Wanderer

51 - Frond

Jade

"Where's Frond?"

I shrieked and tried unsuccessfully to pull the hauberk over my chest as Elrond burst into the room. His eyes were wide with fear and pain. 

"Jade, have you seen him?"

I turned my body away from him and tried to calm my racing heart.

Not Frond.

"No. Why? He said he was in his room."

"He's not there." Elrond looked as if he were about to cry. "He's not there, but he said he would be and he's not there. No one's seen him since Valthalion was here this morning." Elrond wiped his brimming eyes on his resplendent sleeve.

I yanked the leather undergarment over my chest and treid to smile at Elrond. "It's probably nothing. He's in the stables, or the library, or with his friends, or with the women and children, or..."

Elrond held up a little blue cloak - Frond's - and even I could see the bloodstains on it.

I shook my head. "Where'd you get that?"

"One of them delivered it to me." Elrond sniffed. "I didn't even notice he was gone until they took him."

"He's really gone, Jade. Val killed him. There's nothing I can do. Hell, I can't face him! Not now..." Elrond was crying. 

My heart ached for him. I remembered Frond as a serious, sensitive boy with huge dreams and the bluest eyes I'd ever seen.

I reached out and held him, not caring about my semi-clothed state.

"Val's telling you something. He knows what to get to you with. He's determined to make you give up."

"Let him," Elrond sobbed. "Let him. I give up. Daeron would be better. He's got thicker skin and heaven knows he'd be better in bed. Jade, take him."

His tears bathed my neck.

I drew him up so that he looked at me. "That's what Val wants."

Elrond tried to breath in deeply, but it ended in a shuddering sob.

"What would your dad say?"

"Pain? No chance of success? Heartache? Sorrow? He'd love it. My father thrives on it. He loves feeling pain. That's not me."

I leaned into Elrond again. "You are like your father. Elrond, you can go on. Think about when it's all over. Won't you want to be High King then; run a country, hold meetings?"

Outside, I heard marching feet.

"Frond would want you to go on for him."

Elrond pulled me closer. "Take me back, and I'll fight."

His body was hard against me. His hand moved to my back, pulling me into him. His touch was searing on my skin. 

I've missed this.

"Why did I ever doubt you? I'll have you. I say yes. As long as I live." I murmured.

A cry echoed through the terse streets, a wailing shriek of impending doom that rose and fell before it died away.

"Your people need you."

He kissed me. "If I don't come back, know I've only wanted you."

I traced his jawline. "If you come back, know that I'll have you gladly."

"For Frond."

"If no one else." I tucked Frond's cloak inside his shirt, near his heart. "Go to your people."

His face still washed with tears, Elrond kissed me again and left to try to rouse his failing people.