Arwen sat, with Aerlaer upon her bed, deciding on appropriate garments for the journey ahead. Her younger cousin had barely any of her own clothing in Imladris and the items she required needed to be easy to fight in, weather suitable and, meld to the terrain. All her clothing suitable for such a task lay miles away, probably torn apart or burned by Orcs… Arwen suppressed a shudder at such a thought. It had been five days since Legolas had arrived with Aerlaer in tow and, less time since they had learned of the fate of the Edhelroch.
She'd not spoken of her kin or of what happened since she had awoken. It worried Arwen deeply; her cousin usually confided in her and yet; of this she would not speak. Her own brothers had left with a small party along with some of the Rangers, who had arrived with Estel, a day past.
Their journey was one of secrecy form all save a few as they travelled to Gladden Fields to asses all which had befallen the herd. Aerlaer did not need to know, not yet. Estel had also left, taking Legolas and Lindir with him to ascertain the path the Fellowship were to travel would be a relatively safe one in the beginning. l
While her brothers would not return for some days yet, Estel had returned and when he had found her, it had not been the reunion she had expected. She sighed in quiet frustration as she inspected a grey dress. Her cousin had to pack lightly and each garment needed to be carefully chosen. Arwen looked up, realizing Aerlaer had paused and now gazed at her questioningly.
"I don't understand his change of heart and his dismissal of me so easily." Arwen admitted yet to her cousin as she ran her fingers over the soft grey material.
"He cannot simply disregard over six decades of feelings for you cousin. Yes, he has not always been by your side but I am sure his heart has only ever beaten for you." Aerlaer replied, picking up a white dress of a soft and light material. "This I can wear underneath a warmer dress and the thinness of the material won't hinder movement but if need I can wear it alone." She mused more to herself, setting the dress atop a pillow.
Arwen nodded, hoping Aerlaer was right. Estel was her friend, surely her words were true. She had considered asking Legolas but she was not so close to the Woodland Elf although she held him dear. No, Legolas is Estel's closest friend, almost like a brother. I cannot ask him Estel's mind. Mentally shaking the disconcerting thoughts away, although her heart remained heavy, Arwen handed her cousin the silver-grey dress she had been inspecting.
"This one you could wear over the white dress for traveling and it would be suitable in fights too. It is of the same material but a little thicker, so it will keep the weather off. There is a cloak that goes with it too." Arwen added as she picked up a darker, pewter colored cloak. "It is not too heavy either but, it will keep rain and snow and wind at bay."
Aerlaer nodded, taking both garments and added them to the white dress upon her pillow. "I think one more, lighter dress will be enough, and the weather will only progressively get warmer as we near Mordor, even in winter."
Arwen handed her a soft, flowy garment, smiling. This light dress unlike the white one had short sleeves that would drape like petals over her shoulders. A white bodice which was fitted but supple to still fight in and the skirt fell also like petals into shades of light pinks, darkening slightly where the material ended at the hems. It was not an overly designed dress but it was pretty and fine and Arwen knew it was very much to her cousin's taste as Aerlaer played with the material, a smile playing on her lips.
"You should take this one as your third choice." She coaxed quietly. "The colours will still blend well and you can still fight in it but, it would also suit any occasion that may arise. "
"It is pretty, although I doubt such occasion's will be called for in Mordor. I doubt Sauron hosts many parties, but I shall take it with me none the less, I quite like the feel of it and, like the white one, it will be a dream to run in." Arwen grinned at her expense as she carefully folded and placed the dress on the pillow.
"I guess I should wear boots." Aerlaer sighed as her cousin chuckled and handed her a pair of soft leather boots with a sturdy sole.
"These will fit, because they are yours." Arwen laughed as Aerlaer suddenly recognized them for the way her eyes lit up.
