DISCLAIMER: The characters and locations of Lord of the Rings do not belong to me. They belong to JRR Tolkien, New Line Cinema, and probably a host of other people I've forgotten. I'm only borrowing them for a little entertainment, and I'll put them back when I'm finished with them. Amareth, however, belongs to me and I would like to be consulted before she is used in any other works. Evendim and Ithil-valon have standing permission to use any of my characters in any fics they choose. Celos and Celon are used with Ithil-valon's permission.
ALTERNATE UNIVERSE WARNING!! This story is set in an alternate universe. This means that some of the features, faces, and places might differ slightly from the original. This is intentional and WILL NOT result in canon characters behaving in out of character ways.
THIS STORY IS NOT A MARY SUE. If you want one of those, please look elsewhere. I don't care for Mary Sues, and I don't write them. It does, however, feature an original character in a starring role. She is not superwoman, she is not God, and she is not irresistible. She's just plain human, with all our faults and strengths.
THIS STORY IS ALSO NON-SLASH.
DEDICATIONS: To Evendim, who first gave me the courage to post in this fandom and has given me such pleasure with her own AU series. I would never have been so bold without your help, thank you from the bottom of my heart. To Ithil-valon, who has been more than a loyal friend and has helped me through some really tough times of late, and who has been the best beta-reader anyone could ask for. And to AJ, without whom my life would be a lot poorer. Never change, any of you.
Love the story? Hate it? Think I should be burned at the stake? I'll never know unless you review!
Chapter Seven
"It is hard to explain when I do not have Gandalf's reasoning," Elladan remarked quietly. "Nevertheless, the Fellowship has turned from their path. They have entered into Moria."
"I cautioned Gandalf against such madness before they left," Elrond said, his voice heavy. "I had no clear foresight, but I fear that once past the gates of Moria, he will not return. Let us hope that I am wrong."
"You mustn't blame yourself even if something does happen, Ada," Elrohir said softly from the other side of the bed. "It cannot be laid at your door. Gandalf must have been hard-pressed to make such a choice; he would never have simply ignored your counsel."
"Elrohir is correct, my lord," Glorfindel stated as he stepped into the room. "All the Companions were aware they might not reach their destination, yet they chose to go full willing. You can be held accountable for them no longer." He noticed Elrond's arched brow. "I left her asleep. I judge she has taken no harm from her exercise, though she fears what she has become."
"Ada?" Elladan's voice was soft. "You have yet to explain what happened here. My leg is healed, completely. I had believed the wound to be much more severe than to be countered so quickly."
Elrond took a deep breath. "Never in my wildest imaginings could I have perceived how powerful she is," he said slowly. "I did not heal you, ion nin. Amareth did so, and with only a touch. And if she had not, you would surely have died. There was too much blood." Only by sheer will had he held back his fear for his son. That Amareth had demonstrated such power awed him, and his gratitude was great. Still, he feared for them all, should Sauron regain the Ring. Even her power would not save them then.
"They entered Moria nearly a week past," Elladan continued firmly, sensing his father's discomfort and trying to deflect it. "They should be through to the other side, and near the refuge of Lothlorien. Galadriel would send word if there was cause for concern."
Elrond nodded. "Indeed. Perhaps we may rest easy for a time. I cannot, however, dismiss this sense of urgency that has been making itself felt. Time is running short, but why I do not yet know. I must discover its origin."
He rose, and with a final pat for Elladan's hand, withdrew from the room. The twins regarded each other steadily, and Elladan rose. "I know that expression, brother. One of us should be on hand to be certain he does not overreach his own strength."
Elrohir bowed his head in agreement, though he patently disapproved of his brother's early departure from the Infirmary. He had seen Amareth's miraculous healing of the wound, but he was still uncertain of whether or not the effects would be permanent. "You watch Ada, and I will watch over you. We cannot take chances, not now. War may still march upon our borders, even should the Ring be destroyed."
"In which case we will be ready," Glorfindel stated firmly. "Make certain your father does not overtax himself. I will order the defenses and set the watch. Have Erestor see to the household security. Rivendell will not fall to the Shadow, not while we have strength left to resist." He stopped for only a moment in the doorway and half turned back to the twins. "And we must take extra precautions to see that Amareth is protected as well. We still do not know her purpose here; but her healing powers will be a tremendous asset. She cannot be lost to us."
Elrond wandered through the gardens, his fingers idly touching a flower, a leaf, a stalk, but not really considering his actions. He was lost in thought, desperately trying to understand why Gandalf had forsaken the very path he had proposed. Orcs had ambushed the patrol he had sent to track the Fellowship, and that should not be, either.
