Chapter 13
*4 years later ~ year T.A. 3021*
Evelyn stood somberly outside Zenith's stall. The grey clouds that threatened rain matched her mood. She felt their deep despair in her bones, adding to her depression. Even the mare's warm breath and soft nickers did nothing to brighten her mood. There had been to many goodbyes in her life, and she was not sure she could handle anymore, yet what choice did was there? In her heart Evelyn knew this day was coming, she had known since her talk with Frodo in Gondor, and with even more certainty they day she left for Rivendell, leaving behind his short note. The young hobbit had followed through, revealing more than she was prepared to handle. He was sailing for Valinor, granted entry by the Valor for his deeds, it was to be the sailing of the ring-bearers. What she had not expected was him to name Elrond, Galadriel, and Gandalf to be accompanying him.
She remembered the day all to well. The weather mirrored that of today, bleak and dreary. As Evelyn saw the Hobbit's writing, she knew what it would say, knew he had made his choice. She remembered running through the halls straight to Elrond's study, barging in without a knock.
The Lord had taken one look at her face and the note in her hand and knew, "So you have found out?" He had asked with a sad smile on his face.
"Have you told the twins?" Her vice full of anger and hurt. Just as the fellowship and Haldir and the Lord and Lady of Lorien, Lord Elrond has become another member of her very extended family. It hurt to think he had kept her in the dark, it would hurt even more to think that the twins knew and chose not to tell her either.
"No my dear, come, sit with me."
Evelyn did as she was bid, letter still clutched tightly in hand, her knuckles white with tension.
"You knew this day would come."
"Yes, but not so soon."
"The time of the elves is over, the call of the sea beckons us home."
"I do not know if I am ready for more goodbyes." She replied, keeping her gaze ahead, looking across the room to the window overlooking the city she know called home. She voiced one of her deepest fears to the widened elf lord.
"It is not forever, my dear, we will meet again."
She nodded, her mind still troubled and muddled with her worries, only darkening her mood. As if sensing her troubles, the elf lord put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "My sons are not yet ready to sail, you will have a home here after I am gone."
"Thank you." She replied smiling up at him, tears still brimming in her eyes. He had touched one problem, but not the other, not the one she kept buried deep inside her. What evil was coming and how would they defeat it without the power of the elves? She knew their time was coming to an end, though she also thought they would see her through to the coming evil. But it was not to be so. These thoughts she continued to keep to herself.
A voice brought her back to the present.
"Drowning alone in your sorrows?"
"I am clearly not alone, Zenith is here with me." Evelyn retorted, giving Elladan a withering glance.
"Ah, but you are drowning in your sorrows." He smiled, catching her slip as he settled himself behind her, giving Zenith a soft pat on the nose.
"I'm not."
"Say what you will, I feel your grief like a tidal wave."
"You exaggerate," She snapped, refusing to look at the insufferable elf.
She felt him chuckle behind her, "Maybe a little." She jabbed him lightly with her elbow.
"Do you not grieve the departure of your father and grandmother? Of Gandalf?"
"Not in the way you may imagine. Yes, I will miss them, however, I know our separation is only temporary, I will see them again in Valinor."
"But that could be hundreds of years!" Evelyn exclaimed, exasperated.
Elladan gave her a considering glance, feeling her frustration. "Time moves differently for elves, we do not measure in the terms of just one year. I cannot imagine how it feels for you, starting life as mortal, knowing your time is limited. For us a hundred years is the blink of an eye, for we have thousands more. In time, i believe it will come easier to you."
Evelyn sighed, leaning back against the ellon's chest, for her the concept of time, of living thousands of years was yet beyond her grasp, and the grief of the loss of her family was raw and fresh in her mind. Bringing to mind all those she had lost in the past. Bringing to mind Legolas, the pain in her soul just as raw and heart wrenching as it was the day in Gondor.
Squeezing her shoulders and placing a soft kiss on the top of her head he pulled her away, "Come sister, let us go collect Master Bilbo." Evelyn allowed Elladan to steer her away and closer to the harsh reality that faced her. They were traveling to the Grey Havens.
*September 29, T.A. 3021 in Mithlond*
Evelyn stood on the banks of the seaport. The city of Mithlond was breathtaking. It was like her first arrival and viewing of Rivendell, only on a grander scale. High rocky cliffside jutted up from the crystal clear and smooth water of the bay. But built into the cliffs where the most beautiful structures that extended out into the waters below held up by large arching beams. Balconies decorated with a multitude of greenery and flowers, littered the cliffside. The buildings went up to the top of the cliffs, two round towers spiraling into the sky, each boasting large fires, lighting the way for travelers, much like the lighthouses of the new world, only she stood much more in awe of theses structures.
