Ambush – Choices
Soon a litter returned along with several more elf folk and her patient was wrapped in a soft grey blanket and gently transferred to it. They then set off back to the hall. Estel lingered until all the elves had left, helping her to pack her few meagre possessions before leading her out of the cave and towards their new home. As first she had refused, saying she and her family just wished to be left in peace, but Elladan had been insistent, saying that it was the least that they could do. And that Lord Elrond would be angry if they didn't return with them. Not wishing to cause problems, she had finally agreed to accompany them and stay for a while.
They soon caught up with the main party and followed them along. Joel and Eyomn, still carrying their bows, acted as scouts.
'We've got to remove the arrowhead. You know that if we don't, he'll fade.' said Elrohir.
'But there's only the two of us! We can't do it alone!' exclaimed Elladan. 'Don't you remember when Cairian was captured and had that shard in his arm? Father only just managed to save him and that was with us helping. What chance have we got doing something like that alone?'
'It's not so much what chance you have, surely it's more what chance will Adar have if you don't remove it? said Estel.
'If we don't remove it, Adar will fade. He'll become like a wraith…only worse. A shadow of himself. He'll still be Adar on the inside, but he'll be forced to carry out the Dark Lord's commands. He'll know exactly what he's doing but won't be able to stop himself. His soul will be his, but his body will belong to the Dark Lord,' Elrohir said grimly.
Estel blanched. He couldn't think of a worse fate that could be imposed on anyone, but to do that to one of Eldar was…was just beyond words.
'And if you try and remove it?'
'If we try to remove it-' Elladan sighed '-if we try to remove it, and aren't strong enough, Adar will die. There's some sort of evil attached to all the Dark Lord's weapons. When they are removed, the person they were used against suffers from the withdrawal. It's as if their body grows to need the pain. They can't live without it. That's why Cairian had such a hard time. He only had a small piece of blade in his arm but it took us seven days to cure him. The power was so strong it nearly killed us all. It nearly killed Adar.'
'But I can help, and Glorfindel, he can help. We've got to do something!' cried Estel. The thought of his father being forced to carry out the Dark Lord's will was too frightening for him to even conceive.
His brothers both shook their heads.
'Glorfindel might be able to help, but I afraid you wouldn't be strong enough Estel. Even your Dúnedain blood would not suffice. Only the Eldar are strong enough and not all of us are blessed with the healing powers needed.' said Elrohir.
'But you must try!'
'Of course we'll try, what choice do we have? I rather that Adar died with us than become a pawn to the Dark Lord.
All three brothers nodded hearty agreement to this sentiment.
Eoela had been listening to this exchange with interest. She was still slightly in awe of these people. They moved with such confidence and ease through this woodland realm that they called Imladris. Even the Man, Estel, moved with a lithe grace. She approached him as he walked beside the litter carrying his father.
'Do you mind me asking you some questions?' she asked.
'Of course not,' Estel replied. 'You don't need to ask.'
'Amongst our people, women folk must ask permission to talk to a man.'
Estel's eyebrows rose in surprise. The people he moved among since his coming of age had no such inhibitions. The men and women talked freely to one another with no such restrictions.
'Well, among these folk you don't need permission. So go ahead.'
'I was wondering if you really are of the Dúnedain? My people claim- my people claimed to be the descendants of Elendil.'
'Why do you say they claimed?'
'Because we are all that is left of my people. We lived far to the north, where the snow lays all year. We have battled long against the wargs and other foul beasts that inhabit the region. Our men folk were brave and resourceful hunters and warriors. We lived by trade and hunting. But two years ago now a new peril came upon us. Filthy man-like creatures they were, and they came in a huge hoard- hundreds of them. We held for a week, women, and children fighting alongside the men. But there were too many of them and they overwhelmed us. What was left of my people scattered, hiding where we could, being hunted by those creatures as if it was us that were beasts and not them. As far as I can tell, we-' she indicated herself and the two children '-are all that is left of the Númenan. We are lost and we are homeless.' She couldn't help herself, the tears were streaming down her face. All the memories of the last two years came pouring back. Jaryn, her husband, being cut down. Seeing her friends and family butchered. The cold, the hunger, the fear. She hadn't cried before now, but this man who wasn't quite human had allowed her to open her mind to the horrors she had witnessed and experienced. She felt a strong arm encircle her shoulders and she was pulled into an embrace against a broad chest. A hand stroked her hair and a voice made soothing noises. She wept herself out in his embrace, soaking the smooth material of his shirt with her tears.
'I'm sorry…I shouldn't have done that,' she finally sobbed.
'Why aren't you allowed to cry? Adar, Father, always says that a good cry does everyone the power of good.' He smiled, remembering how he had wept inconsolably after his mother died. How Elrond had sat the night through with him, supporting him when he cried. Talking when he wanted to. Telling him stories of his mother and father. Stories that made him smile as he wept. Finally, he had sunk into an exhausted sleep and in the morning, he had felt better. He had been able to face her burial. Of course, he had cried again, but then again so had the Imladris folk. Gilraen had become well-loved in the time she had lived with them.
'No! I didn't want you to think I'm some weak-willed silly woman who can't cope and cries at the slightest thing'
'Losing your husband, friends, and family are hardly a slight thing. You don't need to worry now. You'll have a home for as long as you want here. Elrond's house has long been a refuge for those in need of one. I'm sure he won't turn you away.'
'What use will an Elven lord have for a woman and her two children?'
'Oh I don't know. What use did he have for a women and her son many years ago? The boy he took as his own and raised. The man who calls him Adar.'
