Story Downloaded from Open Scrolls Archive (https://www.openscrolls.net) Title: All he ever wanted (#1183) Author: Gloredhel Chapters: 24
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Archive: Tolkien Category: Alternate Universe (AU) Description: Glorfindel always loved her, but she was taken by another. He never thought she would ever find comfort in him, but times change, not always for better, not always for worse. Story starts in Gondolin, and works it's way across time and Middle Earth. Featuring Glorfindel/OC. Please Read and Review. Similar to my other story. Please give it a chance. Published: 08 Aug 2004 Updated: 08 Feb 2005 Warnings: implied sex (elflings, duh!) and cursing. Type: PWP? Characters: Glorfindel; OC (Cimorene) Chapter 1 - Fleeing to safety Disclaimer: I unfortunately do not own Lord of the Rings, or places from Silmarillion. I do own Cimorene, Linhir, Tyrian, and Lyra. Author's Note: I changed the dates around a bit. Towards the end, I pushed the wedding of Aragorn and Arwen back quite a bit. I also changed Éowyn's character a bit, to a kinder person, not so cold. Just thought I would let you know. The word 'aroon' is Irish Gaelic; it means darling, I could not find elvish for darling so I used it. Summary: Glorfindel always loved her, but she was taken by another. He never thought she would ever find comfort in him, but times change, not always for better, not always for worse. Story starts in Gondolin, and works its way across time and Middle Earth. Featuring Glorfindel/OC. Please Read and Review. All He Ever Wanted He always watched her, he always wanted her. However, she was in love with another. She had happiness in her life. Or so she thought. Cimorene Shiara Tindomerel thought she had found love. She thought she found love in Linhir, a Noldorin elf she had found whilst leaving Valinor. He was one of the exiled Noldorin. Cimorene was a Vanyar elf. A rare looking Vanyar elf at that. Most Vanyar elves had fair hair, a few had dark hair. Cimorene had dark brown hair, and metallic grey eyes flecked with emerald green that sparkled with delight. Some said she looked positively feline. She stood tall and proud, as if she was royalty. She had a smile that could brighten anyone's day. She had a habit of smiling ethereally, which gave her an air of complete innocence and all knowing. Before Gondolin fell, Cimorene befriended Idril and Tuor. She and Linhir escaped with them when they had to flee the Hidden City. When they were attacked and most were slain, Cimorene and Linhir managed to escape with their lives, and also help Idril, Tuor, and their son Ëarendil escape also. Years passed and Cimorene and Linhir left to live with Gil-Galad. They dwelt in Balar for a time. When Elrond established Imladris, they left to live there. They would never return to Balar, for Gil-Galad would never return to rule it. After Sauron was overthrown, and Mirkwood safe, Cimorene and Linhir took a trip to Mirkwood. The trip did not last very long, for a week later, a cloaked figure was seen fleeing Mirkwood on horseback. A sudden gloom fell upon Mirkwood. Chapter 2 - Messes, smiles, and worries Meanwhile in Imladris: Glorfindel wandered thru the halls. A perfect day to lounge around. 'Maybe Erestor needed help,' Glorfindel thought, 'I will go check right now.' Therefore, he "wandered" towards Erestor's room. He knocked on the door. From inside the room came an irritated "What?" from Erestor. Glorfindel opened the door and walked into the room. He smiled slightly at the sight of the desk in Erestor's room. The extremely messy desk in a spick-and-span clean room looked out of place. "I see that you are working hard." He said. "I have to finish all the preparations for the Midwinter Festival with Eryn Lasgalen and Lórien finished by tomorrow. What do you need?" "Nothing at all, my friend, nothing at all." "You are smiling again. I have not seen you smile, well not since she left." "Your room amuses me. That's all." "Glorfindel, nothing amused you for at least a week. You had Elrond and I worried." "You both worry too much." "How is the infirmary duty going?" "Fine. Actually, it is extremely boring. I no longer envy the healers and I miss the action on the patrols. I have to go." Glorfindel said. Chapter 3 - I'm home Back to our figure on horseback. It has just arrived in Imladris. It is the next night after Glorfindel and Erestor's conversation. Cimorene removed her hood. She headed to the infirmary, stopping to talk to Lord Elrond on the way. She was informed that a human child no older than two and a half had been put in Elrond's care. Aragorn, son of Arathorn, had taken residency in Imladris. His father died while hunting with Elladan and Elrohir, and his mother was killed when the orcs raided their village. The child would talk to no one, and she was their last hope. She entered the infirmary to find Glorfindel arguing with the child, now called Estel, his true identity hidden. "I can take it from here Lord Glorfindel." Cimorene said briskly. "My lady, do you think you can handle him?" Glorfindel asked. "He will not talk to anyone." "I am quite sure I can take care of a child. I have helped raise many children, including Ëarendil, Elrond, the twins and Arwen. I know what I am doing." "Try." Glorfindel said, and he let her take control. Estel just sat there with a pout on his face. "I want nana." He whined "Nana is gone." Cimorene said. "Daddy?" "Daddy is gone too." "They no love me?" "They love you very much, aroon, they love you a lot, but they cannot be with you." Estel sniffled. Then he yawned. "Seems like someone is tired. It's time for bed." "NOOOOOOOO!" Estel shrieked. "If you do not go to bed, then I will have to get Elrond, and he will put you to bed." "I go bed! I go bed!" The child said as he ran to a bed. "Not in here. How does your own room sound?" Estel jumped up and down excitedly. Cimorene picked him up and put him in the room next to Elladan and Elrohir. She left the room, and had only taken a few steps when she heard a whimper from inside the room. She went back in. "What's wrong Estel?" "Scared. Can't sleep." Estel said "Would you like a story? How about a story of Gondolin?" Cimorene asked. Just then, Glorfindel came into the room. He just stood by the door, and didn't say a word as Cimorene told Estel a story. Estel was asleep halfway thru the tale. She left the room quietly, and shot Glorfindel an "I-told-you-so" look as she left. Chapter 4 - Infirmary duty "Why are you back so early my lady? You were supposed to be gone at least two months." Glorfindel asked. "I just am. Good night Lord Glorfindel." "Good night Lady Cimorene." Cimorene did not come out of her room the next day, or the next, or the next. Not a soul in Imladris knew why. Glorfindel sat in his room, working on papers. He was disturbed by a knock on his door. "Come in." he called cheerfully. "Busy?" Erestor asked as he came in. "Of course I'm busy. I have paperwork on the patrols to finish. Who is coming, who is going where on rotation, and who is leaving. I do prefer the infirmary duty to this." "Until you get a charge, then you have to write a report about when the charge was injured, when he was admitted, what the injury was, how you treated it, progress the charge made, and when the charge is released." "I still have to do part of that. When a guard or soldier is injured, I have to write about when he was injured, how he was injured, when he was admitted to the infirmary, and when he was released, and when he was back on duty. That, and the whole process I explained before." "I also understand why you would prefer infirmary duty to that." "She has not come out of her room in days, and she locked the door, so no one can get in." "She came out this morning after breakfast. She is back in the infirmary doing her job. If anything, she should stay in her room, she does not look well. She is thin, and is a sickly pale. Did you notice a personality change in her?" "The last time I saw her, was the night she got back. And I did not see her for long." "She does not smile or laugh. Her voice contains no hope and her eyes no longer sparkle with delight. She needs help or she will fade." Erestor said. "I wish I could see her. This is when I want infirmary duty." "That, mellon nin, is why I am here. I can finish most of your paperwork; I have seen you do it before, and there are no injuries, correct, for the infirmary is empty, except for the healers taking inventory, and Estel. You can have infirmary duty for the rest of the week. By Elrond's orders." Chapter 5 - Confession "Hannon lle." Glorfindel said and he left the room. He rushed to the infirmary. He found Cimorene teaching Estel the names of certain healing herbs in elvish. The one Estel seemed to take the most interest in was the athelas, a powerful healing herb. 