Chapter Three

It Has Been Found


"I exist as I am, that is enough."

-Walt Whitman


Our departure was quick. I don't believe that we had ever ran as fast as we did than on our trek back to Rivendell. Every footfall pushed us farther and farther away from the tainted souls of man and closer to the tranquility and aged wisdom our home brought us. I couldn't decide though what was really pushing our muscles to go faster, was it the striking fear of what was really under those cloaks or was it the feeling of homesickness because we were so far from our people? I didn't have much time to truly ponder on those thoughts as I pushed myself to remain by both of my captain's sides.

We settled down once our muscles could take no more of their punishment and collapsed beside a collection of rocks on an open plain. We slid down the side of them and panted, sweat streamed down our bodies and trickled into the soil. I wanted nothing more than to sleep and recover from our harsh three day run.

"Only an hour of rest before we set off Elleta." Elladan said between his pants and I nodded before slouching forward to rest my head on my knees that I pulled up.

"We'll be home by dusk comrades." I said hoarsely, my back was most likely covered in splashes of black and blue from the brutal beating because of my shield and axe thumping against it.

"I cannot wait to strip myself clean." Elrohir said laughing lightly.

Our talk helped push the feeling of dread from our minds, there was a reason that we were sent to follow the Ringwraiths, and somehow I thought that it was not a mere coincidence that they were at The Shire. The same place that fifty years ago a certain Baggins came back with a questionable item that seems to have illuded elvish eyes. I thought the worst, but for this moment my mind lay occupied on warm baths and being reunited with my closest friend Arwen, who had exciting news to tell me but refused to breathe a word until I returned.


We have a final push towards the valley, we did not hold the same strength as before. We felt a sudden urgency to get home the last few hours that we were outside the protection of Rivendell, as if some evil was already leaking it's way into the soil and corrupting it. We arrived shortly after dusk and went straight to Elrond, not thinking of taking a bath, but to do what was drilled into us, report everything. Elladan knocked on the door as we waited for Elrond's confident voice to stream through the wooden door.

"Come in." I pushed open the door and bowed my head to my passing captains and to Lord Elrond.

"Elleta, you are free to go. I shall get your report in the morning before you go and train the new recruits." Lord Elrond said and I bowed my head again in acknowledgement.

"-o iór hir Elrond, laug or- i tiri- til im rinn- nin meld gwanún." I spoke swiftly before exiting the room and closing the door behind me and marching quickly back to my room.

Thankfully, a bath was drawn and ready to soak into my aching muscles. My clothes were pulled off in a disgusting, dirty mess and revealed the extent of the dirt, blood, and grime that a river could not truly get rid of. My skin was red by the time I finished scrubbing it down, and my head was throbbing from the harsh treatment it received because of my hair. I pulled myself out of my bath and into a simple nightgown wanting nothing more than to sleep.

I walked into my room and noticed Arwen standing on the foot of my bed fiddling with her necklace. I smiled, "stalking isn't very royal mellon," she squealed turning to see me and gave me a well deserved and well missed hug.

"You gave me such a fright when I only saw my brothers with adar, I thought something got to you and you're the best guard besides my brothers, but I was worried about Estel-."

"Calm down Arwen, all is well meld tinu we both know Estel can hold his own, and Elrond is letting me get some rest before I start training the recruits to see if they have it in them to become a guard. Do not fret so much Arwen, it is beyond your years." I spoke softly and soothingly, trying to calm my frantic friend who slowly eased out of her panic.

"Sometimes it is hard to believe that I am centuries older than you my dearest mellon." She smiled before sitting down on the bed and I followed suit.

"I think there are hope in our new recruits, Elladan has taken to teasing an elfling who is a little over one hundred, but uses me as an excuse to tease Thalion. Yet, I think something can be made of the boui." I said trying to talk of tomorrow, but a feel of dread was still holding itself in my fae.

"I believe I've seen Thalion on occasion, he has some potential. He works with his father on the boats. I would of thought that he would take to fishing instead of becoming a guard, especially after the death of his eldest brother and his mother sailing." Arwen said while she continued to play with the evenstar around her neck.

"Aye we thought the same of Thalion, but he is stubborn and showing the same ruthlessness as his older brother, from what I am told. What is causing your panic?" I questioned her.

Arwen bit her lip trying to formulate a proper explanation, as I patiently stared at her waiting for a response, "I am thinking of a future with Estel", her words were but a whisper. For a moment I thought my ears betrayed me in the words she spoke, but I didn't find a lie in her eyes that were pleading for me to understand.

