Mikuras awoke the next morning to find Arwen sitting on a chair next to her bed. Elrond's daughter was dressed in a long, flowing dress the shade of blooming forget-me-nots with her wavy hair falling loosely around her face.

"Father says you are to join the fellowship," the princess said as Mikuras sat up.

"That is Elrond's wish," Mikuras nodded, "though I do not fully understand it myself."

"Fate often hands us things we do not understand, Mik," Arwen said as she looked out the window, avoiding Mikuras' eyes.

"He'll come back to you, dear cousin," said Mikuras as she slid out of the bed and walked to her bureau. The room was silent as the younger elf pulled off her bedclothes and shuffled into grey leggings and a dark green tunic. Outside the sun was beginning to rise and seep through the darkness around Rivendell. She paused for a moment, inhaling a deep gulp of the morning air, letting it fill her lungs.

"I cannot believe Elrond is sending a dwarf to see this mission through," breathed Mikuras.

"He's sending one from all the races. I would not worry so much about Gimli, Mik. It is Borimir I fear for," Arwen said as she picked up a brush and began running it through her cousin's long copper locks.

"Ah yes, the ambition of Man. I do not doubt the power of the ring will try to seduce him; but perhaps I have a little more faith in the Steward of Gondor," Arwen began fashioning Mikuras' hair with two small plaits on both sides of her head, her skilled fingers careful not to pull too hard. The act of braiding another's hair was a symbol of devotion, most often shared between two lovers; though the two cousins shared a bond unlike any other. They had been raised together from an early age, each offering their own gift to the friendship. Arwen was the more learned of the two, often burying herself in books learning the history of the Elves. Though, that probably had more to do with knowing she would one-day rule Rivendell. She was also a natural beauty with her unusually dark complexion with oak colored hair and lips the color of wine. Mikuras, on the other hand, was usually found climbing trees and challenging the young males of Rivendell to a riding contest. She found no joy in book learning, instead chose to fill her days with learning to walk with the shadows or sitting around the taverns indulging in whatever bits of information happened to find its way to her ears. Mikuras was also the plainer of the duo. This helped her more than hindered her, however, for she was able to conceal herself well within crowds, weaving in and out in dust-covered clothes of green without being noticed.

After Arwen had finished the two tiny braids she secured them behind Mikuras' ears, and simply said, "Come home, Mikuras."

"I have no desire to do otherwise, cousin. Do not worry for me, for I know your heart is already heavy with grief. Lord Elrond would not send me with them if he believed me incapable of taking care of myself." She stood up and looked her cousin in the eyes, "You have my word, Arwen, I will come home," then leaned forward, embracing her cousin. "Now, there are a few errands I must see to before I leave and I dare say you have things you must attend to as well."

Arwen bowed her head and said, "I will see you off later this evening, Mikuras." They grasped hands and smiled at each other, knowing no more words need to be said between them.

"Go to Aragorn, dear cousin. I will see you tonight."

The two girls walked out of Mikuras' room holding hands, then went their separate ways; each having their own goodbyes to say.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Mikuras rolled off of the slender male body beneath her and reached for a goblet of water to quench her thirst. As the water slid down her parched throat she contemplated how she was going to break the news to Vén that she was leaving that night.

"I heard Master Elówyn found his most prized jewel sitting on his doorstep yesterday morning," Vén said as he sat up behind her and placed a soft kiss on her bare shoulder.

"Really now?" said Mikuras as she set the goblet back down on the table.

"Truly! You wouldn't have any idea as to how it wound up there would you?" he asked while tracing a finger down her arm, causing chill bumps to spread across her sweaty flesh.

"Why would I know anything about that?" she asked as she turned her head slightly, giving Vén a mischievous grin.

"I should have known it was you. You are the only thief I know who returns whatever they take," he chuckled.

Mikuras turned in the bed and faced Vén directly. "I can't help it if the head master of the jewelers guild most precious stone decides to go for a midnight stroll, can I?"

"Oh, I see," he started, "So you just happened to have found it in the streets and, being the honest…trickster you are, decided to return it to its proper home?" He placed his fingers lightly on the small of her back and began drawing tiny circles with his fingertips.

"Precisely," she nodded, giving him a knowing smile.

"Won't you at least tell me how you got past his locks? I cannot tell you how many of my friends would love to know that," he said as he began feathering kisses along her neck and jaw.

"And give away my greatest secret? I think not!" she laughed as she pushed his shoulders back forcing him to look at her.

"Fine, Mikky, keep your secret. Though you should know if there's a way in, I will find it. I was, after all, the one who taught you everything you know," Vén said as his eyes locked with hers.

