Different Worlds

Chapter 9 – "Friend or Foe"

We travel till the moon is the only light guiding our way. Once we make it across the Ford we find a thicket of trees to camp in. With a bright fire burning we dry our boots and warm our bones. Lying in Kili's arms I recognize the path well, the path towards the woods of Lorien. I had traveled by the Great River before, making my way to Mirkwood.

I knew I did not wish for any elf of Lorien to find me and perhaps stall my journey to the Westfold. We had to stay close to the river, avoiding the forest entirely.

Rising early we eat and go on our way. I have to slow my pace several times, Kili and Fili doing their best to walk with me. I journey ahead, looking for more of the Crebain. Seeing nothing but blue skies and mountain ranges I wait for the brothers to join me.

Playing with the silver band about my finger, I watch the emerald jewel catch the sunlight. Marrying Kili was my first thought in the morning and my last thought at night. The days and feasibly weeks to travel to Rohan made me all the more eager. I held hope that Gandalf would still be there, that Galadriel's words spoke of the future.

I hear the brothers coming around the bend and I rise from the dirt. "Ruunya." Kili's voice calls out, my feet moving towards him. "We thought you were already in Rohan waiting for us."

Giving him a faint smile I take his hand. "The way is clear but I still feel like something dark is upon us."

Kili stops, taking both of my hands. "Whatever may come I will protect you. If it be with my dying breath I shall."

My lips crash onto his, his hands finding my hips. Pulling me to him I feel a hardness in his pants. I grind my body against him, his left hand moving slowly down my leg. As his hand hitches under my knee Fili juts his face only inches from us. "We don't have time for this. Let's go."

We walk till the evening sun shines behind us. I could walk on but the brothers agree to make camp before it gets too dark.

We eat the food from the sack, knowing we'll have to hunt soon. Night soon gathers the stars and we bed down. Kili cradles me to him, my body curving into his. I feel his lips on my neck, his voice whispering good night.

Another morning and another day of travel, it seemed like the path we were on was empty. As we approach the woods of Lorien I become increasingly worried. What if Galadriel sends someone to collect me, could I truly deny her?

On our fifth day both in my companions look weary of the road. Kili wants to go hunting but I dare not let him enter the Elven woods. I decide to take my bow and try my hand at hunting. Kili was beside himself with worry but understood it would be best for me to go.

Not long after I enter the woods I spot two colorful pheasants. Tracking them around a large pine I halt when I hear voices. Throwing my cloak over me, I ball up on the forest floor. The voice was that of Haldir, the guardian of Lorien's boarders. The next voice I hear is too familiar; I had heard it many times before.

"Legolas, I understand you think Ruunya has been taken but Lady Galadriel says otherwise. I will not defy her nor should you." Haldir walks closer to me, my body trembling.

"If I find her Haldir and she is with those dwarves, I shall kill them both on sight." Legolas sounded harsh and cold, not the Legolas I knew at all.

After they walk past me I run full out towards the tree line. I knew I had to get Kili and Fili as far from Lorien as possible. When I reach the meadow I see something or someone run out behind me. I turn with my bow loaded and ready to defend myself.

Legolas and Haldir look down at me, both of them with an impish grin. Legoals reaches out his hand, helping me to my feet. "Ruunya, you have returned."

He tries to embrace me but I push him away. "Returned … no! I am on my way to the Westfold to meet Gandalf the Grey. Galadriel herself has sent me."

Haldir gives Legolas a quick glance, his lips quivering to smile. Legolas stands with his arms crossed over his chest, glaring at me. "My father's guards saw you leaving Mirkwood with two dwarves, we feared the worst."

Slinging my bow back over my shoulder, I look back at him with a flaming anger. "What business is it of yours what company I keep Legolas? We are merely friends, nothing more."

Walking away from him I feel his hand grab my arm. "Wait. Let me travel to the Westfold with you. I do not doubt you can make it there on your own but it would give me peace to know you do not travel alone."

Shaking my arm from his hold, I scream loudly. "Go back to Mirkwood and leave me be." I watch his face fall, his eyes catching a glimpse of my ring.

Taking my hand he gazes down at my finger. "Who gave you this, who are you promised to? Is this why you travel to Rohan? Galadriel did not tell me you are betrothed."

"Again, none of your business." Quickening my pace I try to put space between us.

My screams had gained Kili and Fili's attention, the two of them running towards me. Legolas reaches for his bow and I throw my arms out wide to block him.

He gives me a confused look as he reaches for an arrow. Kili and Fili draw their weapons, the standoff beginning. Haldir runs back to the forest and I know he'll be back with many guards.

"Ruunya, are you well?" Kili calls out to me, his face covered in concern.

"Go back Kili, please." I turn to look at him, my blue eyes pleading.

"You call that dwarf by his name, who is he to you?" Legolas walks towards me, his bow lowered.

I try not to show my emotions, my heart beating like that of a hummingbird. "Kili is my betrothed; we go to Rohan to be married."

"Nonsense Ruunya. Do not speak such to me. You cannot marry a dwarf. Surely Galadriel does not condone this." His nostrils flare as he looks at Kili behind me.

"We part either as friends of foes but if you come near Kili or Fili I will release my arrow." Reaching of my bow, my blue eyes blaze back at him.

Fili grabs Kili by the arm, the two of them run back toward the Great River. I let out a breath, my shoulders giving up some of their tension. Legoals grabs me by my arm, pulling me towards the woods.

I hear Kili let out a growl as he runs back towards us. I stomp Legoalas's foot, running to meet him. I throw myself in his arms, Kili holding me tightly. "Do not let go of me."

