Chapter 10
Gandalf made his staff light up with the wave of his hand. He looked behind himself and saw Mylea and Legolas' faces. With Haldir, Gimli, and Aragorn in the background. The tunnel they traveled in was starting to get lower and lower, and soon enough they had to craw their way through.
"How much longer Gandalf?" Gimli called.
"I do not know, it had been quite some time since I have traveled to Isengaurd."
Gandalf could hear Gimli grunting and moaning in dislike. The others kept quiet except for the complaint that every so often came when someone had trampled another's foot or hand.
After an hour of crawling, they saw bright green grass poking out from an exit. They all tumbled out and hopped up to their feet. Aragorn looked back forlornly through the tunnel, fearing the worst for Bimley.
"Aragorn do not trouble yourself with worry. Bimley did what he felt was right in his heart. Saruman might end his life, but Bimley will be strong till the end." Gandalf tried to comfort him.
Aragorn did not say a word but looked at Mylea and hoped she would bring him something better to dwell on. Mylea tuned in immediately to what Aragorn was feeling, and instinctively came and embraced him.
"Do not dwell on things you cannot control Aragorn, just keep going…for Arwen."
Aragorn nodded at Mylea and felt the warmth of her encouraging smile, and relief spread through his veins. Mylea had a magical touch in helping people. She was very sensitive and knew exactly how to comfort those who felt burdened or lost.
"Now Gandalf, what shall we do?" Legolas asked.
"We must find some place safe for the night, where we can come up with a plan to bring Saruman down."
Legolas agreed and they all set off back to the security of the trees. Once far enough into the forest they sat and Gandalf created a bright orange bonfire. Everyone gathered and warmed himself or herself, as Mylea started to wonder how life was back at her home in Rivendell.
Elrond found Arwen and Elladan in the library. Arwen was playing a beautiful golden harp, with sparkling strings, while Elladan had his face buried in a book. Elrond smiled at his children then walked in and sat watching Arwen play for a moment. She soon stopped and met her father's gaze.
"What are you thinking father?" Arwen asked.
"I believe that I need to tell you two something you might not wish to hear."
At this Elladan raised his head and slowly placed the book aside. Elrond looked very tired, as if he had not slept in many weeks. His face had lost all color and his eyes dropped. He looked back and forth between Arwen and Elladan then cleared his throat.
"I have spoken to the Lady Galadriel. It seems more have set off upon the journey for Aragorn. Yet something still troubles Galadriel as well as I."
"What is it father?" Arwen suddenly interrupted, fearing he would speak dreadful news of Aragorn.
"Mylea, she will have to face something that she might not return from."
Elladan jumped out of his seat and glared at his father.
"What do you mean by this?" He yelled louder than he had meant to.
"I mean that Mylea will have to face her past."
"Father, Mylea will return to us…she must." Arwen spoke.
"I am hoping for the best dear Arwen, but I can not trust it."
Elladan stormed out of the room and went to his bedchambers. He was not going to believe what his father said. He could not believe that Mylea's time would soon pass.
Saruman threw Bimley against the wall as Bimley stayed soundless. Ten other orcs surround them, among them Nortil stood.
"Where did they go Bimley?" Saruman asked forcefully.
"I do not know Master."
"You lie! Now tell me!"
Bimley just blinked and looked into his Master's eyes that were full of fury.
"Bimley tell him!" Nortil shouted.
"What have you to say Nortil?" Saruman shot at him.
"Bimley befriended that man. He brought him water and food. They must have spoken many occasions."
"Bimley, if I were you I would speak of what you know." Saruman spoke turning back towards Bimley.
"I shall never speak to you Saruman! You are poison and they will stop you!"
With that remark Saruman smacked Bimley across the face. He then took his staff and twirled Bimley and the air and threw him facedown into the stone floor. He then turned and started to walk away.
"Kill him." He spoke to the other orcs.
As Saruman walked out he could hear the screams of Bimley. Once Saruman was out of earshot, Nortil broke up the gang of orcs.
"No! Don't kill him! Do you realize what you are doing? Bimley is one of us! We must set him free." Nortil spoke.
All the other orcs stood and looked at Nortil, and Bimley had been cast aside on the floor with blood pouring down his face. He looked at Nortil and smiled, no one had ever stood up for him like that. Then Bimley picked himself up and made his way to the secret passage. The other orcs just stood in silence and made no move to stop him.
Mylea looked into the flames as Gandalf and Aragorn sat a few yards away discussing what they knew, and what they planned to do as tomorrow approached. Legolas, Haldir, and Gimli stood half a mile away debating on weapons. Mylea pulled her legs toward her and clasped her arms around them. She wanted this to be over as soon as possible. She longed to be back with Arwen and Elrond in the security of Rivendell.
"You two and your laughable arrows! A real fighter uses an ax! To feel the blade cut through the skin of an orc is like nothing else." Gimli chortled.
"Gimli I did not say that you did not wield some sort of force with that. I just believe the Lady Galadriel has thought of the best tools any creature can come by." Haldir spoke.
"Galadriel…what does she have to do with this?"
"She was the first of the elves Gimli, she brought us here and she taught us all we know."
As Gimli stumbled over his next few sentences Legolas glanced towards Mylea. She sat alone and looked lost. He decided to excuse himself and waltzed to Mylea. He took a seat next to her; she did not take her eyes off the fire.
"Mylea, what is wrong?"
"Nothing…I just…long for home."
"You mean to go back to Rivendell when this is through?"
"Yes, I do not know where else I would belong. Elrond, Arwen, and Elladan all
need me, and I them. It is not as if I have not enjoyed my time out here, I am glad I came. I just want to take Lord Aragorn home and be with those that I care for."
"Do you not have any room left in your heart for anyone else?" Legolas asked slowly and Mylea looked into his eyes.
"Do you refer to yourself Legolas?"
Legolas diverted his eyes from her face and looked to the fire.
"For if you meant yourself, then I do." Mylea spoke and placed her hand upon his own.
Legolas looked back into her eyes with a smile, and for a moment they just sat looking at one another in silence.
