A/N: I decided to post chapter 21 earlier so that both stories will be updated at the same pace from now on. This is mostly due to the most recent response to this story over here that left me positively elated. Therefore I decided that it would be unfair to keep you, dear readers, waiting for content that is already all written out. Thank you for reading and enjoying this story!

Also, if you feel like it, come follow me on tumblr mimikoflamemaker :)

Chapter 21

Ties that Bind Us

Lithien rested her head against the rim of the tub and sighed.

The air in the tent was heavy with steam. Her skin tingled after being thoroughly scrubbed while she got rid of all the dirt. She quickly gave up on her hair though. While she had managed to wash the tangled mess, working out knots was naught but impossible, with an arm that stiffened and hurt, whenever she had kept it up for longer than a couple of minutes. At some point she simply shrugged and allowed her hair to tumble back into the water. She didn't even have the will to deal with something so simple.

She tapped her nails against the worn wood, relishing in the way the hot water eased the tension from her tired muscles.

Galaren left her in their tent and disappeared. To interrogate Maethion no doubt. Her brother didn't like to go into an argument unprepared. Unlike many times before however, his friend could not help him now. What her brother didn't know, was that the last thing she wished for right now, was to argue.

Well, they tended to argue so much as of late, she wasn't surprised that he did not expect things to go any different this time.

She closed her eyes, sighed again and tried to ignore the echoes of laughter and shrieks that rang through her ears.

She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice the tent flap rustling and didn't even flinch as the shadow fell over her. She knew that shadow very well.

'I thought you would be done by now' Galaren mused as her eyes flicked up to him. He was smiling at her and she felt some of the weight falling off of her shoulders.

'I am hoping that the knots will disappear, if I will let them soak long enough. Besides, the water is wonderful and it would be a waste to finish too soon' she replied. 'Unless you want a go as well?'

Instead of an answer she heard the scrape of the stool across the ground.

'Maybe later,' Galaren disappeared from her sight as he sat down. 'How bad it is?' he asked, his fingers hovering above her bared shoulder. Lithien followed them with a glance.

'I am glad that I still didn't get to see all of it, though I can surely feel it every time I move. And it likely means that it is not as bad as it looks.'

'And how did you get it? Those are bite-marks.'

'I was snuck upon' she replied, her attempt at shrug short by a sharp twinge of pain. She did not wish to talk about Moria. Not yet. Likely not ever if she had a say in the matter. 'Boromir killed the beast before it could deal any real damage.'

She was surprised, when she felt her hair leaving the water and hitting the wall of the tub with a wet slap. Galaren's hand on her uninjured shoulder stopped her form flinching.

'What are you doing?' she asked. His smile grew wider as he reached for the comb.

'If you insist on remaining there, I might as well busy myself with something while we talk.'

Lithien sighed. She was glad the she had him close, but she really did not feel like talking. And as she was, she could hardly escape him.

'Aragorn have told me what happened' it was all he said while he worked the comb through the strand of her hair.

Lithien cursed. She knew her friend likely wanted to defend her, but it was not the right way to do so.

Still she was surprised that her brother remained so calm about everything.

'Then you know everything there is to know' she responded, water sloshing as she shifted. The edge of the tub was digging into her neck.

'Yes' there was a hint of impatience in his voice now. 'But I still do not understand why you did it. I thought that the last time you went into the mines had instilled enough fear to never do that again. And have you not promised me?' he asked after a brief pause.

Lithien closed her eyes. She didn't have to turn around to be aware of the frown knitting his brows together. The thin line his mouth formed. As much as he tried to pretend otherwise, her actions wounded him.

It certainly seemed like the only thing she was capable of doing.

'I did not intend to go there at all' she wanted to argue, to yell at him until he either let the topic drop or dismiss her. It was how things went usually. But her words came out hushed. Subdued. She was the first to admit that what she has done was a mistake, but she needed to at least explain herself first.

Her intentions were pure, after all.

'I set out from Rivendell, because I wanted to return home before the roads will grow too dangerous. I knew that they have also left and that they will be seeking passage through the mountains. I didn't wish to get involved, truly. But at some point, I realized that I could help them cross and avoid danger. Figured they will face plenty of it later on. So I tracked them down and caught up with them. I tried to convince them to follow me. And I almost managed to, but we were attacked and trapped in Moria. From that point onward all I could do was to try and get out safely.'

She wasn't going to tell him about the part Legolas had played in changing her mind. She knew it won't earn him any favor in Galaren's eyes.

