Thorodriel: Chapter 12
After a few days of walking, Aeweneth had still barely spoken to the rest of the fellowship except to offer guidance to Gandalf and Aragorn when needed. The group didn't seem to mind and appeared to accept that it would take her a little while longer to open up. The elf had always preferred her own company, and the fellowship were happy to let her scout ahead and take the lonelier watches at night. So far, she had enjoyed the journey despite knowing in her gut that it was bound to become more treacherous sooner or later. She found the hobbits, in particular, to be highly entertaining and spent her days listening to them chat about the Shire and their seemingly endless list of meals. She also felt quite comfortable around Sam who, like herself, wasn't as talkative as the rest of the group. At mealtimes, she often sat beside him as a silent and comforting presence as he cooked. Neither spoke much, but they both appreciated the company, nonetheless. Even Gimli seemed happy for Aeweneth to keep to herself, never pressing too much for a response from her. Boromir, on the other hand, consistently watched her in what could only be described as suspicion. It took a couple of days before he even let himself fall asleep on her watch and he contradicted her advice at every opportunity. Aragorn had picked up on this, showing his disproval and supporting her whenever he could.
"It frustrates me to know he does not trust you. You have more experience than most of us combined and have been my guide for so many years, and yet he cannot see past his pride." He explained after she admonished him one evening for snapping at the Gondorian.
Her relationship with Legolas had somehow turned even more confusing since leaving Rivendell. The pair hadn't spent much time together but frequently caught each other's gaze across the camp, and Aeweneth often found herself smiling at his harmless banter with Gimli. She wasn't surprised that she was enjoying his company; the pair had always felt a deep connection, after all. What did surprise her was the slight fluttering in her stomach and warmth in her heart every time she caught a glimpse of those deep sapphire eyes.
A few nights into the journey, she was disturbed from a dreamless sleep by mutterings and shuffling from across the camp. As a light sleeper, Aeweneth was easily woken by Frodo's quiet nightmares. Just as she was about to rise and nudge him out of the dream, she heard Aragorn's soothing tones bringing the young hobbit back to reality.
"Frodo," he whispered softly, so as not to wake the rest of their group. "Frodo. You are safe, mellon nin."
Aeweneth lay still and listened as the ring bearer's quiet murmuring slowed and he broke free of the nightmare. The pair did not speak for a short time, as Frodo pushed the demons from his mind and sat up.
"I cannot escape it," he eventually spoke, "even in my dreams."
Aragorn thought about his next words carefully, shifting slightly so the hobbit could move closer to their small fire.
"No, I would think not. It is a heavy burden you bear Frodo- far heavier than most could even comprehend."
The pair settled into quiet once more and Aeweneth listened as they took turns coaxing the fire with sticks.
"How long is left of your watch?" The young hobbit finally enquired.
"A couple of hours or so, and then I will wake Aeweneth for her turn." Answered the Ranger, keen to break the thick silence. "You should probably rest, mellon nin. But, if sleep alludes you, I know your company would be welcomed by us both. It is a cold night and I would be surprised to find much trouble in these parts."
The hobbit nodded, before looking to the ground hesitantly.
"I will stay until your watch is over, Strider, but I do not believe my company would be welcomed by the lady."
Aeweneth's heart jumped at his words in hurt. On the back of her neck she felt a pair of eyes watching her and, if possible, lay even stiller than before.
"Do not be too quick to judge Master Baggins. Aeweneth may not be the most forthcoming soul, but she simply takes a bit longer than the rest of us to open up to strangers. Give her time."
"Oh, I meant no offence." He was quick to defend, "I just noticed she often prefers her own company to that of the fellowship."
"Do not think for a moment Frodo that she would not hesitate to sacrifice everything to protect us."
"I'm not. I am just trying to figure her out is all..."
Aragorn's sigh cut off his trail of thought.
"Aeweneth has lived quite a solitary life for some years now." He explained.
"And yet she is a daughter of Elrond. Why does she not reside in Rivendell with her family?"
