Chapter 5

Farewells

I followed my father. He walked into a deep part of Imladris. My father stopped at a grave. There was writing. I read it carefully.

"Onen i-Estel Edain, ú-chebin estel anim. I gave hope to the Dunedein, I have kept none for myself." I said softly.

I knew this was the grave of my grandmother, Gilraen. I had been named after her. I then heard my grandfather.

*"Anirne hene beriad i chên în. Ned Imladris nauthant e le beriathar aen." He said.

"In her heart you mother knew you would be hunted all your life. That you would never escape your fate. The skill of the elves can re-forge the sword of kings, but only you and Gilraen have the power to wield it."

I looked at my father. He did not look at him.

"I do not want that power. I have never wanted it. And do not want my daughter to become a target. You know that is why I kept away all these years. To protect my only child." Ada said.

My eyes widened.

"You two are the last of that bloodline there are no others!"

I turned and ran away. I bumped into Boromir. I stood up and looked at him.

"I think you should stay here in the safety of your home my Lady. War and battle is no place for a girl." He said.

I glared at him.

"Hold your tongue Boromir! I am going and there is nothing you can do to stop me. I saw that look in your eyes when you looked at the ring! I am going to protect Frodo. And not just from orcs and things like that, but from evil within. Now if you'll excuse me." I said.

I started to walk away but he grabbed my arm. I smirked and flipped him onto the ground. I looked at him.

"Do not ever touch me again." I said.

I walked away and joined everyone else. Legolas held his hand out to me. I took it and stood beside him. My father and the others soon joined us. My father looked at me and I held his gaze. I entered his mind.

"~I did not know you left to protect me. I am so sorry Ada. I love you.~"

He smiled at me and I smiled back and winked. He stood with us and my grandfather came forward.

"The ring bearer is setting out on the quest of Mount Doom. Of you who travel with him neither oath nor bond is laid to go further then you will. Farwell, hold to your purpose and may the blessings of elves and men and all free folk go with you." Grandfather said.

I put my hand to my chest and bowed. I looked at my mother. She smiled and then looked at my father. She looked upset.

"The Fellowship awaits the Ring Bearer." Gandalf said.

Frodo turned and started to walk out. I heard him whisper to Gandalf.

"Mordor Gandalf? Is it left or right?" He asked.

"Left." Gandalf said.

I smiled and Legolas and the others followed me out. However I turned and saw my father. He was looking at my mother. There was a strange look between them. I turned away and kept walking.

We had been traveling for days. Finally we stopped at a mass of rocks. Boromir was teaching Merry and Pippin how to fight. Gandalf was sitting and smoking with Gimli and my father was watching Boromir and the hobbits. I sat down next to Legolas.

"~What are you doing?~" I asked.

"~I don't really know. Thinking I suppose.~" He said.

I looked at his hand and moved mine closer to it. He looked at me and I smiled. He smiled back and I put my hand on his. He held my hand and I smiled at him again.

"~Do you…..~"

"~Love you? Yes I do. I think I have always loved you. Ever since I was a small child. I will always love you Legolas.~" I said softly.

I laid my head against his chest. I listened to his heart and closed my eyes. However he pulled away and stood up. He was looking into the distance. We both saw a small black shape coming towards us. I was interrupted by a cry. I turned and saw Merry and Pippin tackle Boromir to the ground. I smiled as my father stood up.

"Gentlemen that's enough!" He said.

He tried to pull Merry and Pippin off of Boromir but they grabbed his legs and flipped him onto the ground. I couldn't help but laugh. However I then heard Legolas shout.

"Crebain from Dunland!"

"Hide!" My father shouted.

Legolas grabbed me and threw me underneath a rock. He then slid in next to me. We watched as black birds flew over us. As soon as they were gone we came out of hiding.

"Spies of Saruman! Our passing south is being watched. We must take the pass of Carahdras!" Gandalf said.

I nodded and we all left. On our way up the mountain we stopped to rest once more. Later that night I sat alone away from everyone else. Legolas came and found me. He looked up at the sky. He then sat down next to me. I didn't look at him.

"~Gilraen…..Your father is only doing what he thinks is best for your mother.~" He said.

Now I was confused. I looked at him.

"~I don't even know what you're talking about.~" I said.

He looked away and would say no more on the subject. I rested my hy head on his shoulder. He put his arm around me. I looked at him. He looked back at me and we moved closer to each other. As we were about to kiss we heard Gimli snore loudly. We jumped apart. We both turned red. I stood and walked a little farther way. Legolas followed me. I smiled and hid. He called my name. I grabed him from behind. He smiled and looked at me.

"~You are so beautiful.~" He said.

I smiled and put my hand on his face. He leaned forward and finally our lips met. We stayed that way for a long time. When we seperated we smiled. Legolas looked at me.

"~Gilraen…..when I thought we were to be betrothed my heart leapt with joy. And when your father objected to this I was crushed. But now I am asking you for myself.~"

He got donw on one knee. He then pulled a ring out of his pocket.

"~Lady Gilraen daughter of Aragorn and princess of Imladris…will you be my wife?~" He asked.

"~Yes. I would love nothing more.~" I said.

He smiled and put the ring on my finger. He then picked me up and swung me around. I stroked his face with my finger. "~We should go back before everyone else wakes up.~" I said.

He nodded and we walked back hand in hand. Everyone was waking up and I grabbed my bag. I hid the ring from my father. Legolas smiled and we walked side by side. We were soon knee deep in snow, well most of us were. The hobbits were up to their waists. On the way up Frodo slipped and fell. I ran back and helped him up. My father was behind him. Frodo felt for the ring, but he did not have it. I looked up and saw Boromir pick it up.

"Boromir." My father said.

"It so strange a thing that we should suffer so much fear and doubt. Over so small a thing. Such a little thing." He said.

"BOROMIR!" I shouted.

He looked at me.

"Give the ring to Frodo." My father said.

Frodo and I stared at him. He walked forward.

"As you wish. For I care not." He said.

Frodo snatched the ring away. My father and I looked at Boromir. He smiled and tousled Frodo's hair. I saw my father take his hand off his sword hilt. My eyes widened. I looked at Boromir and then walked back to Legolas.

*She wanted to protect her child. She thought that in Rivendell you would be safe.