So I'm an impatient she-author that loves to post new chapters often. I don't think I will actually work on my two planned projects until this is completely up. There are some word choices in this chapter I was entirely happy with, but it works for me. Also, that's a slight plot shift that makes itself known (or is hinted at) beginning with this chapter. It was a somewhat last minute decision when I was writing this story, and the transition from draft 1 to draft 2 was not completely smooth. Now that I've warned you, Enjoy!
***
The next few days were hers to do with as she pleased. Morna wandered all over the city of Caras Galadhon on the first day, learning its ins and outs. The elves were always courteous and willing to help should she need anything or have any questions. She found a field used for archery practice on the edge of the city and watched the wardens who were not on patrol hone their skills. Orophin was there as well and even offered her a chance to test his bow. She declined; well aware she'd currently be unable to do such a weapon justice. Yet it surprised her when another elf brought forth a smaller bow. That first attempt was laughable but she enjoyed it none the less.
When not within the city she allowed herself to amble about in the woods. The animals never minded her company, and she felt safe here in Lorien. Her mind was plagued by worries and fears only at night as she lay down to sleep, but then the wind brushing past her window or the sound of elven voices would soothe her as she drifted off. She awoke on the fourth day before dawn and dressed in a simple tunic and pants gifted to her by the Lady Galadriel. Dresses weren't practical for the journey before her. She walked out into the streets of Caras Galadhon and found Orophin waiting for her. A gray stallion stood beside him.
"Lord Celeborn picked your mount himself. He is called Aranithil. You would say perhaps Moon King."
"Please give Lord Celeborn my thanks." Orophin nodded and then signaled for her to mount.
"If you will follow me my Lady." There was no teasing smile today. Orophin was leading her to where the army prepared for departure. She knew he must be worried, as it was his brother leading the elves into the coming battle. Perhaps he was a bit frustrated as well, having been ordered to remain in Lothlorien and serve as temporary replacement for Haldir.
Morna thought to speak but words failed her. What could she say? 'Don't worry a few of your brothers in arms might survive'. Better yet, 'There's no guarantee your brother will die for this cause.' It was a nightmare no matter how she looked at it. She heaved an internal sigh. They turned a bend and suddenly the armed force was before her. Each elf was garbed in armor and riding cloak with bow in hand and sword strapped to their hip. She was awed and sobered by the site. A hand on her heel caught her attention. Orophin was watching her with Haldir close by him.
"You'll find a farewell gift of my own in your saddlebags. I dare say my brother will not approve, but they seemed reasonable considering what you will face and your current abilities with a bow." There was almost a teasing note to that last bit.
"Yes won't you all be sad to see me go? You look so much better when compared with my lack of skill readily on display." The elf shook his head.
"Fare thee well Morna. May the Valar keep you safe."
"The same to you Orophin. Thank you for everything." With a short bow and a nod to his brother her newfound friend was gone. She was left in silence with the Marchwarden. He was certainly dressed for battle, in well polished armor and a red cloak.
"Are you ready to be off Lady Morna?"
"Whenever you are," she replied. So she rode in the front of the procession of elves. Voices rose in a bittersweet song of farewell and hope for a swift homecoming. She spotted the rulers of the wood and bowed her head respectfully. Before she could forget, she opened her saddlebag to find Orophin's gift. Four, elf-forged daggers lay within the bag. She raised one to the light and admired it. A mumbled comment from her left caused her to turn her head. The Marchwarden raised an eyebrow at her. It was obvious he did not approve of his brother's present just as Orophin had predicted. She grinned cheekily and put the dagger back in her saddlebag, for now. In too short a time they were free of both the city and the very wood of Lothlorien itself. She was once more on the road, heading toward an unknown fate.
