Summary:

She has no home. No family. Kerowyn has long traveled off into the world where she does not belong. She is a ranger, a hunter, but not the normal loving elf that her friends and family knew. She would not go back to Rivendell... ever. She couldn't bare to see them again, they didn't care anyway. Did they? She feels rejected. She doesn't know where she belongs

 

 

 

"Kerowyn! You can't keep running like this!"

 

"Leave me alone Meahan!" Kerowyn snapped and pulled her cloak out of her sisters firm grasp. "Just leave me alone." Kerowyn mounted her horse, and rode of with the sunset.

 

Tears fell down Meahan's face. "Why Ker? Why?"

 

 

Tears stung her cheek as the cold air blew onto her face. Once she was out of the borders of Mirkwood she un-mounted her horse and fell to her knees on the cold ground below. Sobs shook her entire body as she let them leave her throat and the tears pool out of her eyes. "Where do I go from here?" she asked herself. "Where?"

 

Elrond stood and finished his packing. He left his room and noticed that his 'children' were standing outside. As well as Glorfindel and Erestor. "What are you doing here?"

 

"We can't let you go alone. We want to help find Kerowyn." Elladan said.

 

Elrond nodded. "I miss her so much. I worry for her. I know that the searches we've conducted before have failed, but now I feel there will be a change. Come, we musn't tarry. We will begin our search in Loth Lorien."

 

 

"Meahan? Meahan? What's wrong?" Carinebeth knelt beside his youngest adopted daughter.

 

"Carinebeth, where's Kerowyn?" Haredril asked.

 

Meahan sobbed. "That's what I'm trying to tell you. She left ada, nanneth, she's gone again."

 

Haredril gazed at her husband in stunned silence. "She couldn't have left again. She couldn't leave us again..."

 

Carinebeth's face showed no emotion. "Come Meahan, Haredril, let's get inside. There's nothing we can do for Kerowyn, she's chosen her way, there's nothing we can do."

 

 

"Your parents aren't dead Kerowyn."

 

Kerowyn stared at Lord Elrond. "What?" She shook her head. "They can't be alive, it's not possible. You said they died many years ago... how is it possible for them to still be living?"

 

Elrond's gaze held pity and sadness, "They are not dead Kerowyn, they told me to tell you that..."

 

"Why? Because they didn't love me?" Kerowyn asked.

 

"No Ker, they loved you. That's why they couldn't take you home with them. They had me to keep you, they were protecting you from Luna's father. They feared he'd return and harm you both." Elrond replied.

 

"But you lied to me." Kerowyn replied.

 

"It's not what it seems Kerowyn." Glorfindel said.

 

"Not what it seems? You all lied to me." Kerowyn accused. She looked at the faces of the people she called her friends, her siblings, her family... "All of you."

 

"Kerowyn, you come back here this instant! We must talk about this!" Elrond yelled.

 

"We have nothing to talk about." Kerowyn replied.

 

Elrond's face now showed anger and rage, "Kerowyn, as your father..."

 

"Your not my father!" she yelled. Her cold eyes glared into his. "Now leave me alone."

 

Elrond's face grew solemn. "Fine." he replied sadly. "I suppose I'm not."

 

 

Kerowyn jolted off of her bedroll. That day still haunted her, so bad it haunted her. Why she had said those words to the man she had considered to be her ada for years? He did not deserve to be talked to that way. Yet, she had spoken the words to him, and had left without a single good bye to anyone, not even a note.

 

"Your not my father.... Fine, I suppose I'm not...."

 

She shivered as the words replayed in her mind. She was at least three days from Rivendell. She was going to go home. Ask for forgiveness... see if they would forgive her, accept her still. The sun was rising on the northern side of the mountain and she stood and packed up her camp. She had to make haste, return to Rivendell, before it was too late...

 

 

"Luna, why the long face?" Elrohir asked as he draped an arm around her shoulders.

 

"No reason." Luna replied.

 

"We'll find her Luna, you'll see." Elrohir whispered.

 

"I know. I still have the hope she'll return to us." Luna replied. "But I feel like we shouldn't have left, that something is going to happen."

 

"Like what?"