Such as it was.

This time she heard him sigh.

'Aragorn told me as much. He also told me that they should have just listen to you instead of arguing. And that you were a great help to them afterwards.'

Lithien felt the corners of her mouth curving upward.

'While I can appreciate that' Galaren continued, brushing her hair. 'It still does not explain why you even left Rivendell. I urged you to stay there. I wrote lord Elrond a letter imploring him to do the same. Have he lost whatever control he had over you as well?'

Lithien scowled. She knew that her brother sometimes took the respect she had for lord Elrond as a personal slight even if he had never said so out loud. And there was never a valid reason for him to think so.

He was her brother. And as much as she often failed to show it, he was the most important person she had left.

'Quite the contrary in fact. He urged me to heed your request this time' she replied, keeping her thoughts to herself. 'But he also promised me that he won't stop me if I decided to return home. And I could not leave you. Not when I know what is coming.'

Galaren let out a mirthless chuckle.

'And yet, this is what you always do.'

He could have slapped her and it would have stung less.

She pressed her lips together, quelling the scathing remark dancing on her tongue. She deserved that. She could have promised him a hundred times, that she will never disobey him again, but she knew he wouldn't believe her. She wouldn't believe herself after everything that happened so far. After she had proven him, time after time that she is not worthy of such trust.

Galaren put the comb away and took her hair into his hands parting the strands for a braid.

'I'm sorry' she couldn't bare the silence any longer. She couldn't make matters worse by speaking her mind plainly. Wasn't that, what she was planning to do upon returning home?

'I am sorry that I can no longer be the girl who followed your every word,' she raised her hand in case he was preparing to interrupt her. Judging by the grunt she heard in response, she knew her brother all too well. 'I can understand why you might miss that. But a lot have changed for us since then.'

She did plenty of things to get them to this point – that, she could not deny. But she remembered every time she was the one left standing outside the healing tent, with blood drying in the creases of her armor. His blood. She sat there for hours at times, willing her brother to get better even if she had forgotten how to pray properly a long time ago. She worried for him just as much as he worried for her and with a good reason. And yet, somehow it was always her who should have been more cautious.

No, she refused to be the only one to blame for the fall out they had. And she had a feeling Galaren knew that as well. At least now.

'I guess you would have much less to worry about if I had remained in Rivendell… And I thought I might have been content with staying, if only I was given the chance. But I couldn't. Not after everything. All I could think about then, was returning home and putting my skills to use. It was the only way for me to stop blaming myself for what had happened… but I have never stopped. How could I?' she sighed again, glancing at the roof of the tent.

'Is it my fault, then?' Galaren asked, his tone far from the accusation she expected. He sounded curious; a tired sort of curiosity, common in people who were expecting to hear something for so long it hardly remained a surprise to them.

She would much rather have him get angry with her.

Lithien pulled her braid from his grasp and jumped out of the water, wrapping herself in the towel laying nearby.

'No! No it is not' she objected fervently, ducking behind a narrow screen to pull on some clothes. 'I never thought so. I could have never think that! Everything you ever did was trying to make sure I will be well cared for and staying out of trouble. But it seems to me, that you were never meant to protect me from all of it. True, I was trying my best to make the task difficult, but I was bound to become the person that I am now. And I don't regret it. But it pains me that you cannot take a little more pride in that.'

She stepped out as soon as she was mostly decent, shirt untucked and breeches laced halfway. She wasn't used to Galaren not responding to her like that. She almost expected him gone.

He was still sitting on the small stool, his eyes fixed on her, watching. She wasn't surprised that so many people found themselves fidgeting under that stare. She was ready to do the same.

'What made you think that I am not proud of you?' he stood up and approached her, cupping her face with his hands. 'I know very well what you are capable of and I will always take pride in that. It's your willful streak that is making me worried. And I do not think that this is ever going to change.'

Lithien sighed, placed her hands on top of his and squeezed.

'What are we going to do, then?' she asked, dropping her gaze. She wasn't about to change her ways. She could try and keep appearances for a while, but they both knew it was not going to last. 'Because I do not think I am capable of changing that.'

'I figured, it would be a lost battle asking you for that' the corner of his lips turned upward. 'And I much rather have a sister than a peace of mind.'

He barely finished speaking, when Lithien threw her arms around his neck. His smirk broke into a wistful smile as his arms enveloped her. He was never willing or ready to admit defeat, either in the field or in personal matters. But a good leader knew that some battles could not be won, regardless of the efforts put into furthering the cause.