"Oh yes, I departed Imladris barefoot last time and I forgot my boots!" They both laughed as Aerlaer put them down beside her bed. She turned to Arwen seriously. "Now, I think you should take all Aragorn has said to you this night as naught." Arwen looked up at her confused as she continued. "That man loves you and I think maybe, he has said such things in order to ensure you remain safe and leave to journey across the sea..." Aerlaer seemed to trail off and Arwen had a sneaking suspicion they both had the same suspicion; her father had become involved.
Arwen was destined to leave for the undying lands where Aragorn could never follow her. She did not want that. She had made her choice. Her place was by his side, wherever that may lead her.
Now Estel would leave and he would, with Aerlaer and the others of the Fellowship, try to defy Sauron himself. Try to return the one ring to Mordor and destroy it right under the nose of evil. It was a fool's quest. If they survived, if they returned, if Estel returned to her… If he didn't… She would not last. Yet, she would find no peace anywhere she walked if he was lost to her. A future which would be inevitable yet, the one she had chosen and, the one her father feared. She shook her head again, dispelling her thoughts.
"I think you are right." She said in a whisper.
They quietly folded the rest of the dresses and returned them to the light wooden wardrobe and then Arwen watched as Aerlaer took the clothes she intended for the journey ahead and placed her right hand on each item of clothing, including her boots, imprinting the material to her own body so her clothing would remain when she was in Elf form but disappear as a part of her when she shifted to horse.
All was now organized and Arwen felt an overwhelming sadness. Her little cousin was leaving and it would not be to visit the Rangers, Lorien or to simply return home. She was leaving to walk into the very evil of Mordor and Arwen knew not what she would encounter along the way. She pulled the lithe elleth into a tight embrace.
"Please don't be too reckless Tithinriel." She whispered. "Promise me." Aerlaer embraced her back, just as tightly.
"You know I cannot promise such a thing." She murmured but her voice seemed to catch. "I will try, I can promise you that." She added and Arwen knew that was all the younger elleth could promise. "Find Estel, Arwen, tell him he is an idiot." She instructed and began pulling from the embrace. Arwen let her go, fighting to keep her composure. Aerlaer looked sad yet determined.
"I will." She forced a smirk onto her lips which Aerlaer returned. "Rest now, you have a long journey ahead of you." Her cousin nodded.
"But I shall be the most energetic one upon it!" This time her grin was real and Arwen shook her head.
"I think you will find Legolas will challenge that notion." She baited lightly as she walked to the door. Aerlaer simply gave a derisive snort causing Arwen to smile as she closed the door behind her.
…
Aerlaer awoke to a chime tolling an hour before dawn. She hopped out of bed and stretched, feeling refreshed, scared and excited for the journey to be underway.
Deftly she undressed and choosing the light pinkish dress, stepped into that one, lacing up the ribbon at the back, followed by the grey dress and then the boots. She spun around, double checking the lightness and movement of the dress. Perfect, now to sort my hair.
Sweeping it over her shoulder, she deftly used a half braid to keep it to the one side. Hating having her own mane of hair too tight and regimental like many Elves chose to wear theirs, she left her long fringe and a few strands out at the front. Happy, she buckled her sword belt to her waist, mentally thanking Legolas for picking her treasured sword up before taking her to Imladris.
She hoisted her newly filled quiver of arrows, her bow and her fighting knives over her shoulder and gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Ready for anything. Leaving the comforts of her guest chamber behind, Aerlaer set off towards the eastern hall where a huge breakfast had been prepared for the travelers.
Gimli was already seated, happily tucking into eggs and bacon and sausages. Smiling to herself, Aerlaer picked up a silver plate and filled it with various berries and nuts and, spying a bowl of small apples, picked up a couple of those too. Greeting the Dwarf, she sat next to him and tucked into her food.
The rest of the Fellowship slowly streamed in, looking only half-awake. Aragorn sat next to her and they discussed what day it must be out of Rivendell, given time flowed slowly in the Elven realm and mere days passing here could be months in the outside world.