'Erestor was right.' Glorfindel thought. 'There is no hope or joy about her. She seems so frail.' "Why is Erestor right?" Cimorene asked, not looking up from Estel, who was examining a leaf of athelas. "In Estel taking interest in the healing herbs we have." Glorfindel lied quickly. 'Did I say that out loud? I hope I didn't say anything out loud.' he thought. None of the other healers and Estel did not hear him, so he could not have said anything aloud. Just as he was about to ask Estel if he could leave, when Elladan and Elrohir burst into the infirmary. "Where is our new little brother?" Elladan asked. He looked around and saw Estel hiding behind Cimorene. "Is that him?" "Yes that is him." Cimorene said, "Estel, come out from behind me." "No! Scared! They scary." "Estel, they are not scary. They are your older brothers." "Estel, do you want to see the horses?" Elrohir offered. "I wanna see horses! I wanna see horses!" Estel said, and he ran toward the door. "Hey!" Elrohir said. "Wait for us." Then the twins took Estel to the stables. "Lady Cimorene, take a break, you are not needed now. You will be alerted if you are needed." Glorfindel said. Cimorene left the room and Glorfindel followed. "Why are you here alone?" He asked. "I do not need anyone." She replied. "Why do you not smile?" "I do not have a reason to smile" "They are many reasons to smile in life. Why don't you smile? You used to always smile. Your eyes no longer sparkle with delight, and your voice is void of emotion. You look frail, and look pale." Cimorene stood there and just looked at him. Unshed tears welled up in her eyes. She started to confess to him, but he stopped her. "Tell me more when we get to your room. The whole household does not need to hear it." He said as he led her to her room. When they got inside, he closed the doors and windows. "Now tell me what happened." "We were in Mirkwood, and we had only been there a week before it happened. I was passing by the Princess Araglas's room, and I heard it. I opened the door, and there was Princess Araglas and Linhir in the bed. They were so, well, busy, that they did not notice I was in the room. I fled Mirkwood immediately, and I left everything behind. It hurt me to tell Estel the story of Gondolin, because I had so many happy times there, so many years of feeling loved. I come here and I still remember so much of him. I don't think I will live here much longer. Either I will leave here for Valinor soon, or I will fade, for I thought I had love, but I was betrayed. Now I have none. Nothing to hold onto, nothing to stay here or live for." Glorfindel was shocked at her statement. Then he spoke to her. "You have love, and you always will. Elrond loves you like a sister, and so do the twins and Estel sees you as a second mother. I love you, and I always have. From the moment I saw you in Gondolin, I fell in love. I knew I loved you, but could not have you for you were with Linhir, and you seemed happy. All I wanted was to see you happy, to see you smile. When I died, I thought I would never see you again, never see your smile. When I was reborn, I rejoiced, for I could see you again...if I found you. I did find you. You were still with Linhir, and you still were happy. All I want is to see you smile again, to see you happy again." "That was a long time ago. I can no longer find any hope or joy in life." "Then let me help you." "NO! Let me be. I do not wish to be helped. Get out." Cimorene screamed. "As you wish my lady, as you wish." Glorfindel said quietly as he left. She once again shut herself in her room for days. Only this time she did not lock the door. Chapter 6 - Elves sick? Yeah... "Cimorene, you must eat." "I will not." "You have to." The sound of ceramic shattering sounded thru Elrond's household. "I will not eat! And you will not tell me what I have to do!" A very harassed Erestor came out of the room. "You try Glorfindel, but do not get your hopes up. She is impossible." He said as he passed the tray of food to Glorfindel. Glorfindel entered the room. "Cimorene, please eat." "No." was all he got. "Saes?" Glorfindel asked. "I will not. Glorfindel set the tray down on the desk, and walked over to the bed. He embraced her and held her against him. "Please eat." He said softly. Cimorene stopped struggling. "What if I cannot?" she whispered. "You can eat. Why couldn't you?" "I have tried. It just comes back up." "So that is why you look horrible." Cimorene sent Glorfindel a 'you are not going to live if you do that again' look. "Will you eat with me?" "If that is what it takes to get you to eat, then yes." He got up to get food. "Don't leave me. There's enough food here to feed the whole house." He sat down again. He ate a bit then stopped and watched her eat. She ate slowly, as if it was her last meal, and was savoring every bite. Chapter 7 - realizing I love you. "Do you want anymore?" Glorfindel asked. "No. I am quite full. Hannon lle." "Can we talk?" "About what?" "About us." "What us? Glorfindel, I thought I established the fact that I do not need anyone." "Saes?" "Fine." "Did you hear what I said the other day?" "Yes." "Did you think about it? I meant every word of it. I will never take it back." "You love what you saw, not what you know." "I know you well enough. I have lived in the same house or city as you for at least a couple millennia." "You love but a shadow and a thought." "I love your whole being, everything about you. Why are you so stubborn to realize what you have? You might realize that you might love me back, but it may be too late, I might have moved on. I cannot stay lovesick forever." "I loved once, and I was betrayed. I do not want it to happen again." "I would never betray you. Never." "That's what he said." "I am not Linhir." "You still might betray me." "I have not taken a bed partner in all the years I have seen and lived, nor will I until I lose all hope, for I love you." Cimorene did not argue back. She stared at him for a moment, then a small smile graced her features. "You smile." Glorfindel said. "You are so serious. What happened to our dear Glorfindel the annoyingly cheerful?" "Is that what they call me behind my back? Do not forget, my fair lady, you too always smiled." "I do not know what you mean." She said, with an ethereal smile on her face. "That is the smile that everyone feared. It got you what you wanted when you wanted. It always made my day when you would greet the guards, and the leaders of the houses." "That's lovely. I'm glad I could make somebody happy." "You are loved. So do not give up on life here. I give you my heart, so why can't I have yours?" "I have been thinking..." Cimorene started. "Well..." "Do you swear not to betray me?" "I swear an oath never to break your heart for as long as we live, whether here or in Valinor. Even death cannot stop me. Never would I betray you. I love you so much." Cimorene looked at him for a minute. Then her expression softened, "I love you too. I just never really thought about it." Chapter 8 - an only child. Years later, Glorfindel and Cimorene were watching Estel and Arwen by the waterfall. "It seems that Estel has found love." Cimorene said quietly. She and Glorfindel watched Aragorn and Arwen meet. "Everyone deserves love in their life, wouldn't you agree?" Glorfindel said, "For you and I found each other though long I waited." "If I could go back, I would leave Linhir, and go to you. I will never love another." "I think we should retire to bed." Glorfindel said suggestively. "I agree." Glorfindel picked her up and carried her to their room, and they were not seen for the rest of the night. About nine months later, a scream shattered the stillness of Imladris. Elrond dropped the book he was reading. Erestor knocked over his inkwell. Elladan was hit by a horse that reared. Elrohir was thrown off that said horse. Glorfindel was nowhere in sight. A healer hurried to Elrond's room, finding him trying to find his place in the book he dropped. "My lord, we need you quick." She said. "What's wrong?" "The Lord Glorfindel's lady is having her baby, but she is bleeding more than normal." Elrond rushed past the healer to the infirmary. She had visibly paled, and was covered in sweat. She gave another heart wrenching cry as pain over took her. Hours later, a baby was born in Imladris. A baby boy. "Cimorene, lay down but do not sleep" Elrond said. "Why not?" "You could die, just stay awake." He left her for half an hour to tend to the baby. When he came back to her, she was fast asleep, but breathing deeply, evenly. 