Glorfindel was speaking, but Evelyn couldn't hear him. She was frozen in place, the words of the letter ringing in her ears. She knew what Saruman was doing, she knew how he was manipulating her, preying on what she desired most. How he knew that, she wasn't sure, but there he was dangling it on a stick in front of her.
It was so tempting, to be so close.
I'm not meant for this world... I've never been meant for it. I didn't care about the fate of Middle Earth two seconds ago, why now?
Middle Earth had hurt her. It broke her down and ravaged her soul. Every time she tried to help, she was damned for her attempts. So, she decided to stop helping. She gave up on going home, on having a normal life where she could attend college and get a job. She gave up on seeing her family and her friends again. All she wanted was solitude, just her and Nightshade in the beauty of nature. That was all she wanted.
She burned Mirkwood and captured Gollum in exchange for Nightshade's life and revenge; it was a fair trade.
She captured Glorfindel in exchange for solitude and a patch of undisturbed nature for her to escape to; it was a fair trade.
Now, Saruman wanted Glorfindel, he wanted the elf who Evelyn had saved so many times. The elf who she revealed her identity for, the elf who she nursed for weeks, the elf who she slayed a hoard of orcs for, the elf who she cradled whilst he died... and Saruman wanted him.
The wizard was mad, he would break Glorfindel through depravity in ways that the Mirkwood elves hadn't even come near.
It would also be the final seal on Middle Earth's fate.
If Saruman found a way to be successful in his twisted experiments- if he created monster Uruks with the strength, speed, agility, and intelligence of the elves... Middle Earth was doomed. There would be no coming back for the Free Peoples of Middle Earth in a war against such beasts. Saruman was already clever, the only edge that Sauron had over him was the rings... and if Saruman succeeded in creating such monster Uruk-hai, then he may just be able to obtain the ring before the Fellowship could reach Mount Doom. Could another Maiar wield the power of the Ring?
But I won't be here, a tiny voice in Evelyn's mind reminded her. If she made the trade, then she would be whisked back home. She would take Nightshade with her, and leave Middle Earth to its own doom. She wouldn't have to live the consequences of her actions.
Only her soul would have to bear such.
She would just have to hand Glorfindel over.
Evelyn finally turned to look at Glorfindel and her heart stopped.
In that moment, his eyes were blown wide, his mouth slightly parted in breath, and an expression of open fear and uncertainty lingered on him. In all the time that she had known the elf, the times when she dragged him from a battle where he knew he would die, when she was stitching up fatal wounds... he never looked like that. Every time that he was staring at the jaws of death, he was unafraid. The only time she had ever seen such naked fear and despair was that night in Gondolin.
It was the expression he had when he thought that the people who he loved were to be killed.
He was never afraid for himself, only all the lives he was charged with protecting. He knew that if she took the deal, so many would be doomed. And, he knew that she might just do it.
The expression brought up so many painful memories for Evelyn. She knew what it felt like to bear that fear. She herself had that when she was locked away in Mirkwood, when she watched Nightshade dying on an elvish arrow.
She wanted to hate the elves- because if she hated them enough, she wasn't afraid.
But, she couldn't stand to see Glorfindel look at her like that.
She told herself so many times that she hated him. She wanted to, she wanted to hate him because why? She wasn't afraid of him... what was she afraid of? What about him made her heart beat stronger than her wings as she flew through a gale? What about him made her knees shake and her stomach go queasy?
I'm not afraid of him, so what about him am I afraid of?!
Caring, Nightshade, who had her massive head resting on Evelyn's racing heart, replied. You're afraid of caring for him, of loving him and of him being taken away.
I... I'm not-
You're so afraid that you're considering giving him away so you can't lose him.
That... that doesn't make sense-
You two legged creatures never do, usually such a line would be delivered with some amount of sass, but Evelyn could only feel waves of comfort and sincerity from her companion.
She had a choice to make. She could go home, she could leave everything behind and return to the life that she once had and allow Glorfindel to suffer and Middle Earth to burn. She never asked for any of this, she never asked to be ripped from her home, from her friends, her family, and everything that she knew and loved. She never asked to be forced to learn to fight and to kill. In her previous life, she would've never even considered doing such a thing. It was Middle Earth that taught her to be so.
