Part Twenty-Six
Lord Elrond of Imladris stood alone in a small clearing beneath the mallorn trees near the
stairs which led up to Galadriel and Celeborn's talan. It was early afternoon, and he was
eager to depart. Had he planned the journey himself, they would have left at dawn.
However, Galadriel had planned the expedition despite the fact that she would not be
accompanying them herself, and he trusted her judgement. By his own estimation, they
would reach the Stream of Nimrodel just after dark -- assuming they left within the next
hour or two.
Haldir and his brothers had not yet returned from their patrol. Elrond had not seen
Amroth, Celeborn, Thranduil or Legolas all morning. He, Erestor and Arwen had
breakfasted with Galadriel but Elrond had not dared ask where her lord was. Erestor had
already left for the border to ready the horses, and Arwen was closeted with her
grandmother. Elrond could not see why, since they would assuredly have plenty of time to
talk while the rest of them were searching for signs of Nimrodel.
He reflected back on the visions he had seen in the mirror in Galadriel's glade last night.
He wondered why he and Amroth had had conflicting revelations. Were they only
visualizing what they hoped would come to pass? Elrond had seen Nimrodel, clear as life,
sitting by the edge of the stream. The sun had been shining on her golden hair, and she had
turned and smiled at him.
Elrond had felt as if he could reach into the water and touch her face. She had been calling
to him, beckoning to him. When he had heard her voice singing in the glade, he had nearly
lost control of himself. Had he been alone he might have dropped to his knees and wept.
What he would not give to hold her in his arms once more, to kiss her, to tell he that he
loved her, had never stopped loving her.
The last time he had seen her had been bad. He had pushed her into lovemaking against
her will when she told him that she was leaving him. Would she hold him in bitterness if he
saw her again? Would she be angry? Would she seek refuge in the arms of Amroth? Did
she truly love Amroth more than she had loved him?
His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden appearance of Legolas Greenleaf, who had
wandered into the clearing looking rather lost in his own thoughts. Elrond looked at him
appraisingly. Legolas seemed to have matured a lot since the last time Thranduil had sent
him to Imladris. He was taller and more muscular, though he would probably grow some
small amount yet over the next five hundred years. His face was beautifully fair, unlined
and exceedingly youthful. His hair was long and straight, his small braids perfectly made.
He walked tall, like his father, but he lacked the dangerous aura that surrounded
Thranduil.
He looked much better than he had the night before. His illness had left him entirely.
Elrond had not enlightened anyone as to how dangerous what Rúmil and Legolas had
done really was. It might not have killed them, but it would have caused permanent
damage to their minds had Orophin not caught them and sent for Elrond when he had.
Still, the antidote had been administered properly, and all was well now. He supposed it
did little good to worry on it further. Legolas stopped abruptly when he saw Elrond, and
Elrond smiled at him.
"Good afternoon, Legolas. How fare you today?"
"I feel much better, thank you," Legolas replied politely. "I cannot tell you how grateful I
am, for everything you have done for me."
"You owe me no thanks."
"But I do. It was more than healing me. You have kept my secrets."
Elrond nodded. He understood that Legolas did not wish his father to know he had been
lying with Haldir. The thought of it gave him no jealousy, even though he had once been
Haldir's lover as well. With the knowledge that Nimrodel might be found, Elrond had
room in his heart only for her.
"Have you and Haldir mended your fences?" he asked. He had not been blind to the anger
between them at the banquet last night.
A pink tinge spread over Legolas' cheeks. He shook his head. "It was a mistake to think he
had changed."
"True, he has not changed," Elrond said, raising an eyebrow. "I think perhaps you need to
examine the light in which you have viewed him."
Legolas looked surprised. "Think you so?" he asked warily. "I fear that Haldir and I simply
have not the same ideas about affection."
"I believe you have exactly the same ideas-- and the same fears," Elrond said. "Yet
perhaps you are correct to be wary. After all, your homelands lie far distant."
"That they do," Legolas said softly. "I wish I had never to return to Mirkwood again."
Elrond nodded. He understood Legolas' feelings. And Mirkwood was a dark, dank place,
full of giant spiders, wild orcs, trolls, goblins… Thranduil liked the challenge of taming a
spot for himself in the wild wood, and building his palace out of rock and stone, half
buried beneath the earth, but what sort of place was it to raise a young elfling? It was no
wonder Legolas was known as one of the best shots in Middle-earth. His life depended on
it.
"Just remember, you are welcome in Imladris at any time," he said.
Legolas nodded in thanks, then looked around the clearing. "Where are the others? Is it
not time to depart?"
"I am ready," Elrond said, his lips quirking slightly. "Erestor has gone ahead to call for the
horses. As for the rest--"
"I am here," said Amroth, strolling into the clearing. "I went to the border with Haldir and
his brothers. They are with Erestor now, so we attend only Thranduil. I thought there was
no need for them to come back."
"I will fetch my father," Legolas said. He turned and disappeared out of the clearing.
Elrond let his gaze meet Amroth's. He was glad they had come to a peace between them,
even if they did not agree about what was to come. He truly liked the lost king of Lórien.
His wisdom was evident, and he was known to have ruled well. Also, he asked nothing of
Galadriel and Celeborn. He had treated Orophin in a courteous manner, and Arwen
seemed to be fond of him.
"I wish to ask you about what you saw in the mirror," Amroth said slowly.
Elrond nodded. "I saw her by the stream. She was beautiful, and vibrant… as she always
was."
"I would I had the same vision."
"Did you not hear her song?"
"I did, Elrond, but it was a ghost, a memory!"
Elrond shook his head, refusing to accept this. "No…she lives. She must."
