Chapter 4
'We have chosen on our plan of action then?' said Elrond solemnly.
'Yes, I have already sent out word to Theoden and Denathor.' Replied Gandalf, 'Minis Tirith are herding up their troops and Rohan are keeping alert inside their walls as I have warned them of the door. Minis Tirith's troops will depart for Rohan as soon as possible but I have asked them to stay their swords until we have joined them.'
Elrond, Gandalf and Strider stood in a long passageway. To the left stood a balcony, which over looked the house of Elrond and the crystal flowing waters. On their right were beautifully carved stairs that led down to the main hall. The air was pleasant but still tension could be felt.
'And what is to be done with Lady Kareswan?' asked Elrond.
'Ah well,' Gandalf started, 'I feel that it were best if she would come with us.'
'Us?' laughed Strider, 'she cannot come with us, she is just a girl and she cannot fight.'
'And yet the incident wit the orc that night, she was capable to protect you.' chuckled Gandalf.
Strider had stopped laughing but did not give up.
'If it is a battle that we are to have then the atmosphere will be very different, she will not manage.' Exclaimed Strider.
'Aragorn, it is not by accident that she heard Lord Tanigars intention that night. She is meant to come. If she dies then at least her mind will be at peace, for she died fighting for something that she loves.'
'But she is too young to die, why let her sacrifice herself, there is no need.' Objected Strider.
'I know that you are only trying to protect her but I feel that it is right for her to come with us whether you wish it or no.' Gandalf said firmly, making it very clear that the discussion had come to an end.
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Kareswan's stay at Rivendell was pleasant enough under the circumstances, which she stood. She enjoyed hearing the birds singing when she awoke in the morning. She often just lay there trying to decipher the many notes. Kareswan also had a place, which she went to when she wanted to be alone or to think. The trees shaded the balcony and the trickling of water, which had escaped the main path, flowed through the rocky platform below. She enjoyed spending time here, she felt secure and hidden. However, Legolas joined her one-day.
'What is the matter?' he said, 'Ever since the council of Lord Elrond you have hardly said a word. You merely eat and retire to your room when you do not and sometimes you find your way here, you have not seen Rivendell for all its beauty and splendour.'
'I do not understand.' Kareswan said quietly, 'Why is it so difficult. I only wish to return home.'
'At this time is would be impossible, if it were possible I would escort you myself for I see the pain you suffer.'
Kareswan did not say anything as she fought to hold back the tears.
'Strider only means well, Legolas continued gently, 'he only wishes you to be safe.'
'He treats me as if I were a child.' she said as she gasped to keep herself from breaking down. 'I may not be as mature as he but I know what is in my heart and I should not be here.'
'And yet, when Gandalf told you to follow your heart it led you here.'
Kareswan let out a deep, long suppressed sigh.
'I'm so confused.' she whispered.
'Even the elves do not fully understand matters of the heart,' he replied as he caught a pink flower that had fallen from the tree above. He caressed its soft petals as he paused for moments thought and then gave it to Kareswan. 'It can bring good or ill. All we can do is listen.'
The days after Kareswans conversation with Legolas she began to feel the tension leave her. Kareswan came to see that she must trust Gandalf as her father clearly did even though the City of Rohan claimed that he was a grey wanderer who brought only ill tidings. But she knew that if there were any immediate peril he would not so happily remain in Rivendell
In the time that she rested at the Last Homely house Kareswan struggled with her thoughts and feelings. How could men willingly betray their friends and family? The many sleepless night that followed were worthless for her understanding was no clearer. But within the next few days, three moons since her departure from Edoras; Kareswan found herself setting out from the sanctuary of Rivendell, finally heading home.
'We have chosen on our plan of action then?' said Elrond solemnly.
'Yes, I have already sent out word to Theoden and Denathor.' Replied Gandalf, 'Minis Tirith are herding up their troops and Rohan are keeping alert inside their walls as I have warned them of the door. Minis Tirith's troops will depart for Rohan as soon as possible but I have asked them to stay their swords until we have joined them.'
Elrond, Gandalf and Strider stood in a long passageway. To the left stood a balcony, which over looked the house of Elrond and the crystal flowing waters. On their right were beautifully carved stairs that led down to the main hall. The air was pleasant but still tension could be felt.
'And what is to be done with Lady Kareswan?' asked Elrond.
'Ah well,' Gandalf started, 'I feel that it were best if she would come with us.'
'Us?' laughed Strider, 'she cannot come with us, she is just a girl and she cannot fight.'
'And yet the incident wit the orc that night, she was capable to protect you.' chuckled Gandalf.
Strider had stopped laughing but did not give up.
'If it is a battle that we are to have then the atmosphere will be very different, she will not manage.' Exclaimed Strider.
'Aragorn, it is not by accident that she heard Lord Tanigars intention that night. She is meant to come. If she dies then at least her mind will be at peace, for she died fighting for something that she loves.'
'But she is too young to die, why let her sacrifice herself, there is no need.' Objected Strider.
'I know that you are only trying to protect her but I feel that it is right for her to come with us whether you wish it or no.' Gandalf said firmly, making it very clear that the discussion had come to an end.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kareswan's stay at Rivendell was pleasant enough under the circumstances, which she stood. She enjoyed hearing the birds singing when she awoke in the morning. She often just lay there trying to decipher the many notes. Kareswan also had a place, which she went to when she wanted to be alone or to think. The trees shaded the balcony and the trickling of water, which had escaped the main path, flowed through the rocky platform below. She enjoyed spending time here, she felt secure and hidden. However, Legolas joined her one-day.
'What is the matter?' he said, 'Ever since the council of Lord Elrond you have hardly said a word. You merely eat and retire to your room when you do not and sometimes you find your way here, you have not seen Rivendell for all its beauty and splendour.'
'I do not understand.' Kareswan said quietly, 'Why is it so difficult. I only wish to return home.'
'At this time is would be impossible, if it were possible I would escort you myself for I see the pain you suffer.'
Kareswan did not say anything as she fought to hold back the tears.
'Strider only means well, Legolas continued gently, 'he only wishes you to be safe.'
'He treats me as if I were a child.' she said as she gasped to keep herself from breaking down. 'I may not be as mature as he but I know what is in my heart and I should not be here.'
'And yet, when Gandalf told you to follow your heart it led you here.'
Kareswan let out a deep, long suppressed sigh.
'I'm so confused.' she whispered.
'Even the elves do not fully understand matters of the heart,' he replied as he caught a pink flower that had fallen from the tree above. He caressed its soft petals as he paused for moments thought and then gave it to Kareswan. 'It can bring good or ill. All we can do is listen.'
The days after Kareswans conversation with Legolas she began to feel the tension leave her. Kareswan came to see that she must trust Gandalf as her father clearly did even though the City of Rohan claimed that he was a grey wanderer who brought only ill tidings. But she knew that if there were any immediate peril he would not so happily remain in Rivendell
In the time that she rested at the Last Homely house Kareswan struggled with her thoughts and feelings. How could men willingly betray their friends and family? The many sleepless night that followed were worthless for her understanding was no clearer. But within the next few days, three moons since her departure from Edoras; Kareswan found herself setting out from the sanctuary of Rivendell, finally heading home.