~Third Person's POV~
Boromir and Aragorn were out taking a stroll through the thick trees of Lothlorien. They talked of past battles and their experiences. It turned out, the Gondorian wasn't so arrogant as the ranger had thought in the beginning. "So, Breeze seems to enjoy Lorien. She seems, happy..."Boromir voiced his thoughts as many birds chirped overhead. "Hmm..." Aragorn was distracted and barely heard what the Gondorian had said.
"It's a shame really, that we must leave when she seems to be feeling better..." Once more, the ranger did not listen but his ears picked up the faint traces of a familiar voice.
"If I ever so much as catch you treating any of these horses badly, I will make sure to tell Lady Galadriel!" a voice was carrying easily on the afternoon's breeze. It was familiar but it sounded odd so angry. "And Lady Galadriel won't be the worst part of it! I will personally see to your pain!" Quwen stepped out of the stable with an elf before her, her finger on his sculpted nose.
"Got it?" She snapped before the tall elf ran off, terrified. It was quiet for a moment before Breeze straightened up and caught her breath, anger still evident in her hazel pools. The Gondorian couldn't help the laugh that escaped his lips when he saw the expression on the elf's face and how much fear Breeze caused him. The ranger beside him also began laughing at her poisinous moment. Her large stallion stood behind her, large and threatening as usual to the Gondorian.
"What's so funny?" she snapped, clearly not seeing their humor any longer. "It was not funny if you saw what that elf did to him!" she added but the Gondorian couldn't contain his laughter.
"Breeze, that was not very nice..." Aragorn's eyes sparkled with humor as he continued to fight his laughter. "But, it wasn't fair!" she protested and glanced over her shoulder at Del who stood idly behind her, proud and majestic as ever. He nickered deeply and she wheeled on him.
"So you think that was funny as well?" The humor was gone from the ranger's icy blue eyes and was replaced with a new softness. It was very inspiring how she speaked to her horse with such endearing anger and teasing. The only response she got from him was a twitch of his ears. She rustled his bangs in his face before turning back to them.
"And now, gentlemen, I will begin my ride. Please do not follow, I wish to be alone, at least for a small while." She bowed slightly and pulled herself onto Del's back and rode off into the surrounding trees. Boromir sighed and watched her as she rode away. This caused the ranger's temper to flair and he shot a sharp gaze at the Gondorian.
"She talks to her horse as if he understands what she is saying..." Boromir voiced his thoughts and watched her form disappear completely in the trees.
"Horses are incredible creatures, my friend. Do not doubt their intelligence, especially that one..." The ranger warned before striding off back to the clearing.
Day turned to night and then once more, night was reborn to day in the never ending life cycle. Breeze had returned from her ride a few hours after her talk with the two men, causing the Fellowship to rest easily knowing that she was safe once more. Everyone quickly settled in for the night and obtained a remarkable amount of sleep for their predicament.
Most everyone awoke early and began preperations for travel. Breeze took her new satchel up into her hands and ran a hand over the smooth fabric. Inside this bag, was the most valuable medicine known to the entire world of Men and it was in her hands. She uneasily searched the inner folds and found what she was looking for. Her fingers sought out the small vile and her eyes shone brightly as the shimmering powder tumbled inside the delicate glass.
"What's that?" A chipper voice appeared by her side. She immidiately shoved the vile back inside the bag to hide it. Her hazel eyes fell on Pippin and she shook her head.
"Nothing, it was... spice for meat..." She lied easily and was suprised when the hobbit accepted her answer and left. She released a sigh of relief before whipping her hand across her brow. A film of sweat had developed during her lying words and she wondered why. She had lied before, easily at that? But why must things be different now? She slung the strap across her chest and tightened it.
"Breeze!" She looked up to find Boromir walking into the courtyard. It was only inhabited by her and the Gondorian now, everyone else was gathered at the docks. The Fellowship was to travel down the Anduin River instead of traveling on foot.
