NOTE TO READER-Coming closer and closer to the end! Hope you've been enjoying it. My apologies that this is a short chapter, but its very important.
"Hopefully it was lost in the wilderness or in Meshía's home," Faroth said. "It was not long, I'm sure we'll remember it. I would be much more worried about another finding it."
"The odds of Lhach finding a piece of parchment between the cavern and Rohan are slim to nothing," Andúin said. "If a stranger finds it, they will make nothing of it. I believe a missing clue is the least of our worries at this point."
They left soon after, leaving the old home behind them as they turned east one last time to begin their final leg of the quest. After carefully studying a map, they planned to head east as far as they could, then turn north to skirt around the Mountains of Shadow and Mordor. After that, only time would reveal their path through the unmarked land.
They rode for several days in an absent silence, Jnían mourning for Meshía, Faroth thinking of the quest, and Andúin simply missing the tales and songs that usually accompanied them courtesy of Hwesta. She found herself with less and less hope for eh little fellow with each passing day. She also thought more and more on the amount of time they were taking, and how much longer still lay before them. The Black Fog had to be close to Gondor at that point, and as they rounded the last corner of her homeland, she expressed her feelings to Jnían.
"Andúin, we can go no faster and still be reasonable," was the Elf's mellow response.
Andúin felt the strain that had been building up the past few months finally snap. "If it were Lórien we would move faster," she heard herself saying.
"You know that is not true, do not make such judgments upon my character," Jnían replied in a tone similar to scolding a child.
Andúin looked to see Faroth a distance ahead of them, and then continued. "What if it were Faroth's home?"
Jnían's usually calm face turned to a scowl. "What do you mean by that?"
"Hwesta told me about the two of you, after my battle with the Fell Beast," Andúin accused. "Did you ever think of me when you started this?"
"I cannot believe we are even arguing about this," Jnían replied curtly.
"Then you don't deny that it is true?" Andúin prodded, and upon the Elf's silence, continued in harsh tones, "I knew he was going to be a problem, and you've proved my premonitions true. I worry for Gondor, and that is exactly where I am going. I will not be second choice to him, Jnían. Find the clue yourself; I'm sure you'll be all the happier without my presence." She wiped a gloved hand across her face to hide the tears that were starting to fall, and then turned and galloped back the way they had come, back towards Minas Tirith.
Jnían looked startled at the sudden change, and then called after her retreating figure. Faroth turned to look over his shoulder, a puzzled expression crossing his face, and he brought his horse back level with Amáteria. "Where is she going?" he questioned, then noticed the few tears running down Jnían's face, and he guessed at the argument, though he didn't know the subject. He gently brushed the tears from her face, remaining silent.
"We—we must keep going, we still have far to travel," Jnían said suddenly, nudging Amáteria forward and away from Gondor.
Days passed, silent and melancholy. Jnían was deeply troubled by Andúin's departure, and could think of little else. To no avail, Faroth attempted to sooth her broken heart.
With the Mountains of Shadow and Mordor at their backs, they began to head east. Unable to bear the silence any longer, Faroth shouted, "What are we doing! We've been traveling for weeks, and now we're not even sure where exactly we're going! Andúin and Hwesta are gone—"
"Faroth," Jnían cut in, "rest your doubts, we need to keep our faith. The Sea of Rhûn is near, and so is the finish of this evil. We cannot give up, for we can't let down our people. We can't fail. We need to succeed for Hwesta and Andúin, to enforce the truth that good always triumphs over evil." She looked deep into Faroth's concerned gray eyes and smiled.
Slowly, he began to smile back. "What are we waiting for then?" he pulled his steed up on its hind legs, and then charged forward.