Lost of Child Tindomiel: Chapter Ten

The first couple of days on river Anduin were fairly uneventful. We had spent some time arguing about which course we would be taking, but in the end no final decision was made. We continued on our way, floating gracefully and peacefully down the river, not using the oars, but rather just letting the river take us.

As we floated down river with the night sky above us, I was laying my head down in Legolas' lap and looking at the starry sky. "The stars are beautiful this night." I said.

"I wouldn't know, I am too spell bound by your beauty." He replied stroaking my hair tenderly.

"Would you two love birds be quiet already! Some of us are trying to get some rest!" Gimli spat out.

I giggled as Legolas put his fingers to his lips hushing me, his fingers gently brushing my cheek. I fell asleep to his loving touches.

The dream returned momentarily, the great eye of Sauron filled my vision, but before my fear overwhelmed me, a cry awoke me.

Sam was crying out. I sat up and looked around. Only a few yards ahead of us dark shapes were jutting out of the river, the sound of racing water began to fill our vision. The swift current swung left towards the eastern shore where the channel was clear. As we were swept aside we could all see very clearly that the river was lashing against sharp rocks thrust into the river like a ridge of teeth.

"Back, back!" Cried Aragorn. "Turn! Turn if you can!"

We took up oars and started to paddle, all of us desperate to avoid the death trap. Slowly with great effort we turned the boats around. Rowing against the current, we weren't making alot of headway. Every second carried us closer to the eastern bank.

"All together, paddle!" shouted Boromir. "Paddle! Or we shall be driven on the shoals."

I turned my head as I heard the twang of bowstrings. Several arrows whistled over us, and fell around us. I looked at the eastern shore as saw Orcs running around waving swords at us and stringing more arrows.

"Yrch!" said Legolas.

We all paddled harder, straining to escape the bite of the black arrows. Miraculously enough, none of the arrows pierced us. It was dark, but I didn't think that the darkness was enough to offer us any cover; Orcs have decent eye sight in the dark. Looking around it dawned on me, the elven-cloaks and the elven-boats were specifically designed to offer cover. The boats were strong enough to with stand the arrows and the cloaks were grey and blended in with the silver reflections of the moon on the water.

Slowly, stroke by stroke we laboured on, eventually making head way and the shadow of the eastern bank faded back into the night.

From the south a dark shape rose in the sky. It moved swiftly toward us, blocking all light from the stars and moon above. As it came ever closer I noticed that it was a great winged creature, blacker than the pits in the night... a Nazgul.

In an instant my ears rang and my vision blacked. The last thing I remember was falling back with a sharp pain filling my whole body and watching as Legolas shot an arrow into the creature. I heard voices wailing and cursing in the distance as I fell into oblivion.

Flashes of light flickered in my vision. I saw faces, heard voices; the screech of a Nazgul in the distance.

Suddenly I was standing beside an elf... no a peredhil, she was wearing the typical travel gear for females. Her hair was the same dark, curly hair of my own. As she turned, fear evident in her eyes, I saw my own blue-silver eyes reflected in her's. The set of her chin, her nose, the arch of her eyebrows... it was my own reflection only older.

"Daniyel! You must get out of here! Now!" She yelled at me, her hands on my shoulders.

The Nazgul screeched again we both looked at the sky above.

"Daniyel, you have to get out of here. Find your father." She cupped my cheek. "Tell him-"

I tried to speak out, but my voice didn't work, because this was a memory. I couldn't interact.

I watched as she froze and with horror fell to her knees; an arrow was shot at her, hitting her heart from behind.

I kneeled down with her, I could feel the tears streaming down my cheeks.

"My daughter... I love... you." She fell forward, dead.

I jolted back into oblivion, hearing voices talking around me.

"Aragorn, how long do we let her just lay there like that?" Boromir cried.

There was brightness behind my eyelids, but I felt so weak and could only continue laying there. The warmth of the sun was warming my face.

"How is it possible that the Nazgul knocked her unconsious?" Frodo asked.

Legolas' fingers were tenderly brushing my cheek, I realized then that my head was in his lap.

"How is her breathing, Legolas?" Aragorn asked, ignoring everyone else's questions.

"Calm, steady." His voice was soft, but I could hear the worry in it.

I moved my head to the side.

"I think she's coming around." Gmili cried.

My eyes fluttered open and I was suddenly looking into Legolas' eyes.

