So sorry it's taken me so long to submit another chapter! Thanks for all of the reviews! Enjoy!
Enzi walked cautiously over the hilltops, taking care to make little noise and disturb as little as possible. She took a moment to look at her shadow and calculated that she'd only been walking for an hour or so.
Aragorn had instructed her (as well as Boromir and Legolas) to search the area for any signs that they were being followed on land as they traveled on the river. He and Gimli would make camp at the shore and wait for their reports. If they found no evidence it was Aragorn's wish to abandon the boats to travel to Mordor at a faster rate. All of this was moot point to her, however. Enzi thought mainly about the fact that they all went in separate directions. They finally trusted her to be left alone. Enzi did not plan to abuse that trust.
She took a moment to press her ear down to the ground and listened. She could feel no vibration from the Earth. No footsteps. She stood and continued climbing the large hill. Asana would have liked this area – she loved running up and down hills, or baby mountains, as she called them. All this time, she'd been too busy to think of her family, but try as she might, she couldn't stop the thoughts from coming. It seemed that when she was absent from her new family, her old family was determined to visit her.
But Asana wouldn't be allowed to enjoy such pleasures now. She would never again be able to simply play in the meadows and hills. If Galadriel's vision was correct, the little lady Asana was now crowned Mfalme Asana, just as they're mother had been crowned when her father died. She would have to take on the weight of the entire kingdom on her hands.
As Enzi reached the top of the hill she scanned the ground below her. She could see nothing but she was still not convinced. She needed a more precise vision of the land and decided to climb a large tree nearby to get a better look around her. Her mind drifted again as she climbed to her father. There were many regrets in that relationship. And she would never be able to express her feelings or ask for forgiveness. All she would have to redeem herself was the completion of her mission. That alone would continue to push her on.
She sat on a large limb of the tree and watched the land and sky around her for spies, instantly lonely for her brother. Dingane, her best friend. He had sacrificed himself to avoid her going to the Mordorian Armies. But these thoughts were, once again, frivolous. All of these thoughts were frivolous. She would never be able to talk to these people again. She pushed them, again, from her mind. Instead she concentrated on someone she could gain strength from , someone she hadn't thought about in a long time – her mother.
Mfalme Sumayyaa was a woman of exceptional strength to her people as well as other tribes. Songs were literally sung of her valor and ferocity in battle as well as her tactical skill. Other tribes, she was told, feared her because of her reputation. Hofu Kubwa – it was the title that the other tribes had called her with both fear and respect. And yet, she was as loving and nurturing a mother as any other she'd met. She was one of the greatest leaders in the history of her people, and she had planned this hold revolt against the Eye with her father. If her mother could have the courage to walk this line, perhaps Enzi could as well. She had always been told that she resembled her mother, considered providential among her people. Enzi, herself, had never thought of it much. But now things were different. She decided, she would take on that strength. No more sorrow. No more shed tears over things that wouldn't change – this she vowed. No more weakness. It was time to be strong.
Enzi searched the land again and was about to climb down, seeing nothing, but her ears drew her to focus on a small corner in another patch of nearby woods. She scanned the area, squinting to see better and avoid the sun's glare. Finally, she saw large black bodies marching through the area. They looked like no creature she recognized. She continued to watch as the creatures seemed to stop for a moment and attempt to track someone – just as she had looked for signs of being tracked. They continued coming closer, studying the environment. They were tracking them!
She dared not even breathe but watched the caravan as they continued to come closer. They were hideous, large and dangerous looking, almost seeming to be a combination of ork and goblin. They sniffed the air as they went, clueing Enzi in to the fact that they could smell her. She covered herself quickly with the cloak the elves had given her and waited. Though the fabric, she saw that they continued to study the area around the tree she was perched in – one of them even stared directly at her. After a few minutes, however, they gave up and continued to track where she'd been. They were following her previous path back to the bank!
When she was sure it was safe, Enzi uncovered herself and jumped down the tree. She had to lead them away. There was no time to warn the others. She and she alone had to lead these creatures in the wrong direction. She began running in the opposite direction, still being careful to not make it too obvious that they wanted them to track her. She also decided to rub her cloak against the trees and bushes, trying to insure her smell would be "stuck" on something.
Once she'd run up and down a few hills she crumpled in a corner and waited. Nothing. She watched for bird signs in the air. Nothing. She slowly and quietly pressed her ear to the ground – thumping. Gradually increasing thumping. They were coming back. They were, indeed, following her trail.
