The Only Survivor

Nauriel had been thankful for the opportunity to get out of the palace for a few weeks. Every year at the beginning of fall she made a trip to Gehenna to visit since it would likely be the last time she could visit until spring. She enjoyed the cool, crisp air and the smell of the changing leaves. The trees all had a golden color to them and she could see animals making their last preparations for the coming winter. By now the people in Gehenna were used to her presence there as she was the daughter of their Lord and Lady. She would remain, for the most part, in the manor, but would venture out occasionally to visit the market or to attend any fall celebrations. It was also an opportunity for her to spend time with her twin brother and sister-in-law and to see her daughter and grandson, Aslan. She couldn’t believe how big Aslan was getting. In several months he would be a year old and she just couldn’t believe how much time had passed. Her relationship with Cole, as he was now called, had improved greatly and the two even engaged in a friendly game of chess one night by the fire. Of course she missed her husband and her son and daughters greatly, but this was an opportunity for her to not be a queen for a few weeks and to spend time with her family.

All too soon it was time to leave and Nauriel said a rather tearful goodbye to her family before heading out of the village early one morning. The following day was much cooler and she was glad that Elessar had insisted she bring her wool cloak with her. That man was always right she thought with a little smile as she pulled it closer around her.

It was just as she came over the top of a hill that she spotted a scene that made her blood run cold. Several bodies lay on the ground in pools of drying blood near a small crop of trees. Their wagon was overturned and it was clear that someone had gone through it for valuables. The horses had clearly been stolen as well since they were nowhere to be found. Nauriel slowed her horse as she neared the scene. She dismounted and gave her horse a command to stay. She then began to check each body to see if anyone was alive. She found none. The three bodies were already growing cold. Some had been shot by arrows and others had been stabbed. It was clear that this attack had happened within the past hour or two. She found one older man and teenage age boys. She sighed as she stood up and then she spotted a fourth body right by the trees. She could see it was a woman. As she neared her she gasped as she saw her throat had been cut. Her eyes were still wide open and staring up at her. Nauriel slowly knelt down and closed her eyes and said a silent prayer in elvish for the dead. Bandits were still a problem and she would have to inform her husband about this. As she stood up she heard a sound coming from the trees near the woman. She pulled out a long dagger, just in case it was another bandit. She quietly stepped over the woman’s body and that’s when she spotted the infant. It was lying wrapped tightly in a light blue blanket and couldn’t have been more than three weeks old. It saw her and immediately started to cry. Nauriel immediately sheathed her dagger and picked him up. He was cold...too cold. Quickly she looked around. She walked over to the older man and pulled off his jacket. Using her dagger she began to cut a long piece of fabric from the heavy material. She then used it to make a sling that she put across her body. She carefully placed the infant into the sling and wrapped her cloak around him and herself. He began to warm up, but she knew he probably hadn’t eaten in at least several hours. Re-mounting her horse she took off at a fast gallop back towards Minas Tirith.

As Fall began the same talk seemed to circulate, Problems with wolves and bandits. Winter was always harsh if you didn’t live in a town city. Food for wolves grew scarce and their search for prey inevitably brought them closer to humans. Bandits to became much more desperate as well. Taking greater risks for the food and supplies that would see them through the cold of Winter. When food was abundant, Wolves would slink away when humans were near and Bandits would just rape and rob instead of murdering people outright. Bounties on wolves and bandits helped but attacks and murders still happened and not far enough away from Minas Tirith or Gehenna to give anyone any real comfort. Murders in the white city were rare, rarer in Gehenna, most violent crimes were but they still happened and King Elessar and Lord Conleth dealt with the perpetrators of such harshly and swiftly.

Through the bond he felt her shock but knew she was to far away to do anything about it here and now. She had left to see her family but she was to far away to really get an idea of what was wrong. At the Gates of Minas Tirith, the guards on watch there opened the gate for her as soon as they saw her coming back. They silently looked on and gaped at what she had slung across her chest and it was the watch commander that finally said something.