He just never expected his sister to become one of those.

'I will certainly try to take your worries into consideration' she said, leaning back so she could look him in the eye. He often felt like his thoughts were obvious to her when she fixed him with that gaze. Galaren's lips cracked into a grin, even if he knew that he was fooling no one.

'That is very generous of you' he commented when she planted a quick kiss on his cheek. It gave him a good view of the mark on her shoulder. 'Don't you need to see a healer for that?' he asked, grimacing.

'What? No' she shook her head. 'But I would appreciate a pair of extra hands to help me wrap it up' she added a pleading look in her eyes.

A light chuckle escaped him in response.

'Sit down then' Galaren conceded, turning around to pick up the equipment from the narrow table fitted against the wall. 'Did you think about what would happen next?' he asked.

Lithien cringed and huffed.

'Honestly? No' she pulled the shirt off again, wincing and balled it in front of her chest. 'We hardly had the time for that. They surely need some time to recover…' she trailed off. She had no idea what the Fellowship would do now, when there was no Gandalf to lead them.

She felt the lump building in her throat and swallowed to push it down.

'That is for sure, but later? They would have to leave at some point' Galaren joined her on the narrow bed. 'You know it cannot stay here don't you?' his tone was hushed. As if someone would even think about eavesdropping on their conversation.

Usually there was no reason to. Everybody in the camp was privy to their many arguments no matter if they wished to or not.

'Of course I do' she scoffed. 'I wanted the Ring away from Rivendell and I want it out of here as soon as possible, but with Gandalf gone I am not sure if they would know…'

'What?'

Lithien stilled at the sudden change in her brother's voice. When she chanced to glance up at him, he seemed to be frozen in shock, staring at the roll of bandage in his hand as if he had seen it for the first time. If their places were switched, she would probably felt the same.

Galaren blinked, recovering quickly. When he looked at her, his eyes were soft and concerned. Lithien didn't fought the dull ache filling her chest at the sight. She didn't have the strength to stifle it any more.

'I never thought I live to hear those words coming from anyone's mouth' he said softly, a pensive look on his face. 'He always seemed so… What happened?'

He probably thought how easily she could be the one to fall, then. She was glad that he didn't voice those thoughts. She was all too aware of that herself. And of how many times during those long hours, she thought that those were her last moments.

Was it strange that she still didn't found those thoughts as frightening as they should be?

'He stayed behind so we could escape…' the elleth replied at length. Each time she blinked she could see it all over again. The great, black chasm and the narrow bridge. The looming form of the Barlog and the swarms of orcs bustling about its feet. She could hear their delight and feel the heat of the demon's breath upon her skin.

Fear squeezed her throat again.

If only she was able to convince them to come with her a few moments earlier.

'And then he fell off the bridge…' she finally choked the words out. 'He defeated the beast, but it took him. It shouldn't have happened… We should have helped him…'

And yet she knew that she wouldn't be able to lift her sword against the balrog, even if her life depended on it.

Galaren reached and caressed her cheek gently. She leaned into the touch and closed her eyes, tears burning beneath her eyelids. She heard him sighing softly, before he pulled her into a hug.

Cradled in her brother's embrace, Lithien wept.

Legolas observed people milling about the camp through the entrance to the tent. He was half-convinced it was left open solely to taunt him. Aragorn has sneaked away the first chance he got, much to the healer's disapproval. Now he was the only patient in the tent and his wound was tended to with the quiet efficiency he expected from someone well acquainted with the battle chaos. It was done all too quickly and he was told to rest and left to his own devices, aside from an occasional disapproving glare he received, when he so much as shifted on the thin mattress.

Not that he felt like following his friend's example. The pain has ebbed after the wound was re-dressed and he was ordered to swallow a mouthful of a sharp scented concoction that was so bitter, he could still taste it on his tongue. But there was a dull ache that still remained rooted deeply in his flesh and he did not wish to make it any worse.

He felt the pain for long enough.

Having only his thoughts for a company for the reminder of the night was not an appealing prospect either. Dealing with the aftermath of Moria was the last thing he wished for in the dead of the night.

It was on his mind even now, the memory fresh and vivid.

He glanced at the roof of the tent and faded spots covering the fabric. It was easy to guess what has left such a distinct pattern.

He pulled his eyes away only to see Lithien entering the tent. If it wasn't for the lack of weapons at her waist, she would be looking just like when he first saw her, clad in the warden garb with hair meticulously braided back.

