Disclaimer: Don't own Middle-Earth, Lord of the Rings, etc. I just my own my OC Ashlynn Flanagan/Faervel, and whatever characters I end up creating and using along the way.

Welcome back my amazing readers! Sorry for the shortness (and somewhat bland) chapter. I wanted a quick update for you guys. However I am already working on chapter 15 (and if I am lucky I'll get most of it done tonight). Regardless, updates are going to be sporadic because I am working two jobs now. This just means have some patience if I don't update for a bit. I have a 5k on 5/9 wish me luck :)

A small side note is that eventually I will come back and edit this chapter.

Dear Erynia, Faervel's past will be answered. Eventually.

Dear moonlightkiss1515, I'm glad you love it :) As soon as I published the Chapter 13, I had to write Chapter 14.

xoxo

The connection to place, to the land, the wind, the sun, stars, the moon... it sounds romantic, but it's true - the visceral experience of motion, of moving through time on some amazing machine - a few cars touch on it, but not too many compared to motorcycles. I always felt that any motorcycle journey was special. - Antoine Predock

Chapter Fourteen – New Friends, Old Friends

24th of May, Year 1007, Imladris (or in the Elvish Year, The First of Lear)

Imladris has been a flurry of activity in the past week, leading up until the final day of departure for the elves. The group was rather small for a supposed delegation and yet, as Faervel learned, if the group was any bigger they would have to depend upon wagons to carry their supplies. There was 20 elves going, excluding Uilossel and Tetheril who would be joining them until they were deposited in Lothlórien safely with their family.

It was the night before their departure that found Faervel lingering in the gardens of Imladris. She sat on a bench humming to herself, staring up at the star filled sky, illuminated brightly by the full moon. Her mind drifted away, wondering how Greenwood and Lothlórien would compare to the movies she had seen. Imladris had been somewhat similar, but the movies could never compare to the beauty of the Elven realm.

"Ash..." Lucy spoke up. Faervel looked over at where Lucy stood looking sheepish. Faervel's face remained blank as she studied him.

"Yes?"

"Can I sit with you?"

"I guess." Lucy proceeded to sit next to Faervel. An uncomfortable silence begin to settle between the two friends.

"I would like to apologize Ash. My behavior has been cruel towards you." Faervel said nothing but turned to face Lucy.

"I have not been very understanding of what you are going through. I still don't understand. I really just wanted to apologize before you left Imladris," Lucy said in a rush before dashing over. Faervel stared, her mouth open in shock.

"Oh," was all she managed to say in the end, when the words finally managed to make sense in her brain.

"I think I will just go get some sleep now," Faervel said to herself before heading back to her bedroom. Faervel did not know how to take Lucy's apology and determined it was better to think about it while on the trip. Forgiveness could not come in a day, even if she wanted to forgive.

The group set out early and it would be almost an entire month before the elves would arrive in Thranduil's halls, Elladan informed Faervel. Faervel could only wonder at why it would take so long. She understood in a sense the reasons behind why the travel would take so long. Considering her only brief stints of travel, it was still odd to travel by horse back. This was the main reason of not bringing a cart heavy with supplies. A cart would slow down their times exponentially.

The journey to the High Pass of the Misty Mountains, the Hithaeglir passed with ease. Faervel found herself in the company of another ellith besides those of her sworn sisters and that of Uilossel and Tetheril. Her names was Tirdis. Tirdis was a gray eyed, dark brown hair classic beauty from Imladris who had not much talent for music. She could barely carry a beat. Tirdis took it in such a good humor and made jokes about it that Faervel found herself really enjoying the elleth's company.

They Eldar able to enjoy good weather even as they ascended into the High Pass. Faervel was tense, her eyes drifting around her surroundings. Orcs had settled into the Hithaeglir and had lived their for many ages already. Faervel could not remember must in the history of the Hithaeglir. It was supposed to be safe. The keyword in Faervel's mind was "supposed."

"You look like you could jump at any moment," teased Elladan. Faervel huffed and looked away, blushing.

