Chapter 8: Eyes Forward
We left very early before the sun had risen grabbing a quick bite to eat before heading off in the direction of Rivendell. There was no point in Pippin and Merry going back now, they were seen by the riders so they were in as much danger as we were.
Strider and I led them through the forest hearing them breathing heavily from all the walking as I slowed my pace down coming up beside them both handing them some of my water.
"If I knew adventures meant this much walking I'd have stayed home." Pippin said out of breath making me smirk saying, "This is a breeze compared to what we could be doing, I've climbed up mountains and cold damp ruins."
"I hope we don't have to do that." Merry said making me laugh replying, "Probably not."
After another hour of walking Merry and Pippin stopped walking as Strider turned towards them saying, "Gentlemen we do not stop until nightfall."
Pippin looked offended saying, "What about breakfast?"
"We've already had it." I said crossing my arms as he crossed them back saying, "We've had one yes but what about second breakfast?"
Strider looked at him funny as Merry replied, "I don't think he knows about second breakfast Pippin."
Pippin's eyes widened horrified saying, "Well, what about elevensies? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them doesn't he?"
I laughed patting his back saying, "I wouldn't count on it."
Once nightfall hit the hobbits were exhausted so I stayed to look after them while Strider went hunting coming back with a deer as Sam quickly began preparing dinner for us all.
"You're a good cook Sam, you must have all the hobbit ladies at your door." I said taking a bite out of the meat seeing him laugh lightly while Merry nudged him saying, "He only has eyes for Rosie but he's too afraid to say anything."
Sam looked offended at him saying, "I'll ask her, just need it to be the right moment."
"Do you have an elf fellow waiting for you?" Merry asked as I replied, "No, I'm always traveling with Gandalf or when she was alive my mother, I don't have any time for such things."
"Plus you're probably too short for elf folk." Pippin said as I glared at him saying, "You're one to talk Pipsqueak."
They all laughed lightly except Pippin who shrunk back into his seat not speaking again making me smirk finishing up my food yawning.
"You all should get some rest, I will watch over you." Strider said as I lied down on my bedroll wrapping my cloak around myself falling asleep to the fire crackling.
Once the sun had risen we were on the move again as we all marched along hearing the hobbits talk about home and what they missed, most of it consisted of food which didn't surprise me. Despite not getting any sleep Strider seemed to not be affected by it as he pressed on with a man of purpose making me come up beside him.
"So what did you know about my mother?" I asked as he turned looking down at me saying, "Well we all know about her adventure against the dragon Smaug but once she got back from her quest she helped aid Rivendell against orc attacks which was when I met her. She was pregnant with you at that time but that didn't stop her from fighting with her all."
I smiled saying, "Yea that sounds like her…"
"Once you were born she left right away since you were very sick when you were little, the last time I saw her though she just wasn't the same." He said making me frown replying, "How so?"
"Well I had gone to Rivendell after the battle to stay and recover, she left right after the battle but when she came back it was different, your mother was always a light in the darkness someone who helped raise our spirits whenever the men wanted to give up. In Rivendell, though she was sad, your mother never wanted to talk about her feelings and no one ever pressed her on it. After that night she left with Gandalf and you, that was the last time I ever saw her." I looked down sad, I didn't remember much of my life in Rivendell but knew I had family their hoping maybe one of them knew more.
"Eyes forward Marina you don't want the enemy to get the slip on you." My mother said sternly as I turned my eyes holding one of her daggers tightly in my hands.
"Mother, when can I go on an adventure with you?" I asked curiously as she laughed saying, "When you're older, you're barely over 40."
I scoffed saying, "I'm not a child though, Gandalf said I age differently than elves because I'm part Hobbit."
"I'm aware my dear but that doesn't mean you're still an adult, I didn't go off on my first adventure till I was over 100." She said smiling sadly as I replied, "I know mom you've told me about it but you also ran off for yours."
She laughed saying, "I suggest you don't get any funny ideas dear."
"I won't but I wish you'd tell me about father." I said giggling seeing her smile falter for a moment replying, "One day I will tell you all about him but for now eyes forward."
I sighed sadly remembering that was one of the last training sessions I had before she began to grow ill and Gandalf had to take over. I noticed it would be nighttime soon as Strider brought us up a large cliff seeing we were in some ruins as he looked around.
"I'm going to scout ahead so stay here with the others and be on your guard." Strider said making me nod watching him disappear into the growing darkness.
