Willow bound down the stairs happily feeling the soreness from a long night of passion with her husband. They had a lot of missed time to make up for, so she was glad that Amber had been so good as to take the child in the morning when she woke. She could still feel Legolas' hands on her body. The delicious internal sensation of him being inside of her. She leaned on the wall, sliding her hands against the smoothness of her skin, gasping, conquered by the feeling. An irresistible wave of pleasure washed over her. She grimaced knowing that it was Legolas' yearning that called to her so strongly. He wanted to take her again and although she was willing, she had other business. She'd decided to hurry back to their bed after she checked on her daughter. Approaching the living room, Willow distinctly heard Brom's voice as he addressed her daughter. Taken by curiosity, she slowed her pace and listen.

"Hello, Princess. Have you been well?" He said, leaning towards the child, smiling affectionately. Willow crept closer and saw the child returning his smile with a look that focused pointedly on his face.

"I've missed you too. But I fear your father dislikes me and so I must keep the peace by staying away," He answered to an unspoken question. As if he and the child were having a conversation only, they could hear.

Maia brought her hand up and joined it with Brom's. A soft incandescent light shimmered between their palms. A sensation of warmth swept over Willow's senses and a feeling of peace settled upon her. She saw Brom's visibly relax in response to the light and a smile touch his lips.

"Yes, Princess, I will always protect you this, I swear." He said to the child. Her smile brightened and she threw herself into his embrace. Amber came in from the kitchen, a frown creased her brow. 

Eönwë took too many chances. Willow must not know who they are. It would put the mission at risk and allowing Maia to use her power was tantamount to signaling the enemy to their location. She had successfully place dampeners on both Maia and Arien's power, but Maia's power was too great to conceal for long. It had been slowly seeping out since her birth. Willow was good enough to at least avoid using hers.

"Eönwë, you should stop this. You know using her power will only bring unwanted attention," Amber said in a harsh barely audible whisper.

"Stop fussing Ilmarë. She likes being able to express herself." Brom answered while playfully touching his index finger to Maia's nose, the child giggled.

"Then you should encourage her to use words, she's about to turn a year anyway."  Ilmarë gave an annoyed dismissive glance.

"She is born of royalty, a true princess. Every concession toward her happiness must be made and alas, my love for her mother runs deep. So, I can deny her nothing," Eönwë clutched his chest in a defeatist gesture. 

Ilmarë scoffed, "You would love a goat in a skirt if it happened by. Stop her or face consequences." She turned on her heels bound for her bedroom when her eyes met Willow's in surprise.

"I should say," Willow stepped into the center of the room glancing cautiously between the two people she knew now to be Eönwë and Ilmarë.

"God's help us, Willow it's not what it looks like," Ilmarë was the first to speak.

"Who the fuck are you? Obviously, you're not Amber, and what are you? Your answers better be good, or you will not like what comes next," Swollen with anger, Willow's eyes morphed from brown to a blinding white devoid of a usual color, in a matter of moments. Her power rattled against its binds and her hair turned a stark white.

"Arien there is no need to unleash your power here, to do so would be unwise," Eönwë spoke next.

"You have not answered my questions. Who are you and how do you know me as Arien?" All at once, a gale whipped through the room, pulling on curtains and knocking items over in its path. 

"You shithead," Ilmarë started, enraged her eyes pierced Eönwë, "I'll never forgive this. I hope your cock falls off."

"That was not your opinion a few centuries past," He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

"Enough! I want an explanation and I want it now!" Willow demanded. Maia started to cry and the very earth beneath them violently shook. No one moves, as if they are unable to make sense of the input from their ears and feet. The ground is moving, and the noise is like rolling thunder only worse because the vibrations are coming from below. In fear, they all react dashing for safety. Eönwë quickly soothes the infant, and the shaking slows to a halt. 

"Jesus Christ!" Willow said in astonishment, "Did Maia do that?"

"Yes, she did. She can do that and so much more. Please sit." Ilmarë pointed towards the love seat. Willow tentatively accepted the invitation and sat across them, watching Eönwë as he still held Maia. The child appeared to be perfectly content with him otherwise she would tear her from his arms. 

"I am Ilmarë and like you, I am a Maiar, but I serve at the pleasure of the Queen of Valar, Varda. I am her handmaiden and chief of the women of the Maiar. I am a Maiar of light but unlike you, I am one of starlight. It has been said that I am the most powerful of the Maiar, but that theory remains to be tested betwixt you and I."

"We were sent by the King Manwe and Queen Varda of the Valar on a mission to protect this child. She is to come into her power in safety.  Morgoth has been scouring Middle Earth for you. He has had news of the child and hunts her tirelessly. It is a fierce and jealous love that he has for you. He will stand no contention for your heart. He will kill both the child and Tilion given a chance. If this ever came to pass, you would be caught in his thrall and the world would fall into eternal darkness. What he did to you is only a taste of what is to come. It is of paramount importance that we are left to guard and to guide her until she is ready to do what she has been destined for. While I seek your support in this, I would carry this out with or without your permission." The resolute look on her face said that she would suffer no opposition.

Willow remained in pensive silence. She considered her words before responding, "I understand the importance of her protection but why the secrecy?"

"I beg your forgiveness Lady Arien, but the lies were for your own protection. I am Eönwë, I am also a Maiar, but I serve the King of the Valar Manwe. I am his banner-bearer. I am also chief among the Maiar, but I serve over the men. What the hag has said is true. The child's wellbeing is our greatest interest. I am sent to teach her warcraft, weapons, and battle strategy. Ilmarë will teach her to wield her power at its most potent level, thus she will be prepared to face Morgoth the final battle. I swear to you I will guard her with my life if that is what it takes." 

He paused for a moment as if debating on if he should continue. When his gaze met hers, it melted into tenderness, "I must also confess, that I knew you in the undying lands and I have loved you since then. It was my wish that you would have been my wife, but you chose Tilion. I had hoped this time you'd truly see me and chose me in his stead."

"This would be impossible Eönwë," Legolas said standing in the hall with his arms folded over his sculpted bare chest. Black pajama pants clung to his narrow hips, revealing mouthwatering V-shaped muscles that climbed up his pelvis and wrapping around his hips. Willow's eyes focused on the trail of dark blonde hair that went from his belly and disappeared at the top of his pants. His eyes caught hers with a knowing glance. She squeezed her knees together as the pressure between her legs started to build.

Gimli stood at Legolas' side; his wild red hair was frightfully unkempt from a night of restless sleep. He found himself unused to sleeping on so soft a bed. He awoke early meeting Legolas in the hall and overhearing the conversation between the Maiars. He stood arms flexed, poised for action. His daffy duck PJs contrasted strongly with the tense battle-ready look on his face. 

Legolas smiled breaking the tension, "Still, explains a lot of unanswered questions about you both."