{Chapter Ten}
Siladhiel paused looking into the distance as Aragorn was listening for the sound of footsteps from the ground. She took comfort in the breeze flowing through her hair as well as the presence of Legolas at her side. She didn't like however how worried he appeared to be for her. It was her fight, she would not lose against herself in the end. She just wished she had the answers she needed.
"Their pace has quickened" He said looking at her worried "They must have caught our scent. Hurry!"
She nods sharply and continues to run at his side in the direction of their friends.
"Come on, Gimli!" Legolas said with a smirk before continuing after his friends
"Three days' and nights' pursuit. No food. No rest. And no sign of our quarry but what bare rock can tell" Gimli huffs causing Siladhiel to let out a shocked laugh
"Dear Gimli" She said in amusement looking back at him
Siladhiel continues running keeping pace with Aragorn. She smiles seeing Legolas checking to ensure that Gimli was keeping up with them. She paused after some time seeing Aragorn bend to pick something up. Her eyes widened in shock seeing the Elven brooch in his hand.
"Not idly do the leaves of Lórien fall" Aragorn whispers in awe and Siladhiel smiled knowing what this means
"They may yet be alive." Legolas says from in front of them running still
"Less than a day ahead of us. Come!" Aragorn says with hope shining in his eyes continuing his run
Siladhiel pauses tilting her head to the side in amusement as Gimli stumbles from behind some rocks and rolls to the ground.
"Come, Gimli! We are gaining on them!" Legolas says from before them in amusement
"I am wasted on cross-country! We dwarves are natural sprinters! Very dangerous over short distances!" Gimli says panting from her side
"You are keeping stride" Siladhiel said in encouragement causing him to smile at her before they continued
Siladhiel saw Aragorn pause on a hill and went to his side her sharper gaze on the plains before them below. She glanced at Aragorn in remembrance, it had been quite some time since she had been on these plains. She sees the darkness seeping into the ground in sadness, it once was such perfect land.
"Rohan. Home of the horse-lords. There is something strange at work here. Some evil gives speed to these creatures, sets its will against us." Aragorn explains to the others as Legolas runs ahead looking into the distance
"Legolas, what do your Elf eyes see?" Aragorn questioned as Siladhiel sensing his fear
"The Uruk turn northeast. They're taking the hobbits to Isengard!" Legolas explains striking fear in her heart
"Saruman" She and Aragorn hiss in realization
Siladhiel pauses as the others start running once more, Legolas paused and looks behind him "Go now, I will catch up" She commanded, and he hesitates "I will return to you side Legolas"
She watches as he nods in confusion before following after the others as she sits on the ground cross legged. She dips her aura into the ground as she had done to protect her own lands for her entire life. She drives her purity forward bringing it up against the darkness. She watches as it warps unable to stand against her power pushing it back easily. She pushes as far as she can straining to cleanse the darkness. She flinches as she reaching her limit knowing it won't last long but will provide them aide in their travel to the hobbit. She stands and continues running quickly to catch up to the other.
"I was unaware you were capable of such" Aragorn whispers seeing her return to his side
"It is why my lands are still pure" She explained with a shrug of her shoulder "It won't last long with Saruman fighting it, but it will assist us from here"
"Keep breathing! That's the key! Breathe! Ho!" Gimli mutters much to her own amusement
"They've run as if the very whips of their masters were behind them." Legolas whispers sensing the speed and Siladhiel nods in confirmation, Saruman will stop at nothing to get those hobbits
Siladhiel sighed as the stopped at night resting her tired body. She wanted to continue but it would do no good to attempt to fight when they could all barely stand. She watched as Legolas kneeled before her holding out some bread. She chewed on the bread quickly feeling like doing nothing but sleeping now.
"You wield your true self without struggle now" Legolas whispered taking a seat beside her and she sighed
"Not fully, some things are instinct. There is still much hidden from me. I am unsure of the answers that keep my soul hidden from me" She explained honestly causing him to frown "I am not holding back and allowing the pieces to come together Legolas. When the time comes I will be ready"
"I fear losing you to this feat" He whispered brokenly, and she turned to him
"Legolas have faith yet" She whispered placing a hand on his cheek "Long have I searched for home and I found it in your heart. My true self will rise complete once more with you at my side"
Legolas smiled at her with eyes shining at the statement and lead forward pressing his lips to hers capturing her in a gently and sweet kiss. She was taken by surprise and leaned into him returning his action. There under the stars amidst war two weary souls lost themselves in a moment all their own. Siladhiel pulled away from Legolas with a smile and leaned into him placing her head against her chest relaxing completely.
Legolas looked at his sleeping companions glancing down at his entire world in his arms. He kissed the top of her head shifting her lay peacefully in his arms. He kept his eyes and sensing open for the enemy keeping watch over them for the time being. He smiled feeling the tingle left behind from her lips on his. The sweetness of her taste barely present from the small kiss. He would hold her to her promise, she would survive so he may explore her as he longed to do.
"I will take watch, rest you mind Legolas" Aragorn said a few hours later and Legolas nodded in understanding "For what it is worth, my heart is joyed to see that my dear friends have found their match in each other"
Legolas nodded with a sad smile knowing that his friend was missing Arwen greatly. He prayed to the Valar that Aragorn would too find happiness in the future. Legolas shifted to lay down wrapping his arms around Siladhiel who moved closely to him gripping his shirt. He smiled and pressed a kiss to her forehead before closing his eyes allowing sleep to overtake him.
