Among the thorns

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At last the three young elves reached the dining hall. It had taken them longer than normal due to Taia’sia’s wounds but it was of no trouble to any of them.

Elrond sat at the head of the table with Glorfindel and Erestor, their expressions grim. They heard the laughter of the three elves and quickly schooled their expressions to ones of indifference but still allowing their kindliness to show.

Their unease increased when they saw the happiness and delight shining on Tanithia’s face. She looked content to be in the safe arms of Elrond’s sons, both of whom looked as content and happy as she. Their laughter and smiles filled the room with joy.

They stood before the three already sitting and bowed before taking their seats. Elladan helped Tanithia to her seat as it appeared that despite her show of strength she was in great pain.

They sat in silence as they began eating. Tanithia was a little daunted by everything, but she had dined often with lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn and her memory put her at ea

The three young elves ate giving no indication of the tension in the room. Elrond sighed heavily and placed down his glass. Taking notice everybody stopped and all eyes focused on him.

With regret his eyes found Tanithia’s.

“Tanithia, daughter of Aranir and Carathia. I have news of your family”

Her eyes held fast to his but their depths revealed nothing of her feelings. Elladan and Elrohir watched with curiosity and concern as their father told their friend news which would send most into waves of grief.

“Your mother and father, unable to cope with your presumed death and lack of a body, sailed across the sea. They felt that there was nothing left for them here”

Her eyes flickered for a moment but it was soon covered up as if nothing had been there. Her features remained as they were and she smiled,

“It matters not”

She said brightly as she stood shakily. Without a word the twins stood and were by her side. She turned and bowed her head as best she could at the three elder elves and let herself be led from the room.

Silence once again reigned over them as they walked to the garden. Two pairs of concerned eyes watched the young maiden as she smiled brightly and held up her head with dignity and strength.

“What are you two looking at? If you have something to say then say it but cease your stares!”

She snapped at the two surprised elves.

Elladan sighed and lowered his hands from her waist for a moment so that he could look her in the face.

“You do not find this news distressing?”

She shook her head and stared back at him,

“Nay I do not. There is no use sitting and despairing that they are gone. It will not change the situation”

“You do not wish for them back?”

Elrohir asked without emotion. He found her odd; her unfeeling attitude to everything was strange to him.

“Nay, I do not wish them back. They simply did what they had to”
tri tried to move forward but Elladan stood in her way, she said not a word but her expression became clouded.

“Elladan, excuse me”

“Nay, I shall not move until you confess to your thoughts, hiding them will do you no good”

“There is nothing to confess. They left and I understand”

The exasperated Elves in front of her held fast and would not let her pass.

“What is it?”

Her patience was wearing thin.

“You are being stubborn”

Elrohir remarked, hoping to ignite her anger and her feelings.

She shook her head.

“I am not being stubborn. There is nothing to discuss because there is no situation”

Forgetting her pain she pushed passed them and made her way to her room. Her mind was calm. In her heart she felt nothing. There were sparks of something but they were not big enough to gain her attention.

She doubled over as she made her way to the bed and buried herself among the covers. The pain in her abdomen had finally become more than she could handle and if she had not made it back she would have collapsed.

Her mind drifted back to her patrol on the Lorien boarder and her resolve was strengthened. She needed nobody; she was a trained warden, one who could kill with her bare hands. No, she needed nobody.

The news of her parents had not registered within her heart. She had known that that would be the path her parents took but she had not thought it would be so soon.

Her eyes stung with tears and she let herself weep, safe in the knowledge that she was alone.

~

“She is just stubborn”

“Nay, brother, she is not”

Elladan tried to stop his brother from following Tanithia. As a warrior Elladan had seen this behaviour many times, although the circumstances were different. He knew what to expect and in order for them to allow her to heal they had to stand back and let her behave as she felt she had to.

But his brother was different. He had seen this kind of behaviour but his own emotions conflicted. He wished to comfort her but he knew not to.

The two were sat in Elrohir’s study. Elladan sat, perched on the end of Elrohir’s desk watching him as he filled in the numerous reports that had been sent in while they had been busy.

Elrohir sat, his hair in a single braid to keep it from disturbing him. His quill danced as graceful, flowing letters made their way onto the page. His eyes were determined but distracted. He could not concentrate and he looked up with annoyance. His silvery eyes locked with the clear orbs of his brother and he sat back in his chair.

“I cannot sit here while I know that she is in pain and solitude”

Elladan shook his head, his hands idly playing with a small inkwell.

“She does not wish for company Ro. It is best that we leave her for now”

Elrohir’s eyes clouded at his brothers words but he knew he was right.

~

Elrond walked swiftly toward Tanithia’s room, he had not had chance to examine her wounds that morning and it had to be done. He quickened his pace as his sharp ears picked up the sound of a struggle from her room. He threw open the door and strode towards the bed. He looked down at the young elf, her face was covered in a thin sheen of sweat as she tossed and turned in her bed. He waited for her to wake; it did not take long for her eyes to open.

