Chapter 3

When the time came at last, Elireth was prepared. To all others in the White City, it would seem that their beloved Queen had melted away in the darkness of the night, but many years in the service of the Evenstar had made Elireth sensitive to her mistress's movements.

"So, the hour has arrived, my Lady," said Elireth, stepping into Arwen's chamber. The Queen stood by the window; a solitary figure dressed in black, with her beautiful raven hair hung simply down her back.

"I have set all your affairs in order," Elireth continued, outwardly calm although inwardly her heart quailed. ""And mine also. I am ready to go."

Arwen turned towards her and shook her head sadly.

"Dear Elireth," she said, her soft, clear voice filled with emotion. "You said you would remain by my side and so you have, for good and for ill. You may travel with me for a time."

Then the Queen took from her wardrobe a grey cloak of Lothlórien, like to the one Legolas wore, as had all the Fellowship. And she wrapped it about herself and fastened it with its leaf brooch. And she took another for Elireth, exactly the same, and gave it to her to wear over her gown.

"Nothing more shall we need," said the Queen, "no horse, no provisions. For this shall be our last journey and we shall not return."

Then they put up the hoods of their Elven cloaks and passed out of the city, walking silently through the dark streets. None saw them pass, and they walked side by side without a word until they came nigh to the Greywood.

"And now, my dear child, we must say goodbye," said Arwen, turning to her handmaiden. "I go to the land of Lórien, to Cerin Amroth to make the niphredil my pillow and the mallorn leaves my blanket, and sleep until Estel shall wake me."

"No! No!" cried Elireth. Panic rose in her breast and she clung to Arwen, shaking. "Take me with you, my Lady! What is there for me here but emptiness? Let me lay beside you at last, my Queen. Take me with you!"

"Not now," said Arwen, softly. "That is not your path."

"Then what is my path?" Elireth wept.

"I no longer see the paths of others," the Queen replied. "Only the path that winds to the hill where once I forsook the Twilight. I go to my heart. You must do likewise."

"Ever has my heart been torn in two," cried Elireth. "Duty and desire have battled within me, and now you would seem to deny me both."

"Your duty toward me has come to an end," replied Arwen. "The clamour is over. In the stillness, listen to your heart. You will hear its call, even as I have done."

Then mistress and maid embraced one another, and many were the tears that were shed. Elireth clung to her Queen, not wanting to ever let her go, but slowly, gently, Arwen released herself from Elireth's grasp and stepped once more onto the road.

"Namárië!" she whispered.

Then she turned and disappeared into the night, and Elireth saw her no more.