The Undecided of Earendil

By- Larien

Chapter 29

A/N- So you're all aware- my computer is giving me immense problems, which I cannot fix at the moment. Therefore, I'm not able to post replies to your messages right now. But as soon as it gets working again, I will edit this chapter so I can reply to you all. Just know that I'm not just skipping that, and that I will reply ASAP. But thanks just the same to all who did message! Also, sorry for the wait. And these chapters are going to be packed full of stuff, so let me know if you have any questions. There's a lot to take in and many twists that have yet to be revealed. Everything will make sense in time, I promise! No more ado. Enjoy and do message when you are through!
Perched precariously in a tree, the elf's eyes scanned the surrounding below like beacons of piercing flame. They caught the brief hop of a jittery squirrel, who scampered up and down a nearby tree, its tail flicking like a spastic gesture which it had no control. And then a tree rustled in the wind and his eyes followed the many leaves floating to the ground. It was chilly out today. The shade hid much of the sun from them; all the better for the surprise. It was a well-concealed wood, with many tall trees all stocked with elves who blended in and were frozen as the very statues they mimed.

In the tree next to him, Haldir saw the other captain shift his head slightly to the left, not noticeable to the naked eye, but easily spotted for an elf. What it was he saw, the elf did not know. Glorfindel's tree was parted perfectly for a view of the valley below, where his eyes were set. Whereas Haldir was watching the back entry of the woods. If their guesses were right, the orcs would come from one of the two entries. A twig snapped from behind him and Haldir shifted his eyes slowly to the right holding his breath and feeling the soft feather of the arrow cocked in his bow. But upon seeing the deer grazing gently, he let out his breath and closed his eyes momentarily. Other elves relaxed as well; the very excitement hung in the air about them. Static seemed to stick to their camouflaged cloaks and nerves were running high along with their patience. The trees, which they were perched, creaked and groaned to one another in converse, curious as to the tense atmosphere that reared about them. At any moment an explosion was to occur. But for now, the tension mounted and Haldir moved his eyes back to the left, allowing his arms to relax momentarily. They had been waiting for many hours.

Just as he did so, the deer reared and took off in a frenzy. No sooner had the deer left that Glorfindel let out the wail of a bird call and all bows were again tense and facing the direction of the prairie. Sliding himself around the tree, teetering on the branches, Haldir moved to take aim. Looking across from his tree, Glorfindel nodded at him and indicated the small troop of orcs marching ruthlessly across the terrain. Their footsteps were heavy, laden with armor and longing for rest.

As tree roots creaked and twigs and leaves snapped and crinkled under their storm of feet, they were completely oblivious as the first volley of arrows descended upon them as rain drops from a sky. The first line of orcs went down in scream and howls of pain. The air was now electric with war. The last line of orcs raised their bows blindly to the trees where they couldn't find the source of their attack. The arrows they released missed every elf, barely skimming the trees they stood and landing harmlessly on the ground below amidst the dead leaves and tall ferns. The orc captains shouted a reload, but already a new line of arrows pierced their second rank. The third rank jumped their dead and crying comrades and rushed to the trees, hoping to better see their attackers, and started chopping and swinging uncaringly at the trees, scanning the leafy branches and calling out rash names to the elves. The orcs that dared to run farther into the trees were killed instantly by the elves who were waiting in a line for them. It was as if the elves had formed a wall, invisible with their cloaks that blended them with the greenery, which stuck out many arms that dug blades and swords into the bodies of the unsuspecting orcs who ran into them. The other orcs, who remained closer to the front of the trees, were greeted with more arrows. The ones in the prairie, who were still desperately firing arrows, realized this passage was impossible and turned to run.

Nodding to one another, Glorfindel and Haldir jumped from their trees and beckoned the chase to their fellow soldiers.

"No lagor! Hain aphado!" Haldir shouted running swiftly through the tall grass in pursuit of the frantic orcs. (Hurry! Follow them!)