"I'm scared," Faervel muttered, her eyes shifting from the surroundings to the road then to the mane of her horse.

"We are nervous too, but never fear Faervel!"

Faervel rolled her eyes at this and continued the slow ascent. She remembered traveling the Appalachians and the Sierra Mountains. It was always sleeping climbing, almost leaving her breathless at times, her muscles aching from her efforts. While the ascents was the worst part generally, the descent back down was something else entirely making her feel like she would roll down the hill at different times. She had been grateful for the trekking poles along the Appalachian and the ice axe when she was within the Appalachian Mountains. Thankfully there was no snow in the Hithaeglir at this time.

"Leave the poor dear alone Elladan, she has not had the centuries to deal with your teasing," Tirdis chastised Elladan.

"Come now my tuneless friend, all is well. I mean no harm."

"The day you mean no harm is when pigs will fly," Tirdis shot back.

"Hey! Hey! I am not that bad!" Elladan protested with mock innocence. Tirdis just laughed and took off riding towards the Hithaeglir with all due speed. Faervel found herself galloping after Tirdis with a laugh, enjoying it. She had been on few gallops and while it was no car ride, it was a beauty in itself: Galloping and moving around the trees, the movement of air, whipping her hair back, her body moving with the horse as they sprinted across the terrain. The two ellith stopped and glanced back at the party laughing with the elves who caught up with them. Faervel grinned even as they were reminded to stay together and not move far to ahead of the band.

"That was fun," Tirdis whispered to Faervel after the lecture.

"It was," Faervel said with a smirk. The two laughed together at this.

"Faervel! Ride with me," Haedrin ordered from the front of the group. Faervel waved to Tirdis and rode up the front to ride along side Haedrin.

"Now can you tell me the properties of the Willow plant and what it is used for," Haedrin questioned. Faervel sighed and answered his question. Haedrin continued to ask Faervel questions promptly ending any more attempts of her more youthful behavior with the other ellith and a few ellyn.

Much to Faervel's surprise, getting up to the High Pass, through it, and descending took a three day journey. It was at times, a bit of rough going with the horses along. It was a relief to Faervel finally hit dirt in the Wilderland. There was no awe in her, other than a brief moment of joy to be west of the mountains and on her way to Greenwood. She wondered what Thranduil's Queen was like, the one who was from another world as well. She wondered if Thranduil's character was as it was portrayed during the movie, the feeling of wild and dangerous. Were the Silvan Elves wild in temperament?

"Whatever you are thinking stop," Elrohir said that night as they rested. Faervel gave Elrohir an incredulous look.

"Huh?"

"Whatever you are wondering, you will find out in due time." Faervel snorted in agreement. Glorfindel plopped down next to her, rather ungracefully. Faervel smiled at this, eying her beloved.

"So far the trip went without a hitch, but I believe we will be meeting the Viryelma tomorrow," Glorfindel said.

"Do you think they will be a good mood?"

"They do not hate us, though they have little use for men and dwarves," Glorfindel said.

'Viryelema...like Beorn,' Faervel thought to herself a little surprised. Then again, Faervel realized Beorn had to come from somewhere. Beorn could not appear out of simply thin air, regardless of a close to two thousand years difference. She could not remember anymore exactly when the events of The Hobbit started only it was sometime before the year 3,000 of the Third Age. She cringed inwardly at the thought of her memories blurring.

"Why would they not be in a good mood?" Faervel found herself asking, directing her thoughts away from her fading memories. At least she knew that no matter what happened, Sauron would be defeated.

"The Viryelema do not take to kindly to guests, they prefer to keep to themselves."

"It has to do with their ability yes?"

"Indeed it does. The others of the Secondborn are not very kind towards the Viryelema. The bears themselves do not think along with their counterparts," Glorfindel explained.

"I see I think. So the wilderness suits them," Faervel mused to herself.

"Yes, it does."

"We may not encounter them at all either," Elladan spoke up.

