Chapter 27 Betrayed

It was on a rainy afternoon that Nienor resolved it was time to embark on her mission. The mist outside provided an ideal cloak for her undertaking. The idea, sparked the day she saw Elrond in his workshop, had become the missing piece of her puzzle. Since that moment, every detail of her plan had crystallized. Retrieving the ring without causing harm to its bearer was her paramount objective. Seizing it during a deep sleep, a sleep laden with heaviness, would grant her the time needed to act and make her escape.

All preparations were in place; she had even penned a message to Darken, briefing him on her plan. She had not told him how she would take the ring. Darken would not imagine her using the ring against him. However, the final step remained – obtaining the sleep potion, and then the sequence of events could unfold.

Upon reaching Elrond's workshop, she discreetly closed the door behind her. Inside, she meticulously searched the shelves, located the vial, concealed it within her dress, and exited the workshop. It was easy.

She had rehearsed this moment endlessly in her mind. Yet, despite this preparation, she wasn't emotionally prepared. Saying goodbye, possibly farewell, to everything she had known here was an agonizing reality. Betraying Elrond; the pivotal moment had arrived, and the ordeal seemed more challenging than ever.

The remainder of the afternoon was spent tending to Ellena. Nienor etched into her memory the angelic face of the child she was leaving behind. At least, she would leave in peace knowing that nothing bad would happen to Ellena.

As night fell, Elrond joined them in their quarters, bearing a tray of tea. 'Good evening, ladies,' he greeted, placing the tray on the coffee table. Nienor reclined on the daybed, Ellena nestled against her chest. After putting the child in her crib, she nodded to Elrond. 'Has she been asleep for long?' he inquired, removing his coat, attired in a light blue tunic adorned with fine golden thread. Nienor nodded, helping him settle.

'It's good to have you back. Long day?' asked Nienor.

'Yes, and yet nothing new' he replied, sitting on the daybed and undoing his braids. Nienor poured tea into the cups, seizing the moment to add a few drops of the sleeping potion to Elrond's tea.

'Here's for you,' she said, handing him the cup, doing her best to conceal her trembling.

'Thank you, dear,' Elrond accepted, blowing on the tea to cool it. 'Is everything alright?' he inquired, sensing her unease.

'It was a long day for me too.' She faked a smile as she took her own tea.

Silence enveloped them. Elrond savored his tea, gaze fixed on Ellena's peaceful sleep. Nienor observed the elven lord, realizing she might not see him again. Success was her only option. Soon, the potion would plunge Elrond into a profound slumber. Extra drops were added to ensure effectiveness. The point of no return had been crossed, and there was no turning back.

The seemingly ordinary ring on Elrond's finger fascinated Nienor. How could such a small object wield such potent magic? She smiled at the idea that struck her – yes, the ring mirrored its possessor. Elrond, seemingly humble in appearance, concealed an unsuspected power.

The candle flickered until it finally extinguished. Elrond and Nienor lay side by side on the bed. Outside, the melody of cascading water cradled them. Elrond had closed his eyes before her. What dreams occupied his mind, Nienor pondered? Could he sense the fear she harbored? Could he smell the stench of betrayal that followed her like a hound? Was it plausible that Elrond remained oblivious to the schemes woven against him? Impossible; he must have chosen ignorance. His wisdom had deserted him, and the consequences would be dire.

The moment had arrived. Nienor gazed at his face one last time, cherishing the remaining minutes when he still loved her, and she was his wife. Soon, this dream would fade.

Rising, she gathered her belongings. In a bag she had concealed earlier, she packed a travel outfit and supplies, ready for her imminent departure. Turning to Ellena, the sleeping baby with outstretched arms and parted legs, Nienor whispered her goodbye. Standing tall, she returned to Elrond. Kissing him as if to verify his slumber, she rubbed her lips with her thumb. 'I'm so sorry,' she whispered.

Then, aligning her breath with Elrond's rhythmic breathing, she commenced her task. Taking his hand, she grasped the ring, the cold touch of mithril sending shivers through her. Her heart raced, and she closed her eyes briefly to regain composure before continuing.

The ring itself seemed reluctant to leave its bearer's finger. She applied a gentle pull, deftly turning the ring on itself to ease it off Elrond's finger. This moment, stretching like an endless expanse, brought her to the precipice. There, with only one phalanx remaining, the coveted ring would be hers.

Suddenly, she witnessed his fingers coiling inwards, ensnaring her own hand. Nienor raised her gaze to meet Elrond's eyes. 'Nienor?' His fist enclosed her hand firmly as he emerged from his stupor. 'What...' Elrond rubbed his face with a free hand, dispelling the lingering haze impairing his vision. 'What have you done...' Elrond's voice bore no anger. He observed her, or rather, he stared at her with a blend of incomprehension and a resigned acceptance. Before him unfolded the grim truth he had fervently hoped to avoid.

'Elrond,' Nienor stammered.

Swiftly rising from the bed, Elrond declared, 'I can't hear you anymore, Nienor. Is this what you want?' He pointed to the ring on his finger. 'Is this your plan from the beginning? Did all of this lead us to this?'

'No!' exclaimed Nienor, tears tracing down her cheeks. She attempted to approach him but he stepped back. 'It had to be this way, Elrond. I had no choice.'

Meanwhile, Ellena's cries emanated from her crib, and it was Elrond who moved to comfort her.

'You had a choice every morning, every second spent here beside me, Nienor,' Elrond articulated, modulating his voice to avoid disturbing Ellena, who, now calm, observed the scene with uncomprehending attention. 'Every morning, the choice between falsehood and truth was yours, and a hundred times you chose falsehood.'

'I did it for Aradan,' Nienor murmured. Confronting Elrond's puzzled expression, she continued, modulating her voice and suppressing her sobs. 'Aradan is my son. Darken is his father. I didn't lie about him. I was his wife, and he is what he is: a tyrant. My son was rejected and imprisoned by Darken. Everything I did or do is for him, Elrond. Please, listen to me! I was sent here to take the ring; he wants to exploit its power. He threatened to harm my son if I dared to betray him. What other choice did I have? But, Elrond, my plan was to use the ring against Darken. Thus, there would be no war, no death—only his defeat.'

Elrond gazed at her. 'Don't you know,' he whispered, 'that those rings were not made to destroy or conquer, but to heal and preserve? You betrayed me, Nienor. Despite all the shadows and darkness warning me not to trust you, I tried to see the light in you. I won't hear nothing more from you tonight, Nienor.'

Turning on his heels, Elrond exited the room, leaving Nienor alone in the enveloping darkness.