 

"I don't know, I really don't know." Luna replied. "Come, only three more days 'till we make it to Lorien. I'm anxious to see if she's been there."

 

"Or if she's there." Elrohir replied.

 

"Yeah, if she's there."

 

 

 

"I love you ada."

 

Elrond gulped back tears and smiled at the little brunnette elfling before him. "I love you too penneth, I love you too."

 

Elrond. The man she considered her father for years. The man that raised her. Told her right from wrong, loved her. But he couldn't be her father. He couldn't.

 

"Unca Glorfy! Unca Glorfy!" she yelled as she ran toward the tall elven lord.

 

He knelt down on one knee and pulled a rose out of his pocket. "Ormeleth Veren, Kerowyn, Happy Valentines Day."

 

 

Glorfindel, her uncle. He was there for her when no one else was... but he wasn't her true blood relative. Tears pooled in her eyes, remembering her 'uncle.'

 

"Estor, what you doin'?" Kerowyn asked.

 

"I'm signing some important papers." Erestor replied.

 

"Can I sign one pwease?"

 

Erestor smiled down at the young girl. "Sure." he put one of the blank pages before her and smiled. "Sign here." he put an 'x' where she was supposed to sign.

 

"Hannad Estor." Kerowyn slid off of his lap. He watched her leave his office and looked down at the paper she had signed.

 

'I luv u Estor, Kerowin.'

 

 

She smiled as tears fell down her face as she remembered her second 'uncle'. But Erestor wasn't her uncle either, he wasn't her blood relative.

 

“Luna! Luna! Come out! I have something I need to tell you!” Kerowyn banged on Luna’s door.

 

Luna opened the door, looking groggy.

“What Ker?” She asked Sleepily. Elenwe peered over Luna’s shoulder.

 

Kerowyn smiled, and tears filled her eyes.

“I’m going to marry Lindir.”

 

Within instants Luna awas wide awake and Elenwe was too.

 

“Lindir?” Luna repeated…stunned. “Your marrying Lindir?” She asked.

 

Kerowyn sighed as the memories faded from her mind. Everyone of them had lied to her... no need to cover it up. Anger and rage built up inside her, but was soon replaced by sadness and grief. Why had they lied to her? All of them. Why?

 

*3 days later...*

 

Luna rode into the gates of Lorien. She left her horse at the entrance and followed her companions into the woods. She felt almost an uneasy feeling, as if something wrong was happening... terribly wrong.... In an instant, a sharp pain seared through her stomach, and she doubled over. Elrohir and Elladan both grabbed her arms as she collapsed and her world dissolved into darkness. Elrond hurried over and put a hand to her forehead. “She has a slight fever…” He said. “Let’s get her to Galadriel. I don’t think I’ll be much help.”

 

 

Kerowyn rode through the gates of Rivendell. She smiled at the home before her, Elrond's home. She dismounted her horse and ran inside. "Ada! Ada!" she began to yell as she ran through the home. "Lord Elrond? Glorfindel? Erestor? It's me, Kerowyn!"

 

No answer came. She quickened her pace. What if something had happened to them? "Luna! Elladan! Elrohir! Lindir! Everyone! It's me! I'm home!"

 

"My lady?"

 

Kerowyn stopped and turned. "Halerin!" she exclaimed and ran over to the servant. She hugged him tightly. "I missed you!"

 

"I missed you too my lady." Halerin replied and hugged her in return.

 

"Halerin, where is everybody?" she asked.

 

"They've left my lady." Halerin replied.

 

A pang of sadness swept over her heart. "Left?" she asked. Tears formed her eyes and she turned to run out the same way she came. They didn't care for her, they didn't.

 

"Wait! Wait!" Halerin yelled, but he was too late. Kerowyn had already left the home of the elven lord. "They're looking for you." he whispered.

 

 

 

Kerowyn stormed out of the palace. She put her hood up to leave her face in the shadows, and a elven cloth around her face so only her eyes could be seen. Her long brown locks were placed inside her cloak so no one could see them. She had to get out of here unnoticed.

