The council slowly left the meeting point, many of the Fellowship leaving to start packing. I wait behind, knowing that Elrond wanted to speak with me. Some of the members, however, wished to speak to Lord Elrond.
I saw him walking towards me after finishing a discussion with Gandalf, when Boromir intercepted him, clearly upset about something. I was close enough to hear their conversation,
"Lord Elrond, I need to speak to you about that woman, why would you let a wom-"
"Lord Boromir, I would kindly request that you go start preparing for your journey while I talk to my wife. I do wish to spend some time with her before she departs on a dangerous Journey." I could see the slight tensing of Boromir's back. I was surprised at Elronds response, for him to show such emotion publicly was unlike him.
"Of course, Lord Elrond." The words were spat through clenched teeth, as he stormed off. While it was easy to become used to such treatment, it was rare to see someone doubt Elrond's judgement.
He finally made his way over to me, where he leaned in and whispered; "Follow me, now."
I ducked my head, his tone leaving no room for argument. There was no doubt he was furious. He walked down the corridors of Rivendell, leading us to his study. He paused letting me in first, then closing the door behind himself.
It was quiet, he said nothing .
I opened my mouth, but before i could say anything, he grabbed my wrist and dragged me in close, holding me in his arms. His breathes were quick and strong against my neck. I settled in, wrapping my arms around his neck and breathing his scent in. I doubt it would be a long time till I could do this again, after this, just hold him. I felt the press of his lips against my neck, and in this action I feel every fear of his.
"I am sorry my love," I say, feeling the tears that come to my eyes, "I'm sorry."
He shushes me quietly.
"I couldn't just let them go, I need to help them," My words are harsh, threatening to turn to sobs, as the gravity of the situation dawns upon me. This journey would decide the fate of Middle-Earth, it was going to be incredibly dangerous, and I am sure, extremely long,
"I know, I know." A kiss is placed on top of my head.
He pulls back slightly, and holds my cheeks in his hands, laying a kiss on my forehead.
"Come, let's go make sure you are prepared, then we can spend the rest of the evening in each other's company." I nod, not trusting my voice.
Elrond organises the food and supplies being taken for the Fellowship, getting it ready for our departure. I had made sure that a few dark travelling trousers and leathers were packed for me, as well as an extra pair of hiking boots. I make my way to the armoury, where I grab a sword, bow and quiver of arrows, and some small daggers. I head back to the where the supplies for the journey are being stored, placing my personal items in there, before heading to the dining hall.
Upon walking into the hall, I feel a multitude of eyes flickering towards me. I begin my walk to the front, where I see Elrond is seated, but before I can make it, a had grasps my arm. I look at who it is that has laid a hand on me, and calm at seeing the concerned face of Arwen. She looks scared, she gives me a hug, her arms deathly tight around me. I soften in her arms and hug back, gently rubbing up and down, calming her.
"It is alright my dear, it's okay..." She reluctantly lets go.
"Why is it that you and Aragorn must go, please, just change your mind."
I smile weakly at her, "I am sorry Arwen, but I made a promise, I would not be able to live with myself if I stood by doing nothing."
She nodded small tears wetting her eyes as she gazed at the floor, so I lifter her chin and try to cheer her up.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure I let the other's help me defeat Sauron."
She smile gently, and so I link arms with her, and walk to the front of the hall, taking a seat before dinner begins. It is quiet. There is only a small amount of chatter, and even so, only in small clumps. I eat in silence, aware of members of the council gazing at me. I retire early that knight, and sit on the balcony within Elrond's and I's shared chamber. It gazes out over Rivendell, the beautiful forest and waterfalls. I sit there, on the ground, leaning against the wall, just taking it all in, knowing this was to be my last night here, if not for the rest of my life, then a long time.
I didn't hear the door open, then close, nor did I hear the footsteps that approached. The sound of Elrond sitting next to me, made me jump. I looked at him with startled eyes, before calming, and leaning back against him, as I looked towards the bright moon in the sky.
"I'm going to miss this view Elrond," I spoke gazing across the beautiful.
