Imladris

In Imladris, the previous autumn.

“Why are you a healer?” I ask Nestorion one afternoon as he treats the wound on my abdomen with the given grace and learned skill to be expected from the elves. He raises his gaze to meet mine, staying silent until he is through with his work.

Harthagil : So.... you disregarded all we spoke of, cried over and ...

Arwen : but, I love him!

Harthagil : You decided? Already?!

Arwen : i cannot live forever if it is to be without him

Harthagil : What about the blood shed through the ages to buy us peace? have you not thought of the betrayal to our kindred? it means nothing to you!

Arwen : i know of the cost

Harthagil : oh you do, do you? how? your tutor showed you in one of your personal lectures? I WAS THERE and you want to throw it away all for this...this...MAN!!

With a gasp, she pulls herself free of the water. To stand under the falls behind the East Porch, water chilled by autumnal winds, was enough to clear her mind of anything.

My soldier.

Mallossel furrows her brows and looks away from him. "I understand. But I would do what I did again if it meant you were safe."

Mallossel takes in a deep breath and then exhales as she looks upwards to the sky. "Do you see them all there, the stars? Our kind has so much love for them."

Blameless.

.Blameless

“Regret is a most powerful motivator indeed.”

“Regret for some, resolve for others. Hope for the rest.”