Author's Note
I AM SO SORRY! Thank you to everyone who reviewed and even found My World Ends with You even though I did not update the story in a long while! Life happened… I went out far too much with friends that my wallet hates me and also I got sucked into watching a (great) TV series called Legend of the Seeker. It has Craig Parker in it! In order to buy your forgiveness, I gift you with a looooong chapter!
The storyline mainly follows the events in the movies, but there are times that you will notice that I incorporated some of the book. Please read and review!
Disclaimer: I do not own LotR! Everything belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien except for Eleniel Vanglirtána.
My World Ends with You
"You have to let me go!" My voice shouted above the shrieking Orcs dropping around us. Éomer and the two Rohirrim guarded me as the other horsemen slaughtered the remaining Orcs. Éomer casted me a glare to quiet myself and quiet I became. I watched the Men pile the bodies of the Orcs as I thought of the safety of those in the Fellowship.
The hours passed as the Rohirrim celebrated the victory of their hunt as the sunlight began to rise over the hills. Relief would have coursed through me at the warmth the sun brought, but my mind thought of Pippin and Merry. My heart hoped that they were safe. I would not forgive myself if something happened to them in Fangorn Forest, then I remembered what I told Merry of the woods that many feared. If he heeded to my words and treaded through with care then they should avoid any danger that the woods presented.
Éomer left his place from my side and paced in front of the pile. The Rohirrim watched their Marshal grab a head of one of the Uruk-Hai from the pile and a spear from the ground. "Though we have been casted from Rohan," Éomer began his speech as he stood the spear deep into the dirt that it stood upright, "this stands a representation of our loyalty our home! We will roam the land regardless of the judgment placed on us by Gríma! Never will our hearts stray from the Riddermark. This is our home! So never will we leave our lands in the hands of Orcs and the Dunlendings! We will cleanse the land for Rohan! For the King!" The Marshal drove the spear through the head of the Uruk-Hai and there stood a warning for all to see. The Men cheered loudly with pride from Éomer's speech.
"And what of the Elf?" one Rohir shouted among the group. I groaned as I hoped that they would forget of me and carry on with their celebration. The cheers died down and all eyes were now on me.
"She could be of some use to us…" Éomer approached me and kneeled at my side where I was pinned down by the two sharp spears. "What should I do with you?"
"She came from the darkness of Entwood!" another Rohir noted.
"She has to be an Elf-witch! Why else would she come from the cursed woods!?" accused one of the horsemen that pinned me down with his spear.
"We should burn her with the Orcs!" a voice came from the masses.
"Should my mind be set on the words of my éored, She-Elf?" Éomer asked.
"You are making a grave mistake if you do, Éomer, son of Éomund and Théodwyn." I whispered. "I present no harm as I am merely traveling with my mentor, a wise wizard."
"And how does a She-Elf sprouting from the cursed forest know of my name and my parents?" the Marshal of the Third Éored questioned with great anger. He grasped the collar of my cloak and pulled me up to face. I could feel anger radiating from him and then his eyes met mine. Instantly, his gaze softened. His eyes reflected a memory of his childhood.
Stars gleamed brightly above Meduseld.
A man and woman in green and gold walked hand in hand.
A woman clad in a silver gown with bright blond hair joined them.
She rested a hand on the woman's back and spoke with a smile and a nod.
Then she turned to look at the spectator.
She glowed in the moonlight, but face was unseen.
Only her eyes shone brightly.
His hand rose to tell the men to back away and his horsemen obeyed. The spears were removed from my neck and abdomen. "What is this spell you placed on me?" he whispered as he rose to stand over me.
"It is not a spell." I murmured. I moved to get up, but his boot came down on my shoulder causing pain to rattle through my arm.
"You do not stand until you take off this spell. Release me of it!" Éomer yelled down at me as he pressed down onto my shoulder. The look in his eyes told me that I needed to run. There was no way that he and his éored will keep me alive if this keeps up.
"I have not placed a spell on you." I retorted. My free arm wrapped around his leg and kicked my legs up to knock him to the ground. The wind knocked out of him when his chest hit the dirt then a groan. I quickly jumped to my feet and started to the forest.
"Grab her! Get back here!" Éomer yelled behind me. The horsemen hearing Éomer's demands made their way to stop me. "Get back here!"