Siladhiel woke a few hours later feeling refreshed seeing the sun beginning to rise. She untangled her from the arms of Legolas and stands beside Aragorn. He glances at her as Legolas looks at the sky in sorrow appearing beside them as Gimli awakens.
"A red sun rises. Blood has been spilled this night." Legolas whispers his thoughts
"We must hurry" Siladhiel commands throwing her pack on quickly looking towards Aragorn who nodded understanding her worry
They continue running towards their friends with renewed energy each one praying that the blood was not that of their friends. Siladhiel paused hearing horses quickly approaching. She quickly hides behind the boulders with the others following suite. She watched as a large group of horse-men appears, galloping quickly with their banners flying. Siladhiel smiles recognizing the flag as Aragorn steps out as they pass.
"Riders of Rohan, what news from the Mark?" Aragorn shouts gaining their attention
Siladhiel sees Eomer signal making the riders make a quick turn and head towards them, surrounding them in ever-tightening circles. As they stop, they point their long spears menacingly at them. Siladhiel frowns at the unusual response from Rohan Riders.
"What business does two Elves, a man, and a Dwarf have in the Riddermark? Speak quickly!" Eomer commands pointedly and Siladhiel feels Legolas Tense at her side
"Give me your name, Horse master, and I shall give you mine." Gimli replies causing her to tense knowing that was the wrong thing to say
Siladhiel watches as Éomer hands his staff to another rider before getting off his horse towering over Gimli as Aragorn places a hand on Gimli's shoulder.
"I would cut off your head, Dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground" Eomer says as Siladhiel raises an eyebrow at how quick Legolas has an arrow pointed at him
"You would die before your stroke fell!" Legolas says sternly with lethal intent
The riders all point their spears closer at the travelers. After a tense moment, Aragorn pushes down Legolas' arm stepping forward much to the relief of Siladhiel who was not looking forward to battling her friend.
"I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn. This is Gimli, son of Glóin and Legolas of the Woodland realm. We are friends of Rohan and of Théoden, your king." Aragorn explains as Eomer turns on her
"And you?" He questioned in confusion
"Eomer" She said with a chuckle causing his eyes to widen "Do you not recognize. I had hoped that age would not change our friendship. My traveler's name is Quenya"
Eomer smiles at her briefly remembering her and nods showing his riders to lower their weapons. He looks over the group once more before returning to Aragorn.
"Théoden no longer recognizes friend from foe. Not even his own kin. Saruman has poisoned the mind of the king and claimed lordship over these lands. My company are those loyal to Rohan. And for that, we are banished. The White Wizard is cunning. He walks here and there, they say, as an old man, hooded and cloaked. And everywhere his spies slip past our nets." Eomer explains away his action as she frowns at the information
"We are not spies. We track a party of Uruk-hai westward across the plain. They've taken two of our friends' captive." Aragorn explains as Eomer frowns once more and foreboding hit Siladhiel
"The Uruks are destroyed. We slaughtered them during the night." Eomer explained softly seeing the sadness in their eyes over the information
"But there were two hobbits. Did you see two hobbits with them?" Gimli questions in disbelief
"They would be small – only children to your eyes." Aragorn pleads
"We left none alive. We piled the carcasses and burned them" Eomer explains as Siladhiel take in the smoke in the distance
"Dead?" Gimli questioned sadly and Eomer nods in confirmation
"I am sorry" Eomer said whistling "Hasufel! Arod! May these horses bear you to better fortune than their former masters. Farewell."
Siladhiel frowns again taking Arod's reigns as Eomer puts on his helmet and gets back on his horse "Look for your friends. But do not trust to hope, it has forsaken these lands." He said to them before turning to the riders "We ride north!"
"Eomer" She said catching his attention "For what it is worth, you have my sorrow to hear your kingdom is not faring well. Head to Lindon's land, great warriors are welcomed there, and it is safe. Speak my name and none shall deny you entry"
Eomer's eyes softened at the statement grateful for a place to go and he nodded before riding off with the others. Siladhiel sighed looking towards Legolas at he got on the horse reaching out a hand for her to take. Gimli gets on the horse with Aragorn as she settles behind Legolas. They take off swiftly in the direction of the smoke rising to the sky. As they arrive and get off the horses Gimli pulls out a charred belt from the pile
"It's one of their wee belts." Gimli whispers brokenly as she investigates the forest feeling it calling her attention
She walks towards it as Legolas bows his head in prayer and Aragorn yells falling to his knees. She stared in the forest knowingly recalling the brief foresight from Lorien as Aragorn begins tracking where the Hobbits lay. She hears the whispers from the forest knowing that there are answers that lay in there.
"The tracks lead away from the battle into Fangorn Forest" Aragorn said looking into the forest appearing at her side with the others
"Fangorn. What madness drove them in there?" Gimli questioned in fear sensing the darkness in the forest
"Hope" She whispers stepping forward glancing at them "They escaped and knew the forest offered them hope to survive"
"You have seen this?" Legolas questioned with wide eyes
"Just a glimpse but the Forest calls me like a mistress beckoning answers that I seek" She explained seriously stepping into the forest "Shall we"
"Indeed" Aragorn said with a smirk entering the forest chuckling at the dwarf
"Of course, enter the deadly forest" Gimli mutters causing Siladhiel to laugh lightly tracking their steps with Aragorn
Siladhiel relaxes feeling the aura of the trees around her having walked through these woods many ages again. It appeared that the woods remember her as she leaned against one. Legolas smiled at her interaction in amazement. She touched the tree allowing her aura to seep into in seeing its memories surprised that it was showing her the hobbits and what had occurred. She quietly thanked it before staring at Legolas brightly smiling.