A/N: I will be following Aria and Galareal as well as Elwing and Erestor, so you will be getting a variety of chapters from here on out. Some will be completely devoted to one group, some devoted to the other, and some a mixture of both. Oh! And - I know I haven't really talked about Aria and Frodo much yet *evil grin* but you will see more of their relationship now. But enough talk, on with the story!
Chapter 24: Tracking Hobbits
Aria awoke slowly, aware of the warm sunlight caressing her cheeks. Reluctantly she opened her eyes, not wanting to get up. It was a beautiful morning, and the River gurgled happily as it rushed by. Aria sat up and stretched, noting the lateness of the morning. Odd, she thought, Elwing never lets us sleep this late. I guess she's still upset about Boromir. She gazed around the camp, her still-tired eyes failing to note the two empty spots around the fire. Realization came like a thunderbolt. Aria leapt to her feet with a small cry of surprise. She looked about her frantically, but there were no signs of Elwing and Erestor.
"Galareal. Galareal, get up!" Aria hissed, shaking the sleeping Elf.
Galareal yawned and rubbed his eyes. "What is it?"
"Elwing and Erestor are gone," Aria said, thoroughly worried.
Galareal sat up quickly. "Gone? You mean scouting?"
Aria shook her head. "No, I mean gone. Their stuff is gone too."
Galareal stood up and began looking for tracks. "When did they leave? Did either of them say anything about going anywhere?"
Aria shook her head exasperatingly. "They didn't say anything. I just woke up and they were gone."
"Here, come look at this."
Aria came and knelt beside Galareal, who was looking at something by the fire. It was a message, written with ashes from the fire on a piece of bark.
I am following my heart, you must follow your's. Good luck Alfirin, we will see each other again, promise. -Aurlach
"Following her heart? And where might that lead?" Galareal muttered.
"Into battle," Aria said dryly. "I've never seen someone so eager to fight. At least Erestor is with her, he can keep her in line... I hope."
"Well, what do we do now?" Galareal asked, rising to his feet.
Aria rose as well, her eyes still on the message. "Follow your heart," she murmured to herself. She knew what Elwing was implying, and she knew her friend was right. She wanted to go with Frodo, even if it meant fighting Shelob. Aria shuddered. I hate spiders, she thought fiercely.
"Aria?" Galareal's voice brought her out of her pondering.
"I'm going to go after Frodo," she said quietly. "What about you?"
The Elf stood silent, considering the choice before him. He had already done more than was required of him. He had been sent to lead them to Lorien and back, no more. Of course no one had known Elwing would turn out to be a queen. The legend speaks of two companions of the Queen, Galareal thought, not three. Besides, what use can I be to them? I am a tracker and path-finder, not a warrior. Truth be told, Galareal hated fighting almost as much as Aria. What am I to do? the poor Elf wondered.
"Galareal?" The Elf looked at Aria. I cannot leave her alone, and I know what I saw in the Mirror. If my destiny is to go to Mordor, so be it. Besides, I promised Aragorn I would watch after the girls.
"I will go with you."
Aria looked at him closely. "Are you sure?"
Galareal nodded. "I will not desert a friend."
Aria smiled, and the two silently packed their things. After spreading the ashes from the fire, they climbed into the boat and set off down the Anduin.
Aria and Galareal paddled quickly down the stream, anxious to catch up with Frodo and Sam. Suddenly, Galareal pointed to the east bank. There was another elven boat. They pulled their boat ashore and followed the trail of Hobbit prints towards the barren slopes of the Emyn Muil.
Aria was grateful Galareal had come with her, for she was no tracker, and Hobbits are hard enough to track without the added help of bare rock for ground. Still, Galareal followed the Hobbits' trail without hesitation, used to looking for signs of passage in barren regions. Thank the Valar I spent so much time in the mountains of Mirkwood, Galareal thought as he scanned the ground.
The two friends made good progress, mainly because Galareal could tell when the Hobbits had gone in circles or had doubled back and did not make the same mistake. They had traveled a good distance and Aria was fighting the urge to collapse. Galareal was about to suggest they stop, when a clap of thunder and a gust of icy wind stole their attention. A thick black cloud hung in the southeast and was steadily drawing nearer.