Chapter Eleven: When Stars Collide
Vibrations rattled the ground and up the arm of the man clad in black. It was Aragorn and at his sides were Gimli, son of Glóin, and Legolas, son of Thranduil. The ranger looked up at the sound of horses galloping and neighing in the distance. Quickly, he gestures for his two friends to hide behind a nearby rock formation and dived behind himself after Legolas, then turned to grab Gimli's cloak to have him hide in haste. An éored rode over the hill with great speed as the three hunters watched them passing.
"Riders of Rohan, what news from the Mark?" Aragorn called out when he revealed himself on the hilltop. Legolas and Gimli joined Aragorn in plain view to watch the horsemen riding from them. However, the Rohir leading the éored signaled to the other riders with a spear in hand. The Rohirrim turned around their steeds with great skill and agility that they were upon the three hunters in a matter of seconds. Encircling them tightly with their spears pointed at them, Aragorn raised both of his hands to show that the group surrendered to them for he knew the laws of the Mark and wished not to disobey.
A horse and his rider pushed through the tight circle and questioned, "What business does an Elf, a Man, and a Dwarf have in the Riddermark?" His tone emphasized the word Elf with frustration as he was reminded of an earlier encounter. Legolas quickly picked up on this and stood glaring at the horseman with annoyance that his race was said with great animosity, but also with confusion. "Speak quickly!"
"Give me your name, horse-master, and I shall give you mine." Gimli told defiantly before Aragorn could speak. The ranger rolled his eyes at his companion as he recognized the horseman in front of them as Éomer, Third Marshal of the Mark. The Marshal of the éored dismounted his horse and approached the three.
"I would cut off your head, beard and all, Master Dwarf, if it stood, but a little higher from the ground." Éomer threatened. Legolas nocked an arrow to his bow with lightning speed and aimed it at the Marshal's face.
"You would die before your stroke fell." Legolas told. The Rohirrim bid their horses closer with their spears now trained on the Mirkwood Elf's being.
"Seems that Elves are getting on my last nerves as of late." Éomer groaned under his breath. Legolas looked to the Marshal with an eyebrow raised when Aragorn took the moment to lower his bow.
"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." the ranger quickly explained.
"Théoden no longer recognizes friend from foe," Éomer told as he removed his helmet, "not even his own kin." With this gesture, the Rohirrim withdrew their spears. "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." Then his attention drew to the three hunters, but mainly the Mirkwood prince. He spoke to them with an accusing tone, "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." Éomer's eyes glared at the beings trapped by his éored.
"We are no spies." Aragorn reassured.
"And what of the Elf?" Éomer questioned. His eyes were trained on Legolas. Aragorn looked back at his Elf friend then to the Marshal standing before them. "Weary I am of their kind, but I will give you the benefit of the doubt. Tell me if not spies then what is your purpose here?"
"We track a party of Uruk-hai westward across the plain. They have taken two of our friends captive." Aragorn answered in turn for Legolas.
"The Uruks are destroyed. We slaughtered them during the night." Éomer answered.
"But there were two Hobbits. Did you see two Hobbits with them?" Gimli questioned in desperation.
"They would be small. Only children to your eyes." Aragorn answered, holding back his distraught.
Éomer shook his head and told, "We left none alive. We piled the carcasses and burned them." His gloved hand pointed to the smoke rising in the distance. Gimli gasped at the news as Legolas placed a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder. "I am sorry." Éomer's hard expression softened as he saw the compassion that Legolas bestowed on the Dwarf. "Empathy, I sense being around your kind, but is it only an act of trickery?" His voice spoke harder than he wanted.
"What brings your resentment for my kind?" Legolas asked mistaking his tone as hate. He looked up to the Marshal with great sorrow in his eyes. "It is not trickery, but truly sorrow for our friends."
"Forgive me. We captured a She-Elf of Entwood during our raid on the Orc camp. She posed a great threat to my éored."
"I have not heard of Elves living in Fangorn." said Aragorn looking to Legolas for confirmation. The Elf prince nodded in agreement, which brought confusion to Éomer.
"However, there we saw her. She travels with the White Wizard, she told." Éomer whispered to the three hunters so that the Men of his éored did not hear. "Her hair glowed in the moonlight and cold eyes pierced into my soul. I dared not to have my Men nor my own hands touch her for a spell I feared she would have placed on me, and a spell indeed was cast when I grabbed her. She brought upon a painful memory that I long tried to forget and now I can no longer get her out of my mind. Even as we ride North, my mind thinks of only her."
