Disclaimer: I own nothing but the OC's and the plot, everything else belongs to Tolkien and those who currently own the rights to his work.

Chapter 31- Departing

Third Age 2805

Several days passed wherein Eruanna neither saw nor heard from Rumil. When she finally found enough courage to call at his talan, it was Haldir who answered the door.

"Haldir," she met his gaze evenly. The Marchwarden wore a guarded expression, one that told her he knew of Rumil's visit, as well as the answer she'd given him.

Haldir was not surprised to see Eruanna at his door. It was nearly five days since Rumil returned home. It would not be far from the truth to say that his brother had been close to tears, though he tried hard to hide his pain. It angered him…that this tiny elleth could wound his brother so easily but he found he could not blame Eruanna for all that Rumil suffered. He was the one who counseled Rumil to ask her to stay. He was certain she'd say yes…and for that mistake, Haldir felt a measure of guilt.

"He is not here." It was a simple statement, filled with neither anger nor compassion.

"Where is he?" she asked, keenly aware of Haldir's carefully measured words. They had become friends, of a sort, these last hundred years, but he was first and foremost Rumil's brother.

Haldir hesitated a moment. His brother had shown a brave face upon his return, but hurt and rejection burned in his eyes. He'd needed a distraction and left for the borders that very same night. "He is guarding the northern border," he told her.

Haldir's words hurt more than any blow she'd ever taken on the training fields, more than the day her grandparents told her they would sail west. She'd expected Rumil to be upset with her, but she never imagined he'd leave without saying goodbye. The pain must have reached her eyes for a hand reached out to clasp hers. She looked down at the hand and then into Haldir's face.

Haldir watched Eruanna's expression darken. He could see the same pain that filled his brother's eyes reflected in hers and found himself reaching out to offer comfort. "He needs time."

Eruanna fought back the tears that threatened to fall. "I leave tomorrow."

There was a question in her words and Haldir did not know how to answer it. A frown graced his normally unreadable face. "He loves you and he believed you felt the same."

"I do," Eruanna whispered.

Haldir did not doubt the truth of her words. What he did not understand was why she would push Rumil away. "Then why are you leaving?"

If there was one ellon in Lothlórien that could understand, it was Haldir. She tried to find the words. "Would you abandon Lórien, if she needed you?" Eruanna searched Haldir's eyes. She searched them and slowly, she found understanding.

Haldir shook his head slowly; he understood duty. "I would not."

Eruanna smiled hesitantly, taking a deep, shaky breath. "When he returns tell him…tell him I hope to see him again soon."

The ellon nodded, "I will tell him."

"Thank you, Haldir."

The bags were packed. The horses were ready. It was nearly time to leave.

Marilla hung on Eruanna's arm. The two had become inseparable friends and Marilla was close to tears at their parting.

Eruanna hugged Marilla. The lighthearted elleth was now like a sister to her and it was difficult to say goodbye. She pulled away, offering her friend a kind smile. "Come and visit me in Imladris."

Marilla laughed at her friend's suggestion. "I don't know if I am brave enough to travel so far," she replied. "You'll just have to promise to visit again soon so you can see your friends again…all of them." She gave Eruanna a pointed look.

Eruanna's smile faltered, "I will try."

Marilla hugged Eruanna once more. "I'll kick him for you, when I see him," she whispered into Eruanna's ear before pulling away.

"Marilla," Eruanna shook her head in disapproval. Marilla only ignored her, turning to greet Erestor as he approached.

"Good journey, Lord Erestor," Marilla offered the old ellon.

"Namárië, Marilla," the counselor replied. "I hope you will come to visit us." A century ago, Erestor would not have believed he'd be speaking such words to the spirited young elleth. Over the years, he'd come to appreciate the young one's good nature and the friendship she'd formed with Eruanna.

"We shall see," Marilla grinned. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll need to see Elladan before you depart."

Eruanna laughed at the twinkle in her friend's eyes. "You mean ogle him, don't you?"

Marilla feigned shock. "How completely scandalous of you," she cried, throwing her friend a wink before moving to the other side of the courtyard.

Erestor shook his head as he watched the two ellith exchange barbs. Marilla would be sorely missed.

And she was not the only one…

Eruanna's eyes moved from her friend to the treeline. Erestor knew whom she sought. He'd hoped the young warden would swallow his pride and come to bid Eruanna farewell. Rumil was in pain… but so was Eruanna.

Erestor returned to the talan to find Eruanna sitting on the porch, staring up at the stars. "Beautiful night, isn't it?" he commented while taking a seat at her side.

She made no reply. Slowly, she turned her face to meet his. He could see her tears glistening in the starlight. "What is wrong, child?"

