Getting out of bed was hard. I was anxious what this journey would hold in stall. I could vaguely remember some rather short pieces of the plot. But I had come to realize the longer I stayed in Middle Earth the more I seemed to forget. Gandalf said it was partially because me being here would change some events and the other reason was that my memories clouded over for I wasn't supposed to know.
My fingers glided over the fabric of my new clothes. They had been made for me by Thúldil and her sister. Slowly I got out of my nightwear and started dressing. It was still early morning but I knew I would no longer be able to sleep. I slid into my pants, that still reminded me strongly of leggings. The elven woman had told me the fabric was a little different from what men produced. It was a thin and light material, that would keep me warm but would still feel cool should the temperature rise again. Next was a tight fitting white blouse and a light blue corset that gave me a little trouble to put on. Lucky for me it was one that had to be tied in the front and not the back.
After pacing around my room for another couple of minutes I decided to pay a last visit to the stables. I slipped on my leather boots and left my room. The hallways were empty, everyone seemed to be still fast asleep. No wonder after the feast. I'm curious if the dwarves will even be up before midday…
Entering the stables I wasn't even that surprised that nobody except for the horses was around. Often had I wandered in here at this hour, seeking the numbing calm and soothing presence of the horses. With determination I walked over to one particular box, grabbing an apple from the basket in the corner while doing so.
"Good morning to you as well." I smiled when Asfaloth's head shot up in recognition as I approached him. Even if I had never been on his back and probably never would be I somehow had managed to establish a solid bond with him since I started my training with Glorfindel. With a soft snore the white horse trotted over blowing his warm breath in my face as a welcome. I leaned my head against his and closed my eyes for a second. I often did that when I was anxious and he always waited until I started to calm down. Yet another reminder that he was so much more than the horses I was used to from my world.
"I am afraid this will be the last time for a very long while that we see each other." I only whispered while holding up the apple for him. I knew my voice would crack if I had spoken any louder in that moment. Leaving him behind felt like losing a dear friend. After all that was what he had become, a friend I could turn to when I didn't know what to do with myself. With a loud crunching noise he bit the apple in two, happily chewing on it. Soon the second half was gone as well. I had to stifle a laugh when he gently bumped his nose into my face. Only then did I realize the stray tears rolling down my cheeks. I brushed them away and leaned my head against his again.
"What was I thinking, Asfaloth? But it is too late to turn back now. Besides I cannot let Pippin walk off half cocked. He might get himself killed that little fool. He has a big heart, though it seems to get the better of him quite often… How am I going to survive this? I know I am capable of holding my ground by now, still I am so new to this life here. The others had a lifetime of growing into this, hell most of them have been raised with a sword in their hands. I know where I stand with Aragorn and Legolas for they have become something close to being considered as friends. I hold a lot of affection for the Hobbits, we have been through a lot after all. I don't know what the dwarf and the one from Gondor think of me joining the party…"
"It was quite the surprise to be honest." I whirled around and stared at the man leaning against a wooden beam. His arms crossed over his broad chest the Gondorian was watching me with interest.
"I am sorry, I didn't hear you entering, my lord." I tried getting control over my racing heart as he pushed himself of the beam and walked over.
"I must say I am curious as to why a woman would chose to accompany us on this endeavour. It is highly unusual, indeed. You are either not quite right in your head for doing this or you are braver than most men I fought side by side with over the years. Given how the elves seem to regard you, I assume it is the latter. Still there is something about you that doesn't really fit into the picture…" He had taken a hold of one of my locks and was looking me over once again. He made me feel uneasy more and more. I knew there was something I should remember about him, but it seemed to just escape my grasp.
"Or maybe there isn't as much to me as you might think. Maybe there is nothing special about me at all." I looked up at him towering over me and there was a slight smirk playing along his lips.
"You might fool some of the others, but not me. Though you speak Westron as if it was your heretic language, still there is a tinge to it that has me wondering where you are really from. It is no accent I have ever heard throughout Middle Earth and some of your words I have never heard before. You haven't grown up in the care of the elves either, or at some point there would have at least been rumours of a girl living and fighting with the elves no matter how well protected you had been. And there is this…" He grabbed my arm without warning and drew back my sleeve to expose the Ringwraith's mark.
I gasped and tried to free myself of him but he wouldn't let go. Instead he pulled my arm into the pale light to get a better look at the markings.
"Please let go of me. Where I come from is of no concern to you. You can make your assumptions as you like, but I will not speak to you about my past." He had come uncomfortably closer and now leaned down to whisper into my ear.