"His words remind me of the Lady of Light." Gimli told Legolas and Aragorn. "Gold is her hair and she is able to capture not only your soul, but your heart as well."
"You told that your Men captured this Elf." said Aragorn. "Where is she among your Men?"
"She escaped, leaving many of my Men's egos bruised to be outdone by a female." answered Éomer. "She is fierce and calculating in the feats of combat."
"Do you believe it to be your Eleniel?" Aragorn whispered to Legolas. The Elf's eyes widened at Aragorn's use of the word 'your' to acknowledge his possessiveness over the Daughter of the Golden Woods, but then his eyes moved to stare at the horseman that told the tale of the She-Elf.
"Indeed that lass leaves many intimidated in her tracks." Gimli chuckled to himself as he too waited for Legolas' answer. The ranger saw that the Elf tried hard not to believe it for he knew of the Mirkwood Elf's affection for the Daughter of the Golden Woods and wished only for her safety. His blue eyes studied the Man as if he was waiting to see if the Marshal was lying through his teeth, but Éomer's gaze did not falter. He was in fact telling them the truth.
"Legolas!" Aragorn called for his attention.
"My heart wishes that it is not, but there is great familiarity in his story." said Legolas. He grew restless at the news of the She-Elf within Fangorn Forest. He knew not if it was from longing to be at Eleniel's side or from the great frustration at the thought of Eleniel leaving Lothlórien. He hoped that his words and actions would have left her incapable of leaving the Golden Woods, but now he knew that her persistence was harder to tame than he thought. How could he have been so ignorant to believe that his words would alter her personality? Her personality set forth to protect the Galadhrim and others that she has crossed path with. Legolas' eyes widened at the new thought came to mind. "If it was Eleniel that was caught then is it not possible that she placed herself in the midst of danger for the Hobbits?"
"There still may be hope." Aragorn told with a hand on Gimli's shoulder.
"Look for your friends. But do not trust to hope." The Marshal's hard eyes trained on Aragorn as he opposed the very thing he said to the Dwarf. "It has forsaken these lands." Éomer warned. "Hasufel! Arod!" Éomer whistled then called as he realized that the three hunters are still willing to search for their friends after he gave the grave news. Two steeds, one of a brown coat and the other of white, without riders moved to Éomer's sides where he placed his hands on them and caressed their coats lovingly. "May these horses bear you to better fortune than their former masters. Farewell." Éomer put on his helmet and mounted his horse then shouted to the éored. "We ride north!"
"Come. Let us go quickly." said Aragorn as he climbed on to Hasufel, the brown steed. Legolas assisted Gimli on to Arod, the white, and then climbed on in front of the Dwarf. They rode quickly across the plains to the edge of Fangron Forest and there lay the pile of dead Orcs in smolders. Pulling their steeds beside the pile, they dismounted and looked to the pile. Dismay filled their hearts with thoughts of the two Hobbits' small bodies burning among the dead Orc. Gimli hastily begun to sort through the charred remains as Aragorn and Legolas looked to the forest for a sign of hope.
"Legolas, Aragorn." Gimli called for his companions' attention. They turned to see the Dwarf of their company holding a small leather sheath and belt. It was the sheath that was bestowed on them with a dagger. "It's one of their wee belts." The hope in their hearts darkened and only the death of the ones they meant to save clouded their minds. Hope was indeed lost at this moment.
"Hiro hyn hîdh ab 'wanath. ~May they find peace in death." Legolas prayed. The ranger to his side swiftly kicked a helmet and cried in anguish. He dropped to his knees in defeat and there he sat with his head hung low in sorrow.
"We failed them." cried Gimli. "I hoped that the She-Elf that the horse lord spoke of would have been Eleniel coming to their rescue."
And there the group remained in their grief. The memories of Merry and Pippin flooded their minds. Though they knew the two for only a short while, their smiles affected their hearts every time they presented one to them. Aragorn felt the breeze kiss his skin and watched the blades of grass dance. A sign the wind gave for he saw a clue he did not see before. Hope flickers in his eyes as he moved toward the imprint on the ground and touched the spot.
