The Parting of Rivendell
Disclaimer: I don't own LOTR but I own the characters and plot I made up
"It is getting late, we both should get some rest," I suggested as Legolas and I walked hand in hand down the path. His long arms suddenly circled me and I felt the warm touch of his hand against my cheek. It was rather intoxicating. He rested his forehead against mine and gently brushed his lips on mine. He stepped away brushing a lock of hair away from my face.
"Sweet dreams Meleth, " he said knowing the next day would mean that our duties would once again separate us.
"And you as well." I replied holding his hand close to my heart. He kissed me again before departing to his own room.
When I entered, I fell onto my bed. I lay there starring into nothing before a few waking hours of dawn when I fell asleep. My thoughts drifted to my childhood.
We were on a picnic and being a curious person I was trying to catch a frog. I ended up under the water. My father thought I had drowned came after me but I surfaced up causing him to fall back. My mother couldn't help laughing at the sight of my father only to be pulled in as well.
"It doesn't matter whether I open or close my eyes, I still see nothing, nothing at all," I whispered.
"Melethril?" Elrond. I knew without a doubt he had heard me. I turned my head towards the entrance of my room.
"Are you going to sit down," I asked shoving the books to one side so there would be enough room for him to sit.
Elrond was studying me as he sat down.
"Time draws near Melethril, are you ready?"
"I am… tell me about my mother again Elrond."
"Your mother excelled with swords and archery. She left her home Mirkwood to be the apprentice of Lady Galadriel and that's where your parents met."
"I miss them," I buried my face into his shoulder. He put his arm around me for comfort.
"As do I. Your father was a valiant warrior and your mother was an extraordinary woman who had room in her heart for all those she loved, you remember that Melethril," he said placing his hands on my shoulder. He bent down and kissed me gently on the forehead.
"Arwen will help you get ready," he said before standing up and exiting. I could sense Arwen hesitating to speak as she entered.
"I thought you wanted me to go out and travel, sister?"
Sunlight had poured in through my room. I came to realization that it would be a long time before I would return.
"I do,"
"What has happened?" I asked sensing something different in her demeanor.
"Estel, he told me that he wanted me to cross the sea, that it was a dream," she said bitterly. I extended my hand for her to grasp. She now sat beside me.
"No doubt your father said something to him but do not be angry with him. He does not wish for you to stay here," I reasoned.
"He even gave me back my necklace,"
"What did you do?"
"I told him to keep it as a gift."
"Then there is still hope, remember Arwen you said that to me when I thought I had nothing left in this world."
"There is still hope, thank you sister. Shall we get you ready?"
The garments of Lorien came first, which Celeborn had given to me as a birthday present. They fit me like a second pair of skin as well as a pair of boots the same colour. While Arwen attempted to do something with my hair as I began to put on my stones. The earth stone that was encrusted in a choker necklace went on first. Then came the water stone bracelet in which Elrond gave to me last night during dinner. During the end of the second age, my father gave the water stone to Elrond but the wind stone was unknown to anyone except me as so Elrond claimed. Gandalf says that the stones are all bound together so the stones that I wear will lead me to the others.
"Arwen I don't think it's going to work, my hair is too short." I cringed. You could say I was the first elf to ever cut her hair that short.
"You're right, but put this green hair band on keep your bangs away from your face," she suggested.
A light green sleeveless tunic was put on that fell to the tops of my thighs. Next came the armour, my mother's amour. Thraunduil kept the armour after her death knowing that it would come into my possession. A silver breastplate with green shoulder pads was attached first then I put on my silver gauntlets with green touched at the end and my leg guards made the same style. Finally my mother's sword hung from the brown leather straps bound around my waist and my father's bow and arrows secured on my back. I was ready to leave. I ate some fruit and bread much to the insistence of Arwen. Afterwards, she escorted me to the inner doors of Rivendell. The fellowship was already in attendance as well as the elves that were to bid them goodbye. I walked up to Elrond and held out my hands. He took them and squeezed them lightly.
"You truly take to your parent's daughter," he said proudly.
"I have the eyes of my father and the golden hair of my mother, yes I know" I smiled up at him.
"Have a care for yourself, Melethril. Much does depend on you," he warned.