"I know the Council was on the 25th of October. Time here flows at the same pace as Lothlórien so, today would be... the twenty-fifth of December." Aerlaer worked out.
Aragorn whistled under his breath. "Two full months, it has only been but four days since the council!"
"Aragorn, just remember you've gained nearly two months of youth!" Legolas laughed as he took the seat on Aragorn's other side and immediately took one of the apples for himself. Aerlaer smirked but the Ranger merely grunted in reply but, he was smiling none the less as he tucked into the food before him.
Soon the hobbits drowned all other conversations when Merry and Pippen got into a fight over who should get the last poached egg which surprised Aerlaer for she considered them very peaceful folk.
"Peregrin Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck!" Boomed a voice echoing off the hall walls. The two hobbits gulped and peered towards the door as too did Aerlaer and Gimli beside her. It was Gandalf, looking rather put out. "If you two have quite finished your bickering now, I will meet everyone outside in ten minutes to leave." Gandalf glared at the Hobbits before leaving the hall. "Don't be late."
Aerlaer took the Wizards words as a warning to hurry up and quickly finished her meal. She rose with Aragorn and took her leave from the hall, taking a few apples with her. As she walked down the steps towards where half of the company were preparing to leave, she spied Legolas had beaten her to it, and Bill, the pack-pony was contently munching on apples while Glorfindel loaded and tied down supplies.
She had spent the past two days training hard with the Balrog Slayer to keep her mind off all which had happened. He had understood. Glorfindel indicated now for Aragorn to continue seeing to loading up the pony and walked over to her.
"Naurimp nin." He murmured softly and pulled her into an embrace. Emotions threatened to overwhelm her as she clung onto him. "Please be safe and return to us." She nodded, words leaving her. "I want to see you glowing again." Again, she nodded.
"Perhaps if next time you let me win I will." She managed to retort and he chuckled warmly.
"Then you best return."
"I will." She promised him and he pulled back and placed a kiss upon her brow.
"May the Valar protect you, along with all those skills you learnt from me." He added mischievously with a wink and she nodded with a grin, tapping her sword's pommel. They stepped away from one another and she made her way to stand now where the other nine members of the Fellowship stood. Aerlaer threw Aragorn her small bag of clothing and then quietly joined Legolas, feeding Bill the apples. They stood as Elrond and a throng of Rivendell elves appeared, including a strained looking Arwen.
"Be safe child." Elrond murmured as she passed him. She had already bid him a goodbye in the halls.
"Look out for him." Arwen whispered only for Aerlaer to hear and he nodded, whispering back; "Of course I will cousin." She then turned and joined the group of travelers.
Elrond addressed them all then and she felt nerves seem to chase one another in her stomach. "The ring bearer is setting out on a quest to Mount Doom. You who travel with him; no oath or bond is laid to go further than you will. Farewell. Hold to your purpose. May the blessing of Elves and Men and all free folk go with you." Aerlaer put her hand to her chest and then toward Lord Elrond and Arwen in farewell and noticed Legolas and Aragorn did the same.
"The Fellowship awaits the ring bearer." Gandalf looked to Frodo and gestured towards the archway leading out of the safety of Rivendell.
Aerlaer watched as the small Hobbit seemed to be plucking up his courage. He gazed out the entrance and then turned to Gandalf. "Mordor Gandalf? Is it left, or right?" His innocence struck her, he carried the fate of Middle Earth, such a small creature with such a tremendous task ahead.
"Left."
Frodo turned left and, one by one, they turned and followed the Hobbit through the archway. Aerlaer tuned back to wait for Aragorn who was the last to leave. He gazed at Arwen who gazed back at him. He suddenly turned, breaking eye contact with her and briefly gazed at her before striding purposely forward, head bent. Aerlaer had seen the wistful gaze in his eyes though and she only hoped they returned alive so he and her cousin could be reunited again. She turned now too to face the road ahead of her where Wizard, Hobbit, Dwarf, Man and Elf walked before her.