The girls slept little that night, regardless of how much they truly needed the sleep. Gandalf had left them that night, for their last night together, to go speak to the Leaders of the Realms of the slight change of plan. The girls wondered briefly if he was going to tell Haldir and Legolas the change, but let it be. Aranel looked out the window to the quickly rising sun.
"We need to go." Aranel commented Marilla and her trunk sinking into the ground.
"Yeah. We don't want them leaving without us." Marilla commented. Her attempt at adding some humor to lift the girls' mood did not work well. Ri simply nodded and opened the doors, the girls quietly filing out. Horse nickers, and the clanking of metal brought the girls to a halt at the top of the stairs.
"I guess this is it." Ri commented looking over at her sisters, misty-eyed. It will be weird without you.
Don't worry Ri, please, you have Arwen. Aranel comforted. She had already become like a sister to us and she will keep you company whenever Ro is gone.
You know I don't worry about that. Ro is perfectly capable of taking care of himself, besides I suppose I'll be too occupied to miss him with Elrond's library. Ri teased trying to ignore the fact that she was going to indeed notice his and her sisters absence. And Marilla you'll be too busy travelling to miss us. And Amelia you-" Ri hiccupped tears bubbling at her eyes. Aranel and Marilla were quick to pull her into a hug.
Don't worry Ri, nothing will make me forget you. Legolas had been talking about how he was going to have to stay for a while, they have some business, before he can go off to travel. Marilla soothed, petting Ri's head.
The three sisters turned when they hears a throat being cleared. "Excuse me, I would like to say good-bye to Aranel." Haldir stated holding his hand out for her.
Aranel sniffed, "Haldir what are you talking about."
"Lord Elrond! I have the two horses you requested." A stable-hand exclaimed bringing two horses with him, a white mare and a deep brown one.
Haldir looked at the horses frowning before looking at Aranel wide-eyed. "Does that mean-"
"Ahh, Haldir, Legolas, Elrohir. If I could have a moment of your time, humor an old father." Gandalf called leaning on his staff. The elves nodded following Gandalf off a ways to speak.
"Girls, your horses." Lord Elrond called out. Aranel and Marilla walked forward to grab the horse, Ri crying with Arwen's arm around her shoulder.
Aranel grabbed the white mare and led it over to the Lothlorien party that was gathered. Lord Celeborn smiled at her gently, placing a hand on her shoulder in comfort. Lady Galadriel smiled sadly before wiping tears from the young girls face.
Marilla grabbed the deep brown horse, leading it toward the Woodland Realm party. The Guards nodded to her respectfully and King Thranduil strode forward not caring about apperances and enveloped the girl in a hug.
Gandalf sighed deeply resting his chin on his folded hands. The three ellon stood in front of him awkwardly waiting for him to speak, but eager to go back to the crying girls. "I am old, I have seen this world at its worst. Those three are my treasures, I know that I cannot stop them, their paths are changing away from me and each other for the first time. But please, ease a weary father's mind, what are your plans for my daughters."
Haldir stepped forward still reeling from shock. "Up until a few moments ago I did not think that Aranel was coming with. I would have sent her letters, courted her properly. Now, she is coming with me to Lothlorien, I swear to you this. I care for her more deeply than I thought I could for someone outside of my family and I will continue to care for her until I draw my last breathe."
"What do you propose she does while you are away on the border? You are the March Warden the head of the Lothlorien military. You hold a seat in the council and are of great influence. Often times you will not be in the city. Do you propose my daughter sit in your Talan and await your return?" Gandalf asked critically.
"That is for her to decide. I love my people and my home, she would not ask for me to give that up. I will be back more often than before should she be waiting for me in the city. I will fight for her protection and take more care in my own life." Haldir responded.
Gandalf could ask no more of him. Turing to Legolas he continued. "And you Legolas, what are your plans. You have the soul of a wanderer."
Legolas immediately straightened. "What you say is true. But I wish to take her with me to see the world, meet the people. Experience other lives and cultures."
Gandalf nodded, that Marilla had the most of a wanderlust soul of the three girls. He frowned, "That is your plan? To travel for the rest of your time here? To drag her from place to place never settling down?"
"I will have to settle at some point, I know that, I am a prince. My father expects me to settle and have children to ensure his line. I feared that, being tied to a place, but with Marilla by my side it does not seem so horrible. She will be there, always, I know that. That is what I need, what I've been looking for, someone who will go with me when they want but is content staying behind."
Gandalf nodded and turned to Elrohir. Before Gandalf could ask a question Elrohir answered. "She does not need to be by my side all the time. All the elleth I have met expect me to stop and become my father so that they may stay and raise the young elflings. However, Beriadanwen is different. She does not want me to stay, she wants me to be who I want to be in return I can give her freedom."
