Elenwë's head was about to explode. What had just happened?

Trembling, she tried to regain control of herself. A very slight footstep behind the door announced the arrival of Legolas.

She didn't want to see anyone. Not now anyway.

Elenwë leapt up the column, climbed up and found herself on the roof.

A moment later, Legolas looked for Elenwë outside without finding her.

Theoden came out of the palace and threw Grima Langue de Serpent down the stairs.

He wanted to finish him off but Aragorn intervened.

-Too much blood has already spilled. Let him go.

Theoden gave up killing him and ordered that he be given a horse.

The vile adviser fled at a gallop to Isengard.

She walked discreetly along the slates until she reached a small window in the roof.

She lay down beside it, listening to the discussion in the throne room.

-The enemy approaches, King Theoden. We must prepare for battle.

-At last news, it is Theoden the King of Rohan and not Aragorn the Ranger.

Aragorn fell silent, blaming the blow.

Gandalf wanted to intervene but Theoden cut me off.

-I am grateful to you for helping me, but I do not forget that you deprived me of a Mearas. Gandalf the White. It will take me a long time to get over my resentment... so don't be too angry with me if I'm a little angry.

-I understand, King Theoden.

-We will go to Helm's Deep. Tomorrow at dawn we will leave. There my people will be safe. Now I want to see my son. Where is Théodred?

Only silence answered him.

-My son...

The king understood from the silence that his child was no more.

He rode on his horse and rode off to the mounds outside the city.

Elenwë followed him.

The king knelt on his son's mound, in the midst of the white symbelmynës in flower.

He wept.

Feeling the presence of the young elf behind him, he said aloud:

-I never thought I would live long enough to see the symbelmynes cover my son's grave... Alas for Theoden! No parent should bury his children...

Elenwë felt his distress.

-You do not know the pain of the loss of a loved one, my Lady.

-Make no mistake, King Theoden. I have recently lost a very dear friend. An extraordinary man who was loyal to his country.

-Who was he?

-Boromir, son of Denethor, Intendant of Gondor. I was very fond of him. He died bravely.

Theoden nodded sadly.

-Forgive me," he said.

-It does'nt matter.

Then Elenwë, in memory of his deceased friend and in homage to Théodred, sang a song.

Uich gwennen na 'wanath ah na dhín.

An uich gwennen na ringyrn ambar hen.

Boe naid bath gwannathar,

Boe cuil ban firitha.

Boe naer gwannathach.

-That's what it means:

You are not bound to loss and silence.

For you are not bound to the circles of this world.

All things must pass,

All life is doomed to fade.

You have to leave, and yet you are not without hope.

-Thank you my Lady. It is a very appropriate song for this situation. From tomorrow at dawn, we will take the road to Helm's Abyss.

Elenwë, although reluctant to withdraw, aquiesced and left to join his companions.

When she entered the common room assigned to them, four eyes turned towards her.

-Before you ask me a lot of questions that you won't get answers to," she said, "you should know that I didn't understand what was going on. I was barely aware of what I was doing.

-Are you tired? Gandalf asked softly.

-Gandalf asked softly. Uh... no why?

-When I use magic, I'm always weakened afterwards. Isn't that the case with you? he continued.

-I feel great. How about you? she asked, addressing the four of us.

-Well, good. Aragorn replied.

-It couldn't be better! Gimli replied.

-Good too, thank you. Gandalf added.

As for Legolas, he just smiled and nodded slightly.

Elenwë sighed inwardly. Sometimes she wanted to buy a book to teach Legolas to talk more...

But, well...

The blonde woman, Eowyn, entered the room and turned to them.

-My Lady, My Lords, rooms have been allotted to you. Please come with me.

They followed Eowyn who stopped at a door in the southeast wing of the palace.

-Lady Elenwë, your apartments are here. As for you," she said, turning to the others, "I hope you won't mind sharing a room with others?

-Not at all," Aragorn said with a smile.

Gandalf frowned and then said:

-I can't stay tonight, I'm sorry. I will meet you at Helm's Deep on the dawn of the fifth day. Look to the east. You will see me coming. See you soon, my friends.

He turned and Elenwë sighed at his door.

-He's gone again.

The others smiled at him.

-We'll see each other at dinner," Aragorn said.

-Yes, we will. I'll see you then.

Elenwë entered his "room".

A simple dress was waiting for him on the bed as well as a tub of steaming water.

Elenwë shivered with pleasure.

A bath... oh joy!

She took off her clothes with lightning speed and threw herself into the hot water.

She washed herself actively and relaxed.

She finally fell asleep.

When the water was almost cold, Elenwë woke up and dried herself.

A feeling of well-being overcame her.

She was clean!

She let her silver hair down and put on her dress.

It was a simple blue velvet dress.

Elenwë felt good

Elenwë felt good.

The men knew how to make comfortable clothes.

Certainly less than those of the elves, but still...

Getting ready to go out, she closed the door of her room.

Elenwë walked silently and bumped into someone who was too busy thinking.

She was about to fall on the floor but she was held by two strong arms.

She looked up.

-You really should be careful, Elenwë. You will end up hurting yourself.

-Pff... Anything. You're just afraid of losing face if I make you fall.

-Am I?

-Yes, you are!

-Just try it! You'll see what my revenge will be!

Legolas looked at her with an air that was both sarcastic and ferocious.

-Finally... right now... I don't feel like it.

Legolas smiles, happy to have won this round.