"A Hobbit laid here…." Aragorn told then his hand moved to another spot of the grass. "And the other…" His eyes caught another clue. It was a trail through the blades of grass. "Their hands were bound… And here they were carried."
"By the She-Elf?" Gimli murmured as he and the Elf followed Aragorn's progress. Aragorn lifted cut ropes that were buried in the dirt by the trampling of the horses and Orcs.
"Their bonds were cut." Aragorn exclaimed. Upon closer examination of the ground he saw disturbances in the blade of grass and irregularities of the dirt. "A struggle broke out here. The She-Elf was caught. Those tracks. There. These are the Hobbits." The ranger proceeded in following the Hobbits' tracks. "They ran over here, but they were followed."
"The Elf?" Gimli asked.
"No. They are far too heavy an imprint for an Elf." Legolas whispered examining the imprints.
"The tracks lead away from the battle…" said Aragorn, ignoring their words. His only concern was held for his Hobbit friends as they did not the true identity of the She-Elf. His legs carried him to the very edge of the woods where the woods creaked and darkness loomed. "…into Fangorn Forest." The three hunters looked in to the woods, uncertain of their own fates if they were to enter the forest.
"Fangorn? What madness drove them in there?" Gimli gasped.
"If they are in the woods then we must find them to bring them to safety." Aragorn told as he bravely entered the gnarling woods in haste. Next followed Legolas and then Gimli.
"If we are able to bring ourselves to safety after entering there dark woods." Gimli murmured before stepping over the root of the bordering trees.
My feet carried me through the foliage with haste as I continued my search for Merry and Pippin. Time seemed to have escaped my control, as I did not know how long I searched. I could find neither the Hobbits nor Fangorn. I groaned in frustration then sat down on a root to ponder what my next course of action was. I knew that Gandalf wished for me to accompany him to Edoras, but I needed to find Merry and Pippin to bring them out of the forest. Perhaps I could meet up with Gandalf after I found the two. So I decided that could not go with Gandalf as my heart worried for my two friends. Jumping to my feet, I sought to find my mentor. I had to tell him the news that would disappoint him.
"Eleniel!" Gandalf exclaimed in joy. I spun around to see the White Wizard push his way pass the foliage between us. "I have been searching for you! A day has passed since you were due back."
"Mithrandir! Oh, please forgive me." I smiled. "I am happy to see your familiar face after what I have been through the night of last and the morrow."
"Ah! Sounds eventful!" Gandalf noted with his grand smile as he walked on pass me. "Then I am assuming that you have found our friend, Treebeard? He saw me as I saw him after you departed from the hill. Though I cannot say if he knew it was I. He journeyed in the direction you left me."
"Yes, we have reconnected. We were actually on our way to find Bregalad to ask him what troubles him so, but the trees groaned and the woods became angered. Treebeard's interpretation told of Orcs falling at trees and the great Ent wished to stop them, but I went in his stead."
Gandalf laughed heartedly, "When there is an imminent danger, you always placed yourself between the masses. Though I do hope that it was not with that Orc camp that I told you about when we first arrived here." I quickened my pace to walk beside him and watched his every move. His eyes darted from side to side as if he was searching for something. His ears twitched ever so slightly that no mere Man could note that he was attempting to heighten his senses to find something or someone.
"Well, it has been a while since I last had practice," I joked, "but the Orcs were nothing compared to the Rohirrim… They held me captive until dawn when I freed myself of them."
"Oh, Eleniel." Gandalf laughed, "The preservation of those of Rohan is the very reason why we travel into their land."
"Oh, Mithrandir," I mimicked, "I did not hurt them… too bad… Perhaps I may have hurt young Éomer. I believe I may have bruised the good Marshal's ego." Gandalf laughed loudly at my comment when I stopped walking and studied my mentor closely. "Though… trouble I may have gotten myself into as of last night, but I learned something that you have been hiding from me." Gandalf stopped in his tracks and turned to me with a look of inquisition. I knew that the very thought in his mind was that I found out the secret that he kept from me. "Why did you not tell me about Merry and Pippin? That you knew that they were captured by the Uruk-hai that traveled in haste toward Orthanc?"
"Now, Eleniel… If I have told you, would you have done as you were asked to find Fangorn and accompany me to Rohan or would you have gone after the two Hobbits?" Gandalf asked with a squeeze to my shoulder then started walking again.