"Do you wish to know what I saw?" Amroth said slowly.
"I dare not ask."
"I saw her taken by orcs in the fields near Fangorn."
Elrond's eyes widened. "Orcs!"
"Haldir saw visions of orcs as well."
"He did not see them taking Nimrodel," Elrond said stubbornly.
"Why do you refuse to believe this?"
"Why do you refuse hope?"
Amroth shook his head. "I do not wish to be at odds with you, Elrond. I suppose we must
simply wait and see."
"That is the way of it," said Galadriel lightly as she joined them, arm in arm with Arwen.
Elrond noticed immediately that Arwen was dressed in her travelling clothes. He opened
his mouth to say something about this but Galadriel looked at him and cut him off. "Arwen
will take this journey with you, Elrond."
"Please, Father," Arwen added. "Do not turn me away from this."
"Why do you put her in danger?" Elrond hissed at Galadriel. "You know I will follow your
bidding, but it is not safe."
"It is safe enough," Galadriel said. "My Marchwarden will not allow any harm to befall
Arwen. Besides, she has the ability to look after herself."
Arwen had her sword tied to her belt. Hadhafang, it was called, and it had belonged to
Elrond's mother. Elrond had seen to her training with it and knew she was skilled, but this
did not keep a father's worry from entering his heart. He did not understand why Galadriel
wished Arwen to come with them, but it heartened him. If Galadriel said the dangers
would be small, then they would be.
"What of the orcs Haldir foresaw?" he said belligerently, not wishing to give in too easily
to his daughter's wishes. There were some who thought her spoiled and willful as it was.
"I can handle orcs," Arwen said eagerly.
"Have you not learned, Elrond, that the visions in the mirror are possibilities, not
eventualities. They are hopes and warnings. The future is carved not in stone. Be wary and
ready for orcs, and you will easily handle them."
Elrond frowned, but he nodded. "I still do not understand why you cannot keep her here
for a few weeks while we are gone."
"She does not wish to stay behind," said Galadriel. "I, for one, cannot blame her. And
besides, my lord Celeborn requests that his granddaughter be allowed on this journey. I
will not deny him anything."
Elrond's eyebrows shot up. Celeborn was behind this? No wonder… What had he to gain
by sending Arwen into danger?
“Let her come, Elrond,” Amroth said, and suddenly the way that the ancient king was
looking at his daughter made him uncomfortable.
"I will be an asset to this party," Arwen said.
"Of course you will be," Celeborn said, joining them. He and Thranduil appeared together,
with Legolas trailing behind them. "You should see her fight, Elrond. She can almost take
down Haldir!"
"I find that thought disquieting," Elrond said, but secretly he was amused.
"I bet she is not as good as my Legolas," Thranduil said, punching Celeborn in the arm in
a friendly manner. "You should see him with a sword. He has killed half a dozen spiders
nearly at once!"
"Father, please," Legolas said modestly.
"I would match swords with Legolas any day," Arwen said venomously.
"We are all lucky that there is no need for you to do so," Galadriel said lightly.
Arwen looked at Celeborn and Thranduil with her chin lifted. "Where is Rúmil?"
"Haldir and his brothers await us at the border, with Erestor," said Amroth.
Elrond looked around the group. He felt as if there was something he knew not. Rúmil
was the biggest troublemaker in the wood. What had happened? And why was Arwen
concerned?
"Have not seen him since last night," Thranduil said jovially. "Elrond have you some sort
of potion for a blackened eye? Celeborn and I were having a bit of a friendly scuffle and I
am afraid I accidentally laid Rúmil out with my fist."
Arwen gasped. She glared furiously at Thranduil, then bit her lip. She said no more.
Galadriel was gazing at Celeborn as well and Elrond thought he saw a hint of sadness in
her eyes.
"I have everything required," Elrond said. "Let us set out, then. I will look at him when I
get there."
"You will have no need," said Amroth. "Haldir saw to his brother. The mark was already
fading and will no doubt be gone by tomorrow."
Elrond was impressed. Haldir had learned well from him, when he had been taught to
make his own medicines. In return he had helped Arwen with her swordplay. Elrond
almost wished now that he had not insisted Haldir give his daughter battle training, but he
knew she would be safer for the knowledge -- especially now.
"Ah, good. It pleases me to hear this, so I may be without guilt in this matter," Thranduil
said. Elrond doubted that the Elven-king of Mirkwood ever felt guilt over anything.
"It is time you set off," Galadriel said. "I give my blessing to all of you, and will wish you
a swift return."
"I will see you soon, my friend," Celeborn said to Thranduil, looking deeply into his eyes
with such an intimate expression that Elrond felt he must turn away. He glanced at
Galadriel but she had busied herself with Arwen and seemed to take no notice.
Amroth led the small group towards the border, and for the most part they walked without
speaking, which was odd, Elrond thought, for Thranduil was not known for his silence.
Arwen stayed by his side. Thranduil and Legolas followed them. As promised, Haldir,
Rúmil, Orophin and Erestor waited at the edge of the Golden Wood. The horses had been
summoned, enough for each elf to have his or her own mount.
Arwen went immediately to Rúmil and examined his black eye, but she said little about it
to him. Rúmil glared at her, but he let her take his chin in her hand all the same. Legolas
looked not at all at Haldir, who was pretending not to see him either after one hopeful
glance in his direction. Orophin and Amroth greeted each other happily, but Elrond saw
worry in Orophin's eyes. He knew that this journey would change what had sprung up
between them. Thranduil mounted his steed quickly, shouting to the rest of them
impatiently to do the same. Erestor led Elrond's horse forward.
What a journey this would be, Elrond thought as he climbed onto his steed. What a very
long journey.
