Occasionally that night I was woken, by drunken people crashing past the door, by laughter, music, but as the night went on the strong ale did its work. Legolas only left when it got quiet, I woke up to watch him slip out the door with his cloak back on, he'd probably been paranoid about leaving me alone with drunk people. I went back to sleep. Hadn't been that concerned to begin with.
It was still dark when I woke, something heavy climbing onto me, and I thought it was Legolas for a moment, as it was male. A tiny candle burnt close by. That was new.
A hand clasped over my mouth, a knee between my legs and the other, as I blinked sleepily up into the dark, feeling long hair tickling my neck as he bent over me. It scared me, I wasn't sure who it was, until I felt lips crush mine in the dar, a braid across one part of my face.
"L..."
Legolas cut me off with another kiss, a palm stroking my face as his body moved against mine, his other arm keeping him propped up. He smiled at me in the dark as he slid back. "Stand and dress. There is a problem. Gandalf requires us."
"So you tease me with that kiss?" I whined, softly, too sleepy to hide it. Later I'd be annoyed at myself for it. Right now, I had just been given a toe curling kiss, and Legolas was sliding backwards. Skin to skin contact was being denied. "Come on, Leggy."
"My love, I woke you in the easiest way I knew." He was lifting my dress. I saw it, in the dark, this reflection of light fabric in the dim candlelight. But it wasn't my dress. It was my usual leggings slash tunic thing. Armour. Boy, was I relieved to be able to put this on instead.
I tried to think, groggy, mind still lost in some dream about an exam. "What kind of problem?"
"Do you not already know?"
The Elf was infurating. If I had known, why the hell would I ask? But when I reluctently swung my legs into the cold of the room I woke enough to kind of get it. Kind of remember. Feet hit the cold stone? It more or less woke me up. Pippin screaming. Some ball of fire in his hands. Aragorn falling, Legolas catching him, and something about a fool. But a ball on fire? That couldn't be right. "Is Pippin okay?"
"He is-" Legolas hesitated. "-he is shaken. But alive. I believe Gandalf would have you talk to him when we have all spoken as the hobbit is fond of you. You may help him return to sleep. Merry sits with him already."
Okay, now I did hurry, because I was kind of 'fond' of the little man in return. Didn't even ask for leggings, I just tugged the clothing on, let Legolas help with the thin leather straps, and tugged on the boots. They were new, felt good, felt like a better size than the last pair. "He's not burnt? I didn't hear a thing."
"There are many stone walls between your chamber and where he slept and you slept deeply." Legolas added quickly, "He is not burnt. His mind is ..."
"Shocked?" At his blank look I wondered if 'shocked' was a word here. "I mean, he's ...um. Tramatized? His mind is not ...happy." Lame idea.
Legolas seemed lost for words to explain it too though. He muttered, "I would call it-" and threw in some Elvish, "- but have no words for it in the common tongue of man. Aragorn would explain better."
He grasped my hand, kissing my palm, and blew out the candle. Darkness flooded the room and I was tugged behind him, through the dark doorway, and hallways, finding myself having to trust the elf's senses. Elf night vision to add to magic Elf stuff. Okay. That was nice.
We came into the main hall. This room was not dim, it was brightly lit, a fire burning in the middle pit, clearly new as the wood was barely blackened. Aragorn glanced up as I cringed in the brightness, smiling only a fraction, nodding to us.
"Theodan King comes soon." He informed us softly.
"How is Pip?"
"Eating." Aragorn's lip twitched at the word. "It seems to comfort him more than anything else."
Of course it did. I sat down beside Gimli, who looked a bit red faced still, a bit glazed in his eyes, clearly not sobar. I was sure I'd heard somewhere that you were usually a bit drunk the morning after, as sleep slowed the removal of alcohol, or something like that. He was probably struggling to stay awake still then. He had several large mugs of water beside him, one half empty, and nodded to me.
Eomer strode in. He looked pretty fresh for a man who'd been drinking and celebrating. Maybe he hadn't drunk much, I wasn't sure, I couldn't really remember seeing him drink.
Theodan took a little more time to join us, his face still damp, a little pale and tired looking, but more or less awake. Gandalf was perfect. Magic Gandalf and Magic Legolas, the two perfect beings in the Fellowship. I shook off the thought- being tired always made me kind of weird and jealous about the stupidest things.
An arm brushed across my side, and though I didn't see him, I knew who it was. Legolas. I felt a shiver run down my spine and resisted the urge to lean against him, or hold his hand, or iniciate some kind of physical contact. What was with him right now? He kept teasing me.
Okay. Maybe it was just me.
