Part 27 of the Elfwine Chronicles. The Elfwine Chronicles are a series of one-shots built around the family group of Eomer, Lothiriel and Elfwine. The total number will depend on how many ideas I get for new vignettes.

A/N: Psst! Over here, behind the bush. I've managed to elude the King's guard and am presently hiding out in the Isengard ruins while I make this faithful record of the royal family's life. The King seems rather put out by my writings, and considers them an invasion of his privacy, but I am merely a humble historian preserving these details for future generations. (He also wants to know where I get some of my information, but as a journalist, I could never reveal my sources! Not even if tortured! Well...okay, maybe I'd talk if there was torture involved...) Anyway, as is plain to see, I still loiter in Rohan. I AM reading Harry Potter – honest! And I've written more on the HP story that was unfinished, and, well, is still unfinished... Guess you lot will just have to continue to put up with me in Middle-earth.

Be warned – this one is a bit darker than some of the others, but I think you know about me and happy endings, so don't get too bent out of shape. This is another multi-chapter Chronicle – there are 6 chapters. If you have not read Second Thoughts, part 21 of the Elfwine Chronicles, you should do so before reading this. It will make more sense. Enjoy!

You are reading this only because I think I found a way around ffn not letting me upload files. (It says it has to be doc or rtf extensions but then doesn't recognize those.) Anyway, hope this works. I hate having this ready to go and nowhere to put it! (Do you get the impression I don't like being told I can't do something...)

Lost and Found

(May, 21 IV)

Chapter 1

The Rider approached the gates of Edoras at a full gallop, and slowed only enough to be recognized and admitted. Then he hastened up the hill to Meduseld, turned his horse over to a groom and raced up the stairs to the Golden Hall.

Lothiriel was playing a game with her youngest child in the nursery when Gamling entered and summoned her to join him in the hall. Quickly rising, she followed him from the room, sensing that something was amiss.

"A messenger has just arrived with this letter from Eomer King, my lady." He handed her a sealed parchment.

As she took it, she raised her eyes to meet his. "You have some idea what this says, do you not?"

Gamling nodded reluctantly. "The rider did make mention of the reason for the message." He paused, then added, "I believe you would prefer being alone when you read it. Perhaps your husband's study would be an opportune place."

Seeing the panic in her eyes, he hastened to reassure her, "No one is dead, my lady. But it is not good news."

Though not consoling words, they did at least calm her and she nodded in understanding. "Thank you, Gamling. I will be in my husband's study. Will you join me in ten minutes?"

He inclined his head in consent, and turned away as she hurried off in the other direction.

Once alone and the door closed behind her, Lothiriel took a deep breath and read her husband's scribbled words. With a gasp, she sat down heavily in his chair, her hand to her mouth. Gulping for air, she finished the epistle and laid it down. Her son, her firstborn...

xxxxx

By the next day, Lothiriel was on her way to Dol Amroth, leaving her younger children in the care of their nurse until her sister-in-law, Eowyn, could arrive to take over affairs in Rohan.

The men with her would have set a slower pace and taken more rest stops, but she would not allow it. She would get to Dol Amroth as quickly as possible and would not be hindered. Her son needed her. Now that the Dimholt Road was open to them, it cut several days off the journey, and good weather aided their travel.

On the fifth day, nearing nightfall, the city was gleaming in the distance. Kialmar, head of the king's escort for most diplomatic ventures, and presently serving the royal household in the king's absence, encouraged the queen to make camp and finish the journey the next day. Without a word, she shook her head, remounted and pressed on.

Kialmar signaled the men to follow and they continued forward, reaching the castle gates only shortly before midnight. A full moon lit their way, but all were weary. The gate guards recognized the Prince's daughter and admitted the party at once. Servants were roused to tend the horses and get their belongings inside, though Lothiriel directed them to do the minimum necessary and take care of the remainder on the morrow.

She was barely inside the castle entrance hall when her husband appeared at the top of the staircase, and quickly descended to pull her into his arms. They clung silently to one another for several minutes. At length, with hoarse and ragged breath, she told him, "Take me to Elfwine."

Keeping his arm firmly around her, he guided her up the stairs to their son's room. He felt her stiffen with resolve under his hand as she reached for the door latch.

The moon was streaming through the window and there were a few candles still burning around the room. In the dim light she saw her son, lying palely against the pillows. With a deep breath, she moved over and sat down on the side of his bed. Feeling the motion next to him, his eyes flickered open, then filled with tears, "Mother!" An instant later they were wrapped in each other's arms, both weeping freely.

xxxxx

Eomer knew he was not likely to see his wife any time soon and returned to his bed in the room next to Elfwine's. It was well past dawn when he awoke to find Lothiriel sitting on the side of the bed, stroking his cheek.

He sat up and pulled her into his arms. Silently they sat as he rubbed her back and waited for the questions he knew would come.

"What happened?" Lothiriel queried softly.

Eomer gave a heavy-hearted sigh and rose from the bed, running his fingers through his hair, "It was not even in battle; just a foolish accident. It could have happened in Rohan. And it was so sudden there was nothing anyone could do. A rope caught around his wrist and the horse on the other end was spooked... I keep thinking I should have protected him somehow!" He walked to a chair and sat down heavily, closing his eyes as if to shut out the entire episode.

Lothiriel went quickly to stand behind where her husband was seated. Leaning down she wrapped her arms around his neck, and hugged him tightly, kissing his head. "You said it yourself, it was an unforeseen accident, beloved. I am certain there is nothing you could have done or you would have done it, even if it meant losing your own hand to save his. Do not torment yourself with guilt," she murmured to him.

