A Half Elf's Love

Parting Gifts

(Elladan POV)

The time had finally come for us to leave. The night before, I was wandering the gardens one last time. They were beautiful, but they paled in comparison to Deliadis. As the hours passed, I heard someone walk behind me.

"Hello Elladan." It was Aragorn. I turned to face him, my face remaining neutral. Delia had told me that she had told him, but I was never entirely sure how he would react alone with me. "Don't worry. You're safe with me." My shoulders relaxed a little.

"Then how come you have sought me out at such a late hour?" Aragorn let out a chuckle.

"I wanted to make sure you know to take care of my sister. When I die, it's going to hurt a lot for her. A lot. I need your assurance that you will stand by her, no matter what." I placed my hand on Aragorn's shoulder, nodding as I spoke.

"I promise on my life. Just as I have many a time before, that I will keep her safe forever and always, till the end of days." Aragorn gave a simple nod and walked away. I continued to wander the gardens till daybreak, and when it finally came, I grabbed what few belongings I had and waited at the docks. My dâd (grandfather) approached us with many elves, and fastened cloaks around us. Delia stood beside her brother, her eyes locked on the ground. There was an expression on her face, one I had seen after a one of her more troubling visions. My dâd spoke, his voice rining clear in the misty morning air.

"Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes." I smiled as he passed by me, and he nodded approvingly. Then my mam (grandmother) stepped forward, mischief in her eyes. She started at Legolas, working her way down the line, having servants present each of us with gifts.

"My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin." My friend's face lit up in a smile as he pulled back the bow string. My mam came to Merry and Pippin next. "These are the daggers of the Noldorin. They have already seen service in war. Do not fear, young Peregrin Took. You will find your courage." Pippin looked up at her, tilting his head. My mam chuckled, moving on to Sam. "And for you, Samwise Gamgee: Elven rope, made of hithlain." Sam looked at the rope in his hands, a little disappointed.

"Thank you, my lady. Have you run out of those nice, shiny daggers?" My mam smiled, moving onto Boromir.

"Boromir, son of Denethor, may your heart remain as pure as this belt." She gave him a golden belt, which he fastened around his waist. Then she approached Gimli, who looked somber at leaving this place. "And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves?" Gimli grunted under his breath, his eyes cast down.

"Nothing." He paused, and he suddenly looked up at my mam. "Except to look upon the Lady of the Galadhrim one last time, for she is more fair than all the jewels beneath the earth." She giggled at his request. Gimli then beckoned for her to come to his level. He whispered softly. "Actually, there was one thing — ah, agh, that's quite impossible. Stupid to ask." He paused again, and even quieter he whispered. "May I have a straw of your golden hair? It will be an heirloom of my house, passed down to my kin, for it is fairer than any stone in the world." My mam giggled again, and gently pulled three strands of her hair. she gave them to Gimli, whose face lit up. He quickly hid them before most could see, and walked to the boats. My mam then walked to Aragorn.

"I have nothing greater to give, than the gift you already bear. Am meleth dîn. I ant e-guil Arwen Undómiel...pelitha." (For her love, I fear the grace of Arwen Evenstar...will diminish.) A sadness filled my heart at her words. I kept forgetting my sister would die because she loved Aragorn. Aragorn spoke back to her, his voice soft but strong.

"Aníron i e broniatha ar periatham amar hen. Aníron e ciratha a Valannor." (I would have her leave these shores, and be with her people. I would have her take the ship to Valinor.) My mam responded back, a glint of mystery in her eyes.

"That choice is yet before her. You have your own choice to make, Aragorn... to rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil, or to fall into darkness...with all that is left of your kin. Namárië. Nadath nâ i moe cerich." (Farewell. There is much you have yet to do.) She began to walk away, but gave more parting words to Aragorn. "Dan...ú-'eveditham, Elessar." (We shall not meet again, Elessar.) Aragorn walked away, and my mam approached Delia. She carefully pulled something from her pocket, laying it in Delia's hand. Delia opened it and spoke, her eyes filled with a new sense of happiness.

"Galadriel...I...thank you." My mam smiled, giving Delia a hug. She whispered something to her that even I could not hear. As both women pulled away, I saw Delia now had a locket around her neck. My mam moved onto Frodo as Delia walked away, staring at the locket. She gave Frodo a vile of liquid, her face solemn as she spoke.

"Farewell, Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of Eärendil, our most beloved star." She kissed his forehead before speaking again. "May it be a light for you, in dark places, when all other lights go out." I was the only one left. My mam smiled at me, pulling me into a hug. "My precious nephew, my gift to you is something that I cannot physically present to you. It is a piece of advice for you. When all seems lost, the best thing to do is to follow your heart. Be true to it, and your path will not crumble." I hugged my mam back, kissing her cheek.

"Hannon le mam. Hannon le." (Thank you grandmother. Thank you.) She let me walk away, and we began to prepare to depart. Legolas looked through our rations, and shouted happily to the rest of the group.

"Lembas! Elvish Way-bread. One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man." I watched as Merry and Pippin looked at each other, Merry whispering to Pippin softly.

"How many did you eat?" Pippin whispered back, burping.

"Four." I chuckled softly, boarding my boat with Delia. We all began to set out, and as we rowed away, a chorus of elves could be heard, sending us away in sorrow. It was almost chilling.

Ai! laurië lantar lassi súrien,
Yéni úntimë ve rámar aldaron!
yéni ve lintë yuldar avánier
mi oromardi lisse-miruvóreva
Andúnë pella Vardo tellumar
nu luini yassen tintilar i eleni...

We rowed till dark, leaving the borders and safety of Lothlórien behind.