Elisse's POV
Gandalf looked at me as I was laying on the earth of the Shire. I am elf that has been known to travel with Gandalf. Although, I have been known to leave him before he goes on any big adventures. I wish to stay out of the spotlight that seems to shine on Gandalf. Most do not know I exist, which is how I liked it. I looked up at Gandalf with a grave look.
"I feel a darkness that is growing very fast, Gandalf. A darkness that has not been a part of this land for a long while," I told Gandalf from my position on the earth. The many plants and blades of grass telling me the things they have seen and felt from their brethren.
"I know, Elisse. I need your help," Gandalf told me. I stood with a grace that only comes with being an elf.
"I will not help on a quest that will put attention on myself, Gandalf. You know that," I told him.
"You will not be in the spotlight, Elisse. I promise," Gandalf said.
"The last time you promised that, I ended up becoming one of the heroes of a small human town on the outskirts of Erebor. I think you can understand my mistrust of you, Gandalf," I told him.
"I do not understand why you do not want to help others. Does it matter that much that you stay out of the spotlight, my dear Elisse?" he asked me.
"Walk with my, would you?" I asked him kindly. We walked in silence until we made it close to the hobbit town.
"Why are we here, Elisse?" Gandalf asked me.
"Watch," I said. We saw all the hobbits minding their own business, exchanging pleasantries with each other. Just being humble and happy. "Do you see that, Gandalf? They are not in the spotlight but they are humbled about it. These hobbits do not need to be in a spotlight or placed on a pedestal to be happy and content. This happiness that comes from them, it is... Beautiful." I breathed in the clean air, smelling many different scents coming from just this distance.
"But, Elisse, these hobbits do not know of the darkness that comes. Their happiness will be destroyed with terror and hopelessness. You do not wish to protect that?" Gandalf asked me. I turned away from the town and went to where I had been laying down. I found my horse and mounted it. I turned to Gandalf.
"Lead on, Gandalf. Middle-Earth needs saving," I told him as I motioned toward his horse.
"I knew I would get your help," Gandalf said with a smile.
"Where to first, old man?" I asked him.
"You must go to Imladris. Wait for me there."
"Where are you going, Gandalf?"
"I must see if what I have seen is true," he told me.
"And if you should take years to come?"
"Wait for me, my dear Elisse. Learn everything you can from Lord Elrond, maybe an answer to end this evil before it spread will come from his stories," Gandalf said.
"Then, I bid you, farewell, Gandalf the Grey. Until we meet again," I said. I kicked the sides of my horse and we were off to Imladris.
A few years later
I walked from my room to have breakfast with Arwen and Elrond. I learned everything I could from Elrond but I had to wait for Gandalf. He has made me wait for almost eight years. I worried with how many years he had been gone. I worried because I had spoken with Lady Galadriel and she said she could not feel his life force. I made it to the breakfast place.
"Good morning, Elisse," I heard Lord Elrond say.
"Hello, Lord Elrond, Lady Arwen," I said as I slightly curtsied to them.
"Elisse," Arwen said and nodded her head in my direction.
"Elisse, Arwen has told me that she is going out of Rivendell soon and wishes me to ask if you would accompany her?" Elrond said.
"Thank you, Lady Arwen, but I must await Gandalf's return. I promised him that I would stay until his return," I said, politely.
"That is quite okay, Elisse. And please, call me Arwen. How many times must I tell you," she said as she smiled at me.
"Of course, I'm sorry," I said. We ate in silence and when we were done, Arwen excused herself to pack for her trip. I walked to some of the vines that were in our place to eat. "Hello, my dear friends. What news from your brethren?" I asked them.
"They say there is darkness in the Shire. A young hobbit named... Frodo Baggins. He has a darkness around him, but he moves away from the Shire with a Samwise Gamgee."
"What do they say, Elisse?" Elrond asked.
"A young hobbit named Frodo Baggins has a darkness that surrounds him. He is leaving the Shire..."
"Gandalf the Grey told him to."
"Gandalf told him to leave. Well, we know that Gandalf is still alive," I said and turned back to Elrond. I felt the vine wrap around my wrist. I looked down. "What more is there, my friend?"
"Isengard seems to be growing in power. Sauromon has been seen growing in power as well."
The vine let go of my wrist. I turned back to Elrond to see him looking back at me expectantly. "Sauromon is growing in power," I answered his silent question.
"As I feared."
"If I may suggest without over stepping my bounds, we may need to call for a council," I said to Elrond.
"I believe we must. Come along, we have much to do," Elrond said while leading me to a room where I knew that scouts and messengers spent some of their time.
The next day
Arwen was standing at the gate to the outside world. I gave her a hug and wished her safe travels.
"Arwen, if you encounter Aragorn or Frodo, please bring them here. They are together as of sometime last night. Ring wraiths are looking for the ring," I told her what the plants had told me that morning.
"I will bring them, Elisse." She pulled me close. "He is coming. My father sent for him," she told me in a whisper.
"You mean... Legolas?" I asked as I hugged her back.
"Yes."
"Be safe, Arwen. I will see you upon your return," I told her. I sent her on her way and went to find Elrond.
I found him sitting by the waterfall. He seemed to be contemplating a decision. I sat next to him.
"You sent for Legolas?" I asked him.
"I did. You must face him at some point, Elisse."
"I know, but, I wish for it to be later, not now. I have not forgiven him," I told Elrond.
"Child, one must forgive before you can move on," he told me. "Perhaps this waterfall will help you let go of the past as it has done for me."
"Perhaps. Goodbye, Lord Elrond." I heard him walk away. I placed my hand just under the surface of the water and felt the life that was inside it. I lifted my hand and found that the water was hovering over my hand. I played with the water and had it go around my hand and arm until I placed it back in its place. I sighed and stood up. I could feel the darkness that was coming to Rivendell and I needed to prepare myself for it. To the practice fields I went to practice my archery and swordsmanship.