Flight Of Fate

Chapter Nineteen - Old Acquaintances

"Thranduil Oropherion!"

Heads lifted and swivelled in the direction of the booming voice that rang across the restaurant.

Kira's eyebrows rose as she took in the vision making his way in between tables to approach them. The man was relatively tall, not as tall as Thranduil, but still tall in his own right. His long grey hair was pulled back into a low ponytail with strands springing free here, there, and everywhere, and his impressive beard seemed to have a life of its own. Her eyes remained on him until he stood before the couple.

Thranduil rose, instantly towering over the newcomer. "Gandalf," he welcomed him, holding his hand out.

The man grasped it and gave it a hearty shake. "You are looking well, my friend," he said with a smile that made his entire face crinkle. Sharp blue eyes shifted to Kira. "And you must be the lovely Kira," he said. "Gandalf Grey, my dear – at your service."

Thranduil smirked as he lowered himself back onto the chair. "As theatrical as ever," he mused. "Gandalf and I go back many years."

The grey-haired man pulled out a chair and thumped down unceremoniously. "I took the first flight I could after receiving Thorin's telephone call," he said. "And I am truly glad that I did. Is this your little one?" His eyes had moved to the car seat which had been placed on the seat next to Thranduil.

He smiled. "Yes. This is Eden."

Gandalf gazed at the sleeping infant and smiled. "She is adorable," he murmered. He looked over at the blonde. "And your exact likeness too, I might add. Congratulations to both of you."

Kira smiled her gratitude.

"Has Thorin told you everything?" Thranduil asked, pouring three glasses of wine. One he handed to their guest, and the other to her. "There you go, my love."

"I'd better not, in case Eden wakes up through the night," she said.

He shook his head. "I am only having the one glass, my darling. I will see to her if she awakes."

Gandalf's gaze followed the movement as he absorbed their interaction. "Yes. Very disturbing business, I must say. Kira, my dear, you have coped exceptionally well under the circumstances. Your dreadful brother has made your very existence a complete misery."

She nodded, lowering her gaze to the pristine white tablecloth. "Yes, he has," she answered. "But I won't give in to him. I won't show weakness, and I will not let him do anything to my daughter."

He nodded, as Thranduil reached over and clasped her hand in his.

"He has somehow managed to find her again, and has been in contact," the blonde stated. "He called her at the farmhouse, and she panicked."

Her cheeks burned as Gandalf's eyes moved to her.

"There is no need for shame, my dear," he reassured her. "The man is utter scum, I'm afraid. There are no other suitable words to describe him. Carry on, my friend." He nodded towards Thranduil, who continued.

"He is aware of the relationship between us, and has given her reason to think that I am also in his radar." He paused. "She's scared, Gandalf. I need this fixed, and fast."

"Understandable. I spent the flight doing some research, and some very valuable pieces of information turned up," the older man told him. "Some very valuable pieces."

"Such as?"

"Every time your lovely lady filed a complaint with law enforcement, her brother was actively in the area," he replied as he took a sip of his wine and set the crystal glass back onto the table. "Wherever she was at the time, he was not far away. A little too coincidental, in my mind."