Chapter 36

Aragorn's POV

I watched Legolas settle Hermione into a peaceful sleep. My thoughts were all over the place. I did not know if I had the strength to help Hermione defeat her inner demons. I only hoped I did. Legolas would help as much as he could. But I knew at the end of the day we can only do so much without her help. If she wanted help this process would be a little easier. I knew she was crying for help I could see it in her eyes. Every day looks like a struggle for her. Why should it not be? After all she had and still is going through it is a wonder she still finds it in herself to wake up.

'You are not here Estel. Where have your thoughts taken you?' Legolas asked, I was a little shocked I had not noticed him move towards me.

'It is nothing. I am assuming Hermione is asleep.' I replied tiredly,

'Aye, she is. She will sleep well this night. But come now, I cannot leave you alone with your troubling thoughts.'

'What troubling thoughts?' I asked trying to hide myself from his oncoming questions,

'You were never a good liar Estel, I know you too well. You have that distant look upon your face and you and standing much too stiffly for one who has no troubling thoughts.' Legolas pressed on trying to provoke me into answering his questions. 'You are tired, but you will find no rest within your mind.'

I sighed 'I am worried that I will be unable to help Hermione through this. She tried to end her life. I do not know if there is anything that can comfort her or help her.'

Legolas said nothing for a while and just looked at me. I always wondered how he was able to get the truth out of me and how he always knew when something was bothering me.

'Hmm I see. Well you cannot blame yourself for what has taken past. You are doing what you can for that elfling. She is not ready to part from this world, if she were she would have succeeded. She is crying for help. You are helping her by just being there for her. I have an idea…. I thi –'

'That is?' I said interrupting him,

'Do not interrupt me ranger!' I cringed at his tone. It was as if he were scolding a little boy.

'I am scolding a little boy who likes to interrupt me. As I was saying I think perhaps we get her mind on something else. The village children could use some cheering up. Perhaps she would like to tell a few stories and spend some time with them.' Legolas said,

'We can try. For now though I must sleep.'

Hermione's POV

I woke up to someone gently tapping me on the shoulder. With a smile I turned around and looked up to see bright blue eyes gazing down at me.

'You slept well I presume.' Legolas asked,

'Yes, really well. Thank you for whatever it is you did.'

'It was nothing. Here is some food. We ride out soon. Before we do I would like to ask you a favour.'

I nodded my head for him to continue.

'The children from the village have had a hard time lately, they could use some cheering up. I thought perhaps you could keep them entertained for an hour or two. Telling a story or just talking to them.'

I looked over to where a few of the children were sitting down and eating with their mothers and fathers, they looked fine to me. Besides I could not cheer a child up when I could not even cheer myself up.

'No, I don't want to.' I replied stiffly,

'Why?' he asked,

'Because I don't want to, I don't need a reason.'

'I think it would be good for you.'

'Oh so I try to kill my-self and you want me to take care of a bunch of children. I think you should stop talking now.'

At that moment Aragorn walked up to us,

'What is going on?' Aragorn asked,

'Well I said no to looking after the kids and Legolas is now mad at me.' I replied,

'I am not mad I am disappointed, those children have nothing and you refuse to help them. Not only do I find that selfish I find it rude that you are not acting on my command,' Legolas said

'WHAT? Are you kidding me? I take no commands from you. I hate you, both of you.' I cried out walking away from them both.

I spent some time thinking over the conversation we had, had. And I still did not wish to be around the kids. I could not handle them. I did not want to see the light leave their eyes.

It was late afternoon when we stopped for lunch and I was hungry I went in search of food but instead found Gimli chuckling lightly with Legolas. Gimli looked up and saw me,

'Ah come and join us we are just watching Aragorn try some of the Lady Eowyn's stew.' I looked over confused as to why this would be funny,

Gimli must have noticed since I had not started laughing and said, 'The Lady is er… well to put it nicely let us just say that she should not ever be around the food making process. Take a look.'

