Women in the Fellowship

Eglaneth

The sun rises in the morning, and I find myself at the top of the trees in the forest, looking down at Rivendell. When the fellowship awoke, I would be leaving this place. And if we succeed, then I would not be returning home. I hope El will hold true to her word and live her life when I am gone.

I feel the dread of leaving this place creep into my heart. I remember why j came here. When Isildur died, I had no other reason to stay in Gondor. So I moved to my mother's home, though she was no longer there. And I waited and waited for news of the ring.

All my memories with El are playing through my head. How have the years gone by so quickly?

I knew the day would come where I would have to leave. Yet it still hurts. Undoubtedly, it would be worse for El.

A few hours later, I decide to wake up my best friend. Jumping down from the tree, I once again make my way to El's room.

She is still sleeping, as I figured.

"El..." I say gently.

"El, come on, today is the day that we leave for Mordor."

She groans and gets up. "Good morning, Eglaneth."

"Morning. Did you get any sleep at all, El? I laughed.

"Not much. But Ill be fine."

"Come on, they've prepared your bath already!"

I leave the room to go wake the hobbits, who are just next door.

"Merry, Pippin, Frodo, Sam!" I exclaim. Frodo and Sam get up, but Merry and Pippin are still asleep. I try telling them again before I sigh and sink my arm through Pippin's shoulder. He yelps and shoots up. If I pass through anyone, it is very cold. I do the same with Merry.

Once they are all awake, I say. "Good morning, little ones. Go on and get ready,then meet us at the Gates."

I start to walk out, but a shy voice calls me. "Miss Eglaneth?"

I turn around. It was Pippin who called me. "Yes?" I asked

"Are we going to be alright?" He asks. I can see the question plastered on all of their faces.

"I cannot promise that everyone will. But you must know that everyone around you, all of us, are willing to defend the other. Every one of us will protect you. Be brave, little ones."

And I then I leave. I find Arwen, Elemmire, and Elrond in El's room. El is wearing a black tunic and trousers, and a blue cloak. She wears chain mail underneath. I wait at the doorway. Lord Elrond sees me and motions for me to come in. He turns to Elemmire and hands her a wooden box.

"This was your mother's. I am giving it to you now in the hopes that it will serve you better than it did for her. But I pray that you will never need to use it." Sighs Elrond.

I watch as Elemmire throws her arms around Elrond and cries into his shoulder. Tears fall silently down her cheek and in an amazing use of will, she stops them.

She turns to Arwen as Elrond leaves. "I'm afraid that you may only see me when you sail away, sister." She says. "What?" Elemmire cries.

"Father is sending me to the undying lands." Arwen explains, tears falling down her face. Tears began to fall from my eyes, too. Arwen had to leave us. A glowing blue tear hits the ground then disappears.

Arwen gave Elemmire another wooden box. There were two metal cuffs, with a sort of slide switch at the bottom. A pair of hidden blades. Wordlessly, Arwen pulls Elemmire's sleeves back and puts them on her wrists. El draws the blades, then lets them withdraw. She hugs Arwen for a long time.

"I love you, sister." Says El.

I love you too. Be safe and be strong." She says back. I let them talk for a while before we have to go to the gates. When the time comes, I give Arwen a hug and we meet the rest of the fellowship at the gates.

Lord Elrond approaches us all.

"The ring bearer is setting out on a quest to mount doom. On you who travel with him, no oath or bond is laid for you to go further than you will."

Arwen stands behind him. Aragorn, Elemmire and I nod farewell to her. I walk away from Rivendell, knowing that I won't be coming back.