Hey-what's up-hello, it's nice to keep going with this story! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter cause it's gonna be goooooooood! Also, if you haven't had an opportunity I would recommend checking out some of my other stories that are being written too! Go ahead and follow my account to stay tuned for all the upcoming awesomeness :)

XOXO Ally Layne.

Do Not Go Gentle

Chapter 41: Dangers on Patrol

It has been two and a half weeks since Glorfindel left to track the orc parties. I have been spending most of my time either working to build my stamina on the training grounds or learning more about Arda with Alma and Fin.

Arwen has been nice and allowed me to avoid Mirwen, which meant I didn't have to show my face at the past few gatherings that the Ladies in Imladris have held.

Instead of wearing pretty gowns, sitting rigidly making my back ache, and worrying about whether my body is covered in bruises or not- I've been perfecting my stances with Riptide and working with Elladan, Elrohir, Geoffry, and Aldarian on sparring in duals.

I've been able to work on fighting with the other elven soldiers here in Imladris, something that I hadn't had a chance to do before. My confidence boosted in large strides, and I knew by the time Goldilocks got back he would be pleased with my progress.

I was summoned along with Elrohir and Aldarian to Lord Elrond's study, where I knew something fun was going to happen.

"Do you think he's going to send me off on some fun quest?" I asked the two elves as we walked to the Lord of Imladris's special little lair.

Elrond had insisted previously that it wasn't a lair, but given all the methodical planning and time he spends in there, I think he's just avoiding the truth.

Aldarian, who strode in time with me at my right, threw me a side glance that bordered on awe. "You are actually excited?"

I rolled my eyes and flipped my frizzed braid over my shoulder for good measure. "I am not made to stay in one spot forever, Darian."

Elrohir snickered at my other side. "Is that how you will be referring to him from now on?"

"Yeah, you just keep laughing Ro-Ro. You're not getting out of this easily," I warned him, a smirk falling into place as Aldarian burst into laughter.

"Ro-Ro?"

I shrugged as we continued on down the hallway. "You started it, you know," I told him, remembering when the twins would purposefully speak in Sindarin just to piss me off. They still do, but at least now I can pick out enough words to have an idea if they're gossiping about me or not.

"Neneth is hardly-"

"It's still a nickname, so shush up Ro-Ro. Stop complaining, at least it's not something too weird, like Goldilocks."

The two warriors looked down at me knowingly. "He has always been different, and you know it," Aldarian told me, making my cheeks heat up annoyingly. They've been doing that a lot more lately when someone ever brings up my relationship with the Golden Warrior.

"I have to admit that I believed he would murder her in her sleep when she first started calling him that," Elrohir added, making me roll my eyes again at his dramatics. "On my honor, I was worried that the two would start a war."

I raised a brow. "We still could."

Aldarian let out a cough, using a fist to smother the chuckles at Elrohir's shocked expression. "Be careful with our Neneth, mellon nin. She is not safe when her mind is set on something she wants."

I looked at the blond curiously. "Are you saying I want war?"

Elrohir took this moment to chuckle to himself. "No, he is saying that you want Lord Glorfindel and would go to war to get him."

I paused. Athena did always tell me that my fatal flaw- personal loyalty- could bring about the end of the world. Little did she know, that still followed me to this world, too. Just what I needed: another something to hold me back.

They took my lack of speech as an answer enough, and I did my best to ignore the glowing smiles on their faces. The two were no better than old mother hens who just went about their days gossiping. You would never guess that they were deadly elvish warriors, but that's just me.

Stupid elves.

We walked into Lord Elrond's study, to which the door was already open when we reached his part of the palace. I didn't know if I'd ever not feel awe when I walked into his decked-out study, but I think I could use a little surprise. Gods know that I usually expected the worse, so this was a nice change.

"Welcome, Lady Persephone, Lords Aldarian and Elrohir," Elrond spoke, standing at behind his desk while waiting for us. I wonder how long he'd been standing there, hair perfectly combed and hands clasped calmly in front of him. I wonder if elves got back aches when they stood straight for too long, but I doubted it.

Perfect elven genes, and all.