When Theodan had drunk water and a little food, we got down to business, Gandalf went for Pippin and Merry. Once Gandalf had briefly explained what had happened, Gimli tensing as if he had only heard this for the first time, Pippin was made to repeat what he'd seen.
"I saw..." His voice was already shaking, his face already loosing a little color, but a glance to Gandalf and Merry seemed to help. Pippin said quietly, "I saw him. A great flaming eye. He wanted my name. I saw... a tree. I did not speak of Frodo or the ring."
"Are you certain?" Theodan said softly, intense concern across his face, and even a little mistrust.
"I spoke to him immediantly." Gandalf responded softly. He glanced up towards the doors, Gamling coming in through the main Hall's doors, early morning sunlight coming in behind him. "There was no lie in Pippin's eyes. A fool but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the ring."
Gimli sighed with relief beside me and grasped the last mug of water, drowning it, half of it lost in his beard. Probably a good thing given how badly he smelt of alcohol.
"We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the Palantir a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith." Gandalf's eyes swept across all of us, pausing with Aragorn, "His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing. He knows the Heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as he supposed. There is courage still. Strength enough, perhaps, to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle Earth uniting under one banner."
I wondered if it was the largest city of Middle Earth. Or the closest to Mordor. Wasn't it obvious? Maybe not.
" He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a King return to the throne of men. If the beacons of Gondor are lit Rohan must be ready for war." Gandalf's eyes had left Aragorn now and he returned his gaze to Theodan.
The pause Theodan took to reply felt like much longer than it really was, the air heavy with tension, and when he spoke, my heart sank. "Tell me! Why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?"
Seriously?
Aragorn exclaimed with a quiet strength, even urgency, "I will go."
"No!" Gandalf cut him off, quickly squashing that idea, Aragorn stiffening and sitting up straighter.
"They must be warned!"
"They will be." Gandalf reassured him. He strode closer, speaking softly to Aragorn alone, something that Aragorn didn't seem to understand. When he spoke loud enough for us all, his eyes were already distant, like he was already leaving us for Minas Tirith. " Understand this, things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith-" His eyes met Pippin, who tensed, "-and I won't be going alone."
Merry sat up straighter at that, frowning, Gandalf's gaze on Pippin just a fraction longer than normal. Then he headed for the two of them.
"Come, hurry. To the stables." He lifted Pippin up to his feet and his eyes met Theoden's eyes. "We will not wait."
Theodan nodded, a sharp tense nod, and turned around to mutter something to Gamling.
When Merry followed, Gandalf did not tell him to back off, though I knew it would only be Pippin. Maybe it wasn't as obvious as I thought. Maybe it was. I stood up wondering if I should follow. Gandalf glanced back, just as he was leaving, meeting my eyes.
I knew I was meant to follow. He didn't say it but … the old wizard seemed to know how to say stuff without actually saying it. Pippin knew he was in deep shit. I knew I had to ...well, follow. Okay.
I followed quickly down the steps, finding it easier in the early morning light, Gandalf, Merry and Pippin a few metres ahead of me as they rushed towards the stables. I heard Legolas behind me.
"What about breakfast?" I heard Pippin ask, though for once his heart didn't really seem in it, he was just inches behind Gandalf.
"Of all the Hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the worst! Hurry! Hurry!" Gandalf didn't even bother. He sounded frustrated and angry, rushing, in such a haste that surprised even me.
"Where are we going?" Pippin called.
"Why did you look? Why do you always have to look?" Merry clearly got it. I kind of did too, even if my memory of this was hazy, something to do with ...well, leaving. To Gondor. Something about 'three days'.
Was I supposed to follow? Did I get it wrong? Uncertintaty dogged at me, Legolas wasn't behind me now, but I continued with the other three into the stables anyway, as Pippin and Merry continued to argue behind Gandalf. Horses stared at us, a unsteady stablehand staring at us with the red-eyed look of someone still very hungover or still somewhat drunk. He didn't look like he had the energy to ask. Merry and Pippin were still lagging behind, somewhere outside, their voices trailing in.
"I don't know, I can't help it!"
"You never can!"
"I'm sorry, alright? I won't do it again."
Gandalf pulled Shadowfax out and his eyes met mine. To my relief I realised I was meant to be here, he didn't seem the least bit surprised to see me there as well, and he pursed his lips with clear irration and worry.
"Don't you understand? The enemy thinks you have the ring! He is going to be looking for you Pip. They have to get you out of here." Merry's voice echoed around the stables as they finally reached them. He didn't even notice that he'd startled one of the horses.
"And you? You're coming with me?" Pippin went stiff as Merry didn't answer, as Merry took a step back, understanding finally dawning in his face. Merry had gotten it straight away.
