Chapter 2 - At Weathertop Again
As the four companions were heading for Weathertop, Frodo and Sam were on their way to Mordor. Every day, the creature Gollum was leading them more closely to the Dark City where the Dark Lord Sauron dwelt. Sam woke up from his sleep, disturbed by Gollum's shrieking voice. "Come on little hobbitsesss, Mordorsss near" Sam yawned and looked at Frodo. The hobbit seemed deeply lost in his thoughts and his eyes could easily show that he didn't catch up on any sleep. The ring was getting heavier. Sam offered Frodo, one of their last bits of food they had left. "Aren't you going to take any, Sam? " Frodo asked, with a voice Sam didn't recognize.
"I'm not hungry" Sam lied but after he saw the look on his master's face he continued "Okay there isn't much left and I doubt there will be any, for you know … the return journey" Frodo forced a smile and looked at his friend, who was now ready to continue on their journey. "Nothing ever dampens your spirits does it Sam? " he said. However, Sam did not have the chance to reply as an unpopular shrieking voice was urging them both to move on.
Miles away, at Rivendell, Lady Arwen was hiding behind a beautifully carved column while looking tensely at her father and the other Elven Lords ,who were assembled at the same place, where a few months earlier the Council of Elrond took place, determining the future of Middle Earth. Lord Elrond, her father uttered his final words.
" So now, that we know where your daughter is Lord Eolder, we have nothing more to do except wait for the others so we can begin our celebration concerning the victory at Helm's Deep" The elves stood up and solemnly chanted the familiar ending incantation.
Arwen studied the scene before her. Her father, tall and lean was the Head of the Council. On either side of him stood two of the most important elves in Middle-Earth, Lord Celeborn and his wife Lady Galadriel, grandmother of Arwen and Lady of Lothlorien or Lorien, the main elfin territory. There were a few elves whom she didn't recognize but amongst them stood Lord Eolder, Evanwyn's father. Evanwyn was one of her best friends and she actually spied on the secret council, for an attempt to hear news concerning her friend. Arwen also seeked news of her lover, Aragorn. It was only three months since she heard of him and to her it seemed as if an eternity had passed since she last saw his rugged good-looking face.
Lord Eolder looked as if he was a little preoccupied. He must've been, Arwen thought. Evanwyn was his only daughter and the only close relative he has left. Unsurprisingly, she was everything to him. Next to him, stood an elf, who Arwen disliked with a vengeance. Siniver was engaged to Evanwyn and Arwen hated him for the way he treated her best friend. She attempted to mention it in front of her father and of Lord Eolder several times, but the latter seemed to be extremely satisfied with the elf, he chose for his loving daughter and Elrond frequently warned his daughter , to mind her own business . Lord Elrond actually shared his daughter's views towards Siniver and Eolder's decision but decided that it was best if he kept these views for himself.
Next to Celeborn , stood a golden-haired elf, Lord Thranduil, King of the Wood Elves and Lord of Mirkwood. He was very wise and kind, but above all he was a mighty warrior. Apparently, his son Legolas was following his father's footsteps.
"Hmm..Am I late for the council?"
A gruffly familiar voice, made her jump and she turned to see who it belonged to. "Gandalf," she shouted as she hugged the wizard. "I'm really glad you came… Have you seen Aragorn? Is he alright?". Gandalf laughed .The elves summoned at the council all turned to look at the direction from where the amicable laugh came from. "Am I late? ", he said with a smile. "I was delayed, I offer my apologies"
"On behalf of the council, your apology is accepted, Mithrandir." Elrond said with a grin. All the elves summoned to the Council smiled at Gandalf. He was popular with most of the inhabitants of Middle-Earth and the elves did all they could to give him a warm welcome. But the appearance of the wizard was bad news to Siniver. Gandalf was a very shrewd wizard, and Siniver felt that his motives, would now be revealed.
