"Edleneth!" Arwen called. Her best friend was hiding and they were scheduled to search for Aragorn and Frodo soon. "This is no time for games!"
"Life is a game," Edleneth jumped down from a tree. "It flies by too fast to take seriously."
"Edleneth, we are elves," Arwen argued, "We live practically forever!" They began to walk toward the stables.
"We can still die," Edleneth told her dark-haired friend, "And you, my friend, can choose to give up your immortality."
"I suppose," Arwen replied, "But you are a warrior. You know how to defend yourself."
"Even the mightiest can be slain," Edleneth responded, "And I am destined to die."
"Just because there is a prophecy concerning your death doesn't mean you will die," Arwen disagreed.
"My body will be taken by someone else," Edleneth said, and recited:
'Edleneth the golden-haired
With eyes of sapphire blue
In a foreign mine of stone
By Orkish blade will pass away.
Edleneth of Rivendell
A warrior will die,
And though dead, she will awake
But only by an outside force.
The last breath of Edleneth,
Unfinished as the sea
By another will be done
And into her their soul will go.'
"One line says, 'And though dead, she will awake,'" Arwen quoted, "Doesn't that mean you will live again?"
"But only by an outside force," Edleneth told her friend, "Besides, it's not done yet."
"If you are so afraid of death, why don't you sail to the West?" Arwen asked.
"I am not afraid of death," Edleneth growled, "I want to help Middle-Earth while I can."
"You are so stubborn," Arwen stated. Edleneth grinned.
"Indeed she is," a voice said behind them, causing both girls to jump.
"Elrohir!" Arwen yelped as her brother fell into step with them.
"Wait, a minute, you are never without-" Edleneth was cut off as Elladan jumped down from a tree.
"Can't we walk with you? We are searching as well," Elladan said.
"How many are going?" Edleneth asked curiously.
"Just five of us," Elrohir responded.
"Glorfindel is going as well," Elladan explained. Arwen and Edleneth nodded.
"I think it would have made sense if nine went. One for each Nazgul," Arwen stated.
"That would have made sense, but only five volunteered," Elrohir told them.
"Besides," Elladan joked, "Edleneth counts for two people!"
Edleneth glared at him, before swiftly punching his arm. "I haven't died yet, and if you say anything more I'll make sure you die first." Elladan only grinned, which caused Edleneth to start laughing. She could never stay angry with Elladan or Elrohir for long. They reached the stables and mounted their horses.
"May the Valar protect you," Edleneth said, and added when Arwen smiled, "I'm going to find them first!" Arwen shook her head and they spurred their horses in different directions.
A day passed by uneventfully. The next day however, an arrow whizzed past Edleneth's head. Turning her horse around, Edleneth saw that a group of orcs was headed her way. She quickly pulled out her bow and notched an arrow. Letting it fly, she grinned as it struck an orc in the forehead. Edleneth sent more and more arrows at the orcs, but soon they were too close. Drawing her twin daggers, she slashed at the orcs, not paying much mind when one of their swords nicked her arm.
After killing most of the orcs and sending the rest running, Edleneth tended to her scrapes and injuries. They were few in number, and thankfully, none were poisoned. She urged her horse on, and continued the search.
Lord Elrond had said to search for five days and if they were not found, to return to Rivendell in the hopes that one of the other elves found them. Edleneth didn't want to let him down, and saw the search as more of a competition than a race against the enemy. She had to beat Arwen at least, but her best friend was a fast rider and could cover more ground in five days than Edleneth.
After another day, Edleneth heard a Nazgul screech, and decided to follow the sound. She could take on nine Ring-Wraiths any day. It was nightfall when she saw Aragorn and a small hobbit searching for athelas, it seemed. She stayed hidden, planning to sneak up on Aragorn, but someone beat her to it.
"What's this, a Ranger, caught off his guard?" Arwen teased Aragorn, holding her blade at his neck.
Upset, Edleneth snuck out of her bush and held her daggers at Arwen's neck. "Ruining your moment?"