Chapter XIV: Answers

Arwen stood on the balcony of her room and watched the city below. Rivendell had become so quiet, for many of the Elves had left for the Grey Havens. Another company was preparing to leave the city at this very moment. Arwen sighed. How she missed Aragorn, her beloved. Their parting had been unpleasant, him telling her that their hopes of being joined together were naught but a dream. It had broken her heart when he left with the Fellowship, and now most of her friends had taken the ships to Valinor, while she remained behind. She had never felt so alone.

Arwen still had hope that the quest would succeed, but her hopes had begun to dwindle with each passing day. So many troubling thoughts had been plaguing her as of late. Should she take the ship into the West as her father wished? She knew that if she journeyed to Valinor, all hope of being joined to Aragorn would be lost. Could she leave him and forgo all chances of happiness? She sighed worriedly. Where was Aragorn? Had he been injured? Hot tears stung her eyes as her dark thoughts continued. Would she ever see her beloved again? Silent tears began to course down her cheeks, as the ache in her heart grew until it was nigh unbearable. She sank onto the floor of the balcony in despair. Perhaps her father was right. Perhaps hope was lost.

Arwen started slightly as she heard the sounds of fierce hoof beats enter the city. She rose quickly and looked at the ground below. She felt a slight twinge of joy as she recognized the rider: Alexa! Arwen turned and began to make her way to the city gates. Alexa would have just come from Lothlòrien. Perhaps she had seen Aragorn!

She reached the gates quickly, but Alexa had already gone. She looked around anxiously and sighed in relief as she saw her friend heading for Lord Glorfindel's home. She moved hastily in pursuit of Alexa, and called out to her as she neared. Alexa ignored her, but Arwen called out to her again. This time Alexa stopped and turned to face her. Arwen frowned as she took in her friend's appearance. Alexa stood rigidly and appeared to be rather angry.

"Alexa, are you well?" Arwen asked in concern.

"I am fine, Arwen. I just need to speak with my father," Alexa replied, somewhat brusquely.

"How was your journey?" Arwen asked, ignoring her friend's coarseness.

"Fine."

Arwen decided to ask her what she desired to know, for Alexa did not seem to want to talk. "Did the Fellowship pass through Lothlòrien while you were there?"

"Yes."

"Was Aragorn among them?" Arwen asked, her voice filled with hope.

"Yes. He was in good health."

Arwen smiled happily. She was about to continue, when Alexa reached out and grabbed her hand.

"Arwen, I am sorry. I will find you later, and we will talk then. I need to speak with my father right now."

Arwen nodded and Alexa left quickly. Arwen frowned slightly. Alexa was not usually so abrupt with her, but she seemed to be truly upset about something. I hope everything is all right.

Glorfindel sat in his chair, deep in thought. So many Elves were leaving these shores. Many of his friends in fact. Few Elves now remained in Rivendell, and it would not be long until all were gone. He sighed. If the Fellowship failed in their quest, the future of Middle-Earth was lost. All would suffer at the hands of Sauron.

A loud noise startled him from his thoughts. He glanced up sharply as the door burst open, and Elyndiriel stormed in. He was overjoyed and shocked to see her, for she was not supposed to return to Rivendell for some time. She glared at him, and he frowned.

"Are you leaving?" she asked bluntly.

"What?" he asked in confusion.

"Lady Galadriel told me that the Rivendell Elves were leaving for Valinor. Is this true? Are you leaving?" she questioned, hurt and anger shining in her eyes.

Glorfindel reached out to her, but she withdrew and crossed her arms, looking at him expectantly. He sighed. "Many of the Elves are leaving, Elyndiriel, but I am not. I will be one of the last Elves to depart."

"Would you leave without telling me, Ada?" she asked softly, a wounded tone in her voice.

He walked forward and put his hands on her shoulders. "No, little one. I would never leave without telling you. I want us to leave for Valinor together."

She looked up at him in surprised confusion. "You do?"