Gandalf's brow furrowed deeper, he and Merry catching each others eye for a moment, and Merry started forward, tugging at Pippin.
"Come on."
Something was shoved onto my arm, Legolas there suddenly, the bow and arrows being strapped to my back. I blinked at him, confused, as he pushed the pack at me.
"Legolas, what are you doing?"
"You're coming too." Legoals said softly. He was dressed. I stared at him, all dressed properly, his bow in the 'travelling' position, all his newly created arrows stuffed there. "As am I."
"What!" This was not in the plan. This was not how it went. Now it was me to startle the horses, Pippin staring at us, his mind trying to put this together. "No, you're... and I'm not either!" Was this why I was supposed to come to the stables? "But, no. No, this is just..." I couldn't even figure out how to put my words together. When I stared at Gandalf for help, I only saw acceptance, like this was something he'd somehow telepathically arranged. "No, this isn't -"
Gandalf, although clearly in a rush, somehow managed to sound calm as he cut me off. "You too have possibly been seen. There is information you have also."
"But-" Oh god, there were so many things wrong with this, and I didn't know where to start as I was physically lifted onto the back of Tinkerbell. "But... your horse is one of those special ones, and this is normal, so we'd be slow, and Legolas." I didn't want to go either. "But they don't know I'm here."
"We don't know that. Gandalf is right to suspect your..." Legoals frowned. "...that object you use to communicate."
"If the Nazgûl come for you here, you endanger all Edoras." Gandalf seemed pretty much decided in this. "Your horse will obay Shadowfax."
"I don't even remember anything!" And keep up how long? "I don't want to kill poor Tinkerbell running!" My protests had distracted Pippin and Merry, even as Pippin was lifted onto a horse too. Fuck. I wanted to swear, I wanted to swear so long and loud that I woke up all Edoras, because right now I KNEW I was screwing up this entire world somehow. Legolas was mounting behind me, or tried to, I shoved him off with a well placed elbow in the stomach. "No, you can't come! You're meant to go with Gimli and Aragorn!"
From the looks on their faces, I knew they thought I was being childish, but desperation was filling me. I wasn't just screwing up the way things were supposed to go. I was destroying that famous Gimli and Legolas relationship.
"What you can remember now, and what you remember under torture, Wenduin, is two different things." Gandalf was mounting. "Legolas must come, for we may need him, for I cannot protect you and Pippin. Boromir remains with Aragorn."
"Merry too, right?" Pippin pipped up. Gandalf was restless, Shadowfax dancing on the spot,Legolas tried to mount again, and I jabbed him back down. Where was Boromir when I needed him to be useful?
"Gandalf, no, he can't come." I tried to stress the word, tried to do that magic telepathic communucation thing, meeting the old wizard's eyes. "He literally can't. I can't change that."
Gandalf didn't answer. His brow furrowed once more as he met my eyes.
"Merry?"
"Boromir cannot come."
Where was Boromir anyway? I hadn't seen him at the meeting.
Legolas waited, stress on his face now, and suddenly I did want him to come. I knew he shouldn't. I knew he had stuff to do somewhere else. But the selfish urge … it was rising up once more. To have him with me in Minas... place. To have him riding this horse with me. Just to have him beside me.
Luckily, Gandalf must have got my message, he nodded, gesturing at Legolas. Legolas suddenly stepped away, distress flashing across his face a moment. He didn't want to leave my side either. It broke my heart and sent a rush of relief through me all at once. I couldn't take him from Gimli right now. I'd screwed up this world enough just by being here.
He shoved a package of food, lembas he must have been hording, and a water skin into my pack, and Legolas reached up to unbuckle his knives, shoving one of the shethed knives into my hand. "You will need it."
He was giving me one of his father's knives. I blinked at it, Legolas taking it, strapping it to my belt. I stared at him. The words 'come with us' were at the back of my mouth.
"How far is Minas Tirith?"
Gandalf was back to action mode, clearly, Shadowfax rearing a tiny rear as Gandalf straightened, grip hard on the staff. "Three days ride as the Nazgûl flies. And you'd better hope we don't have one of those on our tail."
"Here, something for the road." Merry shoved a little package at Pippin.
Legolas was still grasping one of my hands, the other hand grasping Tinkerbell's rein, speaking to Tinkerbell in that soft musical Elvish. I hoped it wasn't something terrible like 'run till you drop'.
"The last of the Longbottom Leaf?" Pippin exclaimed beside me.
"I know you've run out. You smoke too much Pippin."
"But we'll see each other soon." Pippin glanced back at Gandalf. He still didn't get it. "Wont we?"