Evelyn listened to the sound of the water lapping softly against the bay and the hull of the ship, that would soon carry her friends away to Valinor. Three large stone stairways lead to the port. One from the right and left and one from the center, leading to the heart of the city, which was mostly deserted. Other than Lord Círdan and a few others who had yet to sail, all the other elves of Lindon had long gone and Evelyn felt a pang at the thought. Would any still be here when her time to sail came? The thought sent a shiver down her spine and she shook the thoughts away.
"Worry not my child, we shall meet again, and in the joy of Valinor." Galadriel spoke as she walked up to the young woman. "This is not goodbye."
"My Lady!" Evelyn exclaimed, not hearing her approach, and had to stop herself from flinging her arms around the regal Elf. It had been since Gondor since she had last seen her. And their time there together had been brief since Evelyn's hasty departure.
Galadriel chuckled at the woman's barely contained enthusiasm and surprise as she examined her. The woman in front of her was much different from the one that first showed up in Lorien all those months ago. Here was a woman confident in who she was, come full into her powers, gone was the timid, and fearful child she once knew. Gandalf had helped her use and strengthen the control of her gift, but it was the twins and Elrond's healing skill that kept her from becoming a shell of herself.
"I have a surprise for you," Galadriel smiled at Evelyn, moving to the side, revealing the elf that was before hidden behind her radiance.
Evelyn felt her heart drop from her chest as her mouth fell open, and with a startled cry she ran forward, flinging herself into the waiting ellon's arms. She felt herself laughing with joy as tears of happiness spilled from her eyes. The elf in question, prepared for her embrace, laughed whole-heartedly and swung her around.
"I have missed you my friend." his deep baritone voice reverberated through her.
"And I you!" Evelyn exclaimed, burying herself further into Haldir's embrace, relishing in the familiarity of his presence. Reluctantly, at the throat clearing of Elladan, she disentangled herself from her friend, still smiling from ear to ear.
"I have greatly enjoyed your letters of late, They have been a treat."
"I am glad." She replied, looking into the ellon's face for the first time. Nothing had changed, he was the same elf she remembered meeting in Lorien, her first friend. So she was not surprised when she noticed his emotions, though still well hidden with ages of practice. What did take her aback was the strange glint in his eyes that she saw in Lorien when he knew of her departure with the fellowship before her. And it was also no surprise to Haldir when he saw the dark cloud pass across her face, the anger and the sorrow as she pushed herself away from him.
"You're sailing aren't you?" she asked with an accusatory edge to her voice.
He rubbed his face, wishing he could make her understand. "The sea has called me, and I cannot fight it any longer. I am tired and grow weary of this world. It is time I go home."
"Why did you not tell me sooner! Why did you wait until now? The day you must leave?!" Evelyn accused. "I could have come to Lorien! I could have…"
Haldir stopped her with a rise of his hand, "My dear, dear Evelyn, there is nothing I would have wanted more than to spend more time with you my dear friend. But you and I both know that is not what you needed when you left Gondor."
The truth of his words hit her like a ton of bricks. Haldir was trying to spare her more pain and suffering, and as much as she hated to admit it, she knew in her heart what he spoke was true. She needed time to heal, time to move on, and the twins helped her with that, with their constant jokes and pranks. She needed new and not the past. With a soft sigh, she dropped her gaze and held back her tears, resigning herself to the harsh reality. She had to turn away from him then, in fear of loosing the last bit of control she had.
"I understand." She spoke in a soft voice, just for him.
By now the rest of the group had gathered by the banks of the sea, each in turn saying their farewells to those gathered to send them off.
Gandalf approached Evelyn first, "You have come along way my dear, I have all the faith in the world in you. Do not ever doubt yourself." And he bent down, placing a small kiss to her forehead, "Until next we meet," and he walked to the ship.
"Frodo," She smiled down at the hobbit.
"Miss Evelyn," he replied, returning her smile. "Thank you."
It was such a simple goodbye, but she felt all the emotions the little hobbit put behind it. "Farewell my friend."
She spoke no words to Haldir with their farewell. She knew there was no chance to keep her composure if she opened her mouth. Haldir, knowing her well, enveloped her a hug and kissed her cheek, swiping away the one stray tear that beat her resolve.
Galadriel and Elrond came to her together, both smiling. "Many trials I see that lie ahead of you, but fear not, for you shall never be alone. Farewell my child." And they both kissed the top of her head before turning and walking up the plank to the ship.
Without hesitation the boat slowly began making its way away from the port and out to sea, Evelyn stayed where she was flanked by the twins, the remaining elves of Lindon behind them. She watched until the boat was swallowed by the setting sun and they could be seen no more. With a heart wrenching sob, she turned and buried her face in the closest twin's chest, her resolve finally breaking.
They held her there until the last of her tears dried and she had none left to fall.
"Come," They spoke in unison, "Let us go home."
A/N: Sorry for the short chapter, I thought about adding more, however, it just did not seem to flow right so I took it out for a later chapter. I hope you all enjoy. Please read and review and let me know what you guys think! I love hearing from my readers!