With grateful thanks to Raksha

Disclaimer - These characters all belong to the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien. This story was written for pleasure and not for financial gain

"You do not know?"

"I do not. The future is unclear even to me."

"Will Estel triumph and return? I beg of you, Mithrandir, to protect him from the Shadow!"

"I cannot stay always by his side, child; I have other cares in Middle-earth. " Arwen's grey eyes flashed with anger. The wizard tensed, but stood his ground.  She turned quickly, with almost feline grace; as if to pounce upon him.  Gandalf ruefully recalled one of Galadriel's cats.  The fair creature had delighted in pulling his beard.
"I will, though, protect Aragorn, as one friend does another," he promised, smiling.