"I don't know!" Merry was backing up, Legolas was backing up, and I swallowed, upset, anxious, knowing that I wasn't meant to be here. "I don't know what will happen!"
God, let me survive this. Everyone.
"Merry?"
"Darband, elninhun... elhervess." Somehow those words from Legolas seemed different. His grey eyes bored into mine, hooking into me, as Gandalf spoke beside me.
"Run, Shadowfax, Tinkerbell, show us the meaning of haste."
Both horses surged out of the stables, faster than I could believe, and all I could do was hang on with my legs, almost blinded by the wind, Pippin's shout to Merry echoing in my head.
It was hard to believe- that we were really leaving the others. Okay, yes, somehow Gandalf and Pippin didn't shock me. My fast depature, as I tried to stare back at Edoras, shocked me. I hadn't realised this was what Gandalf would want to do once he'd found out about the phone. It probably made sense, that palan... thing, it was like a phone in the whole communication aspect.
Of course some part of me wanted to wheel the horse around and go straight back, as I saw Legolas standing at the edge of the Great Hall, his distant form as obvious to me as if someone had pointed a great big red arrow to him.
We rode hard, away from Edoras, away from the others, wind whipping in my hair, Shadowfax moving faster than I would believe was possible for a horse. Tinkerbell too, though I wondered if this would kill her, her hooves flying across the ground.
Three days. It was a three day ride. How was I going to do this? Pippin had Gandalf. He could be there, fall asleep, wake up, and Gandalf would probably be like a rock on Shadowfax not letting the hobbit fall. I would fall under sharp hooves if I slept. If we stopped, if they were really going to chase Pippin, that'd be my fault too.
This was a mess.
This was probably why Gandalf had intended for Legolas to come with me. I didn't know how I'd stay awake for three days, didn't know how Tinkerbell would keep going, and Legolas probably did have some magic Elf thing to do with energy and horses.
Thud, thud, thud, her mane tickling my hands, half blinded by hair, I tried to not freak out at this big obvious problem. Yes, I knew he should remain behind, I knew he wasn't suppsed to come to Gondor.
Stupid. Stupid. Shouldn't have said anything. What was the worst that could happen if he had? I didn't know, I didn't remember enough to know, and when I tried to dig into the 'memories of Middle earth aka things that are supposed to happen' part of my brain all I could get was giant slingshots on the edge of a wall, throwing giant pieces of rock at orc, and that was about it. It had nothing to do with Legolas as far as I knew. Maybe it did. Galadriel's face flashed across my mind, a memory of the way she'd looked as we'd left, and I tried to focus on hanging onto the horse instead of getting anxious about my head.
Edoras was gone fairly fast though. Faster than I would have expected. Before I knew it, we were scaling up a long slope, both horses speeding so fast that it seemed impossible, Tinkerbell's fur damp with sweat under my legs, soaking them. Or was that my sweat? The sun was causing me to crave food and water like nothing else. I was afraid that if I moved I'd loose balance and fall off. Falling off, as the horses rode like this, would probably break something big time.
To my shock, the second we reached a cliff, we stopped. I almost went over the front of the horse.
Gandalf was dismounting, lifting Pippin off the horse, and reached over to help me.
"Um. We're not riding through the night?"
"We ride only at night to avoid being seen." Gandalf responded, taking Tinkerbell's reins, and leading her behind him. He was heading for a thick scrub which turned out to be in front of a gap in a small cliff. Not really deep enough to be a cave, exactly, but it was pretty concealed. "So you must both rest well."
Pippin nodded and remained quiet, face still white and shiny with sweat, his curls clinging to his damp forehead.
This was kind of surprising to me. I didn't argue though. There was a sense of urgency in Gandalf's voice when he'd answered me, and even now he glanced over his shoulder at the sky, uneasy about whatever might be seeking us.
Sitting in the little nook in the side of the cliff, I watched as Gandalf stood in the widest spot, his back to us and presumably his eyes scanning the sky for those flying things. Pippin sighed, a soft sigh, and I turned to him, expecting him to say something.
He didn't.
He seemed stared ahead to his knees, occasionally sipping from the tiny flask of water, the packet of pipeweed untouched in his pocket. Not sad, exactly, but quieter than I'd ever known. Even with the Uruk Hai he hadn't been able to resist speaking.
I didn't know what to say though. I wished I did- I wished I knew how to say the perfect thing right now, how to relate to him, to be perfect, but I had no clue what to say. I just felt awkward. Sad for him. As the hours dragged on, all three of us quiet, with only the horses making soft snuffling noises, I would sometimes open my mouth to say something and then change my mind. I'd close my mouth or pretend to yawn, if Pippin glanced up to me, trying to nap on the edge of the cliff.
