Gandalf was waiting for the couple in the hallway as they exited their quarters. The wizard's eyes showing the great impatience of someone that had been waiting a while to say something important. The two walked closer to the wizard, Thranduil only holding the simple saddlebag where all their things were hidden away with magic, while Emma had the parting gift she intended for Glorfindel.
The wizard looked at Emma briefly before stopping the couple in their tracks. He was sorry to interrupt their last moments in Rivendell, but it had to be done.
"Emma, might I have a word with you in private? It's a matter of great importance," Gandalf rumbled, his blue eyes piercing into her soul with intensity. The wizard knew that the witch would feel highly uncomfortable at his request, but he was confident that she would still do what he was about to ask her.
Emma watched the wizard with suspicion before saying to Thranduil, "I need to have a moment with Gandalf, my love."
Thranduil smiled softly at the witch. The elf had no interest in meddling in whatever Gandalf wanted to discuss, as the wizard usually meant trouble. Thranduil only hoped that it would take a moment so they could depart as soon as possible. The Elvenking replied to his beloved, "I will wait for you in the courtyard."
The wizard and the witch waited until Thranduil was far out of earshot, as Elvin hearing was so sensitive. Finally, when Emma was confident they could speak in private, she turned to the wizard and said, "What is it, Gandalf?"
Gandalf murmured to her in an insistent tone, his eyes begging her to understand the sensitivity of the request, "Boromir wishes to speak to you."
Emma shook her head in denial before snarling at the old wizard, "Absolutely not! Are you mad?"
Gandalf sighed but had known that it would not have been easy to talk Emma into meeting Boromir after what had happened, but he had to try. The wizard continued to persuade the witch, "Whatever happened between you two seemed to pull him momentarily out of his slumber. The steward's son is lucid, and the Boromir I remember. Please talk to him, allow him to apologise. This might be the last time you will ever see Boromir of Gondor; I wish you to remember him as he is, a good man that is beloved by his people."
Emma looked at the wizard tight-lipped, anger burning in her soul at Gandalf's request before something dawned on her. Emma's eyes widened in realisation at the wizard's words, "you think Boromir will perish on the quest?"
"Clever little witch," Gandalf murmured in a commendation before clarifying, "I believe Boromir will never see Gondor again, and I wish you to make peace with him. Having the witch understand matters so quickly saved them a great deal of time. It's for you as much as it is for him. I wish you to see the Boromir that is cherished in Gondor, a man worth remembering for his honour."
"I will kill him if he attacks me again," Emma said, and Gandalf had no doubt she would. The young woman had gotten much tougher since the first time he had met her in Rivendell. In front of him was no lost soul trying to find her way in the world.
Emma Winter, who stared at him angrily, was a confident witch that had been sent back from the Halls of Mandos. The woman's power crackled in the air around her with the anger that burned in her soul.
"I know that, Emma. Are you prepared to take the risk and allow Boromir to ask for your forgiveness?" Gandalf said with his convincing tone, and for a moment, Emma was sent back in time to her talks with Dumbledore, who had often looked at her the same way when he was trying to persuade her to do something.
"Only a few minutes Gandalf. I don't have time to waste," Emma said sternly, and the wizard sighed in relief. The witch was reasonable, and he was thankful for her understanding of such a delicate matter.
"Come with me," Gandalf said and walked her quickly through the halls of Rivendell until they came to a door with Elvin guards.
"Allow her to enter," Gandalf said warmly to the elves, who stepped out of the way immediately, and Emma turned to hand Gandalf the parcel she had been carrying ever since leaving her chambers.
"Boromir is waiting inside in the hope that you will show him mercy," Gandalf said warmly, his hand on Emma's lower back as if to push her inside. There was no doubt in Gandalf's mind that Boromir would be beneficial to the quest. If Emma found it in her heart to forgive Boromir for his actions, the Fellowship would depart as planned with the man on board.
"Five minutes Gandalf, no longer," Emma said, glaring at the wizard whose meddling reminded her uncomfortably much of how Dumbledore had meddled with everyone in his path back at Hogwarts.
"I will let you know when your time is up," Gandalf said optimistically, and Emma wondered what on earth she would talk to Boromir about that would take five minutes when she didn't even want to be there in the first place.