'A good sign.' he thought. Glorfindel returned three days later with four halflings, Estel, and some Elven scouts. Elrond motioned Glorfindel aside. He told him the news. Glorfindel rushed off, and found Cimorene laying in their bed. Then he saw the cradle next to the bed, and he walked over to it. He looked at the child inside of it. "You have a son, my lord." Cimorene murmured. "He's beautiful, and full Vanya." "I could care less if he was mixed. He is my son, and means the world to me. You both do. Did you name him?" "No, not yet. I wanted to wait for you. Any ideas?" "No...I was expecting a daughter." "I have one. Tyrian Woodrose." "That is a perfect name for him. When was he born?" "Three days ago. Welcome home melanin." Elrond entered the room. He wore a look that said, 'you-are-not-going-to-like-this-but-here-goes'. "Yes, Lord Elrond?" Cimorene asked. "Take good care of your child. It will be your last, to keep you safe." Glorfindel looked confused, and Cimorene looked appalled. Elrond continued. "Cimorene, you were not built to have children. If you did it again, it would kill you. You are lucky the Valar have blessed you with one child. Protect it with your whole being, take good care of him." He left them to talk. "An only child? Our only child?" Glorfindel questioned. Chapter 9 - giving hope. He continued, not giving Cimorene a chance to respond. "That's perfectly fine, for we have one perfect little elfling. He is ours to spoil, and I couldn't ask for better." Elrond came back into the room. "Cimorene, do you think that you are well enough to help me in the infirmary with the injured halfling Glorfindel brought here. I need all of my best healers." "I should be strong enough. I will do all I can." Cimorene said, and she left the room with Elrond. She came back hours later to find Glorfindel asleep on the bed, and Tyrian asleep in his cradle. 'Like father like son.' She thought. A knock on the door startled Cimorene out of her musings. "Come in." She called, and Aragorn entered the room. "What do you need Estel?" "I came to see how you and the elfling are faring." He said. "Did you name him?" "Aye, we did. We named him Tyrian Ecthelion." "That is what I heard. He is a beautiful child; I think he will end up looking like Glorfindel when he has grown up. In addition, you seem to have a way with children, considering you helped raise the twins, Arwen, and myself. Besides, I do not think I will have any children of my own." "Why is that Estel?" "I love Arwen, and no other. I will not have another woman have my child, and Lord Elrond says I aim too high. He says if I do wed his daughter, our relationship shall change for worse." "You aim high indeed, son of Arathorn," She saw the disappointed look in Aragorn's eyes. "But not too high. She is within your grasp, for she loves you back. Nothing is ever out of your reach Estel. Nothing. Lord Elrond will always love you. You are one of his sons, though mortal you are; he loves you like a father. Hold on to what love you have, for there is less out in the world. Remember that Imladris will always have room for you if you cannot find room elsewhere. Remember that, and you will always have a home." "Hannon lle." Aragorn said, and he left with more confidence than when he came in. Chapter 10 - He's baack "What was that all about?" Glorfindel asked as he rolled over to face her. "Soothing words for a troubled mind. He has come a long way from the toddler who thought you, Erestor, Elrond, Elladan, Elrohir, and Arwen were scary. A long way indeed, and yet so far to go. He loves her, but Elrond is quite stubborn and he will not let Arwen go. He has to realize that she is no longer an elfling." "Give him time. He will come around." "I know, melanin, I know." She murmured as she fell asleep. Three days came and went and on the fourth, Frodo Baggins awoke. There was a grand feast that night, but Cimorene declined to attend. The next day, Elrond held a council in the courtyard. Lords of men and dwarves, the ring bearer, and many representatives of the elven realms attended." "Cimorene was left alone. She retired to chamber with a book and Tyrian. An hour later, a servant knocked on the door. "My lady, you have a visitor." "Hold on a minute, I'm coming." Cimorene opened the door to find Linhir standing there. It took every ounce of willpower she had not to reach out and strike him. "What are you doing here?" She hissed. "To ask for forgiveness. I want you back." He stated. "No." "Why?" Cimorene lost her battle against her anger, and she raised her voice. "Because you laid with another. You betrayed me. I was hurt so badly by that." At the sound of his mother's angry voice, Tyrian started to cry. "If you excuse me." "If I do not excuse you." "You have no choice." Cimorene said. She walked to Tyrian and picked him up. She started to rock him, and he quieted. "Is it yours?" Linhir questioned. "Yes he is." She snapped. "Yours and whose?" "Mine and my husband's." "Who did you marry? Why did you marry?" "I married one who has loved me for his whole life. One who has always had my attention, but just recently received my heart. Lord Glorfindel, the Balrog Slayer, and the Captain of the guard of Imladris. He has always loved me, and has never loved another, nor has he lain with another. He is loyal and trustworthy, and will never betray me. I guess you got bored with your paramour and came back to me. I advise you now, to go to someone else. Be gone." Cimorene pushed him out of the room, and slammed the door in his face. She put Tyrian down, careful as not to wake him. She could hear Linhir on the other side of the door, yelling, "I will get you back, if it is the last thing I ever do." A little after noon, Glorfindel came into the room. "Melanin, what is wrong. The look on your face would send Morgoth and his minions fleeing for their lives. If I did not know that you would not hurt me, I would be scared for my life. You look that angry." "I am beyond angry, I am furious. Moreover, I have every right to be furious. "Did I do something?" Cimorene smiled. "Aroon, why on Arda, would I ever be angry at you." "Just a guess." "No, it's just that Linhir is back. And he wants me." "WHAT!?" "Do not worry. You hold my heart now, and no one else does. He will not get me. I will go talk to Elrond about his living here. A disruption of our daily life is exactly what he will want." Chapter 11 - A little problem... She gave him a short kiss and left to find Elrond. She found him arguing with Mithrandir about who should go on the quest. "Ah, my lady," Elrond said, "Come in." "My lord, I have no opinion in this. I will not counsel either way, for I do not want to see Glorfindel, or any others of this house, leave, nor do I want harm to befall the two youngest halflings. I do need to speak with you about my own business. It is quite urgent." Cimorene said, and she excused herself from the room. After about ten minutes, Elrond came out of the room. "What did you need to talk to me about?" "Elrond, Linhir is back." "I know I talked to him a while ago. Isn't that grand? Both of my best healers are back." "No, it's not grand. I want him gone, banished from Imladris." "I will not send him away. I need