"Iuitho vegyl lîn!" Glorfindel ordered, pushing the other elves forward. To the elves that remained behind in the wood he ordered them to pile the dead orcs. (Draw your swords)

The chase lasted a very short time; the elves were much swifter with their light armor and strong bodies. They overcame the fleeing orcs like a fire over the wood. Swift and raging they dug their weapons into the exposed necks and backs of their enemies and with cries of, "Gurth an in yrch!" they finished off the last of the troop. (Death to the orcs!)

When the battle was complete the elves piled the carcasses and burned them in the prairie then rested for a moment by the fire washing off the remains of battle from their hands and weapons. Haldir had just brought back another bucket of water from the nearby creek for the soldier's use, when he took off his own tunic and began splashing water over his sweating chest and arms. Glorfindel drank his stale water with distaste then turned to his friend.

"That went well."

Haldir nodded, splashing some water onto his face. "The troop was small. The others must have broken off."

"Perhaps there were injuries?"

"Perhaps." Haldir sat on the ground leaning against his knees and looking at the soldiers, who were cleaning themselves and joking around with hearty laughs. "Or they were suspicious."

Glorfindel shrugged. "We have been doing this for weeks now. It's about time they caught on."

"So do we continue on like this then?" The elf said, looking at his fellow captain who ran his fingers wearily through his long hair.

"What choice do we have? Until we receive word to move forward this is what we do."

Haldir nodded grimly. "I don't like the look of this war thus far."

"Nor do I." Glorfindel agreed. "The orcs keep moving the chase closer to Nenuial. For some reason they seem pretty intent on getting us there."

"It doesn't make sense." Haldir said in a frustrated throw of his head. "Why would they want to fight where the men of Nenuial can fire on them from the city? It's like cornering yourself between two enemies."

"Unless the men aren't firing on them."

Haldir looked back at the other elf who was squinting in the sun as he scanned the men who were now tossing back and forth an empty water flask. "You think this is a trap?"

"It has crossed my mind."

"Do you think we should inform Elrond and Celeborn?"

"The letters we send have informed them. So they know as much as we do. If not more for it is they who are receiving news from Caniel and Aragorn." Glorfindel said.

Haldir fiddled with a blade of grass momentarily before tossing it aside. "Do you think they have found anything yet? Any evidence to verify this war?"

"I doubt it, or Elrond would've sent word."

"Perhaps you are right in saying this is a trap." Haldir mused. "After all, if it has taken them this long to get sufficient evidence, then obviously something's uncertain."

Glorfindel nodded.

"Then we continue this pointless fighting?" Haldir finished, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand.

"Then we continue fighting. Away from the city, mind you."

Haldir nodded. "Of course. "

"We don't want to get there any sooner then we have to."

With this Glorfindel pulled out a piece of parchment from his pocket and started digging in his pack for a quill and ink jar.

"Would you like to write it this time?" He asked Haldir who shook his head.

"It makes no matter to me who writes it." Haldir said, and Glorfindel then took it upon himself to start writing. Before he finished Haldir added, "Be sure to tell Lord Elrond that we suspect this to be a trap. And do tell that we have been fortunate thus far with not a single loss. But it's only a matter of time before the orcs decide to rid of us and advance with full forces. Tell him to hurry."

Legolas was stuffing only the necessities into his pack now. The bag lie half empty on Caniel's bed and he was pacing back and forth between it and the closet where he'd pick a tunic, crumple it unnecessarily in his hands as he marched back, and then stuff it ruthlessly into the bag. Caniel watched him from the chair in the corner (the room was one large dwelling without separate rooms; in the immediate left corner of the door was the kitchen and in the far left corner was the living room, which only separation was the fabric which had been hung from the ceiling, but even that was now tied back. In the far right corner was the "bedroom" with the dresser and large bed whose only "walls" were the large pillars that formed a box around that corner with more fabric draped between it.) as she rocked the baby in her arms. The child was wide-awake, staring at her with those large eyes and smiling uncontrollably. Caniel wondered for a brief moment if the smile was one of satisfaction that she was indeed still awake. Normally the child would've still been sleeping this early in the morning, but for reasons unknown, she chose today to remain awake.