"We were all worried about you, my love." He said with a smile of relief spreading across his face.

I sat up slowly, trying to piece together what I had just... remembered.

"Daniyel, what happened?" Aragorn asked.

I sighed and glanced around at my worried friends. "I think the cry of the Nazgul may have triggered a memory."

Legolas' brow furrowed, "What did you remember?"

"I think it was a memory of my mother."

Everyone grew silent and exchanged looks at eachother. Gimli broke the silence. "That's good, right?"

My heart tightened up as I recalled the memory. "I think it was her death." I said as my eyes filled with tears.

Aragorn lowered his head and averted his eyes. The hobbits' shoulders slumped.

"I'm sorry, my lady." Sam said.

Legolas wrapped his arm around me as the tears began to flow. "I watched my mother get killed by Orcs. The screeching of a Nazgul was in the distance. I think that's what triggered it."

Legolas held me while I cried over that fact that my mother was dead. To my surprise it made the loss of Gandalf all that much worse.

The rest of the day was silent. No one asked me any questions about the memory or my mother. We just continued floating down river through the night.

The next day led us to the Argonath. The Argonath, also known as the Gates of Argonath or the Pillars of Kings, is a monument of two gigantic statues carved in likenesses of Isildur and Anarion. They stood at either side of the river, it marked the northern border of Gondor. Each of the two massive figures was wearing a crown and a helm, with an axe in their right hands and thier left hands were rasied in a guesture of defiance toward the enemies of Gondor. It was a beautifully magnificent sight.

"Behold the Argonath, the Pillars of the Kings!" cried Aragorn. "We shall pass them soon... Hold the middle of the stream!"

The water was moving swifter and the channel was growing more narrow. As the water moved faster a feeling of foreboding filled me, taking my breath away.

"What is wrong?" Legolas asked quietly from behind me.

"Something is not right."

As the sky grew darker above us we took to our oars. We fell under the shadow of the hills of Emyn Muil.

Aragron led us to the right arm of the river. There was a green lawn that ran down to the water from the feet of Amon Hen, one of the great Hills of Hearing and Sight. I didn't know much about them, and I was too distracted by my growing fear to hear Aragron's speech about the hills.

The green lawn had trees that marched away westward along the curving shores of the lake that the River had flowed into.

"Here we will rest tonight," said Aragorn. "This is the lawn of Parth Galen: a fair place in the summer days of old. Let us hope that no evil has yet come here."

We drew our boats up onto the lushous green banks. We started to set up camp. Sam, Merry and Pippin set about gathering wood and started building a fire.

Legolas grabbed my elbow gently while the others were busy. He pulled me aside behind a small tight cluster of trees where we would be alone. "What did you mean when earlier?"

"I don't know." I looked into his eyes and felt a chill go down my spine.

"What is the matter?" He asked with concern.

I swallow hard. Galadriel's voice sounded in my head, The fellowship is breaking.

Legolas cupped my cheek, "Daniyel, I cannot help you if you don't tell me what is wrong."

"Remember what Galadriel said?"

"Of course."

"It's coming." I felt like I had no control over what I was doing, seeing, feeling, or saying. My mind felt hazy and my body felt heavy.

I could see Legolas, as his eyebrows drew together in confusion. Then without warning he pulled me toward him and kissed me. My body was suddenly back in my control. I returned his kiss and wrapped my arms around his neck.

We pulled away and looked at eachother. He brushed my cheek, "I love you."

I leaned into his hand and closed my eyes, "And I love you too, Legolas."

"Come now, let us join the others." He took my hand and we walked back to camp.

Sam had a bright and warm fire blazing and was already getting food ready to eat. Legolas and I had a tendancy to not eat what the others ate. Elves, or even peredhil, didn't eat meat, we kept to the leafy vegetables and fruits, grains, breads. So while the rest of the company ate some cooked fish, Legolas and I ate some fruit.

We all knew that a decision still loomed over us, yet no spoke, we all remained silent. One by one, they each fell asleep, or laid down and pretended to sleep. Aragorn sat smoking on his pipe watching Frodo with kind and caring eyes.

Legolas sat beside me looking out at the water.

I turned to Aragorn, "You intend to leave this decsion up to him. Don't you?" I whispered.

"It is what Gandalf did on the pass and I believe that it is what he would do again." He turned and looked at me, "Do you think I am wrong?"

