His Amorem

Prologue

"I must go, i will see you at sunrise!"

Amused, Keerla watched him run off with an odd skip in his step. She shook her head and rose, brushing the skirts of her dress before she walked in the direction of her old friend's council chamber.

Elrond of Rivendell was stood at his balcony, observing his lands with a glass of wine in his grasp. He had heard her coming for the last few minutes despite her almost silent steps, and simply lifted his glass in greeting, not looking back at her.

Keerla smiled at his behaviour, knowing he was as sad to see her go as Estel was, and crossed the room to stand slightly behind him to his right. Like most of the elves in Rivendell, Elrond had long brown hair – though his was held in place by a circlet showing his high status – and dark grey eyes. Eyes that saw so much and yet sometimes, (and especially when involving his daughter) Keerla feared they saw too little.

"You depart at sunrise, i hear," he said after a while, "You will be gone before most have risen."

"I intended it that way," she replied, resting her hands on the stone rail, "I do not need the hassle of questions and demands of my absence. Nor do i want to see Arwen, Elladan or Elrohir so upset."

"You act like you are not happy we care for you," the Lord of Imladris chuckled, "But if that were true, your one year here would not have turned into seven – though i believe we have Estel to thank for that."

"He made me promise to see him before i depart, he sounded so excited. I'm worried about what he plans to do."

Glancing at her, Elrond half smirked, "You mothered him these last years, he has taken much of your personality and traits. You only see in him what you would see in yourself."

"Perhaps that is what i fear most."

Nothing was said for a short while, Elrond unable to calm the worries of his old friend and Keerla unable to find the words she wanted to say. Eventually, Elrond decided to chance his luck.

"Where is it you are leaving to?"

"You are not so subtle, dear one," she chuckled, glancing at him with sparkling eyes, "I swore long ago to keep private that which i have been asked, old friends or no, you will not hear it from me."

"Your friendship with the dwarfs is strange," he muttered, "You are more loyal to them than to those of your kin."

"Do you expect any less?" Keerla sighed, "I should return to my rooms. I need to pack, and rest. It is a long journey i have ahead, and i do not wish to take too many breaks."

"Then this shall be farewell, Keerla. Na lû e-govaned vîn (To the time of our meeting)"

"N'i lû tôl, (When the time will come)," she replied, taking his hands in hers and pressing a soft kiss on his knuckles, "Look after Estel for me."

Returning to her chambers, she found herself weeping and decided to crawl into bed. Everything else – her packing, her bathing – could wait until the early morning. For now, she would rest.

=

After a warm bath and rubbing honey scented oils into her skin, Keerla tied her hair up in an elegant bun with several golden cuff beads that had become part of her life in the Dwarf halls. She dressed in her armour knowing she would most likely cross paths with many a foul thing.

Her breeches were skin tight and dark brown, like the knee high leather boots that laced up the back of her legs. Her shirt had a very deep neck on it, and was a grey-green colour but it was tucked into her pants and hidden beneath a long sleeved shirt of Mithril, with a second bodice of the chainmail over the top, and a thick silver plate of armour around her waist.

Around her hips she fastened her sword, with a dagger strapped to either thigh, and slung her bow over her shoulders with its quiver. In a knapsack she packed her pale green and velvet hemmed cloak, a pouch with some gold, her water skin and a few pieces of Lembas bread. It wasn't exactly to her taste, but she could hardly travel such a distance with meat. She didn't really know what else would be needed, but travelling light had always been preferable.

With a last look at her rooms, she smiled softly and made her way down to the stables. Her black mare was already saddled and ready to go, to which she thanked the stable boy and led Baineth into one of the many courtyards, heading for the gates.

"Keerla! Keerla!" Estel cried, rushing up behind her and she turned, grinning.

Dropping to her knees, she caught him in an embrace and buried her face in his hair. He returned the favour, nuzzling into her like a newly born pup before pulling back and presenting her with a small wooden box.

"What is this, little one?" she asked, when he forced it into her hands.

"I asked Adan to make it for you, it matches your ear cuff, see?"

Opening the box, Keerla smiled at the silver bangle with a latch of leaves. Indeed it matched the cuff on her right ear that she had been presented a few decades ago. Placing it on her left wrist, she smiled and pressed a kiss to Estel's forehead.

"I love it, i will treasure it always my little cub."

"When you come back, I'll have something else for you," he beamed proudly, "But I'll make the next one myself. Adan already promised to show me how."

"And in return i shall bring you something from my travels," she nodded, making him giggle and the two embraced again, "I will see you soon, Estel, i will return. Gerich veleth nín (You have my love)"

"I know," he smiled, "Gi Melin, Naneth (I love you, Mother)"

Swinging herself up into the saddle, Keerla cast one glance back to the young boy and smiled, before digging her heels into Baineth's side and setting off. Her journey would be long, at least forty days if there was no trouble.

It both excited her and scared her, the reason for her leaving. She had been so thrilled to receive a letter from her dearest friend, and yet his quest brought her a sense of foreboding. It had been seven years since she had seen him, or any of his kin. Seven years since she had seen those she considered family. 

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