The Edge of Night

What the Future Holds

The following morning dawns bright and early, bathing the clearing where the Fellowship is staying in golden light. It is now, that Elfwyn rises, returning to the bathhouse to trade out her fine dress for more appropriate riding attire. Running a comb through her blonde locks, she pulls the front into a braid, securing it to the back of her head so it won't get in the way of her ride. With that done, she returns to the others, who are all awake and in the process of making breakfast. She sees Legolas sitting next to Aragorn and makes to join them but just as she sits down, Legolas jumps up, leaving her to Aragorn. "What's put him in such a state this morning?"

Aragorn winces. He did not want to get in the middle of this. "I think he just wanted to get down to the training arena. The loss of Gandalf still weighs heavily on him and archery has always been how he handles times of great emotion." She nods, having bought this, before eating a small breakfast and helping Sam clean up afterwards. By the time this is done, Haldir is waiting for her, at the entrance to the glen.

"Are you ready for our ride?" He asks with a warm smile when she walks up to him.

"Yes," she says excitedly. He offers her his arm, just as he did the night before and leads her to the stables. The mere size of them were enough to make her jaw drop. "Not even in Edoras do we have a stable this magnificent."

"Our horses are one of our great prides, even those that we have received from our friends to the south, your people." Haldir informs her, leading her inside and down the hallway filled with stalls. Most of them were empty, telling Elfwyn that there was some sort of pasture nearby. At the end of the building were two stallions, already tacked up and ready to go.

They pass through the gates of the city and make their way east, following a trail that to her human eyes, Elfwyn cannot see. Forcing herself to relinquish control, she leaned back in the saddle and relaxed, allowing herself to fully enjoy the ride as Haldir pointed out different features of the Golden Wood. "It is so peaceful, even here, this far out of the city." She comments quietly.

"The Lord and Lady have worked hard to ensure that Lothlorien would never be touched by the evils of the outside world. The Wardens seek to upkeep that wish. You are safe here."

"I don't think I've ever felt this safe anywhere else. Even in Edoras with guards at every entry."

"So you are enjoying your time then?"

"I am. Being around the horses has definitely helped that as well." She says, a blush forming on her cheeks.

"I am glad."

...

The weeks passed and more often than not, Elfwyn could be found in the company of Haldir. If they were not out riding together, they could be found in Caras Galadhon's massive library where he was teaching her Sindarin. He was amazed at how quick of a study she was, already being able to carry on basic conversations in his native tongue.

"Your language, while beautiful, is confusing." She manages to get out with little difficulty.

"And from the little I know of your language, it is also very confusing." She couldn't argue with him there. Rohirric was a rough language, harsh in comparison to the twinkling sound of Sindarin.

"Fair enough." They left the library and he was escorting her back to the camp, as he had done every night since he had begun giving her lessons. "I don't think I can ever express now thankful I am for your company. This journey has been hard and I feel I have not had the opportunity to relax and feel truly comfortable since I left my home. Here, with you, it is easy to forget how the outside world is falling apart."

"If I could keep you here and protect you from all the horrors to come, I would."

She smiles sadly at him. "As much as I would love that, this war will come to my house soon enough. While my father might be controlled by the enemy, my brother, cousins and people are not. And they will not go out with fight."

"The darkness on the horizon will soon be seen in all corners of the world, I fear."

"Then we must do what we must, for the people entrusted in our care."

"Aye, we must."

Later that night, on her way back to their camp, she was intercepted by the Lady of the Wood. "Something has been troubling you, young one, since you first entered our city. Tell me, what lays on your mind.

Every night, since that first night on the flets high above the forest floor, Elfwyn had the same dream. The she-elf with her crown, a beautiful child, and Haldir with the proudest smile on his face. She recounts the details of this dream to Galadriel, finding it easy to speak with her of such things. "What do you think it means?"

"Even I do not have the gift of all-knowing. But you can see for yourself a path that the future holds." She leads the young princess to her little oasis, the mirror standing in the middle, just in front of the spring that fed its waters. "Will you look into the mirror?"

Elfwyn takes a deep breath before stepping up and peering into the basin, her own reflection momentarily staring back at her before the surface ripples and an image appears before it. She witnesses much of Rohan on fire. Her father, as he used to be, leading her people across the plain, as Helm's Deep comes into view. What could possibly happen that they would need to retreat there? Haldir appears before her, and she almost screams out in horror as an orc runs its ugly sword along his side. The next moments happen very quickly. She watches as she, herself, runs up behind him, taking a blow to her front that would've landed across his spine, sparing the Marchwarden but sacrificing herself in the process. Her father and Legolas appear beside them before she's engulfed in a white light and then the pool goes black. "What was that?"

"One of the many possible futures that could yet come to pass."

"But what did it mean? Do I die? Is that what the white light mean?"

"Even I cannot say. All I can tell you is to stick to your path. The future, whatever it might be, will happen whether we're prepared for it or not."