Underneath the Stars

Chapter Three

"Farewell to Rivendell"

The day had come.

Elrond would reconvene the Council and announce who he thought should be in the Fellowship. The hours seemed to tick by while everyone in Rivendell waited for their Lord to give the news. The nine people he chose carried the fate of the world. No army could defeat Sauron if the Ring was not destroyed.

"Lord Elrond will choose you."

Legolas looked up from his lunch. Lothiriel had been very quiet the past few days. Most of their time together had been spent watching the stars in the silence.

"I do not think so," Legolas returned, "I am only a prisoner's guard and youngest son. He will send his sons or a battle proven warrior as the representatives of the elves."

"No," Lothiriel shook her head, "Elladan and Elrohir have not returned yet and they will not for many weeks yet. The Fellowship must leave sooner. He will choose you in their stead."

Again, Legolas rejected her statements. "My bow is no match for the skill to fight off Nazgûl. I am too young, that is why I am a messenger of Mirkwood and not a border patrol."

"It is the young who will fight this war. You and I, Elladan and Elrohir, Arwen … we are not so worn by the troubles of this world that we grow weary. The elders tire of Middle-earth, I can see it in their eyes. This Quest to Mordor falls into the hands of the young. The untested will prove their worth."

"Why do you say all of this, Lothiriel? How do you know it?"

Lothiriel smiled bitterly, "I have heard it all, spoken less plainly. I am by Elrond's side in healing. His wisdom is all around. How could I not know?"

Legolas said nothing in return. Lothiriel's eyes were sad, but no more than any elf's in these evil days.

"Will you go?"

"Yes," he answered, without hesitation, "When I left Mirkwood, I felt that I would not return for a long time. Mithrandir thought it also. My path takes me far from my home, whether I am part of the Fellowship or not. If what you think is true, then I will take the South road, then East, and North again in a full circle to my home."

Lothiriel nodded, "I do not feel much differently. My skills will not be needed in Rivendell, not in this war. And I do not think the Dúnedain will require them either. Wherever I will go, I know not yet, but I will go gladly."

"Your paths are not so different, I do not think."

Legolas and Lothiriel turned their eyes up to see Mithrandir standing before them. It was the first time in two months either elf had seen him. Most of the time, he took council with Elrond and when he was free, Bilbo was trying to get stories from him.

"May an old wizard join you?"

"Of course, Mithrandir," Legolas said.

The wizard sat on the opposite side of the table, and then continued speaking. "Do not think of such things in the morning. You are both young, and immortal. You will never be overly troubled by this world for most of your life will be spent in Valinor."

Legolas's eyes grew troubled, "Mithrandir, you know that the wood-elves-"

The wizard held up his hands, "If you take the path I think you will, much will change."

"Much already has," Legolas answered.

Mithrandir laughed then, a hearty laugh like he had not done outside the Shire in many years. "Oh, yes, it has. It most certainly has." He was silent for only a moment. "Elrond wishes to speak with you in his study."

There was a soft knock on the door before Belethuil entered the chambers. Legolas acknowledged him with a nod, but continued packing. Lying on the bed was a large pack only half filled and many items that needed to be placed in the bag. A basket of arrows lie on the floor. The fletching was yellow, not green. Belethuil scowled at the weapons.

"You did not make your own arrows?" he asked.

"Nay, Glorfindel brought them to me."

"You accept these High-elves and their gifts too easily. Did you check the fletching? I think you will find it is not as accurate as our silvan craft."

Legolas did not turn to his father's advisor. "I did check. They are perfect."

Belethuil started at the answer. His face grew stern. "Do not entangle yourself with these elves." When Legolas did not answer, he continued. "I am not sad to see them leave Middle-earth. In fact, I say good riddance. They brought trouble with them from Valinor and have created it ever since. I am glad that we depart soon."

"As am I," the Prince replied.

"Then when shall we leave?" the herald asked, with a smile.

"You and the scouts may leave whenever you like. I leave with the Fellowship of the Ring."

Belethuil said nothing for a long time. "Why?"

"Why? Because Lord Elrond requested that I go."

"No, my Prince. Why do you fight their war? It was the Noldor who befriended Sauron. It was the Noldor who forged the Rings of Power. The wood-elves have fought beside them once before and we lost two-thirds of our elves doing so."

Legolas stood up straight. He tried to appear as princely as he could, but Belethuil was an old and noble Sindar of Doriath. Legolas was only a wood-elf with lofty daydreams.

"Perhaps it is the young who must fight this war. I am the youngest elf in Middle-earth."

Belethuil shook his head. "My Prince, you were just a tiny elfling when Sauron returned from exile and ended the Watchful Peace. You were not even a thought when your grandfather led our elves to Dagorlad. You father was barely of age when Beleriand was sunk into the depths of the sea. You are innocent in these matters. Let those with blood-stained hands do their own work."

Legolas handed a scroll to Belethuil. "Give this to my father. It is a message telling him that I have gone on a Quest to Mordor."

The elder elf replied vehemently, "You damn yourself, Legolas."