True to Elladan's prediction, the group did not meet any of the Viryelema. It took them two weeks to get from the old ford to Thranduil's hall through the forest path. Faervel found herself glancing around at the trees, expecting it to be dark inside. The trees were not sick yet and there was no sign of the giant spiders. Faervel felt relief at that. She hated big spiders, smaller ones she could handle. She probably would take one look at the giant spiders and try to run away screaming bloody murder. She definitely doubted her own courage in face of that adversary.

The gates of the Thranduil's realm stood tall and impressive. There was a smaller gate that allowed for the guards, but it was through the main gate that the party of Imladris entered. Faervel glanced around in awe at the fortress itself. Like all Elven dwellings, it was a merging of art and natural dwelling, bringing about a beauty that human cities could never obtain for all their parks and trees and small gardens. Glorfindel signaled for the group to dismount as a richly dressed ellon came to greet them followed by several Eldar.

"My lord king bids thee welcome. The stable hands will take care of your horses," the richly dressed ellon spoke up. "My lord king also bids me to show to your rooms that you may freshen up."

The Imladris elves followed the ellon through the various hallways. Faervel's eyes noticed the twists, the turns, the stairways and the artwork adoring each one. They were shown to a long hallway with many doors. It was a guest wind. Faervel found herself deposited in a room. There was not much in the way of natural light save a small glass window that allowed light to pilfer through the room. Faervel discovered a small bathing room attached, with a privy and tub that allowed running water. Faervel grinned and decided to wash up, uncaring that the water was cold. It felt good to properly wash up. She dressed in a gown that had been carefully packed away. She smoothed it out carefully and glanced up at the mirror smiling to herself. Her hair was not as long as some of the ellith, but it was down towards the middle of her back. There was a knock on the door.

"Faervel, would you like me to braid your hair?" Conien asked quietly.

"Yes please," Faervel said opening the door motioning for Conien to come in. Conien smiled at the gown Faervel wore.

"If it was not for tradition, you two would be married, would you not?" Conien teased. Faervel blushed at this.

"I do not know Conien. There is no true rush," Faervel said with a small smile as the two of them sat down on the bed. Conien took the beads from Faervel and began to first do the house braid.

"Lord Glorfindel loves you a great deal," Conien said between her humming, her fingers deftly working Faervel's hair into the proper braid.

"I know and I love him too..." Faervel said softly.

"Before long you'll be Lady Faervel of the House of the Golden Flower," Conien said softly laughing.

"For now I am Faervel Erestoriel, betrothed to Glorfindel," Faervel said with a small smile.

"Do you not remember who your parents were?" Conien asked. Faervel shook her head.

"I remember who they are, but..." A flash of memory, of hair as red as hers and deep blue eyes humming a lullaby as she was rocked to sleep. It was over as soon as it had come. Faervel blinked and took a sharp breath in.

"But...?"

"Maybe one day I will understand," Faervel said at last. "But for now I am here in the present."

"All to true," Conien agreed now working on the warrior's braids.

"What a sight you shall be, hm?" Conien said at last. Faervel snickered.

"For what?"

"Let us see, the braids of a warrior from Imladris, but the house braid of the famous Lord Glorfindel," teased Conien. Faervel rolled her eyes forgetting that Conien couldn't see her face. Faervel felt Conien finish touching her hair. "Will you do my hair Faervel?"

"Of course," Faervel said. Faervel began to work Conien's dark locks into the warrior's braids. Faervel was not used to doing the warrior's braids yet and ended up having to undo a few braids to correct where the proper bead was supposed to go. As Conien was not belonging to any ancient house, she let the rest of her hair tumble behind the braids. The braids themselves served to keep the Eldar's long hair out of their face as they fought. Faervel had just finished when once again, there was a knock on her door.

"Faervel is Conien with you?" Thannith asked.

"I am here," Conien answered.