Legolas continued to mumble under his breath as he marched out of the bedroom and grabbed some fruit and bread from the kitchen, wrapping it in small cloths and marching back to the bed where he tossed the curtains aside ruthlessly. Caniel smiled exasperated at his frustration and made her way to him. When she approached him, he was fixing his quiver full of arrows to his back and when he heard her shift the curtains he turned to her with a start.

"I don't like the idea of leaving you again." He said bitterly, pulling the strap tight around himself.

Caniel smiled quietly. "Aradhel was just being sarcastic at dinner last night."

"Of course he was. He's always just being sarcastic isn't he?" Legolas grumbled, grabbing his blades off a shelf. "And I suppose those looks he gives you are just compliments? If I could only just…"

The elf raised his blades in a mock strike, then sighed and slid them onto his back with the quiver.

"Legolas, please try to relax. You're doing neither of us a favor acting this way." Caniel said in all seriousness.

Legolas looked at her sternly. "I'm sorry. But you cannot deny the man is lustful towards you. I see it in his eyes."

"Perhaps he is interested. But you must let go of your pride and do what needs to be done. I will always be yours. He cannot steal me from you. Try to remember that."

The elf, though still filled with remorse, felt himself relax at her words and the smile that slid across his lips was uncontainable.

"Stay away from him while I'm away."

"I cannot avoid the council meetings, Legolas." Caniel said looking down to the child who had just shifted uncomfortably in her arms. Moving back to the cradle she set the child down and wrapped her curled body in the blanket. When she looked up, Legolas was there gazing down at Aurel with compassion and sweet longing.

"The child is precious. Take care of her."

"Of course." Caniel said, smiling sweetly and taking Legolas' hand in her own.

"Someday, Caniel, we will have our own."

This caught Caniel by surprise and he looked at her with those sly eyes. But instead of being pleased by the news, she felt herself lapse inside.

"Legolas…"She moaned, moving away from him and burying her face in her hands. "Why must you do this to me?"

"Do what?"

Caniel twirled around looking sadly at the elf. "Why do you love me so?"

Legolas laughed and moved forward to face her. "Because you were meant to be mine."

"Would you listen to yourself? This is nonsense!" Caniel said, avoiding the passionate gaze the elf was issuing. "We can never be together Legolas! Why don't you understand this?"

"Because all I understand right now is that I love you. What more is there?"

"Reality!" Caniel threw her hands in the air, glaring at him. "You know the decision that lies ahead!"

"And I do not care what you choose." Legolas said, moving closer to her, wrapping his hands seductively around her waist.

Caniel shuddered at his touch, but averted her eyes to the window on their left. She could feel his gaze penetrating her, but for some reason her mind was not filled with pleasurable thoughts, but worry and regret.

"What if I leave?"

"Then I will find you." Legolas was completely against her now, his lips barely brushing her cheek as he spoke. His breath tingled her fair skin and more shivers consumed her body.

"And what if I choose human?"

"Then we love now while we have time."

"Legolas!" She actually laughed out loud at his bluntness and she felt him smile. "You are ridiculous!"

"And you are paranoid." He said smoothly, kissing her cheek gently. Then he moved to behind her ear where she then grabbed his shoulders with a gasp, digging her nails into his tunic.

"Will you stop?" She said desperately, falling victim to his seductive moves.

"Nin melithal an uir?" He whispered in her ear. (Will you marry me?)

Caniel whipped her head around to look at him. "What?"

The archer only smiled slyly, looking her deep in the eyes.

"But we can't! Not now! Not while we're…Legolas it's just not-"

"Is that a yes?" He cut off her jabbering, sliding his hands lower down her back, and she arched into him surprised.

"Geril veleth nîn." Caniel gasped, feeling every inch of him pressed against her. Her nerves were running high and her desire was beyond imagine. She couldn't believe what she was saying. (You have my love.)

Legolas laughed in that cocky manner before he kissed her hard, keeping her body firmly against his own. If he was to leave again, he was going to make sure it was not a disappointing good bye as it had been before. He was suddenly aware of Caniel pulling back from him and instead of releasing her, he deepened the kiss, feeling every inch of pleasure on her lips.