As if nothing had happened.

He wasn't sure what to think about it.

She smiled at him, but before she could take a step in his direction, the healer rose from his seat behind the narrow desk and approached her, a wide smile smoothing out his features.

'It's good to see that you are well my dear' the ellon spoke, clasping one of Lithien's hands into his. 'Though I am hearing that you sustained some injuries…'

'Nothing serious enough to require your attention' she replied with a smile. 'And I made sure to give you something to do.'

'Ah yes,' Callon spared him a glance over his shoulder. 'They are both going to heal just fine. But you might want to remind your ward that it is very impolite to disobey when being asked to do something.'

'Of course' she replied, trying and failing to keep her expression serious.

'I only ask because you all need your rest and he was acting unwise' the ellon gave her a pointed look and patted her hand. 'Alas, I shall leave you be. I'll be nearby. If you'll need anything just shout' the two exchanged amused smiles and the healer departed quietly.

With a shake of her head a smile still playing upon her lips, Lithien grabbed a stool and placed it next to his bed before sitting down.

'Good to see you managed to irritate him so soon after arrival' she commented, smirking.

'Well I cannot say that we have tried to… Not until Aragorn decided to escape anyway' he pulled himself further up with a wince. 'I cannot say I blame him, really. I'd rather be elsewhere myself' he glanced at her, a hopeful look on his face.

Lithien only shook her head.

'Unfortunately, I agree with master Callon so you will remain here until he deems you good enough to leave' she chuckled. 'Because I am sure that Aragorn will not risk showing up here again' her eyes strayed to his injury. 'How does it feel?'

'Much better. He said you did well by removing the arrow.'

'So you did not tell him that we only did that after escaping the mines?'

'Why would I ruin the only good impression we made on him?' he asked back, smirking. 'It wasn't something he needed to know, anyway.'

Lithien smirk stretched into a grin.

'Did it earn me an assist with the escape?'

'No' she replied, her tone serious, though her eyes still crinkled with mirth. 'But, I can keep you company for the time being.'

'Every distraction is a welcome one' he sighed and flipped his eyes to the ceiling pointedly. 'Why did he call Aragorn your ward?'

She seemed surprised by the question.

'It's a long story' she said quickly. 'And a fancy word for something much more simple.'

'It is a good thing that I have nowhere to be, then.'

Lithien dropped her eyes to the ground, hiding another smile.

'I think I remember telling you that I know him for years… For many years in fact. I was in Rivendell at the time when his mother came to live there. Lord Elrond often gives fosters the people of the Dunedain' she added, seeing the question forming in his mind. 'As you should know by now, I find it hard to avoid getting involved and this time was no different' she finished with a shrug.

'This sounds like a shortened version of the story.' it was Legolas's turn to smile.

'Very much so, yes. But I don't want to bore you with too much detail…'

He laughed in response.

'What bores me is the need to sit here. I assure you, I will find your story entertaining. Besides neither of you can be described as overly open about the past. And I wish to find out more.'

Lithien looked at him but she couldn't find a hint of insincerity in his eyes. Had he not said that he trusted her? Couldn't she offer him at least a bit of the same in return?

She had at times. And she was willing to do so again.

'Well, don't hesitate to tell me if you change your mind… I lived in Rivendell for a long time, but you already know that. And even after I decided to return home and take up the duties of a warden, I visited lord Elrond as often as I could. On one such visit, I was introduced to Gilraen…'

Words came out easier than she expected them too. There were still things she wouldn't dare to share with him, not yet at least, but she had plenty of light-hearted stories she could entertain him with. If he noticed her omitting things, Legolas made no comment on that and seemed genuinely entertained. She hardly noticed the passage of time herself.

'… and after that, he refused to come anywhere near my horse for a month' she finished with a smile. Legolas was looking at her, clearly amused.

'So, if we are making things short and plain, you have raised him' he concluded. 'No wonder the two of you are so close.'

'Oh no' she shook her head. 'All I did was being conveniently nearby. And I happen to be rather fond of children. Lord Elrond did all the difficult parts.'

'If you say so' he conceded. He could see she was saying so deliberately, but he couldn't quite understand why. What she did for their orphaned friend was nothing short of admirable.

It was no surprise now that Aragorn was so protective of her.

'There you are' a different voice interrupted the silence in the tent. 'I've been looking for you… am I interrupting something?'

A dark haired ellon he remembered from the forest, watched them from the entrance of the tent, smirking. Lithien turned to face him, a broad grin stretching her lips.

