Among the thorns

Disclaimer- I own nothing!!!

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That afternoon the household of Imladris saw a bright change. Tanithia seemed to have pulled herself out of her depression and was now quite happily playing in the gardens with Arwen.

The two elves sat quietly playing a game of chess, although it wasn’t so much a game as they made up the rules as they went.

Arwen sat, a playful scowl on her face as Tanithia moved her piece. As quickly as she could Arwen moved her piece and jumped into the air with a victory cry. Laughing she fell into Tanithia’s open arms.

Celebrian and Elrohir stood on the balcony of the library watching the two girls below them.

“Much has changed for her has it not?”

Elrohir spoke first, piercing the silence that stood between them. His eyes sparkled at the joy he felt, but his heart refused to share in that joy. Celebrian smiled sadly at her son.

“Nay, it has not yet changed, she is merely playing a game. A game that she will loose if she does not end it soon”

Elrohir’s eyes darkened, unidentifiable feelings were swimming about his head and heart and he could not make sense of anything. He was vaguely aware of Elladan’s presence in the room but he did not acknowledge him.

Smiling, Elladan entered the room. He had felt his brothers anguish and had figured out its meaning and cause. He worried for him; Elrohir was a scholar and therefore could be somewhat blind in life. He thirsted for knowledge but was loath to use it for his own endeavours. Whereas Elladan gained his knowledge from life, from living.

Celebrian kissed her sons on the cheek before leaving the room to go and find her husband, who was no doubt locked away in his study.

Elladan grinned cheekily and flung one arm over his brother’s shoulders.

“You should get out more Ro; I tire of seeing you in your study”

Elrohir turned his head and raised an eyebrow,

“Is that right?”

Elladan nodded and guided his brother from the balcony.

“Come, let’s go and annoy our little sister, she looks as though she is having a little too much fun”

The hall filled with laughter at the remark, it was well known among the residents of Imladris that the three siblings were playful enemies. No harm ever came from their banter so they were left to it.

Elrohir sighed as the warm rays of the sun bathed his face when he stepped out into the garden. He took a minute to listen to his surroundings.

He could hear the gentle rumble of the waterfalls and the cheerful singing of the birds. The gentle and magical sound of laughter reached his ears and like his brother he could not contain a grin.

They came upon the two girls unnoticed and stood watching the two lying on the grass making flower chains. Elrohir studied Tanithia as she had studied him so many times. Her long hair had been pulled over one shoulder and had been left loose to fly in the breeze. Her slender hands were fast and graceful as she carefully split the stems of the flowers and threaded them together. She looked relaxed and happy as she bathed in the suns warmth.

“Dannnnnn”

Arwen screamed happily as she ran into his open arms.

Seeing the twins Tanithia sat up quickly and let the chain fall from her hands, a sheepish look on her face.

Elrohir smiled at her before sitting next to her. The two sat in silence as they watched Elladan play with Arwen.

Without noticing their hands had entwined while their eyes were else where. Elladan grinnedthe the two who sat with thoughtful expressions on their faces; each looked as if they were contemplating their own deaths.

He chuckled and deviously left them to each others company with the promise of sweets to Arwen.

Tanithia was dragged out of her thoughts by a small white butterfly fluttering in front of her face. Smiling she tentatively held out her hand to see if it would oblige her and settle there.

The butterfly did indeed oblige her, making her laugh with delight.

Elrohir turned to look at her when he heard her laugh. He had delved too deep into his own complex thoughts and had only served to make himself more confused that he had been in the first place.

He shook his head and lifted his hand only to find it trapped. He looked down to find his hand holding Tanithia’s rather tightly. He had no memory of doing that but he was not about to complain.

Sensing Elrohir’s confusion she turned to him, following his gaze to his hand only to find it tangled with her own fingers.

Blushing furiously she moved her hand and brought it to her chest in an embarrassed gesture.

“I’m sorry; I don’t know how that happened”

“Do not worry; neither of us were harmed were we?”

He narrowed his eyes playfully. She shook her head slowly, a smile creeping back onto her face.

“No. so what brings you outside this fine day my lord?”

