Well, it's been a lot longer than it should have (sorry!) but I think things are mostly back on track. It doesn't look like I'll be playing chauffeur so much anymore (before it was an hours drive half way around the lake and back three times a day…). Never thought I would be happy to see the end of a vacation. So, now all I have in the way is work and school…
Sorry about the no first chapter thing there…I think, no, I'm about 82% sure my computer hates me. Anyway, this chapter isn't quite what I wanted it to be, but it will shine some light on some big plot type stuff that should cover for that…
For everyone who reviewed and stuff last chapter: THANK YOU MUCH LOTS!
-Man's Road-
By Odele
Ch. 3
In the Bush
"Well, it seems we would have met up anyway," Legolas spoke as they settled themselves. Aragorn had led them to a thick copse of bushes that from the outside looked impenetrable. On the inside though was a clearing big enough to comfortably fit the Fellowship and its two extra members, and tall enough that they could even bring their pack pony Ted in, though he had to stand with his head bowed.
"Oh? And why's that?" Gimli asked suspiciously.
"Because Master Dwarf, this is where I was headed as well."
"This is highly irregular," Sam spoke up before anyone could question the Elf. "I've never seen anything like it. Bushes don't grow this close together and yet leave so much space in their middle."
"No Sam, they don't," Aragorn said. "The Rangers grew this place as a shelter of sorts, to keep dry if they got caught in the rain. Why were you coming here?" He directed at the Elf.
"Well, it is to rain tonight and there is no other shelter for at least a day and a half's journey in every direction. I thought it in our best interest." The Elf put a protective arm around the boy who had not spoken nor moved far from his guardian since the two parties had joined.
"Let me rephrase the question," Aragorn said slightly irritated. "How did you know of this place?"
"I found it. How did you know of it?"
"I'm a Ranger."
"Well then, I guess we're even," the Elf said smiling.
"What—"
"We do not know for sure if it will rain. Staying here is merely a precaution," Gandalf interrupted Aragorn. "We will stay the night and if morning comes and there is no rain then we will head out an hour before dawn."
"It will," said the Elf.
"Pardon?" The Wizard raised an inquiring eyebrow.
"It will rain. I know well the weather patterns here. It will start lightly in about an hour, then grow heavy until early morning. It will come and go all day tomorrow. It would be wise to wait it out here for the ground will be treacherous to those who cannot step lightly," the Elf said glancing at the Dwarf. "In any case it would be best to leave once there is light enough to see. The rain might slow down what ever it is that follows you, but we are not out of danger yet."
"You presume much Master Elf," Gimli made the word sound an insult.
"I presume nothing. I have been watching the skies and noted the speed and direction of the clouds, and as I have said, I know this area well," the Elf responded with narrowed eyes. "If you do not believe me wait and see. Master Dwarf."
"Like I said," Gandalf cut in before Gimli could respond, "we leave an hour before dawn if the weather permits. Otherwise we wait for the first opportunity.
"Sam, if you would begin supper, I believe we can risk a fire here.
"Aragorn, you have first watch, Boromir, you have second, then Glorfindel and then myself."
"And what of him?" Gimli asked, nodding at the Elf. "Should we not at least bind him while we sleep? He will no doubt try to cause trouble."
Gandalf looked hard at the Elf in question. The Wizard had thought this Elf long dead, it had been quite a surprise to see him alive and with a human boy no less. He had understood the Elf's hints but did not know why the archer wanted so fervently to keep his identity secret. What harm would it cause for the Fellowship to know who he was?
"I don't believe he has given us just cause for such action, Gimli. An Elf is as good as his word. But we cannot continue to refer to him as 'Elf.' I believe introductions are in order, for it seems we will be journeying together a while yet."
"I am sure your purpose is a grave one, but it seems to me you have forgotten that yours might not be the only errand in need of completion," the Elf spoke up quickly.
Gandalf knew it for the diversion is was. "Indeed I have not. Our business is a dangerous one and we have great need for both speed and caution. I feel competent in assuming your task can wait until it is safe for us to part.
"As much as we wish to know your identity, it is only right for us to start. I am Gandalf the Grey, or more recognizable to you perhaps as Mithrandir," the Wizard said to which the Elf inclined his head. "This is Strider, a Ranger of—"
"I thought that was Aragorn," the Elf interrupted.
"I have many names," Aragorn said, eyes intent on the mysterious Elf.
"Aragorn, son of Arathorn being one of the lesser known?" the Elf asked, mischief dancing in his eyes.
"You know it then," Aragorn said flatly.
"Your name precedes you. There are few would not know the name of a king of Men."
