands, hesitating on whether or not to approach me.

"Eilonwy?" he says my name worriedly, his voice soft and low as it always is. His dark, thick eyebrows are furrowed over his stormy eyes, and I take a step back, feeling entirely unprepared to face him.

I stare at him like a fool, not able to formulate a sentence. A gust of wind blows past me, whipping pieces of my hair across my face where they stick to my wet cheeks.

"Are you... okay?" he questions, slowly stepping down the three stairs that lead up to the gazebo. He stops in front of me, his eyes tracing my body for any wounds or signs of sickness.

"I do not know." The words fall from my mouth without thinking as I stare into his eyes. In them, I can see the walls he has built up, the grief and sorrow, and the memories of anguish. He is like a secret locked door in an abandoned castle yet at the same time he is like an open book, and I find myself utterly confused and perplexed by him.

He reaches forward hesitantly, brushing the wild strands of my fiery hair out of my face, and I do not tense when his skin brushes against mine. His fingers are warm, despite the slight chill outside, and I think of Legolas waiting for me in my room. I blink, leaning ever-so-slightly out of his touch, and he drops his hand.

"Did my father do something to hurt you? I was with him before he called you in for your lesson," he says softly, and I shake my head vigorously.

"No, he did not. He just," I glance to the side, trying to think of what to say, "He gave me information that I was not entirely expecting."

"Would you like to speak of it?" he asks kindly, and I feel my gaze soften.

"'Tis nothing worth sharing. I must find a way to overcome my problems alone," I respond, knowing that I cannot allow myself to lead him on.

Elladan smiles, the action not reaching his broken, weary eyes, "I have found that carrying a burden is much easier when you have someone to carry it with you."

"That is a good observation," I respond, "But I tend to carry them alone."

He nods. "I respect that. Well, if you do not wish to speak, would you at least like to have tea with me?" he asks, gesturing to the tiny table beside the bench he was sitting on. Upon the table sits two porcelain cups and a pot of tea, as if he was hoping to have someone to share it with.

"I would like that," I answer with a smile, hoping that Legolas will not leave my room and find us here by accident. I cannot help but agree, for Elladan's kindness is so genuine, I would regret hurting him by saying no.

I follow him up the steps, my heart constricting painfully when I see his delighted smile. He gestures for me to sit across from him on one of the other benches as he pours me a cup of tea. He hands me the warm cup before sitting down, moving his book out of the way.

"Thank you. What are you reading?" I ask him, sipping my tea.

He smiles. "It is an old tale my naneth used to read to me when I was small."

I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear, studying him closely. "'Tis very sweet that you have such a memory to think on," I tell him.

He nods. "I have many happy memories, but it seems the sad ones try to smother them," he says, glancing down.

I fall silent, not knowing what to say.

"You are just like your mother, you know," he suddenly says, and my eyes snap up to meet his in surprise, "You look just like her, and you have the same personality." A small smile tugs at his lips, and his eyes are stormy with pain.

"I am sorry," I say immediately, not really knowing what I am apologizing for, "Uh- your father has spoken of the past to me, and Galadriel has, as well."

Elladan chuckles, the sound a mere breath, and I watch him in worry, knowing that this conversation is hard for him. "I know. I knew from the moment we first met because I could see the pity in your eyes. You do not need to feel sorry for me, Eilonwy. Your mother was a wonderful person. She did not entertain my feelings in anyway. It was my fault for allowing myself to fall in love with her, even though she was clearly in love with someone else."

"Eilonwy?"

Elladan and I both turn to see Legolas walking toward us. His gaze travels between the two of us, a storm raging beneath the surface of his beautiful blue eyes. "I thought you were with Lord Elrond," he states, his voice hard.

I stand, holding my teacup in front of myself as if ready to use it to defend Elladan. "Legolas," I breathe out, praying that he will stay calm and see reason, "Elladan invited me to tea after leaving his father's study. I have only been here a few moments. I actually was about to come and find you."

Legolas's gaze is set on Elladan, staring at him in a way that, if I was in Elladan's place, I would be running for the hills. I turn to see Elladan's reaction, and I am surprised to see that he has the same icy stare as he holds Legolas's gaze without fear.

"Eilonwy," Legolas says lowly, leaving no room for argument, "Come."

I turn to Elladan, placing my tea cup on the table. "Thank you. I enjoyed our time together," I tell him, smiling weakly, and his eyes soften at my words. He bows, and I curtsey in return.

"I hope to have your company again," he offers, and I nod softly, "Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Elladan," I reply, turning to grab Legolas's outstretched arm.

He leads me from the garden, and we walk in agonizing silence to my room. He remains staring forward the entire walk, not looking at me once, and my heart sinks in my chest, torn between my love for Legolas and my desire to help Elladan.

Legolas opens the door to my room for me, and I slowly enter. I expect him to leave, but he does not. He closes the door behind him, and then he sits on my bed, finally looking at me. He does not speak, but his eyes tell all. I find myself mesmerized by them. "Sit with me," he offers, and I hesitantly do as he asks.

He brushes his fingers across my cheek, staring deeply into my eyes. "What did Lord Elrond say?" he questions, catching me off guard.

"Using his foresight, he saw the woman who tried to kill Estrith. She is after me, Legolas. Me, and no one else. Lord Elrond does not know much, only that she was one of my mother's friends," I tell him.

His eyes widen, fear swimming through them. "What can we do?"

"Nothing," I say quietly, "We must wait for her to show herself, and then... then I must kill her, I guess. I must kill her before she kills me."

"Eilonwy," he breathes, his eyebrows furrowing, but I touch his lips softly, not allowing him to speak.

"I do not wish to speak of this any longer. There is not anything we can do," I state, my throat dry.

He nods uncertainly, still watching me seriously. I run my fingers over his jaw, and he leans into my touch. "I love you," he says, his voice low and thick with emotion.

I blush slightly at his sudden declaration. "And I love you," I reply staring into his pained eyes.

He nods. "I know. I just- it hurts me to see the way Elladan looks at you," he admits reluctantly.

I lean forward and press my lips to his, intending to kiss him sweetly, but he kisses me back slowly, chills shooting up my spine as his arms wrap around me tightly. I pull away, a bit flustered at how intimate the kiss was. It was quite a surprise how he kissed me so.. so sexily.

"I have explained to you before why I wish to be around Elladan, and-," I begin, but he cuts me off.

"Yes, I understand, Eilonwy," he says, his lips lifting ever-so-slightly, "But if you continue to be around him, you will have to put up with many more kisses from me."

I burst into laughter in surprise, and he buries his face in the crook of my neck, not fast enough to hide his embarrassed smile. "I will have to seek out his company more often!" I exclaim teasingly.

Legolas pulls back, placing his forehead against mine, and I grin when I see the slight rosy tint in his cheeks. "Oh hush," he mumbles before his lips find mine once again in a slow, enchanting kiss.

Yes, I will definitely have to seek out Elladan's company more often.

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A/N: I had a lot of trouble writing this chapter, so sorry if it's terrible! I tried my best, but I've been stressed lately. Anyway, please comment (Remember Ground Rules!!!!!!). I love y'all to the Moon and back, and I adore each and every sweet comment y'all leave for me! God bless! <3

Love,

Josie