I averted my eyes, "Of course not, I merely think that he should not be burdened with this task at all. He is such a kind hearted hobbit and has already been through enough."

"The same could be said about you, my love, but here you are: strong, resilient, beautiful, cunning and skilled." Legolas replied.

"We have all been through turmoil, but in the end, this task was appointed to Frodo. He is the ring-bearer, the choice is his and his alone." Aragorn said with a puff of smoke. "We should get some rest." He put his pipe out and rolled over.

Legolas laid down behind me, his fingers playing with the end of my braid. "Lay down, my love."

I turned and faced him, curling my legs under me. "Do you think that all my memories will return?" I asked quietly.

"The mind is an amazing and strange thing. Perhaps your memories are blocked for a reason."

"What possible reason could that be?"

"As difficult as it may be to think about it, perhaps something bad happened to you and your mind is trying to protect you."

"What could be worse than watching my mother get killed infront of me?"'

Legolas shook his head, "I don't want to think about it. The thought of something bad happening to you... it's too painful to think about." He sat up and brought his hand to my cheek. "I love you too much to think about anything terrible happening to you."

I leaned into his hand. "Then let us not think about it any longer. If my memories come back, we will handle it then."

He smiled at me before bringing his lips to mine. We kissed briefly, fully aware of being surrounded by our companions.

While I had verbally said that I didn't want to think about what could have happened to me to lose my memories, my mind didn't seem to listen. My thoughts were running wild trying to grasp at anything I could remember. I wanted my memories back, regardless of how horrible or wonderful they were.

Legolas laid down and I rested my head on his chest. I was more tired than I thought and fell asleep fast. To my dismay, the image of my mother being killed before me filled my dreams.

The screeching of the Nazgul echoed around me. The whistle of arrows and war crying Orcs were heard in the distance. This time, instead of my memory fading when my mother lay dead, it continued.

I ran; away from the Orcs; away from my dead mother. I ran into the trees, the branches scratching my cheeks. I heard the Orcs following me. I stopped and leaned against the trunk of a tree, pulling a sheet of paper from a hidden pocket of my skirts. I read the writing on the paper and in a flash of light the words were burned from the paper and my mind was wiped clean.

I wondered lost and unaware of anything. Days passed, I had no food or water, confused about everything around me. I wondered to the Weather Hills, climbing to the top of Weathertop. Once there I was so exhausted, malnurished and dehydrated that I fainted. It was there that Gandalf had found me. My dream faded and I slept in peace the rest of the night.

When I awoke, the others were already awake and getting breakfast together. Even Legolas was up. I sat up, untied my braid and combed my fingers through my hair before re-braiding it.

Aragorn handed me a lembas bread cake. "Good morning, my lady." He said with a smile.

"Thank you." I replied. I debated momentairly whether or not to tell Aragorn about my dream. I finally knew why I had lost my memory and I wanted to share it with my friends.

Of course, the one person I wanted to share this with wasn't here. Gandalf, would have probably even known what I said... what spell I had said to cause me to lose my memory. There was even a small chance that he would have known what spell to reverse it.

"Is there something wrong?" Aragorn asked.

I shook my head, "No, I'm fine."

Legolas sat down beside me. "How did you sleep?"

"Well enough, I suppose."

"What did you dream about?"

I looked him and tilted my head, "Why would you ask that?"

"You were quite restless, I wondered if it was because of your dreams."

"The memory of my mother's death haunted my dreams last night."

He looked down, "I'm sorry. Did you happen to remember anything else?"

I looked around to make certain that everyone else was busy before turning to him and nodding slightly. "I did."

"Really?"

"Yes, it wasn't anything too important, just a slight detail." I knew it was a lie, but I didn't want to make it a big deal. I wasn't even too certain that I wanted to tell Legolas about it.

Before Legolas could ask me anymore questions, Aragorn called us all together. "The day has come at last," he said. "The day of choice which we have all long delayed. What shall now become of our Company that has travelled so far...? Shall we return with Boromir and go to the wars of Gondor; or turn east to the Fear and Shadow; or shall we break out fellowship and go this way and that as each may choose? Whatever we do must be done soon. We cannot long halt here."

There was a long silence in which none of us spoke. Aragorn looked at me with questioning eyes and I nodded at him, knowing what he was thinking.