"A fir cuil?What of your family Arwen? You'll throw all of that away for the sake of a man?!" I yelled my anger clearly heard throughout my room and had probably bled into the hallway and other rooms.

"Im hád ha awaui an mel!" I thought you agreed to what Estel and I have?" Arwen yelled back with more anger than my voice had.

"I thought it was a fantasy! Elrond won't allow for you to perish! It will break him Arwen, he will sail when you die…" My voice broke slightly at the end, although the anguished tones were still in my voice, the underlying current of sadness seeped into the air.

Arwen would tear apart so many of us if she went and gave herself completely to Estel, to see a light as bright as her dim throughout the cruelties of old age. I couldn't bring myself to think of it, I knew they loved each other, but I did not want it to be serious, I wanted to keep my closest friend who supported me from the beginning. Who helped heal me and get me to open up about my family and the world I was born in.

"Ha na- nin cuil a sab- eriol. I cannot live under my adar's rules forever, my heart has chosen him and only him Elleta." She stood and swiftly left the room with the same air of grace as if no argument had taken place and like her heart did not frantically beat against her ribs with a pounding pain that cut through her heart from my harsh words.

I didn't have the heart to call after her, needless to say I was only in my nightgown and I was beyond tired. I was ready for a dreamless sleep after our argument, I didn't regret any of what I said, because Elrond would surely say worse as would the twins. I wished that maybe she would have consulted someone before completely giving herself to Estel.


There was a certain amount of peace I found in my daily routine, even if at times they changed in the slightest amount. I still woke up in my room and fell asleep in the same bed, knowing exactly where my closest companions were. A simple report to Elrond did little to sway the peace I felt, it was a simple report that was already repeated twice by my elder companions.

I was not wearing my full gear that I was wearing for my prior mission, it was a simple pair of earthly colors for my breeches, tunic, vest, and brown leather boots. Only Nen was strapped to my belt, as I made my way to Elrond's private office. My hair swung in a single braid behind me and my purposeful footsteps kept me going right by Arwen's door, which was open, a strange occurrence. It was not what I was used to, usually it was open. Unless of course, she was out of Rivendell.

Fear pressed against my heart and fueled my feet forward. It seemed my need to go to Elrond was far more important than to tell a report, if she had run off Elrond would know why. Hadn't men taken enough? I thought to myself angrily, as I knocked on the door and waited for a response.

"Come in little elf." I sighed at the nickname before pushing open the door. Elrond was standing next to the window instead of his chair.

"My report is written my lord, I'll lay it on your desk." I said formally, a lot was on his mind and I didn't wish to burden it with my own thoughts.

"Thank you Elleta, but do not leave. We have some things to talk about." He replied before turning around and sitting in his chair while gesturing to one facing him for me to sit.

"Do you know why I call you little elf?" Elrond said as I sat down.

I shook my head looking at him curiously, unsure of what exactly this conversation was leading too.

"You are very much like an elf, you may be a full-blooded pixie, but your resemblance to my race is uncanny."

"What are you trying to say my lord?" I interrupting and I began to panic.

He raised a hand to halt me before I said anything else.

"You are still a child in my people's eyes Elleta, yet you climbed the ladder to your new position with ease. Many have fought long and hard for centuries, yet you beat them with a single strike from the axe you carry. It is rare to find a warrior within a pixie. Your people are," he paused looking up at me as I flinched, "were, first and foremost lovers of nature, not a fighting bone in their bodies unless they are faced a grave threat. Yet, only a few showed a warrior's spirit, you are one of them Elleta."

I fell back in my chair, I restrained myself from rolling my eyes. I already knew that their were a few warriors in my dead race. We were a force to be reckoned with, I wanted to know more of what was so important that I couldn't train the aspiring guards.

"Forgive me for interrupting again my lord, but I already knew such things. My mother drilled it into me when I was only a child." I said keeping my composure.

"I mean to simply remind you. Keep in mind what your true purpose is Elleta, dark times are ahead and you must remain on the path towards the light. Do not stray from it or we shall all fall into the darkness." He said seriously and I was slightly taken back by his riddles.

"Save the riddles for Mithrandir, but I can tell that you shall say no more on the subject." I said cautiously, trying to not be too sarcastic.

"Now another matter must be talked about, Arwen has left to rescue Frodo Baggins. She will hopefully be back soon." Elrond spoke swiftly but I could clearly hear the worry.

"Why send her? There are many capable guards Elrond? Arwen hasn't left alone in years!" I nearly screamed.

"I know, but she was not going to let me persuade her otherwise, now I believe you have some recruits to tend too." He spoke before standing up and going back his thoughts by the window.