all of my healers, especially you two." "If you will not send him away, then I will take Tyrian and leave. I love Glorfindel, but whether he comes with me, or stays here, does not matter. I will be gone by nightfall." Chapter 12 - No dinner? Tsk, tsk. True to her word, Cimorene was gone by dinner. To where, no one knew, not even Glorfindel. He entered their room to find Cimorene gone, Tyrian gone, and some of their stuff missing. That night as he was going to sleep, he found a note under their pillow. It read: My darling Glorfindel. I have left and taken Tyrian with me. Do not go to Elrond about this, for he will be of no help this time. In addition, he knows not of where I am going, nor does anyone else. I cannot tell anyone in Imladris, not even you, of where I am headed. I do love you, and always will, but this is for your safety and Tyrian's safety. I will find you again, be it here or in Valinor, so do not lose hope. Namarië, melanin, Cimorene By the time he finished reading the note, tears were falling down his face. His wife, his beloved wife and child were gone. His hope and joy had left his life. Erestor was dismayed to find Glorfindel missing from breakfast. He had heard his friend sobbing throughout the night. "Lord Elrond, I need to be excused." Elrond nodded. He felt guilty. He knew Linhir should be cast out, but according to the reports of increasing number of orcs and orc attacks, he needed all his healers. When Cimorene said she was leaving, he did not believe her. When she did leave, he was in shock. His guilt hurt him too, but it was too late to change. Erestor knocked on Glorfindel's door. He barely heard Glorfindel say "Come in." and that worried him. He found Glorfindel standing on the balcony of his and Cimorene's room, staring into the distance. "Where did she go?" Glorfindel wondered aloud. "Why didn't she tell me?" I do not know Glorfindel, I do not know. However, I do know this. You two will find each other again. She has the will to live, to save her husband and child, in hopes that the family may one day be reunited. She will find her way back to you, whether it is here or in Valinor. She will come back to you, and there is nothing more she loves than you or Tyrian, with the exception of food." Glorfindel smiled lightly at Erestor's jest at Cimorene's unusually large appetite. "I suppose you are right, as usual. I will just have to go back to my daily life, even though I do not have her to admire." "She would be happy to see you doing something constructive, or in your case, having to kill, doing something destructive. Come, the elflings are waiting for their teacher." Chapter 13 - Finding a friend A fortnight later, Cimorene and Tyrian reached Edoras. Edoras would be a safe haven for them, for Linhir hated mortals, and was less likely to search a city full of them. She had reached Edoras in record time. Before she could go inside the Golden Hall, she was stopped by the door warden. "Ma'am, I need you to leave any weapons you have here." He said. She nodded, shifted Tyrian to one arm and withdrew a dagger with the other; she laid the dagger down, and said, "I am unarmed now." "Take down your hood." "I cannot do that until I am safely inside. King Théoden knows me." "Very well, go in." The guard said reluctantly." "Thank you." She said as she was taken to Théoden. "Who are you, stranger?" Théoden asked, "I bid you to take your hood down." "As you wish, King Théoden." Cimorene said as she took down her hood. "Shiara?" Cimorene nodded. "It has been so long since you have been here. Are you sure it is safe to be here?" Théoden questioned. "Rohan is safer than Gondor, and definitely safer than Harad." "Why are you here? And without your husband?" Cimorene's face fell. "To hide from one who would hurt me. To save my husband and my son. I am looking for a place to live. Can you find me one within Edoras?" "You can stay here, in the Golden Hall. You and your family are always welcome here. Éowyn will be pleased to have another woman here. You two look the same age, though you haven't aged a day since I saw you when I was a child." "No. I have not. I have one request. That I may train with the trainees to be a soldier, just incase I have to fight for my life. I am deadly with a bow and arrow, but my sword fighting is a little bit rusty. Let me work on that, and I will be fine. Just a few times a week. "I will allow that. What is your son's name?" "I will call him by his true name in private. In public, he is Anborn." "I understand. Here comes Éowyn now. I hope you don't mind sharing a room." Cimorene shook her head. She followed Éowyn to their room. They sat and talked, and Cimorene discovered that Éowyn wanted a friend that was a woman. She said the maids were useless. Being friends with men was useless also. "What is your son's name?" Éowyn asked. "Anborn Goldflower. I have not thought of a middle name yet." Cimorene said. "Then I will help you. Let's see, how about Harding?" "Anborn Harding Goldflower. I like that. Hanno-" Cimorene cut herself off. "I mean thank you." "No, what were you saying?" "Hannon lle." Cimorene said, "It means thank you in Elvish. Please do not tell anyone about my knowing elvish. It could cost me and my son our lives." "I won't tell a soul. Are you an elf?" Cimorene nodded. Tyrian reached for his mother's hair, and looked upset when he could not reach it. Cimorene had cut her hair to just below her shoulder, and he wasn't used to it. "I thought there was something different about you. I suppose your son is an elf too." "Yes, but you mustn't tell anyone. Again, it could cost our lives." "I would never. You seem like a good friend and I adore Tyrian." "Hannon lle." Cimorene said. Weeks came and went, and Théoden's health seemed to deteriorate. He looked like an old man, and he was cranky to boot. Chapter 14 - Missed On March 2, 3019 of the third age, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf arrived in Edoras. While Gandalf was healing, nay exorcizing Théoden, Éowyn ran into the room. "Éowyn!" Cimorene called. "Come back!" Cimorene was carrying Tyrian when she followed Éowyn. Legolas caught her as she passed him. "Why my la-" He started to say. "Quiet." She whispered. No one knows my true name here, nor do they know I am an elf. I am Shiara here, and this is Anborn." Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli all heard her and nodded. As Théoden collapsed, Éowyn wrenched herself out of Aragorn's grip and caught Théoden. Gandalf had freed Théoden from Saruman's clutches. Now the decision was what to do with Gríma Wormtongue, and what to do about Saruman's assaults on Rohan. What to do about Wormtongue was easy, for he fled Edoras. Now about those assaults... That evening, Aragorn and Legolas found Cimorene in the dining chamber. "You caused a lot of unrest when you left." Aragorn said, "Lord Elrond is feeling extremely guilty." "It is not his fault, and it never was." "And Erestor had to do a lot of assuaging before Glorfindel would leave his room." Cimorene turned around at the mention of Glorfindel's name. "How is he?" She asked, "Is he okay?" "He does not smile anymore. Nor does he speak unless spoken too, and his replies are short." "I left to keep Glorfindel and Tyrian safe. Neither of them was safe with me if Linhir was in Imladris. I will find him again, no matter where he is, I will find him. I still love him with my whole heart." "I know you still do. I hate to see you like this. You're like a mother to me. You raised me in the way only mother could. Now, why the names?" Same reason we named you Estel, and you took on different names while you traveled. For safety. If Linhir came to Edoras and asked for Cimorene and Tyrian, he would not find anyone of those names here." "But why, for your name, pick Shiara?" "It is my middle name, so naturally, I would respond to that better than a whole new name." "He misses you greatly. Sometimes he would sit in the infirmary, waiting, or other times on the balcony, in the gardens, or even inside the kitchen. Before we left, if you got close enough to his room at night, you could hear him cry in his sleep, or he would repeat your name repeatedly." Cimorene was in