It was not fun.
Pippin did sleep. Either that, or he was sitting still with his eyes shut, and given how quiet he was when he'd clearly been awake, it might have just been that he was trying. I was struggling, sliding in and out of sleep, unable to really make myself get into that.
As the afternoon dragged on, as the light darkened and a light rain started, I drew out Legolas' knife and held it in the dim light.
Somehow I was aware that for him, seperating his knives, it wasn't a small thing. They were identical, silver and white, crossed on his back most of the time. Were they knives or daggers? Probably daggers. On one side there were vines but on the other, in very fine writing, lay Elvish script in the curved blade. It was a pale gold like the handles, and I wished I knew what it said. It was clearly more than a regular dagger. Clearly well made, beautiful, this deadly piece of artwork that could probably cut bone.
"That is no small gift." Gandalf's voice cut into my thoughts.
"Do you know what it says?"
"I could read it. Yet, I believe those words are for your eyes." Gandalf came to sit down close to us, voice soft, eyes avoiding the writing on the blade.
"He had these long before he knew me." I muttered. But his words about seeing me since he'd matured, or whatever his exact words had been, rose in my head as I stared at it. "He's a Prince, isn't he?" Even now the title didn't suit him. I wasn't sure why. But the title itself bothered me.
"Yes, in a sense." Gandalf responded.
I didn't ask anything else. His answer, although kind of criptic, was reminding me that this thing may not work. I wasn't really willing to deal with it. Somehow I was suddenly glad to be away from Legolas. To think, without his presense distracting me, tempting me, without my hormones adding to my feelings. This was complicated. I met the old wizard's eyes as I said quietly, "Um. Do you think... what we're doing... is it smart?"
He seemed surprised, but there was warmth suddenly in his face, a shadow of it under the tension. "You do not mean this ride, do you?" When I shrugged, he leaned back, and breathed out slowly. "The love between mortal and immortal is not a new story. Nor is it the choice of one alone. Try and rest." Gandalf shifted on the ground. "It is a long ride ahead."
I nodded and shut my eyes. Not the choice of one alone. Sacrifice.
When I woke, it was to the smell of hot bread, and to the welcoming sight of Pippin eating. Not much- it looked like Gandalf had just reduced a branch to hot coals with his wizardy goodness- but toast was toast and I ate what was offered. The lembas Legolas had given me could easily be saved for another time. Who knew when I'd need to rely on it.
Once eaten, it was dark, that light drizzle of rain back again, though it came and went, the stars showing easily through the thin cloud. Even the moon was there, lighting up the world somewhat, Gandalf's eyes going to it as his brow furrowed once more.
"We ride quickly." He lifted Pippin up, and mounted, and I quickly did the same with some effort. Hood up, cloak over me to protect me from the rain, and we were suddenly galloping again full pelt, the silvery-white shape of Shadowfax leading me and Tinkerbell.
It was unnerving riding in the dark like this, frightening even, because I could barely see the ground and had to trust that my big dark grey horse knew what she was doing. She, in return, was shadowing Shadowfax and her ears were back, so I guessed she wasn't keen on it either. But somehow she was again keeping up with Shadowfax. Sleep suddenly seemed stupid- we were on giant horses, charging through the dark in a land that went up and down, how could my adrenaline ever let me sleep again after this?
On top of that, Gandalf kept glancing up, and it scared me. Was I slowing htem down? Were we being chased?
He stopped, stopped so suddenly that Tinkerbell took some metres to slow and to twist around, her body trembling and damp with the fine rain. I didn't see why straight away. When I did, I swore softly, and tried to get Tinkerbell to charge at the idiot. Knock him down. Bruise his pretty Gondor face with the hooves. He was frozen just feet away on the back of a tired looking horse.
I did NOT save Boromir's life for him to risk screwing up Faramir's chance.
Boromir stared back at us, face roughened with the faint hair of a man who hadn't shaved for a day or two, his light illumionated in the dark and the light of Gandalf's staff. He looked tired, unhappy, and he was gritting his teeth together, probably already pulling together an arguement.
"You should not be here." Gandalf spoke. His voice scared me. But Boromir did not back down.
"I dreamed of my father." His eyes were in mine now, devestation back in them, that almost-madness there. "That I would not see him alive again if I did not return now. That he drives men of Gondor to their deaths. Did you know, Wenduin?" Devestation, even betrayal was there, as he stood there soaked to the bone. He must have been walking all day. It shocked me. Even now, even after all his father had tried to do, Boromir still loved him.
