"What state have you brought my daughter back to me in?" Elrond asked as he saw all the bloodied parties return.
Gandalf, his own face no better than the rest, took Elrond aside, "All of our injuries must wait because Frodo was stabbed by a Nazgul blade. Please, help him first."
Elrond nodded, his eyebrows raised high on his forehead as he rushed forward taking the injured hobbit from Arwen's arms. Before he exited, he turned back and instructed Arwen to heal them all.
"Arwen, are you strong enough? You used so much magic to protect the hobbit," Caunwen said, her tone concerned and laced with worry.
Arwen nodded, "I am fine now that we have crossed back into the full protection of our people."
Arwen moved forward and placed her hands over Gandalf's and Caunwen's faces while uttering a prayer in the elvish tongue. Caunwen had her eyes closed but she opened them briefly in order to see Gandalf's face healing before her eyes. She often wondered why her father and sister's healing powers had not come to her. Once Arwen was done, the cut on her own face was gone as well.
"Go rest," Arwen instructed, "I do not know how long you will stay here before heading back out into the wild."
Arwen left, Caunwen knew to find Aragorn, and Gandalf turned to her placing his hand gently on her cheek, "Your sister is correct. Our journey to destroy the ring will most likely not end here. I am going to speak with your father. Go rest," he said, softly.
Caunwen smiled at him as she turned to go to her room in Rivendell and lay her weary head down.
Gandalf joined Elrond who was almost through saving Frodo's life and waited until he was done to speak with him on the subject of the ring.
"My dear friend," Elrond said as he looked away from the hobbit to the wizard, "You should be with my daughter. These quiet nights in Rivendell will be your last chance to fulfill the prophecy before your journey takes a serious turn."
"Can the ring not stay here in the protection of your people?" Gandalf requested, his eyelids heavy now that there wasn't so much going on.
Elrond closed his eyes in regret, "My people will not stay here much longer. The time of the elves is ending. The ring can not stay here. It must be taken to Mordor and thrown into the fire from whence it came. Tomorrow, after you have fulfilled the prophecy with my dear sweet Caunwen, we shall have a meeting where we can decide what to do with the ring. Many great warriors are on their way as we speak."
Gandalf nodded as he looked at Elrond, "Why must I be with your daughter so urgently?"
Elrond closed his eyes once more, this time in grief, "Mithrandir, you will not be on the journey to Mordor for very long. You must sacrifice yourself for the group. And once you have done that, the prophecy will be no more."
Gandalf's eyes opened wide, his shock apparent. "I will do what I must," he said as he turned from Elrond to go to Cauwen.
When he reached her chambers, he found her fast asleep. He did not wish to wake her but Elrond's urgency had rubbed off onto him. He sat down on the edge of the bed and gently stroked back her hair causing her eyes to open.
"Gandalf, has something happened?" she said, waking urgently ready for battle.
Gandalf laid a hand gently on her shoulder, calming her, "No, no lady Caunwen but I have learned that we must fulfil the prophecy now if we have any hope. Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked, his tone soft and gentle.
Caunwen nodded, a soft smile crossing her lips, "It is all I've ever wanted. Are you sure that you want to do this?"
Gandalf didn't respond as he had no words to express what was in his heart. He decided the best way to let her know how he felt was to show her so he took her hand and placed it against his chest, above his heart and leaned forward gently placing his lips against hers.
