Upon the evening of the king's return to Rohan from Isengard, Théoden hosted a grand feast in order to celebrate their victory and commemorate those who had fallen in defence of their homes, raising a goblet of wine to salute. "Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country." He announced, everyone standing with a drink in their hand in reverent silence. "Hail the victorious dead!"
"Hail!" All took a deep drink, draining their tankards and goblets dry as thoughts dwelled on loved ones and friends who were no longer able to stand alongside us. My own mind turned to my kin, seeing them lay in their hundreds upon the floor where they had fallen under the sword and axe, once brilliant helms now tainted with blood and gore. Such sights were ones I wished I could forget, but to honour their memory, I would not allow their deaths to go in vain or unanswered. I drank, and I drank deep, consuming my wine before setting aside my goblet. All were dressed in their best attire for the feasting, however I had brought nothing with me save for my armour and mantle, so I had quickly fashioned myself a gown to wear with the long flowing silver train of an underlying dress with my mithril shirt resting on top. It was so light and effortless to wear that it looked no different to the finery my kin would wear to our own feasts and celebrations. The pure white melded into the silver, a simple coronet of woven metal threads and gems resting upon my head as my hair lay brushed back and tumbled in light curls down my spine.
Wherever I walked eyes followed, unused to the presence of elves, especially that of an elf maiden such as I. Drifting dreamily, I gave pause where my husband was drinking pint after pint of ale in contest against Gimli, a rather foolish endeavour upon Gimli's part for elven wine was far stronger than any other alcohol among the races. One sip could send a grown man into a frenzied drunkenness. "It appears that everything is a competition between our comrades here." Boromir said to me as he stopped beside me, drink in hand with a broad smile upon seeing Gimli steadily growing drunker and drunker whilst Legolas continued at a steady pace.
"Dwarves and Elves have long since had a fractured relationship, it is good that bridges are beginning to be rebuilt between us." My eyes flickered across to Merry and Pippin who had been found at Isengard under the protection of the Ents. They had told me all of their adventures in Fangorn and their urging the Ents to make war upon Isengard, to uproot the traitor wizard from his iron tower and wash away all that he had built in service to the Dark Lord. Of us all, Boromir had been most glad to find the two Hobbits alive and well, having rushed to them in order to embrace them both at once whilst crying out with relief and gladness. He too now watched them, observing their smiles as they danced upon a table top, singing freely with large tankards in their hands as a shadow of regret and shame darkened his expression. "It was not your fault, you know." I said to him finally, guessing the root of his disconcerted gaze as it flickered upon his features. "You were outnumbered and gravely wounded. There was nothing more you could have done to keep them from being taken."
"I failed Frodo by succumbing to my own weakness, and I failed Merry and Pippin by being unable to protect them. Even if you say I bear no fault, I still feel that amends must be made. If only…if only I could but speak with Frodo one last time, beg him for forgiveness, then I would not feel as wretched as this." Understanding his pain, I naturally placed my hand upon his shoulder to console him, wishing there were a way that I could take upon myself the burden of his guilt so that he would no longer be haunted by it.
"Such a time will come when we are all together united once more." I promised him softly, murmuring as the warmth of the ambiance surrounded us. "And you will be able to stand before Frodo with pride and at peace with yourself. Until then, you must not allow yourself to become too consumed by your guilt. You will need all of your strength before time is at its end." Reaching for a flagon I filled his drink once more with a golden brown ale, indicating that he should lay down his burdens for one evening and drink. "Frodo is with Sam, and we are here to watch over Merry and Pippin. For now, there is naught to worry for."
Toasting my own drink against his, Boromir and I drank together before turning when we heard an ungodly thud, finding Gimli unconscious on the floor and my husband victorious beside him. We laughed and made merry, forgetting all woes in order to enjoy ourselves to the utmost. I danced with numerous hands that night, joining in the festivities with freedom and gladness. Merry and Pippin were first to invite me into a frolicking fray, taking me by the hands to lead me forwards, and then Legolas claimed me next. Our dance of elven grace drew a thunderous applause by its end, both of us having stretched our limbs and danced in our own style to their music which was appreciated for its magnificence. Thank the stars Galadriel and Arwen had both insisted so urgently that I maintain my dancing practice.
