Faorie led Nelnardis into Imlad Gelair where they stood within the immense gazebo under the darkening sky.
Shortly before they decided to make their way to the relatively private area, Khalis had advised Nelnardis to speak to Hiril Elisbeth, leader and lady of the Warband - causing the young Leutha Maethor concern. He left the two, leaving Faorie and Nelnardis standing alone beside the Homely House. Nelnardis turned to Faorie with an anxious expression, asking her what has happened that would require an audience with Elisbeth.
Faorie suggested moving their party to a more private setting where they could not be disturbed. Imlad Gelair was chosen as the ideal place, so they wasted no time and walked the distance.
They stood alone, Faorie and Nelnardis, and Nelnardis wasted no time in expressing her anxiety. "Have I done something wrong?" she asked. "Was it because I did not write to her? Or because of Forostel in Eregion? Or because I left Ebbephant to stay in Delossad?" She was quick in her speech, her worry seen clearly on her face.
Faorie waved her hand dismissively before her. "Calm down."
A light breeze rolled past them, cooler than usual, but it didn't bother them. The continue on.
"I have not told Hiril Elisbeth of Forostel, only simply that she has returned. Although, considering the way she is, I'm certain that she couldn't care less." Faorie straightened herself. "As for you and Ebbephant," she began, "You have not written to inform her of your arrival. You had not updated her. Before departing from the vale, Khalis had also asked you to write to him regarding any findings you come across." She attempted to relax her tone to one of a simple pass of information, but the reaction Elisbeth had regarding not receiving any sort of news of the group's return was much too serious. "He did not mention it, but it is something to add, and I'm sure there was nothing written on that either, which would only add to the frustration of Hiril Elisbeth."
Nelnardis, realizing her mistake, smacked herself on her forehead, facing the ground.
"The protocol is to inform and update our kin leader on anything that goes on concerning the vale, the Warband members, and events taking place across Middle Earth." Faorie licked her lips, continuing on. "When I spoke to Khalis earlier, she came in with a smile on her face. However, upon my note of you and Ebbephant returning, she had expressed no knowledge of this. This surprised me too."
Discomfort in the atmosphere began to rise as Nelnardis listened.
"Neither you nor Ebbephant had updated her on your arrival, or the state of things."
At this point, Nelnardis began to speak in a quieted voice. "I... I meant to... I did not think..."
"As far as I know, Forostel is no concern to her since she is not of our kin. However, as our leader and lady, she holds the right to know of the simplest of information. Even your return." Faorie shifted in her stance. "Especially your return." A short silence followed. Faorie, relaxing herself, took the opportunity to place her palm over Nelnardis' shoulder, squeezing softly. "It is alright."
Suddenly, Nelnardis raised her head, furrowing her brow. "No!"
Having not expected Nelnardis' reaction, she removed her hand and looked at her.
Nelnardis faced the ground, turning her body slowly to her side. She gazed upon the stone floor, her eyes shifting within a particular area. "Ever since I saw Osilivren and Tahjun standing here taking the oath to become Sil Maethor... I have wanted this..." She clenched her fists. "I cannot even uphold the simplest of duties." Slowly, she turned her gaze, followed by her body, back to Faorie and spoke in a silent but sorrowful tone. "How will I ever become a Sil Maethor?"
"By improvement," Faorie said simply. "By righting the wrong and sticking to your duties." She held her interlinked hands, raised before her, and leaned forward to look at Nelnardis' face. "It is alright, Nelnardis. She was displeased, but all will be well."
"I feel that I am constantly displeasing her..."
She then stood herself properly again and spoke calmly. "Write to her requesting an audience. In person, express your apologies properly and assure her that this will not be a concern again. And inform her of all that went on throughout your journey that you feel benefits her knowledge."
Nelnardis clenched her fists, staring down at the ground. Her expression was conflicted between frustration and disappointment. "Mirkwood... Nernulas... and this..." She looked up at Faorie. "Do you think that shall be enough?"
Faorie paused for a brief moment. She smiled faintly, nodding once. "I believe that she has forgiven all that has been done. These experiences you've held and brought to us have all taught us and encouraged our sense of family at arms." Faorie's expression faded into one of question. "You have learned from all these events, have you not?"
