*。☆。
★。＼｜／。★
˚ ₊ ♡ ❰ BALLAD OF BROKEN SWORDS ❱
*✧ ─── ❝ ❪ CROSSROADS OF DESTINY❫ ❞
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˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ACT THREE ── face et spera 🏹 ⁺⑅

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CHILDREN OF ARDA DUOLOGY ⋆ ☄.
♯ ❝ pride isn't everything in life ❞
CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
˚ ₊ ♡ the third age ─── year 3019
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━━ ˚ ₊ ♡ 🏹
❝ 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪
𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 ❞

THE MORNING SUN GLEAMS UPON THE GRASSLANDS OF ROHAN AS THEY MOVE FURTHER ALONG THE HILLS. Behind them lay white capped mountain peaks, while ahead the seemingly eternal grassland stretched as far as the eye could see and dipped beyond the horizon. Helm's Deep was getting closer with every step ─ yet somehow it still felt as though they were running out of time.

Gyda felt tension throughout her whole body─ like wire ready to snap at the slightest disturbance. But as her elven eyes keenly took in their surroundings, it was Gimli who stole away her attention.

Seated upon a beautiful dark coloured horse, Gimli could stare ahead over the heads of the envoy, but it was Eowyn who let the animal by the reins.

"It's true you don't see many Dwarf women," he was saying, his booming voice carrying far enough for the others around him to hear ─ something he seemed to tale great pleasure in. "And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance that they're often mistaken for Dwarf men."

Eowyn threw a look over her shoulder, as if looking for confirmation.

"It's the beards," Aragorn mouthed, pretending to stroke a long beard.

Eowyn giggled and shushed him before returning her attention to Gimli.

From where she was walking a few paces behind the group, Gyda held back a chuckle at the light-hearted sight.

"This in turn," Gimli continues sagely, completely oblivious as to what was happening behind him, "has given rise to the belief that there are no Dwarf women. And that Dwarves just spring out of holes in the ground, which, of course, is ridiculous."

He gestured wildly with his arms as if to illustrate his point. Though the horse wasn't all too happy with a waving gesture near his eye. The animal neighed startled and took off in a sprint, forcing Eowyn to let go of the reins.

To his credit, Gimli managed to stay seated longer than anyone thought him capable. But then the horse swerved to avoid crashing into a cart and Gimli was thrown to the ground.

Eowyn rushed over to him, but he was already getting back on his feet. "I'm alright! Nobody ! That was deliberate, it was deliberate."

Gyda shakes her head, lips twitching up in a smile ─ a smile that has the elven prince next to her grinning. She watches as Aragorn takes off after the horse, taking the reins and whispering softly. Beside her, Legolas casts one last warm smile in her direction before moving to check on the muttering dwarf.

Unconsciously, her eyes searched for the person she holds dear in her heart ─ the warmth she normally feels tainted by the stains of their fight.

Gathering her courage and reigning in her pride, she calls out. "Elgarain." Gyda's voice is steady, but her nerves translate in the way she holds the pommel of her sword tightly. "May I speak with you?"

Elgarain smiles reassuringly, albeit a bit awkwardly. "Of course."

Gyda nods and falls in step beside her. Silence lingers for a moment, idle chatter of the others around them filling the void. "I-I." She pauses, hesitates before masking the expression on her face once more. "You're still sick."

Gyda finds it hard to speak her mind, and instead focuses on something easier, something she is supposed to as head of the Queensguard.

Elgarain pauses, the words surprising her. "I'm fine," she says firmly.

Gyda squeezes her eyes shut for a moment, lips morphing into a grimace, before she speaks again, in a gentler tone, "You're not Tarinya."

Elgarain sighs, eyes moving around the clearing, gathering her thoughts. "I'm just tired. I haven't been able to rest properly since─ " she can't bear to say it out loud, "since what happened in Fangorn forest."

"It can't be just that, it shouldn't be..." Gyda breaths in, hazel eyes meeting emerald green, "I worry for what awaits us, and I need you to be strong...I can't" I can't lose you. "You're not fine, and I don't know what to do." She says instead.

For a moment, Elgarain remains silent, considering her words. Of course, Gyda wouldn't be fooled by such an idiotic excuse. Elves should heal much faster than she was currently doing. But the truth was, she had no idea what was wrong with her either. How could she possibly tell Gyda that without worrying her even further?

"I took some herbs with me to relief aching joints," she offers at last. "It's helping. Beyond that I'm not sure there is much we can do."

Gyda gnaws on her bottom lip, thoughts racing. She knows when it had started, knows deep down what it may mean. "I worry it is because of me." She thinks of Gandalf's words of the magic of the ring, of the complicated process of using Vilya. "I worry it is because you saved me." She admits quietly in the open air.

Elgarain frowns. "But Gandalf said I hadn't endangered us because of what I did that day."

"He also said my connection to the ring should fade, but Elgarain, it grows stronger." As if Vilya hears her speak, the noise grows stronger like lightning buzzing in the sky. "I fear something terrible will happen."

"I fear the same," Elgarain finally admits after a long pause. "But what can we do? Gandalf is not here to answer any of our questions. We've got a war to worry about, all these people we're supposed to be protecting..."