Her eyes met his and she immediately put her guard up. He had seen her as she really was, weak, but she would not tell him what she had dreamt about.

She sat up and adjusted the covers,

“What can I do for you my lord?”

Elrond had a feeling she would react badly to his examination and he hoped that she would submit to his intimidation techniques, it had always worked on two noisy elflings.

“I need to check your wounds”

He said simply. Her eyes narrowed and she shook her head.

“They are fine I can assure you my lord”

Elrond laughed inside but kept up a stern exterior.

“I do not need your assurance, I am the healer and I will tell you whether you are fine”

She shook her head once more,

“No, I will not be subjected to it, leave me…please”

Her tone left no room for discussion and reluctantly he left the room. He would just have to drug her food at dinner and examine her while she was unconscious.

As Elrond left the room a maid entered to help her get dressed to meet Lady Celebrian and Lady Arwen.

Tanithia was not allowed out of bed but Lady Celebrian would visit her, of that there was no doubt.

~

Elrond, Elladan, Elrohir, Glorfindel and Erestor all stood in the courtyard as they awaited the approaching figures.

Forsaking ceremony Celebrian leapt off of her horse immediately and embraced her sons as they ran to meet her. Her eyes met those of her husband over Elladan’s shoulder. She could see the love, relief and turmoil in the depths of his eyes. It was something that only his wife could read. She nodded at him and laughed as their small daughter threw herself into her fathers waiting arms. She stood at knee height and so Elrond had to bend down to lift her. But he did so with a smile. Joy danced in the elf lords eyes as his daughter hugged him, laughing down his ear and kissing him. It seemed so long since he had heard that delightful laugh.

“Glory”

Arwen shouted and stretched her arms out to the seneschal that was more like an uncle to her.

“Stor”

She bounced and without letting go of Glorfindel she reached toward Erestor who kissed her on the cheek and hugged her.

Celebrian stepped back from her sons and embraced her husband.

“It is good to have you home Cele”

Elrond whispered to her, she smiled and stepped closer to him.

“What is wrong?”

He shook his head,

“I will speak of it when Arwen is out of hearing”

The party made their way to the family chambers, laughing and joking as they went. The house seemed to rejoice as Arwen skipped through it halls singing at the top of her voice.

Elrond informed his wife about the newest addition to the household while the twins amused Arwen.

Celebrian was sickened as she listened to her husband. She felt her heart go out to Tanithia and she left Elrond and made her way to the room where Tanithia had fallen asleep.

Celebrian opened the door and smiled at the sleeping figure. The blankets were tangled around her legs and her hands were tucked firmly underneath her head.

Tanithia awoke as the unknown woman sat down beside her on the bed. A calming feeling ran though her body as the figure stroked her hair gently.

She lifted her head and looked at the woman. She was tall, her features were delicate but strong, her hair was a fair colour, it was neither golden nor silver. The woman looked at her with kind eyes, but those eyes held something else, a kindred thought. She was stronger than she looked.

“Indeed I am little one”

The woman spoke.

“How did you…?”

“I am the daughter of the lady Galadriel, her gift has passed to me, though it is not as strong” She said kindly.

“You are a warrior?”

Celebrian asked, smiling at the reaction of the younger elf. Tanithia sat up hurriedly.

“Yes I am...I was”

She added quietly, Celebrian frowned, she knew what the young elf was doing- she was berating herself for a mistake that could not have been foreseen. Sheendeended to ask questions in the hope that she could push her and make Tanithia see her worth.

“What do you mean was?”

“I am no longer fit to be considered a warrior”

“Perhaps not”

Celebrian said haughtily,

“A child such as yourself should never have been given the title in the first place”

She spoke plainly and watched in secret delight as flames appeared in the girls eyes.

“I am no child. I earned my title”

“What did you do to earn it; did you pass your favours among the guard?”

Tanithia’s eyes widened and she fought to keep herself under control.

“I earned my right just as anybody else did! I was a good warrior, I did my duty well”

Celebrian smirked patronisingly at the infuriated elf.

“Is that right?! Well then, perhaps you can tell me why you are laying here snivelling and crying about something that can easily be regained”

Celebrian hissed. She smiled as she watched the emotions and realisation pass over the young elf’s face. Tanithia locked eyes with the now grinning Lady of Imladris and got out of bed, the pain forgotten.

“I am a warrior”

“Yes, indeed you are”

Celebrian stepped forward laughing and embraced the shocked elf.

“I am sorry”

Celebrian said,

“There is no need to be sorry my lady. I only wish to ask one thing of you”

Celebrian stepped back and waited for her to ask it,

“I ask that you train with me, you are a warrior yourself are you not?”

“I am, it would be an honour to train with you”

The two stood grinning at each other before embracing once more.

“You will become who you once were Tanithia, I promise”