As the elves retired to their rooms, Arwen approached her grandmother, Lady Galadriel. The elf-queen welcomed her beautiful granddaughter with a smile and without a word, she beckoned Arwen to follow her. Galadriel led her to the main room in the palace, where there was the Mirror of Elrond. Arwen stared at her grandmother with an astonished look drawn on her fair face but Galadriel said nothing. She walked gracefully towards the mirror and Arwen followed silently.
Lady Galadriel was allowed to use the mirror, which was no different than the one, she used to show Frodo the future, when the fellowship visited Lothlorien. Only the keepers of the 3 elven rings, (Galadriel, Celeborn and Elrond) were permitted to use the mirror. Actually, only they knew how. Lady Galadriel closed her eyes and recited an ancient elvish incantation. After a long pause, Arwen could see that the magical water was beginning to adopt a silvery colour and light seemed to shine brightly directly from the water.
After a while, the light dimmed and Arwen could vividly see a beautiful picture of Middle-Earth landscape. Four people could be seen walking towards a hilltop. A smile appeared on the princess' face as she immediately recognized them. As the image dissolved, Arwen hugged her grandmother and thanked her. She went out of the room, happily thinking about her lover, whom she now knew that he was all right.
Aragorn was in fact worried about their shelter and safety during their brief stay at Weathertop. He perfectly recalled his previous visit to the hill. Legolas sensed his companion's concern and tried to reassure him. "We'll try to find a suitable cavern and one of us will guard the entrance" he said.
An hour later, the four were gathering wood for a fire to keep them warm during the night and Gimli found a well- sheltered cave to accommodate them. As darkness fell around them, the dwarf started to bicker once again about food and its connection with his stomach. Legolas lit the fire and frowned at the dwarf. Aragorn sensed an argument cropping up and asked Evanwyn for a walk towards the hill's peak where there, are the famous ruins of Amon Sûl
When the pair reached the ruins, the princess turned to Aragorn and solemnly said to him:
"I have something for you. I bring news from Lady Arwen." At the mention of Arwen's name, Aragorn's mind filled with curiosity. Evanwyn took his hand and gave him a relatively small, dried flower, the flower he had given to Arwen, the last time he had set his eyes on her.
"Aragorn, she has given up her immortality." This news shocked him thoroughly although he had expected it sooner or later. He recalled their last meeting and Arwen's words echoed through his mind:
"I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone."
He lightly touched the pendant, Arwen had given him when she had uttered those words, and looked at Evanwyn. She reminded him so much of his lady.
"Thank you," he uttered as he felt moved by the gesture. Evanwyn understood and smiled encouragingly as she gently caressed his cheek.
"I heard you're a good friend of Legolas!" Aragorn told her, deviating completely from the subject of Arwen.
"The same applies to you, I must say. Well, we are very good friends. He's like my big brother. He wanted to protect me all the time, we spent together and I learned some archery and sword skills from him. Then he had to attend the Council of Elrond and I hadn't seen him since"
"Well, you've met now. Maybe you could do a great job and distract him from squabbling with Gimli" he laughed as they strolled gracefully down the slope away from the ruins and towards their friends.
An hour later, the princess was settling down to sleep as was Aragorn and Legolas. Gimli had offered to stay on watch outside the cave but he was already snoring loudly as he leaned against his ax. However, somehow Gimli's snores comforted Evanwyn. She was no longer alone.
Legolas stared at the black darkness surrounding him. He couldn't sleep. As his keen eyes adjusted to the blackness around him, he could make out the stout figure of Gimli at the entrance of the Cave and the peaceful figures of Aragorn and Evanwyn at his side. His gaze fell on the princess and he smiled as he watched her sleeping gently. Something at her throat glistened. As he touched the pendant, his friend was wearing around her throat, he momentarily stopped .Helped by the moonlight that shone from outside the cave, he could study the silver pendant. Legolas recognized it, almost immediately. It had the shape of a leaf and on the other side there was engraved: For good luck, from Legolas Greenleaf.