"Yeah. But-" I added quickly, as hurt flashed across his face, "But this is for Faramir. He needs-"
"To grieve. Grief would destroy our father. Destroy lives. My father's mind is broken because I-" Boromir turned. "I must return."
"He needs to think of Faramir as his remaining son..." I tried.
Gandalf was quicker. Shadowfax sprung forward, waking Pippin, and blocked Boromir. "You cannot return yet."
"What do you mean, dreams?" Did this mean that some men had those dreams too? I tried to move forward. "Boromir, really, he dies-"
"I have seen his death, Wenduin. He is my father. I love him. It is his grief that drives him mad. I should not have let him believe I was dead. Now, Minas Tirith is at risk, and my father is almost lost..." Boromir tried to move past Gandalf.
Gandalf shoved him back with a nudge of the staff. He met my eyes.
I got it. Somehow, even though he hadn't said a word to me, he had a problem and there were two choices. One- let Boromir come with us. Or send us both back to Edoras, I'd have to drag Boromir there, literally if I had to. Maybe tied up.
And it was up to me.
Just as I couldn't let Legolas come with us, I couldn't let Boromir go screw up Faramir. Was I sad about him loosing his father? Yes, of course! But … "For the sake of your brother, Boromir, you have to let it happen."
"Loose my father."
"Or let your brother spend the rest of his life feeling unloved, your father refusing to let Aragorn take his place, and Gondor ruled by a man who is already mad." My words were kind of harsh and Boromir flinched. "You know he gets worse with Faramir when you're there. He uses his love for you to punish him."
It was funny, how Boromir's life was the most clear out of all I'd seen, how I got him better than the others. He stared at me, face white, blonde hair dark with dampness, as Gandalf shifted impatiently. He seemed frustrated, angry even, like he was going to smack Boromir over the head with the staff. But his eyes went to the sky instead. I stared at it as well, afraid suddenly, half wondering if one of those nas-gal things were about to come and swoop on our heads.
Gandalf had to run.
Fucking hell. I swore softly to myself, arms crossing, annoyed. Stay with Legolas? Great, if I was safe, not about to be swooped up and tortured and whatever else. Gondor? Might have been easier.
"I will take this." He said to me, holding up the phone, before sliding it into a pocket in his robes. Gandalf turned and without another word, Shadowfax sprung away, leaving myself and Boromir there.
Boromir moved, as if to follow, and I grabbed the reins of his horse and glared at him.
"So." I snapped. "If a big nas-gal thing comes and attacks me, am I supposed to ask Legolas to kill me before it takes me away, so I don't get tortured for infomation?"
Boromir flinched again, guilt crossing his face, as he stared towards the others. The look on his face though was enough to stop me from saying anything else. It took him a lot of self-control to turn his horse around, reluctant, his face white. Okay. As angry as I was, as afraid as I was, I couldn't even begin to know what it was like to ...know I'd never see my father again. That he'd die before I got back. I didn't even remember mine.
"I did not think. I was ...afraid." He admitted. "Whatever I will do, Wenduin, I will ensure nothing takes you from us."
"Maybe they don't know how much I could know." I said softer. "I don't even really know what I can share. Most of it is useless. Giant elephants and stuff."
"You have seen Mumakil in a future battle?" Boromir seemed to return somewhat to his self at this, as if the topic of battle seemed to snap him back into an area he was more used to, his eyes focusing somewhat. The man had to be exhausted.
"Yeah." I admitted quietly. Boromir started forward, in the Rohan direction, and good old Tinkerbell followed.. She was probably relieved to be going at 'normal horse' pace without Shadowfax making her do un-horsely speeds. "How long have you been riding?"
"Since the feasting."
"What happened to all your pretty ladies?" I tried to tease. Something else was on my mind though. "Do men dream like Elves? Of the future?"
"I have, sometimes. Some things seem to be to torment me. Some things, I know to be true. Some are messages with a meaning I know not." He sounded exhausted as he spoke, just barely over the sound of his horses hooves. "Let us talk of it when we stop to rest at daybreak. Now, we must ride."
As we rode quietly and quickly, the soggy ground squelching under hooves, rain blowing against my face where the cloak didn't cover it, I managed to stay awake. Again, the speed was enough to scare me into staying focused, the darkness, the fear that poor Tinkerbell might put a hoof into a hole or something and down we'd both go.
It was slower than with Shadowfax though. Daylight broke slowly, through the light cloud cover, and we both agreed to stay hidden in a particually thick area of scrub. No handy caves here- it was back to Rohan's rolling dry lands- but there was a river which had attracted a fairly wild growth of trees, shrubs and bushes. Not exactly ideal but it was some kind of cover.
