Arya watched Eragon go, trying to hold in the tears that threatened to run down her face. Eragon had been such and adventure, although she wouldn't admit that to anyone else. He had been unpredictable, full of emotion and life, and yet she still couldn't give up how things had been before him. Now she wouldn't have a chance. She found it only too ironic that, now that she would perhaps have time for one such as he, Eragon had gone.

Still, she had the duties of being queen, and she could- would- keep to them. Arya had managed thus far; loneliness wasn't the worst thing she could be dealing with. The boat drifted down the river towards the setting sun. When Arya was to return, she had several meetings to attend to: diplomatic reasoning with the Urgals, plans on how to compensate those who lost family during the war, and general peace-keeping during this time of uneasy peace. It was a lot to handle, but Arya was sure she could manage it. Besides, she had others who could help her. She and Nasuada had become somewhat close during these past few months, perhaps good friends. Amidst the sorrow of this departing, Arya smiled to think that she had someone who could understand a bit of what she was going through. Things weren't going to be as bad as she had feared.

Undying Lands: Several months later

The serene beauty of the Undying Lands was only a façade masking the chaos that was ensuing in the Mindon. Elves were scurrying around, the masses panicked at the surprising turn of events: Galadriel had been captured, and no one knew who had done the deed.

Elrond and Celeborn were trying to calm those around them, while the normally composed elves themselves were inwardly just as frightened as those they hoped to help.

"Do you know where she's gone?" Celeborn hissed to preventing prying ears to hear the conversation.

Elrond looked at him in disbelief. "She's your wife! How would I know of her whereabouts?"

Celeborn moaned softly. "I can't believe this. Surely something dark is behind this! There is no way that Galadriel would leave all of the sudden like this, not without informing us first."

The former king of Lothlorien and his people had come to Tirion in the Undying Lands to be with Galadriel's people, the Noldor. Now, what was left of those elves had come under the rule of the only heir to their former king, Fingolfin. Galadriel had been a good leader since. Now that she was gone, the city and any Noldor or Eldar at all would be fearful. It was Celeborn and Elrond's job to keep word of this on the down-low. Surely it would be resolved soon enough.

Elrond sighed. "I know. It's not like her. But we can't jump to conclusions so fast; we should take council with others before we announce anything or take any active measures."

"What do you suggest, then, Elrond?" Celeborn asked. "Gandalf and the other elven leaders? There aren't many Eldar left, you know." He sighed. "And it's not like the Fellowship is up to doing anything. Most of them are on death's door."

Elrond laughed. "Most of them, but not all. Legolas and Gimli have returned from Middle Earth, I hear. Legolas founded a rather prosperous civilization there, but now they've come back to the rest of us."

"Is that so? They would most definitely bring some good advice," Celeborn agreed. "Let us make council with them in the morning."