'Of course you are. Just don't try to tell me it wasn't what you have aimed for.'

'And I won't' the ellon chuckled, stepping closer. 'You can smell the lie from miles away' his attention shifted to Legolas. 'I do not think we had the chance to be properly introduced, my lord' he said, inclining his head slightly. 'Maethion, I am her fellow warden.'

'And he usually does a better job at being my brother's second in command than I do' Lithien chimed in. 'He doesn't argue with him so much.'

'I dare say that your arguments tend to be useful, when they don't reach the extremes…'

'And what do you want?' Lithien asked, cutting him off. Her relationship with her brother, strained or otherwise, was one of those things she did not want to share yet.

'Galaren wants to speak with us.'

'I just spoke with him…'

Maethion smirked.

'You spoke with him four hours ago. The sun will be up in an hour. And he just received a messenger when I was leaving your tent.'

It wasn't difficult to guess the reason for the messenger's presence. Lithien sighed and stood up.

'Let us go then. If anyone is going to be berated for anything, let it at least be the right person.'

'I am sure that your brother can handle it…'

'Do you mind telling me, what is going on?' Legolas inquired, his eyes shifting between their faces.

'Someone is likely not pleased with you being here' Lithien replied. 'Which, all things considered, is quite understandable.'

'Maybe I should come with you?' Legolas asked, but before he could move, Lithien hand pressed him back into the pillow.

'No' she said, her voice as firm as her touch. 'You need to rest. We can handle this' as if in the afterthought, she offered him a smile. 'I'll come find you later.'

She didn't miss the weight of Maethion's hand resting at the small of her back as they turned to leave. But she made no move to brush it off.

'What are you doing?' she asked, her voice hushed, as soon as they got out of earshot.

'I am just concerned for you' he replied, his hand sliding further to curl around her hip. She still allowed that, wondering why she was suddenly perturbed by the gesture, when she could not be bothered just a few hours ago. Then again, she hardly felt like herself right now.

As if sensing her thoughts, Maethion stopped and waited for her to look at him. When she kept her eyes trained on the ground near her feet, he placed his fingers under her chin and gently pushed her to face him.

'Are you well?'

'Hardly' she let out a humorless chuckle. 'But you know me. I will deal with this. Like I always do.'

His fingers disappeared, replaced by the press of his palm against her cheek. Lithien was once again overwhelmed by the need to lean into the small comfort it provided, but she couldn't. Not right now. Not with so many people watching.

The thought must have appeared clear on her face, because his smile didn't falter when she heaved a sigh and took a step away from him. He was always nothing but understanding whenever she came to him with anything. It was yet another thing she failed to properly appreciate as of late.

She sighed to herself again. There was plenty of things she would have done differently. If only she knew the outcome.

'We have things to do.'

'And duty comes first' Maethion supplied, his tone getting a mischievous edge that made the corner of her lips twitch upward.

They made their way across the camp side by side, back towards Galaren's tent. As they approached, it was easy to make out raised, arguing voices.

'You cannot be serious!'

'I have already sent a raider to the city and they will remain in my camp until I am told otherwise' there was a steely note to her brother's voice, one that even she heard only a handful of times. 'By someone who actually has the authority to do so.'

Whatever the other person said so far, wore off Galaren's patience even thinner than she was usually able to. She almost felt sorry for the poor sod.

'My brother will hear about this!'

'Of course. And while you're at it, please tell him that next time he will want to engage in a pissing contest, he might want to show up to the challenge personally. You are dismissed.'

Maethion and Lithien had to step out of the way as the tent flap was pushed to the side and an ellon stormed out. He glared at them, obviously furious, before stomping off and her hand found its way to Maethion's shoulder just in case he felt like pursuing the other and knocking some sense into him.

'Good day to you, Rúmil' she called after him, causing him to almost break into a run.

Judging by the way the muscle beneath her palm flexed and relaxed it wasn't a far-fetched assumption.

'Remind me to think twice before attempting to get on your bad side ever again' Lithien said as they both ducked into the tent.

Galaren glanced at them from the papers littering his desk and offered the two a halfhearted smile.

'You are merely annoying' he replied, grinning when her face twisted into a pout. 'That was outrageous' he gestured vaguely in the direction of the ellon departure. No wonder here – Galaren has little tolerance for people challenging his authority. She was certainly an exception. And those who dared to do so were rarely right. And easy to prove wrong.

'What did he want?' Maethion inquired.