"We will shortly be leaving, I suggest you go tend to any other business you need done before we depart." The Gondorian grabbed his shield that had been casually placed against the base of one of the tall trees. He slung it across his back and left just as quickly as he came.
The female ranger watched him leave before swiftly allowing her feet to bring her to the stables. She approached Del's stall and found him relaxed, lightly munching on some hay from the floor of his pen. She made swift work of placing the saddle and briddle on the tall horse before slinging the heavy saddlebags over his speckled rump. She took his reigns into her gloved hands and tugged him along behind her. She was clad in her old traveling clothes, with the exception of a new leather tunic that sat atop the same deep blue fabric she had worn before.
She was glad that they had repaired her normal attire and was glad that had not forced new clothing upon her like the elves of Rivendell had.
When the pair reached the shores of the Anduin River, many had gathered here to see them off. She slung Del's reigns over his neck and gave him the order to wait for her return. Everyone was busy and was moving around rather quickly.
Legolas was placing bags of food and other supplies in the front of each specially crafted elven boat. Pippin and Merry were also sitting inside one of the boats when she approached. Looking down at the bag in his hand, Legolas pulled out a piece of lembas bread.
"Lembas! Elvish Way-bread. One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man!" Legolas took a bite of the bread before placing it back into the bag and walking away.
"How many did you have?" Merry turned to Pippin. The curly haired hobbit looked at his cousin for a moment, emberrasment and shame clearly written on his face. "Pippin, how many did you eat?" Breeze repeated the same question with a raised eyebrow.
"Four..." she giggled quietly as the hobbit let loose a loud burp. Her laughter exploded and caused a few of our company to look towards us. She dismissed them with the wave of her hand but her cheeks were a bright red from emberasment.
Everyone was suddenly gathered into a single file line. At first, the lady ranger only suspected a goodbye but when the dark green-grey cloak was slung across her slim shoulders, she was confused.
"Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes." Celeborn said as he fastened the elven leaf broach around Aragorn's neck. A different elf stood before each of the Fellowship members and copied the Elf Lord's gesture.
Stepping back, they let us go about our ways after we thanked them for the beautiful gift. But Lady Galadriel appeared before we could all disperse. She brought with her gifts of great meaning and power.
She gave Legolas a new, slender bow. To Pippin and Merry, she gifted them with two small yet deadly daggers. Sam was gifted with fine elvish rope, promised to never knot or break. Gimli did not wish for a gift, except to gaze upon the beautiful face of the Lady Galadriel one last time before they departed. And now the Lady of the Wood stood before the female ranger. Her hazel eyes lifted from the ground to warily look upon the elf enchantress.
"For you, Lady of the North, the Book of Knowing. Ask it any question and this book will reveal all secrets you wish to know, save a few..." She smiled brightly at the nervous ranger who bowed her head.
Galadriel pulled Aragorn aside to share a few private words with and he returned to the group minutes later. His face was solem yet when he looked at Breeze, it seemed to lighten a bit. She also gifted Boromir with a few low, reassuring words that had missed Breeze's ears. And to Frodo, she gave the light of Earendil.
Returning to her horse, Breeze whispered into his ear to just follow the river and be ever watchful for orcs. The stallion dipped his head before trotting off downstream. And so with one final goodbye, the Fellowship climbed into the boats and sailed down the great river, unaware of what dangers lay ahead.
~Breeze's POV~
Looking out at the surrounding mountains, a woeful sigh escaped my lips. Gimli was snoring quietly ahead of me, having fallen asleep to the gentle rocking of the river below us. Legolas paddled the boat forward and I just sat and watched the terrian slowly pass. "Is there something troubling you, Quwen?" I looked over my shoulder at the smiling elf and I just smirked.
"Actually, the problem is I have nothing to do..." Once more, I sighed and rest my chin in the palm of my hand which was perched atop my knee. "Why don't you try to read your new book?"
Remembering my gift, I reached into my satchel and retrieved the hard covered book. Opening the front cover, my fingers grazed the pages and a smile broke across my lips. I flitted to the first page, or what should have been the first page. I was only met by the cream colored blankness of a wordless page, making me scowl.
