The Edge of Night

Become Who You were Born to Be

Italics- Elvish
Bold italics- Elfwyn's thoughts

She takes a deep breath and pulls aside the flap to enter her father's tent. Two cloaked figures stand before him. "You sent for me?" The company turns to her, and the strangers let down their hoods. "My lord, Elrond." She says with a curtsey before turning to the other figure, squealing briefly and running at him. "You are supposed to be in Lorien." She whispers into Haldir's neck.

"Elrond came with an important task. The Lady insisted I follow him." He holds her just as closely before she pulls back to examine his face, his hands, the exposed skin of his collarbone that peaked through his traveling garb. There are scars there, scars that had not been present the last she had seen him.

"What has happened to you in my absence?" Anger flowed through her. Anger at Saruman, anger at Morgoth for creating such an evil. Anger at the Valar and Eru for allowing that evil to remain and to grow.

"Nothing my love. Skirmishes with some orcs at the border to Lothlorien."

Her father clears his throat and the conversation between the couple pauses. "As happy as I am to see the smile return to your face, daughter, Lord Elrond has come here for a purpose. Take Haldir out, we will find you both when we are done." She nods and curtsies once more before taking her beloved by the hand and leading him from her father's tent.

"Are you to follow Lord Elrond back when he departs?"

"My instructions were to see this through to the end." While the thought of Haldir remaining by her side till the end brought a warmth to her that she had not felt since better days, she knew that his duty to Lothlorien, to Galadriel and Celeborn, would be his first calling.

"But what of Lorien and her borders?"

"Lothlorien is well protected. The Lady's ring remains within its borders and the Watch has not left their stations."

She sighs. "I do not know how much longer we will be here."

"What do you mean?"

"The mountain... and those cursed to remain there. They have been at the forefront of my mind since we arrived." They both look hesitantly towards the mountain pass that separated two rock outcroppings.

"And what of the fallen kingdom?"

"Our numbers are not enough to stop the lines from Mordor. Aragorn knows this. He feels called to the mountain, and the cowards that are cursed there."

"What will he do?"

"I am not sure. He needs to come into his own, take up a broken mantel and a broken sword."

"But it is as you said; Narsil was broken."

She smiles coyly at him, not unlike the Lady of the Wood. "What's broken can be made whole again. Both blade and line."

"You speak in as many riddles as the Lady."

She blushes at this. "I do not mean to."

"There is nothing to be done about it. This was a gift, a gift from the Valar. What will you do?"

"My duty is to this fellowship, this quest. It is my father's and cousin's place to lead our people in battle. I must follow Aragorn." There was a pause as they listened to the night. "Will you remain by my side?"

"Yes. Where you go, I shall go."

"Whatever Aragon decides, joining my people in battle, or going into the mountain, is what I shall do."

"Then that is what we will do." She sees Aragorn exit his tent and follow one of the Rohirrim to her father's tent.

"Let us go grab our things and find Legolas and Gimli. It will not be long now." They find the two other members of the company already by the horses. "We will be leaving soon. Although it appears you both already know this."

"Lord Elrond is here." Legolas notes, after saying hello to Haldir.

"Yes. I believe our time with the Rohirrim is coming to a close. Our quest, the one Elrond has sent us on, shall diverge paths from my people."

"They will be alright lass." Gimli says, taking in the look on Elfwyn's face.

"My people are strong. The enemy, and the forces he has amassed, are stronger. I have every reason to be worried." They see Aragorn exit her father's tent, the cloaked figure of Lord Elrond following and departing from the camp. Sparing no further glance to the men she was gathered with, she goes to follow Aragorn.

When she finds him, Eowyn is with him. Keeping to the shadows, she is able to listen without being seen. "Why are you doing this?" Eowyn asks, desperation seeping into her voice as she begs for answers. "The war lies to the east. You cannot leave on the eve of battle... You cannot abandon the men."

"Eowyn." He replies breathlessly. Please Aragorn, just let her down gently, Elfwyn silently begs.

"We need you here."

"Why have you come?" You are not nearly as foolish as you are acting right now. I have warned you of this.

"Do you not know?"

"It is but a shadow and a thought that you love. I cannot give you what you seek." Eowyn backs away, breath coming in shallow waves. "I have wished you joy since first I saw you." He gently touches her cheek and Elfwyn can see the tears shining in her cousin's eyes as Aragorn turns away from her.

When Eowyn is out of earshot, Elfwyn makes her presence known to Aragorn. "I warned you of exactly this. I begged you to not give her hope where there was none. Still you did not listen." She whispers angrily at him.

"I hope that she, and you, can one day forgive me."