She ran with a start deeper into the forest, still with quiet care. She as so concerned about what was behind her she almost missed the sound of the arrow whirrring past her. She dropped to her knees near the roots of a large tree. Another shot - it hit the tree adjacent to her. She searched the area, both ground and tree, for the source, but saw nothing. She waited then quickly and quietly crept to another tree. Another shot but this one was pointed more towards where she was previously. She took a deep breath. She was safe.
It was when she rose and turned that she saw it – the second creature, running to her full force and brandishing a large dirty sword. Cleaver, she thought. He had used the archer to draw her out. There was no time to run now. She cried out as he rushed upon her, doing her best to use the gloved hand to hit hard blows to his head. The creature faltered for a moment and shook away the daze, then attacked again. This time, she used the spear to force the now bloody and dirty sword away from him. He was strong. Every hit she landed seemed to be easily knocked away with his might. She was beginning to tire and wasn't sure if she could keep deflecting his blows.
She began running backwards down the hill, still watching for the archers as the two continued their battle. She needed to get more space. Spears were useless in close quarter fighting. Now she saw the arrow man. He'd taken to running on the ground versus the trees. She threw her dagger at the creature, only to find his skin so leathery that it had little affect on it. Another arrow landed but it was off – way off. She rushed to find it, swinging her spear to ensure there was no other threat she hadn't noticed. She found it lodged in a tree and she grasped for it, using it to gouge the creature in the eye. It cried out inhumanly, squeeling and roaring as it moved about in pain. But, just as it had before, it kept coming for her.
The arrowman swung for her but she impaled him quickly with her spear, using the tree behind her as extra leverage. He let out a final roar, and fell, slumping to the ground.
Her first original chaser seemed to know that his comrade had fallen and roared in frustration. He began to swing for her as well, using his one good eye to assist him. But the creature wasn't as effective, and without both eyes, his aim lacked. She swung he arrow at him, knocking him off balance and forcing him to the ground. There, she beheaded the creature. Finally it didn't move.
She took a moment to catch her breath, but just a moment. She looked in the trees for another runner or arrow man but found no one. She had to move one of the body. It would be the only way to insure throwing the creatures off her trail. With all of her remaining energy, she pulled the large human-like animal down toward the river. There she found a small fallen limb that would prove suitable for her needs. She hoisted the creature on the log and then pushed it into the water, yanking out the arrow before he was completely in. Why was she so tired? Why did her side hurt so? There was no time to answer these questions. She had to finish. When she was sure the creature was floating in the wrong direction, she decided to add one more security. Ripping off a piece of her precious red cloak in her pack, she used the arrow man's bow and arrow to shoot it over to the other bank. It landed in a tree a great distance away. the creatures would believe that one comrade was killed on the bank here while the second gave chase and was killed on the other side, landing in the water. The piece of red cloak would also make them believe she ran away on the other side of the river. She would have smiled at her resourcefulness if she wasn't so tired.
She continued to run up and down the hills of the forest, running quickly yet being careful not to be caught. Too careful, in fact. In her effort to watch her back, she was not careful enough and tripped on a root, and found herself rolling down a hill. She grasped the ground for roots or limbs or something to bring her traveling to a stop, to no avail. She finally stopped when she hit the bottom of the hill. The birds flying away from her position clued her in that her position was just given away. They would be coming, even faster now. She could not be assured that they would follow her trail across the water. She had to get away.
She took a moment to gather her items and continued to run, this time trying to leave a little evidence as possible. She ran faster than she had known she was capable of, looking for a good place to hide. She finally found a large, moss-covered, stone cave down the cliff face near the bank of the river. Perhaps she could wait here until the creatures gave up the chase. She quietly settled in the cave, using the elven cloak as a shield against the creatures. They hadn't seen her in it before. Perhaps the elves had bewitched the material to provide a suitable disguise for the travelers. The sun was going down anyway and she doubted she would find her way back to camp without leading the creatures back haphazardly.
