" Oilae" (Everlasting)

Chapter One:

Elrond Peredhil sat back in his chair, his thoughts elsewhere as his
fingertips traced the lacquered edges of his desk. Scrolls and maps
littered its shining surface, evidence of his concern, but still he
questioned if this was the right course of action. Middle Earth was
on the brink of war. A battle of such proportion was underway that it
would certainly alter balance in the land. No longer could the power
of the Elves protect against the darkness that was rising, and
perhaps it was not in their best interest to attempt to do so, but
neither could they allow Saurons evil to snuff out the flame of Men
just as it had begun to burn it's brightest. The age of the Elves had
faded to allow the age of Men to flourish, they could not abandon
them no matter the cost.
Bringing his hand to head, Elrond removed the Mithril circlet from
his brow and tossed it upon the piles of parchment. With a healer's
touch he rubbed at his temples in an attempt o soothe tension that
had begun to throb in his head, lng hng his hands slide to cradle his
face with an exhausted sigh.
The Lord of Imladris was so very tired. Everyday now he felt his age
pressing down upon him like heavy stones upon his chest and in his
dreams the sea whispered his name beckoning him to sail West across
its shimmering waters. Most of Imladris had made the choice already,
and even at this very moment Cirdan's white ship awaited Arwen's safe
passage. Elrond began to tremble slightly, both his weariness and the
agony of having had to break his daughter's heart wearing on him.
Perhaps he had been selfish in ensuring that she sail, but he could
not trust in the strength of Men, it had failed before and he would
not lose his only daughter to mortal weakness.
" Elrond....." A soft rapping upon the door roused the Imla Lor Lord
from his personal thoughts. Elrond pushed down his weariness and made
a rather useless attempt to straighten his desk before admitting
audience.
"Come........" he called out, when he had suitably rearranged his
scrolls, though he still left the circlet upon the desktop.
The large ornate door opened to reveal an equally exhausted
Glorfindel, his robes of office abandoned for light riding armor. The
tall seneschal stepped into the study closing the heavy door behindm. Fm. For a brief moment Elrond felt as if he had traveled back in
time for standing before him, his sword at his side and his golden
mane of hair braided in a plait at his back, Glorfindel looked every
bit the Balrog slayer of legend.
" He has arrived , Heru* " replied the seneschal as he approached the
desk. " I thought that you would like to speak with him before he and
his men retire for the night. They will leave at dawn."
Elrond quickly shook off his wandering thoughts walked and over to
the balcony. In the courtyard below a large contingent of archers and
footmen rested amid the statuary and fountains. Wandering in their
numbers, speaking now and again to those that addressed him was
Haldir, March Warden of Lorien. He was not hard to locate in the
shadows for he wore a crimson cloak over his armor to indicate his
rank and like Elrond during the Alliance wore no helm, his pale hair
luminous as it fell over his shoulders.
"Shall I send for him Heru?" inquired Glorfindel as he loosened his
vembraces and approached the balcony. The seneschal had ridden out to
meet the Lorien archers and escort them into Imladris. Elrond had
told him that a number would arrive, but he had not quite expected
the group to be as large as it was.
"No..." replied Elrond abruptly, turning and clasping Glorfindel
gently by the shoulders. " You are weary from duty, mellon-nin. See
that all have a bed within the barrack and make sure that food is
available in the kitchen. I will seek out the March Warden when he is
settled."
"See that you rest yourself Elrond" cautioned the seneschal as he let
himself be led towards the door. " Weariness knows no rank" Elrond
let a smile ghost across his lips at Glorfindel's concern. The
seneschal knew him better than anyone and would speak bluntly where
others would not dare.
" I will .." chided the Elven Lord as he watched Glorfindel return to
the gathered Lorien guards.

Elrond closed the door slowly and leaned his head on the dark wooden
frame, his smile fading to one of upsetting indecision.
" No matter the cost......" His voice was a mere whisper. The Lord
of Imladris had been able to delay speaking to the March Warden for
now, but he would inevitably have to face him and in doing so set his
destiny in motion.


Haldir walked silently through the labyrinthine paths that made up
the ornamental gardens just beyond the courtyard. Most of his archers
had taken to their pallets in preparation for the long march , but he
could not rest, his thoughts returning again and again to Galadriel's
solemn sendoff. In his entire memory he had not ever recalled seeing
the lady of Light so....aged. It was as if a veil had been lifted
from her and he saw the true ancient quality that bound her to the
Wood. She had embraced him as he left the pavilion and spoke only one
word. Oiale ( everlasting) and even as he passed the borders her
sentiment echoed in his heaaldialdir would certainly not admit that
Galadriel's cryptic remark had unsettled him, but it had made him
uneasy.

The gardens of Imladris were indeed elaborate, not at all like the
natural lay of Lorien, but a more orchestrated beauty. Plants and
trees were selected and planted to create an ambience rather than for
organic purposes. Roses bloomed along with cherry trees, and
beautifully fragrant trumpet vines crawled amid holly and ivy as it
snaked the stone that walled the pathways. Haldir stopped beneath a
tall elder that been decorated with small candles to hang from its
branches. Each tiny lantern was of a different hue and from a
distance it quite resembled a myriad of colored fireflies dancing
about the night. Curiously he reached up and touched one of the
globes as it hung almost magically suspended within the arbor.

" `Tis beautiful is it not?" A low and familiar voice startled the
March Warden into pulling back his hand. In the dim light he could
just make out a solid form leaning against the wall. Backing away,
Haldir tried to focus upon the voice.

" I am sorry Haldir, I meant not to unsettle you." Elrond stepped
into the glow cast by the candled tree extending his hand in apology.

Haldir recovered and stepped forward to clasp the Elven Lord in
greeting. " It is I who should apologize Lord Elrond, for I was quite
lost in thought. I did not hear you approach."

" I often come here to think myself Warden, this particular part of
the garden is very conducive to reflection." Elrond glanced up at the
lanterns as they swayed upon the light breeze and his heart clenched
for they reminded him of Arwen's departure.

Haldir caught the glittering of Elrond's eyes as he looked towards
the flickering tree and suddenly felt intrusive. Glorfindel had made
him e the that Arwen had departed for the West and no doubt Elrond
was in need of solitude.

" I will leave you to your thoughts Lord Elrond" offered Haldir ,
trying to back away without any more offense.

Elrond turned quickly and reached out to touch Haldir on the arm. "
No March Warden," he replied staying the Galadrhim by the wrist. " I
would enjoy your company."


TBC