 

Kerowyn had to get far away from Rivendell. She couldn't believe it. They had left without her. She had hoped that someone would be there, why were they not there? They didn't want her to be part of their family. She didn't want to be part of theirs. Why had they abandoned her?

 

"Identify rider from the north."

 

Kerowyn glanced up at the ring of men in front of her. Oh Valar help. She looked at them as she unsheathed her sword. "Maethonin. I'm from Rivendell."

 

"I'm Derongil, of Rohan. Where are you headed?" the man asked her.

 

"Where are you headed?" Kerowyn repeated, her tone making it clear his answer would be first provided.

 

"We are travelling to Rohan, and from there to Gondor. Then back to Rivendell, we were just dropping off two of our companions for the lord of the house. They are wounded." Derongil replied.

 

"Oh." Kerowyn replied. "He is not home now, but if you leave them with Halerin, he will make sure that your friends get proper care until Lord Elrond returns."

 

Derongil nodded. "My company took them into the house awhile ago. They left them with a blonde elf."

 

"That's him." Kerowyn replied. She re-sheathed her sword. If this group had wanted to harm her, they would have already taken advantage of her situation.

 

"Where are you headed?" Derongil asked again.

 

Kerowyn glanced at him, "Nowhere in particular."

 

"Since you have no place to go, and you seem to be good in your battle tactics, would you like to travel with my men and me?" Derongil asked. "With the absence of my friends we would much appreciate an elf in the group."

 

Kerowyn smirked from behind the black piece of elven cloth, the man could not see the smirk, and for that she was grateful. Her mind reeled with the things Lord Elrond would say, One girl... with nine men? I think not... She nodded her head. "I will go." she replied.

 

"Good, my wife needed some company anyway." Derongil moved aside and she saw a brown headed maiden who seemed to be about thirty years of age.

 

"Nice to meet you Maethonin." she bowed slightly and smiled warmly at Kerowyn.

 

Kerowyn nodded her head and smiled behind her mask. "Pleasure." she murmered.

 

"Let's move out men." the leader turned then glanced back at Kerowyn. "And ladies."

 

~~~~

 

Galadriel hadn’t batted an eyelash when the twins brought Luna to a guest room, in need of a healer. Luna was still out cold. Galadriel just checked the fever and made sure that someone was nearby before looking at Elrond. “It’s all mental. She’s mentally and emotionally overwhelmed, and overloaded. She hasn’t released her fears, worries, or anger about Kerowyn leaving, and it led her to this. Elrond…she is scared. She has done this to herself.” Galadriel said frankly. Elrond hung his head.

 

“She’s distraught…and she doesn’t know how to cope. Without Kerowyn, we don’t have Luna.” He said.

 

Elenwe entered the conversation. “I still don’t understand…if Luna is this sick because Kerowyn is gone, will she get better if Kerowyn comes back?” She asked.

 

“I do not know. She might just get better when she allows herself to show emotion.” Galadriel said.

 

Elenwe nodded, and looked back at the bed that Elrohir and Lindir were sitting next too. Elladan was at the window, and Luna was awake in the bed.

 

Elenwe blinked. Luna was awake? “Luna?” She asked, and everyone looked up. Luna waved her hand, and sat up.

 

“ I feel like someone hit my head with the blunt side of an axe.” She murmured, and Galadriel handed her a cup of pain-relieving tea. Luna drank it, and Elrond sat down.

 

“Luna, we need to talk about what you are doing to yourself.” He said.

 

Luna looked at him. “Doing to myself?”

 

“Yes. You need to talk to someone. I know Kerowyn not being here is hard, but you shouldn’t bottle this up. Remember what happened when you did this after your—“ The tea cup went flying, barely missing Elrond's head.

 

“I don’t want to listen to this. Leave. All of you. Now.” Luna said, strain in her voice. Elrond looked at Galadriel, and she nodded. Everyone stood to leave, except Elenwe, Elladan, and Galadriel, who had been standing already. Elrond gave Luna one last fatherly look before leaving.

 

“You need to talk to someone sometime.” He said, and shut the door.

 

Luna rolled over. “There is nothing wrong.” She said to herself, and fell asleep.

 

~five days later~

 

 

Luna sat on a bench over looking the trees in Lorien. She knew that everyone was worried about her, she had been withdrawn, and she snapped at everyone who dared to come near her, other than Elenwe and Elrohir. But even they were keeping a respectful distance. Luna stared. “Ker…why?” She asked, tears forming in her eyes.

 

“Luna…you need to eat. I swear, your going to get sick!” Elenwe’s voice floated over to Luna. Luna nodded mechanically and stood.

 

“Tell them to bring the food here.” Luna said. Elenwe shook her head.

 

“No…your eating with your family tonight. And if you argue, so help me, I will drag you down there with the guard's help.”

 

Luna’s shoulder drooped. “Fine.” She said wearily. Elenwe looked surprised.

 

“Alright…follow me.” And the two elves left the room.

 

