Back in Lorien, Aragorn seeks out Faramir who is nowhere to be found.

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"What do you mean, you can't find him?" Elrond sat, head in his hands.

Aragorn stiffened, "How many interpretations of that phrase are there? I have looked in the likely and unlikely places, I have asked the Galadhrim and I..."

Galadriel stepped forward from the entrance to the talan, "He is not currently within the borders of Lórien."

Aragorn turned to face her, "Do you know when he left?"

"Regretfully, no."

"So there are limits to your power," said Elrond.

"You knew that," she said. "You have always known it."

"My apologies, mother-in-law, I know it only too well."

Aragorn looked from one to the other, "I do not believe a family argument will help."

"What do you suggest?" asked Elrond.

"As far as I have been able to discover, he was last seen by the servant who took him his morning meal and he mentioned no plans to her." Aragorn frowned at Elrond's look, "Faramir is not obliged to tell anyone where he intends to go or what he intends to do there - and he is still inclined to avoid the company of elves." He sat down, "It was a mistake to bring him here...he has only suffered for it."

After a glance at Galadriel, still by the door, Elrond crossed to him and sat. He laid a hand on Aragorn's arm, "My son, you had no choice. We need to do this, the safety of all depends on it."

"I know. But I do not have to take joy in it."

"You do not, and that does you credit. But now we must solve the most immediate problem..."

"Why would he come this way?"

"Father, I am not sure that he did. I only know that were I him I would not walk among the elves of Lórien but away from them."

"We are near the border," said Elrond.

"I realise that. Ah..."

"I see; someone stood here," said Elrond. They moved forward together, following the tracks, "And here there were horses. Several of them. And a scuffle. They rode off... Haldir?"

Haldir stepped out from among the trees, and bowed, "Lord Elrond, Lord Aragorn."

"What are you doing here? You are away from your patrol..."

"Yes, my Lords. I'm sorry..."

Aragorn grew impatient, "Out with it! What have you seen?"

"I've seen nothing...but Arwen was here."

Elrond stepped towards him, "What?"

Haldir backed away, "It's true, my Lord. I found her, on the edge of the forest, among the trees - I did not believe her at first but when I came here...I was coming to find you."

"What has happened?"

"She was following Faramir - I don't know what she wanted with him. She had still not approached him when he reached this place. There were some men here, he seemed surprised to see them but they called him over. He spoke with them, and as he did so he was picked up and carried away."

"Carried? He did not go willingly?"

"So the Lady said."

"Where is Arwen now?" Elrond's tone was ominous.

Haldir backed away still further, "I do not know. She told me what she had seen, asked me to find you and then..."

Aragorn put the puzzle together, "She's gone after them." He stared at Haldir, "Hasn't she?"

Haldir looked away, "I suspect so, my Lord. I'm sorry, I couldn't stop her." Elrond moved towards the other elf, "Did she tell you anything of these men? Where they were from?"

"She did not..."

At last, Elrond gave way to fury, "You spineless worm! Have you no sense...?"

Aragorn said, "Peace, father. The horses are shod in the fashion of the men of Gondor, I believe we will find him there."

The two elves turned to him. "We?" said Elrond.