I dismounted, awkward, legs exhausted, bum aching, and stared at Tinkerbell.
"Here." Boromir strode over, slowly, reaching up to touch her bridle. He seemed an expert with this part at least. "Let them rest properly." He slid the leather off, the saddle off, running his hand across her flank. It left only part of the bridle on, just a few straps of leather, and he released her. Tinkerbell moved away towards the river where his horse was already drinking.
"Won't they wander?"
"They will not. The horses of Rohan do not leave in the service of their riders. Only when set free, do they wander." Boromir hung the leather things on a thick branch and moved to sit nearby more or less between bushes.
I wandered over too, muscles complaining with every move of leg, bum and back, and crawled in to sit a few feet from him against the other shrub.
"You should rest." Boromir said softly. "Tis a long ride tonight."
I was about to agree when I took one look at the man. Ratty hair, pale face, dark shadows under the eyes, reminding me that he had been going since the celebration a good day and a half ago. At least I'd gotten a good sleep. "Uh, no."
"No?"
"You sleep first." I stood up, stretched, and bent down to take off my shoes. "You're the one who did a runner. When was the last time you've slept?"
Boromir grinned sheepishly at me at that. "Tis a while."
"Sleep then! I need to walk around barefoot." I threw a shoe at him. "You can't smell my feet asleep."
"Do not leave the shade." Boromir didn't even put up an argue. He looked kind of relieved actually. He pulled his saddle across, tugged off his tunic, and started to fold it. "Do not break cover. Remain close."
"Trust me, I do not want to be picked up by a giant flying dinosaur, I won't go far." Except to go to the bathroom, of course, but that's it. "Have a good sleep."
My boot was flung back at me and he nodded as he lay down and rested his head on his jacket over the saddle. Instant pillow. Nice idea.
"You asked of dreams."
"Yeah." Hours ago. I sat down nearby, tucking my legs close to my chest now my feet were bare, half the bush over my head. Again, I stared up, anxious about whatever might be up there. "I also told you to sleep."
Boromir twisted to me, opening one eye, saying softly, "It was a dream that came to myself and my brother. A riddle. We both were called to Rivendel. My father did not know, I had not yet told him, and Faramir could not if he tried. He chose to send me when Faramir should have come. And now, I dream again, and I only see my father's end."
"Every dream?"
Boromir nodded, shutting his eyes, breathing out slowly. "Almost. I sometimes fear sleep for fear I see it once again. It torments me."
"Maybe the ring can still fuck with us from a distance?" I offered. It didn't change the fact that he was dreaming something that was the truth...
A foot kicked me hard in the side. Boromir opened his eye again. "Stop cursing! You are a lady! How I will take you home to the White City, Wenduin, I never know."
"Sorry." I grinned as he shut his eyes. "Shh. Go to sleep or I'll do it again."
"I will sleep. There's no need for threats, my lady." He laughed softly though, amusement on his face, a smile on his face as he fell asleep.
It was so peaceful that morning. I could barely believe any kind of war would be happening right now, any kind of evil in the world, as I sat there and watched the river drift past us. Sometimes I'd see a fish leap, a bird dive into the water, or forage for seeds close by. Sunlight flittered in and out, as clouds covered it, the light rain continuing as dawn turned into real morning. It was going to be a warm day today.
I didn't leave Boromir, not except to go to the bathroom, but I did move closer to the river to dangle my bare feet in the water.
Boromir woke with a start, scaring the crap out of me, a shout as he was suddenly on his feet, his sword out, his breathing fast. It was so sudden- the transition from peaceful sleep to panicked wakefullness- that I was half tempted to hide till he woke up properly.
"I cannot … I cannot do this!" Boromir snapped. He was grabbing the bridles, face drained of blood, sweat pouring off his face. "How can you ask me to abandon my father? My city? I have seen that which comes!"
"I told you, if you are, it's just the ring fucking with you!" It was a half-lie. Wasn't it? I knew that they'd surivve more or less... but what if he'd seen what I had seen? "Boromir, you can't ..."
He looked kind of mad actually. It was so strange to see him like this, like he was still half asleep, and without thinking I'd grabbed my boot, filled it with water and chugged the whole thing at him. Icy cold water splashed across him.
Boromir blinked at me, confused, some awareness returning to his eyes as he stared at me. But his determination didn't vanish. "I must fight! Wenduin, I must ..." Boromir finally met my eyes properly. Even now, his eyes were distant, as if he was seeing something I couldn't. "I must defend my city. I must not allow my father to remain in madness. I love him, as I love my brother, is that so mad?"
