Chapter VIII: ... And I Must Follow If I Can

The next morning, I awoke to find that neither Elaina nor the sun was up. The first rays were jut beginning to peep up from over the cliffs and a few scattered beams of light landed on the floor of our chamber. I sat up and stretched, feeling very well-rested and prepared for the journey ahead. I decided to let Elaina sleep while I finished packing, but soon realized that a clumsy hobbit like me could not stay quiet very long and soon Elaina was up packing with me. Just as we finished and took our seats on the bed, Ali entered.

"Que arun Elaina, Laurelin. Are you all packed?"

"Yes Ali," I answered, looking about at all of my gear. There was now more than I had taken when I left the Shire. "But I fear I may have packed too much. But there's no harm in being prepared, I guess."

Ali smiled, "Indeed," she replied.

I struggled to stand in my armor, but found it very difficult. I didn't understand why I couldn't just wear my regular clothes, but I figured that Ali knew best. I looked down at my feet, now covered by boots. Shoes, I thought, What does everyone see in them?

Just then, Ali began to laugh. "Well, then, ladies," She said and I finally understood what a comical sight we were and laughed along. "Are we ready to depart?"

Elaina and I nodded. I followed Ali, trying my hardest to keep up with her, while Elaina kept a few steps behind. We reached the stables quickly and packed our things atop the black horse. Ali whispered something to her faithful steed and waved for us to follow. We snuck silently into the palace, as not to be seen by the large mass of rangers who had by now gathered in the streets.

There suddenly came a clamoring of trumpets as the Dunedain prepared to depart. The grand procession rode proudly through the streets and towards the gates. The three of us rode through the back roads and out of Rivendell. I felt a great sadness in leaving my new home, but that sadness was soon overtaken by fear. Ali led us deep into the dark woods and told us to crouch down quietly on the dewy forest floor. She stared into the distance.

"How will we ever see them pass?" I asked, "We're nearly a league away, if not more." Elaina nodded.

"A league is not far from my eyes, Laurelin," Ali explained. "We cannot risk being discovered."

I nodded in understanding. As we waited, my thoughts turned to Sam. What danger was he going through? When would I see him again? I began to feel worried. I turned to Elaina.

"Don't worry," she said, "You'll see Sam again soon."

I wondered how she knew what I was thinking, but that was always the way with her. Elaina could read me like a book.

Ali squinted her eyes and seemed relieved. She helped us onto Arauka and then led us back to the road, safely out of the woods. We immediately spotted the first note from Stryker, attached to an arrow in the ground. Ali picked it up and read it aloud:

Original destination not as you suspected,

Horses will ride home. Take Care

--S--

"Home?" Ali seemed confused, "Horses will ride home? But Lothlorien is home, and that was the original destination, what does she mean?"

Elaina suddenly spoke, "Why it's a riddle! Frodo was always giving us riddles to try. Horses will ride home... I may be mistaken, Ali, but isn't the land of Rohan known for its magnificent horses?"

Ali seemed to ponder this. "Elaina," She said, "I believe you're right. But Rohan! They take the Gap of Rohan? Did elrond not warn them...Well, I suppose we have no choice but to follow them. Dangerous as the road may be....."

Elaina began to walk ahead on her own. "Well lets be off then, we have far to go, and i suppose we'll face danger no matter where we go." She then began to sing again, one of her favorites, and was soon joined by myself:

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

* * *

The days seemed to go by quickly and it felt good to be back on the road again. I once again felt like I had before we got to Rivendell. Only now, I had the companionship of Elaina as well. But, a part of me felt different, as if I had grown.

We rode most of the time atop Arauka, but on certain occasions, Elaina and I would walk alongside Ali, though the boots on my feet made it awfully difficult. Elaina and I often caught up on sleep atop Arauka, but sometimes we would stop to rest. Often, I would wake up before Elaina and would discuss matters with Ali. We had received only one other note from Stryker and Ali was beginning to worry.

Things went on like that for about 8 days. On that day, I awoke to find Ali and Elaina discussing something, both looked concerned, but relieved and Ali spoke, "as do you, little Laurelin."

I was far too tired to be confused, but spoke. "Ah yes..." I replied with a yawn, "Very well then, is it time for dinner yet? Half a minute-- Why are we stopped?" I looked around and went back to sleep.

* * *

The next morning, I was awoken by Ali. I stretched and took in a deep breath. The air seemed somehow different. I looked up at the skies, which were firey red, and felt a chill go down my spine.

"What a beautiful morning!" Elaina said, looking at the cloudless skies. "The sky is so clear.

"Indeed it is," I answered. The skies were clear, but I did not like the feeling I had. "But strange though," I continued, "it seems as if it's almost too clear, if you understand me."

Ali too seemed to sense what I had sensed. "I believe that you are right, Laurelin," she answered, "I fear that this may only prove to be the calm before the storm. As my father once said 'Red skies in the morning, travelers take warning.'" She smiled.

Elaina and I shrugged and continued on our way. We went on as always until about noon. It was then that I looked down and noticed that frost had begun to form on the ground. It had seemed to just appear out of nowhere and I again had a bad feeling in the depths of my stomach. I looked up just in time to see the first white flake come down from the clouds. It floated gracefully down in swirling movements and fell softly on the tip of my nose. I smiled as millions of others followed, and soon the ground was covered by a soft white blanket which shimmered in the rays of sunlight.