It was here, once she'd sat down and taken a long while to catch her breath, that she noticed that blood was seeping through her shirt at her side. Her hands and weapons were slick with it and it pooled on the ground at her side. She winced, trying not to cry out as she tried lifting off her equipment to examine it. It was dark in the cave, and the wound was becoming more and more painful to the touch as the adrenaline left her system, but she knew it was a very bad and deep gash. She grasped for the thick moss on the sides of the cave and pressed it into her wound, silently wishing she'd been able to soak a piece of moss in water as well. The wound would need to be cleaned to prevent infection, assuming the blade itself had not been enough to make her ill. She pressed the wound and tightly as she could, but found the blood soaking through that as well. She knew she had to grasp for more moss, but found she was unable to stand. For the second time in this journey, she thought this was a fitting end for her. At least she would have retained some type of honor in this fight.
She found a bit of elvish bread that she'd slipped in her pocket before leaving the camp, and tried to take a small bite, but the bread only forced itself up as quickly as she'd swallowed it. She was thirsty. Incredibly thirsty. But it was too risky to take even a small drink from the river. So she sat and waited. She slept on and off, insanely aware of every sound and buzz the night gave. She even imagined every now and again that the creatures were toying with her and were waiting at the mouth of the cave to strike when she came out. But she channeled her mother's unmovable strength. She would wait for them to come to her.
The morning sun greeted her through the light elvish fabric and she rubbed the sleep away from her eyes. She tried again to take another bite of the elvish bread (this time it stayed down) and quietly crept up to the mouth of the cave, listening for any noise. Finally and definitely, she yanked the cloak down. Nothing. She slowly crept up the cliff face and still she heard or saw nothing. Correction – she did see something. In front of her very cave was existed the signs of the remains of a camp. She saw the remains of a campfire and the leftover bones and bread. She smelled the stink of the creatures. They were here. They had camped right here and had not detected her.
She took a moment to smile at the cloak as if silently thanking Galadriel and her people for their gifts. Then, after taking a moment to get her fill of water and clean her wound, she slowly surveyed the land and came to the conclusion that the creatures had travelled across the river, still chasing her. She pulled up the roots of a plant she remembered her father's physician noted was able to help the body heal from deep cuts and wounds. She chopped up the roots as finely as she could, finding that she felt much, much weaker than she was before. She wrapped the roots up in moss, then in her shirt, using another piece of her red cloak to tie it, holding the makeshift bandage in place. Throughout all of this, she listened and waited. Nothing. That knowledge alone allowed her to begin to make her way back to camp, confident that she would lead no one to them.
After hours of walking, she finally made it back to camp, met with 8 concerned faces, both happy to see her and listening carefully to her story. She tried to explain what happened but Aragorn seemed more concerned with the blood-covered moss at her side. He ordered her to sit and he examined the wound.
"You must listen to me," Enzi muttered to the man as he removed the moss, roots and cloth. "Creatures . . ."
"Stay still," he gently ordered. Something he saw made him grimace for a moment, but he quickly covered up his feelings. He looked deeply in Enzi's eyes. "When were you attacked?"
"Yes . . . . . . . attacked . . . ." She had been so tired. Now all she wanted to do was sleep. She felt her eyes slowly closing even as she willed them to stay open.
"Enzi! Enzi!" Aragorn shook her as he called to her. "You must stay awake." The shaking seemed to alert her again. Aragorn spoke quickly and directly. "When were you injured?"
"Yesterday . . . . before . . . . sunset . . . . two . . . . body in the water . . . . other side of the bank . . . running . . . " sleepiness was falling upon her again.
Aragorn whispered something to Legolas in Elvish and the elf walked away quickly. He then spoke to Sam and another hobbit. She wasn't sure which one. For some reason, the world seemed hazy and she found she couldn't focus as she had before. She kept trying to warn them, but found her words confusing. Nothing she said seemed to make any sense.
Aragorn still called for her, shaking her anytime she seemed to drift to sleep. Moments later, she felt something scraping at her side, making the blood from the partially clotted wound flow freely. She cried out, still not fully awake, but aware of this new pain. She felt something on her head and suddenly, the world grew dark.
It had been early afternoon when she'd found her way back to camp. She was sure of that. When her head was finally clear of the fog, the sun hung even higher on the sky. It was morning. She blinked, looking around her for any explanation. She was still perched by the tree but found a sort of circle of comrades all around her. Gimli sat near the edge of the forest, watching it intently for some sign of a threat. Frodo, Merry and Pippin sat towards he right, spread out and quietly watching the river bank. Aragorn was further away with Sam, and seemed to be making some sort of bandage. She wasn't sure were Boromir was. Sam was making some sort of food, stirring in the ingredients Aragorn handed to him. Instinctually, she felt her side and found a new bandage placed there. He'd redressed her wound. She tried to sit up, to examine it and a piercing pain forced her back down and well as forcing a small cry of pain from her lips. Eight sets of eyes snapped back in her direction.