"We had better find shelter," Galareal warned.
"No, no not yet," Aria said, shaking her head stubbornly. "They're nearby, I can feel it."
Galareal sighed and once again set out, climbing over rock and shale. Suddenly a flash of lightning lit the dark sky, accompanied by a deafening clap of thunder. With it rose a fierce wind, and in the wind was a high shrill shriek, such that froze the blood and replaced reason with unbridled fear. Aria and Galareal shrank against the rock face, shivering uncontrollably. They had never heard the shriek before, but it reminded them of the menacing Nazgûl. Suddenly they heard a voice over the wind's fury; Master, master!
Aria's head snapped up. "That's Sam's voice! They must be close by!"
Girl and Elf scrambled quickly over the rocks, ignoring the cuts and bruises acquired in the process. Soon a gully could be seen over a mound of rock. Frodo and Sam had a rope tied around their waists and Sam was preparing to go over the side of the cliff.
"Frodo!" The wind shoved her cry back in her throat, but Aria continued to call as she scrambled forward. "Frodo! Frodo wait!"
Frodo lifted his head and froze. His eyes must be deceiving him, for there was Aria running towards him!
"Aria!" Frodo slipped out of the rope and ran to greet her. He swept her into a hug and squeezed her gently, briefly kissing her cheeks. Aria blushed slightly and Frodo grinned.
"Aria, what are you doing here? You were supposed to stay in Loth..." Frodo's words trailed off as Aria put a hand to his lips.
"Let's just say I have friends in high places," she giggled.
Frodo smiled and turned to Galareal, who was also laughing. "I see my plan of traveling alone has failed," he said, grinning at the tall Elf. "But I suppose I shall be glad for the company soon enough."
Releasing his hold of Aria, Frodo picked up the rope. "Well, we must get down this cliff. Sam wishes to go first, then Aria, then Galareal, then me."
Galareal held up his hand and Sam paused, ready to slid over the cliff.
"Let me go first," Galareal said. "I am the most sure-footed of the group, let me make sure it is safe before you go."
Frodo consented, and Galareal tied the rope around his waist and went over the side of the cliff. His decent was swift and deft, his elvish agility belying the roughness of the cliff. He reached the bottom and signaled that it was safe to come down.
Aria went next, her decent eased by the fact that Frodo and Sam practically lowered her and she had to do almost no climbing. Sam went next, silently cursing Elven nimbleness as he slipped and sweated down the cliff. But he reached the bottom intact, and Frodo prepared to go down last. There were only two places that troubled him, places with smooth surfaces that even his strong hobbit fingers could find no ledges in. Even so, he reached the bottom and waited to catch his breath.
Aria giggled as Sam stood muttering about his poor beautiful rope and that they might as well leave a sign telling Gollum which way they had gone. Frodo turned to Sam, exasperated.
"If you can think of any way to climb down and not leave your rope, fine. But if not, stop worrying," the Hobbit sighed.
Sam frowned and scratched his head. "No, I can't think how, begging your pardon," he said sadly. "But I don't like leaving it, no sir."
Sam continued mumbling about his rope, Lorien, and Galadriel, while Frodo asked Galareal if he knew anything about swamps. The Elf did, very little, but he told them that these marshes, rightfully called the Dead Marshes, were far more dangerous than the marsh the Hobbits had passed through on their way to Rivendell. Frodo turned to Sam.
"Come Sam, say goodbye to your rope, we have to continue on."
Sam sighed and looked longingly up at his rope. He gave one last pull on it in farewell, and to everyone's surprise, the rope came loose and floated down like gray, silken strands.
Frodo laughed and shook his head. "And to think I trusted your knot."
Sam frowned. "I may not be much of a climber, but I know my knots," he said in an injured tone. "I think my rope came because I called it."
Aria giggled. "All right Sam, as long as you don't start calling it 'precious.'"
Sam frowned, but eventually it softened into a laugh. "All right Miss. So what are we going to do now?"
"Carry on as far as we can," Galareal replied. "It is not yet dark, and we should keep going."
So the friends set off towards the marches, the shadows deepening as night came.