***
Their search for the hobbits hadn't gone well at all. Everyone was a bit disheartened and weary from their non-stop traveling. Kasi knew that if it were not for her healing abilities her feet would have been raw flesh by this point. She was not used to such treks and, willing though she might be, it took adjusting to. Legolas had scouted ahead that morning as they continued East towards Isengard. Kasi wondered if perhaps they'd run into the girls once they reached their destination. For all she knew her two friends could decide to save Merry and Pippin themselves. It would be rather like them to at least attempt such a rescue, for a chance to get back at those who had tortured them as much as to save the two innocent hobbits. Something tapped her elbow. Legolas stood at her side offering his waterskin.
"It's clean so long as you don't mind drinking after a dwarf." She smiled and nodded her thanks, taking a deep drink. The water was refreshing and she felt a bit more like her usual self as she returned the skin to its owner. Boromir and Aragorn moved ahead of them, eyes taking in everything. Gimli was just a few steps behind her grumbling at Legolas' jest.
"Thank you."
"Not at all," the elf replied. His usual stoic appearance seemed off somehow. "We have gone a great distance in just a few days time and your gifts make the journey that much harder. Are you faring well?" Ah so that was it. She shouldn't be surprised that it was Legolas who asked after her health. He was very perceptive.
"I'm surviving. I'll admit this isn't a walk in the park, but I'm not about to stop. As for my gift," she shrugged. "The Lady Galadriel helped me a great deal though I wasn't with her for very long. It helps that you are here as well." The elf frowned at this.
"I don't understand."
"It's something I realized when you all came to Lothlorien. You serve as a...buffer between me and the emotions of others. Galadriel can do much the same though she must concentrate for it to happen. I first sensed it at Rivendell but believed it was from another source." Legolas' eyes glanced at the men ahead of them then back to her. "It's a gift that suits your personality well though. You are calming and so it makes sense that your presence would calm or restrain the emotions of those around you. So thank you, for that as well, Legolas of Mirkwood. You have been helping me all this time and you did not even realize." She offered the elf a grin which he eventually returned, along with a bow from the waist.
"I am glad to be of service Lady Kasi."
"Just Kasi please." Suddenly Legolas turned away from her and ran to the two men leading them. Gimli moved to walk beside her.
"Trouble's coming I'd wager." Kasi looked to the South where blurs where taking shape.
"Or an unexpected aid," she put forth. The blurs were becoming more distinct now, showing several riders on their galloping mounts. Aragorn, Boromir, and Legolas moved to where she stood with Gimli. Her four male companions took up positions all around her and she sighed. Nice as the chivalrous gesture might be, she did not need to be protected like some princess in a tower. The riders circled around them. One removed his helm to peer down at them.
"Who are you and what business do you have in Rohan?"
"We are merely passing through on the way to Isengard. Two of our number have been taken by the uruk-hai." The man's eyebrow rose at Aragorn's words.
"Would these companions be halflings?"
"You've seen them?"
"Briefly," the man agreed. His eyes landed on Kasi and held. "My Lady you head to Isengard as well?"
"Yes," she replied.
"What you happen to know the Lady Reiyna?" Kasi moved around Aragorn to face the rider.
"You've met Reiyna?" The rider grinned.
"Not only have I met her Lady, but she has been adopted into my family. I am honored to call her sister-kin now."
"Who are you?"
"Erkenbrand, at your service Lady. Your friend has been a boon to the kingdom of Rohan and waits for you now in the home of Theoden King." Boromir and Aragorn shot her questioning looks and she shrugged softly in reply.
"Perhaps we should stop there then?" It was more request than suggestion but her companions seemed willing enough.
"As the Lady Reiyna was meant to be at Isengard it is best we meet with her and see what changed her plans." Kasi agreed with Aragorn. Erkenbrand hadn't mentioned Morna at all. That didn't bode well.
"Then let us away. I am afraid we have no spare mounts at this time, but you are welcome to ride behind my men should you so choose."
"Your offer is appreciated." Aragorn replied. Kasi took Erkenbrand's hand and sat behind his saddle. Gimli grumbled as he was thrown up behind a member of the Rohirrim by Boromir. The other three situated themselves and they were off, albeit not at a gallop. All they needed was Gimli falling off and threatening the Rohirrim with his axe.
