I don't own Lord of the Rings.
A week had passed, the travelers had reached the Gap of Rohan, and Edleneth had yet to think of a way to leave Elrohir and Elladan behind. There had been countless occasions while they took turns on watch for her to sneak away, but Edleneth couldn't bring herself to leave them unprotected in an area where Crebain were flying so freely.
The Crebain had come back once, but the travelers had been better at noticing them and had hidden more quickly. They hadn't come back, and Edleneth had decided that they had either lost them or Saruman was plotting something. The latter was more likely, so their guard stayed up.
Edleneth was still avoiding sleep, and it was affecting her appearance. Her skin was paler than it used to be and her hair seemed less golden and more the color of moldy hay. Her eyes had also lost their vibrant blue and were a lifeless gray. Elrohir and Elladan, although not as altered, were a little worse for wear. Like Edleneth, they had bags under their eyes, which had gained an aspect of constant pain that hadn't been there before.
The group spoke little to each other for two reasons. First, they didn't want to attract attention to themselves by making noise. Second, there wasn't much to say to each other besides deciding who would take which watch in the night. Elrohir and Elladan had given up asking Edleneth where they were going, and Edleneth was too busy thinking about how to safely leave her companions behind to continue her attempts to convince them to leave.
Edleneth was hoping to travel around Edoras instead of going through it, even though their supplies were starting to diminish. Three elves in a city of men would draw more attention than was necessary, especially since it wasn't a stop on the journeys to Lothlorien or Mirkwood from Rivendell. Plus, the sons of Lord Elrond could be recognized.
But Edoras seemed like a safe enough place to leave Elladan and Elrohir behind. If she left them there, they would have a place to gather rations and horses before their return to Rivendell. The hope was that they would return to Rivendell and not pursue her.
As they made camp for the night, the brothers glanced at each other and came to a silent agreement. When the three sat before their small fire to eat supper, Elladan spoke. "Edleneth, we need to talk to you."
Edleneth raised an eyebrow. "I'm not telling you where we're going."
Elrohir crossed his arms. "We think you have to," he argued.
"Why?" she asked, "You've been fine so far."
"We need to know what mission we're on because you've changed and we want to help," Elladan explained.
"We've all changed," Edleneth replied, "It's been a long journey so far and our circumstances are rougher than staying in Rivendell."
"It's more than that," Elrohir responded, "Or have you not seen yourself?"
Edleneth flipped her hair behind her. "I just said our circumstances are rough. Forgive me for not looking clean and bright. You don't look well either."
Elladan took a deep breath. "You seem more troubled than normal, Edleneth," he said, "You normally keep your head in missions, but you appear to be completely lost."
Elrohir nodded in agreement. "We are willing to advise and give aid, but in order to do so, we must know what we're facing."
Edleneth shook her head. "I won't tell you," she insisted.
"You mentioned that you believe you won't return on this mission," Elladan continued as if she hadn't spoken.
"Your presence won't change that," Edleneth muttered. She realized the error of her words too late.
"Why not?" Elrohir asked, "Is the goal of your mission to die?"
Edleneth kept silent, thinking of a way to get out of telling them the truth. However, her silence seemed to answer Elrohir's question.
"Why do you think you have to die?" he asked, "Who gave you this mission?"
"Does it have to do with Lady Galadriel's summons? Your prophecy?" Elladan continued.
"If you think we're letting you go into some dwarven mine just to fulfill some prophecy, then-" Elrohir stopped himself and made eye contact with his brother. "Oh," he said softly.
"Moria," his brother whispered.
They both looked at Edleneth with the deepest sorrow. "You've already died," Elrohir stated.
Edleneth nodded and looked away. She brought her hand to the amulet around her neck and held it tightly. How could I have let them come this far? She asked herself, How can I make them understand?
"But if you've already died, then why must you go on a suicide mission?" Elladan asked.
Edleneth swallowed. There was no turning back from it. "Please don't hate me," she whispered.