Next it was Aragorn, leading me in a far slower court dance of the Rohirric style similar to one we had danced together many years before when Thengel was king. I smiled all the while, both of us murmuring to one another peacefully before the song ended and he kissed my hand lovingly. "Hanon le nana." It had been many years since Aragorn had called me mother and my heart fluttered at the sound. Touching his brow in blessing he then departed, replaced by Boromir who requested I dance with him also to which I gladly accepted.
All ales, beers and wines were drunk until the men fell into an utter stupor, collapsing where they stood into a deep slumber with a dissonance of snores surrounding us. Legolas and I had long since vacated the feast to walk together under the starlight before finding a quiet place to be together, laying in one another's arms to rest and simply revel in one another's presence. It had been a long while since I had spent any great length of time in his presence, so I cherished moments such as these. His fingers splayed against my stomach as I lay beside him, tracing the line of his jaw as his fingertips brushed against my bare skin. "Were you speaking true, my starling?" He asked me softly then reminded me of how I had said I wanted to bear his child.
"Of course I spoke true Legolas. We have known one another for many centuries, and although married only in recent decades, I wish for nothing more than to be the mother of your heirs. Our father would be happy, I think, to hear the sound of a child's feet running through our home once more. It has been long since the laughter of a child was heard in our halls."
"Not since you." I chuckled at that, allowing my touch to trail down to his chest to marvel at his smooth skin. "I should like a daughter." He sighed deeply, shifting in order to pull me closer. "A child to resemble you, I can think of no greater joy."
"Well, I would prefer a son first. I have had practice in the raising of a boy, so would have greater confidence to raise another. Either way, if we feel the desire we can have more than one child. Perhaps we will be blessed with both." Humming in agreement, Legolas kissed my nose before allowing me to take rest with closed eyes. He remained agitated, however, something gnawing at the back of his mind so I ordered him out of my bed to take some air, for he was disturbing me and I would have none of it. Dreamlessness crept upon me and I bathed in the softness of peace as all dark thoughts turned away, lulling me endlessly into slumber until a sudden burst of vileness startled me awake, feeling the ominous presence of Sauron here in Rohan, within these very halls. The eerie whisper echoed as I grasped hold of my robe and drew it closed around me, racing towards the source as I heard Merry crying out for help. The door clattered open as I breezed through it, coming to a halt upon seeing the palantir in Pippin's hand, the final parting gift of Saruman before his death.
It was ablaze with fire, a single pupil focused upon Pippin as he writhed in agony upon the floor, suffering at the hands of the Dark Lord. Legolas and Aragorn came through the opposite door as Boromir jarred awake, hearing the cry of the hobbits. "No!" Gandalf was also up and everyone surged forwards in order to help, but Aragorn reached Pippin first. He pulled the palantir from his hands but immediately drooped, as if all strength was drained away from him. I rushed to him as the palantir rolled away, the eye still burning brightly until Gandalf flung a cloth to cover it.
"Fool of a Took!" My hands reached for Aragorn, cupping his face as his eyes rolled, supported by Legolas as I began to whisper and ease his discomfort, returning strength to his body before stroking aside his hair. Gaze flickering, eventually he was able to focus upon my face and call me by name. Thank the Valar. Embracing him quickly Legolas and I helped him up to turn towards Pippin, seeing Gandalf treating him for his own afflictions then interrogate him for answers. Such a foolish hobbit, he could have been destroyed by Sauron's power had he not been made to let go of the palantir. My stormy gaze turned upon it, walking over with anger as I picked it up within the blanket and wrapped it more securely, keeping it from seeing out into the open for fear of what Sauron might learn. "Eleniel, give it to me." Obeying Gandalf immediately as he stood up, I passed him the palantir which he quickly tucked close to him. "We can no longer delay, Sauron makes ready to end this war. Your kin will need you in the upcoming days, you cannot afford to remain here any longer."
"I understand. Pippin mentioned the White Tree of Gondor, could it be Sauron intends to move upon Minas Tirith?" I returned as we continued our whisper in a private counsel, the others tending to a rightfully traumatised Pippin. "You will need all allies of Man if you are to have any hope of repelling such forces, and Denethor has long since lost his mind to madness." Glancing across to Boromir who was cradling Pippin like a child in his arms as the Halfling trembled, Gandalf followed my gaze. "Bring Boromir with you. If the Steward sees his favourite son, perhaps he will be more willing to listen to counsel. If all else fails, the men will unite and follow their captain against any force that crashes against their walls."