"Of course, Elyndiriel. I love you, and I want you with me always."

She leaned against him, and he put his arms around her. He kissed the top of her head and held her close. He frowned, for he could feel the tension radiating from her. Something else was troubling her.

"What is wrong, little one?" Glorfindel asked.

"Haldir has asked me to marry him," she whispered, withdrawing from him.

Glorfindel's brows rose in surprise. His little baby girl, married? He knew that he should have been expecting it, but he supposed that a father would never be truly prepared for such things. He returned his attention to her as she continued.

"I have not accepted his proposal, Father. I told him that I needed time to consider it." She sat down and ran her hand through her hair. "I love him, Father, but I do not know if I can marry him. I do not know how to be a wife." She sighed heavily. "I do not know what to do."

Glorfindel sat beside her and put his arm around her. "I cannot tell you what you should do, Elyndiriel. All that I can tell you to do is to listen to your heart and follow its guidance." He turned to her and looked into her eyes. "I will support whatever choice you make. I love you, my daughter."

She smiled. "I love you too, Ada."

He embraced her for a moment, and then they both rose. "You need to rest, Elyndiriel," he said, giving her a light push. "You look exhausted."

She nodded. "I am, and I shall. I will see you in the morning, Father."

He smiled as he watched her walk down the hall. He had not been expecting her home so soon, but he was so glad that she was here. He sighed and shook his head. My little girl, married? This will take some getting used to.

Glorfindel walked down the hall to Elyndiriel's chamber, his heart heavy. He had news he needed to tell her, news that he knew she would not be pleased with. The door to her room was open, and he found her curled up in a chair reading yet another book on Elven history. She glanced up and smiled at him.

"Good day, Father," she greeted.

"Good day, Elyndiriel," he replied, his tone somber.

She frowned. "What is wrong, Father?"

Glorfindel sighed and sat beside her. He had to tell her this, even though it would greatly distress her, especially because of the recent events that occurred in Lothlòrien. She set down her book and looked at him, her eyes full of concern. He sighed deeply and began.

"Haldir and many of the other Galadhrim, along with some of the Elves of Rivendell, are being sent to aid the people at Helm's Deep. The people of Rohan are in dire need of assistance, for the legions of Isengard have been sent to destroy them."

"What?" she asked weakly. "He could be killed!"

"Yes," he replied. "It is a very dangerous mission."

Elyndiriel ran her hand through her hair, something she always did when she was upset. "When are they leaving?"

"I know not for certain, but it will be soon. Possibly within a week's time."

Glorfindel studied his daughter in concern. She was deathly pale and looked rather ill. He reached out to try to comfort her, but she stood and began nervously pacing the floor. He rose and walked over to her. He caught her arm, and she looked at him with wild, desperate eyes.

"I never answered him, Father! He could die, and I never answered him," she said, her voice full of anguish.

"He knows that you love him, Elyndiriel."

"Does he?" she asked.

He was about to answer her, but she stopped him. She shook her head. "Please, Father. I just need to be alone right now."

Glorfindel sighed. She always pushed people away when she needed comfort the most. However, he decided to honor her request, not wanting to further upset her.

"Very well, Elyndiriel. As you wish. But, I will be here if you want to talk."

She nodded, and he turned and left the chamber. He was terribly worried about her, and hoped that she would come speak with him after she had calmed.

Alexa watched her father walk away, her heart racing. How could Haldir leave? Was he mad? Did he not realize that he could be killed? She would never forgive herself if he died without knowing her answer. Without knowing how she really felt. She frowned in determination. She was not going to let him. She was going to begin riding for Lothlòrien tonight, and she was going to give him her answer. And she was going to stop him from leaving; either that or she was going to Helm's Deep with him.

Alexa wrote her father a quick letter of explanation, snatched up her pack and weapons, and headed for the stables. She mounted Rodyn and quickly left the city, heading for Lothlòrien at a full gallop. She had to make it to Lothlòrien in time.