Legolas regarded the warrior of Mirkwood for a moment.

"I leave at dusk tomorrow."

The elves of Rivendell had gathered to say farewell to the Fellowship of the Ring. Lord Elrond had chosen Nine Companions to travel into Mordor, though none were bound to go further than they would. Frodo carried the burden of the Ring. After many farewells, Lothiriel gave the hobbit a small bag with fresh sprigs of athelas and some bandages.

"May you never have need of these," she said, and placed a kiss on his forehead. She turned to Sam then. "Take care of him, Master Gamgee. You remember my instructions on how to care for wounds."

Sam nodded, "Beggin' your pardon, Lady, but I don't need to be told to care for my master. But, yes, I do remember every instruction you gave. And I won't be forgettin' 'em either. I promise you that."

Elrond had also chosen two other hobbits, Merry and Pippin, a man of Gondor called Boromir, and Glóin's son Gimli. As expected, Estel and Mithrandir went also to aid Frodo. Lothiriel said brief farewells to them, as she had done many times before, believing she would see them again.

"Did I not say you would be chosen?"

Legolas looked up from his new wrist guards to Lothiriel. She was smiling, though a bittersweet air was about her.

"Do you come to gloat or say farewell?" he returned, smiling also.

"To say farewell. I bring you this." She held out a necklace of pearl, three large stones with many smaller ones between. "It is a tradition of the Teleri maidens to give pearls to their friends as they leave for long travel. Pearls are the symbol of beloved memory and changing bad fortune into good. I give them to you, a new friend, but very dear."

Legolas smiled softly at her, "Thank you, Lady Lothiriel. I will hold them dear and think of you every time I see them."

Lothiriel laid her hand on Legolas's cheek. "You go to save the world. Return to enjoy it."

Gandalf watched Legolas and Lothiriel for a moment longer, then turned to Elrond. The Elven-lord was also watching the Prince and Lady.

"Their faith is their strength," Gandalf said, "I pray that what they may see in the days to come will not destroy it."

Elrond agreed with a small nod, "Legolas will need strength on this quest, and Lothiriel will have need of it in the years following this war, if they should come."

Once again Gandalf nodded, "Many long years we will wait for her on distant shores."

Elrond eyes flitted from Lothiriel to Arwen. He knew the promise Lothiriel had made to his daughter and he was glad Arwen would have her dearest friend until the very end of her days.

Lothiriel and Arwen stood side-by-side, with Elrond and many other elves behind them, watching the Fellowship leave Rivendell. It would be many months and many perils later before they expected to see their friends again, but they did expect it. What Arwen thought while watching Aragorn leave her yet again, Lothiriel did not know. She herself felt profound sadness when her new friends finally disappeared from sight. She whispered a prayer to Ulmo that the pearls his ocean made would truly serve their purpose.

"We will see them again," Arwen said, turning to Lothiriel

Lothiriel nodded, "Yes, we will not if we hope for less."

As the Fellowship crossed over the Ford, Legolas turned back to the Gates of Rivendell. Some elves remained at the Gates, singing a song of farewell and safe travel. For the briefest moment, Legolas paused, though he did not know why. He could have asked for nothing better than this Quest. The chance for a wood-elf to see Middle-earth and for a youngest son to prove himself did not come often. But, Rivendell was hard to leave.

Arwen hurried into the Houses of Healing, searching for Lothiriel amid the healers, patients, empty beds, and privacy screens. She carried in both arms empty saddlebags. Elladan and Elrohir had just arrived with the Gray Company and many of the Rangers were in need of the healers' skills. They would not bother to tend what they thought were minor wounds in the wild and often they became serious ailments over time.

"Next time, wash it, Halbarad," Lothiriel scolded, "How many times do I have to tell you Rangers to wash!"

"Here, Lothiriel," Arwen said, laying the saddle bags on an empty bed, "Elrohir wants you to fill these for the Gray Company's journey to Rohan."

"Then, help me. There is much packing to do."

The ellyth went about carefully packing herbs in wet cloth and bandages into each bag. In three bags they placed also silver surgical tools, smelling salts, and anesthetics. Two of the packs were obviously for Elladan and Elrohir, but the third Arwen did not understand.

"I thought my path would lead me far from home. It is to Rohan I go," Lothiriel said.

"What! No, you cannot, Lothiriel! You will not be allowed," Arwen protested.

"Why would I not be allowed to ride into war as a healer?"

Arwen sighed, "You cannot use a sword or a bow. The only knife work you know is in surgery and that's not going to kill an Uruk-hai. You can barely ride a horse, Lothiriel!"

Lothiriel turned resolutely to Arwen, "I CAN ride a horse …with a saddle. Now, take these bags to the Gray Company. I will keep mine and fit it to my horse when I leave."

Lothiriel turned to leave the Houses of Healing, but was blocked by Elrond regarding her with a stern face and hard eyes.

"Take those bags to the Rangers, Arwen. I need to speak with Lothiriel."

Lothiriel nearly faltered under the penetrating glare of her Elven-lord, but she held firm. After Arwen was gone, she dared to speak.

