The Lost

The Lost

Chapter 13
Author: Frosty the Dairy Cow
Rated: NC-17
Codes: Elrond, Legolas, Aragorn, Haldir, Galadriel, OC, AU, N/C
Summary: After the defeat of Sauron, Elves and Men go to war. The reason, though, is not so clear. Contains real plot.
Notes: Elvish translations are at the end of each chapter.
Disclaimer: LOTR is not mine. Bleh.


*

The days leading them to Minas Tirith were long and uneventful. Anólindë had avoided Aragorn for the majority of the time, speaking to him only when necessary. He had not tried to talk to her, and she was grateful for that. For the most part.

Legolas had noticed she was subdued. He had questioned her, but did not push when she failed to explain to him why she was quiet. She appreciated that, being able to keep things to herself. Part of her, though, knew she needed to talk to someone. Her emotions were uncontrolled, and nightly she was on the verge of tears.

As they came closer to the gates of the White City, daunting as it was, Anólindë expressed a sigh of relief. It would be nice to stop traveling, to have somewhere comfortable to sleep.

A group of soldiers met them just before they arrived at the gates. When Aragorn went to greet them, they were visibly relieved to have their King back. Their expressions changed, however, when he informed them of the elves. Anólindë averted her gaze from their eyes, hard and focused. They obeyed their commander, though, and allowed them entry to the ci

When inside, Aragorn was quick to tell the soldiers to inform Minas Tirith of their company. Anólindë overheard him speak, and blanched when he warned the soldiers what would happen to them if they tried to hurt her kind. For the first time, she truly realized the danger they were all in.

It was late afternoon and they had not eaten since daybreak. She frowned when Aragorn ordered guards to take the elves to their housing, and provide food for them. He left, without making sure his guards could be trusted.

"I feel cornered," said Anólindë as they rode to the third level of the city. She kept her hood up, trying to avoid drawing attention. Legolas, though, was as obvious as a flower amongst weeds.

He smirked and raised an eyebrow when a human woman yelled a distinctly unfriendly phrase at them as they passed. "Well, we are greatly outnumbered," he replied, "When you're at the mercy of your hosts, I would expect you'd feel cornered."

Anólindë shot Legolas a dirty look for his inability to comfort. He only smiled softly in response, making her even more annoyed. "Gwaur echil," she muttered when a man made a rude gesture towards them.

The group stopped near a large white building. It was quiet here, obviously not somewhere that most of the city spent its time. Anólindë watched as Haldir helped Galadriel dismount, then followed the soldiers into the building. It was as empty inside as it was outside.

"You may choose your rooms from anywhere in this building. The cityfolk will not bother you here." The soldier speaking to them turned with a judging expression and spoke tersely, "Food will be delivered. I suggest you do not leave this house."

With that, the men who had escorted the elves left the building. Anólindë frowned and looked back as they closed the heavy door behind them. "Do not leave?" she repeated, "Are we prisoners here?"

Haldir grunted as they began down one of the halls. "I would not be surprised," he said, eyeing the many doors. Choosing one, he opened it and stepped insidnólinólindë looked in, then chose a different door to open. The room was basically the same as the last.

A bed was set in the centre of a small, white room. Windows were on either side of the bed, and a door to the right led to the bathroom. The rug was a pale blue. Art hung on the walls, each painting portraying part of Gondor's history. Anólindë frowned at one painting which depicted a man destorying a pack of werewolves.

Sighing, she turned on her heel and left the room, joining the rest. Looking around, she noticed someone missing. "Where is the Lady?" she asked.

Haldir nodded towards the first room they entered. "I left her to rest," he said, "She is exhausted."

Anólindë eyed the pale door. She worried for the Queen, who had barely spoken through their entire journey. Her face grew more pale with each passing day, and Anólindë often saw her massaging her hands, as though she missed the ring that used to be upon her finger. Vilya had a terrible hold over Elrond, Anólindë supposed Narya was also strong in its pull.

She wondered if Galadriel felt it calling.

"There is not much we can do until Aragorn comes to speak with us," said Legolas, drawing Anólind's attention, "We might as well rest."

"I think we should find Aragorn ourselves," said Haldir, and another of the Mirkwood elves nodded, "I am not content to sit here and wait."

Legolas looked tired. "I do not want us to damage this possiblity of peace by venturing where we were asked not to go," he responded, "I see no reason we cannot wait."

Haldir was nervous, Anólindë could tell. His foot fidgeted as he stood. "Why don't we take a walk, Haldir?" she said, hoping to relax him. "We could explore the building."

He narrowed his eyes at her. "Explore?" When she smiled and nodded, he sighed and relented. Legolooklooked relieved. "Fine. It will be better than just sitting."

Taking leave of the group, Anólindë waited until they were out of earshot of the others before speaking. "Haldir, is Galadriel alright? She doesn't look well."

The marchwarden's jaw clenched as they headed back towards the main doors. "She is as well as can be expected."

Anólindë stopped and touched his arm, turning Haldir to face her. "I can see how this wears on her. Please, I want the truth."

He sighed and pushed open the doors. Anólindë hesitated, knowing they were supposed to stay inside. "Sit with me on the stairs," he said, holding the door open, "That is as far as we will go."

She relented and stepped into the sun. The sky was bright blue, casting no shadows over the shining white buildings and vivid green grass. They sat on the stone steps, completely alone. "The Lady told me all must sacrifice," she said when Haldir did not speak, "Did she sacrifice when she left the ring?"

Her friend's eyes were distant, pinned on something on the horizon. "She left Narya so we would not be found, but in leaving it she has given up what tied her to this world. It will not be long now."

"Not be long for what?" Anólindë spoke quietly, afraid of what Haldir's answer would be. She was already beginning to understand what this sacrifice meant.

Haldir tu to to her, his blue eyes bright in the sun. "Her life is ending, Anólindë. She has given herself in hope that we can find peace for this world." His eyes shined with unshed tears as he looked back out over the mountains. "We will not be able to turn back from this journey. We must succeed, so what she gave is not in vain."

Closing her eyes against the sting of tears, Anólindë looked across the courtyard. She had never felt so alone. "Can I speak to her once more?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

Haldir shook his head. "It is too late."

Biting her lip, Anólindë allowed her tears to fall.

*

TBC

Elf-Talk:

Gwaur echil. - Dirty human.