Shade of Gray

Ch 29- The Last Stand

Elladan led Avadiel to a room where she could rest. She fell asleep quickly and was awakened several hours later by a knock on the door.

"Come in," she called sleepily as she sat up.

Elladan let himself in, followed by several maids carrying food and linens and kettles filled with hot water.

"How are you feeling?" he asked her as the maids scattered about the room to do their various chores.

"Rested," she replied with a smile as she stood and walked the few steps to meet him. He embraced her and she wrapped her arms around his waist and sighed contentedly. His arms tightened around her briefly, then he kissed the top of her head and pulled away from her. For a split second, she felt cold at the loss of his warmth, but he reached for her hand and when he grasped it, she felt warm again.

"The maids have drawn your bath and brought you a meal," he said. "I'll come back for you in a while."

She smiled at him, unwilling to release his hand, so she tugged him towards her gently and he returned her smile with one of his own. He closed the space between them and kissed her lips gently and Avadiel's heart fluttered. He released her hands and pulled away from her lips. Avadiel shivered at the loss of his warmth.

He left her alone and the maids followed him out, so she sighed, then ate her meal and bathed. Someone had brought her a clean tunic and leggings and she dressed quickly and then sat next to a table where she found a hair brush. She brushed her long blonde hair until it was free of tangles and began to plait it. Just as she was finishing, there was another knock on her door.

"Come in," she called again.

Again it was Elladan who opened the door, and Elrohir followed him in.

She smiled at the twins as they both crossed the room to her.

"I understand congratulations are in order," Elrohir said when he reached her side. She glanced over at her beloved, who was grinning like a madman.

"Then we have your blessing?" she asked, looking back to Elrohir.

"Of course," he laughed. He grabbed her hands and then leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. "I've been waiting years for this." He released her hands and laughed when Elladan swatted at Elrohir. Then he placed a hand on Avadiel's shoulder, "I've thought of you as my sister for a long time now. I'm counting down the days until it is official."

He paused and looked from Avadiel to Elladan, "And when WILL the blessed event be?"

Avadiel opened her mouth to answer, but Elladan cut her off, "As soon as Sauron is defeated."

Avadiel's mouth fell open. "Elladan," she said. "Do you not think that perhaps we should wait?"

"Wait?" he asked, confused. "You haven't changed your mind, have you?"

"Of course not," she said as she reached for him. He took her offered hands and pulled her to her feet. "It's just…" she grabbed her bottom lip between her teeth, then released it. "I'm not so sure your father will approve," she confessed.

Elladan leaned in an kissed her quickly on her nose, "Don't worry about my father. He will be delighted to have you as a daughter-in-law."

Avadiel was not convinced. She was certain that Elrond would most heartily DISappove of the union. She could still hear his voice telling her that she did not belong in Imladris. She swallowed the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat.

"Yes," Elrohir chimed in when he saw Avadiel's uneasiness. "Don't worry, Sister. Father will approve when he sees how happy his son is."

Avadiel looked from one identical face to the other, still unconvinced.

"Anyway," the elder twin continued. "We came to talk to you about Estel's plan."

"Yes, Estel's plan," Elladan repeated.

Avadiel lifted her brows, temporarily forgetting Elrond in her curiosity.

"The Hobbit has entered Mordor. We're going to ride to the Black Gates to create a diversion for him," Elladan said.

"Sounds like a logical plan. When do we ride?" Avadiel asked.

The twins replied at the exact same time-

"We?" Elladan asked.

"Dawn," Elrohir said.

Avadiel looked at Elladan, confused. "I can't go?"

"Uh… I think this is where I head out. I'll see you two lovebirds later," Elrohir said. Neither Avadiel nor Elladan replied, as their eyes were locked on each other. "Bye!"

Elrohir disappeared from the room.

"Why can't I go?" Avadiel put her hands on her hips.

"My dear Avadiel," Elladan said. "I want you to stay in the city, where you will be safe."

"I've come this far," she replied heatedly.