"That is not my story to tell, mellon nin. You bear a great burden Frodo Baggins and I do not blame you for hesitating to trust. But I cannot be the one to give you this information, for that would be breaking her trust." Aragorn's gaze settled upon the young hobbit, gesturing almost imperceptibly to the female elf.
"I understand." Frodo finally nodded, realising he had much to learn before making a true judgement.
After a few moments of awkward silence, Aragorn spoke up again in an attempt to ease the tension: "I could perhaps tell you of my past with Aeweneth if that would ease your worries?"
At this, the guilt in Frodo's face eased and he gazed up at the Ranger, meeting his eyes in curiosity
"I did notice she was more comfortable around you... and Gandalf of course. Have you known each other long?"
"For many years mellon nin." Aragorn nodded, "I spent my childhood at Rivendell - this you know - but Elrond realised that forcing me to adapt to the wilderness, to live among the Dunedain with no experience or knowledge, was rash. I knew nothing outside of the real world. Whilst I was a well-trained fighter, I also lacked any form of survival instinct or ability. They couldn't exactly thrust me out on my own and hope for the best..."
"And that's where Aeweneth comes in?" Frodo interrupted, understanding dawning in his expression.
"That is where Aeweneth comes in." The ranger confirmed. "By this point, she had been living alone in the mountains for many years. I had never met her, but heard stories of the elusive daughter of Elrond who had run off to join the eagles." A slight laugh escaped his lips as he remembered the rumours that ran rampant around Rivendell about Aeweneth when he was a child. "It was Gandalf who suggested that I spend a few years with her."
"So, you learned it all from her?"
"Well mellon nin, she is elf kind so there are many things I could never master. But my knowledge of tracking, healing, and survival were all learned under her tutelage. I like to think that, in the end, we both gained something from my apprenticeship. Myself, the knowledge and skills to survive as a Ranger, and her a companionship she perhaps did not even realise she had missed." He laughed again in nostalgia, "In the end, it was perhaps one of Gandalf's more successful experiments."
Aeweneth could barely breathe as she felt the hobbit's eyes watching her still form once again.
"So you see, my friend, you can trust her with your life. For everything you know of me, and trust in me to keep you safe, you now know to come from her."
The young hobbit nodded, glad that his worries had been settled, and the pair eased back into a comfortable silence once more. Soon enough, Frodo's eyes grew tired and he found himself drifting off as he watched the small campfire. He bid the ranger goodnight and headed back to sleep, safe in the knowledge that he was protected- for now at least.
After a few minutes, when his breathing had slowed and it was clear the hobbit was asleep, Aragorn spoke up.
"I know you heard us, Aeweneth."
The young elf sighed before extracting herself from the woollen blanket and making her way over to the Ranger. She sat in front of the crackling fire, picking up a twig to prod at the flames.
"It hurts to know he cannot trust me." She admitted, avoiding his gaze. "Though, I suppose I have done nothing to earn it."
"Yes. It pains me to say it mellon nin, but the ring bearer will never trust you if you cannot even look him in the eye."
"I know, I admit I have been avoiding him somewhat. It's the ring. Sometimes when I get close, I can hear it. Whispering." She glanced over at the sleeping hobbit, already feeling the dark pull of the trinket around his neck. "At the council meeting… even now I can feel it. I'm not sure I can deal with that - not just yet."
"You are not the only one to feel it, Aeweneth..."
"Gandalf, I know."
"No, I was speaking of myself. Of all of us on this quest. Except for the hobbits, perhaps."
She looked up and met his gaze, feeling ashamed, "Yes, well perhaps you are right. I shall make more of an effort from now, either way, that is certain."
"Good. We can never succeed in this quest without trust, muinthel. Now if you will excuse me, if you are awake, I will take my rest. I assume you are happy to take the watch?"
At his playful tone and familial endearment, Aeweneth smiled, "for you Estel, anything."
The ranger grinned and stretched in front of the fire before making his way to bed. He was just about to drift off when he heard the young elf's voice echo through his mind, more serious in tone.
"Anything, mellon nin. For you, and for Arwen."
Aragorn met her eyes across the camp, for the first time realising what Aeweneth was promising- they were in this together till the end.