Dedicated to my fantastic beta reader, TheSortingHatsSunglasses.

SECOND AGE, 3433 - IMLADRIS (RIVENDELL)

Much had changed in recent times, yet Imladris remained as beautiful as it always had. Niriel sat on a finely carved bench, gazing at the scenery on her left. The waterfall rolled itself down every curve of the valley and the leaves on trees nearby fluttered as the breeze caressed them. When that same breeze brushed itself past her cheek, she let out a deep breath. The beauty of the surrounding slopes was unspoilt, but the serenity of Imladris had been shattered. The clamouring of hammer against steel drowned out the sweet singing of birds. It was here that the Last Alliance was preparing for the coming war. Niriel turned her attention back to her current task: overseeing the training of new recruits.

The volunteers training at the moment were mainly elves, but here and there she could see a few men practicing their swordsmanship. Niriel and her fellow captains had instructed the recruits to duel each other whilst they observed the progress. Her eyes fell upon the same elf-maiden they often found themselves fall upon. The elf-maiden parried against her stronger male opponent and Niriel noted her narrow stance. He pushed against her sword with his own. She wobbled and then fell.

"Look at this lot," a man said beside Niriel, his eyes upon the elf-maiden Niriel herself had watched. He was a Captain too, but of Gondor's army, not Gil-galad's like herself. "I swear each group of recruits gets worse. They won't last even one day in Mordor."

The elf-maiden crawled back to her feet and turned to leave the class. Before she could, Niriel moved towards her and placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her. She looked at Niriel in the eye for a moment and then her head hung low. Her face was red with shame and Niriel could not help but pity her.

"I'm sorry." She kept her eyes lowered to the floor.

"For what?" Niriel said. "Nobody becomes a master swordsman overnight; my father spent decades teaching me."

The elf-maiden sighed. "I... I did not want to be defenseless and weak again. That is why I volunteered! When Eregion was besieged, I lost many who were dear to me. And I... I could not do anything to help them. All I could do was run. I want to learn to be brave, Captain, that is why I signed up. But now... now I am beginning to think perhaps it was a mistake."

Niriel closed her eyes at the mention of Eregion, she herself had assisted in that war under Gil-galad's banner. Although they had proven victorious, with the loss of an entire Kingdom, it had barely felt that way. Niriel drew in a sharp breath and reopened her eyes to see the elf-maiden still looking down. "Not learning to be brave would have been a mistake. And besides, I believe you have improved a lot since you first joined us."

The elf-maiden raised her head to look up at Niriel, her eyes shining. "You truly think so?"

Smiling, Niriel nodded. "The only reason you lost your balance was because your stance was poor. Had you kept a wider stance, you would have had much more control."

The elf-maiden bowed her head. "I see, thank you, Captain. I will keep that in mind next time."

"Captain Niriel?" A voice came from behind her. Niriel turned around to see a male elf dressed in fine silks. "Lord Gil-galad requests that you see him immediately." Niriel nodded to him and bade the elf-maiden farewell.

She made her way up the arched corridors that were embroidered with ivy and flowers. Although she passed a few civilians, the majority she came across were clad in shiny, silver armour. With the sheer amount of fresh, gleaming weaponry and armoury Imladris had churned out in the past few years, it was little wonder that it had become known as the Great Forge.

When Niriel arrived at the main hall, the sturdy yet elegant doors were wide open. Gil-galad, the elf-king, and Elendil, King of Gondor, both stood round a tall circular table. The two lords were surrounded by five elvish soldiers, all bearing the armour of Gil-galad. A large map had been strewn across the table and its yellowed, curled edges hung down. Niriel remained silent for a few moments, hoping that one of them would see her. However, they all appeared to be wrapped up in a deep discussion. Niriel fiddled with the laces on her left vambrace, fastening it tighter. When it was clear that they would not notice her anytime soon, Niriel stepped closer and then bowed. "Lord Gil-galad. You wished to speak with me?"

The two Kings peered over their shoulders to look at the doorway. Gil-galad nodded and summoned her forward, closer to himself and Elendil. "I hear that training the recruits has been progressing well, Captain Niriel."

She gazed down at the glistening marble floor. Did he merely wish to check on her progress? Or was there something more? "Oh, yes my lord." Niriel glanced back up at him. "Yesterday we completed the training of dozens of recruits for our ranks."

"But unfortunately," King Elendil said. "We still do not have enough." Niriel raised her eyebrows at his response. Of course they did not have enough, they would never have enough to assault Mordor. But currently, their only option was to train new volunteers. Niriel was surprised by Elendil's negative tone, for he knew this fact as well as she did. King Elendil rested his elbows on the edge of the table and leant over the map. "We managed to reclaim Minas Ithil, but it was hardly a victory. Anárion, my son, has barely managed to hold the city against Sauron's forces. Minas Ithil is the only thing that delays Sauron from spreading across the rest of Middle Earth - the only thing to bide us time. For now, Sauron has pulled back. But the fires and sounds of metalwork across Mordor grow every day. He is preparing a large attack on Minas Ithil. Time is a luxury we no longer have and we must act soon."