A moment later, Boromir's eyes widened in astonishment as the witch stepped inside with a deep frown. The witch was fully dressed for her journey, and her wand was ready if Boromir tried anything.
The witch shut the door quickly behind her but not before Boromir could see Gandalf peeking in to ensure that Boromir was as lucid as when the wizard had left him. The man understood why the witch and wizard were so careful. Talking to Boromir after what had happened earlier that evening was the last thing Emma wanted to do, and rightly so.
The future queen of Mirkwood stared at Boromir in silence, her dark eyes judging him harshly. The man sat there in silence, waiting for Emma to realise that he meant her no harm. Boromir looked better than he had an hour earlier when he had behaved as if possessed.
The burden of the ring seemed gone for the moment, and Boromir looked younger as he looked upon her with intelligence shining out of his eyes. Emma looked at him with grief, and there was the Boromir she wished she had met earlier. The witch knew the image of him would be burned into her memory long after Boromir passed into the halls of his forefathers.
"My lady, thank you for coming. I know it must have taken great persuasion from Gandalf for you to come here," Boromir said, his voice warm like a caress, and Emma looked even gloomier. The man that Boromir was underneath it all was someone she would have liked to get to know better. However, Gandalf was right. Boromir of Gondor was running out of time. Her magical senses could feel death around him as if her senses were more sensitive to death after she returned from the Halls of Mandos.
"Boromir," Emma said uncomfortably, and the lack of hostility in her voice seemed to encourage the man to walk a few steps closer to her. When Emma started raising her wand, Boromir stopped again and said with anguish, "I deserve your distrust and your anger."
"You do. You went too far," Emma said honestly, and the man nodded in agreement with her words.
"I needed you to come. There are so many things I want to say to you before you leave," Boromir said, his voice hoarse with emotion as he stared at the woman that had haunted his mind since he had arrived in Rivendell.
Emma's dark eyes met his blue that shone with honesty. It felt as if she was meeting Boromir for the first time, and she felt his abundant charm. A good person, Boromir seemed like a genuinely great person. The discovery startled her, and Emma felt herself getting very confused about how she could even consider allowing him to apologise after everything that had happened.
"First, I wish to apologise to you from the bottom of my heart," Boromir blinked his eyes before tears spilled down his cheeks as his gaze held hers. Emma felt herself soften at the noticeable vulnerability on his face. Her wand was tucked back up her sleeve; the Boromir that stood in front of her was not dangerous.
The witch had a feeling that the man never wept in front of others and knew she was witnessing something extraordinary. Boromir was letting her deep into his soul, and it broke her heart to see the man that was underneath all the hate and anger invoked by the ring. The rumours had been true. Boromir was a great man when the ring was not affecting him.
"They say you are an honourable man, and this might be the first time I've met the true Boromir of Gondor," Emma said, and the man stiffened at her words as if the witch had slapped him.
"They say...," Boromir snorted heatedly, realising just how badly he had frightened Emma while in Rivendell, "how I must have hurt you with my constant attacks."
Emma was silent, not knowing what to say to calm the man. Boromir sighed painfully and then tried to explain to the witch that looked at him so sceptical as if she thought he would attack her again. The man understood her distrust and knew he deserved it.
"Please understand I meant no harm. The first time I saw you, I felt this dire need to protect you and keep you safe from the evil that lurks here in Rivendell from the ring," Boromir said, giving her a teary look filled with honesty that made Emma feel instantly uncomfortable at his words. Boromir's actions had certainly not mirrored his words in any way.
"I hoped to grow a friendship with you, but it was impossible because the ring poisoned my mind," Boromir admitted, his voice hoarse with tears again as his eyes begged her to understand and show mercy on him.
"The ring has morphed your mind," Emma said in a low voice. She understood just how wicked the ring was by how it had changed Boromir in such a short amount of time. There was no evil coming from Boromir as he admitted his desire to strike a friendship with her.
"Initially, I intended to get rid of you, but I could not. Before I could let you go, you kicked me, and I deserved it," Boromir admitted, a blush creeping up his face with deep shame. He had not been honourable towards the woman, and it felt terrible to admit as much.
