Chapter 8: An Explanation
"But Gandalf!" Pippin cried out. "What are we supposed to do while they learn how to use a sword?!"
"There's something oddly peculiar about those two." Merry said thinking to himself, turns toward Gandalf. "It's almost as if they're hiding something that they don't want us to know."
"Many people have many pasts." Gandalf replied, puffing on a pipe. "Some are good, others are bad. That is not to be included in our knowledge of these two women, unless they chose to tell us. The seven of you were chosen for the specific purpose of saving Middle Earth. The future is all you need to concern yourself with...not the past."
Gimli finally spoke up, "Perhaps now is a good time to tell us what this quest is all about."
"Mark my words, Gimli." Gandalf said, his eyes starting to close. "By the time the first star of the evening shines bright, you shall know everything I have to tell you."
* * *
"Thrust! Parry! Jump back! Good!" Legolas complimented Vywien, who grinned broadly. They had been at this for hours, and Vywien was showing remarkable progress. She was getting very adept with the sword. "At this rate we'll be able to move onto the bow and arrow by lunch!" Legolas said, eyes shining. Vywien blushed slightly at his compliments. "Now, we're going to try a new tactic, alright?" Legolas asked, standing directly in front of her. Vywien nodded. "I'm going to attack you from behind. It doesn't sound like fair play, but when you are out on the battlefield, 'fair' is going to be the last thing on an orc's mind." Vywien nodded, and Legolas slipped past her for a few yards. She faced the trees in front of her and briefly closed her eyes, allowing the slight breeze to cool her skin. Suddenly she heard a crackle of a branch to her left, she opened her eyes and she saw a slight movement. She glanced over just in time to see and hear Merry scream, "Vywien!" He dashed toward them, seeing Legolas sneaking up on her. He unsheathed his short sword and lunged at Legolas.
Vywien turned around, and saw him literally attack Legolas with his sword. Though short in stature, the small hobbit definitely knew what he was doing with his sword. "Wait!" Vywien almost laughed, but Merry didn't hear her. To him he was fighting for her life. He swung his sword at Legolas head. Legolas parried the blow, and swung one toward Merry's stomach, which Merry parried also. "You dirty elf!" Merry cried, swinging his sword harder.
"Dirty?" Legolas asked as he parried another blow.
"You dare attack a woman from behind?!" Merry yelled, and swung his sword again. Legolas finally got the upper hand when he hit Merry's sword exceptionally hard, and it flew a few feet from where they were standing. Legolas then threw down his own sword as Merry bull rushed him. Legolas caught the flailing hobbit's arms, and did a sweep with his foot tripping Merry. Legolas then practically monkey-piled on him, and used his left forearm against Merry's throat, just enough so he would have to labor for breath. Then he grabbed his left arm, and pinned it in the grass by Merry's head. "Do you yield?" Legolas asked directly in his face.
"No!" Merry cried, thrashing about until Vywien came up beside them. "Merry! We were practicing. He was showing me how an orc would fight." Vywien's soft voice froze Merry's struggles, and he stared up at her lovely face. He paused to think about it. He did actually remember Legolas talking to her briefly before he snuck around behind her...they could have actually planned it. His sense of chivalry took over before he had had a chance to actually think things through. All he saw was Vywien in trouble. Since yesterday, he had decided that she was the most beautiful creature in all of Middle Earth. Merry, the hobbit from the Shire, had a crush on Vywien.
"Do you yield?" Legolas asked again. Merry nodded, and Legolas released him, and offered a hand down to help him up. Merry gratefully accepted the hand, and started to brush himself off. "Dirty elf?" Legolas asked him, the corners of his lips twitching.
"I guess I'm the dirty one now, aye?" Merry laughed, and continued to dust himself off. "Sorry Legolas." He said sincerely. "I've been through so much death and destruction...but I never thought you...I mean you would never..." He trailed off. "It's alright." Legolas assured him, and patted him on the shoulder. "You are one brave hobbit indeed." Merry smiled up at him for the praise. "Now, what is it you wish to tell us?"
"Oh!" Merry said, brightening. "Gandalf bid me to come and get you for lunch."
* * *
"Okay...step forward, duck, swing and side-step. Again." Zayn did as she was instructed, beginning to feel more comfortable with both her sword and with Aragorn teaching her. They had been at it for a few hours now, and sweat was pouring off both of them. Aragorn had started out as an impatient teacher, but as she worked with him more, Zayn realized that he just wanted her to do really well, really fast. She was growing more and more fond of the King of Gondor. "Good job!" Aragorn praised her, and clapped her on the back. "You are progressing greatly! Once we got over that 'backing up' problem, you really have some ability with a sword!"
"Thanks," Zayn blushed. "But everything I do now, I owe to my teacher."