Or, she could deny the request and be drawn into the war. There was no going back from this. If she refused then there was no way Saruman would give up so easily. He knew where she was and her deal was with Sauron, not Saruman. The time for neutrality was over. She wasn't going to get out of this without picking a side.
A surge of purpose rushed through her veins as she stood and stormed over towards Glorfindel. To her horror, for the first time since she had met him, he looked at her with fear. There was a flash of terror behind his eyes as he scrambled backwards, his back hitting the hard stone behind him. There was the slightest tremble in his arms as he gazed up at her with open eyes. Even in the darkened corner of his cell, he still shone with that light of the High Elves. His golden hair was practically glowing as it framed his face, just as it did all those years ago when he was dying in her lap.
She crouched down in front of him.
"Give me a reason."
"What?" There was confusion in his tone, but Evelyn leaned forward till she could feel his breath on her face.
"I- I have to pick a side. I can't just ignore him... I have to choose," her voice broke, but she kept speaking. "Give me a reason to care about this world. Please," she was pleading with him, begging for something, she needed something. "Give me a reason to stay and fight."
"Everything, Elenya, everything." As Glorfindel spoke, it was like a switch had been flipped and his voice rose in confidence. "It is not just the elves, the men will suffer under his reign. The dwarves, the Halflings, all innocent creatures will never know the taste of free air again. And not only them, but the earth itself. It'll burn Elenya, every tree, every meadow, every creature not hunted for food will be driven to nothing. I know there are many who are guilty... but there are so many more who are innocent. Please Elenya... I know you cherish your secrets, but I know you. And I know there is too much goodness in your heart to let that happen. I believe in you Elenya... I trust you, and I believe in you."
In that moment, Evelyn broke.
She didn't know how it happened, what word triggered it. All she knew was that one moment she was gazing into Glorfindel's blue eyes, and the next she had her arms wrapped around his neck as she sobbed into his shoulder.
She didn't deserve any comfort at that point. For the rest of her life, she would recall that moment as her darkest, her most evil and twisted time- darker than when she threatened Elrond or burned Mirkwood. She would always recall it as her lowest point- the time when she almost sold Glofindel.
But Glorfindel didn't care. He didn't sense the evil tainting her soul that Evelyn was certain was there. Instead, he held her tight, he whispered soothing words of comfort as she cried her heart out. He rubbed his sword hardened hands across her shoulders and down the length of her wings, rocking her back and forth. He should've hated her, he should've feared or despised her for what she almost did, but he didn't. He just held her: without judgment, without fear, and without hatred. He held her while she cried and screamed into his shoulder. He remained steady, a solid an calm presence as waves of emotions that she didn't even know she could still feel rocked her.
I don't deserve his love, she thought as she continued to cry, allowing all the emotions she had bottled up and hidden for so long to break free.
"I am sorry, mellon-nin," Aragorn placed a comforting hand on Legolas' back as his friend finished regaling his tale. The Halfling Frodo was still recovering in the Healing Halls and the council would not be for a few days, but Legolas had arrived early as the delegate from the Woodland Realm. "Your father-"
"Will recover, fully. Hopefully. The healers say he will certainly survive, but the scarring may be permanent," Legolas' hands idly fiddled with his bowstring as he spoke. "The burns overlap heavily with his old wounds so he may not be fully healed until he resides in Valinor, but when I left he was awake and coherent."
"I am glad to hear," Aragorn observed his old friend. He had known the elf for a good many years, and he knew when he had more to say that he was reluctant to share. "What else troubles you?"
"I- tis nothing," Legolas tried.
"Mellon-nin, to you Eldar I may be yet young, but twas not yesterday that my mother bore me." A smile twinged on his lips as he spoke. "Tell me what else it is that troubles you."
"I should have known it was coming," he finally admitted. "I should have known, felt something."
"Even Lord Elrond cannot always predict the future," Aragorn gently reminded him. "You must not be angry with yourself for not foreseeing what would come."
"In all my years of protecting our realm, nothing has ever gotten past me so easily. How... how did they do it?"
"My Lord Elrond believes that there is more to Raven than we may think."
"She knocked the twins unconscious without even touching them."
"Aye. How I wish I had that skill when growing up."
