˚ ₊ ♡ ❰ BALLAD OF BROKEN SWORDS ❱
*✧ ─── ❝ ❪ THE PRESENCE OF YOUR GHOST ❫ ❞

⋆ 🌪. CHAPTER THIRTY ONE ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
˚ ₊ ♡ unknown: unknown─── act three

❝ 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙨 𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 ? 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝘮𝘺
𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝙬𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘶𝘱 ❞

*✧ ─── GYDA GASPS, THE AIR IS LIKE SMOKE THAT MAKES HER THROAT BURN. IT'S DARK, A PITCH BLACK SEA AND SHE'S ALONE. In the depths of the unknown she stands with a heavy heart. Beneath her feet something slithers, and suddenly she feels a certain wetness at her feet. But she can't make out what, thicker than water and as dark as ink. She wants to reach out, but her hands remains glued to her side. A realization shudders through her with a spike of fear that burns like the very fires of Mordor. Gyda swallows nervously, taking slow, cautious steps forward.

The liquid sludges.

The air is thick, tension wrapping around her body like a vice...like thunder waiting to strike.

"Hello?" Her voice echoes, echoes ─ echoes before it finally fades in the distance of the void.

A giggle pierces the air and Gyda spins, hair fluttering but nothing is there. Her body tenses, taut muscles and her hands reaches for the pommel of her sword.

She can feel her heart. Tut. Tut, tut in her throat.

Her fingers wrap around nothing.

Hazel eyes glance down and she finds an empty scabbard. A shaky breath leaves her parted lips, and she blinks as if it will make her sword re-appear. She heaves in a deep breath, tries to gather her racing thoughts... to think, to know, where is she?

Another giggle and Gyda twirls around, frantic eyes gazing in the dark abys.

"Gyda!" A songbird voice, the lilt of childhood.

"Who's there?" Gyda dares call out a hand above her head to shield her eyes as a sudden bright light explodes in front of her. A harsh wind pushes her, and more giggles follow. But they sound more...broken?

The light dims until in the distance there is a small beam that burns like a beacon of hope. She moves without noticing it at first and the closer she gets the more sounds reach her ears...familiar sounds. The rushing of water, the birds and their melody, even the wind carries a tune she knows by heart.

The sound of home.

"Gyda?"

She turns and jumps back a couple of steps in surprise, and the shadows rise higher, swallowing the light further before retreating backwards. As if the very darkness was breathing around her. Fear crawls up her spine, as she tries to make sense of it. Of anything.

A dream. She thinks, it has to be dream.

It reassures her a bit, but still Gyda remains wary. She's never dreamt like this, so...so real.

Her feet have turned to stone as she stays rooted, observing the ball of light as it grows and grows and grows. She peers at it, as if looking through a window, and the coldness she hadn't realized that was clutching to her like a second skin melts away with the warmth of sun.

"Gyda! Come find me!" Someone pleads in the distance, the voice echoes but she knows it. Gyda is sure of it.

Her breath hitches as a small, pale hand protrudes from the light, glistening in golden sunlight. She hesitates for a moment, worry clouding her thoughts before she reaches out with a wave of confidence.

The moment she touches it, the light blasts forward, enrapturing her within an ethereal light. The stars, sun and moon glow around her like she's the sky waiting to be painted.

Then the smell of wildflowers and the sea reaches her and as she blinks, slowly her eyes take in the glory of Lindon's cliffsides as they grow before her eyes. The white marble Lindon's keep stands in the distance like a beacon. A flag wavering in the wind at the highest tower.

Gyda takes in a breath of fresh air and lets the tranquility of the crashing waves calm her heart. She laughs for a moment at the absurdity of the sight in front of her, at the sound of seagulls and...

"You've made it!"

Gyda's brows pinch together at the sight of a young Elleth climbing down from the branch of a tree. Her white dress flowing like a cloud carried on the breeze. And with a startling recognition Gyda sees Elgarain stand before her.

But this is not the Elgarain she has come to know. No...this is still a child ─ an elfling. But the eyes are the same. A sparkling, gleaming emerald color that shames the very gems hidden beneath the mountains of the dwarves.

But these eyes still twinkle with the innocence of youth. Of an innocence that does not know the consequences of war.

Gyda's heart sinks.

The Elleth skips toward her, smiling, grinning and swinging her arms jubilantly at her side before she grasps both of Gyda's hands in her own. "I'd knew you would find me."

A pang shoots through her heart. It hurts, and Gyda can't place the pain it causes. Like a part of her own body lays elsewhere. Like another part of her is calling out for help.

