Wanderer

54 - Namarie

Jade

Elrond found it hard to keep his nose from bleeding, and then there was a bloodstain on his gold tunic that he didn't have time to clean.

"Here's what we're going to do." Elrond instructed me, Daeron, Indis and Rian, who had recently been promoted to the rank of captain. We were in the highest meeting room inside the palace. He swiped at a persistent dribble of thin blood. "Val doesn't expect us to last. So we will."

Daeron scowled heavily. "Surely you've got a better plan."

"More detailed, yes. Same principles." Elrond sniffed. "We're going to meet. We'll launch an attack before he comes for us."

"When?" asked Indis critically.

Elrond looked outside, straight into the huge, low sun. "Now." he said placidly. "Indis, I promote you to the rank of captain. You will take the Elite branch to the left flank of the field as soon as they can be moved. Rian, you will have the right flank covered with half of our army. I'll lead the charge with Dae and Jade with the remaining half. We'll box him in as soon as they're settled in for the night."

My heart jumped. So this is how it is to end.

Elrond reached into his crumpled tunic and revealed two copies of his instructions. "Guard these well."

Indis and Rian received them and then we all stood awkwardly, staring at him.

"Guess this is it then." Daeron said.

Elrond shook his head. "This is something bigger. We're all part of it. Even if we all die tonight, this isn't the end. I believe Manwe will come. He won't abandon the world completely."

I don't know if I shared his convicitions. But it didn't matter. "Either way, I'm with you."

Daeron nodded. "Same."

Rian pushed back her long hair. "A captain. You must have been really desperate to promote me."

Indis laughed. "I never dreamed I'd be leading the Elite. I remember just wanting to get in."

Elrond nodded slowly. He was deep in thought. "Now would be a great time for my father to return. He would have loved to be king."

He shook his head. "I'll see everyone this evening then. Go and spend your last hours in whatever way is fit. And no, I'm not available."

Daeron and the girls filed out, but Elrond put his hand out to stop me. "Jade."

I stopped. Elrond sat down in the window-well of the great hall and looked up at me. I waited. The others left. 

"Jade, you're beautiful. I love you.  I wouldn't ask you to do this unless I really believed it was going to happen. We are going to win. Do you want to think about past that?"

I shook my head. "I think you're being optimistic. Why are you so sure that Manwe will come? And everything will be alright with him coming? He's going to halt a massacre at best. What if Val gets Indis or Dae or even you? Then what?"

"Then we'll all meet again somewhere. Some things are worse than death."

"Like slavery." I whispered. 

"Exactly." Elrond leaned in towards me. I knew what he wanted. 

"Don't." I said. Tears formed in my eyes. "It'll just make it that much harder."

"I understand. When it's all over, then." 

"I can do this." I said for the both of us.

"Daughter on that son-of-a-gun?" Elrond snorted, and a spray of blood stained his hands again. "Hell, yes."