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━━━━»•» act one. age of ruins

08. the weight of a promise «•« ━━━━

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ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ third age ━━ year 2949

𓇻 eriador; imladris {rivendell}

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A SMALL SIGH OF CONTENT LEFT HER LIPS AS SHE LEANED BACK IN HER CHAIR. Arwen's soft and slender fingers worked carefully to braid Elgarain's long, auburn hair into delicate and difficult patterns. She could never bring up the patience to do it herself and Arwen had been more than happy to offer her help. Especially after the goodbyes said this morning, the princess was glad for the distraction.

She knew Gyda, Galion and Daros would not be gone for long and yet she had found herself feeling strangely saddened by their departure to the Greenwood. Whether it was because of her recent found appreciation for the head of her Guard or because she had come to genuinely like her stern but caring presence, Elgarain could not tell. What she did know with absolute certainty was the fact that she would miss Galion's endless source of humor.

After her fight and much needed talk with Gyda, she'd found herself going over all she knew about the Elleth. She realized it wasn't much at all and felt strangely guilty over the fact she'd never made an effort to truly get to know her Guard. Her presence had always been a constant, one Elgarain had never questioned. She'd annoyed herself to no end about the strict methods of the older Elf but never wondered exactly why her safety was of such importance to Gyda. Yes, she was the princess of Lindon, the last living heir of the line of High Kings and Queens of the Ñoldor but why it had mattered to Gyda on such a personal level had never even so much as crossed her mind.

Not until now...

Elgarain knew Gyda's father had fulfilled the same role to Gil-Galad as his daughter now did to her, but the fact there was an oath involved made it another matter entirely. An oath, especially between Elves, was never made lightly. It wasn't a simple manner of honor of keeping one's word. It was an oath that was written into the very blood of your family and would bring serious harm to your children, grandchildren and every generation that would follow if broken. It was the binding of the fëa to a spoken word. When sworn in the name of the Valar, one would consider death before breaking one's word. And that was what scared her to her very core.

Gyda had sworn to die for her and risked harm to her future children if she were to stray from that promise.

Maybe it shouldn't have scared her as much as it did. Maybe she'd been naïve to think none of her guards were willing to give their life for her. But it felt as though she hadn't truly seen the importance of her title until now. Her people were willing to die for her and here she was, cowering in the Hidden Valley, filling her time with medical practices and painting when she should have been back home, helping to rebuild from the war. Never before had she felt this much guilt over her fear for the title and all the weight it held.

"You're awfully quiet," Arwen muttered softly as her fingers continued the intricate pattern she was braiding.

A small sigh left her lips. "I fear I may have too many burdens on my mind to talk."

Arwen smiled knowingly. "You are the Aranel. There will never be small burdens resting on your shoulders."

She laughed, but it wasn't with much humor. "You might be right."

Their eyes met in the mirror and Elgarain felt surprised at the sudden mirth twinkling in Arwen's blue eyes, as though she was a mere Elfling holding on to a secret she could no longer keep hidden. "Might your nightly walk with our human guest be one of your troubles?" She said, her soft musical voice hiding a hint of amusement.

For some reason unknown to her, Elgarain felt her cheeks color pink. She hadn't spoken or seen Estel after Gyda almost ran him through with her blade and yet, somehow, the story seemed to have made its way around the halls of Imladris with ease. Never let it be said that Elves did not know how to gossip.

She knew she'd have to face him sooner rather than later but the embarrassment of him having to witness that argument was not something she was eager to relive. Though, so far Estel had been very careful to hide any judgement and knowledge about her title. Perhaps he would be willing to extend the same courtesy about this rather awkward predicament they now found themselves in.

"He probably hates me for almost getting him killed." She'd meant it as a joke, but some of her honest fears managed to leak through her tone anyway.

Arwen, ever kind and graceful, pretended not to notice and simply continued to tie off the braid. "If there's one thing I know about humans it's that they do not live long enough to hold on to their grudges as long as we do."

A small smile fought its way to the surface and she nodded. She hadn't known Estel for all that long but he was, she realized now, a friend. The first real friend she had in a long time. She'd felt more comfortable talking with him than she had with anyone her entire life. Even thinking of him now made warmth blossom in her chest. It was a strange feeling, but not entirely unwelcome.

Her smile faltered a little when she noticed Arwen was watching her curiously in the mirror. Her clear blue eyes were shining with a hidden knowledge. Elgarain wasn't sure she wanted to know why and suddenly she found herself in desperate need of a change in subject.

"I've been meaning to ask," she started slowly, a teasing smirk playing on her lips. "How long have you been friends with Galion?"

To her satisfaction it was now Arwen's turn to look away in embarrassment. It hadn't gone unnoticed by her how they'd exchanged careful, but longing, gazes before Galion had joined Gyda at the gate to begin their journey to the Greenwood. Elgarain had been fairly sure she was the only one to notice, until her eyes had fallen on Gyda who'd been watching the two with the same smile of amusement. Elgarian hadn't ever seen the two elves interact before but she knew how to recognize two people desperate to catch each other's eyes.

Finally Arwen managed to find her voice again, though her fingers continued to uncharacteristically fumble with the end of the now finished braid. "We've walked a few times in the gardens together," she answered evasively.

"Talking about what exactly?" Elgarain asked innocently, though her smile was teasing.

