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Chapter
3: Enough is Enough
Day was dawning greyly in Rivendell. The early hours of the morning were the quietest, as a rule, and Arwen had got into the habit of standing on her balcony to watch the Sun rising over the rim of the valley. It provided relief against the increasingly disturbing dreams she had been having, which had made going to sleep a frightning experience. Last night had been no exception, and she shuddered at the memory. Leaning forward to catch the rain on her face again, she thought about what she was going to do. She was never able to remember much of the dreams after awakening, only a great burning eye, and a fear for the safety of Aragorn. She had heard nothing from him since he had left on that mysterious errand that her father refused to explain to her, and she was sure that these dreams were somehow connected with that. Running one hand along the wet railing, she turned and walked along the balcony. He was going into great danger, and here she was, promising to be faithful, and letting him go. Well that would change, fast! After breakfast, she would make her father tell everything to her.... no, she would go now!
* * * * * *
The plains of Rohan were steaming as the nights dew was warmed by the newly risen sun. A speck on the horizon was the only moving object in sight. It approached with great speed, revealing itself to be a man on horseback. The thunder of hooves advanced and receded as the rider and horse sped towards Rivendell.
* * * * * *
Elrond was in his study reading when his daughter burst in and marched up to his desk. He looked up at her, exasperated, "Darling, you're dripping all over the new rug and it's only just gone sunrise. Whatever it is you want to say, it can wait until you've got changed." He returned to his reading, signifying that the discussion was closed. The book was yanked out from in front of him and slammed shut. He looked up again to be met by a defiant stare, and as he knew her too well to excite her when she was in a mood, he leaned back to listen to what she had to say.
"Well? What is it then?"
"Father, I am not a little girl anymore. I want the truth, where has Aragorn gone and why was he being so secretive?"
"This is hardly the time to..."
"I have been having... ... ah ... atishoo!"
Watching her doubled over in a sneezing fit, dripping and shivering violently, Elrond decided that enough was enough. Taking her by the shoulders, he steered her out and sent her off with strict instructions to go to bed and stay there. Returning to his desk, he resumed his interrupted work. Several minutes later he was disturbed again, this time by a rapping on the door. "Arwen, if that's you, I shall be severely displeased!" he called out. Another burst of rapping rang out. Sighing mightily he got up and pulled the door open, "I told you to..." He trailed off, staring at the grey cloaked man with the blue hat who was smiling at him. "Mithrandir!"
"To take care was what you told me to do!" said the wizard, eyes twinkling, "Yes, it is I. I have returned through fire and ice to see an end to the strifes of this age." Gandalf walked in and seated himself on a chair by the fireplace. "I have ridden with great haste to ask you for assistance, old friend. The Fellowship is sundered and many of my companions are now the guests of Saruman the White. Whether or not Frodo and the Ring are among them, it is vital that we attempt a rescue. I have already been among the elves of Lothlorien, and Celeborn and Galadriel have agreed to help. Their forces are heading to the fords of the Isen. If you could help swell our numbers, then our chances of success will greatly improve." Elrond looked worried, "Of course I will help you, the matter of the Ring is too great for me to do otherwise, but Isengard is very strong and even if I emptied Rivendell to aid you, I fear we would be hard pressed to claim a victory." Gandalf looked grave, "There is always that risk, but I am afraid that we have little choice. Besides, with luck, we may not need to fight at all."
"My daughter is also a problem, I am very worried about what the news of Aragorn as a prisoner in Orthanc might make her do..." He was cut off by Gandalf signing for him to be quiet. The wizard was staring at the open window with a curious expression on his face, almost one of amusement. Creeping over silently, he suddenly leaned over the sill and pulled someone into the room where she sprawled on the floor.
"Eavesdropping are we now, my dear?" Gandalf looked down at Arwen kindly. "Do not fear, we will get Aragorn out of danger as quickly as we may."
She however looked up at him shocked, "We were told that you were... dead! Yet you stand there and look the same as ever you did! How is this come to pass?"
Elrond cleared his throat, "'Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards..."
"...for they are subtle and quick to anger.' Yes, I know that, but that doesn't explain why..."
Gandalf interjected, "Explainations would take time that we do not have, I am afraid. Accept that I have returned to you, and if when this is over we meet again, I shall relate to you all that has befallen me. But now, to business."
The three sat around the fire and began to talk, or rather Gandalf did. As the dawn advanced through morning, the puddle around Arwen's feet grew larger - as did Elrond's interruptions and the wizard's smoke-rings. However, by noon he had told them everything that he knew. It was decided that the threat of the White Wizard would have to be dealt with, and a great preparation for battle was begun. Some several hundreds of the Rivendell elves were donning gear of war and preparing to march once again for the defence of freedom. In the leading company were Elrond and his sons, Glorfindel the elf-lord, and Gandalf. Arwen too was with them armed like the rest, having flatly refused to be left behind. When all was ready, a horn blast sounded and the Elven army began to march out of the settlement. It was barely noon...
