𝐈𝐋𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐄̈ || A.

𝟎𝟏𝟐 ⸺ farewell to lothlórien

A green, silver-veined elven leaf-brooch is clasped on their elven cloaks. ''Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people,'' Celeborn tells. "May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes.''
     After receiving their cloaks, Legolas grabs a couple of packs and puts them in an Elven boat. Merry and Pippin look up as he pulls a small piece of bread from one of the packs.
     ''Lembas,'' he breathes. ''Elvish waybread.'' He takes a small bite before glancing at the Hobbits. ''One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man.'' He stuffs the remaining piece back in the pack and places it in the boats. Merry and Pippin nod as he walks away.
     ''How many did you eat?'' Merry asks. Pippin burps as he answers,
     "Four.''

''Iladya, can I have a moment with you?'' Boromir questions. Iladya turns to Boromir and frowns.
     ''Okay,'' she slowly answers and walks along. She glances over her shoulder, her gaze meeting Aragorn's. Boromir walks away from the group, causing them to have some privacy. She turns to Boromir, crossing her arms over her chest.
     ''I need something off my chest,'' he starts. "It may sound weird but I have grown fond of you, Iladya. That moment I saw you in the council ... It struck me. That moment you joined Frodo, I knew I had to come along.'' Iladya looks Boromir in the eyes, seeing he isn't lying.
     ''Boromir,'' she whispers. He takes a step closer, causing her to step back. They continue this until her back is touching a tree. ''I don't know what impression I have given you-''
     ''You made me fall for you, Iladya,'' Boromir cuts off, his hands grabbing her shoulders.
     ''Boromir,'' Iladya warns in a sharper tone. Boromir doesn't listen and leans in to kiss her. Iladya swiftly moves her hand to her boot and pulls out a knife. She brings the knife up to his chin, ''If I were you ... I should back away and never attempt such thing ever... again.'' She hissed, pressing the knife further into his skin. Boromir glances down at her, breathing heavily. She removes the knife and starts walking away.

The Fellowship continue to load the boats for their journey. Legolas helps Gimli and Merry into the boat. Sam crawls into another boat and quickly reveals he has no measure of sea legs.
     Aragorn sees Iladya near the boats and asks for her attention. He gestures her to walk along, because he had taken notice of her change in behaviour.
     She is in distress, Aragorn thought. Iladya walks along, her arms around her chest.
     ''What has happened with Boromir?'' he questions ''Because I have noticed you're in distress, my lady.'' He reaches for her hands but she backs away. She doesn't look him in the eyes. ''Iladya,'' he whispers. ''You can tell me.'' He places two fingers under her chin and gently forces her to look up.
     ''Boromir attempted to kiss me,'' she says, fighting to keep her voice steady. ''He confessed his feelings for me. I tried to back away ... but he grabbed me and tried to kiss me. I pressed my knife to his chin – which makes Aragorn smiles proudly – and I made clear there is nothing from my side and that he would walk away without anything that has happened.'' Aragorn pulls her closer into a warm embrace.
     ''You did the right thing, Iladya,'' he whispers and presses a kiss on her hair.
     ''I felt scared,'' she whispers, looking up at him.
     ''Yet, you were brave,'' he whispers. ''And I am proud of you.'' Iladya smiles and rests her head against his chest. She feels herself calming down by hearing his heartbeat.
     "I must tell you this," he starts, breaking away from the embrace. Iladya looks him in the eyes and smiles. "I feel an invisible attraction to you, I have grown attached to our relationship and how we act around each other ... What I want to say is, we have a dangerous road before us and I have discovered I cannot bear to lose you but I cannot ask you to be careful because you are a fighter. I do not wish for you to be hurt." A faint smile plays on her lips as she lays her hand on his cheek.
     "As you said, my dear Elessar, I am a fighter and I am two-thousand, nine hundred and thirty-one." Aragorn snorts as he realises she is.
     "I know," he whispers and presses a kiss on her forehead.
     A cough did them go apart, seeing it was Celeborn. Iladya bowed before taking her leave.
     ''Every league you travel south, the danger will increase. Mordor Orcs now hold the eastern shore of the Anduin. Nor will you find safety on the western bank,'' Celeborn speaks to Aragorn. They walk towards the river.
     ''Strange creatures bearing the White Hand have been seen on our borders. Seldom do Orcs journey in the open under the sun, yet these have done so,'' he continues. Celeborn holds a dagger out to Aragorn. He takes the dagger and unsheathes it. It is a beautiful, yet deadly work of art.
     ''Le aphadar ae,'' Celeborn whispers. Aragorn replaces the dagger in its sheath, as he is aware of the creature that has been following them. ''By the river you have the chance of outrunning the enemy to the Falls of Rauros.''