"Well, Frodo," Aragorn continued. "I fear that the burden is laid upon you. You are the bearer appointed by the council. Your own way you alone can choose. In this matter I cannot advise you."

Frodo didn't answer right away. He glanced me briefly and I smiled kindly at him. Then he spoke slowly, "I kow that hast is needed, yet I cannot choose. The burden is heavy. Give me an hour longer, and I will speak. Let me be alone!"

Aragorn looked at him with kindly pity and nodded, "Very well, Frodo son of Drogo, you shall have an hour, and you shall be alone. We will stay here for a while. But do not stray far or out of call."

Frodo got up and walked away, passing under the trees and out of sight. The rest of us remained by the river-side. For sometime we remained silent, moving about restlessly. Eventually we all ended up in a circle, talking. We made efforts to talk about other things, but unfortunatly our thoughts and words always strayed back to Frodo and the Ring. What would Frodo choose? Why was he hesitating?

My thoughts wondered to my dream and began to block out the rest. I cared about Frodo and the decision he made, as it would effect me, but my mind was too distracted. I had learned that my memory loss was caused by my own actions. There were too many questions that were unanswered. What did I know that required this extent of protection? Did I know that it would cause this much memory loss? Would I get the rest of my memories back?

Legolas placed his hand over mine in my lap, "Grievous is our loss. Yet we must needs make up our minds without his aid. Why cannot we decide, and so help Frodo? Let us call him back and then vote! I should vote for Minas Tirith."

I laced my fingers through Legolas' and smiled.

"And so should I," said Gimli. "We, of course, were only sent to help the Bearer along the road, to go no further than we wished; and none of us is under any oath or command to seek Mount Doom. Hard was my parting from Lothlorien. Yet I have come so far, and I say this: now we have reached the last choice, it is clear to me that I cannot leave Frodo. I would choose Minas Tirith, but if he does not, then I follow him."

"And I too will go with him," Legolas added. "It would be faithless now to say farewell."

Aragorn looked at me, "What say you, my lady?"

"I agree with Legolas. It would be faithless to say farewell to Frodo now. I made him a promise. I promised him that I would escort him back to the Shire. I intend to keep it. Unless he himself asks me to do otherwise."

"It would indeed be a betrayal, if we all left him," said Aragorn. "But if he goes east, then all need not go with him; nor do I think that all should. That venture is desperate: as much so for eight as for three or two, or even one alone. If you would let me choose, then I should appoint three companions: Sam, who could not bear it otherwise; and Gimli; and myself. Boromir will return to his own city, where his father and his people need him. I would ask that Daniyel and Legolas escort Meriadoc and Peregrin home, then they should return to their home and start their lives together."

I went to speak out, but Merry started before I could. "That won't do at all!" he cried. "We can't leave Frodo! Pippin and I always intended to go wherever be went, and still do. But we did not realize what that would mean. It seemed different so far away, in the Shire or Rivendell. It would be mad and cruel to let Frodo go to Mordor. Why can't we stop him?"

"We must stop him," Pippin added. "And that is what he is worrying about, I am sure. He knows we shan't agree to his going east. And he doesn't like to ask anyone to go with him, poor old fellow. Imagine it: going off to Mordor alone!" Pippin shuddered. "But the dear silly old hobbit, he ought to know that he hasn't got to ask. He ought to know that if we can't stop him, we shan't leave him."

"Begging your pardon," Sam said. "I don't think you understand my master at all. He isn't hesitating about which way to go. Of course not! What's the good of Minas Tirith anyway? To him, I mean, begging your pardon, Master Boromir," he added and turned. It was then that we all looked and noticed that Boromir was no longer sitting within our circle.

"Now where's he got to?" cried Sam, looking worried. "He's been a bit queer lately, to my mind. But anyway he's not in this business. He's off to his home, as he always said; and no blame to him. But Mr. Frodo, he knows he's got to find the Cracks of Doom, if he can. But he's afraid. Now it's come to the point, he's just plain terrified. That's what his trouble is. Of course he's had a bit of schooling, so to speak- we all have- since we left home, or he'd be so terrified to start. And he isn't worrying about us either: whether we'll go along with him or no. He knows we mean to. That's another thing that's bothering him. If he screws himself up to go, he'll want to go alone. Mark my words! We're going to have trouble when he comes back. For he'll screw himself up all right, as sure as his name's Baggins."