Nelnardis nodded slowly, looking down again.
"So long as you have learned, then you have earned every right to forgive yourself. Even from this." Faorie then shared a genuine smile. "It is as simple as writing a letter. Because it is."
Nelnardis, though hesitant at first, smile back. "Alright... I shall write her a letter..." Her smile noticeably widened. "Le hannon, Faorie."
Faorie wasted no time in moving on to the next subject of concern. "Now, as for Ebbephant..." She couldn't help but to frown. "Ebbephant is also in a bad position."
Nelnardis furrowed her brow again slightly. "What do you mean?"
Although Faorie did not intend to speak of it without Ebbephant in company, she saw no harm in sharing the news with his soon-to-be bride. "Not only for the lack of information to Hiril Elisbeth..." she hesitated, "but his arm." Faorie licked her lips and continued, "Khalis has shared words with me that may concern his position in our kin."
Nelnardis seemed increasingly troubled by her words. "Does... Do they want him to be expelled from the Warband?" She stared at Faorie in disbelief.
"I don't believe that is what he meant... though he did clearly note that Ebbephant may no longer be a maethor should he not prove himself."
"But he cannot fight... he cannot play his lute anymore..."
"It may even conclude with Ebbephant searching for new company should he not prove himself capable of this band of warriors."
Nelnardis widened her eyes again. "What?" Her expression gradually became one of great distress. "No. No, this cannot be..."
"Nothing is yet certain."
"None of this is his fault." She clenched her fists, raising her voice. "Why should he suffer for it?"
"Nelnardis..." Faorie, although understanding of Nelnardis' view on the matter, understood the seriousness of Ebbephant's situation. "This is a warband. A warband allows capable warriors, those who can fight to their full potential." She struggled in muttering her next words. "Ebbephant can no longer do that."
"He has knowledge in healing, can he not help in that way?"
"There is the concern that Ebbephant may cause other members to see to his aid when they themselves need aiding."
Nelnardis paused.
"Ebbephant is a healer," Faorie began, "but it is difficult to explain how he intends to continue his profession when he cannot play an instrument on his own. Now, I defended Ebbephant as best I could without seeming improper, and believe me, I share your anxiety. I adore Ebbephant, and I know he is an incredible warrior and a fantastic healer - the best the vale has to offer, but even so... this is the reality of it all. It is a concern not only to Ebbephant, but to us all."
Nelnardis' face could not have expressed greater anguish. She turned away, her eyes filling with tears.
Faorie turned the opposite direction, as to not discomfort Nelnardis with her awareness of her tears. She remained silent, and so did Nelnardis.
The two would stand in complete and utter silence were it not for the breezes and the sounds of leaves rolling upon the ground. Faorie gazed upon the orange sky, the sun having set for quite some time. It wouldn't be long before the darkness of night would befall the two.
Then, to Faorie's surprise after such a long silence, Nelnardis speaks. Her voice is weak, yet every syllable is clear and understood. "It was barely a second..."
Faorie glanced over her shoulder towards Nelnardis. She saw only a hint of her face through her fallen hair.
"I could have slain the troll... in less than a second... but there were so many."
Faorie listened intently.
"One was running towards me, so I let my arrow fly... and then I was too late." She lowered her voice further, to barely a whisper. "Ebbephant was..."
Faorie, worried for her friend, turned completely to Nelnardis and watched her as she spoke.
"I turned around..." Nelnardis, although hesitant with every word, had become clearer and her voice had risen, "And there was blood everywhere." She looked down to the ground, clenching her fists that seemed to almost shake. "I should have saved him."
It was then that Faorie quickly reached for Nelnardis, wrapping her arms around her in a tight embrace. "Nelnardis," she spoke quietly, "there was only so much you could have done, and you had done it all. It was an instant."
Nelnardis, without a moment's pause, accepted Faorie's embrace with her own. The two stood with their arms around each other in comfort.
"And I am sorry that this has cost you so much..."
"How can I fight in the warband without my Ebbephant beside me?"
Faorie, pulling slowly away from Nelnardis, stated in a gentle yet factly tone, "You don't have a choice."
