by -Blanton Cirith-
Please R&R
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The morning after the company's last night in Lorien, Galadriel spoke.
"We have drunk the cup of parting, and the shadows fall between us. But before you go, I have such gifts which the Lord and Lady of the Galadrim now offer you in memory of Lothlorien." Galadriel endowed upon each member of the company a gift of some kind. After she had done this and was much thanked for these tokens of Lorien, Celeborn left them for a few moments. He came back shortly with someone else with him. She was Elven in race, and had black hair with dark red, almost maroon, streaks through it. She wore a green and gray shirt which tied in the back. That and her pants, which tied down the sides, were of the same Elven material that the Company wore. Her gold colored boots were laced to her knees, and were very worn. Aragorn figured she traveled much on foot. She and Celeborn came and stood next to Galadriel, and she introduced her.
"Friends, this is to be your guide. The boats are hidden, so as not to be stolen, a good distance from here with your supplies in them. Winters will lead you there, and will also lead you down the river. We have set many traps for Orcs and other evils on the Great River, so any attempt to invade Lothlorien fails. She will guide you through the Great River safely, avoiding the traps we have set."
"Thank you, Lady Galadriel," Aragorn said. "We are grateful for Winters' help."
As the elf came closer, they could see her eyes were a deep shade of green. Gimli noticed she carried a quiver and bow on her back, much like Legolas did. A small dagger was also half hidden inside the rim of her boot, just below her knee.
"Farewell then! May the stars shine upon your faces," Galadriel said with a smile. The Company said their farewells, and they continued their journey once more.
* * * * * *
Winters lead the way, followed by Aragorn and Legolas. Merry and Boromir were at the rear. Aragorn quickened his pace to casually catch up to her.
"Winters," he said. "How far away exactly are the boats?"
"I'm not sure for certain. I'll recognize the place when I am there," she answered.
"Do you have an estimation?" Aragorn asked.
"About a few days."
He nodded, and continued to walk next to her, trying to think of something to strike up a conversation. He was curious about her. She was rather silent. When Galadriel had mentioned having a guide to him the day before they left Lorien, he had expected Haldir, not someone like Winters. However, he couldn't just allow her to distance herself like this. He thought perhaps she did it out of shyness, so decided it would be best to give her some company.
"I'm told you'll be coming with us up the river as well?"
"Yes, now if you please, I must concentrate," she said with a frustrated tone. Aragorn fell back, not wanting to frustrate her any more than she already was, and Legolas began to speak to him once more.
* * * * * *
Later on that evening, Aragorn spoke to the others.
"We shall camp for the night, and awake tomorrow morning. We shan't go any further this night." Aragorn pointed towards a small delve in the mountain side that was fairly hidden by thick trees.
"You have keen eyes," Winters said to him, surprised.
"You have never met a Ranger, I presume."
Once in the small cave, Pippin let his pack slide off his back, and onto the ground.
"As Gandalf would have said...Fool of a Took," Gimli said to him. "We'll be walking even farther again tomorrow, so be prepared."
Boromir started a fire, and Sam began a small meal for them, breaking out his cooking pot and utensils he was so proud of. They all ate their portions, and set a watch for the first night. Aragorn volunteered, and sat with his back to one of the cave's walls watching the fire. He felt tired, but was willing to keep the watch. He thought about many things: Galadriel and his time in Lorien, their time ahead at the Great River, but mostly of Gandalf. Aragorn's own plan, while Gandalf remained with them, had been to go with Boromir, and with his sword help deliver Gondor. For he believed that the message of the dreams was a summon, and that the hour had come at last when the heir of Elendil should come forth. But in Moria, the burden of Gandalf had been laid on him; and he knew that he could not forsake the Ring if Frodo refused in the end to go with Boromir. And yet what help could he or any of the Company give to Frodo, save walk blindly with him into the darkness?
Aragorn pondered this for a while, staring at the fire. Then he saw Frodo, sleeping soundly. He was glad Frodo's mind was finally at rest for a while in his sleep. Usually he would toss and turn. Then, the silence was broken by a voice.
"Aragorn?"
He looked over to see Winters sitting propped up next to him.
"Yes?" he said.
"I...well, I was rather rude to you earlier. I understand you were trying to talk to me, and I have just not been myself lately."