She cheekily asked him, he rolled his eyes,

“Am I only known for reading books?”

“Yes”

He looked at her sharply,

“What?! Would you find me more agreeable if I was dishonest with you?”

She grinned at him. He sat back after carefully listening to her. Perhaps honesty was best between them. But it was doubtful whether or not she would grace him with the truth. Turning to look at her he held her gaze.

“Tell me then, honestly, what is it you are hiding?”

Her eyes widened and she shrugged her shoulders.

“Alright. We shall leave that conversation for a later date”

He remarked not giving her chance to protest. He sensed her sudden need to be alone he kissed her hand and swiftly left her to her thoughts.

~

He truly wishes to help me? How can he help me? He was not there when it happened and he does not know what it is like to go through such a thing. Memories assault me for no reason. There is no way for me to hide from them. Last night Elladan stayed with me for a while. Over time I have become more comfortable with his presence. I find it easier to talk about what happened with Elladan, I do not feel as embarrassed with him as I do with Elrohir.

Elrohir scares me. I feel as though he can see though me and into my very thoughts. It is as if my thoughts are not my own when I am with him, I feel naked, threatened, abandoned when I am with him.

It is of no fault of his own and perhaps I am being foolish again.

I spoke of everything with Elladan last night, with Elrohir I feel I must keep light conversation but last night with Elladan I spilled everything. He understands everything. I apologised for being such an unwise female and he hushed me. It was a simple gesture, but it spoke volumes.

He had listened to me with attentiveness, his eyes hardly leaving mine as I spoke.

My life here was very different and I longed to leave the dresses behind and train once more. My hands itched to feel the cool metal of a sword.

Lady Celebrian has been most gracious. She has almost taken over the role my mother used to play; she knocks on my door in the morning and makes sure that I am alright at night. The day before yesterday she took me and Arwen to the dressmakers, she deemed it necessary to supply me with a various array of beautiful dresses; both formal and practical, as well as tunics and leggings for training.

Arwen is a delightful elfling; she will grow to become a beautiful and wise elf. Already her beautiful surpasses most. She reminds me of my home, she has a free spirit that makes her seem as if she would be better suited to live among the trees in Lothlorien.

I miss my home and I miss my friends, even Haldir, who I have heard from Celebrian, has become somewhat drawn and closed to people. This news saddens me. He appears arrogant to those who do not know him, but I know him better than that. At heart, I would not say he is gentle but he is kind and passionate and protective, and he is one of the best friends anyone could wish for.

But most of all I miss my family; my heart yearns for the gentle touch of my mother and the playful banter from my father. I never got to say good bye

My eyes began to sting with tears and I felt my heart sink.

There was a knock on the adjoining door to Elrohir’s room.

Sighing I rose from the chair I was sat in and opened it to find Elrohir, but not as I would have expected to see him.

He was dressed in a tunic and leggings but over the top was a crimson robe of velvet. His dark hair had been pulled from his face in a single thick braid. The colour of his hair fit perfectly with what he was wearing. He looking imposing, like the lord he was. His sparkling pewter eyes locked with mine and for some reason I felt the urge to laugh.

~

“I am glad you find me amusing”

“No, no I am not laughing at you. Please accept my apologies Elrohir”

He grinned and laughed at her as he made his way over to her bed.

“There is no need for an apology my lady. What is it you find so amusing?”

His eyes followed her as she sat down beside him,

“It is simply that, I have never seen you dressed so, and it shocked me a little. You look so different”

“I shall take that as a compliment”

She laughed and nodded. Elrohir sat up and crossed his legs and sat watching her.

Her eyes found his and she looked away. She could feel the seriousness of his next question.

“I do not want to. Please don’t”

“You must”

She shook her head but resigned herself to the fact that she had no choice in the matter. She did not know what was wrong with her. She could trust him, she knew this. Yet her heart refused to let him in.

“What do you wish to know?”

“Everything. Tell me how you became their prisoner”

She lowered her eyes and grabbed a cushion, hugging it close to her chest for comfort. In truth it was a barrier between them, she felt safer.

“Alright, I shall tell you”