QUESTIONS IN THE DARK
Dawn came, and Elen and Legolas had met the sunrise in camp, as their companions slept. Even Aragorn was asleep. But as elen surveyed her surroundings she noted that anya was nowhere to be seen. "Legolas, I must find anya". She turned and headed into the wild. Legolas turned to find Aragorn behind him silent. "she did return to camp last night after we spoke". Aragorn told the elf prince softly so the others would not hear him. "did you see her return?" "she came this way, then she completely sidetracked the path and headed else where'. Aragorn surmised. "Elen will find her, she always does". Legolas made his own deductions.
Elen stood silently in the glade, becoming attuned to nature. Silence. "when I most need you anya you behave like an elf". She muttered. But her voice carried, and anya did have the keen hearing of her half elven blood. "I am reminded of it every day my friend". Elen turned and found Anya standing not far from her, leaning against a tree. "so you have taken to trees again, I thought after that last fall you would avoid them altogether". Elen told her. "it is not in my best interest to do so, you know that once an elf takes to the trees it is nigh impossible to find them". "unless you are an elf yourself and know where to look". Elen looked up. At the canopy above them. "resting in the crook of the old one?" she asked. Anya smiled. "you knew where I was". "I know you well anya, and I am a ranger, and also above all an elf, never underestimate us, I believe you were set on slitting a certain dwarves throat?" elen asked her. "Aragorn spoke". The half elf said disgustedly. "no, Legolas and I heard you, we were not far from you, it is well that Estel stayed your hand, for long has our kind been at war with the stone dwellers". "elen the peacemaker?" "I recognize when it is not the time for petty wars Nightsword, do not assume anything of me, did you have an argument with estel?" "we spoke and nothing more, he insulted me" 'it is not his way, does he know of your feelings for him?' "he does, I did not tell him, he already knew of them, he would not betray the evenstar". "men are fickle, as all mortals are be female or male, Arwen has given up her immortality for him". Elen told her, something that anya did not know. "she would forsake her people?' "for love yes, as we all would". "I do love him Elen, my heart is true to this' Elen touched her face softly. "if you love him offer him your friendship, unguarded and never tested, he remembers your meeting all too well". Anya blushed. 'had it not been for you he would be dead". "I very much doubt that, estel is talented in many ways'. Elen told her. But anya felt there was another meaning in that. Had Elen and Aragorn done something? 'come do not dwell on past matters anya, camp is ready to break and we must continue our journey". With that the elven ranger led her wayward friend back to camp.
Legolas stood up when the two elves walked back into camp. "as I said, all elfs seem to take it upon themselves to take a moment'. The dwarf muttered. "it would do well master dwarf that you do not taunt us any longer, if anya is to slit your throat I would be most happy to supply her with the blade to do it". Elen told him.
"tally is back on". Pippin whispered to Merry. "right, I say Elen will be the first to break". Sam said getting in on the bet. Frodo groaned. "I say Legolas". Merry said eyeing the elf prince, he was sure he could see him grinding his jaw. The hobbits continued setting their bets when Boromir cleared his throat. Aragorn smiled at the other man and announced that it was time to leave camp.
Aragorn led the way, with anya behind him then the hobbits, with Boromir, Elen and Legolas bringing up the rear. They would soon reach their destination, Aragorn would walk them all night if he had to, and all day. They could not afford any more delays.
Dawn came, and Elen and Legolas had met the sunrise in camp, as their companions slept. Even Aragorn was asleep. But as elen surveyed her surroundings she noted that anya was nowhere to be seen. "Legolas, I must find anya". She turned and headed into the wild. Legolas turned to find Aragorn behind him silent. "she did return to camp last night after we spoke". Aragorn told the elf prince softly so the others would not hear him. "did you see her return?" "she came this way, then she completely sidetracked the path and headed else where'. Aragorn surmised. "Elen will find her, she always does". Legolas made his own deductions.
Elen stood silently in the glade, becoming attuned to nature. Silence. "when I most need you anya you behave like an elf". She muttered. But her voice carried, and anya did have the keen hearing of her half elven blood. "I am reminded of it every day my friend". Elen turned and found Anya standing not far from her, leaning against a tree. "so you have taken to trees again, I thought after that last fall you would avoid them altogether". Elen told her. "it is not in my best interest to do so, you know that once an elf takes to the trees it is nigh impossible to find them". "unless you are an elf yourself and know where to look". Elen looked up. At the canopy above them. "resting in the crook of the old one?" she asked. Anya smiled. "you knew where I was". "I know you well anya, and I am a ranger, and also above all an elf, never underestimate us, I believe you were set on slitting a certain dwarves throat?" elen asked her. "Aragorn spoke". The half elf said disgustedly. "no, Legolas and I heard you, we were not far from you, it is well that Estel stayed your hand, for long has our kind been at war with the stone dwellers". "elen the peacemaker?" "I recognize when it is not the time for petty wars Nightsword, do not assume anything of me, did you have an argument with estel?" "we spoke and nothing more, he insulted me" 'it is not his way, does he know of your feelings for him?' "he does, I did not tell him, he already knew of them, he would not betray the evenstar". "men are fickle, as all mortals are be female or male, Arwen has given up her immortality for him". Elen told her, something that anya did not know. "she would forsake her people?' "for love yes, as we all would". "I do love him Elen, my heart is true to this' Elen touched her face softly. "if you love him offer him your friendship, unguarded and never tested, he remembers your meeting all too well". Anya blushed. 'had it not been for you he would be dead". "I very much doubt that, estel is talented in many ways'. Elen told her. But anya felt there was another meaning in that. Had Elen and Aragorn done something? 'come do not dwell on past matters anya, camp is ready to break and we must continue our journey". With that the elven ranger led her wayward friend back to camp.
Legolas stood up when the two elves walked back into camp. "as I said, all elfs seem to take it upon themselves to take a moment'. The dwarf muttered. "it would do well master dwarf that you do not taunt us any longer, if anya is to slit your throat I would be most happy to supply her with the blade to do it". Elen told him.
"tally is back on". Pippin whispered to Merry. "right, I say Elen will be the first to break". Sam said getting in on the bet. Frodo groaned. "I say Legolas". Merry said eyeing the elf prince, he was sure he could see him grinding his jaw. The hobbits continued setting their bets when Boromir cleared his throat. Aragorn smiled at the other man and announced that it was time to leave camp.
Aragorn led the way, with anya behind him then the hobbits, with Boromir, Elen and Legolas bringing up the rear. They would soon reach their destination, Aragorn would walk them all night if he had to, and all day. They could not afford any more delays.