Longing

Departing Rivendell

Chapter Text

Almost three weeks had past since Lothiriel set out to retrieve Aragorn and the three hobbits, Frodo had awoken a few days previous and was slowly but surely getting back on his feet much to the delight of his companions. Lothiriel had come to grow very fond of the group of little halflings, she even offered to teach them how to fight as in these dark times they would surely need the knowledge.

She was on her way back to her quarters to bathe after a training session with the hobbits when she crossed past with her adopted sister, Arwen. She looked very pale and although her natural complexion is quite pale, this was different, she didn't look her radiant self, she looked almost sickly, as if she had been crying.

"My dear sister what troubles you?"

"It is nothing, nothing you need bother yourself about"

Lothiriel took her by the a nearby bench, "Arwen I know you well enough to know that something is on your mind, now please, tell me.."

Arwen took a deep breath and wiped away a tear that threatened to spill, "It is just.. I.. Well I worry for Aragorn, I was beyond worry when he went to bree to meet the hobbits and when I seen how Frodo came to us.. I thought.. I thought I may have lost him and I fear what is to occur at this council Adar is to hold in a few days, I fear he will offer his service to destroy the ring and you know as well as I what he is like, he will want to do whatever he can and.. Lothiriel what if he does not return to me? My heart aches already at the thought of him journeying into the black heart of mordor, I don't think I could carry on without him.." A tear escaped her sorrowful grey eyes and rolled silently down her cheek.

Lothiriel took Arwen in her arms into a comforting embrace, "Dear Arwen do not worry, Aragorn is strong and he loves you more than I have ever seen anyone love another and I promise you, he WILL come back to you! Do not despair, when this is all over you WILL see him again! Do not think that way, promise me you will have no more of these thoughts and go to him, if what you predict may come to be you should spend every minute you can with him, now I must go and bathe, I must look utterly dreadful after my training session with the hobbits, they are quite the lively bunch." With that she stood up, gave her a light his on the forehead and returned to her quarters to bathe.

---

Lothiriel awoke just as the sun was beginning to rise. Realisation struck her, this is the day she was to leave for Lorien to meet the Lady for Eru knows what! All the thoughts from when she was first informed of this ran through her head, she could not sit still no longer and decided to get up.

Once dressed in her usual casual attire of an old tunic and leggings, she exited the room and went in search for Dagron. Dagron was her most trusted and most able warrior under her command, it was to him she would pass her position to.

She didn't have to look far, he was at the training fields as per usual. Dagron was taller than most who dwelt here in Imladris with hair glistening like pure gold in the early morning sun. He was training the new recruits when Lothiriel approached him.

"Ah Commander Lothiriel, what brings you down here so early?"

"Actually Dagron I wish to speak to you in private?"

Dagron signalled to the recruits to take a break, "Of course Commander, is something wrong?" The two warriors distanced themselves from the recruits and any other ears that could hear as so they could speak in private. "No, well yes.. Actually I don't know."

"Lothiriel you are not making any sense.."

"I apologise Dagron but I am afraid I am not able to share too much information with you as of yet. You see I am to leave later this day and I do not know when or in fact IF I shall return. I am to undergo a task that I must handle with great discretion, I myself am not even aware of what I must do, all I can say is that I am to meet with the Lady Galadriel of Lórien, you see Dagron, you are my most trusted friend and ally and there is no other warrior under my command that can match your skill in battle, you have proved yourself to not only me many a time but also to your fellow warriors, I want you to take over my position as Captain whilst I am absent. There is no other I trust for the job."