The Vale came slowly into view, all dappled sunlight and softly splashing waterfalls. The marble of the delicate buildings glowed with an otherworldly light, edged with golden metalwork. Imladris, beautiful and captivating, usually a great solace after an extended period of absence. Not so this time; Elisbeth simply took in the vistas and felt great sadness and even anger weigh upon her heart.
The journey back from Dunland had been uneventful and swift, their mission a success in the eyes of most of their patrol. They were bringing grave news with them; Elisbeth knew that when she made her report to Lord Elrond he would be dire in his judgement of the Warband and of her leadership. She knew they could have done more, should have pressed on; completed the task. They had turned back too early. The goals they had achieved in disrupting the supply routes between Dunland and Eregion would only delay the inevitable. They had discovered much, least of all that Saruman's power and expansion was moving ever closer, but the Warband had come home too early. Caleniel had understood, perhaps, and had been willing to press onwards, but the others....each in their own way had seemed to desire home. Perhaps it was simply the tension and antagonism between some of them that had them desiring a return, a reprieve from being within each other's company. This too was a source of frustration to Elisbeth. It had made her weak and she had relented.
Angrily she pushed these thoughts away; she was tired of her kinfolks' fractious behaviour. She tired of being Tur during times like these. In truth, that title was one she had never sought, nor wished to hold. She understood why it was hers but that made it none the easier to bear. Elisbeth looked around the Vale once more and smiled ruefully to herself at her morose demeanor and self pity. It would get her nowhere but merely make her less amenable than usual. Perhaps, having some time to think on what had happened would improve her wellbeing. Changing from her travel clothes and being cleaner would likely aid that too.
The meeting with Lord Elrond several days later, had gone much as anticipated, leaving Elisbeth to muse further on all that had happened in Dunland. Further instructions had been given but with the reprieve of time. A minor concession. She had been forced into reviewing with him all those on the patrol. That had been so difficult. She had also been forced into acknowledging her own failings.
"Keep the Warband intact and focused Elisbeth, stand as one or fail...is that not your motto?" Lord Elrond had looked at her as he asked this question; she knew all too well that look, as if he saw into her soul; she tried to cling on to the hope that not all her secrets were exposed.
"I do my best to lead them despite some not caring for how it is done." Breathe, Elis breathe, she whispered inside her head as she spoke.
"I will ensure we are united before next we undertake a mission".
What more could she answer to him? An idle promise, or a hopeful wish that all would naturally sort itself out. A hope that Khalis would see beyond Thendryt's race; a desire that she could connect with Lilleduil and that this unusual elf would cease to exasperate her so; a hope that Thendryt would continue to trust her at the least, if not the others. This journey into Dunland had revealed too many cracks and despite everything achieved it left Elisbeth feeling fragile and angry....
There the anger again.
As Elisbeth walked from Lord Elrond's study she tried to compose her thoughts, but the maelstrom would not cease. No easy option, no simple solution.
"Unite them Elisbeth".
A parting order, spoken softly and with a look of compassion now behind those dark eyes, but one that swirled around her mind filling her with dread and misgivings.