"You terrified me Boromir," Emma said and saw the heartbreak on his face at her words.
"That is the truth. I know this. I saw how you looked at me. I deeply regret everything. I'm begging for your forgiveness," Boromir whispered, trying to make Emma understand how important it was for him that she would accept his apology and regret.
"Why do you want my forgiveness Boromir?" Emma asked, feeling confused as to why it was so important to him to make amends after everything that had happened.
"I'm a good man; I know I am. It's the burden of my life that I dishonoured you so," Boromir said and saw how Emma's eyes got impossibly wide at his words as if the depth of Boromir's regret had never occurred to her.
"I'm miserable seeing the man that you really are because we would have been fast friends if things had been different," Emma said, great emotion in her voice as she looked at Boromir. It was tragic that the man in front of her wouldn't live long enough for them to get to know each other better.
"There is still time. We can still be friends when this is over," Boromir said with such hope that Emma wanted to weep with heartbreak. There would be no time for that. Gandalf had been right; she could also feel death around the man in front of her, and it was heartbreaking to feel it and know that fate rarely changed its mind.
"Please forgive me, Emma Winter, I beg you," Boromir said to the woman who looked at him with pity in her pale face.
"I forgive you," Emma said, her voice emotional, knowing she couldn't refuse him when she felt in her heart that it was the last time she would ever see Boromir of Gondor.
Boromir sniffled loudly, and before she knew he had grabbed her in a tight bear hug as he wept into her hair.
"Thank you, and I'm so sorry," he repeatedly said until Emma held him closely, trying to keep the strong man together and prevent him from breaking further. There was rightness in their embrace as if old wounds were healing with the both of them. Emma breathed in and was met with the warm scent of coffee. It tugged at her heartstrings to know that the proud soldier liked coffee as she did.
"You won't regret this. I will show you all of Gondor and make you fall desperately in love with my beautiful country," he said with such confidence that Emma gave him a tearful look as she tried to hold it together in the last moments she had with the man.
"I wish to see Gondor with you one day," Emma admitted to him, hoping Boromir would somehow make it through, but it seemed his fate had been sealed the moment he had entered Rivendell. There was no turning back for Boromir of Gondor.
"I have something for you," Boromir said and fished something out of his pocket, putting it in her hand and clasping his hands over it with feeling. When he let go, Emma opened her hand and saw a small silvery hairpin decorated with dark red rubies.
"It was my mother's. If you come to Gondor before me, show it to my brother Faramir. By seeing the pin, he will know you are a friend and you mean no harm," Boromir said, his voice full of meaning, and Emma had to say what was in her heart.
"I am about to be wed, Boromir. I cannot accept this," Emma said and reached out to give him the hairpin back. Boromir should keep it to give to someone else who romantically cared about him.
"I know, and I know you are happy. Take my gift as it was given, as an apology to a new friend whom I treated deplorably," Boromir said and shook his head in denial as Emma tried to hand him back the gift.
Emma realised she would have to accept it and then try to return it to Boromir's family at some point in time. It was important to Boromir, and she did not want to refuse his gift just before leaving, knowing that he was about to face his death.
"Thank you," Emma said and tucked the hairpin into a hidden pocket of her cloak.
The door opened behind them, and Gandalf stuck his head inside and murmured, "It's time."
"Thank you, Gandalf, for bringing lady Emma here," Boromir said, and the wizard nodded before closing the door.
"I have to go," Emma said and smiled at the man, her eyes glued on him as if she was trying to remember his face. Boromir went on one knee and kissed the back of her hand with such a gallant gesture that Emma blushed brightly.
"Thank you, my lady, and I look forward to seeing you in Gondor one day," Boromir said with a smile on his face and great relief in the tone of his voice that made Emma's heart clench tighter in her chest. Poor wretched man that had suffered because of the ring and would continue to do so until death.
"Be careful of the ring Boromir and safe travels," Emma said and hurriedly left the room and closed the door behind her. Her eyes looked at the wizard in such sadness that Gandalf knew the two had made peace. Gandalf handed her Glorfindel's gift and took Emma's hand in his before they walked towards the courtyard.