Day was dawning greyly in Rivendell. The early hours of the morning were the quietest, as a rule, and Arwen had got into the habit of standing on her balcony to watch the Sun rising over the rim of the valley. It provided relief against the increasingly disturbing dreams she had been having, which had made going to sleep a frightning experience. Last night had been no exception, and she shuddered at the memory. Leaning forward to catch the rain on her face again, she thought about what she was going to do. She was never able to remember much of the dreams after awakening, only a great burning eye, and a fear for the safety of Aragorn. She had heard nothing from him since he had left on that mysterious errand that her father refused to explain to her, and she was sure that these dreams were somehow connected with that. Running one hand along the wet railing, she turned and walked along the balcony. He was going into great danger, and here she was, promising to be faithful, and letting him go. Well that would change, fast! After breakfast, she would make her father tell everything to her.... no, she would go now!
* * * * * *
The plains of Rohan were steaming as the nights dew was warmed by the newly risen sun. A speck on the horizon was the only moving object in sight. It approached with great speed, revealing itself to be a man on horseback. The thunder of hooves advanced and receded as the rider and horse sped towards Rivendell.
* * * * * *
Elrond was in his study reading when his daughter burst in and marched up to his desk. He looked up at her, exasperated, "Darling, you're dripping all over the new rug and it's only just gone sunrise. Whatever it is you want to say, it can wait until you've got changed." He returned to his reading, signifying that the discussion was closed. The book was yanked out from in front of him and slammed shut. He looked up again to be met by a defiant stare, and as he knew her too well to excite her when she was in a mood, he leaned back to listen to what she had to say.
"Well? What is it then?"
"Father, I am not a little girl anymore. I want the truth, where has Aragorn gone and why was he being so secretive?"
"This is hardly the time to..."
"I have been having... ... ah ... atishoo!"
Watching her doubled over in a sneezing fit, dripping and shivering violently, Elrond decided that enough was enough. Taking her by the shoulders, he steered her out and sent her off with strict instructions to go to bed and stay there. Returning to his desk, he resumed his interrupted work. Several minutes later he was disturbed again, this time by a rapping on the door. "Arwen, if that's you, I shall be severely displeased!" he called out. Another burst of rapping rang out. Sighing mightily he got up and pulled the door open, "I told you to..." He trailed off, staring at the grey cloaked man with the blue hat who was smiling at him. "Mithrandir!"
"To take care was what you told me to do!" said the wizard, eyes twinkling, "Yes, it is I. I have returned through fire and ice to see an end to the strifes of this age." Gandalf walked in and seated himself on a chair by the fireplace. "I have ridden with great haste to ask you for assistance, old friend. The Fellowship is sundered and many of my companions are now the guests of Saruman the White. Whether or not Frodo and the Ring are among them, it is vital that we attempt a rescue. I have already been among the elves of Lothlorien, and Celeborn and Galadriel have agreed to help. Their forces are heading to the fords of the Isen. If you could help swell our numbers, then our chances of success will greatly improve." Elrond looked worried, "Of course I will help you, the matter of the Ring is too great for me to do otherwise, but Isengard is very strong and even if I emptied Rivendell to aid you, I fear we would be hard pressed to claim a victory." Gandalf looked grave, "There is always that risk, but I am afraid that we have little choice. Besides, with luck, we may not need to fight at all."
"My daughter is also a problem, I am very worried about what the news of Aragorn as a prisoner in Orthanc might make her do..." He was cut off by Gandalf signing for him to be quiet. The wizard was staring at the open window with a curious expression on his face, almost one of amusement. Creeping over silently, he suddenly leaned over the sill and pulled someone into the room where she sprawled on the floor.
"Eavesdropping are we now, my dear?" Gandalf looked down at Arwen kindly. "Do not fear, we will get Aragorn out of danger as quickly as we may."
She however looked up at him shocked, "We were told that you were... dead! Yet you stand there and look the same as ever you did! How is this come to pass?"
Elrond cleared his throat, "'Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards..."
"...for they are subtle and quick to anger.' Yes, I know that, but that doesn't explain why..."
Gandalf interjected, "Explainations would take time that we do not have, I am afraid. Accept that I have returned to you, and if when this is over we meet again, I shall relate to you all that has befallen me. But now, to business."
The three sat around the fire and began to talk, or rather Gandalf did. As the dawn advanced through morning, the puddle around Arwen's feet grew larger - as did Elrond's interruptions and the wizard's smoke-rings. However, by noon he had told them everything that he knew. It was decided that the threat of the White Wizard would have to be dealt with, and a great preparation for battle was begun. Some several hundreds of the Rivendell elves were donning gear of war and preparing to march once again for the defence of freedom. In the leading company were Elrond and his sons, Glorfindel the elf-lord, and Gandalf. Arwen too was with them armed like the rest, having flatly refused to be left behind. When all was ready, a horn blast sounded and the Elven army began to march out of the settlement. It was barely noon...