"My queen, are you...alright? Has something happened?" He asked as his eyes took in the child.

……………………………………………

Wolves were always worse during the colder months but there had been four attacks in the last two weeks. A child was carried off just yesterday. Burton’s young son as Burton, his wife and their two older daughters fought them off. They never found young Parval but as Serethiel poked through a bloody pile of remains she saw a half eaten skull and rib bones she knew belonged to no animal. Those that came with her, Chalanda, a young girl who had shone real promise with the bow, Jordan her older brother and Salanda, a young woman who had just gotten engaged held their bows nocked and ready to draw. By the droppings they seemed to be dealing with a small pack of 7 or 8 wolves, 6 females and 1 or 2 males, one of which might be a large misty gray with one brown eye and one light blue eye. From what Burton had told them it was this wolf in particular that carried Parval off to be devoured by the pack. A brutal death and they paused just long enough to make a shallow grave for him.

OOC-Nauriel is actually returning from Gehenna at this point. In regards to the second part, were you wanting to have Serethiel be killed? We honestly don't have to do that. I would be fine with having her live or coming back to that idea later on.

ooc: I modified my post and we can have something happen at least.

Nauriel was glad that she was close to Minas Tirith. She could sense her husband’s worry through the bond and figured he must have felt her shock when she came upon the bodies. Knowing him, he would have guards out watching for her. She rode as quickly as she could, but tried to keep the baby as warm as possible. She shielded his face from the wind with her cloak and she could feel him growing warmer from her body heat. She could see the gleaming white city in the distance and rode across Pelennor Fields towards it. She slowed as she drew closer to the main gate and stopped to speak to one of the guards.

“I am fine,” she replied. “But I found this infant among the slain bodies of it’s family. It appeared to be a bandit attack. I must get him inside.”

She then continued on into the city and rode up the winding streets until she reached the top and the palace. She left her horse with the stable master and walked into the palace to find her husband.

Fall and winter always proved to be a busy time for Serethiel. Wolves in these areas had grown lazy and instead of hunting would attack the sheep and other livestock in the village. Many years ago Serethiel had formed a group of archers to keep the wolves at bay and she continued to do so every year since then. It was quite dangerous and she only brought with her the best archers from her group. She had once nearly died after being bitten on the leg by a female wolf their first winter in Gehenna and she still bore the scar from that attack. Unfortunately, a wolf had gotten a hold of Burton’s youngest son, Parval, and Serethiel feared the worst. She searched for him, but didn’t find him alive. She soon came across a pile of bones, that she could tell were not from that of an animal. She dismounted her horse and walked over and poked through them with her bow. They were small bones and she could only assume that they were from Parval. She sighed and she kept a look out while the others dug a small grave to put the bones in. She did not want to bring them back to Burton and his wife. They shouldn’t have to see the remains of their son like that.

The King felt her arrival, the bond was a blurred mix of emotions. Trepidation and also excitement which topped the confusing jumble. In the hall she must have felt him to as she turned around to see him pause as he was approached by a messenger. He glanced at her as she strode toward him and he noticed the bundle in her arms. Half listening to the messenger curiosity and the calming feeling knowing she was near floated to her from the bond. He nodded and took the missive but only put it in his pocket as Nauriel came up to him. He tilted his head to see she held a baby. His brows rose in surprise and the curious feeling grew even stronger.

“Speak your mind wife...I see you have...taken to watching someone’s babe?” he asked. He reached in and gingerly felt it’s forehead. He murmured a small spell of warming, one of his Ranger’s tricks and the boys flesh didn’t seem so cool anymore.

The howl rang out in the early morning mist. It was joined by others of his pack. Moonstalker was a descendant from the dire wolves that were all but extinct now. With nearly the intelligence of man he licked his paw as he waited for the others to arrive. The four humans, three were female he smelled, were wary. As well they should be he thought for he knew why they had come. He had taken a manchild. Human’s protected their cubs with a great, unyielding ferocity. He told Darkpaw and Duskrunner to get the others to howl. These humans could spit death at them and he needed to get them so frightened that they’d try to fire at moving targets in the mist. Soon all 7 of his pack howled and he grinned knowing that the hunters had now become his prey.