"Yes, I've heard about your adventures so far."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," he said quickly.

"No," she said. "What is that supposed to mean?"

He flatly refused to be baited and said nothing.

"I'm going," she said after several long seconds of silence.

"You're not."

"I made a vow and I intend to keep it!" she yelled.

"You made another vow to me and I intend for you to keep it!" he yelled back.

"Well I made the one to Arwen first," she said, crossing her arms defiantly across her chest.

"But you will be SAFE here," he replied, mocking her stance by crossing his own arms stubbornly.

"Oh Elladan," she said, her voice softening. She uncrossed her arms and reached for him, running a hand down the length of his cheek. "How could anywhere be safer than with you?"

His hard eyes softened at her touch. "You'll be safer here," he said calmly.

"I'm going with you," she whispered, leaning her face closer to his.

He reached for her hands and pulled them to his chest. "So stubborn! My little rebellious one, I see that I could never deny you anything. All I ask is that you stay close to me or Elrohir."

Avadiel responded by kissing him soundly.

At dawn, the group of warriors took the long, slow ride to the Black Gates. Elladan had insisted that if Avadiel was going, she would wear full chest and head armor. She felt ridiculous and in fact, had trouble even seeing out of her helmet. She had her sword, but her bow had disappeared during her time while she was imprisoned. Elladan promised to get her a new one when they returned home.

She rode Sirdail, who walked between the mares ridden by the twin brothers.

Estel's plan turned out to be a good one and the diversion worked. They released their horses so that they could fight on foot, and were quickly surrounded by Mordor Orcs. A strong wave of sadness swept over Avadiel, as she looked at the Orcs. The group of Hobbits, Elves and Men were far outnumbered by the Orcs. Avadiel wished she and Elladan had bonded before this battle. She feared one or both of them would not make it out alive.

Estel gave the order. "For Frodo," he said calmly, then rushed towards the Orcs. The Hobbits followed and then everyone else. Avadiel quickly got lost in the fighting and tried to find her companions. At last she saw Estel, and fought her way towards him.

It was impossible to see with the helmet on, so she jerked it off with one hand even as she used her sword in the other. She was getting closer to Estel now- she could see Legolas' blonde hair and fought her way towards it. She lost sight of Estel briefly, then from the corner of her eye, she saw him nearby.

"No!" she cried out in terror. She launched herself forward and her body met the blow meant for her friend. She fell to her knees and waited for the second blow, but it never came. She looked up in time to see the Orc fall, an arrow in his back. Beyond him, Legolas stared at her in horror. Behind Legolas, bow in hand, stood Elladan, who shared an equally shocked expression. Her eyes fell to the arrow in the Orc's back- she knew that fletching. How many time she had seen it on an arrow that split hers in the practice fields. His aim was deadly and precise, but had not been quick enough. The world around her seemed to still and then there was an explosion. She could no longer maintain her posture as the ground rocked. Shouts of victory rang out around her as she fell forward onto her stomach. A figure crouched down beside and she looked up with blurry eyes.

"Avadiel," she recognized Estel's voice. She had saved his life. She had succeeded in her purpose for taking the journey. She closed her eyes in relief and exhaustion. She could see the little blonde elfling in her mind, reaching out her small arms and smiling. Avadiel smiled back.

"Avadiel!" an urgent tone snapped her back to the present and she forced her eyes open. A second blurry figure had joined Estel, and then someone was ripping her clothes away from her stomach. She squeezed her eyes shut and arched her back in pain.

"Stay with me, Avadiel," she recognized Elladan's voice. She wanted to see his face, and she forced her eyes open once more. She gasped in pain as someone worked on her wound, but somehow, she knew it was too late for her. She took in as deep a breath as she could.

"I love you… Elladan."

She shivered from the cold as her life's blood left her and then she drew in a shallow, shuddered breath.

"No, Avadiel, no!" she heard Elladan cry as she closed her eyes one more time. "I won't lose you!"

Everything went still.

~TBC~