There were three chairs in front of his desk, and I immediately took my spot in the middle, sitting down rather ungracefully. I found myself letting out a heavy breath and moving my belt so it didn't automatically stick in my stomach uncomfortably, dutifully ignoring the annoyance that crossed Lindir's face, who was currently standing in his position to the side.

Aldarian and Elrohir, however, took their sweet time to sit in their chairs, giving Lindir and Elrond courtly nods and bows before taking their places. When Elrond sat, they allowed themselves to relax, and Lindir quickly scurried over to close the door behind the two elves.

"You must be wondering why I summoned you here," Elrond stated, pouring a cup of tea in small clay cups as he spoke. He silently poured four cups of tea, handing them out to us without saying another word.

I smelled the green tea, smiling at the familiar scent. Happily, I took a sip of the warm drink, much to Elrond's amusement. My loud slurping of the liquid must've gotten me another nasty look from Lindir, who I had quickly understood to be Mr. Proper-Pants.

"Well duh," I said when I soon realized no one was going to say anything. "When you ask to see someone, of course we're going to wonder why."

Elrond's lips tugged at my words, and I didn't have to see the elves at my side to know they were working hard to keep themselves from grinning and laughing at my bluntness. "You are not wrong, Persephone," the Elf Lord spoke before taking another sip of his tea. "How are you feeling after starting back at full contact in the training halls?"

"I think I'm doing fine," I admitted, grinning as I remembered kicking Elladan's skinny little ass earlier that day. "The others seem to be not taking it easy on me anymore."

Elrond's searching gaze moved to Aldarian who merely nodded in agreement. "She is working on sparring with other members of our legions," he said. "I hope to have her being introduced to some others in my own Legion, as I would have her in my troupe."

Elrohir stiffened at my side. "Elladan and I spoke of adding her to our ranks, Ada," the younger Elf Lord spoke up. "However, she is not a good enough archer to be able to fire from long range, as we usually are placed."

I grumbled slightly at his words but didn't dare to try to argue. Even I knew how bad I was at archery. I nearly shot some poor elf in the head the other day and refused to pick up the bow after that.

"She is far more gifted in close-combat," Elrond agreed, turning back to Aldarian, who's chest had puffed with pride. "Lady Persephone will be a fine asset to your ranks."

I felt a smile start to sneak on my lips. "Does this mean you're letting me join the ranks permanently?"

Elrond's eyes sparkled with glee. "For as long as you are willing, we would be blessed to have you among our soldiers, Persephone. However, the Lady Galadriel and I have foreseen your path shifting to more than just joining Imladris's ranks- you will not be here forever, young one."

A side of my lips tugged up. "Who stays forever, really?"

He nodded sagely, clasping his hands together soundlessly in front of him on top of some various sheets of parchment he was working on. "You are right again."

"But you did not just call us here for that," Elrohir suspected, raising a questioning brow at his father. "What else is it, Ada?"

I crossed my legs and leaned back in the chair, letting the soothing effects of the herbal tea relax me in my spot as Elrond took another sip of his tea. Aldarian and Elrohir seemed to be slightly on edge at the Elf Lord's obvious negligence to the topic, but I think he just wanted to get me to squirm.

He placed the now empty teacup back on his desk. "I will be having Elrohir and Persephone on patrol duty today, hopefully, to intercept any messengers or stray orcs or wargs that slipped pass Lord Glorfindel's Legions."

Excitement ran through my veins, and I immediately sat straight up in my chair. "That sounds like fun."

Aldarian let out a sigh. "You will likely not be seeing any action, Persephone."

I shrugged. "At least I can leave the confines of the palace for a few hours."

My evident excitement pleased Lord Elrond, who turned to his son again to speak. "I want her with you to learn the ways in which we act on patrol, as well as partnering you with someone equipped in close combat. The two of you work well together, and I would like to see if it can be put to the test."

I looked at Aldarian with raised brows. "I thought you said we wouldn't be seeing any action?"

The blond looked at Elrond warily. "Do you know if they will be met with assailants, my Lord?"

