By Adara

Although Eledwhen argued relentlessly that she must return to Edoras immediately, the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood refused to give their permission for her to leave. Both cited the recent miscarriage and the Fellowship's need for rest and recovery. Although Boromir had heeded his brother's dream and sought Imladris, it was only because the dream also had come to him. Gondor's heir was not superstitious, preferring to place his faith in weapons and loyal men of war. The Princess of Rohan, on the other hand, placed great faith in her dreams and fretted constantly over the vision of her brother's death. Finally growing angry at being treated like a child, Eledwhen rode out in search of Haldir. She found the Elf on Lórien's northern border, where he and his two brothers were on watch for orcs.

* * * * * * * * *

Haldir heard the sound of the approaching horse well before he saw it. His brother, Rumil, mimicked the cry of a crow as a warning. He needn't have bothered, however, since Haldir already knew the identity of the rider. The marchwarden was smiling broadly as he swung gracefully down from the tree in which he had been hiding. He had been thinking about Eledwhen and the outrageous behavior of Boromir during the recent feast. And now, as though in answer to his thoughts, the lady herself was rapidly approaching his position. The Lórien Elf sent a mental greeting to the Princess moments before a huge black stallion trotted proudly between two mallorns. Eledwhen's smile was wide and her eyes alight as she hailed her friend. Haldir hurried over to the stallion and reached upward to help her dismount. The Princess slid gracefully down her mount's side, her slender waist encircled by the Elf's hands.

"Haldir! I was afraid I would be unable to find you. How fair you and your brothers?" Rumil and Orophin had joined the reunion and were smiling knowingly as Haldir's hands remained about Eledwhen's waist, though she seemed not to notice. Both Elves bowed respectfully.

"Eledwhen, what are you doing riding alone? It is dangerous to ride about unescorted, even in the Golden Wood. We are too near the border and, even here, orcs wander, although not for long." Haldir was clearly upset with her lapse in good judgement.

The Princess' expression became grave and she stepped away from Haldir. "I came to ask for your help. You are my dearest friend and the only one to whom I can turn."

Haldir crossed the small space that separated them in the blink of an eye. "What is wrong, Eledwhen? Has Boromir hurt you again? I swear I will use him for target practice if he does not treat you with more care." Because Haldir was concentrating solely on the girl, he did not see his brothers roll their eyes in amusement. Eledwhen turned to face Haldir; her eyes were filled with unshed tears.

"I had a vision in which my mother told me that Boromir would die if he continued to travel with the Fellowship. I cannot convince him to leave with me immediately for Edoras. And if I do not leave soon, my brother will die. So I have come to you to ask for a favor." Haldir studied Eledwhen's distraught features, then gently took her right hand in his.

"I will do what I can, my lady. You have only to ask." Haldir was rewarded for his offer of help with a blinding smile and a grateful Princess, who threw herself against the Elf, wrapping her arms about him in gratitude.

"I knew you would help me. You are truly the dearest of friends." Eledwhen hurriedly recounted her vision as well as her conversations with Boromir and the Lord and Lady of Lórien. "You must see that I cannot be in two places at once; therefore, I must ask you to leave immediately for Rohan and warn my brother, Théodred, of this plot to kill him. My grandparents will never allow me to leave alone, and I do not believe I could reach my homeland should I even attempt such a journey by myself. But I know that you can, so I must beg you to undertake the journey."

Haldir was stunned by the request. He had hoped she would ask him to accompany her south to Edoras, but the request that he undertake the mission alone was not something for which he had been prepared. But his word was given and he had never broken a promise. "Are you certain this cannot wait until the Fellowship departs and you can travel to Rohan with the Lord Boromir?"

Eledwhen vehemently shook her head. "Nay, if you do not leave now and ride as fast as the wind, my brother will die at the Fords of the Isen. Saruman's orcs will slay him and Wormtongue's control over my father will tighten. What then shall become of my cousins, Éomer and Éowyn, frightens me. Please, Haldir, do this for me and I will forever be in your debt." Haldir smiled gently and brushed her hair with the back of a hand.