"You're awake!" Sam called, bringing a small pot and sitting it beside her.
She smiled a bit, rubbing his head as she had in Galadriel's wood. "Hello, Master Samwise. I see you've kept everyone safe while I slept."
The chubby hobbit chortled a bit, as they were surrounded by the others. Aragorn felt her head and looked deeply in her eyes, as if searching for something. "What do you remember?"
Enzi eyed him in a bit of confusion. They'd had this conversation before. "Being attacked in the woods. Hiding in a cave and using moss and roots to dress my wound. Then running back here a few hours ago." Something in his gaze told her that her last statement was wrong. As she had suspected, it was not later on in the day, it was earlier in another day. "How long was I . . ."
"Two days," Aragorn stated simply, lifting her shirt to examine the dressing. "Good. Your wound appears to be healing. This is the first bandage it hasn't bled through."
"Two days!" Enzi jumped up with a start, finding the hands of Legolas and Gimli restricting her movement. "We've been here for two days! We have to leave. NOW! Those creatures –"
"Were thrown off our trail thanks to you're efforts," Gimli said with a grunt. "They assume we're on the other side of the bank."
"But it's not safe here," Enzi persisted. "They could come back. We must –"
"The only thing you must do, milady, is rest," Aragorn noted quietly. "I need to examine your wound again. If it is indeed healing, we will be able to leave in the morning."
This statement seemed to be a call to leave and each of them; hobbit, dwarf and elf, trodded off, being sure their backs were to her. "For you milady," Sam noted before leaving, motioning to the stew. "It will help you get your strength back."
"Thank you, Sam," Enzi smiled genuinely watching the hobbit nod a goodbye, then walk off as the others had – being sure to keep his back to her and Aragorn.
She inwardly smiled to herself. It had to have been difficult to have to treat the wounds of a woman, and if what Aragorn had said were true, they'd adopted this behavior to help her maintain her privacy. She wondered if the thought of her partially clothed was more embarrassing for her or them. Aragorn lifted her shirt up a bit more and used a small, clean blade to cut away the old dressing. "You're lucky to be alive," he said as he examined the wound, touching it gingerly. It didn't feel as deep as it had before. "Whatever type of blade you were stabbed with was laced with some type of poison, probably from one of the plants nearby. If not for the roots and moss, you would have bled to death."
Enzi nodded and silently watched Aragorn remove the old bandage completely and replace it with a new one. He helped her sit up as he wrapped the cloth around her abdomen and she noticed Boromir running back into camp. "Ara-" Legolas stopped him, motioning back to where Aragorn was and probably what he was doing. Boromir looked down for a moment, a wave of embarrassment flooding his face, and turned his back to them as the others had. He and Legolas continued to talk quietly, Boromir apparently filling the elf in with some important news. She wondered how long he'd been scouting and what he'd learned but said nothing. If they were too afraid to even look at her as Aragorn changed the bandages, they would certainly not be able to talk to her until he was done.
After a few moments, Aragorn tied the final knot in front of her abdomen and announced he was finished by patting her hand and saying, "There you are milady. You should be back in fighting form in no time."
She watched each of the males slowly and tentatively turn around and Aragorn helped up sit up on the tree, handing her a bowl of Sam's stew to eat. It wasn't Sam's best work, but she assumed it was only medicinal since no one else ate any of it. However, she smiled and ate it graciously, noting the concern and care each of them seemed to have taken in allowing her time to recover.
"How do you feel?" Boromir asked after a while, ending the silence. He had come closer now and found a seat on the ground near her.
"Like I could battle the whole army of Sauron myself," Enzi lied.
He seemed to know it was an untruth because he chuckled and nodded mockingly. " Of that I have not doubt, milady."
Now, finally, Enzi told the full story of what had happened and how she'd diverted the strange creature-army away from their camp. Each of them listened intently to her descriptions, looking around them every now and again as if her story alone could conjure the creatures up. Aragorn was deep in thought, listening to every description of the creatures and gave a few glances to Legolas. When she was finally finished, no one said anything, each person seemingly in thought about the creatures and what path to take. Whatever these creatures were, they had been sent to find them. That much they all knew. Finally, Aragorn spoke to Enzi, placing a hand on her shoulder. "If not for your skill, they would have found the camp. For that, we owe you our thanks."