After a moment, she pulled away, overwhelmed. "Legolas, no. You must go and I-"

"You are mine for the next few minutes. My father can wait. I do not leave until darkness falls anyway." Legolas said sternly.

Caniel couldn't deny that the lust she felt was overwhelming and the moment was inviting, but part of her felt as if this was not the right time for it. Something just didn't feel right. But she didn't get a chance to argue for with a gentle force, the elf had locked his lips with hers again. After many intense minutes, the two locked in a passionate embrace, Legolas stopped momentarily gazing down at the girl who was watching him with intense eyes.

"Do you feel that?" He asked her.

Caniel didn't need him to explain. It was the uneasy feeling she had been sensing for a while. "Yes. Hence my hesitation earlier."

"I must have been too distracted to notice." The elf kidded and they laughed quietly before embracing yet again.

Suddenly the door burst open and Legolas, in one swift movement had grabbed a blade from his back and had pulled away from Caniel to face Aradhel who had stopped quite abruptly in the doorframe, gazing at the surprising sight he had just been faced with.

"What is it that you need?" Legolas asked in the most nonchalant voice he could muster, as he lowered the elven blade.

"Uh, the council meeting starts in five minutes." Aradhel said with a flushed look. In fact, he seemed more startled then Legolas did at the abrupt intrusion.

"Thank you." Caniel said quietly. She couldn't bring herself to look at the King who was staring blankly at her where she stood.

"Yeah, sure." The King mumbled before turning and leaving. When Legolas had shut the door, they couldn't contain their laughter and it filled the room with ringing tones, which eventually woke the baby who started crying where she slept.

Caniel rushed to the child, who she cooed and tried putting back to sleep. Legolas moved to finish packing and then made his way to Caniel's side.

"As if that man could do anything more to make me hate him…" Legolas kidded, receiving a hit on the arm from Caniel who smiled sardonically. Kissing her on the forehead the elf took the child in his arms. "Go on. The council is waiting."

At the council meeting, the debates raged a full frontal assault. The supporters of the war were more advocate then ever to send troops out to meet the orcs head on, while the pacifists tried holding firm the idea of keeping the men stationed on the wall. Aradhel seemed to argue both sides, neither giving evidence to caring nor any ambition to help matters. Caniel had just finished a rigorous debate with the bird-lady (as she had come to call her) on her left when Dirum raised his hands to silence the shouting others.

"Cleary this debate is getting us no further." He said in a stark voice. "And with no aid thus far, we must push aside our fears and do what is best for the people."

"Which is?" The old man Caniel had come to like asked angrily. "Sending out the last of our troops to a certain death?"

"The people are impatient!" Dirum said, eyeing the man while running his fingers together. "They want something done."

"I doubt that 'something' is murdering our troops, advisor." Caniel said in an equally smooth voice.

"Then perhaps you have better ideas ambassador?" Dirum turned his chilling gaze on her.

"The men stay on the wall. The elves will come. We must be patient."

"Patient!" Aradhel laughed, receiving curious glances from the council. "You sent that letter how long ago? And they have yet to send any sort of response, let alone any hint of aid. They are not coming. And I am tired of my communications and front access being cut off."

"What will sending troops out accomplish?" Caniel asked.

"There is always a chance they could do a great deal."

"Poppycock!" The old man exclaimed. "Our numbers are so small each man would face about a hundred orcs himself. They would do little."

"We need a draft!" The bird lady said again. "Then we send them out."

"There are few left." Dirum remarked, scanning some parchment. "Only peasants. Merchant sailors, pirates, crew members. They are not fighters."

"Any man will work at this point. Anyone who can bare arms." The bird lady said with a nod.

"This is desperate!" Caniel sighed. "They will do as much as the men you have left."

"We are desperate, ambassador, if you haven't noticed!" Aradhel said smoothly. "No elves have arrived. Hundreds of orcs are barricading my city into a corner just waiting to strike and we have few then a hundred men left!"

"I will leave to get aid." Caniel said after a brief pause. This received many murmurs and curious glances.

"No!" Aradhel stood so fast, the table rattled under the suddenness. "You cannot leave!"

