Notes, Warnings etc
The relationship between Dídauar and Elrohir is PLATONIC. Their closeness stems from incidents in Dídauar's childhood that are irrelevant to the telling of this tale but are part of my character descriptors.
Chapter Seven - The Next Stage
The following morning, Elrond communicated with Galadriel once more through process of thought, sharing with her what Dídauar had Seen and seeking her opinion. Galadriel was inclined to agree with Elrond's assessment rather than Dídauar's mainly because neither Elrond nor herself had Seen anything of a similar vein. Elrond decided against pointing out that others rarely Saw what Dídauar did, but couldn't help wondering as to why a Dúnedain warrior had been enlightened when the wisest of the Elves remained in the dark. However, it was not his place to question that Valar, just accept the way things happened. The conversation then changed to the movement of the Enemy of both sides of the Mountains and how the Fellowship were coping with the loss of their leader. Midway through a report on the state of Frodo's well being, Elladan came charging into the room, his eyes wide.
"Elladan?" asked Elrond, momentarily stalling Galadriel's tale as he steadied the younger Elf.
"Kalya," was all Elladan said.
"What about her?" asked Elrond, not giving rise to the panic that his son was evidentially feeling.
"Vision," said Elladan. He had only ever witnessed Dídauar have a vision twice so it was understandable that he was panicked, thus reducing his speaking ability to single word responses. Elrond was on his feet immediately, sending an apology to Galadriel and severing the connection between their minds.
"Where is Elrohir?" asked the Elf-Lord, the younger twin having an inexplicable connection with his foster-sister, allowing him to calm Dídauar in a way that no one else seemed to master to quite the same effect.
"With Kalya," said Elladan. "Gilraen's memorial."
"Good. Now, I need you to go to the healing wing and retrieve some Hop," ordered Elrond. "Bring it to Kalya's room and prepare some mild tea. I want her calm but not unconscious." Elladan nodded and took off in the direction of the healing wing while Elrond hurried towards the garden, wondering what was so important about the death of the two warriors that Dídauar saw when hundreds, possibly thousands, would die before the ending of the War.
The worst of Dídauar's vision was evidentially over by the time Elrond entered the glade that bore memory to the Dúnedain twins' late mother. The Dúnadan sat shaking in Elrohir's arms on the grass at the foot of the monument while Arahael was perched on the base of the monument itself, looking very nervous.
"You have got to do something!" urged Elrohir, glancing up at his father. "Even if it is simply warning the Fellowship that something is amiss."
"And instil even more fear into Frodo's heart than already dwells there?" asked Elrond.
"It would put them on their guard," replied Elrohir.
"Why?" murmured Elrond. Elrohir inhaled sharply while Arahael glared at the lore-master. "Why are these two so important?"
"They are key-stones," said Dídauar.
"The collapse of two houses," said Arahael in realisation. Dídauar nodded.
"But Prince Théodred and Lord Boromir are but the heirs to their realms. Their fathers are both formidable warriors and politicians," said Elrond. "Surely their loss would be more traumatic."
"Théoden and Denethor are the present. Théodred and Boromir are the future," replied Dídauar. "With their deaths, the future of their people is thrown into question and the people will lose hope. Please my Lord, you have to tell Estel."
The trees speak of pain and evil near the Isen, Galadriel had said, naught but an hour ago. Saruman is planning, but not even the Mirror can show what.
"Kalya," said Elrond, reaching out and pressing his fingertips to Dídauar's wrists. "I need you to concentrate on the surroundings you See. Ignore the people, simply focus on the surrounding." Dídauar did as she was bid, her eyes drifting closed so as to maintain focus.
"Tell me what you see," pressed Elrond, his fingers still on Dídauar's wrists, moving them in a circular fashion so as to relax the human. "Describe one scene at a time."
"River running through an open plain," said Dídauar. "Mountains and trees in the distance. There's a small island in the middle of the River."
Elrohir's eyes widened at the description, while a frown of concern appeared on Elrond's features.
"And the second?" asked Elrond.
"Old forest," replied Dídauar. "Old stone monuments, one has the face of a Man. A river runs nearby and there is a heavy thunder of water."
Elrond closed his eyes in resignation, before letting his hands drop. "Nin geheno, iell nîn," whispered Elrond. Dídauar, opened her eyes and looked at him in question. (forgive me, my daughter)
"Am man theled?" asked Dídauar. (Why?)
"It is the Isen that you see," said Elrond. "And the forest at Sarn Gebir."