It was always a special occasion when the Eldar met their other half. Elves were more in tune with their emotions than most living creatures and so when they met the one they were meant to spend their life with, they generally recognized them at the sound of their voice, or with a mere touch of skin upon skin. She could not remember ever experiencing the feeling herself, but heard her mother describe it as though the sun had suddenly come from behind the clouds and illuminated only the two of them. And if Arwen had experienced the meeting of souls with Galion, Elgarain was determined to hear the details.

Arwen dropped the now finished braid from her hands and busied herself with clearing the small dressing table to avoid having to look the other Elf in the eye. "We discussed his place in the guard and my place at my father's side," she answered, though Elgarain had a feeling she was being deliberately vague about it, which was more than enough confirmation of her suspicions.

"That seems awfully personal to discuss with someone you've only just met," she continued her teasing as she got to her feet.

Finally the pretty elf-maiden turned to face her and though her cheeks were still colored a slight pink, there was also a light of undeniable and unfaltering happiness shining in her eyes. "It is," she agreed. "But-" a small sigh left her lips. "Oh, El, I cannot put it into words." Her smile widened and for a moment she shone as brightly as the star she was named after. It wasn't hard to see why Galion had given his heart to her.

Elgarain felt the smile reflect on her own features, all the teasing now gone, replaced with genuine happiness for her friend. Without another word she rushed forwards and pulled her into a warm hug, which the Elleth returned with a small laugh. "Words are not necessary," Elgarain said as she let go and studied the light that seemed to shine from her very heart. "I have never seen you glow this brightly before."

Arwen's smile was blinding, before it faded a little as her blue eyes suddenly darkened with sadness. "I can only hope he feels the same."

For a moment Elgarain could only stare at her as her thoughts hurried to try and catch up with her words. Then she felt a sudden urge to grab her friend by the shoulders and shake some sense into her. "Do you mean to say you have not even told him?"

Arwen looked away but whether it was from shame or sadness, Elgarain could not tell. "I have not," she confirmed.

She almost started screaming at that. Everyone who paid even the littlest bit of attention could see these two were joined together, their fate written in the stars. She had guessed it from one look alone. So how had Arwen not done the same? It rarely happened that a soul remained alone, or was not heard by the half it belonged to and yet it seemed Elves were almost as shy as humans when it came to confessing what was in their hearts.

Luckily for the Evenstar, she was spared a tirade from the Elleth when a soft knock against the bedroom door interrupted their conversation. Elgarain shot Arwen a look that could only mean "we are not finished with this discussion" before she walked up to the door and opened it.

Her eyes met a pair of silver gems and her entire body froze. For a moment the air felt heavy as Estel and Elgarain simply stared at each other, both unsure of what to say. Just when she considered simply closing the door again to escape having to face him, the silence was broken by a figure behind Estel she had failed to see before.

"Dear sister, would you mind giving us a moment with the Aranel?" Elladan questioned, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Of course," Arwen nodded, quickly making her way out of the room, though not without sending Elgarain another one of those knowing smiles over her shoulder. Then, in a blur of silk and flowers, she was gone.

Elgarain blinked and finally managed to tear her gaze away from those captivating grey eyes. She stepped out into the hallway and raised her eyebrows at the two visitors. "Can I help you with something?"

"Well, as I recall we struck a bargain," Estel said, a small smile playing at his lips.

For a moment her thoughts hurried to catch up and finally she recalled the challenge he'd made during their nightly walk. The one who got down the hill first got to pick a test for the other. Between Gyda almost killing him and the reveal of her vow, Elgarain had completely forgotten about their silly game.

A small sigh left her lips. "If it wasn't for Gyda I would have won that bet."

"If that is what makes you sleep at night, I will not tell you otherwise," Estel shrugged.

She crossed her arms over her chest. "I will pretend I did not hear that." Her tone was stern but her eyes sparkled with amusement. "So what will this challenge be?"

"Elladan told me he once observed one of your fighting lessons with Gyda and assured me absolute victory if I were to challenge you to a duel."

Somehow it was impossible to scowl at Estel and so she directed her ice gold glare at Elladan instead.

A mischievous grin spread on the Elf's face. "I could have been much crueler and tell him to challenge you to a singing contest instead."

"That would have been cruel indeed," Elgarain agreed, even grimacing at the thought of having to sing in front of others. The Elves had many gifts and one of them was having a voice sweet enough to make a bird jealous. Elgarain, however, had been gifted the talent to make the birds immediately disappear.

She didn't fear facing that same embarrassment when challenged to a duel. Her lessons with Gyda were far from complete but she'd come far enough to at least not fall on her face as much anymore. Though she had to admit looking at Estel's capable hands did make her slightly nervous.

"I accept your challenge," she said, "if I get to choose my own weapon."

Estel nodded. "That seems fair. What weapon do you wish to use?"

A small smile appeared on her face. She knew she'd promised Gyda she'd be careful but she simply couldn't let this chance pass her by. Ever since she'd seen the elegant silver lance glittering in her father's grasp, her own fingers ached with the desire to hold the very same weapon. She wasn't made to hold a sword, but that did not mean she could not fight.

"A spear," she answered, smiling. "I will use a spear."

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𝕬𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝕹𝐎𝐓𝐄 . . .

Can I just say I think this chapter is absolutely adorable? I wanted to add more scenes with Arwen and Elgarain and this idea just popped up in my head. Hopefully you guys enjoyed it as well!

I also wanted to let you guys know that updates from now on will be every other week. This way I have some more time to prewrite the next few chapters!

Also really curious to hear if you guys think Elgarain has even the slightest change of defeating Aragorn ;)

xx Nelly