A part of her knows what it is, deep down, but she ignores it. Buries it deep beneath layers of dirt and stone. Gyda never wants to let grief consume her again. Let it in and give it any power over her.

"Of course. I'll always find you." Gyda affirms with a gentleness she only ever offers children. One she barely dares admit she had not offered Elgarain that as an Elleth barely passed her elflings stages after the war.

Grief had ruined her then. Played her like a puppet on string.

Elgarain tilts her head, but her eyes are darker now, like a gathering storm. Her gaze beyond what Gyda can see. As if this Elgarain knows what she's thinking.

The sight frightens her as Elgarain loosens her grip, before bringer her arms back to her side. "Find me?" She asks so hopefully...so helplessly.

"Find you?" Gyda murmurs unsure, brows furrowing, "But you're here." She reaches out but Elgarain steps back before her fingers can wrap around her arm.

Thunder rumbles above her, and Gyda looks up as lightning strikes across the darkening grey skies. When she looks back, Elgarain is gone and her heart rattles in her chest.

"Elgarain?"

"I need you Gyda." The voice fades away, but Gyda can't see her.

Her eyes flicker to the ground, but there's no sign of footsteps, the dirt remaining unsullied. "I don't understand!" She shouts as the wind picks up again, raging against the trees as they sway almost unnaturally. "Please Elgarain!"

"You have to find me!" The voice grows in urgency as it echoes around her, Gyda spins around in a circle but no figure reveals itself.

Woosh.

"Find me!" Gyda trips over her own feet as Elgarain appears before her.

"El─" but then Elgarain thrusts her hands forward and with a final hostile gust of wind she's pushed backwards...over the cliff.

And she's falling, falling ─ falling.

For one moment, Gyda thinks she's dead as darkness surrounds her once more, but as she gulps in a breath light floods her vision. She pushes herself up with her elbows, wild hair stuck to her sweat-covered forehead.

Her heart is still hammering in her chest and she clutches her tunic like a lifeline. Slowly she scrambles to her feet and takes in her surroundings. The woods look familiar, but not in the sense she expects.

No. I've not been here. She thinks.

But yet, it is as if her eyes have glanced upon the view before. The land stretches out before her, an amber color hovers over the horizon where the sun has just dipped beneath the earth.

Her feet are light as she moves, like something calls to her, beckons her to find it... like a tread connecting her to something...

A slumped figure sits upon a hill, leaning against a tree stump, head hanging low, brown hair cascading down like a waterfall. The feeling grows stronger, and stronger, like a tightening noose, yet it doesn't stop her.

Almost as if she couldn't care less if the air she needs was lost. All she can focus on is the figure in the distance getting nearer.

Gyda is sprinting then, the leather tunic familiar, the stitches that holds it together ones she'd seen before. She knows.

"Elgarain!" She calls out, a joyous relief bubbling inside her gut. "Elgarain it's me!"

Gyda falls to her knees in front of her. Shaking hands cupping Elgarain's head. She looks sickly pale, but she cannot find a reason as to why. "Elgarain?" She whispers worriedly, one hand lifting to tuck her hair behind her ears, clutching her just a little bit tighter.

"Wake up!"

A startled gasp escapes Elgarain's mouth as her eyes flutter open. "I couldn't save him," she whispers. "He's dead because I couldn't save him." 

Gyda's gaze softens with sympathy. "No Elgarain. You did what you could."

She shakes her head. "I failed him. And now I've failed you too."

Her lip trembles as she reaches for Elgarain's hands and lets her head fall. "Neither could I protect you." She murmurs regretfully. "I'm so sorry Elgarain. So sorry."

"I'm sorry too, nésa," Elgarain whispers as she leans her forehead against Gyda's.

A sob escapes her without warning and Gyda wraps her arms around Elgarain, burying her head in the crook of her neck. "I will find you. I promise. Wherever you are Elgarain. I will never stop."

"You shouldn't have to give up your entire life for me," Elgarain whispers. "But I'm thankful you did. Does that make me a bad person?"

"Never." Gyda denies the mirage of her queen. "And I wouldn't change a thing given the chance." She straightens back up again. "I'm not searching for you because I must, I'm coming for you because you are my sister."

She smiles through her tears. "Thank you."

A crow caws in the distance, and for a startling moment Gyda remembers; she dreaming. But everything feels like it's real, from the sound of Elgarain's voice to the feeling of the grass beneath her legs and confusion swirls in her head. "Wait...how?" She can't find the right words. "If this is a dream, why does this feel so real?"

"We...I'm dreaming right?" Elgarain mutters. "This is a dream, right?"