"There has been talk here in Imladris. Of a girl from another world, that has taken residence here. I didn't really believe it. Until I met you the day of the council. Suddenly it all seemed to make much more sense when you collapsed as the dwarf tried to destroy the ring. You may be human, but you are nothing like the women of this world…"
"Lady Kayleigh, you are here quite early." A voice from the entrance had the Gondorian finally backing off a little. I used the short distraction to walk away from him and closer to the entrance. Upon passing the elf standing there I told him that I just wanted to say my goodbyes to Asfaloth. He bowed his head and wished me save passage for the journey ahead. I quickly left the stables behind, not sure what to make of Boromir's words. He had me confused even more now, because I had no idea if he trusted me or what his game was. Or if I could trust him for that matter.
o-0-o
It was around midday that we had finally gathered at the entrance of Rivendell. All had dressed for the journey ahead, most of our belongings had been fastened on the back of the pony named Bill. Like most of the others I decided to keep my weapons close. Bilbo had come to my room earlier, carrying a package. He had the blacksmith forge me a sword that was more suitable to me than the swords I had been practising with.
'Dear child, I hope this sword keeps you save from the evil you are sure to encounter. Don't let fear and darkness corrupt that golden heart of yours. I am hoping to see you again, so you may tell me of your own adventures. Even if I am not so sure anymore if I will see the day all of this darkness will be driven from Middle Earth…'
When we were finally ready to leave Lord Elrond alongside his daughter Arwen and Glorfindel among some others approached us.
"The Ringbearer is setting out on the quest to Mount Doom and you who travel with him, no oath nor bond is laid upon you to go further than you will. Farewell. Hold to your purpose and may the blessings of elves, and men and all free folk go with you." He was looking at each one of us, though I had the feeling his eyes lingered on me a little longer before turning over to Aragorn. My eyes caught another pair of blue ones. With a soft smile Glorfindel bowed his head to me and I tried to smile back convincingly, touching the necklace he had given me absentmindedly. I was afraid of never seeing him again. He had become a dear friend over the months I had spent in Rivendell and as such it pained me to leave his side.
"The Fellowship awaits the Ringbearer…" Gandalf's voice pulled me from my thoughts and we all turned around ass Frodo lead us through the gate. Next to me I saw Aragorn looking back at Arwen and I could see her trying to mask her sadness about his departure. Without thinking much of it I too a hold of his hand and gave it a squeeze.
"I am sure you will be seeing her again." The ranger looked at me and squeezed my hand in return.
"Seems like I am not the only one leaving someone behind." At his words I quickly looked back just to find Glorfindel still watching me walk away with a sad smile on his lips.
"He is a dear friend. I hope to see him again one day if I am to survive this adventure."
"As long as I am able to, I will try to keep you alive. Though you are more than capable of defending yourself by now. You are no longer the woman that came to this world and I like to think of you as a friend rather than a liability like all those months ago." I had to supress the laugh at his statement.
"I like the sound of that very much. We will see how much I have learned once my skills are put to the test in a matter of life and death. I am afraid of that moment… I don't know if I am capable of taking a life…"
"I hope you won't have to too soon. I will not lie to you, killing isn't really that hard when you are forced to do it to protect your own life. What makes it so hard is how you deal with it once it is done. Some say it is easier if it is Orcs and such alike, for the faces of men keep haunting you… But you are strong. You survived your own death after all." His words didn't really help with the fear of killing for the first time, but they gave me courage that I would overcome it. Looking further up front I saw Gandalf and Frodo talking. Pippin had fallen into step next to the dwarf Gimli, the one with the flaming red hair. I caught sight of Boromir watching me intently, not even trying to hide it when discovered. First I thought nothing of it but over the course of the day I caught him looking at me quite often.
"I don't know yet what to make of him…" I almost lost my footing when Legolas appeared next to me seemingly out of nowhere. He was quick to take a hold of my upper arm to keep me from falling. When I regained my balance I answered the elf.
"Me neither. There is something telling me I should remember something important about him. But I just can't recall what it is at all." The elf took his time responding to my statement.
"I don't like the way he keeps looking at you. I don't think we should trust him with what you are. At least not yet."
"I think he is already onto that. He cornered me in the stables this morning. Saying there was talking among the elves of Rivendell about a girl from another world. He said he didn't believe it at first until what happened at the council. He said he was certain I was not from Middle Earth…" Legolas stopped and so did I. He looked at me with concern in his eyes.
"And what did you tell him?"
"Nothing. We got interrupted and so I was able to get away before he could question me further. I don't think he meant any harm by it, still I feel a little uneasy around him." I had the feeling he wanted to say something about it but closed his mouth when the Gimli walked by us muttering something about bloody elves.