"Not as much as I'm going to miss mine," I turned to look at him, to see he was staring at me.
A soft laugh left me as i curled my body towards him. I inhale deeply, trying to memorise his scent, his warmth, and how he feels against me. I lean up, placing a kiss against his neck, another one slightly higher, and then a light teasing bit on his chin. I ignore his laugh, and tenderly place my lips against his. He pushes back, one hand snaking around my neck tugging me closer gently. He bites my lip, trying to devour every part of my being.
I use my hands to untie the braces of his clothes, slowly removing it, bit by bit, as he does the same to me, while kissing down my neck. I feel a small bite just bellow my ear.
"Please my love, I want to feel you for as long as I can..." The bites become harder, and bigger, covering both sides of my neck. As he laid on top of me, helping me undress, I focused on every part of him, locking it all into memory, preparing for the long and gruelling months that were to come. I captured him as he was under the moonlight on our balcony, caring for only each other, as we said our goodbyes.
~~~
The Next Morning
I left our chambers with Elrond the next morning, our arms linked. He was wearing his normal Lordly clothes, where as I was dressed with Trousers and a tunic. I packed my cloak with the rest of my clothes. I saw Arwen talking quietly to Aragorn, before the both looked to Eldrond and I's approach. Aragorn's eyes flickered from my neck, to the chin of my beloved, as did Arwen's. I broke away to retrieve my weapons and supplies. After attaching the scabbard to my belt and hiding slinging my bow over my shoulder, I brought the bags back to load onto the pony.
"Looks like you had a fun night Lass," I looked at Gimli, as he sharpened his axe for the Journey. I tilted my head in confusion. He placed his hand on his neck before nodding towards me. My hand flew up to press on my neck.
I winced at the ache that I felt, and realised that there were bruises, big bruises. My face flushed upon realising that this is what Aragorn and Arwen had been looking at. I quickly finished the final preparations, ignoring Gimli's chuckles at my embarrassment. A quick glanced to my other half showed a small bruise upon his chin.
We all lined up, Aragorn just finishing loading the pony Bill with last of our supplies, it was nearly time to leave. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and turned to the person, already knowing who it was.
"You can still change you're mind, my love, you do not have to do this." I looked down, taking Elronds hands into my own, bringing them to my lips.
"Boe i 'waen." Neither of the pair heard the conversations of the others, too caught up in each other
"Guren níniatha n'i lû n'i a-govenitham." He whispered it, with his forehead pressed against my own.
"Gi melin." I leaned forward and gently placed a kiss on his lips, squeezing his hands once more, "I will think of you every day that we are parted, until I can be in your arms once again."
"Stay safe, please my love. I will miss you, I eagerly await your return."
"I'm still here."
"I know."
~~
Aragorn's POV
The two parted reluctantly, holding until the last moment they could get. Elrond backed away, addressing the whole company, he kept his eyes away from Aloryssa, looking from person to person, and beconing Frodo to lead us away. It was only as most of the company was leaving that he looked at her. Frodo and Gandalf lead the company, and Aloryssa trailed behind the rest, looking over her shoulder, to her home, and to her family.
I glanced back once, to see Arwen and Elrond looking on together. My eyes connected with Arwen, and my hand grasped the evenstar around my neck. I looked to Elrond next, who glanced to me shortly. I mouthed a small message to him, hoping to comfort him and Arwen even in the slightest.
'I'll keep her safe'
As we walked around the bend, and lost sight of Rivendell, she looked forward and caught up to the rest of the group, smiling weakly at me, before turning ahead and following the rest of the fellowship.
~~~~
Aloryssa P.O.V
We had been travelling for a little while now, but it was decided that we would pause on the top of a hill. Sam was cooking up some lunch, and Boromir was training Pippin and Merry.
"We must hold this course west of the Misty Mountains for 40 days. I our luck holds the Gap of Rohan will be open to use. From there our road turns east to Mordor." Gandalf was discussing the plans, and Legolas gazed over the land around us.
