Chapter Ten: Get Ahold Of The Fire
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Disclaimer: I do not own anything.
She stared at the sky as the red and orange rays of the sun finally subsided to the dark purple hues of the growing night. They had settled down earlier than usual to make camp. Again the usual routine followed, Sam in charge of cooking, Boromir and Gimli to keep watch while Legolas and Strider were out scouting the area. The other three hobbits stood idly by Sam as they watched and talked about food and beverages of their homeland, with Gandalf lazily puffing his pipe as he listen to their chatter. As for her, she was presently laying down in her cot, her right hand under her head and her left hand lazily settled in her stomach. She again took a glanced at the group and wondered how she ever got tangled in their lives - in their world. Sighing, she went back to looking at the sky. She was worried of the coming days, it wouldn't be long before she is off on her own, crossing the pass to Lothlorien to meet some other elf. She was scared beyond belief but she dared not admit it to herself, or to anyone else.
'It is a just little trip, I have travelled alone before, what is different about this one?'
'You are crossing a mountain with people who wouldn't hesitate to decapitate you.'
'And animals...'
'You'll freeze to death'
'No that won't happen'
'You'll just die.'
She gulped at that, she didn't want to die. She tried to think lightly of the situation, keep things bright so not to lost her nerves but as the first day of the 'three days' that Strider had told her passed, the more she sees her doom come ever closer.
"Aye, Evelyn! Get your head out of the clouds and joined us?" Gimli's voiced cut through her thoughts and she tilted her head towards the group. Legolas and Strider was back from their scouting and everyone but her was readying to settle around the fire. She squinted her eyes, what happen to the time she wondered, she looked back at the sky and realize she must really have zoned out, as the sky was completely clothed in black and the moon shone steadily with his stars. "Evelyn?" Gimli called out again.
"I - I'm not hungry, thank you." She answered.
"You should eat now," Boromir voice reached her, making her glance back at the group. He was helping himself to some soup and he caught her gaze. "there will be no chance for you later."
She usually would have lash back at him with an insult but found no mood to do it and so she only repeated her answer. "I'm not hungry, thank you." She shifted herself and laid to her side facing away from the group.
'Will I even actually survive this?' she wondered, and for the second time that day, lost herself in her thoughts.
She was startled awake when a hand pressed around her mouth. She wildly flayed her arms trying to hit her attacker but immediately cease when she recognize Aragorn. He was motioning for her to stay quiet and slowly let his hand slide away. She glared at him for scaring her as she tried to calm her wildly beating heart. She noticed his grim expression and looked around - noticing that the hobbits were also being awaken by Boromir. She crouched down beside him, while he hurriedly rolled her cot and blankets and handed it to her.
"Tie it quickly, there is -" he immediately pause mid-sentence, contemplating whether he should tell her or not, "hindrance before us. We have to move out quickly and quietly."
"Hindrance...?" she asked unsure, "what kind?"
The rest of company had finished packing and Gandalf was motioning for all to follow him and she surveyed the group, he turned back to her and the look of distress in his eyes feared her.
"Wolves." It chilled her bone at the very mention of the animal, she know they travel in groups, are very big and the fact she was in another world, an image of a hunkered wolf big as a car with razor sharp teeth and greenish eyes came to mind.
That is not what wolves look like. her logic side reasoned and another image of a normal cute baby wolf pop into mind.
She furrowed her eyebrows at this, Right.
Her thoughts were cut off as Aragorn grabbed her hand and pulled her as they exited the clearing, the sound of howls right at their heels.
"Quickly now!" Gandalf ushered to the hobbits as he frequently glanced back at their path. Strider had taken up the lead with long strides whilst Gandalf had taken on the rear with Legolas. She huffed after Strider, Gimli besides her and the hobbits behind. Being startled out of her sleep didn't help with her nerves, she felt fidgety and panicked.
"You alright lass?" Gimli asked her quietly.
She looked down to him, she wanted to give a smile but couldn't muster herself to make it believe-able, instead came off as a grim smile. "I feel like my heart is about to jump out of my chest."
Gimli chuckled at her answer, but it was not the hearty laugh that he always had, she didn't like the sound of it. Another howl rang through the forest, but this time it was much farther behind them. "Can't we take a break?" Sam asked, exhaustion still clearly fixed upon his face. "Not yet little one, farther more, we cannot take the risk with the wolves so near." Boromir answered as he put his hand on Sam's shoulder. She pitied the hobbits, a man's stride is about three steps of a hobbits stride and with fast paced that the ranger had set, the hobbits were practically running beside them. "How do we know if they lost our scent?" She asked Gimli.
"They don't, our only hope is the sun will rise early and we get out to the open field as soon as we can." Boromir from behind her answered. She chanced a looked at him, and wondered how is it okay for all of them to eavesdrop on her while it is frown upon when she eavesdrop on them.