"Why?" Caniel asked stunned.

"It is not safe." The king fumbled for words.

Dirum nodded. "We cannot afford to loose you ambassador. And the elves will act on their own accord with or without you."

"Then please be patient! Legolas leaves tonight to get his fathers army from Mirkwood…"

"Legolas is leaving?" Aradhel asked with new surprise.

Caniel nodded.

Aradhel and Dirum exchanged understanding looks before the king seated himself again. Dirum looked back at Caniel with new intensity before saying,

"The men must move out, Caniel. They do not trust the elves and will feel betrayed whence they arrive at such a late time."

"Ridiculous!"

Dirum shrugged.

"If the men are slaughtered, who will defend our city?" The old man asked.

Aradhel's lips twitched into a slight smile before he said, "The elves, of course."

The tension of sarcasm dripped in the air, and Caniel had to bite her lip from saying a spew of rude words. From his spot at the head of the table, Aradhel watched her with an amused look. She held her angered glare for many moments before replying.

"Then do as you will. My word is of little force since I am biased with the elves." Her voice was low and cold as she gazed at each council member with ferocious eyes. "But know this; you will accomplish nothing. Before help arrives, and it will," She added looking at the king. "This city will cry out in agony as no city ever has. The orcs will move in and your people will fall at the hands of hundreds of blades. Houses will burn under torch and flame, and children will be slaughtered in their mother's arms. Before the end, you will feel the wrath of the Valar for your incompetence and nonchalance for human life. You will loose all you have worked to gain and Nenuial will fall out of existence."

With a final glare at the king, she finished her statement and stood to leave. But as she stood, with the silenced council members watching her with curious eyes, the king raised his hands to pause her actions.

"I assure you Caniel," he said in a calm voice. "That the elves would have it no other way."

Caniel felt her insides curl over and her face flushed red. With bawled fists, she sucked in a sharp breath and her eyes shown daggers as she looked at the king, who only leaned back in his chair and smiled at her.

"Ce chû faeg i nin gweriannech!" She spewed in elvish.

"I'm sorry?" Aradhel asked. The others were murmuring in worried whispers among them.

"Bado, echado veleth orch. Sûl tôl o nîf gîn." Caniel continued to say, her voice rising in high pitches above the whispering. "Dol gîn lost!"

With a last shriek she turned on her heel and marched from the room, leaving each council member looking worried and angered. Aradhel, though, only shrugged and called the meeting adjured until further notice.

Caniel marched outside the palace, pacing back and forth in the gardens where wild flowers were in bloom all around her and trees swayed in the gentle breeze. Her green dress ruffled in the wind and wrapped itself around her in knots, but she didn't pause to fix it .In her heart, Caniel was beginning to think that perhaps the king was right. Even though she would not admit it, part of her wondered what had been taking the elves so long. Why hadn't Elrond sent any word of his actions? Why as no aid arriving?

"Ridiculous." She mumbled to herself, feeling stupid and traitorous at the same time. "They will come."

As if they needed to. The orcs hadn't made any attempt to take over the city thus far, and so long as the men left were stationed on the wall, nothing would happen anyway. But why weren't the orcs advancing? It was to their advantage after all. Unless they knew the elves were coming and didn't want to be cornered. But how would they know the elves were coming? Perhaps the elves had already intercepted a group of them farther south and word had spread. But even so; they were still caught between the men of Nenuial and the elves. Wasn't that a worse predicament?

Caniel sank to the ground and gazed up at the palace. What were her true feelings towards the people here? She couldn't decide. More and more she hated Aradhel and his council, while her love for the city grew. It wasn't a noble city, and the men here had countless issues. But because of whose fault? Was it the sailor's fault that their lives were miserable and unworthy?

"No. It's Aradhel's." Caniel sighed wearily.

Or what of the poor people? The orphans and whores of the city? Was it their fault all the jobs for women were given to the higher-class people? The ladies who adorned themselves in pearls and had lace umbrellas to watch the parade in?

"Still Aradhel's."