"I have said I will do what I can and so I shall, but I need some token to convince the Prince of the Mark that I come at your behest. The horse-lords are a superstitious lot and not ones to trust Elves. Present company excluded, of course."

Eledwhen nodded solemnly and cast her thoughts on what item she possessed that would convince Théodred that Haldir was not some servant of Saruman or the Dark Lord. Finally she smiled and removed the silver hairpin that kept her tresses swept upward. She placed the item in the Elf's hand.

Haldir studied the silver likeness of a running horse with flowing mane for a few moments before turning his gaze upon the Princess. His eyebrows were raised and she answered his unspoken question. "Théodred gave me this the day I turned 18. He designed it himself. Give this to my brother and repeat to him what I have told you. He will not question your purpose or your word."

Orophin had moved to stand beside his brother. His fair face was clouded with doubt. "And what, exactly, do you expect your brother to do? Run from battle or send others to die in his place?" Haldir shot his younger sibling a dark look, but Orophin did not back down. Rumil moved beside his brother in a show of solidarity. Eledwhen stared at the three of them as she struggled to find a truthful answer to the question. Finally she sighed.

"I have never been able to convince Théodred to have a care for his safety. He is a warrior who has seen 40 winters and I do not expect him to run away from a fight. I can only pray that this knowledge will change his battle strategy enough that he will not be overrun and murdered. Haldir, please, I beg you to do this for my sake and the sake of my country."

Haldir could feel his brothers' disapproval. He was not certain he could influence the Prince, but he had to try. He could not let Eledwhen down. It was at that moment he realized how deeply he cared for her. He heard a sharp sound of derisive laughter in his mind and lashed out verbally at its source. "Have you a better suggestion, Brother? The Prince of Rohan is related to our Lord and Lady. Would you do nothing to save his life?"

Orophin looked surprised. He had not thought about the mortal in that context, nor was he certain he approved of the number of Rohirrim that could claim kinship to the Elves of Lórien. Still, there was nothing to be done about it now and he could not let his brother face a dangerous journey alone. "If you must undertake this mission, then I shall go with you. Two Elves are better than one, it is said."

Rumil gaped at his brothers in disbelief. "Are you both mad? We have had no dealings with mortals since Théoden King was brought to Caras Galadon for healing. You know how high was the price the Lady Galadriel paid for her compassion. She has not forgiven Haldir for bringing the horse king to the city, and now you both want to run off to save his son! I doubt she will give her permission for you both to leave Lórien on this mission, especially when the Dark Lord may unleash his wrath against us at any moment."

Haldir grinned slyly. "I do not intend to ask for permission. I thought to simply disappear for a time."

Rumil stared at one brother and then the other before throwing up both hands in frustration. "Go if you must, but do not expect me to cover for you should the Lord or Lady ask after your whereabouts." Eledwhen moved to Rumil and placed a hand gently upon his shoulder.

"I should be eternally grateful for your silence in this matter, at least until they are too far away to be brought back. I know how much you love your brothers, for I have a brother whom I love deeply. Perhaps it is selfish of me to ask your brothers to risk their lives to save my brother, but I cannot help myself. I believe you would do the same in my place."

Rumil closed his eyes and a slight tremor passed through his slender frame. Eledwhen was suddenly overwhelmed by feelings of anger and gnawing fear. Gently she placed a hand to his forehead. Rumil opened his eyes as a sense of warmth and well being began to relax his mind and body. The princess smiled kindly. "Let me share your feelings and lessen their pain as I may. This, at least, I can do."

* * * * * * * * *

As Eledwhen returned to the stables, she spotted the Lord Aragorn speaking with the stable master. Both were standing beside a magnificent gray stallion bedecked in elaborate elvish accouterment. Both turned as the Princess drew abreast of them.

"What a magnificent animal! To whom does he belong?" Eledwhen leapt from her saddle, handed her reins to the stable master and moved to the stallion's head. "What is his name?" she asked, stroking its velvety nose.

