A/N: I've modified the summary again to include the final pairing (Gandalf/Elewen). I'm sorry to spoil the surprise, but I'm hoping it may raise interest in the story. Please don't let it scare you off. Thanks go, as always, to my reviewers. Enjoy!
Chapter 5
Elewen didn't bother to restore her human image as she left the tent she shared with her students, and just wandered through camp, realizing she might never see these people again. As she neared the edge of camp, she saw Legolas. She walked over to where he was standing. He was singing softly, but stopped as she approached.
"Don't stop," she told him, and when he started again, she joined him. After a minute, he stopped and turned to face her.
"You've quit your illusion."
"Yes. I'm to travel with you tomorrow, and I tried to explain it to my students. I doubt they ever will understand, but at least they know there's a reason I'm leaving them so suddenly."
"Why are you coming with us?"
"I need to be part of this war. Surely you know the story of the Noldor. That should be explanation enough."
Legolas nodded. He hadn't known she was a Noldo. It made sense that she would want to participate in some way. "Why are you joining us now, in this way? Most of the Noldor are in Lothlórien with Galadriel."
"Galadriel is one of my closest friends, but I have always made my way among Men. I am a healer and a teacher, and it seemed an appropriate task to teach them the art of healing."
"So why are you stopping?"
"The battle is at hand. The time for healing is over. It is time for me to fight."
Legolas nodded. He understood her reasoning. He had stayed in Mirkwood, fighting the darkness there, for many years, but now he was in the midst of the war, fighting. It was little different from her quitting her healing work here to join them in the war.
The two
Elves spent most of the night chatting about everything from the war to the
flowers in different parts of Middle Earth.
Elewen told him tales of Valinor and the
First Age, while Legolas told of the Fellowship and Mirkwood and its adventures
in the last age. He also told Elewen
more about Aragorn, whom she had known only briefly when he was a boy.
When Legolas didn't mention it, Elewen finally asked him about his friendship with Gimli. "How did you come to be friends with a Dwarf?"
"We were at odds from the moment we arrived in Rivendell, but along the journey, somehow, we became friends. Galadriel treated him kindly, and for her sake, he became more open to Elves. We have become friends since then."
"It is unfortunate that such hatred exists between our peoples. Even I, who know from whence it came, find it difficult to overcome. Especially now, the free peoples of Middle Earth must stand together, not divided. I wish you could have seen Moria at its height. It had a splendor of its own." Legolas glanced away. "What is it?"
"My memories of Moria are dark. A Balrog lives there."
"A Balrog? What happened?"
"If not for Mithrandir, we would have all died." Noticing her confusion, he continued, "He fell in battle with the Balrog."
Elewen nodded. She understood now. "He fought the Balrog and triumphed, though he fell, too." Legolas nodded, confirming her assessment. "His work in Middle Earth wasn't finished, so he was sent back, but different from before. That is why he wears white instead of grey." Legolas nodded again. "What happened with Saruman?"
"He had been in league with Mordor through a Palantír. Mithrandir faced him and cast him down. We left him in Orthanc with Wormtongue. The Ents had sacked it before we arrived."
"Ents? Somehow, knowing that they are fighting with us gives me hope. Whatever happens, I know that even the ancient powers of Middle Earth, forgotten by many, are with us."
The two Elves chatted for a while longer, then Elewen returned to her tent about an hour before dawn. The girls were asleep, but only lightly. She entered silently and lay down to sleep for a few minutes, not bothering to close her eyes for the first time in many years.
Elewen woke as the girls began to stir. Blinking a few times, she sat up and called, "Good morning," to the sleepy young women. Christa groaned, but then turned her head and looked at Elewen and suddenly remembered the previous night's conversation, becoming fully awake instantly. Elena, too, woke up quickly.
"Please tell me I dreamt everything you said last night, Mistress Rian," Christa said.
"Unless you've had dreams beyond what I told you, I'm afraid not. I am leaving with Aragorn shortly."
Christa looked like she wanted to object, but she seemed to change her mind. "I wish you weren't going, but I hope everything goes well for you. Please be careful."
"I will. The same applies to both of you." With that, she started packing her things.
Just as she was finishing, Christa spoke up, "Rian? Is that really your name?" Elewen chuckled, as much at the slip of Christa calling her by her name and not "Mistress" as the question. "No, it isn't. My name is Elewen. It means maiden of the stars."
"Is that because the sun and moon weren't created yet?"
"Yes, it is. I always had bright eyes, and, with my dark hair, they reminded my parents of the stars."
"It suits you," Elena put in.
"Thank you." Finishing her packing, Elewen stood up. She fastened the sword and knife to her belt and slung the bow and quiver over her back. The girls followed her outside, but found a bit of a surprise. It was odd for all three of them for the girls to suddenly be half a head shorter than Elewen. Elewen had hidden her height as well as her features, and now suddenly she was much taller.
They walked together to where the Dúnedain were preparing to set out. Aragorn nodded to her from where he was checking the straps holding his saddle in place. One of the Dúnedain walked over.
"Lady Elewen, I am Halbarad. You may ride with me if you so desire."
"Thank you, Halbarad."
Turning back to her students, Elewen hugged each of them. She slipped a small, heavy bag into Elena's hand and gave a small, glittering necklace to both.
"My parents gave these to me when I left Valinor in hopes that I would give them to my daughters. I've never married nor felt compelled to do so, but the two of you have become like daughters to me. I wish you both the blessing of the Valar." Indeed, she was closer to these two than she had been to any human before. Turning, she mounted behind Halbarad. She heard Elena gasp as the girl opened the bag and found in it a handful of gold pieces—enough to support them for several years.
Glancing up, Elewen caught Elrohir's eye. Legolas must have explained her presence to the younger Elf. She had known Elladan and Elrohir throughout their lives, and they knew her habit of going among Men, but she was glad she wouldn't have to explain the entire story later, though they probably would have figured it out easily enough without explanation.
Just as they were ready to depart, Éowyn came and begged Aragorn to take her with them. Elewen pulled her hood up over her head as Éowyn approached. Aragorn denied her gently, reminding her of her duty to her people. Éowyn, like most of her people, thought this was an errand of death, and wanted to go with them so she could at least die with Aragorn.
Éowyn did not seem to notice the presence of a hooded rider behind Halbarad, and Elewen was grateful to go unnoticed. She didn't want to interfere with the situation. Elena and Christa would explain everything to their lady later, and Aragorn knew how to handle the lovestruck Lady of Rohan. Still, Elewen's heart broke anew for Aragorn, as well as Éowyn. Aragorn not only bore the weight of Éowyn's infatuation, but also the knowledge that Arwen would sacrifice her immortality to marry him. Without another word, the party rode off toward the dark path they must take.