Aragorn's face did not look promising, and he had yet to answer
Legolas' question, which Legolas could plainly tell was not a good sign. He
bearly knew Arramiel, but something inside made him feel sick at the
thought that she may leave them so soon. How unfair it would be, that when
at last he found someone he found it so easy to talk to, that she would be
taken from him. The notion made his stomach turn with knots and he hated to
linger on the thought.
Aragorn tore off a long strip of the cloak which he wore and wrapped
it tighly around Arramie'ls waist. It would not do much use, but at least
for the time being it could serve as a temporary make-shift bandage.
Gandalf joined Aragorn and knelt on the ground beside him.
"What are we to do? We are too far now to turn back, but I fear she can not
make the journey all the way to Lothlorien. The enemy is in pursuit of us
and must have by now followed our trail after realizing we no longer dwell
in Gondor." Said Aragorn. "I fear now we are all in a greater danger, for
orcs are certainly a sing of the enemy's proximity to us."
"What of Rohan? Could she make it so far? We might journey to Rohan and
leave her there where she may be aided, and then contiune on to Lorien."
Suggested Gandalf.
By now, Arramiel was barely conscious, and already blood had soaked
the entire way through the bandage.
"We have no other choice. Fetch the horses quickly! We must leave for Rohan
at once!" announced Aragorn.
"I shall walk now. The use of Shadowfax shall be given to Arramiel, but
alas she cannot ride for she is scarcely awake. One of us must ride and
hold her." Explained Gandalf.
"I shall ride with her." Volunteered Legolas.
When all was settled they quickly mounted their horses and set out.
Legolas sat atop Shadowfax, and Arramiel sat in front of him leaning
against him. The journey was dismal and scarcely a word was spoken. The
attack by the orcs was a painful realization of the danger they were in.
Merry and Pippin each sat atop their horse in a painful silence. Even Sam,
who was usually the one best suited for lightening the mood, said nothing.
Their progress was slow through the wooded areas, yet there was no time for
rest. When all was dark, Gandalf risked the light of his staff to guard
them through without the need to wait until the light of morning. As they
went Arramiel seemed to grow worse. Blood continued to seep though and
cloth then would use as an attempt to bandage it, and she slowly began to
develop an ever increasing fever, which was uncommon among elves. Her
condition was grave, yet there was not one among them with the means or
abilities to aid her. Aragorn was an experienced ranger, and he could heal
many wounds or illness, but the situation was far to severe. Deep in the
back of his mind, he knew Arramiel was not going to survive. It was a
painful thought to him, as he had know her long, but more so the thought of
what Arwen would do, for she and Arramiel had been very close friends.
The night dragged on without any sign of the enemy of his servants.
The pale light of day slowly made its way across the sky. They had made
much progress that night, as compared to how far they would have come had
they stopped to rest during the night. However, they were still many days
from Rohan. They were all very weary, but they could not stop for there was
no way of knowing how far behind them the enemy was.
For days they traveled and no one rested save Merry and Pippin, for
with two on their horse one was able to rest while the other lead the
horse. Finally, the outskirts of Rohan could be seen. A small village could
be seen, though odd as it was, it was not a village any of them recalled
ever have seeing. Seeing how desperate their situation was, Gandalf decided
it was as good a place to stop as any. They entered the small village. A
large house sat at the end of a small dirt path. It seemed to be the only
house occupied, for the others were all dark and dusty without a sign of
anyone. They approached the house and heard faint voices from inside. They
dismounted and walked to the door and tapped on it softly. From inside foot
steps could be heard approaching the door. Slowly it swung open to reveal a
most surprising face. It was Faramir and close behind him stood Eowyn.
"Aragorn!" Faramir exclaimed with delight. Aragorn had many questions,
mostly as to why he and the Lady Eowyn were there, but there simply was no
time.
"I am sorry Faramir, we have time not to spare. We must depart at once for
Lothlorien, but I request your aid. One of our company is wounded, wounded
to severly to make it to Lothlorien. I bid you might keep her here and aid
her for her condition is grave." Said Aragorn swiftly. Faramir too was left
with many questions, but her could hear the urgency in Aragorn's tone and
felt it best not to ask them.
"Of course we shall help you, dear friend. Whatever you need of us consider
it done." Replied Faramir. Aragorn and Legolas entered the house. Seeing
Arramiel's body drapped across Legolas's arms, Eowyn gasped, but quickly
motioned them to a room. They entered the room and Legolas lay Arramiel
down on the bed.
"Forgive our hurry but I fear we must leave you now." Said Aragorn.
"Wait, one of us aught to stay here. When she awakens she will mostly
likely be confused and a kind familiar face would be of great comfort to
her, would it not?" suggested Legolas.
"Indeed it would, but if one were to stay, they would be in great danger."
Replied Aragorn, not having the heart to tell him that he did not expect
her to ever awaken.
"I shall risk the danger. He said. It is not use to reason with me for I
have quite made up my mind. We will join you in Lorien as soon as she is
well and that is all." Said Legolas quite resolved. Seeing there was no
sense to protest Aragorn agreed to let him stay. Then he said his quick
good byes and left the house.
"Legolas is resolved to stay here as well." Said Aragorn when he returned
outside.
"Then I too shall stay. Whatever fate my comrade shall face, I will share
it. " announced Gimli dismounting his horse. Aragorn was quite against it,
but time was short and the was not the time to argue.
And so, once again the fellowship parted its ways and was divided.
However the worst was not over. Aragorn felt that the fellowship was to
continue to suffer loss, and that this division may not be temporary. He
knew evil was coming, and his only hope, was that it did not find Legolas
and Gimli. The fellowship had once been broken, and he could not bear it if
it were broken again.