"Not to dampen the optimistic mood," the voice of the dwarf rumbled, "but how do we know she saw what she saw? She was sick with fever for two days."
"Enzi's story matches what I found in the wood, Gimli," Legolas said softly. "This is not a deception or the hallucination of fever. This army appears to be very real."
"They have tracked us since we left Galadriel's wood," Aragorn noted. "This is definitely no deception."
The dwarf grumbled for a bit. "No match for a dwarf!" he said walking away. "I will cut down that entire army!"
A sudden wave of tiredness swept over Enzi and she slid down the tree again as Aragorn moved away with Legolas and Boromir to speak privately. A pull on her arm directed her attention to Sam, who had been starring at her for a while now. He held out his hand to take the bowl from her. "Are you alright, milady?" he asked genuinely, refilling the bowl and handing it back to her.
She couldn't help smiling and nodding thanks for the food (despite not wanting to eat another drop). "Yes, Master Samwise. I'm fine. Just a bit tired."
"Then rest, milady. We'll watch over you until the morning."
She wanted to protest, but sleepiness was beginning overtake her again. The last thing she remembered was Sam taking away the bowl from her and feeling her cloak being pulled over her shoulders.
In the morning, she felt much better. She was able to stand and stretch a bit, and felt ready to take on anything, but Aragorn still warned her to be cautious. Her wound was redressed and the group ate in together in silence, Enzi still being served the disgusting medicinal soup as the others ate the meat of some animal that was killed and elvish bread.
Each member of the Fellowship went on to packing up the camp as they finished. Gimli didn't take a moment to smoke his pipe. Sam took the bowl from her when he was sure he was done and begin as the others had. "How do you feel today?" he asked. "Are you still in a lot of pain?"
"No," she said, swallowing the last of the horrible liquid. "I'm still a bit stiff and sore but I am fine." The Haradress looked up to find the males glancing at her, showing equal concern on their faces. "Really," she announced, "I am fine."
They all took small glances at each other and began their tasks again, allowing her a moment to catch her breath and prepare herself for the journey. She found, however, that when she reached for her supplies, they were not near her. Someone must have placed the items in her boat. She smiled at this kind gesture, still a bit unaccustomed to being treated with such care. She walked to her boat to make sure her supplies were all present only to find it empty of all provisions and Boromir's completely overloaded. She also saw her boat-mate, Merry, sitting beside Pippin. For a moment she'd thought gone back to mistrusting her, when she noticed that her boat had been tied to the back of Boromir's.
"What is this?" She demanded.
The two hobbits looked at her and then each other questioningly. They either didn't have the answer or didn't know how to respond.
"You cannot be expected to carry on a full day's rowing with just a bowl of stew." The voice came behind her, yet she did not have to turn to know the owner's identity. "I will take on your burdens for you for the day." Though he was attempting to bestow a great kindness on her, it still came out as a command. Was he ordering her to rest?
It amazed her how the journey had changed them so! She would have never expected this any more than she'd expected to see the sun and moon walk through the forest to greet them.
She turned and met general concern in those grey-blue eyes. Her tone softened. "I appreciate this, Boromir, but this is ill advised. If you load your boat so we risk it taking on water. Besides, those creatures are still nearby. We need all eyes watching the land and river." She appreciated the gesture, she really did, but she couldn't allow him to place himself and two others in danger just to let her sleep.
She thought that would be the end of it, but is wasn't so. For an instant, she saw determination flash through his eyes. He walked closer to her, standing several inches above her head. He lowered his head, still glaring at her in almost a parental tone. "And how will you fight the Uru-Hai (what Aragorn called them) while you're fighting your own fatigue, Haradress?"
She flashed him a look of her own. "I will manage. Afterall, I am a woman." With her eyes still locked on Boromir, she spoke to the hobbits. This would not be a battle he would win. "Untie the boats and reload mine. And make sure you save room for yourself, Pippin." From the corner of her eye, she saw the hobbits give each other a look and then slowly begin doing as she asked. A small smile played on her lips.
"You will do no such thing!" Boromir commanded the hobbits, stopping them mid-step. Replace the items." The hobbits glanced at each other again, now even more confused and unsure.
