Amdarel hesitated, looking at Finrod. "Are you certain of your decision?"

Finrod sighed and looked up. "As certain as I will ever be. I must leave for a time."

"Do you know how long?"

"No."

"Do you know where you will be going?"

"Not exactly. I have been asked by Maedhros and Maglor to accompany them on a hunt. Where I shall go after, I do not know."

"I see..." Amdarel looked at Finrod's organized collection of rolled parchments and stacks upon stacks of similar sheets stacked neatly on the wooden table before him. "What are then your instructions?"

"I will leave you and a few others in control while I'm gone." He stood and Amdarel turned and left. Finrod closed the door. He leaned forward, his knuckles resting on the table when suddenly a thought crossed his mind. He straightened. How could he keep Daelthron's promise if he was to leave? He must leave, but yet... Finrod decided that the only way he could leave without a feeling of guilt was to tell Elthríel herself. He had hoped to leave quickly and quietly without a fuss from anyone else there, but it looked as if that was not going to happen.

It was late that evening and the sun was nearly gone. Finrod planned to leave early next morning before the sun rose. He walked through the empty halls, looking for Elthríel. The halls were only empty because most were in the Hall of Songs. Normally, there were several Elves passing through. At last, he found one and questioned where the elleth was. The ellon replied, saying, "I believe she is in the kitchens."

Finrod was bewildered by this answer, but he headed that direction anyway. The kitchens were emptying, but many were still working. The place was dim and lit only by the light of the many fires here and there in the large room. He stood in the doorway, searching for her. It wasn't difficult and soon her found her scouring various cooking utensils till they shone in the dim light. He walked to her and she looked up, surprised. "Finrod," she said, her brows drawn together. "What are you doing down here?"

"I might as well ask you the same thing," he asked rather sternly.

Elthríel looked down and raised her left arm to wipe the perspiration that was gathering on her brow. "I did not fancy being with the other elleths who only talked about clothing and gossip. There was no other employment for me except here."

Finrod watched her when he understood what she did not say. How could she, after being in the dungeons and mines of Morgoth, come back to normal life, especially after she had lost her brother? "I see," he replied at last.

"Why did you come here?" she asked.

"I came because I needed to tell you something." Elthríel stopped her scouring and looked up at him. He continued. "I am going away for a time."

"How long?" she interrupted, using a tone he had never heard her use before, one of fear.

"I do not know. I am sorry, though, for I cannot keep my promise that I made to your brother."

She did not meet his gaze. "Do not worry about me."

"Are you sure, Elthríel?"

She nodded and turned, bringing the utensils to an elleth who was putting them away. She came back and untied the simple apron she had been wearing over her dress. "When...when are you leaving?"

"Before the sun."

"So soon?" Finrod nodded, still watching her. At last she looked up and said, "All I ask is that you come back alive. Then I will still hold your promise fulfilled as, I am quite certain, so would Daelthron." Her voice trembled slightly at the mention of her brother's name.

"I am truly sorry about your loss. Daelthron was the closest friend I have had since Hílthklen." Elthríel's head jerked up and she tried a second too late to keep the expression off of her face when she heard the real name of her brother mentioned. However, Finrod hadn't noticed. "I am not exactly certain that I will come back alive, but I will try my best," he said, with the barest hint of a smile on his fair Elven face.

Elthríel nearly smiled, but then said gravely, "Many things are uncertain in this world where evil roams at will, checked solely by the few that still live to guard it."

"Aye, so it is."

She nodded and said, "I must be leaving."

He smiled and let her pass. She walked quickly up the stairs despite the slight limp she had. Again, the thought that had crossed his mind when he first saw her the day he returned from the battle came to his mind. How similar she was to her whom he had loved in Valinor. He shook the thought away. They weren't the same. They couldn't be.

The halls were darkened and only here and there were faint lights from the lamps placed at intervals along the hallway. Elthríel crept along the halls till she came to the balcony that overlooked the main courtyard just inside the gates of Nargothrond. She could see in the distance the faint golden light that was on the horizon, but all else was dark. She could hear movement in the courtyard below and heard an ellon say, "A good hunting."

Then Finrod's voice replied, "Aye, farewell till I return." The sound of hooves resounded as he rode out into the early dawn.

Elthríel strained her eyes, but she could not see him. She whispered into the chilly morning air, "Namarië, mime melda. Lótesse i elenao Elbereth kal o'er tye till emme oment en."  (Farewell, my beloved. May the stars of Varda shine over you till we meet again.)

Sorry about the short chapter! School has been really keeping me busy and other writing projects as well all the other things I do haven't been giving much time to update this very often. Thanks for your patience though! :) Anyway, this chapter's dedication goes to Maria_de_Sanctos for commenting first. :-D Dedications are open!

Just a note. I found this song the other day and realized as I listened to it for the 100th time that it basically sums up this entire story in 11 minutes. Anybody else agree?

https://youtu.be/Rxfb5fYeQec