"You are saying that Ariel, my very own sister has been riding with this company?" Eldarion asked, frowning after the errand rider had explained about Ariel's disappearance. The messenger nodded. "She was nowhere in the city and both her sword and horse are missing. Therefore the King is led to believe that Ariel has ridden in your company. He requests that she is sent home immediately."

Eldarion just nodded absentmindedly and turned away so that could have a moment by himself to think. Ariel had ridden under his command and he did not even know it? He watched as a dead soldier was moved from where he lay and began to worry. He worried that Ariel may not have made it through the night and began desperately searching for her.

He walked from one end of the camp to the other but could not find her. As he kept looking he became more and more convinced that she had been killed the night before. He worried about how his father would feel, losing his youngest daughter. Almost blinded by grief and panic he nearly walked right past Legolas who spoke to him.
Legolas had heard what news the errand rider brought and when he saw the state of Aragorn's son he knew he had to speak to him. "Your sister Ariel is safe," He said to Eldarion's relief. "I will show you where she is, follow me," Legolas told him and showed Eldarion to where Ariel was sitting, wrapped in a blanket.
At first glance Eldarion did not even recognise her but when she looked up he knew her. He hurried over to her and embraced her in a hug. "An errand rider has come from Minas Tirith," He said. "Our father wants you home and out of danger as soon as possible. He fears that it is too dangerous for you to stay," He said as he pulled back and Ariel looked up at him.

"I do not wish to go back," She said firmly. "It is no more dangerous for me here than for anybody else. It is probably more dangerous for me if I were to journey back to Minas Tirith accompanied by only a few, I would be more of a target would I not?" Ariel reasoned and Eldarion was silent. He knew his sister well enough that she would not give up easily.

Ariel looked at him pleadingly. "You must remember that this was my choice and mine alone. I will suffer any consequences that come of it. I only wish that you will send the errand rider back with the message of my staying in the company," Ariel looked up at Legolas who stood close by and hoped that he would say something to change her brother's mind.
"Tell my father, the King, that when given the choice to return home or to stay and fight Ariel has chosen to stay. I was unable to sway her in her decision and now she rides known to all," Eldarion told the errand rider. "King Elessar shall not be happy with this news but if it has been decided I guess that I must deliver it," The errand rider said and went to get ready to ride back to Minas Tirith.