A silver light draws their attention as if to answer their unspoken question and the two of them look down to where Vilya is shining brightly on Elgarain's finger. Neither of them can explain it and yet, in that moment, they both know with absolute certainty that this is not a dream.

"I-I thought so at first, but this." Gyda points at her heart. "This tells me something else is happening...something strange." The wind picks up again, howling like a wolf warry of the night.

"I know, I feel it too but," she shakes her head. "How?"

"I do not yet know." She whispers, "but it has to mean something."

Something stirs in the air and the hairs on her arms rise. There is a warning in the night, like the caress of a shadows whispering in her ear. It worries Gyda.

"Something is wrong." She says quietly.

"What are you talking about?"

"Can you not hear it?" Gyda pushes herself up, ear straining as the faint sound of stomping feet echo over the grassy hills and reality starts seeping through, leaking into their peaceful amber forest.

Elgarain stands up beside her. "Hear what?"

"Orcs." Gyda grits out, but her eyes widen as she looks at Elgarain. For the sleeve of her undershirt was turning a scarlet color, blooming like a flower in spring. "Elgarain?"

She winces, as if the pain suddenly hits her. "It's broken," she explains as she carefully holds it.

"You have to get away." Gyda can feel the panic start the rise. Elgarain is in danger. And she's not there to help her. "Wherever we are now, it is not real...not really."

"Gyda, what-" she falls silent and grows even more pale, like she can finally hear it too. Then her posture changes and she shakes her head. "No, I don't want to go."

Gyda watches helpless as Elgarain sways on her feet as if fighting something. Her eyes are wide and worried with unshed tears. "Elgarain you have to." She presses even if she wishes they could stay in their peaceful forest forever.

"I don't want to wake up without you." Elgarain whispers, moving to take a step toward her, but her feet fumble and she stumbles.

Gyda reaches out to catch her, heart shattering at the sight of her dearest friend as she gentle lays her on the ground. "You can't stay here Nesa." She mumbles, leaning over her, her hair cascading around their faces, Shielding them from the outside world as it grows smaller and smaller. Darkness flooding the scenery, spilling like oil in the ocean.

Elgarain clasps her hand around her own so tight it actually hurts. "Please."

Gyda can hear the Orcs getting closer. She can almost taste their foul stench on her tongue. "Wake up Elgarain. Please, for me. You have to fight." Tears are streaming down both their faces.

The hairs on Gyda's neck stand up, and she knows, Elgarain can't stay for a moment longer.

"Wake up!"

𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘺 𝙜𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙛 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨; 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴
𝙞𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙
𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙨 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙩 𝘢𝘯𝘥
𝙨𝙖𝙮𝙨; 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴.

*✧ ─── fortesa latifi

*✧ ─── rohan: eastfold

"Gyda?"

She's heaving in a large gulp of air and feels the familiar wetness on her cheek. She wipes away the tears before glimpsing up through her lashes. Instead of the amber glow, the night sky greets her like an old friend. It's twinkling stars familiar and assuring despite the feeling that buries itself inside of her.

She pushes herself up slowly in a sitting position before she turns to look at the owner of the voice.

Aragorn sits with his pipe on a log, tending to the fire whilst Legolas and Gimli rest soundlessly. His body is rigid, hair matted still from the fight. Her eyes even catch a small splatter of blood just above his right eyebrow. She hopes it's an Orc's.

"Are you alright?" he asks softly.

Her hands tremble and her heart is still racing in her chest as she sits up straigher. For a moment she wants to say it was just a bad dream, but...

"I saw Elgarain." She whispers in the night, shuffling closer to the heat of the flames. From the corner of her eye she can see him freeze, before continuing to prod the fire with a stick.

"A dream?"

Gyda takes a deep breath. "I-I thought so at first." She looks at him with a frown. "But this was different. It was if our minds found one another." She pauses, shaking her head. "It must sound silly."

A puff of smoke rises in the air, and Gyda watches it float up towards the twinkling stars spread across the sky. "Many-a-strange thing has happened to the people of Middle-Earth." He replies calmly.

A spark of hope blooms in her chest. "Have you heard about such things before? Sharing dreams?"

"No...not in the sense you talked about." He replies softly and Gyda sighs in defeat, bringing her knees closer to her chest and wrapping her arms around herself.

A moment of silence passes before Aragorn speaks up again. "Was ─ was she okay?"

Her chin wobbles, "She was hurt and she was scared." And so was I.

Aragorn lowers his eyes to the ground mournfully.

