�The most direct is to go on foot from S�rment�, through Fangorn, and then on to the fortress,� said Aldamir, tracing the route with his finger.
Haldir nodded. �It is the most direct, but is it the quickest? We could also sail down the Anduin, until we reach a point somewhere above Sarn Gebir, and then turn west.�
�But that route is nearly twice as long,� objected Aldamir.
�I know,� answered Haldir. �But we will be sailing half of the way, and that is quicker. And is it safe to go through Fangorn? You know the tales that have been told of that wood. And that road will also take us close to Isengard; too close, perhaps.�
Aldamir studied the map in silence for a moment, following the line of the Anduin on the parchment. �We are pressed for time, Haldir,� he said. �If we go with the Anduin, I do not know if we will be there in time. The route through Fangorn is more direct. I know what has been said of Fangorn, and if there was another way just as quick I would take it. I have no great desire to become tangled in the mossy depths of Fangorn. But I think that way is the fastest.�
Haldir gazed thoughtfully at the map, weighing the advantages and
disadvantages of both routes. �I believe you�re right, Aldamir,� he said at last. �The road through Fangorn is risky, but quicker.�
�The road down the Anduin is no less risky,� pointed out his companion. �Orcs patrol the Eastern shore, and who knows but that they have spread to the Western as well? No road is safe in these times.�
Haldir nodded. �I do not know what awaits us in Fangorn, but we will chance it,� he said. �We will go through Fangorn.�
Rolling up the map, he put it away and turned to Aldamir. �We must make haste if we are to make it in time to help them,� he said. �I do not know how fast the army of Saruman travels, but we can take no chances. We will leave tonight, under cover of darkness. Go and make yourself ready, for you only have a few hours.�
Aldamir nodded. �I will be ready, captain,� he grinned.
Haldir smiled.
Aldamir went slowly to find Uruviel. He didn�t want to say farewell to her; didn�t want to see the look in her eyes when he said it...but he knew he had to see her again before he left. Leaving without seeing her was unthinkable... yet his heart sank at the thought of goodbye.
She was standing on their flet, her back to him as he silently entered. He stopped for a moment and gazed at her. A simple, blue gown flowed from her shoulders, drawn in about her waist with a cream-white sash; her light, gilded hair fell softly down her back like a muted sunray.
Sensing his presence, she turned, and the look of mingled pain and love wrenched at his heart. �Uruviel...�
She held out her hands, and he took them in his, twining his fingers
about hers. Her soft voice sent a shaft of light into his unhappy thoughts. �Aldamir, dearest, don�t look like that...�
He grasped her hand tighter. �I�m sorry, melda nin. My heart is sorrowful at the thought of leaving you...my dear star-maiden. Without you the sun and the moon and all the stars would hold no light for me.�
She smiled gently, though there was the trace of tears in her eyes. �I know, dearest. I don�t want you to go either...I wish I knew that you would be safe...I wish I could go with you.�
�No, no!� he implored. �Please...stay where you are safe. The knowledge that you cannot be harmed will comfort me when I go.�
�I won�t come...I can�t. But...� The golden head drooped, and Aldamir took her into his arms, holding her, feeling her heartbeat align itself with his. She buried her face in his shoulder, and he stroked her hair softly.
�I have not the gift of foresight,� he said softly, �so I cannot tell where this path will take me. I daresay very few can see the future now, if any. But you must not give hope, my star-maiden. This path may lead into deep unending darkness, and yet again it might emerge again to light and victory. We do not know. All we can do is trust to hope...soon it will be all that we have left. If we don�t; if we abandon even hope itself, then there will be no way out for us; the darkness will truly have defeated us then.� He slipped his fingers under her chin, and gently lifted her face. The starry eyes were dimmed with tears.
�Uruviel, promise me that,� he whispered. �Promise me you won�t lose hope.�
A single tear slipped down her cheek. �I promise,� she said softly, slipping her fingers through his. �But Aldamir...please...watch out for yourself. I love you...I don�t want to lose you...�
�And I love you, dear one,� he answered, kissing her tenderly. She clung
to him, and he folded her into his arms, locking the moment away in his heart.
For all he knew it could be their last moment together.