~~~~  

There was quite a lot of chatter in the dining hall, most about Kerowyn missing and Luna’s absence. Elrohir and Elladan refrained from talking…they had argued. Elladan was for leaving Luna alone, and Elrohir wanted Luna to come out of her shell. Suddenly the chatter ceased, and the twins looked up. There was Elenwe, and following Elenwe was Luna. Elrohir stood and walked over to Luna and offered his arm. Luna didn’t look at him, but accepted his arm, and he led her too her seat across the table from him, and next to Legolas who had arrived three days past. When Luna had taken her seat, the meal commenced and yet more chatter filled the hall. Again, the twins refrained, but this time, so did Legolas and Lindir, as well as Celeborn, Galadriel, and Elrond. The two elf lords, and the elf lady were studying Luna, as was every other curious onlooker. She appeared tired, and he skin was more pale than ever before. Elrond mentally shook his head. She was already grieving, as if Kerowyn were dead. Galadriel smiled.

 

“Luna. I am happy to see you up and about. Perhaps you would like to join me for a walk after supper?”

 

Luna looked up, and it was clear that she wanted nothing to do with anyone. But she nodded. “Alright.”

 

Galadriel smiled wider. “Wonderful. Remember your cloak.” And that was that. For the most part, dinner passed uneventfully, except for Lindir knocking over a jug of wine. After dinner, Luna and Galadriel excused themselves, and left the hall, intent on going on there walk.

 

 

“Elenwe…how did you get her to leave her room?” He asked.

 

Elenwe blushed, “I threatened to have the guards drag her out of the room and down to dinner.”

 

Elrond shook his head. That obviously got her out of her room. Luna prided herself on her dignity, and wasn’t going to let some guards take it away from her.

