The next morning in Caras Galadhon, the sun rose and shined through the trees. Amdiriel and Boromir got up early just out of habit and went to find breakfast while letting the others rest a little while longer before breakfast. One by one they each woke and The Fellowship got up and prepared to leave. The entire time Amdiriel could see something was playing on her brother's mind when she asked what was wrong he just said it was nothing that he was just thinking too much. Amdiriel decided not to push, she knew Boromir would tell her when he was ready.
Aragorn however, his mind was in a daze. His memory had returned to him after 30 years. He remembered everything from arriving at Mias Tirith to meeting Amdiriel to every moment they spent together, the loved they shared and what had torn them apart. It was all so much for the ranger to take in. Nor could he worry about it right now for they had to move on with the mission at hand.
Haldir came and escorted the fellowship to a river where the elves had prepared things for them. Haldir had then pulled Amdiriel aside at the request of her grandparents while the others waited.
The Fellowship soon waited by the banks of the river for Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel to send them off. The Fellowship stood side by side as Lord Celebron approached while Lady Galadriel stood behind them watching on.
"We have prepared three boats for you to aid you down the River Anduin. The Elves of Cara Galadon have also prepared provisions for your journey. We send you off with all the blessing of Elves in hope that you will remain safe and the purpose would be forefilled." Celeborn said.
He then nodded to some Elves that were behind him, Amdiriel and Haldir among them. They placed green cloaks on the Fellowship and fastened them with a beautiful leaf brooch. Amdiriel fastened Aragorn's while Celeborn was the one to fasten Boromir's cloak. Celeborn shared a look with his grandson, pain could be seen in the elf lord's eyes but Boromir gave him a small nod. Amdiriel kept her eyes on the clasp as she placed the clock around Aragorn but it was inevitable to not feel his burning stare.
Celeborn and the other elves stepped back when finished "Never before have we claded strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes." he said.
Galadriel then moved forward to present her gifts to each member of the Fellowship. While she did, Celeborn took Amdiriel aside to speak with her in private one last time.
"Be careful, my dear one. I know how much of a burden you must feel with all that weighs on you, I wish it didn't have to." Celeborn said. Amdiriel gave him a small smile "I know but if not me than who would take my place." "We are very proud of you, all of us and I know your mother would be too. You have so much of her in you." he said and kissed her head. "We believe in you, so do your brothers and the people but you have to believe in yourself." "Thank you for everything." she said, Amdiriel feared this would be the last time she would see him but she knew she had to hope for another time. Amdiriel hugged her grandfather for possibly the last time, so she poured all she had into the hug. Celeborn held her close, hoping to pass on the strength that she needed and kissed the side of her temple one last time before they pulled away. She placed her hand over her heart and bowed her head "My Lord." she said as Celeborn mirrored he action "My Queen." he said with a small smile before she walked over to say her final farewell to Haldir.
"Goodbye old friend." he said. "You know I hate those words. I just a farewell until I return. So don't do anything too risky until I get back. " she said in the hope to lighten the mood. The two joked for the moments they had.
Across from them, Galadriel came to Aragorn to present her gift to him but she had none in her hands.
"I have nothing greater to give than the gift you already bear." She told him as her hands hovered over the Evanstar that hung from his neck. "The spell has been broken has it not? I felt a powerful breakthrough last night. And the way you look at her..." she said. "I do not believe she knows yet. It was all so much when I awoke this morning. I do not know how to tell her. I feel guilty for I put her through such heartbreak, pain, and sorrow for 30 years." Aragorn admitted."That was not of your doing, that was caused by a selfish and grief driven man. She still loves you just as much as the day she pledged her love to you. It is her choice to stand by you."she said and looked back up into his eyes. "You have your own choice to make, Aragorn. To rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil or fall into darkness with all that is left of your kin." Galadriel then let her eyes drift back to Amdiriel who know was chuckling with Legolas, Boromir, and the two hobbits Merry and Pippin as the two sat in the boat while the others passed them supplies.
"She needs you as much as you need her. The road ahead will not be an easy one for either of you, you will need each other more than ever before. You are her hope and she will protect you in any and every way, I fear to lose you would be the end of her." Galadriel told him.
"Many years ago, I feared losing her and I feel the same way even now. I fear to lose her in every and any way imaginable." Aragorn said Galadriel nodded. "Farewell." she replied, causing Aragorn to bow his head but Galadriel placed her hand under his chin and lifted it. "There will be much for you both to do. Take the time you need to process all that has happened but do not wait too long to tell her the truth... I hope to see you both at the end of all of this together and happy, Elessar." she said.
Galadriel then walked over to Amdiriel who met her halfway. "Remember what I said last night. Do not give up hope..." she said and held out a curved dagger to her. Amdiriel took it from her and unsheathed it. "Your mother would be very proud of you." She said and placed a kiss on her hair. "Thank you." She said and bowed her head and walked over to her brother.