The following days or weeks we kept walking south alongside the outskirts of the Misty Mountains as Gandalf had explained. Since we were still on friendly territory the conversations along the road were mostly light-hearted ones. I had quickly gotten quite fond of Gimli. Sure he was a little rough around the edges but he had a big heart, which he had quickly opened up to me as it seemed. I found myself in his company quite often for that matter. In the beginning he had been curious how the injury to my arm had happened and was fascinated that I had taken lessons in fighting while staying in Rivendell. One day he had asked me about the ring I was wearing. It was an old silver ring, imprinted with runes. Up until that conversation I had completely forgotten that the old norse runes from my world were the same as those used by the dwarves. So I simply told him part of the truth, that it had been a gift from a dear friend.
Whenever we had the chance to do so, Aragorn insisted that the Hobbits and I continued our sword training. The first time I joined them in doing so, Aragorn and Boromir had been practicing with Merry and Pippin. We had stopped at a small clearing in the woods that day and it was the perfect training ground. When I took up my sword to join in the remaining Hobbits and the dwarf watched me with curiosity for they hadn't seen me fighting before. Gandalf on the other hand was interested in the progress I had made. Aragorn smiled at me and Boromir stopped to watch what was about to happen. I took my place opposite the ranger for I didn't want to go up against the Gondorian just yet. We soon found our rhythm and the sound of swords clashing together filled the forest. At one point Legolas jumped down and joined into the dance Aragorn and I had started and soon I was going up against both of them with increasing speed. The sword Bilbo had gifted me was much lighter than the practising swords, of course it helped that I was used to fighting with the elf and the man.
After some time we stopped. I was panting and covered in dirt and sweat, though the tension in my muscles had felt good. Gimli had been really impressed and even forgot his hatred for the elves for a little time as he complimented me and stated that I would put some of the best dwarves to shame with my skills. Boromir on the other hand seemed to take an even greater interest in me after that. He made several attempts to speak to me again but quickly had to acknowledge that neither Aragorn nor Legolas ever seemed to stride far from my side when I was not around Gandalf or the Hobbits. So instead of talking to me about my origins he tried to be friendly and get to know me a little better. After a few days I had to admit that though he always carried an air of arrogance, he could be quite charming. On more than one occasion during our training sessions he would insist that I pair up with him more often for he was interested in going up against me and maybe teach me a thing or two about how the people of Gondor fought.
o-0-o
After a couple of weeks on the road we had made camp on a mountain side. While Sam was preparing some food Gandalf explained that we had about forty days left until we would reach the Gap of Rohan from where we would turn east towards Mordor and Mount Doom.
I picked up my sword to join Boromir and the Halflings. When I passed by Gimli he was discussing with Gandalf that he wold rather that we should take the longer way through the Mines of Moria, which where home to his cousin Balin. I ignored their bickering and asked Pippin to step aside.
"So you chose to go up against me after all, little girl." Boromir knew he got to me by calling me girl.
"If you can keep up, old man." I replied with a smirk and started circling him. After some attacks and dodging one another I slowly got frustrated as I could find no opening in his guard. Merry and Pippin were cheering me on to get him down while Aragorn was watching us with a pipe between his lips. In an attempt to surprise him I threw myself shoulder first against the broad Gondorian in an attempt to throw him off balance. I hadn't expected him to let go of his sword and grabbing me around the waist as he let himself fall back. He turned me on my back, pinning the hand holding up my sword effectively to the ground and holding me down with his weight. I let out a frustrated grunt as I kicked me legs to get out from under him.
"I think you made your point. Let her up." Aragorn grinned down at me, he knew exactly how much I hated not being able to get rid of Boromir myself. The Gondorian slowly got to his feet and pulled me up with a smile.
"Didn't expect you to use your body to throw me off my feet. Might have worked if you had a little more weight on you." He helped brushing the dust off my clothes.
"What is that?" Sam stood there pointing at something in the distance.
"Nothing, just a wisp of clouds." Gimli shrugged his shoulders and dug back into his food. Boromir and I looked up at the supposed cloud that was drawing closer fast.
"It is moving fast… And against the wind…" Legolas took a closer look at his statement.
"Crebain, from Dunland!" He jumped down. The same second Aragorn told us to hide. We hastily picked up our belongings and went for cover. I pushed Frodo down when I could already hear their scratchy voices.
"Take cover, Kayleigh!" Someone grabbed me and pushed me down into some thick bushes, almost crashing me with their weight. The sky seemed to darken with the cloud of black crows falling down on what used to be our camp. Screaming they flew over our hiding spots and circling around for what felt like hours. Their voices were loud in my ears and I felt a throbbing pain in my right arm. I bit my lip in order not to make any noise from the pain and felt myself being cradled into someones chest to calm me down.
"You can open your eyes now. They are gone." I didn't react at first, the pounding in my head still too loud. I kept my arm close to my body when me head was lifted up to look at Boromir sitting next to me in the bushes.
"Are you hurt?" I shook my head and let him pull my shaking body into him once more. For the first time it didn't feel weird being around him and I would have to thank him for pushing me into hiding earlier.
