(Author: Alasia)
As Leila and Gwen set off in search of Treebeard, the rest of the Fellowship was moving to Helm's Deep, where a battle waited to take place. Tension filled the air as the followed Jairah, none of them knowing what to expect. Jairah had explained about her healing, and then all had fallen silent, leaving each of them to thier own thoughts.
Jairah had told them that Merry and Pippin were safe, and they had no reason not to belive her, but it all seemed surreal somehow. Boromir walked mechanically in front of Aragorn, who could sense his distractedness. His thoughtd were not on what they were doing or where they were going, but on the one being that held his heart and soul in the palm of her hand.
Was Leila alright? Was she hurt? Was she lying in a ditch somewhere dying? His worries were normal, and he had begun to regret not going after her. He did not no where she was, or the state of her well-being, and this upset him. Was she hurt that he did not go after her? So many questions filled his mind, and he could not answer them.'Leila,' he thought, 'Where are you? Do you know how much I miss you?'
*****
Leila's eyes filled with tears suddenly as she thought she heard Boromir's voice on the wind:
'Leila... Where are you? Do you know how much I miss you?'
It was almost as if he was thinking these words. She bowed her head
silently, hoping the tears she cried would go unheeded by her new friend.
Gwen walked in front of her, watching their surroundings closely.
"Boromir..." It was a whisper, barely audible above the wind, but Gwen
heard it. She looked back at her friend and saw the tears she cried, and
she came confused as to why Leila cried these tears. She dropped back to
walk next to the strange woman, "Are you all right?"
Leila looked up, "Yes.. and no. I don't know... My heart cries, and
yet I know where I must go."
"You wish to see someone?"
"Yes," Leila's voice was soft, "I miss him so much. I ran from them
because I was scared. Legolas was looking at me like all of this was my
fault, and I had begun to belive him, so I ran. Boromir called after me,
but he didn't give chase, I know that he has a duty to the Fellowship...
But it hurts."
Gwen wrapped an arm around the other woman's shoulders, "It will all
turn out right in the end. I know it. We just have to be strong."
Leila smiled at her, "Thank you."
Gwen's answer died in her throat as something stepped into the path
before them. It was... And Ent? She stared openly at it and Leila's jaw
hung open. The Ent grinned - well, as much as an Ent can, "I have heard
the forest say you seek me. I an Treebeard."
Leila's mouth opened and closed for a moment before she spoke, "I was
sent to seek you out - Seindar said you could help me get back to the Fellowship..."
Treebeard laughed, "Siendar? As, yes, the elf always did love to help
people. We Ents are headed to Helm's deep to drop off two of your Hobbit
friends before we go to Isengard. You are welcome to join us."
"Thank you!!"
*****
The reuniting of Leila, Merry and Pippin was a happy one. The two Hobbits hugged her and she cried once more - only this time in happiness. THey walked together after reuniting with Gwen and the four talked, and caught up with the events that had passed since they had last seen each other. Gwen was filled in on the events of the Fellowship after her departure, and was sad to hear of Gandalf's fall, but she knew that Gandalf would appear, and she told them this, lifting their spirits even higher.
The days came and went with each sunset and sunrise and soon, the four friends stood looking out over Helm's Deep. Were their friends down there? Could they get there in time to help in any way whatsoever? They did not know this, but moved down the slope carefully, for the hope they harbored kept them going.