"You did a kind thing, Emma Winter. No wonder the Valar smile upon you," Gandalf said, patting the back of her hand as they walked down the stairs to the courtyard. Emma was silent, but a small smile came over her face seeing Thranduil sitting on his giant elk, his icy gaze on her.
"I was starting to think you had gotten cold feet," Thranduil called teasingly, and Emma laughed, "Never, you are stuck with me."
"Poor elf, he clearly doesn't understand what he's getting himself into," Glorfindel said teasingly to her as he stepped closer to Emma.
"This is for you," Emma said warmly to Glorfindel, who accepted the blue bundle with a surprise on his face. The elf opened it quickly and put on a bright blue cloak that Emma had asked Amarnith to make for her friend.
"It's warm," Glorfindel said in surprise, his bright blue eyes looking down at her with such wonder that Emma realised that the next time they would meet, she would show him more of her magic as the elf seemed to enjoy it so.
"I put a warming spell on it for you. I know you can't feel the elements as much as I do. However, still, we need to keep the most wanted elf in Middle Earth alive so all the women can swoon over him for a little longer," Emma said teasingly, and Glorfindel blushed crimson thinking about their first chat so long ago. He grabbed her tightly and murmured, "it's perfect thank you."
"See you soon, my friend," Emma murmured to him, and Glorfindel whispered back, "remember that you promised you'd wait for me if you decide to go to war."
"I promise," Emma said before giving Glorfindel the final squeeze before turning to Elrond.
"How do I thank such kindness from the lord of Rivendell? You saved my life, Elrond, and I will never forget how good you have been to me," Emma said and smiled at the Elvin lord, whom she greatly admired. Elrond ruled with kindness, and those that did his bidding did it out of pure love for the wise elf.
"I'm glad I could help Emma. I wish you nothing but happiness, and we shall see each other soon enough," Elrond said with such certainty that Emma realised that the elf had dreamt it as his foresight was strong and accurate.
Emma reached up and kissed his cheek, "Bilbo made a copy of his story for me. It's waiting in your study for you."
"Thank you, I was curious to read Bilbo's account," Elrond said gleefully. There were few things in Middle Earth that Elrond loved as much as reading books, especially when he had been a part of the events. The witch had chosen the perfect parting gift for the elf.
"Good luck on your journey, and please give my best to everyone," Emma said to Gandalf, who nodded to her with a mysterious smile and sparkling eyes.
Glorfindel called out to Thranduil, "take the witch out of here; she's dangerous to our kind. Emma Winter ensnares the hearts of elves and binds us to her."
"That I know very well from experience," Thranduil said with a smile as Glorfindel lifted Emma on the elk and into Thranduil's arms that wrapped tightly around her.
"Thank you all for your kindness, and see you soon," Emma said, placing her hand over her heart in an Elvin greeting, which the others returned immediately.
Thranduil clicked his tongue, and the elk ran out of the courtyard, and the last thing Emma saw before riding out of Rivendell were the smiling faces of her friends.
They rode for hours, the Misty Mountains appearing closer with every long step of the giant elk. Even though the Elvenking was in a hurry to get Emma to Mirkwood, he still couldn't help stopping now and then for warm touches and passionate kisses from the enticing witch that had stolen his heart away so long ago.
Emma had never ridden the elk before and was shocked at how quickly the giant beast tore over the land. When they finally reached the mountains around midnight, Emma could see the tall waterfall where she had lost her life not so long ago. A shiver of horror went through her, and Thranduil felt the unease from the witch.
"Let's stop for a moment," Thranduil murmured to his beloved before jumping down and helping the witch off the elk. The witch had seemed uncomfortable getting so close to the Misty Mountains, and the Elvenking wanted to calm her down before they continued their trip.
Emma sighed with relief and leaned into the elf, who wrapped his arms tightly around her. The scent of grass filled her nostrils, and the witch sighed comfortably. Home, the proud elf smelled of home to her. She always felt safe in Thranduil's presence, and love blossomed in her chest whenever he touched her.
"Morwen. If you need me to go slower, I will," Thranduil murmured to the witch who seemed so content in his arms, her cheek pressed on his chest.
