Chapter 13: Mithra's Decision

Mithra stole silently down through the city of Edoras, her soft leather shoes making no sound on the stony ground. Weeks had passed since Theodred's proposal, and the large party of Elves, Humans, Hobbits and even the occasional Dwarf had reached Rohan on their journey north. Theodred had been crowned King of Rohan immediately after the funeral of his father, and Mithra temporarily shared his rooms in the Golden Hall, her kindred camping outside the city walls with the rest of the travellers. 'Camping' was a word used loosely, as the little village of tents was by no means an unpleasant place to be. Tonight, however, Mithra was on her way to see the Lady of Lorien.

She knew for certain that Galadriel would not be asleep, though her companions had long since retired. Mithra often visited the Lady during the night, and, sure enough, caught sight of her quickly after slipping out of the city gates.

She stood by the glowing embers of a campfire, staring intently into the glowing orange heart of it, absent-mindedly drawing patterns in the ashes with a long stick. She glanced up at Mithra as she approached.

"I knew it would not be long before you came to me," she said softly.

The younger Elf stood opposite her. "I do not know what to do." She looked into the Lady's eyes, and saw in them sadness and pity.

Galadriel sat down slowly on a wooden bench, motioning to Mithra to fill the empty seat beside her. "I cannot make your decision for you," she said.

"I do not ask you to."

"You come to me for help, and help you I shall, to the best of my abilities." She paused and sighed deeply. "You have two options. The first is to marry Theodred: become Queen of Rohan and live a brief but happy life, giving up your elven immortality to be with him. The second is to remain an Elf-maiden: to dwell with your kin in Lorien and some day pass across the sea and into the West, never to see him again."

A tear rolled down Mithra's cheek, but she said nothing.

"You know," Galadriel continued, "Rumanas the healer warned me that this would happen the first day your young man arrived in Lorien. I did nothing, however, and to this day am still not certain whether I was right or wrong to do so."

Had Mithra heard? It did not seem so, but she finally opened her mouth to speak.

"If I stay with Theodred," she began, "I will be his wife and his queen until the end of his short life, when I will follow him and die a mortal woman, any others of Elven kind long having made the journey across the sea. I love Lorien, and I love living among the Elves, but with no Mathas and no Theodred, my life will be like those sorrowful few months in-between one's departure and the other's arrival."

Galadriel watched her out of solemn eyes. "Do you love him?" she asked softly.

"I do."

"How much?"

"He is dearer to me than life itself."

The Lady raised an eyebrow. "Literally?"

"I have yet to decide that."

"Mithra." Galadriel embraced her tenderly, like a mother holding her daughter. "This choice is one that cannot be avoided, and one that cannot be made for you. In the end, it comes down to your love for Theodred, and how far your love can stretch."

She paused, looking into Mithra's eyes sadly.

"In your heart, you have always known the right path to take. All that now remains for you to do is reveal it."

"Theodred! Theodred!"

Mithra shook him awake gently, but he rolled over with a groan.

"Wake up!"

She shook his shoulder more firmly now and his eyes opened slowly at last.

"Mithra?" he yawned, his sleepy eyes squinting at her in the dim light. "What time is it?"

"That's not important."

The solemnity of her voice made him sit up quickly. "What's wrong?"

She looked at him sadly, reaching for his hand. "I have made my decision," she told him softly.

"And?" His breathing was quickening anxiously. "What do you say?"

"I will remain with my kindred."

Her eyes were wet with tears as she broke the news to him.

"Then I respect your choice," he said, "Though it breaks my heart."

"I am sorry, Theodred. I cannot leave my people."

"I know."

He quickly swept her up in his arms and clutched her tightly to him, kissing her passionately as his lips found hers, but she pulled away quickly.

"You make leaving harder for me!"

"I cannot help but do so."

And, looking into his eyes, she saw them gleaming with tears.

"I don't suppose I'll ever see you again, then, will I?" he asked.

"Don't you understand that this will also break my heart?"

"Then why are you doing it?"

She didn't answer at first, but avoided his eyes when she finally did so. "I cannot leave my people," she said for the second time. "That would also break my heart. I belong with them. I believe I am doing the right thing."

Theodred said nothing more, but nodded slowly, and lay down again, as did Mithra, after removing her cloak and boots. To her surprise, he pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her hair affectionately.

"What are you doing?"

"Enjoying what time I have left with you." She smiled sadly through her tears; this was typical Theodred. "I will find no more rest tonight, but having you close to me makes things seem better."

She kissed his lips softly. "Very well, my King."

A/N: This is the penultimate chapter, I hoped you like it even if you don't agree with Mithra's decision. The ending will be up shortly, but write me a review and it'll be up quicker! Please, even if it's only a few words! I don't think I'll attempt a sequel, but if you've got any interesting ideas, please let me know. Many thanks and much love,

the green lama