Chapter 20 Regrouping

Sari woke on the ground with the company above her. When she opened her eyes they all sighed in relief.

"That fall could've killed you." Gandalf said with a note of scolding in his voice.

"What, where am I? The last I remember is pushing against the door in the tower."

"Then how did you get here? Where's Legolas?" Gimli said with concern.

Sari looked at him.

"He's not here he must of taken me out of the room. I don't remember anything of sliding or falling or even getting up from the place where I fell in the tower." She looked up and saw him.

"Legolas!"

"Yes we know where is he Sari?" Gimli said worrying for his friend.

"There in the tree. Look!"

They all looked up and saw him dangling from a branch not moving.

"Ednocon, go and fetch him we must hurry and get away from this place." Gandalf said in a commanding tone. "Aragon carry her she may be injured more then we think. Gimli you will help Ednocon carry Legolas."

With that Sari felt herself being lifted off the ground from her knees and shoulders by Aragon. She looked into his eyes and saw that he had been crying.

"Why were you weeping friend?"

" I thought I had lost my best friend. I told Legolas to look after you and when you returned lifeless I thought it was too much for him, and he died to the cause, keeping my promise. He is also one of my best friends I would not bear easily the loss of him either."

"Oh, please do not make him promise such things again. He would die for a promise." She paused for a moment "Where are we going?"

"To a protected spot deep in the woods where no Orc could find us. We will be safe there 'till you and Legolas recover."

They said nothing more till Gandalf stopped in front of a tree and whispered some words into it and a door in he ground opened. Then he went in followed by Frodo and Sam, then by Aragon carrying Sari. There were five small cots, two chairs, and a fireplace in the room. Frodo and Sam Went and sat down on one of the beds, resting from the walk. Aragon walked over and set Sari on furthest one. Then went and sat in a chair looking at the door anxiously. Gandalf had just started a fire when there was a knock.

"Who's there?"

"It is us. We have Legolas He is alive. He is unconscious " Ednocon called out. Gandalf walked over and opened the door. They were carrying Legolas and the two walked over and set him gently on the bed. Gandalf went to him and looked him over. Sari glanced at him for a moment and saw blood trickling down the side of his face and couldn't bear it. She looked away.

"He is okay I think. A terrible gash on his forehead but I think he will survive. Aragon give me the bowl of water I need to clean his wound." Aragon got up and gave the bowl near the fire to Gandalf.

Ednocon and Gimli had both sat down on separate beds. Ednocon was watching Gandalf work, and Gimli just sat with his head bowed in his hands.

Gandalf touched the wound with the towel and Legolas stirred, and woke.

"What, where am I, where is Sari?" he said quickly

"Slow down Legolas are fine and so is Sari she is over there looking at you right now. Please don't tilt your head though I'm trying to get the bleeding to stop." Gandalf said comfortingly.

"Is every one okay?" he asked.

"Yes, except Shimshel, you did a good job on him, the right thing I should most certainly say. He was a traitor. I would have kept him alive to stand trail, but I think your way was more appropriate at the moment. Sari is weak but all right. Tell us what happened after we all left we cannot tell. Sari doesn't remember anything."

" She passed out from exhaustion, after killing all the Orcs and shutting that large door. I went to her took her up in my arms and bore her down the rope as the Orcs came through the door. We got there safely, save her not being entirely conscious. I put my feet down on the branch and we fell. That is the last I remember."

"That is where we found you." Aragon said to him

"You saved my life again Legolas. It is becoming insane the amount of times you come to my rescue." Sari whispered softly. "I must sleep now my head is throbbing most wildly." She rolled over in her bed and fell asleep.

" She is strong, don't you think so Legolas." Gandalf said looking to Legolas

"Very, if it were any other person out there I am sure they would have perished."

"You still love her don't you, Legolas"

Frodo, Sam, and Ednocon looked at her in surprise. But not nearly to that which matched Gimli. Aragon just looked into the fire. Gandalf stared at Legolas. Legolas looked around at them and then said to Gandalf.

"Yes, I still love her."

" What? Why didn't you tell me, Friend?" Gimli said in a very surprised voice.

"It had to be kept secret, I am sorry."

"It's okay, but is it a bad thing Gandalf?" Gimli said looking to Gandalf

"No, it is not. Its puts both of them in grave danger." He paused for a moment. "Aragon, you knew didn't you?" he added.

"Yes but I don't think it fair to do this to them. I didn't find it my place to tell on them either."

"Don't you understand the danger they are both in?"

"Yes, but I still don't think that it is well for you to forbid it."

"Yes Gandalf, I understand and…" Legolas started.

"I understand. So what difference does it make to not allow it when we are just going to not stop." Sari finished sitting up.

Legolas turned his head for the first time. He smiled at seeing her alive and well. She returned the smile but stopped and looked to Gandalf. In that world it was a sign of strength to old some ones glare, the one who broke first was inner weakest. She held his stare for more time then any had ever done. It amazed them to see such strength to hold Gandalf's terrifying glare. What amazed them more was the fact that he turned away first, showing that he was weaker then her.

"All right, you win Sari, I will not speak anymore of the matter. I knew it could not be forbidden but Elrond told me to stop it if I could. I tried to follow his commands but you are stronger and I agree with you, that it cannot be forbidden. I do not however think that it is wise to be in love."

At that Gandalf told them he was going for a walk and not to worry because he was able to escape them with ease, if he were found. He opened the door and left.

"Wow, Sari you have some inner strength to have beat Gandalf's stare none of us could do so ever. How did you do it?"

"He can defeat you because he is very wise and very powerful. He owns the ring also so that aids him. I myself am able to for three reasons, I have the stone of many colors upon my neck and carry it with me always, I have gained much wisdom through my travel, and I have love in my heart. The first two alone give me enough strength to match him but the third allows me to beat him." she smiled and turned to Legolas. "I do not want such things to linger in my mind. Is anyone able to sing a song? Perhaps one from the fellowships original journey. Frodo? Sam? Legolas? Have you any song that we can hear." Then a voice sang out that was of Aragon.

All that is gold does not glitter, Not all who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not whither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost; From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring;

Renewed shall be blade that was broken

The crownless shall again be king.

"The riddle of Strider," Frodo said bowing his head. He remembered the day he met his friend at the inn at Bree. "Oh, I miss him so."

"We all do. He is not dead though. Great kings never die. That was told to me when my father died. I leaned soon after that he had evil in him so he was not truly a great king. You father though was. He may still awaken yet."