End Chapter 24
Tada! The hobbits, elf, and hobbit-elf are on their way! Next chapter Erestor and Elwing get to meet Eomer and the orcs who attacked the Fellowship. As always, please Review!
Chapter 24: Tracking Hobbits
Aria awoke slowly, aware of the warm sunlight caressing her cheeks. Reluctantly she opened her eyes, not wanting to get up. It was a beautiful morning, and the River gurgled happily as it rushed by. Aria sat up and stretched, noting the lateness of the morning. Odd, she thought, Elwing never lets us sleep this late. I guess she's still upset about Boromir. She gazed around the camp, her still-tired eyes failing to note the two empty spots around the fire. Realization came like a thunderbolt. Aria leapt to her feet with a small cry of surprise. She looked about her frantically, but there were no signs of Elwing and Erestor.
"Galareal. Galareal, get up!" Aria hissed, shaking the sleeping Elf.
Galareal yawned and rubbed his eyes. "What is it?"
"Elwing and Erestor are gone," Aria said, thoroughly worried.
Galareal sat up quickly. "Gone? You mean scouting?"
Aria shook her head. "No, I mean gone. Their stuff is gone too."
Galareal stood up and began looking for tracks. "When did they leave? Did either of them say anything about going anywhere?"
Aria shook her head exasperatingly. "They didn't say anything. I just woke up and they were gone."
"Here, come look at this."
Aria came and knelt beside Galareal, who was looking at something by the fire. It was a message, written with ashes from the fire on a piece of bark.
I am following my heart, you must follow your's. Good luck Alfirin, we will see each other again, promise. -Aurlach
"Following her heart? And where might that lead?" Galareal muttered.
"Into battle," Aria said dryly. "I've never seen someone so eager to fight. At least Erestor is with her, he can keep her in line... I hope."
"Well, what do we do now?" Galareal asked, rising to his feet.
Aria rose as well, her eyes still on the message. "Follow your heart," she murmured to herself. She knew what Elwing was implying, and she knew her friend was right. She wanted to go with Frodo, even if it meant fighting Shelob. Aria shuddered. I hate spiders, she thought fiercely.
"Aria?" Galareal's voice brought her out of her pondering.
"I'm going to go after Frodo," she said quietly. "What about you?"
The Elf stood silent, considering the choice before him. He had already done more than was required of him. He had been sent to lead them to Lorien and back, no more. Of course no one had known Elwing would turn out to be a queen. The legend speaks of two companions of the Queen, Galareal thought, not three. Besides, what use can I be to them? I am a tracker and path-finder, not a warrior. Truth be told, Galareal hated fighting almost as much as Aria. What am I to do? the poor Elf wondered.
"Galareal?" The Elf looked at Aria. I cannot leave her alone, and I know what I saw in the Mirror. If my destiny is to go to Mordor, so be it. Besides, I promised Aragorn I would watch after the girls.
"I will go with you."
Aria looked at him closely. "Are you sure?"
Galareal nodded. "I will not desert a friend."
Aria smiled, and the two silently packed their things. After spreading the ashes from the fire, they climbed into the boat and set off down the Anduin.
Aria and Galareal paddled quickly down the stream, anxious to catch up with Frodo and Sam. Suddenly, Galareal pointed to the east bank. There was another elven boat. They pulled their boat ashore and followed the trail of Hobbit prints towards the barren slopes of the Emyn Muil.
Aria was grateful Galareal had come with her, for she was no tracker, and Hobbits are hard enough to track without the added help of bare rock for ground. Still, Galareal followed the Hobbits' trail without hesitation, used to looking for signs of passage in barren regions. Thank the Valar I spent so much time in the mountains of Mirkwood, Galareal thought as he scanned the ground.
The two friends made good progress, mainly because Galareal could tell when the Hobbits had gone in circles or had doubled back and did not make the same mistake. They had traveled a good distance and Aria was fighting the urge to collapse. Galareal was about to suggest they stop, when a clap of thunder and a gust of icy wind stole their attention. A thick black cloud hung in the southeast and was steadily drawing nearer.
"We had better find shelter," Galareal warned.
"No, no not yet," Aria said, shaking her head stubbornly. "They're nearby, I can feel it."