Gandalf sighed heavily. "Yes I always feared that for her, all of my daughters are more independent than most females. I feared that they would not find males who could give them both the support and freedom that they needed. Humor me for but a moment longer."
Gandalf looked over to the waiting parties, where his daughters were. He knew they were in good hands, but he had one more question. "What may I ask was your first thoughts on them? When you first met my daughters, what did you think? I always feared they would never fit in anywhere."
"Beautiful." Elrohir whispered. "Amongst the orcs and grime I could see she had a fierce independent spirit. It took my breath away, when I picked her up and placed her on my horse she was short of breathe but was not shaking. I was surprised, this young woman who had been attacked by a pack of orcs was not shaking in fear. I believe I even heard her curse them under her breathe." Elrohir started to chuckle. "Then we started to talk, she could tell my brother and I apart. That was something that not many had the ability to do. It seems that every elleth I had thus met cared not if I was Elrohir or Elladan, but Beriadanwen did." Elrohir stopped looking down his ears red.
"The first moment I saw Marilla was when I lifted her up on the horse. She gripped my arms and I felt a jolt go through my body. I turned to comfort her and I saw her eyes. I had never seen eyes like that, they were blue, unbelievable blue and so pure. I felt as if I could see straight to her soul through those eyes and that she was looking straight to mine. When we talked I knew, she was the one. She was what I needed, someone that would always be there, either going with me or waiting for me to come back. Either way always true to me." Legolas looked up to the sky smiling. "She beguiled me."
"I saw her standing up on that cliff surrounded by orcs and I looked in her eyes. They were scared, terrified, but somehow peaceful. I realized though she was terrified knowing her younger sisters were safe brought a sense of peace to her. She would have no regrets dying if that meant her sisters were alive, that was something that stirred something in me. Of course, she is small, very petite, and for the first time I felt this overwhelming need to protect. It startled me."
Gandalf nodded thoughtfully. "Then I wish you all safe travels. I still have a bond with my daughters, I will know if anything happens to me. Don't make me make a sudden appearance in any of the realms. Come let us go back."
The ellon quickly went back to their parties, preparing for the departure. Gandalf watched as his little angels were taken from him.
Haldir walked over to his Lord and Lady, looking down at her smiling gently and wrapping an arm around Aranel's waist before speaking with the rulers. "It should take roughly 25 some days to reach Lothlorien. The Guard is well rested and ready." Haldir stated.
"We do not worry Haldir, we are in your hands." Lady Galadriel commented smoothly. Haldir turned to look at Aranel smiling brightly.
"Worry not, we will reach Lothlrien quickly. Once we are there you will never have to worry about orc attacks or fighting. The city is far enough inside the boarder that you will never be put in that situation again. I promise with everything that I have that I will protect you." Haldir stated, running his hands through her hair. "The guards tell me your trunk has been received and has been loaded."
Aranel nodded, allowing Haldir to help her mount her horse.
Legolas likewise rushed back to Marilla's side, kissing her temple and talking with the King.
"Here things are loaded, my son, worry not. The trip to Greenwood should take a little less than a month." King Thranduil soothed his son, who was frantic to make sure the last minute addition had everything.
"Of course, thank you father. I'm happy you are coming with Marilla, my mother often gets bored on her own with only my father and myself." Legolas said helping her to mount her horse.
"Yes, she often asked if we should try for a daughter next. Though Legolas was enough of a handful we never got the chance to." King Thranduil joked from his horse.
"Ada!"
Elrohir had wandered over to Ri, they were talking as Elrohir saddled his horse.
"I will be back in two days' time." Elrohir said mounting his horse. Ri nodded from the ground handing him his belongings.
"Oh no worries little sister I am quite alright." Elladan commented sarcastically next to his brother.
"Hush now." Arwen said coming up behind Ri resting a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Do not worry Ri they will be back in no time, besides I am planning on visiting my grandparents in a couple of years, my brothers usually come with me and I'm certain they would be more than happy to see you come with." Ri grabbed Arwen's hand.
Lord Elrond cleared his throat gathering the attention of all present. "We will have guards guide the parties to the edge of our borders." He would take no chances, especially after the incident a few days ago. "Aa' menealle nauva cale ar' malta"
The parties nodded and filed out of the Last Homely House East of the Sea.
Bye. Ri commented.
See this is not so bad Marilla teased.
Oh hush. Aranel commented. I'm going to dehydrate myself from crying too much.
Aranel:
As their party came closer to the boarder Aranel checked her connection with her sisters. Both were still strong.
You are fretting Aranel. Ri commented.
Sorry.
Just wanted to make sure the connection as strong? Marilla asked.
