Chapter 24
The demons disappeared, and all was still. The company was uneasy, for they were expecting another attack; but one never came. Instead, there was a silence, but Ethrin had expected it. They were very near the outer borders of Mordor, and there was nothing left to do except enter its premises and slay the leader of the demons.
The night came quickly. Ethrin was thankful that there was no more screaming Airedaeiel, but then again there was more time to think. Diamond found her crying alone. Legolas was gone with Aragorn to scout, and nobody else really talked to her. Diamond put her arms around Ethrin, letting her know that all was going to be fine. Ethrin could only let the tears fall.
Later in the night Ethrin found Legolas awake and talking to Laphaela. Ethrin touched his arm and he looked up, startled.
"I need to speak with you," Ethrin said, giving him a look that told him he had to go.
"Alright. Quel du good night Laphaela," Legolas said. He stood up and followed Ethrin until they were out of sight from the company.
"Naa rashwe, melamin is there trouble, my love?" Legolas asked, full of concern.
"N'uma no," Ethrin replied, avoiding his eyes and staring at the ground.
"Mani naa ta what is it?"
"Legolas, you can't come with me into Mordor," Ethrin said finally. Legolas looked startled, his eyes blazing with concern. There was a long silence.
"Mankoi why?" he asked finally.
"Legolas, I just don't want you there."
"Why? What is wrong? You have to tell me."
"Legolas, you will not be coming with me. No arguments. Leave the group this instant and bring with you Arlena, Laphaela, Glorfindel, and anyone else you care to leave with. Especially take the hobbits. Follow my orders, Legolas," Ethrin said coldly, glaring straight into Legolas's eyes with an intensity that Legolas could not understand.
"Why, Ethrin?" Do you think that I will leave someone that loves me to go into danger alone? Especially someone that I love in return?" Legolas asked after a slight moment's pause. His voice showed clearly his pain.
"And who said that I love you?" Ethrin screamed with rage that seemed to radiant from her whole form. Legolas nearly stumbled as he heard those words, but regained his composure.
"Then you have deceived me. I thought I could trust you unlike I could trust any other," Legolas replied. His tone was formal and unfeeling.
"Yes I have," Ethrin replied with a tone to match. She watched unmoving as Legolas turned and moved away.
Legolas reached the camp very quickly and soon spotted Laphaela.
"Laphaela, wake everyone else. We will travel north and find our own way," Legolas said, his voice showing no feeling as if his soul had gone.
"Is that what Ethrin wants? Do we have to find another way to Mordor? Is this way too dangerous?" Laphaela asked, sitting up quickly.
"Ethrin is on her own. I do not believe her intentions are exactly as we think."
"What do you mean?"
"Just get your things and wake everyone else up!" Legolas whispered through clenched teeth. Laphaela could only stand up and rush to Arlena's side, shaking her awake. "And Ethrin is not coming," Legolas said before walking to wake up Aragorn and to find Glorfindel.
Arlena was awake in an instant and went to wake Frodo and Diamond, who were sleeping after a delightful conversation with Airedaeiel. It wasn't surprising that Airedaeiel was still with them. After no more than ten minutes the company was on the move again.
"Where is Ethrin?" Diamond asked as soon as they were out of sight from the camp.
"She's going her own way," Frodo replied. "She is going by herself and we are to meet her somewhere or something of the like. Don't worry, Ethrin can take care of herself."
"I've got to find her!" Diamond said, quickly, then jumped off her mount. She landed in an awkward position but regained her footing soon and rushed off into the distance. The rest of the company tried to call her back, but she just kept running.
"Diamond! Come back!" Frodo cried, jumping down also and then rushing after her. Soon they disappeared into the bushes and could not be seen.
"We have to go after them!" Airedaeiel cried, turning her horse but Aragorn cut her off.
"We can't, Airedaeiel, I'm sorry. That would delay the time we have to get into Mordor and destroy the threat," Aragorn said. He spurred his horse forward but his gestures showed his longing to find Frodo and Diamond.
The hooded bent figure gazed into the small glass sphere in her hand, watching as the fiery light was reflecting off the glass and beamed onto the ceiling. She put the sphere down onto the table in front of her and smiled. She beckoned another cloaked figure across the room and the figure stepped forward, revealing her face.
"Ah, so you have arrived. It's a wonder you got here. Most would question your unusual hair. Last of the Dark Elves, and so fit to be my apprentice. You have many powers, maiden of the night," the bent figure said.
"Look! There's a young horse right there! It's small enough to carry us maybe!" Diamond exclaimed, pointing to a beautiful brownish reddish horse with a white stripe down it's back and a white mane and tail.
"Don't you think it's a bit queer that just when we need a horse it appears? Maybe it is sent out by an enemy," Frodo said uncertainly.
"We are still fairly near to Rohan. Perhaps it just wondered off," Diamond replied, then snapped her fingers. The horse turned and ran straight towards them eagerly. When it reached them it pranced until Diamond whispered to it gently, calming it down.
"You sure have a way with horses," Frodo said.
"This one's young, so it is more trusting. We need to leave though. I'll mount and then you come up after me," Diamond said.
"Alright," Frodo replied. Soon they were on the horse and off getting deeper and deeper into Mordor.
"Lord Elrond! There are demons attacking the Havens! It is a wonder that they went around the Shire, but it is reported that the demons are going back and have found the path to the Shire! Our elven warriors are needed!" Dúal reported. After writing he had gone out for some enlightening and enjoying of the sun when a messenger from the Havens met up with him.
"Dúal, gather together at least five hundred warriors and ride straight to the Havens now. Leave at least two hundred at the Shire and have then protect the hobbits with whatever strategy they can think of in case they are needed. You will lead the two hundred in the Shire and I will lead the rest to the Havens." Elrond said, standing up slowly. For once in his life he seemed bent with age like an old man, and his face showed proof of his over 6,000 years of life.
Dúal nodded and left. Elrond had finished the rest of his writing. He carefully folded the pages and slipped them in a pocket, then strode out into the welcome sunlight.