"Aye, the open field - but from there a new greater danger is present." Added Gimli.
"Quiet all of you! This is not some adventure talk!" Gandalf berated them. All talks ceased and the rest of the travel was spent in silence, and soon enough rays of yellows and orange slowly rose from the east. Morning was coming.
She settled her hand trying to assume the right way to hold her sword. She wiped the sweat that caressed her brow, the heat of the sun making her uncomfortable. Boromir repositioned her hand and told her to loosen her grip. The company had settled in for the morning when Gandalf had seen it safe to rest, since they had travelled long all night, he had let the hobbits to get some sleep while she had asked for some more sword lessons.
"Alright, now put your sword back to your scabbard and draw it again." Boromir instructed, making her repeat her actions to get her more accustom to the sword.
"Ok." She wiped her brow again and focused. "I will attack and draw your sword as fast as you can, understand?"
"Ok, how will I know if you are about to attack?" she asked, and before the last word were out of her mouth, Boromir, who was walking away from her, turned and lunged at her suddenly, his sword swinging, attacking from high above. Without thinking, her instinct kicked in and she immediately grabbed her sword, and with a loud kra-ching, her sword was up and high above her head parrying the blow.
"Good." was all that she heard, the pounding of her heart deafening her - How dare he! She was furious at him and she openly showed it.
"I could have been killed!" She screeched at him, and without a second thought, she lunged her own attack swinging her sword to the side. He dodged her attack easily, and parried her sword, the smile that was adorning his face before, gone. "You survived didn't you?" He casually stated, only fueling her anger and frustration. She looked up into his eyes and unleashed what she hoped was her most venomous glare, daring him to continue. She advanced at him again and thrust her sword left and right, but her attacks was easily block and dodged. The heat of the sun was not helping her calm, instead it made her more and more irritable. She could feel the heat in her cheeks, the sweat that clinged to her and the image of the Captain-General looking upon her like she wasn't worth a cent to accompany them, let alone be trained was driving a stake right through her pride.
Their swords clashed with a loud cling as each other's sword met in tight embrace, their faces mere inches from each other. He stared hard in her eyes, while she returned a cold one back his way. "The wild is not one for a woman. Your foe will not announce himself so you could be ready to fight, they will not consider your feelings whether you felt like fighting that day. No, they will attack you when you are most vulnerable, when you are most unaware." He shoved her away with his sword and walked away. She gritted her teeth at him, Why does everyone think I was out here by choice? She clenched her fist and roughly sheathed her sword again and walk opposite of him. Why does everyone treat me like a goddamn child whose out here just for the hell of it?
She scowled and gave a frustrated sigh and settled herself under a shade by tree, facing off to the mountains.
She heard the ranger come back with the elf, more likely was scouting around to make sure no wolf was silently creeping up to them. She took another deep breath as she surveyed the open field before her. Gandalf had settled them at the edge of the forest and from there on, vast plains stretched out before them, rocks and boulders decorating the barren landscape here and there. "We have the reached the border of Hollin, Eregion in the tongues of men. From here we travel east."
"Here." Strider handed her a piece of dried bread as well as a handful of some fruits and nuts. She looked up to him, unsure with the food, "Not everyone is awake yet..." she trailed off.
"You haven't eaten since last yesterday, we had our fill at supper, this should keep your hunger down until we next stop for the night." he explained as he pushed back down the food she was handing right back at him. "I'm not hungry." she grimaced at the tone of her voice, she didn't want to hold a grudge but she was still hurt for the comment he had made during their training the day before.
"Of course you're not." He walked away from her but came back moments after carrying the water-skin. He sat himself beside her, only facing north whereas she faces the mountain. He pulled his knee up, the only position she ever saw him do, and handed her the water-skin as well as the food. Annoyed at his persistence, she only nodded at him and finally took the food and water. She was a bit surprised as they sat in silence, that her anger at Boromir has completely ebbed away without her noticing. She furrowed her eyebrow at how that could be and she took a quick side looked at the ranger, making sure he wasn't noticing her confused looks.
"You must give him more credit, Evelyn. Boromir is an honorable man." he stated, his voice soft. And it comes right back... She took another glanced at him.
"Not honorable enough. He despise me, treat me like I'm below him, granted he's like what - royalty or some rich guy but that does not give him or any of his station to treat others like some - some lowlife "
"You must understand that his intention are nothing but noble. Everyone in his city looks upon him for protection, to stand strong and keep evil at bay," He looked back at her, and in his eyes, she knew the ranger was telling the truth. "Yet, here he is escorting a lady to the mountains and leaving her to travel alone. You must understand how hard that is for him."
She gave another sigh, she knows that they were training her hard for her own safety but still she could not shake the hurt she feels. I'm acting like a child...
"Fine, I'll be the better person and 'try' not to argue with him anymore. Happy?"