"The Hobbits, of course!" I exclaimed. "They are my friends. Hence the reason why I became entangled in the Orcs and Rohirrim's mess, to free my two friends and ensure their safety! And now I have seemed to have failed them for Merry and Pippin," I huffed as I ran up to catch up to him, "they are alone in the woods. I ask for your forgiveness for I cannot accompany you to Rohan, but I will meet you at Meduseld. I need to find them and protect them. The trees do not know that they are friends of the woods."
"Eleniel, please calm yourself." Gandalf laughed as he continued his march. "You will be accompanying me to Edoras for the two Hobbits are with Treebeard."
"Fangorn protects them?" I sighed. "A great weight has been lifted from my heart knowing that they are in his care." There were no hands safer than to be in the hands of a friend who was an Ent.
"Yes, yes." Gandalf chuckled, but continued to trek quickly through the dark woods. "Now do you see the reason of holding the news from you. They would have stopped you from finding and speaking with Fangorn." said Gandalf without stopping. "You do not know the importance of your speaking with Fangorn… Because of you, Eleniel, he has seen and heard of the horrors of what the armies of Mordor are capable of. I know that he will come to our aid when we are in need of it."
"And what of the Ringbearer's aid? Sam, Aragorn, Boromir, Gimli… and Legolas? What of them?" I questioned. I could not hold back the distress in my voice. The white wizard turned at the sound of my distress as my head lowered in embarrassment. I wished to show him that I only concentrated on our mission, but I could not hold back my concern any further until I had answers. Gandalf walked back to where I stood and grasped my elbow.
"The concern you hold for Frodo and the Fellowship is the reason why I did not hesitate to bring you with me on this quest as I was the very one who watched you become a skilled and astute protector. There is not another who I would be able to trust more." Gandalf smiled with a squeeze to my elbow then his voice lowered. "But it was not my decision as it is Fate who plays unjustly from time to time…" Gandalf speaking of Fate being unjust brought questions that only held dark thoughts. Worry plagued my heart as I watched Gandalf step away and continue on the unknown trek. As I thought about Merry and Pippin's capture and now Gandalf's words, I knew that the situation with the Fellowship grew dim, but for what reason that the old wizard brought me along. It was another secret that he kept from me. We continued in silence until his hand rose to stop me where I stood at the bottom of the hill. The look in his eyes told me that I must stay here as he climbed up the rocks, but the worry that plagued my heart grew immensely when he stepped out of view atop the hill.
"Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us." A horsed whisper came from atop the hill, but paces inward from the edge. The vibrating of metal being withdrawn from a sheath and the pull of a bowstring heightened my fear. "We must be quick." I gasped in fear for my mentor then ascended the hill in haste. The beating of my heart quickened when someone yelled, then an arrow flew into the sky above and the ringing of metal of a sword dropping to the ground. A bright light blinded me momentarily and prevented me from ascending any further for I could not see.
"You are tracking the footsteps of two young Hobbits." Gandalf told.
"Where are they!?" A clear voice that I now recognized as Aragorn's shouted through the silent forest. If Aragorn was here then the rest should be in his care!
"They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?" Gandalf explained.
"Who are you? Show yourself!" yelled Aragorn.
"Mithrandir!" cried Legolas as the light was recalled. I sat on the large rock I stopped on and placed a hand on my chest to feel my heartbeat. Bliss filled me knowing that he was safe and the tears flowing from my eyes expressed my worries being washed away. I felt happiness as I listened to Gandalf tell his tale of his battle with the Balrog of Morgoth, his life renewed, and Gwaihir the Windlord bearing him to Lothlórien where he was clothed in white and gave counsel to receive counsel in return.
"And I come back to you at the turn of the tide for I also heard news of one of the original nine falling." said Gandalf ending his story. I wiped the tears from my eyes and began climbing up the rocky hill.
"Yes, Boromir fell valiantly in battle to the Uruk-hai that we were trailing." Aragorn answered.
"His body we laid in a funeral boat and sent him adrift toward the Falls of Rauros." Gimli added.