"These are not your soldiers, Boromir. You command no one here." Her tone was lower than before but still held strength in it.
"Neither are they yours," he countered. For a moment, they continued glaring, they're own personal test of wills with the hobbits still unsure how to proceed. Finally, Enzi sighed and lowered her gaze. "Fine," she conceded.
"Fine?" Boromir asked, smiling in spite of himself at his victory. She had not had many experiences seeing him smiled. It changed his features so. The crinkling of his fierce eyes, the dimpling of his cheeks and the flash of perfectly straight white teeth made him younger and less intimidating. He should smile more often, but she understood why he didn't.
"Fine," Enzi repeated as she walked to her boat carefully bending down. "I know that you are only trying to do what you feel is best and I won't ask the hobbits to disobey you." She heard Boromir chuckle behind her and begin to walk away. Then with one swift motion, she cut the cord connecting the two boats. "I'll do it myself."
The sound alerted Boromir and he turned around. His grin dropped and his mouth hung open a bit while the hobbits giggled as silently as possible. He continued to stand there as she carefully reloaded her boat and watched her settle herself and Pippin into the boat. When she was done, he simply shook his head and muttered. "You are a stubbornly impossible woman."
She knew he wasn't angry – not really. He just didn't like the idea that he had not won the argument. So with this in mind she smiled slightly. "True. But after all, I am a woman. I'm expected to be difficult." The comment seemed to force the barest of smiles from him and they all began to row down the river.
So, the Fellowship continued their journey over the river under the instruction of Aragorn. They glided lazily over the water for most of the day and camped on land for only a few hours of night. And though he was a bit annoying, Enzi was thankful for the hobbit she carried in her boat. Keeping him safe gave her something else to focus on other than Boromir.
She had been grateful that they had learned to trust one another. It was pointless to use so much energy to fight two enemies. She was even grateful that he considered her a comrade in arms and a friend. But the closer they became, the more she worried that they were becoming "too close", too familiar with each other. She didn't like being handled like a fragile piece of glass. She'd been trained as a child for tribute to the armies of Mordor. She appreciated being treated for her wounds, and realized that women were treated differently in their culture, but she was not helpless and couldn't stand to be treated that way. Boromir watched her now and again but didn't mouth a complaint to her.
The group rowed down the river for most of the day. The sun was slowly seeping down to the mountains when Legolas got out of his boat to survey the banks. He returned in a few moments, motioning to them that it was okay to come to shore, and the Fellowship made camp. Despite the assistance offered by Legolas, she pulled her own boat to shore and she and Pippin unloaded it. Aragorn pulled her aside to privately examine and redress her wound. When they were done, Frodo offered her a bit of food, which she accepted graciously, grateful to not eat Sam's soup. Each person then picked a spot and rested by the fire. Merry and Pippin took to entertaining and began singing drinking songs they'd sung back home, while Sam simply shook his head at how they danced and bounced around the camp. Gimli smoked his pipe and told stories of his previous battles. Legolas, Aragorn, and Boromir, however, were in deep conversation. Something they didn't want to share with the entire group.
She pushed off the ground, moaning as her stiff muscles stretched, and walked over to them, noticing the large map of the territories known by their peoples. "Something wrong, gentleman?" she asked as she walked over.
"No, Enzi," Legolas spoke first. "We are just planning the best route to take."
"Boromir suggested we strike for Gondor," Aragorn said distrustfully.
"Aragorn disagrees," Boromir countered.
"What do you think?" Aragorn asked her, motioning her to come closer and look at the map. They still had so far to go. "By river we will travel faster but not as safely as we wish. If the Eye calls for tributes early from all tribes as he did mine, the closer we get to Mordor, more heavily guarded the riverways will be." She signed a bit to herself. "But crossing to Gondor could be just as dangerous. Several tribes travel near the foot of the mountains to Mordor." She was amazed at how guilty she felt for revealing a necessary secret. She shrugged of the feeling. "Expect the mountains and rivers near Gondor to be heavily guarded. My people know corner and passageways we've used for generations." She took a glance at Boromir. "Some even you don't know." She continued, looking at the map and shaking her head. "It's dangerous, but I believe we should continue on with the boats until we near Mordor's borders."
Aragorn did not say anything but nodded appreciating while continuing to stare at the map. Legolas looked at her then Aragorn, his expression unable to be read. Boromir grumbled to himself and walked away.
