The sun had not yet risen when Elenwë opened her eyes. She had fallen asleep with her clothes on. Sighing, she prepared a bath and washed herself. Then she put on her outfit. Black leather trousers, black boots, a large white shirt with puffed sleeves and a brown leather corset. She slid her sword to her waist, put her Lothlorian bow across her back and hung her quiver on her back. She gathered her pristine white hair and braided it from the top of her head.

She sighed as she grabbed her pack and went into the dining room to take a bite. Just then Legolas entered the room, saw her and smiled broadly. He sat down at the table in front of her.

-Did you sleep well?" he asked her in Elvish.

-Yes, and you?

-Also... he replied.

He drank his hot vegetable broth and put it back on the table. He then gently placed his hand on Elenwë's, touching her ring in the process.

-Thank you for everything. Legolas..." she whispered.

Elenwë sat up and said:

-I must go and try to call Ebony.

-Ebony? Legolas asked.

A she-wolf, a friend... sent by Tilion for me. She is very beautiful, and if I understand correctly what she told me, she has become my main means of locomotion.

Aragorn, Merry and Gimli entered the hall and Elenwë looked at Legolas before saying:

-I will join you after I promise.

-See you later then. murmured the Woodland Prince, looking a little disappointed.

Elenwë waved to Aragorn and Gimli and Merry and left the palace. She went to the side of the mounds and called in her mind:

-Ebony! Ebony! My beautiful friend! Will you carry me where I must go?

A flash of white lightning crossed the plain and Ebony appeared in front of Elenwë and jumped on her before licking her face.

Falling backwards, she laughed out loud as she felt the she-wolf's wet tongue tickle her face.

-Stop it! It tickles!

-Are we having fun?

Elenwë raised her face to the voice. Aragorn, hoisted on Arod, was smiling slightly.

Elenwë blushed, stood up and dusted off her clothes.

-Erm... yes. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce Ebony, sent for me by my father.

Aragorn frowned.

-Lord Elrond?

-No... My biological father. Tilion.

-The... The Maia?

-Yes.

Aragorn asked no more questions and merely smiled at Elenwë.

-Let us join the others.

-Yes!

The young elleth climbed on the she-wolf's back. They joined the battalion of men who were already ready to leave.

King Theoden nodded to the elf.

She joined her companions and Eowyn.

-Are you coming with us?" Elenwë asked Théoden's niece.

-It is traditional for the women to accompany the men to the camp.

Elenwë smiled sadly.

-I see.

Legolas glanced questioningly at his betrothed, who answered nothing.

She knew. Or rather she guessed that Eowyn would not stop at the camp.

The day's ride was rather dull and they reached the mountain camp in the evening. Many tents were set up and our little group climbed up the path to the foot of the Dunharrow.

Eothain was already there and Eomer would arrive before dawn. 

Theoden, on top of the esplanade, looked down on the camp.

-We are so few.

Elenwë, who was standing next to him, replied.

-It does not matter how many. It is courage that matters most.

Théoden looked at her, a glint of thanks in his eyes.

That evening, Legolas, Gimli, Merry and Elenwë gathered around a campfire.

The horses were restless and Ebony grunted. Across the mountain, a narrow dark passageway could be seen, running into the gloom.

-What is this gloomy place?" asked Gimli.

-They call it Dimholt. Or the path of the dead. murmured Elenwë

-How do you know?" asked Legolas in surprise.

-Ebony told me.

-She speaks?" asked Merry innocently.

-In my mind, young hobbit. I can hear her in my head. We are related.

-They say there's an army here," said Legolas.

-What kind of army would linger here? asked the dwarf.

-A cursed army. Long ago, the men of the mountain swore an oath to the last king of Gondor. They swore allegiance to him, promising to help him in battle. But when the time came, when Gondor needed their help, they fled, disappearing into the darkness of the mountain. Then Isildur cursed them, wishing them no respite until their oath was fulfilled. Who will call them from the grey twilight? The forgotten people, the heir of the one they swore to. From the North he will return, necessity will bring him. He shall pass through the gate of the path of the dead! Legolas paused, leaving Elenwë and Gimli to ponder these words.

Elenwë murmured:

-I will go for a walk.

The other three nodded in silence. As they walked away, Elenwë met Aragorn who asked the other companions:

-Well! Where is she going?

-Certainly to look at the stars. Legolas replied. I will go and do the same on my side.

He left as well, walking away from the camp.

-Those elves! laughed Gimli softly. Lovers of the stars!

Aragorn smiled and said:

-That is where they get their name from. My friend. Eldar... people of the stars.

-It is beautiful..." Merry murmured softly.

Later, when everyone had gone to bed, Legolas went to his tent. Elenwë, who had not seen him since the meal, did the same.

In the middle of the night, three black-cloaked riders entered the camp and one of them asked to see Theoden.

He carried something for Aragorn. Andúril. The flame of the West. A blade forged from the fragments of Narsil.

A soldier came to wake Aragorn and Elenwë.

Elenwë met Aragorn in front of the king's tent.

-You go first. I will return afterwards," she said.

Aragorn entered the tent.

-Lord Elrond," said Aragorn gently.

-I come from one I love. Arwen is dying. She will not long survive the evil that is spreading from Mordor. The light of the evening star is fading. Her strength diminishes as Sauron's strength grows. Arwen's life is now tied to the fate of the Ring. The shadow is upon us, Aragorn. The end is near.

-It will not be our end, but Sauron's," said Aragorn, in a voice that he wanted to be sure.

-War awaits you, but not victory. Sauron's armies are marching on Minas Tirith, you know that, but in secret he is sending other forces to attack by the river. A fleet of pirate ships from the south. They'll be in the city in two days. You are outnumbered. You need men badly.

-There are no more.

-There are those who remain in the mountains.

-Murderers. Traitors. Would you enlist them to fight? They believe in nothing and obey no one.

-They will obey the King of Gondor! This is Andúril, the Flame of the West forged from the fragments of Narsil.

-Sauron will not have forgotten the Sword of Elendil. The blade that was broken must return to Minas Tirith.

-The Man who can wield the power of this sword can gather an army more deadly than any that have trodden this land. Forget the lurker, become the man you were meant to be. Take the road to Dimholt. Ónen i-Estel Edain. (I give hope to men)

-Ú-chebin Estel anim. (I have none)

Elenwë had blushed when she heard her father announce Arwen's critical condition. She had discreetly followed the discussion, but all she wanted to do was rush to her father's side and into his arms.

She couldn't hold on any longer and opened the tent before jumping on her father's neck.

-Ada..

-Iell nin.. Your hair.

Elrond ran his hand through his adopted daughter's hair. Aragorn, feeling too much, stepped out of the tent.

-It is nothing. I do not care. But... Arwen... Arwen is dying?

-She has renounced her immortality. She is ill.

In despair, Elenwë clung to her father who gently stroked her hair to soothe her.