The snow made me feel happy. Elaina turned to me and challenged me to see who could catch the most snowflakes with her tongue. I happily accepted and we went on with our game as Ali skipped lightly atop the fresh silver snow.

"Twenty-six!" I heard Elaina finally say.

I smiled and thought of the twenty-five I had caught, but arrogantly replied, "Twenty-eight."

"Stop lying, Laurie!" Elaina exclaimed.

"I'm not lying, even ask Al-" I looked around, but could not see Ali in the now-vicious snowfall. I squinted and made out a figure far ahead, dancing about on top of the snow. I rolled my eyes, jealous of the elf's gracefulness.

"Ali!" I shouted, "Ali, do stop NANCING about, you're getting so far ahead!"

She stopped quickly and made her way back to us. She mounted Arauka and looked around. The wind had now begun to howl and the snowflakes fell quickly and angrily to the earth.

Ali yelled, "Evil is the storm that plagues us! Caradhras draws near..." But I heard no more, as her voice was carried away by the wind.

We rode atop Arauka for some time, but the poor horse seemed to be struggling in the deep snow. Ali dismounted to try and lighten her load. When this proved to be basically pointless, Ali led us to a small cave cut into the tall cliffs and lifted us off Arauka. Elaina and I descended into the cavern.

"I must go onward and see if the storm has hindered the Dunedain at all. Stay here, I will not be long."

I felt my heart nearly stop, how could she go on in such conditions alone? "Ali, have you lost that head of yours?" I asked. My voice echoed in the empty cavern. "It is far too dangerous out there with all that evil magic and everything. You'll surely be swallowed up into the storm!"

"Worry not Laurelin," Ali chuckled in reply, "I am far more clever than the spirits of Caradhras. I would like to see them try and swallow me up. Mind you, keep this entrance clear, I shall be back shortly, unless I decide to give the spirits a real challenge!" She turned and ran off atop the snow.

"But, Ali!" I cried as I ran to the mouth of the cave, but she seemed not to hear me as she faded into white. "Oh, I do hope she returns safely," I said to Elaina as I slid back down into the cavern.

"Don't worry, Laurie," She replied, "She's smart, she knows what she's doing."

Just then, I felt my stomach rumble and it echoed in the hollow cave.

"Oh, I agree, Laurie," Elaina giggled, "I'm starving. Oh Laurie, I haven't had your cooking in so long! What I wouldn't give for a bit of soup!"

I smiled and took out my pans and some herbs I had saved from the night I made Ali pheasant. I also took out some vegetables I had been collecting along the way.

"You're in luck," I said, "Now, we only need a fire."

"You just let me take care of that," Elaina said, "you start working on that stew."

I found a piece of rock hanging from the ceiling with melting snow dripping from it. I filled my pan with the cool water and broke up and added some herbs. Elaina busied herself trying to start a fire with some sticks and rocks she had collected. She frantically rubbed the damp twigs together and mumbled away to herself.

"Oh, let me help," I said and grabbed two rocks of my own. I began to rub them together, but soon the cave became dark and Arauka began to whinny. I remembered Ali's instructions and quickly cleared away the snow with my hand. The cold wind flew in with the damp sunlight.

I shivered and walked over to Arauka, who almost seemed to smile at me. I had taken a great liking to her over the weeks and we had developed a close bond. I patted Arauka and she nuzzled the top of my head.

"Are you hungry?" I asked. She gave me a look as if she understood my question. "Alright then. I'll get you some dinner too." I found some oats in Ali's pack, two different kinds. One type was dark and smelled like rotting carrots and the other was the very kind I had accidentally tasted back in Bree. "Well, they weren't very good to me, but maybe you'll enjoy them more," I said to Arauaka. I walked over to a small ledge in the wall and used a large leaf to make a trough for the horse. She again nuzzled my head as I filled it with the light oats and began to eat her meal. I patted her soft coat and walked back over to help Elaina.

To my relief, at that moment, I saw Ali descend into the cave and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Ali!" I said. "We were so worried about you! Elf or no elf, you could still have gotten lost in that horrible storm!"

"Or worse.." Elaina continued "..wandered into some troll cave." She shuttered. "We have to stick together, Ali. Please don't leave us anymore."

Ali smiled. "If it bothers you so," She replied, "I will no longer go off alone."

"Well, I'm glad that's settled." I grinned, "Now I seem to recall some tales of magic, I believe them to be elvish, but they explained how to start a fire without anything at all. Perhaps you could show me how it is you do this. The cold is so dreadful, and a hot meal would serve nicely now." I smiled at the thought of food, especially my famous mushroom soup. I wasn't one to brag, but I was so proud of it and loved making a hot bowl for myself.

Ali spoke, "I know not what you mortals mean by magic, for you use that term to describe the works of the elves, as well as the works of the Dark Lord. But as far as staring fires is concerned, I do not know a way to start one without fuel. But perhaps... Perhaps I can be of some help."

She took out a piece of parchment and put it under the twigs. I tried again to spark two rocks together, and to my surprise and joy a flame soon formed. I smiled and began to work on my soup. Ali passed on a bowl, but Elaina ate some happily and I too ate my fill. After we were finished, I turned to speak to Ali, but saw that she had fallen asleep upon her cloak. She looked so peaceful. I smiled and decided to join her in her repose.