Chapter 3
Athena followed the hobbit down the corridor. She watched as he entered the parlour. She hoped that he had led her to Mr Underhill, and Strider. She did not see him as she had walked through the Inn, and feared the worst. She started to move up to the door. Her movements were cat-like quick and silent. She could match almost any elf in grace.
She listened at the door for a moment. Finally, between Merry's frantic accounts of the night's events, she heard Strider. Relief flowed through her, bringing her senses with it. Of course he was alright, he was a Ranger. He had survived many years without her assistance, she was a fool to think that he could now not live without it. She took a moment to revel in this comfort, before knocking softly on the door.
'Strider, it is I,' she called quietly. 'Fear not, for I am alone'. The door opened and she was greeted by the suspicious glares of Samwise Gamgee. She looked deep into his eyes, and gave him a small smile. 'Hello Sam,' she said softly.
'How do you know my name,' he demanded, angered by the thought that even his own name could not remain secret.
'I know many things that remain unsaid,' she answered, unsure of how much Strider would have her let on. Strider, however, then proceeded to explain her lineage to the four. After he was done, she sensed an air of nervousness and apprehension. Athena was used to this reaction. It was normal. People hate to think of their minds being anything less than totally private. After a time, however, they get used to it, and forget it. Sam, she felt however, would take longer than most.
Strider turned his attention to Athena. 'Do you know of the Black Riders being here,' he asked her.
'I guessed they were when I found Merry. But he got up and ran back here before I could ask him about it,' she said. As she did, she saw Merry looking very apologetic. 'Don't worry, I know you were not yourself,' she reassured him. 'They can not go back to their rooms tonight, for they are sure to have discovered which those are,' said Strider. 'From Bill Ferny I'm guessing. Was it not his presence that made you feel so uneasy tonight,' he asked her.
'Yes, but there was another. A stranger from the south.' She looked Strider straight in the eye, and he saw a deep dread in hers. 'I watched him from outside, he knew Strider. He looked straight back at me, he knew of my presence.'
The dread made its way from Athena's eyes into Strider's, filling his body, though his calm exterior never faltered. To everyone else, it seemed as if he has seen so much in his time, that nothing could shock him. While this was usually the case, Athena knew differently. He was just as scared as everyone else, he just felt it his responsibility not to show it. It sadden Athena to see her friend being eaten up inside.
'Alright, you get their bags, and I'll build a fire in here,' Strider instructed.
The hobbits settled down for the night with their feet to the fire. Pippin was going over the evenings events with Merry, when out of the corner of his eye, Frodo saw Athena taking a small grey candle and a vile of oil out of her bag. She placed three drops of oil in the candle well, lit it, and then started an incantation.
Ghosts of grey that whirl about
Seek the sender of evil and doubt
Repel and forbid the energy to cross
My path is winning and never at loss
So mote it be
With every breath she drew, she seemed to Frodo to be wholly taken over with this ritual. He turned to Strider.
'What is she doing,' he asked.
'Repelling negative energy,' answered Strider.
'Does it work?'
'It has never failed us so far.'
Frodo had many more questions on his mind, but his eyes would not permit them, as they slid shut. Strider got himself comfortable in his chair, and let his follow suit
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Strider awoke an hour later to see Athena sitting by the relit candle. She looked as though deep in thought. Something was playing heavy on her mind, or someone. She slowly turned her head to meet his gaze. She gave him an unmotivated smile.
'You should try to rest. We are sure to have a taxing day ahead of us,' he advised her. She looked back into the flame of her candle.
'I could not sleep. The events of the day have left me very uneasy,' she told him, hoping a half truth would satisfy him. But Strider was more perceptive of her emotions than that.
'You're thinking of him, are you not?' he asked. Athena struck him a glare. She finally knew the exasperation of having her mind read.
'I am trying not to,' she told him harshly. Throughout their more recent journeys, her heart had not been on the road as she had wanted, but far away, as had Strider's been. Even though it seemed to be an impossible task, they had both decided to not let their emotions cloud their minds. Doing so out on the road could prove fatal. It was then that they felt most blessed to have each other, to keep their minds on the matter at hand. She saw that her harshness had disconcerted him a little, and she felt regretful.
'I'm sorry. I'm just a little anxious at the moment,' she explained.
'It is forgiven. I think we are all feeling apprehensive, but you should try to rest all the same,' he told her. Heeding his words she laid beside the hobbits, and let sleepiness take her. She took a final look at Strider as he settled in his chair, thoughtfulness now taking him.
'Aragorn,' she called softly. He tilted his head towards her.
'You'll be with her soon.' With that, Athena closed her eyes and fell into a light sleep. Strider smiled to himself. That last sentiment warmed his heart more thoroughly than any fire could.