"Indeed, I shall do so."
"Also, I have been seeing visions of black ships upon the water sailing for Gondor. They must not be allowed to reach the city, or no hope of victory shall remain." I warned him, keeping my voice low so that not even my husband could overhear us. "The zenith of war is upon us, and Sauron shall strike out from all places of strength to destroy each of our races." Taking his arm in my hand, I tightened my grip in a gesture of both severity and offer of comfort. "Do not look for allies outside the race of Men. Not this time." Bowing his head acceptingly, I parted from him with a hopeful word of being reunited soon in happier circumstances before moving away.
I could not wait any longer, I needed to return to my people and make ready for war. I was properly dressed in seconds, armoured and cloaked with my weapons to hand before leaving, going in search of the others in order to bid farewell. Legolas saw me immediately and rose to his feet, despair shattering the clearness of his eyes as he understood my intention to leave him so soon. "Asta, surely you don't intend to leave us?" Merry asked, also seeing me standing there and one by one, the remainder of the Fellowship brought their eyes upon me.
"My people are in need of my help, and I have no intention of allowing anymore orcs to make their homes in the forests of my childhood. I go to hunt them down." I explained simply, closing the distance as I faced them all and one by one, looked at them. "Although I wish I could remain here and stand by your sides, I fear that each of us will soon be placed upon different paths which will stray far from one another. However, it is my dearest hope that those paths will then realign, and connect once more. My heart goes with you, and I shall not forget the bonds that we have formed." Both Merry and Pippin expressed their sadness at my departure, wanting me to stay at least until morning to share breakfast with them. Smiling I kissed them both upon their brows then gifted them a new shirt each, perfectly fitted to their size and height which had increased since leaving Fangorn forest, embroidered with the finest of silk thread by my own hand. "I have foreseen that I will soon be in the company of your father, Gimli, is there any words you would bid me carry to him?" Surprised, Gimli spluttered for a moment as he gathered his thoughts before speaking to me in khuzdul, sharing with me words which I memorised in order to repeat them to his father. I replied in his own tongue, wishing him good hunting and that he continued to beat my husband in their kill streaks, saying that it does him good to be reminded of dwarvern greatness.
Next came Aragorn, and we spoke no words between us for none were necessary, merely an embrace and a kiss before I let him go. Before Legolas, I faced Boromir and held out my hands to him, allowing him to take them in his. "Trust in your strength, Boromir of Gondor. It is mightier than the roots of the mountain." Then, kissing his brow, I walked away with Legolas so that we might remain in company for as long as we could possibly could. He helped me to saddle my horse then kissed me deeply, pressing me so firmly against the stable door it almost cracked behind us. He was reluctant to let me go, but knew that he must, so after leaving me breathless and dazed from his passionate ardour, Legolas pulled me into his chest and held me.
"Do not be reckless with your life, beloved Eleniel."
"I have no intention of being so. Do not let your heart weep, Legolas, for we shall see each other again." Although these words were not spoken with the certainty of a vision to reassure me, I felt in my heart that I would one day soon be in Legolas's arms once more, to either face oblivion together or in the euphoric reunion of victory. "I shall bring your love to ada."
"Tell him I shall continue to fight here, and that in my stead I name you as chief commander." Rolling my eyes I pursed my lips as Legolas grinned, knowing full well that I hated giving commands and leading, preferring by far to follow orders instead. "Go now, the sun is rising." Nodding sadly, I kissed him one final time before swinging myself up onto my horse, lifting the reins and it immediately lifted its head and turned its ears towards me in order to listen. "I love you, Asta Eleniel. My wife."
"As I love you, Legolas Greenleaf, my husband." Holding his hand in mine, I clung onto him until the horse began to move forwards, loosening our grasp until the gentle brush of our fingertips was all that remained before that too was gone, and I turned away from Legolas in order to break into a sudden gallop out of the stables and into the open air. With the entire future of all Races in the balance, I pressed forwards with no promise of enduring, merely the faint hope that somehow we would uproot the evil which plagued our lands and thus end the looming threat of darkness which continually gathered in the west.