A Half Elf's Love

Life and Death

Weeks passed and eventually it was time for us to leave. Winter had very much set in and I was getting more nervous. I had several visions of battles, but nothing sweet and less traumatic. I hadn't distanced myself again, but seeing as much war and bloodshed as I did, it was taking a toll. The morning we had to set out, I arrived early, climbing up into a tree. I watched as Legolas wandered in, picking at his fingernails. He was nervous, I tilted my head as I stared. He was quite a curious thing to study. He looked up, finding me in the tree. He gave a small smile.

"Hello again." I jumped down from the tree, listening as he spoke. "I wish to apologize for insinuating that you may love someone who very much appears like a brother to you."

"Apology accepted." Legolas smiled again, shaking my hand. We both waited in a comfortable silence for the rest of the fellowship to arrive. Elladan arrived next, Elrond and Elrohir following behind him. Elladan tilted his head towards Legolas in a nod, and smiled at me. He stood beside me, and I began to get a little stressed as time seemed to pass even more. We were really doing this. We were really going to risk our lives to see evil destroyed. And we could all die. I took in a shake, breath, exhaling it a little at a time. Elladan noticed and stood behind me a little. I thought that he thought I was going to faint, but he began rubbing my back gently with one hand. A comfort filed my body and I relaxed a little, leaning into his hand. I finally felt his hand leave my back. I cracked my neck, trying to regain some sense of posture. Elladan quietly whispered to me as Elrond and Elrohir spoke to some of the elf attendants who somehow managed to drag Gimli out of bed as he stood there rather crankily.

"Feeling better?" I nodded. "Everything will be alright. I promise. I told you I would protect you, and I will." I felt a small amount of blush creeping onto my face. Legolas was looking at us, a smirk on his face. Elladan noticed it too. He gave a glare that could kill, and Legolas quickly looked down at the ground, his eyes darting downwards. He had a smirk on his face though. Aragorn approached, followed by Boromir. The last to arrive were the hobbits, Gandalf, and Arwen. Elladan left our group to hug his sister, quietly comforting her as she cried. He returned, staring down at the ground in what appeared to be shame. I placed my hand on his shoulder, rubbing his shoulder gently. Elrond spoke, his eyes staring at all of us with a sadness only those who knew him well could see.

"The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On you who travel with him no oath nor bond is laid, to go further than you will." That was most definitely aimed at Elladan. "Farewell. Hold to your purpose. May the blessings of Elves and Men and all free folk go with you." We all bowed our heads, and turned to face the road ahead of us. Gandalf spoke, and I could hear the smile in his voice.

"The Fellowship awaits the Ring-bearer." Frodo began to lead us on. Elladan, Legolas, and I were at the back of the group, followed by Boromir and Aragorn. Then Gimli, Sam, Merry, and Pippin, then Gandalf, with Frodo taking the lead. I could hear Frodo whisper quietly to Gandalf as we walked.

"Mordor, Gandalf, is it left or right?" The three of us with better hearing chuckled. Gandalf answered quietly, a smile in his voice.

"Left." I watched as Aragorn looked back, looking past Elladan, Legolas, and I, and to Arwen. A flicker of despair was in his eyes as he looked at her. He brought his hand to his neck, clutching a necklace. The Evenstar. She had given it to him then. They really were promised to each other now. I felt that familiar wave of sadness washing over me again. I still couldn't decide what I wanted to do. Elf or man? The constant dilemma of my kind. Choosing between the two worlds. The immortal elves, and the gifted men. I held in my tears, staring at the forest floor as we all walked towards certain doom.