Imladris, after the return of the Windswept from Angmar
A quiet morning sat upon the Valley as an ancient Noldo stood overlooking a waterfall. A mantle heavy with silver leaves sat on his shoulders, marking him as the First Autarch of the Host Palantine, Cardanith Galadnaith.
The ellon sought out by an angry young Marchwarden.
“YOU!” Lothuialwen came storming up the path, eyes stormy, and burst onto the balcony, shattering the calm silence.
Cardanith turned on his heel, looking down at the Silvan over his nose. "I?"
"YES, YOU! I demand to know why in all Arda you dragged my FRIEND to her DEATH!" Her face flushed with rage and she swung her fist at his jaw with lightning-fast fury.
"I lead men into battle, not de-" His words were cut short as the fist connected to his jaw. He recoiled, pressing a finger against his bloodied lip. "What in Elberreth's name do you think you're doing, child?"'
Lothuialwen's eyes flashed. "You my FRIEND to her death when she should have been sailing to peace, you MONSTER! And I am NOT a child!"
“And I am no monster!" He retorted, drawing himself up to full height as if attempting to intimidate her. "I am the First Autarch of the Host, I lead men into battle! Each and every man under my command swore an oath, you foolish child! I suggest you lower your tone, for your sake."'
“Well, I am a Marchwarden of the Golden Wood, and I don't care WHO you are! I demand an explanation for why you dragged her away from the peace she deserved to WAR and to her DEATH!”
"We are at war, if you have not noticed. I mustered the Host to do just that, to wage war. They all took the oath willingly, they all had a choice. Do you understand that?"
His calm demeanor only infuriated her more, and the patronizing attitude made her contemplate attempting to strike him again.
She bit out her next words in a seething tone. "The Hiril Mallossel was no longer under your command, yet somehow you managed to keep her from going to the peace she deserved and now she is dead because of you."
The words must have struck home, for he seemed to shrink backwards. "That… I was a fool, blinded, that is all you need to know, yet she w-"
Then his gaze shifted to the path behind them.
Loth turned to see.
Mallossel.
Mallossel stood there.
Haggard, and more tired-looking than Loth had seen her but there.
She reached a hand to steady herself and all words caught in her throat.
“Loth!” The copper-haired elleth did not seem nearly as fazed to see her friend. “What are you doing here?”
“I... I... But... you... they said... everyone said... said you…”
"Accusing me, apparently," Cardanith cut in, his tone now holding a glimmer of humor. "You swing hard, little one. I did not see it coming. Though I would suggest going for the throat the next time."'
Mallossel ignored her commander’s snark, crossing her arms and peering at the shorter elleth. "Said that I was dead, I presume? By all accounts, I was, though perhaps stories of such have been greatly exaggerated."
But even if she could ignore the smug Noldo, Loth could not help a withering glare before turning to Mallossel, mind still nearly numb with shock. "How... why did you not return? Why did they say you were.... were dead?" Despite her best efforts, her eyes began to fill with tears.
“I… was captured at the Morgul Vale, and the assumption that I was dead is a more logical conclusion than the idea that I could ever have possibly escaped."
"Though that topic is not up for debate, now." The silvered Noldo’s commanding tone grated on Loth’s nerves but his voice softened as he spoke to Mallossel. "I did not expect to meet your friend here, nor now."'
That was not enough of a response, and the Marchwarden turned to face him again, bitter rage burning in her gaze. “Why was she even there? Why did you drag her back into war?"
"Because I summoned the Host in a vain attempt to seek out Aeglos, spear of Gil-Galad. And because Mallossel answered her oaths. Now, are we finished here or will you still press the matter, little one?"
Mallossel stepped closer, giving him a long-suffering look. "Oh, be gentle with her. She comes seeking me with pure intentions, and I never spoke to her of my change in plans... she thought I was dead. Lothuialwen, I.. am so sorry."
Lothuialwen sullenly muttered, "don't call me little”, but turned her back to him to face Mallossel, all anger dropping from her face and replaced with open sorrow and hurt. “Why did you not come back? I thought I would never see you again..."
"Because I have only been back for a few months. I have not been able to return to Lorien." She pauses, closing her eyes. "I am sorry. I thought I would not see you, either."
Tears tracked down Loth’s cheeks and she brushed them away, glancing harshly at Cardanith as he moved away to give him space.
“You are strong and brave to have come here in search of me... I take it you are responsible for the bleed on Cardanith's lip?"
A shamefaced look came over her face. "Perhaps..."
And her friend laughed, like old times. “I daresay he likely deserved it...or at the least will remember you for it.” Her gaze followed the retreating warrior. “Come, we have much to speak of, my friend."