"We are ready to go visit the King," Thannith said. Faervel glanced over at Conien and smiled. They stood together and entered into the hallway where the elves had gathered. The ellon who greeted them earlier stood their patiently at the end of the hallway. Faervel made her way to Glorfindel who took her hand gently in his, smiling at her.

"You look radiant," Glorfindel complimented.

"The wonders of a bath," Faervel said.

"That too."

"You are two love struck fools," Elrohir grumbled.

"Mahaps one day you find your own love and I shall tease you mercilessly for it," Faervel shot back.

"It will be a wonder when this one discovers his own romantic inclinations," Elladan teased his twin. Faervel laughed at this. There was a few ellyn who left their rooms and everyone had gathered into the hallway.

"If you would all follow me please, a feast has been prepared," the Thranduil's butler said.

"Real food," Hwinnor groaned from behind Faervel. Faervel could only laugh at this and agree. The group followed the ellon until they entered a great hallway, introduced as the party from Imladris. Faervel was reminded suddenly of when she first arrived in Imladris, everyone was staring at her constantly. She was to all the Eldar an abnormality within the bounds of Arda. There was those who had red hair among the Noldor and even a few apparently who had a bit of red coloring in their hair among some of the Silvan folk. Yet her hair color was a firey red, a living flame. Her eyes were violet and another distinct quality was how tall she was. She was not as tall as Lady Galadriel who was the tallest of the ellith here in Middle-Earth, but she was a close second. Glorfindel was incredibly tall as well. It had made Faervel wonder if in her heritage she was one of the Vanyar as an ancestor, or if it was a freak hang over from being human. These qualities set her apart and while many of the elves were no longer in Arda who could remember the kin-slayings of Doriath and the Havens of Sirion. The memories of the Eldar were long. Though little did Faervel know that even some of the sons of Fëanor had dark hair themselves.

Faervel paused for a moment as her eyes fell upon the King and Queen of Greenwood. The Queen and her locked gazes for a moment. Her jaw dropped. The two broke free and ran to each other, hugging for a moment, talking at the same time as all the elves looked upon the two who spun around in circles and talking over each other. They laughed at each others excitement. *(see note)

"Ash! I cannot believe this! You are here!" The Queen of Greenwood, Laerenil, said laughing gayly.

"It is so strange! Yet, I am so happy to see you! I did not realize Thomas was the Thranduil, I thought it was just his trail name," Faervel said with a laugh. Faervel waved at Thranduil who smiled indulgently as his wife and Faervel.

"How do you know them Faervel?" Elladan asked staring in amazement as the two ellith continued to chat. This interrupted the two ellith who looked at each and smiled then turned to face the elves.

"We met a long time ago when we both set out on a journey. I decided to take my husband with me on a trip I had planned. I would not cancel my plans for anything. I met Ash, or as you call her upon this trip with her brother, Lucy was it?" Faervel nodded in answer. "We end up traveling at the same pace and so we stuck together."

"Can Thranduil still out drink everyone?" Faervel whispered to Laerenil. Laerenil nodded her head.

"He has no more of Those Episodes," Laerenil whispered back causing both ellith to giggle.

"My love, if you are done distracting the guests for I am sure they are hungry," Thranduil censured his wife gently.

"I am sorry, pray forgive me. Come, let us feast and be merry!" Laerenil took Faervel's arm and guided her to a seat, which was right beside the Queen. Glorfindel sat next to his fiance and listened as the royal couple engaged in a lively discussion with Faervel. Thranduil ever being in the host also chatted with the other elves.

"So mine eyes have seen your braids, are you married to Lord Glorfindel yet?"

"No, but we are betrothed," Faervel answered, gripping Glorfindel's hand in hers.

"When does it end? I would love to attend and I am sure my lord husband would too," Laerenil said with a glint in her eyes. Faervel blanched at the idea of Laerenil wanting to have a hand in her wedding.

"We have not a date, except the year, eight years from now," Faervel said.

"So long? Ah, it gives me time to plan! You will be having the wedding in Imladris yet?" Laerenil asked.

"Yes, ah just come and attend," Faervel said.