Aragorn smiled at Sam, "I believe you speak more wisely than any of us, Sam. And what shall we do, if you prove right?"

"Stop him! Don't let him go!" Cried Pippin.

"I wonder?" Said Aragorn. "He is the Bearer, and the fate of the Burden is on him. I do not think that it is our part to drive him one way or the other. Nor do I think that we should succeed, if we tried. There are other powers at work far stronger."

I began to think about Lady Galadriel's words in regards to Boromir. Before I knew it everyone around me was standing up, Legolas' hand was held out to me.

I took it and looked at him, "What are we doing?"

As I stood, Boromir reappeared. He came out from the trees and walked towars us without speaking. His face held regret, sadness and a hint of grimness. He paused and then sat down aloof, with his eyes on the ground.

"Where have you been, Boromir?" asked Aragorn. "Have you seen Frodo?"

Boromir hesitated for a moment and I could see that he swallowed hard, "Yes, and no," he answered slowly. "Yes: I found him some way up the hill, and I spoke to him. I urged him to come to Minas Tirith and not to go east. I grew angry and he left me. He vanished. I have never seen such a thing happen before, though I have heard of it in tales. He must have put the Ring on. I could not find him again. I thought he would return to you."

Aragorn glowered at him, "Is that all you have to say?" His voice was hard and not too kindly at Boromir.

"Yes," he answered. "I will say no more yet."

I looked at Boromir and studied him.

"This is bad!" cried Sam, jumping up. "I don't know what this Man has been up to. Why should Mr. Frodo put the thing on? He didn't ought to have; and if he has, goodness knows what may have happened!"

"But he wouldn't keep it on," said Merry. "Not when he had escaped the unwelcome visitor, like Bilbo used to."

"But where did ne go? Where is he?" cired Pippin. "He's been away ages now."

"How long is it since you saw Frodo last, Boromir?" asked Aragorn.

"Half and hour, maybe," he answered. "Or it might be an hour. I have wandered for some time since. I do not know! I do not know!" he put his head in his hands and sat as if bowed with grief.

"An hour since he vansihe!" shouted Sam. "We must try and find him at once. Come on!"

"Wait a moment!" cried Aragorn. "We must divide up into pairs, and arrange- here hold on! Wait!"

Aragorn shouted in vain. They took no notice of him. Sam had dashed off first. Merry and Pippin had followed, and were already disappearing westward into the trees by the shore, shouting. Legolas and Gimli were running into the trees. A sudden hysteric panic seemed to have fallen over everyone.

"We shall all be scattered and lost," groaned Aragorn. "Boromir! I do not know what part you have played in this mischief, but help now! Go after those two young hobbits, and guard them at the least, even if you cannot find Frodo. Come bak to this spot, if you find him, or any traces of him. I shall return soon." He glaced at me before running off.

We exchanged a look and I knew what Aragorn was asking of me. He wanted me to keep an eye on Boromir and stay close to the camp site, incase Frodo returned here.

I followed behind Boromir after a few minutes. Following his cries for Merry and Pippin and even Frodo. I used my elf ears and eyes to see through the trees and listen for sounds.

To my dismay, in the distance I could see approaching Orcs. My heart sank and panic took root. I'm not certain how long it took, but it felt like hours passed, and then in the distance toward the Orcs I heard the horn of Gondor.

I ran faster and came upon Boromir fighting off Ocrs, alone. He was riddled with a few black feathered arrows. I strung my bow and fired at the Orcs. The closer I got, I shouldered my bow and drew my blades, making my way to Boromir. More arrows were shot at him adding to his wounds.

I watched in terror as he fell to his knees. I ran to him and slowly lowered him to the ground with his head in my lap. "Boromir, what have you done?"

"I have failed! I am sorry, my lady. Please forgive me." He coughed and I brushed his cheek kindly with my hand as tears fell over my cheeks. Slowly he brought his hand to my cheek. "Glad I am, to have been able to look upon your face one last time."

"Don't say anything. You will be all right. Boromir, you must fight it. You must live." I cried through my sobs. My vision blurred by my tears.

"Do not cry for me, my dear. This is my fate."

"That cannot be."

He winced in pain, "Would you offer me your comfort?"

I nodded, holding his head tenderly. I bent over him and pressed my lips against his, it was a brief kiss. He returned the kiss, bringing his hand around my head.

"I never thought that I would get to kiss you."

Aragron found us then. He knelt beside Boromir.