"His name is Asfaloth. He occasionally agrees to carry me where I need to go." Eledwhen turned around quickly at the sound of the deep, yet soft, voice that sounded more like music than speech. Standing before her was the most beautiful Elf she had yet seen. She possessed luxurious dark hair kept off her face by two braids wrapped about her head. The pale, smooth skin was flawless, and her form was slender and graceful.

"Allow me to introduce the Lady Arwen Evenstar of Imladris," said Aragorn formally.

Arwen glanced in the direction of her betrothed and crinkled her nose ever so slightly before turning to Eledwhen. "I have heard much about you, Princess of Rohan. The Lord Boromir and I met during his stay in our city. It is good to finally meet my new cousin."

Eledwhen realized she was gaping at her Elven cousin from Imladris, quickly closed her mouth and moved to Arwen to give her a crushing hug. "Grandmother told me much about you as well. I cannot tell you how happy I am that you come to visit."

Arwen cast a sidelong glance at Aragorn and said softly, "I was afraid I would be too late to see the members of the Fellowship before they departed. I brought a gift for the Lord Aragorn." Eledwhen looked from Arwen to the Ranger, then back again.

"Oh, you two are… bonded?" she asked cautiously.

Both Elf and Man began laughing. Aragorn's laugh was deep and robust; Arwen's was light and musical, much like that of the Lady Galadriel. Eledwhen blushed because she thought they were laughing at her. "Do not worry, Cousin. We are not laughing at you, but at the expression on your face when you asked the question. You really looked quite shocked. The answer is that we have pledged ourselves to wed, but have not yet bonded ourselves in the way in which you mean. Elves may bond themselves to one mate for life, as have you and the Lord Boromir. My favorite Ranger and I have chosen not to bond until after the Dark Lord has been defeated, for I cannot see the end of the road that my beloved must take."

"And I will not allow my lady to bind herself to a man who may meet his end along that road. Plus, my future father-in-law has forbid it -- and he is not one to cross!" Aragorn took Arwen's hand in his and kissed the back of it lightly, chuckling softly at his jest about her father. There were tears in her eyes as she gently brushed his dark hair away from his face.

After a few silent minutes, she spoke. "Do you never shave, my love?" Surprised by the absurdity of the question in the context of the moment, Aragorn began to stammer a reply, but stopped when he saw the mischievous twinkle in Arwen's eyes.

Eledwhen watched them closely, thinking how much they belonged together. Suddenly she remembered that she had been gone for hours and had not told anyone she was leaving. Boromir would be frantic. "I am sorry, but I must leave now. I have been gone too long and am certain my husband will be fretting over my whereabouts." Turning to Arwen, she added, "I hope that you and I may find time to speak in private before we leave for Rohan."

Arwen frowned slightly. "Is it your intention to travel with the Fellowship?" Aragorn gave a slight shake of his head, trying to warn her off the subject.

"Of course. I could not possibly allow Boromir to travel home without me, for I believe strongly that he shall need me." Eledwhen executed a curtsey of respect and began to run toward Caras Galadon. Arwen turned stormy eyes upon the Ranger.

"What fool has told the Princess she may accompany the Fellowship?" she asked tightly. "Is there a pressing reason for her to risk her life along with the rest of you?"

Aragorn sighed deeply. "Boromir has insisted and the lady is willing. The Steward's son and I fought because of this. There is no swaying either of them from this course."

Arwen shook her head, clearly angry. "I shall talk with Grandmother about this. If the two of us cannot change Eledwhen's mind, then I shall have to come along as well."

Aragorn became angry in turn. "You shall NOT travel with us! I will not allow you to put yourself at such risk!"

Arwen's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You will not allow? Who saved Frodo from the Nazgul at the Ford of the Bruinen? Certainly not the haughty Ranger of the North. If the Princess of Rohan keeps company with the lot of you, then so shall I." With that, Arwen hefted her heavy riding skirt and stalked off toward the Elven city. Aragorn groaned at the thought of having to look after the safety of two females, even though he knew the Evenstar was skilled with a sword and bow.