Eruanna rested her head upon Erestor's shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her in comfort, awaiting a response.

"Rumil asked me to stay in Lothlórien with him," she whispered through her tears.

A wave of shock…powerful and overwhelming took hold of Erestor. He did not know what to say. It had taken millennia to find Eruanna, to fill the emptiness in his heart. Could he part with his child now, after only a mere two and a half centuries? After a few minutes of silent contemplation, Erestor found his voice.

"What was your answer?" he tried to keep his voice steady so not to betray his own troubled thoughts.

Eruanna sat up straight and wiped the tears with the back of her sleeve. "I cannot stay. I must return to Imladris."

Erestor heard surety in her voice but the words were leaden with pained regret. Erestor placed a reassuring hand on hers. His heart lightened, knowing she would be returning home with him and yet, he could not but offer her the alternative. "You can stay, Eruanna, if it is your wish."

Eruanna opened her mouth as if to reply but fell silent.

Erestor saw confusion in her eyes and attempted to explain further. "We will miss you. I will miss you." He squeezed her hands to punctuate his words. "But I would give my very life to see you happy." He sighed, "If Rumil brings you happiness, then I wish you all the joy in Arda."

Eruanna shook her head. "I must return," she repeated.

This time there was something in the way she spoke those words that gave Erestor pause. He looked deep into her soft brown eyes; a shadow lingered within their depths. It was a darkness he'd seen many times in the eyes of those who'd seen the great battles of the past.

"The mirror," the words fell from his lips. It was the only way his sweet child could know such darkness.

Eruanna nodded, "It showed me such terrible things," fresh tears fell with these words.

Erestor pulled Eruanna into a tight embrace, silently cursing Galadriel and her meddling ways.

Eruanna never told him what she saw in the mirror. He did not ask. He did not have to…the Shadow would come and the House of Elrond would suffer. It was whispered by the tears that fell from her eyes.

"Are you ready?" he placed a hand on Eruanna's shoulder, drawing her attention away from the trees.

"Yes," Eruanna smiled wanly, "I think so." Eruanna gripped the reins of her horse tightly and began leading him away. She nearly reached the city gate when the sweetest sound in all of Arda reached her ear.

"Eruanna."

Eruanna spun around so fast she nearly tripped over her own feet, "Rumil." There he stood, where only a moment earlier she'd hoped to catch sight of him. "I thought…Haldir said you were at the border."

Rumil looked at the ground, ashamed at his childish behavior, "I was…but I came back."

"I'm glad," Eruanna answered quietly. There was so much to say but there was not enough time.

Rumil lifted his head. He searched Eruanna's face and he saw forgiveness. "I could not let you leave without saying goodbye."

Eruanna took a step closer to Rumil so that she had to tilt her head upward to meet his eyes. She laid a hand on his arm committing every detail of him to memory. "Must there be a goodbye?" she asked him.

Eruanna looked down at her hands, trying to find the words to explain. "You told me once you did not sail west because you knew it was not your time."

Rumil nodded. He remembered that night, that conversation well.

She met Rumil's eyes, willing him to understand. "It is not time yet for me to leave them."

The pair stood in silence for a long moment but their eyes spoke volumes. Love and duty, Rumil understood them well. And the decision, once accepted, felt like the lifting of a great weight from his heart. "Then we shall not say goodbye," he concluded, a broad smile brightening his face.

Eruanna's expression mirrored Rumil's. "No goodbyes."

Eruanna threw her arms around Rumil's neck, pulled his face down to meet hers and kissed him. It was not like her to be so forward, but this was no time to act like a lady. She wanted Rumil to remember this moment and not the sadness of their parting.

Rumil traced the outline of Eruanna's face memorizing every curve. He had no idea when they would see each other again.

Eruanna could feel the tears threatening to break free. She looked into Rumil's clear blue eyes. They held the same sadness she felt deep in her heart and the same hope. "Should Arwen wish to return to Lothlórien…," she did not finish the sentence for fear of making a promise she could not keep.

Rumil smiled in understanding and reached for her hand. He uncurled her fingers and in her open palm placed a silver pendant in the likeness of three interlocking stars.

Eruanna's eyes widened at the beautiful and unexpected gift. "It is beautiful."

"I had it made for you some time ago, but I never found the proper moment to present it."

There was something about the pendant that awakened a memory. "Oromë's stars?"

Rumil nodded, "It will help us remember…"

Eruanna did not understand what he meant. "Remember what?"

"That he waited many ages for the Children to awaken. That he was patient." Rumil lifted his free hand to Eruanna's face and kissed her once more. He pulled her close, savoring the memory of her cradled in his arms. "You have my heart, Eruanna. I will wait for you…forever."