Their destination was a great wooden monstrosity of a home that reminded Kasi of the old Viking lodges she'd read about back on Earth. The air was chilled and heavy around the place, and as they drew near a banner blew free in the breeze and landed in the mud. Kasi knew what that meant, and she watched as Aragorn took note of the bit of decorated cloth. They dismounted before the great doors and were led in by Erkenbrand as his men saw to the horses. The sight that met Kasi's eyes upon entering made her stomach turn. The man upon the throne looked ancient and near death. He sat hunched over with his hands curled into the arms of his throne and his eyes staring blankly ahead. A young woman stood to one side of his dais and a beady eyed little man stood on the other.
"Majesty, honored guests have come to greet you in your home," Erkenbrand began.
"Stop," the greasy man replied from his place beside the throne. "Who are you to invite such guests into the home of our King without his permission?"
"He is Erkenbrand, my trusted general, and who are you Worm, to question the authority I have granted him?" The voice was a whip through the hall as a young man appeared from a side entrance. His hair was a dark gold and his eyes a sky blue. Kasi wondered who he could be. He didn't seem old enough to be Eomer. The advisor bowed his head in a mocking gesture of supplication.
"My Lord Theodred, I was unaware you had done such. In truth I was unaware you would join us this day after your trials in the East."
"Trials I am certain you sought to make worse," Theodred replied. A figure appeared at his side and Kasi's eyes grew wide. Reiyna had noticed her as well and the two began walking across the hall.
"Halt, do not come any closer to his Majesty."
"Oh can it," Reiyna retorted. Kasi hugged her friend hard. Reiyna returned the hug as Theodred spoke once again.
"This is the companion you were seeking I presume?" Reiyna's face grew tense.
"No, this is another friend. Kasi allow me to introduce Prince Theodred, son of Theoden King." Kasi nodded politely to the man and then raised an eyebrow at Reiyna. Her friend faced her without trepidation.
"Don't think to lecture me Kas. I'm not entirely heartless, and that's Boromir behind you, so I am not the only guilty party here." Kasi grinned.
"True enough," she conceded. "But what happened to Morna?"
"Later," Reiyna promised and ushered her to stand beside the present members of the fellowship. The worm began ranting again and claiming several acts of treason and other high crimes against the fellowship, Theodred, Eomer, and most everyone else in the room. It took Gandalf's dramatic entrance and a blast of magic to silence the fiend and release the spell on Theoden. Kasi loved watching the awed and unbelieving looks on the faces of her four male companions as their lost mentor stood before them. He was Gandalf the White now, and Heaven help the slug who would dare challenge him. Wormtongue slithered off with his tail between his legs.
While Theoden was being informed of all that he had missed the girls slipped away to talk. Reiyna caught Kasi up on how she and Morna had been separated and Theodred's victory at the Ford if Isen. In return Kasi told her friend about her time amongst the elves and saving Boromir's life. Reiyna sighed at the end of the telling.
"I'm jealous of the elves but you can keep Boromir." There was no real vitriol in her statement so Kasi decide simply to tease and not argue.
"Of course, why would you want a Lord when you can have a Prince?" Reiyna hit her lightly for that and then both laughed. That was how Eowyn found them some time later, talking and relaxing in the sitting room. They were being called down to dinner it seemed. The hall was lively that night as the Prince and King were both healthy and in attendance. Eomer had even snuck in after the platters of food had been set out and seated himself amongst their company. Aragorn's joke about female dwarves and their beards nearly cost Kasi her sip of wine though she'd known it was coming. All in all it was a pleasant dinner in which the coming trials were mentioned little. Tomorrow, Kasi knew, they'd go right back to focusing on the war with Sauron. Helm's Deep filled her thoughts that night as she lay in bed, and her dreams were far from wholesome.