"Then what do I have?" Nelnardis asked desperately. Nelnardis had seen a significant amount of loss in too short of a span. The loss of the Greenwood, the loss of her family, including her brother who had all been slain by orcs, the suffering of her people and the exhausted warriors of her homeland, and now, possible, her love.
"An oath," Faorie said simply.
Nelnardis looked down.
"You took an oath when you joined the Warband to protect the innocent and to defeat all who threaten the safety of the hidden vale." Faorie continued to speak, though there was uncertainty in the air that could not be heard in her voice of whether or not her words would impact Nelnardis' grief. "You will need to uphold this oath despite anything that happens to you." A brief silence followed, so Faorie continued, "Khalis had said that by joining our ranks one risks their very life to ensure the safety of this region and its inhabitants. Ebbephant did just that... he risked his life, and it cost him. And it brings me great sorrow to know that it cost you too."
Faorie stared at Nelnardis, conflicted between a stoned expression and a sympathetic one.
After another brief moment of silence, Nelnardis swallowed and stated something that no doubt she held in her heart for far too long. "But I have broken the oath."
Faorie stared at Nelnardis with a questioning look. "I don't understand."
"I did not protect Ebbephant, did I?"
Faorie exhaled slowly. "He's still alive, is he not? He still breathes? Can he still walk these lands with a beating heart?"
"And I thought that would be better news for warband than his death."
A chill breeze rushed by them.
"But it is not," Nelnardis uttered coldly.
Faorie, frozen by her statement, turned her gaze southwards.
"I am beyond grateful that he has chosen to remain here instead of sailing to the West."
"As am I, Nelnardis," Faorie said gently.
"Maybe then, he should have stayed in Lothlorien."
Faorie remained silent. She looked away, though it is clear she wanted to object. But she didn't.
Nelnardis continued her thought, "So hewould not have to return to the displeasure of Khalis, Lady Elisbeth, and Lord Elrond."
Faorie turns to Nelnardis suddenly. "It is a difficult position he is in, Nelnardis. But I have faith that he will prove himself capable."
"He does not want to be treated as inferior. He made that very clear." Nelnardis did not move as she spoke, she would simply state.
"But his lack of arm cannot simply be ignored, nor can his shift in tactics or combat style."
"No but he is not completely useless."
"No, no he is not... but he would have to prove that to not only the warband, but himself."
"We will see then..." Nelnardis uttered quietly, yet calmly.
"The Warband upholds a certain order," Faorie began, "I know Ebbephant will prove himself to the lady, the captain, and the council. He will prove himself most importantly to Lord Elrond." Faorie swallowed, and as she spoke her voice gradually lowered. "He has never proven inferior in the past, I do not believe he would do so now."
Nelnardis did not respond to her words at first, but instead nodded in acknowledgement.
Faorie raised her palm over Nelnardis' shoulder and squeezes again for encouragement. "Do not worry," Faorie smiled gently, "I am certain that all will be well. In the end, everything will be as it should."
Nelnardis looked at Faorie. Her face was saddened yet understanding. "I hope so."
Faorie squeezed Nelnardis' shoulder once more before she slowly placed her hand back at her side. "You should go rest. It has been a very long day and enough news has been shared to exhaust even the historians of Imladris."
Nelnardis nodded. "I will. And I will write the letter to Lady Elisbeth."
"Good, good," Faorie said with a smile still on her face. "Do so as soon as you can. Do not delay what can easily be remedied."
Nelnardis nodded again, "It has been long enough."
Faorie faded her smile slightly and gestured Nelnardis towards the bridge. "Go on, I will remain here."
Nelnardis raised her hand to her head and up, bidding Faorie farewell. She took the first few steps towards the bridge when suddenly...
"Wait."
She turned around to look at Faorie.
Faorie quickly walked to Nelnardis and embraced her in one last hug. "Do not lose hope."
Nelnardis hugged her back gratefully. "I will do my best."
"I know you will." After releasing Nelnardis to leave Imlad Gelair, she walked back to the center of the gazebo where she stared up at the sky and sat in meditation for the remainder of the evening.