"May he return to the land of his forefathers in peace." Gandalf whispered. "Since the start of our journey, I long feared to entangle another's fate with the One Ring if one of us should fall." This was the reason why he has brought me with him. Fate did play unjustly as I found out that the Man of Gondor fell and I was to take his place among the Fellowship. Emotions overflowed me as if I was caught in a blizzard atop Caradhas. Sorrow for the fallen warrior that I befriended only a day before the Fellowship left Lórien. Worry for I knew that Legolas would not want me to take part in their quest, but also stood Pride in myself for my determination to the protection to those I love and the art of combat grinned in celebration. "With everything that was happening up here I would have thought that you would be at my side quicker." Gandalf called down to me.
"Forgive me," I started as I climbed, "the light from your being blinded me that I knew not where stone nor dirt lay. Plus it was nice to take a small rest and listen to your story." Gandalf laughed at my comment.
"Of all that could have been chosen…" Legolas gasped. "Eleniel?" His light footfalls advanced the edge of the hill in haste as I just reached the top and there he offered his hand. I gladly took it avoiding the Mirkwood prince's stare to dust off my clothing, but as soon as I stood firmly on my two feet, he lifted my chin so that my eyes met his. "Our paths seemed to meet sooner than we expected."
"Odd coincidence that I needed to wait for Mithrandir to return in order to join your quest…" I whispered as I recalled the fit I threw the night before the Fellowship left Lothlórien. My cheeks blushed madly in embarrassment as Legolas chuckled to himself and nodded. His arms wrapped firmly around to hold me tautly to himself. I wrapped my arms comfortably around him as I felt his lips place a kiss on my forehead. Oh, how I longed to be in his arms…
"Yes, yes," Gandalf interrupted, "he is happy as you are happy to be reunited, but Eleniel, we are in a hurry as you know." Legolas and I released each other and smiled uncomfortably as we muttered our apologies to the White Wizard. For once, since our childhood, we both felt as if we were Elflings getting into some sort of trouble together and I knew that he shared the same thought when he cast a blissful look full of memory down to me then laughed. Gandalf began his trek through the forest toward the edge of the woods.
"I am glad that you are to join us, Eleniel." Aragorn greeted with a hand on my shoulder. "Your skill will be most welcomed." I thanked Aragorn with a smile and a nod. His lips turned upward into the smile that my niece fell in love with, but I also saw the hope that many held as he stood before me as the heir to the throne of Gondor. He then fell into step behind Gandalf followed by Legolas as I trailed behind with my Dwarf friend.
"Lassie!" Gimli exclaimed. "I knew we would see you soon!"
"You do not know how honored I am to be a part of your Fellowship." I whispered as I caught Gandalf smiling back to us. However, speaking of the Fellowship, I was saddened to find that my premonition at the gifting to be true as Frodo separated himself from the Fellowship, but I was also glad that Sam followed the Ringbearer. Silently, I prayed for their safety.
"One stage of the journey is over, another begins." told Gandalf as he led us through the forest. "We must travel to Edoras with all speed."
"Edoras!?" Gimli exclaimed. "That is no short distance!"
"It is unfortunate for you that I have a horse awaiting me out of these woods." I whispered jokingly to Gimli. "So I will meet you there."
"I have a horse as well!" Gimli exasperated causing Aragorn to shoot us a look then turn back to following Gandalf. Gimli and I traded glances and laughed quietly behind the group as Legolas chuckled at our jesting.
"We hear of trouble in Rohan. It goes ill with the king." Aragorn told. Gandalf stopped and looked to the ranger.
"Yes, and it will not be easily cured." the wizard told.
"Then we have run all this way for nothing? Are we to leave those poor Hobbits here in the horrid, dark, dank tree-infested-" Gimli trailed on causing the trees around us to respond to his complaints with threatening groans and rumbles. I quickly grabbed the Dwarf's spaulder causing him to stop and look to the trees fearfully.
"Please take care of what you say in these woods." I warned Gimli with a squeeze to his arm as I watched the trees. The boughs swayed angrily and the root rose and fell. Darkness seemed to enclose on us. "The trees of Fangorn are intelligent creatures. You must treat them as you would treat friends."
"I mean, charming! Quite charming forest!" Gimli smiled nervously. The groans ceased and the woods were quiet once more. I chuckled then patted his shoulder as my sign of appreciation. Gimli sighed in relief as Gandalf turned to him with a smile.