"There are no words in this book..." I grumbled under my breath. Legolas chuckled behind me and I turned through more of the pages. I was only met with more emptiness and I was about the throw the book into the water.
"Maybe you broke it?" The elf jested behind me. "I wish Galadriel would have told me how to use this blasted book! Now, I must guess!" My brow furrowed together as I studied the blank pages.
"How do you work?" I mumbled quietly under my breath. Nothing came onto the pages and with an irritated grumble, I slammed the cover closed. "How do you work!" I yelled, causing everyone's attention to be drawn to me. My face heated up and I only offered a shy smile before going back to the book.
When I picked it up, something felt different. Cautiously, I opened the weathered pages once more. Flipping through the pages, I finally saw a few words and stopped. "One must only ask a question..." Legolas peered over my shoulder and read the script.
"Hmm... What should I ask?" I glaced back at the elf. He shrugged his shoulders and continued paddling. "What does the layout of the land look like from out current location?" I shut the cover of the book and quickly opened it to find the first page adorned with a map, or rather a piece of a map. Russling through the next couple which were also filled with maps, the fifth page had a large map showing the Anduin River and Lothlorien, Gondor and Rohan also made an appearance and my eyes ate up the information.
"Who is the heir of Isildur?" I asked, more quietly this time. Opening the book, the first couple pages were blank until one word caught my eye. It was in the upper left hand corner of the page and the dark ink told me what I already knew.
"Aragorn..." I said quietly, running my fingers over his beautifully written name. The ink seemed raised from the page and left an odd feeling on the end of my fingertips. Glancing up, I peered across the calm waters of the Anduin and looked at him. His face was calm as he paddled but his blue eyes were ever watchful on the bank alongside the river. He seemed to feel my gaze upon him and looked away from the bank. His blue eyes caught my hazel ones and with a blush I turned away.
"How is your shoulder?" Legolas asked suddenly, stirring up conversation. "It is better, it still aches but my strength is returning quickly. Aragorn still says I need to take it easy, though..." I scowled and rubbed my hand over the cover of the book.
"He does not want to see you hurt. He cares for you, Breeze." My eyes lifted from the book to the elf. "He cares for me?" The odd sensation entered my stomach again.
"Yes, and I'm sure you care for him as well. Just as you care for the rest of the Fellowship..." A knowing smirk crossed his lips and I turned away. Apparently, the elf had seen that hopeful look in my eye when he said Aragorn cared for me.
"Legolas, you are a sly elf, are you aware of that? Always medling in my business..." I grumbled under my breath and he laughed quietly. "I wouldn't refer to it as medling. Just... helping." He had to stop and think about it for a moment. I raised an eyebrow at him but pushed my thoughts away.
Aragorn's boat pulled away from the pack and he signaled to go ashore. Legolas skillfully directed the elven boat to the shore and we pulled them ashore. I stepped out of the white boat and my feet were glad to be back on solid ground once more. I helped to unpack the bags and held my satchel tightly to my body, protecting it. I slumped down to the ground and sat on the bank, reclining back and stretched out on the ground.
"My legs were getting so cramped in that small space..." I mumbled and rubbed a hand over my face. "We had plenty of room in our boat!" Pippin said as he laid his bed out next to mine. "I would assume so Master Hobbit, considering your legs are substantially shorter than mine..." I winked at him playfully and he laughed.
"I wonder what it's like, being tall..." He looked off into the sky, a thoughtful look on his face. "It has it's useful moments, especially when one needs to reach something upon a high shelf or when mounting a horse..." I also followed his gaze and he scoffed.
Letting my mind suddenly wander, I reached over and found the book and picked it up. "Do you contain any good stories?" I opened the cover to find pages upon pages, overflowing with stories. Some long and some short, others had pictures and maps.
"Can you tell me the story of how Isildur cut the Ring from Sauron's hand?" Quicky shuting the book, I reopened it and found words on the pages once more. And so, I indulged myself in the story. My hand reached down and pulled one of my daggers from its sheath and my fingers played with the handle.
"Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die. One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne in the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie..." I shuttered at the thought as I stopped reading the passage and looked up at the sky.
The origional Nine rings for the Mortal Men were potentially the Nazgul, the Ring wraiths. My lip turned up in disgust and I went back to the book.
"One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them, In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie..."
The sky darkened and we set up camp for the night. Aragorn would not let us risk a fire so we had to deal with the bitter cold with just our body heat. Sam managed to pass out what food we didn't have to cook and everyone settled in. I still held the book in my hands, my eyes eating up the words on the pages.
To my dismay, I turned the next page over but it was blank. The story was over? Sighing, I placed the hard cover book on the ground next to me and looked out across the great river. Boromir and Aragorn were a short distance away, talking quietly to each other.
Something caught my eye. A log floated down the river, alone, no other debris around it. A dark shape moved suddenly and my eyes widened. My hand gripped my sword hilt tightly.
"What is that?" I asked quietly and the two men quickly joined my side. "Gollum. He has tracked us since Moria." Aragorn said quietly as we watched the log float further away. "Moria? He has pursued us that far?" I asked and both of them nodded.
"I had hoped we would lose him on the river. But he's too clever a waterman..." Aragorn explained and I took a step back. "And if he alerts the enemy to our whereabouts it will make the crossing even more dangerous." Boromir added lowly. I looked between both of the men and then back out at the river.
"What do you purpose we do?" I glanced over my shoulder and saw Frodo watching us. "There is nothing we can do. He is on the other side of the river and he sits in wait until we cross..." Boromir stated and I shook my head.
"Breeze, get some sleep, there is nothing left for us to do." The ranger commanded me but I was tired of doing nothing. "No, I want to keep watch. You men never let me do anything around here!" I grumbled under my breath and both of them smiled broadly.
"Very well, we will accompany you!" Boromir sat down on a boulder near the edge of the river and watched the opposite side. "Do as you wish. I am not the one to command you. Like you would follow my orders anyway..." The last part was once again under my breath and was a little grumpy.
Suddenly, the sky went dark and I looked up to find a cloud pass over the moon. With it came more clouds, many more cloulds. My lips turned down in a frown when I felt a few of the first wet drops hit my face.
"You picked a lovely night to keep watch, Breeze..." There was a hint of sarcasm in the Gondorian's tone and made my temper flair. I took the book and placed it under my cloak and pulled the warm material closer to my body. I also slung the deep hood up over my head in an attempt to stay dry.
Solemly, we sat together, quiet for only a few moments at a time. We exchanged a few short tales about past battles. Boromir talked the most, leaving Aragorn and I to listen to his valiant stories.
He talked about his family, his father Denethor, and his younger brother Faramir. When the younger brother was mentioned, Aragorn and I got another earful of their misadventures together. But, throughout the entire discussion, I could see the love and care that Boromir had for his brother. And even when he spoke about how his father was a bit unfair at times, I could still see how strongly he cared for him.
"What about you, Breeze? You never told us much about your past..." Boromir suddenly stopped and I looked up from the ground were I had been staring. I shifted uneasily under his gaze and held the book tightly in my hands.
"I...It's a long, boring story! I'm sure you don't-"
"I'd love to hear it!" Boromir interrupted me and my eyes flashed in annoyance. He was so persistant and I sighed heavily. "Well, I don't even know where to begin..." My eyes darted around between the two men, uncertain as to how much to reveal.
"Then start with your real name! Surely, you have another name besides Breeze or Lady of the North?" Boromir stared at me intensly and I swallowed nervously.
"Well..." I looked up at Aragorn and he had a glint of amusement in him. He liked seeing me crumble under the pressure. "You said you were of the Dunedain bloodline, if I recall..." Boromir tried helping me along and I slowly nodded, still looking at the ranger.
"I-I guess you could say I was of... high birth..."
"And exactly how high would that be?" Aragorn suddenly burst into the conversation and I sent him a nasty glare. For he already knew of this information and was only helping Boromir to find information.