"No! Of course it's not mad. He's still your dad, I know. But your brother..." I protested. I tried to approach, as he backed up, heading for his horse. "We can't do it that way. You know why! That's why we're supposed to go back to Rohan! To fight with them to help your city!"
"I am no horseman, Wenduin. Are you?"
"Horse woman and ...well, no." I muttered. Okay. I kind of had the basics happening- stop, start, fast, slow, this or that way. Before he could speak again, and I knew Boromir was about to open his mouth to do so, I added, "I mean, I can ride now, so kind of one?"
Boromir snorted softly as he moved closer. He bent over me, towering over me, his voice low and intense as he stared at me."In battle, Wenduin, your horse will panic. It is a frightening place. You yourself know that by now. Even I cannot ride a horse in battle as the men of Rohan can. I would listen to tales of them as a boy- that every child would be able to sit on the back of a horse safely before they could walk. That they would learn to ride and run at the same time. No. We would be of no use."
"Well, I-" I hesitated. I stepped back, not liking how close he was, anxiety starting to rise at the way he was looking. It reminded me too much of another time. "I would try."
"I know." Boromir's voice softened slightly as he stepped back. He reached up to grasp his head with his hands, clutching to it, groaning softly as he shook his head. "I am sorry. Wenduin, as would I. We would both try. Do not think I have forgotten what is at stake if I am seen returning to Gondor. I just … am uncertain. My father's fate haunts me. I do not mean to frighten you. I would die before I hurt you."
"At least you know how to fight." I offered. I believed him though. It wasn't like the last time. He was still aware of me, still in control of himself, and this time when he stared at me, there seemed to be some control coming back into his face. As the dream faded, I saw Boromir returning, and my fear of him faded.
"Aye, I do."
I sighed and went quiet. I wasn't sure what to say. I couldn't tell him his father would be okay. I knew that wasn't the case and it wasn't fair to lie to Boromir. I stared at my legs, brushing horse hair and dirt off them, focus still on the older man out of the corner of my eye. He sat cross legged as well, staring at his hands, breathing in and out in long deep breaths. It was a calming thing, I thought, wasn't it? To breathe like that?
"You'll at least see Faramir..." I offered, quietly, and I did see something warm and nice flash across his face at that. Boromir actually smiled a small sad smile at that. He nodded and his shoulders untensed.
"I have missed him. I know also that we all must pass from this world. If it is … if my father must go giving my brother that gift, then..." Boromir breathed in long and deep and released it slowly. He met my eyes with a sad smile, his eyes suddenly damp. The sight kind of broke my heart. "What better gift could I offer my little brother than the love of our father?"
"Well, the unexpected return of you would make it sweeter." I tried to smile but I felt kind of sad for him too.
"Make it sweeter..." Boromir's lips twitched, his smile increased somewhat, as he reached out to squeeze my knee. "You, my friend, have the strangest way of saying things. Yes. My return will make it sweeter. It is your turn to rest, Wenduin, and then we will continue on to Edoras. Now or later, I would have had to accept the death of my father, and … if I had any regret, it was to not let my father see Faramir in all his strength. I must … let him go. I am sorry. The dream frightened me. I hope I did not frighten you."
"A little." I admitted. "It's okay. We'll do our part till it's over. Just try and hang onto that reunion with Faramir, maybe it'll help. Picture his beautiful babies with Eowyn or something."
"His babies." Boromir chuckled softly. "Yes, they would be beautiful. Yes. Now, go to sleep, and I will keep watch."`
I slid down to my side in the dry leaves, watching him just a moment longer, but he seemed okay now. More like himself. He was heading for the river, dunking his head in the water, apparently normal again.
Shutting my eyes, I let myself relax, listening to the gentle movement of horse nearby, the smell of horse, water and dirt in my nose, and a bird somewhere adding to the peace of the moment. As uncomfortable as it was, I was exhausted after last night, and it wasn't long before I fell asleep.
A/L
Happy, um. Saturday! Yes, THREE chapters. Broken up. I've been writing for some time and I didn't realise how much I'd written over the past week. :) So ... hopefully, broken up into three parts, it'll make it easier to read them. Thankyou for your reviews! I always apprechiate constructive crit, yes, spelling needs work, ect. Please try and keep it constructive though. I am happy to hear everyone's POV as always, but if you don't feel comfortable about something, try and keep your review constructive so that I can learn from it in the future.
Good example:
Wenduin swears too much for middle earth.
THAT helps. :D (I am trying to write in more reactions to it.)
So yeah, please keep that in mind, I really don't want to have to block anon comments to avoid nasty comments. Much love to you all.