I actually got away for a little bit today, drove about 20 minutes, parked in some woods for about half an hour and wrote this K rated ficlet.  

What I Really Want (Prompt #6 Outdoors, written much later!)
The 'speaker' is Aragorn

To be on my own…I thought that's what I wanted…to be at peace someplace apart from the supervision of my father and the jesting of my brothers.  Just to enjoy the silence.

But now I am where I sought to be – alone – and the silence weighs on me.  It encompasses me like a shroud.  Insects buzz from time to time and a solitary bird chirps.  Even that last grows fainter, as though the bird senses my discontent and wishes to distance itself from me.

I look down the empty path before me and my mind fills it with images of myself, my brothers and our friends while we fill this place with our laughter.  I am a fool, but not such a fool that I will allow my pride to hold me here alone.  I will return to Imladris and bring the others back with me.  Then, if there is silence, it will be one of companionship among those who know each others' hearts so well that no words are needed.  That is what I really want!

End

Written for the Teitho Challenge "Location" (http://teitho.waking-vision.com/modules.php?name=Intern&file=challenge28 

A/N:  I'm not sure this is what our Teitho masterminds meant when they introduced this challenge, but I enjoyed writing it and hope you enjoy reading it.    It has references to Chapter 8, The Fellowship of the Ring, but probably can't be considered canon.

Disclaimer:  I am not Tolkien and these are his characters.

Faramir relaxed further into his seat before the fire and smiled softly at the conversation taking place before him.  He admitted to himself that he was glad he had yielded to Aragorn's entreaty to join them this evening.  The time in Aragorn's temporary quarters in the Citadel had been both educational and entertaining. 

By nautika
K+
Summary: One of our heroes' birthday is remembered for the first time since the Ring War.
A/N: EE For Prompt #35, Birthday
Disclaimer: These characters belong to Tolkien and his estate, not to me. Not for profit story.

Remembering

The view was magnificent, so changed from after the battle during the Ring War.  The last months had been exhausting and challenging.  Much had been lost and much was gained.  But the ache of one particular loss caught at him unexpectedly today, more acutely than it had in a long time.  He had not even realized the importance of the day until he went to check his appointments.   

Before Hope
For OAA Prompt # 65 Direction
Author's notes are at the end....nautika

"She has accepted your … our counsel.  What distresses you so?"

"What distresses me?  I carried her under my heart as she grew in my womb, nurtured her from my breast as a babe and kissed her hurts better when she was a child!  Now, as a young woman, she turns to me for support in her life's choice – having no desire to wed – and I have directed her to a path of loneliness and heartbreak.  What mother does that to her child?"

"A mother who is cursed with foresight; one who sees that their daughter's fate is linked to Middle-earth's.  Your wise counsel has given Arda a chance and, Valar-willing, our daughter will soon have a babe of her own to love.  Fear not for her.  She is strong, like her mother, and she will raise a strong child.  A child who will bring the Dunedain from the shadows."

End

How Precious is a Mother's Love
by nautika
For Teitho Challenge "A Glimpse of the Future"

Rated T for OC death!  Warning for sensitive readers.

Mothers often gave to their children special name of their own choosing.  The most notable of these were the 'names of insight'…In the hour of birth, or on some other occasion or moment, the mother might give a name to her child indicating some dominant feature of it's nature as perceived by her , or some foresight of it's special fate.

Morgoth's Ring
Laws and Customs Among the Eldar

Author's Note:  The 'moment of insight' is important to this oneshot fic, which I'm posting as a Mother's Day story.  It isnt the usual fluff, so beware!

Aragorn paused just inside the door and took a few moments to observe his friend.  Legolas sat on the floor of the balcony, leaving his head and left shoulder against the railing.  His left hand held to one of the bars of the rail and his right hand was in his lap. Aragorn would have bet his sword that Legolas was oblivious to his presence.  Being that unaware of his surroundings in Mirkwood could easily cost the elf his life.  That would explain why Thranduil sent his sole surviving family member from his side at a time when they should be supporting each other in their sorrow.  The king was likely afraid of losing Legolas, as well.  To suffer another loss of that magnitude so soon after the deaths of Queen Melda and little Prince Harma would destroy even an elf as indomitable as the King of Mirkwood. 