"She laid in my arms as she begged for me to stay with her." Gyda continues. "But something was coming. Something dangerous. I felt it as if I was there with her. Like I was breathing the same air, seeing the same view. Feeling what she was feeling. "

"How?"

"I don't know." She sighs. "I can still feel it linger, there's a part of me that is hurting, but my mind can't rationalize why. Like...Like ─ "

"─ Like tethers of fate you are one." Aragorn supplies.

"Yes."

"There must be a reason." Aragorn tries to encourage her. "Someone must know something."

"Gandalf would have known." Gyda states remorsefully. "I wish he was still here to offer his council."

"I wish he was here with us too." His voice softens.

"Perhaps Elrond will have answers when...if, we return."

The fire crackles, like a sign, like a warning of the fires that awaits them if Frodo cannot destroy the ring. If Sauron returns to rule.

"I'm sorry, about what I said, about how you were with Elgarain. I-I know how hard it must be." Gyda admits quietly after a moment of silence. "I'm sorry about a lot of things lately."

He almost looks surprised at her words, perhaps she's too. "But you were right. I...we, we didn't love one another like we should have. Like we would have wanted."

"Maybe...but I was angry and frustrated, and I took it out on you, even if some words still rang true, I shouldn't have spoken about it like that, especially to you."

"To me?"

"A king...or well soon to be king." She chuckles, wringing her hands and daring a quick glance at Legolas. "I've seem to have a knack of insulting royalty."

"I like to think we are friends before we are anything else, especially titles." He chuckles, as if reliving a distant memory. "I recall you knocking me down a hill whilst on horseback once. You did not mind then. Made me walk all the way back to Rivendell too."

Gyda holds back a chuckle at the memory. "I didn't know then. Besides I was afraid you'd taken Elgarain."

"Even you must have had an inkling there was more to it than that." Aragorn raises an inquisitive brow.

"I must admit, Elgarain and I did not talk much then, even less about anything else then our duties." She tells shyly.

Aragorn shakes his head and grins at her and she smiles back at him.

"You've grown close since I saw you last." He states simply.

Her heart warms at that. "We have, in so many ways." She pauses, glancing back up at him. "You and Elgarain will figure this out when we find her, Pippin and Merry." She promises surely.

"You'll figure it out too, Gyda." Aragorn assures sincerely.

Her gaze trails towards Legolas as he says it.

A blush covers her cheeks and she tucks a piece of hair behind her ear. "I-I can't think about that right now. Not until I know she's safe. My vow comes before anything."

Aragorn hums knowingly, but doesn't say anything against it.

Feeling a bit awkward, Gyda puts aside  her blanket and stands up. Readjusting the Lothlorièn cloak neatly around her shoulder, she states; "I'm going to look a bit further up the hill, look if a can catch a glimpse of them."

Aragorn starts to protest but she's already moving before the first syllable of her name leaves his chapped lips.

She trudges up the hill slowly, cautious of the loose stones and tangled tree branches sprouting from the dirt.

Alone with her thoughts again, fear crawls inside her like a daunting beast. Gyda wonders if Elgarain is alright, but more so as to why they took her in the first place. Killing the last heir of Lindon would serve them greatly.

So why didn't they?

The unknown answer worries her more than she wants to admit.

She sighs, reaching up to grab a low hanging, thick branch wrapped in vines to haul herself up the last part. Above her the moon gleams its silver light upon the landscape. Mist has risen across the plains of land before her, it moves slow and sweeps like water across the grass.

Her heart sinks when she sees nothing in the distance.

Gyda has a glutaral need to scream at the top of her lungs, to let her pain and grief carry across the mountains and rivers, till it's beyond her reach and fades away like a healing scar.

But she can't. Her throat closes up, and tears well in her eyes.

She scrunches them close, and they fall down her cheeks like drops of rain.

Gyda let's herself fall to her knees, hands digging in the dirt, as if she's ready to rip the crust of the earth away. Her shoulders shake with silent sobs, as the pain consumes her.

Her chest feels heavy, and her arms trembles as she cries. She wants to beg and barter ─ wishes she could go back. Wishes they took her instead of Elgarain.

Wishes they had never gone on this forsaken journey in the first place.

But then, behind her closed eyelids a light glows a dark red.

She blinks, teary eyes peeking through her lashes and she sees it in the distance.

Fire.

Hope sparks in her chest.

ELVISH TRANSLATIONS
nesa — sister

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
hiiii!!!! omg act three already whoop whoop! Started with some angst sprinkled with more angst and a small dash of bonding! I'm sooooo excited about this act and the last one. Nel and I love our girls very much and what we have in store for them is gonna be so fun to write! Lots of love <3