He smiled, glad that she decided against reclusing herself from them.
"It's understandable," he answered. "But how did you know my name?"
"Galadriel told me you were the leader of the Company," she answered.
"I didn't used to be, and now that am I find decisions terribly difficult."
She put her hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure you will choose the right one in the end," she said.
Legolas stood up, and walked towards them. He came over and sat by the fire.
"So now three of us are keeping watch?" Winters asked sarcastically.
"I can't sleep. It is just impossible," Legolas said.
"The Hobbits would seem to disagree," Aragorn stated.
Legolas noticed the Hobbits, including Frodo, were sound asleep on the other side of the fire. Gimli and Boromir also seemed to be sleeping contently.
"I suppose so," he answered. "Well, I am glad to meet you, Winters. My name is-"
"Prince Legolas," she interrupted.
"Yes. Galadriel told you mine also?" Legolas asked.
"No, she did not," she answered.
Legolas cocked his head. "I have seen you somewhere before."
"No, I do not believe so," she answered nervously.
"Yes....yes I have; however, where?" He thought for a moment, then snapped his fingers as he remembered.
"Many years ago, there was a gathering of some kind at the house of my Father. He sat at the end of the table, and I was next to him on his right. You were near the other end, sitting by Celebrìan and Galadriel. You must be a considerably close friend to be sitting with them at the end of the table. Usually, only people of high position are seated at the ends."
"Prince Legolas, you must have been staring in that direction quite often to have remembered me all this time later," she stated.
"Maybe so," he stated hesitantly, "But you also must have been looking my direction very often to remember my face *and* my name."
She opened her mouth as if to say something, but then shut it.
"Oh, and please..." Legolas began.
"Yes?"
"Don't call me 'Prince'. Legolas is fine."
"Alright, then Legolas it shall be," she said.
"Tell me," Aragorn stated. "According to Legolas's account, you were seated by Galadriel and Celebrìan. Are you, by any chance, Winters Kartasia?" She gasped, and looked around nervously.
"How do you know of that name? Who told you?" she demanded, and he grinned, unable to hold in the laughter from seeing her so nervous.
"I have overheard Arwen speak of you once. You are a daughter of Galadriel, are you not? The daughter no one knows of."
She stared at the ground, not knowing whether to admit or deny.
"I will take your silence as a yes," Legolas said. "Why, though?"
"Galadriel must have her reasons, my friend," Aragorn explained to Legolas.
"Well, if I were a daughter of Galadriel and she sent me away without anyone knowing who I was, I'd be concerned!" Legolas said.
Winters raised an eyebrow. "Legolas, if you were a -daughter- of Galadriel, We'd all be concerned."
"Silence!" Aragorn blurted softly. He slowly stood up, listening carefully. For a moment, he stood perfectly still in front of the fire, staring out of the cave through the trees. The two Elves heard it as well, and stood up looking forth. Suddenly, a multitude of torches came into view. Aragorn took Legolas by the hand and pulled him down to the ground by the fire.
"Help me put it out!" Aragorn stated, as he poured the small pail of water they had filled at the creek onto the fire, and Legolas stirred it around with a small twig. By this time, Gimli and Boromir had awaken, and Boromir was rousing the Hobbits frantically. Winters still stood there motionless, whispering to herself.
"Not in Lorien....not in Lorien....please not in Lorien too..." she whispered over and over to herself.
Legolas and Aragorn ran back over to her by the opening of the den. Aragorn unsheathed Anduril, and it glistened in the moonlight. Legolas took his bow in hand, and was ready to shoot; and Winters did the same. Boromir came over to them, and held his sword aloft. His attention shifted towards Anduril, fearing it; it seemed as if the sword itself would kill everyone with only a glimpse at it.
"Get down! I don't think they see us yet!" Aragorn told them. Winters pulled Legolas down, and Boromir followed. Gimli knelt on the ground with his elbow resting on his ax, looking through the trees. Aragorn stood behind the wall of the cave towards the entrance, peering out slightly to see the Orcs' position. Frodo lay on the ground next to Sam and the other Hobbits with his hand in his pocket. He could feel the Ring on its chain, and he was fingering it in his hand. Frodo wanted to put on the Ring and disappear, but fought off the thought, and took his hand out of his pocket.
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Chapter 2 is Coming Soon!!!!!