Emma's dark eyes widened in surprise at his words before she replied, "I don't want to go slower. I want to go faster."
The elf laughed loudly, his eyes shining with delight before he murmured in her ear," the only way to go faster is to go by …."
"…. magic," Emma said quickly, finishing his sentence.
"Interesting. Do what you wish. I trust you with my life," the elf said before kissing her softly. Thranduil could feel Emma's magic awaken in her being, ready to be used, and the elf looked expectantly at the witch in his arms.
"It might be difficult for you. The feeling is a little bit overwhelming," Emma admitted to the elf, who shrugged endearingly. The witch realised that some of her human gestures were rubbing off on the elf, and she certainly wasn't going to mention that to Thranduil.
"Anything for you," Thranduil said steadfastly, and the witch looked at him with shimmering eyes. She knew the elf trusted her with his life just as she trusted him.
"Can you speak to the elk?" Emma asked quickly, as she wanted to depart as soon as possible before she changed her mind.
"Naturally," Thranduil replied with the kingly tone Emma had learned to love through the years.
"Tell him to be still and not afraid no matter what," Emma said to her beloved, who turned to the elk immediately. Thranduil murmured to the beast that stood completely still by their side.
"Wrap your arms around me, and don't move," Emma murmured to Thranduil, who looked at her curiously before doing as she instructed. The magic in the air had intensified, and the elf couldn't wait to see Emma's plan.
The witch took a deep breath, put one hand on Thranduil's chest and the other on the beast before her magic was released. A second later, a loud crack was heard, and all of them disappeared from their location.
Thranduil wanted to howl with unease when everything turned black before great pressure was upon him as he was being ripped inside out. The only reason he kept calm was Emma's warm body that pressed against his as magic engulfed them.
The three of them apparated just inside the treeline of Mirkwood with a pop, and Thranduil took a shaky breath before opening his eyes. The ancient magic of the woods surrounded them, and the elf sighed when he felt the familiarity of Mirkwood. Home, he was back home.
"Are you alright Emma asked worriedly as the elf took a few shaky steps before his tall body collapsed down by a tree trunk. The elf sat there for a moment catching his breath while the witch checked on the elk, who seemed happy to have returned to its forest. The animal looked at Emma with a deep gaze before it turned around and walked deeper into the dark forest.
Emma put a heating spell over the small clearing they were in, and in seconds the air felt like a warm summer's night. The witch removed her cloak before walking to Thranduil, who was still sitting by the tree. The elf looked utterly at ease, warmth in his eyes as he crossed his long legs on the ground. Thranduil's silvery hair shined in the moonlight, making him look even more unearthly than before, his handsome face filled with wonder as he looked at his beloved.
The witch smiled at him before sitting down on his lap. Laughter bubbled in her chest when the elf kissed her with all the passion in him. When the kiss broke, the elf said heatedly, "your magic is powerful, beautiful one."
"I wasn't sure it would work, it didn't work when I first came here so long ago," Emma admitted to the elf who was looking at her with such intensity that she felt the flames of lust awaken in her body.
"And why this location?" the elf asked teasingly to the witch. Thranduil knew every tree in the forest, but he was curious why she had chosen that spot to enter Mirkwood after all the years that had passed since she had been in Mirkwood.
"It's the northern border where I first entered Mirkwood so long ago and where I felt your presence for the first time," Emma admitted, and the elf silenced, his silvery eyes looking around before a grin tugged at his lips.
"This is the tree you tried to climb up unsuccessfully that night," the Elvenking said with a broad smile at the witch, that blushed crimson at his words.
Emma groaned dramatically as she remembered that night so long ago. How lost she had been then and full of despair.
"The Valar could have spared me and not shown you that."
"No Morwen. It showed me you had a fighting spirit," Thranduil said warmly before kissing her with such heat that Emma felt her body melt into his.
When the kiss broke, the witch asked the elf, "Fion. Do we really have to wait until the palace for the binding?"
"I don't want to wait either," Thranduil said, "tonight is perfect for our union."
Emma looked at him with great joy before kissing Thranduil with such lust that the elf got lost in the witch that had ensnared his heart years earlier.