Nauriel watched as her husband approached her in the hall. She must look quite the sight she thought to herself. Her long, dark brown hair was mussed from the wind and her cheeks were red from the cool air...not to mention the ripped jacket she was using as a sling to hold the baby. She held him close to her. He was so small and she felt rather protective of him already.

“I came across a family which appears to have been killed by bandits,” she explained. “Including the mother. She seemed to have been trying to hide him because he was back in some brush. I only found him because he made a noise. If he hadn’t I may not have found him and he would have died from exposure. I didn’t know what else to do with him but bring him here.”

Serethiel was angry now...very angry. She was determined to find the wolves and kill them. She refused to let them get away with killing a child...or anyone in her village. She suddenly heard the pack start to howl and knew they were close. She readied her bow as she rode towards the sound of the howling.

Elessar listened intently to her tale and it was not hard to notice that she had come straight away to him by the manner of her outward appearance. He clasped his hands behind him as he felt the flutter of emotion cascade through her when she referred to the babe. A male child and it was clear to him how she felt about him.

“Perhaps news of the attack will help us locate the babes kin if he has any. In the interim...what do you wish to do with him? Perhaps a sister at the house of healing could care for him? Or another new mother who might be able to give him the nourishment he needs?” he asked. He tried not to think of the implications that passed along the bond between them just then. Old feelings about their dead son threatened to come back up to the surface and he would not have that happen if they could be kept at bay.

Moonstalker raced in and out of the mist that made the air around them thick and moist. ‘Go after their four legs’ he sent and his pack did just that. They nipped, barked and howled at the horses heels. They darted in and the horses fought against their riders which made it very difficult to get a clear shot at them. Nauriel had already downed Winter, a smaller female but it had taken her several arrows and the horses anxiety was close to breaking. Soon they’d begin to rear up in fear, unseating their riders.

Nauriel hesitated when Elessar began to make suggestions as to what to do with the infant. She didn’t want to admit it to him, but she was already growing quite attached. She knew that she couldn’t do that just in case other family was found, but just the thought of giving him over to someone else already pained her. She knew what he was thinking...what he wouldn’t mention aloud. They both were. How could they not?

“I suppose I can find a new mother to help feed him,” she finally replied. “But...I want to help care for him. I feel responsible for him now.” She was quiet a moment before speaking again. “And if no one comes forward to claim him…?”

Serethiel showed no fear toward the wolves. She fired her arrows at them and soon killed one of the smaller ones. She struck and wounded two others, but she knew the rest of the group needed to fall back. She couldn’t risk any of the others getting hurt or killed.

“The rest of you go!” she shouted at them.

Elessar raised an eyebrow as Nauriel continued. The loss of their son had been extremely difficult for her. That and the loss of her ability to even have children. Coming back from that had been a battle. For a long time Nauriel would not consider herself even a woman. He was able to convince her otherwise of course but he would not wish that on any couple to have to go through. In answer to her question he took a step forward then bent over to give her a gentle kiss on her lips. He gazed affectionately into her eyes and lingered there. The spark that kept them together pulsed strongly through the bond for the merest of moments before he pulled back and silently turned then strode away. Nauriel would know that he would deny her nothing if it was important to her. Even something like a new addition to their family.

The sisters at the house of healing knew of two such mothers who had just given birth. She didn’t know them but they were both quite young and would likely be able to produce enough for two babes once the process had started. One was the wife of a soldier who would be away for two months. The suggestion that was given to her was to allow her and her babe to come to stay with them. They had a guest room near the old nursery and the babe could sleep there which would make feedings easier on the mother.