 

~~~~

“So…where is it that you are from?” The ranger's wife asked Kerowyn.

 

Kerowyn looked wistfully at the forests around her. “I was born in Mirk—Minas Tirith!” Kerowyn said hastily. She didn’t want any more of them knowing she was an elf. The leader already knew, but she made him promise not to tell, swearing his life in the hands of Isil herself.

 

The rangers wife smiled. “Minas Tirith. How I long to go back to that fair white city.” She looked at Kerowyn. “But we were not properly introduced, Maethonin. I am Lydia, wife of the ranger Derongil, and mother to our sons, Cale, and Brile.” Lydia smiled, and her cheeks had dimples in them. Kerowyn nodded thoughtfully.

 

“Shine and Glittering…” She said aloud. Lydia smiled.

 

“What was that Maethonin?”

 

Kerowyn simply shrugged, “Nothing. Just, your sons names mean Shine and Glittering in Quenya. That’s all.”

 

Lydia stared at her as if she had been struck. Kerowyn looked around nervously, had she said something wrong? “What?”

 

Lydia swallowed. “You know the language of the high elves Maethonin?”

 

Kerowyn mentally kicked herself. No mere human would know Quenya.

 

“My father was a ranger who often dealt with the elves of that station in Rivendell. I had hoped to meet them there and tell them news of my father's death some months ago. It is only me. The rangers have long since moved on, and my mother died when I was but a mere child. I lived in Rivendell for sometime, and a lot of the elves prefer to use their language, and not bother using common language for children, so I learned Quenya and Sindarin.” Kerowyn stammered, hoping her story would come across strongly, and the woman would be convinced. But she didn’t have time to find out as two young boys came flying, one hiding behind Lydia’s skirts.

 

“Mommy….Cale is being mean again!” The boy safely hidden behind his mother whined. He stuck his thumb in his mouth. The other boy shifted his feet.

 

“Cale…what were you doing to Brile?” Lydia asked, in a tone that was gentle yet commanding at the same time.

 

“Nothin….we was just havin some fun.” Cale said kicking the dust. Brile just held onto his mother's skirts tighter, and stared at Kerowyn.

 

Lydia looked at her sons and closed her eyes briefly. “We will talk to your father, maybe he will be able to tell you the difference between ‘having fun’ and ‘hurting’ your brother. Alright? Now, go see if the rangers need anything for the camp fire. There is plenty of kindling around here, we will have no need to do any harm to the forest.” Lydia said wearily. The boys scampered off and Lydia smiled at Kerowyn.

 

“Those were my sons…as you can see…Brile is the more cautious one, and Cale likes to just do things, he is so impulsive.” Lydia’s voice trailed off and Kerowyn’s mind went with it. Cale and Brile were so enthusiastic full of life and energy. The two reminded her of Luna and herself at that age.

 

Luna was always full of life, she acted with precision and thought. She was more of a voice of reason, although she sometimes slipped and let her emotions overtake her and control her. When she did, there was no telling of what Kerowyn would do.

 

"Maethonin? Maethonin, what is it, are you alright?"

 

The brunnette snapped from her world and back into reality, "Aye, I apologize Lydia." she smiled. "My mind tends to wonder."

 

Lydia smiled softly, "Everyone's does at times Maethonin... it's not an unspeakable task to find oneself doing so." she responded sweetly as she watched her two children run off toward their tents.

 

They had pitched camp but not an hour ago, the men beginning to grow weary of the two boy's arguings and compainings of a long journey in the saddle. She giggled softly as she removed herself from the crowded area and took off on her own. Staying alert, the brunette elf slowly crept along the way, taking in her surroundings as she moved along.

 

Her eyes scourged the area like a flame. Taking in every detail, every noise. Her uncle had taught her well. Glorfindel always noticed every little thing... it was now a way of life instead of a constant duty.

 

Kerowyn's eyes widened as she felt a tingle run down her spine.. something was coming, and she knew just what it was...

 

~~~~~~

 

Luna watched as Galadriel silently climbed the stairs down to the mirror. Her eyes widened as curiosity took over. "Unless this is to show me Kerowyn's destiny, I do not wish to see my own.."

 

"And that is an answer that I rarely receive Arthiliwen." Galadriel's voice was soft but sharp. Her eyes clear as glass as she gazed at the blonde before her. "Your words are not expected, but yes, I am trying to find of Kerowyn's fate... if it does not bother you my child."

 

Luna shrugged, she kept her eyes cast on the water in the mirror. "Why would it bother me Lady Galadriel?"

 

"Seeing as you are indeed the person in reference's friend, I wondered if you were curious of her as I." Galadriel responded.

 

Luna shook her head silently. "If she were my friend she wouldn't have left and cut off all contact with our family."

 

Galadriel's eyes widened at the realization of Luna's harsh words. "Is that how you truly feel Arthiliwen?"

 

"Aye, that is how I feel." she responded quietly, feeling like a scolded child after disgracing her sister. She shook her head silently. "I do not know how I feel any more."

 

Galadriel gave her a sad smile. Her heart swelled with pity for the silver blonde before her. Kerowyn's disappearance had caused quite an emotional uproar. She gazed at the youth before her. "None of us do truthfully Luna." She lifted her basin of water above the mirror, pouring the clear enchanted water slowly. "Tell me Luna, what do you see?"

 

The silver-blonde walked to the mirror carefully. She glanced into the water as images flew by her face at the speed of light. Images of her past life and present was all vaguely familiar to Luna. She saw her and her friend playing, then practicing, fighting, and the final moment when Kerowyn left their home, the safety of Rivendell.

 

She then saw her friend, or what she assumed to be her friend in a field. Luna cursed her brain for not being able to place the name of the field. She then noticed the rangers in Rivendell.. the name 'Maethonin' was spoken on what she assumed to be the leader of the group. She saw her ada's face fall slightly. Was Kerowyn hurt? She pulled away from the mirror. "We have to get home to Rivendell."