"Then it is them that I watch," whispered Dídauar, now almost begging Elrond to say that she was wrong. That her heart was misreading what her mind was being shown. Unfortunately such a negation was not forth coming and Dídauar let out a pained whimper, falling back against Elrohir as her heart and mind both accepted the fate of two that were held so dear. Elrohir wrapped his arms around Dídauar, pulling her closer, while Arahael nervously cleared his throat.
"How much time do we have?" he asked. Elrond shook his head.
"It may be a day or it may be a month," said the Elf-Lord. "Even should you set out now, there is no guarantee that you could prevent this."
"Tell Estel!" ground out Elrohir. "You have the chance to save Boromir, even if Théodred is lost to us."
Elrond ordered Dídauar to bed for the rest of the day, using the excuse of having three visions within four days was taxing on anyone's system whether they be Elf or Human. Dídauar went with little protest, though she refused to allow Elrohir to leave her side. Elrohir has subsequently made himself comfortable beside Dídauar, watching over her as her body slipped into unconsciousness.
Thanks to a mixture of exhaustion and hop tea, Dídauar slept for the remained of the daylight hours and by the time she was awake again, the Moon has long since risen. Elrohir, who was still wrapped around her as though determined to shield her the world, had slipped into a reverie but even in sleep his guard did not seem to drop. Dídauar cautiously pried herself from her foster-brother's arms and padded over to the window where the inky sky was strewn with stars. Dídauar picked out familiar constellations while her mind wandered back to what Elrond had told her in the garden that morning.
"If only you had gone by the Gap of Rohan," she murmured, resting her head against the side of the window frame, her eyes latching with the central star in the Hunter's Belt which both she and Aragorn associated with their twin. When questioned about their choice, they had explained that the other two stars were Elladan and Elrohir, and they were protecting the middle star, regardless of where they went. The surrounding stars symbolised other members of their family, chiefly Gilraen, Elrond and Halbarad.
"It was the safest route."
"Not if Saruman also desires the Ring," said Elrohir as he insinuated himself behind Dídauar, wrapping his arms about her waist. "And I do not trust that all is well in Rohan either, following Mithrandir's tale at the Counsel."
"I have to leave Imladris," said Dídauar. "Even if I can't save Théodred, I can damn well try and save his people."
"Rohan is a patriarchal society," pointed out Elrohir. "And you, while you hold valour and esteem among your own people, and mine, are a female. What makes you think the King will listen to you?"
"I know him," said Dídauar.
"No, you knew him," replied Elrohir, turning Dídauar round to face him. "The King you left is no longer the one that sits on the Throne of Rohan. Mithrandir spoke of Théoden's councillor also being his mouthpiece. Would the first-marshal of Rohan, whose deeds have even reached our Halls, really allow himself to be played like a puppet on a string?"
"All the more reason that I should leave," protested Dídauar.
"And you will," replied Elrohir, cupping Dídauar's cheek. "But do not rush head long into danger. At least return to the Stronghold and tell Halbarad where you are going."
Dídauar sighed, frustrated. "Very well. But nothing is stopping me returning to Rohan."
"No one will stop you," assured Elrohir. "And we would be fools to try."
"Dídauar?" called Arwen as Dídauar made her way down to the stables two mornings later. Dídauar turned as she was called.
"Word is that you ride to Rohan," said Arwen as she came to a standstill beside Dídauar. The Dúnadan nodded, her face showing none of the usual frivolity that such a journey once caused.
"Then I ask, should you meet Estel, that you give him this," said Arwen, handing over a tightly bound bundle of dark linen. "And give him a message; The days now are short. Either our hope cometh or all hopes end. Therefore I send thee what I have made for thee."
"I will," promised Dídauar, taking the bundle. She was about to turn when Arwen caught her by the arm and pulled her into an impulsive embrace. Dídauar returned the gesture both offering and taking comfort.
"Avo 'osto nad, pen dithen," whispered Arwen. "This is not the end." (Do not be afraid, little one)
Dídauar withdrew and offered Arwen a weak smile. "I pray that you are right. All I can see is darkness and despair."
"When last you left, I told you that even the darkest night must come to an end. Hold to that belief and you will succeed," said Arwen. Dídauar's smile grew a little stronger. Giving Arwen another brief hug, Dídauar turned and hurried towards the stable where Arahael and the twins were already mounted. Kicking her horse into trot, she hauled herself on to its back and rode out of Imladris, her companions left with no other choice but to follow.