"My friend, you need family there, and as much as we are not sisters by blood and surely we have been separated for many years, I would stand there for you."

"It pleases me that you say this. Though I feel I should inform you that I am adopted by Erestor and Saelithil," Faervel explained.

"Saelithil is a talented musician especially when it comes to the harp. She was well beloved on Doriath. Erestor I have met only a few times," Thranduil said. "They are good people. Still we shall attend, as my love would have it no other way."

"They are and I am very happy to have met them."

"I find this strange..." Laerenil spoke up, her expression thoughtful.

"What is?"

"Do you remember Emma?"

"Yes I do, we traveled part of the trail with her when she did her flip flop. She was traveling with a guy named Gabriel?"

"Gabriel was Gil-Galad."

"What?"

"I found it hilarious when I met him and Emma again."

"It makes me curious if the people who we traveled with ended up here," Faervel spoke softly looking thoughtful.

"I do not know. We may find out one day," Laerenil said. "Enough of such topics, let us discuss your trip. How do you like riding on horseback? Are you excited to see Middle-Earth?"

Faervel and Laerenil continued to talk and drink, draining glass after glass of Dorwinion wine. They spoke of their world, of the past, of what Faervel looked forward to on the trip. Laerenil spoke at length of Lothlórien to Faervel and briefly about Gondor. Laerenil and Faervel eventually excused themselves and found themselves talking in low tones away from the elves the coming future. It was like a part of Faervel unraveling and her burden felt lifted off her shoulders. She was not alone.

"Do not think you are alone in this burden my friend. I had to watch Thranduil go to war and loose his father."

"Did he ever forgive you for not speaking up?" Laerenil gave Faervel a small smile.

"I never had to ask for forgiveness. He always understood. Have you informed Glorfindel of your knowledge?"

"I am afraid to. There is always that chance it will not go the way we hope," Faervel said at last.

"Yes, but by not speaking we could be giving way to disaster as well. I do think that Ilúvatar himself let us have such knowledge meaning for it to go to waste," Laerenil said.

"Or perhaps it is for us to have hope to endure," Faervel said.

"That may be, but I think you will know when to apply this knowledge. I would urge you speak to Glorfindel about it, you do not have to give away details, but there should be no secrets between couples. It creates more problems then it is worth."

"When did you get so wise my friend?" Faervel teased.

"I learned," Laerenil said, her expression serious but distant looking with her mind far away.

"We all do," Faervel agreed. Laerenil blinked several times before breaking the silence.

"Do not despair Faervel, hold hope in your heart," Laerenil said, her voice seemed to echo for a moment with a feeling of presence. It disappeared as suddenly as it appeared, leaving Faervel to wonder at this development.

"So how do you like traveling by horseback?"

"As much as I miss modern amenities, I think I have fallen in love with it. Certainly I miss a bed too, but there is something so wonderful traveling the world with your horse and friends. There is a connection to the world that our cities in our time, our world, lacked," Faervel answered, before going on to discuss her growing love for riding horses.

/ Notes /

*"Vireyelma" - Skin-Changer : I decided to use quenya, because I was missing words in Sindarin (so I will pretend it is Sindarin). "Virya" is the verb to change, alter(nate). Helma means "skin" or at least it appears to. Combine you get Viryahelma. That's rather lengthy. While I am not sure if the elves would shop off parts of the words, I have done so. Hence 'Viryelma.' Beorn does not exist yet, so they cannot be known as the Beornings. I will probably put them in the story later on :)

*Horse Names – I am to lazy to keep coming up with horse names. Regardless of the fact that horses die, I will keep using the same names. Except in the case of Glorfindel's horse, which will be used for when I get to the LOTR section of this story.

*Originally in a previous chapter I said that King Thranduil's wife was Mia Laerenil. I have kept Laerenil the same, but it was meant to be Melissa. I will fix that when I go back to edit and re-write this story. Melissa and Faervel (Ash) had met while hiking the Appalachian Trail (which will be written about one day Between Two Points).