Chapter 12
I dreamed that night. I could see my parents speaking to one another. I knew they were in Imladris.
"Nach gwannatha sin?" Naneth said.
My father stopped and sighed. She walked to his side.
"Ma nathach hi gwannathach or minuial archened?" she asked.
"Ú-ethelithon."
He began to walk away again but she followed him. I could see the confusion on her face.
"Estelio guru lîn ne dagor. Ethelithach." she continued.
"Ú-bedin o gurth ne dagor."
He was still walking away from her, however she walked around and stood in front of him.
"O man pedich?"
He did not answer right away. He took her hands and then looked at her seriously.
"Edra le men, men na guil edwen. Haer o auth a nîr a naeth." He said.
"Why are you saying this?" She asked.
I was confused. I had never seen such a look upon his face.
"I am mortal, you are elf-kind." He began.
She looked at him with hurt in her eyes.
"It was a dream Arwen…nothing more."
"I do not believe you! And what of Gilraen? What of our daughter? Would you have me leave her?"
"Yes."
I could see tears begin to form in her eyes. He placed something in her hand. She looked down and I found the Evenstar in her hand.
"This belongs to you." he said.
She looked up at him with anger.
"It was a gift."
She smiled slightly and then closed his fingers around it.
"Keep it."
I woke up and looked around. Everyone else had already woken and left. I ran my hand over my face and sighed. I did not want to believe the dream was true. How could it be? I remembered what Legolas had said to me. How my father was doing what he thought was best. And I recalled the look upon my mother's face when we left Imladris. Tears of pain and anger formed in my eyes.
"It was all true." I breathed.
My father had told my mother to leave. And now…..I may never see her again. I stood up shaking with rage. I took my sword and hooked it to my side as well as my bow and quiver. I was going home, so as to stop my mother before it was too late. I packed my things and walked outside, only to be stopped by Legolas.
"Where is it you go to meleth?" he asked.
"Is it true? Did my father tell my mother to leave for Valinor?" I asked.
Legolas sighed and looked at me sadly.
"Yes. But you must understand….."
I did not allow him to finish. I walked past him and searched for my father. I found him talking with Haldir. My anger grew and I strode forward and grabbed him by the shirt.
"How could you!?" I snarled.
"Gilraen what…."
"You broke her heart!"
His eyes widened with realization. I pushed him back in disgust.
"You told Naneth to leave! You told her to leave me! How dare you! Have you not put her through enough!? Put me through enough!? I thought I had been wrong to be angry, now I see I was right! You are a coward! You are afraid of who you are! I hate you!" I shouted.
My words hung in the air before I turned on my heel and walked away. As I made to leave Galadriel was before me. I could not find it in me to just walk around her and leave.
"Come with me Gilraen."
I followed her to the river. She stood beside me in silence.
"You wish to leave?" she finally said.
"Have I another choice? I cannot let her leave." I said.
She turned to face me and put her hands on my shoulders.
"Do you truly believe that your mother could ever leave you? Or your father?" She asked lightly.
I sighed and shook my head.
"No. No I do not."
She smiled at me softly.
"You are young yet, and you rarely think before you take action. You must always remember Gilraen. You are very strong and brave, yet you must also be wise. Strength and bravery alone shall not win this war."
I nodded and hugged her. She wrapped her arms around me.
"~If ever you need me, I will come.~" She whispered.
I smiled and then pulled back.
"Hannon le."
She smiled and tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear.
"~You need not fear for your mother. For you strength did not only come from your father.~"
"~I know….and yet I cannot promise I shall not worry. She is my mother.~"
She smiled and nodded before sending me back. As I approached Boromir sat alone. I silently placed my belongings down and walked up behind him.
"Why is it you sit alone?"
He jumped at my voice. I walked in front of him and knelt down. I looked at him curiously.
"Do not think I have not seen you. You are always alone, and whenever Frodo is near you look at him with…I cannot explain what I see when you look upon him." I said.
I knew I had to be careful. Strong though I was Boromir was still a man and he was a warrior at that. There was anger in his voice as he spoke.
"I see not what business it is of yours."
I narrowed my eyes.
"You know my purpose for coming on this quest. To protect Frodo! If you threaten my mission in any way I will have no choice." I said.
He glared at me.
"You would do nothing! You speak of things you know not! And you make promises you cannot and will not keep!" He snarled.
I slapped him. I stood and then walked away. Boromir was beyond help now. He had been taken by the ring, the Valar only knew what it had been whispering to him, promising him. Strong a man as he was…..he had fallen to the power of the ring.
*Is this how you would take your leave?
*Did you think you could slip away at first light unnoticed?
*I will not be coming back.
*You underestimate your skill in battle. You will come back.
*It is not of death in battle that I speak.
*What do you speak of?
*You have a chance for another life, away from war grief, despair.