"Yes." He gave her a small smile and got up, "We'll be leaving soon as the rest of the company is up." She watched him go as he went and proceeded to wake the hobbits. She took a glanced at Boromir and decided that she will try to make peace with the man.
"Come dear, walk with me for a awhile." Gandalf motioned her to join him and she reluctantly did.
"Yes, Gandalf. Is something the matter?" she asked.
"What? No, can't an old man asked for a company once in a awhile?" he said, amused.
She cocked her head to the side, "No, of course you can." They walked in a slow pace taking in the last position as Strider steadily leads them. "How are you faring?" he asked.
She stared hard at the ground, trying to get her bearings with the moonlight so low. "So far, I have managed. I still don't understand why everyone is reluctant to cast a light my way here and there." she answered, her voice hinting confusion and hurt that no one seems to share anything with her. They had resume with their walking but strayed not too far from the edge of the forest.
Gandalf sighed, he knew how hard it must be for the girl to be left aloof about the whole matter at hand. "It is a dangerous matter Evelyn. Sometimes the way is best left in the dark." She looked at him incredulous about his logic. How fitting.
"Of course, you are a wizard. You know everything, right?" she mumbled quietly. This conversation just turned sour so fast, she could taste it. "Tell me dear, have you had any nightmares lately? Anything that you would like to talk about?" he questioned nonchalantly.
Nightmares she thought. She always dreamt of those riders reaching out, speaking to her, looking at her, tempting her. "No." she replied curtly, she grimaced at the reply, she answered too fast for it to be believable. Gandalf waited for her, the silence settling between them both. Not able to stand the silence, she finally admitted to him. "How?" she asked.
"I'm a wizard Evelyn, I know everything." he answered with a hint of amusement, surprising her with her words thrown back to her. "Also because I know you have not slept well since three days ago. Tell, what is it that haunts you? Is it...the fire?" he asked cautiously.
"Fire? No...shadows." she replied, confused at his words.
"Shadows?"
"Yes," she gave a sighed as the images floated through her head. "Shadows, the Riders. They had not stopped haunting me since the night at the Weathertop. Always following, waiting." She shivered as the voice of the Riders filled her ears. We have found you...you are ours.
"I don't know what they want with me." she voiced weakly.
She looked back at the old man, his face gravely serious as he stared on ahead. She knew he was thinking and processing what she had told him and so she stayed quiet, while she waited for him to share his thoughts. "Why have you not shared these before? It's not something to be carried so lightly."
"I know, but I figure with how much of a 'burden' I am to you all, I decided to spare you guys of my problems." She answered bluntly.
Fire? No...shadows. Her voice echoed in his ears. So both his and the Lord Elrond's assumptions were wronged. It was not Saruman nor Sauron that had their hand with her appearance, but the Wraiths. Gandalf grumbled as he thought it over. But what would the Nazgul want with her? he didn't like being left confused.
Annoyed at his lack of a respond, and habit to 'ponder' too long, she interrupted. "Gandalf?" her voice cut through his thoughts, and her annoyance was fully noted by him.
"I'm sorry child, but what you had given me is quite a lot to process. And I fear it has made your situation much more harder to...understand." She studied him, and even she knew that he was unsure of what it was he was saying. "What is it?" she asked.
"We have thought that it was Saruman, or the Dark Lord himself that had something to do with your surprise appearance here." He explained slowly, "I never thought - nay, it never even entered my mind that the Nazgul would have something to do with it. And even now, I am puzzled as to how...and why."
She was about to suggest some ideas that she had come up with in her 'deep' musings the previous night when a howl far off the distance echoed in the night. She felt her blood run cold and the chill run up her spine. The whole group had ceased walking as they all listened intently. The sound of the night, as well, had cease, leaving only the sound of the wind rustling the leaves. The howl she knew was farther away from them but before she could released her breath, multiple howls sounded together, each one coming closer like a domino effect. Her eyes shot forward and her gaze fell upon the ranger, she heard the twang of a bow followed by a loud yelp before she could even comprehend what was happening. She felt Gandalf clamped his hand on her arm as he pulled her to him, her body paralyzed by the sound of the last howl that cut through the air - few strides from where they were.
The wolves! They've found us!
Note:
I want to - first- say I am very sorry for the loooong wait. If I could all go to your houses, I would personally make you a peanut butter jelly sandwich as my peace offering. Unless you are allergic to peanut butter - then in that case I'll just give you bread.
Anyways, the next chapter is in the work, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter (hopefully made up for the long wait?)
Alright, so what do you think so far? Comments, opinions, jokes or stories are most welcome! Inbox me or leave a review! Thanks! I would like to hear from you.
Cheers till the next chapter!
"I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being."
P.S If you haven't gone by my profile page for awhile, I did apologize there for my lack of posting chapters, It has been a very busy months since my last post. Again I thank all the patient readers, followers and a grateful thanks to the reviewers. Also I would like to welcome the new readers to my story! : )