tears when Aragorn stopped talking. "I knew it would hurt him," She sobbed, "but not this bad. If I did not leave, Linhir would have killed Glorfindel and Tyrian." Aragorn embraced her, "It'll be alright, nana, everything will be all right." He said soothingly. Chapter 15 - I found you That day, the citizens of Edoras evacuated the city, and headed to Helm's Deep. Cimorene held Tyrian close to her, in fear that harm might befall him. They made it there without any problems. When they got there, Éomer was waiting. "There is an army of Uruk-hai approaching." He reported, "At least ten thousand of them, all armed and armored." Théoden rallied all his able men and boys he could. Only 2,300 men. Not enough. Fate was against them. The Valar decided to help them. Elrond, Thranduil, Celeborn and Galadriel had each sent an army of a thousand of their best soldiers. "I bring word from the Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel." Haldir said, but Cimorene was too busy scanning the Imladris soldiers for Glorfindel. When Haldir finished, an Imladris Captain stepped forward and took off his helmet. It was Glorfindel. Cimorene held her breath, and listened raptly to every word he said. She was quite dismayed, no, distraught, when the healers were introduced. Linhir was among them. Cimorene was lucky she looked different. She had her hair pulled back into a ponytail, and the sides covered the tips of her ears. She had borrowed a tunic and leather jerkin from Aragorn, and a pair of leggings from Legolas. In addition, she was dirty from practicing sword fighting with Aragorn. All 6,300 men and elves took their places on the wall. She stood beside Glorfindel, arrow ready. "Leithio i philinn!" Aragorn commanded and a volley of arrows hit their enemy. Volley after volley was released and Uruks fell left and right. "Pendraid!" Aragorn shouted as ladders were hoisted to rest on the wall. Elves and men ran to kick them over before the Uruks could get up, but the Uruks were fast. Cimorene put her bow and quiver against the wall and drew her sword. She found Glorfindel fighting six Uruks. She ran over to him, and ran her sword thru one, decapitated two, chopped the arms and legs off another two. "Hannon lle" Glorfindel said as he looked at her and a baffled look crossed his face. "Found you. Now do not just stand there, fight." Chapter 16 - Faked betrayal Cimorene fought her way along the wall. All of a sudden, Aragorn shouted, "Kill him! Legolas kill him, kill him!" Next thing she knew, she was hurled off the wall. Her head hit a piece of debris with a sickening thud. She got up, dazed, but kept fighting. By the next morning, the battle was over. Many men and elves lost their lives. Many were injured, and were carefully moved to a huge room. All the healers were hard at work. "Cimorene," Glorfindel said, pulling her aside. "Aroon, I have missed you so." "I missed you too." he said, and he kissed her and she swooned in his arms. "I told you I would find you, no matter what." She said breathlessly after they parted. "And you did. Are you coming back to Imladris with us?" "I cannot go back if Linhir goes back. He will kill Tyrian and you. Stay with me if I cannot go." "I cannot stay. I have duties in Imladris that I cannot abandon, but I will not abandon you either." "I will go back if we can scare Linhir. If he tries to kill you or Tyrian, I will kill him. "Fine. I just do not want you to disappear again." "I won't." They kissed again. Linhir came in and saw it. He thought Glorfindel had been kissing a mortal woman. He cleared his throat. Cimorene and Glorfindel broke apart. "My lord," Linhir said, "the injured elves have been tended to. They should be ready to travel in a week." "Good." Glorfindel replied, "Now you can do as you please until you are needed again." "May I speak with you? Privately?" Cimorene nodded and left the room. "What do you need to speak of? "I heard someone speaking moments ago. It sounded like Cimorene." "Cimorene is not here." "Oh. May I inquire as to who you were kissing when I came in?" "A woman who has captured my heart." "You would betray Cimorene like that?" "Cimorene left me. She has been missing for six months. Anyone missing for that long is most likely dead. She also took my son and left. I still love her, but she left me." "You would betray her so soon though. Six months to us is nothing." "She is gone, nowhere to be found. Speaking of betrayal, you were the one who betrayed her in the first place. That broke her heart. She left because you came back. It is not your place to question my personal life." "I am sorry my lord. I will leave you now." Linhir said as he left the room. Chapter 17 - Brilliant child. Cimorene entered the room carrying Tyrian in her arms. She indicated that they head to a more private place where they would not be disturbed or overheard. When they got into a room, she closed and locked the door. "He is a brilliant child at six months." Cimorene said. She placed Tyrian on the floor. Tyrian looked at Glorfindel. "Ada." He said. "You little yrch." Cimorene said, staring at him in disbelief. "Why do you say that?" Glorfindel asked her. "He is six months old. He says 'Rian' when he sees his reflection. He knew you for five days and he remembers you and says 'ada'. I have been with him my whole life, and he has never said 'nana' or 'ana'." Tyrian crawled over to Glorfindel, and indicated that he wanted to be picked up. Glorfindel picked him up. Tyrian looked at Cimorene, smiled and said "Ana." Cimorene would later say that the smile was positively diabolical. "You are right. He is brilliant." Glorfindel said. "Even Elrond did not talk at seven months." Tyrian grabbed a lock of Glorfindel's hair and pulled. Hard. "OW! You little orc spawn." "He is your son." Cimorene said, "Tyrian, do not pull hair." A knock on the door disrupted their conversation. Cimorene unlocked the door to find Aragorn and Legolas standing outside. "Can we come in?" Legolas asked. "Yes, do come in." Cimorene said. Tyrian saw Aragorn, wriggled out of Glorfindel's grasp, and crawled to Aragorn. Aragorn picked him up. "He seems happy to see Estel." Glorfindel observed. "Estel has been here awhile." Cimorene replied. "So Tyrian would recognize him." Aragorn handed Tyrian to Legolas. Cimorene jumped up from the bed, and ran over to Legolas. She tied his hair back seconds before Tyrian grabbed for it. The child looked frustrated, as he could not reach Legolas's hair. Haldir entered the room. "So this is the Lord Glorfindel's child and wife, known throughout every elven realm for disappearing into thin air." "Nice to see you too, mellon nin." Cimorene said. "And I walked my way here." "At least you are still alive. You made it here safely, and even lived through the Battle of Helm's Deep. Even though you look like an adan." "Ah, but lo and behold, you look as if you have been to Mordor and back." Haldir bowed low. "Alas, you have beaten me." Cimorene smirked. "Indeed I have beaten you at your own game." "May I hold your son?" Cimorene took Tyrian from Legolas and handed him to Haldir. "He's a beautiful child. 