"I will be needed."

"My sons are able healers," Elrond said, "Put down that bag and return to tending the Rangers. They need care before they ride."

"I want to go," she repeated, though her voice was timid.

The Lord of Imladris shook his head; "I will not send a Lady into a battle zone. Especially not one who cannot defend herself. And even if I did agree, the Rangers would never allow you to go."

Lothiriel tightened her jaw. She gathered all her courage and looked Elrond directly in the eye. "You tell Elladan and Elrohir to ride with the Dúnedain because they were born to protect their kin. You tell Estel to go to Gondor and claim the throne because he was born a King. I was born to heal. Will you not also tell me to do what I was born to do?"

Arwen waved to the Gray Company as they passed out of the gates of Imladris. Standing beside her was Lothiriel, scowling deeply with her jaw clenched. The young elf was sure she could convince Elrond to allow her to ride with the Gray Company, but he was unmoved by her plea. He held his position firmly that an elleth untrained in self-defense was not fit to ride into battle, even as a healer.

"It is for your own good," Arwen said, softly.

"No. It is for your own good and for your Adar's own good that I remain hidden and useless so you do not have to worry. Why can I not protect those that I love?"

Arwen embraced her friend tightly, "Because, Lothiriel, if these evil times should pass, I will demand you keep your promise! You cannot stay with me in Gondor if you die needlessly!"

Lothiriel pulled away slowly. "I promise you again, Arwen, I will remain with you until your mortal life ends. You have already chosen your path. You cannot take back your immortal years now. Do you wish for Estel to die from injury on a battlefield? Or your brothers? Or even Frodo, after we went through so much to save him? Any one of those injuries I could heal if I were allowed to ride with the Gray Company. Would you die needlessly from grief before your time? Help me, Arwen. You know it is the right thing."

Arwen stared at her best friend, her eyes wide. Lothiriel was young and passionate, and often such displays of emotion put older, wiser elves into a state of disillusion that made them do things they should not. This was not one of those times. Arwen was wise, and knew the folly in giving in to Lothiriel's demands. She trusted that the future was in the hands of Ilúvatar, and all that He wished would come to pass.

Elrohir was the first to notice the figure trailing the Gray Company and very obviously trying to catch up. The Rangers checked their horses and waited while the twins squinted into the sunset. They were already a day's ride out from Imladris, and they did not expect any more Rangers to join them.

"It is Glorfindel!" Elladan cried, "There is no other warrior in Imladris with such a golden head."

The Rangers had heard how Glorfindel had destroyed the Nazgûl, and their hearts were lifted when they heard he was coming. They laughed at Elladan's joke, and made many more while the rider approached.

Elrohir nodded, "Yes, it is. A terror the Nazgûl will remember and fear comes to us!"

"No," Elrohir said, barely above a whisper, "No, tell me it is not so, brother."

But already, Elladan's excitement had faded away. The brothers urged their mounts forward to meet the rider far from the Gray Company. When they met, the horses of Elladan and Elrohir welcomed their stable-mate warmly, but the greeting between elves was not so friendly.

"Go back to Imladris, Lothiriel," Elladan said, firmly.

The elleth shook her head, "I am a healer, and we are at war. I cannot turn from my path now or I shall never be able to return. Let me ride with you to Rohan. Wherever there are wounded soldiers, I can be of use."

"Rohan has healers. Return to Imladris before our father finds you missing," Elrohir said, "Do not bring trouble upon yourself, and we will never tell that you came looking for it."

Aerlinn stamped his hoof, anxious to be on his way. Lothiriel had promised him a long journey at a fast pace. The white horse that was usually kept inside Rivendell graciously allowed the elleth to ride him for this exchange. The brothers noticed that Lothiriel wore a sword at her hip. Its hilt was white and it was scripted with gold Quenya. That sword belonged to the armory of Imladris.

"Allow me to ride with you, and I will serve any who I may or you will be forced to escort me back."

The twins stared at her with cold, gray eyes and matching expressions of anger, though they had not even glanced at each other. Lothiriel had thought speaking so boldly to Elrond was difficult, but he was only one.

"I will not hinder you. I will follow your command without question. Even if it is to leave me behind in Rohan while you ride to war in Gondor."

Elrohir nodded once at Elladan, who then nodded to Lothiriel, but his gaze was still firm. It was only the final sentence in Lothiriel's plea that made them agree. They intended to leave her at the first safe location.

"Lady Lothiriel," said Halbarad, shocked, "What is a Lady doing so far from Imladris?"

"She is coming with us," Elladan said, "Keep her in the center and know that should any evil befall us, she has a sword, but cannot defend herself."

Lothiriel was staring holes into the back of his head, but he paid her no mind. The Rangers exchanged silence glances of either worry or annoyance, but they did as the sons of Elrond commanded and formed a protective circle around the Lady.

"We ride until nightfall," Elladan said, and spurred his horse forward.

The rest of the Gray Company did the same and brought their horses to a steady gallop. Lothiriel found herself thinking the most absurd thought as she looked around at the Rangers. She was very glad she chose a gray riding dress.