Is it not enough that I must keep an eye on four nearly defenseless hobbits and the Lord of Gondor, who lusts after the One? Am I now to be distracted by the presence of two females? The Valar protect us all! Disgusted with the entire situation, Aragorn swung himself onto the stallion's back and the two disappeared into the woods.

* * * * * * * * *

Eledwhen was standing alone in her and Boromir's room, staring sightlessly at the twinkling city below. Her thoughts were focused on Haldir and his journey southward to Rohan. She did not hear her husband enter or move to stand behind her.

"Where have you been?" he asked softly. Eledwhen jumped slightly, then turned to face Boromir.

"I went for a ride in the woods. I needed time alone to think." Boromir studied her closely. She was withholding something; otherwise, she would be able to look him in the eye.

"What is wrong? I know you too well to be fooled by such a weak attempt at subterfuge."

Eledwhen turned away from him, feeling guilty about keeping a secret from him. To hide her discomfort, she changed the subject. "The Lady Arwen is here. She says you met in Imladris."

Boromir's eyes widened in surprise. "What brings the Lady of Imladris so far from her home? Is something amiss?" Eledwhen shook her head, but did not turn back to face the man.

"I believe she wants to be with Aragorn as much as I desire to be with you. She also brought him a present."

Boromir looked startled. "They were together in Imladris a mere month ago. What could she have for him now she had not before we left?"

Eledwhen turned to face him. Something in his tone worried her. "What difference does it make that she chose to journey to Lórien to see her betrothed? Is there something you are not telling me, Husband? Are you jealous that he shall marry the Evenstar as well as claim your kingdom?"

The man shook his head vehemently in denial. "No, of course not. That is preposterous! Why would you even think it? I merely meant… I mean, it is unwise… oh, blast it all! You are half-elven. You figure it out!" Boromir was both angry and embarrassed, and clueless as to why. Flummoxed, he left the room and went in search of Haldir, who was the closest thing to a friend he had in the Golden Wood.

* * * * * * * * *

The Princess of Rohan was nervous. She had been summoned to her grandfather's library on the uppermost flet. It was rare for him to allow anyone, even Galadriel, to disturb him in what some referred to as his "innermost sanctum." Eledwhen could not imagine what she had done to have been summoned to his private refuge.

She stood timidly at the library's entrance, marshalling her courage. The Lord Celeborn was often quick to anger and his explosive temper terrified her. In Rohan, no one dared to raise their voice in her presence except Théodred, and even he left the room to spare her the worst of his outbursts. With a deep sigh, Eledwhen swept the covering across the entrance aside and stepped over the threshold. She was surprised to see that her grandfather was not alone. A stern-looking, dark Elf sat in a chair, leafing through a leather-bound book with pages edged in gold. He looked up as the girl entered and scrutinized her intently.

"Grandfather, you sent for me?" Eledwhen's eyes shifted to the unknown Elf, then quickly returned to the Lord Celeborn. She was relieved to see that he was smiling warmly.

"Eledwhen, there you are. I was beginning to worry about you. Where have you been?" Celeborn gave her one of his "I'll know if you lie to me" looks. The Princess was searching for a plausible answer when the visitor rose from his chair.

"Celeborn," he said gently. "Why don't you introduce me to your granddaughter?"

The golden Elven lord looked from Eledwhen to his guest. "Of course, I did not mean to be rude. Eledwhen, this is the Lord Elrond of Imladris. He and his daughter have come for a visit."

Immensely relieved by the change of topic, Eledwhen asked, "You are Arwen's father? I just spoke with her at the stables. She did not say that her father had journeyed with her."

Celeborn's cold voice interrupted their conversation. "And what, pray tell, where you doing at the stables? You did not say you were going out. I have told you never to ride alone; it is not safe." Eledwhen looked uncomfortable, and again the Lord of Imladris came to her aid.

