That night it's quite clear, but despite that, still very dark. The moon leaves us little light and the stars just don't seem to miss their sparkle.

Looking around, I see several fires burning high. Clustered around them are the men, sharing supper and drink quietly.

I look up when Merry darts from Éowyn her tent, clad in armor, suited just for him. Only his helmet seems a tad bit large. He flashes a smile as he runs passed and towards the smithy, no doubt to sharpen his sword. I could hear them speaking from my position against the rock wall, above the camp. I can't help but chuckle. His eagerness doesn't relent.

"You should not encourage him." Éomer speaks up from his place by the fire, addressing his niece as she stands watching after the Hobbit. "And you should not doubt him." she counters, her features turning hard. "I do not doubt his heart ... Only the reach of his arm." he says, making his companions laugh.

"Why should Merry be left behind? He has as much cause to go to war as you. Why can he not fight for those he loves?" Éowyn says passionately. I can tell she does not only speak of Merry on that matter.

Frustrated, Éomer rises to his feet. "You know as little of war as that Hobbit. When the fear takes him, and the blood and the screams and the horror of battle takes hold." he sums up in a sneer. "Do you think he would stand and fight?" Éowyn swallows hard at his words. "He would flee and he would be right to do so." He takes her by the shoulder, giving her a knowing look. He knows how much she wishes to fight. "War is the profess of men, Éowyn." he finishes, turning away.

I jump down from my perch, startling them. "Luckily we know that not to be entirely true." I state haughtily, giving him a look, daring him to say otherwise in my presence. "You hardly make for a fair argument. You're not even human." he states, turning away and joining his peers by the fire. I roll my eyes before giving Éowyn a knowing smile. She returns it before returning to her tent.

I go for the next fire over, greeting Legolas and Gimli. "Thank you." I say as Legolas hands me some soup. I quickly swallow it down before looking over to the edge of camp with a light smile. "A visitor is on their way." I state, making them look at me curiously.

"There is a horse approaching, but are you sure it's not one of the Rohirrim?" Legolas questions. "It's not. I am sure of it." I say, putting down the bowl. "If you will excuse me, it will be rude if no one were to greet them." I tell them before just about skipping off.

I stop in my tracks at the end of the long stairway up the mountain. "Halt! Who goes there?!" I call out with a hint of humor, making the approaching figure stop once they've reached me. A chuckle resounds from underneath the hood hiding their face. "It is a pleasure to see you as well, Therith, cloud-dweller." they say before raising their hands to remove the hood, revealing the familiar face of none other than Lord Elrond. He quickly hides his face again though.

I bow before him, smiling. "My Lord. Welcome to our humble abode. What brings you so far from home, if may ask." I question as he dismounts. I quickly take the reigns of his horse. "You may. I have to speak to Aragorn urgently. I ask of you to find him for me if you will." he request. "Of course." I state, curious.

Leading him to King Théoden's tent, I make sure his horse is taken care of, before rushing off to find Aragorn. I find him in his tent, asleep, though quite restless. I put my hand on his shoulder, giving him a light shake, stirring him from his nightmares. He wakes with a shock. He looks surprised to see me, looking at him so urgently. "You are wanted at the King's tent." I only tell him, dragging him to his feet. Looking quite curious, he quickly walks after me.

I lift the tent flap for him, letting him in. I'm about to part, when a discreet motion from Lord Elrond's hand causes me to stay. "I take my leave." Théoden says quietly, as Aragorn looks at who he believes to be a stranger curiously. I step aside to let the King pass, a haunted look in his eyes.

Finally, Elrond stands and reveals himself to Aragorn. "My Lord Elrond." Aragorn states in surprise, bowing slightly in respect. "I come on behalf of one whom I love." Elrond says in a quiet voice. "Arwen is dying." he reveals, hurt clear in his eyes. I look at him in disbelief. "She stayed?" Aragorn half asks, half concludes, his features distraught.

"She will not long survive the evil that now spreads from Mordor." Elrond continues, casting his eye on the Evenstar hanging from Aragorn's neck. "The light of the Evenstar is failing. As Sauron's power grows, her strength wanes. Arwen's life is now tied to the fate of the Ring. The Shadow is upon us, Aragorn, the end has come."

"It will not be our end but his." Aragorn argues. "You ride to war, but not to victory. Sauron's armies march on Minas Tirith, this you know, but in secret he sends another force which will attack from the river." Elrond says, making us glance at each other in shock.

"A fleet of Corsair ships sails from the South. They will be in the city in two days. You're out-numbered, Aragorn. You need more men." Elrond advices, but Aragorn grimaces. "There are none."