"We're not done yet!" Aragorn said, sensing in her voice that she was about to quit for the day. "Lets try some free-style sword play...alright?" Zayn nodded, and instantly stood in a ready stance with her sword. Her left foot out far, and her right foot further back and slightly bent, sword erect and pointed right at Aragorn. Aragorn smiled at her, and Zayn's heart melted. "Ready?" Zayn nodded, and he came forward, bringing down his sword near her neck, she ducked and swung her sword at his left arm. Aragorn blocked, and delivered his own blow. This continued for a bit, both getting very involved with their sword fighting. They were so involved in fact, that neither one of them heard the crackling of leaves being pushed aside as someone...or something made his or her way toward the clearing. Eventually Aragorn decided that they could rest for a bit, but instead of actually saying so, he swung a harsh blow toward her sword, knocking it out of her hands. Her sword fell directly below her feet, and as she took a step forward the toe of her boot snagged the hilt and she started to fall forward. Aragorn reached out and grabbed her shoulders to keep her from falling.
When she finally got her balance she smiled warmly at Aragorn. "Thanks..." Aragorn nodded, and reluctantly let go of her shoulders. They were growing quite fond of each other...even if just as friends. Zayn hoped it was more then friends. Her gaze strayed to directly over her shoulder and she backed up, tripping over her sword once again. She landed painfully on her backside, eyes wide. "What? What's the matter?" Aragorn asked her, wondering if he had done something wrong. Zayn started to crawl backwards on her feet and hands *crab walking* backwards. "Zayn!" She hurried faster, whimpered in fear, bolted to her feet and ran back to the camp. Aragorn scratched his head...what had gone wrong?
"Hello Aragorn!" Aragorn slowly turned around, he knew of only one Ent that that voice belonged to. "Treebeard?" Aragorn asked, slowly turning around.
* * *
Legolas, Vywien, Merry and Pippin were sitting around the fire chuckling when they heard a noise coming from the nearby trees. Suddenly Zayn came running toward them with a shocked and frightened expression. "Lordy, big trees coming .. walking ...." With that, she semi-swooned and nearly fell to the ground had Pippin not caught her. Both elves blink then look to each other, "Treebeard?"
Gandalf walks into the clearing followed by Aragorn and sure enough, Treebeard. Vywien smiles at her old friend, and walks over to him. "Hello, Vywien. Much ... has... happened... since ... I .. saw ... you last. Gandalf ... is an old... friend of mine...as well as these others...though...the woman ... sleeping now ... I have .. not ... met." Everyone listens to the aged guardian of the trees of Fangorn.
Pippin set the weary human on one of the leather sleeping cloths. A while later everyone sat around the campfire, though the large Ent was further back so he would not catch fire. Zayn remained sitting on the leather cloth, starting up at the large tree creature. Behind sad Aragorn, Pippin, Marry, Gandalf, Treebeard, Gimli, Legolas, and Vywien circling the fire. Gandalf addressed the Ent, "Shall we discuss then, the reason I called you here?" Treebeard merely nodded feeling the need for Gandalf to explain first.
Gandalf turned to the group, "As you all know, I have called you here for a grave mission. The reason for which, I have yet to reveal. I will do so now. You all are going to go on a mission to destroy and evil that has been around longer than Sauron. It will require all the power you have, even your very lives. My friend, Treebeard will explain the story of the evil to you now."
The aged guardian looked at the group, causing the sound of old trees groaning in a sharp wind. "The ring of power ... was created ... in the likeness ... of . . this evil. The ... blood ... red jewel...is known...for its ... great ... beauty. Those ... who carried...the jewel...'he looks around' .. did not know ... how it worked.... Unlike ... the ring ... of power...it creates ... pain, .. suffering, ... and horrible things...happen...at the cost...of the owner. It .... must ... be destroyed." As Treebeard finishes his speech the entire group straightens in their respective spots.
Gandalf then speaks up from where the old Ent left off. "Discontent is rising in Middle Earth, though from where or why we do not know. This jewel is not on this plane of existence, or so we believe. If it was here, someone would acquire vast power rather quickly, and draw attention to themselves. While you all continue practicing your weapons, I will travel to some places I know and gather information. I will leave at dawn and be back with you all in a week hence."
For the rest of the meal, which consisted of the remains of the mornings breakfast and some ale, everyone sat in silence. Occasionally someone would comment on the food, or discuss something with another. Treebeard had left shortly after his speech explaining he had to check out some other Ents south west of here. So with much commotion, Treebeard said his adieus and walked back into Fangorn. The two girls thought about what Gandalf and the old Ent had told them. Vywien looked to Gandalf, having conquered her shyness, questioned, "If this jewel is on another plane, how are we to get there?" Gandalf became thoughtful blowing smoke rings, "I may know of a way, but of yet I will not speak of it. For it may not work and I do not wish to create false hope."