Just as she called out the order to retreat she heard a horse scream in agony as a wolf hamstrung it. Salanda screamed as she was thrown forward. “No!” Serethiel heard from her right which must have been Chalanda’s voice. “Salanda!” She heard from her left from Jordan followed by the sound of bowstrings that slapped against armguards. A wolf whined and then barks and growls filled the mist soon after. The mist made everything sound further than it was. She could feel the horses hooves as they stomped on the wet grass. She heard a horse fall to the ground behind her as hers move and turned and then it screamed over and over as the wolves dove in to finish it off. “Serethiel!” She heard from what was now her left. A blood curdling scream that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Luckily her elven vision allowed her eyes to peer into the mist far better than a normal human’s and she saw as a large gray wolf had Salanda by the neck. Blood matted its fur around its crimson maw in what looked to her to be a dark, knowing grin of pure delight as its eyes, one dark and one light seemed to pierce like an arrow of fear straight into her heart.

Conleth called a pause in the middle of a practice duel between two young boys as that same feeling drew into him from the bond. “My horse!” He yelled and he took off in a run toward the stables, a dozen boys running behind him.

Nauriel held her breath as she waited for Elessar’s response. He would know what she meant from the question. It was not something small she was asking. The question meant the possible adoption of the infant into their own family if no family came forward to claim him. However, she knew that they had the means to provide for this child and they would be able to raise it as their own. She knew the possibility was still there that someone would come to take the baby, but a bond was already starting to form between the infant and herself. As Elessar gazed deeply into her eyes she felt that pulse of love between them. It was deep and so strong that it would never be broken. They had survived a war and the loss of two children. Nothing would ever come between them. She watched as he leaned down to kiss her and she closed her eyes and kissed him back and in that kiss she knew what his answer was. She opened her eyes and watched him walk away as feelings of the deepest kind of love flowed between them.

She immediately took the infant to the Houses of Healing and they guided her to a woman who had recently given birth. She was young and strong and Nauriel had no doubts she would be able to feed both babies. Because the woman was alone, Nauriel immediately agreed to the idea that she come and stay in the palace in the guest room. That way Nauriel could help care for the baby and the woman would be there when he needed to be fed.


Serethiel was about to yell at them to leave again when she suddenly heard a horse scream in pain. Chaos suddenly seemed to erupt and panic swept through Serethiel making her blood turn cold. Her keen, elven eyes pierced the mist and she could see movement all around her. She fired at one of the wolves as it mistakenly came too close to her. She looked over to suddenly see Salanda being dragged away by a wolf by the neck. The sight nearly made her sick. She was responsible for these young men and women. They were relying on her to protect them. She pulled out an arrow and aimed at the wolf and fired.

Calene and Arlina helped dust and rearrange things in the old nursery. They were abuzz with wonderment at the news they would be having two babes and a new mother in their midst. For the girls it was good experience for when they eventually became mothers. A time of bonding between all the women in their family. Kressara wanted to help to but she had studies to attend to and her father would not let her shirk them to join the other young women.

One moment the gray wolf was in her sights and the next her shot plunged into the ground where it had been. She heard another horse scream in pain from behind as another stamped and snorted in fear and anger at the wolves that nipped and growled near its legs. “Ahhhh!” She heard through the mist and the sound of a wolf that winced in pain followed by guttural growls, grunts of pain and the tearing of fabric. The wolves were now among them, Chalanda’s arrow took the one that was on Jordan.

Conleth had cleared the gate, his large brown warhorse thundered toward where he felt Serethiel was. Other horses were behind his but his gelding pulled further and further ahead stride after stride.

Nauriel was excited to walk back into the nursery. She hadn't stepped foot in it since the death of her last child. She could still remember standing in the middle of the room with Elessar's arms around her, gently rubbing her very swollen belly as they hoped it was a boy. Nauriel did her best to make sure the room would be very comfortable. She had two bassinets brought in and after he had been fed she just held him and watched as he fell asleep in her arms.