'Tis a pity he will never be like his parents." "Haldir, what do you mean?" Cimorene asked. Chapter 18 - A bit of revenge "Only two elves in the history of Valinor have been caught in the beams of light from both trees at one time. Both have been given unnatural powers, and are known as Valets. They serve the Valar by ridding Arda of evil beings. No others can be blessed like that, for the trees were destroyed." "What type of powers?" Cimorene questioned. She did not believe Haldir, but this piqued her curiosity. "Many powers such as foresight, telepathy, ability to control nature and the elements, and much more. They glow brighter that any other elf, including Galadriel. They have keener senses than the most highly skilled trackers." "Are you saying that-" Cimorene began, before Haldir cut her off. "Yes, the Lady Galadriel saw it in her mirror. She instructed me to tell the both of you. She also told me to tell you this: Do not reveal yourselves until the War of the Ring is over." "You lie. There are no such beings. It was all a tale told to elflings by those who had hope that the Valar would send someone to aid them against Morgoth. They do not exist. Galadriel is wrong." "So it was said to protect them." "Excuse me Haldir; I believe I will take a walk." Cimorene said haughtily, and she swiftly exited the room. All who stood in the room watched in surprise as she left. They stood in silence for about five minutes before any of them spoke. "Did she just say that Galadriel was wrong?" "No one ever says that the Lady of Light is wrong." "What is wrong with her?" "I'll go find her." Glorfindel said. "Please be careful with Tyrian." Then he left the room. Cimorene was way ahead of Glorfindel. She decided to head to the Glittering Caves. The next thing she knew she was pinned against the wall. "I told you I’d get you back. Even if it is the last thing I ever do. In addition, if I die, I am going to take you with me." Linhir hissed. "You cannot take me away from my husband and child. I would escape." "You could not escape from me." "Yes I can. I can escape you very easily." "How?" "Like this." She shouted and a well-placed kick hit Linhir right in the groin. He released her and doubled over in pain. Cimorene took advantage of this and brought her elbow down on his head. "I'm probably one of the best in hand to hand combat. You touch me again and you will never have any children of your own. Now leave me alone." Linhir got up and staggered to the door. "This is not over Cimorene, and it never will be for as long as I live." Then he slammed the door after he exited. Cimorene heard a rumbling in the ceiling. Thoughts of never seeing her family again flew through her mind. Her last thought was 'Glorfindel' before part of the cave collapsed on her. Chapter 19 - Close call Cimorene heard a rumbling in the ceiling. Thoughts of never seeing her family again flew through her mind. Her last thought was 'Glorfindel' before part of the cave collapsed on her. Glorfindel was looking for Cimorene when Linhir staggered past him. 'Well that is a strange sight.' He thought. Then he had panicked thoughts of never seeing Tyrian again or seeing him grow up rushed through his mind. He realized that the door to the Glittering Cave was closed when he had passed it earlier it was open. There were people gathered around it trying to get it open. "Who has a key to this door?" Glorfindel asked Éomer. "Who has it?" "The door can only be unlocked from the inside. There is no key." "Then find a way to open the door!" "My lord, you need to calm down." Linhir said, he was still in pain, but satisfied thinking he had killed Cimorene. Now no one would have her. Glorfindel wheeled around to face Linhir. "She is my wife! I will not calm down until she is out of there!" The lock clicked suddenly and the door swung open to reveal that a huge part of the ceiling had caved in. "Start moving the rocks. Find her now!" Glorfindel commanded the people who had gathered around the cave. They followed his command and he went around to part of the cave in and started moving rocks. After about ten minutes, he had unburied a hand. He saw the ring upon it and knew who it was. His beloved wife was buried under all the rocks. He ordered everyone to move the rocks that covered her body. He clutched her hand tightly as her body was uncovered. He picked up her body and carried it to the room they had conversed in earlier. "Please, aroon, stay with me. Saes, aroon, saes." He said to her as he laid her on the bed. Aragorn and Haldir came into the room wondering what was happening. Legolas followed them into the room, carrying Tyrian. "Ana!" Tyrian said, trying to wriggle out of Legolas's grip. "Ada. Ada." Glorfindel was too distraught with his unconscious wife to hear his son calling him. All of a sudden, a golden white light emanated from his hands. Cimorene's eyes flew open. "Am I dreaming?" She asked. "No you are not dreaming." Glorfindel said, "You are safe." "I thought I was never going to see you again. I thought I was going to die." Tyrian was making a whining sound while trying to escape Legolas's grasp. "Legolas, you can hand Tyrian to me." Cimorene said. Legolas gave Tyrian to her and she held her child close to her. "Shh, Tyrian, no need to whine now. Nana is here." Linhir entered the room to say something about the injured elves, but stopped when he saw Cimorene glaring at him. Cimorene put Tyrian on the bed and got up to face Linhir. "Get out." She hissed. "Because of you my son was almost left motherless. Get out of my sight before I do something I will not regret." Linhir just stood there, not making a move. "Be gone!" She shouted and the torch next to Linhir exploded. He fled the room in terror. "I do not think he wants you back anymore." Aragorn said quietly. Cimorene nodded. She was silent for a moment, a look of deep thinking on her face. Finally, she said, "I am ready to go home. I am ready to go back to Imladris." "Then we shall leave in a week. Haldir, go tell the soldiers that we are to leave in a week." Haldir nodded and left with the order. The week seemed like years, and they set out according to plan. It took a fortnight to get the Mirkwood soldiers home, four weeks to get the Lórien soldiers home and it took a whole month for the Imladris soldiers to get home. Chapter 20 - Don't say a word Life went back to normal, as if Cimorene had never left. All the elves seemed to take a liking to Tyrian, spoiling him rotten. Years passed by as the quest kept going. About three-fourths of a year to go before the Ring was either destroyed or recovered. Cimorene had visions of both, as did Glorfindel. Cimorene received some news that morning. "Cimorene, I warned you both about the danger of this, yet neither of you planned carefully." Elrond said disapprovingly. "I have gotten a lot stronger Elrond. I no longer am content to just sit and wait for injured. I like to do something active, and that builds up my strength. You forget I fought in Helm's Deep" Cimorene retorted. "I have to say, she did much better than I. She had to save me at least twice. She has gotten a lot stronger than when she left here." Glorfindel said. Elrond sighed, and then spoke to Cimorene. "Be ever so careful. You are like an older sister to me. I would hate to lose you." "I will. Do not worry about me." The Ring had been destroyed and the Dark Lord overthrown. Again. Cimorene was pregnant again. The baby was due beginning of June of 3020 of the Third age. The baby was born three weeks before the wedding of Aragorn and Arwen. A daughter was born. However, there is new life to replace the old, for Cimorene died giving birth to the child. It also killed part of Glorfindel. The escort of Arwen set out for Minas Tirith with one less person then they originally had planned. Aragorn greeted them as they reached the courtyard in the Citadel. He noticed someone was missing. Erestor noticed the look of confusion on Aragorn's face, for he pulled him aside. "Where is Cimorene?" Aragorn asked. "Did she stay in Rivendell? Why is she not here?" "Cimorene died three weeks ago. She took the risks and bore a second child. The child lives, but we had to send Tyrian and Lyra, the daughter, away, for Glorfindel will not speak to them or see them. We took them to Galadriel, who will keep them and raise them until she departs. When she departs, they may either follow her or be sent to someone else." Erestor explained. "How can Glorfindel abandon his children, especially Lyra? She will never know her mother, and now she will never know her father, for he abandoned his children." "I do not know the antics of my best friend. What I do know is that the children are in good hands. Galadriel will never allow harm to befall them." "That is true. I will tell you this now, and I will tell it to Galadriel. When she departs and if they stay, I will take them in, and raise them. I will not have them wandering around from house to house. I will not speak of Cimorene or the children around Glorfindel." "That is wise. See, all my 'boring' lectures and lessons were not for nothing." Erestor said, "Now let us rejoin the others. The wedding came and went, and slowly the elves departed for their homes, then to Valinor. