“I would like to reconsider,” she found herself saying to Elrohir.
He glanced up at her from the piece of parchment he was writing on, lowering the quill in his hand. Elrohir sat back in the simple wooden chair, waiting for her to speak.
Nelnardis swallowed. Unable to look at him, she glanced at a spider climbing the broken bricks of Thorenhad. It stumbled over its own legs, clinging to the stone, falling, catching itself in the web. “Forgive me for my sudden departure.” Finally, she drew her eyes back to him.
Elrohir nodded. “There is nothing to forgive.”
She shook her head, “When the Warband… I excepted more than a short letter from Lord Elrond.” Nelnardis spoke bitterly, “Releasing us from our oaths. It was only death that was meant to release us. The thought of taking another-,”
Elrohir held up a gloved hand, silencing her. “There will be no oaths. The only thing that will bind you is yourself. Your desire to help others, and to put an end to the enemy.”
Nelnardis stayed quiet. The son of Elrond stood, watching her light green eyes closely. “As I told Lilleduil, I do not wish to see the loss of some great people. Some of which, have already gone astray.”
“Who will be in this group?” She asked, “There are only few of us left now.”
He nodded, “Regrettably yes. Though, some remain, and you can recruit amongst yourselves if you come across any who you feel would be fit to join. As I said before, you will not be so loud as the Warband was. Maethelyn will rely on secrecy and stealth more than anything else. You’ll govern yourselves, but report to me.”
“Maethelyn.” Nelnardis stated.
Elrohir smiled slightly, “What you will be called.”
“Warriors,” she replied, “But this time we would not just be protecting Imladris.”
“No,” said Elrohir. “Your missions will lead you far from here.”
Nelnardis turned her head. The sun cast shadows down below Thorenhad, but the trees were not tall enough to reach the structure, leaving the hill hot and dry. A few squirrels raced along the edge of the stones around the pillars.
“I will accept,” Nelnardis exclaimed, turning back to face him.
Elrohir nodded once. “Then we have much to discuss.”