Boromir grasped for my hand, I took it and squeezed it gently, holding it against my cheek as the tears continued to fall. This was a friend of mine that was lying infront of me dying. Just another person to add to my list of fallen loved ones. My heart felt tight and almost like it was sinking.

Boromir turned to Aragron and strove to find words. Slowly and painfully words came. "I tried to take the Ring from Frodo," he said. "I am sorry. I have paid." He looked around him at all the falled Orcs. "They have taken the Halflings: the Orcs have taken them. I think they are not dead. Orcs bound them."

My heart sank further as I suddenly realized the danger my other friends were now in.

"Farewell, Aragorn! Go to Minas Tirith and save my people! I have failed."

Aragron tried to compose himself, "No!" He took Boromir's other hand and gently kissed his brow. "You have conquered. Few have gained such a victory. Be at peace! Minas Tirith shall not fall!"

Boromir smiled and turned his head toward me. "You have good friends that will care for you when I cannot." He released Aragron's hand and brought it back to my cheek. "Regardless of where your heart lies, I have loved you since I first saw you."

My heart broke at that moment, it seemed wrong that his love was given to me when I couldn't return it. He deserved better; he deserved more. I wept for him as his breath slowed.

"Which way did they go? Was Frodo there?" Aragron asked. But Boromir did not speak, his last breath had left his body.

I wept as I covered his head with my arms, wrapping them around him protectivly. "I'm so sorry." I whispered. "If I could heal these wounds with my words of love, I would. I'm so sorry."

Aragorn wept with me, his hand gently on my shoulder. I heard the approaching foot steps of Legolas and Gimli. Aragorn gripped my arm gently and pulled me to my feet. He wrapped his arms around me momentairly, until Legolas stepped forward and held his arms out to me. Aragorn gently nudged me into Legolas' arms, where I went willingly, the sobs still racking my body.

Legolas wrapped his arms around me as Argorn knelt and examined the bodies of the Orcs. I didn't hear any words that he said because my crying over powered his voice. My head throbbed from my tears. I worked hard to stop the crying, my hands gripped Legolas' tunic.

When Aragron was done talking Legolas spoke out, "First we must tend to the fallen," he said. "We cannot leave him lying like carrion among these foul Orcs."

"Let us lay him in a boat with his weapons, and the weapons of his vanquished foes," said Aragorn. "We will send him to the Falls of Rauros and give him to Anduin. The River of Gondor will take care at least that no evil creature dishonours his bones."

Legolas kissed my forehead before releasing me to help Gimli and Aragorn gather up the fallen Orcs's weapons. I wondered away to pick some wild flowers to lay in his funeral boat.

My head was hurting and I still had tears slowly falling over my cheeks. My I mourned the loss of a friend I picked flowers and slowly made my way back to the boats. By the time I got there they others had already laid Boromir in the middle of the boat that was to bear him away. They had placed the grey elven-cloak folded beneath his head. They had combed his hair and gently arrayed it upon his shoulders. The golden belt of Lorien was around his waist, gleaming. His helm was set beside him, while his broken horn and the shards of his sword were on his lap; beneath his feet they put the swords of the fallen Orcs.

I laid the flowers around him and brushed my fingers tenderly along his cheek. "Farewell, my dear friend."

Legolas and Aragorn tied his boat to another and rowed out into the water. Gimli stayed with me on shore. I watched as they turned into the swift-running channel they passed the green sward of Parth Galen. The steep sides of Tol Brandir were glowing: it was now mid-afternoon. They passed from sight.

I'm not certain how long I stood there looking at the water. I knew Frodo, probably with Sam on his heels, had rowed to the other side of the river and headed east, alone. I wasn't entirely certain I was all that worried about them. I was more worried about Merry and Pippin.

When Aragron and Legolas had returned I was fully composed and ready to hunt down the Orcs that had taken the hobbits.

"Our choice then," Gimli said. "Is either to take the remaining boat and follow Frodo, or else to follow the Orcs on foot. There is little hope either way. We have already lost precious hours."

Legolas stood beside me with his hand on the small of my back.

"I will follow the Orcs." Aragorn said. He spoke of wanting to follow Frodo and guide him to Mordor, but if we were to do that then we would be abandoning Merry and Pippin to torment and death.

A decision was made, we would be following the Orcs by day and night, in hopes of rescuing them.