Chapter 10

Aragorn ran ahead of the three remaining Hobbits knowing that Willow would rush them forward if need be. He had been too focused on getting to Rivendell without any more incidents that he had not noticed Willow slip quietly away.

Sam however noticed and called out, 'Mr Strider, I think we need to slow down and wait for Lady Willow.'

Aragorn turned to face the Hobbits and noticed she had gone. Aragorn cursed silently knowing that he could not go and track her down, with three tried and scared Hobbits with him, who needed the safety of the elves. He took a deep breath and replied as calmly as he could, 'Master Sam I believe we will meet up with Willow at a later date. Do not fear for her, she is a skilled ranger she knows how to care for herself.'

Sam nodded but looked unconvinced and asked, 'why did she leave?' They kept walking but what could Aragorn say to them? He himself, did not understand her reasons for running away.

Aragorn stopped and turned to the Hobbits and said, 'I do not know why she left. When she joins us again, I am sure she will enlighten us with her reasons.' Aragorn sighed and kept on walking swiftly towards safety, all the while trying to convince himself that he will in-fact see Willow again.

If anything happened to the girl he knew he would never forgive himself. The rest of the day went past in a blur, the sun had just completed its circuit for the day, and had now been replaced by countless stars, which glittered down on the waterfalls. It was a cool, windy night, the swaying of trees and rustling of leaves could be heard but not seen by the mortal eye. The encompassing darkness had blotted out all but the faintest light from the blanket of stars. Aragorn lead the Hobbits towards the room of healing and introducing them to Lord Elrond. Soon they were settled next to Frodo in the large soft bed with a fire blazing and plates of warm food in their laps with Frodo sleeping peacefully.

'Estel, Your heart is troubled.' Aragorn turned from his Ada, and walked outside under the black velvet sky, and he let out his frustration on a rock by throwing it.

Aragorn paced back and forth and came to a decision, 'Ada I have to go back and follow Willow's tracks she slipped away from me,' He told Lord Elrond.

'My son, I believe Lady Willow will be safe, I will not tell you not to worry but I do tell you to let her find her own way back to us. You have nothing to be ashamed off. Now off with you, you have travelled far and need rest.' Aragorn walked back towards the bridge where he had first met Arwen.

Aragorn played the last few days back in his head trying to find something wrong in which Willow felt the need to leave. He stopped mid thought seeing a tall slim figure, he smiled as the stars reflected off her black velvet hair, her grey eyes flickered in his direction as he walked into a dream which was now his reality. Her soft hand brushed against his face and she spoke, 'She will return to us, as you will return to your people one day.' Her voice whispered in Aragorn's ear, her soft lips catching his as her looked into her eyes her saw her undying love reflect into hisheart.

She continued, 'still you worry for the young one; it may comfort your heart to know that I have asked Legolas to follow her.' Aragorn let his hand fall from her face.

'When did you ask? Why did he not wait for me?' Aragorn asked with a relief sigh.

'I saw you return without her, I informed Legolas. He also worries for her safety. He insisted to go alone and said that you would need rest. Sleep now in peace.' Aragorn smiled and walked hand in hand with Arwen. His fear and worry for the girl had lessened.

Aragorn knew Legolas would be able to easily find her and keep her safe. He fell into an easy sleep.

The morning went by swiftly, once again Aragorn had three guilty Hobbits to deal with; Frodo was still in a deep healing sleep. This did not stop Pippin from asking countless of questions about where and why Willow left. Aragorn was surprised at how quickly they trusted Willow, as it took them awhile to warm up to me.

'Aragorn.' He looked up from a book he was attempting to read to see a younger elf, he raised his eyes in question. 'Lady Willow has returned with Prince Legolas,' Aragorn followed the young elf hoping beyond hope she was ok.

Aragorn sped up and before stopping himself he embraced the girl and checked her over making sure she was not hurt. Aragorn had worried for this girl like a father would over his daughter, is that what I had become, A father to this fatherless girl? He thought as anger spread through him faster than wild fire. Aragorn pulled her back still looking her straight in the eye, and started the volley of questions. As he asked he saw her guilt flooding her face, she could not look Aragorn in the eye, and she said nothing about the fact that he had ordered her to seek out the Hobbits and apologise.

'You are the one she looks up to now, you are all she has.' Stated Arwen as we watched Willow walk away.