Once again he felt the horror of knowing his son was wounded so badly, that he had been so near death. The pain struck him again, like a dagger to his heart, and he nearly doubled over from it. That he would not have known…
Of course, he chided himself sternly. Fathers had lost sons without knowledge of their deaths since the dawn of time. That Elladan had been able to return home had given him an opportunity that many fathers had not had.
A mist began to creep over his vision and he sank onto the nearest bench. It would not do to fall in the dirt when it could be avoided.
Galadriel's voice echoed within his head. "Gandalf the Grey has fallen into Shadow," she said tonelessly. "The rest of the Company remains within Lothlorien, for a time. Yet we cannot long hold them from their purpose. Sauron is gathering all evil to him; the Ring must be destroyed, and quickly. I fear it has already begun to exert its influence within the Company. Boromir is beginning to show signs of surrendering to the Ring's evil. I fear he will try to take it from Frodo."
Elrond stiffened. This was disturbing news. That he had been so wrong about Boromir was galling to him. He had sensed such honor in the man, such valor; he could not have been so mistaken.
Swiftly he recounted the recent events to Galadriel. Everything, including Amareth's miraculous healing of Elladan. He spared nothing from his narrative.
"If indeed this mortal woman is as you say, she will be a great asset against the Shadow. She will be needed; many warriors may be saved that might otherwise perish. Will you hold her back, when she is so desperately needed? Will you hold her in reserve, uncertain of need, at the expense of all who live?"
A decision was reached. He communicated his plans to her, stung by her questions, and yet understanding the necessity for them. The connection was broken, and he began to rise, only to feel another wave overtake him. This one was different, and yet just as familiar as the first.
The scene unfolded and he drew in a sharp breath. The Quest was in deadly peril, and it was as yet unknown to them. This must not be allowed to occur!
It faded and he slumped slightly, only to feel strong arms come around him from both sides to support him as he rose. "We have you, Ada. Come, we have strong tea for you and then you will tell us what you have seen."
"This Council is called for purposes of our defense." Elrond's voice was dry; he remembered all too clearly the last Council he had held. "This day, we prepare for war. The Enemy is moving. We must counter it."
Glorfindel rose. "Our borders are secure, my lord. No evil will penetrate this valley, on my honor. We are as prepared as possible."
"It is not this valley that concerns me at this time, Glorfindel. No, this is much more serious. The Fellowship remains in Lothlorien, but they will not stay there much longer. When they depart, there will be an attempt to take the Ring from Frodo. This must not be allowed to happen. The Ring must be destroyed."
Silence. All eyes were upon him, and he resisted the urge to squirm. Six thousand years he had walked the world, and speaking with such authority still bothered him. How he wished there were someone to take the burden from him! "It would be selfish of the Elves to withhold such a valuable asset from the world." His eyes fell upon Amareth, whom he had asked to attend, and then shifted back to the group as a whole. "Boromir will attempt to take the Ring. He will fail; but the delay will be enough to allow Saruman's Uruk-hai to find them. The Fellowship will be broken, and yet all hope is not lost. Boromir will not surrender to this evil, not completely. He will come to his senses and regret his actions, and the Ring will no longer be able to sway him. He will defend the Hobbits until his dying breath; but I cannot see which Hobbits he is defending. We must be certain it is not Frodo, for the Halflings will be taken by the Uruks."
"They are far to the south, many days' journey from here. Will they remain in Lorien long enough for us to reach them?" Elladan chimed in. "And you have said that Gandalf has fallen. What hope now truly remains?"
"So long as the Ring remains safely with Frodo, there is hope," Elrond countered swiftly. "There is still time. We may perhaps buy more."
"How?" Elrohir was incredulous. "With Gandalf lost, hope fades quickly."
"I propose a small contingent to rendezvous with what remains of the Fellowship. All hope of secrecy has been lost; it will become a race to see if the Ring may be destroyed before Sauron destroys the world of Men. And war may yet march upon our own borders; we cannot leave the valley undefended. No, I suggest a messenger to warn the Company of their peril, and perhaps an escort for this messenger. They must travel swiftly, and remain unseen. Amareth?"
She had risen, her face expressionless and stark. "I'll go. If there's going to be fighting, I'll be needed. That's what I do, I put people back together when war tears them apart." She kept her gaze fixed on Elrond, though she knew the others were regarding her with some concern. "If there's a chance I can save even one of them, I have to go."
"You cannot yet wield a sword, how will you defend yourself if the Uruk-hai find you?" Glorfindel objected quickly. "Against sword and bow, there is little your unarmed training will accomplish."
"I don't know where I'm going, either, but I'm still volunteering," she shot back smoothly. "I have to do this. It's what I was trained to do, to be on the front lines, to heal those I could. If I can save just one life, it's worth risking my own."