"It was more than mere chance that brought Merry and Pippin to Fangorn. A great power has been sleeping here for many long years. Eleniel awoke memories that were long forgotten and the coming Merry and Pippin will be like the falling of small stones that starts an avalanche in the mountains." said Gandalf. I chuckled at his words knowing very well what his plan was here in Fangorn Forest. I completed my task here and now it was left in the hands of the two Hobbits to finish what I started.
"In one thing you have not changed, dear friend." began Aragorn. Gandalf leaned into he ranger to hear what the ranger had to say. "You still speak in riddles." They laughed together.
"A thing is about to happen that has not happened since the Elder Days. The Ents are going to wake up and find that they are strong." Gandalf mused.
"Strong!?" Gimli cried then put on a nervous smile. I could not help, but laugh as the Dwarf's eyes examined the woods around him as I walked pass the group to meet Gandalf at the front for I longed to get into the sunlight. "Oh, that's good," he gulped. Walking pass Legolas, I was met with an enchanted gaze. My fingers ran down the length of his forearm to the tips of his fingers as I passed to return the admiration and received a charming smile. Our little moment was interrupted by Gandlf's strong voice.
"So stop your fretting, Master Dwarf!" Gandalf told as he gestured for me to lead the way out of the forest. I continued our journey with the others following. "Merry and Pippin are quite safe! In fact, the are far safer than you are about to be!" A chuckle escaped me as I listened to Gimli muttering to himself about how Gandalf the White was now very grumpy compared to the Gandalf the Grey. But as I looked to Gandalf, I only saw the old, wise and loving wizard that took it upon himself to become my teacher since my younger days.
We traveled down the bank of Entwash until we were once again on the grass of West Emnet, a region of the Riddermark. My eyes closed as I took in the calming breeze and the sun rays that warmed my skin. They held great comfort, but none as great as the comfort that now Legolas can only provide with his touch. I looked to the Elf from the Woodland Realm to see him and our Dwarf friend searching the grassy hills for what I assume was the horse that Gimli spoke of in the woods. His gaze turned to meet mine and after presenting me with a smile, his once enchanted gaze turned uncertain as he began to examine my cloak that was torn by the Rohirrim and the many blades that I was adored with. I could see that he held second thoughts about my presence within the group.
"They have not returned," told Legolas as he took his eyes off me and directed his blue orbs back to the hills. "It will be a weary walk."
"I shall not walk. Time presses." said Gandalf. He looked to the distance and whistled thrice. The whistles were piercing as it echoed in the distance and as soon as the echoes died down a horse's neigh answered him.
"There is more than one coming," said Aragorn perceptibly as his hand rested on the ground to feel the tremors of the horses' hooves galloping up the hill.
"Certainly," answered Gandalf with a smile. "We are too great a burden for one."
"There are four," told Legolas as he watched in awe of the four horses running toward us. "There is Hasufel, and there is my friend Arod with a golden stallion besides him!"
"Lómetál." I grinned. "He is my friend."
"But there is another that strides ahead: a very great horse. I have not seen his like before." continued Legolas. I looked closer to see that it was Gandalf's old friend and journeying companion, the chief Mearas.
"Nor will you again," said Gandalf as the horses trotted towards us. Lómetál stopped before me as the others went to their respectable riders. He neighed happily as I nuzzled my face against his snout expressing how much I missed him. Gandalf stroked the white horse's neck. "Shadowfax. He is the chief of the Mearas, lords of all horses… and he has been my friend though many dangers."
We mounted our horses and set off across the plains in great haste. For many hours we rode avoiding bogs and deep riverbeds. Shadowfax led us carefully to take us safely to our destination. Across the broad acres, the sun began to fall from the sky into the West when something caught my eye over the mountain peaks. Smoke rose from where I knew Isengard laid.
"There lies the Gap of Rohan," said Gandalf as we all stopped for the short moment. "It is now almost due West of us. That way lies Isengard."
"I see great smoke." told Legolas. "What may that be?" He asked the question that too rattled my mind.
"Battle and war!" answered Gandalf as Shadowfax turned back to the direction of Edoras. "Ride on!" Looking to the smoke again in the distance, I wondered of the fate of those in battle. It must be the Ents that rose up against Isengard. I was proud of the small Hobbits for Merry and Pippin had indeed completed my task in Fangorn. I prayed softly for their safety even though I knew that they were in great care as none could challenge the power of Ents.