'For your friends to be escorted to the border by the first light and left there' Galaren eyes rested on his sister. 'Because they are not welcome here, according to some.'

Lithien felt an uncomfortable weight settling in her stomach.

'Do they know?' she asked, her voice barely above the whisper.

'I am not sure, but it didn't seem to be the reason for the hostility. From what I've gathered the orcs are even worse trackers than I thought them to be and strayed too far south in their pursuit of you. Haldir and his men had to fend them off; some people got wounded. And one of his wardens had seen you returning not long before the beasts showed up.'

Lithien felt her hand curling into a fist against her thigh.

'This is ridiculous! Since when do we throw defenseless people to the wolves?'

'I don't; I told him as much. You were able to hear the outcome. Don't worry about it though. I sent Belfaer with an inquiry shortly after you arrived. We will know soon what our next move should be.'

'It's not like I am wishing to interrupt' Maethion said, his impish smirk belying his words. 'But I am not following; what are you talking about?'

The siblings glanced between each other, coming to silent understanding.

And Lithien told him.

By the time she made her way to the tent where the rest of the Fellowship was residing, the sun was high enough to filter through the thick canopy of the leaves. She wasn't happy with what she heard from Galaren, but she knew that she had no space to argue. Not this time.

Keeping the Ring here would be too dangerous. She wondered if the enemy already knew where they went. And what will await them when they leave.

Much to her surprise, Laeron was the one keeping watch. He smiled when he saw her approaching.

'You look like you hadn't slept in a week' he said instead of greeting, causing the elleth to snort.

'That might just be true' she replied, folding her arms across her chest. 'Did you bother them much?'

'I had been perfectly polite if you must know' his smirk widened, when it was obvious she did not believe him. 'It's not like I had an opportunity, they hardly left the tent since we brought them supper. They are probably out cold by now; the little ones barely shuffled their feet when we led them here.'

'Hobbits' she corrected with a sigh. 'That's what the little ones are called. It might be wise to remember that.'

Laeron only shrugged in response, uninterested. Lithien decided to ignore him. She approached the tent, planning to get a quick peek inside first, but the thin stream of light she let in landed squarely on Aragorn's face.

He sat up suddenly as if burned, eyes squeezed shut. Lithien allowed the flap to fall shut and crouched next to the cot he was sleeping on.

'Apologies' she said, her eyes straying to the handle of the knife that was sticking from underneath the thin pillow. 'I didn't mean to wake you like that… Why are you sleeping so close to the entrance?'

'To hopefully stop anyone from sneaking out and getting into trouble. I saw Laeron outside' he turned to look at her and winced, touching his tender ribs. 'What happened?'

'Nothing, I just wanted to check on you' she regarded him with concern. 'Are you well?'

'Are you?' Aragorn raised a questioning eyebrow.

Lithien huffed and made a face.

'Better than I ought to be' she told him, her eyes sliding over the silhouettes curled on the remaining cots. 'Do you need anything? Should I tell the cook to wait with breakfast?'

Aragorn's eyes followed her line of sight.

'This might be for the best' he agreed, swinging his legs over the edge of the cot. 'They retried just a few hours ago. Did you talk with your brother?' he asked, nodding toward the entrance.

They quietly made their way outside.

'I did. Ended up better than I thought it would. I am told I should thank you for that' she said with a smile.

'I only told him the truth' the ranger replied. 'And reminded him that if he needs to blame someone, than that should be me. You know he keeps saying how I am responsible for dragging you into all sorts of trouble.'

'We both know this is not entirely true' her smile grew wider.

'It's true enough' Aragorn said, returning the smile. 'Besides, you never wanted to go there…'

'And I do not wish to talk about it' she interrupted him softly. 'It troubles my mind enough as it is…'

The ranger simply nodded and allowed the topic to drop. They stood quiet for a while, enjoying the sun.

'Galaren received a visitor a few hours ago' Lithien broke the silence first. It was better if he finds out from her. 'There are people who wants you to leave. The sooner the better. Don't worry though; Galaen sent them all to hell. Until he gets a direct order, you are safe to remain within the camp.'

'And afterwards?'

'That depends on the order' Lithien sighed. This wasn't something she wished to tell her friend. 'We will have to do as we are told, but you can be sure that we won't leave you to fend for yourselves.

'I know' Aragorn said though his eyes were focused on something in the distance as he retreated into his own thoughts. 'I trust you.'

Lithien didn't remember the last time those words have made her uncomfortable.