And the rich. Did they control who got the jobs? Their boss was the king. They hired according to the kings regulations. Even should they be moved to compassion no job would ever be given to the peasants on the streets who were then forced to sell flowers to those around them.

"IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!" Caniel yelled, throwing a rock in the direction of the palace. "All your fault."

"Caniel!"

Caniel turned around with a start and watched as a tall, limber black man came racing towards her. She smiled warmly before standing to greet Tathar who embraced her in a friendly hug when he got to her.

"Caniel! I'm so glad I found you. The team has sent me to find you!"

"Why?"

"It's Hirvegil. He's been hurt."

"What?" Caniel looked at him with wide eyes. "Is he okay?"

Tathar nodded, his cornrows dangling around his shoulders. "Yeah. He's fine. Broke an arm though and is out of the game for the rest of the season."

"That's horrible!" Caniel said sincerely. "How did it break?"

"Oh we were practicing and he fell on it pretty hard." The tracker shook his head impatiently. "Point is, we have a game this afternoon and we can't cancel. Which means we need to find a new master."

Caniel studied him for a moment, and then suddenly realized what he was asking. "Oh no. No, no, no, no!" She laughed turning away from him. "I can't play Orbelo!"

"Sure you can! You've played with us before!" He ran in front of her to keep her from walking away.

"But then it was only for fun! I'm no good at it!" She said, looking sternly at him.

"You were a magnificent player!" He replied earnestly.

"Surely there are other people, other men, who would be much more suited for the job?"

Tathar shook his head. "There is no one else. We'd have to hold try-outs to find a decent one, and we don't have time." He held her shoulders firmly and looked her straight in the eye. "Please Caniel. Won't you do this for the team? For Nenuial? We need you!"

Caniel looked sternly at him for many moments, during which she pondered long and hard in her head. When she finally nodded her head reluctantly, Tathar let out a whoop of laughter and did a crazy jig in front of her before embracing her in a massive hug.

"Thank you Caniel! The team will be so pleased with this news!"

"Sure." Caniel said, a bit taken aback by his excitement. "Let's hope they're still excited when the game's over with."

Tathar grinned mischievously then pulled out a piece of parchment. "Here," he said handing it to her. "This is where and when you should meet us before the game. It's going to be a good one too. We're playing our biggest rivals from Annúminas."

"Wonderful." Caniel said dryly, scanning the paper. "But what if I…"

She never got to finish her thought for the boy was already running full throttle out of the palace grounds and back to the Orbelo islands to tell of the grand news.

Elrond was pacing once again in his study, the candles giving off scents of warm assortments and a breeze ruffled the open books and leaves on the ground. In his hands were two letters, which he kept reading, shuffling them back and forth, and chewing his lip as he tried to make sense of it all. He had just seated himself in a wooden chair when the wizard came limping in, his staff hitting lightly on the floor and his weary feet shuffling uneasily. In his hand there was yet another letter.

Looking at the elf and his letters, Gandalf smiled sarcastically.

"Much news I see." He chuckled.

Elrond nodded and stood once again to hand his letters to Gandalf.

"I receive word from both Caniel and Galadriel. Caniel sends for aid. Aragorn has gone missing and they fear he may have been caught in a battle with the orcs. He often wandered the walls of the city where many of the small attacks happened."

"This is not Caniel's handwriting. Rather Legolas'." The wizard noted, scanning the letter briefly as Elrond continued on talking.

"They also are in fear of a mass take-over in the next short time, for as the orcs army continues to grow, so does the men's army continue to shrink. It is only a matter of time before they ransack the city with full force."

Gandalf nodded wearily. "Then we send for aid? Even with lack of evidence?"

Elrond studied the ground for a moment. "There is something amiss in this war. Some evil that blocks all logic and reason from that city. I do not think it is wise. But if Aragorn has been taken…"

"Then we have no choice?"

Elrond nodded solemnly to Gandalf.

"Then again," Gandalf said, watching Elrond carefully. "What if he wasn't taken?"

"What else would have happened to him?" Elrond asked. "Granted, that has crossed my mind as well." He added.

Gandalf shrugged. "I know not. But we still lack evidence that this war is real and not some well conceived ambush by Aradhel."

