The Edge of Night

Travel Down Separate Paths

The next morning dawns with those that remained in Edoras from the Fellowship gathered in the great hall, discussing the events from the night before. Everyone looked haggard. Sleep had been hard to come by after everything they had gone through. "There was no lie in Pippin's eyes. A fool... but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring." Elfwyn breathes out a sigh of relief, as do many others. They had been fortunate. "Pippin saw in the Palantir a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing. He knows the heir of Elendil has come forth." They turn to Aragorn, who bristles at the implication. "Men are not as weak as he supposed. There is courage still, strength, enough perhaps to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle-Earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a king return to the throne of Men. If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war."

She turns to look at her father, who has remained silent through this whole ordeal. She saw the look on his face and immediately turned back to her husband, knowing how this conversation would end as surely as if she were to deliver the new herself. "Tell me... why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?"

Elfwyn gives out an exasperated sigh and turns from the room, the train of her dress billowing out behind her as she leaves everyone in her wake. Haldir looks sadly at the others before turning to follow his wife. "How can he act so... blind? Are we not all citizens of this earth? Do we not stand for freedom for ourselves, for each other? He harshly refused to call for aid, yet holds it against the men who did not know there were other battles to fight. Boromir told me of the goings on in the White City. Mordor has been launching a brutal attack on Osgiliath for months. All of their power, their soldiers, have been deployed to the river front in an attempt to keep the White City from being overrun. But would Father see reason to that? No. He would hold it against them just as surely as Denethor will hold this against us. How are we supposed to be fighting for a better tomorrow if those leaders cannot do the same?"

They hear the front doors slam open and move to investigate. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Merry, and Pippin have all followed Gandalf outside. "I will follow them. See what the plans are for battle. And then we must talk." She nods as Haldir kisses her hand before turning towards the doors to follow the others, leaving Elfwyn with her father.

"I know you do not understand the position I am in." He begins. "But we cannot..."

She cuts him off. "You did not call for aid. And Gondor has been fighting its own losing battles. If we turn our backs on our brothers, on the other free peoples, how are we any better than the enemy we seek to destroy? We are the Horse Lords. We are mighty!" she says emphatically. "But if we sit back, if we lock ourselves within the safety of our homes and allow Gondor to be destroyed, we will be little more than the wretches Saruman painted us to be."

"Your words are wise, daughter. But we have also suffered great losses."

"I know. But how can we live with ourselves if we do nothing? Our absence will not save us. If the enemy takes control of Gondor it is only a matter of time before the Eye turns to us. Standing with Gondor gives us a chance. Standing alone will only had to the destruction of two great nations." With that said she turns to follow her husband's path to the stables, jumping back as Shadowfax races out of the open door, carrying Gandalf and Pippin towards the gates to the plains beyond.

Haldir comes up to her, his horse in hand. "It is time, my love."

"I am not ready to leave you."

"This will not be forever. Time passes differently for the elder. We will be together again before you even notice." He mounts his steed, settling into the saddle.

"Be careful, Haldir. I fear Lothlorien's battles are far from over."

"Is this just normal fears of war, or have you seen something else?"

"I have had no visions of what is to came upon your return to Lothlorien. An ill-feeling is growing in my mind, you have not seen the end of this war."

"I will be safe melleth nin. But I need you to do the same. Do not take any unnecessary risks in the battles ahead." He reaches down to place a hand against her cheek. All too soon he pulls his hand away, and like Gandalf, races out of the city before turning towards home.

She joins Aragorn and Merry on a rampart overlooking the plains in silence. "He will be safe Elfwyn. He is a formidable warrior."

"He is. But the enemy does not play fair. I will not rest easy until we are reunited again."