Elrond casts his eyes downward, seeming to hesitate on his next words. "There are those who dwell in the mountain." he finally says. I frown, wondering whom he means exactly. It is then my memory returns to the wisp I saw earlier that day. As if called, a cold wind rushes through the entrance of the tent, letting the temperature drop. Aragorn looks frightened.

"Murderers, traitors, you would call upon them to fight? They believe in nothing. They answer to no-one." Aragorn argues. So he knows who or what dwells there? "They will answer to the King of Gondor." Elrond states, pulling out a long sword from his cloak. My eyes widen at the sight of it. "Anduril, flame of the West… forged from the shards of Narsil." he reveals, holding it out for Aragorn to take, who stares at it in wonder as the weight is laid in his hands. "Sauron will not have forgotten the sword of Elendil." he breathes, hesitating for only a moment before pulling the sword from its sheath. It catches the light, looking to be aflame itself. "The blade that was broken shall return to Minas Tirith."

I smile at Aragorn proudly. It seems he is finally accepting his faith as heir to the throne of Gondor. For as long as I have known him, he has been struggling, but as I look at his eyes now, he seems at peace.

"The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth." Elrond says meaningfully. "Put aside the Ranger and become who you were born to be, take the Dimholt Road." he urges.

Aragorn seems to resign to what he has to do, but I find myself in the dark as of yet. "What lies beyond the road?" I question, making them look at me as if just remembering me. "The dead lie there." Elrond says, giving me chills. "But they lie not at rest. They will not, not as long they owe the King of Gondor for their treachery." he continues, glancing at Aragorn. "They will have to be hold accountable and aid the heir, or forever dwell in the mountain."

Standing tall, he looks over the two of us. "You will have to make haste. Time is short." he urges. Aragorn nods, bowing before quickly turning, ready to depart right away. He only halts when he sees my hesitation. "Therith?" I feel torn.

"It seems Therith has another engagement, a responsibility for herself to uphold." Elrond states after a moment of heavy silence. I whip my eyes up to look at him with wide pleading eyes, without really knowing what to say or do. He looks towards Aragorn and I follow his eyes to meet my friends'.

Aragorn steps up to me, taking my shoulders in his hands. "You cannot leave?" he questions softly. I shake my head, ashamed. "I'm sorry." I breathe, feeling terrible for leaving him to his own devices. After a moment, he nods, his mouth in a thin line as worry creases his brow, but he is not cross. "I understand." he states, nodding to emphasize. "Look after them." he says finally, giving a reassuring squeeze before parting. I watch him disappear, letting out a shake breath. I put my face in my hands. 'How horrible I am.' I scold myself. 'But I can't leave Merry and Éowyn. I have to make sure they live, or I will never forgive myself.'

I startle as a hand lies on my shoulder in a motion of comfort. I look back up at Lord Elrond. "Do not be too hard on yourself. He does not doubt your loyalty to him, but he worries on the task you have set up for yourself. To protect the ones who might need your help hardest is a noble cause." he says in a comforting tone. I nod, feeling a little better about my choice.

He pushes me towards the entrance. "See him off." he tells me. And I take a few steps before turning back to him hesitantly. "Will you be here when I get back?" I ask hesitantly, as I would be sad for him to go already. He nods slowly, a fatherly smile on his face. "Yes. Let us talk then shall we? Until the sun rises, I'd like to hear all about your journey. Then I must part, for Arwen needs me." I nod, giving him a sad smile before rushing off.

When I find Aragorn, I find Legolas and Gimli as well, their gear gathered and horse at their side. "Come on lass, fetch your gear!" Gimli urges, making me frown as clashing emotions surface once again.

"Therith will stay here." Aragorn says resolutely, surprising Gimli, but Legolas most of all. "Is that true?" he questions. I nod sadly. "I have to Legolas. I need to keep them safe." I whisper, making him blink in surprise, before frowning, giving me a knowing look. "I see." he says quietly before stepping closer, catching my hands in his. "Do you wish for me to stay with you?" he suggests, but I smile shaking my head. "No, please go with Aragorn. It will give me some relief to know that the two of you are looking after him."

Legolas looks down at me hesitantly, not very willing to part. "I will see you in Minas Thirith in a few days from now." I tell him. "That is a promise."

Finally he nods, though reluctant. "Be careful my love." he breathes before catching my lips with his own for a deep but short kiss, not caring for bystanders. I blush though, seeing the grinning face of Gimli. At least Aragorn had the decency to turn away. I nod my promise to Legolas, letting go of him reluctantly. He turns away, following Aragorn and Gimli whom have started walking. I stay where I am, watching them disappear in the darkness.