"My father, was also a ranger. A highly respected one at that. He served under the fifteenth Chieftain of the Dunedain of the North, Arathorn ll..." At this point, I grew quiet and waited for Boromir's reaction. He too, was silent for a moment. The Gondorian looked to Aragorn who seemed virtually unfazed by this new discovery.
"Arathorn? So you mean to say that..." He pointed his index finger at the silent ranger who nodded. Visual anger flashed through his eyes, causing me to flinch. "This whole time, you knew and did not tell me? Why did you not tell me?" Boromir snapped at Aragorn. He stood up which in turn, caused me to follow his actions.
"I did not tell you because it was not my secret to tell..." Aragorn replied cooly, unaffected by the Gondorian's yelling. "And I suppose you know her true identity as well?"
I didn't know why Boromir was getting so defensive about not knowing all this about me. At the ranger's silence, he turned back to me. "You told him your name, too! Why, Breeze? Why did you not tell me?" His grey eyes suddenly softened and he seemed to shrink.
"I...I didn't think I could trust you yet..." I replied quietly. "When did he know?" The Gondorian faced me fully now, completely ignoring the ranger. I didn't answer him and he took a shaky step closer. He grasped my wrist suddenly, causing me to flinch.
"When did he know?" His grey eyes were full of pain and I could hardly stand to look at them.
"Moria..." His eyes clouded over and it seemed as though he had been physically struck with pain. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, Boromir. Please don't think badly of me becuase I did not feel inclined to tell you my secrets..." I looked down at the ground, feeling rather ashamed that I didn't trust my friends. He laughed quietly but it was not full of humor, more of disbelief.
"I do not think badly of you, my lady. I don't think it even possible..." My eyes raised back up to his face. His eyes were warm with understanding but it caused me to take a step back at his soft tone.
"And if it would be to much to ask, what is your true identity?" He brought his hand up and grasped my chin gently, turning my face towards him. "Q-Quwen, daughter of Ronaer..." I said softly, my hazel eyes full of uncertainty and worry.
"Quwen... A lovely name for a lovely lady!" Boromir smiled widely and brushed some hair from my face. His features seemed to lighten significantly but I could tell he was still in a foul mood. His gloved hand lingered longer than necessary and I looked away.
"And your mother? What happened to her?" Aragorn suddenly interrupted our moment but I was thankful. I sat back down on my boulder and sighed, trying to get my heart rate to slow from the Gondorian's caring actions.
"My father was traveling with Arathorn himself. They were close friends and my father was always at his side. On one endeavor, they traveled through the wonderous plains of Rohan. They came to rest at Edoras one night on their trip to the White City. A blonde woman seemed to catch his eye as she was out tending to the horses in a paddock. He wished to go on a ride and origionally it was her place to help him with his steed with her being a stable maid. But, she meerly waved him off and told him to prepare his own damn horse..." I laughed quietly now, thinking of how rude my mother had been.
"She was the Stablemaster's eldest child and was to inherit the position when he passed. Yet, she did not want it. After more encounters with this rambunctious female, my father learned of her name. Arya, it was. And even when she was covered in dirt and horse manuer, he found her rather lovely. She told him her story about how she didn't want to be a Stablemaster and begged him to let her leave with him and his master. After some arguing, my father finally agreed..." I stopped now to take a breath and looked up at Aragorn. He was looking at me, his blue eyes intent.
"And so, my father whisked her away in the night. And with them, she took one pregnant mare that had been mated with a Mearas stallion, back to the North, without her father's blessing, I might add. And the colt was born and gifted to me, Roaner's eldest child..." I smiled and thought of Del.
I was young when I first met the horse. I had lied when I told Boromir that we had only been together ten years. It was a lot longer than ten. Mearas had extremely long lives and Del was no exception to that legend.
"But my mother would tell it a different way. She would say that some scrowngy ranger from the North kept bugging her. He confessed his undying love for her and begged her to follow him back to the North where they eventually got married and had a three children..." I snorted when I thought of how different a story they would tell.
