The next morning Nuala finally felt well enough to join the group for breakfast, quickly she noticed the group had more guests. There were dwarves, elves, and men that came from far. During breakfast Nuala was introduced to Bilbo, Frodo's uncle, who she adored after speaking to him just the once. The Hobbits kept the air of the morning light and easy, but there was no avoiding the heavy feeling weighing on everyone there. She did not see Aragorn present.
Seeking out the man was harder than she would have liked to admit. Her magic was the only way she was able to find him hidden away on one of the balconies on the outskirts of the main houses. It was getting easier to feel the pull of the man through her magic, she followed the tugging until she found him.
Aragorn was sitting, on a stone bench out looking the courtyard where the meeting was to be held. He did not acknowledge the woman as she approached. Nuala sat next to the man, forcefully having to contain her magic from reaching out to the man. They sat in silence for a while, the sound of quiet voices and the stream of water and waterfalls the only thing heard.
"What is plaguing your mind?" Nuala could not contain herself any longer. Aragorn turned to the woman, his stare felt like a physical weight was placed on her. The intensity almost made the young woman want to look away, but she held his gaze.
"Too much plagues my mind, I wish I could say it was one thing, but I cannot," Aragorn looked away from the woman.
"You don't have to push me away. I want to help you."
"I do not-"
"Do not even try to deny it," the redhead gave the man a sharp look. "Let me help shoulder your burden, you won't be as afraid to face things when you have someone there to help you."
"How do you know that you can help me? I can't even help myself," the man glared at his hands.
"Neither of us will know," Nuala took his hands and laid her hands on top. "But if you don't change the way you're going now, your path will stay the same."
"I don't know what path to take. I am not what they need," Aragorn said desperately. He gripped the woman's hands tightly, her thumbs rubbing soothing circles.
"Let me show you then, I can help you find that path. One that you belong on."
"Im nifred i, dilthen naru," Aragorn whispered. The man was pressed against the woman's side, leaning down to look at her. (I fear that, little red.)
"Ceri- ú- nall- nin dilthen!" Nuala glared at the man. When he laughed, he leaned his head against hers. Suddenly feeling shy, the woman closed her eyes. (Do not call me little!)
"Thank you." Aragorn had left shortly after, the woman not going after him. She still felt quite flushed. Who did he think he was touching her like then leaving her like it was nothing!
Nuala sought out the hobbits, finding them huddled together, whispering loudly. They did not hear her approach, so she decided to try to scare them.
"What are you four up to?" Nuala whispered from right behind them, not holding back her giggles of joy at seeing them jump.
"Lady Nuala, that was not very nice!" Sam complained, his face flushing brightly.
"I do apologize nin dears, but I could not help myself." The woman laughed again at their petulant faces.
"I don't think she's very sorry, do you Pip?" Merry turned to his cousin.
"I don't think she is either," Pippin muttered grumpily. Nuala broke into laughter again, her body leaned over, trying to stop the escape her snorts with no luck.
Very quickly, an Ellon approached." Master Frodo, it is time to attend the meeting."
"Alright." The Hobbits face became somber again and he left with the Ellon.
"Do you not get to go too my lady?" Sam asked soon after Frodo left, realizing the woman was still with them.
"I am not to attend the meeting this time," Nuala frowned, "It is fine, I will just wait with you all."
"Well my lady," Merry turned to look at the others, to which the all nodded in consent." We weren't invited, but that doesn't mean we won't go too."
"Nin dears, I agree with how you think! Lead the way!"
Soon all of them settled in to eavesdrop on the conversations of the party around them. Nuala did her best to try to conceal them, but she knew she'd be discovered if she used to much magic.
Nuala faintly could pick out their conversation now, the young man Boromir speaking now." And what would a ranger know of this matter?" The says looking towards Aragorn, who says nothing. Nuala can feel the irritation and sadness seeping out of Aragorn.
"This is no mere ranger. He Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance!" Legolas stands to defend the mans honor.
"Aragorn? This is Isildurs heir?" Boromir looks to Aragorn in shock.
"And heir to the throne of Gondor." Legolas continues.
"Havo dad, Legolas," Aragorn speaks uneasily. (Sit down Legolas.)
"Gondor needs no king," Boromir spits bitterly.
"Aragorn is right. We cannot use it," Gandalf cuts in.
"You have only one choice. The ring must be destroyed," Elrond spoke, looking to everyone.
The council continued on arguing over who would take it. Nuala could feel Frodo's resolve only seconds before acting.
"I will take it. I will take it. I will take the Ring to Mordor." The group quieted down at hearing the Hobbit speak." Though I do not know the way," Frodo looked worriedly to Gandalf.
"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear." Gandalf stood against Frodo's side.
"If, by my life or death, I can protect you, I will." Aragorn kneels before Frodo. "You have my sword."
"And my bow," Legolas joined.
"And my Axe." Gimli joined this time.
"You carry the fate of us all, little one." Boromir joins now. "If this is indeed the will of the Council, then Gondor will see it done."
Suddenly, Sam popped out of the bush he was hiding from," Here! Mr. Frodo's not gong anywhere without me." Sam took to Frodo's side.
"No, Indeed. It is hardly possible to separate you. Even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not." Elrond doesn't even sound surprised at this point.
Soon after Merry and Pippin joins the bunch." Oi! We're coming too! You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us."
"Anyway! You need people of intelligence on this sort of mission. quest. thing," Pippin chimes in.
"Well, that rules you out Pip!" Merry rolls his eyes.
Feeling inspired by the Hobbits, Nuala joins the bunch. "I'll be joining too. I will do my best to carry your heavy burden Frodo," Nuala smiled at the Hobbit, who returned the smile.
"Ten companions. So be it. You shall be the "Fellowship of the ring"
After that, the meeting was ended and everyone went of to prepare for the journey. Nuala went to her room to focus on making sure her arm was ready for her to remove the sling. There was still a slight tinge of pain, but nothing unbearable.
There were clothes laid out for Nuala and she packed them gratefully. As Nuala had almost finished her packing, she heard a knock on her door.
"You may enter!"
Soon after she finished speaking, Nuala saw Aragorn enter the room. She felt his pain and fear reach her in a heavy blanket.
"Tul na nin," Nuala called reaching for the man with her arms and her magic. (Come to me.)
The man takes quick steps to reach the woman, stopping just short of her out reached arms. Aragorn searches the woman's face briefly before enter her arms. Nuala wraps her arms around the man, willing him to relax. He does so eventually, his arms coming up to embrace her as well.
"Treneri nin what cin baur," Nuala whispered stroking the mans back with one hand and the other finding it's way into the hair at the back of his neck. (Tell me what I can do.)
"Im baur cín polod dilthen naru," Aragorn muttered, nuzzling his face into the woman's neck. (I need your strength little red.)
"Tul- torech with nin," Nuala says leading them both to her bed. (Come lay with me.)
"Onlui an hi." Nuala let's the man go for long enough to lay on the far side of his bed. She reaches her arms out to him again, where he reluctantly joins. He lays with his head against her chest, his arms winding around her waist. Nuala strokes his hair softly until they both fall asleep. (Only for now.)