Chapter 21 The Song of the King

A few hours passed before Gandalf returned, when he did though there was a look of concern on his face.

"What is wrong, Gandalf?"

"There was a voice in the woods, it was singing the riddle of Elessar. It echoed through the woods. It was so loud it frightened me. Have any of you sung that song?

"Yes I sung the song of my father. What has happened?"

Gandalf turned and looked into the fire, he began to murmur a song that they hadn't heard before,

The song of a king, a King of old

Who sat on his throne with a crown of gold

Will awaken to the great song of He

Sung in the land across the Sea

The answer will come from him and his Queen

From a son sorely missed, long unseen

To the aid of the called, he will fly

For great Kings will never die…

Every one looked around at Aragon then to Gandalf.

"What was that Gandalf?" Frodo said just above a whisper.

"It is a song in Elven-lore that is very ancient. It was made about the same time as the first Rings were forged. It is part of a longer song that I do not remember the words to. Strangely, it came to my head with out my even trying to remember it. It is strange how it makes perfect sense at the moment."

"It is strange, but I highly doubt the fact that my father could come back. So I don't think it is well that we discuss such matters. I believe it is time to set out for the river again. Gandalf have you found a way to travel to the river.

"Yes, I have. I have also found some Boats we can travel by," then he said to Sari and Legolas "If you are well enough we shall leave now."

"Yes we are." Legolas said looking at Sari.

They set out from the tree with higher hopes. Gandalf led them far north. He set a quick pace, so the hobbits were hurrying quite a bit.

After only about a half a days travel they came to a spot on the river where three boats were pulled up against the shore.

"Who will be riding with who, Gandalf?" Sam asked looking at Frodo.

" To the First boat it will be Ednocon, Frodo and I, to the second Sari, Aragon The Last will bear Gimli, Sam, and Legolas. That is what I have decided I do not want to hear complaints from anyone. Now load your things into your boats and we will be off."

So everyone loaded up and set off. About Midday Sam had grown board and was looking over the side of the boat. He saw some fish over the side and gasped, he never really saw fish up close in the wild. Gimli leaned over to see what was there and the boat tipped. The three of them came up from under water gasping.

"I can't swim!" Sam cried.

"Nor can I!" Gimli shouted

"I have you, don't worry."

"We are coming!" Sari and Aragon shouted. Sari was giggling to see them Legolas in the water and Sam and Gimli on top of the overturned boat.

"What a fine mess you are in Master Boaters." Sari said Aragon started laughing.

"Oh, yes. Give me you hand Sari and you can help me up." Legolas said snickering

Sari extended her arm out to him. He grabbed it but instead of trying to get up he pulled her in and flipping their boat.

"Legolas I ought to drown you!" said a very wet Aragon. Sari came up laughing and sputtering,

"I agree Aragon lets right now!" with that Sari went under water. And was gone.

"Sari," Legolas said

"Where is she?" Aragon asked

"She was here and then…" he was cut off by Sari jumping on him from behind and pulling him under playfully.

"You certainly look most ridiculous." Said Gandalf coming over to them, Ednocon and Frodo were laughing hard now.

"Okay now you two lets get these Guys back to shore." Aragon said to Sari and Legolas, who were still laughing and dunking the other.

"All right," with that the three of them began to tow the boat with Gimli and Sam on it back to shore. The other boat with Gandalf had gone to shore and was already there. When the others were about 20 feet from shore Legolas noticed Sari was gone.

"Sari this isn't the time for games anymore." He said looking around for her. "Sari?"

Aragon heard this and asked him "Where is she?"

"I don't know she was here a minute ago."

"Sari!"

"What was that?" Sam said, who seemed frightened.

Then they saw it too. It was a large silvery thing swimming towards them in the water. Now they were 10 feet from shore.

"Go, get to shore! Quickly!" Aragon cried.

Just before they reached shore, Gimli was grabbed around the ankle and pulled in.

"Gimli!" Legolas cried.

Gandalf and Ednocon helped the others from the water. There was a silence and the water didn't stir except for some bubbles coming from beneath the surface and then they were gone.