"You say three children? The eldest is yourself but what of the others?" Boromir asked, his mind probably wondering about his own brother. "I had two younger siblings, Roanen and Ariyana. They both reflected the looks of my father and they could easily be seen as family. Ariyana had dark hair like our father and fit in rather well with the rest of the children. But I was different. My mother and father loved me, adored me, but I was still different. I was the only child in the North to ever have light colored hair, the rest only had shades close to the color of the night sky..." I sighed as I remembered how I had been teased by the younger children.
It was part of the reason I had acted out and became the way I am today.
"I know not what has become of my siblings. Our parents were killed when I was only of eighteen years of age. By then, I had asked my father to teach me the ways of the sword for that very purpose and yet I was unable to protect them. We had been hidden away in the stables where Del had been waiting to carry us away. But the orcs thought different. They thought it would be funny to break the damn that held the water back from eating up our village. The frigid water's washed me away from my brother and sister who were still in the rafters of the stables. When I awoke the nest morning, my body could hardly move and I was almost frozen entirely to the ground. But when I looked around, Del was resting peacefully at my side and we had somehow managed to get out of the strong current." My eyes began to slightly water now, recalling all the old memories I had kept at bay. I released a shaky breath and continued.
"When I returned to the village the next morning, there was nothing left. No wooden buildings, no merry lights that came from inside homes, no laughter from the children. Nothing. I searched frantically for my family and only found my parents' bodies so I buried them in the cold ground. But, I was unable to find my younger siblings and that gives me hope..." Both of my friends sat quietly, probably at a lose for words. I was the soul surviver of our Dunedain village and I was alone, save Aragron.
"I'm sorry for all your losses, Quwen... It must have been hard for you, being so young and all..." Aragorn tried to comfort me and I sniffed before whipping my nose.
"I can see that have the looks of a woman of Rohan! Ah, yes! This information explains your similarities to the Horse Lords..." Boromir said quielty as he stroked his beard. He changed the subject rather quickly, but thankfully it distracted me from my inner termoil.
"Indeed it does... I have been mistaken multiple times for a daughter of the Rohirrim. I even lived there for a short while, but that was a long time ago..." I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.
"I knew Theoden when he was only a man of twenty years... He has changed much over the years, I presume, for I have not visited recently..." I scratched the back of my head for a moment before reclining back.
"There, is that enough information for you?" I playfully jested but pouring out all the details of my past was rather tiring. Both men nodded and the rain ceased to fall. Pulling the book from the folds of my cloak, I asked for a new story and began reading.
"Which road do you suggest that we take?" The Gondorian changed subjects rather quickly, leaving me to my book. Aragorn sat in silence, pondering all options. "Minas Tirith is the safer road. You know it. From there we can regroup and strike out for Mordor from a place of strenght!" His sudden outburst caused me to look up from my story.
"There is no strenght in Gondor that can avail us." Aragorn replied quietly as he looked over at me. My eyes quickly darted back to the book and I tried to occupy myself with reading but I couldn't help but listen.
"You were quickly enough to trust the elves! Have you so little faith in your own people? 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..." Aragorn went to turn away but Boromir suddenly grasped the collar of his shirt and pulled him back. I shut my book loudly but still I could not direct their attention on me. I quickly rose from my spot and approached them.
"You are afraid! All your life you have hidden in the shadows! Scared of who you are, what you are..." Boromir got in the ranger's personal space and I advanced forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. The Gondorian looked down at me, anger hardening his grey eyes.
Slowly he released his grip on Aragorn who pushed him away. "I will not lead the Ring a hundred leauges of your city..." Aragorn's words were venemous and he cast me a softened look and they alomst beckoned me to follow him when he turned and left. I looked at Boromir one last time, a storm was brueing inside his eyes. But, I followed after Aragorn who walked back further down the riverbank. He glanced sideways at me when I walked up to join him.
"Do not worry about him. In time, he'll come to see that the Ring will do no good for Gondor..." I reassured him quietly.