Chapter 24

Parting is Always Sad

The wait was over. It was time for the Alliance to march off again.

Long before the Sun had risen, Erestor called forth all his warriors. The fields of Greenwood were golden with the warriors' armors. Horses were mustered by their riders; supplementary weapons were carried. The horns blew early in the morning, and metallic footsteps pounded the ground. Oropher's Silvan folk huddled into their comely houses; wives attending to their scared elflings. Their fathers would march off to war, and perhaps it was their last time to see each other. The atmosphere was heavy with intensity.

As the morning broke and the Sun rose, the commanders of the colossal army showed themselves. Elrond, Círdan, and the High King were in golden armors, their capes blue, and their circlets silver. But the Sindarin elves were clad in lesser armors. King Oropher wore his crown of berries upon his silver head.

The elven-horn blew again.

Erynlith and Santien went outside to see the army off. The soldiers were marching away, their captains on each head of the lines, and Santien looked for Raithon. They had said their farewells and promises last night, but she wanted to see him off for the last time that day. Erynlith found him, standing in the middle of many other captains, and she called out to him, waving an arm. Raithon smiled and jogged towards them. He quickly embraced Santien, whispering endearments into her ear, and the usual aloof healer smiled weakly at her lover. She had accepted his fate as captain, and that he had to leave her for the war. She was so proud of him and there were no words for that.

Quietly, Erynlith slipped away from the two lovers, and she went off to search for her other friends. She felt someone grab her wrist, and she turned to see Erestor.

She threw her arms around him, and he embraced her like he always did. He had less time to spare than Raithon, and he had said his goodbye to her last night. He wanted to see her before leaving; there was no turning back in this one. He was scared, for himself, for his friends, and for her. He wondered what she would do without him, if she could pick up the lost pieces of the war. Would she return to Rivendell without him? Erestor tried to push those thoughts away and focus on her. He knew they were both strong, although in different aspects, and he knew they could handle this together.

"You are not going to cry on me, are you?" He teased and released her from the embrace. She pounded his chest, and he laughed. "What? No final remarks?"

She shook her head. "I know you're about to do the impossible, but I expect you soon. Do you hear me?"

It was all Erestor needed for motivation. He nodded and smiled. He bent to plant a kiss on her brow, and he cupped her cheeks. This girl had been with him for as long as he could remember, and he would return for her.

"I'll see you real soon. I love you, Eryn. Forever."

She laughed. Erestor was not the one for affectionate words, and it felt ridiculous to hear him say that. He was rather shy and conservative. Despite his sharp silver tongue, he preferred to stay quiet and thoughtful. He would not speak unless spoken to, or provoked at some point by Erynlith. To hear him say something sweet and unexpected, Erynlith could not help but laugh and it made Erestor conscious of his words. There was nothing romantic by those words, only familial love for hundreds of years.

Erestor glared at her.

"Okay, I'll stop." She pressed her lips before continuing. "I love you too, Erestor. A lot, actually."

With one last embrace, Erestor sped off to Elrond's side. Erynlith was left to stand on her own, in the middle of the marching soldiers. Her eyes searched for someone else, and she caught glimpse of Amroth's golden hair. He was looking at her, despite the great distance between them. He stood beside his father, and he was smiling and waving his hand at her. She smiled and waved back, and watched as Amroth whispered to his father. King Amdír turned to her, smiled, and whispered something. She could not hear the words, but she followed the movement of the lips.

"We would see you after the war."

It made her heart ache. Suddenly, she didn't want them to leave. It was a foolish child's wish, for her loved ones to stay, but it was too late for that. She saw King Amdír smile and bow at her, and in response, she smiled back. The monarchs of Lórinand left to follow the line of Erestor's company. The armies of Greenwood moved as well, under the command of Raithon and his other lieutenants. Erynlith saw the silver-haired King Oropher marching in front of the line, but he was alone; the Prince of Greenwood was not with him.

Erynlith found Thranduil with Celairis, the King's counselor. They were having a deep conversation, and she wouldn't want to interrupt them. She continued standing, watching, and waiting. The Sun had fully risen, and the armies were disappearing into the horizon. When she turned back to see them again, Celairis was standing alone. Erynlith's brow furrowed, wondering where Thranduil had been.

"Erfaron," he called out to her.

She realized that he had been standing behind her all along and waited until most of the army was gone. Thranduil was clad in a simple green and brown armor, the pauldrons were modeled to look like tree bark, and his vambraces were leather but light. His slender sword upon his waist, his bow and quiver in place. He looked ready for battle, and his blue eyes looked terrifying.

Erynlith walked up to him until they were only a few inches between them. She could already feel him shaking, his heaving chest, and his grinding of teeth. She knew he was frustrated with himself. Slowly, she took his hand and placed something there. When Thranduil flinched, he looked at his palm and saw the her green pennant there, along with a small bluebell. He gave her a confused look, his mouth gaping at her. But she only shook her head. It was always like that. They never had to speak. And Thranduil was trying so hard to find the words when he was not even supposed to. There were not enough words to put this farewell.

