The Edge of Night

An Honorable Man

After a few moments of silence and solemness in honor of those who had fallen, the celebration of their victory and the union of their princess is underway. Elfwyn looks around the room, joy filling her for the first time since her days in Lorien. Her people were safe, safe and home. And while the cost of that safety had been great, seeing them here, able to celebrate together, was all she wanted.

She watches with a smile on her face as Gimli and Eomer challenge Legolas to a drinking game. The dwarf still had much to learn about the elves. This should be good. She feels a gentle hand on her shoulder and turns to face Haldir. "This is quite a gathering."

"My people have not had a reason to celebrate for many years. This night is important for them." Before she can continue, she watches Eowyn present Aragorn with a cup of mead. "This isn't going to end well." She says before moving to intercept her cousin, only to be stopped by Haldir.

"This is not your battle. Aragorn can handle this."

"It is not Aragorn I am worried about. He will have Arwen, at the end of all of this. But my cousin is young and has not yet known the bitter taste of a broken heart." She watches as Aragorn drinks from it, before placing it gently back in her hands, smile at her, and leave. "I cannot sit by and allow this to continue." She gathers her skirts from around her and follows Aragorn, her husband following closely behind her.

They find him in a corner of the room, observing the gathering. "You should not have done that." Elfwyn says softly, catching him off guard.

"I see you have taken to your newfound abilities with the same grace as the oldest of the Eldar." He replies, ignoring her statement.

"I am being earnest Aragorn. You are spoken for, and Eowyn does not know this. She sees you seemingly returning her advances and she begins to hope. Hope that maybe Arwen does sail for the undying lands and she can be there to mend your broken heart. But I beg of you, as your friend, please do not hurt her anymore than the events of this war already will. Do not give her hope where there is none."

She could see Aragorn getting more frustrated by the minute but that did not stop her from giving her piece. When she was finished Aragorn turns to her and his eyes turn harsh. "It is not your place to speak on such matters, Elfwyn. I know my promises, for it was I who made them. You should trust that I would never do anything to intentionally harm Eowyn."

"And yet it will be her heart that is broken when this is over and Arwen returns to you." He walks away and she goes to follow but Haldir holds her back.

"Let him go. You've made your case, now he must think on it. Aragorn is a reasonable man. He will do the right thing."

"I hope you're right."

...

They retire for the night to her old rooms, alone for the first time in weeks, and yet neither has the energy to do much more than hold the other close, and allow sleep to take them. While elves do not need much sleep under normal circumstances, both had suffered near-fatal, or fatal, blows in this recent battle and the body, even an elvish body, needs time to heal.

They are woken from their sleep by a fell voice echoing through the hall. Jumping up, they run from the room, sprinting through the halls until they reach the room where the rest of the fellowship are staying, at the same time as Legolas and Aragorn. They barge in and see Pippin holding the Palantir that Gandalf took from Orthanc, convulsing on the floor, the ball itself practically on fire as the Black Speech of Mordor fills the air. "Someone help him!" Merry cries and Aragorn wrestles it from his grip, only to start convulsing himself. As he falls to the ground, unconscious, the Palantir begins to roll away and they can see the Great Eye watching them all before Gandalf can throw a blanket and cover it completely.

"Fool of a Took!" Gandalf yells before he drops to his knees beside the unresponsive Hobbit.

Forgetting their earlier disagreement, Elfwyn falls to her knees besides Legolas who is holding onto Aragorn. She gently shakes him and he comes to, groaning as he tries to stand. "Don't strain yourself." She whispers, her voice shaking as tears form in the corner of her eyes. He nods and she rises, opening the door to inform the guard standing on the other side to inform her father of what had happened here, and to have someone bring some food and water to the great hall.

Back inside, Aragorn is now on his feet and she throws her arms around him, letting out a shaky breath as a few traitorous tears fall from her cheeks. "I am alright, Elfwyn." He whispers, hugging her back. Their conversation is put on hold when Pippin's gasp brings their attention back to the center of the room.

"Look at me." Gandalf tells him.

"Gandalf, forgive me." Pippin says quietly, brokenly.

"Look at me." He tells him again. "What did you see?"

"A tree. There was a white tree... in a courtyard of stone. It was dead. The city was burning." Gondor? Could it be possible that Pippin saw what was yet to come?

"Minas Tirith? Is that what you saw?"

"I saw... I saw him." Pippin says fearfully. "I could hear his voice in my head."

And what did you tell him? Speak!"

"He asked me my name. I didn't answer. He hurt me."

"What did you tell him about Frodo and the Ring?" When Pippin cannot answer, they know they are in hotter water than they had ever been before.