Author's Note: Long time, no update. I apologize, first it was writer's block for the section after this, then it was midterms. I'm also applying to graduate school, so that's absorbing a lot of my time. So I shall tease you with this now, and bring you the full update at the end of this week.
Interlude – For Luck (Imrahil POV)
"And so you leave again."
She spoke these words to me from the doorway. Her voice, though low, did not revealed the sadness that her eyes showed. She stood tall and proud, trying to hid her feelings with her body. My heart cried out for what I was doing, what I had no choice in doing.
"We must go," I said. She nodded, looking away.
"I understand." She paused, and I waited. "Will this be the end?"
"The end?" I slid my sword into its sheath.
"Of this evil. Of the fight. I know you are merely a distraction so the ring bearer succeeds in his goal but what if he becomes corrupted? What if –"
I sighed. "We cannot fear anything anymore, Lothíriel. We must trust that what we do is right, and that we will protect Middle Earth by these actions."
Lothíriel had never liked war. She had never believed that things could be solved by fighting, and sometimes I agreed with her. She had not voiced these objections often during the past few days, and I had to believe that somehow she had internalized all she has learned about conflict. I felt guilty for bringing her here, for placing her in such danger, for indulging in a father's foolish wish not to be separated from his children.
Yet she did not seem to regret her decision to accompany me. Or, if she did, she did not tell me.
I crossed the room and stood in front of her. She stepped closer, and pressed a kiss to my cheek.
"Galu, Adar," she said. I held her arm's length from me. I did not know what to say. She had wished me luck. For a moment all my fears – losing my children, my home, my land, my people - came back to me. But I saw no other choice; I would fight, for all of it. I would fight for my people, for my sons and daughter. I would fight for their future, so that the youth of Gondor would have a future.
"Gûren ninnatha sui i lû tôl cên a adchen,sellen," I replied finally. "Take care of your cousin and the city."
She offered me a small smile. I knew that fear plagued her, and worries consumed her, but she would not let me see that. She would show me sadness, but not fear. Always so strong, rarely flinching, she masked her emotions well – in front of me, at least. "I will do my best."
"You have grown into a beautiful young woman," I said. She blushed and looked away.
"Father, save those words for another day. We'll discuss this when you return," she said, smiling at the compliment. I raised my arm.
"Will you escort me to the Citadel?" I asked. She nodded and placed her hand in mine. We walked in silence to the courtyard that opened onto the Citadel green.
Outside, Éomer waited. He was yet another young victim of this crisis. Much like my Lothíriel, he had been thrust into a position he did not fully want nor was ready for. And, much like her, he has the strength of will to do it justice. I expected to see great things of him during his reign.
"Prince Imrahil, Lady Lothíriel," he said as he bowed. Lothíriel dropped into a curtsey.
"I expect you to bring him home in one piece," she told him gravely. Éomer laughed, pretending not to be as nervous as he really was.
"I shall bring him home," he said, bowing. Lothíriel smiled, and then stepped forward. She placed a kiss on his cheek. As she stepped back, I noticed that his eyes had widened, surprised as I was by her action. I had known that Éomer and Lothíriel spoke often, but this display of affection had surprised us both.
"For luck," she said. "I wish you luck." Éomer bowed.
"I shall hope that that fate shall honor a lady's wish," Éomer said. Lothíriel nodded, and then looked back to me.
"I will do you honor," she said. "As best as I can."
I nodded. Éomer cleared his throat, and I turned towards our mounts, which awaited us at the gate.
"We will return, my lady," Éomer said. I could not speak my farewells to my daughter. I nodded, and follow him towards the horses.
Before we leave, I turned once more to look at her. My daughter stood tall before the Citadel, blue dress blowing in the wind. Her clear eyes gazed at us and beyond us, to the dark mountains that stood before us. This would be no easy task, but it was a necessary one.
"I will make sure we see your daughter again, my lord Imrahil," Éomer said as I turned.
"I will make sure I see her again as well," I replied. I nodded, and we started down the cobblestone street.
Vocab!
Good luck, father
My heart will weep until it sees you again, daughter.
