(Author: Krissy)
Leila shivered, though it was not cold. Orc made. How was she ever to make it through this land alone. She touched the sword at her side, it gave her some assurance. She took a deep breath and walked forward, her eyes scaning everywhere, wanting to know what was coming before they knew she was there. She traveled for what seemed like hours down the endless path. Nothing moved, nothing stirred, not even the wind dared to make noise. Leila's heart pounded. She could feel something, there was something around.
She stopped, looked around. She held her breathe, scared. She had never been this scared before. All the other times, Boromir had been there to protect her, and now, well that was in the past. After a few more minutes of looking around, Leila felt safe enough to move. She started walk again, a bit faster pace this time, then she heard it, a rustle in the dying ground. She did not stop this she kept going, breaking into a run, trying tog et away from whatever it was. SHe ran untill her legs could carry her no farther.
Leila stopped, still scared but unable to run anymore. The next she knew, she was on the ground, a body was covering her. It reaked, it smelled of death and blood. Leila could bearly hold back the vile in her throat. Then she heard it, the low rumbling, the snarls, the groans, the moans, orcs. The body on top of her did not move, for the longest time, even after the orcs had gone. Finally the body moved and rolled off of Leila. She sat up coughing and trembling, scared, relieved and a million other things to. Leila looked up to see who her savoir was, it a was a woman. She no more then a foot taller then the hobbits. She looked elven, but human at the same time. She was thin, but dirty. Her hair, Leila would even guess the color because of all the dirt, but it was atleast waist length, but it had ben cut and torn in many places, leaving her with uneven strands. Her dress was green, stained with blood, dirt, and other things that she did not know. It was ripped and torn. The elf...human..held two swords, by her side.
"Thank... Thank you for saving me," Leila said, struggling to get up.
The woman turned to face her," Why are you here? No on takes this road, not a girl like you, not alone."
"I wasn't alone for the longest time I was with Boromir and..." Leila suddenly realized her mistake, could she trust this stranger. She covered her mouth with her hands.
The woman lept at her, pushed her to the ground and put the edge of her sword to Leila's neck. "Boromir you say. What have you to do with the fellowship. Where are they? Where is Boromir? Why have they strayed so far from their course?"
The cold steel pressed closer to her neck," I... they..split...Frodo..he.."
The woman pressed the sword even closer," What about Frodo, tell me know or so help me I will slit your throat. You do not throw the ringbearers name around." Her eyes narrowed, but you could she a deep caring for the one she spoke of, behind the clouds of anger.
"He went with Sam to Mount Doom. The fellowship split, but he is safe," the words could not come out fast enough.
The woman gave her one last look then stood up, putting her swords away, turning to look into the distance.
Leila studdied her, rubbing her neck," Gwen, he is lost without you. You must return to him."
The woman turned around," I can not return, for if I do then he will not detroy the ring, that is why I left him to begin with."
Leila stood up," So you are Gwen. Wait, you left, Frodo said you were captured."
"That is true and untrue all at once. I left, knowing he would not have the drive to destroy the ring on his own. I thought if he knew I had been captured or atleast thought it, he would destroy the ring. My faith in his love for me is great, greater then my faith in him was." A tear entered her eyes, rolling down her face, leaving a clean streak. "I was captured, not long after I left. I was taken to Isengard (sp?) and used to breed those monsters. Once they were done with me they dumped me into the woods, they thought I was too weak to do anything, but they were wrong. I found my way here, hoping to meet the fellowship and watch them from afar, guard, him from afar."
Leila put a hand on Gwen's sholder," I too left the one I loved behind, but I am going foreward to meet him. Why don't you go to meet Frodo, he could not have gotten very far."
"No I chose my path. Now it is set. I will see Frodo when everything is over with. My lack of faith in my love, has chosen my fate for me. Not if you insist on going down this path, you will need a guide, a friend, a protector, and I offer my two swords and my life to protect you. "
Leila smiled," I would be honnored if you would go with me. It will be nice to have a friend to walk with, going alone is such a terrible thing."
Gwen smiled," Back, yes it is a terrible thing."