�What is it, Uruviel dearest?� he asked softly, putting his arm around her shoulders.
�Oh, Aldamir, Arwen has gone back to Imladris. Didn�t you know?� she asked, looking up. Aldamir noticed that a tear was welling up in the corner of her eye.
�Yes, I knew. I am sorry she has left. You are great friends with her, aren�t you.�
�Yes.� She sighed sadly. �I feel so torn in two right now. Half of me almost wishes I had gone with her.�
�Why, Uruviel, would you really want to leave me?� teased Aldamir gently, smiling.
Uruviel gave him a reassuring smile and laid her head on his chest. Her fingers found his and held them. �Aldamir, I am afraid for Arwen.�
�Why, what is it? She is well protected on her journey back to Imladris. I do not think such a fate as befell her beautiful mother will overtake her.�
�Oh, it isn�t that. But do you not know that she has fallen in love with a mortal man?�
�I know that she is very fond of Aragorn, son of Arathorn, if that is what you mean. But I know little else, since I am so busy on the borders these days.�
�She is more than fond of him; she loves him. And he returns her love. But Aldamir, if she were to marry him, then she will lose her immortality...�
Aldamir was silent for a moment. �That would be a terrible blow to us all, to lose such a princess,� he said quietly.
�Yes,� said Uruviel, a tear slipping down her cheek. Aldamir took her into his arms and kissed the top of her fair head.
�She has yet to make that choice, dearest. I am sorry, but I must leave for the borders again now. And before I leave I simply must get my hands on some more arrows; mine are dwindling.�
�All right,� whispered Uruviel. �Go now, and may the grace of the Valar always protect you.�
Aldamir, gathering his weapons together, sought out Haldir. �Haldir, mellon nin, where have we more arrows? Those accursed orcs are diminishing my supply with a vengeance.�
Haldir grinned. �That�s no surprise. You shoot so well that we others never get a chance, you rascal. Ask Rumil; he�ll give you some. And then come back, because we have to start for the borders as soon as you�re ready.�
Once the arrows were obtained, Aldamir reported back, and the patrol for Lorien�s western border started for their post. It took them a day of walking to reach the edge. Caras Galadhon lay deep indeed in the Golden Wood, but being swift, silent Elves, they could easily have made the journey in half the time if they were in a hurry. Right now they were not.
As they passed through the moss-coated mallorns, and over swiftly-rushing, merry, silver streams, Aldamir breathed in the woody, mossy fragrance deeply. He loved the forest; it was his greatest delight to walk through it, gazing at the stars, or stroking the smooth bark of the mallorns which surrounded him. �This is my home,� he said to himself. �Here is where I belong, and may the Valar grant that I never stray too far from it.�
Upon reaching the outposts, Haldir�s command relieved the group of Elves presently on watch and took up guard. The other Elves, under the command of Eltarion, left them, as it was their turn to go back to Caras Galadhon and dwell there until they were called back.
�Aldamir, come here,� said Haldir suddenly, gazing at the ground. Aldamir hurried to his side. Haldir pointed out some rough depressions in the mossy ground.
�Yrch,� said Aldamir immediately.
�Yes, I know,� answered Haldir, �but these are too big to be those scum from Moria. I have never before seen tracks like these.�
Aldamir frowned and bent down, running his finger along the depression�s edge. �You�re right: they are unusually big. But they�re too rough to be tracks of Men, and too big. What do you think they are?�
�I have no idea. Some kind of orc it must be; but what orc has such tracks?�
Aldamir straightened up. �Don�t ask me. I�ve never met any orcs but for small ones ... ..shhh!�
Haldir looked at him quickly. �What?...Wait, I hear it too�� He was cut off abruptly as a thick, black arrow whistled past his ear. �Orcs!� he cried.
�Aldamir, watch out!