The Edge of Night

A Diversion

In the aftermath of the battle it takes Haldir and Eomer no time to find her, although she is not responsive. Neither in Eowyn. They are moved to a hall of healing, Haldir and Aragorn watching over both of them as they try to bring them back to the world of the living.

"I miss you, every day." She tells Theodred as she walks with him to the front doors of the Hall.

"I should hope so. It must get pretty boring, with only Eomer and Eowyn around for conversation." He jokes. They step outside, the plains of Rohan spread out before them. Standing over to the side, to say their goodbyes, her father, and a woman she only recognizes from her dreams.

The woman pulls her into her arms, and for the first time in her life, Elfwyn is able to feel the love of her mother, rather than just hear about it. She looked exactly like her. "If this is to be the only time I meet you, I want to etch this into my memory, forever." Elfwyn whispers. Her mother chuckles and it is one of the prettiest sounds she has ever heard. She turns to her father. "You were not supposed to die."

"You aren't supposed to be here, either. Haldir made me a promise."

"I'm sure he'll be very cross with me once I return. But I am glad we had this moment. It will be enough to last me." She steps into the white light and opens her eyes, finding herself inside the halls of Minas Tirith, a concerned looking Haldir staring down at her.

"You must stop doing this to me." He whispers as he gathers her into his arms.

"I promise you; this time was not intentional. The Witch King was not going to give up so easily. I did not know I would be hurt by just going up against him... My father..."

"I'm sorry Elfwyn, he's gone." Aragorn says. She had not seen him beside her and gave a startled shout before wincing.

"Why do I hurt? I did not take any hits."

"Going up against that kind of evil leaves a mark on you, even if you remain untouched." Haldir explains. They help her stand and then Aragorn takes them to a room in the palace that has been set up for them.

"Get some rest. In the morning, we'll convene to plan to end this, once and for all." He says before departing, leaving the couple alone for the first time since Lothlorien.

"Truly, you are ok?" Haldir asks as she stares out the window that overlooks the fields. Bodies were still strewn about it but they had managed to gather her father and take him into the depths below to preserve him until they could return to Edoras and bury him with his forefathers and son.

"This is far from over. Even with this defeat, the enemy is regrouping behind the Black Gates."

"I did not mean with the war. You lost your father today."

"I was gifted with the chance to say goodbye. And see my brother and mother. They will be alright."

"I do not understand."

"Neither do I. I shall remain with you, that is what I wanted. That was what was promised with this gift from the Valar. But I wanted to know that there was peace beyond this life; peace for my father, peace for my brother, peace for the hundreds of lives that have been lost to this cause. I was gifted that." She turns away from the window, back to him. "It is getting late and we must rise early." They settle in bed, though neither of them were able to fall asleep quickly, the threat of what was still to come hung heavy in the air.

The next morning dawns early, the sky hazy from the fires that continued to burn before the city. Those inside the city had been put out the night before. Here and there, people moved about, attempting to clean up the mess left from the invasion. Haldir and Elfwyn find themselves in the throne room, along with Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Eomer, and Gimli. "Frodo has passed beyond my sight." Gandalf informs them sadly. "The darkness is deepening."