There was a pause before they both started laughing. The sounds of their chuckles rang out across the valley as the two friends shared a moment of joy before the troubles that they knew were ahead. As their laughter died, they took a moment to relish the cool autumn air. Evening was falling and the sounds of birdsong faded to the chirping of crickets. A few bold stars were just emerging high in the sky. Aragorn sighed and Legolas raised an eyebrow at the man.
"You're planning something, aren't you?"
"Lord Elrond has issued me an ultimatum."
"Oh?"
"If I am to marry Lady Arwen... I must do so as a King," he admitted.
"It is your destiny."
"One I never wanted."
"We rarely wish for such things. Only fools desire to be King."
"So no eyes on the throne of the Woodland Realm?" Aragorn asked, a teasing smile on his lips.
"Hah," Legolas shook his head ruefully. "Ruling suits my father far more than it will ever suit me. I prefer the company of the trees... though the valley's seem particularly hostile as of late."
"Perhaps not the Woodland Realm then, what about a small kingdom, a miniature realm of trees for your own?"
"Yes... perhaps I can be King of the Squirrels?" He asked with mock seriousness.
"Indeed," Aragorn replied with all the seriousness of a severe political discussion. "For squirrels make far finer subjects than wood elves who quarrel with the trees."
Legolas threw a piece of cheese at the man's head and they once again shared a laugh. It was a tense sort of merriment though, for both could feel the looming shadow growing ever darker. In just a few day's time, representatives from Gondor and Erebor would arrive and a council would take place. Whatever happened at that meeting would determine the fate of them all.
Aragorn already had a suspicion as to what conclusion would be reached. He had spoken at length to Lord Elrond who hoped that the council would see reason. For while the elves had the ability to aide them in this quest, they were leaving the shores of Middle Earth. The time of immortals was ending.
"You know," as Legolas spoke, Aragorn turned his head to look at his friend. "Perhaps if King of Gondor doesn't work out, you can come live in my realm."
"With the squirrels?"
"Yes," a smirk made its way to Legolas' face. "They are uncivilized, filled with nuts, and bath rather infrequently. You'll fit right in."
This time it was Aragorn's turn to pelt his friend with cheese from their platter.
For the rest of the evening, they savored each other's company, knowing well that in just a few short days, a council of few would decide the fate of everyone. They would both be in attendance at that council, and they both had their own hopes for how it would end.
Glorfindel held Elenya tight, he rocked her back and forth through her sobs, grasping her in a hug so firm that had she been fully mortal he might have crushed her. Finally, after so long seeking her, chasing her, and being mere inches away from her... he could hold her. For the first time he was able to truly comfort her as they together mourned her loss of innocence.
He shouldn't have been so comfortable holding her like that. It shouldn't have felt so right to cradle someone who had made deals with Sauron or considered selling him off to be used in the creation of even more foul beasts than orcs. But, Ecthelion had always accused him of being a reckless idealist. Glorfindel always rebuked that he wasn't an idealist... he just had faith. He wasn't really sure what he had faith in. Unlike so many of the elves of his current time who were born on Middle Earth, he knew the Valar, he had walked among them and thus he knew their imperfections. He still prayed to them, still obeyed them... but his faith lied elsewhere. When he first met Elenya, that was the first time in his life when he knew exactly where his faith was.
It was with her.
Eventually, after an unknown amount of time, Elenya's sobbing ceased. She sat for a while longer in his arms, her fingers making their way to idly tangle in his hair. In return, he found himself smoothing down her dark locks and carefully picking out tangles. Finally, the spell was broken and Elenya pushed herself to her feet. Glorfindel briefly mourned the loss of contact as she stood and scratched Nightshade behind the wolf's ear before grabbing a bag. She was then quickly moving about her home, packing waterskins, dried fruits and meat, spare cloths, and other travel supplies.
"You think this world is worth saving?" She asked. Her voice was a bit raw from crying, but there was a new edge to it. Glorfindel could hear the steel and determination behind it.
"I know it is," and then, Glorfindel realized what had to be done.
"There's a lot that I know... I know of a lot of things that will happen, some things that may, and some things are unknown as I've already messed a couple of them up," she was strapping on her weapons, preparing herself for her mission ahead. "I think some of these things can be fixed."