"Of course, Man aur Lord Elrond." I replied before rising from my seat and quickly bowing my head and leaving swiftly.

My head was kept raised as I made my way through the streets, my footsteps silent against the chatter and the whine of elflings who were trying to bargain with their parents to get a wooden sword or for a pretty new dress. Most quickly moved out of my way and bowed their heads sending soft prayers. I nodded to a few I recognized and replied to some hello's that I encountered.

I made my way quickly to the grounds, seeing Elladan and Elrohir already prepping some of the new recruits, most likely scaring them to get rid of the ones who won't be able to swing a sword when needed. I made my way to the side of Elrohir who smiled at me a clasped my shoulder.

"This is our first lieutenant, Elleta. She will show you the basics today." Elladan said before pushing me slightly forward.

"Thank you captain. Now you will get into three separate groups, one group shall be showing me your skills with daggers, another group will be showing Captain Elladan your skills with a sword, and lastly the last group will be showing Captain Elrohir your skills with a bow. Your groups have already been predetermined and randomly assigned. You will work in pairs within each group."

"Adan you are with Captain Elladan, find a sword." I said reading off from a list the esquire gave me.

"Veryan you are also with Captain Elladan, Revion you are with me as is Thalion both of you grab a dagger and stand in the far corner."

I continued down the list, we had thirty six new recruits, meaning twelve were put into each group an even number of pairings and we began to talk to the recruits and show each pairing the correct stance we wanted them to repeat and taught them moves before releasing them to begin fighting each other. Every now and again we would correct them before we had them switch weapons to learn how to fight with a new one. Even though many already knew what the basics were, we wanted them instilled again to ensure that none fell behind once the real trials began.


The rest of the day was uneventful, fall was already on our doorstep so the cold was already blessing the air and changing the leaves into a gorgeous array of colors. I was already at the stables about to mount my horse, he was named Barathon, it meant fiery and served the bay stallion well, his temper gave the stable hands quite a hard time, but he did well under my careful care.

One of stable hands came running up to me as I mounted Barathon and he looked quite winded and in a hurry.

"Lady Elleta! Lord Elrond has required your presence, Lady Arwen has returned with precious cargo."

I nodded quickly and thanked the servant, who took Barathon's reins as I swiftly dismounted and ran as fast as I could up to Lord Elrond's home. I took little thought to bumping into the civilians and made it up to where Arwen was waiting right outside a room in the healing quarters.

"Bless the Valar, I was worried Arwen!" I hugged the woman tightly and she responded the same.

"No need to be worried Elleta, I am safe. Although adar is trying to heal Frodo Baggins…" Arwen hesitated before dropping her voice to a whisper, "He was stabbed by a morgul blade, he has the ring Elleta, he brought it here."

I was taken back, my heart sped up, "he cannot heal from a wound like that Arwen, he will be forever marked by it. That ring is jeopardizing our safety, surely Elrond knows it cannot remain here?" I spoke urgently and Arwen only nodded her head.

"He is calling on a counsel, he sent word to our allies. He won't tell me the plan, but he might speak to you about such matters."

I nodded to her statement before she walked away most likely to see Estel who made it back, from the horse in the stable I saw before I fled to see Arwen, it was a reasonable conclusion. I waited outside the door for any news and Gandalf was making his way to the door when he spotted me sitting in the shadows.

"Ah Elleta, I have a favor to ask of you." His gruff voice made me raise one of my brows.

"What is it that you need Mithrandir?" I asked looking at him quizzically, leaning forward in my seat exposing my face to the rays of light.

"At the counsel, that I know Arwen spoke to you about, I am requesting that you come to it, it will be hosted in a few hours once our allies come in. It will be a private matter dealing with rather delicate topics." Gandalf asked and I nodded my head.

"Of course mellon, you will see me there." I replied and he smiled before going into the room where the hobbit was.

I sighed resting my head in the palms of my hands and pushed myself off the seat and into the room. I opened the door expecting the hobbit only to see Gandalf and Elrond standing by the window looking out at two hobbits, one I assumed to be Frodo, but I couldn't discern between the two.

"My Lord Elrond," he nodded his head to me in approval before I came to stand next to him.

"His strength returns." Elrond said to Gandalf and I.

"That wound will never fully heal." I said softly.

"Aye, he will carry it the rest of his life." Gandalf said adding onto my statement, turning to look at us and we nodded solemnly.

"And yet to have come so far still bearing the Ring…" Elrond said walking off deep in thought, "...the hobbit has shown extraordinary resilience to its evil." He said.

I nodded taking a seat near the window fiddling with my dagger while they continued to speak.