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and the months into years. Eventually the time came when Elrond, Galadriel, Glorfindel, Erestor and others departed. Tyrian left for Valinor with Galadriel, and Lyra was given to Aragorn and Arwen. She was raised as one of their own, and Aragorn and Arwen never ceased to tell her stories of her true parents, stories both funny and sad. Lyra found it time to depart when Aragorn and Arwen passed on. Never again would she rejoice in Middle Earth. Too much had happened to her. She lost three mothers: Cimorene, who glorious stories were told about, Galadriel, beautiful, powerful and kind, and Arwen, who had sacrificed her immortality for her mortal love Aragorn. She also lost two fathers. Glorfindel, the Balrog Slayer and mighty warrior, and Aragorn, the Hope of Men, and reunited two kingdoms. She finally turned her emerald green eyes to the shores of Middle Earth. She might meet her true mother and father, and be reunited with her brother who she missed most of all. Lyra boarded the ship along with Elladan (who was her husband), Elrohir, Legolas and Gimli. 'I am going home.' She thought. 'To Tyrian...and ada, and hopefully nana.' Chapter 21 - What did she do? Two weeks later the ship anchored in the harbor of Valinor. A crowd was awaiting their arrival. Lyra saw many familiar faces in the crowd. "Tyrian!" She cried happily. She would never forget her brother, no matter how old they were. Then she saw another face among the elves. This one she knew from her dreams. She knew it instantly. "Nana?" She asked. "Nana, is that you." "My daughter, my darling daughter." Cimorene said, rushing forward to embracing Lyra. Then she stood back, studying her. "You do look quite feline. Galadriel was right; you do have a cat like quality about you. My darling Lyra, you must be pregnant. You have a, well, glow about you." A tall blonde elf joined them. He studied Lyra for a moment. "Galadriel was right in more than one way. You look like your mother. Except for your green eyes. How your eyes are that green, I do not know. Your mother's eyes are silver with a bit of green and mine are blue. Quite--never mind. I am sorry iel-nin. Lyra's features showed extreme displeasure. There was a frost in her voice that made Caradhras shiver. "I'm sorry too, Lord Glorfindel, but I cannot forgive you yet. We have many years of tension to get rid of. A hundred and ten years of problems, and it just may take that long to fix them. "Lyra, be nice." Cimorene said. "No, nice stayed in Middle Earth. He left me. It is strange to be an elf in a city of men. It was not until Arwen left to visit her brothers did I ever meet another elf. I was 75. For 72 years, I felt so alone. Elladan and Elrohir understood me." Cimorene stared at Lyra and pursed her lips. "You are a lot different that I was shown. You seemed like a free sprit. Death changed you, and I do not like it." Lyra stormed off after finishing her rant. "I do not know where she got her temper." Cimorene said, shaking her head. "Unfortunately I do." Erestor said as he joined his friends. "I seem to remember a certain elf maiden throw a plate at me in a temper tantrum because I was telling her to eat." Cimorene blushed a deep crimson. "Never mind that, she has people to meet. "She does not know she is a princess, so let her enjoy her time alone." Glorfindel said. A small elfling with raven hair and bright blue eyes ran up to Cimorene and tugged on her gown. "'Na, Cat found a kitty." Lórindol, the youngest of Cimorene's children, said. She was holding up a small black kitten. "Cat an' Eli found it. Can Cat keep it?" "Aroon, be careful, it might scratch you." Cimorene said. "Where is its naneth?" "Cat doesn't know. It was by itself." "Give nana the kitten." "No! It's mine!" "I need to make sure it's okay." Cat (Lórindol) scowled and pouted, but to no avail. Cimorene took the kitten and went inside. "'Na, can I name it?" Cat asked as she walked with her mother into the house. "Yes you can name it." "Cat calls it Dú" "Dú it is. Now let us go inside. Glorfindel joined them. He picked up their youngest child and swung her around. Cat shrieked with joy until he stopped. Cimorene watched, a smile playing on her lips. She wanted their family to be happy, to be whole. Cimorene inspected the kitten to see if it had any injuries or diseases. Upon her inspection, she discovered that it was female. The kitten was fine, no sign of anything at all. She put the kitten on the floor and it tottered out of the room. Cimorene followed Dú out of the room all the way to Cat's room. She let the kitten into the room and it hopped up onto the bed. Cat squealed in delight when she saw the kitten on her bed. "Cat can keep it?" "Yes, you can keep the kitten. Now take your nap iel-nin." Cat got into the bed and wrapped herself in the blankets. "'Na, stay with Cat." Cimorene sat down, and watched over her daughter until Cat fell asleep. Cimorene left the room and went to seek Glorfindel. He was nowhere to be found. Cimorene grew frustrated and slammed her fist on a wall. Erestor came out and saw Cimorene staring at a painting of her and Glorfindel on the wall. "Cimorene, what is wrong?" Erestor questioned when he saw her. "He's gone; he's always gone when I want him here. Can I still trust him?" "He would never betray you. He is not Linhir. You and the children mean everything to him. Do not fret because he would never do anything to hurt you." Erestor said soothingly. Cimorene turned upon him, her eyes blazing. "You don't know how I feel. I hear everyone's thoughts, and none are good. Even you, my best friend, thinks I did what I did not. Glorfindel does not believe me, and it hurts me. Even my own children think I did something I did not. That is what hurts most of all. What good does it do me when Glorfindel vanishes for hours upon end?" "Cimorene, my friend, you do not understand. Glorfindel cannot bring himself to hurt you. It would cause him too much pain to hurt you in any way." "So is that why he is doing it slowly? He is distancing himself from me. I feel it. It is as if half of my heart is slowly disappearing. That why I have changed. Lyra noticed, she noticed it at once." "I am always here for you no matter what." Erestor said and he left the room, leaving Cimorene and her thoughts. Chapter 22 - What happened to the little one? Cimorene wandered into the gardens, where she sat herself beneath her favorite tree. She did not know how long she had been listening to the minstrels singing before she fell asleep. She was soon roused by Lindir, telling her that evening was falling. She hurried inside and tidied herself up for dinner. She found that almost all the seats at the table were filled. At the table sat Glorfindel, Tyrian, Lyra, Elladan, Elrohir, Ecthelion, Erestor, Elrond, Celebrían, Legolas and Gimli. Lórindol's seat was the only seat vacant when Cimorene took her spot next to Glorfindel. "Glorfindel, where is Lórindol?" Cimorene asked. He did not even look up at her. "Cimorene, I do not know." Cimorene got up from the table and headed down the hall. She did not know that everyone had seen the look on her face. She was hurt that her husband did not even acknowledge that she had entered the room or that she had sat next to him. "I hope you will pardon my youngest daughter's tardiness. She knows when dinner is, therefore there is no reason for her absence." Glorfindel said. There was a murmur of "That's fine," that chorused from around the table. A shriek broke the silence that followed the acceptance of the apology. Glorfindel was out of his seat and running down the hall in an instant. He caught Cimorene as she collapsed. Then he saw why Cimorene had collapsed. What was not in his daughter's room, was his daughter. Cat was gone. Blood was spattered all over the walls. Things had been tipped over and broken. Windows had been shattered, and the sheets and blankets had been ripped to shreds. Cimorene walked into the room and pulled Dú out from under the bed. The kitten was mewling pitifully as she pulled it out. The kitten wriggled out of her arms and landed on the floor in a pile of fur. Dú got up, shook her head and paced the space between Cimorene and the window. Cimorene swept