Pulling her around to sit in his lap, they embraced, and clung tightly and silently to each other for a long time.

At last Lothiriel asked, "What did Elessar say?"

Eomer pulled his face from her neck enough to be heard. "He believes he was able to act quickly enough in sealing up the injury that it will not fester or become infected. He does not think Elfwine will lose any use of the rest of his arm. At least in that, it is fortunate we were here and Aragorn was with us. If this had happened at home, I do not know that our healers would have had his skill to help."

"Is he still here? I would like to thank him."

"No, he returned to Minas Tirith when he could safely turn Elfwine's care over to the healers. He...he has gone to tell his wife...and Dariel," Eomer replied.

"Dariel," Lothiriel echoed softly. Taking a deep breath of decisiveness, she added, "We can only wait and see how she reacts. But it will not be easy for either of them."

She rose from Eomer's lap, and caught his hand, drawing him after her. She led the way to Elfwine's room and knocked firmly on the door. There was a long pause, then his voice called cautiously, "Who is it?"

"Your parents, dearest," Lothiriel answered.

"Come." He gave them a weak smile as they entered, but it did not reach his eyes.

Lothiriel went to sit facing him on the side of the bed, and Eomer drew a chair near.

Reaching over, Lothiriel brushed his hair back from his face. She wrinkled her nose, "Someone could use a bath." She gave him a pointed look and, though he blushed, he averted his eyes and said nothing in response.

Her jaw tightened and she told him, "I will have the servants prepare one for you and then remain to assist you if you need me."

His head jerked around to face her, opening his mouth to argue, but he recognized the look on her face. In some things, his mother would not take no for an answer and clearly this was one of those times. He dropped his eyes and stared moodily down at his sheets.

"Elfwine, I know this is difficult for you. But your life has not ended, though you perhaps wish it had. I cannot, I will not, allow you to give up on life and wallow in self-pity the rest of your days. You are too fine a young man to waste your existence in such a manner. There is still too much you can accomplish in your life. Adjustments will have to be made, certainly, but I know you are strong enough to overcome your difficulties."

Bitterly Elfwine growled, "You are mistaken, Mother. I am just a useless, one-handed freak!"

She reached over and caught his chin, roughly jerking his face toward hers, and startling him sufficiently to make him look up. "Do not ever let me hear you say such a thing again! You are the son of royalty in two realms, and you will not prove cowardly. Any lowly peasant may give up, but you have responsibilities and you will fulfill them."

Elfwine had the good grace to look ashamed, and turned his gaze away. At last he murmured, unconvincingly, "Forgive me, Mother."

She leaned in and pulled him into an embrace, and though stiff at first, he very much wanted the comfort of her arms, and eventually returned it fervently. "We will see you through this, dearest. Do not despair!" she whispered in his ear and he could not hold his tears in check any longer. Gently she stroked his head until they abated, and he lay back, wiping at his face.

Rising, she told him, "I will see to your bath now." He nodded his acquiescence, and Eomer followed her from the room.

He wasn't surprised when she fell into his arms the moment the door was closed and shed a few tears of her own. She and her firstborn had always shared a close bond, and he knew it ripped at her heart to see Elfwine in such pain and distress.

xxxxx

As soon as Aragorn arrived at Minas Tirith, he brushed aside his advisers and went to find Arwen. Once he had filled her in on the accident and its result, he waited for her reaction.

"It is an unpleasant thing, but Dariel must be told," his wife lamented. "She will need our strength and love to weather this storm."

Nodding, Aragorn moved to the door and had the servant waiting outside summon his daughter to his bedchamber, where he and his wife awaited her. When Dariel was seated beside her mother, he paced the room, searching for the right words. Finally, he observed, "You and Elfwine have been friends for some time now. What are your feelings for him?"

The question was startling, and Dariel blushed. Wondering at the reason for the query, she noncommittally responded, "I am very fond of him, Father. Why do you ask?" She was reluctant to reveal too much when she did not know Elfwine's feelings for her.

Her father sighed. "There is no gentle way to tell you this, Dariel. There was an accident, and Elfwine was injured." He paused at her gasp, and Arwen clasped her hand.

"Is…is he all right?" Dariel asked, her voice quavering.

"He will be all right in time, but he…lost his right hand," Aragorn told her.

Tears sprang to her eyes, and Arwen pulled her close as she began to sob. Aragorn sat on the other side of her and stroked her back. Softly he told her, "He will need your friendship, and your courage, now more than ever, iell nin."

Slowly Dariel began to regain some control. "May I go to him?" she asked.

Aragorn pulled her to him and kissed her forehead. "Of course. We will leave tomorrow, but you must prepare yourself. Any man would struggle with a maiming injury. Your friendship will be mightily tested, and it may take him some time to get past his pain and allow anyone to help him."

"Does...does Queen Lothiriel know? I believe he would want her with him. She could help him more than anyone else," Dariel advised.

Her father sighed. "A message was sent. I am certain she will be to Dol Amroth as quickly as she is able to make the journey."

Elvish: iell nin - my daughter (and many thanks to dreamingfifi for helping me get it right)

End note: It is not essential that you read the Elfwine Chronicles in the order they were written, but there is an advantage to doing so. The more of them that I wrote, the more likely I was to make reference to one of the previous ones and something that happened there. If you want to read them in order, go to the top of this page and click on my name (Deandra). That will take you to my profile page. Scroll down and you will find all the stories I have written. The Elfwine Chronicles are in order from bottom to top since ffn shows them in the order they were posted. A few were posted out of number order (#15 came after #17, I think), but you can read them in posting order or number order since those few won't be affected in the story content.