"It is a burden he should never have had to bear." Gandalf countered.

"Aye, such a burden for one so pure." I said softly.

"We can ask no more of Frodo." Gandalf said sadly, his pipe was propped up in hand and I could feel the guilt come off of him in unrelenting waves.

"Gandalf, the enemy is moving, Sauron's forces are massing in the East. His eye is fixed on Rivendell", he turned to look at both of us and I looked up at the last statement, the ring must leave then I thought, "And Saruman, you tell me, has betrayed us."

"That takes away one of our strongest allies! The ring must leave Gandalf, Rivendell cannot harbor such an evil." I said before standing next to Elrond.

"Aye Elleta is right Mithrandir, our list of allies grows thin." Elrond stated clearly agitated at the wizards indifference.

"His treachery runs deeper than you know," a knowing look came upon Gandalf's face as Elrond listened fully to what he was saying in rebuttal, "by foul craft, Saruman has crossed Orcs with Goblin-men. He's breeding an army in the caverns of Isengard."

I stilled, a new enemy? One we hadn't seen before. I could only hope that such monsters kept the same stupidity as the ones that they were bred with. The fight for the free people was going to become much harder than what we originally thought it would be.

"An army that can move in sunlight and cover great distance at speed. Saruman is coming for the Ring." Gandalf said and I moved over to stand by the window looking at the elves wandering around happily, unknowing of the great evil that was here and that would be coming.

"This evil cannot be concealed by the power of the Elves." I stated.

"Aye, we do not have the strength to fight both Mordor and Isengard!" Elrond said as Gandalf drew closer to him.

Gandalf walked to stand by me, "Gandalf…", Elrond said to his retreating figure, "... the Ring cannot stay here." He spoke plainly and a pained look crossed Gandalf's weary face.

It was times like this that I missed the simplicity of the first few years I was here. The peace and the easy life, no such matters existed even when I was off on a mission. I missed the easy talks and the fun races to see who was the fastest. The friendly fight with Estel to test each other and to teach what we knew. I missed it all and I knew I couldn't have it back.

"This peril belongs to all Middle-earth. They must decide now hot to end it," Elrond spoke before gliding over to stand next to us, "the time of the Elves is over. My people are leaving these shores. Who will you look to when we've gone? The Dwarves?" He scoffed, "They hide in mountains seeking riches. They care not for the troubles of others." I nodded in agreement.

"It is in Men that we must place our hope." Gandalf said and I restrained the urge to scowl.

"Men?" Elrond said doubtfully.

"Men are weak. The race of men is failing." I replied to Gandalf as Elrond turned and walked.

"The blood of Numenor is all but spent, its pride and dignity forgotten," we trailed behind Elrond, "It is because of Men the Ring survives."

"I was there Gandalf," Elrond said before getting lost in his memories, "I was there 3,000 years ago… when Isildur took the Ring. I was there the day the strength of Men failed," he paused, "I led Isildur into the heart of Mount Doom… where the Ring was forged, the one place it could easily be destroyed."

"It should have ended that day, but evil was allowed to endure." Elrond said.

"Isildur kept the Ring. The line of kings is broken Gandalf," I said calmly, "there's no strength left in the world of Men."

"Aye, they're scattered, divided, leaderless." Elrond replied adding onto my words.

Gandalf smiled softly, "there is one who could unite them. One who could reclaim the throne of Gondor."

Elrond raised a brow, "He turned from the path a long time ago." It was Estel, he refused his birthright. "He has chosen exile."

"Estel will refuse Gandalf, we all know this." I said.

Yet, the thought of him bringing the race of Men together would be a welcomed outcome if we managed to fight back the forces. It would back a strong united ally, a strong political move. Although Estel would refuse unless he found solid enough reason to do such a thing. His beliefs were strong and unwavering, just like my naneth. I wished for her wisdom at the moment, I wished for her to be by my side.


AN: Quick thank you to all who have followed and favorited, please continue your ongoing support and please review, favorite, and follow.

Warmest Regards,

ElletaMarie

Translations:

-o iór hir Elrond, laug or- i tiri- til im rinn- nin meld gwanún.- Of course Lord Elrond, warm up the guard til I return my dear twins.

meld tinu- dear star

Mellon- friend

Adar- father (alternatively ada means 'daddy')

Boui- boy

A fir cuil?- A mortal life?

Im hád ha awaui an mel!- I throw it away for love!

Ha na- nin cuil a sab- eriol.- It is my life and mine alone.

Nen- Water

Mithrandir- Wanderer/grey pilgrim

Man aur- Good day

Elflings- Elves who have not yet reached maturity

Naneth- Mother