 

Galadriel nodded her head and watched Luna run toward the house. "Valar spare the life of our child.. Kerowyn..."

 

~~~~~~

 

Kerowyn quickly raced back for the camp at the speed of light. Her elvish hearing took up the sounds of the oncoming orcs behind her. She quickly screamed her warnings. "Gather the children and your wife to safety! Orcs are coming!" Kerowyn did not stop until she reached the border of their camp.

 

"Maethonin, what is it, what is wrong?" Derongil asked her as he put a shoulder on her hand to calm her.

 

Kerowyn shrugged his hand off. "We don't have time for this. Orcs are coming, you need to get your wife and children to safety."

 

"How do you know of this?" Derongil asked. "My men have not sensed any danger about us."

 

Kerowyn sighed and she shook her head. "You don't understand... I'm an elf... my name is Kerowyn Seaniarm of Rivendell. I know I haven't been truthful to you but you have to trust me." her voice held an edge of panic and concern.

 

Derongil nodded his head. "Men, prepare for battle." he yelled he turned to Kerowyn to ask her yet another question but she was heading towards the tent which held his wife and sons.

 

Kerowyn skidded to a halt as she quickly entered the tent. "Lydia, gather your children and head for the hills quickly." she said as she pulled off her evenstar, pressing it into the palm of Lydia's hand.

 

"Maethonin..." Lydia gazed at the woman before her.

 

Kerowyn shook her head, "Go! Now!" she exclaimed as she took her bow off her back and quickly notched an arrow as the slight figures of orcs came over the hills.

 

She didn't turn back to see if Lydia had heeded her words, knowing that Derongil would send one of his men to help move them to safety. She notched another arrow and continued to let them fly. Hitting orc by orc percisely. She did this until they reached too close where her bow and arrow was no longer needful. Dropping the items to the ground she unsheathed her sword as she heard Derongil's command...

 

"ATTACK!"

 

~~~~~

 

 

 

 

The elves took off into the night quickly. Silence reigned about them as they raced toward their home in Imladris, going on what was forseen by Luna and Galadriel.

 

Elrond considered the Lady's words she had spoken before their leaving. Telling him she feared something had happened to Kerowyn... perhaps something tragic. Perhaps death.

 

The words played in his mind as worry and concern welled inside of him. How would his family take to the death of their loved one? It would not be possible for them to survive if they lost Kerowyn. Someone they had loved for such a long time, dying unmercifully.

 

He shook his head of the thoughts, trying to rid his mind to remain focused on the matter at hand. He could only pray, and hope that everything would turn out with his beloved Kerowyn.

 

~~~~~

 

It had seemed they had been fighting for hours, but only minutes had passed by. Kerowyn slashed at orcs who got in her way. She bitterly stabbed and twisted her blade to the best of her skill, falling her twentieth orc since the fight had began.

 

She heard an exclamation of fear and she snapped her head in the sound of the noise. Her eyes landed on the fast running form of Lydia, and the crying form of her youngest son, Brile standing at the mouth of a cave. Where was Cale?

 

Kerowyn let her eyes wonder to where she saw the eldest twin racing towards the battle. Her heart sped in fear as she saw an orc advancing on the child. Her heart raced as she took off toward the boy, fear racing through her veins at the realization of the mother loosing one of her son's. If there was anything she could to stop it she would.

 

"CALE! DON'T!" she yelled, trying to get the boy's attention over the roar of the battle. The orc continued advancing, almost dead speed with Kerowyn. She reached him before the orc could, and knelt on the ground. "Cale, you musn't be down here." she muttered as she picked up the boy and raced him towards Lydia.

 

The boy cried. Wailing for his father. Kerowyn looked at the shaky frame of Lydia as she stood before her. "Keep him in the cave, don't let them see this battle." she instructed before turning and running back toward the fight.

 

Only a quarter of the orcs remained, and she tried to spot Derongil from the crowds.

 

He fell an orc and began to move as Kerowyn heard the sound of a whizzing arrow. Her eyes widened as she spotted the orc, releasing the black arrow towards the man of Rohan.

 

She shook her head in fear. Images of Cale and Brile without a father flashed before her eyes as she rushed towards him. "Derongil! Get down!" she exclaimed.

 

The ranger looked at her curiously before he noticed the arrow rushing to him. Kerowyn pushed him out of the way, the feeling of an arrow peircing her right shoulder instantly was welcomed to her body, sending her staggering dangerously to the side of the cliffe.

 

Her elven eyes took site of one of the men falling the last orc as she teetered on the side of the cliffe.

 

"Kerowyn." Derongil said, quickly standing as he rushed to her, trying to offer her aid.

 

She shook her head as her life flashed before her eyes. Tears streamed down her face as she moved her mouth slightly, before she fell off the side of the cliffe, plummenting to the water below.

 