"I know. I shall miss you," I leaned forward and pecked his cheek. I stepped back and bid farewell to Elrohir and Elladan each giving them a hug. Lastly I hugged Arwen tightly.
"Hope still exists. Take care sister. Namaarie!" I whispered into her ear.
"Namaarie," she whispered back.
I turned and stood with the fellowship. Legolas was already there to place me by his side. His hand grasped mine as Elrond said his farewell.
"Farewell and May the blessing of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you."
I placed my right hand over my chest and extended it, as did Legolas and Aragorn. It was a sign of good wil and farewell.
"The fellowship awaits the ring bearer," Gandalf announced.
All was silent as Frodo turned towards the door and slowly marched out. After him Gandalf and Gimli followed by the other hobbits. I felt a tug and was slowly led out. Behind us, Boromir and finally Aragorn for I knew he would bid goodbye to Arwen once more. As we walked, I began to hear the sound of the waterfalls grow distant.
"I shall return back, this I promise," I whispered into the wind. I felt Legolas tighten his grip on my hand. I smiled at the gesture and walked on.
Our course was to remain west of the Mountains for miles and days. The land became rougher and more barren. Gandalf walked in the front with Legolas and I close behind. Then it was Gimli, the hobbits, Boromir and then Aragorn. The hobbits grew weary many times and I drew them a song so they would rest easily. I would also take the watch for them and Legolas would stay up with me for we both found it difficult to sleep. We would talk of the childhood and Mirkwood. One night, we were bullied by the hobbits to get some rest even though we elves needed little. And so we held each other in each other's arms and entered the dream world together.
"Aragon, may I sit?" I asked standing before him as he smoked his pipe. We were camped in Hollin, home of many Elves when it was named Eregion. Sam had cooked up some food as always. Boromir was giving lessons to Pippin and Merry. Gandalf was also smoking on the great boulders behind us. Legolas was on watch and Gimli, who knows where he was? I hadn't said a word to him since the day at the council.
"You need not ask, Melethril," he replied looking up at me as I sat down.
"I fear for my intrusion that you may not wish it. Tell me Estel, why do you push her away? She gives her love willing." I questioned.
He did not reply.
"Do not pretend you don't care for her, you still wear the necklace, that means something." I fingered the necklace he wore around his neck.
"What would you do? Would you listen to your heart or your mind?" he asked.
"It isn't my position to make that choice. It is Arwen's choice and hers alone. I will not speak of this again, Aragorn," I patted his shoulder before rising up and heading towards where Gandalf sat.
"Move your feet!" I heard him call out to the hobbits. I settled in front of Gandalf.
"If anyone was to ask my opinion which I hope they aren't," Gimli's voice emerged.
I rolled my eyes. He was surely the most stubborn person I have met with the exception to Haldir except you can't compare those two together.
"I would say we are going the long way. Gandalf let us pass through the mines of Moria, my cousin would give us a royal welcome!"
I felt Gandalf tense: something drew him away from there but why did I feel compelled to go there?
"No Gimli. I wouldn't go through the mines unless I had no other choice," Gandalf answered solemnly
Gimli of course took his word because he was the leader and he respected that. I sensed Legolas had moved to the other side. In the background I heard the hobbits making noises and Boromir and Aragorn's voices mingled among them. I closed my eyes and began to draw the power of the earth to me. Then my concentration was broken by Legolas' voice. "Crebain from Dunland!"
I snapped my eyes open again. There was rush around me. "Melethril!" Legolas called out. I spun around and extended my hand for him to take. He grabbed it and led me under some bushes and we waited.
What of the others? I silently asked him.
They all took cover
He answered back and pulled his arm around me. The moment was tense and then a flock of them flew past our camp and then around us again. Legolas pulled me up and we all met from our emerged spots.
"Spies of Saruman. The path of the South is being watched." Gandalf spat.
"Where is our road now, Gandalf?" I asked coming up to him with Legolas.
"We must take the pass of Caradhras."
Author's NoteMeleth- love
Estel- hope; name given to Aragorn by Elrond when he was taken to Rivendell after the death of his father
Namaarie- Farewell (I believe this is Quenya)
Arwen and Melethril call each other sisters because Elrond and Melethril's mother were very close.