Anarkyn could hardly remember how long it had been since the nine had left. She had watched them depart from the darkness of the surrounding forest. She had not spoken to Legolas again; it would have been too painful. Her heart had gone out to the small ring bearer. She understood all too well the pain that evil could inflict. The ring bearer was so small, but Anarkyn could still feel an uncertain yet growing strength about him. He unknowingly held the existence of her and Legolas in his small hands.

And Legolas. For the second time they had been ripped apart. It hurt almost worse than the first. It was as if a piece of her had bee stolen again. And she had agreed to marry him. That seemed foolish to her mind now. She had promised something that she couldn't yet give. But he was the other half of her soul. He was the only thing that could heal the pain that life had inflicted on her. He was the only thing that could truly set her free. And he was gone again. The first time had been hard, but she had always still thought in the back of her mind that he wouldn't wait for her. But he had. He loved her in spite of everything. He loved her for nothing she did or was, he loved her just for the sake of loving her.

Time had passed slowly. Anarkyn felt like a caged wolf. The utter uselessness of her situation had frayed her nerves worse than anything Sauron had ever done. At least there had been something to fight against there. For Anarkyn it was now just waiting for the axe to fall and that was never something she did well.

Summons from Elrond finally came. Anarkyn had never been so eager to fulfill his commands.

"Galadriel requests your presence," Elrond said, "I have given you over to her until farther notice. Obey her as you would obey me."

Anarkyn bowed and left. Another mindless task that served no obvious purpose. Anarkyn was fuming to herself. Reaching Lothlorien would be relatively easy for her. No one was looking for a single traveler and even if they were, Anarkyn was far too accomplished to let anyone find her. No, reaching her destination would be no problem. There was some curiosity in her mind about what Galadriel wanted with her. Galadriel was one of the few people who held Anarkyn's complete respect, and Anarkyn felt more at ease serving her than Elrond, mysterious queen though she was.

Anarkyn took her mount, a massive black horse, and flung an armored saddle on his back. Most elves didn't ride with saddle or bridle, but Anarkyn felt she needed it and she normally rode with the animal in full battle gear.

She adjusted the faceplate on the bridle and swung herself up into the saddle.

"You won't see Rivendell again," something whispered to her.

Anarkyn looked around, "Not many will see it again," she said, "our time is fading."

She took a final glance around before she left, then wheeled her horse around and set out at a gallop.