Athrana (Wandering Shadow)
Chapter 40- Being There
TA3019, March 1st
Athriel sat for a long time waiting until they were ready to talk. Eventually they sat up again wiping their eyes. Athriel breathed a sigh of relief. They were ok, at least they would be. They had come to terms with what would happen to their sister. Now they would figure out what it was they could do. They sat in silence the three of them just sitting next to one another. Athriel knew that they were talking to each other silently. She had seen them do it so many times over the years. When they couldn't put into words what they felt they shared their thoughts as they tried to get their minds in order. She wouldn't leave. Instinctively she knew they needed her there, even though she wasn't included in their conversation. What they needed was her silent support. A reminder that the rest of their world was still there.
She stood only when she heard a quiet knock on the door. Extracting herself she went to open the door. Elrond had had the foresight to send them midday meal. Thanking the kitchen maid who had brought it, Athriel took the tray and placed it on the coffee table. "You need to eat something" she said. They nodded looking more like elflings than ever, but they didn't move to take any food. Sighing Athriel laid the three plates side by side and piled them high. Then she thrust two of the full plates into their hands. "Eat!" When they just looked at her blankly she lost her temper. "If you don't eat something, I'll go and get Arwen so she can see you acting like children when you should be happy for her!" That did it. They snapped out of their trance.
Elladan stood up slamming his plate back onto the table. "Happy! How are we supposed to be happy? Our sister is going to die!" Athriel stood her ground as Elladan advanced. "Do not yell at me Elladan Elrondion. Yes Arwen will die EVENTUALLY, but that is her choice. She chose mortality so that she can be with Estel. She is not going to die today, or next week. She will die when she has lived her life, a full and happy life with the man that she loves!" It was only now that Elrohir decided to speak. "Only if Estel succeeds. What happens if he fails" He didn't raise his voice, he didn't even look up. "He won't fail" she said and meant it. "Arwen believes that he can win, so why don't you. You were confident enough in his abilities to let him leave. And suddenly now that you know exactly what is at stake you don't believe in him anymore." Elladan sat down again. "That's not what we meant."
Athriel sat down between them again. "I know it's difficult, but this is Arwen's choice. And she's already made it. Getting angry or upset won't change what has happened to her, or what will happen in the future. This is something she needs to do for herself so that she can be happy. Now you are going to eat your meal, then you are going to go wash your faces and go and visit your sister so that she knows that she still has her brother's support." With that she picked up her own plate and glared at them until they did the same.
Soon she was walking them down the hall to their sister's rooms. She pushed them through the door and turned to leave. Just then the door opened again and the twins swept her into a hug. "Thank you Athriel" was whispered in one ear. "We're glad we finally have you back" She laughed. "Whatever would you do without me?" Arwen stood in the doorway and grinned. "I'm glad they'll never have to find out" she said ushering her brothers back inside.
As the door closed behind them again Athriel made her way back to her rooms. Once inside she went straight to the wardrobe. She knew them well enough to know that this wasn't the end. They had been perfectly happy to let Estel reach his destiny on his own before, but not now. They would ride out to help him as soon as they could, and there was no way she was going to let them do that alone. She took out her cloak and laid it out on the bed beside her old armour and sword. She wished she had had enough foresight to have new knives ordered, but it was too late now. They wouldn't wait very long. If she knew them at all they would be leaving in the morning. She grinned. How's that for getting back into her routine.