Aldarian's protective nature shined in his eyes and tone, as well as the groaning wooden arms of the chair he sat on. His hands clenched at the chair's arms, his knuckles white; something Elrond surely noticed. "I have not seen what will occur, nor do I assume I will. This is meant to be a simple patrol to get Lady Persephone's bearings among our ranks, and hopefully will be a good start to her time here."

That seemed to soothe Aldarian's thoughts, as the blond warrior eased slightly in his chair, and the wood seemed to thank him for the relief of pressure.

"When will we leave?" I asked, feeling a new jittery exhilaration shoot through my very bones. It had been so, so long since I had been allowed to freely go on any sort of mission- patrol or not.

Elrond looked over to Lindir, who nodded. "You will be leaving immediately. Master Berher and Geren have saddled your horses and are ready to go. Although, I assume you will need to stop at the armory and gather your weapons before you leave."

I nodded and turned to Elrohir who gave me a knowing wink. "We will be back before nightfall, Ada."

Lord Elrond nodded, "May the Valar look on you fondly." standing up from his seat and prompting us to do the same. I diligently left the teacup on a side table before giving the tall Elf Lord a nod and following Elrohir out of the room and to the armory where my next steps to freedom awaited me.

However, before I could fully escape, Elrond's voice halted me. "I almost forgot, come here Persephone."

I stopped and turned around to see Lord Elrond standing there with a small parcel in his hands. I slid past Aldarian who was behind me and walked over to where he was standing, holding my hands out to accept whatever this was.

"Here, go ahead and open it."

I untied the bow that held the parcel together, unfolding until it fell into a cloak. A massive cloak that would cover me completely a dark green color that was suited for the wilds perfectly, too. I was entranced at the fabric, that was both warm and durable, perfect for patrol duty.

"Thank you," I breathed, mesmerized by the clothing in my hands.

"This is a customary gift to any who joins our ranks," Elrond explained. "This will help you in your endeavors. Wear it well."

I bowed my head to him and humbly thanked him once more for the gift before he shooed me out, claiming I had a job to do. I was even more enthused at the words that came from his mouth and threw the cloak around my shoulders to slip it on.

Now, now I really felt like a badass warrior.

"Good luck."

I didn't bother telling Elrond that luck had nothing to do with it, instead admired the cloak that now fit me so well I didn't ever want to take it off. Gerda was going to have a field day with this one.

We quickly gathered the weapons we were going to need at the armory, where I slipped two extra daggers into place on the thighs of my leather pants. I strapped a shield around my back and took out another dagger that I would keep in my pack for safekeeping.

Annie always taught me one could never have enough daggers, and I took her words seriously. Perhaps I could have saved my friends had I been more prepared- which was a mistake I was never going to make again.

I took a deep breath and placed riptide on a tight pocket on the side of my abdomen, just in reach while riding a horse to be able to reach it without fumbling like an idiot. Any time wasted could be fatal, and I had a promise of safety to uphold.

I stood by Bud's side at the stables, where Elrohir was just finishing up some last-minute preparations on his own horse. I fingered my mother's ring on my finger and allowed myself to smile down on it fondly.

"Come back to me, sweetheart," She would always tell me, as I would leave to either go on a quest or to Camp Half-Blood for the summer.

"Nothing could stop me from coming home," I'd always respond, giving her a goofy smile and hug to match.

Nothing would stop me from coming back home. Home to Imladris.

"Are you ready, Neneth?" I looked over my shoulder to see Elrohir approach me with a grin. "It is time we head out, and to start your first patrolling mission!"

I wondered if my other friends knew what I was doing. Where I was going. Perhaps it was good they didn't; I know Gerds would worry herself if she knew.

I shook myself from the thoughts, and hopped on the back of Bud, winking at Elrohir who was now astride his horse. "This is so not my first time patrolling, Ro-Ro."

He rolled his eyes at the nickname as we started out of the stables, heading out to where we would be patrolling. He wore his quiver on his back, bow on his arm, and sword at his side. I knew the son of Elrond most likely carried other weapons that I couldn't see, which was a comforting feeling.

"This is your first time patrolling in this world, and I have an inkling that it is different than what you are used to."