out of the room before anyone could say a word. She went into her bedchamber, and was about to fling herself on the bed, but she spotted a package on it. She unwrapped it and a letter fell out. She picked up the letter and read it; tears welled up in her eyes. The letter read: 'Dear Nana. I miss you. I wish I could have seen you before I died, but you passed before I did. In addition, I, as a mortal, cannot travel to Valinor to see you. Arwen and I raised Lyra best as we could. We were proud of her when she married Elladan. She seemed to make him mature. I give Andrúil to you, for I have foreseen your need for it in your future. I hope you are enjoying Valinor. Tell Ada that I love him and that Arwen and I say farewell. Namarië. Estel' A breeze blew through the room. "Namarië, Estel. May you and Arwen rest in peace." Cimorene whispered. "I wanted to see you again before you died. May you find the rest and calm you never had." Her expression changed as she unwrapped Andrúil. Anger washed over her. She sent a messenger through the city, telling everyone that Queen Cimorene was calling everyone to a meeting. The questions of "Why are we here?" stopped as soon as the Royal family entered the meeting hall. Upon the Royal Family's face was extreme sadness. Cimorene stepped forward and spoke. "Citizens of Ostgiliath, a tragedy has befallen us. The Princess Lórindol has been kidnapped. She was not in her room, and blood was spattered on the walls. Sheets and blankets had been slashed and windows were broken. If you know who did this or anything about it, please speak up." Nobody spoke. "If I ever find the culprit, I will show no mercy if my child is injured. They will face the Valar for judgment. Innocent blood has been spilled in Valinor. Blood spilled by a cold heart with cruel intentions. That is forbidden in this city, by my laws, and in this land, by the Valar's laws. Now be gone. The crowd dissolved until only one elleth stood alone in the hall. Cimorene walked over to her. "Do you need something?" Cimorene asked kindly. "I know who did it." The elleth said quietly. Chapter 23 - Take her instead "Please tell me? Who did it? How do you know?" "It was Linhir. He told me his plans." "Where did he take you?" "To our house. Oh, you must not tell him it was I. He said that if I told anyone, he would beat me until I could not move. He beats me often. We live on the western outskirts of Ostgiliath." "What is your name?" "Serindë." "I need a nursemaid for Ecthelion and Lórindol. I will give you a room in the palace, tonight for a fact. Away from Linhir." "Thank you, my lady. I would like that." "It looks as if it shall storm," Cimorene said quietly, watching clouds form in the sky. "Therefore, you should go inside, talk to Erestor about the room. I must leave you." Cimorene ran out of the hall and into the Royal stables. She mounted Gwaidal, the swiftest horse in the city. She arrived there in minutes. Cimorene knocked on the door. She heard Linhir yell, "Wait half a minute." She did not wait the half a minute, she kicked the door down. Linhir was stood there, shock and anger written on his face. She telekinetically flung him across the room. He sat still dazed. Cimorene advanced towards him. "You think you can get me if you hurt my child. It just makes me loathe you even more. She did nothing to you. She is an innocent child. I can have lightning strike you here and now. Everything is in my control." She flung him out the door and right into the arms of the waiting guards who had followed her. They took him away instantly. "Cat?" Cimorene called. "Where's nana's special Cat?" "'NA!" came a muffled scream. "Cat, talk to nana. Where are you?" "Dark 'Na. It dark. I scared of monsters." Cimorene opened every door looking for the closet Cat was inside. After what seemed like hours, she found the elfling huddling in a corner of a closet. She picked Cat up and held her close. "My darling, my darling baby." "I hurt." Cat said quietly. "Nana's going to take you home now. We'll be home soon." Cimorene orbed into the palace infirmary. She set Cat down on the bed. "Now tell Nana where you hurt." "Ev'rywhere. I hurt ev'rywhere." Cat said. Cimorene found a major number of gashes and bruises on her daughter's small body. The sun had risen before she had finished. Cat had fallen asleep after Cimorene gave her some tea with sleeping herbs in it. "Cimorene, you need to rest." Glorfindel muttered as he entered the room. "I will have someone watch over her." "Who? Who can I trust?" Cimorene snapped. "Erestor. That’s who. I've already asked him and he has already agreed to watch her. If anything happens, he'll call us." "Fine." Glorfindel took Cimorene into his arms and embraced her reassuringly. "She will be alright. She will live. Cat's a tough little elfling. Glorfindel lead Cimorene to their bedchamber. He motioned for Erestor to watch over Cat. Cimorene lay down on the bed and was asleep in minutes. Glorfindel lay next to her and he was asleep the moment his head touched the pillow. Soon Cimorene was tossing and turning in her sleep. Her dreams were troubling her. "Estel?" She asked. "Mae Govannen, nana." Aragorn said. She saw Aragorn and Arwen standing there. "How I have missed you two. I haven't seen you in years. Your ada misses you both so much." "We miss you too, Cimorene." Arwen said, tears shining in her grey eyes. "I got your sword, Estel. Lyra gave it to me. Why you didn't give it to Eldarion is beyond me." "Nana, we're here for a reason. And it's not a very good one." Aragorn said. "Estel, I am afraid I don’t understand you. What do you mean?" "Mandos sent us. We are pretty much the Angels of Death. It's a temporary job before the Happening. We are here to bring him someone. Someone near and dear to you." Arwen explained. "I'm sorry," Aragorn said, "But it's our orders. If we don't collect the soul, then the list is messed up and we cannot collect the souls that follow. We have to collect them in the order that is on the list. We don't want to have to do this to you, but we must." Cat appeared in front of Cimorene. "No!" Cimorene screamed. "Don't take Cat. She's just a little elfling. I'll go, but don’t take my little girl." We have to. If we don’t then the whole scheme is thrown off. It has to happen this way." Arwen said. Aragorn, Arwen and Cat faded away until she couldn't see them anymore. "No. Not my baby girl. NO!" Chapter 24 - Who is going to catch her when she falls? Cimorene sat up. She ran out of the room and straight into Erestor, who was running down the hall towards their bedchamber. "Cimorene, she just--" Erestor started to say. "Did you just leave her in there alone?" Cimorene asked franticly. "No, Elrond was in there with me when she started having seizures. He is in there now." Cimorene opened the door and rushed to the bedside. Then it truly hit her. Her baby was gone. Dead and not coming back. In addition, she knew who did it. Cimorene walked briskly out of the room and to her bedchamber. She pulled Andrúil out from under the bed, and made to leave the room. Glorfindel blocked her way. "Move." "No, I'm not going to move. Give me the sword." "Fine then." Cimorene said, handing him the sword. She orbed down to the dungeons, where to her amazement, the Valar sat. "Ah, Cimorene." Manwë said, "We have already solved your problem. He has been banished back to Arda, and is not allowed in Valinor." "Hannon lle." Cimorene said. "Nevertheless, it does not bring my daughter back." "No it will not." Varda said, "but it will help you in other ways. You will realize that soon enough." In a flash, the Valar had disappeared. Cimorene pondered over Varda's words, yet not quite able to figure them out. The day of the funeral was long and hot. The sun bore down on the elves, most taking no notice of it. "Cimorene, are you alright?" Erestor asked, "You are quite pale." "Erestor, we are burying my daughter. How else would I look?" When they sealed the tomb, Cimorene swayed on her feet. "Catch her!" Someone shouted. No one did. She hit the floor. Hard. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Downloaded from Open Scrolls Archive (https://www.openscrolls.net) on Sun Nov 15, 2026 1:01 am