At the same time, Celeborn was warning Aragorn of the orcs they had seen on their borders as they walked together. "Every league you travel south the danger will increase. Mordor orcs now hold the eastern shore, nor will you find safety on the western bank. Strange creatures bearing the mark of the white hand have been seen on our borders, for orcs do not journey under the opening of the sun yet these have done so." Celeborn told him and then held out a curved dagger, identical to that of Amdiriel's. Aragorn took the dagger out and admired it for a moment before Celeborn spoke again. "You are being tracked...by the river you have a chance of outrunning the enemy to the Falls of Rauros" Celeborn's eyes then fell to Amdiriel who left her was bidding her grandmother farewell, Aragorn's eyes followed that of the elf lord's.
"She will follow you where ever you go. Please look after her." Celeborn says. "I will. I love her, it was always her." Aragorn admitted. Celeborn smiled at the answer. "Farewell and good luck." he says. Aragorn bows his head to the Lord Celeborn and leaves to ready the boats.
A few minutes later the Fellowship are in the boats, Legolas, Gimli, Amdiriel in one, Frodo, Sam and Frodo in a second and Aragorn and in the third boat was Boromir, Merry, and Pippin. As they left Amdiriel and Boromir looked back to see both Amdiriel and Celeborn watching as they left from the bank. They both raised there hand and waved goodbye with small but encouraging smiles for what could be the last time.
The Fellowship paddle on for what seemed like miles but unfortunately, it seemed that the Orcs and Urak-hai had started to catch up with them. Both Legolas, Boromir, Aragorn, and Amdiriel heard screeches come from a distance making Legolas turn his head in that direction while Amdiriel pulled out an arrow just in case. She continuously scanned the banks in caution as the men paddled on.
As night fell, Aragorn led the Fellowship on the opposite side of the Orcs. They hide the boats and made camp in the trees not too far from the river. Gimli, Merry, and Pippin were already fast asleep. Sam was trying to get Frodo to eat without prevail while Amdiriel and Legolas sat against a tree near the small fire. Boromir was look out at something in the water of the river. Amdiriel was about to see what was disturbing her brother but Aragorn instead went to see what was wrong.
The two conversed quietly till they moved up the bank a little bit more. Amdiriel blames her enhanced hearing as the reason to listen in on the conversation.
"Minas Tirith is the safer road, you know that. From there we can regroup, strike out for Mordor from a place of strength." Boromir insisted.
"There is no strength left on Gondor that can avail us." Aragorn said. "You were quick enough to trust the elves. Do you have so little faith in your own people?" Boromir questioned. "Yes, there is weakness, there is frailty also but there is courage also and honor to be found in men but you will not see that." Boromir told him. Aragorn did not want to argue for he knew it would not end well, so he turned to leave but Boromir grabbed the ranger by the shoulder.
"You're afraid! All your life you been hiding in the shadows. Afraid of who you are, what you are!" Boromir said frustrated that he would not listen. Aragorn turned to leave but then turned back to Boromir. "I will not lead the Ring within a hundred leagues of your city nor will I risk Amdiriel's life by leading her there. If your father is willing to banish her for love what do you think he will do should she return with the Ring and she tried to stop him? I will not let harm come to her by his hand...not again." Aragorn said the last part quietly so only the man across from him would hear it before he turned away and stalked into the forest.
Amdiriel looked to Legolas who then nodded before she mouthed a thank you knowing he would make sure Aragorn was alright while she tried to calm her eldest brother. She then walked over and looked at her brother not saying a word. "Do not look at me like that." he said. "Then don't give me reason to do so...Please try to understand, you and I both know that taking the Ring to Gondor would be too much of a risk. You know it would destroy Denethor and he will kill who he has to in order to take it, are you willing to do that? I gave Frodo my word to protect him so if I had to stand between Denethor and the Ring which would be sealing the doom of Gondor I will, are you prepared to kill me for it?" Amdiriel asked. "You know I could never." Boromir replied with shame in his voice. Amdiriel sighed. "I know it's frustrating that Aragorn is afraid but then again so am I. I do not want to fail, not you, not the people. I know a lot weights on us so we must be careful in the decisions we make. He's trying to do what's best for all of us. We just need to believe in him as you believe in me. I need you to stand with me, Boromir, please." she told. Boromir lifted his head and placed a hand on his sister's shoulder.
"I trust you and your judgment as I have all these years and as you have me, I will always stand by you, my queen." Boromir said causing Amdiriel to smile. Boromir pulled his sister into his arms "I find comfort in knowing that if something should happen to me, Gondor will be safe in your hands." Boromir whispered to her. "Do not talk like that. I do not want to hear of that, nothing is going to happen to us." Amdiriel said. "I can not do it without you."she told him. "You will never be alone, Amdi, I promise." he said and gave her one final squeeze before releasing her. "Come off to bed you go. I have first watch." Boromir said to his sister and moved his hands in a shooing manner. Amdiriel chuckled and did as he said. As she laid her head down she could see Legolas and Aragorn coming back to camp in silence, teaching giving her a small smile before she was lulled to sleep by the sound of the river.