As night set in, Aragorn suggested they sleep in shifts and each member of the Fellowship lose an hour or so of sleep in order to insure they were protected throughout the night. It wasn't really expected that the hobbits aide in this, but they volunteered nonetheless (except of course, Pippin, who had difficulty staying awake throughout the day let alone the wee hours of the night). Gimli and Legolas agreed to take the first shift and Enzi settled herself down to rest, being sure to still lie on the opposite side.
"Wake me when you tire," Enzi called to Legolas. "I'll watch for the next few hours."
Legolas nodded but Aragorn protested. "You are not still fully recovered. You do not want to risk further injury."
"I rested several days straight –"
"And refused rest during the day," Boromir added, seeming also unnerved by her decision.
"We've all been injured in some way," Enzi reasoned. "And we will probably receive even more injuries before this is over."
"If we're lucky," Gimli mumbled in agreement.
Enzi continued. "We cannot stop for a wound to heal. We have to press on." The continued to look at her. "I'm not asking to take on the whole army. Just stand watch."
"Gracious, woman," Boromir roared, still angry, "must everything be a battle? Can you not just do what you're asked without an argument?" Enzi smiled a bit apologetically but said nothing, refusing to give in. Their starring contest began again and after a few moments, it was apparent that she, once again won. "Unbelievable," Boromir muttered walking away.
She looked at Legolas. "Would you just sleep and allow danger to come into the camp?"
He looked at Aragorn for a while and then turned back to her, a small smile showing gracefully on his face. "We will wake you in a few hours."
She smiled conveying thanks and prepared to rest. The last thing she saw was Boromir turn around and smirk at her, still a bit angry, but now graciously excepting defeat. "Rest well, friend," she heard him say softly as she drifted to sleep.
"I had hoped we would lose him on the river. But he's too clever a waterman."
Enzi recognized Aragorn's voice and wondered what time it was. She watched the sky for a while, noting the position of the stars and moon. It was late. Much later than 2 hours. Legolas had not awakened her. Perhaps she had not won.
"And if he alerts the enemy to our whereabouts it will make the crossing even more dangerous."
Boromir. She rolled her eyes a bit. She should have known he would do this. He'd tied the score. She leaned up carefully, looking around the camp and finding everyone asleep. Even Legolas looked asleep but she couldn't be sure because elves slept with their eyes open. She stood and stretched carefully for a moment thinking of what Boromir would say when he'd found that she was awake despite his plans to make sure she rested. As she waited, the conversation between Boromir and Aragorn continued.
"Minas Tirith is the safer road. You know it. From there we can regroup… strike out for Mordor from a place of strength." Boromir had this argument before with Aragorn. Why was he so determined to take the ring to his home?
"There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us," Aragorn reasoned.
"You were quick enough to trust the Elves!" Boromir countered. "Have you so little faith in your own people?" She stood, feeling a bit guilty for hearing this argument she was sure they'd intended to keep private, and walked oto the edge of the river. "Yes, there is weakness. There is frailty. But there is courage also, and honor to be found in Men. But you will not see that." She looked around and saw that she wasn't the only one eavesdropping. Two large blue eyes peered from a small cloak. He looked nervous, even afraid of the argument. Enzi was about to supportively rub Frodo's shoulder, letting him know that this argument was not as serious as he felt it was, when she heard something rustle in the direction of the two men. She turned to face them, even though she knew she would not be able to see anything. Boromir continued. "You are afraid! All your life, you have hidden in the shadows! Scared of who you are, of what you are."
She knew that would hit a nerve. Enzi wasn't sure if Boromir had truly accepted Aragorn or not but he'd made it clear at the Council of Elrond that he felt they did not need him. Now he was basically calling him a coward.
She looked at Frodo and he looked at her each questioning the other with their eyes silently. Suddenly, they heard Aragorn again. His voice was menacing and determined. "I will not lead the Ring within a hundred leagues of your city!"
The haradress and hobbit looked at each other again as footsteps came closer. In moments, Aragorn walked back to the camp. He gave them a look for a second, then continued walking away to his resting area. "Your turn, Enzi."
For the first time, Enzi wished she had stayed in bed.
Mfalme - King - I've read that some cultures, such as ancient Egypt, gave the title of king to their leader dispite their gender. I'm sort of playing it like that
Hofu Kubwa – great terror