Notes, Warnings etc
I am terribly sorry for the lateness of this chapter, I completely forgot about typing up this chapter last week and then I was at a training camp over the weekend so no computer.
Just a short chapter this time, it just wasn't flowing the way I wanted to so I just stopped before I ruin the chapter.
Chapter Six - Explanations
Elrond look up in amazement when Lindir reported that Elladan, Elrohir, Dídauar and Arahael were approaching the House. Capping his ink well and carefully storing his paperwork he made his way quickly to the courtyard.
"What has happened?" he asked as the four dismounted.
"I need your help," said Dídauar shortening the reigns of he horse.
"You have but to ask," said Elrond.
"Three nights ago I had a vision," said Dídauar, removing the small pack from her saddle and sending the animal to the stable with Arahael.
"Follow me," said Elrond, the whole of his people not needing to know what was Seen. Dídauar quickly fell into step beside Elrond while Elladan and Elrohir saw to the horses.
"It has been over a decade since you sought me aid in deciphering what you See," commented Elrond as the pair walked down the corridor.
"It was Halbarad's insistence," said Dídauar. "As was Arahael's presence. Adar, things go ill east of the mountains."
"I know of Mithrandir's fall and that the Fellowship has reached Lothlórien but little else," said Elrond.
"Mithrandir had fallen?" repeated Dídauar. "When?"
"Thirteen days ago. In Moria," replied Elrond, watching as Dídauar's eyes went wide with fright.
"Why did they go there?" she whispered.
"That I can only guess," said Elrond. "But I would say it is because of Saruman's treachery."
"But the pass should be open!" exclaimed Dídauar. "Even if the Gap of Rohan was to dangerous, they shouldn't have had to go through the mountains!"
"Kalya, you are panicking after the fact," said Elrond, encouraging his foster-daughter to sit down. "Estel and the others are safe. Grieving yes, but physically they are well. Now, what have you Seen?"
Dídauar and Elrond sat and talked till after the noon bell had rung, the Elf Lord both accepting and rejecting the notion that the ones Dídauar saw fall were the Crown Prince of Rohan and the heir to Gondor's Stewardship.
"They may be in danger, indeed everyone is in danger during this War, including the Dark Lord's servants but you have not seen the faces of the ones who fall."
"So why do I see Théodred and then watch a battle during which a horse is felled?" asked Dídauar. "Why do I see Boromir and have a jewel slip through my fingers?"
"The horse could represent Rohan as a State," replied Elrond. "And the jewel could mean that same for Gondor, or more precisely Minas Tirith."
"So the dream?"
"You're worried about the Fellowship," replied Elrond. "Perhaps your subconscious is allowing you to express those feelings by showing you memories where you had a duty of care."
"I had a duty of care over Théoden. Probably more than I did with Théodred and Boromir," retorted Dídauar.
"Yes, but when you left Théoden, he was an adult and more than capable of defending both himself and his people. Théodred and Boromir were children when you left them," explained Elrond.
"But I saw Boromir three months ago!" exclaimed Dídauar. "I know he is a warrior and an accomplished one at that."
"You were not given the opportunity to get to know the man as well as you knew the child," said Elrond. "While your conscious mind is sure that Boromir is able to defend himself and, by association, the Fellowship, your subconscious has not yet accepted the change and is demanding that you protect both him and Théodred."
"Hence the dream," muttered Dídauar. "I'm sorry Adar. The more I think about it the more rational, and probable, your explanation seems."
"Yours is as equally plausible," said Elrond.
"That was no help at all!" protested Dídauar, laughing as she made a playful swipe at Elrond's shoulder.
Later that evening, when any respectable being would be asleep, Dídauar found sleep alluding her. She had never been able to sleep peacefully the first night anywhere, be it Imladris or the Stronghold, and was more than happy to use that inability as an excuse to wander the House and grounds but in her heart she knew that she was terrified of watching Théodred and Boromir fall once again.
"Kalya?" asked Glorfindel, unexpectedly coming across his former student as she sat on the bridge where Arwen and Aragorn had reaffirmed their troth the evening before the Fellowship had set out. Dídauar turned her head but unlike previous meetings, she could not bring herself to smile.
"Why are you here?" asked Glorfindel not put off by Dídauar's lukewarm greeting.
"Regretting a decision I made over thirty years ago," replied Dídauar casting her eyes back up the stream before her.
"And the cause of this look into the past?" prompted Glorfindel tentatively as he sat beside her.
"Because I am sick of seeing the future!" snapped Dídauar. "For the past thirty years all I have seen is one battle after another, be they real of image. At least when I was in Rohan and Gondor I had moments of calm!"
"You regret returning to the North?" said Glorfindel, part in understanding and in surprise.
"Yes!" hissed Dídauar. "If I had remained east of the Mountains I might have been able to have prevented the future being shaped this way. If not that, I would at least have been able to help rather than sit here waiting for news of my family."
Glorfindel was nonplussed. "Estel is safe within Lothlórien. And you have only been away from your people for two days."
"Théodred is destined to fall, and all I can do is watch," replied Dídauar.
"Ah, your Rohirric colt," murmured Glorfindel. "But why do you set and wait? I have never known you to wait around when you know someone to be in mortal danger."
"Adar is not convinced that I did See Théodred fall but instead is of the opinion that it is Rohan I watch. He insists that no action be taken until he speaks with Lady Galadriel," replied Dídauar savagely. Picking up a stone she hurled it towards the bushes. Glorfindel looked startled when the plant let out a yelp of pain. Dídauar threw two more stones, one left, one right, and again the greenery let out shouts of pain.
"I would not get far should I choose to run," said Dídauar.
"So you will stay and torture yourself?" said Glorfindel, sounding slightly disapproving. Dídauar's shoulders slumped forward and she pulled her knees up to her chest.
"I cannot save him," she whispered, resting her chin on her folded arms, her eye beginning to tear. Glorfindel reached out and pulled the Ranger to him, wrapping an arm firmly around her shoulders.
"Do not let that stop you trying," he whispered into her hair.