~~~~~

 

Lindir quietly road through the fields toward Imladris, the usual chatty group was unusually quiet and he cast his gaze to the ground. He felt a pain in his heart as tears welled up inside him at the thought of his beloved Kerowyn flashed before his eyes.

 

Something was wrong, he knew something had to have happened... Kerowyn was gone.

 

~~~~~

 

Her life flashed before her eyes, as the ground raced up to meet her, she noticed the pale face of Derongil was the last image she saw as she hit the tides with a splash, and blackness engulfed her as well as the waters which streamed from the river around.

 

"Derongil! Where is Maethonin?" Lydia asked, tears streaming down her face as she clutched the evenstar in her hand.

 

Derongil gazed up at his wife, he shook his head sadly as he returned to dispose of the bodies.

 

Lydia's face paled at the realization of his words... "She's... no."

 

He engulfed his wife into a hug as she cried on his shoulder. The thought of one dying for him, to keep him alive was overwhelming. Derongil swiped at the tears in his eyes, comforting his wife and his two sons.

 

"Sir?"

 

Derongil turned, his eyes fell on Alastor with compassion. "To Rivendell."

 

"Yes Sir." the gaurd nodded his head and went to give orders for their new trip to Rivendell.

 

~~~~~

 

Elrond had waited the arival of the rangers in his study. He gazed up as he heard a knocking on the door. "Enter." he spoke quickly.

 

Luna, Elrohir, Elladan, Lindir, and Elenwe all gazed towards the door as Derongil and his wife stepped inside, followed shortly behind by Glorfindel and Erestor.

 

Elrond stood in respect of the two travelers who seemed weary. "Please, take a seat." He watched them sit down. "You saw you have information on an elven maiden who traveled with your band of men but a few fort nights ago?"

 

"Aye sir, that we do." Derongil responded. He gazed at his wife who handed the evenstar to Glorfindel.

 

The blonde shook his head bitterly. Gazing at the evenstar shape. He passed it to Elrond. "It's Kerowyn's."

 

"She joined our Rangers under the name Maethonin." Derongil responded.

 

Luna walked over to Elrond. "And where is she now? What have you done with her?"

 

"Luna Nilmar." Elrond warned as he gazed at the firey spirited Silver Blonde before him.

 

Luna bowed her head and returned to Elrohir. She kept her gaze on Derongil, not trusting him one minute.

 

"We were attacked by orcs... she took an arrow that was meant for me after saving the life of my eldest son. Here is her effects." he lay the saddle bag and her possessions down.

 

Lindir picked up her bow gently as he gazed at the two. "No, she's not dead, she can't be."

 

"Lindir." Erestor's voice was smooth and comforting.

 

Luna's eyes seemed to be clouded with emotion as she moved out of the room, Elrohir following after her. Elenwe's knees buckled under neath her as Glorfindel comforted her gently, fighting his own tears.

 

Elladan stood, dazed and confused as the words registered through his mind. Lindir's face contorted with heart wrenching pain as he clutched her evenstar in his hand. Elrond shook his head in disbelief.

 

"This can't be." he spoke quietly.

 

Derongil gazed down sadly. "I am so sorry My Lord." he grabbed his crying wife's hand, standing to leave the room. "I will take my leave."