"Do you really have to go?" Her voice was shaking.

Thranduil softened at her words. His battle-ready demeanor faded, and he reached out to brush his fingers against her cheek.

"War was never an option, but we have to fight to the end."

He looked down at the pennant in his hand and gave her a confused look.

"To remember me by," Erynlith answered. "It is kind of a good luck charm actually."

"And the bluebell?" He smirked.

"To lighten up your mood, tra-la." She laughed softly. Then, she took his bow and tied the grey rope of the pennant on the bow's limb. "There. Don't lose it, okay? My folks didn't save that for years only to be lost."

"I understand," he whispered and tucked the bluebell in his quiver. "I don't have something to give you."

"You don't have to. Just be back soon. And take care of everyone."

She ran her thumb across his cheek, and he sighed at her feather-like touch. He leaned his forehead against hers. Their eyes closed instinctively at the contact. They felt each other's soft breathing, and slowly, he embraced her. He kissed her hair and twirled a lock of that thick umber hair. They spoke no words for a few minutes as Thranduil's arms around her were firm, and Erynlith melted in that embrace. As time passed, it made farewell more difficult for them.

At last, the elven-horn sounded again. He flinched in surprise and was reluctant to let go, but it was Erynlith who broke away. She was smiling at him, and he couldn't help but brush his fingers against her lips. She shivered at his touch, but said nothing.

Suddenly, he wanted to do something foolish.

Slowly, he leaned in, his forehead touching hers again, but she still did not move. Their noses brushed, and finally, he felt her flinch. His lipes aimed lower. And as he felt her faint breathing from her lips, he pulled away, ashamed. Instead, he kissed her forehead.

Erynlith ignored it. "If it is not too much to ask, please watch over Erestor and Amroth for me. And probably King Amdír as well." She would be lost without them.

Thranduil nodded. "Remember me and smile."

"Always."

He smiled at her and returned to his father's side. King Oropher had been patient with their farewell. He thought leaving Erynlith behind to defend Greenwood was the best choice, and he was surprised that Elrond and the High King agreed with him. Oropher was never in good terms with the High King, believing him a dominant ruler of Elves. But this war had to be done quickly. The long company Greenwood and Lórinand marched off and disappeared.

Once again, Erynlith was left alone, but the farewell had not yet ended. The High King approached her with a smile, the same warm smile he offered when they met a few weeks ago. In respect for him, she bowed low and addressed him as Lord.

"You have grown independently, dear child," the High King told her.

She straightened herself and smiled. "I am ready for the world."

"Of course, you are." The King smiled again. He knew where this battle would end. He had accepted Elrond's hint that he would not have eternal life in Middle-earth. He was counting his remaining days, weeks, and years. He believed he was ready. As he looked at the younger elf in front of him, he saw the grace of her youth and her selfless love for the people around her.

"If something should befall on me, I am relying on you to be there for Elrond. There would be hard choices waiting for him, difficulties that he has to face. Would you be willing to return to Imladris to be there with him?"

She did not know where the King was going with his words, and she was scared. What kind of farewell did the King had in mind?

Sensing her confusion, the High King laughed quietly and shook his head.

"I have always sworn an oath for myself, which I should take no wife, and leave a kingdom that a son should inherit. But you have always graced Lindon with your visits, and I am always happy to have you there. You are the closest I could have as a child. I would love to have your company once again, but not here; perhaps in the White Shores when all our troubles have ended, should you pass into the West. For now, my dearest child, farewell."

With that, the High King of the Ñoldor ruffled her hair like he always did and went off.

Next Chapter: Recklessness leads to drastic consequences as the War begins.

Author's Notes: Sorry for the long update. I was hindered by several school works and reports. Also, I apologize for the short chapter, as I kept the farewells a little terse, as opposed to what I initially had in mind. Anyway, I am feeling all these feels again. (T_T)

*llcyyxx - Welcome! Yes, you could purchase Erestor as low as 20 pounds since you are new here! Let me grab him for a while and shove him in a box, and then I could deliver him to you. Thank you for reviewing!

*Oriana5 - Oh, the Thrandy/Eryn feels. It grieves me to remember that many must die for the war.

*Asmodeus Black - Perhaps Eryn was left behind because they didn't want her singing them to death during the battle. XD. Thank you for the review!~

*Limbairedhiel- You rhymed! Congratulations! Your betrothed shall be delivered to you soon. And noooo! Amdir! I suppose I also need a box of tissue for him!

*Rousdower - Stop being mean to Thorin! *protectively hugs him again* He is just a wee dwarf who wants to be king! Now, be good and keep your money. *waves goodbye*

*DeLacus - Aw, Erestor and Eryn. I missed writing them together. Raithon! Yes, you could have Raithon! Everyone seems to be sold off. I shall have Glorfindel for myself when he appears later. MUAHAHAHA! (P.S. Hooray for Namo!)

Thank you all for reading! See you once again on the next update. Namárië!