"Legolas?"  Aragorn spoke softly so as not to startle the prince.

"Aragorn."  The joy that was normally in Legolas' voice when greeting Aragorn after months of separation was conspicuously absent.  His voice was flat and hollow and he did not turn toward the man. 

Elrond vs. Elros

By nautika

Disclaimer:  Elrond and Elros belong to Tolkien and his estate.  Not for profit ficlet.

K
OAA Prompt #56 was Abandoned.  I hope this fic will fit there.

Elrond vs Elros

I do not understand how you can make this choice.

I do not understand how you cannot.

You will lose so much.

You will lose so much more.

You will suffer.

You will suffer longer.

You will question this decision.

Nay, I will not have time.  What of you?

The End

A/N: I started this in my head. When I got to the computer and started to expand it, I decided I'd said all I wanted to say.  Sorry it's so short.

Bath-time 

• Rating: K
• Summary: One particular bath-time for young Estel takes on a special meaning.
• Disclaimer: These characters belong to Tolkien.  Love them, but don’t own them (except for original, non-Mary Sue, character) This is a not for profit work. 
• Author’s notes:  I consider all my fics AU.  I use Dan and Ro as nicknames for the twins in my young Estel stories.
   

Bath-time
by nautika

“May I be excused now, Ada?”, a small voice asked.

“Are you sure you are finished, Estel?”  Elrond, Elfin Lord of Rivendell and foster-father to the young human, asked with some concern. 

“Yes, Estel, you haven’t had seconds yet, much less your usual thirds.”  Teased Elladan, the elder of Lord Elrond’s twin sons, earning himself a glare from the youngster.

Estel’s gaze returned to the head of the table.  “I’m sure, father.  I would like to take my bath now, if that would be alright?”

Elven eyebrows shot up around the table.  Now Elrond was worried.  Slowly, he rose from his seat and made his way to his youngest son’s side.  Kneeling down, he touched his son’s forehead gently.  Estel shook his head and pulled away, but not before Elrond had established the boy had no fever.  It was hard not to worry about his youngest.  Human’s were so easily tired and fell prey to illnesses that elves were immune to.  Fortunately, Elrond was a healer and had been able to treat the injuries and illnesses the child had received so far.  Elrond stood and smiled.  “Very well, Estel.  You are excused.  I will be up to check on you later.”

Blood of a Brother: The Camping Trip

By nautika
 

Summary: Elladan & Elrohir promise to take their little brother camping as his birthday gift. After an accident, the trip becomes a brother’s nightmare.

Disclaimer: These characters belong to Tolkien.  This is not for profit.  

Author's Note:  I consider all of my works AU, just to be safe.

K+ for minor medical procedure

Words marked with * are to be considered italics.  Sentences between ‘ and ‘ are thoughts.

The Camping Trip

Elladan jerked in shock and spun about, pulling his sword as he did so, only to find himself on eye level with an asp. The elven blade fairly sang as it cut through the air, separating the snake’s head from it’s body. The head fell to the ground while the body remained entwined about the branch above the elf’s head. Elladan shivered as he pulled his little brother away from the trees to the safety of the clearing. A moment later his sword returned to it’s sheath and the elf dropped to one knee, pulling his tunic off as he knelt.

“Elladan?” The human’s voice sounded small in the clearing.

“One minute, Estel.”