"Are the two of you all right? You can come out now." Aragorn had pushed away some branches and was holding out his hand to help us back out into the open. When we were out Legolas came over to take a look at my arm as soon as he noticed me hugging it close to my chest.
"Spies of Saruman. The passage south is being watched. We must take the Pass of Caradhras!" I followed Gandalf's outstretched arm with my eyes towards the snow-covered mountains towering over us. I felt a pinch in my stomach, telling me this wasn't going to end well.
o-0-o
The next days we were wandering closer to the mountains, the temperature dropping every day. Sure the temperature had been going down for some time now, given it was already autumn. Still the higher we went the more the temperature dropped, especially at night. The elven clothes kept away most of the cold but I still struggled with it. More than the others it seemed.
Aragorn is used to being out in the wilderness and Legolas is an elf… Even the Hobbits are doing better than I am… I wrapped my cloak tighter around my shivering form, the small fire not doing much to keep warm.
"Nobody judges you for not being used to such weather." I was a little surprised when Legolas settled down behind me, pulling me against him.
"Everybody else is doing just fine…" I answered with my teeth clattering together. I hated myself for appearing so weak. During the day I was doing fine as long as we kept moving. But once we took camp and the cold crept into my clothes there was no way of getting warm.
"Everybody else is more or less used to enduring the cold. You are not. And there is no shame in it." He pulled me closer and I could feel his warmth against my cold skin. Reluctantly I leaned into him, still shivering.
"The elf is right, lass. There is no shame in admitting that you are not used to this. Nobody will think any less of you." Gimli had taken a seat next to us and seemed as surprised as I was that he actually agreed with Legolas. "Besides it is nice to have you around. And you have been holding up pretty good until now."
"It will only get colder from here. You can sleep next to me if you like. I am not bothered by the cold that much." I looked up at the elf, blushing a little while doing so.
"I am not sure if I…"
"He is right. Sleeping close together in such cold helps keeping warm. I think we all agree that you have become far too valuable to us by now to watch you freezing." I hadn't heard Aragorn approach until he threw a blanket around Legolas and me. The elf wrapped it around us tightly and I slowly felt getting warmer tugged in against him. He continued to talk to the ranger, only stopping once to encourage me to just close my eyes and sleep a little. I obeyed and soon the warmth radiating off of my companion and their conversation in Sindarin lulled me into sleeping.
The next days we continued just like that. A small breakfast and then we would be walking as far as possible until the daylight started fading. Depending on where we could build our camp we either had a cold or a warm supper. Just like that first day, I would spend my nights tugged in with either Legolas or Aragorn, to prevent me from catching a cold. Boromir had offered the same one evening, when both of them had gone scouting the area. I felt more at ease around the Gondorian now and him keeping me warm felt like cuddling up against my best friend. I had to smile a little at that thought.
"What are you smiling about, little girl?" Hadn't I been cuddled up against him, I would have tried punching him for that stupid nickname.
"I was just thinking of when I went camping with my best friend once. It got much colder overnight than we expected it to and we ended up cuddled together in one sleeping bag. It is stupid, you just reminded me a little of Caleb, that is all." He didn't respond to that and just looked at me.
"That is actually the first thing you really told me about your past. I will not force you into telling me anything, but I am sure by now, that you are the girl they talked about in Rivendell. I don't really care for where you are from anymore. I got to know you and I have to say that you have somehow managed to make me want to take care of you like I only cared for my little brother up to now." He stared off into the dark, apparently remembering something. An image popped into my head, of him standing on a wall made of white stone, next to him another man with slightly longer hair, smiling up at him in admiration. Faramir. His brother.
It was the first time in a long that I actually remembered something.
"Where is he now?" First I thought he wasn't going to answer me or if he even heard me for he stayed silent.
"Still in Gondor. Leading our troops against the enemy and keeping Minas Tirith, the white city, safe. I just wish my father could see that he is as good a man as I am. But Faramir never lived up to his standards. Maybe it is because our mother died giving birth to him, something my father never forgave him for I think." I was surprised that he told me that, it was something that had only been hinted at in the books if I recalled correctly.
"That's sad. You seem to love him dearly. I hope you see him again." He gave me a short squeeze.
"I am sure he is fine. I taught him everything about fighting. Maybe one day you will meet him, I am sure he would like you very much." I giggled at that suggestion and Boromir couldn't keep in a laugh himself.
"What are the two of you up to?" Aragorn and Legolas had just returned and were now holding their hands close to the dying fire.
"Nothing, just sharing some family stories since the two of you just left me behind with him." I grinned at them and Legolas let out a low huff.
"You would have fallen down that slope in the dark not five feet from the camp. Your eyes are not as good as ours, so it was safer to 'just leave you behind'." I couldn't keep myself from laughing at the elf.
"Who would have thought elves were capable of sarcasm?"