His lips rest on my shoulder, his forehead against on my neck. "I won't, I promise."

The sound of horses coming into the clearing causes my eyes to tear up. "I love you Kili, so much."

Legolas places his hand on my back, Kili's hands balling into fists. "You care for him, you said you love him."

I leave Kili's arms to face Legolas. His blue eyes close slowly, his body slumping. "I do Legolas, I do. You see if I cannot be with Kili then I will take the first ship at the Grey Havens. If not Kili then no one."

Holding up his hands, Legolas holds the horses thundering toward us. "Go now Ruunya, but know you have crushed my heart."

I leave without a second glance. Kili takes my hand and we run back to Fili and do not stop till night is upon us.

Kili and Fili collapse to the ground, their lungs burning for air. I reach in my pack for the flask of Miruvor. Hurrying to Kili I place his head in my lap, putting the flask to his lips. He takes a long sip of the cordial, his breathing returning to normal. I do the same with Fili, both brothers resting peacefully for now.

With Kili's head in my lap I rest against a tree, my fingers playing lazily with his hair. I listen to him snore softly, my heart rapturing in his vision. Bending down to kiss his forehead, I see Fili's eyes open.

"What was in that flask, it was warm and sweet." Fili sits up, pulling his hood up over his ears.

"Miruvor, is an elven cordial. It has been known to renew ones strength. I see it is already worked on you. I am sorry for the trouble back in Lothlorien, I think they will not follow me." Reaching my hand out towards Fili he takes it kissing my knuckles.

"I thought for sure my lungs would burst before I rested. How far have we come?" Reaching for his blanket, he goes to sit by the fire I had made.

"We are in the Fields of Celebrant. We should be in Rohan in a few days. We will have to travel west from here towards Fangorn forest." I watch a shiver take him as I mention Fangorn.

"Our Uncle Thorin told us tales of that forest. We will not be going near there at all." Fili pokes the fire with his foot, moving the logs around.

Kili twists in his sleep, moving to wrap his arms around me. I play with the back of his head, adjusting the tie holding his hair back. I wanted to wake him so badly, to kiss his sweet lips but he looked so peaceful in my lap I dare not.

Fili falls back to sleep in front of the fire, Kili still wrapped around me. Sleep does not come to me this night, my eyes constantly scanning my surroundings. Right before dawn I see a single black bird flying towards me. I keep my eyes on it watching it swoop in, landing near my feet. With a slight moan, Kili pulls his legs up, forming his body around me. I lay on hand on his cheek the other reaching for his sword.

The black bird was only a raven, its head twitching from side to side. "Are you the one they call Ruunya?"

I had never heard a raven speak before, it takes me back a bit. Collecting my thoughts I release my hold on Kili's sword. "I am and who might you be?"

"I am called Karoe, friend of the Grey Wizard. He has sent me to find you and guide you to the Westfold. You travel with the dwarves of the Durin. They have always been kind to us." The raven twitches its head again, flying up in the tree.

Gently moving Kili's head, I move toward the tree. "Gandalf knows I come?"

The raven lets out a call, his words trickling down to me. "He does, the Lady of Lorien sent word to him."

Leaving the brothers sleeping I go out foraging, finding some roots and berries. With what is left of the dry fish I make a breakfast, covering it in the sweet roots and making a sauce from the berries. Crumbling cheese over the top I warm the cram and make two plates. Fili is the first to wake, his appetite as big as his smile.

Laying a kiss on Kili's lips he stirs, stretching his arms open wide. "Morning beautiful."

"Morning my handsome dwarf. Come, eat before your brother devours it all." Kili wraps his fingers around the back of my head, kissing me so passionately it makes me weak in the knees.

"Ruunya makes a fine breakfast. You are one lucky dwarf Kili, she cooks, hunts, and looks like that." Fili takes another mouth full as his cheeks plump up with his teasing smile.

We are soon on our way to Rohan, the raven Karoe flying high above us. I do not tell the brothers of the raven, keeping the secret for now.

By noon we cross the River Limlight, the grasslands of The Wold insight. The grasslands stretch out as far as my elven eye can see, not one tree to be found. Taking a moment to rest, we lower ourselves in the tall grass. Kili leans back with his right hand under his head. I lay on his chest, watching the wind gently move the grass from side to side. Fili takes out his pipe, sitting with his forearm upon his knee.

A vibration rattles the earth beneath us, Karoe letting out is echoing croak. All three of us rise from the grass, the grass almost reaching up to my waist. From what I could count ten horsemen rode our way, bearing the flag of Rohan.

A rider upon a pale horse circles us, his helmet covering his face. "I am Thengel, son of King Fengel of the Riddermark. I was told by Gandalf the Grey to look this day for an elven maiden of silvery hair tipped by the sun. He said she would be traveling with two sons of Durin, nephews of Thorin, son of Thrain. I came this morning being told to look for you when the sun is its highest."

Kili and Fili bow together, the two of them giving the young prince a huge grin. "Kili and Fili at your service." They say in unison, causes me to giggle.

Thengel reaches his hand down for me, pulling me behind him on the horse. "And you are malady?

"Ruunya of Rivendell, please to make your acquaintance." Looking down at Kili, I watch his eyes squint as he watches Thengel's every move.

Two other riders collect the brothers, as we ride off toward Edoras. "We will be in the Golden Hall of Meduseld by morning, we ride through the night."

From the look on Kili's face I was sure he did not approve of me riding all night clinging to Thengel.