The dark-haired elf placed his left hand on his right shoulder, pulled forward and turned his head as far as he could trying to see the bite on his right upper back. By stretching and pulling until his muscles hurt he could just make it out. Closing his eyes, he released his shoulder and tried to slow his heart-rate. He fervently regretted coming alone with his little brother on this camping trip. He and Elrohir were to take the young human on a trip in honor of his birthday, but the younger twin had taken a fall which resulted in a broken ankle. Estel had tried to be brave when he heard it would be a few weeks before Elrond allowed Elrohir to make such a trip, but his eyes had glistened and his voice held so much disappointment that Elladan, after consulting with Elrond and Elrohir had asked his youngest brother if he would like to take a 2-night camping and fishing trip with only Elladan. Estel had hesitated, not wishing Elrohir to feel left out, but accepted the younger twin’s assurance that he would feel better knowing Estel was having a good time. The twins explained the three of them would still take the longer trip that was originally planned after Ro was recovered. Forcing himself back to the task at hand and acknowledging silently that even Elrond’s fore-sight wasn’t perfect, Elladan made peace with the decision he had made in the few seconds these thoughts had gone through his mind.

Guests in Lothlorien
Prompt #29 "Guest" (under 500 words)

By nautika

Summary:  The twins visit their grandparents.  Who said Lothlorien was always peaceful?

Disclaimer:  These characters are the property of JRR Tolkien and heirs.  No financial gain!

Authors Notes (which I do not count toward the 500 word limit):

I only today realized that Sunday was Grandparents Day in the US!  So here is a belated Grandparents’ Day gift to any in the group.  It is also a ‘fill in the blanks’ for my fic Mind Incursion, the unfinished sequel to That Precious Link.  After all that shameless promotion, here is the paragraph I refer to:  Elrond forbade his sons to take unnecessary risks and pleaded they leave Lothlórien before they were thrown out.  The twins reddened slightly.  Though their father spoke lightly, the last time they visited their mother’s parents, their grandfather had actually taken them aside and suggested they depart after breakfast the following day.  It seemed even Galadriel had her limits and her husband saw the storm on the horizon, so to speak.  Worse, it was highly unlikely the conversation took place without Galadriel’s knowledge.

Please let me know if you see something I need to correct.

Xxxxx

Guests in Lothlorien

“Walk with me.”  Their grandfather’s voice was soft, but contained a touch of warning as he strolled between them, a firm grasp on each one’s shoulder, steering them down a little used path.

Author's Note: This is a different type of writing style for me, not exactly the only thing I've done like it, but I've never really been satisfied with the others.  Please post suggestions for additions to it or a summary or whatever so I can make improvements.  Thanks!  nautika

This was not the first inspiration I had from this prompt.  It also spawned a longer, Fellowship bunny which I hope to post someday.)

Seeking Home
OAA Prompt #21

By nautika

Rated: K

Disclaimer:  LOTR is Tolkien's.  I am not he.  Not for profit story.

Seeking Home
 

Home - I need to go home.  Long have I been kept from there despite all I have done to find my way.  I have survived battles, water and flame.  I have traveled with men and with hobbits - some welcomed me eagerly, others turned from me and one or two even allowed me to overwhelm them, which ultimately lead to their downfall.  But the one who bears my weight now will be the one to finally take me home.  I sense it, as I have sensed the presence of my master's spies and servants.  This one will give his heart to me.  Soon he will serve my master in the same as the Nine.  Soon, this hobbit will see me home...to the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie...home...to Sauron.

end

Bird Watcher

By nautika

A/N  Written for the Prompt Challenge #7 “Alone”, this is under 150 words.  I had a particular LOTR character in mind when I wrote it, but decided not to name him, so everyone could picture their own favorite Tolkein character.  I consider all my stories AU and this is a not for profit story. Oh, yes, and I'm horrible at titles.
K+ or more

 
Bird Watcher

He had traveled at a steady pace and was determined to reach his destination by evening meal.  He paused to take a drink from his water bag and as he tilted his head back to allow the refreshing liquid to slide down his throat, his attention was drawn to the ebony birds.  He watched as they floated through the skies seemingly without effort.  They moved in and around each other as if in a dance.  Indeed, in some ways that is what he knew it to be…a dance of death, choreographed on the backdrop of blue sky and large, billowy clouds.  Below them, somewhere, some poor animal was drawing it’s final breaths as the scavengers waited patiently for their next meal.  Frozen in place, overwhelmed by the moment, he watched, mesmerized by their grace, feeling simultaneously awed and alone.

End