"Sure you will," she teased. She hated leaving him behind, but now was not the time to be greedy. The fate of all of Middle Earth rested around Frodo's neck and she was sent to offer him whatever protection she could. Mikuras scanned his coconut colored face, mentally tracing the shape of his thin lips, memorizing the gold flecks of his eyes, and lingering over his finely chiseled jaw line. All elves were beautiful, but he was something more to her. They had shared in so many adventures within the walls of Rivendell and she had learned so much from him. He challenged her in no way that anyone had ever before. He was the one who helped her realize she loathed the aristocratic lifestyle most elves tended to lead. And for that, she could never repay him.

 Vén must have recognized what she was thinking when he asked, "What troubles you, Mik? I see something in your eyes."

Mikuras blinked as if coming out of a trance. Shaking her head, she decided she had to tell him now, or else she would never tell him. "I am leaving, Vén."

"Leaving?" he asked.

"Yes."

"When will you be back?" his usually emotionless face was now filled with concern.

"I do not know," she said, as she looked away from him, unable to meet his gaze.

"Where are you going?" he continued to question her.

"With the fellowship," she sighed.

"The fellowship?"

"Yes, the fellowship. I'm going to help destroy the One Ring," she said as she slowly turned to face him, meeting the blank look on his face with her pale blue eyes.

"You mean to tell me, that Lord Elrond is sending you, his only niece, into the pits of Mordor?" he voice screeched as he reached for her hand. Mikuras simply nodded, not knowing what else to say. "Why you?" he pleaded.

"I do not know myself, Vén, but if my uncle believes I can help destroy the ring and bring Sauron's power to an indefinite end, then I cannot deny him." She pulled away from him and reached for her clothes, pulling her tunic over her head.

"I will go with you, then," he said matter-of-factly.

"Why would you do that?" she said as she forced her hands down the sleeves of the olive tunic.

"To protect you of course! You cannot…" she cut him off.

"Protect me!?" she glared. "Why do I need protection? I am as skilled with the blades as you are, Vén!"

"But, you're…female!" he declared.

"Oh bloody hell, Vén!" she stomped her foot, "I cannot believe you just said that." She started walking towards him, stopping just in front of his face. "You of all people should know I am no ordinary female. Or do I need to break your nose again to prove it?"

"That's not what I meant, Mikky," he said as he stood up, towering over her short figure by at least a head.

"Then what, pray tell, did you mean?" she demanded.

"I'm just worried about you. That's all. How will I know that you're safe out there unless I came with you?" He sat back down on the feathered bed, pulling her close to him as he laid his head against her stomach. "I fear for your safety," he mumbled into the soft fabric of her clothes.

"Oh, Vén," she said as she entwined her fingers through his hair. "You cannot go on wanting to protect me all the time. I am quite capable of doing that myself." She felt his shoulders sag as he clung to her. "Thank you," she softly murmured.

"For what?" he asked as he stared up at her with his emerald green eyes.

"Thank you for worrying about me. But, please, rest assured I will be fine. I am not going alone after all. Aragorn, Gimli, Borimir and Legolas are all strong warriors," she tried to assuage his fears.

"Come back?" his eyes pleaded with her. "Promise me you will return."

"Don't worry, Vén, you cannot be rid of me that easily," she smiled, then leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on his forehead. They stayed like that for a few long minutes, dreading the moment when she would finally break the embrace to finish getting dressed.

"I must be going now, Vén," she heard her voice say as she forced herself away from him. "We will be leaving soon and I must be getting back to the Palace." She pulled her leggings up and smiled at him, "Vén?" she asked.

"Yes, Mik?" He was now dressing himself in a pair of brown leggings and a dark green top.

"Promise me you won't follow us."

He looked at her and nodded slowly, "I promise."

"No, I mean it Vén. I want your word that you will not follow us." Her eyes were as cold as ice as if she were trying to stare right through him.

"You have my word," he said.

"I know better than to trust the word of a thief," she retorted.

"You have my word as a friend, Mikuras," he reached for her hand and gave it a tight squeeze. "And as a lover," he picked up her hand, bringing it to his lips to place a soft kiss on her knuckles. "I will not follow you."

She could see the hurt in his eyes, but knew he had spoken true. He would not try to follow and protect her. "Thank you," she said as she gave his hand a squeeze.

"You had better be going now. It is almost sunset," Vén said as he pointed out the window. Now it was her turn to pull him close to her. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close, hearing his heartbeat against her ear.

"I will come back," she said, then pulled his lips down to meet hers for one last kiss goodbye. She said no other words as she walked out the door, closing it softly behind her. She would miss him, though she knew that was nothing compared to how he would miss her. Sighing to herself, she began making her way back to the palace to meet the rest of the fellowship.