Serethiel jumped off her horse as a wolf jumped up and grabbed its throat. She fired at the wolf and hit it in the neck but her horse was already dead. She fired at the wolves around her but the mist made it difficult to hit them. She then felt a sharp tug on her cloak and was pulled to the ground. She screamed in pain as a set of teeth sunk into her right shoulder.

Vaguely,Serethiel heard Jordan’s voice and then heard him cough and try to scream as it appeared something had clamped down on his own throat. Chalanda’s horse had been felled also. She dropped her bow but before she could find it she saw two sets of yellow wolf eyes peer at her through the mist. Before she could get her belt knife out they lunged at her, one clamped down on her neck, the other on her thigh. A third, brown furred wolf growled at them both and they released her. They yipped and snapped in protest. “Ppp..lease...heellp...mmammee…” she said weakly as the large brown bit into her shoulder with a growl then slowly dragged her back into the mist to dine alone in privacy.

Serethiel felt the strength of the wolf that latched onto her. Blood squirted out where it jerked and gnawed where it had bitten into her. Shock came almost immediately and for some odd reason, what it was doing to her didn’t seem to hurt as bad now. Her head swam as she felt it release her only to bite into her again. She saw her vision shake as it shook her. Seemingly unsatisfied that she did not struggle or scream. It’s disappointment only lasted another moment though as she felt it release her at the same time she felt hooves on the grass beneath her. The bond bloomed in her right then and she felt Conleth’s heart beating close to hers. In a blur of brown and the glint of steel he ended the large gray with his first stroke. The others that were left, left their meals to attack his brown but the trained warhorse stomped on the head of one then bit into another and shook it until its neck snapped. Conleth jumped off and came down onto his knees beside her as the remaining wolf stalked away. ‘Serethiel!?” he said in a panicked voice. She felt his hands immediately go to her shoulder.

ooc: Not going to lie, this post bothers me...and I wrote it!

Serethiel felt intense pain through her shoulder, but she didn't scream. It was almost as if she couldn't. She began to wonder if she was going to die. She felt the wolf bite down harder and then begin to shake her. As darkness began to take her she felt Conleth draw closer. Suddenly, the wolf released her and she heard it run off. As Conleth knelt next to her she looked into his eyes for a moment before her eyes closed and she lost consciousness.

The three Serethiel had taken out with her had been killed along with all but one of the wolves. Conleth had carried Serethiel to Gehenna and the healers there had done all that they could do. He had used a ranger’s trick of healing to slow the blood but even with the swiftness of his return with her, she had lost alot. Her elven heritage had stopped her body from taking on an infection but the strain of the attack was too much for her body to bear. Her survival was up to her now and Conleth had asked them all to leave him alone with her.

While she slept he sat down on a chair at her bedside and began to remember…

“There was no love at first sight,” he said with a small chuckle. “You thought me a burden and probably wished I was already dead. It was your eyes that drew me to you...did you know that?” He said as he took her hand gently in his. His face still held no real expression as he fought to contain the emotions that swirled around inside him. “You had to be the damsel, didn’t you? Making me go in after you. Since then you’ve always seemed to hold a power over me, hardly fair I should think,” he said in mock disgruntlement. She knew he loved how she could do that to him. Sometimes with just a smile. “When they pulled Nauriel from you I don’t think I could ever be as happy as I was that day. And then Beren? You gave me a son to be proud of. Two queens and and our son married to a an elven princess,” he said and shook his head. “You gave me a life worth living, my love,” he said as tears began to stream down his face. “I...I don’t want it to go on...without you...so you have to come back to me,” he said as he lowered his head to her hand and began to weep.

The sheer damage that had been done to her right shoulder was tremendous. The healers actually thought it a small miracle that her arm was even still attached. Large chunks of flesh were missing, tendons severed and the arm dislocated. If she did survive the healers warned him that she would not likely ever gain back the strength she had before...and would never be able to use a bow again.

