Frodo was not sure what exactly was going on. How did this lady know they
were near, and what was to happen if he should arrive before they had
departed for safety? It was a though he did not care to know the answer to.
"Very well. Me may trust that Arramiel is right for she has a unique
ability to see things no other can, and some things that have not come to
pass. I have some provisions for us, and I fear there is no time for us to
gather anything else. If Arramiel says me must leave now, then me must."
Said Aragorn gravely. Aragorn stood and he and Arramiel began to exit the
room. The others of the fellowship followed his lead.
"Is Arwen not coming with you?" asked Arramiel.
"No, I would not wish her to be in danger as well. In fact I do not know I
am completely comfortable putting you in danger as well." Replied Aragorn.
"I have seen worse trials, I do not fear him nor what he might do. You need
my help and I shall see that you have it." She replied.
The group exited towards the gates of Gondor where five horses stood
waiting.
"I fear no more horses could be spared, so some of us must walk or ride
together." Aragorn explained.
"I do not need a horse. I can manage on my own feet." Said Arrameil
politely.
"Nor do I." Added Legolas.
"Well. Merry and I surely will not mind riding together!" exclaimed Pippin.
"Then it is settled. You all take the horses, Arramiel, Legolas and I shall
walk.
And so, once again, the fellowship of nine set out on their journey.
"Pardon my asking, but where exactly are we going?" asked Pippin.
"We shall head to Lothlorien for we may be safe there for some time."
Aragorn explained. The group traveled a great distance on their first day.
They rested little until it was long after dusk. The sky was black and no
moon shone that night. There was no sense in going any further for they
could not see their path. So finally Aragorn announced that they would be
making camp for the night. Gimli went off in search of fire wood while many
of the others simply sat on the ground. Legolas looked up at Arramiel and
noticed she looked rather weak.
"Are you alright? You look awfully pale." He said.
"Yes, I am alright. It's just that my vision this morning took quite a lot
of my energy." She explained. He could not be sure what, but there was just
something about her that Legolas found intriguing.
"I have traveled many of the areas of Middle Earth, and have before been to
Lothlorien. How is it that I have never before seen or even heard mention
of you?" asked Legolas.
"I have spent much time away in the lands of Dol Amroth. If you have never
traveled there, perhaps that is why you know me not." Arramiel replied.
Gimli returned with wood and a small fire was lit. A few vegetables
were cooked and distributed sparingly.
"I do not need any. Our provisions are few enough. Let someone else eat
mine." Said Arramiel refusing her plate.
"You should eat something. You are short on energy as you said yourself. I
would feel better if you took it." Said Legolas
"Legolas is right, Arramiel. We have plenty for the time being." Added
Aragorn.
Feeling not it the mood to argue further on the issue, Arramiel
reluctantly took the plate. When everyone had eaten there was little more
to do or even say. Many of them were so lost in their own thoughts on
everything that had occurred today that talking just had not occurred to
them. One by one the members of the fellowship slowly drifted off to sleep.
Frodo went into a restless sleep filled with dreams, or rather nightmares,
of things from his past. His whole encounter with the ring of power came
painfully rushing back. Arramiel too did not sleep well. Her mind was
troubled with shadows growing in her mind. She could sense danger, but it
was shrouded in shadow and even she could not sense what or where the
source was. It troubled her greatly. She awoke from her sleep feeling a
sudden strike of terror. She saw everyone else still deep in their slumber.
She slowly stood and walked to the edge of the clearing where the camp was.
A small creak could be heard a few yards away. Seeing as dawn was
approaching and the sky was beginning to brighten, she slowly walked
towards the sound of the babbling water. She approached the creak and bent
to splash some of the cool water onto her face when suddenly she was
attacked from behind. She fell to the ground , but was immediately pulled
up by whatever had attacked her, and she had yet to see what was. She let
out a shriek as she kicked wildly at her captor.
Aragorn awoken by Arramiel's cry saw she was no longer at the camp.
"Wake up!" he shouted in order to attract the others attention. Legolas
stood up at Aragorn's command. There was another cry from Arramiel. The
pair went running towards the cry. The other members of the fellowship
slowly followed. They ran towards the creak and saw a large group of orcs
coming towards them. One was dragging Arramiel with it. Aragorn drew
Anduril as Legolas pulled out an arrow fromhis quiver. He shot at the orc
holding Arramiel whilc Aragorn ran in and began battle with any of the
orcs. The orc holding Arramiel fell when the arrow struck it and Arramiel
ran towards Legolas.
"I need a sword!" she exclaimed. Legolas drew one of his long knives and
handed it to her. By this time the other members of the fellowship had
arrived and had begun there part in fighting off the orcs. Arrmiel took the
knife and also began to attack the orcs. She was very well trained, as good
as even perhaps Aragorn.
The battle was long, and for as many orcs as they killed, that many
more seemed to appear. They were finally making progress, but were quickly
growing weary. Arramiel raised her knife to slash an orc, when an orc off
to her side slashed her across the ribs. She let out an immense cry of pain
as her knife fell to the ground. Aragorn glanced up at her hearing her
cry. Legolas too looked up to see Arramiel fall to her knees. He ran in her
direction violently stabbing any orc in his way. The others came too.
Arramiel was unable to fight and they had to keep the orcs away from her.
When Legolas reached her he dropped his kife and knelt on the ground beside
her. Slowly the orc's numbers decreased. Then at last they were all slain.
Aragorn rushed over to Legolas and Arramiel. Legolas had lifted her and she
lay against his chest. Her dress was covered in thick crimson blood.
Aragorn knelt to examine the wound.
"No!" he sighed with a grim look on his face. Legolas looked at him,
stricken with worry.
"She's not going to die, is she?"
To be continued.
To be continued.