 

"Thank you Derongil." Erestor spoke quietly as he gazed at the pain around him. It was hard to believe she was gone.

 

Elrond crossed the room to Lindir, kneeling beside him as he rubbed soothing circles on the youth's back. Glorfindel held Elenwe, the two crying as the realization hit him.

 

Erestor continued staring off into the night, the pain welling inside him.

 

"No." Lindir shook Elrond's hand off as rage raced through his body. He gathered Kerowyn's belongings and raced from the room. "This is not possible, this is not to be done..."

 

Glorfindel looked at Elrond. "What do we do now?"

 

"I'm not sure Glorfindel... I'm not sure." Elrond gazed down in anguish as he let his mind become drownded with the sounds of sobbing as the rain pounded outside.

 

~~~~~

 

The cold rain hit her like ice and she shivered against the pain. The lone rider continued on her journey, not bothering to stop until she reached her destination.

 

The pain in her shoulder almost caused her to black out several times, but something kept her going... something made her continue, made her take in consideration her days and nights, her loneliness.

 

The night had fallen quickly, and she did not know how many days she had been alone, but one thing plagued her mind... home.

 

The gates came into site and she sighed, relieved at the view of the refuge she had been so long with out.

 

"Ada."

 

The words seemed to be a whisper off her lips as she fell off her horse and the world went black...

 

~~~~~

 

"Ada..."

 

The words seemed so distant, but yet, so close. Elrond lifted his eyes, wondering towards the window. Gazing into the darkness his eyes spotted a form on the ground as lightning lit up the night sky. "Kerowyn." the word lept off his mouth from just a whisper and he hurried out his room and into the night outside.

 

"Kerowyn!" he screamed the name as he fell to the mud beside the form, turning her over onto her back he took in the pale face of his daughter. "Ai Valar what has become of you?"

 

The dark arrow still embedded in her skin worried him and he quickly lifted her into his arms carrying her inside as the rain pounded outside.

 

~~~~~

 

Elenwe sat beside her injured friend, rubbing circles over the smooth, soft, and pale skin of her hand. She sniffed as she fought back the tears. Elrond had brought her in and after several hours of perilous fighting, she was stable. But yet, Kerowyn's fate was still undecided by the Valar.

 

She looked up to see Lindir, kneeling by the bedside of his beloved wife. Glorfindel had relieved Elrond and Luna but a few hours ago, keeping his eyes on Kerowyn and her condition.

 

It had been two days since she was brought in and no progress was yet shown. Her condition did not seem to worsen, nor did it seem to be better. The thought of loosing her friend pained her.

 

"Kerowyn?"

 

Elenwe gazed at Glorfindel. "What are you doing Glorfindel?" she questioned him curiously, watching the blonde Gondolin stand and move towards the bed.

 

"She's awakening..." Glorfindel muttered. "Go and retrieve Elrond."

 

Elenwe shook her head, glancing back towards Kerowyn in time to see her eyes open slightly. A smile covered her face as she ran out the door. "ELROND! LORD ELROND!"

 

The Lord of Imladris rushed from his room, followed by Luna, the twins, Erestor,  Saeryn, Linwe and Sanariam. "What is it?" Elrond questioned her.

 

"It's Kerowyn... she's awake!" Elenwe was about to continue when the group rushed down the hall. She hurried after them, a bit breathlessly.

 

When the door opened they spotted Kerowyn sitting up in bed, leaning on Lindir and talking with Glorfindel as if she had never left.

 

"Nice to see you feeling better Kerowyn." Elrond's voice was soft and gentle, showing no anger or hard feelings towards his eldest 'daughter'.

 

Kerowyn watched as her friends gathered on the bed with her, Luna and Elenwe sitting on one side of her, the twins, Saeryn, Sanariam and Linwe standing around the bed. "I, I'm sorry I left..."

 

"Shh, don't speak of that now Ker, your home and that's all that matters." Luna stroked her brunette hair as Kerowyn lay her head on the blonde's shoulder.

 

Gazing around her Kerowyn finally found what she had thought she had been missing all along. She had never been missing a family... they were always right here... with her. Finally she was home, where she was safe.. and loved.

 

-The End-