Boromir looked over at me during a small break for Merry and Pippin, smirking slightly, before speaking to me.
"I can help you learn how to use that sword if you'd like?" He had raised his eyebrows, his offer cocky and mocking.
As I stood, Aragorn laughed quietly, knowing the mistake Boromir had made.
"That would be wonderful," I started, smiling sweetly at the man, before drawing my sword and holding it loosely. "How about have a quick duel to see where I am at so far? Maybe you can give me some pointers on how to improve."
Boromir nodded, twirling his sword as a rich arrrogance radiated from him, "Are you ready?"
"Sure am."
Boromir raised brought his sword down towards me. Icorrected my grip on the weapon, and brought it up, parrying his strike and return a quick attack of my own. I struck out quickly, hitting his hand with the blunt of my sword. He dropped his blade with a sharp gasp. I lined the tip of my blade before his neck, smirking as I spoke in a small confident voice.
"I think I will do fine with my sword, thanks though. Although, I would recommend that, even if your opponent is a women, do not underestimate her ability in battle."
I left him standing there, walking towards Aragorn, giving a faux bow, as Boromir went back to teaching the hobbits, embarrassed. Aragorn lit his pipe, beginning his smoking as our group rested for the afternoon.
"A little harsh, don't you think?" I shrugged.
"He should not have underestimated me."
"Two, Three, Four, Five. Good, very good." Boromir coached Pippin and Merry.
"Move your feet." I glanced up at Aragorn, amused as he watched on.
"That's good, Pippin." Merry encouraged.
"Thanks."
I phased out from their training, as Gimli spoke to Gandalf.
"Anyone was to ask for my opinion, which i note they're not, I'd say we were taking the long way round. Gandalf, we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin Belin would give us a royal welcome." Gandalf looked to the Dwarf.
"No Gimli, I would not take the roads through Moria unless I had no other choice." This was where their conversation ended. I walked over to Gimli.
"How is Balin, i have not seen him for many years now."
Gimli looked towards me, surprised.
"You know Balin?"
"I aided the men in the battle of 5 armies, and before i returned to Rivendell, I met the Dwarves under the mountain, staying with them while they regained their strength. I did not get to know him as well as I should have liked."
Gimli smiled up at me.
"The last I had seen him was many winter's ago, after he had gained power over Moria. He was happy then, living with the other Dwarves and mining mithril."
I smiled down at the Dward, "I'm glad."
Turning to return back to my spot, I see Boromir fastening his pace with the hobbits.
"Come one. Good!"
"Ahh!" Pippin drops his sword, and I am ready to rush over to help him. Boromir profusely apologises. That is until Pippin kicks his shin, shouts 'get him' and with the help of Merry, tackles the man of Gondor to the ground.
"For the shire!"
Aragorn steps up to help him, chuckling, then he too, is pulled down by the hobbits in mock battle.
"What is that?"
I am pulled away from the unfolding battle, towards the passage south, where a large black cloud is swarming towards us.
I hear Boromir get up, as Gimli comments.
"Nothing, it's just a whiff of cloud."
"It's moving fast," I say, squinting to try and detect what the presence was.
"It's also moving against the wind."
My eyes widen in realisation, but before I am able to speak, Legolas ceases the deliberations.
"Crebain from Dunland!"
"Hide!"
Aragorn's command spurs the group into action. Sam rushes to put out the fire, I help Aragorn to hide our packs as the rest of the fellowship takes cover. I run and drop sliding underneath a nearby boulder, just as the swarm of crows rush over the hill. I prey the rest of our company had found cover.
The birds loop around the hilltop. The wings thunderously flapping and their cries agonisingly loud. It is not too long before the have all left, returning to the south, and we all emerge from our hidden positions.
"Spies of Saruman! The passage south is being watched. We must take the Pass of the Caradhras."
I silently curse, and grab my cloak out of my bag.
There was going to be a long and cold few days ahead of us.
------ ------ ------ -----
Translation:
Boe i 'waen - I must go
Guren *níniatha n'i lû n'i a-govenitham - My heart shall weep till I see you again