Yeah, Aranel confirmed.
"Alright this is as far as we go." One of the twins commented looking at the party. "Safe travels and may the Valar be with you. We shall see you in two years' time grandmother, grandfather." With that the small Rivendell party rode off back to their home.
Looking around Aranel noticed how small the party was, there was only Haldir, Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel, and two other guard. Noticing her looking Lady Galadriel commented.
"The fewer our number the easier it is to travel and the more discrete we are able to be."
"Besides Haldir is our best guard." Lord Celeborn added looking over at Aranel kindly. Aranel looked to Haldir observing him. The first thing that she had noticed about him was his stature. She hadn't realized until now just how strong he probably was. She wondered briefly how many lives he had taken then shuddered at the memory of her own experience.
"I don't doubt that." Aranel commented looking away from Haldir's penetrating gaze.
You are blushing young one. Galadriel commented, which succeeded in deepening her blush.
"Shall we continue?" Haldir commented kicking his horse. "Aranel you are up with me."
Aranel kicked her horse to be beside Haldir, behind them were Galadriel and Celeborn and in the flank were the last two guard. Haldir looked to Aranel out of his peripheral. "Are you nervous?"
Aranel rose an eyebrow, "nervous? No. Excited? Yes." Aranel felt the breeze hit her causing her dark hair to flutter around her.
"I should warn you though, I've always kept my relations private. I'm known for being a cold March Warden, I think many will be surprised to see me so in public with a female especially one so small." Haldir commented looking back forward. It was times like these, when he was on full alert that Aranel could believe it.
Behind them Galadriel laughed. "Surprised? Many elleth will weep, most will be incredulous though. I look forward to your brothers' reaction Haldir." At that comment Haldir grimaced. Aranel thought to how Haldir was around others, he was cold and calculating around most. In fact Aranel had not seen him joke with any except for the twin and Legolas not even the wardens he was with. She realized now how private a person he was and how privileged she was to be privy to that.
"Will they like me?" Aranel asked.
"Yes." Aranel heard Celeborn comment behind her. "I cannot imagine anyone not loving someone Haldir is so enamored with."
Aranel giggled as the horses continued forward.
Marilla:
"This is it." Elrond commented "We will head back to Rivendell. Safe travels, may the Valar be with you." With that the Rivendell party headed back. Marilla watched as they headed back and felt a presence in her mind.
You are fretting Aranel. Ri commented almost making Marilla jump.
Sorry. Aranel's voice chimed.
Just wanted to make sure the connection as strong? Marilla asked.
Yeah, Aranel confirmed. Marilla felt Aranel pull back from their mind and with her Ri. Marilla sighed catching Legolas' attention.
"Does something bother you?" Legolas asked.
Marilla turned to Legolas and smiled gently. "It is still different to be parted thus far with my sisters."
"Ahh fret not Marilla, Aranel will make it to Lothlorien safely and Beriadanwen is safe in Rivendell." Marilla watched as a guard took the front of the party Legolas following behind beckoning her to his side. Thranduil followed on Marilla's other side with two guards pulling up the flank.
"We will be Greenwood soon, you will meet my mother Vanya, and many of the subjects." In his eyes Marilla read the silent promise. For a while then we will travel.
Marilla drew in a shaky breathe, she kept forgetting that Legolas was a Prince and this meant if she wanted to be with him she would have to be a princess. Aranel always told her she was bad at being a girl, she would be a role model to many. It was heard to remember, her past before Gandalf was blurry. What she did remember was training to be a teacher an advisor. She hoped that that calling would help her here in this life.
"I'm looking forward to seeing your home Legolas."
"Do not forget I promised to show you around my home when we were back in Rivendell." Marilla looked away blushing.
Ri:
Ri sat with Arwen in the library looking through books when she felt a presence in her mind. You are fretting Aranel. Ri commented.
Sorry. Aranel responded
Just wanted to make sure the connection as strong? Marilla asked.
Yeah, Aranel confirmed and with that she felt Aranel pull back and pulled away herself. If Aranel was checking the connection it meant that Elrohir had departed from their party and they were leaving Elrond's boarder.
Ri sighed as she turned a page. The books were interesting, she knew they would be though she was sad to be parted. Arwen grabbed her hand causing Ri to look up. Offering her a small smile Arwen commented. "You miss them do you not?"
"It is strange to be parted."
"We will see Aranel in two years and if Legolas has his way he and Marilla will travel. Worry not you shall see your sisters soon enough." Ri sighed.
"I know Arwen." Sighing again Ri smiled. "Well let us see if I can finish this book before Elrohir comes back.
Aa' menealle nauva cale ar' malta-May your ways be green and golden (common farewell phrase)