"You know a way for us to win, to stop Sauron for good?"
"Yes."
"Will you, will you truly do it? Will you help us end the spreading darkness?" He asked, so much hope soaring through his heart.
Elenya paused what she was doing. She was securing a thick cloak around her shoulders and Glorfindel took a moment to wonder at where she received such a fine piece of clothing. It was not of elvish make, but far too high quality to be crafted by men.
"I've spent too long hiding. The only way to stop him, is to end him and you- you're world deserves better." She turned and looked at him, her eyes glowing with an intensity that Glorfindel had yet to see. "I promise that I will do all that I can to stop him."
Glorfindel breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that. He knew, with that same instinctive faith that he had before when he first saw her, when he was resuced by her, and when she ran and he went to find her... he knew that she would follow through. He knew that she could do it. It was when she was in the process of strapping a blade to her wolf that Glorfindel finally worked up the courage to speak. He did so with great regret, but he knew what had to be done.
"I've known Saruman for a long time... and it will not be long before he realizes that you don't intend to make the trade... When he does realize, he-"
"He will come and try to convince me in person with his honeyed words and deals, then by force."
"Yes... and I'm assuming you don't have a key," Glorfindel asked, holding up the chains attached to his collar.
Elenya looked at him and frowned.
"No... I don't."
"That is alright," Glorfindel took a deep breath. He knew this was coming, he knew that it had to happen. He took a short moment to close his eyes and collect himself, to savor the memory that he had of holding Elenya tight, to remind himself that she would fulfill her promise and save his home. He shouldn't have been afraid, he had died before under far less pleasant circumstances... and it was a bit poetic for Elenya to be present at both his deaths. "Okay," he exhaled slowly. "Thank you, Elenya, I know you can do it."
She paused what she was doing and looked at him, her head tilted to the side in confusion. Her wolf nudged her hand and she began stroking its head, her eyes still on him as he continued his soliloquy.
"I want you to know, Elenya, that I have always cared for you, and I always will. I trust you, so please. Leave me a blade, and I'll wait for an hour to know that you've gone before I..."
"What are you talking about?!" She interrupted him, looking at him as if he were mad.
"Elenya please, I won't ask you to do it, but just leave me a blade so that I may-"
"No."
"If you stay then Saruman will-"
"I'm not staying."
"Please, if you leave me then-"
"I'm not leaving you for him to find."
"Then-"
She stormed over and crouched down, putting two hands on his chain, fingers feeling along the metal as she appeared to be checking for any sign of weakness or fault. Glorfindel almost laughed as she did so. He had unfortunately known both Maiar from their days in Valinor.
"Elena, please... both Sauron and Saruman were once servants of Aule the Smith. Whichever one forged these chains, they will be impossible to break. You are needed out there. Middle Earth needs you. Please, just leave me a blade for I do not wish to fall into Saruman's grasp."
Instead of replying, she closed her eyes. Her fingers tightened on their place on the chain and her entire face clenched in concentration. Glorfindel watched in fascination as her armed trembled for a moment before her whole body went still. Suddenly, her eyes opened and white light poured out from them, the light was so bright that for a half second it nearly blinded Glorfindel. Then, white light began emanating from where her hands met the metal chain.
There was another flash of pure white light forcing Glorfindel to screw his eyes shut. And, when he opened them, Glorfindel found the chain and collar gone, in their place was a small pile of dust.
Glorfindel was in so much shock, he had nothing to say.
Elenya in turn, simply stood up. For a moment she swayed a bit on her feet before grabbing onto Nightshade for support. She then turned and pulled an old, worn out cloak from a small chest and tossed it at Glorfindel who caught the cloth more out of reflex than anything.
"Your cloak was torn beyond repair. That one's too short for you so you'll look ridiculous, but it's the best you're gonna get. Your weapons are in there," she pointed to another chest, this one under her bed. "I'm going to go fill up our waterskins. We'll leave as soon as you're ready."'
"Elenya," Glorfindel finaly found a way for his voice to function. She paused and looked at him. A million things ran through his mind, exclamations, words of thanks, and about a thousand questions. In the end he settled on one simple question. "Where are we going?"
"Erebor," she smiled slightly, disappearing through the door and followed by her ever present wolf who moved with her like a shadow.