Niriel frowned. "But, my lord, we still need thousands more for us to even stand a chance against Sauron's armies."

"Indeed," King Elendil said.

"And with respect, Lord Elendil, we will not be able to increase our forces by thousands overnight. We are already training recruits as fast as we can. What you are asking for is impossible, my lord." Niriel swallowed, "It cannot be done." When she'd finished, she let out a deep breath and let her tensed shoulders fall back down.

Gil-galad shook his head. "It is not impossible." Niriel opened her mouth to speak, but Gil-galad continued. "We are not talking about training recruits, Niriel. We are talking about gathering thousands of already trained forces at once."

Niriel gave him a puzzled look. "Where from, my lord? Have we not already asked every nation of free people?"

Gil-galad nodded. "We have, and some refused. Out of those who refused, we plan on asking two of them once more: the elf-kings of Lorien and Eryn Galen."

Elendil folded his arms and the corners of his lips curled into a sneer. "And that might be the impossible part, Captain Niriel. Those foolish elf-lords believe that war will never come to them and continue to hide in their forests. Nevertheless, Lord Gil-galad insists on trying."

"Niriel," Gil-galad turned his attention back to her, ignoring what Elendil had said. "I have asked them myself and both refused me. But I believe they refuse me out of pride, not cowardice."

"But my lord," Niriel gazed at the dark-haired elf-king in wonder. "How ever could I convince them when you could not?"

"They told me they refused to become servants of the Noldor - that if they joined under my banner I would try to seize their lands for my own." Gil-galad shook his head and sighed. "But you, Niriel, you are Sindarin like them. I believe they might listen to you. You must show them that this threat is not limited to men, but involves all people of Middle Earth. You must show them how much of a threat Sauron truly is. If you do, I believe they will consider joining us."

Niriel bowed her head and then dug her nails into her palms. It was truly an honour for the high elf-king to hand-pick her for such a delicate quest. Niriel swallowed. This was a diplomatic task but from what the two Kings had told her, she doubted it would be easy. This quest could prove to be detrimental to the Last Alliance's success. If she failed to convince the two Elf-lords, their Alliance would have little hope against Mordor. "I... " Niriel started, staring at Gil-galad's shiny, metal boots. Niriel clenched her fist. She gazed up and looked Gil-galad in the eyes. "I will try my best, my lord."

King Elendil pointed towards the Misty Mountains on the map that lay on the table. "You will be best travelling through the High Pass. Your journey should not be too dangerous, but out of caution, we have summoned a small group for you to travel with." King Elendil gestured towards the elvish soldiers who stood near. Niriel wondered why King Elendil had not chosen some of his own soldiers for this task. Perhaps he believed that the elf-kings would respond more positively to an entirely elvish company? Before Niriel could contemplate this any further, he began to trace his finger over the map and towards southern Eryn Galen. "King Oropher resides in the South in the capital, Amon Lanc." He then moved his finger south-west towards where Lórien was labelled. "And Amdír resides here, in Lórien. Your entire journey should only be a few days ride, but convincing the King to join our Alliance will undoubtedly take longer."

"Niriel, allow me to introduce you to who you will be travelling with," Gil-galad said. He gestured towards a tall, stern-looking male elf who held his pointy chin high above his shoulders. "This is Andir, one of the finest warriors I have ever fought alongside." Andir bowed his head to Niriel and she did the same in return. Gil-galad then pointed towards two incredibly similar looking male elves. "Farion and Taranir are brothers and unsurprisingly, they work excellently together." Next in line was a cheerful looking elf. When Gil-galad gestured towards him, he gave Niriel a broad smile. "This is Glaeron, who always gives his all to everything he does." And lastly, was a female elf with the longest, blondest hair Niriel had ever seen. She stepped forwards gracefully and bowed to Niriel. Niriel raised her nose to one side and then gave a short, stiff bow in response. "Iestil, a fine archer and an excellent scout." Gil-galad then turned back to Niriel. "It is vital that we gain King Oropher and King Magalad as allies in this war. I believe that Lord Oropher may be easier to convince. Perhaps if you can convince him, his decision might influence Amdír's. Please, all of you, do everything in your power to see this through. And Niriel, remember that these elf-kings are incredibly proud. If you do anything to insult this pride, I doubt they will listen to you."

"I understand, my lord."

"And you must act with haste," King Elendil added. "Your company is ready to leave. Ready yourself and return here by noon. When you return, you ride. Your journey will take you through the Misty Mountains and then on, to Eryn Galen."

Niriel nodded and bowed to the two Kings. Then, she turned and left.

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