"And yet, the only way it could be an ambush is if Aradhel was controlling the orcs. And that's not possible is it?"

Gandalf sighed wearily and closed his eyes. For a moment the only sound that could be heard was the twittering of birds in the outside trees and Elrond's impatient shuffling of the paper in his hands.

When Gandalf spoke, it was quiet and hesitant. "I cannot say whether or not he is in control of the orcs. For it would take a man of great power to control such a large number of untamed killers. But it is possible. Aradhel has connections elsewhere outside his city. Not to mention, his city is possibly one of the wealthiest cities in this part of Middle Earth."

Elrond nodded in agreement. "Then what are you suggesting, wise one? For now you have argued both sides. Do we send aid or no?"

Gandalf read the letter once more before shaking his head no. "We need evidence Elrond. We must hold true to our purpose. If we send it now, we may regret it later. Hold true to our plan; that is what Aragorn would have wanted."

Elrond nodded sadly before nodding towards the other letter he had handed Gandalf. "And that letter there. Galadriel has sent word that Caniel is not to leave Middle Earth, no matter how tempting the offer from the Valar. I'm guessing this letter of yours then, is that of the Valar's?" He asked scanning briefly the letter that the wizard had handed him.

Gandalf nodded. "Yes. The Valar say that she has only a week left to decide. Should she choose elf, a ship will be waiting to take her to the Undying Lands at the end of the month. If not, then she is stuck forever in the confides of Middle Earth."

"Why do they punish her so?" Elrond asked, reading the letter.

"The Valar do not approve of Nenuial, we both know this." Gandalf said quietly. "They do not want any effort made on behalf of the elves to save the city or it's allies. It is a wicked city and they would rather see it fall into ruin then have their secret exposed."

"So much pride…"Elrond mused. "The men would never stand a chance if they tried raiding Valinor."

"Indeed. But they would forever know and therefore would, until their dying day, wreak havoc on the elves."

Elrond didn't reply only continued to read the letter. When he was through, he looked up with stern eyes. "Do we not send aid then, because the Valar does not want the city to survive?"

Gandalf didn't reply right away, only looked sheepishly at the ground.

"It seems a bit barbaric does it not?" The elf continued, starting to pace again. "Even if the king is corrupted and his allies false; the city still houses many innocent people who don't deserve to die!"

"Do not ask me to rationalize the Valar's judgment. But they do not want Caniel there."

"So they think that scaring her into choosing elf will help matters? The orcs will still be there! I will still have to decide whether or not to send aid!" Elrond's voice grew louder and harsher as he thought out the mess. Suddenly he stopped and looked at Gandalf. "Have you read what Galadriel said?"

The wizard quickly scanned the letter from the lady in white and then looked at the elf who had sunk himself back into a chair.

"She goes against the Valar again." He said sadly. "She doesn't want Caniel to leave?"

Elrond nodded. "Apparently, Caniel needs to stay to resolve this whole conflict. I do not know what it is Galadriel sees that the Valar do not, but her judgment is that Caniel needs to remain in Nenuial."

"But then…" Gandalf felt immense sadness well within him. "She has no chance of leaving to Valinor. She looses her immortality…"

Elrond averted his gaze to the floor. "It is a risk we all knew she would face in the end."

There was a moment's silence before either spoke again, both battling with the sadness that now consumed them. Eventually Gandalf broke the silence by placing the letters on Elrond's desk and leaning on his staff again.

"It all comes down to her decision, my dear Elrond. Caniel must choose what she thinks is best for her. We will decide our courses of action around that."

The elf nodded and walked with the wizard out onto the balcony overlooking the city.

"I will send her a letter then, informing her of my decision as of now. We need evidence and nothing less." Elrond said.

Gandalf nodded. "And I will inform her of the Valar's deadline. Hopefully, our predicament will not deepen itself any more and a resolution is coming over that horizon."

"And what if it isn't?" Elrond sighed, running a hand through his thick hair.

"It is." Gandalf said assuring. His smile was warm and his eyes twinkled mysteriously. "It is already starting to come together."