Serethiel felt as if she were falling through a black pit. She wanted to stop...to find light. She could feel her body struggling...failing. She was dying...She wanted to cry out...to scream. She couldn't go...not now...not without Conleth...And then she heard his voice. It was faint...very faint, but she knew that voice anywhere. It was a voice she loved...belonging to a man she loved even more than her heart could bear. They had saved each other...survived more heartbreak than that of a hundred couples and came through each fire stronger. She couldn't go...she couldn't leave him. What would he do without her? The man could barely cook an egg...he wouldn't last a week without her. She wanted to live...to see him...their children...their grandchildren...and their great grandson. Look at all they had accomplished together. He had given her a life worth living when she had no longer wanted to go on...

She felt his strength flowing through her. Suddenly, she could see light. It got closer and closer and then....Her eyes suddenly fluttered partially open. An overwhelming feeling of intense pain from her right shoulder shot through her body like an arrow, but she managed to keep her eyes open...if only a little. Her eyes focused on Conleth. His head was still down and she could hear him crying. The sound made her want to weep. It was a heartbreaking sound. He would suddenly feel her hand tighten around his and if he looked up he would see her looking at him.

"You...barely survive when...I go to Gondor...I...I don't think...I can leave...yet."

He felt the bond burst into life and her hand stiffen in his. His head shot up in an instance and a small smile of hope came over his face. “Serethiel?...” He said in a desperate tone. It all came out in a croak. “He laughed and even that came out like a half gurgle…”I think I always lose 10 pounds everytime you go,” he said half laughing. He kissed her hand over and over. Completely overwhelmed that she still lived. He rose from where he was and kissed her forehead. “I love you...so much,” he whispered.

Serethiel closed her eyes as she felt him kiss her and she breathed in his scent. Before she realized it she was crying against him. She knew without even asking him that the others were dead. An incredible amount of guilt washed over her. She felt responsible.

"I was supposed to protect them."

“No…I’ll have none of that wife...we can mourn and deal with guilt another day. You are alive, that's all that matters right now. Right then Beren and Ithilwen burst into the room. “Mother!” He said in a voice of sheer terror. He rushed to her side. “Steady on son… Her shoulder!” Conleth barked. Beren was already crying and so was Ithilwen. Beren kissed her head and face over and over. “What happened!? Wolves...again!?” He said in an angry tone. “Calm yourself boy!” Conleth warned and Ithilwen glided forward and put her hand on his back. He visibly calmed. “Beren...she is alive, see?” She said. Beren nodded and smiled weakly down at Serethiel.

Serethiel couldn't stop the guilt that riddled her heart. They had all been young...with so much to look forward to. How could she face their parents? Their loved ones? Suddenly, the door opened and Beren and Ithilwen rushed in. She tried to move, but felt an intense amount of pain shoot through her arm. She visibly winced, but forced a little smile for Beren.

"I...I'll be back to normal...in no time..."

Throughout the day she was visited by almost everyone. Most came in while she slept, spoke to Conleth and left. Aviana, Cole and Aslan had come in for a few minutes though Aviana could not keep tears from falling. She loved her Grandmother dearly and to see her so badly injured was more than she could take. More grandchildren followed and Conleth had a messenger sent to Minas Tirith explaining to the Queen what had happened.

In Minas Tirith the King sent soldiers to where Nauriel reported finding the babe. Also, a merchant had come forward and explained that he had been expecting a shipment but it never arrived. If it was his shipment he went on to add the names of the husband and wife that worked for him. He didn’t know much about them he mostly dealt with the husband and had no knowledge of the babe. The husband’s name was Mannis Carver and his wife was named Carlaina. He knew of no other kin but attributed that to the war and how many families were lost. Some, wiped out completely.

Baylinne and her babe named Francine was thankful for Nauriel who seemed to know a great deal about breast feeding and caring for a babe. Francine was Baylinne’s first and she had no surviving parents to guide her through caring for her first child.

