Chapter Nine
"Ilmare, you must wake," Olorin's voice said to her. Still, she saw nothing.
"Please, Ilmare," he pleaded. His voice sounded almost broken.
This was impossible. He was killed. She saw it. This was impossible. Completely impossible.
"Ilmare," he nearly whispered.
"Olorin?" she whispered.
"Ilmare! Thank goodness! Another day and you would have faded," he said. His voice was closer and quite relieved.
"Did Manwe send you back?" she asked.
"Yes," he said.
"Where are we?" she asked.
"Open your eyes," Olorin said softly.
Only then did she realize, that none of her other senses worked. She could not feel anything at all. "I cannot feel anything," she said in horror.
"I am here, my friend. Do not fade," he said quietly. A second later, he reached over and gently opened her eyes. They were glazed over.
"Please, Ilmare. I cannot lose you," he pleaded again.
"I promised I wouldn't leave you," she whispered. Her strength was fading already.
"No! I won't lose you! Ilmare, I love you! Don't leave me!" he said desperately.
It was too late. She was gone. Dead. She had faded from sorrow, and he was too late.
ooooooooooooooooooooooo
Ilmare opened her eyes expecting to see the Halls of Mandos. Instead, two beings radiating light stood before her: her mistress and Olorin's master. Quickly, she bowed.
"Ilmare, you cannot go until his task is done. You must go back," Varda said, her voice both melodious and euphonious.
"Is he really back?" she asked.
"Yes," Manwe said.
Instantly, Ilmare was chocking back sobs. She looked down until she had control. By the time she looked up again, they were gone. She knew what was next. Ilmare closed her eyes and let herself fall back.
When she landed, she gasped, but this was the gasp of life. "Ilmare!" she heard a voice exclaim.
"Olorin!" she exclaimed in return, shooting up. Less than a second later, a pair of arms was wrapped around her, holding her close.
"You're back," he whispered as he pressed his face into her hair.
"They sent me back," she said, smiling as she began to cry.
After several minutes, they broke apart. Only then did Olorin explain. "We're in Lorien. Gwaihir found us and flew us here."
"I was too far gone when I woke," she said.
"Yes. I've been waiting for over a week. I knew they would send you back. You're too important to this mission," he said.
"What happened to the fellowship?"
"They continued to Rauros. There, Boromir was killed. Frodo is on his way to Mordor alone. Merry and Pippin were taken prisoner by orcs, but they escaped into Fangorn," he explained.
"Galadriel?" she asked in one word.
He nodded. Of course, he would have asked Galadriel what was happening. If anyone, she would know.
"What is your plan?" Ilmare asked.
"Gwaihir is still here. He's offered to fly us to Fangorn. The rest of the Fellowship should be near there," he explained.
"All right. Now, if I know you, you have not slept since I faded. Come," she said, scooting over in the bed.
Olorin chuckled appreciatively, but obeyed her command and laid down next to her. Seconds later, he was asleep. Ilmare followed only a minute later.