Galareal sighed and once again set out, climbing over rock and shale. Suddenly a flash of lightning lit the dark sky, accompanied by a deafening clap of thunder. With it rose a fierce wind, and in the wind was a high shrill shriek, such that froze the blood and replaced reason with unbridled fear. Aria and Galareal shrank against the rock face, shivering uncontrollably. They had never heard the shriek before, but it reminded them of the menacing Nazgûl. Suddenly they heard a voice over the wind's fury; Master, master!
Aria's head snapped up. "That's Sam's voice! They must be close by!"
Girl and Elf scrambled quickly over the rocks, ignoring the cuts and bruises acquired in the process. Soon a gully could be seen over a mound of rock. Frodo and Sam had a rope tied around their waists and Sam was preparing to go over the side of the cliff.
"Frodo!" The wind shoved her cry back in her throat, but Aria continued to call as she scrambled forward. "Frodo! Frodo wait!"
Frodo lifted his head and froze. His eyes must be deceiving him, for there was Aria running towards him!
"Aria!" Frodo slipped out of the rope and ran to greet her. He swept her into a hug and squeezed her gently, briefly kissing her cheeks. Aria blushed slightly and Frodo grinned.
"Aria, what are you doing here? You were supposed to stay in Loth..." Frodo's words trailed off as Aria put a hand to his lips.
"Let's just say I have friends in high places," she giggled.
Frodo smiled and turned to Galareal, who was also laughing. "I see my plan of traveling alone has failed," he said, grinning at the tall Elf. "But I suppose I shall be glad for the company soon enough."
Releasing his hold of Aria, Frodo picked up the rope. "Well, we must get down this cliff. Sam wishes to go first, then Aria, then Galareal, then me."
Galareal held up his hand and Sam paused, ready to slid over the cliff.
"Let me go first," Galareal said. "I am the most sure-footed of the group, let me make sure it is safe before you go."
Frodo consented, and Galareal tied the rope around his waist and went over the side of the cliff. His decent was swift and deft, his elvish agility belying the roughness of the cliff. He reached the bottom and signaled that it was safe to come down.
Aria went next, her decent eased by the fact that Frodo and Sam practically lowered her and she had to do almost no climbing. Sam went next, silently cursing Elven nimbleness as he slipped and sweated down the cliff. But he reached the bottom intact, and Frodo prepared to go down last. There were only two places that troubled him, places with smooth surfaces that even his strong hobbit fingers could find no ledges in. Even so, he reached the bottom and waited to catch his breath.
Aria giggled as Sam stood muttering about his poor beautiful rope and that they might as well leave a sign telling Gollum which way they had gone. Frodo turned to Sam, exasperated.
"If you can think of any way to climb down and not leave your rope, fine. But if not, stop worrying," the Hobbit sighed.
Sam frowned and scratched his head. "No, I can't think how, begging your pardon," he said sadly. "But I don't like leaving it, no sir."
Sam continued mumbling about his rope, Lorien, and Galadriel, while Frodo asked Galareal if he knew anything about swamps. The Elf did, very little, but he told them that these marshes, rightfully called the Dead Marshes, were far more dangerous than the marsh the Hobbits had passed through on their way to Rivendell. Frodo turned to Sam.
"Come Sam, say goodbye to your rope, we have to continue on."
Sam sighed and looked longingly up at his rope. He gave one last pull on it in farewell, and to everyone's surprise, the rope came loose and floated down like gray, silken strands.
Frodo laughed and shook his head. "And to think I trusted your knot."
Sam frowned. "I may not be much of a climber, but I know my knots," he said in an injured tone. "I think my rope came because I called it."
Aria giggled. "All right Sam, as long as you don't start calling it 'precious.'"
Sam frowned, but eventually it softened into a laugh. "All right Miss. So what are we going to do now?"
"Carry on as far as we can," Galareal replied. "It is not yet dark, and we should keep going."
So the friends set off towards the marches, the shadows deepening as night came.
End Chapter 24
Tada! The hobbits, elf, and hobbit-elf are on their way! Next chapter Erestor and Elwing get to meet Eomer and the orcs who attacked the Fellowship. As always, please Review!