"Glorfindel is correct; your training will not save you. Yet I see also your need to do this, to heal what harm has been done." Elrond held her gaze, assessing. "I cannot see into your future," he said slowly, "so I cannot know if this is why you were sent to us. I believe, however, that we must no longer hold you safe here in Imladris. You will be needed, and soon. War marches on all lands. We must put all our forces into play, even you."
Amareth nodded and took her seat, pointedly avoiding Glorfindel's eye. She knew she was no good with a sword; but she could help the wounded, and from the way Elrond sounded, there could be a lot of them. She practically itched to get to work. And quite simply, it stung to have her shortcomings aired like dirty laundry.
"She has demonstrated a phenomenal ability to heal. There will be great need for this, of course." Elrond regarded her steadily, and then included Glorfindel in his gaze. "I believe she must go. Men may be weak, and Boromir may fall to the Shadow for a time; but such a noble spirit should not be lost. I cannot see more than I have already revealed; and yet there is a sense that perhaps Boromir may be an important piece of this struggle. He should not be lost."
Glorfindel hated seeing Amareth angry with him, but the truth had to be told. She was not ready. And he did not wish to be responsible for her death in any fashion. "Valar, my lord, she cannot even sit a horse unaided! This is madness! Would you send her to her death so easily?"
"Be at ease, mellon-nin," Elrond replied softly. "I do not propose sending her alone. Yet neither do I intend to organize a large expedition. It is my considered opinion that a minimal number of messengers will attract a minimal amount of attention."
His eyes swept the Council again. "The swiftest passage to Lothlorien is by water. A small ship is being prepared as we speak; all that remains is to decide upon Amareth's escort, for as Glorfindel states, she cannot go alone. She would be easy prey for the Uruk-hai."
Elladan rose to speak. "I will go, if for no other reason than this: Amareth saved my life. It is only just that I protect hers."
"And where my brother goes, I shall as well." Elrohir's voice was as strong as his twin's, his face as determined. "How many shall accompany us?"
"The need for secrecy is still great. Three travelers will draw little attention; and three shall journey faster than eight. You shall leave at dusk. And may the grace of the Valar protect you all."
Elrond watched as the young ones departed to ready themselves, his heart heavy at what he was asking of them. "Glorfindel, please stay." He had noted the worried gaze his warrior was giving the doorway. "What troubles you, mellon-nin? She will be well protected. You trained them yourself and have had nothing but praise for their prowess. Or is it something worse that you fear?"
"I am sworn to protect you, Elrond, and to that I will hold," Glorfindel said slowly. "I know we are well defended here, and that we have no lack of warriors. And yet I must confess to some disturbance over your choice of escorts."
Elrond merely raised that sculpted eyebrow. "Indeed? And do you fear for her safety or that of my sons?"
Glorfindel's eyes widened slightly but that was all the indication he gave of his distress. "For all three, in actuality. Amareth is my friend, and the twins as dear to me as my own. I understand the necessity. Now I must accept it."
Elrond sat down heavily, all semblance of self-possession erased. Glorfindel was his oldest friend; there was no more need for pretense. "As I must accept it," he said softly. "Estel is not my son, and yet I love him thus. And still I sent him on this… quest hardly seems to describe the immensity of the undertaking. I have foresight, and yet it seems tainted because I cannot accept what it shows me. In one path, I see him restored to the world of Men, see him righting the wrongs perpetuated by Isildur. And yet another path shows him to me, broken and lifeless among the desolation of Mordor. And I cannot see which path is the true." He regarded Glorfindel with haunted eyes. "And the sons of my body, all I have left of Celebrian… they wish to do their part to thwart the Shadow, and who can fault them for such a noble purpose? Yet when they announced their decision to accompany Amareth, I felt a chill such as I have not felt in an age. And now they, too, are lost to my sight. I can no longer see into their futures."
"And what of Arwen?" Glorfindel queried softly. "Elladan and Elrohir are not the only children of you and Celebrian. What fate will you choose for your daughter?
"Arwen must take the ship. She must be safe. I will accept nothing else for her. She will carry her love for Estel across the Sea, there to remain always true and ever green. She will be safe, when all here falls into ruin. Whether it happens now, or an age from now, the world will break, and all will fail. I will not leave her here to die."
"And if she chooses to remain, will you force her aboard ship? Mellon-nin, her love for him is as great as yours for her mother. If she chooses to stay with Estel, with Aragorn, will you force her away?"
Elrond lowered his eyes quickly, but not before the Balrog Slayer had seen the depth of the turmoil in his friend's spirit. "Then I must do as she wishes, for what father would not? I am not cruel, Fin, but I would make her see all the possibilities that she might make the right choice. And though it break my heart, she will choose as she wills." He rose then, his distress once more veiled from sight. "Come, we must be certain everything is in readiness for the journey."
TBC...