"Well, it seems you know more then you led on," Gandalf continued. The Elf's eyes narrowed slightly at the boarder line insult. "This is Boromir, son of Denethor," he continued the introductions. The Man nodded his head in acknowledgement.
The Elf returned the gesture. "A future Steward of Gondor and admired by your people." To this the son of Denethor merely raised and eyebrow.
"Gimli, son of Gloin," Gandalf motioned towards the Dwarf who grumbled under his breath. "The Hobbits, Peregrin Took," the halfling smiled and waved at the Elf from the pile of firewood he had been helping his cousin gather, "and Meriadoc Brandybuck." The Elf smiled and nodded a greeting at them. "Samwise Gamgee, and Frodo Baggins."
"A Baggins. Might you be Bilbo's heir?" the Elf questioned.
"You know Uncle Bilbo?"
"We've met once or twice. He's had nothing but kind words to say of you," the Elf said with a smile. Frodo blushed.
"And last, Lord Glorfindel," the Wizard finished. The two Elves looked at each other with blank faces for a moment before Gandalf cleared his throat in order to gain everyone's attention. "I believe it is your turn."
The Elf's gaze settled on each of the Fellowship before speaking. "I am known as Legolas. This is Imman, my charge."
So, it was not his name the Elf wished to keep hidden. What then could it be? "Is that all you have to say?" Gandalf asked.
"That's all you need to know at this time," Legolas said with a pointed look at the boy.
A prolonged silence followed, which the Hobbits found rather uncomfortable. Finally, a small voice spoke up. "Ada, I'm hungry," Imman stated, tugging on Legolas' sleeve.
Before the Elf could respond Sam said, "Well, the stew's ready if you'd like something warm." The Hobbit ladled some into a wooden bowl and walked across the clearing to offer it to the boy.
Imman looked to Legolas, silently asking if he could have it. The Elf smiled. "Thank you," he said to Sam as Imman eagerly received the food.
"Would you like some Mr. Legolas?" Sam asked brightly as he moved back to the pot to fill more bowls.
"No thank you, Master Gamgee," Legolas answered quietly. The Hobbit shrugged and continued dishing out the stew.
*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
The boy, Imman, Aragorn reminded himself, fell asleep quickly after supper. He watched him give a drowsy 'thank you' to Sam as Legolas tenderly tucked a blanket around the Hobbit-sized form, letting the boy use their only pack as a pillow.
There was a story here, Aragorn knew, and by the way Legolas had reacted to Gandalf's question, it was not a happy one to tell. Still, they would need to know.
"The boy is human," Aragorn said after a while.
Legolas looked up from his contemplation of the fire. "How observant of you."
Aragorn raised an eyebrow at the scathing remark. The Elf returned his gaze to the fire. "I do not take well to being a prisoner, no matter how well treated," he said in way of explanation.
There was another moment of silence before the Ranger spoke again. "He called you father."
"No, he called me 'Ada'."
"It means the same thing."
"Not to one that does not speak Elvish."
Once again they fell silent, and once again it was Aragorn that broke it. "How did a human child come to be the charge of an Elf?"
The Legolas let out laden sigh before speaking. "Two summers ago I came across a farmer, down on his luck. In return for my aid he gave me shelter through the winter. We became friends and upon my departure in the spring I promised to return with new tales of Middle Earth, for he and his family much enjoyed them.
"A week ago, as my travels were taking me near, I stopped to visit. But…when I got there…the town had been attacked. Ravaged and burned to the ground. There was hardly anything…anyone left. What few I could find had no word of the outlaying farms. No survivors had come in looking for help.
"I did what I could for the handful of Men that were left, most of whom were injured, and then went as fast as I could manage in search of my friend. I had hoped…" his voice wavered and he swallowed thickly before continuing. "I had hoped they had been passed by, that it was only the town which…but it was not to be.
"When I reached the farm, the house was still aflame in places. The livestock had all been slaughtered and…everyone was…He had a wife. And five children. Imman was the youngest.
"When I found Ali—…When I found his wife…she was still alive, but her injuries…there was nothing I could do. With her last breath she asked me to take Imman to her sister who lives on the other side of the Misty Mountains.
"While I was looking for him I found one of the disgusting creatures that had done this…the filthy thing had been left behind and was scrounging through the wreckage of the barn for something to entertain itself. I killed it before I could think to ask where its brethren had gone.
"It was well I did anyway, for it was inside the overturned rain barrel the thing had been interested in that I found Imman."
The was a shocked, uncomfortable silence before Frodo broke it with one word, "Orcs?"
The Elf, still staring at the fire, merely nodded his head. Outside the copes of thickly intertwined bushes it began to rain.
*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
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