The dark-haired Half-elven stared at her in utter surprise. "Why? I had thought he had decided to send you off to Valinor as soon as you recovered your full strength."
The soldier shook her head. "I told you that I was strong enough for the journey before. But I had refused to sail, for I believed I was not yet worthy of it. The High King heard my reason, and he took it to mean that my spirit, not just my body, needed more time to mend."
I jumped off that ship because in my heart I believed I was not yet worthy of it. Elrond looked up at the sky briefly, not knowing what Rima's and Galadriel's similar sentiments meant. He lowered his head to look at the nis once more. "Have you given him an answer?"
"Not yet."
"Why not?"
"Did you expect that I would just take the ring?"
"The High King and Master Cirdan did."
"But my commander did not. Galadriel is a most unpredictable nis."
"Your commander? You mutinied against her."
A slight frown marred Rima's brow. "I did…and I have regretted it, though I know I have little cause to. Most everyone that I have spoken to, aside from the other members of our company, have assured me that I had but little choice. Galadriel has become consumed by her need for vengeance. She could not be at rest and would not let us be at rest."
"And in that respect, I fully agree with you."
The warrior nis's grey eyes were sharp when they fell upon the ner's face. "Did you not hear me? I regret it, Elrond."
A cool breeze ruffled the Half-elven's dark curls, and they tickled his lashes. Impatiently, he swiped them away. "I understand. Galadriel has proven herself right. Sauron lives." He scoffed. "And it may very well be because of her."
Oddly enough, her eyes now looked flooded with sadness. "How can you believe that of her?"
Elrond clenched his jaw and said nothing.
"In any case, I regretted mutinying long before I learned of Sauron's return. I regretted it as we made our way to Lindon. As I recalled how our commander, often so unstoppable, nevertheless turned back when I fell behind. She threw her cloak over me, exposing herself to the frigid air of Forodwaith, for my sake."
"Don't glorify such a minute act of kindness, Rima. You were also there for her sake, were you not?"
"No." Rima raised her chin. "I was there because like so many elves who still walk Middle-earth at present, I, too, have known the pain of Morgoth's taint. As you do."
Elrond could feel his impatience rising. "Galadriel is not alone in her despair. She chose to continue seeking out the evil, and as such, have awakened it. She is so prideful that she could not see when she is wrong."
"But she is not wrong."
"That is only happenstance!" Elrond lost his battle with his temper and he turned and grabbed his mare's bridle.