Gyda hand twitches by her side, before slowly she moves, fingers clasping around Elgarains' pale wrist. She needs to tell her this, needs to make up before something could go wrong. "I-I, I want you to know Elgarain, I should have not called you foolish. My anger spoke for me and even if we disagree, I know how difficult this is for you. For me...for us all. I don't want to face what is ahead filled with regret knowing we ─" She squeezes her wrist, "─we may not see another day."

A small smile tugs at her lips and Elgarain squeezes her hand in return. "I forgive you, Nesa and I'm sorry for dismissing your point of view. I should know better by now than to turn down your council on these matters." She holds her gaze, her smile widening. "Even if we do not live to see tomorrow, know that I'm glad to have you beside me today."

"I'm glad to have you with me as well Elgarain."

For a moment they walk on in silence, until Elgarain's eyes found a blond Elf making his way to the head of the collum. "So, now that we're on speaking terms again...Mind telling me why you're suddenly allowing Legolas to be anywhere near you?"

Gyda awkwardly clears her throat, sputtering for an answer: "Who said I never allowed him near me?"

Elgarain raised a brow. "The fact that the two of you were walking side by side the entire time yesterday. As well as sitting together by fire."

"I've sat with him before, that is nothing strange." She denies, averting her gaze and tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"Right and I got over Aragorn completely during our time apart." Elgarain playfully rolls her eyes, then looks at Gyda expectantly.

Gyda nervously wrings her hands, eyes quickly looking up to see the archer up ahead perched on one of the higher rocks. "When he is close ─" She hesitates for a moment, eyes darting away again. "I feel comforted by his presence. I've never experienced such a thing before."

Elgarain smiles warmly. "I understand."

Gyda thinks back to their conversations, his promises and clear declarations and in the presence of one of her closest friends she dares to admit out loud; "He loves me."

Her eyes widen. "A laita Elbereth," she whispers, "he told you this when?"

She can feel her cheeks redden, "In Lothlorién and here in Edoras." She ducks her head shyly, "on the road with different words."

A warmth spreads through her at the thought and memories, a nostalgic part of her is even hopeful of what the future might bring. "I don't know what to do." She whispers.

"This isn't some complicated battle strategy Gyda. Tell him how you feel."

"But it isn't simple." Gyda shakes her head. "He is a prince who must return to Mirkwood, and my place is where you are."

Elgarain studies her for a moment. Once she would have dismissed those words, now she knows better. That vow was all Gyda had left of her father, it was her life's foundation. It would be cruel to take such a thing away and yet... "Even if where I am does not make you happy?" she asks softly. "I do not believe that is what your father meant for you when he let you make that vow."

She can feel her eyes glaze over, she can feel the heat of Mordor like fathom fingers curling around her arms. "It's all that I have left of him...standing where he stood, it makes me proud."

Elgarain can't help but notice how her question remains unanswered. Which was enough of a sign for her, now she just needs her friend to see it for herself. "Pride isn't everything in life, Gyda. What about happiness?"

"It makes me happy...but─"

Her body becomes rigid as wailing screams echo through the valley. "Wargs!"

Gyda is running before she can even think, up the rocks and around the riders and people of Rohan. In the distance she can see Legolas jump down, Aragorn close behind him. Her feet are pounding on the ground, heart beating rapidly in her chest.

The wind blazes against her skin as she halts next to Aragorn, and they overview the scene in front of them. Two riders have fallen, and Legolas stands among the carnage. When the Ellon spots them, he shouts: "A scout!"

Gyda clenches her firsts by her side, sharing a quick glance with Aragorn who turns around to inform the others.

From behind her movement startles her and she looks over her shoulder to see Elgarain stand atop the cliff, a remorseful look on her face as she sees the damage below. Gyda wraps her fingers in the Elleth's tunic, tugging her back. "You cannot help them Elgarain."

For a moment she doesn't move, doesn't look away, before she manages to compose herself. When Gyda feels her shift on her feet, she drags her down with her towards the others.

"What is it? What did you see?" Theoden comes riding forward.

"Wargs! We're under attack!" Aragorn warns, voice bellowing over the clearing.

Gyda watches the terror that overtakes their camp, and her heart falls at the sight of screaming children and running families as the clamour to get away.

"All riders to the head of the column!" Theoden commands firmly.

Gyda can feel Elgarain trying to get away from her, but she tightens her hold and whirls her around to face her completely. "Elgarain you must go. Go far away from this fight." She urges desperately.

"No—" The High-Queen shakes her head, wide eyes taking in the chaos around them.

"You can't stay. You have but a small dagger to protect yourself and ill." She places both her hands on Elgarain's shoulders. "Tarinya, I can't protect these people if I am worried about your safety. Please."

"I—" she closes her eyes, takes a deep breath and then looks back at Gyda. "Alright."

Gyda nods and steps away from her before unsheathing her sword and moving to retrieve her glaive from the card by her side.

Howls and yips resound from beyond the hills, and Gyda takes one look back at Elgarain before she takes the reins of one of the horses and darts of into the distance.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE;
our babies always get interrupted when they are talking about important things! Also gyda admitting Legolas loves her! Our darlings making up like the mature adults they are!! Next chapter is an emotional one, be warned!