I looked down at the stew in Gimli's hand and cringed it did smell horrible. Legolas smirked watching Aragorn and the Lady speak. As soon as Eowyn turned her back Aragorn tipped the stew on the ground, but Eowyn quickly turned around and Aragorn had to hide what he had done and eat the stew.

'Hermione, I am sorry for pressuring you into something you do not wish to do. Forgive me for my harsh words. I did not mean what I said. At the time perhaps but not now.' Startled I looked at Legolas,

Before I could reply Aragorn came trudging up to us with a very dissatisfied look on his face,

'I no doubt have you three to thank for not warning me of the Lady's cooking,' Aragorn grumbled, I could no longer hold in my laughter.

That afternoon Aragorn got his revenge as a child came up to him to ask him a question,

'Sir I was wondering if my sister could ride a horse. Now I wouldn't usually ask but she is very tired and I cannot carry her because I am tired as well.' The child asked very timidly,

Aragorn knelt down to the boy,

'What is your name son?' Aragorn asked,

'Hamla son of Degrey, sir,'

'Well Hamla son of Degrey I am Strider and this is my friend Hermione. If your parents allow your sister to ride on a horse then I shall also allow it.'

'I already asked sir, they said not to annoy the busy men, but my sister sir she is very little.' I held back a small smile for he too was also little.

Aragorn smiled kindly at the young boy, 'Very well go get your sister and I shall let her ride with us.' the little boy smiled and ran off to get his sister.

'Legolas, I have a favour to ask of you.' Aragorn asked, I smiled having guessed what this favour was.

Before Aragorn could go on the little boy and his sister came running up to us with big grins on their faces. I smiled the little girl was too cute with her dark brown hair, ocean blue eyes, and a tiny nose. Aragorn knelt down to greet the children,

'This must be your sister.' the little boy nodded,

'She's called Tilly,' he said,

'Well Tilly, this is Legolas, he is an Elf.' Aragorn announced.

I held my giggle as Tilly's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. I doubted she had ever seen an Elf before. Aragorn gently picked Tilly up and handed her to Legolas who flat out glared Aragorn down,

'Legolas, Tilly's brother here asked if Tilly could ride one of the horses because she is tired. I thought perhaps since you do not tire as easily as the rest of us you could look after her and Hamla.' Aragorn said with a slight smirk and delivered Tilly into Legolas's shocked arms.

As soon as Tilly was settled in Legolas's arms the questions poured out,

'Do elves sleep? Where do you live? What do you eat? Can you run fast? Do you have any powers? What do you do all day?' Tilly asked as her brother slapped her slightly on her arm trying to hush her. But he also wanted to know.

Legolas's fate was sealed for the next hour or so he would be the one telling tales. Aragorn laughed as did I.

Despite the lateness of the day there was still enough light and soon enough Legolas had left the children to their family and started scouting the area. He must have heard something for when he left he gave a worried glace towards us as if saying get ready to draw your weapons.

It was quickly confirmed, 'Legolas what is it?' Aragorn yelled out,

'Wargs,' he called back.

Suddenly there was a rush of panic. I found Remus and we got on a horse,

'No magic, too many people around,' I said quickly just as we went into battle.

We did the best we could without the use of magic but it was not enough. Much blood was spent. I fought on though for the sake of those two children who had captured my heart and all the other children. But it did not last long it was quick and bloody. I looked around trying to find Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn.

I found them by the cliff edge looking down. Or rather only two of them. I walked up to them and Legolas placed an arm around my shoulder. Gimli did the same. I did not need to be told what had happened.

I had not noticed Theoden coming up to us but I heard him, 'Get the wounded on horses, and leave the dead.'

I saw Legolas look at the King with an expression of perplexed anger, the King put a comforting hand on Legolas's shoulder. Silently and with reluctance we left, riding away. The further away we got the more it hurt the more lost Aragorn was to us.

I kept my tears at bay, if I were upset I could only guess that Legolas was feeling it ten times more than I was.