I laughed. "Yes, usually I was on a flying pegasus instead of this beastly thing," I said, patting Bud's neck adoringly as I spoke.

"Watch it, Milady. I know this is a big moment for you, but I will not hesitate to buck you off."

"If you try it, Bud, you'll never be getting an apple again."

"Duly noted."

Elrohir looked down at Bud and back up at me with a smug grin. "Did your horse just threaten you?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Off to a wonderful start, Neneth. Let us try to keep the peace until we get back to Imladris, please."

"Shuddup, Ro-Ro."

"When will you stop calling me that?"

"Uh… how about never?"

Elrohir let out a groan, and suddenly brought his horse to a stop as we ventured out to a small open field just outside of the borders of Imladris. It was freeing, being here. I had started to get stir-crazy in the confines of the walls of the palace.

The sea was never meant to sit still; nor am I.

"I will find something worse to call you," Elrohir warned, raising a stubborn brow my way.

"Oh, I bet you will."

"I will."

"Uhuh."

We settled into calm silence, as Elrohir started up again, and we continued on a trail that I saw was indented in the ground. "Do you always use the same routes for patrols?" I asked, looking at the tracks curiously. The grass was completely gone from the trail, all that was left was dirt.

Elrohir nodded, reading my worries easily. "We do not need to worry about being covert, Persie. There are different rims of protection and patrols, and we are the closest to Imladris. This way if we need to be notified of something from the outer rims, we will be able to be found within ample time."

I nodded. "So when people go out on long patrols for weeks at a time… they are usually at the outer rims?"

He nodded. "Exactly."

I nodded again, carefully absorbing the information. "So it's like a trickle-down effect?"

Elrohir smiled. "Right again."

I let out a hum in response and bent down to pet Bud's neck again. "I love being out here, patrol or not," I voiced. "I felt rather confined in the palace."

The elf let out a low laugh. "I could tell."

My eyes widened as I took in his growing grin. "What? Was I that obvious?"

"Well, Neneth-"

He was cut off from the faint sound of the whistle of an arrow darting through the air. I didn't have time to blink as the arrow met its target with a thunk, slamming right into Elrohir's chest, knocking him off the horse.

"Run!" I warned Elrohir's horse, before leaping off and avoiding the volley of arrows coming my way. I used my shield to protect myself from arrows and hissed when a stray arrow landed in Bud's flank. He didn't show any pain, only steely strength."Go get help!"

The horse took off with its determined eyes, straight in the direction toward Imladris's borders. He knew how to get home, all the horses in those stables did.

"I will not leave you, Milady."

I hopped off Bud as soon as the arrows stopped firing, and leaped over at Elrohir, who was breathing heavily and trying to put pressure on the sides of where the arrow was still lodged. "Are you okay?" I got out, staring intensely at the pooling blood at his side.

He let out a wheeze, blood pooling in his mouth as he nodded up at me. I shook my head down at him, watching helplessly as he was struggling to breathe. What a liar.

"You will be fine, I promise."

His eyes were fraught with pain, but there was a large amount of trust that hit me like a shard of ice.

Bud stalked over to our side, huffing when I knew he could smell the oncoming threat. "We will have company."

"Go back, Bud! Get more help!" I barked orders at my steed, knowing that even with a horse, I wasn't strong enough or a good enough healer to move the injured elf. Water healing would take too long. But… if I could heal him enough-

I hurried over to Bud, grabbing the water canteen from my pack and hitting his rear to send him off. I might not be able to completely heal him before the enemy arrived, but was going to buy Elrohir some time.

I didn't see Bud as he hurried off to go gather other ranks, which would be relatively easy at the site of a riderless horse with an arrow in the flank. I refused to lose another friend. Even if it was a horse-friend, Bud was still my friend.

I set my water powers to work just as his eyes closed and he slipped into unconsciousness. I was alone now. Focusing on healing Elrohir's wound just enough to where I felt comfortable leaving him in this state, I stood up, grabbed Riptide, and prepared for a fight.

Little did I know, the fight already arrived.

With a sharp pain in the back of my head, everything turned to black.