"Celeborn, I should like to get to know Boromir's wife. Perhaps you could spare her company long enough for us to have tea in the garden?" Elrond's expression was innocently polite. The Lord of Lórien gave him an exasperated look, but acquiesced all the same. "Very good," Elrond said. "Would you be so kind as to send for my daughter to join us? I shall see you this evening at dinner. Come, my dear." The last was addressed to Eledwhen. Smiling at him gratefully, she took his offered arm and together they left the library. Neither said a word until they reached Galadriel's garden. Eledwhen removed her hand from his arm and walked over to the pond, where she pretended to study the many-hued fish. Elrond finally broke the silence.

"Now that I have postponed what I perceive was to have been a very uncomfortable conversation, why don't you tell me how you are getting along? I understand you have been ill."

Eledwhen looked at him balefully as tears began to form. Hastily she rubbed her eyes, angry with herself for constantly becoming so damnably emotional. A soothing voice inside her head urged her not to worry about such a natural occurrence. Her eyes widened and Elrond chuckled audibly.

"Surely you do not believe that only the Tree Elves have the ability to share their thoughts non verbally? It is a trait common to our race. Come, sit down and tell me how you fare physically. Lord Celeborn told me about the loss of your child. I am very sorry."

Eledwhen nodded her thanks for his concern because she was fighting off another crying spell. "Why do I constantly feel like crying? I have never been one to cry. It is such a childish thing to do!"

Elrond placed one of his large hands over her much smaller hands and said kindly, "When you were with child, your body underwent many changes. Surely your grandmother explained this to you?" Eledwhen nodded and the Elven lord continued, "Then do not fret over what cannot be helped. Soon enough your body will return to normal and you shall feel your old -- or rather young -- self again. Now, tell me about events in your homeland. I would like to hear about your father and brother."

Eledwhen smiled warmly at the Lord of Imladris and told him about Rohan and its constant battles against the orcs and the political intrigue that made life in Edoras an unhappy one at best. Neither noticed the appearance of Boromir, although Elrond sensed a presence. The Lord of Gondor had not heard about Gríma Wormtongue's attempts to gain Eledwhen's hand in marriage and he became angry.

"Why did you not tell me about this man's unwanted intentions? I shall put him in his place when we reach your city." Eledwhen had not told her husband about Wormtongue because she did not want him to cross her father's counselor. Boromir would be alone and at the mercy of Gríma's henchmen.

"I did not tell you because it is no longer of importance. We are now man and wife. I have given up my claim to the throne of Rohan and, therefore, am no longer a prize to be coveted by Master Wormtongue. I fear, though, for Éowyn should my brother be murdered in battle and something equally horrible befall Éomer."

Boromir nodded his understanding. "And should all come to pass as you say, Théoden King would likely die in his sleep, the Worm would force your cousin to marry him and he would claim the crown. It is a bold plan."

"It is a wicked, evil plan! This commoner never could have come so close to the kingship if he had not the help of the wizard Saruman. I cannot bear to think what will happen to my country if his Uruks and orcs are allowed to run unfettered."

Elrond stood and held a hand out to the Princess. "Come, my dear. Why don't you go and find my daughter, Arwen, and see what she is up to? I would like a word with the Lord Boromir." Eledwhen looked at him, frowning, for she did not like the abruptness of her dismissal.

"I am not a child who needs to be told to run along and play when the grownups speak of serious matters." Elrond and Boromir shared an amused smile, which infuriated Eledwhen even more. "I shall go, but only if you apprise me of any important decisions the two of you make concerning myself or my country." She looked at them challengingly and both nodded their agreement. After a perfunctory curtsey, the Princess of Rohan left the garden.

"I must see what can be done about this king's counselor when I arrive in Rohan," Boromir said darkly. "Gondor cannot stand by while its ally is destroyed from within."

Elrond shook his head. "It would be unwise of you to openly challenge this Wormtongue, if that is your intent. You will be only one against many, and you have your own problems at home."

Boromir looked at him through narrowed eyes, contemplating what the Lord of Imladris might know about his father's actions. The Lord Elrond smiled and motioned toward the woods. "Come, let us walk among the mellyrns and discuss strategy. Perhaps we two can find a solution that will not involve bloodshed." The Steward's heir nodded, and the Elf and Man walked side by side into the Golden Wood.