Later that evening Serethiel awoke to find the room empty, save for Conleth, who sat in a chair next to her bed. As of yet, she had not seen the damage done to her shoulder. It remained heavily wrapped. However, she could only assume it was bad. She looked over at Conleth for a moment before speaking.

"How bad is it? And be honest with me."

Nauriel waited anxiously for any news back from the soldiers. Meanwhile, a merchant came forward claiming to have knowledge of the family who was killed. Nauriel sat by her husband as they listened to the merchant speak and explain that he did not know of any other family. Nauriel remained silent...her feelings were mixed. While the thought of caring for another son and raising him as their own overjoyed her...she also felt sad that this child would never know his real family and that there were no others to care for him.

After the merchant was thanked and excused, Nauriel looked over at her husband. She was quiet a moment before speaking.

"You know how I feel...and what I want...but I want to know what you want and what you are thinking."

Conleth greeted everyone but doing so in this capacity had not been easy for him. He wanted Serethiel to sleep and he had to have visitors held back so he could greet them outside her room and tell them what there was to tell. He had duties, he always did but he would not leave her. Beren filled in for him and in doing so hardly had a moment to spare. Like his father he enjoyed the work and took pride in doing a good job no matter what it was he did.

Conleth paused for a long moment before answering her. What he had to say was going to be difficult for her and he didn’t want her to despair. He leaned forward and took her hand into his. He felt her stiffen and felt her fear and apprehension through the bond for it mimicked his own. “You...you will have very limited use of your arm. You’ll,” he continued but had to pause to lick his lips as his mouth went completely dry. His throat felt as if dust had settled in it. “You’ll never use...the bow...again,” he said as he kissed her knuckles again. He felt the bubble of emotions well up in the bond. “They were barely able to save your arm. You’ll have limited movement, scarring, and weakness,” he went on relentlessly as there was no other way to go on. Conleth rarely ever allowed his emotions to come so close to the surface but when it came to this...to Serethiel...he could not seem to hold them back. Her not being able to hold a bow again was a crime. A dark, sinister plot plied against them. One he could not fight nor face in battle.

“I’m so sorry,” he said in a pained voice as more tears began to fall from him onto her hand.

Elessar felt the onset of age. He was graying at his temples but his body was still quite virile and strong. Raising a child involved time and attention but he saw the underlying emotion through the bond from Nauriel and how important this was. She wanted to make him happy. She wanted to give him another son. A big part of him wanted that to. The advantage now was that Eldarion was coming into his own. Soon, he’d know enough to hold court for short periods of time with his wife Calista and with Calene’s help as well. They’d done well, he and Nauriel raising their children. They weren’t perfect, he knew no one that was but they were honest, good people. He stood then came over to kneel in front of her. He looked up at her calmly but then a small smile grew slowly upon his face as he took her hands into his. He was going to have another son and his enthusiasm grew as he contemplated on how to respond. “He will need a name, Nauriel, but I think we know it already...We shall name him Elfwine,” he said as he lightly kissed her knuckles.

Serethiel knew Conleth’s answer before he even spoke. His eyes spoke volumes for him. In her heart she had expected this. She could feel the intense pain in her shoulder and knew the damage was great. However, hearing the words come from him still made her feel as if all the air had been sucked out of her lungs. She didn’t want to cry, but the tears still came. While her first use of a bow had been out of pure vengeance, and then necessity, she had come to respect its power and it had become apart of her like nothing else ever had. She enjoyed the feel of a well worn bow in her hand...hearing the string tightening as she drew it back and then the swoosh by her ear as she released it. Knowing that she would never have that feeling again...shattered her heart.

She allowed herself to cry for a time before the tears finally slowed.

“Well...you have been wanting me to retire for sometime now…” she said...trying to smile a little.


Nauriel watched as Elessar stood and then walked over to her. As he knelt before her and took her hands into his her smile grew. She could feel the joy coming from him and it mingled with her own. They were going to have another son. Just the thought brought tears to her eyes. She smiled even more as a few happy tears slipped down her cheeks.

“I love that name.”